JPH02246942A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove a window from a frame and, simultaneously, to surely seal it by screwing the window in two direction of a direction along an axial center direction and an orthogonal direction and, simultaneously, an engaging groove for engagement and a projection for engagement formed in the vicinity of an opening and in a part to be engaged in of the frame. CONSTITUTION:To a frame 2, a supporting part 4 and a part 5 to be engaged are formed in being positioned at the inside of the leading side opening part 3 of a case 1. A window 6 is inserted inward from the leading side surface opening part 3 of the case 1, an opening 7 is fitted in the part 5 to be engaged, simultaneously, a groove 12 for engagement and a projection 13 for engagement are engaged, an O ring 18 engaged in a ring groove 14 is pressed on the inner peripheral face of the opening 7, it is sealed, and a stage part 9 is made to abut on the leading side opening edge periphery of the case 1. To the main body part of the frame 2 and the supporting part 4, screw holes 19 and 20 are formed corresponding to screw holes 10 and 11 of the window 6, respectively set screws 21 and 2 are screwed into the screw holes 19, 11 and 20, 11, respectively, and the window 6 is screwed removably to the frame 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for in-vivo observation.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in this type of ultrasonic probe, in order to fix a window having an ultrasonic wave passage area in the shell to a frame, only one side opening side of the window must be attached to the frame. It was screwed or ultrasonically welded. Also,
A bearing portion for rotatably supporting one side of the rotor shaft is provided on the opposite side of the opening in the window, and thereby,
The opening of the window is formed in a circular shape so that it can be easily fitted and fixed to the fitting portion of the frame.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in a structure in which the opening surface of the window is fixed to the frame by ultrasonic welding as in the conventional example described above, the window cannot be removed without destroying the welded part. This was inconvenient in terms of maintenance. In addition, in a configuration in which the opening side of the window is screwed to the frame, it is not possible to provide the necessary wall thickness to form a female thread near the opening of the ultrasonic wave passage area. Screws must be fastened only on the side away from the ultrasound passage area, but when the window is used with the ultrasound passage area side pressed against the human body, a large stress is applied near the opening of the ultrasound passage area, so the window Due to this change, the ultrasonic propagation liquid that filled the window leaks from the part that is not fixed with screws. Also.

If a bearing is provided on the opposite side of the opening in the window, the opening can be formed into a circular shape and the radius can be made smaller, making it possible to achieve a smaller size. This deforms and causes fluctuations in the load torque of the one-rotation mechanical system, which causes image shaking due to one-rotation unevenness.

Unless the window is attached to the frame, the rotor shaft cannot be rotatably supported.

It was difficult to evaluate and adjust the rotor's rotation mechanism.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and allows the window to be removably fixed to the frame for convenience in manufacturing and maintenance. The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe that can be reliably sealed to prevent ultrasonic propagating liquid from leaking, and in addition to the above purpose, a rotor rotation mechanism system with a built-in window is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe that can prevent image shaking caused by single rotation unevenness by being independent from the rotor, and also allows easy evaluation and adjustment of the rotor rotation mechanism system. That is.

Means for Solving the Problems And the technical solution of the present invention to achieve the above object is that the opening of a cylindrical window having an opening on one side is attached to the fitted part of the frame by an O-ring. and is screwed to the frame in a direction along the axial direction of this window and in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction on the side remote from the ultrasonic wave passing area in the window, and An engaging groove formed near the opening on the passage area side and the fitted portion of the frame is engaged with an engaging protrusion.

Further, the window is formed in a non-circular shape having an arcuate surface with the rotor shaft as the axis in the ultrasonic wave passage region, and a bearing member that is connected to the frame and rotatably supports one side of the rotor shaft is provided on the window. It is located inwardly on the opposite side of the opening.

For production The present invention has the following effects due to the above configuration.

The window is fixed to the frame with set screws in two directions: along the axial direction on the opposite side from the ultrasound passage area and in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, so the window can be removed from the frame. In addition to the above-mentioned screw fixing, the area near the opening of the window on the ultrasonic passing area side is engaged with the engaging groove and the engaging protrusion formed on the fitted part of the frame, so that the ultrasonic passing area side is engaged with the engaging protrusion. This prevents the window from deforming even when the window is pressed strongly against the human body and maintains a reliable seal.

Alternatively, instead of providing a bearing member in the window, the window is formed into a non-circular shape and a bearing member connected to the frame is placed inside the window, and one side of the rotor shaft is rotatably supported by this bearing member. Since the window is made independent of the rotating mechanism system, stable rotation can be obtained without the rotating mechanism being affected by thermal deformation of the window, etc. Moreover, the rotor shaft can be rotated with the window removed. It can be rotatably supported.

Example Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 (al, (bl, (cl, (di) and Figure 2 (
at, (bl, (cl indicates an ultrasonic probe in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (al indicates a partially broken pressure surface view, FIG. Figure (c) is a partially cutaway view;
The right side view in lK, Fig. 2 佽) is the sectional view of the window in the direction of b-nb arrows in Fig. 2 (at, Fig. 2 (cl
is a plan view of the window.

As shown in FIGS. 1(al to dl), a frame 2 is attached to the inside of the case 1.The frame 2 has a supporting portion 4 located inside the open end 3 of the case 1 and extending at right angles. A fitted portion 5 is formed.

The fitted portion 5 is formed in the same oval shape as a cross-sectional view of a window 6, which will be described later. A window 6, which is removably attached to the supporting part 4 and the fitted part 5 of the frame 2 in the open end part 3 of the case 1, is shown in FIG.
As is clear from c), the opening 7 of the window 6, which is formed in a cylindrical shape with an opening 7 on one side, and the subsequent inner cross-sectional shape are referred to as the ultrasonic wave passing region 8, which will be described later. It is formed into an elliptical non-circular shape with an arcuate surface having the rotor shaft 25 as its axis. There is a case 1 on the outside of the window 6 on the side remote from the ultrasound passage area 8.
A stepped portion 9 is formed which comes into contact with the open end edge on the distal end side of the A screw hole 11 is formed in the back surface on the side remote from the sound wave passage region 8 and further on the side remote from the opening 7 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. An engagement groove 12 is formed in the circumferential direction inside the window 6 near the opening on the ultrasonic wave passage area 8 side, and this engagement groove 12 is formed on the outside of the window 6 at the end side of the opening 7 in cross section. The inner wall surface is formed vertically, and the inner wall surface is inclined so as to be gradually separated from the outer vertical wall surface as it approaches the open side from the groove bottom. On the other hand, engagement protrusions 13 are integrally provided at a plurality of locations on the outer periphery of the fitted portion 5 .

Each engagement protrusion 13 is formed in a shape corresponding to the engagement groove 12, and an annular groove 14 is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the fitted portion 5. An arm 15 is provided on the supporting part 4 side of the fitted part 5 to protrude almost parallel to the supporting part 4, and a bearing member 16 is attached to the tip of the arm 15 with a screw 17 so as to face the fitted part 4. It is being The arm 15 is curved into an arc in the short side direction along the inner surface of the window 6. The window 6 is inserted inward from the open end side opening 3 of the case 1, the opening 7 is fitted into the fitted portion 5, and the engagement groove 12 and the engagement protrusion 13 are engaged.

An O-ring 18 fitted in the annular groove 14 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the opening 7 to form a seal, and the stepped portion 9 is brought into contact with the open edge of the case 1 on the distal end side. Screw holes 19 and 20 are formed in the main body portion of the frame 2 and the support portion 4, respectively, corresponding to the screw holes 10.11 of the window 6.
Set screws 2) and 22 are screwed into 9.10 and 20.11, respectively.

A window 6 is removably screwed to the frame 2. Therefore, during manufacturing and maintenance, set screws 2). By removing 22, window 6 can be moved to frame 2.
can be easily removed from. In this state, arm 1
5 is arranged along the inner surface of the window 6 on the side remote from the ultrasonic wave passage area 8, and the bearing member 16 is arranged along the inner surface of the window 6 on the side opposite to the opening 7.

A rotor 23 is built into the window 6. The rotor 23 is formed in the shape of a triangular prism, and ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving sections 24 are attached to each surface so as to be arranged at equal angles. A rotor shaft 25 is attached to the center of the rotor 23, one side of the rotor shaft 25 is rotatably supported by a bearing member 16 via a bearing (not shown), and the other side of the rotor shaft 25 is a fitted part. 5 is rotatably supported via a bearing (not shown). The window 6 is filled with an ultrasonic propagation liquid 26 . A pulley 27 is attached to the protruding end of the rotor shaft 25 on the frame 2 side. A motor 28 is supported on the support part 4, a pulley 30 is attached to the output shaft 29 of the motor 28,
A belt 31 is hung between this pulley 30 and the pulley 27.

Then, the ultrasonic wave passage area 8 side of the window 6 is pressed against the human body, and the pulley 30 and belt 3 are driven by the motor 28.
The rotor shaft 25 and the rotor 23 are rotated through the pulley 27 and the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving section 24
can be rotated to continuously perform sector scanning of the human body part through the ultrasound passage area 8 of the window 6. At this time, as described above, the window 6 is rotated on the opposite side of the ultrasound passage area 8. Attach set screws 2) to the frame 2 in two directions: along the axial direction and at right angles to the axial direction.
22, and securely attach it.

Since the engaging protrusion 13 is engaged with the engaging groove 12 formed in the fitted portion 5 of the frame and the vicinity of the opening 7 on the side of the ultrasonic wave passing region 8 which is thin and easily deformed in the window 6,
It is possible to prevent the sealing part from being deformed by the OIJ song 8 with the fitted part 5 on the side of the ultrasonic wave passing region 8, and it is possible to maintain a reliable sealing state and prevent the ultrasonic propagation liquid 26 from leaking. In addition, the window 6 is not provided with a bearing part, but the window 6 is formed into a non-circular shape, and a bearing member 16 connected to the frame 2 by an arm 15 is disposed within the window 6, and the rotor shaft 2 is attached to the bearing member 16.
Since one side of the window 5 is rotatably supported and the window 6 is independent from the rotation mechanism system, the rotation mechanism system is not affected by thermal deformation of the window 6, etc., and stable rotation can be obtained. , Therefore, image shaking can be prevented. Moreover, since the rotor shaft 25 can be rotatably supported with the window 6 removed, the rotation mechanism of the rotor 23 can be easily evaluated and adjusted.

Note that the engagement groove 12 may be formed on the fitted portion 5 side, and the engagement protrusion 13 may be provided on the window 6 side. In addition, the present invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the basic technical idea thereof. Design can be changed.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the window is fixed to the frame with set screws in two directions: along the axial direction on the opposite side from the ultrasound passage area and in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. This allows the window to be removed from the frame, facilitating manufacturing and maintenance. In addition to the above-mentioned screw fixing, the area near the opening of the window on the ultrasonic wave passing area side is engaged with the engaging groove and the engaging protrusion formed on the fitted part of the frame, so the ultrasonic wave passing area side Even when the window is operated while being strongly pressed against the human body, the window can be prevented from deforming, a reliable seal can be maintained, and the ultrasonic propagation liquid can be prevented from leaking.

In addition, instead of providing a bearing member in the window, the window is formed into a non-circular shape, and a bearing member connected to the frame is placed inside the window, and one side of the rotor shaft is rotatably supported by this bearing member. Since the window is made independent of the rotation mechanism system, stable rotation can be obtained without the single rotation mechanism being affected by thermal deformation of the window, and image shaking can be prevented. Moreover, since the rotor shaft can be rotatably supported with the window removed, the state of the rotor rotation mechanism can be easily evaluated and adjusted.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 (al, (bl, (cl, (dl) and Figure 2 (at, (bl, (cl) indicate an ultrasonic probe in one embodiment of the present invention. Broken front view, Fig. 1 (bl is a partially broken left side view, Fig. 1 (c) is a partially broken front view, Fig. 1 (
diFi Figure 1 (at an enlarged view of the OId section, Figure 2 (at
Figure 1 (right side view at at, Figure 2, etc.) of the window and rotor is a sectional view of the window taken along arrow b-Db in Figure 2 (a), Figure 2 (c) is a plan view of the window It is. 1... Case, 2... Frame, 4... Support part,
5... Part to be fitted, 6... Window, 7... Opening, 8... Ultrasonic passage area, 10.11... Screw hole, 12... Engagement function, 13.・Engagement protrusion, 15・
...Arm, 16...Bearing member, 18...0 ring, 19.20...Screw hole, 2). 22... Set screw, 23... Rotor, 24... Ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving section, 2
5... Rotor shaft, 26... Ultrasonic propagation liquid, 28.
··motor. Name of agent: Patent attorney Takashi Awano and one other person

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) The opening of a cylindrical window having an opening on one side is fitted into the fitted part of the frame via an O-ring,
The ultrasonic passing area in the above window is on the far side,
The window is screwed to the frame in a direction along the axial direction and in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and an engagement formed near the opening of the window on the ultrasonic passing area side and a fitted part of the frame. An ultrasonic probe in which a mating groove and a mating protrusion are mated. (2) A window is formed in a non-circular shape having an arcuate surface centered on the rotor shaft in an ultrasonic wave passage region, and a bearing member that is connected to a frame and rotatably supports one side of the rotor shaft is attached to the window. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is disposed inwardly on a side opposite to the opening in the ultrasonic probe.