JP6067966B2 - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Conventionally, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus plays an important role in today's medical care as a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus having various advantages such as simple operability, non-invasiveness without the risk of exposure, and small scale of the apparatus. Yes. In addition, since there are many demands for miniaturization and price reduction of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, in recent years, miniaturization of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses has been promoted, and apparatuses that are small enough to be carried with one hand have been developed. Yes.

  Miniaturization of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment has increased the ratio of processing that can be performed by software in processing of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment such as imaging processing and image display processing after ultrasonic transmission / reception. This can be realized by being executed by a high-performance and small processor used in this computer. In addition, miniaturization of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment can be realized by using hardware-specific electronic circuits that require dedicated functions for processing of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, such as transmission / reception circuits, as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). It is. Further, along with the miniaturization using the above technique, a technique for miniaturizing the entire system by incorporating an electronic circuit in the ultrasonic probe is also progressing.

  However, in taking an ultrasonic image, since an appropriate probe shape and frequency differ depending on the target site to be observed, the operator needs to use various ultrasonic probes. For example, the operator needs to use an abdominal convex probe, a cardiac sector probe, a superficial organ linear probe, or the like depending on the target site to be observed.

  That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus needs to have various ultrasonic probes as a system. For this reason, even if the size of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is reduced by installing an electronic circuit in the ultrasonic probe, it is necessary to manufacture an ultrasonic probe with a built-in electronic circuit for each type of ultrasonic probe. As a result, the manufacturing cost increases.

JP 2009-153917 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can manufacture the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus at low cost.

The ultrasonic probe of the embodiment includes a probe main body. The probe main body has a tip portion, a connection portion, one first detachable portion, and one second detachable portion. The tip includes an acoustic element group that performs ultrasonic transmission / reception. The connecting portion connects the distal end portion and the apparatus main body that controls ultrasonic image capturing via a cable. The first detachable portion is attached to the distal end portion as a detachable portion that allows the distal end portion and the connecting portion to be detached, and a plurality of first connectors are arranged. The second detachable portion is attached to the connection portion as a detachable portion that allows the tip portion and the connection portion to be detachable, and a plurality of second connectors that can be fitted with the first connector are arranged , and the first detachable portion Detachable with the part . A seal structure having a waterproof function is attached to at least one of the first detachable portion and the second detachable portion. The number of the second connectors is a number that can secure the number of pins equal to or greater than the maximum value of the total number of signal lines required in the acoustic element group.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram (1) for explaining an example of the first detachable portion and the second detachable portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram (2) for explaining an example of the first detachable portion and the second detachable portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of head part replacement performed in the first embodiment. Drawing 6 is a figure for explaining an example of the 1st desorption part and the 2nd desorption part concerning a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram (1) for explaining the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram (2) for explaining the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram (3) for explaining the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the ultrasonic probe according to the fourth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an ultrasonic probe will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe will be described as an embodiment.

(First embodiment)
First, before explaining the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment, a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 includes an ultrasonic probe 100, an apparatus main body 20, a monitor 30, and an input apparatus 40.

  The ultrasonic probe 100 includes, for example, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators as a plurality of acoustic elements (acoustic element groups), and the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are supplied from a transmission / reception unit 21 included in the apparatus main body 20 described later. An ultrasonic wave is generated based on the drive signal. The ultrasonic probe 100 receives a reflected wave from the subject and converts it into an electrical signal. The ultrasonic probe 100 includes a matching layer provided in the piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material that prevents propagation of ultrasonic waves from the piezoelectric vibrator to the rear, and the like.

  The conventional ultrasonic probe 100 includes, for example, a probe main body 101, a cable 102, and a probe connector 103 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the probe main body 101 is roughly divided into a head portion that comes into contact with a subject and a handle portion for an operator to operate the ultrasonic probe 100. The probe body 101 includes an acoustic element module 101a, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 101b, and a cable connection board 101c.

  The acoustic element module 101a includes an acoustic element group that performs ultrasonic transmission / reception, a matching layer, a backing material, and the like. The FPC 101b is a printed circuit in which signal lines for supplying an electrical signal to the acoustic element module 101a and outputting the electrical signal output from the acoustic element module 101a to the cable 102 are arranged. The cable connection board 101c is a board interposed between the cable 102 and the FPC 101b in order to connect the signal line of the cable 102 to the FPC 101b. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the head portion includes an acoustic element module 101a, and the handle portion includes a cable connection board 101c. In the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 1, the FPC 101 b is disposed across the head portion and the handle portion.

  The cable 102 is a cable for connecting the probe main body 101 and the apparatus main body 20, supplies an electrical signal from the transmission / reception unit 21 to the acoustic element group, and transmits an electrical signal from the acoustic element group to the transmission / reception unit 21. A signal line. The probe connector 103 is a connector that connects the cable 102 and the apparatus main body 20, and includes a tuning circuit 103a and a container 103b that stores the tuning circuit 103a and the like. The tuning circuit 103a is an electrical impedance matching circuit provided so that an electrical signal is efficiently connected to the capacitance of a piezoelectric vibrator, which is an acoustic element.

  The input device 40 includes a mouse, a keyboard, a button, a panel switch, a touch command screen, a foot switch, a trackball, a joystick, and the like, receives various setting requests from an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000, and enters the apparatus body 20 The various setting requests received are transferred.

  The monitor 30 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 to input various setting requests using the input device 40, and displays an ultrasonic image or the like generated in the apparatus main body 20. Or display.

  The apparatus main body 20 is an apparatus that performs overall control of ultrasonic image capturing. Specifically, the apparatus main body 20 is an apparatus that generates an ultrasonic image based on a reflected wave received by the ultrasonic probe 100. The apparatus main body 20 includes, for example, a transmission / reception unit 21, a signal processing unit 22, an image processing unit 23, a control unit 24, and an interface unit 25 as shown in FIG.

  The transmission / reception unit 21 includes a trigger generation circuit, a transmission delay circuit, a pulser circuit, and the like, and supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 100. The pulsar circuit repeatedly generates rate pulses for forming transmission ultrasonic waves at a predetermined rate frequency. The transmission delay circuit also sets the delay time for each piezoelectric vibrator necessary for determining the transmission directivity by converging the ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic probe 100 into a beam form at each rate at which the pulsar circuit generates. Give to pulse. The trigger generation circuit applies a drive signal (drive pulse) to the ultrasonic probe 100 at a timing based on the rate pulse. In other words, the delay circuit arbitrarily adjusts the transmission direction from the piezoelectric vibrator surface by changing the delay time given to each rate pulse.

  Note that the transmission / reception unit 21 has a function capable of instantaneously changing the transmission frequency, the transmission drive voltage, and the like in order to execute a predetermined scan sequence based on an instruction from the control unit 24 described later. In particular, the change of the transmission drive voltage is realized by a linear amplifier type transmission circuit capable of instantaneously switching its value or a mechanism for electrically switching a plurality of power supply units.

  The transmission / reception unit 21 includes an amplifier circuit, an A / D converter, an adder, a phase detection circuit, and the like, and performs various processes on the reflected wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe 100 to generate reflected wave data. To do. The amplifier circuit amplifies the reflected wave signal for each channel and performs gain correction processing. The A / D converter performs A / D conversion on the gain-corrected reflected wave signal and gives a delay time necessary for determining reception directivity to the digital data. The adder performs addition processing of the reflected wave signal processed by the A / D converter. By the addition processing of the adder, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the reflected wave signal is emphasized. The phase detection circuit converts the output signal of the adder into a baseband in-phase signal (I signal, I: In-pahse) and a quadrature signal (Q signal, Q: Quadrature-phase). Then, the phase detection circuit outputs the I signal and the Q signal (IQ signal) to the signal processing unit 22 at the subsequent stage. Note that the data before processing by the phase detection circuit is also called an RF signal. Hereinafter, “IQ signal and RF signal” generated based on the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave are collectively referred to as “reflected wave data”.

