Diagnostic medical ultrasound systems and transducers utilizing micro-mechanical components
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A diagnostic medical ultrasound probe for use within a patient comprising:
- a housing, said housing being insertable into said patient; and
at least one array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements located in said housing, each of said plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element being coupled with at least one micro-mechanical component, said at least one micro-mechanical component being operative to manipulate said electrical signal.
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Abstract
The use of any micro-mechanical component in an ultrasound system is disclosed. In particular, the use of micro-mechanical ultrasound transducers, micro-relays, micro-switches and inductors in the transducer probe head, in the transducer connector, coupled with the system transducer connector(s) or anywhere else in the system. In an ultrasound system, micro-mechanical components such as micro-mechanical ultrasound transducers, micro-fabricated switches, relays and inductors permit impressive size reduction, cost reduction, signal-integrity enhancement and improved operational flexibility.
260 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A diagnostic medical ultrasound probe for use within a patient comprising:
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a housing, said housing being insertable into said patient; and
at least one array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements located in said housing, each of said plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element being coupled with at least one micro-mechanical component, said at least one micro-mechanical component being operative to manipulate said electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A catheter mounted transducer for use in an ultrasound system for medical imaging or therapy, said catheter mounted transducer comprising:
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at least one ultrasonic acoustic element, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy; and
at least one micro-mechanical component coupled with said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element and operative to manipulate said electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A transducer for use in an ultrasound system for medical imaging or therapy, said transducer comprising:
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a catheter;
at least one ultrasonic acoustic element mounted on said catheter, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element operative to transduce between an electrical signal and an acoustic energy; and
at least one micro-mechanical component coupled with said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element and operative to manipulate said electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A diagnostic medical ultrasound probe for use within a patient comprising:
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a housing, said housing being insertable into said patient; and
at least one array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic acoustic elements located in said housing, said at least one ultrasonic acoustic element comprising at least one micro-mechanical component;
wherein said housing further comprises a first end comprising a first working port and said at least one array and operative to be inserted into a subject, said first working port being located proximate to said at least one array, said housing further comprising a second end comprising a second working port coupled with said first working port through which an insertable device may be passed.
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Specification