Hewlett-packard Company

Portex, Inc.

Thomas P Stephens

David A Bristol

Edwin B Merrick

William J Ossmann

Matthew Mooney

David P Dolan

Thomas A Shoup

James T Fearnside

Albert K Bond

Larry Pendergrass

Brian G Connor

Robert G Graves

William R Brown

A multiple aperture ultrasonic transducer having a linear array of elements, each element having a plurality of segments forming apertures of the array, and a connection assembly for interconnecting the segments and connecting the segments to circuits. The connection assembly includes an electrode layer directly adjacent to the segments, at least one insulating layer, and at least one connector layer. The electrode layer has an electrode area for each segment and one of the insulating layers has a connection opening for each segment and connection areas for pairs of segments while the connection layer has segment to segment connectors and segment pad connectors. Each element may be divided into sub-elements with connection cross-overs offset by one sub-element along the array and alternately reversed while alternate middle segments connect to alternate sides. The connection assembly may include interlayer connector layer and may be constructed onto a carrier which may be removed before attachment to a backing body, or the connection assembly may be deposited onto the array before attachment to a backing body. The connection assembly may be fabricated as a single assembly with a monolithic block of piezoelectric material and the assembly diced to a predetermined depth and across a predetermined width so that selected connections between electrode areas and to the pads remain intact. Interlayer vias are staggered and have clearance openings extending into the dicing kerf to reduce space and to insure connection after dicing.

Element interconnections for multiple aperture transducers

An ultrasonic probe including a sensor head having an array of ultrasonic transducer elements is disclosed. The sensor head is located at the tip of a flexible shaft. The flexible shaft houses a flex circuit which is electrically connected directly to the transducer elements. The flex circuit transmits electrical signals from the transducer elements to the handle of the probe. The flexible shaft is bendable in all directions and can bend in a sharp radius in the region near the tip of the flexible shaft.

Ultrasonic probe assembly and cable therefor

Luer nut for connecting medical devices

Pressure dome for coupling the blood pressure of a patient to a

A flush device in which a first passageway extends between a first opening in a body and a first port in said body, a second passageway extends between a second opening in said body and a second port in said body, a capillary pathway provides communication between said first and second passageways, a retainer for compressing a resilient pad into a sealing relationship with said ports and a projection is provided for pulling the pad away from the ports so as to open the seal between the pad and the ports and permit a large flow of fluid between said first and second passageways.

Flush device

An assembly for axially coupling male and female tubes including a nut having internal threads on a polygonally shaped inner surface at one end that can be screwed onto a projection on one of the tubes so as to draw a collar at the other end of the nut into axial contact with a shoulder on the other end of said tubes so as to draw the tubes together, the said projection being such as to ride in said threads at points along the surface of at least one side of said polygon so as to bend it outwardly from its unstressed position.

Non-loosening luer nut

The temperature coefficient of the combination of a transducer and any one of a plurality of disposable plastic domes manufactured to given specifications is reduced by making the temperature coefficient of the transducer have a slope that is equal and opposite to the slope of the temperature coefficient of the average dome.

Dome and transducer with compensating temperature coefficient

A pressure dome that is attached to a transducer housing by springs is provided with means for limiting the amount by which the springs can be flexed so as to prevent them from being damaged. The springs are of the beam type and projections extending from them engage stops on the body of the dome so as to limit their movement.

Pressure dome

A pressure dome in which the wall forming the cavity containing fluid under a pressure that is to be measured has such a low compliance as to prevent expansion or contraction of the base of the dome resulting from changes in its temperature from causing the diaphragm of a transducer coupled thereto from buckling.

Pressure dome with compliant chamber

An electrical cable having a shielding comprised of knit or knit-graded wire having metal coatings.

Shielded electrical cable

The present invention relates to a one-piece tubular clamping assembly formed from a plastic type material and comprising a first clamping arm engageable with a flange positioned on a second clamping arm to create a unique lever and fulcrum structure capable of securing one or more concentric tubular members in place or blocking a flow path through a tubular member. The present invention further comprises a novel locking mechanism for preventing accidental disengagement of the clamping assembly.

Lever and fulcrum clamping assembly

Apparatus for visually indicating the degree of inflation of an inflatable cuff surrounding a catheter which is adapted to be inserted into a body passageway. The apparatus comprises a hollow-walled tubular member formed with a plurality of ridges and valleys and is selectively inflatable into a balloon-like shape in response to the pressure of air applied to the cuff by means of a passageway extending into the tubular member. The member is collapsible without occluding the fluid passageway extending into the indicator apparatus and thus without preventing the deflation of the cuff.

Growing community of inventors

Boxford, MA, United States of America

Thomas P Stephens