JP2012085723A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an array transducer, an acoustic lens, etc. from being damaged when an impact force reaches an ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: A transducer unit 14 as a movable body is housed in a storage chamber 20 of a body case 12. The transducer unit 14 is provided so that the front end of the transducer unit 14 partially protrudes from an opening, normally. Longitudinal movement of the transducer unit 14 is guided by a guiding structure. The guiding structure comprises two guide pins 22 and 23 and two guide holes 26 and 30. Two springs 22A and 23A are provided so as to surround the two pins 22 and 23, and a forward biasing force is exerted by the springs 22A and 23A. Thus, the impact force from the front is absorbed by the two springs 22A and 23A.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, and more particularly to an ultrasonic probe having a shock absorbing structure.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and an ultrasonic probe connected thereto. The ultrasonic probe includes a connector, a cable, and a head. The head is gripped by the user, and the living body contact surface (the surface of the acoustic lens) is brought into contact with the living body surface. In this state, ultrasonic diagnosis is performed. Various probes are provided as ultrasonic probes. A typical example is a convex probe. That is, the acoustic lens is curved in a convex shape in the electronic scanning direction. The acoustic lens is also rounded in the elevation direction (direction orthogonal to the electronic scanning direction) in order to exert an acoustic ultrasonic focusing effect. In the convex probe, the ultrasonic beam is electronically linearly scanned, and the scanning surface, which is the scanning area, has a fan shape.

  Incidentally, a conventional ultrasonic probe includes a transducer unit including an array transducer, a matching layer, a backing, an acoustic lens, and the like. The transducer unit is fixed to the probe case with an adhesive or a screw. That is, the probe case and the transducer unit are integrated, and the transducer unit does not move relative to the probe case.

  When the ultrasonic probe is detached from the probe holder or the hand and dropped, in many cases, the acoustic lens collides with the floor surface. This is because in the ultrasonic probe, the transducer unit is provided on the front end side (biological side), the center of gravity is normally on the front side, and the cable is drawn from the rear end of the probe case. In particular, in a convex probe, since a large acoustic lens is arranged with a convex shape, there is a high possibility that an impact at the time of dropping will be applied thereto.

  Problems caused by such impact include damage to the vibration element, damage to the acoustic lens, and the like. If a failure occurs, the ultrasound probe must be repaired or replaced. Even if it is not a failure up to that point, a malfunction of some vibration elements causes streaks and noise on the ultrasonic image.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-6485

  Patent Document 1 discloses a probe inserted into a body cavity. A unit including a vibrator and a swinging mechanism is provided in the case. The unit is slidable in the front-rear direction, and the backward movement force is absorbed by the spring. In this configuration, the impact force from the outside directly reaches the tip of the case. The case constitutes the entire handpiece, and since this probe is an intracorporeal insertion type and needs to enclose the unit, it is assumed that such a configuration is adopted. This prior art does not allow a structure that accurately defines the direction of movement while allowing the unit to move back and forth.

  An object of the present invention is to protect an acoustic lens and an array transducer when an ultrasonic probe is dropped. Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to increase the impact resistance of a convex probe.

  An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is provided with a probe case having a unit accommodating chamber connected to an opening, an acoustic lens provided in the unit accommodating chamber so as to be movable, and exposed from the opening, and behind the acoustic lens. A vibrator unit as a movable body having a vibration element array formed thereon, a guide structure for guiding the movement of the vibrator unit in the front-rear direction, and an impact force applied to the vibrator unit from the front side is absorbed. A shock absorbing means, and when the vibrator unit is at the forward end, a protruding state is formed in which the acoustic lens protrudes forward from the opening, and an impact force is applied to the vibrator unit from the front. In the case where the vibration force reaches, the vibrator unit moves backward, and the impact force is absorbed by the impact absorbing means.

  According to the above configuration, the transducer unit is configured as a movable body, that is, the transducer unit can be moved with respect to the probe case. When an impact force is applied to the transducer unit from the front, the transducer unit moves backward, and the impact force is absorbed by the impact absorbing means. The shock absorbing means is constituted by a spring, an elastic material, or the like. The shock absorbing means may be configured to always generate a forward biasing force with respect to the vibrator unit. To prevent the transducer unit from inadvertently retreating when the transducer unit contacts the body surface, and to cause the transducer unit to retreat when an impact force is actually generated due to a drop of the probe, etc. It is desirable to appropriately determine the forward biasing force or the action of the shock absorbing means. Desirably, the acoustic lens of the vibrator unit partially protrudes forward from the opening in the normal use state. Therefore, the adhesion to the living body surface can be improved. As an advanced configuration, a mode in which the vibrator unit is slightly retracted when the living body is brought into contact is also conceivable (soft touch function). This can be achieved by reducing the magnitude of the forward biasing force.

  Preferably, the guide structure includes at least one guide pin extending in the front-rear direction formed on one of the wall portion in the probe case and the transducer unit, the wall portion in the probe case, and the And at least one guide hole formed on the other side of the vibrator unit and into which at least one guide pin is inserted. According to this configuration, the moving direction of the vibrator unit can be defined using the engagement between the guide pin and the guide hole. It is desirable that the vibrator unit be configured to move in parallel with its central axis facing forward when the vibrator unit moves.

  Preferably, the guide structure is a plurality of pins provided side by side in the left-right direction on one of the wall portion in the probe case and the transducer unit, each of which extends in the front-rear direction. A pin, and a plurality of holes provided side by side in the left-right direction on the other of the wall portion in the probe case and the transducer unit, and a plurality of guide holes into which the plurality of guide pins are inserted. Including. If a plurality of guide pins and a plurality of insertion holes are used in this way, even if there is a gap around the vibrator unit, it can be reliably translated.

  Desirably, a gap is formed between the opening and the front end of the vibrator unit, and a sealing material that seals the gap while allowing the vibrator unit to move in the front-rear direction is formed in the gap. Provided. As the sealing material, in addition to an O-ring, a filling sealing material or the like can be used.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to protect the acoustic lens and the array transducer when the ultrasonic probe is dropped. Alternatively, the impact resistance of the convex probe can be increased.

It is a fragmentary sectional view of the ultrasonic probe concerning the present invention. It is an enlarged view of A part shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion A shown in FIG. 1 and particularly shows a state in which a vibrator unit is retracted. It is a side view of an ultrasonic probe. It is the elements on larger scale of an ultrasonic probe.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention. This ultrasonic probe is detachably connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. Using this ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic wave transmission / reception with respect to the living body is executed.

  In FIG. 1, the ultrasound probe 10 is a convex probe, that is, a portion in contact with a living body is rounded and curved into a convex shape. An array transducer described later is composed of a plurality of transducer elements, and the element arrangement direction is curved in an arc shape. The ultrasonic probe 10 includes a main body case 12 and a transducer unit 14 as a movable body. The main body case 12 has a grip portion 12A and a tip portion 12B provided on the front side thereof. Incidentally, the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is the front-rear direction of the ultrasonic probe 10, that is, the probe central axis direction.

  The front end 12 </ b> B of the main body case 12 has a storage chamber 20. The storage chamber 20 is a cavity that continues to an opening formed on the living body side. The vibrator unit 14 is disposed in the storage chamber 20. The vibrator unit 14 is provided in the storage chamber 20 in a state where it can be moved back and forth. An intermediate wall 18 extending in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is provided in the distal end portion 12B. Two guide pins 22 and 23 are formed upright with respect to such an internal structure. Each of the guide pins 22 and 23 is a columnar column extending forward. The two guide pins 22 and 23 are slidably engaged with two guide holes 26 and 30 formed in the vibrator unit 14 as a movable body. The longitudinal movement of the vibrator unit 14 is guided by the engagement between the two guide pins 22 and 23 and the two guide holes 26 and 30. The vibrator unit 14 moves in parallel in the central axis direction. Springs 22A and 23A are provided around the pins 22 and 23, respectively.

  The front end portion of the distal end portion 12B is a peripheral portion 12C, that is, the peripheral portion 12C constitutes the periphery of the opening. In FIG. 1, the transducer unit 14 is at the forward end, i.e. it is in a protruding state. Specifically, the end portion on the front side of the transducer unit 14, that is, a part of the acoustic lens is in a state protruding from the opening portion to the living body side. A cable 16 is provided at the rear end of the main body case 12.

  FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion A shown in FIG. The vibrator unit 14 includes a base member 32 having the above-described two guide holes and a backing 34 formed on the front side of the base member 32. The backing 34 is formed with a certain thickness in the left-right direction, and specifically has a curved shape. An array transducer 36 is provided on the backing 34. The array transducer 36 is composed of a plurality of transducer elements, which are arranged curved in the electronic scanning direction. A slit for acoustic isolation is formed between the vibration elements, and a filler is generally provided in the slit. A matching layer is formed on the living body side of the array transducer 36, and the matching layer also includes a plurality of matching elements corresponding to the plurality of vibration elements. An acoustic lens 40 is provided on the living body side of the matching layer 38. The peripheral edge of the acoustic lens 40 extends to the non-biological side, that is, a skirt portion 40A is configured.

  The base member 32 has a shoulder portion 32A extending in the horizontal direction at the lower portion thereof. The upper surface of the shoulder portion 32A hits the hook portion 12D formed on the main body case side, thereby preventing the vibrator unit 14 from slipping forward. That is, the urging force is always applied forward to the vibrator unit 14 by the two springs provided on the two pins, and the forward end of the vibration unit 14 is moved by the shoulder portion 32A hitting the hook portion 12D. It is configured. In this state, as shown by L1 in FIG. 2, the acoustic lens partially protrudes forward from the peripheral portion. Specifically, L1 is, for example, 1 to 2 mm. If such a protruding state is formed, it becomes easy to bring the entire surface of the acoustic lens into close contact with the surface of the living body when contacting the living body. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the urging forces of the two springs are set to such a magnitude that the vibrator unit 14 is not easily retracted at the time of living body contact. Further, when the impact force is applied to the transducer unit from the front due to the fall of the ultrasonic probe or the like, the size of the transducer unit is slightly retracted. Instead of the two springs, an elastic body or other urging force generating means may be provided. In any case, it is desirable to provide means capable of absorbing the impact when the impact is applied. In the case of a convex probe, in the case of dropping, in many cases, the impact force is applied to the acoustic lens protruding with a roundness, and the impact force is absorbed by the two springs as described above. Therefore, such shock absorption can effectively prevent or reduce the problem of damage to the array transducer and the acoustic lens.

  FIG. 3 shows a state where the vibrator unit is slightly retracted due to the impact force. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 100 represents an impact force from the front. In this case, the surface 40B of the acoustic lens is positioned at the same level as the edge 12E of the peripheral edge or at a level retracted more than that. In this state, the upper surface 32B of the shoulder portion is separated from the hook portion 12D.

  FIG. 4 shows a side surface of the ultrasonic probe. The upper surface of the acoustic lens 40 slightly protrudes forward from the peripheral edge portion 12C. C is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by B in FIG. The amount of protrusion is indicated by L2. When the impact force from the front reaches, the vibrator unit slightly moves backward. The state is indicated by D. Here, the stroke of the backward movement is shown in a slightly exaggerated manner as L3.

  FIG. 5 shows a partially enlarged view of the ultrasonic probe. A gap 102 exists between the front end portion of the vibrator unit 14 and the peripheral edge portion 12C. Even if there is such a gap, since the above-described guide structure is employed in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to move the vibrator unit 14 backward while maintaining the parallel state. Two ring-shaped grooves 44 and 46 are formed on the inner side of the peripheral portion 12C, that is, on the inner surface on the opening side. They are provided with two O-rings 48 and 50. They exhibit a sealing function. The gap 102 and the internal space that communicates with the gap are filled with a filler 52. They have a viscosity or the like that does not hinder the movement of the vibrator unit 14, and the filling of the filler can effectively eliminate the entry of water and foreign matters from the outside. Even in that case, the longitudinal movement of the vibrator unit 14 is not hindered.

  As the above-described guide structure, in this embodiment, two guide pins and two guide holes are provided. The two guide pins are preferably made of a metal member such as aluminum, and a metal member may be used as a material for receiving the guide pin. Alternatively, a hard material may be used as such a member. The two springs described above are put in a compressed state and exert a forward biasing force. Of course, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which a spring is inserted in an extended state to exert a forward biasing force. It is desirable to arrange the cables or signal lines with slack in the case so as not to hinder the longitudinal movement of the vibrator unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic probe, 12 Main body case, 14 Transducer unit (movable body), 20 Storage chamber, 22, 23 Guide pin, 26, 30 Guide hole.

Claims (4)

A probe case having a unit accommodating chamber connected to the opening;
A vibrator unit as a movable body that is provided in the unit housing chamber so as to be movable and has an acoustic lens exposed from the opening and a vibration element array provided behind the acoustic lens;
A guide structure for guiding the movement of the vibrator unit in the front-rear direction;
Shock absorbing means for absorbing impact force applied from the front to the vibrator unit;
Including
When the transducer unit is at the forward end, a protruding state is formed in which the acoustic lens projects forward from the opening, and when an impact force is applied to the transducer unit from the front, The vibrator unit moves backward, and the impact force is absorbed by the impact absorbing means.
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1,
The guide structure is
At least one guide pin extending in the front-rear direction formed on one of the wall in the probe case and the transducer unit;
At least one guide hole formed on the wall in the probe case and the other of the transducer unit, into which at least one guide pin is inserted so as to be movable back and forth;
Ultrasonic probe characterized by including. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2,
The guide structure is
A plurality of pins provided side by side in the left-right direction on one of the wall portion in the probe case and the transducer unit, and a plurality of guide pins each extending in the front-rear direction;
A plurality of holes provided side by side in the left-right direction on the other of the wall portion in the probe case and the transducer unit, and a plurality of guide holes into which the plurality of guide pins are inserted so as to move back and forth. ,
Ultrasonic probe characterized by including. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A gap is formed between the opening and the front end of the vibrator unit,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein a seal member that seals the gap is provided in the gap while allowing movement of the transducer unit in the front-rear direction.

Images