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Publication Number
US-12567817-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ultrasound probe includes: an ultrasound transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasound transducers configured to transmit and receive ultrasound are arrayed; a backing layer provided on a proximal end surface of the ultrasound transducer array; and a piezoelectric element, provided on a proximal end surface of the backing layer, whose direction of polarization is opposite to a direction of polarization of the plurality of ultrasound transducers.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ultrasound probe that includes a piezoelectric element, a backing layer configured to attenuate an ultrasound vibration, and an ultrasound transducer array arranged to face the backing layer. The piezoelectric element has a direction of polarization that is opposite to a direction of polarization of a plurality of ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound transducer array. The probe further includes a first acoustic matching layer facing the ultrasound transducer array, a second acoustic matching layer facing the first acoustic matching layer, and an acoustic lens configured to emit and receive ultrasound.
In the ultrasound probe, the piezoelectric element, the backing layer, the ultrasound transducer array, the first acoustic matching layer, the second acoustic matching layer, and the acoustic lens are arranged in order from a proximal end side toward a distal end side in a sound axis direction that is a direction of observation by the ultrasound. By arranging opposite polarization between the piezoelectric element and the transducer array, the invention creates antiphase vibration that cancels or attenuates backward ultrasound, with the backing layer contributing to attenuation.
The probe supports configurations where backing-layer thickness T1 and piezoelectric-element thickness T2 are related to resonance behavior of the piezoelectric element, including expressions involving an odd number and a wavelength, and a resonance-frequency relation expressed as f0=N/T2. Further embodiments specify a polymer piezoelectric implementation, including PVDF, and can define the piezoelectric element as multiple stripe-shaped piezoelectric materials aligned in the same direction as the ultrasound transducers.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim specifies an ultrasound probe with a particular layer stack order and opposite polarization between a piezoelectric element and an ultrasound transducer array, together with first and second acoustic matching layers and an acoustic lens, totaling multiple inventive features across acoustic attenuation, polarization relationship, and acoustic impedance matching.
Opposite polarization between piezoelectric element and ultrasound transducer array
An ultrasound probe where a direction of polarization of the piezoelectric element is opposite to a direction of polarization of a plurality of ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound transducer array.
Stack order along sound axis from proximal to distal
The piezoelectric element, the backing layer, the ultrasound transducer array, the first acoustic matching layer, the second acoustic matching layer, and the acoustic lens are arranged in this order from a proximal end side toward a distal end side in a sound axis direction that is a direction of observation by the ultrasound.
Backing layer configured to attenuate ultrasound vibration facing transducer array
A backing layer configured to attenuate an ultrasound vibration, with the ultrasound transducer array arranged to face the backing layer and configured to transmit and receive ultrasound.
First and second acoustic matching layers and acoustic lens
A first acoustic matching layer arranged to face the ultrasound transducer array and a second acoustic matching layer arranged to face the first acoustic matching layer, and an acoustic lens configured to emit and receive the ultrasound.
Overall claim coverage centers on an ultrasound probe whose proximal-to-distal acoustic stack includes a backing layer for attenuation, a polarization-opposed piezoelectric element relative to the ultrasound transducer array, and first and second acoustic matching layers plus an acoustic lens in a specified sound-axis order.
Stated Advantages
Cancels or attenuates backward ultrasound using antiphase vibration associated with the opposite polarization relationship and attenuation by the backing layer.
Documented Applications
An ultrasound endoscope that includes an ultrasound probe with a distal rigid end section, an illuminator and an imager arranged on an inner side to respectively illuminate and capture an internal image from the distal end, and an inner-side treatment tool channel allowing a treatment tool to protrude from the distal end.
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