JP2017074213A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which has improved operability of user operation.SOLUTION: In normal diagnosis performed by displaying an ultrasonogram on a touch panel monitor 78, a user such as a medical doctor, an inspection engineer operates a probe with one of his or her hands and operates the operation device of an apparatus with the other hand. When desiring to freeze the ultrasonogram, the user performs touch operation of the display screen of the touch panel monitor 78 with his or her four fingers, for example.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a touch panel.

  In recent years, touch panels have become widespread in the field of information processing apparatuses such as computers, tablet terminals, and portable terminals, and the use of touch panels is also being considered in the field of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. Since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has various functions, it is expected to improve the operability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a touch panel. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which an operation function is assigned to a touch panel region along a display monitor frame in a touch panel.

JP 2009-207589 A

  Use of the touch panel is expected to improve the operability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. For example, it is desirable that a user can easily perform a freeze operation performed with the other hand while holding the probe with one hand during diagnosis using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Moreover, while the operability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is expected to be improved by using the touch panel, the touch panel may accept an operation not intended by the user. For example, when a user tries to carry a tablet-type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a touch panel, the apparatus may accept an operation unintended by the user when the user's hand touches the touch panel.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described background art, and an object thereof is to improve the operability of user operations in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a touch panel. Another object of the present invention is to realize a function for restricting user operations in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a touch panel.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus suitable for the above-described object includes a touch panel that displays an ultrasonic image, and a control unit that executes control in accordance with a user operation input via the touch panel. The freeze control is executed when a touch operation from the user on the touch panel is detected at a touch point equal to or more than the threshold number.

  According to the apparatus having the above configuration, the freeze control is executed when a touch operation from the user on the touch panel is detected at a touch point equal to or greater than the threshold number. Thus, for example, when a user such as a doctor or a laboratory technician operates the ultrasonic probe with one hand and operates the touch panel with the other hand, the user touches the touch panel with a plurality of fingers of the other hand. Freeze control can be realized with simple operation.

  In a preferred embodiment, the control unit performs the freeze control when the touch operation is detected by satisfying a simultaneous condition at touch points equal to or greater than the threshold number.

  In a desirable specific example, the control unit stops transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves and displays a still image as an ultrasonic image on the touch panel in the freeze control.

  In a preferred specific example, the control unit performs operation restriction control when the touch operation is detected at a touch point equal to or greater than the threshold number and over a threshold time. For example, the operation restriction control is executed when the user's hand touches the touch panel to carry the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Thereby, in the operation restriction control, for example, it is possible to restrict the apparatus from accepting an operation that is not intended by the user.

  In a desirable specific example, the control unit is in an operation restriction state in which reception of a user operation input via the touch panel is restricted in the operation restriction control.

  In a desirable specific example, the control unit releases the operation restriction state when a predetermined release operation is received via the touch panel in the operation restriction state.

  According to the present invention, the operability of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a touch panel is improved. For example, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize freeze control with an extremely simple operation of touching a touch panel with a plurality of fingers.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, a function for restricting user operations is realized in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a touch panel. For example, when the user's hand touches the touch panel while carrying the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the operation restriction control is executed, and it is possible to restrict the apparatus from accepting an operation not intended by the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is preferable in the practice of the present invention. It is a block diagram of an FE apparatus. It is a block diagram of a BE apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display image displayed on a touchscreen monitor. It is a figure which shows the specific example of freezing operation. It is a figure which shows the example of a detection of freeze operation. It is a figure which shows the specific example by which a locked state is implement | achieved. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the state transition of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (ultrasonic diagnostic system) suitable for implementing the present invention. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (ultrasonic diagnostic system) 10 is a medical device used in a medical institution such as a hospital, and is for performing ultrasonic diagnosis on a subject (living body). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 in FIG. 1 is roughly configured as a system including a front end (FE) apparatus 12, a back end (BE) apparatus 14, and a probe 16. The FE device 12 is a device close to the living body and the BE device 14 is a device far from the living body. The FE device 12 and the BE device 14 are separated, and each constitutes a portable device. The FE device 12 and the BE device 14 can operate in a separate state where they are separated, and can operate in a docking state where they are coupled. FIG. 1 shows a separate state.

  The probe 16 is a transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves while being in contact with the surface of a living body. The probe 16 includes a 1D array transducer including a plurality of vibration elements arranged in a linear shape or an arc shape. An ultrasonic beam is formed by the array transducer and is repeatedly electronically scanned. A beam scanning surface is formed in the living body for each electronic scanning. As an electronic scanning method, an electronic linear scanning method, an electronic sector scanning method, and the like are known. It is also possible to provide a 2D array transducer capable of forming a three-dimensional echo data capturing space instead of the 1D array transducer. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the probe 16 is connected to the FE device 12 via a cable 28. The probe 16 may be connected to the FE device 12 by wireless communication. In that case, a wireless probe is used. In a state where a plurality of probes are connected to the FE device 12, the probe 16 to be actually used may be selected from them. The probe 16 inserted into the body cavity may be connected to the FE device 12.

  The FE device 12 and the BE device 14 are electrically connected to each other by a wireless communication method in the separated state shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, these devices are connected to each other by the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method. In FIG. 1, a wireless communication path 18 based on the first wireless communication system and a wireless communication path 20 based on the second wireless communication system are clearly shown. The first wireless communication method is faster than the second wireless communication method, and in this embodiment, ultrasonic reception data is transmitted from the FE device 12 to the BE device 14 using this method. That is, the first wireless communication system is used for data transmission. The second wireless communication method is a communication method that is lower in speed and simpler than the first wireless transmission method. In this embodiment, a control signal is transmitted from the BE device 14 to the FE device 12 using the method. That is, the second wireless communication system is used for control.

  In a docking state in which the FE device 12 and the BE device 14 are physically coupled, the FE device 12 and the BE device 14 are electrically connected by a wired communication method. Compared with the above two wireless communication systems, the wired communication system is considerably faster. In FIG. 1, a wired communication path 22 is shown between two devices. The power supply path 26 is for supplying DC power from the FE device 12 to the BE device 14 in the docking state. The electric power is used for the operation of the BE device 14 and is used for charging the battery in the BE device 14.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a DC power supply line supplied from an AC adapter (AC / DC converter). The AC adapter is connected to the FE device 12 as necessary. The FE device 12 also has a built-in battery, and can operate while using the battery as a power source. The FE device 12 has a box shape as will be described later. The configuration and operation of the FE device 12 will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, the BE device 14 has a tablet shape or a flat plate shape in the present embodiment. It basically has the same configuration as a general tablet computer. However, the BE device 14 is equipped with various types of dedicated software for ultrasonic diagnosis. This includes an operation control program, an image processing program, and the like. The BE device 14 includes a display panel 30 with a touch sensor. It functions as a user interface that doubles as an input device and a display device. In FIG. 1, a B-mode tomographic image as an ultrasonic image is displayed on the display panel 30. The user performs various inputs using the icon group displayed on the display panel 30. On the display panel 30, a slide operation, an enlargement operation, and the like can be performed.

  It is possible to operate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 in a usage mode selected from the separate state and the docking state in accordance with the diagnostic application, the examiner's preference, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic system that is easy to use.

  In the present embodiment, control for forcibly setting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to the frozen state at the time of the state change is executed so that the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 does not become unstable or inappropriate at the time of the state change. Specifically, in the process of shifting from the separate state to the docking state, the FE device 12 and the BE device 14 respectively determine immediately before docking based on the radio wave intensity or the reception state that indicates the distance between the two devices. Accordingly, the control for changing the operation state to the freeze state in the individual devices 12 and 14 is executed. After the docking state is formed and the freeze release operation by the inspector, the freeze state of the devices 12 and 14 is released. Incidentally, in the process of shifting from the docking state to the separate state, the separate state is detected by the FE device 12 and the BE device 14 by disconnection detection or other methods, and they are in a freeze state. After the subsequent freeze release operation, the freeze state of these devices 12 and 14 is released.

  The BE device 14 can be separately connected to the hospital LAN by a wireless communication method and a wired communication method. These communication paths are not shown. The BE device 14 (or the FE device 12) may be separately connected to another dedicated device (for example, a remote controller) that functions for ultrasonic diagnosis by a wireless communication method or a wired communication method.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the FE device 12. Each block in the figure is configured by hardware such as a processor and an electronic circuit. The transmission signal generation circuit 38 is a circuit that supplies a plurality of transmission signals in parallel to a plurality of vibration elements in the probe via the probe connection circuit 40. This supply forms a transmit beam at the probe. When the reflected waves from the living body are received by the plurality of vibration elements, a plurality of reception signals are output from them, and the plurality of reception signals are input to the reception signal processing circuit 42 via the probe connection circuit 40. The reception signal processing circuit 42 includes a plurality of preamplifiers, a plurality of amplifiers, a plurality of A / D converters, and the like. A plurality of digital reception signals output from the reception signal processing circuit 42 are sent to the reception beamformer 46. The reception beamformer 46 applies phasing addition processing to a plurality of digital reception signals, and outputs beam data as a signal after phasing addition. The beam data consists of a plurality of echo data arranged in the depth direction corresponding to the received beam. The reception frame data is constituted by a plurality of beam data obtained by one electronic scan.

  The transmission / reception controller 44 controls transmission signal generation and reception signal processing based on transmission / reception control data sent from the BE device. The beam processor 50 is a circuit that performs various types of data processing such as detection processing, logarithmic conversion processing, and correlation processing on individual beam data input in time series order. The control unit 52 controls the overall operation of the FE device 12. In addition, control is performed to transmit the beam data sequentially transmitted from the beam processor 50 to the BE device by wire transmission or wireless transmission. In the present embodiment, the control unit 52 also functions as a wired communication device. The wireless communication device 54 is a module for performing communication using the first wireless communication method. The wireless communication device 56 is a module for performing communication using the second wireless communication method. Reference numeral 18 indicates a wireless communication path according to the first wireless communication system, and reference numeral 20 indicates a wireless communication path according to the second wireless communication system. Each is a bidirectional transmission path. In this embodiment, a large amount of received data is transmitted from the FE device 12 to the BE device using the former, and a control signal is transmitted from the BE device to the FE device 12 using the latter. Is transmitted. Reference numeral 64 denotes a terminal for wired communication, to which the wired communication path 22 is connected. Reference numeral 66 denotes a power supply terminal to which the power supply line 26 is connected. The power line 26 is a line for supplying DC power from the FE device 12 to the BE device as described above.

  The battery 60 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, and charging / discharging therein is controlled by a power supply controller 58. When the battery is driven, power from the battery 60 is supplied to each circuit in the FE device 12 via the power controller 58. Reference numeral 62 denotes a power supply line when the AC adapter is connected. When the AC adapter is connected, external power is supplied to each circuit in the FE device 12 by the action of the power supply controller 58. At this time, if the charge amount of the battery 60 is less than 100%, the battery 60 is charged using external power.

  During the ultrasonic diagnostic operation (during transmission / reception), the FE device 12 repeatedly executes supply of a plurality of transmission signals to the probe and processing of a plurality of reception signals obtained thereafter in accordance with control on the BE device side. The beam data in chronological order obtained in this way are sequentially transmitted to the BE device by wireless communication in the separate state and by wire communication in the docked state. In that case, each beam data is converted into a plurality of packets, and each beam data is transmitted by a so-called packet transmission method.

  In addition to the B mode, various modes such as a CFM mode, an M mode, and a D mode (PW mode, CW mode) are known as operation modes. Transmission / reception processing for harmonic imaging and elasticity information imaging may be executed. In FIG. 1, circuits such as a biological signal input circuit are not shown.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the BE device 14. In the figure, each block represents hardware such as a processor, a circuit, and a memory. The CPU block 68 includes a CPU 70, an internal memory 72, and the like. The internal memory 72 functions as a working memory or a cache memory. The external memory 80 connected to the CPU block 68 stores an OS, various control programs, various processing programs, and the like. The latter includes a scan conversion processing program. The external memory 80 also functions as a cine memory having a ring buffer structure. A cine memory may be configured on the internal memory 72.

  The CPU block 68 generates display frame data by a scan conversion process based on a plurality of beam data. It constitutes an ultrasonic image (for example, a tomographic image). The processing is sequentially executed to generate a moving image. The CPU block 68 performs various processes for displaying an ultrasonic image on the beam data or the image. In addition, the operation of the BE apparatus 14 is controlled, and the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is controlled.

  The touch panel monitor (display panel) 78 functions as an input device and a display device. Specifically, the touch panel monitor 78 includes a liquid crystal display and a touch sensor, and functions as a user interface. A display image including an ultrasonic image is displayed on the touch panel monitor 78, and various buttons (icons) for operation are displayed.

  The wireless communication device 74 is a module for performing wireless communication according to the first wireless communication method. The wireless communication path at that time is indicated by reference numeral 18. The wireless communication device 76 is a module for performing wireless communication according to the second wireless communication method. The wireless communication path at that time is indicated by reference numeral 20. The CPU block 68 also has a function of performing wired communication according to a wired communication method. In the docking state, a wired communication line is connected to the wired communication terminal 92. The power supply line 26 is connected to the power supply terminal 94.

  A plurality of detectors 84 to 90 are connected to the CPU block 68 via an I / F circuit 82. It may include illuminance sensors, proximity sensors, temperature sensors and the like. A module such as GPS may be connected. The I / F circuit 82 functions as a sensor controller.

  The battery 102 is a lithium ceramic type battery, and charging / discharging thereof is controlled by the power supply controller 100. The power supply controller 100 supplies power from the battery 102 to each circuit in the BE device 14 during battery operation. At the time of non-battery operation, the power supplied from the FE device or the power supplied from the AC adapter is supplied to each circuit in the BE device 14. Reference numeral 104 denotes a power supply line via an AC adapter.

  The BE device 14 controls the FE device, sequentially processes the beam data sent from the FE device, generates an ultrasonic image, and displays it on the touch panel monitor 78. At that time, an operation graphic image is also displayed together with the ultrasonic image. In a normal real-time operation, the BE device 14 and the FE device are electrically connected by radio or wire, and the ultrasound diagnosis operation is continuously executed while the two are synchronized. In the freeze state, the operations of the transmission signal generation circuit and the reception signal generation circuit in BE device 14 are stopped, and the operation of the booster circuit in power supply controller 100 is also stopped. In the BE apparatus, a still image is displayed at the time of freezing, and the content is maintained. You may comprise so that an external indicator can be connected to BE apparatus.

  The ultrasonic image formed in the CPU block 68 is displayed on the touch panel monitor 78. The CPU block 68 forms a display image including an ultrasonic image and displays it on the touch panel monitor 78.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a display image displayed on the touch panel monitor 78. FIG. 4 shows a display image including an ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic image is displayed in the display area A in the touch panel monitor 78. In general, the display area A is desirably rectangular as shown in the figure, but may have a shape other than a rectangle, for example, according to the shape of the ultrasonic image. In addition, it is desirable that the position and size of the display area A can be adjusted as appropriate. Further, in the display image displayed on the touch panel monitor 78, graphic images such as a plurality of soft keys 120 are displayed in addition to the ultrasonic image. The CPU block 68 (FIG. 3) executes control according to a user operation input via the touch panel monitor 78.

  The touch panel monitor 78 can detect the operation from the user at multiple points on the display surface on which the display image is displayed. Specifically, a transmissive capacitive touch panel monitor 78 is desirable. For example, in a user operation with a finger of a hand, a touch point (for example, a representative point in an area where the fingertip is touched) is detected for each finger.

  Thereby, for example, a button operation corresponding to a touch point among the plurality of soft keys 120 is realized by a touch operation with one finger. Further, the flick operation may be realized by sliding the finger on the display surface of the touch panel monitor 78 while keeping one finger in contact, or touching the display surface with a single finger. Thus, the tapping operation may be realized. Furthermore, a double click operation may be realized by tapping the display surface of the touch panel monitor 78 twice with one finger continuously.

  Further, the pinch zoom operation may be realized by opening and closing the two fingers while the two fingers are in contact with the display surface of the touch panel monitor 78. For example, a pinch-out for enlarging an ultrasonic image is realized by operating the two fingers on the ultrasonic image, and an ultrasonic wave is operated by closing the two fingers on the ultrasonic image. A pinch-in for reducing the image is realized.

  Further, for example, an operation with three fingers, for example, an operation for rotating a display image may be realized. Note that by disabling the touch operation with three fingers (no corresponding operation), the difference between the normal operation described above and the freeze operation described below may be highlighted, and the erroneous recognition of the operation may be reduced.

  The CPU block 68 (FIG. 3) executes freeze control when a touch operation from the user on the touch panel monitor 78 is detected at a number of touch points exceeding the above-described normal input. For example, freeze control is executed when user operations are simultaneously detected at four or more touch points.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the freeze operation. During normal diagnosis performed by displaying an ultrasound image on the touch panel monitor 78, a user such as a doctor or a laboratory technician operates the probe 16 (FIG. 1) with one hand and operates the apparatus with the other hand. Operate the device. FIG. 5 shows a specific example in which the user operates the touch panel monitor 78 with the left hand LH. When the user wants to freeze the ultrasonic image, for example, the user touches the display screen of the touch panel monitor 78 with four or more fingers.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detection example of the freeze operation. FIG. 6 shows a specific example of five touch points detected when the user touches the display screen of the touch panel monitor 78 with the fingertips of five fingers (for example, in the operation example of FIG. 5). The touch panel monitor 78 detects a touch point corresponding to each fingertip in order of time of contact with the display surface (on the detection surface). For example, the position of a representative point (center point or the like) in the area where each fingertip is touched is detected as the coordinates of the touch point.

  In the specific example shown in FIG. 6, first, a touch point (1) corresponding to the fingertip of the middle finger is detected, followed by a touch point (2) corresponding to the fingertip of the ring finger, and a touch point (3 corresponding to the fingertip of the little finger). ), The touch point (4) corresponding to the fingertip of the index finger is detected in this order, and finally the touch point (5) corresponding to the fingertip of the thumb is detected.

  The detection result of the touch operation by the touch panel monitor 78 is transmitted to the CPU block 68 (FIG. 3). The CPU block 68 recognizes a plurality of simultaneous operations when a plurality of touch points are detected satisfying the simultaneous condition. For example, when a plurality of touch points are detected within a predetermined time (for example, several milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds), operations for the plurality of touch points are recognized as a plurality of simultaneous operations.

  Then, the CPU block 68 performs freeze control when a plurality of simultaneous operations are detected at a number of touch points exceeding the normal input. For example, when four (four touch points) or more simultaneous inputs are made, the freeze control is executed by recognizing that the operation is a multi-point simultaneous operation. Note that three or more simultaneous inputs may be a multipoint simultaneous operation, and five or more simultaneous inputs may be a multipoint simultaneous operation. In the freeze control, the transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves is stopped, and a freeze state is displayed in which a still image is displayed on the touch panel monitor 78 as an ultrasonic image.

  The detection of the simultaneous multipoint operation may be limited to, for example, only on the ultrasonic image, but is preferably performed on the entire surface of the touch panel monitor 78 including the area where the plurality of soft keys 120 are displayed. As a result, the user operates the probe 16 (FIG. 1) with one hand, and touches an arbitrary portion of the display surface (detection surface) of the touch panel monitor 78 with a large number (four or more) fingers with the other hand. The freeze operation can be realized with an extremely simple operation.

  Of course, in addition to the simultaneous multi-point operation on the touch panel monitor 78, a dedicated freeze operation switch may be provided in the plurality of soft keys 120 or in an operation device separate from the touch panel monitor 78.

  The freeze state is released by a freeze release operation. The CPU block 68 (FIG. 3) cancels the freeze state, for example, when a user operation for releasing the freeze is detected in the freeze state, and shifts to the normal diagnosis mode, for example. For example, when a predetermined release operation for the touch panel monitor 78 is received, the freeze state may be released, or a switch dedicated for freeze release (which may be combined with the freeze operation) is provided in the plurality of soft keys 120 or the touch panel monitor 78. May be provided in another operation device.

  Further, the CPU block 68 executes the operation restriction control when the multipoint simultaneous operation is continued for a predetermined time or more. For example, a user operation input via the touch panel monitor 78 when four (four touch points) or more simultaneous operations (multi-point simultaneous operations) are continued for a predetermined period (about 1 second to several seconds). Is in a locked state (operation restricted state).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which the locked state is realized. FIG. 7 shows a state where the user's left hand LH is touching the display surface (detection surface) of the touch panel monitor 78 when the user carries the touch panel monitor 78. When the user attempts to carry the touch panel monitor 78 by hand as in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, for example, some fingers and a part of the palm touch the display surface (detection surface) of the touch panel monitor 78.

  The CPU block 68 (FIG. 3) detects a hand contact state when carrying the touch panel monitor 78 as shown in FIG. 7 as a multipoint simultaneous operation. For example, if four or more touch points are detected by satisfying the simultaneous condition by some fingers and a part of the palm, the multi-point simultaneous operation is detected. Further, it may be regarded as a multipoint simultaneous operation by recognizing that a palm larger than the fingertip is in contact. For example, when a touch operation is detected in an area wider than a threshold for determining an area larger than the fingertip, it may be regarded as a multipoint simultaneous operation.

  When carrying the touch panel monitor 78, the user's hand touches the display surface (contact surface) for a longer time than the normal operation at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, the CPU block 68 executes the operation restriction control when the multipoint simultaneous operation is continued for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 second to several seconds) or more. Thereby, it will be in the lock state (operation restriction state) which restricts the user operation inputted via touch panel monitor 78. In the locked state, a normal operation (a general operation at the time of diagnosis) is not accepted, and for example, a malfunction caused by touching the touch panel monitor 78 during carrying is avoided.

  The locked state is released by a lock release operation. For example, an operation device (such as a switch) that accepts the release of the locked state may be provided separately from the touch panel monitor 78, or may be locked by a predetermined special operation on the touch panel monitor 78, for example, a special gesture that can be arbitrarily set by the user. May be released.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of state transition of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (ultrasound diagnostic system) in FIG. 1. The diagnostic mode corresponds to a diagnostic state in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received by the probe 16 and an ultrasonic image is displayed on the touch panel monitor 78 (FIG. 4).

  The freeze mode corresponds to a freeze state in which transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves by the probe 16 is stopped and a still image (freeze image) of the ultrasonic image is displayed on the touch panel monitor 78. When the freeze operation is performed in the diagnosis mode, for example, when a touch operation (see FIG. 5) on the touch panel monitor 78 with four or more fingers is detected, the diagnosis mode is shifted to the freeze mode. Further, when a freeze release operation is performed in the freeze mode, the freeze mode is shifted to the diagnosis mode.

  The lock mode corresponds to a locked state (operation limited state) in which user operations input via the touch panel monitor 78 are limited. When the lock operation is performed, for example, when the touch operation (see FIG. 5) on the touch panel monitor 78 with four or more fingers is continued for 1 second or more, the diagnosis mode is changed to the lock mode via the freeze mode. Transition. Note that when the lock operation is performed in the diagnosis mode, control for directly shifting from the diagnosis mode to the lock mode may be realized. Further, when an unlocking operation is performed in the lock mode, the lock mode is shifted to the freeze mode. In addition, when the unlocking operation is performed in the lock mode, control for shifting from the lock mode to the diagnosis mode may be realized.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only a mere illustration in all the points, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes various modifications without departing from the essence thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 12 Front end (FE) apparatus, 14 Back end (BE) apparatus, 16 Probe, 68 CPU block, 78 Touch panel monitor.

Claims (6)

A touch panel for displaying an ultrasonic image;
A control unit that executes control according to a user operation input via the touch panel;
Have
The control unit performs freeze control when a touch operation from the user on the touch panel is detected at a touch point equal to or more than a threshold number,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The control unit executes the freeze control when the touch operation is detected by satisfying a simultaneous condition at touch points equal to or more than the threshold number.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
In the freeze control, the control unit stops transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves and displays a still image as an ultrasonic image on the touch panel,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control unit executes operation restriction control when the touch operation is detected at a touch point equal to or greater than the threshold number and over a threshold time.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4,
In the operation restriction control, the control unit is in an operation restriction state that restricts acceptance of user operations input via the touch panel.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5,
The control unit releases the operation restriction state when a predetermined release operation is received via the touch panel in the operation restriction state.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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