JP6769358B2 - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

There is known an ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which an ultrasonic transducer can be swung by using a driving device such as a motor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generally has an ultrasonic probe and a main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and transmits an ultrasonic beam to a subject from an ultrasonic transducer arranged in the ultrasonic probe to obtain ultrasonic waves. An ultrasonic image is formed based on a received signal that is an echo (hereinafter referred to as an "ultrasonic signal"). Then, as described above, by swinging the ultrasonic vibrator using a driving device such as a motor, a three-dimensional ultrasonic image can be generated, or a two-dimensional ultrasonic image can be generated at various angles and positions. It becomes possible to generate.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-339697

By the way, in such an ultrasonic probe, it is conceivable that noise factors (hereinafter, abbreviated as "noise") of electromagnetic noise and switching noise are generated due to the operation of the motor unit and the motor drive unit. In particular, the switching unit in the motor drive unit (for example, PWM drive circuit) and the power line through which the motor drive current passes are likely to be transmission units for electromagnetic noise and switching noise, and the noise generated at such positions is generated by the ultrasonic transducer. It may electromagnetically or electrically interfere with the signal line of the ultrasonic signal from and superimpose on the ultrasonic signal.

In particular, in recent ultrasonic probes, due to the demand for miniaturization, the signal line of the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer and the noise source are often arranged in close proximity, and the above-mentioned noise problem Is easier to express.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and noise (including conduction noise and electromagnetic noise; the same applies hereinafter) generated by the operation of the motor unit and the motor drive unit adversely affects the ultrasonic signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of suppressing the noise.

The main disclosure of the present disclosure that solves the above-mentioned problems is an ultrasonic probe applied to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which is an ultrasonic transducer unit having an ultrasonic vibrator that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and one end of which is the ultrasonic vibrator. A signal line that is connected and the other end is drawn out to the main body side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a motor unit that swings the vibrator unit, and a motor drive unit and a motor control unit that are arranged adjacent to the motor unit. A shield member arranged so as to intervene between the vibrator unit and the signal line, at least on the side facing the signal line around the drive unit, and the vibrator unit. An ultrasonic probe comprising the drive unit, the signal line, and a housing for accommodating the shield member.

According to the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the adverse effect of noise generated by the operation of the motor unit and the motor drive unit on the ultrasonic signal.

The figure which shows the appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which concerns on embodiment Block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment Sectional drawing which shows an example of the structure of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on embodiment Cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe according to the comparative example. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on other embodiment

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U according to the present embodiment.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U according to the present embodiment is configured by attaching the ultrasonic probe 1 to the main body 2 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U. The main body 2 and the ultrasonic probe 1 are electrically connected via a cable C.

The main body 2 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U includes a control unit 21, a transmission drive unit 22, a reception processing unit 23, an image generation unit 24, an operation input unit 25, a display unit 26, and the like.

The control unit 21 communicates with each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U and controls each unit in an integrated manner. For example, the control unit 21 controls the transmission drive unit 22 to output an ultrasonic beam from the oscillator unit 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1, or controls the reception processing unit 23 to generate the ultrasonic beam in the oscillator unit 11. The reception processing of the ultrasonic signal is performed. Further, the control unit 21 transmits a motor drive start command or the like to the drive unit 12 in the ultrasonic probe 1 to operate the drive unit 12. The control unit 21 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and executes each process by program control.

The transmission drive unit 22 is a transmitter that transmits a voltage pulse, which is a drive signal, to the oscillator unit 11. The transmission drive unit 22 includes, for example, a high-frequency pulse oscillator, a pulse setting unit, and the like.

The reception processing unit 23 is an ultrasonic receiver that receives and processes an electric signal related to the ultrasonic echo generated by the vibrator unit 11. The reception processing unit 23 includes, for example, a preamplifier, an AD conversion unit, a reception beam former, and a signal processing unit (logarithmic compression unit, detection unit, FFT analysis unit, etc.).

The image generation unit 24 generates a diagnostic image based on the ultrasonic signal acquired from the reception processing unit 23.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U according to the present embodiment may generate an arbitrary ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image, a color Doppler image, a three-dimensional ultrasonic image, or an M-mode image. Since the content of the process for generating the ultrasonic image is known, the description thereof is omitted here.

The operation input unit 25 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and acquires an operation signal input by the operator. The display unit 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a diagnostic image generated by the image generation unit 24. The power supply unit 27 is a power source such as a battery, and supplies a DC source power to each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U.

