A transparent ultrasound transducer device for multi-mode optical imaging on a target is provided. The device includes a transparent piezoelectric transducer, one or more wires, and an optical lens. The transparent piezoelectric transducer of a first acoustic impedance is configured to receive acoustic waves from the target. The transparent piezoelectric transducer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are coated with transparent electrically conductive coatings. The optical lens is contacted with and optically coupled to the first surface of the transparent piezoelectric transducer. The optical lens is made of a material with a second acoustic impedance, and the first and second acoustic impedances are substantially similar to minimize an acoustic impedance mismatch such that sensitivity of the device is improved.

A transducer probe includes a transducer array with rows of transducer elements that each extend in an elevation direction and is transverse to an azimuth direction, a matching layer disposed adjacent to the transducer array, and a focusing layer disposed adjacent to the matching layer. The focusing layer includes a first material with a first refractive index and a second material with a second refractive index, and the first refractive index is less than the second refractive index. The first and second materials are distributed in an alternating pattern with the first material at edges of the rows. First widths of the first material decrease from the edges towards a center of the rows, and second widths of the second material increase from the edges towards the center.

An ultrasonic transducer includes: a laminate in which a plurality of acoustic members is laminated; and an adhesive layer that includes a silane coupling agent and an adhesive, the adhesive layer joining any two of the plurality of acoustic members to each other, wherein the silane coupling agent has a structure represented by general formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1s each independently represent a methoxy group or an ethoxy group, R.sub.2 represents a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, or a hydrogen atom, X represents a linear or branched organic chain having 4 or more continuous carbon atoms, and A represents a reactive functional group.

An ultrasonic transducer includes: a laminate in which a plurality of acoustic members is laminated; and an adhesive layer that includes a silane coupling agent and an adhesive, the adhesive layer joining any two of the plurality of acoustic members to each other, wherein the silane coupling agent has a structure represented by general formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1s each independently represent a methoxy group or an ethoxy group, R.sub.2 represents a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, or a hydrogen atom, X represents a linear or branched organic chain having 4 or more continuous carbon atoms, and A represents a reactive functional group.

A method for building a soundproof enclosure (10) in the form of an independent structure with acoustic properties for isolating noise and vibration is disclosed. The soundproof enclosure (10) comprised a plurality of acoustical wall panels (12) interconnectable each to another at opposing sides for enclosing an interior space (41) of various sizes. The soundproof enclosure (10) further comprised one or more modular multilayer ceiling unit(s) (13) assembled onto the top edges of the acoustical wall panels (12) to form the enclosure. The ceiling unit (13) comprised a plurality of ceiling layers (17), each ceiling layer (17) being vertically spaced apart with one another by brackets to topographically form the multiple guided spaces necessary for air flow circulation within the enclosure (10). These guided spaces can also house multiple implements such as circulation fan, air filter and sound silencer. Sound insulating material layer(s) are interposed between the contacting surfaces of the ceiling unit (13) and the acoustical wall panels (12) and/or all around the surfaces to isolate and decouple the ceiling unit (13) from the acoustical wall panels (12) from vibrations. A sound barrier cover (16a or 79) is interposed at the openings (25) of the air passages (24) to further reduce the sound level emitted into and exiting from the enclosure. In addition, a construction method by elevating the heavy acoustical wall panels (12) and the ceiling units (13) until they fall into precise assembly location for ease of assembly of the components of the enclosure (10) and a floor base unit 11 that enabled the enclosure (10) to about easily in whole is also disclosed. Furthermore, a method to ease assembly of the enclosure (10) by use of removable heavy-duty handles (87) is disclosed.

A method for building a soundproof enclosure (10) in the form of an independent structure with acoustic properties for isolating noise and vibration is disclosed. The soundproof enclosure (10) comprised a plurality of acoustical wall panels (12) interconnectable each to another at opposing sides for enclosing an interior space (41) of various sizes. The soundproof enclosure (10) further comprised one or more modular multilayer ceiling unit(s) (13) assembled onto the top edges of the acoustical wall panels (12) to form the enclosure. The ceiling unit (13) comprised a plurality of ceiling layers (17), each ceiling layer (17) being vertically spaced apart with one another by brackets to topographically form the multiple guided spaces necessary for air flow circulation within the enclosure (10). These guided spaces can also house multiple implements such as circulation fan, air filter and sound silencer. Sound insulating material layer(s) are interposed between the contacting surfaces of the ceiling unit (13) and the acoustical wall panels (12) and/or all around the surfaces to isolate and decouple the ceiling unit (13) from the acoustical wall panels (12) from vibrations. A sound barrier cover (16a or 79) is interposed at the openings (25) of the air passages (24) to further reduce the sound level emitted into and exiting from the enclosure. In addition, a construction method by elevating the heavy acoustical wall panels (12) and the ceiling units (13) until they fall into precise assembly location for ease of assembly of the components of the enclosure (10) and a floor base unit 11 that enabled the enclosure (10) to about easily in whole is also disclosed. Furthermore, a method to ease assembly of the enclosure (10) by use of removable heavy-duty handles (87) is disclosed.

An acoustic lens contains a base material composed of a diorganopolysiloxane or a silicone rubber compound utilizing a diorganopolysiloxane as a main component, and plate-like inorganic compound particles dispersed in the base material.

A transparent ultrasound transducer device for multi-mode optical imaging on a target is provided. The device includes a transparent piezoelectric transducer, one or more wires, and an optical lens. The transparent piezoelectric transducer of a first acoustic impedance is configured to receive acoustic waves from the target. The transparent piezoelectric transducer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are coated with transparent electrically conductive coatings. The optical lens is contacted with and optically coupled to the first surface of the transparent piezoelectric transducer. The optical lens is made of a material with a second acoustic impedance, and the first and second acoustic impedances are substantially similar to minimize an acoustic impedance mismatch such that sensitivity of the device is improved.

The disclosed embodiments relate to a portable ultrasound device. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to an acoustic lens positioned at an ultrasound probe. The acoustic lens may be configured for impedance matching and signal attenuation. In one embodiment, ultrasound signal attenuation is provided by forming an acoustic lens as a solid admixture of signal attenuating particles in a polymer matrix.

The disclosed embodiments relate to a portable ultrasound device. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to an acoustic lens positioned at an ultrasound probe. The acoustic lens may be configured for impedance matching and signal attenuation. In one embodiment, ultrasound signal attenuation is provided by forming an acoustic lens as a solid admixture of signal attenuating particles in a polymer matrix.