Vortex transducer

• US 20040217675A1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medicis Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: LipoSonix, Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Desilets, Charles S., Quistgaard, Jens U.
• Granted Patent: US 7,273,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/367
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A mechanically formed vortex transducer is described. The transducer has a plurality of piezoelectric elements suspended in an epoxy and heat molded into a desired shape. An irregularity in the transducer shape provides for a mechanically induced vortex focal field without the need for electronic steering or lens focusing. A system and methods of making the same are also described.

Claims

1. A mechanically formed vortex ultrasound transducer capable of producing at least one, substantially annular focal region(s) when said transducer is excited.

2. The transducer of claim 1 where the transducer incorporates a solid piezoelectric material.

3. The transducer of claim 1 where the transducer incorporates a composite piezoelectric material.

4. The transducer of claim 1 where the transducer incorporates one or more matching layers.

5. The transducer of claim 1 where the transducer incorporates a filler material in front of the transducer or backing material in back of the transducer.

6. The transducer of claim 1, being formed of a single contiguous piezoelectric element.

7. A mechanically formed ultrasound transducer comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements suspended in a polymer and having an irregular shape such that a vortex focal field is produced when the transducer is excited.

8. A polymer for use in the creation of a heat set transducer shape having a liquid state when introduced into a diced piezoelectric ceramic, a semi solid state during processing and a fixed solid state upon completion of a heat treatment step.

9. The polymer of claim 8, wherein the polymer is an epoxy.

10. A system for producing a vortex ultrasound focal field comprising:

a mechanically formed ultrasound transducer having an irregular shape for creating said vortex; and

an activation switch.

11. A method of creating a vortex transducer comprising the steps of:

(a) shaping a piezoelectric ceramic into a desired form, the form having a front end and a back end;

(b) dicing said front end create a plurality of elements, said elements being attached to said back end and separated by dicing channels;

(c) filling said dicing channels with an epoxy material and allowing said epoxy to gel;

(d) creating a transducer form by removing said back end such that said elements are separated from one another;

(e) pressing said transducer form into a mold and heating said transducer form such that the epoxy is heated above the B-stage and allowing the resin to cross link and cool in a set shape;

(f) treating at least one surface of the transducer form with a conductive material such that all elements are in contact with said conductive material; and

(g) making a shape irregularity in the transducer form such that the transducer will produce a vortex effect.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein step (g) may be performed before performing any one of steps (a)-(f).