An ultrasound wattmeter for measuring the magnitude of energy radiated by a therapeutic ultrasound applicator includes a sealed, oil-filled housing within which a float assembly is suspended. The float assembly includes an ultrasound reflective float as well as a coil and a vane supported by the float. The float assembly assumes a null position in the absence of ultrasonic radiation. A window in the housing permits the application of ultrasonic energy from the applicator to the float for urging the float assembly in one direction from the null position. A magnet mounted on the housing adjacent the coil urges the float assembly in the opposite direction in response to energization of the coil. A light source and a light responsive device are located adjacent the vane for providing a position signal corresponding to the position of the float assembly. An energization circuit energizes the coil in response to variations in the position signal in order to maintain the float assembly in its null position, and a meter coupled to the energization circuit provides an indication of the coil energization level which also is an indication of the ultrasonic energy radiated by the applicator.
A cylindrical test object for use in calibrating an ultrasonic bone analyzer has opposing ends that each contain a transducer seat optimized to allow intimate acoustic contact in spite of mechanical errors such as might be encountered in a scanning system. The test object is made of material having known ultrasonic characteristics. When opposing transducers are placed in the test object transducer seats, the test object is lifted off the holder and is free to rotate and translate over sufficient range to compensate for variances in the relative positions of the transducers. The shapes of the transducer ends and transducer seats are chosen to allow intimate acoustic contact in spite of any such translation or rotation. The test object may be a solid or a liquid encased in a solid.
Apparatus for measuring the power of radiation that includes float means (16) and force balancing means (48, 50, 60, 80). The float means includes a target (46) for the radiation and is constructed such that the net gravitational force, including buoyancy force, if any, acting on the float means tends to accelerate the float means in a first direction. The force balancing means includes drive means (80) for providing a drive signal and means (50) responsive to the drive signal for exerting a balancing force on the float means in a second direction opposite the first direction, such that the magnitude of the balancing force corresponds to a characteristic of the drive signal. The drive means is adapted to vary such characteristic of the drive signal, to thereby vary the balancing force, such that when the drive signal is controlled so as to cause the float means to be suspended at a predetermined height, the characteristic of the drive signal provides a measure of the force exerted on a target as a result of the radiation striking the target, and therefore of the power of the radiation. The float means preferably comprises a magnetic material (48) and the force balancing means comprises an electromagnet (50). The apparatus may directly measures the force of acoustical or electromagnetic radiation on the target, or may measure the change in buoyancy of the target caused by electromagnetic radiation heating and changing the density of the target.
