US 4,977,655 AGranted

Method of making a transducer

AssigneeIntra-Sonix, Inc.

InventorMichael A. Martinelli

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A miniature transducer designed for use in a medical imaging system catheter probe is disclosed. The transducer has an electric cavity and coaxial construction for preventing electric fields from being emitted or received by the transducers. The construction of the transducer enables two to be mounted very close to one another on a thin catheter probe, one for transmitting acoustic pulses and the other for sensing echoes in response to the acoustic pulses, for imaging extremely close targets. The transducers can be secured to the catheter probe in such a way as to substantially acoustically isolate one from the other. A method of making the transducer by applying several electrically-conductive and insulating coatings and layers to a core in selected sequence so as to create a transducer having an electrical cavity, coaxial construction.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method of making a transducer of the type including (a) a substrate having a first surface for supporting a piezoelectric device including a sheet of piezoelectric material, and (b) a coaxial line having an inner and outer conductor for providing a potential to opposite sides of said sheet of piezoelectric material, said method comprising the steps of:

mounting said sheet of piezoelectric material on said first surface of said substrate so that one side of said sheet and said first surface mutually confront one another;
electrically coupling the center conductor of said coaxial line to said one side of said sheet;
encasing the entire substrate, except for said first surface, with a first layer of an electrically insulative material so that said first layer is attached to said substrate;
and
applying a second layer of electrically conductive material so as to (1) attach said second layer to said first layer of electrically insulative material so as to cover said first layer, (2) form an electrical path between the outer conductor of said coaxial line and the other side of said sheet of piezoelectric material and (3) completely encase said substrate and said sheet of piezoelectric material in an electrically conductive material so that said substrate and sheet are electrically shielded.

2 more elements

A method of making a transducer of the type including a substrate having top, bottom, and side surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a first layer of electrically conductive material to said top surface and at least a portion of one of said side surfaces such that an electrical path is provided through said first layer between said top and said one side surface;
attaching a sheet of piezoelectric material to said top surface such that said first layer is in electrical contact with one side of said sheet;
electrically connecting a first electrically conductive wire to said first layer applied to said one side surface;
applying a layer of electrically insulative material over said first wire and said side and bottom surfaces;
wrapping a second electrically conductive wire around said layer of electrically insulative material on said first wire;
coating at least said
(a) second wire, and
(b) said layer of insulative material on said first wire, and said bottom and side surfaces,
with a second layer of electrically-conductive material so that said second layer is electrically connected to the other side of said sheet of piezoelectric material as to totally encase said substrate, said sheet of piezoelectric material and said core wire in electrically conductive material.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/340,383Filed 18 Apr 1989 · division
Priority: 25 Apr 1986
Granted: 18 Dec 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A61B 8/12
Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
A61B 5/062
Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing…
A61B 8/0833
Clinical applications: involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
A61B 8/4254
Involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient: using sensors mounted on the…

Family

Serial856,621Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 25 Apr 1986
Serial129,830Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 8 Dec 1987
Serial151,394Parent of this division · filed 2 Feb 1988
US 4,821,731 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 4,977,655 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.