Method for manufacturing a high resolution intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible substrate
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating an intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly comprising a flexible circuit, integrated circuitry, and a set of transducer elements, the method comprising the steps:
- fabricating the flexible circuit comprising a flexible substrate and a set of electrically conductive lines formed on the flexible substrate;
fabricating a transducer sheet comprising a transducer material, 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;
attaching the transducer sheet to the flexible circuit while the flexible circuit is in a substantially flat shape such that the first contact point and second contact point connect to the electrically conductive lines on the flexible circuit; and
re-shaping the flexible circuit into a substantially non-flat shape such that the ultrasound transducer assembly has a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein a diameter of the substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer assembly is between about 0.3 to 5.0 millimeters, thereby enabling intravascular use.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Several methods for fabricating an ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible circuit are provided. 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.
128 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method for fabricating an intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly comprising a flexible circuit, integrated circuitry, and a set of transducer elements, the method comprising the steps:
-
fabricating the flexible circuit comprising a flexible substrate and a set of electrically conductive lines formed on the flexible substrate;
fabricating a transducer sheet comprising a transducer material, 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;
attaching the transducer sheet to the flexible circuit while the flexible circuit is in a substantially flat shape such that the first contact point and second contact point connect to the electrically conductive lines on the flexible circuit; and
re-shaping the flexible circuit into a substantially non-flat shape such that the ultrasound transducer assembly has a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein a diameter of the substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer assembly is between about 0.3 to 5.0 millimeters, thereby enabling intravascular use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification