JP7564761B2 - Ultrasound diagnostic equipment operation panel - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an operation panel for an ultrasound diagnostic device, and in particular to the structure of the operation panel.

The ultrasound diagnostic device is equipped with an operation panel. The operation panel is provided with multiple buttons, multiple knobs, a trackball, an STC (Sensitivity Time Control) device, etc. The STC device is an operating device for individually adjusting the gain for each of multiple depths. STC is also called TGC (Time Gain Compensation).

The STC device specifically consists of multiple slide volumes (multiple potentiometers). For example, multiple openings aligned in the depth direction are formed on the top plate of the operation panel. Each opening has an elongated shape extending in the left-right direction. Each slide volume has a slide shaft that passes through the opening, and a knob is provided at the end of the slide shaft.

Patent Document 1 discloses an operation panel equipped with an STC device. The STC device is installed on a raised platform located at the rear of the operation panel. This prevents water droplets and other foreign matter from entering each opening.

Patent Document 2 discloses a sliding volume. A dustproof sheet is provided on the back surface of the panel. The sliding shaft passes through an opening formed in the panel and a slit formed in the dustproof sheet. Patent Document 2 does not disclose the operation panel used in ultrasound diagnosis.

JP 2011-244994 A Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 55-089992 (Utility Model Application No. 57-16131)

When cleaning (wiping) an operation panel, a chemical solution may be used. It is necessary to prevent the chemical solution from entering the inside of the operation panel through each opening in the panel. The same applies to foreign objects other than the chemical solution. Many parts are densely packed inside the operation panel, making it difficult to create a complex structure to prevent foreign objects from entering. It is desirable to effectively prevent foreign objects from entering with a simple structure.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide a simple structure for restricting the intrusion of foreign objects through multiple openings in an operation panel that has multiple openings through which multiple slide shafts pass.

The ultrasonic diagnostic device operation panel according to the present disclosure is characterized in that it includes a top plate having a plurality of openings, a plurality of slide volumes having a plurality of slide shafts that slide while passing through the plurality of openings, a light source provided on the underside of the top plate, and a translucent sheet member provided on the back surface of the top plate, the sheet member having a plurality of slits through which the plurality of slide shafts pass and restricting the passage of foreign matter that has entered the plurality of openings.

According to the present disclosure, in an operation panel having multiple openings through which multiple slide shafts pass, it is possible to restrict the intrusion of foreign objects through each opening with a simple configuration.

1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of an operation panel. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a yz cross section of a slide volume array. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a yz cross section of the opening. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an xz cross section of an opening. FIG.

The following describes the embodiment with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overview of the embodiment An operation panel for an ultrasound diagnostic device according to the embodiment has a top plate, multiple slide volumes, a light source, and a sheet member. Multiple openings are formed in the top plate. The multiple slide volumes have multiple slide shafts that perform a sliding motion while passing through the multiple openings. The light source is provided on the underside of the top plate. The sheet member is a translucent member provided on the back surface of the top plate, and has multiple slits through which the multiple slide shafts pass, restricting the passage of foreign matter that has entered the multiple openings.

In the above configuration, since a sheet member is provided on the underside of the top plate, that is, each opening is blocked by the sheet member, the intrusion of foreign objects through each opening is prevented or reduced. By adopting the above configuration, there is no need to provide a platform for installing the slide volume row on the operation panel, and the freedom of installation of the slide volume row is increased. Ultrasound examinations are usually performed in dark examination rooms, but with the above configuration, light from the light source passes through the sheet member and each opening and exits to the outside world, so the inside of each opening appears to be glowing when viewed from the examiner. This improves the visibility of multiple slide volumes.

In the embodiment, a substrate and a light-shielding wall are further provided. The substrate is provided under the top plate and is a member on which multiple slide volume bodies of multiple slide volumes are mounted. The light-shielding wall protrudes downward from the back side of the top plate and surrounds the multiple slide volume bodies between the top plate and the substrate. The sheet member is attached to the back side of the top plate inside the light-shielding frame. The top plate, substrate and light-shielding wall form a closed space, which prevents light from leaking into other spaces within the operation panel. Even if a foreign object enters the inside of the operation panel through any of the openings, the foreign object can be confined in the closed space. This reduces the workload when maintaining the operation panel.

In the embodiment, each opening has a front opening that is connected to the front surface of the top plate and a back opening that is connected to the back surface of the top plate. The back opening is larger than the front opening. A sheet member is attached to the back surface of the top plate. With this configuration, the front opening of each opening can be made smaller to better prevent foreign matter from entering, and at the same time, the back opening of each opening can be made larger to ensure a relatively large unconstrained portion (freely deforming portion) around the slit. This reduces the resistance force acting on the slide shaft, improving operability. When the resistance force acting on the slide shaft is large, localized wrinkles are likely to occur around the slit, but with the above configuration, such a problem is less likely to occur.

In the embodiment, each opening has a flared portion that widens downward. The lower edge of the flared portion corresponds to the periphery of the back opening. In the embodiment, each opening has a tapered portion provided between the surface of the top plate and the flared portion. The upper edge of the tapered portion corresponds to the periphery of the front opening. It is also possible to provide a stepped flared portion within each opening, but forming a flared portion that changes continuously makes it easier to remove foreign matter that has entered the space above the sheet member within the opening.

In the embodiment, the flared portion has a flared shape on a first longitudinal section perpendicular to the sliding direction and on a second longitudinal section including the sliding direction. This configuration can reduce the resistance force that the sheet member exerts on the sliding shaft over the entire longitudinal direction of the slit.

If the length of each slit is made shorter than or equal to the sliding length of the slide shaft, localized wrinkles or distortions will occur near the end of the slide when the slide shaft reaches the end of the slide. For this reason, it is better to make the length of each slit longer than the sliding length.

(2) Details of the embodiment Fig. 1 shows an ultrasound diagnostic device 10 according to the embodiment. The ultrasound diagnostic device 10 is a medical device used in medical institutions and forms an ultrasound image based on reception data obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound to a living body (subject). In Fig. 1, the x direction is the left-right direction, the y direction is the depth direction (front-back direction), and the z direction is the vertical direction (up-down direction).

The ultrasound diagnostic device 10 is, for example, a cart-type ultrasound diagnostic device. The ultrasound diagnostic device 10 has a device body 12, not shown. The device body 12 has a box-like shape, and multiple casters are provided at its bottom. The device body 12 supports an operation panel 14 via a support mechanism, not shown. The operation panel 14 is an input device, and has a top plate 28. The top plate is made of, for example, resin. A number of buttons and a number of clogs are provided on the surface 28A of the top plate 28. In addition, the operation panel 14 has a trackball 24, a slide volume row (STC device) 26, etc.

A display 16 is provided at the rear of the operation panel 14. The display 16 may be supported by the operation panel 14 via an arm mechanism. The display 16 is composed of an organic EL display, LCD, etc. An ultrasound image is displayed on the display 16. A handle 18 is provided in front of the operation panel 14. A probe holder unit 20 is provided to the left of the operation panel 14, and a probe holder unit 22 is provided to the right of the operation panel 14.

The slide volume row 26 is composed of multiple slide volumes for adjusting multiple gains for multiple depths. Each slide volume has a slide axis that performs sliding motion. Multiple openings are formed in the top plate 28, through which multiple slide axes pass. A sheet member 30 that exhibits waterproofing, dustproofing, etc. is attached to the back surface of the top plate 28 where the multiple openings are provided. The sheet member 30 restricts the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior of the operation panel 14.

In FIG. 2, the sheet member 30 is shown. In FIG. 2, each part of the sheet member 30 is exaggerated. The sheet member 30 is a white flexible sheet having translucency (semi-transparency), and is made of, for example, polyurethane. It is preferable to make the sheet member 30 of a water-repellent material. The sheet member 30 is formed with a row of cuts 32 consisting of a plurality of cuts 32A arranged in the y direction. Each cut 32A is a slit extending in the x direction. For example, in the sheet member 30, the length y1 in the vertical direction is 80 mm, and the length x1 in the horizontal direction is 60 mm. The thickness is, for example, 0.3 mm. The cut pitch p1 is, for example, 10 mm. The cut width d1 is, for example, 0.1 mm. The length y2 of each cut is greater than the slide length y3 of the slide shaft. The length y2 is, for example, 36 mm, and the slide length y3 is, for example, 34 mm. A margin of 1 mm is set on each side of the slide length y3, thereby determining the length y2. All numerical values given in this specification are merely examples.

Figure 3 shows the inside of the operation panel 14. Specifically, the back surface 28B of the top plate 28 is shown. Except for a portion of the back surface 28B, most of the back surface 28B is covered with a separator 34. The separator 34 is a waterproof rubber sheet. A number of electrical components are connected to a number of controls (buttons, knobs, etc.) via the separator 34. The portions indicated by the reference numerals 34 and 34b are also part of the separator 34.

The separator 34 does not extend to the area of the operation panel 14 where the slide volume row is installed. For this reason, a unique measure to prevent foreign matter from entering this area must be applied, and for this reason, the sheet member 30 is attached to the back surface 28B of the top plate 28. For example, double-sided tape or adhesive is used for attachment.

A light-shielding frame 36 is formed on the back surface 28B of the top plate 28, protruding from the back surface 28B. Specifically, the light-shielding frame 36 is a rectangular structure that surrounds a plurality of slide volume bodies between the top plate 28 and a substrate described later. The light-shielding frame 36 is integrated with the top plate 28. Specifically, the light-shielding frame 36 is made up of four walls 36A, 36B, 36C, and 36D. Within the light-shielding frame 36, a single LED 37 is provided as a light source on a substrate described later.

Figure 4 shows the yz cross section of the slide volume row 26. A substrate 40 is provided below the light-shielding frame 36. A closed space 60 is formed by the substrate 40, the top plate 28, and the light-shielding frame 36. The ceiling of the closed space 60 is the back surface 28B of the top plate 28, and a sheet member 30 is provided thereon. Specifically, the sheet member 30 is attached to the back surface 28B inside the light-shielding frame 36.

The slide volume row 26 is composed of multiple slide volumes 42 lined up in the y direction. Each slide volume 42 is composed of a slide volume body 44 fixed to the substrate 40, a slide shaft 46 that slides in the x direction, and a knob 48 provided at the end of the slide shaft 46. The slide shaft 46 in each slide volume 42 passes through a slit formed in the sheet member 30 and an opening formed in the top plate 28. An LED 37 is provided on the substrate 40. The light generated therein spreads throughout the closed space 60. The light is emitted to the outside world through the sheet member 30 and the multiple openings. This improves the visibility of each slide volume 42.

Figure 5 shows a yz cross section of the opening 51 formed in the top plate 28. The slide volume 42 has a slide axis 46, which passes through the opening 51. A sheet member 30 is attached to the back surface 28B of the top plate 28. The opening 51 has a front surface opening 70 that is connected to the front surface of the top plate 28, and a back surface opening 71 that is connected to the back surface 28B of the top plate.

More specifically, the opening 51 is roughly divided into a tapered portion 51A and a flared portion 51B. Of these, the flared portion 51B is dominant in the opening 51. Between the tapered portion 51A and the flared portion 51B, a neck level where the cross-sectional size is smallest is generated. From the neck level downward, the cross-sectional size of the opening 51 increases continuously. Its lower edge corresponds to the periphery of the rear opening 71. The part where the cross-sectional size increases continuously is the flared portion 51B. The flared portion 51B is also an inclined portion having a downward slope.

The cross-sectional size of the opening 51 increases continuously, albeit slightly, from the constriction level upward. This portion is the tapered portion 51A. Because the cross-sectional size of the upper portion of the opening 51 is narrowed, that is, the size of the surface opening 70 is reduced, the possibility of foreign matter entering the opening 51 is reduced.

On the other hand, because the cross-sectional size of the lower part of the opening 51 is increased, that is, the size of the rear opening 71 is increased, the area of the non-attached portion (non-constrained portion that can freely deform) 30a around the slit 32A in the sheet member 30 can be increased. This reduces the resistance force acting on the slide shaft when it slides along the slit 32A, and also prevents large localized wrinkles from occurring around the slit 32A. Such wrinkles weaken the effect of preventing foreign matter from entering.

The sheet member 30 is translucent and allows light 49 to pass through. The reference numeral 62 indicates the cross-sectional size at the waist level, and the reference numeral 64 indicates the size of the rear opening. The reference numeral 66 indicates the attachment area.

Figure 6 shows an xz cross section of the opening 51. As already described, the slide volume 42 has a slide volume body 44, a slide shaft 46, and a knob 48. The sliding movement of the slide shaft 46 is indicated by the reference symbol 72. As already described, the opening 51 formed in the top plate 28 has a tapered portion 51A and a flared portion 51B. A sheet member 30 is attached to the back surface of the top plate 28.

The flared portion 51B has a shape that flares downward not only on the yz section shown in FIG. 5 but also on the xz section shown in FIG. 6. That is, a rectangular or annular downward slope is formed. The tapered portion 51A also has a shape that flares upward not only on the yz section shown in FIG. 5 but also on the xz section shown in FIG. 6. That is, a rectangular or annular upward slope is formed. However, as described above, the flared portion 51B is dominant in the opening 51. Since the flared portion 51B flares in both horizontal directions, a sufficiently large unconstrained portion can be secured around the slit 32A and throughout the entire slit during the sliding movement of the slide shaft 46. In the embodiment, the length of the slit is made larger than the slide length, so that even if the slide shaft 46 reaches the slide end, excessive force is not generated on the sheet member 30.

The cross-sectional size of the flared portion 51B may be changed in stages. However, in that case, it may be difficult to remove foreign matter that has entered the opening 51. From this perspective, it is preferable to change the shape of the flared portion 51B continuously.

Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the surface 28A of the tabletop. A row of openings 50 is formed in the tabletop, which is composed of a number of openings 51. The sheet material is partially exposed through each opening 51, specifically, the vicinity of the slit 32A is exposed. When a chemical solution is used to wipe the tabletop, water droplets 52a, 52b are expected to adhere to the openings 51.

In the embodiment, a water-repellent sheet member is used, and the front opening of each opening 51 is made small, reducing the possibility of water droplets 52a, 52b entering the opening 51. Furthermore, the rear opening of the opening 51 is blocked by the sheet member, so even if water droplets 52a, 52b enter the opening 51, it is possible to prevent or reduce the water droplets from reaching the underside of the sheet member. The configuration according to the embodiment is also effective against foreign matter other than water droplets.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10: ultrasonic diagnostic device, 14: operation panel, 16: display, 26: slide volume row, 28: top plate, 30: sheet member, 36: light-shielding wall, 40: substrate, 51: opening, 51A: tapered portion, 51B: flared portion.

Claims (6)

A top plate having a plurality of openings;
A plurality of slide volumes each having a plurality of slide shafts that slide while passing through the plurality of openings ;
a light-transmitting sheet member provided on the underside of the top plate, the sheet member having a plurality of slits through which the plurality of slide shafts pass and restricting the passage of foreign matter that has entered the plurality of openings;
A substrate provided under the top plate and mounting a plurality of slide volume bodies of the plurality of slide volumes;
A light-shielding frame that protrudes downward from the back surface side of the top plate and surrounds the plurality of slide volume bodies between the top plate and the substrate;
A light source provided on the substrate and emitting light into the entire space surrounded by the top plate, the substrate, and the light-shielding frame;
Including,
The sheet member is attached to the back surface of the top plate inside the light-shielding frame,
Each of the openings has a front surface opening connected to a front surface of the top plate and a back surface opening connected to a back surface of the top plate,
the rear opening is larger than the front opening,
Light from the light source is emitted to the outside world through the sheet member and the multiple openings.
1. An operation panel for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 2. The operation panel according to claim 1,
The top plate and the light-shielding frame are integrated together.
1. An operation panel for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 2. The operation panel according to claim 1,
The light source is a single LED.
1. An operation panel for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 2. The operation panel according to claim 1 ,
Each of the openings has a downwardly flared portion,
The lower edge of the flared portion corresponds to the peripheral edge of the rear opening.
1. An operation panel for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 5. The operation panel according to claim 4,
Each of the openings has a tapered portion between a surface of the top plate and the divergent portion,
The upper edge of the tapered portion corresponds to the peripheral edge of the surface opening.
1. An operation panel for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 5. The operation panel according to claim 4,
The divergent portion has a divergent shape on a first vertical plane perpendicular to the sliding direction and on a second vertical plane including the sliding direction.
1. An operation panel for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: