Abstract: An improved ultrasonic scanning head is disclosed for use in an apparatus for imaging sections of a body by transmitting ultrasonic energy into the body and determining the characteristics of the ultrasonic energy reflected therefrom. The scanning head includes a scanning window which comprises an acoustic lens for converging the scan of the ultrasound beam. This serves to reduce geometrical distortion.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for scanning an object with a beam of ultrasound energy and for formulating image-representative signals from the ultrasound reflected from the object. An ultrasound reflector is disposed in the path of the ultrasound energy, the reflector typically being disposed in a suitable fluid, for example water. The reflector is mechanically driven and means are provided for sensing the relative angular position of the reflector and for generating a first clock signal as a function of the sensed position. Means, responsive to the ultrasound reflected from the object are provided for generating echo-representative electrical signals. These echo-representative electrical signals are stored at a line rate which depends upon the first clock signal.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for determining the velocity of a material within a body, and which is also capable of simultaneously imaging sections of the body. In the velocity-determined method, a focused beam of ultrasound is directed, over a given aperture, toward the skin of the body, the central ray of the focused ultrasound beam being oriented substantially normal to the skin. The ultrasound beam reflected from the body is received over the same aperture. Preferably, the steps of directing and receiving the ultrasound employ the same single transducer, and focusing is achieved using a focusing lens. Beat frequency signals are detected in the received beam, these signals resulting from the beating of Doppler effect components reflected from the moving material, for example, blood corpuscles of moving blood within the body. Velocity-representative indications, for example, audio or video presentations, are then generated as a function of the detected beat frequency signals.

Abstract: A selectable delay system for coupling between a plurality of elements and an input/output terminal, the relative delays between the input/output terminal and the individual elements being selectable under operator control. A single delay line is employed to obtain up to three different effective delay configurations that can be used, for example, to obtain three different focuses in an ultrasonic imaging system.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for ultrasonically investigating a section or slice of a body by transmitting ultrasonic energy into the body and determining the characteristics of the ultrasonic energy reflected therefrom. A transducer is coupled to an energizing means and generates a beam of ultrasonic energy. The beam is focused and scanned across the body being investigated along the plane of the slice of the body to be imaged. A feature of the present invention is that the ultrasound-generating transducer has a generally elliptical shape elongated along the direction of the scan. The result is a scanned focused spot which is elongated in a direction normal to the direction of scan. The thickness of the investigated "slice" is therefore substantially larger (preferably at least twice as large) as a resolution element in the direction of scan.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic scanning module is disclosed which includes a fluid-tight enclosure having a window at about the front thereof and a reflective scanner at about the rear thereof and generally facing the window. A transducer is mounted in the enclosure frontwardly of the reflective scanner with the ultrasound-emitting face of the transducer generally facing the reflective scanner and being oriented with respect to the reflective scanner at a relatively acute angle such that the beam effectively "doubles-back" past itself during its excursion through the scanning module.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for imaging a body, such as an ultrasonic imaging system. In the disclosed apparatus, means are provided for transmitting energy, such as ultrasound energy, into the body. A transducer is provided for converting energy reflected from the body, typically ultrasound echoes, into electrical signals. The transducer, which is divided into a plurality of defined segments, such as concentric annular segments surrounding a central circular segment, is utilized for both transmitting and receiving. A plurality of register devices are provided, preferably analog registers of the charge-transfer type. The input of each of the register devices is coupled to a respective one of the transducer segments. A first clock is associated with each of the register devices. A plurality of second clocks are also provided, each being associated with one of the plurality of register devices.The second clocks have different characteristic clock rates.

Abstract: A variable delay system in which multistage delay lines are "shared" between different elements (e.g. different transducer elements or segments). A plurality of delay lines are provided, the delay lines having respectively different numbers of stages. The signals from the first and last segments of a segmented transducer are applied to opposing ends of the delay line having the largest number of stages. The signals from the second and next-to-last segments of the transducer are applied to opposing ends of the delay line having the next-to-largest number of stages, and so on. A plurality of coupling circuits are respectively associated with the plurality of delay lines and are operative to sample, as a function of time, the signals at different delay stages of their respective delay lines. The outputs of the coupling circuits are combined to form an image-representative signal.