The main body 2 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus U and the ultrasonic probe 1 are connected via a cable C containing various wirings (signal line 15, power supply line 16, etc.).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the ultrasonic probe 1 of a type in which the vibrator unit 11 for the inside of the body cavity is swung in an arc shape will be described. However, the present invention can be applied to ultrasonic probes of other swing type such as those for body surface and linear swing type (method of swinging the oscillator unit linearly in parallel). Of course.

The ultrasonic probe 1 includes an oscillator unit 11, a drive unit 12, a drive mechanism 13, a shield member 14, a seal member 17, various wirings 15, 16 and the like, and these are housed in a housing 10.

The housing 10 houses the vibrator unit 11 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves in the insertion portion, and houses the drive unit 12 that swings the vibrator unit 11 in the grip portion gripped by the operator.

Further, the housing 10 has an acoustic window portion 10a that transmits ultrasonic waves on the front surface, and also has an internal frame 10b that partitions the inside of the storage space. The inner frame 10b forms a coupling liquid holding portion T that holds the coupling liquid, which is an acoustic transmission medium, in a liquid-tight state in the front portion of the storage space of the housing 10.

The vibrator unit 11 is arranged inside the coupling liquid holding portion T in a state of being immersed in the coupling liquid. On the other hand, the drive unit 12 is arranged outside the coupling liquid holding portion T in order to prevent corrosion, deterioration, and short circuit of electronic components due to immersion of the coupling liquid. Then, the coupling liquid holding portion T has a sealing member 17 (for example, an oil seal or an O-ring) on the output shaft or the like of the motor portion 12a of the drive unit 12 so that the coupling liquid does not leak to the rear portion of the storage space. It has a structure in which

The vibrator unit 11 includes an ultrasonic vibrator 11a and a rotating body 11b on which the ultrasonic vibrator 11a is arranged on the upper surface.

The ultrasonic oscillator 11a is a single oscillator or an oscillator array, and for example, one or more piezoelectric elements are used. The ultrasonic vibrator 11a converts a voltage pulse into an ultrasonic beam and sends it into a subject, and at the same time, acquires an ultrasonic echo reflected in the subject and converts it into an electric signal.

A signal line 15 is connected to the ultrasonic oscillator 11a, and the ultrasonic oscillator 11a is electrically connected to and from the main body 2 (reception processing unit 23 and transmission drive unit 22) via the signal line 15. Send and receive signals. In other words, a transmission signal for transmitting an ultrasonic beam from the ultrasonic vibrator 11a and a reception signal (ultrasonic signal) related to the ultrasonic echo acquired by the ultrasonic vibrator 11a pass through the signal line 15. To do. The signal line 15 connected to the ultrasonic oscillator 11a is led out to the main body 2 via the cable C.

The rotating body 11b is swingably supported by the shaft support portion 13f, and is rotated by the power transmitted from the motor portion 12a via the drive mechanism 13. The direction in which the ultrasonic vibrator 11a transmits and receives ultrasonic waves is changed by the rotation of the rotating body 11b.

The drive unit 12 includes a motor unit 12a, a motor drive unit 12b, and a motor control unit 12c. Further, a noise removal filter 12d is installed in the motor control unit 12c (not shown). The motor drive unit 12b and the motor control unit 12c may be integrally configured.

The motor unit 12a generates a driving force for swinging the oscillator unit 11. As the motor unit 12a, for example, a stepping motor, a DC motor, a servo motor, or the like is used.

The motor drive unit 12b is a driver that generates a motor drive current for driving the motor unit 12a. The motor drive unit 12b includes, for example, a driver circuit that generates a drive current for driving the motor unit 12 from DC power acquired via the power supply line 16. The drive current for driving the motor is controlled to a desired current value by the PWM method, which is a method with less energy loss.

The motor control unit 12c includes a microcontroller and the like that control the motor drive unit 12b so that the ultrasonic oscillator unit performs a desired operation in response to a command signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. For example, the motor control unit 12c generates a pulse train corresponding to the motor drive unit 12b in the stepping motor, and gives the pulse train to the motor drive unit 12b to drive the motor. It also has a function of communicating with other devices and returning a signal regarding the position to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the swing timing.

The noise removal filter 12d is interposed in the electric path between the motor drive unit 12b and the power supply line 16, and the conduction noise (normal mode noise or common mode noise) generated in the motor drive unit 12b is transmitted to the power supply line 16 side. To prevent. In other words, the power supply from the power supply line 16 to the motor drive unit 12b is performed via the noise reduction filter 12d. As the noise removing filter 12d, for example, a low-pass filter including a choke coil or the like is used. When common mode noise is the main component, a common mode choke coil or the like is used. If the interference from the power supply line 16 to the signal line 15 is small, the noise removal filter 12d can be omitted.

