Ultrasound transducer with improved rigid backing
First Claim
1. In an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array,an improved backing upon which the transducer elements and electrodes are mounted comprisingrigid polymeric or polymer-coated particles fused into a macroscopically rigid structure having remnant tortuous permeability to provide high acoustic attenuation and to permit fluid passage into the structure.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasound transducer comprising an array of individual piezoelectric transducer elements mounted upon an improved backing comprising rigid polymeric or polymer-coated particles fused into a macroscopically rigid structure having remnant tortuous permeability to provide high acoustic attenuation and to permit fluid passage into the backing structure during fabrication.
98 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. In an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array,
an improved backing upon which the transducer elements and electrodes are mounted comprising rigid polymeric or polymer-coated particles fused into a macroscopically rigid structure having remnant tortuous permeability to provide high acoustic attenuation and to permit fluid passage into the structure.
-
9. The transducer of claim I further including kerfs filled with a lossy elastomeric or gel-like kerf-filling material permeated through the backing.
-
12. A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising:
fusing polymer coated particles by applying elevated pressure and temperature to produce direct fusion between particles with an improved backing. - View Dependent Claims (13)
-
14. A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising:
fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then exposing the compacted particles to a gaseous polymeric thin film deposition to cause fusion with an improved backing. - View Dependent Claims (15)
-
16. A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising:
fusing polymer coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then saturating said compacted particles with an epoxy or castable low-viscosity polymer to cause fusion with an improved backing.
-
17. A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising:
fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then welding the compacted particles with the aid of acoustic welding.
-
18. A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising:
fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then welding the compacted particles with the aid of solvent.
Specification