Abstract: A fully automatic ultrasonic scanner and a scan detection method is provided. The fully automatic ultrasonic scanner comprises: an ultrasonic probe (4); a driving system (5) for driving the ultrasonic probe (4) to move; and a flexible structure on which the ultrasonic probe (4) is mounted, wherein the flexible structure enables the ultrasonic probe (4) to be always along a curve of a skin surface and keep perpendicular to the skin surface during scanning. The flexible structure of the fully automatic ultrasonic scanner has self-adaptive effect, can adjust the scan trace and the probe angle in real time according to different curves of the human body, and ensure that the ultrasonic probe (4) scans against the skin surface and keeps perpendicular to the skin surface, which improves the quality of the scanned images, so as to enhance the detection rate and accuracy rate of early screening, and reduces the probability of missed diagnosis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a breast ultrasound scanning apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises an imaging assembly comprising an ultrasound transducer, a frame housing the imaging assembly, and a membrane directly and removably coupled to the frame. In this way, the cost of performing an ultrasound scan with the imaging assembly may be reduced while the comfort for a patient being scanned with the imaging assembly is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample are described, the apparatus comprising an ultrasound transducer and a membranous sheet, the membranous sheet compressing the tissue sample, the ultrasound transducer contacting the membranous sheet and ultrasonically scanning the tissue sample therethrough, wherein the membranous sheet has a generally arcuate shape and the ultrasound transducer is movable in a generally arcuate trajectory therealong during the ultrasonic scan. Also described is an apparatus for facilitating a medical procedure, comprising a membranous sheet compressing a tissue sample, an ultrasound transducer contacting the membranous sheet to ultrasonically scan the tissue sample therethrough, and a biopsy guide operably coupled to the ultrasound transducer for maintaining a biopsy instrument in a scan plane of the ultrasound transducer to facilitate a percutaneous biopsy of a lesion located in the scan plane.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system uses a magnetic linear motor driven ultrasound scanner, with accurate track and hold operation and/or other motion feedback, to scan a two dimensional or three dimensional area of a sample. The scanner is implemented in a low-power and low-bandwidth handheld device and is connected with a remote image processing system that receives raw data and performs full ultrasound image analysis and creation, allowing the handheld to be used for scanning, pre-processing, and display.

Abstract: A recharging system includes a contact pad charger having a compressible contact pad conformable to a rechargeable device body for charging a power storage device in the rechargeable device body. The contact pad charger includes a power supply configured to provide a supply voltage. The compressible contact pad is electrically coupled to the power supply and defines a first variable resistance in response to a first conductor compression. The rechargeable device body includes a power manager electrically coupled to the power supply and is configured to receive a variable input voltage in response to a first variable voltage drop across the first conductor and to provide a regulated output voltage in response to the received variable input voltage. The regulated output voltage is less than the supply voltage. The power storage device is electrically coupled to the power manager and configured to receive the regulated output voltage for charging.

Abstract: Techniques for providing radio-frequency signals to a region of interest for a living-objection protection (LOP) system are provided. An example base wireless power transfer system includes a power-coupling element and a power transfer circuitry configured to provide energy to the power-coupling element to produce a magnetic field, and a living-object protection subsystem including an antenna configured to transmit a first radio-frequency (RF) signal with a main beam directed away from the power transfer circuitry and to receive a second RF signal, the antenna including a radiating element and a reflector with the reflector being disposed between the radiating element and the power transfer circuitry and comprising a metal sheet disposed over an area, the metal sheet defining at least one opening within the area and between the radiating element and the power transfer circuitry.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an organ timing signal relating to an inspected organ within the body of a patient, including a medical positioning system, and a processor The medical positioning system includes at least one reference electromagnetic transducer placed at a reference location, at least one inner electromagnetic transducer attached to a surgical tool inserted in a blood vessel in the vicinity of the inspected organ, and a medical positioning system processor coupled with the transducers. The medical positioning system processor generates medical positioning system data sets, each of which includes a collection of three-dimensional position coordinate readings demonstrating the motion trajectory of the surgical tool over time, the processor generating the organ timing signal from the data sets by detecting and identifying periodic motion frequencies in the data sets, and filtering the periodic motion frequencies from the data sets.

Abstract: A device (1) for imaging the interior of an optically turbid medium is provided. The device comprises a receptacle (3; 103) structured to accommodate an optically turbid medium for examination and an optically matching medium filling a space between an inner surface (6; 106) of the receptacle (3; 103) and the optically turbid medium. The device comprises at least one light source generating light to be coupled into the receptacle (3; 103) and at least one detector for detecting light emanating from the receptacle (3; 103). A coupling surface (10; 110) optically coupled to the inner surface (6; 106) of the receptacle and a coupling member (11; 111) optically coupled to the light source and the detector are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a test object. A sound signal is sent from a first portion of a curved transducer array through the test object in a direction towards a second portion of the curved transducer array. The curved transducer array has a shape that is configured to cover a non-planar surface of the test object. A response signal in response to the sound signal is received at the second portion of the curved transducer array.

Abstract: There is used an object information acquiring apparatus including a probe for electrically scanning an object in first direction and mechanically scanning in second direction intersecting with the first direction, a first delay-and-sum unit for operating a delay-and-sum on a received signal, a memory for storing a first delay-and-sum signal for each plane in the second direction, a selecting unit for selecting signals corresponding to M sectional planes from among the stored signals, a second delay-and-sum unit for operating a delay-and-sum on the selected signals in the second direction, and a unit for acquiring image in the object from the second delay-and-sum signal, the second delay-and-sum unit switching, according to the mechanical scanning, a first case in which M signals are fixed and a delay pattern is varied and a second case in which a set of the M signals is varied and the delay pattern is fixed.

Abstract: Non-destructive testing system performs accurate testing as to whether lamination joining portion of different metal materials is in strong joining state by secure metal joining. The system sets a lamination joining portion of different metal materials of a work to a certain position and angle. Laser light in certain waveform is applied to lamination joining portion surface to capture images by infrared camera, and data processing device obtains infrared images. Based on infrared images, Fourier transform is performed on each pixel of infrared images, and phase image is created by console device. Based on created phase image, effectiveness/defectiveness of joining is determined. In this non-destructive testing, whether reflection by vertical wall in vicinity is significant is determined, based on intensity of infrared images obtained immediately after irradiation with laser and angle between laser light optical axis and testing part surface is finely adjusted to obtain infrared images with less noise.

Abstract: An apparatus is used for determining at least one parameter relating to an elongate member disposed within a vessel. The apparatus includes at least one measurement unit having a light emitting component and a corresponding light receiving component. The light receiving component is positioned apart from the light emitting component such that the elongate member is positionable between the light emitting component and the light receiving component. Additionally, the light emitting component is adapted to emit light towards the light receiving component, and the light receiving component is adapted to generate a signal corresponding to the light received from the light emitting component. A method for determining at least one parameter relating to the elongate member disposed within the vessel is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing navigation assistance on a mobile device are provided. A method may include extracting information from at least one of a first map image and an address image, wherein the first map image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized map and the address image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized written address. The method may also include communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server. The method may further include receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a second map image including routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device. The method may additionally include displaying the second map image including the routing information.

Abstract: Scanning probe microscopes include a probe tip coupled to a tuning fork or other acoustic resonator so as to apply a shear force when contacted to a specimen surface based on an applied acoustic signal. A secondary ultrasonic transducer is in acoustic communication with the specimen and a resonant structure. Probe tip-specimen displacement can be detected based on whispering gallery mode ultrasonic waves in the resonant structure using the secondary transducer, and such displacements maintained using feedback control based on whispering gallery mode acoustic wave magnitude.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic system. The ultrasound diagnostic system includes a plurality of connectors. Each of the connectors has a signal transmitter to transmit an identification signal uniquely identifying the respective connector. The ultrasound diagnostic system further includes a plurality of probes. Each of the probes has a signal detector and an indicator assembly. In response to a connection of each of the probes to one of the connectors, the signal detector of the respective probe is configured to detect the identification signal identifying said one of the connectors and the indicator assembly of the respective probe is configured to provide an identification of said one of the connectors based on the identification signal.

Abstract: A method for and system of intrusion detection by using ultrasonic signals are provided. The method includes a training phase and a detection phase. The training phase includes capturing multi-echo signals when no intrusion is present under surveillance. The captured ultrasonic multi-echo signals are analyzed and features are extracted, learned and modularized. The detection phase includes a continuous collection of ultrasonic multi-echo signals. The captured signals are analyzed and features are extracted to compare with the features learned during the training phase. When intrusion is present, the features will be substantially different from the features learned in the training phase. Thus, an intruder can be detected. Experimental results indicate that when MDR is less than 0.1%, the FAR would be less than 2.5% for the invention. Therefore, this invention is applicable to intrusion detection.

Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope including an ultrasonic transducer and a balanced linear motor assembly is disclosed. The balanced linear motor assembly includes a counterweight that is mounted for movement along a linear path that is parallel to the first linear path on which the transducer travels. The counterweight has a mass that is generally equal to the mass of the rotor and the transducer. The counterweight is being adapted to be moved, when the scanning acoustic microscope is used to interrogate a sample, along the second linear path at the same time that the rotor and transducer are being moved along the first linear path to allow the transducer to accelerate and decelerate without creating vibration.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide electrical and mechanical enhancements for a modular transducer system. In one preferred embodiment, a multiplexer is provided to reduce the number of circuits required to support a given transducer configuration. The multiplexer can be integrated into the scan head or the receptacle assembly of the modular transducer system. In another preferred embodiment, a scan head is provided with circuitry operative to compensate for mismatch in electrical impedance by increasing energy transfer between the transducer array and the cable assembly. In yet another preferred embodiment, a scan head is provided with circuitry operative to form a band pass filter programmable by the medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system. With a further preferred embodiment, a scan head is provided with a non-volatile memory device. Some other preferred embodiments describe mechanical enhancements for the modular transducer system.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged on the top surface of a probe, which is a concave spherical surface, so that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer elements will intersect at a point coincident with the center of curvature of a curve delineated by the top surface. At this time, the acoustic lines conically propagate over a region beyond the point of intersection. Namely, the ultrasonic beams transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer elements pass through the point of intersection coincident with the center of curvature, and then conically and three-dimensionally propagate over the region beyond the point of intersection. Thus, acoustic lines are three-dimensionally transmitted to a wide region beyond an intercostal part of a physiological body or any other narrow space, and echoes returned from the region are received. Consequently, the wide region can be three-dimensionally monitored.

Abstract: An acoustic microscope is disclosed having an acoustic lens formed of fused metal and glass. A high speed analogue to digital converter and a pulse generator/receiver are also disclosed. Automated V(z) curve measurement produces quantitative elastic properties of the specimen. (C) and (B) scans are sliced and a simulated three-dimensional image is formed therefrom.

Abstract: For determination of surface and special surface characteristics of an object, e.g. a fingerprint, the finger tip is placed on a convex surface of a support which is irradiated through a liquid or solid medium with spherical ultrasonic waves from a point source provided as a hole in a carrier for a ring of receiving transducers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for activating one of a plurality of connected transducers in response to the operator picking up that transducer. This enables the selection of a transducer without the need for pressing a button or key. Automatic selection is accomplished by placing a proximity sensor located within the holder of the transducer or on the transducer itself to indicate whether the transducer is being held by its holder. Switches are also incorporated to detect when a transducer connector has been plugged into each port on the ultrasound imaging machine. Depending on the order in which unactivated normal transducers attain a state whereby the respective normal transducer is both connected and out of its holder, a stack of probe identifiers is created. Identifiers for connected special transducers are added to the stack below any probe identifiers for normal transducers. The identifier at the top of the stack indicates the transducer which will be activated next, i.e.

Abstract: A new ultrasonic transmission imaging apparatus is disclosed, which uses a new imaging method providing image focusing capability. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic emitter producing substantially continuous coherent ultrasonic waves toward an object to be inspected. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasonic detectors array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic detectors receiving the object traversing ultrasonic waves to produce a plurality of series of electrical signals coming from the ultrasonic detectors, the electrical signals characterizing transmission of the ultrasonic waves through the object and being associated with series of image elements. The apparatus further comprises a signal vector components detector detecting signal vector components for each of the electrical signals. The apparatus further comprises a computer for controlling the apparatus and for receiving pairs of first and second signal vector component digital signals coming from the signal vector components detector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic microscope comprises an ultrasonic pulse transmitting/receiving circuit for emitting an ultrasonic to a sample and receiving an echo from it, a scanner for scanning the sample in a direction normal to the direction of emitting the ultrasonic pulse, an extraction circuit for sampling the output signal of the ultrasonic pulse transmitting/receiving circuit at a given duration and at given intervals to extract echo data signals of plural depths in the sample, a first memory for storing B mode image data attained by a single scanning, a second memory for storing, as 3D image data, the B mode image data sequentially read out from the first memory, an image processor for reading out the image data from the second memory for image processing, and a display device for displaying the processed image data as a 2D or 3D image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic echo scanning apparatus having operator determined software controlled gated sampling of individual radio frequency excursions in the reflected ultrasonic energy waveform. Use of the system to obtain heretofore images of damage layers, resident in close physical proximity to large echo regions of a workpiece and images of good correlation with physical inspection of a disintegrated workpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gear defect analyzing system records the interaction of each tooth of a gear system until the interaction begins to repeat and then processes the information in such a way as to identify defective gear tooth. Signals from a gear box are detected by an accelerometer and a shaft encoder and fed to an interface circuit and then to an analog signal preprocessing circuit. The preprocessing circuit conditions the signal so that it can be analyzed by a microcomputer. The system has the capability of identifying the class of incoming signals, determining the optimal time domain average, eliminating unwanted spectral components and interference, computing specific measurements relating to gear wear and then performing analysis of time history within a given system operating state to determine which gears and gear teeth are defective. By recording each tooth-to-tooth interaction over a period of time, and then processing the recorded matrix of data, it is possible to locate individual tooth defects.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus transmits or receives an ultrasound beam by switching connections between ultrasound probes and a transmitting and receiving system. Channels of the transmitting and receiving system are respectively connected to first and second connectors through first and second N switching elements. Each of the first and second connectors has N connecting terminals. The terminals of the first and second connectors are respectively connected to 2N terminals of a third connector. The switching elements and the first to third connectors constitute a switching circuit. The switching elements in the switching circuit are selectively turned on/off according to a desired ultrasound transducer connected to a corresponding one of the first to third connectors, thereby causing the ultrasound transducer to transmit or receive the ultrasound beam.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic microscope, if a plane to be observed of a sample is not parallel with a scanned plane formed by an ultrasonic wave beam, an interference with a reflected wave will be produced and no clear picture image will be obtained. Therefore, it is indispensable to adjust the inclination of the sample stand as an initial adjustment before the observation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reconstructing an acoustic image of an object using a central processing unit programmed to process data derived from acoustic energy that has been transmitted at multiple frequencies and scattered by the object. Electronic signals are propagated at multiple frequencies and transduced into acoustic energy waves which are propagated toward an object. Transducer receivers detect the acoustic energy waves after they have been scattered by the object and the detected acoustic energy waves are then electronically processed and input into a high-speed digital computer which may comprise a central processing unit and/or a central processing unit in combination with an array processor.

Abstract: A laser welder fault detector system, including a microphone and an associated electronic circuit operatively connected to a solenoid actuated ink jet, is provided to detect the formation of defective welds by an intermittently energized laser and to spray ink on sheets of metal being welded to mark the location of the defective welds. Defective welds are detected by acoustic signals generated during the welding process and picked up by the microphone, the amplitude of the signals, when defective welds are being formed, being relatively low compared to those generated when normal welds are being produced. The electronic components of the system compare the acoustic signals generated during the welding process with a reference signal characteristic of the formation of a normal weld.

