Ultrasonic probe

Abstract

To improve the operability of ultrasonic probes. [Solution] The ultrasonic probe 10 has a head portion 12 that is long in the front-to-back direction and contains a transducer array 15 in which transducers that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from a subject are arranged, and a rod-shaped grip portion 14 connected to the head portion 12. At least one of the front, rear, left, and right sides 14a, 14b, 14c of the grip portion 14 has at least one finger-holding groove 20, 22 formed on that side. Each finger-holding groove 20, 22 extends along the horizontal plane, and a groove edge step 28 is formed on the side edge of each finger-holding groove, but no step is formed on the end edge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe, and particularly to the shape of an ultrasound probe. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasound probes that transmit and receive ultrasound to and from a subject are known. Based on the received ultrasound, an ultrasound image such as a tomographic image used for ultrasound diagnosis or the like is formed. The ultrasound probe has a head portion and a grip portion. A transducer array is incorporated in the head portion. An operator holds the grip portion and brings the head portion into contact with a diagnostic site of the subject. Then, an operation of changing the position and posture of the ultrasound probe is performed so as to obtain an ultrasound image suitable for diagnosis. Furthermore, the ultrasound probe may be pushed into the subject depending on the situation.

[0003] Various shapes have been proposed for the shape of the ultrasound probe in consideration of the site of the subject against which the head portion is brought into contact, and the operability for the operator, that is, the ease of adjusting the position and posture of the ultrasound probe. Furthermore, reduction of the physical burden on the operator, such as resistance to fatigue during long-time operation and resistance to occurrence of finger fatigue, is also considered. In particular, the shape of the grip portion is required to be a shape suitable for handling such as changing the position and posture of the ultrasound probe, holding, pressing, and lifting, and the grip feeling corresponding to various holding manners. Various shapes have been proposed for the shape of the grip portion as in the following documents. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1 Specification of Japanese Patent No. 6677049 Patent Document 2 Specification of Japanese Patent No. 4616750 Patent Document 3 Design Registration No. 1593697 Publication Patent Document 4 Design Registration No. 1591725 Publication Summary of Invention [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] There is room for improvement in the shape of the ultrasonic probe, especially the shape of the grip. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The ultrasonic probe of the present invention comprises a head portion containing a transducer array in which transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject are arranged, and a rod-shaped grip portion connected to the head portion. At least one of the front, rear, left, and right sides of the grip portion has at least one finger-holding portion formed on that side, and each finger-holding portion has a hooking portion on the edge on the head portion side and on the edge opposite the head portion side for the operator's fingers to hook onto, with the operator's fingers fitting between the hooking portions. The hooking portions extend along a horizontal plane which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the head portion and the longitudinal axis of the grip portion and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head portion. Furthermore, there is no hooking portion for the operator's fingers to hook onto at the end edge of the finger-holding portion in the direction in which the hooking portions extend.

[0007] When the operator pushes the ultrasound probe toward the subject, or moves it away from the subject, the operator's fingers catch on the gripping edges of the finger-holding section, preventing slippage. When the operator rotates the grip section around its longitudinal axis, the rotation is not hindered because there are no gripping edges on the finger-holding section.

[0008] In the ultrasonic probe described above, the finger-holding portion may be provided on the left and right sides of the grip portion. This ultrasonic probe can accommodate a grip portion holding method in which the probe is held between the thumb and one or more fingers opposite it.

[0009] In the ultrasonic probe described above, the finger-holding portion may be provided on the front side in addition to the left and right sides of the grip portion. This ultrasonic probe can accommodate a variety of holding configurations.

[0010] In the ultrasonic probe described above, the bottom surface of the finger-holding portion, which is the surface between the gripping portions, may be flat in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. Regardless of where the finger is placed within the finger-holding portion in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the operator can hold the ultrasonic probe with the same sensation.

[0011] In the ultrasonic probe described above, at least one finger-holding portion formed on one side may be a plurality of finger-holding portions arranged along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion. By providing a plurality of finger-holding portions, it is possible to accommodate various holding methods and to prevent slippage of the fingers or palm at multiple points.

