JP2018121804A - Ultrasonic device and driving method of ultrasonic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic device capable of easily performing ultrasonic measurement in a desired scan mode, and a driving method of the ultrasonic device.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic probe that can change its shape to a first shape in which an ultrasonic wave transmission and reception surface of a first area can come in contact with a subject, and a second shape in which the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception surface of a second area different from the first area can come in contact with the subject, a shape determination part for determining the shape of the ultrasonic probe, and a scan control part for switching a scan mode of the ultrasonic measurement performed by the ultrasonic probe according to the shape determined by the shape determination part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic device and a driving method of the ultrasonic device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an ultrasonic apparatus that performs measurement (ultrasonic measurement) using ultrasonic waves such as observing an internal tomographic image of a subject (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The ultrasonic apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs ultrasonic measurement in which an ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with a living body that is a subject, ultrasonic waves are transmitted, and ultrasonic waves (reflected waves) reflected from the living body are received. Then, an internal tomographic image of the living body is acquired according to the ultrasonic measurement result. Here, in this patent document 1, the some ultrasonic transducer | vibrator is arrange | positioned along the transmission / reception surface of an ultrasonic probe. When the operator performs input for selecting the first mode, linear scanning is performed using all ultrasonic transducers, and when input for selecting the second mode is performed, some ultrasonic vibrations are generated. A sector scan is performed using the child.

JP 2014-226296 A

By the way, in the ultrasonic apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the scan mode (linear scan and sector scan) of ultrasonic measurement is switched by changing the mode by an operation by the operator. However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for the operator to select a mode every time ultrasonic measurement is performed, and there is a problem that it takes time and effort in measurement.
It is also possible to set the default scan mode by the ultrasonic probe to, for example, linear scan. However, when performing measurement over a narrow range with an ultrasonic probe, sector scanning is often performed, and when performing measurement over a wide range, linear scanning is often performed. Therefore, for example, when the default scan mode is a linear scan, the operator also needs to perform an operation for switching the mode when performing measurement for a narrow range.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic apparatus that can easily perform ultrasonic measurement in a desired scan mode, and a method for driving the ultrasonic apparatus.

  In one application of the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present invention, a first shape in which an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface having a first area can contact a subject, and an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface having a second area different from the first area are provided. In accordance with the shape determined by the ultrasonic probe that can change the shape to the second shape that can contact the subject, the shape determination unit that determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe, and the shape determination unit, A scan control unit that switches a scan mode of ultrasonic measurement performed by the ultrasonic probe.

In this application example, the ultrasonic probe can be changed to a first shape and a second shape having different areas of the transmission / reception surface with respect to the subject. The shape determination unit determines whether the shape of the ultrasonic probe is the first shape or the second shape. In addition, the scan control unit switches a scan mode for ultrasonic measurement performed in the ultrasonic probe in accordance with the shape determination result.
For this reason, since the ultrasonic measurement in the scan mode according to the shape of the ultrasonic probe is performed, the operator does not need to perform an operation for selecting the scan mode. In other words, if a scan mode (desired scan mode) that is normally performed according to each shape of the ultrasonic probe is set in advance, the scan corresponding to each shape can be performed without an input operation by the operator. Ultrasonic measurement of the mode can be easily performed.

  In the ultrasonic apparatus according to this application example, when the first area is smaller than the second area, and the scan control unit determines that the first shape is the first shape, The scan mode is switched to a sector scan mode in which a sector scan is performed by the ultrasonic probe, and when the shape determination unit determines that the second shape is the scan mode, the scan mode is changed to the ultrasonic probe. It is preferable to switch to the linear scan mode in which the linear scan is performed.

In this application example, when the ultrasonic probe is subjected to ultrasonic measurement by sector scanning when the area in contact with the subject becomes small in the ultrasound probe, the area in contact with the subject becomes large. In addition, ultrasonic measurement is performed by linear scanning.
In the sector scan, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers included in the transmission / reception surface, and reflected waves are measured by a predetermined ultrasonic transducer (or a predetermined number of ultrasonic transducers) included in the transmission / reception surface. To do. At this time, even when the contact area between the ultrasonic probe and the subject is small, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted within a substantially fan-shaped range centered on the contact position between the ultrasonic probe and the subject. Can be measured.
On the other hand, in the linear scan mode, ultrasonic waves are transmitted in one direction (for example, the normal direction) from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers included in the transmission / reception surface, and reflected waves are measured by each ultrasonic transducer that has transmitted ultrasonic waves To do. In this case, it is possible to reduce the distance between the sound lines of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from each ultrasonic transducer, and it is possible to improve the resolution in ultrasonic measurement.
Therefore, the scan mode that is normally performed by the operator by setting the scan mode when the shape is determined as the first shape by the shape determination unit to be the sector scan mode and the scan mode when being determined as the second shape is the linear scan mode. The ultrasonic measurement can be easily performed, and the convenience in the ultrasonic apparatus can be improved.

In the ultrasonic device according to this application example, the ultrasonic probe includes a first base having a first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves, and a second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves, A second base portion variably connected to the one base portion, wherein the first shape is a shape that allows the first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface to contact the subject, and the second shape Is a shape in which both of the first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface and the second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface can come into contact with the subject, and the shape determination unit includes the first base and the second base. It is preferable to determine the shape of the ultrasonic probe based on the angle to be made.
In this application example, the ultrasonic probe includes a first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface and a second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface. When the ultrasonic probe is deformed to the first shape, the first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface has a shape that can contact the subject. When deformed to the second shape, both the first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface and the second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface become a shape that can contact the subject. In such an ultrasonic probe, the area of the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface can be easily deformed with a simple configuration by simply changing the angles of the first base and the second base. In addition, the shape determination unit can easily determine the shape of the ultrasonic probe based on the angle formed by the first base and the second base.

In the ultrasonic device according to this application example, the shape determination unit determines that the shape is the first shape when the angle is not less than 0 ° and less than 90 °, and the angle is not less than 90 ° and less than 270 °. In this case, it is preferable to determine that the shape is the second shape.
In this application example, when the angle between the first base portion and the second base portion variably connected to each other is 0 ° or more and less than 90 °, the first shape is determined. That is, when the angle between the first base and the second base is not less than 0 ° and less than 90 °, the second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface of the second base is opposite to the back side of the first base (opposite to the first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface). Side). In this case, only the first base of the ultrasonic probe is shaped so as to be able to face the subject, and the ultrasonic probe can be properly attached to the subject without the second base coming into contact with the narrow measurement site. The shape can be brought into contact. Therefore, the shape determination unit determines that the angle between the first base and the second base is 0 ° or more and less than 90 ° as the first shape, so that the scan control unit is in a scan mode corresponding to the first shape. Ultrasonic measurements can be performed.
On the other hand, when the angle between the first base and the second base is 90 ° or more and less than 270 °, the second shape is determined. That is, when the angle between the first base portion and the second base portion is 90 ° or more and less than 270 °, the ultrasonic measurement using the first base portion and the second base portion is possible. That is, when the first base and the second base are brought into contact with the substantially planar measurement site of the subject, the shape may be changed so that the angle formed by the first base and the second base is approximately 180 °. Further, when the first base and the second base are brought into contact with the concave measurement site of the subject, the shape may be modified so that the angle formed by the first base and the second base is 90 ° or more and less than 180 °. . Further, when the first base and the second base are brought into contact with the convex measurement site of the subject, if the shape is changed so that the angle formed by the first base and the second base is 180 ° or more and less than 270 °. Good. Therefore, the shape determination unit determines that the angle between the first base and the second base is 90 ° or more and less than 270 ° as the second shape, so that the scan control unit is in a scan mode corresponding to the second shape. Ultrasonic measurements can be performed.

  In the ultrasonic device according to this application example, the ultrasonic probe includes a first base having a first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, and a second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, A second base variably connected to the first base with respect to the direction, and a second base variably connected to the second base of the first base opposite to the second base with respect to the first direction. The one member, the second member variably connected to the first base of the second base with respect to the first direction, and the first member and the second member are joined together. The ultrasonic probe is shaped into the first shape and the second shape according to the attachment position of the first member and the second member by the desorption portion. The shape determination unit is located at a position where the first member and the second member are joined by the detachment unit. Flip it is preferable to determine the shape of the ultrasonic probe.

In this application example, the first member, the first base, the second base, and the second member are configured to be variably connected in this order along the first direction. The first member and the second member are provided with a decoupling portion, and the shape of the ultrasonic probe is deformed depending on the position where the first member and the second member are joined by the decoupling portion.
In this case, the shape of the ultrasonic probe is determined by the joining position of the first member and the second member by the detachment portion. Therefore, the shape determination unit can easily determine the shape of the ultrasonic probe by detecting the joining position.

The ultrasonic apparatus according to this application example preferably includes a voice acquisition unit that acquires voice information, and the scan control unit preferably switches the scan mode based on the voice information acquired by the voice acquisition unit.
In this application example, an audio acquisition unit is further provided, and the scan control unit switches the scan mode based on the audio information acquired by the audio acquisition unit. In other words, as described above, the scan mode that is performed as a default is set according to the shape of the ultrasound probe, so that ultrasound measurement in a desired scan mode can be performed. In addition, in this application example, when it is desired to switch the scan mode during ultrasonic measurement, the scan mode can be switched based on the audio information. Therefore, even when it is desired to change the scan mode during ultrasonic measurement, the operator does not need to operate an operation unit such as a controller, and can easily shift to ultrasonic measurement in a desired scan mode.

The method for driving an ultrasonic device according to an application example of the present invention includes a first shape in which an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface having a first area can contact a subject, and a second area different from the first area. A method of driving an ultrasonic device including an ultrasonic probe capable of changing a shape to a second shape that allows an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface to be in contact with the subject, a shape determining step for determining the shape of the ultrasonic probe; And a mode switching step of switching a scan mode of ultrasonic measurement performed by the ultrasonic probe according to the shape of the ultrasonic probe determined in the shape determination step.
In this application example, the mode switching step switches a scan mode for ultrasonic measurement performed in the ultrasonic probe in accordance with the shape determination result in the shape determination step. Therefore, similarly to the application example described above, the operator does not need to perform an operation for selecting the scan mode, and can easily perform the ultrasonic measurement in the scan mode corresponding to each shape of the ultrasonic probe.

The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic measuring apparatus of 1st embodiment. The top view which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic probe of 1st embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment. The schematic sectional drawing which expanded the 1st base in FIG. The top view which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic substrate of 1st embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view when the ultrasonic substrate is cut along line AA in FIG. 5. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the 1st member of 1st embodiment. The block diagram of the ultrasonic measuring device of a first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the 2nd member of 1st embodiment. The schematic front view at the time of deform | transforming the ultrasonic probe of 1st embodiment into a 1st shape. The schematic front view at the time of deform | transforming the ultrasonic probe of 1st embodiment into a 2nd shape. The top view which shows the structure of the 1st angle fixing | fixed part of 1st embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state which fixed the angle of the 1st auxiliary | assistant part and the 2nd auxiliary | assistant part by the 1st angle fixing | fixed part of 1st embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control apparatus of 1st embodiment. The flowchart which shows the ultrasonic measurement process of 1st embodiment. The figure which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic device of 2nd embodiment.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, the ultrasonic measurement apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic measurement apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic measurement device 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2 and a control device 10. In the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 1, the ultrasonic probe 2 is brought into contact with a subject (for example, a living body in the present embodiment), and the ultrasonic probe 2 is controlled by the control device 10. Thereby, the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves to the living body that is the subject, and performs ultrasonic measurement to receive the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body. The control device 10 receives the ultrasonic measurement result from the ultrasonic probe 2 and forms, for example, an internal tomographic image of the target and displays it on the display unit 13.
Hereinafter, each component of the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

[Configuration of ultrasonic probe]
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic probe 2 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic probe 2 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ultrasonic probe 2 of the present embodiment includes a first base portion 20, a second base portion 30, a first member 40, a second member 50, and a reinforcing portion 60. I have. Here, the ultrasonic probe 2 has the first member 40, the first base 20, the second base 30, and the second member 50 in order from the + X side with respect to the first direction (X direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). Are arranged side by side in this order, and are configured to be connected to each other so that the angle is variable.

Further, the first member 40 is opposite to the first auxiliary portion 41 that is variably connected to one end portion (+ X side end portion) of the first base portion 20 and the first base portion 20 of the first auxiliary portion 41. A second auxiliary portion 42 that is variably coupled to the side, and a first connection portion 43 that is variably coupled to the side opposite to the first auxiliary portion of the second auxiliary portion 42.
Further, the second member 50 is a third auxiliary connected to the other end (the −X side end) opposite to the one end to which the first base 20 of the second base 30 is connected. Part 51 and a second connection part 52 that is connected to the second base part 30 of the third auxiliary part 51 opposite to the second base part 30 so as to be variable in angle.

  The reinforcing portion 60 is arranged in parallel in a second direction (for example, the Y direction in the present embodiment) that intersects with the arrangement direction (X direction) of the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30. Specifically, the reinforcing portion 60 includes a first reinforcing portion 61 disposed on the + Y side of the first base portion 20 and a second reinforcing portion 62 disposed on the + Y side of the second base portion 30. The reinforcing part 61 and the second reinforcing part 62 are arranged side by side along the X direction.

And as shown in FIG. 3, the 1st base 20, the 2nd base 30, the 1st member 40, the 2nd member 50, and the reinforcement part 60 are the flexible packaging materials 70 comprised, for example with resin etc. Consists of covered. Among these, the 1st base 20, the 1st member 40, the 2nd base 30, and the 2nd member 50 are respectively connected by wiring parts 84, such as FPC (Flexible printed circuits), inside packaging material 70.
Specifically, the packaging material 70 includes a first cover portion 71 and a second cover portion 72. The packaging material 70 includes the first cover portion 71 and the second cover portion 72, and the first base portion 20, the second base portion 30, the first member 40, the second member 50, and the internal components of the reinforcing portion 60. Is formed by, for example, bonding by pressure bonding or the like.

Here, the portion between the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 in the packaging material 70 is more rigid than the material constituting the packaging material 70 between the first cover portion 71 and the second cover portion 72. No member such as a substrate is interposed. That is, the packaging material 70 between the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 constitutes a base portion connecting portion 73 </ b> A that connects the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 so as to vary the angle.
Similarly, the portion between the first base portion 20 and the first member 40 in the packaging material 70 constitutes a first connecting portion 73 </ b> B that connects the first base portion 20 and the first member 40.
A portion between the second base portion 30 and the second member 50 in the packaging material 70 constitutes a second connecting portion 73 </ b> C that connects the second base portion 30 and the second member 50.
A portion between the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42 in the packaging material 70 constitutes a third connecting portion 73D that connects the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42.
A portion between the second auxiliary portion 42 and the first connecting portion 43 in the packaging material 70 constitutes a fourth connecting portion 73 </ b> E that connects the second auxiliary portion 42 and the first connecting portion 43.
A portion between the third auxiliary portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 in the packaging material 70 constitutes a fifth connecting portion 73 </ b> F that connects the third auxiliary portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52.
A portion between the first base portion 20 and the first reinforcing portion 61 in the packaging material 70 constitutes a sixth connecting portion 73G (reinforcing connecting portion) that connects the first base portion 20 and the first reinforcing portion 61.
A portion between the second base portion 30 and the second reinforcing portion 62 in the packaging material 70 constitutes a seventh connecting portion 73 </ b> H (reinforcing connecting portion) that connects the second base portion 30 and the second reinforcing portion 62.
A portion between the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62 in the packaging material 70 constitutes an eighth connecting portion 73 </ b> I that connects the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first cover portion 71 includes a first opening window 711 in a portion facing the first base portion 20, and a second opening window 712 in a portion facing the second base portion 30. I have. The first opening window 711 is a hole through which ultrasonic waves transmitted and received in the first base 20 pass, and the second opening window 712 is a hole through which ultrasonic waves transmitted and received in the second base 30 pass. That is, the surface on the first cover portion 71 side of the first base portion 20 constitutes a first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface, and the surface on the first cover portion 71 side of the second base portion 30 constitutes a second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface. To do.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a first angle fixing portion 44 is provided across the first auxiliary portion 41, the third connecting portion 73 </ b> D, and the second auxiliary portion 42, and the second auxiliary portion 42, the fourth connecting portion 73 </ b> E, and the first connecting portion 43 are provided with a second angle fixing portion 45. Further, a third angle fixing portion 53 is provided across the second base 30, the second connecting portion 73C, and the third auxiliary portion 51, and the third auxiliary portion 51, the fifth connecting portion 73F, and the second connecting portion 52 are provided. A fourth angle fixing portion 54 is provided over the entire area. A detailed description of each angle fixing part 44, 45, 53, 54 will be described later.

[Configuration of the first base]
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first base 20 in which the first base 20 in FIG. 3 is enlarged.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first base portion 20 includes an ultrasonic substrate 81, a sealing plate 82, and a wiring substrate 83.
The ultrasonic substrate 81 is a substrate that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and is bonded to the first cover portion 71.
The sealing plate 82 is a substrate that reinforces the ultrasonic substrate 81 and is bonded to the ultrasonic substrate 81.
The wiring substrate 83 is bonded to the sealing plate 82 and is electrically connected to the ultrasonic substrate 81. Further, the wiring board 83 is bonded to the second cover portion 72.
The ultrasonic substrate 81, the sealing plate 82, and the wiring substrate 83 are configured as a stacked body that is stacked in the substrate thickness direction (Z direction).

[Configuration of ultrasonic substrate]
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic substrate 81 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, on the ultrasonic substrate 81, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers Tr are arranged in a two-dimensional array along the X direction (scan direction) and the Y direction (slice direction). In the present embodiment, a 1CH (channel) transmission / reception sequence Ch is configured by a plurality of ultrasonic transducers Tr arranged in the Y direction. In addition, an ultrasonic substrate 81 having a one-dimensional array structure is configured by arranging a plurality of the 1CH transmission / reception columns Ch along the Y direction. Here, an area where the ultrasonic transducer Tr is arranged is an array area Ar. The array area Ar faces the outside of the ultrasonic probe 2 from the first opening window 711 of the first cover portion 71, and becomes an area that comes into contact with a living body via an acoustic material when performing ultrasonic measurement.
In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, the number of ultrasonic transducers Tr is reduced, but actually, more ultrasonic transducers Tr are arranged.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic substrate 81 taken along line AA in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasonic substrate 81 includes an element substrate 811, a support film 812 provided on the element substrate 811, and a piezoelectric element 813 provided on the support film 812.
The element substrate 811 is made of a semiconductor substrate such as Si, for example. The element substrate 811 is provided with openings 811A corresponding to the respective ultrasonic transducers Tr. In this embodiment, each opening 811A is a through-hole penetrating the substrate thickness direction of the element substrate 811, and a support film 812 is provided on one end side (sealing plate 82 side) of the through-hole.
The side of the opening 811A where the support film 812 is not provided is filled with an acoustic layer 815 having acoustic impedance close to that of a living body.

The support film 812 is made of, for example, a laminate of SiO ₂ and ZrO ₂ , and is provided so as to cover the entire sealing plate 82 side of the element substrate 811. That is, the support film 812 is supported by the partition wall 811B constituting the opening 811A and closes the sealing plate 82 side of the opening 811A. The thickness dimension of the support film 812 is sufficiently small relative to the element substrate 811.
In the present embodiment, the support film 812 is formed by thermally oxidizing one surface side of the element substrate 811 made of Si to SiO ₂ and further laminating ZrO ₂ . In this case, the opening 811A and the partition wall 811B can be easily formed by etching the element substrate 811 using the support film 812 containing SiO ₂ as an etching stopper.

The piezoelectric element 813 is provided on the support film 812 that closes each opening 811A. The piezoelectric element 813 is constituted by, for example, a stacked body in which a lower electrode 813A, a piezoelectric film 813B, and an upper electrode 813C are stacked from the support film 812 side.
Here, a portion of the support film 812 that closes the opening 811A constitutes a vibrating portion 812A, and the vibrating portion 812A and the piezoelectric element 813 constitute one ultrasonic transducer Tr.
In such an ultrasonic transducer Tr, when a rectangular wave voltage (drive signal) having a predetermined frequency is applied between the lower electrode 813A and the upper electrode 813C, the piezoelectric film 813B is bent and the vibrating portion 812A vibrates. Ultrasound is sent out. Further, when the vibration unit 812A is vibrated by the ultrasonic wave (reflected wave) reflected from the living body, a potential difference is generated above and below the piezoelectric film 813B. Accordingly, the received ultrasonic wave can be detected by detecting a potential difference generated between the lower electrode 813A and the upper electrode 813C.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower electrode 813A is formed in a straight line along the Y direction, and connects a plurality of ultrasonic transducers Tr constituting the 1CH transmission / reception string Ch. . Drive terminals 813D are provided at both ends of the lower electrode 813A. The drive terminal 813D is electrically connected to the wiring board 83 by, for example, a through electrode provided on the sealing plate 82 or a wiring such as an FPC.

  The upper electrode 813C is formed in a straight line along the X direction, and connects the ultrasonic transducers Tr arranged in the X direction. The ± X side end of the upper electrode 813C is connected to the common electrode line 814. The common electrode line 814 connects a plurality of upper electrodes 813C arranged along the Y direction, and a common terminal 814A that is electrically connected to the circuit board is provided at an end thereof. The common terminal 814A is electrically connected to the wiring board 83 by, for example, a through electrode provided on the sealing plate 82 or a wiring such as an FPC.

[Configuration of sealing plate]
The sealing plate 82 is formed to have the same planar shape as the ultrasonic substrate 81 when viewed from the thickness direction, for example. In addition, the sealing plate 82 is bonded to the ultrasonic substrate 81 by a fixing member such as a resin, for example, at a position overlapping the partition wall 811B when viewed from the substrate thickness direction on the support film 812 side of the ultrasonic substrate 81. To do.
The sealing plate 82 is provided with openings (not shown) at positions facing the drive terminals 813D and the common terminals 814A of the element substrate 811. The drive terminals 813D, common terminals 814A, the wiring board 83, and the like are provided in the openings. For example, a through electrode or FPC is inserted.

[Configuration of wiring board]
Although not shown, the wiring board 83 includes a first terminal portion to which the drive terminal 813D and the common terminal 814A are connected, and a second terminal portion connected to the first terminal portion. In this embodiment, the wiring part 84 (for example, FPC etc.) is connected to a 2nd terminal part.

[Configuration of second base]
Similar to the first base 20, the second base 30 transmits ultrasonic waves to the living body. The second base portion 30 has the same configuration as that of the first base portion 20, and is configured by a laminated body of an ultrasonic substrate 81, a sealing plate 82, and a wiring substrate 83.
Since the ultrasonic substrate 81, the sealing plate 82, and the wiring substrate 83 have the same configuration as the first base portion 20, a description thereof is omitted here.

[Configuration of the first member]
As described above, the first member 40 includes the first auxiliary portion 41, the second auxiliary portion 42, and the first connection portion 43.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the first member 40.
The first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42 are configured by including a first auxiliary substrate 411 and a second auxiliary substrate 421 in a packaging material 70, respectively. The first auxiliary substrate 411 and the second auxiliary substrate 421 are made of, for example, metal, hardened plastic, or the like, and have sufficiently high rigidity as compared with a material (for example, resin) that forms the packaging material 70.

Similar to the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42, the first connecting portion 43 is configured by including a plate material sufficiently rigid with respect to the material constituting the packaging material 70 in the packaging material 70. Has been.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a first connection plate 431, a first circuit board 432, a first cover board 433, and the like are provided as plate members constituting the first connection portion 43.

The first connection plate 431 is disposed on the second cover portion 72 side in the Z direction. Moreover, the 1st connection board 431 is provided with the 1st magnet 434 in the position which faces the 2nd cover part 72, for example in the + X side edge part. The first magnet 434 forms a decoupling portion together with a second magnet 524 and a third magnet 525 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 9) described later.
The first connection plate 431 is provided with a microphone 435 (sound acquisition unit). The microphone 435 acquires external audio information and transmits it to the first circuit board 432.

The first circuit board 432 is disposed on the first cover portion 71 side of the first connection plate 431.
The first circuit board 432 includes, for example, a first connector 432A that penetrates the first cover portion 71 and is exposed to the outside at the + X side end. Further, the first circuit board 432 is connected to the wiring board 83 of the first base 20 by the wiring part 84.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic probe 2 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first circuit board 432 includes a first drive circuit unit 432B, a microphone control circuit 432C, and a drive control circuit 432D.
The first drive circuit unit 432 </ b> B is configured by various circuits for driving the ultrasonic substrate 81 of the first base unit 20. For example, the circuit included in the first drive circuit unit 432B includes a selection circuit, a transmission circuit, a reception circuit, and the like.
The selection circuit is a circuit that switches between a transmission connection that connects the transmission circuit and each ultrasonic transducer Tr (transmission / reception column Ch), and a reception connection that connects the reception circuit and each ultrasonic transducer Tr (transmission / reception column Ch). is there.
The transmission circuit applies a drive signal to each ultrasonic transducer Tr (transmission / reception column Ch) of the first base 20.
The reception circuit receives a reception signal from each ultrasonic transducer Tr (transmission / reception sequence Ch) of the first base 20.
Such a first drive circuit unit 432B controls each ultrasonic transducer Tr of the first base unit 20 based on a command signal input from the drive control circuit 432D to perform ultrasonic transmission / reception processing.

The microphone control circuit 432C controls the microphone 435 and transmits audio information input from the microphone to the control device 10 via the drive control circuit 432D.
Based on the control signal from the control device 10, the drive control circuit 432D outputs a command signal for instructing ultrasonic measurement to the first drive circuit unit 432B and a second drive circuit unit 522B described later.

  The first cover substrate 433 is disposed on the first cover portion 71 side of the first circuit board 432 and protects the first circuit board 432. In the present embodiment, the first magnet 434 is bonded to the second magnet 524 or the third magnet 525, so that the operator grips the first probe 40 and the second member 50 when operating the ultrasonic probe 2. The unit 90 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) is configured. At this time, by providing the first cover substrate 433, it is possible to suppress the stress applied to each circuit of the first circuit board 432 when gripped and to protect the first circuit board 432.

  The first connector 432A provided on the first circuit board 432 includes the second connector 522A provided on the second connection portion 52 and the cable wire 11 (see FIG. 1) that can communicate with the control device 10. Connected. In the present embodiment, an example in which the ultrasonic probe 2 and the control device 10 are connected by the cable wire 11 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ultrasonic probe 2 and the control device 10 are connected by radio or the like. May be.

[Configuration of second member]
As described above, the second member 50 includes the third auxiliary portion 51 and the second connection portion 52.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the second member 50.
The third auxiliary portion 51 is configured by including in the packaging material 70 a third auxiliary substrate 511 sufficiently rigid with respect to the material constituting the packaging material 70. The third auxiliary substrate 511 is made of, for example, metal, hardened plastic, or the like, and has sufficiently high rigidity compared to a material (for example, resin) that forms the packaging material 70.

The second connection portion 52 is configured by including a plate material having a sufficiently high rigidity with respect to the material constituting the packaging material 70 in the packaging material 70.
In the present embodiment, as a plate material constituting the second connection portion 52, as shown in FIG. 9, a second connection plate 521, a second circuit board 522, a second cover board 523, and the like are provided.
The second connection plate 521 is disposed on the second cover portion 72 side in the Z direction. The second connection plate 521 is provided with a second magnet 524 facing the second cover portion 72 at a substantially central position in the X direction. Further, the second connection plate 521 is provided with a third magnet 525 at the −X side end portion in the X direction so as to face the second cover portion 72.
In the present embodiment, the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 changes according to the joining position of the first magnet 434, the second magnet 524, and the third magnet 525. That is, by attaching the second magnet 524 to the first magnet 434, the ultrasonic probe 2 can be deformed into a first shape that is suitable for a narrow measurement site. In addition, by attaching the third magnet 525 to the first magnet 434, the ultrasonic probe 2 can be deformed into a second shape that is suitable for a wide range of measurement sites.

The second connection plate 521 includes a first detection sensor 524A (see FIG. 8) that outputs a detection signal when the second magnet 524 is joined to the first magnet by the magnet, and the third magnet 525 includes the first magnet 525. And a second detection sensor 525A (see FIG. 8) that outputs a detection signal when the magnet is joined to the magnet. As these detection sensors 524A and 525A, for example, a magnetic sensor that detects an induced current generated by joining (proximity) of magnets can be used. When the first magnet 434, the second magnet 524, and the third magnet 525 are exposed to the outside of the packaging material 70 (second cover portion 72) and a voltage is applied to each magnet, the magnets come into contact with each other. By detecting the current flowing through the magnet, the joining of the magnets may be detected.
The first detection sensor 524A and the second detection sensor 525A are electrically connected to the second circuit board 522, respectively, and the detection signal is transmitted from the second circuit board 522 through the second connector 522A. Output to 432.

The second circuit board 522 is disposed closer to the first cover portion 71 than the second connection plate 521.
The second circuit board 522 has a second connector 522A, and is connected to the first connector 432A of the first connection portion 43 and the control device 10 by the dedicated cable 11 as described above.

The second circuit board 522 is connected to the wiring board 83 of the second base 30 by the wiring part 84. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the second circuit board 522 includes a second drive circuit unit 522B and a detection signal output circuit 522C.
The second drive circuit unit 522B has the same configuration as the first drive circuit unit 432B, and various circuits (for example, a selection circuit, a transmission circuit, a reception circuit, etc.) for driving the ultrasonic substrate 81 of the second base unit 30. Consists of.
The detection signal output circuit 522C outputs a detection signal (first detection signal) from the first detection sensor 524A and a detection signal (second detection signal) from the second detection sensor 525A to the control device 10.

  The second cover substrate 523 is similar to the first cover substrate 433 and protects the first cover portion 71 side of the second circuit substrate 522.

[Configuration of angle fixing part]
FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the ultrasonic probe 2 of the present embodiment when it is deformed to the first shape. FIG. 11 is a schematic front view when the ultrasonic probe 2 of the present embodiment is deformed to the second shape. In addition, in FIG. 10, the front view at the time of seeing the 1st-shaped ultrasonic probe 2 toward -Y side from + Y side is shown. On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows a front view when the second-shaped ultrasonic probe 2 is viewed from the −Y side toward the + Y side.
In the present embodiment, as described above, when the second magnet 524 is joined to the first magnet 434, the first shape is deformed to perform ultrasonic measurement over a narrow range using the first base portion 20. .
As shown in FIG. 10, in the first shape, the first base 20 is a base having an ultrasonic measurement surface facing the living body. At this time, the first auxiliary portion 41 is inclined at the first angle θ1 with respect to the first base portion 20, and the second base portion 30 is inclined at the second angle θ2. In the present embodiment, an example in which θ1 and θ2 are approximately 60 ° is shown. In such a first shape, the first base portion 20 can come into contact with the living body, and the second base portion 30 is separated from the living body, so that ultrasonic measurement using the first base portion 20 can be performed.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, in the second shape, the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 are substrates having an ultrasonic measurement surface facing the living body. At this time, the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 are located on substantially the same plane, the first auxiliary portion 41 is inclined at the third angle θ3 with respect to the first base portion 20, and the second base portion 30 is The three auxiliary portions 51 are inclined at the fourth angle θ4. In the present embodiment, an example in which θ3 and θ4 are approximately 60 ° is shown. In the second shape, both the first base 20 and the second base 30 can contact the living body, and ultrasonic measurement using both the first base 20 and the second base 30 can be performed.
Therefore, in the first shape, the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface having the first area is configured by the array region (first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface) exposed from the first opening window 711 of the first base 20. In the second shape, the array region (first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface) exposed from the first opening window 711 of the first base portion 20 and the array region (second surface) exposed from the second opening window 712 of the second base portion 30. The ultrasonic transmission / reception surface) has a second area larger than the first area.

By the way, in the first shape, the first magnet 434 of the first member 40 and the second magnet 524 of the second member 50 are joined to form the grip portion 90. In the second shape, the first magnet 434 of the first member 40 and the third magnet 525 of the second member 50 are joined to form the grip portion 90.
Then, when performing ultrasonic measurement on the living body, the operator can bring the ultrasonic probe 2 into close contact with the living body by holding the grip 90 and pressing the ultrasonic measurement surface against the living body.
However, in the ultrasonic probe 2 of this embodiment, in order to maintain high portability (portability), each portion 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 is connected to the connecting portions 73A to 73A of the packaging material 70 made of resin. It becomes the structure connected by 73I. In this case, particularly when the operator presses the ultrasonic probe 2 toward the living body, the angle formed by the grip portion 90 with respect to the base for performing ultrasonic measurement is not uniformly determined, and the operability of the ultrasonic probe at the time of measurement is not determined. Decreases.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2 includes angle fixing portions 44, 45, 53, and 54 in order to maintain the angle formed by the grip portion 90 with respect to the base portion at a predetermined angle.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the first angle fixing portion 44 of the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the first angle fixing portion 44, the second angle fixing portion 45, the third angle fixing portion 53, and the fourth angle fixing portion 54 have substantially the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, the first angle fixing part 44 will be described in detail, and detailed description of the second angle fixing part 45, the third angle fixing part 53, and the fourth angle fixing part 54 will be omitted.

Here, in describing the first angle fixing unit 44, the following points and lines are defined.
A line passing through the center point between the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42 in the X direction (the center point of the third connecting portion 73D in the X direction) and parallel to the Y direction is taken as the bending center line Lc, A point on the music center line Lc (vertex position where the first angle fixing unit 44 is folded back) is defined as a folding vertex P0.
A point located on the + X side (within the second auxiliary portion 42) on the −Y side end L0 of the packaging material 70 from the bending center line Lc is defined as a first auxiliary point P1. On the end side L0, the + X side (within the second auxiliary portion 42) from the first auxiliary point P1 is set as a turning point Ps. A point located on the predetermined dimension + Y side from the turning point Ps is defined as a second auxiliary point P2. A point located on the −X side (in the first auxiliary portion 41) on the end side L0 from the bent center line Lc is defined as a third auxiliary point P3.
Further, the line from the bending vertex P0 to the first auxiliary point P1 is the first folding line L1, the line from the bending vertex P0 to the second auxiliary point P2 is the second folding line L2, and the third auxiliary line from the bending vertex P0. A line toward the point P3 is defined as a third folding line L3.

As shown in FIG. 12, the end sides in the vicinity of the first angle fixing portion 44 of the first auxiliary substrate 411 constituting the first auxiliary portion 41 are at the bending center line Lc, the third folding line L3, and the end side L0. Located along.
Moreover, the edge side of the 1st angle fixing | fixed part 44 vicinity of the 2nd auxiliary | assistant board | substrate 421 which comprises the 2nd auxiliary | assistant part 42 is located along the bending center line Lc and the 2nd folding line L2.

The first angle fixing portion 44 includes a first rigid portion 441, a second rigid portion 442, and a third rigid portion 443. In the present embodiment, the packaging material 70 is provided with a notch 44A penetrating from the first cover portion 71 to the second cover portion 72 of the packaging material 70 from the folding point Ps to the second auxiliary point P2. It is done.
The first rigid portion 441 is provided in a triangular region surrounded by the bending center line Lc, the third folding line L3, and the end side L0.
The second rigid portion 442 is provided in a substantially triangular area surrounded by the bending center line Lc, the first folding line L1, and the end side L0.
The third rigid portion 443 is provided in a region surrounded by the first folding line L1, the second folding line L2, the cut 44A, and the end side L0.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state where the angles of the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42 are fixed by the first angle fixing portion 44.
When the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed to the first shape, as shown in FIG. 13, the second auxiliary portion 42 is placed outside the first auxiliary portion 41 (clockwise when viewed from the + Y side to the −Y side). ) Along the folding center line Lc.
At this time, the third rigid portion 443 is bent along the second folding line L2 and overlapped with the second auxiliary substrate 421.
The third rigid portion 443 is fixed in a state where it is overlapped with the second auxiliary substrate 421. The method for fixing the third rigid portion 443 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the band 444 is fixed at the first auxiliary point P <b> 1 of the third rigid portion 443 and the third rigid portion 443 is overlaid on the second auxiliary substrate 421, the band 444 is used as the second auxiliary point. A configuration in which the substrate 421 is wound may be employed. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which provides a magnet in the 2nd auxiliary | assistant board | substrate 421 and the 3rd rigid part 443, respectively, and it joins by magnetism, It is good also as a structure fixed with a magic tape (trademark), an adhesive tape, etc.

When the third rigid portion 443 is superimposed on the second auxiliary substrate 421, the first rigid portion 441 and the second rigid portion 442 are bent at the third folding line L3 and the first folding line L1, respectively, 411 and the second auxiliary substrate 421 are raised. That is, the end surface of the first rigid portion 441 facing the first auxiliary substrate 411 is in contact with the first auxiliary substrate 411, and the first rigid portion 441 rises with respect to the first auxiliary substrate 411. Further, the end surface of the second rigid portion 442 facing the third rigid portion 443 rises in contact with the second auxiliary substrate 421.
In such a configuration, the first rigid portion 441 and the second rigid portion 442 are in a positional relationship between the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42 on the same plane. For this reason, even if stress is applied in the direction of increasing the angle θ5 formed by the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42, the angle θ5 does not change. That is, when the −Y side is viewed from the + Y side, the second auxiliary portion 42 is prevented from falling in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the first auxiliary portion 41.

In addition, when the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed to the first shape, the third angle fixing unit 53 having the same configuration as the first angle fixing unit 44 is raised. Accordingly, when the −Y side is viewed from the + Y side, the third auxiliary portion 51 is prevented from falling in the clockwise direction with respect to the second base portion 30.
Therefore, the grip 90 is suppressed from being tilted counterclockwise (angle change) by the first angle fixing portion 44, and is suppressed from being tilted clockwise (angle change) by the third angle fixing portion 53. Thus, the fall around the Y axis is suppressed. For this reason, the angle of the grip 90 with respect to the first base 20 is fixed to a predetermined angle (90 ° in the present embodiment).

The same applies when the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed to the second shape.
That is, when the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed to the second shape, the second angle fixing unit 45 and the fourth angle fixing unit 54 are raised.
When the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed to the second shape, the second angle fixing portion 45 is raised to move the first connection portion 43 in the counterclockwise direction when the −Y side is viewed from the + Y side. The falling is suppressed, and the fourth angle fixing portion 54 is raised to suppress the second connecting portion 52 from falling in the clockwise direction. Therefore, the angle change around the Y-axis of the grip part 90 to which the first connection part 43 and the second connection part 52 are joined is suppressed.

[Configuration of reinforcement part]
Returning to FIG. 2, the reinforcing portion 60 includes the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62 as described above.
The first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62 are configured by enclosing a plate-like first reinforcing plate 611 and a second reinforcing plate 621 having higher rigidity than the packaging material 70 in the packaging material 70, respectively. Yes. It does not specifically limit as a board | plate material which comprises the 1st reinforcement part 61 and the 2nd reinforcement part 62, For example, a metal plate, a hardened plastic board, etc. can be used.
The first reinforcing plate 611 includes a first guide groove 612 formed from the + X side to the + Y side. The second reinforcing plate 621 includes a second guide groove 622 formed from the −X side to the + Y side.

  When the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed into the first shape, the reinforcing portion 60 is configured to fold back the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62 with the sixth connecting portion 73G and the seventh connecting portion 73H. Superimpose on the base 20 and the second base 30. Since the angle between the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62 is variable via the eighth connecting portion 73I, the first reinforcing portion has the same angle as that of the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30. The angle of 61 and the 2nd reinforcement part 62 can be maintained.

  On the other hand, when the ultrasonic probe 2 is changed to the second shape, the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second base portion 30 are bent with respect to the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 by being bent at the sixth connecting portion 73G and the seventh connecting portion 73H. The reinforcing part 62 is raised at 90 °. Since the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62 are maintained in a plane (180 °), even when a stress that changes the angle between the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 is applied, Changes in the angle between the first base 20 and the second base 30 are suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the second shape, the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42 of the first member 40 are held in the first guide groove 612 of the first reinforcing plate 611. In addition, the third auxiliary portion 51 of the second member 50 is held in the second guide groove 622 of the second reinforcing plate 621.
As described above, when the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed into the second shape, the positions (angles) of the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 are maintained by the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62 of the reinforcing portion 60. In addition, the angles of the first auxiliary portion 41 and the third auxiliary portion 51 are maintained at a predetermined angle. In particular, the angle change between the 1st auxiliary | assistant part 41 and the 2nd auxiliary | assistant part 42 can be suppressed, and a 2nd shape can be maintained suitably.

[Configuration of control device]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the control device 10 according to the first embodiment.
The control device 10 corresponds to a control unit, and includes an operation unit 12 including buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and a display unit 13 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 14.
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the control device 10 includes a storage unit 14 configured by a memory or the like, and a calculation unit 15 configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. The control device 10 causes the calculation unit 15 to execute various programs stored in the storage unit 14, thereby causing the calculation unit 15 to change the shape determination unit 151, the voice analysis unit 152, the scan control unit 153, the image generation unit 154, And functions as a display control unit 155 and the like. As the control device 10, for example, a terminal device such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a personal computer can be used, and a dedicated terminal device for operating the ultrasonic probe 2 may be used.

  The shape determination unit 151 determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2. In the present embodiment, the shape determination unit 151 determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on the detection signals transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 from the first detection sensor 524A and the second detection sensor 525A. Specifically, when receiving the first detection signal from the first detection sensor 524A, the shape determination unit 151 determines that the shape is the first shape and receives the second detection signal from the second detection sensor 525A. In such a case, it is determined that the shape is the second shape.

  The voice analysis unit 152 analyzes voice information input from the microphone 435 of the ultrasonic probe 2 and determines whether or not the voice information is voice information indicating that the scan mode is to be changed. For the analysis of the voice information, a known technique can be used. For example, each phoneme included in the voice information and the arrangement order of the phonemes are extracted. Then, it is determined whether or not the analyzed audio information is mode change request information (for example, “scan mode change” or the like) related to a preset setting change.

The scan control unit 153 controls ultrasonic measurement performed by the ultrasonic probe 2. Specifically, the scan control unit 153 functions as a mode setting unit 153A and a transmission / reception control unit 153B.
The mode setting unit 153A sets (switches) a measurement method (scan mode) for performing ultrasonic measurement according to the result of shape determination by the shape determination unit 151 and the result of sound analysis by the sound analysis unit 152. ). Specifically, when the shape determining unit 151 determines that the shape is the first shape, the mode setting unit 153A sets the scan mode to a sector scan mode that performs ultrasonic measurement by sector scan. When the shape determination unit 151 determines that the shape is the second shape, the scan mode is set to a linear scan mode that performs ultrasonic measurement by linear scan.
In addition, the scan mode corresponding to the shape determination result is a default value when ultrasonic measurement is performed, and then, when the voice analysis unit 152 determines that the input voice information is mode change request information. The mode setting unit 153A sets the scan mode corresponding to the mode change request information. For example, the scan mode in the first shape is changed to the sector scan mode as a default, but when the audio information including the mode change request information to be changed to the linear scan is received, the scan mode is changed to the linear scan mode. When the voice information including the mode change request information to be changed to is received, the sector scan mode is changed again.
The transmission / reception control unit 153B performs the ultrasonic measurement from the ultrasonic substrate 81 corresponding to the shape determined by the shape determination unit 151 in the scan mode switched (set) by the mode setting unit 153A. A control signal is output to the ultrasonic probe 2.

The image generation unit 154 generates an internal tomographic image of the living body based on the measurement result of the ultrasonic measurement transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2.
The display control unit 155 controls the display unit 13 to display various image information such as an internal tomogram generated by the image generation unit 154 on the display unit 13.

[Operation of ultrasonic measuring device]
[Deformation of ultrasonic probe]
In the ultrasonic probe 2 as described above, the shape is deformed according to the site where ultrasonic measurement is performed in the living body.
Specifically, when the ultrasonic probe 2 is transported or when the ultrasonic probe 2 is stored in a predetermined storage position, the cable wire 11 is detached from the ultrasonic probe 2 and the second magnet 524 is removed from the first magnet 434. Alternatively, the third magnet 525 is removed. That is, the first member 40 and the second member 50 are detached. Thereby, the ultrasonic probe 2 becomes a tape shape (planar shape) having a predetermined thickness dimension, and the portability and the storage property are improved.

On the other hand, when measuring a narrow region of a living body, the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed into the first shape.
Specifically, first, the operator turns back the first reinforcing portion 61 and the second reinforcing portion 62 at the sixth connecting portion 73G and the seventh connecting portion 73H and overlaps the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 with each other. . Then, the 1st magnet 434 and the 2nd magnet 524 are joined, the 1st member 40 and the 2nd member 50 are united, and the holding part 90 is formed.
Next, the first angle fixing part 44 and the third angle fixing part 53 are raised. Thereby, the angle with respect to the 1st base 20 of the holding part 90 is fixed, and as shown in FIG. 10, the ultrasonic probe 2 is deform | transformed into a 1st shape.

When measuring a wide area of a living body, the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed into the second shape.
Specifically, first, the operator joins the first magnet 434 and the third magnet 525 to join the first member 40 and the second member 50 to form the grip portion 90.
Next, the 1st reinforcement part 61 and the 2nd reinforcement part 62 are bent by the 6th connection part 73G and the 7th connection part 73H, and are match | combined with the 90 degree attitude | position with respect to the 1st base part 20 and the 2nd base part 30. At this time, the edge of the first auxiliary portion 41 and the edge of the second auxiliary portion 42 are held along the guide groove 612, and the edge of the third auxiliary portion 51 is held along the guide groove 622. .
Then, the second angle fixing part 45 and the fourth angle fixing part 54 are raised. Thereby, the angle with respect to the 1st base 20 and the 2nd base 30 of the holding part 90 is fixed, and as shown in FIG. 11, the ultrasonic probe 2 is deform | transformed into a 2nd shape.

[Ultrasonic measurement processing]
Next, the ultrasonic measurement process (the driving method of the ultrasonic apparatus) of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the ultrasonic measurement method of the present embodiment.
When performing ultrasonic measurement with the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 1, first, the operator deforms the ultrasonic probe 2 into a shape (first shape or second shape) corresponding to the measurement site of the living body. As a result, the first detection signal or the second detection signal is output from the ultrasonic probe 2.

And the control apparatus 10 implements the shape determination process by the shape determination part 151, for example by a main power supply being turned ON.
Specifically, the shape determination unit 151 determines whether a detection signal is received from either the first detection sensor 524A or the second detection sensor 525A (step S1: shape determination step).
When it is determined No in step S1, it is determined that the first member 40 and the second member 50 are not joined (the first member 40 and the second member 50 are in the detaching position).
In this case, for example, the shape determination unit 151 outputs an error signal and returns to step S1. At this time, the display control unit 155 may notify the abnormality of the shape of the ultrasonic probe by, for example, displaying a display screen that prompts the display unit 13 to deform the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2.
In addition, even when detection signals from both the first detection sensor 524A and the second detection sensor 525A are input, a display notifying the shape abnormality of the ultrasonic probe may be performed on the assumption that the shape cannot be determined.

When it is determined Yes in step S1, the shape determination unit 151 determines whether or not the received detection signal is the first detection signal received from the first detection sensor 524A (step S2: shape determination step). ).
When it is determined Yes in step S2, that is, when the first detection signal from the first detection sensor 524A is input to the control device 10, the first magnet 434 and the second magnet 524 are joined. It is determined that the shape is a single shape (step S3: shape determination step).
In this case, the mode setting unit 153A of the scan control unit 153 sets the scan mode for ultrasonic measurement to the sector scan mode using the first base 20 (step S4: mode switching step).

On the other hand, when it is determined No in step S2, that is, when the second detection signal from the second detection sensor 525A is input to the control device 10, the first magnet 434 and the third magnet 525 are attached. The second shape is determined (step S5: shape determination step).
In this case, the mode setting unit 153A of the scan control unit 153 sets the ultrasonic measurement scan mode to the linear scan mode using the first base 20 and the second base 30 (step S6: mode switching step).

Further, the voice analysis unit 152 determines whether or not voice information has been input through the microphone 435 of the ultrasonic probe 2 (step S7). When it is determined Yes in step S7, the voice analysis unit 152 further analyzes the input voice information and determines whether or not mode change request information is included in the voice information (step S8). ).
When it is determined as Yes in step S8, the mode setting unit 153A changes the scan mode based on the mode change request information analyzed by the voice analysis unit 152 (step S9).
For example, when the ultrasonic probe 2 has the first shape, the scan mode is set to the sector scan mode using the first base 20 in step S4. At this time, if it is analyzed by the analysis of the sound information by the sound analysis unit 152 that the mode change request information indicating the change to the linear scan is included, the mode setting unit 153A changes the scan mode to the first base 20 Change to linear scan mode using.
When the ultrasonic probe 2 has the second shape, the scan mode is set to the linear scan mode using the first base 20 and the second base 30 in step S6. At this time, if the voice analysis by the voice analysis unit 152 analyzes that the mode change request information indicating the change to the sector scan is included, the mode setting unit 153A sets the scan mode to the first base 20 And the sector scan mode using the second base 30 is changed.

  After the above, the transmission / reception control unit 153B of the scan control unit 153 outputs a control signal to the effect that the ultrasonic measurement is performed in the set scan mode to the ultrasonic probe 2 (step S10). Note that the process of step S10 may be performed when there is a start command signal to start ultrasonic measurement by the operator. As the start command signal, for example, the voice analysis unit 152 may be acquired by analyzing voice information input from the microphone 435, such as an operation button provided on the control device 10 or the ultrasonic probe 2. It may be acquired by detecting an operation.

As a result, the drive control circuit 432D of the ultrasonic probe 2 performs an ultrasonic measurement process based on the control signal.
For example, when the ultrasonic probe 2 has the first shape, a control signal for instructing ultrasonic measurement for the first base 20 is input. At this time, if the scan mode is the sector scan mode, the drive control circuit 432D outputs a command signal for delay driving each ultrasonic transducer Tr (transmission / reception column Ch) to the first drive circuit unit 432B. The ultrasonic transmission direction is scanned within a substantially fan-shaped range. Then, when a reflected wave reflected from the living body is received, a reception signal output from a predetermined ultrasonic transducer Tr (for example, an ultrasonic transducer Tr arranged at the center of the array region Ar) is acquired. To do.
On the other hand, if the scan mode is the linear scan mode, the drive control circuit 432D outputs, for example, a command signal for simultaneously driving the ultrasonic transducers Tr (transmission / reception column Ch) to the first drive circuit unit 432B, Ultrasound is transmitted in the normal direction of the array area Ar. And the reception signal output from each ultrasonic transducer Tr when the reflected wave reflected from the living body is received is acquired.

In addition, the drive control circuit 432D performs control to transmit ultrasonic waves between the first base 20 and the second base 30 when the ultrasonic probe 2 has the second shape.
Here, when the ultrasonic probe 2 has the second shape and the scan mode is the linear scan mode, the drive control circuit 432D applies linear scanning to each ultrasonic transducer Tr of the first base 20 and the second base 30. Is output to the first drive circuit unit 432B and the second drive circuit unit 522B.
This command signal outputs, for example, a command signal for simultaneously driving the ultrasonic transducers Tr (transmission / reception column Ch) of the first base 20 and the second base 30, and transmits ultrasonic waves in the normal direction of the array region Ar. The reception signal from each ultrasonic transducer Tr is acquired. In addition, the ultrasonic transducer Tr (transmission / reception row Ch) on the second base 30 side (−X side) in the first base 20 (for example, 32ch) and the first base 20 side (+ X in the second base 30) Side) part of the ultrasonic transducer Tr (transmission / reception sequence Ch), for example, is delayed and driven, so that the ultrasonic wave is applied to the range corresponding to the gap between the first base 20 and the second base 30. Send it. Then, for example, reception signals when ultrasonic waves are received by the ultrasonic transducer Tr (transmission / reception row Ch) at the −X side end of the first base 20 and the + X side end of the second base 30 are acquired.
That is, ultrasonic measurement is performed by linear scanning with respect to the normal direction of the first base 20 and the second base 30, and the ultrasonic wave by sector scanning is used in the gap between the first base 20 and the second base 30. Measurement will be performed. Thereby, ultrasonic measurement can be performed on a wide area extending from the first base 20 to the second base 30.

  On the other hand, when the ultrasonic probe 2 has the second shape and the scan mode is the sector scan mode, the drive control circuit 432D uses the first base 20 and the second base 30 as one base, and each ultrasonic transducer Tr A command signal for delay driving the (transmission / reception sequence Ch) is output, and the ultrasonic transmission direction is scanned within a substantially fan-shaped range. Then, when a reflected wave reflected from the living body is received, a predetermined ultrasonic transducer Tr (for example, the ultrasonic transducer Tr at the −X side end of the first base 20 or the + X of the second base 30). A reception signal output from the ultrasonic transducer Tr) at the side end is acquired.

Further, the voice analysis unit 152 accepts input of voice information via the microphone 435 of the ultrasonic probe 2 even during the ultrasonic measurement, and determines whether or not mode change request information is included in the voice information (step). S11). And when it determines with Yes in step S11, it transfers to the process of step S9. This makes it possible to change the scan mode in ultrasonic measurement even during ultrasonic measurement.
Thereafter, the image generation unit 154 generates an internal tomographic image of the living body based on the ultrasonic measurement result transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2, and the display control unit 155 displays the generated internal tomographic image on the display unit 13. It is displayed (step S12).

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2 has a first shape in which the first base 20 can come into contact with the living body during ultrasonic measurement, and a first shape in which both the first base 20 and the second base 30 can come into contact with the living body. It can be changed to two shapes. Then, the shape determination unit 151 determines whether the ultrasonic probe 2 has the first shape or the second shape, and the scan control unit 153 switches to a scan mode corresponding to the determined shape, Ultrasonic measurement by the sonic probe 2 is performed.
For this reason, the operator can save the trouble of operation for separately selecting the scan mode, and can easily perform ultrasonic measurement.

In the present embodiment, when the shape determination unit 151 determines that the ultrasonic probe 2 has the first shape, the scan control unit 153 sets the sector scan mode by the first base unit 20 to default, and the second shape Is determined, the linear scan mode by the first base 20 and the second base 30 is set as a default.
In general, when the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface (contact area between the probe and the living body) is small, a wide range is set as the measurement range, and the sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the living body is increased to obtain measurement accuracy. Execute sector scan. On the other hand, if the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface (contact area between the probe and the living body) is large, ultrasonic measurement can be performed over a sufficiently wide measurement range. In this case, linear scanning is performed to improve the resolution during measurement. carry out. Here, in the present embodiment, the sector scan mode is set as a default when the first shape has a small transmission / reception surface, and the linear scan mode is set as a default when the second shape has a large transmission / reception surface. . For this reason, the operator sets the optimum scan mode for the shape of the ultrasound probe 2 by default, and the operator can save time and effort for changing the scan mode.

In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2 is deformed to the first shape when the first magnet 434 and the second magnet 524 are joined, and when the first magnet 434 and the third magnet 525 are joined. Deformed into a second shape. In the present embodiment, the second magnet 524 is provided with a first detection sensor 524A that detects the attachment of the first magnet 434, and the third magnet 525 detects the attachment of the first magnet 434. A second detection sensor 525A is provided. Then, when the shape determination unit 151 detects the first detection signal from the first detection sensor 524A, the shape determination unit 151 determines that the ultrasonic probe 2 has the first shape, and the second detection signal from the second detection sensor 525A. Is detected, the second shape is determined.
In this case, the shape determination unit 151 can easily determine the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on the detection signals from the first detection sensor 524A and the second detection sensor 525A.

In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2 is provided with a microphone 435. Then, the voice analysis unit 152 analyzes the voice information input from the microphone 435 and determines whether or not the mode change request information is included, and the scan control unit 153 determines that the mode change request is included. Change (set) the scan mode.
Thereby, the operator can change the scan mode of ultrasonic measurement by the ultrasonic probe 2 by voice without manually operating the operation button or the like, and can improve the operability. Further, during the ultrasonic measurement, for example, even when both hands of the operator are closed, the scan mode can be switched by voice.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment, the shape determination unit 151 has exemplified the configuration for determining the shape of the ultrasonic probe based on the detection signals from the first detection sensor 524A and the second detection sensor 525A. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the shape determination method of the ultrasonic probe 2 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the items already described, and the description is omitted or simplified.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the ultrasonic probe 2 is provided with an angle sensor 91 between the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30.
The angle sensor 91 detects an angle formed by the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 and outputs an angle detection signal corresponding to the detected angle to the control device 10.

In this embodiment, the shape determination unit 151 determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on the angle detection signal output from the angle sensor 91.
Specifically, the shape determination unit 151 determines that the first shape is the first shape when the angle formed by the first base 20 and the second base 30 is not less than 0 ° and less than 90 °. That is, when the angle formed by the first base 20 and the second base 30 is not less than 0 ° and less than 90 °, the second base 30 is located on the top surface (the second cover portion 72 side) of the first base 20, The second opening window 712 of the second base 30 does not face the living body. Therefore, such a shape is determined to be a first shape in which ultrasonic measurement is performed using only the first base portion 20.
Moreover, the shape determination part 151 determines with it being a 2nd shape, when the angle which the 1st base 20 and the 2nd base 30 make is 90 degrees or more and less than 270 degrees. In other words, when the angle formed by the first base 20 and the second base 30 is 90 ° or more and less than 180 °, the first base 20 and the first base 30 are first when they are brought into contact with the concave measurement site of the living body. It becomes a shape which can contact the cover part 71 side. In addition, when the angle formed by the first base 20 and the second base 30 is about 180 °, the first base 20 and the first base 30 are first when they are brought into contact with a substantially planar measurement site of a living body. It becomes a shape which can contact the cover part 71 side. Furthermore, when the angle formed by the first base 20 and the second base 30 is 180 ° or more and less than 270 °, the first base 20 and the second base 30 can be connected to the first base 20 and the second base 30 when they are brought into contact with the convex measurement site. It becomes the shape which can be made to contact the one cover part 71 side. Therefore, in such a shape, it determines with it being the 2nd shape which implements an ultrasonic measurement using the 1st base 20 and the 2nd base 30. FIG.

In addition, the shape determination part 151 outputs an error signal, when the angle which the 1st base 20 and the 2nd base 30 make is 270 degrees or more. That is, when the angle formed by the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 is 270 ° or more, the second base portion 30 is positioned on the first cover portion 71 side of the first base portion 20.
In this case, for example, an indication that ultrasonic measurement cannot be performed may be displayed on the display unit 13.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the shape determination unit 151 determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on the angle formed by the first base 20 and the second base 30. In such a configuration, the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 can be determined with a simple configuration in which the angle sensor 91 is simply provided between the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 of the ultrasonic probe 2.

More specifically, the shape determination unit 151 determines that the shape is the first shape when the angle detected by the angle sensor 91 is not less than 0 ° and less than 90 °. Moreover, when the detected angle is 90 ° or more and less than 270 °, it is determined that the second shape is obtained.
When the angle between the first base portion 20 and the second base portion 30 is not less than 0 ° and less than 90 °, the second base portion 30 has a shape positioned on the second cover portion 72 side of the first base portion 20. In this case, only the first base portion 20 of the ultrasonic probe 2 has a shape that can face the subject, and the ultrasonic probe 2 can be appropriately used without the second base portion 30 coming into contact with a measurement region in a narrow range. The shape can be brought into contact with the subject. Therefore, the scan determining unit 151 determines that the angle detected by the angle sensor 91 is 0 ° or more and less than 90 ° as the first shape, so that the scan control unit 153 scans the first shape. Ultrasonic measurement in the mode can be appropriately performed.

Moreover, when the angle of the 1st base 20 and the 2nd base 30 is 90 degrees or more and less than 270 degrees, the 1st base 20 and the 2nd base 30 become a shape which can contact a biological body. For example, when the first base 20 and the second base 30 are brought into contact with a substantially planar measurement site of a living body, the angle detected by the angle sensor 91 is approximately 180 °. When the first base 20 and the second base 30 are brought into contact with the concave measurement site of the living body, the angle detected by the angle sensor 91 is 90 ° or more and less than 180 °. Further, when the first base 20 and the second base 30 are brought into contact with the convex measurement site of the subject, the angle detected by the angle sensor 91 is 180 ° or more and less than 270 °.
Thus, the shape determination unit 151 determines that the angle from the angle sensor 91 is greater than or equal to 90 ° and less than 270 ° as the second shape, so that the scan control unit 153 performs the scan mode corresponding to the second shape. Ultrasonic measurement can be appropriately performed.

[Modification]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention includes configurations obtained by modifying, improving, and appropriately combining the embodiments as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. Is.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the configuration in which the first base 20, the second base 30, the first member 40, and the second member 50 are included in the packaging material is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the 1st base 20, the 2nd base 30, the 1st member 40, and the 2nd member 50 are good also as a structure etc. which each have a housing | casing and the housing | casing mutually variably connects an angle. In this case, it is good also as a structure etc. which fix the angle of each part by making the exterior surfaces of a housing | casing contact | abut.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, in the first shape, the first base 20 becomes a shape that can come into contact with the living body. In the second shape, both the first base 20 and the second base 30 are in the living body. The example which becomes the shape which can be contacted was shown. On the other hand, for example, a shape in which only the second base 30 can come into contact with the living body may be the second shape. In this case, it is preferable that the areas of the array region (first opening window 711) in the first base 20 and the array region (second opening window 712) in the second base 30 are different.
Moreover, although the structure provided with the two bases of the 1st base 20 and the 2nd base 30 was illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which three or more bases that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the first circuit board 432 is provided in the first connection part 43, and the first drive circuit part 432B, the microphone control circuit 432C, and the drive control circuit 432D are provided on the first circuit board 432. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the first circuit board may be provided in the first auxiliary part 41 or the second auxiliary part 42, and a part of the circuits provided on the first circuit board 432 (for example, only the first drive circuit part 432B). Etc.) may be provided in the first auxiliary portion 41 and the second auxiliary portion 42.
The same applies to the second circuit board 522 of the second connection part 52, and the second circuit board 522 may be provided in the third auxiliary part 51, and a part of the circuit of the second circuit board 522 is connected to the third auxiliary part 51. May be provided.
Further, the first circuit board 432 may be configured to incorporate each circuit of the second circuit board 522.

In the above embodiment, the calculation unit 15 of the control device 10 functions as the shape determination unit 151 by reading the program stored in the storage unit 14 and executing it. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the ultrasonic probe 2 may be provided with a shape determination unit (shape determination circuit) that determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2.

The same applies to the scan control unit 153. For example, the drive control circuit 432D of the ultrasonic probe 2 may function as the scan control unit.
In this case, the drive control circuit 432D can include a first scan circuit, a second scan circuit, a third scan circuit, a fourth scan circuit, a switch circuit, and the like.
The first scan circuit outputs a command signal for instructing the first base 20 to perform ultrasonic measurement by sector scan to the first drive circuit unit 432B.
The second scan circuit outputs to the first drive circuit unit 432B and the second drive circuit unit 522B a command signal that instructs the first base unit 20 and the second base unit 30 to perform ultrasonic measurement by linear scanning.
The third scan circuit outputs a command signal for instructing the first base 20 to perform ultrasonic measurement by linear scanning to the first drive circuit unit 432B.
The fourth scan circuit outputs to the first drive circuit unit 432B and the second drive circuit unit 522B a command signal that instructs the first base unit 20 and the second base unit 30 to perform ultrasonic measurement by sector scan.
The switch circuit includes the first drive circuit unit 432B and the second drive circuit unit according to a shape determination result (whether input of the first detection signal is detected or input of the second detection signal is detected) by the shape determination circuit. The circuits (first scan circuit, second scan circuit, third scan circuit, fourth scan circuit) connected to 522B are switched.
Even if such a configuration is used, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to omit the operation trouble related to the ultrasonic measurement of the operator and to improve the measurement efficiency.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the microphone 435 is provided in the ultrasound probe 2, and the scan mode is switched when the speech analysis unit 152 of the control device 10 analyzes the speech information and includes the mode change request information.
On the other hand, the microphone 435 is configured independently of the ultrasonic probe 2 and may be configured to be connected to the control device 10 or the like, or may be configured to be provided with the microphone.
Further, the microphone 435 may not be provided. In this case, an operation unit for switching the scan mode may be separately provided in the ultrasonic probe 2 or the control device 10.

In the first embodiment, the shape determination unit 151 determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on detection signals from the first detection sensor 524A and the second detection sensor 525A. In the second embodiment, the angle sensor 91 is used. Although the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 was determined based on the angle detected at, the present invention is not limited to this.
The shape determination unit 151 determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe 2 by transmitting ultrasonic waves from both the first base 20 and the second base 30 of the ultrasonic probe 2 and measuring the reflected waves, for example. Also good. For example, when the reflected wave is measured at the first base 20, the shape where the first base 20 is in contact with the living body (first shape), and when the reflected wave is measured at the second base 30, When the reflected wave is measured on both the first base 20 and the second base 30 in the shape in which the second base 30 is in contact, both the first base 20 and the second base 30 are in contact with the living body. It is determined that the shape is a second shape (second shape).

  Moreover, although the example which comprises the holding | grip part 90 was shown by uniting the 1st member 40 and the 2nd member 50 with a magnet, it is not limited to this. The first member 40 and the second member 50 may be bonded together using, for example, Velcro (registered trademark), an adhesive tape, or the like. Moreover, it is good also as a structure attached by engaging the engaging groove provided in the 1st member 40, and the latching claw provided in the 2nd member 50. FIG. In addition, the first member 40 and the second member 50 may be sandwiched between clips, and any configuration may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the ultrasonic substrate 81 having a one-dimensional array structure in which the ultrasonic transducers Tr arranged in the slice direction (Y direction) are simultaneously driven is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ultrasonic transducer Tr may be configured in a two-dimensional array structure. In this case, by delaying each ultrasonic transducer Tr, it is possible to output the ultrasonic wave output from each ultrasonic wave so as to converge at a desired position.

In each of the above embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer Tr is provided with the sealing plate 82 on the support film 812 side of the element substrate 811, transmits ultrasonic waves from the opening 811 </ b> A of the element substrate 811, and enters from the opening 811 </ b> A. Although the example which receives an ultrasonic wave was shown, it is not limited to this. For example, the sealing plate 82 is provided on the element substrate 811 on the side opposite to the support film 812, transmits ultrasonic waves to the side opposite to the openings 811A, and receives ultrasonic waves incident from the side opposite to the openings 811A. It is good also as composition to do.
Further, although the example in which the lower electrode 813A is used as the drive signal line is shown, the upper electrode 813C may be used as the drive signal line.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration including the support film 812 and the piezoelectric element 813 as an ultrasonic element that vibrates the vibration film is illustrated as the ultrasonic transducer Tr. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an ultrasonic element other than the piezoelectric element may be used. For example, an ultrasonic element that vibrates the vibration film by disposing a vibration film on the substrate via an air gap and disposing an electrostatic actuator between the substrate and the vibration film may be used.
Further, the ultrasonic transducer Tr may not be provided with a vibration film, and may be configured to transmit ultrasonic waves by vibrating a vibrator such as a piezoelectric element.

  In the said embodiment, although the ultrasonic measurement apparatus 1 which makes a living body the subject was illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an ultrasonic apparatus that performs detection of defects of the structure or inspection for aging with various structures as objects. Further, for example, the present invention can be applied to an ultrasonic apparatus that detects a defect of the subject using a semiconductor package, a wafer, or the like as the subject.

  In addition, the specific structure for carrying out the present invention may be configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments and modifications within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention, and may be appropriately changed to other structures and the like. May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic measuring apparatus (ultrasonic apparatus), 2 ... Ultrasonic probe, 10 ... Control apparatus, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Display part, 14 ... Memory | storage part, 15 ... Calculation part, 20 ... 1st base, 30 ... 2nd base part, 40 ... 1st member, 50 ... 2nd member, 73A ... Base part connection part, 73B ... 1st connection part, 73C ... 2nd connection part, 73D ... 3rd connection part, 73E ... 4th connection part 73F ... Fifth connection part, 73G ... Sixth connection part, 73H ... Seventh connection part, 73I ... Eighth connection part, 81 ... Ultrasonic substrate, 90 ... Gripping part, 91 ... Angle sensor, 151 ... Shape determination part , 152 ... Voice analysis unit, 153 ... Scan control unit, 153A ... Mode setting unit, 153B ... Transmission / reception control unit, 154 ... Image generation unit, 155 ... Display control unit, 432B ... First drive circuit unit, 432C ... Microphone control circuit 432D ... Drive control circuit, 434 ... First magnet Detaching unit), 435, microphone (sound acquisition unit), 522, second circuit board, 522B, second driving circuit unit, 522C, detection signal output circuit, 524, second magnet (detaching unit), 524A, first. One detection sensor, 525... Third magnet (uncoupling part), 525A... Second detection sensor, Ar... Array region, Ch.

Claims (7)

A first shape in which the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface of the first area can come into contact with the subject, and a second shape in which the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface with a second area different from the first area can come into contact with the subject. An ultrasonic probe whose shape can be changed;
A shape determining unit for determining the shape of the ultrasonic probe;
In accordance with the shape determined by the shape determination unit, a scan control unit that switches a scan mode of ultrasonic measurement performed by the ultrasonic probe;
An ultrasonic device comprising: The ultrasonic device according to claim 1,
The first area is an area smaller than the second area,
The scan control unit switches the scan mode to a sector scan mode in which a sector scan is performed by the ultrasonic probe when the shape determination unit determines that the shape is the first shape, and the shape determination unit When it is determined that the second shape is obtained, the ultrasonic mode is switched to a linear scan mode in which a linear scan is performed by the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic device according to claim 2,
The ultrasonic probe has a first base having a first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, and a second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, and the angle of the first probe is variable. A second base connected,
The first shape is a shape in which the first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface can come into contact with the subject,
The second shape is a shape that allows both the first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface and the second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface to contact the subject,
The ultrasonic device characterized in that the shape determination unit determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe based on an angle formed by the first base and the second base. The ultrasonic device according to claim 3,
The shape determining unit determines the first shape when the angle is 0 ° or more and less than 90 °, and the second shape when the angle is 90 ° or more and less than 270 °. An ultrasonic device characterized in that In the ultrasonic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The ultrasonic probe is
A first base having a first ultrasonic transmission / reception surface for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic;
A second base that has a second ultrasonic transmission / reception surface for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and is variably connected to the first base with respect to the first direction;
A first member variably connected to the second base of the first base opposite to the second base with respect to the first direction;
A second member variably connected to the first base of the second base opposite to the first base with respect to the first direction;
A decoupling portion for coupling and desorbing the first member and the second member,
The ultrasonic probe changes in shape to the first shape and the second shape according to the joining position of the first member and the second member by the decoupling part,
The ultrasonic device according to claim 1, wherein the shape determination unit determines the shape of the ultrasonic probe in accordance with an attachment position of the first member and the second member by the detachment unit. The ultrasonic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
It has a voice acquisition unit that acquires voice information,
The ultrasound apparatus, wherein the scan control unit switches the scan mode based on the audio information acquired by the audio acquisition unit. A first shape in which the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface of the first area can come into contact with the subject, and a second shape in which the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface with a second area different from the first area can come into contact with the subject. A method of driving an ultrasonic device including an ultrasonic probe capable of changing a shape,
A shape determining step for determining the shape of the ultrasonic probe;
In accordance with the shape of the ultrasonic probe determined in the shape determination step, a mode switching step of switching a scan mode of ultrasonic measurement performed by the ultrasonic probe;
A method for driving an ultrasonic device, characterized in that:

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