JP5566830B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and probe connector - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a probe connector for connecting an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the probe connector.

  Ultrasound diagnostic devices tend to have multiple channels. Therefore, a multi-core connector such as a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector has been used as a probe connector for connecting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe.

  On the other hand, there are various ultrasonic probes depending on the type of diagnosis and the subject. Among such ultrasonic probes, there is also an ultrasonic probe in which a transmission / reception circuit is provided to increase the number of channels.

  The signal transmitted from the ultrasonic probe to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body includes, for example, an echo signal and a probe identification signal. An echo signal is a signal obtained by converting an ultrasonic wave received from a subject by an ultrasonic probe into an electric signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body generates an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal. The probe identification signal is a signal unique to each ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body can identify the connected ultrasonic probe by this probe identification signal.

  In addition, when an ultrasonic probe having a transmission / reception circuit therein is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body may transmit a control signal to the ultrasonic probe. The control signal is a signal for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body to control the operation of the transmission / reception circuit in the ultrasonic probe. At this time, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body may supply power to the ultrasonic probe. The electric power is supplied so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body operates a circuit in the ultrasonic probe.

  When the probe identification signal is not transmitted to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body due to poor contact, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body cannot recognize the connected ultrasonic probe and may cause the ultrasonic probe to malfunction. is there. In addition, even when the ultrasonic probe to which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body is connected can be recognized, contact of a signal line for transmitting a control signal to the ultrasonic probe and a signal line for supplying power to the ultrasonic probe If a defect occurs, the ultrasonic probe may malfunction.

  As for the probe identification signal, a technique for detecting the occurrence of contact failure using verification data has been disclosed. This technique detects the occurrence of contact failure by transmitting and receiving predetermined data that is easy to analyze, such as a checksum. However, this technique does not aim at preventing the occurrence of poor contact itself. In addition, since it is not possible to use predetermined data such as a checksum for power supply, it is difficult to detect a contact failure using the above technique.

JP 2002-172116 A

  The embodiment of the present invention solves the above-described problem, and prevents the occurrence of signal line contact failure between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe with respect to transmission and reception of signals related to the control of the ultrasonic probe. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, a first form of this embodiment is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe, an apparatus main body, and a probe connector. The ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves from within the subject. The apparatus main body controls the ultrasonic probe and processes an echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe. The probe connector connects the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body. The probe connector includes a plug and a receptacle that can be fitted to each other, and a pressure mechanism. Said plug and said receptacle are arranged a plurality of contact pads in one plane regions, a plurality of contacts are disposed on the other planar region. The pressure mechanism is disposed in a planar region of the plug or receptacle, and increases the contact pressure between the contact pad and the contact. At least a probe identification signal line for transmitting and receiving a probe identification signal for the apparatus main body to identify the ultrasonic probe is arranged on the contact pad arranged in the vicinity of the pressure mechanism in the planar area. ing.
The second form of this embodiment is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe, an apparatus main body, and a probe connector. The ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves from within the subject. The apparatus main body controls the ultrasonic probe and processes an echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe. The probe connector connects the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body. The probe connector includes a plug and a receptacle that can be fitted to each other, and a pressure mechanism. Said plug and said receptacle are arranged a plurality of contact pads in one plane regions, a plurality of contacts are disposed on the other planar region. The pressure mechanism is disposed in the planar area and increases the contact pressure between the contact pad and the contact. A probe for identifying at least the ultrasonic probe by the apparatus main body at least on the contact pad disposed in the first region located in the vicinity of the installation region of the pressure mechanism in the planar region of the plug or the receptacle A probe identification signal line for transmitting and receiving an identification signal is provided. The contact pad disposed in the second region other than the first region is provided with a signal line through which the apparatus main body receives the echo signal from the ultrasonic probe.
A third form of this embodiment is a probe connector that connects the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body. The ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves from within the subject. The apparatus main body controls the ultrasonic probe and processes an echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe. The probe connector includes a plug and a receptacle that can be fitted to each other, and a pressure mechanism. Said plug and said receptacle are arranged a plurality of contact pads in one plane regions, a plurality of contacts are disposed on the other planar region. The pressure mechanism is disposed in a planar region of the plug or receptacle, and increases the contact pressure between the contact pad and the contact. At least a probe identification signal line for transmitting and receiving a probe identification signal for the apparatus main body to identify the ultrasonic probe is arranged on the contact pad arranged in the vicinity of the pressure mechanism in the planar area. ing.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure of a probe connector. It is an arrow view of the probe connector from the direction of arrow III of FIG. It is an arrow view of the probe connector from the direction of arrow IV of FIG. It is a block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus concerning a modification.

(Embodiment)
The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment, an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 1, a probe connector 2, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5.

  The ultrasonic probe 1 includes a control unit 10, an ID generation unit 11, a transmission unit 12, an ultrasonic transducer 13, a subarray beamformer 14, and a probe cable 15.

  The ID generation unit 11 generates and outputs a probe identification signal representing information unique to the ultrasonic probe 1. There are various types of ultrasonic probes depending on the inspection object and the inspection method. For example, the ultrasonic probe used differs depending on whether the test object is a heart or an abdomen. Specifically, there are ultrasonic probes having various shapes such as a convex type, a linear type, and a sector type, and these are properly used according to an inspection object and an inspection method. Some of these ultrasonic probes include, for example, a circuit and need to supply power. Therefore, the control method differs depending on the type of the ultrasonic probe, and a unique probe identification signal is assigned to identify the ultrasonic probe connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. Thereby, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 can specify the type of the connected ultrasonic probe based on the probe identification signal.

  The transmission unit 12 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 13 and has a plurality of pulsars. Each pulser of the transmission unit 12 drives the ultrasonic transducer 13 with pulses according to different timings generated by the control unit 10 to generate an ultrasonic beam having a predetermined directivity. The controller 10 will be described later.

  The ultrasonic transducer 13 has a plurality of transducers. The ultrasonic transducer 13 receives the electrical signal from the transmission unit 12, generates an ultrasonic beam, and transmits the ultrasonic beam into the subject. The ultrasonic transducer 13 receives a reflected wave from the inside of the subject with each transducer. The ultrasonic transducer 13 converts the reflected wave received by each transducer into an electrical signal (hereinafter referred to as an “echo signal”) and outputs it to the subarray beamformer 14.

  The subarray beamformer 14 includes a preamplifier group, a delay circuit, and an adder circuit. The preamplifier group performs processing such as low noise amplification or buffering in order to satisfactorily transmit the weak echo signal received from the ultrasonic transducer 13. The plurality of echo signals output from the preamplifier group are subjected to delay processing by a delay circuit for each predetermined group based on control from the control unit 10. The echo signals that have been subjected to the delay processing are added by the adder circuit for each group. As a result, the echo signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 13 is phased and added by the subarray beamformer 14. The subarray beamformer 14 transmits the echo signal subjected to the phasing addition to the reception unit 52. The receiving unit 52 will be described later.

  The control unit 10 receives a control signal generated based on the scanning condition from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 and controls the operations of the transmission unit 12 and the subarray beamformer 14 described above based on the control signal. Specifically, the control unit 10 calculates a transmission delay time based on the control signal, and operates each pulser of the transmission unit 12 based on the transmission delay time. The control unit 10 calculates a reception delay time based on the received control signal, and causes the subarray beamformer 14 to perform phasing addition on the echo signal output from the ultrasonic transducer 13 based on the calculated reception delay time.

  The probe cable 15 includes a probe identification signal line 15A, a power supply line 15B, a probe control signal line 15C, and an ultrasonic echo signal line 15D.

  The probe identification signal line 15 </ b> A is a signal line connected to the ID generation unit 11. The probe identification signal generated by the ID generation unit 11 is transmitted to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 via the probe identification signal line 15A. Generally, the probe identification signal is composed of a binary signal of a plurality of bits by grounding or releasing a signal line for identifying a probe. The binary signal is a signal indicating “0” or “1”. The probe identification signal is assigned to each ultrasonic probe so that at least the type of the ultrasonic probe can be identified. Note that it is sufficient that the type of the ultrasonic probe can be identified from the probe identification signal, and the same probe identification signal may be assigned to the same type of ultrasonic probe. Moreover, a probe identification number may be assigned for each ultrasonic probe regardless of the type. Hereinafter, it is assumed that a different probe identification signal is assigned to each type of ultrasonic probe.

  The power supply line 15 </ b> B is a signal line connected to the control unit 10. Electric power is supplied from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 to the ultrasonic probe 1 via the power supply line 15B.

  The probe control signal line 15 </ b> C is a signal line connected to the control unit 10. A control signal for controlling the operation of each component of the ultrasonic probe 1 by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 is transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 to the control unit 10 via the probe control signal line 15C.

  The ultrasonic echo signal line 15 </ b> D is a signal line connected to the subarray beamformer 14. The echo signal phased and added by the subarray beamformer 14 is transmitted from the subarray beamformer 14 to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 via the ultrasonic echo signal line 15D.

  The probe connector 2 connects each signal line constituting the probe cable 15 to each configuration (the control unit 50, the ID identification unit 51, the reception unit 52, and the power supply unit 57) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5. Thereby, the ultrasonic probe 1 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 are electrically connected, and the ultrasonic probe 1 operates based on the control from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5. Details of the probe connector 2 will be described later.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 includes a receiving unit 52, a signal processing unit 53, an image generating unit 54, a display unit 55, a storage unit 56, a power supply unit 57, an input unit 58, and a control unit 50. Have

  The receiving unit 52 receives the echo signal transmitted from the subarray beamformer 14 via the ultrasonic echo signal line 15D and the probe connector 2. The receiving unit 52 includes a preamplifier group, a delay circuit, and an adding circuit, and performs phased addition of the received echo signals using these circuits. The reception unit 52 outputs the phasing-added echo signal to the signal processing unit 53.

  The signal processing unit 53 includes a B-mode processing unit, a CFM processing unit, and the like. The data output from the receiving unit 52 is subjected to predetermined processing in any of the processing units. The B-mode processing unit visualizes echo amplitude information and generates B-mode ultrasound raster data from the echo signal. More specifically, the B-mode processing unit performs band-pass filter processing on the signal sent from the receiving unit 52, then detects the envelope of the output signal, and performs logarithmic conversion on the detected data. The compression process is applied. A CFM (Color Flow Mapping) processing unit visualizes blood flow information and generates color ultrasonic raster data. Blood flow information includes information such as speed, dispersion, and power. Such information is obtained as binarized information, for example. The CFM processing unit performs a high-pass filter process (MTI filter process) for separating the tissue signal and the blood flow signal, and the blood flow information such as blood flow velocity, dispersion, power, and the like by multiple points by autocorrelation processing. Ask. In addition, the CFM processing unit may perform nonlinear processing for reducing and reducing tissue signals. The signal processing unit 53 may include a Doppler processing unit. The Doppler processing unit extracts a Doppler shift frequency component by performing orthogonal detection on the reception signal output from the reception unit 52. Further, the Doppler processing unit performs an FFT process on the Doppler shift frequency component to generate a Doppler frequency distribution representing the blood flow velocity. The signal processing unit 53 outputs the ultrasonic raster data after the signal processing to the image generation unit 54.

  The image generation unit 54 generates image data based on the ultrasonic raster data received from the signal processing unit 53. The image generation unit 54 includes, for example, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter). The DSC converts the ultrasonic raster data after signal processing represented by a scanning line signal sequence into image data represented by orthogonal coordinates (scan conversion processing). When signal processing is performed in the B-mode processing unit described above, the image generation unit 54 generates B-mode image data representing the tissue shape of the subject by performing scan conversion processing on the B-mode ultrasound raster data. To do.

  The image generation unit 54 causes the display unit 55 to display the ultrasonic image data generated as described above. The display unit 55 may be provided with a display control unit that displays ultrasonic image data received from the image generation unit 54 in a predetermined format.

  The power supply unit 57 supplies power to the ultrasonic probe 1 via the probe connector 2 and the power supply line 15B.

  The input unit 58 is an input interface for an operator to instruct scanning conditions. The input unit 58 outputs the scanning condition input by the operator to the control unit 50.

  The storage unit 56 stores control data corresponding to the type for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 for each type of the ultrasonic probe 1. Based on the control data stored in the storage unit 56 and the scanning conditions input from the input unit 58, the control unit 50 operates the ultrasonic probe 1 and the components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 (reception unit). 52, a signal processing unit 53, an image generation unit 54, and a power supply unit 57). The controller 50 will be described later.

  The control unit 50 includes an ID identification unit 51. First, the function of the ID identifying unit 51 will be described, and then the operation of the control unit 50 will be described.

  The ID identification unit 51 receives the probe identification signal transmitted by the ID generation unit 11. The ID identification unit 51 identifies the type of the ultrasonic probe based on the received probe identification signal, and notifies the control unit 50 of a signal indicating the identified type.

  The control unit 50 receives a signal indicating the type of the connected ultrasonic probe 1 from the ID identification unit 51. Based on the signal indicating the type of the ultrasonic probe 1, the control unit 50 extracts control data for operating the ultrasonic probe 1 from the storage unit 56 according to the type.

  The control unit 50 receives the scanning condition designated by the operator from the input unit 58. The control unit 50 generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the operation of each component of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 based on the scanning conditions and the control data extracted from the storage unit 56. The control signal includes, for example, information on transmission delay time and information on reception delay time.

  The control unit 50 controls the operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the operation of each component of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 in an integrated manner. Thereby, according to the kind of ultrasonic probe, operation | movement of each structure of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 is controlled, and it becomes possible to acquire an ultrasonic image.

  Next, the configuration of the probe connector 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the probe connector 2 includes a plug 3 and a receptacle 4 that are configured to be fitted to each other. The plug 3 is connected to the probe cable 15 of the ultrasonic probe 1. The receptacle 4 is installed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5. The plug 3 has a joint surface 31. Further, the receptacle 4 has a joint surface 41.

  Although details will be described later, a plurality of contact pads 34 are arranged on the bonding surface 31 (see FIG. 3), and a plurality of contacts 44 are arranged on the bonding surface 41 (see FIG. 4). The contact pad 34 and each contact 44 are configured to be fitted to each other. Each contact pad 34 and each contact 44 are disposed so as to face each other when the joint surface 31 and the joint surface 41 face each other. When the joint surface 31 and the joint surface 41 are opposed to each other and the plug 3 and the receptacle 4 are fitted, the contact pads 34 and the contacts 44 are fitted. Thereby, each contact pad 34 and each contact 44 are electrically connected.

  In the receptacle 4, a recess 42 is provided substantially at the center of the joint surface 41. The plug 3 has a camshaft 32. The camshaft 32 penetrates the plug 3 in a direction orthogonal to the joint surface 31 at the position of the joint surface 31 facing the recess 42. The camshaft 32 is rotatably provided in the direction around the axis. The camshaft 32 is provided with a handle 32 </ b> A at the end opposite to the receptacle 4. Further, the end portion 32B of the camshaft 32 on the receptacle 4 side is configured to be able to fit into the concave portion.

  When the plug 3 and the receptacle 4 are fitted together and the camshaft 32 is pushed into the receptacle 4 side, the end 32B and the recess 42 are fitted. At this time, if the handle 32A is used and the camshaft 32 is rotated in the direction around the axis, a force acts in a direction in which the plug 3 and the receptacle 4 are pulled together, and the joining surface 31 and the joining surface 41 are joined. Thereby, each contact pad 34 and each contact 44 are joined. A mechanism using the camshaft 32 and the recess 42 for joining the contact pads 34 and the contacts 44 may be referred to as a pressure mechanism. In addition, in the joint surface 31 and the joint surface 41, a region where the pressure mechanism is provided is referred to as an installation region 33.

  Next, the configuration of the joint surface 31 of the plug 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 is an arrow view of the probe connector 2 from the direction of the arrow III in FIG. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 3, a case where the joint surface 31 is rectangular will be described as an example. In addition, let the longitudinal direction (up-down direction of FIG. 3) of the joint surface 31 be a Y-axis, and let a transversal direction (left-right direction of FIG. 3) be an X-axis.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an installation region 33 is provided substantially at the center of the joint surface 31 of the plug 3. The installation area 33 is provided with a pressure mechanism including the camshaft 32. Around the installation area 33 on the joint surface 31 (upper and lower sides in the Y-axis direction), the contact pads 34 form a row, and a plurality of rows are arranged.

  The contact pads 34 are arranged in 180 poles on the upper and lower sides in the Y-axis direction with the installation region 33 as the center. Specifically, a plurality of 12-pole contact pads 34 arranged along the X-axis direction are arranged in one row, and this row is arranged in 15 rows along the Y-axis direction above and below the installation region 33. Has been.

  The area where the contact pad 34 is installed is divided into a first area 35 and a second area 36. The first region 35 and the second region 36 are located in the direction away from the installation region 33 in the order of the first region 35 and the second region 36 along the Y-axis direction. At this time, the first region 35 located in the vicinity of the installation region 33 has higher contact pressure by the pressure mechanism than the second region 36. Therefore, the contact pad 34 installed in the first region 35 is used for transmission / reception of signals related to the control of the ultrasonic probe 1. In addition, the contact pad 34 installed in the second region is used for transmission / reception of an echo signal related to generation of an ultrasonic image.

  The positional relationship between the first region 35 and the second region 36 will be specifically described. The first area 35 is provided adjacent to the installation area 33 on each of the upper side and the lower side in the Y-axis direction around the installation area 33. The second region 36 is provided adjacent to the first region 35 on the opposite side of the installation region 33 in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, three rows of contact pads 34 along the Y-axis direction located near the installation area 33 are arranged in the first area 35. The remaining 12 rows of contact pads 34 along the Y-axis direction are arranged in the second region 36.

  The first region 35 will be described in more detail. The first area 35 is divided into an area 35A, an area 35B, and an area 35C. The region 35A, the region 35B, and the region 35C are located in the direction away from the installation region 33 in the order of the region 35A, the region 35B, and the region 35C along the Y-axis direction. At this time, the contact pressure by the pressure mechanism decreases in the order of the region 35A, the region 35B, and the region 35C.

  Although details will be described later, the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35A is used for transmitting and receiving the probe identification signal. Further, the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35 </ b> B is used for supplying electric power from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 to the ultrasonic probe 1. The contact pad 34 installed in the region 35C is used for transmission / reception of a control signal for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 to control the operation of the ultrasonic probe 1.

  The probe identification signal is transmitted and received by all ultrasonic probes regardless of the shape of the ultrasonic probe. On the other hand, supply of power to the ultrasonic probe and transmission of control signals are performed only when an ultrasonic probe having a built-in transmission / reception circuit is connected. Therefore, the region 35A is located in the vicinity of the installation region 33 where the contact pressure by the pressure mechanism is higher than the regions 35B and 35C.

  The positional relationship among the region 35A, the region 35B, and the region 35C will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 3, the area adjacent to the installation area 33 corresponds to the area 35A. As an example, one row of contact pads 34 along the Y-axis direction is provided in the region 35A. A region adjacent to the region 35A on the opposite side of the installation region 33 in the Y-axis direction corresponds to the region 35B. As an example, one row of contact pads 34 along the axial direction is provided in the region 35B. A region adjacent to the region 35B on the opposite side of the region 35A in the Y-axis direction corresponds to the region 35C. As an example, one row of contact pads 34 along the Y-axis direction is provided in the region 35C.

  A probe identification signal line 15 </ b> A, a power supply line 15 </ b> B, and a probe control signal line 15 </ b> C are electrically connected to the contact pad 34 installed in the first region 35. These signal lines are connected to a contact pad 34 arranged in an area closer to the installation area 33 among the areas 35A to 35C in the order of the probe identification signal line 15A, the power supply line 15B, and the probe control signal line 15C. Has been.

  Specifically, the probe identification signal line 15A is connected to the contact pad 34 disposed in the region 35A. The power supply line 15B is connected to the contact pad 34 arranged in the region 35B, and the probe control signal line 15C is connected to the contact pad 34 arranged in the region 35C.

  In addition, an ultrasonic echo signal line 15 </ b> D is electrically connected to the contact pad 34 installed in the second region 36.

  Next, the configuration of the joint surface 41 of the receptacle 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 is an arrow view of the probe connector 2 from the direction of arrow IV in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the case where the joint surface 41 is rectangular as an example will be described. The longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) of the joint surface 41 is defined as the Y axis, and the short direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 4) is defined as the X axis.

  An installation region 33 is provided substantially at the center of the joint surface 41 of the receptacle 4. A pressure mechanism including a recess 42 is provided in the installation region 33. Around the installation area 33 on the joint surface 41 (upper and lower sides in the Y-axis direction), contacts 44 (metal pieces) form a row, and a plurality of rows are arranged. The contact 44 is configured to be able to fit with the contact pad 34.

  The contact 44 is disposed at a position facing the contact pad 34 of the plug 3. That is, the contacts 44 are arranged 180 poles at the top and bottom in the Y-axis direction around the installation region 33. Specifically, a plurality of 12-pole contacts 44 arranged along the X-axis direction are arranged in 15 rows along the Y-axis direction in the Y-axis direction around the installation region 33.

  The region where the contact 44 is disposed is divided into a first region 45 and a second region 46. The first region 45 and the second region 46 are located in the direction away from the installation region 33 in the order of the first region 45 and the second region 46 along the Y-axis direction. At this time, the first region 45 located in the vicinity of the installation region 33 has a higher contact pressure due to the pressure mechanism than the second region 46. Therefore, the contact 44 installed in the first region 45 is used for transmission / reception of signals related to the control of the ultrasonic probe 1. The contact 44 installed in the second region is used for transmission / reception of an echo signal related to generation of an ultrasonic image.

  The positional relationship between the first region 45 and the second region 46 will be specifically described. The first area 45 is provided adjacent to the upper and lower sides in the Y-axis direction with the installation area 33 as the center. Further, the second region 46 is provided adjacent to the first region 45 on the opposite side of the installation region 33 in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 4, a region where the three rows of contacts 44 along the Y-axis direction located near the installation region 33 correspond to the first region 45. A region other than the first region 45, that is, a region where the remaining 12 rows of contacts 44 along the Y-axis direction correspond to the second region 46.

  The first region 45 will be described in more detail. The first region 45 is divided into a region 45A, a region 45B, and a region 45C. The region 45A, the region 45B, and the region 45C are located in the direction away from the installation region 33 in the order of the region 45A, the region 45B, and the region 45C along the Y-axis direction. At this time, the contact pressure by the pressure mechanism decreases in the order of the region 45A, the region 45B, and the region 45C.

  Although details will be described later, the contact 44 installed in the region 45A is fitted to the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35A and used for transmitting and receiving a probe identification signal. Further, the contact 44 installed in the region 45B engages with the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35B, and is used to supply power from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 to the ultrasonic probe 1. Further, the contact 44 installed in the region 45C is fitted to the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35C, and is used for transmission / reception of a control signal for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 to control the operation of the ultrasonic probe 1. It is done.

  The probe identification signal is transmitted and received by all ultrasonic probes regardless of the shape of the ultrasonic probe. On the other hand, supply of power to the ultrasonic probe and transmission of control signals are performed only when an ultrasonic probe having a built-in transmission / reception circuit is connected. Therefore, the region 45A is located in the vicinity of the installation region 33 where the contact pressure by the pressure mechanism is higher than the regions 45B and 45C.

  The positional relationship among the region 45A, the region 45B, and the region 45C will be specifically described. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a region adjacent to the installation region 33 corresponds to a region 45A. In the region 45A, one row of contacts 44 along the Y-axis direction is provided. A region adjacent to the region 45A on the opposite side of the installation region 33 in the Y-axis direction corresponds to the region 45B. In the region 45B, one row of contacts 44 along the Y-axis direction is provided. A region adjacent to the region 45B on the opposite side of the region 45A in the Y-axis direction corresponds to the region 45C. In the region 45C, one row of contacts 44 along the Y-axis direction is provided.

  The contact 44 disposed in the region 45A is electrically connected to the signal line connected to the ID identification unit 51. Further, the contact 44 arranged in the region 45A is electrically connected by fitting with the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35A of the plug 3. As a result, a probe identification signal can be transmitted from the ID generation unit 11 to the ID identification unit 51 via the probe identification signal line 15A.

  The contact 44 disposed in the region 45B is electrically connected to a signal line connected to the power supply unit 57. Further, the contacts 44 arranged in the region 45B are electrically connected by fitting with the contact pads 34 installed in the region 35B of the plug 3. As a result, power can be supplied from the power supply unit 57 to the ultrasonic probe 1 via the power supply line 15B.

  The contact 44 disposed in the region 45C is electrically connected to the signal line connected to the control unit 50. Further, the contact 44 disposed in the region 45C is electrically connected by fitting with the contact pad 34 disposed in the region 35C of the plug 3. As a result, a control signal can be transmitted from the control unit 50 to the control unit 10 via the probe control signal line 15C.

  The contact 44 disposed in the second region 46 is electrically connected to the signal line connected to the receiving unit 52. Further, the contacts 44 arranged in the second region 46 are electrically joined by fitting with the contact pads 34 installed in the second region 36 of the plug 3. As a result, an echo signal can be transmitted from the subarray beamformer 14 to the receiving unit 52.

  Next, the processing flow of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment will be described by focusing on the signal flowing through the probe connector 2.

  When the plug 3 and the receptacle 4 are fitted and the handle 32A is operated to rotate the camshaft 32, the contact pad 34 of the plug 3 and the contact 44 of the receptacle 4 are electrically connected. Thereby, the ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5.

  When the ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5, the ID generation unit 11 generates a probe identification signal and transmits the probe identification signal to the ID identification unit 51. The ID identification unit 51 receives the probe identification signal sent via the probe identification signal line 15A, the contact pad 34 installed in the area 35A of the plug 3, and the contact 44 installed in the area 45A of the receptacle 4. .

  The ID identification unit 51 identifies the type of the ultrasonic probe 1 connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 based on the received probe identification signal. The ID identifying unit 51 notifies the control unit 50 of the identified type of the ultrasonic probe 1. The control unit 50 extracts control data corresponding to the notified type of the ultrasonic probe 1 from the storage unit 56.

  The control unit 50 receives scanning conditions from the input unit 58. The control unit 50 generates control signals for operating the components of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 based on the control data and the scanning conditions.

  The control unit 50 instructs the power supply unit 57 to supply power to the ultrasonic probe 1 based on the generated control signal. The power supply unit 57 supplies power to the ultrasonic probe 1 via the contact 44 installed in the region 45B of the receptacle 4, the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35B of the plug 3, and the power supply line 15B. Thereby, electric power for driving each circuit of the ultrasonic probe 1 is supplied to the ultrasonic probe 1.

  Next, the control unit 50 transmits a control signal for operating each circuit of the ultrasonic probe 1 to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 receives a control signal via the contact 44 installed in the region 45C of the receptacle 4, the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35C of the plug 3, and the probe control signal line 15C.

  The control unit 10 calculates a transmission delay time based on the received control signal. The control unit 10 operates each pulser of the transmission unit 12 based on the calculated transmission delay time. Thereby, the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 13 is driven and an ultrasonic wave is transmitted in the subject. The ultrasonic wave (reflected wave) reflected in the subject is received by the ultrasonic transducer 13. The ultrasonic transducer 13 converts the received reflected wave into an echo signal and outputs it to the subarray beamformer 14.

  The control unit 10 calculates a reception delay time based on the received control signal. The control unit 10 controls the operation of the subarray beamformer 14 based on the calculated reception delay time. As a result, the echo signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 13 is phased and added by the subarray beamformer 14.

  The echo signal phased and added by the subarray beamformer 14 is transmitted to the receiving unit 52. The receiving unit 52 receives an echo signal via the ultrasonic echo signal line 15 </ b> D, the contact pad 34 installed in the second region 36 of the plug 3, and the contact 44 installed in the second region 46 of the receptacle 4. . The receiving unit 52 receives a control signal from the control unit 50. This control signal includes information on the reception delay time for operating each circuit of the reception unit 52.

  The receiving unit 52 performs phasing addition on the echo signal based on the control signal and outputs the result to the signal processing unit 53. Thereafter, the echo signal is processed by the signal processing unit 53, and the image generation unit 54 generates an ultrasonic image based on the result and displays it on the display unit 55.

  As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment, the signal lines (for example, the probe identification signal line 15A, the power supply line 15B, and the probe control signal line 15C) that transmit and receive signals related to the control of the ultrasonic probe are It was arranged on a contact pad provided at a high contact pressure position near the mechanism. This makes it possible to prevent poor contact of signal lines that transmit and receive signals related to the control of the ultrasonic probe between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunction due to poor contact. Further, it is not necessary to add a dedicated device for detecting a contact failure for transmission / reception of a signal that cannot use predetermined data such as a checksum, such as power supply. For this reason, it is possible to avoid an increase in cost and an enlargement of the device due to the expansion of the equipment.

(Modification)
Next, the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a modification. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic probe having no transmission / reception circuit is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. Therefore, in this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe is controlled by a transmission / reception unit built in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. Hereinafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described by focusing on the configuration different from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment.

  The ultrasonic probe 1 </ b> A includes an ID generation unit 11, an ultrasonic transducer 13, and a probe cable 15. The configuration of the ID generation unit 11 is the same as that of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the embodiment.

  The ultrasonic transducer 13 has a plurality of transducers. The ultrasonic transducer 13 receives an electrical signal from the transmission / reception unit 52A built in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5, generates an ultrasonic beam, and transmits the ultrasonic beam into the subject. The transmitter / receiver 52A will be described later. The ultrasonic transducer 13 receives reflected waves from within the subject with each transducer. The ultrasonic transducer 13 converts the reflected wave into an echo signal, and transmits the echo signal to the transmission / reception unit 52A.

  The probe cable 15 according to the modification has a probe identification signal line 15A and an ultrasonic echo signal line 15D. The configurations of the probe identification signal line 15A and the ultrasonic echo signal line 15D are the same as in the embodiment.

  In the plug 3 connected to the probe cable 15 of the ultrasonic probe 1A, no signal line is connected to the contact pads 34 installed in the regions 35B and 35C. Therefore, when the ultrasonic probe 1A is connected, the control unit 50 sends signals to the contact pads 34 installed in the regions 35B and 35C of the plug 3 and the contacts 44 installed in the regions 45B and 45C of the receptacle 4. Control so that does not flow.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 according to the modification includes a transmission / reception unit 52A instead of the reception unit 52.

  The transmission / reception unit 52A includes a plurality of pulsars that drive the ultrasonic transducer 13, a preamplifier group that delays and adds echo signals received from the ultrasonic transducer 13, a delay circuit, and an addition circuit.

  The transmission / reception unit 52A receives a control signal generated based on the scanning condition from the control unit 50. This control signal includes information on transmission delay time related to driving of the ultrasonic transducer 13 and information on reception delay time related to phasing addition of echo signals.

  Each pulsar of the transmission / reception unit 52A generates a pulsed electric signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer 13 based on the information of the transmission delay time included in the control signal, and transmits the pulse-shaped electric signal to the ultrasonic transducer 13.

  The transmission / reception unit 52 </ b> A receives an echo signal from the ultrasonic transducer 13. The transmission / reception unit 52A controls the preamplifier group, the delay circuit, and the addition circuit based on the information of the reception delay time included in the control signal, and performs phasing addition of the echo signal. The transmission / reception unit 52A outputs the phased and added echo signal to the signal processing unit 53.

  Next, the processing flow of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the modification will be described by focusing on the signal flowing through the probe connector 2.

  When the ultrasonic probe 1 </ b> A is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5, the ID generation unit 11 generates a probe identification signal and transmits it to the ID identification unit 51. The ID identification unit 51 receives the probe identification signal via the probe identification signal line 15 </ b> A, the contact pad 34 installed in the region 35 </ b> A of the plug 3, and the contact 44 installed in the region 45 </ b> A of the receptacle 4.

  The ID identification unit 51 identifies the type of the ultrasound probe 1A connected to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body 5 based on the received probe identification signal. The ID identifying unit 51 notifies the control unit 50 of the type of the identified ultrasonic probe 1A. The control unit 50 extracts control data corresponding to the notified ultrasonic probe 1 </ b> A from the storage unit 56.

  The control unit 50 receives scanning conditions from the input unit 58. The control unit 50 controls each component (transmission / reception unit 52A, signal processing unit 53, image generation unit 54, and power supply unit 57) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body 5 to operate based on the control data and the scanning conditions. Generate a signal. This control signal includes information on transmission delay time and information on reception delay time for controlling the operation of each circuit of the transmission / reception unit 52A.

  Next, the control unit 50 operates each pulsar of the transmission / reception unit 52A based on the calculated transmission delay time information. The electrical signal output by each pulsar passes through the contact 44 installed in the second region 46 of the receptacle 4, the contact pad 34 installed in the second region 36 of the plug 3, and the ultrasonic echo signal line 15D. It is transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer 13. Thereby, the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 13 is driven and an ultrasonic wave is transmitted in the subject.

  At this time, since the ultrasonic probe 1A having no transmitting / receiving circuit is connected to the inside, the control unit 50 does not supply power to the ultrasonic probe 1A and transmit a control signal based on the control data. Thereby, when the ultrasonic probe 1A is connected, no signal flows through the contact pads 34 installed in the regions 35B and 35C of the plug 3 and the contacts 44 installed in the regions 45B and 45C of the receptacle 4. To be controlled.

  The ultrasonic wave (reflected wave) reflected in the subject is received by the ultrasonic transducer 13. The ultrasonic transducer 13 converts the received reflected wave into an echo signal and transmits it to the transmission / reception unit 52A. The transmitter / receiver 52A receives the echo signal via the ultrasonic echo signal line 15D, the contact pad 34 installed in the second region 36 of the plug 3, and the contact 44 installed in the second region 46 of the receptacle 4. To do.

  Next, the control unit 50 controls the operations of the preamplifier group, the delay circuit, and the addition circuit of the transmission / reception unit 52A based on the calculated reception delay time. Thus, the echo signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 13 is phased and added by the transmission / reception unit 52A.

  The transmission / reception unit 52 </ b> A outputs the phasing-added echo signal to the signal processing unit 53. Thereafter, the echo signal is processed by the signal processing unit 53, and the image generation unit 54 generates an ultrasonic image based on the result and displays it on the display unit 55.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 may be connected to the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the first embodiment. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 5 may be configured to switch the operation of the transmission / reception unit 52A according to the type of the connected ultrasonic probe. Specifically, when the ultrasonic probe 1 having a built-in transmission / reception circuit is connected, a control signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 1 to supply power, and the reception circuit (preamplifier group, delay circuit) of the transmission / reception unit 52A. , And an adder circuit). When the ultrasonic probe 1A that does not have a transmission / reception circuit is connected, it is preferable to operate both the transmission circuit and the reception circuit of the transmission / reception unit 52A.

  It is also possible to apply the ultrasonic probe 1A having a part of the function of the transmission / reception unit 52A. For example, a part of the circuit (pulser, preamplifier group, delay circuit, and addition circuit) of the transmission / reception unit 52A is provided in the ultrasonic probe 1A, and a part of the transducer of the ultrasonic transducer 13 is disposed in the ultrasonic probe 1A. It may be configured to be driven by a circuit provided in the circuit. In this case, it is good also as a structure which transmits a control signal to 1 A of ultrasonic probes from the control part 50 as needed. At this time, power may be supplied from the power supply unit 57 to the ultrasonic probe 1A.

  As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the modified example, even when an ultrasonic probe that does not have a circuit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is used, poor contact of a signal line that transmits and receives a probe identification signal is prevented. It becomes possible.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are included in the equivalent scope described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Ultrasonic probe 10 Control part 11 ID production | generation part 12 Transmission part 13 Ultrasonic transducer 14 Subarray beam former 15 Probe cable 2 Probe connector 3 Plug 31 Joining surface 32 Camshaft 33 Installation area 34 Contact pad 35 1st area | region 36 Second region 4 Receptacle 41 Joint surface 42 Recess 43 Pressure mechanism 44 Contact 45 First region 46 Second region 5 Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body 50 Control unit 51 ID identification unit 52 Reception unit 52A Transmission / reception unit 53 Signal processing unit 54 image generation unit 55 display unit 56 storage unit 57 power supply unit 58 input unit

Claims (6)

An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves from within the subject; and
An apparatus body for controlling the ultrasonic probe and processing an echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe;
A probe connector for connecting the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
The probe connector is
A plurality of contact pads are disposed in one planar region, a plurality of contacts are disposed in the other planar region, and a plug and a receptacle that can be fitted to each other;
A pressure mechanism disposed in a planar area of the plug or receptacle , and a pressure mechanism for increasing a contact pressure between the contact pad and the contact;
At least a probe identification signal line for transmitting and receiving a probe identification signal for the apparatus main body to identify the ultrasonic probe is arranged on the contact pad disposed in the vicinity of the pressure mechanism in the planar area. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves from within the subject; and
An apparatus body for controlling the ultrasonic probe and processing an echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe;
A probe connector for connecting the ultrasonic probe and the apparatus main body;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
The probe connector is
A plurality of contact pads are disposed in one planar region, a plurality of contacts are disposed in the other planar region, and a plug and a receptacle that can be fitted to each other;
A pressure mechanism disposed in a planar area of the plug or receptacle , and a pressure mechanism for increasing a contact pressure between the contact pad and the contact;
At least a probe identification signal for the apparatus body to identify the ultrasonic probe is transmitted to and received from the contact pad disposed in the first area located in the plane area in the vicinity of the installation area of the pressure mechanism. A probe identification signal line for receiving the echo signal from the ultrasonic probe to the contact pad disposed in the second region other than the first region. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by being arranged. The ultrasonic probe includes a circuit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves therein,
The probe connector includes the probe identification signal line, a power supply signal line for supplying power for driving the circuit to the ultrasonic probe, and the circuit to the contact pad disposed in the first region. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a probe control signal line for transmitting a control signal for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic probe to the ultrasonic probe.   Of the contact pads disposed in the first region, the probe identification signal line and the power supply are directed toward the contact pad disposed at a position far from the contact pad disposed at a position close to the pressure mechanism. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a signal line and the probe control signal line are arranged in this order. The ultrasonic probe includes a probe identification signal generation unit that is connected to the probe identification signal line, generates the probe identification signal, and transmits the generated probe identification signal to the apparatus main body.
The apparatus main body includes an identification unit that is connected to the probe identification signal line, receives a probe identification signal from the probe identification signal generation unit, and identifies the connected ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein control is performed in accordance with the control. A probe connector that connects an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves from within the subject, and an apparatus main body that controls the ultrasonic probes and processes echo signals received from the ultrasonic probes Because
A plurality of contact pads are disposed in one planar region, a plurality of contacts are disposed in the other planar region, and a plug and a receptacle that can be fitted to each other;
A pressure mechanism disposed in a planar area of the plug or receptacle , and a pressure mechanism for increasing a contact pressure between the contact pad and the contact;
At least a probe identification signal line for transmitting and receiving a probe identification signal for the apparatus main body to identify the ultrasonic probe is arranged on the contact pad disposed in the vicinity of the pressure mechanism in the planar area. Probe connector characterized by.

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