JP2020081834A - Ultrasonic inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve operability of an ultrasonic inspection device.SOLUTION: The ultrasonic inspection device includes: an ultrasonic sensor unit including an ultrasonic transmission unit that emits ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic reception unit that receives reflected ultrasonic waves which are transmitted from the ultrasonic transmission unit and reflected inside the human body; a display data generation unit that generates data for display on the basis of the reflected ultrasonic waves; and a display unit that displays information corresponding to the data for display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for inspecting a human body using ultrasonic waves.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a device capable of identifying a state inside the body by transmitting ultrasonic waves. Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic examination apparatus capable of specifying the fetal heart rate based on an ultrasonic Doppler echo signal.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-527101

The conventional ultrasonic inspection apparatus, by processing the ultrasonic Doppler echo signal generated based on the ultrasonic waves emitted while the ultrasonic transducer is placed on the surface of the human body and the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the body. , Generate data that can visualize the state of the body. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus can display the generated data on a monitor connected via a network.

Since the intensity of the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the body changes depending on the position of the ultrasonic transducer, the inspector moves the ultrasonic transducer to a position suitable for the inspection of the part to be confirmed in order to confirm the state of the specific part. There is a need. When using a conventional ultrasonic inspection apparatus, the inspector moves the ultrasonic device while alternately looking at the image displayed on the monitor connected via the network and the human body to be inspected to find the optimum position. There was a problem that it was necessary and the operability was poor.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to improve the operability of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus of the present invention includes an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit that emits ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit that receives reflected ultrasonic waves that are ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and reflected inside the human body. And an ultrasonic sensor unit including: a display data generation unit that generates display data based on the reflected ultrasonic waves; and a display unit that displays information corresponding to the display data.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus further has a Doppler signal generation unit that generates a Doppler signal based on the difference between the frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic wave, and the display data generation unit, in the Doppler signal. The display data may be generated based on the above.

The display data generation unit may generate the display data for causing the display unit to display information corresponding to the intensity of the Doppler signal.

The ultrasonic sensor unit has a plurality of the ultrasonic receiving unit, the display data generating unit, the intensity of the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves received by the plurality of ultrasonic receiving unit, or the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves The display data corresponding to a value obtained by adding the intensities of the plurality of Doppler signals may be generated.

The ultrasonic sensor unit has a plurality of the ultrasonic receiving unit, the display data generating unit indicates the orientation specified based on the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic waves received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic receiving unit Display data may be generated.

The display data generating unit is provided with an ultrasonic receiving unit in which the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave received is relatively large among the plurality of ultrasonic receiving units with respect to the center position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus. The display data for recommending that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus be moved toward the existing position may be generated.

The display data generation further includes a Doppler signal generation unit that generates a plurality of Doppler signals based on the difference between the frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic wave received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units. The unit may generate the display data based on the intensities of the plurality of Doppler signals.

The display unit may be provided on a side of the housing of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus opposite to a side where the ultrasonic sensor unit is provided. The display unit may include a plurality of light emitting elements provided at at least four positions outside a central position of a housing of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the operability of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1. It is a figure which shows the position where the ultrasonic sensor is arrange|positioned inside the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasonic inspection device 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the sound signal generation part 252. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a multiplication process in a sound signal generation unit 252. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasonic inspection device 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasonic inspection device 3. FIG.

<First Embodiment>
[Outline of ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a view showing a position where the ultrasonic sensor is arranged inside the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1. 1A is a top view of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1, and FIG. 1B is a view of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 viewed from the arrow A side in FIG. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1.

Hereinafter, the outline of the configuration of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 has a protrusion 12 provided in the housing 11 and an opening 13 formed in the housing 11. The protrusion 12 is used, for example, by a person who uses the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 for inspection (hereinafter referred to as a user) to connect a belt for fixing the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 to an optimum position.

The ultrasonic examination apparatus 1 is an apparatus having an ultrasonic transducer for measuring the heart rate of the fetus, for example. When performing an inspection, the user moves the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 while contacting the surface of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 on the side opposite to the side on which the protrusion 12 is provided with the surface of the human body. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 has a frequency of an ultrasonic wave (hereinafter, referred to as an transmitted ultrasonic wave) transmitted from an ultrasonic wave transmitting device provided inside the housing 11 and an ultrasonic wave reflected by the transmitted ultrasonic wave in the human body. A signal corresponding to the period and intensity of the fetal heartbeat is generated based on the Doppler signal based on the difference from the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic wave.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 transmits a signal generated based on the Doppler signal to an external terminal via, for example, a wireless communication line. The external terminal is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a computer or a display. The user can visually recognize, as a signal based on the Doppler signal, for example, a waveform indicating the cycle and intensity of the heartbeat on the external terminal.

Further, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 has a speaker 22 inside and emits a sound signal corresponding to the Doppler signal. The sound signal is emitted to the outside of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 through the opening 13 formed in the housing 11. When the user examines the heartbeat of the fetus, the user can hear the heartbeat of the fetus emitted by the speaker, and thus can intuitively grasp the state of the fetus.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 emits a sound signal having a magnitude corresponding to the intensity of reflected ultrasonic waves or the intensity of Doppler signals, for example. The intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave is represented by, for example, the maximum voltage of the reflected ultrasonic wave, and the intensity of the Doppler signal is represented by, for example, the maximum voltage of the Doppler signal. With the ultrasonic examination apparatus 1 configured in this way, the closer the ultrasonic examination apparatus 1 is to the position of the fetus, the louder the user can hear the heart sound of the fetus. Therefore, the user can search for the position where the heart sound becomes loud while listening to the heart sound emitted by the ultrasonic test apparatus 1, and thus the user can easily move the ultrasonic test apparatus 1 to an appropriate position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 includes a plurality of ultrasonic wave transmission units 241 that are devices that transmit ultrasonic waves and a plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242 that are devices that receive reflected ultrasonic waves. Have. In the example shown in FIG. 2, six ultrasonic transmitters 241 and six ultrasonic receivers 242 arranged in a circle, and ultrasonic transmitters 241 and ultrasonic receivers arranged in a circle. Although the two ultrasonic wave transmitters 241 and the two ultrasonic wave receivers 242 arranged inside the portion 242 are provided, the ultrasonic wave transmitters 241 and the ultrasonic wave receivers 242 included in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 are provided. The number of is arbitrary. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic wave transmitting units 241 and the ultrasonic wave receiving units 242 are alternately arranged, but in another mode, the plurality of ultrasonic wave transmitting units 241 and the plurality of ultrasonic wave receiving units 242 are arranged. May be arranged.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a state in which the inside of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 is seen through from the arrow A side in FIG. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 has, inside the housing 11, a printed circuit board P1 on which various electronic components are mounted, and a printed circuit board P2 on which an ultrasonic wave transmission unit 241 and an ultrasonic wave reception unit 242 are mounted. The printed circuit boards P1 and P2 are electrically connected by a connector or a cable (not shown).

Further, a speaker 22 is provided on the opposite side of the housing 11 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 from the side where the ultrasonic transmitter 241 and the ultrasonic receiver 242 are provided. The speaker 22 is electrically connected to the printed board P1 by a connector or a cable.

[Functional configuration of ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasonic inspection device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic inspection device 1 includes a control unit 21, a speaker 22, a wireless unit 23, an ultrasonic sensor unit 24, and a signal generation unit 25. The control unit 21, the wireless unit 23, and the signal generation unit 25 are mounted on, for example, the printed circuit board P1, and the ultrasonic sensor unit 24 is mounted on the printed circuit board P2. The signal generator 25 includes a Doppler signal generator 251, a sound signal generator 252, and a wireless data generator 253.

The control unit 21 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM to detect the ultrasonic inspection apparatus. 1 to control the operation. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 may execute at least a part of the function of the signal generation unit 25.

The speaker 22 outputs a sound signal corresponding to the Doppler signal. The speaker 22 is provided on the opposite side of the printed circuit board P1 from the side where the ultrasonic sensor section 24 is provided. Since the speaker 22 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the ultrasonic sensor unit 24 is provided, howling is unlikely to occur. Further, since the speaker 22 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the ultrasonic sensor unit 24 is provided, the vibration due to sound is transmitted to the user's hand, so that the heartbeat can be felt by other than the ear.

