JP7056087B2 - Probe cover body with package and package body for probe cover body - Google Patents

Description

The present invention packages a probe cover body for improving the acoustic coupling between the sensor of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the test portion, a cover for the ultrasonic diagnostic device provided with the probe cover, an ultrasonic diagnostic device with a cover, and a device thereof. Regarding the package for the probe cover body.

As a device for visualizing the inside of a patient, an ultrasonic diagnostic device as in Patent Document 1, for example, is known. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and the probe is connected to a monitor via an image processing unit. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured in this way, the probe is applied to the epidermis of the portion to be visualized (that is, the part to be inspected), and ultrasonic waves are oscillated from the probe. Then, the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the subject and the reflected wave is received by the probe. The image processing unit performs image processing based on the received reflected wave, and the image obtained by the image processing, that is, the cross section of the test unit is displayed on the monitor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-042188

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Patent Document 1, an echo gel is applied to the body surface in order to improve the acoustic bond between the probe and the epidermis, and the probe is applied to the body surface from above. Therefore, the echo gel adheres to the surface of the probe, and the probe needs to be washed every time the patient changes. Therefore, the inventor came up with the following. That is, a gel-like sheet that improves the acoustic bond between the body surface and the probe is attached to the probe so as to intervene between the body surface and the probe. This makes it possible to omit washing to remove the liquid echo gel by reattaching the gel-like sheet each time the patient changes.

On the other hand, the probe has a sensor for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and when the gel-like sheet is attached to the probe, it is mainly attached so as to cover only the sensor and its vicinity. Therefore, the gel-like sheet may be displaced while scanning the probe on the body surface, and a gap may be formed between the body surface and the probe. This may affect the acoustic coupling between the probe and the body surface, making it difficult to see the cross section of the subject. It is conceivable to reattach each time a misalignment occurs, but if this is the case, it is necessary to adjust the position of the gel-like sheet each time, which reduces the efficiency of diagnostic work.

Therefore, the present invention has a probe cover body capable of suppressing displacement with respect to the probe while scanning the probe, and even if the probe is displaced, the influence on acoustic coupling can be suppressed, a cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with the probe cover, and a super with cover. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a package for a probe cover body for packaging the device.

The probe cover body of the present invention is attached to a probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with a casing and a probe having a casing disposed at one end in a predetermined direction of the casing and receiving ultrasonic waves reflected by an inspected portion. The probe cover body is made of a gel-like material capable of acoustic coupling between the sensor and the part to be inspected, and has a bag-like shape so as to cover one end side portion of the casing and the casing. It is formed so that it can be expanded and contracted to tighten the one end side portion of the.

According to the present invention, it is possible to cover and tighten the one end side portion of the casing, so that it is possible to prevent the probe cover body from being displaced with respect to the sensor when scanning the probe. Further, even if the probe cover body is temporarily displaced from the sensor when scanning the probe, it is possible to maintain a state in which a portion of the probe cover body having good acoustic coupling covers the sensor. Therefore, even if the probe cover body is displaced with respect to the sensor when scanning the probe, it is possible to suppress the influence on the acoustic coupling.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the probe cover with respect to the probe when scanning the probe, and even if the probe is displaced, the influence on the acoustic coupling can be suppressed.

It is a front view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover of 1st Embodiment seen from the front. It is a front view which showed each of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the bag body and the probe cover body separately in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover of FIG. It is a bottom view which looked at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 2 from the bottom. It is a right side view of the probe cover body shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the right side. It is a front view which looked at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover of 2nd Embodiment from the front. It is an exploded perspective view which shows by disassembling the package body for a probe cover body which wraps a probe cover body. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the probe cover body into which the interior body is inserted is partially inserted into the package body of the probe cover body of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the probe cover body into which the interior body is inserted is housed in the package body for the probe cover body of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the open end portion of the probe cover body into which the interior body was inserted is expanded. It is a front view which shows the state which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is inserted in the probe cover body shown in FIG. It is a front view which looked at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover of another embodiment from the front.

Hereinafter, the covered ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and 1A according to the first and second embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the concept of the direction used in the following description is used for convenience in the explanation, and does not limit the direction of the configuration of the invention to that direction. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and 1A with a cover described below are only one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be added, deleted, or changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[First Embodiment]
The covered ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is for visualizing a cross section of a tissue under the skin, that is, a subcutaneous tissue such as a blood vessel, and as shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and the bag 3 , And a cover 4 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the bag body 3, and the cover 4 for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described.

<Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment>
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 oscillates ultrasonic waves to the subcutaneous tissue, which is the subject, while being applied to the body surface, and receives ultrasonic waves (that is, reflected waves) reflected by the subcutaneous tissue. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 performs image processing based on the received reflected wave and projects a cross section of the part to be inspected. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 having such a function has a casing 11, a probe 12, and a monitor 13. The casing 11 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyacetal, and polycarbonate, and is a box body having a substantially rectangular shape and a flat cross section when viewed from the front (see also FIG. 3). Further, the tip end side portion 11a, which is the lower end portion of the casing 11, is formed in a trapezoidal shape that tapers toward the tip end 11b, and the probe 12 is arranged at the tip end 11b of the casing 11. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 has a probe 12 at its tip 2a. Further, the casing 11 is curved so as to warp rearward in the intermediate portion, and is tilted rearward from the curved portion 11c to the proximal end side portion. Further, a monitor 13 is arranged on the front surface (that is, the main surface) 11d of the casing 11, and the monitor 13 projects an image. Hereinafter, the probe 12 and the monitor 13 will be described in more detail.

The probe 12 is configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and has a sensor 12a. The sensor 12a is composed of, for example, an oscillator such as a piezoelectric element and an acoustic lens. The sensor 12a configured in this way is connected to a control device (not shown) housed in the casing 11 and oscillates ultrasonic waves in response to a command from the control device. Further, the sensor 12a receives the reflected wave reflected from each subcutaneous tissue and outputs a signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic wave to the control device. That is, the oscillator of the sensor 12a vibrates by the reflected wave reflected from each of the underlying tissues, and a signal corresponding to the vibration is output to the control device. The sensor 12a having such a function is arranged at the tip end 11b of the casing 11 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

More specifically, the tip 11b of the casing 11 is formed with a substantially rectangular mounting hole 11d in the central portion in the left-right direction, and the sensor 12a is fitted in the mounting hole 11d. The sensor 12a is formed to have substantially the same shape as the mounting hole 11d when viewed from the bottom. The lower surface of the sensor 12a is curved so as to project downward, and is formed in a partially cylindrical surface shape. The lower surface of the sensor 12a thus formed is arranged substantially flush with the tip end 11b of the casing 11, and is between the peripheral edge portion of the sensor 12a and the inner peripheral edge portion defining the mounting hole 11d of the casing 11. It is fitted in the mounting hole 11d so that the step 15 generated in the above is as low as possible. As described above, the sensor 12a arranged in this way outputs a signal based on the reflected wave to the control device. The control device has an image processing function that performs image processing based on the signal, and outputs image data obtained by the image processing to the monitor 13.

The monitor 13, which is an example of the image display unit, is, for example, a liquid crystal type monitor and an organic EL type monitor, and is adapted to display an image according to the image data. That is, the monitor 13 is adapted to display an image created based on the reflected wave received by the sensor 12a, for example, a cross section of the test section. The monitor 13 having such a function is arranged on the front surface 11e of the casing 11 as described above. More specifically, the left and right widths of the monitor 13 extend from the vicinity of the left end to the vicinity of the right end of the casing 11, and the vertical height extends from the curved portion 11c to the vicinity of the base end in the casing 11.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 configured in this way applies the probe 12 to the body surface of the test portion, and in that state, oscillates ultrasonic waves from the vibrator of the sensor 12a of the probe 12. The oscillated ultrasonic wave is reflected by the subject and returns to the vibrator of the sensor 12a. Then, the oscillator of the sensor 12a vibrates in response to the reflected wave, and the oscillator outputs a signal corresponding to the vibration to the control device. The control device performs image processing based on the signal, whereby the cross section of the test section is displayed on the monitor 13. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 having such a function is used so as to be grasped by the user and scanned on the body surface in order to confirm the cross section of the inspected portion and its vicinity. Therefore, if the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is not sterilized, infection may occur due to bacteria, viruses, or the like adhering to the surface of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is contained in a bag 3 in order to prevent infection by such bacteria, viruses, and the like.

<Bag body>
The bag body 3 is an aseptic bag that has been sterilized, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front. More specifically, the bag body 3 is a transparent bag made of a material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride, for example, two transparent sheets having a substantially rectangular shape are overlapped with each other. It is formed by adhering the sides (left and right and upper sides). The method for manufacturing the bag 3 is not necessarily limited to such a method, and may be a method in which one sheet is bent and two of the three open sides are bonded to each other. .. The bag body 3 thus formed has an opening 3a on the lower side thereof. Further, the width of the bag 3 (that is, the dimension in the left-right direction) is formed to be larger than the width of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2, so that the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 can be accommodated in the bag 3 through the opening 3a. It has become. On the other hand, the height of the bag 3 (that is, the vertical dimension) is lower than the height of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2, and the tip of the casing 11 is housed in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2. The side portion 11a protrudes from the opening 3a of the bag body 3. The tip end side portion 11a of the casing 11 is covered with a cover 4 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to cover the portion 11a.

<Cover for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment>
As described above, the cover 4 for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is covered with the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11 and covers the sensor 12a of the probe 12. In the present embodiment, the cover 4 for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is composed of only the probe cover body 14, and the probe cover body 14 will be described below with reference to FIG. The probe cover body 14 is formed in a bag shape having a flat cross section, and the outer edge of the probe cover body 14 is substantially U-shaped in front view. The probe cover body 14 having such a shape is closed on the distal end side (that is, the lower side) and has an opening 14a on the proximal end side (upper side). More specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14 is formed to have substantially the same shape as the outer peripheral surface from the curved portion 11c to the tip end side portion 11a of the casing 11, and the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14 is formed. The casing 11 has a shape similar to that of the outer peripheral surface from the curved portion 11c to the tip end side portion 11a, and is formed smaller than the outer peripheral surface. That is, the distal end side portion 14b of the probe cover body 14 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that tapers toward the distal end in the front view like the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11, and the proximal end side portion 14c is formed on the distal end side in the front view. It is formed so as to extend straight from the base end side.

The probe cover body 14 having such a shape is configured to be stretchable by, for example, a styrene-based, urethane-based, and silicone-based elastomer gel (in this embodiment, a styrene-based elastomer gel). As a result, the probe cover body 14 can expand the open end portion 14d, and by expanding the probe cover body 14, the distal end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, that is, the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11 can be inserted therein. It has become. Further, since the probe cover body 14 can expand not only the open end portion 13d but the entire probe cover body 14, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be placed on the tip side in the probe cover body 14 even after being placed in the probe cover body 14. You can proceed to. Then, the tip 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 (that is, the sensor 12a of the probe 12) eventually hits the bottom surface of the probe cover body 14, and by doing so, the tip side of the curved portion 11c of the casing 11 is covered with the probe. It can fit in the body 14. Further, the sensor 12a can be brought into close contact with the probe cover body 14 by further pushing the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2, and the probe cover body 14 can be attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 in the state of being in close contact with the probe cover body 14.

[About ultrasonic diagnosis]
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 with a cover configured in this way, the probe cover body 14 is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 so as to cover the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11 and to bring it into close contact with the probe 12. .. Then, after that, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the probe 12 is pressed against the body surface as shown in FIG. If the acoustic bond between the probe 12 and the body surface is not preferable, a liquid gel such as an echo gel may be applied to the body surface in order to improve the acoustic bond. As described above, the probe cover body 14 is made of a material that is expandable and contractible and that improves acoustic coupling between the sensor 12a and the body surface of the subject. Therefore, by interposing the probe cover body 14 between the sensor 12a and the body surface, the acoustic coupling between the sensor 12a and the body surface can be further improved. As a result, the cross section of the inspected portion is projected on the monitor 13 in a good state.

Further, the probe cover body 14 has substantially the same shape as the outer peripheral surface from the curved portion 11c of the casing 11 to the tip end side portion 11a, is formed slightly smaller, and is configured to be expandable and contractible. Therefore, the probe cover body 14 is put on the casing 11 in a pulled state, and is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 so as to tighten the casing 11. Therefore, the deviation of the probe cover body 14 with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is suppressed, and the decrease in the adhesion of the probe cover body 14 to the sensor 12a can be suppressed. In this way, since the probe cover body 14 can be brought into close contact with the sensor 12a without shifting, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 has an adhesiveness of the probe cover body 14 with respect to the sensor 12a even when scanning on the body surface. It is possible to suppress the decrease. Therefore, the acoustic coupling between the sensor 12a and the body surface can be kept in good condition. Since the probe cover body 14 has not only the distal end side portion 14b but also the proximal end side portion 14c, the surface area of the portion in close contact with the casing 11 can be widened, and the probe cover for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be obtained. The displacement of the body 14 can be further suppressed.

Further, since the probe cover body 14 can be put on and tightened on the tip end side portion 11a of the casing 11, it is possible to prevent the probe cover body 14 from being displaced with respect to the sensor 12a when scanning the probe 12. can do. Further, even if the probe cover body 14 is slightly displaced from the sensor 12a when scanning the probe 12, the state in which the probe cover body 14 covers the sensor 12a can be maintained. Therefore, even if the probe cover body 14 is displaced with respect to the sensor 12a when scanning the probe 12, it is possible to suppress the influence on the acoustic coupling.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 with a cover, the probe cover body 14 is used to close the opening 3a of the bag body 3. That is, in the proximal end side portion 14c of the probe cover body 14, the opening end portion 3b of the bag body 3 is also inserted into the opening 14a together with the casing 11. As a result, the open end 3b of the bag 3 is pressed against the outer surface of the casing 11 by the open end 14d of the probe cover 14, and as a result, the opening 3a of the bag 3 is closed by the probe cover 14. .. Thereby, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 in the bag body 3 can be enclosed therein, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be isolated from the space outside the bag body 3, that is, the outer space. By isolating in this way, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of bacteria and viruses adhering to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 during use, and it is possible to prevent infection by bacteria and viruses. Further, since the probe cover body 14 can firmly press the open end portion 3b of the bag body 3, even if the user grasps and scans the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 through the bag body 3, the bag body 3 It is possible to prevent the open end portion 3b from coming off the probe cover body 14. As a result, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be securely housed in the bag body 3, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be covered without being infected by bacteria, viruses, or the like without sterilization. The cross section of the inspection part can be projected. That is, the sterilization process for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be omitted.

Further, the elastomer gel constituting the probe cover body 14 has adhesiveness, and the front side portion and the rear side portion of the probe cover body 14 are attached to each other in a state where the probe cover body 14 is not covered with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and the opening 14a is formed. May be closed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the probe cover body 14 is formed so that the open end portion 14d is inclined upward from the front side toward the rear side, and the front side portion is lower than the rear side portion. As a result, even in a state where the front side portion and the rear side portion of the probe cover body 14 are attached to each other, the opening 14a can be easily opened by pulling the portion of the rear side portion higher than the front side portion to the rear side.

Further, since the elastomer gel constituting the probe cover body 14 has elasticity, the probe cover body 14 can be inserted into the gap by pressing the probe cover body 14 against the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. That is, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the sensor 12a is fitted in the mounting hole 11d, and a slight step 15 may be formed around the sensor 12a with the casing 11.
Even if there is such a step 15, the probe cover body 14 can be elastically deformed and covers the entire sensor 12a and its surroundings. Therefore, by pulling the probe cover body 14 with respect to the casing 11, the step 15 is formed. The probe cover body 14 can be inserted into the probe cover body 14. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the sensor 12a and the probe cover body 14. The lower surface of the sensor 12a is entirely a lens, and it is preferable to cover the entire lower surface of the sensor 12a with the probe cover body 14. Therefore, by inserting the probe cover body 14 into the step 15 around the sensor 12a. , It is possible to suppress a decrease in acoustic coupling due to a gap between the outer peripheral edge of the sensor 12a and the probe cover body 14.

[Second Embodiment]
The covered ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A of the second embodiment has a similar configuration to the covered ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the covered ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A of the second embodiment will be mainly described as being different from the covered ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and the same configuration will be designated by the same reference numerals. And the explanation is omitted.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A with a cover of the second embodiment is used when puncturing a needle or the like while visualizing a blood vessel or the like under the skin, and is used for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the bag body 3, and the ultrasonic diagnosis. In addition to the device cover 4, a guided bracket 5 is provided. The guided bracket 5 has a bracket main body 21 and a guide portion 22. The bracket main body 21 is a cover-like member having a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front, and an inner space thereof is formed in accordance with the outer shape of the tip end side portion 11a of the casing 11. More specifically, the inner space of the bracket main body 21 is formed to be slightly larger than the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11, and is further covered on the probe cover body 14 covered on the distal end side portion 11a to cover the distal end side portion 11a. It is configured to be wearable.

Further, the bracket main body 21 is formed with engaging holes (not shown) on the left and right side surfaces thereof. Further, on the left and right side surfaces of the tip side portion 11a of the casing 11, engagement protrusions (not shown) are formed at positions facing each engaging hole, and the bracket main body 21 is formed on the tip end side portion 11a of the casing 11. Is attached, the engaging protrusion engages with the engaging hole while covering the probe cover body 14. As a result, the probe cover body 14 is locked to the casing 11 by the bracket body 21, and the deviation of the probe cover body 14 with respect to the casing 11 can be further suppressed as compared with the case where the bracket body 21 is not mounted.

Further, as described above, the inner peripheral surface of the bracket main body 21 is formed to be slightly larger than the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11, but between the outer peripheral surface of the distal end side portion 11a and the inner peripheral surface of the bracket main body 21. The size of the gap is formed to be smaller than the thickness of the probe cover body 14. Therefore, when the bracket main body 21 is attached to the distal end side portion 11a, the probe cover body 14 is pulled toward the proximal end side of the casing 11 so as to be extended. As a result, the probe cover body 14 can be further pressed against the sensor 12a and further brought into close contact with the sensor 12a as compared with the case where the bracket body 21 is not attached. That is, since the probe cover body 14 can be firmly adhered to the sensor 12a without pressing the probe 12 against the body surface, the cross section of the inspected portion can be projected on the monitor 13 simply by applying the probe cover body 14 without pressing the probe 12 against the body surface. can. As a result, the veins and the like in the vicinity of the epidermis can be projected on the monitor 13 without being crushed. The bracket main body 21 having such a function further has a fitting protrusion 21a.

The fitting protrusion 21a is integrally provided on the front surface of the bracket main body 21 (that is, the surface on the same side as the front surface 11e of the casing 11) 21b. The fitting protrusion 21a is arranged at the center in the left-right direction on the front surface 21b of the bracket body 21, and is formed so as to project forward from the front surface 21b of the bracket body 21. A guide portion 22 is fitted to the fitting protrusion 21a formed in this way. When a needle (not shown) of a needle assembly such as an indwelling needle is punctured into a subcutaneous tissue, the guide portion 22 guides the puncturing needle to determine the puncture direction of the needle, and is roughly trapezoidal in side view. It is formed in the shape of a block.

The guide portion 22 having such a shape has a front end surface 22a forming a predetermined angle α (for example, 20 degrees ≦ α ≦ 80 degrees) with respect to the front surface 21b of the bracket main body 21, and the guide portion 22 of the guide portion 22 has a predetermined angle α (for example, 20 degrees ≦ α ≦ 80 degrees). The front end surface 22a is formed so as to be tilted with respect to the front surface 21b of the bracket main body 21. Further, on the front end surface 22a, a guide hole forming portion 22b is formed at the central portion in the left-right direction thereof. The guide hole forming portion 22b protrudes from the front end surface 22a in a direction orthogonal to the front end surface 22a and extends diagonally upward and forward along the front end surface 22a. Further, the cross section of the guide hole forming portion 22b (that is, the cross section orthogonal to the front end surface 22a) is formed in a substantially semicircular shape, and the guide hole 22c is formed in the guide hole forming portion 22b along the axis thereof. .. As a result, the guide portion 22 is formed with a guide hole 22c extending diagonally upward and forward. The guide hole 22c penetrates the guide portion 22 diagonally upward and forward, so that the needle of the needle assembly can be inserted from the upper side thereof and the needle tip can be ejected from the lower side. Further, the guide hole forming portion 22b is further formed with an outlet 22d on the peripheral surface.

