Patent ID: 8622914
Filing Date: 2014-01-07
Classification: A61B,H03K

Abstract:
1. In a bipolar transmitter for generating bipolar ultrasound pulses with first and second high-voltage transistors, an improvement comprising: a first low-voltage transistor connected between a positive voltage source and a first source terminal of the first high-voltage transistor; and a second low-voltage transistor connected between a negative voltage source and a second source terminal of the second high-voltage transistor; wherein the first and second low-voltage transistors are configured to adjust drive strengths of the first and second high-voltage transistors, respectively, and the first and second high-voltage transistors comprise first and second gates connected with positive and negative gate voltage sources, respectively, such that the first and second low-voltage transistors are operable to control an on/off state of the first and second high-voltage transistors, respectively, with the positive and negative gate voltage sources configured to maintain constant, during transmission, voltages connected to the first and second gates.