Abstract: An ultrasound transducer manufactured by using a micromachining process comprises: a first electrode into which a control signal for transmitting ultrasound is input; a substrate on which the first electrode is formed; a second electrode that is a ground electrode facing the first electrode with a prescribed space between the first and second electrodes; a membrane on which the second electrode is formed and which vibrates and generates the ultrasound when a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes; a piezoelectric film contacting the membrane; and a third electrode electrically continuous to the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes a cap, and an ultrasound transducer which includes a lens provided in a piezoelectric element, is rotatable and swingable and is provided in a cap, and the lens focuses ultrasound transmitted from the piezoelectric element and includes a shape in which a first focal length of a first lens surface on a section parallel with a rotational center axis including a center of a sound beam axis of the ultrasound is shorter than a second focal length of a second lens surface on a section orthogonal to the rotational center axis including the center of the sound beam axis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer including an acoustic lens, a piezoelectric element, a backing material, and a housing, a transducer holder that holds the ultrasonic transducer, a transducer side connector fixed in an inside of the ultrasonic transducer, and a holder side connector that is arranged in the transducer holder and connectable to the transducer side connector. Positioning and fixing of the ultrasonic transducer are performed by fitting the ultrasonic transducer in the transducer holder, the holder side connector is movable in a direction perpendicular to a connector connecting direction and is positioned by connection to the transducer side connector to electrically connect the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave oscillator is configured in a manner that an acoustic matching member is formed on the ultrasonic wave emission side of an electromechanical transducer element, a backing material is fixed with adhesive on the other side thereof, and the electromechanical transducer element is fixed by connection members pressing it respectively from opposite directions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave oscillator is configured in a manner that an acoustic matching member is formed on the ultrasonic wave emission side of an electromechanical transducer element, a backing material is fixed with adhesive on the other side thereof, and the electromechanical transducer element is fixed by connection members pressing it respectively from opposite directions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer and an ultrasonic actuator for performing enhanced elliptical vibration comprise a first laminated piezoelectric element having a first fixed end, a resonator mounted to the opposite end of the first laminated piezoelectric element, a second laminated piezoelectric element having one end thereof fixedly mounted to the resonator in a direction other than a vibrating direction of the first laminated piezoelectric element, and a load mass fixedly mounted to the opposite end of the second laminated piezoelectric element. This structure permits the enhanced elliptical vibration of the transducer to have a large, controllable amplitude.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor comprising a vibrator for generating ultrasonic vibration, an electric-mechanical energy conversion element provided at node positions of the ultrasonic vibration, for generating ultrasonic vibration on the vibrator, the vibrator having an end face thereof which is inclined with respect to a central axis of the vibrator being rotatably driven by electric energy applied to the electric-mechanical energy conversion element, a plurality of displacement enlarging vibration pieces which are formed axially on the end face of the ultrasonic vibrator and in which grooves concentric with an outer periphery are arranged respectively at the node positions of the vibration, the displacement enlarging vibrating piece having a taper, and an element to be driven urged against end faces of the displacement enlarging vibration pieces by urging means and moved in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor comprising an elastic body, at least two laminated piezoelectric bodies clamped by a portion of the elastic body, an ultrasonic oscillator for exciting simultaneously a plurality of shrunk and retreated oscillation modes on the elastic body, to generate ultrasonic elliptic oscillation, and an element to be driven urged against a portion of the ultrasonic oscillator and movable with respect to the ultrasonic oscillator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultrasonic oscillator including: a plurality of resonators; and an electricity-to-mechanical energy conversion element disposed among a plurality of the resonators and pressed by a fastening member, wherein the ultrasonic oscillator bends and/or oscillates when alternating voltage is applied to the electricity-to-mechanical energy conversion element, and the resonators do not come in contact with the fastening member in a portion adjacent to the end surface of the ultrasonic oscillator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor characterized by comprising:an ultrasonic oscillator for generating ultrasonic oscillation on a specific surface;a movable body pressure-bonded to a specific surface of the ultrasonic oscillator for moving the movable body by the ultrasonic oscillator in a given direction by ultrasonic oscillation; anda sliding element provided on one of a contact surface of the ultrasonic oscillator and a contact surface of the movable body and having a porous oxide coating in which hydrators are formed to substantially fill small holes in the oxide coating.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic probe for use in ultrasonic endoscope, ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus and other ultrasonic apparatuses, an ultrasonic vibrator is arranged in a recess formed in a cylindrical housing and is secured thereto such that portions of first and second electrodes are exposed out of the recess. First and second lead wires are embedded in the housing such that tips of the lead wires are exposed within connecting areas formed in the housing in communication with the recess. The tips of the first and second lead wires are connected to first and second electrodes of the ultrasonic vibrator with the aid of conductive members made of solder, conductive paste or conductive adhesive agent. The other end of the first and second lead wires are extended from the same end face of the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic oscillator comprising piezoelectric elements and a resonator fixed thereto and having one or more inclined surfaces, elliptical oscillations being generated at the front end of the resonator. Also disclosed is an ultrasonic motor utilizing this oscillator and adapted to rotate a rotatably supported rotor by pressing it with an appropriate pressurizing force against the section where the elliptical oscillations are generated.