Acoustic coupler using an independent water pillow with circulation for cooling a transducer
US8611189B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N7/022
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A water pillow for coupling acoustic energy into tissue. The pillow is configured to conform to a transducer to facilitate coupling of ultrasound energy. The pillow includes a pouch that accommodates the transducer to enable a snug fit between the pillow and the transducer. The pillow includes a liquid inlet and outlet to facilitate liquid circulation for cooling, is biocompatible, has a low attenuation, is conformal to the shape of the transducer, facilitates use of an adjustable pressure to achieve various standoffs, includes an integral pouch to facilitate an interference fit to the transducer, facilitates water circulation for cooling, is sterilizable, and is disposable. Either the surface of the pillow adapted to conform to a tissue interface, or the surface of the pillow adapted to conform to the transducer, or both, can include pores configured to weep liquid to facilitate acoustic coupling of the pillow with the transducer and/or tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.