JPH074376B2 - Intracorporeal ultrasound diagnostic device - Google Patents
Intracorporeal ultrasound diagnostic deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH074376B2 JPH074376B2 JP27046886A JP27046886A JPH074376B2 JP H074376 B2 JPH074376 B2 JP H074376B2 JP 27046886 A JP27046886 A JP 27046886A JP 27046886 A JP27046886 A JP 27046886A JP H074376 B2 JPH074376 B2 JP H074376B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- ultrasonic
- wave transmitting
- ultrasonic wave
- probe
- receiving surface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】 〔産業上の利用分野〕 本発明は機械的回転により超音波を走査して超音波断層
撮像を行う体腔内超音波診断装置に関する。The present invention relates to an intracavity ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that scans ultrasonic waves by mechanical rotation to perform ultrasonic tomographic imaging.
近年、内視鏡の先端に超音波探触子を内蔵した超音波送
受信部を設け、機械的回転により超音波を走査して超音
波断層撮像を行う体腔内超音波診断装置が開発されてい
る。この体腔内超音波診断装置の超音波送受信部は、第
４図および第５図に示すように液状の超音波伝質媒体２
を充填した外装部材１の内部に超音波探触子３を回転自
在に設け、この探触子３を回転させて外装部材１の円周
方向に超音波ビームを走査するように構成されている。
また、超音波探触子３は超音波の送波方向に向かってダ
ンパ材４、圧電素子５、音響レンズ６を配してなり、音
響レンズ６はその送受波面が凹状の球面形状となってい
る。2. Description of the Related Art Recently, an intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been developed in which an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit having an ultrasonic probe is provided at the tip of an endoscope, and ultrasonic waves are scanned by mechanical rotation to perform ultrasonic tomographic imaging. . The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the body cavity has a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium 2 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The ultrasonic probe 3 is rotatably provided inside the exterior member 1 in which the ultrasonic wave is filled, and the ultrasonic beam is scanned in the circumferential direction of the exterior member 1 by rotating the probe 3. .
Further, the ultrasonic probe 3 includes a damper material 4, a piezoelectric element 5, and an acoustic lens 6 arranged in the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction, and the acoustic lens 6 has a concave and spherical surface for transmitting and receiving waves. There is.
ところで、このような体腔内超音波診断装置では外装部
材１は円筒状に形成されているため、第５図に示すよう
に外装部材１の円周方向に対しては超音波伝質媒体２が
凸状を呈し、この超音波伝質媒体２での音速が人体組織
での音速と異なる場合には、ここでレンズ効果が生じ
る。これに対して、第４図に示すように外装部材１の長
軸（走査回転中心軸）方向には平坦であるため、レンズ
効果は全く生じない。したがって、超音波探触子３から
送波される超音波の集束焦点距離は円周方向に対しては
F1となり、長軸方向に対してはF2となるため、円周方向
の方位分解能と長軸方向の方位分解能が異なってしま
い、全体的な分解能が劣るという欠点があった。By the way, in such an intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the exterior member 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the ultrasonic transmission medium 2 is disposed in the circumferential direction of the exterior member 1 as shown in FIG. When it has a convex shape and the speed of sound in the ultrasonic transmission medium 2 is different from the speed of sound in human tissue, a lens effect occurs here. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, since the exterior member 1 is flat in the major axis (scanning rotation center axis) direction, no lens effect occurs. Therefore, the focal length of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 3 is
Since it becomes F 1 and becomes F 2 in the major axis direction, the azimuth resolution in the circumferential direction and the azimuth resolution in the major axis direction are different, and there is a drawback that the overall resolution is poor.
そこで、上記の欠点を解決するために外装部材を球面形
状に形成した体腔内超音波診断装置が特開昭57-134147
号公報で提案されている。しかしながら、このような体
腔内超音波診断装置にあっては先端部が太くなってしま
い、患者に苦痛を与えるなどの問題があった。Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, an ultrasonic diagnostic device in a body cavity in which the exterior member is formed in a spherical shape is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
It has been proposed in the publication. However, in such an intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, there is a problem in that the tip portion becomes thick and the patient suffers.
本発明はこのような問題点に着目してなされたもので、
その目的とするところは、外装部材を球面形状にするこ
となく超音波の方位分解能を向上させることができる体
腔内超音波診断装置を提供することにある。The present invention has been made focusing on such problems,
An object of the invention is to provide an intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of improving the lateral resolution of ultrasonic waves without making the exterior member spherical.
