JP4583802B2 - Radial ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radial type ultrasonic probe (hereinafter referred to as a radial type probe), and more particularly to a radial type probe having an improved acoustic lens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An ultrasonic probe is known as an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception unit used in, for example, a medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. One such example is a radial probe inserted into a body cavity, for example.

(Example of Prior Art) FIG. 5 is a diagram of a radial probe for explaining one conventional example. FIG. 5 (a) is an exploded view, and FIG. 5 (b) is a partial sectional view.

  The radial probe has a piezoelectric element group 2A in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements 2 are arranged in a width direction on a cylindrical holder 1 serving as a base. The acoustic lens 3 is attached on the piezoelectric element 2. For example, the piezoelectric element 2 is arranged on a rubber-like backing material 4. Then, an acoustic matching layer (not shown) is provided on the front surface of each piezoelectric element 2, and then the backing material 4 is wound around the cylindrical holder 1.

  The acoustic lens 3 has a cylindrical shape with both ends opened, and includes a lens portion 3a having a curvature in the length direction of the piezoelectric element 2 and flat plate portions 3b on both sides. The lens portion 3 a is substantially the same length as the piezoelectric element 2, and the center of the lens portion 3 a and the piezoelectric element 2 is matched. These are fixed on the acoustic matching layer by an adhesive (not shown).

(Problems of the prior art) However, the radial probe having the above-described configuration has a problem that it is difficult to align the cylindrical acoustic lens 3. In this case, the center positions of the acoustic lens 3 and the piezoelectric element 2 are shifted, and unnecessary ultrasonic waves from, for example, the piezoelectric element 2 are generated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a radial probe that facilitates positioning of an acoustic lens.

The present invention provides a piezoelectric element group in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged on the outer periphery of a cylindrical holder, and a cylindrical acoustic lens that circulates the piezoelectric elements, as indicated in the claims (Claim 1). In the radial-type ultrasonic probe comprising: the cylindrical holder is cylindrical, and the acoustic lens has one end side as an engaging portion that makes contact with the annular end surface of the cylindrical holder. An inner surface including an inner bottom surface of the concave groove of the acoustic lens and a surface including an annular end surface of one end portion of the cylindrical columnar holding body. Is fixed by an adhesive .

With such a configuration, the acoustic lens is positioned and attached to the piezoelectric element. The cylindrical holder is cylindrical, and the locking portion of the acoustic lens is L-shaped to form a concave groove. As a result, the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical holder is inserted into the groove, and the adhesive crawls up as described above, facilitating the work .

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  FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a radial probe for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the same part as a prior art example, and the description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the radial probe has a piezoelectric element group 2A in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements 2 are arranged in the width direction on the outer periphery of the columnar holder 1, and a cylindrical shape that is attached around the piezoelectric element group 2A. The acoustic lens 3 is provided. In this embodiment, the acoustic lens 3 extends from the flat plate portion 3b on one end side to form a bottomed cylindrical body.

  In such a case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (partially assembled sectional view), first, the adhesive 5 is stored at the bottom of the acoustic lens 3 having a bottomed cylindrical body. Next, it inserts from the one end side of the cylindrical holder 1 provided with 2 A of piezoelectric element groups. Then, one end of the cylindrical holder 1 is pressed against the inner bottom surface of the acoustic lens 3 to make a stop.

  As a result, the adhesive 5 penetrates into the gap between the acoustic lens 3 and the piezoelectric element group 2A and rises. Then, the acoustic lens 3 is attached on the piezoelectric element group 2A. However, an acoustic matching layer (not shown) is provided on the piezoelectric element group 2A.

  For these reasons, the bottom of the acoustic lens 3 having a bottomed cylindrical body functions as a locking portion of the cylindrical holder 1, and the centers of the piezoelectric element 2 and the lens portion 3A are made to coincide. Further, in this example, the adhesive 5 is stored and deposited on the bottom, so that the operation is facilitated.

  FIG. 3 is an assembled partial sectional view of a radial probe for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. The description of the same parts as in the first embodiment is omitted or simplified.

  In the second embodiment, the columnar holding body has a cylindrical shape with both ends open, and the piezoelectric element group 2A is arranged around the circuit. For example, a catheter (not shown) is inserted through the air core. Here, the acoustic lens 3 extends from the flat plate portion 3c on one end side, bends in an L shape, and forms a circular groove.

  And the adhesive agent 5 is stored in the groove | channel of the acoustic lens 3, the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical support body 1 is inserted in a groove | channel, and one end is bumped to the inner bottom face of a groove | channel. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the adhesive 5 scoops up the gap between the acoustic lens 3 and the piezoelectric element group 2A, and the acoustic lens 3 is deposited on the piezoelectric element group 2A.

  Even in this case, the groove bottom portion of the acoustic lens 3 functions as a locking portion of the cylindrical holder 1, and the centers of the piezoelectric element 2 and the lens portion 3A can be matched, facilitating the deposition work.

(Other Matters, Reference) In each of the above embodiments, the acoustic lens 3 has a structure for storing the adhesive 5, but for example, as shown in FIG. It is good also as a latching | locking part. Even in this case, one end of the cylindrical holder 1 stops and the positioning of the acoustic lens 3 is facilitated.

  In each embodiment, the adhesive 5 is stored and scooped up. However, for example, the acoustic lens 5 may be inserted and fixed (attached) with the adhesive applied on the piezoelectric element group 2A.

It is a partial sectional view of a radial type probe explaining the 1st example of the present invention. It is a partial sectional view of the assembly of the radial type probe for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an assembly partial sectional view of a radial type probe explaining the 2nd example of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the acoustic lens explaining the other Example of this invention. It is a figure of the radial type probe explaining a prior art example, the figure (a) is an exploded assembly figure, and the figure (b) is a partial sectional view.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cylindrical holder, 2 Piezoelectric element, 2A Piezoelectric element group, 3 Acoustic lens, 4 Backing material, 5 Adhesive.

Claims (1)

In a radial ultrasonic probe comprising a piezoelectric element group in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged on the outer periphery of a cylindrical holder and a cylindrical acoustic lens that goes around the piezoelectric element, the cylindrical holder is The acoustic lens has a concave groove bent in an L-shape as an engaging portion that makes contact with an annular end surface of one end portion of the columnar holding body on one end side of the acoustic lens. An ultrasonic probe in which an inner surface including an inner bottom surface of a concave groove and a surface including an annular end surface of one end portion of the cylindrical columnar holder are fixed by an adhesive.

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