WO2017042997A1 - 超音波アレイ振動子、超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法、超音波プローブ及び超音波診断装置 - Google Patents
超音波アレイ振動子、超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法、超音波プローブ及び超音波診断装置 Download PDFInfo
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
- A61B8/4444—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe
- A61B8/4455—Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
-
- 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
- B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
- B06B1/0215—Driving circuits for generating pulses, e.g. bursts of oscillations, envelopes
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/10—Eye inspection
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/42—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient
- A61B8/4272—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient involving the acoustic interface between the transducer and the tissue
- A61B8/4281—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient involving the acoustic interface between the transducer and the tissue characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
- A61B8/4483—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
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- 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
- B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
-
- 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
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
-
- 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
- B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
- B06B1/0223—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time
- B06B1/0269—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time for generating multiple frequencies
-
- 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
- B06B1/0625—Annular array
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- 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
- B06B2201/00—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- B06B2201/20—Application to multi-element transducer
Definitions
- the present technology relates to an ultrasonic array transducer that can be used for ultrasonic imaging, an ultrasonic array transducer manufacturing method, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- Ultrasound diagnostic devices which are increasingly used in the medical field, etc., generate ultrasound images of diagnostic objects by irradiating diagnostic objects from ultrasonic probes and detecting reflected waves with ultrasonic probes.
- the ultrasonic probe includes an array transducer in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged, and adjusts a delay time of a drive signal input to each ultrasonic transducer and a detection signal output from each ultrasonic transducer. Thus, it is possible to control the focal point of the ultrasonic wave.
- Array transducers include 1D arrays in which ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a line and 2D arrays in which transducers are arranged in a plane, but they are mounted on a single array transducer to improve resolution and imaging speed. There is a tendency for the number of ultrasonic transducers to increase. In addition, with the spread of ultrasonic catheters inserted into blood vessels and the like, miniaturization of ultrasonic probes is required. For this reason, high-density mounting of ultrasonic transducers is required, and the mounting area of each ultrasonic transducer tends to be small.
- impedance matching is performed using an amplifier, and generally an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
- the ASIC needs to have a certain size, and if it is installed on each vibrator, it is difficult to secure the installation location. Although it is possible to install the ASIC so as to be separated from the vibrator, the effect of impedance matching becomes smaller as the wiring connecting the ASIC and the vibrator becomes longer. Furthermore, it is necessary to design the ASIC according to the structure of the array transducer, and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost.
- an object of the present technology is to provide an ultrasonic array transducer, an ultrasonic array transducer manufacturing method, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that have a high impedance matching effect and excellent productivity. There is to do.
- an ultrasonic array transducer includes an ultrasonic transducer and a semiconductor chip.
- the ultrasonic transducer constitutes an array.
- the semiconductor chip is bonded to each of the ultrasonic transducers to form an impedance matching circuit.
- the ultrasonic transducer and the impedance matching circuit are integrated, and the wiring connecting them may be short, a high impedance matching effect can be obtained, and the SNR (signal-noise ratio) can be improved. As a result, it is possible to improve the contrast of the ultrasonic image.
- a transducer module when mounting a module that integrates an ultrasonic transducer and an impedance matching circuit (hereinafter referred to as a transducer module) on a substrate, the arrangement and arrangement of ultrasonic transducers with different degrees of freedom and high frequency of placement are high. Is easy to optimize.
- the transducer modules having a specific structure in an arbitrary shape, it is possible to cope with various devices, and the transducer modules can be reused between devices. Further, the same semiconductor chip can be used for any size ultrasonic transducer as long as it exceeds the footprint of the semiconductor chip.
- the impedance matching circuit may include an amplifier and a TR (transmit-receive) switch.
- a drive signal for generating an ultrasonic wave and a detection signal generated by ultrasonic detection flow but the signal intensity differs greatly between the drive signal and the detection signal.
- only the detection signal can be amplified by the amplifier by switching the signal path by the TR switch, and an impedance matching circuit can be formed.
- the semiconductor chip may include a first semiconductor chip provided with the amplifier and a second semiconductor chip provided with the TR switch.
- an impedance matching circuit By forming an impedance matching circuit with a plurality of semiconductor chips, the size of each semiconductor chip can be reduced, and an impedance matching circuit can be mounted on an ultrasonic transducer having a small size.
- the semiconductor chip may be an SOI (Silicon on Insulator) chip.
- the SOI chip has advantages such as a small size and a small leakage current, and is suitable as a semiconductor chip bonded to an ultrasonic vibrator.
- the ultrasonic transducer includes a first ultrasonic transducer having a first frequency as a center frequency of vibration and a second super frequency having a second frequency different from the first frequency as a center frequency of vibration. And a sound wave oscillator.
- ultrasonic vibrators with greatly different vibration frequencies can be arranged with a high degree of freedom by integrating the ultrasonic vibrator and the impedance matching circuit. It becomes possible to do.
- the ultrasonic array transducer may further include a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) that constitutes an array together with the ultrasonic transducer.
- MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical Systems
- ultrasonic waves can be generated with ultrasonic transducers with high ultrasonic intensity, and reflected waves can be detected with highly sensitive MEMS, improving detection sensitivity. It can be realized.
- the ultrasonic array transducer may further include an optical element constituting the array together with the ultrasonic transducer.
- an ultrasonic array transducer manufacturing method mounts an ultrasonic transducer to which a semiconductor chip forming an impedance matching circuit is bonded by a pick-and-place method.
- the ultrasonic transducer includes a first ultrasonic transducer having a first frequency as a center frequency of vibration and a second super frequency having a second frequency different from the first frequency as a center frequency of vibration. And a sound wave oscillator.
- the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic array transducer may mount the MEMS together with the ultrasonic transducer by a pick and place method.
- an optical element may be mounted together with the ultrasonic transducer by a pick and place method.
- an ultrasonic probe includes ultrasonic array vibration.
- the ultrasonic array transducer includes an ultrasonic transducer constituting the array and a semiconductor chip that forms an impedance matching circuit and is bonded to each of the ultrasonic transducers.
- an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe and a main body.
- the ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic array transducer having an ultrasonic transducer that forms an array and a semiconductor chip that is bonded to each of the ultrasonic transducers and forms an impedance matching circuit.
- the main body is connected to the ultrasonic probe, supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic array transducer, and generates an ultrasonic image based on a detection signal output from the ultrasonic array transducer.
- an ultrasonic array transducer As described above, according to the present technology, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic array transducer, an ultrasonic array transducer manufacturing method, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that have high impedance matching effects and excellent productivity. Is possible. Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present disclosure.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic array transducer included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is a perspective view of the transducer module with which the ultrasonic array transducer is provided. It is a mimetic diagram showing circuit composition of a vibrator module with which the ultrasonic array vibrator is provided. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic array vibrator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic array vibrator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic array vibrator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic array vibrator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic array vibrator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic array vibrator.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
- the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a main body 11, an ultrasonic probe 12, and a cable 15.
- the main body 11 and the ultrasonic probe 12 are connected by a cable 15.
- the main body 11 supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 12 via the cable 15 and generates an ultrasonic image from the ultrasonic detection signal output from the ultrasonic probe 12 and displays it on the display.
- the ultrasonic probe 12 includes an array transducer 121, emits an ultrasonic wave in contact with a diagnostic object, and detects the reflected wave.
- the ultrasonic probe 12 receives a drive signal from the main body 11 via the cable 15 and outputs a detection signal to the main body 11.
- the type of the ultrasonic probe 12 is not particularly limited, and may be any of various types of ultrasonic probes such as a linear type, a sector type, a convex type, or a radial type, and may be a two-dimensional type array.
- the ultrasonic probe 12 may be an ultrasonic catheter that can be inserted into a blood vessel or the like.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the array transducer 121.
- the array transducer 121 includes a substrate 122, a transducer layer 123, an upper electrode layer 124, an acoustic matching layer 125, and an acoustic lens 126. These are laminated in the order of the substrate 122, the vibrator layer 123, the upper electrode layer 124, the acoustic matching layer 125, and the acoustic lens 126.
- the substrate 122 is a substrate such as a rigid printed circuit board or an FPC (flexible printed circuit) circuit board, and wiring H and bumps B are formed on the mounting surface.
- the wiring H is connected to the main body 11 via the cable 15.
- the vibrator layer 123 includes a plurality of vibrator modules 120 and a filler 127.
- the plurality of transducer modules 120 are each mounted on the substrate 122 by bumps B, and a filler 127 is filled between the transducer modules 120.
- the filler 127 can be an acrylic resin, a polyurethane resin, or a sound absorber. Details of the transducer module 120 will be described later.
- the array transducer 121 actually includes a larger number (several hundred to several thousand) of transducer modules 120.
- the upper electrode layer 124 functions as an electrode of the piezoelectric layer 131 described later.
- the upper electrode layer 124 is made of a conductive material, for example, metal plating.
- the upper electrode layer 124 may be formed over a plurality of transducer modules 120 as shown in FIG. 2, or may be separated for each transducer module 120.
- the acoustic matching layer 125 reduces the difference in acoustic impedance between the diagnostic object and the ultrasonic transducer 130, and prevents reflection of ultrasonic waves to the diagnostic object.
- the acoustic matching layer 125 is made of a synthetic resin or a ceramic material. As shown in FIG. 2, the acoustic matching layer 125 may be two layers, or may be one layer or three or more layers.
- the acoustic lens 126 focuses the ultrasonic waves generated in the transducer layer 123. As shown in FIG. 1, the acoustic lens 126 is positioned at the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe 12 and is in contact with the diagnostic object.
- the acoustic lens 126 is made of silicone rubber or the like, and its size and shape are not particularly limited.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the transducer module 120.
- the transducer module 120 includes an ultrasonic transducer 130 and a circuit chip 140.
- Each transducer module 120 is connected with a power supply line 151, a signal line 152, and a ground line 153.
- Each of the ultrasonic transducers 130 includes a piezoelectric layer 131, a lower electrode layer 132, and a backing layer 133. These are laminated in the order of a backing layer 133, a lower electrode layer 132, and a piezoelectric layer 131.
- the piezoelectric layer 131 is made of a piezoelectric material such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate).
- PZT lead zirconate titanate
- the piezoelectric layer 131 When a voltage is applied between the lower electrode layer 132 and the upper electrode layer 124 (see FIG. 2), the piezoelectric layer 131 generates vibration due to the inverse piezoelectric effect and generates ultrasonic waves. Further, when a reflected wave from the diagnostic object enters the piezoelectric layer 131, polarization due to the piezoelectric effect occurs.
- the size of the piezoelectric layer 131 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 250 ⁇ m square.
- the lower electrode layer 132 functions as an electrode of the piezoelectric layer 131.
- the lower electrode layer 132 is made of a conductive material, for example, metal plating.
- the backing layer 133 is laminated on the circuit chip 140 and absorbs unnecessary vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 130.
- the backing layer 133 is made of a material in which a filler and a synthetic resin are mixed.
- the circuit chip 140 is joined to each ultrasonic transducer 130 and constitutes an impedance matching circuit of the ultrasonic transducer 130.
- the circuit chip 140 is a semiconductor chip made of a semiconductor material.
- the circuit chip 140 can be an SOI chip created by an SOI (Silicon-on-Insulator) process.
- the circuit chip 140 may be a BGD-SOI chip created by a BCD-SOI (Bipolar CMOS DMOS) process.
- the circuit chips 140 are only required to be joined to the ultrasonic transducer 130, and are not necessarily arranged between the backing layer 133 and the substrate 122. Further, the circuit chip 140 may not be bonded to all the ultrasonic transducers 130, and may be bonded only to some ultrasonic transducers 130. The size of the circuit chip 140 can be the same as or smaller than the bottom surface of the ultrasonic transducer 130.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit configuration of the circuit chip 140.
- the circuit chip 140 includes a first TR (transmit-receive) switch 141, an amplifier 142, and a second TR switch 143.
- the power supply wiring 151 is connected to the amplifier 142.
- the signal wiring 152 is connected to the upper electrode layer 124 and is divided into a signal wiring 152A that does not pass through the amplifier 142 and a signal wiring 152B that passes through the amplifier 142.
- the ground wiring 153 is connected to the lower electrode layer 132.
- the first TR switch 141 is connected to the signal wiring 152 and switches the signal path between the signal wiring 152A and the signal wiring 152B.
- the first TR switch 141 can be a transistor or a diode.
- the amplifier 142 is connected to the signal wiring 152B, and amplifies the signal flowing through the signal wiring 152B by using the power supplied from the power supply wiring 151.
- the amplifier 142 can be a diode.
- the second TR switch 143 is connected to the signal wiring 152 and switches the signal path between the signal wiring 152A and the signal wiring 152B. Switch the signal path.
- the second TR switch 143 can be a transistor or a diode.
- the vibrator module 120 has the above configuration.
- the transducer module 120 is provided with the circuit chip 140 that constitutes the impedance matching circuit, so that the wiring length between the ultrasonic transducer and the impedance matching circuit is short, and the impedance matching effect is high. As a result, it is possible to improve the SNR (signal-noise ratio) and hence the contrast of the ultrasonic image.
- the main body 11 When the ultrasonic probe 12 is brought into contact with the object to be diagnosed and a diagnosis start instruction is input, the main body 11 generates a drive signal.
- the drive signal is supplied to the ultrasonic probe 12 via the cable 15 and flows to the signal wiring 152 via the substrate 122.
- the first TR switch 141 and the second TR switch 143 are switched to the signal wiring 152A side, and the drive signal is supplied to the upper electrode layer 124 via the second TR switch 143 and the first TR switch 141.
- the reflected wave generated in the diagnostic object enters the piezoelectric layer 131 via the acoustic lens 126 and the acoustic matching layer 125.
- Polarization occurs in the piezoelectric layer 131 due to the piezoelectric effect, and a current (hereinafter, a detection signal) flows through the signal wiring 152.
- a detection signal flows through the signal wiring 152.
- the first TR switch 141 and the second TR switch 143 are switched to the signal wiring 152B side, and the detection signal is amplified by the amplifier 142.
- the amplified detection signal flows from the first TR switch 141 to the signal wiring 152 and is transmitted to the main body 11 through the substrate 122 and the cable 15.
- the main body 11 generates an ultrasonic image based on the detection signal.
- the drive signal is transmitted to the upper electrode layer 124 without passing through the amplifier 142, but the detection signal is amplified by the amplifier 142 and transmitted to the main body 11.
- Switching between the driving signal and detection signal paths is performed by the first TR switch 141 and the second TR switch 143. As a result, impedance matching between the drive signal having a high signal strength and the detection signal having a low signal strength is realized.
- FIG. 5A the circuit chip 140 is disposed on the sacrificial substrate K.
- the circuit chip 140 can be adhered to the sacrificial substrate K with an adhesive that is peeled off by UV (ultraviolet) irradiation.
- a backing layer 133 is laminated on the sacrificial substrate K and the circuit chip 140.
- a part of the backing layer 133 is removed, and the circuit chip 140 is exposed.
- the opening formed by the removal is referred to as an opening 133a.
- the conductor D1 is disposed in the opening 133a and in the upper layer of the backing layer 133.
- the conductor D1 is made of a metal such as copper, for example.
- the conductor D2 is disposed on the conductor D1.
- the conductor D2 can be a conductive adhesive.
- the conductors D1 and D2 constitute the lower electrode layer 132.
- the piezoelectric layer 131 is disposed on the conductor D2, and is adhered by the conductor D2. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7A, the piezoelectric layer 131 and the backing layer 133 are cut by dicing and separated into individual transducer modules 120.
- FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing the transducer module 120 separated from the sacrificial substrate K.
- the transducer module 120 is mounted on the substrate 122 as shown in FIG.
- wiring H and bumps B are formed on the substrate 122.
- the wiring H is the power wiring 151, the signal wiring 152, and the ground wiring 153.
- the vibrator module 120 can be mounted on the substrate 122 by connecting the circuit chip 140 to the wiring H by the bumps B.
- the other vibrator modules 120 are mounted on the substrate 122, respectively.
- the method of individually mounting the mounting objects in this way is called a pick and place method.
- a filler 127 is filled between the vibrator modules 120 to form the vibrator layer 123.
- the upper electrode layer 124 and the acoustic matching layer 125 are stacked on the vibrator layer 123.
- the array transducer 121 can be manufactured as described above. As described above, since the ultrasonic transducer 130 and the circuit chip 140 are integrally configured, the array transducer 121 according to the present embodiment can be mounted by the pick and place method.
- the array transducer used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has several thousands of ultrasonic transducers, and particularly in the medical ultrasonic probe, the configuration of the ultrasonic probe differs depending on each diagnosis subject. Even the pick and place method does not increase the cost.
- the transducer module 120 can be freely arranged by the pick and place method, and thus the transducer module 120 having the same structure can be used for various types of ultrasonic probes.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another method for manufacturing the array transducer 121. As shown in FIG. 5A, after the circuit chip 140 is arranged on the sacrificial substrate K, a backing layer 133 is formed with a thickness equivalent to the thickness of the circuit chip 140 as shown in FIG. 9A.
- FIG. 9B a structure in which a backing layer 133, a conductor D1, and a conductor D2 are stacked is manufactured.
- the structure shown in FIG. 6B can be manufactured.
- the array transducer 121 can be manufactured by the same manufacturing method as described above.
- the ultrasonic probe 12 includes the transducer module 120 in which the circuit chip 140 is provided in each of the ultrasonic transducers 130 and can be mounted on the substrate 122 in units of transducer modules. . For this reason, the freedom degree of arrangement
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the transducer modules 120, and is a view of the transducer modules 120 viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate 122 (see FIG. 2).
- the transducer module 120 can be arranged in a honeycomb 2D arrangement.
- the honeycomb 2D array is an array in which a line connecting the center points of the transducer modules 120 viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate 122 is a regular hexagon.
- a problem with an ultrasonic probe is reduction of side lobes (ultrasonic waves emitted in a direction deviating from the central direction where the ultrasonic waves are directed). Since the honeycomb 2D arrangement can increase the interval between the adjacent ultrasonic transducers 130, side lobes can be suppressed.
- the ultrasonic transducers 130 can be arranged at the minimum element processing pitch by the pick and place method.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a convex ultrasonic probe configured by the transducer module 120 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the convex ultrasonic probe, it is necessary to arrange the transducer modules 120 in a curved surface. However, in the conventional structure in which the impedance matching circuit is realized by the ASIC, it is difficult to arrange the ASIC on the curved surface.
- the array transducer 121 according to the present embodiment is configured by the transducer module 120 in which the circuit chip 140 is integrated with the ultrasonic transducer 130, as illustrated in FIG. 120 can be mounted with high density. As a result, it is possible to improve the contrast of the ultrasound image and improve the slice resolution (resolution in the depth direction of the diagnostic object).
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a Hanafi lens type ultrasonic probe constituted by the transducer module 120 according to the present embodiment.
- the Hanafi lens uses two or more types of ultrasonic transducers with different generated ultrasonic frequencies as an array transducer.
- the array transducer 121 includes a transducer module 120L including the ultrasonic transducer 130L having a low vibration center frequency (large aperture diameter) and a high vibration center frequency (small aperture diameter).
- the transducer module 120H includes an ultrasonic transducer 130H. Since the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 130 is determined by the thickness of the piezoelectric layer 131, the piezoelectric layer 131 included in the ultrasonic transducer 130L and the piezoelectric layer 131 included in the ultrasonic transducer 130 are different in thickness.
- Hanafi lenses can make the ultrasonic beam diameter uniform in the depth direction by changing the focal position of the ultrasonic waves on the inner and outer peripheral sides.
- the frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator is determined by the thickness of the piezoelectric layer, conventionally, an array vibrator is manufactured by carving for processing the piezoelectric layer into a curved surface and dicing for separating the piezoelectric layer. It was.
- the ultrasonic vibrators 130 having different thicknesses of the piezoelectric layer 131 can be manufactured in advance and individually mounted by the pick and place method.
- the array transducer 121 having a large frequency difference between the ultrasonic transducer 130L and the ultrasonic transducer 130H as compared with the case of using carving.
- the arrangement of the ultrasonic transducer 130L and the ultrasonic transducer 130H can be freely determined.
- the honeycomb 2D arrangement can also be adopted in the Hanafi lens, and the side lobes can be reduced.
- the transducer module 120 included in the array transducer 121 includes the ultrasonic transducer 130 and the circuit chip 140.
- the circuit chip 140 may be a plurality of chips instead of a single chip.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an array transducer 121 including a transducer module 120 having a plurality of circuit chips.
- the array transducer 121 may be a narrow pitch 1D array array in which narrow-width ultrasonic transducers 130 are arranged in one direction.
- the circuit chip 140 can include three circuit chips: a circuit chip 140A, a circuit chip 140B, and a circuit chip 140C.
- FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit configuration of the circuit chips 140A to 140C.
- the circuit chip 140A can include a second TR switch 143
- the circuit chip 140B can include an amplifier 142
- the circuit chip 140C can include a first TR switch 141.
- the operations of the first TR switch 141, the amplifier 142, and the second TR switch 143 are the same as those described above.
- the circuit chips 140A to 140C may be manufactured by cutting the circuit chip 140 by dicing, or may be manufactured individually.
- the circuit chip 140 may include two circuit chips.
- the circuit chip 140 may include a circuit chip including an amplifier 142 and a circuit chip including a first TR switch 141 and a second TR switch 143.
- IVUS intravascular ultrasound
- the IVUS includes an array transducer in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged circumferentially, and an amplifier that amplifies a detection signal output from each ultrasonic transducer.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an IVUS 300 having a conventional structure.
- the IVUS 300 includes a catheter 301, an array transducer 302, a signal processing chip 303, and wirings 304.
- the ultrasonic wave generated in the array transducer 302 is irradiated onto the blood vessel wall via the catheter 301 inserted into the blood vessel, and the reflected wave enters the array transducer 302 via the catheter 301 and is detected.
- the detection signal is amplified in the signal processing chip 303 and transmitted to the main body via the wiring 304.
- FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an IVUS 400 using the array transducer 121 according to the present embodiment.
- the IVUS 400 includes a catheter 401, an array transducer 121, and a wiring 402.
- the ultrasonic wave generated in the array transducer 121 is irradiated to the blood vessel wall via the catheter 401 inserted into the blood vessel, and the reflected wave enters the array transducer 121 via the catheter 401 and is detected.
- the detection signal is amplified by the circuit chip 140 included in the array transducer 121 and transmitted to the main body via the wiring 402.
- the IVUS 400 does not need to be provided with a signal processing chip separately from the array transducer 121. Therefore, the refraction of the IVUS 400 is not hindered by the signal processing chip, and the operation of the catheter 401 is facilitated.
- IVUS400 may be provided with a signal processing chip different from the impedance matching circuit, even in such a case, since the impedance matching circuit is unnecessary, the size of the signal processing chip can be reduced.
- the vibrator module 120 can be mixed with a MEMS module including MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems).
- MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical Systems
- FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an array transducer 160 in which a transducer module and a MEMS module are mixedly mounted.
- the array transducer 160 includes a transducer module 120 and a MEMS module 161.
- the other configuration of the array transducer 160 is the same as that of the array transducer 121.
- the MEMS module 161 includes a MEMS 162, a lower electrode layer 163, a backing layer 164, and a circuit chip 165.
- the MEMS 162 is an ultrasonic sensor formed by MEMS, and the specific structure of the MEMS is not particularly limited.
- the configurations of the lower electrode layer 163, the backing layer 164, and the circuit chip 165 are the same as those of the transducer module 120. Note that the MEMS module 161 is not limited to this configuration, and may have at least the MEMS 162.
- FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of the transducer module 120 and the MEMS module 161 in the array transducer 160, and is a diagram seen from a direction perpendicular to the substrate 122.
- FIG. 18 As shown in the figure, the transducer module 120 and the MEMS module 161 are mixedly mounted on a substrate 122 to form an array.
- the arrangement of the transducer module 120 and the MEMS module 161 is not limited to that shown in FIG.
- FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a method for manufacturing the array transducer 160.
- both the transducer module 120 and the MEMS module 161 can be mounted on the substrate 122 by a pick-and-place method. After mounting both modules on the substrate 122, the filler 127, the upper electrode layer 124, the acoustic matching layer 125, and the acoustic lens 126 are formed in the same manner as the array transducer 121, and the array transducer 160 shown in FIG. 17 can be manufactured. Is possible.
- the transducer module 120 can be mixed with an optical element module including an optical element.
- FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an array transducer 170 in which a transducer module and an optical element module are mixedly mounted. As shown in the figure, the array transducer 170 includes a transducer module 120 and an optical element module 171. Other configurations of the array transducer 170 are the same as those of the array transducer 121 described above.
- the optical element module 171 includes an optical element 172, a lower electrode layer 173, a backing layer 174, and a circuit chip 175.
- the optical element 172 is an element that emits light, and is, for example, a laser diode.
- the configurations of the lower electrode layer 173, the backing layer 174, and the circuit chip 175 are the same as those of the transducer module 120. Note that the optical element module 171 is not limited to this configuration, and may be any unit that includes at least the optical element 172.
- FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the transducer module 120 and the optical element module 171 in the array transducer 170, and is a view seen from a direction perpendicular to the substrate 122.
- FIG. 21 As shown in the figure, the transducer module 120 and the optical element module 171 are mixedly mounted on a substrate 122 to constitute an array.
- the arrangement of the transducer module 120 and the optical element module 171 is not limited to that shown in FIG.
- the ultrasonic transducer 130 and the optical element 172 can be configured as one array as described above, and optical ultrasonic imaging can be realized by a single ultrasonic probe. .
- FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a method for manufacturing the array transducer 170.
- both the transducer module 120 and the optical element module 171 can be mounted on the substrate 122 by a pick-and-place method. After mounting both modules on the substrate 122, the filler 127, the upper electrode layer 124, the acoustic matching layer 125, and the acoustic lens 126 are formed in the same manner as the array transducer 121, and the array transducer 170 shown in FIG. Is possible.
- the array transducer 170 may include the above-described MEMS module 161 instead of the transducer module 120.
- the array transducer 170 can also be configured as a single array of three types of modules: the transducer module 120, the MEMS module 161, and the optical element module 171.
- any element that can be mounted by the pick and place method can be mounted together with the transducer module 120 and arrayed together with the transducer module 120.
- An ultrasonic transducer constituting the array An ultrasonic array transducer comprising: a semiconductor chip that forms an impedance matching circuit bonded to each of the ultrasonic transducers.
- the impedance matching circuit is an ultrasonic array transducer including an amplifier and a TR (transmit-receive) switch.
- the semiconductor chip includes an ultrasonic array transducer including a first semiconductor chip provided with the amplifier and a second semiconductor chip provided with the TR switch.
- the ultrasonic array transducer according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
- the semiconductor chip is an SOI (Silicon on Insulator) chip.
- the ultrasonic array transducer includes a first ultrasonic transducer having a first frequency as a center frequency of vibration and a second super frequency having a second frequency different from the first frequency as a center frequency of vibration.
- Ultrasonic array transducer including an acoustic transducer.
- An ultrasonic array transducer further comprising: an optical element constituting an array together with the ultrasonic transducer.
- An ultrasonic array transducer manufacturing method in which an ultrasonic transducer to which a semiconductor chip forming an impedance matching circuit is bonded is mounted by a pick-and-place method.
- the ultrasonic transducer includes a first ultrasonic transducer having a first frequency as a center frequency of vibration and a second super frequency having a second frequency different from the first frequency as a center frequency of vibration.
- a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic array transducer including the ultrasonic transducer.
- An ultrasonic probe comprising an ultrasonic array transducer comprising: an ultrasonic transducer constituting an array; and a semiconductor chip that is bonded to each of the ultrasonic transducers and forms an impedance matching circuit.
- An ultrasonic probe comprising an ultrasonic array transducer having an ultrasonic transducer constituting the array and a semiconductor chip bonded to each of the ultrasonic transducers to form an impedance matching circuit;
- An ultrasonic diagnosis comprising: a main body connected to the ultrasonic probe, supplying a drive signal to the ultrasonic array transducer, and generating an ultrasonic image based on a detection signal output from the ultrasonic array transducer apparatus.
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Abstract
Description
上記超音波振動子は、アレイを構成する。
上記半導体チップは、上記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合され、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する。
上記超音波アレイ振動子は、アレイを構成する超音波振動子と、上記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合された、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップとを具備する。
上記超音波プローブは、アレイを構成する超音波振動子と、上記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合された、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップとを有する超音波アレイ振動子を備える。
上記本体は、上記超音波プローブが接続され、上記超音波アレイ振動子に駆動信号を供給し、上記超音波アレイ振動子から出力される検知信号に基づいて超音波画像を生成する。
図1は、本実施形態に係る超音波診断装置1の構成を示す模式図である。同図に示すように超音波診断装置1は、本体11、超音波プローブ12及びケーブル15を備える。本体11と超音波プローブ12はケーブル15によって接続されている。
図2はアレイ振動子121の構造を示す断面図である。同図に示すように、アレイ振動子121は、基板122、振動子層123、上部電極層124、音響整合層125及び音響レンズ126を備える。これらは、基板122、振動子層123、上部電極層124、音響整合層125及び音響レンズ126の順で積層されている。
図3は、振動子モジュール120の模式図である。同図に示すように、振動子モジュール120は、超音波振動子130と回路チップ140を備える。各振動子モジュール120には、電源配線151、信号配線152及びグランド配線153が接続されている。
超音波診断装置1の動作について説明する。超音波診断装置1の電源が投入されると、本体11からケーブル15を介して超音波プローブ12に電力が供給される(図1参照)。電力は基板122を介して電源配線151に流れ、アンプ142に供給される(図4参照)。
第2TRスイッチ143及び第1TRスイッチ141を経由して上部電極層124に供給される。
図5乃至図8は、アレイ振動子121の製造方法を示す模式図である。図5(a)に示すように、犠牲基板K上に回路チップ140を配置する。回路チップ140は、UV(ultraviolet)照射によって剥離する接着剤によって犠牲基板Kに接着させることができる。
上記のように、本実施形態に係る超音波プローブ12では、超音波振動子130にそれぞれ回路チップ140が設けられた振動子モジュール120を備え、振動子モジュール単位で基板122に実装することができる。このため、振動子モジュール120の配列の自由度が高い。
上述のように、アレイ振動子121を構成する振動子モジュール120は、超音波振動子130と回路チップ140から構成されている。ここで、回路チップ140は、一つのチップではなく、複数のチップであってもよい。
IVUS(intravascular ultrasound:血管内超音波内視鏡)は、超音波プローブの一種であり、心冠状血管の血管壁の観察に利用される。IVUSは、複数の超音波振動子が円周状に配置されたアレイ振動子と、各超音波振動子から出力される検知信号を増幅するアンプを備える。
本実施形態に係る振動子モジュール120は、MEMS(Micro Electro Mechanical Systems)を備えるMEMSモジュールと混載することも可能である。
本実施形態に係る振動子モジュール120は、光学素子を備える光学素子モジュールと混載することも可能である。
アレイを構成する超音波振動子と、
上記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合された、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップと
を具備する超音波アレイ振動子。
上記(1)に記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
上記インピーダンス整合回路は、アンプとTR(transmit-receive)スイッチを含む
超音波アレイ振動子。
上記(1)に記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
上記半導体チップは、上記アンプが設けられた第1の半導体チップと、上記TRスイッチが設けられた第2の半導体チップとを含む
超音波アレイ振動子。
上記(1)から(3)のうちいずれか一つに記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
上記半導体チップは、SOI(Silicon on Insulator)チップである
超音波アレイ振動子。
上記(1)から(4)のうちいずれか一つに記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
上記超音波振動子は、第1の周波数を振動の中心周波数とする第1の超音波振動子と、上記第1の周波数とは異なる第2の周波数を振動の中心周波数とする第2の超音波振動子とを含む
超音波アレイ振動子。
上記(1)から(5)のうちいずれか一つに記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
上記超音波振動子と共にアレイを構成するMEMS(Micro Electro Mechanical Systems)
をさらに具備する超音波アレイ振動子。
上記(1)から(6)のうちいずれか一つに記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
上記超音波振動子と共にアレイを構成する光学素子
をさらに具備する超音波アレイ振動子。
インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップが接合された超音波振動子を、ピックアンドプレイス法によって実装する
超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法。
上記(8)に記載の超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法であって、
上記超音波振動子は、第1の周波数を振動の中心周波数とする第1の超音波振動子と、上記第1の周波数とは異なる第2の周波数を振動の中心周波数とする第2の超音波振動子とを含む
超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法。
上記(8)又は(9)に記載の超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法であって、
ピックアンドプレイス法によって、上記超音波振動子と共にMEMSを実装する
超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法。
上記(8)から(10)のいずれか一つに記載の超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法であって、
ピックアンドプレイス法によって、上記超音波振動子と共に光学素子を実装する
超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法。
アレイを構成する超音波振動子と、上記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合された、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップとを具備する超音波アレイ振動子
を具備する超音波プローブ。
アレイを構成する超音波振動子と、上記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合された、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップとを有する超音波アレイ振動子を備える超音波プローブと、
上記超音波プローブが接続され、上記超音波アレイ振動子に駆動信号を供給し、上記超音波アレイ振動子から出力される検知信号に基づいて超音波画像を生成する本体と
を具備する超音波診断装置。
11…本体
12…超音波プローブ
120…振動子モジュール
121…アレイ振動子
122…基板
123…振動子層
124…上部電極層
125…音響整合層
126…音響レンズ
127…充填材
130…超音波振動子
131…圧電体層
132…下部電極層
133…バッキング層
160…アレイ振動子
161…MEMSモジュール
170…アレイ振動子
171…光学素子モジュール
Claims (13)
- アレイを構成する超音波振動子と、
前記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合された、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップと
を具備する超音波アレイ振動子。 - 請求項1に記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
前記インピーダンス整合回路は、アンプとTR(transmit-receive)スイッチを含む
超音波アレイ振動子。 - 請求項2に記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
前記半導体チップは、前記アンプが設けられた第1の半導体チップと、前記TRスイッチが設けられた第2の半導体チップとを含む
超音波アレイ振動子。 - 請求項1に記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
前記半導体チップは、SOI(Silicon on Insulator)チップである
超音波アレイ振動子。 - 請求項1に記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
前記超音波振動子は、第1の周波数を振動の中心周波数とする第1の超音波振動子と、前記第1の周波数とは異なる第2の周波数を振動の中心周波数とする第2の超音波振動子とを含む
超音波アレイ振動子。 - 請求項1に記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
前記超音波振動子と共にアレイを構成するMEMS(Micro Electro Mechanical Systems)
をさらに具備する超音波アレイ振動子。 - 請求項1に記載の超音波アレイ振動子であって、
前記超音波振動子と共にアレイを構成する光学素子
をさらに具備する超音波アレイ振動子。 - インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップが接合された超音波振動子を、ピックアンドプレイス法によって実装する
超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法。 - 請求項8に記載の超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法であって、
前記超音波振動子は、第1の周波数を振動の中心周波数とする第1の超音波振動子と、前記第1の周波数とは異なる第2の周波数を振動の中心周波数とする第2の超音波振動子とを含む
超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法。 - 請求項8に記載の超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法であって、
ピックアンドプレイス法によって、前記超音波振動子と共にMEMSを実装する
超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法。 - 請求項8に記載の超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法であって、
ピックアンドプレイス法によって、前記超音波振動子と共に光学素子を実装する
超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法。 - アレイを構成する超音波振動子と、前記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合された、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップとを具備する超音波アレイ振動子
を具備する超音波プローブ。 - アレイを構成する超音波振動子と、前記超音波振動子のそれぞれに接合された、インピーダンス整合回路を形成する半導体チップとを有する超音波アレイ振動子を備える超音波プローブと、
前記超音波プローブが接続され、前記超音波アレイ振動子に駆動信号を供給し、前記超音波アレイ振動子から出力される検知信号に基づいて超音波画像を生成する本体と
を具備する超音波診断装置。
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EP16843871.1A EP3348204A4 (en) | 2015-09-07 | 2016-06-16 | ULTRASONIC ARRAY TRANSFORMER, METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ULTRASOUND ARRAY TRANSFORMER, ULTRASONIC SOUND AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM |
JP2017538845A JP6787327B2 (ja) | 2015-09-07 | 2016-06-16 | 超音波アレイ振動子、超音波アレイ振動子の製造方法、超音波プローブ及び超音波診断装置 |
US15/752,911 US10828012B2 (en) | 2015-09-07 | 2016-06-16 | Ultrasonic array oscillator, method of producing ultrasonic array oscillator, ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus |
CN201680050469.3A CN107920803B (zh) | 2015-09-07 | 2016-06-16 | 超声波阵列振荡器及制造方法、超声波探头、超声波诊断装置 |
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JP2020120326A (ja) * | 2019-01-25 | 2020-08-06 | 株式会社アルバック | 超音波プローブの製造方法 |
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- 2016-06-16 JP JP2017538845A patent/JP6787327B2/ja active Active
- 2016-06-16 EP EP16843871.1A patent/EP3348204A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2016-06-16 WO PCT/JP2016/002905 patent/WO2017042997A1/ja active Application Filing
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP3348204A1 (en) | 2018-07-18 |
JP6787327B2 (ja) | 2020-11-18 |
CN107920803A (zh) | 2018-04-17 |
EP3348204A4 (en) | 2019-07-31 |
CN107920803B (zh) | 2021-09-03 |
US20180235574A1 (en) | 2018-08-23 |
JPWO2017042997A1 (ja) | 2018-06-28 |
US10828012B2 (en) | 2020-11-10 |
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