JP2884173B2 - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents
Ultrasonic probeInfo
- Publication number
- JP2884173B2 JP2884173B2 JP1344001A JP34400189A JP2884173B2 JP 2884173 B2 JP2884173 B2 JP 2884173B2 JP 1344001 A JP1344001 A JP 1344001A JP 34400189 A JP34400189 A JP 34400189A JP 2884173 B2 JP2884173 B2 JP 2884173B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- heat conductor
- heat
- backing material
- piezoelectric
- ultrasonic probe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Landscapes
- Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
- Cooling Or The Like Of Electrical Apparatus (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】 （産業上の利用分野） 本発明は超音波探触子を利用分野とし、特に医用関係
に利用される配列型探触子に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial application field) The present invention is directed to an ultrasonic probe, and more particularly to an array type probe used for medical applications.
（発明の背景） 配列型探触子は複数の圧電片を列設し例えばリニアあ
るいはセクタ駆動され、生体の疾患部等を超音波により
検査する。いわゆる超音波診断装置の送受波部として有
用されるものである。近年では、疾患部の早期発見等の
理由から、雑音体信号比（S/N比）を良好として高画質
の得られるものが望まれている。(Background of the Invention) An array type probe has a plurality of piezoelectric pieces arranged in a row and is driven, for example, linearly or in a sector, and inspects a diseased part of a living body by ultrasonic waves. This is useful as a so-called wave transmitting / receiving unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In recent years, for reasons such as early detection of diseased parts, it is desired to obtain a high quality image with a good noise-body signal ratio (S / N ratio).
（従来技術） 第２図はこの種の一従来例を説明する配列型探触子図
で、同図（ａ）は斜視図、同図（ｂ）は断面図である。(Prior Art) FIG. 2 is an array-type probe diagram for explaining a conventional example of this type. FIG. 2 (a) is a perspective view and FIG. 2 (b) is a sectional view.
超音波探触子は例えばジルコン酸チタン酸鉛（通常PZ
T）とした圧電片１の複数個をバッキング材２上に列設
してなる。各圧電片１の両主面には図示しない電極が、
超音波の送受波面（被検出体側）には音響整合層３が形
成される。そして、各圧電片１の両端側からはバッキン
グ材２との間にフレキシブル基板４を介在させて電極を
外部に導出する。また、放射面側には図示しない共通線
路を接続した構成とする。The ultrasonic probe is, for example, lead zirconate titanate (usually PZ
A plurality of the piezoelectric pieces 1 as T) are arranged on the backing material 2 in a row. Electrodes (not shown) are provided on both main surfaces of each piezoelectric piece 1,
An acoustic matching layer 3 is formed on the transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic wave (on the object side). Then, the electrodes are led out from both ends of each piezoelectric piece 1 to the outside with a flexible substrate 4 interposed between the piezoelectric piece 1 and the backing material 2. Further, a common line (not shown) is connected to the radiation surface side.
（従来技術の問題点） しかしながら、このようなものにおいて、S/N比を良
好として画質向上を計るには、受信感度を上げる必要が
ある。この場合、一方法として送信電圧を高くすること
が一般に考えられる。しかし、送信電圧を高くすると圧
電片１の温度が上昇し、音響整合層３や音響レンズ（未
図示）に悪影響を及ぼすことになる。また、上記のよう
に圧電片１の放射面側の音響整合層３及び下面のバッキ
ング材２は通常エポキシ系及びゴム系等の材料が使用さ
れる。したがって、いずれも熱伝導性が悪くて放熱しに
くく、その影響が大きくなる。このようなことから、特
に医用分野で使用する場合には、放射面が生体の皮膚を
押圧して接触するため、低温火傷を招来する問題があっ
た。(Problems of the prior art) However, in such a device, it is necessary to increase the receiving sensitivity in order to improve the image quality with a good S / N ratio. In this case, it is generally considered that the transmission voltage is increased as one method. However, if the transmission voltage is increased, the temperature of the piezoelectric piece 1 rises, which adversely affects the acoustic matching layer 3 and the acoustic lens (not shown). Further, as described above, the acoustic matching layer 3 on the radiation surface side of the piezoelectric piece 1 and the backing material 2 on the lower surface are usually made of epoxy-based or rubber-based materials. Therefore, all of them have poor thermal conductivity and are difficult to dissipate heat, and the influence thereof is increased. For this reason, especially when used in the medical field, there is a problem that a low-temperature burn is caused because the radiation surface presses and comes into contact with the skin of a living body.
（発明の目的） 本発明は、熱による悪影響を除去して受信感度を良好
とした超音波探触子を提供することを目的とする。(Object of the Invention) It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe which has improved reception sensitivity by removing an adverse effect due to heat.
（解決手段） 本発明は、超音波を発生する圧電片に放熱用の熱伝導
体を取着して外部に放熱しやすくしたことを解決手段と
する。以下、本発明の一実施例を説明する。(Solution Means) A solution of the present invention is to attach a heat conductor for heat dissipation to a piezoelectric piece that generates ultrasonic waves to facilitate heat dissipation to the outside. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
（実施例） 第１図は本発明の一実施例を説明する超音波探触子の
分解図である。なお前従来例図と同一部分には同番号を
付与してその説明は簡略する。(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an ultrasonic probe for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified.
超音波探触子は前述のようにバッキング材２上にPZT
とした圧電片１を列設し、各圧電片１からフレキシブル
基板４を延出してバッキング材２の両側面に折曲する。
そして、圧電片の両端部を除いて音響整合層３を形成す
る。なお、ここまでの構成を探触子本体とする。The ultrasonic probe is PZT on the backing material 2 as described above.
And the flexible substrate 4 is extended from each of the piezoelectric pieces 1 and bent on both sides of the backing material 2.
Then, the acoustic matching layer 3 is formed except for both ends of the piezoelectric piece. The configuration up to this point is referred to as a probe main body.
そして、この実施例では、探触子本体を熱導伝体５に
より包囲した構成とする。但し、超音波が実際に放射さ
れる送受波面等を除く。具体的には、例えばバッキング
材２をAl等の基台5a上に保持する。そして、各圧電片１
の放射面側になる一端側に例えば銀箔5bを接続する。な
お、他端側には共通線路６を接続する。また、探触子本
体を周回する側面及び基台５の底面には銅箔5cを配置し
た構成とする。In this embodiment, the probe body is surrounded by the heat conductor 5. However, it does not include the transmitting and receiving wave surfaces from which ultrasonic waves are actually emitted. Specifically, for example, the backing material 2 is held on a base 5a made of Al or the like. And each piezoelectric piece 1
For example, a silver foil 5b is connected to one end side which is on the radiation surface side. The common line 6 is connected to the other end. Further, a copper foil 5c is arranged on the side surface around the probe main body and the bottom surface of the base 5.
このような構成であれば、圧電片１に発生する熱は、
熱伝導体５により外部に放出され温度の上昇を防止す
る。したがって、送信電圧を高めても特性を損なうこと
なく受信感度を高め、S/N比を良好として画質の向上を
計ることができる。そして、医用の場合には、低温火傷
の虞がなく安全な診断を行うことができる。With such a configuration, the heat generated in the piezoelectric piece 1 is
The heat is released to the outside by the heat conductor 5 to prevent the temperature from rising. Therefore, even if the transmission voltage is increased, the reception sensitivity can be increased without deteriorating the characteristics, and the S / N ratio can be improved to improve the image quality. In the case of medical use, safe diagnosis can be performed without fear of low-temperature burn.
（他の事項） なお、上記実施例では、熱伝導体は圧電片１に近接す
る順に伝導率の小さくなるAg、Cu、Alとしたが、これに
限らず放熱効果により決定すればよいものである。ま
た、送受波面を除く探触子本体の周面すべてに導伝体を
配置するとともにAlとした基台の低面にはCuを配置した
が、前同様に条件に応じてその一部を省略できるもので
ある。このような場合、例えばトランジスタのヒトシン
クの設計方を利用して材質及び寸法等を決定できる。ま
た、音響整合層３は圧電片１の両端部を除いて形成した
が、圧電片の全面に形成してもよい。また、熱伝導体5b
は圧電片１の一端側のみに形成したが、両端側に形成し
てもよい。この場合共通線路６を除去して兼用してもよ
い。また、熱伝導体5bは送受波面としたが、フレキシブ
ル基板４の図示しない線路と絶縁を維持した上でバッキ
ング材２側としてもよい。但し、実施例のように基準電
位面側（この場合は送受波面）に接続した方が望まし
い。(Other Matters) In the above-described embodiment, the heat conductors are Ag, Cu, and Al whose conductivity decreases in the order of approaching the piezoelectric piece 1. However, the heat conductor is not limited to this, and may be determined by the heat radiation effect. is there. In addition, a conductor was placed on the entire peripheral surface of the probe body except for the transmitting and receiving surfaces, and Cu was placed on the low surface of the base made of Al. You can do it. In such a case, for example, the material and dimensions can be determined using the design method of the human sink of the transistor. Further, the acoustic matching layer 3 is formed except for both end portions of the piezoelectric piece 1, but may be formed on the entire surface of the piezoelectric piece. Also, the heat conductor 5b
Is formed only at one end of the piezoelectric piece 1, but may be formed at both ends. In this case, the common line 6 may be removed and shared. Although the heat conductor 5b is a wave transmitting / receiving surface, it may be on the backing material 2 side while maintaining insulation from a line (not shown) of the flexible substrate 4. However, it is desirable to connect to the reference potential surface side (in this case, the transmitting / receiving surface) as in the embodiment.
（発明の効果） 本発明は、超音波を発生する圧電片に放熱用の熱伝導
体を取着したので、熱による悪影響を除去して受信感度
を良好とする超音波探触子を提供でき、実際上の効果は
大である。(Effect of the Invention) According to the present invention, since a heat conductor for heat radiation is attached to the piezoelectric piece that generates ultrasonic waves, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe that removes adverse effects due to heat and improves reception sensitivity. The actual effect is great.
第１図は本発明の一実施例を説明する超音波探触子の分
解図である。 第２図は従来例を説明する超音波探触子の図で、銅図
（ａ）は分解図、銅図（ｂ）は断面図である。FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an ultrasonic probe for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an ultrasonic probe for explaining a conventional example, in which a copper diagram (a) is an exploded view and a copper diagram (b) is a cross-sectional view.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (56)参考文献 特開 昭61−240157（ＪＰ，Ａ) (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.6，ＤＢ名) H05K 7/20 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-240157 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. 6 , DB name) H05K 7/20
Claims (1)
をバッキング材上に列設して、前記複数個の圧電片の側
面からフレキシブル基板により電極を導出してなる超音
波探触子において、前記圧電片の放射面側となる主面の
一端側に面対向して設けられた金属箔の第１熱伝導体
と、前記バッキング材の下面に設けられた金属台の第２
熱伝導体と、前記第１熱伝導体と前記第２熱伝導体とを
接続して前記フレキシブル基板を含む前記バッキング材
及び前記第２熱伝導体の外周側面及び底面を覆う金属箔
の第３の熱伝導体とを具備し、前記第１熱伝導体の熱伝
導率を第３熱伝導体よりも同等以上とし、さらに前記第
２熱伝導体の熱伝導率を前記第３熱伝導体よりも同等以
下として、前記圧電片の駆動時に生ずる熱を外部に放出
したことを特徴とする超音波探触子。1. An ultrasonic probe comprising a plurality of piezoelectric pieces having electrodes formed on both main surfaces arranged in a row on a backing material, and electrodes being led out from side surfaces of the plurality of piezoelectric pieces by a flexible substrate. In the contactor, a first heat conductor made of a metal foil provided to face one end of a main surface on a radiation surface side of the piezoelectric piece, and a second heat conductive member provided on a lower surface of the backing material.
A heat conductor, the first heat conductor and the second heat conductor connected to each other, the backing material including the flexible substrate, and a third metal foil covering the outer peripheral side surface and the bottom surface of the second heat conductor. Wherein the first heat conductor has a heat conductivity equal to or higher than that of the third heat conductor, and the second heat conductor has a heat conductivity higher than that of the third heat conductor. Wherein the heat generated when the piezoelectric piece is driven is released to the outside.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1344001A JP2884173B2 (en) | 1989-12-28 | 1989-12-28 | Ultrasonic probe |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1344001A JP2884173B2 (en) | 1989-12-28 | 1989-12-28 | Ultrasonic probe |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH03203290A JPH03203290A (en) | 1991-09-04 |
| JP2884173B2 true JP2884173B2 (en) | 1999-04-19 |
Family
ID=18365894
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1344001A Expired - Lifetime JP2884173B2 (en) | 1989-12-28 | 1989-12-28 | Ultrasonic probe |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2884173B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4843395B2 (en) * | 2006-07-10 | 2011-12-21 | 日本電波工業株式会社 | Ultrasonic probe |
| CN109738528B (en) * | 2018-12-19 | 2021-06-08 | 中国兵器科学研究院宁波分院 | Ultrasonic C scanning automatic detection system |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS61240157A (en) * | 1985-04-17 | 1986-10-25 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Ultrasonic probe |
-
1989
- 1989-12-28 JP JP1344001A patent/JP2884173B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH03203290A (en) | 1991-09-04 |
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