Flexible ultrasound coupling system

• US 4,059,098 A
• Filed: 07/21/1975
• Issued: 11/22/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanford Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Stanford Research Institute
• Inventors: Murdock, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Application Number:
  US05/597,413
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2 V, 128/2.05 Z, 128/24 A, 73/67.7-67.9
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/02 Mechanical acoustic impedances; Impedance matching, e.g. by horns; Acoustic resonators

Abstract

Essentially nonreflective coupling for ultrasonic waves is provided between a fluid medium confined in a rigid container and a biological specimen, such as a human body, through a container closing bellows system which incorporates a thin, flexible closing membrane that contacts and conforms to the contours of the specimen. A supportive bellows system between rigid parts of the fluid container and the membrane gives the membrane the essential properties of conforming to the contours of a specimen having variations in curvature (concavities and convexities) while having the ability to contain the fluid medium without rupture or undue distension when it is not supported externally, as by contact with the specimen. The supportive bellows system utilizes a pair of flexible toroidal members, one tubular and one U-shaped in cross section, attached to one another in series and having internal venting so that pressure within the toroids is governed by the pressure of the fluid inside the coupling bellows system. The container closing bellows system is fluid filled, the flexible closing membrane is tautly stretched over the tubular toroid member so that it is supported by the bellows system and forms a fluid-tight closure, and a vent means is provided to adjust pressure inside the said container closing bellows system.

Claims

1. A coupling and closing system for coupling ultrasonic waves even through substantially horizontal coupling paths between a fluid medium contained in a rigid container and a specimen and for confining the fluid medium, said system comprising a flexible supporting bellows system to be fixed at one end over a fluid opening to the rigid container and including:

a first toroidal member of relatively firm but flexible material having first and second opposing side wall portions and an outer peripheral joining and sealing wall portion and being vented to provide fluid communication inside the coupling and closing system;

means for securing one of the side wall portions of said first toroidal member over a fluid opening to the rigid container;

a second flexible ztoroidal member also of relatively firm but flexible material juxtaposed to the first toroidal member and having first and second opposing side wall portions and at least one joining sealing wall portion and being vented to provide fluid communication inside the coupling and closing system;

a thin flexible membrane transparent to ultrasonic waves for closing the supportive bellows system; and

means for securing said flexible membrane over said second toroidal member in fluid-tight relation to the outside of the said second one of the said side wall portions of said first toroidal member;

said thin, flexible membrane being stretched over at least the joining sealing wall portion and the one of said sidewalls of the second flexible toroidal member adjoining the first toroidal member for securely holding the second flexible toroidal member in juxtaposed relation to said first toroidal member and for forming a fluid tight closure for the said supportive bellows system.

2. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 1 wherein means is provided to adjust the pressure within the said coupling and closing system.

3. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first flexible toroidal member has a U-shaped cross section whereby the legs of said U form the side wall portions and the bottom of the said U defines the said outer peripheral joining and sealing wall, with the said U opened to the inside of said coupling and closing system to form the said vent around the inner periphery and thereby receive any fluid.

4. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 3, wherein said second toroidal member has a circular cross section.

5. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 4, wherein a stiffening rod defining at least a portion of a toroid is positioned inside said first toroidal member in such a manner as to support the said outer peripheral wall portion and thus prevent collapse thereof under the weight of any fluid within the said coupling and closing system.

6. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 3 wherein a stiffening rod defining at least a portion of a toroid is positioned inside said first toroidal member in such a manner as to support the said outer peripheral wall portion and thus prevent collapse thereof under the weight of any fluid within the said coupling and closing system.

7. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 1 wherein a stiffening rod defining at least a portion of a toroid is positioned inside said first toroidal member in such a manner as to support the outer peripheral wall portion and thus prevent collapse thereof under the weight of any fluid within the said coupling and closing system.

8. A coupling and closing system for coupling ultrasonic waves even through substantially horizontal coupling paths between a fluid medium contained in a rigid container and a specimen and confining the fluid medium in the container, comprising a flexible supportive bellows system, a pair of thin, flexible closing membranes separated and supported by the said flexible bellows system to form a fluid-tight closure, and a fluid substantially filling the said fluid-tight closure, said supportive bellows system including

a first toroidal member of relatively firm but flexible material having first and second opposing side wall portions and a joining and sealing wall portion, and being vented around its inner periphery to receive any fluid inside the coupling and closing system, means for securing said first side wall portion in fluid-tight relation to the rigid container;

and

a second toroidal member also of relatively firm but flexible material having first and second opposing side wall portions and at least one joining and sealing wall portion, said second toroidal member being juxtaposed to said first toroidal member and being vented to provide fluid communication inside the said coupling and closing system and means including one of the thin flexible closing membranes for securing the first one of the side wall portions of said second toroidal member to the said second one of the said side wall portions of said first toroidal member in juxtaposed fluid-tight relation.

9. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 8, wherein means is provided to adjust the pressure within the said coupling and closing system.

10. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 8, wherein said first flexible toroidal member has a U-shaped cross section, with the said U opened inwardly to form the said vent around the inner periphery and thereby receive any fluid within said coupling and closing system.

11. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 10, wherein a stiffening rod defining at least a portion of a toroid is positioned inside said first toroidal member in such a manner as to support the outer peripheral wall portion and thus prevent collapse thereof under the weight of any fluid within said coupling and closing system.

12. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 11, wherein said second toroidal member has a circular cross section.

13. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 12, wherein a stiffening rod defining at least a portion of a toroid is positioned inside said first toroidal member in such a manner as to support the outer peripheral wall portion and thus prevent collapse thereof under the weight of any fluid within said coupling and closing system.

14. A coupling and closing system as defined in claim 8, wherein a stiffening rod defining at least a portion of a toroid is positioned inside said first toroidal member in such a manner as to support the outer peripheral wall portion and thus prevent collapse thereof under the weight of fluid therein.