KR100968308B1 - HANDS-FREE ultrasonic probe UnIT and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the same. A hands-free ultrasonic probe unit according to the present invention includes a probe holder detachably mounted to an inspected object and an ultrasonic probe detachably mounted on the probe holder and in contact with the inspected object, wherein the probe holder includes the ultrasonic probe. Including a probe mounting portion to be mounted, holder fixing means for fixing the probe mounting portion to the test object and the fixing means support portion formed on the probe mounting portion for supporting both ends of the holder fixing means, the mounting position of the ultrasonic probe is changed Can be prevented.

Ultrasonic probe, probe holder, locking means, holder fixing band

Description

Hands-free ultrasonic probe unit and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having same {HANDS-FREE ultrasonic probe UnIT and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the same}

The present invention relates to a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the same, and more particularly, to a hands-free ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the same.

In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing a subject by imaging the inside of the subject's body using ultrasound, an ultrasonic probe is used that contacts the subject's diagnosis site to image the subject's body. The ultrasonic probe generates ultrasonic waves, irradiates the inside of the subject's body, receives the reflected ultrasonic waves, converts the ultrasonic waves into electrical signals, and transmits them to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using an ultrasonic probe, the operator should always hold the probe in his hand and bring the probe into contact with the skin on the subject's diagnosis site. Therefore, if the ultrasound diagnosis for one subject becomes long, the operator must deal with the probe for a long time. In addition, when the subject frequently moves or diagnoses a region where it is difficult to contact the ultrasonic probe with the skin of the subject, the operator may have difficulty in contacting the ultrasonic probe with the skin on the subject's diagnosis site.

In particular, this problem is greater when diagnosing extravasation. Angiography is injected into the vein to take blood vessels in the CT. At this time, if the needle is inserted incorrectly in the vein or the amount is incorrectly controlled, it flows out of the vein and penetrates into the tissue, causing cell damage or tissue destruction. This is called extravasation. Such extravasation may occur in general intravenous injections as well as CT angiography, and may be expressed immediately after exposure or appear after 7-10 days. This extravasation can cause serious tissue necrosis and should be detected at an early stage. When using an ultrasound probe to detect this, the operator has the inconvenience of holding at least one hand while holding the probe and fixing it to the affected part.

In addition, in order to solve this problem, when the ultrasound probe is fixed to the diagnosis site of the examinee, it is not easy to mount or detach the ultrasound probe, and the ultrasound probe may be shaken even when the ultrasound probe is fixed. .

The present invention provides a probe holder that can be fixed to an object to be inspected without having to hold an ultrasound, and a hands-free ultrasonic probe that is detachable thereto.

The present invention provides a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit having a probe holder that can easily mount and detach the ultrasonic probe.

The present invention provides an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus having a probe holder that can be worn on a subject under various sizes and shapes.

The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can shorten the diagnosis time by wearing the probe holder on the subject before diagnosis.

The present invention provides an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining an accurate image of extravasation because the mounting position of the ultrasound probe does not change during diagnosis.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a probe holder detachably mounted to the object under test and an ultrasonic probe detachably mounted on the probe holder and in contact with the object under test, wherein the probe holder includes the Hands-free ultrasonic, characterized in that it comprises a probe mounting portion to which the ultrasonic probe is mounted, holder fixing means for fixing the probe mounting portion to the object to be tested and fixing means support portions formed on the probe mounting portion to support both ends of the holder fixing means. Provide a probe unit.

By configuring as described above, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic probe from moving in a state in which the ultrasonic probe is mounted on the inspected object, and to improve the work convenience of the inspector. In addition, it is possible to reduce the time required for preparation of the diagnosis by attaching the probe holder to the subject in advance before diagnosis and mounting the ultrasound probe to the holder immediately before diagnosis.

Here, the probe mounting portion may be formed with a receiving hole for accommodating the ultrasonic probe, and the inner surface of the receiving hole may be provided with locking means for fixing the ultrasonic probe. For this reason, it is possible to easily mount and detach the ultrasonic probe.

In addition, the locking means may include a hook hinged to the inner surface of the receiving hole and a spring supporting the hook. At this time, it is preferable that a mounting protrusion is applied to the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe accommodated in the receiving hole is caught on the end of the hook. With such a configuration, when the ultrasonic probe is mounted, it can be easily mounted using snap fit, and when detaching, the restraint between the ultrasonic probe and the holder can be easily released by pressing the hook.

On the other hand, the probe mounting portion may include a mounting bracket located on both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic probe and a fastening member for coupling the ultrasonic probe and the mounting bracket to each other. In this way, rather than forming the probe mounting portion as a body, it is necessary to form a separate fixing means support by inserting the ultrasonic probe between the mounting bracket consisting of two members and then coupling the mounting bracket and the ultrasonic probe with each other by a fastening member. There is no. That is, both ends of the holder fixing means can be fixed to the fastening member.

Here, the holder fixing means may be provided with a coupling portion of the Velcro type. By fixing the end of the holder fixing means using the Velcro, the size of the holder fixing means can be easily adjusted, and the holder fixing means can be easily mounted and detached.

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The probe holder is preferably worn on the subject to detect extravasation using the ultrasonic probe. In the case of extravasation detection, the accuracy of the diagnosis is very important. Changing the position of the probe during the diagnosis can have serious consequences.

On the other hand, the present invention, in order to achieve the above-described problem, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for detecting the inside of the subject by using the ultrasonic wave to display the internal image of the subject, in contact with the subject to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves An ultrasonic probe and a probe mounting portion detachably mounted to the ultrasonic probe, holder fixing means for fixing the probe mounting portion to the inspected object, and fixing means supporting portions formed on the probe mounting portion to support both ends of the holder fixing means. It provides an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising a probe holder that is provided to be worn on the test subject.

Here, the ultrasonic probe is preferably snap-fit to the probe mounting portion. That is, since the ultrasonic probe can be simply mounted by simply pushing the ultrasonic probe in the mounting direction without additional mounting work, the time required for preparation of the diagnosis can be reduced.

The probe holder is preferably worn on the subject to detect extravasation using the ultrasonic probe.

As described above, the present invention, first, because the ultrasound probe is fixed to the diagnosis site does not move even if the examinee does not use both hands, it is possible to continuously obtain the image of the same position, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Secondly, the present invention can easily mount and detach the probe holder to the inspected object by using the holder fixing means and the fixing means support, which can be adjusted in length, and can reduce the influence of the shape, size and thickness of the inspected object.

Third, the present invention can be easily detached from the test subject because the holder fixing means such as the fixing band is fixed by the fixing means support by the Velcro coupling method.

Fourth, since the present invention mounts and detaches the ultrasonic probe by using the locking means formed on the probe holder, the probe holder can be attached to the subject before diagnosis or procedure and can be easily detached immediately before the procedure and reduce the preparation time required for the procedure. Can be.

Fifth, the present invention can alleviate a symptom of deterioration of the transmission / reception efficiency of the probe due to air entering between the diagnosis site and the ultrasound probe by the gel pad layer.

Sixth, the present invention can combine the probe and the probe holder using a hook and hinge, etc., it is possible to increase the ease of attachment and detachment of the ultrasonic probe.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the configuration and operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. The following description is one of several aspects of the patentable invention and the following description forms part of the detailed description of the invention.

However, in describing the present invention, a detailed description of known functions or configurations will be omitted for clarity of the gist of the present invention.

1 is a front view showing an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to the present invention may include various types of ultrasonic probes 120 and operation buttons 112 for radiating ultrasonic waves to a subject and receiving ultrasonic echoes from the subject. And a display device 114 or the like, the main body 110 for generating an image of the object under test. The ultrasonic probe 120 is connected to the main body 110 by a cable 130 and a connector 115 which are integrally connected thereto.

The ultrasound probe 120 is a site that directly contacts a diagnosis site of a test subject. For accurate diagnosis, the ultrasonic probe 120 may not move during the diagnosis. In particular, in the case of extravasation detection, it may be fatal to move the ultrasound probe 120 at the diagnosis site. As such, in the detection of extravasation, it is preferable to fix the position of the ultrasonic probe 120 to prevent the ultrasonic probe 120 from changing its position at the diagnosis site. For this, a probe holder may be used. Hereinafter, an ultrasonic probe and a probe holder will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a probe holder on which the ultrasonic probe according to FIG. 2 is mounted, and FIG. 4 is a cut line IV-IV of FIG. 3. It is a cross section.

