JP2002200080A - Ultrasonic probe, grip cap pack, and sheath pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the degree of freedom of design of a grip cap. SOLUTION: A first bushing 4 is equipped in between a housing 2 and a cable 3 and a second bushing 5 is mounted to the outside of a cable on a position little afar from the first bushing. Grip caps (6a, 6b) are engaged by the housing 2 and the second bushing 5. Each height of the housing 2 and the grip caps (6a, 6b) can be independently determined to improve the degree of freedom of shape design, For instance, the height of the housing 2 can be as low as possible to make itself compact and the grip caps (6a, 6b) can be designed to take sufficient height.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, a grip cap pack for an ultrasonic probe, and a sheath probe.
For the pack, more specifically, an ultrasound probe with improved flexibility in grip cap design, a grip cap pack that facilitates handling of disposable grip caps, and a sheath that facilitates handling of disposable sheaths・ About the pack.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows an example of an ultrasonic probe disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-10255. The ultrasonic probe 60 includes a housing 62 for accommodating a function including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material, and the like, the cable 3 derived from the housing 62, and the housing 6.
Bushing 64 interposed between the cable 2 and the cable 3
And a grip cap 66 locked to the outside of the housing 62. The grip cap 6
By exchanging 6, the grip shape which can be easily operated by the operator can be selected.

[0003]

In the conventional ultrasonic probe 60, since the grip cap 66 can be replaced, a grip shape which is easy to operate can be selected. But,
Because of the structure in which the grip cap 66 is locked to the housing 62, it is necessary to make the height of the housing 62 and the grip cap 66 uniform, and there is a problem that the shape design of the grip cap 66 is limited. Further, in order to reuse the used ultrasonic probe, it is necessary to clean and disinfect the ultrasonic probe, and there is a problem that the handling becomes complicated. Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe that can improve the degree of freedom in the shape design of a grip cap. A second object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe, a grip cap pack and a sheath pack which can be easily handled.

[0004]

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a function including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material, and the like, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable derived from the housing, and the housing. An ultrasonic probe, comprising: a bushing mounted on the outer periphery of a cable at a position away from the housing; and a grip cap locked by the housing and the bushing. In the ultrasonic probe according to the first aspect, the bushing is attached to the outer periphery of the cable at a position away from the housing, and the grip cap is locked by the housing and the bushing. Therefore, the height of the housing and the grip cap can be made independent, and the degree of freedom in the shape design of the grip cap can be improved. For example, the housing can be made as compact as possible with the height as low as possible, and the grip cap can be designed to take up enough height. In this case, remove the grip cap and use the housing with your fingertips when using it in an open body during surgery, and hold the grip cap with your hand when putting it on the skin for normal use on the skin. Can be used.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a piezoelectric vibrator,
A function including a backing material, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable derived from the housing, a first bushing interposed between the housing and the cable, and a cable at a position away from the housing An ultrasonic probe, comprising: a second bushing mounted on an outer circumference; and a grip cap locked by the housing and the second bushing. In the ultrasonic probe according to the second aspect, the first bushing is provided between the housing and the cable, and the second bushing is attached to the outer periphery of the cable at a position slightly away from the first bushing. The grip cap is locked with the second bushing. Therefore, the height of the housing and the grip cap can be made independent, and the degree of freedom in the shape design of the grip cap can be improved. For example,
The height of the housing can be made as small as possible, and the grip cap can be designed to have a sufficient height. In this case, remove the grip cap and use the housing with your fingertips when using it in an open body during surgery, and hold the grip cap with your hand when putting it on the skin for normal use on the skin. Can be used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic probe having the above-described structure, the grip cap comprises two grip cap parts which can be combined and separated in a vertically divided shape into two parts. An ultrasonic probe is provided. In the ultrasonic probe according to the third aspect, since the grip cap can be vertically divided into two parts, the replacement operation becomes easy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic probe having the above-mentioned configuration, comprising a plurality of the grip caps having different shapes, wherein the grip cap can be changed. Provide a child. In the ultrasonic probe according to the fourth aspect, a grip cap having a shape according to a doctor's preference and usage mode can be used.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a piezoelectric vibrator,
A function including a backing material, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable led out of the housing, a grip cap locked to the housing, and an ultrasonic probe locked to the housing and the grip cap. An ultrasonic probe, comprising: a sheath that covers a transmission surface portion of the probe. In the ultrasonic probe according to the fifth aspect, the sheath is locked by the housing and the grip cap, and the sheath covers the transmitting surface of the ultrasonic probe. For this reason, it can prevent that the transmitting surface part of an ultrasonic probe contacts a patient directly. Therefore, it is not necessary to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe, and the handling becomes simple. Preferably, the sheath is made disposable.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a piezoelectric vibrator,
A function including a backing material, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable led out of the housing, a bushing attached to an outer periphery of the cable at a position away from the housing, and locked by the housing and the bushing. An ultrasonic probe, comprising: a grip cap, which is provided, and a sheath that is locked between the housing and the grip cap and covers a transmission surface portion of the ultrasonic probe. In the ultrasonic probe according to the sixth aspect, a bushing is attached to the outer periphery of the cable at a position away from the housing, and the grip cap is locked by the housing and the bushing. Therefore, the height of the housing and the grip cap can be made independent, and the degree of freedom in the shape design of the grip cap can be improved. For example, the housing can be made as compact as possible with the height as low as possible, and the grip cap can be designed to take up enough height. In this case, remove the grip cap and use the housing with your fingertips when using it in an open body during surgery, and hold the grip cap with your hand when putting it on the skin for normal use on the skin. Can be used. Further, the sheath is locked by the housing and the grip cap, and the sheath covers the transmitting surface portion of the ultrasonic probe. For this reason, it can prevent that the transmitting surface part of an ultrasonic probe contacts a patient directly. Therefore, it is not necessary to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe, and the handling becomes simple. Preferably, the sheath is disposable.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a piezoelectric vibrator,
A function including a backing material, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable derived from the housing, a first bushing interposed between the housing and the cable, and a cable at a position away from the housing A second bushing mounted on the outer periphery, a grip cap locked by the housing and the second bushing, and a transmission surface portion of the ultrasonic probe locked by the housing and the grip cap. An ultrasonic probe comprising a sheath is provided. In the ultrasonic probe according to the seventh aspect, the first bushing is provided between the housing and the cable, and the second bushing is attached to the outer periphery of the cable at a position slightly away from the first bushing. The grip cap is locked with the second bushing. Therefore, the height of the housing and the grip cap can be made independent, and the degree of freedom in the shape design of the grip cap can be improved. For example, the housing can be made as compact as possible with the height as low as possible, and the grip cap can be designed to take up enough height. In this case, remove the grip cap and use the housing with your fingertips when using it in an open body during surgery, and hold the grip cap with your hand when putting it on the skin for normal use on the skin. Can be used. Further, the sheath is locked by the housing and the grip cap, and the sheath covers the transmitting surface portion of the ultrasonic probe. For this reason, it can prevent that the transmitting surface part of an ultrasonic probe contacts a patient directly. Therefore, it is not necessary to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe, and the handling becomes simple. Preferably, the sheath is disposable.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic probe having the above structure, the grip cap comprises two grip cap parts which can be combined and separated in a vertically divided shape into two parts. An ultrasonic probe is provided. In the ultrasonic probe according to the eighth aspect, since the grip cap can be vertically divided into two parts, the replacement operation becomes easy.

According to a ninth aspect, the present invention provides the ultrasonic probe having the above-mentioned configuration, comprising a plurality of grip caps having different shapes, wherein the grip cap can be changed. Provide a child. In the ultrasonic probe according to the ninth aspect, a grip cap having a shape according to a doctor's preference and usage mode can be used.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a sterilized ultrasonic probe grip cap and a sealing bag for sealing the ultrasonic probe grip cap. To provide a grip cap pack. By using the grip cap pack according to the tenth aspect, the grip cap can be made disposable, so that there is no need to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe, and the handling becomes simple.

According to an eleventh aspect, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a sterilized ultrasonic probe sheath and a sealing bag for sealing the ultrasonic probe sheath. Provide sheath pack. If the sheath pack according to the eleventh aspect is used, the sheath can be made disposable, so that there is no need to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe, and the handling becomes simple.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same. This ultrasonic probe 10
A function 1 including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material, an acoustic matching layer, a wiring board, and the like (a backing material, an acoustic matching layer, a wiring board, and the like are included as necessary), and a housing 2 for accommodating the function 1; A cable 3 led out of the housing 2, a first bushing 4 interposed between the housing 2 and the cable 3, and a second bushing attached to the outer periphery of the cable at a position slightly away from the first bushing 4. The bushing 5 and the grip cap 6 (the grip cap A portion 6) locked by the mounting groove 2 u of the housing 2 and the mounting groove 5 u of the second bushing 5.
a + grip cap B portion 6b).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic probe main body 11 with the grip cap 6 removed from the ultrasonic probe 10. The housing 2 of the ultrasonic probe main body 11 can be used by pinching it with a fingertip. During normal use on the skin, the user holds the grip cap 6 so as to cover it with the grip cap 6 by hand.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the grip cap 6 for the ultrasonic probe. This ultrasonic probe grip cap 6 is a grip cap A part 6 which is vertically divided into two parts.
a and a grip cap B portion 6b. The grip cap A portion 6a and the grip cap B portion 6b are attached to the ultrasonic probe main body 11, and the locking concave portions 6c are attached to each other.
And the locking projection 6d are fitted together to be integrated. The grip cap A section 6a and the grip cap B section 6b
Have the same shape and can be manufactured by resin molding with the same mold.

FIG. 5 shows an ultrasonic probe 1 having an ultrasonic probe grip cap 6 '(grip cap A portion 6a' + grip cap B portion 6b ') having a different shape.
It is a perspective view which shows 0 '. The cable 3 of the ultrasonic probe main body 11 is turned down, and the grip cap 6 ′ (grip cap A section 6a ′ + grip cap B section 6b ′) is mounted.

According to the above ultrasonic probes 10, 10 ',
A first bushing 4 is interposed between the housing 2 and the cable 3, and a second bushing 5 is mounted on the outer periphery of the cable at a position slightly away from the first bushing 4, and the housing 2 and the second bushing 5 grip the cable Cap 6,
6 'was locked. For this reason, the height of the housing 2 and the grip caps 6, 6 'can be made independent, and the degree of freedom in the shape design of the grip caps 6, 6' can be improved.

Note that the first bushing 4 may be omitted.

Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the same. This ultrasonic probe 20
A function 1 including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material, an acoustic matching layer, a wiring board, and the like (a backing material, an acoustic matching layer, a wiring board, and the like are included as necessary), and a housing 2 for accommodating the function 1; A cable 3 led out of the housing 2, a first bushing 4 interposed between the housing 2 and the cable 3, and a second bushing attached to the outer periphery of the cable at a position slightly away from the first bushing 4. A bushing 5, a grip cap 6 (a grip cap A portion 6) locked by a mounting groove 2 u of the housing 2 and a mounting groove 5 u of the second bushing 5.
a + Grip cap B part 6b) and the housing 2
And the ultrasonic probe 2 locked by the grip cap 6
And a sheath 21 for covering the transmission surface portion of No. 0.

From the ultrasonic probe 20 to the grip cap 6
When the sheath 21 is removed, the ultrasonic probe main body 11 shown in FIG. 3 is obtained.

The grip cap 6 has the structure shown in FIG. 4 and is disposable.

The sheath 21 is made of a latex rubber having a thickness of 0.1 mm and is disposable.

According to the ultrasonic probe 20, the sheath 2
In order to cover the transmitting surface portion of the ultrasonic probe 20 with 1,
It is possible to prevent the transmission surface portion of the ultrasonic probe 20 from directly contacting the patient. Therefore, if the grip cap 6 and the sheath 21 are disposable, there is no need to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe main body 11, and the handling becomes simple.

Third Embodiment FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a disposable grip cap / pack 30. FIG. This grip cap pack 30
A sterilized ultrasonic probe grip cap 6;
And a sealing bag 31 for sealing the ultrasonic probe grip cap 6.

If a large number of the grip cap packs 30 are stocked and the grip cap 6 is disposable, there is no need to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe main body 11 and the handling becomes simple.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sheath pack 40 for disposable use. The sheath pack 40 includes a sterilized ultrasonic probe sheath 21 and an ultrasonic probe sheath 21.
And a sealing bag 31 for hermetically sealing the container.

If a large number of the sheath packs 40 are stocked and the sheath 21 is disposable, there is no need to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe main body 11, thereby simplifying the handling.

[0031]

According to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the height of the housing and the grip cap can be made independent, and the degree of freedom in the shape design of the grip cap can be improved.

According to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the transmitting surface of the ultrasonic probe is covered with the sheath, so that the transmitting surface of the ultrasonic probe comes into direct contact with the patient. This eliminates the need for cleaning and disinfecting the ultrasonic probe, which simplifies handling.

According to the grip cap pack of the present invention, since the grip cap can be disposable, there is no need to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe, and the handling is simplified. In addition, the grip cap can be stored in a hygienic manner.

According to the sheath pack of the present invention, since the sheath can be disposable, there is no need to clean or disinfect the ultrasonic probe, and the handling becomes simple. In addition, the sheath can be stored hygienically.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe main body according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a grip cap according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a grip cap / pack according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sheath pack according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional ultrasonic probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10 ', 20 Ultrasonic probe 1 Function 2 Housing 3 Cable 4 First bushing 5 Second bushing 6, 6' Grip cap 6a, 6a 'Grip cap A section 6b, 6b' Grip cap B section 21 Sheath 31 Sealed bag

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Teradachu Masui 4-7, Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, Tokyo 127 GE F-Term (reference) 2G047 EA12 GA01 GB02 4C301 EE13 GA01 GA20 5D019 EE01 EE02 FF04 GG06

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A function including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material and the like, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable led out of the housing, and a bushing mounted on an outer periphery of the cable at a position away from the housing. An ultrasonic probe comprising: the housing; and a grip cap locked by the bushing. 2. A function including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material and the like, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable derived from the housing, and a first bushing interposed between the housing and the cable. An ultrasonic probe, comprising: a second bushing mounted on an outer periphery of a cable at a position distant from the housing; and a grip cap locked by the housing and the second bushing. 3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the grip cap comprises two grip cap parts which can be combined and separated in a vertically divided shape. Ultrasonic probe featuring. 4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of grip caps having different shapes, wherein the grip cap can be changed. Probe. 5. A function including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material, and the like, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable led out of the housing, a grip cap locked to the housing, the housing and the grip. An ultrasonic probe, comprising: a sheath that is locked with the cap and covers a transmission surface portion of the ultrasonic probe. 6. A function including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material, and the like, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable led out of the housing, and a bushing mounted on an outer periphery of the cable at a position away from the housing. An ultrasonic wave, comprising: a grip cap locked by the housing and the bushing; and a sheath locked by the housing and the grip cap and covering a transmission surface portion of the ultrasonic probe. Probe. 7. A function including a piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material and the like, a housing for accommodating the function, a cable derived from the housing, and a first bushing interposed between the housing and the cable. A second bushing attached to an outer periphery of the cable at a position distant from the housing, a grip cap locked by the housing and the second bushing,
An ultrasonic probe comprising: a sheath that is locked by the housing and the grip cap and covers a transmission surface portion of the ultrasonic probe. 8. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, wherein the grip cap comprises two grip cap parts which can be combined and separated in a vertically divided shape. Ultrasonic probe featuring. 9. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of grip caps having different shapes, wherein the grip cap can be changed. Probe. 10. A grip cap pack comprising: a sterilized ultrasonic probe grip cap; and a sealing bag for sealing the ultrasonic probe grip cap. 11. A sheath pack comprising a sterilized ultrasonic probe sheath and a sealing bag for sealing the ultrasonic probe sheath.