US5297553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasound transducer with improved rigid backing
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-23
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Granted: 1994-03-29
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Expires: 2012-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasound transducer comprising an array of individual piezoelectric transducer elements mounted upon an improved backing comprising rigid polymeric or polymer-coated particles fused into a macroscopically rigid structure having remnant tortuous permeability to provide high acoustic attenuation and to permit fluid passage into the backing structure during fabrication.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Sliwa, Jr.
- 👤 Sevig Ayter
- 👤 Champa G. Sridhar
- 👤 John P. Mohr, III
- 👤 Samuel M. Howard
- 👤 Michael H. Ikeda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:53
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0644; B06B1/0662; B06B1/0674; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
In an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array, an improved backing upon which the transducer elements and electrodes are mounted comprising rigid polymeric or polymer-coated particles fused into a macroscopically rigid structure having remnant tortuous permeability to provide high acoustic attenuation and to permit fluid passage into the structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
In an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array, an improved backing upon which the transducer elements and electrodes are mounted comprising rigid polymeric or polymer-coated particles fused into a macroscopically rigid structure having remnant tortuous permeability to provide high acoustic attenuation and to permit fluid passage into the structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 wherein the remnant tortuous permeability of said backing has a median pore size in the range of 15-100 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 wherein the backing has an acoustic attenuation of at least 3 dB/mm at 1 Mhz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 wherein the polymeric particles have a glass transition temperature of at least 100° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 wherein the polymer coating of said polymer coated particles has a glass transition temperature of at least 50° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 wherein the polymeric particles are selected from a group of plastics consisting of polysulfone (PS), polyethersulfone (PES), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ultrahigh density high molecular weight polyethylene (UDHMWPE), low and medium density polyethylene (PE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polytrifluorochloroethylene (CTFE), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE, ECTFE), polyaryl sulfone, polyester and acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene (ABS).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 wherein the polymer-coated particles are selected from the group consisting of coated high impedance metals, such as tungsten or any ceramic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 wherein the polymer-coated particles are selected from the group consisting of coated high impedance metals, such as tungsten or any ceramic such as PZT or lead zirconate titanate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transducer of claim I further including kerfs filled with a lossy elastomeric or gel-like kerf-filling material permeated through the backing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein the backing laminated to the piezoelectric transducer elements and their accompanying matching layer and electrodes is fabricated flat and then formed over a curved ceramic or metal mandrel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 further comprising a metal container for improved rigidity, electrical shielding or heat transfer.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymer coated particles by applying elevated pressure and temperature to produce direct fusion between particles with an improved backing.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymer coated particles by applying elevated pressure and temperature to produce direct fusion between particles with an improved backing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the compacted particles are selected from the group of parylenes consisting of parylene N, parylene C, parylene D or parylene E.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then exposing the compacted particles to a gaseous polymeric thin film deposition to cause fusion with an improved backing.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then exposing the compacted particles to a gaseous polymeric thin film deposition to cause fusion with an improved backing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the compacted particles are selected from the group of parylenes consisting of parylene N, parylene C, parylene D or parylene E.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymer coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then saturating said compacted particles with an epoxy or castable low-viscosity polymer to cause fusion with an improved backing.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymer coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then saturating said compacted particles with an epoxy or castable low-viscosity polymer to cause fusion with an improved backing.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then welding the compacted particles with the aid of acoustic welding.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then welding the compacted particles with the aid of acoustic welding.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then welding the compacted particles with the aid of solvent.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for fabricating an ultrasound transducer having at least one array of piezoelectric transducer elements separated by kerfs and top and bottom electrodes for individually addressing each transducer element of the at least one array comprising: fusing polymeric particles or polymeric coated particles by bringing them into close proximity to each other via compaction, then welding the compacted particles with the aid of solvent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-28 | 1997-09-27 | 1998-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-28 | 2001-09-27 | 2002-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-28 | 2005-09-27 | 2006-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |