Ultrasound transducer array having a flexible substrate
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Abstract
The present invention comprises methods for fabricating an ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible circuit. Preferably, the method comprises attaching an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry to the flexible circuit during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly while the flexible circuit is in a substantially flat shape. The contacts of the transducer elements are positioned on substantially the same plane such that electrical contact with signal and ground lines on the flexible circuit is established without the need for conductive bridges to physically remote electrodes.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1-22. -22. (canceled)
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23. An intravascular ultrasound catheter assembly comprising:
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a catheter;
an ultrasound transducer array including a set of ultrasound transducer elements arranged as a forward-firing array generally extending on a plane transverse to the catheter;
a flexible substrate material providing support for the set of ultrasound transducer elements;
integrated circuitry mounted proximate the ultrasound transducer array;
a set of electrically conductive lines formed on the flexible substrate; and
a signal electrode and a ground electrode, wherein a first contact point on the signal electrode and a second contact point on the ground electrode for each transducer element are arranged upon substantially a same physical plane.
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Specification