Puncture adapter, ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic probe unit

Abstract

To inhibit a sheath from being broken when being attached to an ultrasonic probe, which is the problem to be solved by an embodiment disclosed in the present specification and drawings.SOLUTION: A puncture adapter of an embodiment is attached to an ultrasonic probe that holds a puncture needle and includes an ultrasonic probe group. The puncture adapter has a puncture bracket capable of being fixed to the ultrasonic probe and a puncture needle guide to be attached to the puncture bracket. The puncture bracket is in a state not fixed to the ultrasonic probe when the puncture needle guide is not attached. The puncture bracket is made to be in a state fixed to the ultrasonic probe by the puncture needle guide being attached.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in the specification and drawings relate to a puncture adapter, an ultrasound probe, and an ultrasound probe unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In a puncture procedure using an ultrasonic probe, a puncture needle is used that is held by a puncture adapter attached to the ultrasonic probe. Since such a puncture procedure is performed, for example, with the ultrasonic probe in direct contact with an organ, the ultrasonic probe is covered with a sheath to prevent the ultrasonic probe from being contaminated. The puncture adapter is attached to the ultrasonic probe covered with the sheath.

[0003] Since the puncture needle is subjected to a load that propels it into the target puncture position, the puncture adapter attached to the ultrasound probe is required to have a sufficient locking force. In a conventional puncture adapter, for example, an elastic claw portion with a protrusion at the tip is moved while being shifted relative to a recess, and when the protrusion on the claw portion enters the recess, the claw portion is locked to the locking portion by the elastic force of the claw portion. However, since a sufficient locking force is required, there is a concern that the sheath may be torn due to friction between the protrusion of the claw portion and the ultrasound probe when the claw portion is locked to the recess. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-123112 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 3-116814 [Patent Document 3] JP 2009-72604 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to suppress breakage of the sheath when it is attached to an ultrasonic probe. 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]

[0006] The puncture adapter of the embodiment holds a puncture needle and is attached to an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic probe group. The puncture adapter has a puncture bracket that can be fixed to the ultrasonic probe and a puncture needle guide that is attached to the puncture bracket. The puncture bracket is in an unfixed state with respect to the ultrasonic probe when the puncture needle guide is not attached. The puncture bracket is in a fixed state with respect to the ultrasonic probe when the puncture needle guide is attached. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe unit M. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ultrasonic probe unit M. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a view of the ultrasonic probe 10 as seen from the right side. [Figure 4A] FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the right end portion of the puncture bracket 20. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the puncture needle guide 30 as seen from the front side. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the puncture needle guide 30 as seen from the rear side. [Figure 5C] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a first claw portion 35A and a second claw portion 35B. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a front view of the initial state in which the puncture bracket 20 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7A]FIG. 2 is a front view of the ultrasonic probe 10 in the intermediate stage of mounting the puncture bracket 20 thereon. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8A] FIG. 4 is a front view of a later stage in which the puncture bracket 20 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9A] FIG. 4 is a front view of the puncture bracket 20 and the puncture needle guide 30 attached by the fastener 40. [Figure 9B] Cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 9A. [Figure 10A] A diagram showing a first radius r1. [Figure 10B] A diagram showing the second radius r2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a puncture adapter, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic probe unit according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic probe unit M. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ultrasonic probe unit M. In the following description, the azimuth direction is defined as the X direction, the elevation direction as the Y direction, and the vibration radiation direction perpendicular to the azimuth and elevation directions as the Z direction. In the following description, the +X direction is defined as the "left direction", the -X direction as the "right direction", the +Y direction as the "forward direction", the -Y direction as the "backward direction", the +Z direction as the "downward direction", and the -Z direction as the "upward direction".

[0010] The ultrasonic probe unit M includes a puncture adapter 1 and an ultrasonic probe 10. The puncture adapter 1 can be attached to the ultrasonic probe 10. The ultrasonic probe 10 includes, for example, a handle 11, a head 12, and a transmitting / receiving surface 13.

