JP5437048B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can change the orientation of a display.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject, ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the subject, and an ultrasonic image based on the obtained echo signal is displayed on a display (Display). It has become. In recent years, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a flat panel display (Flat Panel Display) such as a liquid crystal display is increasing.

  In addition, an operator inputs transmission conditions, an operation instruction to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the like using operation buttons and a pointing device provided on the operation panel. Further, as described in Patent Document 2, for example, the operation panel may be provided with a touch panel display, and an operation image displayed on the touch panel display is used for input. May be performed.

JP 2007-21088 A JP 2008-212549 A

  Some of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses can change the orientation of the display. In particular, since the flat panel display is light and compact, the orientation can be changed more easily than CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).

  Here, the orientation of the display will be described. Since the operator operates the operation panel at the time of shooting, the operator is at a position facing the operation panel. Since the operation panel is provided on the front side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, when the operator views the display, the display faces the front side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Further, there may be a case where the ultrasonic image displayed on the display is explained to a person other than the operator such as a subject. In this case, since the subject is on the side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the display is rotated to the side.

  In this way, when the display is directed to the side, the operator cannot see the image displayed on the display. Therefore, the operator explains to the subject or the like while looking into the display as he stands. Therefore, the operator has an unreasonable posture and a heavy burden.

  The first aspect of the invention made to solve the above-described problems is a first display unit that is rotatable with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, a second display unit, and a rotation of the first display unit. A position detection unit that detects a position; and when the position detection unit detects that the first display unit is at a predetermined rotation position, an image displayed on the first display unit is displayed on the second display unit. And a display control unit that also displays on the display unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the position detection unit detects a rotation position of the first display unit by turning on and off with the rotation of the first display unit. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by being a switch to be operated.

  A third aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the position detection unit is an angle sensor that detects a rotation angle of the first display unit.

  The invention according to a fourth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the second display unit is provided in front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the predetermined rotation position is: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is located at a predetermined angle or more from the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the second display unit is a touch panel display provided in front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  An invention according to a sixth aspect is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein an operation image is displayed on the touch panel display.

  The invention of the seventh aspect is used to transmit information to the same position in the image displayed on the first display part and the second display part in the invention of any one of the first to sixth aspects. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that a predetermined display is made.

  The invention according to an eighth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the display control unit operates when the image of the first display unit is displayed on the second display unit. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that display switching to another image is performed based on an input on a panel.

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, at least an ultrasonic image is displayed on the second display unit, of the images displayed on the first display unit. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to the above aspect of the invention, even if the first display unit is rotated to change its orientation, the first display unit is displayed on the first display unit when the first display unit is at a predetermined rotation position. Since the image is also displayed on the second display unit, the operator can explain the image while viewing the image displayed on the second display unit. Therefore, the operator is not forced to take an unreasonable posture, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. It is a front view which shows the external appearance structure of the ultrasound diagnosing device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged left side view showing a portion provided with a switch in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion where a switch is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 2. It is an enlarged view which shows a switch. It is a figure which shows the state by which the button of the switch shown in FIG. 7 is pushed down by an arm. It is a figure which shows the state by which the button of the switch shown in FIG. 7 was pushed down to the lowest position by the arm. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion where a switch is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 2. It is a front view of the ultrasound diagnosing device by which the image was displayed on the 1st display part and the 2nd display part in the state where the 1st display part turned to the front. FIG. 4 is a front view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which images are displayed on the first display unit and the second display unit in a state where the first display unit faces the side surface. It is a top view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by which the image was displayed on the 1st display part and the 2nd display part in the state where the 1st display part turned to the side. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which images are displayed on the first display unit and the second display unit in a state where the first display unit faces the side surface. It is an enlarged plan view of the part in which the switch in the first modification is provided, (A) is a state in which the first display unit is at a position of 0 °, (B) is the first display unit is -45 °. It is a figure of the state in a position. It is a front view of the ultrasound diagnosing device in which the cursor was displayed in the 2nd modification. It is a left view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with which the cursor was displayed in the 2nd modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2, and an ultrasonic probe 3 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 includes a transmission / reception unit 4, an echo processing unit 5, a display control unit 6, a first display unit 7, a second display unit 8, an operation device 9, a control unit 10, and a switch 11. Yes. The second display unit 8 and the operation device 9 are provided on the operation panel 12 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2.

  The ultrasonic probe 3 is configured to have ultrasonic transducers (not shown) arranged in an array. The ultrasonic transducer 3 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and receives echo signals thereof. To do.

  The transmission / reception unit 4 drives the ultrasonic probe 3 with a predetermined scan parameter, and scans the scan surface in a sound ray sequence with an ultrasonic beam. Further, the transmission / reception unit 4 performs signal processing such as phasing addition processing on the echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 3, and outputs the echo data after the signal processing to the echo processing unit 5.

  The echo processing unit 5 performs predetermined signal processing on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 4. This signal processing is B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing.

  The display control unit 6 includes a DSC (Digital Scan Converter), and scans the ultrasonic image data displayed on the first display unit 7 with data that has been subjected to predetermined processing by the echo processing unit 5. Convert. Then, an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the first display unit 7.

  In addition, the display control unit 6 displays an ultrasonic image on the second display unit 8 in a predetermined case as will be described later. The display control unit 6 is an example of an embodiment of a display control unit in the present invention.

  In addition, the display control unit 6 performs display control of images on the first display unit 7 and the second display unit 8, for example, an operation described later on the second display unit 8. An image for use is displayed.

  The control unit 10 is composed of a CPU (CentRal Processing Unit), reads a control program stored in a storage unit (not shown), and executes functions in each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  Next, the first display unit 7, the second display unit 8, the operation device 9, and the switch 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the ultrasonic probe 2 is not shown (the same applies to FIGS. 11 to 14).

  The first display unit 7 is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. The first display unit 7 is attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2 by an arm 14 provided on a columnar column member 13 provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2. The arm 14 is provided on the column member 13 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, whereby the first display unit 7 is rotatable with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 2. . Said 1st display part 7 is an example of embodiment of the 1st display part in this invention.

  The second display unit 8 is a touch panel display. Then, an image such as a button display C (see FIG. 11), which will be described later, is displayed on the second display unit 8 as an operation image, and an instruction is input when the operator presses the image. Yes. Further, the second display unit 8 displays an image displayed on the first display unit 7 in a predetermined case. Details will be described later. Said 2nd display part 8 is an example of embodiment of the 2nd display part in this invention.

  The operation device 9 includes a keyboard, operation buttons, a pointing device, and the like, and an input is performed by an operator operating these operation devices 9. The operation device 9 is shown in a simplified manner in the drawing.

  The second display unit 8 is provided on the first panel unit 12 a of the operation panel 12, and the operation device 9 is provided on the second panel unit 12 b of the operation panel 12. The first panel portion 12a is formed to have an inclination with respect to the second panel portion 12b, and the visibility of the second display portion 8 is good.

  Here, the side on which the operation panel 12 is provided is defined as the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. An operator operates the second display unit 8 and the operation device 9 so as to face the operation panel 12 provided in front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  A pair of the switches 11 is provided on the side portion of the column member 13. The turning position of the first display unit 7 is detected by turning the switch 11 on and off. The switch 11 is an example of an embodiment of a position detection unit in the present invention.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the switch 11 includes a button 11 a that is pressed by the rotating arm 14. Here, a state in which the first display unit 7 faces the operator panel 12 side, that is, the front side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, that is, the operator facing the operation panel 12 is defined as 0 °. (A solid line in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6). When the arm 14 is rotated in the horizontal direction from the 0 ° position, the button 11a is pressed by the arm 14 as shown in FIG. When the arm 14 is rotated ± 45 ° from the 0 ° position (two-dot chain line in FIG. 6), as shown in FIG. 9, the button 11a is pushed down to the lowest position, and the switch 11 is turned on. It becomes a state. When the switch 11 is turned on, the signal is input to the control unit 10. When there is an input signal from the switch 11, the control unit 10 causes the display control unit 6 to switch the image on the second display unit 8 to the image on the first display unit 7.

  Incidentally, when the switch 11 is in an OFF state, the control unit 10 causes the display control unit 6 to display, for example, an operation image on the second display unit 8. Alternatively, when the switch 11 is in the off state, no image need be displayed.

  Even when the first display unit 7 is rotated ± 90 ° from a 0 ° position as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the switch 11 is in an on state, and although not specifically shown, it is ± 90 °. Even if it is rotated to a predetermined angle larger than that, it is in the on state. Therefore, in this example, the switch 11 is turned on when the first display unit 7 is at a rotation position within a predetermined range including ± 90 ° at an angle larger than ± 45 °.

  Here, the angle at which the switch 11 is switched between the on state and the off state is an example. However, it is desirable that the switch 11 is turned on and off at a rotation position where it is difficult for the operator to view the display on the first display unit 7.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. First, when the operator facing the operation panel 12 views the image displayed on the first display unit 7, as shown in FIG. 11, the first display unit 7 is positioned at 0 °, that is, the The operator faces the operator facing the operation panel 12. In this state, the switch 11 is in an OFF state, and the display control unit 6 displays on the first display unit 7 an image G1 having an ultrasonic image A and a display B such as letters and numbers such as scan parameters. In addition, an image G2 composed of the operation button display C is displayed on the second display unit 8.

  When the operator performs an explanation while showing the ultrasonic image A displayed on the first display unit 7 to a person other than the operator such as the subject, the subject is placed on the side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the first display unit 7 is rotated and directed to the side surface. Here, the first display unit 7 is at a position of + 90 °. In this state, the switch 11 is in the on state, and the display control unit 6 causes the second display unit 8 to display the image displayed on the first display unit 7. At this time, the image G2 ′ displayed on the second display unit 8 is an ultrasonic image A in the image G1 displayed on the first display unit 7 in this example. However, all of the images displayed on the first display unit 7 (that is, the ultrasonic image A and the display B of characters and numbers) may be displayed on the second display unit 8 as they are.

  When the description of the subject is finished and the first display unit 7 is turned to the front side again, the display control unit 6 displays the image G2 including the operation button display C on the second display unit 8. Let

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present example described above, when the operator performs an explanation while showing the ultrasonic image A displayed on the first display unit 7 to the subject or the like, the first When the one display unit 7 is directed to the side, the ultrasonic image A is displayed on the second display unit 8. Therefore, even if the operator cannot see the image G1 of the first display unit 7, the description can be made while viewing the second display unit 8. As a result, the operator is not forced to take an uncomfortable posture, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. First, a first modification will be described with reference to FIG. In this first modification, in the above-described embodiment, the switch 11 is turned on, that is, the first display portion 7 is rotated within a predetermined range including ± 90 ° at an angle larger than ± 45 °. In this case, the switch 11 may be turned off.

  Specifically, in this example, the arm 14 is formed with an eccentric portion 14a at an end portion on the column member 13 side. Further, only one switch 11 is provided on the column member 13, and the button 11a of the switch 11 is pressed by the eccentric portion 14a to be turned on / off.

  The switch 11 is provided at a position where the first display portion 7 is turned off when the first display portion 7 is at a rotation position in a predetermined range including ± 90 ° at an angle larger than ± 45 °. In FIG. 15B, a position of −45 ° is illustrated.

  The display control unit 6 switches the image of the second display unit 8 to the image of the first display unit 7 when the switch 11 is turned off. On the other hand, when the switch 11 is on, the display control unit 6 causes the second display unit 8 to display an operation image. Alternatively, the display control unit 6 may not display any image when the switch 11 is on.

  Next, a second modification will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in the second modification, the display control unit 6 displays the image of the first display unit 7 (here, the ultrasonic image A) on the second display unit 8. In this state, the cursor X may be displayed on the first display unit 7 and the second display unit 8. The cursor X is an arrow in this example, and the arrow has the same shape although the size is different between the first display unit 7 and the second display unit 8. Although not particularly shown, the display control unit 6 includes a cursor display control unit that displays the cursor X. This cursor display control unit is based on an input on the operation device 9 such as a trackball, and is located at the same position in the image (in this case, the ultrasonic image A) displayed on the first display unit 7 and the second display unit 8. The cursor X is displayed. As a result, the operator operates the operation device 9 to move the cursor X on the ultrasonic image A, and uses the cursor X to indicate a region of interest such as a diseased part and explain the subject. It can be done. That is, the cursor X is a display used by the operator to transmit the description contents to the subject or the like, and is an example of an embodiment of a predetermined display used to transmit information in the present invention.

  According to the second modification, the operator can easily explain the subject or the like by using the cursor X. Then, the operator can face the operation panel 12 and operate the operation device 9 while moving the cursor X while viewing the second display unit 8, so that the operator X is forced to take an unreasonable posture. The explanation can be done with a comfortable posture.

  Incidentally, in order for the operator to transmit information such as the contents of the explanation to the subject or the like, the display control unit 6 receives the input of the operation device 9 in addition to the cursor X or instead of the cursor X. Based on this, a graphic such as a circle, a line, a character, or the like may be displayed on the first display unit 7 and the second display unit 8.

  Next, a third modification will be described. In the third modification, the display control unit 6 is configured such that the first display unit 7 faces the side surface and the image of the first display unit 7 is displayed on the second display unit 8. Based on the input of the operation device 9, the display of the second display unit 8 may be switched to an operation image. Thereby, even if the first display unit 7 is facing the side, the operator can perform an operation using the operation image displayed on the second display unit 8. After the operation on the second display unit 8 is completed, the display control unit 6 may cause the second display unit 8 to display the image of the first display unit 7 again based on the input of the operation device 9. Good.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by the said embodiment, it is not restricted to this, Of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point. For example, although not particularly illustrated, the rotation angle of the first display unit 7 is detected by detecting the rotation angle of the arm 14 by an angle sensor such as a rotary encoder instead of the switch 11. May be. In this case, the display control unit 6 causes the second display unit 8 to display an image displayed on the first display unit 7 based on the rotation angle of the first display unit 7 detected by the angle sensor. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 6 Display control part 7 First display part 8 Second display part 11 Switch (position detection part)
12 Operation panel

Claims (9)

A first display unit rotatable with respect to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body;
A second display;
A position detection unit for detecting a rotation position of the first display unit;
A display control unit for displaying an image displayed on the first display unit on the second display unit when the position detection unit detects that the first display unit is at a predetermined rotation position. When,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The superposition according to claim 1, wherein the position detection unit is a switch that detects a rotation position of the first display unit by turning on and off with the rotation of the first display unit. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position detection unit is an angle sensor that detects a rotation angle of the first display unit.   The second display unit is provided in front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the predetermined rotation position is a position of a predetermined angle or more from the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Item 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second display unit is a touch panel display provided in front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation image is displayed on the touch panel display.   The predetermined display used for transmitting information is made to the same position in the image displayed on said 1st display part and said 2nd display part, The any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 1.   The display control unit, when an image of the first display unit is displayed on the second display unit, performs display switching to another image based on an input on an operation panel. Item 8. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 7.   The ultrasonic diagnosis according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least an ultrasonic image is displayed on the second display unit among images displayed on the first display unit. apparatus.

Images