(19)
(11) EP 0 373 603 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
13.11.1991 Bulletin 1991/46

(43) Date of publication A2:
20.06.1990 Bulletin 1990/25

(21) Application number: 89122956.9

(22) Date of filing: 12.12.1989
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: B06B 1/06, G10K 11/32
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 14.12.1988 JP 315422/88

(71) Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Kadoma-shi, Osaka-fu, 571 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Tanaka, Hideyuki
    Kawaguchi-shi Saitama-ken (JP)
  • Saito, Koetsu
    Tokyo (JP)
  • Sakai, Ikuo
    Tama-ku Kawasaki (JP)
  • Kawabuchi, Masami
    Yokohama (JP)

(74) Representative: Tiedtke, Harro, Dipl.-Ing. et al
Patentanwaltsbüro Tiedtke-Bühling-Kinne & Partner Bavariaring 4
80336 München
80336 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Ultrasonic probe


    (57) An ultrasonic probe (1) includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements (2A-2F) extending concentrically. The elements have respective surfaces via which ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received. The surfaces of the elements (2A-2F) are concave and have predetermined radii of curvature (ra-rf) respectively. The radii of curvature increase as the elements are farther from an innermost place and closer to an outermost place.







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