US 11,944,491 B2
Ultrasound probe with optimized thermal management
Lorenzo Spicci, Florence (IT); Paolo Palchetti, Florence (IT); and Francesca Gambineri, Pisa (IT)
Assigned to Esaote S.p.A., Genoa (IT)
Filed by Esaote S.p.A., Genoa (IT)
Filed on Aug. 7, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/987,814.
Application 16/987,814 is a continuation of application No. 15/126,656, granted, now 10,772,603, previously published as PCT/EP2015/067151, filed on Jul. 27, 2015.
Claims priority of application No. 14183233 (EP), filed on Sep. 2, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2020/0397406 A1, Dec. 24, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61N 7/00 (2006.01); G10K 11/02 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 8/4444 (2013.01) [A61B 8/4281 (2013.01); A61B 8/4483 (2013.01); A61B 8/546 (2013.01); A61N 7/00 (2013.01); G10K 11/02 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. In an ultrasound probe having a probe housing that encloses a transducer assembly, a heat storing device comprising Phase Change Material (PCM) able to absorb heat maintaining the temperature constant, wherein the heat storing device comprises graphene and is disposed in an area within the probe housing;
wherein the heat storing device comprises a composite material including a PCM and a filler charged with graphene, and
wherein the filler is a resin, such as an epoxy resin, charged with graphene, the PCM being micro-encapsulated by such graphene-charged resin.
 
7. In an ultrasound probe having a probe housing that encloses a transducer assembly, a heat storing device comprising Phase Change Material (PCM) able to absorb heat maintaining the temperature constant, wherein the heat storing device comprises graphene and is disposed wherein the heat storing device is disposed externally to the probe housing;
wherein the heat storing device comprises a composite material including a PCM and a filler charged with graphene
wherein the filler is a resin, such as an epoxy resin, charged with graphene, the PCM being micro-encapsulated by such graphene-charged resin.