JP5528888B2 - Breast ultrasound measurement system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a breast ultrasound measurement system, and more particularly to a technique for reducing the burden on a subject.

  Ultrasound diagnosis is widely used in gynecological examinations, particularly breast examinations. Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional ultrasonic measuring apparatus for breasts. This apparatus has a measuring unit (measuring apparatus) having an upper opening into which a breast of a subject can be put. In the measurement unit, an array transducer and a mechanical scanning mechanism are accommodated, and water as an acoustic medium is placed. A flexible film is provided in the upper opening. When the breast is pressed against the membrane from above, the membrane is pushed downward and deforms, and the breast enters the upper opening. In a natural state where the breast is sagging, an ultrasound diagnosis is performed on the breast. The upper opening is set to a predetermined height from the floor surface. In the subject, the upper body is bent from the waist while the knees are stretched, and the chest is positioned on the measurement unit. An ultrasonic diagnosis is performed while maintaining such a posture.

Japanese Patent No. 3711331

  In ultrasonic diagnosis of the breast, the subject needs to maintain a posture in which the upper body is bent for several minutes to several tens of minutes. Therefore, it has been pointed out that depending on the height and body shape, the burden on the subject, particularly the waist, is likely to occur. Consideration should also be given to the subject whose breasts are exposed.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the subject at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis.

  Another object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the subject when the upper body is folded or when the folded upper body is raised.

  Another object of the present invention is to reduce the psychological burden on the subject whose breasts are exposed.

  A system according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic measurement device having a tank-type measurement unit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a breast of a subject, and a pedestal unit that is assembled to the ultrasonic measurement device. The pedestal unit has an opening that exposes the upper surface of the measurement unit, has a top plate on which the upper body of the subject is placed, and a front pedestal surface on which the knee of the subject is placed, A knee standing posture assisting member used when the subject takes a kneeling posture.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to greatly reduce the burden on the subject, in particular, the burden on the waist caused by the forward bending posture. That is, since the top plate is provided so as to cover the measurement unit, the upper body can be placed on the top plate. In addition, since the knee standing posture assisting member is provided, it is possible to take a posture (knee standing posture) where both knees are placed on the front pedestal surface and the knee is bent and the waist is bent. It is possible to receive an ultrasound diagnosis in an easy posture without being affected by the length. Of course, you may comprise so that the height of a front side base surface can be adjusted. In that case, a spacer member for height adjustment may be installed. It has been confirmed that the kneeling forward bending posture with the upper body on the top surface is an extremely easy posture for many subjects.

  Preferably, the knee standing posture assisting member is a detachable member, and when the subject takes a kneeling posture, the knee standing posture assisting member is removed and the pedestal unit is used. In case of a tall subject or if desired by the subject, the knee standing posture auxiliary member is configured to be removable in order to enable ultrasonic diagnosis with a forward bent posture in the extended knee state. . The top plate and the kneeling posture assisting member are preferably fixed by a pair of side plates, but other fixing methods may be employed.

  Preferably, the pedestal unit includes a knee extension posture assisting member that serves as a footrest when the subject takes a knee extension posture. It is desirable to use a footrest when taking a kneeling posture. In that case, footrests having different heights may be selectively used. The footrest may function as a step when taking a kneeling posture. There is no need to set foot.

  Preferably, a pair of side plates are provided on both sides of the top plate, and the pair of side plates functions as a blindfold from the left-right direction with respect to the chest of the subject whose upper body is placed on the top plate. Have Preferably, each side plate is rounded at the top, and its apex is set near the opening (or in the center in the depth direction of the top plate). It is desirable that the upper portion (upper surface) of the side plate is lowered from the vicinity of the opening to the near side and rounded to the back side. If the vicinity of the opening is raised, the chest of the subject throwing out the upper body to the top plate will be hidden from the left and right direction (because the chest is located between the two side plates). Psychological burden can be eased.

  Preferably, the upper portion of each side plate is inclined from the apex portion toward the front side, and the inclined portion functions as a handrail. According to this configuration, when the upper body is lowered onto the top plate, the upper portions of the pair of side plates can be gripped, so that safety can be improved and the burden on the waist can be reduced. When using a tank-type measuring unit, it is necessary to press the chest from above, but according to the above configuration, the upper body of the subject is firmly supported, and the burden when bending forward and raising the body Can be reduced.

