JP2011177266A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of securing the operability for a user by rotating an operation part for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves; a housing in which the ultrasonic probe is mounted; a support member attached to a control panel surface, one surface of the housing, and having a plurality of operation devices for the input operation; and a rotary member for supporting the support member rotatably to the control panel surface of the housing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that images and diagnoses the inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a medical apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe to a subject, receives a reflected wave caused by a difference in acoustic impedance of tissues constituting the subject, and displays the reflected wave on a display unit. Diagnosis by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is performed by generating a real-time ultrasonic image by bringing an ultrasonic probe into contact with the body surface of the subject and displaying the ultrasonic image on a display.

  As the ultrasonic probe and the image generation method mounted on such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus become more sophisticated, the operation unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is also complicated. For example, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a three-dimensional image, an invention is disclosed in which a slice plane for generating a three-dimensional image is changed by operating a wheel provided on an operation panel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP 2009-125371 A

  FIG. 12 shows how a subject 101 is diagnosed using a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000. As illustrated in FIG. 12A, when the subject 101 is on the right side with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000, the user 100 is positioned on the right side with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000. Then, the ultrasonic probe 1002 connected by the cable 1003 is held in the right hand, and the ultrasonic probe 1002 is brought into contact with the subject 101. At this time, the user 100 operates the operation unit 1012 provided on the operation panel 1004 with the left hand. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the subject 101 is on the left side with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000, the user 100 is positioned on the left side with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000, and the ultrasonic probe The operation unit 1012 is operated with the right hand while holding 1003 in the left hand.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, since the user 100 performs diagnosis while being obliquely positioned with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000, the user 100 is disposed inclined in an oblique direction as viewed from the user. The operation unit 12 must be operated, and the operability is impaired. Therefore, there has been a demand for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that does not impair operability regardless of the position of the user 100 in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b).

  Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to ensure the operability of the user by rotating the operation unit.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a casing to which the ultrasonic probe is attached, and an operation panel surface that is one surface of the casing are attached. And a support member having a plurality of operation devices for performing an input operation, and a rotation member that rotatably supports the support member with respect to an operation panel surface of the housing. To do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure user operability by rotating the operation unit.

1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the operation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the mode of the diagnosis using the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows a mode that the rotation operation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention rotates left. The figure which shows a mode that the rotation operation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention rotates right. The figure which shows the structure of the locking member which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the lock member when the rotation operation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention rotates. The figure which shows the structure of the lock member when the rotation operation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention rotates further. The figure which shows the structure of the rotation latching | locking part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the rotation latching | locking part when the rotation operation part rotates based on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the mode of the diagnosis using the conventional ultrasonic diagnosing device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Internal configuration of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present invention. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present invention is configured by combining an ultrasonic probe 2 and a system control unit 10 as shown in FIG. The components constituting the system control unit 10 are packaged so as to be able to function by a casing made of various materials such as polycarbonate, plastic, and aluminum.

  The system control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The system control unit 10 includes an operation unit 12, a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an ultrasonic image generation unit 15, a transmission / reception unit 21, a B-mode processing unit 22, and a Doppler processing unit 23, which will be described later. Note that the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in the present invention is not limited to this, and appropriate components may be added. Alternatively, the constituent elements may be omitted or integrated.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 generates an ultrasonic wave based on the drive signal output from the transmission / reception unit 21, receives the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject, and converts it into an electric signal (hereinafter referred to as an echo signal). A plurality of piezoelectric vibrating elements, a matching layer attached so as to be in contact with the piezoelectric vibrating elements, and a backing material that prevents propagation of ultrasonic waves in a direction opposite to the subject. When the ultrasonic probe 210 transmits an ultrasonic wave toward the subject, the transmitted ultrasonic wave generates a reflected wave due to the difference in acoustic impedance of the body tissue constituting the subject. The ultrasonic probe 2 converts this reflected wave into an echo signal and outputs the echo signal to the transmission / reception unit 21.

  The transmission / reception unit 21 includes a pulser circuit and a delay circuit that are used when outputting a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2. The pulsar circuit repeatedly generates rate pulses that cause the ultrasonic probe 2 to transmit ultrasonic waves. The delay circuit adds a delay time for determining the transmission directivity by converging the ultrasonic wave into a beam shape to the rate pulse. The transmission / reception unit 21 outputs the rate pulse to which the delay time is added to the ultrasonic probe 2 as a drive signal. On the other hand, the transmission / reception unit 21 includes an amplifier circuit, an A / D converter, and an adder used when receiving an echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2. The amplifier circuit amplifies the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2 and outputs it to the A / D converter. The A / D converter gives a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity of the amplified echo signal to the echo signal and outputs it to the adder. The adder adds echo signals given delay times to generate an echo signal corresponding to a scan line for transmitting ultrasonic waves. When the transmission / reception unit 21 generates an echo signal, the transmission / reception unit 21 outputs the echo signal to the B-mode processing unit 22 or the Doppler processing unit 23.

  The B-mode processing unit 22 generates a B-mode signal that changes according to the amplitude intensity of the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 21. The B mode processing unit 22 outputs the generated B mode signal to the ultrasonic image generation unit 15.

  The Doppler processing unit 23 detects the frequency transition of the echo signal and generates a Doppler signal obtained by extracting the moving speed of the tissue or blood flow. The Doppler processing unit 23 outputs a Doppler signal to the ultrasonic image generation unit 15.

  The ultrasonic image generation unit 15 generates an ultrasonic image based on the B mode signal and the Doppler signal output from the B mode processing unit 22 and the Doppler processing unit 23. The generation of the ultrasonic image is performed while switching the image generation mode according to the mode switching signal instructed from the operation unit 12. For example, when the operation unit 12 instructs the B mode, the ultrasonic image generation unit 15 generates a B mode image by mapping the B mode signal to coordinates corresponding to transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves. When the operation unit 12 instructs the Doppler mode, the ultrasonic image generation unit 15 maps the Doppler signal to coordinates corresponding to transmission / reception of the ultrasonic wave, and further generates a Doppler image superimposed on the B-mode image. The ultrasonic image generation unit 15 generates these ultrasonic images and outputs them to the display unit 14.

  In addition, although the example which switches and produces | generates a B mode image and a Doppler image according to the mode switching signal was shown here, the ultrasonic image which the ultrasonic image generation unit 15 produces | generates is not restricted to this. For example, in a region where a frequency transition occurs in an echo signal, a moving speed / dispersion of the tissue or blood flow / amplitude of the echo signal is calculated from the frequency transition, and coloring is performed based on these parameters and displayed. An ultrasound image may be generated based on various modes such as an imaging mode and an M mode that displays a reflected wave intensity change in a specific diagnostic region in a time series. Or after generating ultrasonic images, such as a B-mode image and a Doppler image, you may provide the parallel display mode which arranges the ultrasonic image of another mode, and displays a new ultrasonic image. Alternatively, when the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves two-dimensionally, a three-dimensional ultrasonic image is generated based on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic image generation unit 15, and the three-dimensional ultrasonic waves are generated. A three-dimensional B mode, a three-dimensional Doppler mode, or the like that cuts out a specific slice plane from an image and generates a two-dimensional ultrasonic image may be provided. When the ultrasonic image generation unit 15 generates a three-dimensional ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic image generation unit 15 changes the slice plane based on the instruction signal output from the operation unit 12 to generate a two-dimensional ultrasonic image. Generate.

  The display unit 14 is a display composed of, for example, an LCD (Lucid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence). The display unit 14 displays the ultrasonic image output from the ultrasonic image generation unit 15. Alternatively, parameters for the ultrasonic image generation unit 15 to display an ultrasonic image, parameters for the ultrasonic probe 2 to transmit / receive ultrasonic waves, and the like are displayed.

  The storage unit 13 is a storage medium that includes, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory that is an electrically rewritable and erasable nonvolatile memory, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit 13 stores various application data and control data executed by the CPU of the system control unit 10 and the ultrasound image output from the ultrasound image generation unit 15.

  The operation unit 12 is configured using various operation devices such as mechanical buttons, dials, trackballs, sliders, and wheels, for example. The operation unit 12 converts the input performed by the user 100 into an electric signal and sends it to the system control unit 10. Output. The operation unit 12 includes a rotation operation unit 121 described later. The operation unit 12 includes, for example, a B mode switching button, a Doppler mode switching button, a CDI mode switching button, an M mode switching button, and a three-dimensional ultrasound image that are used to switch modes in which the ultrasound image generation unit 15 generates an ultrasound image. A slice plane switching button for changing the slice plane from which the ultrasonic image is cut out, a slice position switching wheel for changing the display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic image, a start / stop button for starting or stopping the transmission of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe 2, A freeze button for stopping rewriting of the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit 14, a diagnostic information input button for inputting information such as the name of the subject 101 and associating it with the ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound image generating unit 15, Store button for storing sound image in storage unit 13, ultrasonic image Image display condition switching button for switching image display conditions such as designation of the display area and contrast of the ultrasonic image, ultrasonic parameter switching button for switching the frequency or transmission interval of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2, and display section 14, a cursor key for moving the cursor, a Set button for selecting the selection item on the cursor, a Next button for switching the selection item when a plurality of selection items are displayed, and the ultrasonic probe 2 It comprises a gain dial that changes the gain of ultrasonic waves to be transmitted and received, and a trackball that moves a cursor displayed in the display unit 14 by rotating. The aforementioned gain dial and trackball are configured by combining two. Specifically, the gain dial is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape so as to accommodate the trackball, and the trackball is inserted into this hollow area. Hereinafter, an operation device combining a gain dial and a trackball is simply referred to as a palm switch. The user 100 operates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 by operating the operation unit 12. In addition, characters and symbols indicating roles assigned to the operation devices are printed on the operation surface of each operation device and in the vicinity of the operation device. The user 100 visually recognizes these characters and symbols, confirms what function is assigned to the operation device, and performs an operation.

  The operation devices constituting the operation unit 12 are not limited to those listed here, and other operation devices to which various control signals are assigned may be provided. Some of them may be omitted. Alternatively, any of the operation units 12 may be configured using various operation devices such as a trackball, direction keys, and a slider instead of the buttons.

(Appearance of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the operation unit 12, the display unit 14, and the ultrasonic probe 2 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. A plate-like operation panel 4 is provided on the housing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, and a display unit 14 is provided adjacent to the operation panel 4. In addition, although the display part 14 shows the example comprised integrally with the operation panel 4 in a present Example, the structure of this invention is not restricted to this. For example, the display unit 14 is configured by a thin liquid crystal display, and the casing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the display unit 14 are connected by a movable arm so that the direction of the display unit 14 can be arbitrarily changed. I do not care.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the casing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 via the cable 3. The cable 3 is made of, for example, a soft material such as rubber, silicon, or polyvinyl chloride, and incorporates an electrical cable that transmits and receives electrical signals. The drive signal transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 21 is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 2 through the electric cable 3, and the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2 is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 21 through the electric cable 3. Since the cable 3 is made of a soft material that can be bent, the user 100 can bend the cable 3 and move the ultrasonic probe 2 to a desired inspection site.

  The operation unit 12 is provided on the operation panel 4. In addition to the buttons and sliders fixed to the operation panel 4, the operation unit 12 is provided with a rotation operation unit 121 that can be rotated. The rotation operation unit 121 is a disk-shaped panel provided separately on the operation panel 4. The rotation operation unit 121 is provided to be rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the operation panel 4 by a rotation mechanism described later. Buttons indicated by AG and a palm switch indicated by H are provided on the upper part of the rotation operation unit 121. The buttons A to G are push buttons, and a B-mode switching button, a Doppler mode switching button, a CDI mode switching button, an M-mode switching button, a start / stop button, a freeze button, or a Store button that requires an operation during diagnosis. Etc. are assigned. These buttons are arranged in a substantially circular shape along a circumferential track on which the rotation operation unit 121 rotates. Since the push buttons 121 are arranged in a substantially circular shape, the user 100 can perform an operation of extending each finger and pressing each button while the palm is put on the center of the rotation operation unit 121.

  On the other hand, the palm switch shown in H is an operation device that combines a rotating dial and a trackball. When the user 100 rotates the dial or the trackball, the palm switch inputs a rotation direction and a rotation amount as an input signal. To the system control unit 10. The dial is used to increase / decrease the gain with which the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits / receives ultrasonic waves, and the trackball changes the slice surface of the ultrasonic image displayed in three dimensions, for example, or the cursor displayed in the display unit 14 Used to move

  The functions assigned to each operation device are not limited to those listed here, and other functions such as a Set button, a Next button, a slice position switching wheel, or an ultrasonic parameter switching button may be assigned. Absent. Further, the number and arrangement of the buttons provided on the upper surface of the rotation operation unit 121 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2, and the number may be increased or decreased, or the arrangement may be appropriately changed. In addition, although H is a palm switch, it may be configured by a lever, a direction key, or the like that transmits a moving direction to the system control unit 10 by moving, for example, forward, backward, left, or right. In addition, although the rotation operation unit 121 is described as a disk-shaped panel, the shape of the rotation operation unit 121 is not limited to those described here. For example, an ellipse, a polygon, or a combination of these figures is used. The shape may be different.

  FIG. 3 shows a top view and a cross-sectional view of the rotation operation unit 121. The cross-sectional view shows a cross section on the dotted line in FIG.

  The rotation operation unit 121 is located on a recess provided on the operation panel 4, and the rotation operation unit 121 is configured by fitting the support member 130 and the rotation member 140 together. The operation buttons and palm switches A to H described above are provided on the upper surface of the support member 130, and the signal lines connected to the operation buttons and the palm switch pass through the rotating member 140 and are connected to the system control unit 10. The

  As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, a support member guide 131 protruding downward is provided on the edge of the support member 130. On the other hand, the operation panel 4 is provided with an operation panel guide 41 that protrudes upward so as to wind the support member guide 131. The support member guide 131 and the operation panel guide 41 are each provided in a circle along the edge of the support member 130. The support member 130 is supported by the operation panel 4, and the support member guide 131 moves so as to slide along the operation panel guide 41, so that the support member 130 rotates on the operation panel 4.

  On the other hand, a rotation member guide 141 is provided at the lower end of the rotation member 140. The rotating member guide 141 is provided in a disk shape that covers the lower side of the operation panel guide 41. Since the rotating member guide 141 covers the lower side of the operation panel guide 41, the rotating member guide 141 is supported in a state in which the support member 130 is prevented from being lifted upward or pulled out. The support member 130 is supported so that the member 130 can rotate.

  With the above configuration, the rotation operation unit 121 including the support member 130 and the rotation member 140 rotates about an axis perpendicular to the operation panel 4. When the rotation operation unit 121 is rotated, the direction of buttons and palm switches provided on the rotation operation unit 121 is changed.

(Rotation of the rotation operation unit)
FIG. 4 shows how the subject 101 is diagnosed using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present invention. When making a diagnosis using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the user 100 pulls out the cable connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and holds the ultrasonic probe 2 in his / her hand. Diagnosis is made by contacting the desired inspection site. Accordingly, the positional relationship between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the user 100 changes in two ways depending on the position of the subject 101. One is when the subject 101 is placed on the right side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 4 (a), and the other is as shown in FIG. 4 (b). This is a case where the subject 101 is placed on the left side.

  In the case of FIG. 4A, the user 100 is located on the right side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and makes a diagnosis by holding the ultrasonic probe 2 in the right hand. When performing an operation such as display mode switching during diagnosis, the user 100 operates the operation unit 12 disposed on the left side when viewed from the user.

  When the user 100 operates the operation unit 12, the user 100 performs an operation by reaching out to the left side of the user 100. At this time, in order to match the direction of the finger and the arrangement of the operation devices, it is desirable that the arrangement direction of the operation devices is a direction facing the user 100. Further, when the user 100 visually recognizes the characters printed on the operation device of the operation unit 12, the direction of the operation device is set to the user 100 in order to make the character print direction coincide with the direction of the user 100. It is desirable that the direction is directly opposite to. In addition, when the user 100 performs an operation with direction designation using an operation device such as a trackball, a direction key, or a lever, the direction in which the user 100 visually recognizes the operation device matches the operation direction. The direction of the operation device is preferably a direction facing the user 100.

  Therefore, when the subject 101 is located on the right side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 4A, the user 100 performs the operation by rotating the rotation operation unit 121 to the left. FIG. 5 shows an appearance of the operation panel 4 when the rotation operation unit 121 is rotated leftward. The rotation operation unit 121 rotates leftward, so that the operator 100 faces the arrow 200 that is a direction in which an arm 100 is extended when the rotation operation unit 121 is operated or a direction in which the rotation operation unit 121 is visually recognized. . When the rotation operation unit 121 faces the arrow 200, the user 100 can operate the rotation operation unit 121 in an orientation that allows easy operation with respect to the user, and easily prints characters printed on the operation device. Can be visually recognized.

  On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 4B, the user 100 is located on the left side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and makes a diagnosis by holding the ultrasonic probe 2 in the left hand. When an operation such as display mode switching is performed during diagnosis, the user operates the operation unit 12 arranged on the right side when viewed from the user, contrary to the case of FIG. Therefore, when the subject 101 is positioned on the left side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 4B, the user 100 performs the operation by rotating the rotation operation unit 121 to the right side. FIG. 6 shows an appearance of the operation panel 4 when the rotation operation unit 121 is rotated rightward. The rotation operation unit 121 rotates rightward so as to face the arrow 201 that is a direction in which the operator 100 extends the arm when operating the rotation operation unit 121 or a direction in which the rotation operation unit 121 is visually recognized. .

  As described above, the rotation operation unit 121 rotates to the left and right, so that the user 100 can move the rotation operation unit 121 regardless of whether the user 100 is located on the right side or the left side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Can be changed in a direction that is easy to operate.

(Lock member of the rotation operation unit)
By the engagement with the support member guide 131 and the operation panel guide 41 described above, the user 100 can rotate the operation panel 121 in accordance with its own direction. At this time, the user 100 may press the button on the rotation operation unit 121, or the rotation operation unit 121 may be rotated by a force that rotates the palm switch. Therefore, in order to fix the rotation operation unit 121 at a predetermined angle, a lock member may be provided on the rotation operation unit 121 and the operation panel 4.

  FIG. 7 shows a top view of the rotation operation unit 121 and a sectional view of the lock member. The cross-sectional view shows a cross section on the dotted line in FIG. The lock member is configured by providing the support member guide 131 with a recess 132 and providing the rotation member guide 41 with a projection 42.

  The recess 132 is a hemispherical recess provided in the protruding portion of the support member guide 131. The recesses 132 are provided in a shape that substantially coincides with the protrusions of the protrusions 42, and a plurality of recesses are provided at symmetrical positions on the support member guide 131. On the other hand, the convex portion 42 is provided at a symmetrical position on the operation panel guide 41 so as to coincide with the protruding portion of the support member guide 131. The convex portion 42 is configured by attaching a projection on a hemisphere to the tip of a spring that expands and contracts.

  When the rotation operation unit 121 rotates and the positions of the concave portion 132 and the convex portion 42 coincide with each other, the spring of the convex portion 42 extends and the protrusion at the tip of the convex portion 42 jumps upward. When the protrusion of the convex portion 42 pops out, the protrusion fits into the recess of the concave portion 132. The convex portion 42 is fitted in the concave portion 132, thereby preventing the rotation operation unit 121 from rotating. Thereby, the situation where the rotation operation part 121 rotates carelessly by the force which the user 100 presses the button on the rotation operation part 121 or operates a palm switch is prevented.

  FIG. 8 shows a top view and a cross-sectional view of the lock member when the rotation operation unit 121 is rotated. The cross-sectional view shows a cross section on the dotted line in FIG.

  When the user 100 applies a sufficient force to rotate the rotation operation unit 121, the spring of the convex portion 41 expands and contracts and the engagement between the concave portion 132 and the convex portion 42 is released. By releasing the engagement, the user 100 can rotate the rotation operation unit 121 along the support member guide 131 again.

  FIG. 9 shows a top view and a cross-sectional view of the lock member when the rotation operation unit 121 is further rotated. The cross-sectional view shows a cross section on the dotted line in FIG.

  When the user 100 further rotates the rotation operation unit 121, the positions of the concave portion 132 and the convex portion 42 coincide with each other according to the rotation. When the positions of the concave portion 132 and the convex portion 42 coincide with each other, the spring of the convex portion 42 extends as in the case described in FIG. 7, and the concave portion 132 and the convex portion 42 are engaged again. The convex portion 42 is fitted in the concave portion 132, thereby preventing the rotation operation unit 121 from rotating. It is possible to prevent the user 100 from inadvertently rotating the rotation operation unit 121 by pressing a button on the rotation operation unit 121 or operating the palm switch. Thereby, the user 100 can perform an operation while keeping the angle of the rotation operation unit 121.

  In order to prevent a situation in which the rotation operation unit 121 rotates to an angle more than necessary, the rotation locking unit 43 may be provided on the operation panel 4. FIG. 10 shows a top view of the rotation operation unit 121 and a side surface of the rotation locking unit 43. The side view shows an overhead view of the rotation operation unit 121 from the direction indicated by the arrow 202 in FIG.

  The rotation locking portion 43 is provided on the same circumference as the circumference on which the support member guide 131 on the operation panel 4 is provided. As shown in FIG. 10, the rotation locking portion 43 is provided on the front side with respect to the rotation operation portion 121. On the other hand, the support member guide 131 is provided so as to cover the edge of the rotation operation unit 121 except around the rotation locking unit 43.

  FIG. 11 shows a top view of the rotation operation unit 121 and the side surface of the rotation locking unit 43 when the rotation operation unit 121 rotates. The side view shows an overhead view of the rotation operation unit 121 from the direction indicated by the arrow 202 in FIG.

  When the rotation operation unit 121 rotates, the support member guide 131 comes into contact with the rotation locking unit 43 provided on the same circumference on the side surface. The rotation locking portion 43 is in contact with the support member guide 131, thereby preventing the rotation operation portion 121 from rotating further leftward. Thereby, the situation where the rotation operation part 121 rotates more than necessary and hinders operability can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, in order to perform locking in the three states, that is, the state in which the rotation operation unit 121 faces the front, the state inclined to the left side, and the state inclined to the right side, as shown in FIG. An example in which six are provided is shown. However, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which a large number of recesses 132 are provided so that the recesses 132 and the projections 42 can be engaged at various angles. Or it is good also as a structure which provides the several convex part 42 and the some convex part 42 engages.

(Effect of this embodiment)
With the configuration of the above invention, the user 100 rotates the rotation operation unit 121 to the left and right. Thereby, even when the user 100 is positioned obliquely with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the user 100 can determine the direction of the finger and the arrangement direction of the operation device arranged on the rotation operation unit 121. Operations can be performed in the state of matching. Thereby, the user 100 can operate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 while maintaining operability.

  Even when the user 100 is obliquely positioned with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the user 100 designates a direction using a palm switch, lever, or direction key arranged on the rotation operation unit 121. The line of sight and the direction of the operation can be made coincident when performing an operation involving. Thereby, the user 100 can operate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 while maintaining operability.

  Even when the user 100 is obliquely positioned with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the user 100 is directed to the direction of characters or symbols printed on the operation device or in the vicinity of the operation device and the line of sight of the user 100. The operation can be performed with the direction of Thereby, the user 100 can easily visually recognize characters and symbols.

  The rotation operation unit 121 includes a B mode switching button, a Doppler mode switching button, a CDI mode switching button, an M mode switching button, a freeze button, which are functions that the user 100 needs to perform during diagnosis. Operation devices such as a Store button, a Set button, a Next button, or a slice plane position change wheel are provided. If all the operation devices included in the operation unit 12 are rotatably provided, the rotation operation unit 121 becomes large, and as a result, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 becomes large. By providing the above-mentioned operation device on the rotation operation unit 121 that the user 100 operates with the ultrasonic probe 2 held in one hand instead of all the operation devices, the operability is improved and the rotation operation unit 121 is provided. Can be reduced. As a result, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 can be made compact.

  Further, the buttons on the upper surface of the rotation operation unit 121 are arranged on a substantially circumference along the rotation path of the rotation operation unit 121. Accordingly, the user 100 can perform an operation by extending a finger and pressing each push button while the palm is put on the center of the rotation operation unit 121, and the user 100 holds the ultrasonic probe 2 in one hand. It is possible to easily operate the operation device on the rotation operation unit 121 while keeping the posture.

Various inventions can be formed by proper combinations of a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, although the support member 130 is described as being supported by the operation panel 4, the support member 130 may be supported by a base provided inside the operation panel 4, for example. Further, for example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Or you may combine the component covering a different Example suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 3 Cable 4 Operation panel 10 System control part 12 Operation part 13 Storage unit 14 Display part 15 Ultrasonic image generation unit 21 Transmission / reception unit 22 B mode processing unit 23 Doppler processing unit 41 Operation panel guide 42 Convex part 43 Rotation locking part 121 Rotation operation part 130 Support member 131 Support member guide 132 Concave part 140 Rotation member 141 Rotation member guide

Claims (5)

An ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound; and
A housing to which the ultrasonic probe is attached;
A support member that is attached to an operation panel surface that is one surface of the housing and includes a plurality of operation devices for performing an input operation;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a rotation member that rotatably supports the support member with respect to an operation panel surface of the housing. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lock member that stops the rotation of the support member when the rotation angle of the support member reaches a predetermined angle. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation device is provided on the support member side by side on a substantially circumference along a track along which the support member rotates. An ultrasonic image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image of a predetermined drawing mode based on the ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe;
The operation device includes at least one of a button for stopping transmission or reception of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe and a button for switching a drawing mode in which the ultrasonic image generation unit generates an ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation device includes a trackball that moves a cursor by rotating a sphere.

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