Ultrasound Transducer And Processing Methods Thereof

Abstract

An ultrasonic transducer includes a backing element, an active element overlying the backing layer, and a matching element overlying the active element, the matching element having an inner surface that contacts the active element and an outer surface with a non-homogeneous texture and / or material composition. The matching element may be formed by subtractive or deposition techniques.

Description

[0001] priority [0002] This application claims priority to co-pending US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 561,534, filed November 18, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background technique [0003] This application relates generally to ultrasound transducers. The present application further relates to ultrasound transducers for medical imaging. [0004] A trade-off in medical ultrasound imaging lies in penetration depth and spatial resolution. Higher ultrasound imaging frequencies enable higher spatial resolution at the expense of penetration depth. Lower ultrasound imaging frequencies enable deeper penetration at the expense of spatial resolution. It would be beneficial if a single ultrasound imaging device could image over a broad frequency range, operating at higher frequencies for better spatial resolution and lower frequencies for deeper penetration. [0005] Broadband ultrasound imaging devices may include the use of high ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These approaches can be costly and impractical from a manufacturing standpoint, especially for small, single-purpose, high-frequency ultrasound devices used in relatively high volumes (eg, intravascular ultrasound catheters)

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