Ultrasound probe
First Claim
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1. An ultrasound probe, comprising:
- a plurality of ultrasonic transducers which are arranged along a predetermined direction;
at least one optical fiber configured to guide light from a light source to one of at least one light guiding sections;
each light guiding section configured to guide light from a light input end which is optically coupled with the at least one optical fiber to a light output end face provided next to ultrasonic wave transmitting and/or detecting surfaces of the ultrasonic transducers;
each light guiding section including;
a first plate shaped light guiding portion formed by a glass material that is of a rectangular shape in cross section having a width in the predetermined direction that is wider than a width in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the cross section, the first plate shaped light guiding portion including the light input end and is configured to guide light from the light input end toward the light output end face and enlarge a cross sectional area of input light at the light input end at an output end of the first plate shaped light guiding portion;
a second plate shaped light guiding portion formed by a resin material that is of a rectangular shape in cross section having a width in the predetermined direction that is wider than a width in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the cross section, the second plate shaped light guiding portion being optically coupled with the output end of the first plate shaped light guiding portion and configured to guide light guided by the first plate shaped light guiding portion to an output end of the second plate shaped light guiding portion; and
a light diffusing plate which is optically coupled with the output end of the second plate shaped light guiding portion and includes the light output end face, the light diffusing plate configured to diffuse light emitted from the second plate shaped light guiding portion toward a subject;
wherein the ultrasonic wave transmitting and/or detecting surfaces of the ultrasonic transducers and the light output end face are positioned in the same plane; and
wherein the first plate shaped light guiding portion includes a light guiding path formed in a tapered shape.
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Abstract
An optical fiber guides light output from a light source to an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes a light guiding section that guides the light from a light input end, which is optically coupled with the optical fiber to a light output end provided in the vicinity of ultrasonic transducers. The light guiding section has a first light guiding portion that includes the light input end, and a second light guiding portion that includes the light output end. The first light guiding portion is formed by glass, and magnifies input light. The second light guiding portion is formed by resin, and emits the light toward a subject from the light output end.
31 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An ultrasound probe, comprising:
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a plurality of ultrasonic transducers which are arranged along a predetermined direction; at least one optical fiber configured to guide light from a light source to one of at least one light guiding sections; each light guiding section configured to guide light from a light input end which is optically coupled with the at least one optical fiber to a light output end face provided next to ultrasonic wave transmitting and/or detecting surfaces of the ultrasonic transducers; each light guiding section including; a first plate shaped light guiding portion formed by a glass material that is of a rectangular shape in cross section having a width in the predetermined direction that is wider than a width in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the cross section, the first plate shaped light guiding portion including the light input end and is configured to guide light from the light input end toward the light output end face and enlarge a cross sectional area of input light at the light input end at an output end of the first plate shaped light guiding portion; a second plate shaped light guiding portion formed by a resin material that is of a rectangular shape in cross section having a width in the predetermined direction that is wider than a width in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the cross section, the second plate shaped light guiding portion being optically coupled with the output end of the first plate shaped light guiding portion and configured to guide light guided by the first plate shaped light guiding portion to an output end of the second plate shaped light guiding portion; and a light diffusing plate which is optically coupled with the output end of the second plate shaped light guiding portion and includes the light output end face, the light diffusing plate configured to diffuse light emitted from the second plate shaped light guiding portion toward a subject; wherein the ultrasonic wave transmitting and/or detecting surfaces of the ultrasonic transducers and the light output end face are positioned in the same plane; and wherein the first plate shaped light guiding portion includes a light guiding path formed in a tapered shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification