Bubble measuring instrument and method
First Claim
1. A bubble generating test system operable for generating bubbles in the range of 30 micrometers to, 400 micrometers in diameter, comprising:
- a fluid tank for containing a test fluid therein;
at least one capillary tube positioned in said fluid tank;
at least one adjustable fluid pressure line connected to said at least one capillary tube;
at least one fluid jet positioned in said fluid tank directed at said at least one capillary tube;
at least one other adjustable fluid pressure flow line connected to said at least one fluid jet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for a non-invasive bubble measuring instrument operable for detecting, distinguishing, and counting gaseous embolisms such as bubbles over a selectable range of bubble sizes of interest. A selected measurement volume in which bubbles may be detected is insonified by two distinct frequencies from a pump transducer and an image transducer, respectively. The image transducer frequency is much higher than the pump transducer frequency. The relatively low-frequency pump signal is used to excite bubbles to resonate at a frequency related to their diameter. The image transducer is operated in a pulse-echo mode at a controllable repetition rate that transmits bursts of high-frequency ultrasonic signal to the measurement volume in which bubbles may be detected and then receives the echo. From the echo or received signal, a beat signal related to the repetition rate may be extracted and used to indicate the presence or absence of a resonant bubble. In a preferred embodiment, software control maintains the beat signal at a preselected frequency while varying the pump transducer frequency to excite bubbles of different diameters to resonate depending on the range of bubble diameters selected for investigation.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A bubble generating test system operable for generating bubbles in the range of 30 micrometers to, 400 micrometers in diameter, comprising:
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a fluid tank for containing a test fluid therein;
at least one capillary tube positioned in said fluid tank;
at least one adjustable fluid pressure line connected to said at least one capillary tube;
at least one fluid jet positioned in said fluid tank directed at said at least one capillary tube;
at least one other adjustable fluid pressure flow line connected to said at least one fluid jet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
a flow tube extending from said fluid tank for receiving said bubbles.
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3. The bubble generating test system of claim 1, further comprising:
a video system for capturing video images of said bubbles.
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4. The bubble generating test system of claim 1, further comprising;
a tissue phantom for receiving said bubbles.
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5. The bubble generating test system of claim 1, further comprising:
an ultrasonic bubble measuring apparatus for detecting said bubbles.
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6. The bubble generating test system of claim 1, further comprising:
a peristaltic pump for pumping fluid containing said bubbles.
Specification