JPH07184903A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a flexible ultrasonic diagnostic device for performing high-speed three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning and reducing the burden of a patient with simple configuration. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with a rotating means for rotating an ultrasonic vibrator transducer, axial direction moving means such as a stepping motor 30 for axially moving the vibrator transducer, display means for displaying the ultrasonic tomographic image of a reagent synchronously with the rotating means, image fetching means for fetching the ultrasonic tomographic image synchronously with the axial movement of this vibrator transducer, and means for varying the fetching interval of the ultrasonic image. For example, the fetching interval is widened by accelerating the axial moving speed by turning the motor 30 at high speed corresponding to the switching of high-speed and low-speed clocks from a clock supplying part 33, and the fetching interval is narrowed by turning the motor at low speed. Normally, the fetching interval to be provided is widely set, the number of ultrasonic tomographic images is decreased, time for fetching is shortened, and the burden of the patient is reduced. When precision is required, detailed information is provided by narrowing the fetching interval corresponding to switching. Operability is improved as well.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a probe for diagnosing a body cavity, a mechanical radial scan type probe using a single plate vibrator is used. In recent years, it has been attempted to perform three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning in which a plurality of ultrasonic tomographic images are obtained by advancing and retracting the transducer of such a probe in the axial direction.

[0003]

However, when a plurality of ultrasonic tomographic images are obtained by such three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning, the number of ultrasonic tomographic images obtained in the intracavity ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is increased. If so, it may take a long time to capture the ultrasonic tomographic image, so that the inspection and diagnosis by the ultrasonic scanning requires a long time.
Therefore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 203848/1990, it is attempted to perform three-dimensional scanning using a two-dimensional array, but the method shown in this one has a complicated structure. There are drawbacks such as becoming.

The present invention can perform high-speed three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning with a simple structure and reduce the burden on the patient.
Moreover, it is intended to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having excellent adaptability.

[0005]

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention comprises rotating means for rotating an ultrasonic vibrator of an ultrasonic probe, axial moving means for moving the ultrasonic vibrator in an axial direction, Display means for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image of the subject in synchronization with the rotating means, image capturing means for capturing the ultrasonic tomographic image in synchronization with the axial movement of the ultrasonic transducer, and the ultrasonic image thereof. And a means for varying the take-in interval.

[0006]

In the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe has a rotating means, an axial moving means, an ultrasonic tomographic image displaying means, and an image capturing means.
-Dimensional ultrasonic scanning is possible, and in such scanning, by varying the ultrasonic image capturing interval, three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning can be performed at high speed with a simpler configuration than before,
An intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of reducing the burden on a patient is realized. Normally, it is preferable to set a wide interval for capturing ultrasonic images, and by doing so, the number of obtained ultrasonic tomographic images is reduced and the time required for capturing is shortened. On the other hand, when scrutiny is required, By narrowing the capture interval, it is possible to easily obtain detailed information. This device, which has a variable ultrasonic image acquisition interval, can shorten the acquisition scanning time during normal operation, reduce the burden on the patient, and even when scrutiny is necessary. In response to this, the operability and handling are good, and it is possible to deal with this point.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic probe and a drive section thereof, and FIG. 3 shows a block configuration in a main control section. Shown respectively.

In the system block of FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic transducer at its tip. The ultrasonic probe 1 is connected and connected to a drive unit 2, and the drive unit 2 is connected to an observation device 3. The observation device 3 is further connected to a display means for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image and a keyboard (K / B) 17. The display means is
Here, it is the CRT 14.

In the observation device 3, a transmitter 4 and a receiver 5 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals to and from the ultrasonic probe 1.
Is provided, and the A / D unit 6 is connected to the receiving unit 5. The A / D section 6 digitizes the analog signal from the receiving section 5 and, via a buffer 7 (buffer A) controlled by the write control section 8, a frame memory 9
To supply data to.

Data is read from the frame memory 9 through the buffer 11 (buffer B) controlled by the read / write controller 10, and this is read by the coordinate converter 1.
The coordinates are converted in 2 and the D / A unit 13 performs D / A conversion.
An ultrasonic image is displayed on the CRT 14. The data read from the frame memory 9 is stored in the image storage memory 15
It is also supplied to the (image recording memory), and the memory 15 stores a plurality of ultrasonic image data.

The driving unit 2, the transmitting unit 4, the receiving unit 5, and A
The / D unit 6, the write control unit 8, and the read / write control unit 10 are controlled by the main control unit 16 in the observation device 3, and the keyboard 17 is connected to the main control unit 16. .

An example of the configuration of the drive unit 2 and the ultrasonic probe 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The drive unit 2 includes means for rotating the ultrasonic vibrator in the ultrasonic probe 1 and the ultrasonic vibrator. Includes means for axial movement. In FIG. 2, as illustrated, the ultrasonic probe 1 is provided with a sheath 19 and the ultrasonic transducer 18 is fixed to a housing 20 arranged in the sheath 19. Also, the housing 20
Connects this to one end of the flexible shaft 21,
The other end of the flexible shaft 21 is connected to the driving force transmission means 22 in the drive unit 2.

The driving force transmission means 22 is connected to an inner shaft 23, and the inner shaft 23 is slidably fitted to the outer shaft 24. The outer shaft 24 is connected to the DC motor 25, and when the DC motor 25 rotates,
The ultrasonic transducer 18 is rotationally driven through the above components. The encoder (shaft encoder) 26 installed coaxially with the DC motor 25 is a DC motor 25.
Together with this, it is connected to the main control unit 16 in the observation device 3.

The driving force transmitting means 22 is composed of the connecting member 2.
The ball screw 2 which is connected to the ball screw nut 28 via 7 and in which the ball screw nut 28 is installed.
9 is connected to the stepping motor 30. The ball screw 29 is rotated by the rotation of the stepping motor 30, but with the movement of the ball screw nut 28 relative to the ball screw 29, the movement of the housing 20 for ultrasonic transducer placement via the driving force transmission means 22 and the flexible shaft 21, Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 18 is moved in the axial direction. Such stepping motor 30
Is connected to the main control unit 16 in the observation device 3.
As described above, the present embodiment can be configured to include means for rotating the ultrasonic transducer 18 and moving the ultrasonic transducer 18 in the axial direction.

The main controller 16 to which the DC motor 25, the encoder 26, and the stepping motor 30 having the above-mentioned structure are connected is used during the ultrasonic diagnostic examination when the ultrasonic probe 1 is inserted into the body cavity of the patient. Sound wave oscillator 1
When the ultrasonic tomographic image of the subject is displayed in synchronization with the rotation of 8, when the ultrasonic tomographic image is acquired in synchronization with the axial movement of the ultrasonic transducer 18, the acquisition interval of the ultrasonic image is changed. It is configured including the means to.

In the present embodiment, the structure shown in FIG. 3, which is a block diagram of the inside of the main controller 16, can be adopted. In the figure, the DC motor 25 is connected to the motor control section 31 in the main control section 16 together with the encoder 26. The DC motor 25 is a motor for rotationally driving the ultrasonic vibrator 1, and the ultrasonic vibrator 1 is rotated at a predetermined constant rotation speed. Such control is performed by the motor control unit 31 to which the encoder 26 is connected. Done.

The stepping motor 30 includes a driver section 3
2 (driver control unit), and the driver unit 32 is connected to the clock supply unit 33. A clock supply unit 33 that supplies a clock to the driver unit 32 is connected to the keyboard 17, and in the illustrated example, the clock supply unit 33 includes a high-speed clock generation unit 34 and a low-speed clock generation unit. The unit 35 is connected so that a high-speed clock and a low-speed clock are supplied.

Further, here, the clock supply unit 33 is
It is composed of a switching means (electronic switching switch or the like) for switching between the high speed clock and the low speed clock, and a control signal for the switching can be given by an operator's input from the keyboard 17. Stepping motor 3
The stepping motor 30 rotates at a speed commensurate with the clock supplied to the driver unit 32 connected to 0, but the stepping motor 30 is rotated at high speed to increase the moving speed of the ultrasonic transducer 18 in the axial direction. By doing so, the capturing interval of the ultrasonic tomographic images synchronized with the axial movement of the ultrasonic transducer 18 can be widened, and by rotating at low speed, the capturing interval can be narrowed. With the above configuration, switching is performed for these (here, two types of switching, a wide capturing interval and a narrow capturing interval).

In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 1 is inserted into the body cavity of a patient, and the diagnosis by three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning is performed as follows. Hereinafter, according to the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, more detailed description will be given, including their functions, actions, and the like, when performing ultrasonic diagnosis.

