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Multi-focus ultrasound system and method

  • US 8,409,102 B2
  • Filed: 08/31/2010
  • Issued: 04/02/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A multi-focus ultrasound probe, comprising:

  • an enclosure surrounding an ultrasound transducer, wherein the enclosure includes a probe face configured to engage a wave emission target such that waves from the transducer can enter the target via the face;

    a positioning mechanism configured to oscillate the transducer about an axis and configured to adjust a focal point operation depth of the transducer by moving the transducer towards or away from the probe face;

    a fluid contained within the enclosure, wherein the fluid fills space between the transducer and the probe face;

    comprising a drive mechanism configured to drive a slider along a linear component of the positioning mechanism such that a link coupled to a side of the transducer causes the transducer to pivot about the axis of the transducer;

    wherein the slider is a lead-screw nut coupled to a lead screw such that the lead-screw nut engages threads of the lead screw and rotation of the lead screw when the lead-screw nut is not rotating moves the lead-screw nut along a length of the lead screw via the threads;

    comprising a capture feature capable of engaging the lead-screw nut such that the lead-screw nut is vertically fixed relative to the probe face and such that the axis moves away from the probe face when the lead screw is rotating in a first direction and toward the probe face when the lead screw is rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction while the lead-screw nut is engaged by the capture feature;

    wherein the positioning mechanism comprises;

    a driven link capable of rotating about a hinged coupling at a first end of the driven link;

    a transducer link coupled with the driven link via a slot in a first end of the transducer link and a in in a second end of the driven link, wherein a second end of the transducer link is coupled to the transducer; and

    a motor configured to rotate the driven link about the hinged coupling.

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