JP6925843B2 - Ultrasound diagnostic imaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

As a medical image diagnostic device capable of non-invasively examining the internal structure and blood flow state of a subject, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device can be mentioned. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves toward the inside of a subject from an ultrasonic probe having a vibrator (piezoelectric vibrator) at the tip. Then, the reflected wave generated by the mismatch of the acoustic impedance inside the subject is received by the vibrator of the ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic image is generated based on the received signal obtained in this way.

The ultrasonic probe may be provided with a button that can be operated by the operator by hand supporting the ultrasonic probe. Among the ultrasonic probes, for example, a TEE (Trans Esophageal Echocardiography) ultrasonic probe that is orally inserted into the upper gastrointestinal tract such as the esophagus and stomach and images organs such as the heart with ultrasound. Is provided with two buttons. Of these two buttons, one has a function of rotating the tip of the ultrasonic probe clockwise, and the other has a function of rotating the tip counterclockwise.

When diagnosing or imaging with the TEE ultrasound probe, hold the tip of the TEE ultrasound probe into your mouth with one hand, hold the body of the TEE ultrasound probe with the other hand, and press the button if necessary. Is operated to rotate the tip. Then, when saving the image, the image saving button provided on the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is pressed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-167331

However, when pressing a button provided on the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, one of the hands must be released from the ultrasonic probe. In this case, the ultrasonic probe body may shake and the tip may come into contact with an organ such as the esophagus.

Further, when trying to exert various functions by using the buttons provided on the ultrasonic probe, it is desirable that the buttons are provided for each required function, but the buttons corresponding to the number of functions are provided. It is not practical to always provide it on the ultrasonic probe. On the other hand, when a plurality of functions are added to each button, the operation desired by the operator may not be performed depending on the operation method of the operator. In this case, the operation must be redone. Re-operation not only puts stress on the operator, but also takes time for examination and diagnosis, which may cause stress on the subject.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to assign a plurality of functions to each of the buttons provided on the ultrasonic probe, and to use a plurality of such buttons. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus capable of grasping a diagnostic workflow and a tendency of an operator's operation and enabling an appropriate operation when an operation is required.

The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe and a control circuit. The ultrasonic probe includes a first button and a second button. The control circuit refers to the diagnostic workflow that is stored in advance and represents the flow of processing when the operator makes a diagnosis, and operates the ultrasonic probe suitable for performing each process shown in the diagnostic workflow by the operator. Perform the control that enables it. Further, the control circuit has a determination function for determining which process in the diagnostic workflow the operation of the ultrasonic probe by the operator corresponds to, and the input from the first button or the second button determines. It is equipped with a setting function that sets the time so that it is recognized as a single click or a double click as much as possible, and a timekeeping function that measures the time set by the setting function.

The functional block diagram which functionally shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus in embodiment. The waveform diagram which shows the signal waveform of the ON / OFF operation of the button of an ultrasonic probe in an embodiment. A diagnostic workflow showing a flow of operations using an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus by an operator according to the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of operation in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of operation in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of operation in 1st Embodiment. The explanatory view which shows the relationship of the condition, judgment, and correspondence at the time of determining the eligibility of an operation of an operator in the 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of determining the eligibility of the response of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus based on the operation of the operator in the 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)
[Configuration of ultrasonic diagnostic imaging equipment]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 is a device main body in which an ultrasonic probe 2 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves (transmission / reception waves) to a subject and the ultrasonic probe 2 are detachably connected to each other. It has 3 and.

The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves into the subject by each ultrasonic transducer, scans the scan area, and receives the reflected wave from the subject as an echo signal. The ultrasonic probe 2 in the first embodiment described below is, for example, a transesophageal probe in which a tip is inserted from the oral cavity of a subject and an organ such as the heart is imaged by ultrasonic waves. Examples of the transesophageal probe include the TEE probe described above.

The TEE probe includes a main body gripped by the operator, a connection portion for connecting the device main body 3 extending from one of the main body portions, and a guiding center portion extending to the opposite side of the main body portion from the main body portion. ing. In addition, the tip of the guiding center is provided with a tip that is inserted orally into the subject, transmits ultrasonic waves into the subject, and receives an echo signal from the subject. Since the central part of the guide is inserted orally into the subject, it is configured to be flexible. Further, the tip portion has a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators built-in, and is arranged one-dimensionally, for example.

When the tip is viewed from the front, the axis from the main body to the tip via the center of the guide is used as the rotation axis so that ultrasonic waves can be transmitted to the organ to be imaged. , It is possible to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. When rotating the tip portion, two buttons, a first button and a second button, provided on the main body portion are used. Of these, one button has a function of rotating the tip portion clockwise, and the other has a function of rotating the tip portion counterclockwise. The function of rotating the tip portion clockwise and the function of rotating the tip portion counterclockwise may be assigned to either the first button or the second button, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram showing a signal waveform of an ON / OFF operation of a button of the ultrasonic probe 2 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, three waveforms are remarkably shown in the upper, middle, and lower parts. Of these, the waveform diagram shown in the middle row is a reference waveform diagram described here.

The waveform diagram represents an ON / OFF signal input via the operation of the first button or the second button by the operator. The signal for rotating the tip portion clockwise is a CW signal, and the signal for rotating the tip portion counterclockwise is a CCW signal. Both the first button and the second button are so-called ON / OFF switches, and when the operator presses the button, an ON signal is transmitted toward the device main body 3 and the tip portion rotates. On the other hand, when the button is released and the button is pressed, the transmission of the ON signal is stopped and the rotation of the tip is stopped (the state of OFF is reached).

The control circuit of the apparatus main body 3 described later, which receives the ON signal from the ultrasonic probe 2, superimposes a drive signal for rotating the tip portion depending on the type of the signal received from the first button or the second button. It is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 2. In the ultrasonic probe 2, the tip portion thereof rotates clockwise or counterclockwise according to the received drive signal.

In FIG. 2, the button is pressed down by the operator, the ON signal is transmitted to the device main body 3, the operator releases the button, the transmission of the ON signal to the device main body 3 is completed, and the ON signal is turned off. The flow is shown by a solid line so that it is convex downward.

In the waveform diagram, the period from when the button is pressed by the operator to turn on the CW / CCW signal and further to when the button is turned off until a predetermined time elapses is represented as "TlongP". This is a time provided for determining whether the operator has pressed the button for a short time or has held it for a long time (long-pressed). It is possible to arbitrarily set how long the "TlongP" is set.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the CW / CCW signal is turned ON / OFF for a shorter time than "TlongP", it is determined that the operator has pressed the button for a short time by the control circuit described later. On the other hand, although not shown, when the ON signal is input beyond the "TlongP" time, it is determined by the control circuit that the operator has pressed and held the button for a long time.

The apparatus main body 3 includes a transmission circuit 31, a reception circuit 32, a signal processing circuit 33, an image processing circuit 34, a display 35, and an input circuit 36. The transmission circuit 31 transmits a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2. The receiving circuit 32 receives an echo signal which is a reflected signal from the ultrasonic probe 2. The signal processing circuit 33 processes the echo signal. The image processing circuit 34 generates an ultrasonic image. The display 35 displays various images including the generated ultrasonic image. The input circuit 36 receives an input signal by being input-operated by an operator such as an inspector. Further, the apparatus main body 3 includes a communication control circuit 37 that controls transmission / reception of signals with other devices (not shown), a storage circuit 38, and a control circuit 39 that controls each unit. Further, these circuits are connected to each other on the bus B, and various signals can be exchanged. The detailed functions of each of these circuits will be further described below.

In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation and illustration, only one bus B is shown, and each circuit is shown to be connected to the bus B. However, in an actual ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device 1, not all circuits are connected to one bus B in many cases, and in that sense, the bus B shown in FIG. 1 is each of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging devices 1. It shows that the circuits are logically connected.

The transmission circuit 31 generates a drive signal for generating ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonic probe 2, that is, an electric pulse signal (hereinafter, referred to as “drive pulse”) applied to each piezoelectric vibrator based on the control by the control circuit 39. Then, the drive pulse is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 2. The transmission circuit 31 includes circuits (not shown) such as a reference pulse generation circuit, a delay control circuit, and a drive pulse generation circuit, and each circuit fulfills the above-described function.

Further, the receiving circuit 32 receives the reflected signal from the ultrasonic probe 2, that is, the echo signal, performs phasing addition on the received signal, and outputs the signal acquired by the phasing addition to the signal processing circuit 33. do.

The signal processing circuit 33 generates various data using the received signal from the ultrasonic probe 2 supplied from the receiving circuit 32, and outputs the various data to the image processing circuit 34 and the control circuit 39. The signal processing circuit 33 includes, for example, a B mode processing circuit (or a Bc mode processing circuit), a Doppler mode processing circuit, a color Doppler mode processing circuit, and the like, which are not shown. The B-mode processing circuit visualizes the amplitude information of the received signal and generates data based on the B-mode signal. The Doppler mode processing circuit extracts the Doppler shift frequency component from the received signal and further performs FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) processing or the like to generate Doppler signal data of blood flow information. The color Doppler mode processing circuit visualizes blood flow information based on the received signal and generates data based on the color Doppler mode signal.

The image processing circuit 34 generates a two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasonic image regarding the scan area based on the data supplied from the signal processing circuit 33. For example, the image processing circuit 34 generates volume data related to the scan area from the supplied data. Then, from the generated volume data, two-dimensional ultrasonic image data is generated by MPR processing (multi-section reconstruction method) and three-dimensional ultrasonic image data is generated by volume rendering processing. The image processing circuit 34 outputs the generated two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasonic image to the display 35. The ultrasonic image includes, for example, a B mode image, a Doppler mode image, a color Doppler mode image, an M mode image, and the like.

The display 35 displays various images such as an ultrasonic image generated by the image processing circuit 34 and an operation screen (for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving various instructions from the operator) under the control of the control circuit 39. .. As the display 35, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, or the like can be used.

The input circuit 36 accepts various input operations by the operator, such as image display, image switching, mode designation, and various settings. As the input circuit 36, for example, a GUI or an input device such as a button, a keyboard, a trackball, or a touch panel displayed on the display 35 can be used.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the display 35 and the input circuit 36 are described as one component of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the display 35 may be configured separately from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 instead of being a component of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1. It is also possible to use the input circuit as a touch panel using the separate display.

The communication control circuit 37 plays a role of connecting the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device 1 to, for example, a medical diagnostic imaging device (modality), a server device, a workstation, etc., which are connected to each other in a communication network (not shown). .. The standard for information and medical images exchanged with other devices via the communication control circuit 37 and the communication network may be any standard such as DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine).

The storage circuit 38 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor or a magnetic disk, and stores programs, data, diagnostic workflows, and the like executed by the control circuit 39. The diagnostic workflow represents, for example, a basic operation flow for performing a diagnosis by operating the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 by an operator, which is predetermined for each examination or treatment. be. The diagnostic workflow will be described later.

The control circuit 39 comprehensively controls each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1. The control circuit 39 determines whether the button operation of the ultrasonic probe 2 by the operator is a single click or a double click according to the diagnosis workflow when the operator makes a diagnosis using the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 1. Then, the operation desired by the operator is performed. Further, for example, the control circuit 39 causes the display 35 to display the ultrasonic image generated by the image processing circuit 34.

The control circuit 39 executes a determination function, a setting function, and a timekeeping function. The determination function is a function for determining what kind of operation the operator operates the ultrasonic probe. Specifically, the connection signal when the ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the device main body 3 and the input signal from the button provided on the ultrasonic probe 2 are received, and the operation performed is stored in the storage circuit 38. Determine which stage of operation in the diagnostic workflow is being performed. Then, it is determined whether the button operation of the main body performed by the operator corresponds to a single click or a double click.

The setting function of the control circuit 39 is determined by the determination function, and when the operator clicks the button twice, the operation is performed according to which stage of the diagnostic workflow the operation is performed by the operator. Adjust and set the reference time for the button response so that it is determined to be a single click or a double click.

By the way, in the control circuit 39, when there is a second button operation called ON / OFF operation after the button operation of the first button ON / OFF operation by the operator, the second button operation becomes a single click. It is determined whether it corresponds to the case or the case of double-clicking. In the determination, the second button operation by the operator is a preset time after the first button operation, which is a reference time for the button response (hereinafter, such a time is appropriately set as appropriate). It is based on whether or not it was done after the "reference time"). That is, if the second button operation is performed after the reference time has elapsed, it is determined as a single click, and if the second button operation is performed before the reference time has elapsed, it is determined as a double click. In FIG. 2, the second button operation is indicated by a large downward arrow.

The reference time is the time between "TdableCmin" and "TdableCmax" in the middle waveform diagram shown in FIG. That is, the start of the reference time is the time point represented by "TtableCmin" in FIG. In the case of the waveform diagram shown in FIG. 2, the "TdoubleCmin" is set at a time when the CW / CCW signal is turned from ON to OFF and a predetermined time has elapsed. At what point in time this "Tdouble Cmin" is set is free.

On the other hand, the time point at which the reference time ends is defined as "TdoubleCmax". The setting function of the control circuit 39 described above shortens or extends the "TdoubleCmax" from the reference time according to each process defined in the diagnostic workflow, and adjusts the reference time.

Of the three waveform diagrams shown in FIG. 2, the waveform diagram shown in the middle row is a waveform diagram showing the reference time originally set as described above. The waveform diagram shown in the upper part of FIG. 2 shows the case where the reference time is shortened. On the other hand, the waveform diagram shown in the lower part of FIG. 2 shows the case where the reference time is extended. Arrows extend from the middle waveform diagram for the upper waveform diagram and the lower waveform diagram. That is, the arrow from "TdoubleCmax" shown in the middle waveform diagram to "TdoubleCmax" in the upper waveform diagram is shortened by the time of "α". On the other hand, the arrow from "TdableCmax" shown in the middle waveform diagram to "TdableCmax" in the lower waveform diagram is extended by the time of "α". In this way, the control circuit 39 determines which of the "Tdouble Cmax" is set according to the operation by the operator, and sets the reference time applied for each operation.

In the waveform diagram shown in the middle of FIG. 2, the originally set reference time is predetermined and is stored in the storage circuit 38. The length of the reference time can be arbitrarily set, and the time of α shown in FIG. 2 can also be arbitrarily set as to how much time should be extended or shortened. Further, in the waveform diagram shown in FIG. 2, the shortening time and the extending time are set to the same time, but both can be set to different lengths.

The timekeeping function of the control circuit 39 is a function of measuring the time and the reference time of "TlongP". When the control circuit 39 receives a signal that some operation has been performed on the ultrasonic probe 2, the control circuit 39 activates the time counting function to measure each time described above.

For example, the signal processing circuit 33, the image processing circuit 34, and the like can be realized by a program that causes the processor to execute a program stored in a predetermined memory, the storage circuit 38, or the like. Here, the term "processor" as used herein refers to, for example, a dedicated or general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit) arithmetic circuit (circular circuit), or an integrated circuit for a specific application (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), (For example, a simple programmable logic device (Single Programmable Logical Device: SPLD), a composite programmable logic device (Complex Programmable Logical Device: CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array: FPGA).

The processor realizes a function by reading and executing a program stored in a recording circuit or directly embedded in the circuit of the processor, for example. The recording circuit for storing the program may be individually provided for each processor, or for example, the recording circuit for storing the program corresponding to the function performed by the signal processing circuit 33 in FIG. 1 may be stored. Further, the configuration of the storage circuit 38 shown in FIG. 1 may be adopted. For the configuration of the storage circuit, for example, a storage device such as a general RAM (Random Access Memory) such as a semiconductor or a magnetic disk or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is applied.

[motion]
Next, the control of the control circuit 39 will be described in detail while comparing the flow of the diagnostic workflow with the flow of the operation by the operator. FIG. 3 is a diagnostic workflow showing the flow of operations using the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 1 by the operator according to the first embodiment. 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of operations in the first embodiment. In the following, a TEE probe is selected as the ultrasonic probe 2, the TEE probe is orally inserted into the upper gastrointestinal tract such as the esophagus and stomach, and an examination is performed in which an organ such as the heart is imaged by ultrasonic waves. Let's take an example.

That is, since the examination in which the TEE probe is orally inserted into the upper gastrointestinal tract such as the esophagus and stomach and the organs such as the heart are imaged by ultrasonic waves will be described as an example, the diagnostic workflow shown in FIG. 3 is also the examination. The processing performed by the operator when performing the above is specified and shown.

Here, the diagnostic workflow is not limited to the process shown in FIG. 3, and may be appropriately selected, or a plurality of types may be stored in the storage circuit 38. As described above, in the first embodiment, the processing content is determined based on the diagnostic workflow so that the operation of the ultrasonic probe 2 performed in the processing content actually performed by the operator is appropriately performed. It controls.

