Thin-film ultrasonic probe having a flexible membrane
US8650958B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2006 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/101
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic probe for examining an item. The probe includes a body having a contact surface adapted for contacting the item when being examined and an ultrasonic transducer attached to the body and spaced from the contact surface. The probe further includes a spacer positioned in the body between the transducer and the contact surface for spacing the transducer from the item when being examined. The spacer includes a coupling surface facing the item when being examined and a transducer surface facing the transducer. The probe also includes a fluid outlet positioned adjacent the coupling surface of the spacer for delivering coupling fluid to the coupling surface as a film so that the coupling fluid tends to maintain contact with the spacer due to surface tension after the fluid is delivered through the outlet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.