Ultrasonic generator

Abstract

To prevent heat generated at an ultrasonic source from being transmitted to the tip of an ultrasonic propagation path.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic generator 10 includes an ultrasonic generating source 11, an ultrasonic focusing portion 12, and a waveguide 13. The ultrasonic focusing portion 12 includes a first reflecting surface 21 that reflects ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generating source 11, and a second reflecting surface 22 that reflects the ultrasonic waves reflected by the first reflecting surface 21. The first reflecting surface 21 and the second reflecting surface 22 are arranged such that the ultrasonic waves reflected by the second reflecting surface 22 are reflected as plane waves and introduced into the waveguide 13. The ultrasonic generator 10 includes a heat insulating member (e.g., a first heat insulating member 30, a second heat insulating member 40). The heat insulating member is provided in a part of the heat transfer path from a portion 15 of the ultrasonic generating source 11 facing the ultrasonic focusing portion 12 to the tip of the waveguide 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ultrasonic generators. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic emitter. This ultrasonic emitter includes an ultrasonic transducer and an acoustic transmitter that transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer. The acoustic transmitter includes a main body and a shaft extending forward from the front surface of the main body. The front surface of the main body functions as a concave primary reflecting surface that reflects ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer. The main body has a concave secondary reflecting surface that reflects ultrasonic waves from the primary reflecting surface. The ultrasonic waves reflected by the secondary reflecting surface are transmitted to the shaft. The tip surface of the shaft is abutted against the surface of a living organism. Ultrasonic waves are irradiated from the tip surface into the inside of the living organism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6774697 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, heat is generated when the ultrasonic transducer vibrates. The heat generated in the ultrasonic transducer is transferred to the acoustic propagation body. If the heat generated in the ultrasonic transducer is transferred to the tip surface of the shaft body, it may adversely affect a living body that is in contact with the tip surface.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique capable of suppressing the transmission of heat generated in an ultrasonic wave source to the tip of an ultrasonic wave propagation path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The ultrasonic generating device of the present disclosure comprises: An ultrasonic source that generates ultrasonic waves; an ultrasonic focusing unit that focuses the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic generation source; a waveguide that transmits the ultrasonic waves focused by the ultrasonic focusing unit, The ultrasonic focusing unit includes: a first reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating source; a second reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic wave reflected by the first reflecting surface, The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are arranged so that the ultrasonic wave reflected by the second reflecting surface is reflected as a plane wave and introduced into the waveguide, The ultrasonic wave generating source includes a heat insulating member provided in a part of a heat transfer path from a portion facing the ultrasonic focusing portion to a tip of the waveguide. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent heat generated in an ultrasonic wave generating source from being transmitted to the tip of the ultrasonic wave propagation path. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic generator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ultrasonic generator of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic generator according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic generator according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and illustrated.

[0010] [1] An ultrasonic source that generates ultrasonic waves; an ultrasonic focusing unit that focuses the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic generation source; a waveguide that transmits the ultrasonic waves focused by the ultrasonic focusing unit, The ultrasonic focusing unit includes: a first reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating source; a second reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic wave reflected by the first reflecting surface, The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are arranged so that the ultrasonic wave reflected by the second reflecting surface is reflected as a plane wave and introduced into the waveguide, a heat insulating member provided in a part of a heat transfer path from a portion of the ultrasonic generating source facing the ultrasonic focusing portion to a tip of the waveguide; Ultrasonic generator.

[0011] The ultrasonic generator has a heat insulating member provided in a part of a heat transfer path from a portion of the ultrasonic generating source facing the ultrasonic focusing unit to the tip of the waveguide. The tip of the waveguide is the tip of the ultrasonic propagation path. In other words, the ultrasonic generator can suppress the heat generated in the ultrasonic generating source from being transferred to the tip of the ultrasonic propagation path by the heat insulating member.

[0012] [2] The heat insulating member is provided at a position spaced rearward from the tip of the waveguide. The ultrasonic generating device according to [1].

[0013] The ultrasonic generator can suppress heat transfer to the tip of the waveguide without constructing the tip of the waveguide with a heat insulating material, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the material used for the tip of the waveguide.

[0014] [3] The ultrasonic focusing unit and the waveguide are formed of separate members, The heat insulating member is provided between a member constituting the ultrasonic focusing unit and a member constituting the waveguide. An ultrasonic generating device according to [1] or [2].

[0015] In the ultrasonic focusing section, the ultrasonic waves that are not introduced into the waveguide generate heat. The ultrasonic generator can suppress the heat generated in the ultrasonic focusing section from being transmitted to the tip of the waveguide by the heat insulating member provided between the member constituting the ultrasonic focusing section and the member constituting the waveguide. In other words, the ultrasonic generator can suppress the heat generated in not only the ultrasonic generating source but also the heat generated in the ultrasonic focusing section from being transmitted to the tip of the waveguide by the heat insulating member. Moreover, in the ultrasonic generator, the member constituting the ultrasonic focusing section and the member constituting the waveguide are made of different members, so that the structure for arranging the heat insulating member can be easily simplified.

[0016] [4] The heat insulating member is solid and is bonded to at least one of the ultrasonic focusing portion and the waveguide with an adhesive. The ultrasonic generating device according to [3].

[0017] In the ultrasonic generator, a gap is unlikely to occur between the heat insulating member and at least one of the ultrasonic focusing portion and the waveguide.

[0018] [5] The ultrasonic generating source and the ultrasonic focusing unit are constituted by separate members, The heat insulating member is provided between a member constituting the ultrasonic generating source and a member constituting the ultrasonic focusing unit. An ultrasonic generating device according to any one of [1] to [4].

[0019] In the ultrasonic generating device, the heat insulating member is disposed between the member constituting the ultrasonic focusing unit and the member constituting the ultrasonic focusing unit which are constituted by different members. Therefore, in the ultrasonic generating device, it is easy to simplify the structure for disposing the heat insulating member.

[0020] [6] The heat insulating member is solid and is bonded to at least one of the ultrasonic generating source and the ultrasonic focusing unit with an adhesive. The ultrasonic generating device according to [5].

[0021] In the ultrasonic generating device, a gap is unlikely to occur between the heat insulating member and at least one of the ultrasonic generating source and the ultrasonic focusing unit.

[0022] [7] The heat insulating member contains a liquid. An ultrasonic generating device according to any one of [1] to [6].

[0023] A liquid has a higher ultrasonic propagation performance than a solid, and since the heat insulating member of the ultrasonic generator described above contains a liquid, it is easy to improve the ultrasonic propagation performance.

[0024] [8] The material constituting the heat insulating member has a lower thermal conductivity than the material constituting at least one of the ultrasonic focusing portion and the waveguide. An ultrasonic generating device according to any one of [1] to [7].

[0025] The heat insulating member of the ultrasonic generator transmits heat less easily than at least one of the ultrasonic focusing section and the waveguide.

[0026] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] The ultrasonic generator of the present disclosure is used in, for example, ultrasonic diagnostic devices, ultrasonic treatment devices, cavitation generators, dental scalers, blood coagulation cutting devices (e.g., ultrasonic scalpels), ultrasonic processing machines, ultrasonic cleaning machines (e.g., ultrasonic cleaners), and the like.

[0027] 1. First embodiment 1-1. Configuration of ultrasonic generator 10 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic generator 10 includes an ultrasonic generation source 11, an ultrasonic focusing section 12, a waveguide 13, a first heat insulating member 30, and a second heat insulating member 40.

[0028] The ultrasonic wave generating source 11 generates ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic focusing unit 12 focuses the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic wave generating source 11. The waveguide 13 transmits the ultrasonic waves focused by the ultrasonic focusing unit 12.

[0029] The ultrasonic wave generating source 11 is composed of, for example, a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element has a piezoelectric body made of piezoelectric ceramics and electrodes arranged on both sides of the piezoelectric body. The ultrasonic wave generating source 11 is in the form of a plate having a thickness in the front-rear direction. The ultrasonic wave generating source 11 generates ultrasonic waves when an electric signal is given from a signal transmitting / receiving circuit (not shown). The ultrasonic wave generating source 11 generates ultrasonic waves at a frequency of, for example, 30 kHz or more and 10 MHz or less.

[0030] The ultrasonic generating source 11 is joined to the rear surface of the ultrasonic focusing section 12 via a first insulating member 30. The ultrasonic generating source 11 has a facing section 15 facing the ultrasonic focusing section 12. The ultrasonic generating source 11 emits ultrasonic waves from the facing section 15. The facing section 15 is formed on the front surface of the ultrasonic generating source 11 and is disposed facing forward. The facing section 15 has a flat surface and extends in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the ultrasonic generator 10. The ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generating source 11 are plane waves that travel straight toward the ultrasonic focusing section 12.

[0031] The first heat insulating member 30 is provided between the ultrasonic generating source 11 and the ultrasonic focusing section 12. The first heat insulating member 30 is annular (more specifically, annular). The ultrasonic generating source 11 and the ultrasonic focusing section 12 are made of different materials. The first heat insulating member 30 has a function of suppressing the transfer of heat generated in the ultrasonic generating source 11 to the ultrasonic focusing section 12. The thermal conductivity of the material constituting the first heat insulating member 30 is lower than that of the material constituting the ultrasonic focusing section 12 and is lower than that of the material constituting the waveguide 13. For this reason, the first heat insulating member 30 transfers heat less easily than both the ultrasonic focusing section 12 and the waveguide 13. The first heat insulating member 30 is solid. The first heat insulating member 30 is made of, for example, resin, rubber, or the like. The first heat insulating member 30 is plate-shaped. The first heat insulating member 30 has a surface on one side in the thickness direction (specifically, the rear surface) bonded to the ultrasonic generating source 11 (more specifically, the opposing portion 15) by an adhesive 31. The first heat insulating member 30 has a surface on the other side in the thickness direction (specifically, the front surface) bonded to the ultrasonic focusing portion 12 by an adhesive 32.

[0032] The ultrasonic focusing section 12 is provided between the ultrasonic generating source 11 and the waveguide 13. The ultrasonic focusing section 12 is formed of a metal (e.g., duralumin). The ultrasonic focusing section 12 has a first reflecting surface 21 and a second reflecting surface 22. The first reflecting surface 21 is disposed facing the facing portion 15 of the ultrasonic generating source 11. The facing direction of the first reflecting surface 21 and the facing portion 15 of the ultrasonic generating source 11 is parallel to the front-rear direction. When viewed from the outside of the ultrasonic focusing section 12, the first reflecting surface 21 is a curved surface (e.g., a parabolic surface) that is convex toward the front side (the side opposite to the ultrasonic generating source 11). When viewed from the inside of the ultrasonic focusing section 12, the first reflecting surface 21 is concave.

[0033] The second reflecting surface 22 is disposed opposite to the first reflecting surface 21. The second reflecting surface 22 is disposed at a position rearward of the front end of the first reflecting surface 21. When viewed from the outside of the ultrasonic focusing section 12, the second reflecting surface 22 is a curved surface (e.g., a parabolic surface) that is convex toward the rear side (the side opposite to the first reflecting surface 21). When viewed from the inside of the ultrasonic focusing section 12, the second reflecting surface 22 is concave. The second reflecting surface 22 protrudes rearward.

[0034] The first reflecting surface 21 reflects the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generating source 11 toward the second reflecting surface 22. The second reflecting surface 22 reflects the ultrasonic waves reflected by the first reflecting surface 21 toward the rear end of the waveguide 13. The first reflecting surface 21 and the second reflecting surface 22 are arranged such that the ultrasonic waves reflected by the second reflecting surface 22 are reflected as a plane wave and introduced into the waveguide 13.

[0035] The waveguide 13 is disposed on the front side of the ultrasonic focusing unit 12 and has a shape extending forward. The waveguide 13 extends along the traveling direction of the plane wave generated at the second reflecting surface 22. The extending direction of the waveguide 13 may be parallel to the traveling direction of the plane wave generated at the second reflecting surface 22, or may be slightly inclined or bent with respect to the traveling direction of the plane wave generated at the second reflecting surface 22.

[0036] The waveguide 13 is formed of a member different from the ultrasonic focusing unit 12. The waveguide 13 is formed of, for example, a metal. The waveguide 13 is preferably formed of a material having high ultrasonic propagation properties, for example, an aluminum alloy, metallic glass, or the like. The waveguide 13 may also be configured to be formed of a shape memory alloy made of, for example, an alloy of titanium and nickel. The waveguide 13 can be elastically deformed. The waveguide 13 is joined to the ultrasonic focusing unit 12 via a second heat insulating member 40.

[0037] The second heat insulating member 40 is provided between the ultrasonic focusing section 12 and the waveguide 13. The second heat insulating member 40 has a function of suppressing heat transfer from the ultrasonic focusing section 12 side to the waveguide 13 side. The thermal conductivity of the material constituting the second heat insulating member 40 is lower than that of the material constituting the ultrasonic focusing section 12 and is lower than that of the material constituting the waveguide 13. Therefore, the second heat insulating member 40 transfers heat less easily than both the ultrasonic focusing section 12 and the waveguide 13. The second heat insulating member 40 is solid. The second heat insulating member 40 is made of, for example, resin, rubber, etc. The second heat insulating member 40 has an end heat insulating portion 40A and a side heat insulating portion 40B. The end heat insulating portion 40A is disposed between one end of the waveguide 13 and the ultrasonic focusing section 12. The side heat insulating portion 40B is disposed between the side surface on the one end side of the waveguide 13 and the ultrasonic focusing section 12. The side heat insulating portion 40B is cylindrical. The side heat insulating portion 40B surrounds the outer periphery of one end side of the waveguide 13. One end of the side heat insulating portion 40B is connected to the end heat insulating portion 40A. The second heat insulating member 40 is bonded to the ultrasonic focusing portion 12 by an adhesive 41. The second heat insulating member 40 is bonded to the waveguide 13 by an adhesive 42.

[0038] 1-2. Functions and Effects of Ultrasonic Generator 10 When an electrical signal is given to the ultrasonic wave generating source 11 from a signal transmitting / receiving circuit (not shown), the ultrasonic wave generating source 11 generates ultrasonic waves forward from the facing portion 15 as shown in Fig. 1. The ultrasonic waves emitted from the facing portion 15 are reflected by the first reflecting surface 21 and focused toward a focal point F of the first reflecting surface 21. The focal point F of the first reflecting surface 21 is the same as the focal point F of the second reflecting surface 22. Therefore, the ultrasonic waves that pass through the focal point F of the first reflecting surface 21 are reflected by the second reflecting surface 22 and are introduced into the waveguide 13 as a plane wave.

[0039] When the ultrasonic source 11 vibrates, heat is generated from the ultrasonic source 11. The heat generated in the ultrasonic source 11 is transferred to the waveguide 13 via the ultrasonic focusing unit 12. However, a first heat insulating member 30 and a second heat insulating member 40 are provided between the ultrasonic source 11 and the waveguide 13. Therefore, the ultrasonic generator 10 can suppress the transfer of the heat generated in the ultrasonic source 11 to the waveguide 13 by the first heat insulating member 30 and the second heat insulating member 40. As a result, when the tip of the waveguide 13 comes into contact with a contact object, the transfer of the heat generated in the ultrasonic source 11 to the contact object can be suppressed.

[0040] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic focusing section 12, the ultrasonic waves that are not introduced into the waveguide 13 generate heat. The heat generated in the ultrasonic focusing section 12 is transferred to the waveguide 13. However, a second heat insulating member 40 is provided between the ultrasonic focusing section 12 and the waveguide 13. Therefore, the ultrasonic generator 10 can suppress the transfer of the heat generated in the ultrasonic focusing section 12 to the waveguide 13 by the second heat insulating member 40.

[0041] Furthermore, the first heat insulating member 30 and the second heat insulating member 40 are provided at a position away from the rear of the tip of the waveguide 13. Therefore, the ultrasonic generator 10 can suppress heat transfer to the tip of the waveguide 13 without configuring the tip of the waveguide 13 with a heat insulating member. Therefore, the ultrasonic generator 10 can increase the degree of freedom in the material used for the tip of the waveguide 13.

[0042] Furthermore, the first heat insulating member 30 is provided between the ultrasonic generating source 11 and the ultrasonic focusing section 12 which are formed of different members. Therefore, the ultrasonic generating device 10 can easily simplify the structure for arranging the first heat insulating member 30. Furthermore, the first heat insulating member 30 is bonded to the ultrasonic generating source 11 with an adhesive 31. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the first heat insulating member 30 and the ultrasonic generating source 11. Furthermore, the first heat insulating member 30 is bonded to the ultrasonic focusing section 12 with an adhesive 32. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the first heat insulating member 30 and the ultrasonic focusing section 12.

[0043] Furthermore, the second heat insulating member 40 is provided between the ultrasonic focusing section 12 and the waveguide 13 which are formed of different members. Therefore, the ultrasonic generator 10 can easily simplify the structure for arranging the second heat insulating member 40. Furthermore, the second heat insulating member 40 is bonded to the ultrasonic focusing section 12 with an adhesive 41. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the second heat insulating member 40 and the ultrasonic focusing section 12. Furthermore, the second heat insulating member 40 is bonded to the waveguide 13 with an adhesive 42. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the second heat insulating member 40 and the waveguide 13.

[0044] 2. Second embodiment In the second embodiment, an ultrasonic generator including a heat insulating member containing a liquid will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic generating device 210 of the second embodiment includes an ultrasonic generating source 11, an ultrasonic focusing section 12, a waveguide 213, a first insulating member 30, a second insulating member 40, and a third insulating member 50.

[0046] The waveguide 213 is formed with a cavity 51 that accommodates the third heat insulating member 50. The waveguide 213 differs from the waveguide 13 of the first embodiment in that the cavity 51 is formed, but has the other points in common.

[0047] The third heat insulating member 50 is a liquid, more specifically, a gel. The thermal conductivity of the material constituting the third heat insulating member 50 is lower than that of the material constituting the ultrasonic focusing unit 12 and is lower than that of the material constituting the waveguide 213. Therefore, the third heat insulating member 50 is less likely to transmit heat than both the ultrasonic focusing unit 12 and the waveguide 213. The third heat insulating member 50 is filled in the cavity 51.

[0048] The method of filling the cavity 51 with the third insulating member 50 is not particularly limited. For example, a hole exposing the cavity 51 may be formed in the waveguide 213, and the third insulating member 50 may be filled through the hole. The hole may be blocked after filling. Alternatively, a lid exposing the cavity 51 may be provided on the waveguide 213, and the third insulating member 50 may be filled with the lid open.

[0049] In the ultrasonic generator 210, since the third insulating member 50 is made of gel, the ultrasonic wave propagation performance in the third insulating member 50 can be improved.

[0050] 3. Third embodiment In the third embodiment, a second example of an ultrasonic generator including a heat insulating member containing a liquid will be described. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic generating device 310 of the third embodiment includes an ultrasonic generating source 11, an ultrasonic focusing section 12, a waveguide 313, a first insulating member 30, a second insulating member 40, and a fourth insulating member 60.

[0052] Waveguide 313 has first shaft portion 313A and second shaft portion 313B. First shaft portion 313A and second shaft portion 313B are arranged in the front-rear direction with a gap between them. Second shaft portion 313B is arranged in a position forward of first shaft portion 313A.

[0053] The fourth heat insulating member 60 has a cover portion 61 and a gel 62. The cover portion 61 is made of, for example, resin, rubber, or the like. The cover portion 61 is cylindrical and is connected to an end of the first shaft portion 313A and an end of the second shaft portion 313B. The gel 62 is filled in a space surrounded by the cover portion 61, the first shaft portion 313A, and the second shaft portion 313B.

[0054] For example, a male thread is formed on the outer periphery of the end of the first shaft portion 313A and the outer periphery of the end of the second shaft portion 313B. A female thread is formed on the inner periphery of both ends of the cover portion 61. The male thread and the female thread are connected to each other, thereby connecting the cover portion 61 to the first shaft portion 313A and the second shaft portion 313B.

[0055] The combined value of the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the cover portion 61 and the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the gel 62 is lower than the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the ultrasonic focusing portion 12 and lower than the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the waveguide 313. For example, the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the cover portion 61 and the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the gel 62 are both lower than the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the ultrasonic focusing portion 12 and lower than the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the waveguide 313. For this reason, the fourth heat insulating member 60 is less likely to transmit heat than both the ultrasonic focusing portion 12 and the waveguide 13.

[0056] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic generator 310, since the fourth insulating member 60 contains gel, the ultrasonic propagation performance in the fourth insulating member 60 is easily improved.

[0057] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, and the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the various features of the above-mentioned embodiments and the embodiments to be described later may be combined in any combination as long as they are not contradictory.

[0058] (1) In each of the above embodiments, the heat insulating member may be formed by an adhesive. For example, the first heat insulating member 30 may be omitted and the heat insulating member may be formed by an adhesive that bonds the ultrasonic generating source 11 and the ultrasonic focusing unit 12. Also, the second heat insulating member 40 may be omitted and the heat insulating member may be formed by an adhesive that bonds the ultrasonic focusing unit 12 and the waveguide 13. When the heat insulating member is formed by an adhesive, the thermal conductivity of the material that forms the adhesive is lower than the thermal conductivity of the material that forms the ultrasonic focusing unit 12 and is lower than the thermal conductivity of the material that forms the waveguide 13. The thickness of the adhesive is preferably 100 μm or more.

[0059] (2) In the first embodiment, the first heat insulating member 30 or the second heat insulating member 40 may be omitted. In the second embodiment, at least one of the first heat insulating member 30 and the second heat insulating member 40 may be omitted. In the third embodiment, at least one of the first heat insulating member 30 and the second heat insulating member 40 may be omitted.

[0060] (3) In each of the above embodiments, a backing material may be provided on the surface of the ultrasonic generating source 11 opposite the ultrasonic focusing unit 12. The backing material absorbs ultrasonic waves traveling opposite the ultrasonic focusing unit 12, thereby suppressing unnecessary vibrations.

[0061] (4) In each of the above embodiments, a cooling mechanism may be provided to cool the ultrasonic generation source 11. The cooling mechanism is, for example, a fan. The cooling mechanism blows air onto the ultrasonic generation source 11 from behind or beside it.

[0062] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope indicated by the claims or within the scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10. Ultrasonic generator 11...Ultrasonic source 12...Ultrasonic focusing section 13...Waveguide 15…Facing part 21...First reflective surface 22…Second reflective surface 30...First heat insulating member (heat insulating member) 31...Glue 32…Glue 40...Second heat insulating member (heat insulating member) 40A…End insulation section 40B…Side insulation section 41...Adhesive 42…Glue 50…Third heat insulating member (heat insulating member) 51...Cavity 60...Fourth insulating member (insulating member) 61…Cover part 62...Gel 210...Ultrasonic generator 213...waveguide 310...Ultrasonic generator 313...Waveguide 313A…1st shaft part 313B…Second shaft part F…Focus

Claims

1. An ultrasonic source that generates ultrasonic waves; an ultrasonic focusing unit that focuses the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic generation source; a waveguide that transmits the ultrasonic waves focused by the ultrasonic focusing unit, The ultrasonic focusing unit includes: a first reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating source; a second reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic wave reflected by the first reflecting surface, The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are arranged so that the ultrasonic wave reflected by the second reflecting surface is reflected as a plane wave and introduced into the waveguide, a heat insulating member provided in a part of a heat transfer path from a portion of the ultrasonic generating source facing the ultrasonic focusing portion to a tip of the waveguide; Ultrasonic generator.

2. The heat insulating member is provided at a position spaced rearward from the tip of the waveguide.

2. The ultrasonic generating device according to claim 1.

3. The ultrasonic focusing unit and the waveguide are formed of different members, The heat insulating member is provided between a member constituting the ultrasonic focusing unit and a member constituting the waveguide.

3. The ultrasonic generating device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The heat insulating member is solid and is bonded to at least one of the ultrasonic focusing portion and the waveguide with an adhesive.

4. The ultrasonic generating device according to claim 3.

5. The ultrasonic generating source and the ultrasonic focusing unit are configured by separate members, The heat insulating member is provided between a member constituting the ultrasonic generating source and a member constituting the ultrasonic focusing unit.

3. The ultrasonic generating device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The heat insulating member is solid and is bonded to at least one of the ultrasonic generating source and the ultrasonic focusing unit with an adhesive.

6. The ultrasonic generating device according to claim 5.

7. The heat insulating member includes a liquid.

3. The ultrasonic generating device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The material constituting the heat insulating member has a lower thermal conductivity than the material constituting at least one of the ultrasonic focusing portion and the waveguide.

3. The ultrasonic generating device according to claim 1 or 2.

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