Ultrasonic probe
US8336384B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K11/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic probe includes a probe body having a contact surface and a cavity that is open at the contact surface, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the body, and a spacer within the cavity. The spacer has a first surface acoustically coupled to the transducer, and a second (coupling) surface within the cavity. The spacer propagates an acoustic signal between the transducer and the coupling surface. The coupling surface is spaced apart from the contact surface to form a recess within the body. The body further has at least one port for circulating a coupling fluid into the recess. Depth of the recess is selected to balance gravitational force on the coupling fluid versus surface tension of the coupling fluid so a bead of the fluid forms over an edge of a structure under inspection as the probe is moved over the edge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.