Patent ID: 6835178
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Ultrasonic bone testing apparatus comprising a pair of ultrasonic transducers each of which comprises a piezoelectric copolymer transducer; mounting structure supporting the transducers in facing spaced relation to each other, so as to be respectively positionable on opposite sides of and both coupled ultrasonically to an animal portion containing a bone, for respectively transmitting ultrasonic energy through and receiving ultrasonic energy transmitted through said animal portion including the bone; and electrical circuitry connected to the transducers to energize one transducer to transmit ultrasonic energy and to detect an electrical signal generated by the other transducer in response to received ultrasonic energy, wherein the mounting structure includes a support for positioning the animal portion between the transducers, and a device for coupling the transducers ultrasonically to the animal portion; and wherein each of the transducers comprises a copolymer disk having a periphery and two opposed major surfaces, one of which is disposed to face the bone-containing animal portion, and further includes rigid support structure engaging the other major surface of the disk inwardly of the periphery thereof for supporting the disk against pressure exerted on the first-mentioned major surface of the disk.