In addition, the diagnosis workflow here does not show the flow of individual diagnosis for each operator, and it is said that no matter who the operator is, the flow is generally performed until the examination is started and the diagnosis is made. It shows the flow. However, setting a diagnostic workflow for each operator is not excluded. In this case, before the inspection is started, the diagnostic workflow for the operator is read from the storage circuit 38 based on the information about the operator.

Further, although the diagnostic workflow is shown in the form of a flowchart in FIG. 3 for convenience of explanation, for example, the operation of the first button or the second button corresponding to each process defined in the diagnostic workflow and the diagnostic workflow. Etc. may be collectively stored in the storage circuit 38.

The diagnostic workflow shown in FIG. 3 begins with the operator selecting the ultrasonic probe 2 (S1). This is because the operator selects the ultrasonic probe 2 to be used for the operation when starting the operation and diagnosis using the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 1. The operator selects the ultrasonic probe 2 by, for example, connecting the ultrasonic probe 2 selected by the operator to the device main body 3 or pressing any button provided on the selected ultrasonic probe 2. It suffices if the device main body 3 can be made aware of which ultrasonic probe 2 is used for inspection.

In the control circuit 39 of the device main body 3, for example, the operator has selected the ultrasonic probe 2 by determining whether or not the signal when the ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the device main body 3 is received. Whether or not it is determined (ST1 in FIG. 4). If the operator does not select the ultrasonic probe 2 (NO in ST1), the control circuit 39 continues in the standby state.

When the signal that the ultrasonic probe 2 is selected by the operator is received (YES in ST1), the control circuit 39 makes a diagnosis that matches the operation scheduled to be performed from the storage circuit 38 using the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1. Get the workflow. Information about the type of ultrasonic probe 2 selected by the operator can be used, for example, to obtain a diagnostic workflow that matches the scheduled operation. Although it is described here that the diagnostic workflow is acquired from the storage circuit 38, for example, every time the operator operates the ultrasonic probe 2, the corresponding diagnostic workflow stored in the storage circuit 38 is accessed and confirmed. You can also do it.

The control circuit 39 determines the next process to be performed by the operator with reference to the process flow defined in the acquired diagnostic workflow. That is, when performing an examination using a transesophageal probe, after the TEE probe is selected as the ultrasonic probe 2, the operator moves the TEE probe from the oral side of the subject to the inside thereof to the vicinity of the organ to be examined. Insert the tip. Then, when the placement position of the tip portion reaches an appropriate position, the tip portion is fastened at that position.

However, this process by the operator is an act of inserting the tip portion and the guiding portion into the inside of the subject, and is a process of operating the first button or the second button provided on the main body portion. No. Therefore, it is not shown in the diagnostic workflow shown in FIG.

When the operator places the tip at an appropriate position near the organ to be inspected, the next step is the imaging process. However, although the tip is certainly near the organ to be inspected just by inserting it, it is unclear whether it is oriented in an appropriate direction for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the inspected object. Therefore, the operator rotates the tip portion so that ultrasonic waves can be appropriately transmitted to the organ to be inspected while looking at the display 35, that is, in a direction in which the organ can be appropriately photographed. In rotating the tip portion, first, the tip portion is rotated greatly to determine a rough orientation (S2), and then finely rotated to make fine adjustments (S3).

In the control circuit 39, referring to the diagnostic workflow, it is determined that the process of rotating the tip portion is performed after the ultrasonic probe 2 is selected. As described above, when the operator rotates the tip portion using the TEE probe, the first button or the second button is pressed down, and the ON signal is transmitted from the TEE probe to the device main body 3 while the button is pressed. It is sent to and the rotation continues, and when you release the button, it turns off.

When rotating the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 in this way, the operator either presses and holds the button to rotate the tip significantly, or single-clicks to rotate the tip finely and make fine adjustments. Or any operation, or any operation is performed. That is, the first button or the second button is not double-clicked. Here, the double click in the button operation of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the present application is when the image saving process is performed. Therefore, in the control circuit 39, when the operator presses a button, if it is determined that the operation is an image saving operation by double-clicking, an operation different from the operator's intention is performed. ..

Therefore, the control circuit 39 adjusts the length of the reference time before the operator rotates the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 so that the button operation by the operator is determined to be a single click instead of a double click. Then, a reference time is set, which is a predetermined time shorter than the original reference time (ST2).

Here, the predetermined time to be shortened is “α” as shown in the waveform diagram of FIG. That is, the control circuit 39 shortens the value of "TdoubleCmax" in the originally set reference time by "α" and sets it (in FIG. 2, it is shown as "-α"). The value of this "α" can be set arbitrarily, but it is set so that the reference time is sufficiently shortened so that the second button operation by the operator is not determined to be a double click.

By setting the reference time again in the control circuit 39 in this way, the reference time when the operator performs the rotation operation of the tip portion is only α from the original reference time as shown in the waveform diagram in the upper part of FIG. The time will be shortened. By setting the reference time short, there is a high probability that the time when the operator presses the button for the second time will be after the reference time has elapsed.

The control circuit 39 receives the input signal by the button accompanying the operation of the operator (ST3). This may be the case when either the first button or the second button is pressed. Since the control circuit 39 has received the input signal, it transmits a control signal for rotating the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 toward the ultrasonic probe 2 (ST4).

The control circuit 39 also starts timing from the time when the input signal from the ultrasonic probe 2 is received by using the timing function. Then, it is determined whether or not the input signal is continuously received beyond the "TlongP" shown in FIG. As a result, when the input signal is received beyond "TlongP" (YES in ST5), the control signal for continuously rotating the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 is continuously transmitted (ST6). At this time, the operator keeps pressing the button, and the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe 2 is greatly rotated accordingly. Then, the control circuit 39 determines whether or not the reception of the input signal is interrupted, that is, the operator's hand is separated from the button and the state is turned off (ST7). As a result, if the operator is still pressing the button (continuing to receive the input signal) (NO in ST7), the process returns to step ST6 and continues to transmit the control signal. On the other hand, when it is determined that the input signal is turned off (YES in ST7), the time counting function is used to start the time counting from the time when the input signal is turned off (ST8).

