WO2008060001A1

WO2008060001A1 - Scanning aid device of ultrasound examination

Info

Publication number: WO2008060001A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004865
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eun-Mi Chae
Original assignee: Ondemandsoft Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-11-17
Filing date: 2006-11-17
Publication date: 2008-05-22

Abstract

Disclosed therein is a scanning aid device for an ultrasonic diagnostic system. A probe is mounted on a clamp section repeatedly performing an arcuate motion by forward and backward rotational force of a driving motor, so that the probe performs the arcuate motion within a predetermined section. So, the scanning aid device according to the present invention can be additionally mounted on the existing ultrasonic diagnostic system and obtain consecutive volume data at fixed intervals to improve the quality of a 3D image.

Description

Description SCANNING AID DEVICE OF ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a scanning aid device for an ultrasonic diagnostic system, and more particularly, to a scanning aid device for an ultrasonic diagnostic system, which is additionally mounted on an existing ultrasonic system to obtain consecutive volume data at fixed intervals, thereby improving the quality of a three- dimensional (3D) image. Background Art

[2] In general, a method for realizing three-dimensional images using an ultrasonic diagnostic system is divided into a method of using a three-dimensional (hereinafter, called 3D ) ultrasonic diagnostic system using an automatic scanning method and a method of interlocking an add-on type 3D ultrasonic imaging solution to a two- dimensional (2D) ultrasonic system using a 2D probe.

[3] However, since the 3D ultrasonic diagnostic system is very expensive and complicated in structure and is deteriorated in durability and compatibility, doctors in general hospitals prefer the 2D ultrasonic system adopting the add-on type 3D ultrasonic imaging solution to the 3D ultrasonic diagnostic system.

[4] However, since the 2D ultrasonic system obtains a 3D image through the steps of emitting ultrasonic waves to an object to be examined while traveling the probe, and synthesizing a generated image frame data using a reflected signal, if a travel speed of the probe is not uniform, it cannot obtain a high-quality 3D image due to ununiform contrast interval.

[5] So, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-76026 entitled an ultrasonic oscillator rotating device of a probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic system and Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-38547 entitled an ultrasonic probe and a method for manufacturing the ultrasonic probe disclose a technology of a probe transducer rotating device of the ultrasonic diagnostic system to obtain a high-quality 3D image by mounting a transducer inside a probe in such a way as to be repeatedly rotated within a predetermined section by a motor.

[6] The above technology is to continuously obtain volume data using the 2D probe, but the prior arts have the following problems.

[7] First, the prior arts cannot utilize the existing 2D ultrasonic diagnostic system, and so, the improved probe having the rotatable transducer or the ultrasonic diagnostic system having the improved probe must be purchased.

[8] Second, since the transducer repeatedly rotates on a rotary shaft within the pre- determined section, a cable for connecting the transducer and a main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic system with each other is repeatedly bent, and so, it may be damaged.

[9] Third, since the transducer is repeatedly rotated, a friction resistance is generated to the transducer when it rubs with an object to be examined and a fine vibration is generated on the entire probe including the transducer, so that it is impossible to control position precisely and obtain a uniform image. So, a cover is mounted on the top of a probe case to prevent that the transducer is in a direct contact with the to- be-examined object. However, if the cover is polluted or deformed, when ultrasonic waves are emitted or reflected ultrasonic waves are detected, wrong data may be generated, and it causes wrong medical judgment.

[10] Fourth, In Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-38547, since a driving force of the motor is transferred to the transducer through a driving belt, the prior art has a problem in that the driving force is not transferred precisely due to a slip phenomenon of the driving belt.

[11] Fifth, in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-76026, a wire rope is connected to a torsion spring to transfer the driving force to the motor to thereby prevent the slip phenomenon of the driving belt. However, the prior art has a problem in that the driving force is not transferred precisely since the torsion spring absorbs the driving force at a turning point of the forwardly and backwardly rotated motor.

[12] In addition, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,080,108 and 5,487,388 and Japanese Patent Laid-

Open Publication No. 3-292939 disclose a technology to move the existing probe through an arcuate travel using additional scanning aid device.

[13] However, in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,080,108 and 5,487,388, since a probe-clamping portion is supported only by one rotary shaft receiving a driving force of a motor, when resistance, such as friction with an object being contacted, is generated when the probe is rotated, it is difficult to obtain an accurate image due to vibration of the probe, a gear train for transferring a driving force of the motor may be damaged due to a load concentration on the rotary shaft, and the probe-clamping portion cannot be applied to probes of various sizes since it can clamp only the probe of a restricted size.

[14] Moreover, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 3-292939, since the probe is not rotated at a fixed position but moved through the arcuate travel and an oscillator holder mounted at an end of the probe is rotated through a motor, a belt and a pulley, it is impossible to obtain the 3D image. Furthermore, since the motor mounted on the probe and the oscillator holder are directly connected through the belt and the pulley, vibration and a slip phenomenon are generated during operation. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[15] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above- mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a scanning aid device for an ultrasonic diagnostic system, which is designed to be additionally mounted on the existing ultrasonic diagnostic system, which has a structure adopted to prevent a damage of a cable during a continuously arcuate motion of a transducer within a predetermined section, and particularly, which obtains accurate data by preventing vibration of the transducer during the arcuate motion, thereby improving the quality of a 3D image. Technical Solution

[16] To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a scanning aid device for an ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising: a clamp section, on which a probe of the ultrasonic diagnostic system is mounted; a lever coupled to the clamp section and having a rotary shaft and a movable shaft; a bed having a guide groove formed in such a way that the movable shaft performs an arcuate motion centering around the rotary shaft perforatingly mounted on the bed, and a rack gear formed along the guide groove and located adjacent to the guide groove; a driving section located at the back of the bed, the driving section having a support member having an end portion, on which the rotary shaft is rotatably mounted, and the other end portion, on which the movable shaft is mounted, a pinion gear gear-coupled to the rack gear, and a driving motor for operating the pinion gear; and a base coupled to the base. So, the scanning aid device according to the present invention allows the probe to accurately perform an arcuate motion without vibration.

[17] In addition, the clamp section includes: a support frame; a control lever rotatably mounted on the support frame and having right and left screw portions formed thereon; and a pair of fixing plates screw-coupled to the right and left screw portions by a rotational force of the control lever and transferred in opposite directions to each other.

Advantageous Effects

[18] Since the scanning aid device according to the present invention can be additionally mounted on the existing ultrasonic diagnostic system, it can reduce prices for purchasing equipments. In addition, since the probe repeatedly performs the arcuate motion within the predetermined section, the present invention can remarkably reduce damages and troubles of a cable connected to a transducer during examination.

[19] Furthermore, since the clamp section for fixing the probe is connected to the motor through the rotary shaft and the movable shaft and performs the arcuate motion in a state where it is connected to the motor stably, the present invention emits ultrasonic waves and detects reflected ultrasonic waves in a state where it is in direct contact with the to-be-examined object or at a place adjacent to the to-be-examined object to thereby raise the degree of precision and obtain the consecutive volume data at the fixed intervals through a correct power transmission by the gears, whereby the quality of the 3D image can be improved.

[20] Moreover, since the driving force of the driving section is transmitted at a far distance from the rotary shaft by the rack gear and the pinion gear and makes the clamp section perform the arcuate motion, even though there occurs resistance, such as friction with the to-be-examined object, during the rotation of the probe, the driving force is transmitted stably, so that the scanning aid device according to the present invention can perform a constant arcuate motion.

[21] In addition, since the probe is always located at the center without regard to its size by a pair of the fixing plates moving in opposite directions to each other, the center of the probe is accurately coincided to a wanted place to be measured, and so, the present invention can obtain a wanted image. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a canning aid device of an ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the present invention.

[23] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the scanning aid device of FIG. 1.

[24] FIG. 3 is a vertically sectional view showing the internal structure of the scanning aid device of FIG. 1.

[25] FIG. 4 is a configurative diagram of a driving section of the scanning aid device of

FIG. 1.

[26] FIG. 5 is a configurative diagram showing an operation state of the scanning aid device of FIG. 1.

[27] *Explanation of essential reference numerals in drawings*

[28] 10: clamp sectionl2: support frame

[29] 14: control leverlβ: fixing plate

[30] 20: Iever22: rotary shaft

[31] 24: movable shaft30: bed

[32] 32: guide groove34: rack gear

[33] 40: driving section40a: switch terminal

[34] 40b: sensor42: support member

[35] 44: pinion gear46: driving motor

[36] 50: base52: handgrip

[37] 54: bearing supportβO: guide roller

Mode for the Invention

[38] Reference will be now made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

[39] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a canning aid device of an ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the scanning aid device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a vertically sectional view showing the internal structure of the scanning aid device of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a configurative diagram of a driving section of the scanning aid device of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a con- figurative diagram showing an operation state of the scanning aid device of FIG. 1.

[40] The present invention relates to a scanning aid device of an ultrasonic diagnostic system for obtaining consecutive volume data at fixed intervals by mechanically controlling transfer of the existing two-dimensional (hereinafter, called 2D ) probe. The scanning aid device includes: a clamp section 10, on which a probe (P) of the ultrasonic diagnostic system is mounted; a lever 20, on which the clamp section 10 is mounted; a bed 30 having a guide groove 32 and a rack gear 34 formed thereon for guiding movement of the lever 20; a driving section 40 having a support member 42 connected to the lever 20, a driving motor 46 mounted on the support member 42, and a pinion gear 44 engaged with the rack gear 34; and a base 50 coupled to the bed 30 in such a way as to form a case.

[41] The clamp section 10 includes: a support frame 12 being in a "D" form to receiving the probe (P) therein; a control lever 14 rotatably mounted on the support frame 12 and having right and left screw portions 14a and 14b; and a pair of fixing plates 16 screw- coupled to the right and left screw portions 14a and 14b by a rotational force of the control lever 14 and transferred in opposite directions to each other. The clamp section 10 is provided to clamp or unclamp the probe (P). In this instance, the fixing plates 16 are simultaneously moved in the opposite directions from the center, and so, the probe (P) is located at the center without regard to sizes.

[42] In addition, to prevent that the fixing plates 16 are diverted or rotated together with the control lever 14 when the fixing plates 16 are transferred to the opposite directions to the each other by the rotational force of the control lever 14, it is preferable that an auxiliary bar 16a, which is in surface contact with the rear ends of the fixing plates 16 for guiding the transfer of the fixing plates 16, is disposed on the support frame 12.

[43] The lever 20 is coupled to the clamp section 10, and has a rotary shaft 22 and a movable shaft 24 mounted at both ends of the lever 20.

[44] Moreover, the bed 30 according to the present invention includes: the arc-shaped guide groove 32 formed at a place corresponding to the movable shaft 24 in such a way that the movable shaft 24 performs an arcuate motion centering around the rotary shaft 22 rotatably mounted on the lower end of the lever 20; and the arc-shaped rack gear 34 formed on the back of the side abutting on the guide groove 32. The movable shaft 24 protrudes to the back of the bed 30 through the guide groove 32 and connected to the driving section 40.

[45] The driving section 40 is located on the back of the bed 30 corresponding to the lever 20, and includes: the support member 42 disposed in such a way that the rotary shaft 22 is rotatably mounted at an end thereof and the movable shaft 24 is mounted at the other end thereof; the pinion gear 44 geared with the rack gear 34; and the driving motor 46 accommodated into the support member 42, the pinion gear 44 being mounted on the driving motor 46.

[46] In the meantime, the support member 42 accommodating the driving motor 46 of the driving section 40 therein includes a number of heat radiation holes 42a and a vibration-isolating rubber 42b mounted between the driving motor 46 and the support member 42, so that the vibration-isolating rubber 42b absorbs vibration during the operation and heat generated from the driving motor 46 is quickly discharged to the outside through the heat radiation holes 42a of the support member 42.

[47] Moreover, the driving section 40 further includes switch terminals 40a disposed at both ends of the support member 42, and sensors 40b disposed on the bed 30 corresponding to the switch terminals 40a.

[48] Through the above structure of the driving section 40, by the driving force of the driving motor 46, the pinion gear 44 is gear-coupled to the rack gear 34 and performs a reciprocatingly arcuate motion within a predetermined section where the rack gear 34 is formed. In the above process, as shown in FIG. 4, when the sensor 40b located adjacent to an end of the rack gear 34 senses the switch terminal 40a, the driving force of the driving motor 46 is converted by a controlling part (not shown), so that the arcuate motion can be performed repeatedly.

[49] To prevent vibration of the probe (P) when the driving section 40 and the lever 20 perform the arcuate motion on the bed 30 centering around the rotary shaft 22, a number of guide rollers 60 are mounted on the support member 42 of the driving section 40 located on one side of the bed 30 and on the support frame 12 of the clamp section 10 located on the other side of the bed 30 in such a way as to rub with the bed 30.

[50] In addition, the base 50 according to the present invention is coupled to the bed 30 and accommodates the driving section 40 disposed on the bed 30 therein. Moreover, the base includes a handgrip 52 mounted at the top thereof and a bearing support 54 mounted at the bottom thereof and being in contact with a to-be-examined object. It is preferable that a soft pad (not shown) is attached on the bottom surface of the bearing support 54 in such a way that the bearing support 54 is in closely and stably contact with the to-be-examined object.

[51] The operation of the scanning aid device having the above structure will be described. First, the probe (P) of the ultrasonic diagnostic system is inserted into the clamp section 10 of the scanning aid device, and then, the control lever 14 is rotated in such a way that the scanning aid device is coupled to the ultrasonic diagnostic system.

[52] Next, the probe (P) is located adjacent to the to-be-examined object in a state where the bearing support 54 f the base 50 is in contact with the to-be-examined object. When a start switch (not shown) is operated, the pinion gear 44 of the driving section 40 is gear-coupled to the rack gear 34 of the bed 30 by the driving force of the driving motor 46 to thereby repeatedly perform the arcuate motion. So, the lever 20 also performs the arcuate motion, and the probe (P) mounted on the clamp section 10 performs the arcuate motion, so that as shown in FIG. 5, the present invention can continuously obtain volume data by emitting ultrasonic waves to the to-be-examined object at fixed intervals and detecting reflected ultrasonic waves to thereby improve the quality of the 3D image. Industrial Applicability

[53] As described above, the probe is mounted on the clamp section repeatedly performing the arcuate motion by the forward and backward rotational force of the driving motor, so that the probe performs the arcuate motion within the predetermined section. So, the scanning aid device according to the present invention can be additionally mounted on the existing ultrasonic diagnostic system and obtain consecutive volume data at fixed intervals to improve the quality of the 3D image.

Claims

[1] A scanning aid device for an ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising: a clamp section, on which a probe of the ultrasonic diagnostic system is mounted; a case having a bed and a base coupled to the bed; and a driving section which includes: a lever coupled to the clamp section and located on the outer surface of the bed, the lever having a rotary shaft and a movable shaft formed at both ends thereof in such a way as to pass through the bed; a guide groove formed on the bed in a shape corresponding to an arcuate motion of the movable shaft; a rack gear formed on the back of the bed, which is adjacent to the guide groove; a support member mounted inside the case and having an end, on which the rotary shaft is rotatably mounted, and the other end, on which the movable shaft is mounted; a pinion gear coupled to the support member and gear-coupled to the rack gear; and a driving motor fixed on the support member and having the pinion gear mounted thereon.

[2] The scanning aid device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp section includes: a support frame connected to the driving section; a control lever rotatably mounted on the support frame and having right and left screw portions formed thereon; and a pair of fixing plates screw-coupled to the right and left screw portions by a rotational force of the control lever and transferred in opposite directions to each other.

[3] The scanning aid device according to claim 1, wherein the driving motor includes: a switch terminal mounted on the support member; and sensors mounted at places corresponding to the switch terminal and a switch terminal of the bed, so that a rotational force of the driving motor is converted when the pinion gear arrives at a set position, whereby an arcuate motion is performed repeatedly.

[4] The scanning aid device according to claim 1, wherein a number of guide rollers are mounted on the clamp section and on the support member in such a way as to be transferred in a state where they are in surface contact with both sides of the bed.

[5] The scanning aid device according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a number of heat radiation holes formed thereon, and a vibration-isolating rubber is mounted between the driving motor and the support member.