Importance

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Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for monitoring the acoustic intensity of ultrasonic energy applied to a body by an ultrasonic probe for the purpose of diagnosing an internal target. The probe contacts a limited area of the body skin and a coupling medium, such as a coupling gel, is interposed to enhance acoustic coupling between the probe and the skin. A thermally sensitive agent in the coupling medium imparts color to the latter indicative of the heat dissipated on the skin area under the probe. Whenever a predetermined color change of the coupling medium indicates that the heat dissipation on this area exceeds a predetermined limit, the acoustic intensity of the ultrasonic energy beamed to the target is reduced.

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First Claim