JPH0268044A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prolong the life of an ultrasonic probe and to reduce energy consumption by providing a pressure sensitive signal processing circuit to define an electric signal, which is as the output signal of a pressure sensitive sensor, as an input signal and to output the electric signal in structing the selection of the ultrasonic probe and the stop of the transmission and reception of an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic probe to a control circuit. CONSTITUTION:When pressure is added to the pressure sensitive sensor and the resistance value of an R1 is lowered, the balance of a bridge circuit 41 is broken and a voltage is generated in a detecting edge. By inputting this voltage through a preamplifier 42 to a comparator 43, a voltage set to the comparator 43 as a threshold is outputted. Thus, a detecting circuit detects a slight resistance change caused by loading the pressure to the pressure sensitive sensor and outputs the electric signal as binary data. Such a detecting circuit is provided on a pressure sensitive signal processing circuit 107 while corresponding to a treminal connecting the ultrasonic probe provided on such an ultrasonic diagnostic device by one to one. Then, by processing the output signals to be the plural binary signals outputted from these detecting circuits, the pressure sensitive signal processing circuit 107 generates the electric signal to select the terminal, to which the ultrasonic probe to be used is connected, and transmits the electric signal to a control circuit 100.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] This invention emits ultrasonic waves into a subject such as a human body and receives reflections of the ultrasonic waves inside the subject through electrical control. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs medical diagnosis by visualizing a tomographic image of a subject through processing.

[Conventional technology]

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment has been widely used in the medical field in recent years.
Because it is easy to handle and can obtain tomographic images of a subject in real time, it is widely used as a powerful weapon in medical diagnosis.

To obtain a tomographic image of a subject, the diagnostician holds an ultrasound probe that both transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and shines the light directly onto the surface of the subject, and also controls the direction and position of the probe, as well as the ultrasonic wave. This ultrasonic probe searches for the desired area while adjusting and manipulating the focal position and image magnification. However, in ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, usually more than ten ultrasonic probes with different specifications are prepared. Most ultrasound diagnostic equipment have only one terminal for connecting an ultrasound probe on the main body of the equipment, and the system is such that the ultrasound probe used can be replaced as needed. Since this type of method makes it complicated to replace the ultrasonic probes, the main body of the device is equipped with multiple terminals for connecting the ultrasonic probes, and the ultrasonic probes can be connected simultaneously as many times as there are terminals. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment that can be left connected is also used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the signal input/output relationship between each component.
3 generates an electric signal as an ultrasonic transmission signal, and sends this electric signal to the switching circuit 10 via the switching circuit 102.
2 is applied to the selected ultrasound probe to transmit ultrasound into the subject. The device main body 11 includes an ultrasonic probe 201
．． Three ultrasonic probes 202 and 203 are connected, and the selection of the ultrasonic probe to be used is performed by the switching circuit 102. Assuming that the ultrasound probe 201 is currently in use, the ultrasound probe 201 transmits the reflected ultrasound waves reflected at the interface of organs, etc. within the subject, to the same ultrasound probe. 2
01 receives the signal and converts it into a received signal as an electrical signal.

This received signal passes through a transmitting/receiving circuit 103 and is subjected to processing such as amplification and filtering in an analog signal processing circuit 104, and is then processed by a digital scan controller.
It is input to S, C105, and after being converted into a digital signal by AD conversion by S, C105, some of the image data is stored as two-dimensional image data in the image storage device in S, ClO3. be done. By constantly reading out the image data from this image storage device and transmitting it to the monitor television 106, the image is displayed so that it can be visually viewed by the diagnostician.

The respective circuits constituting the main body 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are integrally controlled by a control circuit 110, and depending on the diagnostician's instructions from the keyboard 101, transmission and reception can be stopped or stopped, and the ultrasonic probe used can be The operation method of the touch and the response of each circuit according to the frequency are controlled by control signals issued from the control circuit 110.

The selection of the ultrasonic probe by the switching circuit 102 is also performed by the control circuit 1.
10, the diagnostician semi-specifies the ultrasound probe to be used using the keyboard 101, and the switching circuit 102 is controlled by the output signal of the control circuit 110 based on this designation signal.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, as mentioned above, in this conventional ultrasound diagnostic device, when multiple ultrasound probes are attached,
The problem is that the user has to go through the steps of identifying the type of ultrasound probe desired, instructing the selection from the keyboard 101, and then picking up the ultrasound probe and using it, which takes time and effort to operate. There is.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe selected in this way starts transmitting and receiving at the same time as it is selected on the keyboard 101, and continues transmitting without pressing the transmit/receive stop switch on the keyboard again, and actually reaches the subject. Since the ultrasonic probe is transmitting even when it is not being applied, there is a problem that it shortens the life of the ultrasonic probe and wastes power.

