Cart for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic unit

Abstract

To provide a cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allows the height of the pedestal to be adjusted easily.SOLUTION: A cart 12 for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a pedestal 20 on which a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is placed; a handle 32 connected to the pedestal 20; a pillar 22 for supporting the pedestal 20 liftably; a lifting operation part 50 for performing a lifting operation of the pedestal 20; a plurality of leg parts for supporting the pillar 22; and casters arranged in the leg parts. The handle 32 includes a front handle 32F arranged in front of the pedestal 20 and a rear handle 32R arranged at the rear of the pedestal 20. The lifting operation part 50 includes a front operation part 50F disposed below the front handle 32F and a rear operation part 50R arranged below the rear handle 32R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasound diagnostic unit, and more particularly to a technique for adjusting the height of the cart base. [Background technology]

[0002] Ultrasound diagnostic equipment is used for ultrasonic examination of living bodies. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment is a medical device that generates and displays ultrasound images based on received signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. A typical ultrasound image is known as a tomographic image.

[0003] Portable ultrasound diagnostic devices are now in use. Such ultrasound diagnostic devices are, for example, notebook computers that can be carried by hand. Furthermore, portable ultrasound diagnostic devices are often used mounted on carts. The notebook computer-type portable ultrasound diagnostic device is placed on the cart and moved close to a subject. With the ultrasound diagnostic device still mounted on the cart, the user opens and operates the ultrasound diagnostic device, and extends the probe to the subject to transmit and receive ultrasound waves to and from the subject.

[0004] Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose carts (also called dollies) to which an ultrasound diagnostic device can be attached or detached. Patent Document 5 discloses a configuration for an ultrasound diagnostic system in which an intermediate seat is provided on the support column of the dolly, and a tablet computer can be placed thereon as an auxiliary input device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 046907 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-65697 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-172777 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-192502 [Patent Document 5] JP 2017-421 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In ultrasound diagnostic device carts, the ultrasound diagnostic device is placed on a base. When operating the ultrasound diagnostic device on the cart, the surgeon may need to adjust the height of the base. Also, when transporting the cart to a remote location, the surgeon may need to adjust the height of the base. Therefore, a cart with an easily adjustable base height is desired.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or an ultrasonic diagnostic unit in which the height of the base can be easily adjusted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device according to the present disclosure comprises a base on which a portable ultrasound diagnostic device is placed, a handle connected to the base, a support pillar supporting the base so that it can be raised and lowered, a lifting / lowering operation unit for operating the lifting and lowering of the base, a plurality of legs supporting the support pillar, and casters arranged on the legs, wherein the handle includes a front handle arranged in front of the base and a rear handle arranged behind the base, and the lifting / lowering operation unit includes a front operation unit arranged below the front handle and a rear operation unit arranged below the rear handle.

[0009] The ultrasonic diagnostic unit according to the present disclosure is characterized by including the above-described cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic device and a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device placed on the base of the cart. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, the height of the base of an ultrasound diagnostic device cart or ultrasound diagnostic unit can be easily adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front and right sides of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear and left side of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of the front and right side of the upper portion of the cart for the ultrasound diagnostic device. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear and right side of the upper portion of the cart for the ultrasound diagnostic device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the base with the front operating unit not being operated. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the base, showing a state in which the front operating unit is operated. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the base, illustrating the inoperative state of the gas spring unlocking pin. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the base, illustrating the state in which the unlocking pin is operated by the front operating unit. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the base with the rear operating unit not being operated. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the base with the rear operating unit not being operated. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the base, illustrating a state in which the rear operating unit is operated. [Figure 14] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the base, illustrating the state in which the unlocking pin is operated by the rear operating unit. FIG. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are perspective views of the front and right side of another ultrasonic diagnostic unit, showing a state in which the display unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic device is closed. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rear and left side of another ultrasonic diagnostic unit, showing a state in which the display unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic device is closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In all drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the directions indicated by arrows X, Y, and Z in FIG. 1 are referred to as "front," "right," and "up," respectively, and the opposite directions are referred to as "rear," "left," and "down." The direction along arrow Z coincides with the direction in which gravity acts, i.e., the vertical direction.

[0013] (1) Overview of the embodiment An ultrasound diagnostic device cart according to an embodiment includes a base on which a portable ultrasound diagnostic device is placed, a handle connected to the base, a support column supporting the base so that the base can be raised and lowered, a lifting / lowering operation unit for operating the lifting / lowering of the base, a plurality of legs supporting the support column, and casters arranged on the legs. The handle includes a front handle arranged in front of the base and a rear handle arranged in rear of the base. The lifting / lowering operation unit includes a front operation unit arranged below the front handle and a rear operation unit arranged below the rear handle.

[0014] According to the above configuration, since the front operation unit is located below the front handle, a user (e.g., a surgeon) can easily adjust the height of the base by operating the front operation unit with their fingers while placing their hands on the front handle. Also, since the rear operation unit is located below the rear handle, a user (e.g., a person transporting the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus cart) can easily adjust the height of the base by operating the rear operation unit with their fingers while placing their hands on the rear handle.

[0015] In this embodiment, the front operating unit is a push button located below the center of the front handle in the left-right direction. Pressing the push button releases the lift lock of the base. The lift lock refers to a locked state in which the base is restricted from being raised or lowered. "The lift lock is released" means that the base can be raised or lowered.

[0016] According to the above configuration, a user (e.g., a surgeon) can release the lift lock of the base by pressing the push button with their thumb while placing their hands on the left or right side of the front handle. Also, a user can release the lift lock of the base by pressing the push button with the thumbs of both hands while placing both hands on the left and right sides of the front handle.

[0017] In the embodiment, the rear operating unit is a lever located below the rear handle. Pulling up the lever releases the lift lock of the base. With this configuration, for example, a user (e.g., a person carrying the cart) can release the lift lock of the base by pulling up the lever with four fingers excluding the thumb while keeping their wrist against the rear handle.

[0018] In an embodiment, the lever serving as the rear operating unit may include two lever elements. The two lever elements are spaced apart in the left-right direction. The base's lift lock is released by pulling up at least one of the two lever elements. With this configuration, a user (e.g., a person transporting the cart) can release the base's lift lock by pulling up one lever element with four fingers excluding the thumb while placing their wrists on the left or right portion of the rear handle. Alternatively, the user can release the base's lift lock by pulling up each of the two lever elements with both hands while placing both wrists on the left and right portions of the rear handle.

[0019] In one embodiment, the support column includes an upper column connected to the base, a lower column disposed below the upper column, and a gas spring disposed therein. The support column has a structure in which one of the upper column and the lower column is inserted inside the other, thereby expanding and contracting. One end of the gas spring is fixed to the base, and the other end of the gas spring is fixed to the lower column or a support below it. The gas spring includes an unlocking pin. When the unlocking pin is in an inactive state, the gas spring fixes the base to the lower column, i.e., locks the base from being lifted or lowered. When the unlocking pin is in an active state, the gas spring releases the fixation of the base to the lower column (releases the lifting lock) and urges the base upward relative to the lower column. When the front operating unit or the rear operating unit is operated, the unlocking pin changes from an inactive state to an active state.

[0020] According to the above configuration, when the unlock pin is changed to an activated state by operating the front operating part or the rear operating part, the base can be prevented from descending, and the base can be raised with a light force by the user.

[0021] In one embodiment, the handles include side handles located on the left and right sides of the base. The handles are arranged to surround the periphery of the base. This configuration allows a user to, for example, fine-tune the cart's position or turn the cart by holding the front or rear handle with one hand and the side handle with the other.

[0022] The ultrasonic diagnostic unit according to the embodiment includes the above-described cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic device and a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device placed on the base of the cart.

[0023] According to another embodiment, a cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device includes a base on which a portable ultrasound diagnostic device is placed, a handle connected to the base, a support column supporting the base so that the base can be raised and lowered, a push button for operating the base to be raised and lowered, a plurality of legs supporting the support column, and casters arranged on the legs. The handle includes a front handle arranged at the front of the base. The push button is arranged below the center of the handle in the left-right direction. Pressing the push button releases the base's elevation lock.

[0024] According to the above configuration, a user (e.g., a surgeon) can release the lift lock of the base by pressing the push button with their thumb while placing their hand on the left or right part of the front handle. Also, a user (e.g., a person carrying the cart) can release the lift lock of the base by reaching out to the front of the cart and pressing the push button while they are at the rear of the cart.

[0025] In another embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cart, the handles may include side handles disposed on the left and right sides of the base and a rear handle disposed behind the base.

[0026] An ultrasonic diagnostic unit according to another embodiment includes the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cart according to the another embodiment described above, and a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus placed on a base of the cart.

[0027] (2) Details of the embodiment FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10 according to an embodiment. This ultrasonic diagnostic unit is installed in a medical institution such as a hospital and is used for ultrasonic examinations of subjects. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front and right side of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the back and left side of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit.

