Patent ID: 6712765
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: A61B,G01S,G10K

Abstract:
For use in an apparatus for ultrasonically imaging sections of a body by transmitting ultrasonic energy into the body and determining the characteristics of the ultrasonic energy reflected therefrom, said apparatus including timing means for generating timing signals; energizing/receiving means operative in response to timing signals; and display/record means synchronized with said timing signals for displaying and/or recording image-representative signals from the energizing/receiving means; said apparatus having a scanning module that includes: a fluid-containing enclosure having an ultrasonically-transmissive window which can be placed in contact with the body; transducer means, in said enclosure, coupled to said energizing/receiving means, for converting electrical energy to a beam of ultrasonic energy and for converting reflected ultrasonic energy to electrical signals; means for focusing the ultrasound beam emanating from said transducer means; reflective scanning means rotatably mounted in said enclosure in the path of said ultrasound beam for effecting scanning of said beam across said body via said window; said window comprising an acoustic lens for converging the scan of the ultrasound beam incident thereon from within said enclosure; a method comprising the steps of:selecting a desired maximum depth of penetration of said ultrasound beam into the body; providing distances between said transducer means and said reflective scanning means and between said reflective scanning means and said acoustic lens window that are each substantially equal to said selected maximum depth of penetration.