Ultrasonic transducer with magnetostrictive lens for dynamically focussing and steering a beam of ultrasound energy
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic transducer for an imaging system comprising:
- a transducer element which generates a beam of ultrasound energy propagating along a transducer axis with a predetermined speed of propagation; and
a magnetostrictive lens acoustically coupled to said transducer element and having an input face positioned at an angle with respect to said transducer axis to receive and to pass said beam of ultrasound energy, said magnetostrictive lens operable such that said speed of propagation of said beam is selectively controlled as said beam passes through said lens.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic transducer with a magnetostrictive lens for dynamically focussing and steering a beam of ultrasound energy is provided. The magnetostrictive lens is operable in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil such that the speed of propagation of the ultrasound beam is selectively controlled as the beam passes through the lens. The lens can be made up of first and second prisms wherein at least one of such prisms is magnetostrictive. Alternatively, the lens can be made up of an individual stage made of a composite having a plurality of elongated rods of magnetostrictive material cooperating in response to the control signal applied to the lens for selectively controlling the propagation speed of the ultrasound beam passing therethrough.
44 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic transducer for an imaging system comprising:
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a transducer element which generates a beam of ultrasound energy propagating along a transducer axis with a predetermined speed of propagation; and a magnetostrictive lens acoustically coupled to said transducer element and having an input face positioned at an angle with respect to said transducer axis to receive and to pass said beam of ultrasound energy, said magnetostrictive lens operable such that said speed of propagation of said beam is selectively controlled as said beam passes through said lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An ultrasonic transducer for an imaging system comprising:
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a transducer element which generates a beam of ultrasound energy propagating along a transducer axis with a predetermined speed of propagation; a magnetostrictive lens acoustically coupled to said transducer element and having an input face positioned at an angle with respect to said transducer axis to receive and to pass said beam of ultrasound energy, said magnetostrictive lens operable such that said speed of propagation of said beam is selectively controlled as said beam passes through said lens; and means for applying a control signal to said magnetostrictive lens, thereby selectively controlling said propagation speed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification