WO2015012420A1 - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Ultrasonic probe Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015012420A1
WO2015012420A1 PCT/KR2013/006579 KR2013006579W WO2015012420A1 WO 2015012420 A1 WO2015012420 A1 WO 2015012420A1 KR 2013006579 W KR2013006579 W KR 2013006579W WO 2015012420 A1 WO2015012420 A1 WO 2015012420A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ultrasonic probe
transducer
weight part
backing material
ultrasonic
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PCT/KR2013/006579
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French (fr)
Korean (ko)
Inventor
노원호
조보연
손민규
Original Assignee
알피니언메디칼시스템 주식회사
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Priority to PCT/KR2013/006579 priority Critical patent/WO2015012420A1/en
Publication of WO2015012420A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015012420A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4444—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe

Definitions

  • the present embodiment relates to an ultrasonic probe provided in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the like for acquiring image information inside an object under examination using ultrasonic waves.
  • the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus transmits an ultrasound signal to a diagnosis site of the test subject by an ultrasound probe, and then receives an ultrasound signal reflected from a tissue boundary in the test subject having a different acoustic impedance by the ultrasound probe. Acquire image information.
  • the image information is output to the monitor of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and the diagnoser may perform diagnosis on the subject through the image information output to the monitor.
  • the diagnoser holds the ultrasonic probe with one hand and presses the scanning area of the ultrasonic probe onto the surface of the subject.
  • the diagnostic person scans the ultrasonic probe while moving the wrist, which causes a load on the wrist of the diagnosis person and may cause fatigue.
  • the diagnoser must scan the ultrasonic probe while applying a force opposite to the tension of the cable, so that the fatigue of the diagnosing wrist may be increased. If the diagnoser has been engaged in the above-mentioned tasks for a long time, wrist pain may become occupational disease.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe that can reduce the load on the wrist during the scan operation for diagnosis to reduce fatigue and improve grip.
  • the piezoelectric layer, the matching layer and the acoustic lens are sequentially stacked from one side of the backing material, the transducer accommodated in the housing, and the transducer is provided in the transducer It includes a weight for moving the center of gravity of the toward the acoustic lens.
  • the present invention since it is configured to move the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe toward the scan site, when the diagnostic person presses the ultrasonic probe with one hand and scans the surface of the subject under test, the load on the hand can be reduced.
  • the transducer when the transducer is a convex array type, when the diagnoser scans the ultrasound probe while moving the wrist, the load on the diagnoser's wrist is reduced, and thus fatigue may be reduced.
  • the weight increased by the weight part when the diagnostic member scans the ultrasonic probe while applying a force opposite to the tension of the cable. Since the tension of the cable can be absorbed, the fatigue applied to the wrist of the diagnoser can be reduced.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing an example of a scan operation of the ultrasonic probe illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ultrasonic probe illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the transducer shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a weight part according to another example is applied in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing an example of a scan operation of the ultrasonic probe illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the ultrasound probe 100 includes a housing 110, a transducer 120, and a weight part 130.
  • the housing 110 accommodates and protects a component including the transducer 120 and the like therein.
  • the gripper 111 having a concave shape may be formed in the housing 110 so that the diagnoser can comfortably hold the housing 110 by hand.
  • the housing 110 may have a structure capable of exposing the outer surface of the acoustic lens 124 of the transducer 120 through one portion.
  • the housing 110 may have a structure that allows the cable 140 to pass through the opposite side.
  • the transducer 120 transmits an ultrasonic signal to the object under test and receives the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object under test.
  • Transducer 120 is housed within housing 110.
  • the transducer 120 sequentially laminates a piezo-electric layer 122, a matching layer 123, and an acoustic lens 124 from one side of a backing material 121. Can be configured.
  • the backing material 121 may be configured to have sound absorption.
  • the backing material 121 suppresses free vibration of the piezoelectric layer 122 stacked on the upper side to reduce the pulse width of the ultrasonic wave, and prevents unnecessary propagation of the ultrasonic wave to the lower side of the piezoelectric layer 122 to prevent image distortion. You can prevent it.
  • the backing material 121 may have a shape in which a surface on which the piezoelectric layer 122 is stacked has a predetermined curvature and is convexly curved.
  • the piezoelectric layer 122 resonates when a voltage is applied to generate an ultrasonic signal, and when receiving the ultrasonic signal, vibrates to generate an electrical signal.
  • the piezoelectric layer 122 may have a shape in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements 122a have a predetermined thickness and are spaced apart from each other and arranged along a curved surface of the backing material 121. The spaced spaces between the piezoelectric elements 122a may be filled with a filler 122b to fix the spaces between the piezoelectric elements 122a.
  • the matching layer 123 may reduce the acoustic impedance difference between the piezoelectric elements 122a and the object under test.
  • the acoustic lens 124 is for focusing the ultrasonic waves generated from the piezoelectric element 122a.
  • the matching layer 123 and the acoustic lens 124 may have a predetermined thickness and may be sequentially stacked in a bent form along the curved surface of the piezoelectric layer 122.
  • the transducer 120 may be configured as a linear array type in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements 122a have a predetermined thickness and are arranged along the flat surface of the backing material 121. It is not limited.
  • first electrode part 125 may be disposed between the backing material 121 and the piezoelectric layer 122.
  • the first electrode part 125 may be formed of a flexible printed circuit board having first electrodes corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 122a on one surface thereof.
  • the second electrode part 126 may be disposed between the piezoelectric layer 122 and the matching layer 123.
  • the second electrode unit 126 may be configured as a flexible printed circuit board having second electrodes corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 122a respectively formed on one surface thereof.
  • the first electrodes of the first electrode part 125 function as signal electrodes for transmitting and receiving electrical signals
  • the second electrodes of the second electrode part 126 may function as ground electrodes.
  • the first and second electrode parts 125 and 126 may be electrically connected to the cable 140 by a connector or the like.
  • the weight part 130 is provided in the transducer 120 to move the center of gravity of the transducer 120 toward the acoustic lens. Therefore, the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe 100 is moved from the G1 position to the G2 position by the weight part 130, so that the ultrasonic probe 100 having a low center of gravity may be implemented.
  • the G1 position represents the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe 100 in the state in which the weight part 130 is not provided in the transducer 120.
  • the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe 100 is moved toward the acoustic lens by the weight part 130, the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe 100 is far from the grip 111 of the housing 110. Accordingly, when the diagnoser scans while holding the gripping portion 111 with one hand while pressing the acoustic lens portion on the surface of the subject, the load on the hand can be reduced.
  • the transducer 120 is made of a convex array type, when the diagnoser scans the ultrasound probe 100 while moving the wrist, the load on the diagnoser's wrist is reduced, so that fatigue may be reduced.
  • the diagnostic member may scan the ultrasonic probe 100 while applying a force opposite to the tension of the cable 140.
  • the tension of the cable 140 may be absorbed by the weight increased by the weight part 130, the fatigue applied to the wrist of the diagnoser may be reduced.
  • the ultrasound probe 100 since the ultrasound probe 100 has a low center of gravity, the grip and stability can be improved in terms of ergonomics.
  • the weight portion 130 may be made of a material having a specific gravity higher than the material of the backing material (121). If the backing material 121 is made of a material including a material such as polyurethane elastomer, silicone elastomer, etc., the weight part 130 may be made of a metal material having a relatively high specific gravity such as copper, copper alloy, iron, iron alloy, and the like. have. The weight part 130 may be disposed on a surface opposite to the surface on which the piezoelectric layer 122 is stacked in the backing material 121. The weight part 130 may be formed in a plate shape and bonded to an opposite surface of the backing material 121 or may be fixed to an inner wall of the housing 110.
  • weight part 130 is shown to have a larger area than the opposite side of the backing material 121, it is also possible to have the same or smaller area.
  • the weight part 130 may be formed in various shapes in a range capable of performing the above-described functions, and is not limited thereto.
  • the weight part 130 may be made of a material having sound absorption.
  • the weight part 130 may be made of a material filled with a material having a high specific gravity such as tungsten (W), lead (Pb), and the like.
  • the backing material 121 may be formed of a material such as a polyurethane elastomer, a silicone elastomer, and the like having a specific gravity lower than the weight part 130.
  • the volume of the backing material 121 may be reduced by the volume of the weight part 130, so that the transducer 120 may be provided with the weight part 130. The volume of can be minimized.
  • the weight portion 230 of the transducer 220 may be fitted into the backing material 221.
  • a recess is formed in a surface opposite to the surface on which the piezoelectric layer 122 is stacked, and the weight part 230 may be inserted into the groove to be joined.
  • the weight part 230 is illustrated as being made of a size corresponding to the size of the groove, but may be made of a size larger than the size of the groove.
