Ultrasonic imager
AssigneeImperium Advanced Ultrasonic Imaging
InventorsMarvin E. Lasser, Robert S. Lasser, John P. Kula
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Abstract
An imaging system is disclosed which can provide images of received acoustic energy. In one embodiment, a transducer emits an acoustic beam which is reflected off of an acoustic beam splitter onto a target. The acoustic beam then reflects off of the target and is received by a piezoelectric imaging array which converts the acoustic beam into electrical signals. In another embodiment, a transducer transmits an acoustic beam through a target before being received by the piezoelectric imaging array on the opposite side of the target. In both embodiments, an acoustic lens system is disposed between the target and the imaging array to permit the system to focus upon, and magnify, features of interest within the target.
Claims33
An acoustic imaging system comprising:
- a first transducer for generating an unfocused acoustic beam, wherein the first transducer is arranged on one side of a target;
- and
- an acoustic lens system arranged on an opposite side of the target for focusing a portion of the acoustic beam received from the target onto an imaging array, said imaging array comprising a two dimensional array of acoustic to electrical transducers which produce electrical signals in response to the portion of the acoustic beam received by the imaging array.
A method of imaging a target using acoustic energy comprising:
- generating an unfocused acoustic beam;
- directing the unfocused acoustic beam into one side of a target;
- focusing a portion of the acoustic beam received from an opposite side of the target onto a two dimensional imaging array comprising acoustic to electric transducers;
- and
- producing electrical signals responsive to the acoustic beam.
An acoustic detector comprising:
- an array comprising a piezoelectric material;
- and
- a solid material that is transmissive to acoustic energy,
- wherein the solid material is placed in contact with an exposed surface of the array to couple acoustic energy onto the array.
An acoustic imaging system comprising:
- a first transducer for generating an unfocused acoustic beam and for directing the unfocused acoustic beam into a target;
- and
- an acoustic lens system for focusing a portion of the acoustic beam received from the target onto an imaging array, said imaging array comprising a two dimensional array of acoustic to electrical transducers which produce electrical signals in response to the portion of the acoustic beam received by the imaging array,
- wherein an acoustic beam splitter receives the acoustic beam generated by the first transducer and directs a first portion of the acoustic beam into the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.