JP3561643B2 - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a convex ultrasonic probe (referred to as a convex probe) for use in a body cavity such as a vagina or the like, which is an industrial technical field, and particularly relates to an ultrasonic probe that relieves pain of a patient.
[0002]
[Prior art]
(Background of the Invention) The convex probe is driven linearly on a convex surface in a direction in which minute piezoelectric elements are arranged. In such a device, since the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received in a fan shape, it has a feature that the effect similar to that of the sector drive can be obtained. Then, for example, it is inserted into a body cavity to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and a tomographic image of the inside of the body cavity is obtained in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. In recent years, there has been a demand for a convex probe that reduces pain from the standpoint of patient protection.
[0003]
(Example of Prior Art) FIGS. 2 to 4 are views of a convex probe for explaining a conventional example. 2 is a schematic exploded view, FIG. 3 is a front sectional view, and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view.
[0004]
The convex probe includes a probe main body 1 and an outer case 2. The probe body 1 has the piezoelectric elements 4 arranged in the width direction on the surface of the backing material 3 and has a curved surface that is convex in the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 4. Usually, after arranging the piezoelectric elements 4 using the backing material 3 as a rubber material, the piezoelectric elements 4 are fixed while being bent on a base 5 having a curved surface. The piezoelectric element 4 has electrodes (not shown) on both main surfaces. Then, electrodes are led out from, for example, both sides of the lower surface in contact with the backing 3 material by the flexible substrate 7 (ab) having the line 6.
[0004]
The flexible substrate 7 alternately leads out the electrodes of the piezoelectric element 4, and is bent and extended to the side surfaces of the backing material 3 and the base 5. Then, it is fixed by a resin coating layer applied to the backing material 3 and the side surface of the base 5 (not shown). A shield foil (copper foil) for electrically insulating the piezoelectric element 4 and the line 6 of the flexible substrate 7 (ab) from the outside is adhered around the base on the surfaces of the coating layers on both sides (not shown). .
[0005]
An acoustic matching layer 8 having a two-layer structure is provided on the front surface (upper surface) of the piezoelectric element 4, and an acoustic lens 9 is further covered. The acoustic lens 9 has a curved surface similar to the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements 4 and a convex lens in the width direction. The base 5 has leg portions 10 (ab) at both ends, and is fixed in contact with both side surfaces of the base 5.
[0006]
The outer case 2 is made of resin, and houses the probe main body 1 by exposing a front surface on which the piezoelectric elements 4 are arranged. Specifically, it has an opening 10 having a curved surface similar to that of the probe main body 1 on the distal end side, and has a hook-shaped step portion 11 on the inner wall on both end sides. Then, both end corners of the probe main body 1 are held by the step portion 11 and fixed (joined) by the adhesive 12 provided on the entire peripheral surface.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
(Problems of the prior art) However, in the convex probe having the above-described structure, a discontinuous point is generated on the front surface serving as the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface. That is, a curved step portion P is generated at the connection portion between the both ends of the probe main body 1 and the outer case 2. This is because it is difficult to form the opening end face in the same manner as the curvature of the probe main body 1 when forming the hook-shaped steps 11 at both ends of the external case 2, and it requires a large wall thickness.
[0008]
Therefore, in this case, when inserted into the vagina or the like, the stepped portion P formed on the front surface of the ultrasonic probe impedes smooth insertion, causing an uncomfortable feeling and causing pain. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5 (front view), it has been considered that the acoustic lens 9 is formed into a substantially semicircular shape and both end surfaces of the acoustic lens 9 are fixed to the opening end surface of the case. In the drawing, reference numeral 13 (cross-hatched lines) is a shield electrode that goes around the base 5 and is provided on the flexible substrate 7.
[0009]
However, in this case, for example, the silicone-based adhesive 12 is only applied to the opening end surface having a narrow width of about 2 mm. Therefore, there has been a problem that cracks or chips are generated in the adhesive itself due to pressing force or heat at the time of diagnosis or the like, and, for example, chemicals penetrate and adversely affect the piezoelectric element 4 and the like. In short, there was a problem of chemical resistance in such a thing.
[0010]
(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide a convex probe which has enhanced chemical resistance and has no pain.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The basic solution of the present invention is that the acoustic lens has a semicircular shape and hooks are provided at both ends, and the acoustic lens is fitted to the step of the outer case and joined with an adhesive.
[0012]
[Action]
In the present invention, since the hooks are provided at both ends of the acoustic lens and fitted to the step of the case, the joining path is lengthened. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0013]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a view of a convex probe for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified or omitted.
As described above, the convex probe has a probe main body 1 having a backing material 3, a base 5, a flexible substrate 7, an acoustic matching layer 8, an acoustic lens 9, and the like as convex on the piezoelectric element element 3 in the arrangement direction. And an outer case 2.
[0014]
In this embodiment, the acoustic lens 9 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape. Then, both ends are bent to provide leg portions 13 (ab), and hook portions (step portions) 14 are formed. The hook 14 has a width of 2 mm and a length of 5 mm. Also, a step is formed on the side surface of the base 5 in accordance with this. Then, the hook 14 of the acoustic lens 9 is fitted to the step on the side of the opening surface of the outer case 2 and joined by the adhesive 12.
[0015]
The piezoelectric elements 4 driven by linear drive (convex drive) are arranged at an angle (viewing angle) of about 120 degrees here with respect to the center of the curved surface, and the semicircular acoustic lens has an angle of 150 degrees or more. It is formed. An adhesive 12 is filled in a gap between both ends of the acoustic lens 9 and the base 5.
[0016]
With such a configuration, since the step portions of the hook portions 14 at both ends of the acoustic lens 9 and the outer case 2 are joined, the joining path (seal path) is increased from 2 mm in the conventional example to 7 mm. Therefore, since the bonding strength at this portion is increased, the adhesive itself is prevented from being damaged and the like, in addition to the pressure resistance and heat resistance. For this reason, invasion of chemicals and the like is prevented, and electrical and acoustic performance is maintained. In short, chemical resistance can be improved.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the acoustic lens is formed in a semicircular shape, and the hooks are provided at both ends, and the acoustic lens is fitted to the step of the outer case and joined by an adhesive. It is possible to provide a convex probe which is reinforced and has no pain when inserted into a body cavity.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a convex probe for explaining one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of a convex probe for explaining a conventional example.
FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a convex probe illustrating a conventional example.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a convex probe explaining a conventional example.
FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 probe body, 2 outer case, 3 backing material, 4 piezoelectric elements, 5 bases, 6 lines, 7 flexible substrate, 8 acoustic matching layer, 9 acoustic lens, 10 legs, 11 steps, 12 adhesive, 13 Shield electrode, 14 Hook

Claims (1)

A probe body having a piezoelectric element fixed on a backing material provided on the surface of the base having a convex shape and having a convex shape in the arrangement direction of the piezoelectric elements, and an acoustic lens provided on a front surface of the piezoelectric element ; An ultrasonic probe comprising an outer case formed by exposing and accommodating a front surface of the probe body and joining both ends of the acoustic lens with an adhesive, wherein the acoustic lens has a semicircular shape. A hook portion bent inward at both ends is provided to fit into a step provided on the side surface of the base corresponding to the hook portion, and the hook corresponding to the hook portion of the acoustic lens is provided. An ultrasonic probe, which is fitted to a step provided on an opening surface side of an outer case and joined by an adhesive.

Images