High frequency ultrasound transducers
AssigneeFujifilm Sonosite, Inc.
InventorsNicholas Christopher Chaggares, James Mehi
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Abstract
High frequency ultrasound transducers configured for use with photoacoustics systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an ultrasound transducer stack includes a transducer layer and an at least partially optically reflective lens layer. The lens can include a lens material doped with a plurality of optically reflective particles. In another embodiment, the transducer stack can further include a matching layer comprising a matrix material doped with a plurality of optically reflective particles. In a further embodiment, the transducer stack can include an optically reflective matching layer positioned proximate a front surface of an acoustic lens.
Claims38
An ultrasound transducer, comprising:
- an acoustically penetrable lens layer having a lower surface, wherein the lens layer is at least partially optically reflective;
- and
- a transducer layer underlying the lower surface of the lens layer, wherein the transducer layer is configured to receive ultrasound energy from a subject.
A photoacoustics system, comprising:
- a laser system configured to generate laser light pulses;
- one or more optical fibers configured to direct the laser light pulses toward a target;
- and
- an ultrasound transducer that includes—
- a first matching layer comprising a composite material that includes a matrix material and a powder, wherein the powder is at least partially optical reflective, and wherein the composite material is substantially acoustically transparent at frequencies greater than 15 MHz.
- a transducer layer underlying the first matching layer, wherein the transducer layer is configured to receive ultrasound energy at frequencies of 15 MHz or greater from a subject.
An ultrasound transducer, comprising:
- an acoustically penetrable lens layer having an upper surface;
- and
- a matching layer positioned proximate the upper surface of the lens layer, wherein the matching layer is substantially optically reflective.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.