Abstract: A semi-invasive ultrasound imaging system for imaging biological tissue includes a transesophageal probe or a transnasal, transesophageal probe connected to a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array, a transmit beamformer, a receive beamformer, and an image generator. The two-dimensional transducer array is disposed on a distal portion of the probe's elongated body. The transmit beamformer is connected to the transducer array and is constructed to transmit several ultrasound beams over a selected pattern defined by azimuthal and elevation orientations. The receive beamformer is connected to the transducer array and is constructed to acquire ultrasound data from the echoes reflected over a selected tissue volume. The tissue volume is defined by the azimuthal and elevation orientations and a selected scan range. The receive beamformer is constructed to synthesize image data from the acquired ultrasound data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array comprising individual transmit MUT elements and receive MUT elements includes the transmit MUT elements and the receive MUT elements distributed in two dimensions over the array. By using different MUT elements for transmit and receive operation, each MUT element can be independently optimized for either transmit operation or receive operation. Furthermore, by independently optimizing the MUT elements for either transmit or receive operation, the same bias voltage can be applied to the MUT elements, thereby simplifying the bias circuitry associated with the MUT transducer array. Alternatively, because the MUT elements are independently optimized for transmit and receive, different bias voltages can be applied to the transmit and receive elements, thus providing further optimization of the elements.

Abstract: A micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) substrate that reduces or eliminates the lateral propagation of acoustic energy includes holes, commonly referred to as vias, formed in the substrate and proximate to a MUT element. The vias in the MUT substrate reduce or eliminate the propagation of acoustic energy traveling laterally in the MUT substrate. The vias can be doped to provide an electrical connection between the MUT element and circuitry present on the surface of an integrated circuit substrate over which the MUT substrate is attached.

Abstract: A system for attaching an acoustic element to an integrated circuit includes various ways in which to connect piezoelectric ceramic or micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) elements to an integrated circuit (IC), thus reducing the number of conductors required to connect the acoustic element to the IC by combining the signals in the IC. In another aspect of the invention, the transducer elements include an electrically conductive acoustic layer comprising a backing layer and/or a de-matching layer that is connected to an IC.

Abstract: An AC biasing arrangement for a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) is disclosed. The AC biasing arrangement allows the sensitivity of each MUT element in an array to be adjusted without collapsing the MUT membrane. The sensitivity of the MUT element can be adjusted by varying the frequency of the AC bias signal supplied to the MUT element. An alternative embodiment of the invention adds a second AC bias signal having a phase opposite the phase of the first AC bias signal. This arrangement provides a neutral bias signal, thereby removing the large amplitude bias signal from the MUT element.

Abstract: The invention is a wafer having variable acoustic properties. The wafer may be used as a substrate over which to form an ultrasonic transducer, an IC, or may be used as a circuit board. An ultrasonic transducer formed on the wafer may include piezoelectric ceramic transducer elements or MUT elements. By controlling the acoustic impedance of the wafer upon which the integrated control circuitry for an ultrasonic transducer is formed, the acoustic impedance of the wafer can be matched to the acoustic impedance requirements of the ultrasonic transducer. Furthermore, by the addition of internal voids, the wafer reduces or eliminates the lateral propagation of acoustic energy through the wafer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe uses one or more ribbon cables to attach the transducer elements to the probe wiring. Electrical conductors within a first ribbon cable attach to corresponding lands on an end of an integrated circuit and, electrical conductors within additional ribbon cables attach to corresponding lands on circuit boards. The circuit boards distribute the electrical signals from the attached ribbon cables to additional lands on another end of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device having a bipolar transmitter to generate a bipolar voltage signal, a transducer to emit an ultrasound wave in response to the bipolar voltage signal, and a bias generator to bias the bipolar voltage signal prior to being received by the transducer so that the biased bipolar voltage signal maintains a same polarity as a poling polarity of the transducer throughout a transmit cycle of the ultrasound imaging device. By biasing the bipolar voltage signal to maintain a same polarity as the poling polarity of the transducer throughout the transmit cycle, the ultrasound imaging device prevents depoling of the transducer which could otherwise occur if the transducer is driven by a bipolar voltage signal which repeatedly has a polarity opposite to the poling polarity of the transducer.

Abstract: A nonaqueous sizing for glass fibers useful for reinforcement of polymers. The sizing composition comprises one or more film formers miscible with the polymer to be reinforced, one or more coupling agents and one or more powders. The sizing composition of the invention provides a glass fiber which has improved processability and notched izod without any loss in dispersability characteristics of the glass pellets.

