Dual element ultrasonic transducer probe for combined imaging of tissue structures and blood flow in real time

摘要

An ultrasonic probe for use in combined and time shared ultrasonic imaging of biological tissue structures together with blood velocity measurements and imaging of blood flow based on the Doppler principle, in which rapid changes of sweep movements of the probe between the respective imaging and measurement modes of operation are performed, said probe having two mechanically steerable ultrasonic beams, comprising: PPa linear motion electric drive motor having a stationary magnet means and a coil assembly which is linearly moveable with respect to said magnet means by the application of electric current to said coil assembly,PPtwo ultrasonic transducers for emitting respective ultrasonic beams and disposed to be pivotable around separate axes within separate angular sectors for sweeping the two ultrasonic beams within the two separate angular sectors, respectively, P Pmechanical coupling assembly for connecting the linear drive motor to the pivotable transducer elements, converting the linear motion of the motor coil assembly into a limited rotary motion of the transducers within said angular sectors,PPsaid mechanical coupling assembly comprising at least three pulleys mounted at a distance from each other, and at least one flexible pulling element trained about and rotatably connecting said at least three pulleys with each other, P Psaid ultrasonic transducers being each rotatably connected to a separate one of the pulleys, andPPsaid motor coil assembly being mechanically connected to said at least one pulling element at a portion thereof lying between two pulleys of said at least three pulleys, whereby reciprocating linear movement of the coil assembly causes said angular sweeping of the transducer elements.