Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided in an ultrasound wave generating apparatus a low output impedance transistor based driver circuit that has the ability to apply a drive signal at a frequency corresponding to an ultrasound transducer's resonant frequency. The low output impedance of the driver circuit allows for a substantial portion of the energy to be delivered to the ultrasound transducer and converted to ultrasound energy. The power transfer efficiency of the presented circuit allows ultrasound drivers to be powered by portable battery packs, while still delivering high ultrasound acoustic power. The ultrasound driver can provide energy in sufficient amounts making it suitable for a range of ultrasound driving application including but not limited to therapeutic low and high power clinical systems, high intensity focused ultrasound HIFU, acoustical welding, industrial inspection, and other various forms of low-to-high power acoustic devices.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic probe that controls temperature of a piezoelectric layer using a thermoelectric element and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus having the same. The ultrasonic probe includes: the piezoelectric layer that vibrates and generates ultrasonic waves if a current is supplied to the piezoelectric layer; and a thermoelectric element that contacts one surface of the piezoelectric layer and controls the temperature of the piezoelectric layer if a current is supplied to the thermoelectric element.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes an acoustic layer that includes a micromachined piezoelectric composite body having a front side and an opposite back side. The micromachined piezoelectric composite body is configured to convert electrical signals into ultrasound waves to be transmitted from the front side toward a target. The micromachined piezoelectric composite body is configured to convert received ultrasound waves into electrical signals. A dematching layer is connected to the back side of the micromachined piezoelectric composite body of the acoustic layer. The dematching layer has a higher acoustic impedance than an acoustic impedance of the acoustic layer.

Abstract: A sound transducer system is provided having a piezoelectrically active electret material between a first and a second electrode structure. The electret material is applied on the first electrode structure, so that the first electrode structure is completely covered with the electret material. The second electrode structure is situated on or above the electret material, so that the electret material is situated between the first and second electrode structure. The first electrode structure is configured from a plurality of electrode elements that are addressable independently of one another. The electrode elements thus define the individual sound transducer elements, which together form a sound transducer system, also designated an array. The first electrode structure is configured on a surface of a multilayer circuit bearer.

Abstract: Acoustic waves and photoacoustic waves are detected efficiently in a photoacoustic imaging apparatus configured to obtain acoustic images as well, to enable obtainment of high quality acoustic images and photoacoustic images. A probe for a photoacoustic imaging apparatus is equipped with: first piezoelectric bodies that detect acoustic waves reflected by a subject after the acoustic waves are irradiated onto the subject; and second piezoelectric bodies that detect photoacoustic waves generated within the subject due to irradiation of light after the light is irradiated onto the subject. Piezoelectric bodies made from an inorganic material are employed as the first piezoelectric bodies, and piezoelectric bodies made from an organic material are employed as the second piezoelectric bodies.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a substrate, a first piezoelectric body, a second piezoelectric body, and an acoustic matching section. The substrate has a first surface that is a flat surface. The first piezoelectric body is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The second piezoelectric body is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The second piezoelectric body has a different thickness from a thickness of the first piezoelectric body as measured from the first surface of the substrate. The acoustic matching section is disposed on the first piezoelectric body and the second piezoelectric body. The acoustic matching section has a first side facing the first piezoelectric body and the second piezoelectric body, and a second side opposite from the first side. A surface of the acoustic matching section on the second side is a flat surface parallel with the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Switchable micromachined transducer arrays are described where one or more switches, or relays, are monolithically integrated with transducer elements in a piezoelectric micromachined transducer array (pMUT). In embodiments, a MEMS switch is implemented on the same substrate as the transducer array for switching operational modes of the transducer array. In embodiments, a plurality of transducers are interconnected in parallel through MEMS switch(es) in a first operational mode (e.g., a drive mode) during a first time period, and are then interconnected through the MEMS switch(es) with at least some of the transducers in series in a second operational mode (e.g., a sense mode) during a second time period.

Abstract: A transducer array of micromachined ultrasonic transducer elements is connected to a microbeamformer. Driver circuits of the microbeamformer have a first output coupled to a first electrode of a respective transducer element and a second output coupled to a second electrode of the respective transducer element. The driver circuits apply first and second time varying voltage signals to the electrodes, with one voltage signal being time inverted relative to the other. The peak-to-peak voltage applied to the transducer element is 1.75 to 2.0 times the peak-to-peak voltage of either the first or the second time varying voltage signal.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite part comprises structural fiber strands and linear electromagnetic-to-acoustic transducers embedded in a polymeric matrix. When these internal transducers are activated in sequence, the propagating acoustic waves are detected by an array of external acoustic-to-electric transducers acoustically coupled to external surfaces of the part. These external transducers convert impinging acoustic waves into electrical signals that carry information concerning acoustic wave amplitudes and phase shifts relative to the excitation of the internal transducers. The electrical signals are processed by a computer which is programmed to determine the location and orientation of each internal transducer and ultimately the structural integrity of the composition.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a base, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, and a reinforcing body. The base defines a plurality of openings arranged in an array form. The ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged respectively corresponding to the openings with a plurality of vibration films being respectively provided for the ultrasonic transducer elements. The reinforcing body is fixed to the base in an area between adjacent ones of the vibration films when viewed in a plan view along a thickness direction of the base. The reinforcing body has Young's modulus greater than Young's modulus of the base.

Abstract: A linear driving device includes a slight rapid vibratory movements producing member coupled with one end of a driving shaft which causes said driving shaft to be moved in said an axial direction, a casing for supporting at least either said driving shaft or said slight rapid vibratory movements producing member so that said driving shaft can be moved in said axial direction; and a moving body to be coupled with said driving shaft so that said moving body can be moved in the axial direction. When said moving body moves from one end side toward the other end side of said driving shaft, a part of said moving body which forms the surface facing the other end side opposite to said one end of said moving body may hit against a component which stops said moving body from moving further toward the other end side of said driving shaft.

Abstract: A method for forming an acoustical stack for an ultrasound probe comprises partly dicing a single crystal piezoelectric material to form single crystal pieces that are partly separated by a plurality of kerfs. The single crystal piezoelectric material comprises a carrier layer. The kerfs are filled with a kerf filling material to form a single crystal composite and the carrier layer is removed. At least one matching layer is attached to the single crystal composite, and dicing within the kerfs is accomplished to form separate acoustical stacks from the single crystal composite.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic probe that is capable of easily dissipating heat generated therein using porous carbon allotrope foams. The ultrasonic probe includes: a matching layer; a piezoelectric layer disposed on a bottom surface of the matching layer; and a backing layer disposed on a bottom surface of the piezoelectric layer and formed of porous carbon allotrope foams and backing materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is an organic piezoelectric material which has excellent piezoelectric characteristics and excellent handling properties. Also disclosed are an ultrasound transducer using the organic piezoelectric material, an ultrasound probe, and an ultrasound medical diagnostic imaging system. Specifically disclosed is an organic piezoelectric material which contains a base material that is formed from a resin, and a specific compound (1) that has at least one linking group selected from among specific linking groups. The organic piezoelectric material is characterized in that the relation shown below is satisfied when the CLogP values of the specific compound (1) and the base material are respectively represented by CLogP(1) and CLogP(base material). Relation: |CLogP(1)?CLogP(base material)|?3.0.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor is disclosed. The ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric element and an acoustic matching member. The piezoelectric element is configured to detect ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and reflected by a detection target object located in a detection target space. The acoustic matching member is configured to conduct the received ultrasonic wave to the piezoelectric element. The piezo electric element is covered with the acoustic matching member including a principal oscillation portion and a supplement oscillation portion. Thickness of a part of the supplement oscillation portion, the part covering the piezoelectric element, is smaller than a predetermined thickness threshold.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe that can be relatively easily manufactured and has a desired ultrasonic radiation surface. The ultrasonic probe includes: plural supporting materials, each having a principal surface on which plural signal wires are formed, the plural supporting materials arranged such that the principal surfaces are oriented in different directions from one another; plural groups of ultrasonic transducers, plural ultrasonic transducers in each group having plural electrodes formed on side surfaces, the plural electrodes respectively joined to the plural signal wires formed on the principal surface of the respective one of the plural supporting materials.

Abstract: Provided is a lead-free piezoelectric material having satisfactory piezoelectric constant and mechanical quality factor in a device driving temperature range (?30° C. to 50° C.) The piezoelectric material includes a main component containing a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula 1, a first auxiliary component composed of Mn, and a second auxiliary component composed of Bi or Bi and Li. The content of Mn is 0.040 parts by weight or more and 0.500 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis. The content of Bi is 0.042 parts by weight or more and 0.850 parts by weight or less and the content of Li is 0.028 parts by weight or less (including 0 parts by weight) based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis. (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3 . . . (1), wherein, 0.030?x<0.090, 0.030?y?0.080, and 0.9860?a?1.0200.

Abstract: An electromechanical transformation device comprises an alkaline niobate piezoelectric ceramic composition and a rigid body adhered onto the major surface of the piezoelectric ceramic composition. The piezoelectric ceramic composition is made of crystal structures such as orthorhombic crystals formed at the side where the temperature is lower than the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal phase transition temperature, tetragonal crystals formed at the side where the temperature is higher than the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal phase transition temperature as well as at the side where the temperature is lower than the tetragonal-to-cubic phase transition temperature, and the cubic crystals formed at the side where the temperature is higher than the tetragonal-to-cubic phase transition temperature.

Abstract: The ultrasonic probe comprises an ultrasonic transducer section in which a plural of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a row in the scanning direction, an acoustic lens and a low attenuation medium, and further comprises a probe shell housing the ultrasonic transducer section, acoustic lens, and low attenuation medium. In the probe shell, the low attenuation medium is located at the top end (contact surface with a subject to be examined) of the ultrasonic probe, and the low attenuation medium, acoustic lens, and ultrasonic transducer section are located in order. In this way, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer section are converged by the acoustic lens and transmitted outside the probe shell through the low attenuation medium. The reflection waves from the subject to be examined are received by the ultrasonic transducer section through the low attenuation medium.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer driving circuit configured to supply an output current and/or an output voltage to an output line for driving an ultrasonic transducer is provided. The ultrasonic transducer driving circuit includes a first current discharge circuit configured to allow a current arising from electric charges accumulated in the ultrasonic transducer to flow from the output line to ground when the output line is at a positive voltage, and a second current discharge circuit configured to allow the current arising from the electric charges accumulated in the ultrasonic transducer to flow from ground to the output line when the output line is at a negative voltage. The first current discharge circuit and the second current discharge circuit are controlled based on the output current and/or the output voltage.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic sensor assembly. The present invention simplifies an assembly structure of the ultrasonic sensor assembly, and thus enables a process of the ultrasonic sensor assembly to be performed as an automation process.

Abstract: A piezoelectric material contains a first component that is a rhombohedral crystal that is configured to have a complex oxide with a perovskite structure and Curie temperature Tc1 and a second component that is a crystal other than a rhombohedral crystal that is configured to have a complex oxide with the perovskite structure and Curie temperature Tc2, in which |Tc1?Tc2| is equal to or less than 50° C.

Abstract: A piezoelectric material contains a first component that is a rhombohedral crystal that is configured to have a complex oxide with a perovskite structure and Curie temperature Tc1, a second component that is a crystal other than a rhombohedral crystal that is configured to have a complex oxide with the perovskite structure and Curie temperature Tc2, and a third component that is configured to have a complex oxide with the perovskite structure in which the component is formed as the same crystal system as the second component and Curie temperature Tc3, in which Tc1 is higher than Tc2, and Tc3 is equal to or higher than Tc1.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer patch (100) comprises an array of ultrasound transducers (20) mounted to a flexi-PCB (10) containing multiple tracks (12). Each transducer (20), or a sub-group of the transducers is electrically connected to first and second of the multiple tracks. The flexi-PCB (10) is configured, such as by virtue of cut-out portions (114, 414) or by inherent elasticity, to be bendable a out non-parallel axes. The enables the patch (100) to readily conform to a complex 3D surface such as a portion of a patient's face to ensure efficient transmission of ultrasound energy to a desired area of treatment.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving portion, a housing, a driving device, a casing, a first volume compensation mechanism, a ventilating portion, a diaphragm, and a component. The housing houses the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving portion, and the housing seals ultrasonic propagation liquid. The driving device is configured to drive the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving portion. The casing houses the driving device. The first volume compensation mechanism is configured to absorb a volume change of the ultrasonic propagation liquid. The diaphragm divides an internal space of the casing into at least a first internal space and a second internal space. The ventilating portion is configured to ventilate the first internal space to outside of the casing. The component is disposed in a space other than the first internal space in the internal space and includes a frame ground that electrically connects to an electrical circuit.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes: a support substrate; a piezoelectric substrate; and a cap substrate, wherein the cap substrate includes a first region located along an outer peripheral portion of the cap substrate, a second region located along an inside of the first region and having a thickness less than a thickness of the first region, and a third region located inside the second region and having a thickness less than a thickness of the second region, and a surface of the first region is bonded to the surface of the outer peripheral portion of the support substrate, a surface of the second region is bonded to a surface of an outer peripheral portion of the piezoelectric substrate, and a surface of the third region is located away from a surface of the piezoelectric substrate to form a space for the excitation electrode to vibrate.

Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as an ultrasonic plane wave generator having a first sheet of piezoelectric material and a second sheet of piezoelectric material. A shared electrode may be between the first sheet and the second sheet. A first electrode set may have a plurality of electrodes, and these electrodes may be positioned with respect to the first sheet to form a set of wave generators. A wave generator in this first wave generator set may include the shared electrode, the first sheet, and one of the electrodes in the first electrode set. A second electrode set may have a plurality of electrodes, and these electrodes may be positioned with respect to the second sheet to form another set of wave generators. A wave generator in this second wave generator set may include the shared electrode, the second sheet, and one of the electrodes in the second electrode set.

Abstract: In an inner bottom surface of a case, a substantially oblong recess having a long axis and a short axis forms a vibration area. A piezoelectric element is bonded to the center of the recess. On the opposite sides of the vibration area, vibration suppression areas thicker than the vibration area are disposed. A side portion of the case is formed to be thin over the entire circumference thereof. A reinforcing member higher in rigidity than the case is bonded to upper portions of the vibration suppression areas. The reinforcing member has a bottom surface substantially equal to the shape of the vibration suppression areas, and has a predetermined height. A gap between the reinforcing member and an inner side surface of the case is also filled with a filling member.

Abstract: A de-icing system for a fixed or rotary aircraft wing. The system is capable of generating ultrasound that is transmitted at least locally to an outside surface of the wing, wherein the system comprising a base structure (2) covered at least locally with at least one leading edge (3), an elastomer structure (1) arranged and secured between the base structure (2) and the leading edge (3), housings (4) defined in the elastomer structure (1) and open towards the leading edge (3), piezoelectric actuators arranged in at least some of the housings (4) in order to generate ultrasound, wiring (10) connecting the piezoelectric actuators to an electrical control and power supply unit, and a fastener for fastening the leading edge (3) onto the base structure (2) while coming into contact with the piezoelectric actuators (4a) arranged in their respective housings (4).

Abstract: An ultrasonic generator that is capable of increasing output sound pressure is provided. An ultrasonic generating element is accommodated in an accommodation space that is formed by a first case member and a second case member. The ultrasonic generating element is secured to the first case member via a plurality of first supporting members. The first supporting members are provided so that, in a first acoustic path that includes a space formed between a bottom surface of the ultrasonic generating element and a top surface of the first case member and that extends to sound-wave emission holes, a transverse section of the acoustic path has a portion that becomes smaller than another portion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric sensor that can reduce spurious vibration of a transducer. The piezoelectric sensor includes a transducer which has a piezoelectric body and a vibration plate and which transmits/receives ultrasound, and a mount supporting the transducer near nodes of mechanical vibration generated to the transducer. The mount includes ribs that contact the transducer near the nodes of vibration in a point by point, line by line or partially plane by plane contact manner to support the transducer, and retract portions which are provided side by side to respective ribs near the nodes of vibration and which are distant from the transducer so as not to support the transducer.

Abstract: A system for emitting an ultrasonic signal is provided. The system includes a first ultrasonic transducer and a second ultrasonic transducer. A plate of the first ultrasonic element faces a plate of the second ultrasonic element such that the plate of the first ultrasonic element is spaced apart from the plate of the second ultrasonic element by a gap. During operation of the first and second ultrasonic transducers, a uniform or omnidirectional ultrasonic signal may be emitted from the gap.

Abstract: A device includes: a first electrode having a first electrode thickness; a first acoustic propagation layer disposed on the first electrode, the first piezo-electric layer having a first acoustic propagation layer thickness; a second electrode having a second electrode thickness; a second piezo-electric layer disposed on the first electrode, the second piezo-electric layer having a second acoustic propagation layer thickness; and a third electrode having a third electrode thickness, wherein the second electrode thickness is between 1.15 and 1.8 times the first electrode thickness. The first and third electrode thicknesses may be equal to each other, and the first and second piezo-electric layer thicknesses may be equal to each other. The first and third electrodes may be connected together to provide two acoustic resonators in parallel with each other.

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.

Abstract: Provided is an acoustic generator which has a high sound pressure at ultrahigh frequencies and which can suppress occurrence of large peak dips. An acoustic generator includes a film, a frame member disposed on an outer peripheral edge of the film, a piezoelectric element disposed on the film and inside the frame member, and a resin layer filled inside the frame member so as to cover the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A composite ceramic transducer structure for use in the construction of an ultrasound probe includes a substrate and a plurality of piezoelectric transducer posts. The plurality of piezoelectric transducer posts are controllably formed on the substrate in a plurality of spatial positions located on an X-Y plane of the substrate. The plurality of piezoelectric posts includes a plurality of shapes defined in an X-Y-Z plane of the substrate, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric transducer posts are configured to facilitate minimizing shear waves within the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor device includes a housing, a circuit board disposed at the housing, and a transducer. The transducer includes an electrically conductive casing having a bottom wall and a surrounding wall. A piezoelectric member is disposed on top of the bottom wall. A first connecting pin set is disposed in the housing, and includes a first connecting pin having one end connected to the circuit board and another end connected to the piezoelectric member, and a second connecting pin having one end connected to the circuit board and another end connected to the surrounding wall. A second connecting pin set is disposed in the housing, has one end connected to the circuit board, and another end extended into a connecting portion of the housing.

Abstract: An acoustic matching body includes an element connection surface connectable to an ultrasonic wave emission surface of an ultrasonic transducer element, a curved surface that has a shape of a convexity above the element connection surface and is formed by generatrices parallel to one another, and a slit-like through hole that passes through between the element connection surface and the curved surface.

Abstract: A first piezoelectric element having a first piezoelectric layer and a second piezoelectric element having a second piezoelectric layer, which is different from the first piezoelectric layer, are included on the same substrate. The first piezoelectric layer has a d constant greater than a d constant of the second piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, matching layers for an ultrasonic transducer stack having a matching layer comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In another aspect, the matrix material is loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In another aspect, an ultrasound transducer stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and at least one matching layer. In one aspect, the matching layer comprises a composite material comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In a further aspect, the composite material can also comprise a matrix material loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In a further aspect, a matching layer can also comprise cyanoacrylate.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin-film element includes a substrate, a lower electrode layer formed on the substrate, a piezoelectric thin-film layer that is formed on the lower electrode layer and includes potassium sodium niobate having a perovskite structure represented by the composition formula of (K1-xNax)NbO3 (0.4?x?0.7), and an upper electrode layer formed on the piezoelectric thin-film layer. The piezoelectric thin-film layer is formed such that a value of (Ec?+Ec+)/2 is not less than 10.8 kV/cm and a value of (Pr?+Pr+)/2 is not more than ?2.4 ?C/cm2 where Ec? and Ec+ are intersection points of a polarization-electric field hysteresis loop and the x-axis indicating an electric field and Pr? and Pr+ are intersection points of the polarization-electric field hysteresis loop and the y-axis indicating polarization.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer having a membrane and a container having a base and at least one wall element. The one or more wall elements can be situated over at least part of the base to form a cavity that can have an at least partially open end. The open end can be sealed with the membrane and the interior of the container can be maintained at a lower atmospheric pressure than the ambient pressure. Within the container, a piezoelectric flexure can be fixed at one end to a location at a wall element. The other end of the flexure can be in mechanical communication with the membrane, either directly or through a stiffener that is itself in communication with the membrane.

Abstract: A transducer useful for medical imaging ultrasonic transducers comprises a front impedance matching layer, a piezoelectric array, and a rear layer. The front impedance matching layer may include a return connection region electrically coupled to a distal end of the piezoelectric array and a front metal layer with a return signal portion for routing the return signal from the distal end of the transducer to a flex circuit of the rear layer at a proximal end of the transducer. In an embodiment, the rear layer may include a return connection region that is electrically coupled to the piezoelectric array at a distal end of the transducer and also electrically coupled to the signal return lines of a flex circuit at the distal end of the transducer.

Abstract: A laminated piezoelectric element that includes a piezoelectric element layer and a matching layer. The piezoelectric element layer is configured to have a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of electrode layers laminated together. The matching layer is laminated on the piezoelectric element layer, and is different in acoustic impedance from the piezoelectric element layer. When Vp represents the acoustic velocity in the piezoelectric element layer, Vm represents the acoustic velocity in the matching layer, Tp represents the thickness dimension of the piezoelectric element layer, and Tm represents the thickness dimension of the matching layer, Vp/Vm=Tp/Tm holds. Further, when W represents the dimension of the laminated piezoelectric element in the width direction, Tp+Tm>W holds.

Abstract: An ultrasonic generator is provided, in which the control system can easily be changed in accordance with a cleaning application and a cleaning process. The ultrasonic generator according to the present invention, which causes an ultrasonic transducer to oscillate a signal for ultrasonic vibration, includes a programmable multiple control circuit having a signal generation circuit for generating a signal, and an output adjustment circuit for adjusting the output of the signal from the programmable multiple control circuit, wherein the programmable multiple control circuit has a power control circuit electrically connected to the output adjustment circuit, a phase comparison circuit electrically connected to the output adjustment circuit, a frequency control circuit electrically connected to the phase comparison circuit, and a signal modulation circuit electrically connected to the frequency control circuit via the signal generation circuit.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a waveguide capable of transmitting shear waves in a desired pattern to a bulk-type medium, a vibrator, and a method of transmitting shear waves by using the vibrator. To this end, the present invention provides a waveguide including a vibrating portion that is vibrated by a vibrating unit, a transmitting portion that transmits shear waves generated by the vibrating unit to a bulk-type medium and is thicker than the vibrating portion, and a connecting portion that contacts both the vibrating portion and the transmitting portion and has a thickness varying from a portion connecting the vibrating portion to a portion contacting the transmitting portion. Also, the present invention provides a vibrator using the waveguide and a method of transmitting shear waves by using the vibrator.

Abstract: An intravascular ultrasonic imaging catheter is provided with a flexible circuit electrically coupled to a transducer array mounted on the distal end of the catheter, a portion of the flexible circuit being helically wound about the catheter in order to enhance the flexibility of the circuit. The catheter may be a balloon catheter which is also provided with a stent mounted on the balloon, the stent carrying one or more drugs designed to be eluted or washed into a patient's blood stream after the stent has been delivered, by a the balloon catheter, into a target area within the patient's vascular system.

Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.

Abstract: A transducer for sub-ocean bottom imaging includes: a housing capable of withstanding hydrostatic pressure of about 9,000 pounds per square inch; a transmitting layer positioned within the housing to transmit two primary high frequency transmit beams that generate a low frequency signal whose frequency is an arithmetic difference between the two primary beams for high resolution sub-ocean bottom imaging while maintaining high spatial resolution or directivity; and a receiving layer collocated with the transmitting layer within the housing that is mechanically tuned to resonate at the difference frequency producing high receive sensitivity.