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Publication Number
US-12220276-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ultrasonic probe is provided. The ultrasonic probe comprises: a case; a transducer which is arranged in the case and which converts electrical signals into ultrasonic waves; an acoustic lens which is arranged on the transducer and which causes the ultrasonic waves to converge in one area of a subject; and a plurality of light-emitting elements which are arranged in the case and which emit light in order to sterilize the external surface of the acoustic lens.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic probe including a case, a transducer arranged in the case, and an acoustic lens arranged on the transducer such that ultrasonic waves converge in one area of a subject. The probe further includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the case, where the plurality of light emitting elements emit light to sterilize an external surface of the acoustic lens.
The probe includes a support member arranged in the case supporting the plurality of light emitting elements. The support member includes a first area overlapping with the transducer and a second area supporting the plurality of light emitting elements, wherein the second area is inclined with respect to the first area.
Implementation options described include positioning the light emitting elements inside the probe so as to sterilize the external surface of the acoustic lens, including cases where the emitters contact or are covered by the acoustic lens. Additional constraints described include that the acoustic lens material has at least 50% light transmission, and that the support member geometry reduces irradiation of the transducer by accommodating the light emitting elements while considering the ultrasonic advancing path.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim. This independent claim defines an ultrasonic probe that combines an acoustic lens for converging ultrasonic waves with a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the case to sterilize the external surface of the acoustic lens, supported by an inclined support member.
Ultrasonic probe with acoustic lens converging ultrasonic waves
An ultrasonic probe comprising a case, a transducer converting electrical signals into ultrasonic waves, and an acoustic lens arranged on the transducer such that the ultrasonic waves converge in one area of a subject.
Sterilization of the acoustic lens external surface using light emitting elements
A plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the case, the plurality of light emitting elements emitting light to sterilize an external surface of the acoustic lens.
Inclined support member for the plurality of light emitting elements
A support member arranged in the case supporting the plurality of light emitting elements, wherein the support member includes a first area overlapping with the transducer and a second area supporting the plurality of light emitting elements, and wherein the second area is inclined with respect to the first area.
Overall claim coverage is directed to an ultrasonic probe architecture that integrates acoustic lens-based ultrasonic wave convergence with in-case light emitting elements configured to sterilize the external surface of the acoustic lens, while using an inclined support member structure to support the light emitting elements relative to the transducer.
Stated Advantages
Sterilize an external surface of the acoustic lens.
Documented Applications
Ultrasonic diagnostic probe/ultrasonic diagnostic use in which ultrasonic waves converge in one area of a subject while sterilizing an external surface of the acoustic lens.
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