Ultrasonic probe

Abstract

The invention discloses an ultrasonic probe which comprises a shell and an ultrasonic transducer, and the ultrasonic transducer comprises an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array and a backing. The backing comprises a matrix and a filler, the filler comprises phase change particles and is dispersed in the matrix, the phase change particles comprise a core structure and a solid shell structure, the solid shell structure wraps the core structure, the core structure comprises one or more phase change materials, and when the temperature of the phase change materials in the core structure rises to the phase change point of the phase change materials, the solid shell structure wraps the phase change materials. The phase change material in the core structure is subjected to solid-liquid phase change and absorbs heat under the condition that the phase change material is wrapped by the solid shell structure, so that heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer is absorbed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical devices, and in particular to an ultrasonic probe. Background Art

[0002] Compared with traditional wired ultrasound probes, wireless ultrasound probes are more portable, smaller in size, and more convenient for users to perform ultrasound examinations. They have gradually become a new choice for medical ultrasound examinations.

[0003] The acoustic head, integrated circuit board, and battery contained in a wireless ultrasound probe generate heat during operation. The higher the probe's performance, the higher its power consumption and the greater the heat generated. On the one hand, the temperature of the acoustic window and housing of a wireless ultrasound probe must be controlled within certain limits to comply with relevant regulations and standards and to improve the user experience. On the other hand, the acoustic head and battery are susceptible to heat from the integrated circuit board, which can cause performance impairment.

[0004] Conventional wired ultrasound probes typically use thermally conductive components to improve temperature distribution and reduce the surface temperature of the acoustic window. However, for wireless ultrasound probes that include a processor and battery, improper use of thermally conductive components can lead to elevated temperatures in the acoustic window and housing. Therefore, wireless ultrasound probes require specialized heat dissipation structures that include thermal insulation.

[0005] For wireless ultrasound probe heat dissipation, the solutions adopted by the industry include:

[0006] 1) Using phase change energy storage materials, when the probe is continuously working for a long time, the surface temperature of the acoustic window is still overheated;

[0007] 2) Using replaceable phase-change energy storage materials, this method must be used with an external refrigeration device, which will damage the seal of the probe;

[0008] 3) Using heat pipes and finned metal housings increases the weight of the probe, has poor solvent resistance, and is difficult to clean.

[0009] 4) Using an external heat dissipation structure for the probe will increase the size of the probe and affect the user experience;

[0010] 5) Using a metal housing will increase the weight of the probe, have poor solvent resistance, and be difficult to clean;

[0011] 6) Using the charging box for heat dissipation cannot reduce the temperature of the probe during continuous use;

[0012] 7) Using a fan and a non-sealed housing will destroy the sealing of the probe;

[0013] 8) Using a vacuum cavity temperature-uniform housing, this method has a complex structure and high cost; Summary of the Invention

[0014] The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe containing a phase change material in a backing, which utilizes the phase change heat absorption effect of the phase change material to delay the temperature rise of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0015] In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe is provided, including a housing and an ultrasound transducer, wherein the ultrasound transducer includes an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array, and a backing.

[0016] The acoustic lens includes a first side and a second side facing the matching layer, the matching layer includes a third side facing the acoustic lens and a fourth side facing the piezoelectric element array, the piezoelectric element array includes a fifth side facing the matching layer and a sixth side facing the backing, the backing includes a seventh side facing the piezoelectric element array and an eighth side facing away from the piezoelectric element array, the second side of the acoustic lens matches the third side of the matching layer, the fourth side of the matching layer matches the fifth side of the piezoelectric element array, and the sixth side of the piezoelectric element array matches the seventh side of the backing.

[0017] The backing of the ultrasonic probe also includes a matrix and a filler. The filler includes phase-change particles dispersed within the matrix. The phase-change particles include a core structure and a solid shell structure. The solid shell structure encapsulates the core structure, which includes one or more phase-change materials. When the temperature of the phase-change material in the core structure rises to its phase transition point, the phase-change material in the core structure undergoes a solid-liquid phase transition while being encapsulated by the solid shell structure, absorbing heat and thereby absorbing at least a portion of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer.

[0018] In one embodiment, the phase change material of the ultrasound probe includes paraffin, polyol or fatty acid.

[0019] In one embodiment, the shell structure of the ultrasound probe includes one or more of polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, and silicon dioxide.

[0020] In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe is provided, including a housing and an ultrasound transducer, wherein the ultrasound transducer includes an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array, and a backing.

[0021] The acoustic lens includes a first side and a second side facing the matching layer, the matching layer includes a third side facing the acoustic lens and a fourth side facing the piezoelectric element array, the piezoelectric element array includes a fifth side facing the matching layer and a sixth side facing the backing, the backing includes a seventh side facing the piezoelectric element array and an eighth side facing away from the piezoelectric element array, the second side of the acoustic lens matches the third side of the matching layer, the fourth side of the matching layer matches the fifth side of the piezoelectric element array, and the sixth side of the piezoelectric element array matches the seventh side of the backing.

[0022] The phase-change particles in the ultrasonic probe include one or more phase-change materials selected from paraffin-composite cross-linked high-density polyethylene, polyols, and fatty acids. When the temperature of the phase-change material in the phase-change particles rises to its phase-change point, the phase-change material in the phase-change particles undergoes a solid-solid phase change and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer.

[0023] In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe is provided, including a housing and an ultrasound transducer, wherein the ultrasound transducer includes an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array, and a backing.

[0024] The acoustic lens includes a first side and a second side facing the matching layer, the matching layer includes a third side facing the acoustic lens and a fourth side facing the piezoelectric element array, the piezoelectric element array includes a fifth side facing the matching layer and a sixth side facing the backing, the backing includes a seventh side facing the piezoelectric element array and an eighth side facing away from the piezoelectric element array, the second side of the acoustic lens matches the third side of the matching layer, the fourth side of the matching layer matches the fifth side of the piezoelectric element array, and the sixth side of the piezoelectric element array matches the seventh side of the backing.

[0025] The backing of the ultrasonic transducer includes a first material layer and a second material layer, which are stacked in sequence and in contact with each other. The thickness of the first material layer and the thickness of the second material layer are both less than one-quarter of the wavelength of the sound wave of the center frequency of the ultrasonic probe in the corresponding material layer. The second material layer includes one or more phase change materials selected from paraffin composite cross-linked high-density polyethylene, polyols and fatty acids. When the temperature of the phase change material in the second material layer reaches its phase change point, the phase change material in the second material layer undergoes a solid-solid phase change or a solid-liquid phase change and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first material layer and the second material layer of the ultrasonic transducer are both multi-layered, and the first material layers and the second material layers are alternately stacked, with the first and last layers being the first material layer from top to bottom. When the second material layer is solid-liquid, the first material layer is impermeable to liquid.

[0027] In one embodiment, the filler of the ultrasonic transducer further includes a thermally conductive microstructure, and the thermally conductive microstructure includes one or more of nanometal wires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first material layer of the ultrasonic transducer further includes a thermally conductive microstructure, and the thermally conductive microstructure includes one or more of nanometal wires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

[0029] In one embodiment, the filler of the ultrasonic transducer further includes acoustic filler.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first material layer of the ultrasonic transducer further includes acoustic filler.

[0031] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer further includes a heat sink, and the heat sink is fitted on the eighth side of the backing.

[0032] In one embodiment, the heat sink of the ultrasonic transducer has one or more protrusions extending into the interior of the backing.

[0033] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer further includes a thermally conductive component, the backing further includes a ninth side surface and a tenth side surface adjacent to the seventh side surface and the eighth side surface, respectively, and the heat sink includes an eleventh side surface and a twelfth side surface. The thermally conductive component is connected to the ninth side surface of the backing and the eleventh side surface of the heat sink, and / or the thermally conductive component is connected to the tenth side surface of the backing and the twelfth side surface of the heat sink.

[0034] In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe is provided, including a housing and an ultrasound transducer, wherein the ultrasound transducer includes an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array, and a backing.

[0035] The acoustic lens includes a first side and a second side facing the matching layer, the matching layer includes a third side facing the acoustic lens and a fourth side facing the piezoelectric element array, the piezoelectric element array includes a fifth side facing the matching layer and a sixth side facing the backing, the backing includes a seventh side facing the piezoelectric element array and an eighth side facing away from the piezoelectric element array, the second side of the acoustic lens matches the third side of the matching layer, the fourth side of the matching layer matches the fifth side of the piezoelectric element array, and the sixth side of the piezoelectric element array matches the seventh side of the backing.

[0036] The backing of the ultrasonic probe comprises a matrix and a filler. The filler comprises phase-change particles dispersed in the matrix. The phase-change particles comprise a phase-change material.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the temperature of the phase change material in the ultrasonic probe backing rises to its phase change point, the phase change material undergoes a phase change and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer and delaying the temperature rise of the ultrasonic transducer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment;

[0042] Figure 5This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment;

[0044] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment;

[0045] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment;

[0046] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasound probe according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in one embodiment, a general ultrasound probe includes: a housing 1 and an ultrasound transducer 2 , wherein the ultrasound transducer 2 includes an acoustic lens 3 , a matching layer 4 , a piezoelectric element array 5 and a backing 6 .

[0048] The acoustic lens 3 includes a first side 7 and a second side 8 facing the matching layer 4. The matching layer 4 includes a third side 9 facing the acoustic lens 3 and a fourth side 10 facing the piezoelectric element array 5. The piezoelectric element array 5 includes a fifth side 11 facing the matching layer 4 and a sixth side 12 facing the backing 6. The backing 6 includes a seventh side 13 facing the piezoelectric element array 5 and an eighth side 14 facing away from the piezoelectric element array 5. The second side 8 of the acoustic lens 3 matches the third side 9 of the matching layer 4, the fourth side 10 of the matching layer 4 matches the fifth side 11 of the piezoelectric element array 5, and the sixth side 12 of the piezoelectric element array 5 matches the seventh side 13 of the backing 6.

[0049] The backing 6 of the ultrasonic probe further includes a matrix 14 and a filler 15. The filler 15 includes phase-change particles 16 dispersed within the matrix 14. The phase-change particles 16 include a core structure 17 and a solid shell structure 18. The solid shell structure 18 encapsulates the core structure 17. The core structure 17 includes one or more phase-change materials. When the temperature of the phase-change material in the core structure 17 rises to its phase transition point, the phase-change material in the core structure 17 undergoes a solid-liquid phase transition while being encapsulated by the solid shell structure 18 and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least a portion of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 2.

[0050] The solid shell structure 18 can be composed of organic materials such as polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, polyurea, inorganic materials (such as silicon dioxide, etc.), or a composite thereof. The phase change material can be paraffin, polyol, fatty acid, etc., and the phase change mode of the phase change material can be solid-liquid or solid-solid. The preparation method of the phase change particles 16 can be emulsion polymerization, interfacial polymerization, coacervation, sol-gel method, electrohydrodynamic spraying, spray drying, etc. The particle size of the phase change particles is between 0.001 and 1 mm, the phase change temperature is between 20 and 40°C, and the phase change enthalpy can be relatively high (for example, ≥80 J / g, etc.).

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the phase change particles 16 in the ultrasonic probe include one or more phase change materials selected from paraffin composite cross-linked high-density polyethylene, polyols and fatty acids. When the temperature of the phase change material in the phase change particles 16 rises to its phase change point, the phase change material in the phase change particles 16 undergoes a solid-solid phase change and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 2.

[0052] The shape of the phase change material can be spherical, flake, or irregular. To increase the thermal conductivity of the filler 15, a thermally conductive microstructure 19, such as metal nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or graphene, can be added to the filler 15, or a highly thermally conductive matrix 14, such as metal foam or graphite foam, can be used. To adjust the acoustic attenuation and acoustic impedance of the backing 6, an acoustic filler 20, such as hollow glass microspheres, tungsten or tungsten oxide powder, can be added to the backing 6.

[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the backing 6 of the ultrasonic probe includes a first material layer 21 and a second material layer 22, which are stacked in sequence and in contact with each other. The thickness of the first material layer 21 and the thickness of the second material layer 22 are both less than one-fourth of the wavelength of the sound wave of the center frequency of the ultrasonic probe in the corresponding material layer. The second material layer 22 includes one or more phase change materials selected from paraffin composite cross-linked high-density polyethylene, polyols and fatty acids. When the temperature of the phase change material in the second material layer 22 reaches its phase change point, the phase change material in the second material layer 22 undergoes a solid-solid phase change or a solid-liquid phase change and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 2.

[0054] The first material layer 21 and the second material layer 22 of the ultrasonic transducer are both multi-layered. The first material layer 21 and the second material layer 22 are alternately stacked. From top to bottom, the first and last layers are the first material layer 21 .

[0055] When the second material layer 22 is solid-liquid, the first material layer 21 is impermeable to liquid.

[0056] The impedance of the backing 6 can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness ratio of the first material layer 21 and the second material layer 22 to achieve better acoustic attenuation and impedance matching. The first and second material layers 21, 22 can be assembled by methods such as hot pressing, bonding, coating, casting, and rolling. The angle between the stacked structure and the piezoelectric element array can be determined based on the acoustic design and is not limited to 180° or 90°.

[0057] The first material layer 21 further includes a heat-conducting microstructure 19, which includes one or more of metal nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. The first material layer further includes an acoustic filler 20, such as hollow glass microspheres, tungsten or tungsten oxide powder, and the like.

[0058] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer further includes a heat sink 23 , which is fitted on the eighth side surface 14 of the backing 6 .

[0059] like Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the heat sink 23 of the ultrasonic transducer has one or more protrusions 24 , and the protrusions 24 extend into the interior of the backing 6 .

[0060] like Figure 8 As shown, in one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer further includes a thermally conductive component 25, the backing 6 further includes a ninth side surface 26 and a tenth side surface 27 adjacent to the seventh side surface 13 and the eighth side surface 14, respectively, and the heat sink 23 includes an eleventh side surface 28 and a twelfth side surface 29. The thermally conductive component 25 is connected to the ninth side surface 26 of the backing 6 and the eleventh side surface 28 of the heat sink 23, and / or the thermally conductive component 25 is connected to the tenth side surface 27 of the backing 6 and the twelfth side surface 29 of the heat sink 23.

[0061] like Figure 9 As shown, in one embodiment, the backing 6 of the ultrasonic probe includes a matrix 14 and a filler 15. The filler 15 includes phase-change particles 16 dispersed within the matrix 14. The phase-change particles 16 comprise a phase-change material. When the temperature of the phase-change material in the backing 6 rises to its phase transition point, the phase-change material undergoes a phase change and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 2 and slowing the temperature rise of the ultrasonic transducer 2.

[0062] The present invention has been described above using specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, equivalent substitutions, and variations may be made to the present invention, and that such modifications, as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention, are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, the term "one embodiment" used in various places above refers to different embodiments, and of course, all or part of these embodiments may be combined in a single embodiment.

[0063] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with an embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that: include: shell; an ultrasonic transducer connected to the housing, the ultrasonic transducer comprising an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array, and a backing; in: The acoustic lens includes a first side and a second side facing the matching layer, the matching layer includes a third side facing the acoustic lens and a fourth side facing the piezoelectric element array, the piezoelectric element array includes a fifth side facing the matching layer and a sixth side facing the backing, the backing includes a seventh side facing the piezoelectric element array and an eighth side facing away from the piezoelectric element array, the second side of the acoustic lens matches the third side of the matching layer, the fourth side of the matching layer matches the fifth side of the piezoelectric element array, and the sixth side of the piezoelectric element array matches the seventh side of the backing; The backing includes a matrix and a filler, wherein the filler includes phase change particles dispersed in the matrix; The phase-change particles include a core structure and a solid shell structure, wherein the solid shell structure encapsulates the core structure. The core structure includes one or more phase-change materials. When the temperature of the phase-change material in the core structure rises to its phase-change point, the phase-change material in the core structure undergoes a solid-liquid phase transition and absorbs heat while being encapsulated by the solid shell structure, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer.

2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein: The phase change material includes paraffin, polyol or fatty acid.

3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein: The solid shell structure comprises one or more of polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, and silicon dioxide.

4. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that: include: shell; an ultrasonic transducer connected to the housing, the ultrasonic transducer comprising an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array, and a backing; in: The acoustic lens includes a first side and a second side facing the matching layer, the matching layer includes a third side facing the acoustic lens and a fourth side facing the piezoelectric element array, the piezoelectric element array includes a fifth side facing the matching layer and a sixth side facing the backing, the backing includes a seventh side facing the piezoelectric element array and an eighth side facing away from the piezoelectric element array, the second side of the acoustic lens matches the third side of the matching layer, the fourth side of the matching layer matches the fifth side of the piezoelectric element array, and the sixth side of the piezoelectric element array matches the seventh side of the backing; The backing includes a matrix and a filler, wherein the filler includes phase change particles dispersed in the matrix; The phase change particles include one or more phase change materials selected from paraffin composite cross-linked high-density polyethylene, polyols, and fatty acids. When the temperature of the phase change material in the phase change particles rises to its phase change point, the phase change material in the phase change particles undergoes a solid-solid phase change and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer.

5. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that: include: shell; an ultrasonic transducer connected to the housing, the ultrasonic transducer comprising an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array, and a backing; in: The acoustic lens includes a first side and a second side facing the matching layer, the matching layer includes a third side facing the acoustic lens and a fourth side facing the piezoelectric element array, the piezoelectric element array includes a fifth side facing the matching layer and a sixth side facing the backing, the backing includes a seventh side facing the piezoelectric element array and an eighth side facing away from the piezoelectric element array, the second side of the acoustic lens matches the third side of the matching layer, the fourth side of the matching layer matches the fifth side of the piezoelectric element array, and the sixth side of the piezoelectric element array matches the seventh side of the backing; The backing includes a first material layer and a second material layer, which are stacked in sequence and in contact with each other. The thickness of the first material layer and the thickness of the second material layer are both less than one-quarter of the wavelength of the sound wave of the center frequency of the ultrasonic probe in the corresponding material layer. The second material layer includes one or more phase change materials selected from paraffin composite cross-linked high-density polyethylene, polyols and fatty acids. When the temperature of the phase change material in the second material layer reaches its phase change point, the phase change material in the second material layer undergoes a solid-solid phase change or a solid-liquid phase change and absorbs heat, thereby absorbing at least part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer.

6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein: The first material layer and the second material layer are both multi-layered, and the first material layer and the second material layer are alternately stacked, from top to bottom: the first layer and the last layer are the first material layer. When the second material layer undergoes a solid-liquid phase transition, the first material layer is impermeable to liquid.

7. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 and 4, characterized in that: The filler further includes a heat-conducting microstructure, which includes one or more of nano-metal wires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

8. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein: The first material layer includes a heat-conducting microstructure, and the heat-conducting microstructure includes one or more of nanometal wires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

9. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 and 4, characterized in that: The filler also includes acoustic filler.

10. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein: The first material layer further includes acoustic filler.

11. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1, 4 and 5, wherein: Also included is a heat sink engaged to the eighth side of the backing.

12. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 11, wherein: The heat sink has one or more protrusions that extend into the interior of the backing.

13. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 11, wherein: Also comprising a heat conducting component, the backing further comprising a ninth side surface and a tenth side surface adjacent to the seventh side surface and the eighth side surface respectively, and the heat sink comprising an eleventh side surface and a twelfth side surface; The thermally conductive component is connected to the ninth side of the backing and the eleventh side of the heat sink, and / or the thermally conductive component is connected to the tenth side of the backing and the twelfth side of the heat sink.

14. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that: include: shell; an ultrasonic transducer connected to the housing, the ultrasonic transducer comprising an acoustic lens, a matching layer, a piezoelectric element array, and a backing; in: The acoustic lens includes a first side and a second side facing the matching layer, the matching layer includes a third side facing the acoustic lens and a fourth side facing the piezoelectric element array, the piezoelectric element array includes a fifth side facing the matching layer and a sixth side facing the backing, the backing includes a seventh side facing the piezoelectric element array and an eighth side facing away from the piezoelectric element array, the second side of the acoustic lens matches the third side of the matching layer, the fourth side of the matching layer matches the fifth side of the piezoelectric element array, and the sixth side of the piezoelectric element array matches the seventh side of the backing; The backing includes a matrix and a filler. The filler includes phase-change particles dispersed in the matrix. The phase-change particles include a phase-change material.

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