JP4616750B2 - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, and more particularly to the form of an ultrasonic probe.

  An ultrasonic probe (probe) is a transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves for ultrasonic diagnosis. The ultrasonic probe is composed of a tip (head) and a main body (body). An array transducer is built in the tip. Generally, the tip portion is enlarged relative to the main body portion, and the tip portion is rounded as a whole. Generally, the main body has a rod-like or columnar form. Conventionally, the tip has four side surfaces, and each side surface usually forms a gentle convex surface or a flat surface. Patent Document 1 discloses a convex ultrasonic probe. The four protruding sides of the probe case have raised overhangs. When the fingertips are placed on the upper slopes of the overhangs, the overhangs have a function of preventing slipping or receiving downward pressure. It is presumed to be demonstrated. However, the ultrasonic probe disclosed in the publication does not have a concave spherical concave surface. Patent Documents 2-6 disclose various ultrasonic probes that are brought into contact with the body surface. However, neither of them shows a concave spherical concave surface.

Design Registration No. 1143145 Design Registration No. 1018641 Design Registration No. 1074612 Design Registration No. 1096902 Design Registration No. 1166141 Design Registration No. 1237581

  Ultrasonic probes, especially small and rod-shaped ultrasonic probes, are held in the same manner as when holding a pen, or held in a manner that pinches the tip between the thumb belly and index finger belly. Often done. That is, there are many cases where the tip portion is sandwiched between the belly of a plurality of fingers, rather than holding the entire ultrasound probe with the entire hand.

  In such a holding mode, since stress is transmitted mainly from the belly of each finger, the adhesion and holding properties between the belly of each finger and the surface (side surface) of the ultrasonic probe are improved. It is desirable. On the other hand, if the tip portion is greatly enlarged or a large overhanging portion is formed, problems such as inability to secure a visual field and reduced operability and mobility arise. Therefore, it is desirable that holding by a plurality of fingertips can be performed easily and reliably without such a problem. Note that, due to the relationship between the scanning surface and the biological tissue structure, the ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with the surface of the subject in various directions and postures. Therefore, to some extent, the holding mode requires diversity and flexibility.

  An object of the present invention is to enable easy and reliable holding of an ultrasonic probe.

  Another object of the present invention is to enable an ultrasonic probe to be easily and reliably pinched in various modes.

(1) An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes a tip portion including an array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and an elongated main body portion extending from the tip portion. First and third side surfaces that are parallel to the electronic scanning direction of the array transducer, and second and fourth side surfaces that are orthogonal to the electronic scanning direction of the array transducer, At least one recessed surface is formed on at least one of the first to fourth side surfaces, and the recessed surface is a surface that is gently recessed into a concave spherical shape that can receive the belly of a finger. It is characterized by that.

  According to the said structure, a hollow surface is formed in at least 1 side surface among four side surfaces which a front-end | tip part has. Since the recessed surface is a surface that is gently recessed into a concave spherical shape, the adhesion between the recessed surface and the finger belly (the surface) increases when the finger's belly is applied to the recessed surface. Can be easily held. Desirably, the entire ultrasound probe is formed in a rod shape, and a depression surface is formed at a position where the belly of any finger in contact with the pen is held. Alternatively, when the tip of the ultrasonic probe is held between the thumb and the index finger, it is desirable to form a recessed surface at a position where the thumb and the index finger abut. The concave surface is a surface curved in both the axial direction of the ultrasonic probe and the direction orthogonal thereto, but the curvature in each direction may be determined as appropriate, and the curvature in each direction does not need to be constant. . Since each dent surface has a concave spherical shape, it is possible to prevent the belly of the finger from sliding out of the dent surface.

  Preferably, the concave surface is formed on at least two side surfaces that are in a symmetric relationship among the first to fourth side surfaces. According to this structure, when holding it with two fingers from both sides of the distal end portion, the belly of each finger is brought into close contact with each recessed surface, and the holding state of the ultrasonic probe can be stabilized. For example, depending on the diagnostic site, it is necessary to press the tip portion quite strongly against the surface of the living body. Even in such a case, the above configuration can exhibit a sufficient holding action.

  Preferably, the recessed surface is formed on each of the first to fourth side surfaces. According to this configuration, the ultrasonic probe can be held from various directions. If a rounded corner portion is generated between the adjacent side surfaces, it becomes easy to push the corner portion and rotate the ultrasonic probe around its central axis.

  Desirably, at least one of the first and third side surfaces is formed with a pair of recessed surfaces composed of two recessed surfaces arranged in the direction of the center axis of the probe. A raised ridge is formed at the boundary. According to this configuration, it is possible to give a degree of freedom to the height of holding the ultrasonic probe.

  Preferably, the first and third side surfaces are wide side surfaces, and the second and fourth side surfaces are narrow side surfaces. That is, a hollow side pair is formed on a wide side surface.

  Preferably, the recessed surface pair is formed on each of the first and third side surfaces. According to this configuration, it becomes easy to sandwich a wide side surface in a symmetrical relationship from both sides.

  Preferably, the transmission / reception surface at the tip is configured as a cylindrical surface, and the array transducer has a plurality of vibration elements arranged in an arc shape along the transmission / reception surface. Preferably, the ultrasonic probe has a rod-like shape as a whole.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the ultrasonic probe can be easily and reliably held. Alternatively, according to the present invention, the ultrasonic probe can be easily and reliably pinched in various modes.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the ultrasonic probe. This ultrasonic probe is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (not shown) via a cable. The ultrasonic probe according to this embodiment is a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to perform ultrasonic diagnosis of a human body or an animal, and has a rod-like form as a whole.

  The ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 1 has a main body portion 10, a distal end portion 12 and a cable attachment portion 14. The main body 10 has a cylindrical shape as viewed schematically, and extends from the tip 12. In FIG. 1, the Z direction is the central axis direction of the ultrasonic probe, and the X direction is the electronic scanning direction in which the ultrasonic beam is scanned, which corresponds to the vibrating element arrangement direction or the scanning surface forming direction. . The Y direction is a direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Z direction.

  As described above, the main body portion 10 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, but in the present embodiment, the intermediate portion is slightly constricted. The cross section is basically circular at each position in the Z direction in the main body 10. However, as will be described later, a part of the specific side surface is chamfered, that is, a flat surface 28 exists. The flat surface 28 is a flat surface, and the cross section of the main body 10 is not completely circular at the position where the flat surface 28 exists.

  The distal end portion 12 has a form slightly larger than the main body portion 10. The wave transmitting / receiving surface 16 is configured as a cylindrical surface. An array transducer is provided inside the distal end portion 12. The array transducer is composed of a plurality of vibration elements arranged in an arc along the inner surface of the wave transmitting / receiving surface 16 having a cylindrical shape. An ultrasonic beam is formed by the array transducer, and the ultrasonic beam is electronically scanned. In this embodiment, electronic linear scanning is applied as an electronic scanning method. That is, so-called convex scanning is performed by applying electronic linear scanning to a plurality of vibrating elements arranged in an arc shape. That is, a scanning surface having a fan shape can be formed.

The tip portion 12 has four side surfaces that are continuous with the wave transmitting / receiving surface 16 as shown in the figure. Specifically, it has a first side surface 12A, a second side surface 12B, a third side surface 12C, and a fourth side surface 12D. The first side surface 12A and the second side surface 12C are wide side surfaces as shown in the figure, and they are side surfaces parallel to the X direction. The second side surface 12B and the fourth side surface 12D are narrow side surfaces, and they are side surfaces orthogonal to the X direction.

  In the present embodiment, a recessed surface pair 18 is formed on the first side surface 12A and the third side surface 12C. This will be described in detail. The depression surface pair 18 is constituted by two depression surfaces 20 and 22. Each of the recessed surfaces 20 and 22 has a concave spherical shape as a whole with its central portion slightly retracted to the back side. That is, it has a mortar shape that is in close contact with the abdomen surface of the finger when the finger's belly is applied. Each recessed surface 20, 22 is recessed in an arc shape in both the X direction and the Y direction, and the curvature in these directions can be determined as appropriate. Further, the curvature at each position may be continuously varied. A ridge line 23 is formed as a ridge projecting outward between the lower recessed surface 20 and the upper recessed surface 22. This ridge line 23 is also configured as an arc-shaped line, and its central portion is slightly lowered to the back side. In addition, the recessed surface pair 18 similar to the above is also formed on the third side surface 12C.

  A recessed surface is also formed on the second side surface 12B and the fourth side surface 12D of the distal end portion 12. In FIG. 1, a recessed surface 24 formed on the second side surface 12B appears. The recessed surface 24 is formed on an inclined surface that rises from the main body portion 10 to the distal end portion, and constitutes a concave spherical curved surface similar to the recessed surfaces 20 and 22 described above. The position of the recessed surface 24 is substantially the same as the position of the recessed surface 22 in the Z direction, but strictly speaking, the recessed surface 24 is slightly wider than the recessed surface 22 to the tip side.

  A flat surface 28 is formed on a specific side surface of the main body 10, specifically, on the second side surface 12 </ b> B. The flat surface 28 is configured as a plane in which a specific side surface of the main body 10 is partially chamfered, and the tip end side communicates with the recessed surface 24 described above. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a ridge line exists between the flat surface 28 and the recessed surface 24.

  On the flat surface 28, a protrusion 26 is formed as shown. The protrusion 26 has a form bulging outward from the flat surface 28, which extends in the Z direction. Specifically, the protrusion 26 has a streamline shape or a teardrop shape. However, the front end and the rear end are chamfered, which will be described later. This protrusion 26 has two functions in this embodiment. The first function is a so-called front mark function. That is, it functions as a mark representing the reference end (start end) in the electronic scanning direction of the array transducer. Incidentally, although the electronic scanning for the array transducer is repeatedly executed from the reference end side, of course, the electronic scanning may be performed by a reciprocating scanning method. The reference end can be easily perceived by visually confirming the protruding portion 26 as the front mark or by touching it with the hand holding the ultrasonic probe. The second function is an engagement function when the puncture adapter is attached to the ultrasonic probe. In other words, it is possible to position the puncture adapter using the protruding portion 26. This will be described in detail later.

  Since the protrusion 26 has a streamline shape as described above, that is, it is formed with roundness when observed in the Y direction, and is also formed with roundness when observed in the Z direction, the ultrasonic probe is formed. When the tentacle is held, there is no problem that the protruding portion 26 hinders the holding or gives a sense of incongruity.

  The cable attachment portion 14 functions as a cable boot, and a so-called probe cable is inserted into the cable attachment portion 14. It is possible to connect the ultrasonic probe to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body via the probe cable. The probe cable is not shown. This is the same in each figure shown after FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the ultrasonic probe. In FIG. 2, the fourth side surface 12 </ b> D appears, and the recessed surface 30 formed therein is shown. The recessed surface formed on the second side surface and the recessed surface 30 formed on the fourth side surface 12D are formed at symmetrical positions and have the same shape. The same applies to the recessed surface pairs formed on the first side surface 12A and the third side surface. In FIG. 2, two recessed surfaces 20 and 22 constituting a recessed surface pair formed on the first side surface 12A appear.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the ultrasonic probe. As described above, the flat surface 28 is formed on the third side surface as the specific side surface of the main body portion 10, and the protruding portion 26 is formed to protrude there. A horizontal surface 26 </ b> B standing from the flat surface 28 is formed on the front end side of the protrusion 26. Similarly, a flat surface 26 </ b> A rising from the flat surface 28 is formed on the rear end side of the protruding portion 26. These planes 26 </ b> A and 26 </ b> B correspond to vertical surfaces when viewed from the flat surface 28. Further, they can be understood as end surfaces after chamfering both ends of the projecting portion 26 having a streamline shape. By forming the flat surfaces 26A and 26B at both ends of the protruding portion 26 in this way, as will be described in detail later, in the mounted state of the puncture adapter, a combined body that forms a part of the attachment mechanism is formed as the protruding portion 26 When coupled to each other, it becomes possible to integrally couple them. In particular, it is possible to prevent displacement in the Z direction.

  FIG. 4 shows a cross section AA shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 4 shows a pair of recessed surfaces formed on the first side surface and the third side surface, respectively. Specifically, recessed surfaces 20 and 22 are formed on the first side surface, and a ridge line 23 exists between them. Similarly, recessed surfaces 32 and 34 are formed on the third side surface, and a ridge line 35 exists between them. As described above, each of the recessed surfaces 20, 22, 32, and 34 has a recessed central portion and has a mortar shape. However, the depression surfaces 22 and 34 in the upper stage have a larger depression amount than the depression surfaces 20 and 32 in the lower stage. In FIG. 4, the internal mechanism is not shown.

  FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the ultrasonic probe. The recessed surface 30 described above exists on the fourth side surface. FIG. 6 shows a BB cross section shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, recessed surfaces 24 and 30 exist on the second side surface and the fourth side surface, respectively. A projecting portion 26 is formed upright from the flat surface 28 on the second side surface. Also in FIG. 6, the internal mechanism is not shown.

  Since the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, the following effects shown in FIGS. 7 to 13 can be obtained. FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the tip of the ultrasonic probe. 8 and 9 show a state in which the ultrasonic probe is held in a pen-held state. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the pen-held state, the thumb belly is brought into contact with, for example, an upper depression formed on the first side surface, and in this case, the index finger belly is on the second side surface. It is contact | abutted to the hollow surface formed. At that time, the belly of the index finger is applied to the lower hollow surface formed on the third side surface. The other finger will be attached to the index finger.

  That is, when the ultrasound probe is held in a pen-held state, the belly of the thumb and index finger is brought into contact with the respective concave surfaces, and the abdomen of the finger is brought into contact with the surface of the finger and the concave surface. Can be prevented from slipping from the surface of the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic probe can be held firmly and held. For example, in ultrasonic diagnosis of animals or the like, it is necessary to strongly contact the transmission / reception surface of the ultrasonic probe with the body surface via body hair. In this case, the ultrasonic probe of this embodiment is used. Since a plurality of hollow surfaces are formed, one or a plurality of finger bumps are applied to one or a plurality of hollow surfaces to increase the holding force of the ultrasonic probe, and thereby the ultrasonic probe is used. It is easy to apply the child strongly to the body surface.

  10 and 11 show a state in which the ultrasonic probe is picked and held. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the upper depression surface formed on the first side surface and the third side surface is sandwiched by the thumb belly and the index finger belly from both sides. Since the degree of adhesion with the surface can be increased, the ultrasonic probe can be reliably held. In this case, the forefinger of the index finger is brought into contact with the lower recessed surface of the third side surface as necessary.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, a state is shown in which the recessed surfaces formed on the second side surface and the fourth side surface are sandwiched between the thumb and the index finger. Even in such a case, the ultrasonic probe can be reliably held by surface bonding between the belly of the finger and the hollow surface.

  Furthermore, FIG. 12 shows a state in which the first side surface and the third side surface of the ultrasonic probe are held. In this case, the abdomen of the thumb and index finger is in contact with the lower depressions formed on the first side surface and the third side surface, and the ultrasonic probe is securely held even in such a state. can do. Incidentally, if the holding method as shown in FIG. 12 is adopted, it is easy to bring a part of the thumb and index finger into contact with the body surface of the subject. There is an advantage that the inside can be recognized by touch. For example, it is also possible to recognize the presence of ribs by tactile sensation and to properly contact the transmission / reception surface of the ultrasonic probe between the ribs.

  FIG. 13 shows a state where the ultrasonic probe is held by a pen. As indicated by reference numeral 100, since the protrusion has a streamline shape, it does not interfere with the hand holding the ultrasonic probe, and the electronic scanning reference end can be easily contacted. Can be recognized.

  As described above, since the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment is formed with the recessed surface on each of the plurality of side surfaces, the ultrasonic probe can be securely held from various directions. Moreover, since the recessed surface was formed in the upper stage and the lower stage in the 1st side surface and the 3rd side surface, it is possible to give a freedom degree to the height which has a knob. Of course, since the periphery of each recess surface or between adjacent recess surfaces is formed with a certain degree of roundness, no pain is caused even when a free holding method is adopted without placing a finger on the recess surface. In addition, each of the four side surfaces is formed with a recessed surface, resulting in a rounded corner between adjacent recessed surfaces, making it easy to intuitively recognize the orientation of the surface when holding an ultrasonic probe. There is an advantage. Further, it is easy to rotate the ultrasonic probe in the hand using the corner portion.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the hollow surface was formed in each of the four side surfaces, if the hollow surface is formed in at least one side surface, as long as there is a state where the hollow surface and the belly of the finger can be joined The same effect as described above can be obtained. In the above-described embodiment, the concave surface pair is formed on the first side surface and the second side surface. However, if the concave surface pair is formed on at least one side surface, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  The shape of the wave transmitting / receiving surface may be changed from a cylindrical shape to a flat shape. In that case, electronic linear scanning or electronic sector scanning may be applied. In some cases, a 2D array transducer may be provided to capture 3D echo data.

  Next, an ultrasonic probe to which a puncture adapter is attached will be described with reference to FIGS. The ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 4 is basically the same as the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, the ultrasonic probe is indicated by reference numeral 6, and the puncture adapter is indicated by reference numeral 8.

  The puncture adapter 8 has an attachment mechanism 40 and a holder 48. The attachment mechanism 40 functions as a fitting for attaching the puncture adapter 8 to the ultrasonic probe 6. The holder 48 is connected to the attachment mechanism 40, and the puncture needle 50 can be guided and held by the holder 48. The puncture needle 50 is used for applications such as tissue collection or drug injection in the body. That is, the puncture adapter 8 is used when performing puncture while observing a tomographic image by performing ultrasonic diagnosis.

  The attachment mechanism 40 includes a first member 42 and a second member 44 having a semi-ring shape, and the main body portion of the ultrasonic probe 6 is held therein by connecting them. As will be described in detail later, the attachment mechanism 40 has a frame 46 as a coupling means.

  FIG. 15 is a top view of the ultrasonic probe to which the puncture adapter is attached. The puncture adapter has the frame body 46 as described above, and the frame body has a rectangular shape surrounding the protruding portion 26. Specifically, the frame 46 has an opening for accommodating the protruding portion 26 as will be described later.

  FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the mounting mechanism. In FIG. 16, the holder is not shown.

  The main body portion of the ultrasonic probe is sandwiched between the first member 42 and the second member 44. The first member 42 and the second member 44 can be opened and closed with each other via a hinge 60, and these members 42 and 44 are connected by a pin 62. The frame body 46 has the opening 64 as described above, and the protruding portion is inserted into the opening 64. The inner surface, that is, the bottom surface of the frame 46 is configured as a flat surface 46A, and the flat surface 46A is surface-bonded to the flat surface formed in the main body. That is, the attachment mechanism can be stably attached to the ultrasonic probe by joining the flat surfaces. In particular, the mounting mechanism can be prevented from wobbling in the direction around the axis of the ultrasonic probe.

  The length of the opening 64 matches the length of the protrusion described above, and the width of the opening 46 matches the width of the protrusion described above. The front end surface of the projecting portion contacts the front inner surface of the opening 64, and the rear end surface of the projecting portion contacts the rear inner surface 66 of the opening 64. This reliably prevents displacement in the axial direction, that is, the Z direction.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in each figure, the entire ultrasonic probe is configured as a smooth continuous surface except for the protruding portion (the acoustic lens that constitutes the transmitting / receiving surface is surrounded by (This part is practically negligible), that is, there is no projection or hole used when attaching the puncture adapter as in conventional ultrasonic probes, and this reduces operability. To avoid problems. In particular, if a hole is provided, dust or the like may enter the inside, but in the present embodiment, such a problem is not provided, so that the problem can be solved.

  In FIGS. 14 to 16, the frame that completely holds the projecting portion is used. However, other structures may be employed as long as the same effect can be obtained. In addition, various methods that have been conventionally used can be adopted as the holding method of the puncture needle. In this embodiment, the puncture needle is inserted on the scanning surface, but the puncture needle is inserted in the direction intersecting the scanning surface. You may employ | adopt the system which makes a needle approach. Further, a mechanism that can freely set the puncture angle of the puncture needle may be provided.

It is a 1st perspective view of the ultrasonic probe concerning this embodiment. It is a 2nd perspective view of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view of the ultrasonic probe concerning this embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on this embodiment. It is a bottom view of the ultrasonic probe concerning this embodiment. It is BB sectional drawing of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on this embodiment. It is an enlarged view of a front-end | tip part. It is a figure which shows the state holding a pen. It is a figure which shows the state holding a pen. It is a figure which shows the state which picked up a pair of upper stage hollow surface. It is a figure which shows the state which picked up a pair of upper stage hollow surface. It is a figure which shows the state which picked up a pair of lower stage hollow surface. It is an enlarged view which shows the state which held the ultrasonic probe with the pen. It is a front view which shows the state which mounted | wore the ultrasonic probe with the puncture adapter. It is a top view which shows the state which mounted | wore the ultrasonic probe with the puncture adapter. It is a perspective view of an attachment mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

  6 Ultrasonic probe, 8 Puncture adapter, 10 Main body part, 12 Tip part, 14 Cable mounting part, 16 Transmission / reception surface, 18 Indentation surface pair, 20, 22, 24 Indentation surface, 23 Ridge line, 26 Projection, 28 Flat surface.

Claims (2)

An ultrasonic probe having a rod-like shape as a whole,
A tip having a built-in array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
An elongated body extending from the tip;
Have
The tip is
A wave transmitting / receiving surface configured as a cylindrical surface curved along the electronic scanning direction of the array transducer;
A pair of wide side surfaces connected to the transmission / reception surface, the first and third side surfaces being parallel to the electronic scanning direction of the array transducer;
A pair of narrow side surfaces connected to the transmission / reception surface, the second and fourth side surfaces being orthogonal to the electronic scanning direction of the array transducer;
Have
Each of the first and third side surfaces is formed with a pair of recessed surfaces formed of two recessed surfaces arranged in the direction of the center axis of the probe, and each recessed surface pair is composed of a lower recessed surface and an upper recessed surface. A raised ridge is formed at the boundary between them,
Wherein each recess surface, Ri gently concave surface der to capable concave spherical accept the belly of the finger,
In the first and third side surfaces, the lower depression surface is provided between the wave transmitting / receiving surface and the ridge,
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1,
The second and fourth side surfaces are also formed with concave surfaces that are gently recessed in a concave spherical shape that can receive the belly of a finger,
The two upper recessed surfaces formed on the first and third side surfaces and the recessed surfaces formed on the second and fourth side surfaces are formed at substantially the same height in the center axis direction of the probe. Was
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that.