A display apparatus including a flexible vibration module and a method of manufacturing the flexible vibration module are provided. A display apparatus includes: a display panel configured to display an image, and a flexible vibration module on a rear surface of the display panel, the flexible vibration module configured to vibrate the display panel, the flexible vibration module including: a plurality of first portions having a piezoelectric characteristic, and a plurality of second portions respectively between pairs of the plurality of first portions, the plurality of second portions having flexibility.

A multilayer body includes a piezoelectric body and a first acoustic matching layer in direct or indirect contact with the piezoelectric body. The first acoustic matching layer includes a plastic foam containing a plurality of closed pores. An average pore size of the closed pores is not smaller than 1 μm and not larger than 100 μm. The first acoustic matching layer has a density of not less than 10 kg/m.sup.3 and not more than 100 kg/m.sup.3.

A vibrating device includes a tubular body including a first end, a second end, and a plurality of side surfaces that connect the first and second ends, piezoelectric vibrators that are fixed to the tubular body and vibrate the tubular body, and a light transmitting body unit that is directly or indirectly connected to the second end of the tubular body.

A vascular occlusion treatment system includes an ultrasound imaging system having an imaging control circuit communicatively coupled to an ultrasound imaging probe and to a display screen, and an ultrasonic vibration system having an ultrasonic generator operatively coupled to a medical ultrasonic object, such as an ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic catheter has a corewire with a distal tip. The ultrasonic generator has a generator control circuit that alternatingly switches between an ultrasonic work frequency and a tracking frequency. The generator control circuit sends a notification to the imaging control circuit when the generator control circuit has switched from the ultrasonic work frequency to the tracking frequency. The imaging control circuit responds by initiating a search in an ultrasound imaging space to locate the distal tip that is vibrating at the tracking frequency, and indicating a location of the distal tip in the ultrasound image displayed on the display screen.

A method and system for controlling an array of piezoelectric transducers (11, 12, 13). Respective driving signals (Vn) are applied to the transducers. The driving signals (Vn) comprise an alternating component (A) oscillating at one or more driving frequencies to cause corresponding vibrations in the transducers for generating acoustic waves (Wn). One or more of the driving signals (Vn) are offset by a respective bias voltage (Bn). The bias voltage (Bn) is controlled to reduce a difference in resonance frequencies between the transducers. To eliminate any remaining difference, the alternating component (A) to at least a subset of the transducers (11,12) is periodically reset. In this way the phases of the resulting acoustic waves (W1,W2) can be synchronized.

Disclosed are an ultrasonic probe and a method of manufacturing the same. The ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric layer including one or more kerfs such that piezoelectric elements are provided in a plurality of rows along an elevation direction, a first electrode formed on an upper side of the piezoelectric layer, a second electrode formed on a lower side of the piezoelectric layer, a matching layer disposed above the piezoelectric layer and including one or more grooves connected to the one or more kerfs, and a third electrode formed in inner surfaces of the one or more grooves and electrically connected to the first electrode.

Devices and methods in which auscultation signals, ultrasound signals, and ambient noise signals may be simultaneously acquired by a same handheld device are provided. Moreover, in some embodiments, electrocardiogram (EKG) may be acquired by the handheld device. One such device includes a housing having a sensor portion at a distal end of the housing, and a handle portion between a proximal end and the distal end of the housing. An ultrasound sensor is positioned at least partially within the sensor portion of the housing, and a first auscultation sensor is positioned at least partially within the sensor portion of the housing. An ambient noise sensor is positioned at least partially within the housing between the handle portion and the proximal end of the housing.

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.

An intra oral scanner (IOS) including a probe is disclosed. Optionally, the probe is calibrated to measure locations at a higher accuracy than the IOS. For example, the probe may be used to locate points in a 3D map at high precision and/or the points used to increase the precision of location of other points and/or surfaces in the map. In some embodiments, the probe includes a sensor. Optionally, the probe may be used to measure locations that are hard to view with the IOS. For example, the IOS probe combination may be used to produce 3D maps of a recess in a tooth and/or gums and/or a periodontal pocket and/or to traduce a 3D map or periodontal disease. In some embodiments the probe may be used to measure physical properties, for example, the IOS probe combination may be used to produce a 3D image of hardness of mucosa.

The present invention relates to a system for the controlled fragmentation of solids by means of acoustic beams, comprising at least one acoustic beam generation unit (100); and one feedback and control unit (200) of said generation unit (100). Advantageously, the acoustic beams generated by the system are acoustic vortex beams; and the feedback and control unit (200) further comprises a feedback subsystem (12), configured to receive the information relating to the fragmented solids and to utilize it so as to adapt the operation of the acoustic beam generation unit (100). Given that the generation of shearing stresses is more efficient using vortex beams, the amplitudes of the ultrasonic field needed to fragment the calculi are much lower than in current extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy techniques. Likewise, the system minimizes unwanted effects on soft tissues surrounding the solid.