JP2015154807A - Acoustic lens for ultrasonic diagnostic device and probe for ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic device provided with an electromagnetic shield laminate which exhibits an excellent electromagnetic shield property over a long period even if a metal layer is thinned, and a probe for the ultrasonic diagnostic device having the same.

SOLUTION: There is provided an acoustic lens 2 for an ultrasonic diagnostic device which includes a silicone rubber substrate 10 and an electromagnetic shield laminate 11 provided on the inner surface of the substrate 10. The electromagnetic shield laminate 11 has a metal thin layer 11a whose thickness is 70-1000 nm, and a substrate side resin layer 11b whose thickness is 5-12.5 μm on the substrate side of the metal thin layer. There is also provided a probe 1 for the ultrasonic diagnostic device having the acoustic lens 2 for the ultrasonic diagnostic device.

COPYRIGHT: (C)2015,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. More specifically, the present invention includes an electromagnetic shield laminate that exhibits excellent electromagnetic shielding properties over a long period of time even when a metal layer is thinned. The present invention relates to an acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the same.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus probe including a piezoelectric element in order to obtain an image of a subject.

  Such a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a so-called acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enables contact with the surface of a subject, for example, the surface of a human body, and enables transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves through the subject. This acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is preferably provided with a metal layer on the inner surface in order to draw a good image. The metal layer exhibits an electromagnetic shielding property that prevents noise from being mixed into an echo signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.

As a lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having such a metal layer, for example, Patent Document 1 is cited.
In addition, although it does not have the above metal layers, in patent document 2, the acoustic lens which integrated the polyimide film is described.

JP 2011-83375 A Japanese Patent No. 4439851

  The probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is usually used by applying a medicine such as olive oil or liquid paraffin in advance on the surface of a subject. When the medicine used at this time penetrates into the probe for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and enters the acoustic lens for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and contacts the metal layer, the metal layer is corroded. In particular, in recent years, the durability of the probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been improved, and the durability of the metal layer is also required.

  On the other hand, considering the influence of the acoustic characteristics of the probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the thinner the metal layer, the better. In particular, recent ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses have improved image quality due to digitalization and higher frequency. It is desired that the metal layer of the acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used in such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is formed to be thinner, for example, to a nanometer order.

  However, if the thickness of the metal layer is reduced, it is possible to prevent a significant decrease in acoustic characteristics, but even a slight corrosion increases the influence on electromagnetic shielding properties. In addition to the corrosion, the decrease in electromagnetic shielding properties includes adhesion of human fats, oxidation, damage, and the like. These are likely to occur when the metal layer is thinned and the handling property is lowered.

  The present invention relates to an acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an electromagnetic shield laminated body that exhibits excellent electromagnetic shielding properties over a long period of time even when a metal layer is thinned, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus probe including the same It is an issue to provide.

The object of the present invention has been achieved by the following means.
(1) An acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a silicone rubber base and an electromagnetic shield laminate provided on the inner surface of the base, wherein the electromagnetic shield laminate has a thickness of 70 to 1000 nm. An acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a thin metal layer; and a base-side resin layer having a thickness of 5 to 12.5 μm on the base side of the thin metal layer.
(2) The acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to (1), having an opposite resin layer having a thickness of 5 to 12.5 μm on the opposite side of the thin metal layer to the base.
(3) The acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the substrate-side resin layer is made of polyimide.
(4) The acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the opposite resin layer is made of polyimide.
(5) A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4).

According to the present invention, an acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an electromagnetic shield laminate that exhibits excellent electromagnetic shielding properties over a long period of time even when the metal layer is thinly formed to a thickness of, for example, 70 to 1000 nm, and A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be provided.
Therefore, the acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention have excellent electromagnetic shielding properties, and when applied to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a good image can be obtained over a long period of time.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention together with a preferred embodiment of an acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.

  The probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is suitably applied to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that receives ultrasonic waves applied to a subject, receives reflected ultrasonic waves, and processes them as image data. Such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an electronic scanning ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses are widely used in the medical field, and there are a wide variety of diagnostic objects (for example, organs). The probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is preferably applied to a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the use (diagnostic object) is not particularly limited. The probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes the lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, and is set to an appropriate shape and size according to the application and the like. Examples of uses include abdominal, heart, deep organ, superficial organ, peripheral blood vessel, and body cavity use.

The lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is attached to a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and applied to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is only required to have at least an electromagnetic shield laminate to be described later on the inner surface of the base body, and has an appropriate shape according to the above-mentioned use, like the probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. And dimensions.
Particularly when applied to a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is pressed against a subject to which a medicine such as olive oil or liquid paraffin is applied.

The probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention only needs to include the lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, and other configurations and materials can be adopted without particular limitation.
Examples of probes having such a known configuration include various probes for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment manufactured by GE Healthcare.

Therefore, paying attention to the lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a suitable probe of the present invention) and the ultrasonic wave of the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the acoustic lens 2 for a diagnostic apparatus (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a preferred lens of the present invention) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, this invention is not limited to a suitable one aspect | mode.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred probe 1 of the present invention includes a cylindrical case 3 having one end 3 a opened, and an ultrasonic diagnosis attached to the case 3 so as to be exposed from the end 3 a. Between the acoustic lens 2 for apparatus, the piezoelectric element 4 accommodated in the case 3, the electrodes 4a and 4b provided on both surfaces of the piezoelectric element 4, and the acoustic lens 2 for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the electrode 4a The matching layer 5 provided, the backing layer 6 provided on the opposite side of the matching layer 5 of the piezoelectric element 4, that is, the electrode 4b side, the shield film 7 provided on the inner surface of the case 3, and the electrode 4a And a lead wire 8 connected to the electrode 4b.

That is, hereinafter, in the preferred probe 1 of the present invention, from the inside of the case 3 toward the end 3a, the backing layer 6, the electrode 4b, the piezoelectric element 4, the electrode 4a, the matching layer 5, and the acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 (simply referred to as lenses) are provided in contact with each other or stacked in this order.
The acoustic lens 2 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a suitable lens of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred probe 1 of the present invention applies a drug 2 such as olive oil or liquid paraffin to the surface 21 of the subject in advance, and then applies the lens 2 to the surface 21 of the subject. Used.

As described above, the case 3, the backing layer 6, the electrode 4b, the piezoelectric element 4, the electrode 4a, the matching layer 5, the shield film 7, and the lead wire 8 are shown in FIG. To be formed.
The backing layer 6, the electrode 4b, the piezoelectric element 4, the electrode 4a, and the matching layer 5 are all formed in layers and stacked.

  The case 3 is a cylindrical body having an open end 3a to which the lens 2 is attached. However, the outer shape is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set according to the application and the like.

The lens 2 is a tubular body with one end closed, and the outer surface of the one end protrudes outward. The tubular body has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the axial direction. The protruding shape of the end portion is an arc shape that is continuous in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface from one set of opposite sides of the cross section to the other side. That is, the lens 2 has a convex shape having a substantially U-shaped cross section in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.
The lens 2 is set to an appropriate shape and size according to the shape and size of the case 3. Therefore, in the present invention, the lens 2 is not limited to the convex shape as described above, and may be spherical, elliptical spherical, or the like, and has one end having a flat cylindrical shape, elliptical cylindrical shape, polygonal cylindrical shape, or the like. May be. Further, for example, a U-shaped section or a V-shaped section, such as a shape formed by folding a single plate, may be used.

  The lens 2 is attached to the case 3 so that one end of the lens 2 protrudes from the end 3 a of the case 3.

  The lens 2 has a base 10 made of silicone rubber and an electromagnetic shield laminate 11 provided on the inner surface of the base 10.

  The substrate 10 is a lens substrate that forms the lens 2, and has the same shape as the lens 2. The base 10 is adjusted to an appropriate size according to the size of the case 3 to be mounted. Although the dimensions are not particularly limited, it is preferable that the bottom portion of the base body 10, that is, the bottom portion of the lens 2, affects the transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves, and is not too thick. For example, the thickness of the bottom is preferably 0.1 to 2.5 mm.

The base 10 is made of silicone rubber in terms of acoustic characteristics such as sound speed, acoustic impedance, and acoustic attenuation rate.
The silicone rubber forming the substrate 10 only needs to contain a silicone rubber. For example, a cured product of a silicone rubber composition containing a silicone rubber component having a dimethylpolysiloxane structure containing a vinyl group, silica, and a vulcanizing agent. Etc.

As such a silicone rubber composition, specifically, for example, as described in Japanese Patent No. 346853, “a silicone rubber having a dimethylpolysiloxane structure containing a vinyl group and a mass ratio with respect to the silicone rubber is 40% by mass. A silicone rubber composition containing silica particles having a weight average particle diameter of 15 to 30 nm of 50% by mass or less and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-ditertiarybutylperoxycyhexane as a vulcanizing agent ”. It is done.
More specifically, as a silicone rubber composition containing silicone rubber and silica particles, for example, trade name “KE-981U” (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), trade name “KE-971U”, trade name “KE-” 52U "and" KE-772 "(both manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).

The electromagnetic shield laminate 11 has a three-layer structure in which a base-side resin layer 11b, a metal thin layer 11a, and an opposite-side resin layer 11c are laminated as shown in an enlarged view in the circle of FIG. The electromagnetic shield laminate 11 is provided in a seamless state over the inner surface of the base 10 and the end surface of the end portion 3a.
The base-side resin layer 11b prevents contact between the drug and the metal thin layer 11a penetrating the base 10, and the opposite resin layer 11c prevents contact between the drug and the metal thin layer 11a entering the case 3. To prevent.
Therefore, the base-side resin layer 11b or the opposite-side resin layer 11c may be provided in order to prevent the metal thin layer 11a from being corroded by the chemical that has penetrated the base 10 or the chemical that has entered the case 3. Preferably, it has a three-layer structure having a thin metal layer 11a and a base-side resin layer 11b, and more preferably a thin metal layer 11a, a base-side resin layer 11b, and an opposite-side resin layer 11c. By these, the corrosion by a chemical | medical agent etc. can be suppressed effectively.

  The metal thin layer 11a is a thin film made of a metal or an alloy, and mainly exhibits electromagnetic shielding properties. The metal or alloy is not particularly limited as long as it has electromagnetic shielding properties, and examples thereof include metals such as copper, gold, silver, palladium, aluminum, and tin, and alloys made thereof. Of these, copper or a copper alloy is preferable and copper is preferable in terms of electromagnetic shielding properties and cost.

  By forming the metal thin layer 11a as a laminated body as described above, the thickness can be reduced to the nanometer order that could not be realized conventionally. Specifically, according to the present invention, the thickness of the thin metal layer 11a can be set to 70 to 1000 nm. When the metal thin layer 11a is thinned in this way, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in acoustic characteristics, and the electromagnetic shield laminate 11 is easy to handle, and adhesion of human fat or the like to the metal thin layer 11a. Oxidation and damage of the metal thin layer 11a can be prevented. The thickness of the metal thin layer 11a is preferably 70 to 1000 nm, more preferably 70 to 800 nm, and even more preferably 70 to 200 nm in that the deterioration of acoustic characteristics can be sufficiently suppressed while maintaining handling properties.

The thin metal layer 11a can be formed by rolling, electrolysis, or the like. When the metal thin layer 11a is a copper thin film, the electrolytic copper thin film formed by electrolysis is preferable in that the surface roughness is larger than that of the rolled copper film and the adhesion to the silicone rubber is increased.
The metal thin layer 11a may be surface-treated. Examples of the surface treatment include roughening treatment, smoothing treatment, surface plating treatment, and rust prevention treatment.

The base-side resin layer 11b is provided on the base-side surface of the thin metal layer 11a. The resin that forms the base-side resin layer 11b may be any resin that has resistance to drugs or the like (sometimes referred to as drug resistance), and is preferably a resin having heat resistance.
Here, drug resistance refers to the property that the resin does not easily become brittle and does not penetrate the drug.
Further, the heat resistance refers to the property that the resin does not melt and retains its shape in a high temperature environment during production, for example, 80 to 200 ° C., preferably at a temperature of 150 to 180 ° C. when integrally molded with the substrate 10.

  Examples of such a resin include, but are not limited to, resins such as polyimide, polyamide, polyetheretherketone, and epoxy. Of these, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, and epoxy resin are preferable, and polyimide resin is particularly preferable in terms of drug resistance, heat resistance, and strength.

  The thickness of the substrate side resin layer 11b is 5 μm or more and 12.5 μm or less. If the thickness is less than 5 μm, corrosion of the metal thin layer 11a may not be prevented for a long period of time, and handling properties of the electromagnetic shield laminate 11 may be deteriorated. On the other hand, if it exceeds 12.5 μm, the acoustic characteristics may deteriorate. The thickness of the base-side resin layer 11b is preferably 5 to 10 μm.

  The opposite resin layer 11c is provided on the surface of the metal thin layer 11a opposite to the base 10 with the metal thin layer 11a sandwiched with the base resin layer 11b. The resin that forms the opposite resin layer 11c is the same as the resin that forms the base resin layer 11b, but the resins that form the resin layers 11b and 11c do not have to be the same resin.

The thickness of the opposite resin layer 11c is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 12.5 μm and more preferably 5 to 10 μm in terms of preventing corrosion of the metal thin layer 11 a and handling properties of the electromagnetic shield laminate.
The thickness of the opposite-side resin layer 11c may be the same as or different from the thickness of the base-side resin layer 11b. Preferably there is.

In the electromagnetic shield laminate 11, both the resin layers 11b and 11c may be provided directly on the surface of the thin metal layer 11a, or may be bonded by an adhesive.
The adhesive that can be used is not particularly limited as long as it has chemical resistance, and examples thereof include an adhesive containing an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a vinyl acetate resin, and the like.
The thickness of the layer made of the adhesive is not particularly limited and is set as appropriate.

The acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention can be manufactured by providing an electromagnetic shield laminate on the inner surface of the base.
The electromagnetic shield laminate can be produced by sequentially forming a resin layer and a thin metal layer by a known method. For example, a thin metal layer is formed by rolling or electrolysis, and then a resin layer is formed on the surface. The resin layer is preferably formed by adhering a sheet-shaped material with an adhesive and, if necessary, pressing and heating.
The electromagnetic shield laminate can also be produced by directly forming a metal layer on the resin layer by sputtering or the like.

  The substrate can be produced by various molding methods using the silicone rubber or silicone rubber composition.

In the acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, an electromagnetic shield laminate is provided on the inner surface of the substrate using the prepared substrate and electromagnetic shield laminate.
Preferably, an electromagnetic shield laminate is provided together with the formation of the substrate. As such an integral molding method, for example, a molding die comprising a first mold having a convex portion on which the electromagnetic shield laminate can be placed and a second die having a concave portion into which the convex portion can enter. A method of compressing and molding the electromagnetic shield laminate and the silicone rubber or the silicone rubber composition disposed between the convex part and the concave part using a mold is preferable.

In this method, the electromagnetic shield laminate and the silicone rubber or the silicone rubber composition are arranged in this order from the convex portion side to the concave portion between the convex portion and the concave portion, and these are compression molded.
Thus, the silicone rubber or the silicone rubber composition is heated under the condition that the silicone rubber or the silicone rubber composition is cured simultaneously with or after the compression molding. For example, in the case of the silicone rubber composition, the silicone rubber composition is cured when heated at a temperature of 155 ° C. or more for about 3 to 10 minutes. After curing the silicone rubber or silicone rubber composition in this manner, secondary heating may be performed as desired.
After curing, the compression molded product is taken out from the molding die, and deburring or the like is performed as desired, whereby the acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention can be manufactured.
In addition, the said integral molding method is described in detail in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2011-8335, for example, The description is preferably taken in into this specification as it is.

Thereafter, the acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the backing layer, the piezoelectric element, the electrode, the matching layer, the shield film, and the lead wire of the present invention are formed on the case by a known method using a known material.
In this way, the probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention can be manufactured.

  The acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiment, and various modifications can be made within a range in which the object of the present invention can be achieved.

Example 1
The lens 2 shown in FIG. 1 was produced as follows.
A laminated film (trade name: EMBRELLA (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.)), a carrier film and a protective film having a copper thin film 11a (thickness 200 nm) and a polyimide layer 11b (thickness 5 μm) is peeled off, and an epoxy adhesive is further removed. Was applied to the surface of the copper thin film 11a so that the thickness after curing was 25 μm, and the polyimide film 11c (thickness 5 μm) was placed on the layer of the thermosetting adhesive. .
Next, the molding pressure was set to 3.9 MPa, and the temperature was raised from normal temperature to 160 ° C. The molding pressure was again set to 3.9 MPa and heating was performed at 160 ° C. for 90 minutes. Thus, the thermosetting adhesive was hardened, and the electromagnetic shielding laminated body 11 which has the base-side resin layer 11b which consists of polyimides, the copper thin film 11a, and the opposite side resin layer 11c which consists of polyimides was produced.

On the other hand, as a silicone rubber composition, a vulcanizing agent (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is added to 100 parts by mass of a silicone rubber composition (made by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name “KE-981U”) containing silicone rubber and silica (SiO ₂ ). A silicone rubber composition was prepared by mixing 0.5 parts by mass of trade name “C-8” manufactured by Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Moreover, the 1st metal mold | die which has a convex part whose shape cross section is a rectangle, and the 2nd metal mold | die which has the recessed part which consists of a columnar recessed part and a cone-shaped recessed part whose cross section is a rectangle were prepared.

  The electromagnetic shielding laminate 11 and the silicone rubber composition were arranged in this order on the convex portion of the first mold, and the second mold was overlaid. The second mold was advanced toward the first mold, and the electromagnetic shield laminate 11 and the silicone rubber composition were compressed, and at the same time, the molding mold was heated to 180 ° C. for 5 minutes to heat and cure the silicone rubber composition. . After heat radiation, the molded product was taken out from the molding die, and the excess electromagnetic shield laminate 11 was cut. In this way, the lens 2 was manufactured.

  A probe 1 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured using the lens 2 thus manufactured.

(Example 2)
In Example 1, instead of using a laminated film (trade name: EMBRELLA (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.)), a laminated film having a copper thin film 11a having a thickness of 70 nm and a polyimide layer 11b having a thickness of 5 μm was used. Produced the lens 2 and the probe 1 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Example 3)
In Example 1, instead of a laminated film (trade name: EMBRELLA (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.)), a laminated film having a copper thin film 11a having a thickness of 200 nm and a polyimide layer 11b having a thickness of 12.5 μm was produced. In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the 12.5 μm-thick polyimide film 11c was adhered to the surface of the copper thin film 11a to produce the electromagnetic shield laminate 11, the lens 2 and the ultrasonic diagnostic device probe 1 Manufactured.

Example 4
In Example 1, instead of a laminated film (trade name: EMBRELLA (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.)), a laminated film having a copper thin film 11a having a thickness of 70 nm and an epoxy layer 11b having a thickness of 12.5 μm was produced. In the same manner as in Example 1 except that the 12.5 μm-thick polyimide film 11c was adhered to the surface of the copper thin film 11a to produce the electromagnetic shield laminate 11, the lens 2 and the ultrasonic diagnostic device probe 1 Manufactured.

(Example 5)
In Example 1, instead of a laminated film (trade name: EMBRELLA (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.)), a laminated film having a copper thin film 11a having a thickness of 200 nm and an epoxy layer 11b having a thickness of 5 μm was prepared. A lens 2 and a probe 1 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a 12.5 μm-thick polyimide film 11c is bonded to the surface of the thin film 11a to produce the electromagnetic shield laminate 11. did.

(Example 6)
In Example 1, instead of a laminated film (trade name: EMBRELLA (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.)), a laminated film having a copper thin film 11a having a thickness of 800 nm and an epoxy layer 11b having a thickness of 5 μm was prepared. A lens 2 and a probe 1 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a 12.5 μm-thick polyimide film 11c is bonded to the surface of the thin film 11a to produce the electromagnetic shield laminate 11. did.

(Lens A for comparison)
As a comparison object of each lens 2 manufactured as described above, a comparative lens A was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 using a copper thin film 11a (thickness: 200 nm).

(Handling properties)
About the manufactured lens 2 and the lens A for comparison, handling property (adhesion of human fats, oxidation and damage) was evaluated.
In the manufacturing process of the lens 2 and the lens A for comparison, the handling property is the opposite resin layer 11c (Examples 1 to 6) of each laminated film to which the copper thin film 11a and the opposite resin layer 11c are attached, and Human fat was adhered to the copper thin film 11a (lens A for comparison) by pressing the finger vertically for about 5 seconds with a force of 1 to 2N. Thereafter, human fat adhered to the opposite resin layer 11c or the copper thin film 11a was wiped off with a Kuraray clean wiper coated with alcohol.
The surfaces of the opposite resin layer 11c and the copper thin film 11a were observed at a magnification of 200 times using a “Laser Microscope” manufactured by Keyence Corporation.
In addition, 5 mL of mixed ethanol (mixing ratio of methanol and ethanol (volume ratio) 5:95) was soaked in a clean wiper “SF30C” (trade name, manufactured by Kuraray Laflex Co., Ltd.), and the opposite resin layer 11c Or the human fat adhering to the copper thin film 11a was wiped off.

As a result, in Examples 1 to 6 in which the thickness of the copper thin film 11a is reduced, human fat adheres to the opposite resin layer 11c, but both can be wiped off with alcohol, and the opposite resin layer 11c also No scratches could be confirmed on the copper thin film 11a.
On the other hand, in the lens A for comparison, human fat adhered to the copper thin film 11a, and scratches could be confirmed.
In addition, although Examples 1-6 are provided with the opposite side resin layer 11c, if the base side resin layer 11b is provided even if not provided with the opposite side resin layer 11c, the copper thin film 11a is thinned. However, the possibility and frequency of touching the copper thin film 11a during the manufacturing process are smaller than those of the lens A for comparison. Therefore, it can be seen that the handling property is excellent even if only the base-side resin layer 11b is provided.

  As described above, in each of the lenses 2 of each example, the copper thin film 11a could be thinned even from 70 to 800 nm, particularly from 70 to 200 nm. Moreover, even if the copper thin film 11a is thinned to 70 to 800 nm, the electromagnetic shield laminate 11 is easy to handle, and since the copper thin film 11a is covered with a resin layer, natural oxidation by chemicals and oxygen in the atmosphere It can be understood that it has an anti-oxidation effect and a deterioration-prevention effect, and has excellent electromagnetic shielding properties over a long period of time.

1 Probe for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment (probe)
2 Lens for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment (lens)
3 Case 3a One end 4 Piezoelectric element 4a, 4b Electrode 5 Matching layer 6 Backing layer 7 Shielding film 8 Lead wire 10 Substrate 11 Electromagnetic shield laminate 11a Metal thin layer (copper thin film)
11b Substrate side resin layer 11c Opposite side resin layer 21 Subject surface 22 Drug

Claims (5)

  An acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a base made of silicone rubber and an electromagnetic shield laminate provided on the inner surface of the base, wherein the electromagnetic shield laminate is a metal thin film having a thickness of 70 to 1000 nm. An acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a layer; and a base-side resin layer having a thickness of 5 to 12.5 μm on the base side of the metal thin layer.   2. The acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an opposite resin layer having a thickness of 5 to 12.5 μm on a side opposite to the base side of the thin metal layer.   The acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base resin layer is made of polyimide.   The acoustic lens for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opposite resin layer is made of polyimide. The probe for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses provided with the acoustic lens for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of any one of Claims 1-4.

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