Patent ID: 7914457

Claim:
An ultrasonic probe of a radial scan type mountable on an ultrasonic observation apparatus which inputs and outputs M numbers of signals in parallel, comprising: N(N>M) numbers of ultrasonic transducers disposed on an outer periphery of a tip of said probe, said N numbers of ultrasonic transducers being grouped into plural sensor element groups which are activated in sequence, each of said sensor element groups having M numbers of said ultrasonic transducers; N numbers of first signal lines respectively connected to said N numbers of ultrasonic transducers, a first signal line transmitting a drive signal for driving said ultrasonic transducers to receive an echo signal from within a living organism; M numbers of second signal lines connected to said ultrasonic observation apparatus; and a multiplexer disposed between said first signal lines and said second signal lines, said multiplexer selectively switching M numbers of said first signal lines for respectively connecting to said second signal lines according to a sensor element group to be activated; and wherein there are four of said sensor element groups, and plural ultrasonic transducers disposed at a boundary between two adjacent sensor element groups are contained both in said two adjacent sensor element groups.