St Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc

Peter Goetz

Stephen A Morse

John William Sliwa

Timothy Edward Ciciarelli

Zhenyi Ma

Jennifer Teng

Frank Callaghan

Jonathan L Podmore

John Edwards Crowe

Michael C Holzbaur

Jack Sliwa

Chris Bagley

Derek Hillstrom

Steve Schellenberg

A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer is activated and the activity across the transducer is measured to determine whether the activity at any area does not meet an acceptance criteria. The transducer is then modified so that the area meets the acceptance criteria. The transducer may be modified with a laser which removes material from the area which does not meet the acceptance criteria.

Methods for manufacturing high intensity ultrasound transducers

A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Device and method for high intensity focused ultrasound ablation with acoustic lens

High intensity focused ultrasound transducer with acoustic lens

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Aptos, CA, United States of America

Peter Goetz