WO2019078186A1 - Ultrasonic diagnostic device cover, and ultrasonic diagnostic device with cover - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic device cover which has excellent acoustic coupling, and can be easily fitted to an ultrasonic diagnostic device. The ultrasonic diagnostic device cover covers an ultrasonic diagnostic device and comprises: a cylindrical shaped body which is formed into a cylindrical shape having an opening on each end, and in which the ultrasonic diagnostic device can be inserted into one of the two openings; and a probe cover body which seals off the other opening, and which is provided to the cylindrical shaped body such that a probe is in close contact with said probe cover body, and in which the section in close contact with the probe is made from a gel material that enables acoustic coupling between a sensor and a subject.

Description

Cover for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with cover

The present invention relates to a cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover for improving acoustic coupling between a sensor of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a subject.

As a device for visualizing the inside of a patient's body, for example, an ultrasonic diagnostic device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and the probe is connected to a monitor via an image processing unit. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above, the probe is applied to the epidermis of the portion to be visualized (that is, the test portion), and ultrasonic waves are emitted from the probe. Then, the ultrasonic wave is reflected at the test part, and the reflected wave is received by the probe. The image processing unit performs image processing based on the received reflected wave, and the image obtained by the image processing, that is, the cross section of the test portion is displayed on the monitor.

JP, 2017-042188, A

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Patent Document 1, in order to improve the acoustic coupling between the probe and the epidermis, gel for echo is applied to the body surface, and the probe is applied to the body surface from above. On the other hand, when the probe is directly applied to the body surface to which the echo gel is applied, the echo gel adheres to the surface of the probe, so that the probe needs to be cleaned every time the patient changes. Therefore, it is conceivable to use the probe in a plastic bag or the like so that the echo gel does not adhere to the surface of the probe. However, if the probe is put in a plastic bag, a plastic bag will intervene between the body surface and the probe, which may affect the acoustic coupling.

Then, an object of this invention is to provide the cover for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses which can make an acoustic coupling favorable, without a plastic bag intervening between a body surface and a probe.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover according to the present invention comprises: a casing; and a probe having a sensor disposed at one end of the casing in a predetermined direction and receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected by the test portion. A cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be placed, which is formed in a cylindrical shape having openings at both ends, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be inserted from one of the two openings among the two openings. The sensor is provided on the cylindrical body so as to close the other opening, and contact one end of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a predetermined direction, and the portion in which the one end is in contact with the sensor is the sensor And a probe cover body made of a gel material capable of acoustic coupling between the test portion and the test portion.

According to the present invention, the gel material of the probe cover body provided so as to close the other opening of the cylindrical body at one end of the predetermined direction of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus inserted from one opening of the cylindrical body The part consisting of can be made to abut. In this state, the sensor disposed at one end in the predetermined direction is applied to the test portion through the portion, so that no plastic bag is interposed between the test portion and the probe. Therefore, the acoustic coupling can be improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the acoustic coupling without interposing a plastic bag between the body surface and the probe.

It is the perspective view which looked at the cover for ultrasonic diagnostic devices of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover which inserted the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1 in the cover for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. It is a disassembled perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the cover for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover of FIG. 2 cut along a cross-sectional line IV-IV. It is a front view which shows the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cover which inserted the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus into the cover for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the aspect when inserting an ultrasonic diagnosing device in the cover for ultrasonic diagnosing devices. It is a top view of the bracket with a guide shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the guided bracket of FIG. 7 cut along a cross-sectional line VIII-VIII. It is a side view of the bracket with a guide of FIG. It is a disassembled sectional view of the bracket with a guide of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the cover for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of other embodiment. It is a side view which shows the other structural example of a pair of latching piece which the bracket with a guide of 2nd Embodiment has.

Hereinafter, a cover-attached ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The concept of the direction used in the following description is used for convenience of the description, and the direction of the configuration of the invention is not limited to that direction. Further, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus with cover 1 and 1A described below is only one embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and additions, deletions, and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

First Embodiment
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 with a cover shown in FIG. 1 is used when puncturing a needle or the like while visualizing a blood vessel or the like under the skin, for example, when indwelling a catheter in a blood vessel in dialysis treatment. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus with cover having such a function includes an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 and a cover 3 for the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 has a cover 3 for the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. Used covered. Below, an example of composition of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment 2 and cover 3 for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is explained.

<Ultrasound diagnostic device>
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 oscillates an ultrasonic wave to a test part (that is, a subcutaneous tissue) in a state of being applied to the body surface and receives an ultrasonic wave (that is, a reflected wave) reflected by the test part. . In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 performs image processing based on the received reflected wave, and projects the cross section of the subject. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 having such a function has a casing 11, a probe 12, and a monitor 13 (see also the front view of FIG. 2). The casing 11 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, SAS (silicon acrylonitrile styrene), and polypropylene, and is a box having a substantially rectangular shape and a flat cross section in front view. . Further, a tip end side portion 11a which is a lower end portion (that is, one end side portion) of the casing 11 is formed in a trapezoidal shape tapered toward the tip, and a probe 12 is disposed at a tip end portion 11b of the casing 11. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 has the probe 12 at its tip 2a. In addition, the casing 11 is curved so as to be bent back in the middle portion, and is inclined rearward from the curved portion 11 c to the proximal end portion. Furthermore, a monitor 13 is disposed on the front surface 11 e of the casing 11, and the monitor 13 projects an image. The probe 12 and the monitor 13 will be described in more detail below.

The probe 12 is configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and includes a sensor 12a. The sensor 12a is configured of, for example, a vibrator such as a piezoelectric element and an acoustic lens. The sensor 12a configured in this way is mounted so as to be embedded in the tip end portion 11a of the casing 11 as shown in FIG. 2, and disposed in the casing 11 so that the lower end face is flush with the tip portion 11b. It is done. Further, the sensor 12a is connected to a control device (not shown) housed in the casing 11, and oscillates an ultrasonic wave in accordance with a command from the control device. Further, the sensor 12a receives the reflected wave reflected by the subject, and outputs a signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic wave to the control device. That is, the vibrator of the sensor 12a vibrates by the reflected wave reflected by the test portion, and a signal corresponding to the vibration is output to the control device. The control device has an image processing function, performs image processing based on the signal, and outputs image data to the monitor 13.

The monitor 13 as an example of the image display unit is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor and an organic EL monitor, and is configured to display an image according to the image data. That is, on the monitor 13, an image created based on the reflected wave received by the sensor 12 a, for example, a cross section of the subject, is displayed. The monitor 13 having such a function is disposed on the front surface 11 e of the casing 11 as described above. More specifically, the left and right widths of the monitor 13 extend from near the left end of the casing 11 to near the right end, and the upper and lower heights of the monitor 11 extend from the curved portion 11 c to near the proximal end.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 configured in this manner applies the probe 12 to the body surface of the test part, and causes the transducer of the sensor 12 a of the probe 12 to oscillate ultrasonic waves in that state. The oscillated ultrasonic wave is reflected by the test portion, and the reflection is received by the transducer of the sensor 12a. Then, the vibrator of the sensor 12a vibrates in response to the reflected wave, and the vibrator outputs a signal corresponding to the vibration to the control device. The control device performs image processing based on the signal, whereby the cross section of the subject is displayed on the monitor 13.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 having such a function is used in such a manner that the probe 12 is scanned on the body surface of the subject. Therefore, when the sterilization process is not performed on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is covered with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3.

<Cover for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment>
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3 covers the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 so that blood or the like does not adhere to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 or that the adhered blood or the like does not scatter. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3 having such a function includes a cylindrical body 21, an inner bracket 22, a probe cover body 23, and a bracket 24 with a guide. The device 2 can be inserted and stored.

The cylindrical body 21 is a sterile soft body subjected to sterilization treatment, and specifically, is a film body which does not generate elasticity. As shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical body 21 is a generally rectangular soft body which is open at the top and bottom, and is long in the vertical direction in a front view. More specifically, the cylindrical body 21 is a highly transparent soft body made of materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride, and the external shape seen from the front is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 It is similar. That is, the tubular body 21 is a tubular body having a flat cross section, and the lower end portion 21a is formed in a trapezoidal shape tapered toward the lower end 21b. Further, the upper end (that is, the base end) and the lower end 21b (that is, the tip) of the cylindrical body 21 are opened, and the openings 21c and 21d are formed at the upper end and the lower end. Since the cylindrical body 21 is a soft body, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be easily accommodated therein, and since the transparency is high, the monitor 13 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 accommodated in the internal body is It can be confirmed from the outside.

The upper opening 21c, which is the upper opening 21c, is formed so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be inserted from its distal end 2a. On the other hand, the lower opening 21d, which is the lower opening 21d, has a smaller diameter than the upper opening 21c, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted from the upper opening 21c of the cylindrical body 21. Later, the lower opening 21d naturally comes in contact with the periphery of the distal end side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 or the inner bracket 22, and is supported so as not to come out of the lower opening 21d. The lower opening 21 d is formed slightly larger than the outer peripheral shape of the tip 2 a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 in a state where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the cylindrical body 21, and the lower opening 21 d is The tip portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 (that is, the portion of the sensor 12a of the probe 12) can be made to project therefrom. The distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 protrudes from the cylindrical body 21. Therefore, the probe cover and the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 do not have a special shape on the side to which the probe cover abuts. There may be no gap between them.

The cylindrical body 21 having such a shape is formed to be longer than the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 in the vertical direction (that is, a predetermined direction), and substantially the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can fit therein. It has become. More specifically, the cylindrical body 21 is accommodated in a state in which the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is protruded from the lower opening 21d, and in this state, the upper opening 21c is The cylindrical body 21 is elongated in the vertical direction so as to be positioned higher than the upper end of the sonographic apparatus 2. Further, a rail fastener 25 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 21 over the entire circumferential direction in the vicinity of the upper opening 21 c. The rail fastener 25 has a male side rail portion 25a and a female side rail portion 25b, and the two rail portions 25a and 25b are engaged by abutting each other. For example, the male side rail portion 25a and the female side rail portion 25b are provided to face the front side portion and the rear side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 21, and are engaged with each other by butting. The upper side of the rod 21 is closed. An inner bracket 22 is provided in the cylindrical body 21 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 4.

The inner bracket 22 is a cylindrical member provided in the cylindrical body 21 and has a function of guiding the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 inserted into the cylindrical body 21 to a predetermined position and positioning it at the predetermined position. Have. More specifically, the inner bracket 22 is made of a material harder than the probe cover body 23 described in detail later, such as polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, SAS (silicon acrylonitrile styrene), polypropylene and the like. Of synthetic resin. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner bracket 22 is a cover-like member that is substantially trapezoidal in a front view and whose upper end and lower end are open, and is formed in a flat shape in cross section when viewed from above. More specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the inner bracket 22 is formed substantially the same as the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion 21 a of the cylindrical body 21, and the lower end portion 22 a of the inner bracket 22 is the cylindrical body 21. It projects from the lower opening 21d.

On the other hand, since the lower end portion 21a of the cylindrical body 21 is formed in a tapered shape tapered toward the tip, the inner bracket 22 projects the lower end portion 22a thereof from the lower opening 21d of the cylindrical body 21. And fit into the lower end portion 21a of the cylindrical body 21 so that the remaining portion does not protrude outward. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the inner bracket 22 is formed substantially the same as the outer peripheral surface of the distal end side portion 11 a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 inserted into the cylindrical body 21 is used as the inner bracket 22. It is possible to put it in from the upper end of and put it on. Further, the inner bracket 22 is configured to project the probe 12 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 from the lower end thereof.

The inner peripheral surface of the inner bracket 22 having such a shape is formed in substantially the same manner as the outer peripheral surface of the distal end side portion 11a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 as described above, that is, tapered toward the lower end Is formed. Therefore, when the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 is inserted, the inner bracket 22 guides the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 to a predetermined position where the probe 12 protrudes from the lower end of the inner bracket 22. The inner bracket 22 having such a function is formed flat in cross section as described above, and a pair of grooves 22b and 22b are formed on the side portions respectively located on both sides in the width direction (see also FIG. 4). ).

The pair of grooves 22b extends in the vertical direction and penetrates the inner bracket 22 in the inward / outward direction (that is, the width direction). Further, the pair of grooves 22b, 22b are disposed apart in the front-rear direction, thereby forming a flexible piece 22c between the pair of grooves 22b, 22b. The flexible piece 22c is bent in the width direction with its proximal end portion as a fulcrum. Further, a fitting hole 22d is formed in the flexible piece 22c. That is, the inner bracket 22 is formed with a pair of fitting holes 22d which are disposed apart from each other in the width direction. Moreover, fitting convex part 11d, 11d is formed in each side of tip side 11a of casing 11 corresponding to each of a pair of fitting holes 22d.

The pair of fitting convex portions 11d, 11d is formed substantially in a hemispherical shape, and protrudes in the width direction from the side surface of the tip end portion 11a. The pair of fitting convex portions 11 d and 11 d respectively hit the corresponding flexible pieces 22 c when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the inner bracket 22, and the flexible pieces 22 c corresponding when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is further pressed. Push outwards radially. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be inserted to a predetermined position in the inner bracket 22 by pushing and spreading in this manner. Further, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted to a predetermined position, each of the pair of fitting convex portions 11 d and 11 d fits into the corresponding fitting hole 22 d. Thereby, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is positioned and held at a predetermined position. A probe cover body 23 is placed on the inner bracket 22 configured as described above so as to close the lower opening 22 e of the inner bracket 22.

The probe cover body 23 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion, a side surface and an opening, and covers the inner bracket 22 to close the lower opening 22e of the inner bracket 22 and protrudes from the lower opening 22e The cylindrical body 21 is provided so as to be in contact with the sensor 12 a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. That is, the probe cover body 23 can be fixed to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so that nothing is interposed between the distal end portion 2 a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and the probe cover body 23. Describing in further detail, the probe cover body 23 is a bag body which is substantially trapezoidal in a front view and has a substantially trapezoidal cross section. Further, the probe cover body 23 is closed at the distal end side (that is, the lower side), and has an opening 23a at the proximal end side (upper side). Further, the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the probe cover body 23 are formed in substantially the same shape as the outer peripheral surface of the inner bracket 22, and the inner peripheral surface of the probe cover body 23 is formed slightly smaller than the outer peripheral surface of the inner bracket 22 It is done.

The probe cover body 23 having such a shape is made of, for example, a styrene-based, urethane-based, and silicone-based elastomer gel (in this embodiment, a styrene-based elastomer gel), and is configured to be stretchable. Therefore, the probe cover body 23 is configured such that the lower end portion 22 a of the inner bracket 22 can be inserted into the probe cover body 23 by pushing the opening 23 a outward. The probe cover body 23 is intended to contract inward in a state in which the inner bracket 22 is inserted therein, so that the probe cover body 23 is pressed against the inner bracket 22 so as not to slip off the inner bracket 22. Furthermore, the probe cover body 23 extends further to the upper side than the lower end portion 22 a of the inner bracket 22 protruding from the cylindrical body 21, and is covered with the lower opening 21 d of the cylindrical body 21. As a result, the lower opening 21 d of the cylindrical body 21 and the vicinity thereof are sandwiched by the probe cover 23 and the inner bracket 22, and the cylindrical body 21 is less likely to be detached from the probe cover 23 and the inner bracket 22. In addition, the probe cover body 23 may be provided with weak adhesiveness on its surface, and in that case, it can be made not to shift with respect to the cylindrical body 21 by the weak adhesive action.

Thus, the probe cover body 23 is provided on the cylindrical body 21 so as to cover the inner bracket 22 and is provided on the cylindrical body 21 to close the lower opening 21 d. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the cylindrical body 21 in the closed state, and the distal end 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is opened at the lower opening 21d of the cylindrical body 21 and the lower opening of the inner bracket 22. The tip portion 2a can be applied to the probe cover body 23 when protruding from the portion 22e. Furthermore, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is pushed into a predetermined position from that state, the entire sensor 12a can be pressed against the probe cover body 23 to be in close contact. Thereby, it can be suppressed that a small gap is formed between the sensor 12 a and the probe cover body 23.

The probe cover body 23 configured in this way is made of a material that improves the acoustic coupling between the sensor 12a and the body surface of the test portion, and the test portion is in a state in which the sensor 12a is in close contact. It can be made to project on monitor 13 in the state where the section of a tested part is good by applying to the body surface of. A guided bracket 24 is further placed on the outer surface of the probe cover body 23 configured as described above. In the present embodiment, in order to project the cross section of the test portion on the monitor 13 in a better condition, an echo of the body surface of the test portion is made so that an air layer can not be formed between the test portion and the sensor 12a. Liquid gel such as gel, physiological saline, and liquid material such as disinfectant (hereinafter referred to as "liquid gel etc.") is applied, but the outer surface of the probe cover body 23 is coated with the liquid gel etc. May be

The bracket with guide 24 has a bracket main body 31 and a guide portion 32. The bracket body 31 is made of a material harder than the probe cover body 23, for example, a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, SAS (silicon acrylonitrile styrene), and polypropylene. Further, the bracket main body 31 is a tubular member having a substantially trapezoidal shape in a front view, and the inner space thereof is formed in accordance with the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the inner bracket 22. More specifically, the inner space of the bracket main body 31 is formed to be slightly larger than the inner bracket 22 so that it can be fitted onto the probe cover body 23 and the cylindrical body 21 so as to be fitted onto the inner bracket 22. There is.

The bracket main body 31 configured in this manner is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that tapers toward the lower end as described above, and the probe cover body 23 is formed into the inner bracket 22 by fitting the bracket main body 31 into the inner bracket 22. The sensor 12a and the probe cover body 23 can be in tight contact with each other. The size of the gap formed between the inner peripheral surface of the bracket main body 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner bracket 22 can be made smaller than the thickness of the probe cover body 23 by the wedge effect of the bracket main body 31. By doing so, the probe cover body 23 is stretched and pulled so as to be lifted to the proximal end side of the casing 11. Therefore, the probe cover body 23 can be further pressed against the sensor 12a than when the bracket main body 31 is not attached, and can be in close contact with the sensor 12a. That is, since the probe cover body 23 can be firmly adhered to the sensor 12a without pressing the probe 12 against the body surface, the cross section of the test portion can be displayed on the monitor 13 simply by applying without touching the body surface. it can. Thereby, the image can be displayed on the monitor 13 without crushing veins and the like near the epidermis. The bracket main body 31 having such a function further includes a fitting projection 31a.

The fitting projection portion 31 a is integrally provided on the front surface (that is, the surface on the same side as the front surface 11 e of the casing 11) 31 b of the bracket main body 31. The fitting projection portion 31 a is disposed at the center in the width direction of the front surface 31 b of the bracket main body 31, and is formed to project forward from the front surface 31 b of the bracket main body 31. The guide portion 32 is fitted to the fitting projection portion 31a formed in this manner. The guide portion 32 guides the needle 41 to be punctured to determine the puncturing direction of the needle 41 when the needle 41 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) of the needle assembly such as the indwelling needle is punctured in the subcutaneous tissue. It is formed in a substantially trapezoidal block shape in a side view. The guide portion 32 is provided on the front side of the cylindrical body 21 (on the side of the monitor 13 in a state in which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is accommodated in the cylindrical body 21). For this reason, it is possible to puncture while looking at the monitor 13 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. In addition, since the distance from the guide portion 32 to the sensor 12a is short, the puncture length can be shortened, and the stability of the puncture operation can be improved and the burden on the patient can be reduced. Moreover, the guide part 32 can further shorten the distance from the guide part 32 to the sensor 12a by providing in the position which the sensor 12a overlaps in a side view. In addition, although the guide part 32 is provided in the front side of the cylindrical body 21 which the front end and the base end opened, it uses in invention which provides the guide part 32 in the front side of the cylindrical body 21 which the front end and the base end open. The tubular body does not have to be the tubular body 21 having an open tip, and the configuration and arrangement of the guide portion 32 described here are useful in any form for fixing the guide portion to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The front end 32 a of the guide portion 32 having such a shape forms a predetermined angle α (for example, 20 degrees ≦ α ≦ 80 degrees) with respect to the front surface 31 b of the bracket main body 31. The front end surface 32 a is formed to be inclined with respect to the front surface 31 b of the bracket main body 31. Further, in the front end face 32a, a guide hole forming part 32b is formed at the center part in the left-right direction. The guide hole forming portion 32b protrudes from the front end face 32a in a direction orthogonal thereto and extends obliquely upward along the front end face 32a. Further, the cross section of the guide hole forming portion 32b (that is, the cross section orthogonal to the front end face 32a) is formed in a substantially semicircular shape, and the guide hole 32c is formed in the guide hole forming portion 32b along the axis thereof. . As a result, in the guide portion 32, a guide hole 32c extending obliquely upward and frontward is formed. The guide hole 32c penetrates the guide portion 32 diagonally upward and forward, so that the needle 41 of the needle assembly can be inserted from the upper side and the needle tip 41a can be taken out from the lower side. In the front surface of the guide hole forming portion 32b, an extraction port 32d extending along the axial direction of the guide hole 32c is formed, from which the needle 41 can be pulled forward and pulled out.

<Installation work and puncture work>
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is put into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3 when used as described above, and is used in a state of being sealed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3. More specifically, the cover 3 for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is already assembled in a bag such as a sterile pack (not shown) so as to maintain the sterility. Then, the cover 3 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is taken out of the sterile pack at the time of use. After taking it out, first, the upper opening 21c of the cylindrical body 21 of the cover 3 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is opened, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is put into the upper opening 21c from the tip 2a.

Thereafter, when the tubular body 21 is erected to put the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 in the tubular body 21 or when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is pushed in, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 lowers the inside of the tubular body 21 at the lower opening Head towards 21d. If it advances further after having settled, tip part 2a of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment 2 will enter inside inner bracket 22 soon. As it proceeds further, the pair of fitting projections 11d, 11d strike the upper end of the inner bracket 22 (more specifically, the upper end of the flexible piece 22c). In this state, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is pushed from the upper side, the corresponding flexible pieces 22c are pushed and spread by the pair of fitting convex portions 11d, 11d, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be further pushed downward. By continuing pressing, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is guided by the inner bracket 22 and reaches a predetermined position, and when it reaches it, each of the pair of fitting convex portions 11 d and 11 d is fitted into the corresponding fitting hole 22 d It is positioned and held in the body 21. In addition, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 reaches a predetermined position, the sensor 12a can be protruded from the lower opening 21d, whereby the sensor 12a is in close contact with the probe cover body 23.

When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is housed in the cover 3 for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in this manner, next, the male side rail portion 25a and the female side rail portion 25b of the rail fastener 25 are butted to engage with each other. Close 21. As a result, it is possible to prevent liquid gel or the like and blood or the like from adhering to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and to prevent scattered blood or the like from scattering. In this manner, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3 is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 so as to seal and cover the whole. By mounting, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 becomes usable, whereby, for example, a puncturing operation is performed while an image of the subject is shown. In the following, a puncturing operation using the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 with a cover will be described.

In the cover-attached ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, after the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3 is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the probe 12 is pressed against the body surface through the probe cover body 23. Thereby, the cross section of the test part is projected on the monitor 13. In addition, according to the state of acoustic coupling, a liquid gel etc. may be apply | coated to a body surface, and you may make it further improve acoustic coupling. When the cross section of the test part is projected on the monitor 13, the user looks for the position of the blood vessel while looking at the monitor 13, and when the position of the blood vessel is confirmed, the needle 41 of the needle assembly is inserted into the guide hole 32c of the guided bracket 24. Insert and puncture the blood vessel with the needle tip 41 a of the needle 41. The angle α of the guide hole 32c is set in advance so that the needle 41 inserted therein passes through a predetermined position in the image superimposed and projected on the monitor, and the state of the needle tip 41a to be punctured is monitored It can be confirmed by 13.

When it is confirmed that the needle tip 41a has been punctured in the blood vessel, the needle 41 is kept as it is, and in order to remove the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 from the needle 41, the needle 41 from the guide hole 32c via the outlet 32d. Pull out. Specifically, the needle 41 is pulled out of the guide hole 32c through the outlet 32d by tilting it backward so as to release the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 with respect to the needle 41. By doing this, the needle 41 can be indwelled at that position, and subsequent treatment (for example, treatment such as dialysis, pouring, blood collection, etc.) can be performed.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 with cover having such a function, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the cylindrical body 21 of the cover 3 for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and pushed, as described above, to be covered by the probe cover body 23. The acoustic coupling between the inspection unit and the sensor 12a can be in a good state, that is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be in a usable state. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be easily attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3. In addition, since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is only inserted into the cover 3 for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 does not touch the outer surface of the cover 3 for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, so the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus The cover 3 can be kept sterile.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 with a cover, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is pushed into the inner bracket 22 to be guided by the inner bracket 22 to a predetermined position and held at the predetermined position. At the predetermined position, the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be protruded from the inner bracket 22, and the entire sensor 12a can be in close contact with the probe cover body 23. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be used as a cover for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus Good acoustic coupling can be achieved simply by inserting and pressing into the three cylindrical members 21. Further, by adopting a structure in which the pair of fitting convex portions 11d and 11d are fitted into and held by the corresponding fitting holes 22d, it is possible to suppress blurring of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 with respect to the inner bracket 22. As a result, the entire sensor 12a can be stably brought into close contact with the probe cover body 23 (that is, the close contact state can be made stable), and good acoustic coupling can be maintained.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 with a cover, by disposing the inner bracket 22 inside the probe cover body 23, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the probe cover body 23. Therefore, it is easy to insert the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2, more specifically the distal end portion 11a of the casing 11, into the probe cover body 23, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic device cover 3. It can be made easier to do. Furthermore, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 with a cover, by covering the probe cover body 23 not only on the inner bracket 22 but also on the lower opening 21 d of the cylindrical body 21 and the vicinity thereof, the cylindrical body 21 is covered by the probe cover body 23. The lower opening 21d can be closed. In addition, the cylindrical body 21 is held between the probe cover body 23 and the inner bracket 22 by putting it on, and it is possible to suppress the cylindrical body 21 from being displaced with respect to the inner bracket 22 during use.

Second Embodiment
The cover-attached ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A of the second embodiment is similar in configuration to the cover-attached ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. In the following, the differences between the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus with a cover 2A of the second embodiment and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 with a cover of the first embodiment will be mainly described. The explanation is omitted.

<Cover for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment>
The cover-attached ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A of the second embodiment includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and a cover 3A for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as shown in FIG. 5, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3A has the following features. Is configured as. That is, the cover 3A for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a cylindrical body 21A, a bracket 24A with a guide, and a probe cover body 23A. The cylindrical body 21A is made of a non-elastic soft film having high transparency as in the first embodiment, and is subjected to sterilization treatment. The cylindrical body 21A made of such a material is a cylindrical body having a cross-sectionally flat shape like the cylindrical body 21 of the first embodiment. The lower end portion 21a of the cylindrical body 21A is formed in a trapezoidal shape tapered toward the lower end 21b in a state of being assembled with the guide-equipped bracket 24A and the probe cover body 23A. On the other hand, the upper end portion 21e of the cylindrical body 21A is formed in a trapezoidal shape so as to expand toward the upper end 21f (that is, the upper opening 21c).

In the cylindrical body 21A having such a shape, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted, the upper end portion 21e is folded as shown in FIG. That is, the upper end portion 21e of the cylindrical body 21A is folded outward with respect to the middle portion 21g connected to the lower side, and the vicinity of the rail fastener 25 (more specifically, the lower portion of the rail fastener 25) is upward. It is folded back to the outside. Further, in the cylindrical body 21A, the upper opening 21c is folded so as to be located on the lower end side of the folded back portion of the cylindrical body 21A (that is, the portion where the upper end side portion 21e is folded back to the middle portion 21g) 21h There is. By folding in this manner, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the cylindrical body 21A from the upper side, it can be suppressed that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 hits the outer surface of the upper opening 21c of the cylindrical body 21A. . That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 to be inserted can hit the upper opening 21c of the cylindrical body 21A, and the contamination thereof can be suppressed.

Further, as described above, by folding the upper opening 21c, the upper opening 21c can be opened as follows, and the upper opening 21c can be closed. That is, between the middle portion 21g of the cylindrical body 21A and the upper opening 21c, fingers from the lower side, for example, the thumb and forefinger of both hands are inserted from both left and right sides so as to sandwich the middle portion 21g. Then, by lifting the finger upward as it is and extending the upper end portion 21 e upward, the upper end portion 21 e can be returned to the expanded state as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the male side rail portion 25a of the rail fastener 25 and the female side rail portion 25b (not shown) are butted and engaged to form the upper opening in the state where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is housed in the cylindrical body 21A. The part 21c can be closed. The cylindrical body 21A configured in this manner is provided with a guide-equipped bracket 24A for attaching the probe cover body 23 to the lower opening 21d thereof.

The guide-equipped bracket 24A has a bracket body 31A and a guide portion 32A. The bracket body 31 is made of a material harder than the probe cover body 23A described later, such as polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, SAS (silicon acrylonitrile styrene), and synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The bracket main body 31A made of such a material is formed substantially in a plate shape in a front view as shown in FIG. 5, and is formed in a flat and annular shape which is laterally long in a plan view as shown in FIG. In addition, in FIG. 7, the guide part 32A is not illustrated for convenience of explanation. The same applies to FIG. 9 described later.

The bracket main body 31A having such a shape has an inner hole 31c, and the inner peripheral surface defining the inner hole 31c is formed in a tapered shape which is tapered downward as shown in FIG. Further, the inner hole 31c is formed to be laterally long as the shape of the outer peripheral edge of the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and the inner hole 31c can be inserted through the distal end of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 into the inner hole 31c. It is supposed to be. More specifically, the inner peripheral edge of the inner hole 31c of the bracket main body 31A is larger than the outer peripheral edge of the distal end of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 (that is, the outer peripheral edge of the distal end of the distal end portion 2a) and the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion 11c ( It is smaller than the outer peripheral edge of the proximal end of the distal end portion 2a. As a result, when the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the inner hole 31c of the bracket main body 31A, it is fitted in the inner hole 31c of the bracket main body 31 at the middle portion thereof and does not protrude further downward It has become. Specifically, the bracket body 31A has a predetermined length from the bracket body 31A (more specifically, the lower opening 21d of the cylindrical body 21A) of the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 by the inner hole 31c. It is impossible to project more than that. A pair of locking pieces 33 is integrally formed on the bracket main body 31 </ b> A configured as described above in order to hold the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2.

The pair of locking pieces 33 which are engaging portions are plate-like members extending in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 9, and are integrally provided on the upper surface of the bracket main body 31A. Describing in more detail, the pair of locking pieces 33 are disposed apart to the left and right so that the main surfaces thereof face each other. Since the pair of locking pieces 33 are provided not on the front side but on the left and right, they do not interfere with the puncturing operation during the puncturing operation. Further, the pair of locking pieces 33 extend so as to be inclined outward so as to be apart from each other upward according to the side surface shape of the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, The distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is adapted to be inserted. Further, a locking hole 33a is formed on the main surface of each of the pair of locking pieces 33, and the locking hole 33a corresponds to the pair of fitting convex portions 11d and 11d of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 It is formed corresponding to each of the joint portions). That is, the locking holes 33a are arranged such that when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted to the predetermined position in the bracket main body 31A, the pair of fitting convex portions 11d and 11d fit, and the pair of fitting The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is locked by the bracket main body 31A and held by the fitting convex portions 11d, 11d being fitted in the locking holes 33a. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is fixed to the bracket body 31A at a position where the flat probe cover body 23A is deformed. Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is fixed to the bracket body 31A at a position where the probe cover body 23A is extended. For this reason, it is prevented that a gap is generated between the probe cover body 23A and the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2.

The predetermined position is a position where the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 fits into the inner hole 31c of the bracket main body 31A and can not protrude any more. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is at such a predetermined position. Is locked to the bracket body 31. Further, as with the flexible piece 22c of the first embodiment, when the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is pushed in, the locking piece 33 is pushed and spread by the pair of fitting convex portions 11d and 11d, The pair of fitting projections 11d, 11d enter the corresponding locking holes 33a, so that they elastically return. By doing so, the bracket main body 31 is locked and mounted to the distal end portion 2 a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2.

The bracket main body 31A configured in this way is provided in the lower opening 21d of the cylindrical body 21 as shown in FIG. That is, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the bracket main body 31A is a flat shape and an annular shape of a horizontally long horizontal flat shape in plan view, and the lower opening 21d of the cylindrical body 21A is along the outer peripheral surface of the bracket main body 31A all around. Fixed and more specifically welded. The probe cover body 23A is fixed to the bracket main body 31A attached in this manner, and the probe cover body 23A is fixed to the cylindrical body 21A via the bracket main body 31A.

The probe cover body 23A has a substantially flat plate shape and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape which is horizontally long in a plan view, and the outline shape in a plan view is similar to the shape of the inner hole 31c of the bracket main body 31A. There is. Describing in detail, the probe cover body 23A is formed slightly larger than the inner hole 31c so as to be fixed to the bracket main body 31A as described later. The probe cover body 23A having such a shape is made of the same material as the probe cover body 23 of the first embodiment, and is formed so as to be stretchable. The probe cover body 23A configured in this way is fixed to the bracket main body 31A, and the bracket main body 31A has two upper and lower members as shown in FIG. 10, that is, the first bracket, in order to fix the probe cover body 23. It is comprised by the part 34 and the 2nd bracket part 35. As shown in FIG.

The first bracket portion 34 and the second bracket portion 35 are both flat in a horizontal shape and annular in plan view, and are formed in substantially the same shape. Further, on the upper surface of the first bracket portion 34, a pair of locking pieces 33, 33 are formed, and the first bracket portion 34 has its lower surface abutting on the upper surface of the second bracket portion 35. 2 is superimposed on the bracket portion 35. Furthermore, on the outer peripheral surface of the second bracket portion 35, a plurality of engagement protrusions (six engagement protrusions in this embodiment) 35a are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the first bracket portion 34 is formed. A plurality of engaging portions 34a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding to the plurality of engaging protrusions 35a. An engagement hole 34b is formed in each of the engagement portions 34a, and an engagement projection 35a corresponding to the engagement hole 34b is fitted. By fitting in this way, the corresponding engaging portions 34a and the engaging protrusions 35a engage with each other, and the two bracket portions 34, 35 do not separate from each other and do not shift. That is, the two bracket portions 34 and 35 are locked to each other by overlapping in the vertical direction which is the insertion direction. A recess 35 b is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the upper surface of the second bracket portion 35 thus formed.

The recess 35 b is formed on the entire inner circumferential edge of the second bracket portion 35 in the circumferential direction, and is recessed downward from the remaining portion. Therefore, the recess 35b forms an accommodation space 31d over the entire circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the bracket main body 31A by covering the first bracket portion 34 there. The accommodation space 31d is a space that is recessed outward, and the outer peripheral edge of the probe cover body 23A can be accommodated over the entire circumference thereof. That is, the shape of the outer peripheral edge of the probe cover body 23A is formed in accordance with the shape of the recess 35b, and the outer peripheral edge of the probe cover body 23A is placed on the recess 35b, and the first bracket portion 34 is placed on the second bracket portion 35. The outer peripheral edge of the probe cover body 23A is held between the two bracket portions 34 and 35 by overlapping and mounting. Thus, the probe cover body 23A is fixed to the bracket body 31 and closes the inner hole 31c in the fixed state. That is, the probe cover body 23A is provided on the cylindrical body 21A via the bracket main body 31A so as to close the lower opening 21d of the cylindrical body 21A.

Further, the lower protrusion 35c is formed in the recess 35b all around the circumferential direction. The lower protrusion 35 c is formed in an annular shape in plan view according to the shape of the recess 35 b, and protrudes toward the lower surface of the first bracket portion 34. Further, an upper protrusion 34 c is formed on the lower surface of the first bracket 34 in correspondence with the lower protrusion 35 c. The upper protrusion 34 c is formed in an annular shape in a plan view according to the shape of the lower protrusion 35 c, and protrudes toward the upper surface of the second bracket 35. The two projections 34c, 35c arranged in this way are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction with a slight gap between them so as to sandwich the outer peripheral edge of the probe cover 23A. . The two projecting portions 34c and 35c enable the probe cover body 23A to be firmly held and held. As shown in FIG. 5, a guide portion 32A is provided on the bracket main body 31A that holds the probe cover body 23A as described above. The guide portion 32A is for guiding the needle 41 of the needle device such as the indwelling needle to determine the puncturing direction, and is formed substantially in a block shape like the guide portion 32A of the first embodiment.

<Installation work>
Below, the operation | work which covers the cover 3A for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in it in order to use the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is demonstrated. That is, the cover 3A for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is placed in a bag such as a sterile pack (not shown) so as to maintain sterility. Then, the cover 3A for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is taken out from the sterile pack at the time of use. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end portion 21e of the cylindrical body 21A is folded in advance as shown in FIG. 6, and the user removes the folded upper end portion 21e and the middle portion 21g. The fingers of both hands are inserted from the lower side between them to open the cylindrical body 21A. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 held by a holder other than the user is inserted into the mouth extended from the tip 2a.

Thereafter, when the cylindrical body 21 is erected or the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 is pushed to put the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 in the cylindrical body 21, the tip of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 eventually enters the inner hole 31c of the bracket main body 31A. Furthermore, the tip thereof hits the probe cover body 23A. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is further pushed in, the probe cover body 23A expands in accordance with the shape of the distal end of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 protrudes from the bracket main body 31A. When the pressing is continued, the pair of fitting convex portions 11d and 11d eventually come in contact with the corresponding locking pieces 33 and 33, and the locking pieces 33 and 33 are pushed outward by the corresponding fitting convex portions 11d and 11d. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is further positioned by pushing in the predetermined position, the pair of fitting convex portions 11d and 11d fit into the locking holes 33a and 33a, and the locking pieces 33 and 33 elastically return, and ultrasonic waves The diagnostic device 2 is mounted in engagement with the bracket main body 31A (see FIG. 5).

As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3A, the probe cover body 23A is held so as to close the inner hole 31c of the bracket main body 31, the tip 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 placed in the cylindrical body 21A. The tip portion 2a can be pressed against the probe cover body 23A and brought into close contact only by inserting and pressing the inner portion 31c of the bracket main body 31. That is, the tip portion 2a can be brought into close contact with the probe cover body 23A by a simple operation of inserting it into the inner hole 31c, and the acoustic coupling between the test portion and the sensor 12a can be further improved.

Further, since at least a part of the inner hole of the bracket is formed larger than the distal end 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the distal end 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be pressed and stretched. Then, the sensor 12a can be pressed against the probe cover body 23A in a state in which the sensor 12a is in close contact with the probe cover body 23A. Thereby, the air can be suppressed from being interposed between the sensor 12a and the probe cover body 23, and the acoustic coupling between the test portion and the sensor 12a can be further improved. Furthermore, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with cover 1A, as described above, the length by which the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 protrudes with respect to the bracket main body 31A depends on the shape of the inner hole 31c and the formation position of the locking holes 33a and 33a. It is limited to a predetermined length. Therefore, when the tip portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is pressed and stretched, it is possible to prevent the probe cover body 23A from being excessively stretched, and to prevent the probe cover body 23A from being damaged by excessively stretching. can do.

Thus, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted to a predetermined position, the user then lifts the thumb and forefinger of both hands and extends the upper end portion 21 e upward. When all of the upper end portion 21e is extended, the rail fastener 25 is located at the upper portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, so that the male rail portion 25a and the female rail portion 25b of the rail fastener 25 are butted and engaged. To close the upper opening 21c. By closing the upper opening 21c in this manner, the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is sealed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3A. As a result, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 becomes usable, whereby, for example, a puncturing operation is performed while an image of the subject is shown. The puncturing operation using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with cover 1A is the same as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with cover 1 of the first embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted. In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus with a cover 1A exhibits the same operational effects as the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus with a cover 1 of the first embodiment.

[Other Embodiments]
In the cover 3 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment, the inner bracket 22 is provided in the cylindrical body 21. However, the inner bracket 22 is not necessarily required, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as shown in FIG. You may be comprised like the cover 3B. That is, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover 3B, the lower end side portion 21a of the cylindrical body 21 is covered with the probe cover body 23 so as to close the lower opening 21d. Since the probe cover body 23 thus covered is stretchable, when it is pushed into the lower end portion 21 a of the cylindrical body 21 containing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the casing 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be housed therein by extending according to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the distal end side portion 11a. Further, the lower end side portion 21 a of the cylindrical body 21 is formed in a tapered shape so that the remaining portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 excluding the distal end portion 2 a does not go outside. Therefore, as in the case where the inner bracket 22 is provided, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 can be disposed at a predetermined position and put into a usable state only by inserting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 into the cylindrical body 21.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus covers 3 and 3B, the guide-equipped bracket 24 is placed on the probe cover body 23. The inner peripheral surface of the guide-equipped bracket 24 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer peripheral surface of the distal end side portion 11 a of the casing 11 and substantially the same shape. Therefore, when the distal end portion 2a of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is inserted into the probe cover body 23, it is guided and positioned by the guided bracket 24 so that the guided bracket 24 serves as a positioning member. It has become.

In the covers 3, 3B for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the guide-equipped bracket 24 is covered on the probe cover body 23 to guide the needle 41 when performing a puncturing operation, but this is not always necessary. It does not have to be covered. Also, the probe cover body 23 may be simply covered, but at least a part of the inner surface may be joined to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 21 so as not to be detached. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus covers 3 and 3B are not necessarily limited to those used for the puncturing operation, and are also used when making a cross section of the test part on the monitor 13 and performing diagnosis only. Moreover, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, although the probe 12 and the monitor 13 are integrally provided in the casing 11, it does not necessarily have to be integral, and the probe 12 and the monitor 13 are formed in separate casings. It is also good.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus covers 3 and 3B, the entire probe cover body 23 has a good acoustic bond between the test portion and the probe 12 as any one of an elastomer gel, that is, a styrene type, a urethane type and a silicone type. It is composed of some elastomeric gel, but it need not necessarily be this way. In the probe cover body 23, at least a portion located between the test portion and the probe 12 may be made of the above-described elastomer gel. In the present embodiment, the probe cover body is provided on the outer side surface of the cylindrical body, but may be provided on the inner side surface.

Further, although the rail fasteners 25 are provided to cover the upper opening 21c of the cylindrical body 21 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus covers 3 and 3B, they do not necessarily have to be rail fasteners and may be surface fasteners or adhesive tapes. It may be.

Further, in the present embodiment, the tubular bodies 21 and 21A are flexible tubular bodies made of a material such as polyvinyl chloride and have a length that covers the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. It is not limited to For example, it may be a hard cylindrical body having an inner surface shape that can be mounted on the side surface on the tip side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and in close contact with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 when mounted on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. The probe cover body 23 or 23A may be fixed to the tip of the cylindrical body 21 or 21A. Such a specification is, for example, two while holding a part of the probe cover body 23 or 23A between a cylindrical body having an unevenness capable of being attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 on the inner surface and another cylindrical body. It can manufacture by the method of integrating cylindrical body 23 and 23A by ultrasonic welding etc. In addition, since a cylindrical body can make it easy to insert an ultrasonic device because it is soft, it is preferable.

Further, although the probe cover body 23A of the cover 3A for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment is formed in a substantially flat plate shape, it does not have to be such a shape. For example, like the probe cover body 23 of the first embodiment, it may be in the shape of a bag. Further, the cylindrical body 21A does not necessarily have to be formed in a trapezoidal shape so that the upper end side portion 21e expands toward the upper end 21f, and may have the same shape as the middle portion 21g. That is, the upper end portion 21e may extend straight.

Furthermore, in the cover 3A for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment, the cylindrical body 21A is welded to the outer surface of the bracket main body 31A, but it is not necessary to be attached in this manner. For example, the lower end 21b of the cylindrical body 21A may be fixed to the bracket main body 31A by being sandwiched between the two bracket portions 34 and 35 in the same manner as the probe cover body 23A. Further, the lower end 21b of the cylindrical body 21A may be welded to the inner peripheral surface of the bracket main body 31A. Further, the bracket main body 31A does not necessarily have to be provided with the guide portion 32A. Further, the shape of the upper opening of the cylindrical body 21A is not limited to the shape of the embodiment, and a suitable opening shape may be adopted. For example, in order to maintain the sterile condition until immediately before use, the upper side of the cylindrical body may be closed before use, and the upper side of the cylindrical body may be opened through a cutting line or a notch or with scissors or the like. .

Further, the pair of locking pieces 33 in the second embodiment can be provided with finger releasing portions for releasing the locking. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, finger rests 33 b may be provided extending rearward from the upper ends of the pair of locking pieces 33. A gap increasing portion is formed between the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 and the finger piece 33b such that the gap between the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 and the locking piece 33 is increased. When bending the pair of locking pieces 33 outward in the second embodiment, a finger is inserted into the gap between the pair of locking pieces 33 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, but since the cylindrical body 21A is present, the finger is It can be difficult to insert deeply. In addition, since the cylindrical body 21A is widely wound even if it can be inserted, there is a possibility that it is difficult to bend the pair of locking pieces 33 outward. However, in the pair of locking pieces 33 of FIG. 12, the finger hook piece 33 b extending toward the rear does not face the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and a portion between the pair of locking pieces 33 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 The need to insert a finger in the gap can be eliminated or reduced. Since the finger hook piece 33b is formed on the upper side of the pair of locking pieces 33, the locking piece 33 can be bent with a small force, and by extending backward, it interferes with the puncturing operation. Hateful. In addition, although FIG. 12 was shown as an example of the finger hook piece 33b, it does not restrict to the shape of FIG. For example, by making the pair of locking pieces 33 in the shape of an inverted triangle, the top can be formed as a finger piece. The finger hook may have any shape as long as it is easy to put a finger on. Also, the air gap increasing portion may be realized by providing a groove in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. The finger piece 33b may extend to such an extent that it has a portion not facing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Also, although the pair of locking pieces 33 having the finger release portion 33b for releasing the lock is fixed to the cylindrical body 21A having the distal end and the base end opened, the invention of providing the finger release portion 33b for releasing the lock The tubular body used in the above does not have to be a tubular body whose tip is open. Also, the bracket may not be assembled with the probe cover body and may have only a needle guiding function.

The above-mentioned embodiment comprises a plurality of independent inventions, and each feature can stand as an independent invention. For example, the bracket in the present application has a gel sheet inside, and the gel sheet is in an expanded state when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the bracket are assembled, so that air bubbles are unlikely to occur between the gel sheet and the probe. In addition, the bracket in the present application has a pair of locking pieces provided with the finger hooks, and it is possible to achieve both the difficulty in detachment of the bracket from the ultrasonic device and the ease of detachment. The action and effect in these features are not dependent on the presence or absence of a plastic bag between the body surface and the probe, and solve the problem independent of the subject of the present invention. Therefore, in making these features an independent invention, it is not an essential requirement whether or not a plastic bag intervenes between the body surface and the probe, and an echo cover may not be provided.

1,1A Covered ultrasound diagnostic device 2 ultrasound diagnostic device 2a tip (one end in a predetermined direction)
3, 3A, 3B Cover for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment 11 casing 11a tip side portion 11d fitting convex portion (engagement portion)
12 probe 12a sensor 13 monitor (image display unit)
21, 21A cylindrical body 21c upper opening (one opening)
21d lower opening (other opening)
22 Inner bracket (guide member)
22d fitting hole 23, 23A probe cover body 24, 24A bracket with guide 31A bracket main body 31a inner hole 32A guide portion 33 locking piece 33b finger piece 34 first bracket portion 35 second bracket portion 41 needle

Claims (11)

1. A cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided on an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a casing; and a probe disposed at one end of the casing in a predetermined direction and having a sensor for receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected by a subject. ,
   A cylindrical body which is formed in a cylindrical shape having openings at both ends, and into which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be inserted from one of the two openings;
   The cylindrical body is provided so as to close the other opening and contact one end of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a predetermined direction, and a portion in contact with the one end in the predetermined direction is the sensor and the test portion. And a probe cover body made of a gel material capable of acoustic coupling between the two.
2. The other opening of the cylindrical body is formed on the tip side of the cylindrical body,
   The cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion on a tip end side of the cylindrical body is formed to have a diameter smaller than that of the opening on the one side.
3. The cylindrical body causes one end of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a predetermined direction to protrude from the other opening,
   The cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe cover body is placed on one end of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a predetermined direction which is protruded from the other opening of the cylindrical body.
4. The probe cover body is stretchable so as to be spread when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is inserted therein, and provided so as to cover the tip end side portion of the cylindrical body from the outside. The cover for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses according to Item 3.
5. The tubular member is made of a material harder than the probe cover body, and is accommodated in the tubular body so as to be disposed on the other opening side, and the predetermined position of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus therein. And a guide member for guiding to the other opening by inserting and pushing in one end of the direction,
   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cover according to claim 3, wherein the probe cover body is provided on the cylindrical body so as to cover the guide member.
6. A tubular member made of a material harder than the probe cover body, and having a bracket that covers the tubular body from the outside of the probe cover body.
   6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the bracket is configured such that the probe cover body is fitted in a state in which the probe cover body is covered at one end of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a predetermined direction. A cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described in.
7. A cover for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
   A covered ultrasonic diagnostic device comprising the ultrasonic diagnostic device.
8. A cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided on an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a casing; and a probe disposed at one end of the casing in a predetermined direction and having a sensor for receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected by a subject. ,
   A cylindrical body which is formed in a cylindrical shape having openings at both ends, and into which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be inserted from one of the two openings;
   And a probe cover body which is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and is provided so that a side surface overlaps with the cylindrical body while the bottom portion is positioned at the other opening of the cylindrical body.
   The cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the probe cover body in contact with one end in the predetermined direction is a gel material capable of acoustic coupling between the sensor and the test portion.
9. A cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided on an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a casing; and a probe disposed at one end of the casing in a predetermined direction and having a sensor for receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected by a subject. ,
   A probe cover body made of a gel material capable of acoustic coupling between the sensor and the test portion is fixed to one side, and a soft cylindrical body into which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is inserted from the other side. A cover for the sonar device.
10. The cover for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the probe cover body is fixed to the cylindrical body via an annular bracket made of a material harder than the probe cover body.
11. It is assembled to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a casing having a pair of locking portions on a side surface; and a probe disposed at one end of the casing in a predetermined direction and having a sensor for receiving ultrasonic waves reflected by the test portion. A bracket comprising: a pair of locking pieces engageable with the pair of locking portions.

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