Abstract: In order to reduce the variation of transmitting and receiving sensitivity among a plurality of CMUT cells, an ultrasound diagnostic device comprises: a plurality of CMUT cells each having a vibrating membrane that vibrates when ultrasound is transmitted to or received from a subject; an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed facing each other on mutually opposite sides of each of the CMUT cells to apply a bias voltage to each of the CMUT cells by a bias power supply; and transmitting and receiving correction units for each correcting the voltage supplied from the bias power supply by using a function using at least one parameter of the thickness and resonance frequency of the vibrating membrane of each of the CMUT cells.

Abstract: In order to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of suppressing the influence of multiple reflections occurring on the interface of a transducer with a CMUT chip and a backing layer, an ultrasonic probe of the present invention has a structure where an acoustic lens 14, transducers 11-1 to 11-m, and a backing layer 12 are laminated. Each of the transducers 11-1 to 11-m has a CMUT chip, and the backing layer 12 is formed of a material with a value of substantially the same acoustic impedance as the acoustic lens 14.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic probe comprising: CMUT cells (13) that mutually convert ultrasonic waves and electrical signals; a semiconductor substrate (15) that has a plurality of the CMUT cells (13) formed on the surface thereof; an acoustic lens (3) that is provided on the front face side of the CMUT cells (13); and a backing layer (5) that is provided on the rear face side of the semiconductor substrate (15). The backing layer (5) is formed by a first backing layer (27) that makes contact with the semiconductor substrate, and a second backing layer (29) that is provided on the rear face side of the backing layer (27). The acoustic impedance of the backing layer (27) is set based on the sheet thickness of the semiconductor substrate (15). The backing layer (29) is formed by attenuating material capable of attenuating ultrasonic waves transmitted through the backing layer (27).

Abstract: In order to reduce the variation of transmitting and receiving sensitivity among a plurality of CMUT cells, an ultrasound diagnostic device comprises: a plurality of CMUT cells each having a vibrating membrane that vibrates when ultrasound is transmitted to or received from a subject; an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed facing each other on mutually opposite sides of each of the CMUT cells to apply a bias voltage to each of the CMUT cells by a bias power supply; and transmitting and receiving correction units for each correcting the voltage supplied from the bias power supply by using a function using at least one parameter of the thickness and resonance frequency of the vibrating membrane of each of the CMUT cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic probe comprising: CMUT cells (13) that mutually convert ultrasonic waves and electrical signals; a semiconductor substrate (15) that has a plurality of the CMUT cells (13) formed on the surface thereof; an acoustic lens (3) that is provided on the front face side of the CMUT cells (13); and a backing layer (5) that is provided on the rear face side of the semiconductor substrate (15). The backing layer (5) is formed by a first backing layer (27) that makes contact with the semiconductor substrate, and a second backing layer (29) that is provided on the rear face side of the backing layer (27). The acoustic impedance of the backing layer (27) is set based on the sheet thickness of the semiconductor substrate (15). The backing layer (29) is formed by attenuating material capable of attenuating ultrasonic waves transmitted through the backing layer (27).

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic probe wherein the warpage of a CMUT due to thermal stress produced at the joint between a backing layer and the CMUT is minimized, thereby improving the durability of the bond between the CMUT and the backing layer. To accomplish this the ultrasonic probe is provided with: a CMUT (20) having vibratory elements that change the electromechanical coupling coefficient or sensitivity according to the bias voltage to be applied; a backing layer (22) adhered to the rear side of the ultrasonic transmission surface of the CMUT (20); and a thermal-stress balancing member (24) to be adhered to the backing layer (22) while being disposed facing the CMUT (20) in such a manner that the backing layer (22) is sandwiched therebetween so as to minimize the warpage of the CMUT (20) due to thermal stress produced between the CMUT (20).

Abstract: In order to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of suppressing the influence of multiple reflections occurring on the interface of a transducer with a CMUT chip and a backing layer, an ultrasonic probe of the present invention has a structure where an acoustic lens 14, transducers 11-1 to 11-m, and a backing layer 12 are laminated. Each of the transducers 11-1 to 11-m has a CMUT chip, and the backing layer 12 is formed of a material with a value of substantially the same acoustic impedance as the acoustic lens 14.

Abstract: A thrombus detecting apparatus provided with: a transducer (10), which is attached to a monitor portion of a subject and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a transmitter and receiver unit (11), which transmits and applies driving pulses to the transducer (10) and receives echo signals output from the transducer, and a detector (12) making use of ultrasonic waves, which processes output signals of the transmitter and receiver unit (11) and detects a thrombus passing through a blood vessel, and/or a light source (21), which generates living body inspection light, a probe (22), which is attached to a monitor portion of the subject and irradiates the living body inspection light from the light source (21) to the subject, a light receiving unit (25), which receives living body inspection light irradiated from the probe (22) and passed through the subject and outputs electrical signals depending on the intensity of the received living body inspection light, and a detector (26) making use of living body light,

Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprises therapeutic transducers which include a plurality of arrayed first transducer elements and emit therapeutic ultrasounds to a subject, and diagnostic transducers which include a plurality of arrayed second transducer elements and emit diagnostic ultrasounds to the subject and receive the diagnostic ultrasounds, wherein the therapeutic transducers are stacked over the diagnostic transducers.

Abstract: An ultrasonic treatment apparatus includes a trace and follow computing unit 22 which sets, prior to ultrasonic treatment, a treatment region 52 on an ultrasonic tomographic image 50 of a region of interest containing an affected part of a subject displayed on a monitor 18 as well as sets a reference point 54 outside the treatment region 52, traces a position of the reference point 54 based on image data of the ultrasonic tomographic images taken successively thereafter, computes and estimates moved treatment region 52 due to such as body motion of the subject based on the moved position 54? of the reference point traced and successively outputs a command for correcting a focal point position of treatment use ultrasonic beams irradiated toward the treatment region 52? of the subject from a treatment use probe 24 so as to follow the moved treatment region 52? as computed and estimated.

Abstract: A thrombus detecting apparatus provided with: a transducer (10), which is attached to a monitor portion of a subject and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a transmitter and receiver unit (11), which transmits and applies driving pulses to the transducer (10) and receives echo signals output from the transducer, and a detector (12) making use of ultrasonic waves, which processes output signals of the transmitter and receiver unit (11) and detects a thrombus passing through a blood vessel, and/or a light source (21), which generates living body inspection light, a probe (22), which is attached to a monitor portion of the subject and irradiates the living body inspection light from the light source (21) to the subject, a light receiving unit (25), which receives living body inspection light irradiated from the probe (22) and passed through the subject and outputs electrical signals depending on the intensity of the received living body inspection light, and a detector (26) making use of living body light,

Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprises therapeutic transducers which include a plurality of arrayed first transducer elements and emit therapeutic ultrasounds to a subject, and diagnostic transducers which include a plurality of arrayed second transducer elements and emit diagnostic ultrasounds to the subject and receive the diagnostic ultrasounds, wherein the therapeutic transducers are stacked over the diagnostic transducers.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a therapeutic probe 1 includes a diagnostic probe 2, a therapeutic transducer 3, and a supporting member for supporting them, wherein the therapeutic transducer has a plurality of transducer elements, and a focal point at which ultrasonic waves transmitted by the respective transducer elements converge can be freely shifted by controlling the timing of supplying driving signals to the respective transducer elements. By locating the focal point of ultrasonic beams of the therapeutic transducer 3 on the plane scanned by ultrasonic beams of the diagnostic probe 2, the ultrasonic therapy can be performed while substantially observing the portion to be treated through the diagnostic image.

Abstract: An ultrasound therapy apparatus delivers focused ultrasound for therapeutical purposes which can be correctly targeted to a target region, and also, a positional shift from the target region under irradiation of ultrasound can be effectively avoided. An ultrasound transducer is inside an applicator with an imaging ultrasonic probe. Another ultrasound transducer monitors a position of a target and a positional shift is inside a catheter which is inserted into a urethral tube. An imaging system drives the ultrasound probe to display an ultrasound tomographic image of a region in the vicinity of a target region. The ultrasound transducer is driven in a pulse-shaped mode at the same frequency as the imaging ultrasound and also at such timing when the imaging ultrasound is reached. As a result, a point-shaped sound source image is superimposed and displayed on an ultrasound tomographic image.

Abstract: This invention provides a delay circuit capable of electrically varying the delay amount comprising a first transistor for receiving a signal to be delayed from the base connected to an input terminal and outputting a positive phase signal and a negative phase signal with respect to the signal from the input terminal, respectively from the emitter and the collector thereof; two variable capacity diodes with their terminals of the same polarity connected together and a specified control voltage applied to the point of said connection, one end of the connected diodes being connected to the emitter of said first transistor; a second transistor with the base grounded, the emitter connected to the collector of the above-mentioned first transistor, and the collector connected to one end of a specified resistance; and a delayed signal output terminal having connected thereto the other end of the two variable capacity diodes and the other end of the specified resistance.

Abstract: A delay circuit of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a delay line consisting of a plurality of unit portions connected in cascade, in each of which an anode of a first variable capacitance diode and a cathode of a second variable capacitance diode are connected with a connecting point of two inductors connected in series, or a delay line obtained by replacing capacitances in a second order all pass type delay line by variable capacitance diodes, or a delay line, in which variable capacitance diodes and inductors form a balanced circuit; and control circuit for applying a reverse bias voltage to each of the variable capacitance diodes; and an amplifier or a variable resistance circuit using FETs serving as a matching circuit for the delay line, capable of varying continuously an input impedance by using a control voltage from the exterior.