Patent ID: 6551245
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An ultrasonic probe comprising:a piezoelectric element emitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving an echo thereof, said piezoelectric element converting the echo into an electric signal; a holding member holding said piezoelectric element; a rotating mechanism rotating said holding member about a first axis; said rotating mechanism including a holding member angular position measuring encoder designed to measure an angular position of said holding member; said holding member angular position measuring encoder including a first encoder unit and a second encoder unit each of which is made of a magnetic member and a magnetoresistive element, the first encoder unit being designed to measure a change in angular position of said holding member by rotation about the first axis, the second encoder unit being designed to measure a preselected reference angular position of said holding member; a rotary base supporting said rotating mechanism; a fixed chassis supporting said rotary base so as to allow said rotary base to swing about a second axis extending in a direction different from the first axis; and a swinging mechanism swinging said rotary base.