JP2012071041A - Ultrasound probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless type ultrasound probe, enabling stable elastic image diagnosis.SOLUTION: In the top face of a compression plate 2 integrated with a probe body 1, weights W are buried in a direction orthogonal to the direction of arrangement of a transducer array on both sides of the transducer array. When the ultrasound transmission/reception surface of the transducer array is set horizontal, the position of the center of gravity G is located in the direction of arrangement of the transducer array and substantially on the centerline C of arrangement of the transducer array in the direction orthogonal to the direction of arrangement of the transducer array, and located below the height H/2, which is half of the height H of a casing 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, and more particularly to an ultrasonic probe capable of performing elastic image diagnosis.

  Conventionally, in the medical field, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using an ultrasonic image has been put into practical use. In general, this type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic probe with a built-in transducer array and an apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic waves are directed toward the subject from the ultrasonic probe. , The ultrasonic echo from the subject is received by the ultrasonic probe, and the received signal is electrically processed by the apparatus main body to generate an ultrasonic image.

  One of the diagnoses using such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is elastic image diagnosis (elastography) that measures the local hardness of a tissue of a subject. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, the region of interest is imaged from stress distribution and strain data by compressing the region of interest from the surface of the subject with a probe to which a compression plate is attached. To do. The compression of the region of interest is performed by holding an ultrasonic probe in one hand and pressing the compression plate in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the subject, and the compression plate is applied to the subject so that the amount of compression in the region of interest is uniform. It is desirable to press.

International Publication No. 2005/120358

  However, such measurement by pressing requires a certain level of experience and skill. In particular, a wireless ultrasonic probe is not a wired probe as described in Patent Document 1 that has been used in the past, but a wireless ultrasonic probe includes various substrates and batteries in a housing. Because it becomes heavier, the compression plate is fixed vertically with respect to the subject surface and pressed so that the compression amount of the contact surface between the compression plate and the subject is uniform, so that stable and accurate elastic image diagnosis can be performed. What is required is more skillful than a wired probe.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a wireless ultrasonic probe capable of performing elastic image diagnosis stably.

  An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is an ultrasonic probe that transmits an ultrasonic beam from a transducer array based on a drive signal and generates a reception signal by receiving an ultrasonic echo from a subject with the transducer array. A transducer array, a transmission / reception substrate having a transducer array transmission / reception circuit, a wireless communication substrate having a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication with the diagnostic device body, and a battery for supplying power to the transmission / reception circuit and the wireless communication circuit. And a center of gravity when the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the transducer array is leveled, and a compression plate fixed to the housing and having a compression surface substantially the same as the ultrasonic wave receiving surface of the transducer array The position is substantially on the center line of the arrangement of the transducer arrays with respect to the arrangement direction of the transducer arrays and the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer arrays. Than is.

The compression plate preferably includes a plurality of weights arranged so as to be positioned in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array and on both sides of the transducer array.
Each of the plurality of weights may be detachably disposed on the compression plate.
It is preferable that the battery is disposed substantially on the center line of the array of transducer arrays, or disposed at a position shifted in the array direction of the transducer array from substantially on the center line of the array of transducer arrays.
It is preferable that the position of the center of gravity when the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface of the transducer array is horizontal exists below ½ of the height of the casing.
The compression plate may have a plurality of compression sensors in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array and on both sides of the transducer array.
The compression plate is preferably detachable from the housing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless ultrasonic probe capable of stably performing elastic image diagnosis.

It is a figure which shows the ultrasonic probe which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, (A) is a front view, (B) is a side view. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The structure of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on Embodiment 2 is shown, (A) is a front view, (B) is a side view. 6 is a front view illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a weight used in an ultrasonic probe according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an ultrasonic probe according to a fifth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe includes a probe main body 1, a compression plate 2, and a weight W. The probe main body 1 includes a housing 3, a wireless communication board 4, a battery 5, a transmission / reception board 6, and a transducer array. And a vibrator unit 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the compression plate 2 is fixed to the housing 3 and configured integrally with the probe body 1, and is in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array and the transducer array. Weights W are embedded in the upper surface of each side.
Further, the lower surface of the compression plate 2 forms a compression surface that presses the surface of the subject when performing elastic image diagnosis, and is in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array and on both sides of the transducer array. A pressure sensor 9 is embedded. Thus, if the pressure sensor 9 is arranged on the compression plate 2, it can be confirmed whether the compression plate 2 is pressed so that the amount of compression to the subject is uniform, and the weight thereof can be evenly distributed. it can.

The wireless communication board 4, the battery 5, the transmission / reception board 6, and the vibrator unit 7 are accommodated in the housing 3.
The battery 5 is disposed substantially on the center line C of the transducer array.
The transducer unit 7 includes a transducer array, an acoustic matching layer, an acoustic lens, a backing layer, and the like.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, this ultrasonic probe has the position of the center of gravity G when the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the transducer array is horizontal, the arrangement direction of the transducer array and the transducer. It exists substantially on the center line C of the array of transducer arrays in the direction orthogonal to the array direction of the array.
With such a configuration, the operator can fix the position of the ultrasonic probe to the subject with a stable posture with one hand, so that the probe is easily perpendicular to the subject surface. Can be pressed.

Further, in this ultrasonic probe, as shown in FIG. 1A, the position of the center of gravity G when the ultrasonic wave receiving surface of the transducer array is horizontal is ½ of the height H of the housing 3. It exists below the height H / 2.
In the ultrasonic probe, it is necessary to arrange the transducer unit 7 at the lowermost part of the housing 3, and it is desirable to arrange the transmission / reception substrate 6 for driving the transducer unit 7 in the vicinity of the transducer unit 7. Therefore, the heavy battery 5 is inevitably disposed above the housing 3, and the position of the center of gravity of the probe is also above the probe, resulting in poor stability. However, in the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment, since the weight W is embedded in the compression plate 2, the position of the center of gravity G exists below the probe, and the operator is in a more stable posture. The probe can be manipulated.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A diagnostic apparatus main body 10 is connected to the probe main body 1 by wireless communication.

The probe main body 1 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 11 constituting a one-dimensional or two-dimensional transducer array, and a reception signal processing unit 12 is connected to each of the transducers 11. A wireless communication unit 14 is connected via a parallel / serial conversion unit 13. A transmission control unit 16 is connected to the plurality of transducers 11 via the transmission drive unit 15, a reception control unit 17 is connected to the plurality of reception signal processing units 12, and a communication control unit 18 is connected to the wireless communication unit 14. ing. A probe controller 19 is connected to the parallel / serial converter 13, the transmission controller 16, the reception controller 17, and the communication controller 18.
Further, the battery 5 and the pressure sensor 9 embedded in the compression plate 2 are connected to the probe controller 19 via the battery controller 20.

The plurality of transducers 11 transmit ultrasonic waves according to the drive signals supplied from the transmission drive unit 15 respectively, receive ultrasonic echoes from the subject, and output reception signals. Each transducer 11 is formed with electrodes on both ends of a piezoelectric body made of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic represented by PZT (lead zirconate titanate), a single crystal, a polymer piezoelectric element represented by PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), or the like. It is comprised by the vibrator.
When a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of such a vibrator, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts, and pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves are generated from the respective vibrators, and the synthesis of those ultrasonic waves. As a result, an ultrasonic beam is formed. In addition, each transducer generates an electric signal by expanding and contracting by receiving propagating ultrasonic waves, and these electric signals are output as ultrasonic reception signals.

  The transmission drive unit 15 includes, for example, a plurality of pulsers, and based on the transmission delay pattern selected by the transmission control unit 16, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of transducers 11 pass through the tissue area in the subject. The delay amount of each drive signal is adjusted so as to form a wide ultrasonic beam to be covered and supplied to the plurality of transducers 11.

The reception signal processing unit 12 of each channel generates a complex baseband signal by performing orthogonal detection processing or orthogonal sampling processing on the reception signal output from the corresponding transducer 11 under the control of the reception control unit 17. Then, sample data including information on the area of the tissue is generated by sampling the complex baseband signal. The reception signal processing unit 12 may generate sample data by performing data compression processing for high-efficiency encoding on data obtained by sampling a complex baseband signal.
The parallel / serial conversion unit 13 converts the parallel sample data generated by the reception signal processing unit 12 of a plurality of channels into serial sample data.

