Gel sheet, ultrasonic inspection system, and manufacturing method of gel sheet

Abstract

To provide a gel sheet capable of easily positioning and setting of an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic inspection system, and a manufacturing method of the gel sheet.SOLUTION: A gel sheet 20 used for an ultrasonic inspection system 1 is provided, in a prescribed area on a sheet-like surface, with a molding part 21 different in movement resistance compared with other areas. In the molding part 21, a plurality of protrusions 211 and recesses 212 are formed cyclically in a prescribed uniform width in correspondence with a scanning position of an ultimate probe 12 and functions as a scale. When measuring, the number of scales is counted from a starting point O of the protrusions 211, so that a measurement part specific to each subject M can be grasped as a scale position and, therefore, a user can easily identify a scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 without checking the hand part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gel sheet, an ultrasonic inspection system, and a method for manufacturing a gel sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in the medical and non-medical fields, biological examinations using ultrasonic images have been put into practical use. An ultrasonic image is obtained by irradiating a required part of a living body of a subject with ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic probe and electrically detecting an echo signal from the living body in an ultrasonic inspection apparatus connected via an ultrasonic probe and a connector. As a driving method of the ultrasonic probe, for example, an electronic scan scanning method is known in which a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators (ultrasonic transducers) for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves are arranged and the ultrasonic vibrators to be driven are selectively switched by an electronic switch or the like.

[0003] In recent years, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a wireless ultrasonic probe connected by wireless communication with an ultrasonic inspection apparatus has been developed. Such a wireless ultrasonic probe transmits a reception signal output from a vibrator array to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus side by wireless communication, or incorporates a circuit for signal processing, digitally processes the reception signal output from the vibrator array, and then transmits it to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus by wireless communication. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus generates and displays an ultrasonic image based on the signal wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe in this way.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, when observing the passage of a specific part of a subject to be measured using an ultrasonic inspection device, the user may measure the same location as the measurement location measured in the past. In such a case, the user sets the ultrasonic probe with a gel sheet that transmits ultrasonic waves placed at a predetermined position on the body of the subject, and determines the measurement part while looking at the image displayed on the display screen of the ultrasonic inspection device.

[0006] The identification of such a measurement part can be relatively easily identified by, for example, a doctor, a clinical laboratory technician, or a nurse who is accustomed to the operation. However, it is not easy for a user who is not accustomed to the operation of the ultrasonic inspection device to identify the same measurement position as the previous measurement. Also, even for a doctor, a clinical laboratory technician, or a nurse who is accustomed to the operation of the ultrasonic inspection device, it is desired that the ultrasonic inspection device can be operated more easily.

[0007] In addition, when performing an inspection with the ultrasonic probe in its initial setting, the settings of the ultrasonic inspection device may not be suitable, and a desired display screen may not be obtained. In this case, for example, it is necessary to set the gain, focus, or depth adjustment for each subject. Such adjustment also requires very advanced technology for a user who is not accustomed to the operation of the ultrasonic inspection device.

[0008] The present invention has been devised in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a gel sheet, an ultrasonic inspection system, and a method for manufacturing a gel sheet that can easily position and set an ultrasonic probe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the gel sheet of the present invention is a gel sheet used by being interposed between an ultrasonic probe and a subject, and a predetermined region on the surface of the gel sheet is provided with a formed portion formed corresponding to predetermined information, and the region where the formed portion is formed has a different moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe compared to other regions.

[0010] Here, a predetermined region on the surface of the gel sheet is provided with a formed portion formed corresponding to predetermined information. Thus, the formed portion can include predetermined information such as, for example, information on the measurement position of an ultrasonic probe and personal information of the subject.

[0011] Also, in the region where the formed portion is formed, by making the movement resistance of the ultrasonic probe different from that of other regions, the user can intuitively grasp the position of the formed portion without checking the position of the formed portion while looking at their hands.

[0012] Further, when the formed portion includes any one of a convex portion, a concave portion, an uneven portion formed periodically, or a predetermined surface treatment, the user can surely grasp the position of the formed portion intuitively by these surface-treated formed portions.

[0013] Also, when the formed portion is formed in a region corresponding to the scanning location of the ultrasonic probe, the user can intuitively grasp the measurement position of the ultrasonic probe without checking their hands.

[0014] Also, when the formed portion is formed corresponding to predetermined information regarding the subject, for example, unique information regarding the subject such as the height, weight, age, gender, past measurement results, etc. of the subject can be registered in the formed portion. Then, by moving the ultrasonic probe on the formed portion, the information corresponding to the shape of the formed portion can be converted into digital information by an external device and used.

[0015] Also, when the formed portion is formed corresponding to the setting conditions of the ultrasonic probe applied to the subject, the information corresponding to the shape of the formed portion can be converted into digital information by an external device, and the ultrasonic probe can be set based on the converted digital information. Therefore, the user does not need to manually adjust the setting conditions of the ultrasonic probe according to the subject, and the ultrasonic probe can be set by scanning the ultrasonic probe on the formed portion.

[0016] In addition, the forming part has an opaque area that does not transmit the ultrasonic waves sent from the ultrasonic probe. When the opaque area is an air gap formed between the ultrasonic probe and the surface of the gel sheet, an opaque area that does not transmit ultrasonic waves and a transmission area that transmits ultrasonic waves are continuously formed as the forming part. Then, for example, when the ultrasonic waves are not transmitted as digital information, it is defined as "0", and when the ultrasonic waves are transmitted, it is defined as "1". By combining "0" and "1" according to the shape of the forming part, various information can be registered in the forming part as digital information.

[0017] In addition, when the forming part is periodically formed in a linear shape, a matrix shape, or an arc shape along the displacement direction of the ultrasonic probe in a plan view of the gel sheet, the user can easily grasp the range of the measurement position of the subject by moving the ultrasonic probe along the shape of the uneven part.

[0018] In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic inspection system of the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe having a sensor part that detects a reflected wave of the sent ultrasonic wave from the subject, an ultrasonic inspection device having an image conversion part that converts an electrical signal from the ultrasonic probe into ultrasonic image data, and is used by being interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject. The surface has a forming part formed corresponding to predetermined information in a predetermined area, and the area where the forming part is formed has a different movement resistance of the ultrasonic probe compared to other areas. A gel sheet, a storage part that stores predetermined information corresponding to the forming part, and a collation part that collates the information stored in the storage part and the information corresponding to the forming part by aligning the ultrasonic probe with the forming part. And a management server capable of selecting arbitrary information from the information stored in the storage part based on the collation result of the collation part.

[0019] Here, by providing an ultrasonic probe having a sensor unit that detects the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave sent from the subject, and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having an image conversion unit that converts the electrical signal from the ultrasonic probe into ultrasonic image data, the measurement data measured by the ultrasonic probe is converted into image data by the image conversion unit, and the measurement result can be output as an image.

[0020] In addition, it is used by being interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject, and on a predetermined region of the surface, it has a formed portion formed corresponding to predetermined information. The region where the formed portion is formed is provided with a gel sheet having different movement resistances of the ultrasonic probe compared to other regions. Thus, the formed portion can include predetermined information such as, for example, the information of the measurement position of the ultrasonic probe and the personal information of the subject, and the user can intuitively grasp the position of the formed portion without checking the position of the formed portion while looking at their hands.

[0021] In addition, it has a storage unit that stores predetermined information corresponding to the formed portion, and a collation unit that collates the information stored in the storage unit with the information corresponding to the formed portion by aligning the ultrasonic probe with the formed portion. By providing a management server that can select arbitrary information from the information stored in the storage unit based on the collation result of the collation unit, by aligning the ultrasonic probe with the formed portion, the information corresponding to the formed portion can be read from the storage unit. Therefore, by registering the information unique to the formed portion, the information registered in each formed portion can be confirmed each time of measurement.

[0022] In addition, when the information corresponding to the formed portion is the setting condition of the ultrasonic probe applied to each subject, by aligning the ultrasonic probe with the formed portion at the time of measuring the subject, the setting condition corresponding to the information of the formed portion stored in the storage unit can be read, and the ultrasonic probe can be automatically set.

[0023] In addition, when the information corresponding to the forming part is the unique information of the subject including the height, weight, gender, age, medical history, and examination history of each subject, by aligning the ultrasonic probe with the forming part at the time of measuring the subject, and reading out the unique information corresponding to the information of the forming part stored in the storage part, the unique information of the subject can be confirmed, so that the measurement of the subject can be performed safely and quickly.

[0024] In order to achieve the above object, the method for manufacturing a gel sheet of the present invention includes a step of marking on the gel sheet a mark indicating the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the subject in a state where the gel sheet is interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject, and a step of forming a forming part in a predetermined region including a position corresponding to the mark marked on the gel sheet, where the moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe is different from that of other regions.

[0025] Here, by providing a step of marking on the gel sheet a mark indicating the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the subject in a state where the gel sheet is interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject, the measurement position of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the subject can be marked on the gel sheet.

[0026] In addition, by providing a step of forming a forming part in a predetermined region including a position corresponding to the mark marked on the gel sheet, where the moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe is different from that of other regions, a forming part can be formed in a region corresponding to the measurement position of the ultrasonic probe. And since the moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe in this forming part is different from that of other regions, the user can grasp the position of the ultrasonic probe without checking their hands during use.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] The gel sheet, ultrasonic examination system, and method for manufacturing a gel sheet according to the present invention can easily perform positioning and setting of the ultrasonic probe.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments related to a gel sheet, an ultrasonic inspection system, and a method for manufacturing a gel sheet will be described with reference to the drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

[0030] First, an overview of an ultrasonic inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The ultrasonic inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment is a system that can be used to visualize and inspect the shape, properties, or dynamics inside the living body of a subject M (for example, a human body) as an ultrasonic image, and includes an ultrasonic inspection device 10 and a gel sheet 20.

[0031] [Ultrasonic Inspection Device] As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic inspection device 10 includes an ultrasonic inspection device main body 11 and an ultrasonic probe 12, and the ultrasonic inspection device main body 11 and the ultrasonic probe 12 are connected via a cable 13. Note that, for example, an ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic inspection device function can also be used. In this case, for example, a smartphone can be used as the display unit 115.

[0032] The ultrasonic probe 12 can function as an acoustic sensor that transmits an ultrasonic beam (for example, about 1 to 30 MHz) into the living body of the subject M, and receives ultrasonic echoes reflected in the living body of the subject M among the transmitted ultrasonic beams and converts them into electrical signals. For example, it includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in an array or matrix form, and a switching unit (not shown) for individually or in block units switching and controlling the ON / OFF of the driving states of the plurality of piezoelectric elements.

[0033] The piezoelectric elements of the ultrasonic probe 12 generate an ultrasonic beam based on a driving signal (voltage pulse) supplied from the ultrasonic examination apparatus main body 11. Thereby, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 12 to the subject M. When an ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 12 to the subject M, the transmitted ultrasonic beam is successively reflected at discontinuous surfaces of acoustic impedance in the living body of the subject M, and the piezoelectric elements receive ultrasonic echoes as reflected wave signals. Thereby, ultrasonic examination for grasping the internal state of the living body of the subject M can be performed.

[0034] Note that the ultrasonic probe 12 transmits an ultrasonic beam from the outer surface of the subject M into the living body of the subject M and receives the ultrasonic echoes. However, the ultrasonic probe 12 may be one that is inserted and used inside the digestive tract, blood vessels, etc. Also, any one of a convex probe, a linear probe, a sector probe, a two-dimensional probe, etc. can be applied to the ultrasonic probe 12.

[0035] The ultrasonic examination apparatus main body 11 is an apparatus that generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic echoes received by the ultrasonic probe 12, and is configured to include a control unit 111, a transmission unit 112, a reception unit 113, an image processing unit 114, and a display unit 115.

[0036] First, the control unit 111 is responsible for the overall control of the ultrasonic inspection device main body 11 and has a CPU as an arithmetic unit, a ROM as a storage device, a RAM, and the like. Basic programs and basic setting data are stored in the ROM. The CPU reads out a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM, expands it in the RAM, and controls the ultrasonic inspection device main body 11 by executing the expanded program.

[0037] The transmission unit 112 is a transmitter that sends a voltage pulse, which is a drive signal, to the ultrasonic probe 12 according to an instruction from the control unit 111. The transmission unit 112 includes, for example, a high-frequency pulse oscillator and a pulse setting unit, etc. The voltage pulse generated by the high-frequency pulse oscillator is adjusted to a predetermined voltage amplitude, pulse width, and transmission timing and then sent to the ultrasonic probe 12.

[0038] The ultrasonic probe 12 has a plurality of channels, and the transmission unit 112 can set the voltage amplitude, pulse width, and transmission timing of the voltage pulse for each channel. The transmission unit 112 can change the target depth by setting an appropriate delay time for the plurality of channels or generate different pulse waveforms.

[0039] The reception unit 113 is a receiver that receives a reception signal related to the ultrasonic echo generated by the ultrasonic probe 12 according to an instruction from the control unit 111. The reception unit 113 includes, for example, a preamplifier, an AD conversion unit, and a reception beam former, etc.

[0040] The reception unit 113 amplifies the reception signal related to the ultrasonic echo for each channel with the preamplifier and converts it into a digital signal. The reception unit 113 can combine the reception signals of the plurality of channels into one by performing phase adjustment processing on the reception signals of each channel.

[0041] The image processing unit 114 has a function of acquiring a received signal from the receiving unit 113 and generating an ultrasonic image of the living body of the subject M. For example, when the ultrasonic probe 12 transmits an ultrasonic beam in the depth direction, the image processing unit 114 sequentially accumulates the signal intensities of the ultrasonic echoes detected thereafter in a line memory over time.

[0042] As the ultrasonic beam from the ultrasonic probe 12 scans the living body of the subject M, the image processing unit 114 sequentially accumulates the signal intensities of the ultrasonic echoes at each scanning position in the line memory and generates two-dimensional data in units of frames. The image processing unit 114 generates an ultrasonic image representing a two-dimensional structure within a cross section including the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves and the scanning direction of the ultrasonic waves by converting the signal intensity of the generated two-dimensional data into a luminance value.

[0043] When the ultrasonic image is generated, the image processing unit 114 further generates a display image including the display area of the ultrasonic image. Then, the image processing unit 114 sends the data of the generated display image to the display unit 115 and displays it on the display unit 115. Each time a new ultrasonic image is generated, the image processing unit 114 sequentially updates the display image and causes the display unit 115 to display the display image in a format such as a moving image or a still image.

[0044] [Gel sheet] The gel sheet 20 has a property of transmitting ultrasonic waves more than when no gel sheet is used. The gel sheet 20 is, for example, a gel-like substance mainly made of silicone, has a property of transmitting ultrasonic waves and has an appropriate adhesive force, and can be disposed between the ultrasonic probe 12 and the subject M.

[0045] In addition, since the adhesive force of the gel sheet 20 does not decrease even when the surface of the gel sheet 20 is cleaned with alcohol or the like, it can be used repeatedly.

[0046] Here, the gel sheet 20 does not necessarily have to be composed mainly of silicone, and may be composed of any material as long as it can transmit ultrasonic waves and can adhere along the shape of the subject M.

[0047] Figure 2 is an external view of the gel sheet 20 according to the first embodiment. The gel sheet 20 can be formed in a sheet shape. For example, in a predetermined region on the surface, a molded portion 21 is formed with a different movement resistance by being formed higher and convex than other regions, and a positioning portion 22 is provided when the gel sheet 20 is placed on the subject M.

[0048] Here, the movement resistance refers to the ease with which the ultrasonic probe 12 moves on the surface of the gel sheet 20, and can include, for example, frictional resistance.

[0049] Note that the movement resistance of the molded portion 21 may be made larger or smaller than the movement resistance of other regions, as long as the movement resistance is different between the molded portion 21 and other regions relatively.

[0050] The positioning portion 22 can be a circular through-hole formed from the front surface to the back surface of the gel sheet 20. When the gel sheet 20 is placed on the skin of the subject M, by aligning the positioning portion 22 with a site (such as the umbilicus, elbow joint, knee joint, nipple, etc.) that serves as a mark of the subject M to be measured, the gel sheet 20 can be easily placed at a predetermined position corresponding to the measurement site.

[0051] Here, it is not necessarily required to provide the positioning portion 22, but by providing the positioning portion 22, the installation to the measurement site can be facilitated as described above. In addition, since the installation position of the gel sheet 20 can be uniquely determined, as described later, the positional relationship between the molded portion 21 of the gel sheet 20 and the scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 can be made to correspond.

[0052] Also, it is not necessarily required that the positioning portion 22 is a through-hole formed in the gel sheet 20, and any form may be used as long as the gel sheet 20 can be aligned with a predetermined measurement site of the subject M. For example, a depression may be formed on the front surface or the back surface of the gel sheet 20, or a predetermined mark may be engraved on the front surface or the back surface.

[0053] Next, the forming portion 21 of the gel sheet 20 will be described. The region where the forming portion 21 is formed has a different moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe 12 compared to other regions. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the forming portion 21 can be formed in a straight line with a predetermined uniform width by periodically and continuously arranging a plurality of convex portions 211 and concave portions 212 corresponding to the scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12. By forming the distance L between the vertices of adjacent convex portions 211 at a constant interval, such as 1 mm, 1 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, etc., the forming portion 21 can function as a scale.

[0054] In addition, the moving resistance can be made different between the forming portion 21 and other regions by appropriately combining, for example, using a first material for the convex portion 211 and a second material having a different frictional force from the first material for the concave portion 212.

[0055] Also, for example, magnetism can be applied to the ultrasonic probe 12 and the forming portion 21 to make the moving resistance different between the forming portion 21 and other regions.

[0056] Also, for example, a motor is attached to the ultrasonic probe 12, and when the surface of the forming portion 21 is scanned with the ultrasonic probe 12, the moving resistance can be made different between the forming portion 21 and other regions by configuring the motor to react electrically.

[0057] In addition, for example, by making the height of the convex portion 211 of the forming portion 21 different instead of constant, the moving resistance can also be made different within the region of the forming portion 21.

[0058] When the user specifies the scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 with the gel sheet 20 placed on the skin surface of the subject M, by counting the scale number from the starting point O of the convex portion 211 of the forming portion 21, the user can grasp the measurement site unique to each subject M as the scale position based on the feeling due to the moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe 12 without taking their eyes off the display unit 115.

[0059] Note that it is not necessarily required for the user to grasp the scale position by themselves. For example, the ultrasonic inspection system 1 can be equipped with a sensor that detects the moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe 12, and the scale position can also be grasped by the detection of the sensor.

[0060] Once the scale position is specified, without taking the eyes off the display unit 115, based on the feeling of the moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe 12, by scanning the ultrasonic probe 12 linearly along the specified convex portion 211, an ultrasonic image of the scanning range can be obtained. And in subsequent measurements, without taking the eyes off the display unit 115, based on the feeling of the moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe 12, by aligning the ultrasonic probe 12 with the scale position at the time of the first measurement (for example, the second peak from the convex portion 211 that is the starting point O), the ultrasonic probe 12 can be easily aligned to the accurate scanning position every time. Also, for example, even a user with poor eyesight can easily align the ultrasonic probe 12.

[0061] Here, not necessarily, the shape of the forming portion 21 does not need to be formed such that the convex portion 211 and the concave portion 212 are continuously formed linearly. As shown in FIG. 4, various shapes such as a matrix shape (a), a concentric circle shape (b), and a fan shape (c) can be adopted.

[0062] For example, the gel sheet 20 composed of the matrix-shaped forming portion 21 can grasp the pinpoint measurement position specified by the row position and the column position. Therefore, it is effective when it is desired to specify the pinpoint measurement position instead of scanning the ultrasonic probe 12 within a predetermined range.

[0063] Also, when it is desired to measure while scanning the ultrasonic probe 12 in a curved shape instead of a linear shape, a gel sheet 20 provided with a forming portion 21 having a shape including a curve, for example, a concentric circle shape or a fan shape, can be adopted. Thereby, once the scale position from the starting point O of the convex portion 211 of the forming portion 21 can be specified, by scanning the ultrasonic probe 12 along the convex portion corresponding to the scale, the target ultrasonic image can be obtained.

[0064] In addition, when the scale of the scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 is determined at the time of the first measurement, a customized gel sheet 20 is manufactured based on the position information, and in subsequent measurements, the measurement can also be performed using the customized gel sheet 20. The method for customizing the gel sheet 20 can be manufactured, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG. 5.

[0065] <STEP1: Identification of Scanning Position> After the gel sheet 20 is installed along the shape of the subject M, the user identifies the scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 while checking the ultrasonic image. The scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 is identified by the scale position from the starting point О of the convex portion 211 of the forming portion 21 as described above. Here, since the moving resistance is different between the forming portion 21 and other regions, the user can easily identify the scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12.

[0066] <STEP2: Marking of Scale> Once the scanning position can be identified in STEP1, the convex portion 211 corresponding to the scanning position is marked. Here, the marking may be on the gel sheet 20 or on the system 1.

[0067] <STEP3: Customization of Gel Sheet> A second gel sheet 20 is prepared, and a convex portion 211 is formed on the surface of the second gel sheet 20 at a position corresponding to the convex portion 211 marked in STEP2. Here, the second gel sheet 20 may be different from the gel sheet used up to STEP2, or the same gel sheet may be used.

[0068] By the above steps, at the time of the second and subsequent measurements, by using the customized gel sheet 20, the ultrasonic probe 12 is aligned with the forming portion 21 formed on the surface of the gel sheet 20, and by scanning the ultrasonic probe 12 along the forming portion 21, the target ultrasonic image can be obtained. Therefore, even a user who is not familiar with the operation of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 can easily perform the alignment of the ultrasonic probe 12.

[0069] In the above description, the convex portions 211 and concave portions 212 constituting the forming portion 21, or the combination of the convex portions 211 and the concave portions 212, have been described as being formed continuously with a uniform width. However, for example, the intervals between the convex portions 211 and the concave portions 212 are not limited to a uniform width. For example, they can be appropriately set even within a single gel sheet, and can also be appropriately set for each lot or each user of the gel sheet. Alternatively, the heights of adjacent convex portions 211 may be configured to be different.

[0070] Further, when the ultrasonic probe 12 scans on the surface of the gel sheet 20, different moving resistances, for example, frictional forces, may be imparted to the region of the forming portion 21 and the other regions. Instead of the concave-convex shape, the forming portion 21 and the other regions may be made of different materials. When the concave-convex shape is not adopted as the forming portion 21, a scale for specifying the scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 can be displayed at the position corresponding to the forming portion 21. Also, the first material can be used for the convex portion 211, and the second material having a different frictional force from the first material can be used for the concave portion 212, etc., and appropriate combinations can be made.

[0071] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the description of the configuration overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic inspection system 1 according to the second embodiment. The ultrasonic inspection system according to the second embodiment includes, in addition to the ultrasonic inspection device 10 and the gel sheet 20 having the configuration of the first embodiment, a management server 30.

[0073] [Gel Sheet] As shown in the plan view of FIG. 7(a), the forming portion 21 of the gel sheet 20 according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of convex portions 211 and concave portions 212 are scattered over a predetermined range. These convex portions 211 and concave portions 212 are formed corresponding to predetermined digital information regarding the subject M (for example, height, weight, gender, age, medical history, inspection history, setting conditions of the ultrasonic probe 12).

[0074] Specifically, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7(b), when the ultrasonic probe 12 scans the molding part 21, the convex part 211 contacts the ultrasonic probe 12, but the concave part 212 is in a non-contact state with the ultrasonic probe 12. At this time, since an air layer intervenes between the ultrasonic probe 12 and the concave part 212, the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 12 becomes an impermeable region that cannot penetrate the gel sheet 20. That is, the concave part 212 of the molding part 21 becomes an impermeable region, and the convex part 211 becomes a permeable region.

[0075] By using the permeable region and the impermeable region formed by this convex part 211 and concave part 212, for example, by defining the impermeable region as "0" as digital information and the permeable region as "1" as digital information, the molding part 21 can be made into predetermined digital information including "0" and "1".

[0076] Then, by scanning the molding part 21 with the ultrasonic probe 12, the above digital information is read, and the read digital information is converted into electronic data by the ultrasonic inspection device 10 and then transmitted to the management server 30. Note that the gel sheet 20 according to the second embodiment can also be customized and manufactured based on the steps of STEP1 to STEP3 shown in the first embodiment, for example.

[0077] [Management Server] The management server 30 includes a transmission unit 31, a reception unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a collation unit 34, and is connected to the ultrasonic inspection device 10 by communication means such as an Internet line. When the management server 30 receives the electronic data transmitted from the outside by the reception unit 32, it collates the received electronic data with the predetermined electronic data stored in advance in the storage unit 33, reads out the matching electronic data from the storage unit 33, and has a function of transmitting it to the outside via the transmission unit 31.

[0078] The memory unit 33 is, for example, a ROM as a built-in memory and a rewritable flash memory. Various electronic data such as height, weight, gender, age, medical history, examination history, or setting conditions of the ultrasonic probe 12 for each subject M are stored in association with an ID. And it is possible to register new subject information at any time.

[0079] Then, when the ultrasonic probe 12 scans the forming part 21 of the gel sheet 20, the digital information formed corresponding to the forming part 21 is read by the ultrasonic probe 12 and converted into electronic data. The electronic data is received by the receiving unit 32 of the management server 30, and further, the electronic data received in the collating unit 34 is collated with the electronic data stored in the memory unit 33, and the matching electronic data is read out from the memory unit 33.

[0080] The electronic data read from the memory unit 33 is transmitted from the transmitting unit 31 to the ultrasonic inspection device 10. In the ultrasonic inspection device 10, when receiving the electronic data from the management server 30, the content of the electronic data is displayed on the display unit 115, and further, the ultrasonic probe 12 is automatically set to the setting conditions included in the electronic data.

[0081] As described above, before performing the measurement by the ultrasonic probe 12 using the gel sheet 20, the user can confirm that the information of the gel sheet 20 and the subject M matches and then perform the measurement by the ultrasonic probe 12. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the misidentification of the subject. Since the ultrasonic probe 12 can be automatically set to the setting conditions of the subject M, there is no need to set the ultrasonic probe 12 each time, and it is possible to perform the measurement simply and quickly.

[0082] Note that the forming part 21 of the gel sheet 20 according to the second embodiment is formed corresponding to the predetermined digital information as described above. However, a part of the convex part 211 constituting the forming part 21 may be marked, or a second forming part may be formed in a region different from the forming part 21, and it may be provided with a function of specifying the measurement position of the ultrasonic probe 12 as in the first embodiment.

[0083] Also, regarding each function of the management server 30 according to the second embodiment, for example, the storage unit 33 and the verification unit 34 can be installed in the ultrasonic inspection device 10, can be configured in the memory of the user's smartphone, or can also be configured on a virtual server such as a cloud server. As a result, there is no need to separately provide the management server 30.

[0084] As described above, the first embodiment and the second embodiment have been explained. For example, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be appropriately combined, such as facilitating alignment in the first embodiment and reading digital information in the second embodiment.

[0085] As described above, the gel sheet, the ultrasonic inspection system, and the method for manufacturing the gel sheet according to the present invention can easily perform positioning and setting of the ultrasonic probe.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1 Ultrasonic inspection system 10 Ultrasonic inspection device 11 Ultrasonic inspection device main body 111 Control unit 112 Transmission unit 113 Reception unit 114 Image processing unit 115 Display unit 12 Ultrasonic probe 13 Cable 20 Gel sheet 21 Molding part 211 Convex part 212 Concave part 22 Positioning part 30 Management server 31 Transmission unit 32 Reception unit 33 Storage unit 34 Verification unit M Subject

Claims

1. A gel sheet used by being interposed between an ultrasonic probe and a subject, wherein a predetermined region on the surface of the gel sheet is provided with a formed portion formed corresponding to predetermined information, and the region where the formed portion is formed has a different moving resistance of the ultrasonic probe compared to other regions Gel sheet.

2. The formed portion includes any one of a convex portion, a concave portion, an uneven portion formed periodically, or a processed portion subjected to a predetermined surface treatment The gel sheet according to claim 1.

3. The formed portion is formed in a region corresponding to a scanning location of the ultrasonic probe The gel sheet according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The formed portion is formed corresponding to predetermined information regarding the subject The gel sheet according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The formed portion is formed corresponding to setting conditions of the ultrasonic probe applied to the subject The gel sheet according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The formed portion has an opaque region that does not transmit ultrasonic waves sent from the ultrasonic probe, and the opaque region is an air gap formed between the ultrasonic probe and the surface of the gel sheet The gel sheet according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The formed portion is formed linearly, in a matrix shape, or in an arc shape periodically along the displacement direction of the ultrasonic probe in a plan view of the gel sheet The gel sheet according to claim 2.

8. An ultrasonic probe having a sensor unit that detects reflected waves of ultrasonic waves from a subject, and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having an image conversion unit that converts an electrical signal from the ultrasonic probe into ultrasonic image data, A gel sheet that is used by being interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject, and has a molded portion formed in a predetermined region on the surface corresponding to predetermined information, and the region where the molded portion is formed has a different movement resistance of the ultrasonic probe compared to other regions, A storage unit that stores predetermined information corresponding to the molded portion, and a collation unit that collates the information stored in the storage unit with the information corresponding to the molded portion by aligning the ultrasonic probe with the molded portion, and a management server that can select arbitrary information from the information stored in the storage unit based on the collation result of the collation unit, An ultrasonic inspection system.

9. The information corresponding to the molded portion is the setting conditions of the ultrasonic probe applied to each subject The ultrasonic inspection system according to claim 8.

10. The information corresponding to the molded portion is the unique information of the subject including the height, weight, gender, age, medical history, and inspection history of each subject The ultrasonic inspection system according to claim 8 or claim 9.

11. A step of marking a mark indicating the positional relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the subject on the gel sheet in a state where the gel sheet is interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject, A step of forming a molded portion having a different movement resistance of the ultrasonic probe in a predetermined region including the position corresponding to the mark marked on the gel sheet compared to other regions, A method for manufacturing a gel sheet.

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