United States Patent [w]
Barthe et al.
US006036646A [ii] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:
[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING
[75] Inventors: Peter G. Barthe, Phoenix; Michael H. Slayton, Tempe, both of Ariz.
[73] Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems, Inc., Mesa, Ariz.
[21] Appl. No.: 09/113,227 [22] Filed: Jul. 10, 1998
[51] Int. C I. A61B 8/14
[52] U.S. CI 600/459; 600/443; 128/916
[58] Field of Search 128/916; 600/439,
600/443, 444, 446, 459, 463
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,070,879 12/1991 Herres 128/660.08
5,088,495 2/1992 Miyagawa 600/446
5,159,931 11/1992 Pini 128/660.07
5,417,216 5/1995 Tanaka 128/660.1
5,662,116 9/1997 Kondo 128/662.06
Primary Examiner—Marvin M. Lateer
Assistant Examiner—Ali M. Imam
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Laura J. Zeman; Snell & Wilmer,
L.L.P.
[57] ABSTRACT
A method and apparatus for medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging that utilizes a one, one and one-half or two dimensional scanhead for performing three dimensional imaging. The method and apparatus limits acoustic reverberations by swinging or rotating an array of ultrasound transducer elements about the longitudinal axis of the probe of an ultrasound transducer apparatus to enable the transducers to maintain a constant and concentric position with the acoustic membrane of the probe.
23 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
