JP6203574B2 - Attachment, ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an attachment, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that are attached to an ultrasonic probe and have a vibration applying unit that applies mechanical vibration to an elastic measurement target.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an elasticity measuring device that calculates elasticity by applying mechanical vibration to a surface of an elasticity measurement target such as a human body to measure an elastic wave generated in the measurement target using ultrasonic waves. . Further, this Patent Document 1 describes that an elasticity measuring device is connected to a standard ultrasonic examination device in order to provide information on the form of an organ such as a human body and an elasticity parameter.

Japanese Patent No. 4451309

  However, in Patent Document 1, a device that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves for applying mechanical vibration and measuring elastic waves is required separately from a device for obtaining morphological information. Therefore, the elasticity measurement cannot be performed only by a general ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus on which an ultrasonic image is displayed.

  Therefore, a general ultrasonic probe connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits and receives ultrasonic waves for measuring elastic waves and ultrasonic waves for obtaining ultrasonic images, and also gives mechanical vibrations. If it is possible, it is convenient for the operator.

  One aspect of the invention made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem is attachable to an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface side of an ultrasonic probe that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a measurement object. An attachment having a portion formed of a material having ultrasonic transparency between a contact surface with a measurement object, and a hole opening on the contact surface side with the measurement object is formed. The attachment is characterized in that a vibration imparting section for providing mechanical vibration to the surface of the measurement object is provided in the section.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, an ultrasonic wave in which an ultrasonic image is displayed by attaching an attachment provided with the vibration applying unit to an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a measurement target. In the diagnostic apparatus, elasticity measurement based on the elastic wave can be performed.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in embodiment of this invention. It is a partially notched front view which shows the ultrasonic probe in embodiment of this invention, and the attachment in embodiment of this invention attached to this ultrasonic probe. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the attachment shown in FIG. 2. It is an AA line expanded sectional view of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the axis | shaft of the vibration provision part advanced and it moved to the position where a press part presses the surface of a measuring object. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown by FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in embodiment. It is an enlarged view which shows the modification of the vibration provision part provided in the hole. It is a top view which shows the control board in the modification of the vibration provision part shown by FIG. It is a front view which shows the attachment provided with the vibration provision part of the modification, and the ultrasonic probe to which this attachment was attached. It is a top view which shows the state in which the engaging part is engaging with the control board in the vibration provision part of a modification. In the vibration provision part of a modification, it is a top view which shows the state in which the engaging part is located in the circular part of the drill hole formed in the control board. It is a figure which shows the state which the engaging part fell in the circular part of a hollow hole in the vibration provision part of a modification. In the vibration provision part of a modification, it is a figure which shows the position of a press moving body when mechanical vibration is provided with respect to the surface of a measuring object with the press surface of a press part. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of a control part. It is a partially notched front view which shows the other example of the ultrasonic probe in embodiment of this invention, and the attachment in embodiment of this invention attached to this ultrasonic probe. It is a bottom view of the attachment shown by FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an attachment, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception beam former 3, an echo data processing unit 4, a display control unit 5, a display unit 6, an operation unit 7, a control unit 8, and a storage unit 9. The ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1a. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1a, a transmission / reception beamformer 3, an echo data processing unit 4, a display control unit 5, a display unit 6, an operation unit 7, a control unit 8, and a storage unit 9 are provided.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown) arranged in an array, and transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject by the ultrasonic transducers. The echo signal is received.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, an attachment 100 is detachably attached to the ultrasonic probe 2 at an end portion on the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface 2 a side. The attachment 100 includes a first member 101 and a second member 102. The first member 101 has a hollow portion 101a that is open at both ends, and the ultrasonic probe 2 is attached to an end portion on one opening side of the hollow portion 101a. The first member 101 is made of plastic, is elastically deformed, and is attached to the ultrasonic probe 2.

  The first member 101 has a hole forming part 101b in which a hole 103 described later is formed. The hole forming portion 101b is formed on one end of the attachment 100 in the left-right direction (the azimuth direction when attached to the ultrasonic probe 2).

  A step portion 101c is formed on the one opening side of the hole forming portion 101b. The first member 101 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 2 in a state where the transmission / reception surface 2a is in contact with the stepped portion 101c.

  The second member 102 is made of a material having ultrasonic permeability and elasticity, and having an acoustic impedance approximate to the acoustic impedance (impedance) of the elasticity measurement target T. For example, the second member 102 is formed of a material obtained by adding a polyhydric alcohol and a stabilizer to an acrylic resin crosslinked body. The second member 102 can be fitted into the hollow portion 101 a of the first member 101. More specifically, in a state where the first member 101 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 2, the second member 102 is in a space formed by the transmission / reception surface 2 a and the inner wall surface of the first member 101. It is designed to fit.

