JPS60182938A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field to Which the Invention Pertains] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device used primarily as a medical diagnostic device. In particular, it relates to an auxiliary means for expanding the visual field of a subject close to the body surface.

[Description of prior art]

The probe of an ultrasound diagnostic device is used in close contact with the body surface of the subject, and the influence of the air gap between the probe and the body surface on the ultrasound waves transmitted and received from the probe is avoided. It is prevented. However, since the curvature of the body surface and the curvature of the probe do not match, a sufficiently satisfactory contact cannot be made. In order to eliminate this drawback, a bag filled with water is interposed between the probe and the body surface, and the probe is used in a manner similar to the water immersion method.

However, this conventional ice bag has the disadvantage that a gap is created between the probe and the bag because no special contrivance has been made in the coupling mechanism between the bag and the probe.

In addition, phased array probes have the characteristic of being able to have a wide field of view in deep regions of the subject, but have the disadvantage that the field of view for areas close to the body surface is extremely narrow, and this drawback can be resolved by intervening an ice bag. However, the structure of the conventional ice bag has the disadvantage that the thickness of the ice bag cannot be easily utilized.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks, and provides a liquid-filled bag for an ultrasonic diagnostic device that allows observation of a subject near the body surface using a phased array probe within a relatively wide field of view. The purpose is to

[Key points of the invention]

The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, and a bag filled with liquid interposed between the probe and the surface of a subject. ,
The present invention is characterized in that a concave portion that follows the outer shape of the probe is formed in a portion to be joined to the probe, and a connecting means is provided between the concave portion and the probe.

Further, the connecting means includes a magnet piece attached to the recess of the bag,
It may also be a magnetic ring attached near the tip of the probe.

Further, the connecting means may include an elastic ring member attached to the recess of the bag, and the ring member may be configured to fit onto the tip of the probe.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the probe be of a phased array type.

[Example 8J ladle DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a first embodiment device and the operation of this embodiment device.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the device of the first embodiment, a concave portion of a bag 1 filled with a liquid medium 7 is formed by a magnetic ring 4, and the shape of this concave portion is such that it is surrounded by a magnetic ring 3. This substantially matches the shape of the portion of the distal end of the probe housing 2 that is connected to the concave portion. The bag 1 is a synthetic resin M thin film, the magnet ring 4 is a plastic plate magnet, the magnetic ring 3 is a piece of soft iron, and the liquid medium 7 is water. Further, a magnet ring 4 is adhered to the inner surface of the bag 1.

Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the device of the second embodiment. As shown in this figure, the recess of the bag 1 is formed by a male fitting portion. The shape of the coupling portion of this recess substantially matches the shape of the coupling surface of the female fitting portion 5 provided on the probe housing 2. The materials of the bag 1 and the liquid medium 7 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the male fitting part 6 is
It is a somewhat soft rubber material.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the probe housing 2 of the first embodiment device and the second embodiment device is connected to the recess of the bag 1 placed on the body surface 11 of the subject 12, In this case, the air bubble 8 has floated to the top inside the bag and is not on the ultrasonic beam path from the tip end face of the probe housing 5, and the air gap 9 is removed when the connection is completed. The dimensions and shape of the window surface 10 are determined so as to Furthermore, due to the intervention of the bag 1, the distance between the end face of the probe housing 2 and the subject 12 near the body surface is reduced to l' 4 J.
The size of the bag 1 is determined so that it can be maintained between cm and r 7 J cm.

In this embodiment device, the bag 1 is made of a material that is freely deformable and has a high transmittance for ultrasonic beams, and the material of the magnetic ring 3 and the magnet ring 4 is 1, and the two parts +A have magnetic force. The material can be made of a material that allows sufficient connection, and the male fitting part 6 can be made of an elastic material that can be repeatedly deformed.
The present invention can be carried out as long as the material is not attenuated by silicone oil or ultrasonic signals and propagates the ultrasonic signals uniformly.

Further, the present invention can be practiced even if the peripheral portion of the magnet ring 4 is adhered to the peripheral portions of the bag 1 and the window surface 10.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention realizes diagnosis of a subject existing near the body surface using a phased array probe by using a liquid-filled bag with a simple structure, and Since the handling disadvantages of conventional liquid-containing bags are eliminated, it can be handled easily and reliably.

The present invention is particularly effective when used for diagnosis of the thyroid gland, mammary gland, etc., which are relatively close to the body surface.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment device. ■... Bag, 2... Probe housing, 3... Magnetic ring, 4... Magnet ring, 5... Female fitting part, 6... Male fitting part, 7... ...Medium liquid, 8...Bubble, 9...Void, 10...Wind surface, ]1...Body surface, 12...
・Subject. Patent applicant Yokogawa Medical Systems Co., Ltd.,', (-7,.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (11) In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals and a bag filled with liquid interposed between the probe and the surface of the subject. , The bag is characterized in that a recess that follows the outer shape of the probe is formed in the portion that joins with the probe, and a connecting means is provided between the recess and the probe. (2) The connecting means includes a magnet piece placed in the recess of the bag and a magnetic ring attached near the tip of the probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to (3) I. Claims in which the connecting means includes an elastic ring member attached to the recess of the bag, and the ring member is structured to fit on the tip of the probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim (1). (4) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim (1), wherein the probe is of a phased array type.