摘要:
An invention for coherent array image formation and restoration is taught. The invention is applicable for both 2D and 3D imaging using either 1D or 2D arrays, respectively. A transducer array is subdivided into subarrays, each subarray having a number of adjacent array elements. All elements of each subarray transmit and receive in parallel. The signals received from each subarray are delayed and summed to form scan lines, or beams. The low-beam-rate beams formed from each subarray are upsampled and interpolated prior to forming high-beam-rate images. Depending on the subarray geometry, a subarray-dependent restoration filter is also applied to the subarray beams. The restored beams from each subarray are combined to form the final high-beam-rate image. The invention significantly reduces the front-end hardware complexity compared to conventional methods such as full phased array imaging with comparable image quality.
摘要:
A compression post capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) is provided. The compression post CMUT includes a first electrode, a top conductive layer having a pattern of post holes, a moveable mass that includes the first electrode. The compression post CMUT further includes an operating gap disposed between the top surface of the top conductive layer and a bottom surface of the moveable mass, a pattern of compression posts, where a proximal end the compression post is connected perpendicularly to a bottom surface of the moveable mass, where the pattern of compression posts span through the pattern of post holes. The top conductive layer includes the second electrode that is electronically insulated from the first electrode, where the pattern of compression posts compress to provide a restoring force in a direction that is normal to the bottom surface of the moveable mass.
摘要:
Surface selective photoacoustic (PA) medical imaging is introduced. Surface selective PA imaging is responsive to surface features and does not image sub-surface features, in contrast to conventional PA imaging. The surface PA signal can be considerably larger than the bulk PA signal, for an air-coupled (or gas-coupled) acoustic transducer. Distinguishing these two signals based on time of arrival at the transducer can further distinguish the two signals. This approach provides numerous advantages.Non-contact imaging simplifies and expedites imaging, and can serve as a replacement for visual inspection by physicians. Applications include skin screening and endoscopy.
摘要:
A system and method for monitoring one or more parameters relating to blood, such as cardiac output, of a patient is provided. The system preferably includes an acoustic energy transducer unit configured and positioned to transmit acoustic energy into a target structure, preferably a blood vessel, within the patient so as to induce a measurable change, preferably a change in blood volume, within the target structure. The transducer unit can be an ultrasonic array, annular array, or groups thereof, or a single element transducer. The unit can also be a vibrator or acoustic loudspeaker. An optical transmitter transmits light into the target structure, and an optical receiver senses light scattered from within the target structure. The blood parameter can then be estimated from the sensed scattered radiation. Relative blood oxygen saturation in the blood vessel can be estimated by transmitting two wavelengths to measure oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin.
摘要:
Photovoltaic material is printed on a substrate using acoustic printing, to produce solar cells. Acoustic printheads are configured to eject droplets of photovoltaic material to positions on the substrate, responsive to focused acoustic energy provided by acoustic ejectors in the acoustic printheads, to print a film of the photovoltaic material. A positioning system is configured to position the acoustic printheads with respect to the substrate. A feedback system controls the acoustic ejection of the droplets of photovoltaic material by the acoustic printheads or the positioning of the acoustic printheads with respect to the substrate by the positioning system, based on feedback data indicative of characteristics of the printed film. The acoustic printheads are designed optimally for printing of photovoltaic material for solar cells in single scans in only one direction of the substrate. Solar cells can be manufactured at low cost and with high throughput using acoustic printing.
摘要:
There is described a cMUT array with transducer elements which include a plurality of cells with membranes formed on one surface of a wafer. Voltages applied between said spaced electrodes drive said membranes. The voltages applied to said electrodes are applied from the opposite surface of the wafer through the wafer and through vias formed in the wafer.
摘要:
Techniques for obtaining an ejection rate independent, spatial relationship between an acoustic focal area and the free surface of a liquid. Variations in the spatial relationship are reduced or eliminated by applying substantially the same acoustic energy to the liquid's free surface during periods when droplets are not ejected as when they are, but at power levels insufficient to eject a droplet. During ejection periods in which a droplet is not ejected, the acoustic energy is applied at a lower level, but for a longer time. Because it is more convenient to measure and control, the transducer drive voltage is used to control the acoustic energy applied to the liquid's free surface.
摘要:
An ejector for ejecting droplets from an ink-filled reservoir is disclosed. The ejector comprises a substrate with a generally planar surface. The substrate is submerged in the reservoir so that the substrate surface is parallel to the reservoir surface at a shallow predetermined depth. On the substrate surface around a center is a plurality of concentric, circular electrodes. A coupled oscillator excites the electrodes in a temporal relationship such that the capillary waves generated at the ink reservoir surface are reinforced so that droplets may be ejected from the reservoir at the center of the electrodes.
摘要:
A method of fabricating an acoustic ink printhead with an integrated liquid level control layer is presented. With standard photolithographic techniques, acoustic lenses and ink supply channels are defined in a substrate. Apertures are created in a spacer layer plate to define cavities to hold the ink reservoirs for each ejector. Corresponding alignment holes also made in the substrate and in the spacer layer plate. With spheres matching the size of the alignment holes, the spheres engage the alignment holes to precisely align the apertures in the spacer layer plate with the acoustic lenses in the substrate. The plate and substrate are then bonded for an integrated acoustic printhead with liquid level control by capillary action.
摘要:
An acoustic microscope in which acoustic energy is focused onto a membrane which includes an aperture which is a fraction of the size of the focal spot of the acoustic beam at the membrane to form fringing fields on the other side of the membrane. Acoustic energy reflected from the membrane is detected. An object to be examined is placed in cooperative relationship with the fringing fields.