JP2011072466A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further improve the operatability of an ultrasonic probe in the ultrasonic probe connected to a communication cable and an ultrasonograph with the same. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe 13 includes a probe body 21 applied to a subject, a communication unit 22 wirelessly communicating with an ultrasonic monitor 12, the communication cable 23 connecting them, a cable fixing section 24 fixing the communication cable 23 to the probe body 21 with the communication cable loosened, a coupling cord 25 coupling the cable fixing section 24 to the probe body 21, and a cord reel mechanism 26 recovering the coupling cord 25. The cable fixing section 24 having a groove 24a can be attached to and detached from the rear end face 21a of the probe body 21. The middle position of the root part 23a of the communication cable 23 is fixed into the groove 24a and the root part 23a is fixed on the probe body 21 in loosened state. The coupling cord 25 is extended from the state where it is recovered into the probe body 21. The coupling cord 25 is recovered and the cable fixing section 24 is integrated with the probe body when releasing the extension. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe connected to a communication cable and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the same.

  Medical diagnosis using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is actively performed. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an extracorporeal ultrasound probe that is brought into contact with the outer surface of the subject, and acquires internal information of the subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasound with the ultrasound probe. The acquired information is communicated to an ultrasonic observation device installed in a cart or the like and displayed on the monitor as an ultrasonic image.

  The ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic observation device are connected by a cable. For this reason, the cable becomes an obstacle during the procedure, and the operability of the ultrasonic probe is deteriorated. In order to improve this problem, various techniques have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, a small wireless communication unit is cable-connected to an ultrasonic probe, and information is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication unit to an ultrasonic observation device by radio waves. Patent Document 2 discloses a cable winding mechanism for adjusting the cable length. Patent Document 3 describes a mode in which a base portion of a cable is loosely bent and fixed to a practitioner's arm or an ultrasonic probe.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-190067 JP 2003-190151 A JP 2005-058468 A

  In the aspect of fixing the cable of Patent Document 3 to the arm of the practitioner, the action range of the practitioner is limited. In any aspect, if the fixed cable is bent, it becomes an obstacle, and the effect of improving the operability of the ultrasonic probe is diminished. On the other hand, if the fixed cable is stretched, the ultrasonic probe cannot be moved any further. If the cable is pulled forcibly, the bending of the cable root is eliminated, and a load is applied to the cable root.

  If the winding mechanism of Patent Document 2 is combined, the cable length can be adjusted, so that the above problem can be solved. However, since it is necessary to lengthen the cable to some extent in order to adjust the length, there arises a problem of signal deterioration in the transmission line. In addition, there are problems such as curling habits on the cable and difficulty in cleaning the cable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is to further improve the operability of the ultrasonic probe.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes a probe main body containing an ultrasonic transducer that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject and receives reflected waves from the subject and converts them into electrical signals; A communication cable that is connected to the probe body and wiredly communicates the electrical signal converted by the ultrasonic transducer, and an intermediate portion of the communication cable so that only a base portion of the communication cable connected to the probe body is bent. A cable fixing portion to which the probe main body and the cable fixing portion are connected, and the probe main body and the cable fixing portion can be integrated and separated in conjunction with the movement of the probe main body. And an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between the probe main body and the cable fixing portion.

  It is preferable that the apparatus includes a communication unit that includes a wireless communication unit that is connected to the communication cable and wirelessly communicates the electrical signal wired with the communication cable to an external device.

  The connecting means is a connecting cord that connects the cable fixing portion to the probe body, and the adjusting mechanism is a cord reel mechanism that collects the connecting cord by winding and integrates the cable fixing portion. Is preferred.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described ultrasonic probe.

  According to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the same, the cable fixing portion for fixing the communication cable is provided so that only the base portion of the communication cable is bent, and the probe is interlocked with the movement of the probe main body. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the distance between the probe main body and the cable fixing portion so that the main body and the cable fixing portion can be integrated and separated, so that the cable fixing portion is separated without bending the fixed communication cable. The minute probe body can be moved. Therefore, the operability of the ultrasonic probe can be further improved.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is the schematic which shows the structure of an ultrasonic probe. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is a use state figure of the ultrasonic probe by which the probe main body was addressed to the subject who lies on his back. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of the ultrasonic probe of the form provided with the support cord. It is the schematic which shows the cord reel mechanism which winds up a support cord. It is a use state figure of the ultrasonic probe of the form provided with the support cord.

