JP2006006827A - Attachment for ultrasonic probe, intravaginal ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an attachable and detachable attachment for an ultrasonic prove which can give a medium supplying function to the ultrasonic prove, an intravaginal ultrasonic prove equipped with the attachment for the ultrasonic prove and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with the intravaginal ultrasonic prove. <P>SOLUTION: The attachment 30 has a holding part 31 which holds a shaft 21 of an ultrasonic prove body 20 so that it can be attached and detached, and a pipe 32 which supplies a medium transmitting ultrasonic waves to the tip of the shaft 21. The shaft 21 in the ultrasonic prove body 20 has a groove 23 which holds the pipe 32 at a position corresponding to the pipe 32. An insertion part of an intravaginal ultrasonic prove 2 is made in a smooth shape by storing the pipe 32 in the groove 23 of the shaft 21, thereby pain and feeling of discomfort to subjects are reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention particularly includes an attachment for an ultrasonic probe used for ultrasonic imaging of the inside of a body, an ultrasound probe for body including the attachment for the ultrasound probe, and an ultrasound probe for inside the body. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  In the medical field, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used for observing in vivo tissues and blood flow dynamics. In general, an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives an ultrasonic beam to and from a living body is used as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As this ultrasonic probe, there is an ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body such as a transrectal probe used for observation of the prostate in addition to a probe used in contact with the body surface of a subject.

In an intracorporeal ultrasound probe, a sheath covering the probe may be filled with water in order to improve adhesion to an observation site or scan the vicinity of the inner surface of the body wall. For this reason, some ultrasonic probes for inside the body are provided with a water port mechanism for supplying water (for example, see Patent Document 1), and some are not provided with the mechanism.
JP-A-5-146443

  In a probe provided with a water port mechanism, when the mechanism is not used, the shape becomes large to secure a water path, which is disadvantageous for insertion. In addition, dirt is likely to accumulate in the water supply path, which makes it unsanitary. On the other hand, there is a problem that a probe not provided with a water port mechanism cannot be used even if the function is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is a removable ultrasonic probe attachment capable of providing a medium supply function to an ultrasonic probe, and a body including the ultrasonic probe attachment. An object of the present invention is to provide an intravaginal ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the intracorporeal ultrasonic probe.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an attachment for an ultrasonic probe that is attached to an ultrasonic probe main body having an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving portion at the tip of the shaft, and the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body is attached and detached. A holding portion for holding the tube and a tube portion for supplying a medium capable of transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the tip portion of the shaft;

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body of the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe main body having an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving part at a tip portion of a shaft, and an ultrasonic probe attached to the ultrasonic probe main body. The ultrasonic probe attachment includes a holding portion that detachably holds the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body, and a tube that supplies a medium capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the tip portion of the shaft. Part.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body that is inserted into the body of a subject, transmits an ultrasonic wave to the subject, and receives an echo from the subject. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an image generation means for generating an image based on the received echo, wherein the ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal ultrasound includes an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit at a tip portion of a shaft. An ultrasonic probe main body and an ultrasonic probe attachment attached to the ultrasonic probe main body, the ultrasonic probe attachment holding the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body detachably, A tube portion for supplying a medium capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the tip portion of the shaft.

  The present invention employs an attachment for an ultrasonic probe having a holding portion that detachably holds the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body and a tube portion that supplies a medium capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the tip portion of the shaft. ing. Thereby, when it is desired to give a medium supply function to the ultrasonic probe, the attachment may be attached.

  In the present invention, by adopting a removable ultrasonic probe attachment that can provide a medium supply function to the ultrasonic probe, the problem due to the medium supply function being provided in the ultrasonic probe main body is solved. Can do.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an intracorporeal ultrasound probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, a B-mode processing unit 4, an image processing unit 5, a display unit 6, a control unit 7, And an operation unit 8. The transmission / reception unit 3, the B-mode processing unit 4, the image processing unit 5, and the display unit 6 are an example of an embodiment of image generation means in the present invention.

  The intracorporeal ultrasound probe 2 is used by being inserted into the body of the subject 10, for example, the transvaginal or transrectal cavity, by the operator. An ultrasonic transducer array in which ultrasonic transducers that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves are arranged in an array is installed at the distal end of the ultrasonic probe 2 for inside the body. When ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer array, an echo corresponding to the difference in acoustic impedance of the internal tissue of the subject 10 is generated. This echo is received by the ultrasonic transducer array, converted into an electrical signal, and sent to the transmission / reception unit 3 via the cable 9.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 is connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 via the cable 9 and outputs a transmission signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 to transmit ultrasonic waves. In addition, the transmission / reception unit 3 inputs a reception signal corresponding to the echo received by the ultrasonic probe 2.

  The B mode processing unit 4 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 3, receives a reception signal from the transmission / reception unit 3, and generates a B mode image signal based on the strength of the reception signal. More specifically, the B-mode processing unit 4 obtains a signal representing the intensity of an echo at each reflection point on the sound ray, that is, an A scope signal by performing envelope detection after logarithmically amplifying the received signal, B-mode image data is generated using the instantaneous amplitude of the A scope signal as a luminance value.

  The image processing unit 5 is connected to the B-mode processing unit 4, scan-converts the B-mode image data input from the B-mode processing unit 4 for each sound ray, and causes the display device 6 to display the B-mode image. The image signal for generating is generated.

  The display unit 6 is connected to the image processing unit 5 and displays a B-mode image based on the image signal input from the image processing unit 5. The display unit 6 is configured by a graphic display or the like that can display a color image.

  The control unit 7 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 3, the B-mode processing unit 4, the image processing unit 5, and the display unit 6. The control unit 7 gives control signals to these units to control their operations. Various notification signals are input to the control unit 7 from each part to be controlled. Under the control of the control unit 7, the B mode operation is executed.

  The operation unit 8 is connected to the control unit 7. The operation unit 8 is operated by an operator and inputs appropriate commands and information to the control unit 7. The operation unit 8 includes an operation panel including a keyboard, a pointing device, and other operation tools, for example.

  FIG. 2A is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the intracorporeal ultrasound probe 2. FIG. 2B is a view of the ultrasonic probe main body as viewed from below.

  The intracorporeal ultrasonic probe 2 is configured by attaching an attachment 30 for providing a function of supplying a medium capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic probe main body 20 to the ultrasonic probe main body 20.

  The ultrasonic probe main body 20 has a shaft (shaft) 21 made of a substantially rod-shaped body and a wave transmitting / receiving unit 22 provided at the tip of the shaft 21.

  The shaft 21 is made of, for example, a plastic material, and has a substantially circular outline in cross section. The transmission / reception unit 22 includes an ultrasonic transducer array. Although not shown, the wave transmitting / receiving unit 22 is connected to the cable 9 inside the shaft 21.

  The attachment 30 includes a semi-ring-shaped holding portion 31, a pipe 32 connected to the holding portion 31, and a connecting portion 33 attached to an end portion of the pipe 32. The attachment 30 is formed of a stainless alloy, a vinyl chloride resin, or the like. The attachment 30 is attached to the shaft 21 of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 from the side opposite to the installation side of the transmission / reception unit 22.

  The holding part 31 is detachably held by the elastic force of the material constituting the holding part 31 by being fitted into the shaft 21 of the ultrasonic probe main body 20.

  The pipe 32 is connected to the holding unit 31 and supplies a medium capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves such as water. The pipe 32 extends to the tip of the shaft 21. This is because a medium such as water is supplied from the tip of the shaft 21 in order to appropriately adjust the distance between the transmission / reception unit 22 and the rectal wall, as will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the shaft 21 of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 is provided with a groove 23 for accommodating the pipe 32 at a position corresponding to the pipe 32. By accommodating the pipe 32 in the groove 23 of the shaft 21, the insertion portion of the intracorporeal ultrasound probe 2 has a smooth shape, and pain and discomfort to the subject are reduced.

  FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are cross-sectional views for explaining the configuration of the connecting portion 33.

  In order to supply the medium from the external pipe 52 to the pipe 32 by connecting the supply path 34 of the pipe 32 and the supply path 51 of the external pipe 52, a connecting portion 33 is provided at the end of the pipe 32. ing.

  The connection part 33 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 32, and the thread is formed in the outer peripheral surface. An opening 35 that communicates with the supply path 34 and is larger than the supply path 34 is formed inside the connecting portion 33.

  On the other hand, a connecting portion 53 is provided at the end of the external pipe 52, and a thread that is screwed with the connecting portion 33 is formed on the inner surface of the connecting portion 53. Further, a protruding portion 54 that communicates with the supply path 51 protrudes inside the connecting portion 53. The outer diameter of the protrusion 54 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 35.

  The protruding portion 54 is inserted into the opening 35, and the thread (male thread) of the coupling part 33 of the pipe 32 and the thread (male thread) of the coupling part 53 are screwed together, as shown in FIG. Thus, the connection parts 33 and 53 are connected by a screw structure. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent leakage of a medium such as water from the connecting portions 33 and 53 while allowing the supply path 34 of the pipe 32 and the supply path 51 of the pipe 52 to communicate with each other.

  Next, an ultrasonic imaging method using the above-described intracorporeal ultrasonic probe 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, an example in which water is used as a medium will be described.

  The sheath 40 is used by covering the surface of the ultrasonic probe 2 for intracorporeal body to which the attachment 30 is attached. The sheath 40 is also referred to as a balloon, and as the film body forming the sheath 40, polyvinyl acetate, butadiene acrylic rubber, low density polyethylene, polycarbonate, silicon elastomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, soft rubber, natural rubber, or the like is used. .

  After covering the sheath 40, air or the like is released by supplying water from the pipe 32. After deaeration, the intracorporeal ultrasound probe 2 is inserted into the subject's body, for example, into the rectum. Then, a tomogram is displayed on the display unit 6 in real time by transmitting an ultrasonic wave by the wave transmitting / receiving unit 22 of the ultrasonic probe 2 for inside the body and receiving a reflected echo.

  The operator supplies water 36 into the sheath 40 through the pipe 32 while observing the display unit 6. The water 36 is supplied by operating a piston of a syringe connected to an external pipe 52. In addition, the structure which supplies the predetermined amount of water 36 automatically may be sufficient.

  Thereby, a desired amount of water 36 is supplied into the sheath 40 through the pipe 32. By supplying the water 36 into the sheath 40, the sheath 40 at the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 comes into close contact with the rectal wall 60 and the distance between the wave transmitting / receiving unit 22 and the rectal wall 60 is adjusted. .

  For example, when the observation part 61 exists in the vicinity of the rectal wall 60, the ultrasonic focus position in the transmission / reception unit 22 is set by supplying water into the sheath 40 while observing the display unit 6. Match to the observation site 61.

  After the focus position is adjusted to the observation region 61, a diagnosis is performed with reference to a tomographic image displayed on the display unit 6. After completion of the ultrasonic imaging, the intracorporeal ultrasonic probe 2 is pulled out from the rectum.

  The withdrawn ultrasonic probe 2 for intracorporeal body is separated into the ultrasonic probe main body 20 and the attachment 30, and the ultrasonic probe main body 20 and the attachment 30 are cleaned and disinfected respectively. Since the ultrasonic probe main body 20 is not provided with a water supply mechanism, cleaning and disinfection are facilitated, and appropriate cleaning and disinfection can be performed in a short time and easily.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a removable ultrasonic probe attachment that can provide a function of supplying a medium such as water to the ultrasonic probe is employed. Thereby, when the medium such as water is not supplied, the inlet of the medium such as water does not get in the way.

  In addition, since it is not necessary to secure a supply path for a medium such as water in the ultrasonic probe main body 20, the shape of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 can be reduced. For this reason, when the attachment 30 is not used, the insertion of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 into the subject can be facilitated.

  Moreover, since the ultrasonic probe main body 20 and the attachment 30 can be separated and cleaned and disinfected, the ultrasonic probe main body 20 and the attachment 30 can be kept clean.

  Further, since the shaft 21 of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 is provided with the groove 23 for accommodating the pipe 32, the insertion portion of the ultrasonic probe 2 for the inside of the body has a smooth shape, and is painful to the subject. And uncomfortable feeling is reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, an example in which the pipe 32 of the attachment 30 also serves as a guide tube for guiding the puncture needle will be described. An example in which the attachment 30 is used as a medium supply unit such as water is as described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 2 for intracorporeal body. As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the attachment 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  When the attachment 30 according to the present embodiment is used while being guided by a puncture needle, the attachment 30 is attached to the shaft 21 of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 from the same side as the installation side of the transmission / reception unit 22. The reason for attaching to the same side is to observe the position of the puncture needle protruding from the pipe 32 by the wave transmitting / receiving unit 22.

  In addition, the attachment position of the holding portion 31 to the shaft 21 is set so that the distal end portion of the pipe 32 stops in front of the transmission / reception unit 22 so that the pipe 32 does not interfere with ultrasonic imaging by the transmission / reception unit 22. adjust.

  Next, an ultrasonic imaging method using the above-described intracorporeal ultrasonic probe 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The intracorporeal ultrasonic probe 2 to which the attachment 30 is attached is inserted into the subject's body, for example, into the rectum. Then, a tomogram is displayed on the display unit 6 in real time by transmitting an ultrasonic wave by the wave transmitting / receiving unit 22 of the ultrasonic probe 2 for inside the body and receiving a reflected echo.

  The operator projects the puncture needle 37 through the pipe 32 while observing the display unit 6. When the puncture needle 37 enters the ultrasonic imaging region by the wave transmitting / receiving unit 22, an image of the puncture needle 37 is displayed on the display unit 6.

  The operator pulls out the puncture needle 37 after collecting the tissue portion with the puncture needle 37 while confirming the position of the puncture needle 37 on the display unit 6. After the puncture needle 37 is pulled out, the intracorporeal ultrasound probe 2 is pulled out from the rectum.

