Patents by Inventor Yutaka Oonuki

Yutaka Oonuki 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: 9180491
    Abstract: The purpose is to provide an ultrasound transducer and ultrasound probe without the complexity of the manufacturing process of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer while ensuring the electric conductive path. Pluralities of two-dimensionally arranged piezoelectrics are comprised in the ultrasound transducer. Electrodes are provided for each piezoelectric. Furthermore, the non-conductive acoustic matching layer with the first surface on the electrode side and the second surface on the opposite side of the first surface is comprised in the ultrasound transducer, and moreover, the electric conductive acoustic matching layer arranged on the second surface side of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer is comprised in the ultrasound transducer. Moreover, the substrate arranged on the opposite side of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer is arranged with respect to the electric conductive acoustic matching layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Tsuzuki, Takashi Kubota, Yutaka Oonuki, Yasuhisa Makita
  • Patent number: 8870775
    Abstract: A generating unit generates a plurality of ultrasonic cross-sectional images at a plurality of angles when an ultrasonic wave emitting surface in an ultrasonic probe is rotated. A regenerating unit saves information on the angle of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and rotates the ultrasonic wave emitting surface from the angle of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface different from the saved angle information to the angle based on the saved angle information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Oonuki, Hiroyuki Shikata, Hideki Kosaku, Takashi Ogawa, Minoru Aoki
  • Patent number: 8872412
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer according to an embodiment has two-dimensionally arranged ultrasound vibrators. A wiring board block is a laminate of wiring boards which are arranged along the row direction in the arrangement. The wiring board has a first surface facing a rear surface of the ultrasound vibrators and a second surface on its opposite side. First connection parts are provided on the first surface corresponding to the arrangement, and are conducted with back electrodes of the vibrators. Second connection parts are provided on the second surface, and are provided corresponding to the first connection parts. Connecting leads establish conductivity between the first and second connection parts through a fourth surface which is perpendicular to the second and third surfaces. Electronic circuits are connected to the second surface of the wiring board block, and are conducted with the second connection parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Tezuka, Yasuhisa Makita, Yutaka Oonuki
  • Publication number: 20140276064
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus which are able to reduce the time and labor for the operation and to prevent image quality from deteriorating. the ultrasound probe of the embodiments comprises an acoustic window, a transducer part, and a moving mechanism. The acoustic window comprises more than one holding surface with a recessed surface shape that engages with a subject. The transducer part comprises a plurality of transducers arranged in one or a plurality of rows for transceiving ultrasound waves with respect to the subject that comes into contact with the holding surface via the acoustic window. The moving mechanism moves the transducer part in a direction vertical to the arrangement direction of each row of the transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi KUBOTA, Takashi TAKEUCHI, Yutaka OONUKI, Yasuhisa MAKITA
  • Publication number: 20130303917
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus are provided that are capable of reducing the frequency with which false images are generated in an ultrasound diagnostic image. An ultrasound probe of an embodiment comprises a transducer element unit in which multiple groups of transducer elements are arranged, and a selection means. Each of the multiple groups of transducer elements has a first to nth subgroups of transducer elements. Emitting surfaces of the transducer elements included in the first to the nth subgroups of transducer elements are arranged such that they face different directions for each subgroups of transducer elements. The selection means is provided to selectively activate a specific subgroup of transducer elements from among the first to the nth subgroups of transducer elements, based on an external activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ona, Hiroyuki Shikata, Takashi Takeuchi, Takashi Kubota, Hideki Kosaku, Yutaka Oonuki
  • Publication number: 20130293066
    Abstract: The purpose is to provide an ultrasound transducer and ultrasound probe without the complexity of the manufacturing process of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer while ensuring the electric conductive path. Pluralities of two-dimensionally arranged piezoelectrics are comprised in the ultrasound transducer. Electrodes are provided for each piezoelectric. Furthermore, the non-conductive acoustic matching layer with the first surface on the electrode side and the second surface on the opposite side of the first surface is comprised in the ultrasound transducer, and moreover, the electric conductive acoustic matching layer arranged on the second surface side of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer is comprised in the ultrasound transducer. Moreover, the substrate arranged on the opposite side of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer is arranged with respect to the electric conductive acoustic matching layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kentaro Tsuzuki, Takashi Kubota, Yutaka Oonuki, Yasuhisa Makita
  • Publication number: 20120277577
    Abstract: A body cavity probe which scans an object with ultrasonic waves includes a probe main body, and a linear array constituted by a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a convex array constituted by a plurality of piezoelectric elements, which are provided in the probe main body to transmit ultrasonic waves to the object and receive an echo signal from the object. The linear array and the convex array have different array shapes. The respective array surfaces are included in the same plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takashi OGAWA, Susumu HIKI, Yutaka OONUKI, Takashi KUBOTA
  • Patent number: 8234922
    Abstract: Provided is ultrasonic diagnostic equipment including: an equipment body; a display unit provided to the equipment body and configured to display an ultrasonic image; an equipment-side connector provided in the equipment body; and an ultrasonic probe having a probe-side connector to be connected to the equipment-side connector in a detachable manner. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the probe-side connector through a cable and configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves. The probe-side connector and the equipment-side connector are formed in structures capable of sending and receiving the ultrasonic waves even in the case of a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Oonuki, Muneki Kataguchi, Yasuhisa Makita
  • Patent number: 8216149
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe transmitting and receiving ultrasound toward and from a subject, a puncture adaptor configured to be fixed to the ultrasonic probe and to hold a puncture needle, wherein the puncture adaptor has moving part movable in relation to the ultrasonic probe with the puncture needle, and a sensor provided at the ultrasonic probe, and configured to detect the position of the moving part. As the puncture needle is moved relative to the probe, the movable part is correspondingly moved relative to the probe, and movement of the movable part, and therefore also of the puncture needle, is detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Oonuki, Hiroyuki Shikata, Takashi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8216150
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasound probe in which bend of a tip part is fixed only in a state that it is not bent in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which ultrasonic waves are emitted from an ultrasound generation source. To be specific, the ultrasound probe includes: a rod-like tip part inserted into a body cavity; an ultrasound emitting part placed at the tip part to emit ultrasonic waves to a subject; a first bending part for bending the tip part in a direction substantially orthogonal to the emission direction; and a fixing part configured to, when the first bending part is not bending the tip part toward any side of the direction orthogonal to the emission direction, lock a rotation member of the first bending part and inhibit the first bending part from bending the tip part in the direction substantially orthogonal to the emission direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kosaku, Akinori Shigihara, Takashi Kubota, Yutaka Oonuki
  • Publication number: 20110248603
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer according to an embodiment has two-dimensionally arranged ultrasound vibrators. A wiring board block is a laminate of wiring boards which are arranged along the row direction in the arrangement. The wiring board has a first surface facing a rear surface of the ultrasound vibrators and a second surface on its opposite side. First connection parts are provided on the first surface corresponding to the arrangement, and are conducted with back electrodes of the vibrators. Second connection parts are provided on the second surface, and are provided corresponding to the first connection parts. Connecting leads establish conductivity between the first and second connection parts through a fourth surface which is perpendicular to the second and third surfaces. Electronic circuits are connected to the second surface of the wiring board block, and are conducted with the second connection parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Satoru TEZUKA, Yasuhisa Makita, Yutaka Oonuki
  • Publication number: 20110251491
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer or an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that includes a body configured to transmit and receive ultrasound waves, the body having a first color, an attachment portion having a concave shape or a convex shape, the attachment portion configured to attach to a convex portion or a concave portion provided on a puncture adapter, and at least one guide mark provided on the surface of body, the at least one guide mark having a second color different from the first color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Yutaka OONUKI
  • Patent number: 7798972
    Abstract: A puncture adapter is provided for being mounted on an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe to be mounted comprises a rod-like insertion portion that is insertable into a subject and has a search unit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves at the tip end of the insertion portion, and in which a guide channel for guiding a puncture needle is formed on a side surface of the insertion portion. This puncture adapter has a first tubular component on which a gap is provided on a side surface along the length direction, which gap is from one end to the other side of the side surface. The first tubular component is mounted so as to contact the outside of the insertion portion and cover the guide channel, and is turnable in the circumferential direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Oonuki, Susumu Hiki, Hiroyuki Shikata
  • Publication number: 20100228131
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe transmitting and receiving ultrasound toward and from a subject, a puncture adaptor configured to be fixed to the ultrasonic probe and to hold a puncture needle, wherein the puncture adaptor has moving part movable in relation to the ultrasonic probe with the puncture needle, and a sensor provided at the ultrasonic probe, and configured to detect the position of the moving part. As the puncture needle is moved relative to the probe, the movable part is correspondingly moved relative to the probe, and movement of the movable part, and therefore also of the puncture needle, is detected by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yutaka OONUKI, Hiroyuki Shikata, Takashi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20100179431
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasound probe in which bend of a tip part is fixed only in a state that it is not bent in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which ultrasonic waves are emitted from an ultrasound generation source. To be specific, the ultrasound probe includes: a rod-like tip part inserted into a body cavity; an ultrasound emitting part placed at the tip part to emit ultrasonic waves to a subject; a first bending part for bending the tip part in a direction substantially orthogonal to the emission direction; and a fixing part configured to, when the first bending part is not bending the tip part toward any side of the direction orthogonal to the emission direction, lock a rotation member of the first bending part and inhibit the first bending part from bending the tip part in the direction substantially orthogonal to the emission direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kosaku, Akinori Shigihara, Takashi Kubota, Yutaka Oonuki
  • Publication number: 20100106023
    Abstract: A body cavity probe which scans an object with ultrasonic waves includes a probe main body, and a linear array constituted by a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a convex array constituted by a plurality of piezoelectric elements, which are provided in the probe main body to transmit ultrasonic waves to the object and receive an echo signal from the object. The linear array and the convex array have different array shapes. The respective array surfaces are included in the same plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi OGAWA, Susumu HIKI, Yutaka OONUKI, Takashi KUBOTA
  • Publication number: 20100018314
    Abstract: Provided is ultrasonic diagnostic equipment including: an equipment body; a display unit provided to the equipment body and configured to display an ultrasonic image; an equipment-side connector provided in the equipment body; and an ultrasonic probe having a probe-side connector to be connected to the equipment-side connector in a detachable manner. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the probe-side connector through a cable and configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves. The probe-side connector and the equipment-side connector are formed in structures capable of sending and receiving the ultrasonic waves even in the case of a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka OONUKI, Muneki KATAGUCHI, Yasuhisa MAKITA
  • Publication number: 20090306516
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that can acquire 3-D ultrasound image data of a wide viewing scope including both a diagnosis portion and peripheral portions of the diagnosis portion by swinging a transducer unit in an orthogonal direction to an array of a plurality transducers in the transducer unit without sacrificing the operability of the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes a transducer unit having a plurality of transducers, an arm for holding one edge of the transducer unit so as to be extendable in a longitudinal direction, a rail body for holding the other edge of the transducer unit and a driving unit for driving the transducer unit along the rail body. The rail body is comprised of a main rail member having a first curvature in order to form a main track and at least one sub-rail member having a second curvature being larger than the first curvature for forming at least one sub-track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka OONUKI, Hideki KOSAKU, Yasuhisa MAKITA, Koichi SHIBAMOTO, Minoru AOKI, Tetsuya MOROKAWA
  • Patent number: 7625342
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for examining a specimen. The ultrasonic probe includes a holding portion, an insertion member, and an ultrasonic generator. The holding portion includes a first housing portion. The insertion member is configured to move along the first housing portion. The insertion member has at least one end for insertion into an endocavity of the specimen. The ultrasonic generator is provided at the one end of the insertion member and configured to transmit an ultrasound pulse to the specimen and collect an echo signal resulting from the transmitted ultrasound pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Morokawa, Yutaka Oonuki
  • Publication number: 20080064962
    Abstract: A puncture adapter is provided for being mounted on an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe to be mounted comprises a rod-like insertion portion that is insertable into a subject and has a search unit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves at the tip end of the insertion portion, and in which a guide channel for guiding a puncture needle is formed on a side surface of the insertion portion. This puncture adapter has a first tubular component on which a gap is provided on a side surface along the length direction, which gap is from one end to the other side of the side surface. The first tubular component is mounted so as to contact the outside of the insertion portion and cover the guide channel, and is turnable in the circumferential direction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka OONUKI, Susumu Hiki, Hiroyuki Shikata