Apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring power output of an ultrasound transducer
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring power of acoustic energy transmitted by an ultrasound transducer, comprising:
- a container comprising a fluid having a first density therein;
a buoyant body floating in the fluid, the buoyant body having a second density less than the first density such that the buoyant body floats at a first level in the fluid in the container when the buoyant body is not impacted by acoustic energy, the buoyant body comprising a wave receiving surface, the buoyant body floating at a second level when the wave receiving surface is impacted by acoustic energy transmitted by an ultrasound transducer, a displaced volume of the buoyant body as it moves between the first and second levels being proportional to the power of the acoustic energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for measuring the power of acoustic energy transmitted by an ultrasound transducer. The apparatus includes a container including a liquid therein, and a buoyant body floating at a first level in the liquid. When acoustic energy is transmitted by the ultrasound transducer towards the buoyant body, the buoyant body floats at a second, different level in the liquid. The displaced volume of the buoyant body from the first level to the second level is directly related to the power of the acoustic energy transmitted by the ultrasound transducer. The apparatus may output signals corresponding to the level at which the buoyant body floats. The signal may be routed to a controller for adjusting the power output by the ultrasound transducer.
110 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring power of acoustic energy transmitted by an ultrasound transducer, comprising:
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a container comprising a fluid having a first density therein;
a buoyant body floating in the fluid, the buoyant body having a second density less than the first density such that the buoyant body floats at a first level in the fluid in the container when the buoyant body is not impacted by acoustic energy, the buoyant body comprising a wave receiving surface, the buoyant body floating at a second level when the wave receiving surface is impacted by acoustic energy transmitted by an ultrasound transducer, a displaced volume of the buoyant body as it moves between the first and second levels being proportional to the power of the acoustic energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for measuring power of acoustic energy of an ultrasound transducer, comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer configured for transmitting acoustic energy towards a target region;
a container comprising a fluid therein, the container disposed relative to the transducer such that the target region is located at least partially within the fluid in the container; and
a buoyant body floating in the fluid at a first level when the transducer is inactive, the buoyant body comprising a wave receiving surface oriented towards the transducer such that, when the transducer is activated, acoustic energy transmitted by the transducer strikes the wave receiving surface, causing the buoyant body to float at a second level in the fluid, displacement of the buoyant body between the first and second levels being directly related to the power of the acoustic energy transmitted by the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of measuring power of acoustic energy transmitted by an ultrasound transducer, the method comprising:
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providing a buoyant body floating at a first level in a fluid adjacent an ultrasound transducer;
impinging a surface on the buoyant body with acoustic energy from the transducer, thereby causing the buoyant body to float at a second level in the fluid; and
measuring displacement of the buoyant body from the first level to the second level to indicate the power of the acoustic energy impinging the surface of the buoyant body. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
disposing a container adjacent the transducer;
introducing a fluid into the container; and
placing the buoyant body in the fluid such that the buoyant body floats at least partially within the fluid.
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23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of providing a buoyant body further comprises placing a lid over the container such that at least a portion of the buoyant body is exposed through an aperture in the lid.
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24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of measuring displacement comprises observing demarcations on the portion of the buoyant body exposed through the aperture in order to measure the displacement of the buoyant body.
Specification