Ultrasound transducer array
AssigneeQueen's University at Kingston
InventorsGeoffrey R. Lockwood, Christine E. Morton
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Abstract
This invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer array for non-destructive imaging and inspection of materials, suitable for applications such as bio-medical imaging. According to the invention, the transducer has at least one electrode comprising an array of electrode elements, wherein the elements are not separated by a grooves or kerfs. The grooveless transducer design simplifies transducer construction and permits very high operating frequencies, and hence very high resolution. In one embodiment suitable for producing real-time high resolution 3-dimension images, the invention provides a hybrid transducer comprising two opposed electrodes, one electrode being a grooveless linear array and the second electrode being a grooved linear phased array.
Claims24
A transducer for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasound energy, comprising:
- a hard substrate having first and second opposed faces;
- a first electrode disposed on said first face, said first electrode comprising an array of electrode elements;
- and
- a second electrode disposed on said second face;
- wherein said first electrode lacks grooves in said substrate between said electrode elements.
A method of producing a transducer for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasound energy, comprising:
- providing a hard substrate having first and second opposed faces;
- disposing a first electrode on said first face, said first electrode comprising an array of electrode elements;
- and
- disposing a second electrode on said second face;
- wherein said first electrode lacks grooves in the substrate between said electrode elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.