Ultrasound probe

Abstract

To allow an ultrasonic probe to be held easily in whichever of a plurality of types of holding.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment includes a tip part, a trunk part, and an end part. The tip part is provided with an ultrasonic transducer. The trunk part is narrower in width than the tip part. The end part is positioned on an opposite side of the tip part in the trunk part, and is connected to a cable. The trunk part has a tip side and end side that are shaped thinner than a middle part between the tip side and the end side. Around the cable in the end part, there are provided a first part to which a finger of a user is hooked and a second part other than the first part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] An ultrasound probe may be held by a user such as a doctor and used by pressing it against the surface of a subject's body. Users of ultrasound probes have various preferences, and each user holds and uses the ultrasound probe in their own way. For example, there are the following three ways to hold an ultrasound probe.

[0003] The first way is to hold the ultrasound probe in the palm of the hand, which is clenched like a fist. The second way is to support one side of the body with the thumb, the other side with the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, and hold the buttocks from above with the index finger. The third way is to hold the ultrasound probe by pinching both sides of the body with the thumb and index finger, and placing the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger in turn on the index finger or the back of the body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-10255 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-276267 [Patent Document 3] JP 2003-339706 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional ultrasonic probes are desired to have a shape that is easy for users to hold. However, as described above, the way in which an ultrasonic probe is held varies from user to user. For this reason, ultrasonic probes are often shaped so that they are easy to hold in one way but difficult to hold in another way, and it is difficult to say that they are shaped to be easy to hold in a plurality of ways.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to make it easy to hold an ultrasound probe in a plurality of ways. However, the problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The ultrasonic probe of the embodiment has a tip portion, a body portion, and a bottom portion. An ultrasonic transducer is provided at the tip portion. The body portion is narrower than the tip portion. The bottom portion is located on the opposite side of the tip portion of the body portion, and a cable is connected to the body portion. The tip side portion and bottom side portion of the body portion are each narrower than an intermediate portion between the tip side portion and the bottom side portion. A first portion for a user to hook a finger on during use, and a second portion other than the first portion are formed around the cable at the bottom portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe 1 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the ultrasonic probe 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 3. [Figure 5A] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a finger hook 31 of an ultrasonic probe 2 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a non-finger hook portion 32 of the ultrasonic probe 2. [Figure 6]FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a finger hook 35 of a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted.

[0010] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe 1 according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the first embodiment includes a tip portion 10, a body portion 20, a butt portion 30, and a bush 40. The tip portion of the bush 40 is connected to the butt portion 30. The tip portion 10, the body portion 20, and the butt portion 30 are integrally formed and covered by an outer casing member made of, for example, resin.

[0011] In the following description, positional relationships and the like will be described using an XYZ coordinate system as appropriate. The Z direction represents the direction from the tip 10 of the ultrasonic probe to the tail 30. The X direction represents the direction from one side of the tip 10 to the other side on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the Z direction. The Y direction represents one direction perpendicular to the X direction on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the Z direction. Furthermore, for convenience, the tip 10 side of the ultrasonic probe 1 is referred to as the top side, and the tail 30 side is referred to as the bottom side.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a side view of the ultrasonic probe 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the tip portion 10 has an elongated shape that is long in one direction (X direction). The tip portion 10 includes an ultrasonic transducer 12 provided inside an outer casing member. The ultrasonic transducer 12 includes a plurality of vibration elements 13. As the vibration elements 13, for example, a capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) is used.

[0013] The multiple vibration elements 13 are arranged in a row along the X direction, for example. The vibration elements 13 may be arranged in multiple rows in the X direction and the Y direction. The ultrasonic transducer 12 emits ultrasonic waves from the tip surface of the tip portion 10 toward the subject. The ultrasonic transducer 12 receives reflected waves of the emitted ultrasonic waves from the subject. The tip surface of the tip portion 10 that emits ultrasonic waves forms a surface with a small curvature that is close to a flat surface. The tip portion 10 is generally curved.