Further, when the control circuit 39 receives the input signal only for a time shorter than the time of "TlongP" (NO of ST5), as described above, the time counting is started from the time when the input signal is turned off. (ST8). The control circuit 39 determines whether or not a predetermined predetermined period has elapsed (ST9), and if the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in ST9), sets the time when the predetermined time has elapsed as "TdoubleCmin". (ST10). The set "TdoubleCmin" is the time when the reference time starts.

When "TdoubleCmin", which is the start of the reference time, is set by the control circuit 39, the latest time counting of the reference time, that is, a new reference time set by referring to the diagnostic workflow, is started again from this point (ST11). .. That is, the time counting of the reference time set as "TdableCmin" to "TdableCmax" shown in the waveform diagram in the upper part of FIG. 2 is started.

The control circuit 39 continues the timekeeping and determines whether or not the shortened and set reference time has elapsed (ST12 in FIG. 5). If the reference time has not passed (NO in ST12), the timekeeping is continued as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reference time has elapsed (YES in ST12), the control circuit 39 receives an input signal from the first button or the second button of the ultrasonic probe 2 after the reference time has elapsed. Is determined (ST13).

Here, when the operator receives the input signal when the button operation is performed for the second time, the reference time is already set as a sufficiently short time so that the button operation is not judged as a double click. doing. Therefore, it is not expected that the input signal will be received within the shortened reference time. Therefore, the control circuit 39 determines whether or not the input signal by the button is received after the lapse of the reference time. If it is determined that the input signal has been received after the lapse of the reference time (YES in ST13), the process returns to step ST4 shown in FIG. Send.

On the other hand, if the input signal by the button is not received even after the reference time has elapsed (NO in ST13), the control circuit 39 determines that the operation of rotating the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 by the operator has been completed. .. In this state, the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 is rotated in the optimum direction for transmitting ultrasonic waves toward the target organ.

Here, the control circuit 39 confirms the diagnostic workflow and determines what kind of operation is defined next to the operation of rotating the tip portion. Looking at the diagnostic workflow shown in FIG. 3, as the operation performed after the rotation of the tip portion, the depth of the depth at which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and the operation of appropriately changing the diagnostic mode are set (S4, S5). These operations are performed via the input circuit 36 provided in the apparatus main body 3. Therefore, the control circuit 39 receives the input signal from the device main body 3 (ST14) and performs a process corresponding to the input signal.

Further, in these operations, since the operation using the button of the ultrasonic probe 2 is not performed, it is not necessary to determine whether the button operation by the operator is a single click or a double click. Therefore, the control circuit 39 once performs a process of correcting the value of "TdoubleCmax" to the originally determined value (ST15). Here, as described above, the process of resetting the value of "TdoubleCmax" is once performed, but the process may not be performed.

The control circuit 39 further uses the diagnostic workflow to confirm the next operation to be performed. In the diagnostic workflow shown in FIG. 3, image quality adjustment such as gain when displaying the photographed organ on the display 35 is performed (S6). Therefore, the control circuit 39 determines whether or not the gain / image quality adjustment signal from the device main body 3 has been received (ST16). If it is determined that the signal has not been received (NO in ST16), the system will stand by as it is.

Here, when the gain / image quality adjustment operation is performed, various preparations for photographing the subject using the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 are completed. Therefore, as shown in the diagnostic workflow shown in FIG. 3, the operator starts photographing and observes the image (S7). When the image is observed, the operator appropriately saves the image (S8).

Therefore, when the control circuit 39 receives the signal of the gain / image quality adjustment (YES in ST16), the control circuit 39 controls the gain adjustment and the image quality adjustment according to the received input signal, and is an operation to be performed in the future. Prepare for storage. That is, when the operator performs the image saving process, the button of the ultrasonic probe 2 is double-clicked, but the apparatus main body 3 needs to recognize such an operation as a double-click. be.

Therefore, the control circuit 39 is set to extend the value of "TdoubleCmax" for a predetermined time as shown in the lower waveform diagram of FIG. 2 (ST17). Looking at the waveform diagram shown in the lower part of FIG. 2, the time extended by a predetermined time “α” as compared with the reference time shown in the middle part is set as the reference time (in FIG. 2, it is shown as “+ α”). ing.). By setting a long reference time, the second button click after the operator clicks the first button will be performed within the reference time, and the input signal based on the second button click will be output. The first input signal can also be determined as a double click.

In this way, the control circuit 39 sets the reference time in preparation for the operator double-clicking to save the image. Then, in this state, it waits until the button operation is performed by the operator. That is, it is determined whether or not the first button operation of the double click is performed by the operator (ST18).

Here, if the first button operation has not been performed or the input signal due to the pressing of the button has not been received (NO in ST18), the standby state is continued. On the other hand, when the button operation is performed by the operator and the first input signal is received (YES in ST18), the control circuit 39 determines whether or not the time of TdoubleCmax set as the reference time has elapsed. (ST19 in FIG. 6).

Here, the control circuit 39 determines whether or not TdoubleCmax has elapsed in order to grasp whether or not the operator has performed the second button operation within the set reference time. That is, it is determined whether or not the input signal by the second button operation is received before TdoubleCmax elapses (YES in ST19) (ST20). If the second double-click button operation is not performed within the reference time (NO in ST20), the control circuit 39 is in the standby state as it is.

If the control circuit 39 receives the input signal by the second button operation within the reference time (YES in ST19, YES in ST20), the operator double-clicks to perform the image saving process within the reference time. It is determined that the image has been damaged, a control signal for image storage is transmitted, and an image desired by the operator is stored in, for example, a storage circuit 38 (ST21).

Then, the control circuit 39 further determines whether or not a signal indicating the end of the image storage process has been received (ST22). As a result, when it is determined that the signal indicating the end of the image preservation process has not been received (NO in ST22), it can be determined that the image preservation process by the operator is continuing. The process returns to step ST18 and waits until the next image saving process is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal indicating the end of the image saving process has been received (YES in ST22), it is determined that the series of operations specified in the diagnostic workflow has been completed.

Next, based on the diagnostic workflow, when the reference time is extended because the next process performed by the operator is image saving, but the second button operation is not performed within the reference time and it cannot be determined as a double click. (YES in ST19), the control circuit 39 determines that an operation other than the image saving process is being performed.

Therefore, at the same time, the control circuit 39 temporarily cancels the new reference time set by determining that the image saving process is performed by the TdoubleCmax operator, and returns (resets) the original reference time (ST23). ).

Then, after resetting the reference time to the original value in this way, the control circuit 39 determines what kind of operation the operator has performed (ST24).

Here, as the processing performed by the operator, for example, an operation of adjusting the image quality such as a gain is performed again, or an operation of rotating the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe 2 in order to take a picture at a new position is performed. Can be considered. The control circuit 39 grasps what kind of operation the operator performs based on the received signal.

As a result, the control circuit 39 again determines whether or not it is necessary to reduce the value of TdoubleCmax by a predetermined time from the original reference time (ST25). As a result, for example, when it is determined that the operation of rotating the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 is newly performed (YES in ST25), the process returns to step ST2 in FIG. 4 and the value of TdoubleCmax is shortened by a predetermined time. , Set the reference time required to rotate the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 again.

On the other hand, when it is determined from the input signal that the control circuit 39 has performed an image quality adjustment operation such as gain (NO in ST25), the process returns to step ST16 in FIG. It is determined that the storage is performed, and the value of TdoubleCmax is extended for a predetermined time.

If the reference time elapses without performing the second button operation within the reference time set as the image saving process is performed after receiving the input signal by the first button operation. In the above description, it was decided to immediately reset the Tdouble Cmax. However, it can be assumed that the operator intended to save the image, but forgot the second button operation after the first button operation. Therefore, the control circuit 39 does not perform such processing immediately, but for example, at this point in time, the TdoubleCmax is not reset and the reference time assuming that the image storage processing is performed is maintained. Is also good.

As described above, when a plurality of functions are assigned to each of the buttons provided on the ultrasonic probe and it is required to perform a plurality of operations using such buttons, a predetermined diagnosis is performed. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device that can optimize button operations by the operator by grasping a series of operations and processes by the operator and setting a reference time based on the workflow. be.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same components will be omitted because they are duplicated.

In the first embodiment, the reference time is set according to the button operation performed by the operator using the diagnostic workflow. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the tendency of the operator using the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1, so to speak, the habit is grasped so that the operator can perform the operation smoothly without stress. It sets the reference time.

In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2 has been described as a transesophageal probe (TEE probe), but in the second embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2 is particularly a TEE probe. It is not limited, and may be any of general sector scanning correspondence, linear scanning correspondence, convex scanning correspondence, etc., which is arbitrarily selected according to the diagnosis site.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between conditions, judgments, and correspondences when determining the suitability of an operator's operation in the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, four patterns from A to D are listed vertically as an example. Further, on the horizontal axis, six items of "number of times", "operation", "operation", "predetermined time elapsed", "judgment", and "correspondence" are listed.

The “number of times” indicates the number of times the operator operates the button provided on the ultrasonic probe 2. "Operation" indicates a button operation performed by the operator. Here, the "CW button" is a button that rotates the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 clockwise. On the other hand, the "CCW button" is a button that rotates the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 counterclockwise. “Operation” indicates the operation of the ultrasonic probe 2 performed by the button operation of the operator.

The "predetermined time elapsed" is the time between the two operations shown in each pattern, that is, the time between the first operation and the second operation being performed as the "predetermined time". ", Indicates whether or not the predetermined time has passed. This predetermined time can be arbitrarily set, and in FIG. 7, it is shown as "none" when the set predetermined time has not elapsed, and as "yes" when the set predetermined time has elapsed.

The “determination” indicates a determination that the control circuit 39 makes based on each condition of two button operations by the operator, the operation of the ultrasonic probe 2 accompanying the operation, and the presence or absence of the passage of a predetermined time. Further, "correspondence" indicates a correspondence taken by the control circuit 39 based on the determination.

For example, the pattern A will be described as an example. When the operator first "clicked the CW button twice in succession" as the first operation, the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 was rotated clockwise by 2 °. Next, as the second operation, the operator "clicked the CCW button twice in succession" to rotate the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 counterclockwise by 2 °. Then, the predetermined time has not elapsed between the two operations by these operators (when looking at the column of "predetermined time elapsed" shown in FIG. 7, it is shown as "none").

Under such circumstances, the control circuit 39 said, "The operator intended to double-click the CW button to perform the" image save "process, but unintentionally, the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 Has rotated, so I immediately clicked the CCW button twice to rotate the tip in the opposite direction. " That is, it means that the operator intended to double-click to perform the image saving process, but the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 determined that the double-click was performed, so that the operation was redone.

In this case, when the operator performs a double-click button operation, it takes a long time from pressing the first button to pressing the second button, and the operator's button operation is recognized as a single click instead of a double click. It has been done. That is, it can be seen that this operator has a habit that the time between the first button operation and the second button operation when performing a double click is long.

Therefore, the control circuit 39 modifies the setting of the reference time so that the operator recognizes the button operation twice in succession as a double click instead of recognizing it as a single click. Specifically, as shown in the "correspondence" column, the value of TdoubleCmax is set to be extended by a predetermined time. By making such a setting, even an operator who has a habit of having a long time between the first button operation and the second button operation when performing a double click can perform ultrasonic image diagnosis. The device 1 can be appropriately recognized as a double click.

Next, pattern B will be described. The operation of the operator in pattern B and the operation of the ultrasonic probe 2 accompanying the operation are the same as those in pattern A described above. That is, after clicking the CW button twice in succession to rotate the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 clockwise by 2 °, clicking the CCW button twice in succession to rotate the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 counterclockwise. It is rotated 2 °.

However, in pattern B, the predetermined time has elapsed (the predetermined time has elapsed "Yes"). Therefore, in this case, since the predetermined time has passed, the operator does not perform the reverse operation as the second operation immediately after the first operation without any time, but the first operation. It can be understood that the operation and the second operation are performed sufficiently apart from each other. From here, the control circuit 39 determines that the rotation operation of the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe 2 has been performed as intended by the operator.

In this way, when the operation intended by the operator is performed, the button operation by the operator is appropriately recognized as a single click or a double click. Therefore, the control circuit 39 does not need to reset the set reference time, and keeps the currently set state.

In pattern C, the operator clicks the CW button twice in succession in the first button operation. Based on the operation by the operator, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 performed an image storage process. On the other hand, in the second button operation as well, the CW button was clicked twice in succession. However, at this time, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 performs an operation of rotating the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 clockwise by 2 °. Then, the second button operation was performed before the predetermined time elapsed from the first button operation (the elapse of the predetermined time "none").

In such a case, in the control circuit 39, the fact that the operator performs the same operation twice without a time before the predetermined time elapses means that the operator does not intend the operation in the first button operation. Judge that it was done. That is, as shown in pattern C, the operator performing the same operation of clicking the CW button twice in succession is an unintended operation of saving the image by the first button operation. It can be inferred that the same operation was immediately repeated in order to rotate the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 by 2 °.

Therefore, the control circuit 39 resets the reference time so that the click in the button operation of the operator can be recognized as a single click instead of being recognized as a double click. Specifically, TdoubleCmax, which is a predetermined time shortened from the original reference time, is set, and a new reference time is set.

Finally, it is about pattern D. In pattern D, the operator clicks the CW button twice in succession as the first button operation and the second button operation. The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 for any operation is also image storage. Further, the second button operation is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first button operation (the elapse of the predetermined time "Yes").

That is, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the operator performs the same operation as the first button operation as the second button operation. That is, it can be determined that the operator is satisfied with the operation performed by himself / herself and has performed the same operation in the second time as in the first time. Therefore, the control circuit 39 determines that the operation (image storage) intended by the operator has been performed, and does not correct the reference time.

As described above for each pattern, the operator can perform the operation by referring to the elements of the operation of the operator, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 accompanying the operation, and the elapsed time between the plurality of operations by the operator. It is possible to determine whether or not the operation is linked to the intended operation. Naturally, it is difficult to grasp the intentions of all operators, but by adjusting the reference time for button operations, ultrasonic waves can be reduced so that operators can reduce unintended operations. It is possible to make adjustments on the side of the diagnostic imaging apparatus 1.

[motion]
Next, the reference time correction process based on the operation by the operator by the control circuit 39 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow for determining the eligibility of the response of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 based on the operation of the operator in the second embodiment.

In determining the eligibility of the response of the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 1 based on the operation of the operator, it is natural to determine in advance which operator will operate the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 1. It is necessary for the device 1 to grasp it. Therefore, when the operator uses the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 1, the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 1 receives a logon operation for identifying the operator, such as inputting his / her own ID, and identifies the operator. do. However, the process of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 that identifies the operator based on the logon operation is omitted in FIG. 8, and each of the states shown in FIG. 8 from the state where the logon operation has already been completed and the operator is specified. Processing is started.

Then, for example, the storage circuit 38 stores the eligibility (habit) of the operator and the response so far in association with each other, and the control circuit 39 determines based on the specified operator and the response so far. Perform processing.

Further, here, the "first time" and the "second time" represent a set of button operations of the ultrasonic probe 2 by the operator. That is, it is the "number of times" in each pattern shown in FIG. Therefore, when the operator double-clicks the button provided on the ultrasonic probe 2, for example, the operator presses the button twice, but does not indicate the number of times the button is pressed. Further, the flow of the determination process by the control circuit 39 will be described with reference to the above-mentioned patterns A and B as appropriate.

In the control circuit 39, the operator receives the first input signal from the ultrasonic probe 2 by operating the button of the ultrasonic probe 2 (ST41). That is, in the case of pattern A, the input signal is received when the operator clicks the CW button twice in succession.

In the control circuit 39, in order to cause the ultrasonic probe 2 to perform an operation desired by the operator based on the input signal, a control signal for performing an operation matching the input signal is transmitted toward the ultrasonic probe 2 ( ST42). Here, since the operator clicks the CW button twice in succession, the control circuit 39 transmits a drive signal for rotating the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2 clockwise by 2 °.

At the same time, the control circuit 39 uses the timekeeping function to start measuring the time from receiving the first input signal to receiving the second input signal (ST43). As shown in FIG. 7, the result of the timekeeping is used when determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed.

The control circuit 39 receives an input signal based on the second button operation by the operator (ST44). This input signal is associated with the operation of the CCW button, which is the second operation shown in the pattern A in FIG. 7. Further, when the control circuit 39 receives the second input signal, the control circuit 39 ends the time measurement (ST45). Then, a control signal matching the second input signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 2, and the corresponding portion is driven based on the control signal. Taking pattern A as an example, since the second button operation is to click the CCW button twice in succession, the transmitted control signal rotates counterclockwise at the tip of the ultrasonic probe 2. This is a signal for rotating 2 °.

While transmitting the control signal, the control circuit 39 starts the determination process of whether or not the operator's operation twice is appropriate (ST46). That is, it is determined for each pattern shown in FIG. 7 whether or not the intended operation is performed based on the operation of the operator (ST47).

Here, for example, in the case of the pattern A shown in FIG. 7, it is determined from the operation of the operator that the operation intended by the operator has not been performed (NO in ST48), and the setting of the reference time is reviewed. Specifically, a correction for extending the value of TdoubleCmax is performed (ST49). Then, the content of the correction is stored in the storage circuit 38 by associating each element shown in FIG. 7, such as the operation of the operator, the operation of the ultrasonic probe 2, and the presence or absence of the passage of a predetermined time with the operator. Remember (ST50). The contents to be stored in the storage circuit 38 can be arbitrarily selected and set.

On the other hand, for example, in the case of pattern B, it can be determined that the operation intended by the operator is performed when the determination is made based on each element. In such a case (YES in ST48), the reference time is not corrected and the storage process in the storage circuit 38 is not performed.

The control circuit 39 determines whether or not an input signal based on yet another operation has been received (ST51), and if a new input signal is received (YES in ST51), returns to step ST41 again and performs the above-described processing. conduct. On the other hand, if no input signal is received after that (NO in ST51), each process in the control circuit 39 ends.

As described above, when a plurality of functions are assigned to each of the buttons provided on the ultrasonic probe and it is required to perform a plurality of operations using such buttons, an operation for operating the ultrasonic probe is performed. By grasping the tendency of the operation by the operator and setting the reference time based on the operation of the operator, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of optimizing the button operation by the operator. Is.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 Ultrasonic image diagnostic device 2 Ultrasonic probe 3 Device main body 31 Transmission circuit 32 Reception circuit 33 Signal processing circuit 34 Image processing circuit 35 Display 36 Input circuit 37 Communication control circuit 38 Storage circuit 39 Control circuit

Claims (13)

An ultrasonic probe with a first button and a second button,
With reference to the diagnostic workflow stored in advance, which represents the flow of processing when the operator makes a diagnosis, the operator can operate the ultrasonic probe corresponding to each process represented in the diagnostic workflow. Equipped with a control circuit for control
The control circuit
A determination function for determining which process in the diagnostic workflow the operation of the ultrasonic probe by the operator corresponds to.
When the determined said processing does not include a double click operation corresponding, the first button, or the input from the second button, is recognized as shea ring-click, corresponding to the determined said processing A setting function that sets the time based on the diagnostic workflow so that the input from the first button or the second button is recognized as a double click when the operation performed includes a double click.
A timekeeping function that measures the time set by the setting function, and
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage circuit for storing the diagnostic workflow. In the process, when the operation of the first button or the second button on the ultrasonic probe needs to be recognized as a single click, the control circuit has a time longer than the time as a reference. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the time is set so as to shorten the time. In the process, when the operation of the first button or the second button on the ultrasonic probe needs to be recognized as a double click, the control circuit has a time longer than the time as a reference. ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for setting to extend time. The timekeeping function in the control circuit also has a function of measuring the time between a plurality of operations.
Based on the measured time between the plurality of operations and the plurality of button operations performed by the operator, were these operations necessary for performing the processing intended by the operator? When it is determined whether or not the plurality of operations have been performed in a time shorter than a predetermined time, it is determined that these operations are erroneous operations different from the required operations. However, when it is determined that the operations are erroneous, when the operations are performed again thereafter, these operations are stored in advance so as to be recognized as operations corresponding to the processing intended by the operator. Based on the relationship between the plurality of operations performed in a time shorter than the predetermined time, the processing intended by the operator who performed the plurality of operations, and the time setting, the time setting is used as a reference. become shortened compared to time, or ultrasound imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that to extend. An ultrasonic probe with buttons used by the operator to perform processing,
Based on the operation of the button performed by the operator, it is determined whether or not these operations are necessary operations to perform the processing intended by the operator, and an erroneous operation different from the necessary operation is performed. A control circuit for storing the erroneous operation when it is determined to be
The control circuit
A timekeeping function that measures the time between multiple operations,
From the time measured by the timekeeping function and the plurality of operations, it is determined whether or not these operations are the erroneous operations, and the plurality of operations are performed in a time shorter than a predetermined predetermined time. when it is determined that made the, a determination function of determining that the operation of these operations is incorrect said,
A setting function that sets the time so that the input from the button is recognized as a single click or a double click as much as possible so that the operation corresponds to the process.
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising. When the control circuit is determined to be the erroneous operation and the operation is performed again thereafter, the control circuit is recognized as an operation corresponding to the process intended by the operator. Based on the relationship between a plurality of operations that are stored in advance and performed in a time shorter than the predetermined time, the processing intended by the operator who performed the plurality of operations, and the time setting, the time is set . The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the setting is shortened or extended as compared with a reference time. The clock function in the control circuit, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a function for measuring the time set by the setting function. Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by further comprising a storage circuit for storing the erroneous operation based on the control by the control circuit. When the control circuit receives an operation performed by the operator, the control circuit compares the operation with the previously performed erroneous operation stored in the storage circuit, and the operation is an erroneous operation. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising determining whether or not. The erroneous operation, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 1 0, characterized in that it is stored in association with information indicating the operator who performed the operation in the storage circuit. Wherein the ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 1 1, characterized in that one button is provided. Wherein the ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 1 1, characterized in that the first button and the second button are provided.

Images