Ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic probe device having the ultrasonic probe, and method of manufacturing the ultrasonic probe

An ultrasonic probe device having an ultrasonic probe incorporated in a probe head of the ultrasonic probe device, in which the ultrasonic probe has a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, arranged in a row along a plane, each having an outer surface consisting of a front surface for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal, a back surface opposite to the front surface, and first and second opposing side surfaces connecting between the front surface and the back surface, and wherein each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements is driven by a driving electric signal so as to transmit and receive the ultrasonic signal, the probe device comprising:

• an acoustic matching layer formed on the front surface of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements;
• a backing member provided on the back surface of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements;
• an acoustic lens provided so as to cover the acoustic matching layer;
• a plurality of pair of electrodes each formed on at least one of the first and second side surfaces of each of the ultrasonic transducer elements;
• and
• a pair of conductors having a plurality of pair of joint portions joined to the pair of electrodes, respectively, each of said joint portions of the pair of conductors being positioned on at least one of the first and second side surfaces of each of the ultrasonic transducer elements.