JP2003339706A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the structure of an ultrasonic probe which is familiar to a hand, which has excellent maintainability and operability and which imparts safety feeling. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe comprises: an ultrasonic element 6 made of a piezoelectric element; a signal wire connected to the element 6; a cable 1 for guiding the signal wire to an external unit; and a housing 3 having a grip covering the element 6 and the wire. In this probe, the grip has a pole of an elliptical section and a bulge formed at its central part. Since a recess is formed at the root of the grip, the grip is familiar to the hand by grasping the recess by a thumb and an index finger and hence has the excellent maintainability and operability. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

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 ultrasonic diagnosis and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a Hausin structure in an ultrasonic probe, those described in Design Registration No. 857406, Similar 1 Publication, Design Registration No. 857406, Similar 1 Publication, and the like are known. A conventional housing configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. 9A and 9B are external views of a conventional ultrasonic probe, where FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a side view seen from a wide side, and FIG. 9C is a side view seen from a narrow side. 10 is a sectional view thereof, (a) is a sectional view of each portion perpendicular to the axis of FIG. 9 (b), (b) is a sectional view parallel to the axis of FIG. 9 (b), (c) ) Is a cross-sectional view parallel to the axis of FIG. Further, FIG. 11 is a state diagram in which the operator holds the ultrasonic probe during ultrasonic diagnosis.

The ultrasonic element section 16 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is
The living body contact surface has an acoustic lens 15 that focuses ultrasonic waves, and the opposite side is connected to a cable 11 that transmits a signal to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receives a signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic element portion 16 and a part of the cable 11 are covered with the housing 13, and the housing 13
The cable 11 extending from is provided with a cable bush 12 for preventing disconnection due to bending of the cable 11 or the like. Conventionally, the shape of the housing 11 is often that shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 10 (a)
As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape of each portion of the conventional ultrasonic probe perpendicular to the axis of the housing 13 has a cross-sectional shape of the ultrasonic element unit 1.
Cable bush 12 from the side where 6 is stored (downward)
The cross section is gradually narrowed toward the side (upward), and the cross-sectional shape is changed from square to circular. Also, in the middle part, FIG.
As can be seen in the F ′ cross section of (a), the distance dimension is A ′.
(Thickness surface) <B ′ (width surface) <C ′ (diagonal distance).

[0004]

However, in the case of the conventional ultrasonic probe housing, when the ultrasonic diagnosis is performed, the operator generally holds the state as shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of the part to be gripped with was rectangular. In ultrasonic diagnosis, in order to obtain an image orthogonal to the currently obtained diagnostic image, the ultrasonic probe is frequently rotated by 90 degrees about the central axis. If the cross-sectional shape gripped at that time is rectangular, the distance between the diagonally opposite portions (C 'portion of FIG. 10A) is the width surface (B' portion of FIG. 10A) and the thickness (FIG. 10A). ) A '
However, there is a problem that the ultrasonic probe has the widest grip feeling in the middle of the rotating operation, and the rotational scanning of the ultrasonic probe cannot be performed at a constant speed and smoothly.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The ultrasonic probe can be smoothly rotated and scanned, and can be easily fit in the hand, and the ultrasonic probe can be prevented from falling. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe which is excellent in holding property and operability and which gives a sense of security in use.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an ultrasonic element section composed of a piezoelectric element, a cable connected to the ultrasonic element section for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from an external device, and an ultrasonic element. An ultrasonic probe having a bulge in the central part, the shaft vertical cross section of the grip part is asymmetrical with respect to an axis other than the reference axis Is.

Further, an ultrasonic element portion, an ultrasonic wave propagation medium, an acoustic window material containing the ultrasonic element portion and the ultrasonic wave propagation medium, and having ultrasonic transparency, and driving for driving the ultrasonic element portion. Means, a cable for transmitting a signal to an external device and receiving a signal from the external device, and a housing having a grip portion, wherein the vertical cross section of the grip is an axis other than the reference axis of the cross-sectional shape. On the other hand, it is an asymmetrical ultrasonic probe with a bulge in the center.

Further, the present invention is an ultrasonic probe in which the cross section of the grip portion perpendicular to the axis is elliptical.

The present invention is also an ultrasonic probe having a scanning direction mark on the surface of the grip portion.

Furthermore, the present invention is an ultrasonic probe in which the surface of the grip portion has irregularities.

As a result, the ultrasonic probe can be smoothly rotated and scanned, and can be easily fitted to the hand. Further, the ultrasonic probe can be prevented from falling and is excellent in operability and use. You can get an ultrasonic probe that gives you a sense of security.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

1A and 1B are external views of an electronic scanning type convex ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a side view seen from a wide side, and FIG. c) is a side view seen from the narrow side, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof.
1A is a cross-sectional view of each portion perpendicular to the axis of FIG. 1B,
1B is a sectional view parallel to the axis of FIG. 1B, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing parallel to the axis | shaft of (c). Further, FIG. 3 is a state diagram in which the ultrasonic probe of the present invention is held. The internal structure of this ultrasonic probe is similar to that of the ultrasonic probe of the related art. That is, the ultrasonic element unit 6 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves
Has an acoustic lens 5 that focuses ultrasonic waves on the living body contact surface, and the opposite side is connected to a cable 1 that sends a signal to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receives a signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic element part 6 and a part of the cable 1 are covered with a housing, and the cable 1 extending from the housing 3 is provided with a cable bush 2 for preventing disconnection due to bending of the cable 1. .

The feature of the present invention lies in the shape of the housing 3. That is, in the housing 3 of the present invention, the grip portion to be gripped by the operator is an elliptic cylinder and has a bulge in the central portion. Further, in the present invention, the scanning direction mark 4 and the unevenness can be provided on the grip portion.

In ultrasonic diagnostics, the ultrasonic probe is often rotated and scanned in order to obtain an orthogonal screen from the current diagnostic screen. At that time, it was found that if the cross-sectional shape was elliptical, the ultrasonic probe could be easily rotated and scanned, and could be smoothly performed. The distance dimension is A (thickness surface) <C (diagonal distance) <B, as can be seen from the cross-sectional shape of each portion perpendicular to the axis of the housing 3 shown in FIG.
It works by becoming (width surface). That is, the grip feeling in the rotational scanning of the ultrasonic probe gradually widens,
Alternatively, it becomes possible to perform a smooth rotary scanning by narrowing it.

Further, since the shape of the cross section of the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention which is perpendicular to the axis of the grip portion of the housing 3 is elliptical, the direction of the ultrasonic probe can be easily detected by the hand. . In normal ultrasonic diagnosis, one operator holds the ultrasonic probe with his right hand and operates the keys of the ultrasonic diagnostic device with his left hand, and his or her line of sight looks at the diagnostic image displayed on the CRT of the diagnostic device. There is. Therefore, it is desirable for the ultrasonic probe to easily know the acquisition surface of the diagnostic image and the ultrasonic scanning direction with the sense of hand. Since the shape of the housing 3 of the present invention has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, the distance dimension differs depending on the thickness and the width, so that the direction of the ultrasonic element portion 6 of the ultrasonic probe can be easily changed with a sense of hand. It can be recognized. Further, by providing the scanning direction mark 4 on this grip portion, the direction of the ultrasonic element portion 6 can be recognized better. It is sufficient that the scanning direction mark 4 is slightly raised on the grip portion. Alternatively, the scanning direction mark 4 can be formed by providing a slight depression.

Further, in addition to the grip portion of the housing 3 of the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention being formed of an elliptic cylinder, the grip portion is provided with a bulge in the central portion thereof. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), generally, the grip portion that is gripped by the operator is maximum in both the major axis and the minor axis having an elliptical section E,
The major axis and the minor axis of the elliptical shape in the D section and the F section are smaller than those in the E section.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the ultrasonic probe of the present invention is held. Since the base portion of the grip portion of the housing 3 having the above-described structure has a constricted shape,
The constricted part can be grasped by the thumb and forefinger.

As a result, the ultrasonic probe can be smoothly rotated and scanned, and can be easily fitted to the hand. Further, the ultrasonic probe can be prevented from falling and is excellent in operability and use. It can give you a sense of security. Further, by providing unevenness on the surface of the grip portion, it is possible to further prevent slippage. The number and size of the irregularities can be set arbitrarily.

The shape of the housing 3 of the electronic scanning type convex ultrasonic probe described above is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the electronic scanning linear ultrasonic probe shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It can be easily understood from the above description that it can be applied to the mechanically operated convex ultrasonic probe and the same effect can be obtained.

The electronic scanning type convex ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the electronic scanning linear ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. The contact surface side is a curved surface or a flat surface, and there is no big difference in the internal structure, and they are used properly depending on the diagnosis site.
Therefore, the shape of the grip portion of the housing 3 of the electronic scanning linear ultrasonic probe is such that the cross section perpendicular to the axis having the bulge in the central portion is elliptical, so that the electronic scanning convex ultrasonic probe is obtained. The same effect as the child can be obtained. Further, the scanning direction mark 4 and the surface thereof can be provided with irregularities in the grip portion, as in the electronic scanning type convex ultrasonic probe.

The mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from the electronic scanning ultrasonic probe in the scanning method of ultrasonic signals. The electronic scanning type emits ultrasonic waves by continuously moving an ultrasonic signal obtained by electronically controlling a plurality of arranged piezoelectric elements. On the other hand, in the mechanical scanning type, one to three ultrasonic element units 6 are mechanically rotated or oscillated by the drive configuration unit 9 to continuously emit ultrasonic waves. Therefore, although the internal structure is different, the shape of the grip part of the mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe is elliptical in the cross section perpendicular to the axis with a bulge in the center, so that the electronic scanning convex ultrasonic probe The same effect as a tentacle is obtained. It is similar to the electronic scanning type convex ultrasonic probe that the scanning direction mark 4 and unevenness can be provided on the surface of the grip portion.

Since the present invention does not depend on the internal structure of the ultrasonic probe but relates to the shape of the housing 3, the electronic scanning ultrasonic probe and the mechanical scanning probe described above are used. It is not limited. Accordingly, the structure in which the grip has an elliptical cross section perpendicular to the axis and the central portion has a bulge can be applied to all ultrasonic probes having a grip portion that the operator grips.

Next, an example of the shape of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention is shown in FIG.

From an ergonomic point of view, the recommended specifications for the knob in the principle of the general-purpose hand-operated device shown in the Illustrated Ergonomics ([Foundation] Japan Standards Association (issued on February 14, 1990)) and the size of an adult's hand Considering the average value of the above, the ultrasonic probe preferably has the following size, but may have a size of about ± 10%.

As can be seen from the side view seen from the wide width of FIG. 8B, the total length of the housing of the microwave probe is 112 m.
m, the length of the cable bush is 35 mm, the length of the grip portion is 50 mm, the maximum width of the bulge portion of the wider grip portion (the length of the elliptical major axis of the bulge portion) is 35 mm, the grip portion The width of the constriction is 28 mm, the maximum width of the lower part of the housing is 79 mm, and the height of the scanning direction mark provided on the bulge portion of the grip portion is 0.8 mm. Further, as can be seen from the side view seen from the narrow side in FIG. 8C, the maximum width of the narrow bulging portion of the grip portion (the length of the elliptical minor axis of the bulging portion) is 27.5 mm, The width of the constriction of the grip portion is 20 mm, and the maximum width of the lower portion of the housing is 31 mm.

The ultrasonic probe having the above size is easily adapted to the hand of an average adult, the ultrasonic scanning can be smoothly performed in the rotational scanning, and the ultrasonic probe is prevented from falling. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe which has excellent holding properties and operability, which gives a sense of security in use and which causes little fatigue even when operated for a long time.

[0028]

As described above, the present invention provides an ultrasonic element section composed of a piezoelectric element, a cable connected to the ultrasonic element section for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from an external device, the ultrasonic element section and the cable. The ultrasonic probe has a cover and a housing having a grip part, and the cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the grip part is asymmetric with respect to an axis other than the reference axis of the cross-sectional shape, and the central part has a bulge, thereby An ultrasonic probe that can be smoothly rotated and easily fits in your hand, and that has excellent holding and operability that can prevent the ultrasonic probe from falling and gives you a sense of security in use. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are external views of an electronic scanning type convex ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a side view seen from a wide side, and FIG. Side view from the narrow side

2A and 2B are sectional views of an electronic scanning type convex ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a sectional view of each portion perpendicular to the axis of FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1 (b) is a sectional view parallel to the axis, (c) is a sectional view parallel to the axis of FIG. 1 (c)

FIG. 3 is a state diagram in which an ultrasonic probe of the present invention is held.

4A and 4B are external views of an electronic scanning linear ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 4A is a top view, FIG. 4B is a side view seen from a wide side, and FIG. Side view from the narrow side

5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of an electronic scanning linear ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of each portion perpendicular to the axis of FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4 (b) is a sectional view parallel to the axis, (c) is a sectional view parallel to the axis of FIG. 4 (c)

6A and 6B are external views of a mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 6A is a top view, FIG. 6B is a side view seen from the wide side, and FIG. Side view from the narrow side

7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of each portion perpendicular to the axis of FIG. 6B, and FIG. Sectional view parallel to the axis of (b),
6C is a sectional view parallel to the axis of FIG.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, (a)
Is a top view, (b) is a side view seen from the wide side, (c)
Is a side view from the narrow side

9A and 9B are external views of a conventional ultrasonic probe, where FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a side view seen from a wide side, and FIG. 9C is a side view seen from a narrow side.

10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a conventional ultrasonic probe, FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of each portion perpendicular to the axis of FIG. 9B, and FIG.
Sectional view parallel to the axis of (b), (c) is a sectional view parallel to the axis of FIG. 9 (c)

FIG. 11 is a state diagram in which a conventional ultrasonic probe is held.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cable 2 cable bush 3 housing 4 Scan mark direction 5 acoustic lens 6 Ultrasonic element

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 4C301 EE13 GA01 GA02 GA06 GA20                       GB04 GB06                 5D019 BB10 EE01 FF05

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic element section made of a piezoelectric element, a cable connected to the ultrasonic element section for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external device, and covering the ultrasonic element section and the cable, An ultrasonic probe comprising: a housing having a grip portion, wherein a vertical cross section of the grip portion is asymmetric with respect to an axis other than a reference axis of a cross-sectional shape, and a bulge is provided in a central portion. . 2. An ultrasonic element part, an ultrasonic wave propagation medium, an acoustic window material having the ultrasonic wave element part and the ultrasonic wave propagation medium and having ultrasonic permeability, and driving the ultrasonic wave element part. Driving means, a cable for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from an external device, and a housing having a grip portion, wherein the vertical cross section of the grip is an axis perpendicular to the grip section other than the reference axis of the cross-sectional shape. An ultrasonic probe that is asymmetric with respect to the axis of, and has a bulge in the central portion. 3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the grip portion has an elliptical shape. 4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion has a scanning direction mark. 5. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the grip portion has irregularities.