US 12,474,254 B2
Transparent ultrasonic sensor-based ultrasonic optical composite imaging system
Chulhong Kim, Pohang-si (KR); Hyung Ham Kim, Pohang-si (KR); Jeongwoo Park, Daegu (KR); Byullee Park, Gwangju (KR); Moongyu Han, Pohang-si (KR); and Joongho Ahn, Pohang-si (KR)
Assigned to POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION, Pohang-si (KR)
Filed by POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION, Pohang-si (KR)
Filed on Mar. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/116,229.
Application 18/116,229 is a continuation of application No. PCT/KR2021/000106, filed on Jan. 6, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2020-0110777 (KR), filed on Sep. 1, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0204492 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/17 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/1702 (2013.01) [G01N 2021/1706 (2013.01); G01N 2201/06113 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A transparent ultrasonic sensor-based ultrasonic optical composite imaging system comprising:
at least one light source; and
a transparent ultrasonic sensor coaxially aligned with light emitted from the light source and allowing the light emitted from the light source to be transmitted therethrough,
wherein the transparent ultrasonic sensor is disposed between the light source and a subject,
wherein the transparent ultrasonic sensor comprises:
a matching unit performing optical impedance matching and formed of a transparent material;
a piezoelectric layer located behind the matching unit and formed of a transparent material;
a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer located on a rear surface and a front surface of the piezoelectric layer, respectively, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer being formed of a transparent conductive material;
a first housing connected to the first electrode layer; and
a second housing connected to the second electrode layer,
wherein sizes of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are different from each other, and
wherein each of the first housing and the second housing is formed in a ring shape having an empty space in the middle.