Diagnostic medical ultrasound systems and transducers utilizing micro-mechanical components
AssigneeAcuson Corporation
InventorsWilliam R. Dreschel, Terry Kling, John W. Sliwa, Stuart L. Carp
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Abstract
The use of any micro-mechanical component in an ultrasound system is disclosed. In particular, the use of micro-relays, micro-switches and inductors in the transducer probe head, in the transducer connector, coupled with the system transducer connector(s) or anywhere else in the system. In an ultrasound system, micro-mechanical components such as micro-fabricated switches, relays and inductors permit impressive size reduction, cost reduction, signal-integrity enhancement and improved operational flexibility.
Claims19
A medical diagnostic ultrasound method for operating a multiple element capacitive micro-mechanical ultrasound transducer (cMUT), the method comprising:
- (a) applying a direct current (DC) bias voltage to a multiple element electrostatic transducer array;
- and
- (b) varying the DC bias voltage as a function of transmit and receive operation.
An ultrasound transducer comprising:
- at least one micro-mechanical ultrasound element;
- and
- a voltage bias source operative to provide at least two different bias voltages to the micro-mechanical ultrasound element.
A medical diagnostic ultrasound method for operating a multiple element capacitive micro-mechanical ultrasound transducer (cMUT), the method comprising:
- (a) applying a direct current (DC) bias voltage independently for each of multiple elements of a multiple element electrostatic transducer array;
- and
- (b) applying aperture apodization as a function (a).
An ultrasound transducer comprising:
- an array of micro-mechanical ultrasound elements;
- and
- a voltage bias source operative to provide independent bias voltages to each of the micro-mechanical ultrasound elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.