[First Embodiment]
In FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 according to the first embodiment includes a portable ultrasonic observation device 12 and an external ultrasonic probe 13. The ultrasonic observation device 12 and the ultrasonic probe 13 communicate with each other by a wireless method using the radio wave 14.

  The ultrasonic observation device 12 includes an apparatus main body 15 and a cover 16. On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 15, an operation unit 17 provided with a plurality of buttons and a trackball for inputting various operation instructions to the ultrasonic observation device 12 is arranged. On the inner surface of the cover 16, a monitor 18 for displaying various operation screens including an ultrasonic image is provided.

  The cover 16 is attached to the apparatus main body 15 via a hinge 19, and the opening position shown in the figure that exposes the operation unit 17 and the monitor 18, the upper surface of the apparatus main body 15, and the inner surface of the cover 16 face each other for operation. It is rotatable between a closed position (not shown) that covers and protects the unit 17 and the monitor 18.

  A grip (not shown) is attached to the side surface of the apparatus main body 15, and the ultrasonic observer 12 can be carried with the apparatus main body 15 and the cover 16 closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 13 includes a probe main body 21 that is held by a practitioner such as a doctor and is addressed to a subject, a communication unit 22 that wirelessly communicates with the ultrasonic observation device 12, and these. The communication cable 23 to be connected, the cable fixing portion 24 that fixes the communication cable 23 to the probe main body 21 in a bent state, the connection cord 25 that connects the cable fixing portion 24 to the probe main body 21, and the connection cord 25 is wound up. And a cord reel mechanism 26 to be recovered.

  The cable fixing portion 24 has a substantially rectangular plate shape and is configured to be detachable from the rear end surface 21a of the probe main body 21. The cable fixing part 24 has a groove 24 a into which the communication cable 23 is fitted. The base portion 23a of the communication cable 23 is fixed in a state where the middle portion thereof is fitted in the groove 24a and is bent to the probe main body 21 (see FIG. 1).

  It is possible to shift the portion 23b to be fitted into the groove 24a of the communication cable 23, and the amount of bending of the communication cable 23 is appropriately changed according to the usage mode and the like. The total length of the communication cable 23 is slightly longer than the distance from the communication unit 22 to the subject, and the bending amount of the communication cable 23 is adjusted so that the redundant portion is absorbed and the communication cable 23 is not bent as a whole. This amount of deflection may be set based on a range in which the probe main body 21 is moved during inspection.

  The length of the connecting cord 25 is adjusted by a cord reel mechanism 26 built in the probe main body 21 and is stretched as shown in FIG. 2 from the state of FIG. 1 collected in the probe main body 21. The length when the connecting cord 25 is extended to the limit is set shorter than the length from the root 23a of the communication cable 23 to the portion 23b fitted in the groove 24a of the cable fixing portion 24.

  When the cable fixing part 24 is pulled away from the probe main body 21, the connecting cord 25 is extended from the cord reel mechanism 26, and the cable fixing part 24 is detached from the probe main body 21.

  When the tension of the cable fixing portion 24 is released in a state where the connecting cord 25 is stretched, the connecting cord 25 is collected in the probe main body 21. When the connection cord 25 is recovered in the probe main body 21, the cable fixing portion 24 is attracted to the probe main body 21 together with the recovery of the connection cord 25. Then, the rear end surface 21a of the probe main body 21 formed in the same size and the joint surface 24b of the cable fixing portion 24 are combined, and the cable fixing portion 24 is integrated with the probe main body 21 as shown in FIG.

  The cord reel mechanism 26 includes a cylindrical core 27 that winds the connecting cord 25 and a mainspring spring 28 that biases the core 27 in a clockwise direction (winding direction) in the drawing.

  One end of a connecting cord 25 is fixed to the winding core 27. When the cable fixing portion 24 is released from the state where the cable fixing portion 24 is pulled and the connecting cord 25 is extended, the winding core 27 is rotated in the winding direction by the urging force stored in the mainspring spring 28. To do. The connecting cord 25 is wound around the rotating core 27 and collected by the probe main body 21.

  When the connecting cord 25 is stretched, the winding core 27 rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction against the urging force of the mainspring spring 28. The mainspring spring 28 accumulates an urging force in the winding direction by the rotation of the winding core 27.

  An ultrasonic transducer array (hereinafter abbreviated as UT array) 29 is built in the distal end portion of the probe main body 21. As is well known, the UT array 29 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (hereinafter abbreviated as UTs) 29a in the elevation direction on a convex backing material whose cross section perpendicular to the elevation direction is formed in a substantially bowl shape. It has a structure arranged at equal intervals in the orthogonal azimuth direction. An acoustic matching layer and an acoustic lens are sequentially stacked on the plurality of arranged UTs 29a.

  The UT 29a is formed by forming electrodes on both surfaces of a piezoelectric thick film such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate) or PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). When a voltage (excitation pulse) is applied to both electrodes, the piezoelectric body vibrates to generate ultrasonic waves, and thereby the ultrasonic waves are irradiated to the observation site of the subject. In addition, when a reflected wave from the site to be observed is received, the piezoelectric body vibrates to generate a voltage, and this voltage is output as an echo signal.

  The communication unit 22 includes a hook 30 for hanging from a ceiling or the like. A string 31 suspended from the ceiling is tied to the hook 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic circuit 41 includes a CPU 42, a Tx / Rx 43, a pulsar 44, a receiver 45, a timing controller 46, an A / D 47, and a P / S 48. The CPU 42 comprehensively controls the ultrasonic circuit 41 and the communication circuit 49 built in the communication unit 22.

  A Tx / Rx 43 is connected to the UT 29a constituting the UT array 29. The Tx / Rx 43 switches transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves and echo signals by the UT 29a at predetermined time intervals.

  A pulser 44 and a receiver 45 are connected to Tx / Rx43. The pulser 44 outputs an excitation pulse (pulse voltage) for generating an ultrasonic wave to the Tx / Rx 43. The receiver 45 amplifies the echo signal input from the UT 29a. Although not shown in the figure, the number of Tx / Rx 43, pulsar 44, receiver 45, and A / D 47 is actually provided by the number of UTs 29a.

  A timing controller 46 is connected to the pulsar 44. The timing controller 46 outputs an excitation signal for generating an excitation pulse to the pulser 44.

  An A / D 47 is connected to the receiver 45. The A / D 47 digitizes the analog echo signal output from the receiver 45. P / S 48 is connected to A / D 47. The P / S 48 converts the parallel data output from each A / D 47 into serial data.

  The communication circuit 49 includes a modulator 50, a wireless communication unit 51, and an antenna 52. A P / S 48 is connected to the modulator 50 via the communication cable 23. The modulator 50 modulates the serial data output from the P / S 48 into a radio wave, and outputs this radio wave to the wireless communication unit 51. The wireless communication unit 51 amplifies the radio wave 14 from the modulator 50 and outputs it to the ultrasonic observation device 12 via the antenna 52.

  The processing circuit 53 built in the ultrasonic observation device 12 includes a CPU 54, a wireless communication unit 55, an antenna 56, a demodulator 57, an S / P 58, a reception beam former 59, a detection Log compression circuit 60, and a DSC 61. The CPU 54 comprehensively controls the processing circuit 53.

  The wireless communication unit 55 receives and amplifies the radio wave 14 from the communication unit 22 via the antenna 56. A demodulator 57 is connected to the wireless communication unit 55. The demodulator 57 demodulates the radio wave 14 output from the wireless communication unit 55 into the original serial data output from the P / S 48 and outputs the demodulated data to the S / P 58.

  The S / P 58 converts the serial data demodulated by the demodulator 57 into original parallel data. A reception beam former 59 is connected to the S / P 58. The reception beamformer 59 performs a phase matching operation on the parallel data. A detection log compression circuit 60 is connected to the reception beam former 59. The detection log compression circuit 60 detects the amplitude of the parallel data output from the reception beamformer 59 and performs logarithmic compression.

  A DSC 61 is connected to the detection Log compression circuit 60. The DSC 61 converts the parallel data logarithmically compressed by the detection Log compression circuit 60 into a television signal. The TV signal converted by the DSC 61 is D / A converted by a D / A converter (not shown) and displayed on the monitor 18 as an ultrasonic image.

  Next, the usage state of the ultrasonic probe 13 will be described. A practitioner such as a doctor lays the subject on his back. Then, the ultrasonic probe 13 is directed to the subject, and an inspection start button (not shown) provided on the ultrasonic probe 13 is pressed. Thereby, the inspection by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 is started, and an ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor 18.

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which the probe main body 21 is assigned to the center of the subject. In this state, the cable fixing portion 24 is integrated with the probe main body 21. The communication cable 23 is in a state where the portion from the root portion 23a to the portion 23b fitted in the groove 24a of the cable fixing portion 24 is bent.

  4A and 4C show a state in which the probe main body 21 is addressed to the left and right sides of the subject. When the probe main body 21 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 4 (B) to FIG. 4 (A) or FIG. 4 (C), the angle at which the tip of the probe main body 21 is directed to the subject changes. Since the communication unit 22 is fixed to the ceiling via the string 31, the communication unit 22 and the probe main body 21 have an oblique angle from the vertical state of FIG. The distance becomes longer. The connecting cord 25 is pulled out from the cord reel mechanism 26 by this increased distance, whereby the cable fixing portion 24 is separated from the probe main body 21. The connecting cord 25 can be pulled out until the bending of the base portion 23a of the communication cable 23 is eliminated. That is, the probe main body 21 is free to move within the range of the deflection amount of the base portion 23 a of the communication cable 23.

  Conversely, when the probe main body 21 is returned from the side of the subject to the center portion, the cord 25 is recovered by the cord reel mechanism 26 and the cable fixing portion 24 is attracted to the probe main body 21. The cable fixing part 24 is integrated with the probe main body 21.

  As described above, the distance from the communication unit 22 to the probe main body 21 is adjusted by extending and contracting the connecting cord 25. As shown in FIG. 4B, since the cable fixing portion 24 bundles the base portion 23a of the communication cable 23 to the portion 23b fitted in the groove 24a of the cable fixing portion 24, the excess communication cable 23 is It does not bother you and has excellent operability. Further, the expansion and contraction of the connecting cord 25 prevents the communication unit 22 from being pulled and moved, so that a stable communication state can be maintained.

  As another method for improving the operability of the probe main body 21, it is conceivable to wind the communication cable 23 like a telephone cord in a spiral shape. However, there is a possibility that the communication cable 23 becomes long and the signal is deteriorated, and dust easily adheres and cleaning is troublesome. Since the present invention uses the linear communication cable 23, there is no such problem.

[Second Embodiment]
In FIG. 5, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment includes a support mechanism 64 that supports the probe main body 21 and a support mechanism 64 in addition to the members that configure the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 of the first embodiment. A cord reel mechanism 66 (see FIG. 6) for collecting the support cord 65 by winding it up is provided.

  The support mechanism 64 includes a holding member 67 that holds the probe main body 21, and a support cord 65 that connects the holding member 67 and the communication unit 22. The holding member 67 has a substantially C-shaped cross section and is detachable from the probe main body 21. The holding member 67 has flexibility and is attached to the probe main body 21 so as to be held.

  The support cord 65 is stretched from the state recovered in the communication unit 22 (see FIG. 7A) by the cord reel mechanism 66 built in the communication unit 22. The length when the support cord 65 is extended to the limit is preferably slightly shorter than the total length of the communication cable 23 and slightly longer than the distance from the communication unit 22 to the subject.

  When the holding member 67 is pulled together with the probe main body 21 in the direction away from the communication unit 22, the support cord 65 is extended. As will be described later, when the support cord 65 is pulled at a speed less than a predetermined speed, the extended state of the support cord 65 is maintained.

  When the support cord 65 is pulled at a predetermined speed or more and the tension is released while the support cord 65 is stretched, the support cord 65 is collected in the communication unit 22 by the reaction of the tension. The probe main body 21 held by the holding member 67 is attracted to the communication unit 22 together with the recovery of the support cord 65.

  FIG. 6 shows the cord reel mechanism 66 in a state where the support cord 65 is stretched. The cord reel mechanism 66 has a cylindrical core 68 around which the support cord 65 is wound, a mainspring spring urging the core 68 in the clockwise direction (winding direction) in the drawing, and the core 68 as an axis. A rotating rod 73 having a claw 72 that meshes with the teeth 71 of the gear 70, a coil spring 74 that biases the rotating rod 73 in a direction in which the claw 72 meshes with the teeth 71 of the gear 70, and a coil spring And a damper 75 for absorbing the urging force of 74.

  One end of a support cord 65 is fixed to the core 68. The winding core 68 is urged in the winding direction by the mainspring spring 69, but the claw 72 of the rotating rod 73 meshes with the teeth 71 of the gear 70, thereby preventing the winding core 68 from rotating in the winding direction. ing.

  When the support cord 65 is pulled at a predetermined speed or higher and the tension is released, the winding core 68 rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction against the urging force of the mainspring spring 69. The teeth 71 of the gear 70 get over the claws 72 of the rotating rod 73. As a result, the rotating rod 73 rotates in the direction in which the pawl 72 retracts from the gear 70 against the urging force of the coil spring 74. The coil spring 74 urges the rotating rod 73 in the direction in which the pawl 72 meshes with the teeth 71 of the gear 70, but the rotation of the rotating rod 73 is delayed by the damper 75, and the pawl 72 of the rotating rod 73 and the gear 70. The engagement with the tooth 71 is released. Thereby, the core 68 is rotated in the winding direction by the urging force of the mainspring spring 69. The support cord 65 is wound around the core 68 and collected in the communication unit 22.

  The rotation of the rotating rod 73 is delayed by the damper 75, but with the lapse of time, the rotating rod 73 rotates in the direction in which the pawl 72 meshes with the teeth 71 of the gear 70 due to the biasing force of the coil spring 74. As a result, the claw 72 of the rotating rod 73 meshes with the teeth 71 of the gear 70 to prevent the winding core 68 from rotating, and the recovery of the support cord 65 is stopped.

  When the support cord 65 is extended from the state where the support cord 65 is collected in the communication unit 22, the winding core 68 rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction against the urging force of the mainspring spring 69. Each tooth 71 of the gear 70 gets over the claw 72 of the rotating rod 73 one after another.

  When the extension of the support cord 65 is released, the rotating rod 73 rotates, and the tooth 71 of the gear 70 that has finally passed over the claw 72 of the rotating rod 73 meshes with the claw 72 of the rotating rod 73, and the winding core 68. Rotation is prevented. However, since the rotation of the rotating rod 73 is delayed by the damper 75, when the support cord 65 is pulled at a speed lower than a predetermined speed, or when the support cord 65 is pulled at a speed higher than a predetermined speed, a predetermined time elapses. Then, when the extension of the support cord 65 is released, the rotation of the winding core 68 is prevented. Note that the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  Next, the use state of the ultrasonic probe 13 will be described while referring to differences from the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the state before use, the support cord 65 is collected in the communication unit 22, and the probe main body 21 held by the holding member 67 is attracted to the communication unit 22. Yes.

  A practitioner such as a doctor pulls the probe main body 21 downward. The holding member 67 is pulled together with the probe main body 21, and the support cord 65 is stretched (see FIG. 7B). The probe main body 21 is in a state where its own weight is applied to the support cord 65.

  As described above, the load applied to the communication cable 23 is reduced by the support cord 65. Further, since the support mechanism 64 and the cord reel mechanism 66 are provided, the probe main body 21 can be put away by the communication unit 22 and is convenient.

  The holding member 67 is detachable from the probe main body 21, and the usage method can be properly used according to the installation state of the communication unit 22. For example, when the communication unit 22 is installed on the floor or the like, the probe body 21 does not need to be supported by the support mechanism 64 because the weight of the probe body 21 is not applied to the communication cable 23. At this time, the holding member 67 can be detached from the probe main body 21 and used. Thereby, the freedom degree of the probe main body 21 increases, and operativity improves. In this case, the support cord 65 is collected in the communication unit 22 so that the support mechanism 64 does not interfere with the operation.

  In each of the above embodiments, the connecting cord 25 functions as a connecting means that connects the cable fixing portion 24 to the probe main body 21, and the cord reel mechanism 26 collects the connecting cord 25 by winding it and fixes the cable. The case of functioning as an adjustment mechanism that integrates the unit 24 has been described as an example. However, the probe main body 21 and the cable fixing unit 24 are connected to each other, and the probe main body 21 and the cable fixing unit 24 are interlocked with the movement of the probe main body 21. As long as the distance between the probe main body 21 and the cable fixing portion 24 can be adjusted so that they can be integrated and separated, a tension coil spring (pull spring) is used instead of the connecting cord 25 and the cord reel mechanism 26. Also good. In this case, the probe main body 21 or the cable fixing portion 24 is formed with a tension spring accommodating portion that accommodates a tension spring. The tension spring is accommodated in the tension spring accommodating portion when the cable fixing portion 24 is integrated with the probe main body 21.

  The cable fixing portion 24 has been described as an example in which the cable fixing portion 24 is integrated with the rear end surface 21a of the probe main body 21; For example, it may be integrated with the side surface of the probe main body 21.

  The case where the ultrasonic observation device 12 and the ultrasonic probe 13 are communicated by the radio wave 14 has been described as an example. However, the communication may be performed by a wireless method, and may be performed by optical wireless such as infrared rays or IrDA. .

  Although the case where the communication unit 22 is suspended from the ceiling has been described as an example, the communication unit 22 may be suspended from an infusion stand, a bed on which a subject is laid, a curtain rail, or the like. Moreover, you may float in the air using a balloon or a hovering device. Furthermore, it may be placed on the floor.

  Note that the present invention can be applied to any mode as long as a communication cable is connected to the probe body. For example, the present invention can also be applied when the probe main body and the ultrasonic observation are wired with a communication cable.

  In each of the above embodiments, a so-called convex electronic scanning type external ultrasonic probe has been exemplified, but a radial electronic scanning type or a mechanical scanning scanning type in which one UT is mechanically rotated, rocked, or slid. An ultrasonic probe may be used. The present invention can also be applied to an in-vivo ultrasonic probe inserted into an electronic endoscope forceps channel or an ultrasonic endoscope integrated with an electronic endoscope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 Ultrasonic observation device 13 Ultrasonic probe 21 Probe main body 22 Communication unit 23 Communication cable 23a Root part 24 Cable fixing | fixed part 25 Connection code 26 Code reel mechanism 29 Ultrasonic transducer array (UT array)
29a Ultrasonic transducer (UT)
51 Wireless communication unit

Claims (4)

A probe main body containing an ultrasonic transducer that transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and receives reflected waves from the subject and converts them into electrical signals;
A communication cable connected to the probe body and wire-communicating the electrical signal converted by the ultrasonic transducer;
A cable fixing part to which an intermediate portion of the communication cable is fixed so that only a base part of the communication cable connected to the probe body is bent;
Connecting means for connecting the probe body and the cable fixing portion;
An adjustment mechanism that adjusts an interval between the probe main body and the cable fixing portion is provided so that the probe main body and the cable fixing portion can be integrated and separated in conjunction with the movement of the probe main body. Ultrasonic probe.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that includes a wireless communication unit that is connected to the communication cable and wirelessly communicates the electrical signal wired and communicated with the communication cable to an external device. . The connecting means is a connecting cord for connecting the cable fixing portion to the probe body,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is a cord reel mechanism that collects the connection cord by winding it and integrates the cable fixing portion.   An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1.

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