Ultrasonic peripheral vascular probe assembly

A reciprocating direct drive motor for an ultrasonic probe assembly, said reciprocating direct drive motor comprising:

• (a) a generally U-shaped stator having two arms;
• (b) a coil disposed upon each of the two arms so as to induce a magnetic field therebetween;
• (c) an armature disposed intermediate the two arms, said armature comprising:
• (i) a hollow tubular member;
• (ii) a permanent magnet disposed within said hollow tubular member;
• (iii) two opposing springs applying tension to said armature disposed within said tubular member, said springs being adjustable so as to vary the position of said armature;
• (d) a position sensor associated with said armature for sensing the position thereof;
• and
• (e) wherein the coils of said stator are energizable to produce a magnetic field of a first polarity
• so as to cause said armature to rotate to a first position and are also energizable to produce a magnetic field of a second polarity so as to cause said armature to rotate to a second position, movement of the armature back and forth between its first and second positions defining reciprocation thereof.

A reciprocating drive motor comprising:

• (a) a stator having two arms;
• (b) at least one coil associated with said stator so as to induce a magnetic field therein;
• (c) an armature disposed intermediate the two arms of said stator, said armature having north and south magnetic poles, said armature comprising a hollow tubular member having a permanent magnet disposed therein and having at least one spring biasing member disposed therein, said biasing member biasing said armature in a generally centered position;
• and
• (d) wherein the coil(s) of said stator are energizable to produce a magnetic field of a first polarity so as to cause said armature to rotate to a first position and are also energizable to produce a magnetic field of a second polarity so as to cause said armature to rotate to a second position, movement of the armature back and forth between its first and second positions defining reciprocation thereof.

A reciprocating drive motor comprising:

• (a) a stator having two arms;
• (b) at least one coil associated with said stator so as to induce a magnetic field therein;
• (c) an armature disposed intermediate the two arms of said stator, said armature having north and south magnetic poles;
• (d) at least one biasing member associated with said armature, said biasing member biasing said armature in a generally centered position;
• (e) a position sensor associated with said armature for sensing the position thereof, said position sensor comprising:
• (i) a plate rigidly attached to said armature such that said plate moves therewith;
• (ii) a coil through which said plate moves;
• and
• (iii) wherein the amount of said plate disposed within said coil depends upon the position of the armature;
• and
• (f) wherein the coil(s) of said stator are energizable to produce a magnetic field of a first polarity so as to cause said armature to rotate to a first position and are also energizable to produce a magnetic field of a second polarity so as to cause said armature to rotate to a second position, movement of the armature back and forth between its first and second positions defining reciprocation thereof.