JP2005118322A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe capable of preventing the leakage of an ultrasonic transmission medium without using a dedicated fixing member. <P>SOLUTION: A pressurizing member 5 which is formed of an elastic material and seals an ultrasonic transmission member in its inside at a pressure higher than an atmospheric pressure is provided with a cylindrical trunk part 5a formed in its central part; a cylindrical receiving port 5b1 formed in one end of the cylindrical trunk part, having outer diameter smaller than the trunk part and allowing an injection member 4 to be fitted in its inside; and a connecting part 5c1 having an angle of 90° or less formed between the cylindrical trunk part and the cylindrical receiving port, and connecting the cylindrical trunk part and the cylindrical receiving port. The injection member is so formed that the tip of a part of the pressurizing member, which is press-fitted in the cylindrical receiving port, projects till the connecting part of the pressurizing member or till the inside of the cylindrical trunk part across the connecting part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe of a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains an in-vivo image using ultrasonic waves.

In an ultrasound probe that uses ultrasound to obtain an in-vivo image, in order to efficiently transmit ultrasound signals, the area around the ultrasound element is filled with an ultrasound transmission medium without bubbles and internal pressure is applied to the ultrasound transmission medium. It is known in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below that it is possible to maintain a state in which no bubbles are present in the ultrasonic transmission medium by generating them.
JP-A-9-289968 (paragraph 0022) JP 2003-38488 A (abstract)

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the configuration of such a conventional ultrasonic probe. In FIG. 5, the pressurizing member 15 is formed of a rubber material so as to be hollow, and an ultrasonic transmission member (not shown) is hermetically sealed inside the pressurizing member 15 with a higher pressure than the outside. The injection member 14 has a hollow hole 14a connected to the inside of the pressurizing member 15 and a space for sealing an unillustrated ultrasonic element (see FIG. 1) disposed on the injection member 14, The diameter is formed larger than the inner diameter of the receiving port 15b of the pressurizing member 15, and is press-fitted inside the receiving port 15b against the elastic force of the pressurizing member 15.

  With this configuration, the inside of the pressurizing member 15 and the sealed space of the ultrasonic element are connected via the injection member 14 to form a closed space. This space is filled with an appropriate amount of a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium so that a desired internal pressure is generated by elastic deformation of the pressurizing member 15. With such a configuration, an internal pressure is generated in the liquid ultrasonic transmission medium by the elastic force of the pressurizing member 15, and thus a state without bubbles can be maintained, and an ultrasonic signal can be transmitted efficiently.

  However, when the ultrasonic transmission medium such as the inside of the pressurizing member 15 expands due to a change in the ambient temperature environment, the elastic deformation of the pressurizing member 15 and the internal pressure of the ultrasonic transmission medium increase due to the increased volume. Then, a force F that relaxes the force with which the pressurizing member 15 tightens the injection member 14 is generated. Further, when the relaxation force F is large, there is a risk that a gap is generated in the press-fitting portion of the injection member 14 of the pressurizing member 15 and the ultrasonic transmission medium leaks. In order to prevent the occurrence of such a problem, the conventional ultrasonic probe requires the fixing member 16 for ensuring the connection of the pressurizing member 15 to the injection member 14. Therefore, a space for arranging the fixing member 16 has to be secured exclusively, and in particular, it is a constraint condition for the component arrangement design with respect to downsizing of the apparatus. In addition, material costs and assembly man-hours are required for the fixed member 16 in excess.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and can provide a highly reliable ultrasonic probe at a low cost while increasing the degree of design freedom and reducing the size of the apparatus. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes an ultrasonic element that transmits and receives an ultrasonic signal;
Sealing means for forming a part of a sealed space filled with an ultrasonic transmission member around the ultrasonic element;
A first member that is formed of an elastic material and can incorporate the ultrasonic transmission member therein;
A second member that is press-fitted against the elastic force against the first member and seals the ultrasonic transmission member together with the first member through a hollow hole;
The first member is
A cylindrical body formed in the center,
A cylindrical receiving portion in which an outer diameter is formed smaller than the body portion at one end of the body portion, and the second member is elastically press-fitted therein;
A connecting part for connecting the receiving part and one end of the body part;
And the trunk portion to which a straight line including a portion extending from the central portion of the connecting portion toward the outer periphery and the outer peripheral portion of the connecting portion are connected when viewed in an axial cross section including the central axis of the first member. The angle formed by a line defining the inner wall surface in the axial direction is 90 degrees or less,
The second member is connected to the connecting portion of the receiving portion or beyond the connecting portion so that the tip of the portion press-fitted into the receiving portion completely covers the inner wall of the receiving portion. It was set as the structure arrange | positioned so that it might protrude to internal space.
With this configuration, the connection between the pressurizing member and the injection member can be reliably maintained without using the dedicated fixing member without being affected by the expansion of the ultrasonic transmission medium or the change in internal pressure. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design can be increased and the apparatus can be miniaturized, and a highly reliable ultrasonic probe can be provided at low cost.

The ultrasonic probe of the present invention is configured such that the outer diameter of the tip of the second member protruding to the inside of the body is larger than the inner diameter of the end of the first member. It was.
With this configuration, the pressurizing member and the injection member can be reliably connected without being affected by variations in the shape of the pressurizing member or the pressure of the ultrasonic transmission medium. It can also maintain a strong bond against external forces such as impact. Therefore, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is easy to manufacture and highly reliable can be provided.

Further, the ultrasonic probe of the present invention has a configuration in which an R portion is formed at the boundary between the body portion and the connecting portion of the first member.
With this configuration, the degree of freedom in design can be increased and the apparatus can be miniaturized, and a highly reliable ultrasonic probe can be provided at low cost.

  According to the present invention, since the leakage of the ultrasonic transmission medium can be prevented without using a dedicated fixing member, it is possible to provide a highly reliable ultrasonic probe that can be easily downsized.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the details of the injection member 4 and the pressurizing member 5 shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, an ultrasonic element 1 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to obtain an image and is covered with a protective member 2. The protection member 2 contacts the subject via a sheath. The chassis 3 surrounds the periphery of the ultrasonic element 1 together with the protective member 2 to form a sealed space that is blocked from the outside. The injection member 4 is fixed to the chassis 3 from the back surface (the side opposite to the tip side of the ultrasonic probe), and between the inside of the pressurizing member 5 and the periphery of the ultrasonic element 1 as shown in FIG. And has a hollow hole 14a through which liquid can enter and exit. The pressurizing member 5 is made of a rubber material and has a hollow inside, and has a cylindrical body 5a at the center, and cylindrical receptacles 5b1 and 5b2 whose outer diameters are reduced from the cylindrical body 5a on both sides. Yes. The injection member 4 is press-fitted against the elastic force of the pressurizing member 5 in one cylindrical receiving portion 5b1, and a cap that acts as a fixing member in the other cylindrical receiving portion 5b2. 6 is also pressed and blocked against the elastic force of the pressurizing member 5.

