Ultrasound probe, ultrasonic endoscope, and ultrasound diagnostic system

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasound probe that can suppress deterioration of a piezoelectric element caused by a gas used for sterilization. An ultrasound probe includes: a support member that includes an outer peripheral surface having a cylindrical shape; a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged on the outer peripheral surface in a circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface; an acoustic lens that is disposed outside the plurality of piezoelectric elements in a radial direction of the outer peripheral surface and that covers the plurality of piezoelectric elements; and a gas barrier layer that is disposed between the plurality of piezoelectric elements and the acoustic lens, in which a permeation rate of a hydrogen peroxide gas or an ethylene oxide gas in the gas barrier layer is lower than a permeation rate of the hydrogen peroxide gas or the ethylene oxide gas in the acoustic lens, and, in the radial direction, the gas barrier layer is thinner than the acoustic lens.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.