JPH0215444Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a probe for a sector mechanical scanning type ultrasonic tomography apparatus, which has an improved connection structure for lead wires for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a transducer.

Conventionally, a probe for a sector mechanical scanning type ultrasonic tomography apparatus, as shown in FIG. By protruding a shaft 4 and supporting each of them via a bearing 6 on a pair of side plates 5 which are arranged opposite to each other with the casing 3 in between, the vibrator 1 can be oscillated (necked) using the shaft 4 as a fulcrum. 2) It is configured to be possible. The means for transmitting and receiving wave signals to and from the vibrator 1 is as follows:
As shown in the figure, the method of simply connecting the lead wire 7 directly to the electrode 1a of the vibrator 1 was adopted.

Therefore, even if a stranded wire is used for the lead wire 7, this alone will cause the vibration (oscillation) of the vibrator 1.
The lead wire 7 is susceptible to repeated tension, compression, twisting, etc. due to movement, and is easily broken, resulting in poor durability. Especially considering that the quality of the lead wire 7 is the part that most determines the lifespan of a sector mechanical scanning type probe.
Improving its durability was a major challenge.

This invention was developed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it suppresses deformation of the lead wire portion that transmits and receives wave signals to and from the vibrator due to the rocking motion of the vibrator, prevents disconnection, and improves durability. The object of the present invention is to provide a probe for a sector mechanical scanning type ultrasonic tomography device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part showing an embodiment of the probe for sector mechanical scanning type ultrasonic tomography apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a side view of the same, and FIG. 4 is the main part of the probe in FIG. 1. In the enlarged views, 1 to 3, 5 and 6 are the same as in FIG. 1, respectively. Hollow shafts 8 project laterally from both ends of the casing 3, are supported by the side plates 5 via bearings 6, and serve as fulcrums for the rocking motion of the vibrator 1. A conductive coil spring 10 surrounded by an insulating tube 9 is coaxially inserted into the hollow shaft 8 .

11 is an internal lead wire whose one end is connected to the inner end 10a of the side plate 5 of the coil spring 10 and the other end is connected to the electrode 1a of the vibrator 1; 12 is an internal lead wire whose one end is connected to the outer surface of the side plate 5 of the coil spring 10; End 1
0b and external lead wires each having the other end connected to a cable (not shown) to the main body of the ultrasonic tomography apparatus.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned probe of the present invention will be explained. In normal use, the vibrator 1 is oscillated (oscillated) by a predetermined angle in the direction around the hollow shaft 8 through the casing 3 by a drive device (not shown) around the hollow shaft 8 as a fulcrum. (see arrow in figure). At this time, in the main body of the ultrasonic tomography apparatus (not shown), ultrasonic wave signals are transmitted to and from the transducer 1 through the cable, external lead wire 12, and coil spring 1.
0 and internal lead wire 11, and ultrasonic sector scanning is performed.

Here, when the vibrator 1 swings as described above, the internal lead wire 11 rotates, and deformation due to tension, compression, twisting, etc. occurs at the end of the internal lead wire 11. This is mainly due to the axis of the coil spring 10. It is absorbed by expansion and contraction in the circumferential direction (or radial direction). Moreover, since the coil spring 10 is located at the center of the swing fulcrum of the vibrator 1, its displacement (strain) when absorbing the deformation can be suppressed to a minimum. Therefore, the displacement (strain) of the external lead wire 1
2, it is minimized, if at all.

In addition, the coil spring 10 that absorbs the deformation of the internal lead wire 11 is inserted into the hollow shaft 8 that is formed as a shaft that is a swinging fulcrum of the casing 3. The deformation absorbing effect of the lead wire 11 is achieved.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the coil spring 10
Although the insulation of the coil spring 10 is performed using the insulation tube 9 which is separate from the coil spring 10, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the wire of the coil spring 10 itself may be coated with an insulation coating, and the hollow shaft 8 The tube itself may be made of an insulating material, so that the insulating tube 9 can be omitted.

As described above, the present invention uses a hollow shaft as the pivot point of the vibrator, a conductive coil spring is coaxially inserted into the hollow shaft, and the inner and outer lead wires are connected through the hollow shaft. Since the lead wire is connected, even if the lead wire is deformed due to tension, compression, twisting, etc., this is sufficiently absorbed by the coil spring, and this can be achieved with the minimum necessary configuration. Therefore, breakage of the lead wires can be prevented, and durability can be significantly improved. Moreover, by applying the present invention, there is no increase in the external shape, and there is an effect that the size of the probe can be maintained. The ability to maintain the small size of the probe is extremely useful, especially since there is a demand for smaller size for sector mechanical scanning type probes used for diagnosis of organs that move at high speeds such as the heart. It is.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of a conventional probe, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part showing an embodiment of the probe for sector mechanical scanning type ultrasonic tomography apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. Similarly, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the main part in FIG. 1, which is a side view. 1... Vibrator, 1a... Electrode, 3... Casing, 5... Side plate, 6... Bearing, 8... Hollow shaft, 1
0... Conductive coil spring, 11... Internal lead wire, 12... External lead wire.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] By making a shaft protrude laterally from both ends of the casing to which the vibrator is attached, and supporting each of the shafts via bearings on a pair of side plates facing each other with the casing in between, the shaft can be used as a fulcrum. In the probe for a sector mechanical scanning ultrasonic tomography device in which the transducer is swingable, the shaft is a hollow shaft, and a conductive coil spring is coaxially inserted into the hollow shaft. , an inner end of the side plate is connected to the electrode of the vibrator via an internal lead wire, and an outer end of the side plate is connected to an external lead wire extending in the vicinity thereof. Probe for ultrasonic tomography equipment.