Abstract:
A probe holder ( 38 ) that has: a housing part ( 40 ) that houses one part of a probe head ( 34 ) of an ultrasonic probe; and a belt ( 42 ) that, along with the housing part, binds the probe head from the outside. As a result of the belt ( 42 ) being fastened and binding the probe head ( 34 ), it becomes difficult for the probe head ( 34 ) to come out of the probe holder ( 38 ), and the probe head ( 34 ) is securely held.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device, and more particularly to a probe holder for holding a probe head of an ultrasonic probe. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Ultrasonic diagnostic devices transmit ultrasound waves through a body surface of an examinee into the body, receive ultrasound waves reflected within the body, and, using signals based on the received ultrasound waves, obtain tomographic images or images concerning blood flows. Ultrasound waves are transmitted and received to and from the examinee by an ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes a main body having main elements forming the device, an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from an examinee and is detachable with respect to the main body, an operation panel including switches, keys, and other components for operating the device, and a display device designed for displaying an image based on the ultrasound waves. 
         [0003]    The ultrasonic probe includes a probe connector to be connected to the main body of an ultrasonic diagnostic device, a probe head which is brought into contact with the body surface of an examinee, and a probe cable coupling the probe connector and the probe head. The probe head includes ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. The ultrasonic probe includes a probe head having a shape corresponding to a target portion, which is replaceable in accordance with the target portion. 
         [0004]    To perform ultrasonic diagnosis, an operator obtains an ultrasound image while holding the probe head with one hand to bring the probe head into contact with a surface of an examinee and move the probe head on the surface, and operating the operation panel with the other hand. When not in use, the ultrasonic probe is held with the probe head hanging on a probe holder mounted on the ultrasonic diagnostic device. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a foldable probe holder. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0005]    Patent Document 1: JP 2010-188126 A 
       SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    Conventional probe holders are designed to hold a probe head, which hangs over a probe holder or which is inserted into a probe holder. Therefore, a probe holder, due to a change of its orientation, may fail to hold a probe head securely. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the invention to provide a probe holder capable of holding a probe head securely. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0008]    In an aspect of the invention, a probe holder includes a housing configured to house a portion of a probe head, and a belt configured to bind, with the housing, the probe head from outer peripheries of the probe head. The probe head can be held securely by fastening the belt to bind the probe head with the housing and the belt. 
         [0009]    The belt and a portion of the housing that binds the probe head can be configured to be flexible. This configuration allows the belt and the housing to conform to the shape of the probe head, so that the probe head can be held securely. 
         [0010]    The portion of the housing which is flexible and the belt can be integrally formed. On the other hand, the belt can be attachable and detachable with respect to the housing. 
         [0011]    The probe holder can be rotatable with respect to a main body of an ultrasonic diagnostic device. 
         [0012]    The probe holder can be mounted to a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0013]    A probe head is bound by a probe holder and a belt and can therefore be held by the probe holder securely. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates the outer appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic device  10 , with a display device  14  being raised. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates the outer appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10 , with a display device  14  being laid down. 
           [0016]    FIG. illustrates the outer appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10 , with a device main body  12  being raised. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of an ultrasonic diagnostic device  10 , showing rotation of a probe holder  38 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates the probe holder  38  holding a probe head  34  with a belt  42  being fastened. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the probe holder  38 , illustrating the probe holder  38  holding the probe head  34  without the belt  42  being fastened. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a part of the probe holder  38 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates another probe holder  80 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the probe holder  80 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates a bracket  84 , a ratchet  90 , and a gear  92  individually. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  illustrates the bracket  84 , the ratchet  90 , and the gear  92  in an assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an ultrasonic diagnostic device including another probe holder  110 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  illustrates the probe holder  110 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  illustrates a holder supporting portion  116  and a receiving portion  112  of the probe holder  110  separately. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  illustrates a back surface of a receiving section  112 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the probe holder  110 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a detailed view of a shaft holder  144 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a detailed view of the shaft holder  144 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  is a detailed view of a shaft  146 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of a positioning portion  140 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 21  illustrates a support arm  138  and the positioning portion  140  separately. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.  FIGS. 1 to 3  are perspective views illustrating the outer appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic device  10 . The ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  includes a device main body  12  which is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, a display device  14  which is rotatable with respect to the device main body  12 , and an ultrasonic probe  16  which is detachable with respect to the device main body  12 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a normal state of use of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10 , and the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  is placed on a desk or a stand, with the display device  14  facing an operator. A surface of the device main body  12  facing the operator; that is, a surface facing in the direction indicated by an arrow FR, is referred to as a main body front surface  18 , and a surface opposite the main body front surface  18  is referred to as a main body back surface  20 . A surface facing in the direction of an arrow RS is referred to as a main body right side surface  22 , and a surface opposite the main body right side surface  22  is referred to as a main body left side surface  24 . A surface facing in the direction of an arrow UP is referred to as a main body top surface  26 , and a surface opposite the main body top surface  26  is referred to as a main body bottom surface  28 . The device main body  12 , in its normal state of use, has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape having a shorter length in the vertical direction. The main body top surface  26  and the main body bottom surface  28  are the largest surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped. The dimension in the lateral direction is greater than the dimension in the depth direction, and the main body front surface  18  and the main body back surface  20  are the second largest surfaces. The main body top surface  26  is stepped and a portion with a higher level (hereinafter referred to as a mount portion  30 ) extends along the entire length of an edge on the front surface side. 