[0028] The ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10 includes an ultrasonic diagnostic device cart 12 and a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100) placed on a base 20 of the cart 12. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 is detachably mounted on the base 20 of the cart 12. Figures 5 and 6 show the upper part of the cart 12 with the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 removed.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 is a notebook computer type. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 includes an operation unit 102 and a display unit 106. The operation unit 102 and the display unit 106 are connected to each other by a hinge. The display unit 106 can be closed toward the operation unit 102 around the hinge. Note that all of FIGS. 1 to 4 show the display unit 106 in an open state. The display unit 106 includes a display main body 106a having a display portion that faces forward when the display unit 106 is open.

[0030] The operation unit 102 includes a touch panel 102a and a button unit 102b. The button unit 102b includes an upper surface 102ba, multiple buttons, and a trackball 102bb. The multiple buttons are represented by multiple small squares, circles, or the like in FIG. 1. The trackball 102bb is located in the center in the left-right direction, allowing the user to operate the trackball 102bb with their wrists resting on the palm rest 30. On the right side of the operation unit 102, there are provided a connector unit 108a (port) to which a probe connector is connected, and an exhaust unit 110a from which air that has cooled the inside of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 is exhausted. As shown in FIG. 2, on the left side of the operation unit 102, there are provided a connector unit 108b (port) to which connectors of various devices are connected, and another exhaust unit 110b.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the cart 12 includes a base 20, a handle 32, a support 22, a lifting operation unit 50, a support body 23, two legs 24, and four casters 26.

[0032] The handle 32 is connected to the base 20. As shown in FIG. 4 , the handle 32 includes a front handle 32F disposed in front of the base 20, side handles 32S disposed on the left and right sides of the base 20, and a rear handle 32R disposed behind the base 20. The handles 32 are connected to surround the periphery of the base 20. With this configuration, for example, a user can fine-tune the position of the cart 12 or turn the cart 12 by holding the front handle 32F or the rear handle 32R with one hand and holding the side handle 32S with the other hand.

[0033] The rear handle 32R is divided into left and right sections by a cutout in the center in the left-right direction. The rear handle 32R consists of a left rear handle element 32R and a right rear handle element 32R. The left rear handle element 32R extends rightward from the end of the left side handle 32S. The right rear handle element 32R extends leftward from the end of the right side handle 32S.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 32 is connected to the palm rest 30 and the base 20 by two connecting portions 33 and 34.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the front handle 32F extends in the left-right direction. Both ends of the front handle 32F are bent diagonally backward and downward and connected to the side handles 32S. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the left and right side handles 32S includes a front portion 32S1 connected to the front handle 32F and sloping backward and downward, a main body portion 32S2 extending rearward from the rear end of the front portion 32S1, and a rear portion 32S3 extending rearward from the rear end of the main body portion 32S2. The main body portion 32S2 of the side handle 32S is inclined upward from the front to the rear. The rear portion 32S3 of the side handle 32S is inclined upward more steeply than the main body portion 32S2. As shown in FIG. 4, the end of the rear portion 32S3 of the side handle 32S is bent inward in the left-right direction of the cart 12 and connected to the rear handle element 32R. As shown in FIG. 3, the rear handle element 32R is provided at a higher position than the front handle 32F.

[0036] The cross-sectional outer shape of the handle 32 is a flattened ellipse. The front handle 32F and the rear handle 32R are arranged so that their flat surfaces face up and down. The two side handles 32S are arranged so that their flat surfaces face left and right.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, the support pillar 22 supports the base 20 so that it can be raised and lowered. The support pillar 22 includes an upper support pillar 22a to which the base 20 is connected, a lower support pillar 22b arranged below the upper support pillar 22a, and a gas spring 64 (see Fig. 7) arranged inside the upper and lower support pillars. As shown in Fig. 1, the upper support pillar 22a is smaller in width and thickness in the front-to-rear direction than the lower support pillar 22b. The support pillar 22 is structured so that it expands and contracts when the upper support pillar 22a is inserted inside the lower support pillar 22b.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the lifting operation unit 50 includes a front operation unit 50F and a rear operation unit 50R. The front operation unit 50F is a push button located below the front handle 32F. The push button 50F is located below the center of the front handle 32F in the left-right direction. The rear operation unit 50R is a lever located below the rear handle 32R. In particular, in this embodiment, the rear operation unit 50R is two lever elements. By pressing the push button 50F or pulling up at least one of the two lever elements 50R, the extension / retraction lock (lift lock) of the support column 22 is released, allowing the base 20 to be lifted or lowered.

