Ultrasound Probe


NDK has a wide range of probe portfolio for many applications.


The certification of "ISO13485:2016"
that is International Standard of the quality management system
in medical devices acquired, and we will deliver secure,
safe and high-quality product for medical devices.

Custom Design

We can provide customized probes according to customer's request(OEM).
■Custom-made specification are available
(Frequency, Element Pitch, Element Length, Product Shape etc)

Serch Ultrasound Probe (Transducer)

Serch by Probe Type
Serch by Inspection Area

※Specifications are subject to change or discontinuated without notice.

Serch by Probe Type

Product for 2D Imaging

Probe Type Feature Application Central
Frequency		 Element Radius
of
Curvature		 Main Product

Linear Type

Wide footprint and keep same field of view at deep part.
  • Vascular ( Arteriosclerosis, Needle Guide)
  • Breast, Thyroid
  • MSK ( Tendon, Arthrosis)
  • Intraoperative (Laparoscopy etc.)
  • Healthcare (Muscle, Fat)
 2.5MHz
|
15MHz		 64ch
|
256ch		 -
7.5MHz
Linear
 Array Module
Sample Data
Probe
Sample Data
10MHz
Linear
 Array Module
Sample Data
Probe
Sample Data
13MHz
Linear
 Array Module
Sample Data
Probe
Sample Data
15MHz
Linear
 Array Module
Sample Data

Convex(Curved)
Type

Wide footprint, field of view will be spreaded at deep part.
  • Abdominal
  • Obstetrics / Gynecology (Superficial, Endocavity)
  • Prostate (Endocavity)
 2.5MHz
|
7.5MHz		 64ch
|
192ch		 R10
|
R80
3.5MHz
Convex
(Curved)
 Array Module
Sample Data
Probe
Sample Data
3.5MHz
Convex
(Curved)
（Single Crystal）
 Array Module
Sample Data
Probe
Sample Data
7MHz
Convex
(Curved)
 Array Module
Sample Data

Phased(Sector)
Type

Small footprint, field of view will be spreaded widely at deep part.
  • Cardiac (Superficial, TEE)
  • Abdominal
  • Intraoperative
 2MHz
|
7.5MHz		 32ch
|
128ch		 -
2.5MHz
Phased
(Sector)
 Array Module
Sample Data
Probe
Sample Data

Single Type

A) The measurement of distance.


B) B mode scanning by
    mechanical rotation.
  • Ophthalmology
  • The Blood Flow Measurement with Doppler
  • Urology
  • Fetus Heart Rate
  • Gastrointestinal Tract
 2MHz
|
22MHz		 - -
20MHz
Single Type
 Array Module
Sample Data

Product for 3D Imaging

<
Probe Type Feature Application Central
Frequency		 Element Radius
of
Curvature		 Main Product

Linear Type

Real time 3D probe with the linear scanning type.
The wide footprint probe head is beneficial at near part with the wide field of view.
  • Breast, Thyroid and Arteria Carotis of Vascular Application.
 7.5MHz
|
11MHz		 128ch
|
192ch		 -
Mechanical
Scanning 3D
8MHz Linear
Sample Data

Convex(Curved)
Type

Real time 3D probe with the wide field of view.
The wide footprint probe head is beneficial at deep part scanning.
  • Abdominal, Obstetrics
 3.5MHz
|
6.5MHz		 128ch
|
192ch		R40
|
R48
Mechanical
Scanning 3D
4.5MHz
Convex
(Curved)
Sample Data

Search by Inspection Area ※Besides the examples of diagnosis shown below, ultrasound probe are also used for many other different diagnostic applications.

Axial Length

Mammary Grand・Thyroid Gland

Blood Vessel

Circulatory Organ

Abdomen

Transvaginal・Transrectal

Abdomen

Ultrasound probe are used for diagnosis of internal organs including liver, kidneys,
pancreas and gallbladder or watching fetal growth and health condition in the maternal body.

Probe for Abdomen

Array Module

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
2.5MHz
|
7.5MHz		 64ch
|
192ch		 R10
|
R60		 Convex
(Curved)
Type

Sample Data

3.5MHz Convex
3.5MHz Convex(Single Crystal)

Probe

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
3.5MHz
|
7.0MHz		 64ch
|
192ch		 R40
|
R60		 Convex
(Curved)
Type

Sample Data

3.5MHz Convex
3.5MHz Convex(Single Crystal)

Mechanical
Scanning 3D Probe

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
3.5MHz
|
4.5MHz		 128ch
|
192ch		 R40
|
R48		 Convex
(Curved)
Type

Sample Data

Mechanical Scanning 3D 4.5MHz Convex

Mechanical Scan for 3D Imaging

Mechanically moving the electronic scanning convex type probe over the abdomen of a pregnant woman
in a fan shape will acquire 3D data to produce images. The moving speed and angle can be adjusted to
acquire 3D image data suitable for your purpose of use.
From the 3D data, it is possible to obtain cross-section images at any given point of the axis (horizontal plane)
perpendicular to the direction of propagation of Ultrasound waves from the probe that cannot be viewed in
traditional 4D images. This provides even wider information for diagnosis.

Mammary Grand・Thyroid Gland

Ultrasound probe are used for breast cancer check-ups to detect the presence of lumps under breasts or any
changes in their shape, and for thyroid gland examinations to detect the presence of lumps inside the neck.

Probe for Mammary Grand and Thyroid Gland

Array Module

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
7MHz
|
13MHz		 64ch
|
256ch		 - Linear
Type

Sample Data

7.5MHz Linear
10MHz Linear
13MHz Linear
15MHz Linear

Probe

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
7MHz
|
12MHz		 64ch
|
192ch		 - Linear
Type

Sample Data

7.5MHz Linear
10MHz Linear
13MHz Linear

Mechanical
Scanning 3D Probe

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
7.5MHz
|
11MHz		 128ch
|
192ch		 - Linear
Type

Sample Data

Mechanical Scanning 3D 8MHz Linear

Parallel Scan

This linear type uses the world's first "parallel scan" technology that allows the built-in probe to directly move
in a lateral direction (reciprocal scan) with a motor.
Compared to the traditional arc scanning, this parallel scanning provides higher lateral resolution of diagnostic images.
The probe also has a flat surface that touches the target part of the human body (the surface that sends and receives ultrasound waves). This geometry allows the probe to ensure more uniform contact with the irregular surface of breasts and other parts of the human body.

Circulatory Organ

Ultrasound plobe are used for cardiac diagnosis to capture the size of the heart and to check it for shape or
movement abnormality as well as to determine the heart blood flow condition.

Probe for Circulatory Organ

Array Module

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
2MHz
|
7.5MHz		 32ch
|
128ch		 - Phased
(Sector)
Type

Sample Data

2.5MHz Sector

Probe

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
2MHz
|
7.5MHz		 32ch
|
128ch		 - Phased
(Sector)
Type

Sample Data

2.5MHz Sector

Transvaginal・Transrectal

Ultrasound plobe are used for uterus examinations to detect any variation in the contour of the uterus or the
presence of uterine myoma as well as for prostate examinations.

Probe for Transvaginal and Transrectal

Array Module

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
6MHz
|
7MHz		 64ch
|
128ch		 R10 Convex
(Curved)
Type

Sample Data

7MHz Convex

Probe

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
6MHz 128ch
|
192ch		 R10 TV Type

Blood Vessel

Ultrasound Probe are used to check the blood vessels for an abnormal wall (vascular intimal)
condition or blood flow, helping detection of hardening of the arteries.

Probe for Blood Vessel

Array Module

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
7.5MHz
|
15MHz		 64ch
|
256ch		 - Linear
Type

Sample Data

7.5MHz Linear
10MHz Linear
13MHz Linear
15MHz Linear

Probe

Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
7.5MHz
|
13MHz		 128ch
|
192ch		 - Linear
Type

Sample Data

7.5MHz Linear
10MHz Linear
13MHz Linear

Axial Length

Ultrasound probe are used for close examination of
eyes prior to ophthalmic operations such as cataract treatments.

