(19)
(11) EP 0 605 756 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
19.04.1995 Bulletin 1995/16

(43) Date of publication A2:
13.07.1994 Bulletin 1994/28

(21) Application number: 93111871.5

(22) Date of filing: 23.07.1993
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: G10K 11/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB NL

(30) Priority: 08.01.1993 US 2306

(71) Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Company
Palo Alto, California 94304 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Solomon, Rodney J.
    Andover, Ma. 01810 (US)
  • Vogel, Gregory G.
    Londonderry, Nh. 03053 (US)

(74) Representative: Liesegang, Roland, Dr.-Ing. et al
FORRESTER & BOEHMERT Franz-Joseph-Strasse 38
80801 München
80801 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Interface element for medical ultrasound transducer


    (57) An ultrasound transducer assembly includes an ultrasound transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasound energy 10 and one or more interface elements for conducting transmitted ultrasound energy from the transducer 10 to a patient's body and for conducting received ultrasound energy from the patient's body to the transducer. At least one ultrasound-transmissive interface element 20 is fabricated of a rigid, low sound speed material. The material preferably has a sound speed that approximately matches the speed of sound in human tissue. The rigid, low sound speed material is preferably a material that is suitable for use on a human eye as a contact lens. The ultrasound-transmissive element fabricated of a rigid, low sound speed material can be a protective lens cover 20.






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