JP4214079B2 - Operation panel of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation panel for operating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses that perform ultrasonic diagnosis by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a living body are widely known. The operation panel of this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a large number of switches for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  A trackball is often employed as one of many switches. A trackball is a device that detects and outputs the movement of a rotatable ball. In particular, this trackball is often used for display adjustment of an ultrasonic image, for example, zoom adjustment or focus adjustment of an ultrasonic image. The operator performs display adjustment of the ultrasonic image by operating the trackball and other switches related to display adjustment while viewing the ultrasonic image.

  As such an operation panel, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an operation panel for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a switch mechanism in which a trackball and three push-down switches are provided concentrically. In this operation panel, an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus sets a color ROI, a Doppler sampling position, and the like with a trackball while viewing an ultrasonic image displayed on a display unit such as a monitor. Then, if necessary, a mode switch or a freeze switch which is a push-down switch is operated.

JP-A-5-168624

  However, in this operation panel, the trackball and the push-down switch are provided at positions separated from each other. Therefore, every time the operator operates the mode change switch or the like, the operator must release the hand from the trackball and move the hand to press the switch. Therefore, when the ultrasonic image is adjusted, the movement amount of the hand is large as a whole. The large amount of hand movement is cumbersome for the operator and reduces the operability of the operation panel.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation panel of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can improve operability.

The operation panel of the present invention is an operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and is a trackball that accepts an operation for adjusting the display of an ultrasonic image, and a part of the operation panel projects from a projecting surface provided on the operation panel. configuration and trackball having a ball body, and a plurality of switches for accepting an operation associated with the trackball, and a plurality of switches disposed close surrounds the trackball, wherein the said plurality of switches upper surface of each switch, the located between the ball of the ball center level and the sphere vertex level, and the ball-side end of the switch is lower than the protruding surface, and the ball of the switch Is characterized in that the opposite end is inclined so as to be substantially the same height as the protruding surface .

In a preferred embodiment, prior Symbol each switch, upper and bottom are incomplete sector is an arc concentric different diameters, said plurality of switches forms a ring shape surrounding the ball member. In another preferred aspect, each of the switches is a function changeover switch that switches a function of the trackball.

  Another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described operation panels.

  According to the present invention, since the trackball and the switch associated therewith are arranged nearby, the amount of movement of the hand can be reduced. Therefore, the operability of the operation panel of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be further improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view of an operation panel 10 of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation panel 10 is provided with a large number of various switches for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Many switches are arranged such that related switches are close to each other. In addition, a linear design 30a for connecting a plurality of switches, an area display design 30b surrounding the plurality of switches, and the like are provided so that the relationship between the switches can be understood.

  In the center of the operation panel 10, a trackball 12 that accepts an operation for adjusting the display of an ultrasonic image and a switch group 14 that switches the function of the trackball 12 are arranged.

  A perspective view around the trackball 12 and the switch group 14 is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the trackball 12 and the switch group 14.

  The trackball 12 is a device that detects and outputs the movement of the ball body 16, and its function is switched by a plurality of changeover switches 22 constituting a switch group 14 described later. For example, when a “ZOOM switch” which is one of a plurality of changeover switches 22 is pressed, the trackball 12 functions as a device for moving the display position of an ultrasonic image during zoom adjustment, and when a “FOCUS switch” is pressed, the trackball Reference numeral 12 functions as a focus adjustment device.

  The trackball 12 includes a ball body 16, a device main body 18, and a ring member 20. The ball body 16 is a rotatable spherical member with only a part thereof exposed to the outside. The device body 18 senses and outputs the movement of the ball body 16.

  The ring member 20 is an annular member disposed on the upper surface of the device body 18 and functions as a cover for the device body 18. The inner diameter of the ring member 20 is substantially the same as the diameter of the ball body 16 at the arrangement height, and the ball body 16 protrudes from the upper surface of the ring member 20. Hereinafter, the upper surface of the ring member 20 is referred to as a protruding surface 20a. The ring member 20 covers a gap between the ball body 16 and the device main body 18 to prevent inflow of dust into the device main body 18 and jumping out of the ball body 16. Further, during maintenance of the trackball 12, by removing the ring member 20, the ball body 16 can be taken out of the device body 18 and maintenance work such as cleaning can be performed.

  The switch group 14 includes a plurality of changeover switches 22 that surround the trackball 12 and are arranged close to each other. The plurality of changeover switches 22 are all push-type switches that are turned ON / OFF when pressed. In addition, both function as a function changeover switch of the trackball 12. That is, functions such as zoom adjustment, focus adjustment, and image search are assigned to each changeover switch 22, and the trackball 12 is assigned to the changeover switch 22 by turning on each changeover switch 22. It becomes a device that performs the function. That is, each changeover switch 22 can be said to be a switch closely related to the operation of the trackball 12.

  In the present embodiment, as the change-over switch 22, a “ZOOM switch” that adjusts the display position during zoom adjustment of the ultrasonic image, a “FOCUS switch” that adjusts the focus of the ultrasonic image, and an image stored in the memory are searched. “SEARCH switch”, “SCAN AREA switch” for changing the scanning range of the B-mode image, “CURSOR / BLS switch” for setting the detection position on the B-mode image for displaying the M-mode image Six types of “USER switches” are available for the operator to set function assignments. Of course, the number and function of these switches are merely examples, and switches having different numbers and functions may be used as appropriate. Further, a switch other than the function selector switch of the trackball 12, for example, a mode selector switch for switching an ultrasonic image mode, a switch for obtaining a still image, or the like may be used.

  Each change-over switch 22 has an operation surface 24 that accepts an operation, a switch body 26, and a lamp (not shown). When the operation surface 24 is pressed, a switch body 26 that is a push-type switch disposed below the operation surface 24 is pressed. Further, the lamp is lit in conjunction with the switch body 26 so that the ON / OFF state of the switch can be understood.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the six changeover switches 22 surround the trackball 12 and are arranged close to each other. At this time, the height of the operation surface 24 which is the upper surface of the changeover switch 22 is substantially the same height as the upper surface of the ring member 20 and the protruding surface 20a (see FIG. 3). The shape of the changeover switch 22 is an incomplete sector shape in which the upper side and the bottom side are arcs of concentric and different diameters, and a ring shape surrounding the trackball 12 can be formed by arranging six adjacent ones. In other words, the trackball 12 and the switch group 14 have a chrysanthemum type layout in which the ball body corresponds to the flower core and each changeover switch corresponds to the petal.

  The changeover switch 22 is inclined while drawing a gentle arc toward the trackball 12. The end 24a on the trackball 12 side of the changeover switch operation surface 24 is slightly lower than the projecting surface 20a, and the outer end 24b of the switch 22 is approximately the same height as the projecting surface 20a. That is, the inside of the switch group 14 arranged in a ring is in a state of being depressed from the surroundings.

  Next, an operation for performing display adjustment on the operation panel 10 will be briefly described. In the following description, an operation related to zoom adjustment of an ultrasonic image will be described as an example of the operation.

  If the operator wants to enlarge or reduce the displayed ultrasonic image, he / she presses a “ZOOM switch” which is one of a plurality of changeover switches 22 constituting the switch group 14 to turn it on. . At this time, since the “ZOOM switch” (changeover switch 22) and the trackball 12 are very close to each other, the “ZOOM switch” can be pressed even when the hand is placed on the trackball 12.

  Next, the rotary encoder 36 (see FIG. 1) provided in the vicinity of the trackball 12 and the switch group 14 is operated. The rotary encoder 36 includes a rotatable dial, and detects a rotation amount and a rotation direction of the dial. The ultrasonic image is enlarged or reduced according to the detected rotation amount and rotation direction. That is, the ultrasonic image is enlarged when the dial is turned clockwise, and is reduced when the dial is turned counterclockwise.

  On the other hand, as the ultrasonic image is enlarged or reduced, the range of the displayed image may be shifted from a desired position. In this case, the ultrasonic image is moved by operating the ball body of the trackball 12. The trackball 12 functions as a display position adjusting device when the “ZOOM switch” is turned on. That is, the display position of the ultrasonic image moves according to the movement of the ball body 16 of the trackball 12. Therefore, the operator rolls the ball body 16 so as to be in a desired display range.

  At this time, the operation surface 24 of each changeover switch 22 is inclined toward the trackball 12, and the inner peripheral side of the annularly formed switch group 14 falls from the periphery. In other words, the portion of each changeover switch 22 that is closest to the trackball 12 is depressed from the surroundings. The inner peripheral side of the switch group 14 is originally a portion where the hand operating the trackball 12 is most likely to collide, but since it falls from the surroundings, it is difficult for the operator's hand to collide, and erroneous operation can be prevented. . On the other hand, by extending the operation surface 24 of the changeover switch 22 to a portion close to the trackball 12, the area of the switch operation surface 24 can be increased, and the visibility of the changeover switch 22 can be improved. That is, by tilting each changeover switch 22 toward the trackball 12, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation while improving visibility.

  When the desired zoom is achieved, the “ZOOM switch” is pressed again to turn off the zoom adjustment function. Also at this time, since the “ZOOM switch” (changeover switch 22) and the trackball 12 are close to each other, the “ZOOM switch” can be pressed without moving the hand greatly.

  Further, the “FOCUS switch” is pressed to change the focus of the ultrasonic image, and the “SCAN AREA switch” is pressed to change the scanning range of the B-mode image. In any of these operations, since the trackball 12 and the changeover switch 22 are arranged in a close position, the operator can switch the function of the trackball 12 without moving the hand greatly. Can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operability can be improved because the trackball 12 and the switch 22 related thereto can be operated without greatly moving the hand.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic image is enlarged / reduced by the rotary encoder 36. However, for example, an enlargement switch or a reduction switch that enlarges / reduces the ultrasonic image according to the pressing time may be provided, and the enlargement / reduction switch may be a part of the switch group 22. With such a configuration, it is possible to perform enlargement / reduction of the ultrasonic image and movement of the ultrasonic image associated therewith while keeping a hand on the trackball. Thus, the ultrasonic image can be adjusted without removing the line of sight from the ultrasonic image, and the operability can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the level of the operation surface of the switch 22 associated with the trackball 12 is substantially the same height as the protruding surface (the upper surface of the ring member), but the apex of the ball body 16 and the changeover switch operation surface. Other heights may be used as long as 24 is close. In this case, it is desirable that the switch operation surface 24 be between the sphere center level O and the vertex level T of the ball body 16. In this way, by making the ball body 16 and the changeover switch operation surface 24 close to each other, the movement of the operator's hand can be reduced and the operation can be performed while viewing the ultrasonic image.

  In addition, by setting the apex of the ball body 16 and the changeover switch operation surface 24 close to each other, the changeover switch 22 can be arranged on the back side of the trackball 12 and the space can be used effectively. That is, if the trackball 12 is too high compared to the height of the changeover switch operation surface 24, the changeover switch 22 disposed on the back side of the trackball 12 becomes difficult to see. However, by providing the trackball 12 relatively low, a changeover switch can be arranged on the back side.

  In the present embodiment, the changeover switch 22 is a push-down switch, but other than this, a touch switch, a slide switch, or the like may be used. Further, the shape, number, and function of the changeover switch are not limited to the embodiment.

It is a top view of the operation panel which is an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view around a trackball. It is a partial cross section figure of a trackball and a changeover switch.

Explanation of symbols

  10 operation panel, 12 trackball, 14 switch group, 16 ball body, 18 switch body, 20 ring member, 20a projecting surface, 22 changeover switch, 24 operation face, 26 changeover switch body.

Claims (4)

An operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
A trackball that accepts an operation for adjusting the display of an ultrasonic image, and a trackball including a ball body partially protruding from a protruding surface provided on an operation panel;
A plurality of switches for receiving operations related to the trackball, the switches surrounding the trackball and arranged in proximity to each other;
Including
The upper surface of each of the switches constituting the plurality of switches, wherein located between the ball of the ball center level and the sphere vertex level, and the ball-side end of the switch is lower than the projecting surface, An end opposite to the ball body of the switch is inclined so as to be substantially the same height as the protruding surface.
An operation panel characterized by that. The operation panel according to claim 1 ,
Each of the switches has an incomplete sector shape in which the top side and the bottom side are arcs of concentric diameters,
The operation panel, wherein the plurality of switches form a ring shape surrounding the ball body. The operation panel according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Each of the switches is a function changeover switch for switching a function of the trackball. Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by comprising a control panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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