Transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis

Abstract

The present invention provides a transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis which comprises a hydrocarbon compound, and/or an ether or ester compound each having a cyclic structure, and has a viscosity of at least 1000 mPa·s at a working temperature. The transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis according to the present invention is free from hygroscopicity causing rust generation in a test specimen and worsening the transmission characteristics during use, can impart adhesiveness to a solid within a short period of time, and is particularly excellent in transverse ultrasonic wave transmission, even in a non-contact state in which the test specimen is immersed.

1 . A transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis which comprises a hydrocarbon compound, and optionally an ether or an ester compound, wherein the ether and the ester has a cyclic structure, and wherein said transmission medium has a viscosity of at least 1000 mPa·s at a working temperature.  
   
   
       2 . The transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon compound has a cyclic structure and/or a quaternary carbon atom.  
   
   
       3 . The transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis according to  claim 1 , wherein ultrasonic waves for the ultrasonic diagnosis are transverse ultrasonic waves.  
   
   
       4 . The transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis according to  claim 2 , wherein ultrasonic waves for the ultrasonic diagnosis are transverse ultrasonic waves.  
   
   
       5 . The transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis according to  claim 1 , wherein said viscosity is in the range of 1,000 to 300,000 mPa·s.  
   
   
       6 . The transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis according to  claim 1 , wherein said viscosity is in the range of 1,000 to 150,000 mPa·s.  
   
   
       7 . The transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon is selected from a group consisting of dipentene oligomer hydride, polybutene, dicyclopentadiene oligomer hydride, dicyclopentadiene-styrene oligomer hydride, polyphenyl ether, styrene oligomer, styrene oligomer hydride, α-methylstyrene oligomer, α-methylstyrene oligomer hydride, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The transmission medium for ultrasonic diagnosis according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon is selected from a group consisting of 2-methyl-3-methyl-2-[(3-methylbicyclo[2,2,1]hept-2-yl)methyl]bicyclo[2,2,1]-heptane, 3-methyl-2-[(3-methylbicyclo[2,2,1]hept-2-yl)methyl]-2-[2,3-dimethylbicyclo-[2,2,1]hept-2-yl]methyl]bicyclo[2,2,1]heptane, and mixtures thereof.