WO2007126069A1 - 超音波探触子 - Google Patents
超音波探触子 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007126069A1 WO2007126069A1 PCT/JP2007/059221 JP2007059221W WO2007126069A1 WO 2007126069 A1 WO2007126069 A1 WO 2007126069A1 JP 2007059221 W JP2007059221 W JP 2007059221W WO 2007126069 A1 WO2007126069 A1 WO 2007126069A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- acoustic matching
- piezoelectric element
- matching layer
- piezoelectric
- conductor
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
- G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
- G01N29/24—Probes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
- B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
- B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
- B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
- B06B1/0607—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using multiple elements
- B06B1/0622—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using multiple elements on one surface
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
- G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S15/89—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
- G01S15/8906—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques
- G01S15/8909—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a static transducer configuration
-
- 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
- G10K11/02—Mechanical acoustic impedances; Impedance matching, e.g. by horns; Acoustic resonators
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N30/00—Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices
- H10N30/80—Constructional details
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used to obtain diagnostic information of a subject by transmitting ultrasonic waves to a subject such as a living body.
- An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus irradiates ultrasound in a living subject such as a human being or an animal, detects echoes reflected in the subject, and displays a tomographic image of the tissue in the living body on a monitor. This provides information necessary for diagnosis of the subject.
- the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus uses an ultrasonic probe for transmitting ultrasonic waves into the subject and receiving reflected echoes from within the subject.
- FIG. 1 shows an example of such an ultrasonic probe.
- an ultrasonic probe 10 includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 11 arranged in one direction (X direction) for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject (not shown).
- an acoustic matching layer 12 (12a, 12b) consisting of one or more layers (two layers in the figure) provided on the front surface of the piezoelectric element 11 on the subject side (upper side in the figure), and the subject of the acoustic matching layer 12
- the propagation medium 13 is provided on the specimen-side surface, and the back load material 14 is provided on the back surface on the opposite side of the acoustic matching layer 12 with respect to the piezoelectric element 11.
- Electrodes are arranged on the front surface and the back surface of the piezoelectric element 11, respectively. An electric signal is given to the piezoelectric element 11 through the electrode and the electric terminal 15.
- the piezoelectric element 11 has a plurality of grooves formed from the acoustic matching layer 12 side, and is formed in a concave shape in one direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the arrangement direction (X direction) (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
- the piezoelectric element 11 is formed of a piezoelectric ceramic such as a PZT system, a piezoelectric single crystal, or the like.
- the applied voltage is converted into an ultrasonic wave, transmitted into the subject, and reflected from the subject. Receives the code and converts it into an electrical signal.
- a plurality of piezoelectric elements 11 are arranged in the X direction. By arranging a plurality of piezoelectric elements 11 in this way, ultrasonic waves can be electronically scanned and deflected or focused, so-called electronic scanning becomes possible.
- the acoustic matching layer 12 is provided to efficiently transmit and receive ultrasonic waves into the subject. . More specifically, the acoustic matching layer 12 plays a role of bringing the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element 11 close to the acoustic impedance of the subject in a stepwise manner.
- the piezoelectric element 11 and the acoustic matching layer 12 are formed in a concave shape with respect to the subject side, and thus have a function of narrowing the ultrasonic beam, but the shape is a concave surface. Therefore, since the adhesion with the subject becomes insufficient, the propagation medium 13 is provided including the role of eliminating this insufficiency.
- the propagation medium 13 is an optional element and is provided as necessary.
- the back surface load member 14 is coupled to and holds the piezoelectric element 11, and further plays a role of attenuating unnecessary ultrasonic waves.
- the X direction in the figure is also referred to as the “(piezoelectric element) arrangement direction”, the Y direction as the “(piezoelectric element) width direction”, and the Z direction as the “(piezoelectric element) thickness direction”. Shall be.
- Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-506227
- An electronic scanning ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in an arbitrary group and is driven by giving a certain delay time to each piezoelectric element. Send and receive. By giving such a delay time, the ultrasonic beam is converged or diffused, and an ultrasonic image with a wide field width or high resolution can be obtained.
- This configuration is already known as a general system.
- a method has been used to increase the resolution of the diagnostic image of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the second or third harmonic frequency component with respect to the fundamental frequency. And widening the frequency bandwidth are extremely important.
- the broadband frequency band there is a method of using a composite piezoelectric material in which a piezoelectric ceramic and a polymer are combined as a piezoelectric element as shown in Patent Document 1.
- a method of increasing the sensitivity there is a method of reducing the attenuation of an acoustic lens such as silicone rubber.
- the piezoelectric element is formed into a concave shape, and the concave portion
- a method of providing a polyurethane polymer having a small attenuation there is a method of providing a polyurethane polymer having a small attenuation.
- the electrical terminals 15 drawn from the electrodes of the arranged piezoelectric elements 11 are connected to only a part of the electrodes of the piezoelectric elements 11. Therefore, if the piezoelectric element 11 is broken by a mechanical impact, the connection with the electrical terminal 15 may be broken, and there is a problem in reliability (quality).
- a piezoelectric ceramic and polymer composite piezoelectric body and two acoustic matching layers are provided so as to have a concave shape, so that usable materials are limited to flexible materials, The frequency bandwidth is limited.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of obtaining high-sensitivity and broadband characteristics with high quality and capable of obtaining a high-resolution ultrasonic image.
- a plurality of ultrasonic probes of the present invention are arranged in a predetermined direction, and transmit and receive ultrasonic waves.
- the piezoelectric elements are provided on both surfaces, and provided on one surface of the piezoelectric element.
- At least two acoustic matching layers and at least a first acoustic matching layer on the piezoelectric element among the piezoelectric element and the two or more acoustic matching layers are provided, and at least the piezoelectric element is disposed on the piezoelectric element.
- a plurality of first grooves that are divided in a length direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the elements; a signal conductor provided on a surface opposite to the one surface of the piezoelectric element; A plurality of second grooves that separate at least the first acoustic matching layer, the piezoelectric element, and the signal conductor in an alignment direction of the piezoelectric elements among the matching layers, and the acoustic matching layer,
- the piezoelectric element and the signal conductor are arranged in a length direction of the piezoelectric element. It is formed in a curved shape, a configuration.
- the ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a predetermined direction, transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and electrodes provided on both surfaces, and provided on one surface of the piezoelectric element. At least two acoustic matching layers and a first acoustic matching layer on at least the piezoelectric element of the piezoelectric element and the two or more acoustic matching layers from the side opposite to the acoustic matching layer side. A plurality of first grooves that divide at least the piezoelectric elements in a length direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements, and provided on a surface opposite to the one surface of the piezoelectric elements.
- Signal conductor, the acoustic matching layer, the piezoelectric element, and the signal A back load material that supports a conductor, and a plurality of second acoustic separation layers that separate at least the first acoustic matching layer, the piezoelectric element, and the signal conductor in the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements.
- the acoustic matching layer, the piezoelectric element, and the signal conductor are formed in a curved shape in the length direction of the piezoelectric element.
- the ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a predetermined direction for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and electrodes provided on both surfaces, and provided on one surface of the piezoelectric element.
- a first acoustic matching layer; a grounding conductor provided on the first acoustic matching layer; a second acoustic matching layer provided on the grounding conductor; the piezoelectric element; and at least the first A plurality of first grooves that are provided in the acoustic matching layer and that divide at least the piezoelectric elements in a length direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements, and on a surface opposite to the one surface of the piezoelectric elements.
- 1 acoustic matching layer, the grounding conductor, the piezoelectric element and the front A plurality of second grooves for separating the signal conductor in the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements, and the two acoustic matching layers, the grounding conductor, the piezoelectric element, and the signal conductor are:
- the piezoelectric element is configured to have a curved shape in the length direction.
