Ultrasonic probe

Abstract

To make an ultrasonic probe hard to slip even when held directly by a hand, a cover covering hard to slip whether held directly by hand or with the cover.SOLUTION: In an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus, an ultrasonic probe 1A is handled in contact with a subject and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject in order to acquire an ultrasonic image in an ultrasound diagnostic device, has an acoustic window through which ultrasonic waves are emitted / inputted on an end surface 2, and has a side surface part of complex roughness where surface roughness of a proximal side surface area 10 adjacent to the end surface is smaller in value than surface roughness of a distal side surface area 20 adjacent to the proximal side surface area and away from the end surface of the proximal side surface area, when measuring surface roughness of the side surface from the end surface to a rear end direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe for an ultrasound diagnostic device that utilizes ultrasound. [Background technology]

[0002] Ultrasound diagnosis is a simple procedure of placing an ultrasound probe on the surface of a patient's body or inside a body cavity to obtain ultrasound images of the heart or fetus, and is highly safe, allowing the examination to be performed repeatedly.

[0003] In addition, a doctor may hold an ultrasound probe in one hand and perform a puncture while checking the image with the other hand, or a physical therapist may hold an ultrasound probe in one hand and view images of manual tissue movement with the other hand; therefore, these procedures involve performing tasks other than scanning in parallel, and one challenge is to be able to hold the ultrasound probe firmly even unconsciously, i.e. to improve the grip of the ultrasound probe. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a non-slip portion having a protruding pattern is provided on the grip portion. In the invention described in Patent Document 2, a non-slip portion having a concave or convex shape is provided on the grip portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3378727 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4523808 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, as a measure against the risk of infection with unknown viruses, there is growing interest in cleaning and disinfecting ultrasound probes and using them with covers. When examining a large number of patients, it is sometimes recommended, as this is simple and hygienic, to always keep the part of the ultrasound probe that comes into contact with the patient clean by covering the ultrasound probe with a new cover (sheath) for each examination and discarding it after the examination. In general, dedicated sheaths for ultrasound probes are expensive, so food wrap, umbrella bags, etc. are sometimes used as alternative covers. Some of these alternative covers are very inexpensive and easy to use. However, because they are not dedicated sheaths, they do not adhere well to the surface of the ultrasound probe when placed over it. As a result, when a technician holds the ultrasound probe in his or her hand and scans the surface of the body, the cover often slips off the surface of the ultrasound probe, which reduces the efficiency of the examination.

[0006] In ultrasound probes (probes) having an uneven grip as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when an examiner holds the ultrasound probe in his / her hand and handles it to scan the body surface, the uneven grip prevents the hand from slipping off the ultrasound probe. However, since it does not improve the adhesion between the surface of the ultrasonic probe and the cover, it does not function as a slip prevention for the cover on the ultrasonic probe, which may cause the cover to shift from the ultrasonic probe or the hand to slip along with the cover. That being said, surfaces that have good adhesion to the cover and make the cover less slippery may be slippery to the hands that come into direct contact with them, so this needs to be taken into consideration.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, and has as its object to make an ultrasound probe, which is used in an ultrasound diagnostic device to be placed on a subject to obtain an ultrasound image, less slippery when held directly in the hand, and also less slippery when a cover is placed over it, and less slippery when held in the hand either directly or through the cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An ultrasonic probe according to one embodiment of the present invention is an ultrasonic probe that is handled in contact with a subject and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the subject in order to obtain an ultrasonic image in an ultrasonic diagnostic device, and has an acoustic window at its tip surface through which the ultrasonic waves enter and exit, and has a side surface portion with a composite roughness such that, when the surface roughness of the side surface is measured from the tip surface in a rear end direction, the surface roughness of a proximal side surface region adjacent to the tip surface is smaller than the surface roughness of a distal side surface region adjacent to the proximal side surface region and further from the tip surface than the proximal side surface region, and the charge polarity of a housing constituting the side surface is opposite to the charge polarity of a cover that covers the housing. The cover is provided on the ultrasonic probe. do. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, an ultrasound probe for obtaining ultrasound images by placing it on a subject in an ultrasound diagnostic device is less likely to slip when held directly in the hand, and a cover placed over it is also less likely to slip, so that the probe can be made less likely to slip when held in the hand either directly or through the cover. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic probe in FIG. 1 with a cover placed thereon. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged schematic diagram showing the surface roughness of the distal side region of a side portion having a complex roughness. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following is an embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an ultrasound probe of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment. 1, an ultrasonic probe 1A has an acoustic window through which ultrasonic waves enter and exit at a distal end surface 2. The following description will be given assuming that the long axis of the distal end surface 2 is the X-axis, the short axis is the Z-axis, and the axis perpendicular to the distal end surface 2 is the Y-axis. The ultrasound probe 1A is a solid body with four side surfaces adjacent to the tip surface 2 continuing rearward, and further continuing via a waisted portion 3, with a cable 4 extending from the slightly tapered rear end. The corners between two adjacent side surfaces in different directions are rounded. In order to connect the cable 4 to an ultrasound diagnostic device (not shown) and acquire an ultrasound image, the ultrasound probe 1A is handled with the tip surface (acoustic window) 2 placed against a subject, and transmits and receives ultrasound to and from the subject.

