JPH0761327B2 - Ultrasonic coupler - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an ultrasonic coupler. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic coupler that is interposed between an ultrasonic probe and a contact surface of a subject used in the field of biological measurement using ultrasonic waves.

(Prior Art) An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used in many diagnostic fields including an abdominal organ such as a heart and a liver because of its simplicity and non-invasiveness to a patient.

For example, in the case of a heart patient, in order to perform the open-heart surgery accurately, it is desired that the position and shape of the lesion site and the relationship with the normal part adjacent to the lesion site be diagnosed in detail before the operation. In seriously ill cases, this is an important issue that influences the outcome of surgery, and the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is very useful for improving recent surgical results. However, preoperative ultrasonography cannot obtain sufficient information on heart disease and lesions while applying a probe from above the chest wall to avoid lungs and bone tissue. Ultrasonography during open heart surgery can be considered as a method of performing more detailed ultrasound diagnosis beyond this limit.

That is, if a probe is directly applied from the outside of the pericardium or the incision of the heart or blood vessel after the midline sternotomy to perform ultrasonic examination, a more detailed surgically useful diagnosis can be obtained for each lumen. In addition, it is possible to confirm intraoperatively whether or not the surgical procedure performed by the intraoperative ultrasonic examination was appropriate, which is important for prevention of reoperation and postoperative management.

In ultrasonic diagnosis, an ultrasonic pulse is radiated into the body from the surface of the body or the surface of an organ, and a reflected wave generated due to a difference in acoustic impedance between tissues in the body is received to obtain a tomographic image of the body. Therefore, in order to obtain an accurate tomographic image, it is necessary to bring the ultrasonic probe into close contact with the surface of the body or the surface of the organ without the presence of an air layer having a high reflectance for ultrasonic waves.

However, when the probe is directly applied to the body surface in this way, in the obtained image, the shape of the tissue such as the blood vessel near the body surface is obtained by being deformed by the pressure. Further, when an ultrasonic examination is performed by directly applying a probe to the heart or blood vessel wall, the heart and blood vessels move in a non-uniform manner along with the heartbeat, and when pressure is applied by the probe, an arrhythmia and a decrease in blood pressure are likely to occur. Therefore, it is difficult to keep a conventional probe having a non-deformable contact surface in close contact with the surface of the pulsating heart, etc., and to use it safely. In practice, the usefulness of intraoperative real-time ultrasonic tomography is sufficient. The reality is that it has not been demonstrated.

Therefore, in these cases, an appropriate contact medium substance for use between the probe and the surface of the body or the surface of the organ is required, that is, a soft contact medium that follows its movement while closely adhering to the surface of the heart or the like. There is a need for an ultrasonic coupler with excellent bulk and ultrasonic characteristics.

Conventionally, in this type of ultrasonic coupler, FIG.
And (B), the subject 2 of the elastic acoustic medium 1
The projecting portion 1a of the portion contacting with is projecting from the opening 4 on the subject side of the fixing member 3 with the same width as the opening width W, that is, with the same area as the opening area (JP-A-61-288). , 84
No. 0). The surface of the elastic acoustic medium 1 in contact with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface 5a of the ultrasonic probe 5 had a flat shape. Further, the mounting means, the positioning means, and the like when mounting the ultrasonic coupler on the ultrasonic probe 5 have not been prepared yet, and the method for housing the elastic acoustic medium 1 in the fixing member 3 is not the same. It wasn't in place.

The shape of the ultrasonic coupler is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B) and (C), with respect to the cross-sectional shape of the elastic acoustic medium 1 orthogonal to the ultrasonic scanning direction, an example is known in which the width thereof becomes narrower in the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-36,173, the sectional shape parallel to the ultrasonic scanning direction and the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction is a rectangle or a shape in which the width becomes wider in the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 63-36,173). 63-117,735). Further, conventionally, in this type of ultrasonic coupler, the elastic acoustic medium 1 is limited to the one that protrudes from the fixing member to the subject side.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, as in the conventional case, when the elastic acoustic medium is projected from the opening of the fixing member on the subject side with the same width as that of the opening, it is shown in FIG. 2 (B). As described above, when the ultrasonic coupler is moved on the subject 2, the elastic acoustic body 1 is bent and the transmission / reception of desired ultrasonic waves is disturbed, resulting in image deterioration. Alternatively, there is a problem that the elastic acoustic medium 1 is damaged due to bending of the elastic acoustic medium 1. Further, since the surface of the elastic acoustic medium 1 that contacts the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe 5 is flat, when the ultrasonic coupler is bonded to the ultrasonic probe, the elastic acoustic medium 1 and the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe are elastic. There is a problem that bubbles (air) are mixed in the contact surface with the acoustic medium, so that the ultrasonic waves cannot be satisfactorily transmitted to the subject.

Further, regarding the shape of the ultrasonic coupler, the sectional shape parallel to the ultrasonic scanning direction and the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction is a rectangle or a shape in which the width becomes wider in the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction. The size of the ultrasonic coupler is limited to the outer dimensions of the ultrasonic probe, and the shape of the ultrasonic coupler becomes larger than the area where the ultrasonic beam is transmitted and received. For this reason, it has been a factor that reduces the contactability to the subject or the scannability of the ultrasonic coupler on the subject.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel ultrasonic coupler. Another object of the present invention is to prevent the deterioration of the image due to the retention of the elastic acoustic medium and the bending of the elastic acoustic medium and the inclusion of air bubbles when the ultrasonic coupler is attached to the ultrasonic probe, and to the subject. To provide an ultrasonic coupler with improved contactability and operability.

(Means for Solving the Problems) These objects have a surface that is interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject and that contacts both the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe and the subject. An ultrasonic coupler including an elastic acoustic medium, and a fixing member that accommodates the elastic acoustic medium, has openings on both the ultrasonic probe side and the subject side, and is detachable from the ultrasonic probe ,
A part or all of the surface of the elastic acoustic medium that comes into contact with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe has a convex curved shape, and the elastic acoustic medium has a tip end surface of an opening on the subject side of the fixing member. And the elastic acoustic medium is formed so as to protrude from the tip end surface of the opening when the fixing member is attached to the ultrasonic probe. It is achieved by an ultrasonic coupler.

According to the present invention, an adhesive portion is provided on the ultrasonic probe-side opening of the fixing member so as to come into contact with at least a pair of opposing side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe, and an interval between the opposing mounting portions. Is an ultrasonic coupler in which the width is narrower than the width of the ultrasonic probe corresponding thereto.

(Operation) According to the present invention, a part or all of the surface of the elastic acoustic medium that comes into contact with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe has a convex curved shape, and the elastic acoustic medium is covered by the fixing member. The elastic acoustic medium is formed so as to have substantially the same surface as the tip end surface of the sample-side opening, and the elastic acoustic medium projects from the tip end surface of the opening when the fixing member is attached to the ultrasonic probe. Since it is formed, when it is not used (when the ultrasonic coupler is not attached to the ultrasonic probe), it is extremely unlikely that the elastic acoustic medium will come into contact with other objects, and therefore contamination can be prevented. . On the other hand, when the ultrasonic coupler is attached to the ultrasonic probe, the insertion of the ultrasonic probe (pressure) causes the elastic acoustic medium to protrude from the tip surface of the opening of the fixing member on the subject side to form a desired protruding portion. Thus, the elastic acoustic medium can be brought into good contact with the subject.

Further, by forming a part or all of the surface in contact with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe of the elastic acoustic medium into a convex curved shape, when attaching the ultrasonic coupler to the ultrasonic probe, a bubble ( (Air) is pushed out, and it is possible to prevent air bubbles from being mixed between the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe and the elastic acoustic medium in contact therewith. As the elastic acoustic medium, a crosslinked product of an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer compound is usually used. Examples of the water-soluble polymer compound include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid alkali metal salts, and partially neutralized products of polyacrylic acid with alkali metal, and most preferably. It is polyethylene oxide. The molecular weight of polyethylene oxide is 100,000 or more, preferably 200,000
~ 8,000,000.

Crosslinking of the water-soluble polymer compound can be carried out by various methods, such as a method of reacting a polyfunctional isocyanate compound and a polyfunctional epoxy compound, a method of irradiating with radiation, a method of freezing and thawing, and the like. Among these, the method by irradiation with radiation is a preferable method because sterilization can be performed simultaneously with crosslinking.

In the case of crosslinking by irradiation with radiation, after the aqueous solution of the water-soluble polymer compound is put into the fixing member in the previous period, or after the aqueous solution is separately put into a reaction vessel, the polymer is cross-linked by irradiation with radiation. It is carried out by making it three-dimensional and including 80 to 99% by weight, preferably 90 to 98% by weight of water in the network structure. That is, the water content is 80
If it is less than 100% by weight, the attenuation of ultrasonic waves will increase, while if it exceeds 99% by weight, the mechanical strength of the ultrasonic transmission medium will be poor. The concentration of the water-soluble polymer compound in the aqueous solution is 1 to 20% by weight, preferably 2 to 10% by weight. Furthermore, a preservative and a stabilizer can be added to this aqueous solution.

