Ultrasound transducer array
US6974417B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2924/3011
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer array for non-destructive imaging and inspection of materials, suitable for applications such as bio-medical imaging. According to the invention, the transducer has at least one electrode comprising an array of electrode elements, wherein the elements are not separated by a grooves or kerfs. The grooveless transducer design simplifies transducer construction and permits very high operating frequencies, and hence very high resolution. In one embodiment suitable for producing real-time high resolution 3-dimension images, the invention provides a hybrid transducer comprising two opposed electrodes, one electrode being a grooveless linear array and the second electrode being a grooved linear phased array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.