Patent ID: 6585649
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An ultrasonic system for multiple transmission angle ultrasonic interrogation in tissues with heterogenous structures that alter ultrasonic properties, comprising:a) a first ultrasonic transducer with an axis of transmission in common with a second ultrasonic transducer, said axis of transmission is through a portion of a tissue, b) an x, y positioner that engages said first ultrasonic transducer and said second ultrasonic transducer, said x, y positioner controllably 1) positions said first ultrasonic transducer and said second ultrasonic transducer in a desired manner between at least a first and a second position while generally maintaining said axis of transmission and 2) establishes predetermined transmission angles for said first ultrasonic transducer and said second ultrasonic transducer to interrogate said portion at multiple transmission angles through heterogenous structures in said portion, c) a z positioner that positions at least one of said first or second ultrasonic transducers, and said z positioner changes the distance of transmission along said axis of transmission between said first ultrasonic transducer and said second ultrasonic transducer, and d) a computational unit designed to manage ultrasonic signal transmission and reception of said first ultrasonic transducer and said second ultrasonic transducer with either BUA or SOS or both and is designed to control movement of said x, y positioner; wherein said ultrasonic measurements with multiple transmission angles are improved compared to the absence of multiple transmission angles.