As shown in Figure 2, the ultrasonic probe 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention is located in the front end of the case 121, the case 121 forming a body, irradiation of ultrasonic waves, reception of reflected waves and received reflected waves Ultrasonic element unit 122 for the conversion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and the main body 110 and the cable 130 for connecting the ultrasonic element unit 122 is included. Irradiation and reception of the ultrasound is performed through the cover 125 in contact with the diagnosis site, such as the skin of the subject.

Here, mounting protrusions 123 for fixing the ultrasonic probe 120 to the probe holder to be described later may be formed on both sides of the ultrasonic element unit 122. At this time, the mounting protrusion 123 may be formed to protrude in a state fixed to the surface of the ultrasonic element unit 122, and may be formed to be recessed and returned from the surface of the ultrasonic element unit 122. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the protrusion guide groove 123c is formed in the ultrasonic element unit 122, and the protrusion body 123a is mounted in the protrusion guide groove 123c, and the protrusion body 123a is formed. The spring 123b can be mounted between the projection guide grooves 123c. In this configuration, when the mounting protrusion 123 is pressed, the protrusion guide recess 123c is recessed into the protrusion guide groove 123c, and when the pressing force of the mounting protrusion 123 is removed, the protrusion body 123a is formed by the elastic restoring force of the spring 123b. It may be exposed out of the guide groove 123c to restore the original state.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, the probe holder 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be worn, intestinal, detachable to the test subject. Looking at the configuration, the probe mounting portion 141, which is mounted to accommodate the ultrasonic probe 120, the holder fixing means for fixing the probe mounting portion 141 to the test object and the probe mounting portion 141 are formed on both ends of the holder fixing means It may include a fixing means support portion 147 for fixing or supporting.

By configuring as described above, the ultrasonic probe 120 can be prevented from moving in a state in which the ultrasonic probe 120 is mounted on the object to be inspected, and it is not necessary to hold the ultrasonic probe 120 by hand from the perspective of the inspector, thereby improving work convenience. The hands-free ultrasonic probe unit may be implemented by providing the probe holder 140 and the ultrasonic probe 120 attached to or detached from the probe holder 140.

In addition, the probe holder 140 may be worn on the subject in advance before the diagnosis or the procedure, and the ultrasonic probe 120 may be mounted on the probe holder 140 immediately before the procedure, thereby reducing the time required for preparation of the diagnosis. For example, when a patient is to be photographed after injecting an angiography contrast agent for many patients in a CT room, the probe holder 140 is examined in a waiting time before CT imaging in order to reduce the time taken to mount or detach the probe holder 140. By first installing at the diagnostic site of the body, by connecting the ultrasound probe 120 and the probe holder 140 immediately before the contrast agent injection in the CT room, it is possible to reduce the preparation time.

Here, the probe mounting portion 141 is formed with a receiving hole 142 for receiving the ultrasonic probe 120, and the inner side of the receiving hole 142 is provided with a locking (locking) for fixing the ultrasonic probe 120. Can be. For this reason, it is possible to easily mount and detach the ultrasonic probe.

On the other hand, the holder fixing means may be configured in various ways, including an air bag that can be mounted by pressing the inspection portion of the subject as well as the fixing band to be described below. Hereinafter, the case where the holder fixing means is a fixing band will be described first by way of example.

Both ends of the holder fixing band 144, which is a holder fixing means, are fixed to the fixing means supporting part 147. Both ends of the holder fixing band 144 have a Velcro coupling part 145 to freely size the holder fixing band 144. I can regulate it. Thus, the holder fixing band 144 can be adjusted to the subject regardless of the size or shape of the subject, and the holder fixing band 144 can be easily mounted or detached. Here, the holder fixing band 144 may be formed of a rubber band, thereby improving the band contact feeling of the subject.

Hereinafter, the locking means will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking means 146 includes a hook 146a coupled to a hinge 146b on the inner surface of the probe mounting portion 141 and the receiving hole 142, and a spring 146c supporting the hook 146a. It is configured to include.

