WO2017176065A1

WO2017176065A1 - Independent ultrasound scanner

Info

Publication number: WO2017176065A1
Application number: PCT/KR2017/003769
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김정회; 김승태
Original assignee: (주)엠큐브테크놀로지
Priority date: 2016-04-07
Filing date: 2017-04-06
Publication date: 2017-10-12

Abstract

The present invention relates to an independent ultrasound scanner. The independent ultrasound scanner comprises a single ultrasound sensor module and a motion recognition sensor capable of obtaining oriented direction information of the single ultrasound sensor module, such that one-dimensional ultrasound data of a single scanning line is acquired by the ultrasound sensor module, information on a location at which the one-dimensional ultrasound data has been acquired is simultaneously detected by using the oriented direction information and/or scan location information of the ultrasound sensor module, and a cross-sectional area or a volume of an object to be examined or a bladder can be approximately estimated by using pieces of one-dimensional ultrasound data of respective locations of the bladder and oriented direction information and/or scan location information having acquired each of the pieces of one-dimensional ultrasound data. Therefore, according to the present invention, the independent ultrasound scanner acquires location information of pieces of one-dimensional ultrasound data from the motion recognition sensor and provides characteristic information of an object to be examined by using the pieces of one-dimensional ultrasound data and oriented direction information and/or scan location information on the pieces of one-dimensional ultrasound data, and thus a motor and a motor driving module for moving the ultrasound sensor module are not included, such that the independent ultrasound scanner can be miniaturized and manufactured at low cost by being implemented as a stand-alone type and, also, can be manufactured with high durability against impact and the like.

Description

【Specification】

[Name of invention]

Standalone ultrasound scanner

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic scanner, and more particularly, includes a single ultrasonic sensor module and motion recognition sensor modules capable of sensing the direction and scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor module, and is obtained using the ultrasonic sensor modules. Characteristics such as cross-sectional area or volume for an object to be inspected using a plurality of probing data sets consisting of a plurality of one-dimensional ultrasound data and the direction information / scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor modules obtained with each one-dimensional ultrasound data. The present invention relates to a stand-alone ultrasound scanner and a stand-alone bladder ultrasound scanner that approximate and provide information.

Background Art

In general, an ultrasonic system emits an ultrasonic signal to an object to be inspected by the piezoelectric effect of a transducer, which is a transducer.

After receiving the ultrasonic signal reflected back from the discontinuous surface, and converts the received ultrasonic signal into an electrical signal and outputs it to a predetermined image device to inspect the internal state of the object. Such ultrasonic systems are widely used in medical diagnostics, nondestructive testing, and underwater search equipment.

By the way, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic equipment has been inconvenient that most of the volume and weight is not very easy to move. In order to solve this inconvenience, various proposals for a portable ultrasound diagnosis apparatus have been proposed.

On the other hand, in the examination of bladder abnormality or urination disorder, it is used as an essential element to measure the urinary urine volume. In addition, in order to prevent the nymph that may occur after surgery, the urine in the bladder may be measured prior to urination using a catheter, and also used as a guideline in urinary training in urination training. As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for measuring urinary bladder obtains a 2D ultrasound image of a scan-type scan surface including a bladder, obtains the cross-sectional area or radius of the bladder from the 2D ultrasound image, and uses the volume of the bladder. Calculate the amount of urine in the bladder. In addition, another type of ultrasound diagnostic apparatus obtains 2D ultrasound images of a fan-shaped scan plane including a bladder in a plurality of directions to improve measurement accuracy, and uses a plurality of ultrasound images to obtain 3D ultrasound images. And calculate the amount of urine in the bladder by estimating the volume of the bladder.

However, the above-described conventional ultrasound diagnostic equipment or a bladder ultrasound scanner using ultrasonic waves is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic sensors in an array form or ultrasonic waves along the scan surface in order to obtain a two-dimensional ultrasound image of a fan-shaped scan surface. Motors for rotational movement are provided. That is, a plurality of ultrasonic sensors are spaced apart at predetermined intervals, and each ultrasonic wave sequentially

One-dimensional ultrasound data may be acquired from the sensors, or one-dimensional ultrasound data may be obtained by sequentially moving and rotating the ultrasonic sensors by a predetermined interval using a motor. In addition, in order to obtain a 3D ultrasound image, a 3D stereoscopic ultrasound image may be obtained by sequentially obtaining and combining 2D ultrasound images while moving the ultrasonic sensors by a predetermined interval using a motor. Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0125578 discloses an ultrasonic imaging probe equipped with a plurality of transducers and a motor. 1 is described above

4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an ultrasonic imaging probe equipped with a plurality of transducers and motors disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication. As shown in FIG. 1, when the plurality of transducers are mounted, the size of the ultrasonic probe has to be formed long along the length direction and must be included as a motor and a motor driving model, thereby increasing the overall size. In addition, since the motor and the driving models for driving them are weak to impact, etc., the equipment including them may have a disadvantage of poor durability.

In addition, US 2010/0204581 discloses a system and method for obtaining long-term volume using three-dimensional ultrasound. 2 is disclosed in the aforementioned patent 4 is a structural diagram illustrating a process in which an ultrasound scanner obtains a 2D ultrasound image and a 3D ultrasound stereoscopic image. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic scanner acquires a plurality of one-dimensional ultrasonic data while mechanically moving the transducer by a preset angle using a motor connected to the transducer, thereby forming a fan-shaped two-dimensional ultrasonic wave having a total Φ angle. You get an image. In addition, as shown in Figure 2, the ultrasound scanner by using a motor to rotate the transducer by a Θ angle in the rotation direction by obtaining a plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound images to create a three-dimensional stereoscopic ultrasound image.

As such, the conventional equipment includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors in the form of an array in order to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasonic image or motors for driving the ultrasonic sensors along the scan surface and motor driving models for driving the ultrasonic sensors. As a result, the structure is complicated and the overall size is disadvantageous.

On the other hand, Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2015-0021823 discloses an ultrasound device for bladder diagnostics in which a control device and an ultrasonic probe are separated. FIG. 3 is a photograph illustrating a bladder diagnostic ultrasound apparatus configured by separating a control device and an ultrasound probe, each of which includes a control unit and a display unit disclosed in the aforementioned Korean Patent Publication. As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional bladder diagnostic ultrasound apparatus is separated from each other by configuring ultrasonic sensor modules, a motor-mounted ultrasonic probe, and a control device for driving an ultrasonic probe. There is also.

[Detailed Description of the Invention]

[Technical problem]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is not provided with a motor and a motor driving unit, and obtains 1D ultrasound data and direction information obtained by obtaining 1D ultrasound data using a single ultrasound sensor module and a motion recognition sensor module. And a plurality of one-dimensional ultrasound data and direction information thereof Probing data sets and rearrange them to

It is to provide a stand-alone ultrasound scanner that can detect and provide characteristic information, such as two-dimensional area or three-dimensional volume.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand-alone ultrasound scanner that can estimate and provide a volume of the bladder using the above-described independent ultrasound scanner.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, an independent ultrasound scanner according to a first aspect of the present invention obtains an ultrasound signal constituting a single scan line with respect to an inspection object, converts the ultrasound signal, and generates and outputs one-dimensional ultrasound data. Sensor modules; Orientation of Ultrasonic Sensor Models on the Test Object

A motion recognition sensor that detects and outputs orientation at ion di rect ion information;

Display modules; By controlling the operation of the ultrasonic sensor module to obtain one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting a single scan line for an object to be inspected, and simultaneously driving the motion recognition sensor to obtain the one-dimensional ultrasound data. Acquire direction information, generate a probing data set including one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting the single scan line and directing direction information about the one-dimensional ultrasound data, and use the probing data set. A control unit for extracting characteristic information of an inspection object and outputting the extracted characteristic information to the display module; The controller, the ultrasonic sensor module, the motion recognition sensor, and the display module; the main body mounted on a single case; and acquires the characteristic information of the inspection object using the single ultrasonic sensor model to output to the display model. In the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the aforementioned feature 1, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner includes a data storage unit,

The control unit obtains one-dimensional ultrasonic data constituting a single scan line from the ultrasonic sensor module, obtains direction information of the ultrasonic sensor module from the motion recognition sensor, and configures the single scan line. Directional direction of 1D ultrasound data and the 1D ultrasound data Iteratively repeats the process of generating a probing data set containing information, stores the generated plurality of probing data sets in the data storage, and uses respective directional direction information constituting the probing data sets. Detects a position on the object to be inspected, approximates an area or volume of the object to be inspected using one-dimensional ultrasound data for the detected positions, and calculates the estimated area or volume value of the display model. It is preferable to output to.

Independent ultrasound scanner according to a second aspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensor module for obtaining and converting the ultrasonic signal constituting a single scan line to the inspection object to generate one-dimensional ultrasonic data; A motion recognition sensor configured to detect and output orientation information (or ientat ion di rect ion) and scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor models with respect to the inspection object; Display modules; By controlling the operation of the ultrasonic sensor models to obtain one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting a single scan line for the object to be inspected, at the same time driving the motion recognition sensor to obtain the one-dimensional ultrasound data sensor orientation Acquire direction information and scan position information, and generate a probing data set including one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting the single scan line and directing direction information and scan position information for the one-dimensional ultrasound data. And a controller configured to extract characteristic information of an object to be inspected using the probing data set and output the extracted characteristic information to the display modules. The controller, the ultrasonic sensor module, the motion recognition sensor, and the display module; the main body mounted on a single case; and obtain the characteristic information of the inspection object by using the single ultrasonic sensor model to output to the display model.

In the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the above 2 feature, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner includes a data storage unit,

The control unit acquires one-dimensional ultrasonic data constituting a single scan line from the ultrasonic sensor models, and obtains direction information and scan position information of ultrasonic sensor models from the motion recognition sensor, and scans the single scan. 1D ultrasound data constituting a line and the 1D ultrasound data Repeating the process of generating a probing data set including the direction information and the scan position information, and stores the generated plurality of probing data sets in the data storage, and constitutes the probing data sets Detects a position in the inspection object by using the direction information and the scan position information of, approximates an area or volume of the inspection object by using 1D ultrasound data of the detected positions, and It is desirable to output the estimated area or volume value to the display models.

Independent ultrasound scanner according to a third aspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensor module for obtaining and converting the ultrasonic signal constituting a single scan line to the inspection object to generate one-dimensional ultrasonic data; A motion recognition sensor for detecting and outputting scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor models for the inspection object; Display modules; By controlling the operation of the ultrasonic sensor models to obtain one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting a single scan line for the object to be inspected, and simultaneously driving the motion recognition sensor to scan the ultrasonic sensor models obtained the one-dimensional ultrasound data Acquire position information, generate a probing data set including scan position information of the 1D ultrasound data and the store 1D ultrasound data constituting the single scan line, and use the probing data set. A control unit for extracting characteristic information on an inspection object and outputting the extracted characteristic information to the display models; A main body in which the control unit ultrasonic sensor modules, the motion recognition sensor, and the display modules are mounted in a single case; In order to obtain the characteristic information on the object to be inspected using a single ultrasonic sensor model and output to the display model.

In the stand-alone ultrasonic scanner according to the aforementioned feature 3, the stand-alone ultrasonic scanner includes a data storage unit,

The controller acquires scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor models from the motion recognition sensor while acquiring the 1D ultrasonic data constituting the single scan line from the ultrasonic sensor models, and configures the single scan line. A process of generating a probing data set including 1D ultrasound data and scan position information of the 1D ultrasound data; Iteratively performing, storing the generated plurality of probing data sets in the data storage unit, using the respective scan position information constituting the probing data sets to detect the position on the inspection object, and Using one-dimensional ultrasound data, it is preferable to approximate the area or volume of the inspection object and to output the estimated area or volume value to the display models.

In the independent ultrasonic scanner according to the first to third features described above, the ultrasonic sensor modules obtain an ultrasonic signal for a single scan line and provide one-dimensional ultrasonic data to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to provide the ultrasonic sensor module. It is preferable to process the 1D ultrasound data provided from the graph and output the graph to the display modules, wherein the graph represents the ultrasonic signal intensity according to the separation distance from the ultrasonic sensor modules.

