公开(公告)号：US20170144194A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-25

申请号：US15422527

申请日：2017-02-02

Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION

Inventor： Takanao FUJIMURA

IPC: B06B1/06

CPC classification number: B06B1/0622 ,  A61B8/12 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  B06B2201/55 ,  B06B2201/76

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes: an acoustic matching layer bending with a predetermined curvature; a plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed on an inner face on a side of a curvature center of the acoustic matching layer in such a manner that the plurality of piezoelectric elements bend; a plurality of wirings including respective one ends electrically connected to the plurality of piezoelectric elements, respectively; a substrate to which respective other ends of the plurality of wirings are electrically connected; and a holding member provided on the plurality of wirings at a position partway of the plurality of wirings between the plurality of piezoelectric elements and the substrate, the holding member being configured to hold a pitch of the plurality of wirings so as to be a pitch that is equal to or smaller than a predetermined arrangement pitch of the plurality of piezoelectric elements.

公开(公告)号：US09364862B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-14

申请号：US14437616

申请日：2013-11-01

Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR

Inventor： Sazzadur Chowdhury

IPC: B06B1/02

CPC classification number: B06B1/0292 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  B06B2201/40 ,  B06B2201/70

Abstract: A sensor assembly including one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) microarray modules which are provided with a number of individual transducers. The microarray modules are arranged to simulate or orient individual transducers in a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry. The transducers/sensor are arranged in a rectangular or square matrix and are activatable individually, selectively or collectively to emit and received reflected beam signals at a frequency of between about 100 to 170 kHz.

Abstract translation: 一种传感器组件，包括一个或多个电容式微加工超声波换能器（CMUT）微阵列模块，其设置有多个单独的换能器。 微阵列模块被布置成在双曲抛物面几何中模拟或定向各个换能器。 传感器/传感器被布置成矩形或矩形矩阵，并且可以单独地，选择性地或集体地激活以以大约100到170kHz之间的频率发射和接收反射光束信号。

公开(公告)号：US09096422B2

公开(公告)日：2015-08-04

申请号：US13768820

申请日：2013-02-15

Applicant: Arman Hajati

Inventor： Arman Hajati

IPC: H01L41/08 ,  A61B8/00 ,  B81B7/00 ,  B81B7/02 ,  H01L41/09

CPC classification number: B81B7/008 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  B06B1/0629 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  B81B7/02 ,  G01N29/262 ,  G01S7/52017 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G10K11/346 ,  H01H1/0036 ,  H01L27/20 ,  H01L41/0825 ,  H01L41/0973

Abstract: Switchable micromachined transducer arrays are described where a MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) switch, or relay, is monolithically integrated with a transducer element. In embodiments, the MEMS switch is implemented in the same substrate as the transducer array to implement one or more logic, addressing, or transducer control function. In embodiments, each transducer element of an array is a piezoelectric element coupled to at least one MEMS switch to provide element-level addressing within the array. In certain embodiments the same piezoelectric material employed in the transducer is utilized in the MEMS switch.

Abstract translation: 描述了可切换的微机械传感器阵列，其中微电子机械系统（MEMS）开关或继电器与换能器元件单片集成。 在实施例中，MEMS开关实现在与换能器阵列相同的衬底中，以实现一个或多个逻辑，寻址或换能器控制功能。 在实施例中，阵列的每个换能器元件是耦合到至少一个MEMS开关的压电元件，以在阵列内提供元件级寻址。 在某些实施例中，在MEMS开关中使用在换能器中使用的相同的压电材料。

公开(公告)号：US20150087991A1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-26

申请号：US14497150

申请日：2014-09-25

Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Inventor： Kailiang Chen ,  Charles G. Sodini

IPC: A61B8/00 ,  A61B8/08 ,  H03F3/45 ,  A61B8/13

CPC classification number: A61B8/4488 ,  A61B8/13 ,  A61B8/483 ,  A61B8/54 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  B06B1/0215 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  B06B2201/51 ,  B06B2201/55 ,  B06B2201/76 ,  G01S7/5202 ,  G01S7/52025 ,  G01S7/52033 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8993 ,  G01S15/8995 ,  G10K11/346 ,  H03F3/45076 ,  H03F2200/375 ,  H03F2203/45224

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system is described in which a column-row-parallel architecture is provided at the circuit level of an ultrasonic transceiver. The ultrasonic imaging system can include a N×M array of transducer elements and a plurality of transceiver circuits where each transceiver circuit is connected to a corresponding one transducer element of the N×M array of transducer elements. A shared pulser gate driver and a shared VGA is provided for each row and column. Selection logic includes row select, column select, and per-element bit select. Through the column-row-parallel architecture, a variety of aperture configurations can be achieved.

Abstract translation: 描述了超声波成像系统，其中在超声波收发器的电路级提供列 - 行并行架构。 超声波成像系统可以包括换能器元件的N×M阵列和多个收发器电路，其中每个收发器电路连接到N×M阵列的换能器元件的对应的一个换能器元件。 为每个行和列提供了共享脉冲器门驱动器和共享VGA。 选择逻辑包括行选择，列选择和每元素位选择。 通过列排并行架构，可以实现各种孔径配置。

公开(公告)号：US20150016221A1

公开(公告)日：2015-01-15

申请号：US14325944

申请日：2014-07-08

Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Inventor： Eiji Takeuchi ,  Takahiro Akiyama ,  Kazutoshi Torashima

IPC: G10K9/12 ,  G01S15/02 ,  H02N1/00

CPC classification number: G10K9/12 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  B06B1/0292 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  G01S15/02 ,  H02N1/006

Abstract: A transducer includes a plurality of elements each including at least one cell structured in such a way that a diaphragm including one of a first electrode and a second electrode disposed facing each other via a space is vibratably supported, bias wiring for supplying a bias voltage to the first electrode to provide a potential difference between the first and the second electrodes, and for electrically connecting the first electrodes of the elements to each other, and signal wiring lines each connected to a different one of the elements. The bias wiring includes a plurality of branch wiring lines to each of which the first electrodes of a part of the elements are connected, a plurality of first common wiring lines for connecting the branch wiring lines to each other, and a second common wiring line for connecting the first common wiring lines to each other.

Abstract translation: 换能器包括多个元件，每个元件包括至少一个单元，其以这样的方式构造，使得包括通过空间相对设置的第一电极和第二电极中的一个的隔膜被振动地支撑，用于将偏置电压提供给 所述第一电极在所述第一和第二电极之间提供电位差，并且用于将所述元件的第一电极彼此电连接，以及每个连接到所述元件的不同元件的信号布线。 偏置布线包括多个分支布线，其中一个元件的一部分的第一电极被连接，用于将分支布线彼此连接的多个第一公共布线，以及用于 将第一公共布线彼此连接。

公开(公告)号：US20140029386A1

公开(公告)日：2014-01-30

申请号：US13851336

申请日：2013-03-27

Applicant: George Whitaker

Inventor： George Whitaker

IPC: B06B1/06

CPC classification number: B06B1/06 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  B06B1/0618 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  B06B2201/55 ,  B06B2201/71 ,  B06B2201/74

Abstract: An apparatus and method associated with amplifying piezoelectric sonic and ultrasonic outputs is presented which provides high power output from piezoelectric devices, especially at high ultrasonic frequencies, in open air, which mitigates or eliminates overheating of the piezoelectric devices when stimulated at or near their peak outputs for extended periods. In addition, the invention provides a means of amplifying a piezoelectric sonic and ultrasonic device if a desired output power exceeds a normal maximum capability of the piezoelectric device.

Abstract translation: 提出了一种与放大压电声波和超声波输出相关联的装置和方法，其提供来自压电装置的高功率输出，特别是在高空气中的高超声波频率下，其在峰值输出处或其附近受到刺激时减轻或消除压电装置的过热 长时间 此外，本发明提供一种如果所需的输出功率超过压电器件的正常最大容量，则可以放大压电声波和超声波装置。

公开(公告)号：US20120046552A1

公开(公告)日：2012-02-23

申请号：US13254743

申请日：2010-03-01

Applicant: Mitsuhiro Oshiki ,  Kenji Maio

Inventor： Mitsuhiro Oshiki ,  Kenji Maio

IPC: A61B8/14

CPC classification number: G01S7/52019 ,  A61B8/56 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  G01S7/52023 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S15/8915

Abstract: In order to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a transceiver circuit configuration which has a small number of components and is suitable for miniaturization, an amplifier circuit used for both transmission and reception which can be built in an ultrasonic probe and has a function of adding currents of received signals from plural elements is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In addition, an analog matrix switch (402) for arbitrarily adding received signals from plural transducers is provided. That is, a transmitted and received signal amplifier circuit is shared by using a transceiver circuit section, which is formed by an FET element serving as a source follower circuit, as a gate-grounded amplifier during a signal reception period. The received signals from the transducers which have been amplified by FET elements can be added for each group of arbitrary elements by the matrix current switch (402) formed by plural FET elements corresponding to the respective transducers.

Abstract translation: 为了提供具有少量部件并且适合于小型化的收发器电路配置的超声波诊断装置，用于传输和接收的放大器电路可以内置在超声波探头中并且具有增加电流的功能 来自多个元件的接收信号被设置在超声波诊断装置中。 此外，提供了用于任意地添加来自多个换能器的接收信号的模拟矩阵开关（402）。 也就是说，在信号接收期间，通过使用由作为源极跟随器电路的FET元件形成的收发器电路部分作为栅极接地放大器来共享发送和接收的信号放大器电路。 来自由FET元件放大的换能器的接收信号可以由对应于各个换能器的多个FET元件形成的矩阵电流开关（402）加到每组任意元件上。

公开(公告)号：US20040102700A1

公开(公告)日：2004-05-27

申请号：US10275715

申请日：2003-07-14

Inventor： Katsunori Asafusa

IPC: A61B008/00

CPC classification number: A61B8/483 ,  A61B8/13 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  B06B1/0622 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  B06B2201/76 ,  G01S7/52085 ,  G01S7/52092 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8993 ,  Y10S128/916