At the time of inspection, the driving unit 2 configured as described above
In the above, the DC motor 25, which is a rotating unit, is controlled by the motor control unit 31 to have a constant rotation speed based on a signal from the encoder 26. Therefore, in this case, the DC motor 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a housing 20 in the ultrasonic probe 1 and an ultrasonic transducer 18 attached to the housing, which are connected via an outer shaft 24, an inner shaft 23, a driving force transmission means 22, and a flexible shaft 21 and rotate at a constant rotation speed. (Figs. 2 and 3).

At this time, ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received by using the transmission unit 4 and the reception unit 5 in the observation apparatus 3 connected to the ultrasonic transducer 18 via a signal transmission cable (not shown), and an analog signal is transmitted. A / D conversion unit 6 converts into a digital signal,
The data is stored in the frame memory 9 via the buffer 7. Then, this signal is sent to the coordinate conversion unit 12 via the buffer 11, the coordinates are converted, the D / A conversion unit 13 converts it into an analog signal, and the CRT 14 displays it (FIG. 1). The display timing at this time is based on the output of the encoder 26. In this way, the ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed by mechanical radial scanning in synchronization with the rotating means for rotating the ultrasonic transducer 18.

Here, a signal for one ultrasonic tomographic image is stored in the frame memory 9 each time the encoder 26 makes one rotation. Therefore, when the signal stored in the frame memory 9 is fetched into the image storage memory 15 under the control of the main control unit 16 by using the origin signal which outputs one pulse per one rotation from the encoder 26 as a trigger, a plurality of super-images are recorded. The sonic tomographic image can be captured in the image storage memory 15.

On the other hand, when the driver 32 for the stepping motor of the main controller 16 is supplied with a clock of a predetermined cycle, the stepping motor 30 rotates at a speed commensurate with it. The rotation of the stepping motor 30 causes the ball screw 29 to rotate, which causes the ball screw nut 28 to move in the axial direction. Then, the ultrasonic transducer 18 connected and connected to the ball screw nut 28 via the connecting member 27, the driving force transmitting means 22, the flexible shaft 21, and the housing 20 also moves in the axial direction (FIG. 2). When the clock supplied to the driver unit 32 is a constant clock, the ultrasonic transducer 18 moves in the axial direction at a constant speed.

As described above, when the ultrasonic transducer 18 is rotated by the DC motor 25 side at a constant speed and is axially moved by the stepping motor 30 side at a constant speed, the origin signal is triggered as described above. When the ultrasonic tomographic image is captured as, the ultrasonic tomographic image can be captured in synchronization with the axial movement of the ultrasonic transducer 18.

At this time, however, the keyboard (K /
B) When the high speed clock and the low speed clock from the high speed clock generation unit 34 and the low speed clock generation unit 35 are selectively switched by the control signal from 17 through the clock supply unit 33, the clock supplied to the driver unit 32 changes. Therefore, the rotation speed of the stepping motor 30 changes, and thus the moving speed of the ultrasonic transducer 18 in the axial direction can be changed (FIGS. 2 and 3). Here, as described above, the ultrasonic transducer 18 at the tip of the ultrasonic probe is rotated at a constant rotation speed. That is, the DC motor 25 is controlled to rotate at a constant speed by the motor control unit 31 based on the signal from the encoder 26, and the time interval for capturing the ultrasonic tomographic image in the image storage memory 15 is constant (FIG. 1). ~
3). Therefore, when the moving speed of the ultrasonic transducer 18 changes, the capturing interval in the axial direction changes.

From the above, regarding the axial moving speed of the ultrasonic transducer 18, when the moving speed is high and the moving speed is lower than that,
Two modes can be set and can be switched, and the image capture interval can be made variable. It is preferable to set as follows. That is, the ultrasonic transducer 1
The axial movement range of 8 is fixed, and normally, by supplying a high-speed clock from the clock generation section 34 to the clock supply section 32, the stepping motor 30 is rotated at high speed, and the movement speed of the ultrasonic transducer 18 is increased. To do. In this case, the above-mentioned capturing interval is widened, and as a result, the number of captured sheets is reduced and the capturing time is shortened.

