Patent ID: 8277382

Claim:
An automated pressing device comprising: a probe; a drive portion disposed away from the probe and configured to advance and retreat the probe in the direction of ultrasonic transmission and reception; a motive power transmission portion configured to transmit a motive power of the drive portion to the probe; and a pressing device including: a first member configured to detachably hold the probe and further configured as an attaching portion coupled to the motive power transmission portion, and a second member configured to hold the first member so as to permit advancing and retreating of the probe in the direction of ultrasonic transmission and reception, and further configured as a gripping portion for allowing movement of the probe in 3 dimensional space, wherein one end of the motive power transmission portion is coupled to the drive portion and a second end of the motive power transmission portion is coupled to the first member via a coupling member, and wherein the first member is configured to be advanced and retreated with respect to the second member.