Patents by Inventor Reinhold Bruestle
Reinhold Bruestle 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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Patent number: 11717265Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for fabricating a backing material for an acoustic probe. In one example, the backing material may include an additively manufactured meta-structure formed from layers of a tessellation pattern. A geometry of the tessellation pattern and an alignment of the layers may affect acoustic properties of the backing material.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Reinhold Bruestle
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Publication number: 20230233190Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a probe housing, a heat generating electronic component disposed within the housing, and a heat exchanger disposed within the housing and thermally coupled with the heat generating electronic component, wherein the heat exchanger is a monolithic structure without seams. The heat exchanger includes a flow path defined by a plurality of baffles, a fluid inlet connected to one end of the flow path, a fluid outlet connected to the opposite end of the flow path, and one or more turbulating elements disposed within the flow path, the flow path configured for passing a cooling fluid therethrough. The heat exchanger is additively manufactured of a suitable material, such as to form part of a probe central support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Reinhold Bruestle, Caitlin Strobel, Andrew Desrosiers, Erich Birglehner, Andreas Kremsl, Christian Kreutzer
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Patent number: 11592543Abstract: An ultrasound system, probe and method are provided. The ultrasound system includes a transducer with piezoelectric transducer elements polarized in a poling direction. A bipolar transmit circuit is configured to generate a transmit signal having first and second polarity segments. The first and second polarity segments have corresponding first and second peak amplitudes. A bias generator is configured to generate a bias signal in a direction of the poling direction. The bias signal is combined with the transmit signal to form a biased transmit signal that is shifted in the direction of the poling direction and still includes both of positive and negative voltages over a transmit cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2022Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLCInventors: Harald Weichenberger, Reinhold Brüstle, Bruno Hans Haider
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Patent number: 11464494Abstract: An ultrasound system, probe and method are provided that comprise a transducer with piezoelectric transducer elements polarized in a poling direction, wherein over time one or more of the transducer elements possibly exhibit a depoling effect; and one or more drive circuits configured to: i) generate a transmit signal having at least first polarity segments, the first segments having corresponding first peak amplitudes; ii) generate a repoling signal having a repoling pattern configured to at least partially revert the depoling effect exhibited by the one or more transducer elements; and iii) generate a bias signal in the poling direction, the bias signal combined with the at least one of the transmit signal or the repoling signal to form a corresponding at least one of a biased transmit signal or a bias repoling signal, that is shifted in the poling direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLCInventors: Harald Weichenberger, Reinhold Brüstle, Anton Hörl, Bruno Hans Haider, Rene Hechtfischer
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Publication number: 20220313206Abstract: A deployable invasive device includes a transducer with a plurality of elements with linked by at least one shape memory material, the at least one shape memory material configured to move the plurality of the elements relative to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration in response to the thermal stimulus. The shape memory material comprises at least one active region configured to change shape to facilitate transition between the first configuration and the second configuration. The deployable invasive device further includes at least one integral heating resistor on or within the at least one active region and configured to heat the shape memory material surrounding the integral heating resistor to provide the thermal stimulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: GE Precision Healthcare LLCInventors: Edouard Da Cruz, Flavien Daloz, Kevin M. Durocher, Reinhold Brüstle, Bruno Haider, Giandonato Stallone
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Publication number: 20220313205Abstract: A deployable invasive device includes a transducer with a plurality of elements linked by at least one shape memory material configured to move the plurality of elements relative to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration in response to a stimulus. The shape memory material comprises at least one active region configured to facilitate transition between the first configuration and the second configuration. The deployable invasive device includes at least one integrated circuit configured to process signals from at least one of the plurality of elements and a plurality of conductive traces on or in the shape memory material and extending through the active region. The conductive traces are configured to conduct signals to the at least one integrated circuit, wherein the conductive traces are configured to conform as the shape memory material moves the elements between the first configuration and the second configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: GE Precision Healthcare LLCInventors: Edouard Da Cruz, Flavien Daloz, Kevin M. Durocher, Reinhold Brüstle, Bruno H. Haider, Giandonato Stallone
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Publication number: 20220291369Abstract: An ultrasound system, probe and method are provided. The ultrasound system includes a transducer with piezoelectric transducer elements polarized in a poling direction. A bipolar transmit circuit is configured to generate a transmit signal having first and second polarity segments. The first and second polarity segments have corresponding first and second peak amplitudes. A bias generator is configured to generate a bias signal in a direction of the poling direction. The bias signal is combined with the transmit signal to form a biased transmit signal that is shifted in the direction of the poling direction and still includes both of positive and negative voltages over a transmit cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Harald Weichenberger, Reinhold Brüstle, Bruno Hans Haider
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Patent number: 11435461Abstract: An ultrasound system, probe and method are provided. The ultrasound system includes a transducer with piezoelectric transducer elements polarized in a poling direction. A bipolar transmit circuit is configured to generate a transmit signal having first and second polarity segments. The first and second polarity segments have corresponding first and second peak amplitudes. A bias generator is configured to generate a bias signal in a direction of the poling direction. The bias signal is combined with the transmit signal to form a biased transmit signal that is shifted in the direction of the poling direction and still includes both of positive and negative voltages over a transmit cycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLCInventors: Harald Weichenberger, Anton Hörl, Reinhold Brüstle, Bruno Hans Haider
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Publication number: 20210186462Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprises an air chamber unit that includes a transducer slot, where the transducer slot is configured to receive a transducer assembly, the air chamber unit comprises at least one sealed cavity and each of the at least one sealed cavity is filled with one or more gases, and the transducer assembly comprises transducer elements configured to perform one or both of transmitting and receiving acoustic energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Marco Brusaca, Wolfgang Neuwirth, Christian Heinrich, Reinhold Bruestle
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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: 10918356Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes a transducer array having a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer array has a first side and a second side. Further, one or more ground electrodes are disposed on the first side of the transducer array, and one or more signal electrodes are disposed on the second side of the transducer array. Moreover, an acoustic backing structure is operatively coupled to the plurality of transducer elements of the transducer array. Also, a plurality of electrical traces is routed on a surface of the acoustic backing structure and operatively coupled to at least one of the one or more signal electrodes and one or more ground electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vadim Bromberg, Lowell Scott Smith, Douglas Glenn Wildes, Kwok Pong Chan, Reinhold Bruestle, Matthew Harvey Krohn, Chester Frank Saj
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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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Publication number: 20210015466Abstract: An ultrasound system, probe and method are provided that comprise a transducer with piezoelectric transducer elements polarized in a poling direction, wherein over time one or more of the transducer elements possibly exhibit a depoling effect; and one or more drive circuits configured to: i) generate a transmit signal having at least first polarity segments, the first segments having corresponding first peak amplitudes; ii) generate a repoling signal having a repoling pattern configured to at least partially revert the depoling effect exhibited by the one or more transducer elements; and iii) generate a bias signal in the poling direction, the bias signal combined with the at least one of the transmit signal or the repoling signal to form a corresponding at least one of a biased transmit signal or a bias repoling signal, that is shifted in the poling direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Harald Weichenberger, Reinhold Brüstle, Anton Hörl, Bruno Hans Haider, Rene Hechtfischer
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Publication number: 20210018607Abstract: An ultrasound system, probe and method are provided. The ultrasound system includes a transducer with piezoelectric transducer elements polarized in a poling direction. A bipolar transmit circuit is configured to generate a transmit signal having first and second polarity segments. The first and second polarity segments have corresponding first and second peak amplitudes. A bias generator is configured to generate a bias signal in a direction of the poling direction. The bias signal is combined with the transmit signal to form a biased transmit signal that is shifted in the direction of the poling direction and still includes both of positive and negative voltages over a transmit cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Harald Weichenberger, Anton Hörl, Reinhold Brüstle, Bruno Hans Haider
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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: 20200170620Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for fabricating a backing material for an acoustic probe. In one example, the backing material may include an additively manufactured meta-structure formed from layers of a tessellation pattern. A geometry of the tessellation pattern and an alignment of the layers may affect acoustic properties of the backing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventor: Reinhold Bruestle
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Patent number: 10488502Abstract: An ultrasound probe and method of forming an ultrasound probe are provided. The ultrasound probe comprises a two-dimensional (2D) transducer assembly having transducer elements arranged in rows and columns. The transducer elements have front and rear surfaces. The front surface is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from an object of interest. A thin film flex circuit extends along the rear surface of the transducer assembly. The flex circuit has conductive traces arranged in layers and enclosed within a common dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a homogeneous composition surrounding the layers of the conductive traces. The conductive traces are electrically interconnected to the corresponding transducer elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Reinhold Bruestle, Thomas Rittenschober, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl, Rainer Schröder
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Patent number: 10470741Abstract: A transducer array for an ultrasound probe is provided. The transducer array includes a plurality of transducer elements. Each of the transducer elements have an acoustic stack configured to generate ultrasound signals. The transducer array includes a front layer having a base and a transmission surface. The front layer is mounted to the acoustic stacks of the plurality or transducer elements. The transmission surface includes a linear incline. The transmission surface is configured to emit the ultrasound signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Reinhold Bruestle, Jean-Francois Gelly, Bruno Hans Haider
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Publication number: 20190105016Abstract: A medical imaging system and a method of ultrasound imaging with a tracking system includes identifying a volume-of-interest from a first ultrasound image acquired from a first position and orientation, tracking the probe using the tracking system as the probe is moved to a second position and orientation, calculating an orientation adjustment that should be applied to the probe from the second position and orientation to bring the volume-of-interest within a field-of-view of the probe, and displaying both a tilt graphical indicator and a rotation graphical indicator on a display device to illustrate the orientation adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Julio Jenaro, Reinhold Bruestle, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl, Marco Brusaca
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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