Abstract: In one aspect, a device for measuring breast volume is disclosed, which comprises a housing comprising an enclosure having an opening, a flexible membrane sealingly covering said opening so as to provide an enclosed space within said enclosure, a gas disposed within said enclosed space, and at least one pressure sensor coupled to said enclosure so as to measure pressure of said gas within said enclosed space. The flexible membrane is configured to reversibly flex into said enclosed space in response to pressure of a breast against the membrane. The flexure of the membrane causes a change in the pressure and volume of the gas within said enclosed space.

Abstract: A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is used for performing a test upon a subject is provided. The probe includes a case which forms an exterior of the probe, a piezoelectric object which is provided on an inside of the case and which generates an ultrasonic wave, a sound absorbing layer which is provided at a rear surface of the piezoelectric object and which prevents the ultrasonic wave from being delivered to a rear portion of the piezoelectric object, an acoustic matching layer which delivers the generated ultrasonic wave to a subject by matching a sound impedance of the piezoelectric object with a sound impedance of the subject, and a sound lens which concentrates the generated ultrasonic wave and radiates the concentrated ultrasonic wave toward the subject.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes: a plurality of piezoelectric devices, each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices being configured to emit an ultrasonic wave according to an electrical signal input thereto, and convert an incident ultrasonic wave from an outside into an electrical signal; and an outer surface in which a material of a scanning surface transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave is constituted of a self-repairing material.

Abstract: An acoustic lens suitable for a CMUT array (74) is provided. The acoustic lens comprising: a first layer (47) comprising a thermoset elastomer having a polymeric material selected from hydrocarbons, wherein the first layer has an inner surface (72) arranged to face the array and an outer convex shaped surface (40) arranged to oppose the inner surface; and a second layer (42) coupled to the outer surface of the first layer and comprising thermoplastic polymer polymethylpentene and an elastomer selected from the polyolefin family (POE) blended therein, wherein the outer layer located at the outer surface of the acoustic window layer, wherein the first layer has a first acoustic wave velocity (v1) and the second layer has a second acoustic wave velocity (v2), said second velocity is larger than the first acoustic wave velocity.

Abstract: A display panel repair device and a display panel repair method are disclosed. The display panel repair device includes an ultrasonic generator and a beam control device. The ultrasonic generator is configured to generate ultrasonic; and the beam control device is configured to direct the ultrasonic to emit to a pre-determined position, so as to be able to repair a display panel to be repaired by the ultrasonic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (CMUT) cell (6) comprising a cell floor (31) having a first electrode (7); a cell membrane (5) having a second electrode (7?) which opposes the first electrode and vibrates during transmission or reception of acoustic energy; a transmitter/receiver coupled to the first and second electrodes which causes the cell membrane to vibrate at an acoustic frequency and/or receives signals at an acoustic frequency; and an acoustic lens (13), overlaying the cell membrane, and having an inner surface opposing the cell membrane and an outer, patient-facing surface. According to the present invention the acoustic lens comprises at least one layer of a material selected from the group of: polybudatiene, polyether block amide (PEBAX), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and buthylrubber.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing high frequency ultrasound transducers configured for use with high frequency ultrasound diagnostic imaging systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, methods of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer includes providing a concave lens having an average thickness in a center portion that that is substantially equal to an odd multiple of a ¼-wavelength of the center frequency of the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprising a housing, a transducer assembly operable to transmit ultrasonic energy towards a zone of the probe adapted to be acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest, a cooling system comprising a heat transfer device arranged to transfer heat generated by the transducer assembly to one or more regions or areas located outside such transducer assembly. The heat transfer device comprises graphene.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for ultrasonic borehole logging using an ultrasonic borehole imaging tool in a borehole intersecting the earth formation. Methods may include adjusting a focus for an ultrasonic beam generated from a single-transducer ultrasonic assembly of the ultrasonic imaging tool; using a receiver to generate measurement information responsive to an ultrasonic signal caused by the ultrasonic beam; and estimating a parameter of interest from the measurement information. Methods may include adjusting the focus in dependence upon environmental conditions, the environmental conditions comprising at least one of: i) standoff between the ultrasonic imaging tool and a wall of the borehole; and ii) borehole annulus conditions. Methods may include adjusting the focus in substantially real-time. The ultrasonic beam may be focused with a focal zone at the borehole wall configured to produce a beam spot size of a selected diameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound focal zone display includes an image area for displaying an ultrasound image, a plurality of depth markers, the plurality of depth markers representative of a predetermined tissue depth of the displayed ultrasound image, a focus indicator representative of a maximum acoustic beam intensity of the displayed ultrasound image, and a focal zone extent representative of acoustic beam intensity values within a predetermined range below the maximum acoustic beam intensity value, the focus indicator being adjacent or overlapping the focal zone extent, the position of the focus indicator being asymmetrical relative to the focal zone extent.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasound treatment are provided. Acoustic energy, including ultrasound, can serve as input energy to a mask with apertures, such apertures acting as secondary acoustic sources to create a modulated output acoustic energy in a treatment region and treatment effects. Under proper control output energy can be precisely placed and controlled in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured for ultrasound treatment based on creating an output energy distribution in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured based on creating an output temperature distribution in tissue.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound transducer for irradiating a subject with ultrasound and receiving an ultrasound echo reflected from the subject. The ultrasound transducer includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured to emit ultrasound according to input of an electric signal and convert ultrasound incident from outside into an electric signal, and a mask portion provided between the plurality of piezoelectric elements and a radiation surface of the ultrasound on the ultrasound transducer. The mask portion is configured to: mask any divided region among a plurality of divided regions obtained by dividing an elevation direction orthogonal to a plane parallel to a scanning direction of the ultrasound; reflect the ultrasound in a direction different from a propagation direction of the ultrasound on the masked division region; and allow the ultrasound to pass in the propagation direction in the plurality of divided regions except the masked divided region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an acoustic lens using a Fresnel zone plate, a design method and a manufacturing method of the acoustic lens, a focusing ultrasonic transducer to which the acoustic lens is applied, and a manufacturing method of the focusing ultrasonic transducer. More specifically, an acoustic lens using a Fresnel zone plate which is applied to a focusing ultrasonic transducer. The acoustic lens includes a plurality of concentric regions which is concentrically disposed with respect to a center point. In the concentric region, a sound insulation region which blocks an entering sound wave and a transmission region which transmits the sound wave are alternately formed in a radial direction from the center point, and the entering sound wave is focused near a focal point.

Abstract: In one aspect, matching layers for an ultrasonic transducer stack having a matching layer comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In another aspect, the matrix material is loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In another aspect, an ultrasound transducer stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and at least one matching layer. In one aspect, the matching layer comprises a composite material comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In a further aspect, the composite material can also comprise a matrix material loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In a further aspect, a matching layer can also comprise cyanoacrylate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound coupling device for use with various ultrasound transducers, systems, and applications. The coupling device includes a coupling compartment comprising a chamber having a continuous side wall and an opening on a first end. The continuous side wall is configured to hold a low-profile ultrasound transducer within the chamber so that a front ultrasound emitting surface of the low-profile ultrasound transducer faces outward toward the chamber opening. The front ultrasound emitting surface is configured to control the direction and wave pattern of ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer. The continuous side wall is also configured to hold a quantity of an ultrasound conductive medium within the chamber and is operative to keep the ultrasound conductive medium in simultaneous contact with a surface of a subject and with at least a portion of the front ultrasound emitting surface of the transducer.

