In one embodiment, a transducer comprises a first piezoelectric stack comprising a piezoelectric material; a first layer in contact with the piezoelectric stack; and a base structure beneath the first layer. The first layer has a first displacement between a first portion of the base structure and the first layer, and the first displacement is configurable by a first bias voltage received by the transducer.

An ultrasound transducer of a vehicle system includes a support member that attaches to and connects to the bottom portion of a membrane of the ultrasound transducer and supports the membrane, wherein the support member includes one or more cantilevers with a first end attaching to the membrane and a second end attaching to a support portion of the support member that attaches to the substrate, wherein the cantilever extends across and floats above the substrate, wherein the first end of the cantilever includes a stub extending away from a surface of the cantilever, wherein the stub extends away from the surface without contacting the substrate, wherein the one or more cantilevers includes one or more piezoelectric layers on the surface of the cantilever.

An ultrasound transducer, wherein the ultrasound transducer includes a membrane including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the membrane is configured to vibrate and generate an ultrasound in response to voltage applied the transducer, wherein the membrane includes a perimeter including a plurality of sides and a top surface and a bottom surface with one or more feet extending away from the bottom surface; and a support member that attaches to and connects to the membrane and supports the membrane, wherein the support member includes one or more platforms extending to and attaching to the membrane and a substrate, wherein a first end of the platform connects to the membrane and includes a support portion, wherein the support portion away from the platform, wherein the platform includes the one or more piezoelectric layers, wherein the one or more platforms support and surround the membrane.

A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric element body including a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other, and a plurality of external electrodes disposed on the first principal surface. A vibration member includes a third principal surface opposing the second principal surface. The piezoelectric element is joined to the third principal surface. A wiring member is electrically connected to the piezoelectric element. The wiring member includes a region located on the plurality of external electrodes and joined to the plurality of external electrodes. The region of the wiring member monolithically covers the plurality of external electrodes when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the first principal surface.

A vibration apparatus can include a first cover member; a second cover member; a vibration portion between the first cover member and the second cover member; a contact portion between the first cover member and the vibration portion; and a signal cable. The signal cable can include a first signal line connected to a first surface of the vibration portion via the contact portion, and a second signal line connected to a second surface of the vibration portion opposite to the first surface of the vibration portion.

An apparatus may include a vibration member and a vibration apparatus provided at a rear surface of the vibration member to vibrate the vibration member. The vibration apparatus may include at least one or more first vibration portions and a plurality of second vibration portions different from the at least one or more first vibration portions. The at least one or more first vibration portions may be at a periphery of, or may be adjacent to, the plurality of second vibration portions.

A multi-frequency ultrasound therapy apparatus is configured to operate at its center frequency and at the higher harmonic of its center frequency. The center frequency can be for the entire apparatus or for each ultrasound source element. At least one source element can generate ultrasound energy at its center frequency while, simultaneously, at least another source element can generate ultrasound energy at the higher harmonic of its center frequency. In addition, the same source element can generate ultrasound energy at its center frequency and the higher harmonic of its center frequency, respectively, but at different times. A data storage unit that stores encrypted and encoded data is disposed on the apparatus. The encoded data includes a unique identification code of the apparatus, the condition of use of the apparatus, the center frequency of each source element, the ultrasound efficiency of each source element, and/or other parameters relating to the apparatus.

A transducer assembly operable to transmit ultrasonic energy in a desired direction towards a zone adapted to be acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest is disclosed which has a transducer layer, a backing material disposed behind the transducer layer with respect to the desired direction, and a back-matching layer disposed between the transducer layer and the backing material to reflect towards the transducer layer part of the ultrasonic energy directed from the transducer layer to the backing material. The backing layer has an acoustic impedance higher than the acoustic impedance of the back-matching layer. The back-matching material has an impedance less than the impedance of the transducer layer and the transducer layer has a thickness greater than a ¼ of the wavelength of the ultrasound waves the assembly is configured to generate. A process for manufacturing a transducer assembly is also disclosed.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to an applicator for applying ultrasound energy to a tissue volume, comprising: an array comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducers, the transducers arranged side by side, the transducers configured to emit unfocused ultrasound energy suitable to thermally damage at least a portion of the tissue volume, each of the transducers comprising a coating thin enough so as not to substantially affect heat transfer via the coating to the tissue; and a cooling module configured to apply cooling via the transducers to prevent overheating of a surface of the tissue volume being contacted by the transducers.

A cartridge for a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device and a piezoelectric linear motor are disclosed. By using the cartridge for a HIFU device according to the present invention, a transducer module is coupled to a piezoelectric linear motor driveable in water and embedded in the cartridge, heat generated when a conventional step motor is driven is fundamentally removed, an additional cooling fan is not needed, ultra-low power consumption and ultra-precise transfer can be realized, and thus an effective procedure can be performed. A skin beauty device may include ultrasound and high frequency units, apply a high frequency to a skin to be treated so as to crack a stratum corneum, and apply ultrasound to the skin to be treated, and thus a medicament drug can easily penetrate the treated skin. In addition, the piezoelectric linear motor in which a piezoelectric actuator and a moving shaft are stably coupled is provided.