Ultrasonic probe

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasonic probe capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to tissue in a living body at an appropriate angle. An ultrasonic probe is provided with: an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body; and a housing for housing the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit, the housing being provided with a teaching unit for teaching a contact angle of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit corresponding to a measurement site inside the living body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe. Background Art

[0002] In an ultrasonic probe for examining the inside of a living body using ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves is brought into contact with a predetermined position on the surface of the living body, and ultrasonic wave transmission and reception processing is performed on the living body (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] The ultrasonic probe (inspection device) described in Patent Document 1 includes a probe head assembled for a living body and a positioning member provided at the end of the probe head. The positioning member has a positioning window portion, and a light-transmissive member having a cross-shaped marking portion is assembled in the positioning window portion. And, in this inspection device, the probe head is arranged so that the cross of the marking portion overlaps a predetermined portion such as the navel of the living body.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-079622

[0005] In the device of Patent Document 1 above, by overlapping the marking portion with a predetermined portion of the living body, the probe head can be arranged at the same position on the living body in the case of repeatedly performing ultrasonic inspection near the predetermined portion. However, in this device, only the predetermined position on the surface of the living body is positioned, and the surface of a predetermined tissue (such as fat, muscle, internal organs, etc.) inside the living body is not positioned. That is, in the inspection inside a living body using ultrasonic waves, it is necessary to appropriately receive ultrasonic waves reflected at the boundary of tissues inside the living body, but the surface of the living body and the boundary of tissues are not necessarily parallel. Therefore, even if the probe head can be positioned at a predetermined portion of the living body as in Patent Document 1, ultrasonic waves may not necessarily be transmitted to the tissues inside the living body at an appropriate angle, and a structure that can position the ultrasonic probe at a position with higher transmission and reception efficiency is expected. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The ultrasonic probe according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes: an ultrasonic transmission and reception unit that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body; and a housing that houses the ultrasonic transmission and reception unit, and a teaching unit is provided on the housing to teach the contact angle of the ultrasonic transmission and reception unit corresponding to a measurement site inside the living body. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic device according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a flowchart showing an operation method of the ultrasonic device according to the present embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a method for determining the contact angle of the ultrasonic probe (ultrasonic transceiver section) of the present embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the ultrasonic device of the second embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the ultrasonic probe according to Modification 4.

[0012] Description of Reference Numerals

[0013] 1, 1A... Ultrasonic device; 10, 10A, 10B... Ultrasonic probe; 20... Ultrasonic transceiver section; 20A... Transceiving surface; 30, 30A... Housing; 31... Window portion; 32, 32A... Side wall; 33... Head; 34... Holding portion; 35... Hinge portion; 37... Leg portion; 40, 40A... Teaching section; 50... Measurement main body section; 51... Memory; 52... Processor; 53... Display; 351... Locking portion; 521... Measurement object selection section; 522... Signal intensity calculation section; 523... Selection support section; 524... Measurement operation section; F... Front direction; H... Living body; L0... Reference teaching line; L1... Teaching line; L2... Teaching line; L3... Teaching line; L4... Teaching line; L5... Teaching line; L6... Teaching line; W... Measurement site; W1... Shallow side boundary; W2... Deep side boundary. Detailed Embodiments

[0014] First Embodiment

[0015] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the ultrasonic device 1 of the present embodiment.

[0017] The ultrasonic device 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 10 and a measurement main body section 50.

[0018] The ultrasonic probe 10 is a device that contacts a living body H such as a human body and performs ultrasonic measurement, and includes an ultrasonic transceiver section 20 and a housing 30.

[0019] Structure of the Ultrasonic Transceiver Section 20

[0020] The ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 is a transceiver unit that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body. As the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20, for example, if it is a structure capable of implementing the transmission and reception processing of ultrasonic waves for a living body, it is not particularly limited. For example, as the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20, if it is an element capable of implementing the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, it is not particularly limited. For example, a bulk ultrasonic element may be used. This bulk ultrasonic element vibrates itself by applying a voltage to a piezoelectric body and transmits ultrasonic waves, and detects the reflected wave based on the received signal output due to the deformation of the piezoelectric body itself caused by the reflected wave.

[0021] Alternatively, it may be a thin-film ultrasonic element in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers each having a piezoelectric element disposed in a thin-film vibration portion are arranged in an array, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted by vibrating each vibration portion by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element. In such a thin-film ultrasonic element, the vibration film vibrates due to the reflected wave, and thus a received signal is output from the piezoelectric element.

[0022] When the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 receives a reflected wave from the living body H, it outputs a received signal having a signal value corresponding to the sound pressure of the received ultrasonic wave. Here, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 continuously receives the reflected wave for a predetermined period from the transmission timing of the ultrasonic wave. Therefore, a received signal including the change in the signal value based on the time series output from the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 is obtained, and this received signal is output to the measurement main body unit 50.

[0023] Structure of the housing 30

[0024] The housing 30 houses the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 inside. Specifically, the housing 30 includes a window portion 31, and the ultrasonic transceiver surface 20A of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 is disposed in the window portion 31. In addition, an acoustic matching layer or the like that functions as protection for the transceiver surface 20A may be provided in the window portion 31. And although not shown in the figure, a drive control circuit that controls the drive of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20, a communication unit that communicates with the measurement main body unit 50, a power supply unit that supplies power to the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20, the drive control circuit, and the communication unit, etc. are housed inside the housing 30.

[0025] And when the direction along the normal direction of the transceiver surface 20A of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 is taken as the axial direction of the housing 30, the housing 30 has a side wall 32 (outer surface) that is long in the axial direction. A teaching unit 40 is provided on the side wall 32, and the teaching unit 40 shows the contact angle of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 when the ultrasonic probe 10 is brought into contact with the living body H and ultrasonic measurement is performed.

[0026] Structure of the teaching unit 40

[0027] The teaching unit 40 is provided on the side wall 32 of the housing 30, which is a position where the user using the ultrasonic probe 10 can easily observe visually. The teaching unit 40 shows the contact angle of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 with respect to the living body H as described above. In the present embodiment, the position of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 is fixed with respect to the housing 30. Therefore, the contact angle of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 with respect to the living body H is determined according to the contact angle of the housing 30 (i.e., the ultrasonic probe 10 itself) with respect to the living body H. Therefore, the teaching unit 40 teaches the contact direction of the housing 30 with respect to the living body H.

[0028] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the teaching unit 40 is as Figure 1 shown and composed of a plurality of straight lines. Hereinafter, these straight lines are referred to as teaching lines Ln, and n is an added word indicating each teaching line. In the present embodiment, as an example, an example in which five teaching lines L1 to L6 are provided is shown.

[0029] Here, a straight line parallel to the normal direction of the transceiver surface 20A of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 becomes the reference teaching line L0. And each teaching line Ln extends in a different direction from each other and is inclined with respect to the reference teaching line L0 at a different angle. The inclination angle of each teaching line Ln is in the angular range (absolute value) of 5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less with respect to the reference teaching line L0. For example, in Figure 1 the example, the teaching line L1 is inclined at an angle of 5 degrees with respect to the reference teaching line L0, the teaching line L2 is inclined at an angle of 15 degrees with respect to the reference teaching line L0, and the teaching line L3 is inclined at an angle of 25 degrees with respect to the reference teaching line L0. The teaching line L4 is inclined at an angle of -5 degrees with respect to the reference teaching line L0, the teaching line L5 is inclined at an angle of -15 degrees with respect to the reference teaching line L0, and the teaching line L6 is inclined at an angle of -25 degrees with respect to the reference teaching line L0.

[0030] Especially when the living body H is a human body and the measurement site W with the rectus abdominis muscle in the abdomen as the measurement object, the boundary of the rectus abdominis muscle is inclined with respect to the surface of the living body H at an angle of about 15 degrees. Since this angle has individual differences, it is not necessarily 15 degrees uniformly. By setting a plurality of teaching lines Ln at angles near it, it is highly possible that a certain teaching line Ln corresponds to the most suitable inclination angle for measurement. The details will be described later. The user can use the same teaching line Ln as an index to bring the ultrasonic probe 10 into contact with the living body after confirming the best teaching line Ln in the result of the temporary measurement.

[0031] Structure of the measurement main body unit 50

[0032] The measurement main body 50 is a computer that can be communicatively connected to the ultrasonic probe 10, such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. The measurement main body 50 instructs the ultrasonic probe 10 to perform ultrasonic measurement and receives the measurement result from the ultrasonic probe 10. And various arithmetic processes are performed based on the received measurement result.

