EP2309930A1 - Ultraschallsonde mit kühlkörper - Google Patents
Ultraschallsonde mit kühlkörperInfo
- Publication number
- EP2309930A1 EP2309930A1 EP09800515A EP09800515A EP2309930A1 EP 2309930 A1 EP2309930 A1 EP 2309930A1 EP 09800515 A EP09800515 A EP 09800515A EP 09800515 A EP09800515 A EP 09800515A EP 2309930 A1 EP2309930 A1 EP 2309930A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ultrasonic probe
- heat sink
- heat
- rear layer
- heat conductive
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 120
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 22
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 11
- 230000020169 heat generation Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000017525 heat dissipation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002310 reflectometry Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 206010028980 Neoplasm Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 201000011510 cancer Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
- G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
- G01N29/24—Probes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
- A61B8/4483—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/54—Control of the diagnostic device
- A61B8/546—Control of the diagnostic device involving monitoring or regulation of device temperature
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/004—Mounting transducers, e.g. provided with mechanical moving or orienting device
Definitions
- the present invention relates, in general, to ultrasonic probes and, more particularly, to an ultrasonic probe having a heat sink which prevents deterioration of the characteristics of a piezoelectric device, thus preventing deterioration in performance and durability of the ultrasonic probe, and also prevents an acoustic lens from becoming excessively heated, thereby reducing the temperature of the surface of the ultrasonic probe in contact with a patient.
- ultrasonic imaging apparatuses mainly include an ultrasonic probe which performs conversion between electric and ultrasonic signals, a signal processing unit which processes transmitted or received signals, and a display which expresses images by using signals received from the ultrasonic probe and signals processing unit.
- the ultrasonic probe performing signal conversions is a very important part determining the quality of ultrasonic images.
- the ultrasonic probe performs conversion between electrical energy and acoustic energy.
- the ultrasonic probe must satisfy basic conditions: which are good electric-acoustic conversion efficiency (electromechanical coupling coefficient), ultrasonic pulse characteristics, and focusability of ultrasonic beams.
- FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating a conventional medical ultrasonic probe.
- the medical ultrasonic probe 10 includes an acoustic lens 11, a matching layer 12, a piezoelectric device 13 and a rear layer 14, which are arranged in sequence from a front front end contacting with a patient.
- the acoustic lens 11 covers the front surface of the matching layer 12 and functions to focus ultrasonic waves.
- the matching layer 12 is provided on an electrode of an ultrasonic wave sending/receiving surface of the piezoelectric device 13 and functions to enhance the reflectivity and efficiency of ultrasonic waves.
- the piezoelectric device 13 is attached to the front surface of the rear layer 14 and is connected to a main PCB (printed circuit board) through a FPCB (flexible printed circuit board; 15).
- the piezoelectric device 130 converts electrical signals into ultrasonic waves which are acoustic signals and emits the ultrasonic waves into air.
- the piezoelectric device 130 converts ultrasonic reflection signals, which are returned from air by reflection, into electrical signals and transmits the electrical signals to a main apparatus.
- the rear layer 14 is fastened to a casing 16 in such a way as to apply silicon to the rear layer 14 and the casing 16 after they are closed together.
- the rear layer 14 functions to absorb ultrasonic waves which are undesirably emitted backwards.
- the conventional medical ultrasonic probes 10 having the above-mentioned construction are classified into two kinds of probes, i.e., an image sensing probe of image diagnostic apparatuses and, a medical treatment probe used in HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) treatment systems for cancer treatment or fat burning.
- HIFU high intensity focused ultrasound
- the number of devices mounted to a small area of the ultrasonic probes has gradually increased to enhance the resolution.
- small devices increase the difference in electrical impedance between the image diagnostic apparatuses and the probes, so that electrical energy which is not converted into ultrasonic waves is converted into thermal energy and is lost.
- the ultrasonic probe used for medical treatment requires relatively high output, unlike the ultrasonic probe for imaging. Thus, the amount of heat generated from devices used in the probe is higher.
