Ultrasonic probe

Abstract

The present application provides an ultrasonic probe having good operability. The ultrasonic probe (100) has an operating portion (14). The operating portion (14) has a thick portion (26) and a necked portion (28). The necked portion (28) has a necked surface (29) in a saddle shape. In the necked surface (29), an anterior slope is steeper than a posterior slope. A back portion (32) and a belly portion (34) are distinguished by a pair of ridge lines (36).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, and more particularly to an ultrasonic probe that is inserted into a body cavity. Background Technology

[0002] In live ultrasound examinations, ultrasound probes are used. As intracavitary insertion type ultrasound probes, there are known types such as those inserted into the vagina and those inserted into the rectum. Hereinafter, intracavitary insertion type ultrasound probes will be simply referred to as ultrasound probes.

[0003] An ultrasound probe typically consists of a head, a shaft, and an operating part. The head contains an ultrasonic transducer. The head is held in place by the shaft. The shaft is supported by the operating part. The operating part is the non-insertive portion held by the user's (doctor, examination technician, etc.) hand.

[0004] Patent documents 1 and 2 disclose intracavitary insertion type ultrasonic probes. The operating part of the ultrasonic probe is generally rod-shaped or cylindrical.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-37606 ( Figure 1 )

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-37607 ( Figure 1 )

[0007] In ultrasound examinations using ultrasound probes, after the head is inserted into the body cavity, for example, while the operating part is gently grasped by several fingers, the posture or position of the operating part is changed, thereby changing the posture or position of the head. During this process, it is desirable to maintain a stable position of the operating part. When the transceiver surface of the head is brought into close contact with the tissue surface within the body cavity, it is desirable that the force is transmitted naturally from the fingers to the operating part without causing pain or discomfort to the patient.

[0008] Ultrasonic examinations are performed in a dark room. During an ultrasonic examination, the user typically views the ultrasonic image. In this situation, it is desirable to reliably identify the rotation angle of the ultrasonic probe (the rotation angle about the central axis) by tactile sensation from multiple fingers grasping the operating part. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to improve the operability of ultrasonic probes. Alternatively, the purpose of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe having an operating part that is easy to place on a finger, easy to hook onto, or able to naturally identify the rotation angle through the touch of the finger.

[0010] The ultrasonic probe of this invention is characterized by having a front-back direction (z-direction), a left-right direction (x-direction) orthogonal to the z-direction, and a top-bottom direction (y-direction) orthogonal to both the z-direction and the x-direction. The ultrasonic probe includes: a head having an ultrasonic transducer and inserted into a body cavity; a shaft disposed on the rear side of the head and supporting the head, extending along the z-direction; and an operating part disposed on the rear side of the shaft and supporting the shaft. The operating part has an upward-facing back and a downward-facing abdomen. The abdomen has a concave neck surface that is concave upward when viewed from the x-direction. The concave neck surface has a saddle shape including a front slope and a rear slope, and the front slope is steeper than the rear slope when viewed from the x-direction.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to the present invention, the operability of an ultrasonic probe can be improved. Alternatively, according to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe is provided having an operating part that is easy to place on a finger, easy to hook onto, or can be naturally identified by the tactile sense of the finger to determine the rotation angle. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a front view showing the ultrasonic probe involved in the implementation method.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a magnified view of the head.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the ultrasonic probe involved in the implementation method.

[0016] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the operating section.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional representation of the abdomen.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram representing the constricted neck.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a top view showing the ultrasonic probe involved in the implementation method.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the locations of multiple cross sections.

[0021] Figure 9 It is a diagram representing multiple xy sections.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an ultrasonic probe with a puncture adapter installed.

[0023] Figure 11 This is the main view showing the installation section.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a sectional view showing the installation section.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the ultrasonic probe involved in the modified example.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 10-Installation part, 12-Transition part, 14-Operating part, 15-Probe cable, 16-Head, 18-Shaft, 24-Handle part, 26-Hypertrophic part, 28-Neck retraction, 29-Neck retraction face, 30-Phrench part, 32-Back, 34-Abdomen, 36-Spine line, 100-Ultrasound probe. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] (1) Overview of the implementation method

[0030] For the ultrasonic probe involved in the implementation method, the front-back direction (z-direction), the left-right direction (x-direction) orthogonal to the z-direction, and the up-down direction (y-direction) orthogonal to both the z-direction and the x-direction are defined.

[0031] The ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment has a head, a shaft, and an operating part. The head is the part having an ultrasonic transducer and inserted into a body cavity. The shaft is the part located behind the head and supporting the head, extending along the z-direction. The operating part is the part located behind the shaft and supporting the shaft. The operating part has an upward-facing back and a downward-facing abdomen. The abdomen has a constricted neck surface that is concave upward when viewed from the x-direction. The constricted neck surface has a saddle shape including a front slope and a rear slope. When viewed from the x-direction, the front slope is steeper than the rear slope.

[0032] In the above structure, when the operating part is held by the user's hand, for example, the constricted surface is supported by the fingers, or the fingers are wrapped around the constricted surface. The constricted surface has a downward-facing saddle shape (or an inverted saddle shape), so the fingers can easily fit into the constricted surface, and the user can easily identify the rotation angle through the touch of the fingers. Since the saddle shape has a steep front slope, the fingers can easily hook onto the front slope. Therefore, it is easy to apply a forward motion force to the operating part from the fingers.

[0033] The insertion section (head and shaft) is covered by a probe cover. With the cover installed, the opening of the cover reaches the operating section. Typically, the portion of the cover near the opening (the neck section) is secured to the constricted neck by an elastic band. In this secured state, the presence of a bulge on the front side of the constricted neck facilitates maintenance of the fixation.

[0034] A typical example of a saddle shape is the hyperbolic paraboloid. In this embodiment, the saddle shape exhibits symmetry (linear symmetry) when viewed from the z-direction, but asymmetry (non-linear symmetry) when viewed from the x-direction. That is, when viewed from the x-direction, the front slope is steeper than the rear slope. In other words, the average angle of inclination of the front slope relative to the z-direction is greater than the average angle of inclination of the rear slope relative to the z-direction.

[0035] In this embodiment, each xy-section of the operating part is larger than all xy-sections of the shaft. That is, the operating part is generally thicker than the shaft. A transition section is provided between the shaft and the operating part. In the transition section, its xy-section changes in the z-direction. The operating part has a thickened portion and a constricted neck. The thickened portion is the part located behind the transition section and connected to the transition section. The thickened portion expands in the left-right and downward directions. The constricted neck is the part located behind the thickened portion and connected to the thickened portion, and has a constricted neck surface.

[0036] According to the above structure, since the enlarged portion is connected to the constricted neck, the relative concavity in the constricted neck can be increased. When the operating portion is viewed from the z-direction, and imagined as the dial of a clock, the constricted neck is concave relative to the operating portion, for example, within an angle range at least from the 4 o'clock to the 8 o'clock direction downwards. In other words, the enlarged portion is enlarged relative to the constricted neck, for example, within an angle range at least from the 4 o'clock to the 8 o'clock direction downwards. Here, the 12 o'clock direction is the upward direction, and the 6 o'clock direction is the downward direction.

[0037] In this implementation, the largest xy-section of the enlarged portion is greater than all xy-sections of the constricted neck. In other words, the largest xy-section (or largest perimeter) of the enlarged portion is greater than any xy-section (or any perimeter) of the constricted neck.

[0038] In this embodiment, the operating part includes a rear portion disposed on the rear side of the constricted neck. The rear portion is connected to the constricted neck and to the probe cable. The maximum xy-section of the enlarged portion is greater than all xy-sections of the rear portion. In other words, the maximum xy-section (or maximum circumference) of the enlarged portion is greater than any xy-section (or any circumference) of the rear portion.

[0039] In this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe has a central axis parallel to the z-direction. The constricted surface has a saddle point, which is a point belonging to the yz section including the central axis and is the highest point in the y-direction. The front slope is a surface located further forward than the saddle point. The rear slope is a surface located further rear than the saddle point. Both the front and rear slopes are curved surfaces. As described above, when viewed from the x-direction, the front slope is steeper than the rear slope. Because the rear slope is a gentle slope, various gripping methods are allowed.

[0040] In this embodiment, the operating part includes a pair of ridges, or boundary lines, protruding to both sides in the x-direction. These boundary lines distinguish the back from the abdomen. The width of the operating part in the x-direction varies along the y-direction. With the position in the y-direction where the maximum width is generated defined as the maximum width height, the pair of ridges are generated through a continuous variation of the maximum width height along the z-direction.