As shown in FIG. 4, the take-out port 22d is open to the front (that is, the side opposite to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 side) and is the peripheral surface of the guide hole forming portion 22b, and is the left and right central portion (that is, the most) in the front view. It is formed in the part that protrudes forward). Further, the take-out port 22d extends along the central axis L1 of the guide hole 22c, and extends straight from the upper end to the lower end in the guide hole forming portion 22b. Further, the guide portion 22 is capable of bending the guide hole forming portion 22b, and pulls the needle inserted in the guide hole 22c toward the take-out port 22d (or separates the guided bracket 5 from the needle). When moved in the direction (that is, to the rear side), the take-out port 22d is widened so that the needle can be pulled out from there.

[About puncture work]
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A with a cover configured as described above, the probe cover body 14 is covered on the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11, and then the bracket 5 with a guide is mounted on the probe cover body 14. As in the first embodiment, a liquid gel or the like may be applied to the body surface as needed. After mounting, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 has the probe 12 pressed against the body surface, whereby the cross section of the test section is projected on the monitor 13. The user searches for the position of the blood vessel while looking at the cross section of the test portion displayed on the monitor 13, and when the position of the blood vessel is confirmed, the user inserts the needle of the needle assembly into the guide hole 22c. After insertion, the user pushes in the needle assembly and the needle is guided by the guide hole 22c, and the needle tip advances toward the blood vessel. Further, by pushing in, the needle tip is punctured into the blood vessel, and the state can be confirmed by the monitor 13.

When it is confirmed that the needle tip has been punctured in the blood vessel, the needle assembly is placed at the pushed position, and then the needle of the needle assembly is pulled out from the guide hole 22c. That is, the needle is pulled out from the guide hole 22c through the take-out port 22d by tilting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 backward so as to separate it from the needle assembly. In this way, the needle assembly can be indwelled at that position even after the needle has been pulled out of the guide hole 22c, and subsequent treatments (eg, treatments such as dialysis, liquid injection and blood sampling) can be performed.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover 1A configured as described above has the same effects as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover 1 of the first embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned effects.

[Package for probe cover]
As described above, the probe cover body 14 provided in the covered ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments is made of an adhesive elastomer gel. Therefore, in the probe cover body 14, before mounting or the like, the facing portions of the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14, for example, the front side portion and the rear side portion may stick to each other and come into close contact with each other. In order to deal with such a situation, in the probe cover body 14, as described above, the upper end of the rear side portion is higher than the upper end of the front side portion in order to facilitate the opening of the opening 14a, and the raised portion is rearward. By pulling it to the side, it becomes easier to open the opening 14a of the probe cover body 14. On the other hand, if the opening 14a of the probe cover body 14 remains open before being attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, that is, when the probe cover body 14 is packaged, the ultrasonic diagnosis is performed as it is when the probe cover body 14 is attached. The tip end side portion of the device 2 can be inserted into the probe cover body 14, and the work of separating the attached portions can be omitted. Therefore, the probe cover body package 30 for packaging the probe cover body 14 is configured as follows so that the facing portions on the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14 of the probe cover body 14 do not stick to each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, the package body 30 for a probe cover body is, for example, a blister package, and includes an exterior body 31 and an interior body 32. The exterior body 31 can be sealed by accommodating the probe cover body 14 in the exterior body 31. That is, the exterior body 31 has a package 33 and a seal member 34. The package 33 is a transparent or colored container made of a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polystyrene, and has a box-shaped portion 33a. The box-shaped portion 33a is thin and is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape (in other words, a bottomed cylinder shape), and the entire probe cover body 14 is fitted therein. More specifically, the inner peripheral surface of the box-shaped portion 33a is formed to have substantially the same shape in the present embodiment according to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14, and the probe cover body 14 is contained therein. It fits in and fits in. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the box-shaped portion 33a has non-adhesiveness (that is, releasability) by itself or by surface treatment or coating thereof, and is the outer periphery of the interior body 32. The inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14 does not easily stick to the surface. A flange 33b is formed at the open end of the box-shaped portion 33a configured in this way. The flange 33b is formed at the opening end of the box-shaped portion 33a over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and extends outward from the opening end. The outer edge of the flange 33b is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view like the outer edge of the box-shaped portion 33a. Further, the outer peripheral edge portion of the flange 33b is formed substantially flat, and a sealing member 34 is attached to the outer peripheral edge portion of the flange 33b to seal the inside of the package 33.

The seal member 34 is a sheet-shaped member, and is capable of preventing the permeation of viruses and bacteria while allowing permeation of gas such as sterilizing gas. The seal member 34 having such a function has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and its outer edge shape substantially matches the outer edge shape of the flange 33b. That is, the seal member 34 is placed on the flange 33b of the package 33, and the outer peripheral edge portion thereof is welded or adhered to the outer peripheral edge portion of the flange 33b. As a result, the probe cover body 14 can be sealed in the package 33 in a state of being housed in the package 33. On the other hand, since the seal member 34 can allow a gas such as a sterile gas to permeate, the virus and bacteria adhering to the probe cover 14 can be killed by pouring the sterile gas into the package 33 after sealing. Can be done. In this way, the probe cover body 14 is housed and sealed in the exterior body 31. Further, the interior body 32 is inserted into the probe cover body 14 housed in this way.

The interior body 32 is a thin-walled tubular member made of a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polystyrene. More specifically, the interior body 32 has a thin-walled cylindrical main body portion 32a. The outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 32a is formed to have substantially the same shape in the present embodiment according to the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body. As a result, the interior body 32 can be exteriorized to the main body 32a by inserting the main body 32a into the probe cover body 14 (see FIG. 7). Further, the outer peripheral surface of the interior body 32 has non-adhesiveness (that is, releasability) by surface treatment or coating thereof, and the probe cover body 14 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the interior body 32. The inner peripheral surface of the is hard to stick. Further, the distal end side portion of the main body portion 32a is formed in a tapered trapezoidal shape similarly to the distal end side portion 14b of the probe cover body 14.

The main body portion 32a configured in this way is formed to have a shorter vertical length than the probe cover body 14, so that the entire main body portion 32a can be inserted and accommodated in the probe cover body 14. It has become. Further, the probe cover body 14 is inserted into the box-shaped portion 33a of the package 33 with the main body portion 32a inserted. As described above, since the inner peripheral surface of the box-shaped portion 33a is formed together with the outer peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14, when the probe cover body 14 into which the main body portion 32a is inserted is fitted into the box-shaped portion 33a, the box is formed. The probe cover body 14 is accommodated between the shaped portion 33a and the main body portion 32a, and the probe cover body 14 is held between the probe cover bodies 14. Further, both the inner peripheral surface of the box-shaped portion 33a and the distal end side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 32a are formed in a tapered shape in accordance with the distal end side portion of the probe cover body 14. Therefore, the main body portion 32a is positioned at a predetermined position when it is fitted into the box-shaped portion 33a. A flange 32b is formed at the base end portion of the main body portion 32a positioned in this way.

The flange 32b is formed at the base end portion of the main body portion 32a over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and extends outward from the base end portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the main body 32a from being pushed into the probe cover 14 more than necessary by hitting the open end of the probe cover 14 with the main body 32a inserted into the probe cover 14. Further, the flange 32b is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is formed of a thin wall. Further, the flange 33b of the package 33 is formed with a recess 33c corresponding to the flange 32b of the interior body 32. That is, the flange 33b of the package 33 has a stepped shape in which the inner portion thereof is lower than the outer peripheral edge portion and is formed in a stepped shape, and the concave portion 33c is formed by the inner portion of the flange 33b. The inner peripheral surface of the recess 33c substantially coincides with the outer edge shape of the flange 32b of the interior body 32 in a plan view, and the flange 32b of the interior body 32 is fitted into the recess 33c. More specifically, the flange 32b is fitted into the recess 33c by inserting the main body portion 32a of the interior body 32 into the box-shaped portion 33a and fitting the main body portion 32a into the predetermined position described above in the box-shaped portion 33a. It has become like. As a result, the interior body 32 can be attached to the package 33 with the probe cover body 14 held between the main body portion 32a and the box-shaped portion 33a (see FIG. 8), and further to the package 33. By welding the seal member 34, the probe cover body 14 can be packaged without losing its shape.

In the probe cover body package 30 configured in this way, as shown in FIG. 8, the seal member 34 is removed from the package body 33, and the probe cover body 14 is taken out from the package body 33. Further, the probe cover body 14 is taken out from the package 33 as follows, for example. That is, the interior body 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as described above, and two fingers 40L and 40R can be inserted into the inner hole 32c, for example, as shown in FIG. The two fingers 40L and 40R inserted are hooked on each of the left and right side portions on the inner peripheral surface of the interior body 32, and the two fingers 40L and 40R are separated from each other to apply a load to the interior body 32. When the two fingers 40L and 40R are lifted upward in this state, the flange 32b of the interior body 32 is disengaged from the recess 33c, and the interior body 32 together with the probe cover body 14 is lifted from the package 33. Then, the probe cover body 14 is taken out from the package 33 by lifting the two fingers 40L and 40R until the entire probe cover body 14 comes out of the package 33.

By taking out the probe cover body 14 in this way, the interior body 32 can be left inserted in the probe cover body 14. Therefore, the interior body 32 may remain inserted in the probe cover body 14 at least until the probe cover body 14 is attached to the distal end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 (that is, the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11). It is possible to prevent the front side portion and the rear side portion of the probe cover body 14 from sticking to each other before mounting. On the other hand, when the probe cover body 14 is attached to the distal end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 (that is, the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11), the open end portion is inserted so that the distal end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the opening 14a. It is necessary to widen 14d. Therefore, the interior body 32 can be divided into two so that the probe cover body 14 can be expanded while being inserted into the probe cover body 14 (interior bodies 32L and 32R in FIG. 9). reference).

That is, the interior body 32 is provided with perforations 35 and 35 on the front side portion and the rear side portion of the main body portion 32a of the interior body 32. The perforations 35, 35 are formed so as to extend in the vertical direction by arranging a plurality of grooves or holes in the vertical direction in the central portion in the left-right direction of the front side portion and the rear side portion of the main body portion 32a. Therefore, when a load is applied to the main body portion 32a in the direction away from each other in the left-right direction, the main body portion 32a can be split on both the left and right sides by the perforations 35 and 35. Further, the flange 32b is formed with a notch 36 extending inward at a position corresponding to the perforations 35 and 35 so that the flange 32b can also be split in two when the main body portion 32a is split. It has become.

