JP4690832B2 - Ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and ultrasonic probe diagnostic method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic probe diagnostic method for diagnosing an ultrasonic probe used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of diagnosing an ultrasonic probe.

In order to detect the transmission / reception characteristics of an ultrasonic probe, use the signal obtained by receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by a test object such as a reflector placed opposite to the ultrasonic probe with the ultrasonic probe. The technique to do is known (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP 2003-144432 A

  However, many ultrasonic transducers are arranged in the ultrasonic probe. For this reason, the separation distance between each ultrasonic transducer and the test object varies depending on the attitude of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the test object. That is, the reception environment of the reflected ultrasonic wave by the extended ultrasonic transducer changes depending on the attitude of the ultrasonic probe, and the characteristics of the ultrasonic probe cannot be detected under uniform conditions.

  The posture of the ultrasonic probe is determined by a maintenance worker. For this reason, the maintenance worker must perform an adjustment operation to make the posture of the ultrasonic probe appropriate. Such work requires skill and is a heavy burden on the maintenance worker. Further, whether or not the posture of the ultrasonic probe is appropriately adjusted depends on the skill of the maintenance worker as described above, and thus is not necessarily adjusted appropriately.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a maintenance worker to easily adjust the posture of the ultrasonic probe.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is in a situation where the ultrasonic probe receives reflected ultrasonic waves from a test object arranged opposite to an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged. In the ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing the ultrasonic probe based on the ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic wave with respect to the test object is compared by comparing the reflected ultrasonic signals respectively received by at least some of the ultrasonic transducers. Means for detecting the attitude of the acoustic probe and presentation means for presenting information based on the detected attitude are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the second aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged, and is based on reflected ultrasonic waves from a subject received by the ultrasonic probe. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains information for diagnosing the subject, reflected ultrasonic waves from a test object that is disposed opposite to the ultrasonic probe and is different from the subject are at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. Means for comparing the reflected ultrasonic signals received and output by each of the ultrasonic transducers, and detecting the attitude of the ultrasonic probe relative to the test object, and presenting means for presenting information based on the detected attitude And with.

  In order to achieve the above object, the second aspect of the present invention relates to a situation in which the ultrasonic probe receives reflected ultrasonic waves from a test object arranged opposite to an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged. In the ultrasonic probe diagnosis method for diagnosing the ultrasonic probe based on the above, the reflected ultrasonic waves are received by at least some ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and the partial ultrasonic vibrations are received The reflected ultrasonic signals output from the respective children are compared to detect the posture of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the test object, and information based on the detected posture is presented.

  According to these aspects of the present invention, the maintenance worker can easily adjust the posture of the ultrasonic probe.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe diagnostic function according to the present embodiment. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a main unit 100 and an ultrasonic probe 200. The ultrasonic probe 200 includes a connector 201, a head unit 202, a cable unit 203, and an identification information output unit 204.

  The connector 201 is connected to the main unit 100. The head unit 202 is configured by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 202a in one or two dimensions. Each of the ultrasonic transducers 202 a is connected to the connector 201 by a signal line 203 a provided in the cable unit 203. The connector 201 is provided with contacts 201a connected to these signal lines 203a. That is, the ultrasonic probe 200 includes a plurality of channels including the contact 201a, the ultrasonic transducer 202a, and the signal line 203a in parallel.

  The identification information output unit 204 outputs identification information assigned to the ultrasonic probe 200. The connector 201 is also provided with a contact 201 a connected to the identification information output unit 204.

  The main unit 100 includes connectors 101, 102, 103, a transmission unit 104, a reception unit 105, a measurement unit 106, a storage medium 107, an interface unit 108, a display processing unit 109, a navigation processing unit 110, a control unit 111, and a medical diagnosis unit. 112 is included.

  A connector 201 provided on the ultrasonic probe 200 is attached to the connector 101. The connector 101 has the same number of contacts 101 a as the contacts 201 a provided on the connector 201. The contacts 101a are arranged so as to contact each of the contacts 201a when the connector 201 is attached to the connector 101. An external device (not shown) is connected to the connector 102 via a communication cable (not shown) such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. The external device is a printer, a network, a personal computer, a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like. A monitor device (not shown) is connected to the connector 103 via a monitor cable (not shown).

  The transmission unit 104 transmits an excitation signal for exciting the ultrasonic transducer 202a. The transmission unit 104 can transmit the excitation signals of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 202a in parallel. The receiving unit 105 receives a signal received by the ultrasonic transducer 202a. The receiving unit 105 can receive signals received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 202a in parallel. The receiving unit 105 outputs the received signal.

  The measurement unit 106 measures the feature value of the signal output from the reception unit 105. The feature value includes, for example, a required time from when an ultrasonic wave is transmitted until a reflected ultrasonic wave is received. The measurement unit 106 outputs measurement information indicating the measured feature value to the storage medium 107, the interface unit 108, the display processing unit 109, the navigation processing unit 110, or the control unit 111 under the control of the control unit 111. The storage medium 107 is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 107 stores various information such as the above measurement information. The interface unit 108 performs communication processing based on, for example, the USB standard, and realizes communication with an external device connected to the connector 102. The display processing unit 109 generates an image signal for displaying an image on the monitor device connected to the connector 103 based on the measurement information and information given from the control unit 111.

  The navigation processing unit 110 includes, for example, a microprocessor. The navigation processing unit 110 appropriately refers to the measurement information output from the measurement unit 106 and the data provided from the storage medium 107 under the control of the control unit 111, and more specifically, the attitude of the ultrasonic probe 200. The posture of the head unit 202 is determined. The navigation processing unit 110 creates navigation screen information for navigating the operation of changing the posture of the ultrasonic probe 200 in order to eliminate the difference between the determined posture and a predetermined reference posture. The navigation screen information is output to an external device via the interface unit 108 and the connector 102, or is output to the display processing unit 109.

  The control unit 111 includes, for example, a microprocessor. The control unit 111 performs overall control of each unit of the main unit 100 to realize an operation for diagnosis of the ultrasonic probe 200. In addition, the control unit 111 has a function of sending data necessary for processing in the navigation processing unit 110 from the storage medium 107 to the navigation processing unit 110.

  The medical diagnosis unit 112 further includes an imaging control unit 112a, an image generation unit 112b, a memory unit 112c, and a display unit 112d. The imaging control unit 112a controls the transmission unit 104, the reception unit 105, and the image generation unit 112b so that an appropriate imaging process according to the diagnostic content is performed. The image generation unit 112b generates display data representing an image for medical diagnosis based on the signal output from the reception unit 105. The image represented by the display data is a reconstructed image such as a tomographic image or a three-dimensional image related to the organ and blood flow of the subject, or a text image or graph representing a measured value such as blood flow velocity or a change thereof. The memory unit 112c stores the display data. The display unit 112d performs display based on the display data.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  When performing medical diagnosis on a subject using the ultrasonic probe 200, the medical diagnosis unit 112 is enabled to present information useful for medical diagnosis in the same manner as a known ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Can do.

  On the other hand, when diagnosing the ultrasonic probe 200, the maintenance worker installs a test object in a medium such as water in a container such as a water tank as shown in FIG. 1, and opposes the head unit 202 to the test object. Let me.

  At this time, the ultrasonic probe 200 is held in the state shown in FIG. 2B by the probe holder 300 shown in FIG. The probe holder 300 holds the ultrasonic probe 200 by being sandwiched between two opposing pressing members 301 and 302. As a result, the ultrasonic probe 200 is allowed to rotate only about the axis along the pressing direction by the holding members 301 and 302 and slide in the direction orthogonal to the pressing direction, and the posture in the other direction is allowed. Fixed.

  When it becomes necessary to diagnose the ultrasonic probe 200, the control unit 111 executes a process as shown in FIG. In step Sa1, the control unit 111 reads identification information output from the identification information output unit 204. Subsequently, in step Sa <b> 2, the control unit 111 acquires focus information regarding the model of the ultrasonic probe 200 connected to the connector 101. The type of the ultrasonic probe 200 is determined based on the identification information. The identification information is information for specifying each of the ultrasonic probes 200 and generally does not include information indicating the model. The control unit 111 determines the model of the ultrasonic probe 200 by referring to a database in which model information is described in association with various identification information. The database may be acquired from an external device connected to the connector 102 or may be stored in the storage medium 107. Further, information indicating the model may be included in the identification information, and the model of the ultrasonic probe 200 may be determined directly from this information. The focus information is information including a focus time TF that is a time required for the ultrasonic wave to reciprocate to the focus point. The control unit 111 acquires focus information from the above database or another database. Note that if only a single type of ultrasonic probe 200 is to be diagnosed, such processing can be omitted.

  In step Sa3, the control unit 111 causes the transmission unit 104 to sequentially excite the posture detecting ultrasonic transducer 202a selected from the ultrasonic transducers 202a. Here, the number of ultrasonic transducers 202a for posture detection may be arbitrary as long as it is plural. It is desirable that the posture detecting ultrasonic transducers 202a to be excited are separated from each other as much as possible. In the present embodiment, a total of three ultrasonic transducers 202a, one located at both ends of the head portion 202 and one located at the center, are used for posture detection. In the following, for convenience of explanation, these three ultrasonic transducers are referred to as a transducer R, a transducer L, and a transducer M. The transducer M is an ultrasonic transducer 202 a located at the center of the head unit 202. The channels including the transducers R, L, and M are referred to as a channel CHR, a channel CHL, and a channel CHM, respectively.

  When the transducers R, M, and L are excited, the reflected ultrasonic signal from the test object is received by the receiving unit 105 via the excited transducers R, M, and L, the signal line 203a, the contact 201a, and the contact 101a. Received. Thus, digital signals of reflected ultrasonic signals of the channels CHR, CHM, and CHL are obtained and input to the measuring unit 106. Then, the measurement unit 106 measures the times TR, TM, and TL required from when the transducers R, M, and L are excited until the reflected ultrasonic signal corresponding to them is received.

  In step Sa4, the control unit 111 instructs the navigation processing unit 110 to execute posture determination. At this time, the control unit 111 notifies the navigation processing unit 110 of the focus time TF indicated in the focus information acquired in step Sa2.

  In response to this instruction, the navigation processing unit 110 starts processing as shown in FIG. In step Sb1, the navigation processing unit 110 acquires the times TR, TM, and TL measured by the measuring unit 106 as described above. In step Sb2, the navigation processing unit 110 initializes variables NFL and NFD.

  In step Sb3, the navigation processing unit 110 compares the time TM with the focus time TF notified from the control unit 111. If the time TM is greater than the focus time TF, the navigation processing unit 110 proceeds from step Sb3 to step Sb4, and sets the variable NFL to “−1”. When the time TM is the same as the focus time TF, the navigation processing unit 110 proceeds from step Sb3 to step Sb5 and sets the variable NFL to “0”. When the time TM is smaller than the focus time TF, the navigation processing unit 110 proceeds from step Sb3 to step Sb6 and sets the variable NFL to “1”.

  When the velocity of the ultrasonic wave traveling through the medium is C, the separation distance between the ultrasonic transducer 202a and the test object is L, and the time required from transmission to reception of the ultrasonic wave is T, T = 2L / C. It is known. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the time TM is larger than the focus time TF, the separation distance LM between the transducer M and the test object is larger than the focal distance LF of the ultrasonic probe 200. The variable NFL is “−1” when the separation distance LM> the focal distance LF, “0” when the separation distance LM = the focal distance LF, and “1” when the separation distance LM <the focal distance LF.

  The navigation processing unit 110 proceeds from step Sb4, step Sb5, or step Sb6 to step Sb7. In step Sb7, the navigation processing unit 110 compares the time TR with the time TL. When the time TR is larger than the time TL, the navigation processing unit 110 proceeds from step Sb7 to step Sb8 and sets the variable NFD to “−1”. When the time TM is the same as the time TL, the navigation processing unit 110 proceeds from step Sb7 to step Sb8, and sets the variable NFD to “0”. When the time TM is smaller than the time TL, the navigation processing unit 110 proceeds from step Sb7 to step Sb10 and sets the variable NFD to “1”.

  As described above, the times TR and TL are proportional to the separation distances LR and LL between the transducers R and L and the test object. Therefore, if the time TL is larger than the time TR as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the separation distance LL is larger than the separation distance LR, and the posture is as shown in FIG. The variable NFD is “−1” when the separation distance LR> the separation distance LL, “0” when the separation distance LR = the separation distance LL, and “1” when the separation distance LR <the separation distance LL.

  The navigation processing unit 110 proceeds from step Sb8, step Sb9, or step Sb10 to step Sb11. In step Sb11, the navigation processing unit 110 creates navigation screen information indicating a navigation screen according to the variables NFL and NFD.

  The navigation screen uses the image shown in FIG. 6A as a base image. This base image includes arrows A1, A2, A3, A4 that point in the up, down, left, and right directions, and arrows A5, A6 that respectively indicate counterclockwise and clockwise.

  The navigation processing unit 110 changes the colors of the arrows A1 and A2 according to the variable NFL. That is, if the variable NFL is “−1”, the navigation processing unit 110 changes the color of the arrow A2 as shown by hatching in FIG. If the variable NFL is “0”, the navigation processing unit 110 does not change the colors of the arrows A1 and A2 as shown in FIG. If the variable NFL is “1”, the navigation processing unit 110 changes the color of the arrow A1 as shown by hatching in FIG.

  The navigation processing unit 110 changes the colors of the arrows A5 and A6 according to the variable NFD. That is, if the variable NFD is “−1”, the navigation processing unit 110 changes the color of the arrow A5 as shown by hatching in FIG. If the variable NFD is “0”, the navigation processing unit 110 does not change the colors of the arrows A6 and A6 as shown in FIG. If the variable NFD is “1”, the navigation processing unit 110 changes the color of the arrow A6 as shown by hatching in FIG.

  Then, the navigation processing unit 110 creates a navigation screen by combining any one of FIGS. 6A to 6D and any one of FIGS. 6E to 6G. The navigation processing unit 110 outputs the navigation screen information thus created to the display processing unit 109. The display processing unit 109 generates a signal for displaying the navigation screen on the monitor device based on the navigation screen information, and outputs the signal from the connector 103. Navigation screen information can also be output to an external device via the interface unit 108 and the connector 102.

  In step Sb12, the navigation processing unit 110 notifies the control unit 111 of the variables NFL and NFD. Then, the navigation processing unit 110 ends the process of FIG.

  If the maintenance worker changes the posture of the head unit 202 according to the navigation screen, the difference between the time TM and the focus time TF and the difference between the time TL and the time TR are reduced. As shown in FIG. 8, when the time TM matches the focus time TF, the separation distance LM matches the focal distance LF. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, if the time TR and the time TL coincide, the separation distances LR, LM, and LL coincide with each other. Therefore, the separation distances LR, LM, LL all coincide with the focal length LF. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the test object is positioned at the focus point of the ultrasonic probe 200, and the array plane of the ultrasonic transducer 202a is parallel to the test object. In this state, since the time TM and the focus time TF coincide with each other, and the time TR and the time TL coincide with each other, the variables NFL and NFD are both “0”.

  After instructing execution of posture determination in step Sa4, the control unit 111 proceeds to step Sa5. In step Sa5, the control unit 111 acquires the variables NFL and NFD notified from the navigation processing unit 110 as described above. In step Sa6, the control unit 111 checks whether or not the variables NFL and NFD are both “0”. If any of the variables NFL and NFD is not “0”, the control unit 111 repeats the processes after step Sa3. When the head unit 202 assumes the posture shown in FIG. 7 and the variables NFL and NFD are both “0”, the control unit 111 ends the processing of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the maintenance worker changes the posture of the head unit 202 as indicated by the arrow whose color is changed on the navigation screen, so that the test object is placed at the focus point of the head unit 202. In addition, the ultrasonic transducer 202a can be positioned parallel to the test object. Therefore, the work of the maintenance worker becomes easy, the burden on the maintenance worker is reduced, and the posture of the ultrasonic probe can be adjusted appropriately.

  The present embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 9, navigation may be performed so that the times TR, TM, and TL are matched with a reference time Tref that is unrelated to the focus time TF. At this time, the reference time Tref may be arbitrarily set. For example, any one of the times TR, TM, and TL initially measured is applied, or predetermined for each of the ultrasonic probes 200. It is conceivable to apply time.

  Navigation may be performed so that the times TR, TM, and TL coincide with each other without referring to a reference time such as the focus time TF.

  You may make it perform navigation based on the attitude | position of the head part 202 set in the past. Specifically, for example, the times TR, TM, and TL measured in the past by the measuring unit 106 are stored in the storage medium 107 as the times TRold, TMold, and TLold. Navigation is performed such that the newly measured times TRnew, TMnew, and TLnew approach the times TRold, TMold, and TLold, respectively. For example, assuming that TRS = TRnew−TRold, TMS = TMnew−TMold, and TLS = TLnew−TLold, differential times TRS, TMS, and TLS as shown in FIG. 10 are obtained. If the signs of the difference times TRS, TMS, and TLS are (+), the right end, the center, and the left end of the head unit 202 may be brought close to the test object, and if the sign is (−), navigation may be performed away from the test object. It should be noted that the time TR, TM, TL measured at any time may be arbitrarily set as the time TRold, TMold, TLold, but may be the time when a registration instruction is given from a maintenance worker, for example. .

  The navigation screen may include a photograph of the head unit 202 and computer graphics as shown in FIG. In this way, it becomes easy for the maintenance worker to recognize what kind of posture change the head unit 202 indicates by the arrow. Furthermore, the tilt angle of the head unit 202 may be obtained based on the times TR, TM, and TL, and based on this, the photograph or computer graphics of the head unit 202 may be tilted as shown in FIG. In this way, the maintenance worker can intuitively recognize the posture of the head unit 202. If the photograph or computer graphic is tilted in this way, the navigation display by the arrow can be omitted.

  The navigation screen may display a text message as shown in FIG. Or you may make it the navigation processing part 110 produce the audio | voice information for outputting the above text messages as an audio | voice.

  The navigation screen may be shown with arrows A11 and A12 for navigation superimposed on images showing the waveforms of the reflected ultrasonic signals received by the channels CHR, CHM, and CHL as shown in FIG. .

  A moving image or animation showing how the posture of the head unit 202 is changed may be prepared, and this moving image or animation may be included in the navigation screen.

  When the measurement unit 106 has a high resolution for measuring the times TR, TM, and TL, the time TM and the focus time TF are matched, and the posture of the head unit 202 is adjusted so that the time TR and the time TL are matched. Difficult to do. In such a case, it is desirable to provide an allowable range when comparing the time TM and the focus time TF and comparing the time TR and the time TL. That is, for example, if the difference between the time TM and the focus time TF is within the allowable range, it is determined that the time TM and the focus time TF match, and if the difference between the time TR and the time TL is within the allowable range, the time What is necessary is just to determine that TR and time TL correspond.

  When the ultrasonic probe 200 is a convex type, a test object having a reflection surface with a curvature Rt corresponding to the curvature R of the radiation surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 is used as shown in FIG. Here, the curvature Rt is obtained by the equation Rt = R + F, where F is the focal length of the ultrasonic probe 200. In this case, it is necessary to match the center point for the curvature of the radiation surface of the ultrasonic probe 200 with the center point for the curvature of the reflection surface of the test object. Even in this case, according to the present embodiment, a reference value that satisfies the above condition is determined for each of the times TR, TM, and TL, and navigation is performed so that the times TR, TM, and TL are adjusted to the respective reference values. You can respond by doing.

  By providing a matrix switch having a multiplexer configuration, the transmission unit 104 and the reception unit 105 may have a one-channel configuration. In this way, the circuit scale of the transmission unit 104 and the reception unit 105 can be reduced.

  Display based on the signal generated by the display processing unit 109 may be performed by the display unit 112d. For example, the display processing unit 109 and the image generation unit 112b are connected. Then, the image generation unit 112b generates display data corresponding to the signal generated by the display processing unit 109, and writes this into the memory unit 112c.

  The medical diagnostic unit 112 may be omitted and realized as an ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment.

1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe diagnostic function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the external appearance of the probe holder 300. FIG. The flowchart which shows the process sequence for the navigation by the control part 111 and the navigation process part 110 in FIG. The figure which shows the state in which the attitude | position of the head part 202 in FIG. 1 is improper. The figure which shows the mode of the reflected ultrasound signal in the state shown in FIG. The figure explaining creation of the navigation screen by the navigation processing part 110 in FIG. The figure which shows the state in which the attitude | position of the head part 202 in FIG. 1 is appropriate. The figure which shows the mode of the reflected ultrasound signal in the state shown in FIG. The figure which shows a mode that time TR, TM, TL is matched with the reference time Tref unrelated to the focus time TF. The figure which shows a mode that navigation is performed on the basis of the attitude | position of the head part 202 set in the past. The figure which shows the modification of a navigation screen. The figure which shows the modification of a navigation screen. The figure which shows the modification of a navigation screen. The figure which shows the suitable attitude | position of a head part in case the ultrasonic probe 200 is a convex system.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Main unit, 101, 102, 103 ... Connector, 104 ... Transmission part, 105 ... Reception part, 106 ... Measurement part, 107 ... Storage medium, 108 ... Interface part, 109 ... Display processing part, 110 ... Navigation processing part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 ... Control part, 112 ... Medical diagnostic part, 200 ... Ultrasonic probe, 201 ... Connector, 202 ... Head part, 202a ... Ultrasonic transducer, 203 ... Cable part, 300 ... Probe holder.

Claims (20)

In an ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing the ultrasonic probe based on a situation in which the ultrasonic probe receives reflected ultrasonic waves from a test object arranged to face an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged ,
Means for comparing the reflected ultrasonic signals respectively received by at least some of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to detect the attitude of the ultrasonic probe relative to the test object;
An ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus comprising: a presenting unit that presents information based on the detected posture.   The presenting means further comprises creation means for creating presentation information for presenting a change method for changing the posture of the ultrasonic probe in order to eliminate the difference between the detected posture and a reference posture. The ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The creation unit creates at least one of audio information indicating a sound representing the change method and image information indicating an image representing the change method as the presentation information. Ultrasonic probe diagnostic device.   The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the creating unit includes an appearance image of the ultrasonic probe in an image indicated by the image information. Means for determining the type of the ultrasonic probe;
The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the creating unit changes an appearance image included in an image indicated by the image information in accordance with the determined type.   The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the creation unit includes a waveform of a reflected ultrasonic signal received by each of the ultrasonic transducers in an image indicated by the image information.   The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the creation unit includes a symbol or a character such as an arrow indicating the change method in an image indicated by the image information. .   The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates information indicating a moving image or an animation representing the change method as the presentation information.   The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creating unit sets a posture in which a separation distance between the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and the test object is a reference distance as the reference posture. .   The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the creating unit sets a focal distance of the ultrasonic probe as the reference distance.   The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the creating unit sets a distance between a reference transducer of the some ultrasonic transducers and the test object as the reference distance.   The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the creating unit applies a reference distance determined for each of the ultrasonic probes. Means for storing posture information indicating the posture determined in the past,
The ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit sets the posture indicated by the stored posture information as the reference posture. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged and obtaining information for diagnosing the subject based on reflected ultrasonic waves from the subject received by the ultrasonic probe ,
A reflected ultrasonic signal that is disposed opposite to the ultrasonic probe and receives reflected ultrasonic waves from a test object different from the subject, and is output by at least some of the ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. Means for detecting the attitude of the ultrasonic probe relative to the test object by comparing
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a presentation unit that presents information based on the detected posture.   The presenting means further comprises creation means for creating presentation information for presenting a change method for changing the posture of the ultrasonic probe in order to eliminate the difference between the detected posture and a reference posture. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 14. Means for determining the type of the ultrasonic probe;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the creating unit changes an appearance image included in an image indicated by the image information according to the determined type. Means for storing posture information indicating the posture determined in the past,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the creation unit sets the posture indicated by the stored posture information as the reference posture. In an ultrasonic probe diagnostic method for diagnosing the ultrasonic probe based on a situation in which the ultrasonic probe receives reflected ultrasonic waves from a test object arranged to face an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged. ,
The reflected ultrasonic waves are received by at least some ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers,
Detecting the posture of the ultrasonic probe relative to the test object by comparing the reflected ultrasonic signals output by each of the ultrasonic transducers;
An ultrasonic probe diagnostic method comprising presenting information based on the detected posture. Furthermore, the type of the ultrasonic probe is determined,
The ultrasonic probe diagnosis method according to claim 18, wherein an appearance image included in an image indicated by the image information is changed in accordance with the determined type. Furthermore, memorize | store the attitude | position information which showed the said attitude | position determined in the past,
The ultrasonic probe diagnosis method according to claim 18, wherein a posture indicated by the stored posture information is set as the reference posture.

Images