JP2014104110A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for simply and accurately identifying a presence position of an ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment, a plurality of ultrasonic probes are connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the ultrasonic probes are gripped with a gripping part. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a plurality of connector parts for obtaining signals used for generating an ultrasonic image via the connected ultrasonic probes; a control part for controlling selection of which connector part of the plurality of connectors to be in an active condition where the ultrasonic signal can be sent or received; and a detection part which detects the ultrasonic probe connected to the connector part in the active condition on the basis of the control, and which is provided in the vicinity of the gripping part. The control part performs control so as to notify an operator of a position of the ultrasonic wave probe connected to the connector part in the active condition on the basis of the detection.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  In the ultrasonic diagnosis, ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the subject, and diagnostic information such as a tomographic image in the subject is generated based on the reflected wave reflected in the subject. At this time, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves to / from the subject is performed through an ultrasonic probe. Ultrasonic probes are classified into sector type, linear type, convex type, etc., and several types of probes are used at the time of diagnosis depending on the application.

  A general ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a main connector and a spare connector for connection with an ultrasonic probe. This connector is a connector for connecting an ultrasonic probe for use in diagnosis, while the spare connector is a connector for connecting and holding a spare ultrasonic probe or an ultrasonic probe that could not be connected to this connector. is there. Then, the operator selects one ultrasonic probe used for diagnosis (= an ultrasonic probe in an active state) from the ultrasonic probes connected to the connector and uses it for the diagnosis. The selection at this time is performed by, for example, an operator performing a touch operation on a display unit provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. At this time, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display unit, and the operator determines which ultrasonic probe connected to this connector unit is the active ultrasonic probe. can do. The ultrasonic probe is held by a plurality of holding portions provided above each connector portion, and the operator can remove the ultrasonic probe from the holding portion when used for diagnosis or the like.

  Each connector portion is often provided at the lower part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the operator must bend when viewing the connector during work. Further, there are a plurality of ultrasonic probe cables each having a length of about 2 meters, and these cables obstruct the search for the target ultrasonic probe. That is, since the ultrasonic probe main body and the connector are connected by a long cable, in order to check which connector the desired ultrasonic probe is connected to, the operator traces the ultrasonic probe one by one. It is complicated to check the correspondence between the connector and the connector.

JP 2008-61938 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for simply confirming the position of an ultrasonic probe in an active state.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a plurality of ultrasonic probes connected to each other, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that grips an ultrasonic probe with a gripping unit. A plurality of connector portions for acquiring signals used for generating an ultrasonic image via a probe, and which of the plurality of connector portions is in an active state in which an ultrasonic signal can be transmitted and received. A control unit that controls the detection unit, and a detection unit provided in the vicinity of the gripping unit that detects the ultrasonic probe connected to the connector unit in the active state based on the control, and The control unit performs control for notifying the operator of the position of the ultrasonic probe connected to the connector unit in the active state based on the detection.

It is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a 1st embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a first embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of the probe confirmation screen in 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic of an ultrasonic probe and a holding part in a 1st embodiment. It is the schematic of an ultrasonic probe and a holding part in 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display of a 1st display part, an ultrasonic probe, and a holding part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the third embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of the probe confirmation screen in 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described.

(First embodiment)
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of this embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 in the present embodiment.

  The outline of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A plurality of ultrasonic probes 10 are connected to a connector part 110 provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. When the ultrasonic probe 10 is not used for diagnosis, the grasping unit 130 grasps the ultrasonic probe 10 as shown in FIG. At this time, the communication unit 11 provided in the ultrasonic probe 10 in an active state that can be used for diagnosis sends a signal to the detection unit 131 provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. The detection unit 131 detects this signal, and the notification unit 192 notifies the operator of the presence of the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state.

  Next, each component will be described.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 generates an ultrasonic wave by mechanically vibrating an ultrasonic vibrator provided at a tip, and radiates the ultrasonic wave to a subject. The emitted ultrasonic wave propagates through the living body, is reflected one after another by the discontinuous surface of the acoustic impedance being propagated, and each reflected wave is received by the ultrasonic probe 10.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 converts the received reflected wave into an echo signal that is an electric signal, and outputs the echo signal to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 connected through a cable.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 includes a communication unit 11 for sending a signal to the detection unit 131 provided in the gripping unit 130, for example.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a first display unit 150, a second display unit 151, a transmission / reception circuit 190, a control unit 180, an operation unit 170, an image generation unit 140, a connector unit 110, a storage unit 120, a gripping unit 130, and a notification unit. 132. The first display unit 150 displays the ultrasound diagnostic image generated by the image generation unit 140.

  The operation unit 170 includes buttons and the like for performing various operations such as an adjustment of an ultrasound diagnostic image and an operation of selecting the ultrasound probe 10 used for imaging an ultrasound image.

  The second display unit 151 displays a probe confirmation screen for confirming the current position of the connector unit 110 to which the ultrasonic probe 10 is connected. In addition, a menu screen for selecting measurement items and image modes in ultrasonic diagnosis is displayed. The second display unit 151 may be configured by, for example, a touch panel, and may be configured such that an operation is performed on the screen by outputting an operation signal to the operation unit 170 when the operator performs a touch operation. The second display unit 151 switches the screen display between the probe confirmation screen and the menu screen due to the operator operating the operation unit 170 or the touch operation on the second display unit 151. May be. The connector part 110 is provided to connect the ultrasonic probe 10 and is provided at the lower part or side surface of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. Note that a screen as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C described later is a probe confirmation screen.

  The connector part 110 includes a main connector part 111 for connecting the ultrasonic probe 10 used for diagnosis and a spare connector part 112 for connecting the ultrasonic probe 10 that cannot be connected to the main connector part 111. Have. The connector unit 111 has a signal line for transmitting a signal indicating whether or not it is in an active state to the communication unit 11.

  The connector unit 111 is connected to a transmission / reception circuit 190 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. The connector 111 and the transmission / reception circuit 190 are electrically connected by a signal line for performing ultrasonic signal communication. At least one main connector 111 among the plurality of main connectors 111 can be in an “active state” in which an echo signal can be received. The operator selects the connector unit 111 to be activated by operating the second display unit 151 or the operation unit 170, for example.

  The control unit 180 performs various controls such as display control of the first display unit 150 and the second display unit 151.

  The transmission / reception circuit 190 includes a transmission circuit and a reception circuit. The transmission circuit includes a pulsar circuit, a transmission delay circuit, a trigger generation circuit, and the like. The pulsar circuit repeatedly generates rate pulses to form transmission ultrasonic waves at a predetermined rate frequency fr Hz (period: 1 / fr sec). The transmission delay circuit focuses the ultrasonic wave into a beam shape for each channel and gives each rate pulse a delay time necessary to determine the transmission directivity. The trigger generation circuit applies a drive pulse to the piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic probe 10 at a timing based on the rate pulse.

  Further, the transmission / reception circuit 190 outputs the echo signal obtained through the connector unit 111 to the image generation unit 140.

  Furthermore, the transmission / reception circuit 190 sends a signal notifying that the active state is established to the communication unit 11 included in the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the connector unit 111 set as the active state.

  The image generation unit 140 generates an ultrasonic diagnostic image of the subject based on an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe 10 electrically connected to the main connector unit 111 in an active state. In this embodiment, the drive pulse applied to the ultrasonic probe 10 and the echo signal obtained from the ultrasonic probe 10 are collectively referred to as an ultrasonic signal.

  The storage unit 120 stores ultrasonic diagnostic images generated by the image generation unit 140, information on the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the connector unit 110, and the like.

  The grip part 130 is provided near the operation part 170 above the connector part 110, for example, and detachably grips the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the connector part 110. The gripping unit 130 has a detection unit 131.

  The detection unit 131 is provided in the grip unit 130, for example. The detection unit 131 detects a signal from the communication unit 11 provided in the ultrasonic probe 10. The signal detected by the detection unit 131 is sent to the notification unit 132 and the second display unit 151.

  The notification unit 132 is a light emitting semiconductor element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and emits light when the detection unit 131 detects a signal from the communication unit 11. The notification unit 132 may be an LED, an incandescent bulb using a filament, or the like. In addition, various means for making the operator easily recognize the ultrasonic probe 10 in an active state intuitively are applied to the notification unit 132. Hereinafter, an example in which an LED is used as the notification unit 132 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 in the present embodiment.

  A first display unit 150 is provided at the top of the apparatus, and a second display unit 151, an operation unit 170, and a connector unit 110 are provided at the bottom of the first display unit 150. As described above, there are two types of connector portions 110, which are divided into the main connector portion 111 and the spare connector portion 112. Due to the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, the connector part 110 is provided on the lower part or the side face.

  FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a probe confirmation screen in the present embodiment.

  The second display unit 151 displays a screen for selecting which of the plural main connector units 111 is to be placed in the active state of the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the main connector unit 111.

  In the display example of FIG. 3A, there are four connector parts 111 as indicated by 1-4, indicating that the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to 2 is in an active state. The operator sets the connector unit 111 to be activated by performing a touch operation on the operation unit 170 or the second display unit 151. At this time, the transmission / reception circuit 190 sends a signal notifying that the communication unit 11 is in the active state through the connector unit 111 set as the active state. Then, the communication unit 11 sends a signal for determining ON / OFF of the notification unit 132 (LED ON / OFF) to the detection unit 131.

  FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the probe confirmation screen in the present embodiment.

  The second display unit 151 displays the position of the grip part 130 where the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the main connector part 111 set in the active state is gripped.

  In the display example of FIG. 3B, it is shown that the active state ultrasonic probe 10 is held by one of the six holding portions 130. The display on the second display unit 151 at this time is switched by the detection unit 131 provided in the vicinity of the gripping unit 130 detecting the signal from the communication unit 11 provided in the ultrasonic probe 10. That is, when the active ultrasonic probe 10 held by the gripping unit 130 1 in FIG. 3B is connected to the gripping unit 130 2 by the operator, the second display unit 151 2 displays a screen notifying that the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is being gripped (FIG. 3C).

  FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing an operation unit when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 in FIG. 2 is viewed from above.

  For example, a total of six gripping units 130 are provided on both sides, and LEDs are provided around the gripping unit 130 as notification units 132. For simplification, the description of the detection unit 131 is omitted in FIG. For simplification, the notification unit 132 provided in the vicinity of the grip unit 130 is described only in the vicinity of one grip unit 130. The grip 130 does not correspond 1: 1 with the main connector 111 and the spare connector 112. That is, the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the connector unit 110 is not determined to be gripped by the specific gripping part 130 among the six gripping parts 130. The ultrasonic probe 10 can be gripped by a plurality of gripping portions 130 when detaching from the gripping portion 130.

  FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating the ultrasonic probe 10 held by the detection unit 131, the notification unit 132, and a certain holding unit 130.

  In a state where the ultrasonic probe 10 is held by the holding unit 130, the communication unit 11 included in the ultrasonic probe 10 sends a signal to the detection unit 131 as described above. When detecting this signal, the detecting unit 131 causes the LED serving as the notification unit 132 to emit light. At this time, the LED serving as the notification unit 132 preferably continues to emit light once emitted until the signal from the communication unit 11 is interrupted.

  The detection unit 131 may be provided inside the holding unit 130 or may be provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the holding unit 130. The detection unit 131 only needs to be provided at a position that maintains a close distance from the ultrasonic probe 10 when the holding unit 130 is holding the ultrasonic probe 10.

  Next, effects of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  According to this embodiment, the detection unit provided in the vicinity of each gripping unit detects a signal from the communication unit provided in the ultrasonic probe in the active state. Based on the detection, the control unit performs control to display on the second display unit which holding unit is holding the ultrasonic probe in the active state. Thus, the operator can intuitively recognize which of the plural ultrasonic probes is in the active state. Or a control part makes LED which is an alerting | reporting part with which each holding part vicinity is light-emitted based on the detection. Accordingly, the operator can more intuitively recognize which ultrasonic probe among a plurality is active without checking the second display unit. Therefore, when searching for the ultrasonic probe in the active state, the operator does not need to perform an operation not directly related to diagnosis such as bending down or pulling the cable between the ultrasonic probe and the connector. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, not only the burden on the operator is reduced, but also the operator can intuitively recognize the ultrasonic probe in the active state, which contributes to the improvement of the diagnostic ability.

  In addition, since the LED serving as the detection unit and the notification unit is provided in the vicinity of each gripping unit, even when the operator places an active ultrasound probe in any gripping unit, the operator It is possible to intuitively recognize the location.

(Second Embodiment)
The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that the LED serving as the notification unit 132 in the present embodiment does not emit light when the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is not gripped by the gripping unit 130. When the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is gripped by the gripping unit 130, the control unit 180 turns on the LED that is the notification unit 132 provided near the gripping unit 130. When the operator uses the ultrasonic probe 10 for diagnosis, that is, when the ultrasonic probe 10 is not held by the holding unit 130, the control unit 180 turns off the LED serving as the notification unit 132.

  Hereinafter, each component will be described. In addition, the description regarding the content similar to 1st Embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is held by the holding unit 130, the communication unit 11 provided in the ultrasonic probe 10 sends a signal to the detection unit 130 indicating that the ultrasonic probe 10 is in the active state. To send. And the detection part 131 detects the signal.

  On the other hand, the communication unit 11 does not transmit a signal to the detection unit 131 that the ultrasonic probe 10 is in the active state when the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is not gripped by the gripping unit 130. . That is, the detection unit 131 does not detect a signal when the ultrasonic probe 10 is not held by the holding unit 130. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the ultrasonic probe 10 in an active state is held by the holding unit 130.

  FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is not gripped by the gripping unit 130.

  In the state of FIG. 5A, the detection unit 131 detects a signal from the communication unit 11 because the ultrasonic probe 10 is held by the holding unit 130. Thereby, the control part 180 performs control which makes LED which is the alerting | reporting part 132 light. On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 5B, the ultrasonic probe 10 is not gripped by the gripping unit 130, and for example, due to the distance between the detection unit 130 and the communication unit 11 being separated, the detection unit 130. Does not detect a signal from the communication unit 11. At this time, the control unit 180 performs control to turn off the LED serving as the notification unit 132.

  Note that the control of the LED that is the notification unit 132 by the control unit 180 is not only dependent on whether or not the ultrasonic probe 10 is gripped by the gripping unit 130 as described above, but also by the operator. It may be performed based on various operations of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. Even when the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is held by the holding unit 130, for example, when the operator confirms the ultrasonic image of the subject on the first display unit 151, the control unit 180 notifies the notification unit 132. You may perform control which turns off LED which is. That is, for example, the control unit 180 notifies in accordance with a LIVE mode in which the ultrasonic probe 10 transmits and receives an ultrasonic signal and a CINE mode in which the ultrasonic probe 10 does not need to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal. You may control lighting / extinction of LED which is the part 132. FIG.

  The CINE mode is a mode in which, for example, a moving image recorded for a predetermined time in a certain time phase is displayed in a loop. The operator can search for abnormal dynamics or the like by checking the loop display in the CINE mode during the inspection. At this time, for example, the operator returns the ultrasonic probe 10 to the arbitrary gripping portion 130 and confirms the loop display.

  In addition to the CINE mode, in another mode in which the operator observes the first display unit 150 or the second display unit 151 in a state where the ultrasonic probe 10 is placed on the grasping unit 130, the control unit 180 provides the notification unit 132. You may control lighting / extinction of LED which is.

  An example in which the control unit 180 performs control to turn off the LED serving as the notification unit 132 when the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is held by the holding unit 130 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6A shows an example in which the first display unit 150 displaying the LIVE mode, the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state, the gripping unit 130 that grips the ultrasonic probe 10, and the LED that is the notification unit 132 are lit. FIG.

  FIG. 6B shows an example in which the first display unit 150 that displays the CINE mode, the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state, the grip unit 130 that grips the ultrasonic probe 10, and the LED that is the notification unit 132 are turned off. FIG.

  For example, when the first display unit 150 performs display in the LIVE mode as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the operator performs an operation of switching to the CINE mode using the operation unit 170. Based on this operation, the first display unit 150 displays a CINE mode display screen that displays the ultrasound image stored in the storage unit 120. At this time, the control unit 180 performs control to turn off the LED serving as the notification unit 132. Thereby, even if the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state is held by the holding unit 130, the LED serving as the notification unit 132 is not in the lighting state.

  Note that the control unit 180 may perform not only two kinds of control of turning on / off the LED but also brightness control. That is, the control unit 180 may perform control to lower the luminance of the LED in the lighting state, for example, in accordance with display switching from the LIVE mode to the CINE mode.

  Hereinafter, the effect in this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The controller performs switching of turning on / off the LED at an appropriate timing by controlling the lighting / extinguishing of the LED based on whether or not the ultrasonic probe in the active state is gripped by the gripping unit. be able to. As a result, when the operator uses the ultrasonic probe for diagnosis, the LED is turned off, so that the power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, the control unit controls the turning on / off of the LED depending on the type of mode displayed on the first display unit, so that the ultrasonic probe in the active state is gripped by the grip unit. The LED can be switched on / off at an appropriate timing. This makes it possible to turn off the LED in a state where it is not necessary to check which ultrasonic probe is in the active state. For example, when confirming the CINE mode display, the operator does not need to confirm the ultrasonic probe in the active state. Therefore, even when the ultrasonic probe in the active state is held by the holding unit, more appropriate power consumption control can be performed by appropriately performing switching control of turning on / off the LEDs. Further, when performing diagnosis in a dark place, turning off the LED during diagnosis (that is, in a state where the ultrasonic probe is not gripped by the gripping part) can save power consumption and provide a suitable diagnostic environment. It also contributes to providing. That is, in a generally dark examination room, the visibility when the operator confirms the first display unit is less likely to be hindered by the brightness of the LEDs.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that an identification screen generation unit 160 is provided. Hereinafter, descriptions of the same contents as those of the first and second embodiments are omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The identification screen generation unit 160 displays a probe confirmation screen for identifying the type of the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the connector unit 110. The second display unit 151 displays the probe confirmation screen generated by the identification screen generation unit 160. And the 2nd display part 151 displays the information of LED which is the alerting | reporting part 132, for example.

  Next, each component will be described.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes an identification screen generation unit 160 that generates an identification screen for identifying the ultrasonic probe 10.

  The storage unit 120 stores in advance connector arrangement information indicating the arrangement of each connector on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. The connector arrangement information is different for each type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, for example.

  The ultrasonic probe 10 is given different probe identification information for each type and model number.

  The main connector 111 and the spare connector 112 each have a reading circuit for reading probe identification information from the ultrasonic probe 10. The reading configuration is as follows, for example.

  The identification of the ultrasonic probe 10 is performed, for example, by giving the ultrasonic probe 10 a unique ID bit for each type and reading the ID bit as probe identification information by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. Specifically, the ultrasonic probe 10 is provided with a plurality of identification terminals for representing probe identification signals. Individual signal lines are provided for each identification terminal, some of the signal lines are grounded to the ground, and the rest are open ends. An individual grounding / opening pattern corresponding to the ID bit is assigned to the identification terminal of the ultrasonic probe 10. When the connector part 111 or the spare connector part 112 reads the ID bit, the reading circuit applies an electric signal for reading to each identification terminal. When an electric signal is applied, an output voltage corresponding to grounding / opening is obtained from each identification terminal. The reading circuit reads the ID bit based on the output voltage pattern and outputs the ID bit as probe identification information to the identification screen generation unit 160.

  Different probe identification information is given to the ultrasonic probe 10 for each type and model number. The connector unit 110 to which the ultrasonic probe 10 is connected reads the probe identification information from the ultrasonic probe 10 and outputs the probe identification information to the identification screen generation unit 160. Then, the identification screen generator 160 uses the probe identification information output from the connector unit 10 to make it easier for the operator to recognize the connection location and the probe identification information of the connected ultrasonic probe 10. The second display unit 151 displays the screen. Here, the connector part 110 is composed of two types of connectors, a main connector part 111 and a spare connector part 112. Both the main connector unit 111 and the spare connector unit 112 are connected to the identification screen generation unit 160. On the other hand, the transmission / reception circuit 190 is connected only to the main connector unit 111, and the spare connector unit 112 may not be connected to the transmission / reception circuit.

  The connector unit 111 is connected to both the transmission / reception circuit 190 and the identification screen generation unit 160 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. The connector 111 and the transmission / reception circuit 190 are electrically connected by a signal line for performing ultrasonic signal communication. On the other hand, the connector unit 111 and the identification screen generation unit 160 are electrically connected via a signal line for communicating probe identification information. At the time of diagnosis, the ultrasonic probe 10 used for diagnosis is connected to the connector portion 111. A signal from the ultrasonic probe 10 electrically connected to the connector unit 111 is sent to the image generation unit 140 through the transmission / reception circuit 190 and imaged.

  On the other hand, the spare connector unit 112 is connected to at least the identification screen generation unit 160. The spare connector unit 112 and the identification screen generation unit 160 are electrically connected via a signal line for communicating probe identification information.

  The transmission / reception circuit 190 outputs the probe identification information of the ultrasonic probe 10 obtained through the connector unit 111 to the identification screen generation unit 160.

  The identification screen generation unit 160 acquires probe identification information of the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the main connector unit 111 and the spare connector unit 112 from each connector unit 110. Further, connector arrangement information indicating where the main connector unit 111 and the spare connector unit 112 are arranged on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is acquired from the recording unit 120. Then, the identification screen generation unit 160 generates a probe confirmation screen from which the ultrasonic probe 10 is easily connected to which connector unit 110 from the probe identification information and the connector arrangement information.

  The probe confirmation screen generated by the identification screen generation unit 160 may be displayed on the first display unit 150 or may be displayed on the second display unit 151. Here, an example in which a probe confirmation screen is displayed on the second display unit 151 is shown.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a probe confirmation screen in the present embodiment.

  The second display unit 151 displays a screen for selecting which of the plural main connector units 111 is to be placed in the active state of the ultrasonic probe 10 connected to the main connector unit 111.

  And the 2nd display part 151 displays the probe confirmation screen which showed the connection position information and probe identification information of the various ultrasonic probes 10 in the connection state acquired from the connector part 110. FIG. The connection position information is information indicating which connector of the arranged main connector portion 111 and spare connector portion 112 is connected to the ultrasonic probe 10.

  In the display example of FIG. 8, three types of ultrasonic probes 10 are connected to the connector unit 111, and probes Convex1, Sector1, and Linear1 are connected from above. Then, the Sector 2 ultrasonic probe 10 is connected to the spare connector portion 112. Further, the Sector 1 ultrasonic probe is used to generate an ultrasonic image. The screen for confirming the connection state of the ultrasonic probe 10 as shown in FIG. 8 need not always be displayed, and may be displayed due to the operator operating the operation unit 170.

  Note that it is preferable to display a screen so that the location of the connector 111 and the spare connector 112 can be easily recognized by the operator. In addition to the change of the frame, various other means such as blinking, coloring, and adding a mark can be applied.

  On the screen showing the connection position information, the ultrasonic probe 10 in the active state, that is, the place where the ultrasonic probe 10 used for generating the ultrasonic image is connected is highlighted, highlighted, It is better to make it stand out by changing the color, blinking, enclosing, enlarging characters, or attaching a specific mark. Taking FIG. 6 as an example, it shows that the ultrasonic probe 10 of Sector 1 is in use.

  Hereinafter, the effect in this embodiment is demonstrated.

  In the present embodiment, the display unit displays the probe confirmation screen generated by the identification screen generation unit. The operator can easily grasp which ultrasonic probe is connected to each connector portion by viewing this screen. Thereby, the operator can not only intuitively recognize the position of the ultrasonic probe in the active state according to the invention in the first embodiment, but also can easily perform diagnosis and replacement of the ultrasonic probe. .

  4 to 6 show an example in which a plurality of LEDs serving as the notification unit 132 are provided, it is not always necessary to provide a plurality of LEDs. It is sufficient that at least one LED serving as the notification unit 132 is provided in the vicinity of the grip unit 130 so as to correspond to one grip unit 130.

  Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These 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. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope of the present invention and the gist thereof, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic probe 100 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 110 Connector part 111 This connector part 112 Spare connector part 120 Storage part 130 Communication part 140 Image generation part 150 1st display part 151 2nd display part 160 Identification screen generation part 170 Operation part 180 Control 190 Transmission / reception circuit

Claims (8)

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a plurality of ultrasonic probes are connected and an ultrasonic probe is gripped by a gripping part,
A plurality of connector portions for acquiring signals used for generating an ultrasonic image via the connected ultrasonic probe;
A control unit that controls which of the plurality of connector units is in an active state in which an ultrasonic signal can be transmitted and received;
A detection unit provided in the vicinity of the gripping unit for detecting the ultrasonic probe connected to the connector unit in the active state based on the control;
Have
The control unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs control for notifying an operator of a position of the ultrasonic probe connected to the connector in the active state based on the detection. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe includes a communication unit configured to transmit a signal for transmitting the active state when the ultrasonic probe is held by the holding unit to the detection unit. .   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a position where the ultrasonic probe is held when the ultrasonic probe is held by the holding unit. When the ultrasonic probe is gripped by the gripping part, it further has a notifying part for notifying the gripped place,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is an LED provided in the vicinity of each gripping unit and notifies the active state by emitting light.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notification unit is turned off when the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the light emitting place is not gripped by the gripping unit. A display unit for displaying the ultrasonic image;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notification unit changes in luminance depending on a display mode of the display unit.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit is turned off when the display unit displays a CINE mode for displaying an ultrasonic image generated in the past. The plurality of connector portions acquire identification information of the ultrasonic probe,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a screen indicating a type of the ultrasonic probe connected to the plurality of connector units based on the identification information. .

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