Ultrasonic holographic imaging apparatus having zoom feature
AssigneeAdvanced Imaging Systems, Inc.
InventorsGeorge F. Garlick, Victor I. Neeley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 showing an ultrasonic holographic imaging apparatus 50 having a multiple lens system 52 that is capable of providing both zoom and focus capability. The system 52 includes lens 54 and 56 that are independently mounted on lead screws 62 and 64 for movement relative to each other along an optical axis 57. The movement of the system is controlled by drive system 66 and 68 that have encoders 72 and 74 for accurately positioning the lens 54 and 56 relative to each other in response to signals from a microcontroller 76. The microcontroller 76 is operator controlled through control device 78 and 80 to provide both zoom capability and a focus capability.
Claims9
An ultrasonic holographic imaging apparatus for viewing an internal structure of an object at different magnifications, comprising:
- a) a hologram detection surface;
- b) ultrasonic transducer means for (1) generating and transmitting an object ultrasonic beam through the object and onto the hologram detection surface, and (2) generating and transmitting a reference ultrasonic beam onto the hologram detection surface interfering with the transmitted object beam forming an ultrasonic hologram on the detection surface;
- c) an ultrasonic lens system interposed between the object and the hologram detection surface having at least two ultrasonic lenses aligned along a lens system axis for imaging internal structure of the object in a selected object plane onto the detection surface;
- d) a coherent light illuminating means for generating and directing a coherent light beam onto the holographic detection surface to illuminate the formed hologram and generate a diffracted beam containing an image of the internal structure of the object in the selected object plane;
- e) viewing means for viewing the image of the internal structure of the object from the hologram;
- and
- f) moving means for selectively moving both of the ultrasonic lenses relative to each other to change the magnification of the internal object structure on the detection surface and thereby change the size of the internal object structure in the viewed image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.