JP4388188B2 - Container receiver for ultrasonic imaging apparatus and ultrasonic imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container receiver and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, and more particularly to a container receiver having a heating means and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus provided with such a container receiver.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In ultrasonic imaging, in order to improve acoustic coupling, an ultrasonic jelly is interposed at a contact portion between an object to be imaged and an ultrasonic probe. Ultrasonic jelly is also called a gel.
[0003]
The ultrasonic jelly is contained in a dedicated container, that is, a gel bottle. When used, the ultrasonic jelly is pushed out from the discharge port of the gel bottle and applied to the transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe or the target ultrasonic probe contact portion.
[0004]
In order to reduce the temperature difference with the object at the time of contact, the ultrasonic jelly is preheated. Heating is performed by placing the gel bottle in a heater. The gel bottle is placed in a heater with the discharge port facing upward. The warmer is built in the ultrasonic imaging apparatus or configured separately.
[0005]
The ultrasonic imaging apparatus has a bottle holder for temporarily placing a gel bottle in use. In the bottle receiver, in order to facilitate the next gel extrusion, the outlet of the gel bottle is kept facing downward.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
If the gel bottle is heated with the discharge port facing downward, the gel will be pushed out due to the expansion of the air inside, so the heater cannot be used as a bottle receiver or a bottle receiver as a heater. It is necessary to provide in.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize a container receiver that can be used as a bottle receiver while having a heating means, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including such a container receiver.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) The invention according to one aspect for solving the above-described problem is a container receiver for a cylindrical container having a discharge port at one end, the cylindrical body into which the container is inserted, and the cylindrical body Based on heating means for heating the inside, direction detection means for detecting whether the container has been inserted into the cylindrical body with its discharge hole up or down, and based on a detection signal of the direction detection means And a control means for controlling the heating means.
[0009]
In this aspect of the invention, since the heating means is controlled by detecting whether the container is inserted into the cylinder body with the discharge hole up or down, it can be used as a bottle receiver while holding the heating means. A usable container receiver can be realized.
[0010]
(2) In another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the direction detecting means detects a direction based on a shape of an end of the container inserted into the cylindrical body (1 ).
[0011]
In this aspect of the invention, the heating means is controlled by detecting whether the container has been inserted into the cylindrical body with its discharge hole facing up or down based on the shape of the end of the container. A container receiver that can be used as a bottle receiver while having a means can be realized.
[0012]
(3) An invention in another aspect that solves the above-described problems is provided for a cylindrical container having a protruding portion having a discharge port and a bottom portion having a shape different from that of the protruding portion at one end and the other end, respectively. A container receiver, a contact part that contacts the bottom part when the container is inserted with the bottom part down, and a protrusion part below the contact part when the container is inserted with the protrusion part down. A cylindrical body having a hole for receiving the heat, a heating means for heating the inside of the cylindrical body, a protruding part detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the protruding part in the hole, and a detection signal of the protruding part detecting means And a control means for controlling the heating means based on the above.
[0013]
In this aspect of the invention, the heating means is detected by detecting whether the container has been inserted into the cylindrical body with its discharge hole up or down by the presence or absence of the protruding portion of the container in the cylindrical hole. Since it controls, the container receptacle which can be used also as a bottle receptacle can be implement | achieved, having a heating means.
[0014]
(4) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problem, the cylindrical body includes container detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the container, and the control means is based on a detection signal of the container detection means. The container receiver according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the heating means is controlled.
[0015]
In the invention from this viewpoint, since the heating means is controlled by detecting the presence or absence of the container in the cylinder, it is possible to prevent useless heating in a state where there is no container in the cylinder. Moreover, since there is no residual heat, even if it is inserted with the discharge port down, the content is not pushed out due to thermal expansion.
[0016]
(5) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the container contains an ultrasonic jelly, and is characterized in that any one of (1) to (4) is provided. It is a container receiver.
[0017]
In the invention in this aspect, it is possible to realize a container receiver that can be used as a bottle receiver while having a heating means for a container containing ultrasonic jelly.
[0018]
(6) Another aspect of the invention for solving the above problem is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a container receiver for a cylindrical container having a discharge port at one end, wherein the container receiver A cylinder to be inserted, a heating means for heating the inside of the cylinder, and a direction detection means for detecting whether the container has been inserted into the cylinder with the discharge hole up or down. And an ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the heating means based on a detection signal from the direction detection means.
[0019]
In this aspect of the invention, since the heating means is controlled by detecting whether the container is inserted into the cylinder body with the discharge hole up or down, it can be used as a bottle receiver while holding the heating means. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a usable container receiver can be realized.
[0020]
(7) In another aspect of the invention for solving the above problem, the direction detecting means detects a direction based on a shape of an end of the container inserted into the cylindrical body (6 ).
[0021]
In this aspect of the invention, the heating means is controlled by detecting whether the container has been inserted into the cylindrical body with its discharge hole facing up or down based on the shape of the end of the container. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus including a container receiver that can be used as a bottle receiver while having a means can be realized.
[0022]
(8) An invention in another aspect that solves the above-described problems is provided for a cylindrical container having a protruding portion having a discharge port and a bottom portion having a shape different from that of the protruding portion at one end and the other end, respectively. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a container receiver, wherein the container receiver is inserted with the abutting portion with which the bottom abuts when the container is inserted with the bottom facing down and the container with the protruding portion facing down. A cylinder having a hole for receiving the protrusion below the contact part, a heating means for heating the inside of the cylinder, and a protrusion for detecting the presence or absence of the protrusion in the hole An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: a detection unit; and a control unit that controls the heating unit based on a detection signal from the protrusion detection unit.
[0023]
In this aspect of the invention, the heating means is detected by detecting whether the container has been inserted into the cylindrical body with its discharge hole up or down by the presence or absence of the protruding portion of the container in the cylindrical hole. Since it controls, the ultrasonic imaging device provided with the container receptacle which can be used also as a bottle receptacle while having a heating means is realizable.
[0024]
(9) The invention in another aspect that solves the above-described problem has container detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the container in the cylindrical body, and the control means is based on a detection signal of the container detection means. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to any one of (6) to (8), wherein the heating unit is controlled.
[0025]
In the invention from this viewpoint, since the heating means is controlled by detecting the presence or absence of the container in the cylinder, it is possible to prevent useless heating in a state where there is no container in the cylinder. Moreover, since there is no residual heat, even if it is inserted with the discharge port down, the content is not pushed out due to thermal expansion.
[0026]
(10) The invention according to another aspect that solves the above-described problem is characterized in that the container contains an ultrasonic jelly, according to any one of (6) to (9), This is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus.
[0027]
In the invention in this aspect, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including a container receiver that can be used as a bottle receiver while having a heating means for a container containing an ultrasonic jelly can be realized.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus. This apparatus is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. An example of an embodiment relating to the apparatus of the present invention is shown by the configuration of the apparatus.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, the present apparatus has an ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic probe 2 has an array of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown). Each ultrasonic transducer is made of a piezoelectric material such as PZT (titanium (Ti) zirconate (Zr) acid) ceramics.
[0030]
The ultrasonic probe 2 is used in contact with the object 4 by an operator. An ultrasonic jelly, that is, a gel is present on the contact surface between the ultrasonic probe 2 and the object 4. The gel is extruded from a gel bottle, which will be described later, and applied in advance to the wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe 2 or the contact portion of the object 4. The gel bottle is placed in the bottle receiver 8 and is taken out from the bottle receiver 8 and used. The bottle receiver 8 is an example of an embodiment of the container receiver of the present invention. The bottle receiver 8 will be described later.
[0031]
The ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 6. The transmission / reception unit 6 sends a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 to transmit ultrasonic waves. The transmission / reception unit 6 also receives an echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2.
[0032]
A block diagram of the transceiver 6 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the transmission / reception unit 6 includes a transmission timing generation unit (unit) 602. The transmission timing generation unit 602 periodically generates a transmission timing signal and inputs the transmission timing signal to a transmission beamformer 604. The period of the transmission timing signal is controlled by the control unit 18 described later.
[0033]
The transmission beamformer 604 performs beamforming of the transmission, and generates a beamforming signal for forming an ultrasonic beam having a predetermined direction based on the transmission timing signal. The beam forming signal is composed of a plurality of drive signals to which time differences corresponding to directions are given. Beam forming is controlled by the control unit 18 described later. The transmission beam former 604 inputs the transmission beam forming signal to the transmission / reception switching unit 606.
[0034]
The transmission / reception switching unit 606 inputs a beamforming signal to the ultrasonic transducer array. In the ultrasonic transducer array, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers constituting a transmission aperture each generate an ultrasonic wave having a phase difference corresponding to a time difference of drive signals. An ultrasonic beam along a sound ray in a predetermined direction is formed by the wavefront synthesis of these ultrasonic waves.
[0035]
A reception beam former 610 is connected to the transmission / reception switching unit 606. The transmission / reception switching unit 606 inputs a plurality of echo signals received by the reception aperture in the ultrasonic transducer array to the reception beam former 610. The receiving beam former 610 performs received beam forming corresponding to the sound ray of the transmitted wave, adjusts the phase by giving a time difference to a plurality of received echoes, and then adds them to generate sound in a predetermined direction. An echo reception signal along the line is formed. The beam forming of the received wave is controlled by the control unit 18 described later.
[0036]
Transmission of the ultrasonic beam is repeated at predetermined time intervals by a transmission timing signal generated by the transmission timing generation unit 602. In accordance with this, the direction of the sound ray is changed by a predetermined amount by the transmission beam former 604 and the reception beam former 610. Thereby, the inside of the object 4 is sequentially scanned by sound rays. The transceiver unit 6 having such a configuration performs scanning as shown in FIG. 3, for example. That is, the fan-shaped two-dimensional region 206 is scanned in the θ direction by the sound ray 202 extending in the z direction from the radiation point 200, and so-called sector scan is performed.
[0037]
When the transmission and reception apertures are formed by using a part of the ultrasonic transducer array, the apertures are sequentially moved along the array to perform scanning as shown in FIG. 4, for example. That is, by moving a sound ray 202 emitted from the radiation point 200 in the z direction along a linear locus 204, a rectangular two-dimensional region 206 is scanned in the x direction, and a so-called linear scan is performed. Do.
[0038]
When the ultrasonic transducer array is a so-called convex array formed along an arc extending in the ultrasonic wave transmission direction, for example, as shown in FIG. Thus, it goes without saying that the so-called convex scan can be performed by moving the radiation point 200 of the sound ray 202 along the arc-shaped locus 204 and scanning the fan-shaped two-dimensional region 206 in the θ direction.
[0039]
The transmission / reception unit 6 is connected to a B-mode processing unit 10 and a Doppler processing unit 12. The echo reception signal for each sound ray output from the transmission / reception unit 6 is input to the B-mode processing unit 10 and the Doppler processing unit 12.
[0040]
The B-mode processing unit 10 forms B-mode image data. As shown in FIG. 6, the B mode processing unit 10 includes a logarithmic amplification unit 102 and an envelope detection unit 104. The B mode processing unit 10 logarithmically amplifies the echo reception signal by the logarithmic amplification unit 102, envelope detection by the envelope detection unit 104, and a signal representing the echo intensity at each reflection point on the sound ray, that is, an A scope A (scope) signal is obtained, and B-mode image data is formed with each instantaneous amplitude of the A scope signal as a luminance value.
[0041]
The Doppler processing unit 12 forms Doppler image data. The Doppler image data includes speed data, distributed data, and power data, which will be described later.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 7, the Doppler processing unit 12 includes a quadrature detection unit 120, an MTI filter (moving target indication filter) 122, an autocorrelation calculation unit 124, an average flow velocity calculation unit 126, a dispersion calculation unit 128, and a power calculation unit. 130 is provided.
[0043]
The Doppler processing unit 12 performs quadrature detection of the echo reception signal by the quadrature detection unit 120 and performs MTI processing by the MTI filter 122 to obtain a Doppler shift of the echo signal. Further, the autocorrelation calculation unit 124 performs autocorrelation calculation on the output signal of the MTI filter 122, the average flow velocity calculation unit 126 obtains the average flow velocity V from the autocorrelation calculation result, and the dispersion calculation unit 128 calculates the flow velocity from the autocorrelation calculation result. The variance T is obtained, and the power calculation unit 130 obtains the power PW of the Doppler signal from the autocorrelation calculation result.
[0044]
As a result, an echo source moving within the object 4, for example, an average flow velocity V of blood or the like, its dispersion T, and data representing the power PW of the Doppler signal are obtained for each sound ray. These image data indicate the average flow velocity, dispersion, and power of each point (pixel) on the sound ray. The speed is obtained as a component in the sound ray direction. Further, a direction approaching the ultrasonic probe 2 is distinguished from a direction moving away. The echo source is not limited to blood, and may be, for example, a micro balloon contrast agent injected into a blood vessel or the like.
[0045]
The B mode processing unit 10 and the Doppler processing unit 12 are connected to the image processing unit 14. The image processing unit 14 generates a B-mode image and a Doppler image based on data input from the B-mode processing unit 10 and the Doppler processing unit 12, respectively.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 8, the image processing unit 14 includes an input data memory 142, a digital scan converter 144, an image memory 146, and a processor connected by a bus 140. 148.
[0047]
The B-mode image data and the Doppler image data input for each sound ray from the B-mode processing unit 10 and the Doppler processing unit 12 are stored in the input data memory 142, respectively. Data in the input data memory 142 is scan-converted by the digital scan converter 144 and stored in the image memory 146. The processor 148 performs predetermined data processing on the data in the input data memory 142 and the image memory 146, respectively.
[0048]
A display unit 16 is connected to the image processing unit 14. The display unit 16 receives an image signal from the image processing unit 14 and displays an image based on the image signal. Note that the display unit 16 is configured by a graphic display or the like that can display a color image.
[0049]
A control unit 18 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 6, B-mode processing unit 10, Doppler processing unit 12, image processing unit 14, bottle receiver 8 and display unit 16. The control unit 18 gives control signals to these units to control their operation. Various notification signals are input to the control unit 18 from each part to be controlled.
[0050]
Under the control of the control unit 18, the B mode operation and the Doppler mode operation are executed. An operation unit 20 is connected to the control unit 18. The operation unit 20 is operated by an operator and inputs appropriate commands and information to the control unit 18. The operation unit 20 includes, for example, an operation panel including a keyboard, a pointing device, and other operation tools.
[0051]
The ultrasonic imaging using this apparatus will be described. The operator abuts the ultrasonic probe 2 on a desired portion of the object 4 and operates the operation unit 20 to perform an imaging operation using both the B mode and the Doppler mode, for example. As a result, under the control of the control unit 18, B-mode shooting and Doppler mode shooting are performed in a time-sharing manner. Thereby, for example, every time the Doppler mode scan is performed a predetermined number of times, the mixed scan of the B mode and the Doppler mode is performed at a rate of performing the B mode scan once.
[0052]
In the B mode, the transmission / reception unit 6 scans the inside of the object 4 in the order of sound rays through the ultrasonic probe 2 and receives the echoes one by one. The B-mode processing unit 10 logarithmically amplifies the echo reception signal input from the transmission / reception unit 6 by the logarithmic amplification unit 102, detects the envelope by the envelope detection unit 104, obtains an A scope signal, and based on the A scope signal, B-mode image data is formed.
[0053]
The image processing unit 14 stores B-mode image data for each sound ray input from the B-mode processing unit 10 in the input data memory 142. As a result, a sound ray data space for B-mode image data is formed in the input data memory 142.
[0054]
In the Doppler mode, the transmission / reception unit 6 scans the inside of the object 4 in the order of sound rays through the ultrasonic probe 2 and receives the echoes one by one. At that time, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and echoes are received a plurality of times per sound ray.
[0055]
The Doppler processing unit 12 performs quadrature detection on the echo reception signal by the quadrature detection unit 120, performs MTI processing by the MTI filter 122, obtains autocorrelation by the autocorrelation calculation unit 124, and calculates the average by the average flow velocity calculation unit 126 from the autocorrelation result. The flow rate is obtained, the dispersion is obtained by the dispersion operation unit 128, and the power is obtained by the power operation unit 130. Each of these calculated values is image data representing, for example, the average velocity of blood flow, the dispersion thereof, and the power of the Doppler signal for each sound ray and each pixel.
[0056]
The image processing unit 14 stores each Doppler image data for each sound ray and each pixel input from the Doppler processing unit 12 in the input data memory 142. As a result, a sound ray data space for each Doppler image data is formed in the input data memory 142.
[0057]
The processor 148 scan-converts the B-mode image data and the Doppler image data in the input data memory 142 by the digital scan converter 144 and writes them in the image memory 146. At that time, the Doppler image data is written as CFM image data and power Doppler (PDI) image data in which dispersion is added to the speed.
[0058]
The processor 148 writes the B-mode image data and the CFM image data in separate areas. The B-mode image shows a tomographic image of the body tissue on the sound ray scanning plane. The CFM image is an image showing a two-dimensional distribution such as a blood flow velocity on the sound ray scanning plane. In this image, the display color is varied depending on the direction of blood flow. Further, the brightness of the display color is varied according to the speed. In addition, the purity of the display color is changed by increasing the color mixture ratio of a predetermined color according to the dispersion.
[0059]
When these images are displayed on the display unit 16, for example, a B-mode image and a CFM image are superimposed and displayed. Thereby, a blood flow velocity distribution image with a clear positional relationship with the body tissue can be observed.
[0060]
FIG. 9 schematically shows the appearance of the apparatus. As shown in the figure, the apparatus has a housing 300. The housing 300 houses an electronics system that constitutes the apparatus. The display unit 16 is provided at the upper part of the housing 300, and the operation unit 20 is provided at the front part of the housing 300. The illustration of the ultrasonic probe 2 is omitted.
[0061]
The housing 300 is also provided with a bottle receiver 8. The bottle receiver 8 has a hole inserted into the housing 300, and the gel bottle 900 is inserted into the hole. It goes without saying that the bottle receiver 8 may be configured in a stubby manner instead of being built in the housing 300.
[0062]
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the gel bottle 900 is a container having a substantially cylindrical shape. The cross-sectional shape of the container is not limited to a circle, and may be an appropriate shape such as an ellipse. Both ends of the gel bottle 900 are nozzles 902 that protrude in the longitudinal direction, and the other is a bottom 904 that does not protrude. The thickness of the nozzle 902 is thinner than the thickness of the bottom 904 portion of the gel bottle 900.
[0063]
The gel bottle 900 contains an ultrasonic jelly or gel (not shown). The gel bottle 900 has flexibility, and the internal gel can be pushed out from the discharge port 912 at the tip of the nozzle by grasping the gel bottle 900 by hand.
[0064]
FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of the bottle receiver 8. As shown in the figure, the bottle receiver 8 has a cylindrical body 802. The cylinder 802 is an example of an embodiment of a cylinder in the present invention. The inside of the cylindrical body 802 is a generally cylindrical space (bore) that can receive the gel bottle 900. The cylindrical body 802 has an opening 804 and a bottom 806. The bottom 806 is an example of an embodiment of the contact portion in the present invention. The distance from the opening 804 to the bottom 806 of the cylindrical body 802, that is, the depth of the bore is shorter (shallow) than the length of the body of the gel bottle 900.
[0065]
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, when the gel bottle 900 is inserted into the cylinder 802 with the nozzle 902 facing up, the nozzle 902 and a part of the body that follows the nozzle 902 protrude from the cylinder 802. Thereby, the gel bottle 900 can be pulled out from the cylindrical body 802 by grasping the protruding portion.
[0066]
A hole 808 is provided in the bottom 806 in the extension direction of the bore. The hole 808 is an example of an embodiment of the hole in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the hole 808 is configured to receive the entire length of the nozzle 902 when the gel bottle 900 is inserted into the cylinder 802 with the nozzle 902 facing down. At this time, the bottom 904 of the gel bottle 900 and a part of the trunk that follows the gel bottle 900 protrude from the cylindrical body 802. Thereby, the gel bottle 900 can be pulled out from the cylindrical body 802 by grasping the protruding portion.
[0067]
The cylindrical body 802 has a heating element 810 on its inner surface. The heating element 810 warms the gel in the gel bottle 900 inserted into the cylindrical body 802. Heating element 810 is an example of an embodiment of the heating means in the present invention. As the heating element 810, for example, an electrical resistor that generates heat when energized is used. The heating element 810 is combined with a thermostat (not shown), and the heating is kept constant by energizing the heating element 810.
[0068]
An object detector 812 is provided in a portion near the bottom 806 of the inner surface of the cylindrical body 802. Note that the place where the object sensor 812 is provided is not limited to a portion close to the bottom 806 but may be an appropriate portion such as a portion close to the opening 804.
[0069]
The object detector 812 is configured using, for example, a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element facing each other. As the light emitting element, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used. The generated light is, for example, infrared or visible light. As the light receiving element, for example, a photodiode (PD: PhotoDiode) is used. The object detector 812 is not limited to a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and may be an appropriate object detector such as a limit switch, for example.
[0070]
An object sensor 814 is provided on the inner surface of the hole 808. The object detector 814 is similar to the object detector 812, and is configured using, for example, a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element or a limit switch.
[0071]
The object detector 812 detects the presence or absence of the gel bottle 900 inside the cylindrical body 802. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when there is nothing in the cylindrical body 802, it is sensed that the interior is empty when the light from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element, and is shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. When the gel bottle 900 is inserted into the cylindrical body 802, light from the light emitting element is blocked by the gel bottle 900 and does not reach the light receiving element, thereby sensing that the gel bottle 900 is inserted. The object sensor 812 is an example of an embodiment of the container detection means in the present invention.
[0072]
The object detector 814 detects the presence or absence of the nozzle 902 inside the hole 808. That is, when there is nothing in the hole 808 as shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12, it is sensed that the hole 808 is empty when the light from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element. When the nozzle 902 is inserted into the hole 808 as shown in FIG. 5B, the light of the light emitting element is blocked by the nozzle 902 and does not reach the light receiving element, thereby detecting that the nozzle 902 is inserted. The object sensor 814 is an example of an embodiment of direction detection means in the present invention. Moreover, it is an example of embodiment of the protrusion part detection means in this invention.
[0073]
FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of the heating control system. As shown in the figure, the detection signals of the object detectors 812 and 814, that is, the bottle detection signal and the nozzle detection signal are input to the control unit 18. Based on these input signals, the control unit 18 controls the switch 818 provided on the current supply line from the power source 816 to the heating element 810. The control unit 18 is an example of an embodiment of control means in the present invention.
[0074]
FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the input signal and the switch control. In the figure, the logical values of the bottle detection signal and the nozzle detection signal are 1: sense, 0: non-sense, and the switch control signal is 1: switch on, 0: switch off.
[0075]
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the combination of the logical values of the bottle detection signal and the nozzle detection signal is (1, 0), the switch is turned on. In this state, as shown in FIG. 12, the gel bottle 900 is inserted into the cylindrical body 802 with the nozzle 902 facing upward. At this time, the heating element 810 generates heat and the gel in the gel bottle 900 is heated. Heating is performed. That is, the bottle receiver 8 functions as a heater.
[0076]
As shown in (b) of the figure, when the combination of the logical values of the bottle detection signal and the nozzle detection signal is (1, 1), the switch is turned off. In this state, as shown in FIG. 13, the gel bottle 900 is inserted into the cylindrical body 802 with the nozzle 902 facing downward. At this time, the heating element 810 does not generate heat and the heating of the gel bottle 900 is Not done.
[0077]
Therefore, the gel is not pushed out from the nozzle by the thermal expansion of the air inside the gel bottle 900. For this reason, the gel bottle 900 can be temporarily placed on the cylinder 802 with the nozzle 902 facing down during use. That is, the bottle receiver 8 functions as a bottle receiver without heating. In addition, since the gel has viscosity, even if the nozzle 902 is placed downward, it does not flow out naturally.
[0078]
In this manner, the bottle receiver 8 serves both functions as a gel warmer and a temporary bottle receiver in use. When the combination of the logical values of the bottle detection signal and the nozzle detection signal is (1, 1), heating may be suppressed by reducing the energization amount instead of switching off.
[0079]
As shown in FIG. 6C, when the combination of the logical values of the bottle detection signal and the nozzle detection signal is (0, 0), the switch is turned off. This state is a state in which the cylindrical body 802 is empty as shown in FIG. In this state, the heating element 810 is not heated. This eliminates the waste of heating the empty cylinder 802.
[0080]
When the gel bottle 900 that has been heated up to that point is taken out of the cylinder 802, this state is reached, and the cylinder 802 gradually cools. For this reason, there is almost no residual heat when the gel bottle 900 is returned to the cylindrical body 802 after use. Therefore, even if the nozzle 902 is inserted downward, the gel is not extruded due to the thermal expansion of air.
[0081]
As shown in (d) of the figure, when the combination of the logical values of the bottle detection signal and the nozzle detection signal is (0, 1), the switch is turned off. This state means that the bore is empty and an object exists only in the hole 808. However, since this is not possible under normal conditions, the heating element 810 does not generate heat.
[0082]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a container receiver that can be used as a bottle receiver while having a heating means, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including such a container receiver can be realized. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a transmission / reception unit in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a schematic diagram of sound ray scanning by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a schematic diagram of sound ray scanning by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of sound ray scanning by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
6 is a block diagram of a B-mode processing unit in the apparatus shown in FIG.
7 is a block diagram of a part of a Doppler processing unit in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
8 is a block diagram of an image processing unit in the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a gel bottle.
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bottle receiver.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between a bottle receiver and a gel bottle.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between a bottle receiver and a gel bottle.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a heating control system.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a pattern of heating control.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Ultrasonic probe
4 subjects
6 transceiver
8 Bottle holder
10 B-mode processing section
12 Doppler processing section
14 Image processing unit
16 Display section
18 Control unit
20 Operation unit
900 Gel bottle
902 nozzle
904 bottom
802 cylinder
804 opening
806 bottom
810 Heating element
812, 814 Object detector

Claims (8)

A container receiver for a cylindrical container having a discharge port at one end,
A cylinder into which the container is inserted;
Heating means for heating the inside of the cylindrical body;
Direction detecting means for detecting whether the container has been inserted into the cylindrical body with its discharge port up or down; and
When it is detected by the direction detection means that the container has been inserted with its discharge port facing up, the heating means is controlled to heat the inside of the cylindrical body, while the direction detection means When it is detected that the container has been inserted with its discharge port down, the heating means does not heat the inside of the cylinder or suppresses the heating inside the cylinder. Control means for controlling
A container receiver for an ultrasonic imaging apparatus , comprising: The direction detecting means detects a direction based on the shape of the end of the container inserted into the cylinder.
The container receiver for an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1. A container receiver for a cylindrical container having a projecting part having a discharge port and a bottom part having a different shape at one end and the other end respectively,
When the container is inserted with its bottom part down, a contact part with which the bottom part abuts, and when the container is inserted with its protrusion part down, there is a hole part for receiving the protrusion part below the contact part. A cylinder having
Heating means for heating the inside of the cylindrical body;
Protrusion detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the protrusion in the hole,
Container detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the container in the cylindrical body;
When the protrusion is not detected by the protrusion detection means and the container is detected by the container detection means, the heating means is controlled to heat the inside of the cylindrical body, while the protrusion When the protrusion is detected by the part detecting means and the container is detected by the container detecting means, the inside of the cylindrical body is not heated or the heating inside the cylindrical body is suppressed. Control means for controlling the heating means;
A container receiver for an ultrasonic imaging apparatus , comprising: The container contains an ultrasonic jelly,
The container receiver for an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . An ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a container receiver for a cylindrical container having a discharge port at one end,
The container receiver is
A cylinder into which the container is inserted;
Heating means for heating the inside of the cylindrical body;
Direction detecting means for detecting whether the container has been inserted into the cylindrical body with its discharge port up or down; and
When it is detected by the direction detection means that the container has been inserted with its discharge port facing up, the heating means is controlled to heat the inside of the cylindrical body, while the direction detection means When it is detected that the container has been inserted with its discharge port down, the heating means does not heat the inside of the cylinder or suppresses the heating inside the cylinder. Control means for controlling
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: The direction detecting means detects a direction based on the shape of the end of the container inserted into the cylinder.
The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 5. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a container receiver for a cylindrical container having a protrusion having a discharge port and a bottom having a shape different from that of the protrusion at one end and the other end,
The container receiver is
When the container is inserted with its bottom part down, a contact part with which the bottom part abuts, and when the container is inserted with its protrusion part down, there is a hole part for receiving the protrusion part below the contact part. A cylinder having
Heating means for heating the inside of the cylindrical body;
Protrusion detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the protrusion in the hole,
Container detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the container in the cylindrical body;
When the protrusion is not detected by the protrusion detection means and the container is detected by the container detection means, the heating means is controlled to heat the inside of the cylindrical body, while the protrusion When the protrusion is detected by the part detecting means and the container is detected by the container detecting means, the inside of the cylindrical body is not heated or the heating inside the cylindrical body is suppressed. Control means for controlling the heating means;
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: The container contains an ultrasonic jelly,
The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the ultrasonic imaging apparatus is characterized in that

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