- the ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a predetermined direction, transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and electrodes provided on both surfaces, and provided on one surface of the piezoelectric element.
- a plurality of third acoustic matching layers provided on the piezoelectric element and at least the first acoustic matching layer and dividing at least the piezoelectric elements in a length direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements.
- a first conductor of the piezoelectric element, a signal conductor provided on a surface opposite to the one surface of the piezoelectric element, the three acoustic matching layers, the grounding conductor, the piezoelectric element, and the signal A back load material that supports a conductor for use, and at least the first of the three acoustic matching layers
- the grounding conductor, the piezoelectric element, and the signal conductor are configured to have a curved shape in the length direction of the piezoelectric element.
- a plurality of grooves are provided in the length direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements (X direction) with respect to the piezoelectric elements and the first acoustic matching layer, and the thickness of the piezoelectric elements Direction (Z direction)
- a signal conductor is provided on the back surface, and the acoustic matching layer, piezoelectric element, and signal conductor are formed in a curved shape in the Y direction, so high reliability, high sensitivity, wide bandwidth, and high resolution can be achieved. Obtainable.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a conventional ultrasonic probe.
- FIG. 2A is a partial schematic perspective view of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2B Schematic cross section of the ultrasonic probe shown in Fig. 2A as seen in the X-direction force
- FIG. 3A is a partial schematic perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
- FIG. 3B Schematic cross section of the ultrasonic probe shown in Fig. 3A as seen in the X-direction force
- FIG. 4A is a partial schematic perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
- FIG. 4B Schematic cross section of the ultrasonic probe shown in Fig. 4A as seen in the X-direction force
- FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the sound velocity and directivity angle of the third acoustic matching layer material in the third embodiment.
- FIG. 6A is a partial schematic perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
- FIG. 6B Schematic cross section of the ultrasonic probe shown in Fig. 6A as seen in the X-direction force
- FIG. 2A is a partial schematic perspective view of the ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
- FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG.
- the ultrasound probe 100 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B is a multi-array arranged in one direction (X direction). And two acoustic matching layers 120 (121, 122) arranged on the front surface in the thickness direction (Z direction) on the object side (upper side in the figure) with respect to each piezoelectric element 110 If necessary, the back load material 140 arranged on the back surface (downward in the figure) in the thickness direction (Z direction) opposite to the acoustic matching layer 120 (121, 122) side with respect to the piezoelectric element 110. And a propagation medium 130 disposed on the acoustic matching layer 120 (121, 122) as necessary. The functions of these components are the same as those described in the prior art shown in FIG.
- a ground electrode (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the piezoelectric element 110 in the thickness direction (Z direction), and a signal electrode (not shown) is provided on the back surface. Both electrodes are formed on the front surface and the back surface of the piezoelectric element 110 by gold or silver deposition, sputtering, or silver baking, respectively.
- the piezoelectric element 110 is formed using a material such as a piezoelectric ceramic such as PZT, or a piezoelectric single crystal such as PZN-PT or ⁇ - ⁇ .
- the first acoustic matching layer 121 and the second acoustic matching layer 122 are provided on the ground electrode (not shown) side provided on the piezoelectric element 110 of such a material.
- the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121 are arranged along the X direction from the surface of the piezoelectric element 110 opposite to the side on which the first acoustic matching layer 121 is provided.
- a plurality of grooves 160 as one groove are provided.
- the groove 160 is provided using a device such as a dicing machine, for example.
- the groove 160 penetrates both sides (front and back) of the piezoelectric element 110 in the ⁇ direction to completely divide the piezoelectric element 110, but the first acoustic matching layer 121 is one of both sides in the ⁇ direction. It penetrates only the surface. That is, the groove 160 is provided so as to leave a part of the first acoustic matching layer 121 located on the side opposite to the piezoelectric element 110 side from the surface on the piezoelectric element 110 side.
- the reason for leaving a part of the first acoustic matching layer 121 is that an electrical terminal (not shown) is taken out from the ground electrode of the divided piezoelectric element 110 only at one end in the ⁇ direction. It is. For this reason, the first acoustic matching layer 121 needs to be an electrical conductor. Therefore, the first acoustic matching layer 121 may be, for example, a graphite or a material filled with a metal powder in a polymer to be a conductor (for example, a conductive adhesive). Of course, the first acoustic matching layer 121 has an acoustic impedance value equal to that of the piezoelectric element 110 and the object (raw material). It is necessary to have a value between).
- the interval between the grooves 160 provided in the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121 may be an equal interval or a random interval.
- the material of the piezoelectric element 110 for example, PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics, generates an unnecessary width vibration mode in addition to the thickness longitudinal vibration mode used, and this width vibration mode has an adverse effect on the frequency characteristics and the like. Effect. For this reason, it is necessary to narrow the width of the piezoelectric ceramic, that is, the interval between the grooves 160 so that the frequency of the width vibration mode is outside the frequency range to be used.
- the piezoelectric element 110 is formed using PZT-based piezoelectric ceramic, the groove 160 is provided in the piezoelectric element 110, and the groove 160 is filled with a polymer material such as epoxy resin or urethane resin.
- the piezoelectric element 110 has a function as a composite piezoelectric material in which piezoelectric ceramics and a polymer material are combined. That is, by filling the groove 160 with a polymer material having a low acoustic impedance, the piezoelectric element 110 can make the acoustic impedance smaller than that of piezoelectric ceramics, and can approach the acoustic impedance of the subject. As a result, a wide frequency band can be obtained.
- This composite piezoelectric body can change the value of acoustic impedance by changing the volume ratio of piezoelectric ceramics and polymer material.
- the dielectric constant of the composite piezoelectric material is that the dielectric constant of the polymer material is much smaller than the dielectric constant of the piezoelectric ceramic. Therefore, when the volume ratio of the piezoelectric ceramic is small, the dielectric constant of the composite piezoelectric material is small. Therefore, the electrical impedance is increased. As a result, mismatching occurs with the connected ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body or cable, which affects the sensitivity reduction. Therefore, generally, the volume ratio of the piezoelectric ceramic of the composite piezoelectric body is in the range of 50 to 75%.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121 is also provided with a groove 160 and filled with a polymer material in the same manner as the piezoelectric element 110, so that the first acoustic matching layer 121 becomes a composite and changes (decreases) the acoustic impedance. ) For this reason, it is necessary to select the material of the first acoustic matching layer 121 in consideration of this decrease.
- the back load material 140, the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 are arranged on the subject side.
- it is configured so as to converge the ultrasonic wave by forming a concave curved surface shape, but the curved surface shape is not limited to this.
- a convex shape that diffuses ultrasonic waves may be used.
- the piezoelectric element 110 of piezoelectric ceramics and the first acoustic matching layer 121 made of a material filled with metal powder in graphite or graphite are not flexible enough to form a curved surface. Therefore, in order to form a curved surface, it is necessary to prepare a material that has been processed into a curved surface shape in advance, and it is difficult to form it with high accuracy. Therefore, one of the points of the present embodiment is that a curved surface can be formed by providing the groove 160.
- a polymer film having flexibility capable of forming a curved surface such as epoxy resin or polyimide, is used.
- the signal conductor 150 may be configured by a full conductor that does not pattern the region in which the piezoelectric element 110 is provided, and may be configured by patterning only portions of the piezoelectric element 110 that are drawn out on both sides in the Y direction. .
- the signal conductor 150 should be made of a metal material such as copper, and the thickness should be around 10 micrometers ( ⁇ m )! In addition, when a metal conductor such as copper is handled by itself and is weak in strength, a polyimide film having a thickness of about 10 to 25 micrometers (m) may be provided.
- the signal electrode 150 of the piezoelectric element 110 that is divided by providing the groove 160 is in close contact with the signal electrode even if it has a curved surface, and is electrically connected. Can do. Further, by using such a signal conductor 150, even if the piezoelectric element 110 is cracked, the signal conductor 150 is flexible, so that the reliability (quality) is improved without being disconnected. This is because, as shown in Patent Document 1, the electrical terminal is connected to only a part of the electrode of the piezoelectric element, and the piezoelectric element is broken by the mechanical impact of the external force and the electrode is divided and disconnected. It is a configuration that can solve such issues as.
- the curvature of the curved surface formation can be changed depending on where the focal length of the ultrasonic wave is set.
- the curved surface to be formed may be a curved surface having a single radius of curvature, or a curved surface in which the radius of curvature is gradually changed with respect to the Y direction in FIGS. 2A and 2B!
- the acoustic matching layer 120 (the first acoustic matching layer 121 and the second acoustic matching layer 122), the piezoelectric element 110, and the signal conductor 150 are formed by a plurality of divided grooves 180 as the second groove of the present invention. Divided into multiple piezoelectric element arrays. That is, in the present embodiment, the signal conductor 150, the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 are pressed against the back surface load material 140 formed in a curved shape.
- the second acoustic matching layer 122, the first acoustic matching layer 121, A part of the piezoelectric element 110, the signal conductor 150, and the back surface load material 140 is divided into a plurality of piezoelectric element arrays by the plurality of dividing grooves 180.
- This direction is the direction of electronic scanning.
- the plurality of divided grooves 180 are filled with a material such as silicone rubber having a lower hardness than a material such as epoxy resin filled in the groove 160.
- the material to be filled in the groove 160 since a plurality of piezoelectric bodies arranged in the Y direction (the portions of the piezoelectric element 110 divided by the groove 160) are vibrated integrally in the same phase, the Y direction Each of the piezoelectric bodies has no problem even if the vibration leaks through a filler such as epoxy resin filled in the groove 160. Therefore, the filler in the groove 160 may be high in hardness.
- the plurality of piezoelectric element 110 columns divided in the X direction when an electric signal is given to each piezoelectric element 110 via the signal conductor 150, the electric signal is phase-controlled with a delay, respectively.
- the filler in the dividing groove 180 that divides the signal conductor 150, the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 in the X direction divides the piezoelectric element 110 in the Y direction. It is necessary to make the material harder to transmit vibration than the filling material of the groove 160.
- the piezoelectric element 110 (more precisely, individual piezoelectric bodies) is divided into a columnar shape in the X and Y directions in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the division intervals in these two directions are almost the same. It is good to.
- the piezoelectric ceramic of the piezoelectric element 110 generates an unnecessary width vibration mode, and if the width of the piezoelectric ceramic is set to a width where the width vibration mode is generated in the use frequency band, the frequency characteristics to be used are adversely affected (for example, The frequency band becomes narrower) Therefore, it is necessary to remove the frequency of the width vibration mode from the used frequency band. The same is true in the X direction. Therefore, the influence of the unnecessary width vibration mode can be reduced by making the division interval in the X direction of the piezoelectric element 110 substantially the same as in the Y direction.
- a propagation medium 130 is provided on the second acoustic matching layer 122 as necessary.
- the transmission medium 130 urethane resin, butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, or the like having an acoustic impedance close to that of a living body and a small ultrasonic attenuation coefficient may be used.
- the ultrasonic waves are refracted at the boundary.Therefore, taking account of this refraction, the ultrasonic waves are taken into account by considering the curved surface shape of the second acoustic matching layer 122. It is necessary to set the focal distance of.
- the groove 160 is provided, and the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121 are formed into a curved shape using the groove 160, so that an ultrasonic wave can be obtained without an acoustic lens.
- the signal conductor 150 is provided on the signal electrode surface of the piezoelectric element 110.
- the piezoelectric elements 110 are linearly (planarly) arranged in the X direction, but the shape of the arrangement in the X direction is not limited to this.
- the same effect can be obtained even when the piezoelectric elements are arranged in a convex or concave curved shape in the X direction.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first acoustic matching layer is composed of a composite of an insulator and a conductor, and the first acoustic matching layer is divided by the first groove (groove 160) in the Y direction, the divided partial forces The same effect can be obtained even when a conductor is provided in a part of the first acoustic matching layer so as to be electrically conductive in the third direction.
- the piezoelectric element 110 and the acoustic matching layer 120 are arranged in the Y direction.
- the case of forming a concave curved surface with respect to the side has been described, but the curved surface shape is not limited to this.
- a curved surface or a radius of curvature having a single radius of curvature is used regardless of whether the surface is concave or convex. The same effect can be obtained even when the curved surface has a plurality of gradually changing radii of curvature.
- the force described in the case where the piezoelectric element 110 and the acoustic matching layer 120 have substantially uniform thickness in the Y direction is not limited to this.
- the same effect can be obtained even when the thickness of the piezoelectric element and the acoustic matching layer is changed in the Y direction.
- a grounding conductor is provided on the first acoustic matching layer instead of the grounding electrical terminal (not shown) in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 3A is a partial schematic perspective view of the ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
- FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG.
- This ultrasonic probe has the same basic configuration as that of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to Embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the same constituent elements have the same components. A sign is attached.
- the ultrasonic probe 200 shown in Figs. 3A and 3B includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 arranged in one direction (X direction), and a subject side (shown in the figure) with respect to each piezoelectric element 110. Between the two acoustic matching layers 120a (121a, 122) and the two acoustic matching layers 120a (121a, 122). The ground conductor 210 and, if necessary, the piezoelectric element 110 are arranged on the back side (downward in the figure) in the thickness direction (Z direction) opposite to the acoustic matching layer 120a (121a, 122) side.
- the back load material 140 is formed, and the propagation medium 130 is disposed on the acoustic matching layer 120a (121a, 122) as necessary.
- the functions of these components are the same as those described in the prior art shown in FIG.
- a ground electrode (not shown) is provided on the front surface in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the piezoelectric element 110, and a signal electrode (not shown) is provided on the back surface. Both electrodes are connected to the front and back surfaces of the piezoelectric element 110 by gold or silver deposition, sputtering, or silver baking. Formed respectively.
- the piezoelectric element 110 is formed using a material such as a piezoelectric ceramic such as PZT, or a piezoelectric single crystal such as PZN-PT or ⁇ - ⁇ .
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 are provided on the ground electrode (not shown) side provided on the piezoelectric element 110 of such a material.
- the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 12 la are provided with a plurality of grooves 160 as the first grooves of the present invention along the X direction.
- the groove 160 is provided by using a device such as a die cinder machine.
- the groove 160 penetrates both sides of the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a in the Z direction and completely divides the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a. And Therefore, the direction in which the groove 160 is provided is such that the piezoelectric element 110 of the first acoustic matching layer 121a is provided even on the surface of the piezoelectric element 110 opposite to the side on which the first acoustic matching layer 121a is provided. Either the surface force on the side opposite to the other side or either surface force may be provided. That is, the direction in which the groove 160 is provided is not limited to the side force of the piezoelectric element 110, but the present configuration can be established from the first acoustic matching layer 121a side, so either side force may be provided.
- the groove 160 completely divides the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a may be provided with a groove leaving a part.
- the groove 160 is also provided with a piezoelectric element 110 side force.
- the ground conductor 210 is used to take out the electrical terminal having the ground electrode force of the divided piezoelectric element 110.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a needs to be an electrical conductor. Therefore, the first acoustic matching layer 121a may be made of, for example, graphite or a material in which a metal powder is filled in a polymer to make a conductor (eg, conductive adhesive).
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a needs to have a value of acoustic impedance between the piezoelectric element 110 and the subject (living body).
- the interval between the grooves 160 provided in the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a may be an equal interval or a random interval.
- the material of the piezoelectric element 110 such as PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics, generates an unnecessary width vibration mode in addition to the thickness longitudinal vibration mode used. This width vibration mode adversely affects frequency characteristics and the like. For this reason, it is necessary to narrow the width of the piezoelectric ceramic, that is, the interval between the grooves 160 so that the frequency of the width vibration mode is outside the frequency range to be used.
- the piezoelectric element 110 is formed using PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics, and a groove 160 is provided in the piezoelectric element 110.
- the groove 160 is filled with a polymer material such as epoxy resin or urethane resin.
- the piezoelectric element 110 has a function as a composite piezoelectric material in which piezoelectric ceramics and a polymer material are combined. That is, by filling the groove 160 with a polymer material having a low acoustic impedance, the piezoelectric element 110 can make the acoustic impedance smaller than that of piezoelectric ceramics, and can approach the acoustic impedance of the subject. As a result, a wide frequency band can be obtained.
- This composite piezoelectric body can change the value of acoustic impedance by changing the volume ratio of piezoelectric ceramics and polymer material.
- the dielectric constant of the composite piezoelectric material is that the dielectric constant of the polymer material is much smaller than the dielectric constant of the piezoelectric ceramic. Therefore, the electrical impedance is increased. As a result, mismatching occurs with the connected ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body or cable, which affects the sensitivity reduction. Therefore, generally, the volume ratio of the piezoelectric ceramic of the composite piezoelectric body is in the range of 50 to 75%.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a is also provided with a groove 160, and the groove 160 is filled with a polymer material. descend. For this reason, it is necessary to select the material of the first acoustic matching layer 121a in consideration of this decrease.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a may be completely divided in the same manner as the piezoelectric element 110, or may be divided while leaving a part.
- the ground conductor 210 may be composed of a single film of metal such as copper, or may be configured integrally with a metal film provided with a film of polyimide or the like for reinforcement. If so, no problem. In the case of the latter configuration, it is natural that the surface on the metal conductor (metal film) side of the ground conductor 210 needs to be in contact with the first acoustic matching layer 121 &.
- the ground conductor 210 is electrically connected to the ground electrode (not shown) of the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a which is a conductor, and has a function as an electric terminal. In the present embodiment, the ground conductor 210 is electrically connected to the ground electrodes (conductors) of all the piezoelectric elements 110.
- a film such as polyimide provided for reinforcement on the metal film may also serve as the second acoustic matching layer 122.
- the signal conductor 150 is formed in a curved shape.
- the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 are formed into a curved shape while being pressed against the back load material 140.
- the back load material 140, the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 are provided.
- the ultrasonic wave is configured to be formed in a concave curved surface shape with respect to the subject side, the curved surface shape is not limited to this. For example, a convex shape that diffuses ultrasonic waves may be used.
- the piezoelectric element 110 of piezoelectric ceramic and the first acoustic matching layer 121a made of a material filled with metal powder such as graphite or graphite are not flexible enough to form a curved surface. Therefore, in order to form a curved surface, it is necessary to prepare a material that has been processed into a curved surface shape in advance, and it is difficult to form it with high accuracy. For this reason, in this embodiment mode, a curved surface can be formed by providing the groove 160.
- a flexible polymer film that can form a curved surface, such as epoxy resin or polyimide.
- the signal conductor 150 is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
- the signal conductor 150 is made of a metal material such as copper, and may have a thickness of about 10 micrometers (m).
- a metal conductor such as copper alone is weak in handling, it may be configured by providing a polyimide film having a thickness of about 10 to 25 micrometers.
- the curvature of the curved surface formation can be changed depending on where the focal length of the ultrasonic wave is set.
- the curved surface to be formed may be a curved surface having a single curvature radius, or may be a curved surface having a plurality of curvature radii obtained by gradually changing the curvature radius with respect to the Y direction in FIGS. 3A and 3B. .
- the acoustic matching layer 120a (the first acoustic matching layer 121a and the second acoustic matching layer 122), the ground conductor 210, the piezoelectric element 110, and the signal conductor 150 are a plurality of the second grooves of the present invention. Divided into a plurality of piezoelectric element arrays by dividing grooves 180. That is, in the present embodiment, the signal load 150, the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 are added to the back surface load material 140 formed in a curved shape.
- the second acoustic matching layer 122, the ground conductor 210, and the first conductor along the pattern of the signal conductor 150 in the X direction (direction perpendicular to the Y direction).
- a part of the acoustic matching layer 121a, the piezoelectric element 110, the signal conductor 150, and the back surface load material 140 is divided into a plurality of piezoelectric element arrays by the plurality of dividing grooves 180. This direction is the direction of electronic scanning.
- the plurality of divided grooves 180 are filled with a material such as silicone rubber having a lower hardness than a material such as epoxy resin filled in the groove 160.
- the filling material of the dividing groove 180 that divides the signal conductor 150, the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 in the X direction is the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 122.
- the acoustic matching layer 121a of 1 has a lower hardness than the filling material of the groove 160 dividing the Y direction, and it is difficult to transmit vibration.
- the piezoelectric element 110 (more precisely, individual piezoelectric bodies) is divided into a columnar shape in the X direction and the Y direction in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and the division intervals in both directions are almost the same. It is good to make it.
- the piezoelectric ceramic of the piezoelectric element 110 generates an unnecessary width vibration mode, and if the width of the piezoelectric ceramic is set to a width where the width vibration mode is generated in the use frequency band, the frequency characteristics to be used are adversely affected (for example, Therefore, it is necessary to remove the frequency of the width vibration mode from the used frequency band. The same is true in the X direction. Therefore, the influence of the unnecessary width vibration mode can be reduced by making the division interval in the X direction of the piezoelectric element 110 substantially the same as in the Y direction.
- a propagation medium 130 is provided on the second acoustic matching layer 122 as necessary.
- the transmission medium 130 urethane resin, butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, or the like having an acoustic impedance close to that of a living body and a small ultrasonic attenuation coefficient may be used.
- the ultrasonic waves are refracted at the boundary.Therefore, taking account of this refraction, the ultrasonic waves are taken into account by considering the curved surface shape of the second acoustic matching layer 122. It is necessary to set the focal distance of.
- the groove 160 is provided, and the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a are formed in a curved shape using the groove 160, so that an ultrasonic wave can be obtained without an acoustic lens.
- the signal conductor 150 is provided on the signal electrode surface of the piezoelectric element 110, and the ground conductor 210 is provided on the surface of the first acoustic matching layer 121a opposite to the piezoelectric element 110 side.
- the configuration is set up. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a high-quality and stable ultrasonic probe because a high-sensitivity and broadband characteristic can be obtained and a highly reliable configuration can be obtained. it can. Also, since the ultrasonic beam can be narrowed down and deflected, it is possible to obtain an ultrasonic probe that provides high-sensitivity and high-resolution ultrasonic images. .
- the piezoelectric elements 110 are linearly (planarly) arranged in the X direction, but the arrangement shape in the X direction is not limited to this.
- the same effect can be obtained even when the piezoelectric elements are arranged in a convex or concave curved shape in the X direction.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first acoustic matching layer is formed of a composite of an insulator and a conductor, and the first acoustic matching layer is divided by the first groove (groove 160) in the Y direction, the first acoustic matching layer is divided. The same effect can be obtained even when a conductor is provided in a part of the first acoustic matching layer so as to be electrically conductive in the direction of each partial force.
- the piezoelectric element 110 and the acoustic matching layer 120a are formed in a concave curved surface shape with respect to the object side in the Y direction, but the curved surface shape is not limited thereto. .
- a curved surface having a single radius of curvature or a curvature radius is gradually increased regardless of whether the surface is concave or convex. The same effect can be obtained even when the curved surface has a plurality of radii of curvature.
- the ground conductor 210 is provided on the first acoustic matching layer 121a that is a conductor.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first and second acoustic matching layers are conductors, the same effect can be obtained even when the ground conductor is provided on the second acoustic matching layer.
- Embodiment 3 is a case where three acoustic matching layers are provided instead of the two acoustic matching layers 120a in the second embodiment.
- FIG. 4A is a partial schematic perspective view of the ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
- FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG.
- This ultrasonic probe is an ultrasonic probe corresponding to Embodiment 2 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. It has the same basic configuration as the child, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.
- the ultrasound probe 300 shown in Figs. 4A and 4B includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 arranged in one direction (X direction), and a subject side (shown in the figure) with respect to each piezoelectric element 110.
- a subject side shown in the figure with respect to each piezoelectric element 110.
- Ground conductor 210 arranged in the thickness direction, and the thickness direction (Z direction) rear surface opposite to the acoustic matching layer 310 (121a, 122, 311) side with respect to the piezoelectric element 110 if necessary (in the figure)
- the back load material 140 is arranged on the lower side and the propagation medium 130 is arranged on the acoustic matching layer 310 (121a, 122, 311) as necessary.
- ground conductor 210 is disposed between the first acoustic matching layer 121a and the second acoustic matching layer 122.
- the functions of these components are the same as those described in the prior art shown in FIG.
- a ground electrode (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the piezoelectric element 110 in the thickness direction (Z direction), and a signal electrode (not shown) is provided on the back surface. Both electrodes are formed on the front surface and the back surface of the piezoelectric element 110 by gold or silver deposition, sputtering, or silver baking, respectively.
- the piezoelectric element 300 is formed using a material such as a piezoelectric ceramic such as PZT, or a piezoelectric single crystal such as PZN-PT or ⁇ - ⁇ .
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, the second acoustic matching layer 122, and the third acoustic matching layer 311 are disposed on the ground electrode (not shown) side of the piezoelectric element 110 of such a material.
- the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a are provided with a plurality of grooves 160 as the first grooves of the present invention along the X direction.
- the groove 160 is provided using a device such as a die cinder machine.
- the groove 160 passes through both sides of the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a in the Z direction, and completely completes the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a. It is divided into. Therefore, the direction in which the groove 160 is provided is the side of the first acoustic matching layer 121a on which the piezoelectric element 110 is provided, even with the surface force of the piezoelectric element 110 on the side opposite to the side on which the first acoustic matching layer 121a is provided. The surface force on the side opposite to the surface may be provided from either side. That is, the direction in which the groove 160 is provided is not the side force of the piezoelectric element 110, but the first acoustic adjustment. Since this configuration is established even on the 12-la layer side, either side may be provided.
- the groove 160 completely divides the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a may be provided with a groove leaving a part.
- the groove 160 is also provided with a piezoelectric element 110 side force.
- the ground conductor 210 is used to take out the electrical terminal having the ground electrode force of the divided piezoelectric element 110.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a needs to be an electrical conductor. Therefore, the first acoustic matching layer 121a may be made of, for example, graphite or a material in which a metal powder is filled in a polymer to make a conductor (eg, conductive adhesive).
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a needs to have a value of acoustic impedance between the piezoelectric element 110 and the subject (living body).
- the interval between the grooves 160 provided in the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a may be an equal interval or a random interval.
- the material of the piezoelectric element 110 for example, PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics, generates an unnecessary width vibration mode in addition to the thickness longitudinal vibration mode used, and this width vibration mode has an adverse effect on the frequency characteristics and the like. Effect. For this reason, it is necessary to narrow the width of the piezoelectric ceramic, that is, the interval between the grooves 160 so that the frequency of the width vibration mode is outside the frequency range to be used.
- the piezoelectric element 110 is formed using PZT-based piezoelectric ceramic, the groove 160 is provided in the piezoelectric element 110, and the groove 160 is filled with a polymer material such as epoxy resin or urethane resin.
- the piezoelectric element 110 has a function as a composite piezoelectric material in which piezoelectric ceramics and a polymer material are combined. That is, by filling the groove 160 with a polymer material having a low acoustic impedance, the piezoelectric element 110 can make the acoustic impedance smaller than that of piezoelectric ceramics, and can approach the acoustic impedance of the subject. As a result, a wide frequency band can be obtained.
- This composite piezoelectric body can change the value of acoustic impedance by changing the volume ratio of piezoelectric ceramics and polymer material.
- the dielectric constant of the composite piezoelectric material is that the dielectric constant of the polymer material is much smaller than the dielectric constant of the piezoelectric ceramic.
- the volume ratio of the piezoelectric ceramic of the composite piezoelectric body is in the range of 50 to 75%.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a is also provided with a groove 160 like the piezoelectric element 110, and the groove 160 is filled with a polymer material, so that it becomes a composite and the acoustic impedance changes ( descend. For this reason, it is necessary to select the material of the first acoustic matching layer 121a in consideration of this decrease.
- the first acoustic matching layer 121a which is the ground electrode and conductor of the piezoelectric element 110
- the first The acoustic matching layer 121a may be completely divided in the same manner as the piezoelectric element 110, or may be divided while leaving a part.
- the grounding conductor 210 may be composed of a single metal film such as copper, or may be configured integrally with a metal film provided with a polyimide film for reinforcement, or may have a flexible structure. No problem. In the case of the latter configuration, it is natural that the surface on the metal conductor (metal film) side of the ground conductor 210 needs to be in contact with the first acoustic matching layer 121 &.
- the ground conductor 210 is electrically connected to the ground electrode (not shown) of the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a that is a conductor, and has a function as an electric terminal.
- the ground conductor 210 is electrically connected to the ground electrodes (conductors) of all the piezoelectric elements 110.
- a film such as polyimide provided for reinforcement on the metal film may also serve as the second acoustic matching layer 122.
- the signal conductor 150 is formed in a curved shape.
- the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, the second acoustic matching layer 122, and the third acoustic matching layer 311 are formed in a curved shape while being pressed against the back load material 140. .
- back load material 140, piezoelectric The element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, the second acoustic matching layer 122, and the third acoustic matching layer 311 are formed in a concave curved shape with respect to the subject side to converge the ultrasonic waves.
- the curved surface shape is not limited to this. For example, a convex shape that diffuses ultrasonic waves.
- the piezoelectric element 110 of piezoelectric ceramic and the first acoustic matching layer 121a made of a material filled with metal powder such as graphite or graphite are not flexible enough to form a curved surface originally. Therefore, in order to form a curved surface, it is necessary to prepare a material that has been processed into a curved surface shape in advance, and it is difficult to form it with high accuracy. For this reason, in this embodiment also, a curved surface can be formed by providing the groove 160.
- a flexible polymer film capable of forming a curved surface such as an epoxy resin filled with powder such as metal or oxide is used.
- the signal conductor 150 is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
- the signal conductor 150 is made of a metal material such as copper, and may have a thickness of about 10 micrometers (m).
- a metal conductor such as copper alone is weak in handling, it may be configured by providing a polyimide film having a thickness of about 10 to 25 micrometers.
- Such a signal conductor 150 is sufficiently flexible, so that the signal electrode 150 of the piezoelectric element 110 divided by providing the groove 160 is in close contact with the signal electrode and is electrically connected. Can take.
- the curvature of the curved surface formation can be changed depending on where the focal length of the ultrasonic wave is set.
- the curved surface to be formed may be a curved surface having a single curvature radius, or may be a curved surface having a plurality of curvature radii obtained by gradually changing the curvature radius with respect to the Y direction in FIGS. 4A and 4B. .
- Second acoustic matching layer 122, first acoustic matching layer 121a, ground conductor 210, piezoelectric element 110 The signal conductor 150 is divided into a plurality of piezoelectric element rows by a plurality of dividing grooves 180 as the second grooves of the present invention. That is, in the present embodiment, the signal load 150, the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 are provided on the back load member 140 formed in a curved shape.
- the second acoustic matching layer 122, the ground conductor 210, the first conductor A part of the acoustic matching layer 121a, the piezoelectric element 110, the signal conductor 150, and the back load material 140 is divided into a plurality of piezoelectric element rows by the plurality of dividing grooves 180.
- This direction is the direction of electronic scanning.
- the plurality of divided grooves 180 are filled with a material such as silicone rubber having a lower hardness than a material such as epoxy resin filled in the groove 160.
- a plurality of piezoelectric bodies arranged in the Y direction vibrate in the same phase.
- Each of the piezoelectric bodies has no problem even if the vibration leaks through a filler such as epoxy resin filled in the groove 160. Therefore, there is no problem even if the filler in the groove 160 is high in hardness.
- the electric signal is phased with a delay.
- the filling material of the dividing groove 180 that divides the signal conductor 150, the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, the ground conductor 170, and the second acoustic matching layer 122 in the X direction is the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 122.
- the acoustic matching layer 121a of 1 has a lower hardness than the filling material of the groove 160 dividing the Y direction, and it is difficult to transmit vibration.
- the piezoelectric element 110 (more precisely, individual piezoelectric bodies) is divided into a columnar shape in the X direction and the Y direction in FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively. It is good to.
- the piezoelectric ceramic of the piezoelectric element 110 generates an unnecessary width vibration mode, and if the width of the piezoelectric ceramic is set to a width where the width vibration mode is generated in the use frequency band, the frequency characteristics to be used are adversely affected (for example, Therefore, it is necessary to remove the frequency of the width vibration mode from the operating frequency band. is there. The same is true in the X direction. Therefore, the influence of the unnecessary width vibration mode can be reduced by making the division interval in the X direction of the piezoelectric element 110 substantially the same as in the Y direction.
- a third acoustic matching layer 311 is provided on the second acoustic matching layer 122. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the third acoustic matching layer 311 is provided on one surface of the second acoustic matching layer 122 divided in the X direction without being divided in any direction.
- the third acoustic matching layer 311 also includes the first and It is better to divide similarly to the second acoustic matching layers 121a and 122.
- the acoustic matching layers 121a, 122, 311 from the piezoelectric element 110 in the X direction are used.
- the piezoelectric element 110 is divided in the same manner as described above, and the first and second acoustic matching layers 121a on the piezoelectric element 110 side of the three acoustic matching layers 310, 122 is divided in the same manner as the piezoelectric element 110, and the third acoustic matching layer 311 located on the subject side is not divided at all in the arrangement direction (X direction) of the piezoelectric element 110. Ultrasonic directivity was measured.
- silicone rubber hardness is Shore A hardness 76, sound velocity 915 mZsec, acoustic impedance 2.1 megarails
- chloroprene rubber hardness is Shore A
- ethylene propylene copolymer rubber hardness is Shore A hardness 65, sound velocity 1480mZsec, acoustic impedance 1.94 megarails
- acrylonitrile monobutadiene copolymer rubber hardness is Shore A hardness 60, sound velocity 1640 mZsec, acoustic impedance 1.97 megarails
- urethane rubber hardness is Shore A hardness 78, sound velocity 1850 mZsec, acoustic impedance 1.98 megarails).
- the directivity characteristics differ depending on the material of the third acoustic matching layer 311.
- the second acoustic wave is provided in the divided groove 180 (the width of the divided groove 180 at this time is approximately 0.03 mm) obtained by dividing the piezoelectric element 110, the first acoustic matching layer 121a, and the second acoustic matching layer 122.
- a silicone rubber material was filled in the same manner as the structure divided up to the matching layer 122.
- materials other than urethane rubber were used in which an arbitrary amount of filler such as alumina, carbon, calcium carbonate, etc. was filled in order to adjust the acoustic impedance.
- the item that affects the directional characteristics is the sound velocity characteristics of the material of the third acoustic matching layer 311. This shows a good correlation with the directional characteristics. It was.
- Figure 5 shows the results of the relationship between the directivity angle measured at a level of 6 dB at a frequency of 3.5 MHz and the sound velocity of the material of the third acoustic matching layer 311. As shown in Fig. 5, the directivity angle has a good correlation with the sound speed, and the correlation coefficient is 0.86.
- the directivity angle in each material of the third acoustic matching layer 311 used in the above example is as follows. That is, 25 degrees when silicone rubber is used, 23.5 degrees when chloroprene rubber is used, 23.5 degrees when ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber is used, and 22.9 degrees when acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber is used. When urethane rubber was used, the result was 20 degrees. The variation in the measurement results is considered to be about ⁇ 0.5 degrees.
- the multi-layered acoustic matching layer is not divided in the same way as the piezoelectric element 110, but the multi-layered acoustic matching layer is divided in the same way as the piezoelectric element 110.
- the third acoustic matching layer 311 is a rubber elastic body and has sufficient flexibility, it can be formed on the curved surface of the second acoustic matching layer 122 according to its curved shape. It is.
- a propagation medium 130 is provided on the third acoustic matching layer 311 as necessary.
- the transmission medium 130 urethane resin, butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, or the like having an acoustic impedance close to that of a living body and a small ultrasonic attenuation coefficient may be used.
- the ultrasonic waves are refracted at the boundary.Therefore, taking account of this refraction, the ultrasonic waves are taken into account by considering the curved surface shape of the second acoustic matching layer 122. It is necessary to set the focal distance of.
- the groove 160 is provided, and the piezoelectric element 110 and the first acoustic matching layer 121a are formed into a curved shape by using the groove 160, so that an ultrasonic wave can be obtained without an acoustic lens.
- the signal conductor 150 is provided on the signal electrode surface of the piezoelectric element 110, and the ground conductor 210 is provided on the surface of the first acoustic matching layer 121a opposite to the piezoelectric element 110 side.
- three acoustic matching layers 310 are provided. Therefore, a highly sensitive and wide band characteristic can be obtained, and a highly reliable configuration can be obtained, so that a high quality and stable ultrasonic probe can be obtained.
- the ultrasonic beam can be narrowed down and the ultrasonic beam can be deflected, an ultrasonic probe that provides an ultrasonic image with high sensitivity and high resolution can be obtained.
- the arrangement shape in the X direction is not limited to this. For example, the same effect can be obtained even when the piezoelectric elements are arranged in a convex or concave curved shape in the X direction.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first acoustic matching layer is formed of a composite of an insulator and a conductor, and the first acoustic matching layer is divided by the first groove (groove 160) in the Y direction, the first acoustic matching layer is divided. The same effect can be obtained even when a conductor is provided in a part of the first acoustic matching layer so as to be electrically conductive in the direction of each partial force.
- the piezoelectric element 110 and the acoustic matching layer 310 are formed in a concave curved surface shape with respect to the subject side in the Y direction, but the curved surface shape is not limited to this.
- a curved surface or a radius of curvature having a single radius of curvature is used regardless of whether the surface is concave or convex. The same effect can be obtained even when the curved surface has a plurality of gradually changing radii of curvature.
- the ground conductor 210 is provided on the first acoustic matching layer 121a, which is a conductor, has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- the ground conductor is provided on the second acoustic matching layer, and the third acoustic matching layer is provided on the upper surface thereof. The same effect can be obtained.
- the fourth embodiment is a case where the thicknesses of the piezoelectric element and the first acoustic matching layer are changed in the second embodiment.
- FIG. 6A is a partial schematic perspective view of the ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
- FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG.
- This ultrasonic probe has the same basic configuration as that of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to Embodiment 2 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and the same constituent elements have the same components. A sign is attached.
- the ultrasonic probe 400 shown in Figs. 6A and 6B includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 410 arranged in one direction (X direction), and a subject side (shown in the figure) with respect to each piezoelectric element 410. Thickness) Two acoustic matching layers 420 (421, 422) arranged in front of the direction (Z direction), a ground conductor 210 arranged between the two acoustic matching layers 420 (421, 422), and Accordingly, the back load material 430 disposed on the back surface (downward in the figure) in the thickness direction (Z direction) opposite to the acoustic matching layer 420 (421, 422) side with respect to the piezoelectric element 410 is necessary.
- the propagation medium 130 is disposed on the acoustic matching layer 420 (421, 422). The function of each of these components (excluding the ground conductor 210) is the same as that described in the prior art shown in FIG.
- a ground electrode (not shown) is provided on the front surface in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the piezoelectric element 410, and a signal electrode (not shown) is provided on the back surface. Both electrodes are formed on the front surface and the back surface of the piezoelectric element 410 by gold or silver deposition, sputtering, or silver baking, respectively.
- the thickness of the piezoelectric element 410 is changed in the ⁇ direction using a material such as a piezoelectric ceramic such as PZT or a piezoelectric single crystal such as PZN-PT or ⁇ - ⁇ . Formed.
- the first acoustic matching layer 421, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 422 are grounded electrodes (not shown) provided on the piezoelectric element 410 whose thickness is changed in the vertical direction using such a material. On the side).
- the first acoustic matching layer 421 and the second acoustic matching layer 422 each have a thickness that changes in the heel direction in the same manner as the piezoelectric element 410.
- the piezoelectric element 410 and the first acoustic matching layer 421 are provided with a plurality of grooves 160 as the first grooves of the present invention along the X direction.
- the groove 160 is provided using a device such as a die cinder machine.
- the groove 160 penetrates both sides of the piezoelectric element 410 and the first acoustic matching layer 421 in the ⁇ direction so that the piezoelectric element 410 and the first acoustic matching layer 421 are completely divided. Yes.
- the direction in which the groove 160 is provided is the side of the first acoustic matching layer 421 on which the piezoelectric element 410 is provided, even with the surface force of the piezoelectric element 410 opposite to the side on which the first acoustic matching layer 421 is provided.
- the surface force on the opposite side may be provided from either side. That is, the direction in which the groove 160 is provided is not from the piezoelectric element 410 side, but the first acoustic matching layer 421 side force can be applied to this configuration, so either side force may be provided.
- the groove 160 completely divides the piezoelectric element 410 and the first acoustic matching layer 421, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first acoustic matching layer 421 may be provided with a groove leaving a part. In this case, the groove 160 is also provided with a side force of the piezoelectric element 410.
- the ground conductor 210 is used to take out the electrical terminal having the ground electrode force of the divided piezoelectric element 410.
- the first acoustic matching layer 421 needs to be an electrical conductor. Therefore, the first acoustic matching layer 421 may be made of, for example, graphite or a material obtained by filling a polymer powder with a metal powder to form a conductor (for example, a conductive adhesive).
- the first acoustic matching layer 421 needs to have an acoustic impedance value between the piezoelectric element 410 and the subject (living body).
- the thickness of the piezoelectric element 410 in one direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the piezoelectric elements 410 is thin in the Y direction near the center and thicker toward the end. It is uneven so that it becomes.
- the piezoelectric element 410 has a flat front surface on the subject side and a curved surface on the back surface on the back load material 430 side.
- the thickness of the piezoelectric element 410 near the center in the Y direction is thin, ultrasonic waves with high frequency components are transmitted and received, and the thickness increases toward both ends, so ultrasonic waves with low frequency components are transmitted and received.
- the acoustic matching layer 420 (421, 422) also has a variable thickness corresponding to the change in the frequency corresponding to the thickness of the piezoelectric element 410, and the basic thickness is a quarter wavelength.
- the acoustic matching layer 420 (421, 422) has the thinnest thickness at the center and becomes thicker toward the end, so that it is closer to the subject side. This results in a concave curved shape.
- the acoustic matching layer 420 (421, 422) having a concave shape as described above naturally has a distance at which ultrasonic waves are directed toward the subject based on the radius of curvature of the concave shape. It means to be converged. However, the convergence distance becomes the target distance. Not limited to this, there arises a problem of convergence to a place closer or farther than the target distance.
- the present embodiment is characterized by having a configuration that can solve this problem.
- the interval between the grooves 160 provided in the piezoelectric element 410 and the first acoustic matching layer 421 may be an equal interval or a random interval.
- the material of the piezoelectric element 410 such as PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics, generates an unnecessary width vibration mode in addition to the thickness longitudinal vibration mode used. Adversely affect. For this reason, it is necessary to narrow the width of the piezoelectric ceramic, that is, the interval between the grooves 160 so that the frequency of the width vibration mode is outside the frequency range to be used.
- the piezoelectric element 410 is formed using PZT-based piezoelectric ceramic, and the groove 160 is provided in the piezoelectric element 410, and the groove 160 is filled with a polymer material such as epoxy resin or urethane resin.
- the piezoelectric element 410 has a function as a composite piezoelectric material in which piezoelectric ceramics and a polymer material are combined. That is, in the piezoelectric element 410, by filling the groove 160 with a polymer material having a low acoustic impedance, the acoustic impedance can be made smaller than that of the piezoelectric ceramic, and can be brought close to the acoustic impedance of the subject. As a result, a further wideband frequency can be obtained.
- the value of acoustic impedance can be changed by changing the volume ratio of piezoelectric ceramics and polymer material.
- the dielectric constant of the composite piezoelectric material is that the dielectric constant of the polymer material is much smaller than the dielectric constant of the piezoelectric ceramic. Therefore, when the volume ratio of the piezoelectric ceramic is small, the dielectric constant of the composite piezoelectric material is small. Therefore, the electrical impedance is increased. As a result, mismatching occurs with the connected ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body or cable, which affects the sensitivity reduction. Therefore, generally, the volume ratio of the piezoelectric ceramic of the composite piezoelectric body is in the range of 50 to 75%.
- the first acoustic matching layer 421 is also provided with a groove 160 and filled with a polymer material in the same manner as the piezoelectric element 410, so that the first acoustic matching layer 421 becomes a composite and the acoustic impedance changes (decreases). ) For this reason, it is necessary to select the material of the first acoustic matching layer 421 in consideration of this decrease.
- the first acoustic matching layer 421 may be completely divided in the same manner as the piezoelectric element 410, or may be divided leaving a part.
- the ground conductor 210 may be composed of a single metal film such as copper, or may be configured integrally with a metal film provided with a polyimide film for reinforcement, or may have a flexible structure. No problem. In the case of the latter configuration, it is natural that the metal conductor of the ground conductor 210 (the metal film M-rule surface needs to be in contact with the first acoustic matching layer 421. It is electrically connected to the grounding electrode (not shown) of the piezoelectric element 410 and the first acoustic matching layer 421 that is a conductor, and has a function as an electrical terminal. And electrically connected to the ground electrode (conductor) of all the piezoelectric elements 410.
- a film made of polyimide or the like provided for reinforcement on the metal film may also be configured to serve as the second acoustic matching layer 422.
- the signal conductor 150 is formed in a curved shape.
- the piezoelectric element 410, the first acoustic matching layer 421, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 422 are formed in a curved shape while being pressed against the back surface load material 140.
- the piezoelectric element 410 of piezoelectric ceramics, the first acoustic matching layer 421 made of a material filled with metal powder in graphite or graphite, etc. are not flexible enough to form a curved surface originally. Therefore, in order to form a curved surface, it is necessary to prepare a material that has been processed into a curved surface shape in advance, and it is difficult to form it with high accuracy. For this reason, the groove 160 is provided so that a curved surface can be formed.
- a flexible polymer film that can form a curved surface such as epoxy resin or polyimide, is used.
- the signal conductor 150 is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
- the signal conductor 150 is made of a metal material such as copper, and may have a thickness of about 10 micrometers (m).