[0011] The handle 11 is a portion that is held by an operator of the ultrasonic probe 10. A connection cable (not shown) is connected to the handle 11 on the side (upper side) opposite to the side (lower side) on which the head 12 is provided. The connection cable is connected to, for example, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device (not shown). Information may be transmitted and received between the ultrasonic probe 10 and the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device via the connection cable, or may be transmitted and received via wireless communication or the like without providing a connection cable.

[0012] The head 12 has a shape that protrudes in the +Z direction when viewed from the handle 11. The head 12 includes a head body 14 from which the handle 11 extends in the +Z direction, and a protrusion 15 that extends in the +X direction from the head body 14. A cutout 16 is formed on the side of the protrusion 15.

[0013] The cutout portion 16 is formed by cutting out a side of the head body 14 in the head 12. The protrusion portion 15 is the portion that remains after the cutout portion 16 of the head body 14 has been cut out. The protrusion portion 15 is provided on the rear side on the left side of the head body 14. The left side of the head body 14, in front of the protrusion portion 15, forms the cutout portion 16.

[0014] 3 is a view of the ultrasonic probe 10 as seen from the right side. Two recesses 17 spaced apart in the Y direction are provided on the end surface of the head body 14 in the -X direction. The recesses 17 are provided so that the surface of the head body 14 is recessed. The recesses 17 are an example of a locked portion.

[0015] 1, an ultrasonic transducer group 18 that generates ultrasonic waves is provided inside the head 12. The ultrasonic probe 10 transmits ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic transducer group 18 to a subject from a transmitting / receiving surface 13. The transmitting / receiving surface 13 receives reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves reflected by the subject.

[0016] The puncture adapter 1 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10 and holds the puncture needle. The puncture adapter 1 includes, for example, a puncture bracket 20, a puncture needle guide 30, and a stopper 40. The puncture bracket 20 covers the area surrounding the head 12 of the ultrasonic probe 10, excluding the notch 16. An opening is formed below the puncture bracket 20. From the opening of the puncture bracket 20, the transmitting / receiving surface 13 of the ultrasonic probe 10 is exposed.

[0017] The ultrasonic probe 10 is covered with a sheath 50. The sheath 50 is a flexible bag-shaped member. The puncture adapter 1 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10 covered with the sheath 50. Therefore, the sheath 50 is interposed between the ultrasonic probe 10 and the puncture bracket 20.

[0018] The puncture bracket 20 can be fixed to the ultrasonic probe 10. Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the puncture bracket 20. Fig. 4B is an enlarged perspective view of the right end of the puncture bracket 20. The puncture bracket 20 includes, for example, a first covering portion 21 that covers the side surface of the head body 14, a second covering portion 22 that covers the protrusion portion 15, and a partition portion 23 that is disposed at the portion that becomes the boundary with the cutout portion 16 in the head body 14.

[0019] The widths of the inner surface of the first covering part 21 in the X and Y directions are approximately the same as the widths of the head body 14 in the X and Y directions, respectively. Therefore, the head body 14 fits into the first covering part 21. Since the puncture bracket 20 has elasticity, the sheath 50 covering the ultrasonic probe 10 is sandwiched between the head body 14 and the first covering part 21.

[0020] Two protrusions 24 spaced apart in the Y direction are provided on the right inner side of the first covering portion 21. The two protrusions 24 can be fitted into and locked in two recesses 17 provided in the head 12 of the ultrasonic probe 10, respectively. When the puncture adapter 1 is finally attached to the ultrasonic probe 10, the protrusion 24 is locked in the recesses 17. The protrusion 24 is an example of a locking portion.

[0021] The widths of the inner surface of the second covering portion 22 in the Y and Z directions are approximately the same as the widths of the protrusion 15 in the Y and Z directions, respectively. Therefore, the protrusion 15 fits into the second covering portion 22. The sheath 50 covering the ultrasonic probe 10 is sandwiched between the protrusion 15 and the second covering portion 22.

[0022] A first receiving portion 25 is provided at the end of the second covering portion 22 in the +X direction. The first receiving portion 25 is capable of receiving the fastener 40 by fitting a part of the fastener 40 therein. The partition portion 23 is provided with a first opening 26A, a second opening 26B, and a third opening 26C. The first opening 26A is provided at the end of the partition portion 23 in the -Z direction. The second opening 26B is provided at a position shifted in the +Z direction from the first opening 26A, and the third opening 26C is provided at a position shifted in the +Z direction from the second opening 26B.

[0023] A first groove 27A and a second groove 27B are provided on the face of the partition 23 on the head body 14 side (right side). The first groove 27A is provided on the side of the second opening 26B, and the second groove 27B is provided on the side of the third opening 26C. The position where the second groove 27B is provided as viewed from the third opening 26C is disposed on the same side as the position where the first groove 27A is provided as viewed from the second opening 26B.

[0024] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the puncture needle guide 30 as viewed from the front. Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the puncture needle guide 30 as viewed from the rear. Fig. 5C is an enlarged perspective view of the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B. The puncture needle guide 30 comprises a guide body 31. A plurality of guide grooves 32, in this embodiment four guide grooves 32, first guide groove 32A to fourth guide groove 32D, are provided on the rear side of the guide body 31. The puncture needle N is guided along any of the first guide groove 32A to fourth guide groove 32D.

[0025] A second receiving portion 33 is provided at the left end portion of the guide body 31. A stopper 40 is attached to the second receiving portion 33. The stopper 40 attached to the second receiving portion 33 is fitted into the first receiving portion 25, whereby the position of the puncture needle guide 30 relative to the puncture bracket 20 is fixed.

[0026] A stopper 34 that protrudes to the right is provided above the right end of the guide body 31. The stopper 34 is sized so that it can be inserted into the first opening 26A formed in the partition 23 of the puncture bracket 20. When the puncture needle guide 30 is attached to the puncture bracket 20 and the puncture adapter 1 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10, the stopper 34 protrudes to the right beyond the partition 23 of the puncture bracket 20. The stopper 34 inhibits the attachment and detachment of the puncture bracket 20, to which the puncture needle guide 30 is attached, to the ultrasonic probe 10. The stopper 34 is an example of a restricting structure.

[0027] A first claw portion 35A and a second claw portion 35B protruding toward the right are provided on the right end portion of the guide body 31. The first claw portion 35A is disposed below the stopper 34 of the guide body 31. The second claw portion 35B is disposed below the first claw portion 35A. The width between the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B is approximately the same as the width between the second opening 26B and the third opening 26C.

[0028] The first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B both protrude to the right from the end face of the guide body 31. The right ends of the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B are both bent forward, and the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B are both formed in a hook shape.

[0029] When the puncture adapter 1 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10, the first claw portion 35A penetrates the second opening 26B provided in the partition portion 23, and the tip of the first claw portion 35A is hooked into the first groove 27A. At this time, the first claw portion 35A fills the gap between the partition portion 23 of the puncture bracket 20 and the head body 14 of the ultrasonic probe 10. The first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B are examples of claw portions.

[0030] When the puncture adapter 1 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10, the second claw portion 35B penetrates the third opening 26C provided in the partition portion 23, and the tip of the second claw portion 35B is hooked into the second groove 27B. At this time, the second claw portion 35B, together with the first claw portion 35A, fills the gap between the partition portion 23 of the puncture bracket 20 and the head body 14 of the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0031] The stopper 40 comprises a tip fitting portion 41, an intermediate fitting portion 42, and an operation portion 43. The tip fitting portion 41 comprises a rotation shaft 41A. The tip fitting portion 41 is fitted into a second receiving portion 33 provided on the puncture needle guide 30, whereby the stopper 40 is attached to the puncture needle guide 30. The stopper 40 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 41A. The stopper 40 may be detachable from the puncture needle guide 30.

[0032] The thickness of the intermediate fitting portion 42 is approximately the same as the width of the first receiving portion 25. The first receiving portion 25 can be fitted into the first receiving portion 25 of the puncture bracket 20. The operation portion 43 can be held and operated by an operator. After the tip fitting portion 41 is fitted into the second receiving portion 33, the operator can hold the operation portion and rotate the stopper 40 around the rotation axis 41A to fit the intermediate fitting portion 42 into the first receiving portion 25. After the tip fitting portion 41 is fitted into the second receiving portion 33, the intermediate fitting portion 42 is fitted into the first receiving portion 25, so that the puncture needle guide 30 is attached to the puncture bracket 20, and further the puncture adapter 1 is attached to the ultrasound probe 10.

[0033] Next, a procedure for attaching the puncture adapter 1 to the ultrasonic probe 10 and the action when the puncture adapter 1 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10 will be described. Before starting the work of attaching the puncture adapter 1 to the ultrasonic probe 10, the puncture bracket 20 and the puncture needle guide 30 in the puncture adapter 1 are not attached.

[0034] When attaching the puncture adapter 1 to the ultrasonic probe 10, the operator first places the sheath 50 over the ultrasonic probe 10, and completely covers at least the head 12 of the ultrasonic probe 10 with the sheath 50. The sheath 50 covers most or all of the handle 11 together with the head 12, and when a connection cable is provided, covers the ultrasonic probe 10 except for a portion of the handle 11 to which the connection cable is connected. The sheath 50 may cover the entire ultrasonic probe 10, or when a connection cable is provided, it may cover the ultrasonic probe 10 including the connection cable.

[0035] After covering the ultrasonic probe 10 with the sheath 50, the operator inserts the head 12 of the ultrasonic probe 10 from the upper right into the upper opening of the first covering part 21 of the puncture bracket 20. Next, the operator further inserts the protrusion 15 of the head 12 into the second covering part 22 from the right side.

[0036] Fig. 6A is a front view of the initial state in which the puncture bracket 20 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10, and Fig. 6B is an enlarged view of the main part of Fig. 6A. When the operator inserts the protrusion 15 of the head 12 into the second covering part 22, as shown in Fig. 6A, a first contact point (contact line) W1 where the surface of the head 12 and the inner surface of the puncture bracket 20 come into contact with each other is generated on the left side of the puncture bracket 20. The left side of the puncture bracket 20 is an example of one side of the puncture bracket. The generation of the first contact point W1 makes it impossible to insert the head 12 linearly into the puncture bracket 20.

[0037] At this time, the recess 17 provided on the ultrasonic probe 10 and the protrusion 24 provided on the puncture bracket 20 are separated from each other. Also, as shown in Fig. 6B, a gap of a triangle (triangular prism) T1 with the first contact point (contact line) W1 as a vertex is generated at a lower position between a surface (hereinafter, the first opposing surface F1) F1 of the head body 14 of the ultrasonic probe 10 facing the puncture bracket 20 and a surface (hereinafter, the second opposing surface F2) F2 of the partition part 23 of the puncture bracket 20 facing the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0038] When the lower end of the puncture bracket 20 is moved in the -X direction from this state, the puncture bracket 20 rotates with the first contact point W1 as the center of rotation relative to the ultrasonic probe. The first contact point (contact line) W1 is an example of a rotation axis. This rotation causes the lower part of the puncture bracket 20 to move in the -X direction relative to the ultrasonic probe 10. The convex portion 24 is provided on the opposite side of the first contact point W1 via the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0039] Fig. 7A is a front view of the intermediate state of mounting the puncture bracket 20 to the ultrasonic probe 10, and Fig. 7B is an enlarged view of the main part. When the lower part of the puncture bracket 20 moves in the -X direction relative to the ultrasonic probe 10 by this rotation, the first opposing surface F1 and the second opposing surface F2 become approximately parallel as shown in Fig. 7A. When the first opposing surface F1 and the second opposing surface F2 become approximately parallel, the gap between the first opposing surface F1 and the second opposing surface F2 almost disappears as shown in Fig. 7B. At this time, the recess 17 provided on the ultrasonic probe 10 and the protrusion 24 provided on the puncture bracket 20 are approaching each other, but they have not yet reached a locked state.

