JPH08252250A - Ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the installability, housing capability and transportability of the whole device by forming the cabinet of an ultrasonic diagnostic system in a vertical type, consisting of a display part and a main body part and supporting the display part with the main body part at an arbitrary angular position via a hinge. CONSTITUTION: A supporting plate 8 engaged with a hinge 7 for main body support is provided to stably support the main body part A consisting of an inclined vertical type cabinet, and an angle to support the main body part A is set so as to change. Also, the display part B is supported so as to be turned on a display part hinge 6 fixed extending from the intermediate part to both terminals on the lower side of a main body cover 2. Therefore, a display screen 4 is easy to be observed by an operator C and a medical examinee D. Moreover, the display part B is closely adhered to the main body cover 2 and a housing space is reduced when this system is housed or carried. In this way, the installability, the housing capability and the transportability are improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to improvement of the mechanism of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which uses a flat image display such as a liquid crystal panel and is easy to handle. Further, the mechanism of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is a mechanism applicable to other devices such as office machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image display device using a cathode ray tube has been generally used. However, due to the size and weight of the cathode ray tube and other factors, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a cathode ray tube image display device is not available. It has been used as a stationary device. However, with the development of liquid crystal panels that replace cathode ray tubes and the commercialization of liquid crystal panels with smaller screens and larger screens and more pixels, it is becoming an image display device that replaces cathode ray tubes. The use of various portable devices as a flat image display is increasing,
Also in ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, downsizing of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment,
2. Description of the Related Art Flat panel image displays of liquid crystal panels are being used for portability. FIG. 6 shows a partially cutaway side view of a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a conventional planar image display of a liquid crystal panel. In FIG. 6, A is an ultrasonic probe that includes an operation unit that performs various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, and that incorporates respective substrates for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, etc., and that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves (illustrated Not connected), 1 is a main body base forming the main body A, 2 is a main body cover forming the main body A, 4 is built in the main body A, and for ultrasonic diagnosis A flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel for displaying the image of 5 is an operation unit for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis.

In the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the flat panel image display 4 of the liquid crystal panel is built in the main body A, but the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is operated to observe the screen of the flat panel image display 4. A flat panel image display device 4 is vertically arranged so that a doctor (hereinafter referred to as an operator) who makes a diagnosis can easily observe the screen from the front (see FIG. 6C) or a plane so that the screen can be easily observed from above. The shape image display 4 is fixedly installed in the main body portion A in an elevation angle state. Therefore, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in order to show the screen of the planar image display 4 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (see FIG. 6D) to the patient (hereinafter referred to as the examinee) to recognize the diagnostic result, , The planar image display 4 by lifting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, depending on the position of the examinee.
It was necessary to incline or rotate the screen to the examinee. Although not shown, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus always requires an ultrasonic probe that sends and receives ultrasonic waves by contacting the diagnosis site of the examinee. To connect to the section A, the main body section A is provided with a special connector connection board that relays between the main body A and the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception board provided therein, and only the connector part makes the device a little larger. It was economically disadvantageous.

[0004]

The conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is composed of an operator who operates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and observes the ultrasonic diagnostic display on the planar image display while making a diagnosis and a person who receives the diagnosis. Both have almost no adjustment range to obtain the optimum field of view for observing the display screen of the flat panel image display. In order to obtain the optimum field of view, the operator first sets the optimal field of view of the flat panel image display and observes. After the diagnosis, in order for the examinee to recognize the diagnosis result, it is necessary for the operator to lift and tilt the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or rotate the examinee to make the display screen easy to see. When tilted, the main body is unstable and moves, and no consideration has been given to making it easy for both the operator and the examinee to observe the screen of the flat panel image display. In addition, as a unique configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic probe is always required, and an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving board provided in the main body is used to connect the connector of the ultrasonic probe to the main body. This requires a special connector connection board for relaying, and the device is slightly larger only at the connector portion, which is disadvantageous in terms of configuration and economy.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs a vertical housing for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a display unit including a flat image display of a liquid crystal panel, an operation unit, and various circuit boards and the like. Consists of a main unit that connects the ultrasonic probe, and a configuration that supports a display unit that can be set at any angle position from elevation angle to dip angle with a hinge via the hinge. Ultrasonic wave with a structure in which the display surface of the main unit is closely protected and stored, and the connector of the ultrasonic probe can be directly connected to the connector directly attached to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving board in the main unit An object is to provide a diagnostic device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is provided with an operation unit for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, and substrates for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, etc. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a main body part having a built-in, an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and a planar image display for displaying an image for ultrasonic diagnosis, the main body part is A main body base that forms a vertical housing and a main body cover that includes the operating portion, and the main body cover includes:
Display hinges for supporting the planar image display are provided at both ends below the approximately middle portion, and the planar image display is supported at an arbitrary angular position.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is provided with an operating section for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, a main body section in which substrates for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, etc. are built in, and ultrasonic wave transmission / reception. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasonic probe for performing the above, and a planar image display for displaying an image for ultrasonic diagnosis, the main body section includes a main body base forming a vertical housing and the operation. A main body cover having a main body portion, the main body portion having hinges for supporting the main body at substantially intermediate positions on both side surfaces, and engaging the main body supporting hinge to support the main body portion at a stepwise required angle. The main body cover is provided with display portion hinges for supporting the flat panel image display at both ends below the middle portion, and supports the flat panel image display at an arbitrary angular position. To do.

Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention comprises a main body section having an operating section for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, a main body section in which each substrate for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, etc. is built in, and ultrasonic wave transmission / reception. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasonic probe for performing the above, and a planar image display for displaying an image for ultrasonic diagnosis, the main body portion and the planar image display are provided on both side surfaces of each. Each of which is provided with a hinge, and the main body part has support beams on both side surfaces which engage with each hinge on one side surface and which support the planar image display device. By setting the hinge and the hinge of the planar image display at a required position, the planar image display is supported at a required position and angle with respect to the main body. More specifically, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, hinges provided on both side surfaces of the flat panel image display are provided at end portions of both side surfaces of the flat panel image display, and a display surface of the flat panel image display is provided. Is to be stored toward the main body side.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is provided with an operating section for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, a main body section in which substrates for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, etc. are built in, and ultrasonic wave transmission / reception. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasonic probe for performing the above, and a planar image display for displaying an image for ultrasonic diagnosis, an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving board having a connector directly attached to the main body is provided. The ultrasonic probe connector is used by connecting it to the connector directly attached to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving substrate.

[0010]

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, when the operator makes a diagnosis, the display unit is set at a position where it is easy to observe and diagnose, for example, the elevation angle, and when the examinee recognizes the diagnosis result, the display unit is displayed. Can be easily changed to a position that the examinee can easily recognize, for example, a dip angle. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention can be housed with the display surface facing the main body so as to protect the display surface of the display unit. At this time, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is composed of a vertical housing. In addition, the installation area is reduced and installation, storage and portability are improved. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, since the connector of the ultrasonic probe can be directly connected to the connector directly attached to the ultrasonic transmission / reception board in the main body, it becomes small and compact, and the installability, The portability is improved.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The basic description of the present invention will be given before describing the embodiments of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention has a vertical housing, and the front display unit and the main body in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are divided, and further,
The image display surface of the display unit is supported at an arbitrary angle so that it can be changed from an elevation angle to a dip angle via the divided main body and a hinge provided in the display unit. The configuration can be changed easily. Further, the image display surface of the display unit is configured to be supported at a free angle so that it can be changed from an elevation angle to a dip angle, and the image display surface of the display unit can be rotated to the inside of the main body during storage and carrying, The image display surface of the display unit is closely attached to the main body side to protect it. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention,
The connection of the connector of the ultrasonic probe is not directly relayed by the connector of the main body as in the conventional case, but is directly connected to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving substrate.

An embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7. Note that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is roughly divided into an operating unit for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, and a built-in substrate for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, etc. to transmit / receive ultrasonic waves. It is composed of a main body portion A to which an ultrasonic probe is connected and a display portion B which is a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel for displaying an image for ultrasonic diagnosis. A
Is composed of a vertical (or horizontal) housing composed of a main body base 1 and a main body cover 2, and the display section B is composed of a display housing 3 and a display surface 4 composed of a liquid crystal panel.

FIG. 1 is a vertical casing which comprises a main body supported by a support plate and tilted, and a planar image display of a liquid crystal panel which is supported by the main body and can be rotated at an arbitrary tilt angle. It is a partial fracture side view showing an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment with a display. In FIG. 1, in order to stably support the main body A formed of a tilted vertical housing, the main body A
A support plate 8 engaged with a main body support hinge 7 provided at a substantially intermediate position on both side surfaces of the main body support hinge 7 is provided. The support plate 8 supports the main body portion A at an angle of the main body support hinge 7. It has a structure that can be changed and supported at several stages. In addition, a display unit B including a flat panel image display of the liquid crystal panel
Is rotatably supported by display hinges 6 fixed to both ends below the substantially middle portion of the main body cover 2 constituting the main body portion A. Both the elevation angle and the dip angle are 10 from the vertical position.
It is possible to stop at any position up to a range of degrees or more. Therefore, the structure is such that the operator C and the examinee D who operate and diagnose the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can set the display surface 4 including the liquid crystal panel so that they can easily see it. Furthermore, during storage or carrying, the display portion B can be brought into close contact with the main body cover 2 of the main body portion A to reduce the storage area.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a state in which the display unit composed of the flat panel image display of the liquid crystal panel is set to be rotated at an angle at which the inclination from the main body is vertical. is there. In FIG. 2, a display unit B composed of a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel is supported at a vertical position, and an operator who operates and diagnoses the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus uses an ultrasonic probe on a diagnosis site of the examinee. The child is brought into close contact, and the operation unit 5 is operated while watching the diagnostic screen displayed on the display surface 4 composed of the liquid crystal panel. The display surface 4 formed of a liquid crystal panel can be tilted to a desired angle by the operator holding the display unit B and moving the display unit B back and forth as necessary.

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a main body which is composed of a vertical housing and is supported by a supporting plate, and a display portion which can be set to an arbitrary inclination angle from the main body. It is a side view which also shows the connection structure of the connector of an ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception board | substrate of a main-body part. In FIG. 3, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a development of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the bottom of the main body A has a structure having two angles. Supports the main body A by tilting the main body A rearward and rotating the support plate 8 rearward (in the direction of the arrow). When the use of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is finished, the support plate 8 is attached to the main body A side. By rotating in the direction (arrow direction), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus becomes vertical. The display unit B, which is a flat panel image display of the liquid crystal panel, is rotatably supported by a display unit hinge 6 fixed to the main body cover 2 that constitutes the main body unit A as shown in FIG. , The dip angle can be stopped at any position from the vertical position to the range of 10 degrees or more. Further, in FIG. 3, unlike the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the connector 14 is directly attached to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving board 13 provided in the main body portion A without using the connector connecting board of the main body, and the ultrasonic probe The state where 15 connectors are connected is shown.

FIG. 4 shows a main body having a vertical housing and a display portion supporting hinge for supporting a display portion which is a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel, and a display supported by the main body portion. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing another embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a display unit which has partial hinges on both side faces and can be set to an arbitrary inclination angle. In FIG. 4, FIG.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which a display unit B composed of a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel is housed, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 4B is composed of a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel. The side view which has used the display part B is shown. The main body portion A and the display portion B, which are vertical casings, are provided with hinges 11 for supporting the display portion on both side surfaces of the main body portion A via the support beams 10.
Is connected to the display hinges 6 on both sides of the display B, and when used for diagnosis, the fixing hooks 12 on the main body A side of the support beam 10 are used to support the display of the main body A. The support beam 10 is fixed to the main body portion A by inserting it into the fixing groove 13 in the hinge 11. The display unit B is supported by a support beam 10 by a display hinge 6 attached to a substantially central position of the display housing 3. Like the display unit B of FIG. 1, both the elevation angle and the dip angle are within a range of 10 degrees or more. It has a structure that stops at the position.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration similar to that of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 4, except that the positions of the display hinges provided on both side surfaces of the display unit, which is a flat panel image display of the liquid crystal panel, are as follows. Partially cutaway side view that is provided at the ends of both side surfaces of the display unit and that the display unit can be set to an arbitrary tilt angle and that the display unit can be rotated to protect and store the display surface. Is. 5, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 5 (a) is a side view of a state in which the display surface of the display unit B, which is a flat panel image display of the liquid crystal panel, is protected and housed, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 5 (b). [Fig. 4] is a side view showing a state in which a display unit B including a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel is in use. The main body portion A and the display portion B, which are vertical casings, include a display portion supporting hinge 11 on the side surface of the main body portion A via a support beam 10 and a display portion hinge 6 on the side surface of the display portion B.
The structure in which the fixing hook 12 is fixed to the main body A by being inserted into the fixing groove 13 in the display supporting hinge 11 is similar to that in FIG.
The display hinge 6 of the display B is attached to the display housing 3
The display surface 4 of the liquid crystal panel faces the operator C and the patient D when used for diagnosis, and the display surface 4 does not operate or is stored during transportation when used for diagnosis. The structure is stored and protected toward the side.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a main body composed of a vertical housing and a display composed of a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel capable of setting an arbitrary tilt angle from the main body of the vertical housing has been described so far. However, the same configuration can be applied to the horizontal housing and the same function can be provided.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a main body composed of a horizontal casing and a display composed of a planar image display of a liquid crystal panel which can be set at an arbitrary inclination angle from the main body. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view and a side view showing the connection configuration between the connector of the ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving substrate of the main body. In FIG. 7, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shows a main body portion A composed of a horizontal housing and a display portion B composed of a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel in a used state, and FIG. FIG. 7B is a side view.

Since the body A has a horizontal housing, it has a low center of gravity and does not require special support. A display unit B, which is a flat panel image display of a liquid crystal panel, is rotatably supported by a display unit hinge 6 that is fixed to a main body cover 2 that constitutes the main body unit A. Both the elevation angle and the dip angle are 10 from a vertical position.
It is possible to stop at any position up to a range of degrees or more. Further, the display surface 4 of the liquid crystal panel is housed and protected toward the main body portion A side when not operated or housed for transportation. In the ultrasonic probe 15, the connector 14 on the main body portion A side for connecting the connector of the ultrasonic probe 15 is directly attached to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving substrate 13 provided in the main body portion A to perform ultrasonic diagnosis. The structure is connected from the upper surface of the apparatus, and there is no protrusion on the front, rear, left and right side surfaces of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the area efficiency is high. The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention described above can be applied not only to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus but also to other apparatuses such as office machines that display images.

[0020]

According to the present invention, the casing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is of a vertical type, and the ultrasonic probe is equipped with a display section composed of a flat image display of a liquid crystal panel, an operation section, and various circuit boards. It is composed of a main body that connects a child, and further supports a display unit that can be set at any angle position from elevation angle to dip angle via a hinge, and the display surface of the display unit when stored or carried. We provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device with a structure in which the ultrasonic probe is stored while closely protecting it toward the main body side, and the connector of the ultrasonic probe can be directly connected to the connector directly attached to the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving board in the main body can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus showing the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic probe showing an embodiment of the present invention are connected.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the display section and the main body section according to the embodiment of the present invention are connected by a support beam.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway side view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the display unit and the main body unit are connected by a support beam, and the display unit can be rotated and stored.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

7A and 7B are a partially cutaway front view and a partially cutaway side view in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for a horizontal housing and an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... Main body, B ... Display, 1 ... Main base, 2 ... Main cover, 3 ... Display housing, 4 ... Display surface, 5 ... Operation part, 6 ... Display hinge, 7 ... Main body supporting hinge, 8 ... Support plate, 10 ... Support beam, 11 ... Display support hinge, 12 ... Fixing hook, 13 ... Fixing groove, 14 ...
Ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving substrate, 15 ... Ultrasonic probe connector, 16
… Ultrasonic probe.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Minor Yoshida 1-14-1 Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Hitachi Medical Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A main body having an operation unit for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, including a substrate for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception and image processing, and an ultrasonic probe for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a planar image display that displays an image for ultrasonic diagnosis, the main body section includes a main body base that forms a vertical housing and a main body cover that includes the operation section. The main body cover includes display hinges that support the planar image display at both ends below a substantially middle portion,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that the planar image display is supported at an arbitrary angular position. 2. A main body having an operating unit for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, and a main body having a built-in substrate for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, and the like; and an ultrasonic probe for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a planar image display that displays an image for ultrasonic diagnosis, the main body section includes a main body base that forms a vertical housing and a main body cover that includes the operation section. The main body has a hinge for supporting the main body at a substantially intermediate position on both side surfaces, and a support plate that engages with the hinge for supporting the main body and supports the main body at a stepwise required angle, The cover is provided with display hinges that support the flat image display device at both ends below a substantially middle portion,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that the planar image display is supported at an arbitrary angular position. 3. A main body having an operation unit for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, including a substrate for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, etc., and an ultrasonic probe for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a planar image display for displaying an image for ultrasonic diagnosis, the main body section and the planar image display are provided with hinges on both side surfaces thereof, and one side surface thereof. The main body has support beams on both side surfaces that are engaged with the hinges and support the planar image display. The support beams on the both side surfaces are connected to the hinge of the main body and the planar image display. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that the planar image display is supported at a required position and angle with respect to the main body by setting the hinge at a required position. 4. The display surface of the flat panel image display according to claim 3, wherein hinges provided on both side surfaces of the flat panel image display are provided at ends of both side surfaces of the flat panel image display. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the device is stored toward the main body. 5. A main body unit having an operation unit for performing various operations associated with ultrasonic diagnosis, and including a substrate for ultrasonic wave transmission / reception, image processing, etc., and an ultrasonic probe for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a planar image display for displaying an image for ultrasonic diagnosis, the main body portion, an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving substrate with a connector directly attached, the ultrasonic probe of An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the connector is used by connecting to a connector directly attached to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving substrate.