Patent ID: 6980688
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for investigating structural integrity, comprising: providing a carrier member having an engagement surface, a plurality of electromechanical transducer elements being attached to said carrier member, said transducer elements being spaced from each other; placing said engagement surface in contact with a solid structural member, so that a substantial portion of said carrier member and a plurality of said transducer elements are in effective wave-transmitting engagement with said structural member; after the placing of said engagement surface in contact with said structural member, energizing at least a first one of said transducer elements to transmit pressure waves into said structural member; receiving, by at least a second one of said transducer elements, pressure waves reflected from an internal structural defect in said structural member in response to the pressure waves transmitted into said structural member; and analyzing the received pressure waves so as to detect said structural defect.