Abstract: A surgical needle having notches in a sidewall with enhanced ultrasound reflectivity is disclosed. Indentations, ridges, projections, overhanging edges, and other structures are formed in the notches to retain small amounts of air or other reflective material as the surgical needle is passed through tissue. The additional amounts of reflective material retained by these structures will significantly enhance the ultrasound reflectivity and enhance the response to ultrasonic probing to provide an enhanced image during needle placement in a medical patient so that the needle may be accurately placed as desired. Alternatively or additionally, the notches are filled with a substance that contains air bubbles suspended in the substance wherein the suspended air bubbles provide the reflectivity enhancement. In both embodiments, the needle will be visible at any angle in which the device is used in a medical patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe (60) comprising: an ultrasound transducer (12) having an emission surface (24) for generating ultrasound waves, and an acoustical lens (12) with a first part (64) having an inner surface (66) facing the emission surface (24), wherein the inner surface (64) comprises a plurality of protrusions (74) and/or recesses (76) for scattering reflections of ultrasound waves.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a substrate, an acoustic adjustment layer, an acoustic lens and a structural member. The substrate has an element array including a plurality of thin film ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in an array form. The acoustic adjustment layer covers the element array. The acoustic lens is arranged above the acoustic adjustment layer. The structural member is in contact with the acoustic lens and fixed to the substrate. The structural member has a modulus of rigidity greater than a modulus of rigidity of the acoustic lens.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic device including: an ultrasonic element array substrate having a plurality of ultrasonic elements configured to perform at least one of transmission and reception of ultrasound; an acoustic lens configured to focus the ultrasound; an acoustic matching unit formed using resin, the acoustic matching unit being arranged between the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens; and a plurality of columnar spacing members arranged between the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens so as to be in contact with the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connection to a transducer in ultrasound probes are provided. One connection arrangement includes a connector having a transducer connection portion configured to couple to a transducer of an ultrasound probe and a scan head connection portion configured to extend from a scan head of the ultrasound probe containing the transducer. The transducer connection portion and the scan head connection portion being a single element.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic device including: an ultrasonic element array substrate having a plurality of ultrasonic elements configured to perform at least one of transmission and reception of ultrasound; an acoustic lens configured to focus the ultrasound; an acoustic matching unit formed using resin, the acoustic matching unit being arranged between the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens; and a plurality of spherical spacing members arranged between the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens so as to be in contact with the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a base, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, an acoustic adjustment layer, and a wall part. The ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged in an array form on the base, each of the ultrasonic transducer elements having a vibration film. The acoustic adjustment layer is disposed on each of the ultrasonic transducer elements. The wall part is arranged between adjacent ones of the ultrasonic transducer elements when viewed in a plan view along a thickness direction of the base such that the acoustic adjustment layer on the adjacent ones of the ultrasonic transducer elements are separated by the wall part in a range of at least a portion of a height of the acoustic adjustment layer measured from the base. The wall part has an acoustic impedance that is higher than an acoustic impedance of the acoustic adjustment layer.

Abstract: Probe includes a transducer, a PCB having a pattern part contacting the transducer via face-to-face contact, and a bonding member bonding the transducer to the pattern part of the PCB. The bonding part of the PCB is provided with the pattern part to increase a bonding area of the bonding part and to allow the bonding member to contact not only a metal layer of the bonding part but also an electrical insulation part thereof, thereby improving a bonding force between the transducer and the PCB. As a result, the transducer can be reliably bonded to the PCB, so that performance of the transducer can be prevented from being deteriorated due to defective connection between the PCB and the transducer.

Abstract: A probe capable of reducing positional displacement of an acoustic lens from a capacitive transducer is provided. The probe includes a transducer having elements and extraction electrodes of the elements, flexible wiring boards having wiring electrically connected to the extraction electrodes, and an acoustic lens having stepped portions which is provided on the elements. The acoustic lens is butted against end portions of the flexible wiring boards at the stepped portions and fixed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic measuring device including an ultrasonic array configured to detect ultrasonic signals, and a housing. The housing includes an acoustic window portion and a housing wall. The ultrasonic array is arranged in the housing in acoustic contact with the acoustic window portion. The acoustic window portion is configured to adhere to a surface of the object to be examined. The invention further relates to an examination apparatus, which includes at least one such ultrasonic measuring device, and to a method for ultrasonic signal detection, in particular for ultrasound-based imaging.

Abstract: A method for irradiating a medium includes irradiating the medium with an electromagnetic wave which is scattered in the medium and modulated in frequency at a position in the medium; obtaining information corresponding to an interference pattern generated by interference between the modulated electromagnetic wave and a reference wave; and generating a phase conjugate wave, based on the obtained information, which irradiates the medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides illumination for a surgical procedure. Using an optical tracking system, the illumination is made to automatically track an optical marker on a surgical glove worn by a clinician to provide more consistent illumination for a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A reversible transducer connector allows the connector to be inserted within the receptacle in more than one orientation. The electrical connections between the receptacle and connector are reprogrammed based on the orientation. The connector is inserted in two or more stages, such as using zero-insertion or magnetic retention in a first stage to identify the connector and using an automated engagement to engage remaining channel connections in a second stage for use. Doors for protecting the connector and/or receptacle may be opened and/or closed magnetically.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is described herein for insertion into a cavity such as a blood vessel to facilitate imaging within a vasculature. The catheter comprises an elongate flexible shaft, a capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer, and a sonic reflector. The elongate flexible shaft has a proximate end and a distal end. A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is mounted to the shaft near the distal end. The reflector is positioned such that a reflective surface redirects ultrasonic waves to and from the transducer. In other embodiments, the catheter comprises a plurality of cMUT elements and operates without the use of reflectors. In further embodiments, integrated circuitry is incorporated into the design.

Abstract: The present invention is a guide wire imaging device for vascular or non-vascular imaging utilizing optic acoustical methods, which device has a profile of less than 1 mm in diameter. The ultrasound imaging device of the invention comprises a single mode optical fiber with at least one Bragg grating, and a piezoelectric or piezo-ceramic jacket, which device may achieve omnidirectional (360°) imaging. The imaging guide wire of the invention can function as a guide wire for vascular interventions, can enable real time imaging during balloon inflation, and stent deployment, thus will provide clinical information that is not available when catheter-based imaging systems are used. The device of the invention may enable shortened total procedure times, including the fluoroscopy time, will also reduce radiation exposure to the patient and to the operator.

Abstract: An exemplary system for coupling acoustic energy using an encapsulated coupler member comprises a display or indicator, a control system, a probe, and a coupler member. This invention provides a coupler member adjustably configured to perform at least one of (i) providing a standoff, (ii) focusing or defocusing energy, and (iii) coupling energy. An exemplary gel coupler member is configured to hold the shape of a lens geometry. In one aspect of the present invention, gel coupler member comprises water, glycerol, and polyvinyl alcohol, and exhibits an increased desiccation time and shelf life when compared to the prior art. The probe can comprise various probe and/or transducer configurations. In an exemplary embodiment, the probe delivers focused, unfocused, and/or defocused ultrasound energy to the region of interest. Imaging and/or monitoring may alternatively be coupled and/or co-housed with an ultrasound system contemplated by the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasound probe which may adjust curvature of an acoustic lens using a shape memory alloy. The ultrasound probe includes an acoustic lens, a focus adjusting unit installed on the acoustic lens and deforming the shape of the acoustic lens to adjust the focus of ultrasonic waves radiated through the acoustic lens, and a current applying unit applying current to the focus adjusting unit to contract or expand the focus adjusting unit.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a uterine probe having one or more transducer for detecting a uterine parameter. The one or more parameter can be a fetal heart rate. The one or more parameter can be uterine contraction. In one embodiment a uterine probe can include a transducer operative to emit sound waves for detection of a fetal heart rate (FHR). In one embodiment a uterine probe can include a transducer operative to emit sound waves for detection of a uterine contraction. The one or more transducer can be of a common technology or can be of different technology. In one embodiment a uterine probe can include one or more transducer that is operative to be driven in different signaling configurations. A first signaling configuration can be a signaling configuration for detection of a fetal heart rate. A second signaling configuration can be a signaling configuration for detection of uterine contraction.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a beamformer (104) configured to beamform ultrasound signals. The beamformer includes input/output (110) configured to at least receive ultrasound signals. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a first ultrasound probe connector (128) and a second ultrasound probe connector (128). The ultrasound imaging system further includes a switch (134) that concurrently routes ultrasound signals concurrently received via the first ultrasound probe connector and the second ultrasound probe connector to the beamformer, which processes the ultrasound signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a signal processing apparatus and a signal processing method for increasing the precision of probe movement calculations. An A array transducer is a one-dimensional array transducer that is a conventional array transducer. A B array transducer and a C array transducer are connected to both ends of the short side of the A array transducer (the right and left ends in the drawing), so that the array direction of the respective transducers in the A array transducer is perpendicular to the array direction of the respective transducers in the B array transducer and the C array transducer. The present disclosure can be applied to a signal processing apparatus that generates an ultrasound image from signals supplied from a probe that captures ultrasound images, and displays the generated ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound medical system has an end effector including a medical ultrasound transducer and an acoustic coupling medium. The acoustic coupling medium has a transducer-proximal surface and a transducer-distal surface. The medical ultrasound transducer is positioned to emit medical ultrasound through the acoustic coupling medium from the transducer-proximal surface to the transducer-distal surface. The end effector is adapted to change a property (such as the shape and/or the temperature) of the acoustic coupling medium during emission, and/or between emissions, of medical ultrasound from the medical ultrasound transducer during a medical procedure on a patient. In one example, such changes are used to change the focus and/or beam angle of the emitted ultrasound during the medical procedure.

