Ultrasonic probe and medical ultrasonic equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ultrasonic probe and medical ultrasonic equipment, and relates to the technical field of medical instruments. The ultrasonic probe comprises a probe base, a probe acoustic window, a transducer assembly, a transmission shaft, a motor and a gear transmission mechanism, the probe sound window is connected to the probe base, and the probe sound window and the probe base are enclosed to form an encapsulation cavity; the transducer assembly is connected to the probe base and located in the encapsulation cavity; one end of the transmission shaft extends into the encapsulation cavity, the transmission shaft is rotationally connected to the probe base through a sealing piece, and the other end of the transmission shaft is driven by a motor; the gear transmission mechanism is located in the encapsulation cavity and connected between the transmission shaft and the transducer assembly. The reciprocating motion of the transducer of the ultrasonic probe adopts a grading gear transmission mechanism; the gear transmission mechanism is soaked in the potting liquid, the transmission mechanism is good in lubricating effect, fast in heat dissipation and low in noise during movement, abrasion of the transmission mechanism is reduced, and the situation that the transmission control precision of the ultrasonic probe is reduced, and consequently the imaging quality is affected is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to an ultrasound probe and a medical ultrasound device. Background Technology

[0002] Existing volumetric probes are typically driven by motors. The transmission from the motor to the transducer is usually achieved through transmission structures such as gears, synchronous belts, and ropes. The acoustic window and the housing are bonded together with glue to form a sealed cavity space. The transducer is installed in this cavity space, which is filled with potting fluid, such as oil, which is an ultrasonic transmission medium. The transmission structure is located inside the housing and is mostly separated from the cavity space.

[0003] However, after long-term operation, the transmission structure of the volume probe may experience wear of transmission components due to poor lubrication, which reduces the transmission control accuracy of the volume probe and affects the quality of the final image. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to provide an ultrasound probe and medical ultrasound equipment, which aims to reduce the wear of the transmission mechanism and avoid the decrease in transmission control accuracy of the ultrasound probe, thus affecting the imaging quality.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes an ultrasonic probe, comprising:

[0006] Probe base;

[0007] A probe acoustic window is connected to the probe base, and the probe acoustic window and the probe base together form a potting cavity;

[0008] A transducer assembly is connected to the probe base and located within the potting cavity;

[0009] A drive shaft, one end of which extends into the potting cavity and is rotatably connected to the probe base via a seal, the other end of which is driven by a motor; and

[0010] A gear transmission mechanism is located inside the potting cavity and is connected between the drive shaft and the transducer assembly.

[0011] Optionally, the transducer assembly includes a transducer bracket and a transducer mounted on the transducer bracket, the transducer bracket being rotatably connected to the probe base about an axis.

[0012] Optionally, the gear transmission mechanism includes a primary transmission mechanism and a secondary transmission mechanism located within the potting cavity. The primary transmission mechanism is driven between the transmission shaft and the secondary transmission mechanism, and the secondary transmission mechanism is driven between the primary transmission mechanism and the transducer bracket.

[0013] Optionally, a gear bracket located inside the potting cavity is fixed on the probe base, and the gear bracket is provided with a gear shaft that can rotate about its own axis;

[0014] The primary transmission mechanism includes a driving bevel gear fixedly connected to the transmission shaft and a driven bevel gear fixedly connected to one end of the gear shaft, wherein the driven bevel gear meshes with the driving bevel gear;

[0015] The secondary transmission mechanism includes a driving spur gear fixedly connected to the other end of the gear shaft and a driven spur gear fixedly connected to the transducer bracket, wherein the driving spur gear meshes with the driven spur gear.

[0016] Optionally, the driven spur gear is a sector spur gear; and / or

[0017] The driven spur gear and the transducer bracket can be an integral or separate structure.

[0018] Optionally, the transducer bracket has rotating shafts at both axial ends, and the rotating shafts are rotatably connected to the extension arm of the probe base or the probe acoustic window via bearings.

[0019] Optionally, a gear bracket located inside the potting cavity is fixed on the probe base, and the gear bracket is provided with a gear shaft that can rotate about its own axis;

[0020] The gear transmission mechanism includes a primary transmission mechanism and a secondary transmission mechanism located within the potting cavity. The primary transmission mechanism is connected between one end of the transmission shaft extending into the potting cavity and the secondary transmission mechanism. The secondary transmission mechanism is connected between the primary transmission mechanism and the transducer assembly.

