Thermal sink for a transducer assembly
US5602718A · kind A · utility
6Cited by
2References
4Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K11/004
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Active thermal conduction of a transducer array at the distal end of an imaging probe maintains the temperature of the transducer array below a predetermined limit so as not to damage human body tissue. A thermally conductive rotor is connected between the back face of the transducer array and a stator that behaves as a heat sink. A dual ball bearing arrangement is placed near the rotor/stator interface to allow rotation of the transducer array while providing thermal conduction. An optional layer of oil may be placed between the rotor and the stator to promote heat transfer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.