Method for production and using a capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer
First Claim
1. A method for producing a capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT), comprising:
- a. providing a cMUT structure, wherein the cMUT structure defines one or more cMUT elements that include;
(i) a substrate layer, (ii) an electrode plate, (iii) a membrane layer, and (iv) an electrode ring;
b. defining at least one hole through the membrane layer for each cMUT element;
c. applying a bias voltage across the membrane and substrate layers of the one or more cMUT elements so as to collapse the membrane layer relative to the substrate layer; and
d. fixing and sealing the collapsed membrane layer relative to the substrate layer by applying an encasing layer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods are provided for production of pre-collapsed capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs). Methods disclosed generally include the steps of obtaining a nearly completed traditional cMUT structure prior to etching and sealing the membrane, defining holes through the membrane of the cMUT structure for each electrode ring fixed relative to the top face of the membrane, applying a bias voltage across the membrane and substrate of the cMUT structure so as to collapse the areas of the membrane proximate to the holes to or toward the substrate, fixing and sealing the collapsed areas of the membrane to the substrate by applying an encasing layer, and discontinuing or reducing the bias voltage. CMUT assemblies are provided, including packaged assemblies, integrated assemblies with an integrated circuit/chip (e.g., a beam-steering chip) and a cMUT/lens assembly. Advantageous cMUT-based applications utilizing the disclosed pre-collapsed cMUTs are also provided, e.g., ultrasound transducer-based applications, catheter-based applications, needle-based applications and flowmeter applications.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for producing a capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT), comprising:
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a. providing a cMUT structure, wherein the cMUT structure defines one or more cMUT elements that include;
(i) a substrate layer, (ii) an electrode plate, (iii) a membrane layer, and (iv) an electrode ring;b. defining at least one hole through the membrane layer for each cMUT element; c. applying a bias voltage across the membrane and substrate layers of the one or more cMUT elements so as to collapse the membrane layer relative to the substrate layer; and d. fixing and sealing the collapsed membrane layer relative to the substrate layer by applying an encasing layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification