Ultrasound system with cableless coupling assembly
View Patent ↗An ultrasound imaging device having a cableless coupling for coupling a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers to a signal generating and receiving unit such as a motherboard. The coupling includes an acoustically attenuating and electrically conductive structure, which can include posts that are electrically conductive or electrically insulative having a conductor embedded or mounted on the outer surface. There can also be a high density connector allowing coupling and de-coupling the two dimensional array to and from the motherboard.
1. An ultrasound system comprising:
a signal generating and receiving unit;
a cableless coupling assembly, the cableless coupling assembly comprising intermediate elements coupled to electrical pads wherein the intermediate elements comprise electrically conductive particles, and is configured to attenuate sound; and
an ultrasound transducing assembly coupled via the cableless coupling assembly to the signal generating and receiving unit wherein the ultrasound transducing assembly comprises:
at least one transducer configured to provide sufficient bandwidth for multiple frequency operation, the at least one transducer configured to be electrically matched to the signal generating and receiving unit.
2. An ultrasound system comprising:
at least one transducer configured to provide sufficient bandwidth for multiple frequency operation, the transducer comprising:
acoustic transducing elements; and
an acoustically isolating assembly connected to the acoustic transducing elements; and
a signal generating and receiving unit connected to the acoustically isolating assembly wherein the transducers are directly connected to the signal generating and receiving unit via a cableless connector and the signal generating and receiving unit is electrically matched to the at least one transducer.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the acoustic transducing elements include at least an acoustically active material between two electrical contacts.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the acoustic transducing elements include an acoustic matching assembly coupled to one of the two electrical contacts and an acoustic window coupled to the acoustic matching assembly.
5. The system of claim 2 wherein the signal generating and receiving unit includes a motherboard.
6. The system of claim 2 wherein a filler material is placed within kerfs formed by the acoustically isolating assembly.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein the acoustically isolating assembly includes posts of an electrically conductive and acoustically attenuating material.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the posts are anisotropic conductors.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein the posts are isotropic conductors.
10. The system of claim 2 wherein the acoustically isolating assembly includes insulating posts having conductors for conducting electrical signals.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the conductors are partially embedded within the posts.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the conductors are attached to the outside of the posts.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the conductors have an insulative backing that is coupled with the posts.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the conductors are longer than and extend beyond the posts.
15. An ultrasound system comprising:
circuitry having a signal generating and receiving unit;
acoustic transducing elements configured to provide sufficient bandwidth for multiple frequency operation, and electrically matched to the circuitry, the acoustic transducing elements comprising:
an acoustically active material between two electrical contacts;
an acoustic matching assembly coupled to one of the two electrical contacts; and
an acoustic window coupled to the acoustic matching assembly;
a cableless coupling assembly coupled to the signal generating and receiving unit and the acoustic transducing elements wherein a transducer is directly connected to the signal generating and receiving unit via a connector, the cableless coupling assembly comprising:
an acoustically isolating assembly having posts configured to be electrically conductive and acoustically attenuating, isolating the acoustic transducing elements; and
a filler material placed within kerfs formed by the acoustically isolating assembly.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the posts are anisotropic conductors.
17. The system of claim 15 wherein the posts are isotropic conductors.
18. The system of claim 15 wherein the acoustically isolating assembly includes conductors for conducting electrical signals coupled to the posts.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the conductors are partially embedded within the posts.
20. The system of claim 18 further comprising an acoustical index matching element.
21. The system of claim 18 wherein the conductors are attached to the outside of the posts.
22. The system of claim 18 wherein the conductors have an insulative backing that is coupled with the posts.
23. The system of claim 18 wherein the conductors are longer than and extend beyond the posts.
24. An ultrasound system comprising:
signal generating and receiving means;
ultrasound transducing means configured to provide sufficient bandwidth for multiple frequency operation, and electrically matched to the signal generating and receiving means;
cableless coupling means connected to the signal generating and receiving means and to the ultrasound transducing means wherein the ultrasound transducing means are directly connected to the signal generating and receiving means via connection means, including
means for acoustically isolating the ultrasound transducing means from the signal generating and receiving means, and
means for conducting electricity; and
acoustic backing means for attenuating acoustic reflections.