JP4489197B2 - Medical imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote operation method and apparatus, and a medical image apparatus, and in particular, a method and apparatus for remotely operating one terminal apparatus with another terminal apparatus in a network in which a plurality of terminal apparatuses are connected by communication lines, and The present invention relates to a medical image apparatus that remotely controls a medical image imaging apparatus from another terminal apparatus of a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a medical imaging apparatus such as an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, the manufacturer connects the terminal to a terminal device such as a customer support department of the manufacturer via a communication line, and the manufacturer uses a terminal when a malfunction occurs in the medical imaging apparatus. Operations such as defect resolution can be performed through the apparatus.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the remote operation device as described above, the support destination information obtained from the terminal device of the support department is limited, and thus there is a problem that an appropriate operation may not always be performed.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote operation method and apparatus for appropriately performing remote operation between terminal apparatuses, and a medical device including such a remote operation apparatus. It is to realize an image device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) A first invention for solving the above-described problem is a method of remotely operating one terminal device with another terminal device in a network in which a plurality of terminal devices are connected by a communication line. It is a remote operation method characterized by simulating the operation in the field.
[0006]
(2) A second invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a remote control device for remotely operating one terminal device with another terminal device in a network in which a plurality of terminal devices are connected by communication lines. The terminal device is a remote control device characterized by comprising an operation means for simulating and operating the operation of the one terminal device on site.
[0007]
(3) According to a third invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, at least one of the medical imaging devices is remotely operated by another terminal device in a network in which a plurality of terminal devices, which are medical imaging devices, are connected by a communication line. In the medical image apparatus, the other terminal device includes an operation unit that simulates and operates an operation in the field of the medical image capturing apparatus.
[0008]
(4) A fourth aspect of the invention that solves the above-described problem is the medical imaging apparatus according to (3), wherein the medical imaging apparatus is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus.
In any one of the first to fourth inventions, a display image in the one terminal device or the medical imaging device is displayed on the other terminal device, and the one terminal device to the It is preferable to use a graphic user interface corresponding to the operation device in the medical imaging apparatus in terms of appropriately performing remote operation.
[0009]
(Function)
In the present invention, an operation as if the operated terminal device is directly operated is made possible by simulating the operation of the operated terminal device in the field.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of a medical image network system (network system). This system is an example of an embodiment of the remote control device of the present invention. Moreover, it is an example of embodiment of the medical imaging device of this invention. An example of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown by the configuration of the system. An example of an embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown by the operation of the system.
[0011]
The configuration of this system will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a terminal device 32 and a terminal device 34 connected via a communication line 30 such as an intranet. The terminal device 32 remotely operates the terminal device 34 through the communication line 30. The terminal device 32 is an example of an embodiment of another terminal device in the present invention. The terminal device 34 is an example of an embodiment of one terminal device in the present invention. Although one terminal device 32 and one terminal device 34 are shown in the figure, it goes without saying that a plurality of terminals may be provided. Further, the communication line 30 is not limited to an intranet, and may be a network of an appropriate system such as the Internet, a LAN (local area network), a WAN (wide area network), or the like.
[0012]
The terminal device 32 is a data processing device provided with communication means, for example, a personal computer (PC), an engineering workstation (EWS), or the like.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the terminal device 32. As shown in the figure, the terminal device 32 has a data processing unit 322. The data processing unit 322 is configured by a computer or the like, for example. A display unit 324 is connected to the data processing unit 322. The display unit 324 is configured by, for example, a graphic display and displays the output of the data processing unit 322 as a visible image.
[0014]
An operation unit 326 is connected to the data processing unit 322. The operation unit 326 includes, for example, an operation console equipped with a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse and other operation tools, and allows the operator to operate the terminal device 32. . A portion including the data processing unit 322, the display unit 324, and the operation unit 326 is an example of an embodiment of the operation means in the present invention. A communication unit 328 is also connected to the data processing unit 322 so that data communication can be performed through the communication line 30.
[0015]
The terminal device 34 is also a data processing device provided with communication means. Here, as an example of the terminal device 34, a medical image capturing device is shown. Note that the terminal device 34 is not limited to a medical imaging device, and may be an appropriate data processing device such as a PC or EWS.
[0016]
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus which is a specific example of a medical image imaging apparatus. The medical imaging apparatus is not limited to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus. For example, various medical imaging apparatuses such as an X-ray CT (computed tomography) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and a digital X-ray imaging apparatus may be used. It's okay. Hereinafter, an example of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus will be described, but the same applies to other medical imaging apparatuses.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus has an ultrasonic probe 342. The ultrasonic probe 342 is used in contact with the subject 4 to be imaged. The ultrasonic probe 342 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 346, transmits an ultrasonic wave into the subject 4 based on a drive signal given from the transmission / reception unit 346, receives an echo thereof, and transmits an echo reception signal to the transmission / reception unit 346. To enter. The transmission / reception unit 346 performs a predetermined process such as beamforming on the echo reception signal input from the ultrasonic probe 342 to form an echo reception signal.
[0018]
The transmission / reception unit 346 is connected to the image generation unit 348. The image generation unit 348 receives the echo reception signal from the transmission / reception unit 346 and generates an image based on the received signal. A display unit 350 is connected to the image generation unit 348 and displays an image output from the image generation unit 348 and other information. The display unit 350 is configured by, for example, a graphic display. For example, an image as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 350. That is, for example, a B-mode image based on an ultrasonic echo is displayed.
[0019]
A communication unit 352 is connected to the image generation unit 348, and an image generated by the image generation unit 348 can communicate with the terminal device 32 through the communication unit 352. In addition, a control unit 354 described later can exchange various control signals with the terminal device 32 through the communication unit 352.
[0020]
The transmission / reception unit 346, the image generation unit 348, the display unit 350, and the communication unit 352 are connected to the control unit 354. The control unit 354 is configured using, for example, a computer. The control unit 354 controls the operation by giving control signals to these units. In addition, a status notification signal or the like is input from each unit to the control unit 354. Note that a control signal transmitted from the terminal device 32 is also input from the communication unit 352.
[0021]
An operation unit 356 is connected to the control unit 354 so that various commands and information can be input by the operator. The operation unit 356 includes, for example, an operation console provided with a keyboard and other operation tools. A plan view of an example of the operation unit 356 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the operation unit 356 includes an alpha-numerical key 390, various function keys 392, various operation knobs 394, a slide volume 396, and a function. A display 398 and the like are provided. Note that the function keys and knobs are represented by one place.
[0022]
The operation of this system will be described. It is assumed that the terminal device 34, that is, the ultrasonic imaging device is in the user's use site, and the terminal device 32 is installed in the customer support department of the manufacturer of the ultrasonic imaging device. An example will be described in which a person in charge (supporter) in a customer support department provides technical support for problem resolution while contacting by telephone or the like upon request from the customer. Hereinafter, the terminal device 34 is referred to as an ultrasonic imaging device 34.
[0023]
FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of the operation of this system. In the figure, the left side is a flowchart of the operation of the terminal device 32, and the right side is a flowchart of the operation of the ultrasonic imaging device 34. A broken line connecting the two flow diagrams represents communication between the terminal device 32 and the ultrasonic imaging device 34.
[0024]
The supporter operates the terminal device 32 and calls a support screen in step 702. In response to this, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 34 transmits the currently displayed screen to the terminal apparatus 32 in step 802. In step 704, the terminal device 32 displays a support screen on the display unit 324. Thereby, for example, a support screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. As shown in the figure, the support screen includes a display image 350 ′ of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34 and a plan view 356 ′ of the operation unit of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34. The image 350 ′ is transmitted from the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34 through the communication line 30. The plan view 356 ′ of the operation unit of the ultrasonic imaging device 34 is called one that is created in advance and stored in the terminal device 32.
[0025]
Here, the plan view 356 ′ of the operation unit is a graphic user interface (GUI) simulating the function of the operation unit 356 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34. As a result, the images of the keys, knobs, and the like in the plan view 356 ′ can be operated in the same manner as the operation unit 356 is operated by a pointing device such as a mouse. The alpha / numeric key may be the same as that of the operation unit 326 of the terminal device 32.
[0026]
When the support person operates the GUI in step 706, this is transmitted to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34 through the communication line 30, and in step 804, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34 performs a corresponding operation as if the operation unit 356 was operated. The operation result of the ultrasonic imaging device 34 is communicated to the terminal device 34 and reflected in the image 350 ′ in step 708. The function display in the GUI also displays the same content as the function display in the operation unit 356.
[0027]
Thereafter, the same operation is repeated every time the GUI is operated. Using such a support screen, the supporter remotely operates the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34 using the GUI, and observes the same image as the image currently displayed on the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34. When the GUI function key is clicked with a mouse or the like to switch the display image of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34, the display image 350 ′ in the support screen is also switched. Further, when the gain or the like is changed by dragging the GUI knob or slide volume with a mouse or the like, the contrast of the display image changes accordingly. Furthermore, other support-related information is also called up on the screen by operating the operation unit 326.
[0028]
In this way, the state of the defect pointed out by the user is confirmed while variously remotely operating the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34, and support for investigating the cause and solving the defect is performed. The support screen includes an image that is currently displayed on the display unit 350 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34 and a GUI that simulates the operation unit 356 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34, so that the supporter looks at the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34 on the site. You can operate as if you were operating with. Therefore, precise and detailed technical support can be easily and quickly performed.
[0029]
If the support is to be ended, the supporter performs a support end operation in step 710. This operation is communicated to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34, and the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 34 performs a corresponding operation in step 806 and returns a response. Upon confirming this response, the terminal device 32 erases the support screen in step 712 and ends the operation.
[0030]
As described above, the user support related to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. Can be widely applied. Although the example of one-to-one remote operation has been described, it is needless to say that one-to-n remote operation can be performed in the same manner.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a remote operation method and apparatus for appropriately performing a remote operation between terminal apparatuses, and a medical image apparatus including such a remote operation apparatus. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an example of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a terminal device 32 in the apparatus shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram of a terminal device 34 in the device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a schematic diagram of an image displayed by the apparatus of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of an operation unit of the apparatus of FIG. 3;
6 is a flowchart of the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an image displayed by the apparatus of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
30 Communication lines 32, 34 Terminal equipment

Claims (4)

At least one medical imaging apparatus that remotely operates the medical imaging apparatus using another terminal apparatus in a network in which a plurality of terminal apparatuses that are medical imaging apparatuses are connected by a communication line;
The other terminal device includes a support screen display unit that displays at least an operation unit having an alpha-numeric key in the medical imaging apparatus, and an operation unit that instructs and operates the operation unit displayed on the support screen display unit. And a keyboard,
The medical imaging apparatus receives an operation signal from the operation means in the other terminal device via the network, and is remotely operated by operating according to the operation signal,
In the case of an operation with an alpha / numeric key in the operation unit displayed on the support screen display screen, the alpha / numeric key of the keyboard in the other terminal device is operated, and the medical imaging apparatus receives an operation signal thereof The medical image apparatus can be remotely operated by receiving the information via the network and operating according to the operation signal. The medical image apparatus according to claim 1,
The medical image apparatus, wherein the operation means in the other terminal device is a pointing device. The medical image apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The medical image apparatus, wherein the support screen display means displays an image of the subject displayed on the display means of the medical image capturing apparatus. The medical image apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The medical imaging apparatus, wherein the medical imaging apparatus is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

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