Backing with integrated ground and signal conductors for an ultrasound transducer
AssigneeSiemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
InventorsKyungHo Lee, YoungShin Kim, SeungHee Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
For ultrasound transducers, signal lines and ground lines are integrated as part of the backing block. In one approach, a groove extending only partly into the backing block is filled to provide the ground path. The intervening layers (e.g., flexible circuit) between the transducer elements and backing block are replaced by the integrated signal and ground lines, so there is less energy loss and greater contrast resolution.
Claims20
A transducer array system comprising:
- an array of transducer elements;
- and
- a backing comprising acoustic energy attenuating material, a ground conductor integrated with the acoustic energy attenuating material, and signal conductors integrated with the acoustic energy attenuating material, the ground conductor and signal conductors connected with the array.
A backing for an ultrasound transducer, the backing comprising:
- a block of acoustic attenuating material;
- a ground conductor in a first groove of the block;
- and
- a plurality of signal conductors in the block.
A method for forming a backing for an acoustic transducer, the method comprising:
- forming a groove in acoustic attenuating material;
- depositing a first conductor in the groove;
- connecting a ground path to the first conductor;
- forming signal lines in the acoustic attenuating material, the signal lines separate from the first conductor;
- and
- connecting signal paths to the signal lines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.