Acoustic lens composition, ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

Provided is an acoustic lens composition which comprises 40 wt % or more of silicone rubber and 15 to 60 wt % of a zinc oxide powder, suppresses ultrasonic attenuation, and has superior molding properties.

1 . An acoustic lens composition comprising not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 15 to 60 wt % of a zinc oxide powder.  
   
   
       2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the zinc oxide powder has an average particle diameter of not more than 200 nm.  
   
   
       3 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the zinc oxide powder is coated with a silicone resin.  
   
   
       4 . A composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising not more than 30 wt % of a silica powder.  
   
   
       5 . An acoustic lens composition comprising not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 10 to 52 wt % of at least one platinum-based powder selected from the group consisting of a platinum powder, a platinum powder having platinum oxide on at least a surface, and a platinum oxide powder.  
   
   
       6 . A composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the platinum-based powder has an average particle diameter of not more than 200 nm.  
   
   
       7 . A composition according to  claim 5 , wherein a surface of the platinum-based powder is coated with a silicone resin.  
   
   
       8 . A composition according to  claim 5 , further comprising not more than 30 wt % of a silica powder.  
   
   
       9 . An acoustic lens composition containing not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 12 to 56 wt % of a ytterbium oxide powder.  
   
   
       10 . A composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the ytterbium oxide composition has an average particle diameter of not more than 200 nm.  
   
   
       11 . A composition according to  claim 9 , wherein a surface of the ytterbium oxide powder is coated with a silicone resin.  
   
   
       12 . A composition according to  claim 9 , further comprising not more than 30 wt % of a silica powder.  
   
   
       13 . An ultrasonic probe comprising: 
 a backing material;    a piezoelectric element formed on the backing material, and having a piezoelectric body and a pair of electrodes formed on a first surface of the piezoelectric body, which faces the backing material, and on a second surface of the piezoelectric body, which is opposite to the first surface;    an acoustic matching layer formed on the electrode surface of the piezoelectric element; and    an acoustic lens formed on the acoustic matching layer, and containing not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 15 to 60 wt % of a zinc oxide powder.    
   
   
       14 . A probe according to  claim 13 , wherein the silicon rubber in the acoustic lens is liquid silicone rubber.  
   
   
       15 . A probe according to  claim 13 , wherein the silicone rubber in the acoustic lens is millable silicone rubber.  
   
   
       16 . A probe according to  claim 13 , wherein the zinc oxide powder in the acoustic lens has an average particle diameter of not more than 200 nm.  
   
   
       17 . A probe according to  claim 13 , wherein a surface of the zinc oxide powder in the acoustic lens is coated with a silicone resin.  
   
   
       18 . A probe-according to  claim 13 , wherein the acoustic lens further contains not more than 30 wt % of a silica powder.  
   
   
       19 . An ultrasonic probe comprising: 
 a backing material;    a piezoelectric element formed on the backing material, and having a piezoelectric body and a pair of electrodes formed on a first surface of the piezoelectric body, which faces the backing material, and on a second surface of the piezoelectric body, which is opposite to the first surface;    an acoustic matching layer formed on the electrode surface of the piezoelectric element; and    an acoustic lens formed on the acoustic matching layer, and containing not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 10 to 52 wt % of at least one platinum-based powder selected from the group consisting of a platinum powder, a platinum powder having platinum oxide on at least a surface, and a platinum oxide powder.    
   
   
       20 . A probe according to  claim 19 , wherein the silicon rubber in the acoustic lens is liquid silicone rubber.  
   
   
       21 . A probe according to  claim 19 , wherein the silicone rubber in the acoustic lens is millable silicone rubber.  
   
   
       22 . A probe according to  claim 19 , wherein the platinum-based powder in the acoustic lens has an average particle diameter of not more than 200 nm.  
   
   
       23 . A probe according to  claim 19 , wherein a surface of the platinum-based powder in the acoustic lens is coated with a silicone resin.  
   
   
       24 . A probe according to  claim 19 , wherein the acoustic lens further contains not more than 30 wt % of a silica powder.  
   
   
       25 . An ultrasonic probe comprising: 
 a backing material;    a piezoelectric element formed on the backing material, and having a piezoelectric body and a pair of electrodes formed on a first surface of the piezoelectric body, which faces the backing material, and on a second surface of the piezoelectric body, which is opposite to the first surface;    an acoustic matching layer formed on the electrode surface of the piezoelectric element; and    an acoustic lens formed on the acoustic matching layer, and containing not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 12 to 56 wt % of a ytterbium oxide powder.    
   
   
       26 . A probe according to  claim 25 , wherein the silicon rubber in the acoustic lens is liquid silicone rubber.  
   
   
       27 . A probe according to  claim 25 , wherein the silicone rubber in the acoustic lens is millable silicone rubber.  
   
   
       28 . A probe according to  claim 25 , wherein the ytterbium oxide powder in the acoustic lens has an average particle diameter of not more than 200 nm.  
   
   
       29 . A probe according to  claim 25 , wherein a surface of the ytterbium oxide powder in the acoustic lens is coated with a silicone resin.  
   
   
       30 . A probe according to  claim 25 , wherein the acoustic lens further contains not more than 30 wt % of a silica powder.  
   
   
       31 . An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 
 an ultrasonic probe having an acoustic lens formed on a piezoelectric element via an acoustic matching layer, and containing not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 15 to 60 wt % of a zinc oxide powder;    an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body having a screen; and    a cable which connects the ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body.    
   
   
       32 . An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 
 an ultrasonic probe having an acoustic lens formed on a piezoelectric element via an acoustic matching layer, and containing not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 10 to 52 wt % of at least one platinum-based powder selected from the group consisting of a platinum powder, a platinum powder having platinum oxide on at least a surface, and a platinum oxide powder;    an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body having a screen; and    a cable which connects the ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body.    
   
   
       33 . An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 
 an ultrasonic probe having an acoustic lens formed on a piezoelectric element via an acoustic matching layer, and containing not less than 40 wt % of silicone rubber and 12 to 56 wt % of a ytterbium oxide powder;    an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body having a screen; and    a cable which connects the ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body.