JPH03165700A - Manufacture of ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten time for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe by producing a sheet-shaped sound matching layer member and adhering it onto the main surface of a vibrator group by an adhesive when a vibrator is worked. CONSTITUTION:When an ultrasonic vibrator 11 is worked to a prescribed dimension, a sound matching member is worked to the 1/4 odd-number times thickness of a wavelength for a frequency to be used and a sheet-shaped sound matching layer member 13 is formed. On the upper surface of a supporting stand composed of an ultrasonic sound absorbing material, the ultrasonic vibrators 11 are arranged in the shape of an array so as to form the vibrator group, and on the main surface of the vibrator group, the sheet-shaped sound matching layer member 13 is adhered by the adhesive, Then, lead wires are connected to the respective ultrasonic vibrators. Thus, the time can be shortened for manufacturing the ultrasonic probe and the sound matching layer can be easily provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe, and particularly to a method for manufacturing an acoustic matching layer and a transducer in an ultrasound probe.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, the acoustic matching layer of an ultrasound probe is generally λ/4
It is used in thicknesses of

Further, the acoustic matching layer and the vibrator may be, for example,
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 22580, they were approximately the same size.

In addition, the acoustic matching layer has vibrators 1 arranged on a support base 2 made of an ultrasonic sound absorbing material, as shown in FIG.
A material 3 for the acoustic matching layer is poured thereon and polished to form an acoustic matching layer 3A having a predetermined thickness, for example, 1/4 of the wavelength λ.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional technology, processing work to make the thickness of the acoustic matching layer λ/4 is difficult, and
Therefore, there was a problem that it took a long time.

Further, in the case of an ultrasonic probe (a group of transducers arranged in a curved manner) whose contact surface with the subject is curved, there is a problem in that the above-mentioned operation is even more difficult.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can shorten the assembly time of an ultrasound probe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can improve the adhesive force between an ultrasonic transducer and an acoustic matching layer.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe, in which an acoustic matching material is used in advance to process an ultrasonic transducer into a predetermined size. Odd number times ((2n+1)λ/4.n=o,
1, 2, 3...n) into a sheet-like acoustic matching layer member, and the ultrasonic transducers are arranged in an array on the upper surface of a support made of an ultrasonic sound absorbing material. The most important feature is that a group of ultrasonic transducers is formed, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member is adhered to the main surface of the group of transducers with an adhesive, and a lead wire is connected to each ultrasonic transducer. .

Further, the vibrator group is wrapped in a sheet-like acoustic matching layer member having an area larger than the area of the main surface of the vibrator group.

Furthermore, a radius or a chamfer is formed on the upper side ends of the vibrators at both ends of the vibrator group arranged on the support base, and the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member is placed on the main surface of the vibrator group. Alternatively, it is characterized by being bent along the chamfer, covering the sides, and bonding with adhesive.

[For production]

According to the aforementioned means, at the time of processing the vibrator.

- Since the acoustic matching layer is manufactured at the same time and bonded with adhesive to the top surface of the transducer group, an acoustic matching layer is attached in advance to an odd number multiple of 174 of the wavelength λ of the frequency to be used ((2n+1)λ/4.n=0,
The ultrasonic transducers are arranged in an array on the top surface of a support made of an ultrasonic sound absorbing material. A transducer group is formed, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member is glued onto the main surface of the transducer group, and a lead wire is connected to each ultrasonic transducer, so that the ultrasonic probe can be manufactured. It is possible to shorten the time.

Further, even in a vibrator group in which vibrators are arranged in a curved shape, an acoustic matching layer can be easily provided by adhering a sheet-shaped acoustic matching layer member onto the main surface of the vibrator group.

In addition, by adopting a structure in which the sheet-shaped acoustic matching layer member wraps around the transducer group, or a folding structure, the adhesion area of the sheet-shaped acoustic matching layer member is expanded, so that the adhesive strength of the acoustic matching layer can be improved. .

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the drawings.

In addition, in all the times for explaining the example.

Components having the same function are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

C Example 1] FIG. 1 shows Example 1 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe of the present invention.
FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes processing an ultrasonic transducer 11 (for example, cutting the transducer).
At the same time, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 is coated to a thickness that is an odd number multiple of 1/4 of the wavelength λ of the frequency used ((2n+1)λ/4, n=o, 1, 2 . 3...
・The sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 is manufactured by processing the material into n).

The method for manufacturing this sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 is as follows:
Pour the material for the acoustic matching layer into the base, harden it,
It is processed to a predetermined thickness and dimensions.

Next, the ultrasonic transducers 11 processed on the upper surface of the support base 12 made of an ultrasonic sound absorbing material are arranged in an array to form a transducer group 1.
1A, a sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 processed to have a thickness equal to an odd multiple of 1/4 of the wavelength λ of the frequency to be used is adhered to the upper surface with an adhesive 14, and a lead wire (not shown) (not included) to complete the ultrasound probe.

The material for the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 is, for example, epoxy resin.

The sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 is formed by the product of the acoustic impedance factor (2=ρC, where ρ is the density and C is the sound speed) of the ultrasonic transducer 11 and the acoustic impedance Z2 of the living body ( It has an acoustic impedance determined by the square root of Z and Z2) and the wavelength λ at the frequency used.
The thickness is an odd multiple of 174.

Generally, it is used with a thickness of λ/4, for example, when the sound speed is 3
The thickness of 00 m/s material used at 5 MHz is 150 μm.
becomes.

Further, the adhesive 14 is applied to the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13.
A material with acoustic impedance close to that of
It should be 10μ or less.

As can be seen from the above description, according to this embodiment, when the ultrasonic transducer 11 is being processed (for example, cutting the transducer), the material of the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 is used at the same time. The ultrasonic probe is manufactured by processing it into a predetermined dimension with a thickness that is an odd number multiple of 1/4 of the wavelength λ of the frequency to be transmitted, and then assembling the ultrasonic probe, which reduces the manufacturing time. be able to.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducer 11 is curved.
1, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13A is manufactured at the same time as the ultrasonic transducer 11 is being processed, and then the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13A is formed into an array. Adhesive 1 is placed on the main surface of the ultrasonic transducers 11 arranged in
Since it is only necessary to adhere and assemble in step 4, the acoustic matching layer can be easily provided.

[Example 2] FIG. 4 shows Example 2 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe of the present invention.
FIG.

In the method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 shown in FIG.
A sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13B is formed to wrap around the branch transducer group 11A. By doing so, not only the main surface but also the side surface of the vibrator group 11A becomes an adhesive surface, and the adhesive force of the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13B can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 is made longer in the longitudinal direction of the transducer group 11A to form a sheet-like acoustic matching old member 13C having a folded structure. By doing this.

Similar to the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13B shown in FIG. 4, since the adhesive area increases, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13
The adhesive strength of C can be improved.

Moreover, peeling from both ends can be made less likely to occur.

Further, the structure may be bent in the same manner in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[Example 3] FIG. 5 shows Example 3 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe of the present invention.
FIG.

The method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe according to the third embodiment includes a sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13C having a folded structure shown in FIG.
When folded, the vibrator is folded as shown in Fig. 5A (enlarged view of the part marked O in Fig. 5) and Fig. 5B (enlarged view of the part corresponding to the part marked 0 in Fig. 5). At the corner of group 11A is R (
R) IIB and chamfered IIC are provided. By doing so, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13
It is possible to reduce the bending burden on C and improve workability.

[Example 4] FIG. 6 shows Example 4 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe of the present invention.
FIG.

The method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe according to the fourth embodiment includes forming a sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13G having a folded structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, sheet-like acoustic matching layer members 13C,
and a holding auxiliary member 15 made of materials with different hardnesses, which are manufactured separately and assembled using adhesive 14 to form a sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13C having a folded structure described above. . For example, epoxy resin is used as the material of the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13C0,
The material for the holding auxiliary member 15 is, for example, urethane.

By doing this, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 1
The bending burden of 3C can be removed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13G shown in FIG. The sheet-like acoustic matching layer members 13C, , 13C, are divided into sheet-like acoustic matching layer members 13C, , 13C, and manufactured in advance, and if necessary, they are divided into odd number multiples of 1/4 of the wavelength λ of the frequency used ((2n+1)λ/4.n= ot 1,
2.3...n) are layered and bonded to a thickness of 2.3...n). By doing this, the wavelength λ of the frequency used is an odd multiple of 174 ((2n+1)λ/4.n=o, 1
The sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13C0 having a thickness of 2.3...n) can be easily formed. Note that the number of divisions of the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13C0 is not limited to the sheet-like acoustic matching layer members 13G□, 13G, and may be three or more.

[Example 5] FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining Example 5 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe according to the fifth embodiment forms a sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13 having a thickness that is an odd multiple of 1/4 of the wavelength λ of the frequency used. On top of this, a protective layer 16 made of urethane or the like that absorbs little ultrasonic waves is molded.

By doing this, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member 13
can improve the adhesive strength of Moreover, peeling from both ends can be made less likely to occur.

The present invention has been specifically explained above based on examples, but
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member is simply manufactured and bonded with adhesive onto the main surface of the transducer group at the time of processing the transducer, so that ultra-high The manufacturing time of the sonic probe can be shortened.

Further, even in the case where the vibrators are arranged in a curved shape, an acoustic matching layer can be easily provided by adhering a sheet-like acoustic matching layer member.

Further, by using a structure in which the acoustic matching layer wraps the vibrator or a bending structure, the adhesion area of the acoustic matching layer can be expanded and the adhesive force can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows Example 1 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment in which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a curved shape. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment, which is equipped with a means for dealing with the possibility of peeling of the thin acoustic matching plate material, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the manufacture of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention. Method Example 2
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining Embodiment 3 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe of the present invention.
Diagram for explaining. Fig. 5A is an enlarged view of the part marked 0 in Fig. 5; Fig. 5B is an enlarged view of the part corresponding to the part marked 0 in Fig. 5; Example 4 of probe manufacturing method
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining Embodiment 4 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe of the present invention.
It is a figure for explaining the modification of. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining Embodiment 5 of the method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining problems in the conventional method of manufacturing an ultrasonic probe. In the figure, 11... Ultrasonic transducer, IIA... Vibrator group, 12... Support stand, 13, 13A, 13B, 13C,
13C,, 13C engineering. 13C2... Sheet-like acoustic matching layer member, 14... Adhesive, 15... Holding auxiliary member, 16... Protective layer.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) 1/4 of the wavelength λ of the frequency at which an acoustic matching material is used in advance at the time of processing the ultrasonic transducer to a predetermined size
A sheet-like acoustic matching layer member is processed to have a thickness that is an odd number times as large as A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic probe, comprising: adhering the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member onto the main surface of the group of transducers with an adhesive, and connecting lead wires to each ultrasonic transducer. (2) In the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, the ultrasonic transducer group is wrapped in an acoustic matching layer member having an area larger than the area of the main surface of the transducer group. A method of manufacturing a sonic probe. (3) In the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, forming a radius or a chamfer at the upper side end of the transducer at both ends of the transducer group arranged on the support base;
A method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe, characterized in that the sheet-like acoustic matching layer member is bent on the main surface of the transducer group along the radius or chamfer to cover the side surface and bonded with an adhesive.