JP6058326B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a probe connector of an ultrasonic probe is connected to the apparatus main body, and the apparatus can be used by energizing the apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe. As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the ultrasonic probe can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, for safety, an ultrasonic probe provided with a lock lever for fixing the probe connector of the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body is provided. Sonographs are also widespread. However, in the above-described prior art, the operability related to attachment / detachment of the ultrasonic probe may be deteriorated.

JP 2007-330490 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that makes it possible to improve the operability related to attachment / detachment of an ultrasonic probe.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a probe connector, a connection terminal, a lock lever, and a cam member . The probe connector is connected to the ultrasonic probe via a cord, and connects the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body. The connection terminal is disposed on the apparatus main body, and the probe connector is connected to the connection terminal. The lock lever moves from a release position where the probe connector is detachable to a fixed position where the probe connector is fixed in a state where the probe connector is connected to the connection terminal, thereby connecting the probe connector to the connection terminal. Lock it . When the cam member, the probe connector to the connection terminals in the case of unconnected, that is fixing the position of the locking lever to said release position, wherein the probe connector is connected to the connection terminal, wherein The movement of the lock lever from the released position to the fixed position is enabled .

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the front surface of the apparatus main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view showing the inside of the connection portion of the probe connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of attaching / detaching the probe connector and operating the lock lever according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal structure of the lock lever according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal structure of the lock lever according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of the lock lever according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal structure of the lock lever according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6C is a side view of the inside of the lock lever according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a lock lever control unit configured by the solenoid actuator according to the first embodiment.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes an apparatus main body 30, a monitor 10, and an operation unit 20.

  The apparatus main body 30 performs overall control of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. For example, the apparatus main body 30 executes various controls related to the generation of the ultrasonic image. The monitor 10 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 to input various setting requests using the operation unit 20, and displays an ultrasonic image generated in the apparatus main body 30. Or display.

  The operation unit 20 includes a trackball, a switch, a button, a touch command screen, and the like, receives various setting requests from an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, and transfers the received various setting requests to the apparatus main body 30. . Here, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the probe connector of the ultrasonic probe is connected to the front surface of the apparatus main body 30 and energized, so that the connected ultrasonic probe can be used. Become.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a lock lever that locks the probe connector while being connected to the apparatus main body 30. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the front surface of the apparatus main body 30 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. For example, the front surface of the apparatus main body 30 is provided with a connection terminal for connecting the probe connector 31 of the ultrasonic probe, and a lock lever 32 for locking after the probe connector 31 is connected.

  In FIG. 2, the cord extending from the probe connector 31 is shown being cut, but actually, the cord is continuously extended and the ultrasonic probe is connected to the tip. In FIG. 2, three probe connectors 31 are connected, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the number of connectable probe connectors 31 differs for each ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and this embodiment can be applied to any case.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the inside of the connection portion of the probe connector 31 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the apparatus main body 30 shown in FIG. For example, a connection portion to which the probe connector 31 is connected, a mounting portion for the lock lever 32, and a lock lever control unit 33 are disposed inside the apparatus main body 30.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of attaching / detaching the probe connector 31 and operating the lock lever 32 according to the first embodiment. 4 shows one of the three probe connectors 31 shown in FIG. 4A shows a connection portion before the probe connector 31 is connected. 4B to 4C show the operation of the lock lever 32. FIG. The attachment / detachment of the probe connector 31 and the operation of the lock lever 32 are performed by an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100.

  For example, at the connection portion of the probe connector 31, as shown in FIG. 4A, claw-like lock mechanisms 34 are disposed on both sides of the connection terminal. The lock mechanism 34 is interlocked with the lock lever 32. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the probe connector 31 is connected to the connection portion and the lock lever 32 is pushed down as shown in FIG. The probe connector 31 is locked by engaging with an inner pin (not shown).

