Patent ID: 7791252
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: A61B,B06B,G01S,G03B

Abstract:
1. An ultrasonic imaging system comprising: an array of transducer elements arranged in rows and columns along a first plane for transmitting first signals and receiving reflected signals for image processing; and a plurality of circuit structures each having (a) a major surface positioned in a co-planar orientation with respect to a major surface of another of the circuit structures to provide a sequence of the structures in a stack-like formation wherein electrical connections are formed between adjacent circuit structures in the sequence, and wherein the major surfaces are each positioned along a plane substantially parallel with the first plane, (b) a connector region having a distal portion extending away from the major surface, with distal portions of connector regions of adjacent structures spaced apart from one another, and (c) a first wiring pattern extending from the major surface to the distal portion of the connector region, the plurality of circuit structures configured to provide a second wiring pattern, including at least some of the electrical connections formed between the circuit structures, extending from one or more of the first wiring patterns to multiple of the transducer elements, wherein two or more rows and/or two or more columns of said array are electrically connected to at least one of said first wiring pattern and said second wiring pattern.