ACOUSTIC COUPLER, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an acoustic coupler by which good transmission of an ultrasonic wave can be achieved.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic wave coupler 13a includes a sheet-like first member 25 having water holding property and water absorbing property. A second member 18 is coupled with the first member 25 to fix the first member 25 to a subject so that the first member 25 is in contact with a portion to be inspected of the subject. An ultrasonic device 31 is sandwiched between the first member 25 and a third member 17. The first member 25 is in contact with the portion to be inspected of the subject. A water content such as sweat held by the first member 25 functions as an acoustic coupling material.