Ultrasonic probe

Abstract

To suppress an increase in the size of an ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic probe includes a transmission and reception part, a movable part, a pressure signal detection part, and an amplification part. The transmission and reception part includes a plurality of vibrators, transmits a transmission acoustic signal generated by the vibrators, and receives a reflection acoustic signal of the transmission acoustic signal. The movable part moves by the pressure applied to an acoustic radiation surface provided on a non-surface of the transmission and reception part, pressed to an object. The pressure signal detection part detects a pressure signal according to a movement amount of the movable part. The amplification part amplifies the movement amount of the movable part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to an ultrasound probe. [Background technology]

[0002] An ultrasound diagnostic device is a device that extracts an acoustic image using ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by an acoustic transducer provided in a transmitting / receiving section of an ultrasound probe. In an ultrasound diagnostic device, an ultrasound probe is pressed against a subject. The ultrasound diagnostic device detects the pressure when the ultrasound probe is pressed against the subject with a pressure sensor, determines the orientation and position of the ultrasound probe relative to the subject, and uses the pressure to generate an acoustic image. Conventionally, there is a technology that detects the pressure applied to the acoustic radiation surface of the surface of the acoustic transducer inside the probe body via a transmitting material, and depicts the pressure signal together with the acoustic image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-076298 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional ultrasonic probe, in order to apply pressure to the pressure sensor, the transmitting / receiving unit provided with the acoustic radiation surface and the probe body provided with the pressure sensor must be separated, and the acoustic radiation surface must be movable relative to the probe body. However, ultrasonic probes are usually used hygienically in medical institutions, so it is required to eliminate the gap between the probe body and the transmitting / receiving unit. For this reason, if the gap between the probe body and the transmitting / receiving unit is filled with, for example, a sealing material, the acoustic radiation surface becomes difficult to move, and the amount of movement of the transmitting / receiving unit becomes small. In the pressure sensor, for example, a pressure of up to several tens of N is detected, so a spring with a relatively large spring constant must be interposed between the acoustic radiation surface and the pressure sensor. For this reason, a large spring is required, which in turn forces the ultrasonic probe to be large overall.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to suppress the increase in size of the ultrasonic probe. However, the problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The ultrasonic probe of the embodiment has a transmitting / receiving unit, a movable unit, a pressure signal detection unit, and an amplifier. The transmitting / receiving unit has a plurality of transducers, transmits a transmission acoustic signal generated by the transducers, and receives a reflected acoustic signal of the transmission acoustic signal. The movable unit has an acoustic emitting surface on a surface of the transmitting / receiving unit, and moves due to pressure applied to the acoustic emitting surface pressed against an object. The pressure signal detection unit detects a pressure signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the movable unit. The amplifier amplifies the amount of movement of the movable unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an ultrasonic probe 10 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a conventional ultrasonic probe 15. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of an ultrasonic probe 18 according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (First embodiment) 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment. The ultrasound diagnostic device 1 includes, for example, an ultrasound probe 10, a display 80, an input interface 90, and an ultrasound image processing device 100. The ultrasound probe 10 is brought into contact with, for example, the body surface of a subject, and transmits and receives ultrasound to and from the subject. The ultrasound probe 10 is connected to the ultrasound image processing device 100 via a cable L, and transmits and receives signals to and from the ultrasound image processing device 100.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment. The ultrasonic probe 10 includes, for example, a probe body 20, a transmitting / receiving unit 30, a movable unit 40, a pressure signal detection unit 50, and a lever unit 60. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the ultrasonic probe 10 near an end portion at a position where the probe body 20 and the transmitting / receiving unit 30 are connected.

[0011] The probe body 20 includes a grip portion having a shape that is easy for an operator, such as a doctor or an engineer, to grip. The probe body 20 is a portion that is gripped by an operator during an examination or diagnosis. The grip portion of the probe body 20 is a portion that is gripped by an operator who uses the ultrasound probe 10. The probe body 20 is formed, for example, from resin.

[0012] The probe body 20 has a vertically elongated shape with the grip part at the center. A transmitting / receiving unit 30 is attached to the tip of the probe body 20. An operator holds the ultrasonic probe 10 by gripping the grip part of the probe body 20, and performs an examination or the like while pressing the transmitting / receiving unit 30 against, for example, a position to be examined on a subject.

[0013] An acoustic emitting surface 31 is provided on the surface of the transmitting / receiving unit 30. The acoustic emitting surface 31 of the transmitting / receiving unit 30 moves relative to the probe body 20 when an object, for example, an examination portion on the body of a subject, is pressed against the acoustic emitting surface 31. The transmitting / receiving unit 30 includes a plurality of transducers. The transducers are electrically independent from one another. The transmitting / receiving unit 30 transmits a transmission acoustic signal generated by the transducers and receives a reflected acoustic signal of the transmission acoustic signal. Each of the plurality of transducers can be driven individually.

[0014] The transducers are arranged, for example, by dicing the base material of the transmitting / receiving unit 30. The transmitting / receiving unit 30 vibrates the transducers based on a drive signal (electrical signal) supplied by the ultrasonic image processing device 100 to generate ultrasonic waves that become transmission acoustic signals.

[0015] A transmitted acoustic signal generated by the vibration of the transducer is reflected by an acoustic impedance mismatch surface in the subject and becomes a reflected wave. The reflected wave is received by the transducer as a reflected acoustic signal (electrical signal) including components scattered by scatterers in the tissue. The ultrasonic probe 10 transmits the received reflected acoustic signal to the ultrasonic image processing device 100.

[0016] The transmitting / receiving unit 30 is attached to the movable unit 40. The movable unit 40 moves due to pressure applied to the acoustic emitting surface 31 pressed against an object such as a subject. The movable unit 40 is fixed to the transmitting / receiving head 32 of the transmitting / receiving unit 30, and moves in accordance with the movement of the acoustic emitting surface 31.

[0017] The pressure signal detection unit 50 includes, for example, a pressure sensor 51 and a compression spring 52. The pressure sensor 51 detects the pressure applied to the compression spring 52 as a pressure signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the movable unit 40. The compression spring 52 is a spring interposed between the pressure sensor 51 and a lever portion 60. The compression spring 52 biases the pressure sensor 51 and the lever portion 60 in a direction away from each other. The compression spring 52 is pressed by the lever portion 60 moving toward the pressure sensor 51. The pressure sensor 51 detects the pressure when the compression spring 52 is pressed. The compression spring 52 is, for example, a coil spring. The compression spring 52 is an example of a compression spring member.

[0018] The lever portion 60 includes, for example, an action rod 61, an operating rod 62, and a support member 63. The action rod 61 has a long rod shape. The tip (point of action) of the action rod 61 contacts the compression spring 52, and the support member 63 is provided at the rear end (fulcrum). The action rod 61 is disposed so as to roughly follow the sound emitting surface 31.

[0019] An actuating rod 62 is provided at a midpoint (point of force) in the longitudinal direction of the action rod 61. The actuating rod 62 is a short bar-like member, and is disposed facing a direction intersecting the action rod 61, for example, a direction substantially perpendicular thereto. One end of the actuating rod 62 contacts the action rod 61, and the other end is connected to the movable part 40. The actuating rod 62 moves in conjunction with the movement of the movable part 40.

[0020] The support member 63 is attached to the probe body 20. The action rod 61 can swing around the support member 63 as the swing center. The action rod 61 is biased toward the transmitting / receiving unit 30 by the compression spring 52. As the action rod 61 is biased, the operating rod 62 is pressed against the movable unit 40.

[0021] When the sound emitting surface 31 is pressed against the subject, the pressure applied to the sound emitting surface 31 provided on the transmitting / receiving unit 30 is transmitted to the movable part 40, causing the movable part 40 to move. When the movable part 40 moves, the actuation rod 62 moves in a direction away from the transmitting / receiving unit 30 due to the pushing force of the movable part 40. As the actuation rod 62 moves, the action rod 61 swings around the support member 63, and the rear end of the action rod 61 presses the compression spring 52.

[0022] The actuation rod 62 is connected to the action rod 61 at a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the action rod 61, with the tip of the action rod 61 serving as the point of action and the rear end as the fulcrum. Therefore, the amount of movement of the tip of the action rod 61 is greater than the amount of movement of the action rod 62, and the lever portion 60 amplifies the amount of movement of the movable portion 40. The lever portion 60 is an example of an amplifier.

[0023] The actuation rod 62 contacts the actuation rod 61 at a position closer to the support member 63 side than the center of the actuation rod 61 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the lever part 60 amplifies the amount of movement of the movable part 40 to a larger amount, for example, two times or more. The actuation rod 62 may contact the actuation rod 61 at any position in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] A gap P is formed between the probe body 20 and the transmitting / receiving unit 30 (transmitting / receiving head 32). The gap P is formed so as not to impede movement of the acoustic emission surface 31 (transmitting / receiving unit 30) relative to the probe body 20 held by the operator. The gap P is filled with a sealant 70. The sealant is made of silicone, which has high chemical resistance, for example. The sealant 70 is made of silicone all around, filling the gap P around the entire circumference of the probe body 20 and the transmitting / receiving unit 30. By filling the gap P with the sealant 70, the intrusion of dust and the like into the probe body 20 is suppressed.

[0025] The display 80 displays various information. For example, the display 80 displays medical images (ultrasound images) generated by the ultrasound image processing device 100, GUI (Graphical User Interface) images that accept various operations by a user, and the like. The ultrasound images may be two-dimensional ultrasound images or three-dimensional ultrasound images.

[0026] The display 80 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, etc. The display 80 may be a desktop type, or may be a display device (for example, a tablet terminal) capable of wireless communication with the main body of the ultrasound image processing device 100.

[0027] The input interface 90 accepts various input operations by a user and outputs an electrical signal indicating the content of the accepted input operation to the ultrasonic image processing device 100. For example, the input interface 90 is realized by a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a drag ball, a switch, a button, a joystick, a camera, an infrared sensor, a microphone, or the like. The input interface 90 may be provided in a housing. Moreover, the input interface 90 may be realized by a display device (for example, a tablet terminal) capable of wireless communication with the main body of the ultrasonic image processing device 100.

[0028] In this specification, the input interface is not limited to an interface having physical operation parts such as a mouse, a keyboard, etc. For example, an example of the input interface also includes an electrical signal processing circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the device and outputs the electrical signal to a control circuit.

[0029] The ultrasound image processing device 100 includes, for example, a transmission / reception circuit 110, a control circuit 120, a memory 130, and an image processing circuit 140. The transmission / reception circuit 110, the control circuit 120, the memory 130, and the image processing circuit 140 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0030] The transmission / reception circuit 110 includes, for example, a drive circuit that vibrates the transducers in the transmission / reception unit 30 of the ultrasonic probe 10. The transmission / reception circuit 110 outputs a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 10 via the cable L in accordance with the transmission / reception conditions transmitted by the control circuit 120, and drives the multiple transducers. The drive signal output by the transmission / reception circuit 110 includes information that identifies the transducer that outputs ultrasonic waves. In the ultrasonic probe 10, the transducer identified by the drive signal is driven.

[0031] The transmission / reception circuit 110 receives and acquires an acoustic reflection signal output by the ultrasonic probe 10. The transmission / reception circuit 110 converts the acquired acoustic reflection signal into a digital acoustic reflection signal, which is a digital signal. The transmission / reception circuit 110 outputs the converted digital acoustic reflection signal to the control circuit 120.

[0032] The control circuit 120 controls the overall processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The control circuit 120 is realized, for example, by a hardware processor (computer) executing a program (software) stored in the memory 130. The hardware processor refers to circuitry such as a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD) or a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)). Instead of storing the program in the memory 130, the program may be directly incorporated into the circuitry of the hardware processor.

[0033] In this case, the hardware processor realizes the functions by reading and executing the program embedded in the circuit. The hardware processor is not limited to being configured as a single circuit, but may be configured as one hardware processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize each function. Also, multiple components may be integrated into one hardware processor to realize each function. Each component of the image processing circuit 140 may be distributed and realized by multiple hardware.

[0034] Specifically, the control circuit 120 controls the transmission / reception circuit 110 based on various setting requests input via the input interface 90 and various control programs and various data read from the memory 130. The control circuit 120 further performs generation processing of an acoustic image and various image processing for the ultrasonic image.

[0035] The control circuit 120 generates an image of the imaging cross section of the subject based on the digital acoustic reflection signal output by the transmission / reception circuit 110. The imaging cross section is determined according to the movement of the transmission / reception unit 30 in the ultrasound probe 10. The imaging cross section is, for example, a plane perpendicular to a plane including the direction in which the ultrasound probe 10 moves (a plane assumed to be the surface of the subject) and along the direction in which the opening in the transmission / reception unit 30 moves.

[0036] The memory 130 is realized by, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a semiconductor memory element such as a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. Data such as a program for driving the transmission / reception circuit 110 is stored. The data may be stored in an external memory that is external to the ultrasonic image processing device 100 or that can communicate with the ultrasonic image processing device 100 instead of (or in addition to) the memory 130. The memory 130 does not need to be built in the ultrasonic image processing device 100 as long as the ultrasonic image processing device 100 can access the memory 130 over a network.

[0037] In the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment, when the pressure sensor 51 detects a pressure signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the movable part 40, which moves due to pressure applied to the acoustic emission surface 31, the amount of movement of the movable part 40 is amplified by the lever part 60. Therefore, even if the amount of movement of the movable part 40 is small, a large pressure can be applied to the pressure sensor 51, so that the spring constant of the compression spring 52 can be kept small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the compression spring 52 from becoming large, and therefore it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic probe 10 from becoming large.

[0038] Next, the compression spring 52 and the sealing material 70 used in the ultrasonic probe 10 will be described in relation to the conventional technology. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional ultrasonic probe 15. The conventional ultrasonic probe 15 does not include a lever portion 60, unlike the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment.

[0039] In addition, in the conventional ultrasonic probe 15, a compression spring 52 is also interposed between the movable part 40 and the pressure sensor 51, but the compression spring 52 in the ultrasonic probe 15 has a larger spring constant than the compression spring 52 in the ultrasonic probe 10. Therefore, the compression spring 52 in the ultrasonic probe 15 is larger than the compression spring 52 in the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0040] In the ultrasonic probes 10 and 15, a sealant 70 is filled around the entire periphery between the probe body 20 and the transmitting / receiving unit 30. When the gap between the probe body 20 and the transmitting / receiving unit 30 is filled around the entire periphery with the sealant 70, the sealant 70 inhibits the movement of the sound emitting surface 31 (the transmitting / receiving unit 30), making it difficult for the sound emitting surface 31 to move.

[0041] Furthermore, if the pressure on the sound emitting surface 31 is large and excessive force is applied to the sealing material 70, the material deterioration of the sealing material 70 will progress, causing breakage and peeling. Furthermore, the force applied to the sound emitting surface 31 is also transmitted directly to the subject. For example, if the sound emitting surface 31 is pressed against the subject, applying a force of several tens of N to the subject, some subjects may feel pain.

[0042] Let us consider a case where a maximum external force of 70 [N] is to be tolerated in the conventional ultrasonic probe 15. In this case, for example, if the movable distance Δl of the sound emitting surface 31 is 0.1 [mm], the spring constant k1 of the sealing material 70 is 300 [N / mm], and the maximum external force F is 70 [N], then the maximum spring constant k2 of the compression spring 52 needs to be 400 [N / mm] according to the following (1). k1*Δl+k2*Δl≦F (1)

[0043] Compression spring 52 with a maximum spring constant k2 of 400 [N / mm] requires a diameter of 25 mm or more if it is made of oil-tempered wire, which is a very large and thick spring. If such a large and thick spring is housed inside an ultrasonic probe, it will lead to an increase in the size of the probe, which may impair ergonomics.

[0044] In contrast to this, in the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment, the lever portion 60 is interposed between the movable portion 40 and the compression spring 52. Here, when the leverage ratio Y of the lever portion 60 is taken into consideration, the following formula (2) is established. k1*Δl+k2*Δl*Y≦F (2)

[0045] By substituting the movable distance Δl = 0.1 [mm] of the sound radiating surface 31, the spring constant k1 = 300 [N / mm] of the sealing material 70, and the maximum external force F = 70 [N] into the above equation (2), the maximum spring constant k2 of the compression spring 52 can be expressed by the following equation (3). k2≦400 / Y (3)

[0046] Therefore, in the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment, by interposing the lever portion 60 between the movable portion 40 and the compression spring 52, the compression spring 52 can be made smaller than that of the conventional ultrasonic probe 15. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe 10 can be prevented from becoming larger.

[0047] Second Embodiment Next, the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the ultrasonic probe 18 of the second embodiment. The ultrasonic probe 18 of the second embodiment is mainly different from the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment in that it includes a lever portion 66 instead of the lever portion 60 of the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment, and in that it includes a tension spring 53 instead of the compression spring 52. The tension spring 53 is an example of a tension spring member. The spring member used as the compression spring 52 of the first embodiment and the tension spring 53 of the second embodiment is a coil spring, but may be a spring other than a coil spring, such as a leaf spring, a disc spring, or a spiral spring.

[0048] The tension spring 53 in the ultrasonic probe 18 is a spring interposed between the pressure sensor 51 and the lever portion 60. The tension spring 53 is attached to each of the pressure sensor 51 and the lever portion 60, and biases the pressure sensor 51 and the lever portion 60 in a direction that draws them together. The tension spring 53 is stretched by the lever portion 60 that moves in a direction away from the pressure sensor 51. The pressure sensor 51 detects the pressure that is released when the tension spring 53 is stretched.

[0049] The lever portion 66 of the ultrasonic probe 18 includes, for example, an action rod 67, an actuation rod 68, and a support member 69. The action rod 67 has a long rod shape. A tip end (point of action) of the action rod 67 contacts the compression spring 52, and one end of the actuation rod 68 is connected to a rear end (point of force) of the action rod 67. The action rod 67 is disposed so as to roughly follow the acoustic radiation surface 31.

