JP2007301284A - Bone examination system and examination regio fixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To position the extremities in a proper state in a system of examining the bones in the extremities. <P>SOLUTION: A bed mechanism 10 supports the trunk 20A of a subject 20. A leg base mechanism 12 fixes a shin part 20C as the examination regio. The shin regio 20C is raised slightly higher than the trunk 20A and the toes are retained in a slightly opened state to retain the flat face of the cervical vertebra 22 in a horizontal state. A pressurization mechanism 16 applies a load to the shin bone 22. In that state, the displacement of the bone is measured by ultrasonic measurement using probes 72 and 74. The bed mechanism 10 and the leg base mechanism 12 have lift mechanisms 40 and 52 respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bone inspection system, and more particularly to a technique for positioning an inspection site when inspecting a bone using ultrasonic waves.

  Systems for evaluating the properties of bones using ultrasound have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In such a system, for example, a tibia that exists under the knee in a living body is a measurement target, and a pressing force is applied to the tibia from outside the body through the skin, or other mechanical action is applied, resulting in this. Based on the small displacement of the tibia, physical indices such as elasticity, viscoelasticity, and plasticity of the tibia are measured. These physical indicators are understood to represent the properties of the tibia, soundness, degree of fusion, etc.

JP 2004-298205 A JP 2005-152079 A

  In a bone inspection using ultrasonic waves, a minute displacement is measured as described above. Therefore, it is necessary to position and maintain the region to be inspected in an appropriate posture. For example, when an inferior knee region is an object to be inspected, it is necessary to determine the angle and orientation of the inferior knee region so that a pressing force can be applied and ultrasonic waves can be transmitted and received appropriately. In addition, it is desirable to consider so that the subject can take a comfortable posture during the examination.

  An object of the present invention is to enable easy and proper positioning of an examination site.

  Another object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the subject.

(1) A system according to the present invention includes a torso support device that supports a torso of a subject, a limb fixing device that fixes a limb that has been examined by the subject, and the limb fixing device. An ultrasonic unit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from bones existing in the fixed limb, and the height of the trunk supported by the trunk support apparatus is determined by the limb fixation apparatus. A height varying means for relatively varying the height of the fixed limb is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the body of the subject is supported by the body support device. The torso support device preferably comprises a mechanism such as a bed or chair. The limb that is the subject of examination in the subject is fixed by the limb fixing device. In this case, the limb is fixed so as to be in an appropriate posture for the ultrasonic examination, particularly the bone ultrasonic examination. Of course, the posture can be changed according to the inspection method or the like. For example, when the inspection target is a lower knee region, the lower knee region may be lifted slightly higher so that the knee or the waist bends gently. In any case, it is desirable that the position and posture of the trunk and limbs can be adjusted so that the burden on the subject is small and the examination can be performed accurately. According to the height varying means, the relative positional relationship between the torso and the limbs can be adjusted, so that the subject can be supported so that the subject is in a comfortable posture, and the examination site is placed at an appropriate position. Can be positioned. Further, according to the height adjusting means, an appropriate inspection posture can be ensured according to the height, the physique, the bone to be inspected, the measurement location and the like. It is desirable to fix the test site so that the test site does not move easily during the test, in which case it is possible to hold the test site at multiple locations, and the proximal part as both ends or both sides of the test site And each of the distal portions may be configured to be retained. The body limbs include upper limbs and lower limbs, and it is particularly desirable to use the lower knee region as the examination region. The other limb may be supported as necessary along with the limb to be examined. According to such a configuration, it becomes easy for the subject to take a natural posture, and the burden on the subject can be reduced.

  Preferably, the limb to be examined is a lower knee part in a lower limb, the limb fixing device is an examination part fixing device for fixing the lower knee part, and the ultrasonic unit abuts on the lower knee part. Having a probe. Examples of bones contained in the lower knee region include the tibia and the ribs. By ultrasonic measurement, it is possible to evaluate bone properties, soundness, degree of healing after fracture (degree of fusion), and the like. The probe may be held by a scanner (probe holding mechanism) or may be directly attached to the surface of the living body. It is also possible to provide a plurality of probes.

  Preferably, the examination site fixing device is a mechanism that fixes the lower knee region while keeping the lower knee site in a horizontal state. If the site below the knee is held in a horizontal state, the reproducibility of measurement can be improved. In particular, when measurement is performed under pressure, the pressure can be applied in the vertical direction.

  Desirably, the height varying means has at least a first lifting mechanism provided in the examination site fixing device, and at the time of examination, the buttocks of the subject is positioned at a low position, and below the knee The part is positioned at a high position, whereby the waist of the subject is gently bent, and the knee of the subject is gently bent. According to this configuration, the subject can be examined in a natural or easy posture. Even if the examination time is prolonged, the burden on the subject can be reduced.

  Preferably, the height varying means further includes a second lifting mechanism provided on the trunk support mechanism. According to this configuration, it is possible to quickly set an appropriate inspection posture by operating each of the first lifting mechanism and the second lifting mechanism.

  Preferably, the examination site fixing device has a rotation mechanism that rotates the lower knee site so that the toes in the lower limbs to be examined are opened to the opposite side to the other lower limbs. For example, when a foot is placed on a footrest, its toes usually open slightly. That is a natural attitude. According to the above configuration, such a natural posture can be realized or allowed as it is.

  Preferably, the rotation mechanism is a mechanism that rotates the lower knee part so that the flat surface of the tibia present in the lower knee part becomes a horizontal plane. On the anterior side of the tibia, there is a relatively wide flat surface extending in the direction of the bone axis and in the direction perpendicular thereto. The flat surface is suitable for ultrasonic measurement. According to the above configuration, since the flat surface can be a horizontal surface, the direction of each ultrasonic beam can be aligned in the vertical direction, and the pressurizing direction is matched with the vertical direction even when pressurizing. Can be made.

  Preferably, the examination site fixing device includes a proximal holding mechanism that holds a proximal side in the below-knee region, and a distal holding mechanism that holds a distal side in the below-knee region. In holding the proximal side and the distal side, a characteristic bone portion (protruded portion) that is covered with a thin skin layer and can be easily identified from outside the body can be used as a positioning reference. As the standard, for example, the head of the radius can be raised if it is the proximal part, and the external or inner fruit can be raised if it is the distal part. The measurement reproducibility can be improved by positioning and fixing the site to be inspected by using such one or a plurality of positioning references. Of course, other parts can be used as the positioning reference.

  Desirably, it further includes a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes a pressurizing portion in the below-knee region, and the ultrasonic unit transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the bone in a pressurized state, and receives the obtained signal. Based on the signal, the minute displacement of the bone is measured. According to this configuration, for example, a minute displacement of the bone is measured under a three-point bending load.

  Preferably, the trunk support device includes a bed for supporting the trunk of the subject. Preferably, the trunk support device includes a reclining sheet that supports the trunk of the subject. It is desirable to use a trunk support device having a plurality of joints, and according to such a device, an appropriate examination posture can be realized according to the system and preferences of the subject or the examination purpose.

(2) An apparatus according to the present invention is an inspection site fixing device that is used together with a torso support device that supports a torso of a subject, and that fixes an inferior knee site to be inspected by the subject. A proximal holding mechanism that holds the proximal side of the site, a distal holding mechanism that holds the distal side of the lower knee site, and the height of the proximal holding mechanism and the height of the distal holding mechanism are both variable And a lifting mechanism for positioning the lower knee part at a higher position than the hip part of the trunk supported by the trunk support device.

  Preferably, the proximal holding mechanism and the distal holding mechanism are mechanisms for maintaining the below-knee region in a horizontal state. Preferably, the examination site fixing device is configured separately from the body support device. If configured separately, position adjustment on each floor surface is facilitated. Both devices may be mechanically coupled. In that case, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for adjusting the relative positional relationship between the two devices.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the examination site can be easily and appropriately positioned. Alternatively, the burden on the subject can be reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a bone examination system according to the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a main configuration of the bone examination system.

  The bone inspection system according to the present embodiment is a system that inspects the properties of bones contained therein by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from the lower knee region as the inspection region. The inspection system includes the bed mechanism 10, the footrest mechanism 12, the pressurizing mechanism 16 and the like shown in FIG. 1, and further includes an ultrasonic diagnostic unit described later with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the site below the knee is used as the examination site, but the thigh or other body limbs may be used as the site to be examined. The bed mechanism 10 functions as a torso support device, the footrest mechanism 12 functions as a lower limb fixing device, and the ultrasonic diagnostic unit includes an ultrasonic diagnostic device or the like. In FIG. 1, a subject is schematically indicated by reference numeral 20. Reference numeral 20A denotes a torso, reference numeral 20B denotes a thigh, and reference numeral 20C denotes a lower knee part as a lower leg part, which is an examination part in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 20D indicates a portion further below the lower knee portion, that is, a portion from the heel to the toe. In the bone inspection system according to the present embodiment, as will be described below, the bed mechanism 10 and the footrest mechanism 12 are each provided with an elevating mechanism so that the subject can take a comfortable posture during the bone inspection. In addition, it is possible to appropriately position the lower knee region as the inspection region in a horizontal state as will be described in detail later.

  Below, each mechanism is demonstrated concretely. As shown in FIG. 1, the bed mechanism 10 is a mechanism that supports the body 20 </ b> A, and the bed mechanism 10 includes a bed base 30, an elevating mechanism 32, and a base unit. The bed table 30 functions as a pedestal on which the body 20A from the buttocks to the head is placed. The elevating mechanism 32 has cross arms 33A and 33B and a horizontal shaft. Here, the horizontal shaft is constituted by a shaft shaft 41B and a shaft cylinder 41A screwed thereto. When the knob 40 is rotated, the shaft shaft 41B rotates with respect to the shaft cylinder 41A, and the bed table 30 can be moved in the vertical direction by the action of the cross arms 33A and 33B depending on the rotation direction. . The base unit includes a plurality of base frames 34 and a plurality of casters 36. One or more casters in the caster 36 are provided with a lock function.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to move the bed table 30 in the vertical direction by manually operating the knob 40, but it is also possible to electrically control the raising and lowering using a motor or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the bed table 30 has a single plate shape, but as will be described later with reference to FIG. 6, a plurality of bed tables 30 whose postures can be adjusted independently of each other. You may comprise by the part. Although the elevating mechanism 32 is a pantograph type mechanism as described above, it goes without saying that the elevating mechanism 32 may be driven using other methods. In the present embodiment, the bed mechanism 10 and a footrest mechanism 12 to be described later are configured separately, and the position of each mechanism can be freely set. According to such a configuration, a bed mechanism directed to other uses can be used for the bone examination system, and the footrest mechanism 12 can be used alone. Of course, the bed mechanism 10 and the footrest mechanism 12 may be mechanically connected, or they may be configured to be detachable. Positioning of the subject so that the subject can be subjected to ultrasonic examination with an easy posture so that the subject 20 is in an appropriate examination posture and so as not to cause a burden on the subject 20 as much as possible. It is desirable to do.

  The footrest mechanism 12 includes a fixing mechanism 50, an elevating mechanism 52 that adjusts its height, a base unit, and the like. A specific configuration example of the fixing mechanism 50 will be described in detail later. The elevating mechanism 52 has the same configuration as the elevating mechanism 32 described above, that is, the elevating mechanism 52 has cross arms 53A and 53B and a horizontal shaft provided across them. The horizontal shaft is composed of a shaft shaft 59B and a shaft tube 59A screwed to the shaft shaft 59. When the knob 58 is rotated, the shaft shaft 59B rotates relative to the shaft tube 59A, and thereby the cross arms 53A, 53B. It is possible to vary the inclination angle. The base unit includes a plurality of base frames 54 and a plurality of casters 56. One or more casters of the casters 56 are provided with a lock mechanism. According to the elevating mechanism 52, there is an advantage that the height of the fixing mechanism 50 can be freely adjusted, and that the horizontal state of the fixing mechanism 50 can be maintained during the elevating. Similar to the lifting mechanism 32 described above, the pantograph method is also used in the lifting mechanism 52, but other methods can also be used.

  The fixing mechanism 50 is a mechanism for fixing a lower knee part as an examination part. In the present embodiment, the fixing mechanism 50 includes a proximal holding part 62, a distal holding part 64, and a rotating part 67. These mechanisms are mounted on the base 60, and the pressure mechanism 16 described above is also mounted on the base 60. The proximal holding part 62 is a mechanism for holding (or supporting) the proximal part 26 in the below-knee part 20C, and the distal holding part 64 is a mechanism for holding (or supporting) the distal part 28 in the below-knee part 20C. . It is also possible to apply a so-called three-point bending load to the crus by supporting the proximal part 26 and the distal part 28 from below and pressurizing the intermediate part from above.

  Specifically, the sub-knee region 20C includes a tibia 22 together with the ribs, and in this embodiment, the tibia 22 is an ultrasonic inspection target. That is, a three-point bending load is applied to the tibia 22, and a minute displacement of the tibia 22 is continuously measured by ultrasonic wave transmission / reception under such a situation.

  In fixing the proximal portion 26 and the distal portion 28, it is desirable to use one or a plurality of characteristic portions existing in the respective portions as a positioning reference. For example, it is desirable to use, as a positioning reference, a characteristic bone portion that can be easily identified visually or in contact with the outside through thin skin. As such a characteristic bone, the proximal portion 26 can be a radial head, and the distal portion 28 can be an external fruit or an internal fruit. Of course, other specific parts can be used as the positioning reference. In the present embodiment, a portion where the radial head is present and a portion on the opposite side are sandwiched by the proximal holding portion 62, thereby fixing the proximal portion 26. Further, the distal holding part 64 fixes the distal part 28 by sandwiching or wrapping the outer fruit and inner fruit from both sides. Of course, other fixing methods can be employed. If a thin part of the skin is used as a holding part for fixing a limb, positioning errors can be reduced, and thus the reproducibility of measurement can be improved. In FIG. 1, a schematic structure, that is, a simple structure is shown as the proximal holding portion 62 and the distal holding portion 64, but various adjustment functions are provided when an actual holding mechanism is realized. Mechanism is adopted. For example, the proximal holding portion 62 may be configured to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 and / or the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Similarly, the distal holding portion 64 may be configured to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 and / or in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

  The rotating part 67 has a holder 66 that is rotatably held by a frame 68. The holder 66 has an accommodation space that encloses the above-described part 20D from the heel to the toe, and the holder 66 itself is rotatable. Specifically, when the virtual bone axis 24 is defined for the tibia 22, the holder 66 can be rotated so that the lower knee part 20 </ b> C freely rotates around the bone axis 24 as indicated by reference numeral 69. Is provided. For example, when the right foot is to be measured, when it is placed on the footrest mechanism 12, the toe of the foot naturally opens slightly outward with respect to the left foot. Moreover, in this state, as will be described in detail later, it is possible to maintain a flat surface extending in both the direction of the bone axis existing in the tibia 22 and the direction orthogonal thereto in a horizontal state. In this embodiment, the rotation part 67 is provided from such a viewpoint, that is, the direction of the rotation direction of the lower knee part 20C as the lower leg part can be freely changed. Incidentally, one of the feet to be measured is placed on the footrest mechanism 12, but the other foot may be supported by the footrest mechanism 12, or supported by other mechanisms. You may make it do. Only the feet to be measured may be lifted slightly higher, and the other feet may be thrown straight as they are. Of course, the footrest mechanism 12 can correspond to both the right foot and the left foot, and the position of each mechanism can be switched to the opposite position as necessary. Each of a footrest mechanism for the right foot and a footrest mechanism for the left foot may be prepared. Furthermore, it is of course possible to measure both feet simultaneously. The frame 68 of the rotating part 67 can be moved in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 and / or the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 so that the rotating part 67 itself can be moved in the horizontal direction on the frame 68. It is good also as a structure which can be finely adjusted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, at the time of inspection, the lower knee portion 20 </ b> C is positioned at a position higher than the trunk 20 </ b> A, particularly the hip. In that case, as shown in FIG. 1, the waist and knees of the subject 20 are gently bent, and the subject can undergo an ultrasonic examination with an easy posture. As will be described later, the subject 20 may have a slightly raised posture, and in that case, a reclining seat or the like may be employed. Moreover, there is an advantage that the flat surface of the tibia 22 can be in a horizontal state by taking an inspection posture in which the waist and knees are gently bent as described above. That is, when the examination posture as shown in FIG. 1 is taken, the toes of the foot naturally rotate and open in the direction away from the other feet, and in such a state, the flat surface of the tibia 22 is naturally It becomes possible to make it horizontal. Of course, when the horizontal state of the lower knee portion 20C is formed, the height adjustment function of each of the proximal holding portion 62 and the distal holding portion 64 is used to adjust the height so that the flat surface becomes a horizontal plane. It is desirable to make adjustments.

  Next, the pressurizing mechanism 16 will be described. The pressure mechanism 16 has a pressure rod 70. The pressurizing rod 70 is positioned in the vertical direction when the flat surface described above forms a horizontal plane. That is, a load is applied to the tibia 22 from the vertical direction. In FIG. 1, the vertical axis 76 represents the central axis of the pressure rod 70, and the horizontal axis 78 represents the rotation axis for the pressure rod 70. That is, it is desirable that the pressure rod 70 be set in the vertical direction, but it is also possible to set the pressure rod 70 in an inclined state according to the state of the living body or the examination site. In order to form an ideal state of the three-point bending load, it is desirable that the two supporting points on the lower side and the position and direction of the load are appropriately determined. In the present embodiment, the footrest mechanism 12 and the load mechanism are added. Such an ideal state can be easily formed using the pressure mechanism 16.

  In this embodiment, a pair of probes 72 and 74 are provided on both sides of the pressurizing point by the pressurizing rod 70. These probes 72 and 74 are provided in a state where the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface is in contact with the body surface. Each probe 72 and 74 may be fixed by a scanner as a holding mechanism, or may be directly attached to the body surface. In this embodiment, two probes 72 and 74 are used, and the minute displacement of the bone is measured on both sides of the pressing point. However, a single probe may be provided, or three or more. The probe may be provided. Each probe 72, 74 has a 2D array transducer composed of a plurality of vibration elements in the present embodiment. For example, by individually driving each vibration element, a plurality of ultrasonic beams are formed in time division or simultaneously. It is possible to track a minute displacement on each beam.

  FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 14 described above. In the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 14, transmission / reception units 80 and 82 are connected to the probes 72 and 74, respectively. The transmission / reception units 80 and 82 are circuits that output transmission signals to the probes 72 and 74 and process reception signals. The reception signals output from the transmission / reception units 80 and 82 are processed by the measurement calculation unit 84. The measurement calculation unit 84 applies a known echo tracking technique to each received signal and performs signal tracking at one or a plurality of points to measure a minute displacement at one or a plurality of points. Based on the measurement result, an evaluation value related to elasticity, viscoelasticity, or plasticity can be calculated as the property or mechanical characteristic of the target bone. The evaluation value is displayed on the display unit 86. It is also possible to display the time change of the evaluation value as a graph.

  The control unit 88 is provided as necessary, and the control unit 88 is configured by, for example, a personal computer (PC). The controller 88 controls the operation of each component in the system, that is, controls the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 14 and the pressurizing mechanism 16 in the example shown in FIG. However, it is also possible to artificially control the operation of the pressurizing mechanism 16 and the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 14. A driving source such as a motor may be provided in the pressurizing mechanism 16, and a load may be generated periodically or regularly by electrical control. Of course, the load may be generated by human labor. The bed mechanism 10 and footrest mechanism 12 shown in FIG. 1 can be utilized even when one or both of the pressurizing mechanism 16 and the transmission / reception mechanism are not utilized. That is, according to the combination of the bed mechanism 10 and the footrest mechanism 12, it can be used in various examinations for the lower knee region.

  FIG. 3 shows a specific configuration example of the pressurizing mechanism 16 shown in FIG. A frame 90 is fixedly disposed on the base 60, and an arm 92 is supported by the frame 90 so as to be flipped up. A pressure bar 70 is provided at the outer end of the arm 92 so as to penetrate the arm 92 in the vertical direction. The lower end of the pressure rod 70 constitutes a contact 70A. As described above, the central axis of the pressure rod 70 is indicated by reference numeral 76, and the pressure rod 70 can be swung around the horizontal axis 78 as a central axis. That is, it is possible to apply pressure from an oblique direction. Since the arm 92 on which the pressure rod 70 is mounted is configured to be able to be flipped up, it is possible to insert the below-knee region 20C in the state of being flipped up. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the toe is slightly opened outward and the flat surface 22A of the tibia 22 is horizontal.

  4 and 5 show the operation of the rotating unit shown in FIG. The holder 66 shown in FIG. 1 is not shown. As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the toes are directed vertically upward, the flat surface 22A of the tibia 22 in the below-knee region 20C is inclined. In FIG. 4, the horizontal direction is indicated by reference numeral 102, and the orientation of the flat surface 22 </ b> A is indicated by reference numeral 100. As shown in the figure, there is a difference between the two by the rotation angle θ. Therefore, an appropriate state as shown in FIG. 5 can be easily formed by rotating the holder shown in FIG. Of course, the holder may be rotated from the beginning, and the foot may be received in the holder in that state. As shown in FIG. 5, the surface direction 100 of the flat surface 22A coincides with the horizontal direction 102. According to this state, an ideal state of three-point bending load is formed by applying a load from the vertical direction. Is possible. Of course, the horizontal state of the tibia 22 itself can be easily realized by adjusting the heights of the distal holding portion and the proximal holding portion described above.

  FIG. 6 shows another embodiment as a trunk support device, and FIG. 6 shows a reclining seat unit 110. The reclining seat unit 110 has a plurality of divided parts that function as bed beds. Specifically, it has a first portion 112, a second portion 114, and a third portion 116. The first portion 112 supports the head 20E, the second portion 114 mainly supports the body 20A, and the third portion 116 mainly supports the buttocks 20F and the thigh. Since the 2nd part 114 and the 3rd part 116 incline in the direction which each faces, the collar part 20F will be supported over the 2nd part 114 and the 3rd part 116, and the subject 20 is stabilized. It is possible to support. The postures of the portions 112, 114, and 116 can be freely adjusted by applying a known technique, and a general-purpose reclining seat unit can also be used. Of course, a dedicated reclining seat unit may be configured.

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the subject 20 can be inspected in a more comfortable posture. For example, even when the ultrasonic inspection is prolonged, the subject It is possible to reduce the burden on the person 20.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the principal part structure of the bone inspection system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an ultrasound diagnosing unit. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a pressurization mechanism. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of a rotation part. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of a rotation part. It is a figure which shows the reclining seat unit as a trunk | drum support apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  10 bed mechanism, 12 footrest mechanism, 14 ultrasonic diagnostic unit, 16 pressurizing mechanism, 20 subject, 20C below knee part (examination part), 22 tibia.

Claims (14)

A body support device for supporting the body of the subject;
A limb fixation device for fixing a limb that has been examined in the subject; and
An ultrasound unit that transmits and receives ultrasound to and from bones present in the limbs fixed by the limb fixation device;
Including
Bone characterized in that height variable means for changing the height of the limb fixed by the limb fixing device relative to the height of the body supported by the body supporting device is provided. Inspection system. The system of claim 1, wherein
The limb subjected to the examination is a lower knee part in the lower limb,
The limb fixing device is an examination site fixing device that fixes the lower knee site,
The bone examination system, wherein the ultrasonic unit has a probe that comes into contact with the lower knee region. The system of claim 2, wherein
The bone examination system is characterized in that the examination site fixing device is a mechanism that fixes the below knee site while keeping the below knee site in a horizontal state. The system of claim 3, wherein
The height varying means has at least a first elevating mechanism provided in the examination site fixing device,
At the time of examination, the subject's buttocks are positioned at a low position, and the lower knee part is positioned at a high position, whereby the subject's waist is bent gently, and the subject A bone examination system characterized by the fact that the knee of the knee bends gently. The system of claim 4, wherein
The bone inspection system, wherein the height varying means further includes a second lifting mechanism provided in the trunk support mechanism. The system of claim 2, wherein
The examination site fixing device has a rotation mechanism that rotates the lower knee site so that a toe in the lower limb to be examined is opened to the opposite side to the other lower limbs. Inspection system. The system of claim 6, wherein
The bone examination system, wherein the rotation mechanism is a mechanism for rotating the lower knee part so that a flat surface of a tibia present in the lower knee part is a horizontal plane. The system of claim 2, wherein
The examination site fixing device includes:
A proximal retention mechanism for retaining the proximal side of the lower knee region;
A distal holding mechanism for holding a distal side in the lower knee region;
A bone inspection system comprising: The system of claim 2, wherein
Furthermore, it has a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the pressurization part in the lower knee part,
The bone examination system, wherein the ultrasonic unit transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the bone in a pressurized state, and measures a minute displacement of the bone based on a reception signal obtained thereby. The system of claim 1, wherein
The torso support apparatus includes a bed for supporting the torso of the subject. The system of claim 1, wherein
The torso support device includes a reclining sheet that supports the torso of the subject. A test site fixing device that is used together with a torso support device that supports a torso of a subject, and that fixes an inferior knee site to be inspected in the subject,
A proximal holding mechanism for holding a proximal side of the lower knee region;
A distal holding mechanism for holding the distal side of the below-knee region;
An elevating mechanism that varies both the height of the proximal holding mechanism and the height of the distal holding mechanism, and positions the lower knee portion higher than the buttocks of the trunk supported by the trunk supporting device. When,
A test site fixing device comprising: The apparatus of claim 12.
The examination site fixing device, wherein the proximal side holding mechanism and the distal side holding mechanism are mechanisms for maintaining the lower knee site in a horizontal state. The apparatus of claim 12.
The examination site fixing device is configured separately from the body support device.

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