Patents by Inventor Timothy Adam Ritter

Timothy Adam Ritter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • High frequency synthetic ultrasound array incorporating an actuator
    Patent number: 6679845
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging with improved spatial sampling. The device includes a plurality of ultrasound imaging elements each having a pitch defined by the center to center spacing of the ultrasound imaging elements; and a motion mechanism operatively connected to the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements and adapted to move the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements over a distance to increase the spatial sampling of the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements. The method of the present invention includes transducing a signal from one or multiple ultrasound imaging elements within an array of ultrasound imaging elements; moving the array of ultrasound imaging elements a distance less than the pitch; and transducing at least one additional signal from the ultrasound imaging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Timothy Adam Ritter, K. Kirk Shung, Thomas R. Shrout
  • High frequency synthetic ultrasound array incorporating an actuator
    Publication number: 20020050169
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging with improved spatial sampling. The device includes a plurality of ultrasound imaging elements each having a pitch defined by the center to center spacing of the ultrasound imaging elements; and a motion mechanism operatively connected to the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements and adapted to move the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements over a distance to increase the spatial sampling of the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements. The method of the present invention includes transducing a signal from one or multiple ultrasound imaging elements within an array of ultrasound imaging elements; moving the array of ultrasound imaging elements a distance less than the pitch; and transducing at least one additional signal from the ultrasound imaging element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy Adam Ritter, K. Kirk Shung, Thomas R. Shrout