JP2008259541A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic system by which a reference deformable body is mounted on a fixation device so as not to impair flexible deformation and the reference deformable body is easily exchanged. <P>SOLUTION: In the ultrasonic probe 3 provided with the reference deformable body 16 and the fixation device 17 for mounting the reference deformable body 16 on an ultrasonic wave transmission/reception surface, the fixation device 17 is provided with a groove part or a recessed part and the reference deformable body 16 is mounted in the groove part or recessed part of the fixation device. The reference deformable body 16 is formed of a rectangular body 26 and a planar body 25 and is provided with a projection part 32 or a groove part 62 on the outer peripheral side face. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying a tomographic image and an elastic image showing the hardness or softness of a biological tissue for an imaging target site in a subject using ultrasonic waves.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave inside the subject using an ultrasonic probe, receives an ultrasonic reflected echo signal corresponding to the structure of the living tissue from the inside of the subject, A tomographic image is constructed and displayed for diagnosis.

In recent years, an ultrasonic probe is used to measure an ultrasonic reception signal by compressing a subject with an ultrasonic probe by a manual or mechanical method, and a living body generated by compression based on frame data of two ultrasonic reception signals with different measurement times. The displacement of each part is obtained, and an elastic image representing the elasticity of the living tissue is generated based on the displacement data. At this time, the reference deformable body is attached to the ultrasonic probe via a fixture, the boundary between the subject and the reference deformable body is detected from the RF signal frame data obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception, and the position information of the boundary is detected. It is disclosed that a pressure for compressing a subject is measured. (For example, Patent Document 1)
International Publication WO2005 / 120358

  As in the prior art, when the reference deformable body is fixed to the fixture, if the periphery of the reference deformable body is tightened, it is difficult to freely deform the reference deformable body, and the pressure may not be accurately measured. is there. In addition, since the reference deformable body may be disposable for each diagnosis, the reference deformable body needs to be easily replaced.

  It is an object of the present invention to attach the reference deformable body to a fixture that is fixed to the ultrasonic probe and to easily replace the reference deformable body so as not to impair flexible deformation.

  In order to solve the problems of the present invention, in an ultrasonic probe comprising a reference deformable body and a fixture to which the reference deformable body is mounted on an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface, the fixture has a groove or a recess. The reference deformable body is attached to the groove or recess of the fixture.

  The reference deformable body is integrally formed of a rectangular parallelepiped and a planar body. The reference deformable body has a convex portion or a groove portion on the outer peripheral side surface thereof. The planar body has a hole, and the fixture has a protrusion that is inserted into and fixed to the hole of the planar body. The fixture includes a lower fixture and an upper fixture that covers the lower fixture, and the reference deformable body is sandwiched and mounted between the upper fixture and the lower fixture. A cover portion that covers the upper surface portion of the fixture and the reference deformable body is provided.

  In the present invention, the reference deformable body can be attached to a fixture fixed to the ultrasonic probe and the reference deformable body can be easily exchanged so that the flexible deformation is not impaired.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus obtains a tomographic image of a diagnostic region of a subject using ultrasonic waves and displays an elastic image representing the hardness or softness of a living tissue.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 1, a transmission circuit 2, an ultrasonic probe 3, a reception circuit 4, a phasing addition circuit 5, and a signal processing unit 6. A monochrome scan converter 7, an RF signal frame data selection unit 8, a displacement / strain calculation unit 9, an elastic modulus calculation unit 10, an elastic data processing unit 11, a color scan converter 12, and a switching adder 13. The image display 14, the pressure calculation unit 15, and the reference deformable body 16 are provided.

  The ultrasonic probe 3 is formed by arranging a large number of transducers in a strip shape, and performs mechanical or electronic beam scanning to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to a subject. Although not shown in the figure, a transducer that is a source of ultrasonic waves and that receives reflected echoes is incorporated therein.

  Each transducer generally converts the input pulse wave or continuous wave transmission signal into an ultrasonic wave and emits it, and the reflected echo emitted from the inside of the subject is converted into an electrical signal (reflected echo signal). It has a function of converting and outputting.

  In general, in the compression operation performed to display an elastic image, ultrasonic transmission / reception is performed by the ultrasonic probe 3 and the subject is compressed to give a stress distribution in the body cavity of the diagnosis site. A reference deformable body 16 is attached to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe 3. The reference deformable body 16 is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject, and the subject is compressed.

  The ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 1 controls timing for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. The transmission circuit 2 generates a transmission pulse for generating an ultrasonic wave by driving the ultrasonic probe 3, and has a convergence point of the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the built-in transmission phasing and adding circuit. The depth is set.

  The receiving circuit 4 amplifies the reflected echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 3 with a predetermined gain. The number of reflected echo signals corresponding to the number of amplified transducers is input to the phasing addition circuit 5. The phasing and adding circuit 5 controls the phase of the reflected echo signal amplified by the receiving circuit 4 and forms RF signal frame data.

  The signal processing unit 6 inputs the RF signal frame data from the phasing addition circuit 5 and performs various signal processing such as gain correction, log correction, detection, contour enhancement, and filter processing.

  The black-and-white scan converter 7 acquires the RF signal frame data output from the signal processing unit 6 with an ultrasonic cycle, and displays the RF signal frame data with a tomographic scanning means and a system for reading out with a television system cycle. Means for controlling, for example, an A / D converter for converting RF signal frame data from the signal processing unit 6 into a digital signal, and tomographic image data digitized by the A / D converter in time series A plurality of frame memories to be stored and a controller for controlling these operations are included.

  The image display 14 displays time-series tomographic image data obtained by the monochrome scan converter 7, that is, a tomographic image. The image data output from the monochrome scan converter 7 via the switching adder 13 is an analog signal. A D / A converter for converting to a color TV, and a color television monitor for inputting an analog video signal from the D / A converter and displaying it as an image.

  Further, an RF signal frame data selection unit 8, a displacement / strain calculation unit 9, and an elastic modulus calculation unit 10 are provided branching from the output side of the phasing addition circuit 5. Further, an elastic data processing unit 11 and a color scan converter 12 are provided in the subsequent stage of the elastic modulus calculation unit 10, and a switching adder 13 is provided on the output side of the black and white scan converter 7, the elastic data processing unit 11 and the color scan converter 12. Is provided.

  The RF signal frame data selection unit 8 sequentially secures the RF signal frame data output from the phasing addition circuit 5 in the frame memory provided in the RF signal frame data selection unit 8 (the currently reserved RF signal frame The data is RF signal frame data N.) In accordance with the control command of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the past RF signal frame data N−1, N−2, N−3... One RF signal frame data is selected (referred to as RF signal frame data X), and one set of RF signal frame data N and RF signal frame data X is output to the displacement / strain calculator 9. Although the signal output from the phasing and adding circuit 5 is described as RF signal frame data, it may be a signal in the form of I and Q signals obtained by complex demodulation of the RF signal.

  The displacement / distortion calculation unit 9 performs one-dimensional or two-dimensional correlation processing based on a set of RF signal frame data selected by the RF signal frame data selection unit 8, and displaces each measurement point on the tomographic image. Alternatively, a movement vector (direction and magnitude of displacement) is measured, displacement frame data and correlation frame data are generated, and distortion is calculated from the displacement frame data. As for the calculation of distortion, for example, the displacement is obtained by calculation by spatially differentiating the displacement.

  As a method for detecting the movement vector, for example, there are a block matching method and a gradient method as described in Patent Document 1. The block matching method divides the image into blocks of N × N pixels, for example, searches the previous frame for the block closest to the block of interest in the current frame, and refers to these for encoding. Is what you do.

The elastic modulus calculation unit 10 calculates elastic modulus from the strain information output from the displacement / strain calculation unit 9 and the pressure information output from the pressure calculation unit 15, and generates numerical data (elastic frame data) of the elastic modulus. The data is output to the elasticity data processing unit 11 and the color scan converter 12. For example, the Young's modulus Ym, which is one of the elastic moduli, is obtained by dividing the stress (pressure) at each calculation point by the strain at each calculation point, as shown in the following equation. In the following formula, the indices i and j represent the coordinates of the frame data.