[0014] The body 20 is formed between the tip 10 and the butt 30. For example, the length (width) of the body 20 in the X direction is longer (wider) than the length (width) in the Y direction. The body 20 includes, for example, a tip side portion 21 located at the tip 10, an intermediate portion 22 adjacent to the butt 30 side of the tip side portion 21, and an butt side portion 23 adjacent to the butt 30 side of the intermediate portion 22. The tip side portion 21 and the butt side portion 23 of the body 20 each have a narrower shape than the intermediate portion 22. Therefore, the body 20 has, for example, a barrel shape. The body 20 has a rounded curved shape overall.

[0015] The butt portion 30 is provided on the side of the body portion 20 opposite the tip portion 10. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the ultrasonic probe 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the butt portion 30 is provided with a finger hook portion 31 and a non-finger hook portion 32, each of which is provided around a cable 50 connected to a bush 40. The finger hook portion 31 is a portion on which a user hooks his / her finger during use. The non-finger hook portion 32 is a portion around the cable 50 other than the finger hook portion 31. The finger hook portions 31 and the non-finger hook portions 32 are alternately arranged in four places around the cable 50. The finger hook portion 31 is an example of a first portion. The non-finger hook portion 32 is an example of a second portion.

[0016] 4 is a cross-sectional view of line AA in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the finger hook 31 has a generally planar portion and a curved portion that curves from the outer end of the planar portion toward the tip portion 10. The non-finger hook 32 is generally curved. The finger hook 31 has, for example, a so-called "shouldered" shape that protrudes toward the cable 50 side from the non-finger hook 32. The four finger hooks 31 have approximately the same shape. The two non-finger hooks 32 that face each other across the cable 50 have approximately the same shape. The transition between the finger hooks 31 and the non-finger hooks 32 is a smooth shape. The outer shape of the ultrasonic probe 1 is a shape that does not include a sharp portion.

[0017] 3, the area of ​​the finger hook portion 31 is smaller than that of the non-finger hook portion 32 when the ultrasonic probe 1 is viewed from the bottom side. The finger hook portion 31 may be larger than the non-finger hook portion 32. The multiple finger hook portions 31 may have different shapes, or some of the multiple finger hook portions 31 may have the same shape and other parts may have different shapes. Similarly, the non-finger hook portions 32 may have different shapes, or some of the multiple finger hook portions 31 may have the same shape and other parts may have different shapes.

[0018] Part of the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 are disposed adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction of the vibration elements 13 in terms of their positional relationship with the ultrasonic transducer 12. More specifically, the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 are disposed adjacent to each other on a straight line extending in the X direction passing through the side of the bush 40. Moreover, other parts of the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 are disposed adjacent to each other along a direction intersecting, for example, perpendicular to, the arrangement direction of the vibration elements 13.

[0019] A bush 40 is attached to the tail 30. The cable 50 extends from the rear end of the bush 40. The bush 40 is, for example, a member with a fixed shape. The bush 40 may be a flexible member. The cable 50 is electrically connected to the inside of the ultrasonic probe 1. The bush 40 protects the connection portion of the cable 50 with the tail 30.

[0020] The bushing 40 has a polygonal, e.g., rectangular, or rhombus, cross section cut perpendicular to the central axis C. The cross section of the bushing 40 cut perpendicular to the central axis C may be a polygon such as a pentagon or hexagon, a regular polygon such as a regular pentagon or regular hexagon, or a polygonal shape including curves such as a circle, or a shape combining straight lines and curves such as an oval. Two vertices of the rhombus formed by the bushing 40 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the tip portion 10.

