Expanding Ultrasound Probe Technology to New Industries

Publication ID: 24-11857364_0007_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Expanding Ultrasound Probe Technology to New Industries,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857364_0007_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857364_0007_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,364.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original ultrasound probe patent to address novel applications and use cases in diverse industries, including oceanic marine life monitoring, wind turbine blade inspection, skin condition diagnosis, aerospace composite material quality control, and athlete performance monitoring.

Background and Problem Solved

The original ultrasound probe patent was primarily focused on medical imaging applications. However, the innovative design and thermal management features of the probe have broader implications. This inventive concept recognizes the limitations of the original patent and seeks to apply the core technology to entirely new industries and problems, thereby expanding the scope and potential impact of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new claims encompass a range of applications, including underwater ultrasound probes for marine life monitoring, ultrasound probes with thermally conductive planar layers for wind turbine blade inspection, portable ultrasound-based diagnostic devices for skin condition detection, ultrasound-based quality control systems for aerospace composite materials, and wearable ultrasound devices for athlete performance monitoring. Each of these applications leverages the advanced thermal management capabilities and design features of the original probe to provide high-resolution imaging, enhanced detection capabilities, and improved performance in their respective domains.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The novelty of this inventive concept lies in the application of the original ultrasound probe technology to entirely new industries and use cases, which were not considered in the original patent. The inventive step is the recognition of the broader potential of the core technology and the adaptation of the design and thermal management features to address specific challenges and needs in these new domains.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of this inventive concept could include the development of customized ultrasound probes for specific industries, such as oil and gas exploration, or the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of the probes. Variations of the concept could also involve the use of different materials or manufacturing processes to reduce costs or improve performance.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The commercial potential of this inventive concept is substantial, with applications in multiple industries and markets. The oceanic marine life monitoring system could be marketed to environmental organizations and research institutions, while the wind turbine blade inspection system could be sold to wind energy companies. The portable skin condition diagnostic device could be targeted at dermatologists and primary care physicians, and the aerospace composite material quality control system could be marketed to aerospace manufacturers. The wearable athlete performance monitoring device could be sold to sports teams, athletic trainers, and individual athletes.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B8/4444
A A61 A61B8/4455
A A61 A61B8/4494
A A61 A61B8/546
F F28 F28F3/048

Field of Art

Medical and industrial ultrasound imaging technologies, specifically transducer probe design with thermal management systems, encompassing medical diagnostics, non-destructive testing, and specialized sensing applications

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with expertise in ultrasound transducer design, thermal management, signal processing, and materials engineering, typically holding a master's or PhD in electrical, mechanical, or biomedical engineering with 3-7 years of specialized experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core thermal management and transducer array technologies disclosed in US 11857364 are readily adaptable to multiple industrial and diagnostic contexts. The fundamental design principles of thermally conductive fins, return planes, and signal transmission are universally applicable across different sensing environments. The variations presented in the PTD represent predictable extensions of known ultrasound probe technologies by applying established engineering principles to novel application domains.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Thermally conductive fins integrated with transducer array for heat management
PTD Variation
Application of thermal fins in underwater marine life monitoring probe
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that thermal management principles are consistent across environments, and adapting the fin design for underwater use represents a routine engineering design choice with predictable thermal performance outcomes
Source Patent Element
Transducer array with multiple return planes for signal transmission
PTD Variation
Wind turbine blade inspection system using similar signal processing architecture
Obviousness Reasoning
Signal transmission and imaging techniques are fundamentally transferable between diagnostic and industrial inspection contexts, making this variation an obvious technological adaptation
Source Patent Element
Enclosure design with EMI gaskets and conductive materials
PTD Variation
Aerospace composite material inspection probe with similar electromagnetic shielding
Obviousness Reasoning
Electromagnetic interference mitigation techniques are standard engineering practice, and applying proven shielding methods to new sensing environments represents a known and predictable engineering solution
Source Patent Element
Probe array assembly with configurable thermal coupling
PTD Variation
Wearable athlete performance monitoring device with integrated thermal management
Obviousness Reasoning
Miniaturization and thermal management of sensing devices are well-established engineering practices, and adapting the probe design for wearable applications follows standard technological evolution patterns
Source Patent Element
Modular probe design with interchangeable components
PTD Variation
Portable diagnostic devices for remote medical screening
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular design principles enable straightforward adaptation of core technologies to different form factors and use cases, representing a predictable and obvious technological progression
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US 11857364 and the comprehensive technical disclosure herein, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations of ultrasound probe technologies to be obvious and non-patentable. The disclosed variations represent predictable applications of established ultrasound transducer design principles across diverse technological domains, lacking the requisite non-obvious inventive step to merit independent patent protection.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,364
TitleUltrasound probe
Assignee(s)FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc.