Ultrasonic transducer apparatus
US6791240B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53265
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An ultrasonic transducer particularly useful in medical imaging includes a transducer comprising a transducer body having a major front surface for radiating ultrasonic energy to a propagation medium responsive to mechanical vibration of the transducer. The transducer includes a piezoelectric member having a curved shape including a curved front surface. The curved shape is produced by deforming a planar piezoelectric composite member to produce the desired curvature and returning the curvature using suction forces. A graded frequency region is created by grinding the curved front surface of the piezoelectric element along a grinding plane. This region is defined by the area of intersection of the grinding plane and the front surface of the curved piezoelectric member and in different implementations, covers all or less than all of the total front surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.