Abstract: An acoustic imaging system capable of producing C-mode images or orthoscopic projection images of a three-dimensional volume at significantly increased speeds of operation is described. For each acoustic pulse transmitted by a piezoelectric transducer array an electronic parallel processing system produces several unique image points whose locations in the image correspond to the Cartesian coordinates of the positions of receiving transducers. While range information is not directly displayed, range discrimination can be realized by means of an optional range dependent gain control or an optional color display in which range discrimination occurs through visual discrimination of differing hues.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic examination apparatus of the sector scanning type, a false contour appears in a tomographic image of an object due to a variation of the pixelizing, or digitizing precision over the entire scanning region, especially near the central ultrasonic scanning lines. A wobbling processor is provided in an address generator for write operation. When the echo signals, or the image signals obtained by the scanning of the central untrasonic scanning lines are written into pixels of a frame memory, the write-in addresses are processed by the wobbling processor so that the pixelizing precision can be made relatively uniform over the entire scanning region.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic scanning and display system, lines of pixel values to be displayed comprise pixel values resulting from reception of echoes separated by pixels for which no echo information was received. The "holes" between pixels representing echo information are selectively filled in with interpolated values when the length of the sequence of holes is less than a selected number, and sequence of holes greater than the selected number are blanked for display. This arrangement permits the system operator to select the degree to which the display contains interpolated information.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitter-receiver for radiating a focused ultrasonic beam and a sample are moved relative to each other in the axial direction of the ultrasonic beam. A reflected wave from the sample is received and a curve V(Z) of variations in the level of the reflected wave with respect to the relative movement is obtained. A reference level of interference of a directly reflected wave and a leaky elastic wave is subtracted from V(Z) to perform waveform processing. The waveform processing output is subjected to a waveform analysis, and from the analysis results, the velocity and/or the attenuation of the leaky elastic wave are calculated.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic diagnosis device composed of ultrasonic optical elements arranged to be disposed in a mass of fluid in a container together with the object to be examined in order to image the object in an image plane, a source of incoherent sound radiation for irradiating the object, a condenser lens, an imaging objective and an acoustic energy detector system, the incoherent sound radiation source is composed of a turbulence chamber containing a plurality of particles arranged to move essentially randomly relative to one another, and at least one ultrasonic transmitter for irradiating the particles in the turbulence chamber with coherent ultrasound; the imaging objective is composed of at least two individual lenses of homogeneous material which are arranged in symmetry to one another and each having lens face which faces the other lens and which has an aspherical shape; and the detector system is composed of a linear array of detectors for converting the resulting ultrasound image of the object into elect

Abstract: A crystal defect analyzer comprises acousto-electric transducer means disposed in close adherence to a sample to be analyzed through the medium of a filter layer which functions to intercept light or electrons or particles emitted from said excitation means and to transmit only acoustic waves produced within said sample by excitation, thereby it can attain higher response and sensitivity, smaller size, higher resistance to vibration and superior operationality.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment partial images of an object are obtained by scanning the object from different directions, e.g. by compound scanning. For a given object region or point, the different partial images may include a response maximum signifying a directionally reflecting region. Other object regions may provide echo signal amplitudes in a range signifying a locally isotropic scattering. According to the disclosure, the partial images are linked or combined taking account of the nature of the respective object regions as being directionally reflecting or nondirectionally scattering.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the processing techniques of computerized x-ray tomography are applied to improve resolution transverse to the depth direction, for example with the use of compound ultrasonic scanning. In this way, an improved preliminary image for representing non-directionally scattering image points is attained. The ultrasonic echo signals are also processed to provide a preliminary image based predominantly or exclusively on directionally reflecting image points. The respective preliminary images for each image point or point region are then suitably combined to provide a stored ultrasonic image capable of display of the scanned region of improved accuracy, resolution, and freedom from noise.

Abstract: An indicating system is disclosed for use with nondestructive testing systems of various types including an eddy current instrument in which the characteristics of a specimen structure are indicated by the form, position and dimensions of a trace on a screen. The system indicates whether or not the relationship of two test signals is within certain limits which can be shown in the form of outlines or a series of contiguous boxes on a screen. Prior to the testing of a structure of unknown characteristics, such limits may be learned or recorded by the system either during the manual manipulation of a joystick control or the like or during the testing of a structure of known or standard characteristics.

Abstract: In the exemplary disclosure, the apparatus includes electronic delay circuitry for delaying echo signals produced in use by a multiplicity of transducers of the apparatus such that the phase relationship between respective echo signals is substantially maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of characterizing an acoustic field, and particularly of visually characterizing the field. An acoustic receiving transducer means is moved to a plurality of predetermined coordinate and angular positions in the acoustic field, and for each such position an electrical signal indicative of a parameter of the acoustic field is stored in a memory. The information in the memory is selectively retrieved to activate an electronic display means, and to expose film if desired, to provide a visual "map" of the acoustic field parameter detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a sensor with respect to a color screen are disclosed. The screen is colored with first and second colors in such a way that the intensity of each color varies from a minimum to maximum along a respective direction lying in the plane of the screen, the two respective directions being oblique to each other. As a result, each point on the screen is characterized by a unique pair of color intensities. The sensor is provided with means for measuring the intensity of each color at the point on the colored surface corresponding to the location of the sensor. In one advantageous application of the invention, one surface of a screen is colored as described above, and the screen is placed over an object to be ultrasonically inspected.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanner for scanning a medium for anomalies scattering acoustic waves, having ultrasonic transducing means positioned within scanning range of the medium; ultrasonic transmitting means coupled to the transducing means for providing a train of pulsed ultrasonic carrier signals. Each pulsed carrier signal of the train has a constant and unique frequency, the train of pulsed carrier signals together covering a range of frequencies. The transducing means is oriented to propagate the train along a path through the medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a sensor with respect to a color screen are disclosed. The screen is colored with first and second colors in such a way that the intensity of each color varies from a minimum to maximum along a respective direction lying in the plane of the screen, the two respective directions being oblique to each other. As a result, each point on the screen is characterized by a unique pair of color intensities. The sensor is provided with means for measuring the intensity of each color at the point on the colored surface corresponding to the location of the sensor. In one advantageous application of the invention, one surface of a screen is colored as described above, and the screen is placed over an object to be ultrasonically inspected.

