Patent ID: 12207841

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, ultrasonic probes and puncture adapters of the ultrasonic probes of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

An ultrasonic probe of an embodiment includes a head part. The head part includes a plurality of ultrasonic elements that output ultrasonic waves and receive reflected waves of the output ultrasonic waves. The head part is provided with a through hole for guiding a puncture needle and a slit for guiding the puncture needle to the through hole.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an ultrasonic probe10of a first embodiment. The ultrasonic probe10is used, for example, in laparoscopic surgery (hereinafter referred to as a surgery). The surgery is performed using, for example, the ultrasonic probe10, a puncture needle20, an endoscope30, a first trocar T1and a second trocar T2.

While the surgery is being performed, the first trocar T1and the second trocar T2form a passage inside and outside a subject P. The ultrasonic probe10is introduced into the body of the subject P through the first trocar T1. The endoscope30is introduced into the body of the subject P through the second trocar T2. The puncture needle20is inserted into the skin P1of the subject P. On the body surface of the subject P, for example, a body surface insertion point H into which the puncture needle20is inserted is indicated.

The ultrasonic probe10includes, for example, a transmission/reception head12, a support part14, and a bent part16. The ultrasonic probe10is used, for example, to acquire an ultrasonic image of the inside of the body of the subject P in examination of the subject P. For example, an operator performs surgery while grasping the ultrasonic probe10with one hand and the puncture needle20with the other hand.

The transmission/reception head12is disposed, for example, between the skin P1and an organ P2of the subject P at the time of performing the surgery on the subject P. The transmission/reception head12includes a plurality of ultrasonic elements that output ultrasonic waves and receive reflected waves of the output ultrasonic waves. The plurality of ultrasonic elements are arranged in an array direction, transmit ultrasonic waves toward the organ P2, and receive reflected waves of the transmitted ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe10transmits reflected wave information based on the received reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves to a control device or the like. The control device generates an ultrasonic image on the basis of the transmitted reflected wave information. The transmission/reception head12is an example of a head part.

The support part14is a long member having a small diameter. The bent part16is connected to the tip of the support part14. The support part14is connected to the base end of the bent part16and the transmission/reception head12is connected to the tip of the bent part16. The transmission/reception head12is attached to the tip of the support part14via the bent part16. Since the bent part16is provided between the support part14and the transmission/reception head12, the transmission/reception head12can be provided along the surface of the organ P2. The length and shape of the support part14are arbitrary. Furthermore, other parts may be used to support the transmission/reception head12instead of using the support part14.

The puncture needle20is a needle that is inserted into an internal organ from outside the body of the subject P in order to collect blood, body fluid, cells, and the like of the subject P. The endoscope30is a device having a small diameter and provided with a camera at the tip thereof. The endoscope30captures, for example, images of the transmission/reception head12of the ultrasonic probe10and the puncture needle20. The endoscope30transmits an image captured by the camera to the control device. The control device displays, for example, an image transmitted by the endoscope30on a monitor or the like.

FIG.2is a plan view of the transmission/reception head12. The transmission/reception head12includes, for example, a transmission/reception unit22, an outer frame part24, and a puncture guide26. The transmission/reception unit22includes, for example, a plurality of ultrasonic elements arranged in an array direction. The transmission/reception unit22outputs ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves of the output ultrasonic waves. InFIG.2, the X direction is the array direction and the Y direction is a lens direction. A direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction is a transmission/reception direction. A direction along the transmission/reception direction may be referred to as a vertical direction, and a direction orthogonal to the transmission/reception direction may be referred to as a horizontal direction.

The shape of the transmission/reception head12viewed in the transmission/reception direction is a shape in which the four corners of a rectangle are chamfered. The transmission/reception unit22viewed in the transmission/reception direction has a rectangular shape. The longitudinal direction of the transmission/reception head12corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the transmission/reception unit22, and the lateral direction of the transmission/reception head12corresponds to the lateral direction of the transmission/reception unit22. The longitudinal direction of the transmission/reception head12and the transmission/reception unit22is along the array direction. The lateral direction of the transmission/reception head12and the transmission/reception unit22is along the lens direction.

The outer frame part24is provided to surround the outer periphery of the transmission/reception unit22. The outer frame part24is connected to the bent part16and thus the transmission/reception head12is connected to the support part14. The outer frame part24is provided with the puncture guide26. The puncture guide26includes a through hole32, a slit34, an array direction wall36, and a lens direction wall38.

The through hole32is provided in the outer frame part24of the transmission/reception head12. The through hole32is disposed in the array direction (longitudinal direction of the transmission/reception head12and the transmission/reception unit22) from the transmission/reception unit22on the side opposite to the side on which the bent part16is positioned. The through hole32is a cylindrical hole portion that penetrates the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception direction. The puncture needle20penetrates the through hole32. The through hole32guides the puncture needle20operated by the operator. Since the through hole32is disposed at a position extending from the transmission/reception unit22in the array direction, it is possible to facilitate long-axis puncture.

The shape of the through hole32viewed in the transmission/reception direction is approximately a C shape in which a part of a semicircular shape, for example, a position at an angle of 45° on the side far from the bent part16in each of the array direction and the lens direction of the through hole32is cut away. The shape of the through hole32viewed in the transmission/reception direction may be another shape. The shape of the through hole32viewed in the transmission/reception direction may be, for example, an oval shape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape (regular polygonal shape) instead of a circular shape. The through hole32has a columnar shape having the same cross section in the transmission/reception direction. The through hole32may have a different shape in the transmission/reception direction. The through hole32may be cut at a position in a range forming an angle of any of 30° to 60° in each of the array direction and the lens direction of the through hole32, for example.

The slit34is formed to extend from a cut position in the through hole32(a position forming an angle of 45° on the side far from the bent part16in each of the array direction and the lens direction of the through hole32). The slit34viewed in the transmission/reception direction may extend to the outer edge of the transmission/reception head12in a direction other than the lens direction and the array direction of the ultrasonic elements provided in the transmission/reception head12. The slit34guides the puncture needle20outside the through hole32to the through hole32. The slit34may extend in other directions.

The slit34extends from the through hole32to the outer edge of the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception head12on the side away from the bent part16(support part14) in a direction forming an angle of 45° with respect to each of the array direction and the lens direction. The width of the slit34viewed in the transmission/reception direction is substantially constant, and both sides of the slit34are linear. A part of the outer frame part24is divided by the slit34, and the through hole32communicates with the outside of the outer frame part24. The puncture needle20can be moved from the outside to the inside of the through hole32by moving along the horizontal plane.

The relationship between the diameter of the through hole32and the notch width of the slit34is constant.FIG.3is a diagram showing the relationship between the widths of the through hole32and the slit34. The notch width of the slit viewed in the transmission/reception direction is a length of ⅓ or less of the diameter L1of the through hole32. The diameter L1of the through hole32and the notch width L2of the slit34have the relationship of the following formula (1).
L1>3L2  (1)

The array direction wall36is composed of a surface on the array direction side from the center of the through hole32. The lens direction wall38is composed of a surface on the lens direction side from the center of the through hole32.FIG.4is a diagram showing the array direction wall36and the lens direction wall38. The notch width of the slit34is less than ⅓ of the diameter of the through hole32, and the width thereof is narrow. Accordingly, in the inner peripheral surface of the through hole32, the surface on the array direction side from the center becomes the array direction wall36(a range indicated by a first arrow H1), and the surface on the lens direction side from the center becomes the lens direction wall38(a range indicated by a second arrow H2). The slit34is formed by cutting out a part of the through hole32within a range where the array direction wall36and the lens direction wall38can be left.

The ultrasonic probe10of the first embodiment includes the puncture guide26, and the puncture guide26includes the through hole32and the slit34. Since the puncture guide26includes the through hole32, the operator can puncture an organ at an arbitrary angle with the puncture needle20. The slit34is disposed at a position extending in a direction avoiding both the array direction and the lens direction. Accordingly, the operability of the puncture needle can be improved.

Further, the operator can perform puncturing with the puncture needle20attached to either the array direction wall36or the lens direction wall38. Accordingly, the operator can apply the puncture needle20to the array direction wall36and adjust a puncture angle. The operator can reliably cause the ultrasonic probe10to capture a needle image by applying the puncture needle to the lens direction wall38to perform puncture.

Further, the width of the slit34is narrow and the length thereof is ⅓ or less of the diameter L1of the circle when the through hole32is viewed in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, it becomes difficult for the puncture needle20to enter the slit34while the operator is operating the puncture needle20, and thus the puncture needle20penetrating the through hole32can be prevented from falling out of the through hole32through the slit34.

In particular, the puncture needle20operated by the operator is often moved in the array direction and thus, if an opening such as a slit is provided in the array direction, for example, the puncture needle20easily falls out of the through hole32. In this respect, the array direction wall36is provided in the ultrasonic probe10of the first embodiment, and thus the puncture needle20can be suitably prevented from falling off.

Although the width of the slit34viewed in the transmission/reception direction is substantially constant in the first embodiment, the width of the slit34may vary. For example, both sides of the slit34viewed in the transmission/reception direction may be wavy, and the width of the slit34may vary depending on the position of the slit34in the extending direction. A dent or a protrusion may be formed at a position in the middle of the slit34in the longitudinal direction when viewed in the transmission/reception direction.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description of the second and subsequent embodiments, elements and the like common to those of the first embodiment may be designated with the same numerals in the drawings and description thereof may be omitted.FIG.5is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an ultrasonic probe10of the second embodiment. The ultrasonic probe10of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the puncture guide26includes a protrusion42. Hereinafter, the ultrasonic probe10of the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

The protrusion42included in the puncture guide26is formed to protrude toward the center of the through hole32in the vicinity of the extending portion of the slit34in the through hole32. The protrusion42is provided on both of the two extending portions of the slit34in the through hole32.FIG.6is a side sectional view of the through hole32. The protrusion42is a pillar body along the depth direction of the through hole32, more specifically, a columnar body. The protrusion42prevents the puncture needle20penetrating the through hole32from falling out through the slit34. The protrusion42is an example of a projection. The protrusion42is an example of a falling prevention structure.

The ultrasonic probe10of the second embodiment has the same effect as that of the first embodiment. Further, the ultrasonic probe10of the second embodiment is provided with the protrusions42at the two extending portions of the slit34in the through hole32. In a puncture operation performed by the operator passing the puncture needle20through the through hole32, the puncture needle20may be moved in the horizontal direction.

At this time, since the slit34extends from the through hole32and reaches the outer edge of the outer frame part24, there is a concern that the puncture needle20may fall out of the outer frame part24from the through hole32through the slit34. In this respect, the protrusions42are provided at the extending portions of the slit34in the through hole32, and thus the puncture needle20moving in the horizontal direction often comes into contact with the protrusions42before reaching the slit34. Since the puncture needle20in contact with the protrusions42is hindered from moving in the horizontal direction before reaching the slit34, the puncture needle20can be prevented from falling out of the outer frame part24through the slit34.

Although the protrusion42has a cylindrical shape in the second embodiment, it may be a columnar body having a cross section other than a circular shape. Further, the protrusion42may have a shape other than the columnar body. The protrusion42may be spherical, for example. The protrusion42, which is spherical or the like, may be disposed, for example, at the uppermost position (closest to the skin P1) of the inner surface of the through hole32in the transmission/reception direction. The protrusion42may be disposed at the lowest position (closest to the organ P2) in the through hole32. The protrusion42may be disposed at an intermediate position in the through hole32in the transmission/reception direction. The protrusion42may be disposed at a plurality of positions in the through hole32in the depth direction.

Further, the falling prevention structure may be a structure other than the protrusion42. The falling prevention structure may be, for example, a depression from the inner circumference of the through hole32viewed in the transmission/reception direction toward the direction away from the through hole32. Although the falling prevention structure is provided at the two extending portions of the slit34in the through hole32, it may be provided in only one thereof or may be provided in a portion other than the two extending portions of the slit34in the through hole32.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described.FIG.7is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an ultrasonic probe10of the third embodiment. The ultrasonic probe10of the third embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment with respect to the shape of a slit44in the puncture guide26. The width of the slit34viewed in the transmission/reception direction in the first embodiment is substantially constant, whereas the width of the slit44viewed in the transmission/reception direction in the third embodiment becomes narrower as it becomes closer to the through hole32and thus becomes narrower as it becomes closer to the outer edge of the outer frame part24. Accordingly, the width of the slit44on the outer edge side of the outer frame part24of the transmission/reception head12in the transmission/reception direction is wider than the width thereof on the side of the through hole32.

The ultrasonic probe10of the third embodiment has the same effect as that of the first embodiment. Further, in the ultrasonic probe10of the third embodiment, the width of the slit44viewed in the transmission/reception direction is the narrowest at the end portion on the side of the through hole32and the widest at the end portion on the outer edge side of the outer frame part24. Accordingly, the puncture needle20penetrating the through hole32is less likely to fall out of the through hole32, and the puncture needle20positioned outside the transmission/reception head12can be easily guided to the through hole32through the slit44.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.FIG.8is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an ultrasonic probe50according to the fourth embodiment.FIG.9is a plan view of a puncture adapter of the ultrasonic probe50to which the puncture adapter60is attached. The ultrasonic probe50of the fourth embodiment includes a transmission/reception head52, a support part54, and a bent part56. Thereamong, the support part54and the bent part56have the same configurations as those of the ultrasonic probe10of the first embodiment.

The transmission/reception head52includes a transmission/reception unit58and an outer frame part59. The transmission/reception unit58has the same configuration as the transmission/reception unit22of the first embodiment. The outer frame part59is thinner than the outer frame part24of the first embodiment, and the size thereof viewed in the transmission/reception direction is smaller than that of the outer frame part24of the first embodiment. The outer frame part24of the first embodiment is provided with the puncture guide26, whereas the outer frame part59is not provided with the puncture guide.

The puncture adapter60is attached to the transmission/reception head52of the ultrasonic probe50. The puncture adapter60includes, for example, a mounting part62and a puncture guide64. The mounting part62is mounted to cover the transmission/reception head52. The puncture guide64is provided on the mounting part62. The puncture guide64includes a through hole72, a slit74, an array direction wall76, and a lens direction wall78. The through hole72, the slit74, the array direction wall76, and the lens direction wall78of the puncture guide64have the same configurations as those of the through hole32, the slit34, the array direction wall36, and the lens direction wall38of the puncture guide26in the first embodiment.

The ultrasonic probe50of the fourth embodiment has the same effect as that of the ultrasonic probe10of the first embodiment according to the puncture adapter60attached thereto. Further, by providing the puncture guide64in the puncture adapter60, the operability of the puncture needle can be improved even in an ultrasonic probe that does not include a puncture guide. Although the puncture adapter60is attached to an ultrasonic probe that is not provided with a puncture guide, it may be attached to an ultrasonic probe provided with a puncture guide. Further, by attaching the puncture adapter to an ultrasonic probe, a puncture guide may be configured by the ultrasonic probe and the puncture adapter.

Modified Example 1

Next, modified example 1 will be described.FIG.10Ais a plan view of an ultrasonic probe10A of modified example 1. The ultrasonic probe10A of the first modified example includes a puncture guide26A. The puncture guide26A includes a through hole32A, a slit34A, an array direction wall36A, and a lens direction wall38A.

The through hole32A is disposed at a position in the array direction opposite to the side on which the bent part16is located from the transmission/reception unit22in the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception head12. The through hole32A viewed in the transmission/reception direction has a substantially C shape in which a part of a substantially circular shape is cut out, and penetrates the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception direction.

The slit34A is formed by cutting out a position of the through hole32A forming an angle of 45° on the side close to the bent part16in each of the array direction and the lens direction. The slit34A viewed in the transmission/reception direction extends from the through hole32A to the outer edge of the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception head12in a direction forming an angle of 45° on the side close to the bent part16in each of the array direction and the lens direction. In this manner, even if the puncture guide26A is formed such that the slit34A extends toward the bent part16, the operability of the puncture needle can be improved as in the first embodiment.

Modified Example 2

Next, modified example 2 will be described.FIG.10Bis a plan view of an ultrasonic probe10B of modified example 2. The ultrasonic probe10B of modified example 2 includes a puncture guide26B. The puncture guide26B includes a through hole32B, a slit34B, an array direction wall36B, and a lens direction wall38B.

The through hole32B is disposed at a position in the array direction on the side where the bent part16is located from the transmission/reception unit22in the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception head12. The through hole32B viewed in the transmission/reception direction has a substantially C shape in which a part of a substantially circular shape is cut out, and penetrates the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception direction.

The slit34B is formed by cutting out a position of the through hole32B forming an angle of 45° on the side close to the bent part16in each of the array direction and the lens direction. The slit34B viewed in the transmission/reception direction extends from the through hole32B to the outer edge of the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception head12in a direction forming an angle of 45° on the side close to the bent part16in each of the array direction and the lens direction. In this manner, even if the puncture guide26B is formed such that the slit34B extends toward the bent part16, the operability of the puncture needle can be improved as in the first embodiment.

Modified Example 3

Next, modified example 3 will be described.FIG.10Cis a plan view of an ultrasonic probe10C of modified example 3. The ultrasonic probe10C of the modified example 3 includes a puncture guide26C. The puncture guide26C includes a through hole32C, a slit34C, an array direction wall36C, and a lens direction wall38C.

The through hole32C is disposed at a position in the array direction on the side where the bent part16is located from the transmission/reception unit22in the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception head12. The through hole32C viewed in the transmission/reception direction has a substantially C shape in which a part of a substantially circular shape is cut out, and penetrates the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception direction.

The slit34C is formed by cutting out a position of the through hole32C forming an angle of 45° on the side far from the bent part16in each of the array direction and the lens direction. The slit34C viewed in the transmission/reception direction extends from the through hole32C to the outer edge of the outer frame part24in the transmission/reception head12in a direction forming an angle of 45° on the side far from the bent part16in each of the array direction and the lens direction. In this manner, even if the puncture guide26C is formed such that the slit34C extends toward the bent part16, the operability of the puncture needle can be improved as in the first embodiment.

Modified Example 4

Next, modified example 4 will be described.FIG.11is an enlarged view of the tip of a transmission/reception head12in an ultrasonic probe of modified example 4. The same puncture guide26as that of the first embodiment is provided at the tip of the transmission/reception head12of the ultrasonic probe of modified example 4. The puncture guide26includes a through hole32, a slit34, an array direction wall36, and a lens direction wall38. The transmission/reception head12in the ultrasonic probe of modified example 4 is mainly different from the first embodiment with respect to the shape of the entrance/exit portion of the slit34.

The outer entrance/exit portion of the slit34of the first embodiment has a sharp shape, whereas the outer entrance/exit portion34M of the slit34of modified example 4 is chamfered into an arc shape. The shape of the outer entrance/exit portion34M is a curved shape and may be a shape other than an arc shape as long as it does not include a sharp portion. The shape of the outer entrance/exit portion34M may be, for example, a semicircular shape, a curved shape other than a circular shape, a wavy shape, or the like.

In the puncture guide26of modified example 4, since the outer entrance/exit portion34M has a chamfered arc shape, the puncture needle20penetrating the through hole32is less likely to fall out of the through hole32, and the puncture needle20positioned outside the transmission/reception head12can be easily guided to the through hole32through the slit34. Further, since the outer entrance/exit portion34M has a chamfered arc shape, it is possible to prevent the inside of the body of a patient from being injured by the corner of the outer entrance/exit portion34M. The shape of the outer entrance/exit portion34M is a curved shape and may be a shape other than an arc shape as long as it does not include a sharp portion.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the head part including a plurality of ultrasonic elements that output ultrasonic waves and receive reflected waves of the output ultrasonic waves, and a long support part to which the head part is attached are included, wherein the head part is provided with the through hole for guiding the puncture needle and a slit for guiding the puncture needle to the through hole, and the slit extends to the outer edge of the head part in a direction other than the lens direction and the array direction of the ultrasonic elements, and thus the operability of the puncture needle can be improved.

Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof, as are included in the scope and gist of the invention.

With respect to the above-described embodiments, the following appendices are disclosed as one aspect and selective features of the invention.

(Appendix 1)

An ultrasonic probe including:a head part including a plurality of ultrasonic elements that output ultrasonic waves and receive reflected waves of the output ultrasonic waves; anda long support part to which the head part is attached,wherein the head part is provided with a through hole for guiding a puncture needle and a slit for guiding the puncture needle to the through hole, andthe slit extends to an outer edge of the head part in a direction other than a lens direction and an array direction of the ultrasonic elements.
(Appendix 2)

The notch width of the slit may be ⅓ or less of the diameter of the through hole.

(Appendix 3)

A falling prevention structure that prevents falling of the puncture needle penetrating the through hole through the slit may be further included.

(Appendix 4)

The falling prevention structure may be a protrusion protruding from the inner circumference of the through hole toward the center of the through hole.

(Appendix 5)

The falling prevention structure may be a depression from the inner circumference of the through hole toward a direction away from the center of the through hole.

(Appendix 6)

The protrusion may be a columnar body along the depth direction of the through hole.

(Appendix 7)

The slit may be provided on at least one of the support part side and the opposite side to the support part side when viewed from an arrangement position of the ultrasonic elements in the head part.

(Appendix 8)

The width of the slit on the side of the outer edge of the head part may be wider than the width on the side of the through hole.

(Appendix 9)

The slit may extend from the through hole to the outer edge of the head part in a direction away from the support part.

(Appendix 10)

An outer entrance/exit portion of the slit may have a chamfered curved shape.

(Appendix 11)

A puncture adapter for an ultrasonic probe attached to a head part including a plurality of ultrasonic elements that output ultrasonic waves and receive reflected waves of the output ultrasonic waves, and provided with a through hole for guiding a puncture needle and a slit for guiding the puncture needle to the through hole,wherein the slit extends to the outer edge in a direction other than a lens direction and an array direction of the ultrasonic elements in a state in which the puncture adapter is attached to the ultrasonic probe.