JP4717448B2 - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used for obtaining biological information using ultrasonic waves.

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus obtains in-vivo image information and the like by transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from a living body using an ultrasound probe, and is used in various medical fields. For example, as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used for ultrasonic diagnosis of a carotid artery for the purpose of diagnosing arteriosclerosis, an apparatus having a configuration as shown in FIG. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an operator holds the ultrasonic probe 10, places the ultrasonic probe 10 against the neck surface of the subject 15, and applies an ultrasonic beam to the blood vessel 14 in the body. Radiates towards. Then, the ultrasonic measurement unit 11 detects and outputs an ultrasonic signal reflected from the blood vessel 14, and the data analysis processing unit 12 analyzes the characteristics of the blood vessel 14 based on the output detection signal, and analyzes the analysis. The result is displayed on the display device 13.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-229078 (FIG. 1)

  However, when performing ultrasonic diagnosis, if the ultrasonic probe 10 applied to the body surface is displaced or the angle applied to the body surface changes, the detected ultrasonic signal changes. As a result, there is a problem that an error occurs in the accuracy of the obtained analysis result. This problem has been particularly prominent when diagnosing the carotid artery or diagnosing a diagnostic part with a large degree of curvature of the body surface such as a hand, arm, or leg, especially when operating the ultrasonic probe 10. This is because the structure of the ultrasound probe 10 is increased in the direction away from the body surface from the ultrasound transmission / reception surface, and the ultrasound probe 10 is used as a fulcrum for the contact surface with the subject. This is because it is difficult to stably hold the ultrasonic probe 10 because the probe 10 is shaken or vibrated.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. An ultrasonic probe that improves operability, suppresses misalignment and angle change of itself, and enables more stable and accurate diagnosis. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to the body of a subject, converts received waves into electrical signals, and transmits them to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. A head part that transmits / receives the ultrasonic wave, a casing part that covers the head part, and a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction of the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface of the head part, at least in the longitudinal direction It placed directly on the side surface of the housing portion, and a part member you extending the lateral direction from the housing portion, the front SL member, in the subject to plastic deformation according to the form of the subject There is provided an ultrasonic probe composed of a plastic material that closely adheres and maintains its form . With this configuration, the operability of the ultrasonic probe is improved, the positional deviation and angle change of the ultrasonic probe are suppressed, and a more stable and accurate diagnosis is possible.

Further, in the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the front SL member is provided on both sides or one side of the both side surfaces of at least the longitudinal direction of the housing portion is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. With this configuration, the operability of the ultrasonic probe is improved, the positional deviation and angle change of the ultrasonic probe are suppressed, and a more stable and accurate diagnosis is possible.

  In the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, it is a preferable aspect of the present invention that the plastic material is a material mainly composed of vinyl acetate resin. With this configuration, the operability of the ultrasonic probe is improved, the positional deviation and angle change of the ultrasonic probe are suppressed, and a more stable and accurate diagnosis is possible.

Further, in the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, it is configured to pre-Symbol member to permit detachable is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. With this configuration, the operability of the ultrasonic probe is improved, the positional deviation and angle change of the ultrasonic probe are suppressed, and a more stable and accurate diagnosis is possible.

  The ultrasonic probe of the present invention has the above-described configuration, and the instability at the time of use of the ultrasonic probe is reduced. As a result, the positional deviation of the head portion and the change of the contact angle to the subject are performed. And more stable and accurate diagnosis is possible.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe 1 is used by being electrically connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (not shown) when configuring an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It has a function of transmitting and receiving, converting received received waves into electrical signals and transmitting them to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body. The ultrasonic probe 1 is used by being applied to the body surface of the subject 5 by an operator (not shown), and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the subject 5. A cable 3 for electrical connection with the diagnostic apparatus main body is provided, and a housing 4 is further provided that includes a portion where the head portion 2 and the cable 3 are connected.

  The head unit 2 includes, for example, a vibrator of a piezoelectric material such as piezoelectric ceramic that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and an acoustic matching layer and an acoustic lens to improve resolution. For example, in the so-called electronic scanning type, such as a plurality of transducers arranged in the depth direction of the head portion 2 in FIG. Since the direction to do is shorter than the long axis, it becomes the short axis (short side) direction. In FIG. 1, when the ultrasound probe 1 is applied to the subject 5, it becomes unstable with respect to the minor axis direction, so that it is stable on both sides of the housing 4 along the major axis direction of the ultrasound probe 1. A body 6 is provided so that the head portion 2 of the ultrasonic probe 1 can be applied to the subject 5 in a stable state. The stabilizing body 6 is preferably at least twice as wide as the width of the housing 4 in the short axis direction so that stability can be obtained in the short axis direction of the ultrasonic probe 1. Or it corresponds to a member. Here, the stabilizing body 6 is not limited to the member as shown in FIG. 1, and may be a portion such as an outer frame used for wiping as long as the head portion 2 is applied to the subject 5 in a stable state. .

  Since the surface form of the subject 5 to which the ultrasonic probe 1 is applied varies and is not the same, the stabilizing body 6 provided on both sides of the ultrasonic probe 1 in the long axis direction is fixed like plastic. Then, the ultrasonic probe 1 cannot be brought into close contact with the form of the subject 5. Therefore, it is desirable that the stabilizing body 6 has a structure that can be in close contact using a flexible elastic material or a plastic material that undergoes plastic deformation. As the elastic material, a rubber material typified by silicone rubber, urethane rubber, etc., an elastomer material such as ethylene-vinyl acetate resin (EVA), polyethylene, or a gel material that can be gelled is useful. It is desirable that it is easy to deform and adhere to the form of the subject 5.

  In addition, as the plastic material that undergoes plastic deformation, a material mainly composed of vinyl acetate resin or a gum-like material is useful. As described above, the surface form of the subject 5 to which the ultrasonic probe 1 is applied is various and not the same form. Therefore, by using a plastic material that is plastically deformed for the stabilizing body 6, when the ultrasonic probe 1 provided with the stabilizing body 6 is applied to the subject 5, the stabilizing body 6 is plastically deformed and the subject. 5 is closely attached and held in that shape, the ultrasonic probe 1 can be stabilized and applied to the subject 5.

  As the stabilizing body 6, the ultrasonic probe 1 is provided as a stabilizing body in a configuration in which it is mechanically or directly fixed to the housing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 by a method such as adhesion, or is detachable. The method is not limited to this as long as it is a method that can be stably applied to the subject 5 by 6. In the first embodiment, the case where the stabilizers 6 are provided on both side surfaces of the casing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has been described. In addition, the long axis of the casing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 is described. The same effect can be obtained if the shape can be stably applied to the subject 5 even if it is provided only on one side in the direction.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the stabilizers 6 are provided on both side surfaces of the casing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has been described. In addition, the short axis of the casing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 is described. The same effect can be obtained even when the stabilizing body 6 is provided on both sides of the head portion 2 with the width in the direction wide, and the housing 4 also includes the stabilizing body 6. In the first embodiment, the long axis direction of the ultrasound probe 1 has been described as the direction in which a plurality of transducers are arranged, but in addition, the head unit 2 in the direction in which the plurality of transducers are arranged. Is shorter than the length of the head portion 2 in the direction orthogonal to that direction, the same effect can be obtained even if the direction orthogonal to the major axis direction is used. In the first embodiment, the case where the stabilizers 6 are provided on both side surfaces of the casing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has been described. In addition, the long axis of the casing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 is described. The same effect can be obtained even when the stabilizer 6 is provided on both side surfaces and the minor axis direction, that is, the entire circumference.

  According to the ultrasonic probe 1 described above, since the stabilizing body 6 is provided on the side of the long axis direction of the casing 4, the vibration of the head portion 2 is suppressed and the ultrasonic probe 1 is arranged. It can be held stably. Therefore, the operability is improved, the displacement of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the change in angle can be suppressed, and a stable and accurate diagnosis can be performed.

<Second Embodiment>
An ultrasonic probe according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of an ultrasonic probe according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 1 includes a head portion 2 and a cable 3 as in the first embodiment, and includes a portion where the head portion 2 and the cable 3 are electrically connected. It is provided with a housing 4 to be conjugated. The head unit 2 includes, for example, a vibrator of a piezoelectric material such as piezoelectric ceramic that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and an acoustic matching layer and an acoustic lens to improve resolution. For example, in a so-called electronic scanning type, such as a plurality of vibrators arranged in the depth direction orthogonal to the minor axis direction of the head portion 2 in FIG. (Longitudinal), and the direction perpendicular to the long axis is shorter than the long axis, and thus the short axis (short) direction.

  In FIG. 2, the ultrasound probe 1 is unstable with respect to the minor axis direction when the probe 5 is applied to the subject 5, and therefore the major axis direction of the ultrasound probe 1 (in FIG. 2, orthogonal to the minor axis direction). Stabilizers 6 are provided on both sides of the casing 4 along the depth direction) so that the head portion 2 of the ultrasonic probe 1 can be applied to the subject 5 in a stable state. As the stabilizing body 6, the elastic body that is elastically deformed as described in the first embodiment or a plastic body that is plastically deformed is used, and the elastic body and the plastic body are conjugated with an outer film 7 such as a polymer. (Covered). Such a stabilizing body 6 is provided on both side surfaces in the major axis direction of the casing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1.

  The feature of the second embodiment is that the outer film 7 is provided. That is, since the stabilizer 6 comes into contact with the subject 5, the stabilizer 6 to be used needs to be a material that does not harm the subject 5. If the material is somewhat harmful to the subject 5 but can function sufficiently as the stabilizer 6, the outer membrane 7 such as a polymer film is used so that the material does not directly contact the subject 5. The problem of harming the subject 5 can be solved by using the stable body 6 configured to be conjugated at 1. The polymer outer film 7 may be a rubber film such as silicone rubber or an elastomer film such as ethylene-vinyl acetate resin (EVA) or polyethylene. In addition, the elastic body that is elastically deformed or the plastic body that is plastically deformed conjugated with the polymer outer membrane 7 is fixed by adhesion or when it is simply encapsulated. Any of the above is not limited to these as long as it functions as the stabilizer 6.

  In the second embodiment, the stabilizer 6 included in the outer membrane 7 has been described as an elastic body that is elastically deformed, or a so-called solid plastic body that is plastically deformed. The same effect can be acquired even if the stabilizer 6 included is a liquid or a gel-like thing. This liquid may be any liquid as long as it has little or no harm to the subject 5, and for example, water, physiological saline, or silicone gel is useful.

  Further, the stabilizing body 6 encapsulated in the outer membrane 7 can be provided by being fixed directly to the casing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 through the outer membrane 7 mechanically or by a method such as adhesion, or can be attached and detached. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the ultrasonic probe 1 is stably applied to the subject 5 by the stabilizer 6. In the second embodiment, the case where the stabilizing body 6 included in the outer membrane 7 is provided on both side surfaces of the housing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has been described. Even if it is provided only on one side surface in the major axis direction of one casing 4, the same effect can be obtained as long as it can be stably applied to the shaped body 5.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the stabilizing body 6 included in the outer membrane 7 is provided on both side surfaces of the housing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has been described. The same effect can be obtained even if the width of the first casing 4 is widened in the short axis direction and the stabilizer 6 is provided on both sides of the head portion 2 so that the casing 4 also includes the stabilizer 6. In the second embodiment, the major axis direction of the ultrasonic probe 1 has been described as the direction in which a plurality of transducers are arranged, but in addition, the head unit 2 in the direction in which a plurality of transducers are arranged. Is shorter than the length of the head portion 2 in the direction orthogonal to that direction, the same effect can be obtained even if the direction orthogonal to the major axis direction is used. In the second embodiment, the case where the stabilizing body 6 included in the outer membrane 7 is provided on both side surfaces of the housing 4 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has been described. The same effect can be obtained even when the stabilizing body 6 included in the outer membrane 7 is provided on both sides in the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the single casing 4, that is, on the entire circumference.

  According to the ultrasonic probe 1 described above, since the stabilizing body 6 included in the outer membrane 7 is provided on the side in the long axis direction, the ultrasonic probe is suppressed by suppressing the shaking of the head portion 2. The touch element 1 can be stably held. Therefore, the operability is improved, the displacement of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the change in angle can be suppressed, and a stable and accurate diagnosis can be performed.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention enables accurate diagnosis with few errors by suppressing positional deviation and angle change of the ultrasonic probe at the time of diagnosis. This is useful for ultrasonic probes used in the field.

Schematic which shows an example of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing which shows an example of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Explanation of symbols

1, 10 Ultrasonic probe 2 Head 3 Cable 4 Housing (housing)
5 Subject 6 Stabilizer (part or member)
7 outer membrane 11 ultrasonic measurement unit 12 data analysis processing unit 13 display device 14 blood vessel 15 subject

Claims (4)

An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to the body of a subject, converts received received waves into electrical signals and transmits them to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
A head unit for transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave;
A housing portion covering the head portion;
Of the longitudinal and transverse directions in the transmission and reception surface of the ultrasonic of the head portion, at least the directly disposed on the side surface of the housing portion in the longitudinal direction, parts materials extending the lateral direction from the housing portion Have
Before SL member, an ultrasonic probe which is constituted by plastic material that retains its form and plastically deformed in close contact with the object in accordance with the embodiment of the subject. Before SL member, the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 provided on both sides or one side of the at least both sides of the longitudinal direction of the housing portion. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the plastic material is a material mainly composed of vinyl acetate resin. An ultrasonic probe according to the prior SL member, any one of claims 1 to 3 is configured to permit detachable.