Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

To suppress deterioration of an acoustic transmission layer.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic probe includes a vibrator part, a contact part, and an acoustic transmission part. The transducer unit includes a plurality of transducers that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The contact interface is in contact with a subject. The sound transmission part is disposed between the vibrator part and the contact part and is formed to have a low attenuation rate of ultrasonic waves. The thickness of the acoustic transmission unit may be in the range of 2. 3mm to 4. 7mm, and the acoustic transmission unit may be formed using a material having an acoustic impedance of 1. 4MRayl or more and 1. 6MRayl or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, it is preferable that an ultrasonic probe has a large acoustic effective diameter for radiating ultrasonic waves. On the other hand, in the case of a sector type ultrasonic probe, the contact surface with the living body is required to be small.

[0003] Therefore, an ultrasonic probe has been disclosed that has an acoustic transmission layer that transmits ultrasonic waves generated by a transducer. The subject side of the acoustic transmission layer is formed into a curved surface that protrudes toward the subject. This allows the ultrasonic probe to have a large acoustic effective diameter and a small living body contact surface.

[0004] However, butadiene rubber, which has a low acoustic attenuation rate and is used in the acoustic transmission layer, has low resistance to chemicals, etc. Therefore, there is a need for a technology to suppress the deterioration of the acoustic transmission layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-130947 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to suppress deterioration of the acoustic transmission layer. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment includes a transducer unit, a contact unit, and an acoustic transmission unit. The transducer unit has a plurality of transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. The contact unit is in contact with a subject. The acoustic transmission unit is disposed between the transducer unit and the contact unit and is formed of a material primarily composed of butadiene rubber, which has a low ultrasonic attenuation rate. The acoustic transmission unit has a thickness in the range of 2.3 mm to 4.7 mm, and is formed using a material with an acoustic impedance of 1.4 MRayl or more and 1.6 MRayl or less. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasound probe according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional ultrasonic probe. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound probe according to the first modification. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound probe according to the second modification. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to the third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnostic device according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts with the same reference numerals perform similar operations, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] (First embodiment) First, an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 to which an ultrasonic probe 20 according to the first embodiment is applied will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 has a device main body 10, an ultrasonic probe 20, a display 30, and an input device 40.

[0011] The ultrasonic probe 20 is detachably connected to the device main body 10. When ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 20 to the subject P, the transmitted ultrasonic waves are reflected successively by discontinuous surfaces of acoustic impedance in the body tissue of the subject P. The reflected ultrasonic waves are then received by the ultrasonic probe 20 as echoes (reflected waves). For example, the ultrasonic probe 20 is a two-dimensional array probe.

[0012] The display 30 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that allows the user of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 to input various setting requests using the input device 40, and displays ultrasound images and the like generated in the apparatus main body 10. The display 30 is realized by a liquid crystal monitor, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) monitor, or the like.

[0013] The input device 40 is realized by a trackball, a switch, a dial, a touch command screen, a foot switch, a joystick, etc. The input device 40 accepts various setting requests from the user of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 and transfers the accepted various setting requests to the apparatus main body 10. For example, the input device 40 accepts various setting requests for controlling the ultrasound probe 20 and transfers them to the control circuit 16.

[0014] The device main body 10 is a device that controls the transmission and reception of ultrasound waves by the ultrasound probe 20 and generates ultrasound images based on echo signals that are based on echoes received by the ultrasound probe 20. As shown in FIG. 1 , the device main body 10 has a transmission and reception circuit 11, a B-mode processing circuit 12, a Doppler processing circuit 13, an image generation circuit 14, a memory circuit 15, and a control circuit 16.

[0015] The transmission / reception circuitry 11, under the control of the control circuitry 16, transmits and receives various data between the ultrasound probe 20 and the device main body 10. For example, the transmission / reception circuitry 11 includes an A / D converter and a receive beamformer. When the transmission / reception circuitry 11 receives echo signals for each subarray output from the ultrasound probe 20, the A / D converter first converts the echo signals into digital data. The receive beamformer performs a delay-and-sum process on the digital data for each subarray to generate echo data, and transmits the generated echo data to the B-mode processing circuitry 12 and the Doppler processing circuitry 13.

[0016] The B-mode processing circuit 12 receives the echo data output from the transmission / reception circuit 11. Then, the B-mode processing circuit 12 performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection processing, etc. on the received echo data to generate data (B-mode data) in which signal intensity is expressed as brightness. The B-mode processing circuit 12 is realized by, for example, a processor.

