KR20140036834A

KR20140036834A - Transvaginal ultrasonic prove apparatus

Info

Publication number: KR20140036834A
Application number: KR1020120103456A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김광준
Original assignee: 김광준
Priority date: 2012-09-18
Filing date: 2012-09-18
Publication date: 2014-03-26

Abstract

The present invention mounts a tiny lighting device together with an on/off button, an image stop button, and an image store button onto a probe, thereby preventing an operator from feeling shame because of having to turn on the indoor lighting or lift up the gown of an examinee without help from an assistant in a dark ultrasonography room in particular in the case of vaginal ultrasonography and enabling the operator to perform ultrasonography fast and easily. Furthermore, the present invention is able to resolve the problem that help from an assistant is necessary to stop or store an image since the operator needs to hold a probe with one hand and continuously perform auxiliary actions such as pressing the abdominal area with the other hand to acquire an accurate image during vaginal ultrasonography or obstetric ultrasonography. [Reference numerals] (1) Upper frame; (11) Probe head; (12) Light; (2) Lower frame; (21) Power switch; (22) Imaging switch; (3) Middle frame; (31) Detection management unit; (32) Sensor unit; (33) Detection unit; (34) Communicatioin unit; (35) Imaging record storage unit

Description

Hard ultrasonic probe apparatus {transvaginal ultrasonic prove apparatus}

The present invention relates to a rigid ultrasonic probe device for mounting a button on a probe.

will be.

Conventional ultrasonic probes include a transrectal probe and a transverginal probe. These ultrasonic probes have an elongated shape, an ultrasonic probe main body having an ultrasonic vibrator embedded at a distal end, and a gripping probe attached to the ultrasonic probe main body. It consists of a handle.

In the prior art, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus for imaging an object to be examined by ultrasonic waves and generating an image by reflected waves of ultrasonic waves has been used for the inspection. In the ultrasonic diagnosis, ultrasonic waves are transmitted into a subject, and diagnostic information such as a tomogram in the subject is generated based on the reflected wave reflected in the subject.

Ultrasonic wave transmission to the subject is performed through an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe has an ultrasonic vibration element having a piezoelectric effect that reversibly converts current and sound waves.

The ultrasonic vibration device generates an ultrasonic wave when a voltage is applied, and generates an electric signal when receiving the reflected wave. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when used for ultrasonic diagnosis. The ultrasonic probe connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is driven by receiving power from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In addition, the ultrasonic probe is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and transmits and receives a control signal for applying a voltage to the ultrasonic vibration element or an electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic vibration element. Since the ultrasonic probe is mainly operated by a hand of an operator such as a doctor, the cable may cause a diagnostic failure, and a short circuit or leakage of coolant due to cable breakage may occur.

For this reason, the ultrasonic probe includes an internal power supply and a wireless communication unit, power supply by the internal power supply, and a technique for transmitting and receiving signals by the wireless communication unit.

In particular, when attempting to acquire local information on an object to be examined by ultrasound, an ultrasonic probe that can be held by the operator in contact with a desired part of the object to be tested is generally used. 1 of the present application is an exploded view showing a general configuration of a conventional ultrasonic probe. Such an ultrasonic probe is an assembly formed of the case members 102a and 102b, the ultrasonic lens portion 101 and the bushing portion 103, and therefore, it is necessary to prepare a mold for each member, and separately forming the members, The step of assembling them and joining them together is called for, which leads to a costly problem, and because the case 102 is made of a hard resin, the case 102 is very slippery when used, which is damaged by falling There is a possibility that the ultrasonic waves cannot be stably focused, and especially when handling the ultrasonic probe, since the ultrasonic lab is basically operated in a dark situation, the operator causes a problem that requires careful attention in the handling of the ultrasonic probe. .

In addition, since the ultrasound probe insertion is performed in a dark situation, it is necessary to treat the patient in an adverse environment where the inconvenience of having to illuminate the indoor light and then remove the clogging skirt to confirm the correct position to insert the probe must be repeated. Because of this, it is difficult to perform ultrasound without the help of assistants such as nurses to assist the operator.

Vaginal ultrasonography holds the probe in one hand and the other hand compresses the lower abdomen of the subject to push the intestines around the uterus and fallopian tube-ovary to obtain an accurate image of the target organ. At this time, in order to freeze and store an appropriately displayed image, a third hand, that is, an auxiliary man, has to operate the stop-save button on the keyboard of the ultrasound apparatus. Using the stop-save button mounted on the probe as in the present invention, it is possible to perform a quick and simple diagnostic process without the assistance of an assistant.

As described above,

1. When operating the ultrasonic probe, it is inconvenient for both the operator and the subject, because the assistant must operate the room lighting appropriately from time to time, and the inconvenience of having to cover the garment is repeated because it operates in a dark environment. At the same time, assistants have created situations that are absolutely necessary.

2. In maternal abdominal ultrasonography for fetal ultrasonography, including vaginal ultrasonography, the image can only be accurately formed by using both hands. Therefore, the secondary manpower to press the button is essential to freeze and save the formed image.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the problem of causing inconvenience to the subjects in shame and time and human resources in the dark, so as to illuminate the room lighting and cover up the clothing at every examination in a dark ultrasound room, By improving the current condition that auxiliary personnel were required to acquire the diagnostic image, the illumination device is attached to the ultrasonic probe device for accurate examination by the operator alone, and the switch for stop-storage solves the above problems. It is intended to be.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention,

A bottom frame of a certain length having a columnar shape and formed in the longitudinal direction of the column,

An ultrasonic transceiver for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave,

When connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a connector for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic transceiver,

A power supply is supplied from an internal power supply when the internal power supply and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are not connected, and detection management means for managing the detection state of the ultrasonic probe,

The state management means includes a sensor unit for detecting a physical stimulus from an external environment,

A detector for detecting a predetermined physical stimulus based on a detection result of the sensor;

Communication unit for receiving the handling information of the ultrasonic probe from an external device,

A hard ultrasonic probe device comprising imaging memory storage means for storing and storing the handling information received by the communication unit by imaging,

A light provided in an upper frame of the probe;

A power switch for turning on and off the power of the light; And

And an imaging switch for controlling the power supply of the imaging memory storage means to be stopped or stored and to be turned on or off.

According to the device according to the invention, it is basically possible to reduce the incidence of the subject's shame caused by the operator illuminating the room lighting or uncovering the garment without the help of an assistant, even in the dark ultrasound room, especially in the dark vaginal ultrasound insertion. It has the effect that the operator can properly perform the ultrasound without wasting time and manpower.

In addition, by attaching the stop-save button of the image to the ultrasonic probe device, it is possible to have an effect that can quickly and easily obtain an accurate ultrasound image using both hands without the assistance of an assistant.

1: conventional ultrasonic probe device
2 is a block diagram of the ultrasonic probe device of the present invention
3: an embodiment of the present invention

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic probe apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 is a configuration diagram according to the appearance of the ultrasonic probe device.

A lower frame having a predetermined length and formed in the longitudinal direction of the column;

The switch is arranged at regular intervals on the lower frame.

An ultrasonic transceiver for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves,

When a high frequency voltage is applied by connecting a high frequency pulse oscillator of 3 ~ 12 [MHz] to the same PZT as a ceramic vibrating element, the probe vibrates at the same frequency to generate ultrasonic waves. When an ultrasonic wave is applied to the device, the vibrating device generates a minute electric phenomenon corresponding thereto, and when it is amplified, it can be detected as an electric signal.

When connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the connector mediates transmission and reception of an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic transceiver.

An electric power supply is supplied from an internal power supply when it is disconnected from an internal power supply and the said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the detection management means which manages the detection state of an ultrasonic probe is provided. Transducer assemblies incorporating multiple ultrasonic transducers are called ultrasonic probes and are also called transducers. A probe is a device that sends an ultrasonic wave to a subject to be diagnosed or receives reflected waves reflected from the object to be converted into an electrical signal.

The detection management means includes a sensor unit for detecting a physical stimulus from an external environment,

And imaging storage means for imaging and storing the handling information received by the communication unit.

The upper frame of the probe is provided with a light. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and transmits and receives a control signal for applying a voltage to the ultrasonic vibrating element or an electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic vibrating element. The ultrasonic probe is mainly operated by an operator such as a doctor to operate the cable. There is a risk of disturbing this diagnosis, and there is a risk of leakage of electric leakage or leakage of coolant due to cable breakage.

The ultrasonic probe may include an internal power source and a wireless communication unit, and an internal power source and a wireless communication unit may be provided, and a solution may be proposed by a power supply by an internal power source and a transmission / reception technique of a signal by the wireless communication unit.

The piezoelectric material of the ultrasonic probe is composed of at least one of crystal, Li 2 SO 4, BaTiO 3, Rochell salt, lead zirconate titanzte (PZT), and poly vinylidene difluoride (PVF2). When pressure is applied to a crystal showing a piezoelectric effect, a voltage is generated, and conversely, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric material, a volume change occurs. Most ultrasonic generators used medically use piezoelectric effects to operate both the transmission and reception of sound.

In general, the probe used for diagnosis is mostly made of artificial ceramics such as PZT, which has high conversion efficiency, but piezoelectric organic materials such as PVF2 (poly vinylidene difluoride) are also used. As a result, piezoelectric materials with higher efficiency continue to be developed.

Ultrasonic piezoelectric crystals transmit and receive ultrasonic waves only to pass a certain frequency. When an electric signal of a single pulse waveform is given, the vibrator is mechanically attenuated and vibrated at a natural frequency, and sound waves having a waveform similar to mechanical vibration are emitted toward the human body.

Ultrasonic waves incident on human tissue are reflected and scattered, and when they return to the probe, only the frequency components near the natural frequency are converted into highlighted electrical signals. In general, the frequency of probes used for diagnosis is in the range of 3 ~ 10 [MHz], and it is used in the range of 2 ~ 3 [MHz] for diagnosing organs that are as deep as the vagina or intestine. Use a probe with a frequency in the MHz] range.

When trying to acquire local information about the subject by ultrasound, the operator holds the probe with one hand and makes contact with the desired part of the subject, and the other hand presses and adjusts the lower abdomen of the subject to perform the examination. As in the present invention, when the light is provided on the upper frame of the probe, the operator does not need to separately turn on or off the indoor light, and a separate assistant for freezing-saving the acquired image. Activity is unnecessary. In particular, in the present invention, the necessity of having a light on a probe upper frame was requested in a vaginal ultrasonography performed under a dark lighting environment.

The power of the light can be turned on and off by a power switch.

The above-mentioned light can be easily turned on and off by the operator by the power switch, and the imaging switch can control the power of the imaging memory storage means to be stopped or stored, and can be controlled on and off. When performing the imaging process, the operator grasps the lower frame and contacts the desired portion of the subject to be imaged to perform the imaging process. In this case, an ultrasonic test solvent (for example, jelly) may be applied to the subject to be imaged.

3 is an embodiment of the present invention.

Medical institutions can check the symptoms of the affected area by irradiating the affected areas such as the mouth, ear, nose, eye, and intestine or vagina that are difficult for the operator to check.The bulb used here is a halogen bulb or a high-brightness LED. have. In particular, high-brightness LEDs have pure white light, which makes it possible to clearly identify symptoms of reddish lesions. In addition to the power switch for turning on and off the light, a ring-shaped switch is attached to not only turns on or off the high-brightness LED, but also gradually adjusts the brightness or dimming, which can greatly help in accurate diagnosis.

The on-off power switch or ring-type switch may be recessed in the frame, and the power switch or ring-shaped switch may be recessed in the frame, or the cover (not shown) may be mounted on the recessed switch to open or close the cover. It can be installed in such a state that the operator does not unnecessarily malfunction during diagnosis or uncomfortable due to the protrusion of the switch, thereby preventing occurrence of a malfunction situation during diagnosis.

The cover may be placed on the upper frame or the lower frame according to the operator's convenience, but in general, it is more preferable to place the cover on the lower frame for the operator's convenience.

In addition to the switch, a freezing switch may be provided for freezing the image (see reference numeral 23). In addition, a save switch for storing an image may be separately provided (not shown).

The head portion of the upper frame of the ultrasonic probe is inserted into the cavity of the body such as the vagina, anus, intestine, and esophagus, and the generated ultrasonic wave for the inside of the subject is focused by an ultrasonic lens (not shown) to focus the subject to be imaged. And receiving the reflected wave, which is irradiated with the ultrasonic waves, which are reflected ultrasonic waves, converts the received waveform into an electrical signal, obtains the electrical signal as an ultrasonic image through a cable and a connector, and stores the image that has been processed. have.

In order to achieve the above object, the detection management means includes a sensor unit for detecting a physical stimulus from an external environment, a detection unit for detecting a predetermined physical stimulus based on a result of the detection of the sensor, and handling information of an ultrasonic probe from an external device with a cable and a connector. And a communication unit for receiving the data, and an imaging memory storage unit for imaging and storing the handling information received by the communication unit.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by the limited embodiment and drawing, this invention is not limited by this.

Various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art within the equivalent scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the claims to be described below.

1. Upper frame 2. Lower frame
3. Middle frame 11. Probe head
12. Light 21. Power switch
22. Imaging Switch 23. Freezing Switch
31. Detection control means 32. Sensor part
33. Detection unit 34. Communication unit
35. Imaging Memory Storage Means

Claims

A bottom frame of a certain length having a columnar shape and formed in the longitudinal direction of the column,
An ultrasonic transceiver for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave,
When connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a connector for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic transceiver,
A power supply is supplied from an internal power supply when the internal power supply and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are not connected, and detection management means for managing the detection state of the ultrasonic probe,
The detection management means includes a sensor unit for detecting a physical stimulus from an external environment,
A detector for detecting a predetermined physical stimulus based on a detection result of the sensor;
Communication unit for receiving the handling information of the ultrasonic probe from an external device,
A hard ultrasonic probe device comprising imaging memory storage means for imaging and storing the handling information received by the communication unit,
A light provided in an upper frame of the probe;
A power switch for turning on and off the power of the light; And
And an imaging switch for controlling the power supply of the imaging memory storage means to be stopped or stored and to be turned on or off.

The method of claim 1,
The piezoelectric material of the ultrasonic probe may include at least one of crystal, Li 2 SO 4, BaTiO 3, Rochell salt, lead zirconate titanzte (PZT), and poly vinylidene difluoride (PVF2).

The method of claim 1,
Hard ultrasonic probe apparatus further comprises an ultrasonic focusing lens for focusing the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic probe.

The method of claim 1,
Hard ultrasonic probe device, characterized in that the frequency of the ultrasonic probe is 5 ~ 9 [MHz].

The method of claim 1,
The light switch is a rigid ultrasonic probe device characterized in that the on-off power switch or ring-shaped switch.

6. The method of claim 5,
The light switch of the rigid ultrasonic probe device, characterized in that the cover is recessed in the frame so as not to be disturbed during diagnosis, or the cover is mounted so as to close or open the switch.