Ultrasonic probe

• US 7,654,961 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (Canon Inc.), Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Tezuka, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Luong; Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/249,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20070244392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 600/459, 600/437, 310/327, 310/334, 310/336, 367/140, 367/153, 73/18.2
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0629 Square array
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8925 the array being a two-dimensional transducer configuration, i.e. matrix or orthogonal linear arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8993 Three dimensional imaging systems

Abstract

An ultrasonic probe includes ultrasonic oscillating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array shape, connection leads connected to the ultrasonic oscillating elements, and at least one board to connect the ultrasonic oscillating elements and integrated circuits. The board includes a first part having through-holes which are electrically connected to the connection leads when the connection leads are inserted, and second parts having bendable portions configured to connect the first part and the integrated circuits.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe, comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array;

a plurality of connection leads connected to the plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements; and

a plurality of first boards to connect the plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements with at least one integrated circuit and overlapping one another, wherein each of the first boards includes,

a first part having through-holes, such that the connection leads pass through plural through-holes in respective of the plurality of first boards, and such that the through-holes are electrically connected to at least a part of the connection leads and are not connected to other of the first boards when the connection leads are inserted into the through-holes, and

at least one second part, a part of which is formed to be bendable, that connects the first part and the at least one integrated circuit.

2. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one integrated circuit is mounted on the at least one second part.

3. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one second board mounted with at least one integrated circuit and connected to the at least one second part.

4. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first boards comprise flexible boards.

5. An ultrasonic probe, comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array shape;

a relay section having a plurality of connection leads connected to the plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements; and

a plurality of first boards to connect the relay section and at least one integrated circuit and overlapping each other, wherein each of the first boards includes,

a first part having through-holes, such that the connection leads pass through plural through-holes in respective of the plurality of first boards, and such that the through-holes are electrically connected to a part of the plurality of connection leads not to be connected to other of the first boards when the plurality of connection leads are inserted into the through-holes, and

at least one second part having a bendable portion configured to connect the first part and the at least one integrated circuit.

6. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein the at least one integrated circuit is mounted on the at least one second part.

7. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, further comprising:

at least one second board mounted with the at least one integrated circuit and connected to the at least one second part.

8. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of first boards comprise flexible boards.

9. An ultrasonic probe, comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array;

a plurality of connection leads connected to the ultrasonic oscillating elements; and

a plurality of first boards that connect the plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements and at least one integrated circuit and overlapping each other, each first board including a first part having through-holes, such that the connection leads pass through plural through-holes in respective of the plurality of first boards, to insert a part of the plurality of connection leads not to be connected to other of the first boards, and at least one second part that connects the first part and the at least one integrated circuit and has bendable portions, wherein

the plurality of connection leads have portions electrically connected to the through-holes into which the plurality of connection leads are inserted.

10. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, wherein the first parts of the respective plurality of first boards are provided to be laid one on top of another.

11. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, wherein the at least one integrated circuit is mounted on the at least one second part.

12. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, wherein at least one second board mounted with the at least one integrated circuit is connected to the at least one second part.

13. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of first boards comprise flexible boards.

14. An ultrasonic probe, comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array shape;

a relay section having a plurality of connection leads connected to the plurality of ultrasonic oscillating elements;

a plurality of first boards that connect the relay section and at least one integrated circuit and overlapping each other, each first board including a first part having through-holes such that the connection leads pass through plural through-holes in respective of the plurality of first boards, to insert a part of the plurality of connection leads not to be connected to other of the first boards, and at least one second part that connects the first part and the at least one integrated circuit and has a bendable portion; and

the plurality of connection leads being electrically connected to the through-holes into which the plurality of connection leads are inserted.

15. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 14, wherein the first parts of the respective plurality of first boards are provided to be laid one on top of another.

16. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 14, wherein the at least one integrated circuit is mounted on the at least one second part.

17. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 14, wherein at least one second board mounted with the at least one integrated circuit is connected to the at least one second part.

18. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of first boards comprise flexible boards.