JP6303494B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is used in the medical field and can be connected or communicated with an ultrasonic probe.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is electrically connected to the ultrasonic probe by a cable or the like, and transmits the ultrasonic wave by applying the ultrasonic probe to the surface of the subject such as the abdomen or chest of the human body. An ultrasonic diagnostic image is obtained by receiving reflected ultrasonic waves. In addition, instead of electrical connection using cables or the like, the ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are each equipped with a communication unit to communicate signals, thereby communicating with the ultrasonic probe wirelessly. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains a diagnostic image is also known.

  Depending on the subject or the observation site of the subject, an ultrasound probe having a different scanning method or frequency may be used, and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus can connect to or communicate with a plurality of ultrasound probes. There is something. Among these plural ultrasonic probes, an ultrasonic probe to be used for diagnosis is selected to transmit / receive ultrasonic waves. As a method of selecting the ultrasonic probe to be used, a switch is attached to the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic probe to be used is selected by pressing this switch. A method for transmitting and receiving sound waves is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-14670 A

  However, when a switch is attached to the ultrasonic probe, it is necessary to pick up the location where the switch is provided and press the switch to select the ultrasonic probe to be used. Becomes annoying.

  An object of the present invention is to enable an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to easily recognize an ultrasonic probe to be used, that is, an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves.

In order to achieve this object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus realized by one embodiment of the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to be connectable with a plurality of ultrasonic probes, from the ultrasonic probe. A transmission control unit that generates a transmission control signal that controls the supply of a transmission electrical signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the subject; and a reception unit that acquires a reception signal based on the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe; An ultrasonic image generation unit that generates tomographic image data of a subject based on a received signal, and a switching circuit that switches an ultrasonic probe connected to a transmission control unit and a reception unit among a plurality of ultrasonic probes And an operation determining unit that detects accelerations of a plurality of ultrasonic probes and compares accelerations of the plurality of ultrasonic probes , and the switching circuit unit performs switching based on the determination result of the operation determining unit. To achieve the intended purpose. It is intended.

Further, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus realized by a different aspect is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured such that a plurality of ultrasonic probes can communicate with each other, and transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe to a subject. A transmission control unit that generates a transmission control signal that controls supply of a transmission electric signal to be transmitted, a communication unit that receives a reception signal based on a reflected ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe, and a reception target based on the reception signal. An ultrasonic image generation unit that generates tomographic image data of a specimen, a switching circuit unit that performs control to switch an ultrasonic probe that communicates a transmission control signal among a plurality of ultrasonic probes, and a plurality of ultrasonic waves An operation determining unit that detects the acceleration of the probe and compares the accelerations of the plurality of ultrasonic probes , and the switching circuit unit performs switching based on the determination result of the operation determining unit.

  According to the present invention, an operation determination unit that receives input of operation information of a plurality of ultrasonic probes and compares the operation information of the plurality of ultrasonic probes, and an ultrasonic wave to be used based on the operation information Because it has a switching circuit that switches the connection or communication by determining the probe, the ultrasound diagnostic device can easily recognize the ultrasound probe to be used regardless of the location of the ultrasound probe Can do.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

In the following, an embodiment showing an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
The first embodiment is an example in which a plurality of ultrasonic probes are connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by cables or the like.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a transmission control unit 2, a transmission unit 3, a reception unit 4, an ultrasonic image generation unit 5, a display processing unit 6, an operation determination unit 7, a switching circuit unit 8, and a control unit 9. The storage unit 10 is provided. And it is comprised so that connection with the display part 11 and the input part 12 is possible.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is configured to be connectable to the ultrasonic probe 13 and the ultrasonic probe 16, and the user can connect either the ultrasonic probe 13 or the ultrasonic probe 16. The ultrasonic diagnostic image is obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe 13 and the ultrasonic probe 16 are connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 by a cable or the like. Note that although two ultrasonic probes that can be connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described here, two or more may be used, and the number is not limited to two. In addition, an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves is hereinafter referred to as a used ultrasonic probe.
The ultrasonic probe 13 includes an element unit 14 and a probe operation detection unit 15, and the ultrasonic probe 16 includes an element unit 17 and a probe operation detection unit 18.

The element unit 14 and the element unit 17 convert an electric transmission signal transmitted from the transmission unit 3 into an ultrasonic wave, and an ultrasonic probe that uses either the ultrasonic probe 13 or the ultrasonic probe 16 is used. Ultrasonic waves emitted from the element unit 14 or the element unit 17 are transmitted toward the subject while being in contact with the surface of the subject. Then, the ultrasound probe 13 or the ultrasound probe 16 receives the reflected ultrasound reflected from the subject, converts the reflected ultrasound into a received electrical signal by the element unit 14 or the element unit 17, This received electrical signal is supplied to the receiver 4. The element unit 14 or the element unit 17 may be a plurality of vibrators arranged in a one-dimensional direction.

The electrical connection of the ultrasonic probe to be used is switched by the switching circuit unit 8. When the ultrasonic probe 13 is used, the transmission unit 3 and the reception unit 4 are electrically connected to the element unit 14. When the ultrasonic probe 16 is used, the transmission unit 3 and the reception unit 4 are electrically connected to the element unit 17.
The ultrasound probe 13 includes a probe motion detection unit 15 that detects motion information of the ultrasound probe 13. The probe motion detection unit 15 is an acceleration sensor, for example, and detects acceleration as motion information of the ultrasonic probe 13. Similarly, the ultrasonic probe 16 includes a probe motion detection unit 18 which is an acceleration sensor, for example.

The probe motion detection unit 15 and the probe motion detection unit 18 are each connected to the motion determination unit 7 and configured to be able to supply motion information of each ultrasonic probe to the motion determination unit 7.
The transmission control unit 2 which is one of the components included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is a transmission control signal for performing transmission control of ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 13 or the ultrasonic probe 16 toward the subject. Is generated. The transmission control unit 2 includes a pulsar and the like.

  Then, the transmission unit 3 performs a transmission process for supplying a high-voltage transmission electrical signal generated at a predetermined timing based on the transmission control signal to the ultrasonic probe 13 or the ultrasonic probe 16. The transmission unit 3 includes a transmission beam former.

  The receiving unit 4 receives a received electrical signal from the ultrasound probe 13 or the ultrasound probe 16, and performs processing necessary for constructing ultrasound tomographic image data such as amplification and detection of the received electrical signal. The reception process for generating the reception signal is performed. The reception process performed by the reception unit 4 means a process in which at least the reception unit 4 acquires a reception signal based on the reflected ultrasound. As an example, when a plurality of transducers are arranged in a one-dimensional direction, the receiving unit 4 amplifies the received electrical signal converted by the element unit 14 or the element unit 17 and performs A / D conversion to receive the received signal. Is generated. Then, only an ultrasonic wave from a predetermined position or direction is detected by adding an appropriate delay to the reflected ultrasonic wave received by each transducer. A plurality of reception signals corresponding to one image frame are obtained by performing transmission processing by the transmission unit 3 and reception processing by the reception unit 4, and a plurality of reception signals corresponding to a plurality of image frames are obtained by repeating this multiple times. The received signal is acquired. The reception unit 4 includes an amplifier, an AD converter, a reception beam former, and the like. Note that some functions of the transmission unit 3 and the reception unit 4 may be provided on the ultrasonic probe side. For example, based on a transmission control signal for generating a transmission electric signal output from the transmission control unit 2, a transmission electric signal is generated in the ultrasonic probe, the transmission electric signal is converted into an ultrasonic wave, and reception is performed. The reflected ultrasound is converted into a received electrical signal, a received signal is generated based on the received electrical signal in the ultrasound probe, and the receiving unit 4 receives the received signal.

  Usually, the transmission unit 3 repeatedly performs transmission processing continuously and sequentially generates reception signals. For this reason, the following processing is sequentially performed on the generated reception signal.

  The ultrasonic image generation unit 5 receives the reception signal generated by the reception unit 4, analyzes the amplitude of the reception signal, converts it to a luminance signal according to the signal strength of the reception signal, and converts the luminance signal into an orthogonal coordinate system Coordinate transformation or the like is performed so as to correspond, and tomographic image data (B-mode image data) that is an ultrasonic image is sequentially constructed. The ultrasonic image generation unit 5 includes, for example, various filters, detectors, logarithmic amplifiers, scan converters, and other signal / image processors. Note that since the received signal is digitized, conversion to a luminance signal according to the signal strength of the received signal may be realized by software, not by the hardware described above.

  The display processing unit 6 generates composite image data obtained by combining the tomographic image data generated by the ultrasonic image generation unit 5 and other various display data, and performs processing for displaying the combined image data on the display unit 11.

  The motion determination unit 7 receives input of motion information of a plurality of ultrasound probes and compares the motion information of the plurality of ultrasound probes. Here, the operation information of the ultrasonic probe 13 and the ultrasonic probe 16 is received from the probe operation detection unit 15 and the probe operation detection unit 18, and the values of the operation information of both are compared. Then, it is determined whether or not to switch the connection of the switching circuit unit 8 according to the value of the operation information. Further, the motion determination unit 7 is configured to determine whether or not the motion amount of the probe motion detection unit 15 or the probe motion detection unit 18 exceeds a predetermined value stored in advance in the storage unit 10 or the like. May be.

  The switching circuit unit 8 includes a switch circuit and the like, and switches an ultrasonic probe that is electrically connected to the transmission control unit 2 and the reception unit 4. That is, the transmission control unit 2 and the reception unit 4 switch between the element unit 14 and the element unit 17. The transmission control unit 2 is connected to the switching circuit unit 8 via the transmission unit 3. However, when the transmission unit 3 is configured in the ultrasonic probe, the transmission control unit 2 and the switching circuit unit 8 are connected to each other. Connect directly. An ultrasonic probe that is electrically connected to the transmission control unit 2 and the reception unit 4 by the switching circuit unit 8 can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic probe obtains an ultrasonic diagnostic image. It becomes the ultrasonic probe to be used.