The speaker 22 can output a sound louder than sounds of other frequencies within a predetermined frequency range (that is, a resonance frequency). The lower limit of the resonance frequency range is the frequency at which the electric impedance is maximum in the audible band. The range of the resonance frequency of the speaker 22 is arbitrary, but the range of the resonance frequency of the speaker 22 of the present embodiment is, for example, 200 Hz or more and 10 kHz or less, and the sound pressure level of the sound output by the speaker 22 is 200 Hz or more. It is assumed that it is -10 dB or more in the range of 10 kHz or less.

Further, the speaker 22 is provided near the position of the region where the plurality of openings 13 shown in FIG. Since the speaker 22 is provided at a position between the central position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 and the outer periphery of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is prevented so that the user does not block the speaker 22 with his/her palm. Easy to hold 1. For example, the user holds the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 such that the little finger is positioned on the arrow A side in FIG. 1A so that at least a part of the opening 13 is exposed from between the fingers. Therefore, the user can easily hear the sound output from the speaker 22.

The wireless unit 23 transmits the data corresponding to the Doppler signal to the external terminal. The wireless unit 23 transmits data indicating a heartbeat waveform, for example. The wireless unit 23 transmits a radio wave corresponding to, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

The ultrasonic sensor unit 24 includes an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 241 that transmits an ultrasonic wave, and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit that receives a reflected ultrasonic wave that is an ultrasonic wave that is generated by the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 241 and is reflected inside the human body. 242 and. The ultrasonic wave transmission unit 241 transmits an ultrasonic wave of 1 MHz as a frequency suitable for monitoring the heartbeat of the fetus, for example. The ultrasonic wave transmission unit 241 starts transmission of ultrasonic waves or stops transmission of ultrasonic waves based on an instruction notified from the control unit 21 in response to a user operation (for example, an operation of turning on the power). The ultrasonic wave transmission unit 241 inputs a signal based on the transmitted ultrasonic wave to the Doppler signal generation unit 251. The ultrasonic wave reception unit 242 inputs the signal based on the received reflected ultrasonic wave to the Doppler signal generation unit 251.

The signal generator 25 generates various signals. Specifically, the Doppler signal generation unit 251 generates a Doppler signal based on the difference between the frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic wave. The Doppler signal generation unit 251 generates the Doppler signal based on the autocorrelation function of the reflected ultrasonic waves by using, for example, a known autocorrelation method. The Doppler signal is, for example, a signal indicating a value according to the flow velocity of blood that reflects transmitted ultrasonic waves. When the frequency of the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic wave transmission unit 241 is 1 MHz, the frequency of the Doppler signal is, for example, about 100 Hz. The Doppler signal generation unit 251 inputs the generated Doppler signal to the sound signal generation unit 252.

The sound signal generation unit 252 generates a sound signal corresponding to the Doppler signal. The sound signal generation unit 252, for example, generates a sound signal having a magnitude corresponding to the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave or the intensity of the Doppler signal. The sound signal generation unit 252 inputs the generated sound signal into the speaker 22, and the sound based on the sound signal is output from the speaker 22. The sound signal generation unit 252 generates a sound signal having a magnitude corresponding to the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave or the intensity of the Doppler signal, so that the user has a large heartbeat when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted to a position close to the heart of the fetus, for example. Since the user can hear the sound, the user can easily adjust the position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 based on the loudness of the sound.

The sound signal generation unit 252 uses the intensities of the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves received by the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242 or the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves so that the magnitude of the sound signal changes with high accuracy according to the position of the inspection target. A sound signal corresponding to the sum of the intensities of a plurality of Doppler signals based on each reflected ultrasonic wave may be generated. Compared with the case where there is a large difference between the intensity of reflected ultrasonic waves detected by some of the ultrasonic wave receiving units 242 and the intensity of reflected ultrasonic waves detected by other ultrasonic wave receiving units 242. When the intensities of the reflected ultrasonic waves detected by the respective ultrasonic receiving units 242 are at the same level, the sum of the intensities of the plural reflected ultrasonic waves or the plurality of Doppler signals becomes larger.

Therefore, the closer the position of the inspection object is to the center position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 and the smaller the variation between the intensities of the reflected ultrasonic waves detected by the plurality of ultrasonic receiving units 242, the more the intensity of the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves. Alternatively, since the value obtained by adding the intensities of the plurality of Doppler signals becomes large, the sound emitted by the speaker 22 becomes large. As a result, the user can easily adjust the center position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 to a desired position (for example, a position close to the heart of the fetus) while listening to the sound emitted by the speaker 22.

