JPH07110273B2 - Ultrasonic mechanical scanner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention (Industrial field of application) The present invention is an ultrasonic mechanical system capable of mechanically oscillating or rotating an ultrasonic transducer to enable mechanical scanning of ultrasonic waves. The present invention relates to a scanner device.

(Prior Art) An ultrasonic mechanical scanner device obtains ultrasonic information of an object by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves while mechanically oscillating or rotating an ultrasonic transducer (hereinafter referred to as transducer). It is a thing. In such an ultrasonic mechanical scanner device, for example, a vibrating oscillator cannot be directly applied to the subject (living body), and therefore, as shown in FIG. It is covered with a window member 5 made of resin, and a vibrator 7 is housed in the room 6. In the ultrasonic frequency range applied to the collection of ultrasonic information of a living body, when air is present, it is difficult for the ultrasonic waves to reach the living body.
Need to meet. However, if air bubbles are mixed in the liquid 8, the ultrasonic image will be adversely affected.
The bubbles present inside must be removed by some method, and in addition to being removed, it is necessary to delay the generation of the next bubble as much as possible. Generally, in this kind of ultrasonic mechanical scanner device, the rotary motion of the motor (see arrow A) is converted into a swing motion by a link mechanism 9 or the like, and the oscillator 7 is converted.
Since a swinging motion (see arrow B) is given to the liquid, unless the motor is completely immersed in the liquid, the liquid 8 flows out and bubbles are not generated between the shaft 10 directly connected to the motor and the oil seal 10a. It is necessary to prevent contamination.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 3, a rubber-made cylindrical tube 2 communicating with the room 6 is provided in the rear of the window member 5, and after the air in the room 6 is completed, the tube 2 is inflated as shown by a broken line. The stopper 3 is used to form a closed structure, and the elastic force of the tube 2 is used to create a positive pressure in the window member 5 to prevent the liquid 8 from flowing out and the generation of bubbles between the shaft 10a and the oil sheet 11. It was

However, in such a conventional structure, not only the stopper 3 needs to be opened and closed, but also the positive pressure obtained by the rubber tube 2 is small, so that it is quite difficult to bleed air, and the generation of bubbles is sufficient. Could not be prevented.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, the conventional ultrasonic mechanical scanner device has a problem that complicated air bleeding work is inevitable.

Therefore, the present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks, while preventing the inclusion of bubbles that adversely affect the ultrasonic image, it is possible to prevent the return by capturing the bubbles in a place that does not affect the image even when bubbles are mixed, An ultrasonic mechanical scanner device capable of omitting complicated air bleeding work can be provided.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving Problems) An ultrasonic mechanical scanner device according to the present invention includes a first medium chamber and a second medium chamber adjacent to the first medium chamber. And a case body in which each of the liquid medium chambers is filled with an acoustic medium liquid, a mechanical scanner unit arranged in the first medium liquid chamber for performing a mechanical scan of ultrasonic waves, and an insertion hole. By means of a spatula-shaped partition wall formed in a scooping shape toward the first liquid medium chamber, the bubbles in the first liquid medium chamber are introduced into the second medium liquid chamber, and the first medium of the introduced bubbles is formed. A bubble trap means for preventing return to the liquid chamber, and a kinetic energy provided for mechanical scanning, which is arranged so as to pass through the second medium chamber from the outside of the case body and through the insertion hole, are provided to the mechanical scanner unit. And a rotating shaft for transmitting to It is intended to.

(Operation) Usually, the contact of the ultrasonic mechanical scanner device with the subject is performed with the sound wave emitting surface oriented in the direction of gravity. In such an attitude, the first position where the mechanical scanner unit is arranged is
The liquid medium chamber is at the lower side, and the second liquid medium chamber is at the upper side. Therefore, during use of the ultrasonic mechanical scanner device, the bubbles existing in the first medium chamber rise due to buoyancy and are guided into the second medium chamber by the bubble trap means.

The bubbles introduced into the second liquid medium chamber further rise and eventually reach the inner wall surface of the second liquid medium chamber. Even if the apparatus is rotated in this state, the bubbles in the second liquid medium chamber are trapped by the bubble trap means, and therefore do not return to the first liquid medium chamber.

As described above, since the air bubbles in the first liquid medium chamber are automatically removed during the use of the present apparatus, it is not necessary to perform the complicated air bleeding work as in the conventional case.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic mechanical scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a case body, and in particular, a portion indicated by 12 is an ultrasonic wave emitting surface, and therefore is formed of a plastic or rubber window material. Reference numeral 13 denotes a mechanical scanner unit, which includes a vibrator 13a and a link mechanism 13b for swinging the vibrator 13a. 14 is a drive means such as a motor.
The rotational energy of 14 is transmitted to the link mechanism 13b via an energy transmitting means such as a rotary shaft 15.

The case body 11 is filled with an acoustic medium liquid such as water.
Reference numeral 16 is a bubble trap means, here, the rotary shaft 15
Insertion hole 17 for inserting through, the insertion hole forming surface and the rotary shaft
Through hole that forms a circulation path for the acoustic medium liquid together with the gap with 15.
18 is used to form a scoop-like partition (hereinafter, referred to as a partition). By this partition wall 16 the case body 11
Inside is the first liquid medium chamber that houses the mechanical scanner unit 13.
19 and a second liquid medium chamber 20 adjacent to the liquid medium chamber 19 are divided into two.

