JP2006043126A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe having impact resistance so that breakage of ultrasonic vibrators or a support mechanism for the ultrasonic vibrators is prevented, even when the ultrasonic probe falls accidentally while it is not actuated. <P>SOLUTION: An operative state/inoperative state of the ultrasonic probe 10 is detected. When the ultrasonic probe is in its inoperative state, an ultrasonic vibrator assembly 1 swingable around a swinging shaft 2 is arranged in a predetermined evacuation position 7 (i.e., at a position turned at an angle α with respect to a predetermined reference position 6). The ultrasonic vibrator assembly is preferably configured so that it can turn to a position located at an angle larger than that of the predetermined evacuation position. A cushion element may be provided for absorbing/softening an excessive impact acting on the ultrasonic vibrator assembly to make the assembly to turn from the evacuation position to a position located at a larger angle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used in a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining an in-vivo image using ultrasonic waves.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1 below, an array direction (electronic scanning direction) of ultrasonic vibration elements by a convex (convex) ultrasonic transducer in which ultrasonic vibration elements are arrayed. The ultrasonic wave relating to the medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enables the acquisition of a plurality of tomographic images and the construction of a three-dimensional image by electronic scanning performed in the above and mechanical scanning that moves or rotates in a direction orthogonal to the electronic scanning direction A probe is known.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the main part of a transabdominal ultrasonic probe according to the prior art. FIG. 10 shows an ultrasonic probe 100 having features described in both Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below. In FIG. 10, an ultrasonic transducer assembly 101 composed of a convex-shaped ultrasonic transducer is fixed by a swing shaft 102. Further, the swing shaft 102 is connected to a drive unit such as a motor via a predetermined transmission mechanism (not shown), and the ultrasonic transducer assembly 101 is centered on the swing shaft 102 by driving by the drive unit. It is comprised so that it may rotate.

  With such a configuration, by operating the drive unit, it is possible to realize mechanical oscillation of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 101 with the oscillation shaft 102 as the oscillation center via a predetermined transmission mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to acquire a stereoscopic image in the subject by electronic scanning by the ultrasonic transducer assembly 101 and mechanical scanning by rotation about the swing shaft 102 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 101. .

  On the other hand, when the ultrasonic probe 100 is used, the operator causes the ultrasonic probe 100 to come into contact with the vicinity of the observation site of the subject. There is a risk of falling. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe 100 is required to have impact resistance (particularly resistance to drop impact) that prevents damage due to dropping.

For example, with respect to the ultrasonic probe 100 that performs only electronic scanning, it is known that impact resistance is improved by firmly hardening the periphery of the ultrasonic probe 100 with an adhesive. Further, with respect to the ultrasonic probe 100 that constructs a stereoscopic image by performing both the electronic scanning and the mechanical scanning described above, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 101 that is required to be kept in a swingable state is fixed. Therefore, for example, as described in Patent Document 2 below, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 101 is sandwiched between the protection members 103 so that an acoustic window (window) (not shown) is formed in the ultrasonic transducer assembly 101. A technique for protecting the touch panel from being touched is known. In addition, the acoustic window is normally configured by a member whose acoustic impedance is close to that of the human body, and has a possibility of being deformed by an impact.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-38851 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-38489 (FIG. 1, paragraph 0017)

  However, in an intracavity ultrasound probe that performs both electronic scanning and mechanical scanning, the insertion section to be inserted into the body cavity must be miniaturized, thus improving impact resistance due to dimensional constraints. Therefore, there is a problem that a sufficiently strong protective plate cannot be used. In particular, when the substantially spherical portion of the acoustic window falls downward and collides with the ground so that the influence of the total weight of the ultrasonic probe is applied to the acoustic window, the ultrasonic transducer There is a problem that the support mechanism such as the swing shaft that swingably supports the assembly and the ultrasonic transducer assembly is damaged.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides damage to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and the support mechanism of the ultrasonic transducer assembly even when the ultrasonic probe is accidentally dropped when the ultrasonic probe is not operating. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe having impact resistance capable of preventing the above-described problem.

To achieve the above object, the ultrasonic probe of the present invention is an ultrasonic probe for acquiring an image in a predetermined subject using ultrasonic waves,
An ultrasonic transducer assembly in which an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals is arranged;
A bearing member that rotatably supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly about a predetermined rotation axis;
An acoustic window having a substantially hemispherical shape and protecting the ultrasonic transducer assembly by disposing the ultrasonic transducer assembly inside the substantially hemispherical shape;
Drive means for rotating the ultrasonic transducer assembly about the predetermined rotation axis;
Motion detecting means for detecting the operating state of the ultrasonic probe.
This configuration can prevent damage to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and the support mechanism of the ultrasonic transducer assembly even when the ultrasonic probe is accidentally dropped when the ultrasonic probe is not operating. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe having excellent impact resistance.

Furthermore, in the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention, when it is detected by the operation detection means that the ultrasonic probe is in a non-operating state, the ultrasonic transducer assembly is a reference that can be disposed during operation. It is configured to be disposed at a predetermined retraction position that is rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the position about the predetermined rotation axis.
With this configuration, for example, the acoustic window is directed downward by using the rotation shaft used during the rotation operation in mechanical scanning as the retraction position at a position rotated by a predetermined angle from the reference position. It is possible to disperse the impact caused by falling in the state of being caught.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention provides an impact on the ultrasonic transducer assembly so that an angle with respect to the reference position is larger than the predetermined angle for setting the predetermined retracted position. And a shock-absorbing member for alleviating the impact when in contact with the ultrasonic transducer assembly.
With this configuration, even when stress is applied to the ultrasonic transducer assembly so that an excessive impact is applied and the angle is larger than the angle of the retracted position, the stress can be absorbed and relaxed. .

Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe of the present invention has resistance value detecting means for detecting an internal resistance value of the buffer member, and the buffer member is made of conductive rubber, and the resistance value detecting means. By detecting the change in the internal resistance value of the buffer member, the fact that the buffer member has received stress from the ultrasonic transducer assembly is detected.
With this configuration, it is possible to detect an impact when stress is applied to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that an excessive impact is applied and the angle is larger than the angle of the retracted position.

  The present invention has the above-described configuration, and supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly and the ultrasonic transducer assembly even when the ultrasonic probe is accidentally dropped when the ultrasonic probe is not operating. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe having impact resistance capable of preventing damage to a mechanism.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an operating state and a non-operating state of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively. The operation state and the non-operation state (in the non-operation state, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is disposed at the retracted position) will be described in detail later.

  An ultrasonic probe 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an ultrasonic transducer (not shown) that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a lens (not shown) that mechanically focuses the ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic waves to the back surface. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 includes a back cushioning material (not shown) that prevents generation, a matching layer (not shown) that matches acoustic impedance, and a signal line (not shown) of the ultrasonic transducer. . It is possible to acquire a planar tomographic image in the subject by electronic scanning of the ultrasonic transducer performed in the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1.

  Further, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 can be swung (rotated) around the swing shaft 2 by a drive unit such as a motor (corresponding to a drive unit 21 shown in FIG. 3 described later). The ultrasonic transducer can be mechanically scanned. Note that by using both the electronic scanning and the mechanical scanning described above, it is possible to acquire a stereoscopic image and an arbitrary cross-sectional image in the subject.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 has an acoustic window 3 having a substantially hemispherical portion. The acoustic window 3 is usually composed of a member whose acoustic impedance is close to that of a human body, and the inside thereof is filled with a liquid acoustic propagation medium. Thereby, the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 are efficiently propagated to the subject through the acoustic propagation medium and the acoustic window 3 member without passing through the air layer. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a part of the acoustic window 3 is not shown, and the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 and the swing shaft 2 arranged inside the acoustic window 3 are shown in FIGS. As shown in the figure.

  The base 4 is a support member that supports the swing shaft 2 and the acoustic window 3 at a desired position, such as a bearing member of the swing shaft 2. The casing 5 extends in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) facing away from the substantially hemispherical portion of the acoustic window 3, and is integrated with the acoustic window 3 to perform ultrasonic probe. The outer shape of the child 10 is formed. The operator of the ultrasound probe 10 acquires an image of an organ or the like in the subject by holding the casing 5 and operating the acoustic window 3 in contact with the subject. It becomes possible.

  Further, the ultrasonic probe 10 can detect and control a position at which the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 can detect a rotation position (for example, a rotation angle) when the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 rotates about the swing shaft 2. (Corresponding to a position detection / control unit 22 shown in FIG. 3 described later). The position detection / control unit detects an arbitrary rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 with respect to the swing shaft 2 and uses the detection result as a drive unit (corresponding to a drive unit 21 shown in FIG. 3 described later). Notice. Based on the detection result, the drive unit can rotate the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 to a desired rotation position or fix the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 to a desired rotation position. is there.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration for realizing the operation according to the present invention in the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An ultrasonic probe 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes an ultrasonic transducer assembly 1, a drive unit 21, a position detection / control unit 22, and an operation detection unit 23. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 corresponds to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The drive unit 21 is a motor or the like that rotates the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 around the swing shaft 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the arrangement position (rotation position) of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1. ). Further, the position detection / control unit 22 detects the arrangement position of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 and, for example, requests the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 from the drive unit 21 in accordance with an instruction from the operator. A drive control signal for setting the position is sent. The position detection / control unit 22 can be configured by, for example, an incremental encoder.

  Further, the motion detection unit 23 detects whether or not the ultrasonic probe 10 is operating, and when it is determined that the ultrasonic probe 10 is in a non-operating state, the motion detection unit 23 detects the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 with respect to the drive unit 21. It is possible to send a control signal for instructing to change the arrangement position to a predetermined retreat position (described later). Note that the operation state / non-operation state detected by the operation detection unit 23 can be arbitrarily defined. For example, a state where ultrasonic waves are being transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transducer, a state where the power source of the ultrasonic probe 10 is turned on, a state where the ultrasonic probe 10 is held by an operator, etc. Can be defined as an operating state.

  In addition, when the state in which ultrasonic transmission / reception is performed by the ultrasonic transducer is set to the operation state, the operation detection unit 23 is configured to detect the presence / absence of the ultrasonic transmission / reception operation. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is disposed at the retracted position except when the ultrasonic examination is performed. In addition, when the state in which the power source of the ultrasound probe 10 is turned on is set to the operation state, the operation detection unit 23 is configured to detect the on / off of the power source, and the operator can detect the ultrasonic wave. Except when the power is turned on to use the probe 10, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is placed in the retracted position. When the state in which the ultrasonic probe 10 is gripped by the operator is set as the motion state, the motion detection unit 23 detects the grip state of the operator (the operator's hand is in the ultrasound probe). The ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is disposed at the retracted position except when the operator is holding the ultrasonic probe 10. Is done.

  Next, the arrangement position of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 in each of the operating state and the non-operating state of the ultrasonic probe 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic probe in the operating state shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic probe in the non-operating state shown in FIG. 4 and 5, a cross section having a substantially vertical direction with respect to the swing shaft 2 and passing through a substantially central portion of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 rotates from the reference position 6 by a predetermined angle (for example, an angle α between the reference position 6) around the oscillation shaft 2 in the non-operating state. It is arranged at the retracted position 7 that has moved. The retracted position 7 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is a rotational position that is disposed when the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is not in operation and does not transmit / receive ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is moved to the retracted position 7 by the drive unit 21 when not operating. During the operation of the ultrasonic probe 10, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is arranged around the reference position 6 and configured to perform mechanical scanning.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic probe 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a case will be described in which the substantially spherical portion of the acoustic window 3 is dropped on the ground so that the influence of the total weight of the ultrasonic probe 10 is applied to the acoustic window.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state immediately after dropping when the ultrasonic probe in a non-operating state in the first embodiment of the present invention falls on the ground from a drop height lower than a specified height. FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the ultrasonic probe 10 collides with the ground from the acoustic window 3 and the acoustic window 3 is elastically deformed.

  Although the acoustic window 3 is elastically deformed by the impact of the drop, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is retracted to the retracted position 7 in the non-operating ultrasonic probe 10 and does not interfere with the acoustic window 3. (It does not receive the stress from the elastically deformed acoustic window 3). With this configuration, even when the acoustic window 3 is deformed due to a drop from a predetermined height or less, the gap δ or more can always be maintained between the acoustic window 3 and the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1. . Therefore, in a state where the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is retracted to the retracted position 7, damage to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 and the swing shaft 2 due to the stress of the acoustic window 3 can be prevented.

  For example, when the angle α formed by the reference position 6 and the retreat position 7 is approximately 60 °, interference between the acoustic window 3 and the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is prevented up to a drop height of about 70 cm. It is possible.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows a state immediately after dropping when the ultrasonic probe in a non-operating state according to the first embodiment of the present invention falls on the ground from a drop height higher than a specified height. It is sectional drawing shown. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the ultrasonic probe 10 collides with the ground from the acoustic window 3 and the acoustic window 3 is elastically deformed.

When the drop height is greater than or equal to the specified value, the elastic deformation amount of the acoustic window 3 increases, and the acoustic window 3 interferes with the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 (that is, the gap δ = 0 in FIG. 6 is satisfied). ). However, the direction of the force applied by the interference of the acoustic window 3 is substantially the same as the direction indicating the reference position 6 in FIG. 7, while the retracted position 7 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is predetermined from the reference position 6. Therefore, the force F _r in the direction toward the oscillating shaft 2 that damages the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 and the oscillating shaft 2 is reduced, and a moment about the oscillating shaft 2 is generated. A force Fθ is generated. As a result, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 and further retreats from the retreat position 7 (the angle formed with the reference position 6 is further increased). Thus, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic assembly 1 and the swing shaft 2 from being damaged. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 can be rotated about the swing shaft 2 so that the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 can move in a direction in which the angle with the reference position 6 is larger than the retracted position 7. It is desirable to be configured as described above.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is moved from the center position (reference position 6) of the acoustic window 3 to the retracted position 7 during non-operation. Since it is configured to move, for example, in a state where the substantially spherical portion of the acoustic window 3 faces downward so that the influence of the total weight of the ultrasonic probe 10 is applied to the acoustic window, it is more than specified. Even when dropped from the height to the ground, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 and the swing shaft 2 from being damaged. Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the highly reliable ultrasonic probe 10 having excellent impact resistance is provided.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state immediately after dropping when the ultrasonic probe in a non-operating state according to the second embodiment of the present invention falls on the ground from a drop height higher than a specified height. FIG. In the second embodiment of the present invention, in the first embodiment described above, when the relative position of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 with respect to the reference position 6 rotates further than the retracted position 7, A buffer member 8 that can buffer the stress associated with the rotation is provided. The buffer member 8 is preferably made of a material having resistance to a liquid acoustic propagation medium existing inside the acoustic window 3. Further, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 can be operated regardless of whether the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the swing shaft 2. However, if the retracted position 7 is limited to one side, the buffer member 8 may be disposed only on the side corresponding to the retracted position 7.

  With the above-described configuration, for example, in order that the influence of the total weight of the ultrasound probe 10 is applied to the acoustic window, the ground surface from a height higher than a specified level in a state where the substantially spherical portion of the acoustic window 3 faces downward. Even when the shock absorber 8 is dropped, it is possible to absorb and mitigate the impact of the rotation of the buffer member 8 on the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1, and to prevent damage to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 and the swing shaft 2. Is possible. Even when an excessive rotational impact occurs when the operator handles the ultrasonic probe 10, the shock can be mitigated by the buffer member 8 described above. As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the highly reliable ultrasonic probe 10 having excellent impact resistance is provided.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ultrasonic probe 10 according to the third embodiment includes the buffer member 8 as in FIG. 8 described above, and the resistance value of the buffer member 8 changes according to the applied load. Made of conductive rubber.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration around the buffer member of the ultrasonic probe according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the buffer member 8 is made of conductive rubber, and its resistance value changes according to the applied load. On the other hand, two electrodes 11 are connected to the buffer member 8, and these electrodes 11 are further connected to an adjustment / detection circuit 12. The adjustment / detection circuit 12 can detect a change in the resistance value between the two electrodes 11. The arrangement position of the adjustment / detection circuit 12 is not particularly limited. For example, the adjustment / detection circuit 12 can be arranged in the housing 5 or the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1.

  With the above-described configuration, even when the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 is further rotated from its retracted position due to an impact or the like, the shock is absorbed and alleviated by the buffer member 8, and the adjustment / detection circuit 12 Based on the detection result of the change in resistance value, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of impact and the strength of impact. Various functions can be adjusted based on the detection result.

  For example, when an excessive impact is applied to the ultrasonic probe 10 due to the influence of a drop or the like, the motor as the drive unit 21 steps out, and the reference position 6 in the mechanical scanning is shifted, so that an accurate image position is obtained. In some cases, an image in the subject cannot be acquired. However, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to detect the reference position of the motor by detecting a change in the internal resistance value of the buffer member 8 that is conductive rubber, and to return the motor to the correct position. It is also possible to set a display for warning the user of the inspection of the device depending on the strength of the impact.

  The ultrasonic probe of the present invention is not damaged when the ultrasonic probe is not operated, for example, even when the ultrasonic probe is accidentally dropped. It can be applied to the technical field related to a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic probe for obtaining an in-vivo image using ultrasonic waves.

The perspective view which shows the operation state of the ultrasonic probe in the 1st Embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the non-operation state of the ultrasonic probe in the 1st Embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the internal structure for implement | achieving the operation | movement which concerns on this invention in the ultrasonic probe of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional view of the ultrasonic probe in the operating state shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the non-operating ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows typically the state immediately after the fall in case the ultrasonic probe of the non-operation state in the 1st Embodiment of this invention falls on the ground from the fall height lower than prescribed | regulated height Sectional drawing which shows typically the state immediately after the fall in case the ultrasonic probe of the non-operation state in the 1st Embodiment of this invention falls on the ground from the fall height higher than the prescribed height Sectional drawing which shows typically the state immediately after the fall in case the ultrasonic probe of the non-operation state in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention falls on the ground from the fall height higher than the prescribed height The block diagram which shows the internal structure of the buffer member periphery of the ultrasonic probe in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the principal part of the ultrasonic probe for transabdominal based on the prior art

Explanation of symbols

1, 101 Ultrasonic vibrator assembly 2, 102 Oscillation axis (rotation axis)
3 Acoustic window (window)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 Base 5 Case 6 Reference position 7 Retraction position 8 Buffer member 10,100 Ultrasonic probe 11 Electrode 12 Adjustment / detection circuit 21 Drive part 22 Position detection / control part 23 Operation | movement detection part 103 Protection member

Claims (4)

An ultrasound probe for acquiring an image in a predetermined subject using ultrasound,
An ultrasonic transducer assembly in which an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals is arranged;
A bearing member that rotatably supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly about a predetermined rotation axis;
An acoustic window having a substantially hemispherical shape and protecting the ultrasonic transducer assembly by disposing the ultrasonic transducer assembly inside the substantially hemispherical shape;
Drive means for rotating the ultrasonic transducer assembly about the predetermined rotation axis;
An ultrasonic probe comprising: an operation detection means for detecting an operation state of the ultrasonic probe.   When it is detected by the motion detection means that the ultrasonic probe is in a non-operating state, the ultrasonic transducer assembly moves the predetermined rotation axis with respect to a reference position at which the ultrasonic transducer assembly can be disposed. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is arranged at a predetermined retraction position rotated by a predetermined angle as a center.   When an impact is applied to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that an angle with respect to the reference position is larger than the predetermined angle for setting the predetermined retracted position, the ultrasonic transducer The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, further comprising a buffer member configured to come in contact with the assembly and mitigate the impact. It has resistance value detection means for detecting the internal resistance value of the buffer member, the buffer member is made of conductive rubber, and the resistance value detection means detects a change in the internal resistance value of the buffer member. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, configured to detect that the buffer member has received stress from the ultrasonic transducer assembly.