Ultrasound transducer assembly
AssigneeEndosonics Corporation
InventorsMichael J. Eberle, Gary P. Rizzuti, Horst F. Kiepen
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Abstract
An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuit of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.
Claims16
A method of making an ultrasound transducer assembly, said method comprising the steps of:
- manufacturing a planar sheet comprising a set of ultrasound transducer elements and a substrate;
- reshaping the planar sheet into a substantially cylindrical shape;
- and
- bonding the planar sheet to a substantially cylindrical backing material.
A method of making an imaging catheter, comprising the steps of:
- forming a catheter shaft;
- attaching an ultrasound transducer assembly to the catheter shaft, the ultrasound transducer assembly formed by the steps of:
- manufacturing a planar sheet comprising a set of transducer elements and a substrate;
- reshaping the planar sheet into a substantially cylindrical shape;
- and
- bonding the planar sheet to a substantially cylindrical backing material.
An ultrasound transducer assembly comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer array including a set of ultrasound transducer elements;
- a substrate layer comprising a pliable sheet material formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, the substrate layer providing a platform to which the ultrasound transducer elements are fixed;
- and
- the substantially cylindrical shaped substrate layer is bonded to a substantially cylindrical backing material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.