Abstract: A catheter-based ultrasonic transducer array is provided which includes a piezoelectric member sandwiched between matching layers and a backing member. A flexible stiffening element or elements is embedded in the backing member. The element is opaque to radio frequencies and integrated along the azimuthal axis of the array so as to enable a user to view the element in an image of the array derived from the array output and thus determine the angular position of the array. A flexible interconnection assembly provides an electrical connection between the electrodes of the piezoelectric member and external cabling. Different methods are provided for adding a surrounding protective cover to the array.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a matrix array ultrasonic transducer having an integrated interconnection assembly. A piezoelectric member, formed by a plurality of individual elemental transducers arranged in M×N matrix configuration, is provided and an interconnect interface device is joined to the rear face of the piezoelectric member. A plurality of printed circuits are then attached to the interconnect device so as to enable the resultant transducer array to be electrically connected to an external cable. The interconnect device is formed by an insulator member having dimensions in accordance with those of the piezoelectric member. A drilling operation is performed on the insulator member to form a corresponding array of through holes. The insulator member is then metallized and a resin used to provide filling of the through holes. Grooves are formed in at least one face of the insulator for receiving the printed circuits.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscopic probe tip device which provides signals to an imaging system for transesophageal diagnosis includes a removable housing adapted to be attached to the distal end of an endoscope. A rotatable, ball-bearing-mounted phased array transducer within the housing is rotatable around its acoustic propagation axis through multiple turns. The transducer is driven by an immersed micro-motorized drive. A torque limiting gearbox couples the drive to the transducer. A position encoder provides the imaging system with transducer position information over a 360° range. An automatic transducer position locking/unlocking system is used to lock the transducer in a selected rotational position.

Abstract: A catheter-based ultrasonic transducer array is provided which includes a piezoelectric member sandwiched between matching layers and a backing member. A flexible stiffening element or elements is embedded in the backing member. The element is opaque to radio frequencies and integrated along the azimuthal axis of the array so as to enable a user to view the element in an image of the array derived from the array output and thus determine the angular position of the array. A flexible interconnection assembly provides an electrical connection between the electrodes of the piezoelectric member and external cabling. Different methods are provided for adding a surrounding protective cover to the array.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscopic probe tip device which provides signals to an imaging system for transesophageal diagnosis includes a removable housing adapted to be attached to the distal end of an endoscope. A rotatable, ball-bearing-mounted phased array transducer within the housing is rotatable around its acoustic propagation axis through multiple turns. The transducer is driven by an immersed micro-motorized drive. A torque limiting gearbox couples the drive to the transducer. A position encoder provides the imaging system with transducer position information over a 360° range. An automatic transducer position locking/unlocking system is used to lock the transducer in a selected rotational position.

Abstract: Multilayer piezoelectric fabrication methods are used to produce nD (e.g., 1.5D and 2D) ultrasonic transducer arrays. One embodiment concerns a 1.5 linear transducer in which impedance compensation is provided between the elemental transducers forming the array by varying the number of layers in each row of transducers. In another embodiment, a 2D transducer array is provided wherein elemental transducers are produced by dicing a conventional multilayer actuator to form equal sized elements which are embedded in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is provided for use in medical diagnostic applications. The probe includes one or more ultrasonic transducers disposed in an external housing and a plurality of cables disposed in a common sheath. A pointing device, such as a trackball, rocking-key device or the like, is mounted on the probe housing for controlling a plurality of functions of a remote imaging system associated with the probe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer particularly useful in medical imaging includes a transducer comprising a transducer body having a major front surface for radiating ultrasonic energy to a propagation medium responsive to mechanical vibration of the transducer. The transducer includes a piezoelectric member having a curved shape including a curved front surface. The curved shape is produced by deforming a planar piezoelectric composite member to produce the desired curvature and returning the curvature using suction forces. A graded frequency region is created by grinding the curved front surface of the piezoelectric element along a grinding plane. This region is defined by the area of intersection of the grinding plane and the front surface of the curved piezoelectric member and different implementations, covers all or less than all of the total front surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for making an ultrasonic transducer particularly useful in medical imaging. The transducer includes a transducer body having a major front surface for radiating ultrasonic energy to a propagation medium and is formed by a piezoelectric member having a curved shape including a curved front surface. The curved shape is produced by deforming a planar piezoelectric composite member to produce the desired curvature and retaining the curvature using suction forces. A graded frequency region is created by grinding the curved front surface of the piezoelectric element along a grinding plane. This region is defined by the area of intersection of the grinding plane and the front surface of the curved piezoelectric member and in different implementations of the method, covers all or less than all of the total front surface.

