Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array including a substrate, a membrane overlying the substrate, the membrane configured to allow movement at ultrasonic frequencies, and a plurality of anchors connected to the substrate and connected to the membrane. The membrane includes a piezoelectric layer, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes, wherein each ultrasonic transducer of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers includes at least a first electrode and at least a second electrode. The plurality of anchors includes a first anchor including a first electrical connection for electrically coupling at least one first electrode to control circuitry and a second anchor including a second electrical connection for electrically coupling at least one second electrode. The ultrasonic transducer array could be either a two-dimensional array or a one-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: In a method of automatic alignment of a transversal ultrasound array, a plurality of instances of an ultrasonic scanning operation directed towards a target using an array of ultrasonic transducers is performed, wherein each instance of the plurality of instances of the ultrasonic scanning operation comprises a different sub-array of ultrasonic transducers of the array of ultrasonic transducers, and wherein each instance of the ultrasonic scanning operation transmits an ultrasonic signal and receives at least one reflected ultrasonic signal. At least one property is determined for each of the at least one reflected ultrasonic signal of each instance of the ultrasonic scanning operation. An ultrasonic transducer of the array of ultrasonic transducers is selected as exhibiting alignment with the target based at least in part on the at least one property for each of the at least one reflected ultrasonic signal of each instance of the ultrasonic scanning operation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensing system including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers for placement on a human body proximate a blood vessel, a hardware controller for controlling operation of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and a digital processing module for processing the reflected ultrasonic signals. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers includes a first subset of ultrasonic transducers, wherein the ultrasonic transducers of the first subset are arranged linearly and a second subset of ultrasonic transducers, wherein the ultrasonic transducers of the second subset are arranged linearly, wherein the first subset of ultrasonic transducers is positioned parallel to the second subset of ultrasonic transducers at a fixed separation distance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device including a substrate, an edge support structure connected to the substrate, and a membrane connected to the edge support structure such that a cavity is defined between the membrane and the substrate, the membrane configured to allow movement at ultrasonic frequencies. The membrane includes a structural layer, a piezoelectric layer having a first surface and a second surface, a first electrode placed on the first surface of the piezoelectric layer, wherein the first electrode is located at the center of the membrane, a second electrode placed on the first surface of the piezoelectric layer, wherein the second electrode is a patterned electrode comprising more than one electrode components that are electrically coupled, and a third electrode coupled to the second surface of the piezoelectric layer and electrically coupled to ground.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array including a substrate, a membrane overlying the substrate, the membrane configured to allow movement at ultrasonic frequencies, and a plurality of anchors connected to the substrate and connected to the membrane. The membrane includes a piezoelectric layer, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes, wherein each ultrasonic transducer of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers includes at least a first electrode and at least a second electrode. The plurality of anchors includes a first anchor including a first electrical connection for electrically coupling at least one first electrode to control circuitry and a second anchor including a second electrical connection for electrically coupling at least one second electrode. The ultrasonic transducer array could be either a two-dimensional array or a one-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers.