Automatic signal-optimizing transducer assembly for blood flow measurement
First Claim
1. An auto-signal-optimizing transducer assembly configured for transmitting ultrasound to, and receiving ultrasound echo signals returned from, a blood vessel disposed in a patient'"'"'s body region in which said blood vessel is oriented at a vessel elevation angle relative to the patient'"'"'s skin surface, said auto-signal-optimizing transducer assembly comprising:
- a) an ultrasound transducer component having a front face that transmits ultrasound along a scanning plane directed away from said face and receives ultrasound echo signals returned along said scanning plane;
b) signal connection means for coupling said transducer component to an ultrasound generator and processor unit that excites said transducer component to transmit said ultrasound and processes said returned ultrasound echo signals received by said transducer component;
c) securing means configured for detachably and repeatably holding said transducer component adjacent to said skin surface and oriented in azimuth adjacent to said body region and to hold said transducer component so said scanning plane is disposed at a fixed transducer elevation angle relative to the skin surface, and is oriented in azimuth on said skin surface to optimize initial returned echo signals from said blood vessel disposed at a vessel elevation angle relative to said skin surface, in which said securing means comprises;
d) a housing body fixedly encapsulating, protecting and holding said transducer component, said housing body comprising;
i) a top with spaced apart, parallel front and back edges extending between two spaced apart, parallel side wallsii) longitudinal ribs extending along opposite parallel side walls;
iii) a perpendicular bottom face between the two opposite side walls presenting an opening for the ultrasound and received ultrasound signals to pass between said face of said transducer component and said skin surface when said housing body is adapted to secure to said body portion;
e) a housing body holder comprising;
i) a lateral base member;
ii) a rigid open rectangular channel with a back wall between two parallel side walls extending upright from said lateral base member, the holder side walls spaced apart to receive said housing body with said parallel side walls fitted closely within, the inside of the two holder side walls having opposing grooves formed to slidingly receive and retain said longitudinal ribs of said housing body when said housing body is fitted against said back wall of said channel;
iii) the lateral base member forming an opening co-extensive with said fitted housing opening;
iv) opposing, thin lateral wings having respective upper and lower surfaces, said wings extending away from said holder opening to distal free ends, said wings shaped to fit closely proximal on said skin surface portion when attached adjacent to said body region, and having sufficient strength to reliably maintain said holder and said housing body in a fixed position and orientation when attached to said skin surface portion;
f) housing holder attachment means configured to removably attaching said lateral wings to said skin surface portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention uses a transducer and ultrasound system to form and direct ultrasound beams through the blood stream that will detect the Doppler shift in frequency between the beams and the return echo off the blood. The transducer can be secured onto the surface of the patient'"'"'s skin with a transducer housing holder. A 1-D transducer, subject to an optimized angle with respect to the blood vessel, will generate and direct ultrasound beams electronically through a blood vessel below the skin and analyze the received echo, searching for the maximum signal amplitude of the Doppler frequency shift from the blood. Furthermore, the device continuously controls the direction of the ultrasound beams to achieve maximum return signal amplitude. Then, the condition and trend of the blood flow is recorded and displayed continuously over the desired diagnostic interval the device is in use.
39 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An auto-signal-optimizing transducer assembly configured for transmitting ultrasound to, and receiving ultrasound echo signals returned from, a blood vessel disposed in a patient'"'"'s body region in which said blood vessel is oriented at a vessel elevation angle relative to the patient'"'"'s skin surface, said auto-signal-optimizing transducer assembly comprising:
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a) an ultrasound transducer component having a front face that transmits ultrasound along a scanning plane directed away from said face and receives ultrasound echo signals returned along said scanning plane; b) signal connection means for coupling said transducer component to an ultrasound generator and processor unit that excites said transducer component to transmit said ultrasound and processes said returned ultrasound echo signals received by said transducer component; c) securing means configured for detachably and repeatably holding said transducer component adjacent to said skin surface and oriented in azimuth adjacent to said body region and to hold said transducer component so said scanning plane is disposed at a fixed transducer elevation angle relative to the skin surface, and is oriented in azimuth on said skin surface to optimize initial returned echo signals from said blood vessel disposed at a vessel elevation angle relative to said skin surface, in which said securing means comprises; d) a housing body fixedly encapsulating, protecting and holding said transducer component, said housing body comprising; i) a top with spaced apart, parallel front and back edges extending between two spaced apart, parallel side walls ii) longitudinal ribs extending along opposite parallel side walls; iii) a perpendicular bottom face between the two opposite side walls presenting an opening for the ultrasound and received ultrasound signals to pass between said face of said transducer component and said skin surface when said housing body is adapted to secure to said body portion; e) a housing body holder comprising; i) a lateral base member; ii) a rigid open rectangular channel with a back wall between two parallel side walls extending upright from said lateral base member, the holder side walls spaced apart to receive said housing body with said parallel side walls fitted closely within, the inside of the two holder side walls having opposing grooves formed to slidingly receive and retain said longitudinal ribs of said housing body when said housing body is fitted against said back wall of said channel; iii) the lateral base member forming an opening co-extensive with said fitted housing opening; iv) opposing, thin lateral wings having respective upper and lower surfaces, said wings extending away from said holder opening to distal free ends, said wings shaped to fit closely proximal on said skin surface portion when attached adjacent to said body region, and having sufficient strength to reliably maintain said holder and said housing body in a fixed position and orientation when attached to said skin surface portion; f) housing holder attachment means configured to removably attaching said lateral wings to said skin surface portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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14. An ultrasound transducer assembly comprising:
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a) an ultrasound transducer unit presenting an outward facing ultrasound scanning array on one side; b) a body portion attachment means configured to detachably securing said body portion attachment means proximal to a fixed location and fixed orientation at a skin surface portion of a body region of a patient; i) transducer unit securing means for detachably and repeatedly securing said transducer unit to said body portion attachment means, in which said transducer unit securing means comprises; c) a housing body fixedly encapsulating, protecting and holding said transducer unit at said fixed location and fixed orientation with said scanning array disposed adjacent to and facing said skin surface portion;
said housing body comprising;i) a top with spaced apart, parallel front and back edges extending between two spaced apart, parallel side walls ii) longitudinal ribs extending along opposite parallel side walls; iii) a perpendicular bottom face between the two opposite side walls presenting an opening for the ultrasound and received ultrasound signals to pass between the face of said transducer unit and said skin surface when said housing body is adapted to secure to said body portion; d) a housing body holder comprising; i) a lateral base member; ii) a rigid open rectangular channel with a back wall between two parallel side walls extending upright from said lateral base member, the holder side walls spaced apart to receive said housing body with said parallel side walls fitted closely within, the inside of the two holder side walls having opposing grooves formed to slidingly receive and retain said longitudinal ribs of said housing body when said housing body is fitted against said back wall of said channel; iii) the lateral base member forming an opening co-extensive with said fitted housing opening; iv) opposing, thin lateral wings having respective upper and lower surfaces, said wings extending away from said holder opening to distal free ends, said wings shaped to fit closely proximal on said skin surface portion when attached adjacent to said body region, and having sufficient strength to reliably maintain said holder and said housing body in a fixed position and orientation when attached to said skin surface portion; e) housing body holder attachment means configured to attach said lower surface of said lateral wings to said skin surface portion; f) signal connection means for connecting said array to a distal signal generating and signal processing unit for communicating ultrasound excitation signals from said processing unit to said array for transmitting ultrasound into said body region through said skin surface portion and for communicating resulting ultrasound echo signals received by said array from said body portion back to said processing unit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification