초록 ▼

An ultrasonic transducer array with high sensitivity, for use in water tanks and with human subjects in steered beam imagers to make wide angle sector scans, has narrow transducer elements and one or more quarter-wavelength impedance matching layers on the front surface of each element. The matching

An ultrasonic transducer array with high sensitivity, for use in water tanks and with human subjects in steered beam imagers to make wide angle sector scans, has narrow transducer elements and one or more quarter-wavelength impedance matching layers on the front surface of each element. The matching layers as well as the piezoelectric ceramic are completely cut thorugh and guide acoustic energy incident at any angle to the ceramic. A continuous covering or wear plate is attached to the matching layers and a continuous damping material can cover the backs of the elements.

대표청구항 ▼

An ultrasonic probe for use in steered beam imaging systems comprising: a front surface matched linear transducer array for transmitting pulses of ultrasound with a preselected emission frequency along many radial scan lines to perform a wide angle sector scan with a total angle exceeding 60°and for

An ultrasonic probe for use in steered beam imaging systems comprising: a front surface matched linear transducer array for transmitting pulses of ultrasound with a preselected emission frequency along many radial scan lines to perform a wide angle sector scan with a total angle exceeding 60°and for detecting echoes reflected by an object being examined; said matched array being comprised of substantially isolated and acoustically uncoupled transducer element and impedance matching layer unit assemblies each including a narrow element to which is secured at least one quarter-wavelength matching layer for transforming the high acoustic impedance of the element to a low acoustic impedance approximately equal to that of the human body, the element and matching layer in every unit assembly both having a width in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the array on the order of one wavelength or less at the ultrasound emission frequency whereby acoustic energy incident at any angle is guided through the matching layer to the element without being refracted; and a continuous covering attached to the matching layer of all of said unit assemblies.