Method and apparatus for detecting and/or imaging clusters of small scattering centers in the body
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for detecting clusters of scattering centers in a volume of a body, comprising:
- means for directing ultrasonic energy towards a given cluster of scattering centers in periodic bursts of ultrasonic energy at a predetermined frequency;
means for receiving some of said directed ultrasonic energy at a plurality of different points circumferentially spaced around said body after said energy has come in contact with said cluster of scattering centers, said receiving means distinguishing between received ultrasonic energy having substantially the same, common amplitude at the various receiving points from received ultrasonic energy having differing amplitudes at the various receiving points, whereby to distinguish scattered ultrasonic energy having substantially the same amplitude at all of the receiving points from noise or reflected ultrasonic energy; and
means responding only to the scattered ultrasonic energy received and distinguished by said receiving means for producing a corresponding output signal.
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Abstract
An ultrasonic method and apparatus are provided for detecting and imaging clusters of small scattering centers in the breast wherein periodic pulses are applied to an ultrasound emitting transducer and projected into the body, thereafter being received by at least one receiving transducer positioned to receive scattering from the scattering center clusters. The signals are processed to provide an image showing cluster extent and location.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting clusters of scattering centers in a volume of a body, comprising:
- means for directing ultrasonic energy towards a given cluster of scattering centers in periodic bursts of ultrasonic energy at a predetermined frequency;
means for receiving some of said directed ultrasonic energy at a plurality of different points circumferentially spaced around said body after said energy has come in contact with said cluster of scattering centers, said receiving means distinguishing between received ultrasonic energy having substantially the same, common amplitude at the various receiving points from received ultrasonic energy having differing amplitudes at the various receiving points, whereby to distinguish scattered ultrasonic energy having substantially the same amplitude at all of the receiving points from noise or reflected ultrasonic energy; and
means responding only to the scattered ultrasonic energy received and distinguished by said receiving means for producing a corresponding output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- means for directing ultrasonic energy towards a given cluster of scattering centers in periodic bursts of ultrasonic energy at a predetermined frequency;
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9. An apparatus for detecting clusters of scattering centers in a volume of a body comprising:
- a steerable transmitting transducer for receiving electrical high frequency pulses and emitting pulses of ultrasonic energy at a predetermined frequency into said body in response to the pulses;
means including a plurality of spaced receiving transducers positioned around said body to receive said ultrasonic energy after the latter has come in contact with said clusters of scattering centers and circuitry for distinguishing between received energy having substantially the same, common amplitude at the various transducers from energy of varying amplitude at the various transducers and for generating electrical signals corresponding to the ultrasonic energy having said common amplitude, whereby said generated signals correspond to scattered ultrasonic energy as opposed to noise or reflected ultrasonic energy; and
means for receiving and processing said signals to provide indications of said clusters.
- a steerable transmitting transducer for receiving electrical high frequency pulses and emitting pulses of ultrasonic energy at a predetermined frequency into said body in response to the pulses;
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10. A method of detecting clusters of scattering centers in a volume of material, comprising:
- directing ultrasonic energy towards a given cluster of scattering centers in periodic bursts of ultrasonic energy at a predetermined frequency;
receiving some of said directed ultrasonic energy at a plurality of different points circumferentially spaced around said body after said energy has come in contact with said cluster of scattering centers;
distinguishing between received ultrasonic energy having substantially the same, common amplitude at the various receiving points from received ultrasonic energy having differing amplitudes at various receiving points, whereby to distinguish scattered ultrasonic energy having substantially the same amplitude at all of the receiving points from noise or reflected ultrasonic energy; and
responding only to the scattered ultrasonic energy received and distinguished for producing a corresponding output signal.
- directing ultrasonic energy towards a given cluster of scattering centers in periodic bursts of ultrasonic energy at a predetermined frequency;
Specification