초록 ▼

An ultrasonic transducer assembly is disclosed having both transmit and receive circuitry integral to the transducer assembly for generating and receiving ultrasonic pulses. The ultrasonic transducer array which is integral with the transducer assembly preferably includes multi-layer transducer elem

An ultrasonic transducer assembly is disclosed having both transmit and receive circuitry integral to the transducer assembly for generating and receiving ultrasonic pulses. The ultrasonic transducer array which is integral with the transducer assembly preferably includes multi-layer transducer elements as transmit elements of the array and may include single layer transducer elements as receive elements. Also disclosed is an ultrasonic scanner utilizing the transducer assembly with integral transmit and receive circuitry to reduce the amount and complexity of interconnections between the transducer assembly and a scanner rack.

대표청구항 ▼

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising:a connector having an upper surface, a lower surface and an array of connector pads formed in said connector for electrically connecting said upper surface to said lower surface;an ultrasonic transducer chip mounted on sa

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising:a connector having an upper surface, a lower surface and an array of connector pads formed in said connector for electrically connecting said upper surface to said lower surface;an ultrasonic transducer chip mounted on said upper surface of said connector, said ultrasonic transducer chip being divided into a plurality of transducer elements, said plurality of transducer elements being comprised of a set of low impedance multilayer transmit transducer elements and a set of receive transducer elements and wherein said ultrasonic transducer chip is mounted on said connector such that a plurality of transducer elements from said transmit set of transducer elements are electrically connected to said lower surface of said connector and a plurality of said receive set of transducer elements are electrically connected to said lower surface of said connector;a low voltage transmitter integral with said transducer assembly and operably associated with said transmit set of transducer elements for selectively providing an electrical signal to at least a preselected one of said transmit set of transducer elements to thereby generate an ultrasonic pulse from said preselected transducer element, wherein said low voltage transmitter transmits voltages of about 15 V or less to said transmit elements; andreceive circuitry means integral with said transducer assembly and operably associated with said receive set of transducer elements for selecting an electrical signal corresponding to an ultrasonic signal from a target received by a selected one of said receive set of transducer elements.