Ultrasonic frequency-domain system and method for sensing fluid flow
    1.
    发明授权
    Ultrasonic frequency-domain system and method for sensing fluid flow 失效
    超声频域系统和感应流体流的方法

    公开(公告)号:US5375600A

    公开(公告)日:1994-12-27

    申请号:US104309

    申请日:1993-08-09

    摘要: Pulses of ultrasound are focused in the patient's body to create an interrogation volume where a characteristic of blood flow is to be measured. The bandwidth of the back-scattered Doppler return signal is measured. In order to measure flow velocity independent of direction, the interrogation volume is generated substantially as a sphere in which the range dimension is set equal to the lateral dimensions (azimuth and elevation) of the interrogation signal. The Doppler bandwidth is then scaled to provide a direction-independent measurement of flow velocity. In order to determine the direction of flow, the interrogation volume is generated substantially as an ellipsoid. The long axis of the ellipsoidal interrogation volume is then rotated until the measured Doppler bandwidth is at a minimum, which is reached when the long axis is aligned with the flow direction. The interrogation volume is preferably rotated and translated using differential phasing of the ultrasonic signals from different transducer elements in a two-dimensional array.

    摘要翻译: 超声波的脉冲聚焦在患者的身体中以产生要测量血流特征的询问体积。 测量背散射多普勒返回信号的带宽。 为了独立于方向测量流速,询问体积基本上产生为范围尺寸设置为等于询问信号的横向尺寸(方位角和仰角)的球体。 然后缩放多普勒带宽以提供流速独立的方向测量。 为了确定流动的方向,询问体积基本上产生为椭圆体。 然后旋转椭圆询问体积的长轴直到测量的多普勒带宽处于最小值,当长轴与流动方向对准时达到最小。 询问体积优选地以二维阵列使用来自不同换能器元件的超声波信号的微分相位来旋转和平移。

    Acoustic arrays and methods for sensing fluid flow
    2.
    发明授权
    Acoustic arrays and methods for sensing fluid flow 失效
    用于感测流体流动的声学阵列和方法

    公开(公告)号:US5485843A

    公开(公告)日:1996-01-23

    申请号:US104510

    申请日:1993-08-09

    摘要: Piezoelectric elements in a transducer array are individually excited and used to sense the back-scattered signal from fluid flowing within an interrogation volume. The array is preferably a 2-D phased array with a pitch no greater than one-half the acoustic wavelength of the interrogation signal. By activating the transducer elements as a pattern of concentric rings as viewed from a point of interrogation, and by suitable phasing and range-gating of an interrogation signal, a substantially spherical interrogation volume (SIV) is created. The return signal from the SIV provides an isotropic indication of the speed of flow of the fluid. The focussing distance along an interrogation axis can be changed by changing either the size of the aperture created by the pattern of activated elements or their relative phasing. The interrogation direction can be angled off-axis by activating the transducer elements in a pattern of concentric ellipses. The interrogation axis itself may also be moved off-center by translating the pattern of activated elements. By deforming the activation pattern of the transducer elements from concentric rings to concentric ellipses, the long axes of ellipsoidal interrogation volumes (EIV) can be rotated. The back-scattered signals from these rotated ellipsoidal interrogation volumes indicate the direction of fluid flow.

    摘要翻译: 传感器阵列中的压电元件被单独地激发并用于感测来自在询问体积内流动的流体的反向散射信号。 阵列优选地是具有不大于询问信号的声波长的一半的间距的2-D相控阵列。 通过将激励换能器元件作为从询问点观察到的同心圆形图案,并且通过询问信号的合适的相位和范围选通,产生基本上为球面的询问体积(SIV)。 来自SIV的返回信号提供流体速度的各向同性指示。 可以通过改变由激活元件的图案或其相对定相产生的孔的大小来改变沿询问轴的聚焦距离。 通过以同心椭圆的图案激活换能器元件,询问方向可以离轴成角度。 询问轴本身也可以通过平移激活元件的图案而偏离中心。 通过将换能器元件的激活模式从同心环变形为同心椭圆,可以旋转椭圆询问体积(EIV)的长轴。 来自这些旋转的椭圆询问体积的反向散射信号指示流体流动的方向。

    Ultrasonic time-domain method for sensing fluid flow
    3.
    发明授权
    Ultrasonic time-domain method for sensing fluid flow 失效
    用于检测流体流动的超声时域法

    公开(公告)号:US5373848A

    公开(公告)日:1994-12-20

    申请号:US104514

    申请日:1993-08-09

    摘要: Pulses of ultrasound are focused in the patient's body to create an interrogation volume where either the magnitude of velocity or the direction of blood flow is to be measured. The strength of the back-scattered signal is measured for each pulse and the mean squared rate of change of the envelope of the range-gated signal is estimated. In order to measure flow velocity independent of direction, the interrogation volume is generated substantially as a sphere by creating an ultrasonic wave envelope in which the components of the mean square spatial gradient are equal in all directions. The estimated mean square rate of change of the envelope of the back-scattered signal is then scaled to provide a direction-independent measurement of flow velocity. In order to determine the direction of flow, the interrogation volume is generated substantially as an ellipsoid. The long axis of the ellipsoidal interrogation volume is then rotated until the measured mean square rate of change of the envelope of the return signal is at a minimum, which is reached when the long axis is aligned with the flow direction. The interrogation volume is preferably rotated and translated using differential phasing of the ultrasonic signals from different transducer elements in a two-dimensional phased array.

    摘要翻译: 超声波的脉冲聚焦在患者的身体中以产生要测量速度的大小或血流方向的询问体积。 对每个脉冲测量反向散射信号的强度,并估计范围门控信号的包络线的平均变化率。 为了独立于方向测量流速,通过产生均方根空间梯度的分量在所有方向上相等的超声波包络,基本上产生询问体积。 然后对后向散射信号的包络的估计均方根值进行缩放,以提供与流速无关的方向测量。 为了确定流动的方向,询问体积基本上产生为椭圆体。 然后旋转椭圆询问体积的长轴,直到所测量的返回信号的包络线的均方根变化率处于最小值,当长轴与流动方向对齐时达到最小。 询问体积优选地使用来自二维相控阵列中的来自不同换能器元件的超声波信号的微分相位来旋转和平移。

    Thermometric vapor sensor with evaporation surface having micropores

    公开(公告)号:US06276196B1

    公开(公告)日:2001-08-21

    申请号:US09733511

    申请日:2000-12-07

    IPC分类号: G01N700

    摘要: A sensor for sensing in a gas stream a vapor of a liquid. The sensor includes a micropore and a wet temperature sensor. The micropore has an evaporation end and has a lumen to conduct liquid from a supply of the liquid for evaporation at the evaporation end. The wet temperature sensor has a heat sensitive part in contact with the liquid in the micropore. The heat sensitive part circumscribes the micropore and forms part of the lumen. Heat loss due to evaporation of the liquid when the wet temperature sensor wet with the liquid is placed in the gas stream will result in the temperature sensed by the wet temperature sensor being lower than the non-evaporative temperature of the gas stream. This lowering in temperature can be measured to determine the concentration of the vapor in the gas stream. An example of such a sensor has a thermocouple junction having micropores passing through the thermocouple junction.

    Thermometric vapor sensor with evaporation surface having micropores
    5.
    发明授权
    Thermometric vapor sensor with evaporation surface having micropores 失效
    具有蒸发表面的微孔蒸气传感器具有微孔

    公开(公告)号:US06202480B1

    公开(公告)日:2001-03-20

    申请号:US09054852

    申请日:1998-04-02

    IPC分类号: G01N2562

    CPC分类号: G01N25/64

    摘要: A sensor for sensing in a gas stream a vapor of a liquid. The sensor includes a micropore and a wet temperature sensor. The micropore has an evaporation end and has a lumen to conduct liquid from a supply of the liquid for evaporation at the evaporation end. The wet temperature sensor has a heat sensitive part in contact with the liquid in the micropore. The heat sensitive part circumscribes the micropore and forms part of the lumen. Heat loss due to evaporation of the liquid when the wet temperature sensor wet with the liquid is placed in the gas stream will result in the temperature sensed by the wet temperature sensor being lower than the non-evaporative temperature of the gas stream. This lowering in temperature can be measured to determine the concentration of the vapor in the gas stream. An example of such a sensor has a thermocouple junction having micropores passing through the thermocouple junction.

    摘要翻译: 一种传感器,用于在气流中检测液体的蒸汽。 该传感器包括微孔和湿温度传感器。 微孔具有蒸发端,并且具有内腔以在蒸发端从用于蒸发的液体供应源输送液体。 湿式温度传感器具有与微孔中的液体接触的热敏部分。 热敏部分围绕微孔并形成管腔的一部分。 将潮湿的温度传感器用液体湿润时液体的蒸发导致的热损失被放置在气流中将导致由湿式温度传感器感测到的温度低于气流的非蒸发温度。 可以测量这种温度降低以确定气流中的蒸气的浓度。 这种传感器的示例具有热电偶结,其具有穿过热电偶结的微孔。

    Rotary encoder for intravascular ultrasound catheter
    6.
    发明授权
    Rotary encoder for intravascular ultrasound catheter 失效
    旋转编码器用于血管内超声导管

