Ultrasonic detection apparatus

Abstract

To improve a blind spot of an ultrasonic sensing probe designed symmetrically.SOLUTION: The ultrasonic detection device includes a housing, a puncture needle group and a sensing probe. The housing includes a connected front section and an end section. The front section has a major axis. The puncture needle group is connected to the front end portion. A sensing probe is disposed at the end. The sensing probe is disposed asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and is positionally offset from the needle set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Known ultrasound probes for ductal passages are symmetrically designed. Since the prostate, ovaries, and uterus are used in these areas, the prostate and ovaries are located on both sides of the midline of the human body, and so symmetrically designed ultrasound probes have a blind spot problem. Therefore, how to improve this blind spot problem is one of the goals that those skilled in the art are striving for.

[0003] Taiwan Patent Publication No. TWI826180B proposes an ultrasound puncture kit. The ultrasound puncture kit includes an ultrasound module and a puncture needle group. The ultrasound module includes a main body, a sensing probe, and a positioning sleeve. The sensing probe is disposed at one end of the main body. The positioning sleeve is connected to one side of the main body and is offset from the positioning sleeve. The puncture needle group is detachably disposed within the positioning sleeve and includes a shank, a needle, and an infusion tube. The handle includes a locking groove and a straight groove. The needle is detachably disposed in the locking groove. The infusion tube is disposed in the straight groove and communicates with the needle. When the puncture needle group is disposed within the positioning sleeve, the needle is positioned within the positioning sleeve and extends and protrudes from one side of the sensing probe. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention proposes an ultrasonic detection device to improve the above-mentioned known problems.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an ultrasonic detection device. The ultrasonic detection device includes a housing, a group of puncture needles, and a sensing probe. The housing includes a front section and an end section connected to each other. The front section has a long axis. The group of puncture needles is connected to the front section. The sensing probe is disposed at the end section. The sensing probe is disposed asymmetrically with respect to the long axis and is positionally biased toward the group of puncture needles.

[0006] In order that the above and other aspects of the present invention may be better understood, the following examples will be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] [Figure 2] 2 shows an exploded view of the ultrasonic detection device of FIG. 1.

[0009] [Figure 3] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic detection device of FIG.

[0010] [Figure 4A] 3A and 3B show exploded views of the ultrasound module of FIG. 2 at different viewing angles. [Figure 4B] 3A and 3B show exploded views of the ultrasound module of FIG. 2 at different viewing angles. [Figure 4C] 3A and 3B show exploded views of the ultrasound module of FIG. 2 at different viewing angles.

[0011] [Figure 5A] 4A-4C show exploded views of the sensing probe of FIGS. 4A-4C at different viewing angles. [Figure 5B] 4A-4C show exploded views of the sensing probe of FIGS. 4A-4C at different viewing angles. [Figure 5C] 4A-4C show exploded views of the sensing probe of FIGS. 4A-4C at different viewing angles.

[0012] [Figure 6] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing probe according to another embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic detection device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the ultrasonic detection device 100 of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic detection device 100 of Figure 1.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasound detection device 100 includes a housing 110, a group of puncture needles 120, a sensing probe 130, a circuit board 140, and at least one connector 150. The housing 110 includes a front section 111 and an end section 112 that are connected together. The front section 111 has a long axis LX1. The group of puncture needles 120 is connected to the front section 111. The sensing probe 130 is disposed at the end section 112. The sensing probe 130 is disposed asymmetrically with respect to the long axis LX1 and is positionally biased toward the group of puncture needles 120. The long axis LX1 is, for example, substantially parallel to the X-axis.

[0016] The puncture needle group 120 is used for sampling such as egg collection and extraction of body fluids from specific areas. The sensing probe 130, circuit board 140, and connector 150 can constitute an ultrasound module SM. The ultrasound module SM is used to sense the relative positions of the puncture needle group 120 and the acceptor and output moving images. This makes it easy for the user to aim the puncture needle group 120 at the target of the acceptor. The target is, for example, an egg or an organ.

[0017] Since the sensing probe 130 is biased in the direction of the needles 120, it can detect areas closer to the needles 120. In this way, it is advantageous for the needles 120 to be more accurately aligned with the acceptor's target, and furthermore, the well-known blind spot problem can be improved. In particular, when the needles 120 are not moved forward (moving the needles 120 forward can improve the blind spot problem, but it causes discomfort to the human body and is not ergonomic), the blind spot problem can be improved by biasing the sensing probe 130.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , the sensing probe 130 is used to generate ultrasound US. The first edge SR1 of the sensing region SR of the ultrasound US is substantially perpendicular to the puncture direction P1 of the puncture needle group 120. In this way, when the probe of the puncture needle group 120 protrudes, it quickly enters the sensing region SR, allowing for better operational understanding of the probe's position. In one embodiment, ultrasound US may be present within the sensing region SR, and no ultrasound US or weak ultrasound US may be present outside the sensing region SR. In this embodiment, the long axis LX1 of the front portion 111 is substantially parallel to the puncture direction P1. Therefore, the first edge SR1 of the sensing region SR of the ultrasound US is substantially perpendicular to the long axis LX1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, when the needles 120 are in their initial state (not protruding), the ends 121 of the needles 120 can be located within the ultrasound sensing range SR. In this way, the sensing probe 130 can detect the ends 121 of the needles 120, and an image of the ends 121 of the needles 120 can appear in the ultrasound video. In another embodiment, when the needles 120 are in their initial state (not protruding), the ends 121 of the needles 120 can be close to but not enter the ultrasound sensing range SR. In this way, the sensing probe 130 cannot detect the ends 121 of the needles 120, and an image of the ends 121 of the needles 120 does not appear in the ultrasound video.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , the sensing region SR of the ultrasonic US has a first edge SR1 and a second edge SR2. The sensing region SR of the ultrasonic US may be less than 180 degrees (e.g., the angle between the first edge SR1 and the second edge SR2), e.g., 150 degrees, or may be larger or smaller. A sensing region SR of 150 degrees has higher resolution than a sensing region SR of 180 degrees. A first included angle A1 is formed between the first edge SR1 and the long axis LX1 of the sensing region SR, and a second included angle A2 is formed between the second edge SR2 and the long axis LX1, and the first included angle A1 and the second included angle A2 are different from each other. The sum of the first included angle A1 and the second included angle A2 is approximately equal to the angle of the sensing region SR. In this embodiment, the first included angle A1 is, e.g., 90 degrees, and the second included angle A2 is, e.g., 60 degrees. In another embodiment, the first included angle A1 may be greater than 90 degrees and the second included angle A2 may be greater or less than 60 degrees.

[0021] 3, the front section 111 has a first side surface 111s1 and a second side surface 111s2 that face each other. The end portion 112 protrudes from the first side surface 111s1. The puncture needle group 120 is disposed adjacent to the second side surface 111s2. The sensing probe 130 is positioned toward the second side surface 111s2.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B, the end portion 112 has an aperture 112a (the aperture 112a is shown in FIG. 2). The sensing probe 130 is disposed in the aperture 112a. The aperture 112a is disposed asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis LX1 and is positionally biased toward the puncture needle group 120. In other words, the aperture 112a of the end portion 112 is also biased to match the bias of the sensing probe 130. The outer shape of the aperture 112a can match the sensing probe 130. For example, the aperture 112a has a first end surface 112a1 and a second end surface 112a2. The first end surface 112a1 can abut against a first surface 130s1 of the sensing probe 130 (the first surface 130s1 is shown in FIG. 4B, which will be described later). Meanwhile, the second end surface 112a2 can abut against the second surface 130s2 of the sensing probe 130 (the second surface 130s2 is shown in FIG. 4B , which will be described later). The first surface 130s1 is, for example, an end surface of the sensing probe 130, and the second surface 130s2 is, for example, a side surface of the sensing probe 130. In another embodiment, the first end surface 112a1 may not abut against the first surface 130s1 of the sensing probe 130, and / or the second end surface 112a2 may not abut against the second surface 130s2 of the sensing probe 130. In this embodiment, since the sensing probe 130 is biased, a portion 130A of the sensing probe 130 may be located inside the housing 110, but this is not used to limit the embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] 4A-4C and 5A-5C, FIGS. 4A-4C show exploded views of the ultrasound module SM of FIG. 2 at different viewing angles, and FIGS. 5A-5C show exploded views of the sensing probe 130 of FIGS. 4A-4C at different viewing angles.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5A, the sensing probe 130 may include a piezoelectric module 131, a flexible circuit board 132, at least one connector 133, a back frame 135, a backing layer 136, an acoustic lens 137, and a positioning member 138.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5A , the piezoelectric module 131 is disposed on and electrically connected to a flexible circuit board 132. The flexible circuit board 132 may be connected to the arcuate surface 135s of the back frame 135. The flexible circuit board 132 can apply an electrical signal to the piezoelectric module 131 to cause the piezoelectric module 131 to generate vibrations (i.e., ultrasonic waves). Although not shown, the piezoelectric module 131 may include a piezoelectric layer and at least one acoustic matching layer. The piezoelectric layer is disposed on the flexible circuit board 132, and the acoustic matching layer is disposed on the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer may be made of, for example, a lead zirconium titanate (PZT) material, a capacitive micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (cMUT), or a piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (pMUT). The connector 133 is disposed on and electrically connected to the flexible circuit board 132. The connector 133 can be docked with the connector 150 described above to electrically connect the flexible circuit board 132 and the circuit board 140. The backing layer 136 can effectively damp and reduce aftershocks of the piezoelectric module 131. Although not shown, the sensing probe 130 may further include a shielding layer attached to the outer side of the flexible circuit board 132 to shield against electromagnetic interference. The shielding layer can be electrically connected to the ground potential on one side of the flexible circuit board 132, making the shielding layer a ground layer.

[0026] 5A , the flexible circuit board 132 includes a first sub-circuit board 1321 and a second sub-circuit board 1322 that are connected (directly or indirectly). When the flexible circuit board 132 is connected to the back frame 135, the first sub-circuit board 1321 and the second sub-circuit board 1322 are connected to the arcuate surface 135s of the back frame 135, extend to opposite sides of the back frame 135, and are separated from each other. One or more of these connectors 133 are disposed on the first sub-circuit board 1321, and one or more of these connectors 133 are disposed on the second sub-circuit board 1322. These connectors 150 are disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board 140. The first sub-circuit board 1321 and the second sub-circuit board 1322 are connected to the connectors 150 on both sides of the circuit board 140 via the connectors 133, respectively.

[0027] In one process, the entire piezoelectric module 131 is first fabricated and then fixed to the flexible circuit board 132. For example, the piezoelectric module 131 and the flexible circuit board 132 are bonded and electrically connected using silver paste. The piezoelectric module 131 can be biased in one direction (e.g., counterclockwise) at a bias angle α relative to the reference axis LX2. The reference axis LX2 is, for example, the longitudinal axis of the flexible circuit board 132. The piezoelectric module 131 has two ends. When the connecting lines L1 at the two ends are perpendicular to the reference axis LX2 (the bias angle α is 0), the piezoelectric module 131 is defined as "positive." When the reference axis L131 perpendicular to the connecting line L1 of the piezoelectric module 131 forms a non-zero bias angle α with respect to the reference axis LX2, the piezoelectric module 131 is defined as "biased." In one embodiment, when the first edge SR1 of the ultrasound US sensing region SR is substantially perpendicular to the reference axis LX2 (as shown in FIG. 3), the bias angle α satisfies the following equation (1):

[0028]

number

[0029] After the piezoelectric module 131 and the flexible circuit board 132 are fixed to each other, the flexible circuit board 132 and the arcuate surface 135s of the back frame 135 can be bonded together using silver paste. Similarly, the back frame 135 has a reference axis L135 that forms a non-zero bias angle α with respect to the reference axis LX2. Then, a buffering method can be used to form a backing layer 136 in the space 135a of the back frame 135. The backing layer 136 has a reference axis L136 that forms a non-zero bias angle α with respect to the reference axis LX2. Then, a positioning member 138 can be placed on and fixed to the end surface 136s of the backing layer 136. The positioning member 138 has two positioning holes 138a. The positioning member 138 has a reference axis L138 that is substantially parallel to the reference axis LX2. Then, the positioning member 138 is positioned in a jig (not shown) using the two positioning holes 138a of the positioning member 138. Next, in a mold sealing process, an acoustic lens 137 is formed to cover the piezoelectric module 131. The acoustic lens 137 is made of, for example, silica gel. The acoustic lens 137 has a reference axis L137 that forms a non-zero bias angle α with respect to the reference axis LX2.

[0030] 4A to 4C, after fabrication of the sensing probe 130 is completed, the piezoelectric module 131, back frame 135, backing layer 136, acoustic lens 137, and positioning member 138 of the sensing probe 130 are all biased with respect to the reference axis LX2, but the flexible circuit board 132 is not biased. As shown in FIG. 4B, the reference axis L130 of the entire piezoelectric module 131, back frame 135, backing layer 136, acoustic lens 137, and positioning member 138 of the sensing probe 130 is biased with respect to the reference axis LX2.

[0031] After the fabrication of the sensing probe 130 is completed, the circuit board 140 and the flexible circuit board 132 are connected by docking the connector 150 arranged on the circuit board 140 with the connector 133 arranged on the flexible circuit board 132, and the circuit board 140 and the flexible circuit board 132 are electrically connected to form the ultrasonic module SM. Thereafter, the ultrasonic module SM is assembled to the housing 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the housing 110 further includes a plurality of stoppers 113 located on the inner wall of the housing 110. The circuit board 140 has opposing first and second edges 140s1 and 140s2. The circuit board 140 has opposing first and second edges 140s1 and 140s2 that abut against the stoppers 113, respectively, to fix the relative positions of the circuit board 140 and the housing 110. After the circuit board 140 is fixed to the housing 110, the longitudinal axis LX1 of the housing 110 overlaps with the reference axis LX2 of the sensing probe 130. In this manner, the reference axis L130 of the entire piezoelectric module 131, back frame 135, backing layer 136, acoustic lens 137, and positioning member 138 of the sensing probe 130 is biased with respect to the longitudinal axis LX1.

[0032] 6, a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic detection device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The ultrasonic detection device 200 includes a housing 110, a group of puncture needles 120, a sensing probe 230, a circuit board 140, and at least one connector 150. The ultrasonic detection device 200 includes the same or similar technical features as the ultrasonic detection device 100, but at least one difference is that the sensing probe 230 and the sensing probe 130 are structurally different.

[0033] 6, the sensing probe 230 may include a piezoelectric module 131, a flexible circuit board 132 (not shown), at least one connector 133 (not shown), a back frame 135 (not shown), a backing layer 136, an acoustic lens 137, and a positioning member 138. The fabrication method of the sensing probe 230 is the same as or similar to the fabrication method of the sensing probe 130 described above, and therefore will not be further described. The reference axis L230 of the sensing probe 230 is biased at a bias angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis LX1.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the sensing region SR of the ultrasonic US has a first edge SR1 and a second edge SR2. The sensing region SR of the ultrasonic US may be less than 180 degrees (e.g., the angle between the first edge SR1 and the second edge SR2), for example, 150 degrees, or may be larger or smaller. A first included angle A1 is formed between the first edge SR1 of the sensing region SR and the longitudinal axis LX1, and a second included angle A2 is formed between the second edge SR2 and the longitudinal axis LX1, and the first included angle A1 and the second included angle A2 are different from each other. The sum of the first included angle A1 and the second included angle A2 is approximately equal to the angle of the sensing region SR. In this embodiment, the first included angle A1 is, for example, an obtuse angle, and the second included angle A2 may be, for example, 60 degrees, or may be greater or smaller.

[0035] In one embodiment, when the bias angle α satisfies the following equation (2), the first included angle A1 is an obtuse angle.

[0036]

number

[0037] If the included angle of the sensing region SR is 150 degrees, for example, when the bias angle α is greater than 15 degrees, the first included angle A1 between the first edge SR1 of the sensing region SR and the long axis LX1 can be greater than 90 degrees. In other words, through the design of the bias angle α, a corresponding (or expected) first included angle A1 can be obtained.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 7 , a schematic diagram of a sensing probe 330 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sensing probe 330 may include a piezoelectric module 131 (not shown), a circuit board 332, a back frame 135 (not shown), a backing layer 136 (not shown), an acoustic lens 137, and a positioning member 138. The fabrication method of the sensing probe 330 is the same as or similar to the fabrication method of the ultrasonic module SM described above, and will not be further described. The sensing probe 330 includes the same or similar technical features as the ultrasonic module SM described above, with at least one difference being that the connectors 133 and 150 of the sensing probe 330 can be omitted, and the flexible circuit board 132 and the circuit board 140 are configured as a circuit board 332. The circuit board 332 is, for example, a flexible circuit board.

[0039] 7, the circuit board 332 includes a first sub-circuit board 3321 and a second sub-circuit board 3322 that are connected (directly or indirectly). When the circuit board 332 is connected to the back frame 135, the first sub-circuit board 3321 and the second sub-circuit board 3322 are connected to the arc surface 135s (shown in FIG. 5A) of the back frame 135 and extend to opposite sides of the back frame 135, respectively, and are separated from each other. The first sub-circuit board 3321 includes a first portion 3321A and a second portion 3321B that are connected, and the second sub-circuit board 3322 includes a third portion 3322A and a fourth portion 3322B that are connected. Among these, the first portion 3321A of the first sub-circuit board 3321 and the third portion 3322A of the second sub-circuit board 3322 are not connected, and the second portion 3321B of the first sub-circuit board 3321 and the fourth portion 3322B of the second sub-circuit board 3322 are not connected. In another embodiment, the first portion 3321A of the first sub-circuit board 3321 and the third portion 3322A of the second sub-circuit board 3322 are connected, but the second portion 3321B of the first sub-circuit board 3321 and the fourth portion 3322B of the second sub-circuit board 3322 may be connected to each other.

[0040] As described above, an embodiment of the present invention proposes an ultrasound detection device. The ultrasound detection device includes a biased sensing probe, which can detect areas closer to the needles. This is advantageous for more accurately aligning the needles with the acceptor's target, and can improve the well-known blind spot problem. Furthermore, when the needles are not moved forward (moving the needles forward can improve the blind spot problem, but it causes discomfort to the human body and is not ergonomic), the biased sensing probe can improve the blind spot problem.

[0041] As described above, the present invention has been described as an example, but is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is subject to those defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An ultrasonic detection device, comprising: a housing including a front section and an end section having a longitudinal axis connected thereto; a group of puncture needles connected to the front section; a sensing probe disposed at said end; Including, The ultrasonic detection device, wherein the sensing probe is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and is positionally biased toward the needle group.

2. 2. The ultrasonic detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing probe is used to generate ultrasonic waves, and an edge of a sensing area of ​​the ultrasonic waves is substantially perpendicular to a puncture direction of the puncture needle group.

3. 2. The ultrasonic detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing probe is used to generate ultrasonic waves, and the ends of the needles are located within a sensing area of ​​the ultrasonic waves.

4. 2. The ultrasonic detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing probe is used to generate ultrasonic waves, and the ends of the needles are close to but do not enter a sensing area of ​​the ultrasonic waves.

5. 2. The ultrasonic detection device of claim 1, wherein the sensing probe is used to generate ultrasonic waves, and an edge of the ultrasonic wave sensing area is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

6. 2. The ultrasonic detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing probe is used to generate ultrasonic waves, and an edge of the ultrasonic sensing region forms an obtuse angle with the major axis.

7. 2. The ultrasonic detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing probe is used to generate ultrasonic waves, and the sensing area of ​​the ultrasonic waves is less than 180 degrees.

8. 2. The ultrasonic detection device of claim 1, wherein the sensing probe is used to generate ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic sensing area has a first edge and a second edge, a first included angle between the first edge and the major axis, and a second included angle between the second edge and the major axis, the first included angle and the second included angle being different.

9. 9. The ultrasonic detection device of claim 8, wherein the first included angle is substantially 90 degrees and the second included angle is substantially 60 degrees.

10. 2. The ultrasonic detection device of claim 1, wherein the front portion includes opposing first and second sides, the end portion protruding from the first side, the group of puncture needles positioned adjacent to the second side, and the sensing probe positionally biased toward the second side.

11. 11. The ultrasonic detection device according to claim 1, wherein the end portion has an aperture, the outer shape of the aperture matches the sensing probe, the sensing probe is disposed in the aperture, the aperture is disposed asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, and is positionally biased toward the group of puncture needles.

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