Fixing device and ultrasonic measuring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening device (20), which is designed to fasten at least one clamped ultrasonic transducer (10) of an ultrasonic measuring device (1) to a line (50) of a conductive medium, comprising: a main part (21), which has at least one clamping portion (22), which is designed to clamp the at least one clamped ultrasonic transducer (10) of the ultrasonic measuring device (1) to the line (50) of the conductive medium; the support device (11) is designed to be placed on the support device (11) of the at least one clamped ultrasonic transducer; a clamping device (24) for generating a tensioning force on the pipeline; and at least one clamping element (22), such as a chain or a belt, each clamping element having two ends (22.1) for transmitting the tensioning force. The invention is characterized in that the fastening device has a rocking device (24) which is designed to compensate for the tilting moment exerted on the support device in the installed state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing a clamping ultrasonic transducer to a catheter, and to a clamping ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic measuring device. Background Art

[0002] Clamping ultrasonic measuring devices, such as those disclosed in DE102016119910A1, have an ultrasonic transducer that is fixed to the outer side of a catheter for conveying a medium. Usually, fixing bars or fixing straps are used to attach such ultrasonic transducers. However, this may cause displacement of the ultrasonic transducer during fixation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device, a clamping ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic measuring device such that the clamping ultrasonic transducer can be fixed precisely, reliably, and durably.

[0004] This object is achieved by the fixing device according to claim 1, by the ultrasonic transducer according to independent claim 8, and by the ultrasonic measuring device according to independent claim 9.

[0005] A fixing device designed according to the present invention for fixing at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic measuring device to a catheter for conveying a medium, the fixing device comprising: A main part configured to be placed on a support device of a clamping ultrasonic transducer among the at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer; A tensioning device for applying a tensioning force to the catheter; At least one tensioning element, such as a chain or a belt, configured to transmit the tensioning force, and the at least one tensioning element having two ends; Wherein, the fixing device has a rocker device designed to compensate for an inclined moment applied to the support device in the installed state.

[0006] In one embodiment, the rocker device has a rocker having two ends and a central region, and the rocker is mounted in the central region on the main part in a manner allowing rotation by means of a rotary bearing of the main part, Wherein, in the installed state, each end of the tensioning element is fixed to one end of the rocker, or wherein the at least one tensioning element partially extends along the rocker, and the ends of the rocker deflect at least one of the at least one tensioning element.

[0007] In one embodiment, the fixing device has two tensioning elements and a mating force arm of the rocker device, wherein the main part, the tensioning elements and the mating force arm are designed to engage around the catheter, wherein the mating force arm is designed to be mounted on the catheter in a manner that allows movement in a plane passing through the cross-section of the catheter, and wherein the mating force arm is mechanically connected to the main part by means of the two tensioning elements. Wherein, the tensioning device is designed to act contrary to the mating force arm placed on the catheter.

[0008] In one embodiment, the tensioning force can be generated via at least one of the two ends of the tensioning device, for example, by means of a screw device. Alternatively, both ends overlap with one of the at least one tensioning element, and wherein the tensioning force can be adjusted by means of the tensioning device, for example, by means of a screw device, by modifying the amount of overlap.

[0009] In one embodiment, the tensioning device is designed to generate a contact force of 1000 Newtons.

[0010] In one embodiment, both the rocker and the main part are made of a metal such as aluminum or steel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the tensioning element is made of a metal such as aluminum or steel.

[0012] The clamping ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention comprises: An ultrasonic transducer element for generating and detecting ultrasonic signals; A coupling body for transmitting ultrasonic signals between the ultrasonic transducer and the catheter; A support device for supporting the fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support device is designed to act contrary to the coupling body directly or indirectly.

[0013] The ultrasonic measuring device according to the present invention comprises: At least one clamping ultrasonic transducer for measuring parameters such as the sound velocity or flow velocity of a medium, the at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer being fixed to a catheter for conveying a medium by means of the fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims; An electronic measurement / operation circuit for operating the at least one ultrasonic transducer, for capturing and evaluating measurement signals from the at least one ultrasonic transducer, and for providing a measured value of the parameter. Wherein, the catheter has a catheter diameter. Wherein, the rocker has an extension portion, and the extension portion measures at least one catheter diameter in the cross-section passing through the catheter. Description of the Drawings

[0014] The present invention will be described below in conjunction with embodiments.

[0015] Figure 1a ) and Figure 1b ) shows an exemplary embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 Shows an exemplary embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 Shows an exemplary embodiment of an ultrasonic measuring device with a clamping ultrasonic transducer. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0018] Figure 1a ) shows a front view of an exemplary fixing device 20 according to the present invention in an installed state on a catheter 50, and Figure 1b ) shows an oblique view of an exemplary fixing device 20 according to the present invention in an installed state on a catheter 50, and the fixing device 20 presses a support device 11 of an exemplary clamping ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention in the direction of the catheter. For this purpose, a tensile stress is applied to the catheter via at least one tension element 22. According to the present invention, the fixing device 20 has a rocker device 24, as shown here, and the rocker device 24 may have a rocker 25, which has two ends 25.1 and a central region 25.2. The rocker 25 is rotatably mounted on the main part 21 of the fixing device 20 by means of a rotary bearing 21.1. Due to the rotational mobility of the rocker, the rocker can reduce the generation of tilting forces and tilting moments, such that the force applied to the ultrasonic transducer is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the catheter.

[0019] As shown here, the tension element 22 may be intended to engage around the catheter. As shown here, in this case, each end 22.1 of the tension element may be fixed to one end 25.1 of the rocker, wherein at least one end of the rocker is provided with a tension device 23 for generating a tensile stress in the tension element. This can be achieved, for example, using a screw device 23.1. If, as shown here, two tension devices are used for each tension element, the tilting of the ultrasonic transducer can be prevented in an improved manner.

[0020] In one embodiment, the extension portion 25.3 of the rocker in the cross-section passing through the catheter is at least one catheter diameter 51. This prevents the tilting of the ultrasonic transducer in an improved manner.

[0021] The clamping ultrasonic transducer 10 has a support device 11 for supporting a fixing device and for holding the connection body 12 of the clamping ultrasonic transducer, on which connection body an ultrasonic transducer element 13 is provided for generating and detecting ultrasonic signals.

[0022] Figure 2 Fig. shows a perspective view of an exemplary fixing device 20 according to the invention in an installed state on a catheter 50, which fixing device 20 presses on the support device 11 of an exemplary clamping ultrasonic transducer according to the invention in the direction of the catheter. For this purpose, a tension stress is applied to the catheter via at least two tension elements 22 by means of a paired lever arm 26, wherein the two tension elements each act on one end of the paired lever arm. The main part 21, the tension elements and the paired lever arm engage around the catheter 50 in the installed state, wherein the paired lever arm is designed to be mounted on the catheter in such a way as to allow movement in a plane passing through the catheter cross-section. In this way, it can rock to counteract the tilting moment. Thus, as an example, the paired lever arm forms a rocker device according to the invention.

[0023] Figure 3 An exemplary schematic clamping ultrasonic measuring device 1 is outlined, which has two clamping ultrasonic transducers 10 arranged on the outside of a catheter 50. An electronic measuring / operating circuit 30 is configured to operate the at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer, to evaluate the measurement signals of the at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer, and to provide measured values of parameters. Such parameters can be, for example, the flow velocity or the speed of sound of the medium flowing through the catheter. For example, methods based on transit time or transit time difference can be used. The number and arrangement of the clamping ultrasonic transducers shown here are purely exemplary and not restrictive. The ultrasonic transducers can each be fixed using a fixing device according to the invention.

[0024] List of reference numerals

[0025] 1 Ultrasonic measuring device

[0026] 10 Clamping ultrasonic transducer

[0027] 11 Support device

[0028] 12 Connection body

[0029] 13 Ultrasonic transducer

[0030] 20 Fixing device

[0031] 21 Main part

[0032] 21.1 Rotary bearing

[0033] 22 Clamping element

[0034] 22.1 End of the tensioning element

[0035] 23 Tensioning device

[0036] 23.1 Screw device

[0037] 24 Rocker device

[0038] 25 Rocker

[0039] 25.1 End of the rocker

[0040] 25.2 Central region of the rocker

[0041] 25.3 Extension of the rocker

[0042] 26 Mating force arm

[0043] 30 Electronic measurement / operation circuit

[0044] 50 Pipeline

[0045] 51 Conduit diameter

Claims

1. A fixing device (20) configured to fix at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer (10) of an ultrasonic measuring device (1) to a conduit (50) for conveying a medium, said fixing device comprising: a main part (21) configured to be placed on a support device (11) of the clamping ultrasonic transducer among the at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer; a tensioning device (24) configured to apply a tensioning force on the conduit; at least one tensioning element (22), such as a chain or a belt, said at least one tensioning element (22) configured to be able to transmit the tensioning force, and said at least one tensioning element (22) having two ends (22.1); characterized in that the fixing device has a rocker device (24), and the rocker device (20) is designed to at least partially prevent the occurrence of tilting forces and tilting moments applied to the support device.

2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein, wherein, the rocker device has a rocker (25), the rocker (25) having two ends (25.1) and a central region (25.2), and the rocker is mounted in the central region on the main part in a manner allowing rotation by means of a rotary bearing (21.1) of the main part, wherein, in the mounted state, each end of the tensioning element (22.1) is fixed to one end of the rocker, or wherein the at least one tensioning element (22) extends partially along the rocker, and the ends of the rocker deflect at least one of the at least one tensioning element.

3. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein, the fixing device (20) has two tensioning elements (22) and a paired force arm (26) of the rocker device (24), wherein the main part (21), the tensioning elements and the paired force arm are designed to engage around the conduit (50), wherein the paired force arm is designed to be mounted on the conduit in a manner allowing movement in a plane passing through the cross-section of the conduit, and wherein the paired force arm is mechanically connected to the main part by means of the two tensioning elements, wherein, the tensioning device (22) is designed to act contrary to the paired force arm (26) placed on the conduit.

4. The fixing device according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein, wherein, the tensioning force can be generated via at least one of the two ends of the tensioning device (23), for example by means of a screw device (23.1), or wherein both ends overlap with one of the at least one tensioning element (22), and the tensioning force can be adjusted by means of the tensioning device, for example by means of a screw device (24.1), by modifying the overlapping amount.

5. The fixing device according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein, the tensioning device (23) is designed to generate a contact force of 1000 Newtons.

6. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, both the rocker (25) and the main part (21) are made of a metal such as aluminum or steel.

7. The fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the tensioning element (22) is made of a metal such as aluminum or steel.

8. A clamping ultrasonic transducer, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer element (13) for generating and detecting ultrasonic signals; a coupling body (12) for transmitting ultrasonic signals between the ultrasonic transducer and the catheter; support means (11) for supporting the fixing device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support means is designed to act directly or indirectly on the coupling body.

9. An ultrasonic measuring device (1), comprising: at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer (10) for measuring parameters such as the speed of sound or the flow rate of a medium, the at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer being fixed to a catheter (50) for conveying a medium by means of the fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims; an electronic measurement / operation circuit (30) for operating the at least one ultrasonic transducer, for capturing and evaluating measurement signals from the at least one ultrasonic transducer, and for providing a measured value of the parameter, wherein the catheter has a catheter diameter (51), wherein the rocker (25) has an extension (25.3) which measures at least one catheter diameter in a cross-section passing through the catheter.

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