Ultrasonic probe
US7554245B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/106
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to an oscillating ultrasonic probe that comprises a group of piezoelectric elements consisting of a plurality of narrow card-shaped piezoelectric elements arrayed in a long-axis direction and connecting wires such as a flexible substrate which are connected electrically to those piezoelectric elements and which extends outward from at least one end side in a short-axis direction; a rotational mechanism portion that causes the group of piezoelectric elements to rotate and oscillate to left and right in the short-axis direction about the center of the long-axis direction; a reference position detection sensor that detects a reference position in the short-axis direction of the group of piezoelectric elements; and a control shaft and a stepping motor linked to the reference position detection sensor and driving the rotational mechanism portion; wherein an optical rotary plate for the reference position sensor, which has a boundary region between a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion, is linked to the control shaft; a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion are formed sequentially at a predetermined angle in mutually opposite di…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.