JPH04126136A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the ultrasonic probe which can be manufactured simply in an arbitrary shape by forming integrally a signal leading-out means and a housing, and thereafter, placing and fixing an ultrasonic vibrator, and executing the electrical connection. CONSTITUTION:A recessed part 7 for positioning and placing an ultrasonic vibrator 5 and a signal leading-out means 2 provided in the vicinity of a provided position of a vibrator electrode 6 are provided integrally by forming, respectively at the time of forming of a housing 1. Subsequently, to the recessed part 7 of the formed housing 1, a vibrator 5 is fixed by adhesion, etc. The end part of the electrode 6 of this fixed vibrator 5 and the signal leading-out means 2 are connected by a conductive member 3. Also, in order to insulate electrically the periphery of the vibrator, an electric conductive part of the periphery of the vibrator is sealed by an insulating material 4. In this regard, the ultrasonic vibrator 5 is constituted by laminating an acoustic matching layer 11, a piezoelectric element 9, and a packing material 10 in order from the upper part, and the vibrator electrode 6 is provided on both the upper and the lower faces of the piezoelectric element 9.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe, specifically an ultrasound probe used in an ultrasound endoscope, an ultrasound diagnostic device, and other ultrasound equipment. This is related to the improvement of.

[Conventional technology]

This type of conventional ultrasonic probe is
Some examples include those disclosed in Publication No. 07.

The structure of the ultrasonic probe disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-45007 is as shown in FIG.
The ultrasonic transducer 105 formed by laminating the upper case 10
1, one extraction electrode 106a attached to the vibrator 105 is inserted into the opening 104 of the lower case 102, and the other extraction electrode 1
06b along the outer circumferential wall of the lower case 102 and then placed inside the lower case 102, and the opening 10
4 is filled with a damper 107, and the lower case 102 is
is configured to be covered with a cap case 103.

In the ultrasonic probe configured as described above, when the lower case 102 is molded, the ultrasonic transducer 10
5 and the damper 107 are attached at the same time, and the cap case 103 is integrally molded.

In addition, in a conventionally well-known ultrasonic probe, as shown in FIG.
Some devices are configured such that they are integrally fixed in a case 203, and then an elastic body 204 made of urethane rubber or the like is attached thereto.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in the conventional structure of the ultrasonic probe disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-45007, in the process of manufacturing the probe, the extraction electrodes 106a and 106b are removed. must be attached to the ultrasonic transducer 105 in advance, and even when setting it in a mold for integral molding, problems such as wire breakage with the transducer tend to occur, resulting in poor yield. Furthermore, since the vibrator is attached by integral molding, it is difficult to secure the position of the vibrator while molding it, and therefore the vibrator tends to tilt during molding and is likely to be misaligned.

Also, in the conventional probe shown in FIG. 29 above, the vibrator must be molded together with the lead wire, and therefore, the disadvantage of the conventional probe shown in FIG. 28 above is It has similar problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional ultrasonic probes described above and to provide an ultrasonic probe having a structure that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

[Means to solve the problem]

An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a housing in which a recess for placing and fixing the ultrasonic transducer is formed, and a signal extracting means is integrally provided. The main part thereof is composed of a conductive means for connecting the electrode of the ultrasonic transducer mounted and fixed in the recess and the signal extracting means.

That is, as shown in the conceptual diagram of the present invention in FIG. and are provided integrally by molding when the housing 1 is molded. Then, the vibrator 5 is fixed to the formed recess 7 of the housing l by adhesive or the like. The ends of the electrodes 6 of the fixed vibrator 5 and the signal extracting means 2 are connected by a conductive member 3. Further, in order to electrically insulate the area around the vibrator, the electrically conductive portion around the vibrator is sealed with an insulating material 4.

Note that the ultrasonic transducer 5 has an acoustic matching layer 11 in order from the top.
．． It is constructed by laminating a piezoelectric element 9 and a backing material 10, and the vibrator electrodes 6 are provided on both upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric element 9.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

2 to 4 are enlarged sectional views of an ultrasound probe showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

The basic configuration of the ultrasonic probe in each embodiment described below is almost the same as the ultrasonic probe explained in the conceptual diagram of FIG. Components having the same reference numerals are given the same reference numerals, and only the different parts will be explained.

The housing l formed by molding is formed into a horizontally long short cylindrical shape, and has a relatively deep recess 7 formed in the center of its upper circumferential surface, and a recess 7 connected to the recess 7 on both sides of the recess 7. A connection area 8 is formed by the above-mentioned. This connection area 8 is formed of a recess about half the depth of the recess 7, and one end of a conductive wire bent into an L shape constituting the signal extraction means 2 is located in both connection areas 8. are arranged so that each is exposed. The other end of this conductive wire is led out parallel to one end surface of the housing l.

In the recess 7 of the housing 1, as shown in an enlarged cross section in FIG. Ultrasonic transducer 5 configured by laminating
However, the electrodes 6a on both sides are dropped and placed so as to face each one end of the signal extracting means 2 exposed in each connection area 8. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is fixed with an adhesive 14.

Next, a conductive member 3 for electrically connecting each end exposed in the area 8 of both signal extraction means 2 and the side electrode 6a of the piezoelectric element 9 is introduced into the connection area 8, and the signal extraction means 2 is inserted into the connection area 8. 2 and the side electrode 6a are connected. After that, the conductive part in the area 8 including the conductive member 3 is
The connection area 8 is covered with an insulating material 4 filled in it to insulate it so that all conductive parts are not exposed to the outside. At this time, the surfaces of the ultrasonic vibrator 5 and the insulating material 4 are prevented from protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the housing 1.

The material of the housing 1 may be any moldable material, specifically thermosetting resins such as phenol resin, furan resin, xylene formaldehyde resin, melamine resin, polyester, epoxy urea resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. , polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate,
polyacrylate, methacrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride,
Thermoplastic plastics such as fluorine-based plastics, polycarbonates, and polyurethanes, silicones, rubbers, and materials mixed with fine powders such as metals, ceramics, glass balloons, glass, resins, wood, and fibers such as paper are used.

Further, solder, conductive paste, conductive adhesive, etc. are used for the conductive member 3, and the insulating material 4 is selected from the same materials as the housing l, as well as ceramic. , glass, resin coating, insulation coating, etc. may be used.

Further, the housing 1, the conductive member 3 and the insulating material 4
The same materials are used in each of the embodiments described below.

When the ultrasonic probe of the first embodiment configured as described above is used, a driving pulse voltage is applied from a power supply unit (not shown) to the conductive wire that is the signal extraction means 2, and thereby the transducer 5 is driven, and ultrasonic pulses are transmitted from the transducer 5 toward the subject. The ultrasonic pulses reflected from the test area are received by the vibrator 5, converted into electrical signals, and outputted to the outside through the signal peak means 2.

According to the ultrasonic probe of the first embodiment, the signal extraction section (signal extraction means 2) is concentrated and disposed on one side end surface of the housing 1, so that connection with the external lead wire is possible. This makes lead wire processing very easy, and since the vibrator surface does not protrude beyond the outer peripheral surface of the housing l, the vibrator surface is protected by the housing l, which prevents scratches on the vibrator surface. You can get the effect that there is no problem.

5 to 7 show modifications of the first embodiment, respectively. In these modified examples, an adhesive reservoir pocket 1 is provided at the upper peripheral edge of the transducer mounting recess 7 of the housing 1.
2.13.15 is provided.

This pocket may be a pocket 12 consisting of a stepped recess, as shown in the modified example of FIG. 5, or a pocket 13 having a different shape, consisting of an inclined surface, as shown in the modified example of FIG. Okay, furthermore, as shown in the modified example of FIG.
, is formed to be larger than the acoustic matching layer 11, and the backing material 10 and the side electrode 6a of the piezoelectric element 9 are separated by a length l, and a pocket 15 is formed at the upper edge of the backing material 10.
may be provided.

The rest of the structure is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment.

By providing the adhesive pockets 12, 13, and 15 in this way, when the transducer 5 is adhesively fixed in the recess 7 of the housing l, it is possible to prevent the adhesive from overflowing from the gap 16 between the side wall of the recess 7 and the side wall of the backing material 10. The adhesive 14 is applied to the pocket 12. 1
3. It accumulates to 15.

When fixing the vibrator 5 with the adhesive 14, it is important to prevent air from entering the gap 16 and forming an air layer in the middle to ensure secure fixation to the housing l. For this reason, apply a large amount of adhesive 14 to the gap 16.
It is easier to work and the quality is more stable if the overflow is carried out. However, on the other hand, the surface of the side electrode 6a of the piezoelectric element 9 is likely to be covered with overflowing adhesive, causing trouble in the conductive treatment in the next step. In reality, in an ultrasonic transducer of about 15 MHz, the thickness t including the side electrode 6a is about 150 μm, and when the adhesive 14 overflows, the side electrode 6a is immediately covered.

In order to prevent this, it is very important to provide pockets 12 and 13, 15 for collecting adhesive in the housing 1 to collect the overflowing adhesive, as in the modified examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 above. is effective. As shown in the modified example of FIG. 7, this pocket can have the same effect even if it is provided in the banking material lO, and if the distance l between the side electrode 6a of the piezoelectric element 9 and the side wall surface of the housing recess 7 is increased, The effect will further increase.

FIG. 8 shows another modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, one side of the signal extraction means (conductive wire) is connected to the housing 1.

The housing l shown in FIG. 8 is made of a conductive material such as metal, and has a conductive wire support portion 1a on the side in the direction in which the conductive wire is drawn out.
are integrally formed in a protruding manner. In addition, a relatively deep recess 7 is formed in the center of the upper peripheral surface of the housing l, and
A connection area 8 is provided on one side of the recess 7 and is connected to the recess 7.
is formed.

Then, the ultrasonic transducer 5, which is constructed by laminating a piezoelectric element 9 with an electrode 6 having a side electrode 6a in the recess 7 of the housing 1, a backing material 10, and an acoustic matching layer 11, is shifted toward the connection area 8. I put it down and put it there. In this case, one side of the side electrode 6a is exposed to the connection area 8 and the other side is exposed to the surplus space 7a of the recess 7.

Further, an insulating member 10a is provided at a location where the backing material 10 is aligned with the electrode 6 to prevent a short circuit between the electrodes.

Next, the coaxial cable, which is a conductive wire, is connected to the conductive wire support section 1.
The end portion is drawn out into the surplus space 7a of the recess 7 through the hole a. One of the conductive wires is electrically connected to the side electrode 6a exposed in the surplus space 7a of the recess 7 via the conductive member 3. Furthermore, the other conductive wire 2a is inserted into a hole 1b formed so as to pass through the lower peripheral surface of the housing l from the surplus space of the recess 7, and is electrically connected via the conductive member 3.

Further, a conductive member 3 is placed near the side electrode 6a exposed in the connection area 8 to electrically connect it to the housing l. The conductive wire 2 integrally connects the side electrode 6a exposed in the connection area 8 and the housing l in this way.
A is electrically connected to housing l as part of a conduction path.

According to this modified example configured as described above, since the conductive wire does not pass under the backing material lO, the thickness of this part of the housing l can be reduced, and the ultrasonic probe can be further miniaturized. can be achieved. Furthermore, since the housing l is made of a conductive material such as metal, the effect of shielding the piezoelectric element 9 from external noise can also be obtained.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an ultrasound probe showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, a fine powder of a sound absorbing material is mixed into the housing forming material, and the housing IA is molded so that the housing material also serves as a backing material. When the housing IA is molded in this way, the depth of the transducer mounting recess 7 may be the same as the depth of the recess of the connection area 8, and the transducer 5A without a backing material is directly adhesively fixed to this recess 7A. . The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the ultrasonic probe of the second embodiment, since the housing 1A also serves as a backing material, the recess 7A for placing the transducer in the housing is molded to the same depth as the connection area 8. This simplifies the mold structure and makes it cheaper to manufacture.

Moreover, compared to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the housing has the same outer diameter and the thickness H of the backing material is increased, so performance can be improved, and the process of attaching the backing material to the vibrator 5A This has the remarkable effect that it can also be omitted.

Next, FIG. 1O shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the ultrasonic probe of the third embodiment, the signal extraction means 2, which is integrally formed during the molding process of the housing 1, is constituted by a coaxial cable wire 19.

That is, the coaxial cable wire 19 is separated into a core wire 17 and an outer wire 18 inside the housing, disposed so that their tips are exposed in each connection area 8, and integrally molded with the housing. In this case, the lead-out connection part 21 is shaped so that the cross-sectional area of the housing 1 is gradually reduced so that concentrated stress is not applied to the lead-out part of the coaxial cable line 19 to the outside. The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment configured in this manner, the vibrator 5 and the amplifier 20 can be connected only by the coaxial cable line 19 without making a connection by soldering or the like in the middle. Therefore, compared to each of the embodiments described above, the cost is reduced because a dedicated signal extraction means using two conductive wires is not required, and the number of steps is reduced because connection such as soldering between the signal extraction means and the lead wire is not required. It is possible to reduce the amount of damage, thereby reducing the cost. Furthermore, since the strength of the drawer connection portion 21 is increased, it is possible to withstand even harsher use.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an ultrasound probe showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this fourth embodiment, the signal extraction means is constituted by a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as FPC) 22. That is, the connection area 8A provided in the housing IB is formed by a flat part cut out about 2/3 of the rear part of the upper circumferential surface of the housing IB formed in a short cylindrical body, and the connection area 8A is formed by a flat part cut out from about 2/3 of the rear part of the upper peripheral surface of the housing IB, which is formed in a short cylindrical body. A child placement recess 7 is provided. Then, the ultrasonic transducer 5 is adhesively fixed in this recess 7, and then an opening 22a having almost the same shape as this recess 7 is made, and conductive patterns 22b and 22c as lead-out electrode terminals are printed on the upper surface. The aperture 22a of the FPC 22 matches the recess 7, and the conductive patterns 22b and 2 are connected to the side electrodes 6a.
2c are adhesively fixed onto the connection area 8A consisting of the above-mentioned plane portion so that they are close to each other. After that, the above FPC
22 conductive patterns 22b, 22c and the side electrode 6a of the piezoelectric element 9 are connected by a conductive member 3, and the upper surfaces of the conductive member 3 and the conductive patterns 22b, 22c are covered with an insulating material 4 (see FIG. (not shown). The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In this manner, in the fourth embodiment, the FPC 22 constitutes a signal extracting means, thereby transmitting and receiving signals to and from the outside.

According to this fourth embodiment, since it is not necessary to mold the signal extraction means at the same time as the housing is molded, the housing can be molded easily and at low cost.

In addition, although FPC was used in the fourth embodiment, vapor deposition, plating, painting,
A similar effect can be obtained even if the conductive pattern is formed by printing or the like.

12 and 13 show modified examples of the housing 1, respectively.

That is, the housing IC shown in FIG. 12 has a tip end shaped like a truncated cone ICa. When the tip of the housing is shaped like a truncated cone in this way, when this ultrasonic probe is placed in the tube 23 for insertion into the subject, the sliding resistance at the time of insertion and placement is only reduced. In addition, the load on the actuator (not shown) that drives the probe disposed inside the tube 23 is reduced, which eliminates speed unevenness during rotation and scanning of the probe, and eliminates the wow of the encoder and tip at hand. can be reduced and accurate images can be obtained. Further, the shape of the tip portion is not limited to a truncated cone shape, and may of course be any shape that reduces sliding on the tube 23 and frictional resistance, such as a pyramid, cone, or spindle shape.

In addition, the housing ID shown in FIG. 13 has a female threaded hole 24 in the center of its tip surface, into which a male screw 26 having a round head 25 is screwed, resulting in the same effect as the modification shown in FIG. 12. It was designed to obtain If the tip of the housing ID is made into a round head 25 and configured to be removable, the round head 25 can be removed and the female threaded hole 24 can be used instead to attach or remove a grease pack, needle, etc. If a magnet or the like is attached, an effect can be obtained in that it can be transported at the same time as the probe.

14 and 15 are cross-sectional views of an ultrasonic probe showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this fifth embodiment, the acoustic matching layer 11 (see FIG. 2.8.9) of the vibrator 5 fixed in the recess 7 of the housing l is connected to the conductive member 3.
It is constructed of an insulating material that covers the That is,
The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention connects the electrode 6a of the piezoelectric element 9 of the vibrator 5 and the signal extraction means 2 with a conductive member 3,
This is configured to be covered with an electrical insulating material 4.

On the other hand, as described above, the ultrasonic transducer 5 fixed in the recess 7 has a backing material lO on the back side with the piezoelectric element 9 in between.
Acoustic matching layers 11 (see FIGS. 2, 9 and 10) are provided on the front side. This acoustic matching layer 11 is for matching acoustic impedance and is made of an electrically insulating material.

In this fifth embodiment, the insulating material 4 covering the conductive member 3 is used to form the acoustic matching layer of the vibrator 5 as well. That is, the insulating material 4 is extended to the surface side of the vibrator 5 and coated to a controlled thickness Ht (see FIG. 15) to form the acoustic matching layer 27. With this configuration, the insulating material covering the conductive member 3 can also be used as the acoustic matching layer 27 of the vibrator 5.

Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, in order to utilize an insulating material for the acoustic matching layer, the acoustic matching layer 11 (second.
．． 10), the process can be omitted, and the manufacturing cost of the vibrator 5 can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, by making the surface of the acoustic matching layer 27 which also serves as the insulating material into a curved acoustic matching layer 27A, it becomes possible to play the role of an acoustic lens. If the curvature is matched with the curvature of the cylindrical surface of the housing 1, work efficiency will also be improved.

Next, FIG. 17 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In the ultrasonic probe of the sixth embodiment, a connecting connector 28 is integrally fixed to the housing 1 at the end of the housing 1 on the signal extraction means 2 side by molding, and the signal extraction means 2 is attached to this. This connection facilitates the transmission of signals to the outside.

That is, one end of the housing l from which the signal extraction means 2 is led out has one end of the signal extraction means 2 connected to the central shaft portion 2.
8a, and a connecting connector 28 configured by connecting a conductive pipe portion 28b disposed around the conductive pipe portion 28b to the other side of the signal extracting means 2, with approximately half of the connector 28 protruding outward. When the housing l is formed and carved, it is fixed together to form a so-called connection plug. Also,
A coupling male threaded portion 29 is provided on the outer periphery of the housing near where the connector 28 is fixed, and a waterproof O-ring 3 is provided on a protrusion 30 connected to this threaded portion 29.
1 is fitted. The other probe configurations are as described above.
This is similar to the ultrasonic probe shown in Figure 2.

On the other hand, the other connecting connector 32, which is detachably connected to this connecting connector 28 and is used to input a signal from the signal extracting means 2 to an amplifier or the like, is connected to the central shaft portion 28a.
It is composed of a small diameter conductive pipe portion 33 into which the conductive pipe portion 28b is tightly fitted, and a large diameter conductive pipe portion 34 arranged around the small diameter conductive pipe portion 33 into which the conductive pipe portion 28b is fitted.
．． A lead wire is soldered to each of the lead wires 34 and embedded and fixed in a molded coupling receiving part 35.

The coupling receiving part 35 is formed with a step part 35a having a larger diameter in the front half, and a shoulder part 36 consisting of a recess that fits into the protrusion 30 is formed at the tip thereof. Approximately half of the connection connector 32 protrudes from the center of the tip. The large diameter portion of this receiving portion 35, which includes the connector 32, is configured to be located within a cap nut 37 for coupling and fixing both connectors 28, 32.

This cap nut 37 has a female thread 38 carved on its inner peripheral surface at its tip end, and is rotatably provided with respect to the connector 32 , and is screwed into the male coupling thread 29 .

In the ultrasonic probe of the sixth embodiment configured as described above, when connecting one connector 28 provided integrally with the probe to the other connector 32 connected to an amplifier etc. When the female screw 38 of the cap nut 37 is screwed into the male screw 29 of the housing l and the nut 37 is rotated, the nut 37 pushes the stepped portion 35a of the receiving portion 35 as the screwing progresses. This allows both connectors 2
8.32 connection is made and the cap nut 37 is used to prevent the connectors from being pulled out, thereby fixing the connection of both connectors.

According to the sixth embodiment, since the operation of attaching and detaching the ultrasonic probe can be easily performed using the connector, it is extremely easy to deal with cases where the probe is damaged and needs to be replaced. Since the child can be replaced easily, the inspection range can be expanded.

Furthermore, this fastening means is not limited to the means in the above embodiments, but may include a member that restricts rotation by providing a coupling pin and a hole, or may further include a spring member. It is also possible to adopt a method that allows the connection to be made with one touch.

18 and 19 respectively show modifications of the signal extracting means 2 of the sixth embodiment.

That is, the signal extracting means 2 shown in FIG. 18 is formed of a conductive shaft, which extends outward from the housing l, and has shaft end portions 2A and 2B having different lengths. The shaft end portions 2A, 2B are provided with click stop recesses 2Aa, 2Ba as a connector portion, and correspondingly, the external connection portion 40 is provided with an elastic fitting for a conductive material to be fitted into the shaft end portions 2A, 2B, respectively. Section 41A, 41
A connector part consisting of B is provided, and these elastic fitting parts 41A and 41B are also provided with the click stop recess 2A.
a, click stop protrusion 41A facing 2Ba
a, 41Ba is provided.

According to the fastening means using the connector portion consisting of the shaft end portions 2A and 2B and the connector portion consisting of the elastic fitting portions 41A and 41B, the structure is simplified because the connector portion can serve as both the transmission of the signal and the coupling force. This has the effect of making it easy to attach and detach, making it easy to handle and extremely low manufacturing cost.

Next, in a modified example of the signal extraction means 2 shown in FIG. A power transmission means 42 is provided around it.

That is, a coaxial cable wire 19 for signal transmission is separated into a core wire 17 and an outer wire 18 within the housing 1, and the tips of each are exposed in each connection area 8, and the housing is assembled. 1, and a power transmission means 42 for rotationally driving the probe for scanning is formed of a double tightly wound flexible elastic coil sheath, the tip of which is connected to the signal extraction end of the housing l. The coaxial cable wire 19 is attached to the sheath by integral molding.
, and a driving force is applied to the proximal end of the power transmission means 42 by a driving section.

The drive section includes a motor 43 and an output gear 44 of the motor.
and a drive gear 45 fixed to the sheath and meshing with the output gear 44.

The coaxial cable line 19 inserted into the coil sheath is connected to the amplifier 20 via a joint 46 at its end.

In the ultrasonic probe of the modified example shown in FIG. 19 configured in this way, the rotational force of the motor 43 is transmitted to the probe by the power transmission means 42, whereby the probe rotates and moves toward the object to be examined. scan. The signal received by the vibrator 5 is input to the amplifier 20 via the coaxial cable line 19 and the joint 46.

According to this modification of the probe, since the power transmission means is attached during integral molding, the number of connection steps is reduced, and the cost is accordingly reduced. Also, since it is integrally molded, the strength of the connection part is increased, resulting in high durability. Furthermore, since the coaxial cable is protected, handling becomes easier.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of an ultrasonic probe showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The probe of this embodiment has a coil 47 disposed inside the probe for impedance matching between the vibrator 5 and an external electric circuit section.

In the probe of the seventh embodiment, the signal extracting means 2 side of the housing l is extended, and the outer peripheral surface of the extended cylindrical portion is cut off to form a small diameter recess 1a. An impedance matching coil 47 having an appropriate number of turns is wound around this small-diameter recess 1a, and both ends 47a and 47b of the coil 47 are connected to respective tips of the signal extracting means 2. Further, this coil 47 is covered with an insulating material 4 including the inside of the small diameter recess 1a and the end portion in contact with the conductive member 3. The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 2).

In this seventh embodiment, impedance matching between an external circuit section (not shown) and the vibrator 5 is achieved by a coil 47 wound around the small diameter recess 1a and built into the housing 1, thereby improving performance.

Furthermore, since the coil 47 is provided using the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical housing 1, the coil can be easily wound, and the coil can be wound after connecting the vibrator 5 and the signal line, making it possible to control the number of turns. Furthermore, since it is formed integrally with the housing, it can also be made more compact.

Further, FIG. 21 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe shown in this eighth embodiment also has a housing 1.
This has a built-in impedance matching means. That is, in this embodiment, in order to perform impedance matching, an inductance element 48 is disposed inside the housing 1 when the housing 1 is molded, and the inductance element 48 is connected to the signal extracting means 2 by a lead wire 49, and then the molding process is performed. This is what I did.

With this configuration, compared to the seventh embodiment, there is no need to wind the coil 47, so the cost is lower.

In the seventh and eighth embodiments, the inductance is connected in parallel to the vibrator 5, but it goes without saying that it may be connected in series. Furthermore, an IC chip including a transmitting/receiving circuit may be built in instead of the inductance element.
In this case, signal extraction means for the power source will be additionally formed within the housing. It goes without saying that other electric circuit elements may be molded simultaneously in this manner.

Next, the steps for manufacturing the ultrasonic probe described in each of the above embodiments and modifications will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 27. It is assumed that the ultrasonic probe manufactured by this manufacturing process is the probe of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 above.

The mold for molding the housing 1 in the first embodiment is a mold 50A having a shape as shown in FIG. 23, as shown in an exploded view in FIG.
and mold 50B, and the two cord holders are members 51A,
51B, a middle plate 52, and a resin pot 53.

The above two cord holders are made up of members 51A and 51B and the middle plate 52.
is used for arranging two conductive wires as the signal extraction means 2 in the housing to be molded, and the two conductive wires are sandwiched between the mold 50A,
50B.

The two cord receivers 51A and 51B are made of plate materials having the same shape and size and having an inverted channel shape from the front. As shown in FIG. 24, one cord holder is member 51A, and both cord holders are member 51A,
At the same position on the opposite inner surface of 51B is a conductive wire arrangement groove 54A.
, 54B are provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 24, conductive wires 2 are placed in the arrangement grooves 54A and 54B, respectively.
By fitting the conductive wire 2 and sandwiching the middle plate 52 between them,
is supported. Moreover, when this pinched state is viewed from the bottom, it is as shown in FIG.
A protrusion 55 for forming the recess 7 is provided.

After supporting the conductive wire 2 in this way, the members 51A and 51B of both cord holders and the middle plate 52 are assembled as shown in FIG.
It is fitted onto the upper part of the molds 50A and 50B which are matched and integrated with the molds 56 and 57 (see FIG. 23). As a result, the conductive wire 2 is placed inside the mold.

Further, the housing forming recesses in the image forming molds 50A and 50B are formed in both molds 50A and 50B, as shown in FIG.
, split mold recess 50 formed in half each in 50B.
Aa, 50Ba (one 50Aa is not shown). Then, this split recess 50
Aa.

A molding material is injected into 50Ba from a resin pot 53.

22(A) to 22(D) show the manufacturing process of the ultrasonic probe. In the first step in FIG. 22(A), the mold is first assembled as described above. Thereafter, resin is injected into the split mold recesses 50Aa and 50Ba using the resin pot 53. At this time, injection efficiency can be improved by using a vacuum or the like to promote injection of the resin into the mold, and mold release properties can be improved by applying a mold release agent to the split mold recesses 50Aa and 50Ba in advance. . After the injected resin is cured, the molded housing 1 is placed in a mold 5.
Take it out from 0A and 50B.

At this time, the housing 1 taken out is washed and the mold release agent is removed from the housing 1.

Through this first step, the signal extracting means 2 is integrated into the interior.
In the second step, as shown in FIG. 22(B), a backing material 10 and an acoustic matching layer 11 are laminated on a piezoelectric element 9 having a side electrode 6a. The externally assembled ultrasonic transducer 5 is fixed in the recess 7 of the housing l using an adhesive 14. At this time,
In order to prevent the adhesive 14 from adhering to the side electrode 6a, the fifth. 6. As shown in the modification shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable to provide a pocket or the like for an adhesive reservoir for bonding.

Next, in the third step, as shown in FIG. 22(C), the side electrode 6a of the piezoelectric element 9 and the signal extraction means 2 are connected by the conductive member 3.

Then, in the fourth step, the upper surface of the vibrator 5 is removed and covered with the insulating material 4. The ultrasonic probe is completed.

It should be noted that in each of the above steps, heat treatment may be carried out as necessary to promote curing of the resin.

As described above, the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention uses a resin to create a housing in which the signal extraction means is integrally molded, and
An ultrasonic transducer assembled in a separate process is placed and fixed on this, electrically connected to the signal extracting means, and then insulated from the outside.

According to this method of manufacturing an ultrasonic probe, the outer shape of the probe can be arbitrarily determined, and each step is a relatively simple operation, so no skill is required for the operation.
Probes with stable quality can be produced at low cost.

Furthermore, since the manufacturing process does not require any complicated processing, it is suitable for manufacturing ultrasonic probes with minute shapes.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the signal extraction means and the housing are integrally molded, and then the ultrasonic transducer is mounted and fixed, and electrical connection is made, so that the shape can be easily manufactured. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe that can eliminate the drawbacks of this type of conventional technology.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasound probe showing a conceptual diagram of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasound probe showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X; FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing only the piezoelectric element taken out from FIG. 2; FIGS. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a modification of the ultrasonic probe of the first embodiment, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing the ultrasonic probe of the second and third embodiments of the present invention, respectively. 11 is a perspective view of an ultrasound probe showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams of a housing in the ultrasound probe of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic probe showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Y-Y line in FIG. 13 above. , FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a modification of the ultrasound probe of the fifth embodiment, FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an ultrasound probe showing the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 and 19 are cross-sectional views showing modified examples of the signal extracting means of the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic probe showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The figure is a sectional view of an ultrasonic probe showing the eighth embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 22 (A) to (D) are for explaining each process of manufacturing the ultrasonic probe of the present invention. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a mold used in the manufacturing process of the ultrasonic probe. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing one cord holder fitted into the mold. , Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing the pair of cord holders fitted in the mold and the middle plate, and Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing the pair of cord holders shown in Fig. 25 above between the member and the middle plate. A bottom view, FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the assembled mold, FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a conventional ultrasonic probe. It is a sectional view showing an example. 1, IA, IB, IC, 10...Housing 2
...Signal extraction means 19...Coaxial cable line (signal extraction means) 22...
・FPC (signal extraction means) 3... Conductive wire member (conductive means) 4... Insulating material 5... Ultrasonic probe 6... Electrode 6a... Side electrode 7... Concave part No. 1 Figure 2 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 9 A Figure 10 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 19 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 28 Figure 29

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a housing in which a recess for placing and fixing the ultrasonic transducer is formed, and a signal extracting means is integrally provided; and the recess. An ultrasonic probe comprising: conductive means for connecting an electrode of the ultrasonic transducer mounted and fixed to the signal extraction means;