JPH0678920A - Remote control system for medical device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a remote control system which has the necessary minimum functions which can be remote controlled according to an intended purpose by remote-controlling the operation of a medical device such as an ultrasonic diagnostic device or the like by means of a foot switch so that necessary functions can be operated by the minimum number of switches. CONSTITUTION:A remote control system for a medical device comprises a switch part 200 provided separately from a device 100 for executing a selected function of plural functions which is a medical device 100 having plural functions and a switch function select part 140 for selecting a specified function from plural functions and registering the same as an execution function in the switch part 200.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system for medical equipment, and more particularly to improvement of a system for remotely operating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or a patient monitoring apparatus used in an operating room by using a foot.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various medical devices for diagnosis and treatment have been used in an operating room. In the operating room, these device bodies are usually installed at a place distant from the operating table, so the operator cannot directly operate these device bodies by hand. In addition, since the operator operates with hand that has been sterilized and sterilized, it is usually impossible to sterilize. It is strictly prohibited to directly operate these devices by hand. But,
There are several functions that require the surgeon to remotely operate these devices during surgery, which may vary depending on the surgery contents, the observation target, and the surgeon. In any case, there is a demand for a remote control system that allows an operator to remotely operate these devices without using hands.

It is possible for a nurse or an assistant other than the operator to operate these devices on behalf of the operator, but for the device which is also strongly connected to the surgery and treatment, the operator himself or herself does not operate these devices. It is desirable to be able to remotely control the device to a certain extent within the minimum necessary range. At present, it is known that a surgeon can remotely control an image by using a foot switch to perform an image static function of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
(See Japanese Patent Application No. 1-104244)

[0004]

However, it is difficult for a surgeon to operate a plurality of switches with his / her foot using a foot switch without using a hand to operate a medical apparatus such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Therefore, many functions could not be executed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and enables the operation of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the like to be performed remotely using a foot switch, which requires a minimum number of switches. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control system having a minimum required function according to the purpose of use without fixing the function capable of remote control so that various functions can be operated.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a medical device having a plurality of functions,
A switch unit provided separately from the device that executes a function selected from the plurality of functions, and a switch function selection unit that selects a specific function from the plurality of functions and registers the function as the switch unit execution function. And a remote control system for a medical device.

Further, the apparatus is provided with an image display means for displaying an image of a function selectable by the switch function selecting section and displaying a specific display on the function selected by the switch function selecting section. Is desirable.

The medical device of the present invention includes an ultrasonic diagnostic device and a patient monitoring device.

As the switch function selection unit, a keyboard provided on the main body of the apparatus, a switching button equipped on an operation panel or the like can be considered.

As the switch, a foot switch or the like which is connected to the apparatus body by a cord or wirelessly can be used.

A cathode ray tube such as a TV monitor or a liquid crystal panel can be used as the image display means.

According to the remote control system for a medical device having the above-mentioned configuration, the function as required is selected from the functions of each means for image adjustment, display mode switching, and image input. It can be selected by a section and registered in the foot switch, and can be executed by the foot switch.

Therefore, it is possible to select and set the function to be remotely controlled according to the purpose in advance before the operation, and it is possible to change the function at any time even during the operation, so that the function can be minimized. The number of switches makes it possible to remotely operate as needed.

Further, a function which can be set so as to be operated remotely can be displayed on the TV monitor as an image, and of these, those registered for use by the foot switch can be lit and displayed.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, in particular, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described as a medical apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 has a T
V monitor 130, operation panel 140, ultrasonic probe 1
60, the ultrasonic probe 170, and the foot switch 200 are main components.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (hereinafter simply referred to as the apparatus main body) 110 and the operation panel 140 are usually placed on the carriage 50 or the like and can be easily moved. The ultrasonic probe 160 is used to set conditions for diagnosis using the operation panel 140.
The image of the examination region of the subject M is obtained by operating. The ultrasonic probe 160 is a probe used in normal inspection. In addition, the ultrasonic probe 170 used during surgery is small and has a higher frequency than the ultrasonic probe 160. The foot switch 200 is connected to the main body by a cord, and the functions of the main body can be remotely controlled.

Since the foot switch 200 is operated by the operator with his / her foot, there is a limit to the number of steps that can be performed, so the type of operation (the number of switches) is kept to the minimum necessary.

The foot switch 200 is a switch 2
It is composed of three switches 01, 202 and 203, and these switches select functions such as image stillness, GAIN adjustment, STC adjustment, magnification adjustment, and left / right inversion by the operation panel 140 shown in FIG. It is set by setting switches 141, 142 and 143 corresponding to the switches 201, 202 and 203, respectively. This setting is usually performed before surgery, but the function can be changed during surgery.

Of the functions of the operation panel 140,
The control unit 120 has a function of registering the foot switch function by software by selecting with a mouse while displaying an image of a function that can be remotely operated by the foot switch 200 on the TV monitor 130.
You may give it to me.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is shown.
Is a subject M having a conversion element for ultrasonic waves and electric signals.
The ultrasonic probe 160 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the device body that processes the echo signal A obtained by the ultrasonic probe 160 into a display signal B and controls the transmission of ultrasonic waves. 110 and the apparatus main body 11
0, a TV monitor 130 for displaying a moving image by displaying the display signal B, an operation panel 140 built in the apparatus main body 110 for operating an arbitrary moment of the moving image, and an arbitrary moment of the moving image. Foot switch 2 for remote control
00 is a main component.

The ultrasonic probe 160 is electrically connected to the signal processor 150 in the apparatus body 110. The ultrasonic probe 160 includes the signal processing unit 15
The ultrasonic pulse P is obtained from 0 and transmitted, the reflected ultrasonic echo E is received and converted into an echo signal A which is an electric signal, and the echo signal A is sent to the signal processing unit 150.

The apparatus main body 110 includes the signal processing unit 1
50 and the control unit 120 are components. The control unit 120 is electrically connected to the operation panel 140 and the foot switch 200.

The echo signal A output from the ultrasonic probe 160 is received by the signal processing unit 150, sequentially recorded, and at the same time subjected to predetermined signal processing by the control unit 120 as a display signal B, This display signal B is sent to the TV monitor 130, and a moving image of the examination site of the subject M is displayed on the TV monitor 130. or,
The signal processing unit 150 applies the ultrasonic pulse P previously controlled by the control unit 120 to the ultrasonic probe 160.
To send to.

FIG. 3 is a view of the operation panel according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, an operation panel 140 includes function switches such as an image stationary switch 145, a GAIN switch 146, an STC switch 147, a magnification switch 148, a left / right reversing switch 149, and setting switches 141 and 14.
Switches such as 2 and 143 are the main constituent elements.

The image stillness switch 145 has a function of making the image on the TV monitor 130 still and canceling the stillness.
The GAIN switch 146 is a function for adjusting the intensity of the ultrasonic echo A, and the STC switch 147 is
The magnification switch 148 is a function for adjusting the intensity of the ultrasonic echo A in the deep portion and the shallow portion.
The left / right reversing switch 149 has a function of enlarging and reducing the image of 30, and the function of reversing the image of the TV monitor 130 right and left. Normally, each operation of these functions is performed by hand, but the foot switch 200, which corresponds to the remote operation unit of the remote operation system of the present invention, has the minimum required operation of the operation panel 140. The operation of is operated remotely by the surgeon himself. Also, the setting switches 141, 142 and 14
3 can set each function and can set each function to the corresponding switches 201, 202 and 203. Furthermore, the function can be changed during operation even if necessary.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the TV monitor image display according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the TV monitor 130 includes the foot switch 2 among the functions of the operation panel 140.
00, it is possible to display an image of a function that can be set to be operated remotely.

The five functions of image stillness, GAIN, STC, magnification, and left / right reversal, which are functions that can be set to be operated remotely by the foot switch 200, are displayed as images and registered in the foot switch function. An image is displayed with a ● mark for each of the three functions and a ○ mark for an unregistered function.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for changing the foot switch function of the embodiment of the present invention. Here, a flow chart for setting the functions of image stillness, magnification, and left / right inversion for each of the switches 201, 202, and 203 will be described.

First, when the setting switch 141 is pressed, the image freeze switch 145 is pressed, and the setting switch 141 is pressed again, the image freeze function is registered in the foot switch switch 201, and the setting switch 141 also functions. Is registered.

Further, a light indicating that the foot switch function has been registered is displayed as an image on the image standstill of the foot switch function registration image of the TV monitor 130.

Next, similarly, when the setting switch 142 is pressed, the magnification switch 148 is pressed, and the setting switch 142 is pressed again, the image enlargement and reduction functions are registered in the foot switch switch 202. At the same time, the function is registered in the setting switch 142.

Further, a light indicating that the foot switch function has been registered is displayed as an image at the magnification of the foot switch function registration image on the TV monitor 130.

Next, in the same manner, when the setting switch 143 is pressed, the left / right reversing switch 149 is pressed, and the setting switch 143 is pressed again, the left / right reversing function of the image is registered in the switch 203 of the foot switch. At the same time, the function is registered in the setting switch 143.

Further, a light indicating that the foot switch function has been registered is displayed on the TV monitor 130 at the position where the foot switch function registration image is horizontally reversed.

If the setting switch or the function switch is not pressed during this operation, the previously registered foot switch function remains and the next switch 141 can be registered.

Changes to other functions are similarly made.

[0042]

As described in detail above, the medical remote control system of the present invention is a medical device having a plurality of functions, which is different from the device that executes a function selected from the plurality of functions. Since it has a switch part provided on the body and a switch function selection part for selecting a specific function from the plurality of functions and registering it as the switch part execution function, it is possible to freely perform the function to be remotely operated according to the purpose. The degree of freedom in operation and the range of selection can be significantly improved compared to the conventional one.

Further, according to the present invention, a function which can be set so as to be remotely operated is displayed on the TV monitor as an image, and among those registered so as to be remotely operated, the function is turned on. The registered functions can be easily confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a TV monitor image display according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for changing the foot switch function of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 50 Car 100 Ultrasonic diagnostic device 110 Ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 120 Control unit 130 TV monitor 140 Operation panel 141 Setting switch 142 Setting switch 143 Setting switch 145 Image stationary switch 146 GAIN switch 147 STC switch 148 Magnification switch 149 Left-right reversing 150 Signal processing Part 160 Ultrasonic probe 170 Ultrasonic probe 200 Foot switch 201 switch 202 switch 203 switch M subject A echo signal B display signal P ultrasound pulse E ultrasound echo

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A medical device having a plurality of functions, wherein a switch unit provided separately from the device that executes a function selected from the plurality of functions and a specific function from the plurality of functions are provided. A remote control system for a medical device, comprising a switch function selection unit which is selected and registered in the switch unit as an execution function.