Further, the rotating shaft 15 is a case body as shown in FIG.
11 From the outside, through the second liquid medium chamber 20, the insertion hole 17 of the partition wall 16
Is arranged so as to transmit rotational energy to the mechanical scanner unit 13 in the first liquid medium chamber 19 through the. Further, the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 15, especially the insertion hole 17
A spiral groove 24 is formed in a portion facing the surface forming the. Reference numeral 21 is an oil seal, which prevents leakage of acoustic medium liquid and generation of bubbles.

Next, the operation of the embodiment apparatus configured as described above will be described.

The collection of ultrasonic information lays the subject patient on the bed,
The ultrasonic wave radiating surface, that is, the window member 12 is directed toward the direction of gravity (direction of arrow 25). Therefore, in such a posture,
The first liquid medium chamber 19 is on the lower side, and the second liquid medium chamber 20 is on the upper side. For this reason, the bubbles 22 existing in the acoustic medium in the first medium chamber 19 rise due to buoyancy, move along the wall surface of the partition wall 16, and eventually reach the vicinity of the insertion hole 17. The bubbles 22 that have reached the vicinity of the insertion hole 17 can pass through the gap between the formation surface of the insertion hole 17 and the outer wall of the rotary shaft 15 by buoyancy, but the rotary shaft 15 is rotating in the direction of arrow A by the rotation drive of the motor 14. Then, the bubbles 22 can be forcibly drawn into the second medium chamber 20 through the spiral groove 24. The acoustic medium is also drawn into the second medium chamber 20 together with the bubbles, and the acoustic medium in the second medium chamber 20 is discharged into the first medium chamber 19 through the through holes 18 accordingly. However, the bubbles 22 continue to rise in the second medium chamber 20 and eventually reach the vicinity of the oil seal 21. When the device is rotated 180 ° in this state, the bubbles in the second liquid medium chamber 20 are
The partition 16 is trapped in the corner 23. Therefore, as long as the device is in a normal use state, the bubbles in the second liquid medium chamber 20 will not return to the first liquid medium chamber 19. Further, even when air bubbles enter the case body 11 through the oil seal 21 between the rotating shaft 15 and the case body 11, the partition wall 16
Since the air bubbles are trapped by the air bubbles, the air bubbles do not enter the first liquid medium chamber 19 in which the mechanical scanner unit 13 is housed.

The rotary motion transmitted to the link mechanism 13b via the rotary shaft 15 is used for swinging the vibrator 13a as in the conventional device.

As described above, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, since the partition wall 16 serving as the bubble trap means is provided, the bubbles in the first liquid medium chamber 19 enter the second medium liquid chamber 20 during the use of the device. It can be taken in and trapped, so that it does not require a complicated air bleeding work unlike the conventional device. Further, the rotary shaft 15 passes from the outside of the case body 11 through the second liquid medium chamber 20 and is a partition wall.
Since it is arranged so as to be inserted into the 16 through holes 17, even if air bubbles enter the case body 11 along the rotation axis 15, the inside of the first liquid medium chamber 19 in which the mechanical scanner unit 13 is housed. It is possible to prevent bubbles from being mixed in. In particular, a spiral groove 24 is formed on the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 15, and the insertion hole 17 and the through hole are formed.
Since 18 constitutes the circulation path of the acoustic medium liquid,
This has the advantage that the bubbles 22 in the liquid medium chamber 10 can be smoothly drawn into the second liquid medium chamber 20.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the above embodiment, the spiral groove 24 is formed in the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 15, and the insertion hole 17 and the through hole 18 constitute the circulation path of the acoustic medium liquid. Bubbles can be trapped even if the groove 24 and the through hole 18 are omitted.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the one in which the vibration is oscillated has been described, but the present invention can be applied to the one in which the mechanical scan is performed by rotating the vibrator.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, even if bubbles enter the case along the rotation axis, they are prevented from entering the first medium chamber by the bubble trap means, and bubbles are prevented. Even if mixed in the first liquid medium chamber, the bubbles can be taken into the second liquid medium chamber by the bubble tapping means to prevent the return, so that the mixture of the bubbles that adversely affect the ultrasonic image is prevented. At the same time, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic mechanical scanner device in which even if air bubbles are mixed, the air bubbles can be taken into a place that does not affect the image to prevent the air from returning and complicated air bleeding work can be omitted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory views of a conventional apparatus. 11 …… Case body, 13 …… Mechanical scanner, 13a…
… Ultrasonic transducer, 13b …… Link mechanism, 15 …… Energy transfer means (rotating shaft), 16 …… Bubble trap means (partition wall), 17 …… Insertion hole, 18 …… Through hole, 19 …… First Liquid medium chamber, 20 ... second liquid medium chamber, 22 ... air bubble, 24 ... spiral groove.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-59-111747 (JP, A) JP-A-62-94139 (JP, A) JP-A-57-136443 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A case body which is divided into a first medium chamber and a second medium chamber adjacent to the first medium chamber, and each medium chamber is filled with an acoustic medium. The mechanical scanner unit disposed in the first liquid medium chamber for performing mechanical scanning of ultrasonic waves, and the scooping partition formed in a scooping shape toward the first liquid medium chamber with an insertion hole, Bubble trap means for guiding the bubbles in the first medium chamber to the second medium chamber and for preventing the guided bubbles from returning to the first medium chamber, and the second from the outside of the case body. A rotary shaft which is arranged to pass through the liquid medium chamber and inserted into the insertion hole, and which transmits kinetic energy used for mechanical scanning to the mechanical scanner unit, the ultrasonic mechanical scanner device. 2. A spiral groove is bored in the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, and a penetrating wall which forms a circulation path for the acoustic medium liquid together with a gap between the insertion hole forming surface and the rotating shaft is formed in the conical partition wall. The ultrasonic mechanical scanner device according to claim 1, wherein a hole is provided.