- the piezoelectric device used in the ultrasonic probe has the characteristic that it cannot stand much heat. Therefore, if the ultrasonic probe is continuously maintained at a high temperature, the characteristics of the piezoelectric device deteriorate, resulting in deterioration of performance and durability of the probe.
- the ultrasonic probe is typically brought into contact with a patient when it is in operation, so that the temperature of the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe with the patient must be limited.
- a comparatively low voltage is applied to the ultrasonic probe when it is operated, because the temperature of the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe with the patient must not exceed the limiting temperature owing to heat generation of the ultrasonic probe itself.
- this decreases the output of the ultrasonic probe, thus deteriorating the performance thereof.
- a piezoelectric device having a high dielectric constant may be used, and heat dissipation efficiency of the ultrasonic probe may be increased.
- the piezoelectric device having a high dielectric constant because a difference in electrical impedance between the piezoelectric device and the system is reduced, heat generation of the ultrasonic probe can be restrained.
- a stack type piezoelectric device or a piezoelectric device having a high dielectric constant may be used to achieve the above purposes, there is a limitation owing to limited availability of such piezoelectric device or difficulty in manufacturing the stack type piezoelectric device.
- an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe which is constructed such that heat is dissipated through a rear layer to prevent heat from being emitted through a contact surface contacting with a patient and such heat dissipation structure does not deteriorate the performance of the ultrasonic probe.
- the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe which includes a heat sink provided in a rear layer to dissipate heat.
- heat generated from a piezoelectric device is rapidly conducted to a heat sink via a rear layer and dissipated. Therefore, deterioration in characteristics of the piezoelectric device can be prevented, so that deterioration in performance and durability of the ultrasonic probe can be prevented.
- a temperature of the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe with the patient can be reduced by preventing heat generation in an acoustic lens.
- ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer are prevented from being re-reflected towards the front surface of the rear layer, so that the performance of the ultrasonic probe can be maintained.
- FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating a conventional medical ultrasonic probe
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic probe having a heat sink in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the ultrasonic probe having the heat sink in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the heat sink of the ultrasonic probe in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic probe having a heat sink, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the ultrasonic probe having the heat sink in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the heat sink of the ultrasonic probe in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an ultrasonic probe having a heat sink in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the heat sink of the ultrasonic probe in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an ultrasonic probe having a heat sink in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the heat sink of the ultrasonic probe in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an ultrasonic probe having a heat sink in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the heat sink of the ultrasonic probe in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic probe 100 having a heat sink 150, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the ultrasonic probe 100 having the heat sink 150 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the heat sink 150 of the ultrasonic probe 100 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the ultrasonic probe 100 having the heat sink 150 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention includes, from the front end to be contacted with a patient sequentially, an acoustic lens 110, a matching layer 120, a piezoelectric device 130 and a rear layer 140.
- the heat sink 150 is provided in the rear layer 140.
- the acoustic lens 110 is attached to the matching layer 120 in a shape which covers the front surface of the matching layer 120.
- the acoustic lens 110 serves to focus ultrasonic waves.
- the matching layer 120 is provided on an electrode of an ultrasonic wave receive/send surface of the piezoelectric device 130 to increase ultrasonic wave transmitting efficiency and reflectivity of ultrasonic waves.
- the piezoelectric device 130 is adhered to the front surface of the rear layer 140.
- First and second electrodes which are connected to a PCB (not shown) through an FPCB 160 (flexible printed circuit board) are provided on the respective opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric device 130.
- the piezoelectric device 130 converts electrical signals into ultrasonic waves, which are acoustic signals, and emits the ultrasonic waves into air.
- the piezoelectric device 130 converts ultrasonic reflection signals, which are returned from the air by reflection, into electrical signals and transmits the electrical signals to a main apparatus.
- the rear layer 140 is coupled to the heat sink 150 and absorbs unnecessary ultrasonic waves that are emitted backwards.
