JP2008278932A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To visually confirm the position of a transducer in a mechanical 3D probe from the outside of the probe. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonic probe 10 is the mechanical 3D probe for three-dimensionally scanning ultrasonic waves by a combination of an electronic scan by an array transducer 30 and a mechanical scan by a motor. This ultrasonic probe 10 can transmit and receive the ultrasonic waves by changing the position (angle) of the array transducer 30. A case 20 has a window 22 for allowing a user to visually confirm the position of the array transducer 30 actuated by the motor. The user can observe a marker 32 provided in the array transducer 30 from a window 22 and confirm the position (angle) of the array transducer 30 from the position of the marker 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that scan ultrasonic waves three-dimensionally by a combination of electronic scanning and mechanical scanning.

  An ultrasonic probe that scans ultrasonic waves three-dimensionally by a combination of electronic scanning and mechanical scanning is known. By using this type of ultrasonic probe (mechanical 3D probe), it becomes possible to collect information three-dimensionally from within the living body. For example, it is possible to form an ultrasonic image that three-dimensionally displays the heart, fetus, and the like.

  On the other hand, by using a mechanical 3D probe, it is also possible to form a tomographic image in which a tissue in a living body is two-dimensionally projected. For example, a tomographic image having a desired inclination (position) can be obtained by fixing the 1D array transducer in the mechanical 3D probe to the center of the probe and adjusting the inclination of the mechanical 3D probe by the user.

  In addition, the inclination (position) of the tomographic image can be adjusted in the probe by driving the 1D array transducer in the mechanical 3D probe with a motor or the like. However, when the 1D array transducer is moved in the mechanical 3D probe, the user cannot know the inclination (position) of the tomographic image unless the position of the moved 1D array transducer can be confirmed from outside the probe.

  Incidentally, in Patent Document 1, a mark for recognizing the amount of rotation of the transducer array is formed in an ultrasonic probe that rotates the transducer array via an operation wire by rotating an operation knob. A technique for confirming the mark is described. However, the ultrasonic probe described in Patent Document 1 is not a mechanical 3D probe.

JP-A-6-261901

  The present invention has been made in the above-mentioned background, and an object thereof is to make it possible to visually confirm the position of the vibrator in the mechanical 3D probe from the outside of the probe.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic probe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an array transducer that includes a plurality of vibration elements that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves and that is electronically controlled to form a scanning surface, and an array. A motor that mechanically drives a transducer to move the scanning plane, and a case that accommodates the array transducer and the motor to form the outer shape of the probe. An ultrasonic probe that three-dimensionally scans ultrasonic waves by a combination of mechanical scanning, and the case is provided with a window for allowing a user to visually confirm the position of an array transducer driven by a motor The tomographic image scanning plane is electronically formed by the array transducer at a position confirmed through a window provided in the case.

  In a preferred aspect, the window provided in the case has a shape extended along the moving direction of the array transducer driven by a motor.

  In a preferred aspect, the ultrasonic probe further includes a pointer that is fixedly driven with respect to the array transducer and is driven together with the array transducer, and the array is arranged according to a position of the pointer that can be seen from a window provided in the case. The position of the vibrator is confirmed.

  In a preferred aspect, the array transducer is driven around the rotation axis with the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface facing the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe, and the pointer is opposite to the direction of the wave transmission / reception surface from the position of the rotation axis. It is extended in the direction and driven in the direction opposite to the array transducer around the rotation axis.

  In a preferred aspect, the array transducer is driven around the rotation axis with the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface facing the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe, and the pointer is oriented in the same direction as the direction of the wave transmission / reception surface from the position of the rotation axis And is driven in the same direction as the array transducer about the rotation axis.

  In a preferred aspect, the array transducer is provided with a marker that functions as the pointer.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention provides an image in which a cursor indicating the position of the array transducer is provided on a probe display form in which the ultrasonic probe is modeled. It is characterized by being displayed on a monitor.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to visually confirm the position of the vibrator in the mechanical 3D probe from the outside of the probe. For example, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the user can visually confirm the position of the scanning plane for tomographic images, so that the operability is improved. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the position of the scanning plane for tomographic images can be changed by driving the internal array transducer while the ultrasonic probe is fixed, thereby reducing the burden on the patient and the like. Is done.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the array transducer 30 is directed downward, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the array transducer 30 is driven and tilted.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 includes an array transducer 30 in which a plurality of vibration elements that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves are arranged one-dimensionally. The transmission / reception surface of the array transducer 30 is directed to the distal end side (the lower side in FIG. 1) of the ultrasonic probe 10, and a plurality of vibration elements are electronically controlled to scan an ultrasonic wave toward a living body or the like. Is formed. The array transducer 30 is mechanically driven by a motor around the rotation shaft 40. Therefore, the wave transmitting / receiving surface at the tip of the array transducer 30 moves along the arc. The array transducer 30 and the motor are accommodated in a case 20 that forms the outer shape of the ultrasonic probe 10. The case 20 is formed as a rounded prism or a cylinder as a whole.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 is a mechanical 3D probe that scans ultrasonic waves three-dimensionally by a combination of electronic scanning by the array transducer 30 and mechanical scanning by a motor. That is, the array transducer 30 is moved stepwise or gradually by the motor to change the position (angle), and a scanning surface is electronically formed for each position (angle) of the array transducer 30. A plurality of scanning surfaces are formed, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received three-dimensionally.

  In addition, the ultrasonic probe 10 fixes the array transducer 30 at a desired position (angle) and performs electronic scanning at the position, thereby tomographic image scanning plane corresponding to the desired position (angle). Can be formed.

  As described above, the ultrasonic probe 10 can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves by changing the position (angle) of the array transducer 30. Therefore, the case 20 is provided with a window 22 for allowing the user to visually confirm the position of the array transducer 30 driven by the motor. A user using the ultrasonic probe 10 can see the marker 32 provided on the array transducer 30 from the window 22 and can confirm the position (angle) of the array transducer 30 from the position of the marker 32. .

  Therefore, for example, by using the user interface provided in the ultrasonic probe 10 or the apparatus main body and adjusting the position of the array transducer 30 while confirming the position of the marker 32 visible from the window 22, a desired position (angle) ) To obtain a desired tomographic image. Further, since the position of the scanning plane for tomographic images can be changed by driving the internal array transducer 30 while the ultrasonic probe 10 is fixed, the burden on the patient's body surface and the like is reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment in which a marker is provided on the array transducer, and the ultrasonic probe 10 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the ultrasonic probe 10 in FIG. FIG. 2A is a side view of the ultrasonic probe 10. A window 22 is provided in the case 20 of the ultrasonic probe 10, and the array transducer 30 accommodated in the case 20 can be confirmed from the window 22.

  FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 10, and FIG. 2B shows the internal structure on the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe 10. The array transducer 30 is mechanically driven by a motor around the rotation shaft 40. Therefore, the wave transmitting / receiving surface at the tip of the array transducer 30 is mechanically driven along the arc-shaped arrow shown in FIG. A marker 32 is provided on the array transducer 30, and a user who uses the ultrasonic probe 10 can view the marker 32 provided on the array transducer 30 from the window 22, and the array 32 can be viewed from the position of the marker 32. The position (angle) of the vibrator 30 is confirmed.

  It should be noted that the inside of the ultrasonic probe 10 is filled with oil, and the array transducer 30 is immersed in the oil and mechanically moved. The state of the oil can be seen from the window 22 provided in the case 20. For example, if bubbles or the like enter the oil, the amount or size of the bubbles can be confirmed from the window 22.

  FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of the front surface of the ultrasonic probe 10. The array transducer 30 includes a plurality of vibration elements arranged one-dimensionally along arcuate arrows shown in FIG. The plurality of vibration elements are electronically controlled to scan the ultrasonic beam electronically. The ultrasonic beam is scanned along an arc-shaped arrow shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment in which a pointer is provided on the array transducer. FIG. 3A is a side view of the ultrasonic probe 10 provided with the pointer 34. A window 22 is provided in the case 20 of the ultrasonic probe 10, and a pointer 34 provided inside the case 20 can be confirmed from the window 22.

  FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 10 provided with the pointer 34, and FIG. 3B shows the internal structure on the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe 10. FIG. The array transducer 30 is mechanically driven by a motor around the rotation shaft 40. The array transducer 30 has an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface directed toward the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe 10. On the other hand, the pointer 34 is extended from the position of the rotation shaft 40 in the direction opposite to the direction of the transmission / reception surface, and is driven in the direction opposite to the array transducer 30 around the rotation shaft 40.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when viewed from the side, the array transducer 30 and the pointer 34 are connected along the same straight line, and are both driven to rotate about the same rotation axis 40. Therefore, the position (angle) of the array transducer 30 oriented in the opposite direction can be confirmed from the position of the pointer 34 visible from the window 22.

  FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the ultrasonic probe 10. The ultrasonic probe 10 is formed in a rounded prism or cylindrical shape, and has a shape in which the tip side (the lower side in the figure) is slightly swollen. A window 22 is provided on one side surface of the ultrasonic probe 10. Note that windows 22 may be provided on both side surfaces.

  In the ultrasonic probe 10 shown in FIG. 3, the pointer 34 is extended from the position of the rotation shaft 40 in the direction opposite to the direction of the transmission / reception surface. Alternatively, the pointer 34 may be extended from the position of the rotary shaft 40 in the same direction as the direction of the wave transmitting / receiving surface. In this case, the window 22 is provided on the tip side of the ultrasonic probe 10 (for example, the position of the window 22 shown in FIG. 2) so that the tip of the pointer 34 can be seen.

  Incidentally, the ultrasonic probe 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 has an abdomen or obstetrics that require a relatively wide range of observation because the transmission / reception surface of the array transducer 30 is moved along an arc. It is suitable for diagnosis.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows an ultrasonic probe 10 suitable for diagnosis of the circulatory system. FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 10, and FIG. 4A shows the internal structure on the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe 10. The array transducer 30 is mechanically driven by a motor around the rotation shaft 40. The array transducer 30 has an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface directed toward the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe 10.

  Unlike the case of the ultrasonic probe 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the ultrasonic probe 10 shown in FIG. 4, the transmission / reception surface of the array transducer 30 is close to the rotating shaft 40. Therefore, by rotating the array transducer 30 about the rotation axis 40, the position (angle) of the scanning plane formed by the array transducer 30 can be changed substantially radially. The pointer 34 is extended from the position of the rotation shaft 40 in the direction opposite to the direction of the transmission / reception surface, and is driven in the direction opposite to the array transducer 30 around the rotation shaft 40.

  FIG. 4B is a side view of the ultrasonic probe 10. As shown in FIG. 4B, a window 22 is provided on the side surface of the case 20, and the tip of the pointer 34 inside the case 20 can be seen from the window 22. Therefore, the angle of the array transducer 30 directed in the opposite direction can be confirmed from the position of the pointer 34 that can be seen from the window 22.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 in FIG. 4 can change the angle of the scanning plane almost radially, and is suitable for, for example, diagnosing a desired tomographic image of the heart from between the ribs.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes, for example, the ultrasonic probe 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and the apparatus main body. FIG. 5 shows a display image 50 displayed on the monitor of the apparatus main body.

  The display image 50 includes a tomographic image 52 and a position confirmation image 60. The tomographic image 52 is an ultrasonic image formed based on echo data obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves within the scanning plane. The tomographic image 52 is, for example, a B mode image.

  The position confirmation image 60 is an image indicating the position (angle) of the array transducer in the ultrasonic probe, and a cursor 64 indicating the position of the array transducer is provided in the probe image 62 schematically representing the ultrasonic probe. It is. As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the array transducer 30 is mechanically driven in the ultrasonic probe 10. The position (angle) of the array transducer 30 is associated with the position (angle) of the cursor 64 in the probe image 62 shown in FIG.

  For example, an encoder for detecting the position (angle) of the array transducer is provided in the ultrasonic probe, and the position (angle) of the array transducer is confirmed in the apparatus main body based on the data from the encoder. The forming unit determines the position (angle) of the cursor 64 and displays it in the probe image 62.

  Since the position (angle) of the cursor 64 in the probe image 62 is associated with the position (angle) of the array transducer in the ultrasonic probe, the user can use the ultrasonic probe from the position confirmation image 60 displayed on the monitor. The position (angle) of the actual array transducer can be confirmed.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only a mere illustration in all the points, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes various modifications without departing from the essence thereof.

It is a figure for demonstrating suitable embodiment of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating embodiment which provided the marker in the array vibrator | oscillator. It is a figure for demonstrating embodiment which provided the pointer | guide in the array vibrator | oscillator. It is a figure for demonstrating the ultrasonic probe suitable for the diagnosis of a circulatory system. It is a figure for demonstrating suitable embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10 ultrasonic probe, 20 case, 22 windows, 30 array transducer.

Claims (7)

An array transducer that includes a plurality of transducer elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and is electronically controlled to form a scanning plane;
A motor that mechanically drives the array transducer to move the scanning plane;
A case that houses the array transducer and motor and forms the outer shape of the probe;
Have
An ultrasonic probe that scans ultrasonic waves three-dimensionally by a combination of electronic scanning by an array transducer and mechanical scanning by a motor,
The case is provided with a window for allowing the user to visually confirm the position of the array transducer driven by the motor,
A scanning surface for tomographic images is electronically formed by the array transducer at a position confirmed through a window provided in the case.
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1,
The window provided in the case has a shape elongated along the moving direction of the array transducer driven by the motor.
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2,
A pointer that is fixedly attached to the array transducer and is driven together with the array transducer;
The position of the array transducer is confirmed by the position of the pointer visible from the window provided in the case,
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3,
The array transducer is driven around the rotation axis with the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface facing the tip side of the ultrasonic probe,
The pointer is extended in the direction opposite to the direction of the transmission / reception wave surface from the position of the rotation axis, and is driven in the direction opposite to the array transducer around the rotation axis.
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3,
The array transducer is driven around the rotation axis with the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface facing the tip side of the ultrasonic probe,
The pointer is extended in the same direction as the direction of the transmission / reception wave surface from the position of the rotation axis, and driven in the same direction as the array transducer around the rotation axis.
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3,
The array transducer is provided with a marker that functions as the pointer.
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
Displaying on the monitor an image in which a cursor indicating the position of the array transducer is provided on a probe display mode in which the ultrasonic probe is schematically shown;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Images