This invention solves the problem of selecting an ultrasonic probe to be used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that selects and uses one ultrasonic probe when multiple ultrasonic probes are connected at the same time. Moreover, by stopping transmission and reception when the ultrasound probe is not in use and transmitting and receiving ultrasound only when it is in use, the lifespan of the ultrasound probe is extended and power consumption is reduced. The purpose is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, there is provided an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that visualizes a tomographic image of a subject using reflection of ultrasound waves. A control circuit that electrically controls the entire device, a keyboard that manually inputs data regarding control contents to the control circuit, and a keyboard that contacts the surface of the subject to transmit ultrasound into the subject and receive reflected ultrasound. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with an ultrasonic probe, a pressure-sensitive sensor provided on the surface of a case of the ultrasonic probe, and an electric signal as an output signal of the pressure-sensitive sensor are used as input signals to generate the ultrasonic waves. A pressure-sensitive signal processing circuit is provided that outputs, to the control circuit, an electric signal instructing selection of a probe and stopping transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe.

[Effect]

In the configuration of this invention, when the diagnostician holds the pressure-sensitive sensor section provided on the surface of the case of the ultrasound probe, the diagnostician's hand presses the pressure-sensitive sensor and the electrical resistance value of the pressure-sensitive sensor changes. do. Changes in the resistance value of this pressure-sensitive sensor are detected and converted into binary signals within the pressure-sensitive signal processing circuit, and used based on multiple binary signals from pressure-sensitive sensors of multiple ultrasound probes. By specifying the ultrasonic probe to be used and inputting an electric signal indicating that this ultrasonic probe will be used to the control circuit, the control circuit can select the ultrasonic probe in the same manner as inputting from a keyboard. By sending control commands to each circuit, including the switching circuit of the ultrasound probe, the electrical signals for the Choice becomes possible. Furthermore, by detecting the state in which the user is not holding any ultrasonic probe in his/her hand, it is possible to stop the transmission/reception by the transmitting/receiving circuit.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as in the prior art are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted. On the main body of the device, a switching circuit 1102,
Transmission/reception circuit 103, analog signal processing circuit 104, D,
S, C105, monitor television 106, control circuit 100,
It is comprised of almost the same components as the prior art shown in FIG. 4, such as a keyboard 101, and a pressure-sensitive signal processing circuit 107 according to the present invention. There are three ultrasonic probes 2 on the main body of the device.
1, 22゜23 are connected to these ultrasonic probes 2122.23, and pressure sensitive sensors 31.32゜3 are connected to these ultrasonic probes 2122.23.
3 are provided, and these pressure sensitive sensors 31°32.33
is electrically connected to the pressure sensitive signal processing circuit 107.

The number of ultrasonic probes connected to the main body of the apparatus is not limited to three, and is merely shown as an example of a plurality of ultrasonic probes.

When one of the three ultrasound probes, for example the ultrasound probe 21t, is being used by the diagnostician, the ultrasound probe 21 may be sensed by the diagnostician holding it in his/her hand. Since the pressure sensor 31 is pressed, the electrical resistance value of the pressure sensor 31 is low. The pressure-sensitive signal processing circuit 107 detects this state and processes the signal to send a signal to that effect to the control circuit 100. Using this electric signal as an input signal, the control circuit 100 sends the ultrasonic probe 21 The switching circuit 102 is instructed to select . Furthermore, when the pressure sensor of any ultrasound probe is under pressure or not, the pressure signal processing circuit 107 sends a signal to that effect to the control circuit 100, thereby controlling the transmission/reception operations of the transmission/reception circuit 103. make it stop.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic probe 21 provided with a pressure sensor 31. The ultrasonic probes 22, 23 and the pressure sensors 32, 33 provided thereon are also approximately the same, but the scanning method Since the shape of the ultrasonic probe differs depending on the type of use, the pressure-sensitive sensor is provided in a method and shape suitable for each.

In this figure, the diagnostician makes a diagnosis by holding the pressure sensor 31 in his hand and bringing the subject contacting part 212 into contact with the subject.Ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received through the subject contacting part 212. . Transmission/reception signals and signals from the pressure sensor 31 are connected to the main body of the device through a cable 211.

When the ultrasonic probe 21 is not in use, it is left in a predetermined position. In that case, pressure must not be applied to the pressure sensor 31, so the shape of the ultrasonic probe 21 is changed as shown in the figure. The central part is recessed, and the pressure sensor 31 is provided in this recess, so that no pressure is applied to the pressure sensor 31 even if the ultrasonic probe 21 is placed in a flat position. Pressure sensitive rubber is suitable for such a pressure sensitive sensor 31.

FIG. 3 is an example of a detection circuit that detects a change in electrical resistance of a pressure-sensitive sensor included in the pressure-sensitive signal processing circuit 107. The electrical resistance of the pressure-sensitive sensor is R1, and fixed resistors R2, R3, and R4 are connected to this resistance R1. The fixed resistors R2, R3, and R4 are set so that the bridge is balanced against the resistance value of R1 when a DC voltage is applied and the pressure-sensitive sensor is not receiving pressure. A preamplifier 42 is connected to the detection end of this bridge circuit 41 to amplify the signal at a predetermined amplification factor and input it to a comparator 43.

The comparator 43 has a circuit configuration in which one input voltage is a voltage obtained by dividing the DC power supply voltage V by resistors as the threshold voltage of the comparator 43, as shown in the figure, and the output signal of the above-mentioned preamplifier 42 is input to the other input voltage. . The function of the comparator 43 is that when the input voltage from the preamplifier 42 is low, the output voltage is zero, and when it is higher than the aforementioned threshold voltage, the output voltage becomes the threshold voltage.

When no pressure is applied to the pressure sensor, the bridge circuit 41 is in a balanced state, so the input signal of the preamplifier 42 is zero, and therefore the output signal of the comparator 43 is also zero. When pressure is applied to the pressure sensor and the resistance value of R1 decreases, the balance of the bridge circuit 41 is broken and a voltage is generated at the detection end. By inputting this voltage to the comparator 43 via the preamplifier 42, Comparator 43
The voltage set as the threshold value is output.

In this way, the detection circuit shown in this figure can detect a slight change in resistance due to pressure being applied to the pressure sensor and output an electrical signal as binary data.

Such detection circuits are provided in the pressure-sensitive signal processing circuit 107 in one-to-one correspondence with terminals for connecting the ultrasound probes provided in this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and are used for pressure-sensitive signal processing. The circuit 107 processes the output signals, which are a plurality of binary signals, from these detection circuits to generate an electric signal that can select the terminal to which the ultrasonic probe used is connected, and is a control circuit. Send to 100.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, this invention provides a pressure-sensitive sensor on the surface of the case of an ultrasonic probe, and allows a diagnostician to hold the pressure-sensitive sensor section in order to use the ultrasonic probe. The diagnostician's hand presses the pressure sensor to detect changes in the electrical resistance of the pressure sensor, and the pressure signal processing circuit identifies the ultrasound probe where the electrical resistance of the pressure sensor has changed. By inputting a command to the control circuit that the ultrasonic probe is to be used, the control circuit sends an electric signal for selecting the ultrasonic probe to the ultrasonic probe in the same manner as inputting from a keyboard. By sending control commands to the switching circuit, you can select the ultrasonic probe in the same way as specifying which ultrasonic probe to use using the keyboard, so you can also select the ultrasonic probe to use using the keyboard. There is no need to go through the steps of picking up the ultrasonic probe after starting the operation, which has the effect of simplifying the operation effort. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce power consumption by detecting that the user is not holding any ultrasound probe in their hand and stopping the transmission and reception of ultrasound through the control circuit. Another effect is that the child's lifespan can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the prior art. Earth, earthwork...equipment body, 21, 22, 23, 201, 202, 203
...Ultrasonic probe, 31 32.33...Pressure-sensitive sensor, 100.110...Control circuit, 101...Keyboard, keyboard 2B Fig. 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) An ultrasonic diagnostic device that visualizes tomographic images of a subject using reflected ultrasound waves, which includes a control circuit that electrically controls the entire ultrasonic diagnostic device, and data related to the control content sent to this control circuit. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a keyboard for inputting data, and an ultrasonic probe that contacts the surface of the subject to transmit ultrasonic waves into the subject and receive reflected ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic probe A pressure-sensitive sensor provided on the surface of the case and an electric signal as an output signal of this pressure-sensitive sensor are used as input signals to select the ultrasonic probe and stop transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe. and a pressure-sensitive signal processing circuit that outputs an electric signal instructing the control circuit to the control circuit.