KR20210032707A - Probe Cover mounted on probe of ultrasonic inspection device and ultrasonic inspection device having the same probe cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates a probe cover (100) attached to a probe (20) of an ultrasonic inspection device (10). The probe cover (100) comprises: a body unit (110), as a hollow structure, provided in a shape corresponding to a shape of a probe (20) and attached while being overlaid on the outside of the probe (20); a distal end unit (120) formed to protrude further than an end of the probe (20) from a distal end of the body unit (110); and a material receiving space unit (130), which is an inner space of the protruding distal end unit (120), receiving an ultrasonic transmitting material.

Description

A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection device, and an ultrasonic inspection device having the same {Probe Cover mounted on probe of ultrasonic inspection device and ultrasonic inspection device having the same probe cover}

The present invention relates to a probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having the same.

The vibrating body that generates sound is called an acoustic source, and sound energy generated from the sound source is transmitted in the form of a wave having a certain frequency. The frequency (audible frequency) of sound that can be heard by humans is 20-20,000 Hz. A sound wave having a high frequency above the audible frequency range is defined as an ultrasonic wave. Ultrasonography refers to a signal that is reflected by transmitting a pulse wave into the human body from tissues with a difference in acoustic impedance, and amplifies and converts the reflected signal into an image. Also called a gram (sonogram).

During the interaction between sound waves and objects, there is a Doppler effect. This is a phenomenon in which the frequency of the sound wave emitted from the transducer and the frequency of the sound wave returned when the sound wave hits a moving object is different. This is a phenomenon in which is increased, and Doppler ultrasound is used.

By analyzing the Doppler effect using ultrasound, it is possible to measure the speed and amount of blood flow (blood) that moves rapidly through the blood vessel.

On the other hand, in order to maximally move the ultrasonic wave to the human tissue, there must be close contact between the probe, which is the head of the ultrasonic device, and the part to be examined on the body. Since even a small amount of air can disrupt the flow of ultrasonic waves, the space between them is filled with a material capable of ultrasonic transmission to allow the transmission of acoustic energy. Therefore, the material for ultrasonic transmission is important to have high acoustic conductivity, and the material for ultrasonic transmission needs to have a viscosity such that it remains on the skin or the area to be examined during the examination.

If the material for ultrasound transmission is insufficient or not completely in close contact with the area to be inspected, there is a problem in that the vibration energy of the ultrasound is not transmitted to the area to be inspected and is reflected.

In general, an ultrasonic inspection device is used for skin, which is a soft tissue. In this case, the inspector discharges a certain amount of the material for ultrasound transmission to the skin, and moves the probe of the ultrasound inspection device back and forth, while moving the probe in front of the probe. The inspection is carried out in such a way that the material for delivery is continuously secured.

However, when the ultrasound examination device is applied to hard tissues such as teeth or bones rather than soft tissue, the material for ultrasound transmission is not sufficiently secured in the front of the probe by the method performed on the skin. Is generated.

(Document 1) Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0036175 (2009.04.14)

A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having the same have the following challenges.

First, it is intended to smoothly use the ultrasonic inspection device not only for soft tissues but also for hard tissues.

Second, the ultrasonic transmission material is continuously secured in the front part of the probe of the ultrasonic inspection device.

Third, it is intended to supply the ultrasonic delivery material easily and quickly without a separate ultrasonic delivery material supply device.

Fourth, the probe cover can also be used for single use.

The problem of the present invention is not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The present invention is a probe cover attached to a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, a hollow hollow structure, provided in a shape corresponding to the shape of the probe, the body portion attached while being overlaid on the outside of the probe; A distal end protruding from the distal end of the body portion than the protruding end of the probe; The inner space of the protruding tip includes a material receiving space in which an ultrasonic transmission material is accommodated.

The probe according to the present invention may have a cone shape, and a body portion may also have a corresponding cone shape.

In the present invention, all or part of the tip portion may be provided with an elastic member.

In the present invention, it is possible that the material receiving space has a structure in which the upper and lower portions are open.

In the present invention, it is possible that the material receiving space has a structure in which the upper part is open and the lower part is closed.

In the present invention, a storage member having a material storage unit in which an ultrasonic transmission material is stored is additionally provided on one side of the body portion, and an inner passage unit connecting the material storage unit and the material receiving space is provided on the inside of the body unit, and material storage When the part is pressurized, the stored ultrasonic transmission material may be supplied to the material receiving space part.

