JP2011004855A - Ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic system capable of confirming unique information of ultrasonic probes connected to an ultrasonograph installed at a distant place.SOLUTION: This ultrasonic diagnostic system includes: a probe data storage means provided at the plurality of ultrasonic probes respectively and storing probe data related to the respective ultrasonic probes; a probe data acquisition means provided at the ultrasonograph and acquiring the probe data; and a data processing means receiving the probe data of the probes connected to the ultrasonograph from the probe data acquisition means via a communication means and displaying them to a display means.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic system.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a medical imaging device that obtains a tomographic image of soft tissue in a living body from a body surface in a minimally invasive manner by an ultrasonic pulse reflection method. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is: 1. Smaller and less expensive than other medical imaging devices. 2. High safety without exposure to X-rays, etc. It has features such as blood flow imaging by applying the Doppler effect. Therefore, it is widely used in the circulatory system (cardiac coronary artery), digestive system (gastrointestinal), internal medicine system (liver, pancreas, spleen), urology system (kidney, bladder), and obstetrics and gynecology.

  In order to cope with such various diagnostic purposes, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a variety of ultrasonic probes of 2 to 30 types such as a linear type, a convex type and a sector type. . However, since the number of ultrasonic probes that can be connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is limited to a part thereof, it is necessary to select and connect an ultrasonic probe suitable for the purpose of diagnosis at the time of diagnosis. .

  On the other hand, in large hospitals and the like, an ultrasonic diagnostic system in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus installed in an examination room and a computer installed in another place are connected by communication means has been used.

  For example, an ultrasonic diagnostic system is disclosed in which a diagnostic list of a subject who is scheduled for diagnosis is created by a computer and the diagnostic list is displayed on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a diagnostic system has been proposed that displays various names, operation methods, and the like on a diagnostic apparatus such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from a remote location via a network (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-194705 A JP 2003-271748 A

  In small hospitals such as practitioners, doctors often conduct examinations and examinations using ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. In many cases, the examination room and the examination room where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is installed are separate rooms.

  In such a case, after the doctor performs an examination, after moving to the examination room, check the unique information such as the model number and serial number of the ultrasound probe connected to the ultrasound diagnostic device, and check it. When the necessary ultrasonic probe is not connected, the appropriate ultrasonic probe is replaced. For this reason, many workflows are required for inspection.

  If the doctor can confirm the specific information of the ultrasound probe connected to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus from the examination room, it can instruct a nurse or the like to change the appropriate ultrasound probe. . As a result, preparation work after moving to the examination room is reduced, and work efficiency can be increased.

  However, in the systems disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, unique information of the ultrasound probe connected to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus cannot be known from the terminal side.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an ultrasonic wave capable of confirming unique information of an ultrasonic probe connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus installed at a remote location An object is to provide a diagnostic system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following characteristics.

1. At least one of the plurality of ultrasonic probes is connected, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the connected ultrasonic probes to the inside of the subject, reflected waves are received, and the object is received. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus configured to visualize the inside of the specimen, an information terminal provided with a display means, and a communication means provided for communicating between the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and the information terminal; An ultrasound diagnostic system comprising:
Probe data storage means provided in each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes, in which probe data relating to each ultrasonic probe is stored,
Provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, probe data acquisition means for acquiring the probe data from the probe data storage means,
Data processing having a function of receiving the probe data of the ultrasonic probe connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from the probe data acquisition means via the communication means and displaying it on the display means Means,
An ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising:

2. Usage time measuring means for measuring the time when the ultrasonic probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves;
Usage time storage means for storing the accumulated time measured by the usage time measurement means of each of the ultrasonic probes;
Have
The data processing means includes
2. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of displaying a warning on the display unit when the accumulated time stored in the usage time storage unit exceeds a predetermined value.

3. Having an input means for designating the examination site of the subject;
The data processing means includes
3. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a function of displaying a warning on the display unit based on the examination region input from the input unit and the probe data.

  According to the present invention, since the probe data storage unit in which the probe data related to each ultrasonic probe is stored is provided in the ultrasonic probe, the information terminal can perform the ultrasonic diagnosis. Probe data of an ultrasonic probe connected to the apparatus can be acquired, and the probe data can be received via the communication means and displayed on the display means.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic system capable of confirming unique information of an ultrasonic probe connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus installed at a remote location.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing system in embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic system in an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which the information terminal in embodiment performs. It is an example of the display screen of the information terminal in the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic system in the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic system in the embodiment.

  The information terminal 200 is a personal computer including a keyboard 70, a display unit 71, a computer housing 72, a mouse (not shown), and the like.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 transmits ultrasonic waves (ultrasound signals) to a subject such as a living body (not shown) and reflects the reflected ultrasonic waves (echoes, ultrasonic signals) reflected by the received subject. The internal state in the subject is imaged as an ultrasound image and displayed on the monitor 45.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave (ultrasonic signal) to the subject and receives a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject. Many types of ultrasonic probes 2 having different shapes and performances are prepared according to the inspection application, and are selected according to the inspection application. For example, a linear type is used for the superficial organ, a convex type is used for the abdominal region, and a sector type is used for the heart region.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, four types of ultrasonic probes 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are configured to be detachable from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 31 via the cable 3 and the connector 50, respectively. ing. Hereinafter, as necessary, the numbers of each component are affixed with a, b, c, and d.

  The input unit 41 includes a switch, a keyboard, and the like, and is provided for a user to input a command for instructing start of diagnosis, to select a diagnosis mode, and to input data such as personal information of a subject.

  The monitor 45 is composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays an imaged ultrasonic image.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the information terminal 200 is installed in the examination room and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is installed in the examination room.

  The information terminal 200 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 each include a communication unit 73 and a communication unit 42 that communicate with each other using Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like, and are connected by an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable or the like. Note that the information terminal 200 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may communicate wirelessly. The communication unit 73 and the communication unit 42 are communication means provided for communicating between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and the information terminal 200.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic system of the present embodiment includes the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, the information terminal 200, and the communication unit.

  Details will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  Piezoelectric element arrays 6a to 6d in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements for mutual conversion of electrical signals and acoustic signals are arranged in an array are provided at the tip portions of the ultrasonic probes 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. ing.

  The ultrasonic probes 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d include probe data storage units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d that are configured by nonvolatile storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a flash memory, respectively. Is provided. In the probe data storage units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, probe data unique to the ultrasonic probe such as the transducer model number, serial number, and manufacturing date is written in advance at the factory shipment stage. Yes. The probe data storage units 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are probe data storage means of the present invention.

  Connectors 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d provided at one end of the cables 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d of the ultrasonic probes 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are connectors 51a provided on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 31, Connected to 51b, 51c, 51d.

  Data lines and address lines of the probe data storage units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus control unit 32, respectively.

  The piezoelectric element arrays 6a to 6d are connected to the transmission / reception unit 43 via the switches 53a to 53d. The switches 53a to 53d are turned on and off by a control signal from the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus control unit 32, but only one of the switches 53 corresponding to the ultrasound probe 2 selected by the input unit 41 is turned on. It is controlled to become.

  The transmission / reception unit 43 applies a drive signal to the piezoelectric element arrays 6a to 6d according to a control signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus control unit 32, transmits the ultrasonic wave, and then returns to the ultrasonic probe 2. Received signals generated in the piezoelectric element arrays 6a to 6d by echoes are received, and processing such as amplification is performed.

  The image processing unit 44 performs image processing on the signal subjected to processing such as amplification by the transmission / reception unit 43 to generate an image to be displayed on the monitor 45.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus control unit 32 includes a CPU 33 (central processing unit), a storage unit 34, and the like, reads a program stored in the storage unit 34 into a RAM (Random Access Memory), and performs the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the program. 100 parts are controlled. The storage unit 34 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, and the like.

  The CPU 33 includes a probe data acquisition unit 35 and a usage time measurement unit 36.

  The probe data acquisition unit 35 reads probe data such as a model number and a serial number stored in the probe data storage units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, and temporarily stores the probe data in the storage unit 34. The probe data acquisition unit 35 is probe data acquisition means of the present invention.

  The usage time measuring unit 36 measures the transmission / reception time, and updates and stores data in the usage time storage unit 37 provided in the storage unit 34. The usage time storage unit 37 is provided to store the accumulated usage time for each serial number assigned in advance to the ultrasound probe 2. When the transmission / reception is completed, the usage time measuring unit 36 adds the current usage time to the usage time of the ultrasonic probe 2 that has been transmitted and received and stored in the usage time storage unit 37.

  The usage time measurement unit 36 is a usage time measurement unit of the present invention, and the usage time storage unit 37 is a usage time storage unit of the present invention.

  The communication unit 42 communicates with the communication unit 73 using Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like.

  The information terminal control unit 74 includes a CPU 75 (central processing unit), a storage unit 77, and the like. The information terminal control unit 74 reads a program stored in the storage unit 77 into a RAM (Random Access Memory). Control each part. The storage unit 77 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, and the like.

  The data processing unit 76 transmits the probe data of the ultrasonic probes 2 a to 2 b connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 acquired by the probe data acquisition unit 35 via the communication unit 42 and the communication unit 73. Received and displayed on the display unit 71. The data processing unit 76 is a data processing unit of the present invention, and the display unit 71 is a display unit of the present invention.

  Next, a procedure of processing executed by the information terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure executed by the information terminal in the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an example of a display screen of the information terminal in the embodiment.

  Reference numeral 71 a in FIG. 4 is a display screen of the display unit 71.

  Hereinafter, description will be made in the order of the flowchart of FIG.

  S10: It is a step which inputs a test | inspection site | part.

  An operator such as a doctor inputs an examination site to be examined. In this embodiment, the abdomen is examined. The character “abdomen” is input to the input portion indicated by 80 in FIG.

  S11: This is a step of displaying the model number of the recommended use probe.

  The data processing unit 76 displays the model number of the recommended use probe stored in advance in the storage unit 77 for each examination site on the display unit 71. In the example of FIG. 4, five model numbers P003, P004, P005, P006, and P030, which are model numbers of recommended use probes suitable for the abdomen, are displayed in a portion indicated by 81.

  S12: A step of requesting probe data of the connected ultrasonic probe.

  The data processing unit 76 requests probe data of the ultrasonic probes 2a to 2d being connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus control unit 32. The probe data acquisition unit 35 acquires the probe data from the probe data storage units 4a to 4d, temporarily stores the probe data in the storage unit 34, and then transmits the probe data from the communication unit 42 to the communication unit 73. Send.

  S13: This is a step of checking the usage time of the connected ultrasonic probe.

  The data processing unit 76 requests information on the accumulated usage time of the ultrasonic probes 2a to 2d being connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus control unit 32. The usage time measuring unit 36 reads the accumulated time information stored in the usage time storage unit 37 and transmits the accumulated time information from the communication unit 42 to the communication unit 73. The data processing unit 76 determines whether or not the accumulated time exceeds a predetermined value.

  S14: This is a step of checking the use of the connected ultrasonic probe.

  The data processing unit 76 determines whether or not the model number of the acquired probe data matches the model number of the recommended use probe.

  S15: This is a step of displaying data of the connected ultrasound probe.

  The data processing unit 76 displays the acquired probe data and the determination results of steps S13 and S14 on the display unit 71 as indicated by 82 in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 4, an ultrasonic probe 2a having a probe model number P003 and a serial number 12345 is connected to the connector a, and the usage time is 100 hours. Recognize.

  An ultrasonic probe 2b having a probe model number P004 and a serial number 23456 is connected to the connector b, and its use time is 2200 hours. For example, 1000 hours is exceeded, so black and white are reversed. And a warning is displayed. It can be seen that the application is the abdomen and is suitable for the examination site.

  The connector c is connected with an ultrasonic probe 2c having a probe model number P005 and a serial number 34567, and the usage time is 300 hours.

  An ultrasonic probe 2d having a probe model number P010 and a serial number 45678 is connected to the connector d, and the usage time is 300 hours. However, since the probe model number P010 is used for the heart in the example of FIG. 4 and is not suitable for the abdomen, which is the target examination site, the warning is displayed with black and white reversed.

  The warning display is not limited to this example, and may be a blinking display, a display with a different color, or a warning sound.

  The doctor in the examination room uses the ultrasonic probe 2b connected to the connector b and the ultrasonic probe connected to the connector d from the information shown in FIG. 4 displayed on the display unit 71 of the information terminal 200. It can be seen that it is necessary to replace the tactile element 2d. The doctor instructs the nurse to replace the ultrasonic probe 2b connected to the connector b with a new one of the same model number, and selects an appropriate model number from the recommended probe model number to the connector d. The replacement of the connected ultrasonic probe 2d can be instructed.

  That is, since the doctor can know the information of the ultrasound probe 2 connected to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 from the examination room, the doctor can prepare for the examination before moving to the examination room, Inspection efficiency can be improved and inspection time can be shortened.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an ultrasonic diagnostic system capable of confirming unique information of an ultrasonic probe connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus installed at a remote location is provided. be able to.

2 Ultrasonic probe 3 Cable 4 Probe data storage unit 6 Piezoelectric element array 31 Ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 32 Ultrasonic diagnostic device control unit 33 CPU
34 storage unit 35 probe data acquisition unit 36 usage time measurement unit 37 usage time storage unit 41 input unit 42 communication unit 43 transmission / reception unit 44 image processing unit 45 monitor 50, 51 connector 52 amplifier 53 switch 70 input unit 71 display unit 72 Computer casing 73 Communication unit 74 Information terminal control unit 75 CPU
76 Data processing unit 77 Storage unit 100 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 Information terminal

Claims (3)

At least one of the plurality of ultrasonic probes is connected, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the connected ultrasonic probes to the inside of the subject, reflected waves are received, and the object is received. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus configured to visualize the inside of the specimen, an information terminal provided with a display means, and a communication means provided for communicating between the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and the information terminal; An ultrasound diagnostic system comprising:
Probe data storage means provided in each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes, in which probe data relating to each ultrasonic probe is stored,
Provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, probe data acquisition means for acquiring the probe data from the probe data storage means,
Data processing having a function of receiving the probe data of the ultrasonic probe connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from the probe data acquisition means via the communication means and displaying it on the display means Means,
An ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising: Usage time measuring means for measuring the time when the ultrasonic probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves;
Usage time storage means for storing the accumulated time measured by the usage time measurement means of each of the ultrasonic probes;
Have
The data processing means includes
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of displaying a warning on the display unit when the accumulated time stored in the usage time storage unit exceeds a predetermined value. Having an input means for designating the examination site of the subject;
The data processing means includes
3. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of displaying a warning on the display unit based on the examination portion input from the input unit and the probe data. 4.

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