JP2008206821A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe used for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, especially an ultrasonic probe which is provided with a cooling mechanism and is easily operated. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe comprises: a probe part 1 provided with a vibrator part 6 arranged inside a probe case 5 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and a circuit board 8 for generating ultrasonic drive signals to be supplied to the vibrator part 6 and/or processing ultrasonic reception signals from the vibrator part 6; a cable part 2 for transmitting signals between the circuit board 8 and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 30; and a connector part 3 for transmitting the signals to/from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 30. A liquid cooling medium 4 with prescribed insulation resistance, which is cooled in the cooling part 32 of the connector part 3, is supplied into the probe case 5, and the supplied cooling medium 4 is brought into contact with the vibrator part 6 and the circuit board 8 to absorb heat and is then discharged to the cooling part 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic probe provided with a cooling mechanism.

  2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses that transmit ultrasonic waves into a subject and inspect the subject using reflected waves are widely used in the medical field. An ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves includes a probe unit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves by bringing the tip of the subject into contact with a subject, and a connector unit that transmits signals between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. Connected by cable part.

  In the probe unit, a transducer unit having a plurality of transducers that generate ultrasonic waves and convert received ultrasonic waves into electrical signals is disposed at one end, and is connected to the cable unit at the other end. Furthermore, a circuit board for generating an ultrasonic drive signal to be supplied to the transducer unit via the transducer unit and the lead wire and / or processing an ultrasonic reception signal from the transducer unit is disposed in the probe unit. The

  In the operating state of this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, not all of the ultrasonic waves generated for transmission to the subject are transmitted into the subject within the probe unit, and some of them are absorbed by the transducer unit and are heated. Converted into a heat source. Also in the circuit board, electric power is consumed for transmission / reception with respect to the vibrator section, and the heat generation source.

  On the other hand, as one method for improving the image quality in order to obtain a clear ultrasonic image, there is a method of increasing the S / N of the received ultrasonic wave by increasing the power of the transmitted ultrasonic wave. However, if the power of the transmission ultrasonic wave is increased, the amount of heat generated in the vibrator unit and the circuit board increases, and the circuit board can operate at a high temperature, but the subject is generated by the heat generated in the vibrator part and the circuit board. There is a problem that one end portion of the probe portion in contact with the temperature exceeds a safe temperature for the subject.

  In order to solve this problem, a heat pipe for transferring heat from the vibrator unit is arranged in the probe unit, and a pump arranged in the connector unit is used to connect the probe unit and the connector unit via the cable unit having a heat conduction structure. An ultrasonic probe provided with a cooling mechanism that circulates refrigerant between them has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a heat transfer mechanism, such as a pipe, metal plate, heat pipe, etc., through which a cooling fluid is passed to bring out the heat generated in contact with the circuit board to the outside of the probe section, is provided. An ultrasonic probe capable of suppressing a temperature rise in the probe portion by letting it escape to the portion has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

By the way, recently, an ultrasonic probe compatible with three-dimensional scanning has been developed, which is equipped with a transducer section having a large number of transducers arranged two-dimensionally and can scan ultrasound three-dimensionally. Has also begun. In such an ultrasonic probe compatible with three-dimensional scanning, the number of transducers increases compared to an ultrasonic probe compatible with two-dimensional scanning having transducers arranged one-dimensionally in the transducer section. Alternatively, when a circuit board for reception or transmission / reception is built in, the scale of the circuit board increases as the number of vibrators increases.
JP-A-9-294744 Registered Utility Model No. 3061292

  However, in an ultrasonic probe incorporating a large number of vibrators and a large-scale circuit board corresponding to this vibrator, the structure of the probe part is complicated by arranging a heat transfer mechanism such as a heat pipe inside the probe part. However, there is a problem that the operability becomes worse due to the increase in size.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic probe that is easy to operate.

  In order to solve the above problems, an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes a transducer unit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves arranged in a probe case, and generates and / or generates an ultrasonic drive signal to be supplied to the transducer unit. A probe unit including a circuit board for processing an ultrasonic reception signal from the transducer unit, and one end for transmitting a signal between the circuit board and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body are connected to the probe case. A liquid refrigerant having a predetermined electrical insulation resistance that contacts the vibrator unit and the circuit board and absorbs heat is fed into the probe case and the probe case, and discharged from the probe case by this feeding. And cooling means for cooling the refrigerant.

  According to the present invention, a liquid refrigerant excellent in electrical insulation is fed into the probe section, and the fed refrigerant is brought into contact with a heat generating source to absorb heat so that the probe section has a simple structure. The size can be reduced, and the ultrasonic probe can be easily operated.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The ultrasonic probe of the present invention will be described as an example in which a circuit board for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is provided inside. The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to an ultrasonic probe provided with a transmission or reception circuit board.

A first embodiment of an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic probe 10 includes a probe unit 1 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject P, a connector unit 3 that transmits signals between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 30, and the probe unit 1 and the connector unit. 3 is provided with a cable portion 2 for transmitting a signal between them and transferring a refrigerant 4 for absorbing heat in the probe portion 1.

  The refrigerant 4 is, for example, a fluorine-based inert liquid that is thermally and chemically stable and excellent in electrical insulation and permeability, and is sealed over the probe unit 1, the cable unit 2, and the connector unit 3, It circulates in each part. And after cooling in the connector part 3, it is supplied in the probe part 1 via the cable part 2, and the heat | fever in the probe part 1 is absorbed. After absorbing heat, it is discharged into the connector part 3 via the cable part 2. After being discharged, the connector portion 3 is cooled again.

  Next, the configuration of the probe unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the probe unit 1. FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section taken along a cross sectional line 7 of the probe unit 1 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, a probe unit 1 includes a probe case 5 that is electrically insulated from the outside and prevents leakage of the refrigerant 4 from the inside, a vibrator unit 6 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject P, and a vibration. A plurality of circuit boards 8 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the slave section 6 and a feeding section 9 for determining the position of a feeding port for feeding the refrigerant 4 from the cable section 2 into the probe case 5 are provided. .

  The probe case 5 is made of a plastic material having excellent electrical insulation, and forms an outer shell of the probe unit 1. And the vibrator | oscillator part 6 is hold | maintained by the opening part of one end, and the cable part 2 is hold | maintained by the other end part. In addition, the other end surface has an inlet 51 and a discharge port 52, holds one end of the feeding unit 9 at the inlet 51, and allows the refrigerant 4 fed from the feeding unit 9 into the probe case 5 to be discharged from the discharge port 52. Discharge.

  The transducer unit 6 includes an acoustic lens for focusing the ultrasonic waves forming the outer surface, and an alignment for increasing the transmission efficiency of the ultrasonic wave in which one surface is joined to the inner surface of the acoustic lens. A plurality of piezoelectric vibrators for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a subject P whose one side is joined to the other side of the matching layer, and one side to the other side of the piezoelectric vibrator. And a backing material that absorbs unnecessary ultrasonic waves from the piezoelectric vibrator to which the side surface is bonded and suppresses vibration.

  The terminals on both sides of each piezoelectric vibrator are connected to an electronic circuit corresponding to each piezoelectric vibrator on each circuit board 8. Each piezoelectric vibrator converts an ultrasonic drive signal from the circuit board 8 into an ultrasonic wave during ultrasonic transmission, and transmits the converted ultrasonic wave to the subject P. At the time of ultrasonic reception, the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject P is received and converted into an electrical signal, and the converted ultrasonic reception signal is transmitted to the circuit board 8.

  In addition, the other side surface of the backing material forming the inner surface of the vibrator unit 6 is in contact with the refrigerant 4, and heat generated in each piezoelectric vibrator by transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves is transferred to the refrigerant via the backing material. Release to 4.

