Patent ID: 7207940
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: A61B,G01S

Abstract:
1. An ultrasonic probe to be used when connected to an external apparatus main body, said probe comprising: a transducer array having a first number of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a two-dimensional matrix form, said first number of ultrasonic transducers including ultrasonic transducers in an original pattern that are previously determined to be working and ultrasonic transducers outside of said original pattern; connecting means for connecting a second number of ultrasonic transducers selected from among said first number of ultrasonic transducers to said external apparatus main body, said second number being less than said first number and said second number of ultrasonic transducers including (i) ultrasonic transducers in said original pattern except for at least one defective ultrasonic transducer and (ii) at least one additional ultrasonic transducer outside of said original pattern in place of said at least one defective ultrasonic transducer; and identification information holding means for holding identification information on said ultrasonic probe, said identification information being associated with arrangement information and/or characteristic information on said selected second number of ultrasonic transducers within said transducer array.