  The control unit 9 is composed of an arithmetic processor equipped with a memory and controls the operation of each component.

  The storage unit 10 is an electronic storage medium such as a memory, and stores conditions serving as determination criteria for the operation determination unit 7 to perform operation determination.

  The display unit 11 is a display or the like, and displays the composite image data generated by the display processing unit 6. The display unit 11 may be provided integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 as a single housing.

  The input unit 12 is a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, or the like, receives an input from the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, and inputs a command based on the operator's input to the control unit 9.

  As for each functional block provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, part or all of the functions of each functional block can be realized as an LSI that is typically an integrated circuit. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor, and connection and setting of circuit cells in FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and LSI can be reconfigured. A reconfigurable processor may be used. Further, some or all of the functions of each function block may be executed by software. In this case, the software is stored in one or more storage media such as a ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk, and the software is executed by the arithmetic processor.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in the first embodiment.

When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is activated, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is electrically connected to a preset ultrasonic probe. Then, for example, an example in which the user picks up the hand to use the ultrasonic probe 13 will be described. Note that the same processing flow is used when the user wants to use the ultrasonic probe 16 and another ultrasonic probe.

First, when the user picks up the ultrasonic probe 13, the probe motion detection unit 15 detects acceleration generated by moving the ultrasonic probe 13 as motion information.
When detecting the motion information, the probe motion detection unit 15 transmits the motion information to the motion determination unit 7. When the motion determination unit 7 receives the motion information from the probe motion detection unit 15, the motion determination unit 7 proceeds to step S202 (step S201).

  Next, when the motion determination unit 7 receives the motion information from the probe motion detection unit 15, the motion determination unit 7 acquires the motion status of other ultrasound probes. Here, operation information is received from the probe operation detection unit 18 in order to acquire the operation status of the ultrasonic probe 16 which is another ultrasonic probe (step S202). Further, when there is another ultrasonic probe, the same processing is performed for the other ultrasonic probes.

  Next, the motion determination unit 7 obtains the motion information of the ultrasound probe 13 obtained from the probe motion detection unit 15 and the motion information of the ultrasound probe 16 obtained from the probe motion detection unit 18. In comparison, if the acceleration value that is the operation information of the ultrasonic probe 13 is larger than the acceleration value that is the operation information of the ultrasonic probe 16, the process proceeds to step S204, and the ultrasonic probe is performed. If the acceleration value of 13 is smaller than the acceleration value of the ultrasound probe 16, the process returns to step S201 (step S203). Further, when there is another ultrasonic probe, the same processing is performed for the other ultrasonic probes.

  In step S203, when the acceleration value of the ultrasonic probe 13 is larger than the acceleration value of the ultrasonic probe 16, the switching circuit unit 8 determines that the ultrasonic probe 13 is the transmission control unit 2 and The connection is switched so as to be electrically connected to the receiving unit 4 (step S204). When the ultrasound probe 13 is selected as the use ultrasound probe from the beginning, the switching circuit unit 8 does not switch the connection, and the ultrasound probe 13, the transmission control unit 2, and the like. The electrical connection with the receiving unit 4 is maintained.

  In step S201, the motion determination unit 7 may transition to step S202 only when the motion information received from the probe motion detection unit 15 satisfies a preset condition. For example, the process may proceed to step S202 only when the ultrasonic probe that the user wants to use is vibrated from side to side at a predetermined speed or more three times or more. As another example, the process may proceed to step S202 only when the user changes the ultrasonic probe that the user wants to use from upward to downward. The conditions for transition to step S202 are stored in the storage unit 10. With this setting, it is possible to prevent a slight operation of the ultrasound probe that occurs during the ultrasound diagnosis from being performed and perform the operations after step S202.

  Also, in step S203, the value of the motion information detected by the probe motion detection unit 15 (here, the acceleration value) and the value of the motion information detected by the probe motion detection unit 18 (here, the acceleration value). Only when the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the process may transition to step S204.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to easily set the ultrasonic probe to be used based on the operation status of the ultrasonic probe. Also, it is not based only on the operating status of one ultrasonic probe, but the operating status of multiple ultrasonic probes is checked and the ultrasonic probe used is switched. An acoustic probe can be selected.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment is an example in which a plurality of ultrasonic probes communicate wirelessly with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. About the structure similar to Embodiment 1, it abbreviate | omits about the description using the same code | symbol.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b according to the present embodiment includes a transmission control unit 2, an ultrasonic image generation unit 5, a display processing unit 6, an operation determination unit 7b, a switching circuit unit 8b, a control unit 9, a storage unit 10, and a communication unit 19. Is provided. And it is comprised so that connection with the display part 11 and the input part 12 is possible.

  Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1b is configured to be able to communicate with the ultrasound probe 13b and the ultrasound probe 16b wirelessly. The user transmits / receives ultrasonic waves using either the ultrasonic probe 13b or the ultrasonic probe 16b to obtain an ultrasonic diagnostic image. In addition, although the ultrasonic probe which can communicate with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b is demonstrated here as two, it should just be two or more and is not restricted to two. In addition, an ultrasonic probe that communicates with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves is hereinafter referred to as a used ultrasonic probe.

