Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound probe including: a piezoelectric body that transmits and receives ultrasound; a backing that is disposed behind the piezoelectric body; and a reflector that is disposed between the piezoelectric body and the backing and that has an acoustic impedance greater than an acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric body; wherein, a thickness of the reflector is within the range of more than 0 to less than 0.05?, where ? is a wavelength of the ultrasound.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound probe including: a piezoelectric body that transmits and receives ultrasound; a backing that is disposed behind the piezoelectric body; and a reflector that is disposed between the piezoelectric body and the backing and that has an acoustic impedance greater than an acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric body; wherein, a thickness of the reflector is within the range of more than 0 to less than 0.05?, where ? is a wavelength of the ultrasound.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: a piezoelectric element that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave; one or a plurality of acoustic matching layers disposed on a subject side of the piezoelectric element; and a conductor layer that applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element, wherein the conductor layer is disposed between the piezoelectric element and the acoustic matching layer, or between the plurality of acoustic matching layers, a magnitude of an acoustic impedance of the conductor layer is between a magnitude of an acoustic impedance of a layer disposed on one surface side of the conductor layer and a magnitude of an acoustic impedance of a layer disposed on the other surface side of the conductor layer, and the conductor layer has a Vickers hardness (Hv) of 50 or more and 600 or less.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: a piezoelectric element that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave; one or a plurality of acoustic matching layers disposed on a subject side of the piezoelectric element; and a conductor layer that applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element, wherein the conductor layer is disposed between the piezoelectric element and the acoustic matching layer, or between the plurality of acoustic matching layers, a magnitude of an acoustic impedance of the conductor layer is between a magnitude of an acoustic impedance of a layer disposed on one surface side of the conductor layer and a magnitude of an acoustic impedance of a layer disposed on the other surface side of the conductor layer, and the conductor layer has a Vickers hardness (Hv) of 50 or more and 600 or less.

Abstract: The ultrasound probe includes a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric composition and an electrode that applies a voltage to the piezoelectric composition. The piezoelectric composition has piezoelectric characteristics expressed by any coordinates included in a region formed by a polyhedron having a plurality of predetermined points as vertexes in Cartesian coordinates (keff, ?33S, Ec) including variables keff, ?33S and Ec.

Abstract: The ultrasound probe includes a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric composition and an electrode that applies a voltage to the piezoelectric composition. The piezoelectric composition has piezoelectric characteristics expressed by any coordinates included in a region formed by a polyhedron having a plurality of predetermined points as vertexes in Cartesian coordinates (keff, ?33S, Ec) including variables keff, ?33S and Ec.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a controller, to which a probe and a monitor are connected, the probe having an array of transducers, in which a number of transducers are arranged in a first direction. The controller controls transmission of an ultrasonic beam using the array of transducers and reception of an echo signal reflected from a region of interest, generates image data based on the echo signal, and gets echo signals received from multiple points of the region of interest by either moving or swinging the array of transducers in a second direction that intersects with the first direction at right angles. If the sum of image data ranges of measured value retrievable portions of the region of interest at the multiple points synthesized based on the echo signals, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the controller calculates a detected value of the region of interest.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: a plurality of piezoelectric elements separated from each other by a gap; and an acoustic matching layer formed of a rubber elastic material on a surface of each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. An acoustic impedance of the rubber elastic material is smaller than an acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric elements and larger than an acoustic impedance of a subject. The acoustic velocity of the rubber elastic material has a value of 1650 msec or less.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a piezoelectric material, a signal electrode provided on the piezoelectric material, and a ground electrode provided on the piezoelectric material. Ultrasound waves are emitted from the piezoelectric material by applying a voltage between the signal electrode and the ground electrode. A switching element switches a connection between the signal electrode and the ground electrode from a closed state to an open state, and vice versa, in accordance with a control signal for controlling whether or not to emit the ultrasound waves. The switching element changes from the closed state to the open state in accordance with the control signal for emitting the ultrasound waves, and changes from the open state to the closed state in accordance with the control signal for suspending emission of the ultrasound waves. The ultrasound probe can maintain the reliability of the piezoelectric material when the temperature is high or changes suddenly.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic probe, which can be improved in quality, which can acquire characteristics of a high sensitivity and a wide band and which can acquire an ultrasonic image of a high resolution. In this ultrasonic probe, grooves (160) are formed and utilized to form piezoelectric elements (110) and first acoustic matching layers (121) in a curved shape thereby to converge ultrasonic waves without any acoustic lens. Moreover, signal conductors (150) are disposed on the signal electrode faces of the piezoelectric elements (110).

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: a plurality of piezoelectric elements separated from each other by a gap; and an acoustic matching layer formed of a rubber elastic material on a surface of each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. An acoustic impedance of the rubber elastic material is smaller than an acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric elements and larger than an acoustic impedance of a subject. The acoustic velocity of the rubber elastic material has a value of 1650 msec or less.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is provided capable of eliminating difficulties in processing, increasing the directivity of ultrasonic waves, and obtaining a high-resolution diagnostic image. An ultrasonic probe 10 is configured to include a plurality of piezoelectric elements 1, an acoustic matching layer 2 provided on a front surface in the thickness direction at a subject side (upper side in the drawing) so as to correspond to the respective piezoelectric elements 1, a backing load member 3 provided, as necessary, on a rear surface (lower surface in the drawing) in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric elements 1 at a side opposite to the acoustic matching layer 2, and an acoustic lens 4 provided, as necessary, on the acoustic matching layer 2. The acoustic matching layer 2 is formed of a rubber elastic material and arranged in a non-divided, flat surface shape at one side of the plurality of piezoelectric elements 1.

Abstract: A technology is disclosed for actualizing an ultrasound probe that can obtain a high-resolution diagnostic image and is highly reliable. In the technology, a piezoelectric element has a predetermined thickness, a ground electrode is formed on one surface in a thickness direction, and a signal electrode is formed on the other surface. When an acoustic matching layer is laminated on a ground electrode formation surface of the piezoelectric element, the acoustic matching layer is configured by a composite material made of a plurality of materials including at least a conductive member. The conductive member has portions penetrating in a layer thickness direction at a plurality of sections on the one electrode formation surface of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enables even an unskilled person to get accurate detection done is provided. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a controller, to which a probe and a monitor are connected, the probe having an array of transducers, in which a number of transducers are arranged in a first direction.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic diagnostic device which enable an ultrasonic beam in the depth direction of diagnosis to be narrowly focused in a wide region, thereby obtaining a high-resolution diagnostic image. An ultrasonic transducer (100) is provided with an ultrasonic vibrator (110), a shape change layer (120) which is provided on the subject side of the ultrasonic vibrator and the shape of which is changed by an electrical signal, electrodes (141, 142) which are respectively disposed on both surfaces of the shape change layer (120), and a variable power source (140) which applies the electrical signal between the electrodes (141, 142), wherein the variable power source (140) varies the focus or diffusion of the ultrasonic beam by changing the shape of the shape change layer (120); by controlling the electrical signal to be applied between the electrodes (141, 142).

Abstract: A technique that can make a heat radiation effect higher and makes even a transmission voltage of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus higher and then makes a diagnostic depth deeper is disclosed.

Abstract: A technology is disclosed for actualizing an ultrasound probe that can obtain a high-resolution diagnostic image and is highly reliable. In the technology, a piezoelectric element 1 has a predetermined thickness, a ground electrode is formed on one surface in a thickness direction, and a signal electrode 6 is formed on the other surface. When an acoustic matching layer 2 is laminated on a ground electrode formation surface of the piezoelectric element, the acoustic matching layer is configured by a composite material made of a plurality of materials including at least a conductive member 20. The conductive member has portions penetrating in a layer thickness direction at a plurality of sections on the one electrode formation surface of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: There is provided an ultrasonic probe that can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves with high sensitivity and can drive an ultrasonic transducing part smoothly at high speed. The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes: an ultrasonic transducing part 101 for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave; an outer case 105 for storing the ultrasonic transducing part 101; and an acoustic medium 106 charged in the outer case 105, wherein the acoustic medium 106 contains 1,2-butylene glycol.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic probe, which can be improved in quality, which can acquire characteristics of a high sensitivity and a wide band and which can acquire an ultrasonic image of a high resolution. In this ultrasonic probe, grooves (160) are formed and utilized to form piezoelectric elements (110) and first acoustic matching layers (121) in a curved shape thereby to converge ultrasonic waves without any acoustic lens. Moreover, signal conductors (150) are disposed on the signal electrode faces of the piezoelectric elements (110).

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is provided capable of eliminating difficulties in processing, increasing the directivity of ultrasonic waves, and obtaining a high-resolution diagnostic image. An ultrasonic probe 10 is configured to include a plurality of piezoelectric elements 1, an acoustic matching layer 2 provided on a front surface in the thickness direction at a subject side (upper side in the drawing) so as to correspond to the respective piezoelectric elements 1, a backing load member 3 provided, as necessary, on a rear surface (lower surface in the drawing) in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric elements 1 at a side opposite to the acoustic matching layer 2, and an acoustic lens 4 provided, as necessary, on the acoustic matching layer 2. The acoustic matching layer 2 is formed of a rubber elastic material and arranged in a non-divided, flat surface shape at one side of the plurality of piezoelectric elements 1.