Patent ID: 6110314
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: A61B,B06B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer array of cylindrical configuration, comprising the steps of:forming on an initially flat flexible substrate electrically conductive tracks through which transducer elements will be energized in use;mounting on said tracks piezo-electric transducer elements made from a ceramic material, said step of mounting the piezo-electric transducer elements on said tracks including the steps of:securing a block of piezo-electric ceramic material on said electrically conductive tracks,dividing said block into a plurality of said piezo-electric transducer elements, which are functionally discrete, andeffecting electrical connections between the transducer elements and said electrically conductive tracks;securing multiplexer elements to the flat flexible substrate on the same side as the transducer elements but spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance;effecting electrical connections between the multiplexer elements and the electrically conductive tracks; andforming into a cylinder the flexible substrate with the ceramic piezo-electric transducer elements and conductive tracks mounted thereon.