PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the weight of an ultrasonic probe by impregnating only a medium holding member mounted in a probe case, with a sound propagation medium, thereby reducing a filled amount of the sound propagation medium.SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe includes: the probe case 3 having a leading-end face 3b contacting with a surface of a subject and a probe body 1 accommodated in the probe case 3 and used for receiving and transmitting an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic probe ultrasonically diagnoses a subject by moving the probe body 1 along the internal bottom 3a of the probe case 3, thereby mechanically scanning the subject. In the ultrasonic probe, a medium holding member 31 impregnated with a sound propagation medium is interposed in a gap g formed between the ultrasonic radiation face 1a of the probe body 1 and the internal bottom 3a of the probe case 3.COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT【課題】探触子ケース内に装填した媒質保持部材のみに音響伝搬媒質を含浸させて、音響伝搬媒質の充填量を低減させて超音波探触子の軽量化を図る。【解決手段】本発明は、被検体表面に接触する先端面3bを有する探触子ケース3と該探触子ケース3内に収容されて超音波を送受信する探触子本体1と、から超音波探触子を構成し、前記探触子本体1を前記探触子ケース3の内底面3aに沿って移動させて機械的に走査して被検体の超音波診断を行う超音波探触子において、前記探触子本体1の超音波放射面1aと前記探触子ケース3の内底面3aとの間に形成された隙間gに、音響伝搬媒質を含浸させた媒質保持部材31を介在させたことを特徴とする。【選択図】図1