Abstract: A nonaqueous sizing for glass fibers useful for reinforcement of polymers. The sizing composition comprises one or more film formers miscible with the polymer to be reinforced, one or more coupling agents and one or more powders. The sizing composition of the invention provides a glass fiber which has improved processability and notched izod without any loss in dispersability characteristics of the glass pellets.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus and method for heating a substantially continuous first bondline defined by a length of thermally responsive bonding material positioned between a first member and a second member. The first member or second member is made of an electrically conductive material or positioned adjacent an electrically conductive material. The inductive heating apparatus includes a flexible, reshapeable cable assembly operably positionable adjacent the first member along the first bondline. The flexible, reshapeable cable assembly is capable of being manually shaped to a first shape of the first bondline, and is capable of being manually re-shaped to a second shape of a second bondline different than the first shape of the first bondline. An alternating current power supply is electrically coupled to the flexible, reshapeable cable assembly.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus and method for heating a substantially continuous first bondline defined by a length of thermally responsive bonding material positioned between a first member and a second member. The first member or second member is made of an electrically conductive material or positioned adjacent an electrically conductive material. The inductive heating apparatus includes a flexible, reshapeable cable assembly operably positionable adjacent the first member along the first bondline. The flexible, reshapeable cable assembly is capable of being manually shaped to a first shape of the first bondline, and is capable of being manually re-shaped to a second shape of a second bondline different than the first shape of the first bondline. An alternating current power supply is electrically coupled to the flexible, reshapeable cable assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically jettisoning cargo carried by a dual-point suspension system when a suspension system failure is detected. Three conditions must be satisfied before a load is jettisoned. The average value of the load and an instantaneous value of the load on a hook must have fallen below a threshold value (zero load condition). A threshold amount of the load must have shifted from one hook to the other (dynamic load split condition). A threshold amount of an initial hook load must have been lost within a short period of time (rapid rate-of-decrease condition). For all three conditions, the threshold amount or value is adaptively set based on the actual load carried by the dual-point suspension. If all three conditions are satisfied for either the forward or the aft hook, the cargo is jettisoned. Additionally, a fourth condition that detects whether a structural limit of a hook has been exceeded is evaluated. If the structural limit has been exceeded, the load is jettisoned.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is provided which has multiple apertures in at least the elevation direction, and preferably in both the elevation and azimuth direction. Each aperture has a selected focal length, with the focal length increasing with the size of the aperture. By transmitting multiple scan lines at a given angle using the different apertures and line splicing received echo signals, resolution is enhanced by utilizing only the portion of each received scan line for which the corresponding elevation aperture is focused. While different controlled elevation apertures may be utilized for transmit and receive, the same aperture is preferably used for both. Additional techniques are discussed for both further enhancing resolution and for mitigating the decrease in frame rate which results from shooting multiple scan lines at a given angle.

Abstract: A thermoplastic impregnated fiberglass pipe or tube and the process for making such pipe are disclosed. The pipe or tube is made of thermoplastic impregnated fibrous roving which consists of a plurality of glass filaments, at least a portion of the filaments' surfaces being in contact with the residue produced by evaporating water from an aqueous size composition consisting of an organosilane coupling agent, a polyethylene oxide binder material, and a polypropylene thermoplastic polymer resin, wherein the composition is applied to the glass fiber during the fiber forming process. The pipe forming process includes filament winding the rovings around a spindle and thereafter heating the wound rovings to fuse the thermoplastic polymer resin.

Abstract: An aqueous size composition has been developed for glass fibers produced for molded products having appearance surfaces known as Class A surfaces. The size contains a cure stable polyester emulsion and a static insensitive lubricant system. The resulting coated glass fibers are especially useful in improving processability and product uniformity of SMC applications.

Abstract: A cure stable polyester emulsion for use in an aqueous size composition has been developed for glass fibers produced for molded products having appearance surfaces known as Class A surfaces. The size contains a cure stable polyester emulsion and a static insensitive lubricant system. The resulting coated glass fibers are especially useful in improving processability and product uniformity of SMC applications.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer having a crystal stack or crystal stacks forming shelves, and leads adhered to a flexible sheet having an opening that fits over the part of the stack that extends above the shelves so as to permit the leads to be aligned with and make electrical contact with the respective crystals.

Abstract: A method is provided to connect individual conductive traces to an array of individual piezoelectric elements by bonding a flexible circuit board containing conductive traces to the piezoelectric elements. The resultant bonded elements provide an array for an acoustic transducer.

Abstract: A lens structure is disclosed for a transducer that is utilized to transmit pulses of alternating pressure waves into the body of a patient and produce signals in response to reflections from the body. The lens is comprised of a first lens element having a concave face facing the crystals and a second lens element filling the space between. The acoustic velocity of the first lens element is greater than that of the body and of the second lens element, but the acoustic impedance of the lens elements is similar to that of the body.