公开(公告)号：US20050277836A1

公开(公告)日：2005-12-15

申请号：US11051089

申请日：2005-02-04

申请人： Timothy Proulx ,  Lewis Thomas ,  Walter Wilser ,  Mirsaid Bolorforosh

发明人： Timothy Proulx ,  Lewis Thomas ,  Walter Wilser ,  Mirsaid Bolorforosh

IPC分类号： A61B8/12 ,  A61B8/14

CPC分类号： A61B8/12

摘要： A multi-dimensional, such as a two-dimensional, array is provided within a transesophageal probe housing. Since the size of the transesophageal probe housing is limited for comfort of a patient, active electronics are positioned spaced away from the multi-dimensional transducer array, such as within a handle of the transesophageal probe housing. Signal conductors connect the multi-dimensional transducer array to the active electronics. The elements of the multi-dimensional transducer array have a capacitance much lower than parasitic capacitance of the connecting cables. To provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio, the elements are formed from multiple layers of transducer material, increasing the capacitance of each element.

摘要翻译： 在经食道探针外壳内提供多维（例如二维）阵列。 由于经食管探针外壳的尺寸受到患者舒适度的限制，因此有源电子器件定位成与多维换能器阵列间隔开，例如在经食管探针外壳的手柄内。 信号导体将多维换能器阵列连接到有源电子装置。 多维换能器阵列的元件具有比连接电缆的寄生电容低得多的电容。 为了提供更高的信噪比，元件由多层换能器材料形成，增加了每个元件的电容。

公开(公告)号：US20070167752A1

公开(公告)日：2007-07-19

申请号：US11295794

申请日：2005-12-07

申请人： Timothy Proulx ,  Christopher Daft ,  J. Mohr ,  Walter Wilser ,  Charles Bradley ,  Paul Wagner ,  Igal Ladabaum

发明人： Timothy Proulx ,  Christopher Daft ,  J. Mohr ,  Walter Wilser ,  Charles Bradley ,  Paul Wagner ,  Igal Ladabaum

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/52095 ,  A61B8/483 ,  G01S15/892 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8927 ,  G01S15/8959 ,  G01S15/8995 ,  G01S15/8997

摘要： Synthetic transmit aperture is provided for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging. A transducer may have separate transmit and receive elements. Broad beams are transmitted, allowing fewer transmit elements and/or more rapid scanning. A multidimensional receive array generates data in response to sequential transmissions, such as transmissions from different angles. The data is combined to increase resolution. A transducer array with offset transmit elements for forming a transmit line source may be used.

摘要翻译： 为三维超声成像提供合成发射孔径。 传感器可以具有单独的发射和接收元件。 传输宽波束，允许更少的发射元件和/或更快速的扫描。 多维接收阵列响应于顺序传输产生数据，例如来自不同角度的传输。 数据被组合以提高分辨率。 可以使用具有用于形成发射线源的偏移发射元件的换能器阵列。

公开(公告)号：US20050225210A1

公开(公告)日：2005-10-13

申请号：US10815307

申请日：2004-04-01

申请人： Stephen Englund ,  Ellen Rowland ,  Grazyna Palczewska ,  Gregg Frey ,  Todor Sheljaskow ,  Lisa Fearn ,  Vaughn Marian ,  Nelson Oliver ,  Walter Wilser ,  Worth Walters

发明人： Stephen Englund ,  Ellen Rowland ,  Grazyna Palczewska ,  Gregg Frey ,  Todor Sheljaskow ,  Lisa Fearn ,  Vaughn Marian ,  Nelson Oliver ,  Walter Wilser ,  Worth Walters

IPC分类号： B06B1/06 ,  H01L41/18 ,  H04R17/00 ,  H05K3/36 ,  H05K3/46

CPC分类号： B06B1/0622

摘要： Electrical connection is provided in a transducer stack through a backing block. A flexible circuit is sandwiched between pieces of acoustic attenuating material. For example, 2 to 200 or more flexible circuits are stacked in alternating layers with pieces of acoustically attenuating material. The alternating layers are then connected together to form a backing block with Z-axis electrical connection. The top surface of the connected backing block includes a plurality of exposed electrical traces from the flex circuit. Since flex circuits are used, the electrical traces are precisely aligned along one dimension. Since pre-formed acoustic attenuating material pieces are used, precise alignment is provided along a second or orthogonal dimension. The substrate holding the electrical traces in the flexible circuits provides more stability and allows for easier connection to circuit boards as compared to individual strips of metal.

摘要翻译： 通过背衬块在换能器堆叠中提供电气连接。 柔性电路夹在声衰减材料片之间。 例如，2到200个或更多个柔性电路以交替的层与多个声衰减材料堆叠。 然后将交替层连接在一起以形成具有Z轴电连接的背衬块。 连接的背衬块的顶表面包括来自柔性电路的多个暴露的电迹线。 由于使用柔性电路，所以电迹线沿着一个维度精确对准。 由于使用了预先形成的声衰减材料片，所以沿着第二或正交的尺寸提供精确对准。 与单个金属条相比，在柔性电路中保持电迹线的基板提供更多的稳定性并且允许更容易地连接到电路板。

公开(公告)号：US20080027327A1

公开(公告)日：2008-01-31

申请号：US11904776

申请日：2007-09-27

申请人： Walter Wilser ,  Lex Garbini ,  Jian Mo

发明人： Walter Wilser ,  Lex Garbini ,  Jian Mo

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： A61B8/4461 ,  A61B8/12 ,  A61B8/13 ,  A61B8/445

摘要： A transducer array is connected with a catheter housing. As the transducer array is rotated, the catheter housing also rotates. As a result, at least a portion of the catheter housing twists about a longitudinal axis. By applying rotation in a controlled way, such as with a motor, a plurality of two-dimensional images for three-dimensional reconstruction may be obtained. The rotation of the catheter housing may limit the total amount of rotation of the array, such as rotating the array through a 90 degree or less amount of rotation about the longitudinal axis. The housing of the catheter is formed with a soft section. The softer material allows for a greater amount or increased ease for twisting the catheter.

摘要翻译： 换能器阵列与导管外壳连接。 当换能器阵列旋转时，导管壳体也旋转。 结果，导管壳体的至少一部分围绕纵向轴线扭曲。 通过以受控的方式，例如用电动机施加旋转，可以获得用于三维重建的多个二维图像。 导管壳体的旋转可以限制阵列的总旋转量，例如使阵列围绕纵向轴旋转90度或更少的旋转量。 导管的外壳形成有柔软的部分。 较软的材料允许更大的数量或更容易扭转导管。

公开(公告)号：US20070013264A1

公开(公告)日：2007-01-18

申请号：US11181520

申请日：2005-07-13

申请人： Walter Wilser ,  Sean Hansen ,  Grazyna Palczewska ,  Stephen Barnes

发明人： Walter Wilser ,  Sean Hansen ,  Grazyna Palczewska ,  Stephen Barnes

IPC分类号： H01L41/00 ,  A61B8/00 ,  H02N2/00

CPC分类号： B06B1/0292

摘要： CMUT elements are formed on a substrate. Electrical conductors are formed to interconnect between different portions of the substrate. The substrate is then separated into pieces while maintaining the electrical connections across the separation. Since the conductors are flexible, the separated substrate slabs may be positioned on a curved surface while maintaining the electrical interconnection between the slabs. Large curvatures may be provided, such as associated with forming a multidimensional transducer array for use in a catheter. The electrical interconnections between the different slabs and elements may allow for a walking aperture arrangement for three dimensional imaging.

摘要翻译： CMUT元件形成在基板上。 电导体形成为在衬底的不同部分之间互连。 然后将衬底分离成片，同时保持穿过分离的电连接。 由于导体是柔性的，所以分离的基板可以定位在弯曲表面上，同时保持板之间的电互连。 可以提供大的曲率，例如与形成用于导管的多维换能器阵列有关。 不同板坯和元件之间的电互连可以允许用于三维成像的步行孔布置。

公开(公告)号：US20050042424A1

公开(公告)日：2005-02-24

申请号：US10646130

申请日：2003-08-22

申请人： Gregg Frey ,  Todor Sheljaskow ,  Walter Wilser ,  Worth Walters ,  Nelson Oliver

发明人： Gregg Frey ,  Todor Sheljaskow ,  Walter Wilser ,  Worth Walters ,  Nelson Oliver

IPC分类号： A61B8/00 ,  B06B1/06 ,  B32B3/00 ,  G01N29/28 ,  H04R17/00

CPC分类号： B06B1/0622 ,  Y10T428/24612

摘要： Matching layers are provided, including: electrically conductive acoustic matching layers, methods for conducting electric current through matching layers, methods for manufacturing multi-dimensional arrays using conductive matching layers, and multi-dimensional arrays with electrically conducting matching layers. Matching layers with conductors aligned for providing electrical conduction through the thickness or range dimension of the matching layer are provided. For example, vias, aligned magnetic particles, or conductive films at least partially or entirely within the matching layer of each element allow electrical conduction from the transducer material to a ground foil or flex circuit. By using multiple electrical conductive matching layers, a gradation in acoustic impedance for better matching is provided while allowing dicing of the entire stack, including the matching layers and the electroceramic material, in one step.

摘要翻译： 提供了匹配层，包括：导电声匹配层，用于通过匹配层传导电流的方法，使用导电匹配层制造多维阵列的方法，以及具有导电匹配层的多维阵列。 提供了匹配层，导体对齐以提供通过匹配层的厚度或范围尺寸的导电。 例如，通孔，对准的磁性颗粒或至少部分或完全在每个元件的匹配层内的导电膜允许从换能器材料到接地箔或柔性电路的电传导。 通过使用多个导电匹配层，提供了用于更好匹配的声阻抗等级，同时允许包括匹配层和电陶瓷材料在内的整个叠层的切割。

公开(公告)号：US20070066902A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-22

申请号：US11233779

申请日：2005-09-22

申请人： Walter Wilser ,  John Mohr

发明人： Walter Wilser ,  John Mohr

IPC分类号： A61B8/14

CPC分类号： A61B8/4488 ,  A61B8/12 ,  A61B8/445 ,  B06B1/0292

摘要： A foldable transducer array is unfolded or deployed for use, providing a larger radiating surface. While folded, the transducer array has a smaller width or volume for insertion into and withdrawal from the patient.

摘要翻译： 可折叠的换能器阵列展开或展开以供使用，提供较大的辐射表面。 当折叠时，换能器阵列具有较小的宽度或体积，用于插入患者体内并从患者身上拔出。

公开(公告)号：US20060173348A1

公开(公告)日：2006-08-03

申请号：US11012389

申请日：2004-12-14

申请人： Walter Wilser ,  Lex Garbini ,  Jian Mo

发明人： Walter Wilser ,  Lex Garbini ,  Jian Mo

IPC分类号： A61B8/14

CPC分类号： A61B8/4461 ,  A61B8/12 ,  A61B8/13 ,  A61B8/445

摘要： A transducer array is connected with a catheter housing. As the transducer array is rotated, the catheter housing also rotates. As a result, at least a portion of the catheter housing twists about a longitudinal axis. By applying rotation in a controlled way, such as with a motor, a plurality of two-dimensional images for three-dimensional reconstruction may be obtained. The rotation of the catheter housing may limit the total amount of rotation of the array, such as rotating the array through a 90 degree or less amount of rotation about the longitudinal axis. The housing of the catheter is formed with a soft section. The softer material allows for a greater amount or increased ease for twisting the catheter.

摘要翻译： 换能器阵列与导管外壳连接。 当换能器阵列旋转时，导管壳体也旋转。 结果，导管壳体的至少一部分围绕纵向轴线扭曲。 通过以受控的方式，例如用电动机施加旋转，可以获得用于三维重建的多个二维图像。 导管壳体的旋转可以限制阵列的总旋转量，例如使阵列围绕纵向轴旋转90度或更少的旋转量。 导管的外壳形成有柔软的部分。 较软的材料允许更大的数量或更容易扭转导管。