Measuring and testing – Instrument proving or calibrating – Apparatus for measuring by use of vibration or apparatus for...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-17
2001-02-27
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Instrument proving or calibrating
Apparatus for measuring by use of vibration or apparatus for...
C073S001860, C073S866500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192735
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a three-dimensional position calibrator which is adapted to correct the three-dimensional position of a probe provided for equipment adapted to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave to detect an echography of an object under test.
2. Related Art
A probe an provided for an ultrasonic inspecting equipment and generating an ultrasonic wave is provided with a magnetic field receiver which receives a magnetic field generated by a magnetic transmitter in order to detect the three-dimensional spacial position coordinate. The magnetic field receiver is fixed to the probe with adhesive as a single unit. Hence, the magnetic field receiver mounting position is not constant, so that image data inputted to the computer is inaccurate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to provide a three-dimensional position calibrator, which utilizes an ultrasonic wave to provide correct image data.
The foregoing object has been achieved by the present invention, to calibrate a spatial position coordinate by receiving a magnetic field transmitted from a magnetic field transmitter with a magnetic field receiver mounted on a probe, there is provided a three-dimensional position calibrator comprising:
a calibrator on which said probe is mounted;
fixing means for fixedly positioning said probe at a predetermined position on the calibrator; and
positioning means for positioning said probe in triaxial directions different to one another.
When the calibrator of the present invention is used, a magnetic field receiver is attached on the probe. Next, the probe is fixed on a predetermined position of the calibrator by the positioning means in triaxial directions in turn. Thus, the spacial position of the magnetic field receiver is measured in each direction. Next, the relationship between the spacial position of the magnetic field receiver and an ultrasonic scanning surface scanned by the probe is obtained in view of the relationship between the spatial virtual center and the measured spacial positions of the magnetic field receiver.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the calibrator has a reference target, which is picked up by the probe as a spatial virtual center. When the calibrator is positioned in triaxial directions by the positioning means, the spatial virtual center is spatially matched in each direction.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the positioning means positions the calibrator in triaxial directions that are orthogonal to one another.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the calibrator includes an axis reference target for confirming whether or not the probe is positioned in a predetermined direction by ultrasonic image.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4430883 (1984-02-01), Auphan
patent: 4476549 (1984-10-01), Dragonette et al.
patent: 4567896 (1986-02-01), Barnea et al.
patent: 4660419 (1987-04-01), Derkacs et al.
patent: 5574212 (1996-11-01), Madsen et al.
patent: 5665893 (1997-09-01), Smith
patent: 5827942 (1997-10-01), Madsen et al.
TOMTEC Imaging Systems GmbH, Oct. 1996, Release 1.0, pp. 1-15, “Freehand Scanning Device Installation and Service Manual”.
Cygan Michael
Nihon Kohden Corporation
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
Williams Hezron
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