Patent ID: 7834522

Claim:
A ultrasound imaging transducer comprising: an array of electro-acoustic elements; a backing block on which the array is mounted; for each electro-acoustic element, an area of electrically conductive material on a corresponding portion of a contact surface of the backing block and in electrical contact with the electro-acoustic element; a circuit substrate secured to the backing block and extending in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the contact surface; and for each electro-acoustic element, at least one electrically conductive trace on the circuit board and in electrical contact with the corresponding contact surface portion and thereby with the electro-acoustic element; at least one acoustic matching layer mounted on a transmitting surface of the electro-acoustic element; at least one metallic member mounted on a lateral surface of the backing block and extending in a longitudinal direction at least as far distally as a distal surface of the electro-acoustic elements; and a thermally conductive, metallic layer located between the at least one acoustic matching layer the electro-acoustic element and in contact with the metallic member; said at least one metallic member thereby forming a heat sink for heat flowing through the thermally conductive, metallic layer, as well as laterally from the electro-acoustic elements.