Patent ID: 6618916
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A61B,B06B,H05K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for fabricating an intravascular ultrasound transducer assembly comprising a flexible circuit, integrated circuitry, and a set of transducer elements, the method comprising the steps:fabricating the flexible circuit comprising a flexible substrate and a set of electrically conductive lines formed on the flexible substrate; fabricating a transducer sheet comprising a transducer material, a signal electrode and a ground electrode, wherein a first contact point on the signal electrode and a second contact point on the ground electrode for each transducer element are arranged upon substantially a same physical plane; attaching the transducer sheet to the flexible circuit while the flexible circuit is in a substantially flat shape such that the first contact point and second contact point connect to the electrically conductive lines on the flexible circuit; and re-shaping the flexible circuit into a substantially non-flat shape such that the ultrasound transducer assembly has a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein a diameter of the substantially cylindrical ultrasound transducer assembly is between about 0.3 to 5.0 millimeters, thereby enabling intravascular use.