JP2996112B2 - Ultrasound diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is inserted into a human body or the like to perform ultrasonic diagnosis and inspection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic transducer and an observation device for the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic observation apparatus includes a transmission circuit and a reception circuit for an ultrasonic signal, a processing circuit for an ultrasonic reflected echo signal, and It is roughly composed of an ultrasonic image monitoring device. Then, ultrasonic waves are transmitted toward the body by the ultrasonic vibrator, the reflected echoes are received, the received signals are transmitted to the ultrasonic observation device, and signal processing is performed to obtain information on the state of the body tissue and the like. It is acquired and displayed on a monitor device as an ultrasonic image, and is widely used in the field of medicine and the like.

In recent years, in order to improve the accuracy and function of ultrasonic inspection and diagnosis, recently, an ultrasonic transducer has been inserted into the body to reach a position near a part to be inspected and diagnosed. A device that is guided to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves is used. Further, in addition to the examination and diagnosis by the endoscope, information on the tissue in the body cavity wall of the inspection target site is also acquired, and the ultrasonic probe is inserted into the body cavity to perform a three-dimensional examination. There has also been developed a configuration in which a treatment tool insertion channel provided for inserting a catheter having a diameter, forceps of an endoscope, or other treatment tools is inserted into a body as a guide.

When an ultrasonic image is acquired by scanning an ultrasonic transducer, there are two types of scanning methods: an electronic scanning type, a mechanical scanning type, and a mechanical scanning type. A typical example is a linear scanning type in which the ultrasonic transducer is linearly displaced, and a radial scanning type in which the ultrasonic transducer is displaced in the rotation direction. And
As described above, the type in which the endoscope is inserted as a guide is generally configured to be operated by a mechanical scanning system from the viewpoint of miniaturization of the ultrasonic vibrator and the like.

[0005] Here, in the case of mechanically performing linear scanning, an ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of an ultrasonic probe is brought into close contact with a cavity wall such as a body cavity or an ultrasonic wave such as degassed water. The ultrasonic transducer is moved linearly by pushing or pulling the ultrasonic probe manually or by a suitable driving means such as a motor with the transmission medium interposed therebetween so as to face the cavity wall. Is detected by position detection means such as an encoder, and based on the position signal, ultrasonic pulses are incident at predetermined distance intervals, the reflected echo is received, and the ultrasonic reception signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation device. Transmit.
Then, an ultrasonic image can be displayed on the ultrasonic observation device based on the ultrasonic reception signal and the position signal of the ultrasonic transducer. Further, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the radial mechanical scanning type is configured to connect an ultrasonic probe to a rotation driving means such as a motor and transmit and receive ultrasonic waves while rotating the ultrasonic transducer by the rotation driving means. In this method, the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer is detected, an ultrasonic pulse is incident at every predetermined angle, an ultrasonic reception signal is obtained,
Display an ultrasound image.

[0006] Of these scanning methods, depending on the part where the ultrasonic inspection is to be performed, the type of inspection, etc., it may be more convenient to perform linear scanning, and the radial scanning method may be more advantageous. . Also, acquiring a tomographic image in the vertical direction by linear scanning and a tomographic image in the horizontal direction by radial scanning are extremely advantageous in performing inspection and diagnosis.
For this purpose, a mechanical scanning type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of selectively performing linear scanning and radial scanning has been proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-56579.

In this known ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a flexible shaft made of a close-contact coil is inserted into a flexible insertion member, and an ultrasonic transducer is connected to the tip of the flexible shaft. It has an ultrasonic probe, an operation unit is connected to the base end of the ultrasonic probe, and a motor and an encoder are built in the operation unit, and the flexible shaft is rotated by the motor to perform radial scanning. By operating the push-pull operation means with fingers or the like, while connecting the whole ultrasonic probe to the push-pull operation means and providing an encoder for detecting the displacement of the push-pull operation means. , So as to perform linear scanning.

[0008]

With the above construction, the ultrasonic transducer is linearly scanned by operating the push-pull operation means to displace the ultrasonic transducer in a linear direction. Direction ultrasonic image information can be acquired,
Also, by operating the motor, the ultrasonic vibrator is displaced in the radial direction, and ultrasonic information in the body or the like in this direction can be obtained, which is extremely useful in performing examinations and diagnoses. Known ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are not without problems.

First, since the linear scanning is performed by a manual operation, an operator performing ultrasonic diagnosis always takes one hand for the ultrasonic scanning while performing the linear scanning. That is, the operability is not always good, for example, other operations cannot be performed while performing ultrasonic scanning. Also, when pushing and pulling with fingers, the speed and direction are absolutely unstable, and linear scanning is performed in a state where it is in close contact with the inner wall of the body cavity.
Since the entire ultrasonic probe is moved along the inner wall of the body cavity, there is a problem that a stable ultrasonic image cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to perform linear scanning and radial scanning of an ultrasonic transducer by changing the rotation direction of a rotation driving means. Is to be able to do that.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a rotator for converting a rotational motion into a linear motion, and a linear guide member. An ultrasonic transducer is connected to the member and provided, and a rotating body is connected to a rotation driving means capable of normal and reverse rotation, and between the rotating body and the guide member and between the guide member and the inner wall of the insertion portion. The first and second one-way clutches which rotate freely in mutually opposite directions are interposed.

[0012]

With the above construction, when the rotation driving means is rotated in one direction, the rotating body rotates, and a first one-way clutch is interposed between the rotating body and the guide member. The first one-way clutch causes the rotating body to be in a clutch disengaged state in which the rotating body is rotatable relative to the guide member, and a second state is provided between the guide member and the inner wall of the insertion portion.
The one-way clutch is interposed, and during this time, the clutch is in a connected state in which relative rotation in this direction is not possible, so that only the rotating body rotates. Since the rotating body converts the movement in the rotating direction into a linear movement, the ultrasonic transducer connected to the rotating body is guided by the stationary guide member and is displaced in the linear direction. By sending and receiving ultrasonic signals during this time,
A linear ultrasonic scan is performed. Further, when the rotating body is rotated by the rotation driving means in a direction opposite to the above, the first one-way clutch causes the guide member to be in a clutch connected state in which the guide member rotates integrally with the rotating body, and the second one-way clutch is rotated. Since the clutch is disconnected, the guide member is rotatable relative to the inner wall of the insertion portion, so that the ultrasonic vibrator rotates together with the rotating body and the guide member. , Radial ultrasonic scanning can be performed.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an ultrasonic probe device in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In the figure, 1 is an insertion unit, 2 is an operation unit, and 3 is a cable cord. The insertion portion 1 is inserted into a body cavity directly or by using an endoscope or the like as a guide. The tip portion of the insertion portion 1 is a tip portion main body 1a, and the tip portion main body 1a has an angle portion 1b.
The flexible portion 1c is connected to the angle portion 1b, and the base end of the flexible portion 1c is connected to the operation portion 2. The angle portion 1b is used to orient the distal end portion main body 1a in a desired direction. This angle operation can be performed by an angle knob 4 provided on the operation portion 2, and the angle portion 1b is provided at a desired angle. Is provided with an angle lock knob 5.
Although not shown, the cable cord 3 is configured to be detachably connected to a known ultrasonic observation device, and the ultrasonic observation device converts an ultrasonic image signal based on an ultrasonic signal. It is composed of a signal processing unit for generating and a monitor for displaying the ultrasonic image generated in this way.

