JPH06269450A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic device with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the accuracy of diagnostic performance and to shorten the diagnostic time by easily and simply recognizing visually the rotation position of an ultrasonic vibrator attached to the tip of a probe. CONSTITUTION:In an ultrasonic probe 15 with an ultrasonic vibrator 21 sending and receiving the ultrasonic wave attached to a probe tip section 18 freely rotatably, a driving power supply means 28 supplying the required rotation amount to the ultrasonic vibrator 21 and a rotation position display means detecting to display the rotation position of the ultrasonic vibrator 21 are equipped.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe for diagnosing the inside of a body cavity and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with this probe, and more particularly to an ultrasonic probe capable of displaying the rotation amount of an ultrasonic transducer at the probe tip. And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with this probe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, an ultrasonic probe is widely used as an input means of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used to observe a diagnostic portion of a subject.
Among the ultrasonic probes, there is an intracorporeal ultrasonic probe that diagnoses the inside of body cavities such as digestive system, circulatory system and gynecological system.

When a digestive system or a circulatory system is diagnosed by using an intracorporeal ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic probe is manually operated to be inserted into the body cavity of a subject, and then the ultrasonic probe at the tip of the probe is examined. A method in which a desired image diagnosis is performed by rotating a sound wave oscillator, and an observation unit is displayed on a CRT screen of a display device of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for observation is widely adopted.

As described in JP-A-59-22534 and JP-A-2-206450, an ultrasonic probe for in-body cavity of this kind is an ultrasonic wave for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves required at the tip of the probe. There is a multi-plane probe in which a vibrator is rotatably provided and the direction of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is variable so that a diagnostic tomographic plane in a desired direction can be obtained freely.

The ultrasonic probe in the body cavity of the multi-plane probe, once inserted into the body cavity of the subject, rotates only the ultrasonic transducer at the tip of the probe without moving the ultrasonic probe in the body cavity. As a result, the observation position inside the body cavity of the subject can be arbitrarily set, and a plurality of diagnosis sites can be diagnosed at once.

[0006]

In the conventional ultrasonic probe in the body cavity, an ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the probe is mechanically rotated by a manual operation to form a multi-plane, and an observation position in the body cavity is obtained. Although it can be observed on multiple slice planes, when the ultrasonic transducer is turned,
There is a problem that it is not possible to determine which tomographic plane is being scanned by the ultrasonic probe, it takes time to diagnose the diagnosis site, and the diagnostic ability may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is possible to easily and easily confirm the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the probe by visual observation, and improve the accuracy of the diagnostic ability. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of shortening the diagnosis time and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with this probe.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the adjustment of the position of the ultrasonic vibrator to the cross section to be observed from the grasp of the rotational position of the ultrasonic vibrator, reduce the burden on the operator and the patient, and improve the reliability of the device. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of improving the property and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with this probe.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of accurately grasping a scan section by an ultrasonic transducer to reduce misdiagnosis and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with this probe.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention, as set forth in claim 1, is an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a probe tip. In an ultrasonic probe rotatably provided in the same plane, a driving force applying means for applying a required amount of rotation to the ultrasonic transducer, and a rotational position for detecting and displaying the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer. And a display means.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is characterized by:
As described in claim 2, the rotation position display means is provided in the probe operating portion for performing the probe operation, or
As described in claim 3, the rotation position display means is composed of a rotation operation knob provided in the probe operation section and a display scale for instructing a rotation position of the rotation operation knob.

In order to solve the above problems, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is
As described in claim 4, an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves at the probe tip is provided rotatably in the same plane, and the ultrasonic probe is connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body. In the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic probe includes driving force applying means for applying a required amount of rotation to the ultrasonic transducer, rotational position detecting means for detecting a rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer, and detection by the rotational position detecting means. Rotation position display means for displaying the rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is rotated as described in claim 5 in addition to the contents described in claim 4. The position display means may be composed of a position detection sensor that detects the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer or a rotation amount detection sensor of a drive motor that generates a driving force that rotates the ultrasonic transducer, or as described in claim 6. In addition, the rotation position display means is configured to be able to display together with a diagnostic image on a display device such as a CRT of the diagnostic device main body.

[0014]

This ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with this probe are provided with the rotational position display means for displaying the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the probe. The rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer inserted in the body cavity can be accurately confirmed from the outside at a glance, and the scan cross-sectional position of the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received from this ultrasonic transducer can be accurately measured. It is possible to improve the accuracy of the diagnostic ability and significantly shorten the diagnostic time.

The probe operating portion of the ultrasonic probe or the display device of the diagnostic apparatus main body is provided with a rotational position display means for displaying the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer, and the rotational position display means allows the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer to be displayed. Since it is visible, the accurate scanning cross-section position by the ultrasonic transducer can be immediately discriminated, and the turning operation to the cross-section to be observed can be performed visually, reducing the burden on the operator and the patient and at the same time Can improve the reliability and reduce the misdiagnosis.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 for ultrasonically diagnosing an observed region of a subject. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 has a diagnostic apparatus main body 12 that is provided so as to be freely movable by a traveling caster 11 or the like. This diagnostic device body 1
An operation panel 13 for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is provided on the top of the device 2, and a display device 14 such as a CRT for displaying an ultrasonic diagnostic image is provided on the top.

On the other hand, various ultrasonic probes 15 are attached to the probe main body 12 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 by the probe connector 1.
It is detachably connected via 6. Ultrasonic probe 15
Include a convex type, a sector type, a linear type, an oblique type, and the like depending on the observation site of the subject and the application, and FIG. 1 shows an example in which a transesophageal ultrasonic probe 15 is connected.

The transesophageal ultrasonic probe 15 is used for diagnosing the circulatory system, and as shown in FIG. 2, a probe operating portion 17 and a probe tip portion 18 and a slender flexible insertion tube connecting them. And a part 19.

The probe tip portion 18 of the ultrasonic probe 15
As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG.
An ultrasonic transducer 21 as an ultrasonic transducer is rotatably supported in the same plane in the same plane. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the ultrasonic transducer 21 is fixed to the driven pulley 22 and is provided integrally with the driven pulley 22 so as to rotate therewith. The driven pulley 22 is rotatably supported by a shaft 24 via a bearing 23, while the ultrasonic transducer 21 is liquid-tightly supported inside by a sealing means 26 such as an O-ring. Reference numeral 25 is an acoustic window that covers the surface of the ultrasonic transducer 21, and reference numeral 27 is a cable for the signal line and the ground wire of the ultrasonic transducer 21.

The driven pulley 22 has a driving force applying means 2
A transmission cable 29 such as a timing belt 8 or a torque wire of FIG. 8 is wound around, and the ultrasonic transducer 21 is rotationally operated via the transmission cable 29. The transmission cable 29 constitutes drive transmission means for transmitting an operating force to the ultrasonic transducer 21.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the driving force applying means 28 is a rotary operation knob 30 as a driving force generating means by manual operation, and an operation force generated by the rotary operation knob 30 is an ultrasonic transducer. 21 and a transmission cable 29 as a drive transmission means. Rotation operation knob 3
0 is accommodated in the operation knob 33 that bends the insertion tube portion 19 of the ultrasonic probe 15. The operation knob 33 and the rotary operation knob 30 are formed, for example, in a double cylinder structure having a common shaft, and the diameter of the drive shaft or drive pulley (not shown) of the rotary operation knob 30 corresponds to the diameter of the driven pulley 22 in a one-to-one correspondence. However, the amount of rotation of the rotary operation knob 30 corresponds to the amount of rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 21. In this case, the rotation amount of the rotary operation knob 30 and the ultrasonic transducer 21
The amount of rotation does not necessarily have to correspond one-to-one, but may be in a proportional relationship.

A display scale 35 is provided on the outer circumference of the rotary operation knob 30 of the probe operation unit 17. Display scale 35
Is formed on the operation knob 33 and constitutes a rotation position display means 36 for displaying the rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer 21 together with the rotation operation knob 30. The rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer 21 can be directly confirmed visually by the display scale 35 of the rotational position display means 36, and the ultrasonic wave transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transducer 21 can be scanned by confirming the rotational position. The cross section can be accurately grasped.

In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, at the time of diagnosis, the transesophageal ultrasonic probe 15 is inserted into the body cavity of the subject for diagnosis. When the ultrasonic probe 15 is inserted to a predetermined position, the position of the probe is fixed and the degree of freedom is lost. However, in this ultrasonic probe 15, the rotary operation knob 30 is rotated to operate the multi-plane ultrasonic transducer 21. Can be rotated in the same plane, and the scan cross section of the ultrasonic transducer 21 can be continuously changed while the ultrasonic probe 15 is fixed.

The scanning section of the ultrasonic transducer 21 of the ultrasonic probe 15 has a display scale 35 of the rotational position display means 36.
Since it can be directly supported by the rotary operation knob 30,
The rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer 21 can be confirmed through the display scale 35, and it is immediately known which cross section the ultrasonic transducer 21 scans. By accurately grasping the scan cross section, the accuracy of the diagnostic ability of ultrasonic diagnosis is improved, and the diagnostic time can be shortened.

