Ultrasonic Probe Bubble Trap for Accurate Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic probes experience performance deterioration and inaccurate imaging due to bubbles in the liquid medium accumulating between the transducer and the contact portion when the probe is positioned with the contact portion facing upwardly, obstructing the transfer of ultrasonic waves.
Innovation Solution
A bubble trap device is integrated into the probe, which allows bubbles to enter from the sealed space when the probe is in a downward position and prevents them from escaping when the probe is in an upward position, using a floating body that selectively opens and closes a passage between the sealed space and a trap container filled with liquid medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the probe is used with the contact portion facing upwardly (for standby or non-horizontal surfaces), then the probe can be used in various positions and orientations, but bubbles accumulate between the transducer and contact portion obstructing ultrasonic wave transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the natural buoyancy of bubbles (which causes them to rise) by inverting the probe orientation during operation. When the contact portion faces downward, bubbles naturally rise away from the transducer-contact interface and collect in the accumulation chamber, converting the harmful bubble accumulation effect into a beneficial automatic bubble removal mechanism that maintains reliable ultrasonic wave transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to bubble management by incorporating an accumulation chamber positioned at the upper end of the probe housing. This creates a dedicated spatial zone for bubble collection separate from the ultrasonic wave path, allowing bubbles to be redirected vertically to the chamber while maintaining horizontal ultrasonic wave transfer between the transducer and contact portion.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical 3D probe with moving transducer array is used, then 3D volume data can be obtained, but the complex mechanical structure generates more tiny bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts bubbles from the ultrasonic wave path by providing a dedicated accumulation chamber that is in fluid communication with the liquid medium but separated from the transducer-contact interface. This isolates the harmful bubbles into a specific zone where they cannot interfere with ultrasonic wave transfer, allowing the mechanical 3D probe to maintain its imaging capability without bubble-related performance degradation.
3Quantity of substance
If bubbles are present in the liquid medium, then the liquid can be filled completely, but bubbles obstruct ultrasonic wave transfer and deteriorate probe performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary structure - the accumulation chamber - that acts as a buffer zone between the liquid medium and the ultrasonic wave path. This chamber serves as a mediator that captures and holds bubbles, preventing them from reaching the critical transducer-contact interface while allowing the liquid medium to remain fully filled for effective ultrasonic coupling.
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 configuration ensures uninterrupted ultrasonic wave transfer by preventing bubble accumulation between the transducer and the contact portion, maintaining probe performance and achieving accurate imaging regardless of the probe's orientation.
Implementation Method 1
a floating body (37) made from a material whose density is less than that of the liquid medium so that the floating body always moves upwardly in the liquid medium
Implementation Method 2
a liquid medium being filled in a space between the bulkhead and the contact portion to transfer the ultrasonic waves from the transducer to the contact portion or from the contact portion to the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a probe for an ultrasonic imaging apparatus. The probe comprises a bulkhead, a transducer, a contact portion engaging hermetically with the bulkhead to define a sealed space, and a bubble trap device which can be selectively in fluid communication with the sealed space via a passage between the sealed space and the bubble trap device. Both the scaled space and the bubble trap device are completely filled with a liquid medium, and the bubble trap device is configured to allow bubbles in the liquid medium to enter the bubble trap device from the sealed space when the probe is positioned in the downward position but prevent the bubbles from escaping from the bubble trap device when the probe is positioned in the upward position. According to the present invention, the probe performance is not deteriorated by the bubbles and an accurate imaging is achieved.