Probe fixing support for ultrasonic examination

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of medical auxiliary equipment, in particular to a probe fixing support for ultrasonic examination. The present application comprises a mobile support frame, a multi-angle adjusting mechanism, a probe positioning mechanism and an integrated coupling agent layer forming mechanism. The mobile support frame is realized flexible movement through universal wheels with self-locking, and the vertical sliding unit can adjust the overall height. The multi-angle adjusting mechanism adopts a combination of damping universal ball chain and universal flexible shaft to realize multi-dimensional adjustment of the probe and complex curved surface fitting. The probe positioning mechanism realizes the fixation of the probe through the U-shaped clamp body and the suction cup. The coupling agent layer forming mechanism detects the distance through the position sensor, and the driving element controls the coupling agent supply pipe to drive the filling frame to contact the skin. The miniature air pump pushes the coupling agent to be uniformly extruded through the annular elastic liquid outlet pipe, and a bubble-free and uniform-thickness coupling agent layer is formed in the filling frame. The present application realizes the integrated operation of probe positioning and automatic and uniform coupling agent application, significantly improving the examination efficiency and imaging quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical auxiliary devices, specifically to a probe fixation bracket for ultrasound examination. Background Technology

[0002] In current ultrasound elastography (SWE) procedures, the core steps rely on purely manual control by the healthcare professional. The standard procedure is as follows: The healthcare professional first applies a layer of ultrasound coupling gel to the patient's skin at the site of examination. Then, holding the probe, the professional gently places it on top of the coupling gel layer, ensuring the probe remains separated from the skin by the gel layer at all times. Ensuring there is no air gap between the probe and the skin, the thickness of the coupling gel layer creates a specific suspension distance between the probe and the skin. The operator must maintain this distance stably and ensure no external pressure is applied to the tissue by the probe before triggering the device to acquire data.

[0003] However, this highly skill-dependent operating mode has inherent limitations. First, the operator must keep their wrist suspended for extended periods, and any slight physiological tremor (such as muscle fatigue or respiratory fluctuations) can cause probe displacement. Because SWE technology is extremely sensitive to stability, such minute movements can directly interfere with the propagation of shear waves, leading to deviations in the calculation of the elastic modulus value. This could result in benign lesions being misdiagnosed as malignant, or inaccurate measurements of the lesion's extent.

[0004] Secondly, when fatigued, medical staff may find it difficult to maintain precise pressure control and may unintentionally apply extra pressure to the probe. Pressure alters the actual elastic properties of tissues, leading to artificially inflated elastic modulus values. This not only affects the comparability of data from different sites within the same patient but also disrupts the consistency of data between different patients or across multiple follow-up visits of the same patient.

[0005] Furthermore, the interface state of the coupling agent, as the medium for sound wave transmission, is crucial to image quality. In manual operation, especially on curved surfaces, it is difficult to ensure an ideal and stable fit between the probe and the skin's curvature via the coupling agent. Local gaps can easily form, and air can easily mix into the coupling agent, forming bubbles, when adjusting the probe. These bubbles strongly reflect ultrasound waves, causing image artifacts or signal loss, potentially missing minute lesions or failing to acquire complete elasticity data.

[0006] The most critical problem lies in the lack of objective standards for controlling the suspension distance. This crucial parameter relies entirely on the operator's feel and visual estimation, and the system lacks a quantification and stabilization mechanism. Therefore, it is difficult to guarantee consistency in the suspension distance between different operators, and even between multiple measurements by the same operator. This directly leads to fluctuations in the elastic modulus measurement results, resulting in poor data repeatability and severely limiting its clinical application value in long-term follow-up. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the problems of poor stability, large measurement error, easy mixing of gas into the coupling agent, uncontrollable probe suspension distance, and weak anatomical adaptability in the existing handheld probe operation of ultrasound elastography.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: An ultrasound probe holder includes a movable support frame. A multi-angle adjustment mechanism is mounted on a movable support frame. A probe positioning mechanism is connected to the end of the multi-angle adjustment mechanism to achieve probe angle adjustment. Probe positioning mechanism, used to connect the probe; The coupling agent layer forming mechanism is set on the probe positioning mechanism and is used to automatically extrude coupling agent to form a coupling agent layer; The coupling agent layer forming mechanism includes a coupling agent filling frame, which is sleeved on the outside of the probe to define a coupling agent filling area between the probe and the skin, so as to form a spacer layer filled with coupling agent between the probe and the skin.

