Integrated ultrasonic scanning apparatus

• US 3,964,296 A
• Filed: 06/03/1975
• Issued: 06/22/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terrance Matzuk
• Original Assignee: Terrance Matzuk
• Inventors: Matzuk, Terrance
• Primary Examiner(s): Queisser, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beauchamp, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/583,242
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 73/67.5 R, 73/67.5 H, 73/67.6, 73/67.7, 73/67.8 R, 73/67.8 S, 73/67.9, 73/71.5 US, 128/2 V
• US Class Current: 73/607
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0825 for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4218 characterised by articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4461 Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/352 by moving the transducer

Abstract

An integrated closed ultrasonic scanner having a sealed housing provided with an acoustically conductive liquid disposed therein. Means are provided within the housing to receive acoustical waves and convert the same to electrical signals. Non-contacting commutation means may be provided. These signals may be electrical signals which are converted to convenient data display format, such as a video output, may be in the form of a direct visual output as by light emitting diode arrays or other suitable means. The integrated scanner is adapted to be relatively lightweight such that a user may readily operate the instrument while holding it within one hand.

In one embodiment an endless belt is provided within the housing and adapted for orbital movement therewithin. Piezoelectric transducers are secured to the exterior of the endless belt and drive means disposed within the housing are provided for establishing the desired orbital movement. Non-contacting commutation means energize the transducers and transfer reflected transducer signals toward the exterior of the sealed housing. A flexible fresnel deflecting lens is disposed between the endless belt and a mechanically compliant wall of the sealed housing. Means for reciprocating the fresnel lens in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the orbiting transducers is provided. This results in a rapid mechanically reliable B-scan type of reading. The endless belt may be mounted upon a pair of rotatable pulleys which may serve as the armatures of electric motors disposed within the sealed housing. Internal signal handling means disposed within the housing may communicate with external signal processing means through electrical cable means.

In another embodiment the sealed housing which contains an acoustically conductive liquid is provided with an endless belt mounted for orbital movement in a first direction and translational movement in a second direction. At least one transducer and one light emitting diode are secured to the exterior of the belt. Drive means disposed within the sealed housing drive the endless belt in the orbital first direction and translational second direction. Magnetic commutation means commutate acoustical signals received by the transducer, and additional commutation means energize the light emitting diode. Electrical cable means are operatively associated with the drive means and in communication with the exterior of the sealed housing.

In another embodiment of the invention a sealed housing may have a subdivided interior or have two chambers within which an acoustically conductive liquid is disposed. A rotatable drum is disposed within the first chamber. At least two rows of transducers are disposed on the circumference of the drum generally aligned with the central axis thereof with the rows spaced circumferentially from each other. At least two rows of light emitting diodes are disposed on the circumference of the drum generally aligned with the central axis of the drum. Electric drive means are provided for rotating the drum. An array of sound pipes having a generally curved surface adjacent the drum and a generally flat surface at the other end or receiving end thereof is provided. A wall of the sealed housing is preferably flexible so as to permit more intimate contact between a test specimen and the sound pipe array either directly or through an acoustical coupling medium. Acoustical waves impinging upon the flat surface of the sound pipe array will be transmitted to the drum transducers through the curved surfaces.

Another embodiment of the invention involves an integrated closed ultrasonic scanner having a sealed housing which may be provided with an internal division or two chambers and containing an acoustically conductive liquid. A rotatable drum is disposed within the sealed housing and the front wall of the drum is oriented generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the drum and rotatable therewith. A linear array of receiving transducers is secured to the front wal. A rear wall of the drum is oriented generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the drum and rotatable wtherewith. A linear array of light emitting diodes is secured to the rear wall. Electric drive means are provided for rotating the drum. Internal electronic means are disposed within the sealed housing and coordinate the energizing of the light emitting diodes responsive to acoustical signals received by the receiving transducers. External electronic means are disposed exteriorly of the housing and energize the electric drive means and cooperate with the internal electronic means.

Claims

1. An integrated closed ultrasonic scanner comprising

a sealed housing having at least one mechanically compliant wall,

an acoustically conductive liquid disposed within said sealed housing,

an endless belt disposed within said housing and mounted for orbital movement therewithin,

at least two piezoelectric transducers secured to said endless belt,

drive means disposed within said sealed housing for driving said endless belt to establish orbital movement of said transducers,

magnetic commutation means for energizing said transducers and transferring acoustical function electrical signals to the exterior of said sealed housing,

electrical cable means operatively associated with said magnetic commutation means and said drive means and being in communication with the exterior of said sealed housing for cooperation with external signal processing means and an electrical energy source,

a fresnel deflecting lens disposed between said endless belt and said mechanically compliant wall, and

means for reciprocating said fresnel lens in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of said orbiting transducers.

2. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 1 including

said drive means including a pair of rotatable pulleys disposed within said sealed housing,

said endless belt secured over said pulleys for movement therewith, and

said transducers disposed on the exterior of said endless belt.

3. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 2 including

said endless belt being an elastic fabric woven belt which is positioned over said pulleys in elastic tension.

4. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 2 including

said magnetic commutation means including a commutation spring secured to said endless belt and connecting said transducers electrically in series.

5. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 4 including

said magnetic commutation means including a shaft upon which one of said pulleys rotates, a pair of side members and an upper member all of which are magnetically conductive and cooperate to define a closed magnetic loop,

the length of said side members being greater than the radius of the pulley which rotates on said shaft,

said magnetic commutation means including an electrical coil wound around said magnetic loop and a Faraday shield surrounding said coil, and

said coil being in electrical communication with said cable means, whereby an electrical pulse within said electrical cable means will through inductive action of said coil excite magnetic pulses in said magnetic loop which in turn will induce currents in said commutation spring to energize said transducers.

6. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 1 including

said sealed housing having a substantially rigid wall which is sealingly secured to said mechanically compliant wall, and

said electrical cable means passing through said substantially rigid wall.

7. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 6 including

said substantially rigid wall and said mechanically compliant wall each composed, at least in part, of electrically insulative plastic resins.

8. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 2 including

said drive means including at least one electric motor disposed within said sealed housing.

9. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 8 including

said electric motor having stator laminations provided with field windings disposed on opposed sides of one said pulley,

said pulley serving as the armature of said electric motor, and

electrically conductive means connecting said field windings with said electrical cable means.

10. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 9 including

said stator laminations having first pole pieces to provide the main magnetic field and second pole pieces provided with shorting bars to provide quadrature phase delayed magnetic fields.

11. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 9 including

two said electric motors disposed within said sealed housing, whereby said endless belt will be driven at both said pulleys.

12. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 1 including

said fresnel lens being flexible,

said fresnel lens reciprocating means including a slotted plate member secured to and oriented generally perpendicular to said fresnel lens,

pawl means adapted to be received within said slotted plate member, and

gear means moving said pawl means responsive to rotation of one said pulley.

13. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 12 including

a said slotted plate member secured to said fresnel lens adjacent to each said pulley,

each said plate having a pair of upwardly open slots, and

said pawl means including a pawl element extending into each said upwardly open slot.

14. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 13 including

said gear means associated with a first said pulley including a pair of worm gears being generally axially concentric with said pulley and secured to opposed sides of said pulley for rotation therewith,

a pair of second gears meshed with said worm gears having an axis of rotation oriented generally transversely with respect to the axis of said worm gears, and

a said pawl element eccentrically secured to each of said second gears.

15. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 14 including

a pair of rotatably mounted wheels having eccentric pawl elements extending into the slots of the said plate member disposed closer to the second said pulley, and

flexible shaft means connecting said second gears to said wheels, whereby rotation of said first pulley will effect responsive reciprocation of said fresnel lens.

16. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 12 including

means for emitting an electrical signal through said electrical cable means responsive to pulley rotation, whereby electrical operation of said scanner may be coordinated with reciprocation of said fresnel lens.

17. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 16 including

a highly reflective spot on one said pulley,

a lamp disposed in position to shine on said reflective spot when said pulley is in a particular angular position,

a photocell receiver disposed in position to receive the light from said lamp reflected by said spot, whereby a responsive reduction in photocell electrical resistance will be effected once for each pulley rotation, and

said photocell electrically connected to said cable means.

18. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 1 including

said drive means including a pair of rotatable pulleys upon which said endless belt is mounted serving as electric motor rotors and a pair of stators associated with each said rotor,

one said stator of each said stator pair being an inner stator disposed between said pulleys and closely adjacent to the said pulley with which it is associated, and

deformable linkage means connecting said inner stators.

19. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 18 including

said deformable linkage means including a first link secured to a first said inner stator and a second link secured to a second said inner stator, and

at least one additional link interposed between said first and second links and being rotatably secured to adjacent links.

20. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 19 including

said first link rotatably secured to said first inner stator,

said second link rotatably secured to said second inner stator, and

compressibly resilient means interposed between at least two said rotatably connected links to maintain said linkage in a predetermined configuration in the absence of applied forces sufficient to compress said resilient means.

21. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 19 including

each pair of said rotatably connected links having a pair of aligned openings into which a retainer pin is received.

22. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 18 including

bracket means securing each said stator to the adjacent said pulley.

23. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 2 including

said scanner having two said transducers, and

said transducers being so positioned on said endless belt that the distances therebetween measured along the belt circumference will be generally equal regardless of whether the measurement is effected in a clockwise or in a counterclockwise direction.

24. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 23 including

a piezoelectric receiving transducer overlying said endless belt,

an acoustically absorptive material overlying said piezoelectric receiving transducer, and

electrically conductive means connecting said piezoelectric receiving transducer with said electrical cable means.

25. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 23 including

switch means to permit the reflected acoustical wave received by a said belt mounted transducer to be transmitted electrically to said external signal processing means solely when said belt mounted transducer is in predetermined positions.

26. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 25 including

said switch means including a reed switch mounted in close proximity to said endless belt and permanent magnets mounted on said endless belt for operating said reed switch.

27. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 1 including

said fresnel lens having means for deflecting acoustical beams to simulate B-scan rocking action.

28. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 27 including

said fresnel lens deflecting means including a lenticular vane structure facing said mechanically compliant wall.

29. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 28 including

said lenticular vanes having a replication distance less than the diameter of said belt mounted transducers.

30. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 1 including

said external signal processing means including pulse generator means disposed exteriorly of said sealed housing for emitting periodic voltage pulses, and

internal signal handling means disposed within said sealed housing and being in communication with said electrical cable means, whereby said internal signal handling means will be in communication with said external signal processing means through said cable means to permit the processing of acoustical function electrical signals emerging from said sealed housing by said external signal processing means.

31. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 30 including

said external signal processing means including

a pulse amplifier adapted to receive signals from said pulse generator and transmit-receive means, and

said transmit-receive means adapted to receive pulses from said pulse amplifier and deliver such pulses to said cable means which in turn is adapted to deliver such pulses to said magnetic commutation means.

32. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 31 including

said transmit-receive means adapted to receive acoustical function electrical signals from said magnetic commutation means through said cable means.

33. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 32 including

said external signal processing means including logarithmic receiver means, cathode-ray tube visual display means and video amplifier means,

said logarithmic receiver means operatively associated with said transmit-receive means, and

said video amplifier means operatively associated with a variable intensity input of cathode-ray tube visual display means.

34. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 33 including

said external signal processing means including Y-sweep generator means operatively associated with said pulse generator means for emitting a ramp-function output waveform which will pass through Y-wave modifying means and be delivered to Y-deflection coils of said cathode-ray tube visual display means.

35. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 34 including

said internal signal handling means including switch means to permit the reflected acoustical beam received by a said belt mounted transducer to be transmitted electrically to said external signal processing means solely when said belt mounted transducer is in predetermined positions, and

said external signal processing means including X-sweep generator means to receive said acoustical function electrical signal and emit a ramp-function waveform which will pass through X-wave modifying means and be delivered to X-deflection coils of said cathode-ray tube visual display means.

36. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 35 including

said endless belt having two said transducers secured thereto in such position that when a first said transducer is facing downwardly toward the test subject, the second said transducer will be facing upwardly,

a piezoelectric receiving transducer overlying said second transducer and emitting a voltage pulse responsive to receipt of an acoustical pulse from said second transducer, and

said piezoelectric receiving transducer adapted to emit said voltage pulse after the leading edge of the master timing pulse from said pulse generator means has passed through said second transducer with the time interval between said master timing pulse and said voltage pulse being proportional to the distance between said second transducer and said piezoelectric receiving transducer.

37. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 36 including

said external signal processing means including means for processing said piezoelectric receiving transducer voltage pulse to establish a Y-offset adjustment signal responsive to changes in configuration of said endless belt.

38. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 37 including

said Y-wave modifying means including Y-modulator means receiving said Y-sweep generator ramp-function output, Y-mixer means and Y-deflection amplifier means,

said Y-mixer means for combining said Y-offset adjustment signal with the Y-multiplier means output signal, and

said Y-deflection amplifier means for receiving said Y-mixer means output, amplifying the same and introducing its output signal into Y-deflection output coils of said cathode-ray tube visual display means, whereby the Y-deflection line on said visual display means will be corrected for changes in contour of said endless belt.

39. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 38 including

said means for processing said piezoelectric receiving transducer voltage pulse including, in operative sequence, second logarithmic receiver means, second video amplifier means, threshold detector means, stop trigger means, integrator means and peak detector means,

said threshold detector means being adapted to compare an amplified voltage pulse received from said second video amplifier means with a reference voltage,

said integrator means being connected to said pulse generator means to receive signals therefrom, and

said peak detector means output being received in said Y-mixer means.

40. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 39 including

said X-wave modifying means including X-mixer means and X-deflection amplifier means.

41. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 40 including

said external signal processing means including signal modifying means responsive to reciprocation of said fresnel lens for adjusting for changes in acoustical beam orientation through the test subject.

42. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 41 including

said signal modifying means receiving the output signal of said photocell means through said electrical cable means, and

said signal modifying means including digital divide circuit means for emitting an output voltage pulse responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of photocell signals, ramp generator means for emitting a triangular waveform output responsive to receipt of said divide circuit voltage pulse, sine generator means receiving said triangular waveform and emitting a sine wave of voltage value and polarity proportional to fresnel lens position and third mixer means receiving the output of said sine wave generator.

43. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 42 including

said external signal processing means including means for computing a change factor resulting from changes in deflection caused by deformation of said endless belt, and

said third mixer means receiving the output of said change factor computing means.

44. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 43 including

said external signal processing means including cosine generator means and second sine generator means,

said cosine generator means for receiving an output signal from said third mixer means and operating said Y-modulator means, and

said second sine generator means for receiving an output signal from said third mixer means and operating X-modulator means.

45. An integrated closed ultrasonic scanner comprising

a sealed scanner housing,

an acoustically conductive liquid disposed within said sealed housing,

an endless belt disposed within said housing mounted for orbital movement in one direction and translational movement in another direction,

at least one transducer secured to said belt,

at least one light emiting diode secured to said belt,

drive means disposed within said sealed housing for driving said endless belt in said orbital direction and said translational direction,

magnetic commutation means for commutating acoustical function electrical signals from said transducer and energizing said light emitting diode, and

electrical cable means operatively associated with said drive means and said magnetic commutation means and being in communication with the exterior of said sealed housing for cooperation with external signal processing means and an electric power source means.

46. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 45 comprising

said drive means including a pair of rotatable pulleys disposed within said sealed housing, and

said endless belt secured over said pulleys for rotation therewith.

47. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 46 comprising

said magnetic commutation means including a commutation spring secured to said endless belt and electrically connecting said transducer and said light emitting diode in series.

48. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 47 including

said magnetic commutation means including for each said rotatable pulley a shaft upon which said pulley rotates, a pair of side members in contact with said shaft and an outer member all of which are magnetically conductive and cooperate to define a closed magnetic loop,

said magnetic commutation means including an electrical coil wound around each said magnetic loop,

each said coil being in electrical communication with said electrical cable means,

a first said magnetic loop and associated electrical coil for one said pulley operatively associated with other portions of said magnetic commutation means to commutate an acoustical function electrical signal from said transducer to said external signal processing means through said cable means, and

a second said magnetic loop and associated electrical coil for the other said pulley operatively associated with other portions of said magnetic commutation means in order that an electrical pulse within said cable means will through inductive action of said coil excite magnetic pulses in said magnetic loop which in turn will induce currents in said commutation spring to energize said light emitting diode.

49. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 48 including

each said magnetic commutation means including a Faraday shield surrounding said electrical coil.

50. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 48 including

said drive means including at least one electric motor disposed within said sealed housing, and

said electrical cable means energizing each said motor.

51. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 50 including

said sealed housing containing two said electrical motors,

said pulleys each serving as the armature of one said electric motor,

field windings secured to stators disposed on opposed sides of each said pulley, and

said electrical cable means energizing said field windings.

52. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 51 including

said pulleys containing squirrel cage induction motor armatures.

53. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 52 including

said stators having shading poles provided with shorting bars.

54. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 53 including

a first pulley shaft being externally threaded and being rotatably mounted, and

said first pulley having an internally threaded bore engaged with said first pulley shaft threads, whereby rotation of said first pulley to establish orbital motion of said endless belt will establish translational movement of said first pulley along said first pulley shaft.

55. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 54 including

a second pulley shaft being rotatably mounted for synchronous rotation with the second pulley.

56. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 55 including

said second pulley shaft and said second pulley being so configurated as to permit substantially free relative sliding movement of said second pulley along said second pulley shaft.

57. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 55 including

gear means connecting said first and second pulley shafts, whereby rotation of said second pulley shaft responsive to rotation of said second pulley will establish responsive rotation of said first pulley shaft.

58. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 57 including

said gear means including a first gear fixedly secured to said first pulley shaft and a second gear fixedly secured to said second pulley shaft, a third gear engaged with said first gear, a fourth gear engaged with said second gear, and a rotatably mounted shaft connecting said third and fourth gears, and

said gears being so configurated that said first gear rotates at a slower speed than said second pulley shaft responsive to rotation of said second pulley shaft.

59. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 48 including

each said pulley shaft being composed of ferrite.

60. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 46 including

said sealed housing having front and rear faces,

said rear face being optically transparent, and

said front face being acoustically transparent.

61. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 60 including

said light emitting diode having a convex converging lens that focuses the light output at about 3/8 to 1/4 inch from the portion of said endless belt to which it is secured.

62. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 60 including

means for recording at least certain portions of the output of the light emitted by said light emitting diode.

63. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 62 including

said recording means including photographic record making means disposed exteriorly of said sealed scanner housing adjacent to said rear face.

64. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 63 including

said photographic record making means being a camera, and

said camera containing means for developing a picture of the photographically recorded images of said light emitting diode.

65. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 46 including

the front face of said housing being mechanically compliant.

66. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 65 including

said electric power source means disposed exteriorly of said housing in communication with said cable means, and

said external signal processing means disposed exteriorly of said housing in communication with said cable means.

67. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 66 including

an insonifying transducer disposed exteriorly of said sealed housing and adapted to emit an acoustical wave which will pass through the test specimen and be received by said endless belt mounted transducer.

68. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 46 including

a test specimen holder disposed exteriorly of said housing and in contact with the front face thereof composed of a material which will permit free transmission of dilatational ultrasonic waves, and

said test specimen holder having a portion which is generally complementary with respect to at least a portion of said test specimen, whereby interposing an acoustical coupling material between said test specimen and said test specimen holder will establish substantially continuous acoustical contact between said test specimen and said sealed housing.

69. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 68 including

said test specimen holder having an outwardly open recess serving as said test specimen complementary portion, and

vacuum pump means in communication with said holder recess, whereby said vacuum pump means will urge said test specimen into intimate acoustical coupling with said specimen holder.

70. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 69 including

said recess having the general configuration of a human female breast.

71. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 69 including

an insonifying transducer mounted on the side of said specimen holder opposite from the side on which said sealed housing is in contact with said test specimen holder.

72. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 68 including

said test specimen holder composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, vinylsols and plastisols.

73. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 68 including

said test specimen holder having a generally cylindrical exterior surface,

a coupling ring mounted for relative rotation about said specimen holder exterior surface,

said sealed housing having a curved front face secured in surface to surface contact with the exterior surface of said coupling ring, and

an insonifying transducer secured to said ring at a position generally diametrically opposed to said sealed housing and oriented for acoustical transmission in the direction of said sealed housing.

74. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 73 including

photographic record making means disposed on the opposite side of said endless belt from said sealed housing front face for recording at least a portion of the output of said light emitting diode.

75. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 74 including

said photographic record making means including a photographic plate holder of generally complementary curvature to said sealed housing curved front face.

76. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 51 including

means for reversing the direction of orbital movement of said endless belt to thereby effect a reversal in the direction of translation of said endless belt.

77. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 76 including

said reversing means including means for electrically reversing the direction of rotation of said pulleys.

78. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 77 including

alternating current power means operatively associated with said electrical cable means to excite said field winding of each said stator,

each said stator having first and second pole pieces depending from one side of the stator body and third and fourth pole pieces depending from a second side of the stator body,

said field winding disposed on said stator body,

tertiary coils wound around each of said first, second, third and fourth pole pieces,

said first pole tertiary coil electrically connected in series to said third pole tertiary coil, with first switch means in said circuit, and

said second pole tertiary coil electrically connected in series to said fourth pole tertiary coil, with second switch means in said circuit, whereby closing said first switch will result in rotation of said pulleys in a first direction and closing said second switch in lieu of said first switch will effect pulley rotation in the opposite direction.

79. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 48 including

a transducer electronics unit secured to said endless belt adjacent to said transducer,

said transducer electronics unit being electrically connected to said transducer and to said commutation spring,

said transducer electronics unit having means for energizing said transducer and receiving signals therefrom while resisting passage of high frequency radio-frequency current into said transducer,

a diode electronics unit secured to said endless belt adjacent to said light emitting diode,

said diode electronics unit being electrically connected to said light emitting diode and said commutation spring, and

said diode electronics unit having means for receipt of radio frequency current to energize said diode and resist passage of transducer signals into said diode.

80. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 45 including

said transducer and said light emitting diode each disposed on the exterior of said endless belt.

81. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 79 including

said transducer electronics unit having resonant circuit means in series with said commutation spring and a step down transformer in parallel relationship therewith, and

said diode electronics unit having resonant circuit means in series with said commutation spring, rectifier means receiving the output of said resonant circuit means, filter means receiving the output of said rectifier means and having an output operating said light emitting diode.

82. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 79 including

said transducer electronics unit and diode electronics unit being sufficiently elastic as to survive repeated cycles of belt travel over said pulleys without loss of electrical continuity.

83. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 82 including

the electronic components with said electronics units being connected to each other by resilient conductive members, and

said electronics units having resilient enclosures.

84. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 83 including

said resilient conductive members being corrugated springs.

85. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 67 including

said external signal processing means including pulse generator means, pulse amplifier means receiving input from said pulse generator means and delivering amplified pulses to said insonifying transducer, and

said external signal processing means also including

band reject filter means receiving acoustical imaging signals from one pulley commutation means through said cable means,

logarithmic receiver means obtaining a signal from said band reject filter means,

time delay generator means receiving input from said pulse generator means and delivering output signals to linear gate means which prevents passage of the logarithmic receiver means output signal until said time delay generator means permits, and

peak detector means receiving signals from said linear gate means having its output pass through modulator means through radio frequency power amplifier means to the other said pulley commutation means.

86. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 67 including

power means disposed exteriorly of said sealed housing for energizing said insonifying transducer, and

said external signal processing means including means for receiving the belt mounted transducer acoustical function electrical signals and creating responsive lighting of said light emitting diode in proportion to the logarithm of said acoustical function electrical signal.

87. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 85 including

said external signal processing means also including manually activated switch means for initiating operation of (1) scan time timer means which operate said scanner for a predetermined time period and (2) radio frequency carrier oscillator means which through said modulator means activates said light emitting diode and (3) audio frequency oscillator means which emits a signal through audio frequency amplifier means to activate said electric motors.

88. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 87 including

switch means for establishing translation of said endless belt in a first direction or in a second reverse direction.

89. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 45 including

said endless belt having an endless portion composed of an electrically conductive material,

said drive means including a number of replicating magnets defining a gap within which said conductive portion of said endless belt passes, and

alternating current means energizing said magnets, whereby said magnets will generate magnetic fields which establish orbital movement of said endless belt.

90. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 89 including

said transducer and said light emitting diodes secured to electrically nonconductive portions of said endless belt.

91. An integrated closed ultrasonic scanner comprising

a sealed housing,

an acoustically conductive liquid disposed within said sealed housing,

a rotatable drum disposed within said sealed housing,

at least two rows of transducers disposed on the circumference of said drum generally aligned with the central axis of said drum,

said rows of transducers spaced circumferentially from each other,

at least two rows of light emitting diodes disposed on the circumference of said drum generally aligned with the central axis of said drum,

drive means for rotating said drum,

commutation means for coordinating operation of an insonifying transducer disposed exteriorly of said sealed housing with the operation of internal signal handling means disposed within said sealed housing,

external signal processing means for energizing said insonifying transducer and coordinating operation of said commutation means with operation of said insonifying transducer,

an array of sound pipes having a generally curved surface adjacent to said drum and a generally flat surface on the other side thereof, whereby acoustical waves impinging upon said flat surface will be transmitted to said drum transducer through said curved surfaces, and

a wall of said sealed housing adjacent to said sound pipe array flat surface being flexible.

92. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 91 including

said rows of light emitting diodes spaced circumferentially from each other.

93. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 91 including

said external signal processing means having means for energizing said drive means.

94. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 93 including

said sealed housing having two chambers, and

said rotatable drum disposed within a first said chamber.

95. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 94 including

a flexible wall defining at least part of said second chamber.

96. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 95 including

said commutation means being noncontacting magnetic means.

97. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 96 including

said drum having at least four rows of said transducers and at least four rows of said light emitting diodes.

98. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 97 including

said drum having the same number of rows of said transducers and said light emitting diodes, and

each said row of transducers disposed closely adjacent to a row of said light emitting diodes.

99. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 98 including

said rows of transducers being spaced substantially equally about the circumference of said drum.

100. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 99 including

each said row of transducers having the same number of transducers and each like numbered transducer of each row being in substantially the same axial position on said drum,

each said row of light emitting diodes having the same number of diodes and each like numbered light emitting diode of each row being in substantially the same axial position on said drum, and

the number of said transducers in a row being equal to the number of said light emitting diodes in a row.

101. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 94 including

said first chamber having a viewer window in the wall opposite the wall having the said sound pipe array.

102. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 101 including

said viewer window being a magnifying lens.

103. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 102 including

said viewer window being hooded and said lens having means for correcting for cylindrical distortion of said image.

104. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 101 including

a magnifying lens disposed adjacent to said viewer window.

105. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 91 including

said drive means disposed within said housing, and

said drive means including an alternating current motor having a squirrel cage rotor secured within or formed integrally with said rotatable drum and stators disposed adjacent said rotor energized by field windings.

106. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 105 including

internal signal handling means disposed within said drum for energizing predetermined light emitting diodes responsive to receipt of acoustical waves by predetermined transducers.

107. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 106 including secondary coils secured to the interior of said rotor for energizing said internal signal handling means.

108. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 106 including

said commutation means being antenna means connecting said internal signal handling means with the exterior of said sealed housing.

109. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 108 including

switch means for operating said scanner, and

handle means secured to the exterior of said scanner.

110. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 108 including

said internal signal handling means having means for energizing all light emitting diodes at the same axial position on said drum when a transducer at the same axial position on said drum receives an acoustical wave from an insonifying transducer through a specimen with the intensity of light emitting diode illumination being related to the intensity of the acoustical wave received by said insonifying transducer.

111. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 107 including said internal signal handling means including

a. rectifier bridge means electrically connected to said secondary coils for receiving voltage therefrom and emitting direct current voltage, and

b. for said adjacent rows of said adjacent transducers and light emitting diodes (1) electrolytic capacitor means for smoothing said direct current voltage received from said rectifier bridge and (2) voltage regulator means regulating said voltage received from said capacitor means and (3) conductor means electrically connecting said voltage regulator means with said transducers and said light emitting diodes through internal circuit means.

112. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 111 including

all said transducers in the same axial position on said drum being electrically connected in parallel relationship,

commutation antenna means for receiving time reference signals from said external signal processing means for coordinating transfer of signals from said transducers to said light emitting diodes, and

said internal circuit means including as to each set of said transducers in the same axial position

a. radio frequency amplifier means for receiving the combined signal from said set of transducers,

b. gate means for permitting passage of the output of said radio frequency amplifier solely when said commutation antenna means is receiving a predetermined signal,

c. diode means for rectifying the output of said gate means,

d. peak detector means receiving the output of said diode means, and

e. light emitting diode driver means for energizing all light emitting diodes in the same axial position as said transducer set responsive to receipt of the output of said peak detector means,

whereby each receipt of an insonifying transducer signal by a said transducer will result in responsive illumination of all said light emitting diodes at the same axial position as said transducer.

113. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 108 including

said external signal processing means having means for energizing said insonifying transducer and controlling through said commutation antenna means the period within which the internal signal handling means will process acoustical signals received by said rows of transducers.

114. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 113 including

said external signal processing means including

a. pulse generator means energizing said insonifying transducer through pulse amplifier means,

b. adjustable time delay generator means receiving signals from said pulse generator means and initiating output from gate pulse generator means,

c. modulator means receiving the output from said gate pulse generator means and radio frequency generator means, and

d. radio frequency power amplifier means receiving the output of said modulator and emitting output to said commutation antenna means.

115. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 113 including

said external signal processing means including switch means for initiating operation of audio frequency oscillator means which in turn drives audio frequency power amplifier means, electrical conductor means connecting said audio frequency power amplifier means with said stator field windings.

116. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 107 including

said external signal processing means including rechargeable battery means.

117. An integrated closed ultrasonic scanner comprising

a sealed housing,

an acoustically conductive liquid disposed within said sealed housing,

a rotatable drum disposed within said sealed housing,

a front wall of said drum oriented generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said drum and rotatable therewith,

a substantially linear array of receiving transducers secured to said front wall,

a rear wall of said drum oriented generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said drum and rotatable therewith,

a substantially linear array of light emitting diodes secured to said rear wall,

drive means for rotating said drum,

internal signal handling means disposed within said sealed housing for energizing predetermined light emitting diodes responsive to acoustical signals received by predetermined receiving transducers,

external signal processing means disposed exteriorly of said sealed housing for energizing said drive means and cooperating with said internal signal handling means, and

commutation means connecting said internal signal handling means with said external signal processing means.

118. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 117 including

a portion of said sealed housing adjacent said drum front wall being defined by a flexible wall, whereby intimate acoustical contact between a test specimen of irregular configuration and said flexible wall may be effected.

119. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 117 including

a transparent viewing window secured to said sealed housing rearwardly of said rear wall.

120. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 119 including

a light shielding hood projecting rearwardly from said viewing window.

121. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 119 including

said viewing window including a magnifying lens.

122. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 119 including

a magnifying lens disposed adjacent to said viewing window.

123. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 117 including

said drive means including an electric motor disposed within said housing, and

said motor having a rotor which is secured to or formed as a unit with said drum.

124. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 123 including

said electric motor having an annular split-phase alternating current induction motor stator disposed within said housing in surrounding relationship with respect to said rotor.

125. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 124 including

said stator having running windings and starting windings,

said external signal processing means including alternating current supply means for energizing said stator windings,

electric switch means interposed between said current supply means and said stator windings, and

capacitor means electrically interposed between said switch means and said starting windings.

126. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 117 including

said commutation means being magnetic.

127. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 123 including

said rotor being a squirrel cage rotor, and

secondary coils secured to the interior of said rotor for energizing said internal signal handling means.

128. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 126 including

said commutation means being noncontacting antenna means.

129. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 128 including

said internal signal handling means having means to energize a predetermined light emitting diode responsive to receipt by a predetermined receiving transducer of an acoustical wave generated by an externally disposed insonifying transducer and passed through a test specimen with the intensity of the illumination of said light emitting diode being related to the intensity of the acoustical wave received by said receiving transducer.

130. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 117 including

said sealed housing being generally cylindrical and having an axial length of about 5 to 12 inches and a diameter of about 5 to 15 inches.

131. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 117 including

said front wall having an elongated slot to which is secured a metal sheet-like element on which said array of transducers is secured.

132. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 130 including

the number of receiving transducers being equal to the number of light emitting diodes, and

said scanner having about 25 to 75 transducers.

133. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 129 including

said internal signal handling means including full-wave rectifier bridge means for receiving output from from said secondary coils and emitting direct current voltage, capacitor means smoothing the output of said rectifier bridge means and voltage regulator means regulating said voltage received from said capacitor means.

134. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 133 including

said internal signal handling means including circuit means receiving said direct current voltage from said voltage regulator and converting the acoustical signal received by said receiving transducer into a responsively energized light emitting diode.

135. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 134 including

said commutation antenna means adapted to receive time reference signals from said exterior signal processing means for coordinating transfer of signals from said transducer to said light emitting diodes, and

said circuit means including for each said receiving transducer

a. radio frequency amplifier means for receiving the output signal from said receiving transducer,

b. gate means for permitting passage of the output of said radio frequency amplifier solely when said commutation antenna means is receiving a predetermined signal,

c. diode means for rectifying the output of said gate means,

d. peak detector means receiving the output of said diode means, and

e. light emitting diode driver means for energizing a predetermined light emitting diode responsive to receipt of the output of said peak detector means.

136. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 135 including

said external signal processing means having means for energizing an insonifying transducer and controlling through said commutation antenna means the period within which the internal signal handling means will process acoustical signals received by said array of transducers.

137. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 136 including

said external signal processing means including

a. pulse generator means energizing said insonifying transducer through pulse amplifier means,

b. adjustable time delay generator means receiving signals from said pulse generator means and initiating output from gate pulse generator means,

c. modulator means receiving the output from said gate pulse generator means and radio frequency generator means, and

d. radio frequency power amplifier means receiving the output of said modulator means and emitting output to said commutation antenna means.

138. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 137 including

said external signal processing means including switch means for initiating operation of audio frequency oscillator means which in turn drives audio frequency power amplifier means, and

electrical conductor means connecting said audio frequency power amplifier means with said stator field windings.

139. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 118 including

said housing divided into two chambers by an acoustically transparent rigid wall disposed between said drum and said flexible wall.

140. The ultrasonic scanner of claim 129 including

said external signal processing means including rechargeable battery means powering said scanner.