JP2010051622A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which can be easily operated while being held with one hand by an operator, and whose display part is adjustable to an easy-to-view direction. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an operation part used for an input operation to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; a transmission/reception part for supplying drive signals to an ultrasonic probe and processing reception signals outputted from the ultrasonic probe; an image signal generation part for generating image signals on the basis of the reception signals; a casing housing at least the transmission/reception part and the image signal generation part; and a display part for displaying ultrasonic images on the basis of the image signals, which is supported so as to be opened and closed to the casing by a first pivot part turnable around a first rotary shaft in parallel to an end edge part and supported so as to be turned to the first pivot part by a second pivot part turnable around a second rotary shaft roughly vertical to the first rotary shaft, in one end area of the end edge part of the casing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs imaging of an organ or the like in a living body by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to generate an ultrasonic image used for diagnosis.

  In the medical field, various imaging techniques have been developed in order to perform diagnosis by observing the inside of a subject. In particular, ultrasonic imaging that acquires internal information of a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves enables real-time image observation, and other medical applications such as X-ray photographs and RI (radio isotope) scintillation cameras. Unlike imaging technology, there is no radiation exposure. Therefore, ultrasonic imaging is used as a highly safe imaging technique in a wide range of fields including gynecological, circulatory, and digestive systems as well as fetal diagnosis in the obstetrics field.

  Conventionally, large-scale ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are mainly installed in a dedicated examination room, but it is necessary to move the subject to the diagnostic room where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is installed for each ultrasonic diagnosis. There was a heavy burden on the subject. In order to reduce the burden on the subject, there is a need for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be easily carried and used by an operator (diagnostic) who operates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is carried and used, the operator leans over the subject on the bed, operates the ultrasonic probe with one hand, and uses the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with the other hand. It is necessary to hold. When the diagnosis is performed in such a posture, the orientation of the display unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is not optimal from the viewpoint of the operator, and the display unit may be difficult to see.

  As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a transducer array and an integrated circuit for processing the signal are mounted in a handheld enclosure. Specifically, the transducer array, integrated circuit, user controller, display, and battery are housed in a single enclosure, along with a single piece of ultrasound diagnostic equipment, the transducer array, integrated circuit, and user controller in one unit, A two-piece ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a display and a battery are housed in another unit is disclosed.

However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a configuration in consideration of the visibility of the display unit other than mounting a transducer array or a display in a one-piece or two-piece handheld enclosure.
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-526143 (page 8-10, FIG. 2-4)

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be easily operated while being held by one hand of an operator and that can be adjusted in a direction in which a display unit can be easily viewed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention supplies a drive signal to an operation unit used for input operation to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic wave A transmission / reception unit that processes a reception signal output from the probe, an image signal generation unit that generates an image signal based on the reception signal processed by the transmission / reception unit, and a housing that houses at least the transmission / reception unit and the image signal generation unit A display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image based on an image signal generated by the body and the image signal generation unit, and having a first rotation axis parallel to the edge part in one end region of the edge part of the housing A first pivotal support that is rotatable about the second rotation axis is supported around the housing so as to be openable and closable, and is rotatable about a second rotation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis. The first shaft by two shaft supports And a display portion which is rotatably supported relative to the part.

  According to the present invention, the display unit can be rotated around the first and second rotation axes around the one end region of the edge portion of the casing, so that the operation can be performed while holding the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with one hand. The display unit can be oriented in an easy-to-see direction for the operator, and even if the display unit is rotated, the display unit is not covered on the operation unit, so that the operator can easily operate the operation unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are perspective views showing an appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 10, a housing 20, and a display unit 30. Here, the housing 20 and the display unit 30 constitute an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the display unit 30 is opened with respect to the housing 20, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the display unit 30 is further rotated in a direction toward the far side. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation unit 28 used for an input operation with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided on the main surface (upper surface) of the housing 20. The casing 20 has a thick portion 20a that is thicker than other portions at the far end edge portion as viewed from the operator who operates the operation portion 28. The thick portion 20a has a shape in which the bottom surface side of the housing 20 swells. Specifically, on the bottom surface of the housing 20, a bowl-shaped convex portion is provided along an end portion on the far side of the housing 20. Thereby, the operator can grip the thick part 20a as if he / she grips the stick with his / her hand.

  As described above, since the thick portion 20a is formed at the far edge portion as viewed from the operator, the operator supports the bottom surface of the housing 20 with the forearm portion (portion from the arm elbow to the wrist) 100, The thick part 20a can be grasped as if the palm and fingers are gripped by the whole finger, and the casing 20 can be firmly held with one hand without applying extra force to the wrist and fingers. Therefore, the operator operates the operation unit 28 while holding the housing 20 with one hand, or uses the operation of the ultrasonic probe 10 and the operation unit 28 with the other hand while holding the housing 20 with one hand. The input operation that has been performed can be easily performed.

  Considering that the operator performs a diagnosis while supporting the bottom surface of the housing 20 with one arm, the size (area) of the housing 20 is B5 size to A4 size, and the weight of the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is: It is desirable that it is 2 kg-5 kg. Further, in order to keep the posture stable in a state where the display unit 30 is opened, the weight of the display unit 30 is desirably ¼ or less of the weight of the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  The display unit 30 is provided in the housing 20 by a first shaft support portion 31a that can rotate around a first rotation shaft 32 that is parallel to the end edge portion in one end region of the end edge portion on the far side of the housing 20. The first shaft support portion 31a is supported by a second shaft support portion 31b that is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the first rotation shaft 32 and is rotatable about a second rotation shaft 33 that is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation shaft 32. It is supported so that it can rotate. Accordingly, the operator can adjust the orientation of the display unit 30 according to the direction in which the display unit 30 is viewed by rotating the display unit 30.

  In the present application, the “edge portion” refers to a portion located within a predetermined distance from the edge, and specifically, a portion located within 30 mm from the far edge of the housing 20. Say. The “one end region” refers to a region located within a predetermined distance from one end. Specifically, from the one end of the end edge portion on the far side of the housing 20, the length of the end edge is 1 This means an area located within / 4.

  As described above, the display unit 30 is supported at the far edge of the casing 20 because the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is a portable type. This is because the display unit 30 needs to be separated from the operator's eye position. Further, the first rotating shaft 32 and the second rotating shaft 33 are in a substantially intersecting relationship, and specifically, the distance between the first rotating shaft 32 and the second rotating shaft 33 is 20 mm. The following is desirable. As a result, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be downsized and the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be simplified.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a housing portion 20 b for housing the ultrasonic probe 10 is formed in a part of the thick portion 20 a of the housing 20. Here, the ultrasonic probe 10 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape, and a cavity corresponding to the outer shape of the ultrasonic probe 10 is formed in the thick portion 20a of the casing 20 as a storage portion 20b. Has been.

  Thus, by forming the storage portion 20b for storing the ultrasonic probe 10 in the thick portion 20a of the housing 20, the space of the thick portion 20a can be used effectively, and the ultrasonic probe 10 can be used. It can be carried along with the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment body. Further, as will be described later, signals are transmitted and received between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe 10 wirelessly, so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe 10 are connected to each other. Even when not connected by a signal line, it is possible to prevent an accident that the ultrasonic probe 10 is lost away from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. In addition, when transmitting and receiving signals between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe 10 by wire, an accommodating portion for accommodating a signal line is formed in the accommodating portion 20b of the housing 20 or in the vicinity thereof. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 30 has a shape in which a portion from the right side to the center as viewed from the operator operating the operation unit 28 is cut out from the lower edge portion of the display unit 30. In addition, the first shaft support portion 31a that supports the display portion 30 so as to be openable and closable is formed only in the left end region of the far edge portion as viewed from the operator. In the present application, the “left end region” refers to a region located within a predetermined distance from the left end, and specifically, the length of the edge from the left end of the far edge portion of the housing 20. An area located within ¼ of the height. Thereby, when the operator grips the thick portion 20a of the casing 20, the fingertip 101 of the operator's hand is not disturbed by the display unit 30. Accordingly, the operator can reliably hold the casing 20 using the entire area from the forearm 100 to the fingertip 101.

  The second shaft support portion 31b is provided adjacent to and above the first shaft support portion 31a. And the part above the 2nd axial support part 31b among the display parts 30 can be rotated to the far side seeing from the operator (or housing | casing 20) which operates the operation part 28. FIG. As described above, since the display unit 30 can be rotated in the direction toward the far side, the display unit 30 can be easily rotated around the second rotation axis 33 so that the display unit 30 can be easily viewed. Therefore, the operator can easily operate the console 28.

  The first shaft support portion 31a and the second shaft support portion 31b are provided on the left side as viewed from the operator. ), The operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is located, and the operator places the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body on the left side while facing the subject (the left hand may hold the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body), and the right hand Since the ultrasonic diagnosis is performed while operating the acoustic probe 10, it is considered that the position of the operator is often shifted to the right side (subject side) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. In particular, when the operator leans over the subject and operates the ultrasonic probe 10, the tendency of the operator's position to shift to the right side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body becomes more prominent.

  According to the present embodiment, the first shaft support portion 31a and the second shaft support portion 31b are provided on the left side when viewed from the operator so that the display unit 30 can be rotated to the far side. The orientation of the display unit 30 can be adjusted so that it can be easily seen by the operator located on the right side. Since not only the operator but also the subject is located on the right side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, if necessary, the orientation of the display unit 30 is adjusted so that it can be easily seen by the subject, and the ultrasound image can be shown to the subject in real time. Easy to do.

  In the ultrasonic diagnosis, an operator observes an ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit 30 while bringing the ultrasonic probe 10 into contact with each part of the patient with one hand, or applies an ultrasonic image to the patient. Therefore, it is very convenient that the orientation of the display unit 30 can be freely changed while holding the housing 20 with the other hand. Further, the operator can operate the operation unit 28 with the other hand while the ultrasonic probe 10 is brought into contact with each part of the patient with one hand, so that ultrasonic diagnosis can be performed quickly. It becomes.

Next, the internal configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is constituted by an ultrasonic probe 10 and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body includes a scanning control unit 11, a transmission delay pattern storage unit 12, a transmission control unit 13, a drive signal generation unit 14, a reception signal processing unit 21, a reception delay pattern storage unit 22, and a reception. A control unit 23, a B-mode image generation unit (image signal generation unit) 24, a D / A converter 25, a control unit 26, a storage unit 27, an operation unit 28, and a display unit 30 are provided. Yes. The drive signal generation unit 14 and the reception signal processing unit 21 constitute a transmission / reception unit. Here, the scanning control unit 11 to the drive signal generation unit 14 and the reception signal processing unit 21 to the storage unit 27 are housed in the housing 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the operation unit 28 is a housing. 20 main surfaces are provided.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 used in contact with a subject includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a constituting a one-dimensional or two-dimensional transducer array. These ultrasonic transducers 10a transmit ultrasonic waves based on the applied drive signals, receive propagating ultrasonic echoes, and output reception signals.

  Each ultrasonic transducer is, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic represented by PZT (Pb (lead) zirconate titanate) or a polymer piezoelectric element represented by PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride). It is constituted by a vibrator in which electrodes are formed on both ends of a piezoelectric material (piezoelectric body). When a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of such a vibrator, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts. By this expansion and contraction, pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves are generated from the respective vibrators, and an ultrasonic beam is formed by synthesizing these ultrasonic waves. Each vibrator expands and contracts by receiving propagating ultrasonic waves and generates an electrical signal. These electrical signals are output as ultrasonic reception signals.

  The scanning control unit 11 sequentially sets the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam and the reception direction of the ultrasonic echo. The transmission delay pattern storage unit 12 stores a plurality of transmission delay patterns used when forming an ultrasonic beam. The transmission control unit 13 selects a predetermined pattern from a plurality of delay patterns stored in the transmission delay pattern storage unit 12 according to the transmission direction set in the scanning control unit 11, and based on the pattern The delay times given to the drive signals of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a are set. Alternatively, the transmission control unit 13 may set the delay time so that ultrasonic waves transmitted at a time from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a reach the entire imaging region of the subject.

  For example, the drive signal generator 14 includes a plurality of pulsars corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a. The drive signal generation unit 14 transmits the plurality of drive signals to the ultrasonic probe so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a form an ultrasonic beam according to the delay time set by the transmission control unit 13. 10 or a plurality of drive signals are supplied to the ultrasound probe 10 so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasound transducers 10a at a time reach the entire imaging region of the subject.

  The reception signal processing unit 21 includes a plurality of amplifiers (preamplifiers) 21a and a plurality of A / D converters 21b corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a. The reception signal output from the ultrasonic transducer 10a is amplified by the amplifier 21a, and the analog reception signal output from the amplifier 21a is converted into a digital reception signal by the A / D converter 21b. The A / D converter 21 b outputs a digital reception signal to the reception control unit 23.

  The reception delay pattern storage unit 22 stores a plurality of reception delay patterns used when receiving focus processing is performed on a plurality of reception signals output from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a. The reception control unit 23 selects a predetermined pattern from a plurality of reception delay patterns stored in the reception delay pattern storage unit 22 based on the reception direction set in the scanning control unit 11, and based on the pattern. The reception focus process is performed by adding a delay to a plurality of reception signals. By this reception focus processing, a sound ray signal in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed is formed.

  The B-mode image generation unit 24 generates a B-mode image signal that is tomographic image information related to the tissue in the subject based on the sound ray signal formed by the reception control unit 23. The B-mode image generation unit 24 includes an STC (sensitivity time control) unit 24a, a comprehensive line detection unit 24b, and a DSC (digital scan converter) 24c.

  The STC unit 24a corrects attenuation with respect to the sound ray signal formed by the reception control unit 23 according to the depth of the ultrasonic reflection position. The envelope detection unit 24b generates an envelope signal by performing envelope detection processing on the sound ray signal corrected in the STC unit 24a. The DSC 24c converts the envelope signal generated by the envelope detector 24b into an image signal according to a normal television signal scanning method (raster conversion), and performs necessary image processing such as gradation processing to obtain B A mode image signal is generated.

  The D / A converter 25 converts the digital image signal output from the B-mode image generation unit 24 into an analog image signal. The display unit 30 includes, for example, a display device such as a CRT or LCD, and displays a diagnostic image based on an analog image signal.

  The control unit 26 controls the scanning control unit 11, the B-mode image generation unit 24, and the like according to the operation of the operator using the operation unit 28. In the present embodiment, the scanning control unit 11, the transmission control unit 13, the reception control unit 23, the B-mode image generation unit 24, and the control unit 26 are configured by a CPU and software (program). A circuit or an analog circuit may be used. The software (program) is stored in the storage unit 27. As a recording medium in the storage unit 27, a flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM can be used in addition to the built-in hard disk.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which signals are transmitted and received between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe 10 via signal lines. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and ultrasonic waves Wireless signal transmission / reception may be performed between the diagnostic apparatus main body and the ultrasound probe 10. When wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals, the first wireless transmitter / receiver is connected to the drive signal generating unit 14 and the received signal processing unit 21 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body, and the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 10 is used. A second wireless transceiver is connected to 10a via a drive signal output circuit and a received signal amplifier circuit, and wireless signals are transmitted and received between the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver. An electromagnetic wave, a magnetic field, an infrared ray, or the like can be used as a carrier wave of the radio signal. In addition, a battery (storage battery or the like) is provided in the ultrasonic probe 10 in order to supply a power supply voltage to a circuit in the ultrasonic probe 10.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs imaging of an organ or the like in a living body by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and generates an ultrasonic image used for diagnosis.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic probe 10a Ultrasonic transducer 11 Scan control part 12 Transmission delay pattern memory | storage part 13 Transmission control part 14 Drive signal generation part 20 Case 20a Thick part 20b Storage part 21 Received signal processing part 21a Amplifier 21b A / D Converter 22 Reception delay pattern storage unit 23 Reception control unit 24 B-mode image generation unit 24a STC unit 24b Envelope detection unit 24c DSC
25 D / A converter 26 Control unit 27 Storage unit 28 Console 30 Display unit 31a First shaft support unit 31b Second shaft support unit 32 First rotation shaft 33 Second rotation shaft 100 Forearm portion of the operator 101 fingertip

Claims (3)

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus,
An operation unit used for an input operation to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus;
A transmission / reception unit for supplying a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe and processing a reception signal output from the ultrasonic probe;
An image signal generation unit that generates an image signal based on the reception signal processed by the transmission / reception unit;
A housing containing at least the transmission / reception unit and the image signal generation unit;
A display unit that displays an ultrasonic image based on an image signal generated by the image signal generation unit, wherein the first rotation axis is parallel to the edge portion in one end region of the edge portion of the housing. The first pivotal support that can rotate around is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the housing, and can be rotated around a second rotation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis. The display unit supported rotatably by the second shaft support part with respect to the first shaft support part;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The first shaft support portion is provided in a left end region of an end edge portion on a far side as viewed from an operator who operates the operation portion,
The second shaft support portion is provided adjacent to and above the first shaft support portion.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is rotatable to a far side as viewed from an operator who operates the operation unit.

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