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US 4,092,867 AGranted
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus
OwnerTerrance Matzukinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ultrasonic scanner having a housing, an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the housing and mounted for movement in a predetermined path therewithin. Magnetic means are provided for effecting movement of the transducer in a predetermined path, and electrical means are provided for energizing the transducer and receiving signals therefrom. The scanner may be servo-controlled and be provided with position sensing means for determining the position of the transducer within the predetermined path, and signal processing means for receiving feedback signals from said position sensing means and adjusting said transducer position responsive to said feedback signals indicating the existence of a departure from the desired transducer position.
Claims46
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus for insonifying a specimen comprising:
- a housing,
- an ultrasonic transducer disposed within said housing and mounted for movement in a predetermined path therewithin,
- magnetic means for effecting movement of said transducer in said predetermined path,
- electrical means for energizing said transducer and receiving signals therefrom,
- said magnetic means including permanent magnet means and electromagnetic means,
- energizing means for electrically energizing said electromagnetic means,
- position sensing means for determining the position of said transducer within said predetermined path,
- said position sensing means being disposed out of direct physical contact with said specimen, and
- signal processing means for comparing a position signal from said position sensing means and another signal which indicates a desired position of said transducer and emitting a position correcting signal if a difference in said signals exists, whereby
- said transducer may be moved in a continuously controlled manner in said predetermined path within said housing independently of the position or movement of said housing with automatic correction for departures of said transducer from a desired position on said predetermined path, by position sensing means disposed out of direct physical contact with said specimen and cooperating with said signal processing means.
7 more elements
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus comprising
- a housing,
- an ultrasonic transducer disposed within said housing and mounted for movement in a predetermined path therewithin,
- magnetic means for effecting movement of said transducer in said predetermined path,
- electrical means for energizing said transducer and receiving signals therefrom,
- said magnetic means including permanent magnet means and electromagnetic means,
- energizing means for electrically energizing said electromagnetic means,
- position sensing means for determining the position of said transducer within said predetermined path,
- said transducer being a focussed transducer,
- said transducer being secured to said permanent magnet means,
- bearing means supporting said permanent magnet-transducer assembly for rotational movement,
- support means having depending legs disposed on opposed sides of said permanent magnet-transducer assembly, and
- said bearing means being in contact with and supported by said depending legs.
9 more elements
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus comprising
- a housing,
- an ultrasonic transducer disposed within said housing and mounted for movement in a predetermined path therewithin,
- magnetic means for effecting movement of said transducer in said predetermined path,
- electrical means for energizing said transducer and receiving signals therefrom,
- said magnetic means including permanent magnet means and electromagnetic means,
- energizing means for electrically energizing said electromagnetic means,
- position sensing means for determining the position of said transducer within said predetermined path,
- said transducer being a focussed transducer,
- said transducer being secured to said permanent magnet means,
- bearing means supporting said permanent magnet-transducer assembly for rotational movement,
- said scanning apparatus being an invasive medical procedure apparatus,
- said permanent magnet means having an opening therethrough,
- said transducer having an opening therethrough generally aligned with said permanent magnet openings, and
- said housing having an opening defining portion which passes through said permanent magnet opening and said transducer opening, whereby a syringe or other medical instrument may be passed through said openings.
11 more elements
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus comprising
- a housing,
- an ultrasonic transducer disposed within said housing and mounted for movement in a predetermined path therewithin,
- magnetic means for effecting movement of said transducer in said predetermined path,
- electrical means for energizing said transducer and receiving signals therefrom,
- said magnetic means including permanent magnet means and electromagnet means,
- energizing means for electrically energizing said electromagnetic means,
- position sensing means for determining the position of said transducer within said predetermined path,
- said transducer being a focussed transducer,
- pendulum means disposed within said housing,
- said pendulum means including a column, a pivot adjacent one end of said column and an electrical coil assembly including an electrical coil and coil support secured adjacent to the other end of said column,
- said transducer secured to said coil assembly,
- elongated permanent magnet means passing through an opening in said coil support, and
- said energizing means adapted to electrically energize said coil, whereby energizing said coil will produce movement of said transducer along the path defined by said elongated permanent magnet.
10 more elements
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus comprising
- a housing,
- an ultrasonic transducer disposed within said housing and mounted for movement in a predetermined path therewithin,
- magnetic means for effecting movement of said transducer in said predetermined path,
- electrical means for energizing said transducer and receiving signals therefrom,
- said magnetic means including permanent magnet means and electromagnetic means,
- energizing means for electrically energizing said electromagnetic means,
- position sensing means for determining the position of said transducer within said predetermined path,
- signal processing means for comparing a position signal from said position sensing means and another signal which indicates a desired position of said transducer and emitting a position correcting signal if a difference in said signals exists,
- master timer means for generating active gate signals and position gate signals, and
- said position sensing means adapted to receive said position gate signals from said master timer means.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.