JPS637213Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe (hereinafter simply referred to as a probe) used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

An ultrasonic vibrator (hereinafter simply referred to as a vibrator) that transmits ultrasonic waves is generally composed of a piezoelectric body and two opposing electrodes that are provided to sandwich the piezoelectric body. In order to obtain ultrasonic waves from this vibrator, it is necessary to apply a sudden voltage change to the two electrode surfaces described above. For this purpose, electrode leads must be wired to the electrodes. Generally, probes used in ultrasonic diagnostic equipment are composed of an array of vibrating microelements made by cutting transducers into small pieces, so it is difficult to attach electrode leads to the microscopic parts. Various methods have been adopted since then. For example, in the past, in order to take out the lead wire from the electrode, the lead wire was attached by bonding, or a pattern-printed flexible printed board was used, and the lead wire was attached with adhesive or soldered. However, the former has disadvantages such as the electrode surface of the vibrator is not suitable for bonding, and the use of thin wires as lead wires tends to cause wire breakage accidents. In addition, the latter requires soldering or gluing for connection, which has disadvantages such as the part easily peeling off due to impact, etc., and furthermore, it is difficult to solder or glue, increasing the defective rate. .

This idea was made in view of these points,
Bonding, soldering, which was previously required.
The present invention aims to provide a probe in which electrode leads can be attached to a vibrating microelement without requiring means such as adhesion.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one row of printed boards used in the present invention. 1 in FIG. 1 is an insulating elastomer, which is a sesame-like elastic material. A metal foil 2 is provided on the surface of the elastomer 1, and a portion 2a is wide and a portion 2b is thin. Generally, when driving a vibrator in a probe, several vibrating microelements are electrically connected in parallel as one group, and this is driven as one element. That is, the electrodes of several vibrating micro elements are connected to the portion 2a of the metal foil 2. The portion 2b serves simply as a signal lead, and is made thinner than the portion 2a as shown in FIG. 1 because it is desirable to have a distance from the adjacent metal foil in order to eliminate electrical coupling. Note that the first
The pattern of the metal foil 2 shown in the figure is an example, and the pattern is not limited to this shape.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how the printed board shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the vibrator array. In FIG. 2, since 1 and 2 have been explained in FIG. 1, their explanation will be omitted. Reference numeral 4 denotes an ultrasonic absorber, which is made of a backing material such as rubber and has the effect of absorbing ultrasonic waves directed toward the back side. 5 is a vibrator, for example,
Electrodes are provided on both sides of a piezoelectric plate such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate).
After bonding the plate of this vibrator 5 to the ultrasonic absorber, the second
As shown in the figure, each cutting section 6 subdivides into vibrating microelements. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion 2a of the metal foil 2 of the printed board is provided so as to be in contact with the thick portion 5a of the vibrating microelement array, and in this state, an external force is applied to press and fix the vibrating microelement array.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of means for applying external force. In FIG. 3, 1, 4, and 5 are the same as those explained in FIG. 2, so their explanation will be omitted.
A frame 7 has a hole 7a and is arranged around the array of vibrating micro elements, as shown in FIG. By passing a screw or the like (not shown) through the hole 7a and tightening the hole 7a, the metal foil of the printed board 1 can be pressed into contact with the electrode on the surface in the thickness direction of each vibrating microelement. Since the substrate of the printed board 1 is made of a rubber-like elastomer, the electrodes of the vibrating microelements and the metal foil of the printed board 1 are in close contact with each other.

Although the printed board used to take out the signal electrode leads is shown in FIG. 1, the present invention can also be achieved by using an insulating elastomer having metal foil only in the P portion shown in FIG. That is, another printed board having only the metal foil 2b portion excluding the P portion shown in FIG. 1 is prepared, and this other printed board is adhered to the ultrasonic absorber 4. By arranging an insulating elastomer having metal foil only in the P portion of FIG. 1, it is possible to interconnect the electrodes of the vibrating micro-element and the metal foil 2b portion of the printed board.

As is clear from the above explanation, the vibrator used in the present invention has the following aspects:
It is necessary that electrodes be provided.

A and B in FIG. 4 are diagrams showing an example thereof. FIG. 4 shows a view cut along the cutting section 6 in FIG. 2. FIG. In the figure, 4 is the ultrasonic absorber described above. 5a is a piezoelectric material, 5b and 5
c is an electrode provided on both sides of the piezoelectric body. That is, 5a, 5b, and 5c form a vibrator.

The above has explained the means for taking out the signal electrode lead from the array of vibrating micro-elements, but in order to take out the common electrode lead from the array of vibrating micro-elements,
A printed board having a metal foil pattern as shown in FIG. 5 may be used. In FIG. 5, 1 is an elastomer made of the same material as that explained in FIG. 2 is metal foil. The method of attaching the printed circuit board of FIG. 5 is clear from the foregoing and will not be described again.

In the probe according to the present invention configured as described above, the electrode lead can be taken out without requiring bonding, soldering, etc., which were conventionally required. Therefore, even if vibrations or shocks are applied to the probe section, there is no risk of breaking the electrode leads or peeling off the electrodes of the vibrator, and the time required for wiring work can be shortened. Furthermore, by attaching elastomer (rubber material) to both sides of the vibrator array, it is possible to provide an effect as a damping material that absorbs vibrations in the width direction of the vibrator.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a printed board used in the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how the printed board is attached to the vibrator array, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of means for applying external force, and FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of the electrode structure of a vibrator used in the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a printed board from which a common electrode lead is taken out. 1... Elastomer, 2... Metal foil, 4... Ultrasonic absorber, 5... Vibrator, 5a... Piezoelectric material, 5
b, 5c...electrode, 7...frame.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) An ultrasonic vibrator in which electrodes are provided on both sides of a piezoelectric plate, and each electrode extends to the surface of the piezoelectric body in the thickness direction, and the ultrasonic vibration In an ultrasonic probe in which vibrating micro-elements, each of which has been subdivided into small parts, are bonded and arranged in an array on an ultrasonic absorber, insulation is applied to the electrodes on the surface in the thickness direction of each vibrating micro-element arranged in the array. An ultrasonic probe characterized in that a printed board provided with metal foil is brought into pressure contact with the surface of a body elastomer. (2) The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 of the utility model registration, characterized in that as the means for crimping and contacting, a frame is arranged around the array of vibrating microelements, and the crimping is carried out by tightening the frame. Tentacles.