Abstract: A reflector is disclosed, suitable for use in an apparatus for sending and/or receiving ultrasonic energy through a propagating fluid. A thin layer of ultrasonically transmissive material is disposed on a supportive substrate having an optically rough surface. A single gaseous layer is trapped between the ultrasonically transmissive layer and the substrate, the gaseous layer being contained in the asperities of the substrate layer. The substrate is preferably a metal having a roughness in the range of 1 to 10 microns.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an optical display apparatus, or fiber optics magnification panel, and a method of making same. The display apparatus comprises a light input surface defined by one end of each of a multiplicity of elongated optical carrier strands, e.g. fiber optic strands, the one ends being arranged in a relatively closely spaced array of rows and columns. A light output surface is substantially perpendicular to the light input surface and is defined by the other ends of the strands, the other ends being arranged in a relatively remotely spaced configuration of rows and columns. Each column of strands extends rearwardly from the input surface to a depth which depends upon the column's position in the order of columns. Each strand of a column bends sidewardly at its point of greatest depth to an orientation which is substantially parallel to the input surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling internal environment air using energy from the sun. In accordance with the method of the invention, internal environment ("inside") air is circulated over a desiccant and thereby dried. The dried air, which takes on heat as a consequence of the drying operation, is relatively cooled by performing a heat exchange operation with external environment ("outside") air. At this stage, the dried inside air is at a temperature which is only slightly above the temperature of the outside air. Moisture is then added to the dried inside air which had been subjected to the heat exchange operation. The evaporation of the moisture into the dried air restores it to a desired relative humidity and effects a cooling of the air which is then returned to the internal environment. The operation of drying the inside air will, after a time, render the desiccant too wet to perform efficiently. The desiccant is then heated with solar energy so as to remove moisture from the desiccant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling internal environment air using energy from the sun. In accordance with the method of the invention, internal environment ("inside") air is circulated over a desiccant and thereby dried. The dried air, which takes on heat as a consequence of the drying operation, is relatively cooled by performing a heat exchange operation with external environment ("outside") air. At this stage, the dried inside air is at a temperature which is only slightly above the temperature of the outside air. Moisture is then added to the dried inside air which had been subjected to the heat exchange operation. The evaporation of the moisture into the dried air restores it to a desired relative humidity and effects a cooling of the air which is then returned to the internal environment. The operation of drying the inside air will, after a time, render the desiccant too wet to perform efficiently.