In FIG. 4, the ultrasonic probe 120 is indicated by a dotted line to show a coupling relationship between the probe holder 140 and the ultrasonic probe 120. The hook 146a includes a locking portion 146d formed to catch the mounting protrusion 123 and performs a seesaw movement around the hinge 146b. That is, when the end of the hook 146a exposed to the outside of the probe mounting portion 141 is pressed, the seesaw movement is performed around the hinge 146b and the constraint of the mounting protrusion 123 and the locking portion 146d may be released. When the force for pressing the end of the hook 146a is removed, the locking portion 146d is returned to the initial position by the elastic restoring force of the spring 146c which has been compressed.

The locking relationship between the locking means 146 and the mounting protrusion 123 of the ultrasonic probe 120 will be described once more. First, when the ultrasonic probe 120 is mounted in the receiving hole 142 of the probe mounting unit 141, the inspector may push the ultrasonic probe 120 into the receiving hole 142 of the probe mounting unit 141. When the ultrasonic probe 120 is pushed in, the protrusion body 123a of the mounting protrusion 123 is caught by the locking portion 146d of the hook 146a while being pushed into the protrusion guide groove 123c. That is, the mounting of the ultrasonic probe 120 may be performed by snap fitting.

Next, when the ultrasonic probe 120 is to be detached from the probe mounting unit 141, the inspector may pull the ultrasonic probe 120 while pressing the end of the hook 146a exposed out of the probe mounting unit 141 to release the restraint between the two. Can be.

Here, in order to ensure the seesaw movement of the hook 146a, it is preferable that a space in which the hook 146a is movable is formed in the probe mounting portion 141.

However, the locking means 146 is not limited to the above configuration, it is possible to apply a variety of configurations. For example, the battery mounting structure of the mobile phone may be applied.

Meanwhile, a gel pad layer (not shown) may be added to the cover 125 of the ultrasonic probe 120. The gel pad layer does not directly contact an element portion of the ultrasound probe 120 with a diagnosis site of the test subject, and passes through the gel pad layer to a diagnosis site such as skin so that air can be surely removed between the probe element and the diagnosis site. It has a structure capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves. The gel pede layer is preferably a material that can transmit ultrasonic waves while having a watery characteristic like jelly.

5 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic probe and a probe holder according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the probe mounting unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting bracket 241 and an ultrasonic probe 220 and a mounting bracket, which are formed of two components located on both sides of an outer circumferential surface of the ultrasonic probe 220. It may be configured to include a fastening member 247 for coupling the 241 to each other. As described above, the ultrasonic wave probe 220 is inserted between the two mounting brackets 241 rather than the probe mounting portion as a body, and then the mounting bracket 241 and the ultrasonic probes are fastened by the fastening members 247. By coupling the 220 with each other it is not necessary to form a separate fixing means support. That is, both ends of the holder fixing band 244 may be fixed to the fastening member 247.

Here, the fastening member 247 may be composed of a bolt having a predetermined length and a nut fastened thereto, and may fix both ends of the holder fixing band 244 to the bolt. In this case, Velcro coupling portions 245 may be formed at both ends of the holder fixing band 244. As such, when the ultrasonic probe 220 is fixed by using the mounting bracket 241, the ultrasonic probe 220 may be applied to ultrasonic probes having various shapes.

In another embodiment of the present invention described above, the mounting bracket 241, the holder fixing band 244 and the ultrasonic probe 220 may constitute a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit.

6 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic probe according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the ultrasonic probe according to FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is another modification of the ultrasonic probe according to FIG. 6. It is a perspective view which shows the example.

The hands-free ultrasonic probe unit illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is a case where the ultrasonic probe and the probe holder are integrally formed. That is, referring to FIG. 6, the fixing means support part 347 is integrally formed on the ultrasonic probe 320, and the holder fixing band 344 is formed on the fixing means support part 347. Both ends of the are fixed. Even in this case, both ends of the holder fixing band 344 may be provided with a Velcro coupling portion 345.

On the other hand, referring to Figure 7, the ultrasonic probe 420 is not provided with a separate probe mounting portion, the fixing means support portion 447 is integrally formed on the ultrasonic probe 420, the holder holding the fixing means support 447 The fixing band 444 is provided. Velcro coupling portions 445 may be provided at both ends of the holder fixing band 444.

The difference between the hands-free ultrasonic probe unit shown in FIG. 6 and that shown in FIG. 7 is as follows. That is, in the case of FIG. 6, both ends of the holder fixing band 344 are not directly attached, whereas in FIG. 7, both ends of the holder fixing band 444 are directly attached.

Here, it is preferable that a gel pad layer (not shown) is attached to the ends of the ultrasonic probes 220, 320, and 420 shown in FIGS.

Thus, by integrally forming the probe mounting portion and the ultrasonic probe, not only can the production cost be reduced, but also the configuration of the hands-free ultrasonic probe unit can be simplified.

8 illustrates a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit having a probe fixing cuff 448 in which an air pocket 449 is formed. Since the configuration of the ultrasonic probe unit of FIG. 8 except for the probe fixing cuff 448 is the same as that of the ultrasonic probe unit illustrated in FIG. 7, a description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the probe fixing cuff 448 may fix the probe to the test site by supplying air to a plurality of air bags 449 provided in parallel to press the test site of the test subject.

Here, the probe fixing cuff 448 may be applied not only when the ultrasonic probe and the probe holder are integrally formed, but also when the ultrasonic probe and the probe holder are separately formed. In the case where the ultrasonic probe and the probe holder are formed separately, the probe holding cuff 448 will be a holder holding cuff that fixes the probe holder to the object under test. Here, since the operation method and structure of the fixing cuff 448 is a general one, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As mentioned above, the holder fixing means is not limited to the holder fixing band and the holder fixing cuff.

The probe holder described so far is preferably worn on a subject under test to detect extravasation using an ultrasonic probe. In the case of extravasation detection, the accuracy of the diagnosis is very important. Changing the position of the probe during the diagnosis can have serious consequences.

As described above, although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below I can understand that you can.

1 is a front view showing an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention,

2 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a perspective view illustrating a probe holder to which the ultrasonic probe according to FIG. 2 is mounted;

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

5 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic probe and a probe holder according to another embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe according to another embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the ultrasonic probe according to FIG. 6;

8 is a perspective view illustrating another modified example of the ultrasonic probe according to FIG. 6.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 120,220,320,420: Ultrasonic probe

140, 240: probe holder 141: probe mounting portion

144,244,344,444 ： Holder fixing band

146: Locking means 241: Mounting bracket

448: probe holding cuff 449: air pocket

Claims (12)

A probe holder provided to be worn on the inspected object; And And an ultrasonic probe detachably mounted to the probe holder and in contact with the inspected object. The probe holder includes a probe mounting portion to which the ultrasonic probe is mounted, holder fixing means for fixing the probe mounting portion to the test subject, and fixing means support portions formed at the probe mounting portion to support both ends of the holder fixing means. The probe mounting portion is formed with a receiving hole for receiving the ultrasonic probe, the inner surface of the receiving hole is a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit, characterized in that the locking means for fixing the ultrasonic probe is provided. delete The method of claim 1, The locking means is a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit, characterized in that it comprises a hook hinged to the inner surface of the receiving hole and the spring supporting the hook. The method of claim 3, Hands-free type ultrasonic probe unit, characterized in that the mounting projection is caught on the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe accommodated in the receiving hole is formed on one end of the hook. The method of claim 1, The probe mounting unit may include a mounting bracket positioned on both sides of an outer circumferential surface of the ultrasonic probe and a fastening member coupling the ultrasonic probe and the mounting bracket to each other. delete The method according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4 or 5, The holder fixing means is a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit, characterized in that the coupling portion of the Velcro type. The method of claim 7, wherein The probe holder is a hands-free ultrasonic probe unit, characterized in that worn on the subject to detect extravasation using the ultrasonic probe. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for detecting the inside of the subject by detecting the inside of the subject using ultrasonic waves, An ultrasonic probe in contact with the test object to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves; And A probe mounting part to which the ultrasonic probe is detachably mounted, holder fixing means for fixing the probe mounting part to the test subject, and fixing means support parts formed on the probe mounting part to support both ends of the holder fixing means, Probe holder provided to be wearable to; Including; The probe mounting unit is provided with a receiving hole for receiving the ultrasonic probe, and the inner surface of the receiving hole is provided with a locking means for fixing the ultrasonic probe. 10. The method of claim 9, And the ultrasonic probe is snap-fit to the probe mounting portion. delete The method according to any one of claims 9 to 10, And the probe holder is worn on the object to detect extravasation using the ultrasound probe.

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