Ultrasound interfacing device for tissue imaging

An interface device for use with an ultrasound imaging system having a scan head with at least one transducer, the interface device being removably attachable to the scan head, the interface device comprising:

• a reservoir with a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being open and shaped to allow the transducer to be inserted within said reservoir, wherein said proximal end of said reservoir is configured to maintain a fluid tight seal between said reservoir and the scan head, and wherein said distal end of said reservoir is configured to extend past a distal end of the transducer,
• a scan window located proximate said distal end of said reservoir through which ultrasound energy is transmitted and received, wherein said scan window is formed of a solid, non-flowable hydrogel,
• a fluid tight seal between said scan window and said distal end of said reservoir,
• and a fluid acoustic coupling medium located within said reservoir and filling a space between said transducer and said scan window,
• wherein the reservoir has an adjustable length for adjusting a distance between the scan window and the transducer,
• and wherein said solid, non-flowable hydrogel comprises a cross-linked hydrogel and wherein said scan window further comprises a support structure comprising a mesh of filaments embedded in the cross-linked hydrogel.

An interface device for use with an ultrasound imaging system having a scan head with at least one transducer, the interface device being removably attachable to the scan head, the interface device comprising:

• a reservoir with a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being open and shaped to allow the transducer to be inserted within said reservoir, wherein said proximal end of said reservoir is configured to maintain a fluid tight seal between said reservoir and the scan head, and wherein said distal end of said reservoir is configured to extend past a distal end of the transducer,
• a scan window located proximate said distal end of said reservoir through which ultrasound energy is transmitted and received, wherein said scan window is formed of a hydrogel with a support structure comprising a mesh of filaments embedded in said hydrogel,
• a fluid tight seal between said scan window and said distal end of said reservoir,
• a fluid acoustic coupling medium located within said reservoir and filling a space between said transducer and said scan window.