WO2018142842A1 - 超音波振動子、超音波プローブ、及び超音波内視鏡 - Google Patents

超音波振動子、超音波プローブ、及び超音波内視鏡 Download PDF

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WO2018142842A1
WO2018142842A1 PCT/JP2018/000036 JP2018000036W WO2018142842A1 WO 2018142842 A1 WO2018142842 A1 WO 2018142842A1 JP 2018000036 W JP2018000036 W JP 2018000036W WO 2018142842 A1 WO2018142842 A1 WO 2018142842A1
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Prior art keywords
ultrasonic
ultrasonic transducer
connecting portion
piezoelectric elements
transducer according
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PCT/JP2018/000036
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
暁 吉田
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Olympus Corp
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Olympus Corp
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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
    • A61B8/12—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic endoscope.
  • Ultrasonic waves may be used to observe the characteristics of biological tissues or materials that are the subject of observation. Specifically, the ultrasonic transducer transmits an ultrasonic wave to the observation target, receives an ultrasonic echo reflected by the observation target, and the ultrasonic observation apparatus performs a predetermined process on the received ultrasonic echo. By performing signal processing, information regarding the ultrasonic image and characteristics of the observation target is acquired.
  • the ultrasonic vibrator has a prismatic shape, a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a predetermined pitch interval with the longitudinal direction aligned, and a connecting portion that connects adjacent piezoelectric elements along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements. And an acoustic member that joins the piezoelectric element and the connecting portion.
  • the piezoelectric element converts an electrical pulse signal into an ultrasonic pulse (acoustic pulse) and irradiates the observation target, and converts the ultrasonic echo reflected from the observation target into an electrical echo signal that expresses a voltage change. And output.
  • An ultrasonic transducer is formed by bonding a plate-shaped piezoelectric material to be a piezoelectric element and a connecting portion with an acoustic member as an adhesive, and cutting the piezoelectric material into a prismatic shape by dicing to form a plurality of piezoelectric elements. Is done.
  • the pitch interval of the piezoelectric elements may be shifted due to aging of the acoustic member.
  • the acoustic member which is an adhesive contracts when it is cured, and stress generated by the contraction is released when dicing and the pitch interval of the piezoelectric elements is shifted.
  • the pitch interval of the piezoelectric elements is deviated, the timing of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is deviated, and the image quality of the ultrasonic image is degraded.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic endoscope in which the pitch interval of piezoelectric elements is prevented from shifting.
  • the ultrasonic transducer has a prismatic shape, and is arranged at a predetermined pitch interval so that the longitudinal direction is parallel, A plurality of piezoelectric elements that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, a connecting portion that connects adjacent piezoelectric elements along an arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements, an acoustic member that joins the piezoelectric elements and the connecting portion, and
  • the piezoelectric element includes a core member that is fixed to the connecting portion at a position that does not intersect with a direction in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received, and has a higher rigidity than the connecting portion.
  • the connecting portion is a backing material that absorbs ultrasonic waves transmitted by the piezoelectric element.
  • the connecting portion is an acoustic matching layer that matches an acoustic impedance between the piezoelectric element and an observation target.
  • the ultrasonic transducer according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the core member is located inside the connecting portion along an arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements.
  • the ultrasonic transducer according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the core member is located on a side surface of the connecting portion along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements.
  • connection portion may be formed on a surface on which the piezoelectric element transmits / receives ultrasonic waves, or on a surface opposite to the surface on which the piezoelectric elements transmit / receive ultrasonic waves. It is characterized by covering the entire surface.
  • the ultrasonic transducer according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the connecting portion is located at an end portion of the piezoelectric element in the longitudinal direction.
  • the ultrasonic transducer according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the piezoelectric elements are arranged so as to bend along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements.
  • the ultrasonic transducer according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the core member is made of a metal, an alloy, or a resin.
  • the ultrasonic transducer according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the core member has a series of shapes along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements.
  • an ultrasonic probe according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described ultrasonic transducer.
  • an ultrasonic endoscope is characterized in that the above-described ultrasonic probe is disposed at a distal end of an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject.
  • an ultrasonic transducer an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic endoscope that prevent the pitch interval of the piezoelectric elements from shifting.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an endoscope system including the ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end configuration of an insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-1.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-1.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an endoscope system including the ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end configuration of an insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3
  • FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-2.
  • FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-3.
  • FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-4.
  • FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 2-1.
  • FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 2-1.
  • FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 2-1.
  • FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 17 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-1.
  • FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-1.
  • FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-2.
  • FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-3.
  • FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-4.
  • FIG. 22 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to the fourth embodiment.
  • FIG. 23 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the fourth embodiment.
  • FIG. 24 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 4-1.
  • FIG. 25 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 4-1.
  • FIG. 26 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 4-1.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an endoscope system including the ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment.
  • the endoscope system 1 is a system that performs ultrasonic diagnosis in a subject such as a person using an ultrasonic endoscope.
  • the endoscope system 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 2, an ultrasonic observation device 3, an endoscope observation device 4, a display device 5, and a light source device 6. .
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 converts an electrical pulse signal received from the ultrasonic observation device 3 into an ultrasonic pulse (acoustic pulse) and irradiates the subject at the distal end thereof, and is reflected by the subject.
  • the converted ultrasonic echo is converted into an electrical echo signal expressed by a voltage change and output.
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 usually has an imaging optical system and an imaging element, and is inserted into the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine) or respiratory organ (trachea, bronchi) of the subject for digestion. It is possible to take images of tubes and respiratory organs. In addition, surrounding organs (pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, biliary tract, lymph node, mediastinal organ, blood vessel, etc.) can be imaged using ultrasound. In addition, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 has a light guide that guides illumination light to be irradiated onto a subject during optical imaging. The light guide has a distal end portion that reaches the distal end of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 into the subject, and a proximal end portion that is connected to the light source device 6 that generates illumination light.
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an insertion unit 21, an operation unit 22, a universal cable 23, and a connector 24.
  • the insertion part 21 is a part inserted into the subject.
  • the insertion portion 21 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 7 disposed at the distal end, the rigid member 211 that holds the ultrasonic transducer 7, and the proximal end side of the rigid member 211, and can be bent.
  • a flexible tube portion 213 connected to the proximal end side of the bending portion 212 and having flexibility.
  • a light guide that transmits illumination light supplied from the light source device 6 and a plurality of signal cables that transmit various signals are routed inside the insertion portion 21.
  • a treatment instrument insertion passage for inserting the treatment instrument is formed.
  • the ultrasonic vibrator 7 may be a convex vibrator, a linear vibrator, or a radial vibrator.
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is provided with a plurality of piezoelectric elements as an ultrasonic transducer 7 in an array, electronically switching the piezoelectric elements involved in transmission / reception, or delaying transmission / reception of each piezoelectric element, Scan electronically.
  • the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer 7 will be described later.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the distal end configuration of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG.
  • the rigid member 211 includes an illumination lens 211 a that collects illumination light and emits it to the outside, an objective lens 211 b that forms part of the imaging optical system and captures light from the outside, and an insertion unit And a treatment instrument protrusion port 211c that communicates with the treatment instrument insertion passage formed in the projection 21 and projects the treatment instrument from the distal end of the insertion portion 21.
  • the operation unit 22 is a part that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion unit 21 and receives various operations from a doctor or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 22 includes a bending knob 221 for performing a bending operation on the bending unit 212 and a plurality of operation members 222 for performing various operations. In addition, the operation section 22 is formed with a treatment instrument insertion port 223 that communicates with the treatment instrument insertion path and allows the treatment instrument to be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion path.
  • the universal cable 23 is a cable that extends from the operation unit 22 and includes a plurality of signal cables that transmit various signals, and an optical fiber that transmits illumination light supplied from the light source device 6.
  • the connector 24 is provided at the tip of the universal cable 23.
  • the connector 24 includes first to third connector portions 241 to 243 to which the ultrasonic cable 31, the video cable 41, and the optical fiber cable 61 are connected.
  • the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the ultrasonic cable 31 (FIG. 1), and outputs a pulse signal to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the ultrasonic cable 31. At the same time, an echo signal is input from the ultrasonic endoscope 2. Then, the ultrasonic observation device 3 performs a predetermined process on the echo signal to generate an ultrasonic image.
  • the endoscope observation apparatus 4 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via a video cable 41 (FIG. 1) and inputs an image signal from the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the video cable 41. . Then, the endoscope observation apparatus 4 performs a predetermined process on the image signal to generate an endoscope image.
  • the display device 5 is configured by using a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence), a projector, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and the like, and an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic observation device 3 or the endoscope observation device 4.
  • generated by are displayed.
  • the light source device 6 is connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the optical fiber cable 61 (FIG. 1), and supplies illumination light for illuminating the inside of the subject via the optical fiber cable 61 to the ultrasonic endoscope 2. To do.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the ultrasonic transducer 7 as viewed from below in FIG. 4 is a side view upside down with respect to FIG. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of the ultrasonic transducer 7, and the number of the piezoelectric elements 71 actually disposed is not limited to this.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7 is a convex ultrasonic transducer as shown in FIG. 2, and is a one-dimensional array (1D array) in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged in a line. It will be explained as being. In other words, in the ultrasonic transducer 7 according to the first embodiment, the plurality of piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged along the outer surface forming the curved surface of the ultrasonic transducer 7.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7 has a prismatic shape and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 71 arranged at predetermined pitch intervals so that the longitudinal directions thereof are parallel to each other.
  • the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric elements 71 is referred to as an elevation direction De
  • the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71 is referred to as a scanning direction Ds.
  • Piezoelectric element 71 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. Specifically, the piezoelectric element 71 converts an electrical pulse signal into an acoustic pulse, irradiates the subject, and converts the ultrasonic echo reflected by the subject into an electrical echo signal that expresses the voltage change. Convert and output.
  • a signal input / output electrode (not shown) is provided on the main surface opposite to the side in contact with the acoustic member 72, and the main surface of the piezoelectric element 71 on the acoustic member 72 side is not shown.
  • a ground electrode for grounding is provided. Each electrode is formed using a conductive metal material or resin material.
  • the piezoelectric element 71 is disposed so as to be curved along the scanning direction Ds.
  • the piezoelectric element 71 is formed using a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic material, or a PMN-PT single crystal, PMN-PZT single crystal, PZN-PT single crystal, PIN-PZN-PT single crystal, or a relaxor material. Is done.
  • PMN-PT single crystal is an abbreviation for solid solution of magnesium / lead niobate and lead titanate.
  • PMN-PZT single crystal is an abbreviation for solid solution of magnesium / lead niobate and lead zirconate titanate.
  • PZN-PT single crystal is an abbreviation for a solid solution of zinc, lead niobate and lead titanate.
  • PIN-PZN-PT single crystal is an abbreviation for a solid solution of indium / lead niobate, zinc / lead niobate and lead titanate.
  • the relaxor-based material is a general term for a three-component piezoelectric material in which lead-based composite perovskite, which is a relaxor material, is added to PZT for the purpose of increasing the piezoelectric constant and dielectric constant.
  • the lead-based composite perovskite is represented by Pb (B1, B2) O 3 , B1 is any of magnesium, zinc, indium, and scandium, and B2 is any of niobium, tantalum, or tungsten. These materials have an excellent piezoelectric effect. For this reason, even if it reduces in size, the value of an electrical impedance can be made low and it is preferable from a viewpoint of impedance matching with the thin film electrode provided in the piezoelectric element 71.
  • the acoustic member 72 joins the piezoelectric element 71 and the connecting portion 73.
  • the acoustic member 72 is an adhesive made of various resins such as an epoxy resin.
  • the acoustic member 72 may be a member that transmits at least a part of the ultrasonic waves, and may be configured of resin, carbon, ceramic, metal, paper, glass, or the like.
  • the shape of the acoustic member 72 is not particularly limited, and may be a thin container filled with a liquid, a cotton shape, a particle shape, a sheet shape, a gel shape, a porous material, a fiber array, or the like.
  • the acoustic member 72 When the acoustic member 72 is not an adhesive, an adhesive is applied to both surfaces of the acoustic member 72, and the piezoelectric element 71 and the connecting portion 73 are joined with the acoustic member 72 interposed therebetween.
  • the acoustic member 72 also has a function as an acoustic matching layer that matches the acoustic impedance between the piezoelectric element 71 and the observation target in order to efficiently transmit sound (ultrasonic waves) between the piezoelectric element 71 and the observation target. May be.