[0013] The side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 1A include a side surface 11a, a side surface 11b, a side surface 12a, a side surface 12b, a side surface 21a, a side surface 21b, a side surface 22a, a side surface 22b, a side surface 31a, a side surface 31b, a side surface 32a, and a side surface 32b. Side surface 11a and side surface 11b are opposite sides to each other. Side surface 12a and side surface 12b are opposite sides to each other. Side surface 21a and side surface 21b are opposite sides to each other. Side surface 22a and side surface 22b are opposite sides to each other. Side surface 31a and side surface 31b are opposite sides to each other. Side surface 32a and side surface 32b are opposite sides to each other. Side surface 11 a , side surface 11 b , side surface 12 a , and side surface 12 b belong to a proximal side region 10 adjacent to the tip surface 2 . Sides 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b belong to a distal side region 20 that is adjacent to the proximal side region 10 and is farther from the tip surface 2 than the proximal side region 10. The side surface 31 a , the side surface 31 b , the side surface 32 a , and the side surface 32 b belong to a rear end side surface region 30 that is further away from the tip surface 2 .

[0014] Side surface 11a and side surface 11b are side surfaces adjacent to the long side of tip surface 2. Side surface 21a is continuous with side surface 11a in the rear end direction. Side surface 21b is continuous with side surface 11b in the rear end direction. Side surface 31a is continuous with side surface 21a in the rear end direction. Side surface 31b is continuous with side surface 21b in the rear end direction.

[0015] Side surface 12a and side surface 12b are side surfaces adjacent to the short sides of tip surface 2. Side surface 22a is continuous with side surface 12a in the rear end direction. Side surface 22b is continuous with side surface 12b in the rear end direction. Side surface 32a is continuous with side surface 22a in the rear end direction. Side surface 32b is continuous with side surface 22b in the rear end direction.

[0016] When the surface roughness of the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 1A is measured from the tip surface 2 toward the rear end (negative direction of the Y-axis), the surface roughness of the proximal side surface region 10 is smaller than the surface roughness of the distal side surface region 20. Such a side surface region is called a "side surface region with composite roughness." Since the cover easily adheres to the side surface of the proximal side region 10, which has a relatively small surface roughness, the cover 5 is less likely to slip on the ultrasonic probe 1A when the cover 5 is placed on the ultrasonic probe 1A as shown in Fig. 2. This makes it possible to prevent the cover 5 from shifting from the ultrasonic probe 1A or the hand from slipping along with the cover 5. The side surface of the distal side surface region 20 has a relatively large surface roughness, so that the fingers of the user are less likely to slip when the ultrasonic probe 1A is held directly in the hand. Note that the external shape of the ultrasonic probe 1A is merely an example, and the ultrasonic probe 1B shown in FIG. 3 or other ultrasonic probes may be used. As a result, the ultrasonic probe 1A (1B) is not easily slippery when held directly in the hand, and the cover 5 placed over it is also not easily slippery, so that the ultrasonic probe 1A (1B) can be held in the hand either directly or through the cover 5 without being slippery.

[0017] The side surface 11a and the side surface 21a are side surface portions having a composite roughness. That is, the side surfaces 11a and 21a adjacent to the long sides of the tip surface 2 are side surface portions having a composite roughness (the surface roughness of the side surface 11a is smaller than the surface roughness of the side surface 21a). In addition, the side surface 11b and the side surface 21b are side surface portions having a composite roughness. That is, the side surfaces 11b and 21b adjacent to the long sides of the tip surface 2 are side surface portions having a composite roughness (the surface roughness of the side surface 11b is smaller than the surface roughness of the side surface 21b). In addition, the side surface 12a and the side surface 22a are side surface portions having a composite roughness. That is, the side surfaces 12a and 22a adjacent to the short sides of the tip surface 2 are side surface portions having a composite roughness (the surface roughness of the side surface 12a is smaller than the surface roughness of the side surface 22a). Furthermore, the side surface 12b and the side surface 22b are side surface portions having a composite roughness. That is, the side surfaces 12b and 22b adjacent to the short sides of the tip surface 2 are side surface portions having a composite roughness (the surface roughness of the side surface 12b is smaller than the surface roughness of the side surface 22b). As described above, it is preferable that all four surfaces with different directions have a composite roughness as a side surface portion. This is because the ultrasonic probe 1A is less slippery when held directly in the hand, and the cover 5 placed over it is also less slippery, and the ultrasonic probe 1A is less slippery when held in the hand either directly or through the cover 5. However, only three, two or one of the four sides having different directions may be selected as the side surface portion having the composite roughness. For example, the side surface 11a and the side surface 21a, and the side surface 11b and the side surface 21b may be the side surface portion having the composite roughness, and the side surface 12a and the side surface 22a may have a constant surface roughness, and the side surface 12b and the side surface 22b may have a constant surface roughness. In this case, the constant surface roughness may be the same as or smaller than the side surface 11a and the side surface 11b. This can make the cover 5 less slippery. Conversely, the constant surface roughness may be the same as or larger than the side surface 21a and the side surface 21b. This can make the hand less slippery.

[0018] The distal side region 20 is preferably located at a position (grip portion) where the fingers touch when the ultrasonic probe 1A is normally held in the hand. This is to prevent the hand from slipping when the ultrasonic probe 1A is held in the hand. Therefore, in the side portion of the composite roughness, the central portion of one-third of the length L in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the tip surface 2 (the portion L / 3 in the figure) is preferably located as the distal side region 20. The surface roughness of the rear end side region 30 is arbitrary. For example, it may be matched to the smaller surface roughness of the side portion of the composite roughness. Alternatively, the rear end side region 30 may be matched to the larger surface roughness of the side portion of the composite roughness (in this case, the distal side region 20 is continuous to the rear end). Alternatively, it may not be matched to any surface roughness of the side portion of the composite roughness.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the width of the tip surface 2 in the minor axis Z direction is D, and the proximal side region 10 in the side portion of the composite roughness preferably exists between the tip surface 2 and the distal side region 20 with a length of 3D to 5D. This is to ensure a sufficient contact surface that contacts the cover 5 and prevents the cover 5 from slipping, and to position the distal side region 20 in the grip section. If it is less than 3D, the contact surface will be too small, and if it exceeds 5D, the distal side region 20 will be too far away from the tip surface 2.

[0020] The surface roughness of the side surfaces 12a and 12b may be smaller than the surface roughness of the side surfaces 11a and 11b. The tip surface 2 of the ultrasonic probe 1A is long in the X-axis direction, and the side surfaces 12a and 12b corresponding to the end surfaces in this direction are likely to receive high pressure from the cover 5. Therefore, by increasing the adhesion of the side surfaces 12a and 12b, the ultrasonic probe 1A (1B) can be made such that the cover 5 is less likely to slip. In this case, the surface roughness of the side surfaces 22a and 22b may be greater than that of the side surfaces 12a and 12b, or may be the same as described above. As described above, in a comparison within the side region (10) closer to the tip surface 2 than the distal side region 20 in the side portion of the composite roughness, the side surface 12a (12b) adjacent to the short side of the tip surface 2 may have a smaller surface roughness than the side surface 11a (11b) adjacent to the long side of the tip surface 2.

[0021] Also, the surface roughness of the distal side region in the side portion of the composite roughness may be anisotropic, as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the surface roughness measured in the Y-axis direction (Ra1) should be greater than the surface roughness measured in the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis (Ra2). For example, Ra1 = 3.2 [μm], Ra2 = 1.0 [μm]. This makes it difficult for the hand to slip in the direction Y in which the tip surface 2 of the ultrasonic probe 1A (1B) is pressed against the subject.

[0022] The side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b) of the ultrasonic probe 1A (1B) described above are formed by the surfaces of the resin housing case of the ultrasonic probe 1A (1B), and can be manufactured with the different surface roughnesses described above by transferring the molding surface of a molding die. According to this manufacturing method, ultrasonic probes can be manufactured with good productivity and low cost without increasing the process burden or cost. It is also possible to create molded parts in some areas and manufacture housings with different surface roughnesses by two-color molding. The probe housing is made of common resin materials such as PA, PC, POM, PPE, PET, PBT, PTFE, PPS, PSU, PES, PAR, PAI, TPI, PEI, PEEK, LCP, etc., as well as copolymers of these raw materials, modified versions of these resins, blends of these resins, and materials reinforced with glass fiber, etc. Any material can be used. In order to improve adhesion to the cover, a material with an opposite charge polarity to that of the cover may be used in anticipation of electrostatic attraction. The polarity can be adjusted by changing the blend ratio of the resins, adding additives, or performing surface treatment after molding. Furthermore, in order to improve the adhesion when directly held in the hand, materials with controlled hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity may be used. Similarly, by changing the blend ratio of resins, adding additives, or performing surface treatment after molding, parent The hydrophobicity can be adjusted.

