JP4263515B2 - Ultrasonic probe scanner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs a diagnosis by mechanically scanning an ultrasonic probe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, prior to hemodialysis or periodically, it is desirable to diagnose the state of a specific blood vessel (shunt blood vessel formed by shunt formation) for removing blood from the body. That is, it is necessary to confirm whether such a shunt blood vessel has a defect such as stenosis or occlusion. Conventionally, in such blood vessel diagnosis, an X-ray contrast method in which an X-ray contrast medium is introduced into a blood vessel and X-ray imaging is used as necessary. However, such angiography is a significant physical burden for dialysis patients.
In this regard, as an alternative to the X-ray contrast described above, it is conceivable to perform ultrasonic image diagnosis of blood vessels using ultrasound. An example of such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-238899.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-238899 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the above document, the ultrasonic probe is only moved linearly by the apparatus, and the direction in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received is fixed. For this reason, the patient had to be in such a posture that the measurement surface of the diagnostic site (arm, leg, etc.) was directed toward the ultrasonic probe. In particular, a patient having an abnormality in a diagnostic site such as a dialysis patient has a problem that it is difficult to take such an unreasonable posture, which places a burden on the patient. The above problems can also be pointed out when diagnosing diagnostic sites other than arms and legs.
[0005]
This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, The objective is to have a patient receive an ultrasonic diagnosis with a natural posture.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus according to the present invention includes an array transducer including a plurality of vibration elements arranged in an element arrangement direction, and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a substantially cylindrical diagnostic site of a living body. A first drive for moving the ultrasonic probe in an axial direction of a predetermined central axis corresponding to an axial direction of the diagnostic site in a state where the probe and the ultrasonic probe are directed to the diagnostic site And a second drive for moving the ultrasonic probe in a direction around the predetermined central axis at a position of a predetermined radius from the predetermined central axis in a state where the ultrasonic probe is directed to the diagnostic region. And a first tilting mechanism for rotating the ultrasonic probe so that the element arrangement direction is tilted from the direction around the predetermined central axis, and the ultrasonic probe is moved by the first tilting means. In a state where the first drive mechanism and The serial second drive mechanism, the can the ultrasonic probe is moved in the axial direction and the direction of the predetermined central axis of the predetermined central axis, it is intended. Thereby, since the ultrasonic probe is moved in the direction around the predetermined central axis , the patient can receive an ultrasonic diagnosis with a natural posture. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a second configuration in which an ultrasonic wave is transmitted / received obliquely to / from the diagnostic region by tilting the direction of the ultrasonic probe from a direction orthogonal to the predetermined central axis. A tilt mechanism is provided.
[0007]
Here, it is preferable that the second driving mechanism moves the ultrasonic probe at a position having a predetermined radius from the diagnostic region. Moreover, it is also preferable that the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism move the ultrasonic probe spirally with respect to the diagnosis site.
[0008]
When the ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus is configured such that the ultrasonic probe is moved at a position with a predetermined radius from the diagnostic site, the second drive mechanism is inserted through the diagnostic site and the ultrasonic wave It is preferable to include a ring-shaped rotating unit to which a probe is fixed, a driving unit that rotationally drives the rotating unit, and a holding unit that regulates and holds a radial position of the ring-shaped rotating unit. . The first drive mechanism preferably moves the ring-shaped rotating portion in the axial direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first driving mechanism moves the ring-shaped rotating portion in the axial direction by rotational driving of the driving portion.
[0009]
Preferably, a container filled with an acoustic transmission medium is provided, and the ultrasonic probe is moved by the first and second drive mechanisms in the container. With this configuration, the patient only needs to put the diagnostic site in the container and can receive a diagnosis with a natural posture.
[0010]
It is preferable that a tilt adjusting mechanism for adjusting the tilt of the ultrasonic probe is provided. Here, as the tilt adjusting mechanism, there are a mechanism for adjusting the tilt of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the diagnostic region and a mechanism for adjusting the tilt of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the moving direction.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ultrasonic probe scanning device 12 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the ultrasound probe scanning device 12 has a box-shaped housing 13, and a substantially cylindrical diagnostic part 70 such as an arm or a leg is inserted into the housing 13 on the upper surface thereof. It has an opening 14 of an appropriate size for this purpose. An ultrasonic probe and a mechanism for scanning the ultrasonic probe are arranged inside the housing 13 to form a probe scanning unit 12. When diagnosing the patient's arm, the housing 13 may be installed on a table. Moreover, what is necessary is just to install this housing | casing 13 on a floor, when diagnosing a patient's leg. By installing in this way, the patient does not have to take an unreasonable posture and the burden is small. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 50 that controls measurement and displays measurement results as a separate body from the housing 13.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the ultrasound probe scanning device 12. FIG. 2 shows a state where the upper surface and two side surfaces of the housing 13 shown in FIG. 1 are removed. At the time of diagnosis, the case 13 is used as a container and is filled with an acoustic transmission medium (water, castor oil, etc.). Inside the housing 13, there is a ring-shaped rotating portion 16 disposed so as to be aligned with the opening 14 on the top surface of the housing 13. The rotating part 16 is a gear having a large number of teeth on the outer periphery. When a diagnostic part such as an arm or a leg is inserted from the opening 14 on the upper surface of the housing 13, the diagnostic part is inserted almost at the center of the ring-shaped rotating portion 16 (that is, on a predetermined central axis). Become. An ultrasonic probe 20 is attached to a mounting portion 18 that extends downward from a part of the rotating portion 16. The ultrasonic probe 20 includes an array transducer in which a plurality of transducers (a plurality of transducer elements) are arranged in a one-dimensional manner in the element arrangement direction. Information inside the living body is obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe 20 is connected to a cable 22 drawn out of the housing 13, and a transmission signal for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the array transducer and reception from the array transducer via the cable 22. Signals are sent and received. Note that the vibrator is not limited to the above, and an array vibrator in which a plurality of vibrators are two-dimensionally arranged, a single vibrator composed of a single vibrator, or the like may be employed. The ultrasonic probe 20 is subjected to some waterproofing treatment and can be immersed in an acoustic transmission medium.
[0014]
A motor 26 is fixed and housed inside a case 24 provided in the lateral direction of the rotating portion 16, and the rotating shaft of the motor 26 protrudes outside the case 24 and is fixed to the first rotation transmitting portion 28. . The first rotation transmission unit 28 is a disk-shaped member, and is a gear having a large number of teeth on the outer periphery. The motor 26 and the first rotation transmission unit 28 constitute a first drive mechanism. The second rotation transmission unit 30 is formed by sandwiching a disk-shaped gear having a large number of teeth on the outer periphery between two disk-shaped members having a diameter larger than that of the gear. Since it is formed in this way, the second rotation transmission part 30 has a shape having a large number of teeth in the outer peripheral groove and two ridges protruding in the radial direction above and below the large number of teeth. The teeth of the first rotation transmission unit 28 and the teeth of the second rotation transmission unit 30 are engaged. Further, the interval between the two ridges of the second rotation transmission unit 30 is slightly larger than the thickness of the rotation unit 16 and the first rotation transmission unit 28, and the rotation unit 16 and the first rotation transmission unit 28 are sandwiched with a very small gap. It is out. Therefore, the vertical position of the rotation unit 16 is regulated by the second rotation transmission unit 30. Further, the center of the second rotation transmission portion 30 is a through hole that is internally threaded. The inner screw of this through hole is engaged with the outer screw processed on the first columnar member 32 erected inside the housing 13. The second rotation transmission unit 30, the first columnar member 32, and the rotation unit 16 constitute a second drive mechanism.
[0015]
Inside the housing 13, a plurality of holding portions 34 and a second columnar member 36 are arranged around the rotating portion 16. The holding part 34 is preferably provided at two places where the phase of the second rotation transmission part 30 is changed by 120 degrees, or at three places where the phase of the second rotation transmission part 30 is changed by 90 degrees. In FIG. 2, the case where the holding | maintenance part 34 is provided in two places is shown. The holding | maintenance part 34 is a disk of the same shape as the 2nd rotation transmission part 30, and becomes a shape which has two ridges which protruded up and down radially. The holding unit 34 holds the rotating unit 16 in the vertical direction by holding the rotating unit 16 in the vertical direction with two scissors. Thus, the rotating part 16 is held by the holding part 34 and maintains a stable position. The holding part 34 is provided with a through hole. When the holding part 34 receives a rotational force from the rotating part 16, the holding part 34 moves up and down along the second columnar member 36. That is, as the rotating unit 16 moves up and down, the holding unit 34 moves up and down.
[0016]
Since it is configured as described above, when the motor 26 is driven, the second rotation transmission unit 30 rotates by receiving a rotational force from the first rotation transmission unit 28 and moves in the vertical direction. At the same time, the rotation unit 16 also moves in the vertical direction because the second rotation transmission unit 30 restricts the vertical position. In this way, the ultrasonic probe 20 is moved in the vertical direction. The mechanism described above is the first drive mechanism that moves the ultrasound probe 20 in the axial direction of the diagnostic region. The motor 26 incorporates an encoder, and the vertical position of the rotating unit 16 is monitored.
[0017]
Further, when the motor 26 is driven, the second rotation transmission unit 30 is rotated by receiving a rotational force from the first rotation transmission unit 28. Further, the rotating unit 16 is configured to hold the position in the radial direction by the holding unit 34. As a result, the rotating unit 16 rotates without changing the center, and the ultrasonic probe 20 is moved at a position of a predetermined radius from the diagnosis site. The mechanism described above moves the ultrasound probe 20 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the diagnostic region (more precisely, the axial direction of the predetermined central axis corresponding to the axial direction of the diagnostic region) (that is, the predetermined region). This is a second drive mechanism ( moving in the direction around the central axis) . In the present embodiment, the movement of the ultrasonic probe 20 in the predetermined center axis direction and the movement in the direction around the predetermined center axis are controlled by one motor 26, so the structure of the ultrasonic probe scanning device 12 is simplified. It has become.
[0018]
Since the position of the first rotation transmission unit 28 in the vertical direction is restricted by two hooks similarly to the rotation unit 16, the first rotation transmission unit 28 and the case 24 move together when the second rotation transmission unit 30 moves up and down. It moves up and down with the second rotation transmission unit 30. The case 24 is supported and positioned at two points by inserting the first columnar member 32 through the through hole 40 and fitting the guide rail 38 into the sliding groove 42. Accordingly, the case 24 does not rotate even when the first rotation transmission unit 28 applies a rotational force to the second rotation transmission unit 30. In addition, since the space in which the motor 26 inside the case 24 is housed is sealed by an oil seal or the like, the acoustic transmission medium does not enter the space. Further, the motor 26 is connected to a power supply line 23 drawn out of the housing 13. The power supply line 23 is covered with a flexible plastic wound in a spiral shape, and can extend and contract in the vertical direction.
[0019]
In addition, two motors are arranged in the mounting portion 18 fixed to the rotating portion 16, and the inclination of the ultrasonic probe 20 is adjusted by controlling these motors. FIG. 3 shows the operation of the ultrasonic probe 20 when the inclination is adjusted. As shown in FIG. 3A, one motor adjusts the inclination of the ultrasonic probe 20 with respect to the moving direction. That is, the ultrasonic probe 20 is tilted (rotated) so that the element arrangement direction is tilted from the ring direction around the predetermined central axis while the ultrasonic probe 20 is directed toward the diagnosis site. Thereby, according to the shape of the ultrasonic probe 20, the ultrasonic probe 20 can be adjusted to the optimal inclination. For example, the direction in which the vibration element are arranged one-dimensionally in the array transducer, if the vertical the moving direction of the ultrasonic probe 20, it is possible to obtain a wider range of data in a single scan . Such an effect can be similarly obtained even with an ultrasonic probe in which transducers are two-dimensionally arranged. Moreover, as shown in FIG.3 (b), the other motor adjusts the inclination with respect to a diagnostic site | part. That is, the direction of the ultrasonic probe (probe central axis) is inclined from the radial direction orthogonal to the predetermined central axis. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the ultrasonic probe 20 is adjusted in inclination and ultrasonic waves are transmitted in an oblique direction to the rod-shaped diagnostic part, the blood flow flowing inside the diagnostic part is reduced. Doppler information can be obtained.
[0020]
The current for driving the motor is supplied via the cable 22. The inclination of the ultrasonic probe 20 may be adjusted manually without providing a motor. Further, a conical convex portion 44 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 13, and the cable 22 existing on the lower surface of the housing 13 is arranged by the convex portion 44, and the entanglement between the cables 22 is prevented. ing. Here, when the rotating part 16 is raised, the cable 22 may be wound around the lower part of the rotating part 16. A grip 46 is provided on the top of the conical convex portion 44. For example, when diagnosing an arm, the patient grasps the grip 46 and fixes the diagnosis site.
[0021]
Next, the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 will be described including the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 50 for controlling the above-described motor 26 and the like. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. The scanning control unit 52 in the apparatus main body 50 receives the position signal 15 output from the encoder of the position control motor 26 of the ultrasonic probe 20 and controls the position of the ultrasonic probe 20. The signal 17 is output to the position control motor 26. Further, the tilt control unit 56 outputs a tilt control signal 21 for controlling the tilt of the ultrasonic probe 20 to the tilt adjusting motor 19.
[0022]
The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 58 supplies a transmission signal 25 to each vibration element of the ultrasonic probe 20 and functions as a transmission beam former that forms an ultrasonic beam. It has a function as a reception beam former that forms a reception beam by performing phasing addition processing on the reception signal 25 from each vibration element. In addition, various known signal processing circuits such as a detection circuit and a Doppler arithmetic circuit are provided as necessary.
[0023]
The image forming unit 60 forms a three-dimensional image of the in vivo tissue, a three-dimensional image of the blood flow, and the like based on the reception signal output from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 58. At that time, a position signal input via the main control unit 54 is used. The ultrasonic image thus formed is displayed on the display 62. In the above image processing, a volume rendering method may be applied, or a three-dimensional blood flow image may be constructed using Doppler information and displayed in color.
[0024]
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic probe scanning device 12 will be described. 5 and 6 are views showing a state in which the side surface of the housing 13 is removed. In these drawings, an operation when the rotating unit 16 is raised by the control of the scanning control unit 52 is shown.
[0025]
The motor 26 is driven to rotate by receiving a drive current from the scanning control unit 52. At this time, the rotation unit 16 receives a rotational force via the first rotation transmission unit 28 and the second rotation transmission unit 30 and is held by the holding unit 34 with its radial position regulated. Rotate without. At the same time, the second rotation transmitting portion 30 moves upward because the inner screw engages with the outer screw of the first columnar member 32. Thus, since the rotating unit 16 rotates up and down at the same time, the ultrasonic probe 20 moves spirally around the substantially cylindrical diagnostic region 70. Since the ultrasonic probe 20 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves while spirally moving, it is possible to efficiently acquire data of the entire diagnostic region 70. Here, as described above, the patient holds the grip 46 and fixes the diagnostic site.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 5, previously to this spiral movement, by controlling the inside of the motor mounting section 18, the vibration element arrangement direction of the ultrasonic probe 20 to the ultrasound probe 20 moving direction And a right angle. In this way, by adjusting the inclination of the ultrasonic probe 20 with respect to the moving direction, the ultrasonic probe 20 can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves over a wide range of the diagnostic region 70, and one ultrasonic wave can be transmitted. It becomes possible to acquire a wide range of data by this scanning. FIG. 6 shows a situation in which the position of the ultrasound probe 20 is rotated 270 degrees from the position of FIG. 5 (the rotating unit 16 is rotated 270 degrees clockwise as viewed from above). As the ultrasonic probe 20 moves, the cable 22 wound around the convex portion 44 on the lower surface of the housing 13 is pulled out. Further, the power supply line 23 for supplying a drive current to the motor 26 is extended.
[0027]
The characteristic item of the ultrasonic probe scanning device 12 of the present embodiment described above is that the ultrasonic probe scanning device 12 moves the ultrasonic probe 20 in the axial direction of the diagnostic region. And a second drive mechanism for moving the ultrasonic probe 20 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction thereof. In particular, in the present embodiment, the second drive mechanism moves the ultrasonic probe at a position with a predetermined radius from the diagnosis site. With such a configuration, the ultrasonic probe 20 can move around the diagnostic region, and can acquire data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves from various positions to the diagnostic region. On the other hand, from the patient's standpoint, in order to acquire data from various positions, it is not necessary to twist the arms and legs, and the burden on the affected area, which is the diagnostic site, is small.
[0028]
The ultrasonic probe scanning device 12 of the present embodiment is a container in which the casing 13 is filled with an acoustic transmission medium, and the ultrasonic probe 20 is first and second in the container. It is moved by the drive mechanism. Thereby, in order for the patient to receive a diagnosis, it is only necessary to put a diagnostic part such as an arm or a leg into the container, and the diagnosis can be made with a very natural posture. Here, when filling the acoustic transmission medium in the housing 13, it goes without saying that the first and second drive mechanisms are subjected to rust prevention treatment. Further, instead of filling the housing 13 with the acoustic transmission medium, the acoustic transmission medium may be filled only inside the rotating unit 16 in which a diagnostic site such as an arm or a leg is placed.
[0029]
Next, an ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 shows an ultrasonic probe scanning device 80 according to the second embodiment. The ultrasonic probe scanning device 80 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the position of the ultrasonic probe 20 in the predetermined central axis direction and the ultrasonic probe around the predetermined central axis are different. This is a point where the rotational position of the touch element 20 is individually controlled. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0030]
Two motors 90 and 92 are accommodated in the case 24, and one of the motors 90 is a motor for controlling the position of the ultrasonic probe 20 in the axial direction. When the motor 90 rotates the first rotation transmission unit 94, the teeth of the first rotation transmission unit 94 and the teeth of the second rotation transmission unit 96 are engaged with each other, so the second rotation transmission unit 96 rotates. Since the inner screw of the second rotation transmission unit 96 and the outer screw of the first columnar member 32 are engaged, the second rotation transmission unit 96 is moved up and down by rotating the second rotation transmission unit 96. Moving. By moving up and down the second rotation transmission unit 96 in this way, the case 24, the third rotation transmission unit 98, the rotation unit 16 and the like connected to the second rotation transmission unit 96 are moved up and down in conjunction with each other. The That is, the position of the ultrasonic probe 20 in the axial direction is controlled. The mechanism described above is the first drive mechanism that moves the ultrasound probe 20 in the axial direction of the diagnostic region 70.
[0031]
The other motor 92 is a motor for controlling the rotational position of the ultrasonic probe 20 with respect to the diagnostic region. When the motor 92 rotationally drives the third rotation transmission part 98, the teeth of the third rotation transmission part 98 and the teeth of the rotation part 16 are engaged, so that the rotation part 16 is rotated without changing the center position. As a result, the rotational position of the ultrasonic probe 20 around the diagnostic region is controlled. The mechanism described above is the second drive mechanism that moves the ultrasonic probe 20 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, the position of the ultrasonic probe 20 in the axial direction and the position in the plane perpendicular to the axis can be controlled independently. As a result, for example, the ultrasonic probe 20 is simply moved around the diagnostic region 70 without changing the position in the axial direction, or moved in a spiral manner as in the first embodiment. Control becomes possible.
[0033]
In addition, although the rotation part 16 will not be hold | maintained sideways only by providing one holding | maintenance part 34, in this embodiment, by providing two sets of holding | maintenance parts 34 and the columnar member 37, this is added to this. It is addressed. In FIG. 7, only one set of the holding portion 34 and the columnar member 37 is shown. However, a pair of the holding portion 34 and the columnar member 37 that are left in the hidden position in the depth direction is arranged.
[0034]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within an equivalent range. For example, instead of the holding part 34 and the second columnar member 36, a plurality of guide members may be provided in the housing 13 to guide the vertical movement and rotation of the rotating part 16.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
According to the ultrasonic probe scanning device of the present invention, it is possible to acquire data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves from various positions with respect to a diagnostic region.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the ultrasonic probe scanning device.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an inclination adjustment mechanism of an ultrasonic probe.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe scanning device;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe scanning device.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an ultrasonic probe scanning device according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 12 Probe scanning apparatus (unit), 13 Case, 14 Aperture, 16 Rotating part, 18 Mounting part, 20 Ultrasonic probe, 22 Cable, 23 Power supply line, 24 Case, 26 Motor, 28 1st rotation transmission part, 30 2nd rotation transmission part, 32 1st columnar member, 34 holding part, 36 2nd columnar member, 38 guide rail, 44 convex part, 46 grip.

Claims (8)

An ultrasonic probe comprising an array transducer composed of a plurality of vibration elements arranged in the element arrangement direction, and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a substantially cylindrical diagnostic site of a living body;
A first drive mechanism for moving the ultrasonic probe in the axial direction of a predetermined central axis corresponding to the axial direction of the diagnostic part in a state where the ultrasonic probe is directed to the diagnostic part;
A second drive mechanism for moving the ultrasonic probe in a direction around the predetermined central axis at a position of a predetermined radius from the predetermined central axis in a state where the ultrasonic probe is directed toward the diagnostic site ;
A first tilt mechanism that rotates the ultrasonic probe so that the element array direction is tilted from a direction around the predetermined central axis ;
Equipped with a,
In a state where the ultrasonic probe is inclined by the first tilt mechanism, the ultrasonic probe is moved in the axial direction of the predetermined central axis by the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism. An ultrasonic probe scanning device, characterized in that it can be moved in a direction around the predetermined central axis . The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 1,
And a second tilting mechanism for tilting the direction of the ultrasonic probe from a direction perpendicular to the predetermined central axis so that ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received obliquely with respect to the diagnostic site,
In a state where the ultrasonic probe is inclined by the first inclination mechanism and the second inclination mechanism, the ultrasonic probe is moved by the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism. An ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus characterized by being capable of moving in an axial direction of a predetermined central axis and a direction around the predetermined central axis . The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 1,
The ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus, wherein the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism move the ultrasonic probe in a spiral shape with respect to a diagnostic region. The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 1,
The second driving mechanism includes: a ring-shaped rotating unit in which the diagnostic site is inserted and the ultrasonic probe is fixed; a driving unit that rotationally drives the rotating unit; and the ring-shaped rotating unit. A holding portion for holding the radial position in a restricted manner;
An ultrasonic probe scanning device comprising: The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 4,
The ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus, wherein the first drive mechanism moves the ring-shaped rotating portion in an axial direction of the predetermined central axis . The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 5,
The ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first drive mechanism moves the ring-shaped rotating unit in an axial direction of the predetermined central axis by rotating the driving unit. The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 1,
A container filled with an acoustic transmission medium,
The ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus, wherein the ultrasonic probe is moved in the container by the first and second drive mechanisms. The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The ultrasonic probe scanning device, wherein the substantially cylindrical diagnostic region is an arm or a leg.

Images