Ultrasound probe and related methods of assembly/disassembly

An ultrasound probe comprising:

• a probe housing;
• an ultrasound transducer seated in said probe housing;
• a transducer support structure having first and second portions, said first portion being mechanically coupled to said transducer;
• a strain relief subsystem in contact with said probe housing;
• an electrical cable penetrating said strain relief system and said probe housing;
• and
• a first mechanical coupling element mechanically coupled to an end of said electrical cable, to said strain relief subsystem and to said second portion of said transducer support structure, wherein said electrical cable comprises an outer shield having an end folded back and wrapped around a portion of said first mechanical coupling element, further comprising a metal band for holding said end of said outer shield of said electrical cable against said portion of said first mechanical coupling element.

An ultrasound probe comprising:

• a probe housing;
• an ultrasound transducer seated in said probe housing;
• a transducer support structure having first and second portions, said first portion being mechanically coupled to said transducer;
• a strain relief subsystem in contact with said probe housing;
• an electrical cable penetrating said strain relief system and said probe housing;
• and
• a first mechanical coupling element mechanically coupled to an end of said electrical cable, to said strain relief subsystem and to said second portion of said transducer support structure, wherein said first mechanical coupling element comprises first and second arms, and said second portion of said transducer support structure comprises first and second arms, further comprising first and second removable fasteners for respectively fastening said first and second arms of said first mechanical coupling element to said first and second arms of said transducer support structure.

An ultrasound probe comprising:

• a handle having first and second ends;
• an electrical cable penetrating said first end of said handle;
• an assembly penetrating said second end of said handle, and comprising an ultrasound transducer and a first threaded coupling element penetrated by said cable;
• and
• a device penetrating said first end of said handle, and comprising a second threaded coupling element penetrated by said cable and adapted for coupling with said first threaded coupling element,
• wherein said handle is pressed securely between said assembly and said device when said first and second threaded coupling elements are threadably coupled, and said second threaded coupling element is slidable along said cable.