Ultrasound system and ultrasonic pulse transmission method
US11241715B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB06B2201/76
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasound system comprises a probe including an array of CMUT (capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer) cells. Each cell comprises a substrate carrying a first electrode. The substrate is spatially separated from a flexible membrane including a second electrode. The flexible membrane comprises a mass element in a central region. The system also comprises a voltage supply adapted to, in a transmission mode provide, the respective electrodes with a bias voltage driving the CMUT cells into a collapsed state and a stimulus voltage having a set frequency for resonating the flexible membrane of the CMUT cells in said collapsed state The mass element of the CMUT cells forces the central region of the flexible membrane to remain in the collapsed state during said resonating. A pulse transmission method for such a system is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.