WO2019087706A1

WO2019087706A1 - Ultrasonic probe

Info

Publication number: WO2019087706A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/037611
Authority: WO
Inventors: 恵太執行; 賢亮小島; 真紀中川; 俊郎坂部
Original assignee: 株式会社フジキン
Priority date: 2017-10-30
Filing date: 2018-10-09
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: CN111295140A; JPWO2019087706A1; TW201927246A

Abstract

An ultrasonic probe is provided with which work for exchanging a cable is reduced, and more preferably, an ultrasonic probe is provided with which the exchange of a cable is easy even for a doctor or the like. This ultrasonic probe 1 is provided with an ultrasonic probe body A and a cable B connected to the ultrasonic probe body A and connectable in a removable manner to an external apparatus. The ultrasonic probe body A is provided with: a sensor part 20 that emits ultrasonic signals and receives reflection waves of the ultrasonic signals; a signal conversion part 30 that is connected to the sensor part 20, and that converts the analog reflection wave signals sent by the sensor part 20 into digital signals; and an image processing part 40 that is connected to the signal conversion part 30, and that performs processing on the basis of the digital signals sent by the signal conversion part 30, until the creation of an echo image.

Description

Ultrasound probe

The present invention relates to ultrasound probes.

In Patent Document 1, an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object, and an ultrasonic probe are connected, and an image of the object is received based on an ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic probe. A processing unit having a generating unit for generating data, a display control unit for performing control to display image data on an information terminal connected to the processing unit and having a display unit, and identification based on identification information of the information terminal And the display control means controls the display to be displayed on the information terminal with different sizes relative to the display unit of the diagnostic image area according to the identification result of the identification means. A portable ultrasound system is disclosed.

And in patent document 1, according to this ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the display part of those information terminals can be simply used as an ultrasound diagnostic monitor only by connecting the various information terminals which have a monitor to a processing unit. As a result, the display monitor and the processing unit can be separated, and it becomes possible to improve two contradictory performances, that is, the portability of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and the visibility of the display monitor. It has been described that the apparatus can be carried easily and conveniently at the time of diagnosis, and at the same time a reliable diagnosis can be performed by a monitor with excellent visibility.

JP, 2013-111476, A

By the way, in patent document 1, the ultrasonic probe and the processing unit are integrated by the cable, and it is therefore considered that a configuration that only needs to connect the processing unit to the information terminal is realized as described above.

On the other hand, when using an ultrasonic probe at an appropriate position at an appropriate angle, the connection between the ultrasonic probe and the cable will be overworked, so if it has been used for a long time, the connection Disconnection may occur near the unit.

In this case, the cable replacement work needs to be disassembled to such an extent that the cable can be removed not only on the ultrasonic probe side but also on the processing unit side, and it takes time to replace with a new cable.

In addition, portable ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is characterized by easy carrying and is considered to be useful at the site of visiting medical treatment etc. However, even if it notices poor connection at visiting medical treatment etc, it disassembles and exchanges the cable When it is necessary to do so, there is also a problem that the medical treatment etc. at the visiting place will be disturbed because the doctor can not keep up with the hand.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is an ultrasonic probe which reduces the time and effort of cable replacement, and more preferably, an ultrasonic probe which can be easily replaced even by a doctor or the like. Intended to provide.

The present invention is grasped by the following composition in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.
(1) The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention comprises an ultrasonic probe main body and a cable which is connected to the ultrasonic probe main body and can be detachably connected to an external device, and the ultrasonic probe main body is an ultrasonic signal A sensor unit (element + drive substrate) for transmitting the reflected wave of the ultrasonic signal and receiving the reflected wave of the ultrasonic signal, and a digital signal of the analog reflected wave signal which is connected to the sensor unit and transmitted from the sensor unit And an image processing unit connected to the signal conversion unit and performing processing up to generation of an echo image based on the digital signal sent from the signal conversion unit.

(2) In the configuration of the above (1), the signal conversion unit is stopped except when the sensor unit receives the reflected wave.

(3) In the configuration of the above (1) or (2), the number of wires between the signal conversion unit and the image processing unit is smaller than the number of wires between the sensor unit and the signal conversion unit. A conversion unit divides the plurality of signals sent simultaneously from the sensor unit into a plurality of times, shifts the time, and sends the signals to the image processing unit.

(4) In the configuration of any one of the above (1) to (3), the multi-layer substrate including the signal conversion unit and the image processing unit is provided, and the multi-layer substrate includes a plurality of ground layers for reducing noise. Is equipped.

(5) In the configuration according to any one of (1) to (4), the sensor unit is connected to an element that transmits the ultrasonic signal and receives the reflected wave, and the element and the signal conversion unit. And a drive circuit board for driving the element.

(6) In the configuration according to any one of (1) to (5), the image processing unit calculates a time difference from transmission of the ultrasonic signal to reception of the reflected wave, and at least the signal processing unit. And an image creation unit that creates the echo image based on the time difference and the reflected wave.

(7) In the configuration of any one of the above (1) to (6), the cable is slidably disposed in the terminal portion formed at the connection portion of the ultrasonic probe main body and the detachable terminal portion. And the resin cover is provided with a ring-shaped protrusion at its tip, and the ring-shaped protrusion is on the receiving portion of the cable terminal portion of the ultrasonic probe main body. It fits in the ring-shaped recessed part formed.

(8) The ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe main body and a cable detachably connectable to an external device, the ultrasonic probe main body being disposed in a housing and the housing, the main body A main body side first connection portion having a first side terminal portion inside, and the cable is
A cable-side second terminal portion connected to the first terminal portion, and a cable-side second connection portion threadedly connected to the first connection portion; and provided slidably on the cable And a resin cover fixed to the housing so as to cover the second connection portion.

(9) In the configuration of (8), the first connection portion includes a first fixing portion to which the first terminal portion is fixed, and the second connection portion rotates with respect to the second terminal portion. The first fixed portion includes a first inner surface formed with a first screwing groove and separated from a first outer surface of the first terminal portion, and the second rotatable portion includes: It has the 2nd outer surface in which the 2nd screwing slot screwed to the 1st screwing slot was formed in the tip side.

(10) In the configuration of the above (9), the ultrasonic probe main body has a first hole portion in which a screwing groove for fixing the first fixing portion is formed on the inner surface, and is fitted in the housing The first fixing portion has a screwing groove formed on the outer surface thereof to be screwed into the screwing groove on the inner surface of the first hole portion.

(11) In the configuration according to any one of (8) to (10), the cover includes a cylindrical outer portion having a ring-shaped protrusion at a tip end, and the housing receives the second connection portion. A receiving opening is provided, and the receiving opening is provided with a ring-shaped recess in which the projection is fitted.

(12) In the configuration according to any one of (8) to (11), the cable is a large-sized portion larger than the outer diameter of the outer cover integrated with the outer cover of the cable near the rear of the second connection portion. And the cover includes an inner surface in close contact with the large portion.

(13) In the configuration of any one of (7) to (12), the cover is made of rubber.

(14) In the configuration of any one of (1) to (13), the cable is a USB cable conforming to the USB 3.1 standard having a USB connector on the side connected to the external device, Power can be supplied to the ultrasonic probe main body via a cable.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe in which the labor of cable exchange is reduced, and more preferably, even a doctor or the like can easily exchange the cable.

It is a perspective view of the ultrasonic probe of the embodiment concerning the present invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed typically the main part of the internal structure of the ultrasonic probe main body of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the state to which the cable was connected to the ultrasonic probe main body of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure regarding the connection of the ultrasonic probe main body of embodiment which concerns on this invention, and a cable.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail based on the attached drawings.
In addition, the same number or code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element through the whole description of embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe 1 includes an ultrasonic probe main body A, and a cable B which is connected to the ultrasonic probe main body A and can be detachably connected to an external device.

For example, the external device may be a portable terminal having a display unit capable of displaying an image such as a notebook computer or a tablet terminal, or may be a stationary terminal having a display unit capable of displaying an image such as a desktop personal computer .

Then, a dedicated application is installed on the external device, and when the application is launched on the external device, the mode (for example, B mode, M mode, D mode, etc.) of the echo image displayed on the display unit of the external device is selected. A selection icon is displayed, and echo images corresponding to the selected mode can be displayed.
When the mode is selected by the external device, a command for sending an echo image corresponding to the mode to the external device is sent to the ultrasonic probe main body A via the cable B.

In the B mode, the amplitude of the reflected wave (also referred to as ultrasonic echo) received as the transmitted ultrasonic wave is reflected (hereinafter referred to as a reflection source or an ultrasonic echo source) at each part is also referred to as luminance. The M mode is a mode in which the locus of the time change (movement) of the ultrasonic echo source is displayed as a waveform on the display unit, and the D mode (for example, the D mode (for example, , Pulse doppler, color doppler, power doppler, etc. can be selected.) Is a mode in which the movement of the ultrasonic echo source is detected as a change in ultrasonic frequency, and an image based thereon is displayed on the display unit.

For example, if color Doppler is selected as the D mode, the movement of blood can be displayed in color (for example, the arteries and veins are displayed in different colors) on a two-dimensional tomographic image as changes in ultrasonic frequency.

However, the modes that can be selected do not have to be limited to these, and other modes (for example, A mode etc.) may be selected.

(Ultrasonic probe main body A)
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe main body A is provided with a housing 10 formed by combining a first half 11 having an opening 11A on the front side with a second half 12.
The opening 11A of the first half 11 is provided with a detection unit 21 of a sensor unit 20 described later.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing the main part of the internal configuration of the ultrasonic probe main body A. As shown in FIG.
However, the shapes and the like are not exactly illustrated (for example, the detection unit 21 and the like are originally a slightly curved shape as can be seen from FIG. 1).
As shown in FIG. 2, a multi-layered structure in which a sensor unit 20, a signal conversion unit 30, an image processing unit 40, a signal conversion unit 30, and an image processing unit 40 are provided inside the case 10 of the ultrasonic probe main body A. And a substrate MLS.

(Sensor unit 20)
The sensor unit 20 includes a detection unit 21, a drive circuit board 22, and a plurality of wirings L1 connecting the detection unit 21 and the drive circuit board 22. The detection unit 21 includes a plurality of elements 23; Electrodes provided on the front and back of the element 23 (first electrode 24 on the front side and second electrode 25 on the rear side), an acoustic matching layer 26 provided on the first electrode 24, and an acoustic matching layer 26 The acoustic lens 27 and the backing layer 28 provided on the second electrode 25 are provided.

Specifically, the element 23 is a piezoelectric element, and the application of a voltage to the element 23 generates an ultrasonic signal. Conversely, when the element 23 receives a reflected wave, a voltage is generated.
In addition, in FIG. 2, although the 1st electrode 24 and the 2nd electrode 25 are illustrated like a solid electrode, the voltage and ultrasonic wave which generate | occur | produce when each element 23 receives a reflected wave in fact are shown. The electrode pattern is capable of applying a voltage to the element 23 for transmitting a signal, and the wiring L1 is a wiring for electrical connection between the element 23 and the drive circuit board 22.

In the present embodiment, 256 elements 23 are provided, the number of wirings L1 is 32, and the number of excitations of the elements 23 when transmitting an ultrasonic wave signal is 32.
However, the number of elements 23 and the number of excitations need not be limited to 256 elements (256 elements) and the number of excitations 32, but may be 128 elements and the number of excitations 16, and the number of elements and the number of excitations increase. For example, although the resolution of the echo image is increased, the configuration of the wiring is also increased and the cost and the like are increased. Therefore, it is preferable to select an appropriate number of elements according to the required resolution.

In the case where the acoustic matching layer 26 has a large difference in acoustic impedance between the element 23 and an object (for example, an object) for taking an echo image, the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the element 23 efficiently enters the object (in the object) as it is. It is a layer to take acoustic matching in order to suppress many of them from being reflected.
In the present embodiment, the acoustic matching layer 26 is a single layer formed of a single material, but may be formed of a plurality of layers of different materials.

The acoustic lens 27 is a layer provided to suppress the spread of the transmitted ultrasonic signal as it travels and to enhance the resolution of the echo image.
As shown in FIG. 1, since the acoustic lens 27 is located on the outermost side of the detection unit 21 and is a layer directly in contact with the subject etc., it is preferable to use a material such as silicone rubber which is excellent in compatibility with living bodies. Good.

The backing layer 28 is a layer for suppressing extra vibration of the element 23 and shortening the pulse width of the transmitted ultrasonic signal, which can enhance the distance resolution of echo image.

The drive circuit substrate 22 is a substrate provided with a control circuit for driving the element 23. For example, the drive circuit board 22 performs a process of exciting the element 23 (process of applying a voltage to the element 23) at a determined timing.

Further, the drive circuit board 22 detects a change in voltage when the element 23 receives a reflected wave at a determined timing, and sends the change in voltage generated by the reflected wave to the signal conversion unit 30. .

(Signal conversion unit 30)
The signal conversion unit 30 is connected to the sensor unit 20 (more specifically, the drive circuit board 22) by the wiring L2, and converts an analog reflected wave signal (voltage signal) from the sensor unit 20 into a digital signal. It is a converter (ADC).

In the present embodiment, the number of the wirings L2 is set to 32, which is the same as the number of the wirings L1, so that the change in voltage simultaneously detected by the drive circuit board 22 can be sent to the signal conversion unit 30 as it is.

The ADC functioning as the signal conversion unit 30 is mounted on the multilayer substrate MLS, and receives the signal of the reflected wave via the wiring L22 formed on the multilayer substrate MLS.
That is, the wiring L2 is not directly connected to the signal conversion unit 30, but is connected to the wiring L22 formed on the multilayer substrate MLS.

Then, the signal of the reflected wave is sent as a digital signal from the signal conversion unit 30 to the image processing unit 40 through the wiring L3 formed on the multilayer substrate MLS.

(Image processing unit 40)
In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 40 is configured by an FPGA (Field Programmable Array) mounted on the multilayer board MLS, and the circuit design of the FPGA realizes the functions of the DSP and the CPU. The functional block of the second embodiment exerts the function of the signal processing unit 41, the functional block of the CPU exhibits the function of the image creating unit 42, and further includes an area as the storage unit 43.

That is, the image processing unit 40 has a signal processing unit 41, an image creating unit 42, and a storage unit 43 as functional components.

The signal processing unit 41 calculates the time difference from the transmission of the ultrasonic signal to the reception of the reflected wave based on the signal of the reflected wave sent from the signal conversion unit 30.

Specifically, when an ultrasonic signal is emitted and travels in the object (in the object) and travels, when it reaches the reflection source, a part of the ultrasonic signal is reflected by the reflection source, and the remaining ultrasonic waves The signal further travels within the subject (within the subject).
When this advancing ultrasound signal reaches the next reflection source, the same thing happens again.

The reflected wave reflected by the reflective source with high reflectance has high intensity (amplitude), and conversely, the reflected wave reflected by the reflective source with low reflectance has low intensity.

As described above, since a plurality of reflected waves are to be received according to the difference in the position in the object (in the subject), how much is the speed of the ultrasonic signal from the timing of transmission of the ultrasonic signal as a reference With a time delay, the position of each reflected wave can be determined based on whether each reflected wave has been received, and the signal processing unit 41 mainly performs a process of calculating a time difference for this.

The image creation unit 42 creates an echo image based on at least the time difference calculated by the signal processing unit 41 and the reflected wave.
Although the image creating unit 42 performs processing by the functional block as the CPU of the FPGA as described above, the functional block that executes this processing also performs the function as the CPU. It also oversees general control.
For example, the image creating unit 42 obtains the position of the reflection source from the time difference, and converts the intensity (amplitude) of the reflected wave that is the basis of the time difference into luminance to form a two-dimensional tomographic image Create an echo image for

The data processing itself in the M mode and the D mode is the same as the processing generally performed, and the image creating unit 42 creates an echo image for the M mode and the D mode according to the general processing. .

The storage unit 43 stores programs necessary for the operation of the image processing unit 40 (the signal processing unit 41 and the image creating unit 42) and data generated in the processing process.

Then, the echo image created by the image processing unit 40 is sent as a digital signal to the first connection unit 50 on the main body side having the first terminal unit 51 for connecting to the cable B via the wiring L4. .

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, as the cable B, a USB cable conforming to the USB 3.1 standard having a USB connector C on the side connected to an external device is used.
Therefore, the USB connector C can be easily attached to and detached from the USB port of the external device, and the external device can be digitalized via the cable B simply by connecting the USB connector C to the USB port of the external device. An echo image can be received as a signal of.

As described above, since an echo image is sent to an external device as a digital signal, it is not easily affected by noise, and since the echo image is created on the ultrasonic probe main body A side, the external device itself It is not necessary to have high processing power, and even notebook computers and tablet terminals with low specifications can be used for external devices to which the ultrasonic probe main body A is connected.

In this embodiment, although the ultrasonic probe main body A has an auxiliary battery, since the USB cable conforming to the USB 3.1 standard is used for the cable B, the ultrasonic probe main body A is usually driven. The power required to do this is supplied from an external device via the cable B. Even in the USB 2.0 standard having a power supply function, the USB 2.0 can be used as long as the data transfer amount to be used can be compensated by the transfer speed of 480 Mbit / sec.

Then, as can be seen from FIG. 1, since the ultrasonic probe 1 of the present embodiment incorporates all the components necessary for processing until the echo image is created in the ultrasonic probe main body A, the cable B can be used. At the time of replacement, it is only necessary to release the connection between the ultrasonic probe main body A and the cable B.

For this reason, as in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to release the connection at two points on the ultrasonic probe side and the processing unit side at the time of cable replacement, so it is possible to greatly reduce the labor when replacing the cable. .

As described later, when replacing the cable B, the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment does not need to disassemble the ultrasonic probe main body A, and the doctor B or the like can replace the cable B. Is also easy to do.

And, since the cable B for replacement does not take up a place for storage and is not an obstacle for carrying it, for example, it is connected at the visiting place by bringing the cable B for replacement at the time of visiting medical treatment etc. If a defect is noticed, it can be replaced on the spot, so it is possible to avoid a situation where medical treatment can not be performed due to a poor connection.

By the way, if various functional configurations are included in the ultrasonic probe main body A as in the present embodiment, the calorific value increases, which may result in a harsh environment for the built-in devices, and It is important to reduce internal noise so that the influence of noise does not appear in the echo image, since the process up to the creation of the echo image in the sound wave probe main body A is performed. After the measures taken for the probe main body A are described, the connection structure of the cable B is described, which allows the doctor or the like to exchange the cable B.

For example, a large heat source includes an ADC functioning as the signal conversion unit 30. This ADC may be operated as long as the signal conversion unit 30 sends a signal of a reflected wave to the image processing unit 40. .

Then, the timing of transmitting the signal of the reflected wave to the image processing unit 40 is at the time of the operation of the sensor unit 20 to receive the reflected wave. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the timing of transmitting the signal of the reflected wave Controls the signal conversion unit 30 to stop.
In addition, except when the sensor unit 20 receives the reflected wave, stopping the signal conversion unit 30 starts the signal conversion unit 30 in the power saving mode according to the time when the sensor unit 20 receives the reflected wave. After the operation of transmitting the signal of the reflected wave to the image processing unit 40, it means that the signal conversion unit 30 is put into the power saving mode again until the next sensor unit 20 receives the reflected wave. Do.

Specifically, since the ultrasonic probe main body A has a CPU function in the built-in FPGA, it is possible to cause the ADC functioning as the signal conversion unit 30 to control the operation start and the operation stop at high speed. The ADC can be activated in accordance with the determined timing of the drive circuit board 22 that detects a change in voltage when the element 23 receives a reflected wave.

In addition, if both the ADC functioning as the signal conversion unit 30 and the FPGA functioning as the image processing unit 40 execute a large amount of processing at one time, the power consumption is correspondingly increased, and the heat generation amount increases. .

Therefore, the signal conversion unit 30 does not send the signals of a plurality of reflected waves simultaneously sent from the sensor unit 20 to the image processing unit 40 at one time, but sends them to the image processing unit 40 while dividing time into multiple times. By doing so, the amount of processing of ADCs and FPGAs that must be processed at one time is reduced.

Specifically, the signal conversion unit 30 sends the signals of the plurality of reflected waves simultaneously sent from the sensor unit 20 to the image processing unit 40 in two divided steps.
As a result, the wiring L3 formed on the multilayer substrate MLS electrically connecting the signal conversion unit 30 and the image processing unit 40 is half the number of wirings between the sensor unit 20 and the signal conversion unit 30, that is, the wiring We can reduce L3 to 16 or less.

Furthermore, in the FPGA that functions as the image processing unit 40, the time to operate for each functional block and the time that it is not necessary to operate is separated, and when it is not necessary to operate, the functional block is stopped.

As a result of these, it is possible to suppress the heat generation in the ultrasonic probe main body A, and since these also serve to suppress the power consumption, the power consumption can be reduced to the power consumption that can be supplied by USB 3.1. It has become.

On the other hand, in order to reduce the influence of internal noise, in the ultrasonic probe main body A of this embodiment, a substrate (multilayer substrate MLS) on which the signal conversion unit 30 and the image processing unit 40 are provided, and a substrate for driving the element 23 (Drive circuit board 22) is separated.

As a result, noise emitted from the circuit of the analog switch of the drive circuit board 22 for applying and stopping the voltage to the element 23 hardly affects the configuration on the multilayer board MLS side.

In addition, the layout of the arrangement position of the analog switch of the drive circuit board 22, the signal conversion unit 30, and the image processing unit 40 can be easily made into a layout in consideration of heat measures by making the substrate two sheets, and two substrates are provided. The temperature rise in the ultrasonic probe main body A can be further suppressed by using the above.

Further, by setting the FPGA functioning as the image processing unit 40 as the multilayer substrate MLS, the substrate is provided with a plurality of ground layers for reducing noise, and the FPGA is further less susceptible to noise. It has become.

Next, the connection structure of the cable B will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a state in which the cable B is connected to the ultrasonic probe main body A, and for the ultrasonic probe main body A, the first half 11 of the housing 10 and the first fitting portion 13 It shows only a part of

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a configuration concerning connection of the ultrasonic probe main body A and the cable B, and FIG. 4 (A) is a view showing a connecting portion of the ultrasonic probe main body A and the cable B shown in FIG. FIG.
4B is a perspective view showing the first fitting portion 13 and the first connection portion 50 connected to the first fitting portion 13. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), the ultrasonic probe main body A is disposed in the housing 10 and is connected to the cable B as described above. A first connection unit 50 is provided.

And the 1st terminal area 51 has the 1st terminal area 51 by the side of the main part to which the 2nd terminal area 61 of cable B mentioned below is connected, and the 1st terminal area 51 in the 1st terminal area 50 inside And a first fixing portion 52 to be fixed.

The other end of the plurality of wires L4 (see FIG. 2) whose one end is connected to the multilayer board MLS is connected to the first terminal portion 51, and the first terminal portion 51 is connected to the second of the cable B described later. The connection of the terminal portion 61 enables transmission and reception of various signals between the cable B and the multilayer board MLS and power feeding from the cable B to the multilayer board MLS side.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first fixing portion 52 of the first connection portion 50 is formed with a first screwing groove, and a first outer surface 51A (an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical first terminal portion 51 ) And the cable B is screwed to the first screwing groove formed in the first inner surface 52A, as described later. Become.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), in the first fixing portion 52 of the first connection portion 50, a screwing groove is also formed on the outer surface 52B (outer peripheral surface), and this screwing groove will be described hereinafter The first fitting portion 13 is screwed and fixed.

As described above, the ultrasonic probe main body A includes the first fitting portion 13 to which the first connection portion 50 (see FIG. 4A) is fixed.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the first fitting portion 13 has a first hole portion 13A in which a screwing groove for fixing the first fixing portion 52 is formed on the inner surface (inner peripheral surface). The first connection portion 50 (first fixing portion 52) is formed by screwing the screwing groove of the outer surface 52B (outer peripheral surface) of the first fixing portion 52 into the screwing groove of the inner surface of the first hole portion 13A. It is screwed and fixed to the first fitting portion 13.

The first fitting portion 13 is fitted in the first half 11 of the housing 10, and the first fitting portion 14 is provided to restrict the first fitting portion 13 so as not to move. The shape of the first fitting portion 13 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the first fitting portion 14 also corresponds to the first fitting portion 13 as shown in FIG. It has a shape.

Moreover, although only the first half 11 of the housing 10 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second half 12 has a tip surface 11 AA in which the opening 11 A of the first half 11 is formed. Of the second half 12 and restricts the second fitting 12 so that the first fitting part 13 similar to the first fitting part 14 of the first half 11 does not move. Have.

Therefore, the first fitting portion 13 is fitted to the fitting portion of the housing 10 formed by the first fitting portion 14 of the first half 11 and the second fitting portion of the second half 12. And the first connection portion 13 is fixed to the first fitting portion 13 as shown in FIG. 4A by fixing the first fitting portion 13 as such. 50 are arranged to be located at a predetermined first position relative to the housing 10.

Then, in the first half 11 of the housing 10, a portion that faces the first connection 50 when the first connection portion 50 is positioned at a predetermined first position with respect to the housing 10. A semicircular first cutout portion 11B is provided in FIG.

Further, as described above, although only the first half 11 of the housing 10 is shown in FIG. 4A, the second half 12 substantially corresponds to the opening of the first half 11. The second half 12 is also provided with a semicircular second notch shaped portion similar to the first notch shaped portion 11B of the first half 11 except for the tip surface 11AA on which 11A is formed. It is done.

Therefore, when the first connection portion 50 is positioned at the predetermined first position with respect to the housing 10, the housing 10 is provided with the first notch of the first half 11 in a portion facing the first connection portion 50. The shape 11B and the second notched portion of the second half 12 are combined to provide a circular opening, and the circular opening corresponds to the first connecting portion 50. Therefore, it becomes a receiving opening for receiving the second connection portion 60 so that the second connection portion 60 of the cable B described later can be connected.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the cable B is connected to the first terminal 51 (see FIG. 4B) and the second terminal 61 on the cable B side (see FIG. 4A). A second connection portion 60 on the cable B side screwed to the first connection portion 50, and a resin cover 63 slidably provided on the cable B (in the present embodiment, the material is rubber And the cover 63).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the second connection portion 60 has a plurality of terminals 61A inserted into the plurality of terminal receiving holes 51B (see FIG. 4B) of the first terminal portion 51. And a second terminal portion 61 having a cylindrical outer wall portion 61B which surrounds the terminal 61A and covers the first outer surface 51A (outer peripheral surface) of the first terminal portion 51 at the time of connection, and the rear side of the second terminal portion 61. And a second rotating portion 62 rotatable relative to the second terminal portion 61.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the second rotating portion 62 is formed on the first inner surface 52A (see FIG. 4B) of the first connection portion 50 (first fixing portion 52) on the tip end side. The second screwing portion has a second outer surface 62A (outer peripheral surface) on which the second screwing groove is formed to engage with the first screwing groove, and the outer diameter is large with a step on the rear side of the second outer surface 62A. And a knob 62B.
The knob portion 62B is provided with an anti-slip member in which a plurality of concave portions having an arc-shaped cross section extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the outer surface (outer peripheral surface) in the circumferential direction.

Therefore, the terminal 61A (see FIG. 4A) of the second terminal portion 61 of the second connection portion 60 is inserted into the terminal receiving hole 51B (see FIG. 4B) of the first terminal portion 51. (2) When the second rotating portion 62 of the second connecting portion 60 is rotated after the second connecting portion 60 is pushed into the first connecting portion 50 side, the second outer surface 62A (the outer peripheral surface) of the second rotating portion 62 is formed. The second connection groove is screwed into the first connection groove formed in the first inner surface 52A (see FIG. 4B) of the first connection portion 50 (first fixing portion 52), and the first connection portion is formed. 50 and the second connection portion 60 are screwed together.

As described above, since the cable B is connected to the ultrasonic probe main body A such that the first connection portion 50 and the second connection portion 60 are screwed and connected, the ultrasonic probe for medical examination and the like The cable B is not easily removed from the ultrasonic probe main body A by the operation (movement) of the main body A.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the resin-made cover 63 is provided with a cylindrical outer portion 63A having a ring-shaped protrusion 63AA at the tip, and the first notch 11B of the first half 11 is ring-shaped. A semicircular first recess 11BA is provided for fitting the protrusion 63AA.

Further, as described above, although only the first half 11 of the housing 10 is shown in FIG. 3, the second half 12 substantially has the opening 11A of the first half 11 formed. The second half 12 is provided with a semicircular second recess similar to the semicircular first recess 11BA of the first half 11 in the second half 12 as well.

Therefore, the housing 10 is for receiving the second connection portion 60 formed by combining the first cutout shape portion 11B of the first half body 11 and the second cutout shape portion of the second half body 12 described above. The receiving opening has a ring-shaped recess formed by the semi-circular first recess 11BA and the semi-circular second recess, into which the ring-shaped protrusion 63AA of the cover 63 is fitted.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, after the second connection portion 60 is connected to the first connection portion 50 (see FIG. 4A), the cover 63 is slid forward on the cable B. After moving the cover 63 to elastically deform and fitting the protrusion 63AA of the cover 63 into the first recess 11BA of the first half 11, the protrusion of the cover 63 is inserted into the second recess of the second half 12 The housing 10 is formed to fit the second half 12 to the first half 11 so that 63AA is inserted.

An adhesive is provided at the contact portion between the first half 11 and the second half 12 so that the first half 11 and the second half 12 are not easily separated, and the inside of the housing 10 is highly airtight. It is assumed that

Thus, when the cover 63 is fixed to the housing 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 63 covers the second connection portion 60 (see FIG. 3).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the cable B has a large-sized portion 64 larger than the outer diameter of the outer shell 63B integrated with the outer skin 63B of the cable B in the rear vicinity of the second connection portion 60 (second rotating portion 62). Have.

As shown in FIG. 3, the large-sized portion 64 has the same outer diameter as that of the second connecting portion 60 (second rotating portion 62), which is the same as the outer diameter of the knob 62B (see FIG. 4A). A straight body portion 64A and a tapered portion 64B whose outer diameter decreases from the straight body portion 64A to the rear side are provided.

When the cover 63 is fixed to the housing 10 as described above, the inner surface portion 63C (see FIG. 4A) is formed of a portion of the second connection portion 60 and the large-sized portion 64. It is in close contact, and therefore, high airtightness is ensured also in the portion of the ultrasonic probe main body A to which the cable B is connected.

On the other hand, for example, when the cable B is broken due to stress caused by the operation of the ultrasonic probe main body A being applied near the rear side of the large portion 64 for a long time, the cover 63 is moved to the rear side to perform the second connection. The knob portion 62B (see FIG. 4A) of the portion 60 (second rotating portion 62) is exposed.

As described above, since the cover 63 is only fixed to the housing 10 by the protrusion 63AA being fitted in the ring-shaped recess of the housing 10, the cover 63 is strongly backward with respect to the cover 63. By applying a pull-out force, the fitting is released and the cover 63 can be moved rearward.

And as FIG. 3 shows, the 2nd connection part 60 (2nd rotation part 62 (refer FIG. 4 (A))) was connected to the 1st connection part 50 (refer FIG. 4 (A)) Even in the state, it is set to such a length that a part on the rear side is exposed to the outside from the housing 10.

Therefore, even a doctor or the like can easily pick the second rotating portion 62 (see FIG. 4A) by picking the knob 62B (see FIG. 4A) of the second connection portion 60 (the second rotating portion 62). By rotating, the screw connection (fixing) of the first connection portion 50 (see FIG. 4A) and the second connection portion 60 can be released, and the cable B can be removed from the ultrasonic probe main body A. , Reverse procedure, a new replacement cable B can be connected.

Therefore, by carrying the cable B for replacement at the time of visit medical treatment etc., if it is noticed that there is a bad connection at the visiting place, it can be replaced on the spot, avoiding the situation where medical treatment etc. can not be performed due to poor connection. can do.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is also within the technical scope of the present invention to make various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention, which will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 10 Housing | casing 11 1st half body 11A Opening part 11AA Tip surface 11B 1st notch shape part 11BA 1st recessed part 12 2nd half body 13 1st fitting part 13A 1st hole part 14 1st fitting part Reference Signs List 20 sensor unit 21 detection unit 22 drive circuit board 23 element 24 first electrode 25 second electrode 26 acoustic matching layer 27 acoustic lens 28 backing layer 30 signal conversion unit 40 image processing unit 41 signal processing unit 42 image creation unit 43 storage unit 50 First connection portion 51 first terminal portion 51A first outer surface 51B terminal receiving hole 52 first fixed portion 52A first inner surface 52B outer surface 60 second connection portion 61 second terminal portion 61A terminal 61B outer wall portion 62 second rotating portion 62A second 2 Outer surface 62B Picking portion 63 Cover 63A Cylindrical outer shape portion 63AA Protrusion portion 63B Outer skin 63C Inner surface portion 64 Large-sized portion 64A Straight body portion 64B Tapered portion A Ultrasonic probe Body B Cable C USB connector L1, L2, L22, L3, L4 wiring MLS multilayer board

Claims

Ultrasonic probe body,
A cable connected to the ultrasonic probe main body and detachably connectable to an external device;
The ultrasonic probe body is
A sensor unit for transmitting an ultrasonic signal and receiving a reflected wave of the ultrasonic signal;
A signal conversion unit connected to the sensor unit and converting the analog reflected wave signal sent from the sensor unit into a digital signal;
An image processing unit connected to the signal conversion unit and performing processing up to creation of an echo image based on the digital signal sent from the signal conversion unit.
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the signal conversion unit is stopped except when the sensor unit receives the reflected wave.
The number of wires between the signal conversion unit and the image processing unit is smaller than the number of wires between the sensor unit and the signal conversion unit,
The signal processing unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signal conversion unit divides a plurality of the signals simultaneously sent from the sensor unit into a plurality of times, shifts the time, and sends the signals to the image processing unit. Sound wave probe.
A multi-layer substrate on which the signal conversion unit and the image processing unit are provided;
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multilayer substrate comprises a plurality of ground layers for reducing noise.
The sensor unit is
An element for transmitting the ultrasonic signal and receiving the reflected wave;
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a drive circuit substrate connected to the element and the signal conversion unit for driving the element.
The image processing unit
A signal processing unit that calculates a time difference from transmission of the ultrasonic signal to reception of the reflected wave;
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: an image creating unit that creates the echo image based on at least the time difference and the reflected wave.
The cable has a terminal portion formed on the connection portion of the ultrasonic probe main body, a detachable terminal portion, and a cylindrical resin cover slidably disposed.
The resin cover has a ring-shaped protrusion at its tip,
The said ring-shaped protrusion part fits in the ring-shaped recessed part formed in the receiving part of the cable terminal part of the said ultrasonic probe main body, The any one of the Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Ultrasound probe.
Ultrasonic probe body,
And a cable detachably connectable to an external device;
The ultrasonic probe body is
And
And a first connection portion on the main body side, the first connection portion being disposed in the housing and having therein the first terminal portion on the main body side,
The cable is
A cable-side second connection portion having a cable-side second terminal portion connected to the first terminal portion, and screw-connected to the first connection portion;
An ultrasonic probe comprising: a resin cover slidably provided on the cable and fixed to the housing so as to cover the second connection portion.
The first connection portion includes a first fixing portion to which the first terminal portion is fixed,
The second connection portion includes a second rotation portion rotatable with respect to the second terminal portion.
The first fixing portion is formed with a first screwing groove, and has a first inner surface spaced apart from a first outer surface of the first terminal portion.
9. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 8, wherein the second rotating portion has a second outer surface on a tip end side of which a second screwing groove is formed to be screwed into the first screwing groove. .
The ultrasonic probe main body has a first hole in which a screwing groove for fixing the first fixing portion is formed on an inner surface, and includes a first fitting portion fitted in the housing.
10. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, wherein the first fixing portion has a screwing groove formed on an outer surface thereof to be screwed into the screwing groove on the inner surface of the first hole.
The cover is provided with a cylindrical outer portion having a ring-shaped protrusion at its tip,
The housing comprises a receiving opening for receiving the second connection,
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the receiving opening is provided with a ring-shaped recess in which the projection is fitted.
The cable includes a large-sized portion larger than an outer shape of the sheath integrated with the sheath of the cable near the rear of the second connection portion,
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the cover includes an inner surface portion in close contact with the large diameter portion.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the cover is made of rubber.
The cable is a USB cable conforming to the USB 3.1 standard having a USB connector on the side connected to the external device,
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein power can be supplied to the ultrasonic probe main body through the cable.