초록 ▼

An ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic probe body and an acoustic lens attachment detachably fitted on the ultrasonic probe body. The attachment includes an acoustic lens, and the lens is in contact with electrical/acoustic transducer elements formed in the probe body but is partially separated

An ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic probe body and an acoustic lens attachment detachably fitted on the ultrasonic probe body. The attachment includes an acoustic lens, and the lens is in contact with electrical/acoustic transducer elements formed in the probe body but is partially separated from the probe body to form air gaps. The air gaps constitute escape portions, respectively. The air gaps are defined by parts of acute-angled surfaces of the probe body, obtuse-angled surfaces of connecting portions of the attachment, and tight contact portions of the attachment. The tight contact portions are perfectly in tight contact with the probe body, so that a medium is moved to the escape portions. The medium can be uniformly spread to form a thin medium layer. Bubbles are not formed in the tight contact portions, and the acoustic lens does not locally project. A two-dimensionally uniform acoustic refractive index can be obtained.

대표청구항 ▼

An ultrasonic probe comprising: a probe body including an electrical/acoustic transducer element, a matching layer formed on a surface of said transducer elements, and a first acoustic lens formed on said matching layer, said probe body being provided with acute-angled surfaces from said transducer

An ultrasonic probe comprising: a probe body including an electrical/acoustic transducer element, a matching layer formed on a surface of said transducer elements, and a first acoustic lens formed on said matching layer, said probe body being provided with acute-angled surfaces from said transducer elements to said matching layer and said first acoustic lens to focus ultrasonic waves from said transducer elements to one focal point through said matching layer and said first acoustic lens; and an attachment mounted on said probe body to cover parts of said matching layer and said first acoustic lens, said attachment being provided with tight contact portions which have edge portions brougt into contact with an outer surface of said probe body and have projections on edges thereof, said attachment also being provided with a second acoustic lens, an inner surface of which has a larger curvature than that of an outer surface of said first acoustic lens, said second acoustic lens setting a focal point different from said one focal point when said second acoustic lens is mounted on said first acoustic lens, and connecting portions for connecting said second acoustic lens and said tight contact portions through obtuse-angled surfaces and for forming escape portions into which an ultrasonic transmission medium disposed between the first acoustic lens and the second acoustic lens can escape, said escape portions being defined by at least said acute-angled surfaces, said obtuse-angled portions, and surface portions of said tight contact portions which are not brought into tight contact with said probe body.