JPH11276485A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily, reliably and safely fill an ultrasonic wave transmitting medium even if an outside diameter of a catheter tube becomes thin. SOLUTION: In a base 8 on the rear end side of a catheter tube 7, the syringe taper part fitted to the syringe tip is formed on the inside surface, and the inside diameter becomes larger than an inside diameter on the rear end side of the catheter tube 7. On the tip side of the catheter tube 7, the projecting part is formed on the inside surface, an inside diameter is formed thinner than the other part, and on the tip of the catheter tube 7, a sealing member 13 is fitted to and installed in the fitting part. The tip part of the sealing member 13 is thinner than a tip inside diameter of the catheter tube 7, and projects forward from the tip of the catheter tube 7 in an installed state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic probe characterized by a catheter tube portion filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ultrasonic pulses are repeatedly transmitted from an ultrasonic vibrator into a target object, and echoes of the ultrasonic pulse reflected from the target object are reflected by an ultrasonic vibrator provided on the same or a separate body. Ultrasound image diagnosis for displaying information collected from a plurality of directions in a target object as a visible ultrasonic tomographic image (diagnosis image) by gradually shifting the direction of receiving and transmitting / receiving this ultrasonic pulse. Various devices have been proposed.

[0003] In the medical field, an ultrasonic probe or the like having an ultrasonic vibrator provided at the distal end of an insertion portion is used. In general, such an ultrasonic probe or the like is configured to mechanically rotate an ultrasonic transducer to scan an ultrasonic wave to obtain an ultrasonic image.

In order to safely rotate the ultrasonic vibrator inside the body, it is necessary to protect the outer peripheral portion near the ultrasonic vibrator.

A conventional ultrasonic probe has a structure in which an insertion portion is covered with, for example, a catheter tube whose end is sealed, and an ultrasonic transmission medium is injected into the catheter tube and filled around the ultrasonic transducer. Was used.

However, it is not easy to inject an ultrasonic transmission medium into a small-diameter catheter tube, and there are problems that bubbles are generated in the catheter tube when the ultrasonic transmission medium is filled.

Therefore, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-59778, it is assumed that the user himself fills the catheter tube with an ultrasonic transmission medium such as water, and a medium filling tube smaller in diameter than the catheter tube inner diameter is used. A method has been proposed in which the ultrasonic transmission medium is filled from the distal end side of the catheter tube through a medium filling tube by inserting the distal end thereof until it comes into contact with the distal end of the catheter tube.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-597.
In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 78, it is possible to send the ultrasonic transmission medium to the distal end of the catheter tube more easily and more reliably than filling the ultrasonic transmission medium directly into a small-diameter catheter tube whose end is sealed. Maybe.

However, in the case of an ultrasonic probe having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm, the inner diameter of the medium filling tube inserted therein is about 2 mm, so that the clearance between the outer diameter of the medium filling tube and the inner diameter of the catheter tube is small. As the size becomes smaller, the inner diameter of the medium filling tube itself also becomes smaller, and the water transmission resistance when sending the ultrasonic transmission medium into the catheter tube becomes considerably large. Therefore, there is a problem that it becomes more difficult for the user himself to perform the filling operation as the ultrasonic probe becomes thinner.

In order to solve such a problem,
It is conceivable to inject water from one side of the catheter tube whose both ends are open and screw or push the sealing member from the outside to the distal end side. However, since the sealing member is originally mounted from the outside, the sealing member may fall off.

Furthermore, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned user's work, it has been considered that an ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed in advance in a catheter tube and supplied to a user with a probe assembly attached thereto. This is ideal in that the user does not have to perform an assembly operation before the inspection, but there is a case where the ultrasonic probe itself cannot be used due to damage to the catheter tube, and there is a problem in cost. In recent years, an ultrasonic probe with a different shape of the catheter tube tip according to various applications has been considered, but in a structure in which only the catheter tube cannot be disposable, it is necessary to prepare an ultrasonic probe having each tip shape. Yes, it is also disadvantageous in terms of cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an ultrasonic probe that can easily, reliably and safely fill an ultrasonic transmission medium even when the outer diameter of a catheter tube is reduced. It is intended to be.

[0013]

An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention has an ultrasonic transducer which is mechanically scanned, and an inner diameter which allows the ultrasonic transducer to be inserted, and a tip portion which is smaller than the inner diameter. A catheter tube having an inner diameter portion and having a connection portion larger than the inner diameter on the rear end surface, a sealing member inserted together with an ultrasonic transmission medium from the connection portion on the catheter tube rear end surface and fitted at the catheter tube front end inner diameter portion; It is comprised including.

In the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention, the sealing member is inserted together with the ultrasonic transmission medium from a connection portion on the rear end face of the catheter tube, and is fitted at an inner diameter portion of the distal end of the catheter tube. It is possible to fill the ultrasonic transmission medium easily, reliably and safely even if the outer diameter of the ultrasonic transmission medium becomes small.

[0015]

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

FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a structural view showing an overall structure of an ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 2 is a probe assembly of FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the catheter tube of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification of the distal end portion of the sealing member of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an ultrasonic probe of FIG. FIG. 6 is a first explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a second explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a third explanatory view for explaining an assembling procedure of the ultrasonic probe of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a fourth view for explaining the procedure for assembling the ultrasonic probe of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a fifth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an ultrasonic probe 1 according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a tip 3 including the ultrasonic vibrator 2, a flexible shaft 4 extending from the tip 3,
An elongated and flexible probe assembly 6 comprising a coaxial cable 5 inserted into the flexible shaft 4 and connected to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer 2 is provided. As shown in FIG. It is configured by covering with a catheter tube 7.

The rear end side of the catheter tube 7 is
The base 8 is fixed to the base 8, and the base 8 is configured to be detachable from the connector 9. Connector part 9
The flexible shaft 4 is rotatably supported together with the coaxial connector 10 and the coaxial cable 5
Are wired to the coaxial connector 10. Connector part 9
Is connected to an ultrasonic observation device via a drive unit (not shown), rotates the ultrasonic vibrator 2 via the flexible shaft 4 and transmits and receives electric signals via the coaxial cable 5 to obtain a B-mode ultrasonic image. Is to be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the catheter tube 7
The base 8 on the rear end side has a syringe taper portion 11 fitted to the tip of the syringe on the inner surface, and its inner diameter is larger than the inner diameter on the rear end side of the catheter tube 7.

On the other hand, the distal end side of the catheter tube 7
A convex portion 12 is formed on the inner surface, the inner diameter is smaller than other portions, and a sealing member 13 is fitted to the convex portion 12 at the tip of the catheter tube 7.

The fitting portion 14 of the sealing member 13 fitted to the projection 12 of the catheter tube 7 is
The outer diameter of the fitting portion 14 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the catheter tube 7 other than the distal end, and has a portion larger than the inner diameter of the catheter tube 7 at the distal end. ing.

As the material of the fitting portion 14, for example, the material of the catheter tube 7 may be low-density polyethylene, and the material of the sealing member 13 may be high-density polyethylene or stainless steel.

The distal end portion 15 of the sealing member 13 is thinner than the inner diameter of the distal end of the catheter tube 7, and projects forward from the distal end of the catheter tube 7 in a mounted state.

Here, as long as the material of the distal end portion 15 is safe for the living body, there is no relation between the rigidity of the catheter tube 7 and the size thereof.

In the present embodiment, the fitting portion 14 of the sealing member 13 is made of stainless steel in which a concave portion 16 that fits with the convex portion 12 is partially formed, and the tip portion 15 is made of stainless steel. It is in a state covered with silicone rubber.

The outer diameter of the bottom of the concave portion 16 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the convex portion 12 provided on the catheter tube 7, and is watertight at the time of mounting. Further, the distal end portion 15 has a tapered shape.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the distal end portion 15 of the sealing member 13 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 (a) shows a flexible metal coil 21 for assisting insertion into the fitting portion 14. FIG. 4B shows a distal end portion made of low-density polyethylene having a guide hole 22 through which a guide wire (not shown) as an insertion aid is inserted. FIG. 4C shows a distal end portion 15 c to which a brush 23 for abrasion cytology as a biopsy function member is fixed to the fitting portion 14.

(Operation) Next, the procedure for assembling the ultrasonic probe 1 in the present embodiment will be described. This work is performed by the user.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, a sealing member 13 having a shape suitable for the application is selected and inserted from the base 8 on the rear end side of the sterilized catheter tube 7.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, a syringe 25 containing, for example, water 26 as an ultrasonic transmission medium is fitted and connected to the base 8, and the water 26 is injected into the catheter tube 7.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Is pushed forward of the catheter 7 while being pushed by the water 26.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Reaches the distal end of the catheter tube 7 and is caught and stopped by the projection 12.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 9, when the syringe 25 is removed from the base 8 and the tip 15 of the sealing member 13 is pulled forward, the projection 12 and the fitting portion 14 are fitted. Can be fixed.

Finally, the probe assembly 6 is inserted from the base 8 side, and the base 8 and the connector section 9 are joined to complete the operation, and the ultrasonic probe 1 is assembled in the state shown in FIG.

The above-mentioned water injection operation can be performed more reliably by performing the operation with the distal end of the catheter tube 7 facing upward.

(Effect) As described above, in this embodiment, since the sealing member 13 is inserted from the rear end side of the catheter tube 7, the sealing member 13 can be prevented from falling off from the distal end side 15, and In addition, the water 26 moves forward together with the sealing member 13 along the inner diameter of the catheter tube 7 even when the tube for water injection is not inserted into the inside of the catheter tube 7 when water is injected into the catheter tube 7, so that the water injection resistance is small and the bubbles Mixing can be prevented.

Further, since various tip portions (see FIGS. 3 and 4) can be selectively used for one probe assembly 6, the user can use the probe assembly 6 without having any ultrasonic probe for each application case. .

Second Embodiment: Conventionally disclosed in, for example,
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 265536 discloses a device that obtains volume information by moving an ultrasonic probe forward and backward while rotating it. In this device, a radial drive unit for rotating the ultrasonic probe and an advance / retreat drive mechanism for integrally moving the ultrasonic probe itself are disclosed.

However, in the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-265536, a space for moving a radial drive unit having a certain volume is required, so that the size of the apparatus itself becomes large. In addition, since a heavy load is required to move the heavy radial drive unit forward and backward, a high-output motor and a transmission system that is strong in load resistance are required.

Therefore, the forward / backward drive mechanism itself becomes large, and the device becomes large. Further, in terms of cost, there is a problem that a user having a drive unit having only a rotation function must additionally purchase a high-priced dedicated drive unit including a radial drive unit.

Next, an ultrasonic probe device which can be used with the conventional radial drive unit as it is and can be downsized will be described.

FIGS. 10 to 12 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic probe device, and FIG.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the drive unit of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a modification of the drive unit of FIG.

(Structure) The second embodiment is an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe device provided with the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment, and therefore only different points will be described. The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ultrasonic probe device 31 of the present embodiment includes the ultrasonic probe 1 described in the first embodiment and the ultrasonic probe 1 connected to the ultrasonic probe 1. It comprises a driving unit 32 for driving, and an ultrasonic observation device 33 connected to the driving unit 32 and generating an ultrasonic image by signal processing.

The drive unit 32 includes the rotary drive unit 3
5 and an advance / retreat drive unit 36, and a control signal to the rotary drive unit 35 is connected to an ultrasonic observation device 33 via an ultrasonic cord 37, and the advance / retreat drive unit 2
The control signal to 6 is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 33 via the control code 38. The rotation drive unit 3
5 and the forward / backward drive unit 36 are fixed so that they do not move.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the drive unit 32 and the ultrasonic probe 1 are assembled, the connector 9 at the rear end of the ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to the rotary drive unit 35, and the inside of the ultrasonic probe 1 is Rotational drive is transmitted to the flexible shaft 4 and signals are transmitted and received to and from the ultrasonic transducer 2 at the tip of the ultrasonic probe 1 via the coaxial cable 5 (see FIG. 1) inside the flexible shaft 4. Has become.

The advance / retreat drive unit 36 includes a fixed portion 41 for holding the insertion portion 37 of the ultrasonic probe 1 formed by covering the entire probe assembly 6 with the catheter tube 7, and a stage connected to the fixed portion 41. 42,
Ball screw 43 that fixes stage 42 so that it can move forward and backward
, A stepping motor 44 for supplying rotational drive to the ball screw 43, and a rotary drive unit holder 45 for holding the rotary drive unit 35.

Further, on the end face of the forward / backward drive unit 36,
A flexible outer sheath 46 that covers the insertion section 37 of the ultrasonic probe 1 is connected.

A metal pipe 47 is fixed to the insertion portion 37 of the ultrasonic probe 1 at a portion separated from the end face of the connector portion 9 by a certain distance (for example, 30 cm). At both ends of the pipe 47, flange-like projections 48 are provided. The fixing portion 41 includes a clip 49 (see FIG. 10) fixed to the stage 42 of the pole screw 43, and has a structure that sandwiches the pipe 47. When the ultrasonic probe 1 is mounted, the insertion portion 37 is
A loop 50 is formed between the connector 50 and the end face of the connector portion 9.

(Operation) First, the rotary drive unit 35 is fixed to the rotary drive unit holder 45. In this state, the connector section 9 of the ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to the rotary drive unit 35.

Next, a loop 50 is formed at the base of the insertion portion 37 of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the pipe 47 is clipped to the clip 49.
Hold with. Then, the insertion portion 37 of the ultrasonic probe 1
Is covered with an outer sheath 46 filled with water.

Finally, the ultrasonic code 37 of the rotary drive unit 35 is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 33, and the control code 38 of the forward / backward drive unit 26 is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 3.
Connect to 3.

By driving the rotary drive unit 35 in this state, the ultrasonic transducer 2 in the ultrasonic probe 1 is
Can be driven to rotate, and a two-dimensional ultrasonic image can be obtained.

Further, by driving the advance / retreat drive unit 36, the clip 49 can move back and forth, and by this back and forth movement, the pipe 47 fixed to the ultrasonic probe 1 also moves back and forth. Loop 50
Changes in diameter. And finally, the rotary drive unit 3
5 is not moved back and forth, and only the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe 22 is moved forward and backward in the outer sheath 46.

Then, by combining the rotational drive and the forward / backward drive, the ultrasonic transducer 2 is spirally scanned, and
Ultrasonic echo information can be obtained as three-dimensional volume information, so that not only a conventional radial image but also an ultrasonic image at an arbitrary cross section within a scanning range can be obtained and three-dimensional display can be performed. .

Further, since the projections 48 are provided at both ends of the pipe 47, the clip 49 does not come off from the pipe 47 even if an excessive amount of advance / retreat force is applied.

(Effects) As described above, in this embodiment, only the ultrasonic probe 1 can advance and retreat while the rotary drive unit 35 is fixed, so that the drive unit 32 can be downsized.

Further, a user who owns only the rotary drive unit 35 can perform three-dimensional support only by purchasing a new advance / retreat drive unit 36, which is advantageous in cost.

In this embodiment, when the ultrasonic probe 1 is mounted, the pipe 47 is
Although a loop 50 is formed between the end face of the connector section 9 and the pipe 47, as shown in FIG.
A transmission unit 61 separate from the ultrasonic probe 1 may be provided between the end surfaces of the drive unit 32a to constitute a drive unit 32a as a modification.

More specifically, in the drive unit 32a, as shown in FIG. 12, the transmission unit 61 is electrically and drive-transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 1 and the rotary drive unit 35 at both ends of a flexible shaft 62, respectively. Possible connectors 63, 64 are mounted.

Further, a sheath 65 covers the entirety of the flexible shaft 62 in a rotatable state, and a pipe 47 is fixed to the surface of the sheath 65 near the connector 63 on the ultrasonic probe 1 side. An electric signal cable (not shown) is inserted through the flexible shaft 62 to transmit a signal between the ultrasonic probe 1 and the rotation drive unit 35.

In FIG. 12, the flexible shaft 62 is connected to the ultrasonic probe 1 and the rotary drive unit 35.
A loop 50 is formed between the two, but if it can absorb the forward and backward strokes, it may be merely meandering. The flexible shaft 62 and the electric signal cable may be thicker than those used in the ultrasonic probe 1 as long as they can be looped or meandering. Other configurations are the same as those of the drive unit 32 of the present embodiment.

In the drive unit 32a as a modified example configured as described above, the ultrasonic probe 1 can be fixed without looping.

Therefore, in addition to the effect of the drive unit 32,
Since the meandering portion or the loop portion can be made of a more durable member, the durability is improved. In addition, the conventional radial scanning type ultrasonic probe can be used as it is, which is advantageous in cost. Furthermore, even if the meandering or loop portion is damaged, only the inexpensive transmission unit need be replaced without replacing the expensive ultrasonic probe.

[Supplementary Note] (Supplementary Note 1) An ultrasonic vibrator to be mechanically scanned, an inner diameter that allows the ultrasonic vibrator to be inserted, and a tip portion having an inner diameter portion smaller than the inner diameter, A catheter tube having a connection portion at the rear end face larger than the inner diameter, and a sealing member inserted together with an ultrasonic transmission medium from the connection portion at the rear end face of the catheter tube and fitted at the inner diameter portion of the catheter tube at the front end. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that:

(Supplementary note 2) The ultra-compound according to Supplementary note 1, wherein the sealing member has a plurality of types of distal end portions protruding from the distal end of the catheter tube and having a selectable distal end shape. Sound wave probe.

(Appendix 3) The tip of the sealing member is
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion assisting function provided at a distal end of the catheter tube, the projection extending from the distal end of the catheter tube.

(Additional Item 4) The tip of the sealing member is
2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising a biopsy function protruding from the distal end of the catheter tube and having a biopsy function at the distal end.

(Supplementary Note 5) A rotary drive unit for rotating and scanning an ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the ultrasonic probe, and a rotary drive unit connected to the rotary drive unit and provided at a part of a flexible portion of the ultrasonic probe. A probe driving device, comprising: a holding unit that is provided; and an advance / retreat driving unit that moves the ultrasonic probe forward / backward through the holding unit without moving the rotary drive unit.

(Supplementary Note 6) A transmission unit for transmitting rotation and electric signals is provided between the rotary drive unit and the ultrasonic probe, and the holding unit is provided in the transmission unit, so that the ultrasonic probe can be used. 6. The probe driving device according to claim 5, wherein the probe driving device performs forward and backward scanning.

(Additional Item 7) The rotary drive unit may be
The probe drive device according to claim 5, wherein the probe drive device is detachable from the advance / retreat drive unit.

(Supplementary Note 8) A catheter tube for an ultrasonic probe comprising a hollow member for covering an ultrasonic transducer, comprising a sealing member inserted from a base end of the hollow member and engaged with a distal end of the hollow member. A catheter tube for an ultrasonic probe.

(Supplementary Note 9) Ultrasonic wave for injecting an ultrasonic transmission medium into an ultrasonic probe catheter having an insertion tube into which an ultrasonic transducer is inserted and a base provided at a base end of the insertion tube. In the transmission medium injection method,
A sealing member inserting step of inserting a sealing member for sealing the distal end of the insertion tube from the base, and injecting the ultrasonic transmission medium from the base, and sealing with the pressure of the ultrasonic transmission medium. A sealing member locking step of locking a stop member to a distal end portion of the insertion tube.

(Additional Item 10) The ultrasonic transmission medium injection method according to Additional Item 9, further comprising a vibrator inserting step of inserting the ultrasonic vibrator after the sealing member locking step. .

(Appendix 11) Sealing in which a sealing member is attached to the distal end of an ultrasonic probe catheter having an insertion tube into which an ultrasonic transducer is inserted and a base provided at the base end of the insertion tube. In the member mounting method, a sealing member arrangement step of arranging the sealing member from the base portion,
A sealing member locking step of injecting the ultrasonic transmission medium from the base portion and locking the sealing member to a distal end portion of the insertion tube according to the pressure of the ultrasonic transmission medium. Sealing member mounting method.

(Supplementary Item 12) A rotation drive unit provided on the base member for rotating and scanning the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe, and a holding unit provided on the base member for holding the base end side of the ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic probe driving device having an advance / retreat drive unit for moving the ultrasonic transducer forward and backward, wherein the ultrasonic drive unit is provided with slack between the holding unit and the rotation drive unit of the advance / retreat drive unit, An ultrasonic probe driving device, wherein a base end of an ultrasonic probe is mounted on the holding section.

(Additional Item 13) The ultrasonic probe is
13. The ultrasonic probe driving apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sheath is sheathed and moves forward and backward within the sheath.

(Additional Item 14) The ultrasonic probe is
13. The ultrasonic probe driving device according to claim 12, comprising an insertion tube and a drive shaft disposed in the insertion tube and having the ultrasonic vibrator at a tip.

(Additional Item 15) A base end of the insertion tube of the ultrasonic probe is connected to the holding portion,
15. The ultrasonic probe driving device according to claim 14, wherein the drive shaft of the ultrasonic probe is connected to the forward / backward drive unit.

(Additional Item 16) A connector for connecting the base end of the ultrasonic probe, an advance / retreat drive unit for driving the connector forward / backward, and a drive shaft for an ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe can be connected. A rotary drive unit that rotationally scans the ultrasonic transducer, and a guide member that is disposed with a slack between the connector unit and the rotary drive unit and guides a drive shaft of the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic driving device characterized by the above-mentioned.

[0081]

As described above, according to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the sealing member is inserted together with the ultrasonic transmission medium from the connection portion on the rear end face of the catheter tube, and is fitted at the inner diameter portion of the distal end of the catheter tube. Therefore, even if the outer diameter of the catheter tube becomes small, there is an effect that the ultrasonic transmission medium can be filled easily, reliably and safely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the probe assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the catheter tube of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a modified example of the distal end of the sealing member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a first explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a second explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a third explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fourth explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fifth explanatory view illustrating the procedure for assembling the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic probe device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the drive unit of FIG. 10 equipped with an ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the drive unit in FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic probe 2 ... Ultrasonic transducer 3 ... Tip part 4 ... Flexible shaft 5 ... Coaxial cable 6 ... Probe assembly 7 ... Catheter tube 8 ... Base 9 ... Connector part 10 ... Coaxial connector 11 ... Syringe taper part 12 ... Convex Part 13: Sealing member 14: Fitting part 15: Tip part 16: Recess

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic transducer that is mechanically scanned, has an inner diameter through which the ultrasonic transducer can be inserted, has an inner diameter portion smaller than the inner diameter at a front end portion, and has an inner diameter portion at a rear end surface. A catheter tube having a larger connection portion, and a sealing member inserted together with an ultrasonic transmission medium from the connection portion on the rear end surface of the catheter tube and fitted at the inner diameter portion of the catheter tube tip. Sound wave probe.