Gerald T Marshall

US Patent:

59350717, Aug 10, 1999

Filed:

Jul 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/892634

Inventors:

John K. Schneider - Snyder NY
Gerald F. Marshall - Morgan Hill CA
Andrew D. Vassallo - Williamsville NY

Assignee:

Ultra-Scan Corporation - Amherst NY

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600445

Abstract:

An ultrasonic imaging system and method for imaging human or animal tissue having a surface and including a probe comprising a platen for defining the surface in a manner supporting the human or animal tissue for imaging the same, a transducer positioned closely adjacent the supporting platen for providing an output ultrasonic beam directed on the surface so that the size of the beam at its focal point is as small as possible to maximize the resolution of the system an electrically operated motor for moving the transducer in a manner such that the ultrasonic beam is directed in a path along the surface. A fluid-tight housing extends from the tissue-supporting surface and has an interior region containing the transducer and motor which region is filled by an electrically non-conductive fluid having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of water and having a viscosity sufficiently low so as not to impede the movement of the transducer. The housing is provided with a bellows for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the fluid. In one aspect of the invention, the motor provides oscillatory output motion and the output shaft is coupled to the transducer so that in response to oscillation of the shaft the output ultrasonic beam is directed in the path along the surface.

US Patent:

62966103, Oct 2, 2001

Filed:

Aug 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/370438

Inventors:

John K. Schneider - Snyder NY
Gerald F. Marshall - Morgan Hill CA
Andrew D. Vassallo - Williamsville NY

Assignee:

Ultra-Scan Corporation - Amherst NY

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600445

Abstract:

An ultrasonic imaging system and method for imaging human or animal tissue having a surface and including a probe comprising a platen for defining the surface in a manner supporting the human or animal tissue for imaging the same, a transducer positioned closely adjacent the supporting platen for providing an output ultrasonic beam directed on the surface so that the size of the beam at its focal point is as small as possible to maximize the resolution of the system an electrically operated motor for moving the transducer in a manner such that the ultrasonic beam is directed in a path along the surface. A fluid-tight housing extends from the tissue-supporting surface and has an interior region containing the transducer and motor which region is filled by an electrically non-conductive fluid having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of water and having a viscosity sufficiently low so as not to impede the movement of the transducer. The housing is provided with a bellows for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the fluid. In one aspect of the invention, the motor provides oscillatory output motion and the output shaft is coupled to the transducer so that in response to oscillation of the shaft the output ultrasonic beam is directed in the path along the surface.

US Patent:

56473648, Jul 15, 1997

Filed:

Feb 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/389104

Inventors:

John K. Schneider - Snyder NY
Gerald F Marshall - Morgan Hill CA
Andrew D. Vassallo - Williamsville NY

Assignee:

Ultra-Scan Corporation - Amherst NY

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

12866009

Abstract:

An ultrasonic imaging system and method for imaging human or animal tissue having a surface and including a probe comprising a platen for defining the surface in a manner supporting the human or animal tissue for imaging the same, a transducer positioned closely adjacent the supporting platen for providing an output ultrasonic beam directed on the surface so that the size of the beam at its focal point is as small as possible to maximize the resolution of the system an electrically operated motor for moving the transducer in a manner such that the ultrasonic beam is directed in a path along the surface. A fluid-tight housing extends from the tissue-supporting surface and has an interior region containing the transducer and motor which region is filled by an electrically non-conductive fluid having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of water and having a viscosity sufficiently low so as not to impede the movement of the transducer. The housing is provided with a bellows for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the fluid. In one aspect of the invention, the motor provides oscillatory output motion and the output shaft is coupled to the transducer so that in response to oscillation of the shaft the output ultrasonic beam is directed in the path along the surface.