JPH0467862B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic tomography apparatus, and particularly to an ultrasonic tomography apparatus equipped with a display device that improves operability for an observer or the like.

[Prior art]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a linear electronic scanning ultrasonic tomography apparatus that has been widely used in the past.

In FIG. 1, 1 is the main body of the apparatus, and 2 is a CRT display for displaying tomographic images and the like on the main body 1 of the apparatus. A probe 3 is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject 4, and the probe 3 and the apparatus main body 1 are connected by a cable 5. In such a conventional linear electronic scanning ultrasonic diagnostic layer device, the tomographic image displayed on the CRT display 2 is always observed and at the same time the probe 3 is moved to obtain a tomographic image of a predetermined region. However, in this case, it is impossible to view the probe 3 and the CRT display 2 at the same time, and the probe 3 usually has to be moved by hand. In order to solve this problem, an ultra-compact linear electronic scanning type ultrasonic tomography apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 was proposed. This ultra-compact linear electronic scanning type ultrasonic tomography apparatus is an integrated device of the apparatus main body 1 and probe 3 of the apparatus shown in FIG.

In addition, in all the figures, parts having equivalent functions are given the same symbols, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 2, 6 is an electronic circuit, 7 is a power source for the device, and the CRT display 2, the probe 3 in contact with the body surface of the subject 4, the electronic circuit 6, and the power source 7 are connected to the center diameter. It is stored in a storage container 8 which has become smaller. This apparatus has the advantage that by scanning the probe 3 over the subject 4, the position of the probe 3 and the CRT display 2 attached to the top of the storage container 8 can be observed simultaneously.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, as shown in FIG. 2, the observer's eyes must be moved simultaneously with the movement of the storage container 8, and depending on the position of the storage container 8, it may be difficult to observe the displayed tomographic image. It may happen. Furthermore, if the entire device is made smaller, the CRT display 2 must also be made smaller, which poses a problem in that it becomes difficult for the observer to observe.

Further, percutaneous biopsy is a useful field of application of the linear electronic scanning ultrasonic tomography device.

The schematic configuration of the device with percutaneous biopsy function is shown in the third section.
As shown in the figure.

In FIG. 3, the probe 3 usually consists of a rectangular parallelepiped transducer support member 3A and a transducer 3B, and a triangular slit 3C that widens from the bottom to the top of the transducer support member 3A is provided. A hollow puncture needle 9 for puncturing is guided into the body of the subject 4. Due to the shape of the slit 3C, inside the body of the subject 4,
Puncture can be introduced at any angle within a regulated angle range. As is well known, a large number of narrow transducers 3B are arranged adjacent to each other on the bottom surface of the probe 3, that is, the part that is in contact with the body surface of the subject 4, and these are connected to lead wires. It is connected to the main body 1 of the apparatus by a cable 5 via 5'.

Next, the operation of this device will be explained.

In FIG. 3, the probe 3 is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject 4 near the predetermined part to be punctured,
At that time, the obtained tomographic image is displayed on the CRT display 2.
Move the probe 3 to the optimal position while observing with . Once the position of the probe 3 is determined, the probe 3 is aimed at the aiming point inside the body of the subject 4, and puncture is performed while viewing the image of the puncture needle 9 on the tomographic image displayed on the CRT display 2. In this operation, it is necessary to observe the puncture needle 9 and the subject 4 as well as the tomographic image displayed on the CRT display 2. In such a device, the distance between the probe 3 and the CRT display 2 is extremely difficult to operate, and requires a lot of effort on the part of the observer such as a doctor, causing fatigue. There was a problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows easy operation and observation of a vibrator support and improves operability for observers and the like.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention basically includes a support member in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in parallel on a surface that comes into contact with a subject surface, and a parallel arrangement of the transducers in this support member. The ultrasonic probe is equipped with an ultrasonic probe having a set surface and a puncture needle disposed in a slit formed across a surface opposite to the juxtaposed surface, and a tomographic image is displayed on a monitor surface from the output of each of the ultrasonic transducers. An ultrasonic tomography device for displaying information, comprising a plate-shaped display device attached to one side of the supporting member of the ultrasonic probe that is orthogonal to the surface on which the transducers are arranged and parallel to the slit. The display device is characterized in that it can display a tomographic image either the same as the monitor or in place of the monitor.

[Effect]

Among various types of ultrasonic probes, in particular, a support member on which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged side by side has a slit formed between the surface on which the transducers are arranged side by side and the surface opposite to this side. In the case of an ultrasonic probe with a puncture needle disposed inside, it is necessary to move the puncture needle while constantly observing the tomographic plane on which the tip of the puncture needle is located.

Therefore, in such an ultrasonic probe,
A display device is attached to the support member, and the tomographic image is displayed on the display device as the same as a monitor or in place of the monitor.The puncture needle is operated while looking at the monitor located far away from the ultrasound probe. Diagnosis efficiency can be improved since there is no need to do this.

Since the display device attached to the support member is plate-shaped so as not to make the ultrasound probe bulky, it has the effect of not impairing the operability of the puncture needle. It has become something that people have.

Moreover, the display device is attached to one side of the support member that is perpendicular to the surface on which the driver elements are arranged and parallel to the slit. Therefore, when operating the puncture needle, the display device is positioned so that it is easily visible to the operator.

Therefore, according to the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an ultrasonic probe whose puncture needle is extremely easy to operate for the various reasons mentioned above.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a linear electronic scanning type ultrasonic tomography apparatus equipped with a puncture probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, and 10 is a display panel (display device). This display panel 1
0 may be a liquid crystal matrix display, a matrix display using fluorescent discharge tubes, a plasma matrix display, an EL matrix display, etc., but among the ones currently in practical use, smaller size and lower power consumption A liquid crystal matrix display is effective in terms of resolution, etc. The display panel 10 is supported by a display panel support frame 11. The display panel support frame 11 is rotatably attached by a hinge 12 to a predetermined position of the transducer support member 3A, such as the upper part, where the probe 3 can be easily operated and observed. Further, the display panel support frame 11 may be attached to the vibrator support member 3A so that it can be removed as necessary. Lead wires for power, signals, etc. to the display panel 10 are connected to the main body 1 of the apparatus by a cable 5 together with lead wires (not shown) of the vibrator 3B.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be explained.

The probe 3 is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject 4 near the predetermined part to be punctured, and the probe 3 is moved to the optimal position while observing the tomographic image obtained at that time on the display panel 10. . At this time, the display panel 10 is rotatably attached to a predetermined position of the transducer support member 3A that allows easy operation and observation of the probe 3, so it can be adjusted depending on the lighting, the position of the operator's eyes, etc. Can be tilted. Once the position of the probe 3 is determined, it is aimed at an aiming point inside the body of the subject 4 and punctured on the tomographic image displayed on the display panel 10 on the probe 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a display panel support frame 11 is rotatably attached to the side surface of a vibrator support member 3A of a vibrator 3B with a hinge 12. That is, the display panel 10 is configured so that it can be set to any desired inclination and can also be reversed. Further, the display panel support frame 11 may be detachably attached so that it can be removed from the vibrator support member 3A if necessary. With this configuration, for example, the tomographic image can be observed from the direction of arrow A, making it easy to operate when handling a person lying on a bed or in a position with a high line of sight such as when the operator is standing. Can be done.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the display device is fixed or rotatably provided at a predetermined position of the transducer support member, which makes it easy to operate and observe the probe. , the labor of observers etc. can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the general configuration of a conventional linear electronic scanning type ultrasonic tomography device, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the general configuration of a conventional ultra-small linear electronically operated type ultrasonic tomography device, and Fig. 3 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a linear electronic scanning ultrasonic tomography apparatus equipped with a conventional puncture needle, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a figure showing the composition of an example. In the figure, 1... device main body, 2... CRT display, 3... probe, 3A... transducer support member,
3B... Vibration chamber, 3C... Slit, 4... Subject, 5... Cable, 5'... Lead wire, 6...
Electronic circuit, 7...Power supply, 8...Storage container, 9...
Puncture needle, 10... Display panel, 11...
Display panel support frame, 12...hinge.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A support member in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged side by side on a surface that comes into contact with the object surface, a surface of this support member on which the transducers are arranged side by side, and a surface opposite to this side-by-side surface. In an ultrasonic tomography apparatus, the ultrasonic tomography apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe equipped with a puncture needle disposed in a slit formed by the ultrasonic transducer, and displays a tomographic image on a monitor screen from the output of each of the ultrasonic transducers. A plate-shaped display device is attached to one side of the support member of the probe that is perpendicular to the transducer parallel surface and parallel to the slit, and the display device is the same as the monitor. Alternatively, an ultrasonic tomography apparatus characterized in that a tomographic image can be displayed in place of the monitor.