Patent ID: 6030346
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B06B

Abstract:
An ultrasound diagnostic probe assembly comprising:multiple piezoelectric elements producing an array of scanned ultrasound signals,at least one row of insulated, signal transmitting conductors electrically connecting the piezoelectric elements to an electronic scanner that converts the signals to an image,at least one uninsulated conductor in said row together with said signal transmitting conductors,each of the signal transmitting conductors and said at least one uninsulated conductor being in contact with a flexible inner conductor,a flexible conducting shield encircling the signal transmitting conductors and said at least one uninsulated conductor, the shield defining an inner circumference within which the signal transmitting conductors and said at least one uninsulated conductor are free to move and to undergo flexure while the signal transmitting conductors engage the shield and the flexible inner conductor,the signal transmitting conductors tending to cross talk among themselves,the shield and the inner conductor being commoned together,circuitry between, first, the piezoelectric elements and, second, the signal transmitting conductors and said at least one uninsulated conductor, said at least one uninsulated conductor being connected to a ground bus on the circuitry to eliminate the need for connecting the shield to the ground bus,the signal transmitting conductors each engaging both the inner conductor and the shield while being free to move within said inner circumference, andthe signal transmitting conductors each further being purposely capacitance coupled with both the inner conductor and the shield to reduce cross talk among themselves.