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a three-dimensional image within a short time by performing three-dimensional scanning in an object with ultrasonic beams at rapid speed. A plurality of small transducer blocks is formed through selective connection on a two-dimensional transducer array provided on an ultrasonic probe. Driving pulse signals generated by a pulse generating circuit are modulated by a frequency modulator. These driving pulse signals respectively having different frequencies are simultaneously provided to the selected small transducer blocks, causing said small transducer blocks to transmit ultrasonic beams from each of them to the interior of the object. Then, waves reflected from the interior of the object are received by each small transducer block. After the echo signals received by each small transducer block are demodulated by a demodulator, these signals are input to a phasing circuit to generate a plurality of received beam signals. The position of the small transducer blocks is moved at each repetition of ultrasonic transmission/repetition. Thus obtained received beam signals are image-processed and made into image data, and thus displayed on a display.

Abstract translation: 一种超声波诊断装置，用于通过用超声波束以快速的方式对物体进行三维扫描，在短时间内获得并显示三维图像。 通过选择性连接在设置在超声波探头上的二维换能器阵列上形成多个小的换能器块。 由脉冲发生电路产生的驱动脉冲信号由频率调制器调制。 这些分别具有不同频率的驱动脉冲信号被同时提供给所选择的小换能器块，使得所述小转换器块将超声波束从它们中的每一个发送到物体的内部。 然后，从物体的内部反射的波被每个小的换能器块接收。 在由每个小换能器块接收的回波信号由解调器解调之后，这些信号被输入到定相电路以产生多个接收的波束信号。 在每次重复超声波传输/重复时移动小传感器块的位置。 如此获得的接收波束信号被图像处理并制成图像数据，从而显示在显示器上。

公开(公告)号：US5585546A

公开(公告)日：1996-12-17

申请号：US332287

申请日：1994-10-31

Applicant: Turuvekere R. Gururaja ,  Darwin P. Adams ,  Benjamin M. Herrick ,  David M. Prater

Inventor： Turuvekere R. Gururaja ,  Darwin P. Adams ,  Benjamin M. Herrick ,  David M. Prater

IPC: A61B8/00 ,  B06B1/02 ,  G01H3/00 ,  G01S7/52 ,  G01S7/524 ,  H04R17/00 ,  H04R17/08 ,  G01N29/22

CPC classification number: G01S7/52023 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  G01H3/005 ,  G01S7/52019 ,  G01S7/5205 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  H04R17/08

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling electrostrictive transducer sensitivity in a pulse-echo medical ultrasound system. Certain characteristics of each transducer element are tested after manufacture and recorded on a storage medium. The stored data is then used, along with certain model relations, for monitoring certain operational parameters of the transducer during use, and feedback compensation applied for maintaining the transducer sensitivity substantailly constant. The parameters to be monitored may include the temperature, acoustic pressure, input power, and a figure of merit determined from the dielectric constant and coupling coefficient.

Abstract translation: 用于在脉冲回波医疗超声系统中控制电致伸缩传感器灵敏度的装置和方法。 每个换能器元件的某些特性在制造后测试并记录在存储介质上。 然后使用存储的数据以及某些模型关系来监测在使用期间传感器的某些操作参数，并且用于维持传感器灵敏度的反馈补偿基本上恒定。 待监测的参数可以包括从介电常数和耦合系数确定的温度，声压，输入功率和品质因数。

公开(公告)号：US5423220A

公开(公告)日：1995-06-13

申请号：US10827

申请日：1993-01-29

Applicant: P. Michael Finsterwald ,  Stephen J. Douglas ,  Ricky G. Just

Inventor： P. Michael Finsterwald ,  Stephen J. Douglas ,  Ricky G. Just

IPC: G01N29/24 ,  A61B8/00 ,  B06B1/02 ,  B06B1/06 ,  G10K11/32 ,  H04R17/00 ,  H04R31/00 ,  G01N29/00

CPC classification number: G10K11/32 ,  B06B1/0622 ,  B06B1/0633 ,  B06B1/0692 ,  B06B2201/20 ,  B06B2201/50 ,  B06B2201/56 ,  Y10T29/42

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array, and a method for manufacturing it, having a plurality of transducer elements aligned along an array axis in an imaging plane. Each transducer element includes a piezoelectric layer and one or more acoustic matching layers. The piezoelectric layer has a concave front surface overlayed by a front electrode and a rear surface overlayed by a rear electrode. The shape of each transducer element is selected such that it is mechanically focused into the imaging plane. A backing support holds the plurality of transducer elements in a predetermined relationship along the array axis such that each element is mechanically focused in the imaging plane.

Abstract translation: 一种超声换能器阵列及其制造方法，具有沿成像平面中的阵列轴排列的多个换能器元件。 每个换能器元件包括压电层和一个或多个声匹配层。 压电层具有由前电极覆盖的凹前表面和由后电极覆盖的后表面。 选择每个换能器元件的形状使得其被机械地聚焦到成像平面中。 背衬支撑件沿着阵列轴将多个换能器元件保持在预定关系中，使得每个元件在成像平面中被机械地聚焦。