公开(公告)号：US06599249B1

公开(公告)日：2003-07-29

申请号：US10076766

申请日：2002-02-14

申请人： Timothy Nordgren ,  James Jago ,  Gregory J. Friend ,  Douglas Maxwell ,  Scott Easterbrook ,  Deborah Imling

发明人： Timothy Nordgren ,  James Jago ,  Gregory J. Friend ,  Douglas Maxwell ,  Scott Easterbrook ,  Deborah Imling

IPC分类号： A61B814

CPC分类号： A61B8/4281 ,  G10K11/004

摘要： An ultrasound probe is provided for imaging and diagnosing areas of interest that are in immediate contact with the probe. The probe provides an integrated standoff comprised of a rubber material having optimal acoustic characteristics. The lens is directly applied to the transducer and the standoff is applied to the lens such that the focal zone is placed at the area immediately below the patient contact surface of the probe. The lens material also encapsulates the transducer and provides reliable protection against electrical shock. The standoff is also separated from the surface being examined by a cap comprised of a biocompatible elastomer having high chemical and abrasive resistance that enables the probe to be easily sterilized and disinfected and provides further protection against electrical shock. The use of a standoff with optimal acoustic properties in, combination with the arrangement of the lens, standoff and cap provides a probe with a focal zone placed at the area immediately below the probe. The lens, standoff and cap are spatially arranged to minimize the volume of the distal transducer section and overall probe such that the probe is easy to manipulate.

摘要翻译： 提供超声探头，用于成像和诊断与探针立即接触的感兴趣区域。 探头提供了由具有最佳声学特性的橡胶材料组成的集成支座。 透镜被直接施加到换能器，并且将间隔件施加到透镜，使得焦点区域被放置在探针的患者接触表面正下方的区域处。 透镜材料还封装传感器，并提供可靠的电击防护。 隔离物还与由具有高化学和耐磨性的生物相容性弹性体构成的盖子分开，使得探针易于消毒和消毒，并提供进一步的防电击保护。 使用具有最佳声学特性的支架，结合透镜，支座和盖子的布置，提供探针，其中焦点区域放置在探针正下方的区域。 透镜，支座和盖子在空间上布置成使得远端换能器部分和整个探针的体积最小化，使得探针容易操作。