US4862893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic transducer
Assignee: Medtronic Navigation Inc
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Filing: 1988-02-02
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Granted: 1989-09-05
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Expires: 2008-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A miniature transducer designed for use in a medical imaging system catheter probe is disclosed. The transducer has an electric cavity and coaxial construction for preventing electric fields from being emitted or received by the transducers. The construction of the transducer enables two to be mounted very close to one another on a thin catheter probe, one for transmitting acoustic pulses and the other for sensing echoes in response to the acoustic pulses, for imaging extremely close targets. The transducers can be secured to the catheter probe in such a way as to substantially acoustically isolate one from the other. A method of making the transducer by applying several electrically-conductive and insulating coatings and layers to a core in selected sequence so as to create a transducer having an electrical cavity, coaxial construction.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Martinelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B8/42; A61B8/4245; A61B8/4254; A61B34/00; A61B34/20; A61B2034/2046; A61B2034/2051; A61B2034/2063; A61B5/00; A61B5/06; A61B5/061; A61B5/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A transducer comprising: a ceramic substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a back surface, a left side surface and a right side surface; a first layer of electrically conductive material disposed on said top surface and said front surface of said substrate; a piezoelectric device including a sheet of piezoelectric material, said sheet having one side electrically connected to and covering said first layer of electrically conductive material on said top surface of said substrate, said device further including an electrically conductive electrode on the other side of said sheet; an inner conductor attached to and electrically connected with said first layer of electrically conductive material on said front surface of said substrate; an insulative coating covering said inner conductor, said layer of electrically conductive material on said front surface, and said back, bottom, left side and right side surfaces of said substrate; a drain wire wound on said insulative coating on said inner conductor and disposed against said insulative coating covering said substrate; and an electrically-conductive coating covering said insulative coating on said front surface, back surface, bottom surface, left side surface, right side surface, and said drain wire, said electrically-conductive coating being electrically connected to the electrode provided on the other side of said piezoelectric sheet so that said substrate and said piezoelectric sheet are completely encased in electrically conductive material provided by said electrically conductive coating and said electrode provided on the other side of said piezoelectric sheet so as to electrically shield said substrate and said piezoelectric sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A transducer comprising: a ceramic substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a back surface, a left side surface and a right side surface; a first layer of electrically conductive material disposed on said top surface and said front surface of said substrate; a piezoelectric device including a sheet of piezoelectric material, said sheet having one side electrically connected to and covering said first layer of electrically conductive material on said top surface of said substrate, said device further including an electrically conductive electrode on the other side of said sheet; an inner conductor attached to and electrically connected with said first layer of electrically conductive material on said front surface of said substrate; an insulative coating covering said inner conductor, said layer of electrically conductive material on said front surface, and said back, bottom, left side and right side surfaces of said substrate; a drain wire wound on said insulative coating on said inner conductor and disposed against said insulative coating covering said substrate; and an electrically-conductive coating covering said insulative coating on said front surface, back surface, bottom surface, left side surface, right side surface, and said drain wire, said electrically-conductive coating being electrically connected to the electrode provided on the other side of said piezoelectric sheet so that said substrate and said piezoelectric sheet are completely encased in electrically conductive material provided by said electrically conductive coating and said electrode provided on the other side of said piezoelectric sheet so as to electrically shield said substrate and said piezoelectric sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transducer according to claim 1, wherein the portion of said first layer of electrically conductive material disposed on said top surface of said substrate forms a second electrode of said piezoelectric device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transducer according to claim 1, wherein said first layer of electrically conductive material is a layer disposed on said top and front surfaces of said substrate so as to completely cover said top and front surfaces with said electrically conductive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive coating is of substantially uniform thickness of about 0.2 mil. inches thick.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer according to claim 4, wherein said first layer of electrically conductive material is a metallic cladding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer according to claim 5, further including an electrically conductive adhesive for securing said inner conductor to the electrically conductive material on said front surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer according to claim 6, wherein said electrically conductive adhesive is a silverfilled room temperature vulcanizing glue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The transducer according to claim 1, wherein said insulative coating is a vinyl material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer according to claim 8, wherein said layer of vinyl has a thickness of about 0.001 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive coating is an electrically conductive paint.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer according to claim 10, wherein said electrically conductive paint is a silver-filled room temperature vulcanizing paint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of piezoelectric material has an acoustic impedance that is substantially equal to the acoustic impedance of body fluids.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer according to claim 12, wherein said sheet of piezoelectric material comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride foil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transducer according to claim 13, wherein said ceramic substrate is made of aluminum oxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A transducer according to claim 12, wherein said substrate is about 0.012 inches thick, about 0.028 inches wide and about 0.038 inches long.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-04 | 1993-03-06 | 1993-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-04 | 1997-03-06 | 1997-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-04 | 2001-03-06 | 2001-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |