JP2003047613A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe capable of collecting an ultrasonic image without distortion, having excellent assembling workability. SOLUTION: In this ultrasonic probe, a housing 5 loaded with an ultrasonic transducer 2 is stored in the interior of the tip of a cylindrical soft tube 3 whose tip is closed, and a coil-like flexible shaft 7 is connected to the housing 5, and the flexible shaft 7 is rotated around the axis, whereby the ultrasonic transducer 2 is rotated with the housing 5 in the soft tube 3. The probe is provided with both bearing parts 4a,1a for each bearing the tip end and base end of the flexible shaft 7, and both stopper parts 5a, 9a mounted on the tip end and the base end of the flexible shaft, respectively, and abutting on the abutting parts of the each stopper parts mounted on both bearings 4a, 11a to be regulated in position. The space between both stopper parts 5a, 9a is set larger than the space between both stopper part abutting parts of both bearing parts 4a, 11a to dispose the flexible shaft 7 in a loosened state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe which is inserted into a body cavity for ultrasonic examination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ultrasonic probe having a structure in which an ultrasonic transducer is provided at the tip of an insertion portion to be inserted into the body and scanning is performed by moving the ultrasonic transducer in a rotational direction or a linear direction is known. And is inserted into the body cavity directly or using an endoscope or the like as a guide means.

An example of a conventional ultrasonic probe is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Will be described with reference to. Insertion part 50 of this ultrasonic probe
Uses a flexible member 53 made of a flexible tube whose tip is closed, and mounts an ultrasonic transducer 55 in the distal end portion of the flexible member 53. When radial scanning is performed by the ultrasonic transducer 55, the ultrasonic transducer 55 is rotationally driven in the flexible member 53.

In order to drive the ultrasonic transducer 55 to rotate, the ultrasonic transducer 55 is mounted on the rotary support base 54, and the flexible shaft 57 is connected to the rotary support base 54.
7 is extended to the base end portion of the insertion portion 50.

The flexible shaft 57 extends to the base end portion of the insertion portion 50 and is connected to a coupling portion (not shown). The coupling portion is configured to be detachably connected to a driving means (not shown). ing.

[0006] Here, the flexible shaft 57 disposed inside the flexible member of the insertion portion 50 has the inner diameter of the flexible member 53 and the flexible shaft so that the rotational force can be accurately transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer 55. A certain difference is provided between the outer diameter of 57. Therefore, when the insertion portion 50 is bent into a loop, for example, the flexible shaft 57 will move to the flexible member 5.
Since it is biased to contact with the inner surface of 3, the position of the rotation support base 54 provided with the ultrasonic transducer 55 in the axial direction of the flexible member 53 changes.

The ultrasonic transducer 55 is the soft member 5.
When pressed against the tip end surface 53a of No. 3, there is a problem that the rotation is not smoothly performed, rotation unevenness may occur, and the ultrasonic wave cannot be accurately placed at a site to be observed by ultrasonic waves.

In order to prevent this, in the prior art, locking cylinders 56 and 51 for locking both ends of the flexible shaft 57 are arranged at the tip end side and the base end side, respectively, and the flexible shaft 57 57 and rotation support base 54
The connecting end surface 54a of the and is brought into contact with the locking tubular portion 56, and the stopper tubular portion 57a attached to the proximal end of the flexible shaft 57 is brought into contact with the locking tubular portion 51.

The distance between the connecting end face 54a and the stopper cylinder portion 57a is made shorter than the distance between the abutting portions of the engaging portions 56 and 51 by a predetermined length, and the flexible shaft 57 is pulled. It is configured to be mounted inside the insertion portion 50 in the open state.

As described above, when the flexible shaft 57 is pulled and mounted in the flexible member 53, even if the insertion portion 50 is bent, the tension of the flexible shaft 57 is absorbed by the change and the flexible portion 57 is absorbed. It is assumed that the ultrasonic transducer 55 mounted on the rotation support base 54 connected to the tip of the shaft 57 does not move forward.

In order to reduce sliding friction, the locking cylinders 51 and 56 are made of metal, the rotary support base 54 and the stopper cylinder 57a are made of resin material, and the ultrasonic transducer 55 is provided. The rotation support base 54 prevents rotation unevenness. In FIG. 6, 61 is a rotating electrode, and 62
Is a holding tube.

[0012]

By the way, since the flexible shaft 57 used for the ultrasonic probe is required to have a thin and long shape, the flexible shaft 57 itself has a rigidity force against torsion in the rotation direction (hereinafter, referred to as "flexible shaft 57"). The torsional rigidity) is very small.

When the torsional rigidity is insufficient, the flexible shaft 57 cannot follow the rotation of the rotary drive source and causes uneven rotation. Rotational unevenness appears as distortion of the ultrasonic image in the ultrasonic wave ablation device and must be avoided as much as possible.

According to the configuration of the conventional example, the flexible shaft 57 is attached in a pulled state.
Due to this pulling force, the rotational frictional force becomes large at the contact portion between the supporting portions of both ends of the flexible shaft 57 and the locking tubular portions 56 and 51, and the torsional rigidity is insufficient, causing uneven rotation. Although the contacting member is made of a combination of different materials such as a metal and a resin material for the purpose of reducing the rotational frictional force as much as possible, in the flexible shaft 57 having a small diameter and a long length, rotation unevenness is caused only by applying a minute frictional load. .

Further, in order to bring the flexible shaft 57 into a pulled state, at both ends of the flexible shaft 57, the connecting end surface 54a and the stopper tubular portion 57 are formed.
In this configuration, a is hooked on the locking cylinder portions 56 and 51. That is, the outer diameter dimension of the connecting end surface 54a and the stopper tubular portion 57a is made larger than the inner diameter dimension of the locking tubular portions 56 and 51, and the connecting end surface 54a and the stopper tubular portion 57a are respectively attached to the locking tubular portions 56 and 51. Need to hook. However, from the viewpoint of assembly productivity, the projecting portion due to this diameter difference obstructs the complicated assembly process, so that it is difficult to realize a simple assembly process in which the assembly parts are inserted from one direction and assembled. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the ultrasonic transducer from causing rotational unevenness and to prevent the position of the ultrasonic transducer from changing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe which is capable of collecting an ultrasonic image without distortion and which allows an assembled component to be inserted and assembled from one direction and which is excellent in assembling workability and assembling efficiency.

[0017]

The invention according to claim 1 is
By accommodating a housing with an ultrasonic transducer mounted inside the distal end of a cylindrical flexible member with a closed end, connecting a coil-shaped flexible shaft to this housing, and rotating this flexible shaft around its axis In an ultrasonic probe configured to rotate an ultrasonic transducer together with a housing in a flexible member, both bearing portions that respectively support the distal end side and the proximal end side of the flexible shaft, and the distal end side and the proximal end side of the flexible shaft. And the stopper portions that are respectively provided on the respective bearing portions and are positionally regulated by abutting against the stopper portion abutting portions provided on the both bearing portions, respectively. , The gap between the contact portions of the stopper portions of the bearings is set to be larger than that of the flexible shaft. Is characterized in that arranged in a state in which slack shift.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the bearing portions for bearing the both ends of the flexible shaft are provided at the tip end side and the base end side, and the both ends of the flexible shaft are provided with these bearing portions. Both stopper portions are provided, which are in contact with the stopper contact portions and whose positions are regulated,
The flexible shaft is arranged in a slackened state by making the interval between the stoppers in the natural length state longer than the interval between the bearings by a predetermined length.

Therefore, the rotational frictional force due to the contact between the stopper portion abutting portion of the bearing portion that supports both ends of the flexible shaft and the stopper portion is small, and the torsional rigidity of the flexible shaft does not become insufficient. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe that does not cause rotational unevenness and that does not easily cause a positional change of the ultrasonic transducer even when the soft member and the flexible shaft are bent, thereby collecting a high-quality ultrasonic image without distortion. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, assembly parts such as a housing having an ultrasonic transducer, both bearings, and a flexible shaft are inserted into the tubular flexible member from one direction. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe that can be assembled and is excellent in assembly workability and assembly efficiency.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic probe according to the first aspect, of the two bearing portions that support both ends of the flexible shaft, the bearing portion on the base end side is the bearing portion on the base end side itself. Is provided with a position adjusting mechanism capable of moving in the length direction of the flexible shaft, and the space between the both bearing portions can be adjusted by the position adjusting mechanism.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the bearing portion on the base end side of the bearing portions for bearing both ends of the flexible shaft is capable of moving the bearing portion itself in the longitudinal direction of the flexible shaft. Since the position adjustment mechanism adjusts the distance between the both bearings, the flexible shaft can be twisted to adjust the rigidity so that the ultrasonic transducer can be prevented from rotating unevenly. It is also possible to provide an ultrasonic probe that can collect a high-quality ultrasonic image without distortion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic probe according to the second aspect, the position adjusting mechanism provided on the bearing portion on the base end side is capable of rotating a rotary cylinder connected to the base end side of the flexible shaft. The outer peripheral end surface is engaged with the threaded portion provided on the bearing tube that is axially supported by the engaging receiving portion provided on the fixed tube that accommodates the bearing tube inside, and the inner peripheral side is engaged with the threaded portion provided on the bearing tube. It is characterized in that it has a position adjusting disc in which a screw portion is screwed, and an operation hole provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner peripheral side screw portion of the position adjusting disc.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by operating the operation hole to rotate the position adjusting disc, the bearing tube screwed onto the position adjusting disc is moved in the longitudinal direction of the flexible shaft. The distance between the two bearings can be easily adjusted.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

(Embodiment 1) (Structure) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the tip portion of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the proximal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

The tip portion 1 of the ultrasonic probe of the first embodiment has a soft tube 8 made of a resin material having a good slip property, and the tip of the soft tube 8 has excellent acoustic characteristics.
A flexible tube 3 made of a material having a good shape-retaining property is connected via a bearing ring 4, whereby the tip is closed. Then, an ultrasonic transmission medium is enclosed inside thereof.

Further, a housing 5 in which the ultrasonic transducer 2 is mounted is provided inside the flexible tube 3 and the flexible tube 8. The distal end of the flexible shaft 7 is connected to the housing 5. The flexible shaft 7 is composed of a close contact coil in which a metal element wire is tightly wound in a spiral shape, and the close contact coil is provided in a single layer or a plurality of layers such as two or three layers. For multiple layers,
The winding direction of the outer close contact coil and the winding direction of the inner close contact coil are opposite to each other, so that no matter whether the base end of the flexible shaft 7 is rotated left or right, The rotating force can be surely extended to the tip portion, and thus the ultrasonic transducer 2
The housing 5 mounted with can be driven to rotate.

A cable 6 is inserted through the flexible shaft 7, and the tip of the cable 6 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 2.

Here, the flexible tube 3 and the flexible tube 8
By interposing the bearing ring 4 in a continuous portion with and by making the inner diameter of the bearing ring 4 smaller than the outer diameter of the housing 5, the front end side stopper portion 5a which is the end surface of the housing 5 becomes a stopper portion of the bearing ring 4. The abutting portion 4b is abutted. The housing 5 is rotatably supported by being supported by a tip-side bearing portion 4a which is an inner surface of the bearing ring 4.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the proximal end portion of the ultrasonic probe. At the base end portion 15 of this ultrasonic probe, the flexible shaft 7 is fixedly provided to the rotary cylinder 9, and the rotary cylinder 9 holds the rotary electrode 10. The cable 6 is connected to the rotating electrode 10.

On the other hand, the flexible tube 8 is fitted in a fixed barrel 12, and the fixed barrel 12 has a tapered central portion. A bearing cylinder 11 is inserted and arranged inside the fixed cylinder 12, one end of which is brought into contact with a tapered portion of the fixed cylinder 12 and the other end of which is attached to the fixed cylinder 12.
It is fixed in the fixed barrel 12 by being restrained by.

A cover 14 formed of resin or the like is attached to the outside of the fixed cylinder 12. Therefore,
The rotary cylinder 9, the cable 6 and the rotary electrode 10 connected to the flexible shaft 7 constitute a rotary side member, and the fixed cylinder 12, the bearing cylinder 11, the pin 13 and the cover 14 connected to the flexible tube 8 are fixed side members. Are configured.

Here, the base end side stopper portion 9a, which is the protruding portion of the rotary cylinder 9 to which the base end portion of the flexible shaft 7 is directly connected, is brought into contact with the stopper portion contact portion 11b of the stationary side bearing cylinder 11. Try to contact them. Further, the rotary cylinder 9 is rotatably supported by a base end side bearing portion 11a which is an inner surface of the bearing cylinder 11.

In the above structure, as shown in FIG.
From the tip side stopper portion 5a to the base end side stopper portion 9
The length L1 in the natural state up to a is set to be longer than the length L2 from the stopper contact portion 4b of the bearing ring 4 to the stopper contact portion 11b of the bearing cylinder 11 (L1> L2).

(Operation) In an actual use situation, the ultrasonic probe takes a straight or bent form when it is inserted into the body cavity through the treatment tool channel of the endoscope. Since the flexible shaft 7 is composed of a close contact coil, if the form is displaced, the flexible shaft 7 will be deformed for the following reason.
The length changes within.

That is, when the flexible shaft 7 is rotating, the flexible shaft 7 and the flexible tube 8 are
Rotational frictional force is generated between the inner surface and the inner surface, and the flexible shaft 7 acts to increase the torsional rigidity so as to overcome this, and as a result, the adhesion of the coil increases,
The total length of the flexible shaft 7 is shortened.

In particular, when it is bent, the contact between the flexible shaft 7 and the flexible tube 8 is increased and the rotational frictional force becomes larger when it is bent, so that it is more significantly shortened.

Further, the diameter difference between the outer diameter of the flexible shaft 7 and the inner diameter of the flexible tube 8 is provided so that the flexible shaft 7 can smoothly rotate in the flexible tube 8. Due to its own rigidity in bending in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as bending rigidity), the flexible tube 8 follows the outer circumference of the inner surface of the bent portion.

For the above reasons, when the shape changes, the flexible shaft 7 in the flexible tube 8 changes in length with respect to the flexible tube 8 and becomes shorter when bent than when straight.

According to the experimental confirmation, when the flexible shaft 7 has a total length of 1.5 to 2.5 m, an outer diameter of 1 to 1.6 mm, and the flexible tube 8 has an inner diameter of 1.8 mm, the flexible shaft 7 is On the other hand, when it is bent, it is shortened by about 2 to 6 mm compared to when it is straight (natural length).

By the way, as described above, the length L1 is set to be larger than the length L2 and mounted. At this time, since the flexible shaft 7 is composed of a close contact coil, it has bending rigidity as described above, and the distal end side stopper portion 5
The a and the base end side stopper portion 9a are pressed against the bearing ring 4 and the bearing sleeve 11, respectively.

However, since the bending rigidity force is minute, the pressure contact force is weak. Further, since the bending rigidity is very small, the difference between the length L1 and the length L2 is loosened and absorbed in the flexible tube 8. That is, the flexible shaft 7 is mounted while being pressed and loose in the flexible tube.

The difference between the length L1 and the length L2 should be set so as to be equal to the length that the flexible shaft 7 shortens with respect to the flexible tube 8 when bent from a straight line in an actual use scene. Is desirable.

As described above, even if the ultrasonic probe changes to a straight line or a bent state along the insertion path, the flexible shaft 7 maintains the pressure contact and the amount of slack in the flexible tube absorbs the displacement. The position of the housing 5 connected to the tip of the ultrasonic transducer 2, that is, the position of the ultrasonic transducer 2 does not change.

By the way, as described above, since the soft tube 8 is made of a resin material having a good slip, for example, a fluororesin, etc., even if the flexible shaft 7 comes loose and comes into contact with the inner surface of the soft tube 8, the rotational frictional force is small. Is.

Further, as described above, the stopper portion 5 on the tip side is provided.
The pressure contact force of the a and the base end side stopper portion 9a to the bearing ring 4 and the bearing cylinder 11 is weak, and the rotational frictional force is minute.

As described above, the rotational frictional force is very small, and the torsional rigidity of the flexible shaft 7 does not become insufficient, and uneven rotation does not occur.

Next, when the structure of the first embodiment is viewed from the viewpoint of assembling productivity, there is no protruding portion in the radial direction. Therefore, if parts or units formed in concentric circles are combined, Highly efficient assembly is possible by inserting and assembling from the direction.

That is, the flexible tube 8, the flexible tube 3,
A combination of the bearing ring 4 and the fixed cylinder 12 is used as a fixed system unit, and the rotary cylinder 9, the flexible shaft 7, the housing 5, the ultrasonic transducer 2,
A combination of the cable 6 and the rotary electrode 10 is prepared in advance as a rotary system unit, and thereafter, the rotary system unit is further fixed to the fixed system unit, and each of the bearing cylinder 11, the pin 13, and the cover 14 is sequentially arranged. By inserting and assembling the components from one direction, it is possible to assemble and manufacture the ultrasonic probe with high efficiency.

(Effect) According to the first embodiment, the tip end side bearing portion 4a and the base end side bearing portion 11a for bearing both ends of the flexible shaft 7 having the ultrasonic transducer 2 mounted at the tip end are provided, and the flexible shaft is also provided. At both end sides of 7, there are provided a front end side bearing portion 4a, a front end side stopper portion 5a that abuts on the base end side bearing portion 11a, and a rear end side stopper portion 9a. These front end side stopper portion 5a and rear end side stopper portion are provided. 9
The distance L1 of a is made longer than the length L2 from the stopper portion contact portion 4b of the bearing ring 4 to the stopper portion contact portion 11b of the bearing cylinder 11, and the flexible shaft 7 is attached in a loosened state. With this configuration, the transmission of the rotational force to the ultrasonic transducer 2 is not hindered, and the position of the ultrasonic transducer 2 can be held even if the flexible tube 8 is bent, and the ultrasonic transducer 2 can be inserted from one direction. It has the effect of enabling highly efficient assembly.

(Second Embodiment) (Structure) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the base end side bearing portion and the position adjusting mechanism according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the position adjusting disc and the pressing plate.

In the bearing portion on the base end side of the bearing portion that supports both ends of the flexible shaft, a screw 11c is formed on the outer periphery of the small-diameter tubular portion on the base end side of the bearing sleeve 11, and the screw 11c is A position adjusting disc 17 having an inner peripheral screw 19 is screwed.

An engaging portion 12b for contacting and supporting the position adjusting disc 17 is provided on the inner circumference of the fixed cylinder 12 at a depth slightly larger than the thickness of the position adjusting disc 17. Further, a screw 12a is screwed on the inner circumference of the base end side,
The screw 21 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the pressing plate 16 having the central hole 16a is screwed into the screw 12a.

The pressing plate 16 and the position adjusting disc 17 are
Although not shown in the drawings, holes 20 and 18 for inserting thin rods and the like to rotate these rods are formed at two positions respectively.
The inner diameter of the center hole 16a of the pressing plate 16 is smaller than the outer diameter of the position adjusting disc 17, and the hole 18 of the position adjusting disc 17 is not hidden when viewed from the base end side of the fixed cylinder 12. The dimensions are set.

(Operation) Since the position adjusting disc 17 is screwed into the bearing cylinder 11, if the hole 18 formed in the position adjusting disc 17 is used for rotation operation, the bearing cylinder 11 is axially moved. It is displaced in the length direction of the flexible shaft 7.
Further, the pressing plate 16 is screwed and fixed to the fixed cylinder 12, and the hole 20 formed in the pressing plate 16 can be used to rotate the pressing plate 16.

Here, the position adjusting disc 17 is the fixed cylinder 1.
The bearing cylinder 11 is moved in the axial direction when the position adjusting disc 17 is rotated, since it is sandwiched and fixed with a slight gap between the 2 and the pressing plate 16. That is, the bearing tube 11
Is moved in the axial direction, the distance between the two bearing portions can be variably adjusted, and the slack amount of the flexible shaft 7 can be adjusted.

(Effect) According to the second embodiment, the bearing portions 4a and 11 for bearing both ends of the flexible shaft 7 are provided.
Of the a, the base end bearing portion 11a is provided with a position adjusting mechanism that can be displaced in the length direction by a simple operation, so that the distance between the both bearing portions 4a, 11a can be varied, and the component size and the assembly work can be performed. There is an effect that the amount of slack of the flexible shaft 7 can be appropriately adjusted individually in response to variations in individual ultrasonic transducers 2 due to variations in time.

[0059]

According to the present invention, the transmission of rotational force to the ultrasonic transducer is not hindered, and
An ultrasonic probe that can hold a position of the ultrasonic transducer so that it does not change even when the flexible member is bent, collects high-quality ultrasonic images without distortion, and enables highly efficient assembly by inserting and assembling from one direction. Can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, the amount of slack of the flexible shaft can be easily adjusted so that the rigidity can be properly twisted, and the ultrasonic transducer of high quality without distortion can be prevented while preventing the rotational irregularity of the ultrasonic transducer. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of collecting

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a tip portion of an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a proximal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a length in a natural state from a distal end side stopper portion to a proximal end side stopper portion in the ultrasonic probe of the first embodiment and a stopper portion abutting portion of a bearing ring to a stopper portion abutting portion of a bearing cylinder. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship with the length.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a base end side bearing portion and a position adjusting mechanism of an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a position adjusting disc and a pressing plate of the ultrasonic probe according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an insertion portion in a conventional ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the tip of the conventional ultrasonic probe device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 tip 2 Ultrasonic transducer 3 Flexible tube 8 Flexible tube 4 bearing ring 4a Tip side bearing 4b Stopper contact part 5 housing 5a Tip side stopper 6 cables 7 Flexible shaft 8 Flexible tube 9 rotating cylinder 9a Base end stopper 10 rotating electrodes 11 Bearing tube 11a Base end side bearing part 11b Stopper contact part 12 fixed cylinder 13 pin 14 cover 15 Base end 16 Press plate 16a center hole 17 Position adjustment disc 18 holes 19 Inner thread 20 holes 21 screws

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A housing in which an ultrasonic transducer is mounted is housed inside a distal end portion of a tubular flexible member having a closed end, and a coil-shaped flexible shaft is connected to the housing, and the flexible shaft is rotated around an axis. An ultrasonic probe configured to rotate an ultrasonic transducer together with a housing in a flexible member by rotating the flexible shaft into a flexible member, both bearings for bearing the distal end side and the proximal end side of the flexible shaft, and the distal end of the flexible shaft. Side and base end sides, respectively, and both stopper portions abutting against respective stopper portion abutting portions provided on the both bearing portions, the position of which is regulated, and the flexible shaft in the natural length state. The distance between both stoppers is made larger than the distance between the stopper contacting portions of both bearings, An ultrasonic probe, wherein the flexible shaft is arranged in a loosened state. 2. A base end side bearing part of both bearing parts bearing both ends of the flexible shaft is provided with a position adjusting mechanism capable of moving the base end side bearing part itself in the length direction of the flexible shaft. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the both bearing portions can be adjusted by the position adjusting mechanism. 3. The position adjusting mechanism provided on the bearing portion on the base end side includes a screw portion provided on a bearing tube that rotatably supports a rotating tube connected to the base end side of a flexible shaft, and the bearing tube. And a position adjusting disc in which an outer peripheral end surface is engaged with an engagement receiving portion provided in a fixed cylinder that accommodates the inner peripheral side screw portion and an inner peripheral side screw portion is screwed into the screw portion provided in the bearing cylinder. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, further comprising an operation hole provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner peripheral side screw portion of the disc.