Aid

Abstract

To provide an aid for performing support to hold water between a living body and an ultrasonic device, and fix the ultrasonic device to the same measurement position of the living body.SOLUTION: There is provided an aid used for fixing an ultrasonic device for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a living body and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected in the living body to the living body. The aid is composed of a water absorptive planar material, and has a first surface in close contact with the living body and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface. The second surface is provided with a reference position indication part indicating a reference position and a measurement position indication part indicating a measurement position. The measurement position indication part indicates a measurement position on a body surface of the living body when the reference position indicated in the reference position indication part is superposed on a specific site on the body surface of the living body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary tool for fixing an ultrasonic device to a living body.

Background Art

[0002] An ultrasonic device that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected within the living body is known. In recent years, due to the miniaturization of ultrasonic sensors that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, it has become possible to fix an ultrasonic device to a living body for a long period of time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a belt for attaching an ultrasonic device (ultrasonic probe main body) to the upper arm of a subject. A cutout portion is provided in the belt, and the ultrasonic device connected by a connecting portion is disposed in this cutout portion.

[0003] In the ultrasonic main body as described above, generally, in order to match the difference in acoustic impedance between the living body and the ultrasonic device and to allow ultrasonic waves to propagate well in the living body, an acoustic matching material is sandwiched between the living body and the ultrasonic device. As the acoustic matching material, for example, a gel or water having an acoustic impedance equivalent to that of a living body can be used. A dedicated gel as an acoustic matching material may be difficult to obtain, and water as an alternative to the gel has the advantage of being easily available and easy to use.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when water is used as the acoustic matching material, it is difficult to maintain water between the living body and the ultrasonic device for a long time. For this reason, it has been considered to let a water-absorbing sheet absorb water, attach it to the living body, and fix the ultrasonic device thereon. Also, even when a water-absorbing sheet is used, moisture may evaporate or flow out from the exposed portion of the water-absorbing sheet to the outside, so it is necessary to replenish water regularly. In order to supply water to the water-absorbing sheet, the ultrasonic device fixed to the water-absorbing sheet needs to be removed once, or the water-absorbing sheet needs to be peeled off from the living body to replenish water. Thus, there is a problem that when the water-absorbing sheet or the ultrasonic device is removed once, there is a possibility of displacement when the ultrasonic device is arranged at the same position next time. In particular, when it is desired to observe the tissue in the living body at the same position over a long period of time, the measurement result changes due to the displacement of the measurement position.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The auxiliary tool according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is an auxiliary tool used to fix an ultrasonic device that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected in the living body to the living body. The auxiliary tool is composed of a planar material having water absorption, and has a first surface that adheres to the living body and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A reference position indicating portion and a measurement position indicating portion are provided on the second surface, and the measurement position indicating portion indicates the measurement position on the body surface of the living body when it is overlapped with the reference position indicating portion and a specific portion on the body surface of the living body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic device and the auxiliary tool of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic device and the auxiliary tool of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic device 10 is fixed to the body surface of the living body H (human body) via the auxiliary tool 50, and performs ultrasonic measurement on the living body H. The ultrasonic measurement is a process of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the living body H and receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the living body H, thereby measuring the time from the transmission timing of the ultrasonic waves until the reflected ultrasonic waves are received, and the intensity of each received ultrasonic wave. First, the ultrasonic device 10 used in this embodiment will be briefly described.

[0009] [Schematic Configuration of Ultrasonic Device 10] As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic device 10 includes a housing 20 and an ultrasonic element 30 housed in the housing 20. Note that FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the schematic configuration of the ultrasonic device 10, and the thickness of the ultrasonic element 30 with respect to the housing 20 is different from the actual one. Also, although not shown in FIG. 2, the housing 20 may be provided with a fixing mechanism for fixing the ultrasonic element 30, a control board for controlling the ultrasonic element 30, a battery for supplying power, etc., and an arrangement space for housing these members.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the ultrasonic element 30 in this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view when the ultrasonic element 30 is cut along the line B-B in FIG. 3. In the ultrasonic element 30, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers Tr are arranged in a two-dimensional array along the X direction and the Y direction. Here, the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction, and the Z direction corresponds to the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves of the present disclosure in which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted. Note that in FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the number of arranged ultrasonic transducers Tr is reduced, but actually, more ultrasonic transducers Tr may be arranged.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic element 30 includes an element substrate 31, a diaphragm 32 provided on the element substrate 31, and a piezoelectric element 33 provided on the diaphragm 32. The element substrate 31 is made of a semiconductor substrate such as Si, for example. Substrate openings 31A corresponding to the respective ultrasonic transducers Tr are provided in the element substrate 31. In the present embodiment, each substrate opening 31A is a through hole penetrating in the substrate thickness direction (Z direction) of the element substrate 31, and the diaphragm 32 is provided on the -Z side of the through hole.