In the present invention, the material storage unit may be provided with a material discharge port having a crushed portion that is crushed when pressure is applied.

In the present invention, the inner passage portion may be provided with a curved shape of the body portion vortex.

In the present invention, the space of the passage may be enlarged as the inner passage portion goes from the material storage portion to the material receiving space portion.

In the present invention, the upper or side portion of the material storage unit is provided so as to come into contact with the gas pressure portion filled with gas. When the gas pressure portion is pressurized, the gas pressure portion can pressurize the material storage portion.

In the present invention, the material storage unit is formed to have a lower height of the rear than the height of the front, and the upper part of the material storage unit is sealedly filled with gas, and is provided so as to contact a gas pressure unit formed with a height of the rear higher than that of the front, When the gas pressurizing unit is pressurized, the gas pressurizing unit can pressurize the material storage unit.

In the present invention, all or part of the front end portion is provided with an elastic member, a storage member having a material storage portion in which an ultrasonic transmission material is stored is provided on one side of the body portion, and the material storage portion and the material accommodation space are inside the body portion. An internal passage part connecting the parts is provided, and when the material storage part is pressurized, the stored ultrasonic transmission material is supplied to the material receiving space part, and the upper or side part of the material storage part is provided so as to come into contact with the gas pressure part filled with gas. The crushed material discharge port to which pressure is applied is provided, and when the gas pressurizing unit is pressurized, the gas pressurizing unit can pressurize the material storage unit.

The present invention is an apparatus for performing an ultrasonic examination using an ultrasonic transmission material, comprising: a probe provided on one side of the ultrasonic examination apparatus and emitting ultrasonic waves; And a probe cover according to the present invention detachably coupled to the outside of the probe.

The probe cover mounted on the probe of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention and the ultrasonic inspection apparatus having the same have the following effects.

First, there is an effect that the ultrasonic examination device is smoothly used for hard tissues including teeth.

Second, there is an effect that the ultrasonic transmission material is continuously secured in the material receiving space provided in the front part of the probe.

Third, a separate ultrasonic transmission material supply device is unnecessary, and there is an effect of additionally supplying the ultrasonic transmission material from the probe cover.

Fourth, by attaching and detaching the probe cover to the probe, it can be used for a single use, thereby providing a hygienic effect.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 shows an example of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus and a probe cover used therein.
2A illustrates a state in which the probe cover is not mounted on the probe, and FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrates a state in which the probe cover is mounted on the probe.
3A is a schematic diagram of a probe and a probe cover according to the present invention, and FIG. 3B shows that the probe cover of FIG. 3A can be attached to and detached from the probe.
4A is a basic embodiment of a probe cover according to the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an embodiment in which an elastic member is provided in the probe cover.
5A and 5B show various embodiments of a material receiving space according to the present invention.
6A and 6B show that the embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B is actually implemented in hard tissue.
7A and 7B show an embodiment in which a storage member for an ultrasonic transmission material is provided in the probe cover according to the present invention.
8A to 8C show the type of the material receiving space and the introduction of the ultrasonic transmission material in the embodiment of FIG. 7.
9 shows an embodiment in which an elastic member and a storage member are provided together in the probe cover according to the present invention.
10A to 10C illustrate various embodiments of a material storage unit and a gas pressure unit of a probe cover according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can be easily understood, the following embodiments may be modified in various forms without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention. As far as possible, the same or similar parts are indicated using the same reference numerals in the drawings.

The terminology used in this specification is for referring only to specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. Singular forms as used herein also include plural forms unless the phrases clearly indicate the opposite.

As used herein, the meaning of "comprising" specifies a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, action, element and/or component, and other specific characteristic, region, integer, step, action, element, component and/or It does not exclude the presence or addition of the military.

All terms including technical and scientific terms used in the present specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. The terms defined in the dictionary are further interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the related technical literature and the presently disclosed content, and are not interpreted in an ideal or very formal meaning unless defined.

The present invention can be applied to various types of ultrasound examination devices such as an ultrasonic Doppler hemometry.

The probe and the part to be inspected must be in close contact. At this time, even a small amount of air can disrupt the flow of ultrasonic waves, so the space between them is filled with a material capable of ultrasonic transmission to allow the transmission of acoustic energy.

To this end, an ultrasonic transmission material may be applied to a portion to be inspected during an ultrasonic examination. The inspector makes the applied ultrasonic transmission material in close contact with the probe and the part to be inspected while moving the ultrasonic inspection device. In addition, when the part to be examined is a soft tissue such as skin, in order to ensure that the ultrasonic delivery material is sufficiently placed in the front of the probe, the ultrasonic delivery material is continuously transferred to the front part of the probe while pressing the skin with the probe and moving the ultrasonic delivery material together with the probe. It may also be kept on.

However, when the part to be examined is not a soft skin tissue, but a hard tissue such as a tooth, there is a problem that this method is difficult to apply.

In addition, as the probe moves, the ultrasonic transmission material filled between the probe and the portion to be inspected gradually becomes insufficient. At this time, the inspector fills the insufficient amount while supplementing the ultrasonic transmission material to the area to be examined.

However, such a conventional supplementary method of additional application has a problem that is not suitable when it is difficult to additionally apply an ultrasonic transmission material depending on the location or size of the part to be inspected.

The present invention has been proposed to solve this problem. In the present invention, a probe cover is provided, and a material receiving space for accommodating an ultrasonic transmission material is provided in the probe cover. Through this, the ultrasonic transmission material is continuously accommodated in the material receiving space.

Furthermore, when the ultrasonic transmission material is insufficient in the material receiving space, the probe is not removed from the part to be inspected and the inspection state is maintained, and the structure of additionally supplementing the ultrasonic transmission material in the material receiving space is proposed.

1 shows an example of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus and a probe cover used therein. 2A illustrates a state in which the probe cover is not mounted on the probe, and FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrates a state in which the probe cover is mounted on the probe.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment in which a separate probe cover is detachably provided in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is possible. In addition, an embodiment that is fixedly attached to the ultrasonic inspection device may be possible. However, due to hygienic reasons, etc., a detachable embodiment would be more preferable.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For reference, the drawings may be partially exaggerated to describe the features of the present invention. In this case, it is preferable to be interpreted in light of the entire purpose of the present specification.

3A is a schematic diagram of a probe and a probe cover according to the present invention, and FIG. 3B shows that the probe cover of FIG. 3A can be attached to and detached from the probe. 4A is a basic embodiment of a probe cover according to the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an embodiment in which an elastic member is provided in the probe cover.

The present invention is a probe cover 100 attached to the probe 20 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10, and includes a body portion 110, a tip portion 120, and a material receiving space portion 130.

The body portion 110 according to the present invention is a hollow hollow structure, is provided in a shape corresponding to the shape of the probe 20, can be attached while being overlaid on the outside of the probe (20). Here, the meaning of “a shape corresponding to the shape of the probe” means a shape that can be overlaid on the outside of the probe.

In the present invention, the shape of the probe (probe) is not limited and can be applied to various shapes. As an embodiment, the probe 20 may have a cone shape, and the body portion 110 may also have a cone shape. In the present specification, in order to facilitate the description, the present invention will be described centering on an embodiment in which the probe has a cone shape.

The distal end 120 according to the present invention may be formed to protrude more than the end of the probe from the distal end of the body 110.

The material receiving space 130 according to the present invention is an inner space of the protruding tip 120 and may contain an ultrasonic transmission material.

All or part of the tip portion 120 according to the present invention may be provided with an elastic member. The ultrasonic transmission material is also accommodated in the inner space of the distal end 120 other than the elastic member, so that an effective ultrasonic test can be performed. However, when the tip portion 120 is provided as an elastic member, a function of performing a method of performing a method of performing a method in which a portion to be inspected is particularly hard, such as a tooth, can be exhibited. In addition, depending on the shape of the portion to be inspected, when a force is applied to further close the probe, the tip portion 120 made of the elastic portion of the probe cover may be contracted and contacted (see FIG. 6B).

5A and 5B show various embodiments of a material receiving space according to the present invention. The material receiving space unit 130 according to the present invention may have a structure in which the upper part 131 and the lower part 132 are open. Since the lower portion 132 of the material receiving space portion will be in close contact with the probe 20, although the lower portion 312 is open, leakage of the ultrasonic transmission material through the lower portion 312 will be minimized.

However, the probe is isolated from contaminants (needle, blood flow, etc.) that may flow into the probe through the material receiving space 130, and the probe 20 and the probe cover 100 are provided through the lower part 132 of the material receiving space. ) In order to prevent leakage of the ultrasonic transmission material through the gap between, it is also possible to seal the lower portion 132 of the material receiving space by using a membrane structure or the like.

In addition, a structure in which the upper portion 131 of the material receiving space part is also open is possible, and further, a structure in which the upper portion 131 of the material receiving space is opened is also possible.

In the case of a structure in which both the upper portion 131 and the lower portion 132 of the material receiving space part are sealed, it is preferable that the ultrasonic transmission material is previously filled in the material receiving space part. Furthermore, it is preferable that the membrane structure is selected from a material that does not interfere with the ultrasonic measurement.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the probe cover 100 may additionally supply an ultrasonic transmission material by itself will be described.

7A and 7B show an embodiment in which a storage member for an ultrasonic transmission material is provided in the probe cover according to the present invention. 8A to 8C show the type of the material receiving space and the introduction of the ultrasonic transmission material in the embodiment of FIG. 7.

In the present invention, a storage member 200 having a material storage unit 210 in which an ultrasonic transmission material is stored is additionally provided on one side of the body unit 110, and a material storage unit 210 is provided inside the body unit 110. ) And the material receiving space 130 are provided with an inner passage part 150 that connects the material receiving space 130 to the material storage part 210 so that the stored ultrasonic transmission material can be supplied to the material receiving space 130. (See FIGS. 7A and 7B).

The material storage unit 210 according to the present invention may be provided with a material discharge port 211 that is crushed when pressure is applied. The material discharge port 211 may be easily implemented as an embodiment in which the material discharge port 211 is easily crushed when pressure is applied to the material discharge port 211 by stitching in advance as shown in the dotted line or by arranging a material that is thinner or weaker than other parts.

The inner passage part 150 according to the present invention may be provided in various embodiments. It may be provided in a straight line with the material receiving space part 130, or may be provided in a spiral curve that is a shape surrounding the body part 110. In addition, it may be provided in an inclined linear shape.

In the case of the size of the passage of the inner passage part 150 according to the present invention, a general embodiment of the same size is possible. However, when the ultrasonic transmission material supplied through the inner passage part 150 is supplied to the material receiving space 130 with too strong pressure, the space size of the material receiving space 130 is also small, There may be a possibility that the ultrasonic transmission material may leak out of the material receiving space 130.

In order to minimize the possibility of such leakage, the internal passage part 150 according to the present invention allows the space of the passage to expand from the material storage part 210 to the material receiving space part 130, so that the supply pressure is not too high. An embodiment to be described is also possible.

The material storage unit 210 according to the present invention is in an expanded state by being filled with an ultrasonic transmission material. Accordingly, when the expanded material storage unit 210 is pressed with a finger or the like, the material discharge port 211, which is a weak part, is crushed, and the ultrasonic transmission material is moved to the inner passage unit 150.

In order for the tester to press the material storage unit 210 with a finger or the like while placing the probe on the part to be inspected, and to easily discharge the material even with a small pressing force, a large amount of material is filled in the material storage unit 210 and is also greatly expanded. Would be appropriate.

However, in this case, there may be a problem that the ultrasonic transmission material is excessively charged. The present invention may further include a gas pressure unit 220 to solve this problem.

10A to 10C illustrate various embodiments of a material storage unit and a gas pressure unit of a probe cover according to the present invention.

In the present invention, the upper (see FIG. 10B) or the side (see FIG. 10C) of the material storage unit 210 is provided so that the gas pressure part 220 is sealed and filled with gas to come into contact with the gas pressure part 220. When pressurized, the gas pressure unit 220 may pressurize the material storage unit 210.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10D, the material storage unit 210 is formed to have a lower height at the rear than the height at the front, and at the upper portion of the material storage unit 210, gas is sealed and filled, and the height at the rear is lower than the height at the front. An embodiment in which the gas pressurizing unit 220 formed high is provided to come into contact with the gas pressurizing unit 220 and pressurizing the gas pressurizing unit 220, the gas pressurizing unit 220 pressurizes the material storage unit 210 is also possible.

An embodiment provided with a front end elastic member and a material storage unit, which are the main configurations of the present invention, is as follows.

In the probe cover mounted on the probe of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention, all or part of the tip portion 120 is provided with an elastic member, and at one side of the body portion 110, a material storage unit 210 in which an ultrasonic transmission material is stored is provided. A storage member 200 is provided, and an inner passage part 150 connecting the material storage part 210 and the material receiving space part 130 is provided inside the body part 110, and the material storage part When the pressure 210 is pressed, the stored ultrasonic transmission material is supplied to the material receiving space unit 130, and the gas pressure unit 220 filled with gas is provided to come into contact with the upper or side portion of the material storage unit 210. , The material storage unit 210 is provided with a material discharge port 211 that is crushed when pressure is applied, and when the gas pressure unit 220 is pressurized, the gas pressure unit 220 can pressurize the material storage unit 210. have.

Meanwhile, the present invention may be implemented as an ultrasonic inspection device provided with a probe cover.

The present invention is an apparatus 10 for performing an ultrasonic inspection using an ultrasonic transmission material, comprising: a probe 20 provided on one side of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus and emitting ultrasonic waves; And it may include a probe cover 100 according to the present invention detachably coupled to the outside of the probe.

The embodiments described in the present specification and the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of some of the technical ideas included in the present invention. Accordingly, it is obvious that the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present disclosure, but to explain the technical idea, and thus the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. Modification examples and specific embodiments that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea included in the specification and drawings of the present invention should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: ultrasonic inspection device 20: probe
100: probe cover 110: body
120: tip 130: material accommodation space
131: upper 132: lower
140: elastic member 150: inner passage
200: storage member 210: material storage unit
211: material outlet 220: gas pressure section

Claims (13)

As a probe cover attached to a probe of an ultrasonic inspection device,
As a hollow hollow structure, provided in a shape corresponding to the shape of the probe, the body portion attached while being overlaid on the outside of the probe;
A distal end protruding from the distal end of the body portion than the protruding end of the probe;
A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic testing apparatus, comprising a material receiving space in which an ultrasonic transmission material is accommodated as an inner space of the protruding tip. The method according to claim 1,
The probe cover is mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, characterized in that the probe has a cone shape, and the body portion has a corresponding cone shape. The method according to claim 1,
A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic testing apparatus, characterized in that all or part of the tip portion is provided with an elastic member. The method according to claim 1,
A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, wherein the material receiving space portion has an open upper and lower portion. The method according to claim 1,
A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, wherein the material receiving space portion has an open upper portion and a closed lower portion. The method according to claim 1,
One side of the body portion is further provided with a storage member having a material storage portion in which the ultrasonic transmission material is stored,
An inner passage part connecting the material storage part and the material receiving space part is provided inside the body part,
A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, characterized in that when the material storage unit is pressed, the stored ultrasonic transmission material is supplied to the material receiving space unit. The method of claim 6,
A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, wherein the material storage unit is provided with a material discharge port having a crushing unit that is crushed when pressure is applied. The method of claim 6,
A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, wherein the inner passage portion is provided with the body portion in a vortex shape. The method of claim 6,
A probe cover mounted on a probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, wherein the space of the passage increases from the material storage unit to the material receiving space. The method of claim 6,
A gas pressure part filled with gas is provided to come into contact with the upper or side part of the material storage part,
When the gas pressure portion is pressurized, the gas pressure portion pressurizes the material storage portion. The method of claim 6,
The material storage unit is formed to have a lower height at the rear than at the front,
At the upper part of the material storage part, gas is sealed and filled, and a gas pressurizing part formed with a height at the rear side higher than the height at the front side is provided to contact,
When the gas pressure portion is pressurized, the gas pressure portion pressurizes the material storage portion. The method according to claim 1,
All or part of the tip portion is provided with an elastic member,
One side of the body portion is provided with a storage member having a material storage portion in which the ultrasonic transmission material is stored,
An inner passage part connecting the material storage part and the material receiving space part is provided inside the body part,
When the material storage unit is pressurized, the stored ultrasonic transmission material is supplied to the material receiving space unit,
A gas pressure part filled with gas is provided to come into contact with the upper or side part of the material storage part,
The material storage unit is provided with a crushed material discharge port to which pressure is applied,
When the gas pressure portion is pressurized, the gas pressure portion pressurizes the material storage portion. As an ultrasonic test device using an ultrasonic transmission material,
A probe provided on one side of the ultrasonic testing device and emitting ultrasonic waves; And
An ultrasonic inspection apparatus with a probe cover, comprising the probe cover according to claim 1 detachably coupled to the outside of the probe.

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