Patent ID: 7408283

Claim:
A cMUT cell array comprising a plurality of groups of cMUT cells, wherein each group comprises a compliant support structure, a first membrane supported over a first cavity by said compliant support structure, a first electrode supported by said first membrane, a second electrode that forms a capacitor with said first electrode, said first cavity being disposed between said first and second electrodes, a second membrane supported over a second cavity by said compliant support structure, a third electrode supported by said second membrane and hard-wired to said first electrode, and a fourth electrode hard-wired to said second electrode and arranged to form a capacitor with said third electrode, said second cavity being disposed between said third and fourth electrodes, and a portion of said compliant support structure being disposed between said first and second cavities, wherein the first or second electrode of a first group of the plurality of groups is not hard wired to the first or second electrode of a second group of the plurality of groups.