Intracavity probe

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of ultrasonic probes, in particular to an intracavity probe. An intracavity probe comprises a sound head assembly and a mounting base body, and a sound head rotating shaft is rotationally assembled on the mounting base body; the limiting assembly comprises a dial wheel and a limiting rack, the dial wheel is fixed on the sound head rotating shaft, and the limiting rack is movably arranged on the mounting base body; a limiting structure is arranged between the limiting rack and the mounting base body and is used for limiting the reciprocating translation limit of the limiting rack; at least one shifting tooth is arranged on the shifting wheel and is used for being meshed with the limiting rack to drive the limiting rack to translate; in the process that the shifting wheel rotates within the rotating angle range not smaller than 720 degrees, the shifting wheel can shift the limiting rack at least twice, and the limiting rack is made to move to the translation limit of the corresponding side before the last shifting action is finished. The utility model mainly solves the technical problem that the probe is damaged due to the fact that the rotating angle of the sound head rotating shaft of the intracavity probe is possibly too large.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of ultrasonic probes, in particular to an intracavity probe. Background Art

[0002] An intracavitary probe is an ultrasound probe that can be inserted into the cavity of a human organ, for example, to perform ultrasound examinations on patients through the rectum, vagina, esophagus, etc.

[0003] In some related technologies, when the intracavity probe is working, the internal acoustic head shaft needs to drive the acoustic head to rotate. In order to ensure the normal operation of the intracavity probe, an encoder can be set on the intracavity probe to detect the rotation angle of the acoustic head shaft.

[0004] However, if some abnormal situations occur, such as encoder failure, encoder cable damage, accidental power failure of the probe, etc., the intracavity probe may not be able to accurately read the rotation angle of the acoustic head shaft. If the rotation of the acoustic head shaft is still controlled according to the normal state, the rotation angle of the acoustic head shaft may exceed the set value, causing damage to the internal components of the intracavity probe. Utility Model Content

[0005] The utility model mainly solves the technical problem that the rotation angle of the acoustic head shaft of the intracavity probe may be too large, which may cause damage to the probe.

[0006] The utility model provides an intracavity probe.

[0007] An intracavity probe, comprising:

[0008] An acoustic head assembly, the acoustic head assembly comprising an acoustic head shaft and an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is disposed on the acoustic head shaft;

[0009] A mounting base, on which the acoustic head shaft is rotatably mounted;

[0010] A driving unit, the driving unit being arranged on the mounting base and connected to the acoustic head shaft to drive the acoustic head assembly to rotate around the axis of the acoustic head shaft;

[0011] And a limit assembly, the limit assembly includes a thumb wheel and a limit rack, the thumb wheel is fixed on the sound head shaft, and the limit rack is movably arranged on the mounting base; a limit structure is provided between the limit rack and the mounting base, and the limit structure is used to limit the reciprocating translation limit of the limit rack; at least one toggle tooth is provided on the thumb wheel, and the toggle tooth is used to engage with the limit rack to drive the limit rack to translate; during the rotation of the thumb wheel within an angular range of not less than 720 degrees, the thumb wheel can toggle the limit rack at least twice, and move the limit rack to the translation limit of the corresponding side before the end of the last toggle action.

[0012] In one embodiment, the limiting structure includes a limiting slot provided on the mounting base, the limiting rack is provided in the limiting slot, and the end of the limiting slot is used to limit the translation limit of the limiting rack.

[0013] In one embodiment, a recessed groove is provided on the mounting base, and the thumbwheel is arranged in the recessed groove.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sinking groove and the limiting sliding groove are communicated with each other.

[0015] In one embodiment, the mounting base has a base end surface parallel to the side surface of the limiting rack, and the limiting structure includes an arc groove and a slide groove stopper. The arc groove is arranged on one of the limiting rack and the mounting base, and the slide groove stopper is arranged on the other of the limiting rack and the mounting base. The slide groove stopper extends into the arc groove, and limiting walls are provided at both ends of the arc groove in the arc length direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the number of the shifting tooth is one, and when the limit rack is located in the middle of the translation limits at both ends, the shifting tooth is located in the middle of two adjacent teeth on the limit rack.

[0017] In one embodiment, a positioning structure is provided between the mounting base and the position-limiting rack, and the positioning structure is used to position the position-limiting rack when the shifting tooth is separated from the position-limiting rack.

