Patent ID: 7877854
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: G10K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer, comprising the steps of: providing at least one ultrasonic emitter having a surface capable of emitting ultrasonic energy along a beam path; providing at least one metallic ultrasonic lens configured to direct ultrasonic energy passing therethrough; forming a heat sink path thermally coupled to the at least one metallic ultrasonic lens to conduct heat from an interior of the ultrasound transducer; acoustically coupling the at least one metallic ultrasonic lens to the at least one ultrasonic emitter, such that the at least one metallic ultrasonic lens is at least partially in the beam path, whereby the at least one metallic ultrasonic lens can direct at least some of the ultrasonic energy emitted by the at least one ultrasonic emitter in at least one direction; and providing at least one stress mitigation structure in the at least one ultrasonic emitter to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses arising between the at least one ultrasonic emitter and the at least one metallic ultrasonic lens during operation of the transducer.