PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a three-dimensional ultrasonic probe and a three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of easily obtaining a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of high accuracy.SOLUTION: The three-dimensional ultrasonic probe includes a first transmitting/receiving part that has a plurality of transmitting/receiving elements for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves a second transmitting/receiving part that has a plurality of transmitting/receiving elements for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves and a support part for supporting the first and second transmitting/receiving parts. A space between the first and second transmitting/receiving parts is variable, and a transmitting/receiving direction of ultrasonic waves of the first transmitting/receiving part and a transmitting/receiving direction of ultrasonic waves of the second transmitting/receiving part are respectively variable. Further, the transmitting/receiving direction of ultrasonic waves of the first transmitting/receiving part and the transmitting/receiving direction of ultrasonic waves of the second transmitting/receiving part are configured to connect intersections to provide the three-dimensional probe and the three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of easily obtaining the three-dimensional ultrasonic image of high accuracy.COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT【課題】簡単に高精度の3次元超音波画像を得ることのできる3次元超音波プローブおよび3次元超音波診断装置を提供すること。【解決手段】本発明によれば、超音波を送受信するための複数の送受信素子を有する第1送受信部と、超音波を送受信するための複数の送受信素子を有する第2送受信部と、第1送受信部と第2送受信部とを支持する支持部とを備え、第1送受信部と第2送受信部との間隔が可変であり、第1送受信部の超音波の送受信方向および第2送受信部の超音波の送受信方向が、それぞれ可変であり、第1送受信部の超音波の送受信方向と第2送受信部の超音波の送受信方向とは交点を結ぶように構成することで、簡単に高精度の3次元超音波画像を得ることのできる3次元超音波プローブおよび3次元超音波診断装置を提供することができる。【選択図】図2