Abstract: A ring of transmitter and receiver transducer arrays circumscribes an object to be scanned. Semicircular wave fronts of ultrasound energy are propagated from different points around the ring of transducers by triggering the transmitter arrays in sequence. The reflected and transmitted ultrasound energy picked up by the receiver arrays is then electronically analyzed and a synthetically focused image corresponding to the scanned object is reconstructed on a display screen. Surprisingly high quality resolution for the reconstructed images is achieved by carefully controlling the type of waveform from which the displayed image is reconstructed. In one embodiment of the invention, the signals received by the receiver arrays are processed by a waveshaping circuit to achieve the desired waveform. In a second embodiment of the invention, the desired waveform is generated by a waveform generator circuit and transmitted by the transmitter arrays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a sensor with respect to a color screen are disclosed. The screen is colored with first and second colors in such a way that the intensity of each color varies from a minimum to maximum along a respective direction lying in the plane of the screen, the two respective directions being oblique to each other. As a result, each point on the screen is characterized by a unique pair of color intensities. The sensor is provided with means for measuring the intensity of each color at the point on the colored surface corresponding to the location of the sensor. In one advantageous application of the invention, one surface of a screen is colored as described above, and the screen is placed over an object to be ultrasonically inspected.

Abstract: A high resolution, ultrasound imaging system is disclosed having a transducer which produces a diverging beam of ultrasound energy of sufficiently large angle so as to impinge on the sound-reflecting object from substantially all positions along the transducer scan path.

Abstract: Echo ranging flaw detecting, characterizing and studying apparatus in which the work is scanned simultaneously by acoustic energy focused at a point from an acoustic-lens transducer and by acoustic energy focused along a line along which it is propagated from a focused-arc transducer. The acoustical echos from the lens transducer are combined with an electrical analog of an acoustical reference wave to produce an acoustical interference pattern which is reconstructed into a holographic display or hologram by a laser beam. The echos from the focused-arc transducer produce a cathode-ray tube display or are stored in a memory.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus displays a modified C-mode image of the target of an object to be diagnosed by mechanically moving an ultrasonic probe around the target portion while electronically driving the probe to scan the target. The ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus comprises a circuit for setting a desired cross-section to be diagnosed in the B-mode image of the target while observing said B-mode image, a memory for storing the data of the cross-section set by the cross-section setting circuit, a function generator for converting the position data into a function signal for controlling the scanning of the target and the processing of an ultrasonic echo signal reflected therefrom, a signal processing device for processing the ultrasonic echo signal under control of the function signal, and a display means for displaying a modified C-mode image of the target.

Abstract: A ring of transmitter and receiver transducer arrays circumbscribes an object to be scanned. Semicircular wave fronts of ultrasound energy are propagated from different points around the ring of transducers by triggering the transmitter arrays in sequence. The reflected and transmitted ultrasound energy picked up by the receiver arrays is then electronically analyzed and a synthetically focused image corresponding to the scanned object is reconstructed on a display screen. Surprisingly high quality resolution for the reconstructed images is achieved by carefully controlling the type of waveform from which the displayed image is reconstructed. In one embodiment of the invention, the signals received by the receiver arrays are processed by a waveshaping circuit to achieve the desired waveform. In a second embodiment of the invention, the desired waveform is generated by a waveform generator circuit and transmitted by the transmitter arrays.