Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system and method for imaging human or animal tissue having a surface and including a probe including a platen for supporting the human or animal tissue for imaging the same, a transducer positioned closely adjacent the supporting means for providing an output ultrasonic beam directed on the surface so that the size of the beam at its focal point is as small as possible to maximize the resolution of the system and a mechanism for moving the transducer in two directions so as to provide a two dimensional scan of the surface by the ultrasonic beam. There is also provided a scan controller operatively connected to the probe for controlling the mechanism to provide the scan of the surface and a signal processor operatively connected to the probe for receiving signals produced in response to the scan of the surface and for processing the signals.

Abstract: Automated dispensing apparatus is disclosed for administering intravenous fluid to a patient under gravity pressure at a controlled volumetric rate, such that deviations from a desired fluid volumetric rate are automatically corrected. In accordance with the invention the area and maximum width of each fluid drop are measured with two intersecting light beams. Apparatus, responsive to each of the light beams, generates signals representative of drop area and width, and these two parameters are combined to obtain a signal proportional to drop volume. The measured drop volume signal is compared with a rate control signal to automatically correct the fluid flow rate.