- the rear layer 140 may be integrally molded with the heat sink 150.
- the heat sink 150 is made of high heat conductivity, e.g., metal such as aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu).
- the heat sink 150 is fastened to a rear surface 141 of the rear layer 140, that is, to a surface of the rear layer 140 which is opposite the surface to which the piezoelectric device 130 is adhered.
- the heat sink 150 is fastened to a casing 170 by applying silicon to the heat sink 150 and the casing 170 after they are closed together.
- the heat sink 150 is coupled to the rear surface 141 of the rear layer 140 such that the contact area therebetween can be large enough to increase heat transfer therebetween.
- a plurality of heat transfer protrusions 152 for increasing heat transfer efficiency with the rear layer 140 is provided on one surface of a base body 151 of the heat sink 150.
- a plurality of heat conductive depressions 142 which have shapes corresponding to the heat conductive protrusions 152 is formed in the rear layer 140, so that the heat conductive protrusions 152 are inserted into the respective heat conductive depressions 142.
- the rear layer 140 has the heat conductive depressions 142 having shapes corresponding to the heat conductive protrusions 152, a closer contact between the heat conductive depressions 142 and the heat conductive protrusions 152 is provided, thus enhancing heat transfer between the rear layer 140 and the heat sink 150.
- each heat conductive protrusion 152 preferably has a bar shape, thus maximizing the contact area with the rear layer 140 which is connected to the heat conductive protrusions 152 through the heat conductive depressions 142.
- the ultrasonic probe 100 having the heat sink 150 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction heat generated from the piezoelectric device 130 is conducted to the heat sink 150 via the rear layer 140 and dissipated, thus increasing a heat transfer rate to the rear layer 140.
- the ultrasonic probe 100 is constructed such that the heat conductive protrusions 152 of the heat sink 150 are inserted into the respective heat conductive depressions 142 of the rear layer 140, the contact surface between the rear layer 140 and the heat sink 150 is increased, so that the heat transfer from the rear layer 140 to the heat sink 150 can be markedly enhanced.
- heat generated from the piezoelectric device 130 can be rapidly dissipated by using the heat sink 150. Therefore, the piezoelectric device 130 can be protected from heat, thus preventing deterioration in characteristics of the piezoelectric device 130.
- the rear layer 140 can maintain its ultrasonic attenuation characteristic. Accordingly, deterioration in performance and durability of the ultrasonic probe 100 can be prevented. Further, since heat conduction to the acoustic lens 110 is reduced, the temperature of the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe 100 to be contacted with the patient can be reduced.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic probe 200 having a heat sink 250 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the ultrasonic probe 200 having the heat sink 250 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the ultrasonic probe 200 having the heat sink 250 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention includes, sequentially from the front end to be brought into contact with a patient, an acoustic lens 210, a matching layer 220, a piezoelectric device 230 and a rear layer 240.
- the heat sink 250 is provided in the rear layer 240.
- the general construction of the ultrasonic probe 200 in accordance with the second embodiment, except for the heat sink 250 remains the same as that of the ultrasonic probe 100 in accordance with the first embodiment, and therefore further explanation is deemed unnecessary.
- heat conductive protrusions 252 are perpendicularly provided on one surface of a base body 251 of the heat sink 250 and are inserted into respective heat conductive depressions 242 which are formed in the rear layer 240. As shown in FIG. 7, each heat conductive protrusion 252 has a bar shape which has an inclined surface 252a on an end thereof to form an acute end.
- Each of the heat conductive depressions 242 of the rear layer 240 has a shape corresponding to that of the corresponding heat conductive protrusion 252, so that the entire surfaces of heat conductive protrusions 252 can be in close contact with the rear layer 240.
- the ultrasonic probe 200 having the heat sink 250 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction heat generated from the piezoelectric device 230 is rapidly conducted to the heat sink 250 via the rear layer 240 and is dissipated, thus preventing deterioration of characteristics of the piezoelectric device 230. Accordingly, deterioration in performance and durability of the ultrasonic probe 200 can be prevented. As well, the temperature of the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 to be contacted with the patient can be reduced by virtue of a reduction in temperature of the acoustic lens 210.
- ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer 240 are reflected in transverse directions by the inclined surfaces 252a that are formed on the heat conductive protrusions 252 of the heat sink 250.
- ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer 240 are prevented from being re-reflected towards the front surface of the ultrasonic probe 200, so that the ultrasonic waves can be reabsorbed in the rear layer 240 and thus extinguished. Therefore, the intended purpose of the rear layer 240, that is, the purpose of absorbing back reflection waves, can be achieved, thus preventing deterioration in performance of the ultrasonic probe 200.
- FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an ultrasonic probe 300 having a heat sink 350 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the heat sink 350 of the ultrasonic probe 300 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.
- the ultrasonic probe 300 having the heat sink 350 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention includes, sequentially from the front end which is to be brought into contact with a patient, an acoustic lens 310, a matching layer 320, a piezoelectric device 330 and a rear layer 340.
- the heat sink 350 is provided in the rear layer 340.
- the general construction of the ultrasonic probe 300 in accordance with the third embodiment, except for the heat sink 350 remains the same as that of the ultrasonic probe 100 in accordance with the first embodiment, therefore further explanation is deemed unnecessary.
- heat conductive protrusions 352 are perpendicularly provided on one surface of a base body 351 of the heat sink 350 and are inserted into respective heat conductive depressions 342 which are formed in the rear layer 340.
- Each heat conductive protrusion 352 is formed in a bar shape and has therein an insert hole 352a which penetrated from the distal end of the heat conductive protrusion 352 towards the proximal end thereof.
- the insert hole 352a has a conical shape to prevent ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer 340 from being re-reflected towards the front surface of the ultrasonic probe 300 by the heat sink 350.
- Each of the heat conductive depressions 342 of the rear layer 340 has a shape corresponding to that of the corresponding heat conductive protrusion 352, so that the entire surface of heat conductive protrusions 352 can be in close contact with the rear layer 340.
- each heat conductive depression 342 has a shape capable of receiving the corresponding heat conductive protrusion 352, and an insert protrusion 342a is provided in each heat conductive depression 342 and inserted into the insert hole 352a of the corresponding heat conductive protrusion 352.
- the ultrasonic probe 300 having the heat sink 350 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction heat generated from the piezoelectric device 330 is rapidly conducted to the heat sink 350 via the rear layer 340 and is dissipated, thus preventing deterioration of characteristics of the piezoelectric device 330. Accordingly, deterioration in performance and durability of the ultrasonic probe 300 can be prevented. As well, the temperature of the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe 300 to be contacted with the patient can be reduced by virtue of a reduction in temperature of the acoustic lens 310.
- ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer 340 are repeatedly reflected by the inner surfaces of the insert holes 352a of the heat sink 350 and are eventually cancelled out, thus reducing reflection of the ultrasonic waves towards the front surface of the rear layer 340, thereby preventing deterioration in performance of the ultrasonic probe 300.
- FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an ultrasonic probe 400 having a heat sink 450 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the heat sink 450 of the ultrasonic probe 400 in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- the ultrasonic probe 400 having the heat sink 450 in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes, sequentially from the front end which is to be brought into contact with a patient, an acoustic lens 410, a matching layer 420, a piezoelectric device 430 and a rear layer 440.
- the heat sink 450 is provided in the rear layer 440.
- the general construction of the ultrasonic probe 400 in accordance with the fourth embodiment remains the same as that of the ultrasonic probe 100 in accordance with the first embodiment except for the heat sink 450, and therefore further explanation is deemed unnecessary.
- heat conductive protrusions 452 are perpendicularly provided on one surface of a base body 451 of the heat sink 450 and are inserted into respective heat conductive depressions 442 which are formed in the rear layer 440.
