Scanning control system for ultrasound biomicroscopy

A scanning system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object by ultrasound biomicroscopy comprising:

• a probe being adapted to transmit ultrasonic pulses of energy into a body in a series of directions, all lying in a scanning plane, and being adapted to receive echoes of these pulses and to transform them into electrical signals;
• means for mounting, having an inner thread, being connected to the probe;
• a housing defining a slot having two sidewalls being adapted to guide the mounting means and to provide sliding contact to the mounting means;
• means for transmission, having an external thread which is adapted to mate with the inner thread of the mounting means, being located on an axis which is normal to the scanning plane;
• motor means, mounted to the housing, having a shaft adapted to drive in a bi-directional rotary motion;
• and
• means for coupling connected to and interspersed between the transmission means and the motor means;
• whereby the probe is moved between successive scanning planes.

A scanning system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object by ultrasound biomicroscopy comprising:

• a probe being adapted to transmit ultrasonic pulses of energy into a body in a series of directions, all lying in a scanning plane, and being adapted to receive echoes of these pulses and to transform them into electrical signals;
• means for mounting, having an inner thread, being connected to the probe;
• a housing, defining a slot having two sidewalls being adapted to guide the mounting means and to provide sliding contact to the mounting means;
• means for transmission, having an external thread which is adapted to mate with the inner thread of the mounting means, being located on an axis which is normal to the scanning plane;
• a bi-directional, variable increment stepper motor, mounted to the housing, having a shaft;
• means for coupling connected to and interspersed between the transmission means and the motor shaft;
• means for orienting the housing comprising an extension adapted to support the housing, a ball connected to the extension, and a socket partially surrounding the ball wherein an inner surface of the socket contacts and supports an outer surface of the ball thereby providing three-dimensional rotational movement to the extension;
• and
• a support assembly adapted to provide moveable support to the orienting means;
• whereby the probe is positioned near an object and then moved between successive scanning planes.