Machined tilt transducer and methods of making
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsDavid A. White, Donald S. Mamayek, Richard A. Bautista
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging assembly (80) includes a housing (82) having a longitudinal axis (88), a proximal end (86), and a distal ending (84) defining a receptacle (90). The imaging assembly includes a transducer package (60) having a central axis (62) and an imaging surface (66) positioned at a desired angle (106) relative to the central axis. The transducer package is at least partially disposed within the receptacle so that the central axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Such a configuration permits a relatively large percentage of the ultrasound signal to pass through a sheath (120) surrounding the imaging assembly and reduces assembly-to-assembly variations.
Claims19
A method of making an ultrasound imaging assembly comprising the steps of:
- providing a first transducer package having an imaging surface;
- providing a cutting device;
- positioning said first transducer package so that said imaging surface is at a desired angle relative to said cutting device;
- cutting said first transducer package with said cutting device to form a second transducer package having a central axis, said central axis at said desired angle relative to said imaging surface;
- providing a housing having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, said distal end defining a receptacle;
- and
- positioning said second transducer package to be at least partially disposed within said receptacle so that said central axis is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer package comprising:
- providing a transducer element having first and second electrodes operably attached to first and second surfaces of said transducer element, respectively;
- operably attaching a matching layer to said first electrode;
- operably attaching a backing material to said second electrode;
- aligning a laser over a desired region of said matching layer;
- and
- ablating said desired region with said laser until a portion of said first electrode is visible.
- wherein said ablating comprises operating said laser for a desired number of pulses at a power level sufficient to ablate said matching layer and insufficient to ablate said electrode.
A method of making an ultrasound imaging assembly comprising:
- providing a first transducer package having an imaging surface;
- providing a cutting device;
- positioning said first transducer package so that said imaging surface is at a desired angle relative to said cutting device;
- cutting said first transducer package with said cutting device to form a second transducer package having a central axis, said central axis at said desired angle relative to said imaging surface;
- providing a housing having a longitudinal axis;
- and
- mounting said second transducer package to said housing so that said central axis is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.