Patent ID: 7872399
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: A61B,B06B,G01N,G01S

Abstract:
1. An ultrasonic probe having a plurality of transducers, each of which includes a plurality of vibrational elements formed on a substrate that each transmits or receives ultrasonic waves by converting ultrasonic waves and an electric signal into each other with a bias voltage applied thereto, set in array, comprising: a transmitting/receiving sensitivity correction means that independently adjusts the bias voltage to be applied to at least two vibrational elements among the plurality of vibrational elements, and corrects a variance in transmitting/receiving sensitivity between the at least two vibrational elements, wherein based on the capacitance of a reference vibrational element selected from the at least two vibrational elements, the transmitting/receiving sensitivity correction means corrects the transmitting/receiving sensitivity of the other vibrational elements, and wherein at least a part of the transmitting/receiving sensitivity correction means is disposed outside of the substrate.