JPS59111744A - Ultrasonic probe and adaptor thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe of a linear scan ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for obtaining in-vivo ultrasound images, and its adapter, particularly when the subject is the head of a newborn baby or an adult female. When examining curved objects such as breasts, it is best to use vc.

Normally, the ultrasonic probe of the above-mentioned near-scan ultrasonic diagnostic equipment has transducers lined up linearly in its longitudinal direction, and an acoustic lens is attached to the lower end VC to focus the ultrasonic waves. Since the surface (lower surface) of the acoustic lens has a shape that extends linearly in the length direction of the lens, it is difficult to apply VtN to a curved object such as a newborn baby's head, even if an ultrasonic jelly is used. , the object contact surface of the probe (
A space is created between the surface of the acoustic lens (the surface of the acoustic lens) and the subject.

The ultrasonic properties of air are significantly different from those of living organisms.
Because almost all of the ultrasonic waves from the probe are reflected, ultrasonic jelly is used in the VC when attaching the probe to the subject. However, even in this case, if there are bubbles or a layer of air in the contact area, a super back wave will occur! ! I
Does it have a negative impact on the image, and in some cases, even the image? It becomes impossible to obtain.

Either that, or rather a large space instead of a bubble is created, making it impossible to obtain ultra-D wave information from this area, making it impossible to perform a satisfactory ultrasound diagnosis.

For this reason, ultrasonic diagnostic VC for curved objects has conventionally been carried out using water immersion methods, water bags, or the like.

The water method is used for breast diagnosis in adult women.
Diagnosis is performed by placing the newborn baby face down on a table set over a water tank, immersing the breast tissue in water, and operating the Mi backwave probe underwater or in the water tank. The drawback is that it is difficult to apply to some areas.

A water bag is a bag made of polyethylene, vinyl, etc. filled with water, oil, etc. and sealed, and is used for diagnosis by interposing it between an ultrasound probe and a curved object.
Is the overall shape indeterminate and inconvenient for probe operation? However, it often has the disadvantage that it flows to the lower blade, deforming its shape, and causing internal liquid to leak easily.

Does the present invention eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks 11 and enable easy ultrasound diagnosis of VC curved objects? This was done as a courtesy.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the f7 bus according to the first invention of the present application, in which 1 is an ultrasonic probe, and the conventional ultrasonic probe 2 is F7.
A fluid 5 is integrally sealed in a container A4 so as to cover the surface (lower surface) 3a and 7t of the acoustic chamber 3 at the end.

This fluid 5 is an ultrasonic transmission medium and is used to form an ultrasonic path, and the entire length of this ultrasonic path is
It is formed in an arcuate shape so that the depth increases from the center to the ends in the longitudinal direction.

In this way, f is adjusted so as to match the shape of the curved object 6.
, cf.

Although each of the above A4 may be a rigid body, it is determined that the conformity to the shape of the curved fitting body 6 is as good as 2, and it is an elastic body so that some deformation is possible. It is desirable to use it, and it is also possible to use it in the bottom wall 4at gland.

Is the fluid 5 described above a gel-like fluid, water, or an oily liquid? The average speed of sound over the ultrasonic path is 120
A speed of 0 to 1800 m/sec is required.

That is, since the fluid 5 is a transmission medium for ultra-U waves, the ultrasonic image 11! 'Inhibited to get to?' It must not be one with ultra-d-wave characteristics that does not generate fx, and must have a low ultrasonic absorption rate since the ultra-d-wave red path will be long. In addition, the required flexibility is unclear rL
Ru.

In other words, since ultrasonic waves are waves, when a VC is emitted obliquely into media with different propagation velocities, that is, sound velocities, the direction of propagation is refracted at the interface.

The acoustic lens 3 used in the ultrasonic probe 2 takes advantage of this property, and has a longitudinal velocity of about 1500 m in the living body.
/5ec-j, for example, the speed of sound is about 1000m/
SeC silicone rubber, SeC nostyrol resin with a speed of about 2,300 m/sec, and acrylic resin with a speed of about 2,600 m/sec are used.

In the present invention, since the contact surface of the subject 6 is oblique to the direction of ultrasound propagation, if a transmission medium with a sound speed different from that in a living body is used, refraction will occur at the contact interface with the living body. Accurate ultrasound painter cannot be obtained (becomes).

Is there a correction function in the electric circuit of the diagnostic device to correct this image and make it a correct image? Although there is nothing that cannot be done by providing this, it is extremely cumbersome and cumbersome, and is virtually impossible.

Therefore, is the sound speed of the transmission medium equal to or close to the biological sound speed? In view of the refraction effect, it must be within the range of 1,200 to 1,800 m/sec at most.

First, let me explain this in more detail: What is the biological speed of sound?
Let us consider the case where the velocity is 1500 m/sec and the incident angle is 45°.

At this time, if the sound speed of the transmission medium is 1500 m/sec, all of the sound passes through the contact interface of the living body at a transmission angle of 45° without any refraction. However, the f speed is different, Cil+For example, 12
If the beam is used completely at 00 m/sec, the transmission angle will deviate by about 11 degrees from the 45 degree angle, and the point 5 cm into the living body will be about 1 cm away from the point without refraction.

The diagnostic equipment tt is assumed to be overly advanced lJJ! (r
Because of this, the image becomes distorted accordingly.

``In a transmission medium with high speed, the direction of deviation is opposite to the above and r
Otherwise, distortion will occur as well.

Therefore, it is most desirable that the speed of sound be the same as that of a living body, but for the head of a newborn baby or the breast of an adult female, the range of practical soil is as shown above, taking into account the angle of incidence and the depth of diagnosis. , the sound speed range can be large or small depending on the conditions.

The bottom wall 4a of the container 4 is also made of synthetic rubber such as neoprene or natural rubber that satisfies the above conditions. It is preferable that the transmission medium be entirely made of synthetic rubber or an elastic body such as a natural rubber note, and the entire transmission medium may be made of synthetic rubber or an elastic body such as a natural rubber note, and can be integrally fixed on the lower surface of the ultrasonic probe 2.

In addition, the fluid 5 as described above or the elastic body 8 as described below may be used.
A word that is used conveniently, flexible adaptation to subject 6? As shown,
Is it an advantage that there is no need to shock or accidentally injure the subject 6? At the same time, the vibrator (not shown) in the ultra-wave probe 2 is generally made of a fragile material, and the impact VC is weak.
Since it is placed in front of the flexible probe 2, it also has the advantage of contributing to the protection of the vibrator.

Furthermore, if this part is electrically insulating, it will be useful to improve the electrical safety of the diagnostic device and ensure VC.

FIG. 2 and subsequent figures show the invention of item 2J of the present application, which is a device in which an adapter 7r is attached to the lower end of a conventional ultrasonic probe 2.

That is, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the thickness of the adapter 7 is changed from the center to the end so that the total length of the ultra-D wave path increases from the center to the end. is formed in an arc shape so as to have a uniform thickness, and the curved surface of the object 6
The average sound speed over the entire length of the super sweat wave path is 1200 to 1800 m.
The elastic body 8 made of SeC is used as a transmission medium.

A concave portion 8a is provided on the upper surface of the elastic body 8 and serves as a portion for attaching and detaching the ultrasonic probe 2, and this l! ! ] Part 8aT-surface is sound 617130 surface (bottom surface) Match the shape of 3a (
Are they formed so that they are in close contact with each other in fluorescent white to prevent disturbances in the sound field due to refraction, reflection, etc.?Are there waves, water, oil, etc. in the four parts 8a? It can also be injected to prevent disturbances in the sound field.

Fig. 4 shows another example of a container with an adapter 7, a container 9 with an upper opening, and a container 6r filled with water in the container 9:
2 The fluid 5 shown in FIG.
The surface 3ak is immersed in the fluid 5, and in this state the fixture (
(not shown).

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment, consisting of an adapter 7 volume i10 and the fluid 5 inserted into this container 10VC-M.
It is provided as an attachment/detachment part for the ultrasonic probe 2.

Note that these four parts 10a are made of the same material as the four parts 8a of the elastic body 8.◇It is better to form the bottom wall parts 9a and 1()b of the containers 9 and 10 with elastic plates or membranes. Shape compatibility with subject 6? Is it desirable to improve the speed of sound and the above conditions? It is advisable to use one that satisfies your needs.

By making the adapter 7 separate in this way, the conventional fIi sweat wave and sweat gland probe 2 can be easily used, and it can also be used with a wide variety of curved surfaces. Is it possible to make all the things you have and change them into various shapes? This allows it to be made to fit perfectly with the subject 6 that has the object.

The present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, and according to the first invention of the present application, the shape of the curved surface object 6 is matched to prevent the formation of a layer of air or a space temple. Therefore, the drawbacks of the conventional method such as not being able to obtain satisfactory ultrasound information due to these disadvantages are eliminated.

In addition, the ultrasonic probe 2 has a nearly regular shape and is easy to operate, with minimal changes in shape due to fluid flow, and even leakage of adult bodies.

Moreover, according to the second invention of the present application, in addition to the above effects,
By preparing adapters 7 with a wide variety of curved surfaces and replacing them, it is very easy to adapt the adapters 7 to the shapes of the ridges. ? It has many benefits such as being able to be used as is.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional front view of an embodiment of the first invention of the present application, Figs. , Figure 3 is the same (cross-sectional front view, Figure 4 and Figure 545 are greatly different).Another example of the center view?This is an exploded vertical cross-section view. Deep probe, 3... Deep sounding nose, 4, 9, 10... Φ6 vessel, 5... Fluid (transmission medium), 6... Subject, 7... Adatsuta, 8. Fist. Elastic body (transmission medium), 8a, lOa ... recess. Patent applicant: Bunku - Industrial Law Company Agent NoP Riju Yoneya Takeshi Dai 1 -shi

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (υ The total length of the ultrasonic wave path increases from the center toward the end in the longitudinal direction, and the average back speed over the entire length of the ultrasonic wave path is 1200 to 1800 m.
An ultrasonic probe characterized in that it is integrally equipped with a transmission medium that transmits sec. (2) The ultrasonic path is formed so that the total length increases as it encloses from the center to the longitudinal ends, and the average sound speed over the entire length of the ultrasonic path is 1200 to 18 aO.
An adapter for an ultrasonic probe characterized by having an iron layer on the lower surface of the ultrasonic probe. (3) 7 for an ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, characterized in that the container is completely filled with a transmission medium.
adapter. (4) The adapter for an ultrasound probe according to claim 3, wherein the contact portion with the subject is made of a membrane or an elastic body. Dagta.