Abstract: For an ultrasonic wave to be transmitted, an ultrasonic probe driving unit can apply a stepwise varying drive voltage to the ultrasonic probe. The drive voltage of the driving unit is so selectively set by a setting unit as to allow the output level of the ultrasonic wave to be in a range below, but nearest to, an upper limit. It is, therefore, possible to obtain maximal image quality in a range in which safety is secured.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic propagation time differences contained in echo signals reflected from a biological body under medical examination are corrected by comprising: a quadrature phase detecting unit for quadrature-phase-detecting the echo signals derived from an ultrasonic transducer probe to obtain as phase data a quadrature signal component and an in-phase signal component; a delay-time correcting value calculating unit for calculating at least one of delay-time correcting values used for the energizing signals and the echo signals based upon both of the quadrature signal component and in-phase signal component; and, a delay controlling unit for controlling at least one of delay time data previously given to the energizing signals anti echo signals based upon one of calculated delay-time correcting values.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the sound velocity of the internal tissue within an object to be investigated. First and second pulses of ultrasonic energy are transmitted along a common, steered transmitting beam into the object by a first subarray of transducer elements that are a distinct part of an array of transducer elements. The echoes of the first and second pulses return to the transducer array along a first and a second parallel steered receiving beams, activated by a second and third subarrays of transducer. The system measures the propagation times for the first and second pulses to leave and return to the array. The average sound velocity of the internal tissue of the object can be determined from the measured propagation times and the known geometric characteristics of the array, subarray, and steered angles, without the measurement being adversely affected by a fat or muscle layer covering the internal tissue.

Abstract: A system for both measuring the sound velocity of tissue in an object and simultaneously providing a real-time B-mode image of the object. The system alternately image scans the object and cross scans the object so that a B-mode image of the object can be displayed while the object is being cross scanned by intersecting beams. By measuring the propagation times and displaying both a B-mode image of the object along with an image representing the cross scan signals, the user can view and correct errors caused by the reflection of echos waves from undesired reflection points, such as blood vessels.

Abstract: Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus including a plurality of transducer elements in a probe actuated by electric pulses for emitting ultrasonic pulses, for receiving echo ultrasonic pulses, and for issuing electric pulses corresponding to the echo pulses; a pulse generator; apparatus for processing the electric pulse information issued by the probe; a photo transmission line interconnecting the pulse generator and the probe and interconnecting the probe and the processing apparatus; and devices for converting electric pulses to photo pulses for conveyance on the photo transmission line and devices for reconverting the photo pulses to electric pulses after conveyance on the photo transmission lines are utilized with M number of multiplexers. Each multiplexer has L number of taps to drive N number of transducer elements where N=M.times.L.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for use in the imaging or characterization of biological tissue, including an ultrasonic probe, a gate circuit, a spectrum analysis device, a computation device and a display. The ultrasonic probe emits ultrasonic beams and receives the reflected echo signals from tissue interfaces. The reflected signals are sampled by the gate circuit and are Fourier-analyzed by the spectrum analysis device, and then the computation device derives frequency-dependant ultrasonic attenuation properties therefrom. The results of the computation device are displayed by the display to indicate the state of the tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system for non-destructive testing in industry and for visualizing soft tissue structure in medical diagnosis using a coaxial transducer array formed of a plurality of annular transducer elements each having the same predetermined area. The area of each of the transducer elements and the radiating aperture of the array is chosen to provide a well-resolved narrow beam in accordance with the focal length along the axis of the array.