Asymmetric membrane cMUT devices and fabrication methods
First Claim
1. A cMUT comprising:
- a membrane having a length, a width, and a uniform thickness;
wherein the membrane is asymmetric about a line of bisection across the length of the membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Asymmetric membrane capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (“cMUT”) devices and fabrication methods are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a cMUT device according to the present invention generally comprises a membrane having asymmetric properties. The membrane can have a varied width across its length so that its ends have different widths. The asymmetric membrane can have varied flex characteristics due to its varied width dimensions. In another preferred embodiment, a cMUT device according to the present invention generally comprises an electrode element having asymmetric properties. The electrode element can have a varied width across its length so that its ends have different widths. The asymmetric electrode element can have different reception and transmission characteristics due to its varied width dimensions. In another preferred embodiment, a mass load positioned along the membrane can alter the mass distribution of the membrane. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A cMUT comprising:
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a membrane having a length, a width, and a uniform thickness; wherein the membrane is asymmetric about a line of bisection across the length of the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A cMUT comprising:
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a substrate and a membrane; one or more mass loads proximate the membrane and configured to modify vibration characteristics of the membrane, the one or more mass loads having a varied width across their length such that mass distribution of the one or more mass loads is non-uniform; and an electrode disposed within the membrane or on the substrate at a position to maximize reception of an ultrasonic signal for a predetermined vibration mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A cMUT comprising:
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a membrane that is asymmetric about a line of bisection across the length of the membrane; one or more mass loads proximate the membrane and configured to modify vibration characteristics of the membrane; and one or more electrodes disposed within the membrane or on the substrate, the one or more electrodes configured to receive and transmit ultrasonic signals. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification