WO2020077637A1 - Ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic probe cable and areaarray ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic probe cable and an area array ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe comprises a sound head (10), a heat sink (20), and a cable (30). One end of the heat sink (20) is connected to the sound head (10). The cable (30) comprises a coaxial wire (2), a winding tape (3), a shielding layer (4) and an outer sheath (5) distributed from inside to outside. The cable (30) further comprises a heat conducting layer (6) wrapped in the outer sheath (5). The coaxial wire (2) is connected to the sound head (10). The heat conducting layer (6) is connected to the other end of the heat sink (20). The heat conducting layer (6) inside the cable (30) can quickly conduct the heat generated by the sound head (10) to the socket end of the ultrasonic probe, so as to realize heat dissipation by means of heat exchange with the surrounding environment and the entire machine through the socket end. With a simple and stable structure, the ultrasonic probe has a good heat dissipation effect, and prevents the sound head from getting very hot.

Description

 Invention name: An ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic probe cable and area array ultrasonic probe

 [0001] The present application relates to medical testing equipment, in particular to an ultrasound probe, ultrasound probe cable and area array ultrasound probe.

 Background technique

 [0002] Ultrasonic probe is an important component of ultrasonic diagnostic imaging equipment, its working principle is to use the piezoelectric effect to convert the excitation electrical pulse signal of the ultrasound machine into an ultrasound signal into the patient, and then convert the ultrasound echo signal reflected by the tissue into Electrical signals, thereby enabling the detection of tissues. During the conversion of electro-acoustic signals, the working ultrasonic probe will generate a lot of heat, which will cause the probe temperature to rise. On the one hand, probe fever may affect the patient's personal safety. On the other hand, if the probe works in a higher temperature for a long time, it will accelerate the aging of the probe and shorten the service life of the probe. From the perspective of medical detection and diagnosis, it is hoped that the detection depth of the probe can be improved. Increasing the excitation voltage of the whole probe to the probe is an effective means to increase the detection depth of the probe. However, increasing the excitation voltage will cause the probe to generate more heat. Therefore, the probe fever seriously affects patient comfort, probe life and performance.

 [0003] At present, some heat dissipation solutions for ultrasonic probes are to directly connect the heat sinks drawn from the front end of the ultrasonic probe to the shielding net of the probe cable, hoping to transfer the heat of the probe to the probe socket end through the shielding net, through the probe socket and the whole machine , Heat exchange of the external environment to dissipate heat. However, the actual situation is that the shielding mesh of the ultrasonic probe cable is woven with ultra-fine metal wires, which is difficult to achieve a good heat transfer effect. In other heat dissipation schemes of ultrasonic probes, a coolant circulation pipe is added to the probe cable for heat transfer, but it will cause the cable size to become larger, the probe structure is complicated, and the cost becomes higher.

 Summary of the invention

 technical problem

 Solution to the problem

 Technical solution

[0004] In an embodiment, an ultrasonic probe is provided, which includes an acoustic head, a heat dissipation body, and a cable, one end of the heat dissipation body is connected to the acoustic head, and the cable includes a coaxial distribution from inside to outside Thread, winding tape, screen A shielding layer and a sheath, the cable also includes a thermally conductive layer, the thermally conductive layer is wrapped in the sheath, the coaxial wire is connected to the acoustic head, and the thermally conductive layer is connected to the other end of the heat sink connection.

 [0005] In another embodiment, the heat sink is made of metal, graphite or flexible graphite.

 [0006] In another embodiment, the heat sink is a metal sheet, a graphite film, or flexible graphite.

 [0007] In another embodiment, the thermally conductive layer is provided between the winding tape and the shielding layer.

 [0008] In other embodiments, the thermally conductive layer is provided between the shielding layer and the outer skin.

 [0009] In other embodiments, the thermally conductive layer is provided between the winding tape and the shielding layer, and between the shielding layer and the outer skin.

 [0010] In another embodiment, the cable further includes one or more metal rings, the outer skin is circumscribed to form one or more annular grooves, the metal ring is sheathed in the outer skin of the annular groove, and the inner surface of the metal ring is The thermal conductive layer or shielding layer is attached.

 [0011] In another embodiment, the metal ring is a ring.

 [0012] In another embodiment, the thermally conductive layer includes one or more layers of thermally conductive films, and each layer of the thermally conductive film is formed by spirally winding a thermal conductive ribbon, or the thermally conductive film is an integrally formed tubular structure.

 [0013] In another embodiment, one side or both sides of the heat conduction zone are attached with a structural reinforcement film.

 [0014] In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe cable is provided, which includes a coaxial wire, a winding tape, a shielding layer, and a sheath, and further includes a thermally conductive layer, and the thermally conductive layer is wrapped in the sheath.

 [0015] In another embodiment, the thermally conductive layer is provided between the winding tape and the shielding layer.

 [0016] In other embodiments, the thermally conductive layer is provided between the shielding layer and the outer skin.

 [0017] In other embodiments, the thermally conductive layer is provided between the winding tape and the shielding layer, and between the shielding layer and the outer skin.

 [0018] In another embodiment, the cable further includes one or more metal rings, the outer skin is circumscribed to form one or more annular grooves, the metal ring is sheathed in the annular groove of the outer skin, and the inner surface of the metal ring is The thermal conductive layer or shielding layer is attached.

 [0019] In another embodiment, the metal ring is an aluminum ring.

 [0020] In another embodiment, the thermally conductive layer includes one or more layers of thermally conductive films, each thermally conductive film is formed by spirally winding a thermal conductive ribbon, or the thermally conductive film is an integrally formed tubular structure.

[0021] In another embodiment, the heat conductive strip is made of flexible graphite. [0022] In another embodiment, the thickness of the heat conduction band is not greater than 200 microns, or not greater than 25 microns.

 [0023] In another embodiment, one side or both sides of the heat conduction zone are attached with a structural reinforcement film.

 [0024] In another embodiment, the structural reinforcement membrane is a PI membrane, a PET membrane or a PTFE membrane.

 [0025] In one embodiment, an area array ultrasound probe is improved, which includes an acoustic head, a heat sink and a cable, the acoustic head includes an acoustic window, a matching layer, a piezoelectric layer and a backing block connected together in sequence, The piezoelectric layer includes a plurality of array elements arranged in a two-dimensional array. One end of the heat sink is connected to the piezoelectric layer. The cable includes a coaxial line, a winding tape, a shielding layer, and a sheath distributed from inside to outside. The cable also includes heat conduction The heat conduction layer is wrapped in the outer skin, connected to the array element of the piezoelectric layer at the same axis, and the heat conduction layer is connected to the other end of the heat sink.

 Beneficial effects of invention

 Beneficial effect

 [0026] According to the ultrasound probe, the ultrasound probe cable and the area array ultrasound probe of the above embodiments, since the ultrasound probe cable is provided with a heat conduction layer, the heat conduction layer in the cable can quickly conduct the heat generated by the sound head to the ultrasound probe And the heat exchange between the socket end and the surrounding environment and the whole machine to achieve heat dissipation, so that the ultrasound probe cable has a good thermal conductivity effect, the structure is simple and stable, the ultrasound probe has a good heat dissipation effect, avoiding the sound of hair burning .

 Brief description of the drawings

 BRIEF DESCRIPTION

 [0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an ultrasound probe cable in an embodiment;

 [0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a thermally conductive layer in an embodiment;

 [0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the structure of a heat conduction band in an embodiment;

 [0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of a heat conduction band in an embodiment;

 [0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of an ultrasound probe cable in an embodiment;

 [0032] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of an ultrasound probe cable in an embodiment;

 [0033] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view of an ultrasound probe cable in an embodiment;

 [0034] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural view of an ultrasound probe in an embodiment.

 Invention Example

Embodiments of the invention [0035] In the ultrasound probe, the ultrasound probe cable and the area array ultrasound probe provided in this embodiment, a thermal conductive layer made of flexible graphite is added inside the cable, the flexible graphite has an ultra-high thermal conductivity, and the thermal conductivity is much higher than that of metal . One end of the cable of the ultrasonic probe is connected to the acoustic head of the ultrasonic probe, and the other end is connected to the socket end. The heat conduction layer in the cable can quickly transfer the heat generated in the acoustic head to the socket end. The heat passes through the socket end and the surrounding environment and The whole machine performs heat exchange to achieve heat dissipation.

 [0036] In this document, the “connecting” of the two elements may be direct connection or indirect connection, that is, there may be one or more intermediate elements between the two.

 [0037] In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe cable is provided. The ultrasound probe cable of this embodiment adds a heat conduction layer with high heat conduction efficiency on an existing basis.

 [0038] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe cable 1 includes a coaxial wire 2, a winding tape 3, a shielding layer 4, a sheath 5 and a heat conductive layer 6, the coaxial line 2 has several wires, the winding tape 3 A plurality of coaxial wires 2 are wound and fixed, the shielding layer 4 is wrapped around the outer layer of the winding tape 3, and the sheath 5 is wrapped around the outermost layer. The thermal conductive layer 6 is provided between the winding tape 3 and the shielding layer 4. During the preparation, the thermal conductive layer 6 is first wrapped and attached to the outer layer of the winding tape 3, and then the shielding layer 4 is wrapped around the outer layer of the thermal conductive layer 6.

 [0039] The thermally conductive layer 6 includes one or more thermally conductive films. For example, the thermally conductive layer 6 includes three thermally conductive films, and the number of thermally conductive film layers can be set according to actual requirements. As shown in FIG. 2, for the convenience of manufacture, the thermal conductive film is a tubular structure, and the thermal conductive film is spirally wound by a strip-shaped heat conduction band. The heat conduction band is made of flexible graphite. The thickness of the heat conduction band is preferably not less than 200 μm, preferably not less than 25 microns. Flexible graphite has ultra-high thermal conductivity, the thermal conductivity is 15

00 ~ 1800W / m.K.

 [0040] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in order to strengthen the strength of the heat conductive layer 6, the heat conduction belt 6-1 has two belt surfaces, and at least one of the two belt surfaces is attached with a structural reinforcement film 6-2. The reinforcing film 6-2 is preferably a PI film, a PET film, or a PT FE film. The structural reinforcing film 6-2 improves the structural strength of the heat conduction band 6-1, and further increases the structural strength of the thermally conductive film wound by the heat conduction band.

 [0041] In other embodiments, the thermally conductive layer 6 may also include one or more integrally formed thermally conductive films, the thermally conductive film is a tubular structure, and at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the integrally formed thermally conductive film is bonded with a structural reinforcement membrane.

[0042] In the ultrasonic probe cable of this embodiment, since the ultrasonic probe cable is provided with a thermal conductive layer 6 made of flexible graphite material, the thermal conductive layer 6 in the cable can quickly conduct the heat generated by the acoustic head of the ultrasonic probe to the ultrasonic probe Socket end, and through the heat exchange between the socket end and the surrounding environment and the whole machine to achieve heat dissipation, The probe cable has good thermal conductivity, and the structure is simple and stable.

 [0043] In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe cable is provided. The difference between the ultrasound probe cable of this embodiment and the above-described embodiment is that the position of the thermal conductive layer 6 is different.

 [0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the thermally conductive layer 6 is provided between the shielding layer 4 and the outer skin 5. During preparation, the thermally conductive layer 6 is first spirally wound and bonded to the outer layer of the shielding layer 4, and then the outer skin 5 is wrapped in the thermally conductive layer 6. The outer layer.

 [0045] The ultrasonic probe cable of this embodiment is also provided with a thermal conductive layer 6 made of flexible graphite, which has good thermal conductivity.

 [0046] In other embodiments, on the basis that the heat conductive layer 6 is provided between the shielding layer 4 and the outer skin 5, in order to increase the heat dissipation effect, as shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasound probe cable further includes a metal ring 7, a metal ring 7 is an aluminum ring, and other metal rings with high thermal conductivity can also be used instead. The cable 5 is circumscribed at one or more locations to remove the outer skin 5, so that one or more annular grooves are formed on the outer skin 5, the size of the metal ring 7 is adapted to the annular groove, and the metal ring 7 is installed in the annular groove of the outer skin 5, Therefore, the metal ring 7 replaces the outer skin 5 of the ring-cut portion, so that the entire cable is also a cable with a complete outer surface. The metal ring 7 can also protrude from the outer skin 5 to improve the heat dissipation effect. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the metal ring 7 is bonded to the thermally conductive layer 6, so that the heat energy transferred by the thermally conductive layer 6 can be dissipated into the air through the metal ring 7, significantly improving the heat dissipation effect.

 [0047] In other embodiments, the metal ring 7 may not directly contact the thermal conductive layer 6. When the thermal conductive layer 6 is located in the shielding layer 4, the metal ring 7 may contact the shielding layer 4, which may also have a certain heat dissipation effect.

 [0048] In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe cable is provided. The difference between the ultrasound probe cable of this embodiment and the above-described embodiment is that the position of the thermal conductive layer 6 is different.

 As shown in FIG. 7, there are two thermally conductive layers 6. The two thermally conductive layers 6 are respectively located between the winding tape 3 and the shielding layer 4 and between the shielding layer 4 and the outer skin 5. The provision of two thermally conductive layers 6 improves the heat transfer efficiency.

 [0050] In other embodiments, the heat conductive layer 6 may be disposed between the coaxial wire 2 and the winding tape 3, and may also have a certain heat conduction effect.

[0051] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, an ultrasound probe is provided. The ultrasound probe includes an acoustic head 10, a heat sink 20, and a cable 30. The acoustic head 10 includes an acoustic window and a matching device that are sequentially connected together. Layer, piezoelectric layer and backing block, the heat sink 20 is a heat sink, a heat dissipation film, a heat dissipation block, or a heat dissipation plate, the heat sink may be a metal sheet with high thermal conductivity, such as an aluminum sheet, and the heat dissipation film may be a flexible graphite film, etc. Film with high thermal conductivity. The heat sink can be made of metal or graphite material with high thermal conductivity. The heat sink can also have a high thermal conductivity system Made of several metal or graphite materials. One end of the heat sink 20 extends into the acoustic head 10 and is connected to the acoustic window, the matching layer, the piezoelectric layer, or the backing block. The other end of the heat sink 20 extends out of the sound head 10. The cable 30 is the ultrasonic cable of the above embodiment. The cable 30 includes a coaxial wire 2, a winding tape 3, a shielding layer 4, a sheath 5, and a thermal conductive layer 6. The cable wire 30 is connected to the acoustic window through the coaxial wire 2 to achieve For communication, the heat-conducting layer 6 of the cable 30 is connected to the heat-radiating end of the radiator 20.

 [0052] In one embodiment, the shape and size of the sound window may be designed according to actual conditions. In some embodiments, the acoustic window can also play the role of focusing ultrasonic waves, which can be referred to as an acoustic lens.

 [0053] In this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe can transfer the thermal energy inside the sound head 10 to the thermal conductive layer 6 in the cable 30 through the heat dissipating body 20. In this embodiment, the thermal energy is transferred through the thermal conductive layer with high thermal conductivity efficiency The heat dissipation efficiency is obviously improved.

 [0054] In other embodiments, the thermal conductive layer 6 in the cable 30 may be directly connected to the acoustic window, the matching layer, or the piezoelectric layer in the acoustic head 10. The thermal conductive layer 6 is directly connected to the heat source, and the acoustic head can also be realized. 10 rapid heat dissipation.

 [0055] In an embodiment, an area array ultrasound probe is provided. The ultrasound probe includes an acoustic head 10, a heat sink 20, and a cable 30. The acoustic head 10 includes an acoustic window, a matching layer, and a piezoelectric that are connected together in sequence. Layer and backing block, the heat sink 20 is a heat sink, a heat sink film, a heat sink, or a heat sink, the heat sink can be a metal sheet with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum sheet, and the heat sink film can be a flexible graphite film with high thermal conductivity Film. The heat sink can be made of metal or graphite material with high thermal conductivity. The heat sink can also be made of metal or graphite material with high thermal conductivity. One end of the heat dissipation body 20 (called the heat absorbing end) extends into the interior of the sound head 10 and is connected to the acoustic window, matching layer, piezoelectric layer or backing block, and the other end of the heat dissipation body 20 (called the heat dissipation end) extends to produce sound Head 1 0. The piezoelectric layer includes a plurality of array elements arranged in a two-dimensional array. The cable 30 is the ultrasonic cable of the above embodiment. The cable 30 includes a coaxial wire 2, a winding tape 3, a shielding layer 4, a sheath 5, and a heat conductive layer 6. The cable 30 passes through the array of the coaxial wire 2 and the piezoelectric layer The element is connected to realize transmission and communication, and the heat conducting layer 6 of the cable 30 is connected to the heat releasing end of the heat sink 20.

 [0056] The above uses specific examples to explain the present invention, which is only used to help understand the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, based on the idea of the present invention, the above-mentioned specific embodiments may be changed.

Claims

Claims  [Claim 1] An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that it includes an acoustic head, a heat dissipation body and a cable, one end of the heat dissipation body is connected to the acoustic head, and the cable includes a coaxial line distributed from inside to outside , A winding tape, a shielding layer, and a sheath, the cable also includes a thermally conductive layer, the thermally conductive layer is wrapped in the sheath, the coaxial line is connected to the acoustic head, and the thermally conductive layer is connected to the heat sink The other end of the body is connected.  [Claim 2] The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the heat sink is made of metal, graphite or flexible graphite.  [Claim 3] The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the heat sink is a metal sheet, a graphite film or a flexible graphite film. [Claim 4] The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive layer is provided between the winding tape and the shielding layer. [Claim 5] The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive layer is provided between the shielding layer and the outer skin. [Claim 6] The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductive layer is provided between the winding tape and the shielding layer, and between the shielding layer and the outer skin. [Claim 7] The ultrasonic probe cable according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable further includes one or more metal rings, and the outer skin is circumscribed to form one or more An annular groove, the metal ring is sheathed in the annular groove of the outer skin, and the inner surface of the metal ring is in contact with the thermally conductive layer or the shielding layer. [Claim 8] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 7, wherein the metal ring is aluminum

[Claim 9] The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the thermally conductive layer includes one or more layers of thermally conductive films, and each layer of the thermally conductive film is spirally wound by a heat conducting wire Or the heat conducting film is an integrally formed tubular structure.  [Claim 10] The ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, wherein a structure reinforcing film is bonded to one or both sides of the heat conduction band. [Claim 11] An ultrasonic probe cable, including a coaxial wire, a winding tape, a shielding layer and a sheath, its characteristics That is, it also includes a thermally conductive layer, and the thermally conductive layer is wrapped in the outer skin.  [Claim 12] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 11, wherein the heat conductive layer is provided between the winding tape and the shielding layer.  [Claim 13] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 11, wherein the heat conductive layer is provided between the shielding layer and the outer skin. [Claim 14] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 11, wherein the heat conducting layer is provided between the winding tape and the shielding layer, and between the shielding layer and the sheath. [Claim 15] The ultrasound probe cable according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising one or more metal rings, and the outer skin is circumscribed to form one or more annular grooves, The metal ring is sheathed in the annular groove of the outer skin, and the inner surface of the metal ring is attached to the thermally conductive layer or the shielding layer. [Claim 16] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 11, wherein the metal ring is aluminum

[Claim 17] The ultrasonic probe cable according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the thermally conductive layer includes one or more layers of thermally conductive films, and each layer of the thermally conductive film is composed of a heat conductive spiral It is formed by winding, or the heat conducting film is an integrally formed tubular structure.  [Claim 18] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 14, wherein the heat conductive strip is made of flexible graphite. [Claim 19] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 14, wherein the thickness of the heat conduction band is not greater than 200 microns, or not greater than 25 microns. [Claim 20] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 14, wherein a structural reinforcement film is bonded to one or both sides of the heat conduction band. [Claim 21] The ultrasonic probe cable according to claim 17, wherein the structural reinforcing film is a PI film, a PET film or a PTFE film. [Claim 22] An area array ultrasound probe, characterized in that it includes an acoustic head, a heat sink and a cable, the acoustic head includes an acoustic window, a matching layer, a piezoelectric layer and a backing block connected together in sequence, The piezoelectric layer includes a plurality of array elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, one end of the heat sink is connected to the piezoelectric layer, and the cable includes a coaxial line, a winding tape, and a shielding layer distributed from inside to outside with The sheath, the cable also includes a thermally conductive layer, the thermally conductive layer is wrapped in the sheath, the coaxial line is connected to the array element of the piezoelectric layer, and the thermally conductive layer is connected to the heat sink One end is connected.