An ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

This application relates to the technical field of medical devices, specifically to an ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnostic device. The ultrasound probe includes a detection element for contacting the patient's skin and a processing element connected to the detection element via a cable. The processing element is used to connect to a display device. The detection element includes a housing, a receiving space within the housing, and a transducer disposed within the receiving space. The housing includes a contact surface for contacting the patient's skin during ultrasound detection, and the contact surface has a detection port for the passage of ultrasound waves from the transducer. This ultrasound probe significantly reduces the difficulty of continuously acquiring ultrasound images of the area to be examined, facilitating long-term, continuous acquisition of ultrasound images by medical personnel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of medical devices, specifically to an ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnostic device. Background Technology

[0002] The most commonly used equipment for detecting blood flow parameters in patients is ultrasound diagnostic equipment. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment typically includes an ultrasound unit, an ultrasound probe, and a monitor. The ultrasound probe emits ultrasound waves into the blood vessels and receives the reflected waves. The ultrasound unit analyzes the reflected ultrasound information and outputs the corresponding ultrasound image on the monitor for medical personnel to view.

[0003] Currently, commonly used ultrasound diagnostic equipment mainly includes two types: one is a trolley-type structure, which is larger and generally used for clinical testing; the other is a portable structure, similar to a laptop or tablet, which is smaller and easier to carry. Both trolley-type and portable ultrasound diagnostic equipment share the characteristic that the ultrasound probe is connected to the main unit via a cable. In actual use, medical personnel simply hold the ultrasound probe and place the detection end of the probe against the skin outside the blood vessel.

[0004] In current medical diagnostics, some scenarios, such as after carotid artery stent implantation surgery, require long-term, continuous use of ultrasound probes to monitor blood flow parameters or obtain ultrasound images of the area to be tested. However, it is quite difficult for medical staff to perform long-term, continuous testing with handheld ultrasound probes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of existing ultrasonic probes, which are not suitable for long-term continuous testing.

[0006] Therefore, this application provides an ultrasound probe, including a detection element for attaching to the surface of a patient's skin and a processing element connected to the detection element via a cable. The processing element is used to connect to a display device. The detection element includes a housing, a receiving space located within the housing, and a transducer disposed in the receiving space. The housing includes a contact surface for attaching to the patient's skin during ultrasound detection, and the contact surface is provided with a detection port for the ultrasound waves from the transducer to pass through.

[0007] Furthermore, the transducer is tilted within the accommodating space so that the angle between the ultrasonic beam emitted by the transducer and the mating surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 60°.

[0008] Furthermore, the housing is provided with a support member, which includes a support surface that is inclined relative to the contact surface, and the transducer is disposed on the support surface.

[0009] Furthermore, the support member is an acoustic lens through which ultrasonic waves pass. The support member is disposed on the inner side of the mating surface of the housing. The transmitting end of the transducer is in contact with the support surface. The angle between the support surface and the mating surface is greater than or equal to 30° and less than 90°. The sound beam of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer is perpendicular to the support surface.

[0010] Furthermore, the support member is in the shape of a triangular prism, with the side of the support member touching the inner side of the mating surface, and the angle between the support surface and the mating surface is 30°.

[0011] Furthermore, the housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover that are connected to each other to form a receiving space. The detection port is opened on the lower cover, and the hole for the cable to pass through is located on the upper cover. The side of the lower cover facing away from the upper cover is the fitting surface. The side of the lower cover facing the upper cover is provided with a first groove surrounding the detection port. The side of the upper cover facing the lower cover is provided with a protrusion suitable for being placed in the first groove. When the upper cover and the lower cover are connected, the gap between the protrusion and the bottom of the first groove is set.

[0012] Furthermore, the lower cover includes a first cover plate with a first groove and a second cover plate located inside the detection port and sealed to the first cover plate. The sides of the first cover plate and the second cover plate facing away from the upper cover form a mating surface, and the support member is disposed on the second cover plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower cover has an extension edge extending to the outer periphery of the lower cover, and the extension direction of the extension edge is parallel to the mating surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the upper cover includes a first side cover and a second side cover that are connected to each other, the first side cover and the second side cover being connected to each other to form an accommodating space with an opening, and the lower cover being connected to the first side cover and the second side cover to cover the opening of the accommodating space.

[0015] This application also provides an ultrasound diagnostic device, which includes the aforementioned ultrasound probe.

[0016] The ultrasound probe of this application, when it is necessary to continuously and uninterruptedly detect a patient's blood vessels or acquire ultrasound images of the area to be detected for a long period of time, involves attaching the detection port of the probe to the area to be detected on the patient and fixing the probe to the patient's body. At the same time, the processing unit is connected to the display device to achieve continuous and uninterrupted acquisition of ultrasound images of the area to be detected. Compared with acquiring ultrasound images of the area to be detected by hand, this greatly reduces the difficulty of acquiring ultrasound images of the area to be detected for a long period of time, making it more convenient for medical staff to acquire ultrasound images of the area to be detected for a long period of time. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultrasonic probe provided in this application;

[0019] Figure 2 A first structural schematic diagram of the test piece provided in this application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a second structural schematic diagram of the test piece provided in this application;

[0021] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the test specimen provided in this application;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a first exploded view of the test specimen provided in this application;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a second exploded view of the test specimen provided in this application.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Detection component; 11. Housing; 112. Top cover; 1121. First side cover; 11211. Third recess; 1122. Second side cover; 11221. Edge; 1123. Hole; 1124. Protective part; 1125. Protrusion; 1126. Third groove; 1127. Fourth groove; 113. Bottom cover; 1131. First cover plate; 11311. First groove; 1132. Second cover plate; 11321. Second groove; 11322. Extension edge; 114. Detection port; 115. Fitting surface; 12. Accommodation space; 13. Transducer; 14. Support component; 141. Support surface; 15. Flexible circuit board; 151. Connector; 16. Decorative panel; 2. Cable; 3. Processing component. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of this application will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" 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; they can refer to the internal connection of two components; and they can refer to a wireless connection or a wired connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] Reference Figures 1-6 Embodiment 1 of this application provides an ultrasound probe, which includes a detection element 1 for attaching to the surface of a patient's skin and a processing element 3 connected to the detection element 1 via a cable 2. The processing element 3 is used to connect to a display device. The detection element 1 includes a housing 11, a receiving space 12 located within the housing 11, and a transducer 13 disposed in the receiving space 12. The housing 11 includes a contact surface 115 for attaching to the patient's skin during ultrasound detection. The contact surface 115 is provided with a detection port 114 for the ultrasound waves of the transducer 13 to pass through.

[0031] When the aforementioned ultrasound probe needs to continuously and uninterruptedly detect a patient's blood vessels or acquire ultrasound images of the area to be detected for a long period of time, the detection port 114 of the detection component 1 is attached to the area to be detected on the patient and the detection component 1 is fixed to the patient's body. At the same time, the processing component 3 is connected to the display device to achieve continuous and uninterrupted acquisition of ultrasound images of the area to be detected on the patient. Compared with acquiring ultrasound images of the area to be detected by hand holding an ultrasound probe, this greatly reduces the difficulty of continuously and uninterruptedly acquiring ultrasound images of the area to be detected, and makes it convenient for medical staff to acquire ultrasound images of the area to be detected continuously and uninterruptedly for a long period of time.

[0032] In some embodiments, the contact surface 115 is a generally flat plane, and the transducer 13 is inclinedly disposed within the receiving space 12 such that the angle between the ultrasonic beam emitted by the transducer 13 and the contact surface 115 is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 60°. When using the ultrasonic probe of this application to monitor blood flow parameters, making the contact surface 115 approximately parallel to the blood vessels of the human body, and making the angle between the ultrasonic beam emitted by the transducer 13 and the contact surface 115 greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 60°, is equivalent to controlling the angle between the ultrasonic beam and the blood vessel to be tested in the patient to be greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 60°. Controlling the angle between the ultrasonic beam and the blood vessel to be tested in the patient between 0 and 60° improves the accuracy of the detected blood flow parameters. Preferably, when the angle between the ultrasonic beam emitted by the transducer 13 and the contact surface 115 is 60°, that is, when the angle between the ultrasonic beam and the blood vessel to be tested in the patient is 60°, the blood flow parameters obtained by the ultrasonic probe are more accurate.

[0033] In some embodiments, a support member 14 is provided inside the housing 11. The support member 14 includes a support surface 141 that is inclined relative to the contact surface 115, and a transducer 13 is disposed on the support surface 141. The support member 14 can be fixed at any position within the accommodating space 12, as long as it satisfies the requirement that the angle between the beam of the ultrasonic wave emitted by the transducer 13 and the blood vessel to be detected is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 60 degrees.

[0034] Specifically, refer to Figure 4 The support member 14 serves as an acoustic lens through which ultrasound waves pass. It is positioned inside the mating surface 115 of the housing 11. The emitting end of the transducer 13 is in contact with the support surface 141, with an angle between the support surface 141 and the mating surface 115 greater than or equal to 30° and less than 90°. The ultrasound beam emitted by the transducer 13 is perpendicular to the support surface 141. After passing through the acoustic lens, the ultrasound waves emitted by the transducer 13 pass through the detection port 114 and target the patient's examination area.

[0035] The acoustic lens of this application is an acoustic lens that neither converges nor diverges ultrasonic waves but can transmit ultrasonic signals. The angle between the supporting surface 141 and the mating surface 115 is greater than or equal to 30° and less than 90°, and the sound beam of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer 13 is perpendicular to the supporting surface 141. This setting can control the wave velocity of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer 13 and the angle between the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer 13 and the mating surface 115 to be greater than 0° and less than or equal to 60°. Preferably, the angle between the supporting surface 141 and the mating surface 115 is 30°, which can make the angle between the wave beam of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer 13 and the mating surface 115 60°, so that the angle between the ultrasonic wave beam and the blood vessel to be detected is approximately 60°, making the blood flow parameters obtained by the ultrasonic probe more accurate.

[0036] Specifically, refer to Figures 4-6The support member 14 is in the shape of a triangular prism. One quadrilateral side of the support member 14 is fixedly attached to the inner side of the mating surface 115. The supporting surface 141 is one of the other two quadrilateral sides of the support member 14. The included angle between the supporting surface 141 and the mating surface 115 is 30°. The triangular prism-shaped support member 14 is fixed to the inner side of the mating surface 115. The connection between the surfaces is achieved by fixing one quadrilateral side of the support member 14 to the inner side of the mating surface 115, making the support member 14 more stably placed in the receiving space 12. Moreover, the connection between the surfaces makes it easier to control the size of the included angle between the supporting surface 141 and the mating surface 115.

[0037] Reference Figures 2-6 The housing 11 includes an upper cover 112 and a lower cover 113 that are connected to each other to form a receiving space 12. A detection port 114 is opened on the lower cover 113. A hole 1123 for the cable 2 to pass through is located on the upper cover 112. The side of the lower cover 113 facing away from the upper cover 112 is a fitting surface 115. The side of the lower cover 113 facing the upper cover 112 is provided with a first groove 11311 surrounding the detection port 114. The side of the upper cover 112 facing the lower cover 113 is provided with a protrusion 1125 suitable for cooperating with the first groove 11311. When the upper cover 112 and the lower cover 113 are connected, the bottom gap between the protrusion 1125 and the first groove 11311 is set. Specifically, the lower cover 113 and the upper cover 112 are sealed together by adhesive. The gap between the bottom of the protrusion 1125 and the first groove 11311 provides space for the adhesive to fill, which increases the tightness of the connection between the upper cover 112 and the lower cover 113. The cooperation between the first groove 11311 and the protrusion 1125 improves the waterproof sealing performance of the housing 11.

[0038] Specifically, refer to Figures 4-6 The lower cover 113 includes a first cover plate 1131 with a first groove 11311 and a second cover plate 1132 located inside the detection port 114 and sealed to the first cover plate 1131. The sides of the first cover plate 1131 and the second cover plate 1132 facing away from the upper cover 112 form a mating surface 115. A support member 14 is disposed on the second cover plate 1132. The side of the second cover plate 1132 facing away from the mating surface 115 has a second groove 11321. The support member 14 is fixed in the second groove 11321. The material of the second cover plate 1132 is a solid acoustic coupling material that can replace the coupling agent. Thus, no coupling agent is needed during the ultrasonic testing process, which improves the convenience of using the ultrasonic probe of this application. Specifically, the detection port 114 is a rectangular detection port 114, and the shape of the second cover plate 1132 matches the shape of the detection port 114. The side of the second cover plate 1132 facing away from the receiving space 12 is flush with the side of the first cover plate 1131 facing away from the receiving space 12.

[0039] Reference Figures 1-4The first cover plate 1131 has an extension edge 11322 extending outward from the periphery of the first cover plate 1131. The extension direction of the extension edge 11322 is parallel to the contact surface 115 and extends away from the second cover plate 1132. During testing, the side of the extension edge 1132 facing the patient is flush with the side of the first cover plate 1131 facing away from the receiving space 12. The extension edge 11322 increases the contact area between the contact surface 115 and the patient's skin, making it easier to fix the test piece 1 to the patient's test site using straps or tape, thus facilitating the use of the ultrasound probe. Specifically, the extension edge 11322 and the first cover plate 1131 are integrally formed.

[0040] Reference Figures 4-6 The upper cover 112 includes a first side cover 1121 and a second side cover 1122 connected to each other. The first side cover 1121 and the second side cover 1122 are connected to form an accommodating space 12 with an opening. The lower cover 113 is connected to the first side cover 1121 and the second side cover 1122 to cover the opening of the accommodating space 12. The hole 1123 for the cable 2 to pass through is located at one end of the upper cover 112 along its length. Specifically, the upper cover 112 is divided into a first side cover 1121 and a second side cover 1122, which are located on both sides of the support member 14 along its width. One end of the first side cover 1121 along its length has a semi-circular first notch, and one end of the second side cover 1122 along its length has a semi-circular second notch. When the first side cover 1121 and the second side cover 1122 are connected, the first notch and the second notch connect to form the hole 1123 for the cable 2 to pass through. The upper cover 112 is configured as the first side cover 1121 and the second side cover 1122, and the hole 1123 is set at the connection between the first side cover 1121 and the second side cover 1122, which facilitates the assembly of the ultrasonic probe.

[0041] Specifically, refer to Figures 4-6 The upper cover 112 has a nearly hollow cylindrical protective part 1124 surrounding the hole 1123. The protective part 1124 surrounds the hole 1123. After the cable 2 is connected to the transducer 13, it passes through the hole 1123 and the protective part 1124 to connect with the processing component 3. The protective part 1124 reduces the possibility of the cable 2 being damaged by bending.

[0042] Reference Figures 4-6The first side cover 1121 has an L-shaped third recess 11211 on the side facing the second side cover 1122. The second side cover 1122 has an edge 11221 extending from the second side cover 1122 toward the first side cover 1121 on the side facing the first side cover 1121. When the first side cover 1121 and the second side cover 1122 are connected, the edge 11221 is located in the third recess 11211 and the end of the edge 11221 facing away from the second side cover 1122 is separated from the side wall of the third recess 11211 facing the second side cover 1122. This facilitates filling the gap between the edge 11221 and the third recess 11211 with adhesive to improve the sealing of the connection between the first side cover 1121 and the second side cover 1122.

[0043] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 2-6 The top cover 112 has a third groove 1126 on at least two opposite sides, which facilitates the gripping of the testing piece 1 by medical personnel. Specifically, the third groove 1126 is provided around the two sides of the top cover 112 in the width direction and the side opposite to the side where the hole 1123 is located, which further facilitates the gripping of the testing piece 1 by medical personnel.

[0044] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 4 A flexible circuit board 15 is connected to the transducer 13. The end of the flexible circuit board 15 away from the transducer 13 is provided with a connector 151 for connecting to the cable 2. The flexible circuit board 15 is folded and placed in the receiving space 12.

[0045] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 4-6 The upper cover 112 has a fourth groove 1127 on the side facing away from the lower cover 113. The housing 11 also includes a decorative plate 16 that is suitable for being placed in the fourth groove 1127 and cooperates with the fourth groove 1127. The decorative plate 16 can not only cover the connecting line between the first side cover 1121 and the second side cover 1122 facing away from the lower cover 113, but can also be used to set product labels.

[0046] Specifically, the processing unit 3 includes a housing and a circuit board integrated within the housing for processing information. The end of the cable 2 away from the detection unit 1 is connected to the circuit board to connect the detection unit 1 and the processing unit 3. The processing unit 3 can be connected to the display device via a wire, or a wireless transmission module can be integrated within the processing unit 3 to enable wireless connection between the processing unit 3 and the display device.

[0047] Example 2

[0048] Embodiment 2 of this application provides an ultrasound diagnostic device, which includes the ultrasound probe provided in Embodiment 1.

[0049] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that, The device includes a detection element for attaching to the surface of a patient's skin and a processing element connected to the detection element via a cable. The processing element is used to connect to a display device. The detection element includes a housing, a receiving space located within the housing, and a transducer disposed in the receiving space. The housing includes a contact surface for attaching to the patient's skin during ultrasound detection, and the contact surface has a detection port for the passage of ultrasound waves from the transducer.

2. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transducer is tilted within the accommodating space so that the angle between the ultrasonic beam emitted by the transducer and the mating surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 60°.

3. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a support member, which includes a support surface that is inclined relative to the contact surface, and the transducer is disposed on the support surface.

4. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, characterized in that, The support is an acoustic lens through which ultrasonic waves pass. The support is located inside the mating surface of the housing. The transmitting end of the transducer is in contact with the support surface. The angle between the support surface and the mating surface is greater than or equal to 30° and less than 90°. The ultrasonic beam emitted by the transducer is perpendicular to the support surface.

5. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, characterized in that, The support member is in the shape of a triangular prism, with its side surface touching the inner side of the mating surface, and the angle between the support surface and the mating surface being 30°.

6. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover that are connected to each other to form a receiving space. The detection port is opened on the lower cover, and the hole for the cable to pass through is located on the upper cover. The side of the lower cover facing away from the upper cover is the fitting surface. The side of the lower cover facing the upper cover is provided with a first groove surrounding the detection port. The side of the upper cover facing the lower cover is provided with a protrusion suitable for being placed in the first groove. When the upper cover and the lower cover are connected, the gap between the protrusion and the bottom of the first groove is set.

7. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower cover includes a first cover plate with a first groove and a second cover plate located inside the detection port and sealed to the first cover plate. The sides of the first cover plate and the second cover plate facing away from the upper cover form a mating surface, and the support member is disposed on the second cover plate.

8. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower cover has an extension edge extending to the outer periphery of the lower cover, and the extension direction of the extension edge is parallel to the mating surface.

9. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, characterized in that, The upper cover includes a first side cover and a second side cover that are connected to each other. The first side cover and the second side cover are connected to each other to form an accommodating space with an opening. The lower cover is connected to the first side cover and the second side cover to cover the opening of the accommodating space.

10. An ultrasound diagnostic device, characterized in that, Includes the ultrasonic probe as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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