JP5063313B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a panel type monitor such as a liquid crystal monitor is supported with respect to a diagnostic apparatus main body by a support arm mechanism.

  In a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a panel-type image display composed of a liquid crystal display is supported on the diagnostic apparatus body via an image display support mechanism. Further, the image display support mechanism is provided with a tilt lock means for locking the liquid crystal display in a tilted state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-288585 A

  In the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described above, since the parallel link mechanism is used as the image display support mechanism, the entire apparatus is increased in size and the degree of freedom in the position of the image display is low. On the other hand, if an arm mechanism with a high degree of freedom is simply used, the posture of the arm mechanism tends to collapse due to vibration or inclination during transport, and the image display or arm mechanism may be damaged due to a collision with a wall or door. . Further, when an arm mechanism having a high degree of freedom is used, it may be difficult to keep the image display or the arm mechanism in a certain posture even during use due to the weight of the image display.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an ultrasonic wave that can maintain a monitor and a support arm mechanism in a posture suitable for the situation even when a support arm mechanism having a high degree of freedom is used. The purpose is to obtain a diagnostic device.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, processes the reflected echo signal, and converts the processed signal into an ultrasonic image. The main body, a lower arm provided on the diagnostic apparatus main body so as to be able to turn left and right about a vertical axis, and turnable up and down around a horizontal axis that can be turned left and right around a vertical axis. A support arm mechanism having an upper arm movably connected to the lower arm, a panel-type monitor supported by the support arm mechanism for displaying the converted ultrasonic image, and the diagnostic apparatus body And a lower arm locking mechanism for locking the lower arm at a predetermined rotational position.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, processes the reflected echo signal, and converts the processed signal into an ultrasonic image. A diagnostic device body, a support arm mechanism provided in the diagnostic device body, and a forward tilt angle variably supported by the support arm mechanism around an axis parallel to the width direction of the diagnostic device body A panel-type monitor that displays the ultrasonic image, and a tilt regulating mechanism that regulates the forward tilt of the monitor at a preset tilt angle in the middle of the tilt range.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is provided with the lower arm locking mechanism that locks the lower arm at a predetermined rotation position with respect to the diagnostic apparatus main body, so even if a support arm mechanism having a high degree of freedom is used, The lower arm does not rotate freely due to vibration or inclination, and the monitor and the support arm mechanism can be maintained in a posture suitable for the situation.
In addition, a tilt control mechanism is provided to limit the forward tilt of the monitor with a preset tilt angle in the middle of the tilt range, so that even if a support arm mechanism with a high degree of freedom is used, the monitor can be operated under its own weight during use. The monitor and support arm mechanism can be kept in a posture suitable for the situation without falling down without permission.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG.

  In the figure, the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 has a function of transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, processing the reflected echo signal, and converting the processed signal into an ultrasonic image. Is. The diagnostic apparatus body 1 includes a frame body 2 having a plurality of casters attached to the lower part thereof, a control device 3 mounted in the frame body 2, and an operation console 4 supported by the frame body 2. The console 4 can move up and down obliquely with respect to the frame body 2 and can be adjusted in height. Further, the console 4 protrudes forward as it is moved downward.

  A panel type monitor 6 is supported on the console 4 via a foldable support arm mechanism 5. The monitor 6 displays the ultrasonic image converted by the diagnostic apparatus main body 1. As the monitor 6, for example, a liquid crystal display is used. Further, the monitor 6 is connected to the support arm mechanism 5 so that the inclination angle forward is variably centered on an axis parallel to the width direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3).

  FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in FIG. 1 during conveyance, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in FIG. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is transported, the monitor 6 is tilted so that the screen of the monitor 6 is substantially horizontal. This prevents the monitor 6 from blocking the visual field in front of the operator 7 (FIG. 6) standing behind the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and pushing the frame body 2.

  7 is an enlarged perspective view of the support arm mechanism 5 and the monitor 6 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support arm mechanism 5 and the monitor 6 of FIG. The support arm mechanism 5 includes a rotation base 11, a lower arm 12, an upper arm 13, an arm head 14, and a monitor connecting portion 15. The rotary base 11 is fixed on the console 4.

  The lower arm 12 is connected to the rotation base 11 so as to be rotatable left and right (turnable) about a vertical axis. In this example, the lower arm 12 is relative to the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 within a range of 90 ° from the state parallel to the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (state in FIG. 4) to the left and right. It can be rotated.

  The upper arm 13 is connected to the lower arm 12 so as to be able to turn left and right about a vertical axis and up and down about a horizontal axis. In this example, the upper arm 13 is rotatable with respect to the lower arm 12 within a range of 90 ° to the left and right from the state where it overlaps the lower arm 12 as viewed from directly above (the state shown in FIG. 4).

  In addition, the vertical angle of the upper arm 13 with respect to the lower arm 12 can be continuously adjusted manually within a predetermined range, but an external force is maintained by a posture holding mechanism (not shown) built in the upper arm 13. If no is added, the angle is maintained. For this reason, the upper arm 13 does not naturally descend due to the weight of the monitor 6 or its own weight.

  The arm head 14 is connected to the upper arm 13 so as to always maintain a horizontal posture regardless of the vertical angle of the upper arm 13. The monitor connecting portion 15 is connected to the arm head 14 so as to be rotatable left and right (turnable) about a vertical axis. In this example, the monitor connecting portion 15 can be rotated in the range of 50 ° to the left and right from the position where the monitor 6 faces the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  On the back surface of the monitor 6, a monitor recess 6 a that opens to the rear and below the monitor 6 is provided. The monitor connecting portion 15 is connected to the monitor 6 in the monitor recess 6a.

  The monitor 6 is coupled to the monitor coupling unit 15 so that the forward tilt angle is variable. In this example, the monitor 6 can be tilted forward from a state in which the screen is vertical (state in FIG. 2) to a state in which the screen is substantially horizontal. The monitor 6 can be tilted 15 ° backward (−15 ° forward) from a state where the screen is vertical.

  The lower arm 12 can be locked with respect to the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 at a predetermined rotational position, here a position parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The upper arm 13 can be locked in a state of being overlapped with the lower arm 12. On the side surface of the lower arm 12, an arm lock release button 16 (FIG. 8) is provided as an arm lock release operation unit for simultaneously releasing the lock of the lower arm 12 and the upper arm 13.

  The forward tilt of the monitor 6 is regulated by a preset tilt angle (for example, 30 °) in the middle of the tilt range. A tilt restriction release button 17 (FIG. 8) as a tilt restriction release operation part for releasing the restriction of the tilt angle of the monitor 6 is provided on the side surface of the monitor connecting portion 15. The tilt restriction release button 17 can be operated only when the monitor 6 is located at a predetermined rotation angle. Here, the tilt restriction release button 17 can be operated only when the monitor 6 is facing the front. The fact that the monitor 6 is facing the front is detected by known position detecting means (not shown). The position detecting means may be mechanically detected by providing a projection or a depression on a parallel axis that rotatably supports the monitor, or an electric sensor may be provided on the parallel axis.

  9 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the lower arm 12 of FIG. 7, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a state where the lower arm 12 and the upper arm 13 of FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

  In the figure, a base shaft 11 a, which is a vertical shaft, is erected at the center on the rotary base 11. The lower arm 12 is rotated around the base shaft 11a. In addition, a cylindrical lock guide 11b having an opening at the upper end is erected vertically on the rotation base 11. The lock guide 11b is disposed with a space behind the base shaft 11a in the front-rear direction of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  An arm recess 12 a is provided on the upper surface of the lower arm 12. A through hole 12b is provided in the center of the bottom of the arm recess 12a. A pressing member 21 having a T-shaped cross section is provided in the arm recess 12a. A lower end portion of the pressing member 21 is inserted into the through hole 12b. Between the flange part of the upper end part of the press member 21, and the bottom part of the arm recessed part 12a, the 1st spring 22 is interposed.

  A connecting rod 23 is fixed to the lower end portion of the pressing member 21. A lock pin 24 is connected to one end of the connecting rod 23. The lock pin 24 is moved up and down to be inserted into and removed from the lock guide 11b. A pin guide portion 12 c that guides the vertical movement of the lock pin 24 is provided in the lower arm 12. Between the lock pin 24 and the inner wall of the lower arm 12, there is provided a second spring 25 that urges the lock pin 24 in a direction to be pulled out from the lock guide 11b.

  By inserting the lower end of the lock pin 24 into the lock guide 11b, the rotation of the lower arm 12 with respect to the diagnostic apparatus body 1 is locked. The lower arm lock mechanism 26 includes a lock guide 11b, a pin guide portion 12c, a lock pin 24, and a second spring 25.

  On the lower surface of the upper arm 13, an arm convex portion 13a is provided. The arm convex portion 13 a is inserted into the arm concave portion 12 a by overlapping the upper arm 13 with the lower arm 12. As a result, the pressing member 21 is displaced downward, and the first spring 22 is compressed.

  An engaging groove 13b is provided on the side surface of the arm convex portion 13a. The lower arm 12 is provided with a stopper 27 that engages with the engaging groove 13b and prevents the upper arm 13 from rotating in a direction in which the arm convex portion 13a is pulled out of the arm concave portion 12a.

  The arm convex portion 13a is inserted into the arm concave portion 12a, and the stopper 27 engages with the engaging groove 13b, whereby the upper arm 13 is locked in a state of being overlapped with the lower arm 12. The upper arm lock mechanism 28 has an arm recess 12a, an arm protrusion 13a, and a stopper 27.

  The insertion / withdrawal operation of the arm convex portion 13 a with respect to the arm concave portion 12 a is transmitted to the lock pin 24 through the pressing member 21 and the connecting rod 23. That is, the transmission mechanism that transmits the operation of the upper arm lock mechanism 28 to the lower arm lock mechanism 26 includes the pressing member 21, the first spring 22, the connecting rod 23, and the second spring 25.

  When the arm convex portion 13a is inserted into the arm concave portion 12a, the pressing member 21 and the connecting rod 23 are displaced downward, and the lock pin 24 is inserted into the lock guide 11b. When the arm convex portion 13a is pulled out from the arm concave portion 12a, the pressing member 21 and the connecting rod 23 are displaced upward, and the lock pin 24 is pulled out from the lock guide 11b.

  Therefore, when the upper arm 13 is locked by the upper arm locking mechanism 28 in a state where the lower arm 12 is parallel to the front-rear direction of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the lower arm 12 is also locked by the lower arm locking mechanism 26. Further, when the lower arm 12 is rotated to a position parallel to the front-rear direction of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus while the upper arm 13 is locked by the upper arm locking mechanism 28, the lower arm 12 is also locked by the lower arm locking mechanism 26. The

  The engagement state of the stopper 27 with the engagement groove 13 b is released by pressing the arm lock release button 16. Therefore, the arm lock release button 16 serves both as a lower arm lock release operation part for releasing the lock state by the lower arm lock mechanism 26 and an upper arm lock release operation part for releasing the lock state by the upper arm lock mechanism 28. .

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the arm head 14 and the monitor connecting portion 15 when the monitor 6 of FIG. 7 is set up vertically, and FIG. 14 shows the arm head 14 when the monitor 6 of FIG. The perspective view which shows the internal structure of the monitor connection part 15, FIG. 15 is a perspective view which expands and shows the principal part of FIG.

  In the figure, the monitor fixing body 31 is fixed to the back portion of the monitor 6, and is rotated about the axis 30 as the inclination angle of the monitor 6 changes. The monitor connecting portion 15 is provided with a pair of cam plates 32 and 33 that can rotate around the axis 30.

  In the outer peripheral portions of the cam plates 32 and 33, inclination restricting recesses 32a and 33a for restricting the inclination angle of the monitor 6 to the above-described range from −15 ° to 30 ° are provided. The monitor fixed body 31 is provided with a pair of engaging portions 31a and 31b that engage with the inclination restricting concave portions 32a and 33a.

  Semi-circular cam rotation restricting recesses 32b and 33b for restricting the rotation of the cam plates 32 and 33 themselves are provided on the outer peripheral portions of the cam plates 32 and 33. The tilt restriction release button 17 (FIG. 15) is fixed to one end of the button shaft 34. As shown in FIG. 13, when the button shaft 34 is inserted into the cam rotation restricting recesses 32b and 33b, the rotation of the cam plates 32 and 33 is restricted.

  In a state where the rotation of the cam plates 32 and 33 is restricted, the movable range of the engaging portions 31a and 31b in the circumferential direction around the axis 30 is restricted within the range of the cam rotation restricting recesses 32b and 33b. Is done. As a result, the inclination angle of the monitor 6 is restricted to a range from −15 ° to 30 °. That is, the forward tilt of the monitor 6 is regulated at 30 °.

  The button shaft 34 is provided with a pair of button lock grooves 34a and 34b spaced apart from each other in the axial direction (only the button lock groove 34b is shown in FIG. 13). Button lock portions 32c and 33c inserted into the button lock grooves 34a and 34b are provided on the outer peripheral portions of the cam plates 32 and 33 adjacent to the cam rotation restricting recesses 32b and 33b in the circumferential direction. .

  When the tilt restriction release button 17 is pushed and the monitor 6 is tilted more than 30 °, the end faces of the tilt restriction recesses 32a and 33a are pressed by the engaging portions 31a and 31b, and the cam plates 32 and 33 are shown in the figure. While rotating clockwise, the button lock portions 32c and 33c are inserted into the button lock grooves 34a and 34b. As a result, the tilt restriction release button 17 is held in a pressed state.

  A tilt hinge spring 35 is provided between the cam plates 32 and 33 to give resistance to the movement of the monitor 6 that tends to fall forward due to its own weight. The button shaft 34 is urged in the direction opposite to the pressing direction by a return spring 36 (FIG. 15).

  A cylindrical head protrusion 37 is provided at the center of the arm head 14. The monitor connecting portion 15 can be rotated in the range of 50 ° to the left and right around the axis of the head protrusion 37. A monitor rotation restricting concave portion 37 a for restricting the rotation of the monitor connecting portion 15, that is, the rotation of the monitor 6 to the left and right, is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the head protruding portion 37. Contact surfaces 37b and 37c are provided on both sides of the monitor rotation restricting recess 37a in the circumferential direction of the head protrusion 37.

  A rotation restriction pin 38 is provided between the head protrusion 37 and the button shaft 34. The rotation restricting pin 38 is supported in the monitor connecting portion 15 via a leaf spring 39. Further, the rotation restricting pin 38 is urged by a leaf spring 39 in a direction away from the head protrusion 37.

  An escape groove 34 c into which the first end of the rotation restricting pin 38 is inserted is provided in the middle portion of the button shaft 34. A tapered inclined surface 34d (FIG. 15) is formed on the side surface of the escape groove 34c on the inclination restriction release button 17 side. An inclined surface 38 a (FIG. 15) corresponding to the inclined surface 34 d is provided at the first end of the rotation restricting pin 38.

  By pushing the tilt restriction release button 17 with the monitor 6 facing the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the rotation restriction pin 38 is pushed out from the escape groove 34c along the inclination restriction release 34d and resists the leaf spring 39. Then, it is displaced toward the arm head 14 side. As a result, the second end of the rotation restricting pin 38 is inserted into the monitor rotation restricting recess 37a, and the rotation of the monitor 6 to the left and right is restricted.

  In a state where the monitor 6 is not facing the front, the second end portion of the rotation restricting pin 38 contacts either one of the contact surfaces 37b and 37c, so that the rotation restricting pin 38 can be displaced toward the arm head 14 side. Therefore, the tilt regulation release button 17 cannot be pushed. Therefore, the cam plates 32 and 33 cannot be rotated, and the monitor 6 cannot be tilted more than 30 °.

  When the monitor 6 is raised from the state shown in FIG. 14 (the state where the monitor 6 is tilted horizontally) to the state shown in FIG. 13 (the state where the monitor 6 is placed vertically), the button lock portions 32c, 33c are moved from the button lock grooves 34a, 34b. The button shaft 34 is displaced in the axial direction by the return spring 35 and engages with the cam rotation restricting recesses 32b and 33b. At the same time, the first end of the rotation restricting pin 38 is inserted into the escape groove 34c, and the second end of the turn restricting pin 38 comes out of the monitor turning restricting recess 37a. That is, by restricting the monitor 6 vertically, the rotation restriction of the monitor 6 is automatically released.

  The tilt regulating mechanism 41 in this example includes engaging portions 31a and 31b, cam plates 32 and 33, and a button shaft 34. The monitor lock mechanism 42 includes a button shaft 34, a head protrusion 37, a rotation restricting pin 38, and a leaf spring 39.

  In such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the lower arm locking mechanism 26 that locks the lower arm 12 at a predetermined rotational position with respect to the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 is provided, the support arm mechanism 5 having a high degree of freedom can be used. The lower arm 12 does not rotate freely due to vibration or inclination during conveyance, and the monitor 6 and the support arm mechanism 5 can be maintained in a posture suitable for the situation.

  In addition, since the upper arm locking mechanism 28 that locks the upper arm 13 in a state where the upper arm 13 is overlapped with the lower arm 12 is provided, the upper arm 13 can be moved by vibration or inclination during conveyance even when the support arm mechanism 5 having a high degree of freedom is used. The monitor 6 and the support arm mechanism 5 can be kept in a posture suitable for the situation without rotating freely.

