Abstract: Described is a pet leash that helps a pet owner to train a dog to walk on a leash without pulling. The pet leash includes an elongated strap having a fixed loop at a first end for a user to hold, and having an adjustable loop at a second end. The adjustable loop can be disposed about a dog's head and around the dog's muzzle so as to assist the user in restraining or controlling the dog while out on a walk. The adjustable loop is adapted to tighten if the dog pulls too strongly on the leash. Once the dog becomes accustomed to being walked in this manner, the user may instead dispose the adjustable loop on an upper portion the dog's neck. The leash additionally includes an attachment strap extending from the adjustable loop that can be secured to a dog's collar by means of a fastener thereon.

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 ultrasound system and method for intravascular imaging is disclosed. The ultrasound system includes an intravascular catheter with an ultrasound transducer array, a transmit beamformer, a receive beamformer, and an image generator. The intravascular catheter has an elongated body made for insertion into a blood vessel and connected to a catheter handle. The catheter includes a catheter core located inside a steerable guide sheath, both having a proximal part and a distal part. The catheter includes an articulation region connected to a positioning device for positioning the transducer array to have a selected orientation relative to an examined tissue region. For each orientation of the transducer array, the transmit and receive beamformers acquire ultrasound data over an image plane of the examined tissue region.

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: 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: 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: This invention is directed to a transducer comprising a lead-based single crystal wherein the crystal is diagonally oriented and has an effective coupling constant of at least 0.70. In one embodiment, the lead-based crystal has the formula Pb(B′B″)O3—PbTiO3 wherein B′ is Mg2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ or Sc3+ and B″ is Nb5+, Ta5+ or W6+. Preferably, the lead-based crystal is of the formula Pb(B′B″)O3—PbTiO3 where B′ is Mg2+, Zn2+, Sc3+ and B″ is Nb5+ or more specifically Pb(Mg⅓Nb⅔)O3—PbTiO3 (“PMN-PT”), Pb(Zn⅓Nb⅔)O3—PbTiO3 (“PZN-PT”), and Pb(Sc⅓Nb⅔)O3—PbTiO3 (“PSN-PT”).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a transducer comprising a lead-based single crystal wherein the crystal is diagonally oriented and has an effective coupling constant of at least 0.70. In one embodiment, the lead-based crystal has the formula Pb(B′B″)O3—PbTiO3 wherein B′ is Mg2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ or Sc3+ and B″ is Nb5+, Ta5+ or W6+. Preferably, the lead-based crystal has of the formula Pb(B′B″)O3—PbTiO3 where B′ is Mg2+, Zn2+, Sc3+ and B″ is Nb5+ or more specifically Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3—PbTiO3 (“PMN—PT”), Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3—PbTiO3 (“PZN—PT”), and Pb(Sc1/3Nb2/3)O3—PbTiO3 (“PSN—PT”). The invention also includes a transducer comprising a plurality of lead-based single crystal transducers.