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).
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Publication number: 20210113189Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Reinhold Bruestle, David A. Chartrand, Thomas Rittenschober, Scott William Easterbrook, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl
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Patent number: 10905398Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Reinhold Bruestle, David A. Chartrand, Thomas Rittenschober, Scott William Easterbrook, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl
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Patent number: 10710116Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David A. Chartrand, Reinhold Bruestle
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Publication number: 20190084004Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: David A. Chartrand, Reinhold Bruestle
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Publication number: 20170188995Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Reinhold Bruestle, David A. Chartrand, Thomas Rittenschober, Scott William Easterbrook, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl
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Patent number: 8659212Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Trym Eggen, Charles Edward Baumgartner, David A Chartrand, Bjornar Sten-Nilsen, Rolf Johannessen, Jessica Abraham
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Publication number: 20130214641Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Trym Eggen, Charles Edward Baumgartner, David A. Chartrand, Bjornar Sten-Nilsen, Rolf Johannessen, Jessica Abraham
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Patent number: 7791252Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles Edward Baumgartner, Robert Stephen Lewandowski, Kevin Matthew Durocher, David Chartrand
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Publication number: 20080178677Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Charles Edward Baumgartner, Robert Stephen Lewandowski, Kevin Matthew Durocher, David Chartrand
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Patent number: 6996883Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sanjay Chandran, David Chartrand
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Publication number: 20030127947Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2003Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: Parallel Design, Inc.Inventors: Sanjay Chandran, David Chartrand
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Patent number: 6552471Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Parallel Design, Inc.Inventors: Sanjay Chandran, David Chartrand