The wireless communication unit 14 modulates a carrier based on serial sample data to generate a transmission signal, supplies the transmission signal to the antenna, and transmits radio waves from the antenna, thereby transmitting serial sample data. As the modulation scheme, for example, ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying), PSK (Phase Shift Keying), QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), 16QAM (16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), and the like are used.
The wireless communication unit 14 performs wireless communication with the diagnostic device main body 10 to transmit sample data to the diagnostic device main body 10 and receive various control signals from the diagnostic device main body 10. The control signal is output to the communication control unit 18. The communication control unit 18 controls the wireless communication unit 14 so that the sample data is transmitted with the transmission radio wave intensity set by the probe control unit 19, and probe-controls various control signals received by the wireless communication unit 14. To the unit 19.

The probe control unit 19 controls each part of the probe main body 1 based on various control signals transmitted from the diagnostic apparatus main body 10. The probe control unit 19 is configured to receive an output signal of the pressure sensor 9 disposed at the lower part of the compression plate 2.
The battery 5 functions as a power source for the probe main body 1 and supplies electric power to each part that requires electric power in the probe main body 1. The battery control unit 20 controls power supply from the battery 5 to each part in the probe main body 1.
The probe body 1 employs a scanning method such as a linear scanning method or a sector scanning method.

  On the other hand, the diagnostic apparatus body 10 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a data storage unit 23 is connected to the wireless communication unit 21 via a serial / parallel conversion unit 22, and an image generation unit 24 is connected to the data storage unit 23. Has been. Further, a display unit 26 is connected to the image generation unit 24 via the display control unit 25. In addition, a communication control unit 27 is connected to the wireless communication unit 21, and a main body control unit 28 is connected to the serial / parallel conversion unit 22, the image generation unit 24, the display control unit 25, and the communication control unit 27. Further, an operation unit 29 for an operator to perform an input operation and a storage unit 30 for storing an operation program are connected to the main body control unit 28, respectively.

The wireless communication unit 21 transmits various control signals to the probe body 1 by performing wireless communication with the probe body 1. The wireless communication unit 21 outputs serial sample data by demodulating a signal received by the antenna.
The communication control unit 27 controls the wireless communication unit 21 so that various control signals are transmitted with the transmission radio wave intensity set by the main body control unit 28.
The serial / parallel converter 22 converts the serial sample data output from the wireless communication unit 21 into parallel sample data. The data storage unit 23 is configured by a memory, a hard disk, or the like, and stores at least one frame of sample data converted by the serial / parallel conversion unit 22.
The image generation unit 24 performs reception focus processing on the sample data for each frame read from the data storage unit 23 to generate an image signal representing an ultrasound diagnostic image. The image generation unit 24 includes a phasing addition unit 31 and an image processing unit 32.

  The phasing addition unit 31 selects one reception delay pattern from a plurality of reception delay patterns stored in advance according to the reception direction set in the main body control unit 28, and sets the selected reception delay pattern. Based on this, the reception focus process is performed by adding a delay to each of the plurality of complex baseband signals represented by the sample data. By this reception focus processing, a baseband signal (sound ray signal) in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed is generated.

The image processing unit 32 generates a B-mode image signal that is tomographic image information related to the tissue in the subject based on the sound ray signal generated by the phasing addition unit 31. The image processing unit 32 includes an STC (sensitivity time control) unit and a DSC (digital scan converter). The STC unit corrects the attenuation due to the distance according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic wave on the sound ray signal. The DSC converts the sound ray signal corrected by the STC unit into an image signal according to a normal television signal scanning method (raster conversion), and performs necessary image processing such as gradation processing to thereby obtain a B-mode image signal. Is generated.
The display control unit 25 causes the display unit 26 to display an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the image signal generated by the image generation unit 24. The display unit 26 includes a display device such as an LCD, for example, and displays an ultrasound diagnostic image under the control of the display control unit 25.

In addition, the elasticity information calculation unit 33 is connected to the phasing addition unit 31 of the image generation unit 24, and the display control unit 25 and the main body control unit 28 are connected to the elasticity information calculation unit 33.
The main body control unit 28 controls each unit in the diagnostic apparatus main body 10 based on various control signals transmitted from the probe main body 1. The main body control unit 28 is connected to the probe control unit 19 of the ultrasonic probe 1 via wireless communication. When the ultrasonic probe 1 is attached to the compression plate 2 and elastic image diagnosis is performed, wireless communication and probe control are performed. The output signal of the pressure sensor 9 is input via the unit 19 and is output to the elasticity information calculation unit 33.
The elasticity information calculation unit 33 is controlled by the main body control unit 28, and the sound ray signal generated by the phasing addition unit 31 of the image generation unit 24 and the output signal of the pressure sensor 9 input from the main body control unit 28. Based on the above, the elasticity information of the region of interest is calculated from the stress distribution and strain data, and the elasticity information is imaged and output to the display control unit 25.

  In such a diagnostic apparatus main body 10, the serial / parallel conversion unit 22, the image generation unit 24, the display control unit 25, the communication control unit 27, the main body control unit 28, and the elasticity information calculation unit 33 include a CPU and various types of CPUs. The program is composed of operation programs for performing processing, but may be configured by a digital circuit. The operation program is stored in the storage unit 30. As a recording medium in the storage unit 30, a flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or the like can be used in addition to the built-in hard disk.

  The wireless communication board 4 of the probe main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with a wireless communication unit 14 and a communication control unit 18, and the transmission / reception board 6 has a reception signal processing unit 12, a parallel / serial conversion unit 13, and a transmission. A drive unit 15, a transmission control unit 16, a reception control unit 17, a probe control unit 19, and a battery control unit 20 are mounted.

  The weight of the ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 1 is not particularly limited, but the weight of each member is, for example, 40 g for the housing 3, 10 g for the wireless communication board 4, 40 g for the battery 5, An ultrasonic probe is 30 g for the reception processing substrate 6, 20 g for the transducer unit 7, 40 g for the compression plate 2, and 7 g for each weight W.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
First, when performing an elastic image diagnosis, the operator performs measurement while holding the ultrasonic probe with the compression plate attached with one hand, abutting the lower surface of the compression plate 2 against the surface of the subject, and pressing. The ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the plurality of transducers 11 in accordance with the drive signal supplied from the transmission drive unit 15 of the probe main body 1, and the reception signals output from the transducers 11 that have received the ultrasonic echoes from the subject correspond respectively. Sample data is generated by being supplied to the signal processing unit 12, serialized by the parallel / serial conversion unit 13, and then wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication unit 14 to the diagnostic apparatus body 10. Sample data received by the wireless communication unit 21 of the diagnostic apparatus main body 10 is converted into parallel data by the serial / parallel conversion unit 22 and stored in the data storage unit 23. Further, sample data for each frame is read from the data storage unit 23 and sent to the image generation unit 24. At the same time, the output signal of the pressure sensor 9 disposed below the compression plate 2 is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication unit 14 to the diagnostic device body 10 via the probe control unit 19, and the wireless communication unit of the diagnostic device body 10. After being received at 21, it is input to the elasticity information calculation unit 33 via the main body control unit 28. Based on the sound ray signal generated by the phasing addition unit 31 of the image generation unit 24 and the output signal of the pressure sensor 9, the elasticity information calculation unit 33 calculates the elasticity information of the region of interest from the stress distribution and strain data. The elasticity information is imaged and output to the display control unit 25. Then, the display control unit 25 displays an elastic image on the display unit 9.

In such an ultrasonic probe, the position of the center of gravity G of the probe is substantially on the center line C of the array of the transducer array with respect to the array direction of the transducer array and the direction orthogonal to the array direction of the transducer array. Therefore, the operator can press the compression plate 2 against the subject in a stable posture and fix the position.
In addition, since the weights W are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array and on both sides of the transducer array, an inclination in a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the transducer array, so-called “aori” The compression plate 2 can be held in a stable posture. For this reason, it is possible to perform elastic image diagnosis accurately and easily.
Further, in order to embed a plurality of weights W in the compression plate 2, the position of the center of gravity G when the ultrasonic wave receiving surface of the transducer array is horizontal is a height H that is ½ of the height H of the housing 3. / 2 and the ultrasonic probe can be operated in a more stable posture.

  In the first embodiment, the weight W is embedded on the upper surface side of the compression plate 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the weight W may be embedded on the lower surface side of the compression plate 2.

Embodiment 2
FIG. 3 shows an ultrasonic probe according to the second embodiment. In this ultrasonic probe, instead of arranging the battery 5 almost on the center line C of the array of the transducer array in the apparatus of the first embodiment, the battery 5 is placed more on the center line C of the transducer array. The weight W, which is disposed at a position shifted in the arrangement direction of the transducer array and embedded in the compression plate 2, is opposite to the battery 5 with respect to the center line C of the arrangement of the transducer array and the transducer array. Are arranged on both sides in the arrangement direction.

As shown in FIG. 3 for the convenience of arrangement in the housing, such as when it is necessary to use a battery 5 having a larger shape and weight for the purpose of supplying power necessary for long-term use, When the battery 5 is disposed at a position shifted from the center line C of the transducer array arrangement, the position of the center of gravity G is shifted toward the battery 5 with respect to the center line C of the transducer array arrangement. .
However, in this ultrasonic probe, as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), in order to balance the weight with the battery 5, on the opposite side to the battery 5 and on both sides in the arrangement direction of the transducer array. Since each weight W is embedded in the upper surface of the compression plate 2, the position of the center of gravity G when the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the transducer array is horizontal is also in the transducer array arrangement direction and the transducer array arrangement direction. It can exist on the substantially center line C of the arrangement | sequence of a vibrator | oscillator array regarding the orthogonal direction.

  Thus, even if the battery 5 in the probe main body 1 is arranged at a position shifted in the arrangement direction of the transducer array from substantially on the center line C of the transducer array, as in the first embodiment, The operator uses an ultrasonic probe in which the position of the center of gravity G of the probe is substantially on the center line C of the arrangement of the transducer array with respect to the arrangement direction of the transducer array and the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array. Therefore, the compression plate 2 can be pressed against the subject in a stable posture, and elastic image diagnosis can be performed accurately and easily.

Embodiment 3
In the first embodiment, the compression plate 2 in which the weight W is embedded in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array and on both sides of the transducer array is used. However, the number of the weights W is limited. Instead, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of weights W may be arranged on both sides of the transducer array.
Similarly, in the second embodiment, compression plates in which weights W are respectively embedded on the opposite side of the battery 5 from the center line C of the array of transducer arrays and on both sides in the array direction of the transducer array. Although 2 is used, the number of weights W is not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of weights W may be arranged on both sides of the transducer array.

Embodiment 4
In the first embodiment, the weight W embedded in the upper surface of the compression plate 2 is used to balance the weight of the probe. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and FIG. 5 (A) and FIG. 5 (B). It is also possible to use a detachable weight for the compression plate 2 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5 (A), a weight W in the form of screwing into a screw hole 34 formed on the upper surface of the compression plate 2 may be used. If such a screw hole 34 and the weight W are used, the weight W can be reliably fixed to the compression plate 2 and can be easily removed, and the weight of the weight W can be increased according to the environment of the elastic image diagnosis. It can be adjusted appropriately.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), a groove 35 is formed on the upper surface of the compression plate 2, and the weight W is attached to the compression plate 2 by fitting the lower half of the weight W into the groove 35. Good. If it is weight W of such a form, attachment or detachment to the compression board 2 will become easy.

Embodiment 5
In Embodiment 1, the ultrasonic probe in which the housing 3 of the probe main body 1 and the compression plate 2 are integrated is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the compression plate can be removed from the probe main body. An acoustic probe can also be used.

The ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 5 has an attaching / detaching means 37 for attaching / detaching the compression plate 36 to / from the housing 3 as shown in FIG.
The compression plate 36 has an opening 38 for inserting the lower portion of the probe main body 1 and a groove 39 communicating with the opening 38, and the detaching means 37 slides into the groove 39 of the compression plate 36. The fixing member 41 is inserted in such a manner that it can be inserted, and a spring 40 that urges the fixing member 41 toward the opening 38 of the compression plate 36. The fixing member 41 is formed with a convex portion 42 facing the opening 38 of the compression plate 36 and a knob 43 protruding from the groove 39 to the upper surface of the compression plate 36. A concave portion 44 corresponding to the convex portion 42 of the fixing member 41 is formed on the side portion of the probe main body 1.
When the probe main body 1 is attached to the compression plate 36, the fixing member 41 is once pushed into the groove 39 by the lower portion of the probe main body 1 as the lower portion of the probe main body 1 is inserted into the opening 38 of the compression plate 36. When the concave portion 44 of the probe main body 1 reaches a position corresponding to the convex portion 42 of the fixing member 41, the fixing member 41 moves toward the probe main body 1 by the biasing force of the spring 40, and the convex portion 42 of the fixing member 41. Fits into the recess 44 of the probe body 1. Thereby, the mounting of the probe main body 1 to the compression plate 36 is completed.
By placing the hand on the knob 43 and moving the fixing member 41 in the direction away from the probe main body 1, the fitting between the convex portion 42 of the fixing member 41 and the concave portion 44 of the probe main body 1 is released, and the compression plate 36 is moved to the probe. It can be removed from the main body 1.

  When the probe main body 1 is attached to the compression plate 36, an electrode (not shown) arranged on the probe main body 1 and an electrode (not shown) arranged on the compression plate 36 come into contact with each other by means such as The control unit 19 is configured to receive an output signal of the pressure sensor 9 disposed on the compression surface of the compression plate 36.

  With such an ultrasonic probe, it is possible to easily remove the compression plate 36 from the probe main body 1 and perform the diagnosis using only the probe main body 1 even in a normal ultrasonic diagnosis without elastic image diagnosis. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Probe main body, 2, 36 Compression board, 3 Housing | casing, 4 Wireless communication board, 5 Battery, 6 Transmission / reception board, 7 Transducer unit, 9 Pressure sensor, 10 Diagnostic apparatus main body, 11 Transducer, 12 Received signal processing part, 13 Parallel / serial conversion unit, 14 wireless communication unit, 15 transmission drive unit, 16 transmission control unit, 17 reception control unit, 18 communication control unit, 19 probe control unit, 20 battery control unit, 21 wireless communication unit, 22 serial / parallel Conversion unit, 23 Data storage unit, 24 Image generation unit, 25 Display control unit, 26 Display unit, 27 Communication control unit, 28 Main unit control unit, 29 Operation unit, 30 Storage unit, 31 Elastic information calculation unit, 32 Phased addition Part, 33 image processing part, 34 screw hole, 35 groove, 37 detaching means, 38 opening part, 39 groove, 40 spring, 41 fixing member 42, convex part, 43 knob, 44 concave part, G center of gravity, W weight.

Claims (8)

An ultrasonic probe that transmits an ultrasonic beam from a transducer array based on a driving signal and receives an ultrasonic echo from a subject by the transducer array to generate a reception signal,
The transducer array;
A transmission / reception substrate having a transmission / reception circuit of the transducer array;
A wireless communication board having a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication with the diagnostic device body;
A housing that houses a battery that supplies power to the transceiver circuit and the wireless communication circuit;
A compression plate fixed to the housing and having a compression surface substantially the same as the ultrasonic wave receiving surface of the transducer array, and the position of the center of gravity when the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the transducer array is horizontal is An ultrasonic probe, which is present substantially on the center line of the arrangement of the transducer arrays with respect to the arrangement direction of the transducer arrays and a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer arrays.   2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the compression plate includes a plurality of weights arranged so as to be positioned on both sides of the transducer array in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of weights is detachably disposed on the compression plate.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the battery is disposed substantially on a center line of the array of the transducer arrays.   The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery is disposed at a position shifted in a direction in which the transducer array is arranged from a substantially center line of the transducer array.   The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the position of the center of gravity when the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the transducer array is horizontal is present below ½ of the height of the casing. .   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the compression plate includes a plurality of compression sensors in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducer array and on both sides of the transducer array.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the compression plate is detachable from the housing.

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