  The ultrasonic probe 13b includes a communication unit 20, a transmission unit 3a, a reception unit 4a, an element unit 14, a power supply unit 21, a charging connection detection unit 22, a control unit 23, and a probe operation detection unit 15. The charger 24 can be electrically connected to the power supply unit 21 and charges the power supply unit 21 including a battery.

  The charging connection detection unit 22 detects whether or not the power supply unit 21 is supplied with power from the charger 24. For example, an energization state between the charger 24 and the power supply unit 21 may be detected, or a mechanism for detecting whether the charger 24 and the power supply unit 21 are physically connected may be used.

  The control unit 23 is composed of an arithmetic processor equipped with a memory and controls the operation of each component.

When acquiring the operation information of the ultrasonic probe 13b, the probe operation detection unit 15 transmits the operation information from the communication unit 20 to the communication unit 19, and the operation determination unit 7b acquires the operation information.
The charging connection detection unit 22 transmits a signal from the communication unit 20 to the communication unit 19 when the charging state of the power supply unit 21 changes, and the control unit 9 charges the storage unit 10 with the charging state of the ultrasonic probe 13b. Save about.

The transmitting unit 3a and the receiving unit 4a included in the ultrasonic probe 13b may be configured to be included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b as in the first embodiment instead of the ultrasonic probe 13b.
The ultrasonic probe 16b includes a communication unit 25, a transmission unit 3b, a reception unit 4b, an element unit 17, a power supply unit 26, a charge connection detection unit 27, a control unit 28, and a probe operation detection unit 18. The charger 29 can be electrically connected to the power supply unit 26 and charges the power supply unit 26 formed of a battery or the like.

  The charging connection detection unit 27 detects whether or not the power supply unit 26 is supplied with power from the charger 29. For example, an energization state between the charger 29 and the power supply unit 26 may be detected, or a mechanism for detecting whether the charger 29 and the power supply unit 26 are physically connected may be used.

  The control unit 28 is composed of an arithmetic processor equipped with a memory and the like, and controls the operation of each component.

When acquiring the operation information of the ultrasonic probe 16b, the probe operation detecting unit 18 transmits the operation information from the communication unit 25 to the communication unit 19, and the operation determining unit 7b acquires the operation information.
The charging connection detection unit 27 transmits a signal from the communication unit 25 to the communication unit 19 when the charging state of the power supply unit 26 changes, and the control unit 9 charges the storage unit 10 with the charging state of the ultrasonic probe 16b. Save about.

  Note that the transmitting unit 3a and the receiving unit 4a included in the ultrasonic probe 16b may be configured to be included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b as in the first embodiment instead of the ultrasonic probe 16b.

  The motion determination unit 7b receives input of motion information of a plurality of ultrasound probes and compares the motion information of the plurality of ultrasound probes. Here, the operation information of the ultrasonic probe 13b and the ultrasonic probe 16b is received from the probe operation detection unit 15 and the probe operation detection unit 18, and the values of the operation information of both are compared. Then, it is determined whether to switch the control of the switching circuit unit 8b according to the value of the operation information. Furthermore, the motion determination unit 7b is configured to determine whether or not the motion amount of the probe motion detection unit 15 or the probe motion detection unit 18 exceeds a predetermined value stored in advance in the storage unit 10 or the like. May be.

  The switching circuit unit 8b controls switching of an ultrasonic probe that transmits a transmission control signal generated by the transmission control unit 2, that is, an ultrasonic probe that communicates with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b. For example, when the ultrasonic probe used is the ultrasonic probe 13b, the switching circuit unit 8b transmits a transmission control signal generated by the transmission control unit 2 from the communication unit 19 to the communication unit 20 of the ultrasonic probe 13b. Control to send to. Then, the transmission unit 3a performs a transmission process for supplying the element unit 14 with a high-voltage transmission electrical signal generated at a predetermined timing generated based on the transmission control signal. The transmission unit 3a includes a transmission beam former.

  The receiving unit 4a receives the received electrical signal from the element unit 14, performs processing necessary for construction of ultrasonic tomographic image data, such as amplification and detection of the received electrical signal, and performs reception processing for generating a received signal. . The reception process performed by the reception unit 4a means a process in which at least the reception unit 4 acquires a reception signal based on reflected ultrasound. As an example, when a plurality of transducers are arranged in a one-dimensional direction, the reception unit 4a generates a reception signal by amplifying the reception electrical signal converted by the element unit 14 and performing A / D conversion. Then, only an ultrasonic wave from a predetermined position or direction is detected by adding an appropriate delay to the reflected ultrasonic wave received by each transducer. A plurality of reception signals corresponding to one image frame are acquired by performing transmission processing by the transmission unit 3a and reception processing by the reception unit 4a. By repeating this a plurality of times, a plurality of reception signals corresponding to a plurality of image frames are obtained. The received signal is acquired. The receiving unit 4a includes an amplifier, an AD converter, a receiving beam former, and the like.

  The received signal is transmitted from the communication unit 20 to the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b. That is, the communication unit 19 receives a reception signal generated by the reception unit 4a. Then, this reception signal is supplied to the ultrasonic image generation unit 5.

  When the ultrasonic probe to be used is the ultrasonic probe 16b, the switching circuit unit 8b transmits the transmission control signal generated by the transmission control unit 2 from the communication unit 19 to the communication unit 25 of the ultrasonic probe 16b. Control to do. The transmission unit 3b executes the same processing as the transmission unit 3a, and the reception unit 4b executes the same processing as the reception unit 4b. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted, but the reception signal generated by the reception unit 4b is a communication. The data is transmitted from the unit 25 to the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b. That is, the communication unit 19 receives the reception signal generated by the reception unit 4b. Then, this reception signal is supplied to the ultrasonic image generation unit 5.

  Regarding the functional blocks provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b, the ultrasonic probe 13b, and the ultrasonic probe 16b, some or all of the functions of each functional block are typically LSIs that are integrated circuits. Can be realized. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor, and connection and setting of circuit cells in FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and LSI can be reconfigured. A reconfigurable processor may be used. Further, some or all of the functions of each function block may be executed by software. In this case, the software is stored in one or more storage media such as a ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk, and the software is executed by the arithmetic processor.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b in the second embodiment.

  At the time when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b is activated, it is set to communicate with a preset ultrasonic probe. Then, for example, an example will be described in which the user picks up the hand to use the ultrasonic probe 13b. Note that the same processing flow is used when the user wants to use the ultrasonic probe 16b and another ultrasonic probe.

First, the control unit 9 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b checks an ultrasonic probe that can communicate with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b. In the storage unit 10 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b, ultrasonic probes that may be used are registered in advance. Then, a communication state confirmation signal is transmitted from the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b to the registered ultrasonic probe to confirm which ultrasonic probe is in a communicable state. When the communicable ultrasonic probe receives the communication state confirmation signal, the communicable ultrasonic probe transmits a signal indicating the communicable state to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b receives the signal. It recognizes that the ultrasonic probe is in a communicable state.
Then, the state of charge of each of the communicable ultrasonic probes is confirmed. The confirmation of the charging state is performed by transmitting a charge confirmation signal from the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b to the communication unit of the communicable ultrasonic probe and receiving the charge confirmation signal. The connection detection unit detects whether the battery is being charged as a charging state, and transmits the charging state to the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b. The control unit 9 stores the state of charge in the storage unit 10 (step S401). After that, instead of sending a charging confirmation signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b, when the charging connection detection unit of each ultrasonic probe detects a change in the charging state, the change signal is transmitted to the communication unit 19, The control unit 9 changes the charging state of each ultrasonic probe to the storage unit 10.

  When the user picks up the ultrasonic probe 13b, the probe motion detection unit 15 detects acceleration generated by moving the ultrasonic probe 13b as motion information. When detecting the motion information, the probe motion detection unit 15 transmits the motion information from the communication unit 20 to the motion determination unit 7b via the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b. When the motion determination unit 7b receives the motion information from the probe motion detection unit 15, the motion determination unit 7b proceeds to Step S403 (Step S402).

  When the motion determination unit 7b receives the motion information, the motion determination unit 7b refers to the storage unit 10 to check whether the ultrasonic probe 13b is in a charged state, that is, whether it is being charged. If the ultrasonic probe 13b is being charged, the process returns to step S402. If not, the process proceeds to step S404 (step S403). The case where the motion determination unit 7b receives the motion information but the ultrasound probe 13b is being charged is, for example, that the user does not hold the ultrasound probe 13b but puts a charger. In some cases, for example, the ultrasonic probe 13b is not set as the use ultrasonic probe.

  When the ultrasonic probe 13b is not being charged, the operation determination unit 7b refers to the storage unit 10 and confirms the charged state of the other ultrasonic probes. Here, the charged state of the ultrasonic probe 16b, which is another ultrasonic probe, is confirmed. If the ultrasonic probe 16b is being charged, the process proceeds to step S405, and is not being charged. Transits to Step S406 (Step S404). Further, when there is another ultrasonic probe, the same processing is performed for the other ultrasonic probes.

  When the ultrasonic probe 16b is being charged, the switching circuit unit 8b transmits the transmission control signal generated by the transmission control unit 2 from the communication unit 19 to the communication unit 20 of the ultrasonic probe 13b. Control is switched (step S405). When the ultrasound probe 13b is selected as the use ultrasound probe from the beginning, the switching circuit unit 8b does not switch the communication control, and the ultrasound probe 13b and the transmission control unit 2 are not switched. And maintain communication control.

  On the other hand, when the ultrasonic probe 16b is not being charged, the communication unit 19 acquires the operation status of the ultrasonic probe 16b that is an ultrasonic probe other than the ultrasonic probe 13b. Is transmitted to the communication unit 25, and the motion information detected by the probe motion detection unit 18 is transmitted to the motion determination unit 7b via the communication unit 25 and the communication unit 19 (step S406). Further, when there is another ultrasonic probe, the same processing is performed for the other ultrasonic probes.

  Next, the motion determination unit 7b compares the motion information of the ultrasound probe 13b with the motion information of the ultrasound probe 16b that is the other ultrasound probe, and the motion information of the ultrasound probe 13b. If the acceleration value is larger than the acceleration value, which is the operation information of the ultrasonic probe 16b, the process proceeds to step S408, and the acceleration value of the ultrasonic probe 13b is the ultrasonic probe 16b. If it is smaller than the acceleration value, the process returns to step S402 (step S407). Further, when there is another ultrasonic probe, the same processing is performed for the other ultrasonic probes.

  In step S407, when the acceleration value of the ultrasonic probe 13b is larger than the acceleration value of the ultrasonic probe 16b, the switching circuit unit 8b communicates the transmission control signal generated by the transmission control unit 2. The control is switched so as to transmit from the unit 19 to the communication unit 20 of the ultrasonic probe 13b (step S408). When the ultrasound probe 13b is selected as the use ultrasound probe from the beginning, the switching circuit unit 8b does not switch the communication control, and the ultrasound probe 13b and the transmission control unit 2 are not switched. And maintain communication control.

  In step S402, the motion determination unit 7b may make a transition to step S403 only when the motion information received from the probe motion detection unit 15 satisfies a preset condition. For example, the process may proceed to step S403 only when the ultrasonic probe that the user wants to use is vibrated left and right at a predetermined speed or more three times or more. As another example, the process may proceed to step S403 only when the ultrasonic probe that the user wants to use is changed from upward to downward. The conditions for transition to step S403 are stored in the storage unit 10. With this setting, it is possible to prevent a slight operation of the ultrasound probe that occurs during the ultrasound diagnosis from being performed and perform the operations after step S403.

  In step S407, the value of the motion information detected by the probe motion detection unit 15 (acceleration value here) and the value of the motion information detected by the probe motion detection unit 18 (acceleration value here) are detected. Only when the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the process may transition to step S408.

With the above configuration, it is possible to easily set the ultrasonic probe to be used based on the operation status of the ultrasonic probe. Also, it is not based only on the operating status of one ultrasonic probe, but the operating status of multiple ultrasonic probes is checked and the ultrasonic probe used is switched. An acoustic probe can be selected.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, a plurality of ultrasonic probes can be connected to or communicated with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and some ultrasonic probes are connected by cables or the like, and some ultrasonic probes are connected. This is an example when the probe communicates wirelessly.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. About the structure similar to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, the description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c according to the present embodiment includes a transmission control unit 2, a transmission unit 3c, a reception unit 4c, an ultrasonic image generation unit 5, a display processing unit 6, an operation determination unit 7c, a switching circuit unit 8c, and a control unit 9. A storage unit 10 and a communication unit 19. And it is comprised so that connection with the display part 11 and the input part 12 is possible.

  Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1c is configured to be able to communicate with the ultrasound probe 13b wirelessly, and is configured to be connectable to the ultrasound probe 16 by a cable or the like. The user transmits / receives ultrasonic waves using either the ultrasonic probe 13b or the ultrasonic probe 16 to obtain an ultrasonic diagnostic image. Here, it is assumed that there is one ultrasonic probe that can communicate with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c and one ultrasonic probe that can be connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c by wire. It only has to be one, not limited to one by one. In addition, an ultrasonic probe that is electrically connected to the transmitter 3c and the receiver 4c of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves, or communicates with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c to transmit / receive ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe to be performed is hereinafter referred to as a used ultrasonic probe.

  Since the processing executed by the transmission unit 3c and the reception unit 4c is the same as the processing executed by the transmission unit 3 and the reception unit 4 described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted, but the transmission unit 3c is a switching circuit. When the unit 8c is electrically connected to the wired ultrasonic probe, that is, when the wired ultrasonic probe is the used ultrasonic probe, the transmitting unit 3 and the receiving unit 4 A similar process is executed. The transmitter 3c may be arranged on the ultrasonic probe side in the same manner as the transmitter 3 of the first embodiment.

  When the wireless ultrasonic probe is the use ultrasonic probe, the reception signal received by the communication unit 19 from the use ultrasonic probe is received without receiving the reception unit 4c. The signal is supplied to the ultrasonic image generating unit 5 without performing signal processing in the unit 4c.

  The motion determination unit 7c receives input of motion information of a plurality of ultrasonic probes and compares the motion information of the plurality of ultrasonic probes. Here, the operation information of the ultrasonic probe 13b and the ultrasonic probe 16 is received from the probe operation detection unit 15 and the probe operation detection unit 18, and the values of the operation information of both are compared. Then, it is determined whether to switch control or connection of the switching circuit unit 8c according to the value of the operation information. Further, the motion determination unit 7c is configured to determine whether or not the motion amount of the probe motion detection unit 15 or the probe motion detection unit 18 exceeds a predetermined value stored in advance in the storage unit 10 or the like. May be.

