PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasound probe which is compatible with a plurality of models with different specifications regarding to an element pitch in the direction of a long axis, a divided structure in the direction of a short axis, external dimensions or the like by one kind of a semiconductor substrate.SOLUTION: The ultrasound probe using a cMUT meets the element pitch in the direction of the long axis and dimensions required for separate models by arbitrarily connecting upper long axis element electrodes from 46-1 to 46-N by a switch circuit 53 to which the upper long axis element electrodes from 46-1 to 46-N, in which a plurality of oscillating elements 34 are connected in series, are connected electrically. The ultrasonic probe meets the divided structure in the direction of the short axis and the dimensions required for separate models by arbitrarily combining lower common electrodes from 48-1 to 48-4 by a switch circuit 58.COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT【課題】1種類の半導体基板で、長軸方向の素子ピッチ、短軸方向の分割構造、外形寸法等の仕様が異なる複数の機種に対して対応可能な超音波探触子を提供する。【解決手段】cMUTを用いた超音波探触子において、複数の振動要素34が直列に接続された上部長軸素子電極46-1~46-Nが電気的に接続されているスイッチ回路53によって上部長軸素子電極46-1~46-Nを任意に接続することにより、別々の機種に要求される長軸方向の素子ピッチ及び寸法に対応する。スイッチ回路58によって下部共通電極48-1~48-4任意に組み合わせることにより、別々の機種に要求される短軸方向の分割構造及び寸法に対応する。【選択図】図5
