JP2012223353A - Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an ultrasonic probe being used from being removed from an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus body.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus 100 with a plurality of probe connectors for connecting the ultrasonic probe to the diagnosis apparatus body, includes: an input unit 26 having a function for selecting an ultrasonic probe 1a used for ultrasonic diagnosis from the ultrasonic probe; and a removal-prevention unit 30a for locking a probe connector 3a corresponding to the ultrasonic probe 1a based on selection information of the ultrasonic probe 1a selected by the input unit 26.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can prevent an ultrasonic probe in use from being separated (detached) from a diagnostic apparatus main body.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus emits an ultrasonic pulse (transmitted ultrasonic wave) generated from a vibration element incorporated in an ultrasonic probe into the body of the subject, and an ultrasonic reflected wave caused by a difference in acoustic impedance of the subject tissue. By receiving (reception ultrasonic waves) with the vibration element, in-vivo information of the subject is obtained non-invasively or minimally invasive. This diagnostic method is widely used for organ function diagnosis and morphological diagnosis because real-time image data can be easily obtained by a simple operation of simply bringing an ultrasonic probe into contact with the body surface.

  Ultrasound diagnostic methods for obtaining biological information from reflected waves from the tissue or blood cells of a subject have made rapid progress with the development of two major technologies, the ultrasonic pulse reflection method and the ultrasonic Doppler method. The obtained B-mode image and color Doppler image are indispensable in today's ultrasonic diagnosis.

  2. Description of the Related Art Today, the most popular electronic scanning ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus collects two-dimensional image data in real time by controlling transmission / reception with respect to a plurality of one-dimensionally arranged vibration elements at high speed. The two-dimensional image data in this case is collected by two-dimensional ultrasound scanning on the subject. In recent years, based on data (volume data) obtained by three-dimensional scanning, two-dimensional image data (arbitrary cross-section) ( A method for generating three-dimensional image data such as (MPR image data) and volume rendering image data has also been developed.

  As a method for collecting the volume data described above, a conventional ultrasonic probe in which a vibration element is one-dimensionally arranged is mechanically moved or rotated, and a two-dimensionally arranged vibration element is used to three-dimensionally in a subject. A method of sequentially transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a space has been proposed, but in the ultrasonic diagnosis in a circulatory region such as the heart, the latter method that enables real-time collection of volume data or three-dimensional image data is proposed. Widely used.

  The head portion of the ultrasonic probe to which the latter method is applied is provided with a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged vibration elements, and the number M0 of these vibration elements is the same as the conventional one in which the vibration elements are one-dimensionally arranged. 10 times to 100 times the number of elements of the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, when the M0 channel received signals obtained from these vibration elements are phased and summed to be bundled into one channel received signals, the signal cable connecting the phased adder unit of the diagnostic apparatus body and each of the vibration elements is provided. The number of channels also increases with the number of vibrating elements, and the operability of the ultrasonic probe to which a multi-channel signal cable is added has a problem that it is significantly deteriorated.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the phasing addition unit (first phasing addition unit) of the M2 channel (M2 <M0) is provided inside the ultrasonic probe, and the M0 vibration elements that are two-dimensionally arranged are the first. Are divided into the same number of oscillating element groups (subarrays) as the phasing and adding units of the first and the received signals obtained from M1 (M1≈M0 / M2) oscillating elements belonging to each oscillating element group are first phasing-added. A method has been proposed in which the M0 channel received signal is bundled into the M2 channel received signal inside the ultrasonic probe by performing phasing addition in the unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-342194 A

  According to the above-described method, the reception signal bundled in the M2 channel is supplied to the phasing addition unit (second phasing addition unit) provided in the diagnostic apparatus body via the M2 channel signal cable. In the second phasing and adding unit, the signals are further bundled into a reception signal of one channel. That is, the number of signal cable channels is reduced from the M0 channel to the M2 channel by performing the two-stage phasing addition using the phasing addition unit provided in each of the ultrasonic probe and the diagnostic apparatus main body. The operability is greatly improved.

  However, during the ultrasonic inspection of the subject in a state where the ultrasonic probe incorporating the circuit element such as the phasing addition unit is connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body, the above-described ultrasonic wave is caused for some reason. When the probe is detached from the diagnostic device main body, the drive signal supplied to the vibration element built in the ultrasonic probe or the power supply supplied to the circuit element described above is interrupted. There is a problem that the provided circuit element is damaged.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to form a lock state with respect to a probe connector that connects an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic apparatus body, thereby super It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of preventing damage to circuit elements and the like that are generated when the ultrasonic probe is detached from the diagnostic apparatus main body.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a plurality of probe connectors that connect an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic apparatus main body. Based on the selection information of the ultrasonic probe selected by the probe selection means selected by the probe selection means and the ultrasonic probe used for the inspection, a lock state is formed for the probe connector corresponding to the ultrasonic probe. It is characterized by having a separation prevention means.

1 is an external view of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the present embodiment. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the phasing addition part with which the ultrasound diagnosing device of this embodiment is provided, and an image data generation part. The figure which shows the probe side connector which comprises the probe connector of this embodiment. The figure which shows typically the locked state and open | release state of the probe side connector and apparatus main body side connector which are formed of the locking mechanism part of this embodiment. The figure which shows the specific example of the lock | rock function part which forms the locked state of the probe side connector and apparatus main body side connector in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of this embodiment described below, an ultrasonic probe suitable for ultrasonic examination of the subject is selected from various ultrasonic probes attached to the diagnostic apparatus main body by a probe connector. When the selection is made in step 2, the selection information is supplied to the detachment prevention unit of the diagnostic apparatus main body, and the probe side connector and the apparatus main body side connector constituting the probe connector are locked, so that the ultrasonic probe for the diagnostic apparatus main body is locked. Prevent the withdrawal of.

  Further, when stress for detaching the ultrasonic probe from the diagnostic apparatus main body is applied to the probe connector in the locked state, a warning wording is made based on the detection result of the stress detected by the above-described detachment preventing unit. Generate and display on the display.

  In the following embodiment, an ultrasonic probe including a head unit having a plurality of vibration elements and a reception unit for phasing and adding reception signals obtained from the vibration elements is diagnosed via a probe connector. Although the case of connecting to the apparatus main body will be described, the ultrasonic probe connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body is not limited to this, and may further include, for example, a transmission unit that drives the vibration element, You may provide only a head part.

(Device configuration)
The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the basic operation of each unit in the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. However, in the following embodiments, when a sector scanning ultrasonic probe is selected from three types of ultrasonic probes attached to the diagnostic apparatus main body via a probe connector and an ultrasonic inspection is performed on a subject. However, the number of ultrasonic probes attached to the diagnostic apparatus main body and the type of selected ultrasonic probe are not limited to those described above.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes ultrasonic probes 1a to 1c each including a vibration element that performs ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to the subject, and the ultrasonic probe 1a. The diagnostic apparatus main body 2 that generates and displays image data based on the received signals collected by the first through the first 1c, and probe connectors 3a through 3c that connect the ultrasonic probes 1a to 1c and the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 are provided. The probe connectors 3a to 3c are probe-side connectors 31a to 31c connected to the probe cables 13a to 13c of the ultrasonic probes 1a to 1c and an apparatus body-side connector 32a connected to a circuit unit (not shown) of the diagnostic apparatus body 2. The diagnostic device main body 2 is electrically connected to any one of the ultrasonic probes 1a to 1c selected by an input unit (not shown) included in the diagnostic device main body 2.

  Next, the configuration and function of each unit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 when the sector scanning type ultrasonic probe 1a is selected as an ultrasonic probe suitable for the ultrasonic examination will be described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 has M0 vibration elements that are one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally arranged at the tip, and performs ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to the subject. A scanning ultrasonic probe 1a, a diagnostic apparatus body 2 that generates and displays image data based on a received signal obtained from the vibration element, and a probe connector that connects the ultrasonic probe 1a and the diagnostic apparatus body 2 3a.

  The ultrasonic probe 1a is obtained from each of a head portion 11a in which M0 vibration elements are arranged and M2 vibration element groups 111-1 to 111-M2 formed for the M0 vibration elements. The M1 channel received signal is phased and added to bundle the M0 channel received signal into the M2 channel received signal, and the drive signal output from the diagnostic apparatus body 2 via the probe connector 3a is the head unit. The multi-channel probe cable 13a is supplied to the diagnostic device main body 2 via the probe connector 3a.

  The reception unit 12a includes phasing addition units 121-1 to 121-M2 including M2 channels. Then, the phasing adder 121-1 performs phasing addition of the M1 channel received signals supplied from the vibration element group 111-1 and bundles them into a 1 channel received signal. Similarly, the phasing adder 121- Each of 2 to 121-M2 performs phasing addition of the reception signal of the M1 channel supplied from each of the vibration element groups 111-2 to 111-M2 and bundles the reception signal of 1 channel.

  That is, the M0 channel received signals obtained from the M0 vibrating elements arranged in the head unit 11a are phased and added in units of vibrating element groups and bundled into the M2 channel received signals. The obtained reception signal of the M2 channel is diagnosed via the reception signal cable of the probe cable 13a of the ultrasonic probe 1a, the probe side connector 31a of the probe connector 3a, and the apparatus main body side connector 32a (see FIG. 1). Supplied to the apparatus body 2.

  When setting the delay for the received signal, it is desirable to delay both the envelope and the phase in the received waveform, but the difference in the delay time set for the received signal obtained from the adjacent vibration element is compared. If the target is small, delay setting having substantially the same accuracy can be performed by delaying only the phase.

  Next, the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a reference signal generation unit 21 that generates a reference signal having a predetermined frequency, and a transmission ultrasonic wave (ultrasonic wave) with respect to a predetermined direction of the subject. Pulse) to the M0 vibrating elements arranged in the head portion 11a of the ultrasonic probe 1a, and M2 supplied from the receiving portion 12a of the ultrasonic probe 1a. A phasing adder 23 for phasing and adding the received signals of the channels to bundle them into a received signal of one channel, and an image such as B-mode image data or color Doppler image data based on the received signals output from the phasing adder 23 An image data generation unit 24 that generates data and a display unit 25 that displays the obtained image data are provided.

  Furthermore, the diagnostic apparatus body 2 includes an input unit 26 for inputting subject information, selecting an ultrasound probe, selecting an imaging mode, setting image data generation conditions and image data display conditions, inputting various command signals, and the like. A scanning control unit 27 that controls the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction (scanning direction) with respect to the subject based on the selection information of the ultrasound probe and the selection information of the imaging mode supplied from the input unit 26, and the scanning control unit 27. Delay data for generating transmission delay data for the transmission delay setting unit 221 of the transmission unit 22 and reception delay data for the phasing addition units 121-1 to 121-M2 and the phasing addition unit 23 based on the scanning control signal. The generation unit 28 and the delay data for reception are supplied to the phasing addition units 121-1 to 121 -M 2 and the phasing addition unit 23 to the phasing addition units. A reception delay setting unit 29 that sets a delay time of the received reception signal, and a probe connector 3a that connects the ultrasonic probe 1a and the diagnostic apparatus main body 2, are provided adjacent to the ultrasonic probe 1a and the diagnostic apparatus main body 2. A detachment prevention unit 30a for preventing the detachment of the synthesizer and a system control unit 40 for comprehensively controlling the above-described units provided in the ultrasonic probe 1a and the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 are provided.

  The transmission unit 22 includes a transmission delay setting unit 221 and a driving unit 222, and the transmission delay setting unit 221 uses the reference signal supplied from the reference signal generation unit 21 and the transmission delay data supplied from the delay data generation unit 28. Based on this, a timing pulse having a delay time for converging the transmission ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth and a delay time for radiating in a predetermined direction is generated. On the other hand, the drive unit 222 generates a drive signal (drive pulse) for the M0 channel having a predetermined delay time based on the above-described timing pulse, and the apparatus main body side connector 32a and the probe side connector 31a (see FIG. 1) and the transmission signal cable of the probe cable 13a included in the ultrasonic probe 1a, is supplied to M0 vibration elements arranged in the head portion 11a.

  Next, specific configurations of the phasing addition unit 23 and the image data generation unit 24 provided in the diagnostic apparatus body 2 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The phasing adder 23 shown in FIG. 3 includes a preamplifier 231 including an M2 channel, an A / D converter 232, a delay unit 233, and an adder 234. The preamplifier 231 amplifies the reception signal of the M2 channel supplied from the phasing addition units 121-1 to 121-M2 of the ultrasonic probe 1a via the reception signal cable of the probe cable 13a and the probe connector 3a, and is sufficient. S / N is secured. The received signal amplified to a predetermined magnitude by the preamplifier 231 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 232 and supplied to the delay unit 233.

  The delay unit 233 has a delay time and a predetermined direction for converging the received ultrasonic wave (ultrasonic reflected wave) from a predetermined depth with respect to the reception signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 232. On the other hand, a delay time for setting a strong reception directivity is given, and the received signal of the M2 channel to which these delay times are given is added and synthesized in the adder 234. That is, the M2-channel received signal supplied from the receiving unit 12a of the ultrasonic probe 1a is phased and added by the delay unit 233 and the adding unit 234 and bundled into a 1-channel received signal.

  The received signals obtained from the M0 vibration elements using the phasing adders 121-1 to 121-M2 provided in the ultrasonic probe 1a and the phasing adder 23 provided in the diagnostic apparatus main body 2. Since the method of reducing the number of channels of the reception signal cable by phasing and adding the signals is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-342194 and the like, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the image data generation unit 24 illustrated in FIG. 3 performs processing on the reception signal output from the addition unit 234 of the phasing addition unit 23 to generate B mode data, and the reception mode. A color Doppler data generation unit 42 that performs signal processing to generate color Doppler data, and B-mode data and color Doppler data (hereinafter, referred to as “D” data obtained from a two-dimensional plane or a three-dimensional region by sequentially updating the transmission / reception direction of ultrasonic waves. Then, these are collectively referred to as ultrasound data)) and an ultrasound data processing unit 44 that processes these ultrasound data to generate two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data. It has.

  The B-mode data generation unit 41 includes an envelope detection unit 411 and a logarithmic conversion unit 412. The envelope detection unit 411 performs envelope detection on the reception signal after the phasing addition output from the addition unit 234 of the phasing addition unit 23, and the logarithmic conversion unit 412 performs the reception on the reception signal after the envelope detection. B-mode data in which a small signal amplitude is relatively emphasized is generated by logarithmic conversion processing.

  On the other hand, the color Doppler data generation unit 42 includes a π / 2 phase shift unit 421, mixers 422-1 and 422-2, and LPFs (low-pass filters) 423-1 and 423-2. Quadrature detection is performed on the received signal supplied from the adder 234 to detect a Doppler signal having a complex component (I component and Q component).

  Further, the color Doppler data generation unit 42 includes a Doppler signal storage circuit 424, an MTI filter 425, and an autocorrelation calculation unit 426. The Doppler signal obtained by the quadrature detection is temporarily stored in the Doppler signal storage unit 424. Next, the MTI filter 425 that is a high-pass digital filter is a fixed reflector such as an organ or respiratory movement or pulsatile movement of an organ included in the Doppler signal of a predetermined part read from the Doppler signal storage unit 424. The Doppler component (clutter component) resulting from is removed. Then, the autocorrelation calculation unit 426 calculates an autocorrelation value for the blood flow component of the Doppler signal extracted by the MTI filter 425, and further, based on the autocorrelation value, an average blood flow velocity value and a variance value Then, color Doppler data is generated by calculating the power value.

  Next, the ultrasound data storage unit 43 sequentially stores ultrasound data in the two-dimensional region or the three-dimensional region of the subject generated by the B-mode data generation unit 41 and the color Doppler data generation unit 42. On the other hand, the ultrasonic data processing unit 44 performs predetermined processing on the three-dimensional ultrasonic data stored in the ultrasonic data storage unit 43, for example, 3 such as volume rendering image data and surface rendering image data. Two-dimensional image data such as dimensional image data or MPR (multi-planar reconstruction) image data or MIP (maximum intensity projection) image data is generated. In addition, the ultrasonic data processing unit 44 performs filtering processing and contour enhancement processing on the two-dimensional ultrasonic data stored in the ultrasonic data storage unit 43 to generate two-dimensional image data.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the display unit 25 includes a display data generation unit, a data conversion unit, and a monitor (not shown), and the display data generation unit includes the two-dimensional image data and the three-dimensional image generated by the image data generation unit 24. The data is converted into a predetermined display format to generate display data, and the data conversion unit performs conversion processing such as D / A conversion and television format conversion on the display data and displays the display data on the monitor.

  In addition, when a stress is applied to the probe connector 3a to cause the probe-side connector 31a and the apparatus body-side connector 32a of the probe connector 3a in the locked state to be detached, the display data generation unit For example, “This ultrasonic probe is locked because it is in use. To disconnect from the diagnostic device main unit, select another ultrasonic probe or enter a test end command. Is generated based on the instruction signal supplied from the system control unit 40 and displayed on the monitor via the data conversion unit.

  On the other hand, the input unit 26 includes input devices such as a display panel, a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, a selection button, and an input button on the operation panel, and inputs subject information, selection of an ultrasound probe, selection of an imaging mode, The image data generation conditions are set, the image data display conditions are set, and various command signals are input. The imaging mode includes a B mode and a color Doppler mode, and the image data generation conditions include an ultrasonic frequency, a scanning density, a scanning region, an ultrasonic transmission / reception interval, and the like.

  In addition, as the ultrasonic probes 1a to 1c attached to the diagnostic apparatus main body 2, there are ultrasonic probes of a sector scanning method, a linear scanning method, a convex scanning method, etc. corresponding to a diagnostic region or a diagnostic purpose. The input unit 26 selects an ultrasonic probe (for example, a sector scanning ultrasonic probe 1a) suitable for ultrasonic examination of the subject. Then, the selection information of the ultrasonic probe 1a output from the input unit 26 is supplied to the separation preventing unit 30a corresponding to the ultrasonic probe 1a via the system control unit 40.

  Next, the scanning control unit 27 performs three-dimensional scanning or two-dimensional scanning of the subject based on the selection information of the ultrasound probe 1a and the selection information of the imaging mode supplied from the input unit 26 via the system control unit 40. Sets the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction for scanning. On the other hand, the delay data generation unit 28 has a delay time for converging the transmission ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth and a delay time for emitting the transmission ultrasonic wave in a predetermined direction based on the scanning information supplied from the scanning control unit 27. A delay time for generating the transmission delay data and setting a strong reception directivity for a predetermined direction and a delay time for converging the received ultrasonic wave (ultrasonic reflected wave) from the predetermined depth Delay data for reception having time is generated.

  The reception delay setting unit 29 uses the reception delay data generated by the delay data generation unit 28 for the control signal of the probe main body side connector 32a of the probe connector 3a, the probe side connector 31a, and the probe cable 13a included in the ultrasonic probe 1a. Reception necessary for phasing addition of the reception signals supplied from the vibration elements of the vibration element groups 111-1 to 111-M2 by supplying the phase adjustment addition units 121-1 to 121-M2 via the cables. Set the delay time.

  Further, the reception delay setting unit 29 supplies the reception delay data generated by the delay data generation unit 28 to the phasing addition unit 23, so that the phasing addition units 121-1 to 121-121 of the ultrasonic probe 1 a are provided. -Sets the reception delay time required for phasing addition of the reception signal consisting of the M2 channel supplied from M2 via the reception signal cable of the probe cable 13a and the probe side connector 31a of the probe connector 3a and the device main body side connector 32a. To do.

  Next, the detachment prevention unit 30a includes a detachment control unit 301, a lock mechanism unit 302, and a stress detection unit 303 as shown in FIG. 2, and the ultrasonic probe 1a supplied from the input unit 26 via the system control unit 40. Based on the selection signal, the probe side connector 31a of the probe connector 3a and the apparatus main body side connector 32 are locked to have a function of preventing the ultrasonic probe 1a from being detached from the diagnostic apparatus main body 2.

  That is, the detachment control unit 301 of the detachment prevention unit 30a receives the signal via the system control unit 40 when the ultrasonic probe 1a is selected in the input unit 26 as an ultrasonic probe used for the ultrasonic examination of the subject. Based on the selection information of the ultrasonic probe 1a, a control signal for locking the probe side connector 31a and the apparatus main body side connector 32a constituting the probe connector 3a is generated and supplied to the lock mechanism unit 302.

  In addition, when another ultrasonic probe (that is, the ultrasonic probe 1b or the ultrasonic probe 1c) is newly selected in the input unit 26, or when an inspection end command is input, the separation is received. The control unit 301 generates a control signal for opening the probe side connector 31 a and the apparatus main body side connector 32 a and supplies the control signal to the lock mechanism unit 302.

  Further, when a stress is applied to the probe connector 3a to cause the probe-side connector 31a and the apparatus body-side connector 32a in the locked state to be detached, based on the stress detection signal output from the stress detection unit 303. A warning signal is generated, and the obtained warning signal is supplied to the system control unit 40.

  The lock mechanism unit 302 moves the stopper provided near the probe connector 3a in a predetermined direction in accordance with a control signal supplied from the detachment control unit 301, for example, so that the probe side connector 31a included in the probe connector 3a The apparatus main body side connector 32a is brought into a locked state or an opened state.

  The stress detection unit 303 includes, for example, a piezoelectric element and an amplifier (not shown), and the piezoelectric element is attached to a wall surface of a stopper provided in the lock mechanism unit 302. When stress is applied to the attachment / detachment lever provided on the probe-side connector 31a when the probe-side connector 31a and the apparatus body-side connector 32a of the probe connector 3a in the locked state are applied to the attachment / detachment lever, the connection is made to the attachment / detachment lever. The voltage generated when the protruding portion of the probe attaching / detaching connector pin contacts the piezoelectric element described above is detected. The detected voltage is supplied to the separation control unit 301 as a post-stress detection signal amplified by the amplifier.

  Specific examples of the lock mechanism 302 and the stress detector 303 provided close to the probe connector 3a will be described later.

  The system control unit 40 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), and various information input / set / selected by the input unit 26 is stored in the storage circuit. Then, the CPU performs an ultrasonic examination on the subject by comprehensively controlling each unit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 using the above-described information.

  In particular, when the ultrasonic probe 1a to be used for the ultrasonic inspection is selected in the input unit 26, the selection information is supplied to the separation preventing units 30a to 30c corresponding to the ultrasonic probes 1a to 1c. The probe connector 3a that connects the probe 1a and the diagnostic device body 2 is locked, and the unselected ultrasonic probe 1b and the probe connector 3b and probe connector 3c that connect the ultrasonic probe 1c and the diagnostic device body 2 are provided. Let open.

  Further, when a warning signal indicating that the ultrasonic probe 1a cannot be detached is supplied from the separation control unit 301 of the separation prevention unit 30a corresponding to the selected ultrasonic probe 1a, a warning corresponding to the warning signal is provided. An instruction signal for generating and displaying a word is supplied to the display unit 25.

  Next, the probe connector 3a corresponding to the ultrasonic probe 1a, and the lock mechanism portion 302 and the stress detection portion 303 of the separation preventing portion 30a with respect to the probe connector 3a will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows a probe-side connector 31a constituting the probe connector 3a. FIG. 4 (a) shows the appearance of the probe-side connector 31a as viewed from the direction of the mounting surface with the apparatus body-side connector 32a (not shown). FIG. 4B is an external view of the probe-side connector 31a viewed from the direction opposite to the direction of the mounting surface.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the mounting surface of the probe-side connector 31a is connected to each of an M0 channel transmission signal cable, an M2 channel reception signal cable, a control signal cable, and a power cable. A plurality of signal / power connector pins Pa, which are two-dimensionally arranged, are connected to the attachment / detachment lever Lo shown in FIG. 4B at the center thereof, and a probe attachment / detachment connector having a protrusion Px at a part thereof. A pin Pb is arranged.

  Then, the attachment / detachment lever Lo is rotated in the direction of the arrow with the probe attachment / detachment connector pin Pb as the rotation axis, and the projection Px provided on the probe attachment / detachment connector pin Pb is provided in the hole provided on the attachment surface of the apparatus main body side connector 32a. The probe side connector 31a and the apparatus main body side connector 32a are attached to and detached from each other by rotating inside the unit.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams schematically showing attachment / detachment of the probe-side connector 31a and the apparatus body-side connector 32a by the probe attachment / detachment connector pin Pb. A hole provided on the mounting surface of the apparatus main body side connector 32a with respect to the probe side connector 31a, Ab is inserted into the hole Aa and rotated 90 degrees clockwise and a probe attaching / detaching connector pin Pb and a protrusion The cross section of Px is shown. In this case, the hole Aa of the apparatus main body side connector 32a has a shape substantially equal to the cross section Ab of the probe attaching / detaching connector pin Pb and the protruding portion Px, and the protruding portion Px together with the attaching / detaching lever Lo is connected to the probe attaching / detaching connector pin. The probe side connector 31a and the apparatus main body side connector 32a are attached and detached by rotating around the Pb.

  Then, the probe St connector 31a and the apparatus main body side connector are brought close to or away from the stopper St provided on the lock mechanism portion 302 of the separation preventing portion 30a with respect to the protrusion Px of the probe side connector 31a of the probe connector 3a. A locked state or an open state with 32a is formed. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the stopper St of the locking mechanism 302 is brought close to the protrusion Px provided on the probe attaching / detaching connector pin Pb to lock the probe side connector 31a and the apparatus main body side connector 32a. As shown in FIG. 5B, the probe St connector 31a and the apparatus main body side connector 32a are opened by separating the stopper St from the protrusion Px.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the piezoelectric element Pe of the stress detection unit 303 is attached to the end of the stopper St, and the probe attaching / detaching connector pin Pb of the probe-side connector 31a is in the locked state. When stress is applied to the attachment / detachment lever Lo of the probe-side connector 31a when the probe-side connector 31a is detached from the apparatus main body-side connector 32a by rotating clockwise, the protrusion Px of the probe attachment / detachment connector pin Pb By contacting the piezoelectric element Pe of the stopper St, a voltage (stress detection signal) is generated on the surface thereof.

  Next, a specific configuration of the lock function unit 302 that forms a locked state and an opened state of the probe-side connector 31a and the apparatus main body-side connector 32a will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a lock mechanism unit 302 capable of electronically switching the moving direction of the stopper St. By controlling the direction of the current supplied to the coil Co, the magnetic poles (S pole and N pole) are shown. ) And a movable element Mb having stationary S poles and N poles and having a stopper St attached to the end thereof. For example, when the ultrasonic probe 1a is selected in the input unit 26, the probe Co is provided on the coil Co provided in the lock mechanism 302 of the separation preventing unit 30a by bringing the stopper St close to the protrusion Px. A control current for forming a lock state between 31a and the apparatus main body side connector 32a is supplied. On the other hand, when another ultrasonic probe is selected or when an ultrasonic inspection end command is input, the above-described coil Co is moved away from the protrusion Px to the probe-side connector 31a and the apparatus main body. A control current for forming an open state with the side connector 32a is supplied.

  According to the present embodiment described above, by forming a locked state with respect to the probe connector for connecting the ultrasonic probe and the diagnostic apparatus main body, the ultrasonic probe in use is detached from the diagnostic apparatus main body. Damage to the generated circuit elements and the like can be prevented.

  In particular, when an ultrasonic probe suitable for ultrasonic inspection of the subject is selected from various ultrasonic probes included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a probe-side connector constituting a probe connector corresponding to the ultrasonic probe; It is possible to prevent the ultrasonic probe from being detached by bringing the apparatus main body side connector into the locked state based on the selection information described above.

  In addition, the proximity or separation of the stopper with respect to the protrusion provided on the probe mounting / disconnecting connector pin of the probe-side connector is performed based on the selection information described above, so that the probe-side connector and the apparatus body-side connector are locked or opened. Can be easily formed.

  On the other hand, when a stress is applied to the probe connector to release the locked ultrasound probe from the main body of the diagnostic apparatus, a warning message generated based on the detection result of this stress is displayed on the display unit. The detachment of the acoustic probe can be reliably prevented.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, It can change and implement. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 1a including the head unit 11a having a plurality of vibration elements and the reception unit 12a for phasing and adding the reception signals obtained from the vibration elements is used as the probe connector 3a. However, the ultrasonic probe connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 is not limited to this. For example, a transmitter that drives the vibration element is further provided. The ultrasonic probe provided may be sufficient, and the ultrasonic probe provided only with the head part 11a may be sufficient.

  Further, an ultrasonic inspection is performed using a sector scanning type ultrasonic probe 1a selected from the three types of ultrasonic probes 1a to 1c mounted on the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 via the probe connectors 3a to 3c. As described above, the number of ultrasonic probes attached to the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 and the types of ultrasonic probes to be selected are not limited to those described above. There may be one acoustic probe.

  Furthermore, although the separation preventing unit 30a in the above-described embodiment has described the case where the locked state of the probe connector 3a is formed based on the selection information of the ultrasonic probe 1a supplied from the input unit 26, for example, the diagnostic device main body When a desired ultrasonic probe is picked up from a probe holder provided in the vicinity of the operation panel 2 and having a probe attachment / detachment sensor for detecting the presence / absence of an ultrasonic probe on its wall surface, a detection signal output from the probe attachment / detachment sensor Based on this, the locked state of the probe connector 3a may be formed.

  Further, the lock mechanism 302 of the separation preventing unit 30a has a stator Ma capable of electronically switching magnetic poles (S pole and N pole) and stationary S poles and N poles at its end. Although the case where the movable element Mb to which the stopper St is mounted is provided has been described, the lock mechanism unit 302 of another type may be used, and the stress detection unit 303 of the separation preventing unit 3a may be other than the piezoelectric element. The stress applied to the probe connector 3a may be detected by a method.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the probe connector 3a independent of the ultrasonic probe 1a and the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 has been described. However, the probe connector 3a that connects the ultrasonic probe 1a and the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 is an ultrasonic probe. It may be a part of the probe 1a or a part of the diagnostic apparatus main body 2. Furthermore, although the case where the detachment preventing portion 30a that forms the locked state or the open state of the probe connector 3a is provided in the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 has been described, it may be provided in the ultrasonic probe 1a.

  Moreover, although the stress detection part 303 which detects the stress applied to the probe connector 3a was provided in the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 as a part of the separation prevention part 30a, the stress independent to the separation prevention part 30a was described. It may be a detection unit.

  Note that a part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized by using a computer as hardware. For example, the system control unit 40 and the like included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 described above can realize various functions by causing a processor such as a CPU mounted on a computer to execute a predetermined control program. In this case, the system control unit 40 or the like may install the above-described control program in a computer in advance, or may be stored in a storage medium readable by the computer or distributed to the control program distributed over a network. You can install it.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a-1c ... Ultrasonic probe 11a ... Head part 111 ... Vibrating element group 12a ... Receiving part 121 ... Staging addition part 13a-13c ... Probe cable 2 ... Diagnostic apparatus main body 21 ... Reference signal generation part 22 ... Transmission part 221 ... Transmission Delay setting unit 222 ... driving unit 23 ... phasing addition unit 24 ... image data generation unit 25 ... display unit 26 ... input unit 27 ... scanning control unit 28 ... delay data generation unit 29 ... reception delay setting unit 30a ... separation prevention unit 301 ... Detachment control unit 302 ... Lock mechanism unit 303 ... Stress detection units 3a to 3c ... Probe connectors 31a to 31c ... Probe side connectors 32a to 32c ... Device main body side connector 40 ... System control unit 100 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Claims (7)

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a plurality of probe connectors for connecting the ultrasonic probe and the diagnostic apparatus main body,
Probe selection means for selecting an ultrasonic probe to be used for the ultrasonic inspection from the ultrasonic probe,
An ultrasonic diagnosis comprising: a detachment preventing unit that forms a locked state with respect to a probe connector corresponding to the ultrasonic probe based on selection information of the ultrasonic probe selected by the probe selecting unit. apparatus. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a plurality of probe connectors for connecting the ultrasonic probe and the diagnostic apparatus main body,
A probe holder having a probe attachment / detachment sensor and holding the ultrasonic probe;
When any of the ultrasonic probes is picked up from the probe holder, the probe connector corresponding to the picked-up ultrasonic probe is locked based on a detection signal output from a probe attachment / detachment sensor of the probe holder. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a detachment preventing unit that forms a state.   2. The locking means for locking the probe side connector and the apparatus main body side connector constituting the probe connector based on the selection information or the detection signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2.   The locking means forms a locked state with respect to the probe connector by inserting a stopper at or near a protrusion of a probe attaching / detaching connector pin provided on the probe side connector. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 3.   The locking means includes a stator capable of electronically switching its magnetic poles, and a mover having stationary S poles and N poles and having the stopper attached to the end thereof. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4.   Stress detection means and display means, wherein the stress detection means detects stress for detaching the ultrasonic probe applied to the probe connector in a locked state from the diagnostic apparatus body, and the display means The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a warning message generated based on the detection result of the stress is displayed.   The stress detecting means detects a stress applied to the probe connector by measuring a voltage generated when a protrusion of the probe attaching / detaching connector pin comes into contact with a piezoelectric element attached to the stopper. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6.

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