# US 2014/0194723 A1 · Multi-layer coating for optoacoustic probe

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- Number: US 2014/0194723 A1
- Document ID: US20140194723A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/153,771
- Filed: 2014-01-13
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2011-11-02
- Applicants: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
- Inventors: Donald G. Herzog; William Ackerman; Justin Casas
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194723A1

## CPC

- A61B 5/0095: {by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements}
- A61B 5/0035: {adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography}
- A61B 5/14542: {for measuring blood gases (A61B5/14551 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/7425: {Displaying combinations of multiple images regardless of image source, e.g. displaying a reference anatomical image with a live image}
- A61B 8/0825: {for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography}
- A61B 8/4281: {characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue}
- A61B 8/4416: {related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions}
- A61B 8/5261: {combining images from different diagnostic modalities, e.g. ultrasound and X-ray}
- A61B 2560/0228: using calibration standards
- A61B 2560/0266: for monitoring or limiting apparatus function
- A61B 2562/221: Arrangements of sensors with cables or leads, e.g. cable harnesses
- A61B 2562/223: Optical cables therefor
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Disclosed is an optoacoustic probe with a coated transducer assembly. The probe includes a transducer assembly with a multi-layer coating on the active end thereof. The multi-layer coating includes a layer of parylene and at least two layers of metal. In an embodiment, the multi-layer coating includes a layer of nickel, at least one layer of parylene, and a layer of gold.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optoacoustic probe with a coated transducer assembly, the probe comprising:
a transducer assembly having an active end, the transducer assembly comprising a plurality of transducer elements;
a multi-layer coating on the active end of the transducer assembly, the multi-layer coating comprising at least one layer of parylene, and at least two layers of metal; and
a housing having a distal end and housing the transducer assembly and a plurality of other components, at least one of the housing and one or more of the plurality of other components securing the transducer assembly such that the active end of the transducer assembly is at the distal end of the housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The optoacoustic probe claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-layer coating on the active end of the transducer assembly comprises:
a layer of nickel, the layer of nickel being one of the at least two layers of metal; and
a first layer of parylene, the first layer of parylene being one of the at least one layer of parylene; and
a layer of gold, the layer of gold being one of the at least two layers of metal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The optoacoustic probe claimed in claim 2, wherein the multi-layer coating on the active end of the transducer assembly further comprises:
a second layer of parylene, the second layer of parylene being another one of the at least one layer of parylene.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The optoacoustic probe claimed in claim 2, wherein the first layer of parylene is over the layer of nickel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The optoacoustic probe claimed in claim 4, wherein the layer of gold is over the first layer of parylene.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The optoacoustic probe claimed in claim 5, wherein the wherein the multi-layer coating on the active end of the transducer assembly further comprises:
a second layer of parylene, the second layer of parylene being another one of the at least one layer of parylene.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The optoacoustic probe claimed in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the multi-layer coating is mechanically secured by at least one of the housing and one or more of the plurality of other components to prevent curling or peeling.

### Claim 8

A multi-layer coating for an acoustically coupling portion of an optoacoustic probe, the multi-layer coating comprising a layer of nickel, at least one layer of parylene, and a layer of gold.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one layer of parylene, the layer of nickel and the layer of gold of the multi-layer coating are coated in the order: the layer of nickel, one of the at least one layer of parylene and the layer of gold.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 9, wherein the layer of nickel, the one of the at least one layer of parylene, and the layer of gold are adjacent to one-another.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 9, wherein
a transducer assembly having an outer surface forms at least a portion of the acoustically coupling portion of the handheld probe,
the outer surface of the transducer assembly comprises RTV silicon rubber; and
the one of the at least one layer of parylene is adjacent to the outer surface of the transducer assembly.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 11, wherein the RTV silicon rubber is doped with TiO2.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 11, wherein the RTV silicon rubber is doped with approximately 4% TiO2.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 8, wherein the layer of nickel, the at least one layer of parylene, and the layer of gold of the multi-layer coating are coated in the order: the layer of nickel, one of the at least one layer of parylene, the layer of gold and one more layer of the at least one layer of parylene.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 14, wherein the layer of nickel, one of the at least one layer of parylene, the layer of gold and one more layer of the at least one layer of parylene are adjacent to one-another.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 14, wherein
a transducer assembly having an outer surface forms at least a portion of the acoustically coupling portion of the handheld probe,
the outer surface of the transducer assembly comprises RTV silicon rubber; and
the one of the at least one layer of parylene is adjacent to the outer surface of the transducer assembly.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 16, wherein the RTV silicon rubber is doped with TiO2.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The multi-layer coating claimed in claim 16, wherein the RTV silicon rubber is doped with approximately 4% TiO2.

### Claim 19

A method of providing a durable gold coating to an RTV silicon rubber acoustic lens, the method comprising the steps of:
coating the acoustic lens with a first continuous layer;
coating the first continuous layer with a second continuous layer; and
coating the second continuous layer with a layer of gold;
wherein the first continuous layer is selected from the group consisting of: parylene and nickel.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the first continuous layer is nickel and the second continuous layer is parylene.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of coating the layer of gold with an outer layer of parylene.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, wherein the first continuous layer is nickel and the second continuous layer is parylene.