JP5385721B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a configuration for locking a wheel and raising / lowering an operation unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  There is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a lock mechanism that can take a state of locking a wheel and a state of releasing the lock. For example, Patent Document 1 includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that includes a lock pedal and a release pedal, the caster is locked by a stepping operation of the lock pedal, and the caster is unlocked by a stepping operation of the release pedal. Is described.

  In addition, there is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that includes an elevating mechanism that can take a state in which the operation unit is allowed to move up and down and a state in which the operation unit is locked up and down, and the height of the operation unit can be adjusted. For example, there is known an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allows the operation unit to move up and down while operating the hand lever, and locks the operation unit up and down at other times.

Japanese Patent No. 4210235

  By the way, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a pedal for locking a wheel and a pedal for unlocking the wheel, two types of pedals must be stepped on to lock the wheel, and the operation is not easy.

  In addition, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allows the operation unit to be raised and lowered by operating the hand lever, there is a problem that the operation force is heavy because it must be operated by hand.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that has high operability for locking the wheel and raising and lowering the operation unit.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a wheel locking pedal, and a state in which the wheel of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is locked and a state in which the wheel is unlocked according to a stepping operation of the wheel locking pedal. A state in which the operation unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is allowed to move up and down in response to a stepping operation of the operation unit elevating pedal, and the operation unit elevating and lowering An operation unit elevating mechanism that switches to a locked state, and the wheel locking pedal includes a stepping portion disposed on both sides of a stepping portion of the operation unit elevating pedal, and the operation unit elevating pedal. And a connecting portion that connects the stepped portions on both sides so as to straddle each other.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the stepped portion of the wheel locking pedal and the stepped portion of the operation unit elevating pedal are located above the stepped portion of the operation unit elevating pedal. A height difference is provided so as to be located.

  In the aspect of the invention, the connecting portion has a convex shape on the upper side so that the position of the portion facing the pedal for raising and lowering the operation portion is higher than the positions of the stepped portions on both sides.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with high operativity can be provided about the lock | rock of a wheel and the raising / lowering of an operation part.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the front part of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment concerning an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the pedal vicinity part. It is a side view of the pedal vicinity part. It is a bottom view of the pedal vicinity part. It is a side view for demonstrating operation of a pedal. It is a side view for demonstrating operation of a pedal. It is a side view for demonstrating operation of a pedal. It is a side view for demonstrating operation of a pedal. It is a side view for demonstrating operation of a pedal. It is a side view for demonstrating operation of a pedal.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is an apparatus that performs ultrasonic wave transmission / reception with respect to a subject (for example, a living body) and forms an ultrasonic image such as a tomographic image based on a reception signal obtained thereby. In FIG. 1, illustration of an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 10, an operation unit 20, a display unit 30, a caster 40, a wheel lock mechanism 50, and an operation unit elevating mechanism 60.

  The apparatus main body 10 is a central part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and serves as a base for supporting the operation unit 20. Specifically, the apparatus body 10 includes a control device such as a computer that controls the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, a metal housing that houses the control device, and a resin exterior cover that covers the housing. Including.

  The operation unit 20 receives an operation input from a user. The operation unit 20 includes, for example, various operation buttons and a trackball, and is called an operation panel.

  The display unit 30 displays an ultrasonic image and various types of information, and is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display, for example. In the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 30 is attached to the operation unit 20 via the arm member 21.

  The caster 40 is for moving the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 on the floor surface. The caster 40 includes a wheel 41 and a wheel support portion 42 that supports the wheel 41 so as to be rotatable and turnable. In the example of FIG. 1, four casters 40 are attached to the apparatus main body 10.

  The wheel lock mechanism 50 is a mechanism that locks the wheel 41 and has a locked state in which the wheel 41 is locked and an unlocked state in which the wheel 41 is unlocked. The wheel lock mechanism 50 includes a wheel lock pedal 51 that is a foot pedal, and switches between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to a stepping operation of the wheel lock pedal 51.

  In one aspect, the wheel lock mechanism 50 locks both rotation and turning of the wheel 41 in the locked state. However, the wheel lock mechanism 50 may be configured to lock one of rotation and turning of the wheel 41.

  In one embodiment, the wheel lock mechanism 50 locks the two front wheels 41 (that is, the front wheels) in the locked state. However, the wheel lock mechanism 50 may be configured to lock the front and rear four wheels 41 (that is, the front and rear wheels), for example.

  In a specific embodiment, the wheel lock mechanism 50 is an alternate type (also called a position holding type, push-on / push-off type), and each time the wheel lock pedal 51 is depressed, the lock state and the unlock state are changed. It is comprised so that it may switch alternately.

  The operation unit elevating mechanism 60 is a mechanism that supports the operation unit 20 so that the operation unit 20 can be moved up and down, and has an unlocked state that allows the operation unit 20 to move up and down and a locked state that locks the operation unit 20 up and down. The operation unit elevating mechanism 60 includes an operation unit elevating pedal 61 that is a foot pedal, and is switched between an unlocked state and a locked state in accordance with the depressing operation of the operation unit elevating pedal 61.

  In a specific embodiment, the operation unit elevating mechanism 60 is a momentary type (also referred to as an automatic return type), and allows the operation unit 20 to elevate while the operation unit elevating pedal 61 is depressed. When the raising / lowering pedal 61 is not depressed, the raising / lowering of the operation unit 20 is locked (the raising / lowering position is fixed).

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the wheel locking pedal 51 and the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal 61 will be described.

  The wheel locking pedal 51 and the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal 61 are configured so as not to interfere with each other even when the stepping operation is performed, and can be operated independently of each other.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, generally, the frequency of the operation of locking / unlocking the wheels is higher than the frequency of the operation of locking / unlocking the raising / lowering of the operation unit. Therefore, if the wheel lock pedal 51 is configured to be easier to step on than the operation unit elevating pedal 61, the operability for the user is high. Further, it is desirable that the wheel locking pedal 51 and the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal 61 are arranged in consideration of space efficiency.

  Therefore, from the viewpoint of operability, space efficiency, and the like, the wheel locking pedal 51 and the operation unit raising / lowering pedal 61 are concentratedly arranged as follows.

  The wheel locking pedal 51 connects the stepped portions 51a and 51b disposed on both sides of the stepped portion 61a of the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal 61 and the stepped portions 51a and 51b on both sides so as to straddle the operation unit lifting and lowering pedal 61. Connecting portion 51c. Specifically, the stepping portions 51a and 51b are arranged in the vicinity of the stepping portion 61a so as to surround the stepping portion 61a. The stepping portions 51a, 51b, and 61a are portions that receive stepping operations from the user.

  In one embodiment, the stepped portions 51a and 51b of the wheel locking pedal 51 are stepped on the stepped portions 51a and 51b of the wheel locking pedal 51 and the stepped portion 61a of the operating portion lifting and lowering pedal 61. A height difference is provided so as to be located above the portion 61a. This takes into account the frequency of use of both pedals and prevention of erroneous operation.

  Moreover, in one aspect, the connection part 51c has a convex shape upward so that the position of the part facing the operation part raising / lowering pedal 61 is higher than the positions of the stepping parts 51a and 51b on both sides. This is in consideration of arranging the stepped-in portions 51a and 51b of the wheel locking pedal 51 at a certain low position while avoiding interference between the pedals.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the wheel locking pedal 51 and the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal 61 are disposed at the left and right central portions on the lower front side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. However, the wheel locking pedal 51 and the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal 61 may be arranged at other positions.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. 3, 4, and 5 are a perspective view, a side view, and a bottom view of the vicinity of the pedal, respectively. 6a to 6c and FIGS. 7a to 7c are side views for explaining the operation of the pedal. Hereinafter, the wheel lock mechanism 50 and the operation unit elevating mechanism 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, the exterior cover and the like are not shown for convenience of explanation.

  First, the wheel lock mechanism 50 will be described. The wheel lock pedal 51 is connected to a shaft 53 extending in the left-right direction via an arm 52. The arm 52 and the shaft 53 are configured such that the shaft 53 rotates around the axis when the wheel locking pedal 51 is depressed. Specifically, a mechanism for locking the rotation of the shaft 53 is provided at a portion where the arm 52 is connected to the shaft 53, and each time the wheel locking pedal 51 is depressed, the rotation angle of the shaft 53 becomes It is configured to switch between an angle of 1 and a second angle.

  Wheel support portions 42 of the left and right casters 40 are connected to both ends of the shaft 53. The wheel support portion 42 includes a mechanism 42 a that locks the wheel 41, a locked state that prevents the rotation and turning of the wheel 41 according to the rotation of the shaft 53, and an unlocked state that allows the rotation and turning of the wheel 41. Are configured to be switched. Specifically, the wheel support portion 42 is configured to be unlocked when the rotation angle of the shaft 53 is the first angle, and to be locked when the rotation angle is the second angle. . As the mechanism 42a, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 can be used.

  6a and 7a, the depressed portions 51a and 51b of the wheel locking pedal 51 are in a horizontal state, the rotation angle of the shaft 53 is the first angle, and the wheel support portion 42 is in an unlocked state. From this state, as shown in FIGS. 6b and 7b, when the wheel lock pedal 51 is stepped on to a predetermined angle (for example, 25 degrees from the horizontal), the rotation angle of the shaft 53 becomes the second angle, and the wheel support 42 is It becomes locked. The rotation angle of the shaft 53 is maintained, and the locked state of the wheel support portion 42 is maintained. Next, as shown in FIGS. 6c and 7c, when the wheel locking pedal 51 is further depressed to a predetermined angle (for example, 30 degrees from the horizontal), the shaft 53 is unlocked, and the rotation angle of the shaft 53 is the first angle. Returning to the angle, the wheel support 42 is unlocked. That is, the state returns to the state of FIGS. 6a and 7a, and the stepping portions 51a and 51b return to the horizontal state. In this way, the wheel 41 is locked and unlocked by a one-way operation on one pedal.

  Next, the operation unit elevating mechanism 60 will be described. The operation unit elevating mechanism 60 includes an expandable / contractible expansion / contraction member 62 provided between the apparatus main body 10 and the operation unit 20. The telescopic member 62 is a member extending in the vertical direction, the lower end thereof is fixed to the apparatus main body 10, and the upper end is attached to the operation unit 20. The elastic member 62 has an unlocked state in which the expansion and contraction is allowed and a locked state in which the expansion and contraction is locked. The telescopic member 62 includes an unlocking member 62a (for example, a lock pin), and is unlocked while the unlocking member 62a is being pressed, and is locked when the unlocking member 62a is not being pressed. It is comprised so that. Therefore, while the unlocking member 62a is being pressed, the operation unit 20 is allowed to move up and down. When the unlocking member 62a is not being pressed, the operation unit 20 is locked up and down, and the operation unit 20 is locked. The vertical position of is fixed.

  In one embodiment, the telescopic member 62 plays a role of assisting the operation of raising the operation unit 20 by urging the operation unit 20 upward or suppressing the operation unit 20 from suddenly descending. For example, a gas spring with a lock mechanism.

  In a specific aspect, the operation unit lifting mechanism 60 includes a support member 63 including a guide member attached to the apparatus body 10 and a guided member attached to the operation unit 20 and guided in the vertical direction by the guide member. Have. In one example, the guide member and the guided member are constituted by an outer pipe and an inner pipe. The outer pipe and the inner pipe are cylindrical members extending in the vertical direction, and the inner pipe is held in the outer pipe so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The movement of the inner pipe is guided by a linear motion guide mechanism (linear guide) that includes a guide rail and a moving block that moves while being guided by the guide rail. For example, a linear guide rail is provided on the inner surface side of the outer pipe, and a linear guide block is provided on the outer surface side of the inner pipe. The elastic member (for example, gas spring) 62 is inserted through the inner pipe, for example. In addition, the specific aspect of a guide member and a guided member is not limited above, For example, a plate-shaped member may be used as a guide member or a guided member.

  The operation part raising / lowering pedal 61 is connected to the apparatus main body 10 so as to be rotatable around a support shaft 64 in the left-right direction, and has an operation part 61b that moves up and down by a stepping operation on the stepping part 61a. The actuating portion 61b faces the unlocking member 62a and pushes the unlocking member 62a while the stepping portion 61a is stepped on, and pushes the unlocking member 62a when the stepping portion 61a is not stepped on. Is configured to not. For example, the operation unit elevating pedal 61 includes a return spring for returning to the original state after being depressed.

  6a to 6c, the stepped portion 61a of the operation unit raising / lowering pedal 61 is rotated upward by a predetermined angle (for example, 10 degrees) from the horizontal, and the operating portion 61b is in a position not pressing the unlocking member 62a. . Therefore, the telescopic member 62 is in a locked state, and the vertical position of the operation unit 20 is fixed. From this state, as shown in FIGS. 7a to 7c, when the operation unit elevating pedal 61 is depressed to a predetermined angle (for example, 0 degree from the horizontal), the unlocking member 62a is pushed by the operating unit 61b, and the telescopic member 62 is unlocked. Therefore, while the operation unit elevating pedal 61 is depressed, the operation unit 20 is allowed to move up and down, and the user can adjust the vertical position of the operation unit 20. When the foot is released from the operation unit elevating pedal 61, as shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c, the operating unit 61b does not press the unlocking member 62a, and the telescopic member 62 is in a locked state. Therefore, the user can fix the operation unit 20 at the current position by releasing the foot from the operation unit elevating pedal 61.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a wheel lock mechanism that switches between a state in which a wheel is locked and a state in which the lock is released according to a stepping operation on a wheel locking pedal, and a stepping operation on an operation unit elevating pedal. An operation unit elevating mechanism that switches between a state that allows the operation unit to be raised and lowered and a state that locks the elevating operation. The wheel lock pedal includes a stepped portion disposed on both sides of the stepped portion of the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal and a connecting portion that connects the stepped portions on both sides so as to straddle the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal. For this reason, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having high operability with respect to the locking of the wheels and the raising and lowering of the operation unit is obtained.

  Specifically, for example, the following effects can be obtained. That is, the wheel can be locked and unlocked by a stepping operation on one pedal (wheel locking pedal), and the operation becomes easier than a configuration in which two types of pedals are stepped on. In addition, since the operation unit is allowed to be lifted and locked by depressing the lifting / lowering pedal, it can be operated with the foot, and the operating force is lighter than when operated by hand. Adjustment of the direction position becomes easy.

  Further, since the wheel locking pedal is configured to have two stepped portions connected to each other, the pedal can be depressed with either one of the feet, and the operability is high. Further, since the two depression portions are provided on the wheel locking pedal, which is relatively frequently used, to facilitate the stepping, it is convenient for the user.

  Moreover, since the form differs between the wheel locking pedal and the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an erroneous operation. For example, when two similar pedals are arranged side by side, an erroneous operation that unlocks the operation unit in an attempt to operate the lock of the wheel, or an unlocking of the wheel in an attempt to unlock the operation unit Although the occurrence of an erroneous operation is assumed, according to the present embodiment, the occurrence of such an erroneous operation can be suppressed.

  Further, by limiting the region where the operation unit elevating pedal can be stepped on by the connecting portion of the wheel lock pedal, it is possible to make it difficult to depress the operation unit elevating pedal that is relatively infrequently used. Can be prevented from stepping on by mistake.

  Moreover, space saving can be achieved by centrally arranging the wheel locking pedal and the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal.

  (2) There is a difference in height between the stepping part of the wheel locking pedal and the stepping part of the operation part raising / lowering pedal so that the stepping part of the wheel locking pedal is located above the stepping part of the operation part raising / lowering pedal. Provided. Thereby, it becomes easy to distinguish the stepped part of the wheel locking pedal and the stepped part of the operating unit lifting / lowering pedal, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an erroneous operation. In addition, since the stepping portion of the wheel locking pedal, which is used relatively frequently, is made upward so that it is easy to step on, it is convenient for the user.

  (3) The connecting portion of the wheel locking pedal has a convex shape on the upper side so that the position of the portion facing the operating portion raising / lowering pedal is higher than the positions of the stepped portions on both sides. Accordingly, it is possible to dispose the stepped portion of the wheel lock pedal at a certain low position while avoiding interference between the wheel lock pedal and the operation unit elevating pedal. Specifically, it is possible to avoid difficulty in stepping on the pedal due to the position of the depression portion of the wheel locking pedal being too high.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 10 apparatus main body, 20 operation part, 21 arm member, 30 display part, 40 caster, 41 wheel, 42 wheel support part, 50 wheel locking mechanism, 51 wheel locking pedal, 51a, 51b depression part, 51c connection part, 52 arm, 53 shaft, 60 operation part elevating mechanism, 61 operation part elevating pedal, 61a stepping part, 61b actuating part, 62 telescopic member, 62a unlocking member, 63 support member, 64 support shaft.

Claims (3)

A wheel lock mechanism that includes a wheel lock pedal, and switches between a state of locking the wheel of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a state of releasing the lock of the wheel in response to a depression operation of the wheel lock pedal;
An operation that includes a pedal for raising / lowering the operation unit and switching between a state in which the raising / lowering of the operation unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is allowed and a state in which the raising / lowering of the operation unit is locked in response to the depression operation of the pedal for raising / lowering the operation unit Part lifting mechanism,
Have
The wheel locking pedal is:
A stepping portion disposed on both sides of a stepping portion of the operating portion lifting pedal;
A connecting portion for connecting the stepped portions on both sides so as to straddle the operating portion lifting pedal;
including,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The stepped portion of the wheel locking pedal and the stepped portion of the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal have a height difference such that the stepped portion of the wheel locking pedal is located above the stepped portion of the operation unit lifting / lowering pedal. Is provided,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The connecting portion has a convex shape on the upper side so that the position of the portion facing the operation unit elevating pedal is higher than the positions of the stepping portions on both sides.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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