Ultrasonic probe

Abstract

The application discloses an ultrasonic probe, a driving device of which drives the vibration of a sound head through a transmission shaft, and a damping mechanism is arranged on at least one transmission shaft, which can apply resistance to the corresponding transmission shaft in the opposite direction of the movement direction of the transmission shaft. After power-off, the driving device stops working, at this time, the transmission shaft will produce residual vibration under the action of inertia, and the resistance provided by the damping mechanism is opposite to the movement direction of the transmission shaft, so that the residual vibration energy of the transmission shaft can be quickly offset, thereby reducing the residual vibration of the transmission shaft, and further reducing the residual vibration of the sound head part, and improving the measurement accuracy of the probe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to ultrasonic imaging equipment, and more particularly to an ultrasonic probe. Background Technology

[0002] Shear imaging devices are based on ultrasound elastography and are used to measure the elasticity of organs in humans or animals, or more broadly, to measure the elasticity of all viscoelastic media that can generate ultrasonic signals when detected by ultrasound. Detecting the stiffness or elasticity of the liver using this device is of great significance in evaluating the progression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and in determining treatment options.

[0003] Ultrasonic shearing imaging probes typically include an acoustic head, a sensor, a flexible linear guide structure, and a motor. During the test, the acoustic head needs to make effective contact with the human body under a certain preload. A sinusoidal current signal is supplied to the motor, causing the transducer at the probe tip to vibrate back and forth, thereby measuring tissue stiffness. However, after the drive current is disconnected, typical probes exhibit significant tailing due to vibration inertia, and the consistency of the vibration tailing time is poor under different preloads, severely affecting the accuracy of the measurement results. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a novel ultrasonic probe to reduce probe tailing after power failure and improve measurement accuracy.

[0005] One embodiment provides an ultrasonic probe, characterized in that it includes: a housing;

[0006] A sound source, used to emit ultrasonic waves;

[0007] A drive device, which is installed inside the housing, is used to drive the sound head to vibrate at low frequencies; at least one drive shaft, one end of which is connected to the output end of the drive device and the other end of which is connected to the sound head, is used to transmit the motion output by the drive device to the sound head;

[0008] The transmission shaft is provided with a damping mechanism, and at least one of the transmission shafts is provided with a damping mechanism. The damping mechanism is directly fixedly connected to the housing or fixedly installed on a component fixedly connected to the housing. The damping mechanism is in contact with the transmission shaft and can generate resistance that hinders the movement of the transmission shaft when the transmission shaft moves.

[0009] One embodiment provides an ultrasonic probe, characterized in that it comprises:

[0010] case;

[0011] A sound source, used to emit ultrasonic waves;

[0012] A drive device, which is installed inside the housing, is used to drive the sound head to vibrate at low frequencies; at least one drive shaft, one end of which is connected to the output end of the drive device and the other end of which is connected to the sound head, is used to transmit the motion output by the drive device to the sound head;

[0013] The transmission shaft is provided with a damping mechanism, and at least one of the transmission shafts is provided with a damping mechanism. The damping mechanism is directly fixedly connected to the housing or fixedly installed on a component fixedly connected to the housing. The damping mechanism is in contact with the component fixedly connected to the transmission shaft and can generate resistance that hinders the movement of the transmission shaft when the transmission shaft moves.

[0014] One embodiment provides an ultrasonic probe, characterized in that it comprises:

[0015] case;

[0016] A sound source, used to emit ultrasonic waves;

[0017] A drive device, which is installed inside the housing, is used to drive the sound head to vibrate at low frequencies; at least one drive shaft, one end of which is connected to the output end of the drive device and the other end of which is connected to the sound head, is used to transmit the motion output by the drive device to the sound head;

[0018] And a damping mechanism, at least one of the drive shafts is provided with the damping mechanism, the damping mechanism applies resistance to the corresponding drive shaft in the opposite direction of the drive shaft's movement.

[0019] In one embodiment, the damping mechanism includes a friction element, which is directly fixedly connected to the housing or fixedly mounted on a component fixedly connected to the housing, and the friction element is in direct contact with the drive shaft and can generate a frictional force that hinders the movement of the drive shaft when the drive shaft moves.

[0020] In one embodiment, the damping mechanism includes a friction element, which is directly fixedly connected to the housing or fixedly mounted on a component fixedly connected to the housing. The friction element directly contacts the component fixedly connected to the drive shaft and can generate a frictional force that hinders the movement of the drive shaft when the drive shaft moves.

[0021] In one embodiment, the damping mechanism includes a friction element, which is fixedly disposed relative to the housing and contacts the drive shaft or a component fixedly connected to the drive shaft, and is capable of generating a frictional force that hinders the movement of the drive shaft when the drive shaft moves.

[0022] In one embodiment, the driving device includes a motor capable of outputting linear reciprocating motion, and the transmission shaft is integrally connected to the output end of the motor.

[0023] In one embodiment, the device further includes a fixing seat fixedly connected to the housing, the friction element being an O-ring, the fixing seat having a through hole for the drive shaft to pass through, the O-ring being fixedly installed in the through hole and sleeved on the drive shaft, and the drive shaft and the O-ring having an interference fit.

[0024] In one embodiment, a fixing seat as a friction element is further included. The fixing seat is fixedly connected to the housing. The fixing seat has a through hole for the drive shaft to pass through. An O-ring is fixedly sleeved on the drive shaft. The O-ring contacts the inner wall of the through hole, and there is an interference fit between the inner wall of the through hole and the O-ring.

[0025] In one embodiment, a linear guide is further included, mounted on a fixed base, and the drive shaft is movably mounted on the linear guide.

[0026] In one embodiment, the fixed base includes an upper base and a lower base, and the linear guide is installed between the upper base and the lower base.

[0027] In one embodiment, the linear guide is a linear bearing, a sliding bearing, a guide hole structure, or a slide rail.

[0028] In one embodiment, the friction element is at least one friction block, which is fixedly disposed relative to the housing and has a friction surface that contacts the drive shaft or a component fixedly connected to the drive shaft. The friction surface is pressed into the drive shaft or the component fixedly connected to the drive shaft to generate friction force.

[0029] In one embodiment, there are at least two friction blocks, which are distributed in a rotationally symmetrical manner around the axis of the corresponding transmission shaft.

[0030] In one embodiment, the drive shaft includes a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, and a third drive shaft, which are arranged in an equilateral triangle, and each drive shaft is provided with a damping mechanism.

[0031] In one embodiment, the drive shaft includes a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a third drive shaft, and a fourth drive shaft. The first drive shaft, the second drive shaft, and the third drive shaft are arranged in an equilateral triangle. The fourth drive shaft is located at the center of the equilateral triangle. At least the fourth drive shaft is provided with a damping mechanism.

[0032] The beneficial effects of this application are:

[0033] In the ultrasonic probe provided in this application, the driving device drives the acoustic head to vibrate via a transmission shaft, and at least one transmission shaft is equipped with a damping mechanism that applies resistance to the corresponding transmission shaft in the opposite direction of its movement. When the probe is powered off, the driving device stops working. At this time, the transmission shaft will generate residual vibration due to inertia. Since the resistance provided by the damping mechanism is in the opposite direction of the transmission shaft's movement, it can quickly cancel out the residual vibration energy of the transmission shaft, thereby reducing the residual vibration of the transmission shaft and consequently reducing the residual vibration of the acoustic head, thus improving the accuracy of the probe measurement. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of this application;

[0035] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the installation structure of the damping mechanism in the embodiment shown.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram comparing the tailing time before and after using a damping mechanism in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. This application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The purpose of providing the following specific embodiments is to facilitate a clearer and more thorough understanding of the disclosure of this application; wherein terms indicating direction such as up, down, left, and right refer only to the position of the shown structure in the corresponding drawings.

[0038] However, those skilled in the art may recognize that one or more specific details may be omitted, or that other methods, components, or materials may be used. In some instances, some embodiments are not described or are not described in detail.

[0039] Furthermore, the technical features and solutions described herein can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the steps or order of operations related to the embodiments provided herein can also be changed. Therefore, any order in the drawings and embodiments is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply a requirement to follow a particular order, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0040] This embodiment provides an ultrasonic probe, such as an ultrasonic probe for shear wave imaging.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and 2This ultrasonic probe includes a housing 100, a sound head 200, a drive device 300, and a drive shaft 400. Of course, the probe itself may also include other related components, such as pressure sensors and cables. This description mainly focuses on the components relevant to this application; other components are not detailed here.

[0042] The acoustic head 200 is movably mounted on the housing 100. The drive device 300 is connected to the acoustic head 200 and is used to drive the acoustic head 200 to vibrate at low frequencies, so that the acoustic head 200 generates elastic shear waves within the tissue. There is one or more drive shafts 400, one end of which is connected to the output end of the drive device 300, and the other end is connected to the acoustic head 200, so as to transmit the motion output by the drive device 300 to the acoustic head 200. The acoustic head 200 also has an acoustic head crystal, which can emit ultrasonic waves that can detect the transmission of elastic shear waves, and finally collect the echo signal to form a transient elastic imaging.

[0043] The ultrasonic probe also includes a damping mechanism. At least one drive shaft 400 is equipped with a damping mechanism, which applies resistance to the corresponding drive shaft 400 in the opposite direction of its movement. This configuration includes both fixed and non-fixed installations. When the probe is powered off, the drive unit 300 stops operating. At this time, the drive shaft 400 will generate residual vibration due to inertia. The resistance provided by the damping mechanism is opposite to the direction of the drive shaft 400's movement, thus quickly counteracting the residual vibration energy of the drive shaft 400, thereby reducing the residual vibration of the drive shaft 400, and consequently reducing the residual vibration of the acoustic probe 200, improving the accuracy of the probe measurement.

[0044] The damping mechanism can be directly fixedly connected to the housing or fixedly mounted on a component fixedly connected to the housing. The damping mechanism can directly contact the drive shaft to generate a frictional force that opposes the drive shaft's movement. Alternatively, the damping mechanism can contact a component fixedly connected to the drive shaft, thereby further hindering the drive shaft's movement by applying resistance to that component.

[0045] The resistance generated by this damping mechanism can be achieved through friction or other forms of force. For example, in one embodiment, the damping mechanism includes a friction element fixed relative to the housing 100, which contacts the drive shaft 400 or a component fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400, and generates friction when the drive shaft 400 vibrates. The friction generated by the friction element on the drive shaft 400 or other components fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400 overcomes a portion of the residual vibration energy of the drive shaft 400, thereby reducing the residual vibration of the drive shaft 400 and the sound head 200 connected to the drive shaft 400, mitigating the trailing phenomenon, and improving the consistency of the trailing time, thus significantly improving image quality and measurement results.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 3 ,Should Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the comparison of tailing time before and after employing a damping mechanism in one embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the frequency of the current applied to the motor is 50 Hz, 0.5 cycles (half a wavelength). Figure 3 The horizontal axis represents the preload value, and the vertical axis represents the tailing time. Figure 3 In the diagram, 'a' represents the result after adding a damping mechanism. Figure 3 The diagram in Figure 'b' represents the case without a damping mechanism. Of course, this comparative diagram may change depending on other parameters, but regardless of the changes, the trailing time of the ultrasonic probe with a damping mechanism is significantly shorter than that without one.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 1 and 2 In one embodiment, the housing 100 forms a cavity within which a portion of the sound head 200, the drive device 300, the drive shaft 400, and the damping mechanism are all mounted. In one embodiment, the drive device 300 includes a motor capable of outputting linear reciprocating motion, such as a voice coil motor. The drive shaft 400 is integrally connected to the output end of the motor. For example, please refer to... Figure 1 and 2 In one embodiment, the output shaft of the drive device 300, serving as the output end, is fixed to the transmission shaft 400 via a lower connecting seat 810. The output shaft is fixed to one side of the lower connecting seat 810, while the other side of the lower connecting seat 810 correspondingly locks the transmission shaft 400, enabling it to move as a unit. The other end of the transmission shaft 400 can be fixedly connected to an upper connecting seat 820, which can be used to mount components such as the sound head 200 and a pressure sensor (if needed).

[0048] Furthermore, the friction element may employ various structures capable of applying frictional force to the drive shaft 400 or a component fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400. This includes applying frictional force from the entire circumference of the drive shaft 400 or the component fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400 (e.g., an O-ring), as well as applying frictional force from one or more points of action on the drive shaft 400 or the component fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400 (e.g., pressing the drive shaft 400 or the component fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400 from one or more locations by one or more friction blocks).