[0009] Furthermore, the coupling agent forming mechanism also includes: A sliding guide structure is vertically installed on the side of the probe positioning mechanism; A coupling agent supply tube is movably mounted on a sliding guide structure. A coupling agent filling frame is provided at its bottom and is connected to the coupling agent filling frame for supplying coupling agent into the coupling agent filling frame. The driving component, located on the probe positioning mechanism and connected to the coupling agent supply tube, is used to drive the coupling agent supply tube to slide along the sliding guide structure and move the coupling agent filling frame closer to or away from the skin.

[0010] Furthermore, the coupling agent supply tube is a tubular structure, which contains the coupling agent. The top is sealed with a top cover, and the top cover has an air inlet. The air inlet is connected to a miniature air pump set on the probe positioning mechanism through a pipeline, which is used to inflate the inside of the coupling agent supply tube to push the coupling agent out.

[0011] Furthermore, an elastic outlet tube is provided at the bottom of the coupling agent filling frame. The elastic outlet tube is connected to the coupling agent supply tube and surrounds the bottom of the coupling agent filling frame in a ring. Multiple outlets are evenly opened circumferentially on the side of the elastic outlet tube facing the inside of the coupling agent filling frame to deliver the coupling agent into the inside of the coupling agent filling frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the sliding guide structure includes: A metal bracket is vertically fixed to the side of the probe positioning mechanism. A guide hole is provided on the metal bracket, and the guide hole slides in conjunction with the coupling agent supply tube. The reset spring is sleeved on the outside of the coupling agent supply tube. The bottom of the reset spring is fixed to the top of the metal bracket, and the top is fixed to the bottom of the top cover.

[0013] Furthermore, the driving components include a drive motor, a rotating wheel, and a tensioning rope; The drive motor is mounted on the probe positioning mechanism; The rotating wheel is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor, and one end of the tightening rope is wound around the rotating wheel, while the other end is connected to the coupling agent supply pipe; The drive motor drives the rotating wheel to rotate to wind or unwind the tension rope, thereby driving the coupling agent supply tube to slide.

[0014] Furthermore, the probe positioning mechanism includes: The U-shaped clamp is hinged at the top to a multi-angle adjustment mechanism, and adjustment holes are symmetrically opened on both sides of the U-shaped clamp. The adjusting screw passes through the adjusting hole and engages with the threaded adjustment hole, and extends into the inner cavity of the U-shaped clamp. The suction cup is located at one end of the adjusting screw that extends into the cavity of the U-shaped clamp, and the suction cup abuts against the probe handle.

[0015] Furthermore, the movable support frame includes: The base has casters at the bottom. The slide rail is vertically mounted on the top of the base. The slider is slidably mounted on the slide rail and its position is fixed by a locking mechanism.

[0016] Furthermore, the multi-angle adjustment mechanism includes a damping universal ball chain and a universal flexible shaft. One end of the damping universal ball chain is connected to the slider, and the other end is connected to the universal flexible shaft. The other end of the universal flexible shaft is hinged to the probe positioning mechanism.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a position sensor, which is mounted on the probe positioning mechanism to detect the distance between the probe and the skin.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. By adjusting the damped universal ball chain and universal flexible shaft in the multi-angle adjustment mechanism, combined with the height adjustment of the vertical sliding unit of the movable support frame, the probe achieves precise positioning in space with multiple dimensions and full degrees of freedom, including up / down, left / right, pitch, and rotation. It can conform to the complex, uneven surfaces of the human body, overcoming the difficulty of achieving a tight fit with traditional rigid supports. It also solves the problem of probe height changes and inaccurate measurements that may occur when medical personnel maintain the testing posture for extended periods.

