Two-dimensional-array ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic system
AssigneesKabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
InventorHiroyuki SHIKATA
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe has an ultrasonic transducer. The transducer has transducer elements that are arranged in a first direction and a second direction, forming a lattice. Acoustic-emission electrodes are provided on the acoustic-emission surfaces of the transducer elements. Back electrodes are provided on the backs of the transducer elements. A transmitting-circuit unit is connected to the acoustic-emission electrodes. A receiving-circuit unit is connected to the back electrodes. Of the acoustic-emission electrodes, two electrodes are short-circuited to the transmitting circuits of the transmitting-circuit unit. The remaining two acoustic-emission electrodes are short-circuited to the receiving circuits of the receiving-circuit unit.
Claims22
An ultrasonic probe comprising:
- a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, each of which has a first electrode and a second electrode provided on an acoustic-emission surface and a back, respectively;
- transmitting circuits each of which is connected to one of the first and second electrodes;
- and
- receiving circuits each of which is connected to the other of the first and second electrodes,
- wherein at least two of ultrasonic transducer elements are short-circuited to at least one of the first and second electrodes, and the first and second electrodes achieves short-circuiting in different patterns.
An ultrasonic diagnostic system having an ultrasonic probe designed to apply and receive ultrasonic waves to and from a subject, thereby to acquire information about tissues existing in the subject,
- wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, each of which has a first electrode and a second electrode provided on an acoustic-emission surface and a back, respectively, transmitting circuits each of which is connected to one of the first and second electrodes, and receiving circuits each of which is connected to the other of the first and second electrodes;
- and the first and second electrodes are short-circuited to different ultrasonic transducer elements, respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.