The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 18, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 31, 1997
John W Eaton, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Randall L Schlesinger, San Mateo, CA (US);
Michael H Ikeda, San Jose, CA (US);
Charles W Brummer, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Xavier L Pacheco, Chatsworth, CA (US);
Robert Kevakian, Agoura Hills, CA (US);
Ricardo G Espinosa, Milpitas, CA (US);
Acuson Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a conduit that defines a lumen, and the lumen carries a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit can take several forms. In one form the circuit is folded at first and second fold lines, and at least one of the folds is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis of conduit. In another form the flexible circuit includes an end portion that defines a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, each groove aligned with and exposing a respective one of the conductors of the circuit. Additional conductors are positioned in respective ones of the grooves and are electrically connected with the respective conductors of the flexible circuit.