JP5153477B2 - Ultrasonic observation apparatus and method of operating ultrasonic observation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic observation apparatus that displays an ultrasonic image on a screen and an operation method of the ultrasonic observation apparatus.

  In recent years, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses have been widely used in the medical field. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe that irradiates a living body with ultrasonic waves and receives an echo signal thereof, and an ultrasonic observation apparatus connected to the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic observation apparatus performs various signal processing on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe to generate image data. At the time of medical diagnosis, an ultrasonic image based on the generated image data is displayed on a monitor or the like.

  The ultrasonic observation apparatus has a function of switching the display of an ultrasonic image on a monitor in accordance with the position of a region of interest such as a lesion. For example, it is possible to switch the display range (depth) in the depth direction, image rotation, image parallel movement, and the ultrasonic observation apparatus performs display according to the content of the operation when these switching operations are performed. A switching process is performed on the ultrasound image. Then, the ultrasonic image that has undergone the display switching process is displayed again on the monitor.

In order to facilitate the switching operation of ultrasonic images, for example, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 1, operations such as image rotation and parallel movement are performed continuously and stepwise with a trackball provided on an operation panel. It is possible to go to. In addition, an ultrasonic diagnostic system in which a dedicated switch for switching the display depth is provided on the operation panel has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-315753 A JP 2007-313202 A

  As described above, in order to switch the display of the ultrasound image, display switching processing corresponding to the switching operation must be performed on the ultrasound image. When the display switching process starts, the ultrasound observation apparatus cannot accept the next switching operation until the process is completed. Therefore, the conventional ultrasound observation apparatus has a time difference for allowing the next switching operation after the switching operation is performed until the display switching process is started. For this reason, the time from when the switching operation is completed until the display of the ultrasound image is switched is the sum of the above-described time difference and the time required for the display switching process, and the display of the ultrasound image is performed by the amount of time difference. There was a problem that switching would be delayed, causing stress on the surgeon.

  In addition, since the speed of the switching operation varies depending on the operator, if a common time difference is applied, depending on the operator, the switching operation interval may be longer than the time difference, and the switching operation may not be accepted. . In such a case, the surgeon must wait for the display switching process to end and then perform a switching operation again, and it takes a considerable amount of time until the surgeon achieves the desired display. However, if the time difference is set to be long so that it can cope with the operations of all surgeons, the time from the switching operation to the display switching is naturally prolonged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an ultrasonic observation apparatus capable of reducing the time required for switching the display of an ultrasonic image and reducing an operator's stress, and the ultrasonic observation apparatus. It aims to provide a method of operation .

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic observation apparatus of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an ultrasonic image, an operation input unit that inputs a switching signal that instructs display switching of the ultrasonic image, and the operation. Based on the operation history stored in the storage means, the detection means for detecting the operation input state of the input means, the storage means for storing the operation input state detected by the detection means as the operation history of the operation input means, A determination unit that determines a waiting time T from the end of input to the start of ultrasonic image display switching processing, and a waiting time T after the detection unit detects the end of input of the switching signal. And a processing means for executing the display switching process.

  The storage means preferably stores an operation history for each user.

  The operation input means preferably inputs the switching signal continuously and step by step.

Furthermore, the sensing means, continuously and input interval Delta] t i before and after switching signal stepwise input _{(i = 1,2, ···, n} -1) preferably has a timer for counting a. The storage means preferably stores the input interval Δt _i as an operation history, and the determining means preferably determines the waiting time T according to the input interval Δt _i .

Further, it is preferable that the storage means stores the input interval Δt _i for n times as an operation history, and the determination means determines the waiting time T according to the average value (ΣΔt _i ) / n−1 of the input interval Δt _i .

The determining means may determine the waiting time T according to the input interval Δt _n−1 of the switching signal input last and the switching signal input immediately before the input interval Δt _i , or The waiting time T may be determined according to the longest input interval Δt _max among the input intervals Δt _i .

Furthermore, determining means, the average value of the input interval _{Δt i (ΣΔt i) / n} -1, the input interval Delta] t _n-1 of the last input switching signal inputted immediately before the switching signal or the longest _input, The waiting time T is preferably obtained by adding the allowable time Tα to the interval Δt _max .

  In addition, when a new switching signal is input during the display switching process according to the previous switching signal, the processing unit stops the processing and starts the display switching process according to the new switching signal. It may be a thing.

  Further, the detection means may detect whether or not the operation input means is being operated, and may detect the end of the switching signal input based on the detection result. In this case, the operation input means is a dial switch, and the detection means is attached to the rotary shaft of the dial switch, and the rotary disk provided with the detected portion at a pitch narrower than the pitch at which the input of the switching signal is detected; It is preferable to have a rotary encoder composed of a photoelectric sensor for detecting the detected part and detect whether or not the operation input means is being operated based on the presence or absence of the output of the photoelectric sensor.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a processing means performs any one of the change of the display depth of an ultrasonic image, rotation, and parallel movement as a display switching process.

The operation method of the ultrasonic observation apparatus of the present invention includes a display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image, an operation input unit for inputting a switching signal for instructing display switching of the ultrasonic image, a detection unit, and a storage unit. An operation method of an ultrasonic observation apparatus including a determination unit and a processing unit , wherein a detection step of detecting an operation input state of the operation input unit by the detection unit, and an operation input of the operation input state detected by the detection step Based on the storage step stored in the storage means as the operation history of the means and the operation history stored in the storage means, the waiting time T from the end of the input of the switching signal to the start of the display switching process of the ultrasonic image is determined. a determining step of determining by means at a waiting time T from the detection of the input end of the switching signal in detecting step, the processing means display switching processing according to the switching signal Characterized by comprising a processing step of the line.

  According to the present invention, the operation input state of the operation input unit is recorded as the operation history, and the waiting time T until the display switching process is executed is determined based on the operation history. The optimum waiting time T corresponding to the operation input state made so far is determined, and the time until the display of the ultrasonic image is switched can be shortened to reduce the operator's stress. Further, since the waiting time T is determined according to the input interval of the switching signal, it is possible to reliably accept the switching operation even for an operator with a long switching operation interval.

  In FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 of the present invention includes an ultrasonic endoscope 10 and an ultrasonic observation apparatus 11 to which the ultrasonic endoscope 10 is connected. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 irradiates an observation site with ultrasonic waves and performs various signal processing on an echo signal that is a reverberation thereof, thereby generating an ultrasonic image that visualizes the internal state of the observation site. The ultrasonic image is displayed on a monitor 21 connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 11 and used for medical diagnosis.

  The ultrasonic endoscope 10 includes a CCD (not shown) that captures an optical image of a site to be observed at the tip of an elongated insertion portion that is inserted into the body of a subject, and an ultrasound for obtaining an ultrasonic image. A sonic transducer 12 is arranged. The optical image obtained by the CCD is input to an endoscope processor device (not shown) connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 10, and after various processing, as an endoscope image on a monitor (not shown). Is displayed.

  For example, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 12 are provided at equal intervals on a convex curved backing material. The ultrasonic transducer 12 vibrates in accordance with the excitation signal input from the transmission unit 13 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 11 and irradiates ultrasonic waves to the opposite observation site. Then, the echo signal of the ultrasonic wave reflected from the site to be observed is received and input to the receiving unit 14 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 11. The transmitter 13 and the receiver 14 are connected to the ultrasonic transducer 12 via a multiplexer (MUX) 15. The MUX 15 selects several to several tens of adjacent blocks among the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 12 and drives them simultaneously. Further, the MUX 15 shifts one to several ultrasonic transducers 12 to be driven for each transmission / reception of the ultrasonic wave and the echo signal.

  The echo signal received by the receiving unit 14 is digitized by an A / D converter (A / D) 16 and input to a signal processing circuit 17. The signal processing circuit 17 delays a plurality of echo signals corresponding to each ultrasonic transducer 12 by a predetermined time, adjusts and adds the echo signals so that all the phases of the echo signals are aligned, and then removes the ultrasonic carrier component. Filter processing, logarithmic compression processing for adjusting gain and dynamic range, and the like are performed. Then, signal processing such as gain adjustment (STC: Sensitivity Time Control) corresponding to attenuation of the propagation distance (depth) of the ultrasonic wave is performed on the echo signal to generate ultrasonic image data.

  The ultrasonic image data is input to a digital scan converter (DSC) 18. The DSC 18 performs raster conversion on the ultrasonic image data, converts it to the NTSC system, and outputs it to the image memory 19. The D / A converter (D / A) 20 converts the ultrasonic image data stored in the image memory 19 into an analog signal again, and displays it on the monitor 21 as an ultrasonic image.

  The operation of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 11 is controlled by the control circuit 22. The control circuit 22 transmits a reference pulse to the transmission unit 13 and the reception unit 14 to control the transmission / reception timing of the excitation signal and the echo signal. In addition, when an operation for switching the display of the ultrasonic image is performed, the control circuit 22 controls the voltage of the excitation signal to change the ultrasonic penetration (ultrasonic power), or the signal processing circuit 17 The ultrasonic image data corresponding to the operation is generated by controlling the signal processing and the conversion processing in the DSC 18.

  A ROM 23, a RAM 24, and an operation console 25 are connected to the control circuit 22. The ROM 23 is composed of, for example, a flash memory, and stores various programs and data necessary for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. The control circuit 22 reads out necessary programs and data from the ROM 23 to the RAM 24, which is a working memory, and controls the operation of each unit. The ROM 23 further uses operating conditions (excitation signal voltage, transmission / reception timing, etc.) of the transmission unit 13 and the reception unit 14, signal processing conditions in the signal processing circuit 17, DSC 18, which are used in ultrasonic image display switching processing. A plurality of various conditions such as conversion processing conditions are stored.

  The console 25 is a user interface of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 11 and inputs various operation signals to the control circuit 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the console 25 includes a power switch 30 for turning on / off the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, a character key group 31 operated when inputting various setting information, and a monitor 21. A trackball 32 that is operated when moving the cursor or pointer displayed on the screen, a set button 33 for determining the operation, a cancel button 34 for canceling the operation, and the like are provided.

  The console 25 is further provided with a depth switch 35 for switching the display range (display depth) of the ultrasonic image in the depth direction. The depth switch 35 is a well-known dial switch, and is set so that the display depth becomes deep when rotated clockwise, and the display depth becomes shallow when rotated counterclockwise. The depth switch 35 is clicked every time it rotates by a predetermined amount, and a switching signal is input to the control circuit 22 each time.

  The switching signal is, for example, a positive voltage signal in the clockwise direction and a negative voltage signal in the counterclockwise direction, and the control circuit 22 determines the display depth based on the rotation direction of the depth switch 35 and the number of times the switching signal is input. To do. The control circuit 22 reads various conditions according to the determined display depth from the ROM 23, and operates the transmission unit 13, the reception unit 14, the signal processing circuit 17, and the DSC 18 based on the read conditions. Thereby, an ultrasonic image corresponding to the display depth is displayed on the monitor 21.

  For example, when the display of the ultrasonic image on the monitor 21 is in the state shown in FIG. 3A, when the depth switch 35 is rotated clockwise by a certain amount, the control circuit 22 displays the display depth corresponding to the rotation amount. The ultrasonic power is increased so that the ultrasonic wave reaches a deeper part of the region of interest. Then, signal processing and conversion processing corresponding to the display depth are executed to generate ultrasonic image data, and an ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor 21 based on this. Then, the display of the ultrasonic image is switched to the state shown in FIG. 3B, and the display depth is deepened.

  On the contrary, when the display of the ultrasonic image is in the state of FIG. 3B, when the depth switch 35 is rotated counterclockwise by a certain amount, the control circuit 22 weakens the ultrasonic power, Change signal processing and conversion processing conditions. Then, the display of the ultrasonic image is switched to the state shown in FIG. 3A, and the display depth becomes shallow. At the same time, the right scale indicating the scale of the ultrasonic image is also switched according to the display depth. Note that the depth switch 35 may be set so that the display depth decreases in the clockwise direction and the display depth increases in the counterclockwise direction.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control circuit 22 includes a timer 26, a standby time determination unit 27, and an operation history database 28. When the switching signal is input, the timer 26 starts measuring time. The standby time determination unit 27 determines a standby time T from when the switching signal is input to when signal processing for display switching is started. The waiting time T is a margin for receiving a plurality of switching signals input continuously and stepwise. The operation history database 28 stores the input interval of the switching signal used when determining the waiting time T, that is, the time measurement result of the timer 26 as operation history data n times retroactively from the present. The operation history data is erased in order from the old data and updated to new data every time the display switching process is executed. Note that the number of operation history data stored in the operation history database 28 is set to an appropriate number of inputs according to the capacity of the operation history database 28 and the like.

The control circuit 22 determines the standby time T by the standby time determination unit 27 in advance when the first switching signal is input or before it is input. The standby time determination unit 27 first reads the switching signal input interval Δt _i (i = 1, 2,..., N−1) recorded as operation history data from the operation history database 28. Then, an average value (ΣΔt _i / n−1) of the input interval Δt _i is calculated, and a value obtained by adding a predetermined allowable time Tα to the standby time T {(ΣΔt _i / n−1) + Tα}. . The allowable time Tα is a margin when the input interval is delayed from the average value, and is stored in the ROM 23, for example.

For example, if you set to store input interval of 10 times of the switching signal as the operation history data, the operation history database 28, nine input interval minus 1 10 Delta] t ₁ ～Derutati ₉ is stored . The standby time determination unit 27 reads the _nine input intervals Δt _{1 to} Δt 9 from the operation history database 28 and determines the standby time T to be (Δt ₁ + Δt ₂ +... + Δt ₉ ) / 9 + Tα. Note that an initial value of the waiting time T is stored in the ROM 23 in preparation for the case where the waiting time T cannot be determined based on the operation history data, such as when nothing is stored in the operation history database 28. The standby time determination unit 27 determines this initial value as the standby time T when the operation history data cannot be referred to.

  When the second switching signal is not input and the timer 26 exceeds the waiting time T, the control circuit 22 reads various conditions corresponding to the first switching signal from the ROM 23. Then, the display switching process is started according to this condition, and ultrasonic image data in which the display depth is changed is generated. The display depth is switched by displaying the ultrasonic image on the monitor 21 based on the ultrasonic image data generated in this way.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second switching signal is input before the timer 26 exceeds the waiting time T, the control circuit 22 counts the timer 26 at that time, that is, 1 The input interval Δt ′ ₁ of the second and second switching signals is temporarily stored in, for example, the RAM 24. Then, the timer 26 is reset and a new time measurement is started. If the third switching signal is input before the waiting time T has elapsed after the second switching signal is input, the control circuit 22 sets the input interval Δt ′ ₂ between the second and third switching signals. Further, the timer 26 saves and starts a new time measurement. In this way, each time a new switching signal is input at an interval shorter than the waiting time T, the storage of the timing result and the start of a new timing are repeated. Therefore, the RAM 24 stores input intervals Δt ′ _j (j = 1, 2,..., M−1) corresponding to the number m (m ≦ n) of switching signals input in a continuous batch of operations. .

When the standby time T elapses after the last switching signal is input, the control circuit 22 reads various conditions corresponding to the last switching signal and starts display switching processing. At the same time, the control circuit 22 replaces the input interval Δt ′ _j temporarily stored in the RAM 24 with the old operation history data stored in the operation history database 28 and updates the data. At this time, when the input number m of the current switching signal is smaller than the input number n set in the operation history database 28 (m <n), all the current input intervals Δt ′ _j are stored. The same number of operation history data is deleted in order from the oldest. On the other hand, when the input number m of the current switching signal is the same as the input number n set in the operation history database 28 (m = n), all of the input intervals Δt ′ _j obtained this time are n times. The latest input interval Δt _i is stored in the operation history database 28 and all old operation history data is deleted.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the depth switch 35 is operated and the first switching signal is input to the control circuit 22 (S1), the standby time determination unit 27 reads the operation history data from the operation history database 28 and determines the standby time T. (S2). Then, the control circuit 22 starts measuring time by the timer 26. When the second switching signal is not input and the time of the timer 26 exceeds the waiting time T (YES in S3), the display switching process corresponding to the first switching signal is started (S8). On the other hand, if the second switching signal is input before the timer 26 exceeds the standby time T (YES in S4), the timer 26 at that time, that is, the input interval Δt ′ _j (in this case, Δt ' ₁ ) is temporarily stored in the RAM 24 (S5). The control circuit 22 resets the timer 26 and starts a new time measurement.

After the second switching signal is input, when the waiting time T has elapsed without the third switching signal being input (YES in S6), the display switching process corresponding to the second switching signal is started (S8). . On the other hand, if the third switching signal is input before the waiting time T elapses (YES in S7), the input interval Δt ′ _j (in this case, Δt ′ ₂ ), which is the time measurement result of the timer 26, is obtained. Temporarily saved (S5), the timer 26 starts timing.

Then, when the waiting time T has elapsed without a new switching signal being input (YES in S6), a display switching process corresponding to the switching signal input last is started (S8), and the ultrasonic image is displayed. The display is switched (S10). When the display switching process is started, the control circuit 22 updates the operation history data in the operation history database 28 at the input interval Δt ′ _j temporarily stored in the RAM 24 (S9). The updated operation history data is read out at the time of the next switching operation and used for determining the waiting time T. Further, at an appropriate timing after the end or the like of the step 10, the input interval Derutati' _j stored in the RAM24 is erased.

The waiting time T is, for example, the input interval Δt _n−1 of the switching signal input last and the switching signal input immediately before it, in addition to the average value of the input interval Δt _i + the allowable time Tα. It may be a value obtained by adding an allowable time Tα. In this case, each time a switching signal is input, the time measurement result temporarily stored in the RAM 24 is overwritten with the time measurement result of the timer 26 at that time. Then, only the last input interval Δt _n−1 is stored in the operation history database 28. In this way, the capacity of the operation history database 28 can be reduced. Further, it is possible to save time and effort for calculating the average value when determining the waiting time T. Further, the RAM 24 can be used as an operation history database without providing the operation history database 28, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

Alternatively, the waiting time T may be set by adding the allowable time Tα to the longest input interval Δt _max among the input intervals of the switching signals. This also provides the effect that the capacity of the operation history database 28 can be reduced, as described above. In this case, each time a switching signal is input, the timekeeping result temporarily stored in the RAM 24 is compared with the timekeeping result of the current timer 26, and only when the current timekeeping result exceeds the RAM24. Is overwritten. Then, only the longest input interval Δt _max is stored in the operation history database 28. The operator can arbitrarily select which of the average value of the input intervals (ΣΔt _i / n−1), the last input interval (Δt _n−1 ), and the longest input interval (Δt _max ). You may do it.

In the above embodiment, the operator name may be registered in advance in the operation history database 28, and the operation history data may be recorded for each operator. In this case, for example, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, a user button 36 for selecting an operator is provided on the console 25. When using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, an operator is first selected. The standby time determination unit 27 reads the operator's operation history data from the operation history database 28 and determines the standby time T. Further, the input interval Δt ′ _j temporarily stored in the RAM is recorded in the operation history database 28 in association with the selected operator name. In this way, an optimal standby time can be set for each operator.

  In each of the above embodiments, when the display switching process is started, the input of the switching signal cannot be accepted until the process is completed. Therefore, after the display switching process is started, the standby time T may not be provided and the switching signal may be handled. As shown in FIG. 6, when a new switching signal is inputted (YES in S2) while the display switching process is being executed (S1 NO), the control circuit 22 counts the time measurement result of the timer 26 at that time. Is temporarily stored in the RAM 24 (S3), the processing up to that point is stopped, and the processing corresponding to the new switching signal is started (S4). By doing so, it is possible to cope with the input of a new switching signal even during the display switching process.

  Further, the operation of the depth switch may be detected mechanically. The surgeon may determine the amount of display depth switching during operation of the depth switch. In such a case, if it is detected whether or not the depth switch is operated and the display switching process is not started if the depth switch is being operated, the standby time T can be widened, and the switching amount can be reduced. Time can be given to the surgeon for judgment. For detecting the operation of the depth switch, for example, two sets of rotary encoders including a rotary disk and a photoelectric sensor are used.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the depth switch 40 has a shaft portion 41 protruding into the console 25. A rotary disc 42 for detecting rotation and a rotary disc 43 for switching signal are attached to the middle and tip of the shaft portion 41. The rotary disks 42 and 43 have notches 46 and 47 whose outer peripheral edges are notched at a constant pitch along the circumferential direction. Further, the notches 46 of the rotary disk 42 are formed at a pitch shorter than the notches 47 of the rotary disk 43 (for example, a pitch that is 1/5 of the notches 47). A photoelectric sensor 44 for detecting rotation and a photoelectric sensor 45 for switching signal are arranged in accordance with the positions of the rotary disks 42 and 43. The rotary disks 42 and 43 and the photoelectric sensors 44 and 45 constitute a rotary encoder. The photoelectric sensors 44 and 45 are well-known transmissive sensors having a U-shaped cross section, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided at positions where the peripheral edges of the rotary disks 42 and 43 are sandwiched from above and below. Reference numeral 48 denotes a collar for preventing the depth switch 40 from coming off. Further, in order to avoid complication, the notches 46 and 47 are 16 and 4 respectively, but in reality there are more than this.

  When the depth switch 40 is rotated by one click, the notch 47 of the rotary disk 43 for switching signal passes through the recess of the photoelectric sensor 45 once. As a result, the signal level of the photoelectric sensor 45 becomes High, and a switching signal is input to the control circuit 22. On the other hand, the notch 46 of the rotary disk 42 for rotation detection passes through the recess of the photoelectric sensor 44 four times while the depth switch 40 rotates by one click. Therefore, the signal level of the photoelectric sensor 44 becomes High four times. Even when the switching signal is input, the control circuit 22 defers the timing for starting the display switching process every time the signal level of the photoelectric sensor 44 increases or decreases. By doing this, it is possible to determine the display depth switching amount using the amount of time that has been postponed. The detection of whether or not the operation is performed is not limited to the rotary encoder, and for example, a finger contact sensor may be incorporated in the depth switch, and the end of the operation may be detected when the operator's finger leaves the switch. .

  Note that the present invention is suitable for all dial switches that are rotated, and in addition to the above-described depth switch, a rotation for rotating an ultrasonic image around the center of ultrasonic scanning on the screen of the monitor 21. The present invention can also be applied to a switch, a move switch for moving an ultrasonic image in the horizontal direction on the screen of the monitor 21, and the like. In this case, display switching processing (rotation or parallel movement) according to the operation may be performed on the ultrasonic image created by the DSC 18.

  Furthermore, a push-type depth switch can be used instead of the dial-type depth switches 35 and 40. As shown in FIG. 8, on the right hand side of the console 50, a plurality of push-type depth switches 51 are arranged in a vertical line. Each depth switch 51 corresponds to a predetermined display depth, and inputs a switching signal to the control circuit 22 when pressed. An LED lamp 52 is arranged on the right hand of each depth switch 51. The LED lamp 52 is turned on when the depth switch 51 is pressed, and indicates the currently selected display depth. According to this configuration, since a desired display depth can be selected immediately, operability is improved. In addition, the current display depth can be easily confirmed. Furthermore, unlike the dial type, the display depth is uniquely determined, so there is no need to set a waiting time.

  In each of the above embodiments, a depth switch is provided on the console. However, as shown in FIG. 9, a display depth window 56 may be displayed on the screen of the touch panel monitor 55. In the display depth window 56, a scale 57 indicating the display depth and a pointer 58 indicating the current display depth are displayed. When the surgeon moves the pointer 58 up and down with a fingertip, a touch pen or the like, a switching signal is input to the control circuit 22, and an ultrasonic image having a display depth corresponding to the position of the pointer 58 is redisplayed on the monitor 55.

  In each of the above embodiments, an ultrasonic endoscope in which an ultrasonic transducer and an imaging unit are integrated has been described as an example. However, the present invention is also applicable to an ultrasonic probe that does not include an imaging unit. Can do. The ultrasonic probe may be an insertion type probe that is inserted into the body from the forceps port of the endoscope, or may be a contact type probe that is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of this invention. It is a top view of the console provided with the dial type depth switch. It is explanatory drawing which shows display switching of an ultrasonic image, (a) shows the case where a display depth is shallow, (b) shows the case where a display depth is deep, respectively. It is explanatory drawing which shows an input space | interval. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which provides standby time and performs signal processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which performs a signal processing, without providing standby time. It is a perspective view around a depth switch showing a rotary disk and a photoelectric sensor. It is a top view of the console provided with the push type depth switch. It is explanatory drawing which shows the touchscreen type monitor in which the display depth window was displayed.

Explanation of symbols

2 Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device 10 Ultrasound Endoscope 11 Ultrasound Observation Device 13 Transmitter 14 Receiver 17 Signal Processing Circuit 21, 55 Monitor 22 Control Circuit 26 Timer 27 Standby Time Determination Unit 28 Operation History Database 35, 40, 51 Depth Switch 42, 43 Rotary disc 44, 45 Photoelectric sensor

Claims (13)

Display means for displaying an ultrasound image;
Operation input means for inputting a switching signal for instructing display switching of an ultrasonic image;
Detecting means for detecting an operation input state of the operation input means;
Storage means for storing the operation input state detected by the detection means as an operation history of the operation input means;
A determination unit for determining a waiting time T from the end of input of the switching signal to the start of the display switching process of the ultrasonic image based on the operation history stored in the storage unit;
An ultrasonic observation apparatus comprising: a processing unit that executes a display switching process according to the switching signal after a waiting time T has elapsed after the detection unit detects the end of input of the switching signal.   The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores an operation history for each user.   The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation input unit inputs a switching signal continuously and stepwise. The detection means includes a timer for measuring the input interval Δt _i (i = 1, 2,..., N−1) of the switching signal before and after being input continuously and stepwise.
The storage means stores the input interval Δt _i as an operation history,
The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines the waiting time T according to the input interval Δt _i . The storage means stores an input interval Δt _i for n times as an operation history,
The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determining unit determines the waiting time T according to an average value (ΣΔt _i ) / n−1 of the input interval Δt _i . The determining means determines the waiting time T according to the input interval Δt _n−1 of the switching signal input last and the switching signal input immediately before it among the input intervals Δt _i stored in the storage means. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determining unit determines the waiting time T according to the longest input interval Δt _max among the input intervals Δt _i stored in the storage unit. Said determining means, the average value _{(ΣΔt i) / n-1} , the input interval Delta] t _n-1 of the last input switching signal inputted immediately before the switching signal or the longest input _interval, the input interval Delta] t _i The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a waiting time T is obtained by adding Δt _max to an allowable time Tα.   The processing means, when a new switching signal is inputted during the display switching process according to the previous switching signal, stops the processing and starts the display switching process according to the new switching signal. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   10. The detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects whether the operation input unit is being operated, and detects the end of input of the switching signal based on the detection result. Ultrasonic observation equipment. The operation input means is a dial switch,
The detection means is attached to a rotary shaft of the dial switch, and includes a rotary disk provided with a detected portion at a pitch narrower than a pitch at which an input of a switching signal is detected, and a photoelectric sensor that detects the detected portion. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a rotary encoder configured to detect whether the operation input unit is being operated based on presence or absence of an output of the photoelectric sensor.   The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit executes any one of change, rotation, and parallel movement of a display depth of an ultrasonic image as a display switching process. Ultrasound provided with display means for displaying an ultrasonic image, operation input means for inputting a switching signal for instructing display switching of the ultrasonic image, detection means, storage means, determination means, and processing means A method of operating a sound wave observation device,
A detecting step of detecting an operation input state of the operation input means by said detecting means,
A storage step of storing the operation input state detected in the detection step in the storage unit as an operation history of the operation input unit;
A determination step of determining, by the determination means, a waiting time T from the end of the input of the switching signal to the start of the display switching process of the ultrasonic image based on the operation history stored in the storage means;
An ultrasonic observation comprising: a processing step of performing a display switching process in accordance with the switching signal by the processing means after a waiting time T has been detected after detecting the input end of the switching signal in the detection step. How the device works .

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