An intraluminal imaging device is provided. In one embodiment, the imaging device includes a flexible elongate member that may be inserted into a body lumen within a patient. The flexible elongate member may define a longitudinal axis. The imaging device also has an imaging assembly that is disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly may have a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements disposed around the longitudinal axis. The imaging assembly further includes a first integrated circuit controller in communication with the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements. The first integrated circuit controller may be annularly shaped. In some embodiments, the imaging assembly may include a second integrated circuit controller in communication with the ultrasound transducer elements and the first integrated circuit controller. The second integrated circuit controller may be annularly shaped.

An ultrasound unit includes an ultrasound array that has a plurality of ultrasound elements, each of which has a first principal surface that is rectangular where a transmitting and receiving portion, a signal electrode terminal, and a ground electrode terminal are arranged in a longer side direction, longer sides of the ultrasound elements being coupled, one or more short-lines that are connected to a plurality of ground electrode terminals, a ground line that is connected to the short-line, and a plurality of signal lines, each of which is connected to one of the signal electrode terminals, and adjoining ultrasound elements of the ultrasound elements are coupled such that the signal electrode terminals are arranged alternately on opposite sides in the longer side direction of the transmitting and receiving portions that are rectangular.

An intraluminal ultrasound imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient. The flexible elongate member includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device also includes an ultrasound imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The ultrasound imaging assembly is configured to obtain imaging data of the body lumen. The ultrasound imaging assembly includes a transducer array including a substrate, a silicon oxide layer disposed over the substrate, and a plurality of rows of micromachined ultrasound transducer elements disposed on the silicon oxide layer. Two of the plurality of rows of micromachined ultrasound transducer elements are spaced apart by a trench formed by etching through a screen formed in the silicon oxide layer. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

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.

An ultrasound probe includes: an ultrasound transducer including plural piezoelectric elements; an acoustic lens layer configured to radiate the ultrasound emitted from the plural piezoelectric elements to outside; a back layer that faces the acoustic lens layer with the ultrasound transducer interposed between the back layer and the acoustic lens layer; and a wiring member having at least a part that is arranged at a first position between the acoustic lens layer and the ultrasound transducer or at a second position that faces the ultrasound transducer with the back layer interposed between the second position and the ultrasound transducer. The wiring member includes: a resin layer having electrically insulating; and an electrically conducting layer that is provided on the resin layer and includes plural signal wirings.

An intravascular imaging device is provided. In some embodiments, the intravascular imaging device includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member having 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 positioned directly around the flexible elongate member. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular imaging device includes obtaining a flex circuit including a first layer having a plurality of transducers and a second layer having an acoustic backing material; and positioning the flex circuit directly around a distal portion of a flexible elongate member.

An ultrasound endoscope includes: a plurality of piezoelectric elements that are arranged to form a cylinder such that respective longitudinal directions of the piezoelectric elements are aligned, each piezoelectric element being configured to transmit and receive an ultrasound wave; an acoustic lens that is located on outer peripheries of the piezoelectric elements, the acoustic lens being configured to converge ultrasound waves generated by the piezoelectric elements on an outside of the acoustic lens, and transmit ultrasound waves input from the outside of the acoustic lens to the piezoelectric elements; a housing configured to hold distal end sides and proximal end sides of both of the piezoelectric elements and the acoustic lens; and a flexible material that is located between either a distal end or a proximal end of the acoustic lens and the housing, and that has a lower elastic modulus than the acoustic lens.

Improved intraluminal imaging devices and methods of manufacturing the devices are provided. In an embodiment, an intraluminal imaging device can include a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, an ultrasound scanner assembly coupled to and positioned distally of the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the ultrasound scanner assembly comprising a plurality of electrical components disposed adjacent to a cavity of the ultrasound scanner assembly, and a coating extending over and directly contacting the distal portion of the flexible elongate member and a portion of the ultrasound scanner assembly to hermetically seal the cavity of the ultrasound scanner assembly. The coating provides a uniform barrier layer extending over a junction of two or more components having diverse cross-sectional profiles to prevent ingress of external fluids into the scanner assembly.

An ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric element that extends in a predetermined direction; a first electrode formed on a first surface of the piezoelectric element, in parallel with the direction, the first electrode including: a first portion for inputting an electrical signal to the piezoelectric element, and a first connection portion formed continuously with the first portion and intersecting the direction, wherein a first wiring is electrically connected to the first connection portion; and a second electrode disposed on a second surface, oppose to the first surface, of the piezoelectric element and spaced apart from the first electrode in the piezoelectric element, the second electrode including: a second portion for inputting an electric signal to the piezoelectric element, and a second connection portion formed continuously with the second portion, wherein a second wiring is electrically connected to the second connection portion and collectively arranged with the first wiring.

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; an imaging assembly positioned at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; and a bridge member at electrical ground and in contact with at least a portion of the imaging assembly to maintain the at least portion of the imaging assembly at electrical ground, wherein the bridge member is disposed in cylindrical configuration. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.