What is an Ultrasound Cable Assembly?
An ultrasound cable is a multi-conductor micro-coaxial cable assembly that links an ultrasound transducer or probe to the imaging system. It carries dozens to hundreds of individually shielded signal channels between the transducer array and the console. These assemblies are typically custom-built per probe and imaging-system platform, with channel count, conductor gauge, and connectors specified to meet the specific needs of a system and OEM. Ultrasound cables are used in a wide variety of diagnostic and ultrasound equipment, from general radiology and cardiac phased-array probes to portable point-of-care systems.
BizLink’s micro coaxial ultrasound cable (38AWG) is flexible, allowing for the simultaneous transmission of both power and coaxial signals.
Design Highlights
Micro-coaxial ultrasound cable is preferred for imaging systems because it accommodates a very high channel count, commonly 64 to 288 or more coaxial channels, into a small, flexible bundle while keeping capacitance and crosstalk low. Individually shielded conductors, controlled impedance (commonly 50 or 60 Ω), and high-flex-cycle jacketing help the cable withstand constant bending at the probe handle without signal degradation. Suppliers are pushing toward higher channel counts and finer-gauge conductors to support next-generation matrix and 3D/4D array probes.
ISO13485 certified, Axon’ Cable designs and manufactures custom cables and assemblies for medical ultrasound and imaging applications with sterilizable materials and moulding and overmoulding to limit the ingress of bacteria.
Markets & Applications
Ultrasound is an essential part of care in radiology, cardiology, obstetrics, gynecology, orthopedics, and veterinary care. Ultrasound cable assemblies are used in hospital and clinic settings as well as in remote or mobile clinics through portable/handheld ultrasound systems. Within medical imaging, cable assemblies are built for specific transducer types and OEM platforms, including abdominal and curved-array probes, cardiac phased-array probes, linear/vascular probes, and endocavity probes.
Closely related micro-coaxial cable technology is also used in industrial phased-array ultrasonic (NDT) testing.
TE Connectivity’s solutions for imaging systems include the COMFORT ultrasound cable. With reduced size, light weight, and increased flexibility for ultrasound applications, COMFORT cable delivers high signal quality in acoustic applications.
Technical Specifications
| IDENTIFICATION | |
| Product / Series Name | Ultrasound transducer/probe cable assembly (micro-coaxial multi-core cable) |
| Manufacturer(s) | Cable/wire: |
| Industry Category | Micro-coaxial multi-conductor cable assembly (RF/Coaxial); non-standardized, OEM-proprietary |
| Relevant Standards | No single governing specification; RoHS/REACH compliance commonly offered; ISO 13485-certified manufacturing typical for medical-grade assemblies |
| MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Shell / Housing Shape | Not applicable to the cable itself; system-end connector housing shape is OEM-specific, typically a rectangular multi-pin or proprietary probe connector |
| Shell Material & Finish | Cable jacket: PVC, TPU, TPEE, or medical-grade silicone. Connector shell: OEM-specific, typically engineering plastic or metal |
| Overall Dimensions | Cable OD approx. 6–10 mm depending on channel count (examples: 6.6 mm for 138-channel, 7.0 mm for 130-channel, 9.7 mm for 288-channel); length typically 1.8–2.4 m |
| Mounting Type(s) | In-line cable assembly; molded strain relief at the probe end, OEM-specific connector plug at the system end |
| Plug Types | Straight, OEM-specific multi-pin plug at the system end; over-molded strain relief at the probe end |
| Receptacle Mounting Styles | Not applicable; this is a cable assembly, not a panel-mount receptacle |
| Mating Cycles (rated) | Not typically specified for the cable; system-side connector mating-cycle rating is OEM-specific |
| Locking Mechanism | OEM-specific system-side connector locking; varies by imaging-system platform |
| CONTACT SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Contact Count (range) | 64 to 288+ individual coaxial channels depending on probe/array; common counts include 68, 72, 130, 132, 138, 160, 164, 192, 256, and 288 |
| Contact Size(s) / AWG | 36 to 50 AWG micro-coaxial conductors; 38–44 AWG most common for medical probe cable |
| Contact Material & Plating | Silver-plated or tin-plated high-strength copper alloy conductor, typically 7-strand construction |
| Termination Method(s) | Solder termination to the probe PCB/flex circuit and to the system-side connector; fine-pitch hand or automated soldering |
| Current Rating (per contact) | Not applicable; conductors carry low-level analog echo signals rather than power current |
| Voltage Rating | Not typically specified; low-voltage analog signal only |
| SEALING & ENVIRONMENTAL | |
| IP Rating | Not typically IP-rated on the cable itself; the probe housing (not the cable) commonly carries an IP67/IP68 immersion rating |
| Sealing Type & Material | Cable jacket sealing only; PVC, TPU, TPEE, or medical-grade silicone outer sheath |
| Operating Temperature Range | Typically –20°C to +80°C, jacket- and insulation-dependent; PFA/fluoropolymer-insulated versions rated higher |
| EMI / RFI Shielding | Individually shielded coaxial channels (spiral or braid, tinned copper), plus an overall cable shield; shielding effectiveness is not uniformly published |
| MATERIALS & COMPLIANCE | |
| Insulator Material | Conductor insulation: FEP, PFA, or fluoropolymer. Outer jacket: PVC, TPU, TPEE, or medical-grade silicone |
| RoHS / REACH / Halogen Free | RoHS/REACH-compliant versions widely available; halogen-free options offered by some suppliers, varies by manufacturer |
| ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE | |
| Impedance (if controlled) | 50 Ω or 60 Ω per coaxial channel, controlled |
| Data Rate / Bandwidth | Not applicable in digital data-rate terms; passes analog echo signals, typically in the 1–15 MHz diagnostic ultrasound frequency range |
With high bandwidth handling, EMI immunity, ease of cleaning, handling, strain, and repeated mating cycles, opticalCON HYBRID MED Connector from Neutrik is suitable for terminating fiber and hybrid ultrasound cables.
SUPPLIERS
Manufacturers
Axon’ Cable, BizLink, Molex, Neutrik, ODU, TE Connectivity
Distributors
Avnet, DigiKey, Heilind Electronics, iConnexion, Kensington Electronics, Mouser, TTI Inc.,
RELATED PRODUCTS
Micro-coaxial RF connectors
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