JPH0728864B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial field of application) The present invention is provided with at least a plurality of image mode switches and measurement switches provided on an operation panel, and the operation is performed by operating a desired switch. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that operates a circuit function to display a desired ultrasonic image or measurement data.

(Prior Art) An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an apparatus main body that houses a plurality of printed circuit boards (PWBs) having various circuit functions necessary for ultrasonic diagnosis, and an electric device that is installed on the surface of the apparatus main body and is electrically connected to the PWB. It is composed of an operation panel provided with various switches for supplying a signal to perform a desired operation. In addition, the current ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is capable of displaying multiple image modes such as B mode, M mode, D mode, etc. with one device. Furthermore, in addition to these image mode switches, measurement switches are also available. By providing both, it is possible to display various measurement data such as distance measurement, blood flow velocity measurement, blood flow acceleration measurement, etc.

It is also possible to provide more functions by providing peripheral device control switches, MENU switches, etc., if necessary. Therefore, the purpose of the operation panel is
Since various switches are provided according to the application etc., the operator can obtain the desired ultrasonic image or measurement data by selecting and operating the necessary switch from various types according to the diagnosis required. There is.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the layout of a switch of such an operation panel which has been conventionally used. A is a switch for image mode B (M) mode switch 1, B + M mode switch 2, M mode switch 3, SINGLE A mode (hereinafter referred to as S mode) switch 4, a DUAL1 mode (hereinafter referred to as D1 mode) switch 5, and a DUAL2 mode (hereinafter referred to as D2 mode) switch 6 are included. 7 is a FREEZE switch.

On the other hand, B is a measuring switch, which includes a measuring function switch I8, a measuring function switch II9, and a measuring function switch III10, so that each of the switches 8, 9 and 10 has a desired relationship with any of the image mode switches. When combined, it has a plurality of measurement functions as shown in the following table.

In addition, B displayed above the switches 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
(M + D), B + M + D, M + D modes are D (Doppler)
The mode is shown, and the de-plitches are provided at a position (not shown) on the operation panel. In addition, each switch 1-3
Each of 5 to 10 is provided with a light emitting element 1l to 3l, 5l to 10l such as an LED, and the switch 4 is provided with light emitting elements 4l ₁ and 4l ₂ , all of which are turned on when each switch is operated. It has become.

When the switches 1 to 6 of the image mode switch A are operated, the images as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4F are displayed. This example shows a case where two frame memories are provided, and when the S mode switch 4 is operated, for example, B of the first frame memory is displayed.
A modal image is displayed and the light emitting element 4l ₁ lights up. When the D1 mode switch 5 is operated, the B-mode real image and the B-mode freeze image in the second frame memory are displayed side by side. When the D2 mode switch 6 is operated, the left and right positions of the D1 mode switch 5 are switched and displayed. When the S mode switch 4 is operated next time, the image frozen in the second frame memory B
This is displayed as a modal image and the light emitting element 4l ₂ lights up, and this state is repeated each time the operation is performed thereafter.

An example of operating the switches on the operation panel of the ultrasonic diagnostic layer as described above will be described. For example, if the B + M mode switch 2 of the image mode switch A is operated, B
The mode image and the M mode image are displayed side by side on one screen, and the light emitting element 2l lights up. Therefore, at this point, switch 1
To 3 and 4 to 6 are operated, the corresponding circuit functions in the apparatus main body can be operated to display a desired ultrasonic image.
All the operations of 6 are valid. If the freeze switch 7 is operated in this state, since the two frame memories are frozen, even if the S mode switch 4, the D1 mode switch 5 and the D2 mode switch 6 are operated, the corresponding circuit functions do not operate. That is, the operations of the switches 4 to 6 are invalid, and only the operations of the switches 1 to 3 are valid. Therefore, at this point, FIG. 4 (d) to (f)
B-mode images such as can not be seen.

However, when the operator operates the operation panel,
In the case of the above example, the switches 4 to 6 may be inadvertently operated, and it is often the case that an operation error is noticed after many operations. Such an error similarly occurs when operating the measurement switch B, and the operator always operates the operation panel according to the operating state of the switches 1 to 6 or 7 to select the next switch to be operated. You have to judge.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, when operating the switch of the operation panel of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the switch to be operated is valid or invalid according to the necessary diagnosis. Since it is necessary to check in the head and find the necessary switch, there is a problem that the operation takes time.

The present invention has been made to address the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the effectiveness of the operation can be visually confirmed by illuminating the switch. It is a thing.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, the image mode switches are divided into a plurality of groups, and each group name character and this character are illuminated on the operation panel. When the circuit function corresponding to any of the groups is operating, the group name character is illuminated by the light emitting element to display the effectiveness of the operation of each switch in this group. It is characterized by comprising means.

(Operation) When the switch for the arbitrary image mode is operated, the control circuit operates so as to illuminate each mode name character to which the switch belongs. Therefore, the validity of the switch to be operated next can be confirmed by looking at the illuminated mode name letters, and the switch operation can be performed efficiently.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a layout of switches of an operation panel used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image mode switch A is a B (M) mode switch 11, a B + M mode switch 12, M mode switch 13, S mode switch 1
4, D1 mode switch 15 and D2 mode switch 16 are included. 17 is a freeze switch.

B (M + D), B + M + D, and M + D modes that function in the Doppler mode are displayed above the switches 11, 12, and 13.

Although the Doppler switch 21 is provided on another operation panel, this position can be provided on the same operation panel.

The switch 11 to 16, the switch 11 in the first group G ₁
13 are also grouped such that the switches 14-16 belong to the second group G ₂ . Group G ₁ has (M) MOD
A group name letter "E" and a light emitting element 22 for illuminating this letter from below are provided. Group G _{2 in the same way}
Is provided with a (B) group name character of "B MODE" and a light emitting element 23 for illuminating this character from below. Group G ₁ is adjacent to "M MODE" (h) "M MODE"
The group name character and the light emitting element 24 for illuminating this character from below are provided. These light emitting elements 22, 23, 24 are controlled by the control circuit when the circuit functions are operating in the M mode, the B mode, and the D mode, respectively, “M MODE”, “B MODE”,
It is controlled to illuminate each character of "D MODE", and when any character is illuminated, it indicates the effectiveness of the operation of each switch in the group. "M MODE" and "D
The letters "MODE" are configured to be illuminated alternatively. Each of the switches 11 to 13, 15, 16 and 21 is a light emitting element 11l to
13l, 15l, 16l, 21l are provided, and the switch 14 has the light-emitting element 1
4l ₁ and 14l ₂ are provided.

The measurement switch B includes a measurement function switch I18, a measurement function switch II19, and a measurement function switch III20. The switch I18 has (a) a letter “B.DIST” for measuring function name and a light emitting element 25 for illuminating this letter from below, (b)
"M.SLOPE" measurement function name character and light emitting element for illuminating the character from below, (c) "DVSLOPE" measurement function name character and light emitting element for illuminating this character from below 27 Is provided. On the switch II19, (D) "B.TRACE" measurement function name letter and light emitting element 28 for illuminating this letter from below, (E) "D.VELOC"
A measurement function name character and a light emitting element 29 for illuminating this character from below are provided. Also the switch II
In I20, (f) the measurement function name character of "B.ELIP" and the light emitting element 30 for illuminating this character from below, (g) "D.
V.HIST ”measurement function name characters and a light emitting element 31 for illuminating the characters from below are provided.

Each measurement function switch I18, II19, III20 is configured to perform a plurality of measurement functions as shown when combined with any one of the image mode switches A as shown in the following table. It is controlled so that the operable measurement function name characters are illuminated. Therefore, when one of the measurement function name characters is illuminated, it indicates the effectiveness of the operation of the function switch to which this character belongs.

Light emitting elements 18l to 20l are provided on the switches 18 to 20, respectively. Incidentally, reference numeral 32 denotes a trackball operation section.

FIG. 2 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the operation panel in which the switches are laid out as described above. The ultrasonic probe 35 controlled by the transmission / reception circuit 36 transmits / receives ultrasonic pulses to / from the subject, and the received echo signal is added to the detection circuit 37 via the transmission / reception circuit 36 and detected. It

Detection detection is added to the DSC (Digital Scan Converter) control circuit 40. The received signal in Doppler mode is detected by the Tobra detector 38, and the detected output is a frequency analyzer.
The Doppler excursion frequency is determined by 39 and then applied to the DSC control circuit 40. The digital output of the DSC control circuit 40 is alternately written to the first frame memory 41 and the second frame memory 42, and the memory contents in the unwritten state are alternately read and added to the adder 43.

The input circuit 45 outputs a corresponding control signal to the input processing circuit 46 when any of various switches (including a trackball) provided on the operation panel is operated. The input processing circuit 46 is the transmission / reception circuit according to the input signal.
The control signal is output to the 36, the detection circuit 37, the Doppler detection circuit 38, the DSC control circuit 40, the panel LED control circuit 47, and the CPU 49.

The panel LED control circuit 47 responds to the applied control signal by
Light emitting elements 11l to 13l, 14l ₁ , 14 provided on the operation panel
Control is performed so that the corresponding LED group 48 among l ₂ , 15l to 21l, 22 to 31, etc. is turned on to illuminate the corresponding character.

The CPU 49 is for processing each of the measurement functions (a) to (g) of the measurement switch B shown in the above table, and outputs a marker to the graphic memory 50 for the measurement functions (a) to (f). Operates to calculate the value specified by this marker. The measuring function (g) operates so as to calculate the flow velocity histogram by accessing the address on the marker of the first frame memory 41. The graphic memory 50 is a memory for outputting the measurement result in the marker, and the measurement result is added to the adder 43. The analog output of the adder 43 is applied to the display device 44, and the desired ultrasonic image or measurement data is displayed.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. If, for example, the B + M mode switch 12 in the first group G ₁ of the image mode switch A of the operation panel of FIG. 1 is operated, after the corresponding control signal from the input circuit 45 is processed by the input processing circuit 46, The DSC control circuit 40 writes the M-mode image in the first frame memory 41 and the second frame memory 42.
A B-mode image is written in the display device via the adder 43.
At 44, two images as shown in FIG. 3 are displayed on the same screen.

At the same time, the panel LED control circuit 47 controls the B + M.
The light emitting device 22 of the first group G ₁ to which the mode switch 12 belongs
Lights up, the letter "M MODE" is illuminated, and the light emitting element 23 of the second group G _{2 also} lights up (nu).
The letters "B MODE" are illuminated. The light emitting element 12l also lights up.

By doing this, the next time you try to operate any of the mode switches, the switches from 11 to 11 in the “M MODE” group
It is possible to visually confirm that the operation of the switches 14 to 16 in the group of 13 and "B MODE" is effective. If the freeze switch 17 is operated next in this state,
The M-mode image and the B-mode image in the first and second frame memories 41 and 42 are frozen by the input circuit 45, the input processing circuit 46, and the DSC control circuit 40. As a result, the light emitting element 23 is turned off by the panel LED control circuit 47, so the character "B MODE" is no longer illuminated.
(Li) Only the letters "M MODE" are illuminated.

As a result, the switches in the "M MODE" group 11 ~
It can be visually confirmed that only the operation of 13 is valid, and the operation of the switches 14 to 16 in the group of "B MODE" is valid. Therefore, the switches that can be operated are instantly known, and it is not necessary to make a judgment in mind.

As another operation example, when the Doppler switch 21 is operated, the light emitting element 24 lights up due to the operation of the necessary circuit function, so (h) the letters “D MODE” are illuminated, and the light emitting element 23
Is displayed, the character "B MODE" is illuminated.
As a result, the switches 11 to 13 in the "D MODE" group are
It is possible to visually confirm that the operation of the switches 14 to 16 in the “B MODE” group is effective. Therefore, when any one of the mode switches is to be operated next, it will be instantly understood that any one of the switches 1 to 6 can be operated according to the purpose.

Next, an operation example of the measurement switch B will be described. As shown in the above table, the plurality of measurement functions of the respective measurement function switches I18, II19, and III20 of the measurement switch B are set in advance in the image mode switch A (H) “D MODE”, (R) “M”. MO
It is determined by the combination of "DE", (nu) "B MODE" and the switches in each group. Therefore, in accordance with the operation of any switch of the image mode switch on the operation panel, any of the measurement function name characters out of the combination conditions (a) to (g) is corresponded by the panel LED control circuit 48. The light emitting element is turned off. Therefore, when the target measurement is performed, the measurement function switch that can be operated at a glance can be confirmed by looking at the illumination state of each character. If the desired measurement function name letter is illuminated,
By operating the measurement function switch to which this character belongs, desired measurement can be performed.

In this embodiment, the case where the image mode switch and the measurement switch are laid out on the operation panel has been described as an example, but the same effect can be obtained even when applied to the case where more types of switches are laid out. It is clear that the effect will be obtained.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the switch of the operation panel is to be operated, the effectiveness of the operation can be visually confirmed by illuminating the operable switch. Therefore, the switch operation can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a switch layout diagram of an operation panel used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is one display for explaining the present invention. FIG. 4 is a pattern diagram showing various display patterns for explaining the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a switch layout diagram of a conventional operation panel. A: Image mode switch (whole group), B:
Measurement switch (whole group), 11 to 16 …… Image mode switch, 17 …… Freeze switch, 18 to 20 …… Measurement switch, 21 …… Doppler switch, 22 to 31 …… Lighting element for illumination, 32 ...... Trackball operation part, 41 …… First
Frame memory 42 42nd frame memory 45 input circuit 46 input processing circuit 47 LED control circuit 48 LED group 49 CPU 50 graphic memory.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An operation panel is provided with at least a plurality of image mode switches and measurement switches, and by operating a desired switch, a corresponding circuit function is operated to display a desired ultrasonic image or measurement data. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the image mode switches are divided into a plurality of groups, each group name character and a light emitting element for illuminating this character are provided on the operation panel, and the circuit function corresponding to any group operates. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with an effective mode display means for illuminating this group name character with a light emitting element to display the effectiveness of the operation of each switch in this group. 2. The measuring switch has a plurality of measuring functions, and an operation panel is provided with each measuring function name character and a light emitting element for illuminating the character, and any group of the effective mode displaying means. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising measurement function display means for illuminating a measurement function name character operable by a combination with the effectiveness of at least one switch in this group. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said group comprises B mode, M mode and D mode.