ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND PROBE FOR THE SAME
The present invention provides a probe for an ultrasonic imaging apparatus. The probe comprises a bulkhead, a transducer, a contact portion engaging hermetically with the bulkhead to define a sealed space, and a bubble trap device which can be selectively in fluid communication with the sealed space via a passage between the sealed space and the bubble trap device. Both the sealed space and the bubble trap device are completely filled with a liquid medium, and the bubble trap device is configured to allow bubbles in the liquid medium to enter the bubble trap device from the sealed space when the probe is positioned in the downward position but prevent the bubbles from escaping from the bubble trap device when the probe is positioned in the upward position. According to the present invention, the probe performance is not deteriorated by the bubbles and an accurate imaging is achieved.