Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control method of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of quickly charging an ultrasonic probe with a simple structure and a control method of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a mobile information terminal (1), an ultrasonic probe (2) having a probe battery (21) built therein and wirelessly connected to the mobile information terminal (1), a charger (3) for charging the probe battery (21), and a battery built-in power supply (4) having a power supply battery (41) built therein and connected to the charger (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device with an ultrasonic probe having a built-in battery and a control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic device. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasonic examinations have traditionally involved using a so-called ultrasound diagnostic device to capture ultrasound images representing cross-sections within the body being examined, and then examining the body based on these images. To facilitate such ultrasound examinations, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an ultrasound diagnostic device has been developed that includes an ultrasound probe with a built-in battery and a mobile information terminal, such as a tablet computer, connected to the ultrasound probe via so-called wireless communication. The battery of the ultrasound probe in Patent Document 1 is charged using the remaining power of the mobile information terminal or so-called wireless power supply.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-129811

[0004] However, the technology in Patent Document 1 requires a power supply unit for the mobile information terminal and a power supply unit for wireless power supply of the ultrasonic probe, which complicates the power supply structure. If the power supply unit for the mobile information terminal is also used as a power supply unit for wireless power supply of the ultrasonic probe, the power supply is limited, making rapid wireless power supply impossible. A long waiting time occurs until the ultrasonic probe is fully charged, sometimes hindering successful inspection. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention was made to solve these previous problems, and its purpose is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device with a simple structure that can quickly charge an ultrasonic probe, and a control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic device.

[0006] The above objectives can be achieved based on the following structure.

[0007] [1] An ultrasound diagnostic device, comprising:

[0008] Mobile information terminals;

[0009] The ultrasonic probe has a built-in battery and is wirelessly connected to a mobile information terminal.

[0010] A charger for charging the probe's battery; and

[0011] The battery has a built-in power supply unit, containing a battery for power generation and connecting to the charger.

[0012] The ultrasound diagnostic device uses power supplied from the built-in battery power supply to charge the ultrasound probe via a charger.

[0013] [2] According to the ultrasonic diagnostic device described in [1], the battery-built power supply provides output power of 7.5W or more and 240W or less to the charger.

[0014] [3] The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to [1] or [2], wherein the battery-built power supply supplies the charger with a voltage and current selected from a plurality of prescribed voltages and currents according to the specifications of the charger.

[0015] [4] According to the ultrasonic diagnostic device described in [3], the battery-built power supply has a communication unit that receives information from the charger and supplies the charger with voltage and current selected according to the specifications of the charger received from the charger via the communication unit.

[0016] [5] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the battery for power supply of the built-in battery power supply is charged via a mobile information terminal.

[0017] [6] According to the ultrasonic diagnostic device of [5], the battery-built power supply provides the charger with an output power greater than the input power input from the mobile information terminal.

[0018] [7] The ultrasound diagnostic device according to [5] or [6] is provided with an external power supply device that is connected to a mobile information terminal.

[0019] [8] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4] includes an external power supply device connected to a battery-powered internal power supply.

[0020] The battery, powered by the built-in power supply, is charged by an external power source.

[0021] [9] According to the ultrasonic diagnostic device of [8], the battery-built power supply provides power to the mobile information terminal.

[0022]

[10] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of [1] to [9] includes a probe holder that holds an ultrasonic probe and is equipped with a charger.

[0023]

[11] The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to

[10] includes a terminal bracket for holding a mobile information terminal, a probe bracket, and a holding bracket with a built-in battery power supply.

[0024]

[12] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the charger is a wireless charger for wirelessly charging the battery for the probe.

[0025]

[13] A control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic device, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic device is an ultrasonic probe with a built-in probe battery that is wirelessly connected to a mobile information terminal, and the control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic device includes the following steps:

[0026] Connect the built-in battery power supply unit, which contains the power supply battery, to the charger; and

[0027] The ultrasonic probe is charged using power supplied from the battery's built-in power source via a charger.

