JP5749472B2 - Ultrasonic transducer and medical ultrasonic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer and a medical ultrasonic device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an ultrasonic vibrator used in a medical ultrasonic device is known which uses a magnetostrictive vibrator that generates an ultrasonic vibration by applying an alternating magnetic field to a magnetic material having a large magnetostriction characteristic. Yes.
Since the vibration amplitude of the magnetostrictive vibrator is only several μm to several tens of μm, a structure called a horn is joined to the magnetostrictive vibrator, and the vibration amplification is amplified to about several hundred μm through the horn. In many cases, vibration at a vibration output unit such as a tip is used.
The vibration output portion and the horn do not have to be made of a material having magnetostrictive characteristics, but are liable to cause metal fatigue because a large repetitive stress acts. For this reason, a titanium alloy having excellent strength is used as a material for the vibration output section and the horn. It is also known to use an amorphous alloy having excellent strength (amorphous alloy).
For example, Patent Literature 1 includes, as medical ultrasonic equipment using such an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic transducer that generates ultrasonic vibrations, and a horn that transmits the ultrasonic vibrations. In the ultrasonic surgical instrument that performs tissue disruption or the like at the tip of the horn, the ultrasonic transducer includes a magnetostrictive element made of a cylindrical magnetostrictive material in which a bolt insertion hole is formed, and the magnetostrictive element. A bolt inserted into a bolt insertion hole, a pair of metal blocks that engage with both ends of the bolt, and sandwich the magnetostrictive element from both sides, and a coil wound around the cylindrical magnetostrictive element, An ultrasonic surgical instrument is described in which a through hole is formed in the ultrasonic vibrator along the bolt axis direction.
Patent Document 1 describes examples of Ni—Cu—Co ferrite, Tb—Dy—Fe alloy, and iron-based amorphous alloy as magnetostrictive materials.
Patent Document 2 discloses an ultrasonic transducer having a distal end and a proximal end, a passive element that converts electrical energy into ultrasonic vibration, and an electrode for supplying power to the passive element. A horn main body for amplifying the ultrasonic vibration located on the distal end side of the passive element, a backing portion for lining the passive element on a proximal side of the passive element, and connected to the horn main body section. It has one end part and the other end part connected with the backing part, and connects the horn body part and the backing part with the passive element sandwiched between the horn body part and the backing part. A horn connecting portion, and at least one of the horn main body portion, the horn connecting portion, and the backing portion is formed of a metal glass. Yes.
As described above, in the conventional ultrasonic transducer, the vibration generating unit and the amplitude amplifying unit including the amplitude amplifying unit (horn) or the vibration output unit are provided as parts made of different materials. What assembled and comprised components is known.

JP-A-5-7595 JP 2009-183934 A

However, the conventional ultrasonic transducers and medical ultrasonic devices as described above have the following problems.
In the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since a vibration generating unit composed of a magnetostrictive element and a horn that amplifies ultrasonic vibration and transmits ultrasonic vibration to a tip that is a vibration output unit are joined. The joining process with this member is required. In addition, if a bonding failure occurs in the bonding process, there is a problem that the transmission efficiency of the generated ultrasonic vibration is deteriorated and a desired ultrasonic vibration cannot be obtained at the vibration output unit.
In addition, the same problem occurs when the horn and the vibration output unit are configured as separate members and the horn and the vibration output unit are joined.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an ultrasonic transducer capable of simplifying the manufacturing process and suppressing a defect in vibration transmission efficiency and improving productivity. And it aims at providing a medical ultrasonic device.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention includes a vibration generating unit that generates ultrasonic vibrations by applying an alternating magnetic field, and a vibration output that outputs the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibration generating unit. And a vibration amplification unit that is formed between the vibration generation unit and the vibration output unit and that amplifies the ultrasonic vibration by changing a size of a transmission path of the ultrasonic vibration, and a temperature. A vibrator body integrally formed of an amorphous alloy having a glass transition region with a width of 20K or more and having magnetostrictive characteristics; an AC magnetic field application section that applies the AC magnetic field to the vibration generating section of the vibrator body; It is set as the structure provided with.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the size of the transmission path of the vibration amplification unit is changed by a tapered surface .

  In the present invention, it is preferable that an insulator portion is provided to cover at least one of the vibrator main body and the AC magnetic field application portion.

  In the present invention, the insulator part is preferably made of a biocompatible material.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the vibration output portion of the vibrator main body is covered with an insulator portion made of a biocompatible material.

  The medical ultrasonic device of the present invention is configured to include the ultrasonic transducer of the present invention.

  According to the ultrasonic transducer and medical ultrasonic device of the present invention, the transducer main body is integrally formed of an amorphous alloy having a glass transition region having a temperature range of 20 K or more and having magnetostrictive characteristics, so that the manufacturing process is simplified. As a result, it is possible to suppress defects in vibration transmission efficiency and to improve productivity.

1A and 1B are a schematic left side view and a front view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the typical left view and front view which show the structure of the principal part of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator of the 1st modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the typical left view and front view which show the structure of the principal part of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator of the 2nd modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical front view which shows the structure of the principal part of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator of the 3rd modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic left side view and front view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic transducer of a fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the typical left view which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and its AA sectional drawing. It is typical sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the medical ultrasonic device of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the medical ultrasonic device of the modification (5th modification) of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the typical left view and front view which show schematic structure of the medical ultrasonic device of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, even if the embodiments are different, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common description is omitted.

