Patent Publication Number: US-2013253327-A1

Title: Probe having separable scanhead

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a probe, and more particularly, to a probe which is provided in an ultrasonic diagnostic system and in which a scanhead can be separated. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In general, ultrasonic diagnostic systems are systems that irradiate an ultrasonic signal onto a target part inside an object to be inspected from a body surface of the object to be inspected, extract information from the reflected ultrasonic signal and obtain an image regarding a fault of a soft tissue or a blood stream in an noninvasive manner. 
     These ultrasonic diagnostic systems have advantages, such as smaller sizes and lower prices, real-time display, and high safety in which they have no irradiation exposure of X-ray, in comparison with other imaging diagnostic devices such as X-ray inspection devices, computerized tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanners, or nuclear medicine inspection devices. Thus, ultrasonic diagnostic systems have been widely used to diagnose the heart, internal organs of the abdomen, an urinary system, and genital organs. 
     In particular, ultrasonic diagnosis systems include a probe that transmits an ultrasonic signal to an object to be inspected and receives the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object to be inspected so as to obtain an ultrasonic image of the object to be inspected. 
     The probe includes a scanhead including a handle and a transducer, a cable assembly that is connected to one side of the scanhead, and a system connector that is connected to an opposite side to the scanhead of the cable assembly and connects to an ultrasonic diagnostic system. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the related art. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an ultrasonic diagnostic system  100  according to the related art includes various types of probes  110  provided according to their usages, a display unit  150  that displays a diagnosis result as an image, an input unit  160  including various manipulation buttons, switches, and a keyboard, and a main body unit  170  in which a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) performing various arithmetic operations is embedded and which retains and supports components. Here, the main body unit  170  may also represent a portion other than the probe  110 , the display unit  150 , and the input unit  160  of the ultrasonic diagnostic system  100 . 
     Each probe  110  according to the related art is formed integrally with a scanhead  120 , a cable assembly  130  connected to the scanhead  120 , and a system connector  140  that connects the cable assembly  130  to the main body unit  170 . 
     The system connector  140  includes a plurality of terminal parts  141  that are arranged at one side of the system connector  140  so that the system connector  140  can be connected to a socket (not shown) mounted in the main body unit  170 , a fastening shaft  143  that passes through the system connector  140  and has a fastening pin  142  protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the fastening shaft  143  so as to be mechanically fastened to the socket of the main body unit  170 , and a handle  144  that is provided at the other side of the system connector  140  so as to rotate the fastening shaft  143 , as specifically illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Also, the system connector  140  further includes a tuning board  145  that is accommodated within the system connector  140  and has one side connected to the plurality of terminal parts  141  and the other side connected to a plurality of wires (not shown) of the cable assembly  130 . 
     When the probe  110  is connected to the main body unit  170 , the terminal parts  114  of the system connector  140  are inserted into the socket of the main body unit  170 , the fastening shaft  143  is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) of the socket, the handle  144  is rotated, the fastening pin  142  of the fastening shaft  143  is inserted into a fastening groove (not shown) of the main body unit  170  such that the system connector  140  can be fastened to the main body unit  170 . 
     Since one probe  110  can generate only one type of ultrasonic wave having a designated frequency band, the ultrasonic diagnostic system  100  should include a plurality of probes  110  having frequency bands suitable for user&#39;s desired performance and diagnostic regions. Three or four probes  110  are generally mounted on the main body unit  170  according to performance and diagnostic regions, and each probe  110  has an unique identification (ID). The mounted probes  110  are retained in and supported by the above-described fastening unit in a state in which they are connected to the main body unit  170 , and a user checks an ID of each probe  110  and then manipulates the input unit  160  so as to select one probe  110  to be used. 
     The cable assembly  130  is used in signal transmission/reception between the probe  110  and the main body unit  170 . Input/output terminals in the socket of the main body unit  170  and the system connector  140  of the cable assembly  130  have different impedances. In order to improve sensitivity and a band width of the probe  110  by reducing signal reflection caused by an impedance difference, in the related art, the tuning board  145  is installed in the system connector  140  so as to match the impedances. 
     The user moves the scanhead  120  of the probe  110  having the above-described configuration along a body surface of an object to be inspected or rotates the scanhead  120  of the probe  110  in contact with the body surface so as to obtain a desired ultrasonic image. 
     Since the ultrasonic diagnostic system  100  is used in various medical fields, such as internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology and urology, the ultrasonic diagnostic system  100  according to the related art may additionally include various types of probes except the types of  FIG. 1 . 
     However, since, in the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the related art, each probe is formed integrally with a scanhead, a cable assembly and a system connector, when a probe is replaced with a new one, there is inconvenience that the entire body of the probe should be replaced with a new one and connected. 
     Furthermore, since, in the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the related art, the probe is integrally connected to the scanhead, the cable assembly and the system connector, a high-priced cable assembly or the like should be overlappingly purchased, the price of a product increases, and even when reusable elements for maintenance remain, all of the scanhead, the cable assembly, and the system connector should be discarded. 
     In addition, since the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the related art should include a plurality of probes, a space in which the plurality of probes are to be installed, is required, and thus the size and weight of the entire system increase. 
     Meanwhile, in the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the related art, the system connector has a complicated structure, and a large number of components, such as a tuning board, an ID recognition circuit, and the like, are embedded in the system connector, Thus, the volume of the system connector unnecessarily increases, which results in limitations in configuring the ultrasonic diagnostic system to be miniaturized and to be carried in a portable form. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention is directed to providing a separable probe in which various types of scanheads are connected to one cable assembly so that the entire cost of the probe can be reduced and the size and weight of an ultrasonic diagnostic system can be greatly reduced. 
     The present invention is also directed to providing a probe in which a system connector connected between a main body unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic system and a cable assembly is miniaturized so that the ultrasonic diagnostic system can be miniaturized and carried in a portable form. 
     Technical Solution 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a probe including: a scanhead which includes a housing that functions as a handle, a transducer that is installed at one side of the housing, a tuning board that is accommodated within the housing and has one side connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) of the transducer, and a board-connection connector that is connected to the other side of the tuning board; and a cable assembly which has one end on which a scanhead connector detachably coupled to the board-connection connector is provided, and has the other end on which a system connector is provided. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     As described above, in a probe according to the present invention, if necessary, a scanhead can be separated from a cable assembly such that the scanhead can be replaced with a new one and user&#39;s working convenience can be greatly improved. Furthermore, an optimized design suitable for each type of probe can be realized. 
     In addition, in a probe according to the present invention, since one cable assembly has only to be mounted on a main body unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic system, the entire structure of the main body unit is simplified, and a space in which the probe is to be installed, the size and weight of the entire system can be greatly reduced. 
     In addition, in a probe according to the present invention, a scanhead is replaceably provided so that an initial cost for purchasing a cable assembly is not overlappingly required, a manufacturing cost of a product can be reduced, and even when maintenance is required, reusable elements can be continuously used without discarding all of the scanhead, the cable assembly and a system connector, thus easily performing maintenance and reducing a cost for maintenance. 
     In a probe according to the present invention, the ultrasonic diagnostic system can be consequently miniaturized and carried in a portable form. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the related art; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional perspective view specifically illustrating a system connector included in the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the related art; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a probe according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a probe according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views specifically illustrating the usage state of a detachment unit illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a probe according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view specifically illustrating a detachment unit illustrated in  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of a groove part of a sleeve; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a scanhead of a probe according to the present invention is separated from a cable assembly and is coupled to an additional cover; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating part of various types of probes configured according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example of a state in which the probe according to the present invention is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic system. 
     
    
    
     MODES OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. First, when adding reference numerals to elements of the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numerals are used for like elements if possible although like elements are shown in different drawings. In addition, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of commonly-used configurations or functions related to the invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the invention, the detailed description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a separable probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , a probe  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a scanhead  220  and a cable assembly  230 . The scanhead  220  includes a board-connection connector  221 . The cable assembly  230  includes a scanhead connector  231  provided on one end of the cable assembly  230  and a system connector  232  provided on the other end of the cable assembly  230 . 
