JPS6128338B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a support device for supporting an ultrasound probe used in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

Generally, in electronic scanning type ultrasound diagnostic equipment, an ultrasound probe (also simply referred to as a probe) connected to the main body of the equipment via a cable is brought into contact with (pressed against) the subject. A tomographic image is obtained, and then the operator moves the probe to another examination position to obtain a tomographic image. In this case, since the weight of the probe and cable becomes a burden to the operator, an appropriate support device is required. A device as shown in FIG. 1 is known as a conventionally used support device. In the figure, 1 is a probe, 2 is a cable, and 3 is a connector for connecting the main body of the device to the probe. Reference numerals 4 and 5 denote rotation support mechanism parts, each of which has two rotating arms 4a, 4b, 5a,
5b, and shafts 4c and 5c that rotatably support both.
, return springs 4d and 5d, and friction force adjustment knobs 4e and 5e during rotation.
6 and 7 are support arms attached to the rotation support mechanisms 4 and 5, respectively; 8 and 9 are cable fixing blocks attached to the support arms 6 and 7, respectively; A cable hook 10 having a shape as shown in FIG. 2 is attached. Such a support device has a proximal end of a rotary arm 4a rotatably attached to an arm holder provided on the main body of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus or a dedicated trolley (not shown), and has a probe 1 and a connector 3 at both ends. It is used with the cable 2 attached to the support blocks 8, 9 and the cable hook 10. That is, the movement of the probe 1 in the left-right direction is performed by the rotation of the rotary arm 4a itself, which is rotatably supported by the main body of the device, and the movement of the probe 1 in the vertical direction is performed by the rotation support mechanism. This is done by rotational movement at 4,5. According to such a support device, the support arms 6 and 7 and the cable 2 are
Furthermore, since the weight of the probe 1 is supported, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

However, since this conventional device uses the rotational motion of the three joints as described above to move the probe 1 three-dimensionally, the mechanism is complicated and the operation is not smooth. The number of parts increases and the price also increases. Furthermore, the support arm itself is large and inconvenient to handle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides support for an ultrasonic probe that has a simple mechanism, a small number of parts, and therefore smooth operation, reduced cost, and ease of handling. The purpose is to provide a device.

The present invention will be specifically explained below using Examples.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention. 11 is a round rod made of elastic thermoplastic resin (for example, polypropylene);
1a is a column with the same diameter from bottom to top so that it can be inserted, for example, into the arm holder (not shown) of the main body of the ultrasound diagnostic device, and the tip gradually becomes thinner toward the tip. It has a tapered shape. 12 and 13 are support blocks for the cable 2, one support block 12 having a function as a cable fixing block, and the other support block 13 having a function as a cable hook. The cable fixing block 12 is formed with a round hole 12a and a round hole 12b with one end cut out.The round hole 12a is for fixing the block 12 to the round bar 11. The diameter is large enough that the small part can be inserted and slid until it is locked approximately in the middle. In addition, the hole 12b with one end cut out is
It is made slightly larger than the diameter of the cable 2, and the notch is made slightly smaller than the diameter of the cable 2. Therefore, the cable 2 can be detachably attached to the block 12 using this notch. The cable hook 13 is also formed with a round hole 13a and a long hole 13b with a cutout at one end. It is formed so that the cable 2 can be easily attached and detached through the notch and has a diameter sufficient to support the attached cable 2. In addition, two support blocks 1
2 and 13 are preferably made of an elastic material, for example, the same material as the round bar 11, in view of their functions. It goes without saying that the round bar 11 has enough strength to withstand the weight of the probe 1 and cable 2 when they are supported.

Such a support device fixes or rotatably supports the proximal column body part 11a on the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the arm holder of a special cart (not shown), and supports the cable fixing block 12 provided in the intermediate part. It is used by supporting the cable 2, which is provided with the probe 1 and the connector 3, on the cable hook 13 and the cable hook 13. In this case, the weight of the probe 1 and the cable 2 is supported by the round bar in a state where the weight is almost equally distributed, and the weight does not burden the operator. It is designed to move freely according to the operation of the robot. That is, the vertical movement of the probe 1 can be caused by the bending of the round bar 11, and the horizontal movement can be made to follow the operator's operation by twisting the round bar 11.

Such a support device consists of a round bar 11 and two cable support blocks 1 attached to it.
2 and 13, and the elasticity of the round bar itself is used to move freely, so the mechanism is simple and the number of parts is small. Therefore, the operation is smooth, handling is extremely easy, and the cost of the entire device can be reduced.

Incidentally, as in the above embodiment, the support blocks 12,
13 is provided with a notch and the cable can be attached and detached, making it extremely convenient to replace the probe depending on the application. Furthermore, when the round bar is made of thermoplastic resin, it is easy to mold and has high strength. Further, as mentioned above, both the support blocks 12 and 13 are made of the round rod 11.
Since the support block 12 and 13 can be slid (that is, rotated) against the support block 12 and 13, if plastic deformation occurs in the round bar 11 due to long-term use of this support device, the support blocks 12 and 13 can be moved. If the cable is installed in a direction that corrects the deformation by rotating it in the opposite direction, there is also the advantage that the drawbacks due to the plastic deformation can be eliminated.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but for example, the fourth embodiment
As shown in the figure, the parts 14 and 15 of the round bar 11 to which the support blocks 12 and 13 are attached may be used as useful parts to facilitate the attachment of each block. Also, round bar 1
1 is not limited to a round bar, but may be a polygonal bar, for example. Furthermore, a round bar 11 and each support block 1
2 and 13 can also be manufactured as an integrally molded product. Further, this support device may be attached to an appropriate location other than the main body of the diagnostic device.

According to the present invention described in detail above, it is possible to provide a support device that has a simple mechanism, a small number of parts, smooth operation, low cost of the device, and is easy to handle.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a conventional support device;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cable hook used therein, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a round bar showing another embodiment of the invention. . DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Ultrasonic probe, 2... Cable, 3... Connector, 11... Rod-shaped body, 12, 13... Support block,
12a, 13a... Round hole, 12b, 13b... Hole having a notch, 14, 15... Service part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a support device that supports an ultrasound probe connected to the main body of an ultrasound diagnostic device via a cable, the base end is formed so that it can be attached to an appropriate location, and the tip has a tapered shape. a rod-shaped body whose entire body is elastic;
A support device for an ultrasonic probe, comprising at least two support blocks provided at appropriate intervals on the rod-shaped body and to which the cable can be detachably attached. 2. The ultrasonic probe support device according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped body is made of an elastic thermoplastic resin. 3. Support for an ultrasound probe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support block is made of an elastic material and is slidably and rotatably attached to the rod-shaped body. Device.