  • the weight part 230 may be made of a metal material having a relatively high specific gravity, such as copper, copper alloy, iron, iron alloy, and the like.
  • the weight portion 230 may be made of a material having sound absorption while having a specific gravity higher than that of the backing material 221 as described above. In this case, since the volume of the backing material 221 does not need to be increased by the volume of the weight part 230, the volume of the transducer 220 may be minimized even if the weight part 230 is provided in the transducer 220.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe provided in an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus, etc. for acquiring image information from the inside of a test object by using ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe comprises: a housing; a transducer accommodated within the housing, in which a piezoelectric layer, a matching layer and an acoustic lens are sequentially laminated on one surface of a backing material; and a weight part provided in the transducer for moving the center of gravity of the transducer toward the acoustic lens.

Description

초음파 프로브Ultrasonic probe
본 실시예는 초음파를 이용하여 피검사체 내부의 영상 정보를 획득하는 초음파 진단장치 등에 구비되는 초음파 프로브에 관한 것이다.The present embodiment relates to an ultrasonic probe provided in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the like for acquiring image information inside an object under examination using ultrasonic waves.
이 부분에 기술된 내용은 단순히 본 발명의 실시예에 대한 배경 정보를 제공할 뿐 종래기술을 구성하는 것은 아니다.The contents described in this section merely provide background information on the embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute a prior art.
초음파 진단장치는 초음파 프로브에 의해 피검사체의 진단 부위에 초음파 신호를 송신한 후, 초음파 프로브에 의해 음향 임피던스(acoustic impedance)가 다른 피검사체 내의 조직 경계로부터 반사된 초음파 신호를 수신하여, 진단 부위의 영상 정보를 획득한다. 이러한 영상 정보는 초음파 진단장치의 모니터로 출력되고, 진단자는 모니터로 출력되는 영상 정보를 통해 피검사체에 대한 진단을 실시할 수 있다.The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus transmits an ultrasound signal to a diagnosis site of the test subject by an ultrasound probe, and then receives an ultrasound signal reflected from a tissue boundary in the test subject having a different acoustic impedance by the ultrasound probe. Acquire image information. The image information is output to the monitor of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and the diagnoser may perform diagnosis on the subject through the image information output to the monitor.
이러한 초음파 진단장치에 의해 피검사체를 진단하는 과정에서, 진단자는 초음파 프로브를 한 손으로 쥐고서 초음파 프로브의 스캔 부위를 피검사체의 표면에 압박하면서 스캔하게 된다. 이때, 진단자는 손목을 움직여가며 초음파 프로브를 스캔 동작시키게 되는데, 이로 인해 진단자의 손목에 부하가 걸리게 되어 피로감을 유발할 수 있다. 초음파 프로브가 초음파 진단장치의 본체에 케이블에 의해 유선으로 연결되는 경우, 진단자는 케이블의 장력에 반대되는 힘을 가하면서 초음파 프로브를 스캔 동작시켜야 하므로, 진단자의 손목에 피로감이 가중될 수 있다. 진단자가 전술한 작업에 장기간 종사하는 경우, 손목 통증을 직업병으로 갖게 될 수도 있다.In the process of diagnosing a subject under such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the diagnoser holds the ultrasonic probe with one hand and presses the scanning area of the ultrasonic probe onto the surface of the subject. In this case, the diagnostic person scans the ultrasonic probe while moving the wrist, which causes a load on the wrist of the diagnosis person and may cause fatigue. When the ultrasonic probe is connected to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by wire, the diagnoser must scan the ultrasonic probe while applying a force opposite to the tension of the cable, so that the fatigue of the diagnosing wrist may be increased. If the diagnoser has been engaged in the above-mentioned tasks for a long time, wrist pain may become occupational disease.
본 발명의 과제는 진단을 위한 스캔 동작시 손목에 가해지는 부하를 줄여 피로감을 줄이고 그립감을 향상시킬 수 있는 초음파 프로브를 제공함에 있다.An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe that can reduce the load on the wrist during the scan operation for diagnosis to reduce fatigue and improve grip.
상기의 과제를 달성하기 위한 본 발명에 따른 초음파 프로브는, 하우징과, 배킹재의 한쪽 면으로부터 압전층과 정합층과 음향 렌즈가 순차적으로 적층되어 하우징 내에 수용된 트랜스듀서, 및 트랜스듀서에 구비되어 트랜스듀서의 무게 중심을 음향 렌즈 쪽으로 이동시키는 중량부를 포함한다.The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the piezoelectric layer, the matching layer and the acoustic lens are sequentially stacked from one side of the backing material, the transducer accommodated in the housing, and the transducer is provided in the transducer It includes a weight for moving the center of gravity of the toward the acoustic lens.