     The scanhead  220  of the probe  200  according to the current embodiment of the present invention is formed as an independent element that can be separated from the cable assembly  230  and can be electrically connected to the cable assembly  230  via the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231 . 
     The scanhead  220  includes a housing  222  that functions as a handle, a transducer  223  that is installed at one side of the housing  222 , a tuning board  225  that is accommodated within the housing  222  and has one side connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) of the transducer  223 , and the board-connection connector  221  that is connected to the other side of the tuning board  225 . 
     The housing  222  constitutes the exterior of the scanhead  220  and is ergonomically designed in such a way that a user can grip the housing  222  conveniently when the scanhead  220 , i.e., the probe  200  is used. Thus, the shape of the scanhead  220  can be optimized suitable for each type of probe. A hollow space part in which an element such as the tuning board  225  that will be described below in detail can be accommodated, is formed in the housing  222 . 
     When the cable assembly  230  is separated from the scanhead  220 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the housing  222  may allow an additional storage cover  240  to be coupled to an open part of the housing  222 . Thus, when the separated scanhead  220  is kept, foreign substances or moisture can be prevented from permeating into the housing  222 , and elements inside the scanhead  220  can be protected. 
     Although the transducer  223  is not specifically illustrated for simplified illustration, the transducer  223  includes a piezoelectric layer in which a piezoelectric material vibrates so as to transform an electrical signal and an acoustic signal with respect to each other, a matching layer that reduces a difference in acoustic impedance between the piezoelectric layer and an object to be inspected so that an ultrasonic signal generated in the piezoelectric layer can be transmitted to the object to be inspected to the maximum, a lens layer that focuses the ultrasonic signal proceeding toward a front of the piezoelectric layer on a particular point, and a sound-absorbing layer that prevents image distortion by preventing an ultrasonic wave from proceeding toward a rear of the piezoelectric layer. A PCB is connected to the piezoelectric layer. Wiring electrodes are formed on the PCB so as to be connected to electrodes of the piezoelectric layer and thus the PCB serves to transmit a signal of the piezoelectric layer. 
     The transducer  223  of the probe  200  according to the current embodiment of the present invention irradiates an ultrasonic wave onto a target part and transforms the reflected ultrasonic wave into an electrical signal. The configuration and function of a transducer are substantially widely known to one of ordinary skill in the art and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     The tuning board  225  accommodated within the housing  222  is a PCB in which an integrated circuit (IC) is highly integrated and mounted with high density. A connection electrode to be electrically connected to the PCB of the transducer  223  is included in one side of the tuning board  225 , and the board-connection connector  221  is connected to and fixed to the other side of the tuning board  225 . Connection between the tuning board  225  and the PCB of the transducer  223  may be performed by a first connector (not shown) connected to the PCB and a second connector (not shown) connected to one end of the tuning board  225 . Each connector described above may be configured in such a way that, if one side connector is a plug connector, an opposite side connector is a socket connector so that corresponding connectors can be easily coupled to each other. 
     The tuning board  225  is configured to optimize characteristics of a signal by correcting the frequency of the signal transmitted from the transducer  223 . To this end, the tuning board  225  may embed a signal processing circuit (not shown) including an inductor. That is, the tuning board  225  impedance-matches an electrically-received signal transmitted from the transducer  223  and outputs the matched received signal, matches an electrically-transmitted signal transmitted from a main body unit (see  170  of  FIG. 1 ) via the cable assembly  230  and outputs the matched transmitted signal. 
     A tuning board according to the related art is embedded in the system connector (see  140  of  FIG. 1 ) that connects the cable assembly  230  to the main body unit (see  170  of  FIG. 1 ) of the ultrasonic diagnostic system and thus limits miniaturizing the size of the ultrasonic diagnostic system. However, in the probe  200  according to the current embodiment of the present invention, the tuning board  225  is installed in the scanhead  220  and thus the above-described limitation is overcome. Such an advantage is very useful in configuring the ultrasonic diagnostic system to be miniaturized and to be carried in a portable form. 
     Furthermore, an ID recognition circuit is provided integrally with the tuning board  225 . Thus, when the scanhead  220  is connected to the cable assembly  230 , the tuning board  225  outputs an ID signal that allows a probe to be recognized, i.e., an ID signal of the scanhead  220  to the main body unit (see  170  of  FIG. 1 ) of the ultrasonic diagnostic system. 
     The board-connection connector  221  is connected to the tuning board  225  of the scanhead  220  and is exposed to an outer side of the housing  222 . Here, the board-connection connector  221  and the tuning board  225  may be electrically connected to each other using a press-fit pin structure, a ball grid array package structure, a dip soldering coupling structure, or the like. The board-connection connector  221  connects the scanhead  220  and the cable assembly  230  and is detachably coupled to the scanhead connector  231  of the cable assembly  230 . 
     Here, either one of the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  that can be coupled to each other includes a plurality of pin members  250  formed as conductors, and the other one thereof has an insertion hole  260  in which the plurality of pin members  250  are inserted and conductors through which the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  can be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, are embedded. In other words, if one side connector is a plug connector, an opposite side connector may be implemented as a socket connector. These connectors  221  and  231  are so-called high-density connectors and may be 50 pins or more. 
     A connection cover  233  extends from the cable assembly  230  so as to surround the periphery of the scanhead connector  231 . An open part of the connection cover  233  needs to have a shape corresponding to the open part of the housing  222 . Thus, corresponding stepped parts may be formed at front ends of the open parts in consideration of mutual fit and sealing. The connection cover  233  may be formed of a waterproof material, for example, silicon and may be manufactured using a method, such as double injection or insert injection. Furthermore, an outer side of the connection cover  233  may be waterproof-coated. Moreover, a rubber ring  236  or a gasket for preventing water permeation may be disposed in a portion in which the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  are coupled to each other. The stepped parts, the waterproof material, waterproof coating, and the rubber ring allow the probe  200  according to the current embodiment of the present invention to have waterproof performance, thus satisfying a permission criterion of a medical device. 
     As described above, the cable assembly  230  has one end on which the scanhead connector  231  is provided, and the other end on which the system connector  232  is provided. A connector or a socket (not shown) having a structure corresponding to the system connector  232  of the cable assembly  230  is mounted on the main body unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic system. These connectors  231  and  232  are so-called high-density connectors and may be 50 pins or more. 
     If the system connector  232  and the socket are completely coupled to each other, the probe  200  according to the current embodiment of the present invention is mechanically and electrically connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic system. Also, by connecting the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  and connecting the system connector  232  and the socket as described above, the tuning board  225  provided in the scanhead  220  is electrically connected to the main body unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic system via the cable assembly  230 . 
     The structure and shape of each connector are not limited to  FIG. 3 , and various types of connectors may be used. However, connectors that are easily capable of being coupled to each other, satisfy reliability of coupling and are light-weight may be selected. Also, the connectors may include units for preventing misinsertion. For example, corresponding connectors may have approximately trapezoidal cross-sections, or at least one edge of each connector may be formed in a corresponding shape, or a protrusion or groove in a corresponding shape may be formed in a corresponding position of each connector. 
     The probe  200  according to the current embodiment of the present invention includes a detachment unit that enables the coupled scanhead  220  and cable assembly  230  or the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  not to be easily separated from each other by an arbitrary shock and to be coupled to or separated from each other only by user&#39;s manipulation. 
     Through the detachment unit, for example, in the current embodiment of the present invention, a pair of latches  234  are provided at the connection cover  233  that surrounds the scanhead connector  231 , and simultaneously, a pair of hanging grooves  224  or hanging holes which are formed in the housing  222  in the vicinity of the board-connection connector  221  and in which the pair of latches  234  may be hung, are provided to correspond to the pair of latches  234 . 
     The latches  234  are formed of an elastic material and may have an elastic restoring force perpendicular to a direction in which the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  are coupled to each other. Additionally, the latches  234  may include pressurization parts  235  that allow the latches  234  to elastically move by user&#39;s pressurization, and springs may be provided to elastically support the pressurization parts  235  and may be not necessary. Also, the latches  234  and the pressurization parts  235  may be formed integrally with each other or to be separated from each other. The pressurization parts  235  serve as separation switches that are used to separate the coupled scanhead  220  and cable assembly  230  or the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  from each other. 