  The second member 102 fitted into the hollow portion 101a of the first member 101 is in close contact with the transmission / reception surface 2a, and the surface opposite to the transmission / reception surface 2a is the other opening of the first member 101. Located on the same plane as the end face on the side. Therefore, since the second member 102 can come into contact with the surface S of the elastic measurement target T at the other opening of the first member 101, the attachment 100 is attached by the second member 102. In addition, the portion between the transmitting / receiving surface 2a and the elastic measuring object T has a portion formed of a material having ultrasonic transparency.

  The attachment 100 abuts on the surface S of the measurement target T in the hole forming portion 101b of the second member 102 and the first member 101. Reference numeral 100a indicates a contact surface with the surface S to be measured. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted through the second member 102.

  The hole forming portion 101b is formed with a hole 103 that opens to the contact surface 100a. A vibration imparting unit 104 is provided in the hole 103. The vibration applying unit 104 is a solenoid actuator, and includes a cylinder 105, a shaft 106 protruding from the cylinder 105, and a pressing unit 107 provided at the tip of the shaft 106.

  As the electromagnetic force of a solenoid provided in the cylinder 105 acts and the shaft 106 moves forward and backward, the pressing portion 107 is immersed in the hole 103 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, it moves between the contact surface 100a and the same surface.

  The pressing surface 107a of the pressing portion 107 is flush with the contact surface 100a as the shaft 106 moves forward, and presses the surface S of the measurement target T. Accordingly, mechanical vibration is applied to the surface S of the measurement target T by the pressing surface 107a.

  However, the pressing surface 107a may protrude from the contact surface 100a.

  The vibration applying unit 104 is supplied with an operation signal from the control unit 8 provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1a, and the forward movement and the backward movement of the pressing unit 107 are controlled. The operation signal is supplied via a cable 108 that connects the attachment 100 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1a. Further, power for operating the vibration applying unit 104 may also be supplied from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1a.

  Next, each part provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1a will be described. The transmission / reception beam former 3 supplies an electrical signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined scanning condition to the ultrasonic probe 2 based on a control signal from the control unit 8. The transmission / reception beamformer 3 performs signal processing such as A / D conversion and phasing addition processing on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2, and the echo data after the signal processing is sent to the echo data processing unit 4. Output to.

  The echo data processing unit 4 performs processing for creating an ultrasound image on the echo data output from the transmission / reception beamformer 3. For example, the echo data processing unit 4 performs B mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing to create B mode data.

  The display control unit 5 includes an ultrasonic image data creation unit 51 and a display image control unit 52 as shown in FIG. The ultrasonic image data creating unit 51 scan-converts raw data such as the B-mode data input from the echo data processing unit 4 using a scan converter, and converts the ultrasonic image data. create. The ultrasonic image data is, for example, B mode image data.

  Further, the display image control unit 52 causes the display unit 6 to display an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data. The ultrasonic image is, for example, a B mode image.

  The display unit 6 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The operation unit 7 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information.

  The control unit 8 is constituted by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 8 reads the control program stored in the storage unit 9 and executes functions in each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The control unit 8 controls the vibration applying unit 104.

  Further, the control unit 8 executes an elastic value calculating function by the elastic value calculating unit 81 shown in FIG. Details will be described later. The elasticity calculation unit 81 is an example of an embodiment of the elasticity calculation unit in the present invention.

  The storage unit 9 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. Here, the process for measuring the elasticity of the measuring object T made of an elastic body will be described.

  First, in step S1, the operator makes contact with the ultrasonic probe 2 on the surface of the measurement target T such as a human body, and performs transmission and reception of first ultrasonic waves for creating a B-mode image. As a result, a B-mode image is displayed on the display unit 6. The control unit 8 controls the transmission / reception beamformer 3 so that ultrasonic waves for B-mode images are transmitted / received.

  The attachment 100 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 2. Therefore, the transmission / reception of the first ultrasonic wave is performed in a state where the attachment 100 is interposed between the transmission / reception surface 2a of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the measurement target T.

  When the B-mode image is displayed in step S1, the operator refers to the B-mode image and specifies the measurement cross section of elasticity in the measurement target T. When the measurement cross section is specified, mechanical vibration is applied to the surface S of the measurement target T by the pressing unit 107 of the vibration applying unit 104 in step S2. When the control unit 8 outputs a control signal for moving the shaft 106 forward, the mechanical vibration is applied.

  A control signal from the control unit 8 for applying mechanical vibration is output, for example, when the operator operates the operation unit 7 of the apparatus main body 1a.

  When the pressing surface of the pressing unit 107 presses the surface S of the measurement target T, vibration is transmitted to the measurement target T and an elastic wave is transmitted. Therefore, when the control unit 8 outputs a control signal for applying the mechanical vibration in step S2, transmission and reception of the second ultrasonic wave for measuring the propagation velocity V of the elastic wave in step S3. The transmission / reception beamformer 3 is controlled so as to be performed. Thereby, the transmission timing of the second ultrasonic wave can be controlled according to the generation timing of the mechanical vibration.

The elastic calculation unit 81 calculates the propagation velocity V of the elastic wave based on the echo signal of the second ultrasonic wave. Then, the elasticity calculation unit 81 calculates the elasticity value E by the following (Equation 1) based on the propagation velocity V.
E = 3ρV ² (Formula 1)
In the above (Formula 1), ρ is the density of the measurement target T. The elastic value E is an elastic modulus.

  The elastic value E is displayed on the display unit 6. The propagation velocity V may also be displayed on the display unit 6.

  According to this example, since the attachment 100 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 2, mechanical vibration can be applied to the measurement target T, and elastic waves can be measured by the ultrasonic probe 2. And ultrasonic waves for obtaining a B-mode image can be transmitted and received. Therefore, confirmation of the measurement cross-section and elasticity measurement using the B-mode image can be performed only by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  Next, a modified example of the vibration applying unit 104 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the vibration applying unit 104 ′ of the modification includes a pressing moving body 120 and a regulating plate 121 that restricts the movement of the pressing moving body 120.

  The pressing moving body 120 includes an engaging portion 122 that engages with the regulating plate 121, a shaft 123 provided on the engaging portion 122, and a pressing portion 124 provided on the tip of the shaft 123. ing.

  The engaging portion 120 is formed in a circular shape in plan view (see FIGS. 13 and 14), and has a conical portion 125 formed with a tapered surface 125a. A first spring 126 is provided at the apex of the conical portion 125. The end of the first spring 126 opposite to the engagement portion 120 side is fixed to the ceiling wall 103 a in the hole 103.

  The restriction plate 121 is provided with a support bar 128 that is inserted into a hole 127 provided in the hole forming portion 101 b of the first member 101. The restriction plate 121 is provided with a second spring 129 at a portion opposite to the portion where the support bar 128 is provided. The second spring 129 is fixed to the side wall 103 b of the hole 103 at the end opposite to the regulating plate 121.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a hole 130 is formed in the restriction plate 121. The hollow 130 has a circular portion 131 and a rectangular portion 132. The circular portion 131 has the same diameter as the engaging portion 122 or a larger diameter than the engaging portion 122. Thereby, as will be described later, the engaging portion 122 can pass through the circular portion 131.

  The rectangular portion 132 is formed in a size that allows the shaft 123 to be positioned.

  The engagement portion 122 is in contact with the opening surface 133 on the ceiling wall 103 side of the two opening surfaces of the restriction plate 121 where the hollow hole 130 is opened. The engaging portion 122 is in contact with the opening surface 133 while being pressed by the elastic force of the first spring 126.

  The restriction plate 121 is pushed toward the hole 127 by the elastic force of the second spring 129, and the wall surface 132a of the rectangular portion 132 is in contact with the shaft 123 in a pressed state. However, the elastic force of the second spring 129 is an elastic force that does not cause the pressing moving body 120 to tilt obliquely.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 12, a push button 134 is provided on the side surface of the attachment 100 ′ having the vibration applying portion 104 ′ (not shown in FIG. 12). The push button 134 is connected to the support bar 128. By pressing the push button 134, the restriction plate 121 moves to the second spring 129 side against the elastic force of the second spring 129.

  The operation of the vibration applying unit 104 ′ of this modification will be described. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, when the engaging portion 122 is engaged with the restricting plate 121, that is, the restricting plate on the shaft portion 123 between the engaging portion 122 and the pressing portion 124. When 121 is located, the engaging portion 122 is in contact with the opening surface 133 of the restricting plate 121 in a pressed state by the elastic force of the first spring 126. From this state, when the pressing button 134 is pressed, the restriction plate 121 moves in the horizontal direction toward the second spring 129 against the elastic force of the second spring 129. Then, when the circular portion 131 of the drilled hole 130 formed in the restriction plate 121 moves to the position of the engaging portion 122 as shown in FIG. 14, the engaging portion 122 becomes as shown in FIG. The first spring 126 is dropped into the circular portion 131 by the elastic force of the first spring 126. Further, the engaging portion 122 passes through the circular portion 131 and moves to the opening side of the hole 103 from the regulating plate 121 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the pressing surface 124a of the pressing portion 124 reaches the position of the contact surface 100a, and mechanical vibration is applied to the surface S (not shown in FIG. 16) of the measurement target T.

  When the pressing button 134 is pressed, a signal indicating that the pressing button 134 has been pressed is input from the attachment 102 to the control unit 8. When this signal is input, the control unit 8 controls the transmit / receive beamformer 3 so that the second ultrasonic wave for measuring the propagation velocity V of the elastic wave is transmitted / received.

  In order to return the position of the pressing moving body 120 to the original position, that is, as shown in FIG. 10, the engaging portion 122 is closer to the ceiling wall 103 a than the regulating plate 121. In the state where the pressing button 134 is pressed and the regulating plate 121 is moved to the second spring 129 side, the pressing portion 124 is moved toward the ceiling wall 103a. Push against the force. Then, after the engagement portion 122 passes through the circular portion 131 and is positioned closer to the ceiling wall 103a than the restriction plate 121, when the operator releases the press of the push button 134, the restriction plate 121 is released. Is moved toward the hole 127 by the elastic force of the second spring 129, and the shaft 123 is positioned in the rectangular portion 132. As a result, the engagement portion 122 engages with the restriction plate 121 and returns to a state where it is pressed against the opening surface 133.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by the said embodiment, of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 8 performs mechanical vibrations by the vibration applying units 104 and 104 ′ based on the raw data and the B-mode image data obtained by transmission / reception of first ultrasonic waves. It may have a detection unit 82 that detects the application of.

  When mechanical vibration is applied, a change corresponding to the vibration occurs in the raw data and B-mode image data. Therefore, the detection unit 82 detects a change in the raw data or B-mode image data generated in response to the vibration.

  When the application of the mechanical vibration is detected by the detection unit 82, the control unit 8 transmits and receives the second ultrasonic wave for measuring the propagation velocity V of the elastic wave. To control.

  However, the transmission timing of the second ultrasonic wave need not necessarily be controlled according to the generation timing of the mechanical vibration.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the two-dimensional B-mode image is mentioned as an example of the said ultrasonic image, the said ultrasonic image may be a three-dimensional image.

  Further, the position of the hole forming portion 101b is not limited to the above-described position, and for example, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the hole 100 may be formed near the center in the left-right direction. . In this case, the two second members 102 are provided on both sides of the hole forming portion 101b.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 2a Transmission / reception surface 8 Control part 81 Elastic value calculation part 100,100 'Attachment 103 Hole part 104,104' Vibration provision part 107a Pressure surface

Claims (8)

  A portion that is attachable to an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface side of an ultrasonic probe that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a measurement object, and that is between the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface and the measurement object in a state of being attached to the ultrasonic probe Is an attachment having a portion formed of a material having ultrasonic transparency, and a hole portion is formed on the contact surface side with the measurement object, and the hole portion is formed with respect to the surface of the measurement object. An attachment characterized in that a vibration imparting section for providing mechanical vibration is provided.   The vibration imparting unit moves from at least the state immersed in the hole to at least the opening surface of the hole in the attachment and presses the surface of the measurement target, thereby applying a mechanical vibration to the measurement target. The attachment according to claim 1, comprising:   Transmission / reception of a first ultrasonic wave for creating an ultrasonic image of the measurement object whose elasticity is measured based on an elastic wave generated by mechanical vibration applied to the surface, and a second for measuring the elastic wave An ultrasonic probe that performs transmission and reception of two ultrasonic waves, wherein the attachment according to claim 1 or 2 is attached.   An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the ultrasonic probe according to claim 3.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit that controls transmission timing of the second ultrasonic wave according to generation timing of mechanical vibration by the vibration applying unit.   The control unit transmits a control signal instructing application of mechanical vibration to the vibration applying unit, a signal output from the vibration applying unit when mechanical vibration is applied by the vibration applying unit, or transmitted from the ultrasonic probe. The transmission timing of the second ultrasonic wave according to the generation timing of the mechanical vibration is controlled based on any of the data obtained based on the echo signal of the ultrasonic wave. 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 5.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an elasticity calculation unit that calculates elasticity information of the measurement target based on an echo signal of the second ultrasonic wave.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic image is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image of the measurement target.