Fabrication and Characterization of a Prototype Forward-Looking Single-Cable 64-Element Intra-Vascular Ultrasound Probe

This paper presents the integration steps towards a prototype forward-looking intra-vascular ultrasound probe. An ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) is laser cut to create a 1.6mm circular shaped die that can be integrated at the tip of a small catheter. The ASIC is designed such that it can be used to transmit and receive on 64 piezo-electric transducers while using a single cable for the supply, communication, transmit signals and amplified receive signals. Piezo elements are directly integrated on top of the ASIC to create a miniature probe.Electrical tests show that the circuitry still operates correctly after laser cutting. The functionality of a prototype has been successfully demonstrated in a 3D imaging experiment.