Patents by Inventor Dongjuan Chris Xi

Dongjuan Chris Xi 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).

  • Patent number: 10357225
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer. A substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi
  • Publication number: 20180242949
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer. A substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi
  • Patent number: 9974518
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer. A substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi
  • Publication number: 20160220230
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer. A substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi
  • Patent number: 9312470
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer includes providing a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi
  • Publication number: 20140187956
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer. A substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi
  • Publication number: 20140187957
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer. A substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi
  • Publication number: 20140184023
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of singulating a plurality of miniature ultrasound transducers from a wafer. The method includes receiving a wafer on which a plurality of miniature ultrasound transducers is formed. The miniature ultrasound transducers each include a transducer membrane containing a piezoelectric material. The method includes etching, from a front side of the wafer, a plurality of trenches into the wafer. Each trench at least partially encircles a respective one of the miniature ultrasound transducers in a top view. Each trench includes an approximately rounded segment. The method includes thinning the wafer from a back side opposite the front side. The thinning the wafer is performed such that the trenches are open to the back side. The method includes performing a dicing process to the wafer to separate the miniature ultrasound transducers from one another. The dicing process is performed without making crossing cuts in the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi
  • Publication number: 20140184027
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of singulating a plurality of miniature ultrasound transducers from a wafer. The method includes receiving a wafer on which a plurality of miniature ultrasound transducers is formed. The miniature ultrasound transducers each include a transducer membrane containing a piezoelectric material. The method includes etching, from a front side of the wafer, a plurality of trenches into the wafer. Each trench at least partially encircles a respective one of the miniature ultrasound transducers in a top view. Each trench includes an approximately rounded segment. The method includes thinning the wafer from a back side opposite the front side. The thinning the wafer is performed such that the trenches are open to the back side. The method includes performing a dicing process to the wafer to separate the miniature ultrasound transducers from one another. The dicing process is performed without making crossing cuts in the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheryl Rice, Dongjuan Chris Xi