Abstract: An abrading machine and abrading method are provided which permit a workpiece to be abraded without damage even in the case of heavy stock removal. A work holding member for mechanical abrasion includes a first holding member with a hole for receiving a workpiece and which transmits external drive force to the workpiece, and a second holding member placed on the first holding member and also having a hole for receiving the workpiece. The second holding member is removed after a predetermined volume of stock is abraded away; the workpiece is then abraded to a target thickness while being held by the first holding member alone. Thicknesses t1 and t2 of the first and second holding members are given by T1>t1+t2 and (½)T2≦t1, where T1 and T2 represent the workpiece thickness before and after abrasion, respectively.

Abstract: An abrading machine and abrading method are provided which permit a workpiece to be abraded without damage even in the case of heavy stock removal. A work holding member for mechanical abrasion includes a first holding member with a hole for receiving a workpiece and which transmits external drive force to the workpiece, and a second holding member placed on the first holding member and also having a hole for receiving the workpiece. The second holding member is removed after a predetermined volume of stock is abraded away; the workpiece is then abraded to a target thickness while being held by the first holding member alone. Thicknesses t1 and t2 of the first and second holding members are given by T1>t1+t2 and (½)T2≦t1, where T1 and T2 represent the workpiece thickness before and after abrasion, respectively.

Abstract: A planetry-gear-type parallel-surface processing machine of the present invention improves the ability of an upper surface plate to follow matrials to be processed. A rotation preventing pin projects from the upper surface of the upper surface plate at a position near the outer periphery thereof, the rotation of the upper surface plate is prevented by abutting a stopper supported by a bracket disposed on a machine main body against a side of the rotation preventing pin, plural pulleys are disposed in a ring mounted to the upper surface plate and suspension plate, and an endless wire cable is stretched between the pulleys so as to support the vertical load of the upper surface plate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic probe body and an acoustic lens attachment detachably fitted on the ultrasonic probe body. The attachment includes an acoustic lens, and the lens is in contact with electrical/acoustic transducer elements formed in the probe body but is partially separated from the probe body to form air gaps. The air gaps constitute escape portions, respectively. The air gaps are defined by parts of acute-angled surfaces of the probe body, obtuse-angled surfaces of connecting portions of the attachment, and tight contact portions of the attachment. The tight contact portions are perfectly in tight contact with the probe body, so that a medium is moved to the escape portions. The medium can be uniformly spread to form a thin medium layer. Bubbles are not formed in the tight contact portions, and the acoustic lens does not locally project. A two-dimensionally uniform acoustic refractive index can be obtained.

Abstract: Water is filled in a receptacle, and an ultrasonic-wave transmitting flexible membrane is attached to the receptacle in a watertight manner. An ultrasonic probe is provided in the receptacle for mechanical scanning. The receptacle is coupled with a pipe through which the water in the receptacle can circulate. A pump and a three-way cock are attached to the pipe. A tank containing water is connected to the three-way cock. When the pump is actuated, with the tank and the pipe connected by the three-way cock, the water is introduced from the tank into the receptacle to raise the water pressure. When the receptacle and the tank are connected by the three-way cock, the water escapes from the receptacle into the tank to lower the water pressure in the receptacle. Thus, the water pressure in the receptacle can be adjusted to locate the breast in an optimum position relative to the probe for ultrasonic diagnosis while the breast is supported on the membrane.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus comprises a first mechanism connected to the rotation shaft of a motor to convert a rotation motion to a circular motion, and an universal joint type second mechanism connecting at one end to said first mechanism such that it can be freely moved in any direction. The universal joint type second mechanism is connected at the other end such that it can swing in a predetermined direction to cause the circular motion transmitted by said first mechanism to be converted to the circular motion to permit an ultrasonic probe to oscillatingly scan a subject to be examined.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanner, comprising a holder for supporting the ultrasonic probe, said holder being rotatably pivoted by a pivoting shaft, a rotating shaft whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of the pivoting shaft pivoting the holder, and a motion-converting mechanism for converting the rotation of the rotating shaft to a rotatingly reciprocating motion of the ultrasonic probe holder. The ultrasonic scanner can be made small in size, is capable of freely adjusting the rotatingly reciprocating motion, i.e. the head-shaking motion of the ultrasonic probe, and permits readily detecting the rotation angle of the rotating shaft. In addition, the scanner can be housed satisfactorily in a sealed vessel filled with a transmission medium of the ultrasonic beam.

Abstract: A vessel for an ultrasonic scanner, comprising a protection cap and a vessel body; the protection cap including a window portion made of a material which is highly penetrable by ultrasonic energy and, a frame portion made of a material having a high absorption capacity for ultrasonic energy, and the vessel body having an opening sealed by the protection cap and housing an ultrasonic transmission medium and an ultrasonic probe. The vessel permits the ultrasonic probe to be positioned extremely close to the skin of the patient and the tomogram obtained by the ultrasonic apparatus is essentially free of disturbances caused by multiple reflections of the ultrasonic beam.