Abstract: The present disclosure in some embodiment provides a backing member for an ultrasonic probe that is disposed on a rear surface of a piezoelectric element constituting the ultrasonic probe to attenuate ultrasonic waves radiated from the rear surface of the piezoelectric element, the backing member including a mixture of a base member and a filler, wherein the base member is a polyurethane resin and the filler is manganese powder, whereby the backing member has appropriate sound absorption function and excellent dicing processability and provides an ultrasonic probe including the backing member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for time-delay inverted beamforming are provided. One method includes sampling, substantially uniformly in time, a set of continuous-time element signals to form a set of sampled element signals and mapping, for each sampled element signal, one or more samples substantially equally spaced in time to one or more samples non-equally spaced in time corresponding to the respective contribution of each element signal to a continuous-time beamsum signal. The method also includes forming a beamsum signal sampled substantially uniformly in time from the non-uniformly spaced, mapped samples corresponding to each sampled element signal.

Abstract: An exemplary system for coupling acoustic energy using an encapsulated coupler member comprises a display or indicator, a control system, a probe, and a coupler member. This invention provides a coupler member adjustably configured to perform at least one of (i) providing a standoff, (ii) focusing or defocusing energy, and (iii) coupling energy. An exemplary gel coupler member is configured to hold the shape of a lens geometry. In one aspect of the present invention, gel coupler member comprises water, glycerol, and polyvinyl alcohol, and exhibits an increased desiccation time and shelf life when compared to the prior art. The probe can comprise various probe and/or transducer configurations. In an exemplary embodiment, the probe delivers focused, unfocused, and/or defocused ultrasound energy to the region of interest. Imaging and/or monitoring may alternatively be coupled and/or co-housed with an ultrasound system contemplated by the present invention.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly includes an acoustic focusing lens and a therapy transducer mounted to a holder member so that the lens is movable relative to the transducer. The lens and the transducer are mounted to the holder member so that the lens is spaced a predetermined distance from the transducer element. A liquid layer having a thickness of the predetermined distance is provided between the lens and the transducer element. A solid backing member is disposed on a side of the transducer element opposite the lens. The backing member is spaced by an additional liquid layer of a predetermined thickness from the transducer element. The focusing depth of the lens—transducer assembly is controllable by transducer operating frequency.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a probe suitable for use with image data collection system. The probe, in one embodiment, includes an optical transceiver, such as a beam director, and an acoustic transceiver such as an ultrasound transducer. The optical transceiver is in optical communication with an optical fiber in optical communication with a beam director configured to transmit light and receive scattered light from a sample such as a wall of a blood vessel. The acoustic transceiver includes an ultrasound device or subsystem such as a piezoelectric element configured to generate acoustic waves and receive reflected acoustic waves from the sample.

Abstract: A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).

