Ultrasonic probe for scanning a volume

• US 20060241453A1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vermon (BNP Paribas S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Vermon (BNP Paribas S.A.)
• Inventors: Flesch, Aime, Nguyen-Dinh, An, Dufait, Remi, Auclair, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 7,588,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/445
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8938 using transducers mounted for mechanical movement in two dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8993 Three dimensional imaging systems

Abstract

An ultrasonic imaging probe is provided which is capable of capturing “on-the-fly” scanning planes in successive positions of the probe so as to form a volumetric image representation at a real time frame rate. The probe includes a flexible sealing membrane for a coupling fluid. Laterally extending folding portions of the flexible membrane provide fluid isolation and cancellation of parasitic constraining forces normally generated during probe movement.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe for providing volume data information with respect to a body organ, said probe comprising:

a probe housing including an acoustic window enabling transmission of ultrasound energy therethrough, and containing an ultrasound coupling fluid;

a linear array transducer disposed within the probe housing;

a motorized oscillating mechanism for providing swinging movement of said transducer;

a sealing membrane, disposed on a front surface of said transducer and hermetically sealed to the probe housing, for insulating the transducer from the coupling fluid and forming a hermetic cavity for the coupling liquid, said sealing membrane including laterally extending folding portions disposed between the probe housing and the transducer; and

a coupling fluid chamber, defined by the acoustic window of the probe housing and the sealing membrane, for coupling ultrasound energy between the transducer and a propagation medium through which the ultrasound energy is propagated.

2. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 wherein the linear array comprises a flat type array selected from the group consisting of a phased array and a conventional flat linear array.

3. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 wherein the linear array comprises a curved array.

4. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 wherein the linear array comprises a 1.5D array transducer.

5. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 wherein the sealing membrane is comprised of silicone rubber.

6. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 wherein the sealing membrane is comprised of latex.

7. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 wherein the transducer rotates about a transducer rotation axis and the lateral folding portions of the sealing membrane are disposed at a level beneath the transducer rotation axis.

8. An ultrasonic probe for providing volume information with respect to a body organ, said probe comprising:

a probe housing including an acoustic window enabling transmission of ultrasound energy therethrough, and containing an ultrasound coupling fluid;

a linear array transducer disposed within the probe housing, said transducer including a front focusing lens including continuous thin membrane portions extending outwardly from said focusing lens to the probe housing and sealed to the said probe housing so as to form a hermetic cavity for the ultrasound coupling fluid;

a motorized oscillating mechanism for providing swinging movement of the said transducer, and

a coupling fluid chamber, defined by the acoustic window of the probe housing and the continuous membrane portions sealed to the probe housing, for coupling the ultrasound energy between the transducer and a propagation medium through which the ultrasound energy is propagated.

9. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 8 wherein the focusing lens of the transducer is comprised of silicone rubber.

10. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 8 wherein the transducer is rotated about a transducer rotation axis and membrane portions comprise lateral folding portions located at a level beneath the transducer rotation axis.

11. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 8 wherein the focusing lens comprises one of a concave shape and a convex shape.