JPH04158848A - Ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate excessive advance in aging of an ultrasonic probe without due consideration by an operator or the like by detecting condition in which all of keys of a keyboard are not operated during a fixed period to stop the driving of an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit automatically. CONSTITUTION:It is judged whether all of keys on a keyboard 3 as initialized are in operation or not. When even one key is operated, all other keys are returned to an initialization. When no keys are judged to be operated, time is measured from this moment and it is judged whether the time exceeds a specified value. When it does not exceed the specified value, the keys are returned to the initialization and when it does, a signal is outputted. The signal output is inputted at one terminal of a NOR circuit 11 to detect that an operator has no desire to work continually and the driving of an ultrasonic transmitting/ receiving section 2 is stopped automatically. This eliminates excessive advance imaging of an ultrasonic probe without due constant consideration by an operator.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus appropriately processes the detection output from an ultrasound probe brought into contact with a subject, and inputs this image-processed video signal to an observation monitor. For example, a tomographic image is displayed on the observation monitor.

When the above-mentioned ultrasound diagnostic equipment is installed in a hospital, etc., when an operator turns on the power to the ultrasound diagnostic equipment and makes it operational, the ultrasound equipment remains in operation until the end of the day's work. Normally, the state is maintained.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in such a state, the transmitter/receiver circuit connected to the ultrasonic probe continues to maintain its driving state, which poses the problem of accelerating the deterioration of the ultrasonic probe over time. Ta.

Similarly, since images are constantly being displayed even on the upper monitor, deterioration over time cannot be ignored, especially if the observation monitor is displaying images with high brightness. It had become.

In order to eliminate such adverse effects, the operator should always be aware of when the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment does not need to be operated, and should be able to turn off the power frequently each time. It has become difficult to expect this from operators who are busy with related chores.

Therefore, the present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and its object can be achieved without any special consideration by an operator or the like.

To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device that does not accelerate aging deterioration of an ultrasonic probe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that does not cause the observation monitor to deteriorate over time without special consideration by an operator or the like.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention.

Basically, first, an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic transceiver circuit that transmits data to and receives data from the ultrasonic probe, and drive commands or In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a keyboard for inputting image processing commands, etc. when appropriately image processing the output from the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit, a constant value is provided from the time when all keys of the keyboard are not operated. The present invention is characterized by comprising means for generating an output signal after a certain period of time, and means for stopping driving of the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit using the output signal.

and an observation monitor for appropriately image-processing the output from the ultrasound probe and visualizing the image-processed output, and a keyboard for inputting drive commands, image processing commands, etc.
an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising means for generating an output signal after a predetermined period of time from the time when all keys on the keyboard have not been operated; The present invention is characterized by comprising means for lowering the degree of monitoring.

[For production]

In this way, if all keys on the keyboard have not been operated for a certain period of time, it can be determined that the operator has no intention of continuing to operate by setting the certain period of time to an appropriate time based on a rule of thumb. You will be able to do that.

Therefore, by detecting such a state and automatically stopping the driving of the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit, the operator does not need to take any special precautions at all times.

There is no need to continue driving the ultrasound probe when unnecessary.

Therefore, there is no possibility that the ultrasonic probe will deteriorate over time.

Similarly, I! Since the brightness of the monitor is reduced, the deterioration of the monitor over time will not be accelerated.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the drawings.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment diagram showing an overall outline of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, there is an ultrasonic probe 1 that is used in contact with a subject, and this ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving section 2 . The ultrasonic transmitter/receiver 2 is configured to transmit and receive signals to the ultrasonic probe 1. The received output from the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving section 2 is input to a digital scan converter section 4. This digital scan converter section 4 is configured to appropriately image process the output from the ultrasound probe 1 and input the resulting video signal to the observation monitor 5. The observation monitor 5 displays, for example, a tomographic image of the subject to which the ultrasound probe 1 is in contact.

Further, a keyboard 3 is connected to the digital scan converter section 4, and this keyboard 3 has the following functions:
In addition to keys for issuing various processing commands for the image processing or driving commands for the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver 2, various other keys are provided.

Next, details of the digital scan converter section 4 will be explained using FIG. 1. In the figure, the output from the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver 2 is input to an A/D signal preprocessing circuit 6 and converted into a digital signal. The output from the A/D signal preprocessing circuit 6 converted into a digital signal in this manner is stored in the memory 7. This memory 7 includes a memory control circuit 1 to be described later.
1 The image-processed output from the memory 7 is converted into an analog signal by the D/A signal post-processing circuit 8 and output to the observation monitor 5. ing.

The keyboard 3 is equipped with keys for instructing various image processing, and the command signals are input to the CPU 12. Based on such command signals, control signals from the CPU 12 are input to the memory control circuit 10 and also to the probe control circuit 9.

On the other hand, the keyboard 3 is equipped with a key for displaying a so-called freeze image that turns the image displayed on the observation monitor 5 into a still image, and a command from this key is sent via the CPU 12 to an image freeze signal A. Then,
The signal is input to the probe control circuit 9 and memory control circuit 10 via the NOR circuit 11. The image freeze signal A is input to the probe control circuit 9 to stop driving the ultrasound probe 1, and is also input to the memory control circuit 1.
0 (image freeze signal B) is input to the observation monitor 5.
It is designed to display a frozen image.

Next, one improved part according to the present invention will be explained in detail.

In addition to the operations described above, the CPU 12 also operates as shown in FIG. 2. That is, in the figure, initial settings are first performed (step 1), and it is determined whether all keys on the keyboard 3 are operated (step 2). If even one key is being operated, the process returns to step 1. If it is determined that all keys have not been operated, time is measured from that point, and it is determined whether or not the predetermined time T, , T is exceeded (step 3). The predetermined time T in this case
, @A may be set to, for example, about 10 minutes, but is not limited to this, and may be set to a suitable value based on empirical rules. If the predetermined time does not exceed T15a,
Return to step 1, and if it exceeds, output a signal (
Step 4).

This signal output is input to one terminal of the NOR circuit 11 as shown in FIG.
/A signal is input to post-processing circuit N8.

The details of this D/A signal post-processing circuit 8 are shown in FIG.
The /A signal post-processing circuit 8 is composed of a D/A converter 8A and a monitor driver circuit 8B. Among these, the monitor driver circuit 8B is composed of amplifiers 13 and 14, and a resistor 20A is connected between the input end and the output end of the amplifier 13.
, 20B are connected in parallel. The resistance change between the input end and the output end of the amplifier 13 can change the brightness of the observation monitor. From this,
By cutting off the connection of the resistor 2OA upon input of the brightness reduction signal, the brightness of the observation monitor 5 is reduced. For example, an analog switch is used to disconnect the connection due to the input of the brightness reduction signal.

Further, the brightness reduction signal output from the CPU 12 is configured to turn on the lamp 17 via the drive circuit 16. This lamp 17 is, for example, the keyboard 3
It is provided above. By recognizing the lighting of the lamp 17 on the keyboard 3, the operator can reliably know that the ultrasound probe 1 is not being driven and that the brightness of the observation monitor 5 is decreasing. It becomes like this.

As is clear from the embodiments described above, the keyboard 3
If all the keys have not been operated for a certain period of time, it can be determined that the operator does not intend to continue operating by setting the certain period of time to an appropriate time (for example, 10 minutes) based on a rule of thumb. You will be able to do that.

Therefore, by detecting such a state and automatically stopping the drive of the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver 2, the operator does not have to take any special precautions at all times.

There is no need to continue driving the ultrasound probe 1 when unnecessary.

Therefore, the aging of the ultrasonic probe 1 will not be accelerated.

Similarly, since the brightness of the observation monitor 5 is reduced, there is no possibility that the observation monitor 5 will deteriorate over time.

In the embodiment described above, in order to reduce the brightness of the observation monitor 5, the digital scan controller (D/A in the monitor 4) is used to reduce the brightness of the observation monitor 5.
Although the adjustment is performed in the signal post-processing circuit 8, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that such adjustment may be performed in the brightness adjustment circuit in the observation monitor 5, for example. do not have.

In the embodiment described above, a certain period of time has elapsed since all the keys on the keyboard 3 had not been operated.

Although the brightness of the observation monitor 5 is reduced at the same time as the driving of the ultrasound probe 1 is stopped, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, when the ultrasound probe 1
Alternatively, the brightness of the observation monitor 5 may be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic probe and fR detection monitor are selected as parts that are subject to severe deterioration over time, and their driving is stopped or their brightness is reduced. However, it goes without saying that the same process may be applied to other parts than the ultrasound probe and the observation monitor.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, 1. It becomes possible to obtain an ultrasonic probe or an observation monitor that does not accelerate deterioration over time without any special consideration by an operator or the like.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and in particular, a block diagram showing an embodiment of the digital scan converter section of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the diagnostic device, and in particular, a diagram showing an embodiment of an operation flowchart of the CPU. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific embodiment of the D/A signal post-processing circuit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. be. In the figure, 1... Ultrasonic probe, 2... Ultrasonic transmitter/receiver, 3...
...Keyboard, 5...Observation monitor, 8...D/
A signal post-processing circuit, 12...CPU. Figure 3 No. 412]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic transceiver circuit that transmits data to and receives data from the ultrasonic probe, and driving instructions for the ultrasonic transceiver circuit. Alternatively, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a keyboard for inputting image processing commands, etc. when appropriately image processing the output from the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver circuit, from the time when all keys on the keyboard are not operated. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: means for generating an output signal after a certain period of time; and means for stopping driving of the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit using the output signal. 2. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with an observation monitor for appropriately image-processing the output from an ultrasonic probe and visualizing the image-processed output, and a keyboard for inputting drive commands, image processing commands, etc. , comprising means for generating an output signal after a certain period of time from the time when all keys on the keyboard are not operated, and means for reducing the brightness of the observation monitor using the output signal. Sonic diagnostic equipment.