Real time ultrasound probe

An external ultrasound probe comprising:

• a case having an enclosed volume;
• a fluid disposed within said enclosed volume;
• a bubble-trap member fixedly positioned relative to said case within said enclosed volume and having a distal-facing, concave surface, said distal-facing concave surface of said bubble trap defining a recess, wherein a distal portion of said enclosed volume is defined distal to said bubble-trap member and a proximal portion of said enclosed volume is defined proximal to said bubble-trap member, and wherein an aperture is provided through said bubble-trap member to fluidly interconnect from said distal portion of said enclosed volume to said proximal portion of said enclosed volume;
• an ultrasound transducer array supportably interconnected to said bubble-trap member and immersed in said fluid, wherein said ultrasound transducer array and said bubble-trap member are each supportably cantilevered from an end of said case proximal to said bubble-trap member and said bubble trap member and said ultrasound transducer array are otherwise free from fixed engagement with said case;
• a motor at least partially disposed within said recess defined by said bubble-trap member within said enclosed volume, wherein said motor is operatively interconnected to said ultrasound transducer array to affect said reciprocal pivotal movement thereof;
• and
• a bellows member having a flexible, closed-end portion located in said fluid within said case and an open-end isolated from said fluid, wherein said bellows member is collapsible and expansible in response to volumetric variations in said fluid.