In the interior body 32 configured in this way, two fingers 40L and 40R inserted in the inner hole 32c to take out the probe cover body 14 are hooked on each of the left and right side portions on the inner peripheral surface of the interior body 32. ing. After taking out the probe cover body 14, when the fingers 40L and 40R are further separated from each other in the left-right direction, the interior body 32 is eventually split by the perforations 35 and 35 and divided into two parts on the left and right (FIG. 9). Refer to the interior parts 32L and 32R). By splitting in this way, the open end portion 14d of the probe cover body 14 can be expanded to the left and right while the interior body 32 is inserted. That is, the opening end portion 14d can be expanded without closing the opening 14a of the probe cover body 14. Further, by leaving the interior body 32 inserted in the probe cover body 14, the tip end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be inserted into the interior bodies 32L and 32R divided into two. That is, with the interior bodies 32L and 32R interposed between the tip end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14, the tip end portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is placed on the probe cover body 14. Can be inserted into. By interposing the interior bodies 32L and 32R in this way, the tip end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be smoothly inserted into the probe cover body 14 (see FIG. 10).

Further, the inner hole 32c of the interior body 32 is opened not only on the proximal end side (that is, above) but also on the distal end side (lower side), and the distal end side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is contained in the interior bodies 32L and 32R. When the portion is inserted, the probe 12 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be exposed from the tip side of the interior bodies 32L and 32R. Therefore, the probe 12 can be pressed against the bottom surface of the probe cover body 14 with the interior bodies 32L and 32R inserted, and the sensor 12a of the probe 12 can be brought into close contact with the probe cover body 14. Further, the interior body 32 is an opening 14a of the probe cover body 14 after being mounted by being divided into two parts on the left and right, and the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14 and the tip end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 are formed. It can be taken out from the gaps d and d between them (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10). By pulling out the interior body 32 from the probe cover body 14 in this way, the probe cover body 14 can be brought into close contact with the entire tip side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and the probe cover body 14 can be brought into close contact with the entire tip side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. It is possible to suppress the deviation with respect to the tip portion of 2. Since the sensor 12a can be brought into close contact with the probe cover body 14 even in the state of being inserted in the interior body 32, it is not always necessary to remove the sensor 12a from the probe cover body 14 after mounting.

Since the probe cover body package 30 configured in this way is configured to insert the interior body 32 into the probe cover body 14, the facing portions of the inner peripheral surfaces of the probe cover body 14 (for example, for example). , The front part and the back part) can be prevented from sticking together. Therefore, it is possible to easily insert the fingers 40L, 40R and the tip end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 into the probe cover body 14. Further, since the interior body 32 is formed in a tubular shape, fingers 40L, 40R, etc. can be inserted into the interior body 32, and the inserted fingers 40L, 40R can be used without touching the outside of the probe cover body 14. The probe cover body 14 can be pulled out from the package 33, and the open end portion 14d of the probe cover body 14 can be expanded.

[Other embodiments]
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and 1A with a cover of the first and second embodiments, it is assumed that the probe 12 and the monitor 13 are integrally formed on the casing 11, but such an apparatus is not necessarily used. Not limited. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1B with a cover may be such that only the probe 12B is provided in the casing 11B as shown in FIG. 11, and the monitor is separately arranged. Further, the shape of the casing 11B is not limited to a substantially rectangular box shape in front view as described above, and the tip side portion may be formed wider than the residual portion. In this case, the distal end side region of the distal end side portion 11a of the casing 11B is formed tapered toward the distal end side, and the proximal end side region is formed tapered toward the proximal end side. Therefore, the probe cover body 14B is formed so that the proximal end side portion 14c is tapered toward the proximal end side in accordance with the shape of the casing 11B. By forming in this way, the probe cover body 14B can be further prevented from being displaced from the casing 11B.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and 1A with a cover of the first and second embodiments, the outer peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14 is formed to have substantially the same shape as the outer peripheral surface from the curved portion 11c of the casing 11 to the distal end side portion 11a. However, it does not necessarily have to have such a shape. The same applies to the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14, which does not necessarily have to have the same shape as the outer peripheral surface described above, and when the probe cover body 14 is attached to the tip end side portion 11a of the casing 11. Any shape may be used as long as it can be brought into close contact with the tip end side portion 11a so as to be tightened. Further, the probe cover body 14 does not necessarily have to have the proximal end side portion 14c, and may have only the distal end side portion 14b. That is, the probe cover body 14 may be formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments, the entire probe cover body 14 is made of a gel-like material, but such a structure is not always necessary. For example, only the portion of the probe cover 14 corresponding to the sensor 12a may be composed of a gel-like material having good acoustic coupling, and the remaining portion may be composed of another elastic material. The corresponding portion includes not only the region overlapping the sensor 12a in bottom view but also the periphery of the sensor 12a. As a result, even if the probe cover body 14 is displaced with respect to the casing 11, it is possible to maintain the state in which the portion made of the gel-like material covers the sensor 12a, and it is possible to suppress the influence on the acoustic coupling. Can be done.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic devices 1 and 1A with covers of the first and second embodiments, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 is covered with the bag body 3, but it is not always necessary to cover the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 with only the cover 4 for the ultrasonic diagnostic device. You may cover it. Further, in the guided bracket 5 of the second embodiment, the guide portion 22 is attached to the bracket main body 21, but the guide portion 22 does not necessarily have to be attached unless the guide of the needle is required.

Further, in the package 30 for the probe cover body of the present embodiment, the interior body 32 to be inserted into the probe cover body 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but it does not necessarily have to have such a shape. For example, the interior body 32 may have a shape such as a plate shape or a film shape, and when inserted into the probe cover body 14, the portions facing each other on the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14, for example, the front side portion and the rear side. Anything that can intervene between the parts and prevent them from sticking to each other will do.

Further, the interior body may be cylindrical or may be formed in a bottomed tubular shape having a bottom on the tip side. In the case of a bottomed tubular shape, since there is no opening on the tip side of the interior body, after the tip end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the interior body, each part of the interior body divided into left and right is covered with a probe. It needs to be removed from the body 14. Further, the method of attaching the probe cover body 14 to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is not necessarily limited to the method as described above. That is, the tip portion of the outer peripheral surface of the probe cover body 14 is pressed near the sensor 12a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and from that state, the probe cover body is turned over so as to cover the probe 12 with a plurality of fingers inserted into the interior body 32. It may be attached to the tip end side portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2.

Further, although the interior body 32 is provided with perforations 35 and 35, the perforations 35 and 35 are not necessarily required, and a fragile portion may be formed so that the interior body 32 can be divided into two. .. The fragile portion is formed by, for example, changing the material or reducing the thickness. Further, such a fragile portion is not always necessary, and the flange 32b is not always necessary either. Further, the package 33 does not necessarily have to be formed according to the shape of the probe cover body 14, and may be a packaging bag for wrapping the probe cover body 14. In this case, by making it possible to close the vicinity of the opening of the packaging bag, the exterior body can be configured without providing a separate member such as a sealing member. Further, the exterior body 31 and the interior body 32 do not have to be separate bodies, and may be integrated.

1,1A, 1B Ultrasound diagnostic device with cover 2 Ultrasound diagnostic device 3 Bag body 3b Open end 4 Cover for ultrasonic diagnostic device 5 Guided bracket 11,11B Casing 11a Tip side part 11c Curved part 12,12B Probe 12a Sensor 13 Monitor (image display)
14, 14B Probe cover body 14b Tip side part 14c Base end side part 30 Probe cover body packaging body 31 Exterior body 32 Interior body 32c Inner hole

Claims (6)

A probe cover body mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a casing, a probe disposed at one end of the casing in a predetermined direction and having a sensor for receiving ultrasonic waves reflected by a test section , and a probe cover body. A probe cover body with a package body comprising the package body for wrapping the probe cover body .
The probe cover body is made of an adhesive and gel-like material in which at least a portion corresponding to the sensor can acoustically bond between the sensor and the test portion when attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is bag-shaped so as to cover one end side portion of the casing, and is formed to be expandable and contractible so as to tighten the one end side portion of the casing.
The package has a non-adhesive outer body that wraps the probe cover body from the outside, and a non-adhesive interior body that is built in the probe cover body and intervenes in opposite portions on the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body. Have,
Probe cover body with packaging . It has a tip side portion on one side in a predetermined direction and a proximal end side portion on the other side in a predetermined direction.
The inner space of the tip side portion is formed so as to taper toward the tip in accordance with the shape of the one end side portion in a predetermined direction of the casing.
The probe cover body with a package according to claim 1, wherein the inner space of the proximal end side portion is formed straight in a predetermined direction or tapered toward the proximal end side according to the shape of the intermediate portion of the casing. .. It is attached to a probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a casing and a probe having a sensor disposed at one end in a predetermined direction of the casing and receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected by a test portion, and is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. When mounted, at least the portion corresponding to the sensor is made of a gel-like material capable of acoustic coupling between the sensor and the test portion, and is bag-shaped so as to cover one end side portion of the casing. It is a packaging body for a probe cover body that wraps a probe cover body that is formed so as to be expandable and contractible so as to tighten one end side portion of the casing .
An exterior body that wraps the probe cover body from the outside and seals it inside, and
It is inserted into the probe cover body and includes an interior body interposed in an opposing portion on the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body.
The probe cover body is made of a gel-like material having adhesiveness.
The exterior body and the interior body are non-adhesive packaging bodies for a probe cover body. The exterior body has a package formed in accordance with the outer peripheral surface of the probe cover body so as to accommodate the probe cover body in which the interior body is inserted.
The third aspect of the present invention, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the interior body is formed in accordance with the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body so as to be inserted into the probe cover body and have the probe cover body exterior to the interior body. Described probe cover body packaging. The interior body is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner hole, and is formed.
The packaging body for a probe cover body according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the inner hole of the interior body extends in an insertion direction which is a direction in which the interior body is inserted into the probe cover body. The packaging body for a probe cover body according to claim 5 , wherein the interior body can be divided in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction.

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