IP Library Granted Patent US 7,166,537
Granted Patent B2
US 7,166,537 · App. 11/062,201 · Granted Jan 23, 2007

Miniaturized imaging device with integrated circuit connector system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,166,537
App. No.
11/062,201
Granted
Jan 23, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A miniaturized imaging device and method of viewing small luminal cavities are described. The imaging device can be used as part of a catheter, and can include a lens, an SSID including an imaging array optically coupled to the lens; an umbilical including a conductive line; and an adaptor configured to support the lens and provide electrical communication between the SSID and conductive line. Alternatively, the adaptor can be a rigid adaptor configured to provide electrical communication between the SSID and the conductive line through a conductive path. The conductive path can be configured along multiple contiguous surfaces of the adaptor such that the SSID is electrically coupled to the conductive path at a first surface, and the conductive line is electrically coupled to the conductive path at a second surface.

Claims (21)

1. A method of making an adaptor having a wrap around electrical contact on two contiguous, non-coplanar surfaces of the adapter, comprising:

(a) applying a conductive material layer to an adaptor substrate;

(b) applying a photoresist material layer to the conductive material layer;

(c) developing a portion of the photoresist material layer, such that a first portion of the conductive material layer is exposed, and a second portion of the conductive material layer is protected;

(d) removing the first portion of the conductive material from the adaptor substrate to form a conductive strip residing on two contiguous non-coplanar surfaces of the adaptor substrate; and

(e) removing the adaptor substrate from a working substrate after the first portion of the conductive material is removed from the adaptor substrate.

2. A method as in claim 1 , comprising preliminary steps of applying a removable layer to the working substrate, followed by applying the adaptor substrate to the removable layer.

3. A method as in claim 2 , wherein the step of removing the adapter substrate from the working substrate further includes removing the adaptor substrate from the removable layer after the first portion of the conductive material is removed from the adaptor substrate.

4. A method as in claim 2 , wherein the step of developing the photoresist a portion of the photoresist material is by applying heat from beneath the working substrate, as well as applying UV light to a portion of the photoresist material that protects the first portion of the conductive material.

5. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the photoresist material is completely removed after the first portion of the conductive material is removed from the adaptor substrate.

6. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the adaptor is less than 500 microns in length, width, and height, respectively.

7. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming a

hole through the adaptor substrate, thereby configuring the adaptor to support a lens.

8. A method of making an adaptor having a wrap around electrical contact on two contiguous, non-coplanar surfaces of the adapter, comprising:

(a) coupling an adaptor substrate to a working substrate with a removable layer disposed therebetween;

(b) applying a conductive material layer to the adaptor substrate;

(c) applying a photoresist material layer to the conductive material layer;

(d) developing a portion of the photoresist material layer, such that a first portion of the conductive material layer is exposed, and a second portion of the conductive material layer is protected;

(e) removing the first portion of the conductive material from the adaptor substrate to form a conductive strip residing on two contiguous non-coplanar surfaces of the adaptor substrate; and

(f) separating the adaptor substrate from the working substrate after the first portion of the conductive material is removed from the adaptor substrate.

9. A method as in claim 8 , wherein the step of separating the adapter substrate from the working substrate further includes removing the removable layer from between the working substrate and the adapter substrate.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2016
From: RAYTHEON COMPANY
To: SARCOS LC
Reel/Frame 038662/0422 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 020064 FRAME 0958. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 20, 2016
From: SARCOS INVESTMENTS LC
To: SARCOS LC
Reel/Frame 038770/0988 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2013
From: STERLING LC
To: RAYTHEON COMPANY
Reel/Frame 031381/0449 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 16, 2008
From: SARCOS LC
To: STERLING LC
Reel/Frame 020371/0192 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2007
From: SARCOS INVESTMENTS LC
To: SARCOS, LC
Reel/Frame 020064/0958 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2007
From: JACOBSEN, STEPHEN C.; MARKUS, DAVID T.; MARCEAU, DAVID P.; PENSEL, RALPH W.
To: SARCOS INVESTMENTS LC
Reel/Frame 020054/0893 →