Ultrasonic transducer inspection device

Abstract

To improve inspection accuracy for an ultrasonic transducer inspection device using a gravimeter.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38 includes: a bottom part 64 that comes in contact with a measuring pan 54 of a gravimeter 40; a container 42 positioned above the bottom part 64 and having an opening on the upper side; a plurality of pillar structures extending upward from a peripheral part of the bottom part 64 to a lateral side of the container 42; an ultrasonic wave reception plate 46 irradiated with an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic transducer 36; and a support member joined to the plurality of pillar structures for supporting the ultrasonic wave reception plate 46 in the container 42. The pillar structures include four pillars P1 to P4, and support rods A1 to A4 joined to upper ends of the pillars P1 to P4, respectively. The support member includes support lines B1 to B4, one end of which is joined to the support rods A1 to A4, and the other end of which is joined to a peripheral part of the ultrasonic wave reception plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer inspection device, and more particularly to an inspection device that uses a weight scale. [Background technology]

[0002] Treatment devices using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are widely used. These devices are called HIFU irradiation devices or HIFU irradiation systems, and irradiate ultrasound to the treatment area to cause tissue necrosis.

[0003] In general, a HIFU irradiation device is equipped with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on a bowl-shaped surface. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged so that ultrasonic waves emitted from each of them are irradiated to one point to form a focal point. During treatment, the position of the focal point is adjusted to the treatment area and ultrasonic waves are irradiated. To confirm the irradiation position, an ultrasonic diagnostic device that displays the focal point on an ultrasonic image is used.

[0004] The following Patent Document 1 describes an ultrasonic treatment device that observes the position of the focal point using an ultrasonic diagnostic device that displays a B-mode image (tomographic image). In this device, a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer emits ultrasonic waves at a low level that does not affect tissue, and an ultrasonic imaging probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to display a tomographic image. Since the acoustic properties of the subject's tissue change according to changes in the tissue's temperature, the position of the focal point is indicated in the tomographic image by the strength of brightness. Patent Document 2 describes an ultrasonic transducer inspection device and inspection method as technology related to the present invention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-71069 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2023-46010 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the HIFU irradiation device, the characteristics of the ultrasound transducer may change due to external shocks or changes over time. This may cause the focal point to deviate from the ideal position or the intensity of the therapeutic ultrasound at the focal point to decrease. Therefore, an ultrasound transducer inspection device has been developed.

[0007] An ultrasonic transducer inspection device uses a weighing scale with a weighing dish. A container filled with liquid is placed on the weighing dish, and an ultrasonic receiving plate is immersed in the liquid in the container. Ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transducer are irradiated onto the ultrasonic receiving plate, and the force exerted on the ultrasonic receiving plate by the ultrasonic waves causes the container to press down on the weighing dish, changing the measurement value of the weighing scale. The greater the energy of the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transducer, the greater the change in the measurement value of the weighing scale. In an ultrasonic transducer inspection device, it is determined whether or not the ultrasonic transducer is normal based on the measurement value of the weighing scale.

[0008] In such an ultrasonic transducer inspection device, the weights of the container, the liquid, and the ultrasonic receiving plate are applied to the weighing pan of a weighing scale. In general, the measured value of the weighing scale contains an error proportional to the weight applied to the weighing pan. Therefore, when a large weight is applied to the weighing pan of the weighing scale, the error becomes large according to the error ratio, and it may become difficult to obtain the measured value of the weighing scale accurately.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to improve the inspection accuracy of an ultrasonic transducer inspection device using a weight scale. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention is characterized by comprising a bottom that contacts a weighing portion of a weighing scale, a container located above the bottom and having an opening on the upper side, a plurality of pillar structures extending upward along the sides of the container from the peripheral portion of the bottom, an ultrasonic receiving plate to which ultrasonic waves are irradiated from an ultrasonic transducer, and support members that are connected to the plurality of pillar structures and support the ultrasonic receiving plate within the container.

[0011] Preferably, the support member includes a support wire having one end connected to the column structure and the other end connected to the periphery of the ultrasonic receiving plate.

[0012] Preferably, the support member comprises a rigid extension member having one end coupled to the post structure and an opposite end coupled to a periphery of the ultrasound receiving plate.

[0013] Preferably, the bottom portion has a plurality of protrusions extending radially in a horizontal plane, and the column structure extends from a tip of each of the protrusions.

[0014] Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer transmits ultrasonic waves toward the ultrasonic receiving plate that is immersed in the liquid contained in the container.

[0015] Preferably, the weighing device further includes a container support structure for supporting the container on a base on which the weighing scale is installed, and the weighing scale is disposed on the base. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the inspection accuracy of an ultrasonic transducer inspection device using a weight scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a HIFU irradiation system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic transducer inspection device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ultrasonic transducer inspection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the ultrasonic transducer inspection device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the ultrasonic transducer inspection device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a HIFU transducer unit, a coupling bag, and an ultrasonic transducer inspection device in an inspection state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Fig. 1 shows the configuration of a HIFU irradiation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The HIFU irradiation system 100 includes an ultrasonic probe 10, a HIFU transducer unit 12, a coupling bag 14, a robot arm 18, a controller 22, and a display device 24. In Fig. 1, a surface (observation target surface) on which an ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image should be observed in a patient 30 is set as a surface parallel to the yz coordinate plane, and a coordinate axis perpendicular to the yz coordinate plane is set as the x-axis.

[0019] The HIFU transducer unit 12 includes a transducer housing 16 having a concave surface 8 with an opening facing downward, and a plurality of ultrasound transducers 36 arranged along the concave surface 8 in the transducer housing 16 and fixed to the transducer housing 16. The HIFU transducer unit 12 does not necessarily have to have an actual concave surface 8. In this case, the plurality of ultrasound transducers 36 may be fixed to the transducer housing 16 so as to be arranged along a virtual concave surface 8.

[0020] The concave surface 8 of the transducer housing 16 may have a shape similar to that of a side surface of a pyramid. Here, a pyramid refers to a three-dimensional shape formed by a collection of straight lines extending from one point in space to the bottom surface. The concave surface 8 of the transducer housing 16 may have a shape that bulges out like a dome on the upper side. Each ultrasonic transducer 36 is fixed to the transducer housing 16 so that when each ultrasonic transducer 36 emits ultrasonic waves, the intensity of the ultrasonic waves is intensified at a focal point F below the transducer housing 16.

[0021] The ultrasonic probe 10 is attached to the transducer housing 16 so that ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received at a position below the transducer housing 16 and above the focal point F. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 10 passes through the apex of the transducer housing 16 in the vertical direction, and the probe tip 32 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves is directed downward. The ultrasonic probe 10 has directionality, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received on an observation surface that faces in a direction according to the structure of the ultrasonic probe 10. The ultrasonic probe 10 may be movable in the vertical direction. In addition, the ultrasonic probe 10 may be rotatable around a longitudinal axis.

[0022] Below the HIFU transducer unit 12, a coupling bag 14 is provided for matching acoustic impedance between each ultrasonic transducer 36 and the patient 30, and between the ultrasonic probe 10 and the patient 30. The coupling bag 14 may be a bag filled with a liquid such as water. The coupling bag 14 holds the liquid between the ultrasonic probe 10 and the patient 30. The coupling bag 14 may be formed of a material that transmits light, and may be transparent or translucent.

[0023] The ultrasonic probe 10, the HIFU transducer unit 12, and the coupling bag 14 are attached to the tip of a robot arm 18 serving as a transport mechanism. The robot arm 18 is composed of a plurality of arms 18a connected by joints 18b, and is attached to a housing of a controller 22 via the joints 18b. Each arm 18a swings about the joint 18b as a rotation axis, whereby the robot arm 18 transports a movable body 20 including the ultrasonic probe 10, the HIFU transducer unit 12, and the coupling bag 14 in three directions, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis.

[0024] The controller 22 includes a HIFU control section 26 and a robot control section 28. The HIFU control section 26 includes a computer, an electric circuit for controlling the ultrasonic probe 10, and an electric circuit for controlling the HIFU transducer unit 12. The computer included in the HIFU control section 26 may be a business computer, a personal computer, a tablet computer, or the like. The computer executes a program to execute a process for generating each image and a process for displaying each image. An operating device (not shown) for a user to operate the HIFU irradiation system 1 is connected to the HIFU control section 26. The operating device may include a mouse, a touch panel integrated with the display device 24, a switch, a keyboard, or the like.

[0025] The HIFU control section 26 executes processing for operating the ultrasonic probe 10 and the HIFU transducer unit 12. For example, the HIFU control section 26 causes the ultrasonic probe 10 to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, generates B-mode image data based on a reception signal based on the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic probe 10, and causes the display device 24 to display a B-mode image. In addition, the HIFU control section 26 causes each ultrasonic transducer 36 included in the HIFU transducer unit 12 to transmit therapeutic ultrasonic waves.

[0026] The robot control unit 28 may control the robot arm 18 in response to the control of the HIFU control unit 26, and cause the robot arm 18 to transport the movable body 20. The robot control unit 28 may also include an operation device. In this case, the robot control unit 28 may control the robot arm 18 in response to the operation of the operation device by the user.

[0027] Before the patient 30 is irradiated with therapeutic ultrasound from the HIFU transducer unit 12, the following positioning process may be performed. The HIFU control unit 26 causes each ultrasonic transducer 36 to transmit ultrasonic waves with a lower intensity than that during treatment. The position and orientation of the ultrasonic probe 10 are set so that the observation surface of the ultrasonic probe 10 coincides with the observation target surface of the patient 30. The HIFU control unit 26 causes the ultrasonic probe 10 to scan the observation target surface of the patient 30 with an ultrasonic beam to acquire B-mode image data. The HIFU control unit 26 causes the display device 24 to display the B-mode image. The user as a practitioner refers to the B-mode image displayed on the display device 24 to confirm the difference between the focus F of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the HIFU transducer unit 12 and the position of the affected area.

[0028] When the difference between the position of the focal point F and the position of the affected area is not within an allowable range, the user operates the robot arm 18 to change the position or posture of the ultrasonic probe 10 and the HIFU transducer unit 12. After the user confirms that the position of the focal point F coincides with the position of the affected area, the user performs an operation for treatment on the HIFU control unit 26. In response to the operation by the user, the HIFU control unit 26 transmits therapeutic ultrasonic waves having an intensity required for treatment to each ultrasonic transducer 36. As a result, the living tissue is cauterized at the focal point F, and treatment is performed.

[0029] In the HIFU irradiation system 100, the characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer 36 may change due to an external impact, a change over time, or the like. This may result in a decrease in the intensity of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave at the focus F. Therefore, in the HIFU irradiation system 100 according to this embodiment, the following transducer inspection is performed before the treatment is performed.

[0030] 2 shows a perspective view of the ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38 together with the determination device 90. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38. FIG. 4 shows a front view of the ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38, and FIG. 5 shows a right side view of the ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38 includes a weighing scale 40, a container 42, a container support structure 60, an ultrasonic receiving plate 46, and a receiving plate support structure 62. For example, an electronic balance is used as the weighing scale 40. The determination device 90 may be the controller 22 and the display device 24 included in the HIFU irradiation system 100.

[0031] The ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38 fills a container 42 with liquid, immerses an ultrasonic receiving plate 46 in the liquid, and irradiates ultrasonic waves from the HIFU transducer unit 12 to the ultrasonic receiving plate 46. The force received by the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 from the ultrasonic waves is applied to a weighing scale 40 placed below the container 42 via a receiving plate support structure 62. Based on the measurement value of the weighing scale 40 when the HIFU transducer unit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves, a determination device 90 connected to the weighing scale 40 determines whether each ultrasonic transducer 36 included in the HIFU transducer unit 12 is normal or not. Alternatively, a user may read the measurement value of the weighing scale 40 and determine whether the ultrasonic transducer 36 is normal or not.

[0032] A specific configuration of the ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38 will be described. The container support structure 60 includes a left front support 48L1, a left rear support 48L2, a right front support 48R1, a right rear support 48R2, a left beam 50L, and a right beam 50R. In the following description, the symbol "48" may be used to indicate any or all of the supports 48L1, 48L2, 48R1, and 48R2, and the symbol "50" may be used to indicate any or both of the beams 50L and 50R.

[0033] Each support 48 and each beam 50 has a substantially rectangular prism shape. The left beam 50L connects the upper end of the support 48L1 to the upper end of the support 48L2. The right beam 50R connects the upper end of the support 48R1 to the upper end of the support 48R2. The lower end of each support 48 is fixed to the base 52, the support 48L1 and 48L2 support the beam 50L on the base 52, and the support 48R1 and 48R2 support the beam 50R on the base 52. A hollow container 42 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is disposed on the upper surface of the beams 50R and 50L so as to bridge between the beams 50R and 50L, and the container 42 is supported by the two beams 50L and 50R. The container 42 has an opening on the upper side.

[0034] Here, a structure in which two beams 50L and 50R support the container 42 is shown, but a plate member may be used instead of the two beams 50L and 50R. In this case, a plate member is connected to the upper ends of the four support columns 48, and the container 42 is placed on the upper surface of the plate member.

[0035] Below the container 42, a weighing scale 40 is placed on a base 52. The weighing scale 40 has a weighing dish 54 as a weighing section on the upper surface, and measures a force applied downward from the weighing dish 54. The weighing scale 40 outputs the measurement value to a determination device 90.

[0036] The receiving plate support structure 62 includes a bottom 64, pillars P1-P4, support rods A1-A4, and support wires B1-B4. As shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 3, the bottom 64 has a structure in which strip-shaped protrusions Q1-Q4 extending radially in four different directions within a horizontal plane are connected by a center plate C. In this embodiment, the center plate C is formed into a substantially rectangular shape, and the protrusions Q1-Q4 extend with the same length from the four corners of the center plate C. The center plate C is supported by the weighing dish 54 of the weighing scale 40.

[0037] 2, four pillars P1 to P4 extend upward from the tips of the protrusions Q1 to Q4, respectively. Support rods A1 and A2 extend rightward from the upper ends of the pillars P1 and P2, respectively, and support rods A3 and A4 extend leftward from the upper ends of the pillars P3 and P4, respectively.

[0038] The ultrasonic receiving plate 46 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. The ultrasonic receiving plate 46 may be formed by stacking a plurality of plate members. As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 is composed of a base plate 58 and two ultrasonic absorbing plates 56. The two ultrasonic absorbing plates 56 are stacked on the upper surface of the base plate 58. The degree of reflection and absorption of the ultrasonic waves irradiated from the HIFU transducer unit 12 may be adjusted by the material, number, etc. of the ultrasonic absorbing plates 56.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the tip of the support rod A1 is connected to the left front corner (near the corner) of the base plate 58 of the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 by a support wire B1, and the tip of the support rod A2 is connected to the left rear corner of the base plate 58 by a support wire B2. The tip of the support rod A3 is connected to the right rear corner of the base plate 58 by a support wire B3, and the tip of the support rod A4 is connected to the left front corner of the base plate 58 by a support wire B4. The support wires B1 to B4 as the support members may be metal wires such as piano wires, or threads made of resin or natural materials. In this way, one end of the support wires B1 to B4 is connected to the support rods A1 to A4, respectively, and the other ends of the support wires B1 to B4 are connected to the four corners, i.e., the four corners, of the base plate 58 of the ultrasonic receiving plate 46. The support wires B1 to B4 support the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 in the container 42.

[0040] The ultrasonic receiving plate 46 is suspended in the container without contacting the container 42 by the receiving plate support structure 62. With the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 suspended in the container, a liquid such as water is poured into the container 42, and the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 is immersed in the liquid. When a downward force is applied to the ultrasonic receiving plate 46, a downward force is applied from the center plate C to the measuring dish 54 via the support wires B1-B4, the support rods A1-A4, the pillars P1-P4, and the protrusions Q1-Q4.

[0041] Thus, the ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the bottom 64 in contact with the weighing dish 54 as a weighing section of the weighing scale 40, the container 42 located above the bottom 64 and having an opening on the upper side, a plurality of column structures extending upward along the sides of the container 42 from the periphery of the bottom 64, the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 to which ultrasonic waves are irradiated from each ultrasonic transducer 36 included in the HIFU transducer unit 12, and support wires B1 to B4 as support members connected to the plurality of column structures and supporting the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 within the container 42. The column structure includes four columns P1 to P4 and support rods A1 to A4 connected to the upper ends of the columns P1 to P4, respectively.

[0042] The support wires B1 to B4 have one end connected to the pillars P1 to P4, respectively, and the other end connected to the periphery of the ultrasonic receiving plate 46. Each of the support wires B1 to B4 may be replaced with a rigid extension member, for example, a rigid rod.

[0043] The bottom portion 64 has four protrusions Q1 to Q4 extending radially in a horizontal plane, and pillar structures P1 to P4 extend from the tips of the protrusions Q1 to Q4, respectively.

[0044] The ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38 includes a container support structure 60 that supports the container 42 on a base 52 on which the weighing scale 40 is mounted.

[0045] 6 shows a schematic state in which the liquid 70 is poured into the container 42, the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 is immersed in the liquid 70, and further, a part of the lower part of the coupling bag 14 below the HIFU transducer unit 12 is immersed in the liquid 70 above the ultrasonic receiving plate 46. The HIFU transducer unit 12 and the coupling bag 14 may be in a state in which they are incorporated into the HIFU irradiation system 100. The positions of the HIFU transducer unit 12 and the coupling bag 14 may be adjusted by controlling the robot arm 18. The distance between the opening of the concave surface 8 in the HIFU transducer unit 12 and the upper surface of the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 may be approximately half the distance between the opening of the concave surface 8 and the focal point F.

[0046] In such an examination state, the HIFU control unit 26 causes each ultrasonic transducer 36 of the HIFU transducer unit 12 to transmit ultrasonic waves in response to the user's operation of the operation device. When each ultrasonic transducer 36 emits ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 is irradiated with the ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 is subjected to a downward force from the ultrasonic waves. The force applied downward to the ultrasonic receiving plate 46 is applied from the center plate C to the weighing dish 54 of the weighing scale 40 via the support wires B1 to B4, the support rods A1 to A4, the columns P1 to P4, and the protrusions Q1 to Q4. This changes the measurement value output by the weighing scale 40 to the determination device 90.

[0047] The determination device 90 determines whether or not each ultrasonic transducer 36 included in the HIFU transducer unit 12 is normal based on the measurement value. For example, when the measurement value exceeds a predetermined threshold value Th, the determination device 90 determines that each ultrasonic transducer 36 included in the HIFU transducer unit 12 is normal. On the other hand, when the measurement value is equal to or less than the threshold value Th, the determination device 90 determines that any or all of the multiple ultrasonic transducers 36 included in the HIFU transducer unit 12 are abnormal.

[0048] The weighing scale 40 or the determination device 90 may display the measured value of the weighing scale 40. In this case, the user may determine whether or not each of the ultrasound transducers included in the HIFU transducer unit 12 is normal based on the displayed measured value.

[0049] In the ultrasonic transducer inspection device 38 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the weight of the ultrasonic receiver plate 46 and the force applied to the ultrasonic receiver plate 46 by the ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the receiver plate support structure 62 to the weighing scale 40. On the other hand, the weight of the container 42 and the liquid 70 is transmitted from the container support structure 60 to the base 52, and is not transmitted to the weighing scale 40. Therefore, the weight of the container 42 and the liquid 70 is not included in the measurement value of the weighing scale 40. This reduces the error according to the ratio to the measurement value of the weighing scale 40, and improves the accuracy of the measurement value of the weighing scale 40. Therefore, the measurement value based on the ultrasonic waves emitted from each ultrasonic transducer 36 is accurately obtained by the determination device 90. Furthermore, when the weighing scale 40 or the determination device 90 displays the measurement value of the weighing scale 40, the user can accurately read the measurement value.

[0050] In the above description, the bottom 64 of the receiving plate support structure 62 is shown as being formed by connecting the protrusions Q1 to Q4 radially extending in four different directions with the central plate C. The bottom 64 may have three protrusions radially extending from the central plate C in three different directions. The bottom 64 may also have N protrusions radially extending from the central plate C in N different directions, where N is an integer equal to or greater than four. In this case as well, a pillar extends upward from the tip of each protrusion. The central plate C may be a plate-like member having a shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon.

[0051] [Configuration of the present invention] Configuration 1: A bottom portion that contacts a weighing portion of a weighing scale; a container located above the bottom and having an opening on its upper side; a plurality of post structures extending upwardly and laterally from a periphery of the bottom of the container; an ultrasonic receiving plate onto which ultrasonic waves are irradiated from an ultrasonic transducer; a support member coupled to a plurality of said column structures and configured to support said ultrasonic receiving plate within said container; An ultrasonic transducer inspection device comprising: Configuration 2: The ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to configuration 1, The support member is an ultrasonic transducer inspection device comprising a support wire having one end connected to the pillar structure and the other end connected to the periphery of the ultrasonic receiving plate; Configuration 3: The ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to configuration 1, The support member is an ultrasonic transducer inspection device comprising: a rigid extension member having one end connected to the pillar structure and the other end connected to a periphery of the ultrasonic receiving plate; Configuration 4: An ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, The bottom portion is A plurality of protrusions extending radially in a horizontal plane; An ultrasonic transducer inspection device, characterized in that the pillar structure extends from the tip of each of the protrusions. Configuration 5: An ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, 4. An ultrasonic transducer inspection device, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer that transmits ultrasonic waves toward the ultrasonic receiving plate that is immersed in the liquid contained in the container. Configuration 6: An ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, a container support structure for supporting the container on a base on which the weighing scale is installed; The ultrasonic transducer inspection device is characterized in that the weight scale is disposed on the base. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 8 concave surface, 10 ultrasonic probe, 12 HIFU transducer unit, 14 coupling bag, 16 transducer housing, 18 robot arm, 18a arm, 18b joint, 20 movable body, 22 controller, 24 display device, 26 HIFU control unit, 28 robot control unit, 30 patient, 32 probe tip, 36 ultrasonic transducer, 38 ultrasonic transducer inspection device, 40 weighing scale, 42 container, 46 ultrasonic receiving plate, 48L1, 48L2, 48R1, 48R2 support, 50L, 50R beam, 52 base, 54 weighing dish, 56 ultrasonic absorbing plate, 58 base plate, 60 container support structure, 62 receiving plate support structure, 64 bottom, 100 HIFU irradiation system, A1 to A4 support rod, B1 to B4 support wire, C center plate, P1 to P4 Column, Q1~Q4 protrusion.

Claims

1. A bottom portion that contacts a weighing portion of a weighing scale; a container located above the bottom and having an opening on its upper side; a plurality of post structures extending upwardly and laterally from a periphery of the bottom of the container; an ultrasonic receiving plate onto which ultrasonic waves are irradiated from an ultrasonic transducer; a support member coupled to a plurality of said column structures and configured to support said ultrasonic receiving plate within said container; An ultrasonic transducer inspection device comprising:

2. 2. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to claim 1, The support member is an ultrasonic transducer inspection device comprising a support wire having one end connected to the pillar structure and the other end connected to the periphery of the ultrasonic receiving plate;

3. 2. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to claim 1, The support member is an ultrasonic transducer inspection device comprising: a rigid extension member having one end connected to the pillar structure and the other end connected to a periphery of the ultrasonic receiving plate;

4. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The bottom portion is A plurality of protrusions extending radially in a horizontal plane; An ultrasonic transducer inspection device, characterized in that the pillar structure extends from the tip of each of the protrusions.

5. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 4. An ultrasonic transducer inspection device, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer that transmits ultrasonic waves toward the ultrasonic receiving plate that is immersed in the liquid contained in the container.

6. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a container support structure for supporting the container on a base on which the weighing scale is installed; The ultrasonic transducer inspection device is characterized in that the weight scale is disposed on the base.

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