[0021] The bushing 40 has two sets of diagonal vertices. The two vertices in one set (hereinafter referred to as the "first set") of the two sets of vertices in the bushing 40 are spaced apart, for example, in the X direction, and the two vertices in the other set (hereinafter referred to as the "second set") are spaced apart, for example, in the Y direction. The distance between the two vertices in the first set is longer than the distance between the two vertices in the second set. The distance between the two vertices in the first set may be equal to the distance between the two vertices in the second set, or the distance between the two vertices in the second set may be longer than the distance between the two vertices in the first set.

[0022] Finger hooks 31 are provided at positions facing each side of the rectangular bushing 40. Thus, finger hooks 31 are provided corresponding to the sides of the cross-sectional polygonal shape of the bushing 40. Non-finger hooks 32 are provided at positions facing the vertices of the bushing 40. Thus, non-finger hooks 32 are provided corresponding to the vertices of the cross-sectional polygonal shape of the bushing 40.

[0023] Finger hook portion 31 and non-finger hook portion 32 are disposed symmetrically about central axis C. Finger hook portion 31 is provided corresponding to the sides of bush 40 having a polygonal cross section, and non-finger hook portion 32 is provided corresponding to the vertices of bush 40, thereby making it possible to increase the area of ​​finger hook portion 31 where fingers can be hooked.

[0024] The positional relationship between the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 may be any. For example, the non-finger hook portion 32 may be provided at a position facing each side of the bush 40, or the finger hook portion 31 may be provided at a position facing each side of the bush 40. Alternatively, the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 may be provided at a position facing the apex of the bush 40, or the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 may be provided at a position facing each side of the bush 40. Furthermore, the finger hook portion 31 may be subjected to an anti-slip treatment, for example, a matte-finished uneven shape.

[0025] The ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment has a barrel-shaped body 20. This makes it easy to hold the ultrasonic probe 1 in the first and third holding styles. The body 20 of the ultrasonic probe 1 is barrel-shaped, and a finger hook 31 is provided at the bottom 30. The finger hook 31 has a flat surface and is formed to face diagonally upward.

[0026] Therefore, when the user holds the ultrasonic probe 1 in the second holding position, the index finger can be easily held by the finger rest 31, making it easy to hold the ultrasonic probe 1 in the second holding position. Therefore, the user can easily hold the ultrasonic probe 1 in any of the first to third holding positions.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the four finger hooks 31 have the same shape, but the four finger hooks 31 may have different shapes. The finger hooks 31 may be arranged randomly, not symmetrically. In this case, the multiple finger hooks 31 with different shapes may be formed by cutting one of the finger hooks 31 or by thickening one of the finger hooks.

[0028] For example, when the four finger hooks 31 are an upper right finger hook, an upper left finger hook, a lower right finger hook, and a lower left finger hook, the upper right finger hook, the upper left finger hook, the lower right finger hook, and the lower left finger hook may be of the same shape. In this case, the finger hooks 31 have a shape that is plane-symmetrical with respect to a plane that passes through the central axis C and is perpendicular to the X-axis. Therefore, for example, even if a user has a different dominant hand, the ultrasonic probe 1 can be easily held in the second holding manner.

[0029] Alternatively, the upper right finger hook portion and the lower left finger hook portion, and the lower right finger hook portion and the upper left finger hook portion may have the same shape. In this case, the finger hook portion 31 has a relationship in which it has the same shape even when rotated 180 degrees around the central axis C. Therefore, for example, even when the user holds the ultrasonic probe 1 in a state rotated 180 degrees, the ultrasonic probe 1 can be easily held in the second holding manner.

[0030] Although the finger hooks 31 and non-finger hooks 32 are provided in four locations each, the number of locations may be more or less than four, and the number of finger hooks 31 and non-finger hooks 32 do not have to be the same. The finger hooks 31 have a flat portion in part, but this flat portion may be curved. The curvature of this curved surface may be greater than that of the curved surface of the non-finger hooks 32, for example.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the finger hook 31 and the non-finger hook 32 are provided on the buttock 30, but the finger hook 31 and the non-finger hook 32 may be provided in other positions. For example, the finger hook 31 and the non-finger hook 32 may be provided on the bush 40 in addition to the buttock 30 or together with the buttock 30.

[0032] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment is different from the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment mainly in the form of the buttocks. The ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a finger hook portion 31 of an ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment. Fig. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a non-finger hook portion 32 of an ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment. When viewed from the buttock side, the ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment has a similar shape to the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5A corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5B corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 3.

[0034] In the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment, the finger hook portion 31 has a flat portion. In contrast, in the ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment, the surface of the finger hook portion 31 is curved. In the ultrasonic probe 2, the non-finger hook portion 32 also has a curved surface.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5A, in the ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment, among the angles formed by the tangent to the surface of the finger hook 31 and the central axis C of the torso 20, the angle that is less than a right angle is defined as a first angle θ1. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, among the angles formed by the tangent to the non-finger hook 32 and the central axis C of the torso 20, the angle that is less than a right angle is defined as a second angle θ2. In this case, the angle formed by the surface of the buttocks 30 and the central axis C of the torso 20 differs between the finger hook 31 and the non-finger hook 32, and the first angle θ1 is smaller than the second angle θ2. The finger hook 31 is an example of the first region, and the non-finger hook 32 is an example of the second region.

[0036] In the ultrasonic probe 2, finger hooks 31 and non-finger hooks 32 are alternately arranged around the cable 50. Therefore, the angle between the surface of the butt 30 of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the central axis C of the body 20 alternates between large and small angles around the cable 50. In addition, the boundary (changing portion) between the finger hooks 31 and the non-finger hooks 32 forms a smooth seamless shape.

[0037] The ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment has the same effect as the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 2 of the second embodiment has a generally rounded shape. Therefore, the user can hold the ultrasonic probe 2 with little discomfort regardless of whether the user holds the ultrasonic probe 2 in the first to third holding ways.

[0038] The relationship between the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 described in the first embodiment may be applied to the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 in the second embodiment. For example, the first angle θ1 for each of the multiple finger hook portions 31 may be two different angles that are both greater than the second angle θ2. Furthermore, the finger hook portion 31 and the non-finger hook portion 32 may be arranged in positions that are symmetrical with respect to a plane, or may have a relationship in which they have the same shape even when rotated 180 degrees around the central axis C.

[0039] [Variations] A modified example of the above embodiment will be described. The ultrasonic probe of the modified example is different from the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment mainly in the finger hook. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the finger hook 35 of the modified example. As shown in FIG. 6, the finger hook 35 of the modified example includes a concave shape that is concave toward the tip 10 (see FIG. 1) side when viewed from the butt 30 side. One end side of the concave-shaped part of the finger hook 35 is connected to the bush 40 side. The other end side of the concave-shaped part extends directly toward the tip 10. The concave-shaped part and the other parts of the finger hook 35 are both smooth. In other respects, the finger hook 35 has the same configuration as the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment.

[0040] The recess in the recess-shaped portion of finger hook 35 is a portion that is formed assuming that a user will place his / her index finger thereon. For this reason, the depth of the recess is set to a depth assuming the protruding length of the pad of the user's finger, and the area of ​​the recess is set to a size large enough to cover the pad of the user's finger.

[0041] The ultrasonic probe of the modified example has the same effect as the ultrasonic probe 1 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe of the modified example has a finger hook 35 that is recessed. Therefore, when the user holds the ultrasonic probe in the second holding position, the index finger can be stabilized.

[0042] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the ultrasonic probe has a tip portion having an ultrasonic transducer, a body portion narrower than the tip portion, and a tail portion located on the opposite side of the tip portion of the body portion to which a cable is connected, and the tip side portion and the tail side portion of the body portion each have a narrower shape than the intermediate portion between the tip side portion and the tail side portion, and a finger hook portion for a user to hook their finger on when in use and a non-finger hook portion other than the finger hook portion are formed around the cable at the tail portion, making it easy to hold the ultrasonic probe in a variety of ways.

[0043] Although some 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, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1,2...Ultrasonic probe 10...Tip 12...Ultrasonic transducer 13...Vibration element 20…Torso 21...Tip side 22…Middle section 23…Buttocks 30...buttocks 31,35...Finger rest 32...Non-finger rest part 40…Bush 50…Cable C…Central axis θ1…1st angle θ2…Second angle

Claims

1. A tip portion provided with an ultrasonic transducer; A body portion narrower than the tip portion; a tail portion located on the opposite side of the tip portion of the body portion and to which a cable is connected; Equipped with The body portion has a barrel shape in which each of a front end portion and a rear end portion is narrower than an intermediate portion between the front end portion and the rear end portion, A first portion for a user to hook his / her finger around the cable in use and a second portion other than the first portion are formed around the cable in the rear portion, The first portion includes a concave shape that is concave toward the tip portion side when viewed from the butt portion side, Ultrasound probe.

2. The surface of the first portion is planar. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

3. Among the angles between the surface of the buttocks in the first portion and the central axis of the torso, an angle that is less than a right angle is defined as a first angle; When an angle between the surface of the buttocks in the second portion and the central axis of the torso is less than a right angle, the first angle is greater than the second angle; 3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1.

4. The first portion and the second portion are alternately formed. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3 .

5. The transition portion between the first portion and the second portion has a smooth shape.

5. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1.

6. The ultrasonic transducer includes a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a row at the tip portion, The first portion and the second portion are formed adjacent to each other along an arrangement direction of the vibration elements.

6. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is a casing.

7. The ultrasonic transducer includes a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a row at the tip portion, The first portion and the second portion are formed adjacent to each other along a direction intersecting an arrangement direction of the vibration elements.

7. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1.

8. A tip portion provided with an ultrasonic transducer; A body portion narrower than the tip portion; a tail portion located on the opposite side of the tip portion of the body portion and to which a cable is connected; Equipped with The body portion has a barrel shape in which each of a front end portion and a rear end portion is narrower than an intermediate portion between the front end portion and the rear end portion, A first portion for a user to hook his / her finger around the cable in use and a second portion other than the first portion are formed around the cable in the rear portion, a bushing for connecting the cable to the tail; A cross section of the bush taken perpendicular to the central axis of the body portion is polygonal, The first portion is provided in correspondence with a portion forming a side of the polygon, The second portion is provided in correspondence with a portion that constitutes a vertex of the polygon. Ultrasound probe.

9. A tip portion provided with an ultrasonic transducer; A body portion narrower than the tip portion; a tail portion located on the opposite side of the tip portion of the body portion and to which a cable is connected; Equipped with The body portion has a barrel shape in which each of a front end portion and a rear end portion is narrower than an intermediate portion between the front end portion and the rear end portion, A first portion for a user to hook his / her finger around the cable in use and a second portion other than the first portion are formed around the cable in the rear portion, a bushing for connecting the cable to the tail; A cross section of the bush taken perpendicular to the central axis of the body portion is polygonal, The tip portion has an elongated shape that is long in one direction, A cross section of the bush taken perpendicular to the central axis of the body portion is polygonal, the polygon is a rectangle, Two vertices of the polygon are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the tip. Ultrasound probe.

10. A tip portion provided with an ultrasonic transducer; A body portion narrower than the tip portion; a tail portion located on the opposite side of the tip portion of the body portion and to which a cable is connected; Equipped with The body portion has a barrel shape in which each of a front end portion and a rear end portion is narrower than an intermediate portion between the front end portion and the rear end portion, The buttock portion includes a first region and a second region in which angles formed between a surface of the buttock portion and a central axis of the body portion are different, The first region and the second region are alternately arranged around the cable, and a boundary between the first region and the second region is seamless. Ultrasound probe.

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