JPS6318502B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in an ultrasonic puncture probe used when puncturing a target organ while monitoring it.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the structure of a conventional puncturing ultrasonic probe of this type. In FIG. 1, 1 is a support, and 2 is an ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. At the tip of the support 1, rectangular ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a plane and bonded by appropriate means. be. A U-shaped puncture needle guide groove 11 is provided in the center of the support 1 from the side surface thereof. This guide groove 11 is
The groove width widens upward from the conversion element 2 arrangement surface at the lower end. 3 is a conductive wire for electrically connecting the probe and the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (not shown) and transmitting and receiving signals;
The conductive wire and the ultrasonic transducer element are connected inside the support 1. When performing a biopsy using such a probe, the tip of the probe (the transducer array surface) is brought into contact with the surface of the subject, and the ultrasound transducer element 2 performs linear electronic scanning to monitor the target organ. while inserting the puncture needle along the guide groove 11. However, the ultrasonic transducer is missing in the central part of the transducer array surface, that is, the remaining portion 12 near the guide groove 11, and the transducer array is divided into two.
Ultrasonic waves cannot be transmitted or received in this missing portion. Therefore, a black vertical line appears in the center of the tomographic image displayed in B mode, and the image of the puncture needle is unclear in this area, and the tip of the puncture needle, which is particularly important, is unclear, making it difficult to perform accurate treatment. There was a possibility that the inspection could no longer be guaranteed.

The object of the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a puncture system that uses a simple structure to provide a vertical line image that also serves as a guide to the puncture needle insertion position and a relatively clear needle tip image of the puncture needle. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe for use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the structure of the ultrasound probe for puncture according to the present invention. The difference in FIG. 2 from the probe in FIG. 1 is that an incomplete element 20 is disposed near the guide groove 12 at the center of the conversion element array surface. The incomplete element 20 is made by uniformly arranging one or more transducer elements similar to the rectangular ultrasonic transducer element 2 with a shorter longitudinal dimension, similar to the transducer element 2, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. It is something that can be done.

When an ultrasonic transducer including such an imperfect element 20 is linearly scanned, the sensitivity is lower in the imperfect element than in other transducer parts, so the central part of the tomographic image is a little dark and a little unclear. becomes.
However, compared to the case of using a conventional probe, it is possible to visualize the echo image of the needle tip of the puncture needle more clearly, and the black vertical line in the center of the image can be used as an index for positioning the puncture needle. It is possible to create a tomographic image of the area while making it sufficiently thin so as not to damage the area.

In addition, the incomplete element 20 is different from other ultrasonic transducer elements 2.
It does not have to be the same width as the strip. In addition, by adjusting the gain of the receiving circuit corresponding to the incomplete element part, it is possible to obtain an image as if all the elements were complete elements, and furthermore, it is possible to obtain an image as if all the elements were perfect elements. It can also be used by switching the gain depending on the presence or absence of.

As explained above, according to the present invention, incomplete elements are arranged in the central part of the transducer array where the puncture needle guide groove is located, and the ultrasonic transducers are uniformly arranged as a whole without interruption. Compared to conventional puncture ultrasound probes, the echo image of the needle tip of the puncture needle can be visualized more clearly, and there is only a vertical line in the center of the image, which is useful for determining the insertion position of the puncture needle. can be made thinner to the extent that it does not damage the image of that part and is sufficiently visible as a positioning line. Therefore, accurate biopsy can be ensured, and the effect in practical use is extremely large.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the configuration of a conventional ultrasound probe for puncture, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the configuration of an embodiment of the ultrasound probe for puncture according to the present invention. 1...Support body, 2...Ultrasonic conversion element, 3...
Cable, 11...Puncture needle guide groove, 20...Incomplete element.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an ultrasonic puncture probe comprising a support having ultrasonic transducing elements arranged in a plane at its tip, and a puncture needle guide groove provided from the side surface of the support in the center thereof, the tip of the support An ultrasonic probe for puncture, characterized in that an ultrasonic transducer element is also provided in the remaining portion near the puncture needle guide groove.