Phase change insert for ultrasound imaging probe

An ultrasound imaging system comprising:

• a processing unit configured to receive and process acquired ultrasound image data to create ultrasound images derived from the ultrasound image data;
• a display operably connected to the processing unit to present the created ultrasound images to a user;
• and an ultrasound imaging probe operably connected to the processing unit to obtain the ultrasound image data, the ultrasound imaging probe comprising:
• a housing consisting of a layer of a thermally conductive material having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space therein, and
• a tab extending inwardly from the interior surface into the interior space;
• an imaging device disposed within the interior space of the housing and including at least one heat-generating component;
• and
• at least one thermal energy storage insert spaced from and disposed in thermal contact with the imaging device within the interior space of the housing, the at least one thermal energy storage insert containing a phase change material (PCM) therein and an alignment feature formed within a wall of the at least one thermal energy storage insert and adapted to engage and receive a mechanical fastener extending between the interior surface of the housing and the at least one thermal energy storage insert to align the at least one thermal energy storage insert with the housing, wherein the thermal energy storage insert is manufactured with an exterior shape that conforms to the interior space of the housing,
• wherein the alignment feature is an aperture in the wall of the at least one thermal energy storage insert adapted to seat on the mechanical fastener of the housing to align the at least one thermal energy storage insert with the housing,
• wherein the mechanical fastener is formed as the located on and extending outwardly from the interior surface of the housing into the interior space of the housing for insertion within the aperture, and
• wherein the at least one thermal energy storage insert is additively manufactured to conform to a shape of the interior space of the housing.