Method and system for control of probe heating using lens reflection pulse-echo feedback

摘要

A method and system for controlling probe heating in an ultrasound system is disclosed. The method and system comprises electrically exciting a transducer within the probe; and detecting at least one pulse characteristic from the excited transducer. The method and system further includes analyzing at least one pulse characteristic to determine if the probe is coupling into a reflecting medium such as air or into tissue. Accordingly, a system and method in accordance with the present invention detects when an ultrasound transducer is coupling energy into a patient or into a reflecting medium such as air. In so doing, the thermal performance of the transducer improves by allowing an increase in the duration and level of the transducer excitation voltage.