Patent ID: 12220276

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification, are possible when filing the present application.

The terms used in the present specification are used for the purpose of describing the example embodiments, and not for the purpose of limiting and/or restricting the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence and/or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily practice the present invention.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus300including an ultrasonic probe100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus300may include a main body200, an input unit290which is input with a command for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus300from a user, and a display280which outputs information received from the main body200.

Specifically, the main body200may control overall operations of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus300. Accordingly, various types of components for controlling overall operations of the ultrasonic probe100or the main body200may be provided, and the main body200and the ultrasonic probe100may communicate data with each other by using a connection cable93or a wireless communication module.

Also, the ultrasonic probe100and the main body200may be connected to communicate with each other by using the connection cable93as shown inFIG.1. An electrical signal output from the ultrasonic probe100through the connection cable93may be transferred to the main body200. In addition, a control command and the like, generated in the main body200, may also be transferred to the ultrasonic probe100through the connection cable93.

A connector94may be provided at one end of the connection cable93. The connector94may be coupled to and separated from a port95provided at an exterior201of the main body200. When the connector94is coupled to the port95, the ultrasonic probe100and the main body200may be communicably connected to each other.

In addition, a probe holder292capable of allowing the ultrasonic probe100to be held thereby may be provided at one side surface of the main body200. The probe holder292may be provided as many as a number of ultrasonic probes100, and be attached to or detached from the main body200. When the user does not use the ultrasonic probe100, the ultrasonic probe100may be held and keep by the probe holder292.

In addition, the main body200may receive an electrical signal output from the ultrasonic probe100and transfer an electrical signal generated in the main body200to the ultrasonic probe100through a wireless communication. In this case, a wireless communication module including an antenna and a wireless communication chip may be installed inside each of the ultrasonic probe100and the main body200.

The wireless communication module may be a near field wireless communication module using at least one of Bluetooth low energy, IrDA (infrared data association), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), and NFC (Near Field Communication), and be a wireless communication module which supports a 3GPP-based, 3GPP2-based or IEEE-based wireless communication network approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The main body200may exchange data with a hospital server or another medical apparatus of a hospital, which connected thereto through a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), through a communication unit. Also, the main body200may perform data communication according to a DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The display280may be coupled to the main body200and output various information received from the main body200.

Specifically, the display280may display an ultrasonic image of a target part inside a subject. The ultrasonic image displayed on the display280may be a two-dimensional ultrasonic image, a three-dimensional ultrasonic image, or a Doppler image, and various ultrasonic images may be displayed according to an operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus300.

In accordance with an embodiment, the ultrasonic image includes not only an Amplitude Mode (A-Mode) image, a Brightness Mode (B-mode) image, and a Motion Mode (M-Mode), but also a C (Color)-mode image and a D (Doppler)-mode image.

As used herein, the A-mode image means an ultrasonic image representing the intensity of an ultrasonic signal corresponding to an echo ultrasonic signal, the B-mode image means an ultrasonic image representing the intensity of the ultrasonic signal corresponding to the echo ultrasonic signal using brightness, and the M-mode image means an ultrasonic image representing motion of a subject at a specific position according to time. The D-mode image means an ultrasonic image representing a moving subject in the form of waveforms according to the Doppler Effect. The C-mode image means an ultrasonic image representing a moving subject in the form of color spectrums.

Therefore, the display280may be implemented as well-known various displays, such as a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), and an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode).

The input unit290may be variously implemented, such as a keyboard, a foot switch, a foot pedal, or the like.

For example, the keyboard may be implemented by hardware. The keyboard may include at least one of a switch, a key, a joystick, and a track ball. Alternatively, the keyboard may be implemented by software, such as a graphical user interface. In this case, the keyboard may be displayed through the display280.

Meanwhile, when the display280is implemented as a touch screen type display, the display280may also serve as the input unit290. That is, the main body200may receive various commands from the user through at least one of the display280and the input unit290. In an embodiment, a display291shownFIG.1may perform both a display function and an input function.

The display280and the input unit290may be defined together as an input/output unit270, in that the display280and the input unit290receive information from the user or transmit information to the user.

FIG.2is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.2, the ultrasonic probe100in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes a case110in which an ultrasonic transceiver, a transducer120, and the like are accommodated, and a connection cable93which connects the ultrasonic transceiver and the main body200of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus300to each other.

An acoustic lens160(140) is disposed at the other end portion of the case110, to which the connection cable93is not connected. A transducer120module disposed inside the case110may irradiate generated ultrasonic waves onto a subject through the acoustic lens160(140).

When an inspector uses the ultrasonic probe100, the connection cable93may be rapidly bent or twisted at an end portion of the case110of the ultrasonic probe100. When the connection cable93is rapidly bent or twisted, the connection cable93may be disconnected, or a jacket of the connection cable93may be damaged. In order to prevent the connection cable93from being rapidly bent or twisted at the end portion of the case110of the ultrasonic probe100, the ultrasonic probe100may include a strain relief96provided to surround the connection cable93at the end portion of the case110, at which the connection cable93is connected. That is, the strain relief96is provided at the outside of one end portion of the case110so as to prevent damage of the connection cable93.

The strain relief96may be formed of a flexible material such that the connection cable93is gently bent. Although the strain relief96is formed of the flexible material, the stain relief96is to have hardness to a certain degree so as to prevent rapid bending of the cable. Therefore, the stain relief96may preferably have a structure which is easily curved toward one side or a structure capable of being bent in multistage while having a certain hardness.

InFIGS.1and2, it is illustrated that the ultrasonic probe100is connected to the main body through the connection cable. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The ultrasonic probe100may be wirelessly connected to the main body.

FIG.3is a partial cut-away perspective view schematically illustrating an internal configuration of an ultrasonic probe100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG.3, the ultrasonic probe100may include a case110forming a body, a transducer120which converts between an electrical signal and an acoustic signal, e.g., an ultrasonic wave, a dematching member which amplifies an ultrasonic wave, a sound absorbing member140which absorbs an ultrasonic wave transmitted in the opposite direction of a subject, a matching member150which matches an acoustic impedance of an ultrasonic wave generated in the transducer120to an acoustic impedance of the subject, and an acoustic lens160which focuses ultrasonic waves.

The transducer120is formed as at least one piezoelectric element which converts between an electrical signal and an ultrasonic wave while vibrating. The piezoelectric element may be formed by dividing a piezoelectric material into a plurality of piezoelectric elements. For example, the piezoelectric element may be manufactured by performing dicing processing on the piezoelectric material formed long in a length direction. However, the manufacturing of the piezoelectric element by dividing the piezoelectric material into the plurality of piezoelectric elements is not limited to the above-described method, and the piezoelectric element may be manufactured in various methods in addition to a method of a plurality of piezoelectric elements by pressing the piezoelectric material, using a metal mold, and the like. The above-described piezoelectric material may be a piezoelectric ceramic which may cause a piezo phenomenon, a single crystalline, a complex piezoelectric material obtained by combining the material with a polymer, or the like.

The transducer120may be implemented as a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) which converts between an ultrasonic wave and an electrical signal according to a capacitance change, a magnetic micromachined ultrasonic transducer (mMUT) which converts between an ultrasonic wave and an electrical signal according to an magnetic-field change, an optical ultrasonic detector which converts between an ultrasonic wave and an electrical signal according to an optical-characteristic change, in addition to a transducer120which converts between an ultrasonic wave and an electrical signal according to a pressure change.

The dematching member130which reflects an incident ultrasonic wave may be further disposed on a bottom surface of the transducer120. The dematching member130may reflect an ultrasonic wave transmitted in the opposite direction of a subject. The above-described dematching member130may improve acoustic characteristics of ultrasonic waves. The dematching member130does not substantially convert between an electrical signal and an ultrasonic wave, but allows an ultrasonic wave to be generated in the transducer120by vibrating together with the transducer120. Hence, the dematching member130may be a partial configuration of the transducer120.

An acoustic impedance of the dematching member130may be greater than or equal to an acoustic impedance of the transducer120. For example, the acoustic impedance of the dematching member130may be twice of the acoustic impedance of the transducer120. Therefore, an ultrasonic wave incident onto the dematching member130may be symmetrically reflected. The above-described dematching member130may be formed of a material such as tungsten carbide. The dematching member130may be disposed on the bottom surface of the transducer120.

The sound absorbing member140which is transmitted toward the back of the transducer120to absorb an ultrasonic wave not directly used for inspection, diagnosis or the like may be further disposed at a rear surface of the transducer120.

The matching member150which allows an acoustic impedance of an ultrasonic wave generated in the transducer120to come close to an acoustic impedance of a subject by stepwisely changing the acoustic impedance of the ultrasonic wave may be further disposed at a front surface of the transducer120. The front surface of the transducer120may mean a surface closest to a subject to be inspected among surfaces of the transducer120while an ultrasonic wave is generated toward the subject to be inspected, and the rear surface may mean the opposite surface of the front surface.

The matching member150may be formed long along the front surface of the transducer120. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the matching member150may be partially formed. Also, the matching member150is formed in a single layer, but may have a multi-layer structure.

The acoustic lens160which focuses ultrasonic waves generated in the transducer120may be further disposed at the front surface of the transducer120. The acoustic lens160may be formed of a material having an acoustic impedance close to a subject. In addition, the center of the acoustic lens160may be convex or flat. The acoustic lens160may have various shapes according to the design of a designer.

The ultrasonic probe100may further include a plurality of light emitting elements170which irradiate light onto an external surface162of the acoustic lens160. The light emitting element170may irradiate light for sterilization to eliminate bacteria which may be generated due to continuous use of the ultrasonic probe100. The light emitting element170may emit ultraviolet light to the acoustic lens160. For example, the light emitting element170may be a UV light emitting diode (LED).

When the ultrasonic probe100is not sterilized after ultrasonic scanning of the ultrasonic probe100, the ultrasonic probe100may be exposed to a risk of bacterium infection. When the ultrasonic probe100is sterilized by using a separate sterilizing apparatus, there is an inconvenience in use. In the ultrasonic probe100in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, since the light emitting element170is disposed inside the case110, the external surface162of the acoustic lens160is automatically sterilized, so that secondary bacterium infection can be prevented.

FIG.4is a view comparing characteristics of a UV lamp and a UV LED. As shown inFIG.4, the UV LED does not contain mercury which may destruct an environment and has high durability, as compared with a mercury UV lamp. The UV LED has a remarkably long lifetime and a small size, as compared with the mercury UV lamp. In addition, the UV lamp has large power consumption and uses a high voltage in lighting, and hence, a problem of explosion and safety may occur. On the other hand, in the case of the UV LED, there is no problem of explosion and a safety zone since a driving voltage is a few V, and power consumption is low since a driving current is a few tens to a few hundreds of mA. Thus, the ultrasonic probe100in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention can use, as the light emitting element170, the UV LED instead of the UV lamp.

Meanwhile, ultra violet (UV) light may be divided into a UV-A (315 to 400 nm), UB-B (285 to 315 nm), and UV-C (200 to 280 nm) wavelengths according to wavelengths thereof. Since a sterilization effect becomes larger as the wavelength becomes shorter, the light emitting element170in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a UV-C LED which irradiates light of the UV-C wavelength. The above-described UV-C LED can exhibit an instantaneous sterilization effect. The light emitting element170in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may emit light of the UV-C wavelength at a driving current in a range of 100 mA to 350 mA within 20 seconds.

FIG.5is a reference view illustrating a sterilization effect using the UV-C LED in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The UV LED of which wavelength length is about 276 to 283 nm irradiated light onto a bacteria sample distant by 10 mm therefrom. The bacteria sample wasEscherichia coliand staphylococcus (MRSA). As a result obtained by irradiating light of a UV-C wavelength, it can be seen that bacteria of 99.9% has been sterilized within 20 seconds as shown inFIG.5. In addition, the LED may perform a sterilizing function while being little influenced by a peripheral temperature. Besides, the LED is advantageous in miniaturization and integration, and an array arrangement may also be easily manufactured. For example, each light emitting element170may have a size of about 10 mm or less.

The light of the UV-C wave, which the above-described light emitting element170emits, has the sterilizing function, but may damage a component of the ultrasonic probe100. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element170may be preferably minimized to be irradiated onto the transducer120of the ultrasonic probe100or a circuit module.

The light emitting element170may be disposed to be spaced apart from the transducer120. The light emitting element170is disposed to be spatially spaced apart from the transducer120, so that irradiation of light onto the transducer120can be minimized. For example, a partial area of the acoustic lens100may be disposed between the light emitting element170and the transducer120.

In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may further include a support member180which supports the light emitting element170. The support member180may have a shell shape which forms a space for accommodating the sound absorbing member140, a transistor, a matching layer, and the like. The support member180may include a first area182in which the sectional size of a cavity C1is constant and a second area184in which the sectional size of a cavity C2becomes larger as becoming more distant from the first area182.

The sound absorbing member140and the transducer120may be disposed in a space formed by the above-described first area182, and the acoustic lens160may be disposed in an internal space formed by the second area184. The second area184may be disposed more distant from the sound absorbing member140than the transducer120. In addition, the light emitting element170may be disposed in the second area184of the support member180. Thus, the amount of light irradiated onto the transducer120can be reduced, and light can be uniformly irradiated onto a surface of the acoustic lens160.

Meanwhile, a slope degree of the second area184with respect to the first area182may be determined by a relative position between the light emitting element170and the transducer120, an optical angle of the light emitting element170, and the like. For example, when the optical angle of the light emitting element170is about 140 degrees, a slope angle of the second area184with respect to the first area182may be about 70 degrees. Therefore, light emitted from the light emitting element170may not advance toward the rear of the ultrasonic probe100.

The above-described element170may be disposed not to overlap with an advancing path of an ultrasonic wave released from the transducer120. For example, the light emitting element170may be disposed more distant from a central axis of the ultrasonic probe100than the transducer120. Therefore, the light emitting element170may not interrupt the advancing path of the ultrasonic wave released from the transducer120. Also, the plurality of light emitting elements170may be symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis of the ultrasonic probe100.

Meanwhile, the light emitting element170may be disposed to be in direct contact with the acoustic lens160. The acoustic lens160may be formed by performing mold processing on a material such as silicon rubber after an ultrasonic module420including the transducer120and the light emitting element170are mounted in the case110. Therefore, the light emitting element170may be covered by the acoustic lens160. Since the light emitting element170is in direct contact with the acoustic lens160, light emitted from the light emitting element170may be transmitted through the acoustic lens160while reducing distribution and then reach the external surface162of the acoustic lens160.

The acoustic lens160in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may be formed of a material which focuses ultrasonic waves and has a high transmission with respect to light emitted from the light emitting element170. The above-described acoustic lens160may be formed of a material of which transmission with respect to the light emitted from the light emitting element170is 50% or more. For example, the acoustic lens160may include at least one of PDMS (polydimethyl siloxane), octamethylcyclotetra siloxane, flurorine-polymer, a silicon material, RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing), silicon rubber, and polyurethane.

FIG.6is a view illustrating transmissions of the acoustic lens160according to wavelengths in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Silicon rubber was used as a material of the acoustic lens160. In Embodiment 1, a thickness of the silicon rubber was about 1.3 mm. In Embodiment 2, a thickness of the silicon rubber was about 3.3 mm. As shown inFIG.6, it can be seen that, the transmission of light becomes larger as the thickness becomes thinner, but even light of a wavelength of about 275 nm has a transmission of 50% or more. This means that, although a lower end of the acoustic lens160, i.e., the light emitting element170is disposed in the probe, light can sterilize the surface of the acoustic lens160while being transmitted through the acoustic lens160.

Meanwhile, a portion of light emitted from the light emitting element170may be converted into heat while the light passes through the acoustic lens160. The above-described heat may change a characteristic of the acoustic lens160, and hence the light emitting element170may preferably emit light for only a short time. For example, the light emitting element170may irradiate light within only about 20 seconds, thereby preventing degradation of the acoustic lens160.

FIG.7is a view illustrating an ultrasonic probe100ain accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. When comparingFIGS.1and7, a support member180amay be formed with a first area in which the sectional size of a cavity Cl is constant. Since the light emitting element170is disposed higher than the transducer120with respect to the sound absorbing member140, advancement of light emitted from the light emitting element170toward the transducer120can be reduced.

FIG.8is a view illustrating an ultrasonic probe100bin accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG.8, the ultrasonic probe100bmay further include a light guide190which guides emitted from the light emitting element170, in addition to the light emitting element170. The light emitting element170may be disposed inside the case110, and the light guide190may be disposed between the acoustic lens160and the case110.

In addition, an area of the light guide190, which faces the surface of the acoustic lens160, may be formed of a transmissive material, and the other area may be formed of a reflective material. Thus, light emitted from the light emitting element170can advance toward the external surface of the acoustic lens160while passing through the light guide190.

FIG.9is a view illustrating an ultrasonic probe100cin accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG.9, the light emitting element170may be disposed such that the advancing path of light and the advancing path of an ultrasonic wave are parallel to each other. A support member180cmay have a shape protruding toward the transducer120from the case110. In addition, the light emitting element170may be disposed on the above-described support member180. The light emitting element170may be disposed at a position having the same height as the transducer120or be disposed at a position higher than the transducer120with respect to the sound absorbing member140. Thus, although light is emitted from the light emitting element170, advancement of the light toward the transducer120can be reduced.

Although a case where the support member180is a separate component of the case110has been described till now, the present invention is not limited thereto. The support member180which supports the light emitting element170may be integrated with the case110, and the case110itself may become the support member180.

FIG.10is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic probe400having a sterilizing function in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG.10, the ultrasonic probe400may include a sterilizing module410, an ultrasonic module420, a controller430, and a user interface440. The appearance of the ultrasonic probe400may be the ultrasonic probe100,100a,100bor100cdescribed above.

The sterilizing module410may include a light emitting element unit412which emits light for sterilization and a light emitting driver414which drives the above-described light emitting element unit412under the control of the controller430.

The light emitting element unit412may include one or more light emitting elements170which emit ultraviolet light for sterilization, and be disposed inside the ultrasonic probe100as described above. The light emitting element170is disposed to be in contact with the acoustic lens160, and light passing through the acoustic lens160sterilizes the external surface162of the acoustic lens160. The light emitting element170may be disposed more distant from the central axis of the ultrasonic probe100than the transducer120, and be disposed not overlap with the advancing path of the ultrasonic wave released from the transducer120. The arrangement relationship of the light emitting element170has been described above, and therefore, detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The ultrasonic module420may include a transmitter412, a transducer120, and a receiver414.

The transmitter412supplies a driving signal to the transducer120. Specifically, the transmitter412may generate a rate pulse for forming a transmission ultrasonic wave according to a PRF (Pulse Repetition Frequency), apply a delay time for determining transmission directionality to the rate pulse, and apply a driving signal (or driving pulse) to the transducer at a timing corresponding to each rate pulse to which the delay time is applied.

The transducer120transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject10according to the driving signal supplied from the transmitter, and receives an echo signal of the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject10. The transducer120may include a plurality of unit elements which converts an electrical signal into acoustic energy (or vice versa). The transducer120has been described inFIG.3, and therefore, detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The receiver414generates ultrasonic data by processing a signal received from the transducer120. Specifically, the receiver414amplifies the signal received from the transducer120, and analog-digital converts the amplified signal. Also, the receiver414may generate ultrasonic data by applying and adding a delay time for determining reception directionality to the digital-converted signal.

The controller430may selectively control the ultrasonic module420or the sterilizing module410according to a certain protocol or a signal received from the user interface440. The controller430may control the sterilizing module410to be operated in a state in which the ultrasonic module420is inactivated. For example, when a user command for a sterilizing operation is received through the user interface440, the controller420may control the sterilizing module410such that light for sterilization is emitted. Alternatively, when a user command for an ultrasonic operation is received, the controller430may control the sterilizing module410such that light for sterilization is emitted for a certain time (e.g., within 20 seconds) and then control the ultrasonic module420to be operated after an operation of the sterilizing module410is ended. Alternatively, after an operation of the ultrasonic module420is completed, the controller430may allow the sterilizing module410to be operated for a certain time (e.g., within 20 seconds).

Alternatively, when the ultrasonic probe100mounted in the probe holder292shown inFIG.1receives a sensing signal, the controller430may control the sterilizing module410to perform a sterilizing operation. As described above, since the sterilizing module410is disposed in the ultrasonic probe100, the ultrasonic probe100can perform the sterilizing operation while not transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave.

While the ultrasonic module420necessarily includes the transducer120, at least a partial component of the transmitter412and414may be included in another apparatus. The controller430and the user interface440may also be disposed in the ultrasonic probe100or be implemented as a separate apparatus.

In the above, the embodiments of the ultrasonic probe have been described. While the detail embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art that utilize the basic concept of the present invention that are defined in the following claims are also included in the scope of the invention.