Dalhousie University

Andre B Bezanson

Jeremy Brown

Robert B A Adamson

Jeremy A Brown

Philip P Garland

To address limitations of conventional transducers, a phased array transducer is provided with a form factor suitable o for packaging into, e.g., an endoscope. A method of manufacture of small packaging transducers is also provided, whereby the overall package size is reduced by electrically connecting signal wires to array electrodes at an angle approximately normal to the array surface, thus largely eliminating the bend radius requirements of conventional printed circuit boards or flex circuits.

Ultrasound endoscope and methods of manufacture thereof

Among other things, piezoelectric materials and methods of their manufacture are described; particularly methods of forming regions of varying crystal structure within a relaxor piezoelectric substrate. Such methods may including heating the piezoelectric substrate above the transition temperature and below the Curie temperature such that a first phase transition occurs to a first crystal structure; rapidly cooling the piezoelectric substrate below the transition temperature at a cooling rate that is sufficiently high for the first crystal structure to persist; and applying an electric field through one or more selected regions of the piezoelectric substrate, such that within the one or more selected regions, a second phase transition occurs and results in a second crystal structure.

Growing community of inventors

Halifax, Canada

Andre B Bezanson