Abstract

An ultrasonic scanner has a housing, an ultrasonic transducer mounted within the housing for back-and-forth motion about a pivot, a permanent magnet affixed to the rear of the transducer, and electromagnetic means to effect movement of the transducer/magnet assembly. The electromagnetic means comprises two or more longitudinally mounted electromagnets, and optionally two radially mounted permanent magnets which serve as decelerating buffers. Electrical means are provided for energizing the transducer and receiving signals therefrom. Digitizing means are provided to convert the received signals to digital form. Sequential control means are provided to energize the electromagnet coils in a programmed sequence, and furthermore to synchronize transducer motion, periodic energization of the transducer, and digitization of signals received from the transducer. Display means are provided to present the signals received by the transducer to an operator, in the form of a time-varying tomographic image. More generally, a scanning device is provided having electromagnets co-acting with a permanent magnet mounted on a rocker, and coupled with a source and detector for high energy signals, so that a sweeping motion of the rocker can be effected, and an image of the target tissue may be reconstructed.