JPS62209354A - Mechanical scanning type ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain to reduce the wt. of a mechanical scanning type ultrasonic probe and to prolong the life thereof, by directly arranging a multipolar magnet to a housing supporting a vibrator and arranging a coil to a fixing part to electromagnetically drive the vibrator. CONSTITUTION:An ultrasonic signal for scanning and inspecting the interior of an object to be inspected is transmitted from a vibrator 1 and propagated through ultrasonic wave propagating oil 15 to pass through an oil case 16 and incident to the interior of the object to be inspected contacted with the case 16. An ultrasonic signal having information is again passes the reverse route as an echo signal from the object to be inspected to be incident to the vibrator 1 and converted to an electric signal which is, in turn, sent to a processing apparatus from the electrode of the vibrator through an outgoing line 10 by a cable 11. If a scanning control signal is inputted to a coil 8 when said ultrasonic wave is incident to the object to be inspected, the housing 2 fixed to a multipolar magnet 6 performs shaking motion and, therefore, the vibrator 1 performs shaking motion and the interior of the object to be inspected is scanned by ultrasonic beam.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a mechanically scanning ultrasonic probe for ultrasonic tomographic diagnosis, and in particular, 1. miniaturization of a mechanically scanning ultrasonic probe;
This relates to technology that extends lifespan.

[Prior art]

In a conventional mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe for ultrasonic tomography diagnosis, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. This is provided by a mechanical power transmission means that uses a pulley and wire to transmit the rotational force of the motor.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, although the conventional mechanical scanning type ultrasound probe uses a wire, there is a problem in that the wire may break due to severe use.

Since the vibrator and the motor are placed separately within the probe, the inertia of the movable parts of the vibrator and motor is large. For this reason, it is necessary to use a special moment of inertia canceler or a repulsion magnet to prevent external vibrations.

This poses a problem in that the probe becomes large and heavy.

In addition, mechanical power transmission means have a complicated structure and swing motion at a high speed of 15 to 20 times per second.
Frequently breaks due to repeated stress.

The problem was that it deteriorated quickly.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can reduce the size of a mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can reduce the weight of a mechanical scanning ultrasound probe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a technology that reduces the moment of inertia of the movable part of a transducer, eliminates mechanical power transmission means that can cause failure, and extends the life of an ultrasonic probe. It's about doing.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[Means for solving problems]

A brief overview of one typical invention disclosed in this application is as follows.

That is, a vibrator, a housing that supports and fixes the vibrator, and a frame that rotatably supports the housing.
The mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe is characterized in that it includes a multipolar permanent magnet fixed to the housing and a single-phase or multi-phase coil fixed to the frame.

[Effect]

According to a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a multipolar magnet is directly disposed in the housing that supports the vibrator, a coil is disposed in the fixed part, and the vibrator is electromagnetically driven. The goal is to achieve the following.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the drawings.

Note that throughout the description of the embodiments, parts having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1--2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the multipolar magnet shown in FIG. 1.

4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-rV in FIG. 3. FIG.

The mechanical scanning type ultrasonic probe of this example is shown in Figures 1 and 2.
As shown in the figure, the vibrator 1 is supported by a housing 2 that can swing.

The swing movement mechanism of the housing 2 is provided to be able to swing through a bearing 5 on a rotating shaft 4 fixed to a frame 3, and swings at a predetermined swing angle 9 rotation speed. It looks like this. With this configuration, a two-dimensional ultrasound tomographic image inside the subject can be obtained.

A multipolar magnet 6 is directly fixed to the end of the housing 2 opposite to the vibrator 1. This multipolar magnet 6 includes permanent magnets 6A as shown in FIG. 4, which are arranged so that the polarity of each permanent magnet is alternately different, as shown in FIG. This multipolar magnet 6 is electromagnetically coupled to a coil 8 through a yoke 7. Further, a position detection sensor 9 is attached to the frame 3 facing the multipolar magnet 6. Based on the position information obtained by the position detection sensor 9, the housing 2 is caused to swing by controlling the current flowing through the coil 8. The positional relationship between the multipolar magnet 6 and the magnetic poles of the yoke 7 around which the coil 8 is wound is as shown in FIG. That is, the magnetic pole 7 of the yoke 7
A is arranged at a pitch that is a predetermined times the arrangement position of the permanent magnets 6A. For example, the magnetic poles 7A of the yoke 7 are arranged at a pitch that is 1.5 times the pitch of the respective permanent magnets 6A of the multipolar magnet 6. This configuration is similar to a so-called two-phase DC servo motor, and can scan the vibrator 1 supported by the housing 2.

The position detection sensor 9 uses, for example, an incremental encoder using an optical sensor or an eddy current sensor using a conductive plate.

Furthermore, the electric signal converted by the vibrator 1 is as follows.

The cable 11 passes through the lead wire 10 from the electrode of the vibrator 1.
The data is sent to the main body of the processing device (not shown). Reference numeral 12 is a lead wire for the position detection sensor 9, reference numeral 13 is a power supply line for the coil 8, and reference numeral 14 is a cable sleeve.

Further, the vibrator 1 is covered with an oil case 16 filled with ultrasonic engine oil 15 for improving the efficiency of the ultrasonic engine.

Next, the operation of the mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe of this embodiment will be briefly described.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, ultrasonic signals for scanning and inspecting the inside of the subject are transmitted from a transducer 1, transmitted through an ultrasonic machine oil 15, passed through an oil case 16,
The light enters the subject's body that is in contact with this oil case 16. Ultrasound that carries information from the subject as an echo signal,
Retracing the above path again, the signal enters the transducer l, where it is converted into an electrical signal, passes through the lead wire 10 from the transducer electrode, and is sent to the main body of the processing device (not shown) via the cable 11, for example, ultrasonic waves. A tomographic image is formed and displayed on a display device.

When a scanning control signal is input to the coil 8 when the ultrasonic signal is input into the subject, the multipolar magnet 6 swings left and right according to the magnetism of the magnetic pole 7A of the yoke 7. . As a result, the housing 2 fixed to the multipolar magnet 6 performs a rocking motion, so that the transducer 1 swings and scans the inside of the subject with an ultrasonic beam.

As can be seen from the above description, this embodiment provides first-order effects.

(1) Since no mechanical power transmission means is used as the drive source for the swing motion of the vibrator 1, the life of the device can be extended.

(2) The configuration of the drive source for the vibrator 1 is simpler than that of a conventional drive source for the swing motion of the vibrator using wires. This allows the device to be made smaller and lighter.

(3) Since the inertia of the movable part of the vibrator is small, there is little vibration exerted on the outside, and high-speed scanning is possible.

(4) Wide field of view.

The present invention has been specifically explained above using examples, but
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The probe becomes smaller and lighter.

(2) Longer life of the probe can be achieved.

(3) Since the inertia of the movable part of the vibrator is small, there is little vibration exerted on the outside, and high-speed scanning is possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a mechanical scanning type ultrasound probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line u-n in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the multipolar magnet shown in FIG. 1, viewed from above, and FIG. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IV--IV in Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line v--■ in Figure 1. It is a figure showing the positional relationship with the installation position. In the figure, 1... vibrator, 2... housing, 3...
Frame, 4... Rotating shaft, 5... Bearing, 6...
...Multi-pole magnet, 6A...Permanent magnet, 7...Yoke, 7A...Yoke magnetic pole, 8...Coil, 9...
...Position detection sensor, 10...Leader line, 11...
Cable, 12... Position detection sensor leader line, 13
...Coil power line. 14...Cable sleeve, 15...Ultrasonic transmission oil, 16...Oil case.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A vibrator, a housing that supports and fixes the vibrator, a frame that rotatably supports the housing, a multipolar permanent magnet fixed to the housing, and a single-phase or A mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe characterized by being equipped with a multi-phase coil. (2) a vibrator, a housing that supports and fixes the vibrator, a frame that rotatably supports the housing, a detector that detects the rotation angle of the housing, and a multi-pole permanent fixed to the housing. A mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe comprising a magnet and a multi-phase coil fixed to the frame. (3) The magnetization direction of the permanent magnet is parallel to the rotation axis direction of the housing.
The mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe according to item 1 or 2. (4) The mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the detector comprises an incremental encoder using an optical sensor. (5) The mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the detector comprises an eddy current sensor using a conductive plate.