[0033] Specifically, the measurement main body 50 is configured to include a memory 51 that stores various data, a processor 52, and a display 53 that displays information.

[0034] Various data and various programs for performing ultrasonic measurement are stored in the memory 51.

[0035] The processor 52 functions as a measurement object selection unit 521, a signal intensity calculation unit 522, a selection support unit 523, and a measurement arithmetic unit 524 by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 51.

[0036] The measurement object selection unit 521 selects the measurement site W in the living body H based on the user's input operation. For example, the display 53 displays measurement sites that can be measured, such as muscle, fat, blood vessels, etc., and allows the user to make a selection.

[0037] The signal intensity calculation unit 522 calculates the signal intensity of the signal reflected from the boundary of the selected measurement site W (refer to Figure 1 ). For example, when muscle is selected, the signal intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave at the boundary between the muscle and the subcutaneous fat (shallow-side boundary W1) and the boundary between the muscle and the underlying tissue (e.g., internal organs) (deep-side boundary W2) is calculated. The calculated signal intensity may be the signal intensities at both the shallow-side boundary W1 and the deep-side boundary W2, or only one of them, or the average signal intensity of the shallow-side boundary W1 and the deep-side boundary W2. Since the ultrasonic wave reflected inside the living body H shows a tendency that the reflected wave from a deeper part decreases, it is more preferable to calculate the signal intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave at the deep-side boundary W2.

[0038] The selection support unit 523 causes the display 53 to display the signal intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave at the boundary of the measurement site W. The user changes the contact angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 (ultrasonic transceiver unit 20) with respect to the living body H, and thereby the signal intensity calculated by the signal intensity calculation unit 522 also changes according to the contact angle. The selection support unit 523 causes the display 53 to display the change in the signal intensity, whereby the user can confirm the contact angle that maximizes the signal intensity. At this time, it is confirmed which one of the plurality of teaching lines Ln is the line located in the front direction F of the living body H. Thereafter, when the user performs ultrasonic measurement, the ultrasonic probe 10 is set so that the confirmed teaching line Ln reaches the front direction F of the living body H.

[0039] The measurement operation unit 524 performs various measurement operation processes based on the transmission and reception results of the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe 10. For example, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the selected measurement site W is measured. In addition, as the measurement operation process, an internal tomographic image of the living body H may be displayed, and the state of a predetermined measurement site such as a blood vessel (blood pressure measurement, pulse measurement, etc.) may also be measured.

[0040] Operation method of the ultrasonic device 1

[0041] Hereinafter, the operation method of the ultrasonic device 1 described above will be described.

[0042] Figure 2 It is a flowchart showing the operation method of the ultrasonic device 1.

[0043] In addition, Figure 2 It is a step of performing a provisional measurement when first performing a measurement of the inside of the living body H using the ultrasonic device 1.

[0044] When using the ultrasonic device 1, the user brings the ultrasonic probe 10 into contact with the measurement position of the living body H (step S1). For example, when the rectus abdominis muscle is used as the measurement site, it is preferable to bring the ultrasonic probe 10 into contact with a position approximately 55 mm horizontally and 30 mm vertically from the navel position. The measurement position can be determined by measuring with a ruler or the like in advance, or the ultrasonic probe can be brought into contact with the measurement position using a positioning means of a known technique.

[0045] Then, the user operates the measurement main body unit 50, executes a predetermined application related to ultrasonic measurement, and instructs the start of the provisional measurement process (step S2). Thereby, the measurement object selection unit 521 displays on the display 53 to prompt the selection of the measurement site. If the user operates the measurement main body unit 50 to select the measurement site, the measurement object selection unit 521 determines the input measurement site (step S3). In addition, step S2 and step S3 may be performed before step S1.

[0046] Then, the main body 50 instructs the ultrasonic probe 10 to start ultrasonic measurement (step S4). Thereby, the ultrasonic probe 10 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transceiver 20 into the interior of the living body H, receives the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body H, and outputs a reception signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic waves to the main body 50 for measurement (step S5).

[0047] The signal intensity calculation unit 522 calculates the signal intensity of the ultrasonic waves reflected by the boundary of the measurement site based on the received reception signal (step S6). And, the selection support unit 523 causes the display 53 to display the signal intensity calculated in step S5. The display method of the signal intensity is not particularly limited. For example, the numerical value of the signal intensity can be shown on the display, or a color corresponding to the signal intensity can be displayed on the display 53. In the case of displaying a color corresponding to the signal intensity, even if the user does not understand what level of signal intensity is required, the user can easily determine whether the contact angle of the ultrasonic transceiver 20 is appropriate.

[0048] As described above, the calculated signal intensity can be the signal intensity of the ultrasonic waves reflected by the shallow boundary W1 of the measurement site W selected by the user, the signal intensity of the ultrasonic waves reflected by the deep boundary W2, the sum of the signal intensities of both, or the average signal intensity. It is more preferable to calculate the signal intensity of the deep boundary W2 at a deeper depth where it is difficult to receive ultrasonic waves.

[0049] The processes of steps S5 to S6 are continuously implemented. Therefore, by the user changing the contact angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 with respect to the living body H, in step S5, a reception signal corresponding to the contact angle is output to the main body 50 for measurement, and the signal intensity displayed on the display 53 is updated. Thus, the user can easily confirm the contact angle that maximizes the signal intensity by changing the contact angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 (ultrasonic transceiver 20) with respect to the living body H while referring to the display 53.

[0050] And, if the user determines the contact angle that maximizes the signal intensity, the teaching line Ln parallel to the front direction F of the living body H is determined (step S7).

[0051] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a method for determining the contact angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 (ultrasonic transceiver 20) of the present embodiment.

[0052] In the existing method for fixing the ultrasonic probe, with respect to the body surface of the living body H, the ultrasonic probe 10 is brought into contact in such a manner that the reference teaching line L0, that is, the acoustic axis direction of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver 20, is perpendicular (for example, Figure 3 the ultrasonic probe 10 in the posture A0 in

[0053] The boundary between the body surface and the measurement site W (such as the rectus abdominis muscle, etc.) inside the living body H is not necessarily parallel, and rather is usually not parallel. Therefore, if the transmission / reception surface 20A of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 20 is made to follow the body surface of the living body H as in the posture A0, the acoustic axis direction D0 is not perpendicular to the boundary of the measurement site W. In this case, the component of the reflected ultrasonic wave that is reflected perpendicularly at the boundary of the measurement site W decreases.

[0054] In contrast, if the ultrasonic probe 10 (ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 20) is tilted to the posture A1, the acoustic axis direction D1 is approximately perpendicular to the boundary of the measurement site W. Thereby, the signal intensity of the received signal obtained by receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected at the boundary of the measurement site W increases. By maintaining the posture of the ultrasonic probe 10 in this way and performing ultrasonic measurement, the boundary of the measurement site W can be detected with better accuracy, and an improvement in measurement accuracy can be achieved.

[0055] In this state, a teaching line Ln parallel to the front direction F of the living body H among the plurality of teaching lines Ln is determined. For example, in Figure 3 the case of, the teaching line L2 is determined as the teaching line suitable for the measurement site W.

[0056] By determining the teaching line Ln through the above-described provisional measurement process, when performing ultrasonic measurement after the next time, the contact angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 can be easily set based on the teaching line Ln determined in step S7.

[0057] For example, in the present embodiment, the contact angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 is set so that the teaching line Ln determined in step S7 is parallel to the front direction F of the living body H. Thereby, for example, when performing ultrasonic measurement on the same measurement site W regularly, the contact angle of the ultrasonic probe 10 can be fixed, and the temporal change of the measurement site W can be measured appropriately.

[0058] In addition, here, as an example of measuring the rectus abdominis muscle, an example is shown in which the contact posture of the ultrasonic probe 10 is maintained so that the front direction F of the living body H is parallel to the teaching line Ln determined in step S7, but it is not limited thereto. When there is a specific target outside the front direction F, when determining the teaching line Ln in step S7, it is only necessary to determine the teaching line Ln in the direction where the target exists. For example, when the side of the arm is the measurement position, it is only necessary to determine the teaching line Ln in the direction of the side of the arm (for example, the right direction for the right arm, etc.). And when performing ultrasonic measurement at a predetermined position in the room, it is only necessary to determine the teaching line Ln in the direction of a fixed object (such as indoor decorations, etc.) existing around the predetermined position.