  As described above, the transmission / reception unit 21 controls transmission directivity and reception directivity in ultrasonic transmission / reception. That is, the transmission / reception unit 21 is dedicated hardware for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that functions as a transmission beam former and a reception beam former. Note that the number of channels of the transmission / reception unit 21 is a fixed value depending on the system, and this corresponds to the case where the number of channels of the transmission / reception unit 21 is smaller than the number of elements and the number of channels of the acoustic element module 101a. A switching circuit for changing the opening of the acoustic probe 100 is provided. Although not shown, the apparatus main body 20 includes a control circuit that controls each electronic circuit constituting the transmission / reception unit 21, and the control unit 24 described later controls the transmission / reception unit 21 via the control circuit.

  The signal processing unit 22 receives the reflected wave data from the transmission / reception unit 21, performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection processing, and the like, and generates data (B-mode data) in which the signal intensity is expressed by brightness. Further, the signal processing unit 22 performs frequency analysis on velocity information from the reflected wave data received from the transmission / reception unit 21, extracts blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo components due to the Doppler effect, and moves average velocity, dispersion, power, and the like. Data (Doppler data) obtained by extracting body information for multiple points is generated.

  The image processing unit 23 generates an ultrasonic image from the data generated by the signal processing unit 22. That is, the image processing unit 23 generates a B-mode image in which the intensity of the reflected wave is represented by luminance from the B-mode data. Further, the image processing unit 23 generates a color Doppler image as an average velocity image, a dispersed image, a power image, or a combination image representing moving body information from the Doppler data. The image processing unit 23 can also generate a composite image in which character information, scales, body marks, and the like of various parameters are combined with the ultrasonic image.

  Here, the image processing unit 23 converts (scan converts) a scanning line signal sequence of ultrasonic scanning into a scanning line signal sequence of a video format typified by a television or the like, and generates an ultrasonic image as a display image. To do. In addition to the scan conversion, the image processing unit 23 performs various image processing, such as image processing (smoothing processing) for regenerating an average luminance image using a plurality of image frames after scan conversion, Image processing (edge enhancement processing) using a differential filter is performed in the image.

  The image processing unit 23 is equipped with a storage memory for storing image data, and can perform a reconstruction process of a three-dimensional image. In addition, for example, after diagnosis, an operator can call up an image recorded during an examination from a storage memory mounted on the image processing unit 23.

  That is, B-mode data and Doppler data are ultrasonic image data before the scan conversion process, and data generated by the image processing unit 23 is ultrasonic image data for display after the scan conversion process. The B-mode data and the Doppler data are also called raw data (Raw Data).

  The signal processing unit 22 is a processing unit specific to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating raw data from the reflected wave data, and is configured by hardware dedicated to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Alternatively, the signal processing unit 22 may be configured by a processor that performs part or all of the processing by software processing. The image processing unit 23 includes hardware dedicated to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs scan conversion processing according to a scanning shape, general-purpose hardware that performs image processing, and the like. Alternatively, the image processing unit 23 may be configured by a processor that performs part or all of processing by software processing.

  The control unit 24 is a control processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) that realizes a function as an information processing apparatus, and controls the entire processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000. Specifically, the control unit 24 determines whether the transmission / reception unit 21, the signal processing unit 22, and the image processing unit 23 are based on various setting requests input from the operator via the input device 40, various control programs, and various data. Control processing. In addition, the control unit 24 performs control so that ultrasonic image data and the like are displayed on the monitor 30.

  The interface unit 25 is an interface to the input device 40 and an external device (not shown). For example, various setting information and various instructions from the operator received by the input device 40 are transferred to the control unit 24 by the interface unit 25. Further, for example, the image data generated by the apparatus main body 20 can be transferred to an external apparatus via the network by the interface unit 25.

  The conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 has been described above. Miniaturization of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 having such a configuration increases the ratio of processing that can be executed by software in the processing of the signal processing unit 22 and the image processing unit 23, and such software processing is used in recent computers. This can be realized by executing the program using a small, high-performance processor. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can be reduced in size by using an ACIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) as an electronic circuit of dedicated hardware such as the transmission / reception unit 21 and the signal processing unit 22. In addition, along with miniaturization using such a technique, the entire system can be miniaturized by incorporating a miniaturized electronic circuit in the ultrasonic probe 100.

  However, in ultrasonic imaging, since an appropriate probe shape and frequency differ depending on the target site to be observed, the operator needs to use various ultrasonic probes. For example, the operator needs to use an abdominal convex probe, a cardiac sector probe, a superficial organ linear probe, or the like depending on the target site to be observed.

  Here, as described above, the conventional ultrasonic probe 100 is configured with the probe main body 101, the cable 102, and the probe connector 103 as basic units. That is, conventionally, when the ultrasonic probe 100 is changed according to the purpose of diagnosis, the entire probe is replaced with the probe connector 103. The probe connector 103 is common to most ultrasonic probes. However, the acoustic element module 101a has a different number of elements, structure, and shape for each diagnostic purpose. Further, the number of signal lines of the cable 102, the number of channels of the built-in circuit such as the FPC 102, and the like are usually different depending on the number of elements of the acoustic element module 101a.

  For example, the number of elements of the acoustic element module 101a may be 32 or 256. In addition, when forming a channel by bundling several elements, the number of channels of the acoustic element module 101a may be 16 or 128, for example. That is, the number of signal lines that must be connected to the acoustic element module 101 a differs for each type of the ultrasonic probe 100.

  In order to reduce the size with the conventional configuration, for example, the probe main body 101 containing the electronic circuit that performs a part of the processing of the apparatus main body 20, the cable 102, and the probe connector 103 as one unit, It was necessary to manufacture by probe type. That is, in the configuration of the conventional ultrasonic probe 100, even if the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 is downsized, the manufacturing cost of the entire system increases.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, an ultrasonic probe 10 described below is used to manufacture an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus at a low cost. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 10, an apparatus main body 20, a monitor 30, and an input apparatus 40 included in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 described above. Have. That is, the transmission / reception unit 21, the signal processing unit 22, the image processing unit 23, the control unit 24, and the interface unit 25 included in the apparatus main body 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 are the same processes as the respective units of the apparatus main body 20 described with reference to FIG. To do. The apparatus main body 20 according to the first embodiment has a tuning circuit 26 unlike the conventional apparatus main body 20, but this point will be described after the ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment is described. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment includes a distal end portion 11, a connection portion 12, a first detachable portion 13, a second detachable portion 14, and a cable 15. The The tip portion 11 includes an acoustic element group that performs ultrasonic transmission / reception. Specifically, the distal end portion 11 incorporates an acoustic element module 110 including an acoustic element group, a matching layer, a backing material, and the like. That is, the tip portion 11 corresponds to the head portion in the probe main body 101 of the conventional ultrasonic probe 100 shown in FIG.

  The connection unit 12 connects the distal end unit 11 and the apparatus main body 20 that performs overall control of ultrasonic imaging. In the first embodiment, the connection portion 12 is provided to indirectly connect the distal end portion 11 and the apparatus main body 20 via the cable 15. That is, the connecting portion 12 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the handle portion in the probe main body 101 of the conventional ultrasonic probe 100 shown in FIG. Further, the cable 15 is a cable for connecting the connection unit 12 and the apparatus main body 20 in the same manner as the cable 102 shown in FIG. 1, and supplies an electrical signal from the transmission / reception unit 21 to the acoustic element group. A signal line for transmitting an electrical signal from the group to the transmission / reception unit 21 is provided.

  Each of the first detachable portion 13 and the second detachable portion 14 is a detachable portion in order to allow the distal end portion 11 and the connecting portion 12 to be detachable. The first detachable portion 13 is attached to the distal end portion 11, and a plurality of first connectors are arranged. Moreover, the 2nd attachment / detachment part 14 is attached to the connection part 12, and two or more 2nd connectors which can be fitted with a 1st connector are arranged.

  In addition to the acoustic element module 110, the distal end portion 11 includes a signal line that connects each element of the acoustic element module 110 to any one of the plurality of first connectors. Further, the connection unit 12 includes a substrate or the like for connecting each signal line of the cable 15 to any of the plurality of second connectors. When the distal end portion 11 and the connecting portion 12 are connected, the first detachable portion 13 and the second detachable portion 14 are engaged with each other by the plurality of first connectors and the plurality of second connectors so that the signal of the connecting portion 12 is received. The line is connected to the signal line at the tip 11. That is, in the first embodiment, the connector portion that connects the tip portion 11 and the connection portion 12 is configured by a plurality of connectors, thereby connecting all the signal lines of the connection portion 12 and the signal lines of the tip portion 11. Realize that.

  Specifically, in the first embodiment, the number of channels (pins) equal to or greater than the maximum number of signal lines required for each acoustic element module 110 assumed to be connected to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1. The same number of “general-purpose connectors with a small number of pins” that can secure the number) is arranged in each of the first detachable portion 13 and the second detachable portion 14. Such a maximum value is determined by the number of elements of the acoustic element group of the acoustic element module 110, for example. Alternatively, the maximum value is determined by the number of channels of the acoustic element module 110. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining an example of the first detachable portion and the second detachable portion according to the first embodiment.

  For example, when the maximum value is “180”, the first detachable portion 13 has nine “20-pin general-purpose connectors (male)” arranged as the first connector, and the second detachable portion 14 Nine “20-pin general-purpose connectors (female)” are arranged as two connectors. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the nine first connectors and the nine second connectors is arranged in “three vertically and three horizontally”.

  FIG. 4 is an overhead view of each of the first detachable portion 13 and the second detachable portion 14 shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, a “Mini Display Port (registered trademark)” connector is used as a 20-pin general-purpose connector. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the first connector is a male connector of “Mini Display Port (registered trademark)”, and the second connector is a female connector of “Mini Display Port (registered trademark)”. . The size of such a general-purpose connector is “6.7 mm × 4.6 mm”. In other words, the first detachable portion 13 and the second detachable portion 14 in which 9 connectors are arranged in “3 vertical and 3 horizontal” have a size of “20.1 mm × 13.8 mm” in order to arrange the connectors. Cost. Such a size is a level that can be realized without making the distal end portion 11 and the connecting portion 12 constituting the ultrasonic probe 10 thicker than necessary.

  In the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, when the number of acoustic elements included in the distal end portion 11 to which the first detachable portion 13 is attached is “40”, nine first connectors of the first detachable portion 13. Among them, the electrical signals are relayed by the two first connectors and the two second connectors fitted to the two first connectors. Such control is performed by the control unit 24.

  As described above, the ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment manufactures the tip portion 11 and the first detachable portion 13 for each probe type, and the cable 15, the connecting portion 12, and the second detachable portion 14 as the probe. It can be manufactured as a common part regardless of the type. In other words, in the first embodiment, the cable 15, the connection portion 12, and the second attachment / detachment portion 14 can be regarded as a part of the apparatus main body 20. For this reason, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a tuning circuit 26 equivalent to the tuning circuit 103 a that is a constituent element of the conventional ultrasonic probe 100 is installed in the apparatus main body 20. be able to. In addition, when the electrical impedance of the acoustic element incorporated in the distal end portion 11 of the ultrasonic probe 10 to be replaced is greatly different for each distal end portion 11 to be replaced, electrical impedance conversion is performed in the connection portion 12 of the ultrasonic probe 10. It is also possible to incorporate a circuit (buffer circuit).

  When the operator wants to change the type of probe, the operator can change the type of probe by replacing only the tip portion 11 and the first detachable portion 13. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of head part replacement performed in the first embodiment.

  For example, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, “the tip 11a and the first detachable portion 13a for the convex probe”, “the tip 11b and the first detachable portion 13b for the sector probe”, “ The tip portion 11c and the first detachable portion 13c "for the linear probe are manufactured as the head portion of the ultrasonic probe 10. The operator can change the type of the ultrasonic probe 10 by replacing these head portions with the “connecting portion 12 and the second detaching portion 14” which are common handle portions according to the purpose of diagnosis.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the probe can be replaced by exchanging only the head portion, and the general-purpose product can be used as the connection structure between the head portion and the handle portion. Install a small number of small connectors in parallel. That is, in the first embodiment, the connector portion is not configured with a dedicated connector that can secure the required number of wires, but is configured to ensure the required number of wires with a plurality of connectors. To do. Thereby, in 1st Embodiment, the pin number calculated | required by each connector can be made low, As a result, each connector which comprises a connector part can be manufactured using a general purpose connector.

  Conventionally, in order to change the connector portion for each probe shape and the number of elements, development and manufacture of a dedicated connector has been required. In other words, the ultrasonic probe is used by being held by the operator and pressed against the body surface of the subject. For this reason, the ultrasonic probe is required to be small and lightweight so that the operator can easily hold it. Further, recent ultrasonic probes employ an electronic scanning method, and have a large number of elements in the probe. This means that minute electrical signals (analog signals) of several megahertz are generated in parallel for the number of elements in the ultrasonic probe, and a connector mechanism having electrical contacts for the number of elements in a small space. Must be placed. Moreover, since the probe shape and the number of elements vary depending on the application as described above, it is necessary to design and develop a dedicated connector having a high technical difficulty. That is, when a dedicated connector is used, development cost and manufacturing cost increase.

  On the other hand, the first embodiment is a connector structure in which a plurality of “small connectors with a small number of wires” are arranged, so that the head portion can be manufactured using a general-purpose connector, and the manufacturing cost of the head portion is reduced. is there. In the first embodiment, the constituent elements of the ultrasonic probe 10 other than the head portion including the cable 15 having a high unit price can be manufactured as common constituent elements in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be manufactured at low cost. Further, according to the first embodiment, when the ultrasonic probe 10 fails, only the head portion needs to be replaced, so that the repair cost can be reduced. In the first embodiment, since the manufacturing cost of the ultrasonic probe 10 can be kept low, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 can be downsized by using a high-performance and small processor or ASIC technology, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. It can be done without increasing.

(Second Embodiment)
Similar to the ultrasonic probe 10 described in the first embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 10 according to the second embodiment connects the distal end portion 11 and the connection portion 12 with the first detachable portion 13 and the second detachable portion 14. Detachable. However, in the second embodiment, the number of first connectors is different from the number of second connectors.

  That is, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the number of second connectors can be ensured to be equal to or greater than the maximum number of signal lines required for various acoustic element modules 110. Fix to a number. On the other hand, in 2nd Embodiment, the number of 1st connectors is fixed to the number which can ensure the number of signal lines requested | required by the acoustic element module 110 incorporated in the front-end | tip part 11 to which it is attached. Drawing 6 is a figure for explaining an example of the 1st desorption part and the 2nd desorption part concerning a 2nd embodiment.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the number of second connectors included in the second attachment / detachment unit 14 can ensure the maximum value “180” of the number of signal lines required by the various acoustic element modules 110. , Nine. On the other hand, when the number of signal lines required at the tip 11a for the convex probe is, for example, “80”, the first detachable portion 13a mounts four first connectors. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the four first connectors are arranged to fit into the four second connectors at the four corners in the first detachable portion 13 a.

  In addition, when the number of signal lines required by the sector probe tip 11b is, for example, “40”, the first attaching / detaching portion 13b mounts two first connectors. In the example shown in FIG. 6, in the first attachment / detachment portion 13 b, the two first connectors are arranged so as to be fitted to the two second connectors at both ends of the second connector arranged in the middle in the vertical direction.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the number of first connectors is, for example, only a necessary number according to the number of acoustic elements. By setting the number of connectors in the connector portion to be plural, the number of first connectors can be arbitrarily changed so as to be smaller than the number of second connectors according to the number of elements of the acoustic element module 110. That is, in the second embodiment, the manufacturing cost of the head part can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, a case where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is downsized by the ultrasonic probe 10 described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. explain. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  The connection unit 12 according to the third embodiment incorporates at least an electronic circuit for performing ultrasonic transmission / reception. For example, the connection unit 12 according to the third embodiment includes a first processing unit 16 as shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, the connection unit 12 is connected to the second processing unit 17 via the cable 15. As shown in FIG. 8, the first processing unit 16 includes a transmission / reception unit 21 and a signal processing unit 22, for example. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the second processing unit 17 includes an image processing unit 23. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the second processing unit 17 is connected to a PC (Personal Computer) system 200 by, for example, two USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectors.

  7 and 8, the transmission / reception unit 21 and the signal processing unit 22 incorporated in the apparatus main body 20 are incorporated in the first processing unit 16, and the image processing unit 23 incorporated in the apparatus main body 20 is included. Built in the second processing unit 17. The PC system 200 incorporates components (control unit 24 and interface unit 25) of the apparatus main body other than the transmission / reception unit 21, the signal processing unit 22, and the image processing unit 23, the monitor 30, and the input device 40.

  That is, the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is reduced in size by configuring the components that perform processing unique to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 in the apparatus main body 20 with an ASIC or a high-performance and small processor. Only the overall control function built in the first processing unit 16 and the second processing unit 17 and performed by the apparatus main body 20 is replaced with the PC system 200.

  Further, in the third embodiment, by using the ultrasonic probe 10 described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) 210 can be used. In such a case, since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 can be further reduced in size, the cable 15 necessary for ensuring the freedom of the probe operation by the operator is deleted as shown in FIG. Can do. That is, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 9, the connection unit 12 having the first processing unit 16 is directly connected to the second processing unit 17, and the second processing unit 17 is connected to the PDA 210 by two USB connectors. . Thus, the operator can perform ultrasonic scanning of the subject by operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 that is miniaturized by the PDA 210.

  By incorporating the transmitter / receiver 21 which is an electronic circuit in the handle part (the connection part 12 and the second detachable part 14), the physical distance between the acoustic element and the amplifier circuit of the transmitter / receiver 21 is short and the capacitive load is small. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal can be prevented from being deteriorated. However, when the structure illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 is realized with the conventional configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, as described above, the manufacturing cost of the ultrasonic probe increases, and the cost of the entire system also increases.

  On the other hand, in the third embodiment, by using the ultrasonic probe 10 described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, it is not necessary to replace the handle portion including the electronic circuit when changing the probe type. It is possible to reduce the size of the entire system by reducing the manufacturing cost. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, since the transmission / reception unit 21 can be arranged close to the acoustic element module 110, it is possible to prevent degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal and improve the resolution of the ultrasonic image.

  In the above description, the case where the transmission / reception unit 21, the signal processing unit 22, and the image processing unit 23 are distributed and incorporated in the first processing unit 16 and the second processing unit 17 has been described. However, in the third embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 21 is built in the first processing unit 16, the signal processing unit 22 is built in the second processing unit 17, and the image processing unit 23 is built in the PC system 200 or PCA 210. It may be. In the third embodiment, even when all the functions of the signal processing unit 22 and the image processing unit 23 are incorporated in the first processing unit 16 and the second processing unit 17, the signal processing unit 22 and the image processing unit A part of the function of the unit 23 may be built in the first processing unit 16 or the second processing unit 17. Further, the third embodiment may be a case where, for example, the transmission / reception unit 21 is built in only the first processing unit 16 without installing the second processing unit 17.

  In other words, the third embodiment uses the ultrasonic probe 10 described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment to arbitrarily divide the processing performed by the apparatus main body 20, so that “the apparatus main body 20 As a result, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 can be downsized at a low cost by being distributed and arranged in the “PC system 200 and PDA 210” and “the first processing unit 16 and the second processing unit 17”. The process executed by the ultrasonic probe 10 is a process that can be executed by a small electronic circuit or a small processor among the entire processes performed by the apparatus main body 20.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, a case where a waterproof mechanism is further added to the ultrasonic probe 10 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described.

