Ultrasonic probe
An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes an inserting portion to be inserted into a body cavity and a grip portion 1 held by an operator outside of the body cavity. The inserting portion 2 includes a transducer unit 4 , a rotation axis provided in the transducer unit 4 , and a swing mechanism for swinging the transducer unit 4 around the rotation axis as a center, and the grip portion 1 includes a motor 5 for generating a driving force for driving the swing mechanism. The swing mechanism includes a shaft 9 connected to the motor 5 , a first pulley 6 attached coaxially to the shaft 9 , a second pulley 7 attached coaxially to the rotation axis of the transducer unit 4 , and a wire 8 connecting the first pulley 6 and the second pulley 7.
1. An ultrasonic probe, comprising:
an inserting portion to be inserted into a body cavity; and
a grip portion held by an operator outside of the body cavity,
wherein the inserting portion includes a transducer unit for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, a rotation axis provided in the transducer unit, and a swing mechanism for swinging the transducer unit around the rotation axis as a center axis, and the grip portion includes a motor for driving the swing mechanism,
the swing mechanism includes a shaft having a first end connected to the motor, a first pulley directly connected to a second end of the shaft a second pulley coaxially provided at the rotation axis, and a wire connecting the first pulley and the second pulley,
the shaft is oriented such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the inserting portion,
a length of the shaft is longer than a distance between the first pulley and the second pulley, and
rotational movement of the motor is transmitted to the transducer unit via the shaft, the first pulley, the wire, and the second pulley.
2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the first pulley and the second pulley have the same diameter.
3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the wire is moved in a direction orthogonal to a direction of a rotation axis of the first pulley on a peripheral surface of the first pulley, and moved in a direction orthogonal to a direction of a rotation axis of the second pulley on a peripheral surface of the second pulley.
4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 ,
wherein the shaft and the transducer unit are provided so that a direction of a rotation axis of the shaft is orthogonal to a direction of the rotation axis of the transducer unit, and
in the swing mechanism, the direction in which the wire is moved is changed perpendicularly between the first pulley and the second pulley.
5. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4 , wherein the swing mechanism includes a third pulley for changing perpendicularly the direction in which the wire is moved.
6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein a groove in which the wire is positioned is formed on the peripheral surface of the first pulley and the second pulley.
7. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft extends from the motor for driving the swing mechanism into the inserting portion.
8. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the transducer unit is located on an extension of the shaft.
9. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the transducer includes a support axis that is coaxial with the rotation axis of the transducer unit, the second pulley being attached to the transducer unit through the support axis.