WO2010058959A2

WO2010058959A2 - Apparatus for measuring pressure for ultrasonography device and probe for ultrasonography device comprising the same

Info

Publication number: WO2010058959A2
Application number: PCT/KR2009/006797
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이창형
Original assignee: Lee Chang-Hyung
Priority date: 2008-11-21
Filing date: 2009-11-18
Publication date: 2010-05-27
Also published as: KR20100057337A; WO2010058959A3; KR101029533B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring pressure for an ultrasonography device and a probe for an ultrasonography device comprising the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring pressure for an ultrasonography device and a probe for an ultrasonography device with the apparatus which can be used through simple installation and attachment on a conventional ultrasonography device and are usable regardless of the form of the ultrasonography device. Through a simple structure, the apparatus and probe are intended to properly maintain desired pressure by accurately measuring pressure of the probe to a test site. For the purpose, the apparatus is mounted to an ultrasonography device comprising a device main body having various components for generating ultrasonic wave and a probe which is connected to the device main body and performs a test on the examination site. The apparatus comprises: a probe cap which is detachably coupled to one side of the probe in order for the test surface of the probe to be exposed; and a pressure measurement unit which is provided at the probe cap and measures the pressure of the probe to the examination site.

Description

Ultrasonic probe with pressure measuring device and pressure measuring device

The present invention relates to a probe for an ultrasonic inspector having a pressure measuring device and a pressure measuring device for an ultrasonic inspector, and more particularly, can be easily installed and attached to an existing ultrasonic inspector, regardless of the form of the ultrasonic inspector. Ultrasonic tester with pressure measuring device and pressure measuring device for ultrasonic tester which can be applicable, but also simple and simple structure to accurately measure the pressure of probe on the target site and maintain the desired pressure properly. Relates to a probe.

Ultrasonics (supersound), as a dictionary, refers to sound waves that humans cannot hear by hearing because their frequency is greater than 20 kHz.

Such ultrasound is widely used in the field of skin care, medical field, industry, and the like.

When ultrasound is used in the skin care field, so-called ultrasonic scanners are used. The ultrasonic inspector includes an inspector main body provided with various components for generating an ultrasonic wave, and a probe connected to the inspector main body for operation of the inspector. Probes are also called hand pieces.

Therefore, the inspector measures the thickness of the skin, the size of organs and structures within the skin, and the appearance by operating the inspector main body and then constantly pressing the probe surface to the test subject's skin while holding the probe. And inspection.

In this case, in order for the accurate examination of the thickness of the skin, the size of organs and structures in the skin, and the appearance of the skin, the pressure of the probe against the skin must be constant.

If not, that is, if the pressure of the probe on the skin is too excessive or too weak, reliable test results are difficult to obtain.

As such, when using an ultrasonic tester known to date, the inspector presses the probe to the skin at a certain pressure according to his or her experience, and the pressure and the size of the target structure may vary depending on the pressure. The inspector has kept the pressure constant only with his feelings.

However, this method has a limitation in measuring the progress of patients continuously and clinically diagnosing because the objective criteria, which can be seen as maintaining the pressure of the probe quantitatively, are limited. The possibility is very large.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic tester currently used in the skin care field or the medical field is a very expensive equipment. Therefore, even if the ultrasonic scanner is improved to improve the above problems, the burden on the cost to buy a new equipment is very large.

Therefore, it is easy to install and attach to an existing ultrasonic tester, but it is also a simple and simple structure, the pressure measuring device for the ultrasonic tester that can accurately maintain the desired pressure by accurately measuring the degree of pressure of the probe to the inspection target site The need arises.

An object of the present invention is to simply install and attach to an existing ultrasonic tester, and can be applied regardless of the shape of the ultrasonic tester. The present invention provides a probe for an ultrasonic wave inspector having a pressure measuring device and a pressure measuring device for an ultrasonic wave inspector capable of appropriately maintaining a desired pressure.

The object is the pressure measuring device for the ultrasonic tester which is installed in the ultrasonic inspector having a tester main body is provided with various components for generating the ultrasonic wave, and a probe (probe) connected to the tester main body to perform the inspection on the inspection target site A probe cap comprising: a probe cap detachably coupled to a region of the probe to expose an inspection surface of the probe; And a pressure measuring unit provided in the probe cap and measuring a pressure of the probe with respect to the test target part.

The pressure measuring unit may include: a load cell provided in the probe cap and measuring a degree of pressure of the probe with respect to the inspection target part; A monitor provided on an outer surface of the probe cap and displaying a measured pressure result value; And a cable that electrically connects the load cell and the monitor to each other.

The pressure measuring unit may further include a signal converting unit converting a signal such that the pressure signal measured by the load cell is output to the monitor through the cable.

The apparatus may further include a chucking part provided inside the probe cap to chuck one region of the probe disposed inside the probe cap.

The chucking part is deformed to correspond to the shape of a region of the probe disposed inside the probe cap in the probe cap, and chucks the probe of the region, and then solidifies without gap in the probe cap. It may be an inner foam of the type.

The ultrasound scanner may be an ultrasound scanner for examining a skin tissue for examining a skin of the skin, and the test target region may be skin.

The probe cap can be customized according to the shape of the probe.

On the other hand, the object is, in the probe for the ultrasonic inspector connected to the tester main body is provided with various components for generating the ultrasonic wave to inspect the inspection target site, the pressure measuring unit for measuring the pressure on the inspection target site It is also achieved by a probe for an ultrasonic inspector, characterized in that it is provided integrally.

The pressure measuring unit may include: a load cell provided in the probe and measuring a degree of pressure of the probe with respect to the inspection target part; A monitor provided on an outer surface of the probe and displaying a measured pressure result value; A cable for electrically connecting the load cell and the monitor to each other; And a signal converting unit converting the signal so that the pressure signal measured by the load cell is output to the monitor through the cable.

According to the present invention, it can be easily installed and attached to an existing ultrasonic tester and can be applied regardless of the ultrasonic tester shape, but it is a simple and simple structure to accurately measure the degree of pressure of the probe on the target site. There is an effect that can maintain the pressure properly.

1 is a state diagram used in the pressure measuring device for the ultrasonic tester according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a control block diagram of a pressure measuring device for an ultrasonic inspector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a schematic diagram of a probe for an ultrasonic inspector having a pressure measuring device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: ultrasonic scanner 3: inspector body

7,7 ': probe 10: pressure measuring device

20: probe cap 21: bulkhead

30 pressure measuring unit 31 load cell

32: monitor 33: cable

34: signal conversion unit 40: inner form

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a state diagram of a pressure measuring device for an ultrasonic tester according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a control block diagram of the pressure measuring device for an ultrasonic tester according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Prior to the description of the drawings, the pressure measuring device 10 of the present embodiment is a device that is simply installed and attached to an ultrasonic inspector 3 (refer to FIG. 2), which is widely used in the related art.

That is, as described above, even if the expensive ultrasonic scanner 3 is not replaced, the probe for the inspection target part may be installed and attached to the existing ultrasonic scanner 3, more specifically, to the probe 7, probe, or pottery. It is a device to accurately measure the pressure of (7) so that the desired pressure can be properly maintained.

In this case, the inspection target area may be various, but when described as limited to the skin, by using the pressure measuring device 10 of the present embodiment to accurately measure the degree of pressure of the probe 7 against the skin to maintain the desired pressure appropriately In this state, when the skin is examined through the existing ultrasonic scanner 3, for example, the thickness of the skin, the size of organs and structures in the skin, and the characteristics, muscles, tendons, and blood vessels may be accurately examined. It is possible to obtain a reliable inspection results.

1 and 2, the pressure measuring device 10 may be detachably coupled to one region of the probe 7 so that the inspection surface 7a of the probe 7 is exposed. And a pressure measuring unit 30 provided in the probe cap 20 to measure the pressure of the probe 7 against the skin.

Although the conventional ultrasonic scanner 3 is not shown in detail in the drawing, the conventional ultrasonic scanner 3, as described above, includes an inspector main body 5 provided with various components for generating an ultrasonic wave, and an inspector main body ( 5) and a probe 7 for the operator's manipulation. The probe 7 is also called a ceramic or hand piece.

First, the probe cap 20 is the part which forms an external appearance in the pressure measuring apparatus 10 of a present Example.

As shown in FIG. 1, since most regions except for the inspection surface 7a of the probe 7 must be received and fixed inside the probe cap 20, the probe cap 20 may be a hollow body. Prepared.

One surface of the probe cap 20 is provided with a first through hole 20a through which the line 7b of the probe 7 is exposed. On the other surface, a test surface 7a of the relatively bulky probe 7 is formed. The second through hole 20b to be exposed is formed.

And inside the probe cap 20, the partition 21 arrange | positioned in the horizontal direction is formed. The partition wall 21 may not be a completely blocked plate, but may be provided as a plate having a hole (not shown) through which the probe 7 partially passes.

Of course, since the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, the partition wall 21 is not necessarily provided inside the probe cap 20.

Meanwhile, the pressure measuring unit 30 is provided in the probe cap 20 and is provided on a rod cell 31 for measuring the degree of pressure of the probe 7 against the skin and on an outer surface of the probe cap 20. A monitor 32 displaying the measured pressure result value and a cable 33 electrically connecting the load cell 31 and the monitor 32 to each other.

In addition, the pressure measuring unit 30 further includes a signal converter 34 for converting the signal so that the pressure signal measured by the load cell 31 is output to the monitor 32 through the cable 33. As a result, the pressure of the probe 7 applied to the skin is displayed on the monitor 32 via the load cell 31, the cable 33, the signal converter 34, and the monitor 32.

Partly adding to each configuration of the pressure measuring unit 30, first, the load cell 31 is a portion for measuring the degree of pressure of the probe 7 against the skin when substantially pressing the probe 7 to the skin to be. The load cell 31 is changed in accordance with the pressing force, the pressure signal as much as the pressure is converted in the signal conversion unit 34 through the cable 33 is displayed on the monitor 32.

The monitor 32 is a part that displays the result value when the degree of pressure of the probe 7 against the skin is measured by the load cell 31. This monitor 32 is applied to the monitor 32 of the digital type.

Therefore, after the inspector starts the tester main body 5, the test surface 7a of the probe 7 is brought into contact with the skin of the test object in a state in which the probe 7 is held, and the pressure is constantly applied. The signal thereof is then measured by the load cell 31 and the measured result is displayed on the monitor 32 via the cable 33. The inspector then continuously measures and inspects the thickness of the skin, the size of organs and structures within the skin, and the appearance while maintaining the pressurized state or releasing or applying additional force based on the result displayed on the monitor 32. You can do it.

On the other hand, as described above, since the pressure measuring device 10 of the present embodiment is a device that is simply installed and attached to the probe 7 of the ultrasonic inspector 3 widely used in the prior art, its volume and structure It is advantageous that the shape, etc. fit well with the probe 7 of the conventional ultrasonic scanner 3.

However, considering that the shape and structure of the conventional ultrasonic scanner 3 also vary, and in particular, the shape, structure, volume, etc. of the probe 7 vary, the probe cap 20 of the pressure measuring device 10 of the present embodiment. It is advantageous to have a custom made according to the shape of the existing various probe (7).

However, even if made custom, after the probe 7 is disposed in the probe cap 20, it is preferable that the probe 7 is firmly fixed in the probe cap 20 without being separated.

To this end, the chucking unit 40 is further provided inside the probe cap 20 to chuck a region of the probe 7 disposed inside the probe cap 20.

In the present embodiment, the chucking part 40 is deformed to correspond to the shape of one region of the probe 7 disposed inside the probe cap 20 in the probe cap 20 while chucking the probe 7 in the corresponding region. It may be provided as an inner foam of a gel type to be solidified afterwards.

The inner foam is a portion that fills the inside of the probe cap 20 so that there is no play in the inside of the probe cap 20, so that the probe 7 disposed therein does not shake or detach from the probe cap 20. It can be maintained. Therefore, the pressure measuring device for the ultrasonicator according to the present invention can be applied regardless of the form of the product even if the shape of the product is different for each company manufacturing the ultrasonicator. In other words, the ultrasonic pressure measuring apparatus for the inspector according to the present invention will be able to be customized according to the shape of the probe.

Looking at the operation of the pressure measuring device 10 having such a configuration, first to produce a probe cap 20 according to the shape of the probe (7) to be installed, and then insert the probe (7) into the inside to fix it. . At this time, the inner foam (inner foam) described above helps to fix the probe (7).

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspector operates the inspector main body 5 in a mounted state. Then, the test surface 7a of the probe 7 is brought into contact with the skin of the test object while the probe 7 is held, and the pressure is constantly applied.

The signal thereof is then measured by the load cell 31 and the measured result is displayed on the monitor 32 via the cable 33. That is, the pressure of the applied probe 7 is displayed on the monitor 32 via the load cell 31, the cable 33, the signal converter 34, and the monitor 32.

The inspector then continuously measures and inspects the thickness of the skin, the size of organs and structures within the skin, and the appearance while maintaining the pressurized state or releasing or applying additional force based on the result displayed on the monitor 32. You can do it.

If the inspection work on the skin in this manner, as in the prior art, it must be able to obtain a much more reliable results than the series of test results that have been dependent only on the skill of the examiner.

In other words, the pressure measuring device 10 of the present embodiment can visually confirm an objective criterion that the inspector keeps the pressure applied to the subject's skin constant, thereby accurately determining the size and thickness of the patient's target structure. Can be read. Therefore, it is possible to prepare a standard for objectively presenting the clinical results of the patient.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pressure level of the probe 7 to the skin to be inspected accurately can be accurately measured while being simple to install and attach to the existing ultrasonic scanner 3 and to be used. So that the desired pressure can be properly maintained.

Referring to this figure, in the case of this embodiment, the same pressure measuring unit 30 as in the above-described embodiment is integrally provided in the probe 7 'for an ultrasonic inspector.

That is, in the case of FIG. 3, the probe 7 ′ is manufactured in a state in which the pressure measuring unit 30 that plays the above-described structure, function, and role is integrally provided. As such, when the probe 7 ′ having the pressure measuring unit 30 is manufactured, it must be more effective for the user who needs to purchase the equipment in the first place.

For reference, in the case of the probe 7 ′ of the present embodiment, the pressure measuring unit 30 is integrally provided. In this case, at least the monitor 32 is provided outside the case of the probe 7 ′, and the load cell 31 is provided. ), The cable 33, the signal conversion unit 34, etc., may be preferably provided inside the case of the probe 7 ′, but may not necessarily be the case.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, such modifications or variations will have to be belong to the claims of the present invention.

Claims

In the pressure measuring device for an ultrasonic inspector installed in an ultrasonic inspector having an inspector main body provided with various components for generating an ultrasonic wave, and a probe connected to the inspector main body and performing a test on an inspection target part.

A probe cap detachably coupled to one region of the probe such that an inspection surface of the probe is exposed; And

And a pressure measuring unit provided in the probe cap to measure a pressure of the probe with respect to the test target part.
The method of claim 1,

The pressure measuring unit,

A load cell provided in the probe cap and measuring a degree of pressure of the probe with respect to the inspection target part;

A monitor provided on an outer surface of the probe cap and displaying a measured pressure result value; And

And a cable for electrically connecting the load cell and the monitor to each other.
The method of claim 2,

The pressure measuring unit further includes a signal converting unit for converting a signal so that the pressure signal measured by the load cell is output to the monitor through the cable.
The method of claim 1,

And a chucking part provided in the probe cap to chuck one region of the probe disposed in the probe cap.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The chucking part is deformed to correspond to the shape of a region of the probe disposed inside the probe cap in the probe cap, and chucks the probe of the region, and then solidifies without gap in the probe cap. Ultrasonic pressure measuring device, characterized in that the type of inner foam (inner foam).
The method of claim 1,

The ultrasonic scanner is an ultrasonic scanner for skin tissue examination for examining the skin of the skin,

The pressure measuring device for the ultrasonic inspector, characterized in that the test target site is skin.
The method of claim 1,

The probe cap is a pressure measuring device for an ultrasonic inspector, characterized in that it can be customized according to the shape of the probe.
In the probe for the ultrasonic inspector connected to the inspector main body is provided with various components for the generation of ultrasonic waves to inspect the inspection target site,

Ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure measuring unit for measuring the pressure on the inspection target portion is provided integrally.
The method of claim 8,

The pressure measuring unit,

A load cell provided in the probe and measuring a degree of pressure of the probe with respect to the inspection target part;

A monitor provided on an outer surface of the probe and displaying a measured pressure result value;

A cable for electrically connecting the load cell and the monitor to each other; And

And a signal converting unit converting the signal so that the pressure signal measured by the load cell is output to the monitor through the cable.