JPS635692Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used in an electronic scanning ultrasonic diagnostic device, and aims to effectively achieve electrostatic shielding of the probe with a simple structure.

An electronic scanning ultrasound diagnostic device has a plurality of tanzaku-shaped piezoelectric vibrators arranged in a straight line, and electronically moves the position of the driven piezoelectric vibrators to change the direction in which the piezoelectric vibrators are arranged. It is used to obtain tomographic images of the subject, and as its performance has improved, it has come to the point where it is actually used for diagnosis in hospitals. Since the probe used in such a diagnostic device handles a weak current, it is sensitive to external noise, and therefore it is necessary to minimize the influence of that noise. Further, in order to improve observation conditions, the probe is generally brought into contact with the human body through a coupling agent such as olive oil or liquid paraffin.

For this reason, a structure is required to prevent external noise and liquid leakage, and conventionally, this problem has been solved by adopting a structure as shown in FIG.

In Fig. 1, the probe is largely composed of a case 1 and a lid 2. At the bottom of the case 1, a plurality of tanzaku-shaped piezoelectric vibrators are arranged in a straight line, and on top of that is a connector. and a built-in circuit for driving the piezoelectric vibrator (not shown). In addition, a flexible metal film 3 is placed between the case 1 and the lid 2 to prevent noise from entering from the outside and to prevent liquid leakage.
A film having a structure in which both sides of the film are covered with an insulating film 4 made of rubber or the like is placed. This structure simultaneously prevents external noise and liquid leakage.

However, in order to completely eliminate electrical influences from the outside, it is ideal to cover the entire circuit and wiring with a metal film, but in the area where the piezoelectric vibrators are arranged, the acoustic impedance of the vibrators Generally, it is not covered with a metal film due to the effect on vibration. For this reason, although it is small,
External noise entered through the gaps between each piezoelectric vibrator, adversely affecting observation conditions.

The present invention eliminates the above drawbacks and provides a probe with further improved noise prevention effect.
One embodiment will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

Figure 2 shows the transducer part of the probe structure that adopts the present invention. In the present invention, a matching layer 7 and an acoustic lens 8 are added to this.
A thin metal film 9 is provided between the two using vapor deposition, electroless plating, or the like.

By structuring the vibrator section in this way, it is possible to almost completely prevent external noise from entering the probe through the gaps between the piezoelectric vibrators, and the metal thin film 9 also covers the surface of the matching layer. Since it is provided by vapor deposition, electroless plating, etc., it is extremely thin, and its influence on acoustic impedance or vibration can be almost ignored.

In the above embodiment, the metal thin film 9 was provided between the matching layer 7 and the acoustic lens 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. For those with matching layers, it is also possible to provide them between matching layers.

As is clear from the detailed explanation above, in the probe for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, by providing an external noise prevention function not only on the side of the probe but also on the transducer surface, deterioration of observation conditions due to external noise can be substantially reduced. It can be improved to a state close to the ideal.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional probe, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a transducer section of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the same. 1... Case, 2... Lid, 3... Metal film, 4... Insulating film, 5... Piezoelectric vibrator array, 6...
Packing material, 7... Matching layer, 8... Acoustic lens, 9... Metal thin film.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] An ultrasonic probe in which at least one acoustic matching layer is provided in front of a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators arranged in a linear manner, characterized in that a metal thin film is provided on the acoustic matching layer or between the acoustic matching layers. Ultrasonic probe.