Patent ID: 10743757

Abstract:
An ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric element in round shape, an acoustic lens, and an acoustic matching layer. The piezoelectric element generates an ultrasonic sound wave. The acoustic matching layer decreases a reflection of the ultrasonic sound wave from a subject. The piezoelectric element has a center having a hole through which an optical fiber that guides a light of a light source passes. The ultrasonic transducer transmits and receives the ultrasonic sound wave while emitting the light. The acoustic lens has a material using a resin with a withstand voltage, mainly polymethylpentene. The acoustic matching layer has a thickness set to λ/4 by not applying a polyparaxylylene coating for ensuring the withstand voltage on the acoustic matching layer. The optical fiber has a distal end configured not to pass through the acoustic lens. The piezoelectric element and the acoustic matching layer have shapes in a planar surface.