ULTRASONIC ARRAY PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC ANGLE BEAM PROBING DEVICE AND PROBING METHOD

摘要

PURPOSE: To provide an ultrasonic array probe in which the sensitivity inhibiting factor accompanying an inclined probing is eliminated to enhance the probing sensitivity, and the inclined probing can be performed with high sensitivity. ;CONSTITUTION: An ultrasonic array probe 30 has, essential constituting elements, a probe body 10 and a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators 20 arranged in order from one side of the probe body 10 to the other side. The vibrating surfaces of the ultrasonic oscillators 20 are uniformly inclined so that the crossing angle θwith the arrangement directional line L for connecting each ultrasonic oscillator 20 in order is an acute angle, and each vibrating surface is parallel to each other. The arrangement directional line L is a virtual line for connecting the mutually corresponding position (for example, the central position of the vibrating surface) of each ultrasonic oscillator 20 in order, and it is laid along the longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic array probe 30. Since the vibrating surface of each ultrasonic oscillator 20 is uniformly inclined, an oblique wave surface 29 based on each main electrode beam 21 emitted from it can be formed, and the ultrasonic array probe 30 suitable for angle beam probing with high sensitivity can be provided.;COPYRIGHT: (C)1996,JPO