Abstract: The present disclosure of at least one embodiment provides a method for manufacturing ultrasound probes comprising a machining process, the method including depoling a piezoelectric element as a material for the ultrasonic probes before the machining process.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound probe and more particularly, to an ultrasound probe capable of improving the quality of an ultrasound image. The ultrasound probe includes a piezoelectric element unit that transduces an electrical signal and an ultrasound signal in to each other, and a matching layer that is located in front of the piezoelectric element unit to reduce a difference in sound impedance between the piezoelectric element unit and a target object. The piezoelectric element unit may include multiple piezoelectric layers laminated in a forward and backward direction, and each of the multiple piezoelectric layers may have a non-uniform cross-section structure in which a thickness varies in an elevation direction orthogonal to the forward and backward direction.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a photoacoustic imaging probe including a light transmitting unit configured to transmit light to a target subject to be inspected and an acoustic-wave receiving unit configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from the target subject by being irradiated with the light and to accommodate the light transmitting unit therein in a manner that a first side of the light transmitting unit is exposed to outside.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric layer for generating an ultrasonic by using a power received from outside, a ground electrode attached to a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, a signal electrode attached to a second surface of the piezoelectric layer, and circuit boards connected to the ground electrode and the signal electrode. A part of the ground electrode and a part of the signal electrode are directly connected to the circuit boards, each of the ground electrode and the signal electrode includes flexible material, and the circuit boards include rigid material. The circuit boards may be provided on both sides of the ground electrode and the signal electrode. This structure provides a direct connection of the ground electrode or the signal electrode and the circuit boards to improve issues of cost increase for manufacturing socket connector ultrasonic transducers socket volume increase, socket designing challenges and socket failures.

Abstract: The present disclosure of at least one embodiment provides a method for manufacturing ultrasound probes comprising a machining process, the method including depoling a piezoelectric element as a material for the ultrasonic probes before the machining process.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a composite. The composite manufacturing comprises dicing a first material to provide a first slab having multiple posts, at least one alignment post, and multiple kerfs; dicing a second material to provide a second slab having multiple posts and multiple kerfs; coupling the first and second slabs so that they are intermeshed; and filling a kerf material in between each of the posts of the first slab and corresponding one of the posts of the second slab, wherein the alignment post is disposed on both edges or one of the edges of the first slab in a direction along which the posts and the kerfs are arranged, and is wider than each of the posts of the first slab such that the alignment post fits with a corresponding kerf of the second slab.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic wave transducer using a signal pathway-integrated housing. The ultrasonic wave transducer includes: a housing serving as a handle; an array including a plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed in parallel to each other on a back material and a flexible circuit board having a pattern electrically connected to the piezoelectric elements; and a cable assembly including a plurality of fine wires. Signal paths for electrically connecting the pattern circuit of the flexible circuit board to the fine wires are integrated with the housing. Thus, the necessary space within a scanhead can be minimized to improve the degree of freedom in ergonomic design and to provide an ultrasonic wave transducer having a small-sized handle and excellent gripping properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure in some embodiment provides a backing member for an ultrasonic probe that is disposed on a rear surface of a piezoelectric element constituting the ultrasonic probe to attenuate ultrasonic waves radiated from the rear surface of the piezoelectric element, the backing member including a mixture of a base member and a filler, wherein the base member is a polyurethane resin and the filler is manganese powder, whereby the backing member has appropriate sound absorption function and excellent dicing processability and provides an ultrasonic probe including the backing member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a precise performance three-dimensional ultrasound scanner that is lightweight for an easy hold by suggesting a novel constitution of a swing mechanism wherein an arrangement of the drive motor perpendicular to the swing axis requires a smaller capacity motor and eliminating a backlash. The swing mechanism includes: an arm holder connected to a rotational axis of the motor; an arm connected to the arm holder so that the arm swings within a certain angular range; a link, attached to the arm, for moving in unison with the arm; a shaft, connected to the link, for transmitting a rotary power of the arm to the transducer unit. The swing mechanism can be operated using the smaller capacity motor and eliminates the need for a pulley, gear or belt eliminating backlashes to promote implementation of lightweight precision three-dimensional ultrasound scanners.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a precise performance three-dimensional ultrasound scanner that is lightweight for an easy hold by suggesting a novel constitution of a swing mechanism wherein an arrangement of the drive motor perpendicular to the swing axis requires a smaller capacity motor and eliminating a backlash. The swing mechanism includes: an arm holder connected to a rotational axis of the motor; an arm connected to the arm holder so that the arm swings within a certain angular range; a link, attached to the arm, for moving in unison with the arm; a shaft, connected to the link, for transmitting a rotary power of the arm to the transducer unit. The swing mechanism can be operated using the smaller capacity motor and eliminates the need for a pulley, gear or belt eliminating backlashes to promote implementation of lightweight precision three-dimensional ultrasound scanners.

Abstract: Drive mechanisms are provided for a mechanically scanned ultrasound transducer or wobbler. The size, weight, and shape of a wobbler transducer are more optimized by positioning a drive shaft of a motor orthogonal to an array rather than parallel with the array. Different devices may be used for transferring the force of the rotational movement of the motor to the array. A linear bushing transfers rotation motion of an arm connected with a motor to rotational motion of an arm connected with an array in one such device. In another device, a cam transfers rotational motion of the motor to rotational motion of the array.

Abstract: The size, weight, and shape of a wobbler transducer are more optimized by positioning a drive shaft of a motor orthogonal to an array rather than parallel with the array. The drive shaft may be more perpendicular than parallel to the direction of the transducer movement as well. Different devices may be used for transferring the force of the rotational movement of the motor to the array. For example, bevel gears are used to rotate a belt. The array connects with the belt for mechanical movement. As another example, an arm is rotated 180°. The arm slidingly and rotatably connects with the transducer array. As the arm rotates in response to the motor, the array is slid along a rail with bushings. A smaller size motor may be used as large torque may not be needed for driving the array as compared to a typical wobbler transducer. A more ergonomic probe housing, such as a smaller and more desirably shaped housing may be provided.