[0021] The primary transmission mechanism includes a driving bevel gear fixedly connected to the transmission shaft and a driven bevel gear fixedly connected to one end of the gear shaft, wherein the driven bevel gear meshes with the driving bevel gear;

[0022] The secondary transmission mechanism includes a driving spur gear fixedly connected to the other end of the gear shaft and a driven spur gear fixedly connected to the transducer assembly, wherein the driving spur gear meshes with the driven spur gear.

[0023] Optionally, the other end of the drive shaft is connected to the output shaft of the motor via a coupling.

[0024] Optionally, the ultrasonic probe further includes a medium conduit, one end of which is mounted on the probe base and communicates with the potting cavity, and the other end of which is adapted to receive an ultrasonic transmission medium; the medium conduit is connected to the probe base via a connector, and the connection is sealed with adhesive.

[0025] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model also proposes a medical ultrasound device, including a main unit and the aforementioned ultrasound probe connected to the main unit, wherein the ultrasound probe includes:

[0026] Probe base;

[0027] A probe acoustic window is connected to the probe base, and the probe acoustic window and the probe base together form a potting cavity;

[0028] A transducer assembly is connected to the probe base and located within the potting cavity;

[0029] A drive shaft, one end of which extends into the potting cavity and is rotatably connected to the probe base via a seal, the other end of which is driven by a motor; and

[0030] A gear transmission mechanism is located inside the potting cavity and is connected between the drive shaft and the transducer assembly.

[0031] In the technical solution of this utility model, the ultrasonic probe includes a probe base, a probe acoustic window, a transducer assembly, a drive shaft, a motor, and a gear transmission mechanism. The probe acoustic window is connected to the probe base, and the probe acoustic window and the probe base enclose a potting cavity. The transducer assembly is connected to the probe base and located within the potting cavity. One end of the drive shaft extends into the potting cavity, and the drive shaft is rotatably connected to the probe base through a seal. The other end of the drive shaft is driven by a motor. The gear transmission mechanism is located within the potting cavity and connects the drive shaft and the transducer assembly. It can be understood that this utility model improves the structure of the ultrasonic probe. The reciprocating motion of the transducer adopts a graded gear transmission mechanism, requiring less power. The pair of bevel gears in the first-stage transmission and the pair of spur gears in the second-stage transmission are both immersed in the potting fluid within the acoustic probe. The potting fluid objectively has a certain lubricating effect, which makes the transmission mechanism have good lubrication, fast heat dissipation, and low noise during movement, reducing wear on the transmission mechanism and thus avoiding a decrease in the transmission control accuracy of the ultrasonic probe, which would affect the imaging quality.

[0032] Furthermore, since the gear transmission mechanism is located in the area between the distal probe acoustic window and the probe base of the ultrasonic probe, there is no complex transmission structure inside the proximal handheld position of the ultrasonic probe, which helps to design a smaller handheld part and make it more comfortable to hold. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of this utility model;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the transducer assembly, gear transmission mechanism, and transmission shaft in one embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of this utility model (split driven spur gear and transducer bracket);

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the transducer assembly, gear transmission mechanism, and transmission shaft in another embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of this utility model;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated driven spur gear and transducer bracket in another embodiment of the ultrasonic probe of this utility model;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the outer contour of some embodiments of the ultrasonic probe of this utility model.

[0040] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0041] 10. Probe base; 20. Probe acoustic window; 30. Transducer assembly; 40. Drive shaft; 50. Motor; 60. Gear transmission mechanism; 70. Media pipeline; 20a. Encapsulation cavity; 41. Seal; 31. Transducer bracket; 32. Transducer; 11. Gear bracket; 111. Gear shaft; 61. Driving bevel gear; 62. Driven bevel gear; 63. Driving spur gear; 64. Driven spur gear; 311. Rotating shaft; 51. Coupling; 21. Handle housing; 22. Tail sleeve.

[0042] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0044] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0045] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0046] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this utility model is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the word "and / or" throughout the text means including three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution that simultaneously satisfies A and B. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of a person skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0047] Most existing volumetric probes are motor-driven, and the transmission from the motor to the sound head is mostly through gears, synchronous belts, ropes, etc. The main transmission components are not entirely immersed in the potting fluid. The sound window and base of the volumetric probe are glued together to form a sealed cavity filled with potting fluid. While the transducer of the volumetric probe is immersed in the potting fluid within the sound head, the transmission structure is not fully submerged. This leads to wear and tear on the transmission components due to poor lubrication after long-term operation, resulting in decreased transmission control accuracy and affecting the final image quality. Furthermore, the exposed transmission mechanism generates significant noise during operation.

[0048] In response to this problem, this utility model proposes an ultrasonic probe, particularly a volumetric probe, to solve the aforementioned issues.

[0049] Reference Figures 1 to 5 In one embodiment of this utility model, the ultrasonic probe includes a probe base 10, a probe acoustic window 20, a transducer assembly 30, a drive shaft 40, a motor 50, and a gear transmission mechanism 60. The probe acoustic window 20 is connected to the probe base 10, and the probe acoustic window 20 and the probe base 10 enclose a potting cavity 20a. The transducer assembly 30 is connected to the probe base 10 and located within the potting cavity 20a. One end of the drive shaft 40 extends into the potting cavity 20a, and the drive shaft 40 is rotatably connected to the probe base 10 through a seal 41. The other end of the drive shaft 40 is driven by the motor 50. The gear transmission mechanism 60 is located within the potting cavity 20a and is connected between the drive shaft 40 and the transducer assembly 30.

[0050] It should be noted that the potting cavity 20a is filled with potting fluid, which is a liquid that is filled in the acoustic head cavity of the volume probe. Its function is to serve as the ultrasonic transmission medium between the transducer assembly 30 and the probe acoustic window 20. The potting fluid is usually an oily liquid.

[0051] Since the volumetric probe is operated by hand, there are high requirements for its size, weight, and vibration. Therefore, a miniature stepper motor or other miniature motor can be used as the driving component, which drives the transducer assembly 30 inside the acoustic head to swing back and forth through a graded gear transmission mechanism 60 to obtain ultrasonic images.

[0052] During installation, the motor 50 can be fixed to the probe base 10 on the side opposite to the transducer 32 via a motor bracket and screws. The output shaft of the motor 50 can be fixed to the other end of the drive shaft 40 via a coupling 51.

[0053] In this embodiment, the seal 41 may be a bearing seal or other sealing structure, which is not limited here.

[0054] In this embodiment, the gear transmission mechanism 60 may adopt a graded gear transmission structure, preferably a two-stage transmission method, but no specific limitation is made here.

[0055] It is understood that this utility model improves the structure of the ultrasonic probe. The reciprocating motion of the transducer assembly 30 adopts a two-stage transmission mechanism, which requires less power. The gear transmission mechanism 60 is immersed in the potting fluid inside the ultrasonic head. The potting fluid has a certain lubricating effect, which makes the gear transmission mechanism 60 have good lubrication, fast heat dissipation, and low noise during movement, reducing the wear of the gear transmission mechanism 60, thereby avoiding the decrease in the transmission control accuracy of the ultrasonic probe and affecting the imaging quality.

[0056] Furthermore, since the gear transmission mechanism 60 is located in the area between the distal probe acoustic window 20 and the probe base 10 of the ultrasonic probe, there is no complex transmission structure inside the proximal handheld position of the ultrasonic probe, which helps to design a smaller handheld part and a more comfortable grip. Specifically, it mainly refers to... Figure 1 and Figure 6 The outer shell of the ultrasound probe consists of a probe acoustic window 20, a handle shell 21, and a tail sleeve 22. When the operator holds the ultrasound probe, they generally hold it in the concave part in the middle of the handle shell 21. There is no bulky transmission structure inside this part, so a smaller hand part can be designed, and the grip is more comfortable.

[0057] To enable the transducer 32 to reciprocate under the drive of the motor 50 and to improve the compactness of the ultrasonic probe structure, refer to Figures 1 to 5 In one embodiment, the transducer assembly 30 includes a transducer bracket 31 and a transducer 32 mounted on the transducer bracket 31, the transducer bracket 31 being rotatably connected to the probe base 10 about an axis.

[0058] In this embodiment, the transducer bracket 31 has a rotating shaft 311 at both axial ends. The rotating shaft 311 is rotatably connected to the extension arm of the probe base 10 or the probe acoustic window 20 through bearings.

[0059] In this embodiment, the transducer 32 can be fixed to the transducer bracket 31 by means of glue, screws or the like. The transducer bracket 31 can be provided with a cylindrical protrusion at both ends to form the aforementioned rotating shaft 311. The protrusion is installed on the bearings at both ends of the probe base 10. The transducer assembly 30 can rotate around the bearing axis at both ends of the probe base 10. The reciprocating rotation of the motor 50 transmits kinetic energy through the gear transmission mechanism 60 to realize the reciprocating motion of the transducer 32.

[0060] Reference Figures 1 to 5In one embodiment, the gear transmission mechanism 60 may include a primary transmission mechanism and a secondary transmission mechanism located within the potting cavity 20a. The primary transmission mechanism is connected between the transmission shaft 40 and the secondary transmission mechanism, and the secondary transmission mechanism is connected between the primary transmission mechanism and the transducer support 31.

[0061] In this embodiment, the motor 50 is used as the driving source. The reciprocating rotation of the output shaft of the motor 50 to the back-and-forth oscillation of the transducer 32 adopts a two-stage transmission method. Compared with the first-stage transmission, the transmission ratio of the two-stage transmission can be designed to be larger, so that the driving force of the motor 50 required for the reciprocating motion of the transducer 32 is smaller.

[0062] To further improve the transmission ratio of the gear transmission mechanism 60, save the driving force of the motor 50, and further enhance the structural compactness of the ultrasonic probe, refer to Figures 1 to 5 In one embodiment, a gear bracket 11 located within the potting cavity 20a is fixed to the probe base 10. The gear bracket 11 can be fixed to the probe base 10 by screws or the like. The gear bracket 11 is provided with a gear shaft 111 that can rotate around its own axis. The primary transmission mechanism includes a driving bevel gear 61 fixedly connected to the transmission shaft 40 and a driven bevel gear 62 fixedly connected to one end of the gear shaft 111. The driven bevel gear 62 meshes with the driving bevel gear 61. The secondary transmission mechanism includes a driving spur gear 63 fixedly connected to the other end of the gear shaft 111 and a driven spur gear 64 fixedly connected to the transducer bracket 31. The driving spur gear 63 meshes with the driven spur gear 64. Both the pair of bevel gears in the primary transmission and the pair of spur gears in the secondary transmission are immersed in the potting fluid within the acoustic head.

[0063] In this embodiment, the driven spur gear 64 can be a sector spur gear or similar, and is not limited thereto. The driven spur gear 64 and the transducer bracket 31 are an integral structure, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the two are fixed together with screws; or the driven spur gear 64 and the transducer bracket 31 are separate structures, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the two are a single part. That is to say, the driven spur gear 64 and the transducer bracket 31 can be two parts that are machined separately, or they can be combined into a single part through a single machining process.

[0064] The gear shaft 111 of the driven bevel gear 62 passes through the gear bracket 11. The gear shaft 111 can rotate around the shaft hole on the gear bracket 11. The driving spur gear 63 is interference-fitted onto the gear shaft 111. The right side of the driven bevel gear 62 engages with the driving bevel gear 61, restricting the driven bevel gear 62 from moving to the right. The left side of the driven bevel gear 62 engages with the gear bracket 11, restricting the driven bevel gear 62 from moving to the left, thereby restricting the left and right movement of the driven bevel gear 62.

[0065] The driving bevel gear 61 and the driven bevel gear 62 form the first stage of transmission. The reciprocating rotation of the driving bevel gear 61 drives the reciprocating rotation of the driven bevel gear 62. The driven bevel gear 62 and the spur gear are fixed on the same shaft. The angular velocities of the driven bevel gear 62 and the spur gear are the same. The driving spur gear 63 rotates synchronously by the same angle as the driven bevel gear 62. The driving spur gear 63 and the driven spur gear 64 form the second stage of transmission. The reciprocating rotation of the driven bevel gear 62 drives the reciprocating rotation of the driving spur gear 63, and the reciprocating rotation of the driving spur gear 63 drives the reciprocating rotation of the driven spur gear 64. The driven spur gear 64 is fixed on the transducer bracket 31. The assembly consisting of the driven spur gear 64, the transducer bracket 31, and the transducer 32 can rotate around both ends of the probe base 10 under the drive of the motor 50.

[0066] Due to changes in ambient temperature, the volume of liquid within the potting cavity 20a will also change. To buffer the pressure inside the acoustic head and facilitate the filling of the ultrasonic transmission medium, refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment, the ultrasonic probe further includes a medium conduit 70, one end of which is mounted on the probe base 10 and communicates with the potting cavity 20a, and the other end of which is adapted to introduce an ultrasonic transmission medium; the medium conduit 70 and the probe base 10 are connected by a connector, and the connection is sealed with glue to avoid medium leakage.

[0067] This utility model also proposes a medical ultrasound device, which includes a main unit and the aforementioned ultrasound probe connected to the main unit. The specific structure of the ultrasound probe is as described in the above embodiments. Since the medical ultrasound device proposed in this utility model includes all schemes of all embodiments of the aforementioned ultrasound probe, it has at least the same technical effects as the aforementioned ultrasound probe, which will not be described in detail here.

[0068] It should be noted that the connection between the ultrasound probe and the main unit can be achieved through wired connection such as a cable or through wireless connection; this article does not specify which method is preferred.

[0069] The above description is only an optional embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made under the concept of the present utility model and using the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included in the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that, include: Probe base (10); The probe acoustic window (20) is connected to the probe base (10), and the probe acoustic window (20) and the probe base (10) enclose a potting cavity (20a); A transducer assembly (30) is connected to the probe base (10) and located within the potting cavity (20a); A drive shaft (40) extends into the potting cavity (20a) at one end and is rotatably connected to the probe base (10) via a seal (41). The other end of the drive shaft (40) is driven by a motor (50). A gear transmission mechanism (60) is located inside the potting cavity (20a) and is connected between the transmission shaft (40) and the transducer assembly (30).

2. The ultrasonic probe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transducer assembly (30) includes a transducer bracket (31) and a transducer (32) mounted on the transducer bracket (31), the transducer bracket (31) being rotatably connected to the probe base (10) about an axis.

3. The ultrasonic probe as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The gear transmission mechanism (60) includes a primary transmission mechanism and a secondary transmission mechanism located in the potting cavity (20a). The primary transmission mechanism is connected between the transmission shaft (40) and the secondary transmission mechanism, and the secondary transmission mechanism is connected between the primary transmission mechanism and the transducer bracket (31).

4. The ultrasonic probe as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The probe base (10) is fixed with a gear bracket (11) located in the potting cavity (20a), and the gear bracket (11) is provided with a gear shaft (111) that can rotate around its own axis; The primary transmission mechanism includes a driving bevel gear (61) fixedly connected to the transmission shaft (40) and a driven bevel gear (62) fixedly connected to one end of the gear shaft (111), wherein the driven bevel gear (62) meshes with the driving bevel gear (61); The secondary transmission mechanism includes a driving spur gear (63) fixedly connected to the other end of the gear shaft (111) and a driven spur gear (64) fixedly connected to the transducer bracket (31), wherein the driving spur gear (63) meshes with the driven spur gear (64).

5. The ultrasonic probe as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The driven spur gear (64) is a sector spur gear; and / or The driven spur gear (64) and the transducer bracket (31) are either an integral structure or a separate structure.

6. The ultrasonic probe as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The transducer bracket (31) has a rotating shaft (311) at both axial ends. The rotating shaft (311) is rotatably connected to the extension arm of the probe base (10) or the probe acoustic window (20) through bearings.

7. The ultrasonic probe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The probe base (10) is fixed with a gear bracket (11) located in the potting cavity (20a), and the gear bracket (11) is provided with a gear shaft (111) that can rotate around its own axis; The gear transmission mechanism (60) includes a primary transmission mechanism and a secondary transmission mechanism located in the potting cavity (20a). The primary transmission mechanism is connected between one end of the transmission shaft (40) that extends into the potting cavity (20a) and the secondary transmission mechanism. The secondary transmission mechanism is connected between the primary transmission mechanism and the transducer assembly (30). The primary transmission mechanism includes a driving bevel gear (61) fixedly connected to the transmission shaft (40) and a driven bevel gear (62) fixedly connected to one end of the gear shaft (111), wherein the driven bevel gear (62) meshes with the driving bevel gear (61); The secondary transmission mechanism includes a driving spur gear (63) fixedly connected to the other end of the gear shaft (111) and a driven spur gear (64) fixedly connected to the transducer assembly (30), wherein the driving spur gear (63) meshes with the driven spur gear (64).

8. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The other end of the drive shaft (40) is connected to the output shaft of the motor (50) via a coupling (51).

9. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The ultrasonic probe also includes a medium conduit (70), one end of which is mounted on the probe base (10) and communicates with the potting cavity (20a), and the other end of which is adapted to be connected to an ultrasonic transmission medium; the medium conduit (70) and the probe base (10) are connected by a connector and the connection is sealed with glue.

10. A medical ultrasound device, characterized in that, It includes a main unit and an ultrasonic probe as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 connected to the main unit.

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