Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a CFM system which is designed so that the algorithm for computing a flow velocity or the like can be changed easily.The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises an A/D converter that converts a Doppler signal obtained by coherent detection of the echo reflected from an object of inspection into a digital signal, and a flow velocity computing section that determines a blood flow velocity and velocity dispersion on the basis of the Doppler signal from the A/D converter. The flow velocity computing section includes an MTI filter and a computing unit that determines a blood flow velocity and velocity dispersion by processing an output signal from the filter, both the MTI filter and the computing unit comprising respective digital signal processors (DSPs).

Abstract: The image diagnosis apparatus of the present invention is equipped with means for automatically determining a window level and a window width for image displaying in accordance with the value of reconstructed image data. With this window level/window width calculating means (13), the window level is obtained with respect to each reconstructed image on the basis of the virtual average value of its pixel data and the window width is also obtained which has a certain relationship with that window level. When displaying each reconstructed image, a display is made in accordance with each window level and each window width thus obtained. Instead of the obtained window level and window width, those set by a manual setting section (23) may be used by a changeover operation when necessary.

Abstract: A received ultrasonic phase matching circuit of the present invention, which utilizes variable delay lines having short delay times as the structural element of variable focus means having a larger aperture and realizes focusing to the regions from the region near the surface of object and to the deeper region thereof, comprises variable attenuators to be controlled individually and variable delay lines having the equal maximum delay times also to be controlled individually to the respective receiving channels forming the maximum aperture for reception of the ultrasonic echoes to form variable aperture by controlling variable attenuators and distribution of delay times for focusing in the aperture using only the variable delay times belonging to such aperture and add and combine the receiving signals delayed by the variable delay lines in the beam steering means.

Abstract: A medical image recording apparatus according to the present invention in which the optical path length of the optical system is extremely short and the number of mechanical operating mechanisms is reduced electronically scans an LED array assembly (14) having a plurality of one-dimensionally arranged LED's with an LED array controller (28) and feeds a photosensitive recording medium (15) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrangement of the LED's by means of a motor (17) controlled by a film feed controller (29). The LED array controller and the film feed controller are operated on the basis of commands given from a scanning controller (27) which is controlled by a CPU.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CRT multiformat camera which photographs CRT images onto photographic media of either film or photoprint in photographic conditions automatically set according to a selected photographic media type and has a feature of including photographing media discriminator (1) which discriminates between photographic media, and photographing condition setting device (4) which sets photographic conditions to the camera and/or the CRT display unit according to the discriminating signal of said photographing media discriminator.

Abstract: An NMR imaging domain is required to have a uniform distribution of static magnetic field. However, it is very difficult to generate a uniform magnetic field for an entire imaging domain, which is usually a spherical domain. The invention advantageously, exploits the requirement that to obtain imaging the static magnetic field need only be uniform as the slicing part. Thus, sufficient uniformity of static magnetic field is obtained in the invention by providing one or more shim coils to a static magnetic field generating coil and selectively controlling current to be applied to each shim coil in relation to data defining the imaging domain.

Abstract: An object which can provide a reference for measuring the intensity of a primary magnetic field, is positioned in the vicinity of a subject being examined. A variation in the primary magnetic field intensity is detected, based on a frequency shift of data observed of the object, and is used to control the primary magnetic field intensity, or reference frequency for phase detection, or to correct image data. In this manner image quality is prevented from being degraded due to the variation of the primary magnetic field intensity.

Abstract: The static magnetic fields of an NMR imaging apparatus should be maintained constant in intensity in order to obtain satisfactory NMR images. Coils used to generate the static magnetic fields, and the supporting frames therefor, are subject to heat expansion due to changes in the temperature, which causes fluctuations in the intensity of the generated static magnetic fields. In the invention, the temperatures of the coils, frames, atmosphere and cooling water, and the amount of cooling water, are detected, and the energizing current for the static magnetic field coils is selectively controlled, based on the detected quantities, to thereby maintain constant the intensity of the generated static magnetic fields.

Abstract: In ultrasonic transmission from and reception by an array probe in a phased array sonar, when an ultrasonic beam is directed substantially in front of the array probe, an ultrasonic wave having a high center frequency f.sub.o, or a bandwidth extending into higher frequencies, is transmitted and/or received in order to insure a high image resolution. When the ultrasonic beam is steered sideways, an ultrasonic wave having a lower center frequency f.sub.o, or a higher frequency range cutoff in relation to a steering angle .theta., is transmitted and/or received in order to increase the angle at which grating lobes are generated and hence prevent such grating lobes from entering the angle range of the field of view.

Abstract: A rotate/rotate type X-ray computerized tomograph system employing a single-phase transformer as a high tension voltage supply whereby the secondary voltage of the single phase transformer is rectified and applied across the anode and cathode of an X-ray tube. Such a system, advantageously, is compact and lightweight and employs components which are substantially less costly than those of the prior art.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for puncture treatments is constructed in a manner that a guide member, for guiding a puncture needle, is provided on a side surface of an ultrasonic probe of a linear scanning type, with a needle being positioned by the guide member to be movable at right angles to the surface of the body of a patient, and a beam of ultrasonic wave is emitted by the probe in a direction oblique to the length dimension of the needle. The probe may be positioned obliquely to the needle, in which case, an acoustic coupling member of a wedge shape is inserted in the gap formed between the emitting end of the probe and the body. Alternatively, the probe may be positioned parallel with the needle in which case a wedge shaped member capable of deflecting the ultrasonic waves, is placed on the emitting end of the probe, and a wedge shaped acoustic coupling member is connected to the deflecting member so as to deflect the ultrasonic waves to be oblique to the needle within the body.

