Patent ID: 6389885
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G01N,G01Q

Abstract:
An ultrasonic microscope for the examination of a sample body, said ultrasonic microscope comprising:an ultrasonic transmitter disposed on a coupling side surface of a said sample body, said ultrasonic transmitter displaceable to a plurality of transmitting positions relative to a said sample body, said ultrasonic transmitter providing a point source of input-coupled ultrasonic waves to a said sample body in proportion to the dimensions of a said sample body; an ultrasonic detector disposed on a detection side surface of a said sample body opposite said coupling side surface, said ultrasonic detector independently positionable for each said transmitting position to a plurality of receiving positions for receiving said ultrasonic waves from said ultrasonic transmitter, said ultrasonic detector measuring the amplitude of said ultrasonic waves and forming amplitude data signals therefrom at each of said receiving positions for each transmitting position of the plurality of transmitting positions and location data representative of the positions of the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver; a central processor for processing said amplitude data signals as a function of each transmitting position and the plurality of receiving positions allocated to said transmitting position and generating data signals therefrom and storing said data signals; and an image generator for generating a three dimensional image of an internal region of a said sample body by combining said stored data signals and said amplitude data signals.