Frequency varied ultrasonic imaging array
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, which comprises an array of transducer elements for transmitting ultrasonic signals having a first predetermined center frequency into an object to be examined through use of the transmitted signals reflected from within the object and sensed by the apparatus, the reflected signals sensed by the apparatus having a second center frequency less than the first center frequency as a result of signal attenuation by the object, and means connected to select a number of transducers in said array for transmitting the ultrasonic signals inversely proportional to the second center frequency.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus has an array (10 or 100) of transducer elements (14 or 104) for transmitting ultrasonic signals into an object (12) to be analyzed through use of the transmitted signals reflected from the object and sensed by the apparatus. The transmitted signals have a first predetermined center frequency. The reflected signals sensed by the apparatus have a second center frequency less than the first center frequency as a result of signal attenuation by the object. A means (70, 62 or 150, 152-1 through 152-X) is connected to select a number of transducers (14 or 104) in the array (10 or 100) for transmitting and/or receiving the ultrasonic signals based on the second center frequency. Adjusting the number of transmitting and/or receiving transducers (14 or 104) with changes in frequency produced by signal attenuation gives improved image resolution under a wider variety of use conditions than with prior art ultrasonic imaging apparatus.
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Citations
25 Claims
- 1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, which comprises an array of transducer elements for transmitting ultrasonic signals having a first predetermined center frequency into an object to be examined through use of the transmitted signals reflected from within the object and sensed by the apparatus, the reflected signals sensed by the apparatus having a second center frequency less than the first center frequency as a result of signal attenuation by the object, and means connected to select a number of transducers in said array for transmitting the ultrasonic signals inversely proportional to the second center frequency.
- 9. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, which comprises an array of transducer elements for transmitting ultrasonic signals having a first predetermined center frequency into an object to be examined through use of the transmitted signals reflected from within the object and sensed by said transducer element array, the reflected signals having a second center frequency less than the first center frequency as a result of signal attenuation by the object, and means connected to select a number of transducers in said transducer element array for sensing the reflected signals inversely proportional to the second center frequency.
- 12. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, which comprises an array of transducer elements for transmitting ultrasonic signals having a first predetermined frequency spectrum into an object to be examined through use of the transmitted signals reflected from within the object and sensed by the apparatus having a second frequency spectrum different than the first frequency spectrum as a result of signal attenuation by the object, and means connected to select a number of transducers in said transducer element array for transmitting the ultrasonic signals inversely proportional to a change in the second frequency spectrum.
- 23. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, which comprises an array of transducer elements for transmitting ultrasonic signals having a first predetermined frequency spectrum into an object to be examined from within the object and sensed by said transducer element array, the reflected signals having a second frequency spectrum different than the first frequency spectrum as a result of signal attenuation by the object, and means connected to select a number of transducers in said transducer element array for sensing the reflected signals inversely proportional to a change in the second frequency spectrum.
Specification