Next, a second embodiment of the ultrasonic probe used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

The transesophageal ultrasonic probe 15 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral A denotes an ultrasonic vibrator which is rotated by a reversible electric motor 37, and a transmission cable 29 is wound around an output pulley 38 of the electric motor 37. The electric motor 37 drives the motor to rotate the ultrasonic transducer 21 and the rotary knob 39 in an interlocking manner. The rotary knob 39 constitutes the rotational position display means 40 together with the display scale 35. In this case, the rotary knob 39
The operating force does not necessarily have to be transmitted to the transmission cable 29, but may be manually operated by the rotation knob 39. The structure of the rotary knob 39 is substantially the same as that of the rotary operation knob 30 shown in FIG. 2 and is not different.

Further, the transesophageal ultrasonic probe 1 shown in FIG.
The other components of 5A are the same as those of the ultrasonic probe 15 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a third ultrasonic probe according to the present invention.
FIG.

The ultrasonic probe 15 shown in this embodiment
B is an operation knob 33 provided on the probe operation unit 17.
And a rotary operation knob 44 for rotating the ultrasonic transducer 21
The point that the shaft is formed on a different axis is basically different from that provided on the common axis as shown in FIG.

A display scale 45 is provided around the rotary operation knob 44.
The display graduation 45 and the rotary operation knob 44 constitute a rotational position display means 46, and the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer 21 can be displayed on the rotational position display means 46.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention. This ultrasonic probe 15C is a rotation device for displaying the rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer on the probe operating unit 17. The position display means 48 is provided.

The rotation position display means 48 is connected to the rotation position detection means 50 for detecting the rotation amount of the ultrasonic transducer 21 from the reference position (0 °).
Are provided as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10A and 10B. The rotational position detecting means 50 is composed of a hall element (magnetic sensor) for detecting a mark 51 such as a magnet provided on the outer peripheral portion of the ultrasonic transducer 21 and a position detecting sensor 52 such as an encoder. The position detection signal, which is the rotational position information detected by the above, is sent to the rotational position display means 48 and displayed by the rotational position display means 48.

The position detection signal detected by the rotation position detecting means 50 is also transmitted to the rotation angle limiting means 53,
The limiting unit 53 limits the drive of the electric motor 37 and regulates the rotation amount of the ultrasonic transducer 21.

The rotation position display means 48 may be connected to a position detection sensor 55 such as a magnetic sensor or an encoder as a rotation amount detection means for detecting the motor rotation amount of the electric motor 37. The position detection sensor 55 detects the motor rotation amount of the electric motor 37 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and sends the detection signal to the rotation position display means 48.
The display unit 48 displays the rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer 21 corresponding to the motor rotation amount.

Further, the rotation position display means 48 is provided on the display unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, instead of being provided on the probe operating section 17 of the ultrasonic probe 15C as shown in FIG. You may make it possible to incorporate and display in 14 CRT screens 56. In this case, the scan cross-sectional position of the ultrasonic probe 21 can be visually checked at a glance while checking the ultrasonic diagnostic image 57.

Further, in each of the embodiments of the ultrasonic probe, the example in which the internal multi-plane type ultrasonic transducer 21 is rotatably provided toward the side surface of the probe tip portion 18 is shown. As shown in FIG. 14, the probe tip may be rotatably provided. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 5
Reference numeral 8 is a gear mechanism such as a worm gear.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the rotational position display means 60 for the ultrasonic transducer 21 is provided at the probe tip of the ultrasonic probe. The rotation position display means 60 is provided by the ultrasonic transducer 2
A marker 61 is provided on the rotating part of No. 1 and a scale 62 is attached to the acoustic window 25 which is the fixed part of the probe tip 18 so that the rotation angle information of the ultrasonic transducer 21 can be directly viewed.

[0039]

As described above, in the present invention,
Since the rotation position display means for displaying the rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer provided at the probe tip of the ultrasonic probe is provided, the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer inserted into the body cavity of the subject during diagnosis can be visually confirmed. It is possible to confirm accurately, and it is possible to accurately measure the scan cross-section position of the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received from this ultrasonic transducer, which improves the diagnostic accuracy of intracorporeal ultrasonic diagnosis and shortens the diagnostic time. It can be significantly increased.

Further, the probe operating portion of the ultrasonic probe or the display device of the diagnostic apparatus main body is provided with rotation position display means for displaying the rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer, and the rotation position display means rotates the ultrasonic transducer. Since the position is visible, the accurate scanning cross-section position by the ultrasonic transducer can be immediately discriminated, and the turning operation to the cross section to be observed can be performed visually, while reducing the operator's burden. , The reliability of the device is improved, and misdiagnosis can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transesophageal ultrasonic probe provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG.

3 is a perspective view showing a probe tip side of the transesophageal ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

4A and 4B are a plan view and a vertical cross-sectional view showing a probe tip side of the transesophageal ultrasonic probe shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the rotation operation of an ultrasonic transducer and the display of its rotational position using the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the transesophageal ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a third embodiment of the intraesophageal transesophageal ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the intraesophageal transesophageal ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the rotation operation of an ultrasonic transducer and the display of its rotational position using an ultrasonic probe equipped with an electric motor.

