JP5230768B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can prevent a cable of a probe from being entangled and change the mounting position of a probe connector without imposing a burden on the cable.

In the medical field, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using an ultrasonic image is used.
In general, this type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe (hereinafter referred to as a probe) and a diagnostic apparatus main body, and transmits ultrasonic waves from the probe toward a subject. The ultrasonic echo from the subject is received by the probe, and the received signal is electrically processed by the diagnostic apparatus body to generate an ultrasonic image.

The probe is usually connected to the diagnostic apparatus body by a cable. A probe connector is provided at the tip of the cable.
A device-side connector for detachably mounting the probe connector is provided on the diagnostic device body side. By attaching a probe connector to this apparatus-side connector, ultrasonic waves can be transmitted and received by the probe.
Moreover, a probe holder is usually formed in the diagnostic apparatus body, and the probe can be held (accommodated) in the probe holder when not in use.

By the way, there are various types of probes of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus such as a convex type, a linear type, and a sector type depending on the purpose of diagnosis. In addition, various types of probes are prepared according to the examination site such as the abdomen and head, the subject such as adults and children, and the like.
For this reason, many ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are designed so that a plurality of probes can be mounted and a probe to be used can be selected by a changeover switch or the like.

Here, if a connector that enables transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves corresponding to a large number of probes is provided, the internal configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated and the cost of the apparatus also increases. In normal diagnosis, the number of frequently used probes is at most about two to three.
For this reason, in ultrasonic diagnostic equipment that can be fitted with a large number of probes, a probe connector is attached to the normal connector that allows the probe to send and receive ultrasound by attaching the probe connector, and a probe connector. Even with this, a dummy connector that cannot transmit / receive ultrasonic waves is provided to support a large number of probes.

In addition, in such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a large number of apparatus-side connectors, various proposals have been made regarding the arrangement of apparatus-side connectors and the like in consideration of ease of use.
For example, in Patent Document 1, as a device-side connector, a first group in which a longitudinal direction is inclined with respect to the horizontal and a plurality of units are provided in parallel in the vertical direction, and the first group is positioned on the left side of the first group. And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with a second group in which the clap direction coincides with the vertical direction and the front surface of the connector faces obliquely upward.

JP 2006-26046 A

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the first group and the second group of apparatus-side connectors have different angles. For example, the first group is a normal connector, and the second group By using this group as a dummy connector, the normal connector and the dummy connector can be easily distinguished.

In addition, the device-side connector is usually provided below the operation panel operated by the doctor, and the probe holder is provided in the vicinity of the lateral end of the operation panel.
Therefore, as in the case of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the first group is a normal connector, the probe connector can be attached without forcibly bending the cable by making the cable pulling direction obliquely upward. It can be attached and detached, and the load on the probe cable normally attached to the connector can be reduced.

However, in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a plurality of apparatus side connectors, depending on the positional relationship between the normal connector and the dummy connector, the cable is entangled when the probe connector mounting position is changed from the dummy connector to the normal connector. easy. Further, when changing the mounting position of the probe connector, it may be necessary to pull the cable.
Therefore, an extra load is applied to the cable when the mounting position of the probe connector is changed from the dummy connector to the normal connector. Also, the operability of replacing the probe connector, such as replacing the dummy connector with the normal connector, is not good.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, to prevent the probe cable from being entangled by replacing the mounting position of the probe connector between the normal connector and the dummy connector, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be performed with good operability without giving an extra burden to a cable, and that can be easily distinguished from a normal connector and a dummy connector.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention has a cable and a probe connector attached to the tip of the cable, transmits ultrasonic waves, and reflects ultrasonic echoes reflected by a subject. An ultrasonic probe that receives and outputs a reception signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic wave and a probe holder that holds the ultrasonic probe, and generates an ultrasonic image corresponding to the reception signal output by the ultrasonic probe A diagnostic apparatus main body, and the diagnostic apparatus main body is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe by attaching the probe connector to the same surface of the casing constituting the appearance of the diagnostic apparatus main body. Even if one or more normal connectors and the probe connector are attached, ultrasonic waves cannot be transmitted / received by the ultrasonic probe. -An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a connector, wherein the normal connector and the dummy connector are formed such that the extension lines in the longitudinal direction intersect each other on the side toward the probe holder. .

In such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the intersection position of the extension line of the normal connector and the dummy connector is located on the formation surface of the normal connector and the dummy connector.
Moreover, it is preferable that the said diagnostic apparatus main body has a cable support part which supports the said cable in the position away from the position where the said extension line cross | intersect seeing from at least one of the said normal connector and a dummy connector.
Moreover, it is preferable to have a plurality of the normal connectors, and the extension lines of the respective normal connectors are parallel.

The dummy connector is preferably formed on a rotatable rotating plate.
In addition, the rotation angle of the rotating plate is limited from a position where the extension line of the normal connector and the dummy connector is orthogonal to a position where the intersection angle of the extension line of the normal connector and the dummy connector is 45 °. Is preferred.
Moreover, it is preferable to have a fixing mechanism that prevents the rotating plate from rotating unnecessarily.

  It is preferable to have one or more combinations of the normal connector and the dummy connector, in which the distance from the end portion in the longitudinal direction to the crossing position of the extension line is equal.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the probe connector mounting position is changed between the normal connector and the dummy connector so as to rotate (or swing) the probe connector. It can be done.

As a result, the probe cable can be prevented from getting entangled when the probe connector mounting position is switched between the normal connector and the dummy connector, and an extra load is also prevented from being pulled by pulling the cable. it can. In addition, since the probe connector can be rotated to change the mounting position of the probe connector, the operability of the replacement is good.
Further, since the angle in the longitudinal direction is different between the normal connector and the dummy connector, when the probe connector is attached to the diagnostic apparatus body, it is easy to determine whether the apparatus-side connector is a normal connector or a dummy connector. be able to.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a conceptual diagram of an example of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of this invention, (A) is a front view, (B) is a side view. (A)-(C) are the conceptual diagrams for demonstrating an example of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of this invention. (A) And (B) is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating another example of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 conceptually shows an example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, (A) is a front view, and (B) is a side view.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe (ultrasonic probe) 12 and a diagnostic apparatus main body 14 connected to the ultrasonic probe 12.
This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is basically capable of mounting a plurality of ultrasonic probes 12 except that it has a feature in the positional relationship between a normal connector 40 and a dummy connector 42, which will be described later, provided in the diagnostic apparatus main body 14. This is the same as a known ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The ultrasonic probe 12 (hereinafter referred to as the probe 12) transmits an ultrasonic wave to the subject, receives an ultrasonic echo reflected by the subject, and receives an ultrasonic image signal (in accordance with the received ultrasonic echo ( This is a known ultrasonic probe that outputs a received signal.
The probe 12, like a normal ultrasonic probe, is a probe head 16, a cable 18, and a probe connector 20 attached to a device-side connector (normal connector 40 and dummy connector 42) formed in the diagnostic device main body 14. It is comprised.

The probe head 16 is provided with a piezoelectric element unit in which transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves (ultrasonic waves) are arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. At the time of diagnosis, the probe head 16 is brought into contact with the subject to transmit / receive ultrasonic waves.
The probe head 16 and the probe connector 20 are connected by a cable 18. By attaching the probe connector 20 to the normal connector 40 of the diagnostic apparatus main body 14, ultrasonic waves can be transmitted and received by the probe 12 (probe head 16).

  In the present invention, the type of the probe 12 is not particularly limited, and various types such as a convex type, a linear type, and a sector type can be used. Further, an extracorporeal probe or a probe for an ultrasonic endoscope such as a radial scan method may be used. Furthermore, the probe 12 may have an ultrasonic transducer for receiving harmonics of the second or higher order of the transmitted ultrasonic wave corresponding to harmonic imaging.

The diagnostic apparatus main body 14 includes a main body portion 26, an operation panel 28 provided on the main body portion 26, and a display 30 provided on the operation panel 28.
In the diagnostic apparatus main body 14, the operation panel 28 includes a mode selection unit such as a B mode or an M mode, a trackball for selecting a position, a touch panel (or display unit) for performing an operation using a GUI (Graphical User Interface), Alternatively, a display panel having a touch panel function) is an operation panel (operation panel) similar to that of a normal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which various operation means, selection means, switches, and the like are arranged.
The operation panel 28 is also provided with a changeover switch for selecting (switching) the probe 12 to be used when the probe 12 is connected to both of two normal connectors 40 described later.

Four probe holders 36 for accommodating and holding the probe head 16 of the probe 12 are formed in the vicinity of the right end of the operation panel 28 in the drawing.
The probe holder 36 is a well-known one, and as an example, the through-hole for allowing the cable 18 to pass through a through-hole that is smaller than the maximum diameter of the probe head 16 and into which a grip part (gripping part) can be inserted. And a notch that communicates with the side surface.

  In the diagnostic apparatus main body 14, the display 30 is also a normal display used for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an ultrasonic image, displays for performing an operation using a GUI, displays information on a subject, and the like.

The main body 26 is configured by housing a power source, a circuit board for performing various operations and controls, and the like in a substantially rectangular cylindrical casing 26a.
In addition, a caster 34 is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion 26 so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 (diagnostic apparatus main body 14) can be easily moved.

On the front surface of the casing 26a of the main body 26 (the surface facing when the operator faces the operation panel 28), two normal connectors 40 and two dummy as device-side connectors to which the probe connector 20 is attached. A connector 42 is formed (see FIG. 2A).
Both connectors have a rectangular planar shape (shape on the surface of the casing 26a), the normal connector 40 is formed by arranging the longitudinal direction in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the dummy connector 42 in the longitudinal direction. Are arranged in the horizontal direction with the vertical direction.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the probe connector 20 is attached to the normal connector 40 on the lower side and the dummy connector 42 on the left side in the drawing.

  A cable support 46 for supporting (hooking) the cable 18 of the probe 12 is provided on the side surface of the housing 26a on the side where the probe holder 36 is formed.

  The normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 are detachably attached to the probe connector 20 by known means used in various ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. Further, the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 are used in various ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. A fixing means for the probe connector 20 may be provided.

The normal connector 40 is connected to a power source, a control board, and the like. As described above, by attaching the probe connector 20 to the normal connector 40, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves by the probe 12 (ultrasonic transmission / reception control). Can be performed.
On the other hand, the dummy connector 42 is a part where the probe connector 20 is simply attached. Even if the probe connector 20 is attached to the dummy connector 42, the probe 12 cannot transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. Accordingly, the dummy connector 42 is simply not connected to a power source, a control board, or the like, and does not include wiring or the like.

Here, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention, the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 are both formed on the same surface of the casing 26 that forms the appearance (part thereof) of the diagnostic apparatus main body 14. A line extending from the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 in the longitudinal direction (for example, a line extending in the longitudinal direction from the center in the short direction, hereinafter, also simply referred to as “extension line”) is on the side toward the probe holder 36. Provided to intersect.
Further, preferably, when viewed from the normal connector 40, from the dummy connector 42, or from both the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42, a position away from the crossing position of the extension lines of both connectors. A cable support 46 for supporting the cable 18 is provided.

As described above, in the illustrated ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the probe holder 36 is disposed in the vicinity of the right end of the operation panel 28 in the drawing.
Correspondingly, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (A) (only the housing 26 is shown in FIG. 2). The normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 are formed so that the extension line toward the right of the connector 40 and the extension line toward the top of the dummy connector 42 are orthogonal to each other.
Further, as viewed from the normal connector 40, the cable support 46 is provided on the right side surface that is separated from the crossing position of the extension lines in the surface direction of the front surface of the housing 26a.

