Method of manufacturing an ultrasound system
US9636133B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49007
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasound therapy system is provided that can include any number of features. In some embodiments, the custom transducer housings can be manufactured using a rapid-prototyping method to arrange a plurality of single-element, substantially flat transducers to share a common focal point. The rapid-prototyping method can include, for example, fused-deposition modeling, 3D printing, and stereolithography. In some embodiments, the therapy system can include a plurality of transducer modules insertable into the openings of the transducer housing. Methods of manufacture are also described, including designing a transducer housing shell to a desired geometry and a plurality of acoustic focusing lenses integral to the transducer housing shell in a 3D computer aided design software, and constructing the transducer housing shell and the plurality of acoustic focusing lenses integral to the transducer housing shell using a rapid-prototyping method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.