KR100996740B1

KR100996740B1 - Gel pad for ultrasonic examination and ultrasonic examination apparatus having gel pad support unit

Info

Publication number: KR100996740B1
Application number: KR1020090074249A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 박희붕
Original assignee: 박희붕
Priority date: 2009-08-12
Filing date: 2009-08-12
Publication date: 2010-11-25

Abstract

PURPOSE: A gel pad for an ultrasound is provided to improve the reliability of an ultrasound inspection by uniformly maintaining a gel pad through a gel pad support part. CONSTITUTION: An ultrasound device comprises a scanning part(114), a pair of gel pad support parts(115), and an actuator. The pair of gel pad support parts are arranged in both sides of the scanning part. The gel pad support part comprises a binding part. The binding part binds both sides of the gel pad on the scanning part. The binding part has a plurality of protrusions. The actuator reciprocates at least one among the pair of gel pad support parts in a one direction.

Description

Ultrasonic Examination Device with Gel Pad for Ultrasonic Examination and Gel Pad Support for Ultrasonic Examination {GEL PAD FOR ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION AND ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION APPARATUS HAVING GEL PAD SUPPORT UNIT}

The present invention relates to a gel pad for ultrasonic inspection and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having the gel pad support.

Ultrasound examination devices are commonly used for the purpose of diagnosing or treating a patient's disease. In particular, it is often used when examining a woman's breast. In this case, the inspection site is scanned while the ultrasonic probe is in contact with the inspection site of the examinee. In this case, in order to ensure that the ultrasound generated from the probe is well transmitted to the test site, the test is generally performed in a state where a gel of an ultrasonic transparent material is applied to the test target site and the ultrasound probe.

1 is a perspective view of an ultrasound examination apparatus 1 for the purpose of breast examination of a woman. In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the height adjusting unit 3 is provided at the upper end of the main body 2, and the pressing unit 4 and the scanning unit 5 are provided at the height adjusting unit 3. Is installed. The pressing section 4 and the scanning section 5 are lifted by the height adjusting section 3. The scanning unit 5 is provided with an ultrasonic probe.

At the time of the ultrasound examination, an appropriate amount of gel 6 is applied to the upper surface of the scanning unit 5, an appropriate amount of gel is applied to the breast of the examinee, and the breast of the examinee is placed on the scanning unit 5. By operating the height adjusting unit 3 to lower the pressing unit 4, the breast of the examinee is fixed to the scanning unit 5. In this state, the ultrasonic probe is operated by operating the ultrasonic probe of the scanning unit 5.

When performing an ultrasound test using a conventional ultrasound test apparatus, the lower portion of the examinee's breast and the scanning unit 5 of the ultrasound test apparatus 1 come into direct contact. Therefore, the secretion from the breast of the examinee or the tissue of the breast is buried in the scanning unit (5). In addition, due to the gel 6 applied to the breast and the scanning unit 6, the secretion or human tissue is more likely to be buried on the upper surface of the scanning unit 5.

In the hospital, the ultrasound examination apparatus 1 is used to target a large number of patients. Therefore, it is very important for the examinee to be examined while his breast is placed on the scanning unit 5 in contact with another person's body. You feel unpleasant. In addition, since the body of the patient to be examined later in direct contact with the device in contact with the body of another person there is a problem that is not good hygiene. As a solution to this problem, it is not easy to cleanly wipe the scanning unit 5 because the scanning unit 5 is wiped off and used, but the sticky gel 6 is stuck to the scanning unit 5. [ In addition, there is an inefficient problem because it is very cumbersome to wipe the scanning unit 5 each time a new patient is examined and takes a lot of time and effort.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a first object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having a structure in which a gel coated with a gel can be easily fixed to and exchanged with a scanning unit during ultrasonic inspection so that the breast of the inspector does not directly contact the scanning unit . In addition, a second object of the present invention is to provide a gel pad for ultrasound examination that can be easily fixed and exchanged.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed an ultrasound inspection apparatus having a gel pad support that can easily fix and replace the gel pad for ultrasound examination. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes a scanning unit in which an ultrasonic probe is installed. A pair of gel pad supports are provided on both sides of the scanning unit. The gel pad support portion includes restraining means for restraining both sides of the gel pad placed on the scanning portion for ultrasonic examination. At least one of the pair of gel pad supports is capable of reciprocating in one direction in order to fix and keep the gel pad placed on top of the scanning unit. In addition, an actuator for driving the gel pad support portion is provided, and an actuator may be a pneumatic cylinder or a solenoid. When using a gel pad having a plurality of through holes formed on both side edges thereof, a plurality of protrusions can be formed on the gel pad supporting portion by the constraining means for fixing the gel pad.

Ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention, when the gel pad is supplied in the form of a roll rather than a sheet form, the pair of gel pad support portion is configured to include a roller installed to enable rotation, the outer peripheral surface of the roller as a restraining means You can also form protrusions. In this case, a protrusion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller that is capable of rotation may be used to continuously constrain the gel pad and simultaneously move the gel pad when the ultrasound is continued. The roller can be rotated using a motor.

Ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention, a roll sheet supply unit that can apply the ultrasonic permeable gel continuously to the upper and lower surfaces of the roll sheet wound in the form of a roll instead of a gel pad, and a roll that can continuously wind the gel pad used It may further comprise a sheet recovery unit. The roll sheet supply unit is installed on one side of the scanning unit, and includes a case having a feed roll shaft for accommodating the roll-wound ultrasonically transmissive sheet, and a gel coating for applying ultrasonically permeable gel to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet to be released from the roll. And a roller. In addition, the roll sheet recovery unit is provided on the other side of the scanning unit and has a recovery roll shaft for rewinding the sheet released in the form of a roll.

According to another aspect of the invention, a gel pad for ultrasound examination is disclosed. The gel pad according to the present invention includes a sheet made of ultrasonically transmissive material, an ultrasonically permeable gel layer applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet, and both sides of the sheet to give tension to fix and unfold the sheet. And a fixing strip made of a material having a rigidity higher than that of the sheet. In order to fix the gel pad and keep it taut, it is preferable that the fixing strip has a through hole at regular intervals. In addition, to more securely fix the sheet, the securing strip may include an upper strip coupled to an upper surface of the sheet and a lower strip coupled to a lower surface of the sheet. In addition, in the case of a single gel pad, in order to prevent foreign matters from adhering to the gel, it is preferable to attach a release strip to the gel layer. In the case of the rolled gel pad, it is preferable to form a perforation line on the sheet and the fixing strip at regular intervals to facilitate separation into sheets.

When a roll sheet supply unit capable of applying a gel to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is installed, an ultrasonic inspection pad wound in a roll form without applying the gel layer may be used. The pad for ultrasonic inspection wound in a roll shape is fixed to both sides of the sheet so as to give tension to fix and stretch the sheet, and is made of a material of greater rigidity than the sheet. And the fixing strips are formed with perforations at regular intervals and are wound in a roll form and have perforated lines formed in the sheets and the fixing strips at regular intervals to facilitate separation into a single sheet.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention can easily fix and replace a disposable gel pad which is used so that the body of the examinee does not come into direct contact with the upper surface of the scanning portion, so that it is hygienic and can shorten the time of ultrasonic examination. By eliminating the need to wipe or clean the scanning portion of the ultrasonic inspection device before and after the test, many patients can be examined in a short time, thereby increasing the operation rate of the device. In addition, it is possible to keep the gel pad taut during the test, thereby improving the reliability of the ultrasound test.

Other objects, specific advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, referring to FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the first ultrasound inspection apparatus 110 includes a main body 111. The height adjusting part 112 is installed at the upper end of the main body 111, and a pair of guide grooves 112a are formed in the vertical direction. The pressing unit 113 is lifted along the pair of guide grooves 112a and serves to press the breast of the examinee from above. The scanning unit 114 is installed at the lower portion facing the pressing unit 113 to move up and down along the pair of guide grooves 112a. The scanning unit 114 is placed on the upper surface of the subject's breast, and an ultrasonic probe (not shown) is installed to ultrasonically inspect the breast. The first gel pad supporting part 115 is provided on both sides of the scanning part 114 and is formed with a plurality of first protrusions 115a at regular intervals on the upper part by the constraining means for restricting both sides of the gel pad. The first gel pad support 115 is preferably composed of a pair, one or more of which operate to reciprocate in one direction. In this way, the first gel pad support 115 installed to allow the reciprocating motion is driven by the actuator 116. The actuator 116 may use a pneumatic cylinder or a solenoid, but is not limited thereto. The guide shaft 117 may be provided to support the first gel pad supporting part 115 which reciprocates by the actuator 116 so as not to be shaken during operation. The gel pad for ultrasound inspection is not folded or wrinkled by the first gel pad supporter 115 operating as described above, and it can be maintained in a taut unfolded state on the scanning unit 114, thereby improving the reliability of the ultrasonic test. Has

4 and 5, the first gel pad 10 for ultrasound inspection used in the first ultrasound inspection apparatus 110 includes a sheet 11, a gel layer 15, and a fixing strip. The sheet 11 is made of an ultrasonically transparent material, and is made of a synthetic resin of a thin and flexible material. The fixing strip is composed of an upper strip 12 and a lower strip 13 and is arranged in parallel with each other on the upper and lower surfaces of both ends of the sheet 11. The upper strip 12 and the lower strip 13 thus combined are made of a material having a rigidity higher than that of the sheet 11 so that the sheet 11 of a flexible material is easily unfolded, Makes it easy to be fixed.

Through-holes 14 are drilled in the upper strip 12 and the lower strip 13 at regular intervals. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the through hole 14 includes a first projection 115a formed in the first gel pad support part 115 of the first ultrasound inspection apparatus 110 inserted into the through hole 14 to scan the scanning part. The first gel pad 10 for ultrasound inspection is prevented from being separated from the 114. As described above, the first gel pad 10 for ultrasound inspection is fixed at a predetermined position of the scanning unit 114 so that the sheet 11 contacted during the ultrasound inspection is unfolded or folded on the scanning unit 114 without being folded or wrinkled. . As another restraining means for fixing the first gel pad 10 for ultrasound examination, the upper strip 12 and the lower strip without using the through holes 14 of the upper strip 12 and the lower strip 13 are used. It is also possible to use a method of clamping 13 to the scanning unit 114. As other restraining means, the fixing strip may be configured to have only one of the upper strip 12 and the lower strip 13, or may be fixed without forming a through hole in the fixing strip.

In addition, the gel layer 15 of the ultrasonically transmissive material is applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet 11. The peeling strips 16 may be provided on the surface of the gel layer 15 so that the gel layer 15 can be protected and hygienically managed. The peeling strip 16 remains attached to the first gel pad 10 for ultrasonic examination during movement and storage, but is used after removal if used for the ultrasonic examination.

6 or 7, the first gel pad 10 for ultrasonic inspection is installed in the scanning unit 114 of the first ultrasonic inspection apparatus 110. After removing the respective peeling strips 16 attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet 11 of the first gel pad 10 for ultrasound examination, the sheet 11 may be placed on the upper surface of the scanning unit 114. The plurality of through holes 14 formed in the fixing strips respectively coupled to both ends of 11) are inserted into the corresponding first protrusions 115a. Next, each actuator 116 is operated to extend the first gel pad support 115 laterally in order to unfold the sheet 11 so as not to be wrinkled or wrinkled. Next, after placing the breast B of the examinee on the upper surface of the sheet 11, the pressing unit 113 is lowered, and the ultrasound B is performed while the breast B is pressed and fixed at the upper portion. At this time, the gel layer 16 applied to the sheet 11 fills the space between the scanning unit 114 and the breast B so that no empty space is generated, so that the ultrasonic waves generated from the scanning unit 114 generate the breast B. . In addition, secretions or other human tissue from the breast B of the examinee may be buried only on the upper surface of the sheet 11 and not on the upper surface of the scanning unit 114. Therefore, if only the first gel pad 10 for ultrasonic inspection is used after the inspection is completed, the scanning unit 114 can maintain the sanitary condition and it is unnecessary to clean the top surface of the scanning unit 114 separately There is this.

8 illustrates that the second gel pad 20 for ultrasonic inspection is not made in a sheet form like the first gel pad 10 for ultrasonic inspection but is continuously and continuously manufactured so as to be wound on a roll . The second gel pad 20 for ultrasonic inspection thus manufactured is formed with a perforated line C at a predetermined interval in the sheet 11, the upper strip 12 and the lower strip 13 so as to be used one by one have. The perforations C may be formed in various structures so that the sheet 11, the upper strip 12, and the lower strip 13 can be easily torn off by the user. In this embodiment, the cutting line C formed by the method of cutting with a dotted line is provided. With such a structure, the user can easily cut and use the first gel pad 10 for ultrasonic inspection each having a length required for ultrasonic inspection in the second gel pad 20 for ultrasonic inspection, which is continuously manufactured .

In the second ultrasonic inspection apparatus 150 illustrated in FIG. 9, second gel pad support portions 118 are provided on both sides of the scanning unit 114, and roll sheets are provided on both sides of the second gel pad support portions 118. The supply unit 120 and the roll sheet recovery unit 130 are respectively installed different from the first ultrasonic inspection apparatus 110. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same configuration as the first ultrasound inspection apparatus 110, and the description of the same configuration will be omitted and other parts will be described in detail.

The second gel pad support part 118 is composed of a roller installed to be rotatable, and the second protrusion 119 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller. In this case, the second protrusion 119 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second gel pad support part 118, which is rotatable, restrains the gel pad for ultrasound and simultaneously moves the gel pad for ultrasound when the ultrasound is continued. . The second gel pad support 118 may be rotated using a motor (not shown).

The roll sheet supply unit 120 is provided at one side of the scanning unit 114 and has a supply unit case 121 having an empty space therein and having a supply hole 122 penetrated thereon. The supply roll shaft 123 is installed inside the supply unit case 121 so that one side of the pad 30 for ultrasonic inspection wound in a roll shape is wound. The supply roll shaft 123 is rotatably installed in the supply unit case 121. A lower gel applying portion 125 and an upper gel applying portion 127 are provided on the inside of the supply unit case 121 in order to apply a gel layer to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet 11 of the ultrasonic inspection pad 30, Equipped. The lower gel applying unit 125 accommodates the gel, and the lower roller 124 contacting the lower surface is rotatably installed to apply the gel to the lower surface of the sheet 11. The upper gel applying unit 127 accommodates the gel, and the upper roller 126 is installed to be rotatable in contact with the upper surface to apply the gel to the upper surface of the sheet 11. Therefore, the lower roller 124 and the upper roller 126 are engaged with the sheet 11 to rotate when the ultrasonic inspection pad 30 wound in a roll form is released from the supply roll shaft 123 and exits through the supply hole 122. While applying the gel stored in each receiving portion on the top and bottom of the sheet (11). The sheet 11 coated with the gel layer is conveyed to be disposed on the upper surface of the scanning unit 114.

The roll sheet recovery unit 130 includes a recovery unit case 131 which is installed at the other side of the scanning unit 114 and has an empty space therein and has a recovery hole 132 formed therethrough. A recovery roll shaft 133 is rotatably provided inside the recovery unit case 131. Therefore, the other side of the ultrasonic inspection pad 30 which is released from the supply roll shaft 123 and extends through the upper surface of the scanning unit 114 is rewound to the recovery roll shaft 133 through the recovery hole 132.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 10, when the sheet 11 of the gel pad for ultrasound examination 30 is located on the upper surface of the scanning unit 114, the ultrasound examination is performed while the breast of the examinee is placed thereon. To perform. When the inspection is completed, the recovery roll shaft 133 is rotated to rewind the ultrasonic inspection pad 30 wound in the roll form to the recovery roll shaft 133. At this time, a new sheet 11 coated with a gel on the upper and lower surfaces by the lower roller 124 and the upper roller 126 is automatically placed on the scanning unit 114, so that the ultrasonic inspection can be performed quickly and continuously.

Similarly, in the pad 30 for ultrasonic examination wound in a roll shape, the through hole 14 formed in the fixing strip is inserted into the second protrusion 119 of the corresponding second gel pad support 118 to insert the sheet 11. After fixing to the scanning unit 114, the inspection is performed. When rewinding the used sheet 11 to the recovery roll shaft 133 after the inspection is completed, the second protrusion 119 rotates together with the second gel pad support 118. At this time, when the ultrasonic inspection pad 30 wound around the supply roll shaft 123 is released and a new sheet 11 coated with gel is placed on the upper surface of the scanning unit 114, the rotation is stopped and a new inspection is performed. do. In the present invention, although the restraining means of the pad 30 for the ultrasonic inspection uses the second protrusion 119, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be fixed by various restraining means.

Referring to FIG. 11, as an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, only the roll sheet supply unit 120 and the roll sheet recovery unit 130 are installed on both sides of the scanning unit 114, respectively. Accordingly, the ultrasonic inspection pad 30 wound in a roll shape is disposed on the upper surface of the scanning unit 114 in a state in which the roll 30 is stretched by the supply roll shaft 123 and the recovery roll shaft 133 to recover the structure. Have Since the ultrasonic inspection apparatus having such a structure is provided with a gel pad support formed with a plurality of protrusions, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and it is convenient to use.

The ultrasonic inspection pads 30 wound in the form of rolls shown in Fig. 12 are used in the second ultrasonic inspection apparatus 150 and are wound around the supply roll axis 123 and the recovery roll axis 133, It is characterized in that it is continuously produced in a roll type. In some cases, cut lines are formed at regular intervals for use in the first ultrasound inspection apparatus 110, and may be used in sheets. At this time, the gel should be applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet 11, of course.

The gel pads and pads for ultrasonic inspection of the present invention may be manufactured as a single sheet or continuously without combining fixing strips or fixing strips to each sheet. In addition, although the through-hole is drilled in the fixing strip, the fixing strip without the through-hole may be used. In addition, although the gel layer is applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet, the gel layer may be applied to only one surface. In addition, the gel layer may not be applied. In the state where the gel layer is not applied, the ultrasonic pad may be supplied and the user may apply the gel layer to both sides of the sheet when the ultrasonic pad is used. In addition, the fixing strip is illustrated by being disposed along both sides of the scanning unit. However, the fixing strip is not limited thereto, and the fixing strip may be changed in various ways depending on the structure of the ultrasound inspection apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention described above and illustrated in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical spirit of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is limited only by the matters described in the claims, and those skilled in the art can change and change the technical idea of the present invention in various forms. Therefore, such improvements and modifications will fall within the protection scope of the present invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1 is a perspective view of a conventional ultrasonic inspection apparatus

2 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention

3 is a plan view for explaining an operating state of the scanning unit of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus shown in FIG.

4 is a front view of the gel pad for ultrasound examination according to the first embodiment of the present invention

5 is a perspective view of a state in which a peeling strip of the gel pad for ultrasound inspection shown in FIG. 4 is removed;

6 is a perspective view of a state in which the gel pad for ultrasonic inspection of the first embodiment is installed in the scanning unit of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 6

8 is a plan view of a gel pad for ultrasound examination according to a second embodiment of the present invention

9 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of using the ultrasound test apparatus and the ultrasound pad shown in FIG. 9.

11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a method of using the ultrasonic testing apparatus and the ultrasonic pad without the gel pad support.

12 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic examination pad in accordance with the present invention

10: first gel pad for ultrasound inspection 11: sheet

12: upper strip 13: lower strip

14 through-hole 15 gel layer

16: peeling strip 20: second gel pad for ultrasonic inspection

30: ultrasonic inspection pad 110: first ultrasonic inspection apparatus

111: main body 112: height adjusting portion

113: pressing portion 114: scanning portion

115: first gel pad supporting portion 115a: first projection

116: actuator 117: guide shaft

150: second ultrasonic inspection apparatus 118: second gel pad support

119: second projection 120: roll sheet supply unit

121: supply unit case 122: supply hole

123: supply roll shaft 124: lower roller

125: lower gel coating portion 126: upper roller

127: upper gel coating unit 130: roll sheet recovery unit

131: recovery unit case 132: recovery hole

133: recovery roll axis B: breast

C: perforation

Claims

delete

An ultrasonic inspection apparatus including a scanning unit provided with an ultrasonic probe,

And a pair of gel pad supporting portions provided on both sides of the scanning portion, wherein the gel pad supporting portion has restraining means for restricting both sides of the gel pad placed on the scanning portion for ultrasonic inspection,

At least one of the pair of gel pad support units is installed to reciprocate in one direction,

And an actuator for driving the gel pad support provided to allow the reciprocating motion.

The method of claim 2,

The restraining means is an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, characterized in that a plurality of protrusions formed in the gel pad support portion to be inserted into the through holes formed on both sides of the gel pad.

And a pair of gel pad supports provided on both sides of the scanning unit, wherein the gel pad support unit includes restraining means for restraining both sides of the gel pad placed on the scanning unit for ultrasonic inspection,

The pair of gel pad support parts include a roller installed to be rotatable, and a protrusion is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the roller,

Ultrasonic inspection apparatus further comprises a drive means for driving the roller.

The method of claim 4, wherein

A roll sheet provided on one side of the scanning unit, including a case having a feed roll shaft for accommodating the roll-wound ultrasonically permeable sheet, and a roller for applying gel to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet to be unwound from the roll. Supply unit,

And a roll sheet collecting unit provided on the other side of the scanning unit, the collecting roll shaft for rewinding the sheet unrolled in a roll form.

A sheet made of ultrasonically transparent material,

Ultrasonic permeable gel layer applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet,

Ultrasonic gel pads, characterized in that it comprises a fixing strip made of a material that is fixed to both sides of the sheet, the rigidity than the sheet in order to fix the sheet to give tension to stretch.

The method of claim 6,

Ultrasonic gel pads characterized in that the through-holes are drilled at regular intervals in the fixing strip.

The method of claim 7, wherein

The fixing strip may include an upper strip coupled to an upper surface of the sheet and a lower strip coupled to a lower surface of the sheet.

The method of claim 7, wherein

Ultrasonic gel pad characterized in that it further comprises a peeling strip attached to the gel layer.

The method of claim 7, wherein

The sheet is wound in the form of a roll, the gel pad for ultrasound examination, characterized in that the perforated line is formed on the sheet and the fixing strip at regular intervals to facilitate separation into sheets.

A sheet made of ultrasonically transparent material,

A fixing strip which is fixed to both sides of the sheet so as to fix the sheet and tension the sheet to be stretched, and is made of a material having greater rigidity than the sheet,

The fixing strip is drilled through holes at regular intervals,

It is wound in the form of a roll, the pad for ultrasound inspection, characterized in that the perforated line is formed on the sheet and the fixing strip at regular intervals to facilitate separation into sheets.