Patents by Inventor William J Ossmann
William J Ossmann 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).
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Patent number: 7307374Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems are provided. A preferred system includes a protective cover configured to mate with a transducer body. The transducer includes a two-dimensional transducer element matrix array formed by a plurality of individually controllable transducer elements. The protective cover is superposed above the two-dimensional matrix array and is transparent to incident acoustic energy. Preferably, the protective cover is shaped to reduce patient discomfort and repetitive motion injuries to sonographers. Alternative embodiments comprise a shaped two-dimensional transducer element matrix array. Methods for improved ultrasound imaging are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: William J. Ossmann
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Patent number: 7135809Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems are provided. A preferred system includes a protective cover configured to mate with a transducer body. The transducer includes a two-dimensional transducer element matrix array formed by a plurality of individually controllable transducer elements. The protective cover is superposed above the two-dimensional matrix array and is transparent to incident acoustic energy. Preferably, the protective cover is shaped to reduce patient discomfort and repetitive motion injuries to sonographers. Alternative embodiments comprise a shaped two-dimensional transducer element matrix array. Methods for improved ultrasound imaging are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.Inventor: William J. Ossmann
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Patent number: 7103400Abstract: A method for anatomical imaging includes acquiring image data representative of three-dimensional volume segments of an image volume of interest in a subject. The image data are acquired in synchronism with corresponding physiological cycles of the subject. Each volume segment contains image data distributed in three dimensions. Acquiring image data includes selecting a sequence of scan lines for each respective volume segment configured to minimize an occurrence of motion artifacts throughout the image volume. The image data representative of the volume segments is combined to produce a representation of a three-dimensional anatomical image of the image volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.Inventors: William J. Ossmann, McKee Dunn Poland, Xiang-Ning Li, Olivier Gerard
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Publication number: 20040092816Abstract: A method for anatomical imaging includes acquiring image data representative of three-dimensional volume segments of an image volume of interest in a subject. The image data are acquired in synchronism with corresponding physiological cycles of the subject. Each volume segment contains image data distributed in three dimensions. Acquiring image data includes selecting a sequence of scan lines for each respective volume segment configured to minimize an occurrence of motion artifacts throughout the image volume. The image data representative of the volume segments is combined to produce a representation of a three-dimensional anatomical image of the image volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: William J. Ossmann, McKee Dunn Poland, Xiang-Ning Li, Olivier Gerard
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Patent number: 6685647Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems are provided. A representative acoustic imaging system includes a transducer that incorporates a backing and an acoustic element extending from the backing. The acoustic element includes a piezoelectric element and a de-matching layer. The de-matching layer is arranged between the backing and the piezoelectric element and exhibits an acoustic impedance greater than that of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element exhibits a thickness that is less than one-half of a wavelength to be generated by the piezoelectric element. Methods also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Bernard J. Savord, William J. Ossmann
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Patent number: 6527723Abstract: Variable multi-dimensional apodization control for an ultrasonic transducer array is disclosed. The variable multi-dimensional apodization control is applicable to both piezoelectric based transducers and to MUT based transducers and allows control of the apodization profile of an ultrasonic transducer array having elements arranged in more than one dimension.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: William J. Ossmann, McKee D. Poland
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Publication number: 20030011285Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems are provided. A preferred system includes a protective cover configured to mate with a transducer body. The transducer includes a two-dimensional transducer element matrix array formed by a plurality of individually controllable transducer elements. The protective cover is superposed above the two-dimensional matrix array and is transparent to incident acoustic energy. Preferably, the protective cover is shaped to reduce patient discomfort and repetitive motion injuries to sonographers. Alternative embodiments comprise a shaped two-dimensional transducer element matrix array. Methods for improved ultrasound imaging are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventor: William J. Ossmann
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Publication number: 20030013967Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems are provided. A representative acoustic imaging system includes a transducer that incorporates a backing and an acoustic element extending from the backing. The acoustic element includes a piezoelectric element and a de-matching layer. The de-matching layer is arranged between the backing and the piezoelectric element and exhibits an acoustic impedance greater than that of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element exhibits a thickness that is less than one-half of a wavelength to be generated by the piezoelectric element. Methods also are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Bernard J. Savord, William J. Ossmann
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Publication number: 20020198455Abstract: Variable multi-dimensional apodization control for an ultrasonic transducer array is disclosed. The variable multi-dimensional apodization control is applicable to both piezoelectric based transducers and to MUT based transducers and allows control of the apodization profile of an ultrasonic transducer array having elements arranged in more than one dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventors: William J. Ossmann, McKee D. Poland
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Patent number: 6381197Abstract: A micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) having aperture, elevation and apodization controlled by apparatus located on the same substrate as the transducer, or by bias voltage control applied to MUT elements, allows for an efficient and compact ultrasonic probe. The control apparatus may take the form of field effect transistors (FET's), micro-machined relays, or doped regions on the substrate, or any other apparatus that may be located on the same substrate as that of the transducer, or by bias voltage sources connected to the MUT elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Inventors: Bernard J Savord, William J Ossmann, Jie Chen, Michael P Anthony, Turuvekere R Gururaja, Stephen M Grenon
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Patent number: 6314057Abstract: A plurality of applications for a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) including an improved MUT array containing optimized transmit MUT elements and optimized receive MUT elements, a MUT array in which staggered MUT elements increase the sensitivity of the array, and a MUT array for multiple plane scanning.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Inventors: Rodney J Solomon, Bernard J Savord, William J Ossmann, Benjamin M Herrick
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Patent number: 6292435Abstract: A circuit and method for predistorting an input pulse to a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) compensates for non-linearities in the transducer, thus allowing the transducer to provide a compensated output pressure wave having a low second order harmonic transmit energy. In another aspect of the invention, the output power of a MUT may be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bernard J Savord, William J Ossmann
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Patent number: 5977691Abstract: A multiple aperture ultrasonic transducer having a linear array of elements, each element having a plurality of segments forming apertures of the array, and a connection assembly for interconnecting the segments and connecting the segments to circuits. The connection assembly includes an electrode layer directly adjacent to the segments, at least one insulating layer, and at least one connector layer. The electrode layer has an electrode area for each segment and one of the insulating layers has a connection opening for each segment and connection areas for pairs of segments while the connection layer has segment to segment connectors and segment pad connectors. Each element may be divided into sub-elements with connection cross-overs offset by one sub-element along the array and alternately reversed while alternate middle segments connect to alternate sides.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Thomas P. Stephens, Matthew Mooney, William J. Ossmann, Larry Pendergrass
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Patent number: 5825117Abstract: A harmonic imaging transducer is a structure of two mechanically coupled piezoelectric layers. This two-layer piezoelectric structure may vibrate either in a symmetric mode, wherein the two layers are expanding and contracting in unison, or in an anti-symmetric mode, wherein one layer is contracting while the other is expanding. Symmetric mode vibrations result in first harmonic operation, while anti-symmetric mode vibrations result in second harmonic operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: William J. Ossmann, Larry Pendergrass, Martin K. Mason
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Patent number: 5798461Abstract: A composite scan pattern for ultrasound imaging includes a linear or curved linear scan pattern and one or more sector scan patterns. The sector scan patterns abut the linear or curved linear scan pattern along its boundaries to form the composite scan pattern. The linear or curved linear scan pattern can be steered to a desired angle .theta. for obtaining a high quality image. The sector apertures can be reduced in width and the linear scan pattern can be increased in width for imaging at shallow depths. The composite scan pattern provides a wide field of view for both shallow imaging and deep imaging.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1996Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Robert H. Banta, Jr., Richard A. Snyder, William J. Ossmann