Abstract: For reducing speckle in echo signals derived from reflections of pulsed coherent waves, the echo signals are subjected to amplitude and phase/frequency demodulation and the resultant amplitude and phase/frequency data are multiplied to generate an image signal. Selective control of the multiplication process may be provided in accordance with signal amplitude and/or signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Doppler Flow Velocity Meter for the irradiation of a fluid with pulses of ultrasonic waves which are fed at a predetermined pulse repetition frequency, and for the reception of echo waves reflected by fluid particles and to emit corresponding echo signals; and having receiver connected to an ultrasonic transducer for the reception and processing of echo signals which correspond to at least two different echo waves, which are reflected by the particles in a fixed point of the flow path in response to a first and a second wave pulse emitted, in which the adjacent but separate frequency bands of the echo signal are each processed in a separate signal processing channel;The receiver containing a portion in each of the signal processing channels for carrying out a quadrature demodulation of the echo signals received from the ultrasonic transducer in each of the frequency bands, in which at the output of channels a couple of each of the quadrature signals can be obtained which define a complex measured value at eac

Abstract: A real-time method and appartus is disclosed for scanning large body areas to produce an ultrasound cross-sectional picture of the area in which at least two different and partially overlapping sector scans of the body are carried out in one scanning plane by the pulse-echo method utilizing an ultrasound transducer unit having a rigid transducer which is pivotable about an axis of oscillation perpendicular to the scanning plane, which performs an oscillatory movement about the axis of oscillation and between two end positions on each scan, and which is segmented into adjacent transducer elements. In performing the scans, at least two different transducer sets are used, each containing one or more transducer elements, each transducer set being used both for the emission of the ultrasound pulses and for the reception of echo waves. In all the scans the position of the axis of oscillation remains unchanged with respect to the body.

Abstract: A real time method and apparatus is disclosed for scanning large body areas to produce an ultrasound cross-sectional picture of a body in which method at least two different and partially overlapping sector scans of the body are carried out in one scanning plane by the pulse-echo method utilizing single ultrasound array. The array is rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the scanning plane and comprises at least a first and a second transducer, disposed in spaced relationship along a circle which is situated in the scanning plane and which is concentric with the axis of rotation. Out of at least two different scans, one is performed with the first transducer and the other with the second, each transducer being used both for the emission of ultrasound pulses and for the reception of echo waves and the position of the axis of rotation with respect to the body remaining unchanged during all the scans.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus for operation in either or both linear and sector scan modes is disclosed which employs a common array of transducers. Circuitry is provided for controlling the order and timing of pulse echo transmission and reception, which further include control circuitry to operate variable delay and switching circuitry to generate transmission signals to be applied to the transducers, and to direct echo signals received by the transducers for processing to provide the image of the structures being inspected. Suitable interconnection/switching circuitry is provided so as to minimize prior art requirements for use of different elements for the separate scanning modes, with concomitant expenses associated with the larger number of components being reduced.

Abstract: A method for producing cross-sectional images using an ultrasonic imaging unit operating on the pulse-echo principle, which unit includes a transducer system having a stationary elongated array of adjacent transducer elements with transverse electrode segments adjacent one another on one side of the array. Successively and cyclically selected groups of adjacent elements are energized to produce an ultrasonic beam as a result of pulsed signals being applied to the corresponding electrode segments.