Methods for manufacturing high intensity ultrasound transducers

US9445211B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jack Sliwa · Los Altos Hills, US
• Jonathan L. Podmore · San Francisco, US
• Chris Bagley · Santa Clara, US
• John E. Crowe · Palo Alto, US
• Michael C. Holzbaur · East Palo Alto, US
• Derek Hillstrom · Union City, US
• Steve Schellenberg · Capitola, US
• Peter G. Goetz · Springfield, US
• Stephen A. Morse · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 11, 2005
• Grant date: Sep 13, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 15, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49005
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer is activated and the activity across the transducer is measured to determine whether the activity at any area does not meet an acceptance criteria. The transducer is then modified so that the area meets the acceptance criteria. The transducer may be modified with a laser which removes material from the area which does not meet the acceptance criteria.