Ultrasonic probe having a backing member of microballoons in urethane rubber or thermosetting resin
US4571520A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K11/165
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An ultrasonic probe for use in ultrasonic imaging systems includes an array of piezoelectric transducer elements. The array is backed by a rear member of an energy absorbing material composed of a mixture of urethane rubber and microballoons. The rear member has a Shore-A hardness greater than 85, an ultrasonic absorption coefficient greater than 1.5 dB/mm at the frequency of energy generated by the array and an acoustic impedance in the range between 1.0.times.10.sup.5 g/cm.sup.2 sec and 3.0.times.10.sup.5 g/cm.sup.2 sec. Alternatively, the rear member is composed of a mixture of thermosetting resin, microballoons and solid particles. Preferably, a thermosetting resin layer is provided between the array and the rear member to ensure against disconnection of wire leads from transducer electrodes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.