  The withdrawn ultrasonic probe 2 for intracorporeal body is separated into the ultrasonic probe main body 20 and the attachment 30, and the ultrasonic probe main body 20 and the attachment 30 are cleaned and disinfected respectively. Since the ultrasonic probe main body 20 is not provided with a water supply mechanism, cleaning and disinfection are facilitated, and appropriate cleaning and disinfection can be performed in a short time and easily.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe attachment is used as a guide guide for the puncture needle 37. Thereby, when the puncture needle is not used, the guide port of the puncture needle does not get in the way.

  In addition, since it is not necessary to secure a guide path for the puncture needle 37 in the ultrasonic probe main body 20, the shape of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 can be reduced. For this reason, when the attachment 30 is not used, the insertion of the ultrasonic probe main body 20 into the subject can be facilitated.

  Moreover, since the ultrasonic probe main body 20 and the attachment 30 can be separated and cleaned and disinfected, the ultrasonic probe main body 20 and the attachment 30 can be kept clean.

The present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiment.
For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which the transmission / reception unit 22 is fixed to the shaft 21 has been described. However, a configuration in which the transmission / reception unit 22 can be rotated and the imaging region can be changed may be employed.
In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (b) is the figure which looked at the ultrasonic probe from the lower side. (A) And (b) is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of a connection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the ultrasonic imaging | photography method using the ultrasonic probe for physical bodies which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the ultrasonic probe for body inside which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the ultrasonic imaging | photography method using the ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal bodies which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, 2 ... Ultrasonic probe for inside the body, 3 ... Transmission / reception part, 4 ... B mode processing part, 5 ... Image processing part, 6 ... Display part, 7 ... Control part, 8 ... Operation part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Cable, 10 ... Subject, 20 ... Ultrasonic probe main body, 21 ... Shaft, 22 ... Transmission / reception part, 23 ... Groove, 30 ... Attachment, 31 ... Holding part, 32 ... Pipe, 33 ... Connection part, 34 ... Supply path, 35 ... opening, 36 ... water, 37 ... puncture needle, 40 ... sheath, 51 ... supply path, 52 ... pipe, 53 ... connecting part, 54 ... protruding part, 60 ... rectal wall, 61 ... observation site

Claims (17)

An attachment for an ultrasonic probe attached to an ultrasonic probe main body having an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit at the tip of a shaft,
A holding portion for detachably holding the shaft of the ultrasonic probe body;
An ultrasonic probe attachment comprising: a tube portion that supplies a medium capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to a tip portion of the shaft. The attachment for ultrasonic probes of Claim 1. It is attached to the shaft of the said ultrasonic probe main body from the opposite side of the said ultrasonic transmission / reception part. The attachment for ultrasonic probes according to claim 1 or 2 which further has a connection part connected with an external supply pipe which supplies said medium with a screw structure at an end of said pipe part. The ultrasonic probe attachment according to claim 1, wherein the tube portion also serves as a guide tube for guiding the puncture needle. The attachment for ultrasonic probes according to claim 4 attached to the shaft of said ultrasonic probe main part from the same side as said ultrasonic transmission / reception part. An ultrasonic probe main body having an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit at the tip of the shaft;
An ultrasonic probe attachment attached to the ultrasonic probe main body,
The ultrasonic probe attachment is
A holding portion for detachably holding the shaft of the ultrasonic probe body;
An ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body, comprising: a tube portion that supplies a medium capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to a tip portion of the shaft. The ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body according to claim 6, wherein a groove portion for accommodating the tube portion is provided in the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body. The ultrasound for intracorporeal body according to claim 6, wherein the attachment for an ultrasonic probe further includes a connection portion connected to an end of the tube portion with an external supply tube that supplies the medium with a screw structure. probe. The ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body according to claim 6, wherein the attachment for ultrasonic probe is attached to the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body from the opposite side of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit. The ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body according to claim 6, wherein the tube portion also serves as a guide tube for guiding the puncture needle. The ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body according to claim 10, wherein the attachment for ultrasonic probe is attached to the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body from the same side as the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit. An ultrasonic probe for intracorporeal body that is inserted into the subject's body, transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject, and receives echoes from the subject, and generates an image based on the received echoes An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having image generating means for performing
The ultrasonic probe for inside the body is
An ultrasonic probe main body having an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit at the tip of the shaft;
An ultrasonic probe attachment attached to the ultrasonic probe main body,
The ultrasonic probe attachment is
A holding portion for detachably holding the shaft of the ultrasonic probe body;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a tube portion that supplies a medium capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to a tip portion of the shaft. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a groove portion that accommodates the tube portion is provided in the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the attachment for an ultrasonic probe further includes a connection part connected to an external supply pipe for supplying the medium with a screw structure at an end of the pipe part. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the ultrasonic probe attachment is attached to the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body from the opposite side of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the tube portion also serves as a guide tube that guides the puncture needle. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the ultrasonic probe attachment is attached to the shaft of the ultrasonic probe main body from the same side as the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit.

Images