Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic member reinforcing epoxy-based adhesive coating. The epoxy-based adhesive coating including a first epoxy material containing approximately 25% solids by weight and a second curative material containing about 32% solids by weight. According to one aspect of the present invention, the first epoxy offered suitably includes about 3% to about 35% liquid Diglycidylether of Bisphenol-A, about 35% to about 60% solid Diglycidylether of Bisphenol-A, about 10% to about 30% Novolac-Epoxy, and about 5% to about 18% Solid Carboxy—Terminated Acrylonitrile—Butadiene Rubber, and the second curative material suitably includes about 0% to about 100% 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylsulfone, about 0% to about 100% 3,3′-Diaminodiphenylsulfone, and about 0% to about 0.2% Chromium octoate.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling bias voltage for use with an electrostatic transducer are provided. The bias voltage is dynamically varied or set as a function of imaging mode, depth gain compensation, elevational apodization, azimuthal apodization, timing with respect to the transmit waveform, center frequency of transmit and receive waves and desired modulation. Opposite polarity on sub-elements is also provided for removing signals from electromagnetic interference and crosstalk between elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electronically scanning within a three dimensional volume while minimizing the number of system channels and associated cables connecting a two-dimensional array of elements to an ultrasound system are provided. An array of semiconductor or micro-machined switches electronically interconnect various elements of the two-dimensional array. Elements associated with a substantially same time delay are connected together as a macro element, reducing the number of independent elements to be connected to beamforming or system channels. To beam form in the desired direction, the macro elements are configured as a phased array or along substantially straight lines in at least two dimensions (i.e. along the face of the two-dimensional transducer). Such macro elements allow transmission and reception along beams that are at an angle other than normal to the two-dimensional transducer array.

Abstract: A transducer system and method for harmonic imaging is provided. At least one transducer element is provided. The transducer element comprises two or more stacked piezoelectric layers. Information from each of the layers is independently processed during one of a transmit event, a receive event, and both transmit and receive events. Information from the transducer element is provided to a filter. The filter isolates harmonic information for imaging. By providing a multi-layer transducer element with independent processing for each layer, a wide bandwidth transducer for harmonic imaging is provided. The null associated with most transducers at the second harmonic of a fundamental frequency is removed or lessened.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic member reinforcing epoxy-based adhesive coating. The epoxy-based adhesive coating including a first epoxy material containing approximately 25% solids by weight and a second curative material containing about 32% solids by weight. According to one aspect of the present invention, the first epoxy offered suitably includes about 3% to about 35% liquid Diglycidylether of Bisphenol-A, about 35% to about 60% solid Diglycidylether of Bisphenol-A, about 10% to about 30% Novolac-Epoxy, and about 5% to about 18% Solid Carboxy-Terminated Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber, and the second curative material suitably includes about 0% to about 100% 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylsulfone, about 0% to about 100% 3,3′-Diaminodiphenylsulfone, and about 0% to about 0.2% Chromium Octotate.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling bias voltage for use with an electrostatic transducer are provided. The bias voltage is dynamically varied or set as a function of imaging mode, depth gain compensation, elevational apodization, azimuthal apodization, timing with respect to the transmit waveform, center frequency of transmit and receive waves and desired modulation. Opposite polarity on sub-elements is also provided for removing signals from electromagnetic interference and crosstalk between elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ascertaining the cardiac output of a human patient, said method comprising the steps of: measuring the systolic velocity of the blood flowing through the patient's descending aorta; determining the cross-sectional area of the patient's ascending aorta; and calculating the patient's cardiac output from said systolic velocity and said aortic area. The cardiac output can be converted: (1) to cardiac index by dividing it by the patient's body surface area, and (2) to systemic vascular resistance by dividing a value representing the patient's blood pressure by said cardiac output.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for insonifying the ascending aorta of a supine or reclining human patient. The probe has a head housing transducers for insonifying the patient's ascending aorta and for intercepting doppler-shifted energy reflected from the proximate and distal walls of the ascending aorta and from blood flowing through the aorta. The transducer head is integral with and extends below the handle of the probe, facilitating the manipulation of the probe and alignment of the beam of ultrasonic energy propagated by the probe relative to the ascending aorta of the patient. An oval cross-section and trapezoidal profile allow this to be done with a minimum of discomfort to either the patient or the user of the probe, and an L- or T-shaped handle allows the probe to be positioned and manipulated from a position behind the patient's head and with little or no sight of the patient's suprasternal notch.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer having a transducer head, for insonifying an organ or part thereof in a human patient from a position within the suprasternal notch thereof, wherein the transducer head is in at least a partially obscured disposition within the notch vis-a-vis the operator thereof during insonification, is comprised of an elongate handle member with a proximal and a distal end, having a non-circular peripheral cross-sectional geometry including at least one longitudinal edge to yield a gripping surface providing the operator with the ability to manipulate the probe via tactile sensing of its position and a transducer head extending from the distal end of, and generally normal to, the handle, wherein the head has a generally arcuate cross-sectional geometry and a generally trapezoidal profile to enhance patient comfort during operator manipulation of the probe.

Abstract: A method and system for the noninvasive measurement of cardiac output of a mammalian patient on a real time, beat-by-beat basis as a combined function of the cross-sectional area of the ascending aorta and the systolic velocity of blood flow therethrough is comprised of the steps of and apparatus for pulsedly insonifying the ascending aorta of the patient with repetitive, intermittent ultrasonic energy propagating through the patient's cardiac window; receiving pulses of ultrasonic energy reflected from the anatomical structure within the first insonification zone, including energy reflected from the aortic walls and characteristic of the dimensional separation thereof; developing an aortic diameter signal indicative of dimensional separation; computing the cross-sectional area of the ascending aorta therefrom; then continuously insonifying the ascending aorta with uninterrupted ultrasonic energy; receiving a Doppler-shifted ultrasonic energy signal reflected from pulsatile blood flow through the ascending ao