Patent ID: 8754574

Claim:
An ultrasound transducer probe comprising: a multi-dimensional array of ultrasound transducer elements; a plurality of frames stacked adjacent to the multi-dimensional array, each of the frames comprising metal structure extending from adjacent to the multi-dimensional array to a location spaced away from the multi-dimensional array and each of the frames supporting multiple of the ultrasound transducer elements of the multi-dimensional array; and a plurality of circuits connected with the transducer elements, the plurality of circuits connected with respective frames, the location being further away from the multi-dimensional array than the location is from the circuits wherein each of the frames comprises a support portion positioned adjacent to the multi-dimensional array, the support portion having a thickness corresponding to a number of rows of the ultrasound transducer elements connected with the circuit or circuits connected with the frame, and wherein each of the frames comprises a circuit portion narrower than the thickness, the circuit or circuits connected with the circuit portion such that the support portions of adjacent frames substantially abut each other.