[0040] Fig. 8A is a front view of the puncture bracket 20 in the middle of being attached to the ultrasonic probe 10, and Fig. 8B is an enlarged view of the main part. When the upper end of the puncture bracket 20 is moved in the +X direction from a state in which the recess 17 provided on the ultrasonic probe 10 and the protrusion 24 provided on the puncture bracket 20 are close to each other, the puncture bracket 20 rotates around the second contact point (contact line) W2, where the lower end of the puncture bracket 20 comes into contact with the ultrasonic probe 10, as shown in Fig. 8A. Due to this rotation, the upper part of the puncture bracket 20 moves in the +X direction relative to the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0041] When the puncture bracket 20 continues to rotate, the protrusion 24 enters the recess 17, and the rotation of the puncture bracket 20 relative to the ultrasonic probe 10 is suppressed. The protrusion 24 enters the recess 17 by a rotational movement centered on the second contact point W2. Therefore, friction due to contact is not generated, unlike when the protrusion 24 is moved linearly along the right side surface of the ultrasonic probe 10. Therefore, when the protrusion 24 enters the recess 17 and is locked, damage to the sheath 50 due to friction generated by contact between the puncture bracket 20 and the ultrasonic probe 10 can be suppressed.

[0042] In this state, the protrusion 24 enters the recess 17, and the movement of the puncture bracket 20 in the Z direction relative to the ultrasonic probe 10 is suppressed, but as shown in FIG. 8B, a gap of a triangle (triangular prism) T2 with the second contact point (contact point) as the apex is generated in the upper part between the first opposing surface F1 and the second opposing surface F2. Therefore, the puncture bracket 20 is in a state where it can rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation direction in which it was rotated up until now, with the second contact point W2 as the rotation center relative to the ultrasonic probe 10. Therefore, the recess 17 and the protrusion 24 are not in a locked state. Before the protrusion 24 is locked to the recess 17, the puncture bracket 20 is placed with a gap relative to the ultrasonic probe 10. When the puncture needle guide 30 is not attached, the puncture bracket 20 is in an unfixed state relative to the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0043] Next, the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B of the puncture needle guide 30 are inserted into the second opening 26B and the third opening 26C of the puncture bracket 20, respectively. At this time, the stopper 34 of the puncture needle guide 30 is inserted into the first opening 26A of the puncture bracket 20.

[0044] Fig. 9A is a front view of the puncture bracket 20 and the puncture needle guide 30 attached by the stopper 40. Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Fig. 9A. When the puncture needle guide 30 is attached to the puncture bracket 20, as shown in Fig. 9A, the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B enter between the first opposing surface F1 and the second opposing surface F2. The entered first claw portion 35A and second claw portion 35B fill the gap between the first opposing surface F1 and the second opposing surface F2.

[0045] The first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B fill the gap between the first opposing surface F1 and the second opposing surface F2, thereby restricting rotation of the puncture bracket 20 relative to the ultrasonic probe 10 around the second contact point W2 as the center of rotation, and the convex portion 24 is engaged with the concave portion 17. The puncture bracket 20 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 10 by engaging the convex portion 24 with the concave portion 17. The puncture bracket 20 is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 10 by attaching the puncture needle guide 30.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 9B, the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B of the puncture needle guide 30 are respectively hooked into the first groove 27A and the second groove 27B (see Fig. 4A) of the puncture bracket 20. The puncture needle guide 30 is attached to the puncture bracket 20 by hooking the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B into the first groove 27A and the second groove 27B, respectively.

[0047] Thereafter, the operator operates the operating section 43 to rotate the stopper 40 attached to the puncture needle guide 30 about the rotation axis 41A as the center of rotation, and fits the intermediate fitting section 42 into the second receiving section 33 of the puncture needle guide 30. In this way, the puncture needle guide 30 is attached to the puncture bracket 20, and the attachment of the puncture adapter 1 to the ultrasound probe 10 is completed.

[0048] When removing the puncture adapter 1 from the ultrasound probe 10 after the examination, the operator first operates the operating portion 43 of the stopper 40 to rotate the stopper 40 counterclockwise (in the direction in which the intermediate fitting portion 42 moves away from the second receiving portion 33) with the rotation axis 41A as the center of rotation when viewing the stopper 40 in the +Z direction, thereby removing the intermediate fitting portion 42 from the second receiving portion 33. Next, the operator releases the first groove 27A and the second groove 27B from the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B, respectively.

[0049] After the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B are released from the engagement, the operator pulls out the stopper 34, the first claw portion 35A, and the second claw portion 35B from the first opening 26A, the second opening 26B, and the third opening 26C, respectively. When the first claw portion 35A and the second claw portion 35B are pulled out from the second opening 26B and the third opening 26C, the protrusion 24 is released from the locked state with respect to the recess 17, and the puncture bracket 20 can rotate about the second contact point W2 as the rotation center.

[0050] Next, the operator rotates the puncture bracket 20 clockwise as viewed in the -Y direction, with the second contact point W2 as the rotation center. By rotating the puncture bracket 20, the convex portion 24 is pulled out in a direction away from the concave portion 17. Thus, the convex portion 24 is released from the locked state with respect to the concave portion 17. Since the convex portion 24 moves in a direction away from the concave portion 17 and is released from the locked state with the concave portion 17, when the convex portion 24 moves relative to the concave portion 17, a situation does not occur in which the puncture bracket 20 is moved linearly relative to the ultrasonic probe 10. Therefore, when the puncture bracket 20 is moved relative to the ultrasonic probe 10, damage to the sheath 50 due to friction caused by contact between the ultrasonic probe 10 and the puncture bracket 20 can be suppressed.

[0051] Then, the puncture bracket 20 is rotated so that the ultrasonic probe 10 and the puncture bracket 20 come into contact at the first contact point W1, and a gap with the first contact point W1 as an apex is generated between the first opposing surface F1 and the second opposing surface F2. Then, the puncture bracket 20 is moved relative to the ultrasonic probe 10 to remove the puncture bracket 20 from the ultrasonic probe 10. In this way, the entire puncture adapter 1 is removed from the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0052] In the puncture adapter 1, the stopper 34 is provided on the puncture needle guide 30, so that the puncture adapter 1 is prevented from being attached to and detached from the ultrasonic probe 10 when the puncture needle guide 30 of the puncture bracket 20 is attached. This point will be described below. Fig. 10A is a diagram showing the first radius r1. Fig. 10B is a diagram showing the second radius r2.

[0053] The bracket mounting radius of the ultrasonic probe 10 when the puncture bracket 20 is mounted on the ultrasonic probe 10 is defined as a first radius r1, and the probe mounting radius of the puncture adapter 1 when the puncture bracket 20 is mounted on the puncture adapter 1 is defined as a second radius r2. When the puncture needle guide 30 is not provided with a stopper 34, the second radius is, for example, close to the first radius r1.

[0054] For example, assume that the puncture adapter 1 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10 when the puncture bracket 20 has elasticity and the second radius r2 is close to the first radius r1. In this case, if an external force is applied in a direction in which the convex portion 24 is disengaged from the concave portion 17 and exceeds the locking force (fitting strength) between the concave portion 17 and the convex portion 24, the locking between the concave portion 17 and the convex portion 24 will be released, the puncture bracket 20 will come off the ultrasonic probe 10, and the sheath 50 will be broken.

[0055] Alternatively, assume a situation in which the puncture adapter 1 is to be attached to the ultrasonic probe 10 when the puncture bracket 20 has elasticity and the second radius r2 is close to the first radius r1. In this case, when attempting to attach the puncture bracket 20 to which the puncture needle guide 30 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 10, a force exceeding the locking force (fitting strength) between the recess 17 and the protrusion 24 is applied to the puncture adapter 1, causing the protrusion 24 to be locked in the recess 17, and breaking the sheath 50.

[0056] When the stopper 34 is provided on the puncture needle guide 30 and the second radius r2 becomes sufficiently shorter than the first radius r1, the puncture adapter 1 attached to the ultrasonic probe 10 cannot rotate due to the relationship between the lengths of the first radius r1 and the second radius r2. This makes it possible to prevent the puncture adapter 1 from being removed from the ultrasonic probe 10. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the puncture adapter 1 from being attached to the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0057] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, a puncture adapter is provided which has a group of ultrasonic transducers, is attached to an ultrasonic probe covered with a sheath, and holds a puncture needle, and is provided with a puncture bracket which can be fixed to the ultrasonic probe, and a puncture needle guide which is attached to the puncture bracket, and when the puncture needle guide is not attached, the puncture bracket is in an unfixed state with respect to the ultrasonic probe, and when the puncture needle guide is attached, the puncture bracket is in a fixed state with respect to the ultrasonic probe, thereby making it possible to prevent the sheath from breaking when attached to the ultrasonic probe.

[0058] 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]

[0059] 1...Puncture adapter 10…Ultrasonic probe 11…Handle 12...Head 13...Transmitting and receiving surface 14…Head body 15...Protrusion 16…Notch 17…Recess 18...Ultrasonic transducer group 20…Puncture bracket 21…First covering part 22...Second coating part 23…Partition 24…Convex part 25…First receiving part 26A…1st opening 26B…Second opening 26C…Third opening 27A…1st groove 27B…Second groove 30...Needle guide 31…Guide body 32...Guide groove 33…Second receiver 34…Stopper 35...First claw part 35A…1st claw part 35B…Second claw part 40…Clasp 41...Tip fitting part 41A…Rotary shaft 42...Intermediate fitting part 43...Operation unit 50…Sheath F1: First opposing surface F2: Second opposing surface M: Ultrasonic probe unit N…Puncture needle r1...First radius r2…Second radius W1…1st contact point W2: Second contact point

Claims

1. A puncture adapter that has an ultrasonic transducer group, is attached to an ultrasonic probe covered with a sheath, and holds a puncture needle, The ultrasonic probe includes a puncture bracket that can be fixed to the ultrasonic probe, and a puncture needle guide that is attached to the puncture bracket. the puncture bracket is in an unfixed state with respect to the ultrasonic probe when the puncture needle guide is not attached; The puncture needle guide is attached to the ultrasonic probe, and is fixed to the ultrasonic probe. Puncture adapter.

2. The puncture bracket is fixed to the ultrasonic probe by engaging an engaging portion provided on the puncture bracket with an engaged portion formed on the ultrasonic probe, the puncture bracket is disposed with a gap relative to the ultrasonic probe before the locking portion is locked to the locked portion, a claw portion provided on the puncture needle guide is inserted into the gap, and the puncture needle guide is attached to the puncture bracket, whereby the locking portion is locked to the locked portion. The puncture adapter according to claim 1 .

3. The locking portion is a protrusion provided on the puncture bracket, The engaged portion is a recess provided in the ultrasonic probe. The puncture adapter according to claim 2 .

4. The puncture bracket is attached to the ultrasonic probe by rotating around a rotation axis on one side of the puncture bracket; The locking portion is provided on the opposite side of the rotation axis with respect to the ultrasonic probe. The puncture adapter according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The ultrasonic probe includes a notch formed by cutting out a side of a head body in a head, and a protrusion remaining after the notch is cut out, The puncture bracket covers a portion of the head of the ultrasonic probe excluding the notch. The puncture adapter according to claim 1 .

6. The puncture bracket includes a first covering portion that covers a side surface of the head body, A second covering portion that covers the protrusion portion. The puncture adapter according to claim 5 .

7. The puncture needle guide is provided with a suppression structure that suppresses attachment and detachment of the puncture bracket to which the puncture needle guide is attached with respect to the ultrasonic probe. The puncture adapter according to claim 1 .

8. 5. An ultrasonic probe to which the puncture adapter according to claim 2 can be attached.

9. The puncture adapter according to claim 2 includes a mounting section to which the puncture adapter can be attached by fixing the puncture bracket to which the puncture needle guide is attached and by placing the puncture bracket to which the puncture needle guide is not attached in an unfixed state. Ultrasound probe.

10. The puncture adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7; an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic transducer group and to which the puncture adapter can be attached; a puncture needle held by the ultrasonic probe; A sheath that covers the ultrasonic probe. Ultrasound probe unit.

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