  Therefore, in the state of FIG. 4C, the probe connector 31 is locked and cannot be removed. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the lock lever 32 is pushed up, the lock is released and the probe connector 31 can be detached from the apparatus main body 30. Note that the lock lever control unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 controls the operation of the lock lever 32, and details will be described later.

  As described above, the lock mechanism for locking the probe connector is conventionally known. However, in the case of the conventional lock mechanism, the lock lever 32 is pushed down even when the probe connector 31 is not connected to the connection portion. Is possible. As a result, when the lock lever 32 is lowered, the probe connector 31 cannot be connected, and the operability related to attachment / detachment of the ultrasonic probe may be deteriorated. Further, in the case of the conventional lock mechanism, even when the probe connector 31 is connected and energized, the lock lever 32 can be pushed up to release the lock. As a result, even in the energized state, the probe connector 31 may be detached from the apparatus main body 30, and both the apparatus main body 30 and the ultrasonic probe may be broken.

  Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment cannot lock the lock lever 32 (for example, push down the lock lever 32) when the probe connector 31 is not connected as described above. In addition, when the apparatus main body and the ultrasonic probe are energized, the locked state cannot be released.

  5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the internal structure of the lock lever according to the first embodiment. Here, in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the state which removed the collar 35 of the attachment part of the lock lever 32 shown in FIG. 4 and the handle part of the lock lever 32 is shown. That is, the handle portion shown in FIG. 4 is fitted from above the two convex portions of the lock lever 32 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

  The lock lever 32 according to the first embodiment switches between a fixed state in which the ultrasonic probe is fixed while being connected to the connection terminal and a released state in which the ultrasonic probe is detachable. In the vicinity of the lock lever 32, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, a pin 38 is disposed on the rotation shaft of the lock lever 32, and a cam 36 and a spring 37 are disposed in the vicinity thereof.

  The cam 36, the spring 37, and the pin 38 are a control mechanism that controls the lock lever 32, and enables the lock lever 32 to be switched to a fixed state when the ultrasonic probe is connected to the connection terminal. Specifically, the cam 36, the spring 37, and the pin 38 enable the lock lever 32 to be locked (push the lock lever 32 down) only when the probe connector 31 is connected.

  5A and 5B show a state where the probe connector 31 is not connected. In such a case, the cam 36 is installed so as to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 5A due to the restoring force of the spring 37. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the probe connector 31 is not connected, a part of the cam comes to the side of the pin 38. 5B, even if an attempt is made to move the lock lever 32 in the direction in which the lock lever 32 is locked (the direction in which the lock lever 32 is pushed down: clockwise rotation in FIG. 5B), the pin 38 hits a part of the cam 36 and cannot rotate. In other words, the lock lever 32 cannot be locked when the probe connector 31 is not connected.

  Next, the case where the probe connector 31 is connected will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of the internal structure of the lock lever according to the first embodiment. 6A and 6B show a state where the probe connector 31 is connected. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cam 36 is pushed from above by the probe connector 31 and rotates rightward about the axis on which the spring 37 is applied. As a result, the position of the gap 40 inside the cam 36 moves downward.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the pin 38 enters the gap 40, the lock lever 32 can be rotated in the lock direction. Therefore, when the probe connector 31 is connected, the control for suppressing the rotation of the lock lever 32 by the cam 36, the spring 37, and the pin 38 is lost, and the lock lever 32 is moved in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 6C. The probe connector 31 can be brought into a locked state. FIG. 6C is a view of the inside of the lock lever 32 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the lock cannot be released when the apparatus main body 30 and the ultrasonic probe are energized by the following mechanism. Specifically, when the lock lever 32 is in a fixed state and the ultrasonic probe is energized, the lock lever control unit 33 sets the lock lever 32 on the condition that energization of the ultrasonic probe is terminated. Can be switched from the fixed state to the released state.

