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Ultrasonic transmission imaging apparatus and method

  • US 5,460,178 A
  • Filed: 01/31/1995
  • Issued: 10/24/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic transmission imaging apparatus comprising:

  • ultrasonic emitter means for producing substantially continuous coherent ultrasonic waves toward an object to be inspected positioned in a detecting zone;

    ultrasonic coupling means in contact with said object on opposed sides thereof, for providing transmission of said ultrasonic waves thereto, transfer of said ultrasonic waves therethrough, and transmission of object traversing ultrasonic waves out of said object;

    scanning ultrasonic detectors array means comprising a plurality of ultrasonic detectors adapted to receive said object traversing ultrasonic waves for producing a plurality of successive series of electrical signals coming from said ultrasonic detectors, said electrical signals characterizing transmission of said ultrasonic waves through said object;

    means for creating a scanning relative movement between said object to be inspected and said ultrasonic emitter means and scanning ultrasonic detectors array means, whereby said series of electrical signals respectively characterizes transmission of said ultrasonic waves through said object in a plurality of transmission planes substantially defined by said scanning ultrasonic detectors array means and a direction perpendicular thereto and to said emitter means as said object to be inspected is being displaced relative to said ultrasonic emitter means and scanning ultrasonic detectors array means, said series of electrical signals being respectively associated with a series of image elements;

    dynamic focusing means for producing focused image element data from said series of electrical signals and associated with each one of said ultrasonic detectors, said focusing means phase shifting each one of said series of electrical signals in accordance with each location within said object to be imaged in focus for producing a composite image element.

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