Systems and methods for cooling ultrasound transducers and ultrasound transducer arrays

Abstract

Ultrasound devices and systems are disclosed in which cooling of an active acoustic element of an ultrasound transducer is achieved via an electrically conductive member that extends beyond a proximal side of the active acoustic element to contact a heat exchanger. The electrically conductive member delivers electrical driving signals to the active acoustic element while conducting heat to the heat exchanger. A region of the proximal surface of the active acoustic element that is free from contact with the electrically conductive member may also absent from contact with a liquid or a solid, thereby facilitating reflection of ultrasound energy. The heat exchanger may include an electrically insulating fluid that contacts the electrically conductive member to remove the heat conducted through the electrically conductive member. The active acoustic element may be a multilayer lateral mode element, and the electrically conductive member may form an electrode of the lateral mode element.