JP6013377B2 - Biological blood vessel parameter measuring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological blood vessel parameter measuring device, and more particularly to a technique for reducing anxiety of a measurement subject when measuring blood vessel parameters by the biological blood vessel parameter measuring device.

  As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a biological blood vessel parameter measuring device is configured to bring a detection surface of an ultrasonic sensor into contact with the skin of an upper arm (a part of a living body) of a person to be measured, for example, blood vessel parameters of blood vessels in the skin. It measures blood vessel diameter, blood vessel cross-sectional area, blood vessel wall thickness, plaque, blood flow velocity, and the like.

  In addition, the biological blood vessel parameter measurement device of Patent Document 1 includes a receiving base having a receiving surface on which the upper arm is placed, and an ultrasonic sensor is placed on the artery of the upper arm placed on the receiving base. The detection surface is pressed. That is, the upper arm is disposed between the receiving surface of the cradle and the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor, and is sandwiched between the receiving surface and the detection surface, and the blood vessel parameter measuring device is used to measure the blood vessel. Vascular parameters are measured. Further, a jelly (ultrasonic jelly) well known as a coupling agent for reducing ultrasonic loss is interposed between the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor and the upper arm.

JP 2009-072481 A

  By the way, in the biological blood vessel parameter measuring apparatus of Patent Document 1 as described above, the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor is pressed against the upper arm on the cradle at the time of measurement. There is a possibility that a feeling of being sandwiched between the surface and the detection surface is felt, and anxiety that it may be sandwiched more strongly may be felt. For this reason, the biological blood vessel parameter measuring apparatus as described above has a problem in that the psychology of the measurement subject becomes unstable and stable measurement may not be performed.

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a biological blood vessel parameter measuring device that can reduce anxiety of a measurement subject when measuring blood vessel parameters. .

  To achieve this object, the gist of the present invention is as follows: (a) a biological blood vessel parameter measuring device for measuring a blood vessel parameter of a blood vessel in the skin by contacting an ultrasonic sensor on a part of the skin of the living body; (B) a receiving table having a receiving surface on which a part of the living body is placed; and (c) an opening is formed in the receiving surface of the receiving table, and a detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor is in the opening. A receiving hole for receiving the ultrasonic sensor so as to be positioned, and (d) a liquid substance provided in the inner periphery of the opening of the receiving hole to be placed on the detection surface and the receiving surface of the ultrasonic sensor. And a liquid substance storage device that interposes the liquid substance with a part of the living body.

  According to the biological blood vessel parameter measuring device of the present invention, (b) a receiving table having a receiving surface on which a part of the living body is placed, and (c) an opening on the receiving surface of the receiving table, the ultrasonic sensor A receiving hole for receiving the ultrasonic sensor so that the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor is positioned in the opening; and (d) a detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor provided in the inner periphery of the opening for receiving the liquid substance. And a liquid substance storage device for interposing the liquid substance between the living body placed on the receiving surface and a part of the living body. Therefore, by placing a part of the living body on the receiving surface of the cradle, the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor comes into contact with a part of the skin of the living body. The blood vessel parameter can be measured in a state where it is placed on a cradle. As a result, the biological blood vessel parameter measuring device is compared with the conventional device in which the blood vessel parameter is measured while being pressed by the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor and the receiving surface of the cradle. Since only a part of the living body is placed on the receiving surface of the cradle and a part of the living body can be easily separated, anxiety of the measurement subject at the time of measuring the blood vessel parameter can be reduced. .

  Here, preferably, the ultrasonic sensor accommodated in the accommodation hole is guided in the X-axis direction intersecting the artery of the living body by a guide device provided in the accommodation hole and is driven in the X-axis direction. It is supported by the moving member positioned by. Therefore, the ultrasonic sensor can be positioned in the X-axis direction by the X-axis direction driving device, and the deviation between the blood vessel in a part of the living body and the ultrasonic sensor is automatically eliminated.

  Preferably, in the liquid substance storage device, an outer peripheral portion is fixed in a liquid-tight manner to an inner peripheral edge of the opening of the receiving hole, and an inner peripheral portion is fixed in a liquid-tight manner around the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor. The liquid material is stored on the elastic sheet so that the liquid surface of the liquid material is above the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor. For this reason, at the time of measurement, the liquid substance is always interposed by the liquid substance storage device between the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor and a part of the living body. A good blood vessel image can be continuously obtained without flowing down from a part of the blood vessel.

  Preferably, the liquid substance storage device is a bag in which the liquid substance is enclosed and interposed between a detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor and a part of the living body placed on the receiving surface. It is an elastic body. For this reason, at the time of measurement, since the bag-like elastic body is always interposed between the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor and a part of the living body, the liquid substance is separated from a part of the living body as in the past. A good blood vessel image can be obtained continuously without flowing down.

  Preferably, the ultrasonic sensor is (a) for a pair of first short axes parallel to each other in which a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators are linearly arranged along a direction parallel to the X-axis direction. The ultrasonic array probe and the second short axis ultrasonic array probe, and the pair of the first short axis ultrasonic array probe and the second short axis ultrasonic array probe between them. An ultrasonic probe provided on the detection surface with an ultrasonic array probe for a long axis in which a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction, and (b) the ultrasonic probe around the X axis And a rotation positioning device capable of rotating about the Z-axis passing through the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe and perpendicular to the detection surface. ing. For this reason, the ultrasonic probe can be rotated around the X axis and / or the Z axis to automatically position the ultrasonic probe to an optimal position with respect to the blood vessel, and a good blood vessel An image can be obtained.

It is a figure explaining the whole structure of the vascular endothelial function test | inspection apparatus which is one Example of the biological blood vessel parameter measuring apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is a II-II sectional view of the vascular endothelial function testing device of FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining the structure of the vascular ultrasonic image measuring apparatus with which the vascular endothelial function test | inspection apparatus of FIG. 1 was equipped. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ultrasonic probe with which the vascular ultrasonic image measuring apparatus of FIG. 3 was equipped, and the blood vessel which is object. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a three-layer structure including an inner membrane, a middle membrane, and an outer membrane of a blood vessel that is a measurement target of the blood vessel ultrasonic image measurement apparatus of FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the image of the blood vessel displayed on the indicator of the vascular endothelial function test | inspection apparatus of FIG. 1 based on the information measured by the vascular ultrasonic image measuring apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the vascular endothelial function test | inspection apparatus of the other Example of this invention, and is a figure corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the vascular endothelial function test | inspection apparatus of the other Example of this invention, and is a figure corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the vascular endothelial function test | inspection apparatus of the other Example of this invention, and is a figure corresponding to FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vascular endothelial function testing device of FIG. 9 taken along the line XX.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified for easy understanding, and the dimensional ratios, shapes, and the like of the respective parts are not necessarily drawn accurately.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a vascular endothelial function testing apparatus 10 which is an embodiment of a biological vascular parameter measurement apparatus according to the present invention. This vascular endothelial function testing device 10 is based on an ultrasonic reflection signal output to a part of blood vessels of a living body, ie, blood vessel parameters, that is, blood vessel diameter, blood vessel cross-sectional area, inner film thickness, plaque, blood flow velocity. FMD (Flow-Mediated Dilation: blood flow dependent vasodilator response) measurement is performed. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 is provided on a cradle 16 for placing an upper limb 14 of a subject (a person to be measured) 12 that is a part of a living body, and the cradle 16. A blood vessel that measures a transverse cross-sectional image (short axis image) or a vertical cross-sectional image (long axis image) of a blood vessel 22 located directly above the skin 20 of the upper limb 14 of the subject 12 using the ultrasonic sensor 18. An ultrasonic image measuring device 24 and a pressurizing device 26 that compresses a portion upstream or downstream (downstream in FIG. 1) of the measurement site in order to block blood flow of the blood vessel 22 at the measurement site. Yes.

  A flat receiving surface 16 a on which the upper arm 28 of the subject 12 is placed is formed on the receiving table 16. The receiving table 16 has a receiving hole 16b that opens in a rectangular shape on the receiving surface 16a, and stores the ultrasonic sensor 18 so that the detection surface 18a at the tip of the ultrasonic sensor 18 is positioned in the opening, The liquid substance 30 is provided in the inner periphery of the opening of the accommodation hole 16b and accommodates the liquid substance 30, and the liquid substance 30 is interposed between the detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 and the skin 20 of the upper arm 28 placed on the receiving surface 16a. A liquid substance storage device 32 is provided. The liquid material 30 is water for suppressing the attenuation due to reflection or scattering at the boundary surface of ultrasonic waves to make the ultrasonic image clear, low-viscosity or fluid jelly well known as a coupling agent, and the like. . The detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 faces upward.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the bellows-like elastic structure in which the outer peripheral portion 34 a is liquid-tightly fixed to the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the accommodation hole 16 b and the inner peripheral portion 34 b is fixed around the detection surface 18 a of the ultrasonic sensor 18. A liquid material storage device 32 that includes the sheet 34 and stores the liquid material 30 on the elastic sheet 34 so that the liquid surface 30a of the liquid material 30 is above the detection surface 18a is provided at the opening of the accommodation hole 16b. It has been.

  By placing the upper arm 28 on the receiving surface 16 a of the cradle 16, the detection surface 18 a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 can be lightly brought into contact with the skin 20 through the liquid substance 30 so as not to deform the blood vessel 22 of the upper arm 28. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic sensor 18 housed in the housing hole 16b is guided in the X-axis direction intersecting the blood vessel 22 of the upper arm 28 by a guide device 36 provided in the housing hole 16b. It is supported by a moving member 40 that is positioned by the X-axis direction driving device 38.

  Both ends of the guide device 36 are fixed to the inner wall surface of the receiving hole 16b, and the guide device 36 includes a longitudinal guide member 42 that guides the moving member 40 in the X-axis direction. The moving member 40 includes the X-axis direction driving device 38. A member 44 on which a female screw that is screwed with a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft 38a is fixed. Accordingly, when the screw shaft 38a of the X-axis direction driving device 38 rotates, the moving member 40 and the ultrasonic sensor 18 fixed thereto are guided and positioned in the X-axis direction.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the vascular ultrasound image measurement device 24. The ultrasonic sensor 18 shown in FIG. 3 includes an ultrasonic oscillator that generates a predetermined ultrasonic wave for the blood vessel 22 and biological information related to the blood vessel 22 based on a reflected wave reflected from the blood vessel 22 with respect to the ultrasonic wave. That is, two parallel first row short-axis ultrasonic array probes A and second short-axis ultrasonic array probes B for detecting blood vessel conditions (blood vessel parameters) and their longitudinal central portions are connected. H-type ultrasonic probe 46 having a long-axis ultrasonic array probe C to be positioned on one flat surface, that is, a flat detection surface 18a, and a multi-axis drive device for positioning the ultrasonic probe 46 (Rotating positioning device) 48.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the ultrasonic probe 46 and the blood vessel 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the first short axis ultrasonic array probe A and the second short axis ultrasonic array probe are shown. child B, and ultrasonic array probe C for long axis, for example by a piezoelectric ceramic plurality of ultrasonic transducer which is composed of (ultrasonic oscillator) a ₁ ~a _n are linearly arranged Each is configured in a longitudinal shape. That is, probe ultrasonic array for the first short axis of the pair probe A and the second ultrasonic array probe B for short axis, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers a ₁ ~a _n parallel to the X-axis direction are linearly arranged along the direction, probe C probe ultrasonic array for the long axis, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers a ₁ ~a _n ultrasonic array probe a and a first minor axis of the pair Between the second short axis ultrasonic array probes B, they are linearly arranged along a direction perpendicular to them. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the multi-axis drive device 48 includes an X-axis rotation mechanism 50 that rotates the ultrasonic probe 46 around the X axis and positions the rotation position around the X axis, and the ultrasonic probe. Z axis rotation for positioning the rotation position around the Z axis by rotating 46 around the Z axis passing through the longitudinal center of the first short axis ultrasonic array probe A and perpendicular to the detection surface 18a. And a mechanism 52.

As shown in FIG. 2, the brachial artery E <b> 1 and the humerus H <b> 1 exist in the brachial arm 28. As shown in FIG. 5, the blood vessel 22 that is the brachial artery E1 has a three-layer structure including an intima L ₁ , a media L ₂ , and an adventitia L ₃ . In the image obtained using the ultrasonic waves with respect to the vessel 22, the reflection from the tunica L ₂ because very weak, the inner layer L ₁ and the adventitia L ₃ is displayed. In the actual image, the inside of the blood vessel 22 and the intima L ₂ are displayed in black, the intima L ₁ and the outer membrane L ₃ are displayed in white, and the tissue is displayed in black and white spots. The intima L ₁ is displayed much thinner than the outer membrane L ₃ and is relatively difficult to display in the image. On the other hand, when the FMD is evaluated, the change rate of the diameter of the intima L ₁ is used. It is desirable.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the blood vessel ultrasonic image measuring device 24 includes an electronic control device 54 configured by a so-called microcomputer, a display 56 that displays an image of the blood vessel 22, an ultrasonic drive control circuit 58, and a drive motor. And a control circuit 60. The vascular endothelial function testing apparatus 10 is controlled in an integrated manner by an electronic control unit 54, and a drive signal is supplied from the ultrasonic drive control circuit 58 by the electronic control unit 54, and the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic sensor 18. The ultrasonic waves are radiated from 46 first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A, second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B, and long-axis ultrasonic array probe C. The ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic array probe A for the first short axis, the ultrasonic array probe B for the second short axis, and the ultrasonic array probe C for the long axis are received and the ultrasonic waves are received. By performing the processing of the reflected signal, an ultrasonic image under the skin 20 of the subject 12 is generated and displayed on the display 56.

  The electronic control unit 54 performs an ultrasonic wave drive control unit 62 that controls generation of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic sensor 18 via the ultrasonic drive control circuit 58, and a detection process of reflected waves received by the ultrasonic sensor 18. The detection processing unit 64, the Doppler signal processing unit 66 that performs Doppler signal processing on the signal detected by the detection processing unit 64, the B mode signal processing unit 68 that performs B mode signal processing, and the B mode signal processing unit 68 process the signal. 3-axis drive motor for controlling the drive of the multi-axis drive device 48 and the X-axis direction drive device 38 via the display control unit 70 for performing display control for displaying an image based on the received signal on the display 56, and the drive motor control circuit 60. A control unit 72 and a pressurization control unit 74 that controls the operation of the pressurization device 26 are provided as control functions.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the display 56 includes a first short-axis image display area S1 for displaying an ultrasonic image by the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A, and a second short-axis ultrasonic array probe. A second short-axis image display area S2 for displaying an ultrasonic image by the touch element B and a long-axis image display area S3 for displaying an ultrasonic image by the long-axis ultrasonic array probe C are provided. Further, the first short-axis image display area S1, the second short-axis image display area S2, and the long-axis image display area S3 are provided with a common vertical axis indicating the depth dimension from the skin 20. In addition, as described above, when the ultrasound image of the blood vessel 22 is generated, the electronic probe 54 (three-axis drive motor control unit 72) is set so that the ultrasound probe 46 is in a predetermined position with respect to the target blood vessel 22. ), The multi-axis drive device 48 and the X-axis direction drive device 38 to which the drive signal is supplied from the drive motor control circuit 60 are driven and positioned. The predetermined position is a position where the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A and the second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B are perpendicular to the target blood vessel 22 and the long-axis super-array. The acoustic array probe C is a position parallel to the blood vessel 22 and directly below. In this position, the blood vessel 22 is located immediately above the long-axis ultrasonic array deep touch C, and the first short-axis ultrasonic array deep touch A and the second short-axis ultrasonic array deep touch. It is located directly above the longitudinal center of the child B.

  The pressurizing device 26 compresses a site upstream or downstream (downstream in FIG. 1) of the measurement site by the vascular ultrasound image measurement device 24 in order to block the blood flow of the blood vessel 22 in the upper limb 14 of the subject 12. A cuff 76 used by being wound around the forearm 92 of the subject 12, and a cuff pressure control device (not shown) provided in the vascular ultrasound image measurement device 24 that controls the cuff pressure of the cuff 76. Are provided. The cuff 76 can change its cuff pressure by, for example, air pressure. The cuff pressure control device includes an electric pressurization pump connected to the cuff 76, an exhaust cock provided with an electromagnetic release valve, and a pressure. The cuff 76 is cuffed through the operation of the pressurizing pump and the exhaust cock in conjunction with the driving of the ultrasonic sensor 18 in accordance with a command from the electronic control unit 54 (pressurizing control unit 74). Control to increase or release pressure.

When the blood vessel state is measured by the vascular endothelial function testing device 10, the ultrasonic drive control circuit 58 is arranged, for example, in a line constituting the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A according to a command from the electronic control device 54. and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers a ₁ ~a _n, a predetermined phase difference for each a ₁ ~a ₁₅ of the ultrasonic transducer a ₁ et certain number of the ultrasonic transducer group for example of 15 the end By applying beam forming driving that is simultaneously driven at a frequency of about 10 MHz while being applied, a convergent ultrasonic beam is sequentially emitted toward the target blood vessel 22 in the array direction of the ultrasonic transducers, that is, upward. A reflected wave for each radiation when the ultrasonic beam is scanned while scanning the ultrasonic transducers one by one is received and input to the electronic control unit 54. In addition, the radiation surface of the first short axis ultrasonic array probe A, the acoustic lens (not shown) for converging the ultrasonic beams in a direction perpendicular to the array direction of the ultrasonic transducer a ₁ ~a _n Is provided. The ultrasonic beam is then converged by the beamforming drive and the acoustic lens, as described above, the longitudinal-shaped convergent cross section in the direction orthogonal to the array direction of the ultrasonic transducer a ₁ ~a _n is formed. Longitudinal direction of the converging cross-section, the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic transducer a ₁ ~a _n in plan view, and with respect to the radial direction of the beam, which is a direction orthogonal respectively. The electronic control unit 54 (display control unit 70) synthesizes an image based on the reflected wave, and generates a cross-sectional image (short axis image) or a vertical cross-sectional image (long axis image) of the blood vessel 22 under the skin 20. To display on the display 56.

  According to the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 configured as described above, the subject 12 places the upper arm 28 on the receiving surface 16a of the cradle 16 so that the detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 is the liquid substance 30. The skin 20 is contacted through. As shown in FIG. 2, an image of the blood vessel 22 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 56 based on the information measured in a state where the upper arm 28 of the subject 12 is placed on the cradle 16. From the blood vessel image obtained in this way, the diameter of the blood vessel 22 shown in FIG. 5 or the endothelial diameter (luminal diameter), which is the diameter of the endothelium, is calculated.

Moreover, in the vascular endothelial function test | inspection apparatus 10, the vascular endothelial function is evaluated by comparing the blood vessel parameter in a resting state with respect to the blood vessel 22 used as the object, and the blood vessel parameter after the hyperemia from the ischemic state. That is, with respect to the target blood vessel 22, first, after the blood vessel diameter d of the subject 12 at rest is measured, in order to prevent the blood flow of the blood vessel 22 at the measurement site by the pressurization device 26, the upstream side of the measurement site. Alternatively, the cuff 76 is suddenly released at a stage where the downstream part is maintained for a predetermined time while the downstream part is compressed, and the upstream or downstream part of the measurement part is shifted to the ischemic state, and the target blood vessel The blood vessel diameter after hyperemia from 22 ischemic states (maximum blood vessel diameter after release of ischemia) d _max is measured. Then, the blood vessel diameter change rate (%) [= 100 × (d _max −d) / d] representing FMD (blood flow-dependent vasodilator response) after ischemia-responsive hyperemia is calculated, and based on the result. Thus, the endothelial function of the target blood vessel 22 is evaluated.

  According to the vascular endothelial function test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the receiving table 16 having the receiving surface 16a on which the upper arm 28 is placed, and the receiving surface 16a of the receiving table 16 are opened, and the detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 is opened. A receiving hole 16b for receiving the ultrasonic sensor 18 so as to be positioned in the opening, and a liquid material 30 provided in the inner periphery of the opening of the receiving hole 16b for receiving the detection surface 18a and the receiving surface of the ultrasonic sensor 18. And a liquid substance storage device 32 for interposing the liquid substance 30 between the upper arm 28 placed on 16a. For this reason, by placing the upper arm 28 on the receiving surface 16 a of the cradle 16, the detection surface 18 a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 contacts the skin 20 of the upper arm 28, so that the upper arm 28 is placed on the cradle 16. It is possible to measure the blood vessel diameter, that is, the blood vessel parameter. As a result, the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 receives the upper arm 28 as compared with the conventional case where the blood vessel parameters are measured while being pressed by the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor and the receiving surface of the cradle. It is only placed on the receiving surface 16a of the table 16, and the upper arm 28 can be easily separated, so that the anxiety of the subject 12 when measuring the blood vessel parameters can be reduced.

  Further, according to the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 of the present embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 18 accommodated in the accommodation hole 16b is guided to the artery 22 of the upper arm 28 by the guide device 36 provided in the accommodation hole 16b. It is supported by a moving member 40 guided in the intersecting X-axis direction and positioned by the X-axis direction driving device 38. Therefore, positioning of the ultrasonic sensor 18 in the X-axis direction by the X-axis direction driving device 38 becomes possible, and the deviation between the blood vessel 22 in the upper arm 28 and the ultrasonic sensor 18 is automatically eliminated.

  Further, according to the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 of the present embodiment, the liquid substance storage device 32 has the outer peripheral portion 34a fixed liquid-tightly to the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the accommodation hole 16b, and the inner peripheral portion 34b is ultrasonic. An elastic sheet 34 is provided around the detection surface 18 a of the sensor 18 in a liquid-tight manner, and the liquid material 30 is arranged so that the liquid surface 30 a of the liquid material 30 is above the detection surface 18 a of the ultrasonic sensor 18. It is stored on the elastic sheet 34. For this reason, at the time of measurement, since the liquid substance 30 is always interposed between the detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 and the upper arm 28 by the liquid substance storage device 32, the jelly (ultrasonic jelly) is conventionally used in the upper arm. A good image of the blood vessel 22 can be obtained continuously without flowing down from the tube 28.

Further, according to the vascular endothelial function testing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 18, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers a ₁ ~a _n are linearly arranged along a direction parallel to the X-axis direction A pair of first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A and second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B parallel to each other, and a pair of first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A and first pair 2 a plurality of ultrasonic transducers a ₁ ~a _n detection surface and arranged long axis ultrasonic array probe C in a direction perpendicular to the them during the short axis ultrasonic array probe B The ultrasonic probe 46 provided in 18a and the ultrasonic probe 46 are rotated around the X axis, and pass through the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the first short axis ultrasonic array probe A and perpendicular to the detection surface 18a. And a rotation positioning device 48 that can be rotated around the Z axis. For this reason, the ultrasonic probe 46 can be rotated about the X axis and / or the Z axis to automatically position the ultrasonic probe 46 to the optimal position with respect to the blood vessel 22, and a good image of the blood vessel 22 can be obtained. Can be obtained.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, portions common to the embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The vascular endothelial function test device 78 of the present embodiment is different from the vascular endothelial function test device 10 of the first embodiment described above in that the structure in the receiving hole 16b of the cradle 16 is different from the first embodiment. The rest of the configuration is substantially the same.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a coarse actuator 80 that moves a flat plate-like upper plate 80a in the X-axis direction is accommodated in the receiving hole 16b of the pedestal 16, and the upper plate 80a has ultrasonic waves. A moving member 82 in which a receiving hole 82a for receiving the sensor 18 is formed is integrally fixed. Note that the moving member 82 and the coarse actuator 80 are positioned so that the detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 is located within the opening of the receiving hole 16b of the cradle 16 as in the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 of the first embodiment. It arrange | positions in the accommodation hole 16b. Further, when the coarse actuator 80 is driven, the moving member 82, that is, the ultrasonic sensor 18 fixed to the upper plate 80a moves in the X-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the moving member 82 is provided on the inner periphery of the opening of the accommodation hole 82 a to accommodate the liquid substance 30, and the upper arm placed on the detection surface 18 a and the receiving surface 16 a of the ultrasonic sensor 18. A liquid substance storage device 32 similar to that of the first embodiment in which the liquid substance 30 is interposed between the 28 skins 20 is provided. In addition, a guide device 36 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided in the accommodation hole 82a, and the ultrasonic sensor 18 is guided in the X-axis direction by the guide device 36 and positioned in the X-axis direction. . The X-axis direction driving device 38 provided in the guide device 36 has a moving speed that moves the ultrasonic sensor 18 in the X-axis direction is slower than that of the coarse actuator 80 and has a high positioning accuracy in the X-axis direction. It is.