  The transducer unit 6 is compatible with three-dimensional scanning in which piezoelectric transducers are two-dimensionally divided to electronically scan an ultrasonic beam in a three-dimensional direction, and electronically scans an ultrasonic beam in a two-dimensional direction. In addition, there is a two-dimensional scanning type in which piezoelectric vibrators are divided and arranged in one dimension. In the following, the case of using the one corresponding to three-dimensional scanning will be described.

  Each circuit board 8 processes the ultrasonic wave reception signal from the transmission circuit for generating the ultrasonic wave drive signal for generating the transmission ultrasonic wave by the signal from the cable unit 2 and the transducer unit 6 to the cable unit 2. A receiving circuit for outputting is provided. Each terminal at one end is connected to each piezoelectric vibrator of the vibrator section 6, and each terminal at the other end is connected to the cable section 2.

  Further, one end portion is joined to the backing material of the vibrator portion 6 and is arranged near the center in the probe case 5 as shown in FIG. Further, the entire outer surface of each circuit board 8 contacts the refrigerant 4, and heat generated from each circuit of each circuit board 8 is released to the refrigerant 4. Note that, for example, a fluorine-based inert liquid having a predetermined electrical insulation resistance is used for the refrigerant 4 so that each electronic component of the circuit board 8 functions normally.

  Note that the transmission circuit of the circuit board 8 has various patterns, and a pulser that generates a driving pulse for driving each piezoelectric vibrator to emit transmission ultrasonic waves to the subject P, or transmission of ultrasonic waves A rate delay time for converging the ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth and a deflection delay time for transmitting the ultrasonic wave in the three-dimensional scanning direction are applied to the rate pulse, and this rate pulse is supplied to the pulser. There are a transmission delay circuit, a rate pulse generator for determining a repetition period (Tr) of an ultrasonic pulse radiated to the subject P, and the like.

  The receiving circuit of the circuit board 8 also has various patterns, and a preamplifier that amplifies a minute ultrasonic wave reception signal from the transducer unit 6 to ensure sufficient S / N, or reception from a predetermined depth. Reception to give the output of the preamplifier a focusing delay time for focusing the ultrasonic wave to obtain a narrow received beam width and a deflection delay time for setting the receiving directivity of the ultrasonic beam in the three-dimensional scanning direction. There are a delay circuit, an adder for adding N channel received signals from the reception delay circuit, and the like.

  The feeding unit 9 is a partially bent tube and is disposed between the inner surface of the probe case 5 and the circuit board 8. One end portion is held at the inlet 51 of the probe case 5, and the other end portion is disposed in the vicinity of the inner surface of the vibrator portion 6 as a supply port for the refrigerant 4. Then, the coolant 4 cooled by the connector unit 3 and flowing from the inlet 51 of the probe case 5 through the cable unit 2 is fed from the feeding port of the feeding unit 9 toward the vibrator unit 6. The supplied refrigerant 4 flows from the vicinity of the vibrator unit 6 toward the circuit board 8 while absorbing the heat of the vibrator unit 6. Furthermore, it flows from the vicinity of the circuit board 8 to the discharge port 52 of the probe case 5 while absorbing the heat of the circuit board 8.

  In this way, the supply port of the refrigerant 4 to be supplied into the probe case 5 is arranged in the vicinity of the vibrator portion 6, and the discharge port 52 is arranged on the other end surface in the probe case 5, thereby vibrating the refrigerant 4. After flowing toward the child part 6 and the circuit board 8 and absorbing heat generated in the vibrator part 6 and the circuit board 8, the heat can be discharged from the outlet 52 to the cable part 2.

Next, the structure of the cable part 2 and the connector part 3 is demonstrated with reference to FIG.1, FIG2 and FIG.4.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section of the cable portion 2. The cable unit 2 feeds a plurality of signal lines 21 for transmitting signals between the probe unit 1 and the connector unit 3 and the cooled refrigerant 4 from the connector unit 3 into the probe case 5 of the probe unit 1. A supply pipe 22, a discharge pipe 23 for discharging the refrigerant 4 that has absorbed heat in the probe case 5 to the connector section 3, a signal line 21, a supply pipe 22, and a cable covering the discharge pipe 23 And a sheath 24.

  Each signal line 21 is inserted and arranged inside the cable sheath 24, and one end is connected to the circuit board 8 of the probe unit 1 and the other end is connected to the connector unit 3. Then, a signal for generating an ultrasonic wave corresponding to each piezoelectric vibrator of the vibrator section 6 is transmitted from the connector section 3 to the circuit board 8. In addition, an ultrasonic wave reception signal corresponding to each piezoelectric vibrator of the vibrator section 6 from the circuit board 8 is transmitted to the connector section 3.

  The feed pipe 22 is made of a supple material such as silicone rubber or soft polyvinyl chloride resin, and is a discharge pipe to avoid the influence of heat from the refrigerant 4 that has absorbed the heat in the probe case 5 inside the cable sheath 24. 23 is inserted and arranged apart from 23. One end is connected to the inlet 51 of the probe case 5 and the other end is connected to the connector portion 3.

  The discharge pipe 23 is made of a supple material such as silicone rubber or soft vinyl chloride resin, and is inserted and arranged in the vicinity of the inside of the cable sheath 24. One end is connected to the discharge port 52 of the probe case 5, and the other end is connected to the connector portion 3. Thus, by disposing the discharge pipe 23 in the vicinity of the cable sheath 24, the heat of the refrigerant 4 absorbed in the probe case 5 can be released to the outside.

  The connector unit 3 includes a connection unit 31 that connects the signal line 21 of the cable unit 2 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 30, and a cooling unit 32 that cools the refrigerant 4 discharged from the discharge pipe 23 of the cable unit 2. Yes.

  One end of the connection part 31 is connected to each signal line 21 of the cable part 2, and the other end is detachably connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 30. Then, a signal for generating an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 30 is transmitted to each signal line 21, and an ultrasonic reception signal from each signal line 21 is transmitted to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 30.

  The cooling unit 32 includes a cooler 33 that cools the refrigerant 4, a probe case 5 of the probe unit 1, a supply pipe 22 and a discharge pipe 23 of the cable unit 2, and a pump 34 for circulating the cooler 33. ing.

  The cooler 33 includes a fan, a radiator, and the like, and has one end connected to the discharge pipe 23 and the other end connected to the pump 34. The pump 34 has one end connected to the cooler 33 and the other end connected to the feed pipe 22. Then, the refrigerant 4 discharged from the discharge pipe 23 is cooled by the cooler 33 and then supplied to the supply pipe 22 by the circulation operation of the pump 34.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the liquid refrigerant 4 excellent in electrical insulation cooled by the connector portion 3 is fed into the probe case 5 and the fed refrigerant 4 is fed to the vibrator portion. The structure inside the probe case 5 that can be cooled can be simplified by bringing the inner surface of the circuit board 6 and the outer surface of the circuit board 8 into contact with each other to absorb heat and then discharging the heat to the connector portion 3. Thereby, miniaturization of the probe part 1 is attained, and the probe part 1 can be operated easily.

  Further, by arranging the discharge pipe 23 in the vicinity of the cable sheath 24, the heat of the refrigerant 4 absorbed in the probe case 5 can be released to the outside from the cable portion 2, and the cooler 33 can be downsized. Become. Thereby, the connector part 3 can be reduced in size.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the probe portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the probe unit 1a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view showing a cross section taken along a cross sectional line 7a of the probe portion 1a shown in FIG.

  The difference between the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and the first embodiment in FIG. 2 is that the supply port for the refrigerant 4 is provided over the entire inner periphery of the probe case 5. In addition, since the probe case of the probe part 1a which concerns on Example 2, the vibrator | oscillator part, and a circuit board are the same as that of FIG. 2, the same code | symbol is provided and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The probe unit 1a includes a probe case 5 that is electrically insulated from the outside and prevents leakage of the refrigerant 4 from the inside, a transducer unit 6 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the subject P, and the transducer unit 6 And a plurality of circuit boards 8 for transmitting and receiving signals, and a feeding section 9a for determining the position of a feeding port for feeding the refrigerant 4 from the cable section 2 into the probe case 5.

  The feeding unit 9 a forms a partition wall for determining the position of the feeding port of the refrigerant 4 flowing from the inlet 51 of the probe case 5. This partition is composed of a tubular first partition 9a2 whose cross section is shown by a broken line 9a1 in FIG. 6, and a second partition 9a3 whose one end surface is joined over the entire outer surface of one end of the first partition 9a2.

  The other end surface of the first partition wall 9a2 is joined to the other end surface in the probe case 5 along a broken line 9a1 with the discharge port 52 of the probe case 5 as the inside and the entrance 51 as the outside. The second partition wall 9a3 extends from the surface located outside the broken line 9a1 on the other end surface in the probe case 5 to the surface extending from the other end portion in the probe case 5 to the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity of the vibrator portion 6. Are spaced apart inward. A supply port for the refrigerant 4 is formed by the other end and the inner peripheral surface of the probe case 5 in the vicinity of the vibrator portion 6.

  Then, the refrigerant 4 cooled by the connector part 3 and flowing into the probe case 5 through the cable part 2 is fed from the feeding port of the feeding part 9a toward the edge of the vibrator part 6, and fed. The cooled refrigerant 4 flows from the vicinity of the vibrator unit 6 toward the circuit board 8 while absorbing the heat of the vibrator unit 6. Furthermore, it flows from the vicinity of the circuit board 8 to the discharge port 52 of the probe case 5 while absorbing the heat of the circuit board 8.

  As described above, the refrigerant supply port vibrates by disposing the supply port of the refrigerant 4 in the vicinity of the vibrator portion 6 on the inner peripheral surface of the probe case 5 and the discharge port 52 on the other end surface of the probe case 5. After flowing toward the child part 6 and the circuit board 8 and absorbing the heat generated in the vibrator part 6 and the circuit board 8 in the refrigerant 4, the heat can be discharged to the cable part 2.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the liquid refrigerant 4 excellent in electrical insulation cooled by the connector portion 3 is fed into the probe case 5, and the fed refrigerant 4 is fed to the vibrator portion. The structure inside the probe case 5 that can be cooled can be simplified by bringing the inner surface of the circuit board 6 and the outer surface of the circuit board 8 into contact with each other to absorb heat and then discharging the heat to the connector portion 3. Thereby, miniaturization of the probe part 1a is attained, and the probe part 1a can be operated easily.

  Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the probe portion and the cable portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the probe unit 1b and the cable unit 2b according to the third embodiment. 8 is a view showing a cross section of the cable portion 2b shown in FIG.

  The third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from the first embodiment in FIG. 2 in that a plurality of discharge ports are provided in the probe case and a discharge pipe corresponding to the drain port is provided in the cable sheath. is there. The transducer unit, circuit board, and feeding unit of the probe unit 1b according to the third embodiment and the signal line and the feeding tube of the cable unit 2b are the same as those in FIG. Omitted.

  The probe unit 1b includes a probe case 5b that is electrically insulated from the outside and prevents leakage of the refrigerant 4 from the inside, a transducer unit 6 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject P, and the transducer unit 6 And a plurality of circuit boards 8 for transmitting and receiving signals, and a feeding section 9 disposed in the probe case 5b.

  The probe case 5b is made of a plastic material excellent in electrical insulation, and forms an outer shell of the probe portion 1b. And the vibrator | oscillator part 6 is hold | maintained by the opening part of one end, and the cable part 2b is hold | maintained by the other end part. In addition, the other end surface has an inlet 51 and a plurality of discharge ports 52b formed on the outer periphery of the inlet 51. The inlet 51 holds the feeding unit 9, and the feeding unit 9 feeds the probe case 5b. The refrigerant 4 is discharged from the discharge port 52b.

  The cable portion 2b feeds the plurality of signal lines 21 for transmitting signals between the probe portion 1b and the connector portion 3 and the refrigerant 4 cooled by the connector portion 3 into the probe case 5b of the probe portion 1b. A plurality of discharge pipes 23 b for discharging the refrigerant 4 that has absorbed heat in the probe case 5 b to the connector portion 3, and a cable sheath 24 b that covers the signal line 21 and the supply pipe 22. I have.

  Each discharge pipe 23b is inserted and disposed in a hole formed at substantially equal intervals in the cable sheath 24b shown in FIG. And one end part is connected to each discharge port 52b of probe case 5b, and the other end part is connected to cooling part 32 of connector part 3 via a connecting pipe which connects between each discharge pipe 23b. Thus, by arranging the discharge pipe 23b inside the cable sheath 24b, the heat of the refrigerant 4 absorbed in the probe case 5b can be released to the outside.

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention described above, the liquid refrigerant 4 excellent in electrical insulation cooled by the connector section 3 is fed into the probe case 5b, and the fed refrigerant 4 is fed to the vibrator section. The structure inside the probe case 5 b that can be cooled can be simplified by contacting the inner surface of the 6 and the outer surface of the circuit board 8 to absorb heat and then discharging the heat to the connector portion 3. Thereby, miniaturization of the probe part 1b is attained, and the probe part 1b can be operated easily.

  Further, by arranging the discharge pipe 23b to be inserted into the cable sheath 24b, the heat of the refrigerant 4 absorbed in the probe case 5b can be released from the cable portion 2b to the outside, and the cooler 33 is downsized. be able to. Thereby, the connector part 3 can be reduced in size.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the probe part which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the probe part which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the cable part which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the probe part which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the probe part which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the probe part which concerns on Example 3 of this invention, and a cable part. The figure which shows the cross section of the cable part which concerns on Example 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

P Subject 1, 1a, 1b Probe part 2, 2b Cable part 3 Connector part 4 Refrigerant 5, 5b Probe case 6 Transducer part 7, 7a Cross section line 8 Circuit board 9, 9a Feeding part 10 Ultrasonic probe 21 Signal line 22 Feeding pipes 23 and 23 b Ejection pipes 24 and 24 b Cable sheath 30 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 32 Cooling unit 33 Cooler 34 Pump 51 Inlet 52 and 52 b Ejection port

Claims (8)

A transducer unit arranged in a probe case for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and a circuit board for generating an ultrasonic drive signal to be supplied to the transducer unit and / or processing ultrasonic reception signals from the transducer unit A probe unit comprising:
A cable portion that connects one end of the signal transmission between the circuit board and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body to the probe case;
A liquid refrigerant having a predetermined electrical insulation resistance that contacts the vibrator part and the circuit board and absorbs heat is fed into the probe case, and the refrigerant discharged from the probe case by this feeding is supplied. An ultrasonic probe comprising cooling means for cooling.   A feeding port through which the refrigerant is fed into the probe case is disposed in the vicinity of the vibrator disposed at one end of the probe case, and an outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged from the probe case is The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is formed at the other end of the probe case.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the feeding port is disposed over the entire inner circumference of the probe case.   The cable portion includes a signal line for transmitting a signal between the circuit board and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, and a supply pipe for transferring the refrigerant from the cooling means into the probe case. A discharge pipe for transferring the refrigerant that has absorbed heat of the circuit board to the cooling means; and a cable sheath that covers the signal line, the supply pipe, and the discharge pipe. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, wherein the discharge pipe is inserted and disposed in the vicinity of the cable sheath so as to be separated from the feed pipe.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, wherein the discharge pipe is inserted into a hole formed in the cable sheath.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the cable unit is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body via a connector unit, and the cooling unit is provided in the connector unit.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant is a fluorine-based inert liquid.

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