JP2006192030A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the moving distance of an eye line of an operator when operating an ultrasonograph. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonograph is provided with an imaging device 50 capturing the image of a panel surface of an input part 40 having a plurality of switches for inputting various types of commands of the operator, and displays the image of the panel surface of the input part captured by the imaging device along with the ultrasonic image on a display 30 for displaying an ultrasonic image generated by an ultrasonograph body 20. This constitution allows the operator to operate without confirming the position of the switches of the input part and without looking aside from the ultrasonic image. The operator has no necessity of moving the face and the eye line largely between the display and the input part when operating the ultrasonograph to reduce the fatigue and improve the throughput of the diagnosis. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus with improved operability.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, receives reflected waves from the living body of the ultrasonic waves, and generates ultrasonic waves based on the received ultrasonic signals. An image is generated. A B mode for observing a tomographic image of a soft tissue of a living body, and an M mode for observing in detail a temporal morphological change of a heart, a blood vessel, etc. by arranging the one-line tissue image in parallel along the time axis. There are various operation modes such as a Doppler mode in which a spectrum of blood flow and a spatial spread are acquired using the Doppler effect. Furthermore, it is possible to measure structural dimensions such as distance, area, volume, etc. from the B-mode image, and measure temporal changes from the M-mode image. It covers areas such as the abdomen, mammary gland, urology, obstetrics and gynecology.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  As shown in this figure, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 1 (hereinafter referred to as a probe 1) having a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject (not shown) and a transmission signal. The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus main body 2 that controls and processes the received signal, the display 3 that displays the processed signal as an image, and the operator sets various set values for the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus main body 2. And an input unit 4 and various peripheral devices 5 for inputting instructions and the like. For example, a plurality of probes 1 are detachably coupled to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2 according to the purpose of diagnosis, and the display 3 is placed on the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2. The input unit 4 is provided integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 2 and includes a plurality of switches (including a touch command screen), a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and the like as input means. In addition, the caster 6 is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2, and movement is easy (for example, refer patent document 1).

Since such an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus has low invasiveness and enables real-time image observation, it is used on a daily basis in the medical field. Usually, the probe 1 held in the right hand by the operator is used for the subject. An ultrasonic image of a desired diagnostic part is obtained by applying to the body surface, and the image is displayed on the display 3 mounted on the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2. Also, when obtaining a desired image or performing various measurements, the operator appropriately operates the switch, keyboard, mouse, trackball, etc. of the input unit 4 with the left hand while operating the probe 1 with the right hand. Will do.
JP-A-9-285463

  The appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus varies depending on the functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. However, recent ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses are becoming more and more functional and multifunctional, and the shape has been increased accordingly. Accordingly, there is a tendency that the position of the display unit 3 that displays an image and the input unit 4 that the operator has to operate are separated from each other, and the operator can detect the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit 3 and the input unit 4. You will be forced to perform the necessary operations while moving your eyes frequently. For this reason, there is a problem for the operator that the amount of movement of the line of sight and face increases and fatigue increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, receiving a reflected wave from the subject, and receiving the received ultrasonic wave. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body that generates an ultrasonic image based on a signal, a display that displays the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body, and an operator's An input unit having a plurality of switches for inputting various instructions and an imaging unit for imaging the input unit, and displaying an image captured by the imaging unit together with the ultrasonic image on the display Is an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, receives a reflected wave from the subject, and generates an ultrasonic wave based on the received ultrasonic signal. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body for generating an image, a first display for displaying the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body, and various instructions of an operator to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body An input unit having a plurality of switches for input; an imaging unit that images the input unit; and a second display that displays an image of the input unit captured by the imaging unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is characterized in that the display and the second display are arranged in parallel.

  Further, in the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, the invention according to claim 3 includes an image of the input unit that is photographed and displayed by the photographing unit. A tag indicating the function of the switch is displayed in correspondence with the switch.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the third aspect, the tag displays the switch when the operator touches the switch of the input unit. And

  The invention according to claim 5 transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject through an ultrasonic probe, receives reflected waves from the subject, and generates ultrasonic waves based on the received ultrasonic signals. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body that generates an image, and an input for displaying the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body and inputting various instructions of an operator to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body A display for displaying a touch switch composed of a plurality of switches as a unit, and the touch switch displays on the display so as not to overlap the ultrasonic image. .

  The invention according to claim 6 is the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 5, and the switch of the input unit operated by the operator. The operation history recording means for recording the operation history of the operation and the estimation means for estimating which switch is operated next when a certain switch is operated from the operation history recorded in the operation history recording means And the switch estimated by the estimation means among the touch switches displayed on the input unit or the display unit is displayed more conspicuously than other switches.

  As shown in the section of the means for solving the above problems, according to the invention of each claim described in the claims of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, since the ultrasonic image and the image of the input unit are displayed on the screen of one display device, the position of the switch of the input unit is kept away from the ultrasonic image. You can check and operate without any problems. Therefore, when the operator operates the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, it is not necessary to move a face or line of sight between the display and the input unit, and fatigue can be reduced. Therefore, the diagnostic throughput can be improved. In addition, when the size of the apparatus increases as the functions and functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus increase, the effect is further exhibited. Therefore, the operation is easy and the throughput of diagnosis can be improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, since the ultrasonic image and the image of the input unit are displayed in a large size, it is easy to perform image diagnosis and the switch of the input unit. The position of can be easily confirmed.

  According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, since the tag indicating the function of the switch is displayed corresponding to the switch, the desired switch in the input unit can be easily observed while observing the ultrasonic image. Can be selected. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is further facilitated, which can contribute to an improvement in diagnostic throughput.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the ultrasonic image and the touch switch as the input unit are displayed on the screen of the display device, a desired operation can be performed by the touch switch without keeping an eye on the ultrasonic image. It is very easy to implement. Therefore, when the operator operates the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, it is not necessary to move the face and eyes greatly between the display and the input unit, fatigue can be reduced, and diagnosis throughput is also increased. It can be improved. Moreover, since the display is performed so that the touch switch does not overlap the ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic image can be observed accurately and a reliable diagnosis result can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since the switch to be operated next is estimated and the result is approached to the operator, the operation becomes easy, especially during routine examinations and group examinations. The effect can be demonstrated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of Embodiment 1 of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 10 (hereinafter referred to as a probe 10) having a transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject P, and controls transmission signals and reception signals. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20 that generates an ultrasonic image by processing, a display 30 that displays a generated ultrasonic image or the like, such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and an ultrasonic wave The image diagnosis apparatus main body 20 includes an input unit 40 and an imaging apparatus 50 for an operator to input various setting values and instructions.

  One or more probes 10 are detachably coupled to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20 according to the purpose of diagnosis, the display 30 is placed on the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20, and the input unit 40 is It is provided integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 20, and the input unit 40 includes various switches (including a touch command screen) as input means, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and the like as in the conventional case. It is. The imaging apparatus 50 is appropriately attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20, and is used for photographing the panel surface of the input unit 40 and displaying the video on the display 30. Details will be described later.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20 includes a control unit 21, a transmission / reception unit 22, and a signal processing unit 25. The control unit 21 includes a microprocessor, a memory, and the like, and performs operations of the transmission / reception unit 22, the signal processing unit 25, the display 30, the imaging device 50, and the like according to an instruction from the input unit 40 or a preprogrammed procedure. Control. The transmission / reception unit 22 includes a transmission circuit 23 and a reception circuit 24, and the transmission circuit 23 applies a high-frequency voltage pulse to the ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the probe 10. In response to this voltage pulse, the ultrasonic transducer vibrates mechanically, whereby an ultrasonic pulse is generated and emitted to the subject P.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic pulse radiated from the probe 10 to the subject P propagates in the living body, is reflected one after another by the discontinuous surface of the acoustic impedance during propagation, and returns to the probe 10. The reflected wave is converted into an electric signal by the ultrasonic transducer of the probe 10 and supplied to the receiving circuit 24 as an ultrasonic signal. In the receiving circuit 24, an ultrasonic signal is amplified by a preamplifier (not shown), and then an analog signal is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter and further subjected to a reception delay calculation and the like, and then sent to the signal processing unit 25. It is done.

  The signal processing unit 25 has a signal processing circuit 26 and an image generation circuit 27. Accordingly, the ultrasonic signal from the receiving circuit 24 is first converted into a B-mode image signal by performing envelope detection, logarithmic amplification, and the like in the signal processing circuit 26. The converted B-mode image signal is supplied to the image generation circuit 27 and processed by a digital scan converter (DSC) that converts the image signal into a standard television scanning image signal, and the digital signal is converted by a D / A conversion circuit. Processing to convert the signal into an analog format is performed, and the luminance signal converted into the analog format is supplied to the display device 30 and displayed as a B-mode image. However, an ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image is not displayed on the entire surface of the display 30 but is displayed near the right side so as to secure a small area for displaying other images on the left side, for example. To do. Note that the processing for image generation is not particularly related to the gist of the present invention, so only B-mode image generation is illustrated, and descriptions of the M mode and Doppler mode are omitted.

  Now, the imaging device 50 is for photographing the panel surface of the input unit 40 and is appropriately attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20. Then, the video signal from the imaging device 50 is supplied to the image generation circuit 27, where a synthesis process for displaying the image on the panel surface together with the ultrasonic image on the display 30 is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the screen of the display 30 displays an image display area 31 for displaying an ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image and an image of the panel surface of the input unit 40 captured by the imaging device 50. Are divided into an input portion display area 32.

  An example of the panel surface of the input unit 40 photographed by the imaging device 50 is schematically shown in the input unit display area 32 of FIG. 2, and the reference numeral 41 is provided in the input unit 40. The push button switch denoted by reference numeral 42 is a slide type switch that is also provided in the input unit 40. Moreover, what attached | subjected the code | symbol H is an operator's hand. Thus, if the operator is operating the input unit 40, the state of the operation is displayed on the display 30 together with the ultrasonic image.

  Therefore, the operator can observe both the ultrasonic image and the switches of the input unit 40 by looking at the screen of the display unit 30, and moves the line of sight between the display unit 30 and the input unit 40 ( That is, the amount of eye movement) can be reduced, and fatigue can be reduced. The imaging device 50 is, for example, a digital camera that captures still images or a video camera that captures moving images, and displays the state of the panel surface of the input unit 40 operated by the operator on the display 30. And if it displays with a moving image, the operation condition of an operator will become clearer.

  2 is a tag for explaining the function of the switches 41 and 42 displayed on the screen, and is important in operation from the input unit 40 to the control unit 21 in advance. By setting to selectively display such representative switches 41 and 42, it is possible to display in the vicinity of the corresponding switch. That is, the coordinates of the switches 41 and 42 on the panel surface of the input unit 40 displayed on the display 30 by the microprocessor of the control unit 21 are specified, and in the vicinity of the coordinates corresponding to the switches 41 and 42 to be displayed, What is necessary is just to display the tag 43 explaining the function of the switches 41 and 42. However, not only the representative switches 41 and 42 but also the arbitrary switches 41 and 42 and all the switches 41 and 42 can be appropriately selected by the operator so as to display the tag 43 for explaining the function. do it. Further, the display position and size may be changed by checking with the microprocessor of the control unit 21 so that the displayed tags 43 do not overlap each other.

  Further, the tag 43 may display the switch 41 or 42 when the operator touches any of the switches 41 or 42. This will be described in association with FIG. 3A showing the panel surface of the input unit 40 and FIG. 3B showing the screen of the display 30. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is assumed that the operator presses, for example, a 2D switch with his / her hand H among the push button switches 41 in the input unit 40. This information is transmitted to the control unit 21, and at the same time as the operation of a predetermined 2D function is started, the display operation of the tag 43 is also performed when the 2D switch 41 is pressed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, a tag 43 related to the switch is displayed in the 2D switch 41 portion displayed in the input unit display area 32 of the display 30.