By the way, in terms of human auditory characteristics, the sensitivity to sounds of frequencies below 200 Hz is relatively low. Therefore, when the frequency of the Doppler signal is about 100 Hz, if the Doppler signal of 100 Hz is output from the speaker 22 as it is, it is difficult for the user to hear the Doppler signal. Therefore, the sound signal generation unit 252 generates a sound signal by, for example, multiplying the Doppler signal. Specifically, the sound signal generation unit 252 multiplies the Doppler signal so that the sound signal is included in the frequency range including the resonance frequency of the speaker.

More specifically, the sound signal generation unit 252 generates a sound signal by multiplying the Doppler signal by two or more. When the frequency of the Doppler signal is about 100 Hz, the sound signal generation unit 252 doubles the Doppler signal by a factor of 2 or more, so that the speaker 22 can generate a sound signal of a frequency of about 200 Hz or more. Is easy to hear the heartbeat sound based on the Doppler signal. In particular, when the resonance frequency range of the speaker 22 is 200 Hz or more and 10 kHz or less, it is preferable that the sound signal generation unit 252 double or triple the Doppler signal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the sound signal generation unit 252. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the multiplication processing in the sound signal generation unit 252. As shown in FIG. 5, the sound signal generation unit 252 includes a double-wave rectifier circuit 31, a bandpass filter 32, and a speaker pump 33.

FIG. 6A shows an example of the waveform of the Doppler signal input from the Doppler signal generation unit 251 to the full-wave rectification circuit 31. FIG. 6B shows an example of the waveform of the signal output from the double-wave rectification circuit 31. FIG. 6C shows an example of the waveform of the signal output from the bandpass filter 32. The waveform shown in FIG. 6 is a schematic waveform and differs from the actual waveform.

The double-wave rectifier circuit 31 double-wave rectifies the Doppler signal input from the Doppler signal generation unit 251, thereby converting a signal below the reference level into a signal above the reference level. The double-wave rectifier circuit 31 inputs the converted signal to the bandpass filter 32.

The bandpass filter 32 is a filter that passes a component of a predetermined frequency included in the audible range of the user among frequency components included in the signal input from the double-wave rectifier circuit 31 and does not pass a component of another frequency. is there. The bandpass filter 32 passes the frequency component of 200 Hz or more and 10 kHz or less to the speaker pump 33, for example. By extracting frequency components of 200 Hz or more and 10 kHz or less from the signal shown in FIG. 6B, a signal obtained by doubling the Doppler signal shown in FIG. 6A is obtained as shown in FIG. 6C. Is generated.

Since the speaker 22 outputs the sound of the frequency obtained by multiplying the frequency of the Doppler signal in this manner, howling caused by the vibration generated by the speaker 22 vibrating the ultrasonic sensor unit 24 is also prevented. In order to prevent howling from occurring, the sound signal generation unit 252 may limit the maximum value of the sound signal to a level at which howling does not occur when the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave is maximum. The speaker 22 generates a sound signal having a magnitude corresponding to the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic waves, for example, when the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic waves is less than the threshold value, and when the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic waves is the threshold value or more, Generates a sound signal corresponding to the intensity of reflected ultrasonic waves equal to.

[Separation of fetal heartbeat and maternal heartbeat]
When the user uses the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 to inspect the fetal heartbeat, the reflected ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver 242 include a signal synchronized with the fetal heartbeat and a signal synchronized with the maternal heartbeat. included. In order for the user to easily hear the heartbeat sound of the fetus, the sound signal generation unit 252 selectively generates a sound signal corresponding to the heartbeat of the fetus. Specifically, the sound signal generation unit 252 selects the first reflected ultrasonic wave among the reflected ultrasonic waves including the first reflected ultrasonic wave reflected by the fetus in the human body and the second reflected ultrasonic wave reflected by the mother body in the human body. A sound signal corresponding to the Doppler signal generated by the Doppler signal generation unit 251 is generated based on the ultrasonic wave.

The sound signal generation unit 252 includes, for example, among the sound signals generated based on the Doppler signal, a cycle within a predetermined range with respect to the average heartbeat cycle of the mother (including, for example, the average heartbeat cycle of the fetus). Sound signal to be output to the speaker 22 by removing the frequency component corresponding to the period within a predetermined range with respect to the average heartbeat period of the fetus. To generate. The sound signal generation unit 252 sets the amplification factor of the frequency component corresponding to the average heartbeat cycle of the fetus to be larger than the amplification factor of the frequency component corresponding to the average heartbeat cycle of the mother, and causes the speaker 22 to operate. A sound signal to be output may be generated.

[Wireless transmission of heartbeat signal]
The wireless data generation unit 253 generates wireless data for the wireless unit 23 to transmit to the external terminal based on the Doppler signal. The wireless data generation unit 253 converts, for example, a Doppler signal into a digital signal, and generates wireless data in a frame format defined by a predetermined wireless communication protocol. The wireless data generation unit 253 inputs the generated wireless data to the wireless unit 23.

[Effects of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment]
As described above, in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1, the speaker 22 emits the sound signal corresponding to the Doppler signal based on the difference between the frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic wave. Since the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 emits the sound signal in this way, the user can hear the sound indicating the state of the part to be inspected while performing the inspection using the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1. .. Therefore, when the user wants to confirm the state of the fetus, for example, the user can listen to the heartbeat sound of the fetus while looking at the mother's body with which the ultrasonic examination apparatus 1 is in contact, so that the user can easily find the optimum position. Operability is improved.

In particular, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 can emit a sound whose magnitude changes based on the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave or the intensity of the Doppler signal based on the reflected ultrasonic wave, so that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 can detect the position of the fetus. Makes a loud sound in a state close to. Therefore, the user can search for the optimum position with reference to the loudness of the sound.

Further, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 generates a sound signal by multiplying the Doppler signal so that a sound having a frequency matching the resonance frequency of the speaker 22 can be emitted. With the ultrasound examination apparatus 1 configured in this way, the user can easily hear the heartbeat sound of the fetus.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the ultrasonic inspection device 2 according to the second embodiment. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 includes a reflection ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic wave reception unit 242 on the side where the projection 12 is provided, that is, the opposite side to the side where the ultrasonic wave transmission unit 241 and the ultrasonic wave reception unit 242 are provided. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 is different from the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 in that it further includes a display unit 26 for displaying information indicating the intensity of the sound waves, and is otherwise the same as the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1. The display unit 26 is provided on the side of the housing 11 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 opposite to the side where the ultrasonic sensor unit 24 is provided.

The display unit 26 includes, for example, a plurality of light emitting elements provided at at least four positions outside the central position of the housing 11 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2. In the example shown in FIG. 7, display units 26a and 26b, which are light emitting regions in the shape of arrows, are provided as a plurality of light emitting elements on the back side, the left side, the front side, and the right side with respect to the center position of the housing 11, respectively. 26c and 26d are provided. The brightness of each of the display units 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d changes in synchronization with the change in the intensity of the sound signal. For example, each of the display units 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d has higher brightness as the intensity of the sound signal is higher.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2. The block diagram shown in FIG. 8 is different from the block diagram of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4 in that the signal generator 25 further includes a display data generator 254.

The display data generation unit 254 generates display data based on the reflected ultrasonic waves. The display data generation unit 254 generates display data having a size based on the intensity of reflected ultrasonic waves, for example. The display data generation unit 254 inputs the generated display data to the display unit 26, and the display unit 26 displays information corresponding to the display data. The display data generation unit 254 may generate display data based on the Doppler signal.

The display data generation unit 254 generates display data for causing the display unit 26 to display information corresponding to the intensity of the Doppler signal, for example. Specifically, the display data generation unit 254 generates display data corresponding to higher brightness as the intensity of the Doppler signal is higher. With the display data generation unit 254 configured in this manner, the display unit 26 is displayed brighter as the ultrasonic examination apparatus 2 is closer to, for example, the position of the fetus. As a result, the user can easily determine whether or not the ultrasonic examination apparatus 2 is close to the position of the fetus.

The display data generation unit 254 may generate display data whose size changes according to the change in the intensity of the Doppler signal. In this case, the display unit 26 changes the brightness in synchronization with the heartbeat of the fetus, for example, and thus the user can easily understand the state of the heartbeat.

The Doppler signal generator 251 generates a plurality of Doppler signals based on the difference between the frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic wave received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave receivers. The display data corresponding to the value obtained by adding up the intensity of the Doppler signal may be generated. At this time, the display data generation unit 254 may generate the display data based on the intensities of the plurality of Doppler signals corresponding to the heartbeat of the fetus.

For example, the display data generation unit 254 is for display corresponding to the intensity of the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves received by the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242 or the value obtained by adding the intensity of the plurality of Doppler signals based on the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves. Generate data. Compared with the case where there is a large difference between the intensity of reflected ultrasonic waves detected by some of the ultrasonic wave receiving units 242 and the intensity of reflected ultrasonic waves detected by other ultrasonic wave receiving units 242. When the intensities of the reflected ultrasonic waves detected by the plural ultrasonic wave receiving units 242 are at the same level, the sum of the intensities of the plural reflected ultrasonic waves or the plural Doppler signals becomes large.

Therefore, the closer the position of the inspection object is to the center position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 and the smaller the variation between the intensities of the reflected ultrasonic waves detected by the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242, the smaller the intensity of the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves. Alternatively, since the value obtained by adding the intensities of the plurality of Doppler signals becomes large, the light emitted by the display unit 26 becomes bright. As a result, the user can easily adjust the center position of the ultrasonic inspection device 2 to a desired position (for example, a position close to the heart of the fetus) while visually recognizing the light emitted by the display unit 26.

The display data generation unit 254 may generate display data indicating a direction specified based on the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242. In the display data generation unit 254, for example, among the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242, the brightness of the display unit 26 provided at the position corresponding to the ultrasonic wave reception unit 242 that has received the relatively strong reflected ultrasonic wave becomes high. Display data to do so is generated.

The display data generation unit 254 may generate display data indicating the specified direction based on the intensity of the Doppler signal based on the reflected ultrasonic waves received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242. In the display data generation unit 254, for example, the brightness of the display unit 26 provided at a position corresponding to the ultrasonic wave reception unit 242 in which a relatively strong Doppler signal is generated among the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242 becomes high. Display data to do so is generated. At this time, the display data generation unit 254 may generate the display data based on the intensities of the plurality of Doppler signals corresponding to the heartbeat of the fetus.

For example, the display data generation unit 254 directs the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 toward the position where the ultrasonic receiving unit 242, in which the intensity of the received reflected ultrasonic wave is relatively large, is provided among the plurality of ultrasonic receiving units 242. Generate display data for recommending to move. Specifically, the display data generating unit 254 has a relatively high intensity of the Doppler signal based on the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 242 arranged on the right side of the center position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2. In this case, the brightness of the display unit 26 (the display unit 26d in the example shown in FIG. 7) provided on the right side of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 is set higher than the brightness of the other display units 26. The display data generation unit 254 may generate display data for blinking the display unit 26 on the side to which the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 should be moved.

Since the display data generation unit 254 is configured in this way, the user can determine which side (for example, the back side, the left side, or the front side) of the position where the heartbeat of the fetus is strongly detected with respect to the ultrasonic examination apparatus 2. , Right side). Therefore, the user can easily move the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 to a position where it is easy to detect the heartbeat of the fetus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an appearance of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a which is a modified example of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a differs from the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 in that it has a display unit 26L instead of the display unit 26 in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 shown in FIG. The display unit 26L is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and can display a text or an image based on the display data generated by the display data generation unit 254. Specifically, the display data generating unit 254, based on the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 242 or the intensity of the Doppler signal generated by the Doppler signal generating unit 251, outputs the reflected ultrasonic wave or the Doppler signal. Display data including information for supporting the movement of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a so as to increase the intensity is generated.

9B and 9C show examples of text displayed on the display unit 26L. FIG. 9B is displayed when the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 242 arranged on the right side of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a or the intensity of the Doppler signal based on the reflected ultrasonic wave is relatively large. As the text to be displayed, a case where "it is more right" is displayed on the display unit 26L is illustrated. The user who sees this text can move the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a to the right to bring the central position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a closer to the position of the inspection object.

FIG. 9C exemplifies a case where "just right position" is displayed on the display unit 26L as the text displayed when the position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a is proper. In the display data generation unit 254, for example, the intensity of the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave receiving units 242 is a predetermined value or more, and the variation in the intensity of the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves is within a predetermined range. If, the display data indicating that the position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a is appropriate is generated. The display data generation unit 254 has a plurality of Doppler signal intensities based on the reflected ultrasonic waves received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units 242 that are equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and have a plurality of Doppler signal intensity variations within a predetermined range. If it is within the range, display data indicating that the position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a is appropriate may be generated. Since the display data generation unit 254 is configured in this way, the user can easily maintain the position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a when the position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2a is appropriate.

[Effects of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment]
As described above, the ultrasonic inspection device 2 displays the information corresponding to the display data generated based on the reflected ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2, for example, causes the light emitting element to emit light with a brightness corresponding to the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave or the intensity of the Doppler signal based on the reflected ultrasonic wave, or causes the display to display information indicating the content corresponding to the intensity. Or Since the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 is configured in this manner, the user can grasp whether or not the position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 is appropriate while operating the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2, so that operability is improved. improves. In particular, since the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 can display information indicating the orientation of the appropriate position, the fetus moves in the abdomen after the user fixes the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 and starts measurement. When it is noticed that the measurement is not properly performed, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 can be moved in an appropriate direction.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasonic inspection device 3 according to the third embodiment. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 3 differs from the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 8 in that it does not have the sound signal generation unit 252, and is the same in other respects. The ultrasonic inspection device 3 outputs display data based on reflected ultrasonic waves or Doppler signals without outputting sound signals. The form of the display data generated by the display data generation unit 254 is the same as that of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment. Even if the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 3 does not output a sound signal, the user can recognize how to move the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 3 based on the displayed information, so that the operability is improved. ..

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist thereof. is there. For example, the specific embodiment of the distribution/integration of the device is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed/integrated in arbitrary units to be configured. You can Further, a new embodiment that occurs due to an arbitrary combination of a plurality of embodiments is also included in the embodiment of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment produced by the combination has the effect of the original embodiment.

1, 2, 3 Ultrasonic inspection device 11 Housing 12 Projection 13 Opening 21 Control unit 22 Speaker 23 Wireless unit 24 Ultrasonic sensor unit 25 Signal generation unit 26 Display unit 31 Double wave rectification circuit 32 Bandpass filter 33 Speaker pump 241 Ultra Sound wave transmitter 242 Ultrasonic wave receiver 251 Doppler signal generator 252 Sound signal generator 253 Wireless data generator 254 Display data generator

Claims (9)

An ultrasonic sensor unit having an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit that emits an ultrasonic wave, and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit that receives a reflected ultrasonic wave that is an ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and reflected by a human body. ,
A display data generation unit that generates display data based on the reflected ultrasonic waves;
A display unit for displaying information corresponding to the display data,
Ultrasonic inspection apparatus having a. Further comprising a Doppler signal generation unit that generates a Doppler signal based on the difference between the frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic wave,
The display data generation unit generates the display data based on the Doppler signal,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1. The display data generation unit generates the display data for displaying information corresponding to the intensity of the Doppler signal on the display unit,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 2. The ultrasonic sensor unit has a plurality of the ultrasonic receiving unit,
The display data generating unit corresponds to a value obtained by adding the intensities of the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves received by the plurality of ultrasonic receiving units, or the intensities of the plurality of Doppler signals based on the plurality of reflected ultrasonic waves. Generate display data,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The ultrasonic sensor unit has a plurality of the ultrasonic receiving unit,
The display data generation unit generates the display data indicating a direction specified based on the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic waves received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1. The display data generating unit is provided with an ultrasonic wave receiving unit in which the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave received is relatively large among the plurality of ultrasonic wave receiving units with respect to the center position of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus. Generating the display data for recommending that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus be moved toward a position where
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 5. Further comprising a Doppler signal generation unit that generates a plurality of Doppler signals based on the difference between the frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the frequency of the reflected ultrasonic wave received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave reception units,
The display data generation unit generates the display data based on the intensities of the plurality of Doppler signals,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 5 or 6. The display unit is provided on the opposite side of the housing of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus to the side where the ultrasonic sensor unit is provided,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The display unit has a plurality of light emitting elements provided at at least four positions outside a central position of a housing of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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