A removable ultrasonic collimator for improving resolution.

Abstract

A removable ultrasonic collimator is described. It could be easily attached to a general purpose transducer to improve resolution on ultrasound study of superficial small organs. The collimator is made of a small central focusing lens, 6 mm in diameter, surrounded by air. The air insulates the peripheral portion of the transducer surface. ONLY THE CENTRAL ULTRASONIC BEAM WOULD BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE LENS. As a result, the ultrasonic beam is narrowed and the resolution is improved. Draw-back of the collimator is a reduction in the ultrasound intensity. However, it can be compensated for by increasing either the transducer output or system gain.