- Each heat conductive depression 442 has a shape corresponding to that of the corresponding heat conductive protrusion 452.
- Each heat conductive protrusion 452 has a conical shape to prevent ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer 440 from being re-reflected towards the front surface of the rear layer 440.
- each of the heat conductive depressions 442 of the rear layer 440 has a shape, i.e., a conical shape, corresponding to the corresponding heat conductive protrusion 452, so that the entire surface of the heat conductive protrusions 452 can be in close contact with the rear layer 440.
- the ultrasonic probe 400 having the heat sink 450 in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction heat generated from the piezoelectric device 430 is rapidly conducted to the heat sink 450 via the rear layer 440 and is dissipated, thus preventing deterioration of characteristics of the piezoelectric device 430. Accordingly, deterioration in performance and durability of the ultrasonic probe 400 can be prevented. As well, the temperature of the surface of the ultrasonic probe 400 coming into contact with the patient can be reduced by virtue of a reduction in temperature of the acoustic lens 410.
- the ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer 440 are reflected in transverse directions by the conical heat conductive protrusions 452 of the heat sink 450, the ultrasonic waves are prevented from being re-reflected towards the front surface of the rear layer 440 and are reabsorbed into portions of the rear layer 440 which are disposed around the heat conductive protrusions 452. The reabsorbed ultrasonic waves are eventually cancelled out. Therefore, deterioration in performance of the ultrasonic probe 400 can be prevented.
- FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an ultrasonic probe 500 having a heat sink 550 in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the heat sink 550 of the ultrasonic probe 500 in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- the ultrasonic probe 500 having the heat sink 550 in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes, sequencially from the front end which is to be brought into contact with a patient, an acoustic lens 510, a matching layer 520, a piezoelectric device 530 and a rear layer 540.
- the heat sink 550 is provided in the rear layer 540.
- the general construction of the ultrasonic probe 500 in accordance with the fifth embodiment, except for the rear layer 540 and the heat sink 550 remains the same as that of the ultrasonic probe 100 in accordance with the first embodiment, and therefore further explanation is deemed unnecessary.
- an insert part 552 is provided on one surface of a base body 551 of the heat sink 550 and is embedded in the rear surface 541 of the rear layer 540.
- the insert part 552 be made of a wire 552a having a coil shape to increase heat conductivity between the rear layer 540 and the heat sink 550.
- the insert part 552 includes a plurality of coil-shaped wires 552a which are, for example, arranged in parallel with each other on a base body 551 of the heat sink 550.
- Each coil-shaped wire 552a may be provided in such a way that the opposite ends thereof are integrated with the base body 551 when the base body 551 is formed or, alternatively, in such a way that the opposite ends thereof force-fitted into the base body 551.
- the coil-shaped wires 552a is embedded in the rear layer 540 when the rear layer 540 is formed on the base body 551 of the heat sink 550 by molding. Accordingly, the base body 551 of the heat sink 550 is coupled to the rear layer 540. Furthermore, interference with ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer 540 is minimized, thus preventing the ultrasonic waves from being re-reflected towards the front surface of the rear layer 540.
- the ultrasonic probe 500 having the heat sink 550 in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction heat generated from the piezoelectric device 530 is rapidly conducted to the heat sink 550 via the rear layer 540 and is dissipated, thus preventing deterioration of characteristics of the piezoelectric device 430. Accordingly, deterioration in performance and durability of the ultrasonic probe 400 can be prevented. Further, the temperature of the acoustic lens 410 can be reduced.
- the coil-shaped wires 552a which are embedded in the rear layer 540 serve to increase the area of a heat conduction passage between the rear layer 540 and the heat sink 550, thus further enhancing the heat transfer efficiency of the heat sink 550.
- the ultrasonic waves absorbed into the rear layer 540 pass between the coil-shaped wires 552a, the ultrasonic waves are prevented from being re-reflected towards the front surface of the rear layer 540, thus preventing deterioration in performance of the ultrasonic probe 500.
- heat generated from a piezoelectric device is rapidly conducted to a heat sink via a rear layer and dissipated. Therefore, deterioration in characteristics of the piezoelectric device can be prevented, so that deterioration in performance and durability of the ultrasonic probe can be prevented. Further, the temperature of the surface of the ultrasonic probe which comes into contact with the patient can be reduced by virtue of a reduction in temperature of the acoustic lens.
- the present invention can overcome a disadvantage in which the heat sink cannot be disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric device due to the possibility of re-reflection of ultrasonic waves to the front surface of the rear layer. Accordingly, the efficiency of heat transfer to the rear layer can be markedly enhanced.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Gynecology & Obstetrics (AREA)
- Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
- Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020080071290A KR101018626B1 (ko) | 2008-07-22 | 2008-07-22 | 히트 싱크를 가지는 초음파 프로브 |
PCT/KR2009/003677 WO2010011034A1 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2009-07-06 | Ultrasonic probe having heat sink |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2309930A1 true EP2309930A1 (de) | 2011-04-20 |
EP2309930A4 EP2309930A4 (de) | 2011-10-05 |
Family
ID=41570461
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09800515A Withdrawn EP2309930A4 (de) | 2008-07-22 | 2009-07-06 | Ultraschallsonde mit kühlkörper |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20110114303A1 (de) |
EP (1) | EP2309930A4 (de) |
JP (1) | JP2011528929A (de) |
KR (1) | KR101018626B1 (de) |
CN (1) | CN102098965A (de) |
WO (1) | WO2010011034A1 (de) |
Families Citing this family (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011132531A1 (ja) * | 2010-04-23 | 2011-10-27 | 株式会社 日立メディコ | 超音波探触子とその製造方法及び超音波診断装置 |
US9402598B2 (en) * | 2010-08-20 | 2016-08-02 | Hitachi Medical Corporation | Ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnostic device using same |
DE102010062593A1 (de) * | 2010-12-08 | 2012-06-14 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Ultraschallsensor mit einer Dämpfungseinrichtung und Verwendung desselben |
US8841823B2 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2014-09-23 | Ascent Ventures, Llc | Ultrasonic transducer wear cap |
US9072487B2 (en) * | 2012-05-11 | 2015-07-07 | General Electric Company | Ultrasound probe thermal drain |
KR20150025066A (ko) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-03-10 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | 초음파 프로브 및 그 제조 방법 |
KR101613413B1 (ko) | 2013-12-09 | 2016-04-19 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | 초음파 프로브 및 그 제조방법 |
JP5923539B2 (ja) * | 2014-03-20 | 2016-05-24 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | 超音波探触子 |
KR101607245B1 (ko) * | 2014-06-19 | 2016-03-30 | 주식회사 휴먼스캔 | 초음파 소거 블록 및 이를 갖는 초음파 프로브 |
KR102373132B1 (ko) * | 2014-12-26 | 2022-03-11 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | 초음파 프로브 장치 및 초음파 촬영 장치 |
JP6564615B2 (ja) * | 2015-05-22 | 2019-08-21 | スタンレー電気株式会社 | 照明装置 |
US20180028159A1 (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2018-02-01 | Butterfly Network, Inc. | Rearward acoustic diffusion for ultrasound-on-a-chip transducer array |
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EP3808277B1 (de) | 2018-06-12 | 2023-09-27 | Edan Instruments, Inc | Ultraschallwandler, ultraschallsonde und ultraschalldetektor |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2309930A4 (de) | 2011-10-05 |
KR101018626B1 (ko) | 2011-03-03 |
JP2011528929A (ja) | 2011-12-01 |
US20110114303A1 (en) | 2011-05-19 |
KR20100010358A (ko) | 2010-02-01 |
CN102098965A (zh) | 2011-06-15 |
WO2010011034A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 |
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