CN115813437B - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic endoscope with same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic endoscope having the ultrasonic probe, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises: a first shell having a first chamber, and two ends having a first opening and a second opening connected to the first chamber; a fixed sleeve arranged in the first chamber; a rotating shaft having a housing cavity penetrating along the length direction of the rotating shaft, one end extending through the first opening into the first chamber and partially extending into the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve, one end being able to rotate relative to the fixed sleeve and being able to extend and retract along the length direction of the rotating shaft; a sheath tube, one end of which is connected to the fixed sleeve; a spring tube, one end of which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end of which extends into the sheath tube and can rotate in the sheath tube; an ultrasonic transducer, the other end of the spring tube being connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and the ultrasonic transducer being arranged at the other end of the sheath tube; a signal line, one end of which passes through the housing cavity of the rotating shaft from the first opening and extends into the sheath tube to be connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The present invention reduces the risk of damage to the ultrasonic probe and ensures high detection accuracy.

Description

Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic endoscope having the same

Technical Field

The embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of ultrasonic endoscopes, and in particular to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic endoscope having the ultrasonic probe.

Background Art

An ultrasonic probe is a device that uses piezoelectric chips to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. It mainly uses the piezoelectric effect of the material to achieve electrical energy and sound energy conversion. During endoscopic ultrasound examination, the ultrasonic probe can partially enter the patient's upper gastrointestinal cavity. It has the characteristics of small size, easy operation, and clear imaging.

The spring tube in the existing ultrasonic probe is tightly woven by a machine.

However, after the ultrasound probe has been used for a period of time, the spring tube will slowly release some of the stress of the spring wire, causing the ultrasonic transducer to shift position (relative to the factory position) in the sheath tube as the spring tube expands and contracts. If the spring tube stretches, the ultrasonic transducer will shift outside the ultrasound probe along the extension direction of the sheath tube, causing interference between the ultrasonic transducer and the sheath tube, resulting in a great risk of damage to the ultrasound probe; if the spring tube retracts, the ultrasonic transducer will shift inside the ultrasound probe along the extension direction of the sheath tube, and when the ultrasound probe is used for interventional treatment, the detection depth will be reduced and the detection accuracy will be reduced.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic endoscope having the ultrasonic probe, so as to solve the problem that after the existing ultrasonic probe is used for a period of time, the spring tube will slowly release part of the stress of the spring wire, causing the ultrasonic transducer to shift in position in the sheath tube as the spring tube expands and contracts.

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is achieved as follows:

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ultrasound probe, comprising:

A first shell, wherein the first shell has a first chamber, and both ends of the first shell have a first opening and a second opening communicating with the first chamber;

a fixing sleeve, the fixing sleeve being arranged in the first chamber;

A rotating shaft, wherein the rotating shaft has an accommodating cavity penetrating along the length direction of the rotating shaft, one end of the rotating shaft extends into the first chamber through the first opening and partially extends into the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve, one end of the rotating shaft can rotate relative to the fixed sleeve, and the rotating shaft can be extended and retracted along the length direction of the rotating shaft;

A sheath tube, one end of which is connected to the fixing sleeve;

A spring tube, one end of which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end of which extends into the sheath tube and can rotate in the sheath tube;

An ultrasonic transducer, the other end of the spring tube is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and the ultrasonic transducer is arranged at the other end of the sheath tube;

A signal line, one end of which passes through the accommodating cavity of the rotating shaft from the first opening and extends into the sheath tube to be connected with the ultrasonic transducer.

Optionally,

The rotating shaft comprises: a first shaft body and a second shaft body;

The first shaft body has a first through hole that penetrates along the length direction of the first shaft body, and the second shaft body has a second through hole that penetrates along the length direction of the second shaft body, and one end of the second shaft body is slidably and telescopically arranged in the first through hole; the other end of the second shaft body is slidably and telescopically arranged in the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve, and the other end of the second shaft body can also rotate relative to the fixed sleeve around the axis of the second shaft body itself.

Optionally,

The first shaft has a limiting structure at one end thereof connected to the second shaft, and the limiting structure is used to limit the sliding and telescopic movement between the first shaft and the second shaft;

The limiting structure comprises:

Limiting arms, the limiting arms having at least two groups, the at least two groups of limiting arms being arranged at intervals along the peripheral side wall of the first through hole, and the limiting arms extending out of the first shaft body along the length direction of the first shaft body;

A hoop member is used to hoop at least two groups of the limit arms into the first through hole so that the limit arms stop against the outer wall of the second shaft body.

Optionally,

The limiting arm has an external thread;

The clamping member is a fastening nut, and the fastening nut has an internal thread;

Through the matching connection between the internal thread and the external thread, the limiting arm stops against the outer wall of the second shaft body.

Optionally, it also includes:

A bearing is arranged in the first opening, and the rotating shaft is passed through the bearing.

Optionally, it also includes:

A connecting seat, wherein the connecting seat has a mounting cavity penetrating along the length direction, and the other end of the rotating shaft is inserted into the mounting cavity at one end of the connecting seat;

A connector, one end of which is disposed in the mounting cavity, and the connector is connected to the other end of the signal line.

Optionally, it also includes:

A shifting rod, a boss is provided on the peripheral outer wall of the connecting seat, and the shifting rod is arranged on the boss.

Optionally, it also includes:

The second shell has a second chamber, and one end of the second shell is sleeved on the outside of the first shell.

Optionally, it also includes:

A bearing end cover is disposed at an end of the second housing close to the first opening, and the bearing end cover abuts against an outer ring of the bearing.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ultrasonic endoscope, comprising an ultrasonic probe as described in any one of the first aspects.

In an embodiment of the present invention, by providing a rotating shaft that can be extended and retracted along the length direction of the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic transducer can be adjusted along the length direction of the sheath, thereby avoiding interference between the ultrasonic transducer and the sheath and reducing the risk of damage to the ultrasonic probe; it also avoids a reduction in the detection depth of the ultrasonic transducer and ensures the high detection accuracy of the ultrasonic transducer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention. Moreover, the same reference symbols are used throughout the accompanying drawings to represent the same components. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG2 is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the position A in FIG1 ;

FIG3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG4 is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the position B in FIG3 ;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the structural decomposition of the rotating shaft in the ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

in:

1. first shell; 11. first chamber; 12. first opening; 13. second opening;

2. Fixed sleeve;

3. Rotating shaft; 31. First shaft body; 31a. First through hole; 31b. Limiting arm; 31c. External thread; 32. Second shaft body; 32a. Second through hole; 33. Hooping member (fastening nut); 33a. Internal thread;

4. Sheath; 5. Spring tube; 6. Ultrasonic transducer; 7. Signal line; 8. Sealing rubber ring; 9. Transducer sheath;

100, bearing; 101, bearing end cover; 102, connecting seat; 102a, boss; 103, connecting head; 104, lever; 105, second housing; 105a, second chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the ultrasonic probe includes:

A first shell 1, wherein the first shell 1 has a first chamber 11, and both ends of the first shell 1 have a first opening 12 and a second opening 13 communicating with the first chamber 11;

A fixing sleeve 2, the fixing sleeve 2 is arranged in the first chamber 11;

The rotating shaft 3 has an accommodating cavity penetrating along the length direction of the rotating shaft 3, one end of the rotating shaft 3 passes through the first opening 12 and extends into the first chamber 11 and partially extends into the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2, one end of the rotating shaft 3 can rotate relative to the fixed sleeve 2, and the rotating shaft 3 can be extended and retracted along the length direction of the rotating shaft 3;

A sheath tube 4, one end of which is connected to the fixing sleeve 2;

A spring tube 5, one end of which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 3, and the other end of which extends into the sheath tube 4 and can rotate in the sheath tube 4;

Ultrasonic transducer 6, the other end of the spring tube 5 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 6, and the ultrasonic transducer 6 is arranged at the other end of the sheath tube 4;

The signal line 7 has one end portion which passes through the accommodating cavity of the rotating shaft 3 from the first opening 12 and extends into the sheath tube 4 to be connected with the ultrasonic transducer 6 .

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, the circumferential outer wall of the fixing sleeve 2 has a first external thread, and the first chamber 11 has a first internal thread that can be matched and connected with the first external thread. The fixing sleeve 2 is arranged in the first chamber 11 through the matching connection between the first external thread and the first internal thread.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, the end of the rotating shaft 3 partially extending into the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2 can rotate relative to the fixed sleeve 2; the end is fixedly connected to one end of the spring tube 5, and the outer wall of the end is also sleeved with a sealing rubber ring 8, which is located between the outer wall of the end and the inner wall of the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2, and respectively abuts against the outer wall of the end and the inner wall of the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2. In practical applications, the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2 will be filled with a coupling agent to ensure high-quality imaging of the ultrasonic transducer 6. The provision of the above-mentioned sealing rubber ring 8 improves the sealing effect of the probe, and can effectively prevent the coupling agent from overflowing from the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2 or external liquid from entering the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2.

The sealing rubber ring 8 is made of rubber material. When one end of the rotating shaft 3 rotates relative to the fixed sleeve 2 or the rotating shaft 3 is extended and retracted along the length direction of the rotating shaft 3, it can effectively reduce the mutual wear between the outer wall of the rotating shaft 3 and the inner wall of the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2, thereby increasing the service life of the probe, avoiding abnormal noise caused by wear, and improving the user experience.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, a transducer sheath 9 is provided on the ultrasonic transducer 6, the transducer sheath 9 is connected to the spring tube 5 by a laser welding process, the transducer sheath 9 and the ultrasonic transducer 6 can be fixed by glue, and the peripheral side wall of the transducer sheath 9 is provided with an opening for ultrasonic waves to pass through.

When the length of the spring tube 5 is extended, the front end of the ultrasonic transducer 6 may interfere with the rotation of the end face of the sheath tube 4, making it impossible for the ultrasonic transducer 6 to detect. When the length of the spring tube 5 is shortened, the detection depth of the ultrasonic transducer 6 is reduced, and the detection accuracy is greatly reduced. In the embodiment of the present invention, by providing a rotating shaft 3 that can be extended and retracted along its own length direction in the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic transducer 6 is adjusted along the length direction of the sheath tube 4, avoiding interference between the ultrasonic transducer 6 and the sheath tube 4, and reducing the risk of damage to the ultrasonic probe; it also avoids the reduction of the detection depth of the ultrasonic transducer 6, ensuring the high detection accuracy of the ultrasonic transducer 6.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, as shown in FIG5 , the rotating shaft 3 includes: a first shaft body 31 and a second shaft body 32 ;

The first shaft body 31 has a first through hole 31a which passes through the first shaft body 31 along the length direction, and the second shaft body 32 has a second through hole 32a which passes through the second shaft body 32 along the length direction. One end of the second shaft body 32 is slidably and telescopically arranged in the first through hole 31a; the other end of the second shaft body 32 is slidably and telescopically arranged in the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2, and the other end of the second shaft body 32 can also rotate relative to the fixed sleeve 2 around the axis center line of the second shaft body 32 itself.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first through hole 31 a and the second through hole 32 a form an accommodating cavity penetrating along the length direction of the rotating shaft 3 .

In the embodiment of the present invention, the other end of the second shaft body 32 is slidably and telescopically disposed in the sleeve cavity of the fixing sleeve 2 , so that the rotating shaft 3 can be telescoped along the length direction of the rotating shaft 3 .

In some embodiments of the present invention, an end portion of the second shaft body 32 extends into the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2, and the end portion can rotate relative to the fixed sleeve 2. The outer wall of the end portion is also sleeved with a sealing rubber ring 8, and the sealing rubber ring 8 is located between the outer wall of the end portion and the inner wall of the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2, and respectively abuts against the outer wall of the end portion and the inner wall of the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2, thereby improving the sealing effect of the probe and effectively preventing external liquid from entering the probe.

The sealing rubber ring 8 is made of rubber material. When one end of the rotating shaft 3 rotates relative to the fixed sleeve 2 and the rotating shaft 3 expands and contracts along the length direction of the rotating shaft 3, it can effectively reduce the mutual wear between the outer wall of the rotating shaft 3 and the inner wall of the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve 2, thereby increasing the service life of the probe, avoiding abnormal noise caused by wear, and improving the user experience.

In the embodiment of the present invention, by setting the rotating shaft 3 as a combination of the first shaft body 31 and the second shaft body 32 and one end of the second shaft body 32 being slidably and telescopically set in the first through hole 31a of the first shaft body 31, the front and rear adjustment of the ultrasonic transducer 6 is achieved, thereby avoiding the interference of the length elongation of the spring tube 5 caused by long-term use on the ultrasonic transducer 6, and ensuring the high service life and high detection accuracy of the ultrasonic transducer 6.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally,

The first shaft body 31 has a limiting structure at one end thereof connected to the second shaft body 32, and the limiting structure is used to limit the sliding and telescopic movement between the first shaft body 31 and the second shaft body 32;

The limiting structure includes:

The limiting arms 31b include at least two groups of limiting arms 31b, which are arranged at intervals along the peripheral side wall of the first through hole 31a, and the limiting arms 31b extend out of the first shaft body 31 along the length direction of the first shaft body 31;

The hoop member 33 is used to hoop at least two groups of limit arms 31 b into the first through hole 31 a so that the limit arms 31 b stop against the outer wall of the second shaft body 32 .

In the embodiment of the present invention, the limiting arm 31 b abuts against the outer wall of the second shaft body 32 , thereby limiting the sliding and telescopic movement between the first shaft body 31 and the second shaft body 32 .

In some embodiments of the present invention, at least two groups of limiting arms 31b are optionally arranged at equal intervals along the peripheral side wall of the first through hole 31a. When the limiting arms 31b are clamped by the clamping member 33, the equal intervals are arranged so that each group of limiting arms 31b is evenly stressed, so as to prevent the second shaft body 32 and the first shaft body 31 from being offset and skewed after being clamped due to uneven stress, and to prevent the rotating shaft 3 and the fixing sleeve 2 from interfering with each other when the rotating shaft 3 rotates relative to the fixing sleeve 2 due to offset and skew, and further avoid the time cost of the user to adjust the second shaft body 32 and the first shaft body 31 from being offset and skewed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, the first shaft body 31 and the second shaft body 32 are both in a cylindrical shape, and after the second shaft body 32 and the first shaft body 31 form the shaft body 3, the axis lines of the second shaft body 32 and the first shaft body 31 extend colinearly.

The uneven force causes the second shaft body 32 and the first shaft body 31 to deviate and tilt after being clamped together. The deviate and tilt may be that the axis lines of the second shaft body 32 and the first shaft body 31 do not extend in the same line.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally,

The limiting arm 31b has an external thread 31c;

The clamping member 33 is a fastening nut, and the fastening nut has an internal thread 33a;

Through the matching connection between the internal thread 33 a and the external thread 31 c , the limiting arm 31 b stops against the outer wall of the second shaft body 32 .

In the embodiment of the present invention, through the cooperation connection between the internal thread 33a and the external thread 31c, after the limiting arm 31b stops against the outer wall of the second shaft body 32, the sliding and telescopic movement between the first shaft body 31 and the second shaft body 32 is limited.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, the fastening nut can be a standard nut, which can further reduce manufacturing costs, facilitate replacement of the fastening nut after long-term use and wear, and improve user experience.

When the position of the ultrasonic transducer 6 needs to be adjusted, the fastening nut is loosened so that the limit arm 31b is separated from the outer wall of the second shaft body 32; according to the change in the position of the ultrasonic transducer 6 or the change in the length of the spring tube 5, the relative position between the second shaft body 32 and the first shaft body 31 along the axial direction is adjusted until the ultrasonic transducer 6 reaches a predetermined position (for example: the factory position); the fastening nut is tightened so that the limit arm 31b stops against the outer wall of the second shaft body 32, and the adjustment of the position of the ultrasonic transducer 6 is completed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, the ultrasound probe further includes:

The bearing 100 is disposed in the first opening 12 . The bearing 100 may be a deep groove ball bearing. The rotating shaft 3 is passed through the bearing 100 . The bearing 100 facilitates the rotating shaft 3 to rotate stably.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, the ultrasound probe also includes: a connecting seat 102 and a connecting head 103, the connecting seat 102 has an installation cavity that penetrates along the length direction, and the other end of the rotating shaft 3 is inserted into the installation cavity at one end of the connecting seat 102; one end of the connecting head 103 is arranged in the installation cavity, and the connecting head 103 is connected to the other end of the signal line 7.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the lever 104 may be provided with at least two groups, and the peripheral outer wall of the connecting seat 102 may be provided with a boss 102a, and the lever 104 may be provided on the boss 102a. At least two groups of levers 104 may be provided at intervals on the peripheral outer wall of the connecting seat 102. A mounting hole may be provided on the boss 102a, and the lever 104 may be inserted into the mounting hole, and the lever 104 and the mounting hole may be connected by interference fit. At least two groups of levers 104 may be connected to the power output end of the power device to transmit power.

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, the ultrasound probe further includes:

The second shell 105 has a second chamber 105 a , and one end of the second shell 105 is sleeved on the outside of the first shell 1 .

In some embodiments of the present invention, optionally, the ultrasound probe further includes:

The bearing end cover 101 is disposed at the end of the first housing 1 close to the first opening 12. The bearing end cover 101 can be disposed at the end of the second housing 105 close to the first opening. The bearing end cover 101 can be connected to the second housing 105 by bolts or screws. For example, the peripheral outer wall of the bearing end cover 101 can have threads. The bearing end cover 101 can be connected to the second housing 105 by threads. The bearing end cover 101 can stop against the outer ring of the bearing 100. The outer ring of the bearing 100 can be squeezed by the bearing end cover 101 to stabilize the bearing 100. The outer ring of the bearing 100 can be pressed by the bearing end cover 101 to limit the displacement of the bearing 100 along its own axial direction.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an ultrasonic endoscope, comprising an ultrasonic probe as described in any one of the embodiments of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation modes, which are merely illustrative rather than restrictive. Under the guidance of the present invention, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention and the claims, all of which are within the protection of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. An ultrasonic probe, comprising: A first shell, wherein the first shell has a first chamber, and both ends of the first shell have a first opening and a second opening communicating with the first chamber; a fixing sleeve, the fixing sleeve being arranged in the first chamber; A rotating shaft, wherein the rotating shaft has an accommodating cavity penetrating along the length direction of the rotating shaft, one end of the rotating shaft extends into the first chamber through the first opening and partially extends into the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve, one end of the rotating shaft can rotate relative to the fixed sleeve, and the rotating shaft can be extended and retracted along the length direction of the rotating shaft; A sheath tube, one end of which is connected to the fixing sleeve; A spring tube, one end of which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end of which extends into the sheath tube and can rotate in the sheath tube; An ultrasonic transducer, the other end of the spring tube is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and the ultrasonic transducer is arranged at the other end of the sheath tube; A signal line, one end of which passes through the accommodating cavity of the rotating shaft from the first opening and extends into the sheath tube to be connected with the ultrasonic transducer. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating shaft comprises: a first shaft body and a second shaft body; The first shaft body has a first through hole that penetrates along the length direction of the first shaft body, and the second shaft body has a second through hole that penetrates along the length direction of the second shaft body, and one end of the second shaft body is slidably and telescopically arranged in the first through hole; the other end of the second shaft body is slidably and telescopically arranged in the sleeve cavity of the fixed sleeve, and the other end of the second shaft body can also rotate relative to the fixed sleeve around the axis of the second shaft body itself. 3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first shaft has a limiting structure at one end thereof connected to the second shaft, and the limiting structure is used to limit the sliding and telescopic movement between the first shaft and the second shaft; The limiting structure comprises: Limiting arms, the limiting arms having at least two groups, the at least two groups of limiting arms being arranged at intervals along the peripheral side wall of the first through hole, and the limiting arms extending out of the first shaft body along the length direction of the first shaft body; A hoop member is used to hoop at least two groups of the limit arms into the first through hole so that the limit arms stop against the outer wall of the second shaft body. 4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting arm has an external thread; The clamping member is a fastening nut, and the fastening nut has an internal thread; Through the matching connection between the internal thread and the external thread, the limiting arm stops against the outer wall of the second shaft body. 5. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising: A bearing is arranged in the first opening, and the rotating shaft is passed through the bearing. 6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, further comprising: A connecting seat, wherein the connecting seat has a mounting cavity penetrating along the length direction, and the other end of the rotating shaft is inserted into the mounting cavity at one end of the connecting seat; A connector, one end of which is disposed in the mounting cavity, and the connector is connected to the other end of the signal line. 7. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, further comprising: A shifting rod, a boss is provided on the peripheral outer wall of the connecting seat, and the shifting rod is arranged on the boss. 8. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising: The second shell has a second chamber, and one end of the second shell is sleeved on the outside of the first shell. 9. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 8, further comprising: A bearing end cover is disposed at an end of the second housing close to the first opening, and the bearing end cover abuts against an outer ring of the bearing. 10 . An ultrasonic endoscope, comprising the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .