ULTRASOUND PROBE

• US 20130310694A1
• Filed: 07/23/2013
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc. (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: TSUJITA, Kazuhiro, ABE, Takeya
• Granted Patent: US 9,861,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0035 adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0095 by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4444 related to the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02475 Tissue characterisation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/2418 using optoacoustic interaction with the material, e.g. laser radiation, photoacoustics photoacoustic cells G01N21/1702; measuring characteristics of vibrations by using radiation-sensitive means G01H9/00; acousto-optical conversion techniques for short-range imaging G01S15/8965; sound-producing devices using laser bundle G10K15/046

Abstract

An optical fiber guides light output from a light source to an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes a light guiding section that guides the light from a light input end, which is optically coupled with the optical fiber to a light output end provided in the vicinity of ultrasonic transducers. The light guiding section has a first light guiding portion that includes the light input end, and a second light guiding portion that includes the light output end. The first light guiding portion is formed by glass, and magnifies input light. The second light guiding portion is formed by resin, and emits the light toward a subject from the light output end.

Claims

1. An ultrasound probe, comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic transducers which are arranged along a predetermined direction;

an optical fiber that guides light emitted from a light source to a probe main body; and

a light guiding section that guides light from a light input end which is optically coupled with the optical fiber to a light output end provided in the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducers;

the light guiding section including;

a first light guiding portion formed by a glass material that includes the light input end and guides light from the light input end toward the light output end and that enlarges the cross sectional area of input light at the light input end at an output end of the first light guiding portion; and

a second light guiding portion formed by a resin material that includes the light output end, guides light guided by the first light guiding portion to the light output end, and emits light from the light output end toward a subject.

2. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the first light guiding portion includes a light guiding path formed in a tapered shape.

3. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the first light guiding portion enlarges the width of guided light in the predetermined direction at an output end of the first light guiding portion to be at least greater than the width of the input light in the predetermined direction at the light input end.

4. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the second light guiding portion is curved in a direction toward the interiors of the ultrasonic transducers.

5. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the light guiding section is provided inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to ultrasonic wave detecting surfaces of the ultrasonic transducers.

6. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of the optical fibers and a plurality of the light guiding sections are provided; and

the plurality of the light guiding sections are arranged along the predetermined direction.

7. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 6, wherein:

the plurality of light guiding sections are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction instead of or in addition to being arranged in the predetermined direction so as to face the ultrasonic transducers which are interposed among the plurality of light guiding sections.

8. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of the optical fibers are provided; and

the plurality of optical fibers which are arranged along the predetermined direction are optically coupled to the light input end of a single light guiding section.

9. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 8, wherein:

at least two of the light guiding sections are provided; and

two of the light guiding sections are provided to face each other with the ultrasonic transducers interposed therebetween.

10. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the light guiding section is a slab shaped light guiding plate having a tabular core and planar cladding layers provided on both surfaces of the tabular core.

11. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the light guiding section comprises a light transmitting portion having light transmitting properties and reflective members which are formed to sandwich the light transmitting portion therebetween.

12. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the distance from the light input end to the boundary between the first light guiding portion and the second light guiding portion is 8 mm or greater.

13. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an adapter that transmits light and ultrasonic waves, which is mounted to the ultrasound probe so as to cover the ultrasonic wave detecting surfaces of the ultrasonic transducers and the light output end of the light guiding section.

14. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a diffusion plate that diffuses light at the light output side of the light output end.

15. An ultrasound probe as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a diffusing surface that diffuses light is formed on at least one of the end surface at the light output side of the second light guiding portion and the end surface of the second light guiding portion at the boundary between the first light guiding portion and the second light guiding portion.