PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently release the generated heat while securing flexibility.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic probe comprises a tip part, a bent part and a first heat conduction member. The tip part includes an acoustic element group for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave. The bent part is connected to the tip part, and includes a cylindrical first exterior member having flexibility and a bending mechanism for bending the first exterior member. The heat conduction member is thermally connected to the tip part and has flexibility in a portion which is arranged on the center of the cross section with the plane orthogonal to the axis of the first exterior member and arranged at least on the inner side of the first exterior member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3COPYRIGHT: (C)2016,JPO&INPIT【課題】屈曲性を確保しつつ、発生した熱を効率的に逃がすこと。【解決手段】実施形態に係る超音波プローブは、先端部と、屈曲部と、第1の熱伝導部材とを備える。先端部は、超音波の送受信を行う音響素子群を有する。屈曲部は、前記先端部に接続され、屈曲性を有する筒状の第1の外装部材と、前記第1の外装部材を屈曲させる屈曲機構とを有する。第1の熱伝導部材は、前記先端部に熱的に接続され、前記第1の外装部材の軸と直交する平面による断面の中央に配置され、かつ、少なくとも前記第1の外装部材の内側に配置される部分が屈曲性を有する。【選択図】図3