{Equation 1} Ymi, j = pressure (stress) i, j / (strain i, j) (i, j = 1, 2, 3,...)

  Here, the pressure applied to the subject is measured by the pressure calculator 15. The pressure calculation unit 15 detects the boundary between the subject and the reference deformable body 16 using the RF signal frame data, and uses the coordinates of the boundary in the detected RF signal frame data as boundary coordinate data. Then, the pressure calculation unit 15 extracts the RF signal from the reference deformable body 16 in the RF signal frame data using the boundary coordinate data, and obtains the pressure given to the boundary between the subject and the reference deformable body 16 by calculation. The elasticity data processing unit 11 performs various image processing such as smoothing processing within the coordinate plane, contrast optimization processing, and time axis direction smoothing processing between frames on the calculated elasticity frame data.

The subject pressing mechanism 18 pressurizes the subject by moving the ultrasonic probe 3 in the vertical direction using a motor or a wire. Note that the operator may manually move the ultrasound probe 3 in the vertical direction.
First Embodiment

  Here, a first embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 together with the fixture 17 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the fixture 17 includes a frame body 20 having four sides and a pair of gripping portions 21 extending downward from the lower surface of the frame body 20. The frame 20 and the gripping part 21 are integrally molded. The grip portion 21 is provided with a protrusion (not shown) so as to fit in the groove on the side of the ultrasonic probe 3, and the fixture 17 can be fitted into the ultrasonic probe 3 with one touch. . A groove 22 for holding the reference deformable body 16 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the frame body 20. The width of the groove 22 is about 5 mm, and the depth of the groove 22 is about 3 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the reference deformable body 16 includes a rectangular flat plate 25 and a rectangular body 26. A rectangular body 26 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the flat plate 25. Therefore, the reference deformable body 16 has a shape in which the rectangular body 26 protrudes from the flat plate body 25. The flat plate 25 and the rectangular body 26 are molded integrally. Further, the thickness of the flat plate 25 is about 3 mm.

  The reference deformable body 16 is generated based on an oil-based gel material, a water-based gel material such as acrylamide, or silicon. Acrylamide is produced as an acrylamide gel when a crosslinking agent (BIS) is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst. This is a polymer gel with a three-dimensional network structure, and has a touch like agar or gelatin. As described above, a material that is a solution before solidification but that solidifies in a gel form after mixing with a coagulant is suitable as the reference deformable body 16. If it is made of a material with low viscosity, such as acrylamide, it is suitable for pressure measurement because it responds quickly to the pressing operation. Further, the reference deformable body 16 may be a material used as a phantom for ultrasonic diagnosis, for example, based on an aqueous resin gelled product.

FIG. 2 (c) shows a form in which the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. The end portions of the flat plate body 25 are inserted into the groove portions 22 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the frame body 20, and the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. Since the flat plate 25 that is the reference deformable body 16 is an elastic body, the flat plate 25 can be fitted into the groove portion 22 by its elastic force. As described above, when the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17, the rectangular body 26 of the reference deformable body 16 protrudes from the frame body 20 of the fixture 17.
Note that the reference deformable body 16 may be slid and inserted into the groove portion 22 of the frame body 20. In that case, the frame 20 on the side to be inserted is recessed downward.

  FIG. 2 (d) shows a longitudinal sectional view of the state in which the reference deformable body 16 and the fixture 17 are fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. With the reference deformable body 16 attached to the fixture 17 as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the fixture 17 is fixed to the ultrasound probe 3 via the grip portion 21. When the fixture 17 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3, the reference deformable body 16 comes into contact with the vibrator 19 provided on the upper part of the ultrasonic probe 3. In this state, the subject is brought into contact with the upper surface of the reference deformable body 16, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received from the transducer 19. Then, as described above, the pressure calculation unit 15 obtains the pressure applied to the subject from the obtained RF signal frame data.

Thus, since the end of the flat plate 25 constituting the reference deformable body 16 is fitted in the groove 22 of the fixture 17, the reference deformable body 16 can be attached to the fixture 17 so as not to impair flexible deformation. . Further, since the reference deformable body 16 is detachably attached to the fixture 17, the reference deformable body 16 can be easily replaced.
<< Second Embodiment >>

  A second embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 together with the fixture 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first embodiment is that the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. Here, description of a form substantially equivalent to the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the fixture 17 includes a frame body 20 having four sides and a pair of gripping portions 21 extending downward from the lower surface of the frame body 20. A plurality of cylindrical recesses 30 for holding the reference deformable body 16 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the frame body 20. Specifically, two concave portions 30 are provided on the inner peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction of the frame body 20, and one concave portion 30 is provided on the inner peripheral surface in the lateral direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the reference deformable body 16 includes a rectangular body 31 and a cylindrical convex portion 32 provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the rectangular body 31. Specifically, two convex portions 32 are provided on the outer peripheral side surface in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular body 31, and one convex portion 32 is provided on the outer peripheral side surface in the short direction. The rectangular body 31 and the convex portion 32 are molded integrally.

  The positions of the recesses 30 formed in the frame 20 and the projections 32 of the rectangular body 31 shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are the same. Therefore, the convex part 32 of the frame 20 can be fitted into the concave part 30 of the rectangular body 31.

  FIG. 3 (c) shows a form in which the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. The convex part 32 of the frame 20 is fitted into the concave part 30 of the rectangular body 31, and the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. As described above, when the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17, the rectangular body 31 of the reference deformable body 16 protrudes from the frame body 20 of the fixture 17.

  FIG. 3D shows a longitudinal sectional view of the reference deformable body 16 and the fixture 17 fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. With the reference deformable body 16 attached to the fixture 17 as shown in FIG. 3C, the fixture 17 is fixed to the ultrasound probe 3 via the grip portion 21.

Thus, since the convex part 32 of the frame 20 is fitted in the concave part 30 of the rectangular body 31, and the reference deformation body 16 is mounted on the fixture 17, the reference deformation body 16 does not impair flexible deformation. Can be attached to the fixture 17. Further, since the reference deformable body 16 is detachably attached to the fixture 17, the reference deformable body 16 can be easily replaced.
<< Third Embodiment >>

  A third embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 together with the fixture 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. Here, description of a form substantially equivalent to the first embodiment and the second embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the fixture 17 includes a frame body 20 having four sides and a pair of gripping portions 21 extending downward from the lower surface of the frame body 20. The outer peripheral end of the frame 20 protrudes upward. Two grooves 41 are formed on the bottom surface of the frame 20 in the lateral direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the reference deformable body 16 includes a rectangular flat plate 42 and a rectangular parallelepiped 43. A rectangular body 43 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the flat plate 42. Therefore, the reference deformable body 16 has a shape in which the rectangular body 43 protrudes from the flat plate body 42. In addition, grooves 44 are formed in the lateral direction at the upper surfaces of the left and right end portions of the flat plate 42, that is, at the boundary between the rectangular body 43 and the flat plate 42. The thickness of the flat plate 42 of the reference deformable body 16 and the protrusion amount of the outer peripheral end of the frame body 20 are substantially the same.

  FIG. 4 (c) shows a form in which the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. Since the thickness of the flat plate 42 of the reference deformable body 16 and the amount of protrusion at the outer peripheral end of the frame 20 are substantially the same, the flat plate 42 of the reference deformable body 16 is embedded in the frame 20. In this state, a ring-shaped elastic member 45 such as a rubber band or a belt is wound around the groove portion 41 of the frame body 20 and the groove portion 44 of the reference deformation body 16. As a result, the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17.

  FIG. 4D shows a longitudinal sectional view in a state where the reference deformable body 16 and the fixture 17 are fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. With the reference deformable body 16 attached to the fixture 17 as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the fixture 17 is fixed to the ultrasound probe 3 via the grip portion 21.

In this way, the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17 via the ring-shaped elastic member 45 such as a rubber band or a belt, so the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17 so as not to impair flexible deformation. it can. Further, since the reference deformable body 16 is detachably attached to the fixture 17, the reference deformable body 16 can be easily replaced.
<< Fourth Embodiment >>

  A fourth embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 together with the fixing tool 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first to third embodiments is that the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. Here, description of a form substantially equivalent to the first to third embodiments is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the fixture 17 includes a frame body 20 having four sides, a pair of first grip portions 21 extending downward from the lower surface of the frame body 20, and a lower surface of the frame body 20. It consists of a pair of second gripping portions 50 extending downward. The frame 20, the first gripping portion 21, and the second gripping portion 50 are integrally molded. The first gripping part 21 and the second gripping part 50 have protrusions inside thereof. Further, the inner peripheral portion of the frame body 20 protrudes above the outer peripheral portion, and there is an inclination between the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion of the frame body 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the reference deformable body 16 includes a rectangular flat plate 51 and a rectangular parallelepiped 52. A rectangular body 52 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the flat plate 51. Therefore, the reference deformable body 16 has a shape in which the rectangular body 52 protrudes from the flat plate body 51. The flat plate 51 and the rectangular body 52 are integrally molded. A plurality of holes 53 are formed around the end of the flat plate 51.

  5 (c) and 5 (d) show a form in which the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17 and the fixture 17 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. FIG. The hole 53 of the reference deformable body 16 is inserted and hooked into the first gripping portion 21 and the protrusion 54 of the second gripping portion 50 formed on the fixture 17, and the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. Is done. Further, the end portions of the flat plate 51 are fixed to the protrusions 55 of the first grip portion 21 and the second grip portion 50.

  When the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17, the rectangular body 52 of the reference deformable body 16 protrudes from the frame body 20 of the fixture 17. Then, the fixing tool 17 is fitted into the ultrasonic probe 3 while pressing the reference deformable body 16 attached to the fixing tool 17 with the transducer 19 of the ultrasonic probe 3. At this time, the claw portion 57 of the second gripping portion 50 is hooked on the projection portion 56 provided on the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 3. In this way, the fixing tool 17 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3.

As described above, since the hole 53 of the flat plate 51 constituting the reference deformable body 16 is engaged with the protrusion 54 of the fixture 17, the reference deformable member 16 is fixed so as not to impair flexible deformation. Can be attached to 17. Further, since the reference deformable body 16 is detachably attached to the fixture 17, the reference deformable body 16 can be easily replaced.
<< Fifth Embodiment >>

  A fifth embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 together with the fixing tool 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first to fourth embodiments is a form in which the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. Here, descriptions of forms substantially equivalent to the first to fourth embodiments are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the fixture 17 includes a frame body 20 having four sides and a pair of grip portions 21 extending downward from the lower surface of the frame body 20. The frame 20 and the gripping part 21 are integrally molded.
A convex portion 60 is formed on the inner peripheral side surface of the frame body 20.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the reference deformable body 16 includes a rectangular parallelepiped 61. On the outer peripheral side surface of the rectangular parallelepiped 61, a concave portion 62 that matches the width of the convex portion 60 of the frame body 20 is formed.

  FIG. 6C shows a form in which the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. By fitting the concave portion 62 of the reference deformation body 16 into the convex portion 60 of the frame body 20, the reference deformation body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. As described above, when the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17, the rectangular body 26 of the reference deformable body 16 protrudes from the frame body 20 of the fixture 17.

  FIG. 6D shows a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction in a state where the reference deformable body 16 and the fixture 17 are fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. In a state where the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17 as shown in FIG. 6C, the fixture 17 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 via the grip portion 21.

Thus, since the concave portion 62 of the reference deformable body 16 is fitted into the convex portion 60 of the fixture 17, the reference deformable body 16 can be attached to the fixture 17 so as not to impair flexible deformation. Further, since the reference deformable body 16 is detachably attached to the fixture 17, the reference deformable body 16 can be easily replaced.
<< Sixth Embodiment >>

  A sixth embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 together with the fixture 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the fifth embodiment is that the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17. A fixing member 70 for fixing the reference deformable body 61 is inserted and installed in the frame body 20 of the fixing tool 17.

As shown in FIG. 7 (d), the fixing member 70 is installed on the frame body 20 via a spring 71. Therefore, the fixing member 70 can be moved in the left-right arrow direction. When the reference deformable body 61 is attached to the fixture 17, the fixing member 70 is pulled outward and the reference deformable body 61 is accommodated in the frame body 20. Since the fixing member 70 is pulled inward by the force generated by the spring 71, the fixing member 70 is fitted into the recess 62 of the reference deformable body 61. In this way, the reference deformable body 61 is attached to the fixture 17.
<< Seventh Embodiment >>

  A seventh embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 together with the fixing tool 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first to sixth embodiments is the form of the fixture 17. Here, description of a form substantially equivalent to the first to sixth embodiments is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (c), the fixture 17 includes a lower fixture 80 and an upper fixture 83. As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the reference deformable body 16 includes a rectangular flat plate 81 and a rectangular parallelepiped 82. A rectangular body 82 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the flat plate 81. Therefore, the reference deformable body 16 has a shape in which the rectangular body 82 protrudes from the flat plate body 81.

  The upper fixture 83 has a claw portion 84 for fixing to another member. The upper fixture 83 covers the outer periphery of the frame of the lower fixture 80, and the claw portion 84 of the upper fixture 83 is fixed on the lower surface of the frame of the lower fixture 80. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the flat plate 81 of the reference deformable body 16 is provided between the upper fixture 83 and the lower fixture 80.

  The upper fixture 83 is fixed to the lower fixture 80 with the rectangular body 82 of the reference deformable body 16 being inserted into the frame of the upper fixture 83. The reference deformable body 16 is mounted by being sandwiched between the upper fixture 83 and the lower fixture 80. As described above, when the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17, the rectangular body 82 of the reference deformable body 16 protrudes from the frame of the upper fixture 83.

  FIG. 8D shows a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction in a state where the reference deformable body 16 and the fixture 17 are fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. With the reference deformable body 16 attached to the fixture 17 as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the fixture 17 is fixed to the ultrasound probe 3 via the grip portion 21.

As described above, since the reference deformable body 16 is sandwiched and mounted between the upper fixing tool 83 and the lower fixing tool 80, the reference deformable body 16 can be mounted on the fixing tool 17 so as not to impair flexible deformation. Further, since the reference deformable body 16 is detachably attached to the fixture 17, the reference deformable body 16 can be easily replaced.
<< Eighth Embodiment >>

  An eighth embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. The difference from the first to seventh embodiments is that the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. Here, description of a form substantially equivalent to the first to seventh embodiments is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the reference deformable body 16 is a rectangular parallelepiped. As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the sheet portion 90 includes a flat plate 91 and a hollow rectangular body 92. A hollow rectangular body 92 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the flat plate 91.

  The sheet portion 90 has a shape in which a hollow rectangular body 92 protrudes from a flat plate body 91, and the reference rectangular body 16 is included in the hollow rectangular body 92. The reference deformable body 16 is wrapped by a flat plate body 91 and a hollow rectangular body 92. The material of the seat part 90 is made of, for example, a very thin urethane (thickness of about 0.1 mm).

  The reference deformation body 16 in the hollow rectangular body 92 may be a liquid. This is realized by injecting a liquid into a space surrounded by the flat plate 91 and the hollow rectangular body 92.

  FIG. 9C shows a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction in a state where the reference deformable body 16 and the fixture 17 are fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. The reference deformation body 16 is installed in the hollow portion of the hollow rectangular body 92 of the seat portion 90. Then, the end portion of the plane body 91 of the sheet portion 90 is covered so as to cover the head portion of the ultrasonic probe 3. In this state, the sheet portion 90 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 with an adhesive member 93 such as a rubber band, a belt, or a double-sided tape. As described above, the sheet portion 90 and the reference deformable body 16 are fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3.

  Since the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 via the sheet portion 90, the reference deformable body 16 can be attached to the ultrasonic probe 3 so as not to impair flexible deformation. Further, the reference deformable body 16 can be easily replaced.

  In the above description, the sheet portion 90 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 with the adhesive member 93 such as a rubber band, a belt, or a double-sided tape, but other methods may be used as shown in FIG.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), hole portions 100 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plane body 91 of the sheet portion 90. Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), protrusions 101 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the head portion of the ultrasonic probe 3. The reference deformable body 16 can be fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 via the sheet portion 90 by engaging the hole portion 100 of the sheet portion 90 with the protruding portion 101 of the ultrasonic probe 3.
<< Ninth embodiment >>

  A ninth embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. The difference from the first to eighth embodiments is that the reference deformable body 16 itself is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. Here, description of a form substantially equivalent to the first to eighth embodiments is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (a) and FIG. 11 (b), the reference deformable body 16 includes a hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110 and a rectangular parallelepiped 111. A rectangular parallelepiped 111 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110. Therefore, the reference deformable body 16 has a shape in which the rectangular body 111 protrudes from the hollow rectangular body 110. The hollow rectangular body 110 and the rectangular body 111 are integrally molded.

  An opening 114 is provided on the lower surface of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110. The size of the opening 114 is the same as that of the head portion of the ultrasonic probe 3 or slightly smaller than the head portion of the ultrasonic probe 3. A groove 112 is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110. Since the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110 that is the reference deformable body 16 is an elastic body, the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110 can be fitted into the ultrasonic probe 3 by its elastic force.

  FIG. 11C shows a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction in a state where the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. The head portion of the ultrasonic probe 3 is inserted into the hollow rectangular body 110 from the opening 114 of the reference deformable body 16. In this state, a ring-shaped elastic member 113 such as a rubber band or a belt is wound around the groove portion 112 of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110, and the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3. By providing the groove portion 112 on the outer peripheral side surface of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110, the wound annular elastic member 113 can be prevented from being displaced.

  As described above, since the reference deformable body 16 itself is fitted into the ultrasonic probe 3, the reference deformable body 16 can be mounted so as not to impair flexible deformation. Further, the reference deformable body 16 can be easily replaced.

  In the above description, the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 with the ring-shaped elastic member 113 such as a rubber band or a belt, but other methods may be used as shown in FIG.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), holes 120 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110 of the reference deformable body 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), protrusions 101 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the head portion of the ultrasound probe 3. The reference deformable body 16 can be fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 by engaging the hole 120 of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped 110 with the protrusion 101 of the ultrasonic probe 3.
<< Tenth Embodiment >>

  A tenth embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first to tenth embodiments is that the reference deformable body 16 and the ultrasound probe 3 are integrated. As shown in FIG. 13 (a), an opening 131 into which the head portion of the ultrasonic probe 3 is inserted is provided on the lower surface of a mold 130 made of carbon steel or the like. Further, on the upper surface of the mold 130, a through-hole 132 for pouring the material of the reference deformable body 16 before solidification is provided. The mold 130 is created with a machine tool such as an NC lathe.

As shown in FIG. 13 (b), the ultrasonic probe 3 is fitted from the opening 131 of the mold 130, and the material of the reference deformable body 16 before solidification is changed between the mold 130 and the ultrasonic probe 3. Pour into the space 133 to be formed. Then, as shown in FIG. 13 (c), after the reference deformable body 16 is solidified, the ultrasonic probe 3 and the reference deformable body 16 are taken out from the mold 130 to be integrated with the reference deformable body 16. An ultrasonic probe 3 is formed. In this way, by forming the reference deformable body 16 using the mold 130 corresponding to the ultrasonic probe 3, the ultrasonic probe 3 and the reference deformable body 16 can be brought into close contact and integrated. it can.
<< Eleventh embodiment >>

  An eleventh embodiment in which the reference deformable body 16 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 3 together with the fixing tool 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first embodiment to the tenth embodiment is that the reference deformable body 16 is covered. Here, description of a form substantially equivalent to the first to ninth embodiments is omitted.

  Since the reference deformable body 16 is used as a pressure sensor for obtaining the compression pressure and is used as an index (standard) of hardness, it is desirable that the hardness of the reference deformable body 16 does not change with time, but realistically Therefore, it is necessary to devise a technique to suppress it as much as possible. In some cases, the reference deformable body 16 has a characteristic that changes with time, for example, when it contains a volatile component such as moisture or acetic acid (for example, an acrylamide gel or an aqueous resin gel).

  Further, when the surface of the reference deformable body 16 is exposed to air, it may become bumpy, so it is necessary to keep the surface of the living body always flat so that the contact with the living body during use is not impaired. . Further, since the cap-like reference elastic body shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has a complicated shape, special packaging is required to keep the shape during storage.

  FIG. 14 (a) shows a state where the reference deformable body 16 is attached to the fixture 17, as described in FIG. 2 (c) of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 14 (b) shows a state where the fixing member 17 to which the reference deformable body 16 is attached is covered with the cover part 140. The cover part 140 has a gap that can be covered together with the upper surface part of the fixture 17 and the protruding part of the reference deformable body 16, and a claw part 141 for fixing to the fixture 17. The claw portion 141 is adapted to hang on the lower surface of the fixture 17.

  When the ultrasonic probe 3 is used, the cover 140 is removed from the fixture 17 and the reference deformable body 16 is peeled off as shown in FIG. When the ultrasonic probe 3 is not used, the reference deformable body 16 is covered with the cover portion 140.

  By attaching the cover part 140 so as to cover the reference deformable body 16, it is possible to prevent the entry of dust, air, etc., so that the deterioration of the reference deformable body 16 can be minimized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (c), when the ultrasonic probe 3 is not used, the reference deformable body 16 is housed in the case 142. The case 142 has a vessel part 143 with a gap inside and a lid part 142. The upper surface of the vessel portion 143 is connected to the lid portion 142. By enclosing the reference deformable body 16 in the case 142 in a sealed manner, it is possible to prevent dust and air from entering, so that deterioration of the reference deformable body 16 can be minimized. Note that, when the reference deformable body 16 is new, it is managed in the same manner. In this way, in order to suppress the volatilization of the reference deformable body 16, the reference deformable body 16 is stored in a sealed dedicated case 142 that blocks external air.

  Furthermore, the vessel 143 may be immersed in water in order to suppress the volatilization of the reference deformable body 16. Further, the container 143 fitted to the shape of the reference deformable body 16 may be stored so that the shape of the reference deformable body 16 is not deformed. Further, in order to protect the surface of the reference deformable body 16, the sheet may be kept in contact with the surface so that the components on the surface of the reference deformable body 16 are volatilized and the surface smoothness is not impaired.

  In the above description, the linear ultrasonic probe 3 is specifically described. However, a convex type or a body insertion type may be used, and the fixture 17 may be matched to the shape thereof. For example, when the convex type ultrasonic probe 3 is applied to the linear type ultrasonic probe 3 of the first embodiment, the frame 30 of the fixture 17 is also a convex type.

The figure which shows the whole structure of this invention. The figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 6th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 7th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 8th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 8th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 9th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 9th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 10th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 11th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  3 Ultrasonic probe, 16 reference variant, 17 fixture

Claims (7)

  In an ultrasonic probe comprising a reference deformable body and a fixture to which the reference deformable body is mounted on an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface, the fixture has a groove or a recess, and the reference deformable body is the fixture. An ultrasonic probe, which is mounted in the groove or recess.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the reference deformable body is integrally formed of a rectangular parallelepiped and a planar body.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the reference deformable body has a convex portion or a groove portion on an outer peripheral side surface thereof.   4. The flat body of the reference deformable body has a hole, and the fixture has a protrusion that is inserted into and fixed to the hole of the flat body. Ultrasonic probe.   The fixing device includes a lower fixing device and an upper fixing device that covers the lower fixing device, and the reference deformable body is sandwiched and mounted between the upper fixing device and the lower fixing device. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising a cover portion that covers an upper surface portion of the fixture and the reference deformable body.   The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to and received from a subject via the ultrasonic probe, and a tomography is performed based on RF signal frame data of a tomographic part of the subject. Based on the tomographic image forming means for generating an image, the elastic information calculating means for obtaining the strain or elastic modulus of the tissue in the tomographic site based on the RF signal frame data, and the strain or elastic modulus obtained by the elastic information calculating means An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an elastic image forming unit that generates an elastic image; and a display unit that displays the tomographic image and / or the elastic image.

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