Patents by Inventor David Chartrand

David Chartrand has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20210113189
    Abstract: Systems are provided for the arrangement of decoupled electric and acoustic modules for a transducer array of an ultrasound probe. In one embodiment, the decoupled modules are independently coupled to a flex interconnect, apart from one another, allowing for electric communication between all modules through the flex interconnect. As one example, an ultrasound transducer array for an ultrasound probe comprises an acoustic backing, a flex interconnect coupled to the backing at a first surface of the flex interconnect, a matrix acoustic array coupled to a second surface of the flex interconnect, the second surface opposite the first surface, and an electric module coupled to the second surface of the flex interconnect at a location spaced away from where the matrix acoustic array is coupled to the flex interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Reinhold Bruestle, David A. Chartrand, Thomas Rittenschober, Scott William Easterbrook, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl
  • Patent number: 10905398
    Abstract: Systems are provided for the arrangement of decoupled electric and acoustic modules for a transducer array of an ultrasound probe. In one embodiment, the decoupled modules are independently coupled to a flex interconnect, apart from one another, allowing for electric communication between all modules through the flex interconnect. As one example, an ultrasound transducer array for an ultrasound probe comprises an acoustic backing, a flex interconnect coupled to the backing at a first surface of the flex interconnect, a matrix acoustic array coupled to a second surface of the flex interconnect, the second surface opposite the first surface, and an electric module coupled to the second surface of the flex interconnect at a location spaced away from where the matrix acoustic array is coupled to the flex interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Reinhold Bruestle, David A. Chartrand, Thomas Rittenschober, Scott William Easterbrook, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl
  • Patent number: 10710116
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein generally relate to forming a conductive layer of an ultrasound probe. The systems and methods form an ultrasound probe that includes a piezoelectric layer, and first and second matching layers. The first matching layer is interposed between the second matching layer and the piezoelectric layer. The second matching layer formed from a material having a select acoustic impedance from a laser activated molded interconnect device (MID) or a three-dimensional printer. The second matching layer being electrically coupled to the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David A. Chartrand, Reinhold Bruestle
  • Publication number: 20190084004
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein generally relate to forming a conductive layer of an ultrasound probe. The systems and methods form an ultrasound probe that includes a piezoelectric layer, and first and second matching layers. The first matching layer is interposed between the second matching layer and the piezoelectric layer. The second matching layer formed from a material having a select acoustic impedance from a laser activated molded interconnect device (MID) or a three-dimensional printer. The second matching layer being electrically coupled to the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: David A. Chartrand, Reinhold Bruestle
  • Publication number: 20170188995
    Abstract: Systems are provided for the arrangement of decoupled electric and acoustic modules for a transducer array of an ultrasound probe. In one embodiment, the decoupled modules are independently coupled to a flex interconnect, apart from one another, allowing for electric communication between all modules through the flex interconnect. As one example, an ultrasound transducer array for an ultrasound probe comprises an acoustic backing, a flex interconnect coupled to the backing at a first surface of the flex interconnect, a matrix acoustic array coupled to a second surface of the flex interconnect, the second surface opposite the first surface, and an electric module coupled to the second surface of the flex interconnect at a location spaced away from where the matrix acoustic array is coupled to the flex interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Reinhold Bruestle, David A. Chartrand, Thomas Rittenschober, Scott William Easterbrook, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl
  • Patent number: 8659212
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes an array of acoustic elements, an integrated circuit, and an interposer. The interposer includes conductive elements that electrically connect the array of acoustic elements to the integrated circuit. An electrically conductive adhesive is engaged with the conductive elements of the interposer to electrically connect the interposer to at least one of the integrated circuit or the array of acoustic elements. The electrically conductive adhesive is anisotropically conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Trym Eggen, Charles Edward Baumgartner, David A Chartrand, Bjornar Sten-Nilsen, Rolf Johannessen, Jessica Abraham
  • Publication number: 20130214641
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes an array of acoustic elements, an integrated circuit, and an interposer. The interposer includes conductive elements that electrically connect the array of acoustic elements to the integrated circuit. An electrically conductive adhesive is engaged with the conductive elements of the interposer to electrically connect the interposer to at least one of the integrated circuit or the array of acoustic elements. The electrically conductive adhesive is anisotropically conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Trym Eggen, Charles Edward Baumgartner, David A. Chartrand, Bjornar Sten-Nilsen, Rolf Johannessen, Jessica Abraham
  • Patent number: 7791252
    Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system wherein an exemplary system includes an array of transducer elements arranged along a first plane for transmitting first signals and receiving reflected signals for image processing. Circuit structures each have a major surface positioned in a co-planar orientation with respect to a major surface of another of the circuit structures to provide a sequence of the structures in a stack-like formation. Electrical connections are formed between adjacent circuit structures in the sequence. A connector region on each circuit structure includes a distal portion extending away from the major surface-with distal portions of connector regions of adjacent structures spaced apart from one another. A first wiring pattern extends from the major surface to the distal portion of the connector region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Edward Baumgartner, Robert Stephen Lewandowski, Kevin Matthew Durocher, David Chartrand
  • Publication number: 20080178677
    Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system (200). An exemplary system includes an array of transducer elements (50) arranged along a first plane (P1) for transmitting first signals and receiving reflected signals for image processing. Circuit structures (10, 20, 30, 40) each have a major surface (1a) positioned in a co-planar orientation with respect to a major surface of another of the circuit structures to provide a sequence of the structures (10, 20, 30, 40) in a stack-like formation. Electrical connections (34, 47) are formed between adjacent circuit structures in the sequence. A connector region (1b or 1b?) on each circuit structure includes a distal portion (1c or 1c?) extending away from the major surface (1a), with distal portions (1c, 1c?) of connector regions of adjacent structures spaced apart from one another. A first wiring pattern (41, 45, 46) extends from the major surface to the distal portion of the connector region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Edward Baumgartner, Robert Stephen Lewandowski, Kevin Matthew Durocher, David Chartrand
  • Patent number: 6996883
    Abstract: A transducer is tuned to a desired impedance by building piezoelectric assemblies of multiple layers, each layer acting as a parallel capacitor. Piezoelectric layers are preferably constructed by plating or otherwise placing a conducting perimeter around a piezoelectric substrate. Gaps are suitably formed in the conducting layer by dicing or otherwise to form distinct electrical conducting regions on each layer. Piezoelectric layers are then suitably placed such that positive and negative conducting regions on each layer contact positive and negative regions on other layers. Layers are suitably joined by epoxy or by any other joining technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanjay Chandran, David Chartrand
  • Publication number: 20030127947
    Abstract: A transducer is tuned to a desired impedance by building piezoelectric assemblies of multiple layers, each layer acting as a parallel capacitor. Piezoelectric layers are preferably constructed by plating or otherwise placing a conducting perimeter around a piezoelectric substrate. Gaps are suitably formed in the conducting layer by dicing or otherwise to form distinct electrical conducting regions on each layer. Piezoelectric layers are then suitably placed such that positive and negative conducting regions on each layer contact positive and negative regions on other layers. Layers are suitably joined by epoxy or by any other joining technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Parallel Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Chandran, David Chartrand
  • Patent number: 6552471
    Abstract: A transducer is tuned to a desired impedance by building piezoelectric assemblies of multiple layers, each layer acting as a parallel capacitor. Piezoelectric layers are preferably constructed by plating or otherwise placing a conducting perimeter around a piezoelectric substrate. Gaps are suitably formed in the conducting layer by dicing or otherwise to form distinct electrical conducting regions on each layer. Piezoelectric layers are then suitably placed such that positive and negative conducting regions on each layer contact positive and negative regions on other layers. Layers are suitably joined by epoxy or by any other joining technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Parallel Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Chandran, David Chartrand