  According to the vascular endothelial function testing device 78 configured as described above, the ultrasonic wave can be obtained by placing the upper arm 28 on the receiving surface 16a of the cradle 16 in the same manner as the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 of the first embodiment. The detection surface 18 a of the sensor 18 contacts the skin 20 lightly to the extent that the blood vessel 22 of the upper arm 28 is not deformed through the liquid substance 30. For this reason, the vascular endothelial function testing device 78 has the same effect as the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 of the first embodiment.

  In the vascular endothelial function testing device 78, when the ultrasonic sensor 18 is positioned at the target position in the X-axis direction, for example, the triaxial drive motor control unit 72 first passes through the drive motor control circuit 60, for example, first in the X-axis direction. The coarse actuator 80 having a high moving speed is driven and moved to the vicinity of the target position, and then the X-axis direction driving device 38 having high positioning accuracy in the X-axis direction is driven to be positioned at the target position. . As a result, the positioning of the ultrasonic sensor 18 in the X-axis direction is preferably accelerated and the positioning accuracy is increased.

  The vascular endothelial function testing device 84 of the present embodiment is different from the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 of the first embodiment described above in that the liquid material storage device 86 is different from the liquid material storage device 32 of the first embodiment. The other configuration is substantially the same.

  The liquid substance storage device 86 is a substantially disc-shaped bag-like elastic body 88 that is interposed between the detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 and the upper arm 28 placed on the receiving surface 16a. It is. The bag-like elastic body 88 in which the liquid substance 30 is enclosed is supported by the same elastic sheet 34 as in the first embodiment.

  According to the vascular endothelial function testing device 84 of the present embodiment, at the time of measurement, the bag-like elastic body 88 is always interposed between the detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 and the upper arm 28. A good image of the blood vessel 22 can be obtained continuously without (ultrasonic jelly) flowing from the upper arm.

  Compared with the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 of the first embodiment, the vascular endothelial function testing device 90 of the present embodiment has the forearm 92 of the subject 12 placed on the cradle 16 and the blood vessel 94 in the forearm 92. Are different from each other in that they are displayed on the display 56, and the rest of the configuration is substantially the same. In the vascular endothelial function testing device 90, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper arm 28 is maintained for a predetermined time while being pressed by the cuff 76. Thereafter, the cuff 76 is suddenly released, and the endothelial function of the toe artery E2 is maintained. Is evaluated. As shown in FIG. 10, the forearm 92 includes a toe artery E2, an ulna artery E3, a toe bone H2, an ulna H3, and the like.

  In the vascular endothelial function testing device 90, as shown in FIG. 10, the subject 12 places the forearm 92 on the receiving surface 16 a of the cradle 16, so that the detection surface 18 a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 passes through the liquid substance 30. In contact with the skin 20. Then, an image of the blood vessel 94 is displayed on the display 56 based on information measured with the forearm 92 of the subject 12 placed on the cradle 16. From the image of the blood vessel 94 obtained in this way, for example, the diameter of the toe artery E2 or the diameter of the endothelium (the lumen diameter) that is the diameter of the endothelium is calculated.

  According to the vascular endothelial function testing device 90 of the present embodiment, the detection surface 18a of the ultrasonic sensor 18 comes into contact with the skin 20 of the forearm 92 by placing the forearm 92 on the receiving surface 16a of the cradle 16. The diameter of the blood vessel 94 in the state where the forearm 92 is placed on the cradle 16, that is, the blood vessel parameter can be measured. As a result, similar to the vascular endothelial function testing device 10 of the first embodiment, the vascular endothelial function testing device 90 merely places the forearm 92 on the receiving surface 16a of the cradle 16 and easily separates the forearm 92. Therefore, the anxiety of the subject 12 at the time of measuring the blood vessel parameter can be reduced.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be implemented in other modes.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the vascular endothelial function test apparatus 10, 78, 84 for measuring the brachial artery E1 (10) and the vascular endothelial function test apparatus 90 for measuring the toe artery E2 (94). Although the applied example has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the measurement of blood vessel parameters such as arteries and veins that can be measured from the epidermis surface of the upper limb 14 or blood vessels of other lower limbs is similarly performed. Applied and effective.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 46 includes two rows of the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A and the second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B that are parallel to each other and their longitudinal lengths. Although the H-type probe having the long-axis ultrasonic array probe C connecting the central portions in the direction on the detection surface 18a is used, an in-line type or other probe may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vascular endothelial function testing device 84 is provided with the elastic sheet 34, but may be removed.

  Although not illustrated one by one, the present invention can be implemented in variously modified and improved modes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

10, 78, 84, 90: Vascular endothelial function testing device (biological blood vessel parameter measuring device)
16: cradle 16a: receiving surface 16b: accommodation hole 18: ultrasonic sensor 18a: detection surface 20: skin 22: blood vessel 28: upper arm (part of living body)
30: liquid material 30a: liquid surface 32: liquid material storage device 34: elastic sheet 34a: outer peripheral portion 34b: inner peripheral portion 36: guide device 38: X-axis direction drive device 40: moving member 46: ultrasonic probe 48: many Axis drive (rotating positioning device)
86: Liquid substance storage device 88: Bag-like elastic body 92: Forearm (part of living body)
94: Vascular A: first short axis ultrasonic array probe B: second short axis ultrasonic array probe C: long ultrasonic array for axial probe a ₁ ~a _n: plural ultra Sound transducer (ultrasonic oscillator)

Claims (5)

A biological blood vessel parameter measuring device for measuring a blood vessel parameter of a blood vessel in the skin by contacting an ultrasonic sensor on a part of the skin of the living body,
A cradle having a receiving surface on which a part of the living body is placed;
A receiving hole that opens to the receiving surface of the cradle and receives the ultrasonic sensor so that a detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor is located in the opening;
A liquid substance that is provided in the inner periphery of the opening of the accommodation hole, accommodates a liquid substance, and interposes the liquid substance between a detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor and a part of the living body placed on the receiving surface A biological blood vessel parameter measuring device comprising: a storage device.   The ultrasonic sensor housed in the housing hole is guided by a guide device provided in the housing hole in the X-axis direction intersecting the artery of the living body and is positioned by the X-axis direction driving device. The biological blood vessel parameter measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the biological blood vessel parameter measuring device is supported.   The liquid substance storage device includes an elastic sheet whose outer peripheral portion is liquid-tightly fixed to the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the accommodation hole, and whose inner peripheral portion is liquid-tightly fixed around the detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor. The biological blood vessel parameter measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid substance is stored on the elastic sheet so that a liquid surface of the liquid substance is above a detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor.   The liquid substance storage device is a bag-like elastic body in which the liquid substance is enclosed and interposed between a detection surface of the ultrasonic sensor and a part of the living body placed on the receiving surface. Item 3. The biological blood vessel parameter measuring device according to Item 1 or 2. The ultrasonic sensor is
A pair of first short-axis ultrasonic array probe and second short-axis ultrasonic array parallel to each other, in which a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators are linearly arranged along a direction parallel to the X-axis direction. A plurality of ultrasonic oscillators are arranged between the probe and the pair of first short-axis ultrasonic array probes and the second short-axis ultrasonic array probe in a direction perpendicular to them. An ultrasonic probe provided on the detection surface with a long-axis ultrasonic array probe;
The ultrasonic probe is rotated about the X axis, and is rotated about the Z axis that passes through the longitudinal center of the first short axis ultrasonic array probe and is perpendicular to the detection surface. The biological blood vessel parameter measuring device according to claim 2, further comprising a rotatable positioning device.

Images