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US 4,598,589 AGranted
Method of CW doppler imaging using variably focused ultrasonic transducer array
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJames K. Riley, Stockton M. Miller-Jones
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Abstract
Continuous wave (CW) Doppler imaging employs a linear array of transducer elements with a first plurality of elements functioning as an ultrasonic wave transmitter and a second plurality of elements functioning as a receiver of the reflected ultrasonic wave. Time delay circuitry connected to the transmitter and receiver elements define the beam focus and beam steering of the ultrasonic wave.
Claims9
A method of CW Doppler imaging comprising the steps of
- providing a linear array of transducer elements, and
- energizing a first plurality of transducer elements through time delay circuitry thereby transmitting a CW ultrasonic beam at a focal point determined by said time delay circuitry, said beam having a central axis, said first plurality of transducer elements being located on one side of said central axis of the transmitted CW ultrasonic beam, and
- receiving a reflected ultrasonic beam from said focal point with a second plurality of transducer elements, said second plurality of transducer elements being located on the opposite side of the central axis of the transmitted CW ultrasonic beam and not including any element of said first plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements.
A CW Doppler imaging system comprising
- a source of a CW electrical signal,
- a linear array of transducer elements having a central axis,
- a first plurality of time delay means connected to said signal source and to a first plurality of transducer elements for applying said electrical signal to said first plurality of transducer elements, said first plurality of transducer elements being located on one side of said central axis of the transmitted CW ultrasonic beam,
- Doppler demodulator circuitry,
- a second plurality of time delay means connecting a second plurality of transducer elements to said Doppler demodular means, said second plurality of transducer elements being located on the opposite side of said central axis, and
- display means for displaying the demodulated Doppler signal.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.