US 12,446,851 B2
Apparatus and method for detecting cavitations using through-transmission alveolar ultrasonography (TAU)
Johann Lechner, Muchen (DE); Stefan Falcke, Muchen (DE); and Bernd Zimmerman, Starnberg (DE)
Assigned to Johann Lechner, Muchen (DE)
Filed by Johann Lechner, Muchen (DE); Stefan Falcke, Muchen (DE); and Bernd Zimmerman, Starnberg (DE)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/488,310.
Application 18/488,310 is a continuation of application No. 16/772,021, granted, now 11,839,508, previously published as PCT/EP2018/084199, filed on Dec. 10, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0041426 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61B 8/08 (2006.01); A61B 8/15 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 8/0875 (2013.01) [A61B 8/15 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a measuring unit for performing through-transmission alveolar ultrasonography (TAU) for locating cavitations in a jawbone, wherein the measuring unit comprises:
an ultrasonic transducer; and
a round ultrasonic receiver, the system being configured to define the geometric position of the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic receiver with respect to each other, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is coupled to an arm and the ultrasonic receiver of the measuring unit is coupled to another arm, wherein the arms are connected to each other by a connecting element, and wherein at least one of the arms is pivotably coupled with the connecting element;
a semi-solid gel comprising a polymer being fixable between the ultrasonic transducer and/or the ultrasonic receiver and the jawbone for ensuring acoustical conductivity, wherein:
the polymer consists of a a styrenic block copolymer; and
the semi-solid gel has a sound velocity in a range of 1460 m/s to 1615 m/s.