[0023] The average element length Rsm when measuring the surface roughness of the side (for example, side 11a and side 21a) from the front end surface 2 toward the rear end is Rsm≦1 [mm]. The average element length Rsm is the average value of the element length equivalent to one period of undulations in the roughness curve (the element length Rs1 is shown as an example in Figure 4). Rsm≦1 [mm] To Therefore, dirt is less likely to accumulate on the surface, and any dirt that does adhere to the surface is easier to clean and remove. For this reason, Rsm≦0.8 [mm] is preferable.

[0024] (Example) Next, examples of the present invention and comparative examples are disclosed. As shown in Table I, surface roughness, slipperiness, and cleanability were examined.

[0025] [Table 1]

[0026] In Table I, the vertical items A1, A2, and A4 are comparative examples, and A3 is an example of the present invention. The horizontal item B1 is the average length Rsm [mm] of the above-mentioned element. The surface roughness Sa1 [μm] for straight holding in the horizontal item B2 corresponds to the surface roughness of the distal side region 20 in the side portion of the composite roughness. The surface roughness Sa2 [μm] for cover in the horizontal item B3 corresponds to the surface roughness of the proximal side region 10 in the side portion of the composite roughness. The side surface area with composite roughness was the four sides around the Y axis. The area between the tip surface 2 and the distal side region 20 was 4D, and the central one-third portion (L / 3 part) was the distal side region 20. However, the comparative examples in columns A1 and A2 have a uniform surface roughness. A PVC (polyvinyl chloride) wrap was used as the cover. The remarks column B7 indicates whether the example is a comparative example or an example of the present invention.

[0027] The comparative example in column A1 is an example in which the sides are uniformly roughened. As described in horizontal item B4, the frequency of slipping when held directly in the hand was relatively low, but as described in horizontal item B5, the frequency of slipping of the cover placed over the product was relatively high. The comparative example in column A2 is an example where the sides are uniformly smoothed. As described in the horizontal item B4, the frequency of slipping when held upright is example As described in the horizontal item B5, the frequency with which the cover slips is higher than that of the comparison in column A1. example It went down more. In the example of the present invention in column A3, as explained above, the surface roughness of the proximal side region 10 close to the tip surface 2 is small, 0.6 [μm], and the surface roughness of the distal side region 20 far from the tip surface 2 is large, 3.3 [μm]. In such an example of the present invention, it was possible to reduce both the frequency of slipping when held upright (lateral item B4) and the frequency of slipping of the covering (lateral item B5). The comparative example in column A4 has the same surface roughness combination as the inventive example in column A3, but the average element length Rsm is large at 1.2 [mm]. In such a comparative example in column A4, the cleaning performance deteriorated as shown in the horizontal item in column B6. Cleanability was evaluated based on the amount of a certain amount of dirt remaining after the same cleaning process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1A ultrasound probe 1B Ultrasonic probe 2 Tip surface 4 Cable 5 Cover 10 Proximal lateral region 11a Side 11b Side 12a side 12b Side 20 Distal lateral region 21a side 21b Side 22a side 22b Side 30 Side area of ​​rear end 31a side 31b Side 32a side 32b side

Claims

1. An ultrasound probe that is handled in a manner to be placed against a subject in order to obtain an ultrasound image in an ultrasound diagnostic device, and transmits and receives ultrasound to and from the subject, The ultrasonic wave is transmitted to and from the acoustic window at the distal end surface. When the surface roughness of the side surface is measured from the tip surface to the rear end direction, the surface roughness of a proximal side surface region adjacent to the tip surface is smaller than the surface roughness of a distal side surface region adjacent to the proximal side surface region and farther from the tip surface than the proximal side surface region, the charge polarity of the housing constituting the side surface is opposite to the charge polarity of a cover placed on the housing, The cover is provided on the ultrasonic probe.

2. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein a central portion of the side portion having the composite roughness, which is one third of the length in the axial direction perpendicular to the tip surface, is the distal side region.

3. An ultrasonic probe as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the short axis width of the tip surface is D, and the proximal side region in the side portion of the composite roughness exists between the tip surface and the distal side region with a length of 3D to 5D.

4. 4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein a side surface adjacent to a long side of the tip surface is a side surface portion having the composite roughness.

5. 4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the side surfaces adjacent to the long side and the short side of the tip surface are side surface portions having the composite roughness.

6. 6. An ultrasonic probe as described in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein in a comparison within a side region of the side portion of the composite roughness that is closer to the tip surface than the distal side region, the side adjacent to the short side of the tip surface has a smaller surface roughness than the side adjacent to the long side of the tip surface.

7. 7. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the surface roughness of the distal side region of the side portion of the composite roughness is anisotropic.

8. 8. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein an average element length Rsm when the surface roughness of the side surface is measured from the tip end surface in the rear end direction satisfies Rsm≦1 mm.

Images