CPC A61B 8/546 (2013.01) [A61B 8/4236 (2013.01); A61B 8/4254 (2013.01); A61B 8/4455 (2013.01); A61B 8/4494 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
1. An ultrasound imaging probe, comprising:
a housing configured for handheld use;
a support structure different from the housing and disposed within the housing, the support structure comprising:
a thermally-conductive material;
a coupling surface disposed at a distal portion of the support structure; and
an outer surface different from the coupling surface;
a continuous thermally-conductive layer different from the thermally conductive material and coupled to the outer surface and the coupling surface of the support structure, the continuous thermally-conductive layer thereby providing a heat transmission path between the coupling surface and the outer surface; and
an ultrasound sensor coupled to the support structure at the coupling surface and directly in contact with the continuous thermally-conductive layer at the coupling surface, such that heat from the ultrasound sensor is transmitted away to the support structure via the heat transmission path of the continuous thermally-conductive layer.
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