Imaging ultrasound transducer temperature control system and method using feedback
US6709392B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/481
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for controlling the heat of an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. In the presently preferred embodiments, the system and method controls the temperature of the transducer by changing operating system parameters based on feedback from temperature sensing elements placed in the transducer. The chosen mutable system parameters may be preset by the construction of the ultrasonic system, under the control of the ultrasonic system user, or a combination of the two. In one exemplary embodiment, a different mutable system parameter is altered based on which imaging mode the system is using. In two other exemplary embodiments, the one or more mutable system parameters are altered by an amount proportionate to the difference between the current temperature and a preferred operating temperature. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the system switches to a lower power imaging mode when the temperature feedback indicates a threshold temperature has been reached.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.