Acoustically transparent window for intraluminal ultrasound imaging device

Abstract

An intraluminal ultrasound imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient. An ultrasound imaging assembly is disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The ultrasound imaging assembly includes a plurality of acoustic elements and an acoustically-transparent window disposed over the plurality of acoustic elements. The acoustically-transparent window comprising a plurality of layers formed on top of one another. The plurality of layers includes an innermost layer directly contacting the plurality of acoustic elements, an outermost layer opposite the innermost layer, and an adhesive layer. The outermost layer includes a tubing. A hardness of the innermost layer is less than hardnesses of every other layer of the plurality of layers. A hardness of the outermost layer is greater than the hardnesses of every other layer of the plurality of layers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.