[0012] In the ultrasonic probe described above, the multiple finger-holding sections may be arranged with a gap between adjacent finger-holding sections.

[0013] In the ultrasonic probe described above, the finger-holding portion may have a groove shape extending along the horizontal plane described above, and the gripping portion may be a groove edge step formed on the edge of the groove shape.

[0014] In the ultrasonic probe described above, the radius of curvature of the grip surface in the aforementioned horizontal plane may be larger than that of the bottom surface of the finger-holding portion adjacent to the finger-holding portion. A groove is formed by the difference in radius of curvature. The bottom surface of the finger-holding portion may be flat, in which case the orientation of the transducer array, i.e., the front-to-back direction, can be easily determined from the feel of holding the grip portion.

[0015] In the ultrasonic probe described above, the grip portion may be coupled to the heel portion of the head portion and may be positioned diagonally upward and backward with respect to the direction of the transducer arrangement. Furthermore, a step may be formed on the rear side of the grip portion such that it is thinner on the head side than the finger-holding portion located closest to the head portion, and thicker on the opposite side from the head portion than the finger-holding portion located closest to the head portion. The thinner head side of the grip portion stabilizes the position of the fingers that contact the rear side of the grip portion, allowing the ultrasonic probe to be held firmly.

[0016] In the ultrasonic probe described above, a constricted portion that is constricted rearward may be formed in a portion of the front side surface of the grip portion adjacent to the head portion. When observing the bending and stretching state of a finger, interference of the fingertip with the grip portion can be suppressed.

[0017] An ultrasonic probe according to another aspect of the present invention includes a head portion incorporating a transducer array in which transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject are arranged, and a rod-shaped grip portion coupled to the head portion. At least one finger holding groove is formed on at least one of the front, rear, left and right side surfaces of the grip portion. Each finger holding groove extends along a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the head portion and the longitudinal axis of the grip portion and is parallel to the arrangement direction of the transducers. A step is formed on the side edge of each of the finger holding grooves, and no step is formed on the end edge. [Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0018] During operations of directing and pressing the ultrasonic probe toward the diagnostic site of a subject and operations of separating the ultrasonic probe from the subject, the catch portion formed on the side edge of the finger holding portion suppresses slipping of the operator's finger. [Brief Description of Drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a finger holding groove provided in the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the grip portion of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a vertical cross-sectional view of the finger holding groove portion of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. [Figure 7]This is a side view showing an ultrasonic probe having a portion constricted rearward at a section adjacent to the head portion on the front side surface of the grip portion. [Figure 8] This is a rear view of the ultrasonic probe in which a finger holding groove is formed on the rear side surface. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic shape of the ultrasonic probe 10 of the present embodiment. The ultrasonic probe 10 has a head portion 12 and a grip portion 14. The head portion 12 incorporates a transducer array 15 (see Figure 2) formed by arranged ultrasonic transducers. The grip portion 14 is a part gripped by an operator during operation, and has a substantially rod shape. The axis along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 14 is referred to as axis G (see Figure 2). The head portion 12 is coupled to one end of the grip portion 14. The end of the grip portion 14 on the side to which the head portion 12 is coupled is referred to as a hosel 16. The ultrasonic probe 10 is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (not shown) via a cable (not shown). A cable boot 17 is coupled to the end of the grip portion 14 opposite to the hosel 16. The end of the grip portion 14 to which the cable boot 17 is coupled is referred to as a grip end 18.

[0021] Figure 2 is a side view showing the left side of the ultrasonic probe 10, and Figure 3 is a front view of the ultrasonic probe 10. The right side surface of the ultrasonic probe 10 appears symmetrically to Figure 2.

[0022] The azimuth direction AZ (see Figure 4), which is the arrangement direction of the numerous ultrasonic transducers forming the transducer array 15, is the left-right direction in Figure 2, and the direction along this direction is defined as the X-axis direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The positive direction of the X-axis (direction of arrow X in Figure 2) is forward, and the negative direction is backward. Of the directions perpendicular to the azimuth direction (X-axis direction), the direction within the plane of Figure 2 is defined as the Z-axis direction, with the positive direction of the Z-axis (direction of arrow Z in Figure 2) being upward, and the negative direction being downward. Furthermore, of the directions perpendicular to the azimuth direction (X-axis direction), the direction that penetrates the plane of Figure 2 perpendicularly is defined as the Y-axis direction, with the positive direction of the Y-axis (towards the viewer in Figure 2) being left, and the negative direction (towards the viewer in Figure 2) being right. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the azimuth direction AZ of the transducer array 15 is referred to as the elevation direction EL (see Figure 4). In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the relative positions, directions, and orientations shall follow the definitions above.

[0023] The longitudinal direction of the head portion 12 may coincide with the X-axis direction. Hereinafter, the direction along the longitudinal direction of the head portion 12 will be referred to as the front-to-back direction. The axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 12 will be referred to as axis H. The head portion 12 and the grip portion 14 are arranged so that their respective axes G and H (longitudinal axis) intersect, and the plane defined by these two axes G and H, that is, the plane containing these axes G and H, will be referred to as the median plane. The ultrasonic probe 10 may have a symmetrical shape with respect to the median plane. Furthermore, the plane perpendicular to the median plane and parallel to axis H of the head portion 12 will be referred to as the horizontal plane. The median plane is perpendicular to the Y-axis, and the horizontal plane is perpendicular to the Z-axis.

[0024] The transducer array 15 is positioned on the lower surface of the head unit 12. The transducer array 15 may include an acoustic lens, which may become part of the housing that defines the outer shape of the head unit 12. In Figure 2, the transducer array 15 transmits an ultrasonic beam downwards. The transducer array 15 then receives the ultrasonic waves reflected within the subject.

[0025] The head portion 12 is generally a rectangular parallelepiped, and its upper surface may be inclined with respect to the X-axis so as to become slightly narrower towards the tip of the head portion 12, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. The grip portion 14 is connected to the rear end of the head portion 12 (hereinafter referred to as the heel portion 19). The grip portion 14 is positioned such that its axis G is oblique to the axis H of the head portion 12, both upward and backward. The axis G of the grip portion 14 may be connected to the heel portion 19 at an angle of 110 to 120° with respect to the axis H of the head portion 12. Alternatively, the grip portion 14 may be connected to the head portion 12 such that its rear end face is flush with the rear end face of the heel portion 19. Because the grip portion 14 is positioned at a rearward inclination on the heel portion 19 of the head portion 12, the ultrasonic probe 10 as a whole takes on a shape similar to a hockey stick.

[0026] The sides of the rod-shaped grip portion 14, namely the front side 14a, the rear side 14b, the left side 14c, and the right side 14d, are curved so as to be convex outward in the horizontal plane. Grooves extending along the horizontal plane are formed on the front side 14a, the left side 14c, and the right side 14d. These grooves allow the operator operating the ultrasonic probe 10 to hold their fingers in the grooves when they place their fingers in them, and are hereinafter referred to as finger-holding grooves. The finger-holding grooves provided on the front side 14a, the left side 14c, and the right side 14d are referred to as the front finger-holding groove 20, the left finger-holding groove 22, and the right finger-holding groove 24, respectively. In addition, three finger-holding grooves 20, 22, and 24 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 14 on each side 14a, 14c, and 14d, respectively.

[0027] Each of the three left-side finger-retaining grooves 22 extends along the X-axis, and the individual widths w (see Figure 4) may be 8 to 35 mm. Here, the width w of each finger-retaining groove 20, 22, 24 is the vertical dimension perpendicular to the direction in which the finger-retaining groove extends. The arrangement pitch p of the three left-side finger-retaining grooves may be 10 to 35 mm. The widths w and arrangement pitch p of the finger-retaining grooves 20, 22, 24 are selected so that there is a gap between adjacent finger-retaining grooves in the direction along the axis G of the grip portion 14. The front finger-retaining groove 20 may have the same width w as the left-side finger-retaining groove 22 and may be positioned in the same location as the left-side finger-retaining groove 22 in the Z-axis direction. The right-side finger-retaining groove 24 may be formed symmetrically with respect to the midline of the left-side finger-retaining groove 22.

[0028] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the grip portion 14 from the horizontal plane indicated by line AA in Figure 4. The cross-section shown in Figure 5 passes through the finger-holding grooves 20, 22, and 24. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the left finger-holding groove 22 and the surrounding grip portion 14 from the vertical plane indicated by line BB in Figure 4. The vertical plane indicated by line BB in Figure 4 is a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the finger-holding grooves 20, 22, and 24 extend. The internal mechanism of the ultrasonic probe 10 is omitted in Figures 5 and 6.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 14 is longer in the X-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction. Also, adjacent sides of the four sides 14a to 14d are connected by curved surfaces, resulting in a smooth connection without sharp corners. The cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 14 may be an ellipse or an oblong. Here, the ellipse or oblong is not limited to a mathematically defined ellipse, but includes shapes obtained by stretching a circle in one direction. As mentioned above, finger-holding grooves are formed on the sides of the grip portion 14. The surface of the grip portion 14 other than the finger-holding groove area is referred to as the general surface 26.

[0030] The shape of each finger-holding groove will be explained using the left-side finger-holding groove 22 as an example. For simplicity of notation, the left-side finger-holding groove 22 will be simply referred to as finger-holding groove 22. The front-side finger-holding groove 20 and the right-side finger-holding groove 24 have the same configuration as the left-side finger-holding groove 22.

[0031] The finger-holding groove 22 is formed recessed from the general surface 26 in the Z-axis direction (see Figure 6). The bottom surface 22a of the finger-holding groove 22 is located lower than the general surface 26 in the portion adjacent to the groove 22 (i.e., inside the grip portion 14). A step is formed between the general surface 26 and the edge of the finger-holding groove 22 on the hosel 16 side and the edge on the grip end 18 side. This step is referred to as the groove edge step 28, and when it is necessary to distinguish between the hosel side and the grip end side steps, it is referred to as the hosel side groove edge step 28L and the grip end side groove edge step 28U. The groove edge step 28 is formed with the general surface 26 as the higher side of the step and the bottom surface 22a of the finger-holding groove as the lower side. A wall surface 22b is provided between the higher side (general surface 26) and the lower side (bottom surface 22a). The wall surface 22b may be inclined. Furthermore, the wall surface 22b may be a concave curved surface and may connect smoothly with the bottom surface 22a. The depth h of the finger holding groove 22 may be 0.3 to 0.4 mm at its deepest point.

[0032] The bottom surface 22a of the finger-holding groove may be curved convexly outward in the horizontal plane. The radius of curvature of the bottom surface 22a of the finger-holding groove in the horizontal plane is greater than the radius of curvature of the general surface 26 adjacent to the finger-holding groove 22 in the vertical direction. The bottom surface 22a of the finger-holding groove may also be flat. No steps are formed at the front edge 22c and rear edge 22d of the finger-holding groove 22, and the bottom surface 22a is directly connected to the general surface 26 of the grip portion (see Figure 5). The line connecting the front end of the hosel side groove edge step 28L and the grip end side groove edge step 28U is the front edge 22c of the finger-holding groove 22. The line connecting the rear end of the hosel side groove edge step 28L and the grip end side groove edge step 28U is the rear edge 22d of the finger-holding groove 22.

[0033] When operating the ultrasound probe 10, the operator can hold the ultrasound probe 10 by placing their fingers in the appropriate finger-holding grooves 20, 22, and 24. When the operator brings the ultrasound probe 10 into contact with the diagnostic site of the subject, the operator's fingers catch on the hosel-side groove edge step (hosel-side groove edge step 28L in the case of the left finger-holding groove 22), especially its wall surface 22b, preventing the fingers from slipping and keeping the fingers within the finger-holding groove 22. Furthermore, when the operator pushes the ultrasound probe 10 further into contact with the diagnostic site, the operator's fingers catch on the hosel-side groove edge step 28L, preventing the fingers from slipping and keeping the fingers within the finger-holding groove 22. In addition, the fact that the fingers catch on the hosel-side groove edge step 28L ensures that the force pressing the ultrasound probe 10 against the diagnostic site is reliably transmitted to the ultrasound probe 10. When the operator moves the ultrasound probe 10 away from the diagnostic site of the subject, the operator's fingers catch on the step at the edge of the grip end groove (or the step 28U at the edge of the grip end groove in the case of the left finger holding groove 22), particularly its wall surface 22b, preventing the fingers from slipping and holding the probe within the finger holding groove 22. Even when the operator holds the ultrasound probe 10 using their palm and fingers, the palm, along with the fingers, catches on the step 28L at the edge of the hosel groove or the step 28U at the edge of the grip end groove, preventing the fingers and palm from slipping.

[0034] When the operator rotates the ultrasonic probe 10 around the axis G of the rod-shaped grip portion 14, the absence of steps on the edges of both sides of the finger-holding grooves 20, 22, and 24 in the direction in which the grooves extend allows for smooth rotation without the fingers or palm getting caught on any steps.

[0035] The finger-holding grooves 20, 22, and 24 are one embodiment of the finger-holding portion. The groove edge step 28 formed on the edge of the groove shape is a gripping portion on which the operator's fingers catch when the operator operates the ultrasonic probe 10. The operator's fingers are placed between the two gripping portions. The embodiment of the finger-holding portion is not limited to a groove shape. For example, the finger-holding portion may consist of a pair of protrusions that rise from the surface of the grip portion 14 and extend along the surface, and the surface of the grip portion 14 between these protrusions. These protrusions extend along the horizontal plane. The pair of protrusions correspond to the gripping portions. The tops of the protrusions may be rounded. The finger-holding portion may be a region enclosed by the two gripping portions and a line connecting the ends of the two gripping portions. The two gripping portions and the line connecting the ends of the two gripping portions are the edges that define the finger-holding portion.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, a step is provided on the rear side surface 14b of the grip portion 14. This step is referred to as the rear step 30. The rear step 30 consists of a high surface 30a, a low surface 30b, and a transition surface 30c connecting them. The high surface 30a and the low surface 30b may be approximately parallel surfaces, and the transition surface 30c may be inclined with respect to the high surface 30a and the low surface 30b. The transition surface 30c is located at approximately the same position as the finger-holding groove 22 closest to the hosel 16 in the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 14. The high surface 30a is located towards the grip end 18 from the position of the middle finger-holding groove 22 in the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 14, and the low surface 30b is located towards the head portion 12 from the position of the finger-holding groove 22 on the hosel 16 side. Due to the rear step 30, the grip portion 14 is narrower on the hosel side and wider on the grip end side.

[0037] Figure 7 is a side view showing the external shape of an ultrasonic probe 40 of another embodiment. The ultrasonic probe 40 has a constricted portion 42 formed in the region of the front side surface 14a of the grip portion 14 on the hosel 16 side. Except for the formation of the constricted portion 42, it has the same configuration as the ultrasonic probe 10 described above. The constricted portion 42 is provided on the front side surface 14a of the grip portion 14, in the portion adjacent to the head portion 12, and is constricted toward the rear. The constricted portion 42 may be provided in the corner portion formed by the upper surface 12a of the head portion 12 and the front side surface 14a of the grip portion 14. The constricted portion 42 may also be formed toward the rear. The upper surface 12a of the head portion 12 extends straight into the region of the constricted portion 42, and the length of the upper surface 12a of the head portion 12 is longer than in the case without the constricted portion 42. For example, when diagnosing a subject's finger, the lower surface of the head portion 12 is brought into contact with the ventral side of the subject's finger and the position of the proximal phalanx to observe the flexion and extension of the subject's finger. With the head portion 12 still in contact with the ventral side of the subject's finger and the position of the proximal phalanx, the subject's finger joint is bent so as to wrap the finger around the tip of the head portion 12. At this time, the constricted portion 42 prevents the subject's fingertip from interfering with the grip portion 14.

[0038] Figure 8 is a rear view showing another embodiment of the ultrasonic probe 50. The ultrasonic probe 50 has a grip portion 14 with a rear finger-holding groove 52 formed on the rear side surface 14b. Except for the rear finger-holding groove 52, the configuration is the same as that of the ultrasonic probe 10 described above. Three rear finger-holding grooves 52 are arranged on the rear side surface 14b of the grip portion, along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 14, with spacing between adjacent rear finger-holding grooves 52. The position of the rear finger-holding grooves 52 in the Z-axis direction may be the same as that of the other finger-holding grooves 20, 22, 24. The shape of each rear finger-holding groove 52 may be the same as that of the left-side finger-holding groove 22 described above, and the groove depth h and groove width w may also be the same as those of the other finger-holding grooves 20, 22, 24.

[0039] In the ultrasonic probes 10, 40, and 50 described above, three finger-holding grooves are provided on one side, but the number of finger-holding grooves is not limited to three. One, two, or four or more finger-holding grooves may be provided on one side. The number of finger-holding grooves provided on each side does not have to be the same.

[0040] Furthermore, the finger-holding grooves formed on the grip portion 14 may be formed on only one, two, three, or all of the four sides. For example, the finger-holding grooves may be formed only on the front side 14a, or only on the left and right sides 14b and 14c. When finger-holding grooves are formed on multiple sides, the width of the finger-holding grooves and their position in the Z-axis direction may be the same across the sides. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10, 40, 50 Ultrasonic probe, 12 Head section, 14 Grip section, 15 Transducer array, 20 Front finger retention groove, 22 Left side finger retention groove, 24 Right side finger retention groove, 26 General surface (of the grip section), 28 Groove edge step, 30 Rear surface step, 42 Narrow section, 52 Rear finger retention groove.

Claims

1. It incorporates a transducer array in which transducers that transmit and receive ultrasound to and from the subject are arranged, and has a head section that is long in the front-to-back direction, A rod-shaped grip portion connected to the head portion, It has, At least one of the front, rear, left, and right sides of the grip portion has at least one finger-holding portion formed on that side, and the finger-holding portion has a hooking portion on the edge on the head portion side and on the edge opposite to the head portion side for the operator's fingers to hook onto, and the operator's fingers fit between the hooking portions, The aforementioned gripping portion extends along a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the head portion and the longitudinal axis of the grip portion, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head portion. The edge of the finger-holding portion in the direction in which the aforementioned hooking portion extends does not have a hooking portion for the operator's finger to catch on. Ultrasonic probe.

2. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the finger holding portion is provided on the left side and the right side of the grip portion.

3. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the finger holding portion is further provided on the front side surface of the grip portion.

4. An ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom surface of the finger holding portion, which is the surface between the gripping portions, is flat in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

5. An ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one finger-holding portion formed on one side is a plurality of finger-holding portions arranged along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion.

6. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of finger-holding portions are arranged with a gap between adjacent finger-holding portions.

7. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, wherein the finger holding portion has a groove shape extending along the horizontal plane, and the gripping portion is a groove edge step formed at the edge of the groove shape.

8. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 7, wherein the radius of curvature of the surface of the grip portion in the horizontal plane is greater than the portion adjacent to the finger holding portion at the bottom surface of the finger holding portion.

9. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, The grip portion is coupled to the heel portion of the head portion and is positioned diagonally upward and backward with respect to the direction of the transducer arrangement. On the rear side of the grip portion, a step is formed such that the part closer to the head portion is thinner than the finger-holding portion located closest to the head portion, and the part on the opposite side of the head portion is thicker than the finger-holding portion located closest to the head portion. Ultrasonic probe.

10. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, wherein a constricted portion is formed on the front side of the grip portion adjacent to the head portion, constricting toward the rear.

11. A head unit that is long in the front-to-back direction and contains a transducer array in which transducers that transmit and receive ultrasound to and from the subject are arranged, A rod-shaped grip portion connected to the head portion, It has, At least one of the front, rear, left, and right sides of the grip portion has at least one finger-holding groove formed on that side, and each of the finger-holding grooves extends along a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the head portion and the longitudinal axis of the grip portion and parallel to the front-rear direction, and a step is formed on the side edge of each of the finger-holding grooves, but no step is formed on the end edge. Ultrasonic probe.

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