Intracavitary insertion type ultrasound probe

Abstract

To provide a practically valuable flexible substrate for an intracavitary insertion type ultrasound probe.SOLUTION: A flexible substrate 34 includes a substrate main body 44 and a plurality of tabs 48, 50. The substrate main body 44 is provided with a transducer array 18 and a plurality of electronic components (ICs). In a state where the flexible substrate is rolled into a tubular shape, one end 44a and the other end 44b of the substrate main body 44 in a circumferential direction come into contact with each other or come close to each other. A first tab 48 is provided with a first connection 62 to which a first cable group is connected. A second tab 50 is provided with a second connection 64 to which a second cable group is connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intracavity ultrasonic probe, and more particularly to a flexible substrate that can be rolled into a cylindrical shape. [Background technology]

[0002] As an intracavity insertion type ultrasound probe, a thin-diameter probe such as an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) probe is known. Such a probe is also called a catheter-type ultrasound probe.

[0003] In a conventional electronic scanning IVUS probe, a cylindrically rolled FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) board is disposed within the tip (hereinafter, the FPC board is simply referred to as a flexible board). A transducer array and a plurality of electronic components are provided on the flexible board. Specifically, the plurality of electronic components are a plurality of ICs (integrated circuits). Furthermore, a plurality of connections are provided on the flexible board. Each connection consists of, for example, a plurality of electrodes or a plurality of terminals to which a plurality of cables are connected.

[0004] The flexible substrate has a wiring pattern. The wiring pattern includes a group of lines connecting the electronic components to the transducer array and a group of lines connecting the electronic components to the connection parts. The connection parts are usually part of the wiring pattern. Before or after rolling the flexible substrate, a plurality of cables are connected to the connection parts.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronically scanned IVUS probe. More specifically, FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1 shows a flexible substrate having an transducer array and multiple ICs. The flexible substrate has a substrate body and one tab. The tab has a connection portion. FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1 shows a flexible substrate having a substrate body and multiple ribbons. Each ribbon is equipped with an electronic component. No electronic components are mounted on the substrate body. Patent Document 1 does not disclose multiple tabs corresponding to multiple wiring systems that cross multiple electronic components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-505292 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a flexible substrate having practical value for an intracavity-insertable ultrasonic probe, to realize a functional tab arrangement and a functional wiring pattern, or to facilitate the assembly work of an intracavity-insertable ultrasonic probe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The intracavity insertion type ultrasonic probe according to the present disclosure includes a flexible substrate having a substrate body rolled into a cylindrical shape and a plurality of tabs connected to an annular rear end of the substrate body, an annular transducer array provided on the substrate body, and a plurality of electronic components provided on the substrate body and electrically connected to the transducer array and arranged in a ring shape, wherein one end and the other end in the circumferential direction of the substrate body are in contact with or close to each other, the substrate body includes one end including the one end and the other end including the other end, the plurality of tabs include a first tab connected to the one end and a second tab connected to the other end, the first tab is provided with a first connection portion to which a first cable group is connected, and the second tab is provided with a second connection portion to which a second cable group is connected. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a flexible substrate having practical value, or to realize a functional tab arrangement and a functional wiring pattern, or to facilitate the assembly work of an intracavity ultrasonic probe. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a development view showing a first example of a flexible substrate. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first example of a flexible substrate. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a bent state of the tab. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a development view showing a second example of a flexible substrate. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a development view showing a third example of a flexible substrate. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a development view showing a fourth example of a flexible substrate. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a development view showing a fifth example of a flexible substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (1) Overview of the embodiment The intracavity insertion type ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment includes a flexible substrate, a transducer array, and a plurality of electronic components. The flexible substrate includes a substrate body rolled into a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of tabs connected to an annular rear end of the substrate body. The transducer array has an annular shape and is provided on the substrate body. The plurality of electronic components are provided on the substrate body, specifically, they are arranged in a circular shape on the substrate body. The plurality of electronic components are electrically connected to the transducer array. When the flexible substrate is rolled into a cylindrical shape, one end and the other end in the circumferential direction of the substrate body come into contact with or close to each other. The substrate body includes one end including the one end, and the other end including the other end. The plurality of tabs include a first tab connected to the one end, and a second tab connected to the other end. The first tab is provided with a first connection portion to which a first cable group is connected. The second tab is provided with a second connection portion to which a second cable group is connected.

[0013] In the embodiment, the plurality of electronic components are composed of a first electronic component to an m-th electronic component. Here, m is an integer of 2 or more, for example, m is in the range of 4 to 8. The m electronic components are connected to each other, for example, via one or more transverse line rows. The first electronic component is provided at a location (one end) close to one end of the board body, and the m-th electronic component is provided at a location (other end) close to the other end of the board body. On the premise of such a layout, according to the flexible board according to the embodiment, the first connection portion can be brought close to the first electronic component, and at the same time, the second connection portion can be brought close to the m-th electronic component. Therefore, the total wiring length in the wiring pattern on the flexible board can be shortened, or the wiring pattern can be simplified.

[0014] Three or more tabs may be provided on the substrate body. If the circumferential width of the tab becomes large, it becomes difficult to bend the tab, so the circumferential width of the tab is determined taking into consideration whether or not bending is necessary or the ease of bending. When the flexible substrate is rolled into a cylindrical shape, the first tab and the second tab are adjacent to each other. That is, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are close to each other. In order to reduce electrical crosstalk or to prevent noise from being mixed into the received signal, a member that exerts a shielding effect is provided between the first connection portion and the second connection portion. The first connection portion and the second connection portion are each composed of one or more electrodes, or one or more terminals.

[0015] In an embodiment, the flexible substrate has a first row of transverse lines, a second row of transverse lines, a first row of peripheral lines, and a second row of peripheral lines. The first row of transverse lines extends from one end of the flexible substrate to the other end and is electrically connected to a plurality of electronic components. The second row of transverse lines extends from the other end of the flexible substrate to the one end and is electrically connected to a plurality of electronic components. The first row of peripheral lines is provided between the first row of transverse lines and a first connection portion. The second row of peripheral lines is provided between the second row of transverse lines and a second connection portion.

[0016] The first wiring system is formed by the first row of transverse lines and the first row of peripheral lines, and the second wiring system is formed by the second row of transverse lines and the second row of peripheral lines. With the above configuration, crossings between the two wiring systems can be avoided.

[0017] In the embodiment, the first transverse line row and the first peripheral line row each include a plurality of lines for transmitting a plurality of reception signals. The second transverse line row and the second peripheral line row each include a line for transmitting a control signal and a line for supplying a power supply voltage. This configuration can prevent or reduce noise from being mixed into each reception signal on the flexible substrate.

[0018] In the embodiment, the flexible substrate has a ground line provided between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and this configuration makes it possible to reduce electrical crosstalk between the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

[0019] In the embodiment, a plurality of reception signals are transmitted through the first connection portion. The first tab has a ground line surrounding the first connection portion. This configuration can prevent or reduce noise from being mixed into each reception signal.

[0020] In the embodiment, the substrate body has a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region is provided with a transducer array. The second region is provided on the rear side of the first region, and a plurality of electronic components are provided in the second region. The third region is a region between the second region and the annular rear end. Each tab extends parallel to the central axis direction of the probe in a normal state. When a radially outward pressing force is applied to each tab, the third region deforms, thereby allowing each tab to bend. The third region is a margin region or a redundant region, and the presence of the third region allows each tab to bend or makes it easier to bend each tab.

[0021] In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of tabs includes a tab body and a connecting portion provided between the tab body and the substrate body. The width of the boundary between the connecting portion and the substrate body is smaller than the circumferential width of the tab body. This configuration makes it easy to bend the tab.

[0022] (2) Details of the embodiment FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic device according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic device is used for ultrasonic examination of a living body (human). The ultrasonic diagnostic device has an apparatus main body 10 and an intracavity insertion type ultrasonic probe (hereinafter referred to as a probe) 12. Specifically, the probe 12 is an electronic scanning IVUS probe that is inserted into a blood vessel 14. The configuration described in detail below may be applied to other probes (for example, a bronchial ultrasonic endoscope).

[0023] The probe 12 is a flexible, long member. The outer diameter of the probe 12 is, for example, within a range of 1 to 3 mm. The outer diameter of the probe 12 may be smaller than this range, or may be larger than this range.

[0024] The tip 12A of the probe 12 has a transducer array 18 having a ring shape. The transducer array 18 is composed of, for example, a plurality of transducers arranged in a ring shape. A transmitting aperture and a receiving aperture are set on the transducer array 18. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the transmitting aperture, and reflected waves are received by the receiving aperture. An ultrasonic beam (total transmitting and receiving beam) 20 is radially scanned by electronically scanning these apertures.

[0025] An electronic component group 22 is provided in the tip portion 12A. The electronic component group 22 is electrically connected to the transducer array 18. The transmitting aperture and the receiving aperture are electronically scanned by the action of the electronic component group 22. The electronic component group 22 is composed of a plurality of electronic components. The number of electronic components is, for example, within a range of 4 to 8, and may be 5 or 6. Each electronic component is, for example, composed of an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0026] The probe 12 has a hollow passageway formed along its central axis, into which a guidewire 16 is inserted. More precisely, the probe 12 advances through the blood vessel 14 along the guidewire 16 that has already been placed within the blood vessel.

[0027] The transceiver 24 is an electronic circuit that functions as a transmission control circuit and also functions as a reception beamformer. Transmission and reception control data is sent from the transceiver 24 to the electronic component group 22. During transmission, the electronic component group 22 generates multiple transmission signals. These transmission signals are sent to the transducer array 18, which then forms a transmission beam.

[0028] During reception, multiple reception signals output in parallel from the transducer array 18 are sent to the transceiver 24 via the electronic component group 22. The transceiver 24 applies phasing addition to the multiple reception signals, thereby generating reception beam data. The electronic component group 22 may also perform sub-beamforming for reception.

[0029] An interface unit is provided between the probe 12 and the transmitting / receiving unit 24, but is not shown in Fig. 1. As the ultrasonic beam 20 is radially scanned, a plurality of pieces of received beam data are sequentially sent from the transmitting / receiving unit 24 to the image forming unit 28 via the data processing unit 26.

[0030] The data processing unit 26 has a detection circuit, a filter circuit, a logarithmic conversion circuit, etc. The image forming unit 28 is composed of a digital scan converter (DSC). A tomographic image is formed from a plurality of received beam data by the DSC. The tomographic image is displayed on the display 30. The tomographic image is, for example, a moving image showing a cross section of the blood vessel 14. The moving image showing the blood vessel longitudinal section may be displayed on the display 30. In this case, a tomographic image showing the blood vessel longitudinal section may be generated by connecting a plurality of cross section data in the blood vessel central axis direction. A three-dimensional image may be displayed on the display 30.

[0031] The control unit 32 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program. The control unit 32 controls the operation of each component in the ultrasonic diagnostic device. The display unit 30 is composed of an organic EL display device, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc. An operation panel (not shown) is connected to the control unit 32.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the probe according to the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the tip portion 12A. The flexible substrate 34 is a flexible film member for wiring, which is composed of an FPC. The flexible substrate 34 has a ring shape. The transducer array 18 is provided inside the flexible substrate 34. The transducer array 18 is composed of a plurality of transducers 18a arranged in a ring shape. Ultrasound transmitted from each transducer 18a passes through the flexible substrate 34 and is then emitted into the living body. Reflected waves from the living body pass through the flexible substrate 34 and are then received by each transducer 18a. The ultrasonic beam 20 is radially scanned as shown in the figure (see reference numeral 36).

[0033] A cylindrical backing 38 is provided inside the transducer array 18. The backing 38 is a member that attenuates ultrasonic waves radiated backward from each transducer 18a. A pipe 40 is provided inside the backing 38. The inside of the pipe 40 is a passage 42 into which a guide wire is inserted.

[0034] A first example of the flexible substrate will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Fig. 3 shows a flexible substrate 34 in an unfolded state. The z direction is parallel to the central axis of the probe. The θ direction is the circumferential direction. The flexible substrate 34 is a thin sheet-like member, specifically an FPC. The flexible substrate 34 is made up of a substrate body 44, a first tab 48, and a second tab 50.

[0035] The substrate body 44 has a rectangular shape in an unfolded state, and is rolled into a cylindrical shape when the probe is assembled. The surface of the flexible substrate 34 that appears in Fig. 3 becomes the inner surface when the probe is assembled. Reference numeral 44a denotes one end of the substrate body 44 in the θ direction, and reference numeral 44b denotes the other end of the substrate body 44 in the θ direction. The substrate body 44 has one end 44A that includes the one end 44a, and also has the other end 44B that includes the other end 44b.

[0036] The first tab 48 and the second tab 50 are connected to the rear end 44c of the substrate body 44. Specifically, the first tab 48 is connected to one end 44A, and the second tab 50 is connected to the other end 44B. In other words, the part to which the first tab 48 is connected is the one end 44A, and the part to which the second tab is connected is the other end 44B. When assembling the probe, the one end 44a and the other end 44b come into contact with or are close to each other, and the rear end 44c becomes annular. In other words, the substrate body 44 is rolled into a cylindrical shape so that the one end 44a and the other end 44b come into contact with or are close to each other.

[0037] The first tab 48 is provided with a first connection portion 62, and the second tab 50 is provided with a second connection portion 64. A first group of cables is connected to the first connection portion 62, and a second group of cables is connected to the second connection portion 64. The connection portions 62, 64 each include a plurality of electrodes for soldering connections. A plurality of terminals may be provided together with or instead of the plurality of electrodes.

[0038] The substrate main body 44 is provided with a transducer array 18 and an electronic component group 22. More specifically, the substrate main body 44 has an arrangement region (first region) 52 and an arrangement region (second region) 54. The transducer array 18 is provided on the arrangement region 52, and the electronic component group 22 is provided on the arrangement region 54. The transducer array 18 is composed of a plurality of transducers arranged in the θ direction, and specifically, the transducer array 18 is made up of a first transducer to an n-th transducer, where n is, for example, several tens or several hundreds.

[0039] The electronic component group 22 is composed of m electronic components. m is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and is within the range of 4 to 8, for example. In Fig. 3, the electronic component group 22 is composed of five electronic components (IC1 to IC5) arranged in the θ direction. That is, m = 5. Each of the electronic components (IC1 to IC5) has a shape extending in the z direction.

[0040] The substrate body 44 has a wiring pattern. The wiring pattern includes a first transverse line row 66, a second transverse line row 68, a first peripheral line row 72, and a second peripheral line row 74. In the embodiment, the wiring pattern further includes a plurality of connection portions 62, 64.

[0041] The first transverse line row 66 is provided from one end 44A to the other end 44B so as to cross the five electronic components (IC1 to IC5). The first transverse line row 66 is composed of a plurality of lines parallel to the θ direction. Each line is electrically connected to each electronic component (IC1 to IC5). In the embodiment, the first transverse line row 66 includes four lines for transmitting four received signals in parallel.

[0042] The second transverse line row 68 is provided from the other end 44B to the one end 44A so as to cross the five electronic components (IC1 to IC5). The second transverse line row 68 is composed of a plurality of lines parallel to the θ direction. Each line is electrically connected to each electronic component (IC1 to IC5). In the embodiment, the second transverse line row 68 includes a line for transmitting a control signal, a line for transmitting a clock, and a plurality of lines for supplying power voltage. The first transverse line row 66 and the second transverse line row 68 are separated from each other in the z direction, and no line intersection occurs between them.

[0043] The first peripheral line array 72 is connected to the first transverse line array 66. The number of lines constituting the first peripheral line array 72 is the same as the number of lines constituting the first transverse line array 66. The first peripheral line array 72 is formed from one end 44A to the first tab 48. Specifically, the first peripheral line array 72 electrically connects one end of the first transverse line array 66 to the first connection portion 62. No line intersection occurs in the first peripheral line array 72. The first connection portion 62 is composed of a plurality of electrodes. More specifically, the first connection portion 62 is composed of a plurality of electrodes to which a plurality of inner conductors of a plurality of coaxial cables are connected, and a ground electrode to which a plurality of outer conductors of a plurality of coaxial cables are connected.

[0044] The second peripheral line array 74 is connected to the second transverse line array 68. The number of lines constituting the second peripheral line array 74 is the same as the number of lines constituting the second transverse line array 68. The second peripheral line array 74 is formed from the other end 44B to the second tab 50. Specifically, the second peripheral line array 74 electrically connects the other end of the second transverse line array 68 to the second connection portion 64. No line intersection occurs in the second peripheral line array 74. The second connection portion 64 is composed of a plurality of electrodes. More specifically, the second connection portion 64 is composed of a plurality of electrodes to which a plurality of conductors in a plurality of cables are connected. Note that some of the lines are omitted from FIG. 3.

[0045] The substrate body 44 has a front margin region 60, an intermediate wiring region 56, and a rear margin region (third region) 58. The intermediate wiring region 56 is provided with a line array 70 for electrically connecting the electronic component group 22 and the transducer array 18. The line array 70 is a part of the above-mentioned wiring pattern.

[0046] The rear margin area 58 is an area between the electronic component group 22 and the rear end 44c. The rear margin area 58 is a redundant area. By providing the rear margin area 58, when the substrate body 44 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, the first tab 48 and the second tab 50 are allowed to be bent radially outward. For example, when the diameter of the substrate body 44 when rolled is L, the width in the z direction in the rear margin area 58 may be L / 2 or more. For example, the width may be 2L or less. Incidentally, the width in the θ direction of each tab may be 2 / 3×L or more and L or less. When the flexible substrate 34 is processed, each corner included in the flexible substrate 34 is rounded.

[0047] 3 provides the following advantages. First, the first tab 48 connected to one end 44A and the second tab 50 connected to the other end 44B are provided on the premise that the first transverse line array 66 and the second transverse line array 68 are provided, so that the total wiring length in the wiring pattern can be shortened or the wiring pattern can be simplified.

[0048] Secondly, since the first wiring system (the first transverse line array 66 and the first peripheral line array 72) and the second wiring system (the second transverse line array 68 and the second peripheral line array 74) are neatly separated, electrical crosstalk can be prevented or reduced. In particular, the inclusion of noise in the received signal on the flexible substrate 34 can be prevented or reduced.

[0049] Thirdly, since the rear margin region 58 is provided and since no other tabs are provided between the two tabs 48, 50, each of the tabs 48, 50 can be easily folded radially outward during probe assembly.

[0050] 4 shows the flexible substrate 34 rolled into a cylindrical shape. One end 34A and the other end 34B of the flexible substrate 34 are in contact with or close to each other. Reference numeral 76 indicates the boundary between the one end 34A and the other end 34B. The transducer array 18 and the electronic component group 22 are provided on the inner surface of the substrate body. At the position where the transducer array 18 is provided, the cross-sectional shape of the flexible substrate 34 is nearly circular, and at the position where the electronic component group 22 is provided, the cross-sectional shape of the flexible substrate 34 is nearly polygonal.

[0051] A first connection portion 62 is provided on the inner surface of the first tab 48, and a first cable group 78 is connected to the first connection portion. In the illustrated example, each cable constituting the first cable group 78 is a coaxial cable. A second connection portion 64 is provided on the inner surface of the second tab 50. A second cable group 80 is connected to the second connection portion 64. In the illustrated example, each cable constituting the second cable group 80 is a non-coaxial cable.

[0052] 5 shows the rear end of the flexible substrate 34. The x and y directions are perpendicular to the central axis of the probe (z direction). The first tab 48 and the second tab 50 are bent relative to the substrate body 44. Reference symbol 44c indicates the rear end of the substrate body.

[0053] In the illustrated state, a first cable group 78 is connected to the first connection portion 62 on the first tab 48, and a second cable group 80 is connected to the second connection portion 64 on the second tab 50. Note that the first cable group 78 and the second cable group 80 may be connected before rolling up the flexible substrate 34. The first cable group 78 and the second cable group 80 may be connected in stages while bending the first tab 48 and the second tab 50 in order.

[0054] A second example of a flexible substrate is shown in Fig. 6. The illustrated flexible substrate 82 has a substrate body 84, a first tab 86, and a second tab 88. The substrate body 84 has one end 84A and the other end 84B. The first tab 86 is connected to the one end 84A, and the second tab 88 is connected to the other end 84B. The first tab 86 has sides 86B and 86C, and the second tab 88 has sides 88A, 88B, and 88C.

[0055] The wiring pattern has a ground pattern 90. In the illustrated configuration example, the ground pattern 90 is made up of a first portion 90a, a second portion 90b, a third portion 90c, a fourth portion 90d, a fifth portion 90e, and a sixth portion 90f.

[0056] The first portion 90a is a ground line formed along one end 84a of the substrate body 84 and the side edge 86B of the first tab 86. The second portion 90b is a ground line formed along the side edge 86C of the first tab 86. The third portion 90c is a ground line formed along the rear end 84c of the substrate body 84. The fourth portion 90d is a ground line formed along the side edge 88C of the second tab 88. The fifth portion 90e is a ground line formed along the side edge 88A of the second tab 88. The sixth portion 90f is a ground line formed along the side edge 88B of the second tab 88 and the other end 84b of the substrate body 84.

[0057] An end of the first portion 90a and an end of the second portion 90b are connected to a ground electrode in the first connection portion. A plurality of signal electrodes in the first connection portion are surrounded by a ground line. The second connection portion is also surrounded by a ground line.

[0058] According to the second example, when the flexible substrate 82 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, a ground member is provided between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and a ground member is provided between the first peripheral line group and the second peripheral line group, so that electrical crosstalk can be prevented or reduced. Also, since a ground line is provided around the wiring pattern, noise mixed into the received signal can be reduced.

[0059] 7 shows a third example of a flexible substrate. In a flexible substrate 92, a first tab 96 and a second tab 98 are connected to one end and the other end of a substrate body 94. The first tab 96 is made up of a tab body 100 and a connecting portion 102. The second tab 98 is also made up of a tab body 104 and a connecting portion 106.

[0060] The tab bodies 100 and 104 are enlarged. The connecting portions 102 and 106 correspond to constricted portions. Specifically, a width 110 in the θ direction of the connecting portion 102 is smaller than a width 108 in the θ direction of the tab body 100. A width 114 in the θ direction of the connecting portion 106 is smaller than a width 112 in the θ direction of the tab body 104. When determining the sizes of the widths 110 and 114, the ease of bending and the number of lines passing through the connecting portions 102 and 106 are taken into consideration. In any case, according to the third example shown in FIG. 7, when the flexible substrate 92 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, the two tabs 96 and 98 can be easily folded radially outward.

[0061] 8 shows a fourth example of a flexible substrate. In the flexible substrate 116, a first tab 120 and a second tab 122 are connected to one end and the other end of the substrate body 118. The first tab 120 is made up of a tab body 120A and a connecting portion 120B. The second tab 122 is also made up of a tab body 122A and a connecting portion 122B. The connecting portions 120B, 122B each have a trapezoidal shape. That is, the connecting portions 120B, 122B each have a tapered shape.

[0062] Specifically, a width (border width) 130 in the θ direction at the tip of the connecting portion 120B is smaller than a width 128 in the θ direction of the tab main body 120A. A width (border width) 134 in the θ direction at the tip of the connecting portion 122B is smaller than a width 132 in the θ direction of the tab main body 122A. According to the fourth example shown in Fig. 8, similarly to the third example, when the flexible substrate 116 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, the two tabs 120, 122 can be easily folded radially outward.

[0063] 9 shows a fifth example of a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate 140 has a substrate body 142, a first tab 144, a second tab 146, and a third tab 148. The first tab 144 is connected to one end of the substrate body 142, and the second tab 146 and the third tab 148 are connected to the other end of the substrate body 142. The second tab 146 and the third tab 148 form a tab pair 150. The tab pair 150 corresponds to the second tab shown in FIG. 3. A slit 160 is provided between the second tab 146 and the third tab 148.

[0064] The first tab 144 is provided with a first connection portion 151. The second tab 146 is provided with a second connection portion 152. The third tab 148 is provided with a third connection portion 154. The second connection portion 152 and the third connection portion 154 constitute a connection portion pair 156. The connection portion pair 156 corresponds to the second connection portion 64 shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 158a indicates a boundary between the first tab 144 and the substrate main body 142, and the boundary 158a corresponds to a bend line. Reference numeral 158b indicates a boundary between the tab pair 150 and the substrate main body 142, and the boundary 158b corresponds to a bend line.

[0065] 9, the width of the tabs 146, 148 in the θ direction can be reduced. Therefore, when assembling the probe, it is easy to bend the tabs 146, 148. Generally, the number of tabs is two or three. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 18 transducer array, 22 electronic components, 34, 82, 92, 116, 140 flexible circuit board, 44, 84, 94, 118, 142 circuit board body, 48, 86, 96, 120 first tab, 50, 88, 98, 122, 146 second tab.

Claims

1. A flexible substrate having a substrate body that can be rolled into a cylindrical shape and a plurality of tabs that are connected to an annular rear end of the substrate body; An annular transducer array provided on the substrate body; a plurality of electronic components provided on the substrate body, electrically connected to the transducer array, and arranged in a ring shape; Including, One end and the other end in the circumferential direction of the substrate body are in contact with or close to each other, the substrate body includes one end portion including the one end and another end portion including the other end, the plurality of tabs include a first tab connected to the one end and a second tab connected to the other end, The first tab is provided with a first connection portion to which a first cable group is connected, The second tab is provided with a second connection portion to which a second cable group is connected.

1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

2. 2. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, The flexible substrate is a first row of transverse lines extending from the one end to the other end and electrically connected to the plurality of electronic components; a second row of transverse lines extending from the other end to the one end and electrically connected to the plurality of electronic components; a first peripheral line row provided between the first transverse line row and the first connection portion; a second peripheral line row provided between the second transverse line row and the second connection portion; Including, 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

3. 3. The intracavity ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, the first transverse line row and the first peripheral line row each include a plurality of lines for transmitting a plurality of received signals; the second row of transverse lines and the second row of peripheral lines each include a line for transmitting a control signal and a line for supplying a power voltage; 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

4. 4. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, the flexible substrate has a ground line provided between the first connection portion and the second connection portion; 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

5. 4. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, The first tab has a ground line surrounding the first connection portion.

1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

6. 2. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, The substrate body is a first region in which the transducer array is provided; a second region provided behind the first region and in which the plurality of electronic components are provided; a third region between the second region and the annular rear end; and Including, Each of the tabs extends parallel to the central axis of the probe in a normal state, When a radially outward pressing force is applied to each of the tabs, the third region is deformed, thereby allowing each of the tabs to bend.

1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

7. 2. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, At least one of the plurality of tabs has a tab body and a connecting portion provided between the tab body and the substrate body, The width of the boundary between the connecting portion and the substrate body is smaller than the circumferential width of the tab body.

1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

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