Flexible printed circuit board device for interfacing high density ultrasound matrix array transducer with integrated circuits

A flexible printed circuit board comprising:

• a plurality of central portions;
• one or more tabs extending from each of the plurality of central portions and between adjacent central portions, each of the one or more tabs foldable relative to the central portion from which the one or more tabs extend and such that, upon folding the flexible printed circuit board at the tabs, adjacent central portions can be positioned immediately adjacent to each other within the same plane;
• a plurality of pads located within each of the plurality of central portions;
• lands located within one of the one or more tabs;
• electrical traces connecting the plurality of pads and the lands;
• wherein the pads of adjacent central portions collectively connect to a high density ultrasound matrix array transducer.

A method of manufacturing an electronics assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a flexible folding substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the substrate including
• a plurality of central portions,
• hinge portions extending between adjacent central portions, and
• one or more tabs extending from each of the plurality of central portions,
• a plurality of pads positioned on the first surface of the substrate and on the second surface of the substrate, each pad located within one of the plurality of central portions of the substrate,
• vias extending through the substrate and electrically connecting one of the plurality of pads positioned on the first surface of the substrate to one of the plurality of pads positioned on the second surface of the substrate,
• lands positioned on the first surface of the substrate, each land located within one of the one or more tabs of the substrate, and
• electrical traces connecting the plurality of pads and the lands;
• folding the substrate at each hinge portion such that the adjacent central portions are vertically stacked and the pads of adjacent central portions are electrically connected;
• and
• folding each of the tabs relative to the central portion from which the one or more tabs extend.