Patent ID: 11937976
Assignee: 1929803 ONTARIO CORP
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  B | IPC A  B

Claim 0:
1. An ultrasound patch assembly configured for use on the skin of a patient to detect fluid flow in a vessel in the patient, comprising:
two piezoelectric (piezo) elements configured to transmit ultrasonic energy and detect echo signals;
a flex module comprising first and second support portions connected to a respective one of the piezo elements, the flex module further comprising a hinged portion coupled to the first and second support portions and configured to allow the first and second support portions to be positioned angularly relative to each other, the flex module further comprising a first alignment portion;
electronics in communication with the two piezo elements through the flex module, the electronics configured to direct the two piezo elements to transmit the ultrasonic energy, the electronics further configured to process the detected echo signals;
a transducer frame comprising a second alignment portion that engages the first alignment portion of the flex module to retain the flex module in an aligned position on the transducer frame, the transducer frame supporting the two piezo elements at a fixed angular position with respect to each other; and
a housing that encloses the electronics and the transducer frame within an interior area, the housing including a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the top surface configured to face away from the skin of the patient and the bottom surface configured to face toward the skin of the patient during use with the patient, wherein the housing fixedly retains the transducer frame and the flex module to position the two piezo elements to transmit the ultrasonic energy toward the bottom surface and away from the top surface.