  • the connecting portion 73 connects the piezoelectric elements 71 along the scanning direction Ds.
  • the connecting portion 73 is provided so as to cover the entire surface in the direction in which the piezoelectric element 71 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves.
  • the connecting portion 73 may have a function as an acoustic matching layer.
  • the connecting portion 73 is formed using, for example, the same material as the acoustic member 72, but may be formed from a resin different from the acoustic member 72.
  • the connecting portion 73 may be provided integrally with the acoustic member 72.
  • the core member 74 is disposed at a position where the piezoelectric element 71 does not intersect the direction in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received.
  • the core member 74 is fixed inside the connecting portion 73 along the scanning direction Ds.
  • the core member 74 has a series of shapes along the scanning direction Ds.
  • the core member 74 is made of a member having higher rigidity than the connecting portion 73.
  • the core member 74 is a linear, plate-like, or rod-like member made of a metal or alloy such as copper, titanium, silver, or tungsten.
  • the core member 74 is a braided chain in which fine wires made of metal or alloy are knitted, closely wound coils made of metal or alloy, or a plurality of balls made of metal or alloy are in close contact with each other. May be. Further, the core member 74 has a linear, plate-like, or rod-like shape made of a resin that has a smaller coefficient of thermal expansion than the connecting portion 73 and has a greater elasticity in the direction in which the core member 74 extends (scanning direction Ds) than the connecting portion 73. It may be a member. The core member 74 is arrange
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7 having the above configuration irradiates the observation target with ultrasonic waves via the acoustic member 72 and the connecting portion 73 when the piezoelectric element 71 is vibrated by the input of the pulse signal.
  • the ultrasonic wave reflected from the observation target is transmitted to the piezoelectric element 71 through the acoustic member 72 and the connecting portion 73.
  • the piezoelectric element 71 is vibrated by the transmitted ultrasonic wave, and the piezoelectric element 71 converts the vibration into an electrical echo signal and outputs it as an echo signal to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 via a wiring (not shown).
  • the core member 74 having rigidity higher than that of the connecting portion 73 is arranged inside the connecting portion 73, it is possible to prevent a pitch shift due to deterioration over time of the acoustic member 72.
  • the ultrasonic vibrator 7 has a plate-like piezoelectric material to be a piezoelectric element 71 bonded by an acoustic member 72 to a connecting portion 73 in which a core member 74 is disposed, and the piezoelectric material and the acoustic member 72 are bonded by dicing. After cutting, it can be manufactured by curving the whole.
  • the acoustic member 72 that is an adhesive or the adhesive applied to both surfaces of the acoustic member 72 that is, for example, a sheet is contracted when cured, and the stress generated by the contraction is released when dicing and is piezoelectric. In some cases, the pitch interval of the elements 71 is shifted.
  • the pitch of the piezoelectric elements 71 is shifted due to stress from the adhesive during dicing. This can be prevented.
  • the core member 74 since the core member 74 is arranged at a position where the piezoelectric element 71 does not intersect with the direction in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received, the core member 74 prevents the piezoelectric element 71 from being displaced in pitch. At the same time, the core member 74 is prevented from affecting the ultrasonic image.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7 may include one or a plurality of acoustic matching layers separately from the connecting portion 73. Further, the ultrasonic transducer 7 has a function of narrowing the ultrasonic wave with one surface being convex or concave, and emits an ultrasonic wave from the piezoelectric element 71 to the outside or an ultrasonic echo from the outside.
  • An acoustic lens for capturing may be provided.
  • the acoustic lens is formed using silicone, polymethylpentene, epoxy resin, polyetherimide, or the like.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7 may include a backing material that attenuates unnecessary ultrasonic vibration generated by the operation of the piezoelectric element 71.
  • the backing material is formed using a material having a high attenuation rate, for example, an epoxy resin in which a filler such as alumina or zirconia is dispersed, or a rubber in which the filler is dispersed.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-1.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-1.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7 may be a linear ultrasonic transducer in which piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged in a plane.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-2.
  • a connecting portion 73 may be disposed on the side opposite to the outer surface side of the piezoelectric element 71.
  • the connecting portion 73 is provided so as to cover the entire surface opposite to the direction in which the piezoelectric element 71 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves.
  • the connecting portion 73 may also have a function as a backing material that absorbs the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the piezoelectric element 71.
  • FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-3. As shown in FIG. 8, in the ultrasonic transducer 7 a, the core member 74 a may be selectively disposed at the center or the end in the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71.
  • FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 1-4. As shown in FIG. 9, in the ultrasonic transducer 7 a, a connecting portion 73 is disposed on the opposite side to the outer surface side of the piezoelectric element 71, and the core member 74 a is at the center or end in the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71. May be selectively arranged.
  • FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the second embodiment.
  • the connecting portion 73 ⁇ / b> A is located at the end of the piezoelectric element 71 in the longitudinal direction.
  • the piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged so as to be bent along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71.
  • An acoustic matching layer 75A that matches the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element 71 and the observation target is disposed between the acoustic member 72 and the connecting portion 73A.
  • the connecting portion 73A is arranged at a position where the piezoelectric element 71 does not intersect the direction in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic waves from being attenuated by the connecting portion 73A.
  • FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 2-1.
  • 13 and 14 are side views showing the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 2-1.
  • FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 viewed from the right side or the left side.
  • the connecting portion 73A is located at the end of the piezoelectric element 71 in the longitudinal direction, and the piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged in a planar shape.
  • FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the third embodiment.
  • the core member 74 ⁇ / b> B is provided on the side surface of the connecting portion 73 along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71.
  • the core member 74B is fixed to the side surface of the connecting portion 73 by bonding with an adhesive or caulking a metal member.
  • the piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged so as to be bent along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71.
  • FIG. 17 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-1.
  • FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-1.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7B may be a linear ultrasonic transducer in which piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged in a planar shape.
  • FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-2. As shown in FIG. 19, in the ultrasonic transducer 7 ⁇ / b> B, a connecting portion 73 may be disposed on the side opposite to the outer surface side of the piezoelectric element 71.
  • FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-3.
  • the core member 74 ⁇ / b> Ba may be selectively disposed at the center or the end in the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71.
  • FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 3-4.
  • a connecting portion 73 is disposed on the side opposite to the outer surface side of the piezoelectric element 71, and the core member 74 ⁇ / b> Ba is arranged at the center or end in the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71. May be selectively arranged.
  • the piezoelectric element 71 may be formed by cutting the piezoelectric material and the acoustic member 72 into a prismatic shape by dicing.
  • the piezoelectric material is made of a bendable soft material such as PVDF (PolyVinylidene DiFluoride).
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7 ⁇ / b> Ba affixes a semicircular piezoelectric material that becomes the piezoelectric element 71 by the acoustic member 72 onto the semicircular connecting portion 73, and attaches the semicircular core member 74 ⁇ / b> Ba to the side surface of the connecting portion 73.
  • the piezoelectric element 71 may be formed by cutting the piezoelectric material and the acoustic member 72 into a prismatic shape by dicing.
  • FIG. 22 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to the fourth embodiment.
  • FIG. 23 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the fourth embodiment.
  • the connecting portion 73A is located at the end of the piezoelectric element 71 in the longitudinal direction, and the core member 74B is along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71. It is fixed to the side surface of the connecting portion 73A.
  • the piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged so as to be bent along the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 71.
  • An acoustic matching layer 75A is disposed between the acoustic member 72 and the connecting portion 73A.
  • FIG. 24 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 4-1.
  • 25 and 26 are side views showing the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to Modification 4-1.
  • FIG. 26 is a side view of FIG. 24 or FIG. 25 viewed from the right side or the left side.
  • the connecting portion 73A is located at the end of the piezoelectric element 71 in the longitudinal direction, and the piezoelectric elements 71 are arranged in a planar shape.
  • the ultrasonic transducer of the present invention may be applied to an external ultrasonic probe that emits ultrasonic waves from the body surface of a subject.
  • the extracorporeal ultrasonic probe is usually used for observing abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, bladder), breast (particularly mammary gland), and thyroid gland.

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PCT/JP2018/000036 2017-02-06 2018-01-04 超音波振動子、超音波プローブ、及び超音波内視鏡 Ceased WO2018142842A1 (ja)

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