ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONOGRAPH, AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY

摘要

A non-invasive (having sufficiently small diameter so as not to give much pain to a subject) ultrasonic probe of high spatial resolution and high S/N ratio, an ultrasonograph using the probe, and an ultrasonography are provided. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into a tissue to be examined and emits an ultrasonic wave. The probe is characterized by comprising a hollow cylindrical outer case having one of needle shape, a puncture needle portion having the one end and inserted into the tissue of the subject, and an extension portion having the other end, an ultrasonic wave generating source positioned in the hollow part of the extension portion and generating an ultrasonic wave, an ultrasonic wave transmitting member disposed along the length direction in the hollow part of the outer case, capable of ultrasonic vibration, and adapted to transmit an ultrasonic wave, and direction changing means for changing the direction of the ultrasonic wave beam transmitted by the ultrasonic transmitting member to the direction toward the position of the tissue to be examined.