Abstract: The invention is an improved apparatus and method for the automatic coloration and/or shading of images, and especially images utilized for presenting animated motion pictures. Display means are provided, preferably at least one display for displaying monochrome line drawings and one for displaying color images. Graphical imput means, for example a data tablet, are provided, having a coordinate system adapted to effect display on the display means of characters defined by coordinate points selected by an operator. Means are provided for storing the coordinate points of at least one enclosed area of the coordinate system, this storing means typically including a portion of the data base of a computer system which stores the coordinate points of the lines drawn by the operator. These lines typically define a plurality of enclosed areas, such as the areas of a drawn character or figure. Means are also provided for storing an operator-selected position reference, called a "seed point", for each enclosed area.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for generating video-representative signals which represent one or more operator-selected portions of an existing scene. In accordance with the invention, frame storage means are provided for storing an array of elemental pixel values representative of the video content of the individual elemental areas of the scene. As defined herein, video content is intended to include shading and/or coloration of monochrome or color images. Means are provided for interrogating the frame storage means and for tabulating the pixel values stored in the frame storage means. Operator controllable means are provided for selecting one or more of the pixel values of the tabulation. Means responsive to the selected values are provided for forming video-representative signals corresponding to those portions of the scene having the selected pixel values. In the preferred embodiment of the invention there are provided means for displaying the tabulation of the pixel values.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for receiving a plurality of two-dimensional images and for generating a three-dimensional display from these images. The plurality of two-dimensional images will typically represent different image planes of a desired three-dimensional image. The two-dimensional images may be still pictures, transparencies, motion pictures or images generated by any suitable means. In accordance with the invention, a plurality of flat screen fiber optical magnification units are provided. Each unit includes an input surface defined by the input ends of a multiplicity of fiber optical strands which extend rearwardly and then sidewardly from the input surface and terminate at their output ends which define an output surface that is perpendicular to the input surface. The strands of each unit are supported in a transparent support medium. The image magnification units are disposed one-behind-another with their output surfaces in substantially parallel relationship.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling internal environment air using energy from the sun. In accordance with the method of the invention, internal environment ("inside") air is circulated over a desiccant and thereby dried. The dried air, which takes on heat as a consequence of the drying operation, is relatively cooled by performing a heat exchange operation with external environment ("outside") air. At this stage, the dried inside air is at a temperature which is only slightly above the temperature of the outside air. Moisture is then added to the dried inside air which had been subjected to the heat exchange operation. The evaporation of the moisture into the dried air restores it to a desired relative humidity and effects a cooling of the air which is then returned to the internal environment. The operation of drying the inside air will, after a time, render the desiccant too wet to perform efficiently. The desiccant is then heated with solar energy so as to remove moisture from the desiccant.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an optical display apparatus, or fiber optics magnification panel, and a method of making same. In accordance with the disclosed method, a plurality of substantially parallel relatively closely spaced optically conducting elongated strands, such as fiber optic strands, are wrapped about a spacer element. At least one additional spacer element is then positioned over the previously wrapped strands and the plurality of strands is rewrapped over the at least one additional spacer element in spiral fashion. The operation of positioning an additional spacer element over the previously wrapped strands and rewrapping the strands over the additional spacer element is then repeated a desired number of times. The resultant spirally wound construction is then severed substantially along the plane of the first-mentioned spacer element, and a resultant portion of this severing operation is angularly severed to form a pair of wedge-shaped display panels.

Abstract: The invention is utilized in an apparatus for imaging sections of a body by transmitting ultrasonic energy into the body and determining the characteristics of the ultrasonic energy reflected therefrom. Such an apparatus typically includes a timer for generating timing signals, an energizing/receiving device alternately operative in response to the timing signals, and a display/record device, synchronized by the timing signals, for displaying and/or receiving image-representative electronic signals from the energizing/receiving device. In accordance with the invention there is provided a portable scanning module, suitable for being hand held, which comprises fluid-tight enclosure having a scanning window formed of a flexible material. A transducer is provided for converting energy from the energizing/receiving device to periodic ultrasonic energy and for converting reflected ultrasonic energy to electrical signals, the transducer having a plurality of defined segments.

Abstract: For use in ultrasonic pulse-echo apparatus including an ultrasonic wave transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward an object to be examined and for producing an electric signal corresponding to echo pulses reflected by the object, an improved signal processing circuit for compensating for attenuation effects caused by ultrasound absorption, diffraction, reflection and scattering. Compensation for these image-degrading effects assures simple, reliable and repeatable equipment performance, and contributes to reliable detection of very weak echoes.

Abstract: For use in ultrasound pulse-echo imaging and neurosurgery systems, a plano-concave lens of elliptical shape is positioned in front of a transducer for producing an extremely narrow ultrasonic beam, and at the same time provides a large aperture to maximize the ultrasound power output from the transducer and the capture angle of reflected echoes. The lens is preferably formed of plastic, selected from a wide variety of available plastics in accordance with desired acoustical properties for a given application, and is preferably bonded to a flat, disc-shaped transducer. By proper selection of the material used to construct the lens it is possible to produce the correct amount of transducer apodization.