12-01-2012 дата публикации
Номер: US20120007471A1
Ultrasound transducers and methods of making ultrasound transducers with improved thermal characteristics are provided. An ultrasound transducer can include: a backing, a piezoelectric element attached to the backing, a first matching layer attached to the piezoelectric element, and a second matching layer attached to the first matching layer. The first matching layer can comprise metal and can have a thermal conductivity of about greater than 30 W/mK. The second matching layer can have a thermal conductivity of about 0.5-300 W/mK. The first matching layer can have an acoustic impedance of about 10-20 MRayl, and the second matching layer can have a lower acoustic impedance. The first matching layer can be thicker than the second matching layer. The ultrasound transducer can include a lens and a matching layer disposed between the piezoelectric element and the lens can be configured to conduct heat from the piezoelectric element to the backing. 1. An ultrasound transducer comprising:a backing;a piezoelectric element attached to the backing, the piezoelectric element configured to convert electrical signals into ultrasound waves to be transmitted toward a target, the piezoelectric element configured to convert received ultrasound waves into electrical signals;a first matching layer attached to the piezoelectric element, the first matching layer having a first acoustic impedance and a thermal conductivity of about greater than 30 W/mK; anda second matching layer attached to the first matching layer, the second matching layer having a second acoustic impedance that is lower than the first acoustic impedance.2. The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 , wherein the first acoustic impedance is about 10-20 MRayl.3. The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 , wherein the first matching layer has a first thickness claim 1 , and wherein the second matching layer has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.4. The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 , wherein the second ...
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