Abstract:
The apparatus described unaliases a Doppler signal which is related to the velocity of blood flowing in a sample volume. It then generates an audio output corresponding to the unaliased Doppler signal. The device generates an unaliased, instantaneous signal which corresponds to the Doppler frequency associated with the blood velocity in the sample volume. That unaliased instantaneous frequency is fed into programmable read only memories (PROMs) which provide digitized values for the sine and cosine functions. Those values are fed into digital-to-analog converters, and they are scaled to provide audio outputs.
Abstract:
An improved scan converter (100) for converting received echo signals representative of the amplitude of ultrasound energy returning grom sampled points along a plurality of spaced apart paths distributed in an image space into signals to be displayed as display pixels in a raster scan display system (150). The scan converter includes a scan data memory (120) for storing the received echo signals in quadrants of the scan data memory. Each quadrant is associated with even and odd numbered paths and sample row combinations. Sample rows are related to sample points along the spaced apart paths. The scan converter further includes a circuit (1000) for determining a gray scale value to be assigned to each selected display pixel based on a predetermined combination of four received echo signals adjacent the selected display pixel and chosen from the quadrants of the scan data memory. The improved scan converter is capable of operation in both linear and sector scan modes, and, when in the sector mode, over 90° and 180° sectors.
Abstract:
The apparatus is a sheath which includes a substantially puncture-proof cap and a flexible tubular extension for covering a portion of the cable which extends between the ultrasound scanhead and the ultrasound apparatus. The apparatus is sterilizable to prevent contamination of the patient during procedures, such as a biopsy, which may be conducted under the guidance of ultrasound.
Abstract:
An intraoperative ultrasonic transducer probe is described comprising a handle section and a transducer section which resemble a tiny leg and foot. The two sections are obtusely angled relative to each other so that the physician may continue to clearly view the surgical site while holding and manipulating the probe. The extension of the transducer section away from its point of attachment to the handle section results in the toe of the foot being insertable under unincised tissue, enabling the surgeon to ultrasonically examine organs and tissue peripheral to the surgical site and to follow a vessel even beyond the incision. The transducer section is completely encapsulated in a rubberlike material which electrically insulates the transducer from the patient, enables the probe to be easily sterilized, and further provides an inherent standoff between the transducer and the contact surface of the probe. Thus, the transducer can be focused immediately at the skin line of the organ or vessel which is in contact with the probe. The probe can be easily assembled by providing termination assemblies for attaching coaxial cable conductors to the printed circuit board assembly of the probe.