Selectable focus sphericone transducer and imaging apparatus
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic transducer for use with an ultrasonic diagnostic system, comprising piezoelectric material exhibiting a radiating surface having a generally circular, concave shape with a center point, said radiating surface in cross-section resembling two symmetrical arcuate surfaces symmetrically disposed on either side of said center point and canted toward each other at an angle which is less than the angle traversed by a spherical surface of the same curvature as said arcuate surfaces and the same diameter as said effective radiating surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasound imaging apparatus and transducer means which produces a converging beam pattern focused along the axis of the transducer with increasing beam concentration towards the furthest point of convergence of the beam pattern.
23 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. An ultrasonic transducer for use with an ultrasonic diagnostic system, comprising piezoelectric material exhibiting a radiating surface having a generally circular, concave shape with a center point, said radiating surface in cross-section resembling two symmetrical arcuate surfaces symmetrically disposed on either side of said center point and canted toward each other at an angle which is less than the angle traversed by a spherical surface of the same curvature as said arcuate surfaces and the same diameter as said effective radiating surface.
- 2. An ultrasonic transducer for use with an ultrasonic diagnostic system, comprising a surface of piezoelectric material and an acoustic lens affixed to said surface, said piezoelectric material and affixed acoustic lens together providing an effective radiating surface having a generally circular, concave shape with a center point, said effective radiating surface in cross-section resembling two symmetrical arcuate surfaces symmetrically disposed on either side of said center point and canted toward each other at an angle which is less than the angle traversed by a spherical surface of the same curvature as said arcuate surfaces and the same diameter as said effective radiating surface.
- 10. An ultrasonic transducer assembly for use with an ultrasonic diagnostic system, comprising a conical surface of piezoelectric material, and an acoustic lens affixed to said conical surface and having a spherical surface remote from said conical surface.
Specification