EP0332637A1 - Probe provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements for ultrasound apparatus. - Google Patents

Probe provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements for ultrasound apparatus.

Info

Publication number
EP0332637A1
EP0332637A1 EP87907784A EP87907784A EP0332637A1 EP 0332637 A1 EP0332637 A1 EP 0332637A1 EP 87907784 A EP87907784 A EP 87907784A EP 87907784 A EP87907784 A EP 87907784A EP 0332637 A1 EP0332637 A1 EP 0332637A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blade
probe
elements
arrangement
concavity
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP87907784A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0332637B1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Dubut
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric CGR SA
Original Assignee
General Electric CGR SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric CGR SA filed Critical General Electric CGR SA
Priority to AT87907784T priority Critical patent/ATE84894T1/en
Publication of EP0332637A1 publication Critical patent/EP0332637A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0332637B1 publication Critical patent/EP0332637B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
    • G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
    • G10K11/32—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning characterised by the shape of the source

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a probe for an ultrasonic device provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements.
  • a probe for an ultrasonic device provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements.
  • Such a probe can be used in particular in the medical field in association with an ultrasound type device. It can nevertheless find its application in other fields where ultrasound is used and where, for focusing needs, it is preferable to use probes provided with piezoelectric elements distributed over a concave surface.
  • An ultrasound device probe in principle comprises a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements for transforming electrical signals applied to the elements in mechanical excitation and vice versa. These piezoelectric elements are arranged in the head of the probe according to a matrix type distribution, most often in two dimensions, sometimes in one dimension, for example in a strip. The realization of such a probe faced with the need to power electrically, independently, each of the elements is not a simple problem.
  • One solution in principle consists in fixing a plate of a piezoelectric crystal to a flexible metallized support, and in making cuts in this plate without too much damage to the support. In this way we obtain the desired distribution of the elements.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by noting that for the desired applications, with a focusing imposed by the curvature of the arrangement of the elements, it is not a problem that the tops of the elements re ⁇ covered with their transition plate touch each other in the concavity of the probe.
  • the electrical connection for differentiating all the elements can now be made from the rear of the probe, where or previously there was the support.
  • These electrical connection circuits disturb the rear wave of the probe, which is not important: they do not interfere with the useful operation of the probe.
  • the metallizations of the front and rear faces make it possible to apply an electric field parallel to the direction of propagation of the acoustic waves. This arrangement is advantageous because it improves the coupling coefficient between the electric field and the acoustic field.
  • the piezoelectric elements include, for example, plastic elements such as, for example, the PVF- or the PVT ⁇ F copolymer; a ceramic such as, for example, P2T, the polymer composite PZT or PBTiO, or a crystal.
  • the invention therefore has for its object a probe for an ultrasonic device provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements, these elements each being covered, on their face in look of the concavity of an acoustic transition blade, charac ⁇ terized in that adjacent blades constitute the same continuous monobloc blade covering a plurality of elements.
  • Figure 1 shows a probe according to the invention.
  • This comprises a concave arrangement 1 of piezoelectric elements such as 2.
  • the concavity is a concavity in two orthogonal dimensions: the surface is left. It can of course be concave in one dimension and in this case the surface is cylindrical.
  • the elements are each covered, on their face 3 facing the concavity of a ⁇ acoustic transition blade. For example, for element 2, its transition blade 4 is partially limited by dashes in the drawing.
  • the characteristic of the probe of the invention resides in the fact that adjacent blades constitute the same monobloc blade 5, continuous, covering a plurality of elements, in general all of the elements.
  • FIG. 2 shows a detail of embodiment of the probe at a location marked at 10 in FIG. 1.
  • a blade 5 previously metallized with a layer 7 a plate of a piezoelectric crystal metallized on its two faces.
  • the metallization 7 of the blade is preferably thick: in one example it is between 15 and 20 micrometers.
  • the metallization of the crystal is normal, it can be of a much smaller thickness.
  • the glue used to fix the crystal to the blade is such that it allows electrical continuity in all places between the two metalizations.
