CN213640935U - Locking device of scanning assembly in ultrasonic imaging system and ultrasonic imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a locking device that is arranged in ultrasonic imaging system to scan subassembly, include: scanning subassembly connecting device, drive arrangement, transmission, support, and closing device. Wherein the scanning component connecting device is connected with the scanning component; the driving device comprises a motor and a pressing block, the motor can drive the pressing block to move between a first position and a second position, the pressing block does not act on the transmission device basically when in the first position, and the pressing block can act on the transmission device to apply pressure when in the second position; the bracket can provide counter force for the pressing block when the pressing block acts on the transmission device; the pressing device can receive the pressure transmitted by the transmission device to press the scanning assembly connecting device to realize the locking of the scanning assembly. The utility model also provides an ultrasonic imaging system including above-mentioned locking device.

Description

Locking device of scanning assembly in ultrasonic imaging system and ultrasonic imaging system

Technical Field

The utility model discloses a subject relates to the ultrasonic imaging field, and more specifically relates to a locking device and ultrasonic imaging system that is arranged in ultrasonic imaging system to scan the subassembly.

Background

Medical imaging methods such as X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound imaging, etc., are of great importance to physicians for disease diagnosis screening. The ultrasonic imaging has the advantages of small harm to human bodies, low manufacturing cost, short scanning time and the like.

Ultrasound imaging systems typically transmit ultrasound signals and receive echo signals for imaging using a scanning assembly that includes an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasonic imaging system can be used for scanning various human organs and tissues. For example, a full-field breast ultrasound imaging system is one of them, which is capable of ultrasound imaging of a breast of a subject to be scanned. Typically, a full-field breast ultrasound imaging system includes a device body having a support structure, and a scanning assembly secured to the device. After the scanning assembly is in close proximity to the tissue to be scanned, it is often necessary for the operator to fix it for high quality ultrasound imaging. When the scanning is finished, the fixed scanning component is contacted, so that the scanning component is removed from the body of the person to be scanned. Therefore, locking and unlocking of the scanning assembly is important for the scanning process.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of this, some embodiments of the present invention provide a locking device for a scanning assembly in an ultrasound imaging system, including: the scanning assembly connecting device, the driving device, the transmission device, the bracket and the pressing device; wherein the scanning component connecting device is connected with the scanning component; the driving device comprises a motor and a pressing block, the motor can drive the pressing block to move between a first position and a second position, the pressing block does not act on the transmission device basically when in the first position, and the pressing block can act on the transmission device to apply pressure when in the second position; the bracket can provide counter force for the pressing block when the pressing block acts on the transmission device; the pressing device can receive the pressure transmitted by the transmission device to press the scanning assembly connecting device to realize the locking of the scanning assembly.

Optionally, the motor includes an output shaft, the pressure piece is rotatably connected to the output shaft through a thread, and the motor drives the pressure piece to move between the first position and the second position by rotating the output shaft.

Optionally, the bracket and the pressing block are connected by a rail structure, and the rail is configured to be parallel to the direction in which the pressing block moves between the first position and the second position.

Optionally, the guide rail is arranged on the support, and a sliding block matched with the guide rail is arranged on the pressing block.

Optionally, the transmission device comprises a lever, the lever comprises a rotating shaft, a force bearing end and a force applying end, the pressing block applies pressure to the lever by contacting with the force bearing end, the force bearing end is configured to be arranged obliquely to the pressing block, and the lever transmits the pressure to the pressing device through the force applying end.

Optionally, the transmission device further comprises a second lever, and the second lever comprises a second rotating shaft, a second force bearing end and a second force applying end; the second force bearing end receives pressure from the force application end, and the second force application end transmits the pressure to the pressing device.

Optionally, the pressing device comprises a pressing plate, one surface of the pressing plate can receive the pressure transmitted by the transmission device, and the other surface of the pressing plate is matched with the scanning assembly connecting device.

Optionally, the pressing device comprises a first pressing plate and a second pressing plate, the first pressing plate and the second pressing plate are attached to each other, the first pressing plate can receive the pressure and transmit the pressure to the second pressing plate, and the second pressing plate is matched with the scanning assembly connecting device.

Optionally, a limiting column is arranged on the first pressure plate, and a limiting hole for accommodating the limiting column is formed in the transmission device.

Optionally, one end of the scanning assembly connecting device is a spherical joint, and the other end of the scanning assembly connecting device is connected with the scanning assembly, and the scanning assembly connecting device can allow the scanning assembly to move within a certain range when not compressed by the compressing device.

Optionally, the briquetting still includes movable block and the spacing bolt that sets up on the briquetting body, the movable block with briquetting body swing joint, spacing bolt with the briquetting body pass through threaded connection and with the movable block contact.

Optionally, the motor is a hybrid stepper motor.

The utility model discloses some other embodiments still disclose an ultrasonic imaging system, and it includes any above-mentioned locking device.

It should be understood that the brief description above is provided to introduce in simplified form some concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any section of this disclosure.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a locking device for a scanning assembly in an ultrasound imaging system according to some embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a locking device for a scanning assembly in an ultrasound imaging system according to further embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure block in a locking apparatus for a scanning assembly in an ultrasound imaging system according to further embodiments of the present invention in a first position;

fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure block in a locking apparatus for a scanning assembly in an ultrasound imaging system according to further embodiments of the present invention in a second position;

fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a pressing block and a bracket in a locking device according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure block and a bracket in a locking device according to other embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, it is noted that in the detailed description of the embodiments, all the features of the actual embodiments may not be described in detail in order to make the description concise and concise. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be further appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another.

Unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms used in the claims and the specification shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "first," "second," and the like do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms "a" or "an," and the like, do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one. The word "comprise" or "comprises", and the like, means that the element or item listed before "comprises" or "comprising" covers the element or item listed after "comprising" or "comprises" and its equivalent, and does not exclude other elements or items. The terms "connected" or "coupled" and the like are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections, nor are they restricted to direct or indirect connections.

Referring to fig. 1, which illustrates a schematic view of an ultrasound imaging system 102 (hereinafter also referred to as a scanning device 102) of some embodiments of the imaging device of the present invention, the scanning device 102 includes a frame 104, an ultrasound processor housing 105 containing an ultrasound processor, an adjustable arm 106 including a hinge joint 114, a scanning assembly 108 having a scanning assembly attachment device 112 attached to an end 120 of the adjustable arm 106, and a display 110 attached to the frame 104. Wherein the scanning assembly 108 includes an ultrasonic transducer. A display 110 is connected to the frame 104 at the interface where the adjustable arm 106 enters the frame 104. Because of the direct connection to the frame 104 rather than the adjustable arm 106, the display 110 does not affect the weight of the adjustable arm 106 and the balance mechanism of the adjustable arm 106. It should be noted that fig. 1 shows only certain configurations and relative positions of the components by reference, but these configurations and relative positions are not exclusive. For example, the position of the display 110 is arbitrary, and may be provided on the ultrasonic processor housing 105, or may be arbitrarily provided independently of the frame 104 or the housing 105, for example. The shape of the adjustable arm 106 is not necessarily curved as shown in fig. 1, but may be a structure with a broken line shape or even a structure with a straight line shape, and the adjustable arm 106 may not include the hinge joint 114 but may be integrally formed or any other type of arrangement without affecting the implementation of the various embodiments of the present invention. Wherein the scanning assembly connection device 112 may have a structure similar to a ball joint, for example, so as to ensure that the scanning assembly 108 can move with a certain degree of freedom in an unlocked state, and when the scanner needs to lock the scanning assembly, the scanner can be locked by controlling the corresponding locking device. It should be noted that the structure of the scanning assembly attachment means 112 may be a ball joint, or other attachment means used in the art.

Referring to fig. 2, a schematic diagram of a locking device for a scan assembly in an ultrasound imaging system 102 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown, which may include a scan assembly connection device, a drive device, a transmission device, a bracket, and a compression device.

The scanning component connecting device is connected with the scanning component. The scanning assembly attachment means may be configured to allow the scanning assembly to move with a degree of freedom when the locking means is unlocked to facilitate adjustment of the position of the scanning assembly by an operator. For example, the scanning assembly attachment means may include, but is not limited to, a ball joint, a multi-degree-of-freedom robot, and the like, which are moveable attachment means commonly used in the art.

The driving device is used for providing power for the movement of the pressing block. The drive means may comprise a motor and a pressure piece. The motor is capable of driving the pressure block to move between a first position and a second position. For example, the output shaft of the motor may be threadedly coupled to the pressing block, and the motor may drive the pressing block to move in a direction from the first position to the second position by rotating (e.g., clockwise) the output shaft in a certain direction; similarly, the motor may also drive the mass in the direction from the second position to the first position by rotating the output shaft in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise). In this way, by controlling the rotation direction and the rotation angle or time of the motor output shaft, the direction and the movement distance of the press block can be controlled. It should be noted that the motor may drive the pressing block to move in various manners, and besides the above-mentioned manner of screw connection, the pressing block may also be connected by means of gear/rack cooperation or the like, which is not described herein again.

The press block may be used to apply pressure to the transmission. As mentioned above, the motor in the drive means may drive the movement of the pressure piece between the first position and the second position. The connection relationship of the press block and the transmission may be configured to: when the pressing block is at the first position, the pressing block basically does not act on the transmission device, and the transmission device basically does not transmit pressure to the pressing device, so that the scanning assembly can be allowed to move under a certain degree of freedom; when the press block is in the second position, it can act on the transmission device to apply pressure. It should be noted that instead of being able to act on the actuator in the second position, the mass may also be configured to act on the actuator already at a third position or any other position between the first and second positions, instead of only at the second position. In some embodiments, the transmission device may be a lever structure, and the pressing block can act on one force arm of the lever when in the second position, so as to transmit pressure by using the other force arm of the lever. The arrangement mode can ensure that the pressure can be amplified and output at a position where the pressure block moves slightly, and is favorable for improving the locking reliability of the scanning assembly. In other embodiments, the transmission may be of other types, including but not limited to chains, gears, etc.

The support may be arranged to provide a counter-force to the press block when the press block acts on the transmission. The reaction force is defined as the direction opposite to the reaction force of the transmission device on the pressure piece. The arrangement mode can ensure that the pressing block cannot deform due to overlarge pressure in the process of applying pressure, and the pressing block has a structure such as a motor output shaft.

The pressing device can act on the scanning component connecting device to lock the scanning component. In some embodiments, the pressing device can receive the pressure transmitted by the transmission device to press the scanning assembly connecting device to realize the locking of the scanning assembly. The compressing device and the scanning component connecting device can receive the pressure transmitted by the transmission device so as to increase the maximum static friction force between the compressing device and the scanning component connecting device, thereby realizing the compression of the scanning component connecting device. Besides, the pressing device/scanning component connecting device can be of a clamping block/clamping groove structure which is matched with each other.

Referring to fig. 3-5, cross-sectional views of locking devices of some embodiments of the present invention are shown. In some embodiments, the locking device body structure is disposed within the adjustable arm 106 in a manner that increases the compactness between the components to facilitate space savings. The locking device comprises a driving device which comprises a motor 201 and a pressure block 202. The motor 201 receives electrical power through a wire 214. The type of the motor 201 may be various, for example, a hybrid stepping motor, which can convert the motor output shaft rotation motion into a push rod type linear reciprocating motion and can provide higher control accuracy. The portion of the pressure piece 202 in contact with the output shaft of the motor 201 comprises a threaded sleeve 222, the threaded sleeve 222 being in threaded connection with the motor output shaft, thereby enabling the motor 201 to drive the pressure piece 202 between the first position and the second position by rotating the output shaft. As shown in fig. 4, a schematic view of the press block 202 in the first position according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown, wherein the press block 202 does not substantially act on the transmission. As shown in fig. 5, a schematic view of the press block 202 in a second position is shown in some embodiments of the present invention, where the press block 202 is capable of acting on the transmission to apply pressure. It should be noted that substantially inactive means that the mass 202 may be in light or direct non-contact with the actuator, so as not to impede the motion of the scanning assembly in a degree of freedom.

With continued reference to fig. 3, the actuator may include a lever 203, and the lever 203 may include a shaft 204, a force-receiving end, and a force-applying end. The press piece 202 applies pressure to the lever 203 by contacting with the force-receiving end configured to be disposed obliquely to the press piece 202. The inclined arrangement ensures that the position between the pressure piece 202 and the lever 203 is gradually reduced during the movement from the first position to the second position, so that the pressure can be exerted on the lever 203 when in the second position. The lever 203, upon receiving the pressure exerted by the pressure piece 202, can rotate about the axis of rotation 204, thereby transmitting the pressure to the compression device through the force application end. The force arm length at the force bearing end can be larger than that at the force application end, so that the pressing block 202 can realize the effect of amplifying the force of the lever under a smaller pressure. The direction of movement of the pressure piece 202 and the mounting direction of the lever 203 can be arranged along the inside of the adjustable arm 106, which also saves the mounting space of the locking device to a large extent.

In some embodiments the transmission may comprise only the lever 203. In still other embodiments, a second lever 206 may be further included, and referring to fig. 3, the second lever 206 may include a second shaft 208, a second force-receiving end, and a second force-applying end. The second force-bearing end can receive the pressure of the force-applying end, and the second force-applying end can transmit the pressure to the pressing device. In order to further improve the stability of the pressure transmission between the force application end and the second force bearing end, in some embodiments, the end of the force application end of the lever 203 is provided with a contact 205. The contact 205 protrudes from the surface of the lever 203. Similarly, a contact block 207 is provided on the second lever 206. The contact block 207 is also arranged protruding from the second lever 206. The contact 205 is in contact with the contact block 207.

With continued reference to fig. 3, the hold-down device may include a platen structure. In some embodiments, one face of the pressure plate can receive pressure from an actuator, such as the lever 203 and the second lever 206 described above. The other side of the platen mates with the scan assembly interface 112 to enable better interaction with the scan assembly interface. The platen structure may be integrally formed, and may include a first platen 209 and a second platen 211. The first platen 209 receives the pressure and transfers it to the second platen 211. The second platen 211 is configured to mate with the scanning assembly attachment 211. For example, when the scan assembly attachment apparatus 112 comprises a ball joint structure, the surface of the second platen 211 that mates with the ball joint is configured in a corresponding circular arc configuration. It should be noted that the first platen 209 and the second platen 211 may be integrally formed, so that the two platens may be of an integral structure. The two platens may also be provided separately.

In order to further improve the reliability of the use of the locking device, a limiting device can be further arranged. In some embodiments, a position-limiting post 210 may be disposed on the first platen 209, and a position-limiting hole for receiving the position-limiting post 210 may be disposed on the transmission. For example, as shown in fig. 3, when the second lever 206 is provided, the stopper hole is provided at a position where the second lever 206 is matched with the stopper post 210. The arrangement mode ensures that the transmission device and the pressing device can not generate unexpected relative displacement to cause failure in the locking or unlocking process of the locking device.

As described above, the scanning assembly attachment means may include, but is not limited to, a ball joint, a multi-degree-of-freedom robot, and the like, which are commonly used in the art. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the scanning assembly attachment device 112 is a ball joint at one end and a scanning assembly (not shown in FIG. 3) is attached at the other end. A ball joint is mounted within the end housing 213 of the adjustable arm 106 and mates with a compression device, such as the second platen 211. The bottom of the end housing 213 has an opening allowing the scanning assembly attachment means 112 to extend outside thereof for attachment of the scanning assembly. The scanning assembly attachment means 112 can allow a range of motion of the scanning assembly when not compressed by the compression means.

To further improve the stability of the connection between the mass 202 and the bracket 212, the bracket 212 and the mass 202 are connected by a rail structure. And, the guide rail is configured to be parallel to the direction in which the pressing piece 202 moves between the first position and the second position. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the structural schematic diagrams of the bracket and the pressing block in some embodiments of the present invention are shown. The guide 603 is disposed on the bracket 212, and accordingly, the pressing block 202 is provided with a slider 605 engaged with the guide 603. The sliding block 605 is matched with the guide rail 603, so that the stability of connection between the pressing block 202 and the bracket 212 in the first and second position moving processes can be realized. It should be noted that the arrangement of the rail structure may be other ways, such as, for example, arranging the rail on the press block 202 and the slider on the bracket.

The travel of the pressure piece 202 from the first position to the second position will affect the sensitivity of the locking device. That is, under the short stroke, locking device only needs the rotatory less angle of control motor can realize the locking. The length of the stroke is somewhat dependent on the distance between the press 202 and the actuator in the first position. In this regard, some embodiments of the present invention provide a means for adjusting the distance between the pressing block 601 and the transmission. Referring to fig. 6 and 7, schematic diagrams of the pressing block and the bracket of the locking device in some embodiments of the present invention are shown. The press 202 may include a movable block 601 provided on the press body and a limit bolt 604. The movable block 601 is movably connected with the pressing block body. The above-mentioned movable connection mode can be various, for example, a through hole structure can be provided on the movable block 601, and the through hole can be oval or other shapes. Correspondingly, a fixed shaft is arranged on the pressing block body, and the outer diameter of the fixed shaft is smaller than that of the through hole, so that the movable block 601 is allowed to move within a certain range. The limit bolt 604 is connected with the pressing block body through threads and is in contact with the movable block 601. In this way, the degree of movement of the movable block 601 can be limited by rotating the limit bolt 604. When the limit bolt 604 rotates towards the movable block 601, the movable block 601 protrudes towards a position closer to the transmission device, and at the moment, the stroke of the pressing block from the first position to the second position is shortened. When the limit bolt 604 rotates away from the movable block 601, the stroke of the press block from the first position to the second position increases.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims (13)

1. A locking device for a scan assembly in an ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

the scanning assembly connecting device, the driving device, the transmission device, the bracket and the pressing device; wherein:

the scanning component connecting device is connected with the scanning component; the driving device comprises a motor and a pressing block, the motor can drive the pressing block to move between a first position and a second position, the pressing block does not act on the transmission device basically when in the first position, and the pressing block can act on the transmission device to apply pressure when in the second position; the bracket can provide counter force for the pressing block when the pressing block acts on the transmission device; the pressing device can receive the pressure transmitted by the transmission device to press the scanning assembly connecting device to realize the locking of the scanning assembly.

2. The lockout device of claim 1, wherein the motor includes an output shaft, the pressure block is rotatably coupled to the output shaft via a thread, and the motor drives the pressure block between the first position and the second position by rotating the output shaft.

3. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the bracket and the press block are connected by a rail structure, the rail being configured parallel to a direction of movement of the press block between the first and second positions.

4. The locking device of claim 3, wherein the guide rail is disposed on the bracket, and the pressing block is provided with a slider that cooperates with the guide rail.

5. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the transmission comprises a lever including a pivot, a force-receiving end, and a force-applying end, the press piece applying pressure to the lever by contacting the force-receiving end, the force-receiving end configured to be disposed obliquely to the press piece, the lever transmitting the pressure to the compression device through the force-applying end.

6. The lockout device of claim 5, wherein the transmission further comprises a second lever comprising a second pivot, a second force-bearing end, and a second force-applying end; the second force bearing end receives pressure from the force application end, and the second force application end transmits the pressure to the pressing device.

7. The locking device of claim 1, wherein said compression means comprises a pressure plate having one face capable of receiving said pressure transmitted by said actuator means and another face adapted to mate with said scanning assembly attachment means.

8. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the compression device comprises a first platen and a second platen, the first platen and the second platen being in abutting engagement, the first platen being capable of receiving the compressive force and transmitting the compressive force to the second platen, the second platen being mated to the scanning assembly attachment device.

9. The locking device of claim 8, wherein the first pressure plate is provided with a limiting post, and the transmission device is provided with a limiting hole for accommodating the limiting post.

10. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the scanning assembly connecting means is a ball joint at one end and connects to the scanning assembly at the other end, the scanning assembly connecting means being capable of allowing a range of movement of the scanning assembly when not compressed by the compressing means.

11. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the pressing block further comprises a movable block and a limiting bolt, the movable block is arranged on the pressing block body and movably connected with the pressing block body, and the limiting bolt is connected with the pressing block body through threads and is in contact with the movable block.

12. The lockout device of claim 1, wherein the motor is a hybrid stepper motor.

13. An ultrasound imaging system, characterized in that it comprises a locking device according to any of the preceding claims.

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