Endosonics Corporation

Volcano Corporation

Volcano Therapeutics, Inc.

Endosonics Coporation

Horst F Kiepen

Michael J Eberle

Gary P Rizzuti

Douglas N Stephens

Daniel A Brunicardi

Andreas Hodjicostis

David H Rammler

Adam D Savakus

Andrew P Proudian, Deceased

An ultrasound transducer assembly of the present invention includes a flexible circuit to which an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry are attached during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly. The flexible circuit comprises a flexible substrate to which the integrated circuitry and transducer elements are attached while the flexible substrate is in a substantially flat shape. The flexible circuit further comprises electrically conductive lines that are deposited upon the flexible substrate. The electrically conductive lines transport electrical signals between the integrated circuitry and the transducer elements. After assembly, the flexible circuit is re-shapable into a final form such as, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.

High resolution intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible substrate

A flexible elongate member such as a pressure guide wire () includes an electrical device such as a pressure sensor (). The pressure sensor () is electrically connected to conductive bands (), () and () located on electrical connector (). The electrical connector is attached to core wire () and shaft or hypotube (). The use of electrical connector () helps minimize the assembly time of pressure guide wire (), as well as minimize some of the assembly problems associated with prior art designs such as pressure guide wire ().

Flexible elongate member having one or more electrical contacts

An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuitry of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.

Ultrasound transducer assembly

A method of making a flexible elongate member includes the steps of providing a core wire having a proximal region and a distal region, attaching an electrical device to the distal region of the core wire, the electrical device being electrically connected to at least one electrical conductor. A substantially cylindrical electrical connector is formed from a substrate having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge of the substrate being bonded substantially flush to each other, the electrical connector including a plurality of conductive bands and a plurality of electrically conductive runners interconnected to the plurality of bands. An electrically conductive bond is formed between the electrical conductors and the plurality of electrically conductive runners. The substantially cylindrical electrical connector is attached to the proximal region of the core wire.

Method of making a flexible elongate member

An ultrasound catheter is disclosed for providing substantially real-time images of small cavities. The ultrasound catheter is characterized by separate and distinct materials for backing the transducers and for carrying the electronics components. The separate materials comprise an electronics carrier meeting the requirements for holding the integrated circuit of the ultrasound device and a backing material displaying superior characteristics relating to reducing ringing and minimizing the effect of other sources of signal degradation in the transducer assembly. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a technique is described for connecting the conductor lines of the separate transducer assembly and electronics body.

A flexible elongate member such as a pressure guide wire (,) includes an electrical device such as a pressure sensor (,). The pressure sensor (,) is electrically connected to conductive bands (,), (,) and (,) located on electrical connector (,). The electrical connector is attached to core wire (,) and shaft or hypotube (,). The use of electrical connector (,) helps minimize the assembly time of pressure guide wire (,), as well as minimize some of the assembly problems associated with prior art designs such as pressure guide wire (,).

Method of making an ultrasound transducer assembly

Ultrasound catheter probe

Ultrasound catheter

An in vivo imaging device is provided for producing real-time images of small, moving or stationary cavities and surrounding tissue structure. The imaging device includes a probe assembly of very small dimensions and preferably sufficiently small to fit within cavities having a diameter on the order of that of a human coronary artery. The probe assembly may be mounted to a positioning device such as a catheter, which allows for the use of, for example, conventional guiding catheters and guide wires.

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Georgetown, CA, United States of America

Horst F Kiepen