Abstract: In order to estimate a temperature of a transmission-reception wavefront of a probe head, a first computing unit and a second computing unit are provided. The first computing unit estimates a temperature TA of the transmission-reception wavefront according to a basic function based on an internal temperature T1, an ambient temperature T2, power consumption Ptotal (=Pic+Ptd), and any other parameter. The basic function is a linear function. The second computing unit estimates a temperature TB of the transmission-reception wavefront according to an auxiliary function based on a previously estimated temperature Tpre, an internal temperature difference ?T1, and any other, parameter. A selection unit selects any of the temperatures TA and TB depending on situations.

Abstract: In order to estimate a temperature of a transmission-reception wavefront of a probe head, a first computing unit and a second computing unit are provided. The first computing unit estimates a temperature TA of the transmission-reception wavefront according to a basic function based on an internal temperature T1, an ambient temperature T2, power consumption Ptotal (=Pic+Ptd), and any other parameter. The basic function is a linear function. The second computing unit estimates a temperature TB of the transmission-reception wavefront according to an auxiliary function based on a previously estimated temperature Tpre, an internal temperature difference ?T1, and any other, parameter. A selection unit selects any of the temperatures TA and TB depending on situations.

Abstract: A resonance layer (30) and an acoustic separation layer (34) are arranged adjacent to each other between a piezoelectric element (24) and a circuit board (16) provided with an electronic circuit for driving the piezoelectric element. The acoustic impedance of the resonance layer (30) is higher than that of the piezoelectric element (24), and the acoustic impedance of the acoustic separation layer (34) is lower than that of the circuit board (16). An ultrasonic wave is reflected at the interface between the resonance layer (30) and the acoustic separation layer (34) where the difference in acoustic impedance is large, and the ultrasonic wave propagating to the circuit-board (16) side is reduced.

Abstract: A probe 12 includes a laminated block 24 in which a protective layer 50, an acoustic matching layer 52, a vibrator array 20, a backing member 54, a relay board 56, and an IC 22 are laminated. A temperature sensor unit 26 is provided on a side surface of the laminated block 24. The temperature sensor unit 26 is provided with a metal film 60 provided in the vicinity of an edge on the front-side (the transmission/reception surface side) of the side surface of the laminated block 24, so as to extend along the front-side edge, and a thermistor 62 to detect a temperature of the metal film 60. The metal film 60 exerts a detection region expansion function of expanding a temperature detection region of the thermistor 62 in a direction where a temperature gradient occurs in the wave transmission/reception surface of the probe 12. Further, the metal film 60 also exerts a thermal diffusion function of diffusing heat of the wave transmission/reception surface of the probe 12.

Abstract: A resonance layer (30) and an acoustic separation layer (34) are arranged adjacent to each other between a piezoelectric element (24) and a circuit board (16) provided with an electronic circuit for driving the piezoelectric element. The acoustic impedance of the resonance layer (30) is higher than that of the piezoelectric element (24), and the acoustic impedance of the acoustic separation layer (34) is lower than that of the circuit board (16). An ultrasonic wave is reflected at the interface between the resonance layer (30) and the acoustic separation layer (34) where the difference in acoustic impedance is large, and the ultrasonic wave propagating to the circuit-board (16) side is reduced.

Abstract: In the present invention, a wave transmission/reception unit is provided in the distal end of a probe. The wave transmission/reception unit includes a 2D-array oscillator, an electronic circuit, and a relay substrate for electrically joining the 2D-array oscillator and the electronic circuit. The face of the wave transmission/reception unit on a subject side thereof is a wave transmission/reception face. A temperature detection unit is provided to the relay substrate. In the present invention, a surface temperature estimation unit estimates the temperature of the surface of the wave transmission/reception face on the basis of the detected temperature from the temperature detection unit and the power consumption by the wave transmission/reception unit.