A UT method includes steps of: placing multiple sensors on a test object, the sensors each having multiple elements; connecting the sensors to a UT device such that multiple elements each selected one by one from each of the sensors are set as one group, and the multiple elements belonging to a same group are selectively connected to a common connector of the UT device via a switcher; inputting to the UT device a collection of UT conditions used for the multiple sensors; causing the UT device to perform UT operations sequentially while switching the sensors connected to the UT device with the use of the switcher; and storing UT data in which the sensors used for UT match UT conditions on the basis of the order of execution of UT conditions included in the collection of UT conditions.

An ultrasonic sensor includes: a first electrode that is provided in an ultrasonic microphone including a vibration element having a function of performing conversion between mechanical vibration and an electrical signal; a second electrode that is provided at a position different from the first electrode in an in-plane direction intersecting a directional axis of the ultrasonic microphone; and a detection section that is provided to detect the presence or absence of attached matter attached to the ultrasonic sensor on the basis of a change in capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

A biosensor for detecting the presence of a target compound in a test solution is disclosed. The biosensor includes upper and lower carrier plates, a spacer film with a micro-channel, an inlet port upstream of the micro-channel, an outlet port downstream of the micro-channel, a micro-machined transceiver, and a first molecularly imprinted polymer layer for recognizing and binding the target compound. The micro-machined transceiver includes a micro-machined transmitter for generating an acoustic wave, and micro-machined receiver for generating an acoustic wave-induced voltage. An amplitude of the acoustic wave-induced voltage is varied in response to the concentration of the target compound.

An apparatus comprises a stressed glass member and an actuator mounted on the stressed glass member. A power source is coupled to the actuator. An abrasion structure is disposed between the actuator and the stressed glass member. The abrasion structure comprises abrading features in contact with the stressed glass member. The abrading features have a hardness higher than a hardness of the stressed glass member. When energized by the power source, the actuator is configured to induce movement of the abrasion structure that causes the abrading features to create scratches in the stressed glass member to a depth sufficient to initiate fracture of the stressed glass member.

An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid includes a transducer assembly having an adjustable length. The transducer assembly is positioned in a transducer port in the meter body and includes a piezoelectric capsule axially positioned adjacent a first end of the transducer assembly. The piezoelectric capsule includes a transformer, a piezoelectric element axially spaced from the transformer, and axially-extendable wireway. A conductor extends through the extendable wireway and electrically couples the piezoelectric element with the transformer.

A resonator is provided that suppresses frequency variations with etching without decreasing the strength of vibration arms. The resonator includes a base portion, a first vibration portion extending from the base portion in a first direction and having a first width, and a second vibration portion extending from the base portion in the first direction with a first gap between the first and second vibration portions and having the first width. The first and second vibration portions perform out-of-plane bending vibration with opposite phases at a predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency varies in accordance with the first width and the first gap. The ratio of the first gap to the first width is within a range that causes an absolute value of rates of variations in the predetermined frequency with respect to variations in the first width and in the first gap to be not more than about 100 ppm.

Transducer assemblies that can be used in acoustophoretic systems are disclosed. The acoustophoretic systems including the transducer assemblies and methods of operating the acoustophoretic systems are also disclosed. The transducer assemblies include a housing, a polymeric film attached to the housing, and a piezoelectric material attached to the polymeric film. The piezoelectric material is not attached to, and does not come in direct contact with, the housing. The piezoelectric material is configured to be driven by a drive signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. The piezoelectric material can be attached to the polymer film by an adhesive coating on the polymer film.

In a vibration unit, a first electrode of a sensor circuit of a control unit is electrically connected to a first external electrode-of a first piezoelectric element, a second electrode of the sensor circuit is electrically connected to a second external electrode of the first piezoelectric element, a first electrode of a drive circuit is electrically connected to a first external electrode of a second piezoelectric element, and a second electrode of the drive circuit is electrically connected to a second external electrode of the second piezoelectric element. Only a relatively small voltage induced by an electromotive force occurring due to the flexure of the first piezoelectric element is applied to the sensor circuit. In addition, only a relatively large drive voltage to be applied to the second piezoelectric element is applied to the drive circuit.

An intraluminal ultrasound imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient. The flexible elongate member includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device also includes an ultrasound imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The ultrasound imaging assembly is configured to obtain imaging data of the body lumen. The ultrasound imaging assembly includes a transducer array including a substrate, a silicon oxide layer disposed over the substrate, and a plurality of rows of micromachined ultrasound transducer elements disposed on the silicon oxide layer. Two of the plurality of rows of micromachined ultrasound transducer elements are spaced apart by a trench formed by etching through a screen formed in the silicon oxide layer. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for photoacoustic imaging. One such apparatus may include an ultrasound-on-a-chip device attached to a housing, an optical emitter attached to the housing, and a controller enclosed at least partially in the housing. The ultrasound-on-a-chip device may include a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The optical emitter may include an array of diodes arranged at a periphery of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The controller may be configured to control the optical emitter to emit pulses of light, to control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to detect ultrasonic waves emitted from a target to be imaged in response to exposure to the pulses of light, and to convert the ultrasonic waves to digital signals. For example, the optical emitter may be controlled to emit chirped optical pulses. The digital signals may be processed by the controller to produce image-formation data.