  In this manner, the space around the ultrasonic element 1 and the inside of the pressurizing member 5 form a closed space with the hollow hole 14a of the injection member 4 interposed therebetween. In this closed space, a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed in such an amount that the cylindrical body 5a of the pressurizing member 5 can be elastically deformed, and an internal pressure higher than the external atmospheric pressure is generated in the ultrasonic transmission medium. In addition, bubbles are prevented from being generated in the ultrasonic transmission medium. Thereby, the ultrasonic wave transmitted / received from the ultrasonic element 1 can be favorably propagated to the subject.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the first embodiment, and is a vertical cross-sectional view including the central axis (not shown) of the cylindrical body 5a. Here, the pressurizing member 5 has a cylindrical body 5a at the center in the axial direction, and cylindrical receptacles 5b1 and 5b2 at both ends, and the cylindrical receptacle 5b1 on the cylindrical trunk 5a and the injection member 4 side. A connecting portion 5c1 is provided between the two. Further, the injection member 4 is formed with a flange portion 4a that covers the opening at the tip of the cylindrical receiving portion 5b1, and an insertion portion 4b that is inserted inside the cylindrical receiving portion 5b1 of the pressurizing member 5, and the insertion portion 4b is provided. The cylindrical receiving portion 5b1 of the pressure member 5 is press-fitted and coupled by a force due to elastic deformation. Here, the length of the insertion portion 4b in the insertion direction is formed longer than the cylindrical receiving portion 5b1, so that the tip of the insertion portion 4b is the same as or protrudes from the surface of the connecting portion 5c1 of the pressurizing member 5. . The cap 6 at the other end is also formed in the same shape as the injection member 4, and a connecting portion 5 c 2 is provided between the cylindrical body portion 5 a and the cylindrical receiving portion 5 b 2 on the cap 6 side. Since the connecting portions 5c1 and 5c2 have the same shape, only the former will be described.

  By using such a configuration, the pressure P in the vicinity of the cylindrical receptacle 5b1 of the pressurizing member 5 is in the direction of the arrow indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, and between the insertion parts 4b due to the elastic force of the cylindrical receptacle 5b1. The force in the direction that relaxes the coupling with (a dotted dotted arrow in FIG. 2) does not act. Therefore, even if the pressure of the ultrasonic transmission medium increases due to a temperature change or the like, the fixing force between the pressurizing member 5 and the injection member 4 does not change, and therefore the ultrasonic transmission medium does not leak.

  Here, the relationship between the cap 6 and the pressurizing member 5 is the same. The pressurizing member 5 may be formed in a bag shape on one side and the cap 6 may be omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, the connecting portions 5c1 and 5c2 of the pressurizing member 5 are formed in a shape substantially orthogonal to the cylindrical body portion 5a and the cylindrical receiving portions 5b1 and 5b2, so that FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed in an axial cross section including the central axis of the cylindrical body portion 5a, the straight line H including a portion from the center portion of the connecting portion 5c1 toward the outer periphery and the outer peripheral portion of the connecting portion 5c1 are connected. The angle θ formed by the line V that defines the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the cylindrical body portion 5a is approximately 90 degrees. However, this angle θ and the angle α formed by the connecting portions 5c1, 5c2 with the direction from the cylindrical body 5a toward the cylindrical receptacles 5b1, 5b2 and the central axis C of the cylindrical body 5a are formed to be less than 90 degrees. Even in this case, the same effect as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portions 5c1, 5c2 which are connecting portions connecting the cylindrical body 5a at the center of the pressurizing member 5 and the cylindrical receiving portions 5b1, 5b2 are provided. The angle formed with the central axis from the cylindrical body 5a toward the cylindrical receiving portions 5b1, 5b2 is 90 degrees or less, and is further press-fitted inside the cylindrical receiving portion 5b1 of the pressurizing member 5. Since the distal end of the insertion portion 4b of the injection member 4 is configured so as to be at the same position as or protruding from the connecting portion 5c1 of the pressurizing member 5, the pressurizing member is not affected by the pressure of the ultrasonic transmission medium. 5 and the injection member 4 can be securely connected. Therefore, it is possible to realize a highly reliable ultrasonic probe without using a dedicated member for fixing the pressurizing member 5 and the injection member 4, that is, at low cost, without leaking the ultrasonic transmission medium. .

<Second Embodiment>
Next, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the boundary between the cylindrical receiving portion 5b1 of the pressurizing member 5 and the connecting portion 5c1 is not a right angle but is connected with a gentle R. Hereinafter, this portion is referred to as an R portion. Further, the distal end portion 4b2 of the insertion portion 4b of the injection member 4 protrudes from the connecting portion 5c1 of the pressurizing member 5 and is a press-fit portion of the insert portion 4b that is press-fitted into the cylindrical receiving portion 5b1 of the pressurization member 5. It is formed larger than the outer diameter of 4b1 and covers the R portion of the pressurizing member 5. By using such a configuration, the pressure P in the vicinity of the cylindrical receiving port portion 5b1 of the pressurizing member 5 is in the direction of the arrow shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, and the insertion portion 4b is caused by the elastic force of the cylindrical receiving port portion 5b1. The force in the direction that relaxes the coupling with the press-fitting portion 4b1 (the dotted dotted arrow in the figure) does not act. Therefore, even if the pressure of the ultrasonic transmission medium increases due to a temperature change or the like, the fixing force between the pressurizing member 5 and the injection member 4 does not change, and therefore the ultrasonic transmission medium does not leak.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion (tip portion 4b2) from the connecting portion 5c1 of the pressurizing member 5 in the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion portion 4b of the injection member 4 is used as the pressurizing member. 5 is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the connecting portion 5c1 in pressure contact with the cylindrical receiving portion 5b1, and covers the R at the intersection of the cylindrical receiving portion 5b1 and the connecting portion 5c1 of the pressurizing member 5. Even if R is formed, the pressurizing member 5 and the injection member 4 can be reliably coupled without being affected by the pressure of the ultrasonic transmission medium. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly reliable ultrasonic probe that does not require strict component shape accuracy and is easy to manufacture. Further, since the protruding portion 4b2 is formed with a larger diameter than the press-fit portion 4b1 and is engaged with the pressurizing member 5 in a wedge shape, even if a force is applied to the pressurizing member 5 from the outside due to an impact or the like, the pressurizing member 5 can provide a highly reliable structure that does not come off the injection member 4.

  As described above, the ultrasonic probe according to the present invention has the effect of preventing leakage of the ultrasonic transmission medium at a low cost without using a dedicated member, and using ultrasonic waves. It is useful as an ultrasonic probe of a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can obtain an in-vivo image.

Configuration diagram in the first embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing of the principal part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention Partial enlarged view of FIG. Sectional drawing of the principal part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Sectional view of the main part of a conventional ultrasonic probe

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic element 2 Protection member 3 Chassis 4 Injection member 4a Flange part 4b Insertion part 4b1 Press-fit part 4b2 Tip part (protrusion part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Pressurization member 5a Cylindrical trunk | drum 5b1, 5b2 Cylindrical receptacle part 5c1, 5c2 Connection part 6 Fixing member (cap)
14a Hollow hole

Claims (3)

An ultrasonic element for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals;
Sealing means for forming a part of a sealed space filled with an ultrasonic transmission member around the ultrasonic element;
A first member that is formed of an elastic material and can incorporate the ultrasonic transmission member therein;
A second member that is press-fitted against the elastic force against the first member and seals the ultrasonic transmission member together with the first member through a hollow hole;
The first member is
A cylindrical body formed in the center,
A cylindrical receiving portion in which an outer diameter is formed smaller than the body portion at one end of the body portion, and the second member is elastically press-fitted therein;
A connecting part for connecting the receiving part and one end of the body part;
And the trunk portion to which a straight line including a portion extending from the central portion of the connecting portion toward the outer periphery and the outer peripheral portion of the connecting portion are connected when viewed in an axial cross section including the central axis of the first member. The angle formed by a line defining the inner wall surface in the axial direction is 90 degrees or less,
The second member is connected to the connecting portion of the receiving portion or beyond the connecting portion so that the tip of the portion press-fitted into the receiving portion completely covers the inner wall of the receiving portion. An ultrasound probe arranged to protrude into the internal space.   2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of a tip of the second member protruding to the inside of the body portion is formed larger than an inner diameter of an end portion of the first member. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein an R portion is formed at a boundary between the body portion and the connecting portion of the first member.

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