Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Annette G Bouska

Jianjun Wang

Lonnie R Drayer

A pad for transmitting acoustical waves between an ultrasound probe and a target surface. The pad includes a first layer having a first porous portion which defines first layer pores therethrough. The first layer pores have a first layer pore dimension. The pad further includes a second layer having a first porous portion which defines second layer pores therethrough. The second layer pores have a second layer pore dimension. The second layer is attached to the first layer to define a space therebetween. The first porous portion of the first layer overlies the first porous portion of said second layer. An ultrasound couplant is disposed in the space defined between the first and second layers. The ultrasound couplant has a molecule size that is less than or substantially equal to the first layer pore dimension and less than or substantially equal to the second layer pore dimension.

Ultrasound transmissive pad

A method for conducting an ultrasound procedure on an object having a target surface. The method includes the step of providing an ultrasound probe having an acoustical wave emitting end portion. A pad for transmitting acoustical waves between the ultrasound probe and a target surface of an object also is provided. The pad includes a first layer having a first porous portion which defines first layer pores therethrough. The first layer pores have a first layer pore dimension. The pad further includes a second layer having a first porous portion which defines second layer pores therethrough. The second layer pores have a second layer pore dimension. The second layer is attached to the first layer so as to define a space therebetween. The first porous portion of the first layer overlies the first porous portion of the layer. An ultrasound couplant is disposed in the space defined between the first layer and the second layer. The ultrasound couplant has a molecule size which is less than or substantially equal to the first layer pore dimension, and which is less than or substantially equal to the second layer pore dimension. The method further includes the steps of placing the first porous portion of the second layer in contact with a target surface and placing the acoustical wave emitting end portion of the ultrasound probe in contact with the first porous portion of the first layer. The ultrasound probe is then activated.

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Dublin, OH, United States of America

Annette G Bouska