Optimized thermal design for ASICs-embedded clinical ultrasound probes using phase-change materials

ASICs-embedded probes have received more attention due to their many advantages over conventional ultrasound probes. However, these state-of-the art probes generate large amount of heat from ASICs, compared to heat arisen from transducers. In addition, the maximum acceptable heat quantity is determined by the size of the probe. For these reasons, acoustic power is often lowered in order not to exceed the upper temperature limits set by IEC standard. In this paper, phase-change material (PCM) was investigated for overcoming the size-related limitation of the allowable heat quantity. In the experiments, surface temperature of a probe prototype, where 20 grams of PCM was filled, was measured during operation. Compared to the probe without PCM, the maximum allowable power consumption was increased by 170%. This approach should be the breakthrough for operating a probe at the maximum capability of ASICs, which can improve image quality.