Patent · US Expired

Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic device comprising the same

US6736779B1 · kind B1 · utility

78Cited by
5References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 10, 2002
Grant dateMay 18, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 10, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B8/0866
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An ultrasonic probe in which two-dimensional array transducer elements are arrayed convexly both in one direction of the two-dimensional array and in the direction perpendicular to the former direction relative to the direction where an ultrasonic wave is transmitted. By switching a transducer element selecting switch circuit provided near the transducer elements, the shape of the diameter of the probe for transmitting and receiving of ultrasound and the position of the diameter are arbitrarily determined. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a fresnel ring is formed as an diameter by a control signal to a transducer element selecting switch circuit, the number of cables for connection between the probe and the main body is decreased by bundling the transducer elements in one ring and effecting the connection, the fresnel ring is moved every ultrasonic transmission/reception cycle by the control signal to the transducer element selection switching circuit, and an object is three-dimensionally scanned with an ultrasonic beam.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.