JP2011072467A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select an optimal using method according to communication state. <P>SOLUTION: An ultrasonograph 11 is constituted of a portable type ultrasonic monitor 12 and an extracorporeal ultrasonic probe 13. The ultrasonic probe 13 includes a probe body 21 applied to a subject, a communication unit 22 communicating with the ultrasonic monitor 12, and a communication cable 23 connecting them. The length can be adjusted by a cable reel mechanism 31 housed in the probe body 21 in the communication cable 23 and the communication cable is extended from the state where it is recovered in the probe body 21. The ultrasonograph is used in the state where the communication unit 22 is attached to the probe body 21 when the stable communication state can be secured. The ultrasonograph is used by detaching the communication unit 22 from the probe body 21 and arranging the communication unit 22 in a position where the stable communication state can be secured when the stable communication state can not be secured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe that wirelessly communicates acquired information, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the same.

  Medical diagnosis using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is actively performed. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an extracorporeal ultrasound probe that is brought into contact with the outer surface of the subject, and acquires internal information of the subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasound with the ultrasound probe. The acquired information is communicated to an ultrasonic observation device installed in a cart or the like and displayed on the monitor as an ultrasonic image.

  As a method of communicating information acquired by an ultrasonic probe to an ultrasonic observation device, there are a wired method using a cable (for example, see Patent Document 1) and a wireless method using a radio wave or the like. The wired system provides stable communication, but the cable is obstructive and the operability is poor. On the other hand, the wireless system is excellent in operability, but there is a concern that the communication state becomes unstable due to the positional relationship between the ultrasonic observation device and the ultrasonic probe.

  As described above, each method has advantages and disadvantages, but some wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses ensure a stable communication state. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Patent Document 2 includes a communication unit cable-connected to a probe main body, performs wired communication of information acquired by the probe main body to the communication unit, and further wirelessly communicates from the communication unit to the ultrasonic observation device. . The communication unit can be arranged at an arbitrary position, and can be moved to a position where the communication state is relatively stable.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-190151 (FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-190066 (paragraph [0016], FIG. 7)

  However, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 is wirelessly communicated between the communication unit and the ultrasonic observation device, and the probe main body is cable-connected to the communication unit. The operability is inferior to that of a cable not connected. The effect that the communication unit can be arranged at an arbitrary position is not effective unless the communication state is unstable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of selecting an optimal usage according to a communication state, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the same. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic probe of the present invention includes a probe main body containing an ultrasonic transducer that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject and receives reflected waves from the subject and converts them into electrical signals; A communication cable that is connected to the probe body and wiredly communicates the electrical signal converted by the ultrasonic transducer, and is detachably attached to the probe body, and is integrated with the probe body when attached to the probe body. And a communication unit that includes a wireless communication unit that is connected to the communication cable and wirelessly communicates the electrical signal wired to the communication device to an external device. And

  It is preferable that a length adjusting mechanism for adjusting the length of the communication cable is provided. The length adjusting mechanism is preferably a ratchet type cable reel mechanism that winds up the communication cable.

  The communication cable is preferably collected by the probe main body or the communication unit by the cable reel mechanism, and the communication unit is attached to the probe main body by collecting the communication cable.

  It is preferable that the communication unit includes a hook portion that is hooked on the clothes of the practitioner. The communication unit preferably includes a plug for wired communication with an external device. In this case, it is preferable that the probe main body includes a plug housing portion that houses the plug when the communication unit is attached. It is preferable to include a battery that is charged via the plug during wired communication with an external device.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described ultrasonic probe.

  According to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with the ultrasonic probe, the communication unit can be attached to the probe main body and used, or the communication unit can be detached from the probe main body and used. The use state can be selected according to the situation.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is an external appearance perspective view of an ultrasonic probe. It is the schematic of a ratchet type cable reel mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is the schematic which shows each use condition of an ultrasonic diagnosing device, (A) is a wireless communication state which attached the communication unit to the probe main body, (B) is a wireless communication state which removed the communication unit from the probe main body, ( C) shows a wired communication state, respectively.

  In FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 includes a portable ultrasonic observation device 12 and an external ultrasonic probe 13. The ultrasonic observer 12 and the ultrasonic probe 13 can communicate with each other by wire and wirelessly, and can selectively switch between them according to the situation.

  The ultrasonic observation device 12 includes an apparatus main body 14 and a cover 15. An operation unit 16 provided with a plurality of buttons and a trackball for inputting various operation instructions to the ultrasonic observation device 12 is disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 14. On the inner surface of the cover 15, a monitor 17 that displays various operation screens including an ultrasonic image is provided.

  The cover 15 is attached to the apparatus main body 14 via a hinge 18, and the opening position shown in the figure that exposes the operation unit 16 and the monitor 17, the upper surface of the apparatus main body 14, and the inner surface of the cover 15 face each other. It is rotatable between a closed position (not shown) that covers and protects the unit 16 and the monitor 17.

  A grip (not shown) is attached to the side surface of the apparatus main body 14, and the ultrasonic observer 12 can be carried with the apparatus main body 14 and the cover 15 closed. An adapter 19 is provided on the other side surface of the apparatus main body 14. A plug 26 (see FIG. 2) is inserted into the adapter 19, and the ultrasonic probe 13 is wired.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 13 includes a probe main body 21 that is held by a practitioner such as a doctor and is addressed to a subject, a communication unit 22 that communicates with the ultrasonic observation device 12, and communication that connects them. Cable 23.

  The length of the communication cable 23 can be adjusted by a cable reel mechanism 31 (see FIG. 3) built in the probe main body 21, and the communication cable 23 is extended from the state recovered in the probe main body 21 (see FIG. 1). The length when the communication cable 23 is extended to the limit is, for example, 1 to 2 m.

  The communication unit 22 has a substantially semicircular cross section and is configured to be detachable from the probe main body 21. When the communication unit 22 is pulled away from the probe main body 21, the communication cable 23 is extended, and the communication unit 22 is detached from the probe main body 21.

  A collection button 24 for collecting the communication cable 23 is provided on the side of the probe main body 21. When the collection button 24 is pressed while the communication cable 23 is stretched, the communication cable 23 is collected in the probe main body 21. The communication unit 22 is drawn to the probe main body 21 together with the collection of the communication cable 23 and attached to the probe main body 21 (returns to the state of FIG. 1).

  When the communication cable 23 is collected in the probe main body 21, the rear end surface 21a of the probe main body 21 formed in the same size and the joining surface 22a of the communication unit 22 are combined, and as shown in FIG. 1, the probe main body 21 and the communication unit 22 are combined. Are integrated.

  An ultrasonic transducer array (hereinafter abbreviated as UT array) 25 is built in the distal end portion of the probe main body 21. As is well known, the UT array 25 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (hereinafter abbreviated as UTs) 25a in the elevation direction on a convex backing material whose cross section perpendicular to the elevation direction is formed in a substantially bowl shape. It has a structure arranged at equal intervals in the orthogonal azimuth direction. An acoustic matching layer and an acoustic lens are sequentially stacked on the plurality of UTs 25a.

  The UT 25a is formed by forming electrodes on both surfaces of a piezoelectric thick film such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate) or PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). When a voltage (excitation pulse) is applied to both electrodes, the piezoelectric body vibrates to generate ultrasonic waves, and thereby the ultrasonic waves are irradiated to the observation site of the subject. In addition, when a reflected wave from the site to be observed is received, the piezoelectric body vibrates to generate a voltage, and this voltage is output as an echo signal.

  A plug 26 projects from the joint surface 22 a of the communication unit 22. The plug 26 is inserted into the adapter 19, whereby the communication unit 22 is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 12 by wire. On the other hand, a wireless communication unit 52 (see FIG. 4) built in the communication unit 22 performs wireless communication with the ultrasonic observation device 12.

  The communication unit 22 includes a hook 27 to be hooked on a practitioner's clothes (chest pocket or nursing cap). The hook 27 is provided so as to protrude somewhat from the joint surface 22a.

  A plug housing portion 28 for housing the plug 26 and a hook housing portion 29 for housing the hook 27 are formed on the rear end surface 21 a of the probe body 21. When the communication unit 22 is attached to the probe main body 21, the plug 26 is fitted into the plug storage portion 28. When the communication unit 22 is attached to the probe main body 21, the hook 27 is fitted into the hook storage portion 29.

  FIG. 3 shows the cable reel mechanism 31 in a state where the communication cable 23 is stretched. The cable reel mechanism 31 includes a cylindrical core 32 around which the communication cable 23 is wound, a mainspring spring 33 that urges the core 32 in a clockwise direction (winding direction) in the drawing, and the core 32 as an axis. A link rod 37 that slides in conjunction with depression of the collection button 24, and a direction opposite to the direction in which the collection button 24 is depressed (drawing). The ratchet type is composed of a coil spring 38 for urging the link rod 37 in the upward direction.

  An insertion hole 39 through which the communication cable 23 is inserted is formed in the winding core 32, and the communication cable 23 is inserted from the outside to the inside of the winding core 32. The communication cable 23 inserted inside the winding core 32 is connected to an ultrasonic circuit 41 (see FIG. 4).

  The winding core 32 is urged in the winding direction by the mainspring spring 33, but the claw 36 of the link rod 37 meshes with the teeth 35 of the gear 34, so that the rotation of the winding core 32 in the winding direction is prevented. ing.

  When the recovery button 24 is pressed, the link rod 37 slides downward in the drawing against the biasing force of the coil spring 38, and the engagement between the claw 36 of the link rod 37 and the tooth 35 of the gear 34 is released. Thereby, the winding core 32 rotates in the winding direction by the urging force of the mainspring spring 33. The communication cable 23 is wound around the core 32 and collected in the probe main body 21.

  When the depression of the recovery button 24 is released, the link rod 37 slides upward in the drawing by the biasing force of the coil spring 38. Thereby, the claw 36 of the link rod 37 meshes with the teeth 35 of the gear 34, the rotation of the winding core 32 is prevented, and the collection of the communication cable 23 is stopped.

  When the communication cable 23 is extended from the state in which the communication cable 23 is collected in the probe main body 21, the winding core 32 rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction against the urging force of the mainspring spring 33. Each tooth 35 of the gear 34 gets over the claw 36 of the link rod 37 one after another.

  When the extension of the communication cable 23 is released, the tooth 35 of the gear 34 that has finally passed over the claw 36 of the link rod 37 meshes with the claw 36 of the link rod 37, and the rotation of the winding core 32 is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic circuit 41 includes a CPU 42, a Tx / Rx 43, a pulsar 44, a receiver 45, a timing controller 46, an A / D 47, a P / S 48, and a battery 49. The CPU 42 comprehensively controls the ultrasonic circuit 41 and the communication circuit 50 built in the communication unit 22.

  A Tx / Rx 43 is connected to the UT 25a constituting the UT array 25. The Tx / Rx 43 switches transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves and echo signals by the UT 25a at predetermined time intervals.

  A pulser 44 and a receiver 45 are connected to Tx / Rx43. The pulser 44 outputs an excitation pulse (pulse voltage) for generating an ultrasonic wave to the Tx / Rx 43. The receiver 45 amplifies the echo signal input from the UT 25a. Although not shown in the drawing, the number of Tx / Rx 43, the pulsar 44, the receiver 45, and the A / D 47 is actually provided by the number of the UTs 25a.

  A timing controller 46 is connected to the pulsar 44. The timing controller 46 outputs an excitation signal for generating an excitation pulse to the pulser 44.

  An A / D 47 is connected to the receiver 45. The A / D 47 digitizes the analog echo signal output from the receiver 45. P / S 48 is connected to A / D 47. The P / S 48 converts the parallel data output from each A / D 47 into serial data.

  The battery 49 supplies power to each part of the ultrasonic probe 13. When the ultrasonic probe 13 is wired to the ultrasonic observation device 12, the battery 49 is charged with power supplied from the power source 63 of the ultrasonic observation device 12 via the adapter 19 and the plug 26.

  The communication circuit 50 includes a modulator 51, a wireless communication unit 52, and an antenna 53. The communication circuit 50 functions when the plug 26 is not inserted into the adapter 19, and the function stops when the plug 26 is inserted into the adapter 19. FIG. 4 shows a case where the plug 26 is inserted into the adapter 19. In FIG. 4, the state in which the arrow indicated by a broken line is eliminated between the adapter 19 and the plug 26 indicates a case where the plug 26 is not inserted into the adapter 19.

  A P / S 48 is connected to the modulator 51 via the communication cable 23. The modulator 51 modulates the serial data output from the P / S 48 into a radio wave and outputs the radio wave to the wireless communication unit 52. The wireless communication unit 52 amplifies the radio wave from the modulator 51 and outputs it to the ultrasonic observation device 12 via the antenna 53.

  The processing circuit 54 built in the ultrasonic observation device 12 includes a CPU 55, a wireless communication unit 56, an antenna 57, a demodulator 58, an S / P 59, a reception beamformer 60, a detection Log compression circuit 61, a DSC 62, and a power supply 63. ing. The CPU 55 controls the processing circuit 54 in an integrated manner.

  The wireless communication unit 56 receives and amplifies the radio wave from the communication unit 22 via the antenna 57. A demodulator 58 is connected to the wireless communication unit 56.

  The demodulator 58 demodulates the radio wave output from the wireless communication unit 56 to the original serial data output from the P / S 48 and outputs the demodulated data to the S / P 59.

  A demodulator 58 is connected to the S / P 59, and when the ultrasonic probe 13 is wired to the ultrasonic observer 12, a P / S 48 is connected via the adapter 19 and the plug 26. ing.

  The S / P 59 converts the serial data output from the P / S 48 into original parallel data. A reception beamformer 60 is connected to the S / P 59. The reception beamformer 60 performs a phase matching operation on the parallel data. A detection log compression circuit 61 is connected to the reception beam former 60. The detection log compression circuit 61 detects the amplitude of the parallel data output from the reception beamformer 60 and performs logarithmic compression.

  A DSC 62 is connected to the detection Log compression circuit 61. The DSC 62 converts the parallel data logarithmically compressed by the detection Log compression circuit 61 into a television signal. The TV signal converted by the DSC 62 is D / A converted by a D / A converter (not shown) and displayed on the monitor 17 as an ultrasonic image.

  The power source 63 is connected to each part of the ultrasonic observation device 12 and supplies power thereto. When the ultrasonic probe 13 is wired to the ultrasonic observation device 12, a battery 49 is connected to the power source 63 via the adapter 19 and the plug 26. In this case, the power source 63 functions as a charger that charges the battery 49.

  Next, each use state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 will be described. FIG. 5A shows a state where the communication unit 22 is attached to the probe main body 21. In this state, wireless communication is performed between the ultrasonic observation device 12 and the ultrasonic probe 13.

  A practitioner such as a doctor places the ultrasonic probe 13 on the subject and presses an examination start button (not shown) provided on the ultrasonic probe 13. Thereby, the inspection by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 is started.

  When the inspection is started, the CPU 42 of the ultrasonic circuit 41 controls the timing controller 46. The timing controller 46 outputs an excitation signal to the balsa 44. The pulser 44 outputs an excitation pulse based on the excitation signal output from the timing controller 46. The excitation pulse output from the pulsar 44 is input to the UT 25a via the Tx / Rx 43.

  The UT 25a emits ultrasonic waves according to the excitation pulse output from the pulser 44, and receives the reflected waves reflected by the subject. When receiving the reflected wave, the UT 25a generates a voltage and outputs this voltage as an echo signal.

  The echo signal output from the UT 25a is input to the receiver 45 via Tx / Rx43. The receiver 45 amplifies the echo signal input from the UT 25a. The echo signal amplified by the receiver 45 is input to the A / D 47 and digitized. The parallel data digitized by each A / D 47 is input to the P / S 48 and converted into serial data.

  The serial data is output from the P / S 48 to the modulator 51. The modulator 51 modulates the serial data output from the P / S 48 into radio waves. The radio wave modulated from the serial data by the modulator 51 is output from the ultrasonic probe 13 via the antenna 53 by the wireless communication unit 52.

  The radio wave output from the ultrasonic probe 13 is received by the ultrasonic observation device 12 via the antenna 57 by the wireless communication unit 56. The radio wave received by the wireless communication unit 56 is demodulated into serial data by the demodulator 58. Serial data demodulated from the radio wave is output to S / P 59.

  The serial data is converted to the original parallel data at S / P59. The parallel data converted by the S / P 59 is sequentially input to the reception beam former 60 and the detection log compression circuit 61, and subjected to predetermined processing.

  The parallel data is output to the DSC 62. The DSC 62 converts the echo signal into a television signal. The television signal converted by the DSC 62 is displayed on the monitor 17 as an ultrasonic image.

  The state of wireless communication is determined by the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor 17. If the communication state is good, it can be used as it is. When the communication state is poor, the practitioner extends the communication cable 23 and arranges the communication unit 22 at a place where the communication state with the ultrasonic observation device 12 is good. The length of the communication cable 23 is adjusted by adjusting the pulling amount of the communication unit 22 or pressing the collection button 24.

  FIG. 5B shows a state where the communication cable 23 is extended and the communication unit 22 is removed from the probe main body 21. In this state, wireless communication is performed between the ultrasonic observation device 12 and the ultrasonic probe 13 as in the state shown in FIG.

  When the communication unit 22 is detached from the probe main body 21 and the communication state is poor, when the ultrasonic image is surely acquired at the expense of operability, the subject uses a pacemaker and performs wireless communication. In the case of avoiding or charging the battery 49 of the ultrasonic probe 13, the practitioner inserts the plug 26 of the communication unit 22 into the adapter 19 of the ultrasonic observation device 12.

  FIG. 5C shows a state where the ultrasonic observation device 12 and the ultrasonic probe 13 are connected by wire. In this case, the function of the communication circuit 50 is stopped, and the serial data output from the P / S 48 is output to the S / P 59 via the plug 26 and the adapter 19. In addition, power is supplied from the power supply 63 of the ultrasonic observation device 12, and the battery 49 of the ultrasonic probe 13 is charged. The other processes are the same as in the state shown in FIG.

  As described above, when a stable communication state can be ensured, the communication unit 22 can be used in a state of being attached to the probe body 21 (see FIG. 5A), so that the communication cable 23 interferes. There is nothing and excellent operability.

  Even when the communication unit 22 is attached to the probe main body 21 and a stable communication state cannot be ensured, the communication unit 22 is removed from the probe main body 21 and the communication cable 23 is extended (see FIG. 5B). Thus, the communication unit 22 can be arranged and used in a place where a stable communication state can be secured. Although the probe main body 21 and the communication unit 22 are connected by a communication cable 23, when the communication unit 22 is attached to a practitioner, the ultrasonic probe is connected to an ultrasonic observation device in a wired manner. Excellent operability.

  Even when the communication unit 22 is detached from the probe main body 21 and a stable communication state cannot be ensured, the plug 26 of the communication unit 22 is inserted into the adapter 19 of the ultrasonic observation device 12 (FIG. 5 ( C)), the ultrasonic observation device 12 and the ultrasonic probe 13 are connected by wire, and a stable communication state can be secured. In this way, the usage state can be properly used according to the quality of the communication state, and the best operability can be ensured in each situation.

  In addition, although the communication state of the ultrasonic observation device 12 and the ultrasonic probe 13 has been described as an example in which the communication state is determined based on the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor 17, a monitor lamp that is lit or blinks depending on the communication state. You may provide in the ultrasonic observation device 12 or the ultrasonic probe 13. FIG. In this case, a detection unit that detects the communication state is provided, and the monitor lamp is turned on or blinked based on the detection result of the detection unit. For example, it blinks green when the communication state is good, and lights red when the communication state is bad.

  In addition, although the ratchet type has been described as an example of the cable reel mechanism for adjusting the length of the communication cable 23, the cable reel mechanism is not limited thereto, and may be a click stop type, for example.

  The click-stop type cable reel mechanism includes a winding core positioned at a predetermined angle (for example, 3 °) and a dial that rotates the winding core, and the length of the communication cable 23 is adjusted by the rotation of the dial. Similarly to the ratchet type, the communication cable 23 can be extended by pulling the communication unit 22 away from the probe main body 21.

  Moreover, although the case where the communication cable 23 is collected by the probe main body 21 has been described as an example, the communication cable 23 may be collected by the communication unit 22. Alternatively, a mechanism for collecting the communication cable 23 may be provided on a member different from the probe main body 21 and the communication unit 22.

  The communication unit 22 may be detachably attached to the probe main body 21, and the communication cable 23 may not be collected in the probe main body 21. In this configuration, when the communication unit 22 is attached to the probe main body 21 and used, it is preferable to fix the communication cable 23 in a bundled state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 Ultrasonic observer 13 Ultrasonic probe 21 Probe main body 22 Communication unit 23 Communication cable 25 Ultrasonic transducer array (UT array)
25a Ultrasonic transducer (UT)
26 Plug 27 Hook 28 Plug storage part 31 Cable reel mechanism 49 Battery 52 Wireless communication part

Claims (9)

A probe main body containing an ultrasonic transducer that transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and receives reflected waves from the subject and converts them into electrical signals;
A communication cable connected to the probe body and wire-communicating the electrical signal converted by the ultrasonic transducer;
The electrical power that is detachably attached to the probe body, is of a size that can be manipulated integrally with the probe body when attached to the probe body, is connected to the communication cable, and is wiredly communicated by the communication cable. An ultrasonic probe comprising: a communication unit that houses a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates signals to an external device.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising a length adjusting mechanism that adjusts a length of the communication cable.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the length adjusting mechanism is a ratchet type cable reel mechanism that winds up the communication cable. The communication cable is collected by the probe body or the communication unit by the cable reel mechanism,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, wherein the communication unit is attached to the probe body by collecting the communication cable.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes a hook portion that is hooked on a clothes of a practitioner.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes a plug for wired communication with an external device.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, wherein the probe main body includes a plug housing portion that houses the plug when the communication unit is attached.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, further comprising a battery that is charged via the plug during wired communication with an external device.   An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1.

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