Abstract: An ultrasound transducer array probe for intraluminal ultrasound imaging is situated on a distal end of a catheter. The probe has a flex circuit that accepts terminations from a plurality of coaxial cables admitted through the catheter, and electrically conveys these signals to integrated circuits and an ultrasound array acoustic stack, preferably having seventy-two elements. The circuit has more than one layer of metal tracings to support complicated electrical interconnections. The acoustic stack preferably includes two quarter-wave matching layers and an acoustic backing layer composed of urethane, AIN.sub.3, tungsten trioxide, and micro-balloons. The flex circuit can be formed of two sections that are joined during manufacture.

Abstract: An ultrasound mixed signal multiplexer/pre-amplifier application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for supplying voltages to a group of elements of an ultrasound array, receiving voltages from the same or another group of elements of the array, and amplifying the received voltages for transmission to external circuitry. The transmit groups and receive groups are shifted to provide accurate visual images with a minimal number of transmit and receive cycles.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for the resolution of an occlusive deposit within a lumen of the body, and a method of using such a device. The device has a distal end that is insertable within and along the lumen to a desired position with respect to the occlusive deposit. The distal end of the device includes a number of electrodes that are spaced about the device. The electrodes may be individually supplied with current, so that the location of resolution is controlled within the lumen.