The drive mechanism 13 transmits the rotational power generated by the motor unit 12a to the vibrator unit 11. More specifically, the drive mechanism 13 includes a fastening member 13a connected to the output shaft of the motor portion 12a, a motor-side pulley 13b connected to the fastening member 13a, an oscillator-side pulley 13e connected to the shaft support portion 13f, and a motor-side pulley 13b. It has an intermediate pulley 13c interposed between the vibrator and the vibrator side pulley 13e, a wire 13d hooked around these pulleys 13b, 13c, 13e, a shaft support portion 13f, and the like.

In the drive mechanism 13, the rotational power generated by the motor portion 12a is transmitted in the order of the fastening member 13a, the motor side pulley 13b, the wire 13d, the vibrator side pulley 13e, and the shaft support portion 13f. As a result, the rotating body 11b of the vibrator unit 11 pivotally supported by the shaft support portion 13f rotates.

More preferably, as the material of the output shaft or the fastening member 13a of the motor portion 12a, at least a part of an insulating material that electrically insulates between the motor portion 12a and the ultrasonic vibrator 11a is used. .. As a result, electromagnetic conduction noise is suppressed from being transmitted to the signal line 15 that transmits the signal from the ultrasonic vibrator 11a via the output shaft of the motor unit 12a.

The various wirings 15 and 16 housed in the housing 10 include a signal line 15 for transmitting an ultrasonic signal, a power supply line 16 for supplying DC power to the motor drive unit 12b, and a ground for securing the ground for the motor drive unit 12b. A line (not shown) and a control signal line (not shown) for transmitting a drive start command or the like to the motor drive unit 12b are included. These wirings are drawn out from the inside of the housing 10 and housed in the cable C connected to the connector (not shown) of the main body 2.

One end of the power supply line 16 is connected to the noise reduction filter 12d, and DC power is supplied from the power supply unit 27 of the main body 2 to the motor drive unit 12b. The control signal line is a signal line for transmitting a pulse signal such as a drive start command from the main body 2 (control unit 21) to the motor drive unit 12b (for example, a microcomputer), and drives the driver circuit. It does not allow a pulse signal such as an electric current (PWM signal) to pass through.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the comparative example.

The ultrasonic probe 1 according to the comparative example is the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the prior art, and is a motor in order to prevent noise generated from the motor drive unit 12b from reaching the ultrasonic vibrator (not shown). The drive unit 12b is arranged on the main body 2 side. In FIG. 4, reference numerals are given so as to correspond to the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1 in FIG. 3 for easy understanding.

However, in the case of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the comparative example, in the cable C connecting the ultrasonic probe 1 and the main body 2, in addition to the signal line 15 for transmitting the ultrasonic signal, with respect to the motor unit 12a. A power line (hereinafter, referred to as “motor drive line”) 19 for transmitting a motor drive current will be arranged. Then, the motor drive line 19 is also routed inside the housing 10. As a result, there arises a problem that electromagnetic noise generated due to PWM switching of the motor drive current jumps with respect to the ultrasonic signal in the cable C and the housing 10. In the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the prior art, a method of linearly controlling the motor drive current instead of PWM is adopted for this. However, this is not feasible to install in the housing of the ultrasonic probe due to the miniaturization of the present invention because the size of the circuit becomes large and the efficiency becomes lower than that of PWM and a large amount of heat is generated.

In the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment, in view of the noise suppression request and the miniaturization request, the motor drive unit 12b and the motor control unit c are arranged adjacent to the motor unit 12a in the housing 10. The shield member 14 has a structure that surrounds all the periphery thereof. In other words, the shield member 14 surrounds the entire circumference of the drive unit 12 to form the drive unit 12 as an integrated component.

That is, the electromagnetic noise generated from the motor unit 12a, the motor drive unit 12b, the motor control unit 12c, the motor drive line, and the like is shielded by the shield member 14 without reaching the ultrasonic vibrator 11a or the signal line 15. It will be.

The shield member 14 is more preferably arranged so as to surround the entire circumference of the drive unit 12 (including the noise removal filter 12d) without a gap in order to completely shield the electromagnetic noise. However, the shield member 14 is arranged so as to be interposed between the vibrator unit 11 and the signal line 15 at least on the side facing the vibrator unit 11 and the side facing the signal line 15 around the drive unit 12. It should be set.

