JP2018117991A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device and communication control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device and a communication control program for the same which enable an external storage medium connected with another device to be used over a network on the basis of connection history registered in the external storage medium.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic device comprises a connection unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. An external storage medium is connected to the connection unit. The storage unit stores communication information of the own ultrasonic diagnostic device. The control unit performs input and output from/to a connected external storage medium and controls communication with another ultrasonic diagnostic device connected to network. Furthermore, when the external storage medium is connected to the connection unit, the control unit utilizes communication information of the other ultrasonic diagnostic device stored in the external storage medium to transmit the communication information to the other ultrasonic diagnostic device, and enables connection to the external storage medium connected to the connection unit from the other ultrasonic diagnostic device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a communication control program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses are used in a variety of scales of medical institutions and the like with their miniaturization and high performance, alone or in a network environment with other electronic devices.

  Medical workers of small-scale medical institutions often use an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus alone. At this time, for example, image data acquired by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, examination contents, and the like can be stored in an external storage medium and managed, and the advantages of downsizing the apparatus can be utilized. On the other hand, some large-scale medical institutions use a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, other apparatuses, other electronic devices, network storage media (network storage), and the like for medical communication standards (for example, DICOM communication standards (described later)). ) May be interconnected via a network that conforms to), and image data may be used and managed in a network environment. However, due to an increase in network load and the like, not only a conventional method but also a method of using a data management method using an external storage medium is used. An external storage medium is also used as means for using and managing image data (raw data, etc.) that does not conform to the DICOM image standard (described later).

  As a result, medical information such as images acquired by a plurality of devices may be distributed and stored in a plurality of external storage media. In order to utilize medical information stored in a distributed manner in a network environment, the user confirms the contents of an external storage medium connected to another device from the terminal at hand connected to the network, and re- It should be available.

  For storage media directly connected to the network (network storage, internal storage media of electronic devices connected to the network, etc.), the assigned MAC address is stored in the network router, and the MAC address stored at the time of reconnection is stored. A method for simplifying the reconnection by reading out the data has been proposed (Cited document 1).

JP 2006-287692 A

  This embodiment provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and its communication control program that can use the external storage medium connected to another apparatus via a network based on the connection history registered in the external storage medium. It is to be.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a connection unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The connection unit is connected to an external storage medium. The storage unit stores communication information of the own device. The control unit performs input / output with respect to the connected external storage medium, and controls communication with other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses connected to the network. Furthermore, when the external storage medium is connected to the connection unit, the control unit uses the other communication information stored in the external storage medium to transfer the communication information to the other ultrasonic diagnosis device. In addition to transmission, connection to an external storage medium connected to a connection unit from another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is enabled.

Schematic which shows the structural example of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structural example of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structural example of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. Schematic which shows the image list of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the image list of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structural example of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. Schematic which shows the structural example of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. Schematic which shows the structural example of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structural example of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structural example of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the following description, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may be referred to as “device”, the internal storage medium as “built-in hard disk”, the personal computer as “computer”, and the DICOM data server program as “DICOM application” or “DICOM application”.

<First Embodiment>
An outline of an example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and then specific contents of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 having the same configuration, the external storage medium 3 connectable to both the apparatuses 1 and 2, and both the apparatuses 1 and 2 are provided. A network N1 to be connected is included. The external storage medium 3 is connected to and used by the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, then removed, and then connected to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. In this embodiment, in this state, the communication information i1 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the communication information i2 of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 are automatically changed to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the second ultrasonic diagnosis. It is shared with the diagnostic device 2 (communication information i1 and i2 will be described later). By sharing the communication information i1 and i2, the connection between the two apparatuses is established, and the file can be transmitted and received. As a result, the user U1 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 accesses the external storage medium 3 from the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 via the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and transmits / receives image data and the like. Thus, the external storage medium 3 can be used.

[Constitution]
As shown in FIG. 1, the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 have the same configuration and are connected by a network N1. The first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes communication information i1 and the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 includes communication information i2 in each of the storage circuits 111 and 211. The memory circuit 111 and the memory circuit 211 will be described later. The external storage medium 3 is connected to and used by the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, then removed, and then connected to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2.

  As a communication protocol (communication procedure) of the network N1, for example, a general-purpose model of a known DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) communication protocol is used as a communication standard. The DICOM communication protocol general-purpose model occupies only the upper layers (application layer, presentation layer, session layer) of the OSI reference model (all seven layers), and does not restrict the lower layers. For example, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is adopted for the transport layer which is the lower layer. An IP (Internet Protocol) is adopted for the lower layer network layer. It is also possible to select Ethernet (registered trademark) for the lower data link layer and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface) for the lowermost physical layer. In this combination, communication based on the general-purpose model of DICOM communication protocol (hereinafter referred to as “DICOM communication”) is a network based on TCP / IP communication on Ethernet (registered trademark) stretched by widely used optical fibers. Available. Hereinafter, a network connected by DICOM communication is referred to as a “DICOM communication network”. In addition, a unique model of DICOM communication (for example, the DICOM communication protocol monopolizes all seven layers of the OSI reference model) as a communication protocol of the network N1, and a network that performs communication using a dedicated cable can also be used. As an example, the DICOM communication of the present specification adopts a method in which DICOM communication is established in a TCP / IP communication network.

  The communication information i1 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 connected via the DICOM communication network N1 will be described. The communication information i1 includes an IP address, a port number, an AE (Application Entity) title, and an available service. The IP address corresponds to the network layer, and identifies the node of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 on the DICOM communication network N1. The port number corresponds to the transport layer and identifies the application on the node of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The AE title is set in the application layer. The AE title is an identifier of each process of the DICOM application (service) executed by the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. In the DICOM communication network, it is possible to identify which device is issuing which service by combining the IP address, port number, and AE title. The available service is a specific service name on DICOM communication. The communication information i2 is communication information of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 having the same configuration as that of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Like the communication information i1, the communication information i2 is an IP address, a port number, an AE title, Available services.

  The configuration of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a control circuit 110, a storage circuit 111, a display 112, an input circuit 113, an external device connection device 114, and a network connection device 115.

  The control circuit 110 inputs and outputs between the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the external storage medium 3 connected to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 via the external device connection apparatus 114 and the network connection apparatus 115. And a processor that processes input / output from the network N1.

  The storage circuit 111 is composed of a dynamic RAM or a static RAM as a main storage device. Alternatively, an internal hard disk as an auxiliary storage device may be included. The storage circuit 111 can store communication information i2 transmitted from an external device input / output circuit 1101 (described later). The storage circuit 111 can store communication information i1 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  The display 112 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. When the display 112 is the entire surface or a partial touch panel, the display 112 is configured to be shared with the input circuit 113. The display 112 appropriately displays an input / output result related to the ultrasonic examination performed by the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, further, the result of communication processing performed by the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the connection state with the external storage medium 3, the internal hard disk and the files and images stored in the external storage medium 3 are displayed.

  The input circuit 113 may be a whole or part of a touch panel and may be provided in the display 112 or may be realized by an independent trackball, switch button, mouse, keyboard, or the like. In the present embodiment, the input circuit 113 is also used for command input, parameter setting, and the like related to communication between the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the external storage medium 3.

  The external device connection device 114 is a device for connecting the external storage medium 3 to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The external device connection device 114 is connected to an external device input / output circuit 1101 (see FIG. 2 described later), which is a component of the control circuit 110. The external device connection device 114 can adopt, for example, a serial connection standard such as USB (Universal Serial bus) and IEEE 51394, and a parallel connection standard such as IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics).

  The network connection device 115 employs a predetermined communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and connects the first ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 to the network N1. The network connection device 115 is connected to a communication circuit 1103 (described later) that is a component of the control circuit 110. The network connection device 115 is, for example, a LAN adapter card connected to a PCI bus slot on the motherboard, and a unique MAC address is set. The network connection device 115 can employ a wired interface having a connection port to which a predetermined LAN cable is connected or a wireless LAN interface.

  Details of the control circuit 110 will be described with reference to FIG. The control circuit 110 includes an external device input / output circuit 1101, a communication processing circuit 1102, and a communication circuit 1103.

  The external device input / output circuit 1101 is connected to the external device connection device 114 and the communication processing circuit 1102. When the external storage medium 3 is connected to the external device connection device 114, the external device input / output circuit 1101 detects the connection and causes the communication processing circuit 1102 to transmit a connection status signal c1. Under the control of the communication processing circuit 1102 that has received the connection status signal c1, the external device input / output circuit 1101 writes the communication information i1 into the external storage medium 3. Further, if the file in the external storage medium 3 is searched and there is communication information i2 of another second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 connected to the same network N1, the external device input / output circuit 1101 reads out the communication information i2. Write to the memory circuit 111. When the external storage medium 3 is removed from the external device connection apparatus 114, the external device input / output circuit 1101 causes the communication processing circuit 1102 to transmit a disconnection status signal d1. The connection status signal c1 is a signal indicating that the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the external storage medium 3 are connected via the external device connection apparatus 114. The disconnection status signal d1 is a signal indicating that the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the external storage medium 3 are disconnected via the external device connection apparatus 114.

  The communication processing circuit 1102 is connected to the external device input / output circuit 1101 and the communication circuit 1103. In response to reception of the connection status signal c1 and the disconnection status signal d1 from the external device input / output circuit 1101, the communication processing circuit 1102 indicates the connection state between the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the external storage medium 3 on the display 112. , Display with a message or icon. When the connection status signal c1 is received, the external device input / output circuit 1101 is controlled to perform the processing of the communication information i1 and i2 described above. Further, the communication processing circuit 1102 controls the communication circuit 1103 to transmit / receive files between the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and the external storage medium 3 via the network N1.

  The communication circuit 1103 is connected to the communication processing circuit 1102 and the network connection device 115. The communication circuit 1103 receives the control of the communication processing circuit 1102 and performs transmission / reception of files between the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, and the external storage medium 3 via the network N1.

  The second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 has the same configuration as the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. That is, the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 includes a control circuit 210, a storage circuit 211, a display 212, an input circuit 213, an external device connection device 214, and a network connection device 215. The control circuit 210 includes an external device input / output circuit 2101, a communication processing circuit 2102, and a communication circuit 2103 (FIG. 3). Since the function of each component is the same as that of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the description thereof is omitted. Note that the communication information i2 of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is stored in the storage circuit 211. The external device input / output circuit 2101 causes the communication processing circuit 2102 to transmit a connection status signal c2 when the external storage medium 3 is connected to the external device connection device 214. The external device input / output circuit 2101 causes the communication processing circuit 2102 to transmit a disconnection status signal d2 when the external storage medium 3 is removed from the external device connection apparatus 214.

  The target image data in the present embodiment includes medical image data that conforms to the DICOM image standard (hereinafter referred to as “DICOM image”) and medical image data that is not a DICOM image such as raw data (hereinafter referred to as “non-DICOM image”). ")"). The DICOM image standard is a container format that is defined by the DICOM standard and can include not only images but also audio and the like. The structure includes a data portion such as an image / sound and a header portion describing the metadata. The metadata includes a tag in which data supplementary information is described, a VR (Value Representation) indicating a data body type (numerical value, character, etc.), and a data length. Examination information, image information, and personal information of the subject described in the metadata are useful information for search, diagnosis, and the like.

  As used herein, the term “processor” refers to, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Field Programmable Gate Array (Field Programmable Gate Array: FPGA), etc. It means. The processor implements a function by reading and executing a program stored in the storage circuit 111. Instead of storing the program in the storage circuit 111, the program may be directly incorporated into the processor circuit. In this case, the processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program incorporated in the circuit. Note that each processor of the present embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but may be configured as a single processor by combining a plurality of independent circuits to realize the function. Good. Further, a plurality of components in FIG. 1 may be integrated into one processor to realize the function.

  The first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 corresponds to an example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in the claims. Similarly, the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 corresponds to an example of another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in the claims. The external device connection device 114 corresponds to an example of a connection unit described in the claims. The storage circuit 111 corresponds to an example of a storage unit. The control circuit 110 corresponds to an example of a control unit. The communication information i1 corresponds to an example of communication information. The communication information i2 corresponds to an example of other communication information.

[Action]
Hereinafter, until the external storage medium 3 that is connected to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and then connected to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 becomes available from the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 after that. The process will be described in order.

  4A and 4B are diagrams showing the flow of processing in the present embodiment. Below, with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, operation | movement of the 1st ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the 2nd ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is demonstrated along a step number (S1-S14).

(S1)
The external device input / output circuit 1101 detects that the external storage medium 3 is connected to the external device connection device 114.

(S2)
When the external device input / output circuit 1101 detects the connection of the external storage medium 3, the external device input / output circuit 1101 causes the communication processing circuit 1102 to transmit a connection status signal c1. The communication processing circuit 1102 receives the connection status signal c 1 and causes the display 112 to display characters corresponding to “connection completed”, thumbnail display, and the like of the external storage medium 3.

(S3)
The external device input / output circuit 1101 writes the communication information i1 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 stored in the storage device 111 in the external storage medium 3.

(S4)
The external device input / output circuit 1101 detects the removal of the external storage medium 3 and causes the communication processing circuit 1102 to transmit a disconnection status signal d1. The communication processing circuit 1102 receives the disconnection status signal d1 and causes the display 112 to display characters corresponding to “removal completed” of the external storage medium 3, a thumbnail display, and the like.

(S5)
The external device input / output circuit 2101 of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 detects the connection of the external storage medium 3.

(S6)
When the external device input / output circuit 2101 detects the connection of the external storage medium 3, the external device input / output circuit 2101 causes the communication processing circuit 2102 to transmit a connection status signal c2. The communication processing circuit 2102 that has received the connection status signal c 2 causes the display 212 to display characters corresponding to “connection completed”, thumbnail display, and the like of the external storage medium 3.

(S7)
The external device input / output circuit 2101 searches for a file in the external storage medium 3. If there is communication information i1 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the external device input / output circuit 2101 reads out the communication information i1 and stores it in the storage circuit 211.

(S8)
The communication processing circuit 2102 reads out the communication information i1 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the communication information i2 of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 from the storage circuit 211. Further, the communication processing circuit 2102 causes the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to transmit the connection status signal c2 and the communication information i2 of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 based on the communication information i1.

(S9)
When the communication processing circuit 1102 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 receives the connection status signal c2 and the communication information i2 of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 from the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the communication processing circuit 1102 displays the second ultrasonic signal on the display 112. A display indicating that the sonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and the external storage medium 3 are connected is performed. Furthermore, the communication processing circuit 1102 requests an image list from the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2.

(S10)
The communication processing circuit 2102 transmits a list of images stored in the external storage medium 3 to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Note that the image list includes not only the image data name but also additional information related to the image data (for example, a subject name, an examination date, an examination site, an examination equipment name, etc.).

(S11)
The communication processing circuit 1102 receives the image list from the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and stores it in the storage circuit 111. The communication processing circuit 1102 displays the received image list on the display 112.

(S12)
The control circuit 110 causes the storage circuit 111 to store image data candidates selected from the displayed image list by the operation input of the user U1. The communication processing circuit 1102 reads image data candidates from the storage circuit 111. The communication processing circuit 1102 requests the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 to read out image data candidates.

(S13)
The communication processing circuit 2102 reads the image data from the external storage medium 3 in response to the image data read request requested from the communication processing circuit 1102 and transmits it to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

(S14)
The communication processing circuit 1102 receives the transmitted image data, stores it in the storage circuit 111, and displays it on the display 112.

  In step S9 (image list request), a plurality of request methods may be selected. For example, when the connection status signal c2 and the communication information i2 are received from the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the communication processing circuit 1102 may automatically request an image list. Alternatively, a selection condition based on a study number, a subject ID, a subject name, an examination date and time may be designated in advance, and an image list that meets the selection condition may be requested.

  In step S10 (image list transmission), the communication processing circuit 2102 transmits not only the image list of the external storage medium 3 but also the list of images stored in the storage circuit 211 of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 together. Also good. The list of images to be transmitted stored in the storage circuit 211 may be the entire image list, or may be an image list that meets the selection conditions when the selection conditions are specified.

  In step S11 (display of the received image list), the received image list is displayed as a table of image attributes (study number, subject ID, subject name, examination date, examination site, etc.) for each image. May be. This display method is also applied to a list of images in the storage circuit 111 of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, and an image list in the storage circuit 111 and an image list transmitted from the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 are displayed. It is also possible to use a form that is switched and displayed with tabs. Furthermore, these tab displays can be shown in contrast when there is no image list transmitted from the second ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 (FIG. 5A) and when there is an image list (FIG. 5B). Furthermore, even if the external storage device is currently disconnected from the device connected to the network, the image list may be saved and added to the tab display so that it can be continuously displayed and managed in the tab display. .

  In step S13 (transmission of the image of the external storage medium 3 by the communication processing circuit 2102), when the image stored in the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is included in the image list to be transmitted, the external storage medium 3 and the second storage medium 2 The image stored in the storage circuit 211 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 may be transmitted. In addition, a configuration for converting raw data into a DICOM image is added to the communication processing circuit 2102 of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 so that all image data is transmitted as a DICOM image to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Also good.

[effect]
According to the present embodiment, the user who operates the device connected to the external storage medium on the basis of the connection history registered in the external storage medium can connect the external storage medium currently connected to another device to the network. Can be used. Thereby, the user can use medical information distributed and stored in the external storage medium in a network environment.

Second Embodiment
First, an outline of an example of the present embodiment will be described, and then specific contents thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the external storage medium 3 is sequentially connected to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 connected to the DICOM communication network N1. Based on the connection history (communication information i1) recorded in the external storage medium 3, the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 share both communication information i1 and i2. As a result, the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 automatically establishes a connection with the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 to which the external storage medium 3 is connected, and the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 A file can be transmitted to and received from the external storage medium 3 connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 and a personal computer 5 that are interconnected by a network N2 that uses TCP / IP communication are assumed (see FIG. 6). The fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 supports DICOM communication. On the other hand, the computer 5 supports only TCP / IP communication. The user U4 of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 connects the external storage medium 6 to the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 and removes it after use as in the first embodiment. Next, the user U 5 of the computer 5 connects the external storage medium 6 to the computer 5. In the present embodiment, when the external storage medium 6 is connected to the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4, the communication information i4 and the DICOM data server program 610 of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 stored in the storage circuit 411 are read. Is written to the external storage medium 6. The DICOM data server program 610 is an application that uses DICOM communication, and is a program that realizes storage management of DICOM files (hereinafter referred to as “DICOM application”). The DICOM application 610 includes server communication information i6. Next, when the external storage medium 6 is connected to the computer 5, the DICOM application 610 is activated in the computer 5. The DICOM application 610 collects communication information i5 of the computer 5 and communication information i4 (described later) of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4, and performs DICOM communication between the DICOM application 610, the computer 5, and the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4. Is possible. As a result, the user U4 of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 can send and receive files by DICOM communication between the external storage medium 6 connected to the personal computer 5 and the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4. .

  The DICOM application 610 of this embodiment implements DICOM communication in a TCP / IP communication network. The DICOM communication employs the TCP / IP protocol in the protocol lower layer. Therefore, the DICOM application 610 plays a role of adding information that can be transmitted through the upper layer of the DICOM communication protocol to a data file that is transmitted / received by TCP / IP communication, and making the data file a data file corresponding to DICOM communication. The DICOM application 610 has a data server function.

[Constitution]
A part of this embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 connected to the network N1 is the same as that of the fourth ultrasonic connected to the network N2. The configuration is replaced with the configuration of the sonic diagnostic apparatus 4 and the personal computer 5. Therefore, the configuration has a common part with the configuration of the first embodiment, and detailed description of the common part may be omitted.

  The configuration of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 is the same as the configuration of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 includes a control circuit 410, a storage circuit 411, a display 412, an input circuit 413, an external device connection device 414, and a network connection device 415. The control circuit 410 includes an external device input / output circuit 4101, a communication processing circuit 4102, and a communication circuit 4103. Since the function with which each structure is provided is the same as that of the case of the 1st ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the description is abbreviate | omitted. The communication information i4 of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 is stored in the storage circuit 411. Similar to the communication information i1, the communication information i4 includes an IP address, a port number, an AE title, and an available service. The external device input / output circuit 4101 causes the communication processing circuit 4102 to transmit a connection status signal c4 when the external storage medium 6 is connected to the external device connection apparatus 414. Further, the external device input / output circuit 4101 causes the communication processing circuit 4102 to transmit a disconnection status signal d4 when the external storage medium 6 is removed from the external device connection apparatus 414.

  The configuration of the computer 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The computer 5 includes a control circuit 510, a storage circuit 511, a display 512, an input circuit 513, an external device connection device 514, and a network connection device 515. Since the components other than the control circuit 510 are the same as those of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, description thereof is omitted. The communication information i5 of the computer 5 includes an IP address.

  Communication processing by the control circuit 510 of the computer 5 does not support DIOCOM communication. Therefore, the control circuit 510 cannot obtain information related to DICOM communication from data transmitted by DICOM communication (data having a header related to DICOM communication), and recognizes this data as simple binary data.

  The DICOM application 610 will be described with reference to FIG. The DICOM application 610 is copied from the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 to the external storage medium 6 and activated in the external storage medium 6. The DICOM application 610 performs data input / output processing to the external storage medium 6.

[Action]
The process until the external storage medium 6 connected to the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 and currently connected to the computer 5 becomes available from the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 will be described below.

  7A and 7B are diagrams showing the flow of processing in this embodiment. Below, with reference to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, operation | movement of the 4th ultrasonic diagnosing device 4 and the computer 5 is demonstrated along a step number (S21-35).

(S21)
The external device input / output circuit 4101 detects the connection of the external storage medium 6.

(S22)
When the external device input / output circuit 4101 detects the connection of the external storage medium 6, the external device input / output circuit 4101 causes the communication processing circuit 4102 to transmit a connection status signal c4. The communication processing circuit 4102 receives the connection status signal c4 and causes the display 412 to display characters corresponding to “connection completed” of the external storage medium 6, thumbnail display, and the like.

(S23)
The external device input / output circuit 4101 writes the communication information i4 of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 and the DICOM application 610 stored in the storage circuit 411 in the external storage medium 6.

(S24)
The external device input / output circuit 4101 detects the removal of the external storage medium 6 and causes the communication processing circuit 4102 to transmit a disconnection status signal d4. The communication processing circuit 4102 receives the disconnect status signal d4 and causes the display 412 to display characters, thumbnail display, and the like corresponding to “removal completed” of the external storage medium 6.

(S25)
An external device input / output circuit 5101 of the computer 5 detects the connection of the external storage medium 6.

(S26)
When the external device input / output circuit 5101 detects the connection of the external storage medium 6, the external device input / output circuit 5101 causes the communication processing circuit 5102 to transmit a connection status signal c5. The communication processing circuit 5102 receives the connection status signal c5 and stores it in the storage device 511. Further, the communication processing circuit 5102 causes the display 512 to display characters corresponding to “connection completed” of the external storage medium 6, thumbnail display, and the like.

(S27)
The computer 5 activates the DICOM application 610 in the external storage medium 6 under the control of the control circuit 510 according to the operation input of the user U5.

(S28)
According to the DICOM application 610, the communication information i4 of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 recorded in the external storage medium 6 is read. Further, according to the DICOM application 610, the communication information i5 of the computer 5 stored in the storage circuit 511 and the connection status signal c5 indicating that the computer 5 and the external storage medium 6 are connected are read out.

(S29)
The communication information i4 read out by the DICOM application 610 is used, and the server communication information i6 of the DICOM application 610, the communication information i5 of the computer 5, and the connection status signal c5 are sent to the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4. Sent.

(S30)
When the communication processing circuit 4102 of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 receives the server communication information i6, the communication information i5, and the connection status signal c5, the computer 4 and the external storage medium 6 are connected to the display 412. A description, an icon, etc. are displayed. Further, the communication processing circuit 4102 requests the DICOM application 610 for an image list.

(S31)
In the DICOM application 610, the list of images stored in the external storage medium 6 is transmitted to the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4.

(S32)
In the communication processing circuit 4102, the transmitted image list is received and displayed on the display 412.

(S33)
When the user U4 selects an image to be read from the received image list, the communication processing circuit 4102 requests the DICOM application 610 to read the corresponding image.

(S34)
In response to the image reading requested from the communication processing circuit 4102, the DICOM application 610 reads an image from the external storage medium 6 and transmits it to the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4.

(S35)
The transmitted image is stored in the storage circuit 411 and displayed on the display 412 by the communication processing circuit 4102.

  Note that a plurality of request methods may be selected in step S30 (image list request of the DICOM application 610 by the communication processing circuit 4102). For example, conditions such as a subject name, examination name, and examination date are set in advance, and an image list is automatically requested. Alternatively, a method of manually requesting an image list for each condition may be used.

  In step S32 (display of transmitted image list), the transmitted image list is converted into image attributes (study number, ID, subject name, examination name, examination date, examination time, examination site, etc.) for each image. May be displayed as a table. This display method is also applied to the list of images in the built-in hard disk (storage circuit) 411 of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4, and the image list in the built-in hard disk 411 and the image list transmitted from the DICOM application 610 are tabbed. It is good also as a format to switch and display with. Further, these tab displays can be shown in contrast with and without the image list transmitted from the DICOM application 610 (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

  Further, a configuration for converting non-DICOM image data into a DICOM image may be added to the DICOM application 610 so that all image data is transmitted to the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 as a DICOM image.

[effect]
According to the present embodiment, an external storage medium connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a personal computer is connected to a personal computer that supports non-DICOM communication by connecting an external storage medium in which a data server program for DICOM communication is installed. DICOM communication is possible with As a result, the user can check the contents of the external storage medium connected to an electronic device that does not support DICOM communication from the device at hand connected to the network, and can reuse it. It can be used in a network environment.

<Third Embodiment>
First, an outline of the present embodiment will be described, and then specific contents of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first embodiment, after establishing DICOM communication between the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is connected to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. In addition, image files and the like are read / written by file transfer with the external storage medium 3. In the second embodiment, first, the external storage medium 6 is connected to the personal computer 5 that supports non-DICOM communication. Next, by starting the DICOM application 610 in the external storage medium 6, the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 that supports DICOM communication and the external storage medium 6 connected to the computer 5 that supports non-DICOM communication In the same way, the file transfer by DICOM communication became possible as in the first embodiment.

  This embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, that is, the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic device 7 and the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic device 8 capable of performing DICOM communication, and an external storage medium connected to the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic device 8 9. However, in this embodiment, the user U7 of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 is connected to the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 by using a user name and a password set in advance in the account of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8. The external storage medium 9 is network-mounted on the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7. Network mount refers to a storage medium connected to another device via a network and a storage medium in the own device using an account (user name and password are set) provided in the other device. Similarly, an operation that can be used. A storage medium that can be used by this operation may be called a network drive. Therefore, the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 accesses the network-mounted external storage medium 9 using the user name and password set in advance in the account of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8, and the file of the file by DICOM communication is accessed. In addition to sending and receiving, file operations (editing, reading, writing, etc.) can be performed. In order to perform network mounting, the communication information i7 of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 and the communication information i8 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 include an IP address, a port number, an AE (Application Entity) title, an available service, In addition, a user name and a password of an account provided in each device are provided.

  An outline of an example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the external storage medium 9 has a connection history with the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 and is currently connected to the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8. In a state where the external storage medium 9 is connected to the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8, the user U 7 of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 changes the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 to the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8. The connected external storage medium 9 is network-mounted. Thereafter, the user U7 can access the file in the external storage medium 9 and operate the file. When the user U8 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 has already operated the same file on the external storage medium 9, the control circuit 810 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 restricts access to the file (for example, Lock (exclusive processing)), and transmits a restriction start notification (for example, lock notification (described later)) to the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7. The seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 displays a restriction start notification on the display 712 and notifies the user U7 of the start of file lock. When the user U8 finishes the file operation, the control circuit 810 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 releases the access restriction (for example, lock (exclusive processing)) of the file, and notifies the restriction release (for example, lock). A cancellation notification (described later) is transmitted to the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7. The seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 displays a restriction release notification on the display 712 and notifies the user U7 of the file lock release. Here, the file lock is to prohibit the rewriting of the file, and further includes the case where the reading of the file is prohibited and the case where the reading is permitted. Details of the file lock processing will be described later.

[Constitution]
The configurations of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7, the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8, and the storage medium 9 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. However, since the present embodiment performs network mounting, in the communication between the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 and the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8, a user name and a password are included in each of the communication information i7 and i8 to be exchanged. Is added. Further, the configuration of the part related to the user access processing is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the configuration of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 is the same as the configuration of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 includes a control circuit 710, a storage circuit 711, a display 712, an input circuit 713, an external device connection device 714, and a network connection device 715. The control circuit 710 includes an external device input / output circuit 7101, a communication processing circuit 7102, and a communication circuit 7103. Since the functions of each component are the same as those of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 except for the communication processing circuit 7102, the description thereof is omitted. The communication information i7 of the device 7 is stored in the storage circuit 711. The communication information i7 includes an IP address, a port number, an AE title, an available service, a user name, and a password. The external device input / output circuit 7101 causes the communication processing circuit 7102 to transmit a connection status signal c7 when the external storage medium 6 is connected to the external device connection apparatus 714. The external device input / output circuit 7101 causes the communication processing circuit 7102 to transmit a disconnect status signal d7 when the external storage medium 6 is disconnected from the external device connection apparatus 714.

  The communication processing circuit 7102 of this embodiment confirms account information (user name and password) of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 included in the transmission from the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8, and the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8. Accept transmissions from

  As shown in FIG. 8, the configuration of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 is the same as the configuration of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 includes a control circuit 810, a storage circuit 811, a display 812, an input circuit 813, an external device connection device 814, and a network connection device 815. The control circuit 810 includes an external device input / output circuit 8101, a communication processing circuit 8102, and a communication circuit 8103. Since the functions of each component are the same as those of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 except for the communication processing circuit 8102, the description thereof is omitted. Note that the communication information i8 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 is stored in the storage circuit 811. The communication information i8 includes an IP address, a port number, an AE title, an available service, a user name, and a password. The external device input / output circuit 8101 causes the communication processing circuit 8102 to transmit a connection status signal c8 when the external storage medium 6 is connected to the external device connection apparatus 814. The external device input / output circuit 8101 causes the communication processing circuit 8102 to transmit a disconnect status signal d8 when the external storage medium 6 is disconnected from the external device connection apparatus 814.

  The communication processing circuit 8102 of the present embodiment confirms account information (user name and password) of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 included in the transmission from the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7, and the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7. Accept transmissions from

  The lock notification corresponds to an example of a “restriction start notification” described in the claims. Similarly, the lock release notification corresponds to an example of “limit release notification”.

[Action]
Hereinafter, a process until the user U7 who operates the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 can use the external storage medium 9 network-mounted on the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 will be described.

  9A and 9B are diagrams showing the flow of processing in the present embodiment. Below, with reference to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, operation | movement of the 7th ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 and the 8th ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 is demonstrated along a step number (S41-S51).

(S41)
The external device input / output circuit 7101 detects the connection of the external storage medium 9.

(S42)
When the external device input / output circuit 7101 detects the connection of the external storage medium 9, the external device input / output circuit 7101 causes the communication processing circuit 7102 to transmit a connection status signal c7. The communication processing circuit 7102 receives the connection status signal c7 and stores it in the storage device 711. In addition, the communication processing circuit 7102 causes the display 712 to display characters corresponding to “connection completed” of the external storage medium 9, thumbnail display, and the like.

(S43)
The external device input / output circuit 7101 writes the communication information i7 of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 in the external storage medium 9.

(S44)
The external device input / output circuit 7101 detects the removal of the external storage medium 9 and causes the communication processing circuit 7102 to transmit a disconnection status signal d7. The communication processing circuit 7102 receives the disconnect status signal d 7 and causes the display 712 to display characters corresponding to “removal completed” of the external storage medium 9, thumbnail display, and the like.

(S45)
The external device input / output circuit 8101 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 detects the connection of the external storage medium 9.

(S46)
When the external device input / output circuit 8101 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 detects the connection of the external storage medium 9, it transmits a connection status signal c 8 to the communication processing circuit 8102. The communication processing circuit 8102 receives the connection status signal c8 and stores it in the storage device 811. In addition, the communication processing circuit 8102 causes the display 812 to display characters, thumbnail display, and the like corresponding to “connection completed” for the external storage medium 9.

(S47)
The external device input / output circuit 8101 searches for a file on the external storage medium 9. If there is communication information i7 of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7, the external device input / output circuit 8101 reads the communication information i7 and causes the communication processing circuit 8102 to transmit it.

(S48)
The communication processing circuit 8102 that has received the connection status signal c8 and the communication information i7 transmits the connection status signal c8 and the communication information i8 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 to the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 based on the communication information i7. Send.

(S49)
The communication processing circuit 7102 of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 receives the connection status signal c8 and the communication information i8 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 from the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8. The communication processing circuit 7102 uses the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 as a remote host, and connects to the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 using communication information i8 (including account information (user name and password)) and a mount command. The external storage medium 9 thus mounted is network-mounted (or remotely) mounted on a predetermined directory of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7. If there is no error from the mount command, the communication processing circuit 7102 causes the display 712 to display characters, thumbnail display, and the like corresponding to “in-network mount” of the external storage medium 9.

(S50)
The seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 accesses the network-mounted external storage medium 9 according to the operation input of the user U7, and performs file operations (editing, copying, etc.) of data, images, and the like.

(S51)
The seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 unmounts the external storage medium 9 from a predetermined directory of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 by an unmount command in response to a file operation input by the user U7. If there is no error from the unmount command, the communication processing circuit 7102 deletes from the display 712 characters, thumbnails, and the like corresponding to “network mounting”. Furthermore, characters corresponding to “file lock processing release”, thumbnail display, and the like may be temporarily displayed on the display 712.

[File unlock processing]
In this embodiment, when a file operation is performed on image data or the like in the network-mounted external storage medium 9 (step S50), access restriction (for example, file lock (exclusive processing)) is performed on the file being operated. Can be applied. Hereinafter, as an example of the file lock, the user U7 of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 and the user U8 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 have the same image file 61 (not shown) in the external storage medium 9. The process from lock start to lock release will be described assuming file operation. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the above process. Description will be made along step numbers (S50-1 to S50-8). Here, the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 starts the operation of the file 61 in the external storage medium 9 prior to the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7.

(S50-1)
The eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 starts operating the file 61. The communication processing circuit 8102 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 controls the external device input / output circuit 8101 to acquire the UID (referred to as UID-61) of the file 61. Here, UID (Unique Identifier) is an identifier unique to a file defined in the DICOM standard.

(S50-2)
Simultaneously with the lock notification, the communication processing circuit 8102 performs file lock (exclusive processing) on the file 61 so that only the user U8 of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 can operate the file 61.

(S50-3)
The communication processing circuit 8102 controls the communication circuit 8103 to transmit the lock notification of the file 61 to the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 using the communication information i7. The lock notification is a predetermined signal including the UID-61 of the file 61 that is already in use.

(S50-4)
The communication processing circuit 7102 that has received the lock notification causes the display 712 to display characters indicating that the file is being used by the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8, thumbnail display, and the like. Thereby, the user U7 of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 recognizes that the operation on the file 61 is impossible.

(S50-5)
The communication processing circuit 8102 recognizes the operation completion command for the file 61 of the user U8 and releases the file lock of the file 61.

(S50-6)
The communication processing circuit 8102 controls the communication circuit 8103 and causes the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 to transmit the unlock notification of the file 61 using the communication information i7. The unlock notification is a predetermined signal including the UID-61 of the file 61 for which the operation has been completed.

(S50-7)
Receiving the unlock notification, the communication processing circuit 7102 causes the display 712 to display characters indicating “file operation is possible”, thumbnail display, and the like.

(S50-8)
When the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 starts an operation on the file 61, the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 performs a process according to the operation input of the user U7.

  Regarding file locks sent in step S50-2, if there are multiple studies or multiple series for one subject, also for multiple studies or items common to multiple series above the UID A file lock may be performed. Similarly, regarding the lock notification performed in step S50-3, a lock notification may be sent to the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 for matters common to the plurality of studies and the plurality of series. In addition, regarding file lock, when accessing a file from an account of one device, the read / write of the file is prohibited for the account of the other device, only the write is prohibited, or the level of restriction is restricted depending on the device that can be accessed simultaneously. Selective restrictions such as changing can be applied. Further, the lock notification, the lock release notification, and the selective restriction on access may be applied not only to an account of another device but also to an access from another account provided in the own device.

[effect]
According to the present embodiment, the external storage medium is network-mounted from a device not connected to the external storage medium, so that the stored data file is not only transferred but also edited and its restrictions are more detailed. Is possible. In addition, file locking (exclusive operation) enables safe and efficient file operation.

<Modification of Third Embodiment>
The modification of 3rd Embodiment adds the some ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus similar to the 7th ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 7 to 3rd Embodiment. The third embodiment can be applied even if there are three or more ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses.

[effect]
According to the present modification, the external storage medium connected to the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses is network-mounted, so that it is stored in the external storage medium even under a large-scale network. Data can be efficiently referred to and operated from a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. In addition, in this modification, by performing file lock, lock notification, and lock release notification, it is possible to efficiently and safely operate a file even when accessing from a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses.

<Fourth embodiment>
With reference to FIG. 11, an outline of an example of the present embodiment will be described, and then specific contents of the present embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is connected to the DICOM communication network N1, and is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 and the data storage management apparatus 13 corresponding to DICOM communication, and a plurality of external devices (3 in the present embodiment) that can be connected to both the apparatuses 12 and 13. The storage media 141, 142, and 143 are configured. The external storage media 141, 142, and 143 have a connection history to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12. Similar to the first embodiment, data communication is automatically established between the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 12 and the data storage management apparatus 13. Then, a part of the data file stored in the built-in hard disk (storage circuit) 1211 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 is automatically distributed to the external storage media 141, 142, 143 connected to the data storage management apparatus 13. Forward. Thereby, the capacity of the hard disk built in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 is automatically secured. Details of the distribution method will be described later. In the present embodiment, the file to be transferred is a file including medical information (for example, an image file).

[Constitution]
As shown in FIG. 11, the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 is the same as the configuration of the apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 includes a control circuit 1210, a storage circuit 1211, a display 1212, an input circuit 1213, an external device connection device 1214, and a network connection device 1215. A part of the storage circuit 1211 is a built-in hard disk. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the control circuit 1210 has the same configuration as the control circuit 110 of the first embodiment. That is, an external device input / output circuit 12101, a communication processing circuit 12102, and a communication circuit 12103 are provided. The functions of each component are the same as in the case of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the communication information i12 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 is stored in the storage circuit 1211. The communication information i12 includes an IP address, a port number, an AE title, and an available service. The connection status signal c12 and the disconnection status signal d12 are the same as those in the previous embodiments.

  The configuration of the data storage management device 13 is the same as that of the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 except for the external device connection devices 13141, 13142, and 13143. That is, the data storage management device 13 includes a control circuit 1310, a storage circuit 1311, a display 1312, an input circuit 1313, external device connection devices 13141, 13142, 13143, and a network connection device 1315. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the control circuit 1310 has the same configuration as the control circuit 110. That is, an external device input / output circuit 13101, a communication processing circuit 13102, and a communication circuit 13103 are provided. Since the functions of each component are the same as those of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 except for the communication processing circuit 13102, the description thereof is omitted. Note that the communication information i13 of the data storage management device 13 is stored in the storage circuit 1311. The communication information i13 includes an IP address, a port number, an AE title, and an available service. Further, the connection status signals c131, c132, c133 and the disconnection status signals d131, d132, d133 from the external device connection devices 13141, 13142, 13143 are the same as those in the previous embodiments.

  The communication processing circuit 13102 has a DICOM data server function that distributes and stores DICOM image data transmitted from the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 12 in the external storage media 141, 142, and 143 connected to the data storage management apparatus 13. The DICOM image data stored in the storage unit 1211 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 is stored in a two-level directory structure for each subject (for example, 3 persons) and for each study (for example, 3 inspections) from the top. Suppose that When the communication processing circuit 13102 stores the DICOM image data transmitted from the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 12 in the external storage media 141, 142, 143, for example, for each subject (for example, one subject in each storage medium). Alternatively, each study (one study for each storage medium) is assigned.

[Action]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the communication information i12 and i13 are already shared between the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 12 and the data storage management apparatus 13. Then, it is assumed that DICOM communication is established between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 and each of the external storage media 141, 142, and 143 connected to the data storage management apparatus 13, and predetermined information can be transmitted and received. The process is the same as the process (steps S1 to S14) in which predetermined information can be transmitted and received between the device 1 and the external storage medium 3 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of processing of this embodiment. Hereinafter, each process is demonstrated along step (S61-S65). It is assumed that predetermined information can be transmitted and received by DICOM communication between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 and the external storage media 141, 142, and 143 connected to the data storage management apparatus 13.

(S61)
The communication processing circuit 12102 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 calculates the capacity of the storage circuit 1211 and causes the display 1212 to display an icon or the like indicating the numerical value or the ratio of the entire capacity.

(S62)
The communication processing circuit 12102 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 transmits the DICOM image data stored in the storage circuit 1211 to the data storage management apparatus 13. Between the communication processing circuit 12102 and the communication processing circuit 13102 of the data storage management device 13 which is a data server, the storage of the image data (transmission of image data and the reply of reception confirmation), the commitment (request and request for image data storage) Approval, confirmation of storage and approval) (all types of DICOM service).

(S63)
The communication processing circuit 13102 distributes and stores the transmitted image data in the external storage media 141, 142, and 143. At that time, as an example of the sorting method, the subject names are given priority, and each external storage medium 141, 142, 143 is assigned and saved with each subject as the head directory. The directory structure of the external storage medium 141 is the subject P1- (study 0, study 1, study 2, study 3), and image data is stored under each study 0, 1, 2, and 3. Alternatively, as another example, the communication processing circuit 13102 assigns and stores the transmitted image data to each external storage medium 141, 142, and 143 by giving priority to the study and setting each study as the head directory. For example, the directory structure of the external storage medium 141 is subject P0-study 1, subject P1-study 1, subject P2-study 1, subject P3-study 1, and under each study 1. Image data is stored. In addition, the communication processing circuit 13102 transmits a completion signal to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 when the sorting and storing is completed. The subdirectory P0 and study 0 are dummy directories.

(S64)
In response to the save completion signal, the communication processing circuit 12102 deletes the transmitted image file from the built-in hard disk 1211 and ends the storage comment.

(S65)
The communication processing circuit 12102 displays on the display 1212 that the image data and the study have been moved. Further, the capacity of the storage circuit 1211 after deletion is calculated, and an icon or the like indicating the numerical value or the ratio of the entire capacity is displayed on the display 1212.

  Note that the timing of starting step S61 (file capacity display of the internal hard disk 1211) may be, for example, a case where a threshold is provided in advance for the free capacity of the internal hard disk 1211 and the free capacity falls below the threshold. The determination is made by the user U12 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12. Alternatively, it may be automatically performed by the communication processing circuit 12102 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12, for example. Thereby, in order to increase the free space of the internal hard disk 1211, a series of steps (S61 to S65) of the present embodiment can be appropriately or automatically performed.

  Further, in the storage commitment of steps S62 to S64, the communication processing circuit 12102 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 deletes all of the image data remaining in the storage circuit 1211 (for example, stored in a subject-study two-level directory). It is also possible to selectively delete various data, such as leaving a study. Moreover, the user U12 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 can designate the transfer timing as a time with little influence on the measurement, such as when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 is not operating. Further, the image data to be transferred can be designated by the user U12 based on the image acquisition time, the inspection type, and the like. Also, the sorting criteria in step S63 are, for example, for each subject, each test name, each test site (abdomen, heart, neck, breast, blood vessel, musculoskeletal, etc.), each connection history, and the test department (outpatient, test). For example, a radiation department, a radiation department, a surgical department, an intensive care department, and the like.

[effect]
In this embodiment, a part of the data file stored in the internal hard disk of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is transferred to a plurality of external storage media connected to other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 The capacity of the built-in hard disk can be secured appropriately or automatically.

  In the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment and the modification, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus connected to a network configured by an electronic device including the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an external device connecting apparatus, a control circuit, and a storage circuit. At least. In the first embodiment to the third embodiment and the modification, when an external storage medium having a connection history in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is connected to another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or other electronic device on the network, The connection between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or other electronic device is automatically established, and the external connection is established from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or other electronic apparatus. There is a common effect that the storage medium can be used.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are 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. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 External storage medium 5 Personal computer 13 Data storage management apparatus 110 Control circuit 111 Storage circuit 112 Display 113 Input circuit 114 External apparatus connection apparatus 115 Network connection apparatus 610 DICOM data server program (DICOM application)
1101 External device input / output circuit 1102 Communication processing circuit 1103 Communication circuit N1 Network

Claims (14)

A connection to which an external storage medium is connected;
A storage unit for storing communication information of the own device;
A controller that performs input / output with respect to the connected external storage medium, and controls communication with other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses connected to the network;
With
The controller is
When the external storage medium is connected to the connection unit,
Utilizing other communication information of the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus stored in the external storage medium, transmitting the communication information to the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enables connection from the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the external storage medium connected to the connection unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the communication information in the external storage medium when the external storage medium is connected to the connection unit. The controller is
Using the other communication information transmitted from the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, accessing the external storage medium connected to the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and transmitting / receiving predetermined information;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. At least a part of the predetermined information is medical image data including raw data.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3. The communication information further includes a user name and password of an account provided in the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
The control unit mounts the external storage medium connected to the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as a network drive using the communication information.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. The controller is
Access restrictions can be imposed on access to a predetermined file on the mounted external storage medium by another account.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the access restriction can prohibit writing from the other account to the predetermined file. The access restriction is
Including performing a restriction start notification and a restriction release notification to the other account when starting and releasing the access restriction,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6 or 7. A plurality of the connecting portions;
The control unit causes a file containing medical information in the storage unit to be transferred to any of the external storage media connected to the plurality of connection units according to a predetermined distribution standard. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 1. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sorting criterion prioritizes sorting based on a subject name in the medical information. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sorting criterion prioritizes sorting by examination name in the medical information. A connection to which an external storage medium is connected;
A storage unit for storing communication information of the own device and a DICOM data server program including server communication information;
A control unit that performs input / output with respect to the connected external storage medium and controls communication with an electronic device connected to a network;
With
The controller is
When the external storage medium is connected to the connection unit,
Recording the communication information and the DICOM data server program on the external storage medium;
When the external storage medium is connected to the electronic device,
Connection to the external storage medium connected to the electronic device in response to the transmission of the server communication information and the communication information of the electronic device by the DICOM data server program recorded in the external storage medium An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits and receives predetermined information to and from the DICOM data server program. A connection to which an external storage medium is connected;
A storage unit for storing communication information of the own device;
A controller that performs input / output with respect to the connected external storage medium, and controls communication with other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses connected to the network;
A communication control program in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
When the external storage medium is connected to the connection unit,
Utilizing other communication information of the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus stored in the external storage medium by the control unit, causing the communication information to be transmitted to the other ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
Allowing the control unit to connect to the external storage medium from the other ultrasound diagnostic apparatus,
Communication control program. A connection to which an external storage medium is connected;
A storage unit that stores communication information of the device itself and a DICOM data server program including server communication information;
A control unit that performs input / output with respect to the connected external storage medium and controls communication with an electronic device connected to a network;
A communication control program in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
When the external storage medium is connected to the connection unit, the control unit records the communication information of the device and the DICOM data server program on the external storage medium,
When the external storage medium is connected to the electronic device, the DICOM data server program recorded on the external storage medium transmits the server communication information and the communication information of the electronic device to the control unit,
Furthermore, the control unit can be connected to the external storage medium connected to the electronic device,
The control unit uses the server communication information and the communication information of the electronic device, and transmits and receives predetermined information to and from the DICOM data server program.
Communication control program.