Biometrical object reader having an ultrasonic wave manipulation device
Devices and methods of creating an image of a biological object are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention there is a plane wave ultrasonic pulse generator, an ultrasonic wave manipulation device, an ultrasonic detector and an image generator. In a method according to the invention, a biological object is imaged by emitting an unfocussed ultrasonic energy wave front, reflecting at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy wave front from the object, altering a direction of the ultrasonic energy, detecting that energy, and using the detected energy to create an image of the object.
1. A biological object reader, comprising:
a plane wave ultrasonic pulse generator configured to produce an unfocussed ultrasonic energy wave directed at an object to be imaged;
an ultrasonic wave manipulation device, positioned to alter a direction of at least some of the ultrasonic energy that has been reflected by the object to be imaged;
an ultrasonic detector positioned to detect the reflected and altered ultrasonic energy; and
an image generator, configured to create an image of the object using the detected ultrasonic energy.
2. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the wave manipulation alters the direction of the ultrasonic energy so as to enlarge a footprint of the reflected ultrasonic energy.
3. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the wave manipulation device includes an ultrasonic lens.
4. The biological object reader of claim 1 , where the wave manipulation device includes an array of lenses.
5. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the wave manipulation device includes a first plano-concave lens and a second plano-concave lens.
6. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the wave manipulation device includes a first plano-convex lens and a second plano-convex lens.
7. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the wave manipulation device includes a concave-concave lens.
8. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the wave manipulation device includes a convex-convex lens.
9. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the wave manipulation device is an ultrasonic mirror.
10. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the wave manipulation device is partially reflective and partially transmissive.
11. The biological object reader of claim 10 , wherein the mirror is substantially flat.
12. The biological object reader of claim 10 , wherein the mirror is curved.
13. The biological object reader of claim 12 , wherein the mirror is ellipsoidal.
14. The biological object reader of claim 1 , wherein the pulse generator and the detector are oriented substantially at right angles to each other.
15. A method of imaging a biological object, comprising:
emitting an unfocussed ultrasonic energy plane-wave in the direction of an object to be imaged;
reflecting the ultrasonic energy with a biological object having a surface to be imaged;
manipulating the reflected ultrasonic energy so that a direction of the ultrasonic energy is altered;
detecting the reflected and altered ultrasonic energy;
creating an image of the surface using the detected ultrasonic energy.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the direction of the ultrasonic energy is altered by reflecting the ultrasonic energy.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the direction of the ultrasonic energy is altered by refracting the ultrasonic energy.