Abstract: A matrix array ultrasound probe passively dissipates heat developed by the matrix array transducer and beamformer ASIC away from the distal end of the probe. The heat developed in the transducer stack is coupled to a metallic frame inside the handle of probe. A metallic heatspreader is thermally coupled to the probe frame to convey heat away from the frame. The heatspreader surrounds the inside of the probe handle and has an outer surface which is thermally coupled to the inner surface of the probe housing. Heat is thereby coupled evenly from the heatspreader into the housing without the development of hotspots in the housing which could be uncomfortable to the hand of the sonographer.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter, an imaging core, and at least one transducer conductor. The imaging core is insertable into the catheter and extendable from a distal end of the catheter. The imaging core includes a rotatable magnet, a tilted reflective surface, and at least one fixed transducer all disposed in a body. The rotatable magnet is configured and arranged to rotate by a magnetic field generated external to the catheter. The tilted reflective surface rotates with the magnet. The at least one transducer is configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also for transforming received echo signals to electrical signals. The at least one transducer conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one transducer and is configured and arranged to extend into the catheter when the imaging core is extended from the catheter.

Abstract: An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) can direct light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound can be sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal can be optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed such as to develop a 2D or 3D image. In an example, the guidewire outer diameter can be small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. To minimize the size of the guidewire, an ultrasound-to-acoustic transducer that is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal can be used. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer can be manufactured so that it is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: a plurality of piezoelectric elements separated from each other by a gap; and an acoustic matching layer formed of a rubber elastic material on a surface of each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. An acoustic impedance of the rubber elastic material is smaller than an acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric elements and larger than an acoustic impedance of a subject. The acoustic velocity of the rubber elastic material has a value of 1650 msec or less.

Abstract: An ultrasonic beamformer may include an input signal line for each ultrasonic transducer element configured to carry a broadband pulse from the ultrasonic element. The ultrasonic beamformer may include a number of signal shifters that is substantially less than the number of transducer elements. Each signal shifter may be configured to shift a broadband pulse in a way that is different from the way the other signal shifters are configured to shift a broadband pulse. For each of the input signal lines, a multiplexer may be configured to electrically connect the broadband pulse received on the input signal line to a selected one of the signal shifters. A multiplexer controller may be configured to generate the control signal for each of the multiplexers in a fashion that causes the ultrasonic beamformer to substantially compensate for the differences in the distances. A comparable configuration may be used for transmission.

Abstract: A portable medical examination device used for cancer detection using tissue illumination with radiation of a certain wavelength band to provide the operator with either reflected images of the tissue or by inducing visible fluorescence of the irradiated tissue. The medical examination device has an illumination source transmitting a light beam through a first lens unit to condition the light beam; a fiber optic bundle including an excitation fiber and an image fiber, wherein the excitation fiber delivers the conditioned light from the first lens unit to a tissue to be examined and wherein the image fiber directs the light emanating from the illuminated tissue to a second lens unit; and an angularly adjustable visualization unit, wherein a light beam conditioned by the second lens unit is visualized by the device operator and/or captured by an image capture device.

Abstract: A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a case, a piezoelectric member provided inside the case, at least one acoustic matching layer disposed at a front of the piezoelectric member, an acoustic lens disposed at a front of the acoustic matching layer, and a backing member disposed at a rear of the piezoelectric member and provided with a plurality of pores to reduce sound waves transmitted to the rear of the piezoelectric member and to allow to adjust an acoustic impedance. A method of manufacturing the probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes the operations of preparing a fluid to form a backing layer, pouring the fluid into a mold, hardening the fluid and removing the mold.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe has a laminated structure of an acoustic matching layer, transducer layer with arrayed transducers, and backing layer. A transmission/reception unit transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from an object via the transducers. A control unit controls the transmission/reception unit to synchronize ultrasonic-wave generation by a specific transducer of the transducers with ultrasonic-wave reception by a different transducer. A phase shift detection unit detects a phase shift between an output signal from the transmission/reception unit and a reference signal, the output signal corresponding to synchronization between the ultrasonic-wave generation and the ultrasonic-wave reception.