Patents by Inventor Katsuhiro Wakabayashi

Katsuhiro Wakabayashi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11369344
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes: a tube; a transducer cable which is fixed to an end portion side of the tube and close to an outer periphery of the tube; a plurality of piezoelectric elements which are arranged along a circumferential direction surrounding a central axis of the tube to face an outer peripheral surface of the tube, each piezoelectric element being configured to output an ultrasound wave according to an electric signal input from the transducer cable, and convert an ultrasound wave input from an external portion into an electric signal; and a plurality of relays which are electrically connected respectively to a plurality of signal lines included in the transducer cable and the plurality of piezoelectric elements, the relays being configured to relay the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 11160530
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer module including: a plurality of piezoelectric elements, each being aligned in the same direction that is a longitudinal direction thereof; an electrode formed on a surface of each of the piezoelectric elements; a wiring member configured to be joined with the electrode and electrically connected with the electrode; and a dematching layer provided on a surface of each of the piezoelectric elements, the surface being opposite to another surface of the corresponding piezoelectric element on which the electrode and the wiring member are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20200187903
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes: a tube; a transducer cable which is fixed to an end portion side of the tube and close to an outer periphery of the tube; a plurality of piezoelectric elements which are arranged along a circumferential direction surrounding a central axis of the tube to face an outer peripheral surface of the tube, each piezoelectric element being configured to output an ultrasound wave according to an electric signal input from the transducer cable, and convert an ultrasound wave input from an external portion into an electric signal; and a plurality of relays which are electrically connected respectively to a plurality of signal lines included in the transducer cable and the plurality of piezoelectric elements, the relays being configured to relay the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiro WAKABAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20200037989
    Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope includes: an insertion part including a distal-end rigid part, a curve part joined to a proximal end side of the distal-end rigid part, and a flexible tube part joined to a proximal end side of the curve part; an ultrasound transducer in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasound are arranged annularly along a circumferential direction of the distal-end rigid part; an imaging sensor provided in the distal-end rigid part; an ultrasound cable including a plurality of coaxial cores that are electrically connected to the piezoelectric elements, respectively, and a metallic integration shield that covers the coaxial cores, the ultrasound cable being fixed to a proximal end side of the distal-end rigid part and on a side of an outer circumference; and a flexible substrate configured to electrically connect the piezoelectric elements and the coaxial cores to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuko TANIGUCHI, Katsuhiro WAKABAYASHI, Satoshi YOSHIDA, Sunao SATO, Takuya IMAHASHI
  • Patent number: 10486552
    Abstract: A work vehicle provided with a boarding section and an engine is disclosed. The boarding section is provided with a seat that allows an occupant to be seated thereon. The engine is located below the seat. A separator is provided to separate a foot space for an occupant and the engine from each other. The foot space is formed forward of the engine. The separator is provided with a radiator part formed therein. The radiator part is configured to radiate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Wakabayashi, Kodai Tateishi, Yoshimi Hirooka, Kohta Nakao, Tatsuya Nagatomi
  • Publication number: 20190350555
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric element that extends in a predetermined direction; a first electrode formed on a first surface of the piezoelectric element, in parallel with the direction, the first electrode including: a first portion for inputting an electrical signal to the piezoelectric element, and a first connection portion formed continuously with the first portion and intersecting the direction, wherein a first wiring is electrically connected to the first connection portion; and a second electrode disposed on a second surface, oppose to the first surface, of the piezoelectric element and spaced apart from the first electrode in the piezoelectric element, the second electrode including: a second portion for inputting an electric signal to the piezoelectric element, and a second connection portion formed continuously with the second portion, wherein a second wiring is electrically connected to the second connection portion and collectively arranged with the first wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiro WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 10342511
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer element including a cell group constituted by a plurality of ultrasound transducer cells, wherein each of the plurality of ultrasound transducer cells includes a lower electrode arranged on a substrate, a membrane including an upper electrode arranged facing the lower electrode with a cavity positioned therebetween, and a plurality of pillars forming the cavity by supporting the membrane, and each cavity mutually communicates with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Matsumoto, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20190117188
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer module including: a plurality of piezoelectric elements, each being aligned in the same direction that is a longitudinal direction thereof; an electrode formed on a surface of each of the piezoelectric elements; a wiring member configured to be joined with the electrode and electrically connected with the electrode; and a dematching layer provided on a surface of each of the piezoelectric elements, the surface being opposite to another surface of the corresponding piezoelectric element on which the electrode and the wiring member are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiro WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 10016121
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer element includes a plurality of electrostatic capacitance type ultrasound cells each having a lower electrode portion and a membrane including an upper electrode portion that are oriented and disposed via a cavity circular in plan view, and a thickness of the cavity monotonously decreases in a curved manner toward an outer circumferential portion from a center portion of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Matsumoto, Kazuhisa Karaki, Mamoru Hasegawa, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20180134179
    Abstract: A work vehicle provided with a boarding section and an engine is disclosed. The boarding section is provided with a seat that allows an occupant to be seated thereon. The engine is located below the seat. A separator is provided to separate a foot space for an occupant and the engine from each other. The foot space is formed forward of the engine. The separator is provided with a radiator part formed therein. The radiator part is configured to radiate heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Wakabayashi, Kodai Tateishi, Yoshimi Hirooka, Kohta Nakao, Tatsuya Nagatomi
  • Patent number: 9902292
    Abstract: A work vehicle provided with a boarding section and an engine is disclosed. The boarding section is provided with a seat that allows an occupant to be seated thereon. The engine is located below the seat. A separator is provided to separate a foot space for an occupant and the engine from each other. The foot space is formed forward of the engine. The separator is provided with a radiator part formed therein. The radiator part is configured to radiate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Wakabayashi, Kodai Tateishi, Yoshimi Hirooka, Kohta Nakao, Tatsuya Nagatomi
  • Publication number: 20180035977
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes: piezoelectric elements; a substrate configured to perform input and output of an electric signal with respect to each of the piezoelectric elements; signal input and output electrodes where each signal input and output electrode is provided between each piezoelectric element and the substrate; first backing materials where each first backing material is provided at each of the piezoelectric elements on a side where the signal input and output electrode is arranged; sealing portions where each sealing portion is configured to seal an outer surface of at least a portion of an electrical path connecting the substrate with the signal input and output electrode; a wall configured to surround oscillating portions including the piezoelectric element, the first backing material, the signal input and output electrode, and the sealing portion; and a second backing material provided in a hollow space formed by the wall and the oscillating portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiro WAKABAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20170172402
    Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion section configured to be inserted into a subject, a distal end portion disposed at a distal end of the insertion section, the distal end portion including an observing section configured to observe the subject, a holding section configured to hold the observing section, a heat medium that changes in phase from liquid to gas when exceeding a predetermined temperature, and a heat receiving chamber configured to house the heat medium, and a heat radiation chamber communicating with the heat receiving chamber, the heat medium gasified in the heat receiving chamber being capable of entering the heat radiation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiro WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 9642599
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer according to the invention includes: a piezoelectric element; an electrode formed on a surface of the piezoelectric element; a conductive wire including a distal end that is in contact with the electrode; and a metal film formed by an electroplating method, the metal film coating at least the distal end of the wire and the electrode that are in contact with each other and thereby electrically connecting the electrode and the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9636710
    Abstract: An ultrasound element includes a silicon substrate, a lower electrode layer that has a plurality of lower electrode sections, and a plurality of lower wiring sections, and is connected to a lower electrode terminal to which a drive signal and a bias signal are applied, a lower insulating layer, an upper insulating layer in which a plurality of cavities smaller than the respective lower electrode sections are formed, an upper electrode layer that has a plurality of upper electrode sections that are disposed to face the respective lower electrode sections via the respective cavities, and are smaller than the lower electrode sections and larger than the cavities, and a plurality of upper wiring sections, and is connected to an upper electrode terminal at a ground potential that detects a capacitance signal, and a protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Matsumoto, Kazuhisa Karaki, Mamoru Hasegawa, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9629609
    Abstract: A US element includes a silicon substrate, wherein a lower electrode layer that has a plurality of lower electrode sections, and a plurality of lower wiring sections, and is connected to a lower electrode terminal to which a drive signal and a bias signal are applied, a lower insulating layer, an upper insulating layer in which a plurality of cavities are formed, an upper electrode layer that has a plurality of upper electrode sections and a plurality of upper wiring sections, and is connected to an upper electrode terminal at a ground potential for detecting a capacitance signal, and a protection layer are sequentially stacked on the silicon substrate, and the US element further includes a shield electrode section that is formed at least at an upper side of the lower wiring sections, and is connected to a shield electrode terminal at a ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Matsumoto, Kazuhisa Karaki, Mamoru Hasegawa, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20170036717
    Abstract: A work vehicle provided with a boarding section and an engine is disclosed. The boarding section is provided with a seat that allows an occupant to be seated thereon. The engine is located below the seat. A separator is provided to separate a foot space for an occupant and the engine from each other. The foot space is formed forward of the engine. The separator is provided with a radiator part formed therein. The radiator part is configured to radiate heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Wakabayashi, Kodai Tateishi, Yoshimi Hirooka, Kohta Nakao, Tatsuya Nagatomi
  • Patent number: 9517048
    Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope, having a cable for connecting the ultrasound endoscope to a driving apparatus, includes an insertion section insertable into a subject, a plurality of transducers provided at a distal end portion, an electrode formed in each of the transducers, a wiring section connected to the electrode to electrically connect the electrode and the cable, and matching circuits, at least one of which is provided at an end of or partway in each of the wiring section. The electrode, the wiring section, and the matching circuits are provided in each of the plurality of transducers. The cable includes a core wire and an insulating layer enwrapping the core wire and functions as a matching section that matches electric impedance of each of the transducers between the plurality of transducers and the driving apparatus by varying a thickness or quality of material of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Okuno, Tomoyuki Hatakeyama, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi, Satoshi Yoshida, Takanao Fujimura, Teppei Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 9457756
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle body frame. A cockpit section or platform is arranged at a front section of the vehicle. A carrier bed is provided at a rear section of the vehicle. A ROPS includes a pair of left and right front supporting columns, a pair of left and right rear supporting columns, and a rearward overhanging frame extending rearward from upper part of the rear supporting columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimi Hirooka, Takashi Kuramoto, Kohta Nakao, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi, Kyouhei Hamamura
  • Publication number: 20160228088
    Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope, having a cable for connecting the ultrasound endoscope to a driving apparatus, includes an insertion section insertable into a subject, a plurality of transducers provided at a distal end portion, an electrode formed in each of the transducers, a wiring section connected to the electrode to electrically connect the electrode and the cable, and matching circuits, at least one of which is provided at an end of or partway in each of the wiring section. The electrode, the wiring section, and the matching circuits are provided in each of the plurality of transducers. The cable includes a core wire and an insulating layer enwrapping the core wire and functions as a matching section that matches electric impedance of each of the transducers between the plurality of transducers and the driving apparatus by varying a thickness or quality of material of the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki OKUNO, Tomoyuki HATAKEYAMA, Katsuhiro WAKABAYASHI, Satoshi YOSHIDA, Takanao FUJIMURA, Teppei TSURUTA