Further, more preferably, the shield member 14 is arranged so that at least a part of the shield member 14 comes into contact with the motor portion 12a and the motor drive portion 12b. As a result, the heat generated by the motor unit 12a and the motor drive unit 12b can be effectively dispersed and dissipated, and deterioration of the motor unit 12a and the motor drive unit 12b due to heat can be prevented. The contact between the motor unit 12a and the motor drive unit 12b may be made thermal contact via a member having a large thermal conductivity such as a heat conductive sheet.

Further, as the material of the shield member 14, more preferably, an iron material having a high shielding effect against electromagnetic noise in a frequency region (for example, about 10 kHz to 100 kHz) corresponding to switching noise of the PWM signal driving the motor unit 12a is used. Use. However, instead of the iron material, an aluminum material or the like may be used.

Further, in the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment, since the cable C is not provided with the wiring through which the motor drive line through which the motor drive current passes, the signal line 15 is provided in the cable C. It is also possible to prevent conduction noise and electromagnetic noise from being superimposed on the ultrasonic signal transmitted through the cable. In addition, in the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment, the noise reduction filter 12d also suppresses the conduction noise transmitted from the motor drive unit 12b to the power supply line 16, so that the power supply line arranged in the cable C is also suppressed. It is also possible to prevent electromagnetic noise from jumping to the signal line 15 via 16.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment, the motor drive unit 12b is arranged in the housing 10 adjacent to the motor unit 12a, and the shield member 14 surrounds all the periphery thereof. Has a configuration. Therefore, according to the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress adverse effects of noise generated by the operation of the motor unit 12a and the motor drive unit 12b on the ultrasonic signal while reducing the size. Can be done.

Further, according to the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment, since the drive unit 12 can be configured as an integrated component, the drive unit 12 can be freely attached and detached.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be considered.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to another embodiment.

In the above embodiment, an intrabody cavity probe for a three-dimensional image is shown as an example of the ultrasonic probe 1, but the ultrasonic probe for the body surface shown in FIG. 5 and any other probe can be applied. Of course.

Further, in the above embodiment, as an example of the ultrasonic probe 1, a mechanical scanning type configuration in which the vibrator unit 11 is scanned by using the drive unit 12 is shown, but the vibrator array of the vibrator unit 11 is electrically operated. Of course, it may be configured to be used in combination with the electronic scanning type that scans.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and modifications of the specific examples illustrated above.

According to the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress that noise generated by the operation of the motor unit and the motor drive unit adversely affects the ultrasonic signal.

U Ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Main body 10 Housing 11 Oscillator unit 12 Drive unit 13 Drive mechanism 14 Shield member 15 Signal line 16 Power line 17 Seal member 21 Control unit 22 Transmission drive unit 23 Reception processing unit 24 Image generation Section 25 Operation input section 26 Display section 27 Power supply section

Claims (9)

An ultrasonic probe applied to ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
An oscillator unit that has an ultrasonic oscillator that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves,
A signal line having one end connected to the ultrasonic oscillator and the other end drawn to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
A motor unit that swings the oscillator unit, a drive unit having a motor drive unit and a motor control unit arranged adjacent to the motor unit, and a drive unit.
A shield member arranged so as to be interposed between the vibrator unit and the signal line at least on the side facing the vibrator unit and the side facing the signal line around the drive unit.
A housing for accommodating the oscillator unit, the drive unit, the signal line, and the shield member,
Equipped with an ultrasonic probe. The shield member is arranged so as to surround the entire circumference of the drive unit.
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1. The shield member is arranged so that at least a part thereof comes into contact with the motor portion and the motor drive portion.
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2. The shield member is composed of an iron material.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The housing has a coupling liquid accommodating portion for holding the coupling liquid in a liquid-tight state in a storage space.
The oscillator unit is disposed inside the coupling liquid accommodating portion.
The drive unit is arranged outside the coupling liquid accommodating portion.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The drive unit is a noise reduction filter arranged in an electric circuit between the motor drive unit and a power supply line that supplies power to the motor control unit.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising. The output shaft of the motor unit or the fastening member to be fastened to the output shaft is configured to include an insulating material that electrically insulates between the oscillator unit and the motor unit.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The motor drive unit includes a driver circuit that generates a motor drive current and a PWM switching circuit for driving the driver circuit.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The motor control unit includes a microcontroller that gives a drive signal to the driver circuit and exchanges with the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 8.

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