Method of manufacture of catheter tips, including mechanically scanning ultrasound probe catheter tip, and apparatus made by the method

A method to fabricate a catheter tip encapsulating a mechanically actuated ultrasound transducer assembly, the method comprising:

• providing an ultrasound transducer assembly adapted for use with a catheter, the ultrasound transducer assembly comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a drive linkage to an actuator, and a transducer array, the transducer array electrically connected to an interconnect adapted for passage to or through a body of the catheter;
• connecting the actuator, adapted for use with the ultrasound transducer assembly, to the drive linkage;
• inserting the ultrasound transducer assembly and the actuator into a rigid capsule comprising a hollow body, an open proximal end adapted for connecting to the catheter, and an acoustic window along the hollow body;
• and
• inserting the rigid capsule into a polymer sheath comprising an acoustically transparent section, a closed end at its distal end and an open end at its proximal end.

A method to fabricate a catheter tip encapsulating a mechanically actuated ultrasound transducer assembly, the method comprising:

• providing an ultrasound transducer assembly adapted for use with a catheter, the ultrasound transducer assembly comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a drive linkage to an actuator, and a transducer array, the transducer array electrically connected to an interconnect adapted for passage to or through a body of the catheter;
• connecting the actuator, adapted for use with the ultrasound transducer assembly, to the drive linkage;
• and
• inserting the ultrasound transducer assembly and the actuator into a polymer or a plastic type or reinforced polymer sheath comprising an acoustically transparent section, a closed end at its distal end and an open end at its proximal end, wherein the polymer sheath provides a defined rigidity.

A method to fabricate a catheter comprising:

• assembling a catheter tip comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and an interconnect of a length sufficient to pass through a specified catheter body;
• passing a free end of the interconnect through the specified catheter body;
• and
• attaching the catheter tip proximal end to the catheter body.