    公开(公告)号:US5485845A

    公开(公告)日:1996-01-23

    申请号:US434616

    申请日:1995-05-04

    摘要: An ultrasound system and method for intravascular ultrasonic imaging includes an array of beacons that are fixed to direct ultrasonic energy toward an imaging transducer, with individual beacons being identifiable in order to determine the angular position of the imaging transducer. Based upon the data related to beacon identification, operation of the imaging device is adaptively adjusted in order to compensate for variations in angular velocity of the transducer. Adaptive compensation may be performed by adjusting the pulse repetition rate of transmitted ultrasonic energy, by adjusting the scan conversion algorithm or mapping reflected ultrasonic energy, or by varying control of the drive structure for rotating the transducer. The beacons are preferably piezoelectrically active, but passive beacons may also be used. Position identification may be performed by techniques including amplitude sensing, phase sensing, pulse length sensing, and frequency sensing. As an alternative to rotation of the transducer, ultrasonic signals may be formed at a proximal end of a probe and then conducting the energy to the distal end via a waveguide.

    摘要翻译: 用于血管内超声成像的超声系统和方法包括固定以朝向成像换能器直接超声能量的信标阵列,其中各个信标是可识别的,以便确定成像换能器的角位置。 基于与信标识别相关的数据,自适应地调整成像装置的操作,以补偿换能器的角速度的变化。 可以通过调整扫描转换算法或映射反射的超声能量,或者通过改变用于旋转传感器的驱动结构的控制来调节发射的超声能量的脉冲重复率来执行自适应补偿。 信标优选地是压电有源的,但也可以使用被动信标。 可以通过包括幅度感测,相位感测,脉冲长度感测和频率感测的技术来执行位置识别。 作为换能器旋转的替代方案,可以在探针的近端处形成超声波信号,然后经由波导将能量传导到远端。

    Elevation aperture control of an ultrasonic transducer
    7.
    发明授权
    Elevation aperture control of an ultrasonic transducer 失效
    超声波换能器的高程孔径控制

    公开(公告)号:US5396143A

    公开(公告)日:1995-03-07

    申请号:US246593

    申请日:1994-05-20

    CPC分类号: B06B1/06 B06B1/0622 H04R17/08

    摘要: An ultrasonic transducer for controlling an elevation aperture utilizes the electric field-induced polarization properties of relaxor ferroelectric materials. The Curie temperature of the material is typically close to room temperature, so that the application of a bias voltage provides piezoelectric activity. By varying the thickness of a dielectric layer that spaces apart the relaxor ferroelectric material from an electrode or providing the bias voltage, the piezoelectric activity can be tailored. That is, degrees of polarization of the relaxor ferroelectric material are varied spatially in correspondence with changes in thickness of the dielectric layer. The effective elevation aperture of the transducer can be varied by adjusting the bias voltage.

    摘要翻译: 用于控制仰角孔的超声换能器利用了弛豫铁电材料的电场诱导极化特性。 材料的居里温度通常接近室温,因此施加偏置电压提供压电活性。 通过改变将弛豫铁电体材料与电极隔开或提供偏置电压的电介质层的厚度,可以调整压电活性。 也就是说,弛豫铁电材料的偏振度根据电介质层的厚度的变化在空间上变化。 可以通过调整偏置电压来改变传感器的有效仰角孔径。

    Electrical impedance normalization for an ultrasonic transducer array
    10.
    发明授权
    Electrical impedance normalization for an ultrasonic transducer array 失效
    超声换能器阵列的电阻抗归一化

    公开(公告)号:US5381067A

    公开(公告)日:1995-01-10

    申请号:US29212

    申请日:1993-03-10

    IPC分类号: B06B1/06 H01L41/08

    CPC分类号: B06B1/0622

    摘要: A two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array includes a plurality of transducer elements, with each element having a plurality of piezoelectric layers. The transducer elements vary in transverse areas of radiating regions. The effect of the variations in transverse areas on the electrical impedances of the elements is at least partially offset by varying the specific impedance, i.e., impedance per unit area, of the transducer elements in the array. In a preferred embodiment, the specific impedance is varied by selecting the electrical arrangements of piezoelectric layers in each element according to the transverse area of the element. Series, parallel and series-parallel arrangements are employed. This impedance normalization improves the electrical connection of the transducer elements to driving circuitry. In alternative embodiments, impedance normalization is achieved by varying element thicknesses, element materials and/or degrees of poling across the two-dimensional array.

    摘要翻译: 二维超声换能器阵列包括多个换能器元件,每个元件具有多个压电层。 换能器元件在辐射区域的横向区域中变化。 通过改变阵列中的换能器元件的特定阻抗,即单位面积的阻抗,至少部分地抵消横向区域中的变化对元件的电阻的影响。 在优选实施例中,通过根据元件的横向区域选择每个元件中的压电层的电气布置来改变特定阻抗。 采用串联,并联和串并联装置。 该阻抗归一化改善了换能器元件与驱动电路的电连接。 在替代实施例中,通过改变元件厚度,元件材料和/或穿过二维阵列的极化程度来实现阻抗归一化。