Puncturing needle guide, ultrasonic probe, and ultrasound imaging apparatus

An ultrasonic probe comprising:

• a rod-like body having an ultrasound transmitting/receiving member incorporated in the distal part thereof;
• a plate-like body whose width diminishes gradually from one end thereof to the other end thereof;
• a coupler that is formed along an edge of said plate-like body in a width direction thereof and that couples said plate-like body to said rod-like body so that the other end of said plate-like body and the ultrasound transmitting/receiving member in said rod-like body will be located on the same side of said ultrasonic probe;
• a plurality of holes which are formed in an end surface of said plate-like body at one end thereof and through which a puncturing needle can be passed;
• a single hole which is formed in an end surface of said plate-like body at the other end thereof and through which the puncturing needle can be passed;
• and
• a hollow that is formed as an internal space of said plate-like body and that allows said plurality of holes and said single hole to communicate with one another.

An ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• an ultrasonic probe for transmitting ultrasonic waves to an object and receiving echoes of the ultrasonic waves;
• and
• an image producing means for producing an image on the basis of the received echoes, wherein:
• said ultrasonic probe comprises:
• a rod-like body having an ultrasound transmitting/receiving member incorporated in the distal part thereof;
• a plate-like body whose width diminishes gradually from an end thereof to the other end thereof;
• a coupler that is formed along an edge of said platelike body in a width direction thereof and that couples said plate-like body to said rod-like body so that the other end of said plate-like body and the ultrasound transmitting/receiving member in said rod-like body will be located on the same side of said ultrasonic probe;
• a plurality of holes which are formed in an end surface of said plate-like body at one end thereof and through which a puncturing needle can be passed;
• a single hole which is formed in an end surface of said plate-like body at the other end thereof and through which a puncturing needle can be passed;
• and
• a hollow that is formed as an internal space of said plate-like body and that allows said plurality of holes and single hole to communicate with one another.