Abstract: In the illustrated embodiment, ultrasonic transmitter/receiver elements are arranged along a curved formation within a housing containing a coupling medium which is a good conductor of ultrasonic energy (for example a water medium) and are successively excited to direct ultrasonic beam energy via the coupling medium to an ultrasonic window of the housing. The transducer elements are mounted at different angular orientations such that their beam paths converge external to the ultrasonic window. The curvature of a carrier for the transducer elements may be controlled to adjust the distance of the point of convergence beyond the window without changing the length of the acoustic path in the coupling medium, or the transducer elements and/or ultrasonic window may be bodily shifted to simultaneously change the length of the acoustic path and the distance of the convergence point beyond the window.

Abstract: An ultrasonic applicator is illustrated for ultrasonic scanning of internal body regions, particularly for obtaining ultrasonic echo sectional views thereof for medical diagnostic purposes, wherein an ultrasonic transducer system directs sequential pulses of ultrasonic energy along successive beam paths converging toward a virtual focal point, and a planar reflector is interposed to reflect the energy pulses and is inclined at an angle deviating from 90.degree. relative to each incident beam path for the purpose of producing an actual convergence of the reflected beam paths externally of the applicator. The depth of the actual convergence point within the body to be scanned may be varied by means of a longitudinally adjustable acoustic window. The actual convergence point may also be shifted by angular adjustment of the reflector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic applicator is illustrated for ultrasonic scanning of internal body regions, particularly for obtaining ultrasonic echo sectional views thereof for medical diagnostic purposes, wherein an ultrasonic transducer system directs sequential pulses of ultrasonic energy along successive beam paths converging toward a virtual focal point, and a planar reflector is interposed to reflect the energy pulses and is inclined at an angle deviating from 90.degree. relative to each incident beam path for the purpose of producing an actual convergence of the reflected beam paths externally of the applicator. The depth of the actual convergence point within the body to be scanned may be varied by means of a longitudinally adjustable acoustic window. The actual convergence point may also be shifted by angular adjustment of the reflector.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiment, ultrasonic transmitter/receiver elements are arranged along a curved formation within a housing containing a coupling medium which is a good conductor of ultrasonic energy (for example a water medium) and are successively excited to direct ultrasonic beam energy via the coupling medium to an ultrasonic window of the housing. The transducer elements are mounted at different angular orientations such that their beam paths converge external to the ultrasonic window. The curvature of a carrier for the transducer elements may be controlled to adjust the distance of the point of convergence beyond the window without changing the length of the acoustic path in the coupling medium, or the transducer elements and/or ultrasonic window may be bodily shifted to simultaneously change the length of the acoustic path and the distance of the convergence point beyond the window.