Patent ID: 7348712

Claim:
An ultrasonic probe comprising: ultrasonic piezoelectric elements that are arranged in a first direction at predetermined intervals and transmit and receive ultrasonic waves in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the respective ultrasonic piezoelectric elements have plural grooves, which are parallel to the first direction and do not pierce through an end face, on at least one end face of two end faces substantially orthogonal to the second direction of the respective ultrasonic piezoelectric elements, the ultrasonic waves are weighted in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction according to shapes and arrangement of the respective plural grooves and transmitted and received, a conductive member is joined to the end face having the grooves of the respective ultrasonic piezoelectric elements along the third direction, and the plural grooves are formed substantially in the same depth and arranged at intervals gradually reducing in size toward both sides in the third direction.