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System and method for sensing and locating disturbances in an energy path of a focused ultrasound system

  • US 7,175,596 B2
  • Filed: 10/29/2001
  • Issued: 02/13/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for sensing a disturbance in a transmission path of a converging ultrasound energy beam transmitted by a transducer in a focused ultrasound system, the method comprising:

  • transmitting a burst of ultrasound energy from the transducer, along the transmission path, to a focal zone;

    detecting whether a reflected portion of the ultrasound energy burst is received at the transducer within a certain time period following transmission of the burst, wherein receipt within the time period indicates the reflected portion was reflected by a disturbance located in the transmission path proximal of the focal zone; and

    determining the location of the disturbance based, at least in part, on a delay time from the transmission of the ultrasound energy burst to the reception of the reflected portions of the ultrasound energy bursts from the proximally located disturbance.

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