본 발명에 따르면, 초음파 프로브의 무게 중심을 스캔 부위 쪽으로 이동시키도록 구성되므로, 진단자가 한 손으로 초음파 프로브를 쥐고서 피검사체의 표면에 압박하면서 스캔할 때, 손에 가해지는 부하를 줄일 수 있다.According to the present invention, since it is configured to move the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe toward the scan site, when the diagnostic person presses the ultrasonic probe with one hand and scans the surface of the subject under test, the load on the hand can be reduced.
본 발명에 따르면, 트랜스듀서가 컨벡스 어레이 타입으로 이루어진 경우, 진단자가 손목을 움직여가며 초음파 프로브를 스캔 동작시킬 때, 진단자의 손목에 걸리는 부하가 줄어들게 되므로, 피로감이 줄어들 수 있다.According to the present invention, when the transducer is a convex array type, when the diagnoser scans the ultrasound probe while moving the wrist, the load on the diagnoser's wrist is reduced, and thus fatigue may be reduced.
본 발명에 따르면, 초음파 프로브가 초음파 진단장치의 본체에 케이블에 의해 유선으로 연결되는 경우, 진단자가 케이블의 장력에 반대되는 힘을 가하면서 초음파 프로브를 스캔 동작시킬 때, 중량부에 의해 증가된 무게에 의해 케이블의 장력을 흡수할 수 있으므로, 진단자의 손목에 가해지는 피로감이 줄어들 수 있다.According to the present invention, when the ultrasonic probe is connected by wire to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by a cable, the weight increased by the weight part when the diagnostic member scans the ultrasonic probe while applying a force opposite to the tension of the cable. Since the tension of the cable can be absorbed, the fatigue applied to the wrist of the diagnoser can be reduced.
도 1은 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 초음파 프로브에 대한 사시도이다.1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.
도 2는 도 1에 도시된 초음파 프로브의 스캔 동작 예를 설명하기 위한 도면이다.FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing an example of a scan operation of the ultrasonic probe illustrated in FIG. 1.
도 3은 도 1에 도시된 초음파 프로브의 일부를 절취하여 도시한 단면도이다.3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ultrasonic probe illustrated in FIG. 1;
도 4는 도 3에 도시된 트랜스듀서를 도시한 사시도이다.4 is a perspective view illustrating the transducer shown in FIG. 3.
도 5는 도 3에 있어서, 다른 예에 따른 중량부가 적용된 상태를 도시한 단면도이다.5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a weight part according to another example is applied in FIG. 3.
본 발명에 대해 첨부된 도면을 참조하여 상세히 설명하면 다음과 같다. 여기서, 동일한 구성에 대해서는 동일부호를 사용하며, 반복되는 설명, 본 발명의 요지를 불필요하게 흐릴 수 있는 공지 기능 및 구성에 대한 상세한 설명은 생략한다. 본 발명의 실시형태는 당업계에서 평균적인 지식을 가진 자에게 본 발명을 보다 완전하게 설명하기 위해서 제공되는 것이다. 따라서, 도면에서의 요소들의 형상 및 크기 등은 보다 명확한 설명을 위해 과장될 수 있다.When described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings for the present invention. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and repeated descriptions and detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted. Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shape and size of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.
도 1은 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 초음파 프로브에 대한 사시도이다. 도 2는 도 1에 도시된 초음파 프로브의 스캔 동작 예를 설명하기 위한 도면이다. 도 3은 도 1에 도시된 초음파 프로브의 일부를 절취하여 도시한 단면도이다. 도 4는 도 3에 도시된 트랜스듀서를 도시한 사시도이다.1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing an example of a scan operation of the ultrasonic probe illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ultrasonic probe illustrated in FIG. 1; 4 is a perspective view illustrating the transducer shown in FIG. 3.
도 1 내지 도 4를 참조하면, 초음파 프로브(100)는 하우징(110)과, 트랜스듀서(120), 및 중량부(130)를 포함한다.1 to 4, the ultrasound probe 100 includes a housing 110, a transducer 120, and a weight part 130.
하우징(110)은 내부에 트랜스듀서(120) 등을 포함한 구성요소를 수용해서 보호한다. 진단자가 손으로 편안하게 하우징(110)을 쥘 수 있게 하우징(110)에는 잘록한 형상의 파지부(111)가 형성될 수 있다. 하우징(110)은 한쪽 부위를 통해 트랜스듀서(120)의 음향 렌즈(124)의 바깥 면을 노출시킬 수 있는 구조로 이루어질 수 있다. 초음파 프로브(100)가 초음파 진단장치의 본체에 케이블(140)에 의해 유선으로 연결되는 경우, 하우징(110)은 반대 쪽 부위를 통해 케이블(140)을 통과시킬 수 있는 구조로 이루어질 수 있다.The housing 110 accommodates and protects a component including the transducer 120 and the like therein. The gripper 111 having a concave shape may be formed in the housing 110 so that the diagnoser can comfortably hold the housing 110 by hand. The housing 110 may have a structure capable of exposing the outer surface of the acoustic lens 124 of the transducer 120 through one portion. When the ultrasonic probe 100 is connected to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by wires by the cable 140, the housing 110 may have a structure that allows the cable 140 to pass through the opposite side.
트랜스듀서(120)는 초음파 신호를 피검사체로 송신하고 피검사체로부터 반사된 초음파 신호를 수신하기 위한 것이다. 트랜스듀서(120)는 하우징(110) 내에 수용된다. 트랜스듀서(120)는 배킹재(backing material, 121)의 한쪽 면으로부터 압전층(122, piezo-electric layer)과 정합층(matching layer, 123)과 음향 렌즈(acoustic lens, 124)가 순차적으로 적층되어 구성될 수 있다.The transducer 120 transmits an ultrasonic signal to the object under test and receives the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object under test. Transducer 120 is housed within housing 110. The transducer 120 sequentially laminates a piezo-electric layer 122, a matching layer 123, and an acoustic lens 124 from one side of a backing material 121. Can be configured.
배킹재(121)는 흡음성을 갖도록 구성될 수 있다. 이러한 배킹재(121)는 상측에 적층되는 압전층(122)의 자유 진동을 억제하여 초음파의 펄스 폭을 감소시키며, 압전층(122)의 하측으로 초음파가 불필요하게 전파되는 것을 차단하여 영상 왜곡을 방지할 수 있다. 트랜스듀서(120)가 컨벡스 어레이 타입(convex array type)으로 이루어진 경우, 배킹재(121)는 압전층(122)이 적층되는 면이 일정 곡률을 갖고 볼록하게 굽어진 형태로 이루어질 수 있다.The backing material 121 may be configured to have sound absorption. The backing material 121 suppresses free vibration of the piezoelectric layer 122 stacked on the upper side to reduce the pulse width of the ultrasonic wave, and prevents unnecessary propagation of the ultrasonic wave to the lower side of the piezoelectric layer 122 to prevent image distortion. You can prevent it. When the transducer 120 is formed of a convex array type, the backing material 121 may have a shape in which a surface on which the piezoelectric layer 122 is stacked has a predetermined curvature and is convexly curved.
압전층(122)은 전압이 인가되면 공진하여 초음파 신호를 발생시키고, 초음파 신호를 수신하게 되면 진동하여 전기적 신호를 발생시킨다. 압전층(122)은 다수의 압전 소자(122a)들이 일정 두께를 갖고 상호 이격되어 배킹재(121)의 굽어진 면을 따라 배열된 형태로 이루어질 수 있다. 압전 소자(122a)들 간의 이격된 공간들에는 충전제(122b)가 충전되어 압전 소자(122a)들 간을 고정할 수 있다.The piezoelectric layer 122 resonates when a voltage is applied to generate an ultrasonic signal, and when receiving the ultrasonic signal, vibrates to generate an electrical signal. The piezoelectric layer 122 may have a shape in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements 122a have a predetermined thickness and are spaced apart from each other and arranged along a curved surface of the backing material 121. The spaced spaces between the piezoelectric elements 122a may be filled with a filler 122b to fix the spaces between the piezoelectric elements 122a.
정합층(123)은 압전 소자(122a)들과 피검사체 사이의 음향 임피던스 차이를 감소시킬 수 있게 한다. 음향 렌즈(124)는 압전 소자(122a)로부터 발생된 초음파를 집속시키기 위한 것이다. 정합층(123)과 음향 렌즈(124)는 일정 두께를 갖고 압전층(122)의 굽어진 면을 따라 굽어진 형태로 순차적으로 적층될 수 있다. 한편, 트랜스듀서(120)는 다수의 압전 소자(122a)들이 일정 두께를 갖고 배킹재(121)의 편평한 면을 따라 배열된 리니어 어레이 타입(linear array type)으로 구성되는 것도 가능하므로, 예시된 바에 한정되지 않는다.The matching layer 123 may reduce the acoustic impedance difference between the piezoelectric elements 122a and the object under test. The acoustic lens 124 is for focusing the ultrasonic waves generated from the piezoelectric element 122a. The matching layer 123 and the acoustic lens 124 may have a predetermined thickness and may be sequentially stacked in a bent form along the curved surface of the piezoelectric layer 122. Meanwhile, the transducer 120 may be configured as a linear array type in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements 122a have a predetermined thickness and are arranged along the flat surface of the backing material 121. It is not limited.
그리고, 배킹재(121)와 압전층(122) 사이에는 제1 전극부(125)가 배치될 수 있다. 제1 전극부(125)는 한쪽 면에 압전 소자(122a)들에 각각 대응되는 제1 전극들이 형성된 플렉시블 인쇄회로기판으로 구성될 수 있다. 또한, 압전층(122)과 정합층(123) 사이에 제2 전극부(126)가 배치될 수 있다. 제2 전극부(126)는 한쪽 면에 압전 소자(122a)들에 각각 대응되는 제2 전극들이 형성된 플렉시블 인쇄회로기판으로 구성될 수 있다. 제1 전극부(125)의 제1 전극들이 전기적 신호의 송수신을 위한 신호 전극들로 기능하는 경우, 제2 전극부(126)의 제2 전극들은 그라운드 전극들로 기능할 수 있다. 제1,2 전극부(125)(126)는 커넥터 등에 의해 케이블(140)과 전기적으로 연결될 수 있다.In addition, the first electrode part 125 may be disposed between the backing material 121 and the piezoelectric layer 122. The first electrode part 125 may be formed of a flexible printed circuit board having first electrodes corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 122a on one surface thereof. In addition, the second electrode part 126 may be disposed between the piezoelectric layer 122 and the matching layer 123. The second electrode unit 126 may be configured as a flexible printed circuit board having second electrodes corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 122a respectively formed on one surface thereof. When the first electrodes of the first electrode part 125 function as signal electrodes for transmitting and receiving electrical signals, the second electrodes of the second electrode part 126 may function as ground electrodes. The first and second electrode parts 125 and 126 may be electrically connected to the cable 140 by a connector or the like.
중량부(130)는 트랜스듀서(120)에 구비되어 트랜스듀서(120)의 무게 중심을 음향 렌즈 쪽으로 이동시킨다. 따라서, 중량부(130)에 의해 초음파 프로브(100)의 무게 중심이 G1 위치로부터 G2 위치로 이동됨으로써, 저중심을 갖는 초음파 프로브(100)가 구현될 수 있다. 여기서, G1 위치는 트랜스듀서(120)에 중량부(130)가 구비되지 않은 상태에서 초음파 프로브(100)의 무게 중심을 나타낸다.The weight part 130 is provided in the transducer 120 to move the center of gravity of the transducer 120 toward the acoustic lens. Therefore, the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe 100 is moved from the G1 position to the G2 position by the weight part 130, so that the ultrasonic probe 100 having a low center of gravity may be implemented. Here, the G1 position represents the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe 100 in the state in which the weight part 130 is not provided in the transducer 120.
이와 같이, 중량부(130)에 의해 초음파 프로브(100)의 무게 중심이 음향 렌즈 쪽으로 이동하게 되면, 초음파 프로브(100)의 무게 중심은 하우징(110)의 파지부(111)로부터 멀어지게 된다. 이에 따라, 진단자가 한 손으로 파지부(111)를 쥐고서 음향 렌즈 부위를 피검사체의 표면에 압박하면서 스캔할 때, 손에 가해지는 부하가 줄어들 수 있다. 특히, 트랜스듀서(120)가 컨벡스 어레이 타입으로 이루어진 경우, 진단자가 손목을 움직여가며 초음파 프로브(100)를 스캔 동작시킬 때, 진단자의 손목에 걸리는 부하가 줄어들게 되므로, 피로감이 줄어들 수 있다.As such, when the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe 100 is moved toward the acoustic lens by the weight part 130, the center of gravity of the ultrasonic probe 100 is far from the grip 111 of the housing 110. Accordingly, when the diagnoser scans while holding the gripping portion 111 with one hand while pressing the acoustic lens portion on the surface of the subject, the load on the hand can be reduced. In particular, when the transducer 120 is made of a convex array type, when the diagnoser scans the ultrasound probe 100 while moving the wrist, the load on the diagnoser's wrist is reduced, so that fatigue may be reduced.
또한, 초음파 프로브(100)가 초음파 진단장치의 본체에 케이블(140)에 의해 유선으로 연결되는 경우, 진단자가 케이블(140)의 장력에 반대되는 힘을 가하면서 초음파 프로브(100)를 스캔 동작시킬 때, 중량부(130)에 의해 증가된 무게에 의해 케이블(140)의 장력을 흡수할 수 있으므로, 진단자의 손목에 가해지는 피로감이 줄어들 수 있다. 게다가, 초음파 프로브(100)가 저중심을 갖게 되므로, 인간공학 측면에서 그립감과 안정감을 향상시킬 수 있다.In addition, when the ultrasonic probe 100 is connected to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by wires by the cable 140, the diagnostic member may scan the ultrasonic probe 100 while applying a force opposite to the tension of the cable 140. At this time, since the tension of the cable 140 may be absorbed by the weight increased by the weight part 130, the fatigue applied to the wrist of the diagnoser may be reduced. In addition, since the ultrasound probe 100 has a low center of gravity, the grip and stability can be improved in terms of ergonomics.
한편, 중량부(130)는 배킹재(121)의 재질보다 비중이 높은 재질로 이루어질 수 있다. 배킹재(121)가 폴리우레탄 탄성중합체, 실리콘 탄성중합체 등과 같은 재질을 포함한 재질로 이루어진다면, 중량부(130)는 구리, 구리 합금, 철, 철 합금 등과 같이 비중이 비교적 높은 금속 재질로 이루어질 수 있다. 중량부(130)는 배킹재(121)에서 압전층(122)가 적층된 면의 반대쪽 면에 배치될 수 있다. 중량부(130)는 플레이트 형상으로 이루어져 배킹재(121)의 반대쪽 면에 접합되거나, 하우징(110)의 내벽에 고정될 수 있다. 중량부(130)는 배킹재(121)의 반대쪽 면보다 큰 면적을 갖는 것으로 도시되어 있으나, 동일하거나 작은 면적을 갖는 것도 가능하다. 중량부(130)는 전술한 기능을 수행할 수 있는 범주에서 다양한 형상으로 이루어질 수 있으므로, 예시된 바에 한정되지 않는다.On the other hand, the weight portion 130 may be made of a material having a specific gravity higher than the material of the backing material (121). If the backing material 121 is made of a material including a material such as polyurethane elastomer, silicone elastomer, etc., the weight part 130 may be made of a metal material having a relatively high specific gravity such as copper, copper alloy, iron, iron alloy, and the like. have. The weight part 130 may be disposed on a surface opposite to the surface on which the piezoelectric layer 122 is stacked in the backing material 121. The weight part 130 may be formed in a plate shape and bonded to an opposite surface of the backing material 121 or may be fixed to an inner wall of the housing 110. Although the weight part 130 is shown to have a larger area than the opposite side of the backing material 121, it is also possible to have the same or smaller area. The weight part 130 may be formed in various shapes in a range capable of performing the above-described functions, and is not limited thereto.
중량부(130)는 흡음성을 갖는 재질로 이루어질 수도 있다. 예컨대, 중량부(130)는 에폭시 수지에 텅스텐(W), 납(Pb) 등과 같이 비중이 높은 재료를 충전한 재질로 이루어질 수 있다. 이 경우, 배킹재(121)는 중량부(130)보다 비중이 낮은 폴리우레탄 탄성중합체, 실리콘 탄성중합체 등과 같은 재질로 이루어질 수 있다. 중량부(130)가 흡음성을 갖게 되면, 중량부(130)의 부피만큼 배킹재(121)의 부피를 줄일 수 있으므로, 트랜스듀서(120)에 중량부(130)가 구비되더라도 트랜스듀서(120)의 부피를 최소화할 수 있다.The weight part 130 may be made of a material having sound absorption. For example, the weight part 130 may be made of a material filled with a material having a high specific gravity such as tungsten (W), lead (Pb), and the like. In this case, the backing material 121 may be formed of a material such as a polyurethane elastomer, a silicone elastomer, and the like having a specific gravity lower than the weight part 130. When the weight part 130 has sound absorption, the volume of the backing material 121 may be reduced by the volume of the weight part 130, so that the transducer 120 may be provided with the weight part 130. The volume of can be minimized.
다른 예로, 도 5에 도시된 바와 같이, 트랜스듀서(220)의 중량부(230)는 적어도 일부가 배킹재(221) 내에 끼워질 수 있다. 배킹재(221)에서 압전층(122)이 적층된 면의 반대쪽 면에 함몰된 홈이 형성되고, 이 홈에 중량부(230)가 끼워져 접합될 수 있다. 중량부(230)는 홈의 크기에 상응하는 크기로 이루어진 것으로 예시되어 있으나, 홈의 크기보다 큰 크기로 이루어지는 것도 가능하다. 여기서, 중량부(230)는 구리, 구리 합금, 철, 철 합금 등과 같이 비중이 비교적 높은 금속 재질로 이루어질 수 있다. 물론, 중량부(230)는 전술한 바와 같이 배킹재(221)보다 비중이 높으면서 흡음성을 갖는 재질로 이루어질 수도 있다. 이 경우, 중량부(230)의 부피만큼 배킹재(221)의 부피를 늘리지 않아도 되므로, 트랜스듀서(220)에 중량부(230)가 구비되더라도 트랜스듀서(220)의 부피를 최소화할 수 있다.As another example, as shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the weight portion 230 of the transducer 220 may be fitted into the backing material 221. In the backing material 221, a recess is formed in a surface opposite to the surface on which the piezoelectric layer 122 is stacked, and the weight part 230 may be inserted into the groove to be joined. The weight part 230 is illustrated as being made of a size corresponding to the size of the groove, but may be made of a size larger than the size of the groove. Here, the weight part 230 may be made of a metal material having a relatively high specific gravity, such as copper, copper alloy, iron, iron alloy, and the like. Of course, the weight portion 230 may be made of a material having sound absorption while having a specific gravity higher than that of the backing material 221 as described above. In this case, since the volume of the backing material 221 does not need to be increased by the volume of the weight part 230, the volume of the transducer 220 may be minimized even if the weight part 230 is provided in the transducer 220.
본 발명은 첨부된 도면에 도시된 일 실시예를 참고로 설명되었으나 이는 예시적인 것에 불과하며, 당해 기술분야에서 통상의 지식을 가진 자라면 이로부터 다양한 변형 및 균등한 타 실시예가 가능하다는 점을 이해할 수 있을 것이다. 따라서, 본 발명의 진정한 보호 범위는 첨부된 청구 범위에 의해서만 정해져야 할 것이다.Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, this is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Could be. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (4)

  1. 하우징;housing;
    배킹재의 한쪽 면으로부터 압전층과 정합층과 음향 렌즈가 순차적으로 적층되어 상기 하우징 내에 수용된 트랜스듀서; 및A piezoelectric layer, a matching layer, and an acoustic lens sequentially stacked from one side of a backing material and accommodated in the housing; And
    상기 트랜스듀서에 구비되어 상기 트랜스듀서의 무게 중심을 상기 음향 렌즈 쪽으로 이동시키는 중량부;A weight part provided in the transducer to move the center of gravity of the transducer toward the acoustic lens;
    를 포함하는 초음파 프로브.Ultrasonic probe comprising a.
  2. 제1항에 있어서,The method of claim 1,
    상기 중량부는 상기 배킹재의 재질보다 비중이 높은 재질로 이루어진 것을 특징으로 하는 초음파 프로브.The weight part is an ultrasonic probe, characterized in that made of a material having a specific gravity higher than the material of the backing material.
  3. 제2항에 있어서,The method of claim 2,
    상기 중량부는 상기 배킹재의 재질보다 비중이 높은 금속 재질로 이루어진 것을 특징으로 하는 초음파 프로브.The weight part is an ultrasonic probe, characterized in that made of a metal material having a specific gravity higher than the material of the backing material.
  4. 제2항에 있어서,The method of claim 2,
    상기 중량부는 상기 배킹재에서 상기 압전층이 적층된 면의 반대쪽 면에 배치된 것을 특징으로 하는 초음파 프로브.The weight part is an ultrasonic probe, characterized in that disposed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the piezoelectric layer is laminated on the backing material.
PCT/KR2013/006579 2013-07-23 2013-07-23 Ultrasonic probe WO2015012420A1 (en)

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