When the ultrasonic probe used is a wireless ultrasonic probe, in this case, the ultrasonic probe 13b, the switching circuit unit 8c transmits a transmission control signal generated by the transmission control unit 2 to the communication unit 19. To transmit to the communication unit 20 of the ultrasonic probe 13b. When the ultrasonic probe used is a wired ultrasonic probe, the transmitting unit 3c and the receiving unit 4c are element units of the used ultrasonic probe, here the element unit 17 of the ultrasonic probe 16. Switch to make an electrical connection. Switching circuit unit 8c
Switches the communication destination or connection destination.

  Regarding each functional block provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c and the ultrasonic probe 13b, a part or all of the functions of each functional block can be realized as an LSI that is typically an integrated circuit. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor, and connection and setting of circuit cells in FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and LSI can be reconfigured. A reconfigurable processor may be used. Further, some or all of the functions of each function block may be executed by software. In this case, the software is stored in one or more storage media such as a ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk, and the software is executed by the arithmetic processor.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c in the third embodiment.

  At the time when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c is activated, it is set so as to be electrically connected to or communicate with a preset ultrasonic probe. Then, for example, an example will be described in which the user picks up the hand to use the ultrasonic probe 13b or the ultrasonic probe 16. Note that the same processing flow is used when the user wishes to use another ultrasonic probe.

  First, the control unit 9 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c checks an ultrasonic probe that can communicate with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c among the ultrasonic probes that communicate wirelessly. In the storage unit 10 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c, ultrasonic probes that may be used are registered in advance. Then, a communication state confirmation signal is transmitted from the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b to the registered ultrasonic probe to confirm which ultrasonic probe is in a communicable state. When the communicable ultrasonic probe receives the communication status confirmation signal, the communicable ultrasonic probe transmits a signal indicating the communicable state to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c receives the signal. It recognizes that the ultrasonic probe is in a communicable state.

  Then, the state of charge of each of the communicable ultrasonic probes is confirmed. The confirmation of the charging state is performed by transmitting a charging confirmation signal from the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c to the communication unit of the communicable ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic probe that has received the confirmation signal is connected by charging. The detection unit detects whether or not the battery is being charged as a charging state, and transmits the charging state to the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c. The control unit 9 stores the state of charge in the storage unit 10 (step S601). After that, instead of sending a confirmation signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c, when the charging connection detection unit of each ultrasonic probe detects a change in the state of charge, the change signal is transmitted to the communication unit 19 for control. The unit 9 changes the charging state of each ultrasonic probe to the storage unit 10.

  When the user picks up the ultrasound probe 13b or 16, the probe motion detector 15 or 18 detects the acceleration generated by moving the ultrasound probe 13b or 16 as motion information. When the probe motion detection unit 15 detects the motion information, the motion information is transmitted from the communication unit 20 to the motion determination unit 7c via the communication unit 19 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b. On the other hand, when the probe motion detection unit 18 detects the motion information, the motion information is transmitted to the motion determination unit 7c. When the motion determination unit 7c receives the motion information from the probe motion detection unit 15 or 18, the motion determination unit 7c transits to Step S603 (Step S602).

Upon receiving the motion information, the motion determination unit 7c determines whether the ultrasound probe that has received the motion information is an ultrasound probe that communicates wirelessly or an ultrasound probe that is connected by wire. To do. If the ultrasonic probe communicates wirelessly, that is, here, if it is the ultrasonic probe 13b, the process proceeds to step S604. On the other hand, if the ultrasonic probe is connected by wire, that is, if it is the ultrasonic probe 16 here, the process proceeds to step S607 (step S603).

  In step S604, the motion determination unit 7c refers to the storage unit 10 to determine whether there is an ultrasonic probe that communicates wirelessly in addition to the ultrasonic probe that has received the motion information in step S602. If not, the process proceeds to step S606, and if present, the process proceeds to step S605.

  If there is no other ultrasonic probe that communicates wirelessly in step S604, all other ultrasonic probes that have received the operation information in step S602 are connected by wire. Since it is a child, the processing after step S202 described in the first embodiment is performed (step S605). However, the operation determination unit 7 operates in the same manner as the operation determination unit 7c, and the switching circuit unit 8 operates in the same manner in the switching circuit unit 8c. In step S203, as in the first embodiment, the value of the ultrasound probe operation information (in this case, the acceleration value) that received the motion information in step S602 and the other ultrasound probe operation information. Only when the difference between the two values (acceleration value in this case) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the process may proceed to step S204.

  If there is another ultrasonic probe that communicates wirelessly in step S604, the processing after step S403 described in the second embodiment is performed on the ultrasonic probe that communicates wirelessly, and wired. The same processing as in step S605 described above is performed on the ultrasonic probe to be connected (step S606). However, the operation determining unit 7b performs the same operation as the operation determining unit 7c, and the switching circuit unit 8b performs the same operation as the switching circuit unit 8c. In step S407, as in the second embodiment, the value of the ultrasound probe motion information (here, the acceleration value) that received the motion information in step S602 and the other ultrasound probe motion information. Only when the difference between the two values (acceleration value in this case) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the process may proceed to step S408.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step S607 in step S603, the operation determination unit 7c determines whether there is an ultrasonic probe connected by wire in addition to the ultrasonic probe that has received the operation information in step S602. The determination is made with reference to the storage unit 10, and if there is none, the process proceeds to step S608, and if there is, the process proceeds to step S609 (step S607).

  If there is no other ultrasonic probe connected in a wired manner in step S607, all the other ultrasonic probes that have received the operation information in step S602 are wirelessly connected. Since it is a child, the processing after step S404 described in the second embodiment is performed (step S608). However, the operation determining unit 7b performs the same operation as the operation determining unit 7c, and the switching circuit unit 8b performs the same operation as the switching circuit unit 8c. In step S407, as in the second embodiment, the value of the ultrasound probe motion information (here, the acceleration value) that received the motion information in step S602 and the other ultrasound probe motion information. Only when the difference between the two values (acceleration value in this case) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the process may proceed to step S408.

If there is another wired ultrasonic probe in step S607, the same processing as in step S608 described above is performed on the ultrasonic probe that communicates wirelessly, and the ultrasonic wave that is connected by wire. For the probe, the processing after step S202 described in the first embodiment is performed (step S609). However, the operation of the motion determination unit 7 is the motion determination unit 7c.
Performs the same operation, and the switching circuit unit 8c performs the same operation. In step S203, as in the second embodiment, the value of the ultrasound probe operation information (acceleration value in this case) that received the motion information in step S602 and the other ultrasound probe motion information. Only when the difference between the two values (acceleration value in this case) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the process may proceed to step S204.

  In step S602, the motion determination unit 7c may transition to step S603 only when the motion information received from the probe motion detection unit 15 or 18 satisfies a preset condition. For example, the process may proceed to step S603 only when the ultrasonic probe that the user wants to use is vibrated from side to side at a predetermined speed or more three times or more. As another example, the process may proceed to step S603 only when the ultrasonic probe that the user wants to use is changed from upward to downward. The conditions for transition to step S603 are stored in the storage unit 10. With this setting, it is possible to prevent a slight operation of the ultrasound probe that occurs during the ultrasound diagnosis from being performed and perform the operations after step S603.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to easily set the ultrasonic probe to be used based on the operation status of the ultrasonic probe. Also, it is not based only on the operating status of one ultrasonic probe, but the operating status of multiple ultrasonic probes is checked and the ultrasonic probe used is switched. An acoustic probe can be selected.

  The present invention can be used for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the like that is connected to and / or communicates with a subject to be observed or a plurality of ultrasonic probes that are selectively used depending on the observation site of the subject.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1b Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1c Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Transmission control part 3 Transmission part 3a Transmission part 3b Transmission part 3c Transmission part 4 Reception part 4a Reception part 4b Reception part 4c Reception part 5 Ultrasonic image generation part 6 Display processing unit 7 Operation determination unit 7b Operation determination unit 7c Operation determination unit 8 Switching circuit unit 8b Switching circuit unit 8c Switching circuit unit 9 Control unit 10 Storage unit 11 Display unit 12 Input unit 13 Ultrasonic probe 13b Ultrasonic probe Element 14 Element unit 15 Probe operation detection unit 16 Ultrasonic probe 16b Ultrasonic probe 17 Element unit 18 Probe operation detection unit 19 Communication unit 20 Communication unit 21 Power supply unit 22 Charging connection detection unit 23 Control unit 24 Charger 25 Communication Unit 26 Power Supply Unit 27 Charging Connection Detection Unit 28 Control Unit 29 Charger

Claims (4)

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to connect a plurality of ultrasonic probes,
A transmission control unit that generates a transmission control signal for controlling the supply of a transmission electric signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe to a subject; and
A receiving unit for acquiring a reception signal based on the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe;
An ultrasonic image generation unit that generates tomographic image data of the subject based on the received signal;
Among the plurality of ultrasonic probes, a switching circuit unit for switching the ultrasonic probe connected to the transmission control unit and the receiving unit;
It said plurality of detecting the acceleration of the ultrasonic probe, and an operation determination unit for comparing the acceleration of the plurality of ultrasonic probes,
The switching circuit unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs switching based on a determination result of the operation determination unit. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of ultrasonic probes,
A transmission control unit that generates a transmission control signal for controlling the supply of a transmission electric signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe to a subject; and
A communication unit that receives a reception signal based on reflected ultrasound received by the ultrasound probe;
An ultrasonic image generation unit that generates tomographic image data of the subject based on the received signal;
A switching circuit unit that performs control to switch the ultrasonic probe that communicates the transmission control signal among the plurality of ultrasonic probes; and
It said plurality of detecting the acceleration of the ultrasonic probe, and an operation determination unit for comparing the acceleration of the plurality of ultrasonic probes,
The switching circuit unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs switching based on a determination result of the operation determination unit. The ultrasonic probe comprises a rechargeable battery,
The ultrasonic probe can be connected to a charger that charges the battery;
The ultrasonic probe includes a detection unit that detects that the battery is charged by the charger;
The operation determination unit receives information on whether or not the plurality of ultrasonic probes are charged by the charger, and performs the communication based on the plurality of operation information and information on whether or not the battery is charged. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an ultrasonic probe for performing the determination is determined.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion determination unit determines whether the value of the motion information exceeds a predetermined value.

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