JP2000197631A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stereoscopically scan sound wave beams and to prepare the ultrasonic three-dimensional images of high image quality by providing a rotation part provided with an ultrasonic wave array oscillator rotatable to a fixed part and rotating the ultrasonic wave array oscillator to the fixed part. SOLUTION: To the fixed part constituted of a sheath 19 provided with a spherical acoustic window on a tip part, a rotary transformer 6, a bearing 7, a rotary encoder 8 and a motor 9, the rotation part composed of an acoustic lens 2, an electronic sector array transducer (ultrasonic wave array oscillator) 3, a flexible printed board (FPC), a lead line 4 and a connector 5 is freely rotatably disposed. Then, the rotary shaft 12 of the motor 9 is connected to the rotation part and the rotation part is rotated by the drive of the motor 9. The stereoscopic ultrasonic wave scanning of a three-dimensional space is realized by ultrasonic wave beams transmitted and received to/from the electronic sector array transducer 3 simultaneously rotated by the rotation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for capturing an ultrasonic three-dimensional image in real time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a generally known conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, for example, a cross-sectional image of a subject can be displayed by scanning a two-dimensional plane using an ultrasonic beam.

In recent years, attempts have been made to collect diagnostic images while moving an ultrasonic probe (ultrasonic probe), which is an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, to obtain three-dimensional information. New diagnostic possibilities are expected for three-dimensional image display in ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. Actually, it relates to scanning of a three-dimensional area, such as moving abdominal convex probe or linear array probe manually or mechanically, or using a transesophageal multiplane probe with a mechanism to rotate the electronic sector probe. Research is ongoing.

When a three-dimensional area is mechanically scanned by a phased array probe, it takes a long time (at least several minutes) to reconstruct a three-dimensional image. This is because the image data collection time largely depends on the moving speed of the mechanical system. For example, when the moving speed of a living organ such as the abdomen is small and the moving amount itself is small, it takes less time to reconstruct an image. ,
In order to always observe a part that exercises violently, an image with high real-time properties is required.

However, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic system, a three-dimensional image can be obtained in real time from the viewpoint of the amount of image data required for reconstructing the three-dimensional image and the time required for scanning the ultrasonic beam. Such a system has not been realized.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an ultrasonic probe capable of performing a three-dimensional scanning of an ultrasonic beam onto a three-dimensional region at high speed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which can provide a high-quality ultrasonic three-dimensional image without deteriorating the real-time property.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention comprises: a fixed portion; a rotating portion rotatable with respect to the fixed portion; and a rotating portion having an ultrasonic array vibrator; Signal transmission means for transmitting an electric signal of the ultrasonic array transducer between the ultrasonic beam and the ultrasonic beam by rotating the ultrasonic rotating element relative to the fixed part to rotate the ultrasonic array element. In which a three-dimensional scan is enabled.

According to the invention of (1), since the signal transmitting means for transmitting the electric signal of the ultrasonic array transducer between the rotating part and the fixed part is provided, the ultrasonic array transducer can be operated at high speed. Can be rotated. Therefore, a volume scan with high real-time properties can be realized. Even if an electronic sector type ultrasonic transducer is used, the diameter of the probe itself can be extremely large if the cone-shaped ultrasonic beam is transmitted and received from the tip of the ultrasonic probe. Can be smaller. This means that the rate at which the ultrasonic beam is blocked by an obstacle or the like becomes smaller. In other words, the ultrasonic radiation (surface) can be used effectively. As a specific example, the present invention is effective for an ultrasonic probe that performs ultrasonic scanning through a narrow area such as the space between ribs. Further, the signal transmission means is specifically constituted by a rotary transformer or a slip ring.

(2) Another ultrasonic probe according to the present invention comprises: a fixed portion; a rotating portion rotatable with respect to the fixed portion; and a rotating portion having an ultrasonic array transducer; and the rotating portion and the fixed portion. Signal transmission means for transmitting an electrical signal of the ultrasonic array transducer between the, and double link reversal means for sequentially reversing the rotation direction of the rotating part, the rotating part to the fixed part On the other hand, three-dimensional scanning of the ultrasonic beam is enabled by rotating the ultrasonic array transducer by rotating the double-link reversing means.

According to the invention (2), when a conventional ultrasonic probe is used as the ultrasonic array vibrator and this ultrasonic probe is incorporated in the double link reversing means, the ultrasonic probe is rotated in the rotational direction. Make a twisting motion that reverses every 180 degrees. Thus, the ultrasonic probe cable is not twisted, and three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning over a three-dimensional region can be realized with a very easy configuration.

(3) Still another ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is an ultrasonic probe capable of three-dimensional scanning of an ultrasonic beam by swinging an ultrasonic array vibrator. The center of curvature of the acoustic lens provided in the ultrasonic array transducer and the center of curvature of at least the inside of the acoustic window are used as the center of rotation of the oscillating motion, and the center of curvature of the spherical part of the acoustic lens and the spherical part of the acoustic window And the center of curvature is made substantially the same.

According to the invention (3), the distance between the oscillating transducer surface (acoustic lens) and the acoustic window can be set to be extremely short. Thereby, appearance of a virtual image due to multiple reflection can be prevented, and high-speed ultrasonic three-dimensional scanning can be performed. It is preferable that the gap between the acoustic window and the acoustic lens be approximately 1 mm or less.

(4) An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe capable of three-dimensional scanning of an ultrasonic beam by rotationally driving an ultrasonic array transducer. Setting means for setting a desired scanning area of the ultrasonic beam as a region of interest, and control means for controlling scanning of the ultrasonic beam in accordance with the region of interest set by the setting means.

In real-time display of three-dimensional ultrasonic waves, it is necessary to appropriately control ultrasonic scanning in order to maintain real-time properties. According to the invention described in the above (4), the region of interest setting screen can be used. Ultrasonic scanning can be easily controlled based on the provided visual information. Thereby, three-dimensional ultrasonic data for real-time display can be appropriately and easily collected, and operability can be improved.

In a more specifically configured invention, the control means determines the number of scanning lines based on the setting of the region of interest.
At least one of the number of scanning sections, the rate frequency of a driving pulse, and the number of rotations of the ultrasonic transducer is set.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) The first embodiment relates to an ultrasonic probe (ultrasonic probe) which scans a three-dimensional region three-dimensionally by continuously rotating an ultrasonic array transducer.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The main part of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment is roughly composed of a fixed part and a rotating part rotatable with respect to the fixed part.

The fixed parts are a sheath 19, a rotary transformer 6, a bearing 7, a rotary encoder 8, a motor 9
, The rotating part is an acoustic lens 2, an electronic sector array transducer (ultrasonic array transducer)
3, an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) 13, a lead line 4, and a connector 5. The rotating shaft 12 of the monitor 9 is connected to the rotating part. By driving the motor 9, the rotating part is rotated with respect to the fixed part, and the supersonic wave transmitted and received from the electronic sector array transducer 3 rotating with this is rotated. A three-dimensional ultrasonic scan in a three-dimensional space by a sound beam is realized. More specifically, the electronic sector array transducer 3 is rotated around an axis passing through the center of the transducer surface and perpendicular to the transducer surface.

The acoustic window 1 formed in the sheath 19
The acoustic lens 2 has spherical portions having substantially the same center of curvature as the acoustic lens 2, and the distance between the acoustic window 1 and the acoustic lens 2 is constant in these spherical portions. The gap between the acoustic window 1 and the acoustic lens 2 is filled with a liquid acoustic propagation medium.
This reduces the mechanical resistance between the rotating part and the fixed part.

The center of the acoustically radiating surface of the electronic sector array transducer 3 that is driven to rotate is on the extension of the rotating shaft 12 that connects the rotating part including the transducer 3 to the motor 9. The electronic sector array transducer 3
The shape of the radiating surface of the ultrasonic beam radiated from the sphere is a shape obtained by cutting a part of a spherical surface, and the shape of the acoustic lens 2 is accordingly changed to a shape obtained by cutting a part of a sphere (spherical portion). ).

FIG. 1B is a front view of the ultrasonic radiation surface of the electronic sector array transducer 3. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes one element line of the electronic sector array transducer 3.

FIG. 2 is a view of the rotating portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment viewed from a direction A. Lead lines 4 are connected to the respective ultrasonic vibration elements 31 constituting the electronic sector array transducer 3, and these lead lines 4 are provided on the FPC 13. FPC13 is
It is provided on a side surface of a rotating part having a cylindrical shape.

FIG. 3 is a view of the rotating section of the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment, taken along the line CC ′, as viewed in the direction B. FPC1
The lead line 4 disposed on the ultrasonic vibration element 3
1 is connected to each of the connectors 5 provided on the base end side of the rotating unit. Incidentally, reference numeral 14 denotes an earth line.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing C- of the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which shows C 'cross section. A rotating part is inserted through a bearing 7 inside the fixed part having a cylindrical shape (on the side of the central shaft 12). The connector 5 and the ground (ground) 15 are arranged on the circumference of the section along the line CC ′ of the rotating part.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a rotary transformer on the rotating unit side of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a rotary transformer on the fixed unit side of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. It is. The rotary transformer 6 is a signal transmission unit that transmits an electric signal between the rotating unit and the fixed unit (non-rotating unit). It is provided for only a few minutes.
Note that, instead of the rotary transformer 6, the signal transmission means may be configured by a slip ring.

One channel of the rotary transformer 6 includes an inner ring portion 61 corresponding to the rotating portion and an outer ring portion 62 corresponding to the fixed portion. FIG. 5 shows a connection diagram of the inner ring portion 61 of the rotary transformer 6, and FIG.
3 shows a connection diagram of the inner ring portion 62 of FIG.

The lead line 4 from each element of the electronic sector array transducer 3 is connected to the signal line connector 16 of the inner ring 61 of the rotary transformer 6 shown in FIG. 5, and the signal of the inner ring 61 of the rotary transformer 6 is The power is transmitted to the outer ring portion 62 shown in FIG. The signal transmitted to the outer ring portion 62, that is, the signal (probe signal) from the electronic sector array transducer 3 is supplied to the main body 10 via the signal line 18.

In this embodiment, a rotary encoder 8 is provided to detect the rotational position of the rotary shaft 12, and a detection signal from the rotary encoder 8 is sent to the main body 10. According to the rotary encoder 8, it is possible to detect the rotational position at the time of high-speed rotation, and thereby it is possible to control ultrasonic scanning with high accuracy.

As described above, the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into a rotating part and a fixed part (non-rotating part).
(Ultrasonic array transducer) is arranged, and a rotary transformer 6 (signal transmission means) is provided between the rotating part and the fixed part.
Is provided. Then, the electric signal of the electronic sector array transducer 3 is transmitted from the rotating section to the fixed section via the rotary transformer 6 (signal transmitting means). The signal transmitted to the fixing unit is configured to be supplied to the main body 10 via a connector (not shown) that detachably connects the main body 10 and the ultrasonic probe. Thereby, even if the electronic sector array transducer 3 is rotated at a high speed, the signal can be smoothly transmitted without applying a load to the signal lines and other mechanisms.

Therefore, the ultrasonic beam can be three-dimensionally scanned into the three-dimensional area at a high speed, and an ultrasonic three-dimensional image can be photographed and displayed in real time.

The electronic sector array transducer 3 is formed in a circular shape, and the acoustic lens 2 added to the tip of the ultrasonic probe has a spherical shape.
The curvature of the spherical portion of the acoustic lens 2 is set at the same center of curvature as the spherical portion of the acoustic window 1. This allows
A rotating unit including the electronic sector array transducer 3;
When rotated by the motor 9 via the rotating shaft 12, the distance between the acoustic window 1 and the acoustic lens 2 of the electronic sector array transducer 3 can be minimized (substantially 1 mm or less) and constant.

Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the influence of multiplexing between the acoustic window 1 and the electronic sector array transducer 3 and to reduce the mechanical resistance during rotation.

In the configuration in which the cone-shaped ultrasonic beam is transmitted and received from the tip of the ultrasonic probe as in the present embodiment, the diameter of the probe itself can be extremely reduced. This means that the rate at which the ultrasonic beam is blocked by an obstacle or the like becomes smaller. In other words, the ultrasonic radiation (surface) can be used effectively. As a specific example,
The present invention is effective for an ultrasonic probe that performs ultrasonic scanning through a narrow region such as the space between ribs.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment relates to an ultrasonic probe capable of three-dimensionally scanning a three-dimensional area, and having a double link reversing mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment includes a motor 24, an adapter including a double link reverse rotation mechanism 23 connected to the motor 24, and holders 21 and 22 connected to the double link reverse rotation mechanism 23. An electronic sector probe 20 having a built-in ultrasonic transducer is incorporated in the adapter, and causes the probe 20 to perform a twist movement. That is, in the present embodiment, a rotating unit is configured by the electronic sector probe 20 and the holder 21.

In the twisting motion, the probe 20 is rotated every 180 degrees by the double link reversing mechanism 23.
Rotation direction is reversed. The rotation driving force from the motor 24 is input to the double link reverse rotation mechanism 23.

The acoustic window 25 (liquid tank) is filled with a liquid acoustic propagation medium 26, and the probe 20 can be rotated in the liquid tank by, for example, a holder 22 formed of a bearing. Further, the holder 22 serves to seal the liquid in the liquid tank. The probe cable 27 is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (not shown) with enough space to withstand a twist movement.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the structure of the double link reverse rotation mechanism 23. In the double link reversing mechanism 23, as shown in the figure, a fixed pin 32 is provided on an input disk 30 fixed to the output of the motor 24, and point symmetry is provided from the center of the input disk 30. The output shafts A and B are provided at positions equidistant from each other. Both of the two output shafts A and B are connected via gears A and B such that their teeth mesh with each other. The levers A and B are provided so as to protrude by the same length from each of the gears A and B, so that only one of the levers is hooked on the fixing pin 32.

According to the double link reverse rotation mechanism 23 having such a structure, when the input disk 30 is rotated by the driving force of the motor 24, the lever A is pushed by the fixing pin 32, and at the same time, the gear A is The meshing gear B rotates, whereby the lever B reversely rotates.

When the output shaft is rotated by about 180 degrees, the fixing pin 32 is disengaged from the lever A due to the displacement of the output shaft.
To reverse rotation. The same operation is repeated every 180 degrees, thereby realizing a 180-degree inversion movement of the output shaft. Therefore, if the sector probe 20 is fixed to one of the output shafts A and B and twisted, a volume scan of the ultrasonic beam, that is, a three-dimensional scan can be performed, and a three-dimensional ultrasonic image can be obtained in real time. Becomes possible.

In this embodiment, a conventional electronic sector array probe can be used as it is, or it can be detached and used as a normal probe. Further, unlike the first embodiment, the probe scanning of the present embodiment does not involve the rotational movement of the probe, so it is necessary to take special measures for extracting signals from a continuously rotating rotating system. There is also an advantage that the configuration is simplified.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment relates to an ultrasonic probe capable of three-dimensional scanning of an ultrasonic beam by swinging an ultrasonic transducer (ultrasonic transducer).

The ultrasonic transducer 41 includes a motor 4
7, so as to swing about the rotation center 22. An acoustic window 43 in which the ultrasonic transducer 41 swings is filled with an acoustic propagation medium 44. The acoustic lens 42 of the transducer 41 is
It has a shape cut out from a cylinder, and the refractive index and the geometrical focus of the acoustic lens 42 are set such that the center of curvature is equal to the center 45 of the oscillating motion.

Similarly, the refractive index and the geometrical focus of the acoustic window 43 are set so that the center of curvature is equal to the center 45 of swing. This makes it possible to keep the distance between the acoustic lens 43 and the acoustic window 43 constant and minimum during the swing motion of the transducer 41.

As described above, by setting the distance between the acoustic window 43 and the acoustic lens 42 to be constant and minimum, the ultrasonic transducer 41 can be swung at a high speed, and a three-dimensional region of the ultrasonic beam can be formed. Even when a typical scan is performed, the effect of multiple reflection between the acoustic window 43 and the ultrasonic transducer 41 on the ultrasonic image can be minimized.

