JP5179083B2 - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe (probe) and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus for inserting a puncture needle into a subject using a puncture guide attachment attached to a probe unit.

  In recent years, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus is used for monitoring the insertion of a puncture needle in real time in a biopsy in which affected tissue of a subject is extracted using a puncture needle (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). Here, the puncture needle is inserted along an imaging cross section acquired by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus, and reliable insertion is performed while observing a B-mode image of the puncture needle. However, the puncture needle is often curved in the subject, and it is difficult to perform linear insertion. In particular, when the puncture needle is inserted from an oblique direction with respect to the surface of the subject, this curvature becomes even larger, and the puncture needle may be inserted at a position outside the imaging section. .

This bending phenomenon is alleviated by inserting the puncture needle from a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the subject. In this case, an ultrasonic probe having a fan-shaped imaging range is used. For example, in a convex probe or a sector probe, the imaging range extends beyond the arrangement position of the piezoelectric element array in the arrangement direction. In these probes, the puncture needle and the grip portion of the probe are arranged substantially in parallel, and the irradiation direction of the ultrasonic wave for imaging and the insertion direction of the puncture needle are substantially in the same direction. These probes can also monitor a puncture needle by rendering a B-mode image of the puncture needle at a position near the periphery of the imaging range having a fan shape even when imaging.
JP 2003-334191 A, (first page, FIG. 1)

  However, according to the background art described above, the gripping portion of the probe and the puncture needle are arranged close to each other, making it difficult to operate the puncture needle. That is, the puncture needle is inserted into the subject from a position close to the opening where the piezoelectric elements of the probe are arranged. Therefore, the puncture needle is close to and parallel to the grip portion of the probe. Arrangement of the grip portion and the puncture needle close to each other makes it difficult for an operator who manually inserts the puncture needle to hold the puncture needle and to perform the procedure.

  In particular, when a subject diseased tissue is collected after insertion of a puncture needle, a tissue extraction device such as a syringe or a cutting needle is attached to or inserted into the end of the puncture needle. In this case, the proximity of the puncture needle and the probe gripping part is a factor that makes it difficult to attach the syringe barrel or the cutting needle.

  From these, while maintaining the directionality when the puncture needle is inserted, the operability of the puncture needle, in particular, an ultrasonic wave that can be easily attached to the puncture needle of accessories used for biopsy How to realize the probe and the ultrasonic imaging apparatus is important.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the background art, and maintains directional characteristics when the puncture needle is inserted, while performing operability of the puncture needle, particularly when performing a biopsy. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus that can attach an accessory used to a puncture needle without difficulty.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an ultrasonic probe according to a first aspect of the invention includes a probe unit having a piezoelectric element unit and a gripping unit for irradiating ultrasonic waves, and the probe. A puncture guide attachment attached to a part, wherein the puncture guide attachment is arranged in the vicinity of an end in an arrangement direction in which the piezoelectric elements of the probe part are arranged one-dimensionally, A needle guide that guides the puncture needle in the main irradiation direction, which is a typical irradiation direction, and the relative position of the needle guide and the probe unit is rotated so that the gap between the gripping part and the puncture needle is increased. It is characterized by comprising gap changing means for changing.

  In the invention according to the first aspect, the puncture guide attachment is arranged in the vicinity of the end in the arrangement direction in which the piezoelectric elements of the probe part are one-dimensionally arranged by the needle guide, and the main illuminating direction is the average irradiation direction. The puncture needle is guided in the irradiation direction, and the relative position between the needle guide and the probe unit is rotated by the gap changing means to change the gap between the gripping part and the puncture needle.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the invention of the second aspect is the ultrasonic probe according to the first aspect, wherein the gap changing means is mounted on the gap and the tissue extraction instrument is mounted on the puncture needle. It is characterized by changing to.

  In the invention of the second aspect, the tissue extraction instrument can be attached to the puncture needle.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the invention of the third aspect is characterized in that in the ultrasonic probe according to the first aspect, the probe section is a convex probe.

  An ultrasonic probe according to a fourth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of the first to second aspects, wherein the puncture guide attachment has the probe portion in the arrangement direction. It is characterized by comprising a belt-shaped fixing portion that surrounds and a guide holding portion that is mechanically connected to the fixing portion and holds the needle guide.

  In the invention of the fourth aspect, the puncture guide attachment is fixed to the probe portion by the fixing portion, and the needle guide is held by the guide holding portion mechanically connected to the fixing portion.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the fifth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic probe according to the fourth aspect, wherein the guide holding part has a U-shaped cross section sandwiching the fixing part from the arrangement direction. It is characterized by that.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the sixth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic probe according to the fifth aspect, wherein the gap changing means is in contact with the fixing portion and the guide holding portion along the arrangement direction 2. It is characterized by comprising a rotating shaft that connects the contact surface to be rotatable along the contact surface.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, the gap changing means rotatably connects the fixed portion and the guide holding portion by the rotation shaft.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the seventh aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic probe according to the sixth aspect, wherein the gap changing means moves the fixed portion and the guide holding portion along the contact surface. A stopper is provided that is semi-fixed at a predetermined rotation angle around the rotation axis.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, the gap changing means causes the fixing portion and the guide holding portion to be in a semi-fixed state by the stopper.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the invention of the eighth aspect is the ultrasonic probe according to the seventh aspect, wherein the stopper is in contact with two contacts along the arrangement direction of the fixed portion and the guide holding portion. It is the unevenness | corrugation which exists in a surface and can be mutually fitted, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the ninth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the puncture guide attachment is provided between the needle guide and the probe unit. Relative position detecting means for detecting rotation information of the relative position is provided.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, the puncture guide attachment detects rotation information of the relative positions of the needle guide and the probe unit by the relative position detecting means.

  The ultrasonic probe according to the invention of the tenth aspect is the ultrasonic probe according to the sixth and ninth aspects, wherein the relative position detecting means is a tachometer that detects a rotation angle of the rotary shaft. Features.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an invention of an eleventh aspect includes a probe unit having a piezoelectric element unit and a gripping unit for irradiating ultrasonic waves, a puncture guide attachment attached to the probe unit, An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays B-mode image information of a subject acquired by a probe unit, wherein the puncture guide attachment includes a one-dimensional array of piezoelectric elements of the probe unit A needle guide for guiding the puncture needle in the main irradiation direction, which is an average direction of irradiation, and the relative position of the needle guide and the probe unit is rotated. And a gap changing means for changing a gap between the grip portion and the puncture needle.

  The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the invention of the twelfth aspect is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the gap changing means is sized so that the tissue extraction instrument is attached to the puncture needle. The gap is changed.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the probe section is a convex probe.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, wherein the puncture guide attachment is the needle guide and the probe. And a relative position detecting means for detecting rotation information of the part.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, in which the display unit displays the display position of the B-mode image information based on the rotation information. It is made to rotate.

  In the fifteenth aspect of the invention, the display unit rotates the display position of the B-mode image information based on the rotation information.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the rotation of the display position is performed before and after the rotation of the relative position. The position is not changed.

  According to the present invention, the relative position between the needle guide and the probe unit is changed by the gap changing means, and the size of the gap existing between the gripping part of the probe unit and the puncture needle is changed after insertion. Therefore, the biopsy tool can be attached to the puncture needle without difficulty, and the affected tissue can be extracted.

The best mode for carrying out an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.
(Embodiment 1)

  First, the overall configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 includes an ultrasonic probe 10, an image acquisition unit 102, an image display control unit 105, a display unit 106, an input unit 107, and a control unit 108.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 irradiates an ultrasonic wave in a specific direction of an imaging cross section of the subject 1, that is, a part for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, and time-series ultrasonic echoes (echo) reflected from the inside of the subject 1. Received as a typical sound ray. As will be described in detail later, the ultrasonic probe 10 includes a probe unit and a puncture guide attachment in which piezoelectric elements are one-dimensionally arranged in a fan shape in the electronic scanning direction.

  The image acquisition unit 102 includes a transmission / reception unit, a B-mode processing unit, a cine memory unit, and the like. The transmission / reception unit is connected to the ultrasonic probe 10 through a coaxial cable, and generates an electrical signal for driving the piezoelectric element of the ultrasonic probe 10. The transmission / reception unit is also a part that performs first-stage amplification of the received reflected ultrasonic echo signal.