[0041] In this implementation, under certain conditions, the back and abdomen are distinguished by a pair of boundary lines. Specifically, when viewed from the z-direction, the portion higher than the pair of boundary lines within the upper angular range from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock is the back. If the pair of boundary lines descend beyond the upper angular range, the upper angular range can be defined as the back.

[0042] In this embodiment, each pair of boundary lines has a vertex, a drooping portion, and a sloping portion. The vertex is the highest point when viewed from the x-direction. The drooping portion is the portion extending forward from the vertex, drooping forward when viewed from the x-direction. The sloping portion is the portion extending backward from the vertex, sloping when viewed from the x-direction. This structure reflects the shape of the abdomen involved in this embodiment.

[0043] In this embodiment, the saddle shape has multiple downward convex curves belonging to multiple xy sections and multiple upward convex curves belonging to multiple yz sections. The multiple downward convex curves are symmetrical. The multiple upward convex curves are asymmetrical.

[0044] In this embodiment, the aforementioned back has a flat surface extending along the z-direction. For example, the thumb contacts the flat surface. The thickness (y-direction dimension) of the constricted neck is less than the width (x-direction dimension) of the constricted neck. That is, the constricted neck has a flat xy-section. When the fingertip is pressed against the constricted neck surface, the rotation angle of the ultrasonic probe can be naturally identified.

[0045] In this embodiment, the transition portion has a notch and a protrusion. The notch has a first surface facing forward and a second surface facing sideways. The protrusion is integrated with the first and second surfaces and protrudes from them. This structure facilitates cleaning of the protrusion.

[0046] In one embodiment, the protrusion includes a semi-cylindrical body and a rounded front end connected to the body. The protrusion engages with a recess or opening in the puncture adapter. This structure allows for easy and reliable installation of the puncture adapter.

[0047] (2) Detailed description of the implementation method

[0048] Figure 1The illustrated ultrasound probe 100 is an intracavitary insertion type ultrasound probe, for example, inserted into the vagina. The structure described below can also be applied to other ultrasound probes.

[0049] exist Figure 1 In this diagram, the z-direction is the front-to-back direction, the x-direction (through the paper) is the left-to-right direction, and the y-direction is the up-to-down direction. The x, y, and z directions are orthogonal to each other. The front-to-back direction is the insertion direction, the left-to-right direction is the width direction, and the up-to-down direction is the thickness direction.

[0050] The ultrasonic probe 100 has an insertion part 10, a transition part 12, and an operating part 14. The insertion part 10 is the part that is inserted into the body cavity. The transition part 12 and the operating part 14 are non-insertion parts. The insertion part 10 has a head 16 and a shaft 18.

[0051] An ultrasonic transducer is provided in the head 16. In this embodiment, a transducer array is provided as the ultrasonic transducer. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted through the transducer array, and reflected waves are received. The transducer array will be described in detail later. The head 16 has a front end portion 16A, a middle portion 16B, and a rear end portion 16C. In the rear end portion 16C, the dimensions of its xy section change along the z direction. A pair of slots 42A are formed in the rear end portion 16C.

[0052] Shaft 18 is connected to and supports head 16. Shaft 18 has a rod-like shape extending along the z-direction. The central axis of ultrasonic probe 100 is aligned with the central axis 19 of shaft 18.

[0053] The transition portion 12 is connected to and supports the shaft 18. In the transition portion 12, the dimensions of its xy-section change along the z-direction. The transition portion 12 has a pair of notches 38. A pair of protrusions 40A are provided in the pair of notches 38. The pair of protrusions 40A and the pair of grooves 42A are structures for mounting the puncture adapter (described later) to the ultrasonic probe 100.

[0054] The operating part 14 is connected to the transition part 12 and directly supports the transition part 12, indirectly supporting the shaft 18. The operating part 14 is the part held or operated by the hand of a user (doctor, examination technician, etc.). The operating part 14 has a thickened part 26, a constricted neck 28, and a rear part 30. The thickened part 26 and the constricted neck 28 correspond to the front part.

[0055] The operating part 14 has an upward-facing back 32 and a downward-facing abdomen 34. The operating part 14 has a pair of ridges 36. The pair of ridges 36 are a pair of ridges protruding to both sides in the x-direction. The pair of ridges 36 are a pair of boundary lines that distinguish the back 32 and the abdomen 34.

[0056] The enlarged portion 26 is the portion that enlarges downwards when viewed from the x-direction. More specifically, when viewed from the z-direction, the enlarged portion 26 enlarges to the left, lower left, down, lower right, and right. The enlarged portion 26 is connected to the transition portion 12 and to the necking portion 28. The largest xy-section of the enlarged portion 26 is larger than all xy-sections of the shaft, larger than all xy-sections of the necking portion 28, and larger than all xy-sections of the rear portion 30.

[0057] When viewed from the x-direction, the constricted neck 28 is concave upwards. The constricted neck 28 has a constricted surface 29 belonging to the abdomen. The constricted surface 29 has a downward-facing saddle shape. The saddle shape will be described in detail later. When holding or operating the operating part 14, the constricted surface 29 is placed on the fingers, or the fingers are wrapped around the constricted surface 29. At this time, since there is a hypertrophic portion 26 on the front side of the fingers, forward forces are easily transmitted from the fingers to the hypertrophic portion 26. Since the hypertrophic portion 26 is connected to the constricted neck 28, the relative constriction of the constricted neck 28 is increased.

[0058] The rear part 30 is connected to the constricted neck 28 and to the probe cable 15. The rear part 30 is generally rod-shaped or cylindrical. The handle part 24 is the part that the user typically contacts. The abdomen 34 extends over the entire handle part 24. z1 represents the midpoint in the z-direction of the operating part 14. The constricted neck 28 is located further forward than the midpoint z1.

[0059] The probe cable 15 has multiple signal lines. The ultrasonic probe 100 is electrically connected to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic device (not shown) via the probe cable 15. The probe cable 15 has an end that connects to the rear part 30. The end has a cable sheath in a conical shape. The operating part 14 has a central axis that is slightly inclined relative to the z-direction.

[0060] exist Figure 2 The head 16 is shown. As described, the head 16 has a front end portion 16A, a middle portion 16B, and a rear end portion 16C. An oscillator unit 44 is provided in the front end portion 16A. The oscillator unit 44 has a convex oscillator array. The oscillator array is composed of multiple oscillators arranged in an arc shape.

[0061] A scanning mechanism 46 is provided in the middle section 16B and the rear section 16C. The scanning mechanism 46 has a motor and a gear unit. The scanning mechanism 46 causes the transducer unit 44 to rotate around the rotation axis 52. An ultrasonic beam 48 is formed by the transducer array. A beam scanning surface (reference symbol 50) is formed by electronic scanning of the ultrasonic beam 48. Symbol 51 indicates the central axis. The beam scanning surface is mechanically scanned by the scanning mechanism 46 (reference symbol 54). A three-dimensional data readout space is formed by the combination of electronic scanning and mechanical scanning.

[0062] exist Figure 3The ultrasonic probe involved in the embodiment is shown in the figure. As explained, the back 32 and abdomen 34 are separated by a pair of ridges 36. The back 32 has a flat surface 33 facing upward. The front end 33A of the flat surface 33 is inclined. The abdomen 34 has a constricted neck surface 29. For example, with the head inserted into the body cavity, the constricted neck surface 29 is placed on the middle finger 112 and the thumb 110 is placed on the flat surface 33. The operating part is held by two fingers. Of course, the operating part can also be held or operated by three or more fingers.

[0063] exist Figure 4 The operating part 14 is shown. As described, the operating part 14 has a thickened portion 26, a constricted neck 28, and a rear portion 30. Furthermore, the operating part 14 has a pair of spines 36. The lower side of the pair of spines 36 is the abdomen 34. The upper side of the pair of spines 36 and the upward-facing surface is the back. The abdomen 34 extends all over the handle portion 24.

[0064] In the operation unit 14, a maximum width (maximum dimension in the x direction) is defined at various positions in the z direction. If the height (y direction position) that generates the maximum width is defined as the maximum width height, then the maximum width height varies along the z direction. The trajectory of the maximum width height corresponds to a pair of ridges 36.

[0065] When viewed from the x-direction, each ridge 36 has its highest point in the y-direction, namely the vertex 36A, and has a drooping portion 36B extending forward from the vertex 36A and a sloping portion 36C extending backward from the vertex 36A. The drooping portion 36B hangs downward. The sloping portion 36C descends slowly.

[0066] The constricted neck 28 has a constricted surface 29. The constricted surface 29 has a downward-facing saddle shape. The saddle shape has a curved front slope 56 and a curved rear slope 58. The highest point of the constricted surface 29, which is located in the central yz section of the ultrasonic probe (including the yz section of the central axis of the ultrasonic probe), is the saddle point 59. The front slope 56 is the slope located in front of the saddle point 59, and the rear slope 58 is the slope located behind the saddle point. When viewed from the x-direction, the front slope 56 is steeper than the rear slope. In other words, when viewed from the x-direction, the average tilt angle 56A of the front slope 56 is greater than the average tilt angle of the rear slope 58. The difference between the height of the lowest point of the enlarged portion 26 and the height of the saddle point 59 is, for example, in the range of 2 to 10 mm, or in the range of 3 to 8 mm.

[0067] In the z-direction, z1 represents the position of the midpoint of the operating section 14. z2 represents the position of the saddle point 59. z3 represents the position where the maximum xy cross section is generated in the operating section 14 (specifically in the thickened section 26). z4 represents the position of the vertex 36A. Positions z2 and z4 are close to each other. They are close to the position of the centroid in the z-direction.

[0068] A pair of notches 38 are formed in the transition section 12. Each notch 38 has a first surface 104 facing forward and a second surface 105 facing sideways. The first surface 104 and the second surface 105 are orthogonal. A pair of protrusions 40A are provided in the pair of notches 38. Each protrusion 40A is integrated with the first surface 104 and the second surface 105, that is, it is integral with them. Each protrusion 40A is composed of a main body 106 and a front end portion 108. The main body 106 has a semi-cylindrical shape. The front end portion 108 has rounded corners. The front end portion 108 has a rounded corner shape, specifically, its shape is equivalent to 1 / 4 of a sphere.

[0069] When the insertion part is covered by the probe cover, the opening of the probe cover reaches the operation part 14. The area near the opening in the probe cover is fixed to the operation part 14 by an elastic band. In this case, the elastic band hooks onto the necking surface 29.

[0070] exist Figure 5 The image shows an ultrasound probe that has been flipped over. The abdomen 34 faces upward. The constricted neck 28 has a saddle-shaped constricted neck surface 29.

[0071] exist Figure 6 The upward-facing constricted neck 29 is schematically shown. As already explained, the average tilt angle 56A of the front slope relative to the z-direction is greater than the average tilt angle 58A of the rear slope relative to the z-direction.

[0072] When multiple xy sections are defined at multiple locations along the z-direction for the necking surface 29, multiple downward convex curves 90, 91, 92, and 93 appear on the multiple xy sections. However, in Figure 6 In the diagram, curves 90, 91, 92, and 93 are depicted as upward-convex curves. Curves 90, 91, 92, and 93 exhibit linear symmetry.

[0073] When multiple yz sections are defined at multiple locations along the x-direction for the necking surface 29, multiple upward-convex curves 94, 95, 96, 97, and 98 appear on the multiple yz sections. However, in Figure 6 In the diagram, curves 94, 95, 96, 97, and 98 are depicted as downward-convex curves. Because the front slope is steeper than the back slope, curves 94, 95, 96, 97, and 98 do not exhibit line symmetry.

[0074] exist Figure 7 The upper surface of the ultrasonic probe is shown. The operating part 14 has a swollen portion 26 and a constricted neck 28. The width wa of the swollen portion 26 is greater than the width wb of the constricted neck 28. The back 32 has a flat surface 33. The flat surface 33 extends along the z-direction. The width of the flat surface 33 gradually decreases from its front end to its rear end.

[0075] exist Figure 8The diagram shows multiple cross-sectional positions arranged along the z-direction relative to the ultrasonic probe involved in the embodiment. Figure 9 The diagram shows multiple xy sections of the ultrasonic probe. These multiple xy sections correspond to the positions of the multiple sections mentioned above.

[0076] In section bb, the maximum width of the thickened portion is represented by w1. The height of the lower end of the thickened portion is represented by y1. In section cc, the maximum width of the necked portion is represented by w2, and the maximum width height is represented by 36c. The height of the lower end of the necked portion is represented by y2. y2 is higher than y1. Section dd is the section near the front end of the rear portion. The maximum width is represented by w3, the maximum width height by 36d, and the height of the lower end by y3. In section ee, the maximum width is represented by w4, the maximum width height by 36e, and the height of the lower end by y4. In section ff, the maximum width is represented by w5, the maximum width height by 36f, and the height of the lower end by y5.

[0077] Imagine a clock face on a cc section; the constricted neck is recessed at least within an angle range downwards in the direction of 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock. Conversely, the bulky portion expands at least within an angle range downwards in the direction of 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock.

[0078] exist Figure 10 An ultrasound probe with a puncture adapter 60 mounted is shown. The puncture adapter 60 holds or guides the puncture needle. The puncture adapter 60 has a front end 66, a rear end 62, and a body 70. The front end 66 has a first arm 68A and a second arm (not shown). A portion of the first arm 68A is inserted into a groove 42A. Similarly, a portion of the second arm is inserted into a groove on the opposite side. The front end 66 has an opening 70A for the puncture needle to pass through.

[0079] The rear end portion 62 has a third arm 64A and a fourth arm 64B. The third arm 64A has a recess, and a protrusion 40A engages with the recess. Similarly, the fourth arm 64B has a recess, and a protrusion on the opposite side engages with the recess.

[0080] exist Figure 11 The mounting portion is shown. Protrusion 40A enters the recess 72 of the third arm. Recess 72 has a U-shaped groove. Figure 12 The cross-section of the mounting portion is shown. The third arm 64A engages with the protrusion 40A, and the fourth arm 64B engages with the protrusion 40B.

[0081] exist Figure 13 The image shows an ultrasonic probe 102 involved in a modified example. The ultrasonic probe 102 has a near- Figure 1The ultrasonic probe shown has the following shape. Specifically, the ultrasonic probe 102 has a transition portion 73, a neck 74, and a rear portion 76. However, the transition portion 73 does not have a pair of notches. The head 78 also does not have a pair of grooves.

[0082] According to the above embodiments, the operability of the ultrasonic probe can be improved. Specifically, according to the above embodiments, an ultrasonic probe is provided that has an operating part that is easy to place on a finger, easy to hook with the finger, or can naturally identify the rotation angle through the touch of the finger.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that, The ultrasonic probe comprises: a front-back direction (z-direction), a left-right direction (x-direction) orthogonal to the z-direction, and a top-bottom direction (y-direction) orthogonal to both the z-direction and the x-direction. The head, equipped with an ultrasonic transducer, is inserted into the body cavity; A shaft, disposed at the rear side of the head and supporting the head, and extending along the z-direction; and An operating section is located on the rear side of the shaft and supports the shaft. The operating part has an upward-facing back and a downward-facing abdomen. The abdomen has a constricted neck that curves upward when viewed from the x-direction. The necking surface has a saddle shape including a front slope and a rear slope. The front slope is steeper than the rear slope when viewed from the x-direction.

2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each xy section of the operating part is larger than all xy sections of the axis. A transition section is provided between the shaft and the operating part. The operating unit has: The enlarged portion is disposed on the rear side of the transition portion and connected to the transition portion; and A constricted neck is provided on the rear side of the enlarged portion and connected to the enlarged portion, and has the constricted neck surface.

3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The largest xy section of the enlarged portion is greater than all xy sections of the constricted neck.

4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, characterized in that, The operating part includes a rear portion disposed on the rear side of the constricted neck. The rear part is connected to the constricted neck and to the probe cable. The largest xy section of the enlarged portion is greater than all xy sections of the rear portion.

5. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The ultrasonic probe has a central axis parallel to the z-direction. The necking surface has a saddle point, which is a point belonging to the yz section including the central axis and is the highest point in the y direction. The front inclined surface is a surface located further forward than the saddle point. The rear slope is a surface located further back than the saddle point.

6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operating part includes a pair of ridges, i.e. a pair of boundary lines, protruding to both sides in the x-direction. The back and the abdomen are distinguished by the pair of boundary lines.

7. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, characterized in that, The pair of boundary lines each have: The highest vertex when viewed from the x-direction; The drooping portion extends forward from the vertex and droops forward when viewed from the x-direction; and The slope portion extends backward from the apex and tilts when viewed from the x-direction.

8. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The saddle shape has: Multiple downward-convex curves belonging to multiple xy sections; and Multiple upward-convex curves belonging to multiple yz sections.

9. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The back has a flat surface extending along the z-direction.

10. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transition section includes: The notch has a first face facing forward and a second face facing to the side; and The protrusion is integrated with the first surface and the second surface and protrudes from the first surface and the second surface.

11. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 10, characterized in that, The protrusion includes: A semi-cylindrical main body; and The front end is connected to the main body and has rounded corners.

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