Multi-zone transmitter for quantitative ultrasound and image measurement
First Claim
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1. A bone imaging and quantitative ultrasound device comprising:
- an ultrasonic receiver unit providing a reception element of a first predetermined area;
an ultrasonic transmitter unit having a transmission element of a second predetermined area, the ultrasonic transmitter unit positioned in opposition across a measurement region from the ultrasonic receiver unit for directing ultrasonic acoustic waves to the reception element, the ultrasonic transmitter unit further including means for independently transmitting ultrasonic acoustic waves from a first and second portion of the transmission element; and
a controller communicating with the ultrasonic transmitter unit to alternately transmit ultrasonic acoustic waves from (a) only the first portion of the transmission element for preparing a quantitative data, and (b) both the first and second portions of the transmission element for preparing an image data.
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Abstract
An ultrasonic transmission unit for an imaging/quantitative ultrasound device provides for coaxial transducer crystals which may be operated independently with a first crystal operated alone for quantitative measurement and the first and second crystal operated together to provide a broad illumination for imaging of structure.
28 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A bone imaging and quantitative ultrasound device comprising:
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an ultrasonic receiver unit providing a reception element of a first predetermined area;
an ultrasonic transmitter unit having a transmission element of a second predetermined area, the ultrasonic transmitter unit positioned in opposition across a measurement region from the ultrasonic receiver unit for directing ultrasonic acoustic waves to the reception element, the ultrasonic transmitter unit further including means for independently transmitting ultrasonic acoustic waves from a first and second portion of the transmission element; and
a controller communicating with the ultrasonic transmitter unit to alternately transmit ultrasonic acoustic waves from (a) only the first portion of the transmission element for preparing a quantitative data, and (b) both the first and second portions of the transmission element for preparing an image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing quantitative and image data of in vivo bone comprising the steps of:
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(a) arranging an ultrasonic receiver unit providing a reception element of a first predetermined area in opposition to an ultrasonic transmitter unit having a transmission element of a second predetermined area across a measurement region wherein the ultrasonic transmitter unit including means for independently transmitting ultrasonic acoustic waves from a first and a second portion of the transmission element;
(b) alternately transmitting ultrasonic acoustic waves from (a) only the first portion of the transmission element for preparing a quantitative measurement and (b) both the first and second portions of the transmission element for preparing an image. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification