Ultrasound transducers with reduced sidelobes and method for manufacture thereof

US5410208A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ACUSON · US

Inventors

• Worth B. Walters · Cupertino, US
• Sevig Ayter · Cupertino, US
• John A. Hossack · Palo Alto, US
• Kathy J. Jackson · Cupertino, US
• Jing Liu · Nanhu, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 12, 1993
• Grant date: Apr 25, 1995
• Expiry date: Apr 12, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B06B1/067
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A transducer has tapered piezoelectric layer sides in order to reduce the sidelobe levels. In addition, matching layers disposed on the piezoelectric layer may similarly be tapered to further increase performance. Alternative to tapering the piezoelectric layer, the top electrode and/or the matching layers may be reduced in size relative to the piezoelectric layer such that they generate a wave which destructively interferes with the undesirable lateral wave. There are also described methods for manufacturing a reduced sidelobe transducer.