JP3570964B2 - Ultrasonic probe support device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe support device, and more particularly to an improvement of an ultrasonic probe support device that supports a small ultrasonic probe and guides the ultrasonic probe to a desired diagnostic position.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses that radiate ultrasonic waves into a living body and receive echo signals from the living body to acquire image information and observe the inside of the living body have been widely used. An ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic transducer for actually transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the ultrasonic probe has various shapes and shapes depending on a part to be diagnosed. , And the size is appropriately used. For example, an ultrasonic probe used to observe a blood vessel or the like by making direct contact with an organ such as a heart or a liver during a laparotomy is very small (for example, 20 mm), and a finger or the like grips the ultrasonic probe. It is difficult to operate. In addition, when the ultrasonic probe is brought into direct contact with an organ, it is necessary to guide the ultrasonic probe to a target site while avoiding surrounding organs and tissues, and it is also difficult to operate the ultrasonic probe with a finger or the like.
[0003]
Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-137244 discloses an attachment for supporting the above-described minute ultrasonic probe. This attachment has a head for supporting the ultrasonic probe at the distal end of the elongated rod-shaped arm, and enables the ultrasonic probe to be easily guided to the above-described parts.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the attachment as described above has a configuration in which the ultrasonic probe is inserted and held from the side of a partially cut-out cylindrical head part having a substantially C-shaped cross section. Blind spots tend to occur and the shape is complicated. As a result, there is a problem that relatively long sterilization and cleaning operations must be performed in order to sufficiently perform sterilization and cleaning after use.
[0005]
In addition, since the ultrasonic probe is only inserted from the side of the head, it is necessary to increase the fitting accuracy in order to secure a sufficient supporting force. That is, it is necessary to insert and insert the ultrasonic probe, and a large force is required for attaching and detaching the ultrasonic probe, and there is a problem that workability is reduced. Further, when the fitting accuracy is high, if the ultrasonic probe is repeatedly attached and detached, the housing of the ultrasonic probe may be worn or damaged, or the head may be damaged. That is, there is a problem in durability of the ultrasonic probe and the attachment.
[0006]
Further, in the case of the type in which the ultrasonic probe is inserted from the side of the head portion, the attachment is dedicated to the ultrasonic probe, and there is a problem that versatility is low.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to securely and firmly hold an ultrasonic probe without causing breakage or wear of the ultrasonic probe, and to perform ultrasonic search. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly versatile ultrasonic probe support device that allows easy attachment and detachment of a probe and that can perform complete sterilization and cleaning easily and quickly.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic transducer that emits ultrasonic waves into a living body and receives an echo signal from the living body and a cable drawn from the ultrasonic transducer. A support device for supporting a probe, comprising an openable and closable support portion for gripping both side portions of the ultrasonic probe with at least a front surface for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves being exposed.
[0009]
Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an ultrasonic transducer which emits ultrasonic waves into a living body and receives an echo signal from the living body, and an ultrasonic transducer comprising a cable drawn from the ultrasonic transducer. A support device for supporting a probe, wherein a first member having a first support piece engaged with one side surface of the ultrasonic probe with at least a front surface for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves being exposed, A second member having a second support piece engaged with the other side surface of the ultrasonic probe in a state in which a front surface for transmitting and receiving sound waves is exposed, including an opening and closing support portion, and the first support piece The ultrasonic probe is gripped and opened by opening and closing the second support piece.
[0010]
According to this configuration, the attachment / detachment of the ultrasonic probe is performed by the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing support portion. As a result, the ultrasonic probe can be easily attached and detached, and unnecessary force is not applied to the ultrasonic probe and the opening / closing support portion at the time of attachment / detachment. Furthermore, it is possible to support ultrasonic probes having different external sizes as long as they are within the elastic deformation range of the opening / closing support portion, thereby improving versatility. Further, since the opening / closing support portion opens and closes, sterilization, washing, and the like can be easily performed. Furthermore, if the opening / closing support portion is composed of two members, the shapes of the first support piece and the second support piece constituting the open / close support portion are simplified, and sterilization, washing, and the like can be easily performed.
[0011]
In addition, in order to achieve the above object, in the above configuration, the first member and the second member intersect at a fulcrum provided near the first support piece and the second support piece, and the fulcrum Opening and closing around the center.
[0012]
Further, in order to achieve the above object, in the above-described configuration, the first support piece and the second support piece mesh with each other and intersect with each other, and the mesh portion serves as a fulcrum.
[0013]
According to this configuration, an efficient and large gripping force can be obtained when gripping the ultrasonic probe. Further, when the first support piece and the second support piece mesh with each other and intersect with each other, and the meshing portion serves as a fulcrum, a larger gripping force can be obtained. Further, the shapes of the first support piece and the second support piece are further simplified, and sterilization, washing, and the like can be easily performed.
[0014]
In addition, in order to achieve the above object, in the above configuration, the opening / closing support portion has a lock mechanism that holds the ultrasonic probe and maintains a closed state.
[0015]
In addition, in order to achieve the above object, in the above configuration, the lock mechanism includes a loop-shaped connecting member having one end inserted through the first member and the second member, and the first member and the second member. A lock groove formed in the member, the other end of the connection member being engageable with the lock member. When the open / close support is locked, the connection member engages with the lock groove to close the first member and the second member. A state is maintained, and when the lock of the opening / closing support portion is released, the connecting member regulates a separation distance between the first member and the second member.
[0016]
According to this configuration, it is possible to continuously and more reliably support the ultrasonic probe. Also, by inserting one end of the loop-shaped connecting member through the first member and the second member, the loss of the connecting member can be prevented, and the locking operation can always be performed at the same position. A stable gripping force by the second member can be obtained. Further, since the connecting member is inserted through the first member and the second member, even when the first member and the second member are separated at the time of unlocking, both maintain a pair of states, and the first member and the second member Management becomes easier.
[0017]
In addition, in order to achieve the above object, in the above configuration, the opening / closing support portion has a cable support portion that supports the cable.
[0018]
In addition, in order to achieve the object as described above, in the above configuration, the first member has a first cable support piece that can be engaged with a side surface of the cable, and the second member has Having a second cable support piece engageable with the other side surface, the first cable support piece and the second cable support piece close at the time of the closing operation of the first member and the second member, and simultaneously perform cable gripping. Features.
[0019]
According to this configuration, during use of the ultrasonic probe, the cables pulled out from the ultrasonic transducer can be arranged so as not to hinder the diagnosis. Further, when the first cable support piece and the second cable support piece are provided, since the gripping operation of the cable can be performed simultaneously with the gripping operation of the ultrasonic vibrator, the attachment and detachment of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the support device is further increased. It can be done easily and quickly. Further, the configuration in which the cable is supported by the two pieces of the first cable support piece and the second cable support piece simplifies the shapes of the first cable support piece and the second cable support piece, and facilitates sterilization, washing, and the like. Can be done.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a top view of the ultrasonic probe support device 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the support device 10. The support device 10 has an elongated stick shape as a whole, and supports an ultrasonic probe 12 having a very small size (for example, about 20 mm in total length) as shown in FIG. The ultrasonic probe 12 is used, for example, for directly contacting an organ such as the heart or liver during laparotomy and used for observing blood vessels and the like, and for observing the carotid artery from the skin. Is done. A linear array vibrator (ultrasonic vibrator) (not shown) and the like are arranged inside the ultrasonic probe 12, and transmit and receive ultrasonic waves in the direction A in FIG. 2 on the front surface 12a. In addition, a signal line is connected to each transducer, pulled out as one cable 14, connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (not shown), and forms an ultrasonic image based on the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves for observation and diagnosis. Inflect for etc.
[0021]
A feature of the present embodiment is that the micro-sized ultrasonic probe 12 is firmly gripped by an openable and closable supporting portion 16.
[0022]
In the present embodiment, the opening / closing support portion 16 includes a first member 18 and a second member 20 that can be combined with each other. FIGS. 3A and 3B show details of the ultrasonic probe with the front end 12 a of the ultrasonic probe 12 at least exposed at the tip of the first member 18. A first support piece 18a that engages with one side surface 12b of the probe 12 is formed, and a front surface 12a of the ultrasonic probe 12, which transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, is superposed on the distal end portion of the second member 20 at least in an exposed state. A second support piece 20a that engages with the other side surface 12c of the acoustic probe 12 is formed. By opening and closing the first support piece 18a and the second support piece 20a, the ultrasonic probe 12 can be gripped and opened. In the present embodiment, by opening and closing the first member 18 and the second member 20, the opening and closing operation of the first support piece 18a and the second support piece 20a is substantially realized. The first member 18 and the second member 20 are formed of a corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel or hard resin.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the first support piece 18a of the first member 18 has a semi-cylindrical female shape having a slit 18b, and the second support piece 20a of the second member 20 is It has a male shape having a fork portion 20b which is inserted into and intersects with the slit 18b. FIG. 3B shows a state in which the first support piece 18a and the second support piece 20a are engaged with each other and intersect, and the ultrasonic probe 12 is gripped (opened state of the ultrasonic probe 12). . FIG. 4 shows an overall image of the first member 18 and the second member 20 in the same state. As is clear from FIGS. 3B and 4, the meshing portion 22 where the first support piece 18 a and the second support piece 20 a mesh and intersect becomes a fulcrum, and the first support piece 18 a and the second support piece 20 a Perform opening and closing operations. In this case, since the distance from the engaging portion 22 which is the fulcrum to the position where the ultrasonic probe 12 is actually gripped is short, the first member 18 and the second member 18 are changed from the state shown in FIG. By closing the rear side of 20, an efficient and large gripping force can be applied to the ultrasonic probe 12. In particular, since the fulcrum exists near the ultrasonic probe 12, a large gripping force can be obtained.
[0024]
By the way, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 4, one end of a loop-shaped connecting member 24 is provided on the rear end side of the first member 18 and the second member 20. It is arranged with the two members 20 inserted. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a lock groove 26 with which the other end of the connection member 24 can be engaged is formed in the first member 18 and the second member 20, and the connection member 24 and the lock groove 26 It constitutes a lock mechanism. As shown in FIG. 1A, the connecting member 24 has a holding portion 24a in which the lock groove 26 side is partially narrowed (slightly smaller than the total thickness of the first member 18 and the second member 20). When the first member 18 and the second member 20 are in the closed state, the connecting member 24 is engaged with the lock groove 26 so that the holding portion 24a holds the first member 18 and the second member 20 and the first member It is configured to easily maintain the closed state of the second member 20 and the second member 20. As a result, it becomes possible to continuously and firmly support the ultrasonic probe 12 held by the first support piece 18a and the second support piece 20a.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the connecting member 24 is removed from the lock groove 26, the state shown in FIG. 1B is obtained, and the first member 18 and the second member 20 are opened to the state shown in FIG. The stylus 12 can be opened, that is, removed from the support device 10.
[0026]
Thus, the ultrasonic probe 12 can be easily attached and detached by holding the ultrasonic probe 12 with the openable and closable support portion 16. Further, since unnecessary force is not applied to the ultrasonic probe 12 and the opening / closing support section 16 when the ultrasonic probe 12 is attached / detached, that is, the fitting operation is not performed, the ultrasonic probe 12 and the opening / closing support section are not performed. 16 can be prevented from being worn or damaged. Further, since the ultrasonic probe 12 is supported by the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing support portion 16, it is possible to support the ultrasonic probe 12 having a different outer diameter within the elastic deformation range of the opening / closing support portion 16. And the versatility of the support device 10 is improved.
[0027]
By the way, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 5, the first member 18 and the second member 20 have cable supporting portions 18 c and 20 c supporting the cable 14 of the ultrasonic probe 12. Is formed. As is clear from FIG. 5, the cable support pieces 18c and 20c have a substantially semicircular cross section, and the first member 18 and the second member 20 are in the closed state as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). When it becomes, a support space for the cable 14 can be formed. Therefore, by performing the closing operation of the first member 18 and the second member 20 to hold the ultrasonic probe 12, the supporting operation of the cable 14 can be performed at the same time. As shown in FIG. 1B, in the present embodiment, the cable support pieces 18c and 20c are formed in a relatively long continuous shape along the longitudinal direction of the first member 18 and the second member 20, If the cable 14 can be supported, the cable support pieces 18c and 20c may be shortened or may be divided into a plurality of shapes. Alternatively, a support piece having a C-shaped cross section may be provided on one of the first member 18 and the second member 20 to serve as a single cable support portion.
[0028]
By the way, in the present embodiment, the first member 18 and the second member 20 are partially connected by the connecting member 24. However, as is apparent from FIGS. It is possible, and as is clear from FIGS. 3 (a), (b), FIGS. 4, 5 and the like, in a state where the first member 18 and the second member 20 are separated, an extremely simple substantially flat shape is formed. (There is no curved surface or the like wrapped around 180 ° or more). That is, since the holding portion of the ultrasonic probe 12 and the support portion of the cable 14 are opened inside in a separated state, the sterilization and cleaning using ultraviolet light, a cleaning liquid, or the like is performed after the use of the support device 10. Even in the case of performing, the ultraviolet rays and the cleaning liquid can be spread over the whole in a short time. As a result, sterilization and washing can be performed quickly and reliably. Further, at the time of sterilization or washing, or at the time of storage of the supporting device 10 or the like, the first member 18 and the second member 20 are partially connected by the connecting member 24 and maintain a paired state. Different types of combinations are not performed, and the management of the supporting device 10 is facilitated.
[0029]
Note that the shape of the support device 10 in the above-described embodiment is an example, and any configuration may be used as long as the ultrasonic probe 12 is supported by an openable and closable support unit. Similar effects can be obtained.
[0030]
It is desirable that the shape of the support device 10 be appropriately selected according to a portion of the ultrasonic probe 12 to be guided. At this time, since the ultrasonic probe 12 can be attached and detached only by the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing support portion 16, even during the operation, the single ultrasonic probe 12 is replaced with various supporting devices 10 to optimize the ultrasonic wave. The use of the probe 12 can be performed.
[0031]
6 and 7 show the supporting device 10 having a different shape. FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show the first support piece 18a and the second support piece 20a of the support device 10 called "T type" shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The tip. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show the distal end portions of the first support piece 18a and the second support piece 20a of the support device called "L-type". As described above, the support device 10 can be applied to various observation sites only by changing the shape of the distal end. As described above, the shapes of the first support piece 18a and the second support piece 20a are arbitrary, and the shape of the half cylinder of the first support piece 18a and the shape of the half cylinder of the first support piece 18a may be used as long as the ultrasonic probe 12 can be gripped by the opening and closing operation. The number and shape of the forks 20b can also be appropriately selected. Further, the first support piece 18a and the second support piece 20a may be constituted by similar fork portions so that they mesh alternately. Of course, a combination of different numbers of forks is also possible. The engaging portion 22 is also optional as long as the first member 18 and the second member 20 intersect with each other. For example, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained even with cross engagement such as scissors. it can.
[0032]
In addition, the first member 18 and the second member 20 are separated at a substantially central portion, and a grip portion gripped by the user of the ultrasonic probe 12 and a grip portion of the ultrasonic probe 12 are separated. May be inserted into the grip portion. In this case, the direction of the ultrasonic probe 12 can be changed by changing the insertion state (rotation direction). In this case, a lock mechanism is provided only on the grip portion, and the closed state of the grip portion can be maintained by inserting the rear end side of the grip portion into the grip portion.
[0033]
Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the connecting member 24 and the lock groove 26 are used as the lock mechanism has been described. However, any mechanism that maintains the closed state of the first member 18 and the second member 20 may be used. For example, a clip having a U-shaped cross section may be used, or an elastic band, an elastic band, engagement of an uneven button, or the like may be used.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, since attachment and detachment of an ultrasonic probe can be performed only by opening and closing operation of an opening / closing support part, attachment and detachment of an ultrasonic probe become easy. In addition, unnecessary force is not applied to the ultrasonic probe and the opening / closing support portion at the time of attachment / detachment, so that wear and breakage of the ultrasonic probe and the opening / closing support portion can be prevented. Furthermore, it is possible to support ultrasonic probes of different external sizes as long as they are within the elastic deformation range of the opening / closing support portion, so that versatility can be improved. In addition, since the grip portion of the ultrasonic probe opens and closes, and furthermore, the configuration of each component is simple, so that sterilization, cleaning, and the like can be easily performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are a top view and a side view of an ultrasonic probe support device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic probe supported by the ultrasonic probe support device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a meshing state of a first member and a second member of the ultrasonic probe support device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the ultrasonic probe support device according to the embodiment of the present invention in an open state.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cable support portion of the ultrasonic probe support device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a T-shaped configuration of the ultrasonic probe support device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating an L-shaped configuration of the ultrasonic probe support device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 support device, 12 ultrasonic probe, 14 cable, 16 opening / closing support portion, 18 first member, 18a first support piece, 20 second member, 20a second support piece, 22 meshing portion (fulcrum), 24 connection Member, 24a Nipping portion, 26 lock groove.

Claims (3)

A support device that supports an ultrasonic probe that emits ultrasonic waves into a living body and receives an echo signal from the living body and a cable drawn from the ultrasonic vibrator,
A first member having a first support piece engaged with one side surface of the ultrasonic probe in a state where at least a front surface for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is exposed,
A second member having a second support piece engaged with the other side surface of the ultrasonic probe in a state where at least a front surface for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is exposed,
Includes an open / close support section composed of
The first member and the second member intersect at a fulcrum provided near the first support piece and the second support piece and open and close around the fulcrum,
The first support piece and the second support piece mesh with each other and intersect with each other, and the mesh portion serves as a fulcrum,
Hold and release the ultrasonic probe by opening and closing the first support piece and the second support piece,
The meshing portion is configured to be separable,
An ultrasonic probe support device, characterized in that: The support device according to claim 1,
The opening and closing support unit has a lock mechanism that maintains a closed state of holding the ultrasonic probe,
The lock mechanism includes:
A loop-shaped connecting member having one end inserted through the first member and the second member,
A lock groove formed in the first member and the second member and capable of engaging the other end of the connecting member;
Consists of
When the opening / closing support portion is locked, the connecting member engages with the lock groove to maintain the first member and the second member in the closed state. When the opening / closing support portion is unlocked, the connecting member is connected to the first member and the second member. An ultrasonic probe support device, wherein a separation distance between two members is regulated. The support device according to claim 2,
The first member has a first cable support piece engageable with a side surface of the cable,
The second member has a second cable support piece engageable with the other side of the cable,
An ultrasonic probe support device, wherein the first cable support piece and the second cable support piece perform a closing operation when the first member and the second member are closed to simultaneously hold the cable.

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