公开(公告)号：EP0458146A2

公开(公告)日：1991-11-27

申请号：EP91107598.4

申请日：1991-05-10

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Slayton, Michael H. ,  Kopel, LeRoy A.

IPC: B06B1/06 ,  G10K11/34

CPC classification number: B06B1/0629 ,  G10K11/002

Abstract: A continuous wave driven ultrasonic transducer for determining Doppler frequency shift in reflected ultrasonic pressure waves in which the transmitter (40) and receiver (42) sections are constructed of a composite core (30) having a plurality of segments of piezoelectric material (32) separated by acoustic suppression material (34). Also disclosed is a method of reducing acoustic and mechanical cross-coupling between piezoelectric transmitter (40) and receiver (42) sections of an ultrasonic transducer by arranging segments of piezoelectric material (32) in a lateral array, and separating the piezoelectric segments with ultrasonic acoustic suppression material (34) to produce a composite transducer core (30) of reduced acoustic and mechanical cross-coupling.

Abstract translation: 一种用于确定反射超声波压力波中的多普勒频移的连续波驱动的超声波换能器，其中发射器（40）和接收器（42）部分由具有分离的多个压电材料段（32）的复合芯（30）构成， 通过声抑制材料（34）。 还公开了一种通过将压电材料（32）的部分排列在横向阵列中并且用超声波分离压电部分来减少超声换能器的压电发射器（40）和接收器（42）部分之间的声学​​和机械交叉耦合的方法 声学抑制材料（34），以产生具有减小的声学和机械交叉耦合的复合换能器芯（30）。

公开(公告)号：EP0451463A2

公开(公告)日：1991-10-16

申请号：EP91102165.7

申请日：1991-02-15

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Garza, Jose Angel Q. ,  Thomas, David Jay ,  Gilman, George W.

IPC: G01S7/52 ,  G01S7/62 ,  G10K11/34 ,  G01N29/00 ,  G01H3/12

CPC classification number: G10K11/341 ,  A61B8/00 ,  A61B8/4405 ,  G01S7/52057 ,  G01S7/52079

Abstract: An ultrasound imager supports several ultrasonic transducers (18) simultaneously. The imager polls the transducer connection ports (26-1 to 26-4) to determine which transducers are connected to which ports and displays attributes of each transducer in conjunction with a port identification on the screen (14). The user selects which transducer is to be driven using a trackball (40) or cursor arrow which directs an indicator to point to the selected transducer.

Abstract translation: 超声波成像器同时支撑多个超声换能器（18）。 成像仪轮询传感器连接端口（26-1至26-4），以确定哪些传感器连接到哪些端口并显示每个传感器的属性以及屏幕（14）上的端口标识。 用户使用轨迹球（40）或指示器指向所选换能器的光标箭头来选择要驱动的换能器。

公开(公告)号：EP0446645A1

公开(公告)日：1991-09-18

申请号：EP91102166.5

申请日：1991-02-15

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Kopel, LeRoy A.

IPC: A61B8/12

CPC classification number: A61B10/0233 ,  A61B8/12

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe apparatus configured to a patient's pelic anatomy and method of using same is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing (20) which has a straight portion (18) and curvilinear end portion (22) which has an outer surface (24) convexly configured, such as to describe an arc of a circle. Ultrasonic transducer means (28) are arrayed along the outer surface. Ultrasonic transmissions directed toward the prostate, or other area to be probed, along a plurality of transmission axes enable the apparatus to provide a field of view (B-B) of substantially all of the desired area. For prostate examination, the probe apparatus is oriented to face the prostate (P) after insertion into the pelvic anatomy and the ultrasonic transmissions are directed toward the prostate to provide the desired field of view (B-B) and image of the entire prostate.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种构造为患者的骨盆解剖结构的超声波探头装置及其使用方法。 该装置包括具有直线部分（18）和曲线端部（22）的外壳（20），该外壳具有凸形构造的外表面（24），以描述圆弧。 超声波换能器装置（28）沿着外表面排列。 沿着多个传输轴线朝向前列腺或其它被探测的区域的超声波传输使得该装置能够提供基本上所有所需区域的视场（B-B）。 对于前列腺检查，探针装置在插入到骨盆解剖结构中之后面向前列腺（P），并且超声波传播被引向前列腺以提供期望的视野（B-B）和整个前列腺的图像。

公开(公告)号：EP0591966A1

公开(公告)日：1994-04-13

申请号：EP93116239.0

申请日：1993-10-07

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Slayton, Michael H., Jr.

IPC: A61B8/12

CPC classification number: A61B8/12 ,  A61B8/4405 ,  A61B8/445

Abstract: An endoluminal ultrasound unit is fitted with a drive by a drive shaft (14) that oscillates to and fro. A flexible catheter sheath (16) is coupled to one end of the drive and oscillates with the drive shaft. The catheter sheath has an axis about which it oscillates. The diameter is such that it can be inserted in a human blood vessel. An ultrasonic transducer (18) is attached to the other end of the catheter sheath and oscillates with the latter. The transducer is provided with an array (28) of separate, axis-parallel elements and thus forms a beam rotating at right angles to the axis. The transducer elements are controlled by an electronic system located in the vicinity of the drive. The electrical connection of the transducer and electronic system is effected via lines (24, 36) extending through the catheter sheath. The electronic system comprises an electronic beam focussing (56) for improvement of the axial resolution.

Abstract translation: 腔内超声单元通过来回摆动的驱动轴（14）装配有驱动器。 柔性导管护套（16）联接到驱动器的一端并与驱动轴振荡。 导管鞘具有围绕其摆动的轴。 直径使得其可以插入人血管中。 超声波换能器（18）连接到导管护套的另一端并与后者振荡。 换能器设置有分离的轴平行元件的阵列（28），并因此形成与轴成直角旋转的光束。 传感器元件由位于驱动器附近的电子系统控制。 换能器和电子系统的电连接通过延伸穿过导管护套的线（24,36）实现。 电子系统包括用于改善轴向分辨率的电子束聚焦（56）。

公开(公告)号：EP0468506B1

公开(公告)日：1996-07-10

申请号：EP91112520.1

申请日：1991-07-25

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Harrison, William V. Jr. ,  Slayton, Michael Henry

IPC: B06B1/06

CPC classification number: B06B1/0622

公开(公告)号：EP0430094B1

公开(公告)日：1996-01-24

申请号：EP90122392.5

申请日：1990-11-23

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Sturgill, Michael R.

IPC: A61B8/06

CPC classification number: G01S15/8979 ,  A61B8/06

公开(公告)号：EP0451463B1

公开(公告)日：1995-12-13

申请号：EP91102165.7

申请日：1991-02-15

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Garza, Jose Angel Q. ,  Thomas, David Jay ,  Gilman, George W.

IPC: G01S7/52 ,  G01S7/62 ,  G10K11/34 ,  G01N29/00 ,  G01H3/12

CPC classification number: G10K11/341 ,  A61B8/00 ,  A61B8/4405 ,  G01S7/52057 ,  G01S7/52079

公开(公告)号：EP0553804A3

公开(公告)日：1994-06-01

申请号：EP93101282.7

申请日：1993-01-28

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Glenn, Martin ,  Hamid, Ekhlassi

IPC: A61B8/00 ,  G01S15/89 ,  G01N29/24

CPC classification number: A61B8/546 ,  A61B8/00 ,  A61B8/4455 ,  A61B2018/00005 ,  G01S15/899 ,  G10K11/004

Abstract: A method for transferring heat away from an ultrasonic medical transducer having a face wherein heat is generated. The method is accomplished by positioning a heat sink behind the transducer face, securing the heat sink to a braided power cable, applying a heat conductive epoxy to the heat sink, and assembling a plastic housing around the heat sink. The transducer face is cooled by conductive heat transfer by transferring the heat into the heat sink, then transferring the heat into the epoxy, then transferring the heat into the power cable and the plastic housing before finally dissipating into the surrounding air.

Abstract translation: 从具有产生热量的面的超声波医疗换能器传递热量的方法。 该方法是通过将散热器放置在换能器表面之后，将散热器固定到编织电力电缆，将热传导环氧树脂施加到散热器，以及在散热器周围组装塑料壳体来实现的。 传感器表面通过将热量传递到散热器中，然后将热量传递到环氧树脂中，然后将热量传递到电力电缆和塑料外壳中，然后最终消散到周围的空气中，通过传导热传递来冷却。

公开(公告)号：EP0458146A3

公开(公告)日：1993-02-24

申请号：EP91107598.4

申请日：1991-05-10

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Slayton, Michael H. ,  Kopel, LeRoy A.

IPC: B06B1/06 ,  G10K11/34

CPC classification number: B06B1/0629 ,  G10K11/002

Abstract: A continuous wave driven ultrasonic transducer for determining Doppler frequency shift in reflected ultrasonic pressure waves in which the transmitter (40) and receiver (42) sections are constructed of a composite core (30) having a plurality of segments of piezoelectric material (32) separated by acoustic suppression material (34). Also disclosed is a method of reducing acoustic and mechanical cross-coupling between piezoelectric transmitter (40) and receiver (42) sections of an ultrasonic transducer by arranging segments of piezoelectric material (32) in a lateral array, and separating the piezoelectric segments with ultrasonic acoustic suppression material (34) to produce a composite transducer core (30) of reduced acoustic and mechanical cross-coupling.

公开(公告)号：EP0517039A1

公开(公告)日：1992-12-09

申请号：EP92108562.7

申请日：1992-05-21

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Slayton, Michael Henry

IPC: H01L41/18 ,  H01L41/22

CPC classification number: H01L41/183

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic-epoxy composite comprising particles predominantly 1/2 λ (half wavelength) in thickness of piezoelectric ceramic and epoxy also disclosed is a method of making a piezoelectric ceramic-epoxy composite. The method comprises mixing ceramic powder with a particle size in the range of about 3/4 λ to 1-1/2 λ and, preferably, predominantly larger than 1/2 λ average particle size with non-polymerized epoxy in the proportion of 20% to 65% ceramic powder, by volume and spreading the ceramic-epoxy mixture on a flat substrate to a thickness of approximately the size of the powder particles. The mixture is then evacuated to remove air bubbles and the epoxy is cured to produce a sheet of ceramic and epoxy. The sheet is surface ground to 1/2 λ (half wavelength) of a predetermined resonant frequency.

Abstract translation: 包括压电陶瓷和环氧树脂的厚度主要为1/2λ（半波长）的颗粒的压电陶瓷 - 环氧复合材料也是制造压电陶瓷 - 环氧复合材料的方法。 该方法包括将具有约3/4λ至1-1 /2λ的范围的粒度的陶瓷粉末与优选地大于1/2λ的平均粒径的陶瓷粉末混合，其中非聚合的环氧树脂的比例为20 ％至65％的陶瓷粉末（体积）并将陶瓷 - 环氧树脂混合物铺展在平坦的基材上至约为粉末颗粒尺寸的厚度。 然后将混合物抽真空以除去气泡，并将环氧树脂固化以产生一片陶瓷和环氧树脂。 片材被表面接地至预定谐振频率的1/2λ（半波长）。