  Furthermore, the operation of the upper arm lock mechanism 28 is transmitted to the lower arm lock mechanism 26 by the pressing member 21, the first spring 22, the connecting rod 23, and the second spring 25, and the lower arm 12 is moved to a predetermined rotational position. When the upper arm 13 is positioned and the upper arm 13 is locked by the upper arm locking mechanism 28, the lower arm 12 is also locked by the lower arm locking mechanism 26. Therefore, the lower arm 12 and the upper arm 13 are simultaneously locked. Operability is improved.

  Furthermore, since the arm lock release button 16 for simultaneously releasing the lock of the lower arm 12 and the upper arm 13 is provided, the lock of the lower arm 12 and the upper arm 13 can be released with one touch, and the operability is improved. .

Further, since the tilt regulating mechanism 41 that regulates the forward tilt of the monitor 6 with a preset tilt angle in the middle of the tilt range is provided, even if the support arm mechanism 5 having a high degree of freedom is used, the weight of the monitor 6 during use, etc. Thus, the monitor 6 does not fall down without permission, and the monitor 6 and the support arm mechanism 5 can be maintained in a posture suitable for the situation.
Further, since the tilt restriction release button 17 is allowed to operate only when the monitor 6 is located at a predetermined rotation angle, the monitor 6 protrudes from the diagnostic apparatus body 1 when the monitor 6 is tilted horizontally. Can be prevented.

  Furthermore, since the monitor lock mechanism 42 locks the rotation of the monitor 6 to the left and right in conjunction with the operation of the tilt restriction release button 17, the monitor 6 rotates to the left and right when the monitor 6 is tilted horizontally. It can be locked at the same time, improving operability.

In the above example, the console 4 can be moved up and down obliquely with respect to the frame body 2, and the support arm mechanism 5 is provided on the console 4, but the console 4 is fixed to the frame body 2. In this case, the support arm mechanism 5 may be provided on the frame body 2, for example.
The monitor 6 is not limited to a liquid crystal display as long as it is a panel type.
Furthermore, the configuration of the support arm mechanism 5 is not limited to the above example, and may be, for example, a mechanism having a larger number of joints or a mechanism having a higher degree of joint freedom.
Furthermore, in the above example, the forward tilt of the monitor 6 is regulated by only one tilt angle in the middle of the tilt range. However, the monitor 6 may be regulated stepwise by two or more tilt angles. Good.

1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a side view which shows the ultrasonic diagnosing device of FIG. It is a front view which shows the ultrasonic diagnosing device of FIG. It is a top view which shows the ultrasonic diagnosing device of FIG. It is a side view which shows the state at the time of conveyance of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 5. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the support arm mechanism and monitor of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the support arm mechanism and monitor of FIG. 7 from diagonally behind. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the lower arm of FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a state where the lower arm and the upper arm of FIG. 9 are locked. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of an arm head and a monitor connection part when the monitor of FIG. 7 stands upright. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of an arm head and a monitor connection part when the monitor of FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the principal part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Diagnostic apparatus main body, 5 Support arm mechanism, 6 Monitor, 12 Lower arm, 13 Upper arm, 16 Arm lock release button (arm lock release operation part), 17 Tilt regulation release button (tilt regulation release operation part), 26 Lower arm Lock mechanism, 28 Upper arm lock mechanism, 41 Tilt regulating mechanism, 42 Monitor lock mechanism.

Claims (2)

A diagnostic apparatus body that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, processes the reflected echo signals, and converts the processed signals into ultrasonic images, and the diagnostic apparatus body. A supporting arm mechanism, and a panel-type monitor that displays the converted ultrasonic image supported by the supporting arm mechanism with a variable inclination angle forward about an axis parallel to the width direction of the diagnostic apparatus body. An inclination restriction mechanism for restricting the forward tilt of the monitor with a preset inclination angle in the middle of the inclination range, an inclination restriction release operation unit for releasing the restriction of the inclination angle by the inclination restriction mechanism, and the monitor Is supported by the support arm mechanism so as to be able to turn left and right about an axis parallel to the vertical direction, and a position detecting means for detecting that the monitor is located at a predetermined turning angle. Preparation
The tilt restriction mechanism includes a mechanism section that allows the operation of the tilt restriction release operation section only when the monitor is positioned at a predetermined rotation angle as a result of detection by the position detection means. Ultrasound diagnostic device. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a monitor lock mechanism that locks the rotation of the monitor to the left and right in conjunction with an operation of the tilt restriction release operation unit.

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