[0059] Operation and effect of the present embodiment

[0060] The ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment includes an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 20 and a housing 30 that houses the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 20. The ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 20 transmits ultrasonic waves to the living body H and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body H. Further, a teaching unit 40 is provided on the housing 30, and the teaching unit 40 teaches the contact angle of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 20 corresponding to a predetermined measurement site inside the living body H.

[0061] Therefore, the user visually observes the teaching unit 40 while bringing the ultrasonic probe 10 into contact with the living body H at the contact angle taught by the teaching unit 40, whereby the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 20 assumes a contact angle corresponding to the measurement site. Thereby, compared with the case where the ultrasonic probe 10 is brought into contact with the living body H in such a manner that the transmitting and receiving surface 20A of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 20 simply follows the body surface of the living body H, the transmitting and receiving surface 20A is set at an angle corresponding to the measurement site W, whereby ultrasonic wave transmission and reception with higher accuracy can be performed for the measurement site W, and various measurements related to the measurement site W can be performed with high accuracy.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the teaching unit 40 is a teaching line Ln (straight line) displayed on the side wall 32 (outer surface) of the housing 30.

[0063] Therefore, the user only needs to bring the ultrasonic probe 10 into contact with the living body H in such a manner that the direction of the teaching line Ln becomes a predetermined direction (for example, the front direction F), and the setting operation of the ultrasonic probe 10 with respect to the living body H can be easily performed.

[0064] In the present embodiment, a plurality of teaching lines Ln are provided, and these teaching lines Ln extend in different directions from each other.

[0065] Thereby, the user can select one of the plurality of teaching lines Ln and bring the ultrasonic probe 10 into contact with the living body H using the selected teaching line Ln. That is, the user can appropriately select the teaching line Ln corresponding to each living body for which measurement is performed or the teaching line Ln corresponding to the type of the measurement site W.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the plurality of teaching lines Ln include a reference line (reference teaching line L0) orthogonal to the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving surface 20A of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 20, and the other teaching lines Ln are inclined at different angles with respect to the reference teaching line L0.

[0067] Thereby, by providing the reference line (reference teaching line L0) that is the normal direction of the transmitting and receiving surface 20A, it is easy for the user to grasp which one of the teaching lines Ln corresponds to an appropriate contact angle.

[0068] In the present embodiment, a plurality of teaching lines Ln are provided within an angular range of 5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less with respect to the reference teaching line L0.

[0069] Although there are individual differences in the boundary of the muscular tissue, particularly the rectus abdominis muscle, within the living body H with respect to the body surface of the living body H, it is inclined at an angle of approximately 15 degrees. Therefore, by providing a plurality of teaching lines Ln within the range of 5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less, the possibility that one of these teaching lines Ln shows an inclination angle corresponding to the boundary of the muscular tissue increases. Thereby, the user can find the teaching line Ln corresponding to the measurement site of his / her own.

[0070] Second Embodiment

[0071] In the above-described first embodiment, it is an example of the ultrasonic probe 10 in which the posture of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 is fixed with respect to the housing 30. In contrast, an example of an ultrasonic probe in which the posture of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 can be changed with respect to the housing 30 will be described as the second embodiment.

[0072] In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the matters that have been described, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0073] Figure 4 FIG. is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic device 1A according to the second embodiment.

[0074] The ultrasonic device 1A of the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 10A and a measurement main body unit 50. The ultrasonic probe 10A is as Figure 4 shown and includes an ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 and a housing 30A.

[0075] Here, the housing 30A of the present embodiment is as Figure 4 shown and includes a head portion 33, a grip portion 34, and a hinge portion 35.

[0076] The head portion 33 is a portion that houses the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20. A window portion 31 is provided in the head portion 33 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the transmission / reception surface 20A of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 is exposed from the window portion 31. Alternatively, it may be configured such that an acoustic matching layer is provided in the window portion 31.

[0077] The grip portion 34 is a part that is held by hand when the user operates the ultrasonic probe 10A. A teaching unit 40A is provided on the outer surface (side wall 32A) of the grip portion 34.

[0078] The hinge portion 35 functions as a connecting portion that connects the head portion 33 and the grip portion 34. The hinge portion 35 supports the head portion 33 in such a manner that the head portion 33 can rotate relative to the grip portion 34, and further includes a locking portion 351 that locks the rotation of the head portion 33 relative to the grip portion 34. That is, in a state where the locking of the locking portion 351 is released (locking release state), the head portion 33 is rotatable relative to the grip portion 34, and in a state where the locking portion 351 is locked (locking state), the rotation of the head portion 33 relative to the grip portion 34 is restricted.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the teaching unit 40A is constituted by a single reference teaching line L0 provided on the side wall 32A of the grip portion 34. In the present embodiment, the grip portion 34 has a longitudinal direction, and the reference teaching line L0 is provided along the longitudinal direction.

[0080] Operation method of the ultrasonic device 1A

[0081] Hereinafter, the operation method of the ultrasonic device 1A as described above will be described.

[0082] In the ultrasonic device 1A of the present embodiment, the provisional measurement process is implemented in substantially the same method as in the first embodiment.

[0083] That is, in step S1, the user brings the ultrasonic probe 10A into contact with the measurement position of the living body H. At this time, the locking portion 351 releases the locking of the hinge portion 35, enabling the head portion 33 to rotate relative to the grip portion 34. And, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 10A is brought into contact with the living body H in such a manner that the reference teaching line L0 faces a preset direction. For example, the ultrasonic probe 10A is brought into contact with the living body H in such a manner that the front direction F of the living body H is parallel to the reference teaching line L0.

[0084] Then, in step S2, the user operates the measurement main body portion 50 to execute a predetermined application related to ultrasonic measurement, and instructs the start of the provisional measurement process. In step S3, the user operates the measurement main body portion 50 to select the measurement site W, and the measurement object selection unit 521 determines the input measurement site W.

[0085] Then, steps S4 to S6 are implemented, ultrasonic measurement is performed by the ultrasonic probe 10A, the signal intensity of the ultrasonic wave reflected from the boundary of the measurement site W calculated based on the received signal is calculated, and is displayed on the display 53.

[0086] And, similar to the first embodiment, the processes of steps S5 to S6 are continuously implemented.

[0087] Here, in the present embodiment, the user changes the rotation angle of the head 33 relative to the holding portion 34 so that the ultrasonic probe 10A contacts the same measurement position. At this time, the ultrasonic probe 10A is brought into contact with the living body H in such a manner that the reference teaching line L0 faces a preset direction, for example, in such a manner that the front direction F of the living body H is parallel to the reference teaching line L0.

[0088] In this way, by changing the rotation angle of the head 33 relative to the holding portion 34, similarly to the first embodiment, a received signal corresponding to the contact angle of the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20 with respect to the living body H is output to the measurement main body unit 50, and the signal intensity displayed on the display 53 is updated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, instead of step S7, the user confirms the rotation angle of the head 33 that maximizes the signal intensity while referring to the display 53.

[0089] And if the user determines the contact angle (rotation angle of the head 33) that maximizes the signal intensity, the hinge portion 35 is set to the locked state by the locking portion 351. Thereby, in the case of performing ultrasonic measurement from the next time onward, by merely bringing the ultrasonic probe 10A into contact with the measurement position, appropriate ultrasonic measurement can be performed.

[0090] Function and effect of the present embodiment

[0091] In the present embodiment, the same function and effect as those of the above-described first embodiment can be exhibited, and the following function and effect can also be exhibited.

[0092] In the ultrasonic probe 10A of the present embodiment, the housing 30A includes: a head 33 provided with the ultrasonic transceiver unit 20; a holding portion 34 that supports the head 33 and is held by the user; and a hinge portion 35 (connecting portion) that connects the head 33 and the holding portion 34 and can change the inclination angle of the head 33 relative to the holding portion 34. The hinge portion 35 includes a locking portion 351 that can switch between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the inclination angle of the head 33 relative to the holding portion 34 can be changed, and in the locked state, the change in the inclination angle of the head 33 relative to the holding portion 34 is restricted. And the teaching unit 40 is the reference teaching line L0 displayed on the side wall 32A (outer surface) of the holding portion 34.

[0093] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, if the rotation angle (tilt angle) of the head 33 relative to the holding unit 34 is set to a predetermined angle corresponding to the measurement site of the living body H, by bringing the ultrasonic probe 10A into contact with the living body H in such a manner that the reference teaching line L0 faces a predetermined direction (for example, in a manner parallel to the front direction F), appropriate ultrasonic measurement can be performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to store the teaching line Ln determined by the user in step S7 as in the first embodiment, and when performing ultrasonic measurement after the next time, the ultrasonic probe 10A can also be more easily set on the living body H.

[0094] Modification

[0095] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and structures obtained by deformation, improvement, and appropriate combination of the embodiments within the scope capable of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0096] Modification 1

[0097] In the second embodiment, the user manually changes the rotation angle of the head 33 and the holding unit 34 and changes the locked state of the hinge unit 35. In contrast, it may also be configured such that a rotation driving unit such as a motor is provided in the hinge unit 35 of the ultrasonic probe 10A, and the angles of the head 33 and the holding unit 34 can be automatically changed.

[0098] Moreover, in the provisional measurement process, the rotation angles of the scanning head 33 and the holding unit 34 may also be rotated to find an angle that maximizes the signal intensity of the received signal based on the ultrasonic wave reflected from the boundary of the measurement site. In such a configuration, the user does not need to confirm the display 53, and the contact angle of the ultrasonic transceiver 20 with respect to the living body H can be automatically set to the optimal angle. And by storing the found rotation angle in a storage device such as the memory 51, in subsequent ultrasonic measurements, the angle is read out and the rotation driving unit is controlled. In this case, the user only needs to bring the ultrasonic probe 10A into contact with the living body H in such a manner that the reference teaching line L0 shown by the teaching unit 40 is parallel to a predetermined direction (for example, the front direction F of the living body H), and the contact angle of the ultrasonic transceiver 20 is automatically controlled, and appropriate ultrasonic measurement of the measurement site can be performed.

[0099] Modification 2

[0100] In the first embodiment, as the teaching unit 40, a plurality of teaching lines Ln provided on the side wall 32 of the housing 30 are exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. If the user can easily recognize the contact direction of the ultrasonic probe 10, it may be any configuration. For example, the direction may also be shown by providing a protruding point or a recess.

[0101] Alternatively, a teaching display may also be provided on the side wall 32. In the structure where the teaching line is displayed on the teaching display, when the user determines the teaching line Ln corresponding to the maximum signal strength in step S7, only this teaching line Ln may be displayed hereafter, and no other teaching lines Ln are displayed until the next temporary measurement process is performed.

[0102] Moreover, in step S6, an example was shown where the calculated signal strength or a color corresponding to the signal strength was displayed on the display 53. However, when a teaching display is provided on the ultrasonic probe 10, the calculated signal strength and a color corresponding to the signal strength may also be displayed on the teaching display.

[0103] Modification Example 3

[0104] In the second embodiment, the hinge portion 35 is provided at one end of the head portion 33 in one direction and is connected to the holding portion 34. However, the hinge portion 35 may also be provided at the center of the head portion 33 in one direction. In this case, it can rotate in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction respectively from the positions perpendicular to the reference teaching line L0 of the ultrasonic transceiver portion 20 of the head portion 33.

[0105] Modification Example 4

[0106] Moreover, in the second embodiment, an example where the connecting portion of the present disclosure is constituted by the hinge portion 35 is shown, but it is not limited thereto. Figure 5 FIG. shows a schematic structure of the ultrasonic probe 10B according to Modification Example 4. For example, as Figure 5 shown, it may also be a structure in which legs 37 that can advance and retreat relative to the holding portion 34 are provided on both end sides of the head portion 33 in one direction. In this case, locking mechanisms for respectively restricting the advance and retreat movements are provided on the respective legs 37.

[0107] In such a structure, by controlling the advance and retreat distances of both legs 37 respectively, the tilt angle of the head portion 33 relative to the holding portion 34 can be controlled.

[0108] Summary of the Present Disclosure

[0109] The ultrasonic probe according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes: an ultrasonic transceiver that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body; and a housing that houses the ultrasonic transceiver, and a teaching portion is provided on the housing, and the teaching portion teaches the contact angle of the ultrasonic transceiver corresponding to the measurement site inside the living body.

[0110] In this method, while visually observing the teaching unit, the user brings the ultrasonic probe into contact with the living body at the contact angle taught by the teaching unit, so that the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit assumes the contact angle corresponding to the measurement site. Thus, compared with the case where the transmitting and receiving surface of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit simply follows the body surface of the living body, by setting the transmitting and receiving surface at an angle corresponding to the measurement site, ultrasonic transmission and reception with higher accuracy for the measurement site can be performed, and various measurements related to the measurement site can be performed with high precision.

[0111] In the ultrasonic probe of this method, it is preferable that the teaching unit is a straight line displayed on the outer surface of the housing.

[0112] Thus, the user only needs to bring the ultrasonic probe into contact with the living body in such a way that the extending direction of this straight line becomes a predetermined direction (for example, the front direction of the living body), and the setting operation of the ultrasonic probe on the living body can be easily performed.

[0113] In the ultrasonic probe of this method, it is preferable that a plurality of the straight lines are provided, and the plurality of straight lines extend in different directions from each other.

[0114] Thus, the user can select one of the plurality of straight lines and bring the ultrasonic probe into contact with the living body using the selected straight line. By selecting the measurement site of the living body and the straight line most suitable for each measurement site in the living body, the ultrasonic probe can be brought into contact with the living body at the best contact angle corresponding to each measurement object.

[0115] In the ultrasonic probe of this method, it is preferable to include a reference line orthogonal to the transmitting and receiving surface of the ultrasonic wave of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit, and the other straight lines are inclined at different angles with respect to the reference line.

[0116] By providing a reference line that is the normal direction of the transmitting and receiving surface, it is easy for the user to grasp which one of the respective straight lines should be selected to bring the ultrasonic probe into contact with the living body.

[0117] In the ultrasonic probe of this method, it is preferable that the plurality of straight lines are provided in an angular range of 5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less with respect to the reference line.

[0118] Generally, the boundary of the muscle tissue in the living body, especially the rectus abdominis muscle, is inclined at an angle of approximately 15 degrees with respect to the body surface of the living body. Therefore, by providing a plurality of teaching lines Ln in the range of 5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less, it is highly possible that one of these teaching lines Ln shows the inclination angle corresponding to the boundary of the muscle tissue. Thus, the user can find the teaching line Ln corresponding to his / her own measurement site.

[0119] In the ultrasonic probe of this mode, it is preferable that the housing includes: a head provided with the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit; a grip portion that supports the head and is held by a user; and a connecting portion that connects the head and the grip portion and is capable of changing the inclination angle of the head with respect to the grip portion. The connecting portion can switch between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the inclination angle of the head with respect to the grip portion can be changed, and in the locked state, the change in the inclination angle of the head with respect to the grip portion is restricted. The teaching portion is a straight line displayed on the outer surface of the grip portion.

[0120] In such a structure, the ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with the living body in such a manner that the straight line of the teaching portion faces a predetermined direction. In the unlocked state, after setting the inclination angle of the head with respect to the grip portion so that the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit becomes a predetermined angle corresponding to the measurement site of the living body, it is set to the locked state. Thus, in the case of performing ultrasonic measurement later, without changing the inclination angle of the head with respect to the grip portion, it is only necessary to bring the ultrasonic probe into contact with the living body in such a manner that the straight line of the teaching portion faces a predetermined direction, and the ultrasonic probe can be brought into contact with the living body in such a manner that the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit becomes an appropriate inclination angle with respect to the measurement site.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that: have: an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting ultrasonic waves to a living body and receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body; and The housing contains the ultrasonic transceiver. The housing is provided with a teaching unit configured to teach a contact angle of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit corresponding to a measurement site inside the living body.

2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The teaching portion is a straight line displayed on the outer surface of the housing.

3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are a plurality of straight lines. The plurality of straight lines extend in directions different from each other.

4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plurality of straight lines include a reference line that is orthogonal to the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving surface of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit, and the other straight lines are inclined at different angles with respect to the reference line.

5. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of straight lines are arranged in an angle range of 5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less with respect to the reference line.

6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing comprises: The head is provided with the ultrasonic transceiver; a grip portion, supporting the head and being gripped by a user; and a connecting portion connecting the head and the grip portion and capable of changing the tilt angle of the head relative to the grip portion, The connecting portion can switch between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the tilt angle of the head relative to the grip portion can be changed. In the locked state, the change of the tilt angle of the head relative to the grip portion is restricted. The teaching portion is a straight line displayed on the outer surface of the grip portion.

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