  At the time of photographing an ultrasonic image, an acoustic coupling agent such as sono jelly is usually applied to the surface of the head portion in order to improve acoustic contact with a living body. The main component of the acoustic coupling agent is water, and the ultrasonic probe is required to have a structure that maintains electrical insulation. Since the connection structure of the first detachable portion 13 and the second detachable portion 14 of the ultrasonic probe 10 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is constituted by a connector, it is desirable to have waterproofness.

  Therefore, in the ultrasonic probe 10 according to the fourth embodiment, a seal structure 18 having a waterproof function is further attached to at least one of the outside of the first detachable portion 13 and the outside of the second detachable portion 14.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the ultrasonic probe according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the tip portion 11 and the connection portion 12 are obtained by fitting the plurality of first connectors included in the first detachable portion 13 and the plurality of second connectors included in the second detachable portion 14 to each other. Closely connected. However, it is difficult to bring the tip 11 and the connecting portion 12 into close contact with each other, and a gap is generated between the tip 11 and the connecting portion 12 as shown in FIG. If the acoustic coupling agent is immersed in the tip portion 11 or the connection portion 12 from the gap, a failure may occur in the acoustic element module 110 or the signal line of the tip portion 11 or the connection portion 12.

  Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, a rubber seal structure 18 is attached to the outside of the first detachable portion 13. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the seal structure 18 is attached to the outer periphery of the first detachable portion 13, that is, the inner periphery of the portion of the container of the distal end portion 11 that is close to the connecting portion 12.

  The seal structure 18 may be attached to the outside of the second detachable portion 14 or may be attached to the outside of the first detachable portion 13 and the outside of the second detachable portion 14, respectively.

  In 4th Embodiment, the failure frequency of the ultrasonic probe 10 which can replace | exchange a head part can be reduced by attaching the seal structure 18 to a connector part further.

  Note that each component of each device illustrated in the first to fourth embodiments is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured.

  As described above, according to the first to fourth embodiments, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be manufactured at low cost.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 Ultrasonic probe 11 Tip part 110 Acoustic element module 12 Connection part 13 1st attachment / detachment part 14 2nd attachment / detachment part 15 Cable 20 Apparatus main body 21 Transmission / reception part 22 Signal processing part 23 Image processing part 24 Control part 25 Interface Part 26 tuning circuit 30 monitor 40 input device

Claims (6)

A tip including an acoustic element group that performs ultrasonic transmission and reception;
A connection part for connecting the tip part and the apparatus main body for controlling ultrasonic imaging via a cable;
As a detachable part that makes the tip part and the connection part detachable,
One first attachment / detachment portion attached to the distal end portion and in which a plurality of first connectors are arranged;
Attached to said connecting portion, a second connector capable of fitting to the first connector is arrayed, comprising a probe body having a one second detachable unit detachable from the first desorption unit,
The first detachable portion, and, at least one of the second detachable portion, the seal structure is mounted et been having a waterproof function,
The number of the second connectors is a number that can secure the number of pins equal to or greater than the maximum value of the total number of signal lines required in the acoustic element group.
An ultrasonic probe characterized by that.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the distal end portion corresponds to a head portion in the probe main body, and the connection portion corresponds to a handle portion in the probe main body. The number of the first connectors is different from the number of the second connectors.
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The connection unit contains at least an electronic circuit for performing ultrasonic transmission / reception,
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A tip including an acoustic element group that performs ultrasonic transmission and reception;
A connection part for connecting the tip part and the apparatus main body for controlling ultrasonic imaging via a cable;
As a detachable part that makes the tip part and the connection part detachable,
One first attachment / detachment portion attached to the distal end portion and in which a plurality of first connectors are arranged;
Attached to said connecting portion, a second connector capable of fitting to the first connector is arrayed, comprising a probe body having a one second detachable unit detachable from the first desorption unit,
The first detachable portion, and, at least one of the second detachable portion, the seal structure is mounted et been having a waterproof function,
The number of the second connectors is a number that can secure the number of pins equal to or greater than the maximum value of the total number of signal lines required in the acoustic element group.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasonic probe.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the distal end portion corresponds to a head portion in the probe main body, and the connection portion corresponds to a handle portion in the probe main body.

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