10A and 10B are a plan view and a vertical cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic probe showing a rotational position detecting means of the ultrasonic transducer.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the rotation operation of the ultrasonic transducer and the display of its rotation position, similar to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a means for detecting a motor rotation amount of an electric motor.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a rotation position of an ultrasonic transducer by incorporating a rotation position display means in a display device of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the transesophageal ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the ultrasonic probe, and is a diagram showing an example in which a rotational position display means is provided at the tip of the probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device 12 Diagnostic Device Main Body 13 Operation Panel 14 Display Device 15, 15A, 15B, 15C Ultrasonic Probe 16 Probe Connector 17 Probe Operating Unit 18 Probe Tip 19 Insertion Tube 20 Probe Case 21 Ultrasonic Transducer 25 Acoustic Window 28 Driving force applying means 29 Transmission cable (driving force transmitting means) 30,44 Rotating operation knob (driving force generating means) 33 Operating knob 35,45 Display scales 36, 40, 46, 48, 60 Rotational position displaying means 37 Electric motor 39 rotation knob 50 rotation position detection means 52, 55 position detection sensor 56 CRT screen 57 ultrasonic diagnostic image 61 marker 62 scale

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 11, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0024

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, at the time of diagnosis, the transesophageal ultrasonic probe 15 is inserted into the body cavity of the subject for diagnosis. When the ultrasonic probe 15 is inserted to a predetermined position, the position of the probe is fixed and the degree of freedom is lost. However, in this ultrasonic probe 15, the rotary operation knob 30 is rotated to operate the multi-plane ultrasonic transducer 21. Can be rotated in the same plane, and the scan cross section of the ultrasonic transducer 21 can be continuously changed while the ultrasonic probe 15 is fixed. Further, an operation knob 33 for changing the direction of the probe tip portion 18 with a wire (not shown) is provided coaxially with the rotation knob 30, and the rotation operation knob 30 and the operation knob 33 can be independently rotated. . Further, a non-rotating portion is provided between the rotary operation knob 30 and the operation knob 33, and a display scale 35 is formed on the portion.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0032

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention. This ultrasonic probe 15C is a rotation device for displaying the rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer on the probe operating unit 17. The position display means 48 is provided. The rotation of the rotation operation knob 30 is transmitted to the rotation position display means 48 by a wire or the like, and the rotation position display means 48 rotates according to the rotation amount of the rotation operation knob 30.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0033

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In the above embodiment, the rotational position is mechanically displayed, but the reference position (0 °) of the ultrasonic transducer 21 is used.
Position detecting means 50 for electrically detecting the amount of rotation from the
May be provided as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10A and 10B. The rotational position detecting means 50 is the ultrasonic transducer 21.
A position detection sensor 52 such as a Hall element (magnetic sensor) for detecting a mark 51 such as a magnet provided on the outer peripheral portion of the disk, a position detection sensor 52 such as an encoder, and position detection which is rotational position information detected by the position detection sensor 52. The signal is sent to the rotational position display means 48 and displayed by the rotational position display means 48.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0036

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The rotational position display means 48 in the case of electrically detecting the rotational position in this way is shown in FIGS.
As shown in, C of the display device 14 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10
It can be incorporated into the RT screen 56 so that it can be displayed. In this case, the scan cross-sectional position of the ultrasonic probe 21 can be visually checked at a glance while checking the ultrasonic diagnostic image 57.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 6

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 6]

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 8

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 8]

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe in which an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is rotatably provided on the tip of a probe in the same plane, and a driving force is applied to impart a required amount of rotation to the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic probe comprising: a means and a rotational position display means for detecting and displaying a rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the rotational position display means is provided in a probe operating section for operating the probe. 3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the rotation position display means comprises a rotation operation knob provided in the probe operation section and a display scale for indicating a rotation position of the rotation operation knob. 4. An ultrasonic probe provided with an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves at the tip of the probe so as to be rotatable in the same plane, and the ultrasonic probe is connected to a diagnostic apparatus main body. The ultrasonic probe is a driving force applying means for applying a required amount of rotation to the ultrasonic transducer, a rotational position detecting means for detecting the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer, and ultrasonic waves detected by the rotational position detecting means. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe, comprising: a rotational position display unit that displays a rotational position of a vibrator. 5. The rotation position display means comprises a position detection sensor for detecting the rotation position of the ultrasonic transducer or a rotation amount detection sensor for a drive motor for generating a driving force for rotating the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the ultrasonic probe described. 6. The rotation position display means is configured to be able to display together with a diagnostic image on a display device of the diagnostic device main body.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the ultrasonic probe described.