  For example, the lock lever control unit 33 determines whether or not energization is completed, and enables the lock lever 32 to be switched from the fixed state to the released state. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the lock lever control unit 33 configured by the solenoid actuator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the probe connector 31 is connected and locked by the lock lever 32.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the lock lever 32 has a concave portion on the rotation shaft, and the concave portion is located inside the lock lever control portion 33 when the lock lever 32 is locked. Are arranged as follows. Then, the lock lever control unit 33 configured by the solenoid actuator mechanism is connected to a substrate (not shown), and when the apparatus main body 30 and the ultrasonic probe are energized, as shown in FIG. The part 33a protrudes. Thereby, the convex part 33a enters the concave part 39, and rotation of the lock lever 32 is suppressed.

  Then, for example, by providing a spring or the like inside the lock lever control unit 33, when energization to the ultrasonic probe is completed, the convex portion 33a returns to the inside of the lock lever 32, and the lock lever 32 can rotate. Become. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the lock lever 32 from being unlocked during energization.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the probe connector 31 connects the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body 30. The lock lever 32 switches between a fixed state in which the ultrasonic probe is fixed while being connected to the apparatus main body 30 and a released state in which the ultrasonic probe is detachable. The cam 36, the spring 37, and the pin 38 enable the lock lever 32 to be switched to the fixed state when the ultrasonic probe is connected to the apparatus main body 30. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can lock the lock lever 32 only when the probe connector 31 is connected to the apparatus main body 30, and is related to attachment / detachment of the ultrasonic probe. The operability can be improved. Thereby, for example, when the probe connector 31 is to be attached to the apparatus main body 30, the troublesomeness that the lock lever 32 is in the locked state can be eliminated.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when the lock lever 32 is in a fixed state and the ultrasonic probe is energized, the lock lever control unit 33 confirms that energization of the ultrasonic probe has been completed. As a condition, the lock lever 32 can be switched from the fixed state to the released state. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can be configured such that the lock can be released only when the energization is released, and the probe connector 31 is detached during the energization. It is possible to avoid such an accident.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the lock lever control unit 33 determines whether or not energization is completed, and enables the lock lever 32 to be switched from the fixed state to the released state. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to construct a configuration that can be unlocked only when power is released with a simple configuration.

(Second Embodiment)
The first embodiment has been described so far, but may be implemented in various different forms other than the first embodiment described above.

  In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the lock lever 32 is provided in the apparatus main body 30 has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the lock lever 32 may be disposed on the probe connector 31.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case has been described in which the lock lever 32 rotates about the rotation axis to switch between the fixed state and the released state. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the fixed state and the released state may be switched by sliding a lever. In such a case, the lock lever control mechanism may be constructed so that the lever can be slid only when the probe connector 31 is connected.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to improve the operability related to the attachment / detachment of the ultrasonic probe.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Monitor 20 Operation part 30 Apparatus main body 31 Probe connector 32 Lock lever 33 Lock lever control part 33a Convex part 36 Cam 37 Spring 38 Pin 39 Concave part 40 Gap 100 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Claims (3)

A probe connector connected to the ultrasonic probe via a cord, and connecting the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus body ;
A connection terminal disposed in the apparatus main body, to which the probe connector is connected ;
A lock lever that locks the connection of the probe connector to the connection terminal by moving the probe connector from a release position where the probe connector is detachable to a fixed position where the probe connector is fixed to the connection terminal. When,
When the probe connector is not connected to the connection terminal, the position of the lock lever is fixed to the release position, and when the probe connector is connected to the connection terminal , the lock lever A cam member allowing movement from a release position to the fixed position ;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: Wherein in the locked lever is the locking position, wherein when being energized to the ultrasonic probe, on condition that the current is terminated to the ultrasonic probe, to the release position from the fixed position of the locking lever The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control mechanism that enables movement . Before SL control mechanism, energizing is determined whether or not finished, ultrasonic claim 2, characterized in that from the fixed position of the locking lever enables movement to the release position Diagnostic device.

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