Solid-state ultrasound imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to compact and efficient ultrasound transducer scanner formed from a substantially cylindrical semiconductor substrate. In some embodiments, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device includes: an ultrasound scanner assembly disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the ultrasound scanner assembly including a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of transistors formed thereupon. The semiconductor substrate is curved to have a substantially cylindrical form when the ultrasound scanner assembly is in a rolled form, and the plurality of transistors are arranged in a cylindrical arrangement when the ultrasound scanner assembly is in the rolled form. In one such embodiment, the device further includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers formed upon the semiconductor substrate and arranged in a cylindrical arrangement when the ultrasound scanner assembly is in the rolled form.

An intraluminal imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be inserted into a lumen within a body of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis; an imaging assembly coupled to the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly comprising: a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements disposed around the longitudinal axis of the flexible elongate member; a plurality of controllers configured to control the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements to obtain imaging data associated with the lumen; and a plurality of electrical wires extending between the plurality of the ultrasound transducer elements and the plurality of controllers and configured to facilitate communication between the plurality of the ultrasound transducer elements and the plurality of controllers.

Cost effective connectors of high bending stiffness for making high-performance piezoelectric actuators and derivative devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector has circumferentially alternating recesses of circular cross-section which can be cost-effectively machined out with conventional machining techniques. The circular recesses can be adopted to house circular or non-circular cross-sectioned piezoelectric active elements to make cost effective 2-level (2×) piezoelectric displacement actuators. In another embodiment, the non-circular cross-sectioned recesses in the connector include suitable wall openings to enable said recesses to be machined out cost effectively via conventional machining techniques, or via reduced use of non-conventional machining techniques. Additional stiffening mechanisms can be added to minimize the bending displacement of the base of recesses when desired. Cost effective derivative devices, such as high-performance multi-level displacement actuators and compact Langevin low-frequency underwater projectors, can be made from such connectors.

Sold-state intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to compact and efficient circuit architectures and electrical interfaces for an ultrasound transducer array used in a solid-state IVUS system. In one embodiment, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device includes: a flexible elongate member; an ultrasound scanner assembly disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the ultrasound scanner assembly including an ultrasound transducer array; an interface coupler disposed at a proximal portion of the flexible elongate member; and a cable disposed within and extending along a length of the flexible elongate member between the ultrasound scanner assembly and the interface coupler. The cable includes four conductors electrically coupling the ultrasound scanner assembly and the interface coupler.

An intraluminal imaging device includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member including a proximal portion and a distal portion; and an imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly including a flex circuit disposed in a rolled configuration, the flex circuit comprising a spine member and a plurality of rib members extending from the spine member. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Solid-state ultrasound imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to compact and efficient ultrasound transducer scanner formed from a substantially cylindrical semiconductor substrate. In some embodiments, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device includes: an ultrasound scanner assembly disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the ultrasound scanner assembly including a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of transistors formed thereupon. The semiconductor substrate is curved to have a substantially cylindrical form when the ultrasound scanner assembly is in a rolled form, and the plurality of transistors are arranged in a cylindrical arrangement when the ultrasound scanner assembly is in the rolled form. In one such embodiment, the device further includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers formed upon the semiconductor substrate and arranged in a cylindrical arrangement when the ultrasound scanner assembly is in the rolled form.

A system includes a sensor window, a sensor having a field of view through the sensor window, a piezoelectric vibrator positioned to impart vibrations to the sensor window, and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and the piezoelectric vibrator. The computer is programmed to identify a type for an obstruction of the sensor window based on data from the sensor, and instruct the piezoelectric vibrator to vibrate the sensor window with vibrations having a vibration profile. The vibration profile has at least one of frequency or phase velocity chosen according to the identified type of obstruction.

An intraluminal imaging device (102) includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for positioning within a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member including a proximal portion and a distal portion; an imaging assembly (110) disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly including a conductor interface (320); a plurality of wires (330) extending along a length of the flexible elongate member and in communication with the imaging assembly, wherein the plurality of wires are coupled to the imaging assembly at the conductor interface; and a guide member (350) disposed adjacent to the conductor interface, wherein the plurality of wires extend through the guide member. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

A method of assembling an intravascular imaging device (102) is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a support member having a body portion including a plurality of recesses longitudinally spaced from one another (405); positioning a flex circuit around the support member such that the flex circuit is radially spaced from the body portion of the support member (410); and filling a space between the flex circuit and the support member with a backing material through the plurality of recesses of the body portion (420). In one embodiment, an intravascular imaging device includes a flexible elongate member; an imaging assembly including: a flex circuit; and a support member (330) around which the flex circuit is disposed, the support member having a body portion including plurality of recesses (339), wherein the support member defines lumen in fluid communication with a space between the flex circuit and the support member via the plurality of recesses.

The present invention relates to an improved fetal heart rate transducer that overcomes shortcomings of prior transducers in several ways including utilizing an ultra slow-cure epoxy in combination with a piezo-electric disc bonding method to improve ultrasound transmission and reception characteristics, utilizing a slow-cure epoxy in combination with a frontend PCB bonding method to improve transducer reliability, utilizing a metal insert design in combination with molding-in techniques versus press fitting to improve the mechanical stability of the transducer, and utilizing a failsafe LVDS circuit to improve cable error detection and thus improve fetal monitor system reliability. In addition, a method of use of the present invention includes quantitively determining the integrity of each of the piezo-electric disc bonds with the plastic substrate as well as the integrity of the ultrasound field using various height water phantoms that simulate the human body.