  The B-mode processing unit is a part that performs processing for generating a B-mode image in real time from the reflected ultrasonic echo signal amplified by the transmission / reception unit. The cine memory unit is an image memory, and stores the B-mode image information generated by the B-mode processing unit.

The image display control unit 105 displays a display frame rate (frame) such as B-mode image information generated by the B-mode processing unit.
rate), and a part for performing image display shape and position control.

  The display unit 106 includes a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays a B-mode image or the like.

  The input unit 107 includes a keyboard or the like, and an operation input signal is input by an operator. For example, an operation input for selecting display in the B mode is performed on the input unit 107, and information such as a scan start is input to the control unit 108.

  The control unit 108 controls the operation of each unit of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the above-described ultrasonic probe based on the operation input signal input from the input unit 107 and a previously stored program (program) and data (data). It is a part of.

  FIG. 2 is an external view showing the external appearance and imaging range of the ultrasonic probe 10. The ultrasonic probe 10 includes a convex probe 11 that is a probe portion, a puncture guide attachment 12 and a puncture needle 13. The puncture guide attachment 12 includes a fixing portion 14, a guide holding portion 15, a rotating shaft 35, and a needle guide 16. Note that the xyz-axis coordinates shown in FIG. 2 are common to the xyz-axis coordinates shown in the drawings described later, and indicate the positional relationship between the drawings.

  The convex probe 11 that is a probe unit includes a piezoelectric element array, a piezoelectric element unit 20 including a contact surface with the subject 1, and a gripping unit 21 that includes an electronic circuit and is gripped by an operator. The piezoelectric element section 20 has a fan-shaped contact surface with the subject 1, and a piezoelectric element array arranged one-dimensionally along the fan-shaped aspect is incorporated. The convex probe 11 has a fan-shaped imaging range 18 in a main irradiation direction which is an average direction of irradiation directions of ultrasonic waves emitted from a piezoelectric element array arranged one-dimensionally in a fan shape. The fan-shaped imaging range 18 depicts the insertion path of the puncture needle 13 inserted in a direction orthogonal to the body surface of the subject 1 as a B-mode image.

  The gripping part 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped part in which an electronic circuit such as an analog multiplexer (analog multiplexer) is incorporated. When imaging, the operator grips this part and touches the piezoelectric element part 20 to the subject 1. Let

  The puncture guide attachment 12 guides the puncture needle 13 so as to be inserted into the imaging range 18 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the body surface of the subject 1. The needle guide 16 guides insertion of the puncture needle 13 in a target direction, and the fixing portion 14 and the guide holding portion 15 place the needle guide 16 semi-fixed to the convex probe 11.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the detailed configuration of the fixing portion 14, the guide holding portion 15, the rotating shaft 35, and the needle guide 16. The fixing portion 14 has a belt-like shape surrounding the piezoelectric element portion 20 of the convex probe 11 in the xy-axis plane, and a fixing screw that secures the fixing to the convex probe 11 at the end in the x-axis direction. 34 is provided.

  FIG. 3A is an external view showing the puncture guide attachment 12 as seen from the y-axis direction. The guide holding portion 15 is fixed to a rotation shaft 35 located at the center of the fixing portion 14 in the x-axis direction so as to be rotatable in the xz-axis plane. The needle guide 16 is disposed at the other end of the guide holding unit 15 opposite to the rotation shaft 35. In addition, the 1st stopper hollow 36 and the 2nd stopper hollow 37 which are shown with a broken line in FIG. 3 (A) are the hemispherical type which exists inside the xz-axis side surface of the guide holding part 15 which forms a U-shaped shape. It is a depression.

  FIG. 3B is an external view showing the puncture guide attachment 12 as seen from the z-axis direction. The guide holding part 15 is arranged so that the fixing part 14 is sandwiched between U-shaped hollow parts. The guide holding part 15 has a needle guide 16 at an end part facing the fixing part 14. The needle guide 16 has a puncture hole 26 that penetrates in the z-axis direction. The puncture hole 26 is a guide hole that allows the puncture needle 13 to pass through and is directed in a predetermined puncture direction.

  A stopper protrusion 34 is present on the contact surface of the fixed portion 14 that contacts the guide holding portion 15. The stopper protrusion 34 is a hemispherical bulge that fits into the first stopper recess 36 or the second stopper recess 37. In the state shown in FIG. 3A or 3B, the stopper projection 34 is in a state in which the first stopper recess 36 is fitted, and the fixing portion 14 and the guide holding portion 15 are semi-fixed. Is in a state.

  This fitting is released by being strongly pressed along the contact surface, and the guide holding portion 15 and the fixing portion 14 perform relative rotation around the rotation shaft 35. Then, the second stopper recess 37 and the stopper projection 34 are fitted again at the overlapping position, and the fixing portion 14 and the guide holding portion 15 are in a semi-fixed state.

  FIG. 3C shows a state in which the first stopper recess 36 and the stopper projection 34 existing in the guide holding portion 15 and the fixed portion 14 are fitted, and the second stopper recess 37 and the stopper projection 34 are fitted. It is the one that is displayed in a superimposed manner. The portion indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3C is in the same state as that shown in FIG. 3A, and the fixed portion 14 and the guide holding portion 15 are in parallel. Further, a portion indicated by a broken line is in a state where the second stopper recess 37 and the stopper projection 34 are fitted, and the fixing portion 14 and the guide holding portion 15 are inclined with the rotation shaft 35 as the center. Is illustrated. The rotation angle of the tilt is a rotation angle formed by the fixed portion 14 and the tilted guide holding portion 15 in FIG. The rotation angle Θ is the minimum rotation angle that does not come into contact with the grip portion 21 when a puncture device such as a syringe barrel is attached to the puncture needle 13 shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic probe 10 to which the puncture guide attachment 12 is attached will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic probe 10.

  First, the operator attaches the puncture guide attachment 12 in a state where the fixing portion 14 and the guide holding portion 15 are kept parallel to a predetermined position of the convex probe 11 (S400). Thereafter, the operator causes the ultrasonic probe 10 to which the gel is adhered to the subject 1 to be in close contact, and the puncture needle 13 is inserted into the subject 1 through the puncture hole 26 of the needle guide 16 (step S401). .

  Thereafter, the operator determines whether or not the inserted puncture needle 13 has reached the affected part 2 of the subject 1 while referring to the B-mode image displayed on the display unit 106 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 (Step S1). S402). If the puncture needle 13 has not reached the affected area 2 (No at Step S402), the process proceeds to Step S401, where further insertion is performed, and insertion is performed until the tip of the puncture needle 13 reaches the affected area 2.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state of the ultrasonic probe 10 while the puncture needle 13 is being inserted. The operator brings the piezoelectric element portion 20 of the convex probe 11 into close contact with the subject 1 and simultaneously inserts the puncture needle 13 into the subject 1. Since the fixing unit 14 and the guide holding unit 15 are held in parallel, by holding the convex probe 11 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the subject 1, the puncture needle 13 is also substantially aligned with the surface of the subject 1. Insertion is performed from the orthogonal direction. In this state, the puncture needle 13 and the gripping part 21 of the convex probe 11 are arranged close to each other, and the gap between the puncture needle 13 and the gripping part 21 is a tissue extraction device of the puncture needle 13 such as a cutting needle or an injection. When connecting the cylinders, it is difficult to mount the cylinders narrowly.

  Further, when the inserted puncture needle 13 reaches the affected area 2 of the subject 1 (Yes in step S402), the operator holds the insertion direction of the puncture needle 13, that is, the guide holding section 15. The convex probe 11 is tilted while being fixed to the specimen 1 (step S403). Here, the fitting of the stopper projection 34 and the first stopper recess 36 of the fixing portion 14 is removed, and the fitting of the stopper projection 34 and the second stopper recess 37 of the fixing portion 14 is formed. Thereby, the fixing | fixed part 14 and the guide holding | maintenance part 15 are made into a semi-fixed state in the inclined state.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state of the ultrasonic probe 10 in this state. When the puncture needle 13 is inserted into the affected part 2 of the subject 1 in the same state, the convex probe 11 rotates around the rotation axis 35 and changes its direction by the rotation angle Θ. Thereby, the gap between the gripping portion 21 of the convex probe 11 and the puncture needle 13 is expanded.

  Thereafter, the operator inserts the syringe barrel 61 into the needle base located at the end of the puncture needle 13 (step S404). Here, the syringe barrel 61 is larger and thicker than the puncture needle 13. However, since the gap between the grip portion 21 and the puncture needle 13 is in an expanded state, the operator can insert the syringe 61 into the puncture needle 13 without difficulty.

  Thereafter, the operator performs suction of the syringe barrel 61 (step S405), and extracts the tissue of the affected area 2. Then, after the extraction is completed, the operator pulls out the puncture needle 13 from the subject 1 (step S406), and the process is terminated.

  When the puncture needle 13 is inserted into the subject 1, the main irradiation direction of the convex probe 11 is oriented in the same direction as the insertion direction of the puncture needle 13 as shown in FIG. 2 or 5. Convenient. The imaging range 18 facing the main irradiation direction is displayed on the display unit 106 in a shape substantially as shown in FIG. 2 with the z-axis direction as the vertical direction. At this time, the B-mode image of the puncture needle 13 becomes a line that extends from the upper side to the lower side with the insertion and faces in the vertical direction. For the operator, the orientation of the image generally agrees with the direction in which the puncture needle 13 is actually inserted, so that the operability of the insertion operation is improved.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the puncture needle 13 is inserted from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the subject 1 in a state where the fixing portion 14 and the guide holding portion 15 are in a tilted positional relationship, The main irradiation direction is a direction inclined with respect to the surface of the subject 1. In this case, the B-mode image of the puncture needle 13 has an inclination Θ with respect to the vertical direction and is displayed on the display unit 106 as a line inserted from an oblique direction. The orientation of the image does not coincide with the actual insertion direction of the puncture needle 13 at the time of insertion, and the operability for the operator is not good. Further, the contact between the subject 1 and the piezoelectric element unit 20 becomes partial, and the effective imaging range is narrow. Therefore, when inserting the puncture needle 13, it is preferable to use the guide holding part 15 and the fixing part 14 having a positional relationship as shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the puncture guide attachment 12 is in a state in which the guide holding portion 15 and the fixing portion 14 in which the stopper protrusion 34 and the first stopper recess 36 are fitted are in parallel. Since the puncture needle 13 is punctured by being attached to the convex probe 11, the puncture needle 13 is inserted from a direction perpendicular to the body surface of the subject 1, and then the stopper projection 34 and the second stopper recess. Since the guide holding part 15 and the fixing part 14 in a state where 37 is fitted are inclined with the rotary shaft 35 being stopped and a procedure such as mounting of the syringe barrel 61 is performed, insertion of the puncture needle 13 and Extraction of the affected tissue of the subject 1 by the syringe 61 can be performed without difficulty.

  In the first embodiment, the puncture direction of the puncture needle 13 is set to a direction orthogonal to the surface of the subject 1. However, by adjusting the direction of the puncture hole 26 in the needle guide 16, It is also possible to provide a slight inclination with respect to the direction of the movement. Thereby, the operator improves the operability at the time of insertion.

  In the first embodiment, the puncture guide attachment 12 is attached to the convex probe 11. However, the sector probe having a fan-shaped imaging range is attached with a puncture guide attachment exactly the same as the puncture guide attachment 12. A puncture can also be performed.

  By the way, in the first embodiment, the B-mode image displayed on the display unit 106 remains fixed in a certain direction. In this case, when the convex probe 11 is rotated while the puncture needle 13 inserted into the subject 1 is held, the displayed image of the puncture needle 13 is also rotated. Therefore, as the convex probe 11 is rotated around the rotation axis 35, the B-mode image displayed on the display unit 106 is rotated, and the image position of the puncture needle 13 displayed in the B-mode image is fixed. It can also be maintained. Thereby, the operator observes the puncture needle 13 inserted and held in the direction orthogonal to the surface of the subject 1 as a B-mode image fixed in the vertical direction even when the convex probe 11 is rotated. can do.

  FIG. 7 is an external view showing a puncture guide attachment 73 according to the second embodiment. The puncture guide attachment 73 has the same configuration as the puncture guide attachment 12 of the first embodiment except for the tachometer 38 which is a relative position detecting means, and therefore only the tachometer 38 will be described, and the description of the others will be omitted. .

  The tachometer 38 that is a relative position detecting means includes a rotary encoder that is attached to the rotating shaft 35 and detects the relative rotation of the fixed portion 14 and the guide holding portion 15. The tachometer 38 is connected to the grip portion 21 of the convex probe 11 by a connector. Then, the tachometer 38 sends the rotation information, which is the detected rotation angle, to the image display control unit 105 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 via the signal line in the cable connecting the ultrasonic probe 10 and the image acquisition unit 102. Send.

  The image display control unit 105 changes the display angle of the B-mode image displayed on the display unit 106 based on the rotation information from the tachometer 38. FIG. 8 illustrates a B-mode image displayed on the display unit 106 when the convex probe 11 and the puncture guide attachment 73 shown in FIG. 7 are used.

  FIG. 8A shows B displayed on the display unit 106 when the guide holding unit 15 and the fixing unit 14 of the guide attachment 73 are in a parallel state in which the first stopper recess 36 and the stopper projection 34 are fitted. A mode image 81 is shown. The B-mode image 81 has a structure in which the main irradiation direction of the imaging range 18 is directed in the vertical direction and the display image portion is symmetrical. In the left part of the B-mode image 81, the affected part 2 and the puncture needle 13 inserted in a substantially vertical direction are depicted. The puncture needle 13 is inserted into the body surface of the subject 1 in a lying position from a direction substantially orthogonal to the puncture needle 13, and the puncture needle 13 displayed on the display unit 106 is generally oriented in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 8B shows a B-mode image 82 when the guide holding portion 15 and the fixing portion 14 of the guide attachment 73 are in an inclined state in which the guide holding portion 15 and the fixing portion 14 are fitted by the second stopper recess 37 and the stopper protrusion 34. Is. The B-mode image 82 is in a state in which the main irradiation direction of the imaging range 18 is inclined by the rotation angle Θ formed by the guide holding unit 15 and the fixing unit 14 with respect to the vertical direction.

  When the convex probe 11 is rotated with the puncture needle 13 inserted into the subject 1 held as in the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the B-mode image 82 of FIG. The position of the puncture needle 13 drawn in the fan-shaped imaging range 18 changes, and the main irradiation direction of the imaging range 18 rotates. Therefore, by rotating the display direction of the B-mode image in accordance with the rotation of the main irradiation direction, the image in the subject 1 drawn by the B-mode image does not change the position, and only the framework indicating the imaging range 18 is displayed. Rotates. This is because it is easy for the operator who is inserting the puncture needle 13 to perform the biopsy because the direction of the puncture technique and the direction of the B-mode image of the puncture needle 13 displayed on the display unit 106 are substantially the same. To do.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the relative rotation angle Θ of the guide holding unit 15 and the fixing unit 14 of the puncture guide attachment 73 is detected by the tachometer 38 and the B mode image 81 of the display unit 106 is detected. Is displayed with the rotation angle Θ tilted, so that the B mode of the puncture needle 13 inserted into the affected area 2 can be changed even when the orientation of the convex probe 11 is changed while holding the puncture needle 13 after insertion. The operator can easily perform puncturing without changing the orientation of the image.

  In the second embodiment, the rotation shaft 35 is provided with a tachometer 38 that measures the rotation angle of a rotary encoder or the like. However, in the first and second embodiments, the guide holding unit 15 and the fixing unit 14 are Since there is only one of the parallel state and the inclined state, the relative position detector of the guide holding part 15 and the fixing part 14 can be used. For example, the image display control unit 105 may detect whether the stopper projection 34 of the fixing unit 14 is fitted to the first stopper recess 36 or the second stopper recess 37. As an example, a photodetector that provides a marker such as a color or a light reflector on the protrusion of the stopper protrusion 34 and detects the marker in either the first stopper recess 36 or the second stopper recess 37. Etc. can also be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of an ultrasonic imaging device. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the puncture guide attachment concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the puncture guide attachment according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning at the time of insertion of the puncture guide attachment concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure at the time of the biopsy of the puncture guide attachment concerning Embodiment 1, and arrangement | positioning. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the puncture guide attachment which has a tachometer concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a B-mode image of a display unit according to a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Subject 2 Affected part 10 Ultrasonic probe 11 Convex probe 12 Puncture guide attachment 13 Puncture needle 14 Fixing part 15 Guide holding part 16 Needle guide 18 Imaging range 20 Piezoelectric element part 21 Grasping part 26 Puncture hole 34 Fixing screw 34 Stopper protrusion 35 Rotation Axis 38 Tachometer 61 Syringe 73 Puncture guide attachment 81, 82 B-mode image 100 Ultrasonic imaging apparatus 102 Image acquisition unit 105 Image display control unit 106 Display unit 107 Input unit 108 Control unit

Claims (15)

A probe unit having a piezoelectric element unit and a gripping unit that irradiates ultrasonic waves from a contact surface with a subject ; and
An ultrasonic probe comprising a puncture guide attachment attached to the probe part without covering the contact surface of the piezoelectric element part ,
The puncture guide attachment is arranged near the end in the azimuth direction where the piezoelectric elements of the probe unit are arranged, and guides the puncture needle, and is guided by the needle guide and inserted into the subject. A gap changing means for changing a gap between the gripping portion and the puncture needle by changing an angle of inclination of the probe portion with respect to the puncture needle; and a fixing portion fixed to the probe portion; A guide holding part that is mechanically connected to the fixed part and holds the needle guide;
The gap changing means includes a rotating shaft that rotatably connects the fixed portion and the guide holding portion,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is located at a substantially central portion in the azimuth direction of a fixed portion fixed to the probe portion.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the gap in the gap changing means is variable according to the size with which the tissue extraction device is attached to the puncture needle.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the probe unit is a convex probe. 4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the guide holding portion is formed in a U- shape that sandwiches the fixing portion from the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements . 5. The rotary shaft is characterized and Turkey connecting the said fixing part and said guide holder is rotatably said fixing portion along the opposing surfaces facing each other along the arrangement direction and the guide holding portion The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein the gap changing unit includes a stopper that puts the fixed portion and the guide holding portion in a semi-fixed state at a predetermined rotation angle around the rotation axis.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, wherein the stopper is a concavo-convex portion that exists on the facing surfaces of the fixing portion and the guide holding portion and can be fitted to each other.   8. The puncture guide attachment includes angle detection means for detecting an angle of inclination of the probe portion with respect to a puncture needle inserted into the subject. The described ultrasonic probe.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 8, wherein the angle detection unit is a tachometer that detects a rotation angle of the rotation shaft. A probe unit having a piezoelectric element unit and a gripping unit that irradiates ultrasonic waves from a contact surface with a subject ; and
A puncture guide attachment attached to the probe part without covering the contact surface of the piezoelectric element part ;
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays B-mode image information of a subject based on a reception signal acquired by the probe unit;
The puncture guide attachment is arranged near the end in the azimuth direction where the piezoelectric elements of the probe unit are arranged, and guides the puncture needle, and is guided by the needle guide and inserted into the subject. A gap changing means for changing a gap between the gripping portion and the puncture needle by changing an angle of inclination of the probe portion with respect to the puncture needle; and a fixing portion fixed to the probe portion; A guide holding part that is mechanically connected to the fixed part and holds the needle guide;
The gap changing means includes a rotating shaft that rotatably connects the fixed portion and the guide holding portion,
The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is positioned at a substantially central portion in the azimuth direction of a fixed portion fixed to the probe portion .   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 10, wherein the gap in the gap changing means is variable according to the size with which the tissue extraction device is attached to the puncture needle.   The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the probe unit is a convex probe.   13. The puncture guide attachment includes angle detection means for detecting an angle of inclination of the probe portion with respect to a puncture needle inserted into the subject. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus described.   The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the display unit rotates a display position of the B-mode image information based on an angle detected by the angle detection unit.   15. The super display according to claim 14, wherein the display unit does not change a position of a tip region where the puncture needle is inserted on the displayed image before and after the display position is rotated. Sound imaging device.

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