US 4,398,422 AGranted

Ultrasonic-image device

AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft

InventorRainer Haerten

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Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, an ultrasonic applicator for line-by-line ultrasonic scanning supplies echo signals to a device for displaying a layer image. The aim of the disclosure is to produce an imaging system which does not cause any coupling problems in any position of the application location; in addition, application should also be possible, in particular, in the chest area for obtaining subcostal sectional images. This aim is achieved by a line-by-line scanning applicator being also additionally pivotally or rotatably mounted, for the purpose of oscillation or rotation of the scanning surface, about such an oscillating-or rotating-axis, e.g. over a specifiable angular range and by a motor drive, with the applicator being firmly assigned to the selected application location during the angular movement.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An ultrasonic imaging system comprising an ultrasonic applicator for ultrasonic scanning of a layer of an examination object, and a display device for providing an echo image display,

(a) first scanning means for operating said applicator to effect scanning in a line-by-line fashion with an ultrasonic beam directed generally in a depth direction so as to sweep a scanning plane (6, 7;
29), and
(b) second scanning means mounting said applicator for angular movement about an axis (3;
26) so as to successively offset the scanning plane angularly and to sweep a scanning volume within an examination object, said second scanning means comprising a mechanical drive (2;
25) coupled with said applicator for effecting the angular movement thereof about said axis,
(c) said ultrasonic applicator comprising a longitudinally extended ultrasonic array (1), said first scanning means (10) serving to operate said ultrasonic array (1) by sequential electronic beam switching so as to offset the ultrasonic beam in a longitudinal direction in sweeping the scanning plane (6, 7), and said second scanning means mounting said ultrasonic array (1) for oscillatory movement about a pivot axis (3) which extends in the longitudinal direction of said ultrasonic array (1),
(d) said mechanical drive comprising an oscillatory drive motor (2) for effecting the oscillatory movement of the ultrasonic array (1) about said pivot axis (3), through successive angular positions, said pivot axis (3) remaining at a fixed spacing relative to the examination object at a given application location,
(e) operating means coupled with said ultrasonic applicator for operating the ultrasonic applicator for scanning over a layer conforming with a surface different from said scanning plane and extending through the scanning volume, and an image storer (16) for storing echo signals, said operating means including a time gate circuit (14, 15), and means operable in one mode to supply the echo signals to the image storer (16) under the control of the time gate circuit (14, 15).

5 more elements

An ultrasonic imaging system comprising an ultrasonic applicator for ultrasonic scanning of a layer of an examination object, and a display device for providing an echo image display,

(a) first scanning means for operating said applicator to effect scanning in a line-by-line fashion with an ultrasonic beam directed generally in a depth direction so as to sweep a scanning plane (6, 7;
29), and
(b) second scanning means mounting said applicator for angular movement about an axis (3;
26) so as to successively offset the scanning plane angularly and to sweep a scanning volume within an examination object, said second scanning means comprising a mechanical drive (2;
25) coupled with said applicator for effecting the angular movement thereof about said axis,
(c) said first scanning means operating said applicator (21) to effect line-by-line sector scanning so as to sweep a sector (29) in a scanning plane, said second scanning means mounting said ultrasonic applicator for angular movement about an axis (26) which is generally in a depth direction,
(d) said mechanical drive comprising a motor (25) for effecting angular movement of said applicator about said axis (26) through successive angular positions, said axis (26) thereby remaining in a fixed position relative to the examination object at a given application location,
(e) operating means coupled with said ultrasonic applicator for operating the ultrasonic applicator for scanning over a layer conforming with a surface different from said scanning plane and extending through the scanning volume, and an image storer (16) for storing echo signals, said operating means including a time gate circuit (14, 15), and means operable in one mode to supply the echo signals to the image storer (16) under the control of the time gate circuit (14, 15).

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.