Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasonic probe, adapted to be put to a subject, for transmitting ultrasounds to an inside of the subject and receiving the ultrasounds reflected inside the subject, and a main frame for driving said ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasounds therefrom, in which an image of the inside of the subject is produced and displayed in accordance with received signals derived through reception of ultrasounds by said ultrasonic probe,

• wherein said ultrasonic probe comprises:
• a first ultrasonic transmitter-receiver head having a plurality of first ultrasonic transducers carrying transmission and reception of ultrasounds, and plurality of first ultrasonic transducers being arranged in a predetermined first direction;
• and
• a second ultrasonic transmitter-receiver head, detachably loaded onto said first ultrasonic transmitter-receiver carrying transmission and reception of ultrasounds, said plurality of second ultrasonic transducers being arranged in a second ultrasonic transducers carrying transmission and reception of ultrasounds, said plurality of second ultrasonic transducers being arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction when loaded, for monitoring a state that a puncture needle to be punctured inside the subject is inserted into the inside of the subject, and
• wherein said main frame includes:
• a first mode in which first drive signals for driving said first ultrasonic transducers are produced, and an image of the inside of the subject is produced and displayed in accordance with first received signals derived through reception of ultrasounds by said first ultrasonic transducers;
• and
• a second mode in which both said first drive signals and second drive signals for driving said second ultrasonic transducers are produced, and both an image of the inside of the subject based on said first received signals and an image of the inside of the subject based on second received signals derived through reception of ultrasounds by said second ultrasonic transducers are produced and displayed.

An ultrasonic probe, comprising:

• a first ultrasonic transmitter-receiver head having a plurality of first transducers in a first plane formed on a surface thereof meant to contact a subject;
• a second ultrasonic transmitter-receiver head having a plurality of second transducers formed on a surface thereof meant to contact the subject, said second transducers being disposed in a direction that intersects a direction of the first transducers and in a second plane different from said first plane;
• wherein said second ultrasonic transmitter-receiver head is detachably joined with said first ultrasonic transmitter-receiver head, and
• said second ultrasonic transmitter-receiver head monitors a state where a puncture needle is inserted into the inside of the subject.