JPH03203290A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove a bad influence by heat and to enhance receiving sensitivity by a method wherein a thermal conductor for heat-dissipation use is attached to a piezoelectric piece which generates ultrasonic waves. CONSTITUTION:A probe main body is constituted so as to be surrounded by a thermal conductor 5. However, a wave-transmitting face and a wave-receiving face where ultrasonic waves are radiated actually are not surrounded. Concretely, e.g. a packing material 2 is held on a base 5a of Al or the like; e.g. a silver foil 5b is connected to the side of one end to be used as the side of a radiation face of individual piezoelectric pieces 1. It is constituted that a common line 6 is connected to the side of the other end and that a copper foil 5c is arranged on side faces surrounding the probe main body and on the bottom of the probe 5a. Thereby, heat generated at the piezoelectric pieces 1 is discharged to the outside from the thermal conductor 5; it is possible to prevent a temperature from being raised; it is possible to increase receiving sensitivity without damaging a characteristic even when a transmitting voltage is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to the field of application of ultrasonic probes, and particularly to array-type probes used in medical applications.

(Background of the Invention) An array type probe has a plurality of piezoelectric pieces arranged in a row and is driven, for example, linearly or sectorally, and inspects a diseased part of a living body using ultrasonic waves. It is useful as a wave transmitting/receiving section of a so-called ultrasonic diagnostic device. In recent years, for reasons such as early detection of diseased areas, it has been desired to have a high image quality with a good signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio).

(Prior Art) Fig. 112 is a diagram of an array type probe illustrating a conventional example of this type, in which Fig. 112 (a) is a perspective view and Fig. 112 (b) is a sectional view.

Ultrasonic probes are made of lead zirconate titanate (usually PZ), for example.
A plurality of piezoelectric pieces 1 (T) are arranged in a row on a backing material 2. Electrodes (not shown) are provided on both main surfaces of each piezoelectric piece 1.
An acoustic matching layer 3 is formed on the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface (detected object side). Then, electrodes are led out from both ends of each piezoelectric piece l with a flexible substrate 4 interposed between it and the backing material 2. Further, a common line (not shown) is connected to the radiation surface side.

(Problems with the Prior Art) However, in such a device, in order to improve the S/N ratio and improve the image quality, it is necessary to increase the receiving sensitivity. In this case, one method is generally to increase the transmission voltage. However, if the transmission voltage is increased, the temperature of the piezoelectric piece 1 will rise, which will adversely affect the acoustic matching layer 3 and the acoustic lens (not shown). Further, as described above, the acoustic matching layer 3 on the radiation surface side of the piezoelectric piece 1 and the backing material 2 on the lower surface are usually made of epoxy-based, rubber-based, or the like materials. Therefore, both have poor thermal conductivity and are difficult to dissipate heat, which increases the influence. For this reason, especially when used in the medical field, the radiation surface presses against and contacts the skin of a living body, resulting in a problem of low-temperature burns.

(Objective of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe with improved reception sensitivity by eliminating the adverse effects of heat.

(Solution) The present invention provides a solution in that a heat conductor for heat radiation is attached to a piezoelectric piece that generates ultrasonic waves to facilitate heat radiation to the outside. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an ultrasonic probe illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same parts as those in the figures of the conventional example are given the same numbers and the explanation thereof will be simplified.

The ultrasonic probe is placed on the backing material 2 as described above.
The piezoelectric pieces 1 having a shape of T are arranged in a row, and a flexible substrate 1ta is extended from each piezoelectric piece 1 and bent JJ7 directly on both sides of the loose king material 2. Then, acoustic matching is performed except for both ends of the piezoelectric pieces 1. Form layer 3. Note that tllJ up to this point is the probe body.

In this embodiment, the contact main body is surrounded by a thermal conductor 5. However, this excludes the transmitting/receiving surface where ultra-a waves are actually emitted. Specifically, for example, the backing material 2 is held on the Ale base 5a. Then, a silver foil (5N), for example, is connected to the end side of each piezoelectric piece 1, which is the radiation surface side. Note that a common line 6 is connected to the other end. Further, a copper foil 5c is arranged on the side surface surrounding the probe body and the bottom surface of the base i25.

With this configuration, the heat generated in the piezoelectric piece 1 is released to the outside by the heat conductor 5, thereby preventing a rise in temperature.

Therefore, even if the transmission voltage is changed to A or C, the reception sensitivity can be increased without impairing the characteristics, and the S/N ratio can be improved to improve the image quality. And, in the case of medical use, it is important to perform a safe diagnosis without the risk of low temperature burns.・5! I.

(Other matters) In the above embodiment, the thermal conductor is the IE electric piece 1? Ag, Cu, A1 whose conductivity decreases in the order of proximity
However, is it only necessary to determine it based on the heat dissipation effect? In addition, conductors were placed all around the probe body except for the wave transmitting/receiving surface, and C11 was placed on the lower surface of the base such as A1, but as before, depending on the conditions, one of the conductors could be placed. This section can be omitted. In such cases, for example, using the human sink design document of a transistor, material t
It is possible to determine τ, dimensions, etc. Moreover, the acoustic matching layer 3 is J
'E shape except for the N end of the piezoelectric piece 1, but it is also possible to use @ on the entire surface of the piezoelectric piece. Also a heat conductor! Tl i)1
Although the pressure was formed only on one end of the piece, it may be formed on both ends. In this case, the common line 6 may be removed and a dual line 8 may be used. Furthermore, although the thermal conductor 5b is used as a wave transmitting/receiving surface, it may be placed on the backing material 2 side while maintaining insulation from the unillustrated lines of the flexible substrate 4. However, it is preferable to connect it to the west side of the substrate potential (in this case, the wave transmitting/receiving surface) as in the embodiment.

(Effects of the Invention) The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe that eliminates the adverse effects of heat and improves reception sensitivity since the piezoelectric piece that generates ultrasonic waves is equipped with a thermal conductor for heat radiation. Yes, the practical effect is on people.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an ultrasonic contactor illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram of an ultrasonic probe to explain a conventional example.
A) is an exploded view, and #Pi diagram (b) is a cross-sectional view. 2nd leap -611-

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an ultrasonic probe in which electrodes are formed on both main surfaces of a piezoelectric piece, a heat conductor for heat dissipation is attached to the piezoelectric piece, and the heat generated when the piezoelectric piece is driven is released to the outside. Features of ultrasonic probe.