[0018] In one embodiment, a magnet is provided between the mounting base and the limiting rack, and the positioning structure is a magnetic attraction structure formed by the magnet.

[0019] In one embodiment, the magnet is fixed on the limiting rack and adsorbed on the mounting base.

[0020] In one embodiment, the mounting base and the limiting rack have a contacting fitting surface, a groove is provided on the fitting surface, and the magnet is arranged in the groove.

[0021] In one embodiment, a damping structure is provided between the mounting base and the limiting rack, and the positioning structure is formed by the damping structure.

[0022] In one embodiment, the acoustic head shaft can achieve a rotation angle range of not less than 720 degrees, the acoustic head shaft has a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction, the unidirectional rotation range of the acoustic head shaft in the first rotation direction is not less than 360 degrees, and the unidirectional rotation range of the acoustic head shaft in the second rotation direction is not less than 360 degrees.

[0023] In one embodiment, the maximum rotation angle range of the acoustic head axis is 1080 degrees.

[0024] Beneficial effects of the utility model:

[0025] The intracavity probe in the utility model is provided with a limit assembly, the dial wheel of the limit assembly is fixed on the acoustic head shaft, and can rotate and stop synchronously with the acoustic head shaft, and the limit rack of the limit assembly can conveniently set a limit structure to limit the reciprocating translation limit of the limit rack relative to the mounting base; when working, the limit rack is moved to the translation limit of the corresponding side by relying on the dial teeth of the dial wheel to dial the limit rack at least twice, so that the dial wheel can have an angular range of not less than 360 degrees, meeting the requirement that the rotation angle of the acoustic head shaft is not less than 360 degrees, and avoiding excessive rotation angle of the acoustic head shaft when abnormality occurs in the angle detection of the acoustic head shaft, thereby avoiding damage to the intracavity probe.

[0026] Compared with using a circumferential blocking structure to directly limit the acoustic head shaft, the present application can avoid the situation where the blocking structure itself needs to occupy a certain space in the circumferential direction of the acoustic head shaft, thereby causing the acoustic head shaft to be unable to rotate at least 360 degrees. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of an intracavity probe in the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a part of the structure;

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle acoustic head shaft;

[0030] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the drive unit;

[0031] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the limit component;

[0032] Figure 6It is a structural diagram when the limit assembly is in the initial position;

[0033] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram when the limit assembly is in the limit position on one side;

[0034] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of a thumbwheel in another embodiment of an intracavity probe.

[0035] List of feature names corresponding to the reference numerals in the figure:

[0036] 100, housing assembly; 110, handle housing; 120, probe housing; 121, acoustic window housing; 122, connection housing;

[0037] 200, rotating shaft seat; 210, base end surface; 220, limiting slide groove; 230, sink groove;

[0038] 300, acoustic head assembly; 310, acoustic head shaft; 311, mounting cavity; 312, transmission section; 320, ultrasonic transducer; 330, bearing;

[0039] 400, driving unit; 410, driving pulley; 420, driven pulley; 430, synchronous belt;

[0040] 510, dial wheel; 511, toggle gear; 520, limit rack;

[0041] 600. Magnet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention is further described in detail below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments use associated similar element numbers. In the following embodiments, many detailed descriptions are intended to enable the present application to be better understood. 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, and methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid the core part of the present application being overwhelmed by too much description. For those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail. They can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0043] In addition, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification may be combined in any appropriate manner to form various embodiments. Furthermore, the steps or actions in the method description may be reordered or adjusted in a manner readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various sequences in the specification and drawings are provided solely for the purpose of clearly describing a particular embodiment and are not intended to be mandatory, unless otherwise specified.

[0044] The serial numbers assigned to components herein, such as "first," "second," etc., are used solely to distinguish the objects being described and do not convey any sequential or technical meaning. References to "connection" and "coupling" herein, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (couplings).

[0045] In an embodiment of an intracavitary probe of the present invention, the toggle tooth 511 on the dial wheel 510 can be adapted to the limit rack 520. When the dial wheel 510 rotates together with the acoustic head shaft 310, the toggle tooth 511 can convert the rotation of the dial wheel 510 into the translation of the limit rack 520. By limiting the reciprocating translation limit of the limit rack 520 through the limiting structure, the rotation angle of the dial wheel 510 can be limited, and then the rotation angle of the acoustic head shaft 310 can be limited, avoiding the problem that when a stopping structure is directly set on the acoustic head shaft 310, the rotation range of the acoustic head shaft 310 greater than 720 degrees cannot be adapted.

[0046] An embodiment of an intracavity probe in the present utility model:

[0047] The intracavity probe is used to collect ultrasound data by being inserted into a body cavity. During use, the ultrasound probe can be connected to an ultrasound host, which can receive and process the ultrasound data and generate ultrasound images. In one embodiment, the intracavity probe includes a housing assembly 100 and a core.

[0048] As an example, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The housing assembly 100 includes a handle housing 110 and a probe housing 120 connected to the handle housing 110. The probe housing 120 includes an acoustic window housing 121 and a connecting housing 122. The end of the connecting housing 122 facing away from the acoustic window housing 121 is connected to the handle housing 110 or the rotating shaft seat 200. The acoustic window housing 121 and the connecting housing 122 both have an inner cavity. The end of the acoustic window housing 121 close to the connecting housing 122 can be fixedly connected to the connecting housing 122, and the other end is a closed end. The acoustic window housing 121 is arranged corresponding to the ultrasonic transducer 320 in the core body, and can be made of a material that is conducive to ultrasonic transmission to ensure the quality of scanning imaging. In some other embodiments, the acoustic window housing 121 and the connecting housing 122 can be made of the same material or different materials.

[0049] In one embodiment, the intracavitary probe includes a shaft base 200, which can be used for rotatable assembly of the acoustic head assembly 300 and for fixed connection of the handle housing 110 and the probe housing 120. The specific structural form of the shaft base 200 is not limited and can be a block structure or a shell structure. The handle housing 110 and the probe housing 120 can be fixed to the shaft base 200 in any manner. For example, they can be fixed to the shaft base 200 by means of snap-fitting, ultrasonic welding, bonding, fastener connection, etc., and at least a portion of the housing assembly 100 can be integrally formed with the shaft base 200.

[0050] The core is disposed inside the housing assembly 100 and may include an acoustic head assembly 300 , a driving unit 400 and a limiting assembly.

[0051] The acoustic head assembly 300 may include an acoustic head shaft 310 and an ultrasonic transducer 320. The ultrasonic transducer 320 is disposed on the acoustic head shaft 310. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In a specific embodiment, the acoustic head shaft 310 can be a hollow shaft, and the interior can be used for wires to pass through. The number and purpose of the wires can be set as needed, for example, they can include signal lines for transmitting ultrasonic detection signals. Bearings 330 can be provided at the distal end and the proximal end of the acoustic head shaft 310 to ensure the flexible and stable rotation of the acoustic head shaft 310. The outer ring of the bearing 330 located at the distal end of the acoustic head shaft 310 can be fixed on the acoustic window shell 121, and the outer ring of the bearing 330 located at the proximal end of the acoustic head shaft 310 can be fixed on the shaft seat 200. The type and assembly structure of the bearing 330 can refer to the existing structures in the relevant technology. Considering that it has no direct relevance to the innovative content of this application and the technical problems to be solved, it will not be repeated here.

[0052] The terms "proximal" and "distal" appearing in this article are conventional terms in the medical field. For an instrument to be operated, the proximal end is the end closest to the operator, and the distal end is the end away from the operator, usually the end that first enters the patient's body. Figure 1 The displayed direction.

[0053] The distal end of the acoustic head shaft 310 is provided with a mounting cavity 311, and the ultrasonic transducer 320 can be embedded in the mounting cavity 311. The shape of the ultrasonic transducer 320 can be set according to the use requirements of the intracavity probe. Those skilled in the art will understand that the basic function of the ultrasonic transducer 320 is to realize the mutual conversion between electrical energy and acoustic energy. Specifically, it can convert electrical signals into ultrasonic waves and transmit them out, and it can also receive reflected ultrasonic waves and convert them back into electrical signals. The above processes respectively utilize the positive piezoelectric effect (electrical energy to acoustic energy) and the inverse piezoelectric effect (acoustic energy to electrical energy) of piezoelectric materials.

[0054] The acoustic head assembly 300 is primarily located axially within the probe housing 120, with its proximal end extending through a mounting hole in the shaft seat 200 and into the handle housing 110, forming a transmission section 312. The drive unit 400 and the position limiting assembly can be disposed within the handle housing 110, fully utilizing the larger interior space within the handle housing 110. In other embodiments, if the internal space meets the required requirements, the position limiting assembly can also be disposed within the handle housing 110, or within the mounting base.

[0055] The drive unit 400 can be a stepper motor or a servo motor. The drive unit 400 is connected to the acoustic head shaft 310 in a transmission manner to drive the acoustic head assembly 300 to rotate around the axis of the acoustic head shaft 310, thereby rotationally driving the ultrasonic transducer 320 to perform a radial scanning operation to obtain a corresponding ultrasonic image. In one embodiment, a driving pulley 410 is fixed to the output shaft of the drive unit 400, and a driven pulley 420 is fixed to the transmission section 312 of the acoustic head shaft 310. The driving pulley 410 and the driven pulley 420 are synchronous pulleys, and the two are connected by a synchronous belt 430. The synchronous belt drive can realize the rotation of the acoustic head shaft 310 and accurately realize the rotation angle control. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the transmission structure between the acoustic head shaft 310 and the drive unit 400 can also be replaced with other forms, such as using a gear meshing transmission, and the number of gear stages can be arranged as needed.

[0056] In some embodiments, the acoustic head assembly 300 has a rotatable range exceeding 720 degrees and is capable of rotating within an angular range of not less than 720 degrees. It should be noted that the angular range of rotation of the acoustic head assembly 300 of not less than 720 degrees means that the acoustic head assembly 300 can rotate more than or equal to two revolutions in either the counterclockwise or clockwise direction about its central axis. Alternatively, it may mean that the total angular range of rotation of the acoustic head assembly 300 about its central axis in both the counterclockwise and clockwise directions is not less than 720 degrees. The specific range of rotation may vary depending on design requirements, such as rotation within a range of 0 to 720 degrees, rotation within a range of -360 to +360 degrees, or rotation within a range of 0 to 810 degrees, or even rotation within a range exceeding 810 degrees. 0 degrees may be the starting rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300, 720 degrees and 810 degrees may be the ending rotation angles of the acoustic head assembly 300 in one direction, and -360 degrees and +360 degrees may be the ending rotation angles of the acoustic head assembly 300 in a counterclockwise direction and a clockwise direction, respectively. The starting rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300 may also be -180 degrees, -360 degrees, etc.; accordingly, the ending rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300 is the difference between the travel angle of the acoustic head assembly 300 and the starting rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300.

[0057] In one embodiment, the acoustic head rotation axis 310 has a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction. The unidirectional rotation range of the acoustic head rotation axis 310 in the first rotation direction is not less than 360 degrees, and the unidirectional rotation range of the acoustic head rotation axis 310 in the second rotation direction is also not less than 360 degrees. It is understood that one of the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction can be the aforementioned clockwise direction, and the other can be the aforementioned counterclockwise direction.

[0058] Exemplarily, the rotation of the acoustic head shaft 310 within a stroke angle of not less than 720 degrees includes rotation from a first stroke angle to a second stroke angle, where the first stroke angle is the starting rotation angle or the reverse ending rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300, and the second stroke angle is the positive ending rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300, where the positive direction is one of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, and the reverse direction is the other of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.

[0059] For example, when the first travel angle is 0 degrees and the second travel angle is 720 degrees, the drive unit 400 can only drive the acoustic head shaft 310 to rotate between 0 and 720 degrees to protect the electrical connectors within the acoustic head shaft 310, thereby preventing the electrical connectors from affecting the transmission performance of the acoustic head assembly 300 when twisted or squeezed. Alternatively, when the first travel angle is 0 degrees and the second travel angle is greater than 720 degrees, the drive unit 400 drives the acoustic head shaft 310 to rotate within an angle range between 0 and greater than 720 degrees to achieve large-angle rotation of the acoustic head assembly 300, thereby meeting various angular requirements of the acoustic head assembly 300 and improving the scanning efficiency of the acoustic head assembly 300. This also protects the electrical connectors within the acoustic head shaft 310. Twisting or squeezing of the electrical connectors may affect the transmission performance of the acoustic head assembly 300, or even damage the electrical connectors. Alternatively, when the first stroke angle is -360 degrees and the second stroke angle is +360 degrees, the driving unit 400 drives the acoustic head shaft 310 to rotate within any angle range between -360 degrees and +360 degrees to achieve free forward and reverse angle selection of the acoustic head assembly 300, thereby meeting various angle requirements of the acoustic head assembly 300.

[0060] In one embodiment, the maximum rotational angle range of the acoustic head shaft 310 is 1080 degrees. The acoustic head shaft 310 can rotate one and a half turns in the first rotational direction, i.e., 540 degrees in the first rotational direction, and can rotate one and a half turns in the first rotational direction, i.e., 540 degrees in the second rotational direction. By limiting the maximum rotational angle range to 1080 degrees, damage to electrical connectors caused by excessive rotation of the acoustic head shaft 310 can be better avoided.

[0061] When the acoustic head assembly 300 rotates, an encoder can be provided within the intracavity probe to detect the position of the intracavity probe, thereby ensuring the effective operation of the acoustic head assembly 300. However, if the encoder malfunctions, the encoder cable is damaged, or the probe unexpectedly loses power during the rotation of the acoustic head assembly 300, the intracavity probe may not be able to accurately read the actual rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300. In this case, if the driving device continues to drive the acoustic head assembly 300 to rotate, the internal components of the intracavity probe may be damaged.

[0062] To effectively limit the rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300 when abnormal rotation occurs, the intracavity probe also includes a limit assembly. The limit assembly includes a dial wheel 510 and a limit rack 520. The dial wheel 510 is fixed to the acoustic head shaft 310, and the limit rack 520 is movably mounted on the mounting base. A limit structure is provided between the limit rack 520 and the mounting base, which is used to limit the reciprocating translation limit of the limit rack 520. The dial wheel 510 is provided with at least one toggle tooth 511, which is used to engage with the limit rack 520 to drive the limit rack 520 to translate. During the rotation of the dial wheel 510 within an angular range of not less than 720 degrees, the dial wheel 510 can toggle the limit rack 520 at least twice, and before the last toggle action is completed, the limit rack 520 moves to the translation limit of the corresponding side, so that the drive screw has an angular range of not less than 10 degrees. The mounting base can be formed by the rotating shaft seat 200 alone. In some other embodiments, the mounting base can also be formed by the rotating shaft seat 200 and the handle housing 110, by the rotating shaft seat 200 and the probe housing 120, or by the rotating shaft seat 200, the probe housing 120 and the handle housing 110.

[0063] By setting the above-mentioned limit assembly, when the actual rotation angle of the acoustic head assembly 300 exceeds the set angle range, the limit assembly can play a mechanical role in limiting the rotation of the acoustic head assembly 300, thereby preventing the acoustic head assembly 300 from excessively rotating and causing greater damage to related components in the intracavitary probe.

[0064] In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 5 and 6The limiting structure includes a limiting groove 220 provided on the mounting base, a limiting rack 520 provided in the limiting groove 220, and the end of the limiting groove 220 is used to limit the translation limit of the limiting rack 520. Specifically, the limiting groove 220 is provided on the proximal end face of the rotating shaft seat 200. The length of the limiting groove 220 can be determined according to the designed moving stroke of the limiting rack 520. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the designed moving stroke corresponds to the maximum rotation angle of the acoustic head rotating shaft 310. In addition, the depth of the limiting groove 220 can be equal to the thickness of the limiting rack 520, or can be greater than or less than the thickness of the limiting rack 520. The limiting rack 520 can be limited by the side walls at both ends of the length direction of the limiting groove 220.

[0065] The movement stroke of the limit rack 520 is related to the number of the toggle teeth 511. In some other embodiments, the number of the toggle teeth 511 on the thumbwheel 510 can also be greater. For example, please refer to Figure 8 The number of the toggle teeth 511 on the dial wheel 510 can also be two. The dial wheel 510 rotates one circle with the sound head shaft 310, and the toggle teeth 511 can be used to toggle the limit rack 520 once. In addition, the limiting structure between the limit rack 520 and the mounting base can also be replaced with other forms. For example, the mounting base has a base end face 210 parallel to the side of the limit rack 520. The limiting structure can include an arc groove and a slide block. The arc groove is provided on one of the limit rack 520 and the mounting base, and the slide block is provided on the other of the limit rack 520 and the mounting base. The slide block extends into the arc groove, and limiting walls are provided at both ends of the arc groove in the arc length direction. For another example, a guide rail can be provided on the mounting base, the limit rack 520 can be assembled on the guide rail, and the limiting structure can be formed by a limiting protrusion provided on the mounting base.

[0066] It should be noted that, in some other embodiments, the limiting structure may also be provided at other locations of the mounting base, for example, on the distal end surface of the rotating shaft seat 200 .

[0067] Figures 5 and 6 In the embodiment, the number of the shifting teeth 511 on the dial wheel 510 is one, resulting in a simple structure. This helps reduce the number of shifting operations on the limit rack 520, thereby shortening the travel of the limit rack 520 and enabling the limit rack 520 to be installed in a smaller structure, resulting in a more compact structure. However, when the number of the shifting teeth 511 on the dial wheel 510 is small, since the dial wheel 510 can shift the limit rack 520 at least twice during rotation within an angular range of not less than 720 degrees, the dial wheel 510 may be separated from the limit rack 520 during rotation with the acoustic head shaft 310. At this time, the limit rack 520 stops moving and should be positioned in the stop position, thereby ensuring that the movement angle of the acoustic head shaft 310 is controllable.

[0068] To this end, in some embodiments, a positioning structure is provided between the mounting base and the limiting rack 520, and the positioning structure is used to position the limiting rack 520 when the toggle tooth 511 is separated from the limiting rack 520. Figure 5 In a specific embodiment, a magnet 600 is provided between the mounting base and the limiting rack 520, and the positioning structure is a magnetic attraction structure formed by the magnet 600. The number of magnets 600 can be one or more than two, such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or even more. When the number of magnets 600 is two or more, each magnet 600 can be distributed at different parts of the limiting rack 520, thereby providing a uniform and reliable magnetic attraction force. When the number of magnets 600 is one, such as Figure 5 As shown, the magnet 600 may be a rectangular structure, and its length and width are close to the limiting rack 520, which can achieve adsorption in a larger range and ensure uniform and reliable magnetic attraction.

[0069] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 There is only one toggle tooth 511. When the limit rack 520 is located exactly between the translation limits at both ends, the toggle tooth 511 is located exactly between two adjacent teeth on the limit rack 520. The above-described structure of the toggle tooth 511 can conveniently meet the requirements of rotating the acoustic head shaft 310 in both forward and reverse directions by the same angle, thereby achieving a symmetrical design.

[0070] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the magnet 600 can be fixed to the limiting rack 520 and adsorbed onto the mounting base, or it can be fixed to the mounting base so as to adsorb the limiting rack 520. For example, in the case where the magnet 600 is fixed to the limiting rack 520, the mounting base and the limiting rack 520 can have a contacting surface, namely the side of the limiting rack 520 near the rotating shaft seat 200. The contacting surface can be provided with a groove, and the magnet 600 can be positioned and fixed in the groove. The specific fixing method is not limited, for example, it can be fixed by bonding, interference fit, etc., or it can be fixed by fasteners through mechanical connection. The magnet 600 can be retracted into the groove, that is, the side of the magnet 600 near the rotating shaft seat 200 can be located inside the groove, which can prevent wear on the magnet 600 during the movement of the limiting rack 520. In some other embodiments, the limiting rack 520 itself can be magnetic and made of a relatively hard material, such as magnetic steel, so as to avoid the need for an additional magnet 600.

[0071] It should be noted that the positioning structure can also be replaced with other forms. For example, a damping structure can be set between the mounting base and the limiting rack 520, which is formed by the positioning structure damping structure. Figure 6In the embodiment, the vertical dimension of the limiting rack 520 can be consistent with the vertical dimension of the limiting chute 220, and at least one of the vertical side walls and the bottom wall of the limiting chute 220 can form friction with the limiting rack 520 to generate damping by friction, for example, by providing a damping material layer to generate damping. The damping material can be rubber, resin, such as acrylate, polyurethane, epoxy resin, etc.

[0072] To save space, a recessed groove 230 is provided on the mounting base, and the thumbwheel 510 is positioned within the recessed groove 230, eliminating the need for additional mounting space for the thumbwheel 510. The recessed groove 230 and the limiting slide 220 can be interconnected, facilitating processing. In some embodiments, the thumbwheel 510 can have a protruding portion protruding from the recessed groove 230, and the limiting rack 520 can also have a protruding portion protruding from the limiting slide 220. The thumbwheel 510 and the limiting rack 520 can mesh with each other through the protruding portions, allowing the recessed groove 230 and the limiting slide 220 to separate.

[0073] During operation, the drive unit 400 drives the acoustic head assembly 300 to rotate slightly more than 720 degrees, for example, slightly more than 360 degrees in both the forward and reverse directions. The dial wheel 510 in the limiter assembly rotates with the acoustic head assembly 300. By shifting the limiter rack 520, the limiter rack 520 can gradually move toward the reciprocating translation limit. If the acoustic head assembly 300 accidentally rotates beyond a set rotation angle range, for example, by 1 degree (which can be increased or decreased as needed), the limiter rack 520 moves to the translation limit and stops. Because the shifting tooth 511 and the limiter rack 520 remain engaged, they can restrict the further movement of the dial wheel 510, thereby limiting the position of the acoustic head shaft 310. When the shifting tooth 511 intermittently shifts the limiter rack 520, it can avoid the large movement range of the limiter rack 520 caused by the large rotation angle of the dial wheel 510, thus accommodating smaller installation spaces.

[0074] The above examples are used to illustrate the present invention, which are only used to help understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art of the present invention can make some simple deductions, modifications or substitutions based on the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intracavity probe, characterized in that: include: An acoustic head assembly, the acoustic head assembly comprising an acoustic head shaft and an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is disposed on the acoustic head shaft; A mounting base, on which the acoustic head shaft is rotatably mounted; A driving unit, the driving unit being arranged on the mounting base and connected to the acoustic head shaft to drive the acoustic head assembly to rotate around the axis of the acoustic head shaft; And a limit assembly, the limit assembly includes a thumb wheel and a limit rack, the thumb wheel is fixed on the sound head shaft, and the limit rack is movably arranged on the mounting base; a limit structure is provided between the limit rack and the mounting base, and the limit structure is used to limit the reciprocating translation limit of the limit rack; at least one toggle tooth is provided on the thumb wheel, and the toggle tooth is used to engage with the limit rack to drive the limit rack to translate; during the rotation of the thumb wheel within an angular range of not less than 720 degrees, the thumb wheel can toggle the limit rack at least twice, and move the limit rack to the translation limit of the corresponding side before the end of the last toggle action.

2. The intracavity probe according to claim 1, wherein: The limiting structure includes a limiting sliding groove provided on the mounting base, the limiting rack is provided in the limiting sliding groove, and the end of the limiting sliding groove is used to limit the translation limit of the limiting rack.

3. The intracavity probe according to claim 2, wherein: A sinking groove is provided on the installation base, and the thumbwheel is arranged in the sinking groove.

4. The intracavity probe according to claim 3, wherein: The sinking groove and the limiting sliding groove are communicated with each other.

5. The intracavity probe according to claim 1, wherein: The mounting base has a base end surface parallel to the side surface of the limiting rack, and the limiting structure includes an arc groove and a slide groove stopper. The arc groove is arranged on one of the limiting rack and the mounting base, and the slide groove stopper is arranged on the other of the limiting rack and the mounting base. The slide groove stopper extends into the arc groove, and limiting walls are provided at both ends of the arc groove in the arc length direction.

6. The intracavity probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The number of the shifting teeth is one. When the limit rack is located in the middle of the translation limits at both ends, the shifting tooth is located in the middle of two adjacent tooth bodies on the limit rack.

7. The intracavity probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A positioning structure is provided between the mounting base and the limiting rack, and the positioning structure is used to position the limiting rack when the shifting tooth is separated from the limiting rack.

8. The intracavity probe according to claim 7, wherein: A magnet is provided between the mounting base and the limiting rack, and the positioning structure is a magnetic attraction structure formed by the magnet.

9. The intracavity probe according to claim 8, wherein: The magnet is fixed on the limiting rack and adsorbed on the mounting base.

10. The intracavity probe according to claim 8, wherein: The mounting base and the limiting rack have a contacting fitting surface, a groove is provided on the fitting surface, and the magnet is arranged in the groove.

11. The intracavity probe according to claim 7, wherein: A damping structure is provided between the mounting base and the limiting rack, and the positioning structure is formed by the damping structure.

12. The intracavity probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The acoustic head shaft can achieve a rotation angle range of not less than 720 degrees. The acoustic head shaft has a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction. The unidirectional rotation range of the acoustic head shaft in the first rotation direction is not less than 360 degrees. The unidirectional rotation range of the acoustic head shaft in the second rotation direction is not less than 360 degrees.

13. The intracavity probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The maximum rotation angle range of the acoustic head rotation axis is 1080 degrees.

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