Abstract: The present invention comprises methods for fabricating an ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible circuit. Preferably, the method comprises attaching an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry to the flexible circuit during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly while the flexible circuit is in a substantially flat shape. The contacts of the transducer elements are positioned on substantially the same plane such that electrical contact with signal and ground lines on the flexible circuit is established without the need for conductive bridges to physically remote electrodes.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly of the present invention includes a flexible circuit to which an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry are attached during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly. Integrated circuitry and transducer elements are attached to the flexible circuit while the flexible circuit is in a substantially flat shape. The contacts of the transducer elements are positioned on substantially the same plane such that electrical contact with signal and ground lines on the flexible circuit is established without the need for conductive bridges to physically remote electrodes. In an embodiment of the invention wherein the transducer elements are arranged in a cylindrical array, gaps are entirely filled with backing material having a relatively low acoustic impedance. Structure integrity is enhanced and a path to ground facilitated by electrically conductive disks attached to the ends of the transducer assembly.

Abstract: Several methods for fabricating an ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible circuit are provided. Preferably, the method comprises attaching an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry to the flexible circuit during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly while the flexible circuit is in a:substantially flat shape. The contacts of the transducer elements are positioned on substantially the same plane such that electrical contact with signal and ground lines on the flexible circuit is established without the need for conductive bridges to physically remote electrodes.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly of the present invention includes a flexible circuit to which an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry are attached during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly. Integrated circuitry and transducer elements are attached to the flexible circuit while the flexible circuit is in a substantially flat shape. The contacts of the transducer elements are positioned on substantially the same plane such that electrical contact with signal and ground lines on the flexible circuit is established without the need for conductive bridges to physically remote electrodes. In an embodiment of the invention wherein the transducer elements are arranged in a cylindrical array, gaps are entirely filled with backing material having a relatively low acoustic impedance. Structure integrity is enhanced and a path to ground facilitated by electrically conductive disks attached to the ends of the transducer assembly.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array, and a method for manufacturing it, having a plurality of transducer elements aligned along an array axis in an imaging plane. Each transducer element includes a piezoelectric layer and one or more acoustic matching layers. The piezoelectric layer has a concave front surface overlayed by a front electrode and a rear surface overlayed by a rear electrode. The shape of each transducer element is selected such that it is mechanically focused into the imaging plane. A backing support holds the plurality of transducer elements in a predetermined relationship along the array axis such that each element is mechanically focused in the imaging plane.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array having a plurality of transducer elements aligned along an array axis in an imaging plane. Each transducer element includes a piezoelectric layer and one or more acoustic matching layers. The piezoelectric layer has a concave front surface overlayed by a front electrode and a rear surface overlayed by a rear electrode. The shape of each transducer element is selected such that it is mechanically focused into the imaging plane. A backing support holds the plurality of transducer elements in a predetermined relationship along the array axis such that each element is mechanically focused in the imaging plane.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly of the present invention includes a flexible circuit to which an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry are attached during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly. Integrated circuitry and transducer elements are attached to the flexible circuit while the flexible circuit is in a substantially flat shape. The contacts of the transducer elements are positioned on substantially the same plane such that electrical contact with signal and ground lines on the flexible circuit is established without the need for conductive bridges to physically remote electrodes. In an embodiment of the invention wherein the transducer elements are arranged in a cylindrical array, gaps are entirely filled with backing material having a relatively low acoustic impedance. Structure integrity is enhanced and a path to ground facilitated by electrically conductive disks attached to the ends of the transducer assembly.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array, and a method for manufacturing it, having a plurality of transducer elements aligned along an array axis in an imaging plane. Each transducer element includes a piezoelectric layer and one or more acoustic matching layers. The piezoelectric layer has a concave front surface overlayed by a front electrode and a rear surface overlayed by a rear electrode. The shape of each transducer element is selected such that it is mechanically focused into the imaging plane. A backing support holds the plurality of transducer elements in a predetermined relationship along the array axis such that each element is mechanically focused in the imaging plane.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array having a plurality of transducer elements aligned along an array axis in an imaging plane. Each transducer element includes a piezoelectric substrate and further includes a rear electrode applied to the substrate's rear surface and a patterned front electrode applied to the substrate's front surface. A conductive or metalized acoustic matching layer overlays the patterned front electrode. The front electrode is specially patterned along an elevation axis perpendicular to the imaging plane, so as to apodize the emitted ultrasonic beam in the elevation plane. The pattern follows a predetermined tapered weighting function, preferably one that approximates a Hamming weighting function. Slots, oriented parallel with the array axis, are cut into the piezoelectric substrate's front surface, to form a plurality of subelements. This further isolates these portions of the piezoelectric substrate not overlaid by the patterned front electrode, thereby enhancing beam apodization.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array, and a method for manufacturing it, having a plurality of transducer elements aligned along an array axis in an imaging plane. Each transducer element includes a piezoelectric layer and one or more acoustic matching layers. The piezoelectric layer has a concave front surface overlayed by a front electrode and a rear surface overlayed by a rear electrode. The shape of each transducer element is selected such that it is mechanically focused into the imaging plane. A backing support holds the plurality of transducer elements in a predetermined relationship along the array axis such that each element is mechanically focused in the imaging plane.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump comprising a race having an internal surface for supporting a flexible tube in a tube pumping region, and a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis and carrying rollers that travel in a circular path adjacent to the tube pumping region, the rollers having a large diameter central portion between smaller diameter portions to cause the tube to be self-aligning at the central portion. Also disclosed are a cover mounted on the race for movement in a direction parallel to the rotation axis between a loading position spaced from the race sufficiently to permit insertion of the tube through a tube insertion opening into a tube mounting region and an operational position in which the tube insertion opening is closed; and self-loading a tube into a peristaltic pump via rollers having a small diameter end portion and an adjacent larger diameter portion.

Abstract: A self-loading peristaltic pump including a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis, and a race having an internal surface for supporting a flexible tube in a pumping region between the rotor and the race, the surface including points that are at equal radii from the rotor axis in planes that are perpendicular to the rotor axis, the rotor including a roller for intermittently and progressively compressing the flexible tube against the race in the pumping region, the rotor including a radially extending rotor tab located outside of the pumping region for displacing the flexible tube toward the pumping region as the rotor rotates.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump cartridge including a continuous flexible tube having two ends and a portion therebetween providing a U-shaped loop for use with a rotor and rollers to provide a peristaltic pump, a cartridge housing having supports for maintaining the portion of the flexible tube in the U-shaped loop external to the housing, the legs of the U-shaped loop leading into the housing, the housing having apertures through which connecting portions of the flexible tube remote from the U-shaped loop have been threaded from the interior to the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: In a mechanical sector scanner, a first bevel gear is mounted on the end of an output shaft of a motor, and an ultrasonic transducer is rotatably supported for rotating about a scanning axis transverse to the output shaft. A second bevel gear engaging the first bevel gear is mounted on the back surface of the transducer. The output shaft oscillates about an output axis. Oscillations of the output shaft are coupled to the transducer by the bevel gears. The second gear has a plurality of teeth arranged in an arc less than completely around the scanning axis, and the second gear is so disposed that the back surface of the transducer is nearer to the scanning axis than the teeth.