Ultrasonic Endoscope Heat Dissipation via Ground Bar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic endoscopes face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat generated by ultrasonic transducers while maintaining a small diameter and high diagnostic accuracy, leading to increased temperature at the distal end portion, which can cause burns and reduce operability.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic endoscope incorporates a heat dissipation structure that includes a copper foil and a ground bar connected to the shield layers of coaxial cables, allowing heat to be efficiently dissipated to the exterior without increasing the diameter of the distal end portion, thereby maintaining a low surface temperature and improving diagnostic accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic transducers are used for ultrasonic observation, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but heat is generated causing temperature increase at the distal end portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the heat generated by ultrasonic transducers as a beneficial element by conducting it through the backing material layer to the heat conductive member, transforming the harmful thermal energy into a controlled heat dissipation process that prevents temperature buildup at the distal end portion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat conductive member as an intermediary element between the ultrasonic transducers and the exterior member. This mediator efficiently transfers heat from the transducers through the backing material layer, preventing direct heat accumulation at the distal end portion while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
2Temperature
If cooling means are added to the distal end portion, then surface temperature is reduced, but the outside diameter increases reducing operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat dissipation function with existing structural components by making the exterior member itself heat conductive and integrating the heat conductive member into the existing backing material layer structure. This combination approach achieves cooling without adding separate bulky cooling mechanisms that would increase the outside diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The exterior member is designed to serve multiple functions: structural protection and heat dissipation. By making the exterior member heat conductive, it simultaneously provides mechanical protection and thermal management, eliminating the need for dedicated cooling components that would increase device size and reduce operability
3Measurement precision
If drive voltage of ultrasonic transducers is increased to improve diagnostic accuracy, then heat generation increases causing temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by increased drive voltage into a manageable thermal flow by directing it through the heat conductive member. This allows higher drive voltages to be used for improved diagnostic accuracy while the heat is systematically conducted away, preventing temperature-related harm
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This heat dissipation structure effectively reduces the temperature of the distal end portion, enhancing patient safety and diagnostic accuracy by preventing overheating and maintaining the small size of the endoscope.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conductive member that is disposed in the exterior member and that contacts a back surface of the backing material layer and an inner surface of the exterior member. With this structure, heat generated in the ultrasonic transducers and conducted to the backing material layer and heat generated in the backing material layer are conducted to the heat conductive member via the backing material layer, conducted further to the exterior member via the heat conductive member, and dissipated from the exterior member to the outside of the ultrasonic endoscope
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric part having a piezoelectric material and converting signals between electric signals and ultrasonic signals by utilizing the piezoelectric phenomenon
Implementation Method 3
The heat generated in the piezoelectric part is radiated via the grounding conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
An ultrasonic endoscope has an ultrasonic transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged; a backing material layer on a back side of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, a wiring board including a plurality of electrode pads that are connected to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers; a plurality of shield cables each including a signal wire and a shield member, a wiring portion in which the plurality of signal wires are electrically connected to the plurality of electrode pads; a ground portion that is electrically connected to the shield members and that have heat conductivity; and a first heat conductive member that extends beyond the backing material layer to a side opposite to the ultrasonic transducer array with respect to the backing material layer and that is thermally connected to the ground portion.