WO1990016061A1 - Ultrasonic scanning sensor - Google Patents
Ultrasonic scanning sensor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1990016061A1 WO1990016061A1 PCT/FR1990/000408 FR9000408W WO9016061A1 WO 1990016061 A1 WO1990016061 A1 WO 1990016061A1 FR 9000408 W FR9000408 W FR 9000408W WO 9016061 A1 WO9016061 A1 WO 9016061A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- head
- shaft
- axis
- probe
- inclined plane
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
- G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
- G10K11/35—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using mechanical steering of transducers or their beams
- G10K11/352—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using mechanical steering of transducers or their beams by moving the transducer
- G10K11/355—Arcuate movement
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ultrasound probe, more particularly intended for medical applications, in particular in ophthalmology, gynecology and obstetrics, gastroenterology, and in the field of cardiovascular examinations.
- the exploration of a continuous or non-continuous medium by a beam of waves, totally or partially reflected by an obstacle is carried out, in many cases, using an analysis system with polar coordinates making it possible to reach, by mechanical scanning of the beam, a set of targets located in a plane.
- Such probes include, in a manner known for example from document US-A-4,579,122:
- said head mounted in the vicinity of the end of said housing, close to the member to be explored, in the working position, said head comprising at least one cell for transmitting and receiving a beam of waves, in particular ultrasonic ,
- a first drive shaft capable of being driven in rotation about a first axis by a motor member contained in said housing
- said articulation means comprise:
- the angular scanning of the beam is obtained with large contact surfaces between the moving parts, with the consequence of high precision and great reliability of the scanning.
- the contacts between the moving parts being surface contacts, and not point or linear contacts, this avoids a source of wear and imprecision.
- all of the moving parts are arranged around the motor shaft and have a symmetry of revolution relative to the axis of the latter, which makes it possible to give the probe the shape of a pencil in which the motor has the maximum overall dimensions, the scanning being carried out at an angle symmetrical with respect to said axis and situated in its plane.
- said probe comprises a body containing a probe head and a handle containing the motor intended to drive said probe head, the latter being carried integrally by said handle.
- a body containing a probe head and a handle containing the motor intended to drive said probe head, the latter being carried integrally by said handle.
- the ultrasound probe of the type indicated above is remarkable in that the end of said first drive shaft, opposite " to the end of the latter carrying said inclined plane and inserted in a socket integral with the body of the probe, is capable of being received in a hollow shaft connected to the drive member, the end faces facing the socket and the hollow shaft having male and female members respectively indexing, of corresponding forms.
- said female member being provided in said end face of the hollow shaft, said end face is made in the form of a helical ramp delimited by the recess formed by said female member.
- said head is connected to said inclined plane by a slide, mounted on said third shaft, which can move between the branches of a stirrup secured to said head.
- said second shaft is journaled in the vicinity of the free ends of legs, extending parallel to said first axis, integral with the body of the probe.
- said head and said articulation means are housed in a sealed chamber, defined by said housing and sealing members provided between the latter and said body, and intended to be filled with 'a liquid for transmitting said wave beam.
- said chamber is divided into two volumes by a sealing ring crossed by a capillary tube.
- Figure 1 schematically shows an apparatus, comprising an ultrasound probe, intended for the exploration of an organ of the human body, such as an eye.
- FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the articulation means, in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 shows how the body and the handle (containing the motor shaft) of the probe according to the invention can be linked to each other.
- the body 3 comprises a first drive shaft 11 capable of being rotated about its axis XX by the motor 6, * and carrying, at its free end 11a, a plate 12 having an inclined plane 12a of angle by relation to a plane orthogonal to axis XX.
- a second shaft 13 is integral with the head 4 of the probe 2, being able to rotate around a second axis YY perpendicular to the first axis XX.
- the third axis ZZ of the third shaft 14 is concurrent, at point 15, with the first XX and second YY axes.
- the rotation of the first drive shaft 11 around the first axis XX causes the rotation of the third axis ZZ around the point of convergence of the first XX, second YY and third ZZ axes and, thus, the tilting of the head 4 of the probe 2, around the second axis YY, by an angle equal to the angle ⁇ of the inclined plane 12, symmetrically on either side of the plane defined by the first XX and second YY axes .
- a stirrup 16 is mounted on the plate 12 on the shaft 14, the branches 17 and 18 of the stirrup 16 framing the head 4, by their respective parallel faces 17a and 18a, combined with the corresponding parallel faces of the head 4, in thus immobilizing it in translation, in cooperation with a screw or the like 19. Furthermore, the second shaft 13 is immobilized in translation by the parallel planar opposite faces 60a, 61a of two legs 60,61, extending parallel to the axis XX, integral with the body 3.
- a slide 20 free around the axis ZZ, is mounted on the plate 12, on the shaft 14, and can move between the two branches 21 and 22 of a stirrup 23
- FIGS. 4 and 5 in which a probe 2 according to the invention has been shown in more detail.
- the body 3, containing the head 4, of the probe 2 and the handle 5 of the latter are each housed in a housing 30, 31.
- the head 4 and the articulation means thereof are housed in a sealed chamber 33 defined by the housing 30 and seals 34, 35, chamber 33 in which there may be contained a fluid for transmitting the wave beam, further ensuring good lubrication of the kinematic assembly.