Then, in the case where a detailed examination is required as required for the condition of the portion to be inspected or the like and more detailed information is desired, the operator switches this by operating the keyboard 17. That is, when scrutiny is required, a control signal is sent from the keyboard 17 to the clock supply unit 33 through the main control unit 16 and a low-speed clock is supplied from the clock generation unit 35 to the driver unit 32 to narrow the capturing interval, It takes time to capture.

According to this embodiment, as described above, the ultrasonic image capturing intervals can be changed to two types. When the axial movement range of the ultrasonic transducer 18 is fixed by increasing the capture interval as the axial movement speed is increased, the capture time can be shortened and the burden on the patient can be reduced. Further, it is possible to easily meet the request for close inspection. When scrutinization is required, it is possible to switch immediately and operability is good. It is easy to use and can contribute to the improvement of operability when using this kind of three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning ultrasonic probe with a simpler structure than before, and the burden on the patient during three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning is reduced. .

Next, another embodiment will be described. What is shown by way of example below is an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic vibrator at its tip, a rotating means for rotating the ultrasonic vibrator, and an ultrasonic vibrator, as in the above-described embodiment (first embodiment). Axial moving means for moving in the axial direction, display means for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image of the subject in synchronization with the rotating means, and image capturing for capturing the ultrasonic tomographic image in synchronization with the axial movement of the transducer In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a configuration in which the capturing interval of the ultrasonic image is variable as the apparatus including the means, and further, as the ultrasonic probe used for the apparatus, a configuration in which a reinforcing member is enclosed over the entire length of the sheath is added. In the case of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, or in the case of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further including a probe in which the reinforcing member of the acoustic window portion is a wire and the wire is arranged in the axial direction in the ultrasonic probe. An embodiment according to the.

This is based on the following consideration. When performing three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning, the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe is mechanically moved back and forth in the axial direction inside the sheath to perform this operation. At this time, the ultrasonic transducer moves the ultrasonic medium inside the sheath. There is a case in which the sheath is compressed and an axial force is applied to the sheath, which causes expansion of the sheath and stretches the sheath. In the case of an ultrasonic probe in which the elongation of the sheath greatly exceeds a certain level, if the sheath expands, the gap between the probe tip and the transducer will become larger than that initially set, and the probe tip will become larger. And the actual ultrasonic scanning surface are separated from each other. As a result, also in this point, such a probe is used as a probe used in a three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus involving axial movement of the ultrasonic transducer. As an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic transducer, usability is deteriorated.

When the sheath extends and the gap between the tip of the probe and the ultrasonic transducer becomes large, the pressure of the medium inside the probe also decreases, and the bubbles that have melted in the medium precipitate. At this point, it will also affect the image. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it is necessary to scrutinize as described above, and if you want to obtain more detailed information, you can do this by changing the capturing interval of ultrasonic images,
At this time, the influence of the air bubbles on the image as described above hinders the inspection and diagnosis.

As a measure against the elongation of the sheath as described above, if the sheath is expanded, it is conceivable to cut the expanded excess sheath by using a welding cutter or the like, which is troublesome and troublesome. Therefore, the handling of this kind of probe is not convenient in this respect.

Based on these considerations, the following embodiment is suitable for being combined with that of the first embodiment, and ultrasonic waves capable of preventing elongation of the sheath by embedding a reinforcing member in the entire length of the sheath. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a probe is provided. Further, by devising a reinforcing member arranged on the sheath, it is intended to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe capable of preventing the sheath from expanding and acoustically blocking the acoustic window. is there. These objectives are achieved as follows.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the essential parts of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment, which is an example of the configuration of the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe 1 having the ultrasonic transducer 18 at the tip. is there. In this embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the structure of the probe tip is different from that of the first embodiment.
That is, the drive unit 2, the observation device 3, the keyboard 17, the CRT
The 14 parts are the same. The main part will be described below. In the present embodiment, the sheath 1 of the ultrasonic probe 1 is described.
A blade 37 is enclosed as a reinforcing member in 9 except the acoustic window 36. Furthermore, here, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, three thin metal wires 38 are enclosed in the acoustic window 36.

In this configuration example, the blade 37 and the metal wire 38 are used.
Is a combination that properly achieves the function of the reinforcing member. By embedding a reinforcing member in the entire length of the sheath, it is possible to prevent the expansion of the sheath, and as a reinforcing member to be arranged in the sheath, by arranging a thin strand of wire in the axial direction in the acoustic window, there is an acoustic problem. Without this, the sheath can be prevented from stretching.

Specifically, in the ultrasonic probe 1 constructed as described above, the metal wire 38 particularly fulfills the following functional functions. That is, the metal wire 38 serves as an acoustic reflector, but the vibrator opening surface 39 is, for example, 2 mm × 2 m.
When the thickness is about m, the thin metal wire 38 has a thickness of, for example, 0.
If it is set to about 03 mm, the area of the vibrator opening surface 39 across which the metal wire 38 crosses is about 0.06 mm, which is 1.5% of the total opening area of 4 mm (= 2 mm × 2 mm).
It does not affect the ultrasound image. Further, by disposing the three metal wires 38 as shown in FIG. 4, the two metal wires 38 do not simultaneously block the vibrator opening surface 39.

Further, when the ultrasonic transducer 18 has an axially movable structure as shown in FIG. 2 and moves back and forth in the axial direction, it acts like a piston and a force for stretching the sheath 19 acts. The force is absorbed by the metal wire 38 and prevents the sheath 19 from stretching.

It is also avoided that the probe tip is separated from the actual ultrasonic scanning surface due to the elongation of the sheath as discussed above and the usability is deteriorated, and the pressure of the medium inside the probe is reduced. It is also possible to avoid bubbles from precipitating and affecting the image, and it is not necessary to cut the extra sheath with a welding cutter.
The extension of the sheath 19 can be appropriately prevented, and
By devising a reinforcing member arranged on the sheath 19, it is possible to avoid acoustically closing the acoustic window 36.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the first
It is possible to provide a probe that can achieve the same operational effects as the embodiment, improve the operability of the ultrasonic probe with a simple configuration, reduce the burden on the patient during three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning, and are easy for the operator to handle. It can be done by moving the ultrasonic transducer in the axial direction.
It is possible to properly prevent the extension of the sheath of the acoustic window without affecting the ultrasonic image obtained by the three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning.

Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment (third embodiment) is different from that of the first embodiment in the structure of the flexible shaft. The other components are the same. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the flexible shaft 21 in the present embodiment, and short metal wires 40, 40, ... Are alternately attached to the flexible shaft 21 as shown in the figure.

The present embodiment has the following advantages in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment. That is, since the flexible shaft is usually composed of a coil shaft, the flexible shaft expands when it is pulled in the axial direction in three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning. .., 40, 40, ... Receiving individually, the expansion of the flexible shaft 21 itself is suppressed. Furthermore, the metal wires 40,
The flexibility of the flexible shaft 21 is appropriately maintained by shortening 40, ... And sticking them alternately as shown. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the function and effect in which the shaft for driving the ultrasonic transducer can be made to be hard to extend in the axial direction while maintaining flexibility. Note that this embodiment may be implemented in combination with the second embodiment. In that case, both effects are further added to the first embodiment.

Next, regarding still another embodiment of the present invention,
This will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment (fourth embodiment) is different from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the ultrasonic probe portion,
The other components are the same. FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the drive unit 2 in this embodiment, and corresponds to a part of the left side portion in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the sheath of the ultrasonic probe 1 is composed of an inner sheath that covers the ultrasonic transducer and an outer sheath on the outer side thereof, and as shown in FIG. 7, the flexible shaft 21 together with the inner sheath 41. , Driving force transmission means 2
It is fixed at 2. On the other hand, the outer sheath 42 includes the drive unit 2
The inner sheath 41 and the outer sheath 42 are slidably fitted to each other. Also, the inner sheath 4
A lubricant 43 is applied between 1 and the outer sheath 42.

According to this, the following functional operation can be obtained. That is, the ultrasonic probe 1 configured as described above
When the driving force transmission means 22 is moved in the axial direction by the axial movement mechanism (FIG. 2) as described above, the outer sheath 4
The inner sheath 41 slides with the lubricant 43 interposed in the inside 2, and at that time, the ultrasonic transducer 18 inside the inner sheath 41 also moves together with the inner sheath 41. In this way, the method of moving the ultrasonic transducer 18 in the axial direction is different from that of the first embodiment, and the function and effect of other components are the same as those of the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, when the ultrasonic transducer 18 is moved in the axial direction to perform ultrasonic scanning to obtain an ultrasonic image, the flexible sheath 21 is moved by moving the inner sheath 41 covering the ultrasonic transducer 18. It is possible to perform three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning with good followability that is not affected by the elongation of the. The present invention may be carried out in this manner with respect to the axial movement for moving the ultrasonic transducer in the axial direction.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, although it has been described that there are two types of variable ultrasonic image capturing intervals in the embodiment, other modes may be used for high speed, medium speed, and low speed.

[0048]

According to the present invention, in ultrasonic diagnosis, 3
In addition to performing three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning, by changing the capturing interval of ultrasonic images in the three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning, high-speed three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning can be performed with a simple configuration.
The burden on the patient at the time of three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning can be reduced, and when a detailed examination is required, it can be easily dealt with and responsiveness such as operability can be secured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an ultrasonic probe and a drive unit of the same example.

FIG. 3 is likewise a block diagram showing an example of a configuration in the main control unit.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a main part of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of an ultrasonic probe distal end portion.

FIG. 5 is likewise an explanatory view of the internal configuration as seen from the side surface side.

FIG. 6 shows an essential part of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view showing a configuration of an example of a flexible shaft for driving.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an essential part of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an ultrasonic probe and a driving unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Driving part 3 Observation device 4 Transmitting part 5 Receiving part 6 A / D part 7 Buffer A 8 Write control part 9 Frame memory 10 Reading / writing control part 11 Buffer B 12 Coordinate conversion part 13 D / A part 14 CRT 15 image storage memory (image recording memory) 16 main control unit 17 keyboard 18 ultrasonic transducer 19 sheath 20 housing 21 flexible shaft 22 driving force transmission means 23 inner shaft 24 outer shaft 25 DC motor 26 encoder (shaft encoder) 27 connection Member 28 Ball screw nut 29 Ball screw 30 Stepping motor 31 Motor control section 32 Driver section (driver control section) 33 Clock supply section 34 High-speed clock generation section 35 Low-speed clock generation section 36 Acoustic window section 37 Blade 38 Gold Line 39 oscillators opening surface 40 metal strands 41 sheath 42 outer sheath 43 lubricant

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 7, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0016

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In the present embodiment, the structure shown in FIG. 3, which is a block diagram of the inside of the main controller 16, can be adopted. In the figure, the DC motor 25 is connected to the motor control section 31 in the main control section 16 together with the encoder 26. The DC motor 25 is a motor for driving the ultrasonic transducer 18 to rotate, and the ultrasonic transducer 18 is rotated at a predetermined constant rotational speed.
6 is connected to the motor control unit 31.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0028

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

According to this embodiment, as described above, the ultrasonic image capturing intervals can be changed to two types. If the axial movement speed of the ultrasonic transducer 18 is fixed by increasing the capturing interval, the capturing time can be shortened and the burden on the patient can be reduced. Further, it is possible to easily meet the request for close inspection. When scrutinization is required, it is possible to switch immediately and operability is good. It is easy to use and contributes to the improvement of operability when using this kind of three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning ultrasonic probe with a simpler structure than before, and the burden on the patient during three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning is reduced.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0036

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Specifically, in the ultrasonic probe 1 constructed as described above, the metal wire 38 particularly fulfills the following functional functions. That is, the metal wire 38 serves as an acoustic reflector, but the vibrator opening surface 39 is, for example, 2 mm × 2 m.
When the thickness is about m, the thin metal wire 38 has a thickness of, for example, 0.
If it is set to about 03 mm, the area of the vibrator opening surface 39 across which the metal wire 38 crosses is about 0.06 mm ² , and the total opening area of 4 mm ² (= 2 mm × 2 mm) is 1.
It only blocks 5% and therefore does not affect the ultrasound image.
Further, by disposing the three metal wires 38 as shown in FIG. 4, the two metal wires 38 are simultaneously moved to the oscillator opening surface 39.
There is no interruption.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A rotating means for rotating an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic probe, an axial moving means for moving the ultrasonic transducer in an axial direction, and an ultrasonic slice of a subject in synchronization with the rotating means. A display unit for displaying an image, an image capturing unit for capturing the ultrasonic tomographic image in synchronization with the axial movement of the ultrasonic transducer, and a unit for varying the capturing interval of the ultrasonic image. Characteristic ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.