Echo tracking system for apparatus for ultrasonic measurement of the position of a mobile wall
First Claim
1. Echo tracking system for an apparatus for ultrasonic measurement of the position of a mobile wall, comprising an input to receive a digital echo signal produced by reflection from a mobile wall of an interrogating ultrasonic pulse the transmission of which is controlled by a control pulse (A) transmitted at a given repetition rate (Fr), said echo tracking system comprising:
- clock means for delivering a clock signal (CLK);
enabling means for delivering, on reception of a validation signal (VAL), an enabling signal (AUT) which defines a time-window during which the echo signal is expected; and
logic circuit means for receiving said digital echo signal and for delivering, at said repetition rate, a recenter position value (POSREC) which is a function of a received echo position value (POSECH) and which represents the time-position of the digital echo signal in said window;
said echo tracking system further comprising;
depth counter means for counting at the frequency of said clock signal (CLK) between said recentered position value (POSREC) and a first given value, wherein the beginning of the counting is triggered by said control pulse (A), and said depth counter means emits said validation signal when it reaches said first given value; and
position detector means for determining the position of the echo in said time-window, said position detector means counting at the frequency of the clock signal (CLK) from a second given value, wherein the beginning of counting is triggered by said validation signal, and said position detector means delivers said echo position value (POSECH) to said logic circuit means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An echo tracker clamps a time window for detecting an echo at the position of an echo produced by a mobile wall receiving an ultrasonic pulse signal at a repetition rate Fr. It includes a depth counter (28) which counts in order to define the beginning of the time window in relation to a pulse of the pulse signal and which when it reaches a given value, supplies an enabling signal to activate authorization means (30) and a position detector (32).
Enabling means (30) provide an enabling signal for a given time which defines the detecting time window. During this time, the position detector counts until the echo is detected. The value reached at that instant is used to clamp again the time window and to modify the initial value of the depth indicator.
The invention is useful in the medical field for measuring the changes of the position of an interface between two tissues.
57 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Echo tracking system for an apparatus for ultrasonic measurement of the position of a mobile wall, comprising an input to receive a digital echo signal produced by reflection from a mobile wall of an interrogating ultrasonic pulse the transmission of which is controlled by a control pulse (A) transmitted at a given repetition rate (Fr), said echo tracking system comprising:
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clock means for delivering a clock signal (CLK); enabling means for delivering, on reception of a validation signal (VAL), an enabling signal (AUT) which defines a time-window during which the echo signal is expected; and logic circuit means for receiving said digital echo signal and for delivering, at said repetition rate, a recenter position value (POSREC) which is a function of a received echo position value (POSECH) and which represents the time-position of the digital echo signal in said window;
said echo tracking system further comprising;depth counter means for counting at the frequency of said clock signal (CLK) between said recentered position value (POSREC) and a first given value, wherein the beginning of the counting is triggered by said control pulse (A), and said depth counter means emits said validation signal when it reaches said first given value; and position detector means for determining the position of the echo in said time-window, said position detector means counting at the frequency of the clock signal (CLK) from a second given value, wherein the beginning of counting is triggered by said validation signal, and said position detector means delivers said echo position value (POSECH) to said logic circuit means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification