JP2001258897A - Ultrasonic therapeutic device and ultrasonic therapeutic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability by minimizing a burden in setting irradiation conditions or the like. SOLUTION: In setting the irradiation conditions of therapeutic ultrasonic wave, a desired treated object is selected out of treated object select buttons on a control panel 22. Whether or not an equipped applicator is appropriate to the selected object is thereby discriminated by a control part 20. If it is appropriate, the range of an irradiation parameter is set. An operator selects the desired set value by an irradiation intensity button 220 and an irradiation time button 221 within the set range to perform appropriate setting on the therapeutic ultrasonic irradiation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic treatment apparatus such as an ultrasonic heating apparatus, an ultrasonic cautery apparatus, an ultrasonic calculus crushing apparatus, and a radiation treatment apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of medicine, the quality of life (hereinafter referred to as QO) of patients has been increasing.
L) is emphasized, and minimally invasive treatment (Minima)
lyInvasive Treatment:
A treatment called MIT) has attracted attention. These treatments are expected to be less invasive to patients than surgical operations.

For example, in the field of urology, extracorporeal shock wave calculus pulverization has been developed in which intense ultrasonic pulses are focused to irradiate a calculus and crush treatment is performed, and is the first choice of calculus treatment. Hyperthermia technology, which treats tumor cells by irradiating ultrasonic waves, and high-temperature heat treatment technology, which focuses high-intensity ultrasound waves on tumor cells and heats them to a high temperature to thermally degenerate necrosis, have been developed and are in the spotlight.

[0004] The above-described high-temperature heat treatment requires an applicator having a built-in ultrasonic vibrator for generating intense ultrasonic waves. In general, there are two types of applicators, a shallow portion having a relatively small size and a deep portion having a relatively large size. When the applicator is for a shallow part, the surgeon holds the hand in an arbitrary position and irradiates with strong ultrasonic waves. If the applicator is large and can be cauterized deeply, it is connected to a mechanical control arm and controlled to irradiate high-intensity ultrasonic waves from a predetermined position and direction. It is used by moving the source to a desired position and direction by an external input operation.

On the other hand, some applicators can deal with a plurality of treatment targets to some extent, and a single applicator may treat various subjects. In ultrasonic irradiation by such an applicator,
Irradiation parameters must be set within an appropriate range for each treatment target. The irradiation parameters are the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the ultrasonic irradiation time. These are determined by the type, depth, state, etc. of the organ and target. The operator manually sets the irradiation parameter for each treatment to a value suitable for the treatment target.

Further, the ultrasonic vibrator incorporated in the applicator stochastically determines whether or not a failure will occur depending on the number of irradiations due to the characteristic of generating strong ultrasonic waves. Therefore, in order to enable appropriate treatment, it is necessary to always grasp the status information of the device (especially the applicator). Conventionally, service personnel obtain error information locally,
Alternatively, the operator keeps the appropriate state of the applicator or the like by notifying a service person of error information or the like and arranging a repair policy or replacement parts.

[0007]

However, when treating a plurality of different subjects with the same applicator, the allowable range of parameters related to irradiation differs for each treatment subject. This had to be done, placing a heavy burden on the operator. In addition, even though treatment can be performed with the same applicator, changing to another applicator also imposes a burden on the operator.

Further, in order to always enable appropriate treatment, maintenance such as replacement of parts is required at an appropriate time. Therefore, an operator or a serviceman must frequently collect status information of the apparatus. Even in this case, a heavy burden is imposed on the operator and the service person.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and improves the workability by minimizing the burden on an operator or a service person to enable appropriate ultrasonic treatment. It is intended to provide an ultrasonic treatment apparatus and an ultrasonic treatment system having the following features.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an applicator for irradiating a treatment ultrasonic wave to a treatment target and a range of irradiation parameters for defining a physical quantity related to the treatment ultrasonic irradiation by the applicator are set for each treatment target. The first to memorize
Storage means, a designation means for designating a treatment target, a decision means for discriminating whether or not the applicator can be used for the treatment target designated by the designation means based on the range of the irradiation parameter; Control means for controlling the irradiation of ultrasonic waves, and wherein the control means, when it is determined that the determination unit is usable, to the treatment target specified by the specifying means The apparatus is characterized in that therapeutic ultrasonic waves are irradiated within the range of the corresponding irradiation parameters, and the therapeutic ultrasonic waves are not irradiated when the determination section determines that the ultrasonic waves cannot be used.

According to such a configuration, it is determined whether or not the applicator can be used for a treatment target by the determining means, and if it can be used, the treatment can be performed by the applicator. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of an inappropriately used applicator.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, in the ultrasonic treatment apparatus, the irradiation parameters are irradiation intensity,
It is characterized by including at least one of an irradiation time and a focal depth of a therapeutic ultrasonic wave.

[0013] According to such a configuration, the discriminating means is configured to perform the determination based on at least one of the ranges of the irradiation intensity, the irradiation time, and the focal depth of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave, which are particularly important physical quantities for the ultrasonic irradiation. Make a decision. Therefore, appropriate discrimination is possible, and correct treatment can be performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic therapy apparatus, the designation means is a button indicating a treatment target by at least one of a character, a symbol, and a diagram. It is.

According to such a configuration, when operating the designating means, information regarding the treatment target can be obtained visually, so that operational error prevention and improvement in workability can be expected.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ultrasonic treatment apparatus further comprising a warning unit for warning that the use is unusable when the determination unit determines that the use is unusable.

According to such a configuration, when it is determined that the applicator cannot be used, it is possible to easily know that the currently mounted applicator is inappropriate for the target treatment target. is there.

The invention according to claim 5 further comprises a setting means for manually setting the range of the irradiation parameter, wherein the control means sets a manual setting of the range of the irradiation parameter by the setting means. Irradiating therapeutic ultrasound within the range of the new irradiation parameter irrespective of the determination result of the determination means.

According to such a configuration, the irradiation parameter range can be manually set for a predetermined purpose.
Ultrasound treatment under desired conditions is possible.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided any one of the above-described ultrasonic therapy apparatus and communication means for communicating with another medical image device or communicating with a service center via a communication network. It is an ultrasonic treatment system comprising:

According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily transmit and receive information regarding the ultrasonic treatment via a network. Therefore, the workability can be improved by minimizing the burden on the operator and the serviceman. In addition, it is possible to easily transmit and receive information regarding the ultrasonic treatment to another medical imaging device via a network. Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic treatment or the like using an image.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic therapy system, the communication means is a wireless communication means.

According to such a configuration, remote control by radio becomes possible, and convenience can be improved.

[0024] In the ultrasonic therapy system according to the present invention, the communication means may include a second storage means for storing status information relating to the ultrasonic therapy apparatus;
A function of transferring the status information stored in the second storage means to the service center.

According to such a configuration, since the status information on the ultrasonic therapy apparatus is transferred to the service center, the service person can easily grasp the state of the apparatus. Therefore, for example, when there is a trouble related to the apparatus, it is possible to provide appropriate information.
These status information can also be used for determining the necessity of maintenance and the like.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic therapy system, the status information includes identification information of the applicator, total irradiation frequency information of the applicator, error information on the operation of the ultrasonic therapy apparatus, Among the water temperature information in the water circuit provided in the applicator, the temperature information inside the applicator, the irradiation parameter information set by the setting means, the information on the focus of therapeutic ultrasound, and the information on maintenance of the applicator It is characterized by having at least one.

According to such a configuration, the service person can
Information about the above information can be obtained via the network. As a result, more specific information can be provided.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic therapy system, the communication means stores the status information stored in the second storage unit by remote control from another device via a communication network. It has a function of transferring.

According to such a configuration, remote control from another device via the communication network becomes possible, and the convenience can be improved.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic treatment system, the communication means further includes a display means, and when communication with a service center via the communication network is performed, the display means is provided. Information about the service is displayed.

According to such a configuration, information on the service can be obtained visually, and the convenience and workability can be improved.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic therapy system, the communication means further includes a dedicated input means for inputting an instruction for performing communication with a service center via the communication network. It is a feature.

According to such a configuration, the dedicated input means can be operated without being confused with other input means and the like, and the convenience can be improved.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic treatment system, the communication means has a function of receiving image data in real time from the medical image equipment.

According to such a configuration, image data obtained by another medical imaging device can be received in real time. Therefore, ultrasonic treatment using this real-time image is possible.

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ultrasonic therapy apparatus 10 includes an applicator 14, a water circuit 16, a driver amplifying unit 18, a control unit 20, an operation panel 22, and a display panel 24. The driver amplifying section 18 and the control section 20 are stored in the ultrasonic therapy apparatus main body 12.

In the figure, a therapeutic ultrasonic applicator 14 includes a plurality of piezoelectric element groups arranged on a spherical surface such that the wavefront of the generated ultrasonic wave is concave with respect to the traveling direction, and a plurality of piezoelectric element groups. An ultrasonic probe for imaging inserted and arranged at the center. The piezoelectric element group in the applicator 14 is connected to a driver amplifier 18 via a matching unit (not shown) for performing impedance matching. The driver amplifying section 18 has an oscillator, amplifies an oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency from the oscillator,
Generate a drive signal. This drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric element group in the applicator 14 as electric power required for generating ultrasonic waves via an impedance matching unit (not shown). From the ultrasound probe for imaging, the ultrasound for monitoring is applied to an in-vivo region including a desired treatment target.

The water circuit 16 is a medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves, which is enclosed in a flexible water bag, for example, to guide the therapeutic ultrasonic waves generated by the applicator 14 to the patient's body surface with low attenuation. This is a circuit in which well degassed water is sealed.
The temperature in the water circuit 16 is managed by a control unit 20 described later.

The control unit 20 controls the irradiation parameter range and the like according to the type of applicator and the object to be treated, as described later, and controls the superimposed irradiation from the applicator 14 based on an input instruction from the operation panel 22 by the operator. The control unit controls the irradiation intensity, irradiation time, and the like of the sound wave. Also,
The control unit 20 performs display control of the display panel 24 and the operation panel 22 and control related to collection of ID information, internal temperature information, and the like of the applicator 14. Further, as described in the second embodiment, the control unit 20 controls the communication L
Controls information communication related to repair via the AN.

Further, the control unit 20 includes a discriminating unit 2
01 and an applicator information storage unit 203.

The determining unit 201 determines whether or not the applicator 14 connected to the designated treatment target can be used (appropriate or not) in an irradiation intensity range setting process described later.

The applicator information storage unit 203 stores applicator information (frequency, impedance, maximum output intensity, depth of focus,
(Corresponding to enlarged pitch, irradiation parameters, etc.) (see FIG. 4). The determination process performed by the determination unit 201 is performed based on applicator information stored in the applicator information storage unit 203.

The operation panel 22 is an interface for performing operations related to the ultrasonic therapy apparatus. The operation panel 22 has setting buttons for setting the irradiation intensity and irradiation time of the ultrasonic wave as described later. In response to an input instruction from the button, the control unit 20 sets an irradiation intensity range and an irradiation time range according to the input instruction.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation panel 22.

In the figure, an irradiation intensity button 220 and an irradiation time button 221 are setting buttons for setting the irradiation intensity and the irradiation time, respectively. The treatment target selection button 223 is a button provided for each treatment target, and the name of an organ to be treated such as a liver or a breast or a target region is written on each button. As will be described later, by pressing the button during treatment parameter setting before treatment, an appropriate irradiation intensity range and irradiation time set for each treatment object are automatically set. The treatment target selection button 2
Reference numeral 23 may be a diagram schematically showing each treatment target as shown in FIG.

The start and end of ultrasonic irradiation are controlled by an irradiation button 225 and a stop button 226, respectively. Reference numeral 228 denotes a pilot button for indicating an operation state.
9 is a power button.

The display panel 24 is a display screen for displaying an ultrasonic image or the like monitored for ultrasonic treatment. When the service call function described in the second embodiment is executed, a service call screen is displayed on the display panel 24.

Next, referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6,
By the ultrasound therapy apparatus 10 according to the present invention, the irradiation parameters are set in accordance with the treatment target area and the treatment target depth,
The operation in the case of treatment will be described. Hereinafter, an example in which the intraoperative liver is treated will be described.

FIG. 4 shows applicator information (frequency, impedance, maximum output intensity, and the like) for each type of applicator 14 (in this figure, there are four types of applicators and applicator numbers are distinguished as AP1 to AP4). FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing focal depth, enlarged pitch response, irradiation parameters, and the like. The applicator information shown in FIG.
Is set in the working storage area in the control unit 20 by reading the applicator ID information to which the control unit 20 is connected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the irradiation intensity range setting process performed by the control unit 20.
For each applicator in P4, the maximum irradiation intensity setting value, the maximum irradiation time setting value, and whether or not each applicator can be used for each organ are shown. Note that, in the same figure, 使用 indicates that it can be used, and X indicates that it cannot be used. Whether each applicator can be used for each treatment target is determined based on the applicator information and the treatment application range table shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a treatment application range table showing the irradiation intensity application range for each treatment object. This treatment applicable range table is stored in the applicator information storage unit 203 included in the control unit 20.

First, the operator searches for a treatment target area by using a sound source (piezoelectric element) for irradiating ultrasonic waves and a probe for imaging, which are installed in the connected applicator 14, and can perform treatment. The applicator 14 is positioned at the position.

Next, the operator selects a desired treatment target selection button 223. In this case, since the extracorporeal liver is to be treated, the “liver” button on the operation panel 22 is pressed. The control unit 20 performs the following irradiation intensity range setting processing based on the input instruction from the treatment target selection button 223.

Assume that AP1 is mounted on the applicator 14. In this case, the determination unit 201 determines that the “liver”
4, the maximum irradiation intensity of the “intraoperative liver” of AP1 is 500 W (see FIG. 5) from the applicator information 30 shown in FIG. 4, and as shown in FIG. Intraoperative liver treatment applicable range 50W ~
Since the power is 500 W, it is determined that AP1 can be used for liver treatment as shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 10 sets the irradiation intensity setting range to 50 W to 500 W. Further, if AP2 is used in the intraoperative liver, the maximum irradiation intensity of the applicator is 300 W as shown in FIG. 4, and the therapeutic application range to the intraoperative liver is 50 W to 500 W. Therefore, the irradiation intensity setting range is defined as 50 W to 300 W.

Note that, for example, the connected applicator 1
When 4 is AP4, the control unit 20 determines that it cannot be used for the treatment of the intraoperative liver as shown in FIG. 5, and displays a message on the display panel 24, a blinking display on the operation panel 22, and a sound. , Etc., to inform the operator that the device cannot be used.

Next, an irradiation time range setting process is performed. This process can be realized by the same configuration as the above-described irradiation intensity range setting process, and thus the description is omitted.

Then, the operator can set the irradiation intensity and the irradiation time to arbitrary values by using the up and down buttons on the operation panel 22 within the irradiation intensity range and the irradiation time range described above. It is preferable that the irradiation intensity setting range and the irradiation time setting range can be changed depending on the focal depth actually used. In this case, by adding the applicator information 30, setting of the irradiation intensity setting range and the irradiation time setting range according to each focal depth can be realized.

The irradiation set value set by the operator is transmitted to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 transmits a control signal to the driver amplifying unit 18 according to the set irradiation parameters. The driver amplifier 18 outputs a desired voltage based on the transmitted control signal, and applies the voltage to a sound source (piezoelectric element) installed in the applicator 14 to output a desired ultrasonic wave. I do.

Then, the treatment status such as the irradiation intensity and the irradiation time during the actual irradiation and the diagnostic image during the treatment are displayed on the display panel unit 24. Therefore, the operator can perform a predetermined treatment under appropriate irradiation conditions.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

Since it is determined whether or not the applicator can be used according to the treatment target designated by the treatment target selection button 223 and the characteristics of the connected applicator, errors in the applicator to be used are eliminated. be able to.

When the connected applicator is usable, an appropriate irradiation intensity range and irradiation time range according to the treatment target designated by the treatment target selection button 223 are automatically set, so that an appropriate treatment can be performed. Can be performed. Further, even when the treatment depth is changed, an appropriate irradiation intensity range and irradiation time range are automatically set for the treatment target, so that appropriate treatment can be performed. Furthermore, since the appropriate irradiation intensity range and the irradiation time range can be manually set, even if the applicator, the treatment target, the treatment depth, etc. are changed, they do not exceed the appropriate setting value range. Appropriate treatment can be performed.

Further, when the combination of the applicator 14 and the treatment target is inappropriate, a warning is issued, so that the operator can easily notice the selection error of the applicator 14.

As described above, the present invention has been described based on the first embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof, for example, as described below.

In the above description, an example in which the irradiation parameters are set based on the treatment application range table shown in FIG. 5 has been described. In addition, irradiation parameters may be set by an operator's manual operation regardless of the treatment application range table.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to cope with a case where it is necessary to temporarily change the irradiation intensity or the like.

(Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment,
The ultrasonic treatment system will be described. This ultrasonic treatment system receives image data necessary for treatment from another image diagnostic apparatus or the like using a communication network, and provides status information of the applicator 14 necessary for maintenance to a service person when necessary. And always allow for appropriate treatment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic therapy system 70 according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 7, the ultrasonic therapy system 70
Is configured to include a communication data storage unit 205 in which a status information data file (see FIG. 10) of the ultrasound therapy system 70 is stored, and a communication interface 32, and are connected to a communication LAN.

Next, the ultrasonic treatment system 70 having the above configuration
Is connected to a communication LAN in a hospital, and treatment is performed in combination with another image diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an in-hospital network to which the ultrasonic therapy system 70 is connected.

The treatment system 70, X
An X-ray CT scanning device 72 (hereinafter referred to as CT72), a magnetic resonance imaging device 74 (MRI 74), an ultrasonic image diagnostic device 76, and a service server 78 are connected. The service server 78 is a dedicated server for communicating with the outside for maintenance service by remote operation described later.

For example, in a case where image information is obtained from the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 76 and treatment is performed by the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 10, the information for the treatment is placed on the ultrasonic image information selected via the network. It is necessary to superimpose and display information such as markers and treatment status. If the treatment system 70 is connected to a communication network in the hospital as shown in FIG. 8, image information is collected in real time via the network (that is, monitoring is performed by the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 76 simultaneously with treatment, Since ultrasonic image information can be collected), superimposed information such as a treatment guide can be easily pasted on a diagnostic image. Further, even when image information is obtained from MRI, the information on the MRI image acquisition position and the focal position information on the treatment applicator 14 of the ultrasonic therapy apparatus 10 are known, and the position movement information such as the bed is transferred from the network. Can be collected. Therefore, the operator can easily perform the alignment of the applicator 14 to the appropriate treatment position.

FIG. 9 shows a modification of the ultrasonic treatment system 70 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a case where the communication terminal is a wireless terminal 3.
4, so that it can be connected to the network via wireless even if you have it in a place without a hospital LAN.

Therefore, according to such a configuration, it is possible to easily combine and use another image diagnostic apparatus and the ultrasonic treatment system 70. As a result, more appropriate ultrasonic treatment can be performed.

Next, the service server 78 shown in FIG.
The case where the user is connected to a maintenance service base via the Internet and receives a service related to the ultrasonic therapy system 70 will be described.

FIG. 10 shows the ultrasonic therapy system 7 stored in the communication data storage unit 205 of the control unit 20.
0 shows an example of a status information data file.

For example, let us consider a case where there is a problem such as inability to irradiate an ultrasonic wave in an ultrasonic treatment using a certain applicator 14. In this case, the operator can transfer the status information data file to the service person via the service server 78. Further, the configuration may be such that the serviceman himself can obtain the status information data file stored in the communication data storage unit 125 via the service server 78 by remote control.

As shown in FIG. 10, the status information data file contains error information indicating the cause of the applicator being used currently being unavailable, the total number of irradiations of the applicator, the irradiation count number information, It includes treatment target information indicating whether the treatment target selection button 223 has been pressed, temperature information of the water circuit 16, and the like. These pieces of information are appropriately updated, and can be obtained directly from the ultrasound therapy system 70 without using a network.

According to such a configuration, the service person
With respect to the applicator 14 connected to the ultrasonic therapy apparatus main body 12, information such as the number of irradiations up to the present and the number of irradiations remaining until the number of irradiations requiring maintenance can be obtained via the network. Further, when the system 70 itself is not recoverable due to a sudden error without being limited to the applicator 14, error information for analyzing the cause of the error can be obtained. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, the state of the system can be known by obtaining the water circuit water temperature and the internal temperature of the applicator necessary for cooling the applicator.

Further, when such an error occurs, if cooling is necessary, it is controlled from the outside to
It is preferable that the configuration is such that the operator can be instructed to take remote measures to lower the cooling temperature of the water or to take some measures such as lowering the internal temperature of the applicator. According to such a configuration, the service technician can provide a comprehensive perspective on whether the set values such as the set irradiation intensity and irradiation time are appropriate, whether the use method is wrong, or whether the device has failed. And accurate advice can be provided to the operator in real time.

Next, the service call function of the ultrasonic therapy system 70 will be described.

The operation related to the ultrasonic treatment performed by the operator is generally complicated. Therefore, it is preferable that the operation related to the communication be performed quickly and easily. From this point of view, the ultrasound therapy system 70 has a service call function that allows quick and easy communication with a service person via a network.

FIG. 11 shows a service call screen 40 displayed on the display panel 24 when the service call function is activated.

In this system, when an actual service call is made, by pressing a call button 401 in the service call screen 40 shown in FIG. 11, a window 403 in which the face of the serviceman appears on the monitor is displayed. .
The operator can obtain in real time information such as advice provided by the serviceman in the window 403, a method of coping with the device, and a date and time of a maintenance visit from the serviceman in the monitor.

The ultrasonic therapy system 70 described in the second embodiment is applicable not only to the ultrasonic therapy apparatus 10 described in the first embodiment, but also to all ultrasonic therapy apparatuses. .

According to such a configuration, information necessary for treatment can be quickly and easily provided via a communication network, as compared with the prior art, which mainly provides service by transmitting service information by telephone or visiting a service person. Can be properly obtained.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the use of an applicator that is not suitable for a predetermined object to be treated. As a result, it is possible to prevent an error in the diagnosis work. In addition, operability can be improved by minimizing the burden on the operator and the serviceman. As a result, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic treatment apparatus that enables appropriate ultrasonic treatment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic therapy apparatus 10 shown in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel 22 included in the ultrasonic therapy apparatus 10 shown in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing applicator information for each type of applicator;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an irradiation intensity range setting process performed by a control unit 20;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a treatment application range table in which irradiation intensity application ranges are shown for each treatment target;

FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of the operation panel 22 included in the ultrasonic therapy apparatus 10 shown in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic therapy system 70 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an in-hospital network to which an ultrasonic therapy system 70 is connected.

FIG. 9 is a view showing another example of a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic treatment system 70 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a status information data file of the ultrasonic therapy system 70;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a service call screen 40 displayed on the display panel 24.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ultrasonic treatment apparatus 12 ... Ultrasonic treatment apparatus main body 14 ... Applicator 16 ... Water circuit 18 ... Driver amplifier 20 ... Control part 22 ... Operation panel 24 ... Display panel 30 ... Applicator information 32 ... Communication interface 40 ... Service Call screen 70 ... Ultrasonic therapy system 72 ... Scanning device 74 ... Magnetic resonance imaging device 76 ... Ultrasound image diagnostic device 78 ... Service server 220 ... Irradiation intensity button 221 ... Irradiation time button 223 ... Treatment target selection button 225 ... Irradiation button 226 ... stop button 401 ... button 403 ... window

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4C060 EE19 JJ25 JJ27 KK47 MM26 MM27 4C099 AA01 CA11 CA13 CA18 JA13 PA06 PA10

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An applicator for irradiating a treatment target with ultrasonic waves for treatment, and a range of irradiation parameters for defining a physical quantity related to irradiation of the treatment ultrasonic waves by the applicator is stored for each treatment target. Storage means; designation means for designating a treatment target; decision means for determining whether or not the applicator can be used for the treatment target designated by the designation means based on the range of the irradiation parameter; Control means for controlling the irradiation of sound waves, comprising: an ultrasonic treatment apparatus, wherein the control means corresponds to the treatment target specified by the specifying means when the determination unit determines that it can be used. Irradiating therapeutic ultrasonic waves within the range of the irradiation parameter to be performed, and when determining that the determination unit is unusable, does not irradiate therapeutic ultrasonic waves. Ultrasound therapy device. 2. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation parameter includes at least one of irradiation intensity, irradiation time, and focal depth of the treatment ultrasonic wave. Treatment device. 3. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation means is a button indicating a treatment target by at least one of a character, a symbol, and a diagram. Sonic therapy equipment. 4. The ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic therapy apparatus further comprises a warning unit that warns that the apparatus is unusable when the determination unit determines that the apparatus is unusable. Treatment device. 5. The ultrasonic therapy apparatus further comprises setting means for manually setting the range of the irradiation parameter, wherein the control means sets the irradiation parameter when the range of the irradiation parameter is newly set manually by the setting means. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the therapeutic ultrasonic wave is irradiated within a range of the new irradiation parameter regardless of a result of the determination by the determination unit. 6. A communication means for communicating with the ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to claim 1 and another medical imaging device or communicating with a service center via a communication network. An ultrasonic treatment system, comprising: 7. The ultrasonic therapy system according to claim 6, wherein in the ultrasonic therapy system, the communication unit is a wireless communication unit. 8. In the ultrasonic therapy system, the communication unit stores status information related to the ultrasonic therapy device, and stores the status information stored in the second storage unit in the service. The ultrasound therapy system according to claim 6, further comprising: a function of transferring the data to a center. 9. In the ultrasonic treatment system, the status information is provided in the applicator, such as identification information of the applicator, information on the total number of irradiations of the applicator, error information on the operation of the ultrasonic treatment device, and the applicator. Having at least one of water temperature information in a water circuit, temperature information inside the applicator, irradiation parameter information set by the setting means, information on a focus of therapeutic ultrasonic waves, and information on maintenance of the applicator. The ultrasonic treatment system according to claim 8, wherein: 10. In the ultrasonic therapy system, the communication unit has a function of transferring the status information stored in the second storage unit by remote control from another device via a communication network. The ultrasonic treatment system according to claim 8, wherein: 11. In the ultrasonic therapy system, the communication unit further includes a display unit, and when performing communication with a service center via the communication network,
The ultrasonic treatment system according to claim 6, wherein information related to a service is displayed on the display unit. 12. The ultrasonic therapy system according to claim 6, wherein said communication means further comprises a dedicated input means for inputting an instruction to communicate with a service center via said communication network. An ultrasound therapy system as described. 13. The ultrasonic treatment system according to claim 6, wherein in the ultrasonic treatment system, the communication unit has a function of receiving image data from the medical imaging device in real time.