JP2010088610A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe which restrains the temperature of a probe body from increasing and is easy to sterilize. <P>SOLUTION: The probe body 3 includes a vibrator portion 4 arranged on one end of a probe case 33 and sending and receiving ultrasound to and from a subject P, a heat transmission portion 5 arranged in the probe case 33 and transmitting heat generated in the probe case 33 to the vicinity of the other end of the probe case 33, and a cooling portion 7 removably arranged in the vicinity of the other end outside the probe case 33 and cooling the probe case 33. The cooling portion 7 cools the other end of the probe case 33 by contactlessly receiving electrical power transmitted into the probe case 33 through a connector 32 and a cable 31 from an ultrasonograph body 2 through the probe case 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,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 using an ultrasonic probe and inspect the subject based on the reflected waves are widely used in the medical field. In this ultrasonic probe, a probe main body that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves with one end in contact with a subject, and a connector that transmits signals to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body are connected by a cable. A plurality of transducers that mutually convert ultrasonic waves and electrical signals are disposed at one end of the probe body, and the other end is connected to a cable.

  Recently, an electronic circuit board is placed in a probe case that forms the outer shell of the probe body, and an ultrasonic probe capable of driving a two-dimensional array transducer and performing partial beam forming is used to generate three-dimensional image data. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be generated is being put into practical use. In this ultrasonic probe, not all of the generated ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the subject, but a part thereof is converted into heat and becomes a heat source in the probe case. Also, electric power is consumed in the electronic circuit board, which is a heat source in the probe case. As a result, there is a problem that the output of the ultrasonic wave is limited because the one end portion of the probe body cannot be maintained at a temperature safe with respect to the subject simply by natural air cooling from the probe case.

  In order to solve this problem, there is an ultrasonic probe provided with a cooling mechanism that sends a refrigerant into a probe case via a flexible tube arranged in a cable and cools it using the supplied refrigerant. However, this cooling mechanism has a problem that electrical insulation cannot be maintained when the refrigerant leaks.

  As a cooling mechanism that can avoid this problem, a heat conductor that transfers heat from the vibrator and electronic circuit board provided in the probe case, and a heat radiation fin that dissipates heat from the heat conductor provided outside the probe case And an ultrasonic probe provided with a cooling fan for cooling the heat radiating fan is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

By the way, since an ultrasonic probe is used in contact with a subject, it is immersed in a disinfecting solution or exposed to a sterilizing gas for disinfection. For this reason, the probe main body and the cable are waterproofed so that they cannot enter the inside.
JP 2007-209699 A

  However, since the ultrasonic probe of Patent Document 1 includes the heat radiation fins and the cooling fan outside the probe case, waterproofing is difficult, and the cooling fan may break down. Further, when trying to disinfect including the heat radiation fin and the cooling fan, there is a problem that it takes time to disinfect because the structure of the probe body is complicated.

  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 that can suppress disinfection of the probe body and can be easily disinfected.

  In order to solve the above problems, the ultrasonic probe of the present invention is an ultrasonic probe in which a probe main body and a connector for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body are connected by a cable. A transducer unit disposed at one end of the probe case for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a subject, and a heat disposed in the probe case and generating heat generated in the transducer unit in the probe case A heat transfer means for transferring to the vicinity of the end portion; a cooling means for detachably disposing near the other end portion outside the probe case; and for cooling the probe case; and from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body to the connector and the cable. Power supply means for receiving power transmitted into the probe case through the probe case in a non-contact manner and supplying the power to the cooling means. Characterized in that was.

  According to the present invention, the heat transfer part for transferring the heat from the heat source to the probe case is arranged in the probe case, and the electric power transmitted into the probe case is received in a non-contact manner and can be detached from the probe case. By cooling the probe case with the cooling unit disposed in the, the temperature rise of the heat source can be suppressed. Moreover, it can disinfect easily by removing a cooling part from a probe case and immersing a probe case in disinfection liquid.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention, an example in which an electronic circuit board for transmitting ultrasonic waves is provided inside will be described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to cases where an electronic circuit board for receiving ultrasonic waves is provided.

  Embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes an ultrasonic probe 1 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject P, an output of a signal for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic probe 1, and a signal from the subject P. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 that generates a signal by processing a signal output from the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the reflected wave, an operation unit 28 that inputs various command signals, and the like. And a system control unit 29 for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 based on an input operation.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1. The ultrasonic probe 1 includes a probe main body 3 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject P, a cable 31 that transmits signals and electric power, and a connector 32 that is detachably connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2. And.

  The probe main body 3 includes a probe case 33 that forms an outer shell, a transducer unit 4 that transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject P using ultrasonic drive signals, and converts reflected waves received from the subject P into electrical signals. An electronic circuit board 34 for generating an ultrasonic drive signal for driving the transducer unit 4 disposed in the probe case 33, a lead wire 37 for transmitting a signal between the transducer unit 4 and the electronic circuit board 34, The vibrator unit 4 disposed in the probe case 33 and the heat transfer unit 5 that transfers heat generated in the electronic circuit board 34 are provided.

  In addition, a power feeding unit 6 that is disposed in the probe case 33 and feeds power transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 into the probe case 33 through the connector 32 and the cable 31 to the outside of the probe case 33, and a probe The cooling unit 7 is disposed outside the case 33 and receives power supplied from the power supply unit 6 to cool the probe case 33.

  The cable 31 includes a signal line 35 and a power line 36 that electrically connect the probe body 3 and the connector 32. The signal line 35 has one end connected to the electronic circuit board 34 of the probe body 3 and the other end connected to one end of the connector 32. Then, a signal from the connector 32 for driving the transducer unit 4 of the probe body 3 is transmitted to the electronic circuit board 34. In addition, an ultrasonic reception signal that is a signal from the electronic circuit board 34 according to reception of the ultrasonic wave in the transducer unit 4 is transmitted to the connector 32.

  The power line 36 has one end connected to the power feeding unit 6 of the probe body 3 and the other end connected to one end of the connector 32. Then, the power from the connector 32 is transmitted to the power feeding unit 6.

  One end of the connector 32 is connected to the signal line 35 and the power line 36 in the cable 31, and the other end is detachably connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2. Then, a signal for driving the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 is transmitted to the signal line 35. In addition, an ultrasonic reception signal from the signal line 35 is transmitted to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2. Further, the power from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 is transmitted to the power line 36.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 in FIG. 1 has a transmission unit 21 that transmits a signal for generating an ultrasonic drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 1 and a reception unit 22 that receives an ultrasonic reception signal from the ultrasonic probe 1. A B-mode image data generation unit 23 that processes a signal from the reception unit 22 to generate B-mode image data, and a Doppler image data generation unit that processes a signal from the reception unit 22 to generate Doppler image data. 24.

  In addition, a display processing unit 25 that performs display processing of the B-mode image data generated by the B-mode image data generation unit 23 and the Doppler image data generated by the Doppler image data generation unit 24, and image data that has been subjected to display processing by the display processing unit 25 And a power generation unit 27 that generates power for forcibly cooling the ultrasonic probe 1.

  The transmission unit 21 is configured by, for example, a clock generator, a frequency divider, and the like. Then, the clock pulse generated by the clock generator is dropped to a rate pulse of, for example, about 5 KHz by the frequency divider, and this rate pulse is passed through the connector 32 and the cable 31 of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the electronic circuit board 34 of the probe main body 3. Output to. The electronic circuit board 34 includes, for example, a transmission delay circuit and a pulsar. The rate pulse output from the transmission unit 21 is given to the pulsar through the transmission delay circuit, and the vibrator unit 4 is generated by generating a high-frequency high-pressure pulsar by the pulsar. To drive.

  The receiving unit 22 includes, for example, a preamplifier, a reception delay circuit, an adder, and the like, amplifies the ultrasonic reception signal received from the ultrasonic probe 1, sets the directivity to the amplified ultrasonic reception signal, and then performs phasing. Add to generate an echo signal. Then, the generated echo signal is output to the B-mode image data generation unit 23 and the Doppler image data generation unit 24.

  The B-mode image data generation unit 23 includes an amplitude detector, generates B-mode image data that provides morphological information of the tissue based on the echo signal output from the reception unit 22, and supplies the B-mode image data to the display processing unit 25. Output.

  The Doppler image data generation unit 24 includes a blood flow analysis detector for realizing color Doppler imaging. The Doppler image data detection unit 24 detects the echo signal output from the reception unit 22 in a quadrature phase and extracts a frequency-shifted Doppler signal. . Only a specific frequency component is passed from the extracted Doppler signal, and the frequency of the passed signal is obtained by autocorrelation processing. The average frequency, variance, and power are calculated by computing the obtained frequency. Then, blood flow Doppler image data that visualizes blood flow or tissue Doppler image data that visualizes an organ such as the heart muscle is generated and output to the display processing unit 25.

  The display processing unit 25 performs display processing on the B-mode image data generated by the B-mode image data generation unit 23 and displays it on the monitor 26. The blood flow Doppler image data and the B mode image data generated by the Doppler image data generation unit 24 and the B mode image data generated by the B mode image data generation unit 23 are displayed. The synthesized image is displayed on the monitor 26.

  The power generation unit 27 generates power for cooling the ultrasonic probe 1. Then, the generated power is supplied to the power feeding unit 6 of the probe main body 3 via the connector 32 and the cable 31 of the ultrasonic probe 1.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 5, the detail and operation | movement of a structure of the probe main body 3 in the ultrasonic probe 1 are demonstrated. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the probe body 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the probe main body 3 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining cooling of the probe main body 3.

  In FIG. 3, the probe case 33 of the probe body 3 is made of, for example, plastic that is lightweight and excellent in chemical resistance, and has an opening at one end and the other end. The opening at one end is closed by the vibrator portion 4 and the opening at the other end is closed by one end of the cable 31 so that the disinfectant, sterilization gas, etc. cannot enter the probe case 33. ing. The outside of the probe case 33 is configured with a simple surface.

  The transducer unit 4 includes a lens 41, a shield plate 42, a transducer 43, and a backing 44 that serve as an acoustic lens for focusing ultrasonic waves and improve the contact property to the subject P.

  The lens 41 is bonded to the opening surface of one end portion of the probe case 33 at the edge thereof, closes the opening portion of one end portion of the probe case 33, and faces the subject P when the outer surface is in contact with the subject P. Propagates ultrasonic waves to be transmitted and received. One surface of the shield plate 42 is bonded to the inner surface of the lens 41, and the edge is connected to the heat transfer unit 5. The heat generated by driving the vibrator 43 is transmitted to the heat transfer unit 5.

  The vibrator 43 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric material processed into an array, and one end face thereof is bonded to the other face of the shield plate 42. The other end surface is connected to the electronic circuit board 34 via a lead wire 37. Then, an ultrasonic wave is generated by an ultrasonic drive signal from the electronic circuit board 34. Further, the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject P is received and converted into an electric signal.

  One end surface of the backing 44 is bonded to the other end surface of the vibrator 43 and absorbs unnecessary ultrasonic waves generated by the vibrator 43 to suppress vibration.

  The heat transfer unit 5 is generated by a shield 51 that transfers heat from the shield plate 42 of the vibrator unit 4 and, for example, two electronic circuit boards 34 that are arranged apart from the shield 51 as shown in FIG. Two thermal conductors 52 (52a, 52b) arranged according to the number of electronic circuit boards 34 that transmit heat and two Peltier elements 53 (53a, 53b) that absorb heat from the shield 51 are provided. Yes.

  The shield 51 is made of a metal material such as a copper foil or a copper plate that shields radiated radio waves and is excellent in thermal conductivity, and is disposed so as to surround the transducer unit 4 and the electronic circuit board 34 in the inner peripheral portion of the probe case 33. Is done. One end is joined to the shield plate 42 of the vibrator part 4. One branched at the other end is joined to the low temperature side surface of the Peltier element 53a, and the other branched at the other end is joined to the low temperature side surface of the Peltier element 53b. Then, heat from the shield plate 42 of the vibrator unit 4 is transmitted to the Peltier elements 53a and 53b.

  Note that a graphite sheet having extremely high thermal conductivity in the surface direction and low in the thickness direction may be bonded to the inner peripheral surface of the shield 51. Thereby, the heat from the vibrator unit 4 can be transmitted to the Peltier elements 53a and 53b with lower thermal conductivity.

  Further, a thermal conductive material having high thermal conductivity is provided apart from the thermal conductor 52, the shield plate 42 of the vibrator unit 4 is joined to one end portion of the thermal conductive material, and the other end portion is connected to the Peltier element 53. Join to the low temperature side. Then, the heat from the shield plate 42 may be transmitted to the Peltier element 53.

  The heat conductor 52 is, for example, a heat pipe that transfers heat from each electronic circuit board 34 that generates a larger amount of heat than the vibrator unit 4, and corresponds to the number of electronic circuit boards 34 arranged in the probe case 33. It consists of two heat conductors 52a and 52b. One end of the heat conductor 52a is bonded to one electronic circuit board 34, and one surface of the other end is bonded to a part of the inner surface of the probe case 33 near the other end. The other surface of the other end is joined to the surface on the high temperature side of the Peltier element 53a. Then, heat from one electronic circuit board 34 is transmitted to a part of the surface of the probe case 33 near the other end.

  Also, one end of the heat conductor 52b is joined to the other electronic circuit board 34, and one surface of the other end is joined to the other portion of the inner surface of the probe case 33 that faces a portion of the other end portion. ing. The other surface of the other end is joined to the high temperature surface of the Peltier element 53b. Then, heat from the other electronic circuit board 34 is transmitted to the other surface near the other end of the inner surface of the probe case 33.

  In addition, you may make it utilize the raw material which is not limited to a heat pipe and has high thermal conductivity and thermal emissivity. Also, a small compressor may be used.

  The Peltier element 53 is composed of two Peltier elements 53a and 53b. In order to prevent heat from the heat conductor 52 that has a higher temperature than the shield 51 from moving to the shield 51 and causing the vibrator unit 4 to have a high temperature, The shield 51 is joined to the low temperature side surface, and the heat conductor 52 is joined to the high temperature side surface. Further, since a high thermal conductivity and dielectric strength are required between the shield 51 and the Peltier element 53 and between the thermal conductor 52 and the Peltier element 53, they are joined via a thin film layer such as polyimide, for example. A thin film sheet coated with or coated with a thermal radiation material such as ceramic having a high thermal emissivity may be attached to the surface of the thin film layer to increase the thermal conductivity.

  Each Peltier element 53a, 53b absorbs heat from the vibrator unit 4 transmitted from the shield 51 from the low-temperature side surface. Further, the heat generated from the surface on the high temperature side is transmitted to a part of the inner surface of the probe case 33 in the vicinity of the other end and the other surface through the heat conductors 52a and 52b.

  The power supply unit 6 is disposed in the probe case 33 and includes a power supply unit 61 for supplying power to the cooling unit 7 and a control unit 62 that controls the power supply unit 61. The power feeding unit 61 includes two power feeding units 61a and 61b, and each power feeding unit 61a and 61b has a primary coil. Then, an alternating magnetic field is generated by the alternating current supplied from the control unit 62.

  The cooling unit 7 is disposed in close contact with the other end portion outside the probe case 33 so as to be detachable, and receives a power from the power feeding unit 6 in a contactless manner, and the power receiving unit 71 and the power feeding. And a cooler 8 that cools the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the other end of the probe case 33 with the power supplied from the power supply means configured by the section 6.

  The power receiving unit 71 is arranged to face the power feeding unit 61 of the power feeding unit 6 through the probe case 33, and is configured by two power receiving units 71a and 71b. Each of the power receiving units 71a and 71b is held by the cooler 8 and has a secondary coil. And electric power is received from the electric power feeding part 61 by the electromagnetic induction system which generate | occur | produces a voltage in a secondary coil with the alternating current magnetic field which the primary coil of the electric power feeding part 61 generate | occur | produces. Then, each received power is supplied to the cooler 8.

  The cooler 8 includes a plurality of heat radiating plates 81 that dissipate heat into the atmosphere, a base 82 that transmits heat transmitted to the outer surface via the probe case 33 to the heat radiating plate 81, and the base 82 to the probe case 33. A hinge 83 and a fastener 84 that can be attached and detached, a cooling fan 85 that forcibly cools the heat radiating plate 81 and the base 82 by the electric power supplied from the power receiving unit 71, and air blown from the cooling fan 85 to the probe case 33. And a cover 86 that is discharged to the rear of the other end.

  An attachment adapter is provided on the cooler 8 so that the probe case 33 to which the cooling unit 7 is attached can be easily held by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the probe main body 3 in FIG.
The heat radiating plate 81 of the cooler 8 is radially arranged toward the outside, and is made of, for example, aluminum having a light weight and high thermal conductivity. Each heat sink 81 has a notch extending from the center of one end to the vicinity of both ends, and both end portions of the one end are joined to the outer surface of the base 82.

  In addition, in order to be able to hold a liquid with high vaporization heat such as water, a material such as paper having a large number of fine holes is pasted on the surface of each radiator plate 81, and a mechanism for supplying the liquid to the material is provided. Each of the heat sinks 81 may be cooled. Further, a heat radiation material such as ceramic having a high thermal emissivity for dissipating heat by using far infrared rays may be applied to the surface of each heat radiation plate 81, or a thin film sheet coated may be applied to enhance the heat radiation effect. .

  The base portion 82 is made of, for example, aluminum having a light weight and high thermal conductivity, and has two hollow base portions 82a and 82b whose inner peripheral surface is disposed so as to surround a surface near the other end portion of the outer surface of the probe case 33. Composed. The arcuate inner surface of the base 82a is disposed on the outer surface corresponding to a part of the inner surface of the probe case 33 near the other end, and the arcuate inner surface of the base 82b is the other end of the inner surface of the probe case 33. It arrange | positions on the outer surface corresponding to the surface of the other part of the vicinity. A plurality of heat radiating plates 81 are joined to the arcuate outer surfaces of the bases 82a and 82b. Furthermore, each base part 82a, 82b to which the cooling fan 85 is fixed has a first opening part 821 on one end face adjacent to the arc shape, and a second opening part 822 in the vicinity of each heat radiation plate 81 on the outer surface. .

  Then, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 5, the air from the cooling fan 85 that has sucked in the outside air flows into the bases 82a and 82b from the first openings 821 and passes through the bases 82a and 82b. Outflow from each second opening 822. The blown out air flows along the surface of each heat radiating plate 81 and also passes through the notch of each heat radiating plate 81 along the outer surface of each base portion 82a, 82b.

  In this way, the base 82 and the heat radiating plates 81 can be strongly cooled by sucking outside air and passing the air through the base 82 and the surfaces of the heat radiating plates 81.

  The hinge 83 is fixed to the side surfaces facing each other in the vicinity of one end face of each of the base portions 82a and 82b, so that the base portions 82a and 82b can be opened and closed in the directions of arrows R1 and R2. The fastener 84 includes a first fastener 84a and a second fastener 84b that engages with the first fastener 84a, and each of the first and second fasteners 84a and 84b has a base portion 82a and 82b. It arrange | positions at the other end part.

  And after closing each base part 82a and 82b so that the other end part vicinity of probe case 33 outer surface may be enclosed, the cooling part 7 can be attached to the probe case 33 by fastening the fastener 84. FIG. Moreover, the cooling part 7 can be removed from the probe case 33 by loosening the fastener 84 and opening the base parts 82a and 82b.

  The cooling fan 85 includes a base 85a and a fan 85a that cools each heat sink 81 joined to the base 82a by power supplied from the power receiving portion 71a, a base 82b, and each heat sink 81 joined to the base 82b. The fan 85b is cooled by power supplied from the power receiving unit 71a. The fan 85a is fixed to one end surface of the base portion 82a via a heat insulating material, and the fan 85b is fixed to one end surface of the base portion 82b via a heat insulating material. A lightweight resin is used for the finger for safety provided in each of the fans 85a and 85b.

  A temperature sensor (not shown) is disposed on the vibrator unit 4, the electronic circuit board 34, the base 82 or the heat sink 81, and a temperature detection signal from each temperature sensor is output to the control unit 62 of the power supply unit 6. Is done. The control unit 62 controls the power feeding unit 61 based on the temperature detection signal from each temperature sensor.

  By supplying power from the power supply means by this control, the fans 85a and 85b are operated to cool the heat radiating plates 81 and the bases 82a and 82b. This cooling strongly cools the vicinity of the other end of the outer surface of the probe case 33. Further, when the fans 85 a and 85 b are stopped due to the stop of the power from the power receiving unit 71, the heat radiating plates 81 and the bases 82 a and 82 b naturally cool the vicinity of the other end of the outer surface of the probe case 33. In addition, the temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor arrange | positioned at the base 82 or the heat sink 81 is output to the control part 62 by an electromagnetic induction system with the coil provided in the electric power supply means.

  The cover 86 is made of a lightweight and flexible material having a high thermal conductivity and thermal radiation or a material provided with a layer having a high thermal conductivity and thermal radiation on the surface, and is detachable from the probe case 33. It is attached. Further, it is disposed so as to surround the heat radiating portion 81 and has a notch in a part so as not to interfere even if the cable 31 is bent.

  Then, the heat dissipated from each of the heat radiating plates 81 and the bases 82a and 82b is released to the rear of the other end of the probe case 33. Further, the power receiving unit 71 and the cooler 8 are prevented from coming into contact with the subject P. Further, by discarding the cover 86 that may come into contact with the subject P for each examination, higher safety can be ensured.

  As described above, the cooler 8 is made of a light material, and preferably suppressed to 50 g or less, so that the operability of the probe main body 3 with the cooling unit 7 attached to the probe case 33 can be prevented from being lowered.

  The other end of the shield 51 of the heat conducting unit 5 is joined to, for example, the low temperature side surface of the Peltier element 53a, and the heat conductors 52a and 52b are joined to the low temperature side surface of the Peltier element 53b. Further, the surface on the high temperature side of the Peltier element 53a is joined to a part of the inner surface of the probe case 33 near the other end, and the surface on the high temperature side of the Peltier element 53b is connected to the other part of the inner surface of the probe case 33 near the other end. Join to the surface. Further, the fans 85a and 85b can be operated independently based on the temperature detection signals from the respective temperature sensors. When the temperature of the vibrator unit 4 becomes high, the fan 53a is operated to lower the temperature of the vibrator unit 4, and when the temperature of the electronic circuit board 34 becomes high, the fan 53b is operated to operate the electronic circuit board 34. You may implement so that temperature may be lowered | hung.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 will be described.
After the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 surrounds the vicinity of the other end portion of the probe case 33 of the probe main body 3 in the ultrasonic probe 1 and closes the bases 82a and 82b of the cooler 8, the fastener 84 The cooling part 7 is attached to the probe case 33 by tightening. Then, after the connector 32 is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 and the ultrasonic probe 1 is started by performing an operation for starting an examination from the operation unit 28.

  In the ultrasonic probe 1, the electronic circuit board 34 of the probe main body 3 generates an ultrasonic drive signal based on the signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 transmitted through the connector 32 and the signal line 35 in the cable 31. The transducer unit 4 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject P by the ultrasonic drive signal from the electronic circuit board 34. The shield 51 and the heat conductor 52 of the heat transfer unit 5 transfer the heat generated in the vibrator unit 4 and the electronic circuit board 34 to the vicinity of the other end of the inner surface of the probe case 33. The transmitted heat is transmitted to the surface near the other end of the inner surface of the probe case 33 by the Peltier element 53, and further transmitted to the base portion 82 and the heat radiating plate 81 of the cooler 8 through the probe case 33. The heat radiating plate 81 and the base portion 82 dissipate the transmitted heat into the atmosphere to cool the other end of the probe case 33.

  For example, when the temperature of the vibrator unit 4 is equal to or higher than the first warning temperature lower than the upper limit temperature at which the safety of the subject P can be ensured, or the temperature of the electronic circuit board 34 operates normally. When the temperature is equal to or higher than the second warning temperature lower than the upper limit temperature that can be generated, the power supply means supplies power to the cooling fan 85. The cooling fan 85 strongly cools the other end of the probe case 33. By this cooling, the vibrator unit 4 can be suppressed to a safe temperature lower than the first warning temperature. In addition, the electronic circuit board 34 can be suppressed to a normally operating temperature lower than the second warning temperature.

  In this way, the temperature of the transducer unit 4 can be suppressed and the safety of the subject P can be ensured. Further, the electronic circuit board 34 can be operated normally by suppressing the temperature rise of the electronic circuit board 34.

  Further, when the temperature of the vibrator unit 4 is lower than the first warning temperature and when the temperature of the electronic circuit board 34 is lower than the second warning temperature, the power supply unit stops the power to the cooling fan 85. . In this way, when forced cooling is unnecessary, the cooling fan 85 is stopped, so that it can be efficiently cooled by natural air cooling.

  When the operation for ending the examination is performed from the operation unit 28, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 and the ultrasonic probe 1 are stopped. The operator loosens the fastener 84 and opens the bases 82a and 82b, and then removes the cooling unit 7 from the probe case 33. Further, the connector 32 is detached from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2. Then, the ultrasonic probe 1 is disinfected by immersing the probe case 33 in the disinfecting solution.

  In this way, by removing the cooling unit 7 from the probe case 33 and immersing the probe case 33 in the disinfecting solution, the disinfecting solution can be spread to every corner of the outer surface constituted by a simple surface of the probe case 33. it can. Also, the disinfectant can be easily washed off. Thereby, the effort concerning disinfection can be reduced and disinfection can be performed easily. Further, a cooling fan 85 that does not require waterproofing can be used.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the heat transfer portion 5 for transferring the heat generated in the vibrator portion 4 and the electronic circuit board 34 to the surface near the other end of the inner surface of the probe case 33 is arranged, and the ultrasonic wave When inspecting using the probe 1, the vicinity of the other end of the probe case 33 can be cooled by surrounding the vicinity of the other end of the probe case 33 and attaching the detachable cooling unit 7.

  When the transducer unit 4 is at or above the first warning temperature or when the electronic circuit board 34 is at or above the second warning temperature, the probe case is passed from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 2 through the connector 32 and the cable 31. By receiving the electric power transmitted into the inside 33 in a non-contact manner via the probe case 33 and supplying it to the cooler 8, the vicinity of the other end of the probe case 33 can be strongly cooled. Further, when the temperature of the vibrator unit 4 is lower than the first warning temperature and when the temperature of the electronic circuit board 34 is lower than the second warning temperature, the natural air cooling is performed by stopping the power to the cooler 8. Thus, it can be cooled more efficiently.

  Thereby, the temperature rise of the vibrator unit 4 can be suppressed and the safety of the subject P can be ensured. Further, the electronic circuit board 34 can be operated normally by suppressing the temperature rise of the electronic circuit board 34.

  When disinfecting the ultrasonic probe 1, the cooling unit 7 is removed from the probe case 33 and the probe case 33 is immersed in the disinfecting liquid, thereby disinfecting all corners of the outer surface constituted by a simple surface of the probe case 33. Can spread the liquid. Also, the disinfectant can be easily washed off. Thereby, the effort concerning disinfection can be reduced and disinfection can be performed easily. Further, a cooling fan 85 that does not require waterproofing can be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the electronic circuit board 34 and the heat conductor 52 are removed from the ultrasonic probe 1 and the electronic circuit board 34 is disposed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 so that the Peltier You may implement so that the surface at the side of the high temperature of the element 53 may be joined to the surface near the other end part of the inner surface of the probe case 33.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on the Example of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the probe main body which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in the probe main body of FIG. 3. The figure for demonstrating cooling of the probe main body which concerns on the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Probe main body 4 Vibrator part 5 Thermal conduction part 6 Electric power feeding part 7 Cooling part 8 Cooler 31 Cable 33 Probe case 34 Electronic circuit board 37 Lead wire 41 Lens 42 Shield plate 43 Vibrator 44 Backing 51 Shield 52 Thermal conductor 53 Peltier element 71, 71a, 71b Power receiving part 81 Radiating plate 82, 82a, 82b Base part 83 Hinge 84 Fastener 85 Cooling fan 86 Cover

Claims (10)

In an ultrasonic probe formed by connecting a probe main body and a connector for transmitting and receiving signals between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body with a cable,
The probe body is
A transducer unit that is disposed at one end of the probe case and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject; and
A heat transfer means disposed in the probe case and configured to transmit heat generated in the vibrator unit to the vicinity of the other end in the probe case;
A cooling means that is detachably disposed near the other end outside the probe case, and cools the probe case;
Power supply means for receiving electric power transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body into the probe case via the connector and the cable in a non-contact manner via the probe case and supplying the power to the cooling means; An ultrasonic probe comprising:   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit receives power transmitted in the probe case using electromagnetic induction. The cooling means has a heat radiating plate for radiating heat from the heat transfer means and a cooling fan for cooling the heat radiating plate,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the cooling fan is operated by electric power supplied from the electric power supply unit.   The power supply means supplies power to the cooling fan based on a temperature detection signal transmitted into the probe case in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic induction from a temperature sensor disposed on the heat sink. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, which is configured as described above.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, further comprising a cover that surrounds the heat radiating plate and is detachably disposed on the probe case. The probe case is disposed so as to surround the transducer part, and has a shield that shields a radiated radio wave having one end joined to a part of the transducer part,
2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer means transfers heat generated in the vibrator portion to the vicinity of the other end portion in the probe case by the shield. A low-temperature side surface is joined to the other end of the shield, and a high-temperature side surface has a Peltier element joined to a surface near the other end of the probe case inner surface,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, wherein the heat transfer means transfers heat from the shield to a surface near the other end of the probe case inner surface by the Peltier element. An electronic circuit board that is disposed apart from the shield and performs generation of an ultrasonic drive signal to the transducer unit or processing of an ultrasonic reception signal from the transducer unit, and one end of the electronic circuit substrate are joined to the electronic circuit substrate Have a heat pipe
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, wherein the heat transfer means transfers heat generated in the electronic circuit board to the vicinity of the other end portion in the probe case by the heat pipe. A low-temperature side surface is joined to the other end of the shield, and one surface of the other end is joined to a surface near the other end of the probe case inner surface. Having Peltier elements with bonded surfaces,
The heat transfer means transfers heat from the shield to the other end of the heat pipe by the Peltier element, and heat from the other end of the heat pipe to a surface near the other end of the probe case inner surface. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic probe is transmitted. The other end of the heat pipe has a Peltier element bonded to a surface on the low temperature side, and a surface on the high temperature side is bonded to a surface near the other end of the inner surface of the probe case.
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 8, wherein the heat transfer means transfers heat from the heat pipe to a surface near the other end of the probe case inner surface by the Peltier element.

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