Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, control method of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and processor for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (1), by performing a mode switching operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body (3) or the ultrasonic probe (2), switching is performed between a normal screen display mode and a full screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit (22) and the operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (1) are displayed on the monitor (24), and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (1) is operated via the operation panel. In the full screen display mode, only the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit (22) is displayed on the monitor (24), and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (1) can be operated using sound.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of recognizing sound, a control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a processor for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0002] Conventionally, internal examinations of a subject have been performed using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In such an examination, for example, while fixing an ultrasonic probe with one hand to observe inside the subject, and inserting a puncture needle into the subject with the other hand, etc., in the examination and technique using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, sometimes both hands of the user are occupied. In order to operate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus even in this state, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there has been developed an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that recognizes the user's voice and controls actions according to the recognized voice.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-197142 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] For example, in a remote medical site far from a hospital such as at the site of home care, etc., sometimes a so-called handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used, and this handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe and a portable diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe. In such a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the diagnostic apparatus main body usually has a monitor with a touch sensor. The size of the monitor of the handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is usually small, and in addition to the ultrasonic image captured, a user interface for the user to perform input operations needs to be displayed on the monitor. Therefore, assuming that the user performs an input operation by voice recognition as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for the user to confirm the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor, and sometimes it is difficult to smoothly perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0008] The present invention has been completed to solve such existing problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a processor for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enable a user to smoothly perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0009] Means for Solving the Technical Problem

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is a hand-held ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe. The diagnostic apparatus main body includes: an image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on a reception signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe; a monitor with a touch sensor that displays the ultrasonic image; a microphone for inputting sound; and a voice recognition unit that recognizes the sound input via the microphone. By performing a mode switching operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe, a switch is made between a normal screen display mode and a full-screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit and an operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is operated via the operation panel. In the full-screen display mode, only the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be operated using sound.

[0011] Preferably, the mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is a touch operation on the monitor screen or an input operation of a specified first sound.

[0012] Alternatively, it may be as follows, that is, a shake detection unit is provided, and the shake detection unit detects a shake operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe. At this time, the mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is a shake operation.

[0013] At this time, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a vibration sensor that detects the vibration of the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe, and the shake detection unit can detect the shake operation based on the vibration of the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe detected by the vibration sensor.

[0014] Alternatively, the shake detection unit can also detect the shake operation by analyzing a plurality of consecutive frames of ultrasonic images generated by the image generation unit.

[0015] Preferably, the mode switching operation for switching from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is a touch operation on the monitor screen or an input operation of a specified second sound different from the first sound.

[0016] Alternatively, it may be as follows, that is, a shake detection unit is provided, and the shake detection unit detects a shake operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe. The mode switching operation for switching from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is a shake operation.

[0017] At this time, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a vibration sensor that detects vibrations of the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe, and the rocking detection unit can detect a rocking operation based on the vibrations of the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe detected by the vibration sensor.

[0018] Alternatively, the rocking detection unit can also detect a rocking operation by analyzing ultrasonic images of a plurality of consecutive frames generated by the image generation unit.

[0019] Moreover, when the mode switching operation from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is a rocking operation, the mode switching operation from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode can also be set as a rocking operation.

[0020] It can be as follows. That is, when the mode switching operation from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is an input operation of a second sound, in the normal screen display mode, a touch operation on the monitor screen is valid, and in the full-screen display mode, the touch operation on the monitor screen is invalid.

[0021] Also, it can be as follows. That is, when the mode switching operation from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is a rocking operation, in the normal screen display mode, a touch operation on the monitor screen is valid, and in the full-screen display mode, the touch operation on the monitor screen is invalid.

[0022] It can be as follows. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further includes a probe type identification unit that identifies the type of the ultrasonic probe, and in the full-screen display mode, a display corresponding to the type of the ultrasonic probe identified by the probe type identification unit is performed on the monitor.

[0023] Moreover, it can be as follows. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further includes an ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit that controls the transmission of ultrasonic beams and the reception of ultrasonic echoes based on the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit changes the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam according to the display depth of the ultrasonic image on the monitor in the full-screen display mode.

[0024] A control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is a control method for a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe. The method is characterized in that an ultrasonic image is generated based on a received signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe, and by performing a mode switching operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe, a switch is made between a normal screen display mode and a full screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the generated ultrasonic image and an operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are displayed on a monitor of the diagnostic apparatus main body, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is operated via the operation panel. In the full screen display mode, only the generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be operated using sound.

[0025] A processor for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is a processor for a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe. The processor is characterized in that an ultrasonic image is generated based on a received signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe, and by performing a mode switching operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe, a switch is made between a normal screen display mode and a full screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the generated ultrasonic image and an operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are displayed on a monitor of the diagnostic apparatus main body, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is operated via the operation panel. In the full screen display mode, only the generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be operated using sound.

[0026] Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a monitor with a touch sensor for displaying an ultrasonic image; and a voice recognition unit for recognizing voice input via a microphone. By performing a mode switching operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasonic probe, a switch is made between a normal screen display mode and a full screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the ultrasonic image generated by an image generation unit and an operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is operated via the operation panel. In the full screen display mode, only the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be operated using sound. Therefore, a user can smoothly perform ultrasonic diagnosis. Description of the Drawings

[0028] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2It is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the transceiver circuit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the image generation unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 It is a diagram schematically showing a display example of the monitor in the normal screen display mode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 It is a diagram schematically showing a display example of the monitor in the full-screen display mode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 6 It is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 8 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 9 It is a diagram schematically showing a display example of the monitor in the full-screen display mode in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 10 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0039] Embodiment 1

[0040] Figure 1 The structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown. As Figure 1 shown, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2 and a diagnostic apparatus main body 3, and is a so-called handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is portable. The ultrasonic probe 2 and the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 are connected to each other by wireless communication.

[0041] The ultrasonic probe 2 is equipped with an oscillator array 11, and a transceiver circuit 12 and a wireless communication unit 13 are sequentially connected to the oscillator array 11. Further, a communication control unit 14 is connected to the wireless communication unit 13. Further, an ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18 is connected to the transceiver circuit 12. Further, a probe control unit 15 is connected to the communication control unit 14 and the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18. Further, a battery 16 is built into the ultrasonic probe 2. Moreover, a probe-side processor 17 is constituted by the communication control unit 14, the probe control unit 15, and the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18.

[0042] The diagnostic device main body 3 is equipped with a wireless communication unit 21, and an image generation unit 22, a display control unit 23, and a monitor 24 are sequentially connected to the wireless communication unit 21. Further, a touch sensor 25 is arranged to overlap with the monitor 24. Further, a communication control unit 26 is connected to the wireless communication unit 21. Further, the diagnostic device main body 3 is equipped with a microphone 27, and a voice recognition unit 28 is connected to the microphone 27. Further, a main body control unit 29 is connected to the image generation unit 22, the display control unit 23, the touch sensor 25, the communication control unit 26, and the voice recognition unit 28.

[0043] Moreover, a main body-side processor 30 for the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 is constituted by the image generation unit 22, the display control unit 23, the communication control unit 26, the voice recognition unit 28, and the main body control unit 29.

[0044] The oscillator array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators arranged in one dimension or two dimensions. These oscillators respectively transmit ultrasonic waves according to the drive signals supplied from the transceiver circuit 12, and receive reflected waves from the subject to output received signals. Each oscillator is constituted, for example, by forming electrodes at both ends of a piezoelectric body, and the piezoelectric body is composed of piezoelectric ceramics represented by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), polymer piezoelectric elements represented by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene DiFluoride), and piezoelectric single crystals represented by PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate solid solution), etc.

[0045] Under the control of the probe control unit 15, the transceiver circuit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves from the oscillator array 11 and generates a ray signal based on the received signals obtained by the oscillator array 11. As Figure 2 shown, the transceiver circuit 12 has a pulse generator 31 connected to the oscillator array 11, an amplifier section 32, an AD (Analog-to-Digital) conversion section 33, and a beam former 34 that are sequentially connected in series from the oscillator array 11.

[0046] The pulse generator 31 includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators. According to the transmission delay mode selected corresponding to the control signal from the probe control unit 15, the delay amount of each drive signal is adjusted and supplied to the plurality of oscillators, so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of oscillators of the oscillator array 11 form an ultrasonic beam. Thus, when a pulsed or continuous-wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the oscillators of the oscillator array 11, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts, generating pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasonic waves from each oscillator, and the ultrasonic beam is formed by the combined wave of these ultrasonic waves.

[0047] The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected, for example, in an object such as a part of a subject, and the ultrasonic echo propagates toward the oscillator array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic echo propagating toward the oscillator array 11 is received by each oscillator constituting the oscillator array 11. At this time, each oscillator constituting the oscillator array 11 expands and contracts by receiving the propagating ultrasonic echo, thereby generating a received signal as an electrical signal, and outputting these received signals to the amplifier unit 32.

[0048] The amplifier unit 32 amplifies the signals input from each oscillator constituting the oscillator array 11, and transmits the amplified signals to the AD conversion unit 33. The AD conversion unit 33 converts the signals transmitted from the amplifier unit 32 into digital received data, and transmits these received data to the beam former 34. The beam former 34 provides respective delays to each received data converted by the AD conversion unit 33 according to the speed of sound or the distribution of the speed of sound and adds them to perform so-called reception focusing processing. The speed of sound or the distribution of the speed of sound is set based on the reception delay mode selected according to the control signal from the probe control unit 15. Through this reception focusing processing, a beam signal that phase-adds all the received data converted by the AD conversion unit 33 and narrows the focus of the ultrasonic echo is obtained.

[0049] The ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18 controls the transceiver circuit 12 according to the instruction from the probe control unit 15, thereby controlling the transmission of the ultrasonic beam and the reception of the ultrasonic echo based on the ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18 changes, for example, the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam according to the instruction from the probe control unit 15.

[0050] The wireless communication unit 13 of the ultrasonic probe 2 is composed of a circuit including an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, etc., and performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 21 of the diagnostic device main body 3. At this time, the wireless communication unit 13 of the ultrasonic probe 2 generates a transmission signal representing the acoustic line signal by modulating carriers according to the acoustic line signal generated by the transceiver circuit 12, and wirelessly transmits the generated transmission signal to the wireless communication unit 21 of the diagnostic device main body 3. As a modulation method of the carriers, for example, ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying), PSK (Phase Shift Keying), QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), 16QAM (16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), etc. can be used.

[0051] The probe control unit 15 controls each part of the ultrasonic probe 2 according to a pre-stored program, etc. And the probe control unit 15 can make the transceiver circuit 12 transmit ultrasonic beams and receive ultrasonic echoes according to any one of a plurality of inspection modes. Here, the inspection mode represents any one of the inspection modes that can be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1, such as B (brightness) mode, M (motion) mode, CD (color Doppler) mode, PD (power Doppler) mode, PW (pulse Doppler) mode, CW (continuous wave Doppler) mode, etc.

[0052] The communication control unit 14 controls the wireless communication unit 13 of the ultrasonic probe 2 so that the acoustic line signal is transmitted with the transmission radio wave intensity set by the probe control unit 15.

[0053] The battery 16 is built into the ultrasonic probe 2 and supplies power to each circuit of the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0054] The wireless communication unit 21 of the diagnostic device main body 3 is composed of a circuit including an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, etc., and performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 13 of the ultrasonic probe 2. At this time, the wireless communication unit 21 of the diagnostic device main body 3, for example, receives the transmission signal representing the acoustic line signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication unit 13 of the ultrasonic probe 2 via the antenna, and demodulates the received transmission signal, thereby outputting the acoustic line signal.

[0055] The communication control unit 26 of the main body side processor 30 controls the wireless communication unit 21 of the diagnostic device main body 3 to receive the transmission signal from the wireless communication unit 13 of the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0056] As Figure 3As shown, the image generation unit 22 has a structure in which a signal processing unit 35, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 36, and an image processing unit 37 are connected in series in sequence.

[0057] The signal processing unit 35 corrects the attenuation based on distance according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic wave for the acoustic ray signal generated by the beam former 34 of the transceiver circuit 12 and received by the wireless communication unit 21, and then performs envelope detection processing, thereby generating a B-mode image signal as tomographic image information related to the tissue in the subject.

[0058] The DSC 36 converts (raster converts) the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 35 into an image signal in accordance with the scanning method of a normal television signal.

[0059] The image processing unit 37 performs various necessary image processing such as gray scale processing on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 36, and then outputs the B-mode image signal to the display control unit 23. Hereinafter, the B-mode image signal on which image processing has been performed by the image processing unit 37 is simply referred to as an ultrasonic image.

[0060] The display control unit 23 performs prescribed processing on the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit 22 under the control of the main body control unit 29, and displays the ultrasonic image on the monitor 24. In addition to displaying the ultrasonic image, the display control unit 23 also displays an operation panel or the like used by the user for input operations on the monitor 24.

[0061] The monitor 24 is used to display the ultrasonic image and the like, and includes, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display).

[0062] The touch sensor 25 is overlapped and arranged on the display screen of the monitor 24, and is used for input operations based on a so-called touch operation by the user bringing a finger, a stylus, etc. into contact with or close to the display screen of the monitor 24. The information input by the user via the touch sensor 25 is sent to the main body control unit 29.

[0063] The microphone 27 is installed on the diagnostic device main body 3 and is used to input the user's voice.

[0064] The voice recognition unit 28 recognizes the user's voice input via the microphone 27. The voice recognition unit 28 recognizes the user's voice, for example, and generates voice recognition information composed of a character string or the like. The voice recognition information generated in this way is sent to the main body control unit 29.

[0065] The main body control unit 29 controls each part of the diagnostic device main body 3 based on a pre-stored program, the input operation of the user via the touch sensor 25, the voice recognition information from the voice recognition unit 28, and the like.

[0066] In particular, the main body control unit 29 performs mode switching between the normal screen display mode and the full screen display mode based on the input operation of the user via the touch sensor 25 or based on voice recognition of the voice of the user input via the microphone 27 by the voice recognition unit 28. In the normal screen display mode, the following normal screen display is performed on the monitor 24. Figure 4 In the full screen display mode, the following full screen display is performed on the monitor 24. Figure 5 Moreover, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 can be operated using voice via the microphone 27.

[0067] As Figure 4 shown, the normal screen display mode is a mode in which a normal screen display is performed on the monitor 24. This normal screen display includes the ultrasonic image U generated by the image generation unit 22 and an operation panel P for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1. The operation panel P includes a plurality of operation icons J1 to J5 for causing the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 to perform pre-assigned actions. If any one of the plurality of operation icons J1 to J5 is touched by the user, the action corresponding to the touched operation icon J1 to J5 is performed.

[0068] For example, the operation icon J1 is used to switch the inspection mode, the operation icon J2 is used to save the ultrasonic images U of a plurality of frames continuously generated within a certain time, the operation icon J3 is used to freeze-display the ultrasonic image U on the monitor 24, the operation icon J4 is used to change the so-called gain and depth, and the operation icon J5 is used to display other multiple operation icons on the monitor 24.

[0069] For example, as Figure 5 shown, the full screen display mode is a mode in which, while performing full screen display, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 is operated by the voice of the user via the microphone 27. In the full screen display, the operation panel P and the logo M are not displayed, and the ultrasonic image U is enlarged and displayed in the entire area of the display screen of the monitor 24.

[0070] Here, the probe-side processor 17 having the communication control unit 14, the probe control unit 15, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 18 in the ultrasonic probe 2 and the main-body-side processor 30 having the image generation unit 22, the display control unit 23, the communication control unit 26, the voice recognition unit 28, and the main-body control unit 29 in the diagnostic device main body 3 are each constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes. However, they may also be constituted by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), other ICs (Integrated Circuits), or a combination thereof.

[0071] Moreover, it is also possible to integrate a part or all of the communication control unit 14, the probe control unit 15, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 18 of the probe-side processor 17 into one CPU or the like for constitution. The same applies to the image generation unit 22, the display control unit 23, the communication control unit 26, the voice recognition unit 28, and the main-body control unit 29 of the main-body-side processor 30, and it is also possible to integrate a part or all of them into one CPU or the like for constitution.

[0072] Next, Figure 6 using the

[0073] flowchart, the operation when switching between the normal screen display mode and the full-screen display mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. Here, as an example of the switching operation between the normal screen display mode and the full-screen display mode, an example of a user's voice input via the microphone 27 will be introduced. Figure 4 First, if the ultrasonic diagnosis of the subject is started by a user's input operation via the touch sensor 25 or the like, in step S1, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 operates in the normal screen display mode by the main-body control unit 29. At this time, the normal screen display as shown in

[0074] In step S2, the main body control unit 29 determines whether a specific first sound such as "switch to the voice recognition mode" is recognized by the voice recognition unit 28. At this time, the voice recognition unit 28 recognizes the user's voice, for example, and generates voice recognition information composed of a character string or the like. The main body control unit 29 determines whether the voice recognition information generated by the voice recognition unit 28 corresponds to the first sound. When the voice recognition information corresponds to the first sound, it is determined that the first sound is recognized by the voice recognition unit 28. And when the voice recognition information does not correspond to the first sound, the main body control unit 29 determines that the first sound is not recognized by the voice recognition unit 28.

[0075] Here, when it is determined that the first sound is not recognized, the determination in step S2 is performed again. In this way, the operation in the normal screen display mode is continuously performed until it is determined that the first sound is recognized.

[0076] In step S2, when it is determined that the first sound is recognized, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0077] In step S3, through the main body control unit 29, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 transfers from the normal screen display mode to the full screen display mode. At this time, the full screen display as shown is performed on the monitor 24. Figure 5 As a result, for example, even if the size of the monitor 24 is small and it is difficult for the user to confirm in detail the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24 in the normal screen display, the ultrasonic image U is enlarged and displayed in the entire area of the display screen of the monitor 24, so that the user can confirm the ultrasonic image U in detail.

[0078] Further, the main body control unit 29 analyzes the voice recognition information generated by the voice recognition unit 28 based on the user's voice input via the microphone 27, and controls the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 so as to perform an operation corresponding to the voice recognition information.

[0079] In the next step S4, the main body control unit 29 determines whether a specific second sound such as "switch to the normal screen display mode" is recognized by the voice recognition unit 28 using the same method as the determination in step S2. When it is determined in step S4 that the second sound is not recognized, the determination in step S4 is performed again. In this way, the operation in the full screen display mode is continuously performed until it is determined that the second sound is recognized.

[0080] In step S4, when it is determined that the second sound is recognized, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0081] In step S5, through the main body control unit 29, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 returns to the full screen display mode.

[0082] In this way, the operation of switching between the normal screen display mode and the full screen display mode is completed.

[0083] For example, in a remote medical site far from a hospital such as at the scene of home care, a so-called handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device is sometimes used. This handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe and a portable diagnostic device main body connected to the ultrasonic probe. In such a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device, the diagnostic device main body usually has a monitor with a touch sensor. The size of this monitor is usually small, and in addition to the ultrasonic image captured, a user interface for the user to perform input operations also needs to be displayed on the monitor. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult for the user to confirm the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor, and it is difficult to smoothly perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0084] In the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, even when the user's hands are occupied during the examination of the subject, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 can be easily operated by voice recognition, and the display mode is transferred from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode in which the ultrasonic image U is enlarged and displayed in the entire area of the display screen of the monitor 24. Therefore, even when the size of the monitor 24 is small, the user can confirm the ultrasonic image U in detail. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0085] In addition, in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1, the image generation unit 22 is included in the main body side processor 30 of the diagnostic device main body 3, but it may also be included in the probe side processor 17 of the ultrasonic probe 2. At this time, the ultrasonic image U is generated in the ultrasonic probe 2, and the generated ultrasonic image U is wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the diagnostic device main body 3, but the ultrasonic image U is displayed on the monitor 24 in the same manner as when the image generation unit 22 is included in the main body side processor 30 of the diagnostic device main body 3.

[0086] Moreover, the ultrasonic probe 2 and the diagnostic device main body 3 are connected to each other by wireless communication, but it is not limited to wireless communication, and they can also be connected to each other by so-called wired communication.

[0087] In addition, in the full-screen display mode, the main body control unit 29 controls the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 to operate according to the user's voice recognized by the voice recognition unit 28. For example, a list associating the voice recognized by the voice recognition unit 28 with the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 can be stored in advance, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 is controlled according to this list. For example, when the voice recognition unit 28 recognizes any one of the voices "freeze", "stop", and "Stop", the main body control unit 29 freezes and displays the ultrasonic image U on the monitor 24. When the voice recognition unit 28 recognizes any one of the voices "animation", "recording", and "clip", the main body control unit 29 can save the ultrasonic images U of multiple frames generated from the current time to a certain time point in the past.

[0088] In steps S2 and S3, triggered by the recognition of the first sound, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shifts from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode. However, the trigger for the shift from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is not limited to the recognition of the first sound. For example, a touch operation such as a so-called double-tap that double-clicks the monitor 24 can be set as the trigger.

[0089] However, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shifts from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode triggered by the recognition of the first sound, the user can shift the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to the full-screen display mode without using hands. Therefore, when the user's hands are occupied, it is particularly useful to use the recognition of the first sound as the trigger for the shift to the full-screen display mode.

[0090] Also, in the full-screen display mode, the touch operation of the user via the touch sensor 25 can be made invalid. At this time, in the full-screen display mode, only the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 based on sound recognition can be performed, preventing an unwanted action by the user due to the user accidentally touching the display screen of the monitor 24.

[0091] Also, in the full-screen display mode, the ultrasonic image U is enlarged and displayed in the entire area of the display screen of the monitor 24. However, since the ultrasonic image U is enlarged, the depth position on the display screen of the monitor 24 corresponding to the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam or the reception focus of the ultrasonic echo sometimes cannot be accommodated within the display screen.

[0092] Therefore, in order to move the depth position corresponding to the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam or the reception focus of the ultrasonic echo into the display screen of the monitor 24, the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18 can change the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam according to the depth position of the deepest part of the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24, that is, the display depth. At this time, for example, the information of the display depth is transmitted from the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 to the probe control unit 15 via the wireless communication unit 13, and an instruction to change the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam is issued from the probe control unit 15 to the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18 according to the information of the display depth.

[0093] Here, generally, when a user wants to observe an object in the ultrasonic image U, for easy observation, the ultrasonic probe position is usually adjusted so that the object is located at the center of the ultrasonic image U. Therefore, the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18 can change the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam, for example, in such a way that the depth position at approximately half of the display depth of the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24 in the full-screen display mode is set as the focus depth position. Here, approximately half of the display depth of the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24 in the full-screen display mode means a value in the range of -5% to +5% with respect to the depth position at half of the display depth of the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24 in the full-screen display mode.

[0094] As a specific example, for instance, when the display depth of the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24 in the normal screen display mode is 4.0 cm and the focus depth position is 2.0 cm, and when the display depth of the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24 in the full-screen display mode is 1.7 cm, the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18 can change the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam in such a way that the focus position is set to 0.8 cm.

[0095] In addition, the depth position of the focus changed by the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18 is not particularly limited to approximately half of the display depth of the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24 in the full-screen display mode. For example, it can be changed to the depth position at 1 / 4 of the display depth of the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24 in the full-screen display mode, or it can be changed to the depth position at 2 / 3.

[0096] And, in steps S4 and S5, triggered by the recognition of the second sound, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 transfers from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode, but the trigger for the transfer from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is not limited to the recognition of the second sound. For example, a touch operation such as a double tap can be set as the trigger.

[0097] However, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 transfers from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode triggered by the recognition of the second sound, the user can transfer the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to the normal screen display mode without using hands. Therefore, when the user's hands are occupied, setting the recognition of the second sound as the trigger for the transfer to the normal screen display mode is particularly useful.

[0098] Moreover, it is also possible to make the actions corresponding to the touch operations in the normal screen display mode and the actions corresponding to the touch operations in the full-screen display mode different from each other.

[0099] For example, it can be as follows. That is, in the normal screen display mode, when a so-called single click is performed on the display screen of the monitor 24 only once on the ultrasonic image U, an operation is performed to magnify the ultrasonic image U centered on the position where the single click is performed and display it on the monitor 24. When a single click is performed in the full-screen display mode, an operation is performed to save the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 24.

[0100] Also, for example, it can be as follows. That is, when a double click is performed in the normal screen display mode, an operation is performed to transfer from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode. When a double click is performed in the full-screen display mode, an operation is performed to save the ultrasonic images U of multiple frames generated from the current to a certain time in the past.

[0101] In this way, by making the actions corresponding to the touch operations in the normal screen display mode and the actions corresponding to the touch operations in the full-screen display mode different from each other, the user can perform ultrasonic diagnosis more smoothly.

[0102] Embodiment 2

[0103] In Embodiment 1, as the switching operation between the normal screen display mode and the full-screen display mode, the recognition of the first sound and the second sound by the sound recognition unit 28 or the touch operation via the touch sensor 25 are cited, but the switching operation is not limited to these.

[0104] Figure 7 shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A of Embodiment 2 is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which Figure 1 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 shown, the ultrasonic probe 2 is replaced with an ultrasonic probe 2A, and the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 is replaced with a diagnostic apparatus main body 3A.

[0105] The ultrasonic probe 2A is an ultrasonic probe in which a vibration sensor 41 is added to the ultrasonic probe 2 of Embodiment 1, and the probe control unit 15 is replaced with a probe control unit 15A. The vibration sensor 41 is connected to the probe control unit 15A. Also, the probe control unit 15A is connected to the wireless communication unit 13. And, the probe-side processor 17A is composed of the communication control unit 14, the probe control unit 15A, and the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 18.

[0106] The diagnostic device main body 3A is a diagnostic device main body obtained by adding a shake detection unit 42 and a vibration sensor 43 to the diagnostic device main body 3 in Embodiment 1, and replacing the main body control unit 29 with a main body control unit 29A. The shake detection unit 42 is connected to the wireless communication unit 21, the image generation unit 22, and the main body control unit 29A. And a vibration sensor 43 is connected to the shake detection unit 42. And the main body side processor 30A is constituted by the image generation unit 22, the display control unit 23, the communication control unit 26, the voice recognition unit 28, the main body control unit 29A, and the shake detection unit 42.

[0107] The vibration sensor 41 of the ultrasonic probe 2A includes a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor, etc., and is a sensor that detects the vibration of the ultrasonic probe 2A. A signal indicating that the vibration sensor 41 has detected the vibration of the ultrasonic probe 2A is sent to the wireless communication unit 13 via the probe control unit 15A, and is sent from the wireless communication unit 13 to the diagnostic device main body 3A. Moreover, this signal is sent from the wireless communication unit 21 of the diagnostic device main body 3A to the shake detection unit 42.

[0108] And the vibration sensor 43 of the diagnostic device main body 3A also includes a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor, etc., similar to the vibration sensor 41 of the ultrasonic probe 2A, and is a sensor that detects the vibration of the diagnostic device main body 3A. A signal indicating that the vibration sensor 43 has detected the vibration of the diagnostic device main body 3A is sent to the shake detection unit 42.

[0109] The shake detection unit 42 detects the case where the user has shaken the ultrasonic probe 2A based on the signal received from the vibration sensor 41 of the ultrasonic probe 2A. And the shake detection unit 42 can also detect the vibration of the ultrasonic probe 2A and detect the case where the user has shaken the ultrasonic probe 2A by analyzing the ultrasonic images U of a plurality of frames continuously generated by the image generation unit 22.

[0110] And the shake detection unit 42 detects the case where the user has shaken the diagnostic device main body 3A based on the signal received from the vibration sensor 43 of the diagnostic device main body 3A.

[0111] If the shake detection unit 42 thus detects the case where the user has shaken the ultrasonic probe 2A or the diagnostic device main body 3A, it sends a signal indicating the case where the user has shaken the ultrasonic probe 2A or the diagnostic device main body 3A to the main body control unit 29A.

[0112] Thereby, the main body control unit 29A can use the shaking operation of the user on the ultrasonic probe 2A or the shaking operation of the user on the diagnostic device main body 3A as a trigger to perform the switching from the normal screen display mode to the full screen display mode and the switching from the full screen display mode to the normal screen display mode.

[0113] As described above, when the rocking operation of the ultrasonic probe 2A or the rocking operation of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A is used as a switching operation between the normal screen display mode and the full screen display mode, similar to the first embodiment, the user can smoothly perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0114] In addition, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A of the second embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2 is provided with the vibration sensor 41 and the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A is provided with the vibration sensor 43. However, either the vibration sensor 41 or 43 may be provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A is configured to perform only one of the rocking operation of the ultrasonic probe 2A and the rocking operation of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A. At this time, similar to the case where the vibration sensors 41 and 43 are provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A, the user can smoothly perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0115] Embodiment 3

[0116] In the full screen display mode, a display corresponding to the type of the ultrasonic probe 2 can be performed on the monitor 24. Here, the type of the ultrasonic probe refers to the type of the ultrasonic probe classified according to the use of the ultrasonic probe, such as a dedicated ultrasonic probe used in a puncture operation and a dedicated ultrasonic probe for observing blood vessels.

[0117] Figure 8 shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1B according to Embodiment 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1B of Embodiment 3 is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B is provided instead of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 The diagnostic apparatus main body 3B is a diagnostic apparatus main body in which a probe type identification unit 51 is added to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 in the first embodiment, and the main body control unit 29B is provided instead of the main body control unit 29.

[0118] Furthermore, the main body side processor 30B is constituted by the image generation unit 22, the display control unit 23, the communication control unit 26, the voice recognition unit 28, the main body control unit 29B, and the probe type identification unit 51.

[0119] The probe type identification unit 51 is connected to the wireless communication unit 21 and the main body control unit 29B. The probe type identification unit 51 identifies the type of the ultrasonic probe 2 connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B. The probe type identification unit 51, for example, prestores the types of a plurality of ultrasonic probes, receives identification information such as a model number from the ultrasonic probe 2 connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B, and identifies the type of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on the received identification information. The information indicating the type of the ultrasonic probe 2 identified by the probe type identification unit 51 is transmitted to the main body control unit 29B.

[0120] In the full-screen display mode, the main control unit 29B performs display corresponding to the type of the ultrasonic probe 2 identified by the probe type identification unit 51. For example, when the probe type identification unit 51 identifies that the ultrasonic probe 2 connected to the diagnostic device main body 3B is a dedicated ultrasonic probe used when inserting a puncture needle into a subject, as Figure 9 shown, the main control unit 29B can display the center line C for assisting the alignment of the tip of the puncture needle with an object such as a blood vessel into which the puncture needle is inserted, overlapping the ultrasonic image U, on the monitor 24.

[0121] As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the probe type identification unit 51 identifies the type of the ultrasonic probe 2 connected to the diagnostic device main body 3B, and in the full-screen display mode, performs display corresponding to the identified type of the ultrasonic probe 2 on the monitor 24. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of the user performing an input operation for performing display corresponding to the type of the ultrasonic probe 2, and ultrasonic diagnosis can be performed more smoothly.

[0122] In addition, an example has been described in which when the probe type identification unit 51 identifies that the ultrasonic probe 2 connected to the diagnostic device main body 3B is a dedicated ultrasonic probe used when inserting a puncture needle into a subject, the center line C is displayed on the monitor 24 in the full-screen display mode. However, the display method on the monitor 24 is not particularly limited to this.

[0123] For example, it can be considered that, although not shown, a blood vessel detection unit is provided in the diagnostic device main body 3B, and the probe type identification unit 51 identifies that the ultrasonic probe 2 connected to the diagnostic device main body 3B is a dedicated ultrasonic probe used when observing the blood vessels of a subject or a dedicated ultrasonic probe used when inserting a puncture needle into the blood vessels of a subject, and the blood vessel detection unit performs processing of detecting blood vessels appearing in the ultrasonic image U by analyzing the ultrasonic image U generated by the image generation unit 22.

[0124] At this time, in the normal screen display mode, the main control unit 29B can display the contour line of the blood vessel region detected by the blood vessel detection unit on the monitor 24 or the like, and display the emphasized display of the blood vessel region overlapping the ultrasonic image U on the monitor 24. In the full-screen display mode, the emphasized display of the blood vessel region is not displayed.

[0125] Embodiment 4

[0126] In the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the ultrasonic probe 2 and the diagnostic device main body 3 with the monitor 24 are directly connected by wireless communication, and the diagnostic device main body 3 has a main body side processor 30. However, the processor for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 can be, for example, on a network.

[0127] As Figure 10 shown, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1C of Embodiment 4, the ultrasonic probe 2 and the tablet terminal 61 are connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 62 via the network NW.

[0128] Although not shown, the tablet terminal 61 is a portable thin computer including a monitor 24 with a touch sensor 25 and a microphone 27, and is equivalent to the apparatus obtained by removing the main body side processor 30 from the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 of Embodiment 1 Figure 1 shown.

[0129] The diagnostic apparatus main body 62 is a diagnostic apparatus main body obtained by removing the monitor 24, the touch sensor 25, and the microphone 27 from the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 of Embodiment 1, and includes the main body side processor 30.

[0130] When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1C has such a configuration, similar to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1, switching between the normal screen display mode and the full screen display mode is performed according to voice recognition by the voice recognition unit 28 or an input operation via the touch sensor 25. Moreover, in the full screen display mode, the ultrasonic image U is enlarged and displayed in the entire area of the display screen of the monitor 24, so that the user can smoothly perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0131] In addition, although the method of Embodiment 4 has been described as being applicable to Embodiment 1, it can also be similarly applied to Embodiments 2 and 3.

[0132] Reference Signs

[0133] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C - ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 2 - ultrasonic probe, 3, 3A, 3B, 62 - diagnostic apparatus main body, 11 - oscillator array, 12 - transceiver circuit, 13, 21 - wireless communication unit, 14, 26 - communication control unit, 15, 15A - probe control unit, 16 - battery, 17, 17A - probe side processor, 18 - ultrasonic transceiver control unit, 22 - image generation unit, 23 - display control unit, 24 - monitor, 25 - touch sensor, 27 - microphone, 28 - voice recognition unit, 29, 29A, 29B - main body control unit, 30, 30A, 30B - main body side processor, 31 - pulse generator, 32 - amplifier, 33 - AD conversion unit, 34 - beam former, 35 - signal processing unit, 36 - DSC, 37 - image processing unit, 41, 43 - vibration sensor, 42 - shake detection unit, 51 - probe type identification unit, 61 - tablet terminal, C - center line, J1 to J5 - operation icon, M - mark, NW - network, P - operation panel, U - ultrasonic image.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which is a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe, wherein, The main body of the diagnostic device includes: An image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on a received signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe; A monitor with a touch sensor that displays the ultrasonic image; A microphone for inputting voice commands; A voice recognition unit that recognizes the voice commands input via the microphone; and A shake detection unit that detects a shaking operation on the ultrasonic probe, By performing a mode switching operation on the main body of the diagnostic device and the ultrasonic probe, switching is performed between a normal screen display mode and a full screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit and an operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device are displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device is operated via the operation panel. In the full screen display mode, only the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device can be operated using voice commands. In the normal screen display mode, a touch operation on the screen of the monitor is effective. In the full screen display mode, a touch operation on the screen of the monitor is ineffective. The mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full screen display mode is a touch operation on the screen of the monitor or an input operation of a specified voice command. The mode switching operation for switching from the full screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is the shaking operation. The shake detection unit detects the shaking operation by analyzing ultrasonic images of a plurality of consecutive frames generated by the image generation unit.

2. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which is a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe, wherein, The main body of the diagnostic device includes: An image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on a received signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe; A monitor with a touch sensor that displays the ultrasonic image; A microphone for inputting voice commands; A voice recognition unit that recognizes the voice commands input via the microphone; and A shake detection unit that detects a shaking operation on the ultrasonic probe, By performing a mode switching operation on the ultrasonic probe, switching is performed between a normal screen display mode and a full screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit and an operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device are displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device is operated via the operation panel. In the full screen display mode, only the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device can be operated using voice commands. In the normal screen display mode, a touch operation on the screen of the monitor is effective. In the full screen display mode, a touch operation on the screen of the monitor is ineffective. The mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full screen display mode is the shaking operation. The mode switching operation for switching from the full screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is the shaking operation. The shaking detection unit detects the shaking operation by analyzing ultrasonic images of a plurality of consecutive frames generated by the image generation unit.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: A probe type identification unit that identifies the type of the ultrasonic probe, In the full-screen display mode, a display corresponding to the type of the ultrasonic probe identified by the probe type identification unit is performed on the monitor.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: An ultrasonic transceiver control unit that controls the transmission of ultrasonic beams based on the ultrasonic probe and the reception of ultrasonic echoes, In the full-screen display mode, the ultrasonic transceiver control unit changes the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam according to the display depth of the ultrasonic image on the monitor.

5. A control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic device, which is a control method for a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device. The handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic device main body connected to the ultrasonic probe. Among them, An ultrasonic image is generated based on the received signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe. A shaking operation on the ultrasonic probe is detected. By performing a mode switching operation on the diagnostic device main body and the ultrasonic probe, switching is performed between a normal screen display mode and a full-screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the generated ultrasonic image and the operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device are displayed on the monitor of the diagnostic device main body, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device is operated via the operation panel. In the full-screen display mode, only the generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device can be operated using voice commands. In the normal screen display mode, a touch operation on the monitor screen is valid. In the full-screen display mode, a touch operation on the monitor screen is invalid. The mode switching operation from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is a touch operation on the monitor screen or an input operation of a specified voice command. The mode switching operation from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is the shaking operation. The shaking operation is detected by analyzing ultrasonic images of a plurality of consecutive frames generated.

6. A control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic device, which is a control method for a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device. The handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic device main body connected to the ultrasonic probe. Among them, An ultrasonic image is generated based on the received signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe. A shaking operation on the ultrasonic probe is detected. By performing a mode switching operation on the ultrasonic probe, switching is performed between a normal screen display mode and a full-screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the generated ultrasonic image and the operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device are displayed on the monitor of the diagnostic device main body, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device is operated via the operation panel. In the full-screen display mode, only the generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device can be operated using voice commands. In the normal screen display mode, a touch operation on the monitor screen is valid. In the full-screen display mode, a touch operation on the monitor screen is invalid. The mode switching operation from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is the shaking operation. The mode switching operation from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is the shaking operation. The shaking operation is detected by analyzing ultrasonic images of a plurality of consecutive frames generated.

7. A processor for an ultrasonic diagnostic device, which is a processor for a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device. The handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic device main body connected to the ultrasonic probe. Among them, The processor for the ultrasonic diagnostic device generates an ultrasonic image based on the received signal obtained using the ultrasonic probe. The processor for the ultrasonic diagnostic device detects a shaking operation on the ultrasonic probe. By performing a mode switching operation on the diagnostic device main body and the ultrasonic probe, the processor of the ultrasonic diagnostic device causes a switch between a normal screen display mode and a full-screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the generated ultrasonic image and the operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device are displayed on the monitor of the diagnostic device main body, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device is operated via the operation panel. In the full-screen display mode, only the generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device can be operated using voice commands. In the normal screen display mode, touch operations on the screen of the monitor are effective. In the full-screen display mode, touch operations on the screen of the monitor are ineffective. The mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is a touch operation on the screen of the monitor or an input operation of a prescribed voice command. The mode switching operation for switching from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is the shaking operation. The shaking operation is detected by analyzing successive frames of the generated ultrasonic images.

8. A processor for an ultrasonic diagnostic device, which is a processor for a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device. The handheld ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic device main body connected to the ultrasonic probe, wherein, The processor of the ultrasonic diagnostic device generates an ultrasonic image based on the received signals obtained using the ultrasonic probe. The processor of the ultrasonic diagnostic device detects a shaking operation on the ultrasonic probe. By performing a mode switching operation on the ultrasonic probe, the processor of the ultrasonic diagnostic device causes a switch between a normal screen display mode and a full-screen display mode. In the normal screen display mode, the generated ultrasonic image and the operation panel for operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device are displayed on the monitor of the diagnostic device main body, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device is operated via the operation panel. In the full-screen display mode, only the generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device can be operated using voice commands. In the normal screen display mode, touch operations on the screen of the monitor are effective. In the full-screen display mode, touch operations on the screen of the monitor are ineffective. The mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is the shaking operation. The mode switching operation for switching from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is the shaking operation. The shaking operation is detected by analyzing successive frames of the generated ultrasonic images.

Images