US 12,727,858 B2 · Planar linear array for ultrasound

Abstract

An ultrasound transducer includes a planar linear array stack. The stack includes a lens layer comprising an acoustic lens and a lens support structure, where a portion of the acoustic lens is secured to the lens support structure. The stack also includes a piezoelectric layer comprising a non-metallic frame and a piezoelectric material, the non-metallic frame surrounding the piezoelectric material on at least two sides, the non-metallic frame coupled to a portion of the lens support structure such that the acoustic lens and the non-metallic frame are oriented substantially parallel to each other. The transducer also includes an interposer frame to position one or more flex circuits, where the interposer frame is coupled to the non-metallic frame via a conductive element in the non-metallic frame and to the one or more flex circuits.

Claims32

Dependent claims

An ultrasound transducer, comprising:

a planar linear array stack, comprising:
a lens layer comprising an acoustic lens and a lens support structure, wherein a portion of the acoustic lens is secured to the lens support structure;
and
a piezoelectric layer comprising a non-metallic frame and a piezoelectric material, the non-metallic frame surrounding the piezoelectric material on at least two sides, the non-metallic frame coupled to a portion of the lens support structure such that the acoustic lens and the non-metallic frame are oriented substantially parallel to each other;
an interposer frame to position one or more flex circuits, wherein the interposer frame is coupled to the non-metallic frame via a conductive element in the non-metallic frame and to the one or more flex circuits;
and
the one or more flex circuits.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Planar linear array for ultrasound

Life of this patent

Planar linear array for ultrasound

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32