Ultrasound beam alignment servo
First Claim
1. A levitation apparatus capable of providing a wide range of movement in three or more directions, the apparatus comprising:
- a) levitated rotor means capable of providing translational and two-axis tilt movement;
b) stator means for inducing movement of said rotor means;
c) sensing means for defining coordinates of said rotor means; and
d) a servo-control means for controlling absolute direction of said rotor means in response to signals originating form said sensing means, said servo-control means providing signals to said stator means so as to provide movement of said rotor means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A servo system for directing the operation of an ultrasound beam is described. The system includes a rotor and stator combination that utilizes electromagnetic forces to move the ultrasound beam in translational and rotational directions. In an embodiment of the invention the rotor is a permanent magnet that may be levitated and moved using a plurality of stator coils. Sensors are used to determine the position of the rotor, which information is used by a controller to regulate the stator operation designed to effect movement of the rotor. The sensors are preferably hall effect sensors. The permanent magnet is optionally placed in a fluid having buoyancy characteristics that reduce the electromagnetic force required to levitate the rotor. The rotor may be located off center within a housing so as to conform to asymmetrical viewing requirements, such as in transcranial Doppler ultrasound measurements.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A levitation apparatus capable of providing a wide range of movement in three or more directions, the apparatus comprising:
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a) levitated rotor means capable of providing translational and two-axis tilt movement; b) stator means for inducing movement of said rotor means; c) sensing means for defining coordinates of said rotor means; and d) a servo-control means for controlling absolute direction of said rotor means in response to signals originating form said sensing means, said servo-control means providing signals to said stator means so as to provide movement of said rotor means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of ultrasound beam enhancement comprising the steps:
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a) levitating an ultrasound means; b) generating an ultrasound beam by way of said ultrasound means; c) controlling two-axis tilt movement rotation! of said ultrasound beam with a servo controller; and d) controlling translation of said ultrasound beam with said servo controller.
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5. An ultrasound-beam alignment servo-system comprising:
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a) a levitated rotor means capable of providing two-axis tilt movement, said rotor means including means for directing an ultrasound beam; b) stator means for inducing movement of said rotor means; c) sensing means for defining coordinates of said rotor means; and d) circuitry means for controlling said rotor means; wherein said sensing means relates position coordinates of said rotor means to said circuitry means so that said circuitry means controls said stator means and thereby controls movement of said rotor means and of said ultrasound beam. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A servo system for controlling the coordinates of a transcranial Doppler ultrasound comprising:
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a) a levitated rotor means within a housing and including means for directing said Doppler ultrasound; b) means for inducing two-axis tilt movement of said rotor means; c) sensing means for defining coordinates of said rotor means; and d) control means for controlling movement of said rotor means. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification