JP2006320476A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe capable of suppressing the fluctuation of the entire length of a transmission member and performing stable swing. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe comprises: a vibrator body 13 incorporating a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a swing shaft 14 attached to the vibrator body 13 and supported so as to be freely swung by a support body; a first pulley 15 attached to the swing shaft 14; a second pulley 18 attached to the output shaft 17a of a drive motor 17; and a flexible belt 20 stretched over the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18. The transmission ratio of the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 is set roughly to 1, and the eccentricity of the swing center of the swing shaft 14 and the curvature center of the belt 20 stretched over the fist pulley 15 and the eccentricity of the swing center of the output shaft 17a and the curvature center of the belt 20 disposed to the second pulley 18 are set to the same direction within a plane including the belt 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe, for example, an ultrasound probe used in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that obtains an image in a subject using ultrasound.

Electronic scanning performed in the arrangement direction (electronic scanning direction) of these ultrasonic transducers by a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged so that the ultrasonic transmission / reception surfaces form a convex shape (convex shape); An ultrasonic probe used in a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of acquiring a plurality of tomographic images and constructing a stereoscopic image by mechanical scanning that moves or swings in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Such a conventional ultrasonic probe will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the main part of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the surface on which the transmission member is bridged.

  7 and 8, the ultrasonic vibrator assembly 1 includes a vibrator body 2 including a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators (not shown) in which ultrasonic transmission / reception sides 2a are arranged in a convex shape, and vibrations. A swing shaft 3 is provided integrally with the vibrator body 2 on the inner peripheral surface of the child body 2 and is swingably supported by a support body (not shown).

A first pulley 4 is inserted into the swing shaft 3, and the first pulley 4 is fixed to the swing shaft 3 by a fastening screw 5. A second pulley 7 is inserted into the output shaft 6 a of the drive motor 6 that is a drive source, and the second pulley 7 is fixed to the output shaft 6 a by a fastening screw 8.
Further, a flexible belt 9 is stretched between the first pulley 4 and the second pulley 7, and the flexible belt 9 is attached to the first pulley 4 and the second pulley 7 with appropriate tension. It is in sliding contact.

  In the ultrasonic probe having such a configuration, power is transmitted in the order of the second pulley 7, the flexible belt 9, and the first pulley 4 by driving the drive motor 6 forward and backward. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 swings in one direction and the other direction around the swing shaft 3.

  Therefore, any scanning in the subject can be performed by electronic scanning of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 and mechanical scanning by swinging of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 about the swing shaft 3. Tomographic images and stereoscopic images can be acquired.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-38851 (from the bottom line in the left column on page 3 to the 39th line in the right column on the same page, FIGS. 1A and 1B)

  However, in such a conventional ultrasonic probe, due to the eccentricity of the center of curvature and the center of oscillation of the flexible belt 9 spanned between the first pulley 4 and the second pulley 7, The total length of the flexible belt 9 fluctuates during the oscillation of the acoustic wave vibrator assembly 1, and the fluctuation of the tension of the flexible belt 9 occurs to change the load torque, Slip occurred between the first pulley 4 and the second pulley 7. For this reason, in normal drive control, the oscillation operation of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1 becomes unstable, and there is a problem that complicated drive control must be performed in order to eliminate the above-described problems.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the entire length of the flexible belt 9 varies due to swinging. In FIG. 8, the pulley ratio is set to 1, and the amount of movement of the flexible belt 9 in the circumferential direction is the same by the first pulley 4 and the second pulley 7. And the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the flexible belt 9 spanned over the first pulley 4, the swing center of the output shaft 6 a of the drive motor 6, and the flexible belt 9 spanned over the second pulley 7. The eccentricity of the center of curvature is not the same in the plane including the flexible belt 9, that is, the opposite direction as shown in FIG. Is shown.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of suppressing fluctuation of the entire length of the transmission member and performing stable oscillation. And

  An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes a support body, a vibrator body including a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and is attached to the vibrator body and is swingable on the support body. A supported swing shaft, a first pulley attached to the swing shaft, a drive source having an output shaft, a second pulley attached to the output shaft of the drive source, and the first pulley In an ultrasonic probe having a pulley and a flexible transmission member spanned between the second pulley, a transmission ratio of the first pulley and the second pulley is set to approximately 1, The eccentricity of the swing center of the swing shaft and the center of curvature of the transmission member spanned over the first pulley, the swing center of the output shaft of the drive source and the span of the second pulley The eccentricity of the center of curvature of the transmission member is the same in the plane including the transmission member. It is configured to be in.

  With this configuration, the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the transmission member spanned between the first pulley and the second pulley and the center of oscillation of the oscillation shaft and the output shaft is eliminated. Fluctuations in the overall length of the member can be suppressed, fluctuations in the tension of the transmission member can occur, resulting in fluctuations in load torque, and slippage between the transmission member and the first and second pulleys. Can be prevented. As a result, the vibrator body can be stably swung by normal drive control.

  The ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes a support body, a vibrator body including a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and is attached to the vibrator body and swings on the support body. A freely supported swing shaft, a first pulley attached to the swing shaft, a drive source having an output shaft, a second pulley attached to the output shaft of the drive source, the first In the ultrasonic probe having one pulley and a flexible transmission member spanned between the second pulley and the pivot center of the swing shaft and the first pulley Adjusting at least one of the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the transmission member and the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the transmission member spanning the second pulley and the oscillation center of the output shaft of the drive source It is made up of what is possible.

  With this configuration, the center of curvature of the transmission member spanned between the first pulley and the second pulley and the eccentricity of the oscillation center of the oscillation shaft and the output shaft can be adjusted. It is possible to suppress the fluctuation of the entire length of the transmission member, and the fluctuation of the tension of the transmission member occurs to change the load torque, or between the transmission member and the first pulley and the second pulley. It is possible to prevent slipping. As a result, the vibrator body can be stably swung by normal drive control.

  Further, the transducer body of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention has a convex shape, and the ultrasonic transducer has the vibration so that an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface is located on a convex tip surface of the transducer body. It is comprised from what was arranged along the curved surface longitudinal direction of a child.

  With this configuration, since ultrasonic waves can be transmitted and received in a radial manner, a good image in the subject can be obtained over a wide range from a narrow place.

  As described above, the present invention can provide an ultrasonic probe that can suppress fluctuation of the entire length of the transmission member and can perform stable oscillation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 are views showing a first embodiment of an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention.
First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe 11 includes an ultrasonic transducer assembly 12, and this ultrasonic transducer assembly 12 is a transducer body 13 and a vibration provided on the inner peripheral surface of the transducer body 13. The moving shaft 14 is configured.

  The vibrator body 13 has a convex shape, and the vibrator body 13 contains an ultrasonic vibrator (not shown). This ultrasonic transducer is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the curved surface of the transducer body 13 so that the ultrasound transmission / reception surface is located on the convex tip surface of the transducer body 13, that is, the convex transmission / reception surface 13a side. .

  The vibrator body 13 has a lens that mechanically focuses the ultrasonic wave, a back cushioning material that suppresses transmission of ultrasonic waves to the back surface in the direction in which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received, and a matching layer that matches acoustic impedance. The connection part for transmitting and receiving an electrical signal is built in the ultrasonic vibrator, and these members are assembled together with the ultrasonic vibrator.

  The swing shaft 14 is integrally coupled to inner peripheral portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the curved surface corresponding to the strings of the vibrator body 13 having a convex shape. The swing shaft is swingable to a support body (not shown). It is supported. Further, a first pulley 15 is inserted into the swing shaft 14, and the first pulley 15 is fixed to the swing shaft 14 from above by a fastening screw 16.

  A drive motor 17 as a drive source is provided below the first pulley 15. A second pulley 18 is inserted into an output shaft 17 a of the drive motor 17, and the second pulley 18 is a fastening screw. 19 is fixed to the output shaft 17a from above.

  Here, the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 are located in the same plane in a direction orthogonal to the swing shaft 14, and the transmission ratio of the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 is approximately 1. The pulley diameter is set as follows.

  A flexible belt 20 as a transmission member is stretched between the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18, and this belt 20 is attached to the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 with appropriate tension. It is in sliding contact. The transmission member is not limited to the belt 20, and a wire or the like may be used.

  The ultrasonic probe 11 having such a configuration transmits power to the second pulley 18, the belt 20, and the first pulley 15 in this order by driving the drive motor 17 to rotate forward and backward. The vibrator assembly 12 swings in one direction and the other direction around the swing shaft 14.

  Therefore, an arbitrary scan in the subject can be performed by electronic scanning of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic transducer assembly 12 and mechanical scanning by swinging of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 12 about the swing shaft 14. Tomographic images and stereoscopic images can be acquired.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the plane where the first pulley 15, the second pulley 18, and the fastening screws 16 and 19 are arranged.
Since the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 are fixed to the swing shaft 14 and the output shaft 17a from above by fastening screws 16 and 19, respectively, the first pulley 15, the swing shaft 14, and the second pulley The gap generated between the pulley 18 and the output shaft 17a is on the upper side, and the first pulley 15 and the swing shaft 14 and the second pulley 18 and the output shaft 17a are in contact on the lower side.

  Since the fastening method and the pulley ratio are approximately 1, even if the drive motor 17 operates and the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 rotate, the first pulley 15 and the swing shaft 14 and The clearance generated between the second pulley 18 and the output shaft 17a is in the same direction. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view when the ultrasonic transducer assembly 12 is swung in the direction of 90 degrees CCW.

  In the present embodiment, the belt 20 is kept in contact with the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18, and the concentricity of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 is set to a desired value. By making the following and creating the deflection amount of the drive motor 17 below a desired value, the eccentricity of the oscillation center of the oscillation shaft 14 and the center of curvature of the belt 20 spanned over the first pulley 15; The center of oscillation of the output shaft 17a and the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the belt 20 spanned over the second pulley 18 are set in the same direction within the plane including the belt 20.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fluctuation of the overall length of the belt 20 is canceled by the eccentricity of the first pulley 15 and the eccentricity of the second pulley 18. As described above, the entire length of the belt 20 in the state of being stretched between the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 can be kept substantially the same while the vibrator body 13 is swung. Variations in tension can be reduced, and the load applied to the drive motor 17 can be stabilized.

  Furthermore, the slippage between the belt 20 and the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 generated by the change in the overall length of the belt 20 can be reduced. As a result, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 12 can be stably swung by normal drive control.

  In the present embodiment, since the ultrasonic transducer bodies are arranged in the transducer body 13 so that the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface 13a has a convex shape, the ultrasonic waves can be transmitted / received in a radial manner. Therefore, a good image in the subject can be obtained over a wide range.

  As long as the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 are in the same direction, the eccentric direction is not limited to the upward direction but may be any direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate pulley 21 is interposed in the wire 40, so that even when the wire 40 is bent in the middle, it is hung on the swing center of the swing shaft 14 and the first pulley 15. The eccentricity of the center of curvature of the passed wire 40 and the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the output shaft 17a and the center of curvature of the wire 40 stretched over the second pulley 18 are in the same direction within the development plane including the wire 40. By doing so, the same effect can be obtained.

5 and 6 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted. .
5 and 6, a fastening screw 16 is screwed onto the first pulley 15 from above, and the first pulley 15 is fastened to the swing shaft 14 by the fastening screw 16.

  Further, the output shaft 17a of the drive motor 17 is formed with a straight portion 17b in which a part of a cylinder is linearly formed, and an adjustment screw 31 is incorporated in the second pulley 18 inserted into the output shaft 17a. ing.

  The adjusting screw 31 is in contact with the linear portion 17b, and the amount of eccentricity between the second pulley 18 and the output shaft 17a is determined by adjusting the screwing height into the second pulley 18 with the adjusting screw 31. Can do.

  A fastening screw 19 is screwed onto the second pulley 18 from the lower side facing the adjustment screw 31, and the second pulley 18 is fastened to the output shaft 17 a by the fastening screw 19.

  The drive motor 17 is provided with a torque measuring device 32, and this torque measuring device 32 measures the load torque of the drive motor 17. Then, the torque measuring device 32 measures the load torque of the drive motor 17. When the torque fluctuation of the drive motor 17 is large depending on the swing position, the fastening screw 19 is loosened and the adjustment screw 31 is used to adjust the second pulley 18. The eccentricity of the output shaft 17a is adjusted, and the load torque is measured again.

  This operation is repeated to adjust the load torque, and when the torque fluctuation becomes the smallest, the fastening screw 19 and the adjusting screw 31 are fixed with an adhesive or the like. The point at which the torque fluctuation is minimized is the eccentricity of the swing center of the swing shaft 14 and the center of curvature of the belt 20 spanned by the first pulley 15, the swing center of the output shaft 17a and the second center. This is a point in time when the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the belt 20 stretched over the pulley 18 becomes substantially the same.

  In the present embodiment, by adjusting the eccentricity of the second pulley 18 and the output shaft 17a with the adjusting screw 31, for example, the concentricity between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 is shifted. Or the load torque for adjusting the second pulley 18 is monitored even if the gaps between the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 and the swinging shaft 14 and the output shaft 17a are different. By adjusting the amount of eccentricity between the pulley 18 and the output shaft 17a, the eccentricity can be adjusted after including all error factors without setting the pulley ratio to 1.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the eccentricity of the swing center of the output shaft 17a and the center of curvature of the belt 20 spanned by the second pulley 18 is adjusted by the adjusting screw 31, so that the first The eccentricity can be adjusted in consideration of error factors such as variations due to machining accuracy of the pulley 15, the second pulley 18, the swing shaft 14 or the output shaft 17a, and fluctuations depending on the pulley ratio. For this reason, the application range is wide, and a stable swinging operation independent of component accuracy can be performed.

  The adjusting screw 31 of the present embodiment is provided on the second pulley 18 side so as to adjust the eccentricity of the swing center of the output shaft 17a and the center of curvature of the belt 20 spanned over the second pulley 18. However, it may be provided on the first pulley 15 side so as to adjust the eccentricity of the swing center of the swing shaft 14 and the center of curvature of the belt 20 spanned over the first pulley 15.

  In the present embodiment, the load torque of the drive motor 17 is measured. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the amount of deflection of the first pulley 15 and the second pulley 18 is measured, and adjustment is performed so that the phases match. May be performed.

  As described above, the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention has an effect of suppressing fluctuation of the entire length of the transmission member and performing stable oscillation, and uses ultrasonic waves to examine the subject. It is useful as an ultrasonic probe or the like used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains an internal image.

1 is an external perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the ultrasonic probe in the 1st Embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing which shows the state which the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator assembly in the 1st Embodiment of this invention swung from the rocking | fluctuation center reference plane, and changed the position Sectional drawing of the ultrasonic probe of the other shape in the 1st Embodiment of this invention External perspective view of an ultrasonic probe in the second embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing of the ultrasonic probe in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention External perspective view of a conventional ultrasonic probe Cross-sectional view of a conventional ultrasonic probe

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Ultrasonic probe 13 Transducer body 13a Transmission / reception surface 14 Oscillation shaft 15 1st pulley 17 Drive motor (drive source)
17a Output shaft 18 Second pulley 20 Belt (transmission member)
31 Adjustment screw 40 Wire (Transmission member)

Claims (3)

A support;
A vibrator body including a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
A swing shaft attached to the vibrator body and swingably supported by the support;
A first pulley attached to the swing shaft;
A drive source having an output shaft;
A second pulley attached to the output shaft of the drive source;
In the ultrasonic probe having a flexible transmission member spanned between the first pulley and the second pulley,
The transmission ratio of the first pulley and the second pulley is set to approximately 1,
Eccentricity of the oscillation center of the oscillation shaft and the center of curvature of the transmission member spanned over the first pulley, and oscillation center of the output shaft of the drive source and the second pulley An ultrasonic probe characterized in that the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the transmission member is arranged in the same direction within a plane including the transmission member. A support;
A vibrator body including a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
A swing shaft attached to the vibrator body and swingably supported by the support;
A first pulley attached to the swing shaft;
A drive source having an output shaft;
A second pulley attached to the output shaft of the drive source;
In the ultrasonic probe having a flexible transmission member spanned between the first pulley and the second pulley,
Eccentricity of the oscillation center of the oscillation shaft and the center of curvature of the transmission member spanned over the first pulley, and oscillation center of the output shaft of the drive source and the second pulley An ultrasonic probe characterized in that at least one of the eccentricity of the center of curvature of the transmission member can be adjusted. The vibrator body has a convex shape, and the ultrasonic vibrators are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the curved surface of the vibrator body so that an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface is located at a convex tip surface of the vibrator body. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ultrasonic probe is provided.

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