Ultrasonic probe

Details Ultrasonic probe Ultrasonic probe

2006-06-08

2009-06-30

Vanore, David A (Department: 2881)

Electrical generator or motor structure

Non-dynamoelectric

Piezoelectric elements and devices

C310S335000, C310S336000, C600S459000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07554245

ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to an oscillating ultrasonic probe that comprises a group of piezoelectric elements consisting of a plurality of narrow card-shaped piezoelectric elements arrayed in a long-axis direction and connecting wires such as a flexible substrate which are connected electrically to those piezoelectric elements and which extends outward from at least one end side in a short-axis direction; a rotational mechanism portion that causes the group of piezoelectric elements to rotate and oscillate to left and right in the short-axis direction about the center of the long-axis direction; a reference position detection sensor that detects a reference position in the short-axis direction of the group of piezoelectric elements; and a control shaft and a stepping motor linked to the reference position detection sensor and driving the rotational mechanism portion; wherein an optical rotary plate for the reference position sensor, which has a boundary region between a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion, is linked to the control shaft; a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion are formed sequentially at a predetermined angle in mutually opposite directions from the center of the optical rotary plate, with reference to a boundary region, and also the optical rotary plate rotates no further than a predetermined angle with reference to the boundary region. This configuration simplifies the mechanism for detecting the rotational angle of the group of piezoelectric elements, simplifies the detection of the reference position, and prevents damage to the flexible substrate.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4494548 (1985-01-01), Buon et al.
patent: 5377682 (1995-01-01), Ueno et al.
patent: 6020675 (2000-02-01), Yamashita et al.
patent: 6813950 (2004-11-01), Glascock et al.
patent: 7-38851 (1995-05-01), None
patent: 2003-175033 (2003-06-01), None
patent: 2003175033 (2003-06-01), None
Office Action issued Nov. 21, 2008 of the corresponding Chinese Patent Application No. 200610092240.4.

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