# US 10,370,532 B2 · Resin composition, backing material for ultrasonic vibrator, ultrasonic vibrator, and ultrasonic endoscope > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,532 B2 - Document ID: US10370532B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/271,714 - Filed: 2016-09-21 - Published: 2017-01-12 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-04-14 - Assignees: Olympus Corporation - Applicants: Olympus Corporation - Inventors: Koji Kobayashi; Takae Hayashi; Kunihisa Obi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370532B2 ## CPC - C08L 63/00: Compositions of epoxy resins; Compositions of derivatives of epoxy resins - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61B 8/4444: {related to the probe} - C08G 59/245: {aromatic} - C08G 59/306: {containing silicon} - C08G 59/4085: {silicon containing compounds} - C08G 59/5033: {aromatic} - C08K 3/22: of metals - C08K 5/16: Nitrogen-containing compounds {(C08K5/0091 takes precedence)} - C08L 63/04: Epoxynovolacs - C08L 83/06: containing silicon bound to oxygen-containing groups (C08L83/12 takes precedence) - H04R 17/00: Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers (piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners {H10N30/00}) - C08G 77/14: containing silicon bound to oxygen-containing groups - C08K 2003/2227: {of aluminium} - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - C08G: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A resin composition of the present invention contains: an epoxy resin (A); a hardener (B); and an ion exchanger (C). At least one of the epoxy resin (A) and the hardener (B) contains a modified silicone (S), and the epoxy resin (A) is at least one type selected from the group consisting of a bisphenol A type epoxy resin, a bisphenol F type epoxy resin, a phenol novolac type epoxy resin, and an epoxy-modified silicone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ultrasonic vibrator comprising: a piezoelectric element; a backing material provided to be in contact with a first surface of the piezoelectric element; an acoustic matching layer which has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface provided to be in contact with a second surface of the piezoelectric element and the backing material; and an acoustic lens provided to be in contact with the second surface of the acoustic matching layer, wherein the backing material is obtained by heating and molding a resin composition that includes: an epoxy resin (A); a hardener (B); and an ion exchanger (C), wherein at least one of the epoxy resin (A) and the hardener (B) contains a modified silicone (S), and wherein the epoxy resin (A) is at least one type selected from the group consisting of a bisphenol A type epoxy resin, a bisphenol F type epoxy resin, a phenol novolac type epoxy resin, and an epoxy-modified silicone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic vibrator according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the modified silicone (S) is 10 mass % or more with respect to a total amount of the epoxy resin (A) and the hardener (B). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic vibrator according to claim 1, wherein a weight average molecular weight of the modified silicone (S) is 500 to 50000. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic vibrator according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the ion exchanger (C) is 0.25 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a sum of the epoxy resin (A) and the hardener (B). ### Claim 5 An ultrasonic endoscope comprising: an insertion portion which is configured to be inserted into a body and is provided with an ultrasonic vibrator; an operation portion connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion; and a universal cord extending from the operation portion, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator includes: a piezoelectric element; a backing material provided to be in contact with a first surface of the piezoelectric element; an acoustic matching layer which has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface provided to be in contact with a second surface of the piezoelectric element and the backing material; and an acoustic lens provided to be in contact with the second surface of the acoustic matching layer, wherein the backing material is obtained by heating and molding a resin composition that includes: an epoxy resin (A); a hardener (B); and an ion exchanger (C), wherein at least one of the epoxy resin (A) and the hardener (B) contains a modified silicone (S), and wherein the epoxy resin (A) is at least one type selected from the group consisting of a bisphenol A type epoxy resin, a bisphenol F type epoxy resin, a phenol novolac type epoxy resin, and an epoxy-modified silicone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 5, wherein an amount of the modified silicone (S) is 10 mass % or more with respect to a total amount of the epoxy resin (A) and the hardener (B). ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 5, wherein a weight average molecular weight of the modified silicone (S) is 500 to 50000. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 5, wherein an amount of the ion exchanger (C) is 0.25 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a sum of the epoxy resin (A) and the hardener (B).