(Fourth Embodiment) The fourth embodiment relates to a real-time three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with any of the ultrasonic probes described in the first to third embodiments.

In displaying an ultrasonic image, it is said that an image display capability of about 30 frames per second is required to maintain real-time performance. The sound speed of an ultrasonic wave in a living body is about 1500 m / s, and it is not an exaggeration to say that the ultrasonic echo signal that can be collected within a certain period of time is determined by its depth of field (observation depth). In other words, when observing the depth of field of 15 cm by ultrasonic scanning, the transmission ultrasonic pulse can be transmitted at a maximum rate frequency of 5 KHz.

In the simple calculation, in order to obtain an image of 30 frames per second, the total number of scanning lines must be 166 or less. The current ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cannot be simply determined as described above due to the progress of digital processing technology and the increase in the number of transmission stages for higher image quality, but the basic limit remains unchanged. That is, in order to collect volume data constituting an ultrasonic three-dimensional image in real time, it is necessary to reduce the spatial density of data or to reduce the scanning space.

The present embodiment focuses on this point. When the operator starts the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment and initially displays an ultrasonic three-dimensional image, the scanning line density is reduced. Scanning, thereby obtaining a wide range of data and displaying an ultrasonic three-dimensional image, designating a region smaller than the original scanning space as a region of interest on the display screen, and scanning the designated region of interest with a scanning line. It has a function of scanning by reducing the density of data (by increasing the spatial density of data).

FIG. 10 shows a display example of a screen for setting a region of interest. The region of interest can be changed by operating a plurality of arrows shown in the figure on the screen. As a means for the operator to instruct such a change of the region of interest, a light pen, a trackball, a pointing device such as a mouse, or the like can be used.
The type is not limited.

When a desired region of interest is set on the region-of-interest setting screen, the information is processed by the CPU of the apparatus, and values of parameters such as the scanning region of one section, the number of scanning lines, the number of collecting sections, and the position of the collecting section are set. Is reflected in Such a C
According to the processing by the PU, the optimal setting can be automatically obtained by a simple operation of setting only the minimum necessary items (the number of frames and the like).

If necessary, a function may be provided for automatically setting parameters such as the rate frequency of the drive pulse and the number of revolutions of the motor for rotatingly driving the ultrasonic transducer to an optimum state. With these functions, it is possible to obtain an ultrasonic three-dimensional image having high real-time properties and high image quality in the region of interest. Further, by performing the automatic setting as described above, it becomes possible for the operator to easily perform the ultrasonic scanning similarly to the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus without the burden of increasing the setting items by the three-dimensional display. .

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for realizing the above functions in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment.

First, in step S0, when an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention capable of three-dimensional scanning of a three-dimensional area is connected to, for example, the main body of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by an operator, a three-dimensional display is performed in step S1. The function is automatically selected. That is, the execution of the processing related to the three-dimensional display is automatically started simultaneously with the connection of the ultrasonic probe.

In reading the initial settings into the memory in step S2, the following initial settings of parameters, for example, 1) to 5) are performed. 1) Ultrasonic beam scanning range (viewing angle, visual field depth) 2) Number of scanning lines 3) Number of sections 4) Number of frames 5) Rate frequency of driving pulse Then, in step S3, driving conditions according to the above settings are executed. In step S4, data is fetched. A predetermined calculation is performed based on the data taken in here, and three-dimensional image data is formed in step S5. Then, an ultrasonic three-dimensional image is displayed based on the three-dimensional image data created in step S6.

Next, in step S7, the above-described region setting screen is displayed, and in step S8, setting of the region of interest by the operator is started. Such setting can be repeated until the operator finishes setting the desired area.

When the setting of the region of interest is completed, step S
Then, the process proceeds to 9 where a new driving condition is calculated (or a condition that has already been calculated and stored in the memory in advance) is executed.

As described above, in real-time display of three-dimensional ultrasonic waves, it is necessary to appropriately control ultrasonic scanning in order to maintain real-time properties. According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment, On the region of interest setting screen, it is possible to easily control the ultrasonic scanning while visually grasping both the spatial density of the scanning data and the scanning space. Thereby, three-dimensional ultrasonic data for real-time display can be appropriately and easily collected, and operability can be improved.

