Abstract: A blood vessel puncturing device includes an ultrasound sensor which is brought into close contact with a subject body via an ultrasound propagation medium in the form of gel. The ultrasound sensor transmits and receives an ultrasound wave. The device further includes a processor which processes a signal derived from the ultrasound wave received at the ultrasound sensor so as to display an image of the subject body including a superficial blood vessel. While watching the displayed image, an operator sticks a puncturing needle at an angle of not greater than 30 degrees relative to the subject body along an ultrasound scanning surface of the ultrasound sensor and inserts the tip of the puncturing needle into the blood vessel.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, advantage is taken by the inventors of the fact that the speed of operation of the digital hardware in a digital beamformer can be reduced by providing, for example, multiple phases of the data signals and then processing the multi-phase data in N parallel summing paths. An interpolation-decimation filter receives the multi-phase data from the N parallel summing paths and provides at its output a signal having a reduced data rate (1/N). In accordance with this technique, the speed of operation of the individual digital circuits for forming the required beamforming delays is not increased as compared to conventional post-beamforming interpolation schemes, so that hereby the effective data rate is increased by a factor N and results in a decrease of the delay quantization error by a factor N. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the interpolation-decimation filter is incorporated into the beamformer at a most advantageous place.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, advantage is taken by the inventors of the fact that the speed of operation of the digital hardware in a digital beamformer having a plurality of parallel receiving channels can be reduced by providing multiple phases for the data signals supplied by each receiving channel and then processing the multi-phase data in N parallel summing paths. An interpolation-decimation filter receives the multi-phase data from the N parallel summing paths and provides at its output a signal having a reduced data rate (1/N). In accordance with this technique, the speed of operation of the individual digital circuits for forming the required beamforming delays are not increased as compared to conventional post-beamforming interpolation schemes, so that hereby the effective data rate is increased by a factor N and the delay quantization error is reduced by a factor N.

Abstract: There is herein disclosed a piezoelectric composite transducer comprising a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic poles. The plurality of piezoelectric ceramic poles are arranged two-dimensionally so as to form spaces therebetween. Organic films are disposed on both end surfaces of the plurality of piezoelectric ceramic poles so that the spaces forms hollow portions. The hollow portions causes making small its acoustic impedance up to a value close to the acoustic impedance of water or a human body.

Abstract: Pulses of an ultrasonic wave beam are emitted into a body at a predetermined repetition period. Echo pulses of the ultrasonic wave beam are received via a pulrality of different channels. Each of the received pulses is converted into corresponding electric signals of the respective channels. A pair of adders invert signs of alternate ones of pairs of the electric signals of adjacent channels, summing the inverted sign electric signals with remaining non-inverted sign electric signals, converting the electric signals into a pair of complex signals having phases which are spatially different from each other by 90 degrees. An autocorrelation function of the complex signals is calculated. A component of a speed of moving matter within the body in a predetermined direction is calculated on the basis of the autocorrelation function. The moving matter causes the echo pulses. The predetermined direction is perpendicular to a direction of travel of the ultrasonic wave beam pulses.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises at least one piezoelectric transducer which is moved in a scanning process. A first transmission signal and a second transmission signal are different from each other. One of the first and second transmission signals is selectively applied to the transducer. The transducer converts the applied one of the first and second transmission signals into a beam of corresponding ultrasonic wave. The transducer emits the ultrasonic wave beam toward an examined body and receives an echo of the ultrasonic wave beam from the examined body. The transducer converts the received echo into a corresponding received signal. A first signal processor and a second signal processor have different characteristics. The received signal is selectively applied to one of the first and second signal processors to be processed thereby. A sectional image of the examined body is generated on the basis of an output signal from one of the first and second signal processors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler blood flow velocity detection apparatus comprises: a signal producing circuit for producing trigger pulses, a sampling clock signal having a given phase relation with the trigger pulses, and a pair of quadrature signals of a given frequency in response to the trigger pulses. A transducer transmits also receives ultrasonic waves in response to the trigger pulses; The transducer also receives ultrasonic waves reflected back by an ultrasonic-wave reflective object and converts the received ultrasonic waves into an electric echo signal. A Doppler shift detection circuit, responsive to the pair of quadrature signals and the echo signal, detects the Doppler shift. An averaging circuit, responsive to the sampling clock, and the Doppler shift; averages plural time-different values of the Doppler shift, thereby producing a signal indicative of flow velocity of the ultrasonic-wave reflective object.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic probe for use in medical diagnostic systems for examination within a human body. The ultrasonic probe comprises an array of transducer elements for transmission of ultrasonic wave into an examined body and for reception of echo waves returning from the examined body. Further included in the ultrasonic probe is an ultrasonic propagation medium which is provided between the transducer element array and the examined body. The ultrasonic propagation medium is made of a synthetic rubber having an acoustic impedance close to that of the examined body and having a low acoustic attenuation coefficient. Preferably, the synthetic rubber is one of butadiene rubber, butadiene-styrene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, and acrylic rubber.

Abstract: A laminated body is formed. The laminated body includes layers. One of the layers includes a piezoelectric array. The laminated body is engaged with both a pressing film and a curved member having a curved outer surface. A tension is exerted on the pressing film to press the laminated body against the curved outer surface of the curved member so that the laminated body is bent along the curved outer surface of the curved member. The use of the pressing film may be replaced by a process in which at least one of the layers is subjected to a tension to bend the laminated body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler blood flow detection apparatus of the invention comprises: a transducing circuit for emitting ultrasonic waves at a predetermined interval and for receiving reflected ultrasonic waves from an object in the blood vessel and converting the received signal into an electric echo signal; a frequency-difference signal producing circuit for producing frequency-difference components between the echo signal and first pair of quadrature signals of a frequency f1 in response to the echo signal and the first pair of quadrature signals; first and second Doppler signal detection circuit for detecting first and second Doppler signals of upper and lower sidebands of the frequency f1 from the frequency-difference components in response to second pair of quadrature signals of a frequency f2; and a frequency difference calculation circuit for calculating frequency difference between output signals from the first and second Doppler signal detection circuits.

Abstract: An ultrasonic blood velocity detector comprises an ultrasonic probe emitting ultrasonic wave into an examined body and converting echoes of the emitted ultrasonic wave into an echo signal. The echo signal is processed into a detection signal through phase detection. A first Doppler signal and a second Doppler signal are derived from the detection signal. The first Doppler signal represents a flow of blood. The second Doppler signal mainly contains clutter components. A difference in phase between the first and second Doppler signals is calculated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic probe using a compound piezoelectric material made of piezoelectric ceramic and organic polymer. On one principal plane of the compound piezoelectric material, electrodes and electric terminals conducting to these electrodes are formed, and these electrodes and electric terminals are divided into a plurality. On the other principal plane of the compound piezoelectric material, a common electrode is provided, and an acoustic matching layer is mounted on it either intact or divided in correspondence to the divided electrodes. By using part of the compound piezoelectric material as the electric terminal take-out portion, the mechanical strength of the electric terminal take-out portion can be improved, which is particularly preferable for the ultrasonic probe driven at high frequency.

Abstract: Pulses of an ultrasonic wave beam are emitted into a body at a predetermined repetition period. Echo pulses of the ultrasonic wave beam are received via a plurality of different channels. Each of the received pulses is converted simultaneously into corresponding electric signals of the respective channels. A time-dependent change in a variation between the electric signals of the respective channels is derived. A component of a speed of moving matter within the body in a predetermined direction is calculated on the basis of the derived time-dependent change. The moving matter causes the echo pulses. The predetermined direction is perpendicular to a direction of travel of the ultrasonic wave beam pulses.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler blood flow velocity detection apparatus comprises: a pulse generation circuit for generating pulses at a predetermined interval; a transducer for transmitting ultrasonic waves in response to each of the pulses and for receiving reflected ultrasonic waves from a reflective object in the blood of a human body and converting the received ultrasonic waves into an electric echo signal; an extraction circuit for extracting signal components of first and second frequencies f1 and f2; a signal producing circuit for producing a signal having a frequency of .vertline.f1-f2.vertline.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a first group of one or more piezoelectric elements extending concentrically, and a second group of one or more piezoelectric elements extending concentrically and extending outward of the elements in the first group. The elements in the first and second groups form a front surface via which ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received. The elements in the first and second groups are separated by predetermined gaps. Areas of the respective elements in the second group over the front surface are substantially equal to each other within an accuracy corresponding to areas of the gaps over the front surfaces. Areas of the respective elements in the first group over the front surface are substantially equal to half the areas of the respective elements in the second group within an accuracy corresponding to the areas of the gaps.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic propagation medium (8) is used in medical ultrasonic diagnostic systems for examination and inspection of inside of an examining body (9) by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic probe comprises a body (1), and the ultrasonic propagation medium (8) made of rubber cross-linked by cross linking agent. The ultrasonic propagation medium (8) is interposed between the examining body (9) and a portion for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves of the body (1) of the ultrasonic probe when the ultrasonic propagation medium (8) is used.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer element is supported by a member. The transducer element and the supporting member are disposed within a casing filled with ultrasonic wave propagation medium. At least part of the casing forms an ultrasonic wave transmission window. In a first case, the supporting member is rotatable about a first axis and about a second axis, and the position of the supporting member is detected. In a second case, the casing has a first portion accommodating the transducer element and the supporting member and a second portion extending in rear of the first portion and being narrower than the first portion, and the transducer element is allowed to emit and receive ultrasonic wave to and from a region extending in front of the casing with resepct to a direction of insertion of the casing into a body to be examined. In a third case, a sensor detects at least one condition related to opreation of a mechanism driving the supporting member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler blood flowmeter measures the velocity of blood flow at an arbitrary position of the body of a subject by making use of Doppler shift of an ultrasonic echo signal. The echo signal including Doppler shift from the blood flow of the body is detected in phase on the basis of standard reference signal, and the distance to an intended position is extracted from the phase detected signal and is integrated, and the direct-current component or ultralow frequency component of the Doppler shift signal obtained from the integrator is fed back negatively to the integrator. As a result, the echo signal components of the body tissues are removed, and the frequency of blood flow only can be analyzed, so that an accurate blood flow information may be obtained.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler blood flowmeter measures the velocity of blood flow at an arbitrary position of the body of a subject by making use of Doppler shift of an ultrasonic echo signal. The echo signal including Doppler shift from the blood flow of the body is detected in phase on the basis of standard reference signal, and the distance to an intended position is extracted from the phase detected signal and is integrated, and the direct-current component or ultraflow frequency component of the Doppler shift signal obtained from the integrator means is fed back negatively to the integrator means. As a result, the echo signal components of the body tissues are removed, and the frequency of blood flow only can be analyzed, so that an accurate blood flow information may be obtained.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave diagnostic apparatus having an array of electro-acoustic transducer elements and respective channels for supplying drive signals to the electro-acoustic transducer elements and amplifying received echo signals from these elements, with the respective overall gains of the channels being controlled by corresponding values of weighting data. A set of mutually independent D/A converters, smaller in number than the number of electro-acoustic transducer elements, produce weighting data for respective ones of the channels that are spaced apart by a fixed number of channels. Respective interpolated values of weighting data for the remaining channels are derived by analog operations executed upon each of successive pairs of D/A converter outputs.