[0017] The Doppler processing circuit 13 receives the echo data output from the transmission / reception circuit 11. The Doppler processing circuit 13 then frequency-analyzes velocity information from the received echo data, extracts blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo components due to the Doppler effect, and generates data (Doppler data) in which moving object information such as average velocity, variance, and power is extracted for multiple points. The Doppler processing circuit 13 is realized by, for example, a processor.

[0018] The image generation circuit 14 generates an ultrasound image from the data generated by the B-mode processing circuit 12 and the Doppler processing circuit 13. That is, the image generation circuit 14 generates an ultrasound image based on ultrasound transmitted and received by the ultrasound probe 20. The image generation circuit 14 is an example of a generation unit. That is, the image generation circuit 14 generates a B-mode image that represents the intensity of the echo as brightness from the B-mode data generated by the B-mode processing circuit 12. The image generation circuit 14 also generates a mean velocity image, a variance image, a power image, or a color Doppler image as a combination of these images that represent information about the moving object from the Doppler data generated by the Doppler processing circuit 13. The image generation circuit 14 is realized, for example, by a processor.

[0019] The memory circuitry 15 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. For example, the memory circuitry 15 stores ultrasound images generated by the image generation circuitry 14. The memory circuitry 15 may also store data generated by the B-mode processing circuitry 12 or the Doppler processing circuitry 13.

[0020] The control circuit 16 controls the overall processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. For example, the control circuit 111 controls the ultrasonic probe 20 via the transmission / reception circuit 101, thereby controlling ultrasonic scanning.

[0021] The term "processor" used in the above description refers to a circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The processor reads a program stored in the memory circuit 15 and executes the read program to realize its function. Instead of storing the program in the memory circuit 15, the processor may be configured so that the program is directly embedded in its circuit. In this case, the processor reads the program embedded in the circuit and executes the read program to realize its function. In this embodiment, each processor is not limited to being configured as a single circuit, but may be configured as a single processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize its function.

[0022] Next, a description will be given of the ultrasonic probe 20 connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 20 includes a backing portion 201 , a transducer portion 202 , an acoustic matching portion 203 , an acoustic transmitting portion 204 , and a contact portion 205 .

[0024] 2, the width direction of the ultrasonic probe 20 is defined as the X-axis direction. The depth direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. The height direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction. In the ultrasonic probe 20, the side on which the contact portion 205 is arranged is referred to as the front side, and the side on which the backing portion 201 is arranged is referred to as the back side.

[0025] The backing portion 201 is disposed on the rear side of the transducer portion 202. The backing portion 201 has a backing material. That is, the backing portion 201 absorbs the ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer portion 202. As a result, the backing portion 201 prevents the ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer portion 202 from being reflected back to the transducer portion 202.

[0026] The transducer unit 202 has a plurality of transducers that transmit and receive ultrasound waves. For example, the transducers are piezoelectric elements. For example, the transducer unit 202 has a two-dimensional array in which a plurality of transducers are arranged two-dimensionally. More specifically, the transducer unit 202 has a plurality of transducers arranged along the azimuth direction. In other words, the plurality of transducers are arranged along the Z-axis direction. The width of the transducer unit 202 in the elevation direction, which is perpendicular to the azimuth direction, is 6.0 mm or more and 20.0 mm or less. That is, the width of the transducer unit 202 in the X-axis direction is 6.0 mm or more and 20.0 mm or less. The transducer unit 202 generates ultrasound waves by applying them to the transducers under the control of the device main body 10. The transducer unit 202 converts the reflected waves reflected by the subject P into electrical signals. The transducer unit 202 then outputs the electrical signals to the device main body 10.

[0027] The acoustic matching unit 203 is a layer having one or more acoustic matching layers. The acoustic matching unit 203 is arranged on the front side of the transducer unit 202. In other words, the acoustic matching unit 203 is arranged between the subject P and the transducer unit 202. The acoustic matching unit 203 has one or more acoustic matching layers having an acoustic impedance intermediate between that of the subject P and the transducer unit 202.

[0028] Here, there is a large difference in acoustic impedance between the subject P and the transducer section 202. If the difference in acoustic impedance is large, the ultrasonic waves will be reflected by the surface of the subject P. The acoustic matching section 203 is disposed between the subject P and the transducer section 202, and reduces the difference in acoustic impedance by using an acoustic impedance intermediate between the subject P and the transducer section 202. This enables the acoustic matching section 203 to make it easier for the ultrasonic waves to be incident on the subject P.

[0029] The acoustic transmission unit 204 is a layer that transmits ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer unit 202. More specifically, the acoustic transmission unit 204 is disposed between the transducer unit 202 and the contact unit 205, and is made of a material with a low ultrasonic attenuation rate. For example, the acoustic transmission unit 204 is made of a material whose main component is butadiene rubber. For example, the acoustic transmission unit 204 is made of a material with an acoustic attenuation rate of 0.003 [dB / mmMHz] or less.

[0030] Specifically, the material of the acoustic transmission portion 204 is: (a) Ultrasonic waves propagate at a speed of 1500 m / sec or more and 1600 m / sec or less, (b) an acoustic impedance of 1.4 MRayl or more and 1.6 MRayl or less; (c) having an attenuation of about 0.03*0.10 dB / mmMHz; It is preferable.

[0031] Furthermore, the thickness of the acoustic transmission portion 204 is preferably 2.3 mm or more. That is, the length of the acoustic transmission portion 204 in the Y-axis direction is preferably 2.3 mm or more. Here, the side surface portion 210 and the contact portion 205 are bonded with a silicone adhesive. The contact portion 205 and the acoustic transmission portion 204 are also bonded with a silicone adhesive. Silicon adhesive is waterproof, but has low rigidity and low adhesive strength to plastic materials, so a relatively large bonding area is required. To ensure a sufficient bonding area, the acoustic transmission portion 204 has a thickness of 2.3 mm or more. The acoustic transmission portion 204 is bonded to the contact portion 205 with sufficient strength. The contact portion 205 is bonded to the side surface portion 210 with sufficient strength.

[0032] The thickness of the acoustic transmitting unit 204 may be 2.3 mm or more and 4.7 mm or less. In this way, by increasing the thickness of the acoustic transmitting unit 204, that is, the length in the Y-axis direction, the width of contact with the subject P can be reduced.

[0033] In the case of a sector type, the ultrasonic probe 20 is required to have as large an acoustic effective aperture as possible, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to increase the intensity of the ultrasonic waves. That is, the ultrasonic probe 20 is required to have as large an element width W2 as possible. Furthermore, in order to scan the circulatory system from between the ribs, the ultrasonic probe 20 is required to have a small area of ​​the living body contact surface, which is the portion of the contact portion 205 that comes into contact with the subject P. In order to reduce the area of ​​the living body contact surface, the contact portion 205 has a curved surface that protrudes toward the front side. Furthermore, by forming the contact portion 205 as a curved surface, the living body contact surface becomes smaller compared to a flat surface.

[0034] If the contact portion 205 were to have a curved surface protruding toward the front side without providing the acoustic transmission portion 204, the outer edge of the transducer portion 202 would interfere with the contact portion 205 because the transducer portion 202 is substantially flat. Therefore, by providing the acoustic transmission portion 204, the contact portion 205 can be made curved. That is, the acoustic transmission portion 204 can reduce the area of ​​the surface that comes into contact with a living body. The acoustic transmission portion 204 has a sufficient thickness to provide the contact portion 205 with a curved surface. For example, the acoustic transmission portion 204 is thicker than the contact portion 205 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the acoustic transmission portion 204 is thicker than the contact portion 205 in the stacking direction in which the transducer portion 202, the contact portion 205, and the acoustic transmission portion 204 are stacked.

[0035] Furthermore, the width of the transducer section 202 in the elevation direction, which is orthogonal to the azimuth direction in which the multiple transducers are arranged, is smaller than the width of the opening 211 in the side surface section 210. That is, the width of the transducer section 202 in the X-axis direction is smaller than the width of the opening 211 in the side surface section 210. The difference between the side surface section opening width W1, which is the width of the opening 211 in the side surface section 210, and the transducer width W2, which is the width of the transducer in the X-axis direction in the transducer section 202, is 0.0 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. With this configuration, the ultrasonic probe 20 can suppress attenuation of ultrasonic waves by the side surface section 210.

[0036] Furthermore, since the difference between the side opening width W1 and the transducer width W2 is small, the ultrasonic probe 20 can suppress deterioration of image quality and deterioration of the signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio) in areas (deep areas) away from the contact portion 205.

[0037] The contact unit 205 comes into contact with the subject P. For example, the contact unit 205 is disposed on the front side of the acoustic transmission unit 204. That is, the contact unit 205 is disposed between the acoustic transmission unit 204 and the subject P. The thickness of the center of the contact unit 205 is 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. That is, the thickness of the contact unit 205 at the center in the Z-axis direction and approximately the center in the X-axis direction is 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The attenuation of ultrasonic waves between the acoustic transmission unit 204 and the contact unit 205 is less than 1.2 dB / MHz per mm. This allows the ultrasonic probe 20 to have an acoustic configuration with lower attenuation than a typical ultrasonic probe, thereby enabling high-quality images to be acquired.

[0038] For example, the contact portion 205 is formed from a material whose main component is silicone rubber. Here, the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in pure silicone rubber is approximately 1000 m / sec. Furthermore, the acoustic impedance of pure silicone rubber is approximately 1 MRayl. On the other hand, the acoustic impedance of a living body is approximately 1.5 MRayl. Because pure silicone rubber has a lower acoustic impedance than a living body, a fine powder of a material with a high specific gravity, such as silica, is added to it. When the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves through silicone rubber is slower than the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves through a living body, silicone rubber to which a material with a high specific gravity has been added can be formed into a convex shape to obtain an ultrasonic wave focusing effect, and can therefore also be used as an acoustic lens.

[0039] Furthermore, because silicone rubber is flexible, it easily transmits impacts to the transducer unit 202. Therefore, to protect the ultrasonic probe 20 from impacts due to dropping or the like, the ultrasonic probe 20 has a side surface portion 210. The side surface portion 210 is a member formed on a side surface of the acoustic transmission unit 204, and causes the contact unit 205 to protrude from an opening 211 formed at one end. The side surface portion 210 is also a highly rigid member that covers the side surface of the tip of the ultrasonic probe 20. In other words, the side surface portion 210 covers the side surface of the contact unit 205. By covering the side surface of the contact unit 205, the side surface portion 210 fixes the contact unit 205 to the gripping unit. For example, the side surface portion 210 is formed from a plastic material.

[0040] The contact portion 205 and the side portion 210 are bonded with a silicone adhesive. Silicon adhesive is waterproof, but has low rigidity and poor adhesive strength to plastic materials, so a relatively large bonding area is required. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the contact portion 205 is provided so as to cover the side surface of the acoustic transmission portion 204. Because a relatively large bonding area is provided, the contact portion 205 is bonded to the side portion 210 on the side surface of the acoustic transmission portion 204 with the silicone adhesive.

[0041] This increases the width of the living body contact surface that comes into contact with the subject P at the tip of the ultrasonic probe 20. That is, the width of the living body contact surface in the X-axis direction relative to the width of the transducer section 202 in the X-axis direction increases.

[0042] Here, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional ultrasonic probe 20a. As shown in Fig. 3, the ultrasonic probe 20a includes a backing section 201, a transducer section 202, an acoustic matching section 203, an acoustic lens section 206, and an acoustic transmission section 204a.

[0043] That is, the conventional ultrasonic probe 20a does not have the contact portion 205. Therefore, in the conventional ultrasonic probe 20a, the acoustic transmitting portion 204a comes into contact with the subject P.

[0044] Here, the acoustic transmitting portions 204 and 204a are made of a material whose main component is butadiene rubber, but materials whose main component is butadiene rubber have low resistance to chemicals and the like.

[0045] After use, the ultrasonic probe 20 is subjected to cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, and other treatments. In these treatments, the ultrasonic probe 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) rays or sprayed with chemicals. The acoustic transmission parts 204, 204a, which are primarily made of butadiene rubber, have low resistance to UV rays and chemicals.

[0046] 2, the ultrasonic probe 20 has a contact portion 205 that covers the front surface of the acoustic transmitting portion 204. In other words, the contact portion 205 covers the exposed portion of the acoustic transmitting portion 204.

[0047] 2, the contact portion 205 is arranged to cover the front side of the acoustic transmission portion 204. More specifically, the contact portion 205 is arranged to cover the front and side surfaces of the acoustic transmission portion 204. In this way, the contact portion 205 protects the acoustic transmission portion 204 from UV rays and chemicals.

[0048] For example, the contact portion 205 is made of the same material as the acoustic lens. The acoustic lens focuses the ultrasonic beam in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. This allows the acoustic lens to improve the lateral resolution. For example, the acoustic lens is made of a material whose main component is silicone rubber.

[0049] For example, the contact portion 205 is made of a material with excellent chemical resistance. Specifically, the contact portion 205 is made of a material whose main component is silicone rubber. Alternatively, the contact portion 205 may be made of a material whose main component is polyimide.

[0050] For example, in the configuration of the conventional ultrasonic probe 20a shown in FIG. 3, the acoustic lens unit 206 is made of a material whose main component is silicone rubber. Therefore, the creator applies a silicone-based adhesive between the acoustic lens unit 206 and the transducer unit 202 and hardens it to bond them together. The acoustic transmission unit 204 is made of a material whose main component is butadiene rubber. Therefore, the creator applies a butadiene-based adhesive between the acoustic lens unit 206 and the acoustic transmission unit 204 and hardens it to bond them together. In other words, the conventional ultrasonic probe 20 is bonded using multiple procedures using different adhesives.

[0051] On the other hand, in the case of the ultrasonic probe 20, the acoustic transmission unit 204 is formed from a material whose main component is butadiene rubber. Therefore, the transducer unit 202 and the acoustic transmission unit 204 are bonded together using a butadiene-based adhesive. That is, the creator applies a butadiene-based adhesive between the transducer unit 202 and the acoustic transmission unit 204 and hardens it to bond them together. The creator also applies a butadiene-based adhesive between the contact unit 205 and the acoustic transmission unit 204 and hardens it to bond them together. In this way, because both adhesives are butadiene-based, the creator can harden and bond them together at once. Furthermore, butadiene-based adhesives have a lower acoustic attenuation rate than silicone-based adhesives, so they can reduce the attenuation rate of ultrasonic waves.

[0052] As described above, the ultrasonic probe 20 according to the first embodiment includes the transducer unit 202, the contact unit 205, and the acoustic transmission unit 204. The acoustic transmission unit 204 is disposed between the transducer unit 202 and the contact unit 205, and is formed from a material containing butadiene rubber as its main component, which has a low ultrasonic attenuation rate. In other words, the acoustic transmission unit 204 is covered by the contact unit 205, and therefore does not come into contact with UV rays or chemicals. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe 20 can suppress deterioration of the acoustic transmission layer.

[0053] (Variation 1) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic probe 20b according to Modification 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the ultrasonic probe 20b may have an acoustic lens unit 206b on the front side of the transducer unit 202. That is, the ultrasonic probe 20b may have the acoustic lens unit 206b between the acoustic transmission unit 204b and the transducer unit 202.

[0054] Acoustic lens unit 206b is disposed between transducer unit 202 and acoustic transmission unit 204b, and focuses ultrasonic waves transmitted by transducer unit 202. Acoustic lens unit 206b is an example of a first acoustic lens unit. More specifically, acoustic lens unit 206b has acoustic lenses that focus ultrasonic beams in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. This allows acoustic lens unit 206b to improve lateral resolution. For example, acoustic lens unit 206b is formed from a material whose main component is silicone rubber.

[0055] When the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves through the acoustic lens unit 206b is slower than the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves through a living body, the acoustic lens unit 206b has a convex shape with a surface facing the subject P. That is, the acoustic lens unit 206b has a convex shape with a convex shape in the Y-axis direction, which is the thickness direction of the acoustic lens unit 206b. On the other hand, when the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves through the acoustic lens unit 206b is faster than the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves through a living body, the acoustic lens unit 206b has a concave shape with a surface facing the subject P. That is, the acoustic lens unit 206b has a concave shape with a concave shape in the Y-axis direction, which is the thickness direction of the acoustic lens unit 206b. Furthermore, the thickness of the thickest part of the acoustic lens unit 206b is preferably, for example, 0.3 mm or more and 0.9 mm or less.

[0056] (Variation 2) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic probe 20c according to Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 5, the ultrasonic probe 20c may have an acoustic lens unit 206c on the front side of the acoustic transmitter 204c.

[0057] The acoustic lens unit 206c is disposed between the acoustic transmission unit 204c and the contact unit 205, and focuses the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transducer unit 202. The acoustic lens unit 206c is an example of a second acoustic lens unit. More specifically, the acoustic lens unit 206c has acoustic lenses that focus the ultrasonic beam in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. This allows the acoustic lens unit 206c to improve the lateral resolution. For example, the acoustic lens unit 206c is formed from a material whose main component is silicone rubber.

[0058] In the second modification, the creator also applies a butadiene-based adhesive between the transducer portion 202 and the acoustic transmission portion 204c and hardens it to bond them together. The creator also applies a butadiene-based adhesive between the acoustic lens portion 206c and the acoustic transmission portion 204c and hardens it to bond them together. In other words, because both adhesives are butadiene-based, the creator can harden and bond them together in one go.

[0059] (Variation 3) Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic probe 20d according to Modification 3. As shown in Fig. 6, the ultrasonic probe 20d may have a contact portion 205d having an ultrasonic lens.

[0060] The contact portion 205d is formed of a material mainly made of silicone rubber, similar to an ultrasonic lens. Therefore, the contact portion 205d may function as an acoustic lens. In other words, the contact portion 205d focuses the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transducer portion 202.

[0061] In the third modification, the creator also applies a butadiene-based adhesive between the vibrator portion 202 and the acoustic transmission portion 204 and hardens it to bond them together. The creator also applies a butadiene-based adhesive between the contact portion 205d and the acoustic transmission portion 204 and hardens it to bond them together. That is, because both adhesives are butadiene-based, the creator can harden and bond them together at once.

[0062] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, deterioration of the acoustic transmission layer can be suppressed.

[0063] Although several 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, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 10. Device body 11 Transmitting and receiving circuit 12 B-mode processing circuit 13 Doppler processing circuit 14 Image generation circuit 15 Memory circuit 16 Control circuit 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d Ultrasound probe 30 Display 40 Input Devices 101 Transmitting and receiving circuit 111 Control circuit 201 Backing Section 202 Oscillator section 203 Acoustic matching section 204, 204a, 204b, 204c acoustic transmission section 205, 205d contact part 206, 206b, 206c Acoustic lens section P Subject W1 Side opening width W2 vibrator width

Claims

1. a transducer unit having a plurality of transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a contact portion that comes into contact with the subject; an acoustic transmission part disposed between the transducer part and the contact part and made of a material with a low ultrasonic attenuation rate; Equipped with The thickness of the acoustic transmission portion is in the range of 2.3 mm to 4.7 mm; the acoustic transmission portion is formed using a material having an acoustic impedance of 1.4 MRayl or more and 1.6 MRayl or less; Ultrasound probe.

2. The attenuation of ultrasonic waves between the acoustic transmission portion and the contact portion is less than 1.2 dB / MHz per mm. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

3. a side surface portion formed on a side surface of the acoustic transmission portion, the side surface portion having the contact portion protruding from an opening formed at one end thereof; The vibrator unit has the plurality of vibrators arranged along an azimuth direction, a width of the transducer in an elevation direction perpendicular to the azimuth direction is smaller than a width of the opening in the elevation direction; a difference between a width of the transducer portion in the elevation direction and a width of the opening in the elevation direction is 1.0 mm or less; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

4. a first acoustic lens is further provided between the transducer portion and the acoustic transmission portion; the first acoustic lens has a thickness of 0.3 mm or more and 0.9 mm or less, and has a concave surface that is recessed in a thickness direction of the first acoustic lens or a convex surface that is protruded in a thickness direction of the first acoustic lens; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

5. a width of the transducer in an elevation direction perpendicular to an azimuth direction in which the transducers are arranged is 6.0 mm or more and 20.0 mm or less; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

6. The acoustic transmission unit is The propagation velocity of the ultrasonic waves propagating through the acoustic transmitting portion is 1500 m / sec to 1600 m / sec, formed of a material having an attenuation of 0.03*0.10 dB / mm MHz; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

7. The acoustic transmission portion is formed of a material having an ultrasonic attenuation rate of 0.003 dB / mm MHz or less. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

8. a first acoustic lens unit disposed between the transducer unit and the acoustic transmission unit and configured to focus ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transducer unit; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

9. a second acoustic lens unit disposed between the acoustic transmission unit and the contact unit and configured to focus the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transducer unit; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

10. The contact portion focuses the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transducer portion. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

11. the acoustic transmission portion is thicker than the contact portion in a stacking direction in which the transducer portion, the contact portion, and the acoustic transmission portion are stacked; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

12. The vibrator portion and the acoustic transmission portion are bonded together with a butadiene-based adhesive. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

13. the contact portion covers the subject side of the acoustic transmission portion; 13. An ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The contact portion is formed of a material containing silicone rubber as a main component.

13. An ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. An ultrasonic diagnostic device having an ultrasonic probe and a device main body, The ultrasonic probe includes: a transducer unit having a plurality of transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a contact portion that comes into contact with the subject; an acoustic transmission part disposed between the transducer part and the contact part and made of a material with a low ultrasonic attenuation rate; The thickness of the acoustic transmission portion is in the range of 2.3 mm to 4.7 mm; the acoustic transmission portion is formed using a material having an acoustic impedance of 1.4 MRayl or more and 1.6 MRayl or less, The device body includes: a generation unit that generates an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound transmitted and received by the transducer unit, Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

Images