[0019] 2. By integrating the coupling agent layer forming mechanism with the probe positioning mechanism, and employing a coupling agent filling frame and its bottom elastic outlet tube, the automation and standardization of coupling agent generation with a specific thickness in a defined area are achieved. Under the control of a position sensor, the filling frame falls and forms a sealed space with the skin surface. A micro-pump extrudes the coupling agent from the circumferentially evenly distributed outlets. The coupling agent smoothly fills the sealed frame from bottom to top, forming a uniform thickness of coupling agent in conjunction with the bottom of the probe. This solves the problem of air bubbles introduced by improper scraping during manual application, while ensuring the consistency and controllability of the coupling agent layer thickness.

[0020] 3. The probe positioning mechanism utilizes a suction cup to quickly clamp and fix the probe, and an electrically controlled drive and return spring automate the application of coupling agent and the mechanism's reset, integrating previously separate operational steps into a continuous process. Medical staff no longer need to repeatedly and manually apply coupling agent, fix the probe, and adjust its position, significantly reducing pre-examination preparation time and improving diagnostic efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of section A; Figure 3 This is a front view structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rear view structure of the present invention; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of section B; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the probe structure; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the coupling agent layer forming mechanism. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid outlet pipe structure; Figure 9 This is a top view of the present invention without the multi-angle adjustment mechanism; Figure 10 for Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the AA direction; Figure 11 Medical staff are holding a probe to perform ultrasound elastography.

[0022] The above figures include the following reference numerals: 1. Movable support frame; 10. Slide rail; 11. Slider; 12. Universal ball chain; 13. Universal flexible shaft; 2. Clamping body; 20. Adjusting screw; 21. Suction cup; 3. Coupling agent supply pipe; 30. Return spring; 31. Air pump; 32. Rotating wheel; 33. Tightening rope; 4. Filling frame; 41. Discharge pipe; 42. Discharge port; 5. Probe. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments, and not all embodiments.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0025] refer to Figure 1-11 This invention provides a probe fixation bracket for ultrasound examination. The probe fixation bracket includes a movable support frame 1, a multi-angle adjustment mechanism, a probe positioning mechanism, and a coupling agent layer forming mechanism. The movable support frame 1 provides support and enables transfer in any environment. The multi-angle adjustment mechanism is connected between the movable support frame 1 and the probe positioning mechanism to adapt to the curved surfaces of different anatomical sites and achieve precise multi-dimensional angle adjustment of the probe. The probe positioning mechanism and the coupling agent layer forming mechanism are integrated into one unit, which not only achieves pressureless and stable fixation of the probe and distance positioning, but also simultaneously achieves automatic and uniform application of coupling agent, avoiding the problem of air bubbles mixed in due to manual operation.

[0026] In practical implementation, the mobile support frame 1 includes a base and a vertical sliding unit fixed to the top of the base. The base is generally a rectangular plate structure, with bolt holes along the edge of its upper surface for fixed connection with the vertical sliding unit. The lower surface is fixed with caster wheel mounting seats by welding, and each mounting seat has threaded holes for mounting casters. The casters are medical silent casters with self-locking function.

[0027] In specific implementation, the vertical sliding unit includes a slide rail 10 and a slider 11. The slide rail 10 adopts an integral cylindrical structure, and its length is designed to be adjustable according to the clinical testing needs. The two ends of the slide rail 10 are sealed by circular end plates. The diameter of the end plates is larger than the diameter of the slide rail 10. Mounting holes corresponding to the bolt holes on the upper surface of the base are opened on the end plates. The slide rail 10 is vertically fixed to the center position of the top of the base by internal hex bolts.

[0028] In practice, the slider 11 is a rectangular metal block, and its dimensions are designed according to the diameter of the slide rail 10 and the connection requirements. A circular through-hole is formed vertically inside the slider 11, with the axis of the through-hole coinciding with the vertical center line of the slider 11. The diameter of the through-hole matches the outer diameter of the slide rail 10, ensuring that the slider 11 can slide smoothly along the slide rail 10 without significant wobble. A threaded hole is formed horizontally on the side of the slider 11, penetrating the side wall of the slider 11 and communicating with the internal vertical circular through-hole. The threaded hole's specifications match the locking bolt, and its axis is perpendicular to the vertical sliding direction of the slider 11.

[0029] When the bolt is fully screwed into the threaded hole, one end of it extending into the circular through hole inside the slider 11 can contact the surface of the slide rail 10. The bolt end is machined to be flat. To enhance locking reliability, a circular wear-resistant rubber pad is attached to the end of the bolt extending into the through hole. When it is necessary to adjust the height of the slider 11, loosen the locking bolt to disengage the rubber pad at the bolt end from the surface of the slide rail 10. Medical personnel can then push the slider 11 to slide vertically along the slide rail 10 until it is adjusted to the appropriate height for the detection area. After the slider 11 reaches the target height, tighten the locking bolt clockwise. The bolt moves horizontally toward the slide rail 10 until the end rubber pad is in close contact with the surface of the slide rail 10. The static friction generated between the rubber pad and the slide rail 10 locks the position of the slider 11.

[0030] In practice, the multi-angle adjustment mechanism is connected between the slider 11 and the probe positioning mechanism. It adopts a two-stage adjustment structure of damped universal ball chain 12 and universal flexible shaft 13 to achieve 360° rotation of the probe and fitting of complex curved surfaces, ensuring that the probe is accurately adapted to the curved surfaces of different anatomical parts.

[0031] The damping universal ball chain 12 is an existing structure, including a universal ball head and a ball seat, which undertakes a wide range of angle adjustment functions. The universal ball head is a solid structure, with one end extending along the axial direction to form a cylindrical connecting section. The surface of the connecting section is machined with external threads for connection with the universal flexible shaft 13; the other end of the universal ball head is machined into a flat surface for contact with the damping adjustment component to transmit damping force.

[0032] The ball seat has a hemispherical groove structure and an integrally formed flange on the outside of the ball seat. Bolt holes are opened on the flange, which correspond to the bolt holes on the connecting plane of the slider 11, for fixed connection with the slider 11.

[0033] In practical implementation, the universal flexible shaft 13 has an existing structure, including the flexible shaft body and the connecting joint. The flexible shaft body is a multi-layer stainless steel wire braided structure, including a core shaft, an inner braided layer, a middle braided layer, and an outer protective sleeve. The core shaft is a solid cylindrical structure, providing core support; the inner and middle braided layers are made of stainless steel wire to improve the torsional resistance of the flexible shaft, ensuring that the flexible shaft does not twist or shift when bent; the outer protective sleeve is made of medical-grade silicone rubber to avoid scratching the patient's skin and has disinfection resistance, allowing bending in any direction and maintaining its shape after bending, meeting the positioning needs of complex human body surfaces.

[0034] The connecting joints are located at both ends of the flexible shaft body. One end of the connecting joint has an internal threaded hole, which is screwed into the external thread of the universal ball joint connecting section and locked in place by a nut. The other end of the connecting joint has an external thread for connecting to the probe positioning mechanism.

[0035] When the device is not in use, the universal flexible shaft 13 can be folded so that the probe positioning mechanism and the coupling agent layer forming mechanism are close to the mobile support frame 1, making it easy to store in grassroots medical institutions or wards with limited space.

[0036] In practice, the probe positioning mechanism and the coupling agent layer forming mechanism are integrated into one unit, which respectively realizes the positioning of the probe and the automatic and uniform delivery of the coupling agent.

[0037] In practical implementation, the probe positioning mechanism adopts a semi-enclosed open structure, compatible with mainstream ultrasonic elastography probes on the market, including a clamp 2, an adjusting screw 20, and a suction cup 21. The clamp 2 is a U-shaped metal frame structure. The top of the clamp 2 has an internal threaded hole that engages with the external thread of the connector at the end of the universal flexible shaft 13 for fixation. After engagement, it is locked by a set screw. Adjusting holes are symmetrically provided on the vertical arms on both sides of the clamp 2 for installing the adjusting screw 20.

[0038] The adjusting screw 20 is a hexagonal head bolt. One end of the adjusting screw 20 extends into the inner cavity of the clamp 2 and engages with the adjusting hole of the vertical arm of the clamp 2 via threads. The other end is located on the outside of the clamp 2, facilitating rotation and adjustment by medical personnel. Two sets of suction cups 21 are symmetrically distributed inside the clamp 2. The suction cups 21 ensure even distribution of the fixing force on the probe and are fixed to the end of the adjusting screw 20 that extends into the inner cavity of the clamp 2. The suction cups 21 have a bowl-shaped structure and are made of medical-grade silicone rubber, possessing good elasticity and adhesion, allowing them to closely adhere to the probe handle surface without damaging the probe. By rotating the adjusting screw 20, the suction cups 21 can be moved radially along the clamp 2 to adjust the opening width of the clamp 2. When the probe is inserted, loosen the adjusting screw 20 to allow the suction cups 21 to contact the probe surface, then slowly tighten the adjusting screw 20 until the suction cups 21 clamp the probe, ensuring the probe is fixed without pressure.

[0039] In practice, the coupling agent layer forming mechanism includes a coupling agent supply pipe 3, a metal bracket, a return spring 30, a driving component, a micro air pump 31, and a position sensor. Each component is mechanically connected and linked with the circuit to realize the fully automated control of the coupling agent from storage to uniform laying, avoiding problems such as uneven coupling agent thickness and air bubbles caused by manual operation.

[0040] In practice, the metal bracket has an overall L-shaped structure, including a vertical fixing section and a horizontal support section. The vertical fixing section has two sets of bolt holes along its length, which are used to fix it to the side walls of the clamp body. A rectangular guide hole is provided at the end of the horizontal support section furthest from the vertical fixing section.

[0041] The coupling agent supply tube 3 is a cylindrical tube made of 304 stainless steel through stretching. Two guide ridges are symmetrically arranged along the axial direction on the side wall of the tube. These guide ridges are clearance-fitted with the rectangular guide holes of the horizontal support section of the metal bracket, allowing the coupling agent supply tube 3 to slide vertically along the guide holes. A circular cap is provided at the top of the coupling agent supply tube 3, with an internally threaded hole in the center. This hole seals with the external thread at the top of the coupling agent supply tube 3, preventing coupling agent leakage from the top. Metal lugs are welded to the outside of the cap, with the lug axis perpendicular to the cap axis, for connecting the tightening rope 33 of the drive component.

[0042] A return spring 30 is fitted onto the upper half of the coupling agent supply tube 3 and is a cylindrical helical compression spring. The top of the spring is fixedly connected to the top cover of the coupling agent supply tube 3 by a ring clamp; the bottom of the spring is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the horizontal support section of the metal bracket. In the initial state, the return spring 30 is in a naturally extended state. When the coupling agent supply tube 3 slides downward, the spring is compressed and generates an elastic restoring force. After the driving component releases the driving force, it can automatically reset the coupling agent supply tube 3 to its initial position without manual intervention.

[0043] In practice, the driving component is located on the top side of the horizontal support section of the metal bracket, providing downward sliding force for the coupling agent supply tube 3. It includes a drive motor, a rotating wheel 32, and a tightening rope 33. The drive motor is a micro stepper motor (model 28BYJ-48), fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal support section via a motor bracket, perpendicular to the sliding direction of the coupling agent supply tube 3. The rotating wheel 32 is a circular plastic wheel with both ends and a pivot located above the bracket. An annular groove is formed on the outer wall of the wheel along its circumference for winding the tightening rope 33. The tightening rope 33 is made of high-strength nylon rope. One end of the rope is fixed to the groove of the rotating wheel 32 by a plastic pressure block, which is connected to the rotating wheel 32 via heat fusion to prevent the rope from falling off. The other end of the rope is bound to a metal lug on the top cover of the coupling agent supply tube 3. The binding is achieved by multi-strand winding and knotting, and then reinforced with hot melt adhesive to ensure a secure connection. When the drive motor is powered on and rotates forward, the power is transmitted to the rotating wheel 32. The rotating wheel 32 rotates and winds the tightening rope 33. The tension generated by the tightening rope 33 drives the coupling agent supply tube 3 to slide downward along the guide hole of the metal bracket. When the motor is powered on and rotates in reverse, the rotating wheel 32 rotates in the opposite direction to release the tightening rope 33. The coupling agent supply tube 3 slides upward and resets under the elastic restoring force of the reset spring 30, realizing bidirectional controllability of the sleeve sliding.

[0044] In practice, the bottom of the couplant supply tube 3 is fixedly connected to the couplant filling frame 4. The couplant filling frame 4 is a rectangular frame made of 304 stainless steel, with an outer diameter adapted to the probe diameter. It is used to limit the couplant laying range and ensure that the couplant forms a layer of fixed thickness and size. A circular through-hole is opened at the top of the filling frame 4 near the side. The bottom of the couplant supply tube 3 is inserted into the through-hole, and the two are fixed by welding. The filling frame 4 is located directly below the clamp 2 and is arranged radially coaxially with the probe. In the initial state, the filling frame 4 is fitted onto the outside of the probe.

[0045] An elastic outlet tube 41 is fixedly installed on the inner bottom side of the filling frame 4. The outlet tube 41 is made of medical-grade silicone rubber and is arranged in a ring around the inner wall of the filling frame 4. A through hole is opened at the top of the outlet tube 41 and connected to the bottom outlet end of the through connection hole to ensure that the coupling agent flows into the outlet tube 41 through the through connection hole. The outlet tube 41 has outlets 42 evenly distributed around its circumference on the side facing the inside of the filling frame 4. The axis of the outlet 42 forms a 45° angle with the bottom surface of the filling frame 4, so that the coupling agent can be squeezed out from the outlet 42 and flow evenly to the bottom along the inner wall of the filling frame 4 to form a coupling agent layer of uniform thickness, avoiding local coupling agent accumulation or lack that may affect the transmission of ultrasound signals. At the same time, the flexibility of the elastic outlet tube 41 can adapt to the slight undulations of the skin surface. When the bottom of the filling frame 4 contacts the skin, the outlet tube 41 deforms slightly and fits the skin surface, reducing the gaps in the coupling agent layer and thus significantly reducing the probability of air bubble formation.

[0046] In practice, a miniature air pump 31 provides power for the delivery of the coupling agent. A miniature diaphragm pump (model FML600) is selected. The air pump 31 is bolted to one side of the metal bracket. The air inlet of the air pump 31 is connected to the outside through a medical-grade silicone tube, and the air outlet is connected to the air inlet on the top of the cover through a silicone tube of the same specification. In use, the miniature air pump 31 is powered on and pressurizes the inside of the coupling agent supply tube 3, pushing the coupling agent through the through-hole of the filling frame 4 into the outlet tube 41.

[0047] In practical implementation, the position sensor is the core component for detecting the distance between the probe and the skin, and a diffuse reflection photoelectric sensor (model OMRON E3Z-D61) is selected. The sensor is fixed to the side of the clamp 2 by a bracket; one end of the bracket is fixed to the clamp 2 by bolts, and the other end is fixed to the sensor housing by a clip. When installing the sensor, the central axis of its detection end is kept at the same height as the central axis of the probe's detection end, and the detection direction is perpendicular to the skin to ensure that the detection distance is the actual vertical distance between the probe's detection end and the skin surface, avoiding misjudgment of distance due to detection angle deviation.

[0048] During the pre-detection positioning calibration phase, medical staff adjust the angle of the probe positioning mechanism using a multi-angle adjustment mechanism, while simultaneously pushing the slider 11 of the mobile support frame 1 to adjust its height, aligning the probe with the detection site. During this process, the position sensor continuously monitors the distance between the probe and the skin. When the detection distance reaches a preset value, the sensor's indicator light illuminates, indicating that the probe has reached the target height. At this point, the medical staff presses the first control switch located on the main frame of the mobile support frame 1. This switch is electrically connected to a motor that drives the coupling agent supply tube 3 to slide via a wire. After the switch is triggered, the motor is powered and rotates forward. Power is transmitted to the rotating wheel 32 via a reduction gear set. The rotating wheel 32 winds and tightens the rope 33, causing the coupling agent supply tube 3 to slide downwards along the guide hole of the metal bracket. Since the coupling agent filling frame 4 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the coupling agent supply tube 3, the filling frame 4 slides synchronously downwards with the sleeve towards the probe. Initially, the filling frame 4 is fitted onto the outside of the probe, gradually moving towards the skin during the sliding process until the elastic outlet tube 41 at the bottom of the filling frame 4 contacts the skin surface. The discharge tube 41 has good flexibility and elasticity, and undergoes slight deformation upon contact with the skin, which acts as a buffer to avoid pressure damage to the skin caused by rigid contact. At this time, the medical staff observes that the filling frame 4 has been attached to the skin, and presses the first control switch again. The motor is powered off and stops rotating, and the coupling agent supply tube 3 and the filling frame 4 remain fixed in their current positions.

[0049] During the coupling agent delivery phase, medical staff press the second control switch located next to the first control switch. This switch is electrically connected to the miniature air pump 31 and the control valve. After the switch is triggered, the control unit receives the signal and instructs the control valve to open and the miniature air pump 31 to start. The air pressure generated by the air pump 31 pushes the coupling agent in the coupling agent supply tube 3 along the delivery channel to the elastic outlet tube 41 at the bottom of the filling frame 4. The coupling agent is then squeezed out into the filling frame 4 through the evenly distributed outlets 42 on the inner side of the outlet tube 41. Under the action of air pressure, the coupling agent slowly fills the filling frame 4, gradually diffusing from the bottom to the top of the filling frame 4 until it contacts the bottom of the probe. Because the filling frame 4 is a closed frame structure, with the top attached to the bottom of the probe and the bottom attached to the skin surface, the coupling agent, within the formed space, is continuously pushed by air pressure and limited by the frame, gradually and evenly spreading throughout the interior of the filling frame 4, forming a uniform thickness, bubble-free coupling agent layer. This meets the requirements for coupling agent laying in ultrasound elastography examination and avoids local coupling agent deficiency or air bubbles affecting ultrasound signal transmission.

[0050] After a single test is completed, the cleaning phase begins. Medical staff manually pull the universal flexible shaft 13 of the multi-angle adjustment mechanism, causing the probe positioning mechanism to lift upwards, separating the filling frame 4 from the skin. Then, the inside of the filling frame 4 and the surface of the elastic fluid outlet tube 41 are wiped with medical gauze or disinfectant wipes to remove residual coupling agent. After cleaning, the third control switch on the main frame is pressed, the motor is powered on and reversed, the rotating wheel 32 releases the tightening rope 33, and the coupling agent supply tube 3 slides upwards under the elastic restoring force of the return spring 30, simultaneously lifting the filling frame 4 upwards until the filling frame 4 returns to its initial position (fitted on the outside of the probe). At this time, the bottom of the probe is fully exposed, and medical staff can use disinfectant wipes or special probe cleaner to clean and disinfect the bottom of the probe, preparing it for the next test. The entire cleaning process does not require disassembling any parts, making it convenient to operate and compliant with medical hygiene standards.

[0051] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A probe fixing bracket for ultrasound examination, comprising a movable support frame (1), characterized in that, A multi-angle adjustment mechanism is set on a movable support frame (1). The end of the multi-angle adjustment mechanism is connected to a probe positioning mechanism to realize the angle adjustment of the probe (5). A probe positioning mechanism is used to connect the probe (5); The coupling agent layer forming mechanism is set on the probe positioning mechanism and is used to automatically extrude coupling agent to form a coupling agent layer; The coupling agent layer forming mechanism includes a coupling agent filling frame (4), which is sleeved on the outside of the probe (5) to define the coupling agent filling area between the probe (5) and the skin, so that a spacer layer filled with coupling agent is formed between the probe (5) and the skin.

2. The ultrasound probe fixing bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling agent forming mechanism also includes: A sliding guide structure is vertically installed on the side of the probe positioning mechanism; The coupling agent supply tube (3) is movably mounted on the sliding guide structure. A coupling agent filling frame (4) is provided at its bottom and is connected to the coupling agent filling frame (4) for delivering coupling agent into the coupling agent filling frame (4). The driving component is set on the probe positioning mechanism and connected to the coupling agent supply tube (3). It is used to drive the coupling agent supply tube (3) to slide along the sliding guide structure and drive the coupling agent filling frame (4) to move closer to or away from the skin.

3. The ultrasound probe fixing bracket according to claim 2, characterized in that, The coupling agent supply tube (3) is a tubular structure, which is used to contain the coupling agent. The top is sealed with a top cover, and an air inlet is provided on the top cover. The air inlet is connected to a miniature air pump (31) set on the probe positioning mechanism through a pipeline, which is used to fill the inside of the coupling agent supply tube (3) with air to push the coupling agent out.

4. The ultrasound probe fixing bracket according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the coupling agent filling frame (4) is provided with an elastic outlet pipe (41). The elastic outlet pipe (41) is connected to the coupling agent supply pipe (3) and surrounds the bottom of the coupling agent filling frame (4) in a ring. Multiple outlets (42) are evenly opened in the circumferential direction on the side of the elastic outlet pipe (41) facing the inside of the coupling agent filling frame (4) to deliver the coupling agent to the inside of the coupling agent filling frame (4).

5. The ultrasound probe fixing bracket according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sliding guide structure includes: A metal bracket is vertically fixed on the side of the probe positioning mechanism. A guide hole is provided on the metal bracket, and the guide hole slides in conjunction with the coupling agent supply pipe (3). The reset spring (30) is sleeved on the outside of the coupling agent supply tube (3). The bottom of the reset spring (30) is fixed to the top of the metal bracket, and the top is fixed to the bottom of the top cover.

6. The ultrasound probe fixing bracket according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving components include a drive motor, a rotating wheel (32), and a tensioning rope (33); The drive motor is mounted on the probe positioning mechanism; The rotating wheel (32) is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor. One end of the tightening rope (33) is wrapped around the rotating wheel (32), and the other end is connected to the coupling agent supply pipe (3). The drive motor drives the rotating wheel (32) to rotate to wind or release the tightening rope (33), thereby driving the coupling agent supply tube (3) to slide.

7. The ultrasound probe fixing bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that, The probe positioning mechanism includes: The top of the U-shaped clamp (2) is hinged to the multi-angle adjustment mechanism, and adjustment holes are symmetrically opened on both sides of the U-shaped clamp (2); The adjusting screw (20) is inserted into the adjusting hole and threaded into the adjusting hole, and extends into the inner cavity of the U-shaped clamp (2); The suction cup (21) is located at one end of the U-shaped clamp (2) cavity into which the adjusting screw (20) extends, and the suction cup (21) abuts against the handle of the probe (5).

8. The ultrasound probe fixing bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable support frame (1) includes: The base has casters at the bottom. The slide rail (10) is vertically mounted on the top of the base; The slider (11) is slidably set on the slide rail (10) and fixed in position by the locking mechanism.

9. The ultrasound probe fixing bracket according to claim 8, characterized in that, The multi-angle adjustment mechanism includes a damping universal ball chain (12) and a universal flexible shaft (13). One end of the damping universal ball chain (12) is connected to the slider (11), and the other end is connected to the universal flexible shaft (13). The other end of the universal flexible shaft (13) is hinged to the probe positioning mechanism.

10. A probe fixing bracket for ultrasound examination according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a position sensor, which is set on the probe positioning mechanism to detect the distance between the probe (5) and the skin.

Images