METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A MEMBRANE AND OBJECT PROVIDED WITH SUCH A MEMBRANE

• US 20100109480A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ultrazonix DNT AB (BONESUPPORT HOLDING AB)
• Original Assignee: Ultrazonix DNT AB (BONESUPPORT HOLDING AB)
• Inventors: Forslund, Carina, Olsson, Thord, Lidgren, Lars
• Application Number:
  US12/520,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20100109480A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/334
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2253 using a coupling gel or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/546 involving monitoring or regulation of device temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a membrane or wall (3) of a material, which is capable of vapour/vacuum deposition, over an opening of an object (2). The method includes: placing the opening with a defined rim against a backing surface (4) coated with a layer (5) repellent to the depositable material; depositing of the depositable material on the object (2) and the backing surface (4) to form an element; separation of the element from the hacking surface (4) leaving a membrane (3) integral with the element. The invention also relates to such an object provided with a membrane (3), and particularly an ultrasonic transducer (11) provided with a front membrane (3).

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a membrane of a depositable material at an opening of an object, which comprises

placing the opening with a defined rim against a backing surface coated with a layer repellent to the depositable material;

depositing of the depositable material on the object and the backing surface to form an element; and

separation of the element from the backing surface leaving a membrane integral with the element.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the element is separated from the backing surface by cutting the deposited material around the opening, and pulling the object with the element from the backing surface.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one hole is manufactured in the element by arranging a recess in the rim, placing the recess against the backing surface, so that the depositable material is deposited on surfaces of the recess and the backing surface, leaving a hole in the element adjacent the membrane after the separation.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the depositable material is deposited by means of vacuum deposition.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the depositable material is Parylene.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the repellent layer comprises a wax coating.

14. A method according to claim 2, wherein at least one hole is manufactured in the element by arranging a recess in the rim, placing the recess against the backing surface, so that the depositable material is deposited on surfaces of the recess and the backing surface, leaving a hole in the element adjacent the membrane after the separation.

15. A method according to claim 2, wherein the depositable material is deposited by means of vacuum deposition.

16. A method according to claim 3, wherein the depositable material is deposited by means of vacuum deposition.

17. A method according to claim 5, wherein the repellent layer comprises a wax coating.

7. An object comprising at least one opening and a membrane of a depositable material arranged to cover said at least one, the membrane being attached to a defined rim of the opening and said membrane being integral at said defined rim with a continuous element of the depositable material deposited on and covering the object, so as to form a chamber with the deposited material.

8. An object according to claim 7, comprising at least one hole manufactured in the element adjacent the membrane wherein the edges of the hole are defined by depositable material deposited on surfaces of the recess provided in the rim and by the membrane.

9. An object according to claim 7, wherein the depositable material is Parylene.

10. An object according to claim 8, wherein the object is an ultrasonic transducer.

11. An object according to claim 10, wherein the membrane forms a front wall of a chamber arranged between an ultrasonic crystal and said wall.

12. An object according to claim 10, wherein the membrane has a thickness in the range of 20 to 30 micrometers.

13. An object according to claim 11, further comprising a conduit for conducting cooling fluid into said chamber.

18. An object according to claim 8, wherein the depositable material is Parylene.

19. An object according to claim 9, wherein the object is an ultrasonic transducer.

20. An object according to claim 12, further comprising a conduit for conducting cooling fluid into said chamber.