Abstract: An improved piezo-electric transducer to provide a maximal transmission of ultrasonic energy into and from human and animal tissues for the determination of abnormalities eliminating the necessity of collimating accessories at transducer level, which accessories result in avoidable energy transmission and receipt losses. An ICT (Intrinsically Collimated Transducer) provides parallel beam transmission with the emitted beam focussed at infinity. The transducer affords an intrinsically collimated beam of energy to insure a most favorable diagnostic approach to detection of tissue abnormalities. A thin piezo-electric, ceramic, member is provided with one side having a plurality of isolated electrodes which are commonly or individually connected by means of a flexible, compressible, elastomeric, energy conducting membrane or means such as highly conductive metals, though relatively inflexible when compared to elastomers are relatively flexible as compared to solid metals.

Abstract: A device for the rapid and complete interrogation of any portion of the body with specific attention to the breast and particularly the nipple-aerola area of the same for detection of abnormal, possibly cancerous, tissues within this normally difficult to examine area. The device includes an ultrasound transducer mounted in ultrasound conducting relationship to the area to be examined, positioned properly thereto and moved thereacross in a manner to provide a complete and systematic sweep of the area for total and rapid interrogation of the tissues within such area. The systematic sweep includes arcuate circumferential indexing of the transducer path moving radially across the breast. In this manner, the nipple-aerola area is repeatedly interrogated by each transducer travel across the breast. The transducer is also oscillated, normal to the path, as it travels along its path for cross sweep of tissue to insure total interrogation.

Abstract: An energy coupling for piezo-electric crystals and mounting for the crystals wherein the crystal is flexibly edge mounted and isolated from a rigid holder and is backed by a flexible and compressible conductor to which selected frequency energy is transmitted having an adjustable compression plate therebehind for maintaining proper energy transmitting contact between the crystal and conductor for production of a collimated sound beam from the face of the crystal from a plurality of electrodes on the back face of the crystal. The system provides for energy transmission with no possibility of isolation at any frequency other than at the desired frequency of transmission.

Abstract: A device for rapid intubation of devices into internal human passages for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The device includes a conduit surrounded by a thin walled, inflatable and longitudinally and radially expandable member which will initially drive the device into the selected passages such as the lower bowel, colon, esophagus or upper bowel. Controlled inflation of such member provides the driving, positioning force for proper intubation even through particularly difficult transition portions of the selected passage. Partial or total deflation of the expandable member allows sealing for therapeutic utilization, evacuation of the passage for passage inspection or combinations of such useages. The device is easily adapted to accomodate diagnostic or treatment devices while allowing cooperative control thereof exteriorally of the body.

Abstract: A hollow, open ended tube of flexible, semirigid material which has internally projecting ridges that are so shaped and positioned as to produce a musical tone when air flow is induced through the tube by holding it at one end and swinging the other end around in a generally circular path to create a pressure differential between the two ends of the tube or by mounting the tube on the exterior of a vehicle in line with the relative airstream when the vehicle is in motion. The tube may be attached at one end to a hollow, extensible, spring-loaded handle.