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the distal end portion main body 1a and its connecting portion to the angle portion 1b. An outer shell of the distal end portion main body 1a is formed by connecting a cap 11 having excellent acoustic characteristics to a rigid main body ring 10, in which an ultrasonic vibrator 12 is mounted. A support 13 is provided. The support base 13 is inserted through a linear cam 14 as a rotating body, and is inserted through guide rods 15a and 15b constituting a pair of guide members. As shown in FIG. 3, the linear cam 14 has a closed spiral guide groove 14a formed on its outer peripheral surface, and a trace pin 16 provided on the support base 13 is engaged with the guide groove 14a. ing. Therefore, when the linear cam 14 is rotated in a state where the support base 13 is regulated in the rotation direction by the guide rods 15a and 15b, the trace pin 16 first reaches the stroke end along the guide groove 14a through the locus of the solid line, and then. Returning along the dotted trajectory, the trace pin 16 reciprocates in the axial direction.

The distal end of the linear cam 14 is rotatably supported on an end plate 17 by a bearing 18, and the base end is connected to a rotating shaft 19. The rotating shaft 19 is rotatably supported on the main body ring 10 by a bearing 20. Also, guide rods 15a, 15b
Is fixed to an end plate 17, and the base end is attached to a holding member 21 through which a rotary shaft 19 is inserted so as to be relatively rotatable. The holding member 21 is connected to a support 22, and a first one-way clutch 23 is interposed between the support 22 and the rotating shaft 19. Also, a second one-way clutch 24 is interposed between the support 22 and the main body ring 10. In these first and second one-way clutches 23 and 24, the clutch contact / separation directions are opposite to each other.

Here, the one-way clutch is constructed, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the notch R is formed of the inner member I and the outer member O, and the inner member I has a notch R that is a vertical wall in one direction in the rotation direction and a gentle inclined wall in the direction opposite to the rotation direction. A plurality of positions are provided in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, for the outer member O,
A plurality of locking claws N are rotatably mounted around the pin P at the same pitch interval as the notch R of the inner member I, and the locking claws N are formed from recesses U formed on the inner surface of the outer member O. It is possible to appear. And the locking claw N is always urged | biased in the direction which protrudes from the concave part U. Therefore,
When the inner member I or the outer member O is rotated in a predetermined direction, the locking claw N comes into contact with the vertical wall of the notch R, and the clutches are brought into a clutch connection state in which both rotate simultaneously. However, if you rotate one member in the opposite direction,
Since the locking claw N slides along the inclined wall of the notch R, the rotational force is not transmitted to the counterpart member, and one of the members is rotatable relative to the counterpart member. It becomes a cutoff state. First and second one-way clutch 2
If the mounting direction of the locking claw N and the forming direction of the notch portion R in 3 and 24 are opposite to each other, they can be relatively rotated in opposite directions.

In order to rotationally drive the rotating shaft 19,
A flexible shaft 25 composed of multiple or multiple, or multiple and multiple close-contact coils is connected to the base end of the rotary shaft 19. The flexible shaft 25 extends to the operation section 2 via the angle section 1b and the flexible section 1c. The internal structure of the operation unit is shown in FIG.

As is apparent from FIG. 1, the base end of the flexible shaft 25 is connected to a hollow rotary shaft 26, and a pair of gears 27, 28 are attached to the rotary shaft 26. A forward / reverse rotation motor 29 is mounted in the operation unit 2, and a drive gear 30 is provided on an output shaft of the motor 29, and the drive gear 30 is connected to the rotation shaft 2.
6 meshes with one of the gears 27. The other gear 28 of the rotating shaft 26 meshes with a driven gear 32 provided on an input shaft of an encoder 31. Therefore, the motor 29
Is operated, the rotating shaft 26 is rotationally driven via the driving gear 30 and the gear 27, and this rotational force is transmitted to the rotating shaft 19 via the flexible shaft 25. This rotation is detected by the encoder 31.

When the motor 29 is operated to rotate the flexible shaft 25 around its axis by the above-described structure, the rotational force is applied to the rotating shaft 19.
When rotated in one direction, the first one-way clutch 23 is in a clutch disengaged state, the rotating shaft 19 becomes rotatable relative to the support 22, and the second one-way clutch 24 The clutch is connected,
The support 22 cannot rotate relative to the main body ring 10. As a result, only the linear cam 14 rotates, and the guide lots 15a and 15b are fixedly held, so that the trace pins 1 are guided along the guide grooves 14a of the linear cam 14.
6 is slidably displaced, and rotation is restricted by the guide rods 15a and 15b. As a result, the support 13 on which the ultrasonic transducer 12 is mounted reciprocates in the axial direction of the linear cam 14.

On the other hand, when the motor 29 is rotated in a direction opposite to the above, the first one-way clutch 23 is in a clutch engaged state, and the rotary shaft 19 and the support 22 cannot rotate relative to each other. Body ring 10
, The second one-way clutch 24 interposed therebetween is in the clutch disengaged state, and the support 22 rotates relative to the main body ring 10. Accordingly, the rotary shaft 19 and the support 22 rotate together, and the guide rods 15a and 15b attached to the holding member 21 connected to the support 22 rotate together with the linear cam 14, so that the support base 1 is rotated.
3 and the ultrasonic vibrator 12 mounted on the support 13
It rotates while maintaining the position in the axial direction.

As described above, while moving the ultrasonic transducer 12 in the linear direction, ultrasonic pulses are directed toward the body from the ultrasonic transducer 12 at predetermined distance intervals, and the reflected echo is reflected. By receiving, it is possible to perform linear ultrasonic scanning, and while rotating the ultrasonic vibrator 12, transmit ultrasonic pulses from the ultrasonic vibrator 12 into the body cavity at predetermined angles, By receiving the reflected echo, radial ultrasonic scanning can be performed. Regardless of which scanning is performed, the driving source is the motor 29, and by switching the rotation direction of the motor 29, switching between linear scanning and radial scanning can be performed. Therefore, the operation unit 2 is provided with a changeover switch 33 for rotating the motor 29. The changeover switch 33 constitutes a changeover means of a linear or radial scanning method. The scanning position and the stop position are switched to three positions.

By the way, a transmission trigger pulse is inputted to the ultrasonic transducer 12, and a reflected echo signal from a tomographic tissue tomogram which is received by the ultrasonic transducer 12 and converted into an electric signal is transmitted. , A pair of cables is connected.
Must be connected to an ultrasonic observation device. In order to route the cable, a pair of guide rods 15a and 15b is used. That is, the guide rods 15a and 15b are made of a conductive member such as a metal, and the support 13 and the holding member 21 are made of an electrically insulating member. A pair of brush electrodes 34a, 34b is attached to the ultrasonic vibrator 12, and these brush electrodes 34a, 34b are always electrically connected by sliding with respect to the guide rods 15a, 15b, respectively. Is kept in the state. Sliding electrodes 35a and 35b are connected to the base ends of the guide rods 15a and 15b, respectively. The sliding electrodes 35a and 35b slide on ring electrodes 36a and 36b provided on the outer surface of the rotary shaft 19. And both are always kept in an electrically connected state.

The rotating shaft 19 is made of a hollow member,
Cables 37a and 37b connected to the ring electrodes 36a and 36b are inserted therein, and these cables 37a and 37b pass through the flexible shaft 25 inside the rotary shaft 26 provided in the operation unit 2. It has been inserted. The cables 37a and 37b are connected to a rotary connector 38 provided with brush electrodes 38a and 38b, and the rotary connector 38 is connected to cables 39a and 39b inserted into the cable cord 3. Therefore, the cables 37a and 37b are connected to the cables 39a and 3b via the rotary connector 38.
The cable 37a, 37b, which is connected to the cable 9a relatively rotatably and rotates together with the flexible shaft 25, can be routed to the ultrasonic observation device so that the rotation of the cable 37a, 37b is not transmitted to the cable 39a, 39b.

When performing ultrasonic scanning, the ultrasonic vibrator 1
Air must be kept from intervening between 2 and the inner wall of the body cavity. Therefore, an ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed in the cap 11 provided with the ultrasonic transducer 12. Therefore, in order to seal the ultrasonic transmission medium so as not to flow out to the angle portion 1b side, the rotating shaft 1
Between the support 9 and the support 22 and between the support 22 and the main body ring 10, a sealing member 4 made of an O-ring or the like is provided on the distal end side of the position where the one-way clutches 23 and 24 are disposed.
0, 41, and cables 37a, 37b from ring electrodes 36a, 36b provided on the rotating shaft 19.
Is filled with a sealing material to seal the through hole for drawing in.