  • cuts 11 are made on the rear face of the crystal whose purpose is to separate the elements from one another in the plate. The cut 11 has the distinction of being carried out with care.
  • its depth extends up to mid-thickness of the metallization 7 of the blade 5. It is known, with tolerances of flatness of the order of a micro ⁇ meter, to carry out the rectification of the surfaces of the blade and piezoelectric crystal. With a saw correctly guided with respect to the plane of the arrangement, it is then possible to ensure that the cutout does not break the electrical connection formed by the metallization 7.
  • FIG. 3 shows how the electrical connection can be made simply on each metallization 8 carried out on the other face of an element.
  • thermo-compression technology is used. With this technology, the end 12 of connecting wires 13 is pressed against the metallizations 8. By heating this end at the time of this compression, a sufficient electrical connection is obtained. The same is done with a wire 14 which terminates on a peripheral part 15 of the metal ⁇ ization 7 of the blade 5.
  • the arrangement is curved. This arrangement can be concave in one dimension or concave, as shown in FIG. 1, in two dimensions.
  • the material which constitutes the continuous blade is a deformable material. In a preferred embodiment the blade material 5 is even a heat-deformable material.
  • this blade is made of a cold polymerizable polyurethane. Under these conditions, it suffices to subject the blade-crystal assembly thus formed and then cut, to a heating-ref rounding cycle. During this hot cycle, the arrangement is subjected to forces tending to deform it in the desired manner. An appropriate form can be used for this purpose to press against the assembly. During cooling, the whole hardens with the shape that has been imposed on it. After this operation, a base is made for the ç flowing arrangement, against the rear faces of the elements, a polymerizable synthetic material. The 13 or 1 * wires emerge from this base. They are subsequently connected to the control circuits of the ultrasound device used.
  • the materials which constitute the base are preferably chosen from those likely to have a zero acoustic impedance.
  • the contact between the elements and the base is not very intimate.
  • the presence of a thin layer of interposed air is even favorable for lowering the value of the rear acoustic impedance. This loose contact is made possible by the choice of a thermo-compression connection as indicated: it is not necessary to bond against the rear faces of the elements a connection device based on a rigid printed circuit.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

Pour réaliser une sonde à face d'attaque concave, on utilise une lame (5) de transition acoustique continue. Cette lame est métallisée (7), et est au contact en commun de toutes les métallisations avant (6) des éléments piézo-électriques de la sonde. Les métallisations arrière (8) des éléments débouchent électriquement indépendamment vers l'arrière de la sonde. Il en résulte que la connexion électrique des éléments piézo-électriques est simplifiée. Cette sonde est utilisable dans des expériences avec ultrasons où une bonne focalisation est recherchée.To make a probe with a concave attack face, a blade (5) of continuous acoustic transition is used. This blade is metallized (7), and is in common contact with all the front metallizations (6) of the piezoelectric elements of the probe. The rear metallizations (8) of the elements independently open electrically towards the rear of the probe. As a result, the electrical connection of the piezoelectric elements is simplified. This probe can be used in ultrasound experiments where good focus is sought.

Description

SONDE POUR APPAREIL A ULTRASONS PROBE FOR ULTRASONIC APPARATUS
MUNIE D'UN ARRANGEMENT CONCAVE D'ELEMENTSPROVIDED WITH A CONCAVE ARRANGEMENT OF ELEMENTS
PIEZOELECTRIQUESPIEZOELECTRICS
La présente invention a pour objet une sonde pour appareil à ultrasons munie d'un arrangement concave d'éléments piézo¬ électriques. Une telle sonde est utilisable en particulier dans le domaine médical en association avec un appareil de type écho- graphe. Elle peut néanmoins trouver son application dans d'autres domaines où on emploie des ultrasons et où, pour des besoins de focalisation, on a de préférence recours à des sondes munies d'éléments piézo-électriques répartis sur une surface concave.The present invention relates to a probe for an ultrasonic device provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements. Such a probe can be used in particular in the medical field in association with an ultrasound type device. It can nevertheless find its application in other fields where ultrasound is used and where, for focusing needs, it is preferable to use probes provided with piezoelectric elements distributed over a concave surface.
Une sonde d'appareil à ultrasons comporte en principe une pluralité d'éléments transducteurs piézo-électriques pour trans¬ former des signaux électriques appliqués aux éléments en exci¬ tations mécaniques et réciproquement. Ces éléments piézo-élec¬ triques sont arrangés dans la tête de la sonde selon une répartition de type matriciel, le plus souvent à deux dimensions, quelques fois à une dimension par exemple en une barrette. La réalisation d'une telle sonde confrontée à la nécessité d'alimenter électriquement, indépendamment, chacun des éléments n'est pas un problème simple. Une solution de principe consiste à fixer sur un support souple métallisé une plaque d'un cristal piézo-électrique, et à effectuer des découpes dans cette plaque sans entamer trop le support. De cette manière on obtient la distribution recherchée des éléments. En ayant effectué des découpes suffisamment larges et en courbant le support élastique, on peut lui imposer une orme concave voulue. Ce faisant l'alimentation électrique des deux faces des éléments piézo- électriques n'est pas facilement résolue. En effet l'émission acous¬ tique utile se propageant du coté de la concavité, il est malvenu de réaliser sur cette surface des circuits de connexion indépendants. Ceci est d'autant plus gênant que pour des raisons de propagation acoustique il est nécessaire de placer au dessus de chacun des éléments une lame de transition acoustique dont l'épaisseur est sensiblement égale au quart de la longueur d'onde de l'onde, qui la traverse, à la fréquence de travail de la sonde. Ce problème de connexion est un frein important au développement des sondes, en particulier celles dont l'arrangement piézoélectrique est bidimen- sionnel.An ultrasound device probe in principle comprises a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements for transforming electrical signals applied to the elements in mechanical excitation and vice versa. These piezoelectric elements are arranged in the head of the probe according to a matrix type distribution, most often in two dimensions, sometimes in one dimension, for example in a strip. The realization of such a probe faced with the need to power electrically, independently, each of the elements is not a simple problem. One solution in principle consists in fixing a plate of a piezoelectric crystal to a flexible metallized support, and in making cuts in this plate without too much damage to the support. In this way we obtain the desired distribution of the elements. By having made sufficiently large cuts and by bending the elastic support, one can impose a desired concave elm on it. In doing so, the electrical supply of the two faces of the piezoelectric elements is not easily resolved. Indeed, the useful acoustic emission propagating on the side of the concavity, it is inappropriate to make independent connection circuits on this surface. This is all the more annoying because for reasons of acoustic propagation it is necessary to place above each of the elements an acoustic transition blade whose thickness is substantially equal to a quarter of the wavelength of the wave passing through it at the working frequency of the probe. This connection problem is an important obstacle to the development of probes, in particular those whose piezoelectric arrangement is two-dimensional.
La présente invention a pour objet de remédier à ces incon¬ vénients en remarquant que pour les applications recherchées, avec une focalisation imposée par la courbure de l'arrangement des éléments, il n'est pas gênant que les sommets des éléments re¬ couverts de leur lame de transition se touchent les uns les autres dans la concavité de la sonde. Dans l'invention on a alors eu l'idée d'inverser le problème et d'utiliser une lame de transition commune, métallisée continuement sur toute sa surface, et contre laquelle sont fixés tous les éléments piézo-électriques. Il en résulte que la connexion électrique de différenciation de tous les éléments peut se faire maintenant par l'arrière de la sonde, là ou auparavant il y avait le support. Ces circuits électriques de connexion perturbent l'onde arrière de la sonde, ce qui est sans importance : ils ne gênent pas le fonctionnement utile de la sonde. On obtient les arrangements concaves d'éléments piézo-électriques en utilisant des lames souples, éventuellement thermo-déformables.The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by noting that for the desired applications, with a focusing imposed by the curvature of the arrangement of the elements, it is not a problem that the tops of the elements re¬ covered with their transition plate touch each other in the concavity of the probe. In the invention, we then had the idea of reversing the problem and using a common transition blade, metallized continuously over its entire surface, and against which all the piezoelectric elements are fixed. As a result, the electrical connection for differentiating all the elements can now be made from the rear of the probe, where or previously there was the support. These electrical connection circuits disturb the rear wave of the probe, which is not important: they do not interfere with the useful operation of the probe. We obtain the concave arrangements of piezoelectric elements using flexible blades, possibly heat-deformable.
Les métallisations des faces avant et arrière permettent d'appliquer un champ électrique parallèle à la direction de pro- pagation des ondes acoustiques. Cette disposition est avantageuse car elle améliore le coefficient de couplage entre le champ élec¬ trique et le champ acoustique.The metallizations of the front and rear faces make it possible to apply an electric field parallel to the direction of propagation of the acoustic waves. This arrangement is advantageous because it improves the coupling coefficient between the electric field and the acoustic field.
Les éléments piézo-électriques comportent par exemple des éléments en plastique comme par exemple le PVF- ou le PVT^F copolymère ; une céramique comme par exemple le P2T, le PZT composite polymère ou le PBTiO, ou un cristal.The piezoelectric elements include, for example, plastic elements such as, for example, the PVF- or the PVT ^ F copolymer; a ceramic such as, for example, P2T, the polymer composite PZT or PBTiO, or a crystal.
L'invention a donc' pour objet une sonde pour appareil à ultrasons munie d'un arrangement concave d'éléments piézo-élec¬ triques, ces éléments étant recouverts chacun, sur leur face en regard de la concavité, d'une lame de transition acoustique, carac¬ térisée en ce que des lames adjacentes constituent une même lame monobloc continue recouvrant une pluralité d'éléments.The invention therefore has for its object a probe for an ultrasonic device provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements, these elements each being covered, on their face in look of the concavity of an acoustic transition blade, charac¬ terized in that adjacent blades constitute the same continuous monobloc blade covering a plurality of elements.
La présente invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui suit et à l'examen des figures qui l'accompagnent.The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it.
Elles ne sont données qu'à titre indicatif et nullement limitatif de l'invention. Les figures montrent :They are given only as an indication and in no way limit the invention. The figures show:
- figure 1 : une sonde conforme à l'invention ;- Figure 1: a probe according to the invention;
- figure 2 : un détail de réalisation de la sonde de la figure 1 au cours de son procédé de réalisation ;- Figure 2: a detail of the probe of Figure 1 during its production process;
- figure 3 : un détail dé réalisation du circuit de connexion des éléments piézo-électriques. _,- Figure 3: a detail of realization of the connection circuit of the piezoelectric elements. _,
La figure 1 représente une sonde conforme à l'invention. Celle-ci comporte un arrangement concave 1 d'éléments piézo- électriques tels que 2. La concavité est une concavité dans deux dimensions orthogonales : la surface est gauche. Elle peut bien entendue être concave dans une dimension et dans ce cas la surface est cylindrique. Les éléments sont recouverts chacun, sur leur face 3 en regard de la concavité, d'une lame de^transition acoustique. Par exemple pour l'élément 2 sa lame 4 de transition est limitée en partie par des tirets sur le dessin. La caractéristique de la sonde de l'invention réside dans le fait que des lames adjacentes constituent une même lame monobloc 5, continue, recouvrant une pluralité d'éléments, en général la totalité des éléments. Pour assurer la liaison électrique aux électrodes 6 (obtenues par métallisation) des éléments piézo-électriques, la lame 5 est munie sur sa face en regard de ces él ments d'une métallisation 7 qui vient au contact des métallisations de ces éléments. Les autres métallisations 8 des éléments piézo-électriques peuvent être raccordés d'une manière classique. Ces liaisons peuvent être incorporées à une base 9 qui peut servir par ailleurs à maintenir et manipuler la sonde. La présence des raccordements électriques différenciés à l'endroit des métallisations 8 ne peut pas provoquer de perturbation dans les signaux acoustiques émis ou reçus car ils sont situés à l'arrière de la sonde par rapport à la direction utile P de propagation. La figure 2 montre un détail de réalisation de la sonde en un endroit repéré en 10 sur la figure 1. Lors de la fabrication d'une sonde selon l'invention à arrangement concave d'éléments, on colle sur une lame 5 préalablement métallisée avec une couche 7 une plaque d'un cristal piézo-électrique métallisée sur ses deux faces. La métallisation 7 de la lame est de préférence épaisse : dans un exemple elle vaut entre 15 et 20 micromètres. La métallisation du cristal est normale, elle peut être d'une épaisseur bien inférieure. La colle utilisée pour ixer le cristal sur la lame est telle qu'elle permet une continuité électrique en tous endroits entre les deux métal¬ lisations. A ce stade de la fabrication, on exécute sur la face arrière du cristal des découpes 11 ayant pour objet de séparer dans la plaque les éléments des uns des autres. La découpe 11 a la particularité d'être effectuée avec précaution. D'une manière préférée sa pro- fondeur étend jusqu'à mi-épaisseur de la métallisation 7 de l lame 5. On sait, avec des tolérances de planéité de l'ordre d'un micro¬ mètre, réaliser la rectification des surfaces de la lame et du cristal piézo-électrique. Avec une scie correctement guidée par rapport au plan de l'arrangement, on peut alors faire en sorte que la découpe ne rompe pas la liaison électrique constituée par la métallisation 7.Figure 1 shows a probe according to the invention. This comprises a concave arrangement 1 of piezoelectric elements such as 2. The concavity is a concavity in two orthogonal dimensions: the surface is left. It can of course be concave in one dimension and in this case the surface is cylindrical. The elements are each covered, on their face 3 facing the concavity of a ^ acoustic transition blade. For example, for element 2, its transition blade 4 is partially limited by dashes in the drawing. The characteristic of the probe of the invention resides in the fact that adjacent blades constitute the same monobloc blade 5, continuous, covering a plurality of elements, in general all of the elements. To ensure the electrical connection to the electrodes 6 (obtained by metallization) of the piezoelectric elements, the blade 5 is provided on its face opposite these elements with a metallization 7 which comes into contact with the metallizations of these elements. The other metallizations 8 of the piezoelectric elements can be connected in a conventional manner. These links can be incorporated into a base 9 which can also serve to hold and manipulate the probe. The presence of the differentiated electrical connections at the location of the metallizations 8 cannot cause disturbance in the acoustic signals transmitted or received because they are located at the rear of the probe with respect to the useful direction P of propagation. FIG. 2 shows a detail of embodiment of the probe at a location marked at 10 in FIG. 1. During the manufacture of a probe according to the invention with concave arrangement of elements, glue is applied to a blade 5 previously metallized with a layer 7 a plate of a piezoelectric crystal metallized on its two faces. The metallization 7 of the blade is preferably thick: in one example it is between 15 and 20 micrometers. The metallization of the crystal is normal, it can be of a much smaller thickness. The glue used to fix the crystal to the blade is such that it allows electrical continuity in all places between the two metalizations. At this stage of manufacture, cuts 11 are made on the rear face of the crystal whose purpose is to separate the elements from one another in the plate. The cut 11 has the distinction of being carried out with care. In a preferred manner, its depth extends up to mid-thickness of the metallization 7 of the blade 5. It is known, with tolerances of flatness of the order of a micro¬ meter, to carry out the rectification of the surfaces of the blade and piezoelectric crystal. With a saw correctly guided with respect to the plane of the arrangement, it is then possible to ensure that the cutout does not break the electrical connection formed by the metallization 7.
La figure 3 montre comment on peut réaliser simplement la connexion électrique sur chaque métallisation 8 effectuée sur l'autre face d'un élément. D'une manière préférée on utilise une technologie de thermo-compression. Avec cette technologie on presse l'ex- trémité 12 de fils de liaison 13 contre les métallisations 8. En échauffant cette extrémité au moment de cette compression, on obtient une connexion électrique suffisante. On agit de même avec un fil 14 qui aboutit sur une partie périphérique 15 de la métal¬ lisation 7 de la lame 5. A ce stade de la réalisation on procède à la courbure de l'arrangement. Cet arrangement peut être concave à une seule dimension ou concave, comme représenté sur la figure 1, à deux dimensions. Dans ce but le matériau qui constitue la lame continue est un matériau déformable. Dans une réalisation préférée le matériau de la lame 5 est même un matériau thermo-déformable. Dans un exemple cette lame est en un polyuréthane polymérisable à froid. Dans ces conditions il suffit de faire subir à l'ensemble lame- cristal ainsi constitué puis découpé, un cycle d'échauffement-ref roi- dissement. Au cours de ce cycle, à chaud, on soumet l'arrangement à des efforts tendant à le déformer de la manière voulue. On peut utiliser dans ce but une forme appropriée pour appuyer contre l'ensemble. Lors du refroidissement, l'ensemble se durcit avec la forme qu'on lui a imposée. Après cette opération on réalise une base pour l'arrangement ç coulant, contre les faces arrières des éléments, une matière synthétique polymérisable. Les fils 13 ou 1* émergent de cette base. On les relie ultérieurement aux circuits de commande de l'appareil à ultrasons utilisé.FIG. 3 shows how the electrical connection can be made simply on each metallization 8 carried out on the other face of an element. Preferably, thermo-compression technology is used. With this technology, the end 12 of connecting wires 13 is pressed against the metallizations 8. By heating this end at the time of this compression, a sufficient electrical connection is obtained. The same is done with a wire 14 which terminates on a peripheral part 15 of the metal¬ ization 7 of the blade 5. At this stage of production, the arrangement is curved. This arrangement can be concave in one dimension or concave, as shown in FIG. 1, in two dimensions. For this purpose, the material which constitutes the continuous blade is a deformable material. In a preferred embodiment the blade material 5 is even a heat-deformable material. In one example, this blade is made of a cold polymerizable polyurethane. Under these conditions, it suffices to subject the blade-crystal assembly thus formed and then cut, to a heating-ref rounding cycle. During this hot cycle, the arrangement is subjected to forces tending to deform it in the desired manner. An appropriate form can be used for this purpose to press against the assembly. During cooling, the whole hardens with the shape that has been imposed on it. After this operation, a base is made for the ç flowing arrangement, against the rear faces of the elements, a polymerizable synthetic material. The 13 or 1 * wires emerge from this base. They are subsequently connected to the control circuits of the ultrasound device used.
Les matériaux qui constituent la base sont choisis de pré- férence parmis ceux susceptibles de présenter une impédance acous¬ tique nulle. D'une manière préférée le contact entre les éléments et la base n'est pas très intime. La présence d'une mince couche d'air interposée est même favorable à l'abaissement de la valeur de l'impédance acoustique arrière. Ce contact lâche est rendu possible par le choix d'une liaison thermo-compression comme indiqué : on n'est pas obligé de coller contre les faces arrière des éléments un dispositif de connexion à base de circuit imprimé rigide. The materials which constitute the base are preferably chosen from those likely to have a zero acoustic impedance. Preferably, the contact between the elements and the base is not very intimate. The presence of a thin layer of interposed air is even favorable for lowering the value of the rear acoustic impedance. This loose contact is made possible by the choice of a thermo-compression connection as indicated: it is not necessary to bond against the rear faces of the elements a connection device based on a rigid printed circuit.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 - Sonde pour appareil à ultrasons munie un arrangement concave (Fig 1) d'éléments (2) piézo-électriques, ces éléments étant recouverts (3) chacun, sur leur face en regard de la concavité, d'une lame (4) de transition acoustique, caractérisée en ce que des lames adjacentes constituent une même lame (5) monobloc continue re- couvranf une pluralité d'éléments.1 - Probe for ultrasonic device provided with a concave arrangement (Fig 1) of piezoelectric elements (2), these elements being covered (3) each, on their face opposite the concavity, with a blade (4) acoustic transition, characterized in that adjacent blades constitute the same continuous monobloc blade (5) covering a plurality of elements.
2 - Sonde selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la lame est métallisée (7) continuement et est reliée électriquement à des métallisations (6) réalisées sur des faces des éléments en regard de cette lame.2 - Probe according to claim 1, characterized in that the blade is metallized (7) continuously and is electrically connected to metallizations (6) produced on the faces of the elements facing this blade.
3 - Sonde selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que la lame est en un matériau déf ormable. - Sonde selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que la lame est en urumatériau thermo-deformabie. 5 - Sonde l'une quelconque des revendications l à *, carac¬ térisée en ce que l'arrangement est bidimensionnel.3 - Probe according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the blade is made of a deformable material. - Probe according to claim 3, characterized in that the blade is in thermo-deformable uraterial. 5 - Probe any one of claims l to *, charac¬ terized in that the arrangement is two-dimensional.
6 - Sonde selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que l'arrangement est une barrette.6 - Probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the arrangement is a bar.
7 - Sonde l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, carac- térisée en ce que la concavité est une concavité à deux dimensions7 - Probe any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the concavity is a two-dimensional concavity
(Fig 1).(Fig 1).
8 - Sonde l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, carac¬ térisée en ce que la concavité est une concavité à une dimension.8 - Probe any one of claims 1 to 6, charac¬ terized in that the concavity is a one-dimensional concavity.
9 - Sonde selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la métallisation réalisée sur la lame est épaisse (Fig 2).9 - Probe according to claim 2, characterized in that the metallization produced on the blade is thick (Fig 2).
10 - Sonde selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce que l'arrangement des éléments est matérialisé par des séparations (11) qui se prolongent sensiblement jusqu'à ml-hauteur dans la métal¬ lisation de la lame. 11 - Sonde selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisée en ce que les éléments sont électriquement reliés par des fils (13) thermo-com pressé s (12) sur leur face (8) opposée à leur face (6) en regard de la lame (7). 10 - Probe according to claim 9, characterized in that the arrangement of the elements is materialized by partitions (11) which extend substantially up to ml-height in the metalization of the blade. 11 - Probe according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the elements are electrically connected by wires (13) thermo-pressed pressed s (12) on their face (8) opposite their face (6) opposite the blade (7).
EP87907784A 1986-11-28 1987-11-24 Probe provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements for ultrasound apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0332637B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT87907784T ATE84894T1 (en) 1986-11-28 1987-11-24 TRANSDUCER FOR AN ULTRASOUND DEVICE WITH AN ARRANGEMENT OF PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENTS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8616664A FR2607631B1 (en) 1986-11-28 1986-11-28 PROBE FOR ULTRASONIC APPARATUS HAVING A CONCEIVED ARRANGEMENT OF PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENTS
FR8616664 1986-11-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0332637A1 true EP0332637A1 (en) 1989-09-20
EP0332637B1 EP0332637B1 (en) 1993-01-20

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EP87402638A Withdrawn EP0272960A1 (en) 1986-11-28 1987-11-24 Probe for an ultrasonic apparatus with an concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements
EP87907784A Expired - Lifetime EP0332637B1 (en) 1986-11-28 1987-11-24 Probe provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements for ultrasound apparatus

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87402638A Withdrawn EP0272960A1 (en) 1986-11-28 1987-11-24 Probe for an ultrasonic apparatus with an concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements

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US (1) US5042492A (en)
EP (2) EP0272960A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH02501431A (en)
AT (1) ATE84894T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3783776T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2607631B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1988004089A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0332637B1 (en) 1993-01-20
DE3783776T2 (en) 1993-05-13
FR2607631B1 (en) 1989-02-17
WO1988004089A1 (en) 1988-06-02
ATE84894T1 (en) 1993-02-15
JPH02501431A (en) 1990-05-17
FR2607631A1 (en) 1988-06-03
DE3783776D1 (en) 1993-03-04
US5042492A (en) 1991-08-27
EP0272960A1 (en) 1988-06-29

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