Ultrasound probe, method for manufacturing the same, and ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
AssigneeKonica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
InventorTakayuki Sasaki
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Abstract
In an ultrasound probe (2) and a method for manufacturing the ultrasound probe (2) of the invention, an organic piezoelectric element (21) has a sheet-like form, and is directly or indirectly laminated on a part or the entirety of a plurality of inorganic piezoelectric elements (22). Accordingly, the ultrasound probe (2) can be manufactured with a less number of steps. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the invention includes the ultrasound probe (2). Accordingly, the cost of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus can be reduced.
Claims14
An ultrasound probe comprising:
- a plurality of inorganic piezoelectric elements made of an inorganic piezoelectric material, and operable to convert a signal between an electrical signal and an ultrasound signal by utilizing a piezoelectric phenomenon;
- and
- an organic piezoelectric element made of an organic piezoelectric material, and operable to convert a signal between an electrical signal and an ultrasound signal by utilizing a piezoelectric phenomenon, wherein
- the organic piezoelectric element is a sheet-like member which is directly or indirectly laminated on a part or an entirety of the inorganic piezoelectric elements.
A method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe, comprising:
- a step of producing a plurality of inorganic piezoelectric elements made of an inorganic piezoelectric material, and operable to convert a signal between an electrical signal and an ultrasound signal by utilizing a piezoelectric phenomenon;
- a step of producing a sheet-like organic piezoelectric element made of an organic piezoelectric material, and operable to convert a signal between an electrical signal and an ultrasound signal by utilizing a piezoelectric phenomenon;
- and
- a step of directly or indirectly laminating the organic piezoelectric element on a part or an entirety of the inorganic piezoelectric elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.