     In the current embodiment of the present invention, the latches  234  are formed at the connection cover  233 , and the hanging grooves  224  are formed in the housing  222 . In contrast, the latches  234  may be formed at the housing  222 , and the hanging groove  224  may be formed in the connection cover  233 . Also, the shapes and sizes of the latches  234  and the hanging groove  224  may be modified in various ways. 
     The latches  234  are hung in and fixed to the hanging grooves  224  such that the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  are coupled to each other and the scanhead  220  and the cable assembly  230  are coupled to each other. Thus, the latches  234  and the hanging grooves  224  are hung in each other, and the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  are coupled to each other so that the scanhead  220  and the cable assembly  230  can be mechanically and electrically connected to each other with reliability. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a probe according to another embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views specifically illustrating the usage state of a detachment unit illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     Only a connection structure of a probe  300  according to another embodiment of the present invention is different from the probe  200  of  FIG. 1 , and the other portions of the probe  300  are the same as those of the probe  200  of  FIG. 1 . In the current embodiment of the present invention, a ball coupling unit  310  is provided to surround a scanhead connector  231  and to be connected to and fixed to one end of a cable assembly  230 , and simultaneously, a snap coupling unit  320  which is installed in a housing  222  in the vicinity of a board-connection connector  221  and to which the ball coupling unit  310  can be fastened, is provided to correspond to the ball coupling unit  310 . 
     The ball coupling unit  310  includes a tubular coupling body  314  which has one end connected to and fixed to the cable assembly  230  and has the other end on which an edge part  311  is formed and in which support protrusions  312  are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the coupling body  314  to be spaced apart from the edge part  311  and a plurality of through holes  313  are formed in a space between the edge part  311  and the support protrusions  312 , ball members  315  that are mounted in the plurality of through holes  313  of the coupling body  314 , a sleeve  318  including a first stepped part  316  and a second stepped part  317  while surrounding ends of the coupling body  314 , and an elastic member  319  that is interposed between the second stepped part  317  of the sleeve  318  and an outer circumferential surface of the coupling body  314  and is elastically supported by the support protrusions  312 . 
     The edge part  311  limits movement of the sleeve  318  when the sleeve  318  moves in a lengthwise direction of the coupling body  314 . The support protrusions  312  are formed in a ring shape on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling body  314 , support one side of the elastic member  319  and simultaneously limit movement of the sleeve  318 . The edge part  311  or the support protrusions  312  may be omitted for easy assembling of the sleeve  318  and may be replaced with a C-shaped ring. 
     Diameters of the through holes  313  of the coupling body  314  toward an inner circumferential surface of the coupling body  314  are formed to be small, and diameters thereof toward the outer circumferential surface of the coupling body  314  are formed to be relatively large. Thus, the ball members  315  do not pass through the through holes  313  but are mounted in the through holes  313  while parts of the ball members  315  protrude toward the inner circumferential surface of the coupling body  314 . 
     The first stepped part  316  of the sleeve  318  provides a clearance in which the ball members  315  are movable from the through holes  313  by a predetermined distance when coupling of the ball coupling unit  310  and the snap coupling unit  320  is released. Meanwhile, the second stepped part  317  serves as an accommodation groove in which the elastic member  319  is accommodated, and serves as a support part in which an end jaw part of the second stepped part  317  supports the other side of the elastic member  319 . An end of the sleeve  318  toward the first stepped part  316  is required to sufficiently cover the through holes  313  of the coupling body  314  even when the user pulls the sleeve  318  manually toward an opposite side to the scanhead  220  so that the ball members  315  move to the maximum, thus preventing the ball members  315  from completely escaping from the through holes  313 . 
     The snap coupling unit  320  is a tubular member in which the snap coupling unit  320  is inserted into an inner side of the coupling body  314  of the ball coupling unit  310  and a ring-shaped coupling groove  321  is formed adjacent to an end of the snap coupling unit  320  in a circumferential direction. A board-connection connector  221  is accommodated within the snap coupling unit  320 . 
     Thus, if the snap coupling unit  320  is inserted into the coupling body  314  of the ball coupling unit  310 , parts of the ball members  315  that protrude toward the inner circumferential surface of the coupling body  314  through the through holes  313  are inserted into the coupling groove  321  of the snap coupling unit  320  and thus the ball coupling unit  310  and the snap coupling unit  320  are coupled to and fixed to each other. 
     When coupling of the ball coupling unit  310  and the snap coupling unit  320  is released, if the user pulls the sleeve  318  toward the opposite side of the scanhead  220  manually, due to the first stepped part  316  of the sleeve  318 , a clearance in which the ball members  315  are movable within the through holes  313  toward the outer circumferential surface of the coupling body  314 , is generated so that the ball members  315  move in a radial direction and escape from the coupling groove  321  of the snap coupling unit  320 . Thus, the snap coupling unit  320  can be separated from the ball coupling unit  310 . 
     The ball members  315  are fastened to and fixed to the coupling groove  321  such that the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  are connected to each other and the scanhead  220  and the cable assembly  230  are coupled to each other. Thus, the ball members  315  are fastened to the coupling groove  321 , and the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  are coupled to each other so that mechanical connection and electrical connection between the scanhead  220  and the cable assembly  230  can be conveniently and reliably performed. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a probe according to another embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are cross-sectional views specifically illustrating a detachment unit illustrated in  FIG. 6 , wherein a groove part of a sleeve is separately illustrated. 
     Only a connection structure of a probe  400  according to another embodiment of the present invention is different from the probe  200  of  FIG. 1 , and the other portions of the probe  400  are the same as those of the probe  200  of  FIG. 1 . In the current embodiment of the present invention, a groove coupling unit  410  is provided to surround a scanhead connector  231  and to be connected to and fixed to one end of a cable assembly  230  and simultaneously, a protrusion coupling unit  420  which is installed in a housing  222  in the vicinity of the board-connection connector  221  and to which the groove coupling unit  410  may be fastened, is provided to correspond to the groove coupling unit  410 . 
     The groove coupling unit  410  includes a tubular connection body  412  which has one end connected to and fixed to the cable assembly  230  and the other end on which an edge part  411  is formed, a sleeve  415  including a groove part  413  which surrounds ends of the connection body  412  and in which a lengthwise groove  413   a , a diagonal groove  413   b  and a circumferential groove  413   c  are sequentially and successively formed in an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve  415 , and a rib  414  formed on an inner circumferential surface of an end of the sleeve  415  adjacent to the cable assembly  230 , and an elastic member  416  which is interposed between the sleeve  415  and an outer circumferential surface of the connection body  412  and both ends of which are supported by the rib  414  and the edge part  411 . 
     The edge part  411  limits movement of the sleeve  415  when the sleeve  415  moves in a lengthwise direction of the connection body  412 . The groove part  413  of the sleeve  415  is configured in such a way that the lengthwise groove  413   a , the diagonal groove  413   b , and the circumferential groove  413   c  are sequentially and successively formed in the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve  415  and thus a protrusion  421  of the protrusion coupling unit  420  that will be described as below moves within the groove part  413  and is fastened to the groove part  413 . The rib  414  is formed in a ring shape on the inner circumferential surface of the end of the sleeve  415  and supports one side of the elastic member  416 . 
     The protrusion coupling unit  420  is a tubular member in which the protrusion coupling unit  420  is inserted into an inner side of the sleeve  415  so that an end of the protrusion coupling unit  420  is adjacent to an end of the connection body  412  of the groove coupling unit  410  and at least one protrusion  421  is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion coupling unit  420  adjacent to the end of the connection body  412  in the radial direction. A board-connection connector  221  is accommodated within the protrusion coupling unit  420 . 
     Thus, when the protrusion coupling unit  420  is inserted into the sleeve  415  of the groove coupling unit  410  and the protrusion  421  moves along the lengthwise groove  413   a  of the groove part  413 , the protrusion coupling unit  420  and the groove coupling unit  410  are adjacent to each other and simultaneously, the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  contact each other. Thereafter, if the user rotates the sleeve  415  manually, the protrusion  421  moves along the diagonal groove  413   b  of the groove part  413  and is inserted into the circumferential groove  413   c  so that the groove coupling unit  410  and the protrusion coupling unit  420  can be firmly fastened to and fixed to each other. 
     When coupling of the groove coupling unit  410  and the protrusion coupling unit  420  is released, if the user rotates the sleeve  415  manually in an opposite direction to a direction in which the groove coupling unit  410  and the protrusion coupling unit  420  are coupled to each other, the protrusion  421  moves along the groove part  413  and escapes from the lengthwise groove  413   a . Subsequently, if the user pulls the sleeve  415  in a direction in which the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  are separated from each other, the protrusion coupling unit  420  can be completely separated from the groove coupling unit  410 . 
     The protrusion  421  and the groove part  413  are fastened to each other, and the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231  are coupled to each other so that mechanical connection and electrical connection between the scanhead  220  and the cable assembly  230  can be conveniently and firmly performed. 
     A detachment unit as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ,  4 , or  6  may also be provided at a storage cover  240 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates part of various types of probes configured according to the present invention. If other types of probes except the probes illustrated in  FIG. 9  have the above-described configuration of a scanhead  220  and a board-connection connector  221 , the board-connection connector  221  of the scanhead  220  can be coupled to a scanhead connector  231  of a cable assembly  230 . 
     A probe, i.e., a scanhead may have various characteristics, in particular, different frequency bands and may be configured to have different shapes. For example, each scanhead is configured to have one shape selected from the group consisting of a linear shape, a convex shape, and a phased array shape. 
     The user can select a scanhead suitable for desired performance and a diagnostic region among a plurality of scanheads having different characteristics. That is, according to the present invention, a probe suitable for user&#39;s desired performance and a diagnostic region can be selected, and a scanhead corresponding to the selected probe can be connected to the cable assembly. If a different type of diagnostic work is performed while one probe is used, a scanhead of the probe being used is separated from the cable assembly, and instead, a scanhead of another probe suitable for a desired diagnostic work can be connected to the cable assembly. 
     In the separable probe according to the present invention, the scanhead  220  and the cable assembly  230  are detachably connected to each other via the board-connection connector  221  and the scanhead connector  231 . Thus, if necessary, the scanhead  220  can be separated from the cable assembly  230  such that the scanhead can be replaced with a new one and user&#39;s working convenience can be greatly improved. 
     Furthermore, a degree of freedom at which the scanhead  220  can be designed to be suitable for each type of probe is improved so that an optimized design of the probe can be realized. 
     In addition, in the probe according to the present invention, only one cable assembly  230  is mounted on a main body unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic system so that the entire structure of the main body unit is simplified, a space in which the probe is to be installed and the size and weight of the entire system can be greatly reduced. In particular, the configuration of the system connector  232  that connects the cable assembly  230  to the main body unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic system is simplified so that the ultrasonic diagnostic system can be easily miniaturized and carried in a portable form. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example of a state in which a probe according to the present invention is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic system. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the probe according to the present invention, for example, the probe  200  illustrated in  FIG. 3  enables the size and weight of a main body unit  510  of an ultrasonic diagnostic system  500  to be greatly reduced. This is because only one cable assembly  230  is mounted on the main body unit  510 , a tuning board is omitted from the system connector  232  used to connect the cable assembly  230  to the main body unit  510  and thus the configuration of the probe is simplified and the weight of the entire system is reduced and accordingly, the configuration of a socket (not shown) is simplified compared to the related art and the volume of the entire system is greatly reduced compared to the related art. 
     In the probe according to the present invention, an initial cost for purchasing a cable assembly is not overlappingly required, manufacturing cost of a product can be reduced, and even when maintenance is required, reusable elements can be continuously used without discarding all of the scanhead  220 , the cable assembly  230 , and the like, thus easily performing maintenance and reducing cost for maintenance. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     If the present application claims for a priority on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0116565 filed on Nov. 23, 2010, in Korea under Article 119(a) (35 U.S.C §119(a)) of the U.S. Patent Act, all contents thereof are integrated with the present application as a reference document. Furthermore, if the present application claims for a priority on other countries than U.S.A on the same grounds as above, all contents thereof are integrated with the present application as a reference document.