Abstract: An X-ray detector, used in an X-ray computerized tomograph systems, and method of making the same. The X-ray detector has a casing filled with gas for detecting X-rays, and flat signal electrode plates and bias electrode plates are disposed alternately at regular intervals within the casing to form a number of spatially partitioned detection chambers. When X-rays enter the detection chambers after being transmitted through an object under examination, the X-ray energy is converted into electric current flowing across the electrodes of the signal electrode plates, whereby the transmitted X-ray can be detected by an output circuit.Improvements are provided to enable the signal electrode plates and the bias electrode plates to be more densely packed into the casing, thereby to obtain higher resolution X-ray computerized tomograms.

Abstract: An apparatus for examining an input signal current from an X-ray detector in a computerized tomograph, wherein an apparatus is used to once charge a capacitor in each of a plurality of channels with the input signal current, and to read the charged voltage later to measure the strength of the respective input signals. To eliminate the effects of cross-talk, leakage current, and off-set factors, a reset switch alone or together with associated circuit elements are used. In one embodiment the reset switch is used to discharge distributed capacitance after reading of one channel capacitor and before the discharging of the next channel capacitor. In another embodiment the true input signal together with error factors are first measured and stored, and then the error factors are measured, and then such error factors are subtracted from the stored combined signal, to produce an output signal which reflects the true input signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe, such as for use in ultrasonography, comprising a support having a front end, which may be held against a human body, and a central groove in the side thereof for guiding a puncture needle to move therethrough, and an array of rectangular ultrasonic transducer elements mounted on and lying flatwise on the front end, wherein one or more ultrasonic transducer elements are located adjacent to an open end of the groove at the front end between the other transducer elements, whereby the image display of the needle is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging system for diagnostic use or non-destructive testing. The system comprises a first array of ultrasonic transducers coupled to the object space wherein objects under examination are located or distributed; a second array of ultrasonic transducers coupled to a reconstitution space wherein the acoustic images of the objects are to be replicated; and time inversion means. The time inversion means has a set of waveform memories which first captures the ultrasonic signals from said objects, typically echos produced in response to suitable excitation, via said first array of ultrasonic transducers with suitable amplification and preconditioning as necessary. Then readouts of these signals are provided inversely in time which drive the second array of ultrasonic transducers with said time inverted signals to reproject inversely propagating ultrasonic wavetrains forming replicated acoustic images of the objects.

Abstract: An echo signal receiver receives higher level echo signals reflected from strong reflections sources or reflecting sources at areas close to a probe in a range of higher frequencies, and also receives lower level echo signals reflected from weak reflection sources or sources at areas remote from the probe in a range of low frequencies. The echo signal receiver comprises a multiple stage amplifier circuit for receiving the echo signal. Outputs from amplifiers at front stages are delivered via filters having higher frequency bands, and outputs from amplifiers at rear stages are delivered via filters having lower frequency bands. The outputs are passed through the filters and then combined into a single processed echo signal.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment which irradiates a subject with ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves responsive thereto so as to provide a tomogram of the subject on the basis of the received signals, two tap-changing type phased arrays having different focal sections are alternately operated during a period of the reception of the reflected waves, and while one of the phased arrays is being operated, the tap changing of the other phased array for altering the focal section is made. In spite of reduced numbers of high-class switches and phased arrays used, spike noise due to the changes-over of switches during the dynamic focusing are prevented.

Abstract: A linear array ultrasonic transducer is provided primarily for use in a medical diagnostic examination device in which an ultrasonic beam is projected toward an object to be examined, thereby to examine the condition of the tissues of that object. The linear array ultrasonic transducer comprises an array of tiny oscillatory elements and electrode leads connected by a conductive adhesive to facilitate the fabrication, and two registering layers and a lens layer mounted on the front sides of the tiny oscillatory elements so that an image of high resolution may be produced.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic method and apparatus are provided for probing the condition in a tissue of a living body by projecting an ultrasonic beam onto the living body from a vibrator array transducer probe consisting of a plurality of tiny ultrasonic vibrators. The apparatus executes two scanning actions, of which one is a normal linear scanning that drives the ultrasonic vibrators sequentially in the manner to cause a sequential parallel shift of the ultrasonic beam substantially perpendicular to the vibrator array, and the other of which is an inclined linear scanning that drives the ultrasonic vibrators at individually different timings while sequentially shifting the driven vibrators in the manner to cause sequential parallel shift of the ultrasonic beam having an angle of inclination against the vibrator array. The images obtained through the normal linear scanning and the inclined linear scanning are combined to form a composite high-resolution image.

Abstract: An improved signal isolator including two nonlinear circuits having nonlinear voltage-to-current characteristics, in which an input network is formed by connecting one of the nonlinear circuits in series with the primary winding of a transformer, and an output network is formed by connecting the other nonlinear circuit and an averaging circuit in series with the secondary winding of the transformer. A pulse signal is applied to the input network, the output network or the tertiary winding of the transformer to develop an output signal corresponding to the input signal while the input network and the output network are isolated from each other with respect to direct current.