         [0036]    The device main body  12  accommodates a transmitting and receiving circuit for driving ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic probe  16 , a signal processing circuit for processing received ultrasound signals, a control circuit for controlling the transmitting and receiving circuit and the signal processing circuit, a power source circuit for supplying a power source to each circuit, and an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from external devices, for example. 
         [0037]    The display device  14  is disposed on the main body top surface  26 . The display device  14 , when positioned along the main body top surface  26  (see  FIG. 2 ), occupies the lower level portion of the main body top surface  26  to thereby form, with the device main body  12 , a substantially rectangular parallelepiped as a whole. The display device  14  has a thickness which is substantially the same as the height of the step or the height of the mount portion  30 . The display device  14  is a touch panel display and also functions as an operation panel. The display device  14  is rotatably supported on the mount portion  30 , and can be used at the position along the main body top surface  26  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  or can be rotated and raised for use as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    The ultrasonic probe  16  includes a probe connector  32 , a probe head  34 , and a probe cable  36 . The probe connector  32  is attached to and detached from a connector receiver (not shown) in the device main body  12 . The connector receiver is formed on the main body right side surface  22  in the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10 . The connector receiver may be formed on the main body left side surface  24  or on the main body back surface  20 , and may be formed on two of these three surfaces or on all the three surfaces. The probe head  34  includes ultrasonic transducers formed of a plurality of elements, and is brought into contact with a body surface of an examinee for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. The probe cable  36  connects the probe connector  32  and the probe head  34 . The probe cable  36  contains lines for connecting the elements of the ultrasonic transducers in the probe head  34  with the ultrasound transmitting and receiving circuit within the device main body  12 . The probe cable  36  is not shown in the drawings other than  FIG. 1 . 
         [0039]    The probe head  34  is held by a probe holder  38  rotatably mounted on the device main body  12 . In the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10 , the probe holder  38  is mounted on the main body right side surface  22 , and more preferably on the right end of the mount portion  30  such that the probe holder  38  can rotate about an axis extending in the lateral direction. The probe holder  38  may be detachable from the device main body  12 . The probe holder  38  may be mounted on the main body left side surface  24  or may be mounted on both side surfaces  22  and  24 . The probe holder  38  may also be mounted on the surface where the probe connector  32  is mounted. A single probe holder  38  may be configured to be mountable on either the right or left side surface  22  or  24 . 
         [0040]    The probe holder  38  includes a housing  40  that houses a portion of the probe head  34 , particularly a grip portion, and a belt  42  that binds, together with the housing  40 , the portion of the probe head  34  which is housed, from the outer periphery. The belt  42  is made of a pliable or flexible material. The belt  42  enables reliable holding of the probe head  34 . The probe holder  38  will be described in detail below. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  illustrates the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  in a raised state in which the main body back surface  20  faces downward and the main body front surface  18  faces upward. The probe holder  38  is rotated such that the probe head  34  faces upward; that is, a surface of the probe head  34  that transmits and receives ultrasound waves faces upward. The probe head  34 , which is thus held while facing upward, is prevented from being removed from the probe holder  38 . The probe head  34  can be held further reliably by fastening the belt  42 . A carrying handle  44  is stored in the main body front surface  18  of the device main body  12 . In a normal state, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a surface of the carrying handle  44  is flush with and forms a portion of the main body front surface  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the carrying handle  44  can be pulled out of the device main body  12  by a predetermined amount and gripped in this state, so that the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  can be carried. A device which can be transported by a hand as described above is referred to as a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device. During transportation, it is possible to prevent the probe head  34  from dropping off, by holding the probe head  34  facing upward or binding the probe head  34  with the belt  42  to securely hold the probe head  34 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  placed flat; that is, placed with the main body bottom surface  28  facing downward, and shows how the probe holder  38  rotates. Specifically, the probe holder  38  is tilted backward in (a) in  FIG. 4 , stands vertically in (b), and faces front in (c). The probe holder  38  of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  is rotatable within a range of states (a) to (c). The range of rotation of the probe holder can be increased or decreased. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 5, 6, and 7  illustrate the probe holder  38  in detail. The probe holder  38  includes the housing  40  and the belt  42  as described above, and also includes a holder support  45 . The holder support  45  is mounted onto the device main body  12  to support the housing  40 . The holder support  45  includes a bracket  46  configured to be inserted into a bracket receiver (not shown) formed in the device main body  12 . The bracket  46  includes a shaft  48  having a circular cross section, and a key  50  projecting from the shaft  48  in the radial direction. When the bracket  46  is inserted into the device main body  12 , the key  50  prevents the bracket  46  from rotating. Further, the bracket  46  is held within the bracket receiver by friction. 
         [0044]    The housing  40  has a receiving groove  52  on a front surface thereof (i.e., a surface facing the operator in use). The receiving groove  52  extends in an in-plane direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the probe holder  38 . The receiving groove  52  is open at the respective ends of the housing  40 , so that the probe head  34  is placed within the receiving groove  52  with its axis aligned in the extending direction of the receiving groove  52 . The receiving groove  52  has a narrow width on the front surface and has a wider width toward the back. This narrow portion prevents the probe head  34  which is contained from projecting beyond the front surface. The probe head  34  can be placed within the probe holder  38  by passing the thin portion of the probe head  34  (e.g., a portion to be held by the operator) or the probe cable  36  through the opening on the front surface side of the receiving groove  52 . The housing  40  includes a hard base  54  illustrated in  FIG. 7  and a soft or flexible holding portion  56  attached to the base  54 . The holding portion  56 , with flexibility thereof, deforms to conform to the shape of the probe head  34  and holds the probe head  34  from the circumference thereof. The receiving groove  52  is formed in the holding portion  56 . 
         [0045]    The bracket  46  and the housing  40 , particularly the base  54 , are coupled together in a relatively rotatable manner by a friction coupling structure. To form a friction coupling structure, the holder support  45  includes two friction plates  60 , a disc spring  62 , a washer  64 , and a screw  66 . The two friction plates  60  are disposed to sandwich a side plate  58  of the base  54 , and a plurality of disc springs  62  and a single washer  64  are further stacked toward the bracket  46 , all of which are then fastened to the bracket  46  as a single unit, via the screw  66  passing therethrough from the direction of the base  54 . The friction plates  60  are fixed to the bracket  46 , and the friction plates  60  and the base  54  rotate relative to each other. Friction generated between the friction plates  60  and the base  54  makes the probe holder  38  at rest. 
         [0046]    The belt  42  is made of a pliable or flexible material similar to that of the holding portion  56 , and is integrally molded with the holding portion  56 . The belt  42  has a base end located on the side of the housing  40  where the bracket  46  is coupled. The belt  42  also has a tip portion having an engaging hole  68 . Engagement of the engaging hole  68  with an engaging projection  70  formed integrally with the base  54  fixes a free end of the belt  42 . 
         [0047]    The probe head  34  illustrated in each drawing is a convex type with a tip portion  74  that stores ultrasonic transducers having a broader width than that of a grip  72  to be held by the operator. The probe holder  38  uses this difference in width to hold the probe head  34 . When the grip  72  is stored within the probe holder  38  with the tip end of the probe head  34  facing upward, a step formed between the tip portion  74  and the grip  72  engages with edges of the probe holder  38  to thereby hold the probe head  34 . If the operator wishes to temporarily release the probe head  34  from his/her hand during diagnosis, for example, the operator brings the probe head  34  into engagement with the probe holder  38 . When the probe head  34  is not to be used for a long time, or when the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  is being carried, the belt  42  is bent in the direction of an arrow A in  FIG. 6  for fastening, to thereby hold the probe head  34  more reliably. By fastening the belt  42 , the holding portion  56  deforms to adhere to the probe head  34  more closely for binding the probe head  34 . When not in use, the belt  42  may be bent around the back surface of the housing  40  (the surface of the base  54 ) and fixed to the engaging projection  70 . 
         [0048]    The rotation axis of the probe holder  38  and the center axis of the probe head  34  held by the probe holder  38  are positioned to intersect each other, particularly to be orthogonal to each other. This structure enables the probe head  34  to be held facing upward, whether the device body  12  is placed flat as illustrated in  FIG. 1  or is raised as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As described above, the probe head  34  is held with its step hanging on the probe holder  38 , and is in a stable state when held facing upward. The probe holder  38 , which is rotatable, can hold the probe head  34  facing upward even when the device body  12  changes its position. 
         [0049]    The probe head may have various shapes, but generally includes the grip portion having substantially the same shape, particularly substantially the same diameter. Various types of probe head can be therefore held with a single housing  40 . The holding portion  56  of the probe holder  38  which contacts the probe head is pliable, and deforms, because of pliability thereof, to conform to different shapes of the probe head. When the movement of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  is large, such as when it is being carried, fastening of the belt  42  enables reliable holding of the probe head having various shapes. The belt  42  may contact the probe head  34  or contact the holding portion  56  only. The belt  42  can be shrinkable so as to bind the probe head more firmly. 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  to  FIG. 11  illustrate another example probe holder. Components similar to those of the probe holder  38  described above are denoted with similar numerals and their descriptions will not be repeated. A probe holder  80  illustrated in  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 11  includes a holder support  82  having a structure which is different from that of the holder support  45  of the probe holder  38 . The housing  40  and the belt  42  are similar to those described above. 
         [0051]    The holder support  82  is mounted onto the device body  12  to hold the housing  40 . The holder support  82  includes a bracket  84  to be inserted in a bracket receiver (not shown) formed in the device body  12 . The bracket  84  has a rectangular cross section which is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the probe holder  80 . The bracket receiver formed in the device body  12  also has a rectangular cross section. The rectangular cross sections of the bracket  84  and the bracket receiver prohibit rotation of the bracket  84 . The bracket  84  includes, at its tip, a pair of claws  86 , and the bracket receiver in the device body  12  includes therein claw receivers for receiving the claws  86 . The pair of claws  86  are urged in opposite directions away from each other, and this urging force causes the claws  86  to engage the claw receivers, to thereby prevent removal of the bracket  84  from the device body  12 . The claws  86  are disengaged by depressing disengaging buttons  88  formed on sides of the bracket  84 . Depression of the disengaging buttons  88  causes the pair of claws  86  to move toward each other against the urging force to be disengaged from the claw receivers. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the holder support  82 . The holder support  82  includes, in addition to the bracket  84 , a ratchet  90  and a gear  92 .  FIG. 10  illustrates shapes of portions of the bracket  84 , the ratchet  90 , and the gear  92 , which are related to each other, and  FIG. 11  illustrates these components in an assembled state. The bracket  84  includes a ratchet container  94  for receiving and storing the ratchet  90 . The ratchet  90 , when stored in the ratchet container  94 , is prevented from rotation with respect to the bracket  84 . The ratchet  90  includes a pair of flexible beams  96 , each having an engaging projection  98  at substantially the center thereof. The gear  92  includes two screw receivers  100  (see  FIG. 9 ), and is fixed to the base  54  of the housing with screws. Therefore, the gear  92  is integral with the housing  40 . The gear  92  includes a gear portion  102  having teeth. With this gear portion  102  being inserted into the ratchet  90 , the gear  92  is coupled with the bracket  84  with a screw  104 . At this state, the bracket  84  and the gear  92  are rotatable relative to each other. The engaging projections  98  of the ratchet  90  engage with a circumference of the gear portion  102 . Rotation of the housing  40  causes the gear  92  to rotate together, with the gear portion  102  rotating, with respect to the ratchet  90 . When the flexible beams  96  are bent, the engaging projections  98  climb over the teeth of the gear portion  102 . Upon engagement of the engaging projects  98  with a valley portion formed between teeth of the gear portion  102 , the position of the housing  40  is retained. 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  to  FIG. 21  illustrate a further example probe holder. Components other than the probe holder are similar to those in the above examples, and are therefore designated with the same numerals and their descriptions will not be repeated. 
         [0054]      FIG. 12  illustrates the ultrasonic diagnostic device  10  with a probe holder  110  attached thereto. The probe holder  110 , similar to the probe holders  38  and  80 , is attached to the main body right side surface  22 , particularly to the front edge of the main body, and is rotatable about the axis extending in the lateral direction. The probe holder  110  can be removed and attached to the main body left side surface  24 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 13  illustrates the probe holder  110  holding the probe head  34 . The probe holder  110  includes a housing  112  for storing the probe head  34 , a belt  114  for binding, in combination with the housing  112 , the stored probe head  34  from the circumference thereof, and a holder support  116  for holding the housing  112  such that the housing  112  is rotatable with respect to the device body  12 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  illustrates the housing  112 , the belt  114 , and the holder support  116  in an exploded view.  FIG. 15  illustrates a backside of the housing  112 . The housing  112  is made of a hard material such as plastic. The housing  112  includes a back plate  118 , a pair of side plates  120  extending from the opposite side edges of the back plate  118  toward the front (the operator side), and a holding bottom portion  122  for receiving and holding a proximal end of the probe head  34 . Each side plate  120  includes an engaging projection  124  projecting outward. The holding bottom portion  122  includes a bottom surface  126  for supporting the probe head  34  from below, side surfaces  128  for supporting left and right sides of the probe head  34 , and a front surface  130  opposite the back plate  118  for supporting the probe head  34  from the front. The holding bottom portion  122  includes a valley  132  at the center, and the valley  132  divides each of the front surface  130  and most of the bottom surface  126  into two parts. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the back plate  118  includes, on the back surface, a claw receiver  134  that receives a coupling claw  142  of the support which will be described below. 
         [0057]    The belt  114 , which is pliable or flexible, includes engaging holes  136  at opposite ends. The probe head  34  is bound by laying the belt  114  over to fit the engaging holes  136  to the two engaging projections  124  formed on the housing  112 . 
         [0058]    The holder support  116  includes a support arm  138  for supporting the housing  112 , and a positioning portion  140  for fixing the support arm  138  to the device body  12  and determining the rotation position of the support arm  138 . The support arm  138  has a substantially L shape, with one side of the L shape being coupled with the positioning portion  140  and the other side including the coupling claw  142  for coupling with the housing  112 . The coupling claw  142  is to be inserted into the claw receiver  134  formed on the back surface of the housing  112  to couple the holder support  116  with the housing  112 . The claw receiver  134  can receive the coupling claw  142  from either the right or left direction in  FIG. 14 , so that the probe holder  110  can be mounted on either the right side or the left side of the device body  12 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the probe holder  110 , particularly the holder support  116 . A shaft holder  144  is included in the device body  12 , particularly on each of the right and left ends of the mount portion  30  of device body  12 . The positioning portion  140  includes a shaft  146 , a knob  148 , and a fixture  150 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18  illustrate the shaft holder  144  in detail. The shaft holder  144  includes a fixing plate  152  for fixing the shaft holder to a structure within the device body  12 , and a cylinder portion  154  for receiving the shaft  146  and the knob  148 . The fixing plate  152  includes a through hole  156 . A screw or a bolt is inserted in the through hole  156  and is fastened, to fix the shaft holder  144  to the device body  12 . The cylinder portion  154  has a plurality of radial grooves  158  on the bottom, and the bottom is therefore uneven. The cylinder portion  154  has an internal thread  160  formed on its inner circumference. 
         [0061]      FIG. 19  illustrates the shaft  146  in detail. The shaft  146  includes a frame portion  162  and an uneven disk  166  to be coupled with an end of the frame portion  162  and having on its end surface a plurality of radial projections  164  extending radially. The frame portion  162  has a flange  163  at one end, and the uneven disk  166  is coupled with this flange  163 . 
         [0062]    Referring back to  FIG. 16 , the knob  148  will be described. The knob  148  is formed of two cylinders having different diameters coupled to each other. A cylinder with a larger diameter has an uneven outer circumference to form a knob portion  168 , and a cylinder with a smaller diameter has an outer circumference which is threaded to provide a male screw, thereby forming a screw portion  170 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of the positioning portion  140 . The frame portion  162  of the shaft  146  is inserted in the screw portion  170  of the knob  148  and is coupled to the fixture  150  by a screw  172 . This couples the shaft  146  and the fixture  150  integrally. The knob  148 , which is disposed between the flange  163  of the frame portion  162  and the fixture  150 , is prevented from moving axially but is allowed to rotate on the frame portion  162 .  FIG. 21  illustrates the positioning portion  140  in an assembled state. As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the support arm  138  is fixed to the positioning portion  140  by fastening screws  174  in the screw receiver portions of the fixture  150 . Consequently, the shaft  146 , the fixture  150 , and the support arm  138  are integrally connected, with respect to which the knob  148  is rotatable. 
         [0064]    To mount the holder support  116 , the screw portion  170  of the knob  148  is screwed into and coupled to the female screw  160  of the shaft holder  144 . As described above, because the knob  148  is rotatable with respect to the support arm  138 , for example, it is possible to tighten the knob  148  with the rotation position of the support arm  138  being maintained. As the knob  148  is further tightened, an end surface of the screw portion  170  presses the flange  163  of the shaft  146 , thereby pressing the fixing plate  152  against the bottom surface of the cylinder portion  154  of the shaft holder. This allows the radial projections  164  formed in the fixing plate  152  and the radial grooves  158  formed in the bottom surface of the cylinder portion  154  to engage with each other to fix the rotation position of the shaft  146 . Consequently, the rotation position of the support arm  138  is also fixed, which in turn fixes the orientation of the housing  112  coupled to the support arm  138 . To alter the orientation of the housing  112 , the knob  148  is slightly loosened to thereby allow the radiation grooves  158  and the radiation projections  164  to be disengaged from each other, and then, with the housing  112  being rotated in a desired orientation, the knob  148  is tightened again. 
         [0065]    To move the probe holder  110  to the opposite side of the device body  12 , the knob  148  is turned to allow the holder support  116  to be removed from the device body  12 , and then the housing  112  is removed from the holder support  116 . Then, the holder support  140  is screwed in the shaft holder  144  on the opposite side, to which the housing  112  is mounted once again. At this time, the coupling claw  142  of the support arm  138  is inserted into the claw receiver  134  of the housing  112  from the opposite side. 
         [0066]    To allow the probe head  34  to be temporarily held in the probe holder  110 , the probe holder  110  is fixed in a backwardly tilted position. The proximal end of the probe head  34  (where the probe cable  36  is connected) is placed within the holding bottom portion  122  such that the probe head  34  rests against the back plate  118 . The probe cable  36  extends through the valley  132  of the holding bottom portion. The belt  114  may be used to hold the probe head more reliably. 
         [0067]    While the housing  112  of the probe holder  110  is made of a hard material, a portion of the housing contacting the probe head  34  can be made of a pliable or flexible material as in the case of the probe holder  38  or  80 . 
         [0068]    The probe head  34  can be held by the probe holder  38 ,  80 , or  110  further reliably by binding the probe head  34  with the belt  42 . The probe head  34  can be held reliably when a motion of the ultrasonic diagnostic device is increased such as while being carried, for example. Further, the probe holder  38 ,  80 , or  110 , which is rotatable with respect to the device body  12 , can hold the probe head  34  such that the probe head  34  can be operated easily. Even when the position of the device body  12  changes, the upward orientation of the probe head  34  can be maintained. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0069]      10  ultrasonic diagnostic device,  12  device body,  14  display device,  16  ultrasonic probe,  18  main body front surface,  20  main body back surface,  22  main body right side surface,  24  main body left side surface,  26  main body top surface,  28  main body bottom surface,  30  mount portion,  32  probe connector,  34  probe head,  36  probe cable,  38  probe holder,  40  housing,  42  belt,  45  holder support,  46  bracket,  52  receiving groove,  54  base portion,  56  holding portion,  58  side surface plate,  60  friction plate,  64  washer,  68  engaging hole,  70  engaging projection,  72  grip,  74  tip portion,  80  probe holder,  82  holder support,  84  bracket,  90  ratchet,  92  gear,  94  ratchet container,  96  flexible beam,  98  engaging projection,  102  gear portion,  110  probe holder,  112  housing,  114  belt,  116  holder support,  118  back plate,  120  side plate,  122  holding bottom portion,  124  engaging projection,  126  bottom surface,  128  side surface,  130  front surface,  132  valley,  134  claw receiver,  136  engaging hole,  138  support arm,  140  positioning portion,  142  coupling claw,  144  shaft holder,  146  shaft,  150  fixture,  154  cylinder portion,  158  radial groove,  162  frame portion,  163  flange,  164  radial projection,  166  uneven disk,  168  knob,  170  screw portion