CPC G01N 29/2468 (2013.01) [G01N 29/225 (2013.01); G01N 29/28 (2013.01); G01N 29/265 (2013.01); G01N 29/343 (2013.01); G01N 2291/011 (2013.01); G01N 2291/015 (2013.01); G01N 2291/044 (2013.01); G01N 2291/0421 (2013.01); G01N 2291/106 (2013.01); G01N 2291/2638 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
1. An ultrasonic probe, comprising:
a housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a first cavity therein;
at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned within the housing;
a flexible delay line including a recessed portion and a hemispherical tip portion, wherein the recessed portion is positioned within the cavity and extends from the at least one ultrasonic transducer to the distal end of the housing, and wherein the tip portion extends from the distal end of the housing to a distal terminal end of the delay line; and
a stabilizing element coupled to the distal end of the housing and extending distally from the distal end of the housing to a target facing surface, wherein the stabilizing element circumferentially surrounds at least part of the tip portion of the flexible delay line
wherein an elastic modulus of the material from which the stabilizing element is formed is greater than or equal to an elastic modulus of the delay line.
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