JPH0284943A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily select a probe by providing a probe switching controller to output a corresponding signal to a touch sensor and a probe switching circuit to connect the probe and a main body according to the output of the controller. CONSTITUTION:For example, when one probe 4a is selected, the the touch sensor to be provided on the probe 4a reacts and a signal is sent through a touch sensor signal line 5a to probe switch controller 14 of an ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1. When the signal is inputted, the flag of a storing means 143 corresponds to the input signal to be set. A CPU 142 reads the flag of the storing means 143 sequentially and when the reading arrives at the set flag, an output signal corresponding to the flag, here, an output signal closing a changing-over switch 13a, which corresponds to the probe 4a, is sent. This output signal is sent through a control line 14a of the probe switching circuit to a probe switching circuit 13 and the changing-over switch 13a corresponding to the probe 4a is closed. Simultaneously, the output signal is held as long as a reset input is not executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The second invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with two or more types of probes connected to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and particularly to switching of the probes.

(Prior Art) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In the figure, (1) is an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus having a keyboard and a key for switching probes on the keyboard. ,
(2) is a probe connector provided in the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus (1), and (3) is a probe cable.

(4) converts the pulse signal from the ultrasound diagnostic imaging device (1) into an ultrasound and projects it onto the subject, and converts the reflected wave from the patient into an electrical signal to convert the pulse signal from the ultrasound diagnostic imaging device (1) into an electrical signal. ), and in this example, (4a) to (4d
) It consists of four pieces.

A conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is configured as described above, and for example, a probe cable (3) is connected to a probe connector (
2) Select one probe (4a) from the two or more types of probes (4) connected to the probe (4a).
When driven, the pulse signal from the ultrasound image diagnosis device (1) is converted into ultrasound and projected onto the subject, and the reflected waves from the subject are converted into electrical signals to perform ultrasound image diagnosis again. Send to device (1). The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus (1) which manually processes the electrical signals processes the electrical signals appropriately and displays an image.

By the way, from the probe (4a) to another probe (4
When switching to b), use an ultrasound imaging device (
1) Press the probe switching key on the keyboard provided in step 1).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described above, as the probe is used several times, the probe cables may become entangled with each other. In such a case, when selecting and using one probe, it becomes difficult to understand the position of the probe connector to which that probe is connected and the relationship between the probe switching keys, etc. that correspond to that probe connector. There was a point.

The present invention was made to solve this problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can easily select a probe even when probe cables are entangled.

(Means for Solving the Problems) An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a touch sensor that is provided on each probe and sends out a signal when the probe is touched, and a touch sensor that inputs a signal from the touch sensor and sends a signal to the touch sensor. A probe switching controller that sends out corresponding signals,
provided between the probe and the ultrasound diagnostic device main body,
The apparatus includes a probe switching circuit that connects a corresponding probe to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on a signal from the probe switching controller.

(Function) In this invention, when a probe provided with a touch sensor is touched, the touch sensor reacts and sends a signal to the probe switching controller. The probe switching controller, which has received the signal, sends a signal corresponding to the touch sensor to the probe switching circuit to close the corresponding changeover switch. Therefore, the probe to which the touch sensor reacts and the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are in a connected state.

(Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the probe switching controller shown in FIG. 1.

In these figures, (1) is the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which includes an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit (12), a probe switching circuit (13), and a probe switching controller (14).

(11) is a display that projects an image, (13a) to (L
3d) is a changeover switch of the probe changeover circuit (13).

The probe switching controller (■4) is connected to the input port (14
1) , CPU (142), storage means (143)
, an output boat (144), etc., and a probe (4).
Signals from the touch sensors provided in a) to (4d) are input, and signals corresponding to the touch sensors are sent to the probe switching circuit (I3).

(14a) is a control line for the probe switching circuit, which transmits a signal from the probe switching controller (14) to the probe switching circuit (13).

(3a) to (3d) are probe transmitting/receiving signal line bundles, which transmit and receive signals between the probes (4a) to (4d) and the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit (12).

(5a) to (5d) are touch sensor signal lines, which transmit signals from the touch sensors provided in the probes (4a) to (4d) to the probe switching controller (14).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the probe switching controller (14), and the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be explained below based on this flowchart.

For example, if you select one probe (4a), probe (4a)
The touch sensor provided in a) reacts, and a signal is transmitted through the touch sensor signal line (5a) to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body (
1) is sent to the probe switching controller (14). Then, when that signal is input (Sl), the storage means (
143) flag is set corresponding to the input signal (
S2). The CPU (142) sequentially reads the flags in the storage means (143), and when a set flag is reached, outputs a signal corresponding to the flag, in this case, a changeover switch (13a) corresponding to the probe (4a). An output signal is sent to close the terminal (S3). This output signal is sent to the probe switching circuit (13) via the control line (14a) of the probe switching circuit, and closes the changeover switch (13a) corresponding to the probe (4a). at the same time,
The output signal is held until a reset input is made (S4).

At this time, when the probe (4a) is driven, the pulse signal from the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit (12) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (1) is converted into ultrasonic waves and projected onto the subject. The reflected wave is converted into an electric signal and sent again to the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver circuit (12). The ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit (12) which receives the electrical signal processes the electrical signal appropriately and displays an image on the display (11).

After the work is completed, input the reset signal (S4
), the set flag is cleared (S5), and the operation ends.

Note that the operation of the probe switching controller (14) is not limited to the above example; for example, the operation of the flowchart in FIG. When a signal is input, only the flag corresponding to the signal may be set, and the corresponding changeover switch (13b) may be closed.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the corresponding changeover switch is automatically closed by the reaction of the touch sensor provided on the probe. This has the effect of eliminating the need to confirm the position of the connector and the relationship between the probe switching keys and the like corresponding to the probe connector.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a probe switching controller,
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the probe switching controller, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In the figure, (11) is a display, (12) is an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit, (13) is a probe switching circuit, (lla) to (
13d) is a changeover switch, (14) is a probe switching controller equipped with a CPU, and (4a) to (4d) are probes provided with evening/tsuchi sensors. Figure 1 Agent Patent Attorney Muneharu Sasaki 50~5d: 5 to 5''Zenzui'g? Caputo 142 entering the 141st degree: CPIJ 143: Yellow in writing! 4-To Moxibustion 44: Seven Tonosho Part 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic diagnostic device main body, which converts pulse signals from the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body into ultrasonic waves and projects them onto the subject, and converts reflected waves from the subject into electrical signals and transmits them to the ultrasound diagnostic device main body. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with two or more types of probes, each probe includes a touch sensor that emits a signal when the probe is touched, and a signal that is input from the touch sensor and corresponds to the touch sensor. a probe switching controller that outputs a An ultrasonic diagnostic device characterized by comprising: