JPS5817361A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents
Ultrasonic probeInfo
- Publication number
- JPS5817361A JPS5817361A JP56115138A JP11513881A JPS5817361A JP S5817361 A JPS5817361 A JP S5817361A JP 56115138 A JP56115138 A JP 56115138A JP 11513881 A JP11513881 A JP 11513881A JP S5817361 A JPS5817361 A JP S5817361A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- probe
- transducer array
- ultrasonic
- curvature
- belly
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
- G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
- G01N29/28—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details providing acoustic coupling, e.g. water
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
本発明は超音波探触子、特に電子走査される振動子を有
する超音波探触子の改良に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in ultrasound probes, particularly ultrasound probes having electronically scanned transducers.
被検体中に超音波ビームを放射し、被検体内の音響イン
ピーダンスの差から得られる反射エコーを受波して所望
断層面に沿った断層像を画像表示する超音波診断装置が
周知であり、非観血的に生体組織の状態を診断できるこ
とから広範囲に利用されている。そして、前述した超音
波ビームを所望の走査面に沿って走査し、該走査面の状
態を平面的に画像表示する装置がＢモード超音波診断装
置として知られており、前記超音波ビームの走査を行う
ために、電子的に走査される複数個の配列された振動子
を有する超音波探触子が実用化されている。この探線子
によれば、超音波ビームの高速走査を可能と５し、探触
子を所望の被検部位に押し当てるのみで、リアルタイム
で画像表示を行うことができ、迅速な診断が行え、かつ
大量の診断情報を得るのに好適であった。Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is well known, which emits an ultrasound beam into a subject, receives reflected echoes obtained from differences in acoustic impedance within the subject, and displays a tomographic image along a desired tomographic plane. It is widely used because it allows non-invasive diagnosis of the state of biological tissues. A device that scans the above-mentioned ultrasonic beam along a desired scanning plane and displays the state of the scanning plane as a two-dimensional image is known as a B-mode ultrasonic diagnostic device. In order to perform this, an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of arrayed transducers that are electronically scanned has been put into practical use. This probe enables high-speed scanning of the ultrasonic beam5, and by simply pressing the probe against the desired area to be examined, images can be displayed in real time, allowing for rapid diagnosis. , and was suitable for obtaining a large amount of diagnostic information.
しかし、従来の探触子は超音波ビームを送受波する振動
子アレーが固い非変形の材料で形成されているため、こ
の振動子アレーが内部に配置される探触子面の形状も常
に一定であり、被検体の体表面の曲率に合わせた効率の
よい診断が行えない欠点があった。すなわち、振動子ア
レーの形状が常に一定であるため、探触子を接触させる
体表面の曲率が被検体毎に異なる場合には、探触子面の
一部しか被検体の体表面に密着させることができず、そ
の結果、振動子アレーの有効視野を効果的に利用するこ
とができなかった。このような欠点は特に産科領域にお
ける妊産婦の腹部の診断の際に顕著となる。However, in conventional probes, the transducer array that transmits and receives ultrasonic beams is made of hard, non-deformable material, so the shape of the probe surface in which this transducer array is placed is always constant. This has the drawback that efficient diagnosis cannot be performed in accordance with the curvature of the body surface of the subject. In other words, since the shape of the transducer array is always constant, if the curvature of the body surface with which the probe comes into contact differs from subject to subject, only a portion of the probe surface can be brought into close contact with the subject's body surface. As a result, the effective field of view of the transducer array could not be used effectively. These shortcomings are particularly noticeable when diagnosing the abdomen of pregnant women in the field of obstetrics.
本発明はこれら従来の課題に鑑みなされたもので、その
目的は超音波ビームを送受波する振動子アレーの形状に
可変性を与え、かつその形状を被検体の体表面に応じて
調整可能とすることにより、振動子アレーの有効視野を
広範囲にわたり使用して、効率のよい診断を行うことを
可能とする超音波探触子を提供することにある。The present invention was developed in view of these conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide variability in the shape of the transducer array that transmits and receives ultrasound beams, and to make the shape adjustable according to the body surface of the subject. The object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe that enables efficient diagnosis by using the effective field of view of the transducer array over a wide range.
上記目的を達成するため、本発明は柔軟性を有する材料
を用いて超音波ビームを送受波する振動子アレーを形成
し、この振動子アレー〇形状に可変性を与えるとともに
、この振動子アレーにほぼ円弧状の曲率をもたせ、この
曲率を連続的に変化させる調整機構を設けたことを特徴
とする。In order to achieve the above object, the present invention uses a flexible material to form a transducer array that transmits and receives ultrasonic beams, gives variability to the shape of this transducer array, and provides flexibility to the transducer array. It is characterized in that it has a substantially arcuate curvature and is provided with an adjustment mechanism that continuously changes this curvature.
次に本発明の好適な実施例を図面に基づき説明する。Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
第１図はマルチ超音波探触子における超音波送受波機構
の説明図である。図において、この探触子１０の超音波
送受波機構１２は細長矩形状の複数の超音波振動子１４
から成る振動子アレー１６を音響バッキングを兼ねた支
持台１８上に配設し、更にこのアレー１６上に音響マツ
チング層２ｏおよび音響レンズ２２を順次積層して構成
されている。そして、この送受波機構１２を構成する各
要素は各々柔軟性を有する材料から形成されており、本
実施例において、例えば、音響レンズ２２はシリコンゴ
ム、音響マツチング層２０はポリエステル、振動子１４
は高分子圧電フィルム、支持台１８はタングステン粉末
入りのシリコンゴムで形成されている。これにょシ、探
触子ｌＯの探触子面Ａの形状は可変性を有することとな
る。FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic wave transmission/reception mechanism in a multi-ultrasonic probe. In the figure, the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving mechanism 12 of this probe 10 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 14 each having an elongated rectangular shape.
A transducer array 16 is disposed on a support base 18 which also serves as an acoustic backing, and an acoustic matching layer 2o and an acoustic lens 22 are sequentially laminated on the array 16. Each element constituting the wave transmitting/receiving mechanism 12 is made of a flexible material. In this embodiment, for example, the acoustic lens 22 is made of silicone rubber, the acoustic matching layer 20 is made of polyester, and the vibrator 14 is made of silicone rubber.
is made of a polymer piezoelectric film, and the support base 18 is made of silicone rubber containing tungsten powder. In this case, the shape of the probe surface A of the probe 10 is variable.
なお上記振動子１４を形成する高分子圧電フィルムとは
ポリ弗化ビニリデン、ポリ弗化ビニルおよびこれらを主
成分とする共重合体、更にはこれらと強誘電体セラミッ
ク粉末の混合体を成極して得られる圧電体を意味する。The polymeric piezoelectric film forming the vibrator 14 is made of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, a copolymer containing these as main components, or a mixture of these and ferroelectric ceramic powder. means a piezoelectric material obtained by
第２図は第１図に示す探触子１０に設けた調整機構の説
明図である。２４はスチール製の板ばねであり、探触子
１０Ｑ送受波機構１２に復原力を与えるため、その支持
台１８側に一体的に固着されている。FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment mechanism provided in the probe 10 shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 24 denotes a steel plate spring, which is integrally fixed to the support base 18 side in order to give restoring force to the wave transmitting/receiving mechanism 12 of the probe 10Q.
そして、探触子１０の探触子面Ａにその長手方向に向け
たほぼ円弧状の曲率をもたせるため、一体重に固着され
た送受波機構１２および板ばね２４の長手方向の両端は
ケース２６の開口端部に支持されている。そして、上記
探触子面１２の曲率調整はケース２６の底面中央に設け
た調整機構としてのつまみ２８を回動することにより行
う。このつまみ公はその支持棒の周囲に設けたねじ溝が
ケース２６の底面と螺合し、更にその先端が板ばね２４
の中央と係合する構造となっているため、左右いずれか
の回動操作によシ板ばね２４の中央を上下動させ、探触
子面Ａの曲率を連続的に変化させることができる。In order to give the probe surface A of the probe 10 a substantially arc-shaped curvature in the longitudinal direction, both longitudinal ends of the wave transmitting/receiving mechanism 12 and the leaf spring 24 fixed to one body are connected to the case 26. is supported at the open end of the The curvature of the probe surface 12 is adjusted by rotating a knob 28 as an adjustment mechanism provided at the center of the bottom surface of the case 26. The screw groove provided around the support rod of this knob is screwed into the bottom surface of the case 26, and the tip of the knob is connected to the leaf spring 24.