- the sealed chamber 33 has a window 36, transparent to the waves of said beam, intended to come into contact with the member to be explored.
- an elastomer ring 37 makes it possible to divide the sealed chamber 33 into two volumes 38 and 39.
- a capillary tube 40, passing through the ring 37, is flush with the volume 38 and projects into the volume 39, so that the volume 38 is completely filled with transmission liquid, and that a bubble, often present during filling and even sometimes necessary for expansion, is located in the volume 39, by being trapped at the base of the capillary tube 40, so that the bubble cannot be interposed between the transmission-reception cell and the organ to be explored.
- the drive shaft 11 is made integral with a socket 41, linked to the body 3 of the probe 2, by means of a pin 42.
- the socket 41 has a male member 43 attached thereto, intended to cooperate with a female member 44 of a hollow shaft 45 which is connected to the motor 6, thereby transmitting, in the engaged position, the movement of the motor 6 to the cinema.
- a structure allows, over 360 ° of possible angular location, a position and only one for the coupling of the parts of the probe.
- the position of the male member on the receiving shaft is identified with respect to one of the two extreme positions of the head carrying the transmission-reception cell.
- the end faces 41a, 45a of the sleeve 41 and the hollow shaft 45 are beveled correspondingly.
- the end face 45a of the hollow shaft 45 is produced in the form of a helical ramp delimited by the recess formed by the female member 44. Docking of the two parts is facilitated by the helical size of the end face 45a of the hollow shaft 45, called "wolf tooth". This drive also allows a connection of the two rotating parts, that is to say while the motor continues to rotate, which allows to change the type of probe in operation.
- the body 3 has a sheath 50 provided with balls 51, held in place by an annular spring 52, intended to engage in an annular groove (not shown) of the handle 5, containing the motor 6, thereby locking together the two parts of the probe 2.
- a pin 55, on the handle 5, can cooperate with a blind hole 56 provided at the end, facing the handle 5, of the body 3, for indexing.
- the principle of operation of the ultrasound probe 1 according to the invention is as follows.
- the pins 54 establish electrical contact with the sockets 53 and, at the end of the race, the balls 51 lock the two parts of the probe, under the action of the spring 52, and in cooperation with the corresponding groove.
- a marking system (not shown) can be provided, consisting of a disc having a mark and only one, over 360 °, detected by an electric, electronic, magnetic or optical detector, making it possible to locate the position of the female member 44, so that, after coupling of the parts of the probe, one can detect one of the extreme positions of the head 4 (and therefore of the transmission-reception cell of the wave beam), by defining, for example, the top of an image by initialization of the control electronics.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Sonde d'échographie. La présente invention concerne une sonde d'échographie, plus particulièrement destinée à des applications médicales, notamment en ophtalmologie, en gynécologie et obstétrique, en gastro-entérologie, et dans le domaine des examens cardio-vasculaires. Ultrasound probe. The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe, more particularly intended for medical applications, in particular in ophthalmology, gynecology and obstetrics, gastroenterology, and in the field of cardiovascular examinations.
D'une façon générale, l'exploration d'un milieu continu ou non continu par un faisceau d'ondes, réfléchies totalement ou partiellement par un obstacle est réalisée, dans de nombreux cas, à l'aide d'un système d'analyse à coordonnées polaires permettant d'atteindre, par balayage mécanique du faisceau, un ensemble de cibles situées dans un plan.In general, the exploration of a continuous or non-continuous medium by a beam of waves, totally or partially reflected by an obstacle is carried out, in many cases, using an analysis system with polar coordinates making it possible to reach, by mechanical scanning of the beam, a set of targets located in a plane.
Dans la plupart des applications médicales, dans lesquelles les sondes d'échographie notamment à ultra-sons utilisent le principe du balayage mécanique en coordonnées polaires, seul un secteur angulaire est réellement exploré. C'est notamment le cas de l'échographie du coeur, de l'oeil, de l'abdomen par voie externe. De plus, le balayage doit être réalisé, de façon périodique, à des fréquences comprises entre quelques hertz et quelques dizaines de hertz.In most medical applications, in which ultrasound probes, in particular ultrasound probes, use the principle of mechanical scanning in polar coordinates, only one angular sector is really explored. This is particularly the case with ultrasound of the heart, eye, abdomen externally. In addition, the scanning must be carried out, periodically, at frequencies between a few hertz and a few tens of hertz.
De telles sondes comportent, de façon connue par exemple par le document US-A-4 579 122 :Such probes include, in a manner known for example from document US-A-4,579,122:
- un boîtier,- a housing,
- une tête montée au voisinage de l'extrémité dudit boîtier, proche de l'organe à explorer, en position de travail, ladite tête comportant au moins une cellule d'émission-réception d'un faisceau d'ondes, notamment ultra-sonores,a head mounted in the vicinity of the end of said housing, close to the member to be explored, in the working position, said head comprising at least one cell for transmitting and receiving a beam of waves, in particular ultrasonic ,
- un premier arbre d'entraînement susceptible d'être entraîné en rotation, autour d'un premier axe, par un organe moteur contenu dans ledit boîtier, eta first drive shaft capable of being driven in rotation about a first axis by a motor member contained in said housing, and
- des moyens d'articulation de ladite tête reliés audit arbre, pour permettre le balayage de l'organe à explorer par ledit faisceau d'ondes. Dans une telle sonde connue, lesdits moyens d'articulation comprennent :- means of articulation of said head connected to said shaft, to allow scanning of the member to be explored by said wave beam. In such a known probe, said articulation means comprise:
- un plan incliné' d' angle prédéterminé prévu à l'extrémité libre dudit premier arbre, - un deuxième arbre, solidaire de ladite tète, pouvant tourner autour d'un deuxième axe perpendiculaire audit premier axe et immobilisé en translation, et- an inclined plane ' of predetermined angle provided at the free end of said first shaft, - a second shaft, integral with said head, capable of rotating around a second axis perpendicular to said first axis and immobilized in translation, and
- un troisième arbre s' étendant perpendiculairement audit plan incliné, et lié audit plan incliné et à ladite tête, le troisième axe dudit troisième arbre étant concourant avec lesdits premier et deuxième axes, de sorte que la rotation dudit premier arbre d1 entraînement autour dudit premier axe entraîne la rotation dudit troisième axe autour du point de convergence desdits premier, deuxième et troisième axes et, ainsi, le basculement de ladite tête, autour dudit deuxième axe, d'un angle égal à l'angle dudit plan incliné, symétriquement de part et d'autre du plan défini par lesdits premier et deuxième axes.- a third shaft extending perpendicular to said inclined plane, and bonded to said inclined plane and to said head, the third axis of said third shaft being concurrent with said first and second axes, so that rotation of said first shaft 1 Drive around said first axis causes said third axis to rotate about the point of convergence of said first, second and third axes and, thus, the tilting of said head, around said second axis, by an angle equal to the angle of said inclined plane, symmetrically on either side of the plane defined by said first and second axes.
Ainsi, le balayage angulaire du faisceau est obtenu avec de grandes surfaces de contact entre les pièces en mouvement, avec pour conséquence une précision élevée et une grande fiabilité du balayage. En effet, les contacts entre les pièces mobiles étant des contacts de surfaces, et non des contacts ponctuels ou linéaires, on évite ainsi une source d'usure et d'imprécision. De plus, l'ensemble des pièces en mouvement est agencé autour de l'arbre moteur et présente une symétrie de révolution par rapport à l'axe de ce dernier, ce qui permet de donner à la sonde la forme d'un crayon dans lequel le moteur présente l' encombrement maximum, le balayage s' effectuant selon un angle symétrique par rapport audit axe et situé dans son plan.Thus, the angular scanning of the beam is obtained with large contact surfaces between the moving parts, with the consequence of high precision and great reliability of the scanning. Indeed, the contacts between the moving parts being surface contacts, and not point or linear contacts, this avoids a source of wear and imprecision. In addition, all of the moving parts are arranged around the motor shaft and have a symmetry of revolution relative to the axis of the latter, which makes it possible to give the probe the shape of a pencil in which the motor has the maximum overall dimensions, the scanning being carried out at an angle symmetrical with respect to said axis and situated in its plane.
Dans les modes de réalisation connus, ladite sonde comporte un corps contenant une tête de sonde et une poignée contenant le moteur destiné à animer ladite tête de sonde, celle-ci étant portée solidairement par ladite poignée. Or, notamment pour des applications médicales, il est souhaitable de disposer de sondes à têtes interchangeables, afin de pouvoir adapter ladite tête de sonde à l'examen envisagé et/ou de remplacer une tête par une autre.In known embodiments, said probe comprises a body containing a probe head and a handle containing the motor intended to drive said probe head, the latter being carried integrally by said handle. However, in particular for medical applications, it is desirable to have probes with interchangeable heads, in order to be able to adapt said probe head to the envisaged examination and / or to replace one head with another.
Aussi, selon l'invention, la sonde d'échographie du type indiqué ci-dessus est remarquable en ce que l'extrémité dudit premier arbre d'entraînement, opposée" à l'extrémité de celui-ci portant ledit plan incliné et insérée dans une douille solidaire du corps de la sonde, est apte à être reçue dans un arbre creux lié à l'organe moteur, les faces d'extrémité en regard de la douille et de l'arbre creux présentant respectivement des organes mâle et femelle d'indexage, de formes correspondantes.Also, according to the invention, the ultrasound probe of the type indicated above is remarkable in that the end of said first drive shaft, opposite " to the end of the latter carrying said inclined plane and inserted in a socket integral with the body of the probe, is capable of being received in a hollow shaft connected to the drive member, the end faces facing the socket and the hollow shaft having male and female members respectively indexing, of corresponding forms.
Ainsi, il est possible de solidariser et désolidariser le corps de sonde de la poignée de sonde.Thus, it is possible to attach and detach the probe body from the probe handle.
Selon une première forme de réalisation, lesdites faces d'extrémité peuvent être biseautées de façon correspondante.According to a first embodiment, said end faces can be correspondingly bevelled.
Selon une seconde forme de réalisation, ledit organe femelle étant prévu dans ladite face d'extrémité de l'arbre creux, ladite face d'extrémité est réalisée sous forme d'une rampe hélicoïdale délimitée par l'évidement formé par ledit organe femelle.According to a second embodiment, said female member being provided in said end face of the hollow shaft, said end face is made in the form of a helical ramp delimited by the recess formed by said female member.
Selon un exemple de réalisation préféré de l'invention, ladite tête est reliée audit plan incliné par une coulisse, montée sur ledit troisième arbre, pouvant se déplacer entre les branches d'un étrier solidaire de ladite tête.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said head is connected to said inclined plane by a slide, mounted on said third shaft, which can move between the branches of a stirrup secured to said head.
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En particulier, ledit deuxième arbre est tourillonné au voisinage des extrémités libres de pattes, s'étendant parallèlement audit premier axe, solidaires du corps de la sonde. Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, ladite tête et lesdits moyens d'articulation sont logés dans une chambre étanche, définie par ledit boîtier et des organes d' étanche- ité prévus entre ce dernier et ledit corps, et destinée à être remplie d'un liquide de transmission dudit faisceau d' ondes .In particular, said second shaft is journaled in the vicinity of the free ends of legs, extending parallel to said first axis, integral with the body of the probe. According to another characteristic of the invention, said head and said articulation means are housed in a sealed chamber, defined by said housing and sealing members provided between the latter and said body, and intended to be filled with 'a liquid for transmitting said wave beam.
Avantageusement, ladite chambre est divisée en deux volumes par un anneau d' étanchéité traversé par un tube capillaire.Advantageously, said chamber is divided into two volumes by a sealing ring crossed by a capillary tube.
Les figures du dessin annexé feront bien comprendre comment l'invention peut être réalisé. Sur ces figures, des références identiques désignent des éléments semblables.The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.
La figure 1 montre schématiquement un appareil, comportant une sonde d' échographie, destinée à l'exploration d'un organe du corps humain, tel qu'un oeil.Figure 1 schematically shows an apparatus, comprising an ultrasound probe, intended for the exploration of an organ of the human body, such as an eye.
_ Les figures 2a et 2b illustrent un exemple de réalisation connue pour les moyens d'articulation de la tête de la sonde, portant la cellule d'émission-réception d'un faisceau d'ondes ._ Figures 2a and 2b illustrate an embodiment known for the means of articulation of the probe head, carrying the transmission-reception cell of a wave beam.
Les figures 3a et 3b illustrent un exemple de réalisation des moyens d'articulation, conformément à la présente invention.Figures 3a and 3b illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the articulation means, in accordance with the present invention.
La figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du corps d'une sonde conforme à l'invention.Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the body of a probe according to the invention.
La figure 5 montre comment le corps et la poignée (contenant l'arbre moteur) de la sonde conforme à l'invention peuvent être liés l'un à l'autre.FIG. 5 shows how the body and the handle (containing the motor shaft) of the probe according to the invention can be linked to each other.
La figure 6 est une vue schématique en perspective illustrant une première forme de réalisation conforme à l'invention de la liaison du premier arbre d'entraînement à l'arbre lié à l'organe moteur. La figure 7 est une vue semblable à la figure 6 illustrant une seconde forme de réalisation conforme à l'invention de la liaison du premier arbre d'entraînement à l'arbre lié à l'organe moteur.Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a first embodiment according to the invention of the connection of the first drive shaft to the shaft connected to the drive member. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 illustrating a second embodiment according to the invention of the connection of the first drive shaft to the shaft connected to the drive member.
L'appareil 1 destiné à l'exploration, notamment par ultra-sons, d'un organe du corps humain, tel qu'un oeil, comporte, comme montré sur la figure 1, une sonde d'échographie 2 à balayage mécanique sectoriel.The apparatus 1 intended for the exploration, in particular by ultrasound, of an organ of the human body, such as an eye, comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasound probe 2 with sectoral mechanical scanning.
Cette sonde 2 comprend un corps 3 contenant notamment une tête 4 portant la cellule d'émission-réception d'un faisceau d'ondes, telles que des ultra-sons, et une poignée 5 contenant le moteur 6 destiné à animer la tête 4 de la sonde, portant ladite cellule, d'un mouvement de balayage angulaire permettant au faisceau d'ondes d'explorer le secteur plan 7 d'un organe (non représenté). La sonde 2 est reliée au système électronique de pilotage et d'affichage,' d'informations 8 par un câble 9. En particulier, l'écran de visualisation 10 permet une représentation en images bidimensionnelles des informations recueillies dans le secteur plan 7 exploré de l'organe.This probe 2 comprises a body 3 containing in particular a head 4 carrying the emission-reception cell of a wave beam, such as ultrasound, and a handle 5 containing the motor 6 intended to animate the head 4 of the probe, carrying said cell, of an angular scanning movement allowing the wave beam to explore the planar sector 7 of an organ (not shown). The probe 2 is connected to the electronic control and display system, of information 8 by a cable 9. In particular, the display screen 10 allows a representation in two-dimensional images of the information collected in the flat sector 7 explored by the organ.
On a représenté, sur les figures 2a et 2b un exemple de réalisation connu du corps 3 de la sonde 2, et en particulier des moyens d'articulation de la tête 4. Sur ces figures, le boîtier de la sonde n'a pas été représenté, pour des raisons de clarté du dessin. Le corps 3 comporte un premier arbre d'entraînement 11 susceptible d'être entraîné en rotation autour de son axe X-X par le moteur 6,* et portant, à son extrémité libre 11a, un plateau 12 présentant un plan incliné 12a d'angle par rapport à un plan orthogonal à l'axe X-X.There is shown in Figures 2a and 2b a known embodiment of the body 3 of the probe 2, and in particular means of articulation of the head 4. In these figures, the housing of the probe has not been shown, for reasons of clarity of the drawing. The body 3 comprises a first drive shaft 11 capable of being rotated about its axis XX by the motor 6, * and carrying, at its free end 11a, a plate 12 having an inclined plane 12a of angle by relation to a plane orthogonal to axis XX.
Par ailleurs, un deuxième arbre 13 est solidaire de la tête 4 de la sonde 2, en pouvant tourner autour d'un deuxième axe Y-Y perpendiculaire au premier axe X-X. De plus, un troisième arbre 14, traversant un alésage 12b du plan incliné 12, s'étend perpendiculairement à ce dernier, en étant lié à la tête 4. Le troisième axe Z-Z du troisième arbre 14 est concourant, au point 15, avec les premier X-X et deuxième Y-Y axes.Furthermore, a second shaft 13 is integral with the head 4 of the probe 2, being able to rotate around a second axis YY perpendicular to the first axis XX. In addition, a third shaft 14, passing through a bore 12b of the inclined plane 12, extends perpendicularly to the latter, being linked to the head 4. The third axis ZZ of the third shaft 14 is concurrent, at point 15, with the first XX and second YY axes.
Ainsi, comme déjà indiqué, la rotation du premier arbre d'entraînement 11 autour du premier axe X-X entraîne la rotation du troisième axe Z-Z autour du point de convergen¬ ce 15 des premier X-X, deuxième Y-Y et troisième Z-Z axes et, ainsi, le basculement de la tête 4 de la sonde 2, autour du deuxième axe Y-Y, d'un angle égal à l'angle α du plan incliné 12, symétriquement de part et d'autre du plan défini' par les premier X-X et deuxième Y-Y axes.Thus, as already indicated, the rotation of the first drive shaft 11 around the first axis XX causes the rotation of the third axis ZZ around the point of convergence of the first XX, second YY and third ZZ axes and, thus, the tilting of the head 4 of the probe 2, around the second axis YY, by an angle equal to the angle α of the inclined plane 12, symmetrically on either side of the plane defined by the first XX and second YY axes .
Un étrier 16 est monté sur le plateau 12 sur l'arbre 14, les branches 17 et 18 de l' étrier 16 encadrant la tête 4, par leurs faces parallèles respectives 17a et 18a, conjuguées des faces parallèles correspondantes de la tête 4, en l'immobilisant ainsi en translation, en coopération avec une vis ou analogue 19. Par ailleurs, le deuxième arbre 13 est immobilisé en translation par les faces planes parallèles en regard 60a, 61a de deux pattes 60,61, s' étendant parallèlement à l'axe XX, solidaires du corps 3.A stirrup 16 is mounted on the plate 12 on the shaft 14, the branches 17 and 18 of the stirrup 16 framing the head 4, by their respective parallel faces 17a and 18a, combined with the corresponding parallel faces of the head 4, in thus immobilizing it in translation, in cooperation with a screw or the like 19. Furthermore, the second shaft 13 is immobilized in translation by the parallel planar opposite faces 60a, 61a of two legs 60,61, extending parallel to the axis XX, integral with the body 3.
Un tel mode de réalisation est hyperstatique et il est donc difficile à réaliser. Aussi, afin de remédier à cet inconvénient, l'invention prévoit de réaliser la tête de sonde conformément aux figures 3a et 3b.Such an embodiment is hyperstatic and therefore it is difficult to carry out. Also, in order to remedy this drawback, the invention provides for making the probe head in accordance with FIGS. 3a and 3b.
Dans l'exemple de réalisation conforme à l'invention et montré par les figures 3a, 3b sur lesquelles les mêmes éléments que ceux des figures 2a et 2b portent les mêmes références, une coulisse 20, libre autour de l'axe Z-Z, est montée sur le plateau 12, sur l'arbre 14, et peut se déplacer entre les deux branches 21 et 22 d'un étrier 23In the embodiment according to the invention and shown in Figures 3a, 3b on which the same elements as those of Figures 2a and 2b have the same references, a slide 20, free around the axis ZZ, is mounted on the plate 12, on the shaft 14, and can move between the two branches 21 and 22 of a stirrup 23
* solidaire de la tête 4 de la sonde 2, et, en particulier, entre les faces planes et parallèles 21a et 22a de ce dernier. Dans ce cas, le deuxième arbre 13 est tourillonné au voisinage des extrémités libres de pattes 24,25 s'étendant parallèlement a l'axe X-X du corps 3. On remarquera que, grâce à cette disposition, l'etrier 16 peut être supprimé.* secured to the head 4 of the probe 2, and, in particular, between the flat and parallel faces 21a and 22a of the latter. In this case, the second shaft 13 is journalled in the vicinity of the free ends of lugs 24.25 extending parallel to the axis XX of the body 3. It will be noted that, thanks to this arrangement, the stirrup 16 can be eliminated.
On se référera maintenant aux figures 4 et 5, sur lesquelles une sonde 2 conforme à l'invention a été représentée plus en détail.Reference will now be made to FIGS. 4 and 5, in which a probe 2 according to the invention has been shown in more detail.
Le corps 3, contenant la tête 4, de la sonde 2 et la poignée 5 de cette dernière sont logés, chacun, dans un boîtier 30,31. Dans cet exemple de réalisation, on retrouve les différents éléments de la cinématique illustrée par les figures 3a et 3b, c'est-à-dire :The body 3, containing the head 4, of the probe 2 and the handle 5 of the latter are each housed in a housing 30, 31. In this embodiment, we find the different elements of the kinematics illustrated by Figures 3a and 3b, that is to say:
- un premier arbre d'entraînement 11, rotatif autour de son axe X-X, portant à son extrémité libre 11a un plateau 12 présentant un plan incliné 12a d'angle α égal par exemple, comme dans le cas illustré, à 25° ; - un deuxième arbre 13 solidaire de la tête 4 de la sonde 2 qui tourillonné librement dans les bagues 32 solidaires du corps 3, lesquelles bagues peuvent être réalisées en saphir, en carbure de tungstène ou en bronze (on notera qu'un tel arbre 13 peut être creux en autorisant ainsi la sortie de câbles de liaison électrique (non représentés) entre la partie active de la cellule d'émission-réception et le reste de la sonde) ; et- A first drive shaft 11, rotatable about its axis X-X, carrying at its free end 11a a plate 12 having an inclined plane 12a of angle α equal for example, as in the case illustrated, at 25 °; - A second shaft 13 secured to the head 4 of the probe 2 which turns freely in the rings 32 secured to the body 3, which rings can be made of sapphire, tungsten carbide or bronze (it will be noted that such a shaft 13 may be hollow, thereby authorizing the outlet of electrical connection cables (not shown) between the active part of the transceiver cell and the rest of the probe); and
- un troisième arbre 14, perpendiculaire au plan incliné 12a et lié à ce dernier, sur lequel est montée la coulisse 20 qui peut se déplacer entre les branches de l'etrier 23 solidaire de la tête 4.a third shaft 14, perpendicular to the inclined plane 12a and linked to the latter, on which the slide 20 is mounted which can move between the branches of the stirrup 23 secured to the head 4.
La tête 4 et les moyens d'articulation de celle-ci sont logés dans une chambre étanche 33 définie par le boîtier 30 et des joints d'étanchéité 34,35, chambre 33 dans laquelle peut être contenu un fluide de transmission du faisceau d'ondes, assurant de plus la bonne lubrification de l'ensemble cinématique.The head 4 and the articulation means thereof are housed in a sealed chamber 33 defined by the housing 30 and seals 34, 35, chamber 33 in which there may be contained a fluid for transmitting the wave beam, further ensuring good lubrication of the kinematic assembly.
Par ailleurs, la chambre étanche 33 présente une fenêtre 36, transparente aux ondes dudit faisceau, destinée à venir au contact de l'organe à explorer. En pratique, un anneau en élastomère 37 permet de diviser la chambre étanche 33 en deux volumes 38 et 39. Un tube capillaire 40, traversant l'anneau 37, est à fleur du volume 38 et fait saillie, dans le volume 39, de sorte que le volume 38 est complet ement rempli de liquide de transmission, et qu'une bulle, souvent -présente lors du remplissage et même parfois nécessaire aux dilatations, est localisée dans le volume 39, en étant piégée à la base du tube capillaire 40, de sorte que la bulle ne peut pas s'interposer entre la cellule d'émission- réception et l'organe à explorer.Furthermore, the sealed chamber 33 has a window 36, transparent to the waves of said beam, intended to come into contact with the member to be explored. In practice, an elastomer ring 37 makes it possible to divide the sealed chamber 33 into two volumes 38 and 39. A capillary tube 40, passing through the ring 37, is flush with the volume 38 and projects into the volume 39, so that the volume 38 is completely filled with transmission liquid, and that a bubble, often present during filling and even sometimes necessary for expansion, is located in the volume 39, by being trapped at the base of the capillary tube 40, so that the bubble cannot be interposed between the transmission-reception cell and the organ to be explored.
L'arbre d'entraînement 11 est rendu solidaire d'une douille 41, liée au corps 3 de la sonde 2, par l'intermédiaire d'une goupille 42. Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 6 et 7, la douille 41 présente un organe mâle 43 qui y est rapporté, destiné à coopérer avec un organe femelle 44 d'un arbre creux 45 qui est relié au moteur 6, pour ainsi transmettre, en position engagée, le mouvement du moteur 6 à la cinéma¬ tique. De plus, une telle structure autorise, sur 360° de repérage angulaire possible, une position et une seule pour le couplage des parties de la sonde. La position de l'organe mâle sur l'arbre récepteur est repérée par rapport à une des deux positions extrêmes de la tête portant la cellule d" émission-réception.The drive shaft 11 is made integral with a socket 41, linked to the body 3 of the probe 2, by means of a pin 42. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the socket 41 has a male member 43 attached thereto, intended to cooperate with a female member 44 of a hollow shaft 45 which is connected to the motor 6, thereby transmitting, in the engaged position, the movement of the motor 6 to the cinema. In addition, such a structure allows, over 360 ° of possible angular location, a position and only one for the coupling of the parts of the probe. The position of the male member on the receiving shaft is identified with respect to one of the two extreme positions of the head carrying the transmission-reception cell.
Selon la forme de réalisation de la figure 6, les faces d'extrémité 41a, 45a de la douille 41 et de l'arbre creux 45 sont biseautées de façon correspondante. En revanche, selon la forme de réalisation de la figure 7, la face d'extrémité 45a de l'arbre creux 45 est réalisée sous forme d'une rampe hélicoïdale délimitée par 1'évidement formé par l'organe femelle 44. L'acostage des deux pièces est facilité par la taille hélicoïdale de la face d'extré¬ mité 45a de l'arbre creux 45, dite "en dent de loup". Cet entraînement permet de plus une connection des deux pièces en rotation, c'est-à-dire alors que le moteur continue de tourner, ce qui permet de changer de type de sonde en fonctionnement.According to the embodiment of Figure 6, the end faces 41a, 45a of the sleeve 41 and the hollow shaft 45 are beveled correspondingly. On the other hand, according to the embodiment of FIG. 7, the end face 45a of the hollow shaft 45 is produced in the form of a helical ramp delimited by the recess formed by the female member 44. Docking of the two parts is facilitated by the helical size of the end face 45a of the hollow shaft 45, called "wolf tooth". This drive also allows a connection of the two rotating parts, that is to say while the motor continues to rotate, which allows to change the type of probe in operation.
Par ailleurs, le corps 3 présente un fourreau 50 muni de billes 51, maintenues en place par un ressort annulaire 52, destinées à s'engager dans une gorge annulaire (non représentée) de la poignée 5, contenant le moteur 6, en verrouillant ainsi ensemble les deux parties de la sonde 2.Furthermore, the body 3 has a sheath 50 provided with balls 51, held in place by an annular spring 52, intended to engage in an annular groove (not shown) of the handle 5, containing the motor 6, thereby locking together the two parts of the probe 2.
De plus, le corps 3 présente des douilles 53 (une seule étant montrée sur la figure 4) destinées à coopérer avec des broches 54 (figure 5) prévues sur la poignée 5 pour réaliser la liaison électrique entre les deux parties de la sonde 2.In addition, the body 3 has sockets 53 (only one being shown in FIG. 4) intended to cooperate with pins 54 (FIG. 5) provided on the handle 5 to make the electrical connection between the two parts of the probe 2.
En outre, une goupille 55, sur la poignée 5, peut coopérer avec un trou borgne 56 prévu à l'extrémité, en regard de la poignée 5, du corps 3, pour l'indexage.In addition, a pin 55, on the handle 5, can cooperate with a blind hole 56 provided at the end, facing the handle 5, of the body 3, for indexing.
Le principe de fonctionnement de la sonde d1échographie selon l'invention est le suivant.The principle of operation of the ultrasound probe 1 according to the invention is as follows.
Tout d'abord, il convient d'orienter le corps 3 de la sonde 2, contenant la tête 4 munie d'une cellule d'émission-récep¬ tion d'un faisceau d'ondes, par rapport à la poignée 5 contenant le moteur 6. Cela est réalisé, de façon univoque, grâce à l'indexage fourni par la structure particulière montrée sur les figures 6 et 7, et expliquée en détail ci-dessus. En poursuivant l'enfoncement de la poignée 5 par 10First of all, it is advisable to orient the body 3 of the probe 2, containing the head 4 provided with a cell of emission-reception of a beam of waves, compared to the handle 5 containing the motor 6. This is achieved unequivocally, thanks to the indexing provided by the particular structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and explained in detail above. By continuing to depress the handle 5 by 10
rapport au corps 3, les broches 54 établissent le contact électrique avec les douilles 53 et, en fin de course, les billes 51 verrouillent les deux parties de la sonde, sous l'action du ressort 52, et en coopération avec la gorge correspondante.relative to the body 3, the pins 54 establish electrical contact with the sockets 53 and, at the end of the race, the balls 51 lock the two parts of the probe, under the action of the spring 52, and in cooperation with the corresponding groove.
A ce moment, la mise sous tension du moteur 6 (et de la cellule d'émission-réception) permet l'animation des moyens d'articulation de la tête 4 et permet, ainsi, à la tête 4, portant la cellule d'émission-réception du faisceau d'ondes, de balayer l'organe à explorer, par exemple un oeil, sous un angle plan de 2α, à une vitesse correspondant à la vitesse de rotation du moteur 6.At this time, the powering up of the motor 6 (and of the transmission-reception cell) allows the animation of the articulation means of the head 4 and thus allows, at the head 4, carrying the cell emission-reception of the wave beam, to scan the organ to be explored, for example an eye, at a plane angle of 2α, at a speed corresponding to the speed of rotation of the motor 6.
A la sortie du moteur 6, on peut prévoir un système de repérage (non représenté) , constitué d'un disque présentant un repère et un seul, sur 360°, détecté par un détecteur électrique, électronique, magnétique ou optique, permettant de situer la position de l'organe femelle 44, de sorte que, après accouplement des parties de la sonde, on puisse détecter une des positions extrêmes de la tête 4 ( et donc de la cellule d' émission-réception du faisceau d'ondes), en définissant, par exemple, le haut d'une image par initiali¬ sation de l'électronique de commande.At the outlet of the motor 6, a marking system (not shown) can be provided, consisting of a disc having a mark and only one, over 360 °, detected by an electric, electronic, magnetic or optical detector, making it possible to locate the position of the female member 44, so that, after coupling of the parts of the probe, one can detect one of the extreme positions of the head 4 (and therefore of the transmission-reception cell of the wave beam), by defining, for example, the top of an image by initialization of the control electronics.
D'autres dispositifs (non représentés) permettent de raccorder l'ensemble mécanique à des moyens d'alimentation et de commande.Other devices (not shown) allow the mechanical assembly to be connected to supply and control means.
Il est également bien évident que, selon l'organe à explorer et le débattement angulaire nécessaire, on peut utiliser différentes têtes portant différentes cellules d'émission d'un faisceau d'ondes, qui peuvent être des ondes lumineuses (laser), à hautes fréquences, ultra-sonores. It is also quite obvious that, depending on the organ to be explored and the angular displacement required, it is possible to use different heads carrying different cells for emitting a wave beam, which may be light waves (laser), at high frequencies, ultrasonic.
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR8907898A FR2648342A1 (en) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-06-14 | ECHOGRAPHY PROBE |
| FR89/07898 | 1989-06-14 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1990016061A1 true WO1990016061A1 (en) | 1990-12-27 |
Family
ID=9382722
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/FR1990/000408 Ceased WO1990016061A1 (en) | 1989-06-14 | 1990-06-11 | Ultrasonic scanning sensor |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0403349A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH04500326A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2648342A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1990016061A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2866801B1 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2006-12-01 | Quantel Medical | SECTORAL SCANNING ECHOGRAPHIC PROBE USING A TRANSDUCER FUTURE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE STRUCTURE TO BE EXAMINED |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB291195A (en) * | 1927-04-12 | 1928-05-31 | Lister & Co Ltd R A | Improvements in transmission clutches |
| US3219373A (en) * | 1963-03-25 | 1965-11-23 | Wayne N Sutliff | Rod coupler |
| DE1600057A1 (en) * | 1965-06-09 | 1970-01-22 | Sunbeam Electric Ltd | Coupling, especially for mechanical hand tools |
| GB1574700A (en) * | 1977-01-17 | 1980-09-10 | Hall D G | Transmission couplings |
| US4524623A (en) * | 1984-02-27 | 1985-06-25 | Diasonics, Inc. | Transducer drive assembly |
| DE3511134A1 (en) * | 1984-05-28 | 1985-11-28 | Hitachi Medical Corp., Tokio/Tokyo | ULTRASONIC PROBE |
| US4579122A (en) * | 1983-10-07 | 1986-04-01 | Kabushiki Gaisha SG | Ultrasonic scanner |
| US4802458A (en) * | 1984-03-09 | 1989-02-07 | Ethicon, Inc. | Dual function ultrasonic transducer probes |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4649925A (en) * | 1985-01-14 | 1987-03-17 | Technicare Corporation | Ultrasonic transducer probe drive mechanism with position sensor |
| FR2620327B1 (en) * | 1987-09-11 | 1989-12-08 | Synthelabo | ARTICULATED HEAD ECHOGRAPHY PROBE |
-
1989
- 1989-06-14 FR FR8907898A patent/FR2648342A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1990
- 1990-06-11 EP EP90401589A patent/EP0403349A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1990-06-11 WO PCT/FR1990/000408 patent/WO1990016061A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1990-06-11 JP JP2508920A patent/JPH04500326A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB291195A (en) * | 1927-04-12 | 1928-05-31 | Lister & Co Ltd R A | Improvements in transmission clutches |
| US3219373A (en) * | 1963-03-25 | 1965-11-23 | Wayne N Sutliff | Rod coupler |
| DE1600057A1 (en) * | 1965-06-09 | 1970-01-22 | Sunbeam Electric Ltd | Coupling, especially for mechanical hand tools |
| GB1574700A (en) * | 1977-01-17 | 1980-09-10 | Hall D G | Transmission couplings |
| US4579122A (en) * | 1983-10-07 | 1986-04-01 | Kabushiki Gaisha SG | Ultrasonic scanner |
| US4524623A (en) * | 1984-02-27 | 1985-06-25 | Diasonics, Inc. | Transducer drive assembly |
| US4802458A (en) * | 1984-03-09 | 1989-02-07 | Ethicon, Inc. | Dual function ultrasonic transducer probes |
| DE3511134A1 (en) * | 1984-05-28 | 1985-11-28 | Hitachi Medical Corp., Tokio/Tokyo | ULTRASONIC PROBE |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2648342A1 (en) | 1990-12-21 |
| EP0403349A1 (en) | 1990-12-19 |
| JPH04500326A (en) | 1992-01-23 |
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