JP2019130234A - Ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector of an ultrasound probe which: prevents ingress of liquid and secures electromagnetic compatibility; allows connection to a general-purpose ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body; prevents degradation of the electronics caused by temperature rise on a control board; and makes it possible for an operator to easily hold the enclosure by reducing the temperature rise in the surface of the enclosure.SOLUTION: The ultrasound probe comprises: an ultrasound probe body; and a connector 30A connected to the ultrasound probe body through a cable 22. The connector 30A comprises: a connector plug 31A detachably connected to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body; a control circuit board 34A for controlling the ultrasound probe body; a heat storage part 37A connected to the control circuit board 34A; and a closed-structure enclosure 38A in which the control circuit board 34A and the heat storage part 37A are housed. The enclosure 38A includes: an enclosure heat dissipating part 381A to be held by the operator; and an enclosure heat dissipating part 382A that is connected to the heat storage part 37A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Ultrasound diagnosis is a simple operation of touching the ultrasound probe from the body surface, and the state of heart beat and fetal movement can be obtained as an ultrasound image, and because it is highly safe, the examination is repeated. Can do. 2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is used for performing an ultrasonic diagnosis and generates and displays an ultrasonic image is known. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound. An ultrasonic probe having a connector that can be attached to and detached from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body is known.

Usually, the connector of an ultrasonic probe is wrapped in a casing in addition to a connector plug that is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, so that liquids such as disinfectant can enter and EMC (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility). It has a closed cover structure with no holes or openings.
Therefore, the heat generated from the control circuit board installed in the connector is likely to be transferred to the inside of the connector, the temperature rise in the control circuit board is increased, and the electronic components on the board are deteriorated. In particular, if the ultrasonic probe is a 3D or 4D scanning type, a motor is arranged in the ultrasonic probe main body, and the temperature of the control circuit board in the connector that controls the motor is increased. growing. Further, the miniaturization of the connector is progressing, and the heat dissipation is further deteriorated and the temperature rise tends to increase greatly. On the other hand, in order to suppress the temperature rise inside the connector, easily transferring heat to the connector housing to dissipate heat increases the temperature rise on the connector surface held by the operator.

  Therefore, an ultrasonic probe connector 30C shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is known. FIG. 5A is a plan perspective view of the connector 30C. FIG. 5B is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 30C.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the connector 30C includes a connector plug 31C connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a cable bush 32 that protects and fixes the cable 22. The relay board 33 electrically connected to the connector plug 31C and the cable 22, the control circuit board 34C on which the circuit unit 341 is mounted, the heat conductive sheet 36C in contact with the circuit unit 341, and the heat conductive sheet 36C The heat conductive plate 40 and the casing 38C that are in contact with each other are provided.

  The housing 38C houses each part excluding the connector plug 31C, the cable 22 and the cable bush 32. As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 5B, the heat generated from the control circuit board 34C is conducted to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body side through the heat conduction sheet 36C and the heat conduction plate 40 in this order, thereby connecting the connector. Heat is radiated to the outside of 30C.

  Also known is an ultrasonic probe connector 30D shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). FIG. 6A is a plan perspective view of the connector 30D. FIG. 6B is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 30D.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the connector 30D includes a connector plug 31D, a cable bush 32, a relay board 33, a control circuit board 34D, a heat conductive sheet 36D, and a housing 38D. And comprising. The casing 38D has a convex portion 383 that is in contact with the heat conductive sheet 36D. As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 6B, the heat generated from the control circuit board 34C passes through the heat conductive sheet 36D and the convex portion 383 in this order, and from above the control circuit board 34D as shown by the broken line arrow. Heat is dissipated.

  Also known is a probe connector that radiates heat to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by transmitting heat generated in the circuit device to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus side through the heat transfer member and the heat transfer chassis in order (patent) Reference 1).

  Further, there is known an ultrasonic probe provided with a connector in which a ventilation hole is provided in a housing, a fan is installed inside the housing, and heat is exhausted from an opening by rotation of the fan (see Patent Document 2). ).

JP 2008-194278 A Japanese Patent No. 3723785

  However, in the above-described connector 30C and the probe connector described in Patent Document 1, it may be impossible to apply heat to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body side because the main body side also has a heat dissipation structure. In addition, a connection member such as a heat conductive plate 40 for transmitting heat to the main body side is required for other connectors, which is not general-purpose and may change the appearance.

  Further, in the connector 30D, the temperature rises locally in the housing 38D. In this regard, the connector 30D is contrary to the fact that the temperature of the surface of the housing 38D needs to be sufficiently suppressed because the operator holds the housing 38D and is attached to and detached from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body.

  Moreover, in the connector of the ultrasonic probe of patent document 2, the penetration | invasion of a liquid and electromagnetic compatibility cannot be materialized by a ventilation hole. In addition, installation space for a fan or the like is generated, making it difficult to reduce the size of the connector.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent invasion of liquid such as disinfectant liquid in an ultrasonic probe connector, establish electromagnetic compatibility, connect to a general-purpose ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body, and increase the temperature on a control board. It is possible to prevent the electronic component from being deteriorated due to the above and reduce an increase in the temperature of the surface of the housing to be gripped, so that the operator can easily grip it.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 is provided.
An ultrasonic probe body for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
The ultrasonic probe main body is connected to the ultrasonic probe main body via a cable, and is detachably connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body that generates an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic reception signal received by the ultrasonic probe main body. A connector, and
The connector is
A connector plug detachably connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body;
A control circuit board for controlling the ultrasonic probe body;
A heat storage unit connected to the control circuit board;
A housing having a structure in which the control circuit board and the heat storage unit are stored and closed, and
The housing is
A housing gripping part gripped by an operator;
A housing heat-dissipating part connected to the heat storage part.

The invention according to claim 2 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1,
The casing heat radiating portion is connected to the connector plug.

The invention according to claim 3 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2,
The heat storage unit is connected to the connector plug.

The invention according to claim 4 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The heat storage unit is made of a metal having a volume equal to or greater than the volume of the control circuit board.

The invention according to claim 5 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The housing gripping part and the housing heat dissipation part are separated as separate parts.

The invention according to claim 6 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A first coating portion made of a material having a heat insulation property is provided on the inner surface of the housing gripping portion.

The invention according to claim 7 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A second coating portion made of a material that radiates heat is formed on the outer surface of the housing heat dissipation portion.

The invention according to claim 8 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A surface treatment unit is formed on the surface of the heat storage unit and is made of a material that performs thermal radiation.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the invention according to claim 9 is,
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, in the connector of an ultrasonic probe, liquid can be prevented from entering, electromagnetic compatibility can be established, and it can be connected to a general-purpose ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body, and also due to temperature rise on the control board. Deterioration of the electronic component can be prevented, and the operator can easily grip the temperature increase of the surface of the housing to be gripped.

1 is an external view of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. (A) is a plane perspective view of the first connector. (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first connector. (A) is a plane perspective view of the 2nd connector. (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second connector. (A) is a plane perspective view of the conventional 3rd connector. (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a 3rd connector. (A) is a plane perspective view of the conventional 4th connector. (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a 4th connector.

  With reference to an accompanying drawing, an embodiment and a modification concerning the present invention are explained in detail in order. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

(Embodiment)
The embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the whole apparatus structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device U of this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is an external view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U according to the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 and an ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave (transmission ultrasonic wave) to a subject such as a living body (not shown) as a test object for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U, and an ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject. The reflected wave (reflected ultrasonic wave: echo) is received. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 is connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 and transmits an electric signal drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 to transmit ultrasonic waves to the subject to the ultrasonic probe 2. And the inside of the subject based on the received signal, which is an electrical signal generated by the ultrasound probe 2 in response to the reflected ultrasound from the subject received by the ultrasound probe 2. The state is imaged as an ultrasound image.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic probe 2 includes an ultrasonic probe main body 21, a cable 22, and a connector 30A. The ultrasonic probe main body 21 includes a transducer 2a made of a piezoelectric element. For example, a plurality of transducers 2a are arranged in a one-dimensional array in the azimuth direction. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the ultrasonic probe 2 is a 3D scanning ultrasonic probe for generating a 3D ultrasonic image, and the ultrasonic probe main body 21 is the transducer 2a. A mechanical drive unit (not shown) such as a motor for driving the motor.

  The number of vibrators 2a can be set arbitrarily. In the present embodiment, the ultrasound probe 2 is assumed to be a linear scanning method, but may be a sector scanning method or a convex scanning. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ultrasonic probe 2 can be applied to other scanning methods such as a 4D scanning method. The cable 22 is a cable that electrically connects the circuit of the ultrasonic probe main body 21 and the circuit in the connector 30A. The connector 30 </ b> A is a connection part that is detachably electrically connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1. The internal configuration of the connector 30A will be described later in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 includes an operation input unit 11, a transmission unit 12, a reception unit 13, an image generation unit 14, a memory unit 15, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 16, and The display unit 17 and the control unit 18 are provided.

  The operation input unit 11 includes, for example, various switches, buttons, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like that receive a command for instructing the start of diagnosis from an operator such as a doctor or an engineer or input of data such as personal information of a subject. Provided, and outputs an operation signal to the controller 18.

  The transmission unit 12 is a circuit that generates a transmission ultrasonic wave in the ultrasonic probe 2 by supplying a drive signal that is an electric signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 under the control of the control unit 18. More specifically, the transmission unit 12 includes, for example, a clock generation circuit, a pulse generation circuit, a pulse width setting unit, and a delay circuit (all not shown).

  The clock generation circuit is a circuit that generates a clock signal that determines the transmission timing and transmission frequency of the drive signal. The pulse generation circuit is a circuit for generating a pulse signal as a drive signal at a predetermined cycle. The pulse width setting unit sets the voltage and pulse width of the pulse signal output from the pulse generation circuit. That is, the pulse generation circuit outputs a pulse signal having a pulse waveform according to the voltage and pulse width set by the pulse width setting unit. For example, the voltage and the pulse width can be made variable by an input operation from the operator via the operation input unit 11. The delay circuit sets the transmission timing of the drive signal from the pulse generation circuit for each individual path corresponding to each transducer, delays the transmission of the drive signal by the set delay time, and is configured by transmission ultrasonic waves This is a circuit for focusing the transmitted beam.

  The transmission unit 12 configured as described above sequentially switches the plurality of transducers 2a that supply the drive signal while shifting a predetermined number for each transmission / reception of the ultrasonic wave under the control of the control unit 18, and the plurality of the output selected. Scanning is performed by supplying a drive signal to the vibrator 2a.

  The receiving unit 13 is a circuit that receives a reception signal of an electrical signal from the ultrasound probe 2 under the control of the control unit 18. The receiving unit 13 includes, for example, an amplifier, an A / D conversion circuit, and a phasing addition circuit. The amplifier is a circuit for amplifying the received signal with a predetermined amplification factor set in advance for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a. The A / D conversion circuit is a circuit for analog-digital conversion (A / D conversion) of the amplified received signal. The phasing addition circuit adjusts the time phase by giving a delay time to each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a with respect to the A / D converted received signal, and adds these (phasing addition) to generate a sound. It is a circuit for generating line data.

  The image generation unit 14 performs envelope detection processing, logarithmic amplification, and the like on the sound ray data from the reception unit 13, performs brightness adjustment by performing gain adjustment, and the like, thereby converting B (Brightness) mode image data. Generate. In other words, the B-mode image data represents the intensity of the received signal by luminance. The B-mode image data generated by the image generation unit 14 is transmitted to the memory unit 15.

  The memory unit 15 is configured by a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), for example, and stores the B-mode image data transmitted from the image generation unit 14 in units of frames. That is, the memory unit 15 can store ultrasonic diagnostic image data configured in units of frames. The ultrasonic diagnostic image data stored in the memory unit 15 is read according to the control of the control unit 18 and is output to the DSC 16.

  The DSC 16 performs processing such as coordinate conversion on the ultrasonic diagnostic image data received from the memory unit 15 to convert it into an image signal, and outputs the image signal to the display unit 17.

As the display unit 17, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display, an organic EL (Electronic Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a plasma display is applicable. The display unit 17 displays an ultrasonic diagnostic image on the display screen according to the image signal output from the DSC 16. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U may be configured to be connected to a printing apparatus such as a printer.

  The control unit 18 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and reads various processing programs such as a system program stored in the ROM to read the RAM. The operation of each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U is controlled according to the developed program. The ROM is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor and stores a system program corresponding to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U, various processing programs that can be executed on the system program, various data, and the like. These programs are stored in the form of computer readable program code, and the CPU sequentially executes operations according to the program code. The RAM forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU and data related to these programs.

  Next, the internal configuration of the connector 30A of the ultrasonic probe 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). FIG. 3A is a plan perspective view of the connector 30A. FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 30A.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the connector 30A includes a connector plug 31A, a cable bush 32, a relay board 33, a control circuit board 34A, a heat conductive sheet 36A, and a heat storage section 37A. A housing 38A and a resin coating portion 39.

  The connector plug 31 </ b> A is a terminal that is electrically connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1. The cable bush 32 is a bearing tube made of a flexible material such as silicon rubber that protects the cable 22 and fixes it to the housing 38A. The relay board 33 is a circuit board part on which a circuit part for relaying communication between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 and the ultrasonic probe main body 21 is mounted, and is electrically connected to the connector plug 31 </ b> A and the cable 22. It is connected to the. The control circuit board 34 </ b> A is a circuit board part on which the circuit part 341 is mounted, and is electrically connected to the relay board 33. The circuit unit 341 is a circuit unit such as an integrated circuit for driving and controlling the drive unit of the transducer 2 a of the ultrasonic probe main body 21.

  The heat conductive sheet 36A is a flexible sheet that is in contact with the control circuit board 34A, and includes a material having a large heat conductivity. The heat storage unit 37A is in contact with the heat conductive sheet 36A and is made of a metal material having a volume larger than that of the control circuit board 34A. The metal material of the heat storage unit 37A can sufficiently absorb the heat of the control circuit board 34A and temporarily store the heat, and a metal material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or titanium alloy is desirable. In addition, a resin material (for example, polyphenylene sulfide resin) containing a heat conductive material such as graphite and having high heat conductivity may be used.

  The housing 38 </ b> A is a storage unit having a box-like closed structure without an opening (there may not be a complete sealing structure such as a gap in the component fitting part). The housing 38A stores the connector plug 31A, the cable bush 32, the relay board 33, the control circuit board 34A, the heat conductive sheet 36A, the heat storage part 37A, and the resin coating part 39.

  The housing 38A includes a housing gripping portion 381A and a housing heat radiation portion 382A. The housing heat radiation portion 382A is a portion of the housing 38A where the connector plug 31A and the heat storage portion 37A are structurally coupled (fixed). The casing gripping portion 381A is a portion that is structurally (thermally conductive) separated from the heat storage portion 37A and is gripped by the operator. The housing gripping portion 381A and the housing heat radiation portion 382A are separated as separate parts and are integrally assembled as a sealing structure. For this reason, the heat conductivity is not high between the housing gripping portion 381A and the housing heat radiation portion 382A. Further, the housing gripping portion 381A and the housing heat radiation portion 382A may be structurally (thermally conductive) separated through a heat insulating material such as resin. The housing gripping portion 381A and the housing heat radiation portion 382A may be configured as an integral part and separated as a region.

  The heat storage unit 37A is structurally coupled to the housing heat radiation unit 382A. The heat storage unit 37A may be configured to be fixed to the housing gripping part 381A via a heat insulating material as long as the structural transmission of heat (thermal conductivity) can be sufficiently blocked. Further, the housing gripping portion 381A and the housing heat radiation portion 382A may be separated into different structures. The material of the casing 38A is preferably a metal material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or zinc alloy.

  The resin coating portion 39 is a coating layer disposed on the inner surface (back surface) of the housing gripping portion 381A, and is made of a heat insulating resin. The heat insulating resin is, for example, a resin coating containing powder with hollow beads such as glass. In addition, it is good also as a structure which does not arrange | position the resin coating part 39. FIG.

  As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 3B, the heat generated in the control circuit board 34A is once absorbed by the heat storage unit 37A due to the configuration of the connector 30A, and then the housing heat radiation unit 382A and the connector plug 31A. It is transmitted to. The heat transmitted to the connector plug 31A is transmitted to a connector receptor (not shown) on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 side. Further, as indicated by a broken line arrow in FIG. 3B, the heat transmitted to the housing heat radiating portion 382A is discharged from the outer surface of the housing heat radiating portion 382A to the outside of the connector 30A.

  On the other hand, as indicated by the broken-line arrows in FIG. 3B, the remaining heat of the heat storage unit 37A is transferred from the surface of the heat storage unit 37A to the internal air of the housing 38A or by heat radiation by infrared rays or the like. It is distributed throughout the backside. Thereby, the temperature rise of the control circuit board 34A is suppressed, heat is dispersed throughout the housing 38A, and the temperature rise of the housing gripping portion 381A is mitigated. Further, the resin coating portion 39 on the inner surface of the housing gripping portion 381A suppresses the transfer of heat to the inner surface of the housing gripping portion 381A.

  In addition, a resin coating portion 3821 for increasing heat radiation is formed on the outer surface of the housing heat radiation portion 382A. The resin coating portion 3821 is preferably made of a resin material that does not change the appearance as compared with a conventional connector. This resin material is, for example, a paint containing ceramic that emits infrared rays or the like. The resin coating portion 3821 increases heat radiation on the outer surface of the housing heat radiation portion 382A that is not the housing gripping portion 381A (without changing the appearance). Note that the resin coating portion 3821 may be omitted.

  Further, a surface treatment portion 371 for anodizing or resin coating is formed on the surface of the heat storage portion 37A. The resin coating material is a paint containing ceramic particles having a large thermal radiation. The surface treatment unit 371 increases thermal radiation. A part of the heat generated in the control circuit board 34A is radiated to the outside by the casing heat radiation part 382A, a part of the heat is stored and radiated by the heat storage part 37A, and the remaining part is transmitted to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 side. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a heat dissipation structure on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 side.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2 is connected via the ultrasonic probe main body 21 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic probe main body 21 and the cable 22. A connector 30A that is detachably connected to the diagnostic apparatus body 1; The connector 30A includes a connector plug 31A that is detachably connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, a control circuit board 34A that controls the ultrasonic probe main body 21, and a heat storage that is connected to the control circuit board 34A so as to be capable of conducting heat. 37A, and a housing 38A having a structure in which the control circuit board 34A and the heat storage unit 37A are stored and closed. The housing 38A includes a housing gripping portion 381A that is gripped by an operator, and a housing heat radiation portion 382A that is connected to the heat storage portion 37A so as to be capable of conducting heat. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U includes an ultrasonic probe 2 and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1.

  For this reason, in the connector 30A, the enclosure 38A having a closed structure prevents liquid such as a disinfectant from entering, and electromagnetic compatibility can be established. The external appearance of the connector 30A can be changed to other openings and heat conduction plates. It can be made the same as a connector without a connecting member such as. In addition, since it is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 only by the connector plug 31A and does not include a connection member such as a heat conduction plate, it can be connected to a general-purpose ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 having no heat dissipation structure. Further, the heat storage unit 37A can absorb the heat of the entire control circuit board 34A, can temporarily store the heat in the heat storage unit 37A, and transfers the heat to the housing heat radiation unit 382A, so that the housing as the surface of the housing 38A The temperature rise of the gripping portion 381A can be reduced, and the operator can easily grip the housing gripping portion 381A. Moreover, since the temperature rise of the circuit part 341 etc. on the control circuit board 34A as a control board in the connector 30A is reduced, deterioration of electronic parts, such as the circuit part 341 in the connector 30A, can be prevented. Furthermore, since no connection parts such as a heat conducting plate are provided, the number of parts in the connector 30A can be reduced, and the connector 30A can be miniaturized.

  Further, the housing heat radiation part 382A is connected to the connector plug 31A so as to be able to conduct heat. For this reason, it is possible to reliably release heat that cannot be exhausted to the outside by the casing heat radiation portion 382A itself.

  The heat storage unit 37A is connected to the connector plug 31A so as to be able to conduct heat. For this reason, the heat which cannot be exhausted to the outside by the casing heat radiation part 382A itself can be more reliably released.

  Further, the heat storage unit 37A is made of a metal having a volume larger than that of the control circuit board. For this reason, the heat storage part 37A of metal having a volume larger than that of the control circuit board 34A can sufficiently absorb the heat of the entire control circuit board 34A, and can temporarily store heat sufficiently in the heat storage part 37A. The temperature rise can be further reduced, and the operator can more easily grip the housing heat radiation part 382A. Further, the housing 38A can more effectively transfer and radiate heat from the surface of the heat storage part 37A wider than the control circuit board 34A.

  Further, the housing gripping portion 381A and the housing heat radiation portion 382A are separated in a heat conductive (structural) manner as separate parts. For this reason, the temperature rise of housing | casing holding part 381A can be reduced more, and the operator can hold | maintain housing heat-radiating part 382A still more easily. In addition, when the housing | casing holding | grip part 381A and the housing | casing heat radiation part 382A are integral structures, the structure of the connector 30A can be simplified.

  The connector 30A includes a resin coating portion 39 formed on the inner surface of the housing gripping portion 381A and made of a material having heat insulation properties. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the transfer of heat from the heat storage unit 37A to the housing gripping portion 381A and to prevent the temperature of the housing gripping portion 381A from rising.

  In addition, the connector 30A includes a resin coating portion 3821 formed on the outer surface of the housing heat radiation portion 382A and made of a material that performs heat radiation. For this reason, the heat radiation on the outer surface of the housing heat radiating portion 382A can be increased, the temperature rise of the housing gripping portion 381A can be further reduced, and the operator can more easily grip the housing heat radiating portion 382A. In addition, the material of the resin coating part 3821 can be a material that does not change the appearance from other connectors.

  Further, the connector 30A includes a surface treatment unit 371 formed on the surface of the heat storage unit 37A and made of a material that performs thermal radiation. For this reason, the heat radiation from the surface of the heat storage part 37A can be increased, and the temperature rise of the control circuit part 371A can be further reduced.

(Modification)
A modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). FIG. 4A is a plan perspective view of the connector 30B. FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 30B.

  The apparatus configuration of this modification is a configuration in which the connector 30A is replaced with the connector 30B shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U of the above embodiment. Therefore, the connector 30B will be mainly described, and the same portions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the connector 30B includes a connector plug 31B, a cable bush 32, a relay board 33, a control circuit board 34B, a heat conductive sheet 36B, and a housing 38B. And a resin coating portion 39. The housing 38B includes a housing gripping portion 381B and a housing heat radiating portion 382B.

  The connector plug 31B has the same configuration as the connector plug 31A, and is structurally coupled (fixed) to the housing heat radiation portion 382B of the housing 38B and the relay substrate 33. The control circuit board 34B has the same configuration as the control circuit board 34A, and the circuit unit 341 is mounted thereon. The heat conductive sheet 36 </ b> B has the same configuration as the heat conductive sheet 36 </ b> A and is in contact with the circuit unit 341. The heat storage unit 37B has the same configuration as the heat storage unit 37A.

  The housing gripping portion 381B has the same configuration as the housing gripping portion 381A. The case radiating unit 382B has the same configuration as the case radiating unit 382B, and is structurally coupled (fixed) to the heat storage unit 37B.

  As shown by the white arrows in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the heat generated in the control circuit board 34B is once absorbed by the heat accumulating portion 37B by the configuration of the connector 30B, and then the case is radiated. It is transmitted to the part 382B. The heat transmitted to the housing heat radiation part 382B is transmitted to the connector receptor (not shown) on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 side via the connector plug 31A. Further, as indicated by the broken line arrows in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the heat transmitted to the housing heat radiating portion 382B is discharged from the outer surface of the housing heat radiating portion 382B to the outside of the connector 30B. The

  On the other hand, as indicated by the broken-line arrows in FIG. 4B, the remaining heat of the heat storage unit 37B is transferred to the inside air of the housing 38B from the surface of the heat storage unit 37B or by heat radiation by infrared rays. Distributed throughout. Thereby, the temperature rise of the control circuit board 34B is suppressed, heat is dispersed throughout the housing 38B, and the temperature rise of the housing gripping portion 381B is mitigated. Further, the resin coating portion 39 on the inner surface of the housing gripping portion 381B suppresses the transfer of heat to the inner surface of the housing gripping portion 381A.

  In addition, a resin coating portion 3821 is formed on the outer surface of the casing heat radiation portion 382A. A surface treatment unit 371 is formed on the surface of the heat storage unit 37A.

  As described above, according to the present modification, in the connector 30B, the casing heat radiation part 382B is connected to the heat storage part 37B and the connector plug 31B so as to be able to conduct heat. For this reason, there exists an effect similar to the said embodiment.

  Note that the descriptions in the above-described embodiments and modifications are examples of the preferred ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment and modification, the ultrasonic probe main body 21 has a mechanical drive unit, and the connectors 30A and 30B control the mechanical drive unit of the ultrasonic probe main body 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The ultrasonic probe body has an electrical drive unit such as a switching circuit, and the connector has a control circuit board for controlling the electrical drive unit of the ultrasonic probe body as a heat source. It is good.

  Further, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each part constituting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

U ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 11 operation input unit 12 transmission unit 13 reception unit 14 image generation unit 15 memory unit 16 DSC
17 Display unit 18 Control unit 2 Ultrasonic probe 2a Transducer 21 Ultrasonic probe main body 22 Cables 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D Connectors 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D Connector plug 32 Cable bush 33 Relay boards 34A, 34B , 34C, 34D Control circuit board 341 Circuit part 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D Thermal conductive sheet 37A, 37B Heat storage part 371 Surface treatment part 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D Case 381A, 381B Case gripping part 382A, 382B Case Heat radiation part 3821 Resin coating part 383 Convex part 39 Resin coating part 40 Thermal conduction plate

Claims (9)

An ultrasonic probe body for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
The ultrasonic probe main body is connected to the ultrasonic probe main body via a cable, and is detachably connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body that generates an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic reception signal received by the ultrasonic probe main body. A connector, and
The connector is
A connector plug detachably connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body;
A control circuit board for controlling the ultrasonic probe body;
A heat storage unit connected to the control circuit board;
A housing having a structure in which the control circuit board and the heat storage unit are stored and closed, and
The housing is
A housing gripping part gripped by an operator;
An ultrasonic probe comprising: a housing heat radiating unit connected to the heat storage unit.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the housing heat radiation portion is connected to the connector plug.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the heat storage unit is connected to the connector plug.   The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat storage unit is made of a metal having a volume equal to or greater than a volume of the control circuit board.   The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the casing gripping part and the casing heat dissipation part are separated as separate parts.   The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a first coating portion formed on an inner surface of the housing grip portion and made of a material having heat insulation properties.   The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a second coating portion that is formed on an outer surface of the casing heat radiation portion and is made of a material that performs thermal radiation.   The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a surface treatment unit formed on a surface of the heat storage unit and made of a material that performs thermal radiation. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body.

Images