[0012] Also, on the side of the substrate opening 31A where the diaphragm 32 is not provided (+Z side), an acoustic matching material having an acoustic impedance close to that of the living body to be measured may be filled. As the acoustic matching material, for example, a resin material such as silicone can be used.

[0013] The diaphragm 32 is made of, for example, a laminate of SiO2 and ZrO2, etc., and is provided so as to cover the entire -Z side of the element substrate 31. That is, the diaphragm 32 is supported by a partition wall 31B constituting the substrate opening 31A and closes the -Z side of the substrate opening 31A. The thickness dimension of this diaphragm 32 is a thickness dimension sufficiently small with respect to the element substrate 31.

[0014] The piezoelectric elements 33 are respectively provided on the diaphragm 32 closing each substrate opening 31A. This piezoelectric element 33 is composed of, for example, a laminate in which a lower electrode 33A, a piezoelectric film 33B, and an upper electrode 33C are laminated from the diaphragm 32 toward the -Z side. Here, among the diaphragms 32, the portion that closes the substrate opening 31A constitutes the vibrating portion 32A, and one ultrasonic transducer Tr is constituted by this vibrating portion 32A and the piezoelectric element 33. In such an ultrasonic transducer Tr, a rectangular wave voltage (driving signal) of a predetermined frequency is applied between the lower electrode 33A and the upper electrode 33C, so that the piezoelectric film 33B bends and the vibrating portion 32A vibrates, and ultrasonic waves are sent out to the +Z side. Further, when the vibrating portion 32A is vibrated by ultrasonic waves (reflected waves) reflected from the living body, a potential difference is generated above and below the piezoelectric film 33B. Thereby, it becomes possible to detect the received ultrasonic waves by detecting the potential difference generated between the lower electrode 33A and the upper electrode 33C.

[0015] In the ultrasonic element 30 shown in FIG. 3, the lower electrodes 33A of the ultrasonic transducers Tr arranged in the Y direction are connected to each other. These lower electrodes 33A are connected to the drive terminal 33D, and are electrically connected from the drive terminal 33D to a control board (not shown) via, for example, a flexible printed circuit board or the like. Also, the upper electrodes 33C of the ultrasonic transducers Tr arranged in the X direction are connected to each other. These upper electrodes 33C are connected to the common terminal 33E, and this common terminal 33E is electrically connected to the control board via, for example, a flexible printed circuit board or the like. Note that FIG. 3 is an example of the ultrasonic element 30, and in this example, each ultrasonic transducer Tr is configured to be driven simultaneously. In this case, in order to converge the ultrasonic waves to a predetermined depth, it is preferable to separately provide an acoustic lens on the transmission / reception surface of the ultrasonic element 30. Also, it may be configured such that each ultrasonic transducer Tr can be driven individually. For example, one channel may be constituted by the ultrasonic transducers Tr connected by the lower electrodes 33A arranged in the Y direction, and drive electrodes corresponding to each channel may be provided so that each channel arranged in the X direction is driven independently. In this case, the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves can be controlled by driving each channel with a delay. Also, it may be configured such that each ultrasonic transducer Tr is driven independently.

[0016] In the ultrasonic element 30 as described above, in order to improve the substrate strength, a reinforcing plate may be further provided. When providing the reinforcing plate, it is provided on the surface of the diaphragm 32 opposite to the element substrate 31. At this time, a spacer (bonding layer) is provided in a region other than the vibrating portion 32A so as to secure the vibration space of each vibrating portion 32A, and the reinforcing plate is bonded via the spacer.

[0017] By the way, in the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the diaphragm 32 is divided into the respective vibrating portions 32A by providing the substrate opening 31A in the element substrate 31. However, a wall portion formed of, for example, a resin material or the like is formed between the reinforcing plate and the diaphragm 32, and the diaphragm 32 may be divided into the respective vibrating portions 32A by the wall portion. In this case, the element substrate 31 may not be provided.

[0018] The +Z side surface of the diaphragm 32 becomes the transmission / reception surface 30A where ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the +Z side by driving the piezoelectric element 33.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 2, the housing 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an attachment surface 21 facing the living body. A window portion 22 is provided in the attachment surface 21, and the transmission / reception surface 30A of the ultrasonic element 30 is exposed from the window portion 22. Note that an acoustic matching layer, an acoustic lens, or the like may be provided in the window portion 22 to cover the transmission / reception surface 30A.

[0020] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the thin ultrasonic element 30 is configured by the ultrasonic transducers Tr arranged in an array. Therefore, the housing 20 for housing the ultrasonic element 30 can also be miniaturized and lightened, and the ultrasonic device 10 can be fixed to the living body H without the living body H feeling a burden. Note that the ultrasonic element 30 is not limited to the above, and for example, a bulk type ultrasonic element that vibrates the piezoelectric body itself by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric body to transmit ultrasonic waves and detects the reflected wave by the reception signal output by the distortion of the piezoelectric body itself due to the reflected wave may be used.

[0021] [Configuration of the auxiliary tool 50] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the auxiliary tool 50 of the present embodiment. The auxiliary tool 50 is composed of a sheet-like material having water absorption, and is fixed to the living body H in a state of absorbing water. In particular, it is preferably formed of a mesh-like structure that can further reduce the attenuation of ultrasonic waves by allowing ultrasonic waves to pass through. For example, a plurality of through-holes capable of holding water may be formed by knitting a fibrous material in a mesh shape. A material having an acoustic impedance close to that of the living body H, such as a silicone resin, is more preferable as the fibrous material. Further, the auxiliary tool 50 may be composed of a porous silicone resin or the like having an acoustic impedance close to that of the living body.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the auxiliary tool 50 is a patch shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, that is, a substantially rectangular sheet-like sheet. Note that the auxiliary tool 50 is not limited to the patch shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. FIG. 6 is a view showing another shape example of the auxiliary tool. For example, in the auxiliary tool 50A shown in FIG. 6, it is formed in the shape of a shirt. In this case, in order to adhere to the living body H (human body), it is preferable that the auxiliary tool 50A is composed of a material having elasticity and water absorption. That is, by dressing the auxiliary tool 50A smaller than the upper body size of the subject (user), the auxiliary tool 50A is brought into close contact with the living body H. In addition, although not shown, the shape of the auxiliary tool may be a band shape or the like that is wound or tightened around the arm or leg portion of the living body H for use.

[0023] The auxiliary tool 50 has a first surface 51 (see FIG. 2) that is in close contact with the living body H and a second surface 52 that is visible to the user when the auxiliary tool 50 is attached to the living body H on the side opposite to the first surface 51. And the auxiliary tool 50 is provided with a reference position indicating portion 53 and a measurement position indicating portion 54 that are visible when the user attaches the auxiliary tool 50 to the living body H and views the second surface 52.

[0024] The reference position indicating portion 53 indicates a reference position 531A that is overlapped with a specific part of the living body H when the user attaches the auxiliary tool 50 to the living body. For example, in the example of the assisting tool 50 shown in FIG. 5, one of the four corners of the rectangular patch-like assisting tool 50 is provided with a reference position mark 531 indicating that it is a reference position 531A.

[0025] The measurement position indicator 54 indicates the measurement position when the user places the reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicator 53 on a specific part and brings the assisting tool 50 into close contact with the living body. For example, the example shown in Fig. 5 is an example in which the part where the rectus abdominis muscle is located is indicated as the measurement position when one of the reference positions 531A at the four corners of the rectangular assisting tool 50 is placed on the navel position H1 (see Fig. 1), which is a specific part of the living body H. In this embodiment, a frame-shaped mark 541 surrounding the first region 55, which is the measurement position, is provided as the measurement position indication unit 54. This frame-shaped mark 541 indicates the position at which the ultrasonic device 10 is fixed, that is, by fixing the ultrasonic device 10 along the frame-shaped mark, the ultrasonic device 10 can be fixed so that ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the measurement position.

[0026] Here, the distance between the reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicator 53 and the frame-shaped mark 541, which is the measurement position indicator 54, is set to a general distance from a specific part of the living body to a measurement position. For example, when ultrasonic measurement is performed with the rectus abdominis muscle as the measurement position, it is preferable to set the navel position H1 as the specific part. In this case, the distance between the reference position 531A and the frame-shaped mark 541 (the position of the frame-shaped mark 541 relative to the reference position 531A) is set to a general distance from the navel position H1 to the body surface directly above the rectus abdominis muscle (the position of the body surface directly above the rectus abdominis muscle relative to the navel position H1). An example of the general distance is, for example, the average value of the distance between the abdominal position directly above the rectus abdominis muscle and the navel position H1. In addition, as the auxiliary tool 50, multiple types may be provided according to the size, physique, etc. of the target living body, such as an auxiliary tool for adult men, an auxiliary tool for adult women, and an auxiliary tool for children. In this case, the distance from the reference position 531A to the frame-shaped mark 541 is made different for each of these multiple types of auxiliary tools 50.

[0027] Further, the above example shows a frame-shaped mark 541 indicating a measurement position directly above the rectus abdominis muscle by superimposing a reference position 531A on the navel position H1. However, a plurality of types of auxiliary tools 50 corresponding to other measurement positions may be provided. For example, an auxiliary tool 50 provided with a measurement position indicator 54 indicating a measurement position of the quadriceps femoris muscle by superimposing a reference position indicated by a reference position indicator 53 on a specific part such as the patella may be used. In this case, the overall size of the auxiliary tool 50, the position of the reference position 531A, and the distance from the reference position 531A to the frame-shaped mark 541 are different according to each measurement position. In this way, by preparing a plurality of types of auxiliary tools 50 corresponding to a plurality of measurement positions, the user can select and use the auxiliary tool 50 according to the measurement position.

[0028] Also, in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 5, a single reference position indicator 53 is provided, but a plurality of reference position indicators 53 may be provided. In this case, a plurality of reference positions 531A indicated by the plurality of reference position indicators 53 are aligned with specific parts respectively. Alternatively, the reference position indicator 53 may indicate a straight line or a curve. For example, when measuring the quadriceps femoris muscle, a reference position indicator 53 indicating a straight line or a curve along the upper edge of the patella as the reference position 531A is provided. In this case, the auxiliary tool 50 is arranged so that the straight line or curve-shaped reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicator 53 follows the upper edge of the patella. As described above, when a plurality of reference position indicators 53 are provided, or when the reference position indicator 53 is a straight line or a curve, the orientation (angle) when the auxiliary tool 50 is attached to the living body H can be defined, and the measurement position indicated by the measurement position indicator 54 can be determined more accurately.

[0029] Further, the measurement position indicator 54 is not limited to the frame-shaped mark 541 as described above as long as the position where the ultrasonic device 10 is fixed can be confirmed. For example, it may be a mark indicating at least two installation positions among the four corner portions of the ultrasonic device 10. Alternatively, it may be a mark indicating at least two installation positions among the four sides of the ultrasonic device 10.

[0030] The same applies to aids other than the patch shape. For example, when using a shirt-shaped aid 50A as shown in FIG. 6 to indicate the measurement position for the rectus abdominis muscle, a reference position mark 532 as a reference position indicator 53 and a frame-shaped mark 541 as a measurement position indicator 54 are provided on the shirt-shaped aid 50A. The reference position mark 532 in FIG. 6 has, for example, a circular shape, indicating that the center of the reference position mark 532 is the reference position 531A. Note that the reference position mark 532 may be displayed with an arrow like the patch-shaped reference position mark 531 described above, or may be indicated by a plurality of arrows or other shapes. Alternatively, the reference position indicator 53 may indicate the reference position 531A with a material or hardness different from other parts. Also, the reference position indicator 53 may be configured by providing a hole in the aid 50A. In this case, alignment is performed so that a specific part is exposed from the hole. The positional relationship between the reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicator 53 and the frame-shaped mark 541 is the same as that of the patch-shaped aid 50 described above, and is set to a general distance from the umbilical position H1 to the body surface directly above the rectus abdominis muscle. Also, a plurality of types of aids 50A may be prepared according to the physique and gender of the user.

[0031] Also, in aids such as the shirt-shaped aid 50A in FIG. 6 that are adhered by the user wearing clothes, they can be adhered to the body surface over a wide range. For this reason, a plurality of measurement position indicators 54 may be provided on the aid 50A. For example, in addition to the rectus abdominis muscle, frame-shaped marks 541 corresponding to the measurement positions of other tissues such as the pectoralis muscle, biceps brachii muscle, fat at a predetermined site, and internal organs may be provided. Also, only one reference position indicator 53 (for example, the reference position mark 532 indicating the navel position H1) may be provided, or a plurality of reference position indicators 53 corresponding to other specific parts may be provided. For example, reference position indicators 53 indicating reference positions 531A for aligning the collarbone, ribs, scapula, armpit, nipples, etc. as specific parts may be provided respectively. Also, as described above, the reference position indicator 53 may be composed of a straight line or a curve. With these configurations, the position of the auxiliary tool 50A can be positioned more appropriately, and the measurement position indicated by the measurement position indicator 54 can also be made more accurate. As a result, changes in the fixed position of the ultrasonic device 10 can be more suppressed, and the ultrasonic device 10 can be fixed at the same position even when performing ultrasonic measurement over time or when the ultrasonic device 10 is once removed to replenish water to the auxiliary tool 50A.

[0032] [Method for Fixing the Ultrasonic Device 10 Using the Auxiliary Tool 50 of the Present Embodiment] Next, a method for fixing the ultrasonic device 10 to a living body using the auxiliary tool 50 will be described. In the present embodiment, when performing ultrasonic measurement on a living body H using the ultrasonic device 10, first, the auxiliary tool 50 that has absorbed water is attached to the living body H. At this time, as described above, the auxiliary tool 50 is attached to the living body H by overlapping the reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicator 53 with a specific part of the living body H. Then, the ultrasonic device 10 is fixed along the frame mark 541 of the measurement position indicator 54 of the auxiliary tool 50. Thereby, the ultrasonic device 10 can be fixed to the measurement position of the living body H.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the water contained in the auxiliary tool 50 serves as an acoustic matching material, and ultrasonic waves can be propagated well from the ultrasonic device 10 to the living body H. Ultrasonic measurement can be performed using easily available water as compared with the case of using a dedicated acoustic gel. However, when water is used as the acoustic matching material, the water absorbed by the auxiliary tool 50 may decrease due to evaporation or outflow. In this case, an air layer is interposed between the ultrasonic device 10 and the living body H, and the propagation efficiency of ultrasonic waves decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to make the auxiliary tool 50 absorb water again.

[0034] In order to make the auxiliary tool 50 absorb water again, either the auxiliary tool 50 or the ultrasonic device 10 is removed once, and the auxiliary tool 50 is made to absorb water again. Then, in the same manner as above, the reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicating portion 53 is superimposed on a specific part of the living body H, the auxiliary tool 50 is brought into close contact with the living body H, and the ultrasonic device 10 is fixed along the frame-shaped mark 541. In the present embodiment, as described above, by aligning the reference position indicating portion 53 of the auxiliary tool 50 with a specific part, the frame-shaped mark 541 of the measurement position indicating portion 54 can be aligned with the same position of the living body H. Therefore, as described above, even if the auxiliary tool 50 and the ultrasonic device 10 are removed to absorb water, when the ultrasonic device 10 is fixed next time, the ultrasonic device 10 can be fixed at the same position. Here, the same includes substantially the same, and a positional deviation within an allowable error range in measurement is allowed.

[0035] Further, by using the ultrasonic device 10 of the present embodiment, ultrasonic measurement at a predetermined measurement position of a living body can be continuously and repeatedly performed, and changes in tissues within the living body can be observed. For example, when measuring (observing the progress) the change in the thickness of a predetermined tissue (for example, muscle, fat, etc.) in the living body over time, the user brings the ultrasonic device 10 into contact with the measurement position corresponding to the tissue and performs ultrasonic measurement. In order to perform the progress observation, it is necessary to bring the ultrasonic device 10 into contact with the same measurement position at a predetermined cycle (for example, every other day, every other week, etc.) and perform ultrasonic measurement. At this time, in the present embodiment, by using the auxiliary tool 50 as described above, the ultrasonic device 10 can be fixed at the same position for each measurement, and correct progress observation of the tissue to be measured can be performed.

[0036] [Advantages and Effects of the Present Embodiment] The auxiliary tool 50 of this embodiment is an auxiliary tool 50 used to fix the ultrasonic device 10 to the living body H. This auxiliary tool 50 is composed of a planar material having water absorption, and has a first surface 51 that adheres to the living body H and a second surface 52 opposite to the first surface 51. On the second surface 52, a reference position indicator 53 indicating a reference position 531A and a measurement position indicator 54 indicating a measurement position are provided. The measurement position indicator 54 indicates the measurement position on the body surface of the living body H when the reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicator 53 is overlapped with a specific part on the body surface of the living body H. By using such an auxiliary tool 50, by overlapping the reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicator 53 with a specific part, the measurement position can be easily and accurately set at a determined position without using a dedicated jig or a measuring tool. Therefore, by fixing the ultrasonic device 10 at the measurement position, continuous ultrasonic measurement can be performed on the same tissue. In particular, when measuring the living body H using the ultrasonic device 10, it is necessary to interpose an acoustic matching material between the living body H. In this embodiment, the water-absorbing auxiliary tool 50 can easily hold water, which is inexpensive and easily available, between the living body H and the ultrasonic device 10. Also, when using water, the water held between the living body H and the ultrasonic device 10 may decrease due to evaporation or outflow of the water. In such a case, in this embodiment, even if the ultrasonic device 10 and the auxiliary tool 50 are once removed, the water is replenished to the auxiliary tool 50 and then pasted again on the living body H, by overlapping the reference position 531A indicated by the reference position indicator 53 with a specific part, the measurement position indicated by the measurement position indicator 54 can be made the same as the position at the previous measurement. That is, the auxiliary tool 50 of this embodiment can maintain water between the living body H and the ultrasonic device 10 and suitably assist in fixing the ultrasonic device 10 to the same measurement position of the living body H.

[0037] In this embodiment, the measurement position indicator 54 is a frame-shaped mark 541 that surrounds a predetermined first region 55 on the second surface 52. If the measurement position indicator 54 is a mark indicating a predetermined point, it is unclear how to arrange the ultrasonic device 10 with respect to the measurement point of that point. If the ultrasonic device 10 is arranged in the wrong direction, the ultrasonic device 10 will be arranged at a position different from that during the previous ultrasonic measurement. On the other hand, by using the frame-shaped mark 541, the user can easily visually recognize the fixed position of the ultrasonic device 10, and the ultrasonic device 10 can be easily and properly fixed along the frame of the frame-shaped mark 541.

[0038] [Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the above first embodiment, the entire auxiliary tool 50 has a water-absorbing configuration. However, in the second embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that a water-repellent property is provided in part. In the following description, for matters already described, the same reference numerals will be given, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the auxiliary tool 50 of the second embodiment. The auxiliary tool 50B of the present embodiment includes a reference position indicator 53 (for example, a reference position mark 531) and a measurement position indicator 54 (for example, a frame-shaped mark 541), similar to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary tool 50B includes a first region 55 that becomes the measurement position and a portion other than the first region 55, that is, a second region 56 that surrounds the first region 55. Here, in the present embodiment, the first region 55 has a water-absorbing property, similar to the first embodiment. On the other hand, a water-repellent portion 561 is provided at least in a portion of the second region 56 that surrounds the first region 55. Note that the water-repellent portion 561 may be provided in the entire second region. In FIG. 7, the hatched portion indicates the region of the water-repellent portion 561. By providing the water-repellent portion 561 surrounding the first region 55, the water absorbed in the first region 55 is confined by the water-repellent portion 561, so it is difficult to flow out to the outside and difficult to volatilize.

[0040] [Advantages and Effects of the Present Embodiment] In this embodiment, the auxiliary tool 50B includes a first region 55 and a second region 56 outside the first region 55, and at least a part of the second region 56 adjacent to the first region has water repellency. Thereby, the volatilization and outflow of the water held in the first region 55 of the auxiliary tool 50B can be suppressed, and ultrasonic measurement can be performed by the ultrasonic device 10 over a long period of time.

[0041] [Modification Example] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and configurations obtained by deformation, improvement, and appropriate combination of each embodiment within a range capable of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0042] (Modification Example 1) In the second embodiment, the water-repellent part 561 surrounds the first region 55 and is provided along the boundary between the first region 55 and the second region 56, but a configuration in which the water-repellent part 561 is not provided in a part of the boundary between the first region 55 and the second region 56 may be adopted. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the auxiliary tool 50C according to Modification Example 1. In the auxiliary tool 50C shown in FIG. 8, a water-repellent part 561 is provided along the boundary between the first region 55 and the second region 56, and a water supply part 562 where the water-repellent part 561 is not provided is provided in a part of the boundary. That is, the water supply part 562 becomes a water-absorbing part continuous with the first region 55. Further, a water-absorbing water supply part 562 extends from the water supply part 562 toward the outside of the first region. In such a configuration, by introducing water from the water supply part 562, it is possible to soak and supply water from the water supply part 562 to the first region 55. That is, during the ultrasonic measurement by the ultrasonic device 10, the water in the first region 55 may flow out or volatilize, but there may be a case where the amount of water flowing out is small and only a small amount of water replenishment is sufficient. In such a case, in the auxiliary tool 50C, the water shortage in the first region 55 can be replenished by supplying water from the water supply part 562.

[0043] [Modification Example 2] In the above-described embodiment, as the reference position indicating portion 53 for the patch-shaped auxiliary tool 50, a reference position mark 531 indicating one of the four corners of the auxiliary tool 50 was exemplified. This is in response to specific parts where it is difficult to attach the auxiliary tool 50, such as the umbilical position H1. On the other hand, when it is easy to attach the auxiliary tool 50 to a specific part, the reference position indicating portion 53 may be provided at any position on the second region 56 of the auxiliary tool 50, like the shirt-shaped auxiliary tool 50A.

[0044] [Modification Example 3] In the second embodiment, an example in which the water-repellent portion 561 is provided using the patch-shaped auxiliary tool 50B as an example was shown. However, the water-repellent portion 561 may be similarly provided in a wearable auxiliary tool such as the shirt-shaped auxiliary tool 50A, and further, a water supply portion 562 may be provided as in Modification Example 1.

[0045] [Summary of the Present Disclosure] An auxiliary tool used for fixing an ultrasonic device that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected in the living body according to the first aspect of the present disclosure to the living body. The auxiliary tool is composed of a planar material having water absorption, and has a first surface that adheres to the living body and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A reference position indicating portion indicating a reference position and a measurement position indicating portion indicating a measurement position are provided on the second surface. The measurement position indicating portion indicates a measurement position on the body surface of the living body when the reference position indicated by the reference position indicating portion is overlapped with a specific part on the body surface of the living body.

[0046] As a result, the user can easily recognize the measurement position indicated by the measurement position indicator by using a tool that maintains water between the ultrasonic device and the living body and superimposing the position indicated by the reference position indicator on a specific part of the living body. Further, for replenishing water to the tool, even when the ultrasonic device is removed from the tool or the tool itself is removed, by superimposing the position indicated by the reference position indicator on the specific part, the same measurement position as the previous measurement position is indicated by the measurement position indicator of the tool, so that the ultrasonic device can be fixed at that position. That is, it is possible to suitably assist in maintaining water between the living body and the ultrasonic device and fixing the ultrasonic device at the same measurement position of the living body.

[0047] In the tool of this aspect, it is preferable that the measurement position indicator is a frame-shaped mark that surrounds a predetermined first region on the second surface. As a result, by fixing the ultrasonic device to the tool along the frame-shaped mark, not only the installation position of the ultrasonic device but also the installation direction can be made the same.

[0048] In the tool of this aspect, the tool includes the first region and a second region outside the first region, and at least a part of the second region that surrounds the first region preferably has water repellency. As a result, the water repellent part can suppress the outflow and volatilization of the water absorbed in the first region, and the water can be maintained in the first region over a long period of time, enabling long-time ultrasonic measurement.

Explanation of Signs

[0049] 10... Ultrasonic device, 50, 50A, 50B, 50C... Tools, 51... First surface, 52... Second surface, 53... Reference position indicator, 54... Measurement position indicator, 55... First region, 56... Second region, 531... Reference position mark, 531A... Reference position, 532... Reference position mark, 541... Frame-shaped mark, 561... Water repellent part, 562... Water supply part, H... Living body.

Claims

1. An auxiliary tool used to fix an ultrasonic device that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected within the living body to the living body, wherein the auxiliary tool is composed of a sheet-like material having water absorbency, and has a first surface that adheres to the living body and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein a reference position indicating portion indicating a reference position and a measurement position indicating portion indicating a measurement position are provided on the second surface, wherein the measurement position indicating portion indicates a measurement position on the body surface of the living body when the reference position indicated by the reference position indicating portion is overlapped with a specific portion on the body surface of the living body.

2. The measurement position indicating portion is a frame-shaped mark surrounding a predetermined first region on the second surface, The auxiliary tool according to claim 1.

3. The auxiliary tool includes the first region and a second region outside the first region, and at least a portion surrounding the first region of the second region has water repellency, The auxiliary tool according to claim 2.

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