Reflex Longitudinal Imaging Using Through Sensor Insonification

Abstract

An ultrasonic reflex imaging device and a method are described. A device according to the invention may include a platen, a generator, and a receiver positioned between the platen and the generator. A backer may be positioned so that the insonification device is between the receiver array and the backer. The backer may be configured to absorb or delay energy that originated from the generator. The generator produces an energy pulse, which travels through the receiver and the platen to reach a biological object. Part of the energy pulse is reflected from the biological object. The reflected energy pulse travels through the platen to the detector. The detector converts the reflect energy pulse to electric signals, which are then interpreted to create an image of the biological object.

1 . An ultrasonic reflex imaging device comprising:
 a platen;   an insonification device; and,   an ultrasonic receiver array positioned between the platen and insonification device.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic receiver array is in physical contact with the platen. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , further comprising a backer positioned such that the insonification device is between the receiver array and the backer. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging device of  claim 3 , wherein the backer is configured to absorb acoustic signals. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging device of  claim 3 , wherein the backer is configured to delay acoustic signals. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the insonification device is a plane wave generator. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the platen is bonded to the receiver array. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver array is a thin film transistor array with a piezoelectric sensing layer. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver array is a CMOS array with a piezoelectric sensing layer. 
     
     
         10 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver array is a MEMS array with a piezoelectric sensing layer. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the platen is a plastic plate. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the platen includes an acoustic waveguide array. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the platen includes an acoustic microlens array. 
     
     
         14 . A method of capturing biometric information comprising:
 emitting at least one ultrasonic pulse from an insonification device, such that the pulse travels through a receiver array, before reaching a biological object;   detecting a portion of the ultrasonic pulse reflected from the biological object with the receiver array;   converting the reflected ultrasonic pulse to a plurality of electric charges;   processing the plurality of electric charges to assemble a digital image representation of the biological object.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the ultrasonic pulse also travels through a platen, before reaching the biological object.