ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ASSEMBLY FOR BIOLOGICAL INSPECTIONS

• US 3,552,382 A
• Filed: 01/11/1968
• Issued: 01/05/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kontron (S&T AG)
• Original Assignee: Mount Bruce Elson
• Inventors: MOUNT BRUCE ELSON
• Application Number:
  US04/697,091
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• US Class Current: 600/453
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/04 Measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4227 characterised by straps, belts, cuffs or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4272 involving the acoustic interface between the transducer and the tissue

Abstract

An ultrasonic search device and method for examining physical properties within an animal or a human body, including an array of ultrasonic transducers separably mounted on a supporting member constructed to conform with and be held against the curvature of a body area, for irradiating a selected section of a body with ultrasonic energy and focusing the reflected transmitted ultrasonic energy therefrom. Associated with the transducers may be separate lens means for coupling the transducers with the body and for direction of the ultrasonic energy. The ultrasonic search device can be employed for blood pressure monitoring by placement with an inflatable cuff applied about a body limb for detection of an artery to be occluded by cuff pressure variations.

Claims

1. Ultrasonic search apparatus for use with a body comprising:

a flexible device constructed and arranged to be flexible about a transverse axis to conform with the curvature of a body area, said device extending longitudinally to define a longitudinal axis perpendicular to said transverse axis;

a plurality of transducer means mounted on said device along its longitudinal axis in spaced relation to present a strip shape configuration;

means for holding the device along its longitudinal axis against the body when so applied to such a body;

means for coupling at least one of the transducer means with generator means for transmitting ultrasonic energy therefrom;

means for coupling at least one of the transducer elements with receiver means for detecting reflections of the transmitted ultrasonic energy; and

each of said transducer means including an ultrasonic transducer element and lens means whereby said lens means have ends defining planes substantially perpendicular to said transverse axis with upper surfaces of a convex configuration, adapted to selectively inundate with ultrasonic energy from said strip shape area a corresponding narrow section of a body upon which the search apparatus is to be used.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said flexible device includes a flexible supporting member; and

a jacket of readily deformable plastic material to cover the flexible carrier means forming a protective and insulative cover therefor but leaving said lens means exposed.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said lens means are adapted to protrude outwardly from said jacket for contact with such a body.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 including separate housing means within said flexible device for individually supporting said transducer elements and shielding said transducer elements from extraneous interference in the radio frequency range.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including enwrapping means adapted to support said search apparatus, and means provided on said flexible supporting member for removable securement of the search apparatus to said enwrapping means.

6. In an apparatus for measuring blood pressure values:

an inflatable cuff adapted for encirclement about a portion of a body limb containing an artery for occluding such an artery;

transducer means for detecting arterial wall motion in response to coaction of arterial pressure with occluding pressure;

the transducer means positionable between said cuff and body limb and adapted not to significantly alter the occlusive properties of the inflatable cuff;

the transducer means adapted to conform with the partially environ a surface defined by such a limb and to irradiate with ultrasonic energy a section of the limb subject to the cuff and wherein the artery is to be occluded;

said transducer means comprising a supporting member and an array of ultrasonic transducer elements secured to and strung out along the supporting member to present a strip shape configuration;

means for coupling at least one of the transducer elements with generator means for transmitting ultRasonic energy therefrom;

means for coupling at least one of the transducer elements with receiver means for detecting reflections of the transmitted ultrasonic energy; and

separate lens means coupled with said transducer elements for guiding said ultrasonic energy.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said transducer means is flexible about a transverse axis and the strip shape array of transducer elements is adapted to extend longitudinally to define a longitudinal axis perpendicular to said transverse axis.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said lens means are adapted to disperse ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer elements through such a limb section in directions limited along such a longitudinal axis.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said lens means are further adapted to focus reflections of the emitted ultrasonic energy from such a limb section.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each of said lens means is of a convex shape about an axis substantially parallel to such a transverse axis.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 including means for minimizing dispersion of ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer elements through such a body limb in other than such a limb section.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of said lens means is of a convex shape about an axis substantially parallel to such a transverse axis and said dispersion-minimizing means includes sharply formed ends on said lenses which ends define a pair of planes substantially perpendicular to such a transverse axis.