COMPLIANT COUPLANT WITH LIQUID RESERVOIR FOR TRANSDUCER
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic transducer system comprising:
- a transducer body comprisinga piezoelectric element, anda layer defining a transducer face; and
an elastomeric pad comprisinga back face in direct contact with the transducer face; and
a front face defining a recess.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An elastomeric pad structure coupled to an ultrasonic transducer provides excellent coupling and transmission for extradermal applications without requiring the glycerin gel couplant typically used for such applications. The material and shape of the face of the pad structure traps a small amount of liquid between the pad and the skin, providing an effective couplant not requiring further containment, rewetting, or clean-up. The elastomeric pad be releasably coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and the various illustrative embodiments for coupling include the use of clips, adhesives, an adapter ring having a lip or grooves, a ring having pins for engaging holes in the elastomeric pad and the transducer, and a sleeve which employs pressure or friction to retain the elastomeric pad to the transducer. Uses for the system and method include extradermal applications such as ultrasonic bone growth stimulation through a window cut in a bone fracture cast.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An ultrasonic transducer system comprising:
-
a transducer body comprising a piezoelectric element, and a layer defining a transducer face; and an elastomeric pad comprising a back face in direct contact with the transducer face; and a front face defining a recess. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26)
-
-
15. The ultrasonic transducer system of claim 15, wherein the support structure has an interior recess into which the perimeter of the elastomeric pad is bonded.
-
24. A method for ultrasonic transducer transmission comprising the steps of:
-
providing a transducer comprising; a transducer body having a transducer face, a piezoelectric element, and an elastomeric pad comprising a back face and a front face defining a recess, such that the elastomeric pad back face is in direct contact with the transducer face; and providing a liquid couplant to the recess of the elastomeric pad; positioning the transducer over a target surface so that the elastomeric pad and liquid couplant abut the target surface; and generating an ultrasonic wave from the piezoelectric element such that the wave is transmitted through the elastomeric pad to the target surface.
-
Specification