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:
Jun. 05, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 13, 1996
Michael J. Eberle, Fair Oaks, CA (US);
Douglas N. Stephens, Davis, CA (US);
Gary Rizzuti, Shingle Springs, CA (US);
Horst F. Kiepen, Georgetown, CA (US);
Andreas Hodjicostis, Everett, WA (US);
Michael J. Eberle, Fair Oaks, CA (US);
Douglas N. Stephens, Davis, CA (US);
Gary Rizzuti, Shingle Springs, CA (US);
Horst F. Kiepen, Georgetown, CA (US);
Andreas Hodjicostis, Everett, WA (US);
Volcano Corporation, Rancho Cordova, CA (US);
Abstract
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.