Cableless coupling methods for ultrasound

Abstract

An ultrasound imaging device comprising a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers cablelessly coupled 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 . A method comprising: 
 providing a signal generating and receiving unit;    coupling an acoustically isolating assembly to the signal generating and receiving unit; and    coupling acoustic transducing elements to the acoustically isolating assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein coupling the acoustic transducing elements comprises interposing an acoustically active material between two electrical contacts.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein coupling the acoustic transducing elements comprises: 
 coupling an acoustic matching assembly to one of the two electrical contacts; and    coupling an acoustic window to the acoustic matching assembly.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal generating and receiving unit comprises a motherboard.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing a filler material within kerfs formed by the acoustically isolating assembly.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling the acoustically isolating assembly comprises coupling insulating posts to conductors for conducting electrical signals.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the conductors are longer than and extend beyond the posts.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustically isolating assembly comprises posts of an electrically conductive and acoustically attenuating material.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the posts are anisotropic conductors.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the posts are isotropic conductors.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein coupling the acoustically isolating assembly further comprises: 
 coupling conductors to an insulative backing; and    coupling the insulative backing to the posts.    
   
   
       12 . A method comprising: 
 providing a generating and receiving unit;    providing acoustic transducing elements, including: 
 interposing an acoustically active material between electrical contacts,  
 coupling an acoustic matching assembly to one of the electrical contacts, and  
 coupling an acoustic window to the acoustic matching assembly;  
   cablelessly coupling an acoustically isolating assembly to the generating and receiving unit and the acoustic transducing elements, the acoustically isolating assembly including: 
 an acoustically isolating structure having posts configured to be electrically conductive and acoustically attenuating; and  
   placing a filler material within kerfs formed by the acoustically isolating structure.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the posts are anisotropic conductors.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the posts are isotropic conductors.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the acoustically isolating assembly comprises insulating posts having conductors for conducting electrical signals.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the conductors are partially embedded within the posts.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the conductors are attached to the outside of the posts.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the conductors have an insulative backing that is coupled with the posts.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the conductors are longer than and extend beyond the posts.  
   
   
       20 . A method comprising: 
 processing signals using a signal generating and receiving unit;    transducing ultrasound using an ultrasound transducing assembly having acoustic transducing elements that include 
 an acoustically active material between two electrodes,  
 an acoustic matching assembly coupled to one of the two electrodes, and  
 an acoustic window coupled to the acoustic matching assembly;  
   communicating signals between the ultrasound transducing assembly and the signal generating and receiving unit via a cableless coupling, the cableless coupling including 
 an acoustically isolating assembly having at least posts that are electrically conductive and acoustically isolating; and  
   acoustically isolating the acoustic transducing elements using    the acoustically isolating assembly, and    a filler material that is placed within kerfs formed by the acoustically isolating structure.