  Next, a second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of the second embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which a display 30a is newly added to the first embodiment, and the display 30 and the display 30a are placed in parallel on the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20. It is a thing. Then, instead of displaying both the ultrasonic image and the image of the panel surface of the input unit 40 captured by the imaging device 50 on one display 30 as in the first embodiment, the display 30 is similar to the conventional one. A display is separately provided so that an ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image is displayed, and an image of the panel surface of the input unit 40 captured by the imaging device 50 is displayed on the display 30a. Other constituent units and their operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Thus, the display area of the ultrasonic image can be avoided from being narrowed, and the image on the panel surface of the input unit 40 captured by the imaging device 50 can be displayed in a large size, so that the amount of movement of the operator's line of sight can be reduced. It becomes very easy to operate the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  Next, a third embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows an example of the screen of the display 30 in the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the display 30 has a touch panel function. That is, as the screen of the display 30, as in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, an ultrasonic image is displayed with the right side of the screen as the image display area 31. And the left side is replaced with the input part display area 32 as a touch switch display area 33, and each switch of the input part 40 is displayed as a touch switch 34 here. The touch switch display area 33 is provided so as not to overlap the image display area 31 so as not to overlap at least the ultrasonic image displayed in the image display area 31.

  A known technique can be applied to the display of the touch switch 34. Therefore, when the operator touches the touch switch 34 with a finger or the like, the position is detected as a two-dimensional coordinate, and it is determined which touch switch 34 is pressed. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20 is operated by the function 21 as in the first embodiment.

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, the movement of the operator's line of sight can be reduced as in the first embodiment. Since the image display area 31 and the touch switch display area 33 are displayed separately, the touch switch 34 does not overlap the ultrasonic image, and the touch switch 34 is not displayed when the operator observes the ultrasonic image. It won't get in the way. Therefore, an ultrasonic image can be observed accurately and a reliable diagnosis result can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist. For example, an operation history recording unit that records the operation history of the switch of the input unit operated by the operator under the control of the control unit 21, and a certain switch is operated from the operation history recorded in the operation history recording unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20 is provided with estimation means for estimating which switch is likely to be operated next when it is operated, and is displayed on the switch 41 or the display 30 of the input unit 40. Of the touch switches 34 to be operated, the switch that will be operated next estimated by the estimating means may be displayed more prominently than other switches by changing the display color or blinking. good. In this way, reference information on the flow of the next operation is approached to the operator, so that the operation becomes easy, and a great effect can be exhibited particularly during routine examinations and group examinations.

  Further, although the imaging apparatus 50 has been described as being appropriately attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20, it may be fixed to a stand or the like different from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20.

1 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of Embodiment 1 of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. Example 1 It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the screen displayed on a display. Example 1 It is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between operation of the switch of an input part, and the screen displayed on a display. Example 1 It is the systematic diagram which showed schematic structure of Example 2 of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. (Example 2) It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the screen of the display in Example 3 of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. Example 3 It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the conventional ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic probe 20 Ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus main body 30 Display 31 Image display area 32 Input part display area 40 Input part 41 Push button switch 42 Sliding switch 43 Tag 50 Imaging device H Operator's hand

Claims (6)

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, receives reflected waves from the subject, and generates an ultrasonic image based on the received ultrasonic signals; ,
A display for displaying the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body;
An input unit having a plurality of switches for inputting various instructions of the operator to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit that images the input unit, and displays an image captured by the imaging unit together with the ultrasonic image on the display. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, receives reflected waves from the subject, and generates an ultrasonic image based on the received ultrasonic signals; ,
A first display for displaying the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body;
An input unit having a plurality of switches for inputting various instructions of the operator to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body;
Photographing means for photographing the input unit;
An ultrasonic image comprising: a second display for displaying an image of the input unit photographed by the photographing means, wherein the first display and the second display are arranged in parallel. Diagnostic device. The tag indicating the function of the switch is displayed in correspondence with the switch in the image of the input unit photographed and displayed by the photographing unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus described in 1. The ultrasonic image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tag displays the switch when the operator touches the switch of the input unit. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, receives reflected waves from the subject, and generates an ultrasonic image based on the received ultrasonic signals; ,
While displaying the ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound diagnostic imaging device body,
A display for displaying a touch switch composed of a plurality of switches as an input unit for inputting various instructions of an operator to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body, and the touch switch does not overlap the ultrasonic image. And displaying on the display. An operation history recording means for recording an operation history of the switch of the input unit operated by the operator;
Estimation means for estimating which switch is operated next when a certain switch is operated from the operation history recorded in the operation history recording means, the switch of the input unit or the switch 6. The touch switch displayed on the display unit, wherein the switch estimated by the estimation means is displayed more conspicuously than other switches. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to item.

Images