Patent ID: 8517948
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: A61B,B06B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising: an ultrasound probe equipped with an ultrasound transducer including a pair of electrodes and an insulating portion and a sacrificial layer provided between the electrodes; a DC-bias applier configured to apply a DC bias between the electrodes; a transmitter configured to cause a portion of the insulating portion to vibrate through application of an ultrasound transmission pulse between the electrode in addition to the DC bias, to thereby transmit an ultrasound wave toward a subject; a receptor configured to receive an ultrasound echo from the subject; an image processor configured to produce an ultrasound image on the basis of a signal output from the receptor; and a discharger configured to apply sequential discharge pulses between the electrodes of the ultrasound transducer, wherein the sequential discharge pulses including a discharge pulse whose polarity is opposite that of an ordinary DC bias application voltage, in order to discharge a charge accumulated in the insulating portion between the electrodes, and further discharge pulses with a polarity reversing each time to thereby converge a transmission-reception sensitivity drift to zero.