Probe for Axial Length Inspection


Central
Frequency		 Element Radius of
Curvature		 Probe Type
10MHz
|
22MHz		 - - Single
Type

Sample Data

20MHz Single

Frequency and Resolution

High frequency probe can get the fine imaging with good resolution.
However the imaging of deep part will be smudgy due to wave length is short.
Meanwhile the imaging resolution of low frequency probe is low but ultrasound wave can reach deep part.
The scanning depth and resolution are mainly determined by the frequency of probe.

Frequency Resolution Penetration Possible Scanning
Depth
High Fine Weak Shallow
Low Rough Strong Deep

The Basic Principle of Ultrasound Probe

The ultrasound probe consists of a piezoelectric element (transducer), backing material, an acoustic matching layer and an acoustic lens. The following describes the components and their functions of the convex type probe as an example.

NDK, as a crystal device manufacturer, applies its proprietary technologies to the probe manufacturing processes, such as micromachining of piezoelectric elements and installation of acoustic matching layers.

  • Function of the Piezoelectric Element (Transducer)
  • Function of the Backing Material
  • Function of the Acoustic
    Matching Layer
  • Function of the Coustic Lens

◀︎

▶︎

The piezoelectric element is an essential part of the probe to generate ultrasound waves.
On both sides of the piezoelectric element electrodes are affixed and a voltage is applied.
The element then oscillates by repeatedly expanding and contracting, generating a sound wave. When the element is externally applied with oscillation (or an ultrasound wave) in turn, it generates a voltage.


Among the several types of piezoelectric elements, piezoelectric ceramic (PZT: lead zirconate titanate) is most commonly used because of its high conversion efficiency.


The piezoelectric element is divided into strip sections, which are each affixed with electrodes.
Each strip section of the piezoelectric element has a width about a half of that of a piece of hair.
The process to cut the element into sections in micron order and affix them is based on the high-level technology of NDK.

The backing material is located behind the piezoelectric element to prevent excessive oscillation.
Reducing excessing oscillation will cause the element to generate ultrasound waves with a shorter pulse length, contributing to the higher resolution in determining the distance to objects in images.

Ultrasound waves transmitted from the probe are reflected off a target because there is a big difference in acoustic impedance between the piezoelectric element and the object. To avoid this phenomenon, an intermediate material is inserted between the two so that ultrasound waves can efficiently enter the object. This is the role of the acoustic matching layer.
This acoustic matching for less reflection of ultrasound waves makes it possible to implement highly sensitive probes.

The acoustic matching layer uses a combination of different resin materials to obtain an adequate acoustic impedance value, ensuring acoustic matching.

The acoustic lens is a gray part looking like rubber attached to the tip of the probe. Without the acoustic lens, ultrasonund waves transmitted from the probe would spread and travel like light. The acoustic lens prevents the ultrasound waves from spreading and focuses them in the slice direction to improve the resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't ultrasound waves scatter?

The likeliness of scattering of ultrasound waves depends on the size of the sound source and the frequency (wavelength).
In general, ultrasound waves transmitted from a smaller source are more likely to scatter and those from a larger source less likely to scatter.
Attaching an acoustic lens to the ultrasound probe will allow the probe to focus ultrasonic waves.

To what extent can the lens focus ultrasound waves?

The focusing effect of an acoustic lens depends on the near field length that is decided by the size of the ultrasound sensor and the wavelength (radius of the transducer/wavelength) and the curvature of the lens.

Which part of the sensor uses crystals?

None of the modern ultrasound sensors mainly used for medicine use crystals.
Because of their low electromechanical coupling factor, crystals are not suitable for use in transducers that convert electric signals into ultrasound waves (and vice versa) such as ultrasound sensors.
Instead, ceramic materials are typically used in piezoelectric elements.

How are transducers driven?

When a pulse voltage is applied across the electrodes attached to both poles of the piezoelectric element, the element has mechanical oscillation with its own resonance frequency.
For more information, see "Basic Knowledge: Basic Principle of Operation of Medical Ultrasound Probes".

How can 3D images be obtained?

3D images can be generated when data in the three-axis directions to the sensor (longitudinal, lateral and depth) are available.
NDK uses the technology that mechanically moves a cross-sectional probe capable of obtaining lateral and depth data in the longitudinal direction to implement 3D imaging.
Abdomen probes are mainly used as 3D imaging sensors for prenatal diagnosis.

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