[First Embodiment]
An ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
1A and 1B are a schematic left side view and a front view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the schematic configuration of the ultrasonic transducer 1 of the present embodiment includes a rod-shaped transducer body 2 having a circular cross section and one end portion of the transducer body 2 ( Hereinafter, the coil 3 (alternating magnetic field application unit) that applies an alternating magnetic field along the axial direction of the vibrator body 2 is provided in the base end part.

The shape of the vibrator main body 2 is such that a solid cylindrical vibration generator 2A and an outer diameter of the vibration generator 2A are directed from one end to the other end (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a tip). Are concentric with the truncated cone-shaped vibration amplifying portion 2B and the solid cylindrical vibration output portion 2C having a circular cross section having the same diameter as the circular diameter on the tip end side of the vibration amplifying portion 2B. Are sequentially adjacent.
That is, the vibrator body 2 is a rod-like member having a base end side circular base end surface 2a and a tip end side having a circular tip end surface 2e having a smaller diameter than the base end surface 2a. The side surface of the vibrator body 2 faces the proximal end side surface 2b formed of a relatively large-diameter cylindrical surface and the distal end side corresponding to the vibration generation unit 2A, vibration amplification unit 2B, and vibration output unit 2C. The tapered surface 2c is composed of a conical surface that is reduced in diameter, and the tip side surface 2d is composed of a relatively small-diameter cylindrical surface.
The vibrator body 2 having such a shape is integrally formed of an amorphous alloy having a glass transition region having a temperature range of 20 K or more and having magnetostrictive characteristics. For this reason, the vibrator body 2 is made of a continuous body of the same material. For this reason, there is no interface at the boundary between the vibration generating unit 2A, the vibration amplifying unit 2B, and the vibration output unit 2C.

An amorphous alloy having a glass transition region having a temperature range of 20 K or more is also called a metal glass, and rapidly cools a molten metal material composed of a plurality of metal elements until the glass transition temperature is exceeded by a critical cooling rate or more. It is formed by doing.
Such metal glass is formed by using a mold having a cavity corresponding to the product shape as a mold material having good thermal conductivity, for example, SKD11, cemented carbide (WC), oxygen-free copper, beryllium copper, aluminum alloy. (A7075), zinc alloy (ZAS), carbon steel, SUS410, etc., and can be molded by introducing a molten metal raw material into a cavity and dissipating heat to the mold. As a specific molding method, an injection molding method, a centrifugal casting method, a method of hot forging a molten metal cooled to a glass transition region, or the like can be employed.
Metallic glass can be solidified and formed without causing crystallization, and has excellent formability (cavity shape transferability). Therefore, even if the vibrator body 2 has a complicated shape, various shapes can be provided integrally. Is possible.

Examples of the type of metallic glass include zirconium (Zr) based alloys, iron (Fe) based alloys, titanium (Ti) based alloys, magnesium (Mg) based alloys, and the like. As materials used in the present embodiment, an appropriate material having magnetostriction characteristics as required is adopted. For example, a ferromagnetic material can be employed because it has magnetostriction characteristics.
However, the larger the magnetostrictive characteristics of the material, the more preferable it is because the magnitude of the applied AC magnetic field can be reduced. The magnetostriction characteristic can be evaluated by the magnitude | λs | of the saturation magnetostriction λs defined by the strain in the magnetization direction of the material in the magnetic saturation state. The magnetostriction characteristic of the material of the vibrator body 2 is preferably | λs | ≧ 5 × 10 ⁻⁶ , and more preferably | λs | ≧ 40 × 10 ⁻⁶ .
For example, as an example of metallic glass of | λs | ≧ 40 × 10 ⁻⁶ , the following composition ratio (subscript indicates atomic%) is exemplified in Japanese Patent No. 3756336. That is, Fe ₆₇ Co ₈ W ₂ Sm ₃ B ₂₀ (λs = 48.0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ), Fe ₆₇ Co ₈ Nb ₂ Sm ₃ B ₂₀ (λs = 47.0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ), Fe ₆₇ Co ₈ Mo ₂ Sm ₃ B ₂₀ (λs = 43.0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ), Fe ₆₇ Co ₁₀ Sm ₃ B ₂₀ (λs = 40.0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ), Fe ₆₀ Co ₁₇ Sm ₃ B ₂₀ (λs = 47) .0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ), Fe ₆₀ Co ₁₇ Tb ₃ B ₂₀ (λs = 51.0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ), Fe _68.5 Co ₁₀ Sm _1.5 B ₂₀ (λs = 58.0 × 10 ⁻⁶⁾ ), Fe _68.5 Co ₁₀ Tb _1.5 B ₂₀ (λs = 56.0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ), Fe _68.5 Co ₁₀ Dy _1.5 B ₂₀ (λs = 50.0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ), Fe _48.5 Co ₃₀ Sm _1.5 B ₂₀ (λs = Metal glass such as 44.0 × 10 ⁻⁶ ) is mentioned. These are all suitable as the material of the vibrator body 2.
Moreover, since these metallic glasses are amorphous alloys, it is described that the tensile strength is 2600 MPa or more. In addition, the tensile strength of the metallic glass is not limited to these, and those having a tensile strength of 1700 MPa or more can be easily obtained.
Such tensile strength is significantly higher than that of a titanium alloy known as a high-strength alloy, for example, a tensile strength of 980 MPa of a 64 titanium alloy.
For this reason, any of these metallic glasses is suitable as a material for the vibrator body 2 of the present embodiment.

  The vibration generator 2A has a coil 3 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the base end side surface 2b, and applies an alternating magnetic field in which the direction of the magnetic field alternates with the frequency of the ultrasonic region by the coil 3, thereby depending on the frequency of the alternating magnetic field. This is a part that generates ultrasonic vibration.

  The vibration amplifying part 2B is integrally formed at the end opposite to the base end face 2a of the vibration generating part 2A, and the outer diameter is reduced toward the distal end side. The transmission path of the sonic vibration has a shape that decreases toward the tip side in the axial direction. Therefore, the vibration amplifying unit 2B forms a structure for amplifying the ultrasonic vibration by changing the size of the transmission path of the ultrasonic vibration between the vibration generating unit 2A and the vibration output unit 2C.

The vibration output unit 2C is a part that transmits the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibration generation unit 2A and amplified by the vibration amplification unit 2B to the outside, and can adopt an appropriate shape according to the application.
In the present embodiment, the vibration output can be transmitted to the vibrating body via at least one of the base end face 2a and the tip end side face 2d.
Since the vibration output becomes large at the antinode portion of the vibration, the shape of the vibration output portion 2C is set so that the portion used for vibration transmission becomes the antinode of vibration. For example, in order to mainly use the tip surface 2e for vibration output, the length of the vibration output portion 2C is set so that the tip surface 2e becomes an antinode of vibration. Further, in order to mainly use the tip side surface 2d for vibration output, the length of the tip side surface 2d is set so that a sufficient number of vibration antinodes are formed in the portion in contact with the body to be excited.

In the present embodiment, the coil 3 is formed of a cylindrical coil wound in an insulated state on the base end side surface 2b at the axial intermediate portion of the base end side surface 2b, and can be connected to an AC power source (not shown). Is provided.
The frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the coil 3 can be appropriately set according to the application of the ultrasonic transducer 1 as long as it is in the ultrasonic frequency region.
In FIG. 1B, the coil 3 is drawn so as to be in close contact with the base end side surface 2b. However, the coil 3 only needs to be able to apply an alternating magnetic field inside the vibration generating unit 2A. For this reason, if the relative position is fixed with respect to the vibration amplification part 2B, it is also possible to arrange | position away from the base end part side surface 2b.
In addition, FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram, and an example in which the number of turns of the coil 3 is about 3.5 is shown. However, the number of turns of the coil 3 and the arrangement position in the axial direction are applied. It can be appropriately set in consideration of the magnitude of the magnetic field to be applied, the application range of the magnetic field, and the like.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic transducer 1 will be described.
When an AC current having an appropriate frequency set is passed through the coil 3 by an AC power source (not shown), an AC magnetic field is generated by the coil 3, and a magnetic field is generated in the axial direction along the central axis direction of the coil 3 inside the coil 3. An alternating magnetic field in which the vector vibrates is generated (see the arrow in FIG. 1).
The vibration generating unit 2A is magnetized by an alternating magnetic field, and magnetostriction is generated in each magnetic domain according to the magnetic field vector of the alternating magnetic field. Since the magnetic field vector along the axial direction is generated in the vibration generating unit 2A, the magnetostriction forms ultrasonic vibration that advances along the axial direction in synchronization with the frequency of the alternating magnetic field.
For this reason, the ultrasonic vibration generated in the vibration generating unit 2A propagates to the vibration amplifying unit 2B along the axial direction. At this time, since there is no interface or gap between the vibration generating unit 2A and the vibration amplifying unit 2B, ultrasonic vibration propagates efficiently.

The ultrasonic vibration propagated to the vibration amplification unit 2B propagates while the amplitude is amplified toward the distal end side because the vibration amplification unit 2B has a diameter reduced toward the distal end side.
When the ultrasonic vibration reaches the tip of the vibration amplification unit 2B, it propagates to the vibration output unit 2C. At this time, since there is no interface or gap between the vibration amplification unit 2B and the vibration output unit 2C, ultrasonic vibration propagates efficiently.

The ultrasonic vibration propagated to the vibration output unit 2C is internally reflected by the tip surface 2e and reciprocates in the vibration output unit 2C, thereby forming a standing wave in the vibration output unit 2C.
As a result, if the vibration output portion 2C is brought into contact with the shaker, ultrasonic vibration propagates from the contact portion to the shaker.
For example, when the ultrasonic transducer 1 is used as an ultrasonic treatment instrument that is a medical ultrasonic device, the distal end surface 2e and the distal end portion side surface 2d are brought into contact with an affected area that is a vibration body, and the tissue or calculus in the affected area. Etc. can be crushed or cut.
When the ultrasonic transducer 1 is used as an ultrasonic probe that is a medical ultrasonic device, the tip surface 2e of the vibration output unit 2C is brought into contact with a subject that is a vibrating body, and ultrasonic vibration is generated in the subject. It can be used as a vibration source to be propagated to.

According to the ultrasonic transducer 1, since the transducer main body 2 is integrally formed of metal glass, a vibration generating unit, a vibration amplifying unit, a vibration output unit, and the like are formed as separate members and assembled. In comparison, the manufacturing process can be simplified.
In addition, the vibrator body 2 formed integrally in this way does not have an interface or a gap in the vibration propagation path, and therefore can efficiently transmit vibration. For this reason, there is little energy loss and it can perform favorable excitation.
Accordingly, vibration efficiency and vibration waveform defects in the manufacturing process can be suppressed, and productivity can be improved.
In addition, since the vibrator body 2 is integrally formed of metal glass, the number of parts is reduced compared to the case where the vibration generating part, the vibration amplifying part, the vibration output part, etc. are constructed by separate members and assembled. No joining parts or joining members are required. For this reason, cost reduction and size reduction can be achieved. Further, since the metallic glass has a markedly higher tensile strength than the crystalline alloy, the durability of the vibration output portion 2C and the vibration amplification portion 2B can be improved.

Such an ultrasonic transducer 1 can be used as various types of ultrasonic vibration devices, but is particularly preferably used as a medical ultrasonic device used in a living body because it is easily miniaturized and has high durability. Can do.
Further, since the vibrator body 2 is integrated, it is possible to suppress wear at the joint between members or scattering of wear powder due to ultrasonic vibration in the ultrasonic vibrator 1. Also in this respect, it can be particularly suitably used as a medical ultrasonic device used in vivo.

[First Modification]
Next, a first modification of the present embodiment will be described.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a schematic left side view and a front view showing the configuration of the main part of the ultrasonic transducer of the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ultrasonic transducer 11 of this modification includes a transducer main body 12 instead of the transducer main body 2 of the first embodiment. The vibrator body 12 is obtained by replacing the vibration output section 2C in the vibrator body 2 of the first embodiment with a vibration output section 12C having a different cross-sectional shape.
Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the first embodiment.

The cross-sectional shape of the vibration output portion 12C is an ellipse whose major axis is equal to the outer diameter of the tip side surface 2d of the vibration output portion 2C from the tip side to the vicinity of the vibration amplification portion 2B. For this reason, an elliptical distal end surface 12e is formed at the distal end of the vibration output portion 12C instead of the base end surface 2a of the vibration output portion 2C, and an elliptical columnar distal end portion is substituted for the distal end side surface 2d of the vibration output portion 2C. A side surface 12d is formed.
Further, the portion in the vicinity of the vibration amplification unit 2B of the vibration output unit 12C is smoothly connected from the elliptical cross section of the distal end side surface 12d to the circular cross section at the distal end of the vibration amplification unit 2B from the distal end side toward the proximal end side. A proximal end side connection portion 12f having a cross section is formed.

  Such an ultrasonic vibrator 11 is manufactured by integrally forming the vibrator main body 12 with the same metallic glass as the ultrasonic vibrator 1 using a mold having a cavity corresponding to the outer shape thereof, It can be manufactured by assembling the coil 3.

According to the ultrasonic transducer 11, since the shape of the vibration output portion 12C is a flat rod shape having an elliptical cross section, a blade-like portion having a small curvature radius and a flat portion having a large curvature radius are formed on the side surface 12d of the tip portion. ing. Therefore, it is possible to selectively use a portion having a different curvature radius on the distal end side surface 12d in contact with the body to be excited in accordance with the purpose of excitation.
For example, when the ultrasonic transducer 11 is used as a medical ultrasonic treatment instrument, when cutting an affected part or the like, a blade-like part is brought into contact with the vibration output, and when the affected part or the like is crushed, it is flat. The vibration output can be performed by contacting the parts.

[Second Modification]
Next, a second modification of the present embodiment will be described.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a schematic left side view and a front view showing the configuration of the main part of the ultrasonic transducer of the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the ultrasonic transducer 21 of the present modification includes a transducer main body 22 instead of the transducer main body 2 of the first embodiment. The vibrator main body 22 is replaced with a vibration output portion 22C having a shape in which a plate-like portion 22f is added to the tip of the vibration output portion 2C in the vibrator main body 2 of the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the first embodiment.

  The plate-like portion 22f of the vibration output portion 22C is a disc-shaped portion having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the distal end side surface 2d and smaller than the outer diameter of the proximal end side surface 2b, and is formed coaxially with the distal end portion side surface 2d. ing. Therefore, the vibration output portion 22C includes a circular distal end surface 22e having the same diameter as the outer diameter of the plate-like portion 22f, instead of the base end surface 2a of the vibration output portion 2C of the first embodiment.

  Such an ultrasonic vibrator 21 is manufactured by integrally forming the vibrator main body 22 with the same metallic glass as the ultrasonic vibrator 1 using a mold having a cavity corresponding to the outer shape thereof, It can be manufactured by assembling the coil 3.

According to the ultrasonic transducer 21, the tip end surface 22e having an outer diameter larger than that of the tip end side surface 2d is formed at the tip end of the vibration output portion 12C. Therefore, the tip end side surface 2d is interposed via the tip end surface 22e. It is possible to output vibration to a body to be excited in a wider range than the outer diameter.
For this reason, for example, when the ultrasonic transducer 21 is used as a medical ultrasonic treatment instrument, it is possible to efficiently crush an affected area that is larger than the outer diameter of the distal end side surface 2d.

[Third Modification]
Next, a third modification of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the main part of the ultrasonic transducer of the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic transducer 31 of this modification includes a transducer main body 32 instead of the transducer main body 2 of the first embodiment. The vibrator main body 32 is obtained by replacing the vibration output portion 2C in the vibrator main body 2 of the first embodiment with a vibration output portion 32C having a shape bent in a V shape.
Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the first embodiment.

The vibration output portion 32C has a cylindrical base end side shaft portion 32a and a bent shaft portion 32b having the same outer diameter as the vibration output portion 2C of the first embodiment extending from the tip of the vibration amplification portion 2B in this order. Has been.
The proximal end side shaft portion 32a is a portion extending coaxially with the vibration amplifying portion 2B and the vibration generating portion 2A.
The bending shaft portion 32b is a rod-shaped portion that extends from the distal end side of the proximal end side shaft portion 32a toward the distal end side while being inclined at an acute angle in the extending direction of the proximal end side shaft portion 32a.
For this reason, the outer peripheral part of the base end side shaft part 32a and the bending shaft part 32b is formed with a tip end side surface 32d made of a bent cylindrical surface.
Further, a distal end surface 32e formed of a circular plane orthogonal to the extending direction of the bent shaft portion 32b is formed at the distal end of the bent shaft portion 32b.

  Such an ultrasonic transducer 31 is manufactured by integrally forming the transducer main body 32 with the same metallic glass as the ultrasonic transducer 1 using a mold having a cavity corresponding to the outer shape thereof, It can be manufactured by assembling the coil 3.

  According to the ultrasonic transducer 31, the bent shaft portion 32b extends in an oblique direction from the distal end of the proximal end side shaft portion 32a. For this reason, when the tip side surface 32d of the bent shaft portion 32b is used for vibration output, the extending direction of the bent shaft portion 32b and the central axis directions of the vibration generating portion 2A and the vibration amplifying portion 2B are different. Depending on the shape of the vibrating body, the side surface 32d of the distal end portion of the bending shaft portion 32b can be easily brought into contact with the vibrating body, and operability is improved.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the proximal end side shaft portion 32a and the bent shaft portion 32b are bent in a V shape, but between the proximal end side shaft portion 32a and the bent shaft portion 32b. May be curved in an arc shape.

[Fourth Modification]
An ultrasonic transducer according to a fourth modification of the present embodiment will be described.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are a schematic left side view and a front view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic transducer according to a fourth modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the ultrasonic transducer 41 of the present modification includes a transducer main body 42 instead of the transducer main body 2 of the first embodiment. The vibrator main body 42 is a vibration output section that deletes the vibration output section 2C of the vibrator main body 2 of the first embodiment and performs vibration output by coming into contact with the excited body at the tip of the vibration amplification section 2B. A vibration output surface 42e formed of a circular plane is formed.
Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the first embodiment.

  Such an ultrasonic transducer 41 is manufactured by integrally forming the transducer main body 42 with a metallic glass similar to that of the ultrasonic transducer 1 using a mold having a cavity corresponding to the outer shape thereof. It can be manufactured by assembling the coil 3.

According to the ultrasonic transducer 41, by applying an alternating magnetic field to the coil 3, the ultrasonic vibration amplified by the vibration amplification unit 2B can be transmitted from the vibration output surface 42e to the excited body.
For this reason, even when the linear or belt-like vibration output region is not required due to the distal end side surface 2d or the like, the base end surface 2a of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is reduced even if the device configuration is smaller than the ultrasonic transducer 1. Vibration output similar to that used can be performed.

[Second Embodiment]
An ultrasonic transducer according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 6A is a schematic left side view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic transducer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.6 (b) is AA sectional drawing in Fig.6 (a).

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the ultrasonic transducer 51 of the present embodiment includes a transducer main body 52 instead of the transducer main body 2 of the first embodiment. The vibrator main body 52 is a cylindrical member having the same outer shape as that of the vibrator main body 2 of the first embodiment and having a hollow pipe 52f provided coaxially with these outer shapes. Yes, a vibration generation unit 52A, a vibration amplification unit 52B, and a vibration output unit 52C are provided corresponding to the vibration generation unit 2A, the vibration amplification unit 2B, and the vibration output unit 2C of the ultrasonic transducer 1.
Hereinafter, a description will be given centering on differences from the first embodiment.

The cross-sectional shape of the hollow duct 52f is not particularly limited, and the size of the cross-section may be changed, but in the present embodiment, a circular cross-section having a constant diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the distal end side surface 2d is formed. It is composed of a circular hole that extends straight along the central axis of the vibrator body 52.
Therefore, an annular distal end surface 52e and a proximal end surface 52a are formed at the distal end and the proximal end of the vibrator main body 52 so as to surround the opening of the hollow duct 52f.

Such an ultrasonic transducer 51 is manufactured by integrally molding the transducer main body 52 with the same metallic glass as the ultrasonic transducer 1 using a mold having cavities corresponding to the outer shape and the inner shape. After that, the coil 3 can be manufactured by assembling.
The shape of the hollow pipe line 52f can be formed, for example, by providing a cylindrical core in a mold.

According to the ultrasonic transducer 51, by applying an alternating magnetic field to the coil 3, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibration generating unit 52A and amplified by the vibration amplifying unit 52B is converted into the tip surface 52e of the vibration output unit 52C and It is possible to output vibrations from at least one of the side surfaces 2d of the distal end portion and transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the vibrating body in contact therewith.
However, since the vibrator main body 52 has the hollow pipe line 52f, the amount of medium that propagates ultrasonic vibration is reduced as compared with the vibrator main body 2, so that the vibration output of the vibration output unit 52C changes. When it is necessary to obtain a vibration output similar to that of the ultrasonic vibrator 1, the amplitude of the AC magnetic field may be appropriately adjusted based on the size of the hollow pipe 52f.

Further, since the ultrasonic transducer 51 has the hollow pipe 52f, it is possible to circulate a fluid containing a fluid or solid matter through the hollow pipe 52f during vibration output of the ultrasonic vibration.
For example, when the ultrasonic transducer 51 is used as a medical treatment instrument, the hollow conduit 52f can be used as a suction hole. That is, as a result of performing vibration output at the tip of the vibration output portion 52C by connecting a tube connected to an aspirator (not shown) to the hollow conduit 52f on the base end surface 52a side, the tube may be crushed or cut. The tissue or body fluid of the affected part can be sucked out to the proximal end side through the hollow duct 52f and removed from the vicinity of the affected part.
Further, for example, when the ultrasonic vibrator 51 is used as an ultrasonic processing machine, the hollow conduit 52f can be used as a fluid injection hole for a fluid such as a cleaning agent. That is, by connecting a tube connected to a syringe (not shown) to the hollow pipe line 52f on the base end face 52a side, a cleaning agent or the like is appropriately injected from the opening of the hollow pipe line 52f on the distal end face 52e. The processing powder formed by ultrasonic vibration can be washed away from the processing surface.

[Third Embodiment]
The ultrasonic transducer | vibrator and medical ultrasonic device which concern on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention are demonstrated.
FIG. 7: is typical sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the medical ultrasonic device of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the medical ultrasonic device 60 of the present embodiment includes the ultrasonic transducer 61 of the present embodiment and a controller 66 that controls the operation of the ultrasonic transducer 61. Is a configuration in which a cover 64 is further added to the configuration including the transducer main body 52 and the coil 3 similar to the ultrasonic transducer 51 of the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, a tube 67 is inserted into the hollow conduit 52f of the vibrator main body 52 from the base end face 52a side.
The tube 67 is connected to an aspirator (not shown) that constitutes a part of the medical ultrasonic device 60, and can suck the fluid or the like inside the hollow conduit 52 f to the outside of the ultrasonic transducer 61. Yes.
Hereinafter, the points different from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described.

The cover 64 covers the entirety of the vibration generating unit 52A and the vibration amplifying unit 52B and part of the base end side of the vibration output unit 52C, and is gripped and held without touching the vibrator main body 52 and the coil 3. It is a cylindrical member for this.
In this embodiment, the cover 64 has a cylindrical cover side part 64b having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the coil 3, and a cover bottom part 64a is formed at one end of the cover side part 64b. A tapered portion 64c having a diameter reduced from the cover side portion 64b is provided at the end of the bottom portion, and a tip opening portion 64d having a slightly larger inner diameter than the vibration output portion 52C is provided at the tip portion of the taper portion 64c. It is cylindrical.
A through hole 64f having an inner diameter equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the hollow duct 52f and penetrating the tube 67 is formed at the center of the cover bottom 64a.
Although FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram and is not particularly shown, the cover side portion 64b or the cover bottom portion 64a of the cover 64 is electrically connected to the end portion of the coil 3 housed therein and the controller 66. The wiring structure for taking is suitably provided.
Examples of such a wiring structure include, for example, a wiring lead-out hole for pulling out the end portion of the coil 3 to the outside, a connector electrically connected to the end portion of the coil 3, and the like.
The material of the cover 64 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, for example, polycarbonate having electrical insulation is employed. For this reason, the cover 64 of the present embodiment constitutes an insulator part that covers the vibrator main body 52 and the AC magnetic field application part.

The cover 64 having such a configuration has a base end surface in a state in which a part of the distal end side of the vibration output section 52C extends to the outside from the distal end opening 64d and the vibration amplification section 52B and the vibration generation section 52A are accommodated therein. 52a and the cover bottom 64a are joined together by a joint 65.
As the joining portion 65, an appropriate joining means such as adhesion or screwing can be adopted. In this embodiment, the joining portion 65 is adhered by an adhesive having electrical insulation. For this reason, the vibrator main body 52 and the cover 64 are electrically insulated.
The tube 67 is inserted into the ultrasonic transducer 61 through the through hole 64f and connected to the hollow conduit 52f.
With such a configuration, the relative positional relationship between the cover 64 and the vibrator main body 52 is fixed.

The controller 66 supplies an alternating current corresponding to the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration to the coil 3 in order to output the ultrasonic vibration by the ultrasonic vibrator 61, and drives a suction unit (not shown) to form a hollow pipe line. Control to perform suction from 52f is performed.
Supply of current from the controller 66 is performed through a wiring 66 a electrically connected to the coil 3 via a wiring structure (not shown) provided in the cover 64.

According to the ultrasonic transducer 61 having such a configuration, by supplying an alternating current from the controller 66 to the coil 3, from the vibration output unit 52C in the same manner as the ultrasonic transducer 51 of the second embodiment. Vibration output can be performed.
At this time, since the ultrasonic transducer 61 has a configuration in which the outer peripheral portion is covered with the cover 64, the ultrasonic transducer 61 performs vibration output in a state where the cover 64 is held by a hand or held by a robot hand or a support member. Can do.
Further, according to the medical ultrasonic device 60 provided with such an ultrasonic transducer 61, the cover 64 of the ultrasonic transducer 61 is gripped by hand, or held by a robot hand or a support member. The vibration output part 52C is brought into contact with the affected part, and the tissue or the like of the affected part can be crushed or cut.
At that time, the controller 66 drives an aspirator (not shown) to suck a fragmented piece, a cut piece, a body fluid, etc. of the affected tissue from the opening of the hollow duct 52f on the distal end surface 52e side. Can be removed.

[Fifth Modification]
Next, an ultrasonic transducer and medical ultrasonic apparatus according to a fifth modification of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8: is typical sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the medical ultrasonic device of the modification (5th modification) of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the medical ultrasonic device 70 of the present modified example is replaced with the ultrasonic transducer 61 of the medical ultrasonic device 60 of the third embodiment, and the ultrasonic transducer of the present modified example. 71 is provided.
The ultrasonic transducer 71 is the ultrasonic transducer 61 of the third embodiment in which an insulator 74 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the vibration output unit 52 </ b> C extended from the cover 64.
Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the third embodiment.

The insulator 74 is provided to prevent the current induced in the vibrator main body 52 from flowing through the vibrating body. In the present embodiment, the insulator 74 extends from the tip surface 52e and the cover 64. It is provided on the tip side surface 2d.
The material of the insulator 74 is not particularly limited as long as it has a necessary electrical insulation property. For example, organic materials such as cotton, paper, rubber, synthetic resin such as polyester and epoxy resin can be suitably used. In addition, inorganic materials such as asbestos and glass fiber can also be suitably used.
However, in order to efficiently perform vibration output, it is preferable to form a hard insulator in close contact with the distal end surface 52e and the distal end side surface 2d.
In addition, when the vibrating body of the ultrasonic transducer 71 is a living body, it is preferable that the insulator 74 is made of a material having biocompatibility. Here, the biocompatibility means a characteristic capable of suppressing the occurrence of allergic reaction without showing cytotoxicity (cell death or proliferation inhibition) even when in contact with a living body.
Examples of such biocompatible materials are insulating ceramics such as aluminum oxide and titanium oxide, nitride ceramics such as aluminum nitride and titanium nitride, aluminum carbide and titanium carbide, etc. Examples include carbide-based ceramics.

These insulators 74 may be formed on the surfaces of the tip surface 52e and the tip portion side surface 2d by an appropriate surface treatment, or after forming a shape covering the tip surface 52e and the tip portion side surface 2d, the tip surface You may join to the surface of 52e and the front-end | tip part side surface 2d via an adhesive agent.
As an example, the insulator portion 74 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a titanium nitride film suitable for medical devices is formed on the surfaces of the distal end surface 52e and the distal end portion side surface 2d by ion plating because of high biocompatibility. Is adopted.

  According to the ultrasonic transducer 71 having such a configuration, the insulator portion 74 is provided on the front end surface 52e that performs vibration output and the front end surface 2d that extends from the cover 64. It is possible to prevent the current generated in the vibrator body 52 from being supplied to the vibrating body. For example, when the vibrating body is a living tissue, depending on the magnitude of the energization amount, the living tissue may be cauterized in an area away from the contact portion with the vibration output unit 52C due to Joule heat. In the embodiment, such an influence on the living tissue is avoided. Therefore, it can be used suitably for the medical ultrasonic equipment 70 whose vibrating body is a living body.

Further, in this embodiment, since the titanium nitride film is employed for the insulator portion 74, even if the material of the vibrator main body 52 includes an element harmful to the living body, Can be reliably prevented from being poisoned.
In addition, since titanium nitride has high biocompatibility, for example, it does not exhibit cytotoxicity and can suppress the occurrence of allergic reactions and the like.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The ultrasonic transducer | vibrator and medical ultrasonic device which concern on the 4th Embodiment of this invention are demonstrated.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are a schematic left side view and a front view showing a schematic configuration of a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the medical ultrasonic device 80 of the present embodiment covers the vibration output surface 42e of the ultrasonic transducer 41 of the fourth modified example of the first embodiment. And the controller 86 for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic transducer 81 in the same manner as in the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the ultrasonic transducer 81 in the first embodiment will be described below. Description will be made centering on differences from the fourth modification.

The insulator portion 84 can employ the same material and bonding method as the insulator portion 74 of the fourth modified example of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, titanium nitride is employed.
The controller 86 is obtained by deleting the function of controlling the aspirator from the controller 66.

  According to the medical ultrasonic device 80, since the vibration output surface 42e that is the vibration output portion is covered with the insulator 84, the living tissue that is the body to be vibrated is applied, as in the third embodiment. Is prevented from being energized. Moreover, in this embodiment, since the oxidation time shortening which has biocompatibility is employ | adopted as the insulator part 84, the bad influence by contacting with a biological tissue is avoided. Therefore, it can be suitably used as a medical ultrasonic device in which the body to be excited is a living body.

  In the description of the first embodiment, the first modification, the third modification, and the second and third embodiments, an example in which the cross-sectional shape along the axial direction of the vibration output unit is constant. Although described, the size and shape of the cross-sectional shape may be gradually changed. For example, the shape in which the cross-sectional area is narrower toward the tip side, the shape in front view of the tip may be circular, or the shape in front view of the tip may be arcuate. In addition, any shape that can be integrally formed can be adopted as the shape used for the medical treatment instrument that applies ultrasonic vibration.

  In the description of the second and third embodiments, an example in which the hollow pipe 52f opens to the distal end side of the vibration output portion 52C has been described. It is good also as a structure opened to 2d (when it has the cover 64, it is the front-end | tip part side surface 2d extended from the cover 64).

  In the second and third embodiments, the cover 64 covers the coil 3, the vibration generation unit 52A, the vibration amplification unit 52B, and the vibration output unit 52C. The child main body 52 can be configured to cover an appropriate outer peripheral portion. For example, it is good also as a structure which covers only the part around which the coil 3 was wound.

  In the description of the third embodiment, an example in which the cover 64 and the vibrator main body 52 are joined by the joining portion 65 such as an adhesive has been described. However, the joining portion 65 may be an elastic material, a vibration absorbing material, or the like. In order to make it difficult for the vibration of the vibrator main body 52 to be transmitted to the cover 64 via the joint, a flexible structure may be used. In this case, when the cover 64 is held by hand, vibration is less likely to be transmitted and the cover 64 is easily held. Further, since the vibration of the vibrator main body 52 is difficult to be transmitted to the cover 64, the generation of noise can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to efficiently output vibration to the vibration output unit 52C.

  In the description of the third embodiment, an example in which the cover 64 is joined to the vibrator main body 52 on the cover bottom 64a side is described. However, the tip opening 64d of the cover 64 is fixed to the tip side surface 2d. May be. In this case, it is preferable that the tip side surface 2d is fixed to a portion that becomes a node of ultrasonic vibration.

  In the description of the fifth modification and the fourth embodiment of the third embodiment described above, the insulator portions 74 and 84 are examples of cases where the insulator portions 74 and 84 are made of a material that is an insulator and has biocompatibility. As described above, when the vibration output body does not need to have electrical insulation even if the body to be excited is a living body, a conductor material having biocompatibility is used instead of these insulators 74 and 84. It is good also as a provided structure.

  In the description of the third and fourth embodiments, the ultrasonic transducers 61, 71, and 81 have been described as examples in the case where the medical ultrasonic devices 60, 70, and 80 are used. All of the ultrasonic transducers described in the modifications can be used as an ultrasonic device other than a medical ultrasonic device. Examples of such an ultrasonic device include, for example, an ultrasonic cleaning machine, an underwater acoustic detector, a wire bonding machine, and the like.

Moreover, all the components described in the above embodiments and modifications can be implemented by appropriately combining or deleting them within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.
For example, all of the ultrasonic transducers described above can be used as ultrasonic transducers for medical ultrasonic devices and ultrasonic devices.

1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 Ultrasonic transducers 2, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 Transducer bodies 2A, 52A Vibration generators 2B, 52B Vibration amplification units 2C, 12C, 22C , 32C, 52C Vibration output portions 2d, 12d, 32d Tip side surfaces 2e, 12e, 22e Tip surface 3 Coil (AC magnetic field applying portion)
22f Plate-like portion 32e Tip surface 42e Vibration output surface 52e Tip surface 52f Hollow ducts 60, 70, 80 Medical ultrasonic equipment 64 Cover (insulator)
66, 86 Controller 74, 84 Insulator part 84a End face

Claims (7)

Formed between a vibration generating unit that generates ultrasonic vibration by application of an alternating magnetic field, a vibration output unit that outputs the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibration generating unit, and the vibration generating unit and the vibration output unit. An amorphous alloy having a glass transition region having a temperature range of 20 K or more and having magnetostrictive characteristics, and a vibration amplifying unit that amplifies the ultrasonic vibration by changing a size of a transmission path of the ultrasonic vibration A vibrator body integrally formed by,
An AC magnetic field applying unit that applies the AC magnetic field to the vibration generating unit of the vibrator body;
An ultrasonic transducer comprising: The vibration amplification unit is
The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the size of the transmission path is changed by a tapered surface . The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, further comprising an insulator that covers at least one of the transducer main body and the AC magnetic field application unit. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 3, wherein the insulator portion is made of a biocompatible material. The vibration output part of the vibrator body is
The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is covered with an insulator made of a biocompatible material. The vibrator body is
The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow pipe having an opening in the vicinity of the vibration output unit.   A medical ultrasonic device comprising the ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1.

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