- a metal conductor such as copper alone is weak in handling, it may be configured by providing a polyimide film having a thickness of about 10 to 25 micrometers.
- the signal conductor 150 and the ground conductor 210 are flexible so that they cannot be disconnected. (Quality) increases. This is because, as shown in Reference 1, the electrical terminal is connected to only a part of the electrode of the piezoelectric element, and the piezoelectric element is broken by the mechanical impact of the external force and the electrode is divided, resulting in disconnection. This is a configuration that can solve problems such as
- the curvature of the curved surface formation can be changed depending on where the focal length of the ultrasonic wave is set.
- the curved surface to be formed may be a curved surface having a single curvature radius, or may be a curved surface having a plurality of curvature radii obtained by gradually changing the curvature radius with respect to the Y direction in FIGS. 6A and 6B. .
- the acoustic matching layer 420 (the first acoustic matching layer 421 and the second acoustic matching layer 422), the ground conductor 210, the piezoelectric element 410, and the signal conductor 150 are a plurality of the second grooves of the present invention. Divided into a plurality of piezoelectric element arrays by dividing grooves 180. That is, the signal conductor 150, the piezoelectric element 410, the first acoustic matching layer 421, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 422 are pressed against the back surface load material 430 formed in a curved shape, and these are pressed.
- a part of the piezoelectric element 410, the signal conductor 150, and the back load material 430 is divided into a plurality of piezoelectric element arrays by the plurality of dividing grooves 180.
- This direction is the direction of electronic scanning.
- the plurality of divided grooves 180 are filled with a material such as silicone rubber having a lower hardness than a material such as epoxy resin filled in the groove 160.
- a signal is sent to each piezoelectric element 410 Leakage of ultrasonic vibration between the piezoelectric elements 410 in order to deflect or converge the ultrasonic wave by phase-controlling the electric signal with a delay when applying the electric signal through the conductor 150 and the ground conductor 210, respectively. It will be necessary to make it smaller.
- the filling material of the dividing groove 180 that divides the signal conductor 150, the piezoelectric element 410, the first acoustic matching layer 421, the ground conductor 210, and the second acoustic matching layer 422 in the X direction is the piezoelectric element 410 and the first acoustic matching layer 422.
- the acoustic matching layer 421 of 1 has a lower hardness than the filling material of the groove 160 dividing the Y direction, and vibrations are difficult to transmit!
- a propagation medium 130 is provided on the second acoustic matching layer 422 as necessary.
- the transmission medium 130 urethane resin, butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, or the like having an acoustic impedance close to that of a living body and a small ultrasonic attenuation coefficient may be used.
- the ultrasonic waves are also taken into account by considering the curved shape of the second acoustic matching layer 422 in consideration of this refraction. It is necessary to set the focal distance of.
- the groove 160 is provided, and the piezoelectric element 410 and the first acoustic matching layer 421 whose thickness is changed are formed in a curved shape using the groove 160.
- a signal conductor 150 is provided on the signal electrode surface of the piezoelectric element 410, and the first acoustic matching layer 421 is disposed on a surface opposite to the piezoelectric element 410 side.
- the ground conductor 210 is provided. Therefore, high sensitivity and wide band characteristics can be obtained, and the force can be made highly reliable, so that a high quality and stable ultrasonic probe can be obtained. Further, since the ultrasonic beam can be narrowed down and the ultrasonic beam can be deflected, an ultrasonic probe that provides an ultrasonic image with high sensitivity and high resolution can be obtained.
- the piezoelectric elements 410 are linearly (planarly) arranged in the X direction, but the arrangement shape in the X direction is not limited to this.
- the same effect can be obtained even when the piezoelectric elements are arranged in a convex or concave curved shape in the X direction.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first acoustic matching layer Even if the first acoustic matching layer is divided by the first groove (groove 160) in the Y direction, it can be electrically connected to each divided partial force direction. The same effect can be obtained even when a conductor is provided in a part of the first acoustic matching layer.
- the piezoelectric element 410 and the acoustic matching layer 420 are formed in a curved surface shape that is concave with respect to the subject side in the heel direction, but the curved surface shape is not limited to this.
- a curved surface having a single radius of curvature or a radius of curvature is used regardless of whether the surface is concave or convex. The same effect can be obtained even when the curved surface has a plurality of gradually changing radii of curvature.
- the acoustic matching layer is configured in two layers, but the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained even when the acoustic matching layer is composed of three or more layers.
- the ground conductor 210 is provided on the first acoustic matching layer 421 that is a conductor
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the first and second acoustic matching layers are conductors, the same effect can be obtained even when the ground conductor is provided on the second acoustic matching layer.
- the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention can be used in various medical fields for performing ultrasonic diagnosis of a subject such as a human body, and in industrial fields for the purpose of internal flaw detection of materials and structures. is there.
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- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP07742656.7A EP2014236A4 (en) | 2006-04-28 | 2007-04-27 | ULTRASOUND PROBE |
US12/298,646 US8562534B2 (en) | 2006-04-28 | 2007-04-27 | Ultrasonic probe |
JP2008513299A JP4990272B2 (ja) | 2006-04-28 | 2007-04-27 | 超音波探触子 |
CN2007800153819A CN101431941B (zh) | 2006-04-28 | 2007-04-27 | 超声波探头 |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006125536 | 2006-04-28 | ||
JP2006-125536 | 2006-04-28 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2007126069A1 true WO2007126069A1 (ja) | 2007-11-08 |
Family
ID=38655590
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2007/059221 WO2007126069A1 (ja) | 2006-04-28 | 2007-04-27 | 超音波探触子 |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8562534B2 (ja) |
EP (1) | EP2014236A4 (ja) |
JP (1) | JP4990272B2 (ja) |
KR (1) | KR101012558B1 (ja) |
CN (1) | CN101431941B (ja) |
RU (1) | RU2423076C2 (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2007126069A1 (ja) |
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JP2018519081A (ja) * | 2015-06-30 | 2018-07-19 | コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エヌ ヴェKoninklijke Philips N.V. | インピーダンス整合構造を有する血管内超音波装置 |
CN109804643A (zh) * | 2016-10-13 | 2019-05-24 | 富士胶片株式会社 | 超声波探头及超声波探头的制造方法 |
CN109804643B (zh) * | 2016-10-13 | 2021-02-19 | 富士胶片株式会社 | 超声波探头及超声波探头的制造方法 |
US11197655B2 (en) | 2016-10-13 | 2021-12-14 | Fujifilm Corporation | Ultrasound probe and method of manufacturing ultrasound probe |
JP2020089605A (ja) * | 2018-12-06 | 2020-06-11 | 国立大学法人東北大学 | 血管径センサおよび血管径測定装置 |
JP7224016B2 (ja) | 2018-12-06 | 2023-02-17 | 国立大学法人東北大学 | 血管径センサおよび血管径測定装置 |
JP2021169966A (ja) * | 2020-04-16 | 2021-10-28 | 株式会社日立パワーソリューションズ | 超音波検査装置及び超音波検査方法 |
JP7420632B2 (ja) | 2020-04-16 | 2024-01-23 | 株式会社日立パワーソリューションズ | 超音波検査装置及び超音波検査方法 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20090069691A1 (en) | 2009-03-12 |
JPWO2007126069A1 (ja) | 2009-09-10 |
KR20090009836A (ko) | 2009-01-23 |
RU2008146981A (ru) | 2010-06-10 |
US8562534B2 (en) | 2013-10-22 |
CN101431941A (zh) | 2009-05-13 |
EP2014236A4 (en) | 2016-05-11 |
KR101012558B1 (ko) | 2011-02-07 |
EP2014236A1 (en) | 2009-01-14 |
JP4990272B2 (ja) | 2012-08-01 |
RU2423076C2 (ru) | 2011-07-10 |
CN101431941B (zh) | 2011-05-18 |
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