JP4908897B2 - Wireless ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a signal is wirelessly transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to an apparatus main body.

  There is known a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that wirelessly transmits echo data or the like obtained by an ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  In the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a transmission antenna is attached to an ultrasonic probe, and a radio signal modulated by an ultrasonic signal or the like is transmitted into the space from the transmission antenna. Then, the radio signal is received by a receiving antenna provided in the apparatus main body, and the received signal is demodulated in the apparatus main body to perform image processing and the like.

  The wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is expected to dramatically improve the operability of the ultrasonic probe by eliminating the probe cable that connects the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body. However, it is a fact that there are some problems to be overcome in realizing the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

JP 2004-141328 A JP 55-151952 A JP-A-53-108690

  A problem to be overcome in realizing a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is how to establish a wireless connection state between the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body.

  For example, when an operator of a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus wirelessly connects an ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body, an ultrasonic probe that can perform a measurement mode intended by the operator needs to be connected. Furthermore, the connected ultrasonic probe needs to be set to the measurement mode intended by the operator.

  In addition, for example, when an ultrasonic probe with a measurement mode set is exchanged with another ultrasonic probe or when an ultrasonic probe that has been used once is used again, every time the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body are wirelessly connected. It is troublesome for the operator to set the measurement mode again.

  In addition, for example, when a plurality of wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are used in close proximity in the same room or the like, radio wave interference occurs during wireless communication between the two wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. There is also a problem that the transmission quality of wireless communication with the main body deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made in such a background, and an object thereof is to provide an improved technique relating to establishment of a wireless connection state between an ultrasonic probe and an apparatus main body.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a signal is wirelessly transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body, and the ultrasonic probe is A transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a subject to acquire echo data, mode information for setting a measurement function of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and echo information generated based on the echo data; A wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits to the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body controls the apparatus main body in a measurement mode according to mode information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe; and an ultrasonic probe And an image forming unit that forms an ultrasonic image corresponding to the measurement mode based on echo information wirelessly transmitted from the image forming apparatus.

  In the above aspect, the main body control unit controls the apparatus main body in the measurement mode corresponding to the mode information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe. For example, when the operator of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus sets a measurement mode to the ultrasonic probe side, the measurement mode is wirelessly transmitted to the apparatus main body side as mode information. As a result, the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body can be operated in the same measurement mode. The mode information is wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body that has set the measurement mode based on the mode information informs the ultrasonic probe of the setting state of the measurement mode on the apparatus main body side. May be. Thereby, it becomes possible to mutually recognize the mutual measurement mode between the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a signal is wirelessly transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body. The probe is a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject to acquire echo data, a wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits echo information generated based on the acquired echo data to the apparatus body, A probe control unit that controls the ultrasonic probe, and the apparatus main body includes an image forming unit that forms an ultrasonic image based on echo information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, and a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. A mode information transmission unit that wirelessly transmits mode information for setting the measurement function to the ultrasonic probe, and the probe control unit of the ultrasonic probe is And controlling the ultrasonic probe in the measurement mode corresponding to the mode information transmitted.

  In the above aspect, the probe control unit controls the ultrasonic probe in the measurement mode corresponding to the mode information wirelessly transmitted from the apparatus main body. For example, when the operator of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus sets a measurement mode on the apparatus main body side, the measurement mode is wirelessly transmitted to the ultrasonic probe side as mode information. As a result, the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body can be operated in the same measurement mode.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a signal is wirelessly transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body. The probe includes a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject to acquire echo data, probe identification information set for the ultrasonic probe, and echo information generated based on the echo data, A wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits to the apparatus main body, the apparatus main body configured to control the apparatus main body based on probe identification information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, and to transmit wirelessly from the ultrasonic probe. And an image forming unit that forms an ultrasonic image based on the transmitted echo information.

  In the above aspect, the main body control unit controls the apparatus main body based on the probe identification information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, for example, an ultrasonic probe corresponding to the probe identification information can be specified, and a measurement mode corresponding to the specified ultrasonic probe can be automatically set in the apparatus main body.

