Two-dimensional-array ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

An ultrasonic probe comprising:

• piezoelectric elements arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array and with the appearance of a convex curved-surface shape;
• a relay substrate including a substrate main body with a front surface formed into a convex curved-surface shape along the piezoelectric elements, and a rear surface formed into a flat-surface shape, a front surface electrode formed on the front surface, a rear surface electrode formed on the rear surface, and a through electrode passing through from the front surface electrode to the rear surface electrode;
• a flexible wiring substrate disposed between the piezoelectric elements and the relay substrate, with the piezoelectric elements mounted on a front surface, and electrodes of the relay substrate connected to a rear surface;
• and
• a processing IC mounted on the rear surface electrode of the relay substrate and configured to process signal information obtained from the piezoelectric elements.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

• an ultrasonic probe including piezoelectric elements arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array, a processing IC configured to process signal information obtained from the piezoelectric elements, and a flexible wiring substrate disposed between the piezoelectric elements and the processing IC, with the piezoelectric elements mounted on a front surface, and the processing IC mounted on a rear surface;
• an image processor configured to process a signal sent from the processing IC and form an image;
• and
• an image displayer configured to display the image formed by the image processor.