Method for making a spiral array ultrasound transducer
First Claim
1. A method for making a piezoelectric transducer having a plurality of intertwined indivdual helical transducer segments from comprising:
- machining a ceramic material blank into a tubular configuration to form a ceramic tube;
coating the ceramic tube with a metallic layer;
machining helical grooves in the metal coated ceramic tube to form an inner electrode and a plurality of helically intertwined outer electrodes, each outer electrode having its own connection pad and electrical connection, and being associated with a functionally discrete transducer segment; and
transforming the ceramic material forming the ceramic tube into a piezoelectric crystal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for making an ablation transducer having a plurality of helical elements that can be operated out of phase to orient the acoustical energy beam forward or backward in the longitudinal direction. The transducers includes a cylindrical inner electrode, a cylindrical piezoelectric material disposed over the inner electrode, and a cylindrical outer electrode disposed over the cylindrical piezoelectric material. Spiral grooves are cut through at least the outer electrode separating the transducer into a plurality of functionally discrete helical transducer segments. The helical transducer segments can be operated independent from one another. An array of intertwined helical transducers arranged linearly along a helical axis are also contemplated.
68 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for making a piezoelectric transducer having a plurality of intertwined indivdual helical transducer segments from comprising:
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machining a ceramic material blank into a tubular configuration to form a ceramic tube; coating the ceramic tube with a metallic layer; machining helical grooves in the metal coated ceramic tube to form an inner electrode and a plurality of helically intertwined outer electrodes, each outer electrode having its own connection pad and electrical connection, and being associated with a functionally discrete transducer segment; and transforming the ceramic material forming the ceramic tube into a piezoelectric crystal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for making a piezoelectric transducer having a plurality of intertwined individual helical transducer segments comprising:
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machining a ceramic material blank into a tubular configuration to form a ceramic tube; coating the ceramic tube with a metallic layer; machining helical grooves in the metal coated ceramic tube to form an inner electrode and a plurality of helically intertwined outer electrodes, each outer electrode being substantially electrically insulated from the immediately adjacent outer electrode; and transforming the ceramic material forming the ceramic tube into a piezoelectric crystal.
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Specification