In the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the first to third features described above, the motion recognition sensor may be one of a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a posture detection sensor, or two or more may be combined.

In the independent ultrasonic scanner according to the first to third features described above, the direction information output by the motion recognition sensor includes an inclination angle and a swing angle of the ultrasonic sensor models,

The inclination angle is an angle in which the ultrasonic sensor modules are inclined along the vertical direction from the reference axis of the ultrasonic sensor modules initially set at the start of the ultrasonic scan, and the blue angle is an angle at which the ultrasonic sensor module swings from the reference axis to the left and right directions. It is preferable.

In the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the first to third features described above, the scan position information output by the motion recognition sensor is relative position information in which ultrasonic sensor modules are moved from an ultrasonic scan start position of the ultrasonic sensor module.

desirable.

In the independent ultrasonic scanner according to the first to third features described above, the main body portion is formed in the shape of a pencil or a rod, the ultrasonic sensor modules are fixedly mounted to the front end of the main body portion, the motion recognition sensor is the main body portion It is preferable to be mounted at the rear end.

In the independent ultrasound scanner according to the first to third features described above, the independent ultrasound scanner is a scanner for measuring the bladder volume,

The object to be inspected is the bladder, and the controller preferably estimates characteristic information about the bladder using a probing data set, and outputs the estimated characteristic information to the display modules.

In the stand-alone ultrasonic scanner according to the first to third features described above, the stand-alone ultrasonic scanner is a scanner for measuring the bladder volume, and the control unit processes the one-dimensional ultrasonic data provided from the ultrasonic sensor modules to display the graph. Output to the module, wherein the graph is configured to represent the strength of the ultrasonic signal according to the separation distance from the ultrasonic sensor module, and through the displayed graph, the presence or absence of the bladder and the diameter of the bladder in the direction directed to the ultrasonic data. It is preferable to indicate.

In the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the first to third features described above, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner is a scanner for measuring the bladder volume, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner further comprises a switch configured to allow the user to select an operation mode, The control unit is preferably driven according to the operation mode selected by the switch. In the above-described independent ultrasound scanner, the operation mode includes a bladder positioning mode, and the control unit receives one-dimensional ultrasonic data from the ultrasonic sensor module when the bladder positioning mode is selected by the switch. Receives direction information from a motion recognition sensor, generates a probing data set including the direction information and the one-dimensional ultrasound data, processes the one-dimensional ultrasound data provided from the ultrasonic sensor modules, and displays the display modules in the form of a graph. To the output,

The graph output to the display modules preferably shows information on the presence or absence of the bladder and the diameter of the bladder in the direction directed to the ultrasonic signal. In addition, in the above-described independent ultrasonic scanner, the operation mode is bladder And a volume measurement mode, wherein, when the bladder volume measurement mode is selected by the switch, the controller acquires one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting a single scan line from the ultrasound sensor module, and simultaneously, the motion recognition sensor. Acquiring the direction information of the ultrasonic sensor models from the sensor, and generating a probing data set including the one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting the single scan line and the direction information on the one-dimensional ultrasound data. Repeats and stores the generated plurality of probing data sets in the data storage unit,

The position of the bladder is detected by using the respective directional information constituting the probing data sets, and by using the ultrasound data for the detected positions, an approximation of the area or volume of the bladder is performed on the display modules. It is preferable to output.

In the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the first to third features described above, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner is a scanner for measuring the bladder volume, the control unit is received each time one-dimensional ultrasound data from the ultrasonic sensor module, Check the position of the front and back walls of the bladder from the 1-D ultrasound data, and if the front and back walls of the bladder are not detected, activate the warning module and say, It is preferable to indicate 'n'.

【Effects of the Invention】

Stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the invention is a single ultrasound

It is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor module consisting of a transducer (ul trasound transducer) and a structure in which a user collects a plurality of 1D ultrasonic data while manually moving ultrasonic sensor modules, and each 1D ultrasonic sensor using motion recognition sensor modules. The location information and direction information obtained from the data are obtained.

After the user holds the standalone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention in a position to be scanned, the standalone ultrasound scanner is rotated in the user's desired direction, swings in the left or right direction, or the position is moved. Ultrasound scan. As such, while the user moves the independent ultrasound scanner freely, the independent ultrasound scanner according to the present invention repeatedly collects one-dimensional ultrasound data on the inspection object according to a preset sampling period and simultaneously collects each one-dimensional ultrasound data. The acquired direction information and / or scan position information are acquired together, and each one-dimensional ultrasound data and the obtained direction information and / or scan position information are configured as one probing data set. Through the direction information and / or scan position information constituting each probing data set, it is possible to detect a position on the inspection object to which each one-dimensional ultrasound data is scanned.

Therefore, the independent ultrasound scanner according to the present invention uses the directional direction information and / or the scan position information of the plurality of probing data sets to direct the plurality of probing data sets generated without a certain rule according to the user's hand movement. And / or sequentially depending on the scan location

By rearranging, it is possible to approximate the area or volume of the object to be inspected using the plurality of one-dimensional ultrasound data included in the probing data sets sequentially rearranged according to the direction and / or the scan position.

Therefore, the ultrasound scanner according to the present invention, unlike conventional equipment, is composed of a single ultrasonic sensor module and a motion recognition sensor module without having a motor and a motor driving model for moving the ultrasonic sensor head, thereby minimizing the overall size It becomes possible. In addition, since the ultrasonic scanner according to the present invention does not include a motor and motor driving modules for moving, rotating, or swinging the ultrasonic sensor module, unlike the ultrasonic scanner having a motor according to the prior art, the stratification is performed. Excellent durability against dropping and falling.

In addition, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention is equipped with the ultrasonic probe, the control unit and the display unit in a single housing, stand-alone type

By being configured, the user can hold it with one hand and use it simply.

【Brief Description of Drawings】

Figure 1 is equipped with a plurality of transducers and a motor according to the prior art An example of an ultrasonic imaging probe is a perspective view.

2 is a structural diagram illustrating a process of obtaining a 2D ultrasound image and a 3D ultrasound stereoscopic image by an ultrasound scanner according to the related art.

3 is a photograph showing a bladder diagnostic ultrasound apparatus configured by separating the control apparatus and the ultrasonic probe according to the related art.

4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration for a stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention It is also.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating directing direction information of a standalone ultrasound scanner, ie, direction information of ultrasonic sensor modules, obtained by using the motion recognition sensor modules in the independent ultrasound scanner 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated

It is a schematic diagram.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a graph is output to the display modules according to the bladder positioning mode in the stand-alone bladder ultrasonic scanner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation in a bladder volume measuring mode in a stand-alone bladder ultrasonic scanner according to the embodiment j2 of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a process of approximating a volume by using ultrasonic signals acquired in two different directions in a bladder volume measuring mode in a stand-alone bladder ultrasonic scanner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of illustration.

FIG. 10 is graphs illustrating one-dimensional ultrasound signals obtained for two different directing directions of FIG. 9, respectively.

FIG. 11 illustrates the eight trajectories of a user swinging with arbitrary hand movements for a period of time using a standalone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention to obtain multiple probing data sets.

FIG. 12 illustrates six ultrasonic scan surfaces obtained for a fan team using an ultrasonic scanner driven by a conventional motor, and FIG. 13 shows a swing of FIG. 11 for a fan team using a standalone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention. Along the trajectory Six ultrasound scan planes reconstructed using the acquired plurality of probing data sets.

[Best form for implementation of the invention]

The standalone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention includes a single ultrasonic sensor module and a motion recognition sensor for obtaining the direction information and the scan position information from which the ultrasonic sensor module obtains one-dimensional ultrasonic data. Acquisition of the direction information and / or the scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor modules obtained with the one-dimensional ultrasound signal for the single scanning line and the one-dimensional ultrasound signal at the same time, and the position information on the inspection object for the one-dimensional ultrasound data. Can be collected and confirmed.

In addition, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention generates a plurality of probing data sets composed of one-dimensional ultrasound data and the direction information and / or scan position information obtained from the one-dimensional ultrasound data, and the plurality of probing data The sets may be used to approximate the cross-sectional area or volume for the object being inspected. Accordingly, the independent ultrasound scanner according to the present invention obtains a plurality of 1D ultrasound data, and obtains the detection and position of each 1D ultrasound data using motion recognition sensors, and a plurality of 1D ultrasound data and The location information is used to measure the two-dimensional area or three-dimensional volume of the inspection object. As a result, since the independent ultrasonic scanner according to the present invention does not have a motor and a motor driving model for moving the ultrasonic sensor module, it is implemented as a stand-alone type, which enables miniaturization and low-cost manufacturing, as well as durability against layer stratification. It can also be manufactured strongly.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4 is a stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 and 5, a stand-alone according to this embodiment, ultrasound scanner 30 is making the portion body constituting the housing to stand ^¬ alone the type of all the components are mounted pencil-shaped operation user holds with one hand Characterized in that configured to be. The standalone ultrasound scanner 30 includes an ultrasonic sensor module 300, a motion recognition sensor module 310, a display module 320, a controller 330, a switch 340, and a main body 350. The ultrasound sensor module and the motion recognition sensor module may be configured to acquire characteristic information about the object to be inspected and output the characteristic information to the display module.

The ultrasonic sensor modules 300, as an ultrasonic transducer, are composed of a single ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic sensor modules are

According to the driving signal provided from the controller, the ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the inspection object, the one-dimensional ultrasonic signal reflected from the inspection object is processed, and the one-dimensional ultrasonic data obtained by receiving and processing the one-dimensional ultrasonic signal is processed. Output to the controller. Here, the process of processing the 1D ultrasound signal refers to a process of converting an ultrasound signal in an analog state into a digital signal, amplifying a received ultrasound signal, and filtering process for correcting the ultrasound signal. Processing steps.

In particular, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention is configured with a single ultrasonic sensor module fixedly mounted to the main body, and does not include a separate motor and motor driving circuit for mechanically moving or rotating the ultrasonic sensor modules. It is characterized by. As described above, the independent ultrasonic scanner according to the present invention is configured without a motor and a motor driving circuit, so that the overall size can be reduced to a stand-alone type, which can be used for personal portable use, and also has strong durability against impact or dropping. You have an advantage.

As described above, the scanner according to the present invention is provided with a single ultrasonic sensor module consisting of a single ultrasonic transducer, so that the ultrasonic sensor modules obtain a one-dimensional ultrasonic signal for a single scanning line, and signal processing the same. The obtained one-dimensional ultrasound data is provided to the controller.

The motion recognition sensor module 310 is a sensor for recognizing a movement or a position of an object, and may be configured by combining various sensors such as a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyro sensor or the like. A gyro sensor (gyro sensor) can measure the position and direction of a rotating object, and an attitude sensor is a sensor that detects a posture about three axes orthogonal past the center of gravity of the object. The sensor measures the acceleration of the moving object or the strength of the stratification.

Accordingly, the motion recognition sensor module 310 detects and outputs orientation direction information of the ultrasonic sensor modules, and includes one of a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a posture detection sensor, or two or more. This can be configured in combination. The motion recognition sensor modules provide the direction information at the point where the ultrasonic sensor modules are located to the controller, and the direction information includes at least a tilt angle and a swing angle of the ultrasound sensor modules. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating orientation direction information of an independent ultrasound scanner acquired using motion recognition sensor modules, that is, orientation direction information of ultrasonic sensor modules in the independent ultrasound scanner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

It is a schematic diagram. 6, the direction information of the direction of the ultrasonic sensor model includes the tilt angle (and swing angle), which mean S and ψ of the spherical coordinate system, ie, the tilt angle is the ultrasonic scanner. Shear section of (Figure 6

'Α') refers to the angle at which the rear end ('Fig. 6') in which the motion recognition sensor is mounted in a state fixed to an orientation point which is a gas can position is tilted along the vertical direction from the reference axis. Corresponds to zero in the spherical coordinate system. Here, the reference axis is set to the position and posture of the scanner at the start of the ultrasound scan. On the other hand, the swing angle is directed to the front end of the ultrasonic scanner ('Α' of FIG. 6)

The rear end of the ultrasonic scanner ('6' in FIG. 6) in the state fixed to an orientation point refers to the angle swinged in the left and right directions of the reference axis, and corresponds to the spherical coordinate system. Therefore, when the inclination angle (and the swing angle) are set as the reference axis, respectively, when the stand-alone ultrasound scanner starts scanning and the position, the inclination angle of the independent ultrasound scanner in the vertical direction from the reference axis is determined. () And the angle () swinging in the left and right directions from the reference axis, for example, the scanner in a state where the front end (point A) of the scanner according to the present invention is fixed to (, y ₀₎ z ₀ ). In the case of ultrasonic scanning in η swings with 180 ^ο swinging the trailing end of the point (β), the trailing end of the scanner moves from (, y ₀ , zo) to (-¾, y ₀ , z ₀ ). Depending on the η orientations represented by and

(Pl) 'S (fi ψ2), which is one-dimensional ultrasound data. . . ,

You get it. When the thus obtained η 1D ultrasound data are combined, a two-dimensional scan surface having a 180 ° fan shape is formed.

In the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention, one embodiment obtains only the direction information of the ultrasonic sensor models obtained by obtaining the one-dimensional ultrasound data using the motion recognition sensor, or another embodiment uses the motion recognition sensor to determine the one-dimensional information. Only the scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor models obtained the ultrasonic data may be obtained, or another embodiment may obtain both the direction information and the scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor models obtained the one-dimensional ultrasonic data using the motion recognition sensor. . The direction information may be obtained using a gyro sensor, and the scan position information may be obtained using an acceleration sensor.

The display modules 320 are mounted on one surface of the main body to

Outputs information provided from the controller.

The main body 350 is composed of a single pencil-shaped case that the user can hold and drive with one hand, and therein constitutes the standalone ultrasound scanner such as the controller, the ultrasonic sensor module, the motion recognition sensor, and the display module. All the elements are mounted, in particular, the ultrasonic sensor modules, ie, ultrasonic probes, are fixedly mounted on the front end of the main body ('Α' in FIG. 6), and the motion recognition sensor is mounted on the rear end ('β' in FIG. 6) of the main body. It is preferred that the modules are mounted. Motion recognition sensor By attaching to the rear end of the main body, it is possible to maximize the movement of the motion recognition sensor when rotating the rear end of the main body or swinging in the left and right directions while the ultrasonic sensor module of the front end is fixed at an arbitrary position for the ultrasonic scan. As a result, the detection performance of the motion recognition sensor can be improved.

The controller 330 controls the operation of the ultrasonic sensor models to acquire one-dimensional ultrasonic data S (^ <ji ^{) in the} direction of the inspection object, and drives a motion recognition sensor. Acquisition of the direction information (^ and / or scan position information (x, y, z) of the ultrasonic sensor models obtained with the 1D ultrasound data, and the obtained 1D ultrasound data (S (^ i »)) and Probing data set consisting of the direction direction information (^ and / or scan position information (x, y, z) of the ultrasonic sensor model for the Korean ultrasonic wave sensor generation, on the other hand, the control unit 330 repeats the above-described process It is preferable to repeatedly perform for the time interval requested from the user, to generate a plurality of probing data sets obtained in different orientation directions or scan positions and to store them in the data storage.

The controller 330 detects or estimates characteristic information on an object to be inspected using the stored plurality of probing data sets.

The detected or estimated characteristic information is output to the display modules. In more detail, the control unit analyzes one-dimensional ultrasound data at a position corresponding to the direction information and / or the scan position information of the probing data set using a single probing data set, It is possible to obtain and provide characteristic information including whether or not an inspection object exists and the thickness of the inspection object at a corresponding position.

Meanwhile, referring to a method of operating a standalone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention, a user first holds a standalone ultrasound scanner in a hand and places it at a position to be scanned, and then rotates the standalone ultrasound scanner in a direction desired by the user. The object to be scanned is ultrasonically scanned while swinging or shifting the position in the left and right directions. In this way, while the user freely rotates or moves the independent ultrasound scanner, the independent ultrasound scanner according to the present invention is preliminary. A plurality of probing data sets consisting of a plurality of probing data sets obtained by repeatedly collecting one-dimensional ultrasound data for an inspection object according to a set sampling period and simultaneously obtaining direction information and / or scan position information obtained from each one-dimensional ultrasound data. Will generate them. Therefore, the plurality of probing data sets generated by the independent ultrasound scanner are made up of data acquired according to the movement of the user, and thus arranged without any regular rule.

Accordingly, the controller analyzes the direction information and / or scan position information included in the initially collected plurality of probing data sets and rearranges the plurality of probing data sets in order according to the direction and / or scan position. 1-D ultrasound included in rearranged probing data sets

Data (^ ΘΙ, φϊ), ^ {Θ2, φ2),. . . θη, φη)

Characteristic information such as two-dimensional area or three-dimensional volume information may be obtained and provided. On the other hand, the independent ultrasound scanner according to the present embodiment may further include a switch 340 for selecting one of preset operation modes. When an operation mode is selected by the user through the switch, the selected operation mode information is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit operates according to the operation mode. The operation mode may include a positioning mode and a characteristic measuring mode.

When the 'positioning mode' is selected through the switch, the control unit obtains 1D ultrasound data of the inspection object and outputs the 1D ultrasound data in a graph form to the display modules. Figure 7 (a) is the ultrasound scan is placed on the abdomen of the patient according to the independent ultrasound scanner according to the present invention

The graph shows the display mode of the display mode, and (b)

The graph displayed on the display modules is shown. Referring to FIG. 7, the graph is configured to represent the ultrasonic signal intensity (S (^^ J7) ( _X )) according to the separation distance (X) from the ultrasonic sensor modules. It is possible to determine whether an inspection object to be inspected exists in the direction and / or the scan position of the ultrasonic sensor models. Referring to FIG. 7B, since the graph shows that different media exist at al and a2 positions, It can be confirmed that there is a test object at the corresponding position, and the size or thickness of the test object can be determined by the interval of al ~ a2.

On the other hand, when the 'characteristic measurement mode' is selected through the switch, the control unit collects one-dimensional ultrasound data according to a preset sampling period, the direction information and / or scan direction information of the ultrasonic sensor module collected each one-dimensional data Acquire position information, and acquire a plurality of probing data sets including the one-dimensional ultrasound data, direction information, and / or scan position information thereof. At this time, the user operating the stand-alone ultrasound scanner, while holding the stand-alone ultrasound scanner in hand and rotates, swings, or moves the position without a predetermined rule, the ultrasound scan is carried out for a predetermined time. The controller repeatedly collects one-dimensional ultrasound data to obtain a plurality of probing data sets. As a result, a plurality of initially collected probing data sets are arranged without any rules associated with each other and stored in the data storage.

Accordingly, the control unit of the independent ultrasound scanner according to the present invention uses the direction direction information and / or scan position information included in each of the probing data sets to direct the plurality of initial probing data sets generated without a predetermined rule. And / or reorder in order according to the scan location, and use two-dimensional ultrasound data included in the plurality of reordered probing data sets, such as a two-dimensional area or a three-dimensional volume of the inspection object. The characteristic information is estimated approximately.

In the independent ultrasound scanner according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, after the user fixes the front end portion of the scanner equipped with the ultrasonic sensor modules closely to the examination object or the abdomen of the patient, the user may move the rear end portion or swing in the left and right directions. Ultrasonic data can be collected, and the direction information and / or scan position information of the ultrasonic scanner which has acquired each of the collected 1-dimensional ultrasound data are also collected. And / or scan position information are used to approximate characteristic information such as the area and volume of the inspection object. [Form for implementation of invention]

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present embodiment is configured to optimize the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the first embodiment for bladder examination and to obtain a volume of the bladder.

The structure of the independent ultrasound scanner according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the independent ultrasound scanner according to the U embodiment, except that the configuration and operation of the control unit are configured to be optimized for bladder volume measurement. Therefore, this embodiment will be described in detail with respect to the operation of the controller.

The stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present embodiment has an operation mode including a bladder positioning mode and a bladder volume measuring mode, and is configured to allow a user to select one of the operation modes through a switch, and the control unit according to the selected operation mode. It works.

When the bladder position checking mode is selected through the switch, the controller receives one-dimensional ultrasonic data from the ultrasonic sensor modules and receives the received

One-dimensional ultrasound data is processed and output to the display module in the form of a graph. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the graph 42 is output to the display modules 420 according to the bladder position checking mode in the stand-alone ultrasound scanner 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7B,

The graph 42 confirms that there is a bladder, which is a test object having a different medium along the direction of the ultrasonic sensor module, and confirms the positions of the front wall (al position) and the back wall (a2 position) of the bladder from the graph. The diameter of the bladder can also be determined in detail through the difference between the positions of the front wall and the rear wall of the bladder.

By using this function, the user can determine the diameter of the bladder at each position by driving the bladder positioning mode by moving the independent bladder ultrasound scanner according to the present invention in various positions of the abdomen of the patient, and based on this information The location of the largest bladder diameter can be found manually. In Figure 7 (b) The graph shown is similar to the graphs of FIG. 10, al and bl in FIG. 10 represent the front wall of the bladder, a2 and b2 represent the back wall of the bladder, and dl and d2 represent the diameter of the bladder at the corresponding position. it means.

On the other hand, when the 'bladder volume measuring mode' is selected through the switch, the control unit receives the 1D ultrasound data and the direction information and / or scan position information obtained from the 1D ultrasound data, the 1D ultrasound data and Detecting the probing data sets composed of the directing direction information and / or the scan position information for at least two times, and obtaining the corresponding ultrasonic signal using the respective directing direction information and / or the scan position information constituting the probing data sets. The position in the bladder is detected, and the area or volume for the bladder is estimated approximately and output to the display modules using the ultrasonic signals for the detected positions. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation in a bladder volume measuring mode in a stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the front end portion of the independent bladder ultrasound scanner 40 is fixed to a reference surface such as the abdomen of the patient, while swinging the main body portion in the left and right directions from the reference axis set at the beginning of the scan. Acquires one-dimensional ultrasound data for each direction of the ultrasonic sensor model, and includes a plurality of probing data including the direction information and / or scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor model obtained from the one-dimensional ultrasound data and the one-dimensional ultrasound data. Create and save sets, and

Manage. The control unit sequentially orders the probing data sets according to the direction and / or scan position in order to be able to create a 3D stereoscopic image using the direction information and / or scan position information included in the probing data sets. The estimated value 44 is output to the display models 420 by roughly estimating the area or volume of the bladder by using the 1D ultrasound data included in the rearranged probing data sets.

Here, since a technique of creating a 3D stereoscopic image using a plurality of 1D ultrasound data included in rearranged probing data sets according to a direction and / or a scan position is already widely used in the art,

In the specification, detailed description is omitted. The stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention further includes an indicator indicating the presence or absence of a bladder, and the control unit has a presence or absence of a bladder from the received one-dimensional ultrasound data every time one-dimensional ultrasound data is received from the ultrasonic sensor modules. Check the presence of the bladder, depending on the presence of ^: it is preferable to drive the indicator. The indicator indicator may include at least one of a speaker, a light emitting device such as an LED, a warning light or a warning light, and a vibrating device, and outputs a warning sound such as a 'beep' sound to a speaker, or turns on or emits a light emitting device or a warning light. By emitting light periodically or by vibrating through the vibrating element, a warning message can be sent to the user or operator.

Meanwhile, in the bladder volume measurement mode, the controller performs a plurality of ultrasonic scans periodically for a predetermined time to sample a plurality of one-dimensional ultrasound data in order to obtain a plurality of probing data sets for volume measurement. At this time, the controller checks the position of the front wall and the rear wall of the bladder from the one-dimensional ultrasound data every time the one-dimensional ultrasound data is received from the ultrasonic sensor module, and if the front wall and the rear wall of the bladder are not detected, the above-described method is described. By outputting a warning sound through the speaker of the city marker, the user or operator may be informed that "the bladder is out of the region where the bladder exists, and the bladder does not exist at the position along the corresponding direction of the ultrasonic sensor models". In addition, when the bladder is detected, a light emitting device such as an LED of the indicator indicator may be turned on to inform a user or an operator that the "bladder exists at a corresponding position".

9 is a stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to a second embodiment of the present invention, according to the bladder volume measurement mode, the scanner between the two points in the left and right directions

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of approximating the volume of the bladder using two probing data sets obtained by swinging. FIG.

1D ultrasound data obtained in the first directing ^ ψ ^ θΐ, φΐ) and crab 2 directing directions of 9), and S (^^)) respectively. 9 and 10, approximating an area or volume of the bladder by using ultrasonic signals for the detected positions al, a2, bl, b2. In one method, the control unit is configured at each position of the bladder from the one-dimensional ultrasound data S £>, S (6 ^) obtained in the first directing direction () and the second directing direction (?, ^), Respectively. The diameters dl and d2 are detected, the area of the bladder is approximately estimated using the detected diameters of the bladder, and the volume of the bladder is approximately estimated using the estimated area of the bladder. At this time, the controller collects the direction information obtained by obtaining the ultrasonic signals from the motion recognition sensor mode, and determines the position of the bladder with respect to the ultrasonic signal by using the direction information. The directing direction information may include a sweep angle and an inclination angle of the independent ultrasound scanner.

The inclination angle refers to an angle at which the ultrasonic sensor modules are inclined upward and downward from the reference axis when the independent ultrasound scanner sets the position and the position when the ultrasound scanner starts the ultrasonic scan as the reference axis. The blue angle of the scanner is fixed to the orient point of the reference plane ('A' in FIG. 6) at the rear end of the scanner ('Β' in FIG. 6) in the horizontal direction of the reference axis. Means the angle to swirl. The inclination angle and swing angle described above are respectively indicated by ^ and in the spherical coordinate system.

Referring to FIG. 9, the front wall points of the bladder obtained from the 1D ultrasound signals at positions where the independent ultrasound scanner starts the ultrasonic scan as the reference axis and are oriented along the direction from the reference axis (al, bl) ) And back wall points (a2, b2) are marked and connected to each other to approximate one cross-sectional area for the bladder. The estimated bladder cross-sectional area is used to approximate the volume of the bladder, and the estimated volume of the bladder can be used to estimate the amount of urine in the bladder.

In the present specification, a case in which two probing data sets are used to approximate the volume of the bladder is exemplarily described. However, by increasing the number of probing data sets, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the measurement result. On the other hand, if the above-described bladder volume measurement mode is selected, and the plurality of probing data sets are sequentially generated as the user swings the ultrasonic sensor modules, the control unit generates the direction information and the one-dimensional ultrasound data of each probing data set. The 2D B-Mode ultrasound image may be output to the display modules according to the swing trajectory.

By measuring the volume of the bladder by a stand-alone ultrasonic scanner according to the present invention, the performance compared to the ultrasonic scanner using a conventional motor. FIG. 11 illustrates a trajectory in which a user swings along eight trajectories with arbitrary hand gestures for a predetermined time using a standalone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention to obtain a plurality of probing data sets.

FIG. 12 illustrates six ultrasonic scanning surfaces obtained for a fan team having a bladder model by using an ultrasonic scanner driven by a conventional motor, and FIG. 13 illustrates a bladder model using a standalone ultrasonic scanner according to the present invention. FIG. 11 shows six ultrasound scan planes reconstructed using a plurality of probing data sets obtained along a swing trajectory of FIG. 11. 12 and 13, '0' represents the shape of the bladder model of the phantom. Comparing FIGS. 12 and 13, from ultrasound images obtained by scanning a uniform angle by a motor by a conventional scanner and probing data sets obtained by nonuniformity by any hand gesture of a user by a scanner according to the present invention. The reconstructed ultrasound images do not show much difference. As described above, the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the independent ultrasound scanner according to the first embodiment is configured for volume measurement of the bladder. In this regard, the stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention can be used not only for measuring the volume of the bladder but also for measuring the cross section of the aorta or venous blood vessels, and the volume of human organs (such as kidney or stomach) containing water or liquid state. It may also be used to measure volume.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, which are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and variations are not possible that are not exemplified above without departing from the essential features of the present invention. And differences relating to such modifications and uses will be construed as being included in the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

The stand-alone ultrasound scanner according to the present invention is for approximating the volume or cross-sectional area of any test object and can be widely used in the industrial and medical fields.

Claims

[Range of request]

[Claim 1]

Ultrasonic sensor models for acquiring the ultrasonic signal constituting a single scan line for the inspection object, and converts it to generate and output one-dimensional ultrasonic data;

A motion recognition sensor that detects and outputs orientation at ion direct ion information of the ultrasonic sensor module with respect to the inspection object;

Display module;

By controlling the operation of the ultrasonic sensor models to obtain one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting a single scan line for the object to be inspected, at the same time driving the motion recognition sensor to obtain the one-dimensional ultrasound data sensor orientation Acquire a direction information, generate a probing data set including one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting the single scan line and the direction information for the one-dimensional ultrasound data, and use the probing data set A control unit for extracting characteristic information of an inspection object and outputting the extracted characteristic information to the display models;

A main body in which the controller, the ultrasonic sensor module, the motion recognition sensor, and the display module are mounted in a single case;

And a single ultrasonic sensor model to obtain the characteristic information of the object to be inspected and output to the display models.

[Claim 2]

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the standalone ultrasound scanner includes a data storage unit, and the control unit includes:

Acquiring one-dimensional ultrasonic data constituting a single scan line from the ultrasonic sensor module, acquiring direction information of ultrasonic sensor models from the motion recognition sensor, and constituting the single scan line. And repeating a process of generating a probing data set including direction information on the one-dimensional ultrasound data, Storing probing data sets in the data storage unit,

Detect the position at the inspection object using the respective directional information constituting the probing data sets, and use the one-dimensional ultrasonic data for the detected positions to approximate the area or volume of the inspection object. And estimating, and outputting the estimated area or volume value to the display modules.

[Claim 3]

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the standalone ultrasound scanner includes a data storage unit, and the motion recognition sensor further detects and outputs scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor modules.

The control unit,

Acquiring one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting a single scan line from the ultrasonic sensor models, acquiring direction information and scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor models from the motion recognition sensor, and configuring the single scan line. The process of generating a probing data set including 1D ultrasound data, direction information about the 1D ultrasound data, and scan position information is repeated, and the generated probing data sets are stored in the data storage unit. Save to

The position of the object to be inspected for each one-dimensional ultrasound data is detected using the respective direction information and the scan position information constituting the probing data sets, and using the one-dimensional ultrasound data for the detected positions, And approximating an area or volume of the object to be inspected, and outputting the estimated area or volume value to the display modules.

[Claim 4]

Ultrasonic sensor for acquiring the ultrasonic signal constituting a single scan line for the inspection object, converting it, and generating and outputting one-dimensional ultrasonic data Modles;

A motion recognition sensor for detecting and outputting scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor module with respect to the inspection object;

Display module;

By controlling the operation of the ultrasonic sensor models to obtain one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting a single scan line for the object to be inspected, and simultaneously driving the motion recognition sensor to scan the ultrasonic sensor module obtained the one-dimensional ultrasound data Acquire position information, generate a probing data set including one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting the single scan line and scan position information about the one-dimensional ultrasound data, and use the probing data set. A control unit for extracting characteristic information on an inspection object and outputting the extracted characteristic information to the display models; A main body in which the controller, the ultrasonic sensor module, the motion recognition sensor, and the display module are mounted in a single case;

A standalone ultrasound scanner comprising: obtaining characteristic information on an object to be inspected using a single ultrasonic sensor model and outputting the characteristic information to the display models.

[Claim 5]

The method of claim 4, wherein the stand-alone ultrasound scanner has a data storage unit, the control unit,

Acquiring one-dimensional ultrasonic data constituting a single scan line from the ultrasonic sensor modules, acquiring scan position information of the ultrasonic sensor module from the motion recognition sensor, and one-dimensional ultrasonic data constituting the single scan line. And repeating a process of generating a probing data set including scan position information of the one-dimensional ultrasound data, and storing the generated plurality of probing data sets in the data storage unit.

Each scan position information constituting the probing data sets is used to detect a position on the inspection object, and by using one-dimensional ultrasound data for the detected positions, the area or volume of the inspection object is approximated. And estimating, and outputting the estimated area or volume value to the display modules.

[Claim 6]

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ultrasonic sensor module obtains an ultrasonic signal for a single scan line and provides one-dimensional ultrasonic data to the controller,

The controller processes one-dimensional ultrasonic data provided from the ultrasonic sensor modules and outputs the one-dimensional ultrasonic data to the display models as a graph.

The graph shows the ultrasonic signal strength according to the separation distance from the ultrasonic sensor module.

[Claim 7]

The standalone ultrasound scanner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the motion recognition sensor is one of a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a posture detection sensor, or two or more are combined.

[Claim 8]

The method of claim 1, wherein the direction information output by the motion recognition sensor includes a tilt angle and a swing angle of the ultrasonic sensor module.

The inclination angle is an angle at which ultrasonic sensor caps are tilted along the vertical direction from the reference axis of the ultrasonic sensor caps initially set at the start of the ultrasonic scan, and the swing angle is set by the ultrasonic sensor caps in the left and right directions with respect to the reference axis. Stand-alone ultrasonic scanner, characterized in that the angle of hearing.

[Claim 9]

The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the scan position information output by the motion recognition sensor is from the ultrasonic scan start position of the ultrasonic sensor modules. Stand-alone ultrasound scanner, characterized in that the relative position information moved by the ultrasonic sensor modules.

[Claim 10]

According to any one of claims 1 to 5, The main body portion is composed of a pencil or rod shape,

The ultrasonic sensor modules are fixedly mounted to the front end of the main body portion, and the motion recognition sensor is mounted to the rear end of the main body portion, independent ultrasonic scanner.

[Claim 11]

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stand-alone ultrasound scanner is a scanner for measuring the bladder volume,

The test object is a bladder,

And the controller approximates the characteristic information of the bladder using a probing data set, and outputs the estimated characteristic information to the display modules.

[Claim 12]

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to process one-dimensional ultrasonic data provided from the ultrasonic sensor modules and output the graph to the display modules as a graph, wherein the graph represents an ultrasonic signal intensity according to a separation distance from the ultrasonic sensor modules. And, through the displayed graph, indicating the presence or absence of the bladder and the diameter of the bladder in the direction directed to the ultrasound data.

[Claim 13]

The method of claim 11, wherein the stand-alone ultrasound scanner further comprises a switch configured to allow a user to select an operation mode, The control unit is driven according to the operation mode selected by the switch, the independent ultrasonic scanner.

[Claim 14]

The method of claim 13, wherein the operation mode includes a bladder positioning mode, and the controller is further configured to receive 1D ultrasound data from the ultrasonic sensor modules and recognize the motion when the bladder positioning mode is selected by the switch. Receiving directing direction information from a sensor;

Generating a probing data set including one-dimensional ultrasound data, processing the one-dimensional ultrasound data provided from the ultrasonic sensor modules, and outputting the one-dimensional ultrasound data to the display modules in a graph form;

And a graph output to the display modules indicates information on the presence or absence of the bladder and the diameter of the bladder in a direction directed toward the ultrasound signal.

[Claim 15]

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the operation mode includes a bladder volume measurement mode, and the control unit, when the bladder volume measurement mode is selected by the switch, the one-dimensional ultrasound to configure a single scan line from the ultrasonic sensor module While acquiring the data, acquiring the direction information of the ultrasonic sensor models from the motion recognition sensor, and probing including the one-dimensional ultrasound data constituting the single scan line and the direction information on the one-dimensional ultrasound data. Repeating the process of generating a probing data set, storing the generated plurality of probing data sets in the data storage,

The position of the bladder is detected by using the respective directional information constituting the probing data sets, and by using the ultrasound data for the detected positions, an approximation of the area or volume of the bladder is performed on the display modules. Stand-alone ultrasonic scanner, characterized in that the output.

[Claim 16]

The method of claim 11, wherein the stand-alone ultrasound scanner further comprises an indicator for indicating the presence of the bladder,

The controller checks the presence or absence of a bladder from the received one-dimensional ultrasound data every time one-dimensional ultrasound data is received from the ultrasonic sensor modules, and drives the indication indicator according to the presence or absence of the bladder. Ultrasound scanner.

[Claim 17]

The method of claim 16, wherein the indicator indicator is provided with one or more of the speaker, lamp, LED,

Independent ultrasonic scanner, characterized in that turned on (ON) or off (OFF) in accordance with the drive signal provided from the controller.