Patent ID: 6440083
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Apparatus for providing an output signal characteristic of a confined volume geometry comprising,a conduit having a predetermined length and an interior free of sound-absorbing or energy-absorbing material for exchanging acoustical energy with said confined volume, said conduit having an open first end adapted for communication with an opening in said confined volume and a second end separated from said first end by the length of the conduit, a launching transducer coupled to said conduit comprising means for launching acoustical energy into said conduit producing a first wave traveling towards said opening in said confined volume and the confined volume producing a second wave traveling away from said opening toward said second end in response to the first wave, the second wave having a wave field in said conduit representative of said confined volume geometry, a plurality to pressure-wave-sensing transducers mounted along a length of said conduit in spaced relationship for providing first and second transduced signals representative of said wave field, and a processor means coupled to said plurality of pressure-wave-sensing transducers including means for processing said first and second transduced signals in accordance with an algorithm that takes into account said first wave and said second wave to provide said output signal characteristic of said confined volume geometry.