Method for making a spiral array ultrasound transducer
AssigneeBiosense Webster, Inc.
InventorYaron Keidar
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for making an ablation transducer having a plurality of helical elements that can be operated out of phase to orient the acoustical energy beam forward or backward in the longitudinal direction. The transducers includes a cylindrical inner electrode, a cylindrical piezoelectric material disposed over the inner electrode, and a cylindrical outer electrode disposed over the cylindrical piezoelectric material. Spiral grooves are cut through at least the outer electrode separating the transducer into a plurality of functionally discrete helical transducer segments. The helical transducer segments can be operated independent from one another. An array of intertwined helical transducers arranged linearly along a helical axis are also contemplated.
Claims18
A method for making a piezoelectric transducer having a plurality of intertwined indivdual helical transducer segments from comprising:
- machining a ceramic material blank into a tubular configuration to form a ceramic tube;
- coating the ceramic tube with a metallic layer;
- machining helical grooves in the metal coated ceramic tube to form an inner electrode and a plurality of helically intertwined outer electrodes, each outer electrode having its own connection pad and electrical connection, and being associated with a functionally discrete transducer segment;
- and
- transforming the ceramic material forming the ceramic tube into a piezoelectric crystal.
A method for making a piezoelectric transducer having a plurality of intertwined individual helical transducer segments comprising:
- machining a ceramic material blank into a tubular configuration to form a ceramic tube;
- coating the ceramic tube with a metallic layer;
- machining helical grooves in the metal coated ceramic tube to form an inner electrode and a plurality of helically intertwined outer electrodes, each outer electrode being substantially electrically insulated from the immediately adjacent outer electrode;
- and
- transforming the ceramic material forming the ceramic tube into a piezoelectric crystal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.