Soft tissue diagnostic apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A soft tissue diagnostic apparatus for detecting abnormalities in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy, said apparatus comprising:
- an acoustic transmitter configured to transmit excitation acoustic energy toward a target area of soft tissue of a subject;
an acoustic receiver configured to receive responsive acoustic energy generated by the soft tissue in response to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by said acoustic transmitter, said acoustic receiver generating an output signal representative of the response of the soft tissue to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by said acoustic transmitter;
an analyzer coupled to said acoustic receiver and programmed to detect abnormalities in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy by receiving to the output signal of said acoustic receiver and providing an indication signal of at least one of stress and injury in said soft tissue based on said output signal of said acoustic receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A soft tissue diagnostic apparatus for diagnosis of stress and injury in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy and a method of detecting soft tissue damage or stress and treating the tissue. An acoustic transmitter transmits excitation acoustic energy toward a target area of soft tissue of a subject. An acoustic receiver receives responsive acoustic energy generated by the soft tissue in response to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by the acoustic transmitter and generates an output signal representative of the response of the soft tissue to the excitation acoustic energy. An analyzer receives the output signal of the acoustic receiver and provides an indication of at least one of stress and injury in the soft tissue based on the output signal.
81 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A soft tissue diagnostic apparatus for detecting abnormalities in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy, said apparatus comprising:
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an acoustic transmitter configured to transmit excitation acoustic energy toward a target area of soft tissue of a subject;
an acoustic receiver configured to receive responsive acoustic energy generated by the soft tissue in response to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by said acoustic transmitter, said acoustic receiver generating an output signal representative of the response of the soft tissue to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by said acoustic transmitter;
an analyzer coupled to said acoustic receiver and programmed to detect abnormalities in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy by receiving to the output signal of said acoustic receiver and providing an indication signal of at least one of stress and injury in said soft tissue based on said output signal of said acoustic receiver. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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2. A soft tissue diagnostic apparatus for detecting abnormalities in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy, said apparatus comprising:
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an acoustic transmitter configured to transmit excitation energy toward a target area of soft tissue of a subject;
an acoustic receiver configured to receive responsive acoustic energy generated by the soft tissue in response to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by said acoustic transmitter, said acoustic receiver generating an output signal representative of the response of the soft tissue to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by said acoustic transmitter;
an analyzer coupled to said acoustic receiver to receive the output signal of said acoustic receiver and to provide an indication signal of at least one of stress and injury in said soft tissue based on said output signal of said acoustic wherein said analyzer is coupled to said acoustic receiver and comprises means for eliminating direct effects of the excitation acoustic energy on said acoustic receiver.
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8. A method of detecting abnormalities in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy, said method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting excitation acoustic energy toward a target area of soft tissue of a subject;
receiving responsive acoustic energy generated by the soft tissue in response to the excitation acoustic energy with a sensor;
moving the device relative to the soft tissue;
generating an output signal representative of the responsive acoustic energy; and
analyzing the output signal to provide an indication signal of at least one of stress and injury in the soft tissue. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification