JP5754872B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of measuring a temperature rise near a vibrator and judging the risk of heat generation.

  In the ultrasound diagnosis, diagnostic information such as a tomographic image in the subject is obtained based on the ultrasonic wave transmitted in the subject and reflected in the subject (hereinafter referred to as “ultrasonic echo”). Generate. Ultrasonic wave transmission / reception with respect to the subject is performed through an ultrasonic probe.

  The ultrasonic probe has an ultrasonic vibration element having a piezoelectric effect that reversibly converts current and ultrasonic waves. A voltage is applied to the ultrasonic vibration element to generate an ultrasonic wave, and the reflected wave is received by the ultrasonic vibration element to generate an electric signal.

  When this ultrasonic probe is used for ultrasonic diagnosis, it is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via a connector provided on the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and operates by receiving power from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic probe is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and transmits / receives a control signal for applying a voltage to the ultrasonic diagnostic element and an electric signal generated by the ultrasonic vibration element.

  By the way, this ultrasonic probe has a large number of ultrasonic transducer elements as described above, and transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject while contacting the ultrasonic vibrating elements with the subject. The ultrasonic echo reflected from is received. Since each of these ultrasonic vibration elements vibrates during transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, heat is generated in each. In an ultrasonic probe in which a large number of such ultrasonic vibration elements are closely packed, the temperature of the ultrasonic vibration element becomes high due to heat generation, which may cause failure of the ultrasonic probe and burns of the subject.

  Therefore, conventionally, the temperature rise in the vicinity of the surface where the ultrasonic vibration elements are gathered in the ultrasonic probe is predicted, and the voltage for driving the ultrasonic vibration element is reduced based on the prediction of the temperature rise, thereby reducing the risk of heat generation. A technique for avoiding this has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-235838 A

  However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus predicts the heat generation value and determines the occurrence of danger based on the predicted value. For this reason, when a failure occurs in the determination system on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body side, prediction of the heat generation value and determination of occurrence of danger cannot be performed normally, and there is a risk of harming the living body. In addition, it may be difficult to restart the inspection unless the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is repaired. Further, as described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the ultrasonic probe is frequently attached to and detached from the main body, there is a possibility that the contact of the connector as the connection portion may be defective. The signal is not easily transmitted to the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the prediction of the heat generation value and the determination of the occurrence of danger cannot be performed normally, and there is a risk of harming the living body.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of continuously determining the occurrence of a risk even if a failure occurs in the risk determination system on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body side. The purpose is that.

In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 includes an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of transducers and generating ultrasonic waves by vibrating the transducer group, and the ultrasonic wave Transmission / reception means for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject via a probe and receiving ultrasonic echoes from the subject, and an image for generating an ultrasonic tomogram based on the ultrasonic echoes received by the transmission / reception means Generating means; temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature near the vibrator; first temperature predicting means disposed in the apparatus body for predicting a temperature rise near the vibrator based on the temperature; and the ultrasonic probe A second temperature predicting unit disposed inside and predicting a temperature rise near the vibrator based on the temperature; and a prediction based on the temperature rise disposed in the apparatus main body and predicted by the first temperature predicting unit Preset temperature and A first temperature rise determination unit that compares the threshold value with the temperature, a temperature that is disposed inside the ultrasonic probe and is predicted based on the temperature rise predicted by the second temperature prediction unit, and a preset threshold value. Comparison temperature determination means for comparing, temperature comparison determination means for determining temperature abnormality based on any comparison result among the temperature increase determination means and the temperature increase determination means, and the comparison determination means Warning means for issuing a warning to the operator in response to the determination of the danger, and the comparison judgment means is predicted by the temperature predicted by the first temperature prediction means or the second temperature prediction means. depending on whether the temperature exceeds the threshold within a predetermined time and is characterized that you determine whether or not a failure has occurred.

  The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4 includes a plurality of vibrators, a vibrator group that generates ultrasonic waves by vibrating the vibrators, and a temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature in the vicinity of the vibrators. The temperature determination means for determining whether or not the measured temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the warning means for generating a warning when the measured temperature exceeds the threshold value. is there.

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first aspect, the second temperature predicting means and the second temperature rise determining means provided in the ultrasonic probe, the first temperature predicting means provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body, and the first The temperature abnormality can be determined by each of the 1 temperature rise determination means . As a result, even when a temperature abnormality cannot be detected on the apparatus main body due to a poor connection of the connector or a failure on the apparatus main body, the temperature rise can be continuously detected on the ultrasonic probe side.

[First Embodiment]
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 100, an apparatus main body 300, and a probe-side connector 120 and a main body-side connector 320 for connecting the ultrasonic probe 100 to the apparatus main body 300.

  The ultrasonic probe 100 includes an ultrasonic sensor unit 110 that actually emits ultrasonic waves, a temperature prediction unit 201, a temperature rise determination unit 202, and a warning unit 203. The ultrasonic sensor unit 110 is sometimes simply called an ultrasonic probe in the sense of an ultrasonic probe in a narrow sense. In the following description, only the connection portion with the main body is called a connector, but generally the entire connection member including this connection portion may be called a connector. In the present embodiment, the temperature predicting unit 201 and the temperature rise determining unit are arranged inside a connector that represents the entire connecting member. However, this arrangement position may be anywhere as long as it is on the ultrasonic probe 100 side.

  The ultrasonic sensor unit 110 includes a vibrator 101 and a temperature sensor 102.

  The vibrator 101 is driven by the voltage from the drive voltage unit 305. The transducer 101 emits an ultrasonic wave toward the subject when the transducer 101 vibrates in accordance with a pulse signal input by the transmission / reception unit 301 in the apparatus main body 300 using the drive voltage unit 305. Further, the transducer 101 receives the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject (hereinafter referred to as “ultrasonic echo”), converts it into a pulse signal, and outputs it to the transmission / reception means 301. A group of a plurality of the vibrators 101 corresponds to the “vibrator group” in the present invention.

  The temperature sensor 102 is a sensor that measures the ambient temperature. The temperature sensor 102 is disposed in the vicinity of the vibrator 101 and measures the temperature in the vicinity of the vibrator 101, that is, the temperature in the vicinity of the vibrator group. The temperature sensor 102 inputs the measured temperature to the heat generation prediction unit 201 disposed inside the connector and the heat generation prediction unit 301 disposed in the apparatus main body 300. Here, the temperature sensor 102 corresponds to “temperature measuring means” in the present invention.

  The temperature prediction unit 201 obtains a temperature rise curve corresponding to the passage of time based on the temperature input from the temperature sensor 102 every predetermined time. Then, the temperature predicting unit 201 differentiates the curve to calculate the slope of the temperature rise at that time, and predicts a curve representing the subsequent rise in the heat generation value based on the slope. Another method is to detect an input current, calculate power consumption based on the voltage input from the drive voltage unit 305, and obtain a temperature rise after a predetermined timing based on the power consumption. But you can. The temperature prediction unit 201 outputs the calculated predicted temperature increase value to the temperature increase determination unit 202. The temperature prediction unit 201 corresponds to “temperature prediction means” in the present invention.

  The temperature rise determination unit 202 includes a storage unit such as a CPU and a memory. The temperature rise determination unit 202 preliminarily determines a temperature threshold (hereinafter referred to as “temperature threshold”) for determining abnormality of heat generation in the storage unit, that is, a value (unit: ° C.) that is determined to be abnormal when the threshold is exceeded. ) Is remembered. Furthermore, the temperature rise determination unit 202 stores a time threshold (hereinafter referred to as “limit time”) for determining that there is a risk of heat generation when the timing at which the predicted value of temperature rise exceeds the threshold is shorter than that time. Is stored in the department. That is, if the predicted value of the temperature rise exceeds the temperature threshold within the predetermined limit time, it is determined that there is a risk of heat generation. Here, the danger of heat generation is that the ultrasonic sensor unit 110 is a closed space, and heat is stored due to heat generated by the vibrator 101 disposed in the ultrasonic sensor unit 110, resulting in a high temperature and danger. It means to become a state.

  The temperature rise determination unit 202 compares the stored temperature threshold value with the predicted value corresponding to the elapsed time of the temperature rise input from the temperature prediction unit 201, and obtains a timing at which the predicted temperature rise value exceeds the threshold value. Next, the temperature rise determination unit 202 determines whether or not the timing at which the calculated predicted value of temperature rise exceeds the threshold is within a predetermined limit time, and determines whether or not there is a risk of heat generation of the vibrator 101. Judging. When the temperature rise determination unit 202 determines that there is a danger due to heat generation of the vibrator 101, the temperature rise determination unit 202 notifies the warning unit 203 and the warning unit 309 of the danger, and further reduces the voltage for driving the vibrator 101 by the drive voltage unit 305. Let The temperature rise determination unit 202 corresponds to “temperature rise determination means” in the present invention.

  The warning unit 203 receives a notification of abnormal heat generation from the comparison / determination unit 308, displays a warning sign on the LED or display unit attached to the ultrasonic sensor unit 110, and generates vibration and warning sound.

  The apparatus main body 300 includes a transmission / reception unit 301, an image generation unit 302, a display control unit 303, a display unit 304, a drive voltage unit 305, and a warning unit 309.

  The transmission / reception unit 301 transmits pulsed ultrasonic waves via the vibrator 101 to a site to be examined by the subject. Further, the transmission / reception unit 301 receives the ultrasonic echo reflected from the target site of the subject via the vibrator 101, amplifies the received ultrasonic echo, and performs delay processing on each data of the ultrasonic echo. The ultrasonic echo data subjected to the delay process is sent to the image generation unit 302.

  The image generation unit 302 performs reconstruction and interpolation processing of an ultrasound image based on data based on the ultrasound echo input from the transmission / reception unit 301. Next, the image generation unit 302 performs coordinate conversion to a display coordinate system based on the image processed data, and generates an ultrasonic tomographic image. The image generation unit 302 outputs the generated ultrasonic tomographic image to the display control unit 303.

  The display control unit 303 causes the display unit 304 to display the ultrasonic tomographic image input from the image generation unit 302.

  The warning unit 309 receives a notice of occurrence of danger due to heat generation of the vibrator from the temperature rise determination unit 202 and displays a warning sign on the LED or the display unit 304 attached to the apparatus main body 300. In addition, the warning unit 309 may send a notification to the outside to display a warning on a mobile phone or the like, or gradually increase the light in the diagnostic room.

  In the above, after predicting the heat generation value, it is determined whether or not the predicted value exceeds the threshold, and the risk due to the heat generation of the vibrator is predicted, but this is whether or not the measured temperature exceeds the threshold It is also possible to use a method for predicting the danger due to the heat generated by the vibrator.

  As described above, since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment predicts the occurrence of danger due to the heat generated by the transducer within the ultrasonic probe, a failure of the apparatus main body, a poor connector connection, or the like occurs. Even so, it is possible to predict the occurrence of danger due to the heat generated by the vibrator. This makes it possible to continue the ultrasound diagnosis stably without interruption.

[Second Embodiment]
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic probe according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 100, an apparatus main body 300, and a probe-side connector 120 and a main body-side connector 320 for connecting the ultrasonic probe 100 to the apparatus main body 300.

  The ultrasonic probe 100 includes an ultrasonic sensor unit 110 that actually emits ultrasonic waves, a temperature prediction unit 201, a temperature rise determination unit 202, and a warning unit 203. The ultrasonic sensor unit 110 is sometimes simply called an ultrasonic probe in the sense of an ultrasonic probe in a narrow sense. In the following description, only the connection portion with the main body is called a connector, but generally the entire connection member including this connection portion may be called a connector. In the present embodiment, the temperature predicting unit 201 and the temperature rise determining unit are arranged inside a connector that represents the entire connecting member. However, this arrangement position may be anywhere as long as it is on the ultrasonic probe 100 side.

  The ultrasonic sensor unit 110 includes a vibrator 101 and a temperature sensor 102.

  The vibrator 101 is driven by the voltage from the drive voltage unit 305. The transducer 101 emits an ultrasonic wave toward the subject when the transducer 101 vibrates in accordance with a pulse signal input by the transmission / reception unit 301 in the apparatus main body 300 using the drive voltage unit 305. The transducer 101 receives the ultrasonic echo reflected from the subject, converts it into a pulse signal, and outputs it to the transmission / reception means 301. A collection of the vibrators 101 corresponds to the “vibrator group” in the present invention.

  The temperature sensor 102 is a sensor that measures the ambient temperature. The temperature sensor 102 is disposed in the vicinity of the vibrator 101 and measures the temperature in the vicinity of the vibrator 101. The temperature sensor 102 inputs the measured temperature to the heat generation prediction unit 201 disposed in the connector and the temperature prediction unit 201 disposed in the apparatus main body 300. Here, the temperature sensor 102 corresponds to “temperature measuring means” in the present invention.

  The temperature prediction unit 201 obtains a temperature rise curve corresponding to the passage of time based on the temperature input from the temperature sensor 102 every predetermined time. Then, the temperature predicting unit 201 differentiates the curve to calculate the slope of the temperature rise at that time, and predicts a curve representing the subsequent rise in the heat generation value based on the slope. Another method is to detect an input current, calculate power consumption based on the voltage input from the drive voltage unit 305, and obtain a heat generation value after a predetermined timing based on the power consumption. But you can. The temperature prediction unit 201 outputs the calculated predicted value of the heat generation value to the temperature rise determination unit 202. Here, the temperature prediction unit 201 corresponds to the “second temperature prediction unit” in the present invention.

  The temperature rise determination unit 202 includes a storage unit such as a CPU and a memory. The temperature rise determination unit 202 has a temperature threshold value (hereinafter referred to as a “temperature threshold value”) for determining an abnormality of the heat generation value in advance in the storage unit, that is, a value (unit) for determining an abnormality when the threshold value is exceeded. Remembers ° C). Further, the temperature rise determination unit 202 stores a time threshold value (hereinafter referred to as “limit time”) for determining an abnormality in heat generation when the timing at which the predicted value of temperature rise exceeds the threshold is shorter than that time. I remember it. That is, if the predicted value of the temperature rise exceeds the temperature threshold within the predetermined limit time, it is determined that there is a risk of heat generation. For example, assuming that the threshold value is 10 minutes, it is determined to be dangerous if the predicted value of the heat generation value exceeds the threshold value within 10 minutes.

  The temperature rise determination unit 202 compares the predicted value corresponding to the elapsed time of the temperature rise input from the temperature prediction unit 201 with the stored temperature threshold value, and determines the timing when the predicted temperature rise value exceeds the temperature threshold value. Ask. Next, the temperature rise determination unit 202 determines whether or not the timing at which the calculated predicted value of temperature rise exceeds the threshold is within a predetermined limit time, and determines whether or not there is a risk of heat generation of the vibrator 101. Judging. When the temperature rise determination unit 202 determines that there is a danger due to heat generation of the vibrator 101, the result of the timing when the predicted value of the generated heat value exceeds the threshold value is output to the comparison determination unit 308 via the connector 120 and the connector 320. To do. Here, the temperature rise determination unit 202 corresponds to the “second temperature rise determination unit” in the present invention.

  The warning unit 203 receives a notification of the risk of heat generation from the comparison / determination unit 308, displays a warning sign on the LED or display unit attached to the handle unit 100, and generates vibrations and warning sounds.

  The apparatus main body 300 includes a transmission / reception unit 301, an image generation unit 302, a display control unit 303, a display unit 304, a drive voltage unit 305, a temperature prediction unit 306, a temperature rise determination unit 307, a comparison determination unit 308, and a warning unit 309. Included.

  The transmission / reception unit 301 transmits pulsed ultrasonic waves via the vibrator 101 to a site to be examined by the subject. Further, the transmission / reception unit 301 receives the ultrasonic echo reflected from the target site of the subject via the vibrator 101, amplifies the received ultrasonic echo, and performs delay processing on each data of the ultrasonic echo. The ultrasonic echo data subjected to the delay process is sent to the image generation unit 302. Here, the transmission / reception unit 301 corresponds to “transmission / reception means” in the present invention.

  The image generation unit 302 performs reconstruction and interpolation processing of an ultrasound image based on data based on the ultrasound echo input from the transmission / reception unit 301. Next, the image generation unit 302 performs coordinate conversion to a display coordinate system based on the image processed data, and generates an ultrasonic tomographic image. The image generation unit 302 outputs the generated ultrasonic tomographic image to the display control unit 303. The image generation unit 302 corresponds to the “image generation unit” in the present invention.

  The display control unit 303 causes the display unit 304 to display the ultrasonic tomographic image input from the image generation unit 302. The display control unit 303 corresponds to “display control means” in the present invention.

  The temperature prediction unit 306 obtains a temperature rise curve corresponding to the passage of time based on the temperature input from the temperature sensor 102 via the connector 120 and the connector 320 every predetermined time. Then, the temperature prediction unit 306 differentiates the curve to calculate the slope of the temperature rise at that time, and obtains a predicted value of the subsequent temperature rise based on the slope. Another method is to detect an input current, calculate power consumption based on the voltage input from the drive voltage unit 305, and obtain a temperature rise after a predetermined timing based on the power consumption. But you can. The temperature prediction unit 306 outputs a predicted value corresponding to the obtained temperature increase time lapse to the temperature increase determination unit 307. Here, the temperature prediction unit 306 corresponds to the “first temperature prediction unit” in the present invention.

  The temperature rise determination unit 307 includes a storage unit such as a CPU and a memory. The temperature rise determination unit 307 stores a temperature threshold value (hereinafter referred to as a “temperature threshold value”) for determining an abnormality of the heat generation value in advance in the storage unit, that is, a value (unit) for determining an abnormality when the threshold value is exceeded. Remembers ° C). Further, the temperature rise determination unit 307 stores a time threshold value (hereinafter referred to as “limit time”) for determining an abnormality in heat generation when the timing at which the predicted value of temperature rise exceeds the threshold is shorter than that time. I remember it. That is, if the predicted value of the temperature rise exceeds the temperature threshold within the predetermined limit time, it is determined that there is a risk of heat generation. For example, assuming that the threshold value is 10 minutes, it is determined to be dangerous if the predicted value of the heat generation value exceeds the threshold value within 10 minutes.

  The temperature rise determination unit 307 compares the predicted value corresponding to the elapsed time of the temperature rise input from the temperature prediction unit 302 with the stored temperature threshold, and determines the timing at which the predicted temperature rise exceeds the temperature threshold. Ask. Next, the temperature increase determination unit 307 determines whether the timing at which the calculated predicted value of temperature increase exceeds the threshold is within a predetermined limit time, and determines whether there is a risk of heat generation of the vibrator 101. Judging. When the temperature rise determination unit 307 determines that there is a danger due to heat generation of the vibrator 101, the temperature increase determination unit 307 outputs a result of timing at which the predicted value of the generated heat value exceeds the threshold value to the comparison determination unit 308. Here, the temperature rise determination unit 307 corresponds to the “first temperature rise determination means” in the present invention.

  The comparison determination unit 308 includes a storage unit such as a CPU and a memory. If either one of the results of the presence or absence of the risk of heat input input from each of the temperature rise determination unit 202 and the temperature rise determination unit 307 or both indicate that there is a risk of heat generation, the comparison determination unit 308 The warning means 203 and the warning means 309 are notified of the warning start. If the predicted value of the heat generation value input from the temperature rise determination unit 202 or the temperature rise determination unit 307 does not exceed the threshold even after a predetermined time, for example, 1 hour or more, the comparison determination unit 308 determines that a failure has occurred on the side where the predicted value of the heat generation value does not exceed the threshold, that is, one of the temperature rise determination unit 202 and the temperature rise determination unit 307 has occurred, and thereafter only the other side is dangerous. We will determine the occurrence. This is because if the vibrator 101 is moved for a long time, the temperature should continue to rise, and after a suitable time, the predicted value of the heat generation value necessarily exceeds the threshold value, and the predicted value of the heat generation amount exceeds the threshold value. If it does not exceed, it means that the part that is making the prediction has failed or the data has not been sent to the personality. By doing so, for example, either the temperature prediction unit 201 or the temperature rise determination unit 202, or the temperature prediction unit 306 or the temperature rise determination unit 307 causes a failure, and either the ultrasonic probe 100 side or the apparatus main body 300 side. On the other hand, even if the danger occurrence cannot be predicted, the danger occurrence can be continuously predicted on the other hand. The comparison / determination unit 308 corresponds to “comparison / determination means” in the present invention.

  Further, the comparison determination unit 308 indicates that either one or both of the temperature prediction unit 201 and the temperature increase determination unit 202 or the temperature prediction unit 306 and the temperature increase determination unit 307 are at risk of heat generation. If one of them fails or if one of them shows a risk of heat generation, it is determined that there is a risk of heat generation, and the voltage for driving the vibrator 101 by the drive voltage unit 305 is reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress heat generated by driving the vibrator 101.

  The warning unit 309 receives a notification of the risk of heat generation from the comparison / determination unit 308 and displays a warning sign on the LED or the display unit 304 attached to the apparatus main body 300. In addition, the warning unit 309 may send a notification to the outside to display a warning on a mobile phone or the like, or gradually increase the light in the diagnostic room.

  Next, the operation of predicting the risk of heat generation in the ultrasonic probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for predicting the risk of heat generation of the vibrator in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the following, the prediction of the risk of heat generation by predicting the temperature rise, which is mainly performed in parallel with the ultrasonic image generation, will be described.

  Step S001: An operator such as a doctor or a radiographer starts an ultrasonic diagnosis using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Step S002: The temperature sensor 102 measures the temperature near the vibrator 101, outputs the measured temperature to the temperature prediction unit 201, and outputs the measured temperature to the temperature prediction unit 306 via the connector 120 and the connector 320.

  Step S003: The temperature prediction unit 201 obtains a predicted value corresponding to the elapsed time of temperature rise based on the temperature input from the temperature sensor 102. The temperature prediction unit 201 outputs a predicted value of temperature increase to the temperature increase determination unit 202.

  Step S004: The temperature rise determination unit 202 compares the temperature rise prediction value input from the temperature prediction unit 201 with the temperature threshold value, and obtains a timing at which the temperature rise exceeds the temperature threshold value. Further, the temperature rise determination unit 202 compares whether or not the obtained timing is shorter than the limit time stored in advance, and outputs the result to the comparison determination unit 308.

  Step S005: The temperature prediction unit 306 obtains a predicted value corresponding to the elapsed time of temperature rise based on the temperature input from the temperature sensor 102 via the connector 120 and the connector 320. The heat generation prediction unit 306 outputs the predicted value of the temperature increase to the temperature increase determination unit 307.

  Step S006: The temperature rise determination unit 307 compares the predicted value of the heat generation value input from the temperature prediction unit 306 with a threshold value, and obtains a timing at which the temperature rise exceeds the temperature threshold value. Further, the temperature rise determination unit 202 compares whether or not the obtained timing is shorter than the limit time stored in advance, and outputs the result to the comparison determination unit 308.

  Step S007: The comparison determination unit 308 is a temperature prediction unit 201 and a temperature rise determination unit 202 arranged on the ultrasonic probe 100 side, or a temperature prediction unit 306 and a temperature rise determination unit 307 arranged on the apparatus main body 300 side. Whether or not a failure has occurred is determined based on whether or not the predicted value of any of the temperature rises exceeds the temperature threshold value within a predetermined time. That is, when the predetermined time is set to 1 hour, the comparison / determination unit 308 has a fault on the side where the result is input if the predicted value of the temperature rise does not exceed the threshold value during that 1 hour. Judge that it has occurred. If a failure has occurred, the process proceeds to step S009. If a failure has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S008.

  Step S008: The comparison / determination unit 308 compares the result of the presence / absence of the risk of heat input from the temperature rise determination unit 202 and the result of the presence / absence of the risk of heat generation input from the temperature rise determination unit 307. However, if it is determined that there is a risk of heat generation, it is determined that there is a risk of heat generation, and the process proceeds to step S010. If both are determined not to generate heat, the process proceeds to step S012.

  Step S009: The comparison determination unit 306 is a temperature prediction unit 201 and a temperature increase determination unit 202 arranged on the ultrasonic probe 100 side, or a temperature prediction unit 306 and a temperature increase determination unit 307 arranged on the apparatus main body 300 side. If the result on the non-failed side indicates that there is a risk of heat generation, the process proceeds to step S010, and if there is no risk of heat generation, the process proceeds to step S012.

  Step S010: The comparison determination unit 306 outputs a danger notification to the warning unit 203 and the warning unit 309. In addition, the comparison determination unit 306 reduces the voltage for driving the vibrator 101 by the drive voltage unit 305.

  Step S011: The warning unit 203 and the warning unit 309 receive a notification of danger input from the comparison determination unit 306, and notify the warning by e-mail or display on the display unit.

  Step S012: The transmission / reception means 301 determines whether or not the ultrasonic diagnosis as planned has been completed. If it has been completed, the generation of the ultrasonic tomographic image is ended, and if not, the process proceeds to step S002.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is a circuit that detects the occurrence of danger due to heat generation near the transducer (ie, the ultrasonic probe apparatus and the apparatus main body side of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus). , A temperature prediction unit and a temperature rise determination unit) are arranged. Therefore, even if one of the failures occurs, it is possible to detect the occurrence of danger due to heat generation near the vibrator by the other circuit. As a result, even if a failure of a circuit that detects the occurrence of danger due to heat generation near the vibrator occurs, it is possible to continue the safe ultrasonic diagnosis without interrupting the ultrasonic diagnosis. In addition, even if a signal is not sent normally from the transducer to the danger detection circuit on the main unit due to poor connection of the connector part of the ultrasonic probe, a danger is generated by the danger detection circuit inside the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, it is not necessary to interrupt the ultrasonic diagnosis. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the occurrence of danger due to the heat generation of the vibrator is detected using the predicted value of the heat generation value, the transition to a dangerous state can be predicted before the actual danger occurs, A quick response to these dangers becomes possible.

[Third Embodiment]
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic probe according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is a configuration obtained by removing the temperature prediction unit 201 and the temperature prediction unit 306 from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment in a method for determining whether or not there is a risk of heat generation of the vibrator.

  The generation of an ultrasonic tomographic image in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, in the following, how to determine whether or not there is a risk of heat generation of the vibrator in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The temperature rise determination unit 202 includes a storage unit such as a CPU and a memory. The temperature rise determination unit 202 stores in the storage unit a threshold value that is a value that is determined to be dangerous when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The temperature rise determination unit 202 receives an input of the temperature near the vibrator 101 from the temperature sensor 102. The temperature rise determination unit 202 compares the input temperature with a threshold value, and determines that a danger occurs when the input temperature exceeds the threshold value. When the temperature rise determination unit 202 determines that a danger occurs, the temperature increase determination unit 202 notifies the comparison determination unit 308 of the occurrence of the danger.

  The temperature rise determination unit 307 includes a storage unit such as a CPU and a memory. The temperature rise determination unit 307 stores in the storage unit a threshold value that is a value that is determined to be dangerous when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The temperature rise determination unit 307 receives an input of the temperature near the vibrator 101 from the temperature sensor 102 via the connector. The temperature rise determination unit 307 compares the input temperature with a threshold value, and determines that there is a risk of heat generation if the input temperature exceeds the threshold value. When the temperature rise determination unit 307 determines that there is a risk of heat generation, the temperature increase determination unit 307 notifies the comparison determination unit 308 of the risk of heat generation.

  The comparison determination unit 308 receives a notification that there is a risk of heat generation from the temperature increase determination unit 202 or the temperature increase determination unit 307, and notifies the warning unit 203 and the warning unit 309 of the risk of heat generation. In addition, the comparison determination unit 308 receives a notification that there is a risk of heat generation from the temperature increase determination unit 202 or the temperature increase determination unit 307, and decreases the voltage for driving the vibrator 101 by the drive voltage unit 305.

  As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the occurrence of danger due to the heat generated by the vibrator is detected based on the actual temperature. In this case, since it is only determined whether the temperature exceeds the threshold value, the configuration can be facilitated. Further, even in this case, since the circuit for detecting the occurrence of danger is arranged in both the ultrasonic probe 100 and the apparatus main body 300, one of the circuits is detected due to failure of the circuit or poor connection of the connector. Even if the prediction of the occurrence of danger is not normally performed, the prediction of the occurrence of danger can be continued according to the other, so that the ultrasonic diagnosis can be safely continued without interruption.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment. Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment FIG. 10 is a flowchart of detection of occurrence of danger due to heat generated by the vibrator in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Ultrasonic probe 101 Vibrator 102 Temperature sensor 110 Ultrasonic sensor part 120 Connector (ultrasonic probe side)
201 temperature prediction unit 202 temperature rise determination unit 203 warning unit 300 apparatus main body 301 transmission / reception unit 302 image generation unit 303 display control unit 304 display unit 305 drive voltage unit 306 temperature prediction unit 307 temperature increase determination unit 308 comparison determination unit 309 warning unit 320 Connector (Body side)

Claims (3)

An ultrasonic probe that has a plurality of vibrators and generates ultrasonic waves by vibrating the vibrator group;
Transmitting and receiving means for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject via the ultrasonic probe and receiving ultrasonic echoes from the subject;
Image generating means for generating an ultrasonic tomogram based on the ultrasonic echo received by the transmitting / receiving means;
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the vibrator;
First temperature predicting means disposed in the apparatus main body and predicting a temperature rise near the vibrator based on the temperature;
Second temperature predicting means disposed inside the ultrasonic probe and predicting a temperature rise near the vibrator based on the temperature;
A first temperature rise determination means that is disposed in the apparatus main body and compares a temperature predicted based on the temperature rise predicted by the first temperature prediction means with a preset threshold;
A second temperature rise determination means that is disposed inside the ultrasonic probe and compares the temperature predicted based on the temperature rise predicted by the second temperature prediction means with a preset threshold;
Comparison determination means for determining an abnormality in temperature based on one of the comparison results among the first temperature increase determination means and the second temperature increase determination means;
A warning means for issuing a warning to the operator in response to the determination of the danger of the comparison determination means ,
The comparison / determination unit generates a failure depending on whether the temperature predicted by the first temperature prediction unit or the temperature predicted by the second temperature prediction unit exceeds the threshold value within a predetermined time. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by determining whether or not an image is present . The first temperature increase determination unit and the second temperature increase determination unit further obtain a timing at which the temperature in the vicinity of the vibrator exceeds a preset threshold based on the predicted temperature increase, and the timing is The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of the danger is determined by determining whether or not the time is shorter than a preset time. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the comparison determination unit reduces the drive voltage of the vibrator when the risk is determined.

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