JPH10272134A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe capable of minimizing the mixing of air bubbles into an echo path within the ultrasonic probe. SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe is constituted so that a flexible wire 30, the vibrator holder 31 connected to the flexible wire 30 and, the ultrasonic vibrator 32 held by the vibrator holder 31 are covered with a sheath 20. An acoustic window 21 is provided at the vicinal position of the echo path of the ultrasonic vibrator 32 in the sheath 20. Further, a means excluding air bubbles stagnated in the vicinity of the ultrasonic vibrator (or reflecting plate) in the probe is provided.

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 attached to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for transmitting ultrasonic waves into a living body and receiving reflected waves from various tissues in the living body to create an ultrasonic diagnostic image. Related to an acoustic probe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which transmits ultrasonic waves into a living body and obtains biological information such as an ultrasonic tomographic image by reflected waves from various tissues in the living body is noninvasive and without a contrast agent. It has the advantage of being able to diagnose soft tissue and is now widely used. In such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (hereinafter, simply referred to as an “apparatus main body”) and an ultrasonic probe detachably connected to the main body of the apparatus via a connector are separately provided. It is generally composed.

An ultrasonic probe has ultrasonic transducers arranged in an array, and drives each transducer to generate an ultrasonic pulse and transmit the pulse to the inside of a living body. In addition, it receives reflected waves from the living body and converts them into electric signals. Thus, an ultrasonic diagnostic image, for example, an ultrasonic tomographic image can be formed using the echo information obtained by the ultrasonic probe.

[0004] Some ultrasonic probes which are formed separately from the main body of the apparatus are called small-diameter probes. The small diameter probe is, for example, 1000 to 20
It has a tubular guiding part having a length of about 00 mm, and an ultrasonic vibrator is provided at the tip of the guiding part. Such a small-diameter probe is inserted into a relatively small-diameter lumen such as a blood vessel or a cannula of an endoscope device, and is used for ultrasonic diagnosis of a blood vessel or a digestive tract.

A detachable portion is provided at the base end (the end opposite to the distal end where the ultrasonic transducer is provided) of the small-diameter probe, and the small-diameter probe is connected to the header via the detachable portion. Is done. The header drives the ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the small diameter probe to rotate about the axis of the guiding tube. That is, the rotational force generated in the header is transmitted to the holder that holds the ultrasonic vibrator via the torque wire, and the ultrasonic vibrator is rotationally driven together with the holder. Thus, the direction in which the ultrasonic transducer points is changed, and an area for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image can be scanned.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the distal end portion of a conventionally known small-diameter probe of this type. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 3A, when the flexible wire 30 is driven to rotate by the header (not shown) on the hand operation unit side, this rotational force is transmitted to the vibrator holder 31, and the ultrasonic wave is thereby transmitted. The vibrator 32 rotates. An acoustic window 21 is provided in a part of the sheath 20, and an ultrasonic vibrator 32 is provided.
Transmits and receives ultrasonic waves through the acoustic window 21.

[0007] The inside of the small diameter probe is filled with a liquid content, and the ultrasonic vibrator 32 (vibrator holder 31) is impregnated in the liquid content, so that good acoustic impedance characteristics are obtained. You can get it. However, there is a problem that bubbles are generated in the content liquid for some reason, and the presence of the bubbles in the ultrasonic echo path deteriorates the image quality of the ultrasonic diagnostic image. In some cases, the transmission and reception of the echo may not be possible. Further, there is a problem that it is very difficult to eliminate bubbles generated inside the probe due to the complexity and fineness of the mechanism. Therefore, a major problem is how to avoid the generation of bubbles or how to eliminate bubbles when they occur. When air bubbles are generated, there are roughly two types. One is the case where the gas enters from the outside through the pinhole of the sheath or the acoustic window material, for example. This is the case when they move.

In order to avoid such a problem caused by the generation of bubbles, as shown in FIG. 11B, an ultrasonic probe for providing a bubble trap around an acoustic window and thereby trapping bubbles has already been proposed. . FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a cross section of an ultrasonic probe having a bubble trap, wherein 31 is a transducer holder, 32 is an ultrasonic transducer,
6 is a bubble trap. Bubbles generated in the content liquid move due to the water flow generated by the rotational driving of the vibrator holder 31, and remain at the position of the bubble trap. This prevents bubbles from stagnating near the ultrasonic vibrator.

However, in the conventional ultrasonic probe in which the bubble trap 26 is provided around the acoustic window 21, there is a problem that the shape of the probe tip is asymmetric, thereby complicating the structure and making the production difficult. is there.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
2. Description of the Related Art There is known an ultrasonic probe which has an opening at a tip portion of a probe and discharges the contents of the probe through the opening, thereby releasing bubbles (referred to as "flushing"). However, such an ultrasonic probe that flushes the content liquid has a problem that the opening at the tip of the probe may be a path for infection of virus or the like.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide the following ultrasonic probe. (a) An ultrasonic probe capable of minimizing the incorporation of air bubbles into the echo path inside the ultrasonic probe.

(B) An ultrasonic probe capable of suppressing air bubbles from entering the echo path without hindering the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer. (c) An ultrasonic probe that can eliminate air bubbles without interrupting the inspection even if air bubbles are generated during the inspection.

[0013]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) An ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes an ultrasonic vibrator impregnated in a content liquid, a water circuit for circulating the content liquid, and a content liquid connected to the water circuit and circulating in the water circuit. Bubble removing means for removing bubbles from the air. (2) The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is the ultrasonic probe according to the above (1), and the water circuit includes first and second water passages extending from the probe base end to the tip end. One end of the first water passage and one end of the second water passage are coupled to each other at a position near the ultrasonic vibrator via a space including the ultrasonic vibrator. (3) The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is the ultrasonic probe according to the above (2), and circulates the content liquid by causing an internal pressure difference between the first and second water passages. It is characterized by the following. (4) An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is an ultrasonic vibrator impregnated with a content liquid, and a bubble mixing preventing means for preventing air bubbles from mixing into a region near the ultrasonic vibrator in the content liquid. And (5) The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is the ultrasonic probe according to the above (4), wherein the air bubble mixing preventing means drives the propeller to rotate so that the content liquid flows in a specific direction. It is a mechanism. (6) The ultrasonic probe of the present invention is impregnated with a content liquid,
An ultrasonic vibrator that is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction, a cylindrical holder that holds the ultrasonic vibrator, and a bubble that is provided on the holder and that takes in bubbles in the content liquid by rotation. Capturing means.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in the first embodiment,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with an ultrasonic probe that eliminates bubbles by circulating a liquid content will be described. Next, in a second embodiment, a description will be given of an ultrasonic probe for preventing bubbles from entering from another space by increasing the internal pressure of the space in which the ultrasonic transducer is provided. Finally, in the third embodiment, an ultrasonic probe having a trap structure for taking in bubbles will be described.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body 2, an observation monitor 12, a header holding arm 6, a header holder 7, a header 5, and an ultrasonic probe 4.

The ultrasonic probe 4 has ultrasonic vibrators arranged in an array, drives each vibrator to generate an ultrasonic pulse, transmits the ultrasonic pulse into the living body, and reflects the ultrasonic pulse from the living body. Waves can be received by the same transducer and converted into electrical signals, and an in-vivo image, for example, a tomographic image, can be formed using echo information from each transmitted and received wave. Also, the ultrasonic probe 4
Is a small-diameter probe having a length of about 1000 to 2000 mm, which has a tubular guiding portion, and an ultrasonic vibrator is provided at the tip of the guiding portion. The inside of the probe 4 is filled with a content liquid (ultrasonic propagation medium), and the ultrasonic vibrator is impregnated with the content liquid.

Such a small-diameter probe 4 is inserted into a relatively small lumen such as a blood vessel or a cannula of an endoscope apparatus, and is used for ultrasonic diagnosis of a blood vessel or a digestive tract. Used.

An attachment / detachment portion is provided at the base end (the end opposite to the tip end where the ultrasonic transducer is provided) of the small-diameter probe 4, and the small-diameter probe 4 is attached to the header 5 through the attachment / detachment portion.
Connected to. The header 5 drives the ultrasonic vibrator provided at the tip of the small diameter probe 4 to rotate about the axis of the guiding tube. That is, the rotational force generated in the header 5 is transmitted to the holder that holds the ultrasonic vibrator via the torque wire, and the ultrasonic vibrator is driven to rotate together with the holder. Thus, the direction in which the ultrasonic transducer points is changed, and an area for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image can be scanned. In this manner, the subject is scanned while transmitting the ultrasonic pulse, and biological information such as an ultrasonic tomographic image can be obtained based on a reflected wave from each tissue in the living body.

The ultrasonic probe 4 of the present embodiment
Means are provided for eliminating air bubbles that have stagnated near the ultrasonic transducer (or the reflection plate) inside the probe. Here, various configuration examples relating to bubble elimination will be described.

First, an ultrasonic probe for eliminating bubbles by circulating a liquid content will be described. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of such a tip portion of the ultrasonic probe 4. The ultrasonic probe 4 includes a flexible wire 30, a vibrator holder 31 connected to the flexible wire 30, and an ultrasonic vibrator 32 held by the vibrator holder 31 covered by the sheath 20. Have been. An acoustic window 21 is provided at a position near the echo path of the ultrasonic transducer 32 in the sheath 20. 2A shows an example in which the vibration surface of the ultrasonic vibrator 32 is arranged so as to face the side surface of the probe, and FIG. 2B shows that the vibration surface of the ultrasonic vibrator 32 is oriented in the tip direction of the probe. And an example in which the ultrasonic reflecting plate 33 is disposed on the vibrating surface.

