JP2015104647A - Probe holder and ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a probe holder and an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus capable of improving the handleability of a probe.SOLUTION: A probe housing part 202 holds a probe body 301 while the tip of the probe body 301 faces up. A frame 201 has a bottom and supports the probe housing part 202. The frame 201 supports the probe housing part 202 while the rear end of the probe body 301 held by the probe housing part 202 is above the bottom.

Description

  The present invention relates to a probe holder and an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body with a probe connected to the apparatus main body with a cable and displays an ultrasonic image based on the reflected waves. Some of such ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses include a probe holder for holding a probe when not in use.

  In addition, there is a probe holder configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body so that the orientation can be changed or the mounting position can be changed according to the convenience of the user (for example, Patent Documents). 1, 2).

JP-A-5-253222 JP 2004-53588 A

  In recent years, in order to enable diagnosis outside a medical facility such as a hospital, a compact and portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus has been put into practical use. For this reason, the apparatus main body is not limited to being used in a dedicated cart or stand, but may be used by placing the apparatus main body on a desk such as a desk or table.

  Conventional probe holders are designed in consideration of the case where the device main body is installed on a dedicated cart or stand. For example, when the device main body is installed on a table, the probe is mounted on a desk or table. It may be inconvenient to handle such as interfering with the installation surface.

In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the probe holder can be installed on the desktop because of its shape. However, the probe holder is stored with the tip of the probe facing downward. There is a possibility that a problem may occur in the vibrator or the like due to the impact of the tip colliding with the probe holder.
Further, although the invention described in Patent Document 2 is configured in such a manner that the probe holder is detachably attached to the apparatus main body, the shape of the apparatus main body is not considered to be used by being installed on a table. Still, the handling of the probe is inconvenient.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a probe holder and an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that can improve the handleability of the probe.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a probe holder for holding a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.
A probe holding section for holding the probe with the tip of the probe facing upward;
A support member having a bottom and supporting the probe holder;
With
The support member supports the probe holding portion in a state where a rear end of the probe held by the probe holding portion is above the bottom portion.

The invention according to claim 2 is the probe holder according to claim 1,
The bottom portion is formed so as to be placed on a desktop.

The invention according to claim 3 is the probe holder according to claim 1 or 2,
An attachment member for detachably attaching to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body is provided.

The invention according to claim 4 is the probe holder according to claim 3,
The support member is formed with an accommodating portion for accommodating the attachment member,
The attachment member is rotatably attached to the support member and is configured to be accommodated in the accommodation portion.

The invention according to claim 5 is the probe holder according to claim 1 or 2,
The support member includes a support member main body and the bottom portion rotatably attached to the support member main body.

The invention according to claim 6 is the probe holder according to claim 5,
The bottom portion has an attachment portion for detachably attaching to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body.

The invention according to claim 7 is the probe holder according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The support portion is provided with a latch portion for latching the cable of the probe.

The invention according to claim 8 is the probe holder according to claim 7,
The hooking portion is characterized in that a part of the support portion is curved upward.

The invention according to claim 9 is an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus,
A probe holder according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is provided.

  According to the present invention, the handleability of the probe can be improved.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus placed on a cart. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the probe holder which supports a probe. It is a bottom view of a probe holder. It is a top view of a probe holder. It is the side view which looked at the probe holder from the left side. It is an AA cross-sectional enlarged view in FIG. It is a perspective view showing the state where the probe holder was attached to the cart. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment mounted in the cart. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the probe holder which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a bottom view of a probe holder. It is a top view of a probe holder. It is the side view which looked at the probe holder from the left side. It is the perspective view which looked at the probe holder from back.

  Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, in the following description, what has the same function and structure attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

(First embodiment)
First, a probe holder according to a first embodiment and an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus to which the probe holder is attached will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 is placed on a cart 2 and configured to be used while the cart 2 is moved. 1A is a perspective view of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 placed on the cart 2 as viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the state as viewed from below. . Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 is configured to be detachable from the cart 2, and the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 can be carried alone and installed and used at an arbitrary place.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 11, a probe holder 12 and a probe 13 (see FIG. 2) attached to the apparatus main body 11.

  The apparatus main body 11 includes a box-shaped main body 101, a display panel 102, and an operation panel 103. The main body 101 is made of, for example, a magnesium alloy, and houses an electronic circuit board on which electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) are mounted. The display panel 102 is attached to the front of the main body 101 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction, and is formed in a size that matches the main body 101 in plan view when folded. The display panel 102 is a touch panel that includes, for example, a display device including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electronic Luminescence) display, and the like, and a position input device configured on the display screen of the display device. Note that the display panel 102 is not limited to a touch panel, and may be a display device having only a display function. The operation panel 103 is integrally formed in front of the main body 101, and operation members such as a trackball, a dial, and a button that can be operated by a user are arranged. In the center of the operation panel 103, a substantially rectangular gripping hole is formed so that a user's hand can be inserted. As a result, the user can easily carry the apparatus main body 11 with one hand.

Next, the probe holder 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, left and right, front and back, and top and bottom mean left and right, front and back, and top and bottom with respect to the opening direction of the frame 201 of the probe holder 12.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the probe holder 12 includes a frame body 201 as a support member that is formed in a square shape and has a top surface, a bottom surface 201 a, and left and right side surfaces that are open in the front-rear direction. The left and right side surfaces are inclined forward, and the bottom surface 201a is longer in the front-rear direction than the top surface. Two substantially elliptical openings are provided on the upper surface of the frame body 201, and a top-bottom cylindrical probe housing portion 202 and a jelly housing portion 203 are fitted into each opening. ing. An attachment member 204 for attaching the probe holder 12 to the apparatus main body 11 is attached to the bottom surface 201 a of the frame body 201.

In the probe accommodating portion 202, a slit 202a is formed from the upper end of the side surface to the center of the bottom surface. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the probe accommodating portion 202 inserts the cable 302 of the probe 13 into the slit 202 a and moves the rear end of the probe main body 301 with the front end of the probe main body 301 facing upward. The probe 13 can be held by supporting the inner bottom surface. That is, the probe storage unit 202 functions as a probe holding unit. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the probe accommodating portion 202 by cutting along the AA portion in FIG. In the present embodiment, the probe housing portion 202 is configured such that the lower end is above the bottom surface 201 a of the frame body 201 when attached to the frame body 201. That is, it can be said that the frame 201 supports the probe housing portion 202 in a state where the rear end of the probe main body 301 held by the probe housing portion 202 is above the bottom surface 201a.
The jelly storage unit 203 can store, for example, a jelly container to be applied to the body surface of a subject in ultrasonic diagnosis.

  The attachment member 204 is formed in a flat plate shape as shown in FIG. 3, and both ends have a semicircular shape. One end side of the attachment member 204 is attached to the bottom surface 201a via the rotation shaft 204a, and is rotatable with respect to the bottom surface 201a around the rotation shaft 204a. Accordingly, the mounting member 204 overlaps with a position extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface 201a as shown in FIG. 3A and along a longitudinal direction of the bottom surface 201a as shown in FIG. It can be displaced between the position to be done. In addition, the attachment member 204 has an attachment screw hole 204b through which a screw for removably fixing the attachment member 204 to the apparatus main body 11 can be inserted on the other end side. The attachment member 204 can be attached to the apparatus main body 11 by inserting a screw and screwing it with a jig such as a screwdriver. Note that the attachment member 204 is not limited to the one provided on the bottom surface 201a, and can be provided at any position of the frame 201.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a rectangular rib 205 projects downward on the bottom surface 201 a of the frame body 201. Therefore, the bottom surface 201a can be placed on the table T, for example, and the probe holder 12 can be made to stand on the table T. The rib 205 is formed with an accommodation recess 206 that functions as an accommodation portion that is cut out in a concave shape so that a part of the lower surface side matches the shape of the mounting member 204. The housing recess 206 houses the mounting member 204 so that the mounting member 204 does not interfere with the table T when the probe holder 12 is made to stand on the table T.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cart 2 is attached to a column 23 extending in the vertical direction, a leg 21 having a plurality of legs extending radially from the lower end of the column 23, and a tip of each leg of the leg 21. The caster 22 and a support plate 24 supported horizontally at the upper end of the column 23 are provided. The support plate 24 can mount the apparatus main body 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 on the upper surface thereof. Since the cart 2 is configured as described above, the cart 2 can be moved by rolling a plurality of casters 22 with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 placed thereon.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the probe holder 12 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 has been described. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the attachment member 204 is attached to the back surface of the support plate 24 of the cart 2. The holder 12 can also be attached to the cart 2. The attachment position of the probe holder 12 to the cart 2 is not limited to that described above, and may be attached to an appropriate position according to convenience.

  Further, the frame body 201 may be provided with a hooking portion for hooking the cable 302. The shape of the latching portion may be formed, for example, protruding from the frame body 201 or may be formed by cutting out a part of the frame body 201 so that the cable 302 can be latched. Any form can be used.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a probe holder according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure of the apparatus main body 11 and the cart 2 of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 1, since it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

The probe holder 12A according to the second embodiment is attached to the rear of the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 11, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b).
Here, the configuration of the probe holder 12A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, left and right, front and rear, and top and bottom mean left and right, front and back, and top and bottom with respect to the short direction of the probe holder 12A.
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, the probe holder 12 </ b> A rotates to the attachment frame 210, a support frame 213 having a U-shaped cross section extending downward from the rear end of the attachment frame 210, and the lower end of the support frame 213. And a leg member 212 attached thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting frame 210 is a flat plate extending in the left-right direction, both ends are formed in a semicircular shape, and curved upward. The mounting frame 210 is provided with two substantially elliptical openings, and a probe housing portion 202 and a jelly housing portion 203 are fitted into each opening. The configurations of the probe storage unit 202 and the jelly storage unit 203 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Further, the curved portion at the right end of the mounting frame 210 functions as a cable hooking portion 211 that can hook the cable 302 of the probe 13 held in the probe housing portion 202. In the present embodiment, the cable hooking portion 211 is formed integrally with the end portion of the mounting frame 210 and is formed so as to bend upward, so that the cable 302 is improved while improving the aesthetic appearance of the probe holder. It is possible to have a function of hooking. Further, since the cable 302 can be hooked when the probe 13 is supported by the probe holder 12, the cable 302 does not get in the way and the convenience is improved. The shape of the cable hooking portion 211 is not limited to that described above, and for example, a part of the mounting frame 210 may be cut away so that the cable 302 can be hooked on the cutout portion. In addition, a protrusion may be provided on a part of the mounting frame 210 so that the cable 302 can be hooked on the protrusion. Any structure may be adopted as long as the cable 302 can be hooked. be able to.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the support frame 213 includes a flat support frame body 213 b formed in a substantially L shape in rear view, a flange 213 a extending forward from the upper end of the support frame body 213 b, and It is comprised from the attachment part 213c extended so that it might curve ahead from the lower end of the support frame main body 213b, and these are formed integrally. The flange 213a is fixed to the lower surface of the rear end of the mounting frame 210, and supports the mounting frame 210 while being inclined slightly forward. The attaching portion 213c attaches the leg member 212 so as to be rotatable.

As shown in FIG. 10, the leg member 212 has a flat plate shape and a fan shape. The leg member 212 is attached to the lower surface of the attachment portion 213c of the support frame 213 through the rotation shaft 212a at the substantially center of the narrow portion on one end side, and to the attachment portion 213c with the rotation shaft 212a as an axis. It can be turned. Therefore, the leg member 212 has a position extending in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the mounting frame 210 as shown in FIG. 10A and the extending direction of the mounting frame 210 as shown in FIG. It can be displaced between positions extending in parallel directions. In addition, the leg member 212 is provided with a mounting screw hole 212b through which a screw for removably fixing the leg member 212 to the apparatus main body 11 can be inserted at the approximate center of the wide portion on the other end side. The leg member 212 can be attached to the apparatus main body 11 by inserting a screw into the attachment screw hole 212b and screwing it with a jig such as a screwdriver. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the probe holder 12A can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body 11.
Further, since the leg member 212 is formed in a flat plate shape as described above and the other end side is configured to be wide, the leg member 212 can be placed on, for example, a table T as shown in FIG. It can be made independent on the table T. That is, it can be said that the leg member 212 functions as a bottom part and has an attachment part for detachably attaching to the apparatus main body 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the probe housing portion 202 is configured such that the lower end is above the leg member 212 when attached to the attachment frame 210. That is, the mounting frame 210, the leg member 212, and the support frame 213 support the probe housing portion 202 in a state where the rear end of the probe main body 301 held by the probe housing portion 202 is above the leg member 212. be able to.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the mounting frame 210, the leg member 212, and the support frame 213 constitute a support member. In the present embodiment, the mounting frame 210 and the support frame 213 constitute a support member body.

  As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, the probe housing unit 202 holds the probe main body 301 with the tip of the probe main body 301 facing upward. The frame body 201 (the attachment frame 210, the leg member 212, and the support frame 213) has a bottom portion and supports the probe housing portion 202. The frame body 201 (the attachment frame 210, the leg member 212, and the support frame 213) supports the probe housing portion 202 in a state where the rear end of the probe main body 301 held by the probe housing portion 202 is above the bottom portion. As a result, for example, when the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body to which the probe holder is attached is placed on a table or the like, the probe holder can support the probe without interfering with the table or the like. Even when the holder itself is placed on a table, etc., the probe can be supported without interfering with the table, etc., so the handling of the probe is improved, especially when using a portable ultrasound diagnostic imaging device. Can be made.

  In addition, according to the first and second embodiments, since the bottom portion is formed so as to be placed on a table, the probe holder can be placed and used at any place, improving convenience. Can be made.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, since the mounting member 204 for detachably mounting to the apparatus main body 11 is provided, the probe holder is used integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body. Therefore, the convenience is improved particularly when a portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is used.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the housing 201 is formed with the housing recess 206 for housing the attachment member 204. The attachment member 204 is rotatably attached to the frame body 201 and configured to be accommodated in the accommodation recess 206. As a result, when attaching the probe holder to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body, the attachment member can be taken out and attached, and when the probe holder is used alone, the attachment member can be accommodated, so that it is compact. It can be used for convenience.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, since the leg member 212 is attached to the support frame 213 so as to be rotatable, the bottom portion is attached when the probe is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body and when the probe holder is used alone. Since the attitude of the probe holder can be changed, it can be used in a manner according to the usage state of the probe holder, and convenience is improved.

  In the second embodiment, the leg member 212 has an attachment screw hole 212b for detachably attaching to the apparatus main body 11. Therefore, the probe holder is integrated with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body. Therefore, convenience is improved particularly when a portable ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is used.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments, since the hooking portion (cable hooking portion 211) for hooking the cable 302 is provided, the cable is hooked when the probe is supported by the probe holder. It can be stopped, the cable does not get in the way, and convenience is improved.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the cable hooking portion 211 is formed by bending a part of the mounting frame 210 upward, so that the cable hooking portion can be hooked while improving the appearance of the probe holder. The function to do can be given.

  Note that the description in the embodiment of the present invention is an example of the probe holder and the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each functional unit constituting the probe holder and the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can be appropriately changed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the probe holders 12 and 12A are configured to be able to be attached to the apparatus main body 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 and to be placed on the table, but only one of the functions is provided. You may have.

  In the present embodiment, the attachment member 204 and the leg member 212 are configured to be pivotably attached to the frame body 201 and the support frame 213, but may be configured not to rotate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 11 Apparatus main body 12, 12A Probe holder 201 Frame (support member)
201a Bottom (bottom)
202 Probe housing part (probe holding part)
204 Mounting member 206 Housing recess 210 Mounting frame (support member body)
211 Cable hook (Hook)
212 Leg member (bottom)
213 Support frame (support member body)
13 Probe 301 Probe body 302 Cable

Claims (9)

In the probe holder that holds the probe that transmits and receives ultrasound,
A probe holding section for holding the probe with the tip of the probe facing upward;
A support member having a bottom and supporting the probe holder;
With
The probe holder, wherein the support member supports the probe holding part in a state in which a rear end of the probe held by the probe holding part is higher than the bottom part.   The probe holder according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is formed so as to be placed on a table.   The probe holder according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an attachment member for detachably attaching to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body. The support member is formed with an accommodating portion for accommodating the attachment member,
The probe holder according to claim 3, wherein the attachment member is rotatably attached to the support member so as to be accommodated in the accommodation portion.   The probe holder according to claim 1, wherein the support member includes a support member main body and the bottom portion rotatably attached to the support member main body.   The probe holder according to claim 5, wherein the bottom portion has an attachment portion for detachably attaching to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body.   The probe holder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support portion is provided with a latch portion for latching the cable of the probe.   The probe holder according to claim 7, wherein the hooking portion is formed by bending a part of the support portion upward.   An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising the probe holder according to claim 1.

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