Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device includes an ultrasound transducer module disposed within a housing and a flowable acoustic damping material disposed on at least one surface located within an interior of the housing. The flowable acoustic damping material may be a Teflon™-containing gel material, in contact with at least one internal surface of the imaging device to provide acoustic damping.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device is provided. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate having a membrane support layer formed on a bottom cavity layer, and an opening in the membrane support layer so as to form a transducer cavity. In some embodiments, the opening comprises a truncated circle shape.

Abstract: A parametric resonator can be driven by varying a parameter of a modulated capacitor or other externally powered type device to achieve transduction. Conventionally, externally powered type devices generally require an external power source or a static charge to achieve transduction. By pumping the parameter of the device at a frequency that is about twice the resonance frequency, and an amplitude that is above a threshold, however parametric resonance can be generated and sustained without requiring an external power source or charge to be applied to the device.

Abstract: An ultrasound device is described. The ultrasound device comprises a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). The CMUT comprises a membrane, a substrate, a cavity disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the cavity comprises a bottom surface adjacent to the substrate, and non-uniform pedestals protruding from the bottom surface of the cavity into the cavity and towards the membrane.

Abstract: A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device includes forming a curved membrane over a transducer cavity. A center portion of the curved membrane is closer to a bottom surface of the transducer cavity than with respect to radially outwardly disposed portions of the curved membrane.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein relate to sensing a fingerprint of a subject via an ultrasound fingerprint sensor. Certain aspects relate to transmitting and receiving ultrasound data at multiple different frequencies to provide sensing data from different depths within the skin of the subject. Since different ultrasound frequencies are expected to penetrate a subject's skin to different degrees, sensing a finger at multiple ultrasound frequencies may provide information on different physical aspects of the finger. For instance, sound ultrasound frequencies may sense a surface of the skin, whereas other ultrasound frequencies may penetrate through one or more of the epidermal, dermal or subcutaneous layers. The ultrasound fingerprint apparatus may have utility in various applications, including but not limited to mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones or tablet computers, a laptop computer or biometric access equipment.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array includes a plurality of functional micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs), each having a cavity of a first diameter. One or more groups of non-functional MUTs are disposed about a perimeter of the functional MUTs, the one or more groups of non-functional MUTs having a cavity of a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device is provided. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate having a membrane support layer formed on a bottom cavity layer, and an opening in the membrane support layer so as to form a transducer cavity. In some embodiments, the opening comprises a truncated circle shape.

Abstract: A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device includes forming a curved membrane over a transducer cavity. A center portion of the curved membrane is closer to a bottom surface of the transducer cavity than with respect to radially outwardly disposed portions of the curved membrane.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein relate to sensing a fingerprint of a subject via an ultrasound fingerprint sensor. Certain aspects relate to transmitting and receiving ultrasound data at multiple different frequencies to provide sensing data from different depths within the skin of the subject. Since different ultrasound frequencies are expected to penetrate a subject's skin to different degrees, sensing a finger at multiple ultrasound frequencies may provide information on different physical aspects of the finger. For instance, sound ultrasound frequencies may sense a surface of the skin, whereas other ultrasound frequencies may penetrate through one or more of the epidermal, dermal or subcutaneous layers. The ultrasound fingerprint apparatus may have utility in various applications, including but not limited to mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones or tablet computers, a laptop computer or biometric access equipment.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a capacitive micromachined transducers for ultrasound imaging having pressure calibrator to compensate for ultrasound image distortions caused by environmental pressure changes. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method to calibrate a first ultrasound transducer of an array of ultrasound transducers for ambient pressure variation. The method includes the steps of detecting a real-time ambient pressure value; determining a pressure difference value between the detected ambient pressure value and a predetermined pressure value; and calibrating the first ultrasound transducers to compensate for the determined pressure difference.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device includes an ultrasound transducer module disposed within a housing and a flowable acoustic damping material disposed on at least one surface located within an interior of the housing. The flowable acoustic damping material may be a Teflon-containing gel material, in contact with at least one internal surface of the imaging device to provide acoustic damping.

Abstract: An ultrasound device is described. The ultrasound device may include a cavity, a membrane, and a sensing electrode. When an electrical signal is applied to the sensing electrode and a static bias is applied to the membrane, the membrane vibrates within the cavity and produces ultrasonic signals. The cavity, the membrane, and the sensing electrode may be considered a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). The sensing electrode may be shaped as a ring, whereby the central portion of the sensing electrode is removed. Removal of the central portion of the sensing electrode may reduce the parasitic capacitance without substantially affecting the production of ultrasonic signals by the CMUT. This, in turn, can result in an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the ultrasonic signals. The ultrasound device may further include a bond pad configured for wire bonding, and a trench electrically isolating the bond pad from the membrane.

Abstract: A parametric resonator can be driven by varying a parameter of a modulated capacitor or other externally powered type device to achieve transduction. Conventionally, externally powered type devices generally require an external power source or a static charge to achieve transduction. By pumping the parameter of the device at a frequency that is about twice the resonance frequency, and an amplitude that is above a threshold, however parametric resonance can be generated and sustained without requiring an external power source or charge to be applied to the device.

Abstract: Ultrasound devices configured to perform high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are described. An ultrasound device may include HIFU units configured to emit high acoustic intensities and elasticity detectors configured to determine characteristics of the target area of a human body based on the elasticity of the target area. The elasticity detectors may determine, e.g., whether the target area is healthy, and if not, the type cell in need of treatment (e.g., the type of cancer cell present in the target area). In one example, the elasticity detectors may be configured to determine the stiffness of the target area, which may provide an indication as to the type of cell present in the area, by estimating the velocity of a shear wave propagating away from the target area. The shear wave may arise in response to the application of an ultrasound wave to the target area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing increased CMUT imaging performance are disclosed. The system can comprise CMUT electronics with integrated or derived gap feedback. In this manner, the response of the CMUT membrane can be linearized to improve pressure output and/or harmonic distortion. The system can comprise a CMUT with series resistance to improve linearity. The system can also comprise a CMUT with series induction-resistance for improved linearity at reduced voltages. A method for linearizing CMUT response is also disclosed. The method can comprise providing a signal to the CMUT that is inversely proportional the gap between the CMUT membrane and the substrate on which the CMUT is fabricated.