Abstract: Multilayer piezoelectric fabrication methods are used to produce nD (e.g., 1.5D and 2D) ultrasonic transducer arrays. One embodiment concerns a 1.5 linear transducer in which impedance compensation is provided between the elemental transducers forming the array by varying the number of layers in each row of transducers. In another embodiment, a 2D transducer array is provided wherein elemental transducers are produced by dicing a conventional multilayer actuator to form equal sized elements which are embedded in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is provided for medical applications which can be used both in high resolution imaging and therapy or other high intensity applications. The probe includes a primary ultrasonic transducer array operating at first resonant frequency and formed by a plurality of elements arranged linearly along a coordinate axis, and a secondary ultrasonic transducer array operating at second resonant frequency and comprising a plurality of elements arranged linearly along the coordinate axis and being interdigitated with the elements of the primary ultrasonic transducer array. In one embodiment, separate transducer units are joined to form the probe while in a further embodiment, the two arrays are produced from a common piezoelectric member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is provided for medical applications which can be used both in high resolution imaging and therapy or other high intensity applications. The probe includes a primary ultrasonic transducer array operating at first resonant frequency and formed by a plurality of elements arranged linearly along a coordinate axis, and a secondary ultrasonic transducer array operating at second resonant frequency and comprising a plurality of elements arranged linearly along the coordinate axis and being interdigitated with the elements of the primary ultrasonic transducer array. In one embodiment, separate transducer units are joined to form the probe while in a further embodiment, the two arrays are produced from a common piezoelectric member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer particularly useful in medical imaging includes a transducer comprising a transducer body having a major front surface for radiating ultrasonic energy to a propagation medium responsive to mechanical vibration of the transducer. The transducer includes a piezoelectric member having a curved shape including a curved front surface. The curved shape is produced by deforming a planar piezoelectric composite member to produce the desired curvature and returning the curvature using suction forces. A graded frequency region is created by grinding the curved front surface of the piezoelectric element along a grinding plane. This region is defined by the area of intersection of the grinding plane and the front surface of the curved piezoelectric member and different implementations, covers all or less than all of the total front surface.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is provided for use in medical diagnostic applications. The probe includes one or more ultrasonic transducers disposed in an external housing and a plurality of cables disposed in a common sheath. A pointing device, such as a trackball, rocking-key device or the like, is mounted on the probe housing for controlling a plurality of functions of a remote imaging system associated with the probe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic phased array imaging transducer device is provided which includes a flexible sealing membrane disposed within a housing so as to divide the housing into a wet chamber and a dry chamber. The wet chamber contains a fluid and includes a phased array transducer disposed in the tip end of the housing and oriented so as to provide a sound path extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A motor provides rotation of the transducer while an encoder determines positional information with respect to the transducer. A flexible cable of electrical circuit connections is electrically connected to the transducer and is coiled relative to the transducer so as to permit transducer rotation of more than 180 degrees. The flexible cable extends from the wet chamber through the flexible sealing membrane to the dry chamber. A torque limitation device limits the torque transmitted to the transducer.

Abstract: The endoscope comprises a probe for ultrasound echography, a manual control housing (12) carrying adjustment members that are connected by cables to the base, a tube (50) fixed to the housing and having cables passing therealong, and a mechanical coupler enabling the base to be given a position that is angularly adjustable. The mechanical coupler has a plurality of links connected in series that are capable of tilting relative to one another. The links are maintained pressed mutually against one another solely by cables for putting them under resilient tension from the housing. They are all of the same shape and the shape is such as to allow each link to tilt in at least one direction from a position in which the coupler is essentially straight.