Therapeutic ultrasound system transducer coupling fluid management system

Water continues to be the most commonly used fluid when coupling the energy emanating from a therapeutic ultrasound transducer to its target tissue. In many therapeutic ultrasound systems, this coupling fluid performs additional functions, such as transducer cooling, target tissue temperature management, and transducer/target tissue separation management, and is typically degassed to prevent the formation and accumulation of cavitation bubbles in the transducer's propagation path. Readying a therapeutic ultrasound system for use normally involves preparing this coupling mechanism, and being able to do this quickly and easily by the clinician or clinical support staff has tremendous implications on procedure workflow and time, as well as on overall system ease of use.