JP2011161048A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to adjust relatively precisely by a simple operation, a tomographic image that is produced at a middle angle or position between longitudinal and lateral axial areas of the image, when an ultrasonic diagnostic scanner images a human heart or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A mark is provided on the grip of an ultrasonic probe that operates an ultrasonic wave transmission and reception surface composed of a plurality of arranged transducers. The mark indicates the position of angles prescribed in the longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic wave transmission/reception surface. The mark is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the grip, and discriminated optically or by tactual sense. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used for medical diagnosis and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the same, and more particularly to improvement of a grip portion of an ultrasonic probe.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves into the subject, receives echo signals reflected from the diagnostic site, generates an image of the diagnostic site based on the reflected echo signal, displays the image on the monitor, and observes the image And make a medical diagnosis. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves is performed by an ultrasonic probe formed by arranging a plurality of transducers. Currently, an electronic scanning ultrasonic probe that electronically controls a large number of transducers arranged in a predetermined direction is widely used.

  The electronic scanning ultrasonic probe is roughly classified into a linear ultrasonic probe that linearly scans an ultrasonic beam and a sector type ultrasonic probe that radiates an ultrasonic beam in a fan shape. . The linear type ultrasound probe is suitable for abdominal examination, and the sector type ultrasound probe can obtain a wide-angle and depth image with a relatively small size, so that it is necessary to scan between the ribs. Suitable for inspection. Further, there is a convex ultrasonic probe in which linear scanning transducers are arranged in a convex shape, and a small convex ultrasonic probe is also used for cardiac examination.

In general, the direction in which the transducers are arranged is referred to as the major axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to this is referred to as the minor axis direction. When imaging a desired part of the subject, the transmission / reception surface of the ultrasound probe is used as the subject. Ultrasonic waves are sent to the body surface by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, displaying images on the monitor, and observing the ultrasonic images on the monitor while changing the vertical axis tilt and major axis direction of the transmission and reception surfaces. A tomographic image at a desired cross section is acquired by manipulating the scan plane.
For example, in the diagnosis of the heart, in order to observe and evaluate the movement of the heart wall, the cross section of the heart is imaged and drawn from various directions. In this case, the inspector holds the ultrasonic probe gripping part with the fingertip and presses it against the body surface, and uses the fingertip operation as a reference to mark the long axis of the transmission / reception surface with the mark formed on the gripping part as a reference. For example, a long-axis image having a reference position (0 °) and a so-called short-axis image shifted by 90 ° are captured.

Here, the sector-type ultrasound probe and the small convex-type ultrasound probe used for cardiac examination have a relatively short length in the long axis direction, and the cross-sectional shape of the grip part gripped by the operator is almost square. Due to the shape and round shape, there is a problem that it is difficult for the operator to grasp the change in the direction of the major axis. In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 proposes an ultrasonic probe in which the constricted portion of the grip portion has a rectangular cross-sectional shape so that the operator can recognize the long axis direction and the short axis direction. ing.
In the ultrasonic probe described in Patent Document 1, when the operator rotates the probe in the plane of the transmission / reception surface, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Since the short side can be easily recognized, it can be rotated 90 ° with relatively high accuracy.

JP 2006-457 A

  By the way, when evaluating the motion of the heart, not only a cross section of the long axis image (0 °) and the short axis image (90 °) but also a tomographic image at an angle such as 45 ° or 135 ° between them. There is a request for imaging. In the case of such an intermediate angle, according to the prior art, the accuracy is not only poor, because the angle of the long axis of the transmitting / receiving surface must be rotated in the surface by the operation of the fingertip, based on the experience and intuition of the inspector. There is a problem that the operation is complicated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to adjust a tomographic image at an intermediate angular position between a long-axis image and a short-axis image with a relatively accurate and simple operation.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes a plurality of arranged transducers constituting an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface, and a grip for holding the transducer and operating the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface. The grip portion is located at a position on the outer peripheral surface having a predetermined angle with respect to the reference direction when the arrangement direction of the transducers in a plane parallel to the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface is a reference direction. A sign that can identify the position is provided.

