Abstract: An electrode structure includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged separately from each other; and a plurality of dielectric layers laminated in a first direction with respect to the plurality of pixel electrodes, in which the plurality of dielectric layers includes: a first dielectric layer that spreads over the plurality of pixel electrodes in a direction intersecting with the first direction; and a second dielectric layer that includes dielectric material having a refractive index higher than that of the first dielectric layer, sandwiches the first dielectric layer together with the plurality of pixel electrodes, and has a slit at a position overlapping space between pixel electrodes adjacent when viewed from the first direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device including: an image acquirer for acquiring an ultrasonic image of an object from ultrasonic waves received by an ultrasonic probe; an image memory for preliminary memorizing a volume data of the object, which is acquired by an image diagnostic device; a first positional detector for detecting 3-dimensional information of the ultrasonic probe; an tomogram obtainer for obtaining a tomogram of the image diagnostic device, in which positions of the tomogram and the ultrasonic image correspond, based on a positional information from the first positional detector; a display for displaying the ultrasonic image and the tomogram; wherein the ultrasonic image device further including, a selector for selecting predetermined angles of a puncture needle, where angles can be set at fixed values, and the display displays a guideline of the puncture needle on at least one of the ultrasonic image and the tomogram.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic probe including an insert section which is to be inserted into a body cavity organ of a subject and a handle section which is coupled with the insert section, a plurality of vibrator elements (104) are disposed at a tip end of the insert section over the entire 360 degree circumference thereof and in the handle section, a connection change over switch (105) is disposed which successively changes over the electrical connection of a predetermined number of the vibrator elements among the plurality of the vibrator elements to be connected with a predetermined number of ultrasonic wave transmission and reception channels (701,702) in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave signals.

Abstract: An array of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers having a piezoelectric layer 2 and a couple of electrodes 7-1 and 7-2 sandwiching the piezoelectric layer therebetween is provided. The piezoelectric layer 2 has a first piezoelectric layer 2-1 provided on the ultrasonic-wave emission side, a second piezoelectric layer 2-2 provided on the other side of the first piezoelectric layer 2-1, and a common electrode 8 provided therebetween. Each of the ultrasonic transducers has a low-frequency response distribution that is uniform in the minor-axis direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged and a high high-frequency response distribution at a center part in the minor-axis direction. The characteristics of the minor-axis-direction frequency and sound pressure of the first piezoelectric layer are complemented by those of the second piezoelectric layer, whereby a uniform frequency characteristic for a minor-axis-direction low frequency is obtained.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe in which a 3-dimensional position detecting means can be attached detachably to the ultrasonic probe and operability of the ultrasonic probe does not degrade even when the position detecting means is contained in the ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus employing such an ultrasonic probe is also provided. The ultrasonic probe comprises a transducer for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an object to be examined, a probe head for securing the transducer, and a grip coupled on the probe head wherein the grip has a groove for detachably containing a position detecting means for detecting 3-dimensional positional information of the ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic probe including an insert section which is to be inserted into a body cavity organ of a subject and a handle section which is coupled with the insert section, a plurality of vibrator elements (104) are disposed at a tip end of the insert section over the entire 360 degree circumference thereof and in the handle section, a connection change over switch (105) is disposed which successively changes over the electrical connection of a predetermined number of the vibrator elements among the plurality of the vibrator elements to be connected with a predetermined number of ultrasonic wave transmission and reception channels (701,702) in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave signals.

Abstract: An array of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers having a piezoelectric layer 2 and a couple of electrodes 7-1 and 7-2 sandwiching the piezoelectric layer therebetween is provided. The piezoelectric layer 2 has a first piezoelectric layer 2-1 provided on the ultrasonic-wave emission side, a second piezoelectric layer 2-2 provided on the other side of the first piezoelectric layer 2-1, and a common electrode 8 provided therebetween. Each of the ultrasonic transducers has a low-frequency response distribution that is uniform in the minor-axis direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged and a high high-frequency response distribution at a center part in the minor-axis direction. The characteristics of the minor-axis-direction frequency and sound pressure of the first piezoelectric layer are complemented by those of the second piezoelectric layer, whereby a uniform frequency characteristic for a minor-axis-direction low frequency is obtained.