Accordingly, a high-quality ultrasonic three-dimensional image can be easily obtained without deteriorating the real-time property.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described first to fourth embodiments, but can be implemented with various modifications.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of performing high-speed three-dimensional scanning of an ultrasonic beam on a three-dimensional area, and to reduce real-time performance. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining a high-quality ultrasonic three-dimensional image without any problem.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of a rotating unit of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a direction A.

FIG. 3 is a view of a rotating section of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along a line CC ′ in a direction B.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a C of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure which shows the -C 'section.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a rotary transformer on a rotating unit side of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a rotary transformer on the fixed unit side of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the structure of a double link reverse rotation mechanism according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a region-of-interest setting screen in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation related to region of interest setting in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 acoustic window 2 acoustic lens 3 electronic sector array transducer 4 lead line 5 connector 6 rotary transformer 7 bearing 8 rotary encoder 9 motor 10 body 19 sheath

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G047 AC13 BC13 DB02 DB03 DB05 DB10 GA01 GA02 GA19 GB02 GB18 GB25 GE01 GE05 GF11 GF28 GF30 GF32 GH01 GH09 GH15 4C301 AA02 BB13 BB28 BB30 BB33 BB35 EE07 GB10 GC02 GB05 HH04 HH08 JA14 JA16 KK16 KK27 KK30 5C054 AA05 CA08 FA00 FC15 FD02 HA12 5D019 AA06 AA11 FF04 GG03 GG10

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A fixed portion, a rotating portion rotatable with respect to the fixed portion and having an ultrasonic array vibrator, and an electric signal of the ultrasonic array vibrator between the rotating portion and the fixed portion. Signal transmitting means for transmitting, the three-dimensional scanning of the ultrasonic beam by rotating the rotating part with respect to the fixed part and rotating the ultrasonic array transducer. Ultrasonic probe featuring. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said signal transmission means is constituted by a rotary transformer. 3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said signal transmission means is constituted by a slip ring. 4. A fixed part, a rotating part rotatable with respect to the fixed part and having an ultrasonic array vibrator, and an electric signal of the ultrasonic array vibrator between the rotating part and the fixed part. And a double link reversing means for sequentially reversing the direction of rotation of the rotating part. The driving means rotates the rotating part with respect to the fixed part by the double link reversing means, and An ultrasonic probe characterized in that three-dimensional scanning of an ultrasonic beam is enabled by rotating an ultrasonic array transducer. 5. A fixed part and a rotating part rotatable with respect to the fixed part, wherein the rotating part is provided with an ultrasonic array vibrator, and the rotating part is driven to rotate with respect to the fixed part, and In the ultrasonic probe capable of three-dimensional scanning of the ultrasonic beam by rotating the ultrasonic array transducer, provided on the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving surface of the ultrasonic array transducer,
An acoustic lens having a spherical portion with a predetermined curvature, and an acoustic window provided on the fixed portion and having a spherical portion with a predetermined curvature, wherein the center of curvature of the spherical portion of the acoustic lens and the spherical shape of the acoustic window are provided. An ultrasonic probe, wherein the center of curvature of the portion is substantially the same. 6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein a gap between the acoustic window and the acoustic lens is approximately 1 mm or less. 7. An ultrasonic probe capable of three-dimensional scanning of an ultrasonic beam by oscillating an ultrasonic array vibrator, wherein: a center of curvature of an acoustic lens provided in the ultrasonic array vibrator; An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that at least the center of curvature inside the acoustic window and the center of rotation of the oscillating motion are used as the center of rotation. 8. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe capable of three-dimensional scanning of an ultrasonic beam by rotating and driving an ultrasonic array transducer, wherein a desired scanning area of the ultrasonic beam is provided. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a setting unit that sets the target region as a region of interest; and a control unit that controls scanning of the ultrasonic beam according to the region of interest set by the setting unit. 9. The control means sets at least one of the number of scanning lines, the number of scanning sections, the rate frequency of a driving pulse, and the number of rotations of the ultrasonic transducer based on the setting of the region of interest. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: