Siemens Medical Solutions Usa, Inc.

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Stephen Roy Barnes

Mirsaid Seyed Bolorforosh

Walter T Wilser

Lex J Garbini

D-l Donald Liu

Sean T Hansen

Grazyna M Palczewska

David A Petersen

Robert Nolen Phelps

Jerry D Hopple

Todor Sheljaskow

Baik Woo Lee

Patrick Gross

Paul Anthony Wagner

Vaughn R Marian

John C Lazenby

Sevig Ayter

Amin M Hanafy

Gregg W Frey

Dalong Liu

Kevin Michael Sekins

Timothy L Proulx

Xiaozheng Zeng

Colin Brock

BaikWoo Lee

David I Bruce

Tim Thigpen

Peter Guo

In a chip-on-array approach, acoustic and electronic modules are separately formed. The acoustic stack is connected to one interposer, and the electronics are connected to another interposer. Different connection processes (e.g., using low temperature bonding for the acoustic stack and higher temperature-based interconnect for the electronics) may be used. This arrangement may allow for different pitches of the transducer elements and the I/O of the electronics by staggering vias in the interposers. The two interposers are then connected to form the chip-on-array.

Chip-on-array with interposer for a multidimensional transducer array

For multidimensional transducer array interconnection, circuit boards with electronics are stacked to form a surface for connection with the array. The surface of the circuit boards for connecting with the transducer array is metalized and diced. Rather than relying on small exposed traces, larger contact pads are formed by metalizing the surface and then dicing the surface. This forms an array of contact pads for connecting with the z-axis or other connectors for elements of the multidimensional transducer array.

Contact pads for electrical module assembly with multidimensional transducer arrays

A memory alloy is used during manufacture of a transducer. The memory of the alloy may correct for deviations or bending during manufacture, such as a superelastic alloy returning an array to a flat state after being twisted during handling. The memory of the alloy may cause a desired change in array geometry during manufacture, such as a shape memory alloy twisting an array into a curved or helix due to applied heat. The array may be fixed in place by the memory alloy or bonding after positioning by the memory alloy, preventing further substantial alteration.

Manufacture of an acoustic array with a shape alloy

Sub-performing elements of an ultrasound transducer array are detected. The power, such as current, used by or provided to the transmit driver is measured. By driving each element or group of elements separately, defective elements or groups of elements are detected from the amount of power used.

Sub-performing transducer element detection for medical ultrasound

In order to position and simultaneously operate both a magnetic resonance (MR) coil and an ultrasound transducer adjacent to a target volume while minimizing interference between the MR coil and the ultrasound transducer, hybrid ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices are provided. One of the hybrid ultrasound and MRI devices includes a transducer array, a communications interface connected with the transducer array, and a housing that electromagnetically shields and encloses the transducer array and the communications interface. An electrically conducting side of the housing receives a radio frequency (RF) signal from an MRI system and transmits the RF signal to an electrically conducting side of a housing of another of the hybrid ultrasound and MRI devices.

Hybrid ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging device

Acoustic array with a shape alloy for medical ultrasound

Sub-aperture control is provided for high intensity focused ultrasound. Test transmissions are made sequentially from different sub-apertures. The tissue response at the focal regions is determined and used to select sub-apertures. For example, one or more sub-apertures are not used where temperature does not rise above certain threshold or tissue displacement is weak, such as associated with intervening bone or attenuating tissue. Other factors may be used instead or in addition to tissue response at the focal region. Relative proximity of the sub-apertures to a lesion, angular distribution of the sub-apertures, shape or size of the sub-aperture focal regions as compared to the tissue to be treated, or combinations thereof may be used. Once selected, the relative weight for each sub-aperture may be adjusted based on measured tissue response for each sub-aperture, such as to provide more equal treatment contribution from different sub-apertures.

Sub-aperture control in high intensity focused ultrasound

An acoustic array is helical or twisted about or around an azimuth axis. For example, one end of the array has an emitting face at 0 degrees, but the other end has an emitting face at 20 degrees. The elements in between gradually transition between the different rotations. Different apertures of the twisted array may be used to scan different generally radial diverging planes for three-dimensional imaging. The different amount of relative rotation associated with each aperture cause angular elevation spacing of the planes. For use in a catheter, a single row of elements may be used to scan electrically a volume.

Helical acoustic array for medical ultrasound

A push-pull capacitive micromechanical ultrasound transducer (CMUT) is provided for ultrasound imaging or therapy. Gaps and electrodes on both sides of an electrostatic membrane provide push-pull operation. The membrane is oriented to flex in a direction of acoustic propagation. A surface connected to the membrane may better expose the movement to the acoustic medium even in the push-pull arrangement.

Push-pull capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer array

Using configurable arrays, synthetic aperture processes may be used along an elevation dimension for increasing resolution. The increased resolution is used for two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging. Alternatively or additionally, wide band synthetic elevation aperture focusing processes, such as beamformation, are provided along the elevation dimension to increase resolution. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, a transducer is rotated about a center of the transducer within the elevation and azimuth plane. An aperture associated with the transducer is mechanically or electronically rotated, and ultrasound data acquired associated with a plurality of different positions. The ultrasound data is then used for synthetic elevation aperture processing. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, multiple scanning modes are provided. In a survey mode, imaging is provided without synthetic elevation aperture processing. For greater detailed imaging, imaging is responsive to synthetic elevation aperture processes with different elevation focusing and scanning.

Synthetic elevation aperture for ultrasound systems and methods

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.

Curved capacitive membrane ultrasound transducer array

Multiple scanning modes are provided. In a survey mode, imaging is provided without synthetic elevation aperture processing. For greater detailed imaging, imaging is responsive to synthetic elevation aperture processes with different elevation focusing and scanning.

A position of an imaging plane relative to a catheter or other probe is aligned with tissue of interest. Ultrasound tissue images may be registered to the catheter position with minimal rotational ambiguity. The spatial position of an ablation catheter or other device with respect to the imaging plane is more accurately determined, allowing a physician to identify specific anatomy in the relative location of a catheter or catheters. Another alternative or additional approach to determining the position of an imaging plane is to determine the relative position of two or more catheters. A catheter associated with imaging is then moved or bent in a direction having a known spatial relationship with the imaging plane. The position of the catheter is relative to each is then determined again to determine the angle or position of the imaging plane. In addition or as an alternative to determining an angular position of an imaging plane relative to a catheter, an ultrasound image of tissue is generated with acoustic elements for position identification. The acoustic elements are used as an imaging transducer array as well as devices for determining relative positions of the catheters.

Growing community of inventors

Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Stephen Roy Barnes