Ultrljudsprober

Ultrljudsprober is a term used to refer to ultrasound probes, devices at the end of an ultrasound system that emit and receive high-frequency sound waves for medical imaging. They contain a transducer array of piezoelectric crystals that convert electrical energy to sound and back.

In operation, short electrical pulses excite the crystals to produce ultrasound; returning echoes are captured by the same or neighboring elements and converted to electrical signals for the imaging system. A gel or liquid coupling medium minimizes acoustic impedance at the skin, and the probe is connected by a cable to the ultrasound console.

Probe designs include linear arrays for high-resolution surface imaging (e.g., vessels and joints), curvilinear or convex arrays for abdominal and obstetric imaging, phased-array probes for cardiac imaging, and endocavitary probes for internal examinations. Specialized probes serve small-animal, intraoperative, or high-frequency applications.

Safety and maintenance: ultrasound uses non-ionizing radiation. Probe handling requires cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization according to clinical setting and manufacturer guidelines. The devices are subject to regulatory clearance (for example, CE marking in Europe and FDA clearance in the United States) and routine quality assurance.

Etymology: the standard term in Danish and Norwegian is Ultraljudsprober; Ultrljudsprober appears as a variant spelling.