Since it has a structure that engages with the center of the probe surface A, the center of the leaf spring 24 can be moved up and down by a rotation operation in either the left or right direction, and the curvature of the probe surface A can be continuously changed.
本発明の実施例は以上の構成から成り、以下にその作用
を説明する。The embodiment of the present invention has the above configuration, and its operation will be explained below.
第２図に示す装置と周知の超音波診断装置とを組み合わ
せて、被検体、例えば妊産婦の腹部の診断を行う場合を
考える。A case will be considered in which the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and a well-known ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are combined to diagnose the abdomen of a subject, for example, a pregnant woman.
まず妊産婦の腹部に探触子１０の探触子面Ａを押し当て
、との探触子面Ａと腹部とが隙間を生ずることなく一致
する程度にまで探触子面Ａの曲率の調整を行う。この曲
率の調整は前述のように、つまみ路を回動することによ
り行われ、調整の結果得られた曲率はつまみ四の回転角
から読みとられる０その後、との探触子１０の振動子ア
レー１６を電子走査して腹部内に超音波ビームを放射し
、その体内における音響インピーダンスの差から得られ
る反射エコーを受波して、ＣＲＴなどの表示装置に所望
断層面に沿った断層像を画像表示することとなる。ここ
において、探触子面Ａは腹部に完全に密着させることが
できるため、振動子アレー１６の有効視野を全範囲にわ
たって利用することができ、極めて効率よく診断するこ
とが可能となる。First, press the probe surface A of the probe 10 against the abdomen of the pregnant woman, and adjust the curvature of the probe surface A to the extent that the probe surface A and the abdomen coincide without creating a gap. conduct. As mentioned above, this curvature adjustment is performed by rotating the knob path, and the curvature obtained as a result of the adjustment is read from the rotation angle of the knob 4. The array 16 is electronically scanned to emit an ultrasonic beam into the abdomen, and the reflected echoes obtained from the difference in acoustic impedance within the body are received, and a tomographic image along a desired tomographic plane is displayed on a display device such as a CRT. An image will be displayed. Here, since the probe surface A can be brought into complete contact with the abdomen, the effective field of view of the transducer array 16 can be utilized over the entire range, making it possible to diagnose extremely efficiently.
また探触子面Ａの曲率を変化させることに伴う表示装置
における画像表示の校正は、上記曲率をつまみあの回転
角から読みとり、これを基準としてラスターの方向をコ
ントロールすればよい。Further, to calibrate the image display on the display device due to changing the curvature of the probe surface A, it is sufficient to read the curvature from the rotation angle of the knob and control the direction of the raster using this as a reference.
なお本実施例においては、超音波送受波機構を、音響バ
ッキング、振動子アレー、音響マツチング層、音響レン
ズの積層構造としたマルチ超音波探触子を示したが、こ
れに限らず、他の超音波探触子にあっても、振動子アレ
ーに可変性をもたせ、探触子面の形状を調整可能とする
ことにより、同様の効果を得ることができる。In this example, a multi-ultrasonic probe is shown in which the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving mechanism has a laminated structure of an acoustic backing, a transducer array, an acoustic matching layer, and an acoustic lens. A similar effect can be obtained with an ultrasonic probe by making the transducer array variable and adjusting the shape of the probe surface.
また本実施例においては、振動子アレーに凹湾曲を与え
、この湾曲の曲率を調整するものを示したが、これに限
らず、振動子アレーに凸湾曲を与えセクタ走査を行わせ
、この湾曲の曲率を調整する構造としてもよい。Furthermore, in this embodiment, a concave curvature is given to the transducer array and the curvature of this curvature is adjusted, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to have a structure that adjusts the curvature of.
また第２図は調整機構の一例を示すものであり、その構
造はこれに限定されない。Moreover, FIG. 2 shows an example of an adjustment mechanism, and its structure is not limited to this.
以上のように１本発明によれば、超音波ビームを送受波
する振動子アレーの形状に可変性を与え、かつその振動
子アレーの形状を被検体の体表面の形状に応じて調整可
能とすることにより、振動子アレーの有効視野を広範囲
にわたり使用することができ、その結果、極めて効率の
よい診断を行うことが可能メなる。As described above, according to the present invention, the shape of the transducer array that transmits and receives ultrasound beams is made variable, and the shape of the transducer array can be adjusted according to the shape of the body surface of the subject. By doing so, the effective field of view of the transducer array can be used over a wide range, and as a result, extremely efficient diagnosis can be performed.
第１図は本発明の超音波探触子における超音波送受波機
構の一実施例を示す説明図、
第２図はこの探触子の振動子アレーの曲率を調整する調
整機構の説明図である。
各図中同一部材には同一符号を付し、１０は超音波探触
子、１６は振動子アレー、１８は音響バッキングを兼ね
た支持台、２０は音響マツチング層、 ２２は音響レン
ズ、’２４ 、２６ 、２８それぞれは調整機構を構成
する板ばね、ケース、つまみである。
出願人 ナロカ株式会社Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving mechanism in the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the curvature of the transducer array of this probe. be. The same members in each figure are given the same reference numerals, 10 is an ultrasonic probe, 16 is a transducer array, 18 is a support that also serves as an acoustic backing, 20 is an acoustic matching layer, 22 is an acoustic lens, '24 , 26 and 28 are a leaf spring, a case, and a knob, respectively, which constitute an adjustment mechanism. Applicant Naroka Co., Ltd.
Claims (1)
送受波する振動子アレーを形成し、この振動子アレーの
形状に可変性を与えるとともに、この振動子アレーにほ
ぼ円弧状の曲率をもたせ、この曲率を連続的に変化させ
る調整機構を設けたことを特徴とする超音波探触子。 （２、特許請求の範囲（１）記載の超音波探触子におい
て、振動子アレーを高分子圧電フィルムを用いて形成し
たことを特徴とする超音波探触子。 （３）特許請求の範囲（１）、 （２）のいずれかに記
載の超音波探触子において、振動子アレー０両側に積層
された音響バッキング、音響マツチング層、音響レンズ
を柔軟性を有する材料を用いて形成したことを特徴とす
る超音波探触子。[Claims] (1) A transducer array for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic beams is formed using a flexible material, and the shape of the transducer array is made variable, and the transducer array has approximately the same shape as the transducer array. An ultrasonic probe characterized in that it has an arcuate curvature and is provided with an adjustment mechanism that continuously changes this curvature. (2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim (1), characterized in that the transducer array is formed using a polymer piezoelectric film. (3) Claims In the ultrasonic probe according to either (1) or (2), the acoustic backing, acoustic matching layer, and acoustic lens laminated on both sides of the transducer array 0 are formed using a flexible material. An ultrasonic probe featuring:
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP56115138A JPS5817361A (en) | 1981-07-24 | 1981-07-24 | Ultrasonic probe |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP56115138A JPS5817361A (en) | 1981-07-24 | 1981-07-24 | Ultrasonic probe |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS5817361A true JPS5817361A (en) | 1983-02-01 |
| JPH0150855B2 JPH0150855B2 (en) | 1989-10-31 |
Family
ID=14655221
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP56115138A Granted JPS5817361A (en) | 1981-07-24 | 1981-07-24 | Ultrasonic probe |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5817361A (en) |
Cited By (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6133585U (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1986-02-28 | 敬介 本多 | Variable directivity angle transducer |
| JPS63118562U (en) * | 1987-01-26 | 1988-08-01 | ||
| US6253619B1 (en) * | 1999-08-20 | 2001-07-03 | General Electric Company | Adjustable acoustic mirror |
| WO2004065954A1 (en) * | 2003-01-17 | 2004-08-05 | The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated | Ultrasonic probe |
| JP2007175110A (en) * | 2005-12-27 | 2007-07-12 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Ultrasonic probe |
| JP2007192649A (en) * | 2006-01-19 | 2007-08-02 | Toshiba Corp | Three-dimensional ultrasonic inspecting apparatus |
| DE102008028200A1 (en) * | 2008-06-12 | 2009-12-17 | Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Gmbh | Ultrasonic transducer for use during e.g. weld testing, has transducer element with electrodes, where lever arms, force, reinforcing element, strip and layers produce and/or change bend or curvature on carrier plate in region of element |
| JP2010050796A (en) * | 2008-08-22 | 2010-03-04 | Kureha Corp | Ultrasonic probe element |
| WO2012053639A1 (en) * | 2010-10-22 | 2012-04-26 | 株式会社Ihi | Ultrasonic flaw detection device, ultrasonic transducer, and ultrasonic flaw detection method |
| JP2013141524A (en) * | 2012-01-11 | 2013-07-22 | Seiko Epson Corp | Ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic probe, diagnostic instrument and electronic instrument |
| CN104739444A (en) * | 2013-12-31 | 2015-07-01 | 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 | Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic detector |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS55158707U (en) * | 1979-05-04 | 1980-11-14 | ||
| JPS56161799A (en) * | 1980-05-15 | 1981-12-12 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Ultrasonic wave probe |
| JPS5775640A (en) * | 1980-10-29 | 1982-05-12 | Hitachi Ltd | Ultrasonic shotographing apparatus |
-
1981
- 1981-07-24 JP JP56115138A patent/JPS5817361A/en active Granted
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS55158707U (en) * | 1979-05-04 | 1980-11-14 | ||
| JPS56161799A (en) * | 1980-05-15 | 1981-12-12 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Ultrasonic wave probe |
| JPS5775640A (en) * | 1980-10-29 | 1982-05-12 | Hitachi Ltd | Ultrasonic shotographing apparatus |
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6133585U (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1986-02-28 | 敬介 本多 | Variable directivity angle transducer |
| JPS63118562U (en) * | 1987-01-26 | 1988-08-01 | ||
| US6253619B1 (en) * | 1999-08-20 | 2001-07-03 | General Electric Company | Adjustable acoustic mirror |
| WO2004065954A1 (en) * | 2003-01-17 | 2004-08-05 | The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated | Ultrasonic probe |
| JP2007175110A (en) * | 2005-12-27 | 2007-07-12 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Ultrasonic probe |
| JP2007192649A (en) * | 2006-01-19 | 2007-08-02 | Toshiba Corp | Three-dimensional ultrasonic inspecting apparatus |
| DE102008028200A1 (en) * | 2008-06-12 | 2009-12-17 | Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Gmbh | Ultrasonic transducer for use during e.g. weld testing, has transducer element with electrodes, where lever arms, force, reinforcing element, strip and layers produce and/or change bend or curvature on carrier plate in region of element |
| DE102008028200B4 (en) * | 2008-06-12 | 2013-01-31 | Karlsruher Institut für Technologie | Ultrasonic transducer with variable focus adjustment |
| JP2010050796A (en) * | 2008-08-22 | 2010-03-04 | Kureha Corp | Ultrasonic probe element |
| WO2012053639A1 (en) * | 2010-10-22 | 2012-04-26 | 株式会社Ihi | Ultrasonic flaw detection device, ultrasonic transducer, and ultrasonic flaw detection method |
| JP2013141524A (en) * | 2012-01-11 | 2013-07-22 | Seiko Epson Corp | Ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic probe, diagnostic instrument and electronic instrument |
| US9348213B2 (en) | 2012-01-11 | 2016-05-24 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic probe, diagnostic instrument, and electronic instrument |
| CN104739444A (en) * | 2013-12-31 | 2015-07-01 | 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 | Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic detector |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0150855B2 (en) | 1989-10-31 |
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