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. 09, 2009
Filed:
Mar. 28, 2005
Nelson H. Oliver, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Nelson H. Oliver, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Malvern, PA (US);
Abstract
A photoetchable glass ceramic is used to form a three dimensional structure for a transducer component. This photostructurable material allows generation of various shapes or structures. For example, a matching layer is formed, in part, using photoetchable glass ceramics with an anechoic-shaped gradient structure. The gradient structures are then filled with materials having desired impedance properties. By allowing generation of desired structures within the matching layer, a desired acoustic impedance property may be provided. As another example, a hollow column is photo etched and used for providing air backing in a backing layer. As yet another example, a transducer layer is formed within a framework of photostructurable material. A plurality of holes with associated shelves is provided for pick-and-place locating of transducer elements within an array. The photostructurable material assists in manufacturing.