Abstract: A curvilinear ultrasound transducer and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes providing a piezoelectric block having an upper side and a lower side opposite to the upper side; cutting the piezoelectric block at a plurality of positions forming a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements separated by a plurality of gaps; allowing the plurality of gaps to be filled with a first gas resulting in a plurality of gas-filled gaps; arranging an acoustic matching layer facing the upper side of the piezoelectric block; arranging the piezoelectric block and the first acoustic matching layer between a curvilinear upper surface of a support structure and a pressure element; and pressing the piezoelectric block and the first acoustic matching layer with the support structure and the pressure element to curvilinearly shape the piezoelectric block and first acoustic matching layer.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle, an insertion tube, a first flexible cable and an ultrasound transducer for receiving and transmitting ultrasound, the ultrasound transducer including an ultrasound transducer array attached to a distal end of the insertion tube, the handle being attached to a proximal end of the insertion tube, the first flexible cable is extending from the handle and being electrically connected to the ultrasound transducer array. The ultrasound transducer includes an electrical circuit for receiving and providing electrical signals to the ultrasound transducer array. The electrical circuit includes a flexible base section, a plurality of first flexible electrical conductors, and a contact section comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts. The flexible base section and the plurality of first flexible electrical conductors is a single flexible printed circuit and the first flexible electrical conductors extend from the flexible base section and into the first flexible cable.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer including a convex ultrasound transducer array including a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, an electrical circuit for receiving and providing electrical signals to the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, and a support structure having a convex upper surface facing the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements and extending in a direction parallel to a first axis. The electric circuit includes a plurality of first flexible conductors bend around the support structure at a first curve section and at a second curve section, the first curve section being separate from the second curve section.