  The sign is, for example, a sign that can be identified by tactile sense. More specifically, the sign is formed as a convex part protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the grip part, a concave part or a curved surface recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the grip part. It is the plane part provided in the outer peripheral surface.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to a subject, and an ultrasonic wave that forms an ultrasonic image based on ultrasonic image data received from the ultrasonic probe. An image construction unit and a display unit for displaying the ultrasound image are provided, and the ultrasound probe described above is provided as an ultrasound probe.

  According to the present invention, when a desired cross section is inspected by rotationally scanning the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic probe is moved to the start position by using the marker formed on the grip portion of the ultrasonic probe as a clue. Can be accurately positioned at a predetermined angle. As a result, a long axis image, a predetermined angle image, a short axis image, and the like can be sequentially displayed on the display unit at substantially accurate angles.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 1 is an external view showing a first embodiment of an ultrasonic probe of the present invention. Sectional view of the grip portion of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a change of 1st embodiment The figure which shows another example of a change of 1st embodiment External view showing a second embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention Sectional drawing of the grip part of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. External view showing a third embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention Sectional view of the grip portion of the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 forms and displays a two-dimensional ultrasonic image or a three-dimensional ultrasonic image for a diagnostic region using a reflected echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves in a subject 2 Thus, an ultrasonic probe 3 having a transducer for irradiating and receiving ultrasonic waves to the subject 2, an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4 for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic signals, and a two-dimensional ultrasonic image ( B-mode image) or an ultrasonic image construction unit 5 constituting a three-dimensional ultrasonic image, a display unit 6 for displaying an ultrasonic image constructed in the ultrasonic image construction unit 5, and a control unit for controlling each component 7 and a control panel 8 for giving an instruction to the control unit 7.

  Here, each component is demonstrated concretely. The ultrasonic probe 3 includes a transducer part and a grip part that holds the transducer part. The transducer part includes an array of a large number of transducers, a backing material, an acoustic matching layer, an acoustic lens, and the like. To the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4. A circuit for connecting a portion of the transducer part excluding a contact surface (ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface) with the subject and an electrode of the transducer and a cable is covered with a cylindrical cover. This cover constitutes a grip portion for an operator who performs inspection to operate the ultrasonic probe 3. On the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion, a mark (mark) is provided so that the operator can identify the angle when the probe 3 is rotated within the surface of the ultrasonic wave receiving surface. As will be described in detail later, this label is an optically or tactilely identifiable label, and can be identified even in an operation in a dark room.

  The transducer arrangement direction is called the major axis direction of the probe, and the transducers arranged in the major axis direction are driven with a delay time so that transmission and reception can be focused. It has become. There is also a probe in which transducers are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the long axis direction (short axis direction). In this case, transmission and reception are focused in the short axis direction. In addition, the aperture can be controlled by turning on and off the respective vibration elements in the short axis direction. Furthermore, transmission weighting is applied by changing the amplitude of the ultrasonic transmission signal applied to each vibration element in the arrangement direction, and reception is performed by changing the amplification or attenuation of the ultrasonic reception signal from each vibration element in the arrangement direction. Wave weighting can be applied.

  The ultrasonic probe 3 changes the ultrasonic reception sensitivity, that is, the electromechanical coupling coefficient, in accordance with the magnitude of the bias voltage applied in a superimposed manner on the drive signal supplied from the ultrasonic transmission unit 4.

  The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4 supplies a transmission signal to the ultrasonic probe 3 and processes the received reflected echo signal. Inside the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4, the ultrasonic probe 3 is controlled to emit an ultrasonic beam. A transmission circuit that receives the reflected echo signal from the subject of the emitted ultrasonic beam and collects biological information, and a control circuit that controls these.

  The ultrasonic image construction unit 5 converts the reflected echo signal processed by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4 into an ultrasonic tomographic image, and a digital scan converter that forms an ultrasonic image based on the sequentially inputted reflected echo signal; A magnetic disk device for storing an ultrasonic image, and a storage device including a RAM. The reflected echo signal received by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4 is subjected to signal processing to obtain a two-dimensional ultrasonic image, a three-dimensional ultrasonic image, and various Dopplers. Output as an image.

  The display unit 6 inputs an image created by the ultrasonic image constructing unit 5 through the display control unit and displays it as an ultrasonic image, and includes, for example, a CRT monitor and a liquid crystal monitor.

  The control unit 7 controls the operation of each component described above, and is configured by a control computer system having an interface with a user interface circuit. The control unit 7 controls the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4 from the user interface included therein and information from the user interface. Also, control is performed such as transferring biological information received by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4 to the ultrasonic image construction unit 5 and transmitting information imaged by the ultrasonic image construction unit 5 to the display control unit.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the above-described configuration, the ultrasonic probe 3 is applied to the examination site of the subject 2 and a transmission signal is supplied from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4, so that the ultrasonic probe 3 The inspection is performed by sending an ultrasonic signal into the body of the subject 2 and receiving the echo signal reflected from the body with the ultrasonic probe 3. The reflected echo signal processed by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 4 is converted into image data such as B mode, M mode, or Doppler mode by the ultrasonic image construction unit 5 and displayed on the display unit 6.

  In such an examination, the operator places the transmission / reception surface of the ultrasonic probe 3 against the subject 2 so that the long axis direction of the probe 3 coincides with the cross section to be imaged. For example, when the examination site is the heart, the long axis direction of the probe 3 is made to coincide with the cross section in which the long axis image of the heart (the long axis image of the left sternum) is obtained. Next, when changing the section to be imaged, for example, when the short axis image of the heart (short axis image of the left edge of the sternum) is used as the cross section, or between the long axis image and the short axis image (for example, 45 ° In the case of obtaining a tomographic image (for example, 45 ° image) at a position), the ultrasonic probe 3 is rotated by a predetermined angle within the plane of the transmission / reception surface, so that a predetermined angle from the first cross-sectional position is obtained. The long axis direction of the probe 3 is aligned with the position of. At the time of this rotation operation, rotation of a predetermined angle is realized by using the mark on the grip portion of the ultrasonic probe 3 as a clue. As a result, a long axis image, a 45 ° image, a short axis image, and the like are sequentially displayed on the display unit 6 at substantially accurate angles.

  Next, an embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiment, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a sector-type ultrasonic probe will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to a sector-type ultrasonic probe, and is applicable to various types of ultrasonic probes. It is possible to apply.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section of the grip portion.
As shown in the figure, the ultrasonic probe 3 includes a transducer unit 31 and a grip unit 35. The transducer unit 31 includes a large number of arranged transducers, a backing material, an acoustic matching layer, an acoustic lens, and the like. The transducers are actually covered with an acoustic lens and are not visible from the outside, but are arranged in a strip shape on the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface 32. Hereinafter, the arrangement direction of the transducers indicated by the double arrows in FIG. 2 is referred to as the major axis direction of the probe 3.

The transducer unit 31 other than the transmission / reception surface 32 is covered with a cover 33. A mark 34 is formed on the cover 33. The mark 34 is formed for the same purpose as the mark 36 described later.
The grip portion 35 is a cover that protects the circuit board that connects the electrodes of each vibrator and the cable, and is also an operation portion that is operated by the operator, and is gripped integrally with the cover 33 that covers the vibrator portion 31. The unit 35 is configured. The cover that covers the vibrator portion 31 and the cover that covers the circuit board may be separate or may be integrally molded with resin or the like.

  The dimensions of the ultrasonic probe 3 vary depending on the application and the type, and are not particularly limited. However, the ultrasonic probe 3 has such a size that it can be operated by grasping the grip portion 35 with a human hand. About 1 cm, the width in the major axis direction and the minor axis direction is about 1 to 5 cm, respectively.

  The grip portion 35 has a substantially rounded rectangular cross-sectional shape as a whole, and a portion close to the cable lead-out portion has a shape in which the diameter gradually decreases and approaches the diameter of the cable. The long side direction of the rectangle coincides with the arrangement direction (long axis direction) of the transducers. Further, a portion of the grip portion 35 close to the transducer portion 31 is formed with a shape in which a human finger is easily applied, for example, a portion with a reduced diameter (necked portion), and the reference position of the probe 3 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The mark 36 which shows is given. In the present embodiment, the reference position is a position where a straight line in the long axis direction passing through the center of the cross section parallel to the transmission / reception surface 32 intersects the outer peripheral surface, and is the starting point when the probe 3 is rotationally scanned. . The mark 36 is, for example, a convex portion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion 35 and is formed over a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral surface. Using the substantially rectangular outer shape of the grip portion 35 and the mark 36 as a clue, the operator can perform an inspection by matching the desired cross section with the major axis direction. Note that the mark 36 does not have to be a convex portion as long as it indicates the reference position, and may be a groove or an LED.

  In addition, a recess 37 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion 35 in a direction having a predetermined angle with respect to the major axis direction of 0 °. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the recesses 37 are formed at the center in the major axis direction and the minor axis direction, that is, at four positions of 45 °, 135 °, 225 ° (−135 °), and 315 ° (−45 °). ing. For example, when the operator holds the constricted portion between the thumb and the index finger, the recess 37 has a shape that fits the belly of the finger, and such a shape is provided on the outer periphery corresponding to a corner portion having a substantially rectangular cross section. Thus, even in the dark room, the operator can easily recognize that the grip portion 35 is held at a predetermined angle from the mark 36, that is, the angle from the reference position.

  Therefore, for example, after inspecting in a state where the major axis direction and the desired cross-sectional position are aligned, the angle with the probe 3 is changed, for example, the position is 45 ° with respect to the major axis direction, When the probe 3 is applied while maintaining the positional relationship with the cross-sectional position, the major axis direction of the probe 3 is rotated by 45 ° from the initial cross-sectional position, and an inspection using this as a new tomographic position is performed. It becomes possible. When inspecting a cross section orthogonal to the initial cross section position, it can be recognized by the difference in the width between the major axis direction and the minor axis direction, as in the prior art. In this way, the operator rotates the probe 3 with the reference position (0 °) as the starting point, and rotates each of the angles 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 °, and 315 °. An ultrasonic tomographic image of the cross section can be obtained.

  According to the present embodiment, by providing a recess with a predetermined angle from the major axis direction at the corner of the grip portion 35 having a round shape with a substantially rectangular cross section, the operator can accurately recognize the angle. Can be inspected.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the case where dents are provided at four positions that are shifted from each other by 45 ° from the major axis direction and the minor axis direction is shown. It is also possible to omit the depressions at the positions of ° (−135 °) and 315 ° (−45 °). The angle is not limited to 45 °, and may be, for example, a position of −30 ° from the long axis direction as shown in FIG. 4 or a position of −60 ° as shown in FIG.
As for the shape of the dent, a groove-like dent may be provided over almost the entire length of the grip portion 35 in addition to the elliptical dent as shown.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a view showing the appearance of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a cross section of the grip portion. 6 and 7, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Also in this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 3 includes the transducer portion 31 and the grip portion 35 and the configuration thereof is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the outer circumference of the grip portion 35 is the same. The shape is different. Hereinafter, different points will be mainly described.

  In the first embodiment, in addition to the mark 36 indicating the reference position, a dent is formed on the outer periphery of the grip portion 35 at a position having a predetermined angle from the reference position. However, in this embodiment, instead of the dent, A flat portion (planar portion) 38 is formed. The flat portion 38 is preferably provided at a place where the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator portion 31 changes so that it can be easily distinguished from the surrounding shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip portion 35 having a rectangular cross section is provided. It is formed at a position near the corner portion and close to the vibrator portion 31. This part is a place where the tip of the operator's finger is easy to touch and can be easily identified even in a dark room. Further, in the drawing, as in the first embodiment, the case where four positions are provided at 45 ° positions with respect to the major axis direction and the minor axis direction is shown, but the angle may be other than 45 °. Moreover, if it is one place or more, it is not limited to four places. Moreover, you may provide in a part of longitudinal direction of the grip part 35, and may provide it over the full length.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the operator performs an inspection while accurately recognizing the angle using the mark 36 indicating the reference position and the flat portion 38 provided at a predetermined angle therefrom as a clue. Can do.

<Third embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a view showing the appearance of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a cross section of the grip portion. 8 and 9, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Also in this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 3 includes the transducer portion 31 and the grip portion 35 and the configuration thereof is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the outer circumference of the grip portion 35 is the same. The shape is different.

  That is, in this embodiment, the convex part 39 is formed in the position which has a predetermined angle from the reference position instead of the dent 37 of 1st embodiment, or the flat part 38 of 2nd embodiment. Although the shape of the convex part 39 is not specifically limited, When the mark 36 is provided as a convex part, it is preferable that it is a shape which can be distinguished from the mark 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the mark 36 is a vertically long convex portion along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 35, whereas the convex portion 39 for identifying the angle is a convex portion shorter than the mark 36. As a result, as in the first and second embodiments, the ultrasonic probe 3 can be operated while recognizing the angle from the reference position with the fingertip, and an accurate inspection for each angle can be performed. .

<Other embodiments>
In the first to third embodiments described above, a case has been described in which a marker that can be identified by tactile sensation is provided at one place between the long axis direction and the short axis direction. You may provide the dent 37 which is a label | marker, the smooth part 38, or the convex part 39 in the position of 30 degrees and 60 degrees from a direction. In addition, in the case where the signs are provided at a plurality of places, the kinds of the signs may be different so that the signs at the plurality of places can be identified instead of all the same kinds of signs. For example, the position at 30 ° from the long axis direction may be the recess 37 and the position at 60 ° may be the protrusion 39. As described above, the first to third embodiments can be applied in appropriate combination.

  In addition, as an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe in which a gripper is provided with a tactile identifiable marker, an embodiment in which a dent 37, a flat part 38, or a convex part 39 is provided on the outer peripheral surface has been described. It is also possible to provide stripe-shaped unevenness, mat-shaped unevenness, or the like only at a portion at a predetermined angular position from the reference position with respect to the outer peripheral surface.

  Further, the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention may be provided with an optically recognizable marker instead of or in combination with a tactilely identifiable marker on the grip portion. Examples of the optically recognizable label include a fluorescent paint coating layer and a light emitting element such as an LED.

The positions at which these optically recognizable markers are provided (positions with respect to the major axis direction) are the same as those in the first to third embodiments described above, but the operator can easily see the position of the grip portion in the longitudinal direction. The position is preferably, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the cover 33 that covers the vibrator unit 31.
Further, in the case where optically recognizable labels are provided at a plurality of locations, the emission colors may be different so that each can be identified.

  The ultrasonic probe of the present invention described above can be applied to various ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. By using the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the ultrasonic probe can be accurately used regardless of the operator's intuition and images. It is possible to perform inspection at every angle.

  According to the present invention, inspection for each angle can be performed with relatively high accuracy in the field of diagnosis and training that require ultrasonic inspection at various angles. In particular, it is suitable for cardiac imaging in which images of various angles are required between a long axis image and a short axis image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 3 ... Ultrasonic probe, 4 ... Ultrasonic transmission / reception part, 5 ... Ultrasonic image structure part, 6 ... Display part, 7 ... Control Part, 31 ... vibrator part, 32 ... transmission / reception surface, 35 ... grip part, 36 ... mark, 37 ... dent, 38 ... flat part, 39 ... convex part.

Claims (5)

An ultrasonic probe comprising a plurality of arranged transducers constituting an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface, and a grip portion for holding the transducer and operating the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface,
The grip portion can identify the position at a position on the outer peripheral surface having a predetermined angle with respect to the reference direction when the arrangement direction of the transducers in a plane parallel to the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface is a reference direction. An ultrasonic probe characterized by providing a sign. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the marker is a marker identifiable by tactile sense. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2,
The marker is a convex portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion, a concave portion recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion, or a flat portion provided on an outer peripheral surface formed in a curved shape. Ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the reference direction is the major axis direction and the direction orthogonal to the major axis direction is the minor axis direction, the marker is one of positions having angles of 30 °, 45 °, and 60 ° with respect to the major axis direction or the minor axis direction. Or an ultrasonic probe characterized by being provided in plural. An ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound to and from a subject, an ultrasound image configuration unit that configures an ultrasound image based on ultrasound image data received from the ultrasound probe, and the ultrasound image An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a display unit for displaying,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1.

Images