[0050] The actuating rod 68 has a short rod shape and is disposed in a direction intersecting, for example, substantially perpendicular to, the action rod 67. One end of the actuating rod 68 contacts the action rod 67, and the other end is connected to the movable part 40. The actuating rod 68 moves in conjunction with the movement of the movable part 40.

[0051] A support member 69 is provided at a midway position (fulcrum) in the longitudinal direction of the action rod 67. The support member 69 is attached to the probe body 20. The action rod 67 can swing around the support member 69 as the swing center. The action rod 67 is biased in the direction of the pressure sensor 51 by the tension spring 53. Since the support member 69 is located at a midway position of the action rod 67 and the operating rod 68 is connected to the rear end of the action rod 67, the tip of the action rod 67 is biased, so that the operating rod 68 is pressed against the movable part 40.

[0052] When the acoustic emitting surface 31 moves relative to the probe body 20, the pressure on the acoustic emitting surface 31 is transmitted to the movable part 40, causing the movable part 40 to move. When the movable part 40 moves, the pushing force of the movable part 40 causes the actuating rod 68 to move in a direction away from the transceiver part 30. As the actuating rod 68 moves, the action rod 67 swings around the support member 69, and the tip of the action rod 67 stretches the tension spring 53.

[0053] The actuation rod 68 is connected to the action rod 67 at the rear end thereof, with the tip of the action rod 67 serving as the point of action and the midway point in the longitudinal direction serving as the fulcrum. The length from the fulcrum to the point of action in the action rod 67 is longer than the length from the fulcrum to the point of force. Therefore, the amount of movement of the tip of the action rod 67 is greater than the amount of movement of the actuation rod 68, and the lever portion 60 amplifies the amount of movement of the movable element 41.

[0054] The ultrasonic probe 18 of the second embodiment has the same effect as the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the ultrasonic probe 18 of the second embodiment, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 51 is the pressure released by the tension spring 53 being stretched. Therefore, the pressure load constantly applied to the pressure sensor 51 can be reduced, and wear of the pressure sensor 51 can be suppressed.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the levers 60 and 66 are used as amplifiers for amplifying the amount of movement of the movable part 40, but the amplifiers may be configured in a manner other than as levers. The amplifiers may be, for example, a gear mechanism made up of a combination of gears with different diameters, or a diaphragm having liquid chambers with different volumes.

[0056] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the ultrasonic probe is provided with a plurality of transducers, a transceiver unit that transmits transmitted acoustic signals generated by the transducers and receives reflected acoustic signals of the transmitted acoustic signals, an acoustic radiation surface is provided on the surface of the transceiver unit, a movable part that moves in response to pressure applied to the acoustic radiation surface pressed against an object, a pressure signal detection unit that detects a pressure signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the movable part, and an amplifier unit that amplifies the amount of movement of the movable part, thereby preventing the ultrasonic probe from becoming large.

[0057] Although some embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 10,15,18 Ultrasound probe 20 Probe body 30 Transmitter / receiver 31 Acoustic radiating surface 32 Transmitting and receiving head 40 Moving parts 50 Pressure signal detector 51 Pressure Sensor 52 Compression spring 53 Extension Spring 60,66 Lever 61,67 Working rod 62,68 Actuating rod 63,69 Support member 70 Filling material 80 Display 90 Input Interface 100 Ultrasound image processing device 110 Transmitting and receiving circuit 120 Control circuit 130 Memory 140 Image processing circuit L Cable P Gap

Claims

1. a transceiver unit including a plurality of transducers, configured to transmit a transmission acoustic signal generated by the transducers and receive a reflected acoustic signal of the transmission acoustic signal; a movable part provided on a surface of the transmitting / receiving part with an acoustic emitting surface, the movable part being moved by pressure applied to the acoustic emitting surface pressed against an object; a pressure signal detection unit that detects a pressure signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the movable portion; An amplifier unit that amplifies the amount of movement of the movable unit, Ultrasound probe.

2. The amplifier unit includes a lever unit that amplifies the amount of movement of the sound emitting surface. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

3. The pressure signal detection unit a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure signal; A spring member is provided between the pressure sensor and the movable part. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2 .

4. the movable portion applies pressure to the pressure sensor by movement of the movable portion; The spring member is a compression spring member. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3 .

5. the movable portion releases the pressure applied to the pressure sensor by moving the movable portion; The spring member is a tension spring member. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3 .

6. a probe body to which the pressure signal detection unit is attached, The gap between the probe body and the transmitting / receiving unit is filled with a silicone sealant. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

Images