[0028] Invention Effects

[0029] In this invention, the ultrasonic diagnostic device comprises: a mobile information terminal; an ultrasonic probe with a built-in probe battery and wirelessly connected to the mobile information terminal; a charger for charging the probe battery; and a battery-powered device with a built-in power supply battery and connected to the charger, thus having a simple structure and being able to quickly charge the ultrasonic probe. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the ultrasonic probe in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the transceiver circuit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the image generation unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a terminal holder for holding a mobile information terminal and a probe holder for holding an ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 This is an enlarged view showing the probe holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the battery-built power supply in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 9This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Symbol Explanation

[0040] 1-Mobile information terminal, 2-Ultrasonic probe, 3, 3A, 3N-Wireless charger, 4, 4A-Built-in battery power supply, 5-External power supply unit, 8-Holding bracket, 11-Terminal battery, 21-Probe battery, 31-Transmission coil, 41-Power supply battery, 42-DC-DC inverter, 43-Power supply control unit, 44-Communication unit, 51-Voltage array, 52-Transceiver circuit, 53-Image generation unit, 54-Wireless communication circuit, 55-Ultrasonic transceiver control unit, 56-Communication control unit, 57-Charging control unit, 58-Power receiving coil, 59-Power switch, 60-Probe control unit, 61-Image acquisition unit, 62-Processor, 71-Pulse generator, 72-Amplifier, 73-AD converter, 74-Beamformer, 75-Signal processing unit, 76-DSC, 77-Image processing unit, 81-Terminal bracket, 82-Probe bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] The following description of the constituent elements is based on a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0043] In addition, in this specification, the numerical range represented by “~” indicates the range including the values ​​recorded before and after “~” as the lower limit and upper limit.

[0044] In this specification, "same" or "identical" includes the range of error generally permissible in the technical field.

[0045] Implementation Method 1

[0046] Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: a mobile information terminal 1; an ultrasound probe 2 wirelessly connected to the mobile information terminal 1; a wireless charger 3 for charging the ultrasound probe 2; a battery-powered device 4 connected to the wireless charger 3; and an external power supply device 5 connected to the mobile information terminal 1. The external power supply device 5 is composed of an AC adapter (Alternating Current Adapter) or the like, and is connected to an AC power source C having a predetermined voltage value.

[0047] Mobile information terminal 1 is a handheld information terminal, such as a tablet computer or smartphone, equipped with a terminal battery 11 and a monitor (not shown). As described later, mobile information terminal 1 is used to display ultrasonic images captured by ultrasonic probe 2, etc.

[0048] The mobile information terminal 1 is powered by electricity supplied from the terminal battery 11. The terminal battery 11 is charged by an external power supply device 5 connected to an AC power source C and supplies power to the battery-built-in power supply 4. According to the standards of tablet computers and the like constituting the mobile information terminal 1, the power supplied from the terminal battery 11 to the battery-built-in power supply 4 is mostly limited, for example, to 4.5W. In addition, various types of batteries can be used as the terminal battery 11, such as so-called lithium-ion batteries.

[0049] The ultrasonic probe 2 is wirelessly connected to the mobile information terminal 1, and captures ultrasonic images by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves within the body being examined. The ultrasonic probe 2 has a built-in probe battery 21. The internal structure of the ultrasonic probe 2 will be described in detail later.

[0050] The wireless charger 3 wirelessly supplies power from the battery-built power supply 4 to the ultrasonic probe 2 via electromagnetic induction. The wireless charger 3 has a transmission coil (described later) that transmits a search signal from the receiving coil of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the ultrasonic probe 2. The wireless charger 3 detects that the ultrasonic probe 2 is in a charging-ready position relative to the wireless charger 3 by receiving a response signal from the receiving coil that received the search signal. The wireless charger 3 then transmits this detection signal to the battery-built power supply 4.

[0051] The battery-powered unit 4 includes a power supply battery 41, a DC-DC (Direct Current / Direct Current) inverter 42 connected to the power supply battery 41, and a power supply control unit 43 connected to the DC-DC inverter 42.

[0052] The power supply battery 41 is used to supply power to the ultrasonic probe 2 via the wireless charger 3. The power supply battery 41 is charged by power supplied from the terminal battery 11 of the mobile information terminal 1. Various batteries can be used as the power supply battery 41, such as so-called lithium-ion batteries.

[0053] The DC-DC inverter 42 converts the voltage applied from the power supply battery 41 to a higher or lower voltage. For example, it can boost the 4.5W power input to the battery-built-in power supply 4 to an output power of 7.5W or more and 240W or less. Thus, the battery-built-in power supply 4 can supply the wireless charger 3 with an output power greater than the input power from the mobile information terminal 1, and quickly charge the ultrasonic probe 2 via the wireless charger 3.

[0054] Here, as an example, consider the following scenario: After using an ultrasonic probe 2 with a power consumption of 12.6W and an ultrasonic probe 2 with a power consumption of 3.8W for 10 minutes, charge the probe battery 21 of each ultrasonic probe 2 to its pre-use capacity. If charging is considered using a charger based on the so-called USB PD (Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery) standard and a wireless charger, the charging efficiency is typically 80% under the USB PD standard and 50% under wireless charging. The charger power required to charge the probe battery 21 of each ultrasonic probe 2 to its pre-use capacity in 10.0 minutes, 5.0 minutes, 2.5 minutes, and 1.0 minutes is shown in Table 1 below. As can be seen from the table, if the output power of the battery-built power supply 4 is set to 7.5W or more and 240W or less, the probe battery 21 of the ultrasonic probe 2 can be charged sufficiently quickly.

[0055]

[0056] The power supply control unit 43 controls the power supply from the power supply battery 41 to the wireless charger 3 via the DC-DC inverter 42. For example, the power supply control unit 43 supplies power to the wireless charger 3 when it receives a detection signal from the wireless charger 3 indicating that the receiving coil of the ultrasonic probe 2 has been detected, and it can stop supplying power to the wireless charger 3 when it cannot receive a detection signal from the wireless charger 3.

[0057] External power supply unit 5 is an AC adapter, and reinforced insulation has been implemented to meet the standards of MOOP (Means of Operator Protection) and MOPP (Means of Patient Protection) in IEC 60601-1, which are standards related to medical devices.

[0058] As described above, in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment, a built-in battery power supply 4 is connected to the mobile information terminal 1, which is connected to the external power supply device 5, and a wireless charger 3 for supplying power to the ultrasound probe 2 is connected to the built-in battery power supply 4. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to connect different power supply devices to the mobile information terminal 1 and the wireless charger 3 separately, and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus can have a simple structure. Furthermore, by connecting the built-in battery power supply 4 to the wireless charger 3, compared to, for example, the case where the mobile information terminal 1 is directly connected to the wireless charger 3, a larger amount of power can be supplied to the ultrasound probe 2 via the wireless charger 3 to quickly charge the probe battery 21 of the ultrasound probe 2. Moreover, for example, even when the power reserve of the terminal battery 11 of the mobile information terminal 1 is significantly low or zero, the probe battery 21 of the ultrasound probe 2 can be continuously charged by the built-in battery power supply 4 with the power supply battery 41.

[0059] Furthermore, for example, in the case of an ultrasonic diagnostic device having multiple power supply units, it is necessary to implement reinforced insulation for each power supply unit to meet standards such as IEC60601-1. However, since the ultrasonic diagnostic device only has one external power supply unit 5, only one external power supply unit 5 needs to be reinforced with insulation, which can suppress manufacturing costs.

[0060] Here, the internal structure of the ultrasonic probe 2 will be described. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the ultrasonic probe 2, in addition to the probe battery 21, also includes a transducer array 51. A transceiver circuit 52, an image generation unit 53, and a wireless communication circuit 54 are sequentially connected to the transducer array 51. An ultrasonic transceiver control unit 55 is connected to the transceiver circuit 52. A communication control unit 56 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 54. The ultrasonic probe 2 includes a charging control unit 57, to which a receiving coil 58 is connected. Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 2 includes a power switch 59. A probe control unit 60 is connected to the image generation unit 53, the wireless communication circuit 54, the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 55, the communication control unit 56, and the charging control unit 57. The transceiver circuit 52 and the image generation unit 53 constitute an image acquisition unit 61. The transceiver circuit 52, the image generation unit 53, the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 55, the communication control unit 56, the charging control unit 57, and the probe control unit 60 constitute a processor 62 for the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0061] The transducer array 51 of the ultrasonic probe 2 has multiple ultrasonic transducers arranged in one-dimensional or two-dimensional order. These ultrasonic transducers emit ultrasonic waves according to the drive signal supplied from the transceiver circuit 52, and receive ultrasonic echoes from the subject to output signals based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer is constructed, for example, by forming electrodes at both ends of a piezoelectric body made of piezoelectric ceramics such as PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), polymer piezoelectric elements such as PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), and piezoelectric single crystals such as PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate solid solution).

[0062] The image acquisition unit 61, which consists of a transceiver circuit 52 and an image generation unit 53, acquires an ultrasonic image of a cross-section inside the subject body by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic beams using an ultrasonic probe 2.

[0063] Under the control of the probe control unit 60, the transceiver circuit 52 generates an acoustic signal based on the ultrasonic waves emitted from the transducer array 51 and the received signals acquired by the transducer array 51. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the transceiver circuit 52 has a pulse generator 71 connected to the oscillator array 51 and an amplifier 72, an AD (Analog to Digital) converter 73 and a beamformer 74 connected in series from the oscillator array 51.

[0064] The pulse generator 71 includes, for example, multiple pulse generators. Each drive signal is adjusted by a delay amount according to a transmission delay mode selected in accordance with control signals from the ultrasonic transceiver control unit 55 and the probe control unit 60, and then supplied to multiple ultrasonic transducers to form an ultrasonic beam from the multiple ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 51. Thus, if a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 51, the piezoelectric element expands and contracts, generating pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves from each ultrasonic transducer, and the composite wave of these ultrasonic waves forms an ultrasonic beam.

[0065] The emitted ultrasonic beam is reflected at an object such as a part of the subject being examined and propagates toward the transducer array 51 of the ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic echoes propagating toward the transducer array 51 are received by each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 51. At this time, each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 51 expands and contracts by receiving the propagating ultrasonic echoes to generate received signals as electrical signals, and outputs these received signals to the amplification unit 72.

[0066] The amplification unit 72 amplifies the signals input from each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 51 and sends the amplified signals to the AD converter 73. The AD converter 73 converts the signals sent from the amplification unit 72 into digital received data. The beamformer 74 performs a so-called receiver focusing process by assigning a delay to each received data received from the AD converter 73 and adding them together. Through this receiver focusing process, an ultrasonic echo focused sound signal obtained by summing the received data converted by the AD converter 73 and obtaining the whole-phase signal is acquired.

[0067] like Figure 4 As shown, the image generation unit 53 has a structure in which the signal processing unit 75, the DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 76 and the image processing unit 77 are connected in series.

[0068] The signal processing unit 75 uses the sound velocity value set by the probe control unit 60 to correct the attenuation caused by distance of the sound signal received from the transceiver circuit 52 according to the depth of the ultrasonic wave reflection position, and then performs envelope detection processing to generate tomographic image information related to the tissue in the subject body, i.e., B-mode image signal.

[0069] The DSC76 converts the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 75 into an image signal that follows the scanning method of a normal television signal (raster conversion).

[0070] After performing various necessary image processing operations, such as grayscale processing, on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 76, the image processing unit 77 sends it out to the wireless communication circuit 54. The B-mode image signal processed by the image processing unit 77 is referred to as an ultrasound image.

[0071] The ultrasonic transceiver control unit 55 controls the transceiver circuit 52 to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves according to the transmission and reception conditions specified in the transducer array 51. The specified transmission and reception conditions may include, for example, the ultrasonic wave transmission mode, the ultrasonic wave transmission focus position, the receiving focus position, the display depth of the ultrasonic wave image, the gain of the received signal, and the dynamic range conditions.

[0072] The wireless communication circuit 54 is a circuit that wirelessly transmits the ultrasonic image acquired by the image acquisition unit 61 to the mobile information terminal 1 and receives and transmits other required information to the mobile information terminal 1 via wireless communication.

[0073] The communication control unit 56 controls the transmission and reception of information between the wireless communication circuit 54 and the mobile information terminal 1. The communication control unit 56 enables the wireless communication circuit 54 to perform, for example, the transmission and reception of information for wireless connection between the ultrasonic probe 2 and the mobile information terminal 1, and the transmission of ultrasonic images to the mobile information terminal 1.

[0074] The receiving coil 58 receives power from the wireless charger 3 by sensing the magnetic field emitted by the wireless charger 3. Furthermore, the receiving coil 58 emits a response signal in response to a search signal sent from the wireless charger 3.

[0075] The charging control unit 57 controls the charging of the probe battery 21 by controlling the operation of the receiving coil 58.

[0076] The power switch (SW) 59 is a switch that sets the power state of the ultrasonic probe 2 to on or off. The power switch 59 is operated by the user, for example.

[0077] In this embodiment, each process in processor 62 is executed by any computer. Furthermore, any computer can execute these processes via a processor as hardware, a program as software, or a combination thereof. In this case, the processor is configured to cooperate with the program to execute the various processes in this embodiment and to perform the functions of each unit or means in this embodiment. Moreover, the execution order of the processes performed by the processor is not limited to the order described and can be appropriately modified. Any computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a workstation, or other system capable of executing the processes.

[0078] The processor 62 can be composed of one or more hardware components, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, the processor 62 can be composed of programmable logic devices such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), MPUs (Micro Processing Units), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), dedicated circuits for performing specific processes such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), or NPUs (Neural Processing Units). Furthermore, the hardware can also be a combination of different types of hardware. When multiple hardware components are configured to execute one or more processes of a processor, these multiple hardware components can exist in physically separated devices or in the same device. Moreover, in any embodiment, the order of the processes performed by the processor 62 is not limited to the above order and can be appropriately modified. Additionally, the hardware is composed of circuits, such as those combining semiconductor elements.

[0079] Furthermore, a program can be software such as firmware or microcode. It can also be a group of program modules, each of which can be implemented by a processor configured to execute that function. A program can also be program code or multiple code segments stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., storage media or other storage devices). A program can also be segmented and stored on multiple non-transitory computer-readable media existing in physically separated devices. Program code or code segments can represent any combination of steps, functions, subroutines, routines, subroutines, modules, software packages, classes, or commands, data structures, or program statements. Program code or code segments can be connected to other code segments or hardware circuitry by sending and receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.

[0080] Next, examples of the appearance of ultrasound diagnostic devices will be described. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the ultrasound diagnostic device may include a terminal holder 81 for holding the mobile information terminal 1, a probe holder 82 for holding the ultrasound probe 2, and a holding bracket 8 with a built-in battery power supply 4. The probe holder 82 holds the ultrasound probe 2, for example, in an upright position.

[0081] like Figure 6 As shown, the probe holder 82 can house a wireless charger 3. The wireless charger 3 has a power transmission coil 31 that generates a magnetic field to power the ultrasonic probe 2. When the ultrasonic probe 2 is held by the probe holder 82, the power transmission coil 31 and the receiving coil 58 of the ultrasonic probe 2 are arranged opposite each other. The wireless charger 3 is electrically connected to a battery-powered device 4 via wiring disposed on the holding bracket 8. When the ultrasonic probe 2 is held by the probe holder 82, power is supplied to the ultrasonic probe 2 from the battery-powered device 4 via the wireless charger 3.

[0082] The ultrasonic probe 2 is quickly charged by the built-in battery power supply 4, so even if the probe battery 21 is depleted and ultrasonic inspection cannot be performed, for example, the user does not need to wait for a long time until the probe battery 21 is fully charged to the point where ultrasonic inspection can be performed.

[0083] Additionally, wireless chargers 3 are typically specified with voltage or current capacity to supply to the device being powered, depending on their specifications. Therefore, the battery-built-in power supply 4 can also supply the wireless charger 3 with voltage and current selected according to its specifications. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may, for example, possess... Figure 7 The battery-powered integrated power supply 4A is shown. The battery-powered integrated power supply 4A... Figure 1 The battery-powered unit 4 shown also includes a communication unit 44. The communication unit 44 is connected to the wireless charger 3 and the power control unit 43.

[0084] The communication unit 44 receives information related to the specifications of the wireless charger 3 from the wireless charger 3 and sends the information to the power supply control unit 43.

[0085] The power supply control unit 43 pre-stores the specifications of multiple wireless chargers 3 and the corresponding specified voltage and current values. Based on the specifications of the wireless charger 3 received from the wireless charger 3 via the communication unit 44, it selects from the specified voltage and current. Then, the power supply control unit 43 supplies the selected voltage and current to the wireless charger 3.

[0086] Thus, for example, even if the currently used wireless charger 3 is replaced with another wireless charger 3 of different specifications, the wireless charger 3 can still be supplied with voltage and current corresponding to the specifications of the replaced wireless charger 3.

[0087] Furthermore, while the case where the ultrasonic probe 2 is equipped with an image generation unit 53 has been described, the ultrasonic probe 2 may also be equipped with an image generation unit 53, for example, the mobile information terminal 1 may be equipped with an image generation unit 53. In this case, the acoustic signal is transmitted from the transceiver circuit 52 to the mobile information terminal 1 via the wireless communication circuit 54. The image generation unit 53 of the mobile information terminal 1 processes the acoustic signal received from the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate an ultrasonic image.

[0088] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the case where the ultrasound diagnostic device is equipped with a wireless charger 3 and the probe battery 21 is charged via the wireless charger 3 has been described. However, the ultrasound diagnostic device can also be equipped with, for example, a wired charger with a USB PD standard instead of the wireless charger 3. The wired charger includes a so-called USB connector. In this case, the probe battery 21 can also be quickly charged from the battery-powered unit 4.

[0089] Implementation Method 2

[0090] An example was given of the battery-powered power supply 4 supplying power only to the ultrasonic probe 2 via the wireless charger 3, but the battery-powered power supply 4 can also supply power to the mobile information terminal 1.

[0091] Figure 8 The structure of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment is shown. Figure 1 Similar to the ultrasound diagnostic device of the first embodiment shown, the ultrasound diagnostic device of the second embodiment includes a mobile information terminal 1, an ultrasound probe 2, a wireless charger 3, a battery-powered device 4, and an external power supply device 5 connected to an AC power source C. However, the external power supply device 5 is connected to the battery-powered device 4, and the mobile information terminal 1 and the wireless charger 3 are connected to the battery-powered device 4.

[0092] The battery 41 of the built-in power supply 4 is charged by an external power supply device 5. In addition to supplying power to the wireless charger 3, the built-in power supply 4 also supplies power to the mobile information terminal 1.

[0093] Thus, even when the built-in battery power supply 4 supplies power to the mobile information terminal 1 and the wireless charger 3, for example, there is no need to connect separate power supply devices to the mobile information terminal 1 and the wireless charger 3, and the ultrasound diagnostic device can have a simple structure. Furthermore, in this case, not only can the ultrasound probe 2 be quickly charged by the built-in battery power supply 4, but the mobile information terminal 1 can also be quickly charged.

[0094] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the case where the ultrasound diagnostic device is equipped with a wireless charger 3 and the probe battery 21 is charged via the wireless charger 3 has been described. However, the ultrasound diagnostic device may also be equipped with, for example, a wired charger with a USB PD standard instead of the wireless charger 3. In this case, the probe battery 21 can also be quickly charged from the built-in battery power supply 4.

[0095] Third implementation method

[0096] In the first and second embodiments, the ultrasound diagnostic device includes one wireless charger 3, but it may also include multiple wireless chargers 3.

[0097] Figure 9 The structure of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment is shown. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment... Figure 8 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment shown includes N wireless chargers 3A, ..., 3N instead of one wireless charger 3. Here, N represents two or more. The N wireless chargers 3A, ..., 3N supply power to N ultrasonic probes 2. Figure 9 For illustrative purposes, N ultrasonic probes 2 are omitted.

[0098] Thus, by having multiple wireless chargers 3A, ..., 3N in the ultrasound diagnostic device, multiple ultrasound probes 2 can be charged simultaneously and quickly. During ultrasound examination of the subject, for example, even when using multiple ultrasound probes 2 such as so-called linear type ultrasound probes 2 and so-called convex type ultrasound probes 2, the user does not need to wait for an extended period until the probes 2 are fully charged with the battery 21 to the point where ultrasound examination can be performed.

[0099] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the case where the ultrasound diagnostic device is equipped with multiple wireless chargers 3A, ..., 3N and the probe battery 21 is charged via these multiple wireless chargers 3A, ..., 3N has been described. However, the ultrasound diagnostic device may also be equipped with multiple wired chargers with USB PD standard instead of multiple wireless chargers 3A, ..., 3N. In this case, the probe battery 21 can also be quickly charged from the built-in battery power supply 4.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device, comprising: Mobile information terminals; An ultrasonic probe with a built-in battery and wirelessly connected to the mobile information terminal; A charger for charging the battery of the probe; and The battery has a built-in power supply unit, which contains a battery for power supply and is connected to the charger. The ultrasonic diagnostic device uses power supplied from the built-in battery power supply to charge the ultrasonic probe via the charger.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The battery's built-in power supply provides the charger with an output power of 7.5W or more and 240W or less.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 2, wherein, The battery's built-in power supply provides the charger with a voltage and current selected from a plurality of specified voltages and currents according to the charger's specifications.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 3, wherein, The battery-built power supply has a communication unit that receives information from the charger and supplies the charger with the voltage and current selected according to the specifications of the charger received from the charger via the communication unit.

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The battery for power supply of the built-in battery is charged through the mobile information terminal.

6. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 5, wherein, The battery's built-in power supply provides the charger with an output power greater than the input power from the mobile information terminal.

7. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 5, further comprising an external power supply device connected to the mobile information terminal.

8. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1, further comprising an external power supply device connected to the battery-powered internal power supply. The battery for power supply of the built-in battery power supply is charged by the external power supply device.

9. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The battery's built-in power supply provides power to the mobile information terminal.

10. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1, comprising a probe holder, The probe holder holds the ultrasonic probe and is equipped with the charger.

11. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10, comprising a terminal bracket for holding the mobile information terminal, the probe bracket, and a holding bracket having the battery-powered internal power supply.

12. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The charger is a wireless charger that wirelessly charges the battery of the probe.

13. A control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic device, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic device is an ultrasonic probe with a built-in probe battery wirelessly connected to a mobile information terminal, and the control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic device includes the following steps: Connect the built-in battery power supply unit, which contains the power supply battery, to the charger; and The ultrasonic probe is charged using power supplied from the battery's built-in power supply via the charger.

Images