Ultrasonic probe

1 . An ultrasonic probe, comprising:

a transmission and reception unit that includes a plurality of transducers, transmits transmission acoustic signals generated by the transducers, and receives reflection acoustic signals of the transmission acoustic signals;

a movable unit that includes an acoustic radiation surface provided on a surface of the transmission and reception unit and moves due to a pressure applied to the acoustic radiation surface pressed against an object;

a pressure signal detection unit configured to detect a pressure signal corresponding to an amount of movement of the movable unit; and

a lever unit configured to amplify the amount of movement of the movable unit; and

a spring member interposed between the pressure signal detection unit and the movable unit,

wherein the lever unit is interposed between the movable unit and the spring member, and includes an action rod, an actuation rod, and a support member.

2 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the lever unit is configured to amplify an amount of movement of the acoustic radiation surface.

3 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2 , wherein the pressure signal detection unit includes a pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure signal.

4 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3 , wherein the movable unit applies a pressure to the pressure sensor by the movement of the movable unit, and

the spring member is a compression spring member.

5 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3 , wherein the movable unit releases a pressure applied to the pressure sensor by the movement of the movable unit, and

the spring member is a tension spring member.

6 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3 , wherein a maximum spring constant of the spring member is determined on a basis of a moving distance of the acoustic radiation surface, a leverage ratio of the lever unit, and the pressure.

7 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6 , wherein the maximum spring constant of the spring member is determined to be equal to or smaller than a value obtained by dividing 400 by the leverage ratio under a condition that the moving distance of the acoustic radiation surface is 0.1 [mm] and the pressure is 70 [N].

8 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a probe body to which the pressure signal detection unit is attached,

wherein a gap between the probe body and the transmission and reception unit is filled with a silicone sealant around the entire circumference thereof.

9 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 ,

wherein the action rod has an elongated rod shape,

wherein a tip of the action rod is in contact with the spring member, and

wherein the support member is provided at a rear end of the action rod.

10 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 ,

wherein the actuation rod is provided at a midway position of the action rod in a longitudinal direction thereof,

wherein the actuation rod has a short rod shape and is disposed in a direction in which the actuation rod intersects the action rod in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto,

wherein one end of the actuation rod is in contact with the action rod, and another end is connected to the movable unit, and

wherein the actuation rod is configured to move with a movement of the movable unit.

11 . The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , further comprising a probe body,

wherein the support member is attached to the probe body,

the action rod is swingable with the support member as a swing center,

the action rod is pushed in a direction of the transmission and reception unit by the spring member, and

when the action rod is thus pushed, the actuation rod is configured to be in a state in which the actuation rod is pressed against the movable unit.