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US 12,201,024 B2Granted
Methods for forming an invasive deployable transducer using shape memory polymer
AssigneeGE Precision Healthcare LLC
InventorsEdouard Da Cruz, Giandonato Stallone, Flavien Daloz
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Abstract
Various methods and systems are provided for a transducer for a deployable catheter. In one example, a method for forming the transducer includes coupling an acoustic stack to a shape memory material while in a planar configuration to form a transducer and exposing the shape memory material to a curling stimulus to adjust the transducer to a curved configuration.
Claims17
A method for forming a transducer, comprising:
- forming a shape memory polymer (SMP) from a powder mixture of silicon and tungsten that is mixed into a matrix of an acrylic resin;
- exposing the SMP to a straightening stimulus to adjust the SMP to a planar configuration;
- coupling a first acoustic stack and a second acoustic stack to opposites ends of the SMP, while in the planar configuration to form the transducer;
- and
- exposing the SMP to a curling stimulus to adjust the SMP to a curved configuration and the transducer to a folded configuration;
- wherein the straightening stimulus includes a physical stimulus or a chemical stimulus;
- wherein the curling stimulus is a stimulus that the transducer is not exposed to within a patient;
- and
- wherein the straightening stimulus is of a different type than the curling stimulus.
6 more elements
A transducer for a deployable catheter, comprising:
- an acoustic stack coupled to a shape memory polymer (SMP), the SMP configured to transition between a first configuration in response to a first stimulus and a second configuration in response to a second stimulus, the second stimulus being of a different type than the first stimulus, wherein the first stimulus includes a physical stimulus or a chemical stimulus, wherein the second stimulus is a stimulus that the transducer is not exposed to within a patient, and wherein the SMP is formed of a powder mixture of silicone and tungsten that is mixed into a matrix of an acrylic resin,
- wherein the acoustic stack is divided into a first array and a second array and the SMP is arranged between the first array and the second array, each of opposite ends of the SMP being coupled to an inner edge of the first array and the second array, respectively.
A method for fabricating a transducer, comprising:
- adjusting a shape memory polymer (SMP) to a planar configuration by exposing the SMP to a first stimulus, wherein the first stimulus includes a physical stimulus or a chemical stimulus;
- laminating transducer components to the SMP while in the planar configuration;
- dicing the transducer components;
- and
- adjusting the SMP to a curved configuration by exposing the SMP to a second stimulus to form the transducer with a wide field of view, wherein the second stimulus is a stimulus that the transducer is not exposed to within a patient, and wherein the second stimulus is different from the first stimulus,
- wherein the transducer is divided into a first array and a second array, and the SMP is arranged between the first array and the second array, each of opposite ends of the SMP being coupled to an inner edge of the first array and the second array, respectively, and
- wherein the SMP is formed of a powder mixture of silicone and tungsten that is mixed into a matrix of an acrylic resin.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.