  In a preferred aspect, the main body control unit of the apparatus main body specifies an ultrasonic probe corresponding to the probe identification information based on probe identification information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, and performs measurement according to the specified ultrasonic probe. The apparatus main body is controlled in a mode. In a preferred aspect, the main body control unit of the apparatus main body detects a specific ultrasonic probe from a plurality of ultrasonic probes based on the probe identification information, and wirelessly connects to the detected specific ultrasonic probe. It is characterized by establishing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a signal is wirelessly transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body. The probe includes a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject to acquire echo data, and a wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a signal generated based on the acquired echo data and carrier wave to the apparatus body The apparatus main body receives a signal wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, uses a reference wave to restore echo data from the signal, and based on the restored echo data An image forming unit that forms an ultrasonic image, and adjusting the frequency of at least one of the carrier wave of the ultrasonic probe and the reference wave of the apparatus main body, It is tuned to the frequency of the reference wave and establishes a wireless connection between the apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe.

  In the above aspect, for example, even when two wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are used close to each other, one wireless ultrasonic diagnosis is performed at a frequency different from the frequency of the carrier wave or reference wave of the other wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. By tuning the frequency of the carrier wave and the reference wave of the apparatus, it is possible to avoid interference between the two wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses.

  According to the present invention, an improved technique for establishing a wireless connection state between an ultrasonic probe and an apparatus main body is provided. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to mutually recognize the mutual measurement mode between the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body. Further, for example, the measurement mode setting can be automated. In addition, for example, interference between a plurality of wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses can be avoided.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  1 and 2 are views for explaining a preferred embodiment of a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. The wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe and an apparatus main body. FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the apparatus main body. It is shown.

  First, the ultrasonic probe will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of transducers 102 that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from a subject. An ultrasonic transmission circuit (not shown) is connected to each transducer 102, and ultrasonic pulses are transmitted from the plurality of transducers 102 toward the subject in accordance with signals output from the transmission circuit. The Then, a plurality of transducers 102 receive reflected waves (echoes) obtained from the subject.

  An amplifier 104 and an analog-digital converter (ADC) 106 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of vibrators 102. Each amplifier 104 amplifies the reception result of the corresponding transducer 102 and outputs it to the corresponding ADC 106. As a result, the received signal obtained from each transducer 102 is digitized and output from the plurality of ADCs 106 to the digital beam former 108.

  The digital beam former 108 is a circuit that performs reception beam forming by phasing and adding reception data (digitized reception signals) obtained from a plurality of ADCs 106. In the present embodiment, the digital beam former 108 performs a first-stage phasing addition process. That is, for a plurality of transducers 102, for example, 64 transducers 102, the phasing addition processing is performed for each transducer group including eight adjacent transducers 102. Then, phasing addition processing is performed for each of the eight transducer groups, and the phasing addition result of each transducer group is set as one channel, and phasing addition data of a total of eight channels is output from the eight transducer groups.

  Incidentally, the second-stage phasing addition processing is performed in the digital beam former (reference numeral 210 in FIG. 2) in the apparatus main body, which will be described later, and the received data obtained from all the transducers 102 is one beam data. It is summarized as.

  The PS conversion unit 110 receives the 8-channel phasing addition data formed in the digital beamformer 108 as parallel data, and converts the received 8-channel parallel data into serial data arranged in a line in the time axis direction. In this way, the phasing addition data for eight channels converted into serial data is output from the PS conversion unit 110.

  The digital beam former 108 performs phasing addition processing on the reception data output one after another for each reception beam. Therefore, the phasing addition results for the plurality of reception beams are output one after another from the digital beam former 108, and the phasing addition data for the plurality of reception beams are output one after another in time series from the PS conversion unit 110. In this process, synchronization data of each reception beam is inserted into a series of serial data output from the PS conversion unit 110, and a segment for each reception beam is provided in the serial data.

  The wireless transmission unit 112 performs digital modulation processing such as PSK (Phase Shift Keying) based on the serial data output from the PS conversion unit 110. Instead of PSK, digital modulation processing such as ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) and FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) may be used. Then, the modulated signal is power amplified and transmitted as a radio wave from the transmission antenna 114. The transmission antenna 114 is a planar antenna, for example.

  In this way, a radio signal (echo information) modulated by the digital echo signals collected in one channel is transmitted from the transmission antenna 114. For example, a one-channel radio signal having a transmission carrier frequency of 60 GHz and a band of about 1 GHz is transmitted.

  The operation panel 122 is a device that receives a user operation, and includes, for example, a plurality of button switches. The probe control unit 120 has a function of controlling each unit in the ultrasonic probe, and further generates probe information related to the ultrasonic probe. The probe information related to the ultrasonic probe is, for example, mode information, probe type information, probe ID, or the like.

  The mode information is information related to the measurement function of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and is used to set measurement modes such as the B mode, M mode, Doppler mode, and color Doppler mode. In the present embodiment, the measurement mode is set by the operator via the operation panel 122 of the ultrasonic probe, for example. That is, when the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is to be used in the B mode, for example, the operator can set the measurement mode to the B mode via the operation panel 122 of the ultrasonic probe.

  The probe type information is information indicating the type (type) of the ultrasonic probe. For example, if the ultrasonic probe is a probe that three-dimensionally collects echo data, the probe type information indicates that it is a three-dimensional probe. Also, probe type information may be set according to the type of electronic scanning (linear scanning, sector scanning, etc.), or probe type information may be set according to the diagnosis target (heart, blood vessel, fetus, etc.). .

  The probe ID is identification information for specifying the ultrasonic probe. The probe ID is used, for example, for specifying an ultrasonic probe when diagnosis is performed using a plurality of wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. The probe ID is set by the operator via the operation panel 122 for each ultrasonic probe. Or probe ID may be allocated for every ultrasonic probe at the time of manufacture of an ultrasonic probe.

  The probe control unit 120 generates probe information in accordance with a user operation or the like input via the operation panel 122, and controls each unit in the ultrasonic probe based on the probe information and the like. The probe information generated by the probe control unit 120 is transmitted to the wireless transmission unit 112, and the wireless transmission unit 112 wirelessly transmits the probe information from the transmission antenna 114 to the apparatus main body.

  Note that the wireless transmission unit 112 may transmit the serial data (echo data) and the probe information output from the PS conversion unit 110, for example, in different frequency bands or in different time zones. . Further, probe information may be inserted into serial data output from the PS conversion unit 110. For example, probe information is inserted into an empty area (such as an inter-beam area) of echo data in serial data.

  Further, the probe control unit 120 has a function of controlling the ultrasonic probe with reference to information on the apparatus main body side input via the main body information receiving unit 118. That is, as will be described in detail later, mode information set on the apparatus main body side is wirelessly transmitted as main body information from the apparatus main body, and the wirelessly transmitted main body information is transmitted via the receiving antenna 116 to the main body information receiving unit. The received body information is transmitted to the probe controller 120.

  Next, the apparatus main body will be described. A radio signal (a signal including echo information and probe information) transmitted from the transmission antenna 114 of the ultrasonic probe is received by the reception antenna 202 of the apparatus main body shown in FIG.

  The wireless reception unit 204 performs preamplification processing, power amplification processing, and the like on the received wireless signal. Further, demodulation processing is performed on a radio signal subjected to digital modulation processing such as PSK. Thereby, the data before being modulated by the wireless transmission unit 112 of the ultrasonic probe, that is, the serial data output from the PS conversion unit 110 is reproduced (restored).

  In addition, the wireless reception unit 204 extracts probe information included in the demodulated data and outputs the probe information to the main body control unit 220. The function of the main body control unit 220 will be described later.

  The SP conversion unit 206 converts the 8-channel phasing addition data included in the reproduced serial data into parallel data. At this time, the data is converted into 8-channel parallel data based on the synchronization data of the received beam included in the serial data.

  Thus, parallel data corresponding to the data formed by the digital beam former 108 of the ultrasonic probe is stored in the memory 208. Data stored in the memory 208 is read at a timing corresponding to the subsequent processing of the memory 208. As the memory 208, for example, a first input first output (FIFO) type device is used.

  The digital beam former 210 reads the parallel data stored in the memory 208 and executes the second-stage phasing addition process. That is, parallel data corresponding to the data formed by the digital beamformer 108 is read from the memory 208, phasing addition processing is executed based on the read parallel data for eight channels, and the reception data obtained from all the transducers 102 is obtained. The wave data is collected to form one beam data. The beam data is sequentially formed for each received beam and output to the image forming unit 212.

  The image forming unit 212 forms image data of ultrasonic images such as a B-mode image, an M-mode image, and a Doppler image based on beam data that is sequentially formed for each reception beam. Then, an ultrasonic image corresponding to the formed image data is displayed on the monitor 214.

  The operation panel 222 is a device that receives user operations, and includes, for example, a plurality of button switches, a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, and the like. The main body control unit 220 has a function of controlling each unit in the apparatus main body, and further generates main body information related to the apparatus main body in response to a user operation. The main body information related to the apparatus main body is, for example, mode information or an apparatus main body ID.

  The mode information is information related to the measurement function of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and is used to set measurement modes such as the B mode, M mode, Doppler mode, and color Doppler mode. In the present embodiment, the measurement mode can be set via the operation panel 122 of the ultrasonic probe as described above, but can also be set via the operation panel 222 of the apparatus main body.

  The device main body ID is identification information for specifying the device main body. The apparatus main body ID is used to specify the apparatus main body when, for example, diagnosis is performed using a plurality of wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. The apparatus main body ID is set by the operator via the operation panel 222 for each apparatus main body. Alternatively, an apparatus main body ID may be assigned to each apparatus main body at the time of manufacturing the apparatus main body.

  The main body control unit 220 generates main body information in accordance with a user operation or the like input via the operation panel 222, and controls each unit in the apparatus main body based on the main body information or the like. The main body information generated by the main body control unit 220 is transmitted to the main body information transmission unit 218, and the main body information transmission unit 218 wirelessly transmits the main body information from the transmission antenna 216 to the ultrasonic probe.

  Furthermore, the main body control unit 220 has a function of controlling the apparatus main body with reference to information on the ultrasonic probe side input via the wireless reception unit 204. That is, as described above, mode information set on the ultrasonic probe side is wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe as probe information, and the wirelessly transmitted probe information is wirelessly received via the receiving antenna 202. Probe information received by the unit 204 and extracted by the wireless receiving unit 204 is transmitted to the main body control unit 220.

  As described above, the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 has a configuration in which probe information is wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body can refer to the probe information. The main body information is wirelessly transmitted from the apparatus main body to the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic probe can refer to the main body information. With this configuration, in the present embodiment, a mutual recognition function (handshake function) that mutually recognizes the measurement mode between the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body, and a mutual recognition function between the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body. An ID confirmation function for confirming the ID is realized. Therefore, these functions will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the mutual recognition function will be described. As described above, the mode information for setting the measurement mode of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may be set from the operation panel 122 of the ultrasonic probe or set from the operation panel 222 of the apparatus main body. Sometimes. Therefore, the apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe set a common measurement mode intended by the operator for the apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe while communicating with each other.

  For example, when the operator sets a measurement mode on the apparatus body side, body information including the measurement mode is wirelessly transmitted from the apparatus body, and the ultrasound probe receives the body information. The main body control unit 220 on the apparatus main body controls the apparatus main body side according to the transmitted measurement mode, and the probe control unit 120 on the ultrasonic probe side controls the ultrasonic probe according to the received measurement mode. Thereby, the apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe are set to a common measurement mode according to the mode information set on the apparatus main body side. Then, after the measurement mode is set, the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body start a diagnostic operation in the measurement mode.

  By the way, after the measurement mode on the ultrasonic probe side is set according to the measurement mode set on the device main body side, the ultrasonic probe is notified by wireless transmission to the device main body that the measurement mode has been set. May be. Thereby, the diagnostic operation can be started after the apparatus main body side confirms the setting state of the measurement mode of the ultrasonic probe.

  On the other hand, when the operator sets the measurement mode on the ultrasonic probe side, probe information including the measurement mode is wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, and the apparatus main body receives the probe information. The probe control unit 120 controls the ultrasonic probe side according to the transmitted measurement mode, and the main body control unit 220 controls the apparatus main body according to the received measurement mode. Thereby, the apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe are set to a common measurement mode by the mode information set on the ultrasonic probe side.

  In this embodiment, since the measurement mode can be set from the operation panel 122 of the ultrasonic probe and the operation panel 222 of the apparatus main body, different measurement modes are set from the ultrasonic probe side and the apparatus main body side. Is also possible. In this case, for example, a message indicating that the measurement mode is not available may be displayed on the monitor 214 of the apparatus main body. Alternatively, either the apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe may be given priority, and the priority measurement mode may be set as a common measurement mode.

  Next, the ID confirmation function will be described. As described above, the probe ID for specifying the ultrasonic probe is transmitted from the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body ID for specifying the apparatus main body is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the ultrasonic probe. The

  When a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used, the ultrasonic probe may be replaced depending on the purpose of diagnosis. That is, a case where a specific ultrasonic probe among a plurality of ultrasonic probes is wirelessly connected to one apparatus main body can be considered. In this case, in this embodiment, a specific ultrasonic probe is detected based on the probe ID set for the ultrasonic probe.

  For example, the operator inputs the probe ID of the ultrasonic probe used for the target diagnosis to the apparatus main body via the operation panel 222. The device main body receives probe information transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic probes, extracts probe IDs included therein, and collates probe IDs transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic probes with probe IDs input by an operator. Then, the target ultrasonic probe is detected. Thus, a wireless connection is established with the detected specific ultrasonic probe.

  Further, the main body control unit 220 of the apparatus main body controls the apparatus main body in a measurement mode corresponding to the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the probe ID based on the probe ID wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe. For example, with respect to a plurality of ultrasonic probes that can be wirelessly connected to the apparatus main body, the apparatus main body obtains probe information such as a measurement mode according to the probe and the probe ID of the probe for each ultrasonic probe. Store them in association with each other. Then, the apparatus main body acquires the probe ID from the wirelessly connected ultrasonic probe, and controls the apparatus main body side according to the probe information associated with the probe ID. Thereby, for example, it is not necessary to set a measurement mode or the like every time the ultrasonic probe is replaced, and it is possible to avoid a complicated user operation.

  The ultrasonic probe collates the device main body ID transmitted from the plurality of device main bodies with the probe ID input by the operator from the operation panel 122 to detect the target device main body, and the detected specific device main body A wireless connection may be established between the two.

  In addition to the functions described above, the present embodiment employs a configuration that avoids interference between a plurality of wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. The configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the wireless transmission unit (reference numeral 112 in FIG. 1) of the ultrasonic probe. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless transmission unit 112 of the ultrasonic probe includes a carrier wave generation unit 130, a modulator 132, and a power amplifier 134.

  The carrier wave generation unit 130 generates a carrier wave used by the modulator 132 under the control of the probe control unit 120. The modulator 132 performs digital modulation processing such as PSK on the carrier wave based on the serial data output from the PS conversion unit 110. The modulated signal is power amplified by the power amplifier 134 and transmitted as a radio wave from the transmission antenna 114.

  In the wireless transmission unit 112 having such a configuration, the carrier generation unit 130 switches the frequency of the carrier according to the control of the probe control unit 120. For example, the frequency of the carrier wave is set from three frequencies of 60.0 GHz, 60.5 GHz, and 61.0 GHz. Thereby, the center frequency of the radio signal transmitted from the transmitting antenna 114 is switched to any one of these three frequencies.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the wireless reception unit (reference numeral 204 in FIG. 2) of the apparatus main body. As shown in FIG. 4, the radio reception unit 204 of the apparatus main body includes a reference wave generation unit 230, a preamplifier 232, a power amplifier 234, and a demodulator 236.

  A radio signal (a signal including echo information and probe information) transmitted from the ultrasonic probe is received by the receiving antenna 202 of the apparatus main body. The received radio signal is subjected to preamplification processing in the preamplifier 232 and further subjected to power amplification processing in the power amplifier 234.

  The demodulator 236 performs demodulation processing on the signal after power amplification processing using a reference wave. The reference wave is supplied from the reference wave generator 230. The reference wave generation unit 230 switches the frequency of the reference wave according to the control of the main body control unit 220. As described above (see FIG. 3), the center frequency of the radio signal transmitted from the ultrasonic probe is, for example, three frequencies of 60.0 GHz, 60.5 GHz, and 61.0 GHz according to the frequency of the carrier wave. Is set to one of these. Therefore, the reference wave generator 230 sets the frequency of the reference wave from among the three frequencies of 60.0 GHz, 60.5 GHz, and 61.0 GHz corresponding to the carrier wave. Then, the demodulator 236 performs detection processing on the radio signal received using the reference wave supplied from the reference wave generating unit 230.

  In the demodulator 236, even if the detection process is executed in a state where the frequency of the reference wave does not match the frequency of the carrier wave, the signal before the modulation process cannot be restored. On the other hand, when the detection process is executed in a state where the frequencies of the carrier wave and the reference wave are tuned (matched), the signal before the modulation process is restored. That is, by performing detection processing or the like by tuning the frequency of the carrier wave and the reference wave, the signal before being subjected to digital modulation processing such as PSK in the modulator of the ultrasonic probe (reference numeral 132 in FIG. 3), That is, the serial data output from the PS converter (reference numeral 110 in FIG. 1) is reproduced (restored). The reproduced serial data is supplied to the SP conversion unit 206.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the frequency of the carrier wave on the ultrasonic probe side and the frequency of the reference wave on the apparatus body side can be switched. This makes it possible to avoid interference between a plurality of wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. That is, for example, of two wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, the frequency of the carrier wave and the frequency of the reference wave are set to 60.0 GHz for one apparatus, and the frequency of the carrier wave and the reference wave are set to 61 for the other apparatus. Set to 0 GHz. Thus, by using the two wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in different frequency bands, it becomes possible to avoid interference between the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses.

  The frequency of the carrier wave and the reference wave can be set by the operator so as to avoid interference. For example, the operator sets the frequency of the carrier wave and reference wave of one of the two wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses to 60.0 GHz, and sets the frequency of the carrier wave and reference wave of the other apparatus to 61.0 GHz. Is possible.

  Further, the frequencies of the carrier wave and the reference wave can be automatically set so that the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus avoids interference. For example, the probe control unit 120 periodically switches three frequencies (60.0 GHz, 60.5 GHz, 61.0 GHz) of the carrier wave every second. On the other hand, the main body control unit 220 periodically switches three frequencies (60.0 GHz, 60.5 GHz, 61.0 GHz) of the reference wave every 3 seconds. The demodulator 236 performs demodulation processing in a state where the carrier wave and the reference wave are periodically switched with each other.

  The demodulation process is normally executed in a period in which the carrier wave and the reference wave match (tune) among the periodically generated frequency combinations. Therefore, the frequency of the carrier wave and the reference wave may be set to the frequency during the period when the demodulation process is normally executed.

  Note that whether or not the demodulation process has been normally executed is determined based on, for example, whether or not data such as the probe ID transmitted from the ultrasonic probe is accurately extracted. That is, if the probe ID can be extracted accurately, it can be determined that the wireless signal has been transmitted from the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body without any problem. On the other hand, if the probe ID cannot be extracted accurately, the frequency of the carrier wave and the reference wave do not match, or even if the carrier wave and the reference wave match, signals from other wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses may interfere. Further, a combination of frequencies at which the probe ID can be extracted is searched by periodically switching the carrier wave and the reference wave.

  In addition to the determination based on the probe ID, for example, it may be determined whether the demodulation is normally performed based on the power of the signal demodulated by the demodulator 236. Further, if the demodulated signal can be demodulated with a power larger than a certain threshold value but the probe ID cannot be extracted, it may be determined that there is interference.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, interference between a plurality of wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses can be avoided by the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Incidentally, in order to switch the carrier wave of the ultrasonic probe, a configuration in which the wireless transmission unit 112 shown in FIG. 3 or 1 is physically exchanged may be employed. For example, in FIG. 1, a transmission unit in which the wireless transmission unit 112 and the transmission antenna 114 are combined into one unit and an ultrasonic unit in which the functions from the transducer 102 to the PS conversion unit 110 are combined into one unit are configured. Uses a hardware configuration in which two units are connected by cables. And it is set as the structure which can replace | exchange a transmission unit with another transmission unit. Thereby, it is possible to selectively use several transmission units having different carrier frequencies to switch the carrier frequency.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only a mere illustration in all the points, and does not limit the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram of the ultrasonic probe of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the apparatus main body of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structure of a radio | wireless transmission part. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structure of a radio | wireless receiving part.

Explanation of symbols

  112 wireless transmission unit, 118 main body information reception unit, 120 probe control unit, 122 operation panel, 130 carrier wave generation unit, 204 wireless reception unit, 218 main body information transmission unit, 220 main body control unit, 222 operation panel, 230 reference wave generation unit .

Claims (4)

In a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a signal is wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body,
The ultrasonic probe is
A transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject to acquire echo data;
A wireless transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting probe identification information set for the ultrasonic probe and echo information generated based on echo data to the apparatus body;
Have
The apparatus main body is
A main body control unit for controlling the apparatus main body based on probe identification information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe;
An image forming unit that forms an ultrasonic image based on echo information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe;
An operation device that receives probe identification information of a specific ultrasonic probe used for a target diagnosis from an operator;
Have
The apparatus main body stores, for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes, mode information for setting a measurement function and probe identification information of the ultrasonic probe in association with each other,
The main body control unit of the apparatus main body collates the probe identification information wirelessly transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic probes with the probe identification information received from the operator, so that the specific ultrasonic wave is selected from the plurality of ultrasonic probes. Detecting the sonic probe, establishing a wireless connection with the specific ultrasonic probe, and further, based on the mode information stored in association with the probe identification information of the specific ultrasonic probe, Control the device body in the measurement mode according to the ultrasonic probe ,
The wireless transmitter of the ultrasonic probe wirelessly transmits a signal generated by modulating a carrier wave based on data including probe identification information and echo data to the apparatus body,
The apparatus main body has a wireless reception unit that receives a signal wirelessly transmitted from an ultrasonic probe and demodulates the signal by using a reference wave,
The carrier wave is periodically switched to one of a plurality of frequencies;
The reference wave is periodically switched to any one of the plurality of frequencies at a period different from the carrier wave,
This sets the frequency of the carrier wave and the reference wave to the frequency of the period in which the demodulation in the radio reception unit of the device main body is normally performed among the combinations of frequencies that are periodically generated
A wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 ,
Determining whether or not the demodulation has been normally executed based on whether or not the apparatus main body has extracted the probe identification information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe;
A wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
When the signal demodulated by the apparatus main body has a power larger than a threshold, and when the apparatus main body cannot extract probe identification information wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, the apparatus main body determines that it is interference, and further Search for a combination of frequencies at which probe identification information can be extracted by periodically switching the frequency of the carrier wave and the reference wave.
A wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The ultrasonic probe has a probe control unit for controlling the ultrasonic probe,
The apparatus main body has a mode information transmission unit that wirelessly transmits mode information for setting the measurement function of the wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the ultrasonic probe,
The probe controller of the ultrasonic probe controls the ultrasonic probe in a measurement mode according to mode information wirelessly transmitted from the apparatus main body.
A wireless ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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