Radiation used for crosslinking includes γ-rays, electron beams, etc., and γ-rays are preferable. Radiation dose is 0.25 ~
It is 2.5 Mrad, preferably 0.5-1.5 Mrad. That is,
This is because when the irradiation dose is less than 0.25 Mrad, the degree of crosslinking is insufficient and it is difficult to maintain its own shape, while 2.
This is because if it exceeds 5 Mrad, it becomes too hard and the flexibility becomes insufficient, and the adhesion to the shape of the portion to be abutted deteriorates.

(Example) Next, the Example of this invention is described, referring drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention includes an elastic acoustic medium 11 solidified in a gel state.
And an elastic acoustic medium 11 which is in contact with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface 12a of the ultrasonic probe 12 and which can be attached and detached. A surface 11a that contacts the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the elastic acoustic medium 11.
A part or all of the shape has a convex curved shape. Further, the subject-side tip surface 11b of the elastic acoustic medium 11 is formed to be substantially the same as the tip-side surface 13b of the subject-side opening 13a of the fixing member 13.

Then, when the fixing member 13 is attached to the ultrasonic probe 12, as shown in FIG. 1B, the tip surface 13b of the opening of the fixing member 13 on the object side is inserted by the insertion (pressure) of the ultrasonic probe. The elastic acoustic medium 11 projects from the desired projection 11c.
Is formed. Further, on the side surface of the elastic acoustic medium 11, a concave portion 11d or a convex portion (not shown) corresponding to the convex portion 13d or the concave portion (not shown) of the fixing member 13 is formed.

The fixing member 13 is made of a hard plastic such as polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene or the like.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

For example, the present invention is not limited to the linear eyelet probe,
It is also possible to support single probes, mechanical scan probes, convex probes, etc.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention is an elastic acoustic device that is interposed between an ultrasonic probe and a subject and that has a surface that contacts both the transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe and the subject. Medium and
An ultrasonic coupler that accommodates the elastic acoustic medium and has a fixing member that has openings on both the ultrasonic probe side and the subject side and that is attachable to and detachable from the ultrasonic probe. Part or all of the surface of the ultrasonic probe that comes into contact with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface has a convex curved shape, and the elastic acoustic medium is substantially the same as the tip surface of the opening on the subject side of the fixing member. Ultrasonic coupler, wherein the elastic acoustic medium is formed so as to protrude from the tip end surface of the opening when the fixing member is attached to the ultrasonic probe in the previous period. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that the elastic acoustic medium will come into contact with other objects when not in use, so that the tip surface of the elastic acoustic medium can be prevented from being soiled, while the ultrasonic coupler is attached to the ultrasonic probe. In case, super sound Elastic acoustic medium from the distal end surface of the opening of the object side of the fixed member by insertion (pressure) of the probe protrudes a desired protruding portion is formed, there is an advantage that contact the good elastic acoustic medium to a subject.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (A) is a sectional view showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic coupler according to the present invention, FIG. 1 (B) is a sectional view when mounted on an ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 2 (A) is a conventional ultrasonic coupler. FIG. 2B is a side view, and FIGS. 3A to 3C are cross-sectional views of a conventional ultrasonic coupler. 11 …… Elastic acoustic medium, 12 …… Ultrasonic probe, 13 …… Fixing member.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An elastic acoustic medium that is interposed between an ultrasonic probe and a subject and has a surface that contacts both the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe and the subject, and the elastic acoustic medium. An ultrasonic coupler that is housed and has an opening on both the ultrasonic probe side and the subject and that has a fixing member that is detachable from the ultrasonic probe. Formed so that a part or all of the surface in contact with the sound wave transmitting / receiving surface has a convex curved shape, and the elastic acoustic medium is substantially the same surface as the tip surface of the opening of the fixing member on the subject side. The ultrasonic coupler is characterized in that the elastic acoustic medium is formed so as to protrude from the tip end surface of the opening when the fixing member is attached to the ultrasonic probe. 2. A convex portion or a concave portion is formed on a part or the entire circumference of the side surface of the elastic acoustic medium, and a concave portion or a convex portion is formed on the inner wall of the fixing member corresponding thereto.
The ultrasonic coupler described in.