JPH04138144A - Ultrasonic coupler - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable elastic acoustic media to be changed without being demounted from an ultrasonic probe by providing the first retaining body for holding the elastic acoustic media with a portion effective for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave kept open, and the second retaining body for so holding the first retaining body as to be detachable and detachably engaged with the ultrasonic probe. CONSTITUTION:A ultrasonic coupler 11 is constituted with a holder 12, and a frame body 14 filled with flexible or elastic acoustic media 13 such as hydrate gel. The holder 12 has a pair of elastically movable probe fixing sections 123. An ultrasonic probe is inserted in space between the aforesaid sections 123, and coupled to the holder 12. The acoustic emission side of the probe is positioned at the bottom of the frame body insertion aperture 122 of the holder 12, and made open. The frame body 14 is coupled to the frame insertion aperture 122 and fixed to the holder 12. According to the aforesaid construction, the frame body 14, the holder 12 and the ultrasonic probe can easily be mounted or demounted. In addition, the holder 12 allows the change of various types of the frame body 14 filled with the elastic acoustic body 13 mounting the probe therewith, and thereby providing a multipurpose service.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic coupler interposed between an ultrasonic probe and a subject.

[Prior Art] Since the acoustic radiation surface of an ultrasound probe is a rigid body, in order to improve its adhesion to the uneven surface of a living body or other object, it is necessary to
An elastic or flexible material such as hydrogel may be used by interposing it between the body and the surface of the subject. In order to hold this elastic acoustic medium in the probe, a holding member called an ultrasonic coupler is usually used. A coupler is a removable accessory added to an ultrasound probe. In the conventional method, an elastic acoustic medium is fixedly attached to the coupler. When it is desired to use elastic acoustic media with different thicknesses depending on the purpose of measurement, or when the elastic acoustic medium has deteriorated, the elastic acoustic medium is replaced with the coupler.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention J] Therefore, the types of couplers have been diversified depending on the type of elastic acoustic medium to be prepared. In addition, it was necessary to prepare spare couplers for each type of coupler in case the elastic acoustic medium deteriorated. In order to share the coupler, removing the elastic acoustic medium from the coupler and replacing it becomes a very complicated task because the design does not take attachment and detachment into consideration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and provide an ultrasonic coupler in which the elastic acoustic medium can be replaced while the coupler is attached to an ultrasonic probe.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, an ultrasonic coupler added to an ultrasonic probe having an acoustic radiation surface that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves has a first main body that contacts the acoustic radiation surface. surface, and a second surface that contacts the subject.
an elastic acoustic medium having a main surface; a first holder that holds the elastic acoustic medium with the first and second main surfaces effective for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves open; and an ultrasonic probe. and a second holder that is removably attached to the ultrasonic probe and that removably holds the first holder, and the second holder removably engages with the ultrasound probe.

"Function" The ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention is configured to be separated into a first holder and a second holder filled with an elastic acoustic medium. By making the main dimensions related to the part that connects the first and second holders the same regardless of the type of frame or elastic acoustic medium, it is possible to The device can be replaced by replacing the first holder.

[Embodiments] Next, embodiments of the ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention, and FIG. 1A is a side view of the embodiment.
Further, FIG. 1B shows a side cross section thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the frame engaged with the coupler, Fig. 82A is its side view, Fig. 2B
The figure is a side sectional view.

Further, FIG. 2C shows a side view in the long sleeve direction, and FIG. 2D shows a side cross section. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe equipped with an ultrasonic coupler.

The ultrasound probe 10 has an acoustic radiation surface 100 at its lower part in FIG. 8, and a connection cable 102 for connecting to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus at its upper part. Referring to FIG. 1, the ultrasonic coupler 11 is composed of a holder 12 and a rectangular frame 14 in this embodiment filled with a flexible or elastic acoustic medium 13 such as hydrogel. There is.

The holder 12 is a hollow housing with a probe insertion port 12 penetrating it.
0 and a frame body insertion opening 122 are formed. There are a pair of elastically movable probe fixing parts 123 on both sides of the probe insertion opening 120 in the long sleeve direction, and when the ultrasound probe 10 is inserted between them, the protruding part of the probe fixing part 123 123A are respectively fitted into the grooves 104 on both sides of the probe IO and click-stopped, and the probe 10 is coupled to the holster 12.

The acoustic radiation surface 100 of the ultrasound probe IO is located at the bottom of the frame insertion port 122 of the bolt 12. Frame insertion port 122
Frame fixing portions +24 protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction.

In this embodiment, the frame body 14 has a flat rectangular shape, and a pair of main surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped formed by the frame body 14 are open.

Convex portions 140 are formed at both end portions of the frame 14 forming the short sides. The frame 14 is fitted into the frame insertion opening 122 and fixed. The frame body 14 is fixed to the holter 12, and the acoustic radiation surface 100 of the ultrasonic probe io is in contact with one main surface of the elastic acoustic medium 13, and the other main surface is exposed from the holter 12 and covered by the coupler 11. This is the surface that comes into contact with the specimen.

Since the frame fixing part 124 is elastically movable about the connection part with the main body of the holder 12 as a fulcrum, it allows the frame 14 to be easily attached and detached. Similarly, since the probe fixing part 123 is elastically movable using the connection part with the main body of the holter 12 as a fulcrum, the ultrasonic probe 10 can be easily attached and detached.

FIG. 83 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention, FIG. 3A is a side view thereof, FIG. 3B is a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame; FIG. 4A is a side view thereof, and FIG. 4B is a side sectional view thereof. Furthermore, the 4th C
The figure shows a side view in the long sleeve direction, and Figure 4D shows a side cross section.
The ultrasonic coupler 21 shown in FIG. 3 is composed of a holter 22 and a frame 24 filled with an elastic acoustic medium 23. The ultrasonic probe 10 (FIG. 8) is inserted into the holder 22. A recess 2]4 is formed at one end of the frame insertion opening 212 of the bolt 22, and a biasing member 228 such as a spring pin or a parallel pin is disposed at the leg 226 at the other end. A U-shaped groove 26 and a convex portion 28 are formed at both ends of the frame body 24. Hook the U-shaped groove 28 of the frame 24 onto the pin 228, and using this as a fulcrum, insert the frame 24 into the recess 214 at the other end.
The frame body 24 is fixed by fitting the convex portion 28 thereinto.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention, FIG. 5A is a side view thereof, and FIG. 5B is a side sectional view thereof. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the frame, FIG. 8A is a side view thereof, FIG. 6B is a side sectional view, FIG. 6C is a side view in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 6D is a side sectional view. . Fifth
The coupler 31 shown in the figure has six holders 32 that are composed of a holter 32 and a frame 34 that holds one elastic acoustic medium 33.
An ultrasonic probe 10 (FIG. 8) is inserted. coupler 31
A sandwich plate 311 is attached to the short side end of the rectangular area corresponding to the ultrasonic radiation opening in the direction of the long sleeve of the holter 32 in a state where it is biased by a torsion coil spring 312. These may be attached in the short axis direction of the holter 32.

The frame body 34 is fixed by pushing the sandwiching plate 311 in a direction that compresses the coil spring 312 and sandwiching it between the sandwiching plate 311 and the holder 32.

Figures 7A, 7B and 7C show coupler 1 of Figure 1.
In the frames 15 and 16 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively, which show configuration examples of various frames installed in the frame 1,
The lower surface 15A of the elastic acoustic medium 13 is flat, but in the frame 17 shown in FIG. 7C, it is curved to form a concave surface. In each frame, the thicknesses tl, t2, and t3 of the elastic acoustic medium 13 are different, but the length L and width W are constant. In each of the frames 15, 16 and 17, a convex portion 140 that fits into a concave portion of the coupler 11 is located at a predetermined height to from the upper surface 13B of the elastic acoustic medium 13. In this way, by making the main dimensions related to the part that connects the frame holder such as the holder 12 and the frame the same for each frame, it is possible to improve the state in which the holder 12 is attached to the ultrasound probe 10, for example. You can exchange various frames with . Similarly, in the case of the couplers 22 and 32 of the second and third embodiments, various types of frames can be used by making the main dimensions of the frames the same.

[Effects of the Invention] The ultrasonic coupler holder according to the present invention can be used interchangeably with various types of frames filled with an elastic acoustic medium in a state in which an ultrasonic probe is installed. Compared to conventional dedicated couplers, it is possible to economically construct a versatile and space-saving coupler system.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention, FIG. 1A is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1B is a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame in the same embodiment, Figure 2A is a side view of the frame shown in Figure 2, Figure 2B is a side sectional view thereof, Figure 2C is a side view in the longitudinal direction, and Figure 2D is a side view of the frame shown in Figure 2. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention; FIG. 3A is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 3B is a side sectional view thereof; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the frame in the second embodiment, Fig. 4A is a side view of the frame in the second embodiment, Fig. 4B is a side sectional view thereof, and Fig. 4C is a side view in the long sleeve direction. , FIG. 4D is a side sectional view, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention, FIG. 5A is a side view of the third embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a side sectional view thereof. , FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the frame of the third embodiment, and FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the frame of the third embodiment.
FIG. 6B is a side sectional view of the frame body of the embodiment, FIG. 6C is a side view in the long sleeve direction, FIG. 6D is a side sectional view, and FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of an ultrasonic probe equipped with the coupler according to the embodiment of the present invention. . Theory of signs for important parts 10゜11, 21, 3I. +2.22,32. 14.24,34. 13 23.33゜Ultrasonic probe coupler Holter frame Body elastic acoustic medium

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An ultrasonic coupler added to an ultrasonic probe having an acoustic radiation surface for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, the coupler comprising: a first main surface in contact with the acoustic radiation surface; an elastic acoustic medium having a second main surface that contacts the specimen; and a first holder that holds the elastic acoustic medium with the first and second main surfaces effective for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves open. and a second holder that is detachably attached to the ultrasonic probe and that removably holds the first holder, the second holder is attached to the ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic coupler characterized in that the coupler is detachably engaged.