  Preferably, an elastic member that supports the abdomen of the subject is provided on the front side of the top board. According to this configuration, the problem that the corner of the top plate or the corner of the opening hits the abdomen and causes pain can be solved or alleviated.

  Preferably, the top plate extends from the opening to the back side, and the top of the subject can be placed on the top plate. According to this configuration, the top of the head can be placed on the top plate, so that the burden on the neck and waist can be greatly reduced even during long-time examinations.

  A unit according to the present invention is a pedestal unit that is used together with an ultrasonic measurement device having a water tank type measurement unit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a breast of a subject and is assembled to the ultrasonic measurement device. And an opening that exposes the upper surface of the measuring unit, a top plate on which the upper body of the subject is placed, and a front pedestal surface on which the knee of the subject is placed, and the subject And a kneeling posture assisting member used when taking a kneeling posture. According to this configuration, a mat-type pedestal that is gentle to the subject can be provided. In particular, if it is configured to be able to select a kneeling posture and a knee-stretching posture, an examination posture according to height or preference can be taken, so the burden on the subject can be greatly reduced. The surface of each member may be covered with a soft member.

  The ultrasonic measurement device is preferably a measurement unit that captures echo data from the breast by forming and scanning an ultrasonic beam. The ultrasonic beam is preferably directed upward. Examples of the scanning method include an electronic scanning method and a mechanical scanning method. The ultrasonic measuring device is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body supplies a transmission signal to the measurement unit and processes a reception signal from the measurement unit, a two-dimensional or tertiary based on the reception signal after the phasing addition output from the transmission / reception unit An image forming unit for measuring the original ultrasonic image is provided. The breast ultrasound measurement system is composed of an ultrasound measurement device and a pedestal unit added to the ultrasound measurement device, and further includes an ultrasound diagnostic device body to constitute an ultrasound diagnostic system.

  According to the present invention, the burden on the subject at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis can be reduced. Alternatively, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on the subject when the upper body is folded or when the folded upper body is raised. Or according to this invention, the psychological burden of the test subject who exposed the breast can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view of a breast ultrasound measurement system according to the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a breast ultrasound measurement system according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the base unit concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view of the base unit concerning the present invention. It is sectional drawing of a base unit. It is a bottom view of a base unit. It is a figure for demonstrating a kneeling posture. It is a figure for demonstrating a kneeling posture. It is a figure for demonstrating a knee extension posture. It is a figure for demonstrating a knee extension posture. It is a figure for demonstrating the ultrasonic diagnosis in a kneeling posture. It is a figure for demonstrating the ultrasonic diagnosis in a knee extension posture.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a breast ultrasound measurement system according to the present invention. The breast ultrasound measurement system 10 is roughly divided into an ultrasound measurement device 14 and a pedestal unit 12 connected to an ultrasound diagnostic device body (not shown). FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the breast ultrasound measurement system 10 as viewed from diagonally forward, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the breast ultrasound measurement system as viewed from diagonally behind. The pedestal unit 12 is assembled to the ultrasonic measurement device 14 so as to enclose the ultrasonic measurement device 14 at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis. Of course, the ultrasonic measuring device 14 can be used alone.

  3 and 4 are perspective views of the pedestal unit 12. The pedestal unit 12 is provided on the top plate 16 arranged in a horizontal state, a pair of side plates 18 and 20 provided upright on both sides thereof, and on the near side of the top plate 16, that is, on the subject approach side. The front pedestal 22 is provided, and a footrest 24 provided at the lower part of the front pedestal 22 is provided.

  More specifically, the top plate 16 is a flat plate-like member that extends in the front-rear direction, and the upper body of the subject who is bent forward is placed on the top surface of the top plate 16. As shown in the figure, an opening 26 is formed as a through-hole in the top plate 16. The opening 26 is a rectangular hole in the embodiment, and the opening 26 is a measurement unit included in the ultrasonic measurement apparatus. The upper surface film is exposed. The upper surface film is affixed to the upper opening of the water tank type measurement unit and is made of a flexible member. The back side of the opening 26 in the top plate 16 is widened, and it is usually possible to place up to the head of the subject who is in a forward bending posture by the upper surface of the top plate 16.

  An elastic member 28 extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the subject is provided on the near side of the top plate 16, that is, on the subject approach side, and the elastic member 28 is an abdomen of the subject who is bent forward. It is a member corresponding to (lower abdomen). By this elastic member 28, it is possible to effectively prevent the subject from suffering due to the front edge of the top plate 16 or the front edge of the opening 26 coming into direct contact with the subject. . Incidentally, the opening 26 has a step.

  Each of the side plates 18 and 20 is configured as a vertically rising member, and a plurality of leg portions are provided at the lower portion thereof. The side plates 18 and 20 are the highest in the vicinity of the center of the top plate 16 in the depth direction, that is, in the vicinity of the opening 26, and the portions are the tops 18A and 20A. From there, it is gently sloping on the back side, and similarly, it is also gently sloping down on the near side. That is, the handrails 18B and 20B having oblique roundness as viewed from the subject approach side are configured. The subject can fall down or get up while holding the handrails 18B and 20B. Thus, since each side plate 18 and 20 is provided with a handrail function, it is possible to greatly reduce the burden on the subject. Incidentally, the portions including the top portions 18A and 20A of the side plates 18 and 20 are raised in a mountain shape from the upper surface level of the top plate 16, and a blindfold function can be exhibited as will be described later.

  The front pedestal 22 has a pedestal surface 22A facing upward at an intermediate height, and the subject can take a kneeling posture by attaching both knees to the pedestal surface 22A. That is, it is possible to receive an ultrasonic examination in an easy posture by taking a forward bending posture in which the upper body is tilted forward by placing two knees on the pedestal surface 22A. In order to adjust the height of the surface against which both knees are applied, one or more spacer members may be placed on the pedestal surface 22A. The back side of the pedestal surface 22A is an upright vertical surface 22C, and the near side of the pedestal surface 22A is also a vertical surface 22D. An opening 22B is formed in the lower portion of the front pedestal 22, and a footrest 24 is slidable in the front-rear direction. The footrest 24 functions as a footrest or a footrest. The footrest 24 is installed on the floor surface. On the other hand, the front pedestal 22 may be self-supporting, but is fixed to the pair of side plates 18 and 20 in this embodiment. The top plate 16 described above is also fixed to the pair of side plates 18 and 20.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 102 represents a storage unit, and an ultrasonic measurement device dedicated for breast diagnosis is stored in the storage unit 102. Such an ultrasonic measuring device roughly has a cubic shape, and correspondingly, the accommodating portion 102 is also a hollow having a cubic shape. The side plates 18 and 20 are provided with notches 18D and 20D on the back side. This is a passage for inserting a hand into the apparatus from the left-right direction. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 100 represents a blind part. That is, the side plates 18 and 20 are partially raised from the upper surface of the top plate 16 so that the upper body of the subject is partially hidden from the left-right direction. Thereby, it is possible to consider the privacy of the subject. In the present embodiment, the blinded portion 100 and the handrail described above are configured by the rounded side plates 18 and 20.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the pedestal unit 12. As described above, the pedestal unit includes the top plate 16, the pair of side plates 18 and 20, the front pedestal 22, and the footrest 24. FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the pedestal unit 12. As shown in the drawing, there is a large accommodating portion 102, and the opening 26 is formed in a square shape on the top plate.

  7 and 8 show the subject in a kneeling posture. By placing the upper body on the top board in such a kneeling posture, the burden on the subject at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis can be greatly reduced. In addition, the kneeling posture has an advantage that each subject can take a comfortable posture without being greatly affected by the height of the subject. Incidentally, the back side of the top plate is formed in a rounded arch shape, and the subject can also hold the edge portion with both hands (see reference numeral 16B in FIG. 4). When taking the kneeling posture shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the footrest is used as a stepping foot as necessary, and the handrail portions of the pair of side plates are used when the upper body is tilted. Such handrails are also used when getting up.

  9 and 10 show the subject in the knee extended posture. In this case, the front pedestal is removed, and the subject stands on the footrest while stretching his knees. Of course, the knees may not be fully extended and may be bent slightly. Various postures can be taken according to height. Even in such a case, since the upper body can be placed on the top board, the burden on the subject can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional case. For example, a subject who does not want a kneeling posture can take a kneeling posture.

  FIG. 11 shows a state of ultrasonic diagnosis for a subject in a kneeling posture. The subject 200 places the knee 202 on the pedestal surface 22A of the front pedestal 22, and the breast 204 of the subject 200 is pressed against the membrane 30A of the measurement unit 30 from above. Incidentally, the ultrasonic measurement device 14 includes a measurement unit 30, a main body 32, a plurality of casters 34, and the like. The ultrasonic measurement device 14 is installed on the floor 104, and the pedestal unit is also installed on the floor surface 104 in the same manner. The measurement unit 30 is a water tank type unit, in which water or the like as an acoustic propagation medium is accommodated, and an ultrasonic transducer is mechanically scanned in the X direction and the Y direction. Of course, various methods can be used as the mechanical scanning method. It is also possible to use a 1D array transducer, a 2D array transducer, or the like as the ultrasonic transducer. As the film 30A provided on the upper surface, it is desirable to use a soft film having elasticity. That is, it is desirable to use a film member that naturally deforms due to its own weight when the breast is pressed against it.

  FIG. 12 shows a state of ultrasonic diagnosis for the subject in the knee extended posture. In the illustrated subject 200, the knee 202 is slightly bent, and the height is adjusted accordingly. The upper body bent forward in this state is placed on the top plate 16, and the breast 204 is pressed against the upper surface of the measurement unit 30 as in the case shown in FIG. In general, when taking a forward bending posture, the burden on the subject increases. However, in this embodiment, the upper body can be placed on the top plate 16 to support the load on the upper body. It is greatly eased. Even in such a posture, if the burden on the subject is still large, it is desirable to select the kneeling posture shown in FIG.

  In the embodiment described above, various methods can be adopted as a method of fixing the front pedestal to the pair of side plates. For example, the front pedestal may be fixed to the pair of side plates with a plurality of bolts or the like. Further, as described above, the front pedestal may be self-supporting. In that case, in order to stabilize the attitude | position of a front side base, you may make it employ | adopt the engagement structure which does not move with respect to a pair of side plate. Since each member supports the body weight, it is desirable that the member is made of a sturdy material. However, the surface of each member may be provided with a soft coating in consideration of contact with the subject. . Incidentally, in the present embodiment, both the right chest and the left chest can be handled, that is, an opening is formed at the center in the left-right direction of the top plate. Of course, it is also possible to form two openings for the right and left chests.

  10 breast ultrasonic measurement system, 12 pedestal unit, 14 ultrasonic measurement device, 16 top plate, 18, 20 side plate, 22 front pedestal, 24 footrest.

Claims (8)

An ultrasonic measurement apparatus having a water tank type measurement unit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the breast of the subject;
A pedestal unit assembled to the ultrasonic measurement device;
Including
The pedestal unit is
An opening that exposes the upper surface of the measurement unit, and a top plate on which the upper body of the subject is placed;
A knee-standing posture assisting member that has a front pedestal surface on which the subject's knee is placed, and is used when the subject takes a knee-standing posture;
Only including,
A pair of side plates are provided on both sides of the top plate,
The pair of side plates have a form that functions as a blindfold from the left-right direction with respect to the chest of the subject whose upper body is placed on the top plate,
A breast ultrasound measurement system characterized by this. The system of claim 1, wherein
The knee standing posture auxiliary member is a removable member,
The breast ultrasound measurement system, wherein when the subject takes a knee extended posture, the knee standing posture auxiliary member is removed and the pedestal unit is used. The system of claim 2, wherein
The breast ultrasound measurement system, wherein the pedestal unit includes a knee extension posture assisting member that serves as a footrest when the subject takes a knee extension posture. The system of claim 1 , wherein
Each of the side plates has a portion raised in a mountain shape from the upper surface level of the top plate,
A breast ultrasound measurement system characterized by the above. The system of claim 1 , wherein
A breast ultrasound measurement system, wherein an upper portion of each side plate is inclined from the apex portion toward the near side, and the inclined portion functions as a handrail. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A breast ultrasound measurement system, wherein an elastic member for supporting the abdomen of the subject is provided on the front side of the top plate. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The breast ultrasound measurement system, wherein the top plate extends from the opening to the back side, and the top of the subject can be placed on the top plate. A pedestal unit used together with an ultrasonic measurement device having a water tank type measurement unit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject's breast, and assembled to the ultrasonic measurement device,
An opening that exposes the upper surface of the measurement unit, and a top plate on which the upper body of the subject is placed;
A pair of side plates provided on both sides of the top plate;
Only including,
The pair of side plates have a form that functions as a blindfold from the left-right direction with respect to the chest of the subject whose upper body is placed on the top plate,
A pedestal unit for breast ultrasound measurement system.