Further, the ultrasonic scanning position of the ultrasonic transducer 12, that is, the position in the rotation direction of the ultrasonic transducer 12 when performing linear scanning, and the ultrasonic transducer 12 when performing radial scanning. In order to be able to appropriately adjust the position in the axial direction, manual adjustment means 42 is provided. The manual adjustment unit 42 has an adjustment knob 43 provided on the operation unit 2, and the adjustment knob 43 is connected to the flexible shaft 25 by a coupling member 44 via a member on the rotary side of the rotary connector 38. The coupling member 44 has a female side coupling part 45 and a male side coupling part 46, and the adjustment knob 43 is connected to the male side coupling part 46.
A spline 4 is provided in both coupling portions 45 and 46.
5a and 46a are provided, and the male side coupling portion 46 is normally urged by the ring 47 to thereby
a and 46a are held in a disconnected state.
When the adjustment knob 43 is pulled against the spring 47, the splines 45a and 46a are engaged. By turning the adjustment knob 43 in this state, the flexible shaft 25 rotates. The rotation direction of the operation knob 43 may be changed between the case where the position of the ultrasonic transducer 12 in the linear direction is adjusted and the case where the position in the radial direction is adjusted. In the drawing, reference numeral 48 denotes an angle operation wire.

The present embodiment is constructed as described above. This ultrasonic probe device is inserted into the body cavity through the insertion portion 1 directly or by using an endoscope or the like as a guide, so that a desired position Ultrasonic scanning can be performed.

When performing ultrasonic scanning, it is necessary to bring the distal end body 1a of the insertion section 1 into close contact with the inner wall of the body cavity. This operation can be performed by operating the angle knob 4 provided on the operation section 2 to bend the angle section 1b in a desired direction at a desired angle. Then, when the distal end main body 1a is brought into the intended posture state, it is locked in that state by the angle lock knob 5.

In performing the ultrasonic scanning, first, it is selected whether to perform the linear scanning or the radial scanning, and according to the selection, from the stop position, the operation position of either the linear scanning position or the radial scanning position. Then, the changeover switch 33 is switched.

When linear scanning is selected by the changeover switch 33, the forward / reverse rotation motor 29 rotates in one direction. This rotation is transmitted from the driving gear 30 to the gear 27 of the rotating shaft 26.
And the flexible shaft 25 rotates around its axis. When rotating in this direction, the first one-way clutch 23 is in the clutch disengaged state, and the second one-way clutch 24 is in the clutch engaged state. As a result, the support 22 cannot rotate with respect to the main body ring 10, the rotary shaft 19 becomes rotatable relative to the support 22, and only the rotary shaft 19 rotates. The support 13 on which the ultrasonic transducer 12 is mounted is inserted through the guide rods 15a and 15b held in a non-rotating state, so that the movement of the support 13 in the rotation direction is restricted. However, since the trace pins 16 provided on the support 13 are engaged with the guide grooves 14a of the linear cam 14 that rotates together with the rotary shaft 19, the support 13 is moved in the axial direction of the linear cam 14 with the rotation of the linear cam 14. Is displaced. In addition, since the guide groove 14a is a closed spiral groove, the support 13 reciprocates.

Since the movement of the support 13 in the axial direction is detected by the encoder 31, the ultrasonic vibrator 12 provided on the support 13 is moved to a predetermined position based on the position signal from the encoder 31. The ultrasonic pulse is transmitted toward the inside of the body cavity every time the body travels, and the reflected echo from the tissue tomographic part in the body cavity is received by the ultrasound transducer 12 and converted into an electric signal. Transmitted to the sound wave observation device, the ultrasonic vibrator 1 for one stroke
When 2 moves, an ultrasonic image for one frame is generated and displayed on the monitor. Here, the encoder 31
Although the axial movement of the ultrasonic transducer 12 is not directly detected, the rotation between the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 12 and the axial movement of the ultrasonic transducer 12 may be affected by the shape of the guide groove 14a of the linear cam 14. , A certain relationship is established, the encoder 31
If the predetermined calculation is performed based on the signal from
It can be converted into the amount of movement of the ultrasonic transducer 12 in the axial direction.

When the radial scanning is selected by the changeover switch 33, the motor 29 rotates in a direction opposite to that in the above-described linear scanning. At this time, the first one-way clutch 23 is in the clutch engaged state, and the second one-way clutch 24 is in the clutch disengaged state. Therefore, the support 22 is rotatable with respect to the main body ring 10, the rotation shaft 19 is in a state in which the support 22 cannot rotate relative to the support 22, and the support 22 rotates with the rotation shaft 19. As a result, the linear cam 14 connected to the rotary shaft 19 and the holding member 21 connected to the support 22 rotate integrally, so that the support 13 also rotates following the rotation, and the ultrasonic transducer 12 is driven to rotate. During this time, by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 12, radial ultrasonic scanning can be performed.

As described above, regardless of the linear scanning,
Further, even when performing the radial scanning, the operator who operates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus only needs to operate the changeover switch 33 provided on the operation unit 2. Therefore, an appropriate operation can be performed. For example, when inserted into a body cavity through an endoscope, the user can concentrate on the operation of the endoscope, and can perform other operations and operations.

In particular, the linear scanning is also performed by driving the motor 29, and the ultrasonic transducer 12 moves in the axial direction in the cap 11, but the cap 11 itself slides on the inner wall of the body cavity. Therefore, since the movement of the ultrasonic transducer 12 is stable and does not shake right and left and the moving speed is constant,
An extremely clear and stable ultrasonic tomographic image can be obtained.

By the way, when performing linear scanning,
The ultrasonic transducer 1 determines which direction of the linear tomographic image is acquired.
The position in the axial direction of the ultrasonic transducer 12 determines the position of the radial tomographic image to be obtained when performing radial scanning. If the entire insertion section 1 is moved, the position and direction of the ultrasonic transducer 12 can be controlled.
It is extremely difficult to move the distal end portion main body 1a of the insertion section 1 on the operation section 2 side in a controlled state. Therefore, in order to adjust the direction of the ultrasonic transducer 12 during linear scanning and to adjust the position of the ultrasonic transducer 12 during radial scanning,
The operation unit 2 is provided with a manual adjustment unit 42, and the adjustment knob 4 in the manual adjustment unit 42 is provided.
By pulling 3 against the spring 47, the male and female coupling portions 45 and 46 are engaged. In this state, if the adjustment knob 43 is rotated in one direction, the direction of the ultrasonic transducer 12 is changed. If it changes, and if it rotates in the opposite direction, the position of the ultrasonic transducer 12 in the axial direction will change. At the time of this adjustment, the motor 29 must be kept stopped.

In order to adjust the direction and position of the ultrasonic transducer 12, the cap 11 is formed of a transparent member, and the distal end portion of the insertion section 1 is put into the field of view using an observation mechanism of an endoscope. By operating the adjustment knob 43 in this manner, the direction and position of the ultrasonic transducer 12 can be accurately controlled. The adjustment knob 43 allows the ultrasonic transducer 12
If the pulling force on the adjustment knob 43 is released after the direction and position of the coupling are adjusted, the engagement state of the male and female coupling portions 45 and 46 is released by the urging force of the spring 47, so that the motor 29 is operated. Thus, even if the flexible shaft 25 is rotated, the rotation is not transmitted to the adjustment knob 43.

Therefore, for example, in the case of performing linear scanning, the adjustment knob 43 is appropriately operated to operate the ultrasonic vibrator 1.
If the direction 2 is changed, linear ultrasonic images in various directions can be obtained, and even when performing radial scanning,
By operating the adjustment knob 43 to acquire a radial ultrasonic image while shifting the ultrasonic transducer 12 in the axial direction, so-called biplane scanning can be performed, and three-dimensional information of an affected part or the like can be acquired. Become like The motor 29 adjusts the direction of the ultrasonic transducer 12 during linear scanning and the position adjustment of the ultrasonic transducer 12 during radial scanning.
In order to enable the flexible shaft 25 to be operated even when the rotary shaft 26 is operated, the flexible shaft 25 is not connected to the rotary shaft 26 but to the rotary connector 38, and the rotary connector 38 and the rotary shaft 26 are spline-engaged. Then, when the operation knob 43 is pulled, the coupling member 44 may be in the coupling state, and the engagement between the rotary connector 38 and the rotating shaft 26 may be interrupted.

The rotation driving means is a forward / reverse rotation motor, and this motor is provided in the operation section. However, for example, a hydraulically operated rotation driving means or the like can be used. May be provided near the distal end of the insertion portion. Although the insertion portion is a soft member having a soft portion and an angle portion, the insertion portion may be formed of a hard member, and the forward / reverse rotation motor may be configured to directly rotate the linear cam. It is. Further, the wiring can be routed from the ultrasonic transducer via a linear cam. In this case, only one guide rod can be provided.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the ultrasonic vibrator is moved in a straight line direction by rotating the rotation driving means in one direction, and is rotated in the opposite direction. Since it is configured to rotate, it is possible to perform effects such as linear scanning and radial scanning of the ultrasonic transducer by simply changing the rotation direction of the rotation driving means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic probe device constituting an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion.

FIG. 3 is a development view of a guide groove in the linear cam.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a one-way clutch.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an operation unit showing a main part in cross section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 1a Tip main body 2 Operation part 10 Main body ring 11 Cap 12 Ultrasonic vibrator 13 Support stand 14 Linear cam 14a Guide groove 15a, 15b Guide rod 16 Trace pin 19 Rotary shaft 21 Holding member 22 Support 23 First direction Clutch 24 Second one-way clutch 25 Flexible shaft 26 Rotating shaft 29 Forward / reverse rotation motor 31 Encoder 33 Changeover switch 42 Manual adjustment means

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] An ultrasonic transducer is rotatably mounted on a tip end of a flexible insertion member, and the ultrasonic transducer is movable in a linear direction and a rotating direction so that an axis of an insertion portion is provided. In the ultrasonic image in the direction, and in an ultrasonic image in a direction orthogonal to the axis,
A rotating body that converts the movement in the rotation direction into a linear motion, and a guide member in the linear direction are provided, and an ultrasonic vibrator is connected to the rotating body and the guide member. While connecting the driving means, between the rotating body and the guide member and between the guide member and the inner wall of the insertion portion,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a configuration in which first and second one-way clutches that rotate freely in mutually opposite directions are interposed. 2. The rotating body is a columnar or cylindrical member having a reciprocating spiral driving groove formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a supporting body on which the ultrasonic vibrator is mounted is axially attached to the rotating body. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is configured to be slidably fitted and to engage a trace pin provided on said support with a drive groove. 3. The guide member according to claim 2, wherein the guide member is formed of a guide rod extending in an axial direction of the rotating body, and the guide rod is inserted through the support. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein two guide rods are provided, each guide rod is formed of a conductive member, and these guide rods are used as wiring paths to the ultrasonic vibrator. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. 5. A flexible shaft composed of multiple or multiple closely-contacted coils is connected to the rotating body, and the other end of the flexible shaft is extended into a main body operation section connected to an insertion section, and the flexible body is connected to the flexible shaft. Connect the other end of the shaft
2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is configured to be connected to rotation driving means for driving said rotation. 6. A structure in which the rotating body, the guide member, and the ultrasonic vibrator are housed in a cap provided at a distal end of an insertion portion, and an ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed in the cap. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.