JP2000005172A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe which has good formability and cleanability, is easily attached by a puncture adapter, and has a good operability. SOLUTION: For attaching a puncture adapter 20 to a gripping portion 16 of a probe head 10, a guide member-arranging groove is matched with a scan starting direction side, and a hollow portion 22 of an adapter body 21 is inserted outside an exterior member from an ultrasonic radiation surface side of the grabbing portion 16. A projecting part 23 provided for longitudinal inner peripheral surface of the adapter body 21 is inserted into a groove 18 formed on the grabbing portion 16 with click feeling, and therefore, the adapter body 21 is arranged at a given position of the probe head 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe equipped with a puncture adapter for introducing a puncture needle to an ultrasonic scanning surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an ultrasonic diagnostic system capable of obtaining acoustic information inside a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves without exposing the subject to radiation as in an X-ray apparatus has been widely used for diagnosis and the like. Became.

The ultrasonic diagnostic system comprises an ultrasonic observation unit and an ultrasonic probe, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves while holding a probe head so as to press the scanning surface of the ultrasonic probe against the body surface. The ultrasonic image obtained by the ultrasonic observation is displayed on a monitor screen provided in the ultrasonic observation device unit to perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0004] For example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-36817 discloses an ultrasonic probe and a puncture needle so that the needle tip can be punctured more safely while observing an ultrasonic image. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with the above, a case (corresponding to the puncture adapter of the present embodiment) made of a chemical-resistant material which is resistant to decompression and heating and surrounds the main body of the ultrasonic probe is attached and detached. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is shown, which is freely mounted and provided with a puncture guide for guiding a puncture needle into an ultrasonic beam in this case.

[0005]

However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-36817, when the case is attached to the main body, the positional relationship between the ultrasonic scanning direction and the puncturing guide portion is taken into consideration. Therefore, the puncture needle may not be able to be introduced to a desired position due to a mounting error.

Further, the outer surface of the probe head has a projection or a groove for providing a function of preventing slipping, or a projection or a groove having a function of indicating a scanning direction, or a function of positioning a case. The projections and the grooves were provided independently of each other. Since a plurality of protrusions and grooves having respective functions are provided on the outer surface of the probe head, a problem arises in that the cleaning operation efficiency is reduced. In addition, the provision of the above-described protrusions and grooves complicates the structure of the mold, which increases the cost of the mold. There was a problem of lowering.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe which is excellent in moldability and washability, can easily attach a puncture adapter, and has good operability. I have.

[0008]

An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention comprises a probe head having an ultrasonic vibrator built therein, and a guide for detachably attaching the probe head to introduce a puncture needle into an ultrasonic scanning plane. An ultrasonic probe comprising a puncture adapter having a portion, wherein an outer surface of the probe head indicates a scan start direction of ultrasonic scanning, and a locking portion having a non-slip function is provided. A locked portion that engages with the locking portion of the probe head is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter.

According to this structure, the puncture adapter is put on the probe head in a state where the locking portion indicating the scanning start direction of the ultrasonic scanning and having the non-slip function is aligned with the guide portion. Accordingly, the locked portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the puncture adapter engages with the lock portion provided on the outer surface of the probe head, and the puncture adapter is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position on the probe head.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a probe head, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a puncture adapter detachable from the probe head, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a puncture adapter is mounted on a head and an operation thereof.

FIG. 1 (a) is a view from above, FIG. 1 (b)
1 which is a front view of FIG. 1 and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
As shown in (c), a probe head 10 which is an ultrasonic probe unit includes a resin exterior member 11 and an exterior member 1.
For example, an electronically-scanned convex ultrasonic transducer 12 which is built in the distal end face of the probe 1 and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and silicone rubber which is disposed on the front face of the ultrasonic transducer 12 and constitutes the distal end face of the probe head 10 It mainly comprises an ultrasonic radiation surface 13 formed of polyetherimide or the like.

A plurality of signal lines 1 extending from the ultrasonic vibrator 12 from, for example, a base end of the probe head 10.
4 extend, and the signal cable 15 receives a drive circuit for applying a drive signal to the ultrasonic vibrator 12 and an echo signal converted into an electric signal by the ultrasonic vibrator 12. It is connected to an ultrasonic observation apparatus (not shown) provided with a reception processing circuit and the like for performing processing.

The ultrasonic vibrator 12 is not limited to the electronic convex type, and various types of vibrators such as an electronic linear scanning type, a sector type, and a mechanical scanning type can be applied. The echo signal processed by the reception processing circuit of the ultrasonic observation device is displayed on a monitor (not shown) as an ultrasonic tomographic image.

The exterior member 11 includes the ultrasonic vibrator 1
A grip 16 held by an operator when the ultrasonic radiation surface 13 arranged on the front of the body 2 is brought into close contact with the body surface, and a base end 17 which is smaller than the grip 16 and has the signal cable 15 built therein. The base end portion 17 and the grip portion 16 are formed in a substantially convex shape by providing a gently curved surface having a constriction.

The front and back surfaces of the exterior member 11 on which the operator's finger of the grip portion 16 is arranged are substantially semicircular in cross-section, and are located at positions where the abdomen of the forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger are placed. One groove 18 is formed as a curved engaging portion. For this reason, when pressing the probe head 10 against the subject, the surgeon places the abdomen of the fingertips along the groove 18 so that the grasping hand does not slip and the ultrasonic radiation surface portion 13 is stably held on the subject. Is to be pressed.

As shown in the figure, the groove 18 is
6 is formed so as to extend from the right base end surface side to the left base end surface side, and is formed by providing a groove end portion before the left base end surface. This indicates that the scanning direction of the ultrasonic transducer 12 is performed from the right base end surface side to the left base end surface side in the drawing. That is, the operator can recognize the scanning direction only by touching the groove provided on the base end face with the finger.

FIG. 2A is a view showing the configuration of the puncture adapter, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2A. The adapter 20 includes an adapter body 21 formed of a resin member disposed on the probe head 10, and a puncture needle guide member 26 which is detachably attached to the adapter body 21 and guides the puncture needle 30 to a site to be punctured. It is composed of The guide member 26 may be made of resin and may be disposable.

The adapter body 21 is slightly larger than the grip 16 of the probe head 10 and is
1 is a prismatic shape having a hollow portion 22 externally fitted thereto, and a protruding portion having a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape engaged with the groove portion 18 is formed on an opposed longitudinal inner peripheral surface 22a of the hollow portion 22. 23
Are formed. A guide member arrangement groove 24 having a substantially convex shape for arranging the puncture needle guide member 26 is formed at one end of the adapter body 21 in the longitudinal direction.

When the adapter main body 21 is mounted on the probe head 10, the guide member arrangement groove 24 provided on the adapter main body 21 is prevented from being arranged at a position opposite to the scan start direction (reverse direction). Therefore, the convex portion 23 provided on the longitudinal inner peripheral surface 22a as an erroneous mounting prevention means.
Is extended to the opening end surface of the hollow portion 22. This allows the adapter body 2
If the adapter body 21 is fitted to the probe head 10 without fitting the guide member arrangement groove 24 provided in the adapter body 21 to the scan start direction side, When reaching the predetermined position, the projection 23 extending to the opening-side end face does not fit in the groove end of the groove 18, so that a click feeling does not occur and the surgeon can understand that the mounting direction is reversed.

The puncture needle guide member 26 is provided with an engagement portion 2 which is engaged with the guide member arrangement groove 24 of the adapter body 21.
7 and a needle groove 28 in which the puncture needle 30 is arranged. The needle groove 28 provided on the puncture needle guide member 26 is adapted to correspond to a difference in the diameter of the puncture needle 30 used for puncturing and a difference in the introduction angle when puncturing the target observation site. A plurality of needle grooves 28 having different diameters and introduction angles are formed, and a puncture needle guide member 26 having a needle groove 28 having a diameter and an introduction angle desired by an operator is appropriately selected and used. I can do it.

The adapter body 21 constituting the puncture adapter 20 is not limited to a prismatic one having a hollow portion 22, but is provided with a door which can be opened and closed via a hinge. The door may be formed of a metal or a hard resin member that is integrally fixed to the grip 16 of the probe head 10 with a fixing member such as a screw.

The operation of the probe head 10 with the puncture adapter 20 attached will be described with reference to FIG. First, the surgeon grasps the grasping portion 16 of the probe head 10, touches the groove 18 formed in the grasping portion 16 with a finger to recognize the scanning direction, and then recognizes the ultrasonic radiation surface 13
To the subject. Then, an ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on the monitor screen. The surgeon observes the ultrasonic tomographic image displayed on the monitor screen. When a puncture target site such as a tumor is found, the size of the puncture target site and a puncture needle introduction line to the puncture target site are examined, and a needle formed with a diameter dimension and an introduction angle corresponding to the examination result. A puncture needle guide member 26 having a groove 28 is prepared.

Next, the gripper 1 of the probe head 10
In order to mount the puncture adapter 20 on the rim 6, the hollow portion 22 of the adapter body 21 is externally fitted to the exterior member 11 from the ultrasonic radiation surface 13 side of the grip portion 16. At this time, the guide member arrangement groove 24 is made to coincide with the scan start direction side.

When the adapter body 21 is externally fitted to the exterior member, a convex portion 23 provided on the longitudinal inner peripheral surface 22a of the adapter body 21 is clicked on the groove 18 formed in the grip portion 16. Involve with. Thereby, the adapter main body 21 is arranged at a predetermined position of the probe head 10.

Next, the puncture needle guide member 26 selected by the operator in advance by observing the ultrasonic tomographic image is inserted into the adapter body 21.
In this case, the engaging portion 27 of the puncture needle guide member 26 is engaged with the guide member arrangement groove 24 of the adapter body 21. In this state, the groove 18 provided on the base end face is provided.
, The scanning direction is recognized by touching with a finger, and the ultrasonic emission surface portion 13 of the probe head 10 to which the puncture adapter 20 is attached is again pressed against the subject to display the puncture target site on the monitor screen.

In this state, the probe head 10 is mounted on the probe head 10 as shown in FIG. 3A, which is an explanatory view showing a puncture state and FIG. The puncture needle 30 is inserted into the needle groove 28 of the puncture needle guide member 26 of the puncture adapter 20, and the puncture needle 30 is punctured toward the puncture target site while observing the monitor screen. Then, if the distal end of the puncture needle 30 is placed at the site to be punctured, the tissue at the target site is collected.

As described above, one groove provided on the outer surface of the probe head indicates the scanning start direction of the ultrasonic scanning, a positioning function for arranging and fixing the adapter body at a predetermined position of the grip portion, and a non-slip. By having the function, the cleaning property and the moldability of the probe head can be significantly improved without impairing the gripping property of the probe head.

Also, a plurality of puncture needle guides having a needle groove corresponding to the diameter of the puncture needle to be used and corresponding to the insertion angle of the puncture needle were prepared, and this puncture needle guide member was attached to the probe head. With the configuration that is detachable from the adapter main body, the operator can puncture a desired puncture needle into a puncture target site with a desired puncture line.

Further, if the puncture needle guide member which is detachable from the adapter body is disposed only once and discarded, it is possible to greatly improve the cleaning workability of the puncture adapter mounted on the probe head after the treatment. Can be.

In the above-described embodiment, the groove is provided on the probe head side and the convex is provided on the adapter main body. However, the convex part is provided on the probe head side and the groove is provided on the adapter main body. There may be.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, one groove is provided in the gripping portion in order to improve the moldability of the exterior member. However, as shown by the broken line in FIG. By changing the puncture line of the puncture needle 30, the adapter body 21 is moved by switching the groove 18 into which the projection 23 is engaged as shown by the broken line in FIG. 3 without changing the puncture needle guide member. A configuration may be adopted.

4 and 5 relate to a modification of the above embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another example of the configuration of the probe head.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a puncture adapter detachable from the probe head of FIG.

As shown in the perspective view of the probe head in FIG. 4A, in this embodiment, the probe head 10a
The groove 18a formed on the surface of the exterior member 11 is linearly formed. For this reason, FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the adapter main body, and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5C, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 5B, the protrusion 23a of the adapter body 21a that engages with the groove 18a is also formed linearly.

Further, function switches 31 and 32 are provided, for example, on the outer surface on the longitudinal side of the adapter body 21a of the present embodiment. The function switches 31 and 32 record, for example, a freeze switch that outputs an instruction signal for converting an ultrasonic tomographic image displayed on a monitor screen into a still image, and a still image displayed on a monitor screen ( This is a release switch for outputting an instruction signal for printing or storing data.

By forming the groove 18a in a straight line, the adapter main body 21a can be
When the adapter body 21a is mounted, there is a possibility that the scanning direction of the adapter main body 21a is arranged in a direction opposite to the scanning start direction.

In the present embodiment, as the mounting error preventing means for preventing the mounting error, the mounting error preventing groove 33 is provided on the probe head 10a side, and the mounting error preventing convex portion 34 is provided on the adapter body 21a side. FIG. 4 shows the orientation of the erroneous mounting prevention groove 33 provided in the probe head 10a.
As shown in the drawing explaining the puncture line of the puncture needle in (b), the puncture needle is formed obliquely so as to indicate the inclination direction of the puncture line.

The functions of the function switches 31 and 32 are not limited to the freeze function and the release function, but may be a switch having a function of outputting another instruction signal such as gain contrast. .

Further, reference numeral 35 denotes the function switch 3
It is a signal cable for interpolating a signal line for transmitting an instruction signal from the ultrasonic wave monitor 1 or 32 to the ultrasonic observation apparatus. Reference numeral 36 denotes an acoustic window formed of a material such as ultrasonic waves such as polymethylpentene or polyethylene, and the ultrasonic vibrator 37 is, for example, a mechanical scanning type swing scanning type. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

As described above, by forming the grooves and the projections in a straight line, the processing accuracy of the grooves and the projections can be improved, and the positioning accuracy when the projections are engaged with the grooves can be greatly improved. Can be improved.

Further, the provision of the erroneous mounting prevention groove and the erroneous mounting prevention protrusion formed diagonally so as to indicate the puncture line ensures that the adapter body is arranged in the opposite direction when the adapter body is mounted on the probe head. Can be prevented.

Further, by providing a switch on the adapter main body, the operator can perform a control operation for a smooth diagnosis while maintaining a gripped state. Other operations and effects are the same as those of the above embodiment.

In the ultrasonic probe of the mechanical scanning type in which the ultrasonic vibrator is directly rocked, the rocking angle of the vibrator is detected by the encoder. For this reason, when switching the rotation direction of the motor based on the signal output from the encoder to switch the oscillation direction of the vibrator, the inertia force is applied, and the overrun occurs for a while when the oscillation direction is switched. Occurs. Since the degree of this overrun is not always a fixed amount, the position of the end of the angle of view changes for each swing, so-called "image fluctuation" has occurred on the ultrasonic tomographic image.

Also, when an ultrasonic tomographic image is obtained by forming a circuit system for making the first encoder signal after the switching of the swinging direction correspond to the end of the display image on the monitor, image fluctuation due to overrun may occur. Had occurred. For this reason, there has been a demand for an ultrasonic probe capable of detecting an accurate swing angle and obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image without “image fluctuation”.

FIGS. 6 to 10 relate to an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe capable of obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image without image fluctuation.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the origin detecting unit and the projection, FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG.
Is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the output signal from the origin detecting unit and the pulse signal, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 6 (a) is a sectional view of the tip portion and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6B, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 6A, a cylindrical housing 41 is provided at the distal end of the ultrasonic probe 40, and a support member is provided in an internal space of the housing 41. 42 are provided. A bag-like tip cap 43 made of a plastic material such as high-density polyethylene, polymethylpentene, or the like having excellent ultrasonic permeability and an elastic material that transmits ultrasonic waves is provided at the distal end of the housing 41.

A vibrator housing 45 in which a vibrator 44 including an acoustic lens 44a, a piezoelectric element 44b, and a backing material 44c is fixedly provided inside the distal end portion covered by the distal end cap 43, and the vibrator A driven bevel gear 46 and a driving bevel gear 47 made of resin such as polyacetal for swinging the housing 45 in the directions of arrows a and b are provided. The driven bevel gear 46 and the drive bevel gear 47 are rotatably supported by the support member 42.

A reference numeral 5 is provided at both ends of the support member 42.
A first origin detection unit and a second origin detection unit indicated by reference numerals 1 and 52 are provided.

On the other hand, a motor 53 for transmitting a driving force to the driving side bevel gear 47 and an encoder 54 for detecting a rotation angle of the motor 53 are provided in a space formed by the housing 41 and the supporting member 42. I have.

The tip cap 43 is filled with an ultrasonic medium 49 such as liquid paraffin.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the cables of the first origin detecting section 51 and the second origin detecting section 52, the cables of the motor 53 and the encoder 54, and the signal cables of the vibrator 44 are used for ultrasonic observation. It extends to the control circuit 55 of the device.

The vibrator housing 45 is provided with a first protruding portion 45a corresponding to the first origin detecting portion 51 and a second protruding portion 45b corresponding to the second origin detecting portion 52. When the protruding portions 45a and 45b are disposed in the concave portion 51a of the origin detecting portion 51 and the concave portion 52a of the origin detecting portion 52 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the optical path emitted from the light emitting element 56 toward the light receiving element 57 is blocked.
As shown in the state diagram of the output signal of the origin detection unit in FIG.
It is configured to switch the w-level output signal to the high-level origin signal output.

The acquisition of an ultrasonic image by the ultrasonic probe configured as described above will be described. The swing of the vibrator housing 45 is started as shown in step S1.
Then, the vibrator housing 45 starts to move, for example, in the direction of arrow b. Then, it comes to the swing direction switching point where the second origin detecting unit 52 is arranged.

When the second projection 45b provided on the vibrator housing 45 is disposed in the recess 52a of the second origin detecting section 52 as shown in step S2, the light emitted from the light emitting element 56 is emitted to the second projection. The state is interrupted by 45b. As a result, a high-level origin signal is output from the second origin detection unit 52 to the control circuit 55 as shown in step S3.

When the origin signal output from the second origin detecting section 52 is input to the control circuit 55, the control circuit 55 switches the rotation direction of the motor 53 as shown in step S4. Then, the swing direction of the vibrator housing 45 is switched in the direction of arrow a, and the second protrusion 52 starts to move.

Then, as shown in step S5, the second projection 45b moves from the inside of the recess 52a of the second origin detection unit 52 to the outside, so that the light emitting element 56 blocked by the second projection 45b is removed. Is re-received by the light receiving element 57, and is switched from the high-level origin signal to the low-level output signal and swings in the direction of arrow a as shown in step S6. 9B, until the second projection 45b enters the recess 52a of the second origin detection unit 52 and moves to the outside again, that is, while the light emitted from the light emitting element 56 is blocked. The pulse signal output from the vibrator as shown in the diagram showing the pulse signal in ()) is counted as an overrun pulse.

As described in step S6, the signal output from the second origin detecting section 52 changes from the high level to the high level.
After switching to the low level, the process proceeds to step S7.
In step S7, while the high-level origin signal is being output, all of the overrun pulses that have been counted are cancelled, while an image is written from the pulse signal output first after switching to the low level.

Then, as shown in step S 8, the vibrator housing 45 continues to oscillate, and the first projection 45 a is now disposed in the recess 51 a of the first origin detecting section 51. Then, since the light emitted from the light emitting element 56 of the first origin detecting unit 51 is blocked by the first projection 45a, a high level origin signal is output as shown in step S9, and the process proceeds to step S10. In this step S10, while writing of the image is stopped, the process proceeds to step S4 to switch the rotation direction of the motor 53 via the control circuit 55.

As described above, the origin detecting portions are provided at both ends of the switching of the swinging direction, and the projections provided on the vibrator housing block outgoing light from the light emitting element of the origin detecting portion toward the light receiving element, or the light receiving element. , It is possible to always set the pulse signal for writing an image at a predetermined position with respect to the origin detecting unit, and to uniquely determine the image end to prevent image fluctuation. be able to. Thereby, a good ultrasonic tomographic image can be obtained.

By the way, when manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer,
A piezoelectric element and a flexible substrate provided with a signal connection pattern are fixed to a backing material in advance, and the piezoelectric elements are separated into strips at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction to form an array type ultrasonic transducer. I was At this time, using a diamond cutter, the piezoelectric element was processed into dicing grooves having a processing depth reaching the backing material and having an equal pitch opened from one end to the other end. However, when the flexible substrate is arranged obliquely with respect to the piezoelectric element, when a dicing groove is formed in the piezoelectric element, the diamond cutter is linearly moved from one end to the other end, and further beyond the other end. In this case, the signal connection pattern is cut to cause a defective product. For this reason, there has been a demand for a processing method that eliminates defective products that cut the signal connection pattern when forming the dicing groove and improves the yield.

FIG. 11A is a view showing an ultrasonic vibrator before processing, FIG. 11B is a view taken in the direction of arrow G in FIG.
FIG. 11C is a diagram showing a state after processing, and FIG. 11D is a diagram showing a processing state.

As shown in FIG. 11A, in this embodiment, the width of the piezoelectric element 61 is formed to be narrower than the width of the backing material 62, while the width of the piezoelectric element bonding portion of the backing material 62 is formed. The size is smaller than the width of the piezoelectric element 61. When the piezoelectric element 61 and the backing material 62 are fixed with one end faces thereof aligned with each other, the other end face of the piezoelectric element 61 projects beyond the piezoelectric element bonding portion, but is positioned in the backing material 62. ing. Then, a flexible substrate 64 provided with a plurality of signal connection patterns 63 is connected to the piezoelectric element 61 as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the piezoelectric element 6
When the dicing groove 66 is formed by moving the diamond cutter 65 (refer to FIG. 4D) from one end face side where the end face 1 of the backing material 62 coincides with the end face of the backing material 62, FIG. As shown in FIG.
6a is provided.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9D, when the dicing groove 66 is formed from one end surface side to the other end surface side by the diamond cutter 65, the diamond cutter 6
Before the groove 5 comes out to the other end surface side, the groove processing is stopped at one end, and the diamond cutter 65 is pulled up as shown by the arrow c to continuously perform the separation processing of the piezoelectric element 61 in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, even if the flexible substrate 64 is arranged obliquely with respect to the piezoelectric element 61 as shown in FIG. 6B, the signal connection pattern 63 is cut as shown in FIG. Nothing.

Instead of stopping the diamond cutter 65 at an intermediate position before exiting the diamond cutter 65 to the other end surface and pulling it up as shown by the arrow c as described above, before the diamond cutter 65 exits the other end surface. The cutting method may be such that the diamond cutter 65 is moved to one end side by making a cut in the direction of arrow d from this position.

As described above, the moving distance of the diamond cutter is limited to form a groove having an end, and the piezoelectric element is separated into strips at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction to form an ultrasonic vibrator. Even if the flexible substrate is arranged obliquely with respect to the piezoelectric element, it is possible to prevent the signal connection pattern from being cut in the dicing groove processing step. As a result, the yield of the signal connection pattern can be improved without cutting the signal connection pattern generated when the dicing groove is formed. The processing tool for separating the piezoelectric element in the longitudinal direction is not limited to a diamond cutter, but may be a laser cutter or the like.

By the way, conventionally, there has been an ultrasonic probe in which the setting state of the ultrasonic observation apparatus can be switched by operating a hand switch. However, since the switchable items were limited, the usability was poor. For this reason, there has been a demand for a mechanism in which the operator in the clean area can freely switch the setting state of the ultrasonic observation apparatus to a desired state by a manual operation.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a configuration of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a bar code table.

As shown in FIG. 12 (a), in this embodiment, an ultrasonic wave emitting surface 72 and an optically readable bar code sorter 73 are provided on a scanning surface 71 pressed against a test portion of an ultrasonic probe 70. It is. Further, a selection confirmation switch 75 is provided near the holding portion 74 of the ultrasonic probe 70. Reference numeral 76 shown in FIG. 3B denotes a sterilizable barcode plate.
Above, a barcode 77 representing a plurality of selection items is described.

First, the surgeon applies the scanning surface 71 to the bar code 77 on which the desired setting content is described from the items described on the bar code plate 76, and the bar code is sorted by the optical reading type bar code sorter 73. 7
Read 7. Then, when the setting contents of the ultrasonic observation device (not shown) are switched to the barcode 77, the selection confirmation switch 75 is pressed. Then, the setting contents of the ultrasonic observation device are switched to the contents of the barcode 77.

As described above, a desired setting content from a plurality of setting conditions described in the bar code table is appropriately selected and determined by the operator using the optical reading bar code sorter provided in the ultrasonic probe. By doing so, the setting contents of the ultrasonic observation apparatus can be easily switched to the desired setting contents.

Further, since the barcode plate is configured to be sterilizable, the barcode plate can be used in an operating room, and an operator in a clean area can operate the observation device. This greatly improves the operability of the device in the operating room for the surgeon and the person involved in the operation.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) An ultra-sound having a probe head having an ultrasonic vibrator built therein and a puncture adapter which is detachable from the probe head and has a guide portion for introducing a puncture needle into an ultrasonic scanning plane. In the acoustic probe, a locking portion having an anti-slip function is provided on an outer surface of the probe head to indicate a scan start direction of ultrasonic scanning, and a locking portion of the probe head is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the puncture adapter. An ultrasonic probe provided with a locked portion that engages with the probe.

(2) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 1, wherein the locking portion is a groove, and the locked portion is a projection.

(3) The ultrasonic probe according to attachment 1, wherein the locking portion is a projection, and the locked portion is a groove.

(4) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 1, further comprising an erroneous attachment preventing means for arranging the puncture adapter in a predetermined direction of the probe head when attaching the puncture adapter to the probe head.

(5) The ultrasonic probe according to Appendix 1, wherein the puncture adapter is provided with an image control function switch for operating an image control unit of the ultrasonic observation apparatus.

(6) A motor for oscillating a transducer housing provided with an ultrasonic transducer, an encoder for detecting a rotation angle of the motor, and a control circuit for switching and controlling the oscillating direction of the transducer housing. An ultrasonic probe comprising: an ultrasonic observation device having: an origin detecting unit for detecting the position of the vibrator housing at a swing direction switching position of the vibrator housing; from the origin detecting unit to the control circuit; An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that controls switching of a swing direction by the motor and writing of an image based on an input origin signal.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, the moldability and the washability are excellent, and the puncture adapter can be easily mounted.
An ultrasonic probe with good operability can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a probe head.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a puncture adapter detachable from a probe head.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a puncture adapter is mounted on a probe head and its operation.

4 and 5 relate to a modification of the embodiment, and FIG.
Is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the probe head.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a puncture adapter detachable from the probe head of FIG. 4;

6 to 10 relate to an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe capable of obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image without image fluctuation, and FIG.
Is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the tip of the ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an origin detection unit and a projection.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an output signal from a reference point detection unit and a pulse signal.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a processing example of an ultrasonic transducer.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic probe including an optically readable barcode sorter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Probe head 18 ... Groove part 20 ... Puncture adapter 21 ... Adapter body 23 ... Convex part 26 ... Puncture needle guide member

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic wave comprising: a probe head having a built-in ultrasonic vibrator; and a puncture adapter which is detachably attached to the probe head and has a guide portion for introducing a puncture needle into an ultrasonic scanning surface. In the probe, on the exterior surface of the probe head, a locking portion having a scan start direction of ultrasonic scanning and having a non-slip function is provided, and the locking portion of the probe head is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the puncture adapter. An ultrasonic probe having a locked portion to be engaged.