Intracavity ultrasonic probe

Abstract

An intracavity ultrasonic probe comprises a sound head, a sound head supporting piece, a base and a sound head driving assembly, an array element layer is in a cambered surface shape with a first axis as the axis, and the central angles formed by the two ends of the array element layer and the first axis are larger than 180 degrees. An accommodating space is formed in the surface of one side, deviating from the array element layers, of the backing, a swing shaft of the sound head supporting piece is located in the accommodating space, and two ends of the swing shaft are separated from the corresponding array element layers through at least part of the backing; the vertical distance between the connecting line of the two ends of the array element layer and the cambered-surface-shaped top end is larger than the vertical distance between the axis of the swing shaft and the cambered-surface-shaped top end. The swing shaft is installed on the base in a rotatable mode. According to the intracavity ultrasonic probe disclosed by the embodiment, the central angle a formed by the two ends of the array element layer and the first axis A is greater than or equal to 180 degrees, so that the action range of the array element layer is expanded, and the imaging angle of a two-dimensional ultrasonic image is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to medical devices, and in particular to an intracavitary ultrasound probe. Background Art

[0002] Intracavitary ultrasound probes are used in the body cavities of humans or animals to obtain intracavitary images. To achieve better observation results, intracavitary ultrasound probes are usually designed as 3D ultrasound probes and 4D ultrasound probes. This type of intracavitary ultrasound probe can form 3D images (three-dimensional stereo images). To form a 3D image, the acoustic head in the 3D ultrasound probe and 4D ultrasound probe can swing around an axis. Therefore, the acoustic head can obtain two-dimensional ultrasound images (B images) at different swing angles, and finally these two-dimensional ultrasound images are stitched into a 3D image.

[0003] The field of view of the 3D image is related to the oscillation angle of the ultrasound head and the angle of the 2D ultrasound image produced by the ultrasound head. The larger the oscillation angle or the angle of the 2D ultrasound image produced by the ultrasound head, the larger the field of view of the resulting 3D image. However, the maximum oscillation angle of the ultrasound head in current 3D and 4D ultrasound probes is around 120°, and the 2D ultrasound image angle of the ultrasound head is less than 180°. Therefore, the field of view of the 3D image produced by these probes is not wide enough to meet the requirements of scenarios requiring a wide field of view, such as those requiring obesity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides an intracavitary ultrasound probe, which can increase the two-dimensional ultrasound image angle of the acoustic head, thereby increasing the 3D image field of view.

[0005] The present application also provides an intracavitary ultrasound probe, which can increase the swing angle of the acoustic head, thereby increasing the 3D image field of view.

[0006] Based on the first aspect of the present application, an embodiment provides an intracavity ultrasound probe, comprising:

[0007] An acoustic head, comprising a backing, an array element layer, a matching layer, and a lens layer, wherein the array element layer has a plurality of array elements, the backing is located on the positive side of the array element, the matching layer is located on the negative side of the array element, and the lens layer is located on the side of the matching layer away from the array element; the array element layer is in an arc shape with a first axis as the axis center, and the central angle formed by the two ends of the array element layer and the first axis is greater than 180°;

[0008] an acoustic head supporting member, the acoustic head supporting member including a swing shaft, the acoustic head supporting member being used to support the acoustic head;

[0009] a base, on which the acoustic head support is rotatably mounted;

[0010] and an acoustic head driving assembly, the acoustic head driving assembly comprising a transmission member and a driving member, the transmission member being used to drive the swing shaft and the acoustic head to swing relative to the base, and the driving member being used to provide power to drive the swing;

[0011] A accommodating space is formed on a surface of the backing facing away from the array element layer. The swing shaft is located in the accommodating space and is integrally formed with or fixed to the backing. The two ends of the swing shaft and the corresponding array element layer are separated by at least a portion of the backing. The vertical distance between the line connecting the two ends of the array element layer and the top of the arcuate surface is greater than the vertical distance between the axis of the swing shaft and the top of the arcuate surface. The swing shaft is rotatably mounted on the base.

[0012] In this embodiment of the intracavitary ultrasound probe, the central angle a formed between the two ends of the array element layer and the first axis A is greater than or equal to 180°, thereby expanding the range of the array element layer and improving the angle of the two-dimensional ultrasound image. Furthermore, the swing axis is located in the backing's symmetrical accommodation space, fully utilizing the backing's accommodation space and reducing the overall volume of the backing and swing axis.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the accommodating space has two concave installation spaces that are arranged opposite to each other, and both ends of the swing shaft are respectively inserted into and fixed in the corresponding installation spaces.

[0014] In a further embodiment, both ends of the swing shaft are fixed in the corresponding installation space by at least one of welding, bonding, clamping, screwing and fixing by fixing members.

[0015] In a further embodiment, both ends of the swing shaft are provided with support seats that are integrally formed with or fixedly connected to the swing shaft, and the two ends of the swing shaft are fixed in the corresponding installation space through the support seats.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the installation space extends downwardly through the bottom surface of the backing, and the support seat has an abutting surface for abutting the bottom surface.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the support seat has an L-shaped or T-shaped structure, both ends of the swing axis are connected to the vertical section of the L-shaped or T-shaped structure, and the abutment surface is provided on the horizontal section of the L-shaped or T-shaped structure.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the support seat is fixedly connected to the bottom surface by at least one of welding, bonding, clamping, screwing and fixing by a fixing member.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the phonic head support further includes a passive wheel disposed on the swing axis, the passive wheel and the swing axis being coaxially arranged. The base has a swing bracket protruding towards the swing axis and a housing disposed around the swing bracket. The swing bracket protrudes relative to the housing, and the protruding portion of the swing bracket has a swing support head. The swing axis is rotatably mounted on the swing support head, and the size of the protruding portion is ≥ two-thirds of the radius of the passive wheel. The transmission member is mounted on the passive wheel to drive the passive wheel, the swing axis, and the phonic head to swing on the swing support head.

[0020] In a further embodiment, in the length direction of the swing axis, the passive wheel is offset from the length center of the swing axis.

[0021] In a further embodiment, there are at least two swing brackets, and a limiting structure for preventing the swing axis from moving relative to the swing bracket along its length direction is provided on the swing axis.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the first axis passes through the swing axis.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the first axis is perpendicular to the axis of the swing axis.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the lens has an arc-shaped structure adapted to the arc-shaped surface. The radius of curvature of the arc-shaped structure is R, and the difference between the perpendicular distance from the line connecting the two ends of the array element layer to the top of the arc-shaped surface and the perpendicular distance from the axis of the swing axis to the top of the arc-shaped surface is ≥ 0.5R.

[0025] Based on the second aspect of the present application, in one embodiment, an intracavitary ultrasonic probe is provided, including:

[0026] A phonic head for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals;

[0027] A phonic head support, the phonic head is mounted on the phonic head support, and the phonic head support has a swing axis and a passive wheel disposed on the swing axis, the passive wheel and the swing axis being coaxially arranged;

[0028] A base, wherein the acoustic head support is rotatably connected to the base, the base having a swing bracket extending toward the swing shaft and a shell disposed around the swing bracket, the swing bracket protruding relative to the shell, and the protruding portion of the swing bracket having a swing support head, the swing shaft being rotatably mounted on the swing support head, wherein a vertical distance between the axis of the swing shaft and the uppermost edge of the shell is sufficient to enable the acoustic head to swing on the base at an angle greater than or equal to 180°;

[0029] and an acoustic head driving assembly, the acoustic head driving assembly comprising a transmission member and a driving member, the transmission member is used to drive the swing shaft and the acoustic head to swing relative to the base, and the driving member is used to provide power to drive the swing.

[0030] According to the intracavitary ultrasound probe shown in this embodiment, the axis of the swing shaft has a vertical distance relative to the uppermost edge of the shell that enables the swing angle of the acoustic head on the base to be greater than or equal to 180°. Increasing the distance between the structure on the swing shaft (such as the passive wheel) and the uppermost edge of the shell increases the swing angle of the acoustic head and thereby increases the field of view of the 3D image acquired by the acoustic head.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the vertical distance between the axis of the swing shaft and the uppermost edge of the housing is greater than or equal to two-thirds of the radius of the driven wheel.

[0032] In a further embodiment, in the length direction of the swing shaft, the driven wheel is arranged to deviate from the length center of the swing shaft.

[0033] In a further embodiment, there are at least two swing brackets, and a limiting structure is provided on the swing shaft to prevent the swing shaft from moving relative to the swing bracket along its length direction.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the acoustic head includes a backing, an array element layer, a matching layer, and a lens layer. The array element layer has a plurality of array elements. The backing is located on the positive side of the array element, the matching layer is located on the negative side of the array element, and the lens layer is provided on the side of the matching layer away from the array element. The array elements in the array element layer are formed in an array, and the array element layer has an arc surface with the first axis as the axis.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the first axis and the axis of the swing axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0036] Based on the second aspect of the present application, an embodiment provides an intracavity ultrasound probe, comprising:

[0037] A sound head, the sound head includes a backing, an array element layer, a matching layer and a lens layer, the array element layer has a plurality of array elements, the backing is located on the positive electrode side of the array elements, the matching layer is located on the negative electrode side of the array elements, and the lens layer is provided on the side of the matching layer facing away from the array elements; the array element layer is in an arc shape with a first axis as the center, and the central angle formed by both ends of the array element layer and the first axis is greater than or equal to 180°;

[0038] A sound head support, the sound head is mounted on the sound head support;

[0039] A base, the sound head support is rotationally connected to the base;

[0040] And a sound head drive assembly, the sound head drive assembly includes a transmission member and a drive member, the transmission member is used to drive the sound head support and the sound head to swing relative to the base, and the drive member is used to provide the power for driving the swing.

[0041] According to the intracavitary ultrasound probe shown in this embodiment, the central angle formed by both ends of the array element layer and the first axis is greater than or equal to 180°, thereby expanding the action range of the array element layer and improving the angle of the two-dimensional ultrasound image.

[0042] In a further embodiment, a receiving space is formed on the surface of the backing on the side facing away from the array element layer, the swing axis is located in the receiving space, and is integrally formed with the backing or fixed on the backing. Description of the Drawings

[0043] Figure 1 It is a schematic external view of an intracavitary ultrasound probe in an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the cable part of the intracavitary ultrasound probe is omitted in this figure;

[0044] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of an intracavitary ultrasound probe in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of a sound head in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a sound head in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of an array element layer and a backing in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view passing through the axis of the swing axis after the base, the sound head support and the sound head are assembled in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 7A cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis of the swing axis after the base, the sound head support, and the sound head are assembled in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 8 A schematic assembly diagram of the sound head support and the backing in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 9 A schematic structural diagram of the base and the sound head support in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the array element layer and the backing in an embodiment of the present application. Specific embodiments

[0053] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings through specific embodiments. Similar elements in different embodiments are labeled with related similar element numbers. In the following embodiments, many detailed descriptions are provided to enable a better understanding of the present application. However, those skilled in the art can easily recognize that some of the features can be omitted in different situations, or can be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification to avoid overwhelming the core part of the present application with excessive descriptions. For those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail, and they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0054] In addition, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can also be reordered or adjusted in a manner that is obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various sequences in the specification and the drawings are only for clearly describing a certain embodiment and do not mean that they are necessary sequences, unless it is stated that a certain sequence must be followed.

[0055] The serial numbers assigned to the components herein, such as "first", "second", etc., are only used to distinguish the described objects and do not have any sequential or technical meanings. The "connection" and "coupling" mentioned in the present application, unless otherwise specified, both include direct and indirect connections (couplings).

[0056] The present application discloses an intracavitary ultrasound probe, which can be either a 3D ultrasound probe or a 4D ultrasound probe. This intracavitary ultrasound probe can acquire 3D images of the body cavity of a detection object, and the field of view of the 3D image is related to the swing angle of the acoustic head and the two-dimensional ultrasound image angle of the acoustic head. However, in current 3D ultrasound probes and 4D ultrasound probes, the two-dimensional ultrasound image angle of the acoustic head cannot be expanded beyond 180°, and the maximum swing angle of the acoustic head can only be controlled at about 120°. As a result, the field of view of the 3D image cannot be further expanded.

[0057] The inventors of the present application carefully analyzed the structure of existing intracavitary ultrasound probes and found that the reason why the field of view of the 3D image cannot be further increased is as follows. Firstly, limited by the usage environment, the external dimensions of the intracavitary ultrasound probe (such as the circumferential dimension and the outer diameter size) cannot be further increased. That is, the intracavitary ultrasound probe is applied to the body cavity of a human or an animal, and too large external dimensions are likely to cause discomfort to the human or the animal, thus restricting the internal space of the intracavitary ultrasound probe. Secondly, the swing structure of the acoustic head in the intracavitary ultrasound probe is not optimized enough to meet larger two-dimensional ultrasound image angles and swing angles of the acoustic head.

[0058] Based on the existing problems, the present application further improves the swing structure of the acoustic head. Please refer to Figure 1 and 2 In some embodiments, the intracavitary ultrasound probe 1 includes a housing 100, an acoustic head 200, an acoustic head support 300, a base 400, an acoustic head drive assembly 500, and a control unit (not shown in the figure). The housing 100 forms a closed installation cavity, and the acoustic head 200, the acoustic head support 300, the base 400, the acoustic head drive assembly 500, and the control unit are all installed in the installation cavity of the housing 100.

[0059] The acoustic head 200 is used to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals under the control of the control unit. The control unit can process the received ultrasonic signals to obtain a detection image. The acoustic head 200 is installed on the acoustic head support 300, and the acoustic head support 300 is rotationally connected to the base 400. The acoustic head drive assembly 500 includes a driving member 510 and a transmission member 520. The transmission member 520 is used to drive the acoustic head support 300 and the acoustic head 200 to swing relative to the base 400, and the driving member 510 is used to provide the power for driving the swing. The acoustic head 200 can obtain two-dimensional ultrasound images at different swing angles under the control of the control unit, and at the same time, the control unit stitches together the two-dimensional ultrasound images at different swing angles to form a 3D image.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the acoustic head 200 includes a backing 210, an array element layer 220, a matching layer 230, and a lens layer 240. The array element layer 220 has a plurality of array elements, and the plurality of array elements can be arranged in an array to form a planar array element, or can be arranged linearly to form a linear array element or a convex array, or the plurality of array elements can be arranged in other ways. The lens layer 240, the matching layer 230, the array element layer 220, and the backing 210 are arranged in sequence, that is, the backing 210 is located on the positive electrode side of the array element, the matching layer 230 is located on the negative electrode side of the array element, and the lens layer 240 is provided on the side of the matching layer 230 facing away from the array element.

[0061] The angle of the two-dimensional ultrasonic image obtained by the acoustic head 200 is related to the distribution range of the array elements. In order to expand the angle of the two-dimensional ultrasonic image obtained by the acoustic head 200, please refer to Figure 4 and 5 , in some embodiments, the array element layer 220 is in the shape of an arc surface centered on the first axis A, and the central angle a formed by the two ends of the array element layer 220 and the first axis A is greater than or equal to 180°, so as to expand the action range of the array element layer 220 and improve the imaging angle of the two-dimensional ultrasonic image. Of course, in order to carry the array element layer 220, please refer to Figure 5 and 10 , in some embodiments, the surface of the backing 210 opposite to the array element layer 220 is also in the shape of an arc surface centered on the first axis A, and the central angle formed by the two ends of the backing 210 and the first axis A is greater than or equal to 180°, so that there is more area on the backing 210 for arranging the array elements, and further the central angle a formed by the distribution area of the array elements on the backing 210 and the first axis A can be greater than or equal to 180°.

[0062] During the research on the swing structure of the acoustic head 200 of the existing intracavitary ultrasonic probe 1, the inventor found that it is difficult to set the central angle a formed by the two ends of the array element layer 220 and the first axis A to be greater than or equal to 180° in the existing swing structure of the acoustic head 200. The reason is that the acoustic head support 300 hinders the expansion of the array element layer 220, making the area of the array element layer 220 unable to be further expanded.

[0063] Regarding this, please refer to Figure 6 and 7In some embodiments, the acoustic head support member 300 is used to support the acoustic head 200. The acoustic head support member 300 is rotatably mounted on the base 400 to enable a swingable arrangement. Specifically, the acoustic head support member 300 includes a swing shaft 310, which is rotatably mounted on the base 400. Driven by the driving member 510, the transmission member 520 drives the swing shaft 310 and the acoustic head 200 to swing relative to the base 400. A receiving space 213 is formed on the surface of the backing 210 facing away from the array element layer 220 (i.e., the side facing the swing shaft 310). The swing shaft 310 is located in the receiving space 213 and is integrally formed with the backing 210 or fixed to the backing 210. This fixation may include direct fixation of the swing shaft 310 to the backing 210, or may include indirect fixation of the swing shaft 310 to the backing 210 via other components. The swing shaft 310 can fully utilize the accommodation space 213 of the backing 210 , which is equivalent to being embedded in the backing 210 , thereby reducing the overall volume of the backing 210 and the swing shaft 310 .

[0064] The two ends of the swing axis 310 and the corresponding array element layer 220 are separated by at least part of the backing 210. In this way, the two ends of the swing axis 310 will not affect the array elements arranged on the backing 210. That is, the side of the backing 210 away from the swing axis 310 is a complete array element arrangement surface, which can accommodate more array elements to expand the range and angle of the acoustic head 200 to obtain two-dimensional ultrasonic images. Figure 6 In the posture shown, the vertical distance between the line connecting the lowest positions of the two ends of the array element layer 220 and the top of the arc surface is equal to or greater than the vertical distance between the axis B of the swing shaft 310 and the top of the arc surface. Figure 6 In the illustrated posture, the lowest positions of the two ends of the array element layer 220 are flush with or lower than the axis B of the swing shaft 310, ensuring that the central angle a formed between the two ends of the array element layer 220 and the first axis A is set to be greater than or equal to 180°. Specifically, when the vertical distance between the line connecting the two ends of the array element layer 220 and the top of the arcuate surface is greater than the vertical distance between the axis B of the swing shaft 310 and the top of the arcuate surface, that is, when the lowest positions of the two ends of the array element layer 220 are lower than the axis B of the swing shaft 310, the central angle a formed between the two ends of the array element layer 220 and the first axis A is ensured to be greater than 180°.

[0065] In some embodiments, the lens 240 may be configured as an arc-shaped structure adapted to the arc-shaped array element layer 220. When the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped structure is R, the difference between the perpendicular distance between the line connecting the two ends of the array element layer 220 and the top of the arc-shaped structure and the perpendicular distance between the axis B of the swing shaft 310 and the top of the arc-shaped structure is greater than or equal to 0.5R. This satisfies the requirement that the central angle a be set to greater than or equal to 180°.

[0066] Further, in some embodiments, the first axis A passes through the swing axis 310 to ensure that during the swing of the acoustic head 200 along with the swing axis 310, the distance from the outermost side of the acoustic head 200 to the axis B of the swing axis 310 is substantially equal to the distance from the outermost side of the acoustic head 200 to the first axis A. Therefore, the area formed by the outermost swing of the acoustic head 200 is close to a hemispherical shape, which is beneficial to reducing the space required for the swing of the acoustic head 200 and avoiding increasing the volume of the intracavitary ultrasound probe 1.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first axis A is perpendicular to the axis B of the swing axis 310. At this time, the distance from the outermost side of the acoustic head 200 to the axis B of the swing axis 310 is basically the same as the distance from the outermost side of the acoustic head 200 to the first axis A. Therefore, the area formed by the outermost swing of the acoustic head 200 is basically hemispherical, which can further reduce the space required for the swing of the acoustic head 200 and avoid increasing the volume of the intracavitary ultrasound probe 1.

[0068] Further, in order to enable the back lining 210 to form a better fixing effect with the swing axis 310, please refer to Figure 5 and 6 , in some embodiments, the accommodating space 213 on the side of the back lining 210 facing away from the array element layer 220 has two recessed and oppositely arranged mounting spaces 211, and both ends of the swing axis 310 are respectively inserted and fixed in the corresponding mounting spaces 211. This structure can hide the swing axis 310 inside the back lining 210, and at the same time can ensure that the side of the back lining 210 facing away from the swing axis 310 has a larger area for arranging array elements to improve the array element distribution range.

[0069] The fixed connection between the swing axis 310 and the back lining 210 can be realized by any method that can be applied to the ultrasound probe in the prior art. For example, in some embodiments, both ends of the swing axis 310 are fixed in the corresponding mounting spaces 211 by at least one of welding, bonding, clamping, screwing, and fixing with a fixing member.

[0070] Further, please refer to Figure 5 , 6 , 8 and 9. In some embodiments, the acoustic head support 300 further includes a support base 320, and both ends of the swing axis 310 are fixed in the corresponding mounting spaces 211 through the support base 320.

[0071] In some embodiments, both ends of the swing axis 310 can be integrally formed or fixedly connected with the support base 320. Among them, the fixed connection between the swing axis 310 and the support base 320 can be realized by any method that can be applied to the ultrasound probe in the prior art. For example, in some embodiments, the fixed connection is at least one of welding, bonding, clamping, screwing, and fixing with a fixing member.

[0072] Further, please refer toFigure 5 , 6 , 8 and 9. In some embodiments, the installation space 211 extends downward through to the bottom surface 212 of the backing 210 (the bottom surface 212 is defined based on Figure 6 the posture shown), the support base 320 has an abutting surface 321 for abutting against the bottom surface 212, and this abutting surface is used to contact and support the bottom surface of the backing, so as to achieve the effect of supporting the sound head. Specifically, the abutting surface 321 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface 212 of the backing 210, and the fixed connection manner can be realized by any manner that can be applied to the ultrasonic probe in the prior art. For example, in some embodiments, the fixed connection adopts at least one of welding, bonding, clamping, screwing and fixing by fixing parts.

[0073] The support base 320 can transfer the fixed position of the swing shaft 310 and the backing 210 from within the installation space 211 to the bottom surface 212 of the backing 210, so that the processing difficulty can be reduced and the processing is more convenient. Moreover, compared with the narrow installation space 211, the abutting surface 321 and the bottom surface 212 of the backing 210 have a larger area available for fixed connection, so a more stable fixed effect can be achieved. The abutting surface 321 is both used for fixedly connecting with the backing 210 and can also play a role in supporting the backing 210. The abutting surface 321 and the bottom surface 212 of the backing 210 are a pair of mutually adapted surfaces, which can be, but are not limited to, a combination of a pair of mutually adapted flat surfaces, curved surfaces, folded surfaces, etc.

[0074] Please refer to Figure 8 and 9 . In some embodiments, the abutting surface 321 is fixed by at least one positioning screw 322, and the positioning screw 322 can cooperate with the positioning holes on the bottom surface 212 of the backing 210 to help position and fix the support base 320 and the backing 210, so as to install the support base 320 and the swing shaft 310 more accurately. In order to better prevent rotation, the positioning screws on each abutting surface 321 can be two or more.

[0075] Further, please refer to Figure 5 , 6 , 8 and 9. In some embodiments, the support base 320 has an L-shaped structure, both ends of the swing shaft 310 are connected to the vertical section of the L-shaped structure, and the abutting surface 321 is provided on the horizontal section of the L-shaped structure. The surface facing the backing 210 on the horizontal section is the abutting surface 321. Of course, in other embodiments, the support base 320 can also be of other shapes, for example, it can also be a T-shaped structure, both ends of the swing shaft 310 are connected to the vertical section of the T-shaped structure, and the abutting surface 321 is provided on the horizontal section of the T-shaped structure. It can be understood that the above horizontal and vertical directions refer to the directions along the letter structure, rather than a limitation on the physical space structure.

[0076] Further, please refer toFigure 9 , in some embodiments, there are two support seats 320, which are respectively arranged at both ends of the swing shaft 310 and are fixed to the back lining 210 from the opposite sides in a symmetric manner, so as to improve the stability of the fixed connection among the support seat 320, the swing shaft 310 and the back lining 210.

[0077] Further, please refer to Figure 6 , in some embodiments, the swing shaft 310 and the support seat 320 are of an integrally formed structure, which is convenient for manufacturing. Of course, in other embodiments, the swing shaft 310 and the support seat 320 can also be separately manufactured and then directly or indirectly fixedly connected.

[0078] Further, please refer to Figure 6-9 , in some embodiments, the sound head support 300 further includes a passive wheel 330 arranged on the swing shaft 310, and the passive wheel 330 and the swing shaft 310 are coaxially arranged. The base 400 has a swing bracket 410 extending towards the swing shaft 310 and a housing 420 arranged around the swing bracket 410. The swing bracket 410 protrudes relative to the housing 420, and the protruding part of the swing bracket 410 has a swing support head 413 (see Figure 9 ), and the swing shaft 310 is rotatably mounted on the swing support head 413. The transmission member 520 is mounted on the passive wheel 330 to drive the passive wheel 330, the swing shaft 310 and the sound head 200 to swing on the swing support head 413.

[0079] In some more specific embodiments, please refer to Figure and 7 , the transmission member 520 is a transmission rope, and the transmission rope is sleeved on the passive wheel 330. The driving member 510 can respectively pull both ends of the transmission member 520 through the transmission mechanism 530. As shown in ​ , the driving member 510 is a motor, which can respectively pull both ends of the transmission member to move through forward and reverse rotation, so as to make the passive wheel 330 swing left or right (as shown in ​ ), and then drive the swing shaft 310 and the sound head 200 to swing.

[0080] Further, please refer to ​ , in some embodiments, the sound head 200 may further include a lead-out circuit structure 250 (such as a flexible circuit board) for leading out the positive and negative electrodes of the array elements. The lead-out circuit structure 250 extends from the side of the back lining 210 and is electrically connected to the control circuit, so that the control circuit can input electrical signals to the array elements and receive electrical signals through the lead-out circuit structure 250 to control the array elements.

[0081] The position of the lead-out circuit structure 250 conflicts with the position of the passive wheel 330. Please refer to ​In some embodiments, in order to better reserve space for the lead-out circuit structure 250, the passive wheel 330 is arranged to deviate from the length center of the swing shaft 310 in the length direction of the swing shaft 310. ​ As shown, in this embodiment, the driven wheel 330 is arranged to the right of the swing shaft 310, that is, ​ In the posture shown, the passive wheel 330 divides the swing axis 310 into a shape with a long left and a short right. ​ It can be seen that the lead circuit structure 250 can be obtained from ​ The left side of the passive wheel 330 is extended, so that the problem of dividing the lead circuit structure 250 into two parts and leading them from both sides of the passive wheel 330 can be avoided due to insufficient space. Of course, in some embodiments, the lead circuit structure 250 can also have a notch 251 that matches the passive wheel 330 (see ​ ), the notch 251 forms a gap for the passive wheel 330, and the passive wheel 330 can be stuck in the notch 251.

[0082] Furthermore, in some embodiments, there are at least two swing brackets 410, and a limiting structure is provided on the swing shaft 310 to prevent the swing shaft 310 from moving relative to the swing bracket 410 along its length direction. ​ and 9 In this embodiment, the limiting structure is a ridge 340 provided along the circumference of the swing shaft 310. The ridge 340 can limit the axial movement of the swing shaft 310 on the swing bracket 410. Of course, in other embodiments, the limiting structure can also be other structures, such as a boss.

[0083] For further information, please refer to ​, in some embodiments, in a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the swing axis 310, the passive wheel 330 protrudes from the sound head 200 in the left-right direction. The swing axis 310 is supported on the swing bracket 410 of the base 400, and the housing 420 formed by the base 400 is located on the circumferential side of the swing axis 310. For this structure, the inventor also found during the research on the swing structure of the sound head 200 that even if the swing bracket 410 protrudes from the housing 420, during the swing of the sound head 200 along with the swing axis 310, the passive wheel 330 will gradually approach the upper edge of the housing 420 until it collides with the upper edge of the housing 420, which is also one of the reasons that hinder the further increase of the swing angle of the sound head 200 in the existing swing structure of the sound head 200. Therefore, in some embodiments of the present application, there is a vertical distance between the axis B of the swing axis 310 and the uppermost edge of the housing 420 that can make the swing angle of the sound head 200 on the base 400 greater than or equal to 180°, thereby increasing the viewing range of the 3D image obtained by the sound head 200. Of course, in this embodiment, the sound head 200 can also be replaced by other existing sound heads 200, and is not limited to the structure of the sound head 200 shown in the above embodiments that can increase the two-dimensional ultrasonic image angle of the sound head 200.

[0084] Furthermore, in some embodiments, in order to make the swing angle of the sound head 200 on the base 400 greater than or equal to 180°, the size of the protruding part of the swing bracket from the uppermost edge of the housing 420 ≥ two-thirds of the radius of the passive wheel 330. This size relationship can prevent the passive wheel 330 from colliding with the uppermost edge of the housing 420 during the swing, and thus the swing angle of the sound head 200 can be made greater than or equal to 180°.

[0085] In other embodiments, the vertical distance between the axis B of the swing axis 310 and the uppermost edge of the housing 420 ≥ two-thirds of the radius of the passive wheel 330. This size relationship can prevent the passive wheel 330 from colliding with the uppermost edge of the housing 420 during the swing, and thus the swing angle of the sound head 200 can be made greater than or equal to 180°.

[0086] The above embodiments show the structure for increasing the two-dimensional ultrasonic image angle of the sound head 200 and the structure for increasing the swing angle of the sound head 200, thereby increasing the viewing range of the 3D image obtained by the sound head 200. Of course, in other embodiments, the structure for increasing the two-dimensional ultrasonic image angle of the sound head 200 and the structure for increasing the swing angle of the sound head 200 can also be used separately, and both can achieve the effect of increasing the viewing range of the 3D image obtained by the sound head 200.

[0087] For example, please refer to ​, in some embodiments, an intracavitary ultrasound probe 1 includes a transducer head 200, a transducer head support 300, a base 400, and a transducer head drive assembly 500. The transducer head 200 is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals; the transducer head 200 is mounted on the transducer head support 300, the transducer head support 300 has a swing axis 310 and a passive wheel 330 provided on the swing axis 310, and the passive wheel 330 and the swing axis 310 are coaxially arranged; the transducer head support 300 is rotatably connected to the base 400, the base 400 has a swing bracket 410 extending toward the swing axis 310 and a housing 420 disposed around the swing bracket 410, the swing bracket 410 protrudes relative to the housing 420, and the protruding portion of the swing bracket 410 has a swing support head 413, and the swing axis 310 is rotatably mounted on the swing support head 413. Among them, there is a vertical distance between the axis B of the swing axis 310 and the uppermost edge of the housing 420 that enables the swing angle of the transducer head 200 on the base 400 to be greater than or equal to 180°; the transducer head drive assembly 500 includes a transmission member 520 and a drive member 510, the transmission member 520 is configured to drive the swing axis 310 and the transducer head 200 to swing relative to the base 400, and the drive member 510 is configured to provide the power for driving the swing.

[0088] In some embodiments, the vertical distance between the axis B of the swing axis 310 and the uppermost edge of the housing 420 ≥ two-thirds of the radius of the passive wheel 330.

[0089] Please refer to ​ , in some embodiments, in the length direction of the swing axis 310, the passive wheel 330 is disposed offset from the length center of the swing axis 310.

[0090] Please refer to ​ , in some embodiments, there are at least two swing brackets 410, and a limiting structure for preventing the swing axis 310 from moving relative to the swing bracket 410 along its length direction is provided on the swing axis 310.

[0091] Please refer to ​ , in some embodiments, the transducer head 200 includes a backing 210, an array element layer 220, a matching layer 230, and a lens layer 240. The array element layer 220 has a plurality of array elements. The backing 210 is located on the positive electrode side of the array elements, the matching layer 230 is located on the negative electrode side of the array elements, and the lens layer 240 is provided on the side of the matching layer 230 facing away from the array elements; the array elements in the array element layer 220 form the array element layer 220 in an array manner, and the array element layer 220 is in an arc shape with the first axis A as the axis.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first axis A is perpendicular to the axis B of the swing axis 310.

[0093] The above uses specific examples to elaborate on the present invention, which is only used to help understand the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art of the present invention, based on the idea of the present invention, several simple deductions, deformations or substitutions can also be made.

Claims

1. An intracavitary ultrasound probe, characterized in that: include: An acoustic head, comprising a backing, an array element layer, a matching layer, and a lens layer, wherein the array element layer has a plurality of array elements, the backing is located on the positive side of the array element, the matching layer is located on the negative side of the array element, and the lens layer is located on the side of the matching layer away from the array element; the array element layer is in an arc shape with a first axis as the axis center, and the central angle formed by the two ends of the array element layer and the first axis is greater than 180°; an acoustic head supporting member, the acoustic head supporting member including a swing shaft, the acoustic head supporting member being used to support the acoustic head; a base, on which the acoustic head support is rotatably mounted; and an acoustic head driving assembly, the acoustic head driving assembly comprising a transmission member and a driving member, the transmission member being used to drive the swing shaft and the acoustic head to swing relative to the base, and the driving member being used to provide power to drive the swing; A accommodating space is formed on a surface of the backing facing away from the array element layer. The swing shaft is located in the accommodating space and is integrally formed with or fixed to the backing. The two ends of the swing shaft and the corresponding array element layer are separated by at least a portion of the backing. The vertical distance between the line connecting the two ends of the array element layer and the top of the arcuate surface is greater than the vertical distance between the axis of the swing shaft and the top of the arcuate surface. The swing shaft is rotatably mounted on the base.

2. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 1, wherein: The accommodating space has two concave installation spaces that are arranged opposite to each other, and the two ends of the swing shaft are respectively inserted into and fixed in the corresponding installation spaces.

3. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 2, wherein: The two ends of the swing shaft are fixed in the corresponding installation space by at least one of welding, bonding, clamping, screwing and fixing by fixing members.

4. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 2, wherein: Both ends of the swing shaft are provided with support seats which are integrally formed with or fixedly connected to the swing shaft, and the two ends of the swing shaft are fixed in corresponding installation spaces through the support seats.

5. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 4, wherein: The installation space extends downward to penetrate the bottom surface of the backing, and the support seat has an abutting surface for abutting the bottom surface.

6. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 5, wherein: The support seat has an L-shaped or T-shaped structure, both ends of the swing shaft are connected to the vertical sections of the L-shaped or T-shaped structure, and the abutment surface is provided on the horizontal section of the L-shaped or T-shaped structure.

7. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The support seat is fixedly connected to the bottom surface by at least one of welding, bonding, clamping, screwing and fixing by a fixing piece.

8. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The acoustic head support also includes a passive wheel arranged on the swing shaft, the passive wheel and the swing shaft are coaxially arranged, the base has a swing bracket extending toward the swing shaft and a shell arranged around the swing bracket, the swing bracket is protruded relative to the shell, and the protruding part of the swing bracket has a swing support head, the swing shaft is rotatably mounted on the swing support head, and the size of the protruding part is ≥ two-thirds of the radius of the passive wheel; the transmission member is mounted on the passive wheel to drive the passive wheel, the swing shaft and the acoustic head to swing on the swing support head.

9. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 8, wherein: In the length direction of the swing shaft, the driven wheel is arranged away from the length center of the swing shaft.

10. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 9, wherein: There are at least two swing brackets, and a limiting structure is provided on the swing shaft to prevent the swing shaft from moving relative to the swing bracket along its length direction.

11. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first axis passes through the swing shaft.

12. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The first axis and the axis of the swing shaft are perpendicular to each other.

13. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The lens has an arc-shaped structure adapted to the arc-shaped surface, the curvature radius of the arc-shaped structure is R, and the difference between the vertical distance between the line connecting the two ends of the array element layer and the top of the arc-shaped surface and the vertical distance between the axis of the swing axis and the top of the arc-shaped surface is ≥0.5R.

14. An intracavitary ultrasound probe, characterized in that: include: An acoustic head, the acoustic head is used to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals; an acoustic head support, the acoustic head is mounted on the acoustic head support, the acoustic head support comprises a swing shaft and a passive wheel arranged on the swing shaft, the passive wheel and the swing shaft are arranged coaxially; A base, wherein the acoustic head support is rotatably connected to the base, the base having a swing bracket extending toward the swing shaft and a shell disposed around the swing bracket, the swing bracket protruding relative to the shell, and the protruding portion of the swing bracket having a swing support head, the swing shaft being rotatably mounted on the swing support head, wherein a vertical distance between the axis of the swing shaft and the uppermost edge of the shell is sufficient to enable the acoustic head to swing on the base at an angle greater than or equal to 180°; and an acoustic head driving assembly, the acoustic head driving assembly comprising a transmission member and a driving member, the transmission member is used to drive the swing shaft and the acoustic head to swing relative to the base, and the driving member is used to provide power to drive the swing.

15. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 14, wherein: The vertical distance between the axis of the swing shaft and the uppermost edge of the housing is greater than or equal to two-thirds of the radius of the driven wheel.

16. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 14, wherein: In the length direction of the swing shaft, the driven wheel is arranged away from the length center of the swing shaft.

17. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 14, wherein: There are at least two swing brackets, and a limiting structure is provided on the swing shaft to prevent the swing shaft from moving relative to the swing bracket along its length direction.

18. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein: The acoustic head includes a backing, an array element layer, a matching layer, and a lens layer. The array element layer has a plurality of array elements. The backing is located on the positive side of the array element, the matching layer is located on the negative side of the array element, and the lens layer is provided on the side of the matching layer away from the array element. The array elements in the array element layer are arranged in an array, and the array element layer is in the shape of an arc with the first axis as the axis.

19. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 18, wherein: The first axis and the axis of the swing shaft are perpendicular to each other.

20. An intracavity ultrasound probe, characterized in that: include: An acoustic head, the acoustic head comprising a backing, an array element layer, a matching layer, and a lens layer, the array element layer having a plurality of array elements, the backing being located on the positive side of the array element, the matching layer being located on the negative side of the array element, and the lens layer being located on the side of the matching layer facing away from the array element; the array element layer being in an arc shape with a first axis as its axis center, and a central angle formed between two ends of the array element layer and the first axis being greater than or equal to 180°; an acoustic head support, on which the acoustic head is mounted; a base, the acoustic head support being rotatably connected to the base; and an acoustic head driving assembly, the acoustic head driving assembly comprising a transmission member and a driving member, the transmission member is used to drive the acoustic head support member and the acoustic head to swing relative to the base, and the driving member is used to provide power to drive the swing.

21. The intracavity ultrasound probe according to claim 20, wherein: An accommodating space is formed on the surface of the backing away from the array element layer. The acoustic head support comprises a swing shaft, which is located in the accommodating space and is integrally formed with the backing or fixed on the backing.

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