Abstract: An ultrasound transducer array having a transmit transducer element comprising a transmit transducer material interposed between a transmit electrode and a reference electrode, wherein voltages applied across the transmit electrode and reference electrode induce an acoustic wave to emanate from the transmit transducer material; and a plurality of receive transducer elements positioned in an array on the transmit transducer element, each of the plurality of the receive transducer elements comprising a receive electrode and a receive transducer material interposed between the receive electrode and the reference electrode, and wherein acoustic waves applied to the plurality of receive transducer elements induces receive voltage signals on the receive electrodes with respect to the reference electrode.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and related method for forming 2D C-scan images and/or collecting 3D image data from 2D transducer arrays. The system including in part a 2D transducer array of elements, transmit voltage generation means for each element, a memory buffer with or part of channels for each element, and a receive beamformer. On a time serial or sequential basis, several times for each line of firing, the contents of the per element memory buffer are read into the beamformer with different focusing values for each buffer reading cycle. In this way, the beamformer can calculate beamformed image values for multiple points per line firing cycle—or per each line of signals between the transducer array and receive beamformer.

Abstract: The angular imaging system, and related method utilizes translating apertures to acquire data at a number of angles of interrogation. For omnidirectional scatterers, that is scatterers which emit a uniform sound field in all directions when insonified, the translating apertures should theoretically yield identical speckle patterns at all angles of interrogation. The result is in strong contrast to previously applied convention angular scatter measurement methods which produced rapidly varying speckle patterns with interrogation angle. Thus by using the translating apertures, using the transmit aperture translator (62), and the receive aperture translator (72), it is possible to acquire data for which the only variation in received signal with angle is due to the intrinsic scattering of the target.

Abstract: Soft tissue examination apparatus and method employ an ultrasonic transducer system for generating a series of ultrasound pulses, at least one of which is of sufficiently high intensity to induce physical displacement of the soft tissue. The transducer receives a series of ultrasonic echo pulses and responsively generates a series of data signals indicative of such tissue displacement. A data processor receives the data signals and determines the magnitude of the displacement. In such a manner, the present invention assists in the evaluation and/or diagnosis of biological tissue. Preferably, the apparatus and method of this invention is employed to examine the properties of a subject's vitreous body and thus may be used in the evaluation and/or diagnosis of ocular disorders, such as vitreous traction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic phase aberration correction method and apparatus. One preferred embodiment employs a translating transmit aperture for transmitting two separately transmitted pulses through two different transmit apertures but which are focused to the same predetermined target in the human body. A receiver element measuring a first echo from a first transmit pulse is matched with a receiver element measuring a second echo from a second transmit pulse from a translated aperture, the match corresponding to receivers with a separation equal and opposite to the spatial translations of the translated transmit apertures. The matched elements are compared for signal variations which estimate phase aberrations and especially improve on estimates of distributed aberrations. The transmit or receive signals can then be compensated for or adjusted based on the signal comparison and variation estimates.

Abstract: A system delivers a number of safe doses from a pressurized and metered medication canister via a dispenser to a patient. The improvement includes a counter device for accurately determining the number of safe doses delivered from the medication canister. Also, a warning device alerts the patient either visually, audibly, mechanically or in a combination thereof about an impending and then a final exhaustion of the number of safe doses delivered from the medication canister. The improved system takes advantage of the patient-actuated movement of the medication canister in the dispenser body to activate either an electronic or a mechanical counter device. Alternatively, the improved system may be patient-activated independently from, but in conjunction with, the dispensing of medication from the canister.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable stent for placement at the locus of a stenotic portion of a body passage, such as a blood vessel, which is flexible and compliant for safe and effective delivery to the site of the stenotic portion of, for example, a blood vessel, and so as to avoid the disadvantages of chronic implantation, such as arterial rupture or aneurism formation while exposed to the continuous stresses of a beating heart. The stent is formed from a bioabsorbable material and is porous or has apertures defined there through to facilitate tissue ingrowth and encapsulation of the stent. The stent is encapsulated and biodegrades or bioabsorbs within a period of days, weeks or months as desired following encapsulation to thereby minimize the likelihood of embolization or other risks of the dissolved material and to avoid the disadvantages of chronic implantation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distinguishing between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts by using an ultrasonic transducer to transmit a plurality of ultrasonic signals into a target lesion within a human body and for receiving a plurality of reflected signals therefrom. At least one of the plurality of transmitting signals should be of sufficient intensity to initiate movement of any fluid located within the target lesion. A plurality of reflected ultrasonic signals are received from the target lesion and a comparison of differences between individual ones of the plurality of reflected signals is made to detect the presence or absence of fluid movement within the target lesion. Then a determination is made as to whether the target lesion is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass based upon the presence or absence of fluid within the target lesion.

Abstract: A source capsule containing a radioactive isotope is put inside of an outer protective jacket or capsule and the outer jacket is sealed. The outer protective jacket is so designed that it can be reopened without disturbing the radioactive isotope source capsule contained therein. Thus, when it becomes necessary to recondition the source capsule, the inner source capsule can be removed from the outer protective jacket and it can be re-encapsulated in another outer protective jacket. There is provided an encapsulated radioactive isotope source which comprises an outer protective jacket in the form of a can having a side wall, an integrally formed bottom wall and an open upper end. A source capsule containing a radioactive isotope is received within this outer protective jacket. A jacket cap is received within the outer protective jacket so as to close the open end of the jacket, with the source capsule thus located within the outer protective jacket.

Abstract: Atomizing spray nozzle for mixing and atomizing various liquid and gas combinations includes a central liquid conduit, an annular gas passage disposed concentrically about the liquid conduit, a helical spray member and a spray head. The spray member includes a bore disposed in axial alignment with the liquid conduit and is of helical configuration which, in cross-section, tapers inwardly toward the distal end thereof. The spray head is of generally tubular configuration and encloses the helical member, except for at least one outlet orifice through its outer end wall. The spray head provides a chamber for the mixing of the gas and liquid and for the discharge of the resulting mixture through the orifice of the head to form an atomized spray.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for use in forming ceramic articles having improved color, density, bonding strength and mechanical strength. Ceramic particles are slurried with a composition that tends to minimize inclusion of bubbles of gas, e.g., air, and also minimize interstitial voids between the ceramic particles. In a preferred mode, the ceramic particles are slurred with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide having, for example, a sodium hydroxide concentration, by weight, in the order of about 0.02% to about 0.03%. The aqueous solution of the sodium hydroxide is added to a powered ceramic until a workable past or slurry is obtained. Articles are formed using the paste or slurry or the paste or slurry is built-up on a support and the ceramic is then fired to fuse the particles.