Further, in the present embodiment, the water formed by the first and second water passages (34, 44) for circulating the content liquid is provided inside the ultrasonic probe 4 from the base end to the front end sealing part. A circuit is provided. One end of the first water passage 34 and one end of the second water passage 44 are connected via a space including the ultrasonic vibrator 32 at a position near the ultrasonic vibrator 32.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the base end of the ultrasonic probe 4. At the probe base end 40, the first channel 34 is connected to the O-ring 43. The second water passage 44 is connected to an O-ring 41, and the O-ring 41 is connected to a water bag 42. Water bag 4
2 and the O-ring part 43 are respectively connected to the water channels A and B of the vacuum defoaming device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vacuum defoaming device connected to the base end of the ultrasonic probe 4. As shown in FIG. The vacuum defoaming device includes an electromagnetic valve 51, a pressure sensor 52, a control board 53, a vacuum pump 54, and a vacuum vessel 55 as shown in FIG. The vacuum vessel 55 is provided between the water channel A and the water channel B. According to such a vacuum defoaming device,
Only bubbles are removed from the content liquid flowing from the O-ring portion 43 of the ultrasonic probe 4 through the water channel A. The content liquid from which the bubbles have been removed is discharged from the water channel B and returned to the first water channel 44 via the water bag 42 and the O-ring portion 41.

Therefore, the liquid content can be circulated inside the ultrasonic probe 4 from the base end to the distal end sealing portion, whereby bubbles stagnating near the ultrasonic vibrator 32 can be eliminated. In addition, such a circulating mechanism of the content liquid may be configured to be manually operated by an operator, or may further include a unit for detecting an oxygen content in the content liquid. May be configured so that the circulation mechanism is automatically activated when the value of exceeds a predetermined amount. Or you may comprise so that a content liquid may be circulated all the time during use of a probe.

As a modified example of the structure of the probe tip relating to the water circuit, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a thin tube 22 is buried inside a sheath 20 and is inserted into the first tube. It may be used as a waterway. Also, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a thin tube 22 may be provided on the inner surface of the sheath 30 and similarly used as the first water channel.

By the way, air bubbles near the ultrasonic vibrator 32 may be eliminated by the following configuration, instead of the above-described liquid circulation mechanism. First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the temperature of the content liquid in the vicinity of the reflection plate 33 is increased (or decreased) by the temperature raising plate 36 connected to the cable 35, and the content liquid is increased by the temperature increase (decrease). By utilizing the convection, the air bubbles stagnating near the reflection plate 33 can be eliminated.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example, the vibrator holder 31 is operated by operating the flexible wire 30.
In addition, the ultrasonic vibrator 32 is configured to be able to move back and forth, so that bubbles near the ultrasonic vibrator 32 can be removed by expulsion.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7C, a water bag 23 and a nozzle 24 are arranged at the tip inside the probe, and the vibrator holder 3 is operated by operating the flexible wire 30.
1. The ultrasonic vibrator 32 and the reflector 33 can be moved back and forth. When the flexible plate 30 is operated to push the reflecting plate 33 toward the probe tip, the liquid in the water bag 23 is ejected through the nozzle 24, whereby bubbles near the ultrasonic vibrator 32 can be eliminated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a tip opening 25 having a predetermined opening is provided at the tip of the probe, and the tip opening 25 is sealed with a tip screw (not shown) when the probe is used. Configure. When removing bubbles (removing bubbles) from the probe, the distal end opening 25 is required.
Is connected to a pressure increasing / depressurizing device 60, and a pressure difference is generated inside the probe by the pressure increasing / depressurizing device 60, and bubbles can be eliminated by circulating the content liquid.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the liquid content is circulated inside the ultrasonic probe, and the air bubbles stagnating near the ultrasonic vibrator (or the reflection plate) are eliminated, whereby the image of the air bubbles can be formed. Deterioration can be minimized, and the resolution of an ultrasonic diagnostic image can be improved.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment relates to an ultrasonic probe for preventing bubbles from entering from another space by increasing the internal pressure of the space in which the ultrasonic vibrator is provided. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the second embodiment. The configuration other than the tip of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The ultrasonic probe 4 has a sheath 20 covering a flexible wire 30, a transducer holder 31 connected to the flexible wire 30, and an ultrasonic transducer 32 held by the transducer holder 31. It is composed. An acoustic window 21 is provided at a position near the echo path of the ultrasonic transducer 32 in the sheath 20. Further, in this embodiment, a propeller 37 is attached to the flexible wire 30. The propeller 37 is driven to rotate together with the flexible wire 30.

Many of the causes of the generation of bubbles in the ultrasonic probe remain from the time of assembling the probe in the factory. These bubbles are generated by the flexible wire 30 as the transducer moves back and forth during use of the probe. It is thought that it moves in the form of being pushed out from the bearing part of the above into the space on the vibrator 32 side.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is provided a means for increasing the internal pressure of the space surrounding the ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe to be higher than that of the other space, thereby preventing air bubbles from entering the space surrounding the ultrasonic transducer. To prevent That is, in the ultrasonic probe 4 of the present embodiment, the propeller 37 is driven to rotate together with the flexible wire 30,
As a result, a water flow in a specific direction is generated, and the water flow increases the internal pressure in the space on the ultrasonic vibrator 32 side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent air bubbles from entering the space on the ultrasonic vibrator 32 side via the bearing portion.

According to such an ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment, even if bubbles are generated, the inspection does not need to be interrupted, and there is no need to replace the probe or to remove the bubbles.

(Third Embodiment) The third embodiment relates to an ultrasonic probe having a trap structure for taking in bubbles. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of such an ultrasonic probe according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the ultrasonic vibrator 3 in the vibrator holder 31
On the back side of 2, a trap structure is provided which has a notch which slightly protrudes from the side surface of the vibrator holder 31 and is opened in the rotation direction. The trap structure rotates along with the vibrator holder 31 so that air bubbles can be taken into the trap structure. Or FIG.
(C), a plurality of spiral guide grooves for guiding bubbles from the back side of the ultrasonic vibrator 32 in the vibrator holder 31 toward the tip of the vibrator holder 31; Bubbles may be taken in by a trap structure constituted by a bubble taking-in portion provided at the tip of the holder 31 and connected to the guide groove.

According to the ultrasonic probe of the third embodiment, the trap structure is provided on the vibrator holder 31 itself, that is, air bubbles are trapped inside the trap structure rotating together with the vibrator holder 31. Is configured to be captured. Therefore, unlike the case where the bubble trap is provided in the sheath portion around the acoustic window, the shape of the tip portion of the probe is not asymmetric, and there is no problem that the rotation of the vibrator is hindered.

Therefore, the vibrator holder 31 is appropriately rotated and driven, and the trap structure can effectively suppress air bubbles from entering the echo path. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with various modifications.

[0039]

According to the present invention, the inspection time can be shortened because the probe does not need to be replaced even if bubbles are generated. In addition, deterioration of the image due to the generated bubbles can be minimized, and the resolution of the ultrasonic diagnostic image can be improved. In addition, operations such as probe replacement and filling of deaerated water can be minimized, and the burden on the operator (operator) can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to remove air bubbles from the probe, the reliability of the ultrasonic probe can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a structure of a distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a structure of a base end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vacuum defoaming device connected to a base end of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modification of the structure of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a modification of the structure of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a configuration example of a bubble elimination mechanism of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a configuration example of a bubble elimination mechanism of the ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an ultrasonic probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining bubble trapping and bubble flushing according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 4 ... Ultrasonic probe 5 ... Header 6 ... Header holding arm 7 ... Header holding tool 12 ... Observation monitor 20 ... Sheath 21 ... Acoustic window 22 ... Narrow tube 23 ... Water bag 24 ... Nozzle 25 ... Tip Opening 26 26 Bubble trap 30 Flexible wire 31 Vibrator holder 32 Ultrasonic transducer 33 Reflector 34 First water path 35 Cable 36 Heating plate 37 Propeller 40 Probe base 41 ... O-ring part 42 ... water bag 43 ... O-ring part 44 ... second water path 50 ... vacuum defoaming device 51 ... solenoid valve 52 ... pressure sensor 53 ... control board 54 ... vacuum pump 55 ... vacuum vessel 60 ...

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic vibrator impregnated in a content liquid, a water circuit for circulating the content liquid, and air bubbles connected to the water circuit for removing air bubbles from the content liquid circulating in the water circuit. An ultrasonic probe, comprising: an exclusion unit. 2. The water circuit includes first and second water passages extending from a base end of the probe to a tip end thereof. One end of the first water passage and one end of the second water passage are
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is coupled via a space including the ultrasonic vibrator at a position near the ultrasonic vibrator. 3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the internal liquid is circulated by generating an internal pressure difference between the first and second water passages. 4. An ultrasonic vibrator impregnated with a content liquid, and an area near the ultrasonic vibrator in the content liquid,
An ultrasonic probe, comprising: an air bubble intrusion prevention means for preventing air bubbles from intruding. 5. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, wherein the air bubble intrusion prevention means is a propeller mechanism for rotating the propeller to flow the content liquid in a specific direction. 6. An ultrasonic vibrator impregnated with a content liquid and driven to rotate in a predetermined direction; a cylindrical holder for holding the ultrasonic vibrator; provided on the holder; An ultrasonic probe, comprising: a bubble capturing unit that captures bubbles in the content liquid.