JPH08191835A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a small-sized ultrasonic probe capable of being used in the coronary arteries by performing the electrical connection of the electrode provided to the piezoelectric plate in an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving means and a signal transmission means by electrically connecting the electrode and wiring patterns. CONSTITUTION: Electrodes 12, 13 are formed on both surfaces of an ultrasonic vibrator 11 and an acoustic matching layer 14 composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers is provided to the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving surface thereof. A sound absorbing substrate 15 is fixed to the surface on the side opposite to the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving surface of the ultrasonic vibrator 11 by conductive adhesive materials 16, 17 and two independent wiring patterns are formed on the surface of the sound absorbing substrate 15 as membrane electrodes 18, 19 by using a conductive material (copper foil). By connecting the ultrasonic vibrator 11 having two electrodes 12, 13 to the sound absorbing substrate 15 having the membrane electrodes 18, 19 formed on the surfaces thereof by the conductive adhesive materials, the sound absorbing substrate 15 can be assembled without touching the ultrasonic vibrator 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe which is inserted into a luminal tissue such as a blood vessel and takes an ultrasonic tomographic image of the luminal tissue.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become popular to insert an ultrasonic probe into an extremely thin luminal tissue such as a blood vessel or a digestive tract to obtain an ultrasonic image from the luminal tissue. .
According to this, ultrasonic waves can be directly applied to the inner surface of luminal organs such as blood vessels or the inner surface of the digestive tract, so that the tomographic structure inside the tube can be clearly imaged at a higher resolution than when taken from outside the body. can do.

Conventional ultrasonic probe (digestive probe,
An example of a large blood vessel probe) is shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 1 is a catheter tube that is inserted into the digestive tract. The ultrasonic probe rotates within the catheter tube 1. The ultrasonic probe has a bearing 3 at the tip of the torque cable 2 and a holder 4 to which an ultrasonic transducer 5 is attached.

An opening is formed in the holder 4 as an acoustic window 4-1, and an ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic transducer 5 in the axial direction of the torque cable 2 is formed in the opening. A reflection mirror 6 that reflects the sound window 4-1 at a right angle.
Is installed.

The signal cable 7 is provided with two lead wires (a signal wire and a ground wire), supplies electric power for generating ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic vibrator 5, and causes the ultrasonic vibrator 5 to operate. The received signal is output outside the body.

Since the holder 4 is rotated by the rotation of the torque cable 2, the radiating direction of the ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic transducer 5 from the reflection mirror 6 and the acoustic window 4-1 is a circumferential direction. Rotate on.

The ultrasonic waves output from the reflection mirror 6 through the acoustic window 4-1 are transmitted through the categorized tube and reflected inside the lumen tissue, and the ultrasonic wave is again transmitted through the acoustic window 4-1. It is reflected by the reflection mirror 6 and received by the ultrasonic transducer 5.

Therefore, the ultrasonic wave reflected by the reflecting mirror 6 from the ultrasonic vibrator 5 makes one rotation of 360 degrees, and one tomographic image can be obtained.

Further, in the case of an ultrasonic probe which is inserted into a luminal tissue such as a thin coronary artery for imaging, the ultrasonic probe itself is formed small and the ultrasonic waves constituting this ultrasonic probe are also formed. Use a small vibrator and holder.

Even in the assembly of such a small ultrasonic probe, the electrodes of the small ultrasonic transducer 5 (signal electrodes,
The electrical connection between the ground electrode) and the lead wire (signal wire, ground wire) of the signal cable 7 was made by soldering or a conductive adhesive.

[0012] Generally, in imaging by ultrasonic waves, the lower the frequency of the ultrasonic waves, the higher the transparency in the tissue and the deeper the inside of the tissue can be imaged, but the resolution becomes low. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the frequency of ultrasonic waves in order to obtain high resolution with respect to the imaging of a close (shallow) location. Such an ultrasonic transducer, which tends to output a high frequency, must be thinly formed.

For example, in the above-mentioned ultrasonic probe for digestive organs and large blood vessels, the diameter is about 2.0 mm, the ultrasonic transducer outputs 10 to 20 MHz, and the thickness thereof is 100 to 200 μm.
to m. In addition, the ultrasonic probe used in coronary arteries has a diameter of about 0.5 to 1 mm and outputs an ultrasonic transducer.
The thickness is about 0 MHz and the thickness is about 60 μm to 70 μm.

[0014]

However, the thinner the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe for coronary arteries is, the easier it is to break and the more difficult it is to assemble, resulting in a poor manufacturing yield. In addition, the thin ultrasonic transducer is expensive and causes an increase in manufacturing cost.

Further, the size of the ultrasonic probe is made smaller than that of a commonly used ultrasonic probe. For example, when the diameter is about 0.5 to 1 mm, the wall thickness of the holder that holds the ultrasonic vibrator becomes extremely thin, and there is a problem that it is difficult to manufacture it by cutting or the like.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe which can be used in a coronary artery or the like, which can be downsized and whose manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means provided with a piezoelectric plate for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a desired portion of a subject and receiving a reflection echo from the subject. ,
A signal transmitting unit electrically driving the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit and electrically performing a predetermined signal processing on the reflected echo to perform ultrasonic diagnosis, and a rotating unit rotating the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit, In an ultrasonic probe comprising a flexible tubular member for transmitting a rotational driving force from the rotating means to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, a printed circuit board on which a wiring pattern is formed, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, The electrodes provided on the piezoelectric plate and the signal transmission means are electrically connected by electrically connecting the electrodes and the wiring pattern.

Another aspect of the present invention is an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means provided with a piezoelectric plate for transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward a desired portion of a subject through a reflecting mirror and receiving a reflected echo from the subject. A signal transmitting means that is electrically connected to a main body for driving the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and performing predetermined signal processing on the reflected echo to perform ultrasonic diagnosis, and rotating means for rotating the reflection mirror. An ultrasonic probe comprising a flexible tubular member for transmitting a rotational driving force from the rotating means to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, comprising a printed circuit board on which a wiring pattern is formed, wherein the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is a piezoelectric element. The electrodes provided on the plate and the signal transmission means are electrically connected by electrically connecting the electrodes and the wiring pattern.

Still another invention is an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means provided with a piezoelectric plate for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a desired portion of a subject and receiving a reflection echo from the subject, and the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. A signal transmitting unit that drives the transmitting / receiving unit and that is electrically connected to the main body for ultrasonically diagnosing by performing a predetermined signal processing on the reflected echo, a rotating unit for rotating the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit, and this rotating unit. In the ultrasonic probe including a flexible tubular member for transmitting a rotational driving force to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, a resin member for holding the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and the tubular member is provided.

[0020]

In the above-mentioned two inventions, the electrodes of the piezoelectric plate of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving means and the signal transmitting means are electrically connected by electrically connecting the electrodes and the wiring pattern of the printed circuit board. Since this is done, it is not necessary to directly connect the electrodes of the piezoelectric plate and the signal transmission means.

Further, in the last-mentioned invention, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and the tubular member are held by the resin member.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic probe to which the present invention is applied and its surroundings. The ultrasonic probe is roughly parallel to the structure shown in FIG. 21 of the prior art in which the ultrasonic transducer is provided perpendicularly to the axial direction of the torque cable. The description will be omitted because it is different only in that it is provided.

Reference numeral 11 is an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.
(Piezoelectric plate), for example, ultrasonic transmission frequency is 30M
The thickness is 60 μm to 70 μm at Hz.
Electrodes 12 and 13 are formed on both surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer 11. The ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of this ultrasonic transducer 11 (
An acoustic matching layer 14 composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers is formed on the upper surface and the front surface) to improve the output efficiency of ultrasonic waves.

An acoustic absorption substrate 15 is fixed to the surface (lower surface, rear surface) of the ultrasonic transducer 11 opposite to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface with conductive adhesives 16 and 17. The sound absorbing substrate 15 is made of a material having high sound absorbing property (backing material).
, And two independent wiring patterns are formed on the surface of the thin film electrode 1 by a conductive material (copper foil, etc.).
It is formed as 8,19. The thin film electrode 18
Is formed on the upper surface of the acoustic absorption substrate 15, and the thin-film electrode 19 is mainly formed on the lower surface of the acoustic absorption substrate 15, and has a lead-out portion to the portion of the upper surface to which the ultrasonic transducer 11 is connected. Have

The conductive adhesive 16 electrically connects the electrode 12 to the thin film electrode 18, and the conductive adhesive 17 electrically connects the electrode 13 to the thin film electrode 19. Further, the thin film electrodes 18 and 19 are connected to a signal line and a ground line which are conductors passing inside a torque cable (not shown).

In the first embodiment having such a configuration,
The sound absorbing board 15 is attached to a torque cable (not shown) via a holder.

When the torque cable rotates, the ultrasonic transducer 11 rotates, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer 11 rotates, and the ultrasonic wave output from that surface has the output direction of the torque cable. 360 around the circumference
A tomographic image of the degree is obtained.

The echo signal of the obtained tomographic image is output from the electrode of the ultrasonic transducer 11 to the signal line of the conducting wire and the ground wire via the thin film electrodes 18 and 19.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 11 having the two electrodes 12 and 13 is attached to the thin-film electrode 1.
By electrically and mechanically connecting the acoustic absorbing substrate 15 having the surfaces 8 and 19 formed on its surface with a conductive adhesive,
The sound absorbing substrate 15 can be handled and assembled without directly touching the ultrasonic transducer 11. That is, it is possible to assemble with high yield without damaging the thin ultrasonic transducer.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the sound absorbing board 1 made of a backing material is used as the printed board.
Since No. 5 is used, there is no need to provide another backing material for increasing the directivity of the output ultrasonic waves, and the miniaturization can be further improved.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the ultrasonic oscillator 11 and the acoustic absorption substrate 15 are electrically and mechanically connected by the conductive adhesive, the ultrasonic oscillator 1
The manufacturing efficiency can be improved also in the manufacturing of the unit composed of 1 and the sound absorbing substrate 15.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe to which the present invention is applied and its surroundings. Note that, similar to the first embodiment, the general configuration of the ultrasonic probe is the same as that of the conventional technique shown in FIG. 21, in which the ultrasonic transducer is provided perpendicularly to the axial direction of the torque cable. On the other hand, the second embodiment is different only in that it is provided in parallel, and the description thereof is omitted.

Reference numeral 21 is an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.
(Piezoelectric plate), for example, ultrasonic transmission frequency is 30M
The thickness is 60 μm to 70 μm at Hz.
Electrodes 22 and 23 are formed on both surfaces of the ultrasonic oscillator 21. The ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of this ultrasonic transducer 21 (
An acoustic matching layer 24 is formed on the upper surface and the front surface) to improve the output efficiency of ultrasonic waves.

A printed board 26 is fixed by conductive adhesives 27 and 28 on the surface (lower surface, rear surface) opposite to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer 21 with an acoustic absorption plate 25 interposed. There is. The sound absorbing plate 25 is made of a backing material having a high sound absorbing property and a high non-conductivity (insulating property). Wiring patterns 29 and 30 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the printed circuit board 26, respectively.

The conductive adhesive 27 electrically connects the electrode 22 to the wiring pattern 29, and the conductive adhesive 28 electrically connects the electrode 23 to the wiring pattern 30. Further, the wiring patterns 29, 30
Is connected to a signal line and a ground line which are conductors passing inside the torque cable.

In the second embodiment having such a structure,
The printed circuit board 26 is attached to a torque cable (not shown) via a holder.

As the torque cable rotates, the ultrasonic transducer 21 rotates, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer 11 rotates, and the ultrasonic wave output from the surface is output by the torque cable. Rotate in the circumferential direction of 36
A 0-degree tomographic image is obtained.

The echo signal of the obtained tomographic image is output from the electrodes 22, 23 of the ultrasonic transducer 21 to the signal line of the conducting wire and the ground wire via the wiring patterns 29, 30 of the printed board 26.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 21 having the two electrodes 22 and 23 is inserted into the wiring pattern 29 of the printed circuit board 26 with the acoustic absorption plate 25 interposed therebetween.
By electrically and mechanically connecting to 30 with a conductive adhesive, the printed circuit board 26 can be handled and assembled without directly touching the ultrasonic vibrator 21.

Further, according to the second embodiment, since the acoustic absorption plate 25 is interposed between the ultrasonic transducer 21 and the printed board 26, the printed board 26 has high insulation and rigidity. Since it can be formed of a high material, the rigidity of the unit including the ultrasonic transducer 21 and the printed board 26 can be increased.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since the ultrasonic vibrator 21, the acoustic absorption plate 25 and the printed circuit board 26 are electrically and mechanically connected to each other by a conductive adhesive, ultrasonic vibration is generated. Manufacturing efficiency can also be improved in manufacturing a unit including the child 21, the sound absorbing plate 25, and the printed board 26.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an assembled structure of an ultrasonic probe to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe.

Reference numeral 31 is the unit (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) described in the first or second embodiment. The unit 31 is sandwiched and held by one end sides of the upper holder 32 and the lower holder 33. Although not shown, the upper holder 32 and the lower holder 33 are integrally connected in a one-touch type.

The upper holder 32 and the lower holder 33 are mainly formed of a non-conductive insulating material, and conductive contact electrodes 34 and 35 are formed inside each of them.
When the wiring pattern (thin film electrode) of the first printed board (acoustic absorption board) is held by the upper holder 32 and the lower holder 33, the contact electrodes 34 and 35 are connected.

The torque cable 36 has a multi-layer winding structure, the outermost layer of which is several mm, for example, 2 to 3 mm, is removed at the tip portion, and the other end sides of the upper holder 32 and the lower holder 33 are in this deleted portion. It is designed to be sandwiched and fixed.

An external processing device (not shown) is connected to the central cavity of the torque cable 36 to supply electric power (voltage) to the ultrasonic transducer and to externally process the echo signal from the ultrasonic transducer. A conductor 37 for outputting to the device is passed through, and a signal line 38 of this conductor 37 is connected to the upper holder 32.
Is connected to the contact electrode 34 of the lower electrode of the lower holder 3 by soldering or a conductive adhesive.
3 to the contact electrode 35 by soldering or a conductive adhesive.

Further, the space between the upper holder 32 and the lower holder 33, the signal line 38 and the ground line 39 is filled with a non-conductive (highly insulating) adhesive 40 and fixed. Has been done.

In the third embodiment having such a structure,
The two electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer are connected to the signal line 38 and the ground line 39 via the upper holder 32 and the lower holder 33, respectively.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first or second embodiment, and by providing the upper holder 32 and the lower holder 33, the signal line and the Since the ground wire can be connected to the two electrodes of the ultrasonic vibrator with one touch, the workability of assembly is improved.

In the third embodiment, the upper holder 32
The lower holder 33 and the lower holder 33 are connected to each other at the time of assembling, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be an integral type cylindrical holder.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The difference between the fourth embodiment and the above-mentioned third embodiment is that the upper holder and the lower holder are made of a non-conductive material, the contact electrode is not provided, and the signal line and the ground line are directly connected to each other. Connected to the wiring pattern (thin film electrode), the same members are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an assembled structure of an ultrasonic probe to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe.

The upper holder 41 and the lower holder 42 are made of a non-conductive insulating material as described above, and are made of noryl, for example.

The signal line 38 of the conductor 37 is directly connected to one wiring pattern (thin film electrode) of the unit 31 by soldering or a conductive adhesive, and its ground line 39 is connected.
Is directly connected to the other wiring pattern (thin film electrode) of the unit 31 by soldering or a conductive adhesive.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the manufacturing process of the holder is simplified as compared with the third embodiment. It

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The fifth embodiment shows a modification of the upper holder and the lower holder of the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe.

The upper holder 43 and the lower holder 44 are mainly formed of a conductive metal material or the like, and non-conductive insulating portions 45 and 46 are provided at the contact portion with the torque cable.
The outer surfaces of the upper holder 43 and the lower holder 44 are molded with insulating molding materials 47 and 48.

The signal line 38 of the conductor 37 is directly connected to the inner surface of the upper holder 43 by soldering or a conductive adhesive, and the ground wire 39 is directly connected to the inner surface of the lower holder 44 by soldering or a conductive adhesive. Connected by.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained, and the manufacturing process can be simplified as compared with the third embodiment.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This sixth embodiment shows a modification of the lower holder of the fourth embodiment, but this modification is also applicable to the third and fifth embodiments and other embodiments. Is.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe.

The lower holder 49 has its tip at the end of the unit 3
It is configured to cover the end portion of No. 1 and has a substantially spherical shape.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment can be obtained, and since the tip end has a substantially spherical shape, the tip end bends the luminal tissue. When in contact with a portion or a dead end portion, it is possible to smooth the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer due to the rotation of the torque cable 36 and prevent the uneven rotation.

Further, when the ultrasonic probe is used by being inserted into the catheter as in the conventional example, the insertion into the catheter is facilitated.

A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe.

The wiring pattern (thin film electrode) of the unit 31 is connected to the signal line 38 and the ground line 39 of the conductor 37.

A mold part 51 which holds the unit 31 and covers the connection pattern between the wiring pattern (thin film electrode) of the unit 31 and the signal line 38 and the ground line 39 also enters the inside of the torque cable 52. It is fixed at.

That is, after the wiring pattern of the unit 31 is connected to the signal line 38 and the ground line 39, the unit 31 part is placed in a predetermined mold, and a liquid (semi-solid) material made of a non-conductive insulating material is placed. State) mold material,
The molding material is solidified to form the molding portion 51.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, since the mold portion 51 formed of the non-conductive insulating material is provided, the holder is not required and the assembly can be performed by pouring the molding material. Can be realized and the assembling can be simplified.

Further, since the mold part 51 is formed of an insulating material, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the conductive adhesive 17 of the electrode 13 of the ultrasonic transducer 11 and the thin film electrode 19 of the acoustic absorption substrate 15 is used. The connection portion can be surely covered to insulate between the liquid around the probe and the power supply portion to the piezoelectric plate.

The eighth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
Will be described with reference to.

In the eighth embodiment and the ninth and tenth embodiments below, the signal line 3 of the conductor 37 in the seventh embodiment is used.
8 shows a modification of the method of connecting the unit 8 and the ground wire 39 to the unit 31. Therefore, the modified part will be described and the description of other common parts will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state before the wiring pattern of the unit 31 is connected to the signal line 38 and the ground line 39, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state after the connection.

The leaf-spring-shaped connectors 61 facing each other at a predetermined distance and biased toward each other are connected to the signal line 38 and the ground line 39.

When the thin film electrodes 18 and 19 respectively formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the sound absorbing substrate 15 are inserted between the connectors 61 as shown in FIG. It is electrically connected to the thin film electrode 18, and the ground wire 39 is connected to the thin film electrode 19.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the same effect as that of the seventh embodiment can be obtained, and the signal line 38 and the ground line 39 can be connected to the unit 31 with one touch.
Can be electrically connected to the wiring pattern (thin film electrode).

14 and 15 of the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
Will be described with reference to.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing a connection state between the wiring pattern of the unit 31 and the signal line 38 and the ground line 39, and FIG. 15 is a front view showing the connection state.

At the tips of the signal line 38 and the ground line 39,
The signal line 38 and the ground line 39 are made of solder or a conductive material.
Contact area larger than the wire diameter (spherical (or similar shape))
62 and 63 are formed.

The sandwiching members 64, 65 are sandwiched from above and below to bring the contact portion 62 into contact with the thin film electrode 18 and the contact portion 63 into contact with the thin film electrode 19.

As described above, according to the ninth embodiment, the same effect as that of the seventh embodiment can be obtained, and the thin film electrodes 18, 19 are sandwiched between the contact portions 62, 63 by the sandwiching members 64, 65. By sandwiching the signal line 3 with one touch
8 and the ground wire 39 can be electrically connected to the wiring pattern (thin film electrode) of the unit 31.

Further, the tip end is connected to the signal line 38 and the ground line 3
Since it is larger than the wire diameter of 9, the electrical connection by crimping can be made more reliable.

FIG. 16 and FIG. 1 of the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing a connection state of the wiring pattern of the unit 31, the signal line 38 and the ground line 39, and FIG. 17 is a front view showing the connection state.

Reference numerals 66 and 67 are relay terminals, and lead electrodes 68 and 69 made of a conductive material are formed from the inside to the outside of the relay terminals.

The relay terminals 66 and 67 sandwich the thin film electrodes 18 and 19 so that the lead electrodes 68 and 69 are formed.
The respective inner portions of are electrically connected to the thin film electrodes 18 and 19, respectively.

Extraction electrodes 68 of the relay terminals 66 and 67,
At each outer portion of 69, the ends of the signal line 38 and the ground line 39 are electrically connected by soldering or a conductive adhesive.

As described above, according to the tenth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the seventh embodiment described above, and
Since the relay terminals 66 and 67 can be freely deformed, the signal line 38 and the ground line 39 and the relay terminals 66 and 67 can be changed.
Can be easily connected.

The eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The eleventh embodiment and the twelfth and thirteenth embodiments below show modified examples of the shape of the mold portion in the seventh embodiment. Therefore, the modified part will be described and the description of other common parts will be omitted.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe.

The mold portion 71 is fixed to the inside of the torque cable 52 while covering the outside of the torque cable 52.

As described above, according to the eleventh embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the seventh embodiment described above, and
Since the molded portion 71 is fixed from inside and outside of the torque cable 52, the connection strength between the molded portion 71 and the torque cable 52 can be increased.

The twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe.

The molded portion 72 is the same as the torque cable 5 described above.
It is formed by including a reinforcing member 73 projecting from the inside of 2 toward the unit 31.

As described above, according to the twelfth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment described above, and
The reinforcing member 73 can increase the rigidity of the mold portion 72 and the connection strength between the mold portion 72 and the torque cable 52.

A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe.

The mold section 74 is composed of two types of mold materials. That is, the first molding material 74
-1 is the mold material that has been mixed to enhance rigidity, and the second
The molding material 74-2 is a molding material that is mixed to enhance the acoustic absorption characteristics. When the molding material is poured into the mold, the first molding material is poured into the torque cable 52 side and the unit 31 side is filled. It is formed by pouring the second molding material.

As described above, according to the thirteenth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment described above, and
Since the rigidity of the portion 74-1 of the molded portion 74 on the torque cable 52 side is high, the molded portion 74 and the torque cable 52 are
Since the mechanical strength of the connection with the unit 31 can be increased and the portion 74-2 of the mold portion 74 on the unit 31 side has high acoustic absorption characteristics, the directivity of the ultrasonic output of the ultrasonic transducer of the unit 31 can be improved. Can be increased.

[0110]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe that can be miniaturized and can improve manufacturing efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention and its surroundings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an assembled configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the ultrasonic probe of the same example.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an assembled configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the ultrasonic probe of the same example.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the structure of an ultrasonic probe according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of an ultrasonic probe according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the ultrasonic probe of the same example.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 10 of the same embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state before connecting a wiring pattern of a unit of an ultrasonic probe according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention to a signal line and a ground line.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state after connecting the wiring pattern of the unit of the ultrasonic probe of the embodiment and the signal line and the ground line.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing a connection state of a wiring pattern of a unit according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention with a signal line and a ground line.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a connection state of the wiring pattern of the unit of the embodiment and the signal line and the ground line.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing a connection state of a wiring pattern of a unit of a tenth embodiment of the present invention with a signal line and a ground line.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a connection state of the wiring pattern of the unit of the embodiment and the signal line and the ground line.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the structure of an ultrasonic probe according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the structure of an ultrasonic probe according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing the structure of an ultrasonic probe according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional ultrasonic probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 21 ... Ultrasonic transducer, 12, 13, 22, 23 ... Electrode, 14, 24 ... Acoustic matching layer, 15 ... Acoustic absorption substrate, 16, 17, 27, 28 ... Conductive adhesive, 18, 19, 29, 30 ... Thin film electrode, 25 ... Acoustic absorption plate, 26 ... Printed circuit board, 36, 52 ... Torque cable 37 ... Conductor wire, 38 ... Signal wire, 39 ... Ground wire, 51, 71, 72, 74 ... Mold part, 73 ... Reinforcing member.

Front page continued (72) Inventor Masayuki Takano 1385-1 Shimoishigami, Otawara-shi, Tochigi Stock company Toshiba Nasu factory

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit provided with a piezoelectric plate for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a desired region of a subject and receiving a reflection echo from the subject, and the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit. A signal transmitting means that is electrically connected to a main body that is driven and that performs predetermined signal processing on the reflected echo to perform ultrasonic diagnosis, rotating means that rotates the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, and the rotating means An ultrasonic probe comprising a flexible tubular member for transmitting a rotational driving force to an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, comprising: a printed circuit board having a wiring pattern formed thereon, wherein the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is the piezoelectric plate. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that the electrode provided on the substrate and the signal transmitting means are electrically connected by electrically connecting the electrode and the wiring pattern. 2. An ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit provided with a piezoelectric plate for transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward a desired portion of a subject through a reflection mirror and receiving a reflected echo from the subject, and an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit. A signal transmitting unit electrically driving a sound wave transmitting / receiving unit and electrically performing a predetermined signal processing on the reflected echo to perform ultrasonic diagnosis, a rotating unit for rotating the reflecting mirror, and a rotating unit. From the ultrasonic probe including a flexible tubular member for transmitting a rotational driving force to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, a printed circuit board having a wiring pattern is formed, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is An ultrasonic probe, wherein an electrode provided on a piezoelectric plate and the signal transmission means are electrically connected by electrically connecting the electrode and the wiring pattern. 3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the electrode and the wiring pattern are electrically connected by a conductive adhesive. 4. The acoustic absorption member for absorbing unnecessary ultrasonic waves generated from the piezoelectric plate is interposed between the piezoelectric plate and the printed circuit board. Item 3. The ultrasonic probe according to item 3. 5. The printed circuit board is a sound absorbing member having an insulating property, and a wiring pattern is formed on the surface of the thin film conductive metal. Item 3. The ultrasonic probe according to item 3. 6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein wiring patterns are formed on both front and back surfaces of the printed circuit board independently of each other. 7. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the electrode and the wiring pattern formed on both sides independently are electrically connected by a conductive adhesive. 8. A signal cable comprising a signal wire and a ground wire for supplying electric power for generating an ultrasonic wave and outputting an echo signal from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means to the main body, The signal line and the ground line are respectively connected to each other, and a connector for sandwiching the wiring pattern, which is composed of a pair of springs biased so as to be pressed against each other, is provided. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1. 9. The signal transmitting means comprises: a tip portion of the signal line and a ground wire to which the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is connected,
A contact portion having a diameter larger than that of each wire is provided, and the wiring pattern and the wiring pattern are electrically connected to the contact portion between the signal wire and the ground wire. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ultrasonic probe is crimped by sandwiching it. 10. The signal transmitting means is provided with a terminal member electrically connected to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, and the signal cable and the terminal are provided from a contact portion between the terminal member and the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a conductor layer is formed so as to reach a contact portion with the member. 11. A plurality of holding members, which are attached to the tip of the tubular member and hold the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and the tubular member, are provided, and the wiring pattern is provided via the holding member. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is electrically connected to the signal line and the ground line. 12. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 11, wherein the holding member is made of a conductive material. 13. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 11, wherein the holding member is made of an insulating material and the surface thereof is covered with a conductive material. 14. The holding member according to claim 1, wherein a conductive adhesive is provided on a peripheral portion in contact with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and the signal cable. Ultrasonic probe. 15. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is made of a conductive material. 16. An ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means provided with a piezoelectric plate for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a desired portion of a subject and receiving a reflected echo from the subject, and the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. A signal transmitting means that is electrically connected to a main body that performs ultrasonic diagnosis by performing predetermined signal processing on the reflected echo while driving, and rotating means that rotates the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving means.
In an ultrasonic probe comprising a flexible tubular member for transmitting a rotational driving force from the rotating means to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, a resin member for holding the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and the tubular member is provided. An ultrasonic probe characterized by being provided. 17. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 16, wherein the resin member covers a signal cable from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit to the tubular member. 18. The ultrasonic wave of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means in the portion connecting the piezoelectric plate and the tubular member, so that the resin member does not interfere with the emission of the ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the ultrasonic probe covers a portion other than the wave receiving surface. 19. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 16, wherein the resin member is made of a plurality of resin materials having different rigidity or sound absorbing properties. 20. The reinforcing member protruding from the inside of the tubular member to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means side is provided, and the reinforcing member is enclosed by the resin member. The ultrasonic probe described. 21. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising a resin member for holding the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and the tubular streak.