Abstract: Embodiments of a needle insertion system and method are disclosed. One method embodiment includes transmitting a sound beam along an axis to contact a blood vessel; receiving the reflected sound beam from the blood vessel; processing the reflected sound beam to detect the location of the blood vessel; and, responsive to the detection, receiving a needle in a guideway that is oriented parallel to the axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of a needle insertion system and method are disclosed. One method embodiment includes transmitting a sound beam along an axis to contact a blood vessel; receiving the reflected sound beam from the blood vessel; processing the reflected sound beam to detect the location of the blood vessel; and, responsive to the detection, receiving a needle in a guideway that is oriented parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A low-frequency lung vibration apparatus is designed to vibrate lungs clogged by sputum, using acoustic waves. The freed sputum becomes easier to be removed by expectoration. The apparatus includes a garment composed of layers, a plurality of electro-mechanical or dynamic vibrators and a controlling unit. An inner layer contains a loading and shape conforming material, while an outer shell holds the vibrators, the controller and the inner garment together. An outer shell is made of a non-stretch material. Several fasteners/zippers hold the inner garment in place and several strategically placed straps allow a tight fit of the garment. The loading created by the layers of the apparatus is tailored to cause the existence of a uniform compression-expansion resonance of the lungs beneficial for sputum removal. A controlling unit allows the detection of a person's lungs resonance frequency and controls the vibrator(s) frequency and amplitude during a treatment.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for implementing hydro-acoustic therapy for the lungs on a patient and a method for the hydro-acoustic therapy (HAT) for the lungs. The HAT apparatus includes a chamber filled with a fluid, particularly water. The HAT apparatus also has an acoustic generator for generating low frequency acoustic waves in the fluid. A patient is positioned in the chamber and partially submersed in the fluid for treatment. In another aspect, a method for implementing hydro-acoustic therapy for the lungs includes the step of placing a person in the apparatus described above such that a body of the person is immersed in said occurs. Then, introducing acoustic vibrations into the fluid. The vibrations, if properly tuned, cause the mobilization of respiratory secretions in the person.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for implementing hydro-acoustic therapy for the lungs on a patient and a method for the hydro-acoustic therapy (HAT) for the lungs. The HAT apparatus comprises a chamber filled with a fluid, particularly water. The HAT apparatus also has an acoustic generator for generating low frequency acoustic waves in the fluid. A patient is positioned in the chamber and partially submersed in the fluid for treatment. In another aspect, a method for implementing hydro-acoustic therapy for the lungs includes the step of placing a person in the apparatus described above such that a body of the person is immersed in said fluid. Then, introducing acoustic vibrations into the fluid. The vibrations, if properly tuned, cause the mobilization of respiratory secretions in the person.

Abstract: A state switched acoustic has a stiffness element having a zero potential energy state and a plurality of controllable stiffness states. A mass is coupled to the stiffness element so that the stiffness element and the mass are capable of resonating at a resonant frequency. A system changes the stiffness state of the stiffness element from a first stiffness state to a second stiffness state while the mass is in motion and stiffness element is in a zero potential energy state so as to change the resonant frequency of the transducer. In a method of changing resonant frequency of a mechanical system, a parameter of the system is dynamically changed while the system is in an energy state that will allow changing the resonance parameter without disrupting the resonance of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the acoustically induced vibrations within a living organism. The object is ensonified to set it into low frequency vibration. A continuous wave beam of ultrasonic energy is transmitted along one path and focused at the tissue to be investigated. A focused transducer receives the reflected beam along a second axis such that the intersection of the transmitted and received beams define a small, concentrated region positioned at the object under investigation. The received beam is phase modulated by the amplitude of vibration of the object producing sidebands whose amplitude can be ratioed to the amplitude of the high frequency peak to determine the absolute amplitude of the low frequency vibration.

Abstract: A calibrator for determining the directivity pattern and complex sensitiv of a line hydrophone array including a calibration chamber, filled with a selected fluid, for sealing the array therein. Projectors, for generating acoustic waves, and monitors, for measuring the amplitude and phase of acoustic waves incident thereon, are mounted within the chamber. The projectors and monitors are connected to a computerized control circuit that drives the projectors to generate a calibration wave, with a predetermined amplitude and phase relative to the center of the array, corresponding to a free plane wave incident at an angle .theta. to the axis of the chamber.

Abstract: A small low frequency acoustic receiver which is formed into a cylinder or ing by use of a plurality of separate elements of piezoelectric material. Each element is secured with its sides in face-to-face relationship with an electrode between each joined face in contact with each adjacent element. The electrodes are alternately connected into an electrical circuitry for transmitting electrical signals to a receiver.Other construction techniques may be used to assemble separate elements in a cylindrical arrangement. Over a band of very low frequencies, the cylinder or ring has a high sensitivity (i.e., it produces a large electrical signal) to sound incident in the axial direction compared with its sensitivity in the radial direction. Over this band of very low frequencies the sensitivity of the cylinder or ring is relatively constant for sound incident in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining the piezoelectric constants (d.sub.31, d.sub.33, sub.31, and g.sub.33) of ceramic cylindrical shells (rings) used as the active elements in hydrophones and sound sources to insure quality control. These constants may be obtained by measuring the electrical capacitance of the ring and by measuring the omnidirectional free-field voltage sensitivity, the ratio of the axial and radial sensitivity at a higher frequency and the physical dimensions of the ring. Since the required frequencies are low and the ring is symmetric, the acoustical measurements can be made in a closed mechanically driven air chamber.