JP3378727B2 - Probe for ultrasonic 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 a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a probe when it is taken at a glance and when it is held in a test room with poor illumination for use. The present invention relates to a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which can surely identify right, left, up, and down, prevent accidental slipping from a hand during use, and can smoothly perform a rotating operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is generally used in a test room where illumination is poor, and moreover,
The direction of the image information obtained changes depending on the direction in which the probe is applied to the subject, so it is necessary for the technician to be sure to know in which direction the probe is held. . For this reason, the probe according to the related art is provided with a protruding direction identifying portion at a specific position on the outer surface of the probe, and when the probe is held in the hand, the protruding identifying portion identifies the direction of the probe. .

[0003]

The probe for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the prior art described above is used in a test room with poor illumination.
The direction of the probe cannot be recognized immediately when viewed with the eye, and even when held in the hand, it is necessary to forcibly rotate the probe to check the position of the protruding identification part. However, there is a problem that it takes time to start the diagnostic work.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide a probe when it is glanced and when it is held in a hand in an examination room where illumination is poor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which can surely discriminate between right and left and upper and lower sides and which can be smoothly rotated without being dropped from a hand during use.

[0005]

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object is usually to use in a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which emits an ultrasonic wave, receives an echo thereof, and extracts the internal state of the body as image information. Where the thumb touches when held
From the center of the side of one probe to the front side and
On the front side, face up from one side of the front side to the other side.
A non-slip part is provided with a shape that narrows downward.
The thumb touches when held normally
From the center of the left side of the probe, which is the
To the right from the left side of the front side to the part and the front.
This is achieved by providing the non-slip portion in a shape such that the width becomes narrower in the downward direction .

[0006] Further, the above-mentioned object is that the non- slip portion is projected.
Be formed with a non-slip pattern by raising
And the slide on the front of the probe body.
The stopper part is made of a material different from that of the main body case.
Installed on the front of the probe body.
The anti-slip part has a different color from the main body case.
It is achieved by there.

Further, the above object is achieved by making the color of the cable bush of the cable connection portion the same as that of the pattern or the non-slip portion, and indicating the color of the ultrasonic wave used by the probe. It

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a use state of a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of the probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a front surface and a back surface of the probe according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing left and right side surfaces, a plane surface and a bottom surface of the probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 1 to 5, 1 is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 2 is a connector, 3 is a connection cable, 4 is a probe, 5 is a subject, 6 is a probe holder,
20 is a lens surface, 21 is a head, 22 is a main body case, 2
3, 23 'are non-slip parts, 24 is a non-slip projection pattern, 25 is a projection part, 26 is an identification part, and 27 is a cable bush.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus probe 4 is used by being connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 having a display unit through a connector 2 and a connecting cable 3 and used. Ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 with internal state as image information
Output to the display section of. The internal configuration is well known and is not directly related to the present invention, but includes a large number of electroacoustic conversion elements such as ultrasonic transducers, which emit ultrasonic waves to receive echoes from inside the body, This received signal is used as image information. The probe 4 is housed in the probe holder 6 provided in a part of the operation unit of the diagnostic device 1 when not used for actual diagnosis.

In such a probe 4, the direction of the image obtained is determined by the direction of the lens surface of the probe 4 which will be described later, which is applied to the body. For this reason, the technician is always
It is necessary to observe the displayed image while recognizing in what direction the probe 4 is held. The present invention is
Whether the inspection engineer takes a glance or holds it in his / her hand for use in a poorly lit test room, the left, right, top and bottom of the probe can be reliably identified, and at the time of use. The present invention relates to a configuration of a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which eliminates the risk of dropping from a hand and can smoothly perform a rotating operation.

The probe 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Is an example in which the present invention is applied to a probe called a convex type having a curved lens surface on a wide and flat head, and is a perspective view, a front view, a rear view, a right side view of FIGS.
As shown in the left side view, the plan view, and the bottom view, a head portion 21 and a body case portion 22 forming a body, a lens surface 20 provided on the head portion 21 for inputting and outputting acoustic signals, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 1 and a cable bush 27 that protects the connection cable 3 for connection to 1. The main body case portion 22 has a shape having a constriction in its center portion so that the inspection technician can easily hold it in his / her hand and can easily rotate it.

Further, the main body case portion 22 can surely recognize the front surface, the rear surface, and the upper and lower sides of the probe 4 when seen by an inspection engineer or when held by a hand.
As shown in FIG. 3A, a front side anti-slip portion 23 having a large number of anti-slip projection patterns 25 and a back side anti-slip portion 23 ′ are provided and formed. The front anti-slip portion 23 has a color different from that of the other surface of the body case 22 and is normally made of a different material, as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 3 (a). The probe 4 is provided on the front side and the front side from the center of the left side surface of the probe 4 that touches the thumb when it is held, and the width in the vertical direction becomes narrower from the left side of the front side toward the right side. It is provided in a shape. Further, the back side non-slip portion 23 'is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a large number of protrusions are provided in a fan shape from the constricted portion of the probe 4 toward the lens surface 20.

In addition, a large number of electroacoustic transducers (not shown) are housed inside the head 21, and the head 21 together with a large number of the electroacoustic transducers housed therein has a main body case portion 2.
It is possible to remove it from 2, and replace it with another head,
Alternatively, maintenance and inspection, replacement of electroacoustic transducers, and the like are possible.

Since the probe 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above directly touches the human body, compatibility with a living body is required, and the head 21 and the main body case 22 are required. The modified polyphenylene oxide is used as the material of the above, silicon is used as the material of the lens surface 20, and polypropylene is used as the material of the front side anti-slip portion 23. The modified polyphenylene oxide used as the material of the main body case portion 22 is a hard resin and is optimal for forming the head portion 21 and the main body case portion 22, and is also used as the material of the lens surface 20. Silicon is highly transparent to ultrasonic waves and hardly attenuates ultrasonic waves. Further, polypropylene used as a material for the front anti-slip portion 23 is a resin that is relatively soft and is not slippery by itself, and it is possible to obtain a good feel when touched by the hand, and the head 21 and the main body. The difference from the modified polyphenylene oxide forming the case portion 22 can be clearly perceived. The front anti-slip portion 23 is formed by a method called in-mold when the main body case portion 22 is formed.
It can be formed at the same time.

The rear anti-slip portion 23 'does not have to be formed of a material different from that of the main body case portion 22, and may be formed of the same material as the main body case portion 22 or may not be provided in some cases. . In order to clearly distinguish the front side from the back side when held in the hand, it is better not to provide the back side non-slip portion 23 ', but when the probe 4 is applied to the subject and moved on the body A jelly-like substance is applied to the body in order to make it move smoothly, but when this jelly-like substance becomes slippery when it comes into contact with the hands of a medical technologist, it is necessary to have a minimum amount of back-side non-slip to prevent slipping.

A protrusion 25 is provided in a strip shape on one side surface of the body case 22.
The feel of 5 also allows the technician to know the direction in which the probe 4 is held. That is, when the probe 4 is held in the hand, it is standard that the body case portion 22 is sandwiched between the thumb and the index finger, and at this time, the protrusion 25 hits the palm between the thumb and the index finger, It is easy to confirm the direction.

In the above description, the front anti-slip portion 23 is
Although it has been described that the color is different from that of the main body case portion 22 around it, this color is not only for visually recognizing the front portion of the probe 4 but also for the frequency of the ultrasonic wave used by the probe 4. Is also intended to be recognized. That is, as the frequency of the ultrasonic wave used by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, a large number of frequencies are used depending on the diagnosis site, the purpose of diagnosis, and the like. Since the electroacoustic transducers constituting the probe 4 are different for each of the frequencies used, the probe 4 is also prepared for each frequency used.
In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to identify the used frequency for each probe, the color of the front anti-slip portion 23 is given in correspondence with the used frequency. The cable bush 27 is also given the same color as the front anti-slip portion 23 to have the same meaning.

The probe 4 constructed as described above is
As shown in FIG. 5, it is held in the hands of an inspection engineer in various forms depending on the inspection condition. Figure 5 (a) shows the standard way of holding
Fig. 5 (b) shows how to hold it in the palm, Fig. 5 (c) shows how to hold it in a pen-hold style, and Fig. 5 (d) shows an example of holding it with your left hand. As can be seen from these examples, no matter what state the probe 4 is held in by the hand, the thumb touches the front anti-slip portion 23, so that the inspection technician feels the thumb and the probe 4 front side. Can be accurately recognized. When the probe 4 is held in the hand, the technician who holds the probe in the hand knows the direction of the probe 4 because the shape of the surface where the thumb and the other fingers are in contact is different. be able to. For this reason,
In the present invention, the anti-slip portion may be provided only on the front surface.

In the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the identification portion 26 by the protrusion is further provided on the side portion of the probe 4. The identification unit 26 is used to allow an inspection engineer to recognize the direction of a conventionally used probe, and even a person who is familiar with the conventional probe can definitely recognize the direction of the probe. it can.

According to the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, at first glance, the colors of the non-slip portion 23 and the cable bush 27 are different from the colors of the main body case portion 22 around them, so that the left and right sides of the probe are The upper and lower sides can be reliably identified, and the sense of the material of the non-slip portion 23 that touches a finger when held in a hand for use in a test room with poor lighting,
The sense of the protrusion pattern 24 can reliably identify the left, right, top, and bottom of the probe.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a back surface and a cross section of a probe for explaining a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the reference numerals in the drawing are the same as those in FIGS.

In the probe 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the head 21 has the lens surface 2
The front side and the back side along the curve of 0 are provided at the same position on the front side and the back side, and are configured to be coupled to the main body case section 22. Head 21 configured in this way
In the case where the head 21 is once removed and then rejoined to the main body case 22, it is difficult to judge only by the shape of the joint even if the head 21 is rotated by 180 degrees.

In the probe 4 according to the modification shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the connecting portion between the head portion 21 and the main body case portion 22 is different between the front side and the rear side, and the head portion 21 is attached to the main body case portion 22. When rejoining, the correct joining direction of the head 21 can be easily determined. That is, in the illustrated modified example, the front head portion 21 and the main body case portion 2 are
The connecting portion with 2 is formed in a curved shape as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, and the connecting portion on the back side is linear as shown in FIG. 6 (a). As a result, when the head 21 is removed, the main body case 2 having different shapes on the front side and the back side is removed.
2 has an edge for connection with the main body case portion 22 as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 6B. Since the length is different between the front side and the back side, when the head 21 is rejoined to the main body case 22, the head 2
The correct binding direction of 1 can be easily determined.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the probe according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a view showing the front and back surfaces of the probe according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is the view of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the left-right side surface, the plane, and the bottom face of the probe by 2nd Embodiment, and the code | symbol of a figure is the same as the case of FIGS.

The probe 4 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Is an example in which the present invention is applied to a relatively thin probe called a sector type having a small lens surface. The probe according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different only in the external shape from that of the first embodiment of the present invention, and has a non-slip portion 23, a non-slip projection pattern 24, a projection portion 25, and an identification portion. The functions of the cable 26 and the cable bush 27 are configured to be exactly the same as those of the first embodiment, and similar effects can be obtained.

In the probe 4 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the body case portion 22 has a maximum front lateral width dimension of 36 m.
m, front minimum width dimension 30 mm, side maximum width dimension 30
mm, the minimum lateral width of the side surface is 24 mm, and it is slightly laterally long and rounded. In this probe 4, the imaging part is mainly the lens surface applied to the gap of the ribs,
Further, since the probe is used by rotating it, the preferred form for imaging is a regular quadrangle, but it is rounded as described above in consideration of the subject.

Since the probe 4 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is slightly laterally long, it is possible to easily recognize the direction of the front side or the side side even when rotated. Since the non-slip portion 23 is provided on the front side and the protrusion 25 is provided on the side surface, the direction can be easily checked by feeling.

The above-mentioned protrusion 25 is, for example, the lens surface 2
40mm from the tip of 0 to the direction of the cable bush 27
From the position of 40 mm, or without providing the identification portion 26, the main body case portion 22
It may be provided in a range excluding the curved portion on the side of the cable bush 27 from the position in contact with the head 21 of the.

In the case of the second embodiment of the present invention, since the difference between the width of the front face portion and the width of the side face portion is small, the main body case 2
When the non-slip portion 23 is not provided on the surface of 2, it is difficult to know in what direction the probe is held only by the feel of the hand. Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the anti-slip part 2 provided by the present invention is provided.
3, 23 ', anti-slip projection pattern 24, projection 25,
The function of the cable bush 27 becomes extremely important and effective.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a front surface, a back surface, and left and right side surfaces of a probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and the reference numerals in the drawing are the same as those in FIGS.

The probe 4 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Is an example in which the present invention is applied to a probe called a linear probe type having a wide and flat head with a planar lens surface. The probe according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different only in the external shape from that of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the anti-slip portions 23, 23 ′, the anti-slip projection pattern 24, the projection 25. The functions of the identification unit 26 and the cable bush 27 are configured to be exactly the same as those in the first embodiment, and similar effects can be obtained.

In each of the embodiments of the present invention described above, the front surface, the rear surface, and the upper and lower sides of the probe 4 can be surely recognized on the front surface of the probe 4 when seen with the eyes or held in the hand. As described above, the front side anti-slip portion 23 having the large number of anti-slip projection patterns 25 is provided, but the anti-slip portion 23 does not have to be provided with the pattern 25 of a large number of projections, and various forms are possible. Can be taken.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of various anti-slip patterns of the front anti-slip portion 23, and the reference numerals in the drawing are the same as those in FIG.

The example shown in FIG. 11A is an example in which a large number of fine irregularities are provided on the surface of the anti-slip portion 23.
The example shown in (b) and FIG. 11 (c) is an example in which a large number of concave or convex thin parallel lines are provided on the surface of the anti-slip portion 23 in the horizontal or vertical direction. Even in the case of the slip stopper having such a form, the same effect as described above can be obtained.
Although only three examples are shown here, the form of the anti-slip pattern provided on the surface of the anti-slip part may be any form as long as it makes the probe 4 less slippery when held in the hand. Good. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 11 as well, the color of the non-slip portion is different from that of the case portion 22, and
The color may represent the working frequency of the probe.

In each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the anti-slip portion 23 provided on the front side of the probe 4 is made of a material different from that of the main body case portion 22 around the anti-slip portion 23.
Although it is assumed that the pattern is formed by providing a non-slip pattern such as a protrusion and has a color different from that of the main body case part 22 around the anti-slip part 23, the present invention uses only one of ~, or an appropriate combination thereof. You may make it comprise the non-slip part 23.

That is, in the present invention, for example, the anti-slip portion 23 may not be provided, and only that portion may be colored differently from the surrounding main body case portion. In this case, the front surface, the back surface, and the left and right side surfaces of the probe body have different patterns, and the direction of the probe can be identified at a glance. In addition, for example, the non-slip portion 2
Instead of providing 3, the portion may be formed of a material different from that of the surrounding main body case portion. In this case, the difference in the materials can be felt by hand when held, and the direction of the probe can be easily identified.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the probe according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, 2
Reference numeral 8 is a character display portion, 29 is an optical fiber, and other reference numerals are the same as those in FIG.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
A character display portion 28 made of acrylic or the like is provided on the anti-slip portion 23 provided on the front side of the probe 4, and light guided by an optical fiber 29 passing through the connection cable 3 causes the character pattern of the character display portion 28 to emit light. It was done like this. By setting the character drawn on the character display unit 28 to a number indicating the frequency used by the probe, the technician can immediately know the frequency used by the probe being used. The illumination of characters is performed by using the light guided by the optical fiber 29. In the connection cable 3, a drive signal for a large number of electroacoustic conversion elements or a reception signal from a large number of electroacoustic conversion elements is transmitted. This is for avoiding the case where the metal cable is provided, and when the metal cable is provided for illumination, the noise may be induced to the electroacoustic conversion element.

Further, in the present invention, the conventionally provided identification section 26 may be illuminated by the light guided by the optical fiber 29. In this case, even a person who has been able to use the conventional one can easily identify the direction of the probe without holding the probe in his / her room, which is poorly illuminated.

Next, the effect of making the cable bush 27 and the anti-slip portion 23 of the same color will be described.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the state of the probe housed in the probe holder provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the reference numerals in the drawing are the same as those in FIGS. .

As described above, the probe 4 is housed in the probe holder 6 provided in a part of the operating portion of the diagnostic device 1 when it is not used for diagnosis. At that time, the probe 4 is stored in the probe holder 6 as shown in FIG.
It is possible to carry out whatever the direction of the probe 4, as shown in FIG. In this state, when the inspection technician uses the probe 4 for the inspection, the inspection technician may use the probe 4 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention regardless of the direction in which the probe 4 is stored in the probe holder 6. It is possible to easily know the frequency used.

That is, in the probe 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the color of the anti-slip portion 23 provided on the front side of the probe 4 and the color of the cable bush 27 are the same, and the color is the same. The frequency used is 4. Then, no matter what direction the probe 4 is held in the probe holder 6, the inspection engineer can see at least one of the anti-slip portion 23 and the cable bush 27, and the color of the probe 4 makes it possible.
You can know the frequency used.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the probe can be moved to the left, right, up and down when viewed at a glance and when it is held in the hand for use in a test room where lighting is poor. Therefore, it is possible to provide a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which can surely discriminate between the ultrasonic diagnostic devices and which does not fall from the hand during use and which can be smoothly rotated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage state of a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a front surface and a rear surface of the probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing left and right side surfaces, a plane surface and a bottom surface of the probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where a probe is held in a hand.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a back surface and a cross section of a probe for explaining a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a front surface and a rear surface of a probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing left and right side surfaces, a plane surface and a bottom surface of the probe according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a front surface and a left side surface of a probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing examples of various anti-slip patterns of the front anti-slip portion 23.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a probe according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a probe is stored in a probe holder provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment 2 connector 3 connection cable 4 probes 5 subject 6 probe holder 20 lens surface 21 head 22 Body case 23, 23 'non-slip part 24 Anti-slip projection pattern 25 Projection 26 Identification section 27 cable bush 28 character display 29 optical fiber

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kumiko Kasai 1-1-14 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Hitachi Medical Co. (72) Inventor Takashi Kobayashi 1-1-14 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Hitachi Medical Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP 62-243540 (JP, A) JP 1-277540 (JP, A) JP 4-40943 (JP, A) JP 4-75643 ( JP, A) Actual opening Sho 52-145088 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 54-78387 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 58-36349 (JP, U) Actual opening Flat 1-85664 (JP, U) Actual opening Flat 3-16908 (JP, U) Actual flat 5-70513 (JP, U) Actual flat 5-84304 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 8 / 00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted and an echo thereof is received to identify the person.
Ultrasonic diagnostic device that extracts the internal state of the body as image information
Of the probe for normal use is touched by the thumb when held in the hand
Front side from the center of one side of the probe
Part and the front, from one side of the front side to the other side
Non-slip shape that narrows in the vertical direction toward
For ultrasonic diagnostic equipment characterized by having a section
Boo. 2. A left side surface of a probe, which is a portion to which a thumb normally touches when it is normally held in a hand, in a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that emits an ultrasonic wave and receives an echo thereof to extract the internal state of the body as image information. For the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that a non-slip portion is provided in a shape such that the width becomes narrower in the vertical direction from the left side portion of the front side to the front side portion and the front side from the central portion of the probe. Wherein the anti-slip portions, according to claim 1 or 2 probe according characterized in that it is formed by providing a pattern of slip due to the projections or the like. Wherein said probe slip portion provided on the front of the body, a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein characterized in that it is formed by a material different from the body case portion . 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non- slip portion provided on the front surface of the probe main body has a color different from that of the main body case portion. probe.