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1In one embodiment, taking an O-ring 700 as an example, the ultrasonic probe further includes a mounting base 500 fixedly connected to the housing 100, and the friction element is an O-ring 700. The mounting base 500 has a through hole for the drive shaft 400 to pass through. The O-ring 700 is fixedly installed in the through hole and sleeved on the drive shaft 400. There is an interference fit between the drive shaft 400 and the O-ring 700. When the drive shaft 400 reciprocates relative to the O-ring 700, the O-ring 700 generates a frictional force on the drive shaft 400, hindering its movement.

[0050] In another embodiment, a similar fixing seat 500 can be used, in which case the fixing seat 500 serves as a friction element. The through hole of this fixing seat 500 is relatively... Figure 1 The structure shown is slightly larger, and the O-ring 700 is fixedly sleeved on the corresponding drive shaft 400, that is, the O-ring and the drive shaft 400 are fixedly connected as a whole. The drive shaft 400 and the O-ring 700 are integrally disposed in the through hole and can reciprocate within the through hole. The inner wall of the through hole contacts the O-ring 700, and the two are in an interference fit. Friction is applied to the O-ring 700 through the fixing seat 500, thereby providing resistance to the drive shaft 400.

[0051] Furthermore, to ensure the stability of the low-frequency vibration of the 200mm head, please refer to... Figure 1 and 2 In some embodiments, a linear guide 600 is further included, mounted on a fixed base 500, and the drive shaft 400 is movably mounted on the linear guide 600. The linear guide 600 guides the drive shaft 400 to reciprocate along a predetermined straight line. Typically, the linear guide 600 can be a linear bearing, a sliding bearing, a guide hole structure, a slide rail, or other forms of linear guide structure. In some embodiments, an elastic element 900 for providing preload can also be sleeved on the drive shaft 400 and abut against the fixed base 500.

[0052] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 1 and 2 The mounting base 500 includes an upper base 510 and a lower base 520. The linear guide 600 is installed between the upper base 510 and the lower base 520. Figure 1 and 2 The linear guide 600 shown is a linear bearing, through which the drive shaft 400 passes to ensure the smooth reciprocating movement of the drive shaft 400.

[0053] On the other hand, the friction element is not limited to the structure of the O-ring 700. For example, in one embodiment, the friction element is at least one friction block. The friction block is fixedly disposed relative to the housing 100, for example, it can be directly mounted on the housing 100, or it can be mounted on a component fixedly connected to the housing 100. The friction block has a friction surface that contacts the drive shaft 400 or a component fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400. This friction surface is press-fitted with the drive shaft 400 or the component fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400 to generate friction. The aforementioned O-ring 700 can be considered as applying friction force to the drive shaft 400 or other components fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400 from the entire circumference. The friction surface of the friction block can be arc-shaped, thereby allowing good contact with the surface of the drive shaft 400, or the friction surface can be other shapes, depending on the shape of the object contacting the friction surface. The friction block can be considered as applying friction force from one or more locations on the drive shaft 400 or other components fixedly connected to the drive shaft 400.

[0054] Furthermore, in order to ensure the stability of the force on the drive shaft 400, in one embodiment, there are at least two friction blocks, which are distributed in a rotationally symmetrical manner around the axis of the corresponding drive shaft 400 to ensure the symmetry of the force on the drive shaft 400 and prevent the drive shaft 400 from tilting due to excessive force on one side.

[0055] The above only shows a few example structures of friction components. In other embodiments, other forms of structures can be used to directly or indirectly apply frictional force to the drive shaft 400, thereby creating resistance in the opposite direction to the movement of the drive shaft 400. Of course, using friction to hinder the residual vibration of the drive shaft 400 is only one example. In other embodiments, other forms of force can be used to achieve the function of the damping mechanism.

[0056] Furthermore, to ensure the stability of the transmission structure, in some embodiments, there can be multiple transmission shafts 400. When there are multiple transmission shafts 400, a damping mechanism can be provided on at least one transmission shaft 400. Please refer to... Figure 1 and 2 In one embodiment, the drive shaft 400 includes a first drive shaft 410, a second drive shaft 420, and a third drive shaft 430. The first drive shaft 410, the second drive shaft 420, and the third drive shaft 430 are arranged in an equilateral triangle. This triangular arrangement ensures the stability of the entire transmission structure and reduces swaying. Furthermore, each drive shaft 400 can be equipped with a damping mechanism, such as an O-ring 700 or a friction block.

[0057] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the drive shaft 400 includes a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a third drive shaft, and a fourth drive shaft. The first, second, and third drive shafts are arranged in an equilateral triangle, which ensures the stability of the entire transmission structure and reduces swaying. The fourth drive shaft is located at the center of the equilateral triangle and is equipped with a damping mechanism, such as an O-ring 700 or a friction block. This method simplifies the structure by providing a damping mechanism only on the fourth drive shaft, and because the fourth drive shaft is located at the center of the equilateral triangle, the resistance it experiences can be evenly distributed among the drive shafts.

[0058] The above description, in conjunction with specific embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention, but it should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of the invention to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe, characterized by, The application relates to a low-frequency ultrasonic transducer, which comprises the following parts: a shell, an acoustic head for emitting ultrasonic waves, a driving device installed in the shell for driving the acoustic head to vibrate at a low frequency, an upper connecting seat on which the acoustic head is installed, a lower connecting seat on which an output shaft of the driving device is fixed, at least one transmission shaft, which comprises a first transmission shaft, a second transmission shaft and a third transmission shaft, the first transmission shaft, the second transmission shaft and the third transmission shaft are distributed in an equilateral triangle, the lower connecting seat corresponds to the locking of one end of the first transmission shaft, the second transmission shaft and the third transmission shaft, and can drive the first transmission shaft, the second transmission shaft and the third transmission shaft to move integrally, the other end of the first transmission shaft, the second transmission shaft and the third transmission shaft is connected with the upper connecting seat, so as to transmit the movement output by the driving device to the acoustic head, and a fixed seat fixedly connected with the shell, the fixed seat is located between the driving device and the acoustic head, and the transmission shaft passes through the fixed seat. The fixed seat is provided with a friction member, the friction member is in contact with the at least one transmission shaft or a part fixedly connected with the at least one transmission shaft, and can generate a friction force to hinder the movement of the at least one transmission shaft when the at least one transmission shaft moves. The driving device comprises a motor capable of outputting linear reciprocating motion, and the transmission shaft is connected with the output shaft of the motor as a whole. The friction member is an O-shaped ring, the fixed seat is provided with a through hole for the transmission shaft to pass through, the O-shaped ring is fixedly installed in the through hole and is sleeved on the transmission shaft, and the transmission shaft and the O-shaped ring are in interference fit. The fixed seat is provided with a through hole for the transmission shaft to pass through, the transmission shaft is fixedly sleeved with an O-shaped ring, the O-shaped ring is in contact with the inner wall of the through hole, and the inner wall of the through hole and the O-shaped ring are in interference fit. The fixed seat comprises an upper seat body and a lower seat body, and the linear guide is installed between the upper seat body and the lower seat body. The linear guide adopts a linear bearing, a sliding bearing, a guide hole structure or a sliding rail. The friction member is at least one friction block, the friction block is fixedly arranged relative to the shell, has a friction surface in contact with the transmission shaft or a part fixedly connected with the transmission shaft, and is in pressing fit with the transmission shaft or the part fixedly connected with the transmission shaft, so as to form a friction force. The friction block is at least two, which are distributed in rotational symmetry around the axis of the corresponding transmission shaft. Each transmission shaft is respectively provided with a friction member.

2. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein, The at least one transmission shaft further comprises a fourth transmission shaft, the fourth transmission shaft is located at the center of the equilateral triangle, and at least the fourth transmission shaft is provided with a damping mechanism.

3. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein, ​ 4. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein, ​ 5. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein, ​ 6. The ultrasonic probe of claim 5, wherein, ​ 7. The ultrasonic probe of claim 5, wherein, ​ 8. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein, ​ 9. The ultrasonic probe of claim 8, wherein, ​ 10. The ultrasonic probe of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, ​ 11. The ultrasonic probe of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, ​

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