JP2001238885A - Probe using ultrasound - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a probe using ultrasound by which three-dimensional images in front of the probe and the images on the side of the probe are obtained simultaneously. SOLUTION: The probe using ultrasound is equipped with a part 10 which emits ultrasound forward and receives it from the front with multiple vibratory unit elements 2, which emit ultrasound forward, placed in a circular shape and a part 20 which emits ultrasound sideward and receives it from the sides with multiple vibratory unit elements 12, which emit ultrasound sideward, placed in a circumferential direction. Because of the structure, three-dimensional images in front of the probe can be obtained by dealing with the signals received at the part which emits ultrasound forward and receives it from the front, and intraluminal cross-sectional images can be obtained by dealing with the signals detected at a part which emits ultrasound sideward and receives it from the sides. Images that shows more accurate, intraluminal information are obtained by collecting all the information obtained by each part which emits and receives ultrasound.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used for medical and industrial ultrasonic endoscopes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasound diagnostics, and in particular, ultrasound image information, have become indispensable examination methods in all fields of clinical medicine today.
For example, arteriosclerosis caused by blood clots due to cholesterol accumulation in blood vessels is a serious disease, but in order to diagnose abnormalities inside such blood vessels, it is better to observe directly from inside rather than from outside. Can be expected to be high and effective. In this case, it is impossible to obtain an image by optical means because the blood vessel is filled with blood. Under such circumstances, ultrasonic imaging is an effective visualization method, and a diagnostic method of inserting an ultrasonic probe into a blood vessel and imaging the blood vessel is being performed.

As a conventional method for intravascular ultrasonic diagnosis, as shown in FIG. 2, a method of transmitting an ultrasonic beam in a radial direction of a blood vessel to obtain a two-dimensional image is often used. (For example, US Pat. No. 4,917,097,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,0031, JP-A-4-152800
etc). In this method, a piezoelectric element is installed on the side surface of the probe, and the image is rotated by one rotation mechanically or electrically to scan, thereby obtaining image information of a blood vessel wall. However, in this method, only a two-dimensional sectional view usually called a B-mode is obtained. From a medical point of view, it is preferable to obtain a three-dimensional image in real time, and establishment of the technique is also demanded by doctors. .

On the other hand, as means for obtaining the three-dimensional image, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged at the tip of a probe, and one of the elements transmits a spherical wave forward. There has been proposed a method of obtaining a forward three-dimensional image of a probe by oscillating, receiving by all the remaining elements, and sequentially converting elements to be transmitted (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 347147). In order to obtain a three-dimensional image by this method, a probe capable of transmitting a spherical wave in a forward direction is used.

[0005] As a material of a piezoelectric element used for these ultrasonic probes, a piezoelectric polymer such as PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), which can be easily microfabricated, is used. However, it is preferable to use a ceramic having a higher electromechanical coupling coefficient as an element from the viewpoint of sensitivity and the like.
Piezoelectric ceramics such as T (lead titanate) and PZT (lead zirconate titanate) are used as materials.

[0006]

By the way, as described above, a side-visible ultrasonic probe capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves in the radial direction of the ultrasonic probe is a two-dimensional image of a blood vessel wall. Can be obtained, but information in front of the probe cannot be obtained. on the other hand,
A front-visible ultrasonic probe that can transmit ultrasonic waves in the forward direction of the ultrasonic probe can obtain a three-dimensional image in front of the probe, but cannot obtain information on the side.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of solving the problems of the conventional configuration.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An ultrasonic probe of the present invention is inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels, and is capable of acquiring image information inside the ultrasonic probe. A front transmitting / receiving section in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting an ultrasonic wave are arranged in a ring, and a lateral side in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the side in a ring along the circumferential direction. And a transmission / reception unit (claim 1).

In this configuration, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted forward from one vibration unit element among a plurality of vibration unit elements arranged annularly in the front transmitting / receiving section, and a reflected wave from an arbitrary object to be measured is transmitted. Is received by all remaining vibration unit elements, the vibration unit elements to be transmitted are sequentially converted, and the obtained signals are processed, whereby a three-dimensional image in front can be obtained. Similarly, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted laterally from one vibration unit element of a plurality of vibration unit elements arranged annularly in the side transmitting / receiving unit, and a reflected wave from the tube wall is transmitted to the vibration unit element or the remaining. By receiving a wave with a plurality of vibration unit elements among the above vibration unit elements, performing this operation for each vibration unit element, and processing a signal obtained thereby, a sectional view of the lumen can be obtained. Then, by integrating the information acquired by each transmitting / receiving unit, more accurate image information in the lumen can be obtained.

Here, as the vibration unit element of the side transmitting / receiving section, a vibration unit element formed by forming electrodes on the inner and outer surfaces of a small rectangular plate or fan-shaped piezoelectric ceramic piece or a piezoelectric polymer is used in the circumferential direction. A configuration in which a plurality are arranged is used (claim 2).

[0011] Similarly, a piezoelectric ceramic piece may be used in the front wave transmitting / receiving section. Usually, a short columnar shape is preferably used as the piezoelectric ceramic piece, but other various shapes such as a quadrangular prism can be considered. Further, in the case of a plane non-circular shape such as a quadrangular prism, it is possible to produce a directional characteristic substantially equivalent to a cylindrical shape by making the partial electrodes formed on the front and back surfaces circular. Further, the surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece is not limited to a flat surface, but may be a spherical shape or the like, in which a convex lens or a concave lens is formed. Thus, by making the surface spherical, the directional characteristics can be changed. Vibration unit elements with improved directional characteristics are arranged, for example, in the circumferential direction, and a spherical wave is transmitted forward from one of the vibration unit elements, and received by all the remaining vibration unit elements. By sequentially converting the vibration unit elements to be transmitted and processing the obtained signal, a three-dimensional image can be obtained. Further, in such a configuration, the ultrasonic probe itself is very small, so that it may be difficult to arrange the microelements. Therefore, it is also possible to cut the piezoelectric ceramic which has been integrally molded into a cylindrical shape and which has been provided with the piezoelectric property in advance, to form individual vibration unit elements.

The side wave transmitting / receiving part is provided on one of the inner and outer surfaces of the cylindrical piezoelectric ceramic piece or the cylindrical piezoelectric polymer.
A partial electrode is formed at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction, and the other surface is opposed to the partial electrode formed on one surface, and a partial electrode or a common electrode is formed over the entire circumference, and a portion facing inside and outside is formed. A portion between the electrodes or between the partial electrode and the common electrode can be configured as a vibration unit element.

Further, the piezoelectric polymer having the electrodes formed therein may be formed into a cylindrical shape by bending the piezoelectric polymer on which the electrodes are formed, and the electrode portions facing each other on the front and back surfaces may be used as vibration unit elements.

In such a configuration, since the respective vibration unit elements are physically continuous, there is an advantage that an assembling step of arranging in an annular shape and a holding configuration thereof are not required. Here, when any one of the inner and outer surfaces is constituted by a common electrode and the common electrode is used as a ground electrode, the common electrode is used, so that there is an advantage that the electrode can be easily formed. Of course,
Independent electrodes may be formed on the front and back surfaces of each piezoelectric ceramic piece. Note that the surface with the ground electrode may be used as the wave transmitting / receiving surface. In such a configuration, only a certain portion of the vibration unit element has piezoelectricity, and the directional angle and other characteristics have values corresponding to the shape of the vibration unit element.

Further, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe which is inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels and can acquire image information therein, and transmits ultrasonic waves in a direction inclined forward and outward. An inclined transmission / reception unit comprising a plurality of unit elements arranged annularly along the circumferential direction is provided (claim 4).

By radiating the ultrasonic waves forward and outward in this manner, image information of a region extending from the side to the front can be obtained.

In the configuration provided with such an inclined transmitting / receiving section, a side transmitting / receiving section in which a plurality of the vibration unit elements for transmitting the above-mentioned ultrasonic waves to the side are annularly arranged along the circumferential direction. (Claim 5). In this configuration, it is possible to acquire the image information of the region extending from the side to the front by the inclined wave transmitting / receiving unit, and to more accurately grasp the image information of the side.

[0018] As a configuration provided with such an inclined transmitting / receiving section,
A configuration is proposed in which the front portion has a shape having an inclined conical surface such as a polygonal pyramid shape or a conical shape, and a plurality of vibration unit elements are annularly arranged along the inclined conical surface to form an inclined transmitting / receiving portion. (Claim 6). In this case, when the side transmitting / receiving section is provided, the vibration unit element may be provided along the circumferential direction on the circumferential surface behind the conical surface.

In the above-described configuration having the inclined transmitting / receiving section, a front transmitting / receiving section in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting the above-mentioned ultrasonic waves forward are annularly arranged along the circumferential direction. It can also be provided side by side (claim 7). According to this configuration, the image information of the region extending from the side to the front can be acquired by the inclined transmitting / receiving unit, and the image information of the front can be more accurately grasped.

Further, a front transmitting / receiving section in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves forward are provided in a ring shape is provided at a front portion, and vibration for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a direction inclined forward and outward is provided. It is provided with an inclined wave transmitting / receiving section in which a plurality of unit elements are annularly arranged along the circumferential direction, and a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the side are annularly arranged along the circumferential direction. A configuration including a side transmitting / receiving section is also proposed (claim 8). In this configuration, it is possible to obtain image information of a region extending from the side to the front by the inclined transmitting / receiving unit, and to more accurately grasp the image information of the front and the image information of the side,
Therefore, a wide range of image information can be obtained as accurately as possible from the side to the front.

In the above-described configuration having the inclined wave transmitting / receiving section and the front wave transmitting / receiving section, the front portion has a truncated polygonal pyramidal shape or a truncated conical shape with a truncated tip, and the truncated surface is formed. A plurality of vibration unit elements are annularly arranged to form a front wave transmitting / receiving section, and a plurality of vibration unit elements are annularly arranged along the inclined conical surface to form an inclined wave transmitting / receiving section. Item 9). In this case, when the side transmitting / receiving section is provided, the vibration unit element may be provided along the circumferential direction on the circumferential surface behind the conical surface.

Further, according to the present invention, in an ultrasonic probe which can be inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels and obtain image information therein, the front portion is formed in a spherical shape, (Claim 10). In this configuration, since ultrasonic waves are transmitted radially from the spherical surface, information from the side to the front is continuously captured, and various image information can be obtained.

In the above-described structure, the vibration unit element forms a piezoelectric ceramic material into a sheet, punches the sheet using a mold, and fires the sheet to form a piezoelectric ceramic piece as a main substrate. An electrode can be formed on the rear surface (claim 11). According to this configuration, unlike the one obtained by molding and firing a powdery ceramic material, a minute piezoelectric ceramic piece can be easily manufactured, and by using the piezoelectric ceramic piece as a vibrator, an ultrasonic probe is used. Can be made smaller (smaller diameter).

Further, by making the vibration unit element constituting the front transmitting / receiving section circular, it is possible to transmit a uniform spherical wave having a large directivity angle forward, and to connect the ultrasonic probe to a blood vessel or the like. In this case, accurate image information in the vicinity of the probe can be obtained.

Furthermore, in the configuration of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the front and rear electrodes are provided on the side of the piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back directions, and the back and forth electrodes are provided on the side of the side transmitting / receiving section. A plurality of vibration unit elements formed respectively may be embedded and held in a base material.

Here, an acoustic matching portion or a backing portion may be formed by a part of the base material. That is, a plurality of vibration unit elements are embedded and held in a base material made of a material that can match the acoustic impedance of a medium to be detected such as blood, and the outer surface electrodes of the vibration unit elements are thickened by the base material. A transmitting and receiving unit that is covered and uses the thick covering portion as an acoustic matching unit can be applied. In such a configuration, when configuring the ultrasonic probe, the acoustic matching layer becomes unnecessary. Here, as the substrate, for example, an epoxy resin or the like can be used.

A plurality of vibration unit elements are embedded and held in a base material made of a material capable of blocking transmission of incident sound waves, and the inner electrodes of the vibration unit elements are thickly covered with the base material. In addition, a wave transmitting / receiving section in which the thick covering portion is used as a backing section can be applied. In such a configuration, a backing layer is not required when configuring an ultrasonic probe. Here, as the base material, for example, a resin material such as an epoxy resin, a fluororesin, a silicon resin, an aggregate,
A material is used in which metal powder is mixed and incident sound waves can be converted into heat energy and eliminated.

In each of the above-described configurations, for example, when used for diagnosis of a blood vessel, a three-dimensional image in front of the ultrasonic probe can be obtained in real time. This makes it possible to visualize a three-dimensional image that was previously assembled by a physician in the head based on a two-dimensional image, and at the same time, an image on the side of the ultrasonic probe, that is, a cross section of the lumen. A diagram can also be obtained, and the accuracy of the ultrasonic diagnostic method can be improved.

[0029]

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic probe 1.

The ultrasonic probe 1 includes a front transmitting / receiving section 10 in which a plurality of forward transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 2 each composed of a piezoelectric element piece are held in a base material 5. This transmitting / receiving section 1
No. 0 has an acoustic matching layer 8 on the transmitting / receiving surface side and a backing layer 9 on the back side. Also, the ultrasonic probe 1
Is provided with a side wave transmitting / receiving unit 20 carrying a plurality of vibration unit elements 12 for side wave transmitting / receiving behind the front wave transmitting / receiving unit 10. The side transmitting / receiving section 20 includes an acoustic matching layer 18 disposed on the transmitting / receiving surface side of the transmitting / receiving section 20 and a backing layer 19 disposed on the back side. Further, a short tubular outer case 27 is externally fitted to the laminate, and the outer case 27
A cable 28 is fitted using an adhesive 29.

Here, the acoustic matching layers 8 and 18 are formed of a material, such as an epoxy resin, that matches the acoustic impedance of the detection medium, such as blood, so that sound waves can be effectively emitted and go straight. . The backing layers 9 and 19 limit the sound waves from being radiated to the back side of the vibration unit elements 2 and 12, and are formed by mixing ceramic powder and metal powder with a resin material such as an epoxy resin. The incident sound waves are converted into heat energy and eliminated. Here, an acoustic matching portion or a backing portion may be formed by a part of the base materials 5 and 15,
In such a configuration, when configuring the ultrasonic probe, it is not necessary to separately provide an acoustic matching layer or a backing layer.

The structure of the front wave transmitting / receiving section 10 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The wave receiving unit 10 is configured by arranging a plurality of vibration unit elements 2 in a base material 5 at equal intervals in a circumferential direction. Here, the vibration unit element 2 is formed by a front electrode 3 formed on the front surface and a back electrode 4 formed on the back surface of a piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back directions.

The vibration unit element 2 includes a front electrode 3
Is a common electrode, is constituted by a full-surface electrode formed on the front surface of the wave transmitting / receiving section 10 including the base member 5, and is a ground electrode. The vibration unit element 2 has a short columnar shape, and a circular back electrode 4 is formed on the back of the vibration unit element 2. Also, in the figure, a connection portion extends from the front electrode 3 to the periphery, and a lead wire 6 is connected to the connection portion.
Are connected to the lead wires 7 to secure the wiring to each vibration unit element 2. By forming the connection portion in this manner, the connection of the lead wire 6 becomes easy.

Here, as the vibration unit element 2, various forms such as a square pillar and a square pillar can be considered. Further, in the case of a planar non-circular shape such as the prism, by forming the partial electrodes formed on the front and back surfaces thereof to be circular, it is possible to produce a directional characteristic substantially equivalent to a cylindrical shape.

Next, the configuration of the side transmitting / receiving section 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The side wave transmitting / receiving unit 20 includes a plurality of side wave transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 12 arranged at equal intervals on a side surface of a cylinder (column). Where the vibration unit element 12
The front surface electrode 13 is formed on the surface of a piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back directions, and the back electrode 14 is formed on the back surface.

The vibration unit element 12 has a front electrode 13 as a common electrode in the drawing, and is constituted by a full-surface electrode formed on the wave transmitting / receiving surface of the wave transmitting / receiving section 20 and serves as a ground electrode. The vibration unit element 12 has a rectangular plate shape,
A back electrode 14 is formed on the back of the vibration unit element 12. In the figure, a connection portion extends from the front electrode 13 to the periphery, and a lead wire 16 is connected to the connection portion.
Are connected to lead wires 17 to secure wiring to each vibration unit element 12. By forming the connection portion in this manner, the connection of the lead wire 16 becomes easy.

Here, as the side wave transmitting / receiving section 20 constituting the ultrasonic probe 1, a rectangular plate-shaped piezoelectric ceramic piece 12 as shown in FIG. Besides, the electrodes 13 and 14 are formed on the front and back surfaces thereof to face each other, and are arranged in an annular shape to form the side wave transmitting / receiving section 21, and various forms can be considered. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer electrode 1 is attached to the fan-shaped piezoelectric ceramic piece 12 '.
3 'and the inner electrode 14' may be formed to face each other, and may be arranged in an annular shape to form the side wave transmitting / receiving unit 22. In this case, it is also preferable to cut the piezoelectric ceramic which has been formed into a cylindrical shape and has piezoelectricity in advance into individual vibration unit elements. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is also possible to bend the piezoelectric polymer molded into a sheet shape and mold it into a cylindrical shape to form a vibration unit element. In this case, the partial electrodes 13 'are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on one of the inner and outer surfaces of the piezoelectric ceramic or the piezoelectric polymer 25 molded into a cylindrical shape, and the other surface is formed. As shown in FIG. 7, the partial electrode 1 ′ is opposed to the partial electrode 13 ′ formed on one surface.
4 'may be formed, and the side wave transmitting / receiving section 23 may be configured by using a portion between the partial electrodes facing inside and outside as a vibration unit element. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the common electrode 14 ″ over the entire circumference
May be formed, and the side wave transmitting / receiving unit 24 may be configured by using a portion between the partial electrode 13 ′ facing inside and outside and the common electrode 14 ″ as a vibration unit element.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 30 of the ultrasonic probe 31 according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

The inclined transmitting / receiving section 30 has a plurality of vibration unit elements 32 supported in a base material 35, and an acoustic matching layer 38 is disposed on the transmitting / receiving surface side of the inclined transmitting / receiving section 30. Is provided with a backing layer 39.

The inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 30 has a plurality of transmitted / received vibration unit elements 32 arranged at equal intervals on the surface of a cone or a pyramid. Here, the vibration unit element 32 is formed by forming a front electrode 33 on the front surface and a back electrode 34 on the back surface of a piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back directions. In this figure, the vibration unit element 32 has a front electrode 33 as a common electrode, and is constituted by a full-surface electrode formed on the transmitting / receiving surface of the inclined transmitting / receiving section 30 and serves as a ground electrode. In the figure, a lead wire 36 is connected to the front electrode 33, and a lead wire 37 is connected to each back electrode 34 to secure wiring to each vibration unit element 32.

FIG. 10 shows an inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 30 and a side wave transmitting / receiving section 40 of an ultrasonic probe 41 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

The inclined transmitting / receiving section 30 and the side transmitting / receiving section 4
Numeral 0 designates a plurality of transmission / reception vibration unit elements 32 and 42 supported in a base material 45, an acoustic matching layer 48 provided on the transmission / reception surface side of the transmission / reception units 30 and 40, and a backing layer provided on the back side. 49 are provided.

Among these, the inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 30 has a plurality of transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 32 arranged at equal intervals on the inclined cone surface of a cone or a pyramid, and the side wave transmitting / receiving section 40 includes:
A plurality of transmission / reception vibration unit elements 42 are arranged on the side surface of a cylinder or a prism. Here, the vibration unit elements 32 and 42
The front surface electrode 33 or 43 is formed on the surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back direction, and the back electrode 34 or 44 is formed on the back surface. These vibration unit elements 32 and 42 are connected to front electrodes 33 and 43 in the figure.
Is a common electrode, and the inclined transmitting / receiving section 30 and the side transmitting / receiving section 4
It is constituted by a full-surface electrode formed on the wave transmitting / receiving surface of No. 0 and serves as a ground electrode. In the figure, a lead wire 36 is connected to the front electrode 33 in the inclined transmitting / receiving section 30, a lead wire 37 is connected to each back electrode 34, and the front electrode 43 is connected to the side transmitting / receiving section 40. Lead wire 46
And a lead wire 47 is connected to each back electrode 44,
Wiring to each of the vibration unit elements 32 and 42 is secured.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the outer case 27 and the cable 28 as shown in FIG. 1 are omitted.

FIGS. 11 to 16 are perspective views showing an ultrasonic probe according to a sixth aspect of the present invention. An ultrasonic probe 31 shown in FIG. 11 has a vibration unit element 32 carried in a base material 35, and has an octagonal pyramid-shaped inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 3.
0 is provided. A plurality of vibration unit elements 32 are embedded and held in the inclined pyramid surface of the octagonal pyramid so that ultrasonic waves can be transmitted to the front and outside of the probe 31. The shape of the inclined transmitting / receiving unit 30 is not limited to an octagonal pyramid, and may be a polygonal pyramid such as a triangular pyramid or a quadrangular pyramid. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the ultrasonic probe 41 may be configured as a structure including the side wave transmitting / receiving unit 40 together. In this case, the configuration is such that the direction in which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted can cover the entire forward direction from the side surface inside the blood vessel. In FIG. 12, the side vibration unit element 42 has a disk shape. However, as shown in FIG. 13, the side wave transmitting / receiving unit 40 ′ in which the rectangular plate-shaped vibration unit element 42 ′ is embedded and held is provided. The ultrasonic probe 41 'may be configured.

As shown in FIG. 14, the inclined transmitting / receiving section 50 has a conical shape, and a plurality of vibration unit elements 52 are embedded and held in the conical inclined weight surface. It is good also as a structure which can transmit a wave outward. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the ultrasonic probe 61 may be configured as a structure including the side wave transmitting / receiving unit 60. In addition,
In FIG. 15, the side vibration unit element 62 has a disk shape.
As shown in FIG. 16, a rectangular plate-shaped vibration unit element 6
The ultrasonic probe 61 'may be constituted by the side wave transmitting / receiving section 60' in which 2 'is embedded and held.

FIG. 17 shows an inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 30 and a front wave transmitting / receiving section 70 of an ultrasonic probe 71 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

The inclined transmitting / receiving section 30 and the front transmitting / receiving section 7
Numeral 0 indicates that a plurality of transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 32 and 72 are supported in a base material 75, an acoustic matching layer 78 is provided on the transmitting / receiving surface side of the transmitting / receiving sections 30 and 70, and a backing layer is provided on the back side. 79 are arranged.

The inclined transmitting / receiving section 30 includes a plurality of transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 32 arranged at equal intervals on the inclined cone surface of a cone or a pyramid.
The cone or the pyramid is formed in a shape in which the apex portion is cut off in parallel to the bottom surface, and a plurality of transmission / reception vibration unit elements 72 are formed on the cut surface (hereinafter also referred to as “cut surface”).
It is arranged. Here, each of the vibration unit elements 32 and 72 has a front electrode 33 or a front electrode 73 formed on the surface of a piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back directions, and a back electrode 34 or a back electrode 74 formed on the back surface. These vibration unit elements 32 and 72 are connected to the front electrode 3 in the figure.
The reference numerals 3 and 73 serve as common electrodes, and are formed by full-surface electrodes formed on the transmitting / receiving surfaces of the inclined transmitting / receiving section 30 and the front transmitting / receiving section 70, and serve as ground electrodes. In the figure, in the inclined transmitting / receiving section 30, a lead wire 36 is connected to the front electrode 33.
And a lead wire 37 is connected to each back electrode 34, and a lead wire 76 is connected to the front electrode 73 and a lead wire 77 is connected to each back electrode 74 in the front wave transmitting / receiving section 70. Wiring to the vibration unit elements 32 and 72 is secured.

FIG. 18 shows an inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 30 and a side wave transmitting / receiving section 40 of the ultrasonic probe 81 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing a front wave transmitting / receiving unit 70. FIG.

The inclined transmitting / receiving section 30 and the side transmitting / receiving section 4
0 and the front wave transmitting / receiving unit 70 have a plurality of wave transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 32, 42, and 72 carried in a base material 85, and an acoustic matching layer 88 is provided on the wave transmitting / receiving surface side of the wave transmitting / receiving units 30, 40, and 70. And a backing layer 8 on the back side.
9 is provided.

Among these, the inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 30 has a plurality of vibration transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 32 arranged at equal intervals on the surface of the cone or pyramid of the inclined weight, and the side wave transmitting / receiving section 40 includes:
A plurality of transmission / reception vibration unit elements 42 are arranged on the side surface of a cylinder or a prism. Further, the front wave transmitting / receiving section 70 is formed in a shape in which the apex portion of the cone or pyramid is cut off in parallel with the bottom surface, and a plurality of wave transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 72 are arranged on the cut surface. Here, each of the vibration unit elements is formed by forming a front electrode on the front surface and a back electrode on the back surface of a piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back directions. In these figures, these vibration unit elements have a front electrode as a common electrode, and are constituted by full-surface electrodes formed on the wave transmitting / receiving surface of the wave transmitting / receiving section, and are used as ground electrodes. In the figure, lead wires are connected to the front electrode and each back electrode, respectively, to secure wiring to each vibration unit element.

In FIGS. 17 and 18, the outer case 27 and the cable 28 as shown in FIG. 1 are omitted.

FIGS. 19 to 24 are perspective views showing an ultrasonic probe according to the ninth aspect of the present invention. An ultrasonic probe 71 shown in FIG. 19 carries the vibration unit elements 32 and 72 in a base material 75, and has a front transmitting and receiving wave formed in a shape in which a vertex of an octagonal pyramid is cut off in parallel with a bottom surface. It has a unit 70 and an inclined wave transmitting / receiving unit 30. A plurality of vibration unit elements 32 and 72 are embedded and held in the inclined pyramid surface of the octagonal pyramid and the cut surface in front of the probe so that ultrasonic waves can be transmitted to the front and outside of the probe. . The shape of the inclined wave transmitting / receiving section 32 is not limited to an octagonal pyramid, but may be a polygonal pyramid such as a triangular pyramid or a quadrangular pyramid. Along with this, the shape of the front transmitting / receiving section is also formed as a triangle, a quadrangle, or the like. Note that the cut surface forming the front wave transmitting / receiving section does not have to be parallel to the bottom surface of the polygonal pyramid or the cone, and the angle of the cut surface can be set arbitrarily. Further, as shown in FIG.
The ultrasonic probe 81 may be configured as a structure provided with the above. In this case, the configuration is such that the direction in which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted can cover the entire forward direction from the side surface inside the blood vessel. In FIG. 20, the side vibration unit element 42 has a disk shape. However, as shown in FIG. 21, the side wave transmitting / receiving unit 40 ′ in which a rectangular plate-shaped vibration unit element 42 ′ is embedded and held is provided. The ultrasonic probe 81 'may be configured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the inclined transmitting / receiving section 50 has a conical shape, a plurality of vibration unit elements 52 are embedded and held in the conical inclined weight surface, and the ultrasonic wave of the probe 91 is It is good also as a structure which can transmit a wave outward. Along with this, the front wave transmitting / receiving section 90 for embedding and holding the vibration unit element 92
Is also formed in a circular shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, as a structure provided with the side wave transmitting / receiving unit 60,
The ultrasonic probe 101 may be configured. In FIG. 23, the side vibration unit element 62 has a disk shape. However, as shown in FIG. 24, the side wave transmitting / receiving unit 60 ′ in which the rectangular plate-shaped vibration unit element 62 ′ is embedded and held is provided. Ultrasonic probe 10
1 ′ may be configured.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe 111 according to the tenth aspect of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 111 has a transmission / reception unit 110 formed by supporting a vibration unit element 112 in a base material 115 and formed in a hemispherical shape. A plurality of vibration unit elements 115 are embedded and held in a hemispherical base material 115 so that the direction in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted can cover the entire forward direction from the side surface inside the blood vessel. Note that the shape of the wave transmitting / receiving section 110 does not have to be a true spherical surface, and the curvature of the spherical surface can be set arbitrarily.

In FIGS. 4, 11, 16 and 19 to 25, the electrodes, lead wires, acoustic matching layer, and backing layer described in FIGS. 1, 9, 10, 17, and 18 are omitted. Is shown.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing an ultrasonic probe 1 'according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 1 ′ includes a side transmitting / receiving section 20 in which a plurality of side transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 12 are supported in a base material 15, and a transmitting / receiving surface side of the transmitting / receiving section 20. An acoustic matching layer 18 is provided, and a backing layer 19 is provided on the back side. Further, a short tubular outer case 27 is externally fitted to the laminate, and a cable 28 is fitted to the outer case 27 using an adhesive 29.

Note that, instead of the above configuration, an acoustic matching portion or a backing portion may be formed by a part of the base material 15. In such a configuration, when an ultrasonic probe is configured, There is no need to separately provide an acoustic matching layer or a backing layer.

Next, the configuration of the side transmitting / receiving section 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The wave transmitting / receiving unit 20 includes a plurality of side wave transmitting / receiving vibration unit elements 12 arranged at equal intervals on the side surface of a cylinder (column). Here, the vibration unit element 12 is
A front electrode 13 is formed on the surface of a piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back directions, and a back electrode 14 is formed on the back surface.

The vibration unit element 12 has a front electrode 13 as a common electrode in the drawing, and is constituted by a full-surface electrode formed on the wave transmitting / receiving surface of the wave transmitting / receiving section 20 and serves as a ground electrode. The vibration unit element 12 has a rectangular plate shape,
A back electrode 14 is formed on the back of the vibration unit element 12. In the figure, a connection portion extends from the front electrode 13 to the periphery, and a lead wire 16 is connected to the connection portion.
Are connected to lead wires 17 to secure wiring to each vibration unit element 12. By forming the connection portion in this manner, the connection of the lead wire 16 becomes easy.

[0062]

According to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, a front wave transmitting / receiving section comprising a plurality of annularly arranged vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves forward is provided at the front, and the ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the side. Side transmission / reception unit in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting in the direction are arranged in a ring along the circumferential direction, so that the signal obtained by the front transmission / reception unit is processed. Can obtain a three-dimensional image of the front, and by processing the signals obtained by the side transducers, it is possible to obtain a cross-sectional view of the lumen, thus obtaining by each transducer. By synthesizing the obtained information, more accurate image information in the lumen can be obtained.

Further, the present invention is provided with an inclined wave transmitting / receiving section in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a direction inclined in a forward and outward direction are annularly arranged along the circumferential direction. By radiating the ultrasonic waves forward and outward in this manner, image information of a region extending from the side to the front can be obtained.

In the configuration having the inclined transmitting / receiving section, when the above-described side transmitting / receiving section is further provided, image information of a region extending from the side to the front by the inclined transmitting / receiving section is obtained. As well as being able to acquire, the image information of the side can be grasped more accurately.

Further, in the configuration having such a tilt transmitting / receiving section, and in the configuration having the above-mentioned forward transmitting / receiving section, image information of an area extending from the side to the front is obtained by the tilt transmitting / receiving section. In addition to this, it is possible to more accurately grasp the image information ahead.

Further, a forward transmitting / receiving section, an inclined transmitting / receiving section,
Further, in the configuration including the side transmitting / receiving section, the inclined side transmitting / receiving section can acquire the image information of the region extending from the side to the front, and further correct the front image information and the side image information. Therefore, a wide range of image information can be obtained as accurately as possible from the side to the front.

In the above-described configuration having the inclined wave transmitting / receiving section and the front wave transmitting / receiving section, the front portion has a truncated polygonal pyramid shape or a truncated conical shape or the like. A plurality of vibration unit elements are annularly arranged on the truncated surface to form a forward wave transmitting / receiving section, and a plurality of vibration unit elements are annularly arranged along the inclined conical surface to form an inclined wave transmitting / receiving section. Thus, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe having an outer shape with good coherence.

Further, when the front portion is formed in a spherical shape and a plurality of vibration unit elements are arranged on the spherical surface, ultrasonic waves are radiated along the spherical surface. Various information can be obtained without interruption, and more accurate image information can be grasped.

In the above-described configuration, the vibration unit element is formed by forming a piezoelectric ceramic material into a sheet, punching the sheet using a mold, and then firing the resultant to form a piezoelectric ceramic piece as a main substrate. In the case where the electrode is formed on the back surface, unlike the case where a powdered ceramic material is molded and fired, a minute piezoelectric ceramic piece can be easily manufactured, and the piezoelectric ceramic piece is used as a vibrator. This makes it possible to reduce the size (diameter) of the ultrasonic probe.

Further, if the vibration unit element constituting the front transmitting / receiving section is circular, it is possible to transmit a uniform spherical wave having a large directivity angle forward, and the ultrasonic probe can be used for a blood vessel or the like. When inserted into various lumens, accurate image information closer to the probe can be obtained.

Furthermore, in the configuration of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the front and rear electrodes are provided on the side of the piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in the front and back directions, and the rear electrode is provided on the back side thereof. The plurality of vibration unit elements formed respectively may be embedded and held in the base material, so that the formation of the side wave transmitting / receiving portion is facilitated.

Thus, when the present invention is used for diagnosing the inside of a blood vessel, a three-dimensional image in front of the ultrasonic probe can be obtained in real time. It is possible to visualize the three-dimensional image assembled in the inside, and at the same time, it is possible to obtain an image of the side of the ultrasonic probe, that is, a sectional view of the lumen, and improve the accuracy of the ultrasonic diagnostic method. It can be dramatically improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical side view of an ultrasonic probe 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual perspective view showing a usage state of an ultrasonic probe for lateral visualization having a conventional configuration.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual perspective view showing a usage state of a conventional ultrasound probe for visualizing the front.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe 1 according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual perspective view showing a configuration of a vibration unit element of the ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modification of the configuration of the vibration unit element of the ultrasonic probe according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual perspective view showing a configuration of a vibration unit element of the ultrasonic probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modification of the configuration of the vibration unit element of the ultrasonic probe according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an ultrasonic probe 31 according to claim 4 of the present invention.
It is a vertical side view.

FIG. 10 is an ultrasonic probe 3 according to claim 5 of the present invention.
It is a vertical side view of the modification 41 of 1st.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe 31 according to claim 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modified example 41 of the ultrasonic probe 31 according to claim 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modified example 41 ′ of the ultrasonic probe 31 according to claim 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modification 51 of the ultrasonic probe 31 according to claim 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modification 61 of the ultrasonic probe 31 according to claim 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modification 61 ′ of the ultrasonic probe 31 according to claim 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows an ultrasonic probe 7 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a vertical side view of FIG.

FIG. 18 is an ultrasonic probe 7 according to claim 8 of the present invention.
It is a longitudinal side view of the modification 81 of 1st.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe 71 according to claim 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modification 81 of the ultrasonic probe 71 according to claim 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modification 81 ′ of the ultrasonic probe 71 according to claim 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modified example 91 of the ultrasonic probe 71 according to claim 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modified example 101 of the ultrasonic probe 71 according to claim 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a conceptual perspective view showing a modified example 101 ′ of the ultrasonic probe 71 according to claim 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a conceptual perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe 111 according to claim 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a vertical sectional side view of an ultrasonic probe 1 'according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,31,41,51,61,71,81,91,10
1,111 Ultrasonic probe 2,12,32,42,52,62,72,92,11
2 Vibration unit element 3,13,33,43,73 Front electrode 4,14,34,44,74 Back electrode 5,15,35,45,75,85,115 Base material 6,7,16,17,36 , 37, 46, 47, 76,
77 Lead wire 8, 18, 38, 48, 78, 88 Acoustic matching layer 9, 19, 39, 49, 79, 89 Backing layer 10, 70, 90 Front transmitting / receiving section 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 40 , 60 Side transmitting / receiving section 30, 50 Oblique transmitting / receiving section 110 Hemispherical transmitting / receiving section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G047 AC13 EA08 GA13 GB02 GB16 GB18 GB21 4C301 EE08 FF04 GB08 GB09 GB13 GB18 GB36 GB37 5D019 AA01 BB02 BB20 BB26 EE02 FF04

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe which can be inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels and obtain image information inside the plurality of annularly arranged vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves forward. An ultrasonic wave, comprising: a front wave transmitting / receiving section comprising: a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the side in a ring along a circumferential direction. Probe. 2. A side wave transmitting / receiving unit comprising a plurality of vibration unit elements in which electrodes are formed on the inner and outer surfaces of a small rectangular plate-shaped or fan-shaped piezoelectric ceramic piece or a piezoelectric polymer, and are arranged in a circumferential direction. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A side wave transmitting / receiving part is provided on one of the inner and outer surfaces of a cylindrical piezoelectric ceramic piece or a cylindrical piezoelectric polymer.
A partial electrode is formed at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction, and the other surface is opposed to the partial electrode formed on one surface, and a partial electrode or a common electrode is formed over the entire circumference, and a portion facing inside and outside is formed. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein a portion between the electrodes or between the partial electrode and the common electrode is configured as a vibration unit element. 4. An ultrasonic probe, which is inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels and can acquire image information therein, includes a vibration unit element for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a direction inclined forward and outward. An ultrasonic probe comprising: a plurality of inclined wave transmitting / receiving sections arranged annularly along a circumferential direction. 5. An ultrasonic probe, which is inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels and can acquire image information therein, includes a vibration unit element for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a direction inclined forward and outward. An inclined wave transmitting / receiving portion arranged in a plurality along the circumferential direction and a side transmitting / receiving portion formed by arranging a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a ring along the circumferential direction. An ultrasonic probe comprising: 6. The inclined wave transmitting / receiving section is constituted by forming a front portion in a shape having an inclined conical surface such as a polygonal pyramid shape or a conical shape and arranging a plurality of vibration unit elements in an annular shape along the inclined conical surface. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein 7. An ultrasonic probe which can be inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels and obtain image information inside the ultrasonic probe, is provided with a plurality of annular vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves forward. Characterized by comprising a forward transmitting / receiving section, and an inclined transmitting / receiving section in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a direction inclined forward and outward are annularly arranged in the circumferential direction. Ultrasonic probe. 8. An ultrasonic probe which can be inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels and obtain image information inside the ultrasonic probe, a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves forward are annularly arranged. A front and rear transmitting and receiving unit, an inclined transmitting and receiving unit in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a direction obliquely outward and forward are arranged in a ring along the circumferential direction, An ultrasonic probe comprising: a side transmitting / receiving section in which a plurality of vibration unit elements for transmitting a wave are arranged in a ring along a circumferential direction. 9. A front wave transmitting / receiving section comprising a front portion having a truncated polygonal pyramid shape or a truncated cone shape with its tip portion cut off, and a plurality of vibration unit elements arranged annularly on the truncated surface. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a plurality of vibration unit elements are annularly arranged along the inclined conical surface to form an inclined wave transmitting / receiving unit. 10. An ultrasonic probe which can be inserted into various lumens such as blood vessels to obtain image information therein has a front portion formed in a spherical shape, and a plurality of vibration unit elements are formed on the spherical surface. An ultrasonic probe, which is provided. 11. The vibration unit element is a vibration unit element having a piezoelectric ceramic piece produced as a main substrate by forming a piezoelectric ceramic material into a sheet, punching the sheet using a mold, and firing the sheet. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4 to 10, wherein: 12. A vibration unit element constituting a front wave transmitting / receiving unit is circular.
2. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of 1. 13. A plurality of vibration unit elements each having a wave transmitting / receiving portion having a front electrode formed on a surface of a piezoelectric ceramic piece polarized in a front and back direction and a back electrode formed on a back surface thereof, embedded in a base material. 9. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is held.