Since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention has such a configuration, the probe connector 20 moves so as to rotate (or swing) as shown by an arrow a in FIG. The probe connector 20 can be replaced between the connector 40 and the dummy connector 42.
Therefore, when the probe connector 20 is replaced between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42, it is possible to prevent the cable 18 of the probe 12 from being entangled and forcibly pulling or pushing back the cable 18. The load applied to the cable 18 when the probe connector 20 is replaced can be greatly reduced.
In addition, the probe connector 20 can be replaced between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 by simply moving the probe connector 20 so as to rotate without pulling the cable 18. The operability of 20 replacements can also be improved.
In addition, since the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 are formed at different angles, the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 can be easily and reliably distinguished.

Here, as shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, generally, the planar shape on the formation surface of the apparatus-side connector (normal connector and dummy connector) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a rectangle. However, the device-side connector may have a shape other than a rectangle. At this time, a minimum rectangle that inscribes the apparatus-side connector is set, and an extension line may be set by extending the rectangle in the longitudinal direction.
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, generally, the cable 18 is attached to the end portion (or the vicinity of the end portion) of the probe connector 20 in the longitudinal direction. Here, normally, the longitudinal direction of the device-side connector and the direction in which the cable 18 is pulled out from the probe connector 20 when the probe connector 20 is attached to the device-side connector (attachment direction of the cable 16 to the probe connector 20) Is a match.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention, the extension lines of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 may intersect on the side toward the probe holder 36 (the side closer to the probe holder 36).
However, it is preferable that the extension lines of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 intersect on the formation surface of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A.

By having such a configuration, the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 and the crossing position of the extension line approach each other, so that it is more preferable to prevent the cable 18 from being entangled or pulled such as being pulled. In addition, the probe connector 20 can be replaced between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 with better operability.
Further, since the angle between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 is increased, the discrimination between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 can be performed more suitably.

Furthermore, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention, the distance between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 is the same as the distance from the longitudinal ends of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 to the intersection of the extension lines of the two. It is preferable to have one or more combinations.
As an example, in the example shown in FIG. 2A, the distance from the end of the lower normal connector 40 to the crossing position of the extension line, and the distance from the end of the left dummy connector 42 to the crossing position of the extension line Furthermore, the distance from the end of the upper normal connector 40 to the crossing position of the extension line is equal to the distance from the end of the right dummy connector 42 to the crossing position of the extension line.
That is, in the illustrated example, there are two combinations of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 in which the distance from the end portion in the longitudinal direction to the intersection position is equal.

  By having such a configuration, when the distances from the end portion to the intersection position of the extension lines are equal to each other, when the probe connector 20 is replaced between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42, Since it is possible to more reliably prevent the cable 18 from being pulled or pushed in, it is possible to more reliably prevent the cable 18 from being loaded.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention, the number of the normal connectors 40 and the dummy connectors 42 is not limited to two, but may be one or may be three or more. However, at least the normal connector 40 preferably has a plurality.
Further, the number of the normal connectors 40 and the dummy connectors 42 is not limited to the same number and may be different. In this case, the number of the normal connectors 40 is usually larger.
Further, a plurality of cable support portions 46 may be provided as necessary.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, the extension lines of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 are orthogonal to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both extension lines are connected to the probe holder. Various configurations can be used as long as they intersect on the side facing 36, preferably on the formation surface of the device-side connector.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the extension lines of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 may intersect at an acute angle.
Even in this configuration, the probe connector 20 is replaced between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 by moving the probe connector 20 so as to rotate as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. be able to.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the dummy connectors 42 are arranged above and below the normal connector 40 so that the extension lines of the dummy connectors 42 intersect on the side toward the probe holder 36. By forming, the extension lines of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 may cross each other.
Similarly, in this configuration, the probe connector 20 is moved between the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 by rotating the probe connector 20 as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. Replacement can be performed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2C, in the present invention, when a plurality of normal connectors 40 and a plurality of dummy connectors 42 are provided, the normal connectors 40 or the dummy connectors 42 (the extension lines of the normal connectors 40) In addition, the extension lines of the dummy connector 42 do not necessarily have to be parallel.
However, when a plurality of normal connectors 40 are provided, it is preferable to form the normal connectors 40 so as to be parallel to each other as in each example shown in FIG. As a result, the normal connector 40 can be determined more reliably.

As described above, the dummy connector 42 is not connected to a power source or a circuit board.
Using this, as shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 3 also shows only the main body portion 26), a dummy connector 42 is formed on a circular rotary table 50 that rotates about the center, and the orientation of the dummy connector 42 is changed. , It may be configured in the direction desired by the operator. Thereby, the operativity and usability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention can be further improved. The rotary table 50 may be provided parallel to the housing surface or at a slight angle.

Here, the rotation angle of the rotary table 50 is not particularly limited, but the rotation line of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 can be rotated to an angle at which the extension line does not cross on the side toward the probe holder 36. This is not preferred.
Therefore, the rotation angle of the rotary table 50 is such that the extension line of the normal connector 40 and the dummy connector 42 is orthogonal to the normal connector 40 as shown in FIG. 3B, as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the intersection angle of the extension line of the dummy connector 42 is limited to 45 °.

  Further, in order to prevent the rotary table 50 from rotating unnecessarily, for example, the rotary table 50 is rotated at a predetermined rotation angle such as 5 ° using a mechanism used for a rotary switch or the like. It is preferable to be able to fix substantially.

  Although the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the normal connector 40 extends in the horizontal direction, and the dummy connector 42 extends in the vertical direction or the like.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the normal connector 40 may extend in the vertical direction, and the dummy connector 42 may extend in the horizontal direction. However, when the plurality of normal connectors 40 are provided, the normal connectors 40 are preferably formed in parallel as described above.

  It can be suitably used for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used for various diagnoses in a medical field.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 12 (ultrasonic) probe 14 Diagnostic apparatus main body 16 Probe head 18 Cable 20 Probe connector 26 Main body part 26a Case 28 Operation panel 30 Display 34 Caster 36 Probe holder 40 Normal connector 42 Dummy connector 46 Cable support part

Claims (8)

Ultrasound that has a cable and a probe connector attached to the tip of the cable, transmits ultrasonic waves, receives ultrasonic echoes reflected by the subject, and outputs received signals corresponding to the received ultrasonic waves A probe,
A diagnostic apparatus main body having a probe holder for holding the ultrasonic probe, and generating an ultrasonic image according to a reception signal output by the ultrasonic probe;
Further, the diagnostic apparatus main body has one or more normal connectors that enable transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe by mounting the probe connector on the same surface of the casing that constitutes the appearance thereof, and , Having one or more dummy connectors that cannot transmit and receive ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe even if the probe connector is attached,
In addition, the normal connector and the dummy connector are formed such that the extension lines in the longitudinal direction intersect each other on the side toward the probe holder.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an intersection position between the extension lines of the normal connector and the dummy connector is located on a formation surface of the normal connector and the dummy connector.   The said diagnostic apparatus main body has a cable support part which supports the said cable in the position away from the position where the said extension line cross | intersects seeing from at least one of the said normal connector and a dummy connector. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of normal connectors, wherein the extension lines of the respective normal connectors are parallel.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dummy connector is formed on a rotatable rotating plate.   The rotation angle of the rotating plate is limited from a position where the extension line of the normal connector and the dummy connector is orthogonal to a position where an intersection angle of the extension line of the normal connector and the dummy connector is 45 °. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 1.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a fixing mechanism that prevents the rotating plate from rotating unnecessarily.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has at least one combination of the normal connector and the dummy connector having the same distance from an end portion in the longitudinal direction to an intersection position of the extension lines.

Images