Patent ID: 7727192

Claim:
An adapter for use in puncture to be attached to a probe which transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave, the adapter comprising: a holder for holding the probe; a base unit including a guide mechanism for guiding a puncture needle, a seat for contacting a surface of a subject and a moving mechanism for movably supporting the holder such that when a probe is held in the holder, the holder moves a wave transmitting and receiving region of the probe relative to a puncture route of the puncture needle such that a beam scan plane intersects the puncture route and an intersection between the puncture route and the beam scan plane moves along the puncture route; and whereby the puncture route diagonally penetrates a beam scan plane from the front side to the back side, and when the beam scan plane moves with a move of the holder by the moving mechanism, an intersection between the puncture route and the beam scan plane moves along the puncture route; and wherein the seat has a pair of leg portions provided with a movement region of the wave transmitting and receiving surface of the probe interposed therebetween; and the base unit allows the holder to move such that the wave transmitting and receiving surface of the probe is continuously in close contact with the surface of the subject.