上記問題点を解決するために本発明は、超音波送受信部
の超音波送受波面を曲率半径が異なる非球面形状とし、
超音波の集束焦点距離を方向的に一致させたことを特徴
とするものである。つまり、本発明では超音波送受信部
の超音波送受波面を曲率半径が異なる非球面形状とする
ことにより超音波を一点に集束させることができるの
で、外装部材を球面形状にすることなく超音波の方位分
解能を向上させることができる。In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving section having an aspherical shape with different radii of curvature,
It is characterized in that the focal lengths of ultrasonic waves are directionally matched. That is, in the present invention, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit can be focused at one point by forming the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface in an aspherical shape having different curvature radii. The lateral resolution can be improved.
以下、図面を参照して本発明の実施例について説明す
る。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
第１図乃至第３図は本発明の一実施例を示し、第１図は
体腔内超音波診断装置の全体構成を示す図である。この
体腔内超音波診断装置11は手元操作部12に可撓性の挿入
部13を連結してなり、手元操作部12には図示しない光源
装置に接続されるユニバーサルコード14が接続されてい
る。また、手元操作部12には湾曲操作ノブ15が設けら
れ、この湾曲操作ノブ15により挿入部13の湾曲管部17を
湾曲操作せしめ、挿入部13の先端に設けられた先端構成
部18の向きを上下左右に変えられるようになっている。1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The intracavitary ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 has a flexible insertion portion 13 connected to a hand operation portion 12, and a universal cord 14 connected to a light source device (not shown) is connected to the hand operation portion 12. Further, a bending operation knob 15 is provided on the hand operation portion 12, and the bending operation knob 15 causes the bending tube portion 17 of the insertion portion 13 to perform a bending operation, and the orientation of the distal end forming portion 18 provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 13 Can be changed up, down, left and right.
上記先端構成部18は先端側に超音波送受信部19を設ける
とともに、後端側に観察部20を設けてなり、観察部20に
は照明窓21と観察窓22が設けられている。そして、照明
窓21から照明光を出射して体腔内を照明するとともに、
観察窓22で受けた観察像を手元操作部12の接眼部16で観
察できるようになっている。なお、観察像は挿入部13お
よび手元操作部12にわたって挿入配置したイメージガイ
ド（図示せず）によって接眼部16へ導かれ、照明光は図
示しない光源装置よりユニーバサルコード14を介して手
元操作部12および挿入部13にわたって挿入配置したライ
トガイド（図示せず）によって照明窓21へ導かれるよう
になっている。The tip forming section 18 is provided with an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving section 19 on the tip side and an observing section 20 on the rear side, and the observing section 20 is provided with an illumination window 21 and an observing window 22. Then, while illuminating the inside of the body cavity by emitting illumination light from the illumination window 21,
The observation image received through the observation window 22 can be observed by the eyepiece section 16 of the hand-side operation section 12. The observation image is guided to the eyepiece section 16 by an image guide (not shown) inserted and arranged across the insertion section 13 and the hand operation section 12, and the illuminating light is manually operated via a universal code 14 from a light source device (not shown). A light guide (not shown) inserted and arranged over the portion 12 and the insertion portion 13 is guided to the illumination window 21.
また、上記超音波送受信部19は第２図および第３図に示
すように構成されている。すなわち、先端構成部19の本
体23内には軸受24,24を介して中空の回転軸25が設けら
れている。この回転軸25は挿入部13内に挿入配置したフ
レキシブルシャフト26に連結され、手元操作部12内に設
けられたモータ27によりフレキシブルシャフト26を介し
て回転するようになっている。また、回転軸25の先端に
は本体23の先端面から突出した探触子支持枠28が一体的
に設けられている。この探触子支持枠28内には超音波探
触子29が保持されており、回転軸25と一体に回転するよ
うになっている。The ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 19 is constructed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, a hollow rotating shaft 25 is provided in the main body 23 of the tip forming portion 19 via the bearings 24, 24. The rotating shaft 25 is connected to a flexible shaft 26 inserted and arranged in the insertion portion 13, and is rotated by the motor 27 provided in the hand operation portion 12 via the flexible shaft 26. A probe support frame 28 protruding from the tip surface of the main body 23 is integrally provided at the tip of the rotary shaft 25. An ultrasonic probe 29 is held in the probe support frame 28 and rotates together with the rotary shaft 25.
上記超音波探触子29は超音波の送波方向に向けてダンパ
材30、圧電素子31、音響レンズ32を配してなり、圧電素
子31の両面には電極（図示せず）が設けられている。ま
た、圧電素子31の電極面にはそれぞれリード線33,33が
接続されている。これらのリード線33,33の他端は回転
軸25の貫通孔34に挿通した信号ケーブル35に接続され、
信号ケーブル35を介して図示しない超音波送受信回路と
接続している。The ultrasonic probe 29 includes a damper material 30, a piezoelectric element 31, and an acoustic lens 32 arranged in the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction, and electrodes (not shown) are provided on both surfaces of the piezoelectric element 31. ing. Further, lead wires 33, 33 are connected to the electrode surfaces of the piezoelectric element 31, respectively. The other ends of these lead wires 33, 33 are connected to the signal cable 35 inserted through the through hole 34 of the rotary shaft 25,
It is connected to an ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit (not shown) via a signal cable 35.
音響レンズ32はエポキシ系の樹脂からなり、圧電素子31
と反対側の面には超音波送受波面36が形成されている。
この超音波送受波面36は探触子29の回転方向における曲
率半径RF5を回転軸方向の曲率半径RF6より大きくした凹
状の非球面形状となっており、回転方向の集束焦点距離
F5と回転軸方向の集束焦点距離F6を一致させている。The acoustic lens 32 is made of epoxy resin, and the piezoelectric element 31
An ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface 36 is formed on the surface opposite to the surface.
This ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface 36 has a concave aspherical shape in which the radius of curvature R F5 in the rotation direction of the probe 29 is made larger than the radius of curvature R F6 in the rotation axis direction.
F 5 and the focal length F 6 in the rotation axis direction are matched.
また、前記探触子支持枠28の周囲には円筒状の外装部材
37が設けられている。この外装部材37は超音波が良好に
透過する材料（例えばポリエチレン等の合成樹脂）から
形成され、後端を先端構成部18の本体23にねじ込み被嵌
し、Ｏリング38を介して気密に取付けられている。そし
て、外装部材37の内部には人体組織での音速より遅い音
速値を持つ、例えばパラフィン等の液状の超音波伝質媒
体39が充填されている。In addition, a cylindrical exterior member is provided around the probe support frame 28.
37 are provided. The exterior member 37 is made of a material (eg, synthetic resin such as polyethylene) that allows ultrasonic waves to be satisfactorily transmitted. Has been. The interior of the exterior member 37 is filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium 39, such as paraffin, having a sound velocity value slower than that of human tissue.
次にこのように構成された本装置を用いて人体組織の超
音波断層像を得る場合は、まず挿入部13を体腔内に挿入
し、先端構成部18に設けられた超音波送受信部19を被検
部位に近付ける。そして、手元操作部12のモータ27を駆
動して回転力をフレキシブルシャフト26を介して回転軸
25および探触子支持枠28に伝達し、超音波探触子29を操
作回転中心軸L2を中心に回転させる。次にこの状態で図
示しない超音波送受信回路を作動させると、信号ケーブ
ル35およびリード線33を介して圧電素子31に駆動電圧が
印加され、超音波探触子29に超音波が発生する。この超
音波探触子29で発生した超音波は超音波伝質媒体39を伝
播し、外装部材37を透過して被検部位の人体組織内へ伝
播する。そして、人体組織の音響的性質の差異に応じて
反射し、その反射波は外装部材37および超音波伝質媒体
39を伝播して音響レンズ32の超音波送受波面36で受波さ
れる。この超音波送受波面36で受波された反射波は電気
信号に変化され、超音波エコー信号として信号ケーブル
35を通じて超音波送受信回路に伝送される。そして、こ
のような走査を繰返すことにより被検部位の超音波断層
像をリアルタイムで得ることができる。Next, in the case of obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image of human body tissue using the present apparatus configured as described above, first insert the insertion portion 13 into the body cavity, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception portion 19 provided in the tip forming portion 18 Get close to the site to be examined. Then, the motor 27 of the hand-held operation unit 12 is driven to rotate the rotating force through the flexible shaft 26.
25 and the probe support frame 28, and the ultrasonic probe 29 is rotated about the operation rotation center axis L 2 . Next, when an ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit (not shown) is operated in this state, a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 31 via the signal cable 35 and the lead wire 33, and ultrasonic waves are generated in the ultrasonic probe 29. The ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic probe 29 propagate through the ultrasonic transmission medium 39, pass through the exterior member 37, and propagate into the human body tissue at the site to be examined. Then, it is reflected according to the difference in the acoustic properties of the human body tissue, and the reflected wave is reflected by the exterior member 37 and the ultrasonic transmission medium.
It propagates through 39 and is received by the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface 36 of the acoustic lens 32. The reflected wave received by the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface 36 is converted into an electric signal, and the ultrasonic wave echo signal is converted into a signal cable.
It is transmitted to the ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit through 35. Then, by repeating such scanning, an ultrasonic tomographic image of the region to be inspected can be obtained in real time.
ところで、超音波探触子29で発生した超音波は音響レン
ズ32の超音波送受波面36より被検部位へ向けて送波され
るが、本実施例では超音波送受波面36を曲率半径が異な
る非球面形状とし、超音波の集束焦点距離F5,F6を一致
させているため、超音波送受波面36より送波された超音
波を一点に集束させることができ、従来のように外装部
材37を球面形状にすることなく超音波の方位分解能を向
上させることができる。By the way, the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic probe 29 are transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface 36 of the acoustic lens 32 toward the site to be examined, but in this embodiment, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface 36 has a different radius of curvature. Since it has an aspherical shape and the focusing focal lengths F 5 and F 6 of the ultrasonic waves are matched, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface 36 can be focused on one point, and the exterior member as in the conventional case. The lateral resolution of ultrasonic waves can be improved without forming 37 into a spherical shape.
なお、上記実施例ではエポキシ樹脂からなる音響レンズ
32を用いたが、シリコンゴムで形成された音響レンズを
用いてもよい。ただし、その場合は音響レンズの超音波
送受波面は凸状の非球面形状となる。また、圧電素子31
の超音波送受波面を非球面形状にしてもよい。さらに、
本発明は超音波探触子を直接回転させず、超音波探触子
と対向する反射ミラーを回転させる方式のものにも適用
できることは言うまでもなく、その場合は超音波探触子
または反射ミラーいずれかの超音波送受波面を非球面形
状にすればよい。In the above example, the acoustic lens made of epoxy resin is used.
Although 32 is used, an acoustic lens made of silicon rubber may be used. However, in that case, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the acoustic lens has a convex aspherical shape. In addition, the piezoelectric element 31
The ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface may be aspherical. further,
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system in which a reflecting mirror facing the ultrasonic probe is rotated without directly rotating the ultrasonic probe, in which case either the ultrasonic probe or the reflecting mirror is used. The ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface may be formed into an aspherical shape.
以上説明したように本発明によれば、超音波送受信部の
超音波送受波面を曲率半径が異なる非球面形状とするこ
とにより超音波を一点に集束させることができるので、
外装部材を球面形状にすることなく超音波の方位分解能
を向上させることができる。As described above, according to the present invention, since the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit has an aspherical shape with different radii of curvature, it is possible to focus the ultrasonic wave at one point,
The lateral resolution of ultrasonic waves can be improved without making the exterior member spherical.
第１図乃至第３図は本発明の一実施例を示し、第１図は
体腔内超音波診断装置の全体図、第２図は超音波送受信
部の構成を示す断面図、第３図は第２図のIII-III断面
図、第４図および第５図は従来例を示し、第４図は超音
波送受信部の断面図、第５図は第４図のV-V断面図であ
る。 １……体腔内超音波診断装置、12……手元操作部、13…
…挿入部、19……超音波送受信走査部、29……超音波探
触子、30……ダンパ材、31……圧電素子、32……音響レ
ンズ、36……超音波送受波面。1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall view of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a body cavity, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an ultrasonic transceiver, and FIG. A III-III sectional view of FIG. 2, FIGS. 4 and 5 show a conventional example, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving section, and FIG. 5 is a VV sectional view of FIG. 1 ... Intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnostic device, 12 ... Hand operation part, 13 ...
… Inserting part, 19 …… Ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving scanning part, 29 …… Ultrasonic probe, 30 …… Damper material, 31 …… Piezoelectric element, 32 …… Acoustic lens, 36 …… Ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface.
Claims (1)
音波送受信部を設け、機械的回転により超音波を走査し
て超音波断層撮像を行う体腔内超音波診断装置におい
て、前記超音波送受信部の超音波送受波面を曲率半径が
異なる非球面形状とし、超音波の集束焦点距離を方向的
に一致させたことを特徴とする体腔内超音波診断装置。1. An intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for providing an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving section having an ultrasonic probe built in at the tip of an endoscope and scanning ultrasonic waves by mechanical rotation for ultrasonic tomographic imaging, An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a body cavity, wherein the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving section has an aspherical shape with different radii of curvature, and the focal lengths of ultrasonic waves are directionally matched.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP27046886A JPH074376B2 (en) | 1986-11-13 | 1986-11-13 | Intracorporeal ultrasound diagnostic device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP27046886A JPH074376B2 (en) | 1986-11-13 | 1986-11-13 | Intracorporeal ultrasound diagnostic device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS63122434A JPS63122434A (en) | 1988-05-26 |
| JPH074376B2 true JPH074376B2 (en) | 1995-01-25 |
Family
ID=17486723
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP27046886A Expired - Fee Related JPH074376B2 (en) | 1986-11-13 | 1986-11-13 | Intracorporeal ultrasound diagnostic device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH074376B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6287261B1 (en) * | 1999-07-21 | 2001-09-11 | Scimed Life Systems, Inc. | Focused ultrasound transducers and systems |
-
1986
- 1986-11-13 JP JP27046886A patent/JPH074376B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS63122434A (en) | 1988-05-26 |
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| LAPS | Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees |