System and method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe lens
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJIMMIE AUTREY BEACHAM, JESSICA LYNN ABRAHAM, BRIAN JOHN MASTERSON
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Abstract
A method includes the steps of measuring a surface profile of a first component, determining a profile of a second component, the profile of the second component being configured to correspond to the surface profile of the first component, and manufacturing the second component utilizing additive technology in accordance with the determined profile.
Claims22
A method for additive manufacturing, comprising the steps of:
- measuring a surface profile of a first component;
- determining a profile of a second component, the profile of the second component being configured to correspond to the surface profile of the first component;
- and
- manufacturing the second component utilizing additive technology in accordance with the determined profile.
A method of manufacturing a lens for an ultrasound probe, comprising the steps of:
- measuring a surface profile of an acoustic stack of the probe;
- calculating a profile for the lens;
- and
- printing the lens onto the acoustic stack in accordance with the calculated profile.
A system for manufacturing an ultrasound probe, comprising:
- a laser mapping device configured to measure a surface profile of a transducer of the probe;
- a data analyzer configured to receive surface profile data from the laser mapping device and to calculate a profile for an acoustic lens in dependence upon the surface profile data;
- and
- an additive printing device configured to print an acoustic lens on the transducer in accordance with the calculated profile.
A method of manufacturing a lens for an ultrasound probe, comprising the steps of:
- mapping a surface profile of a transducer of the ultrasound probe;
- determining a profile of the lens, the profile of the lens being configured to correspond to the surface profile of the transducer;
- manufacturing a mold having a mold profile corresponding to the determined profile of the lens;
- introducing a liquid material into the mold;
- submerging the transducer of the ultrasound probe in the liquid material;
- allowing the liquid material to cure to form the lens;
- and
- removing the ultrasound probe and lens from the mold.
A method of manufacturing a lens for an ultrasound probe, comprising the steps of:
- measuring a surface profile of a transducer of the ultrasound probe;
- determining a profile of the lens, the profile of the lens being configured to correspond to the surface profile of the transducer;
- printing the lens on a substrate utilizing additive technology in accordance with the determined profile;
- removing the substrate from the lens;
- tacking the lens to the transducer of the ultrasound probe;
- and
- over-molding the lens and the transducer with a curable material to bond the lens in place.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.