[0039] With this configuration, the surgeon can adjust the height of the base 20 by pressing the push button 50F with their thumb while, for example, placing their hands on the left or right side of the front handle 32F. The surgeon can also adjust the height of the base 20 by pressing the push button 50F while sitting, for example, on the front right or left side of the cart 12. Furthermore, the person transporting the cart 12 can adjust the height of the base 20 by, for example, placing their wrists on the two rear handle elements 32R and pulling up each of the two lever elements with each hand. The person transporting the cart 12 can adjust the height of the base 20 by operating the two lever elements 50R according to, for example, their own height, and can transport the cart 12 by gripping the rear handle 32R.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 1, the support body 23 is disposed below the lower support column 22b. The two legs 24 are disposed at a distance in the left-right direction and connected to the support column 23. Each of the two legs 24 extends in the front-rear direction and supports the support column 22 via the support column 23. Casters 26 are disposed on the bottom surface of both ends of the leg 24 in the front-rear direction.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 6, the base 20 is provided with a restraint operation unit 90 for restraining the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 to the base 20 on its rear surface facing the area below the gap area between the two rear handle elements 32R. The restraint operation unit 90 is a rectangular parallelepiped member with a rotation shaft 90a at its bottom. The restraint operation unit 90 rotates around the rotation shaft 90a to assume an unrestrained state in which its upper portion is separated from the rear surface of the base 20 and a restrained state in which its upper portion is close to the rear surface of the base 20.

[0042] When mounting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 on the base 20, first, the restraining operation unit 90 is set to the non-restraining state. Then, the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is tilted downward, and the rear of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is placed on the base 20 with the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 aligned with a predetermined position at the front of the base 20. Thereafter, the restraining operation unit 90 is changed to the restraining state. This restrains the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 to the base 20. The front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is restrained to the base 20 by a structure (e.g., a hook and a groove) that allows a part of the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 to be hooked onto the base 20. When the restraining operation unit 90 is changed from the non-restraining state to the restraining state, a pin protrudes from the base 20 and is inserted into a hole in the back of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, thereby restraining the rear of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 to the base 20.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the base 20 includes a palm rest 30 connected to the front handle 32F. As shown in FIG. 4, the palm rest 30 is disposed in front of the operation unit 102 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 and in the center in the left-right direction. The palm rest 30 is located between the front handle 32F and the operation unit 102 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the front handle 32F, the palm rest 30, and the top surface 102ba of the operation unit of the ultrasound diagnostic device form a continuous top surface. This allows the surgeon to operate the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 by resting their wrists on the front handle 32F and the palm rest 30.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 5, the base 20 includes a housing 82 and a top plate 80 attached thereto. The housing 82 is formed in a dish shape and has an internal space. Figs. 7, 8, and 11 to 13 each show a portion of the base 20 (the internal space of the housing 82) with the top plate 80 removed. A mechanism for raising and lowering the base 20 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 82.

[0045] As described above, the gas spring 64 is disposed inside the support column 22. As shown in FIG. 7, one end of the gas spring 64 is fixed to the base 20. The other end (not shown) of the gas spring 64 is fixed to the lower support column 22b (see FIG. 1) or the support body 23 located below it. As shown in FIG. 9, the gas spring 64 includes an unlocking pin 64b. When the unlocking pin 64b is in an inactive state (see FIG. 9), the gas spring 64 secures the base 20 to the lower support column 22b. When the unlocking pin 64b is in an active state (see FIGS. 10 and 14), the gas spring 64 releases the base 20 from the lower support column 22b and urges the base 20 upward relative to the lower support column 22b. When the push button 50F (front operating portion) or the two lever elements 50R (rear operating portions) is operated, the unlocking pin 64b changes from an inactive state to an active state.

[0046] According to this configuration, when the push button 50F or the two lever elements 50R is operated, the base 20 is urged upward relative to the lower support column 22b, which prevents the base 20 from descending unintentionally and allows the user to lift the base 20 with a light force. The user can lower the base 20 by operating the push button 50F or the two lever elements 50R to push the base 20 downward against the upward urging force of the gas spring 64 on the base 20. The user can also lift the base 20 by simply operating the push button 50F or the two lever elements 50R, or by simply lifting the base 20 lightly in addition to operating the push button 50F or the two lever elements 50R.

[0047] Figure 7 shows the interior of the housing 82 when the push button 50F is not pressed. Figure 8 shows the interior of the housing 82 when the push button 50F is pressed. The base 20 includes a link 54, a pin rocker 60, and a holder 61 for the pin rocker 60. The link 54 includes a link body 54a and a tip end 54b. The link body 54a is a member that extends in the front-to-rear direction. The push button 50F is connected to one end of the link body 54a. The tip end 54b is connected to the other end of the link body 54a.

[0048] The housing 82 has a plurality of ribs on the bottom wall, and support portions 85a, 85b, and 85c for the link body 54a are formed by cutting out a portion of each rib.

[0049] The base 20 is provided with a tension spring 56. One end of the tension spring 56 is connected to a connection portion 59 fixed to the link body 54a. The other end of the tension spring 56 is connected to a fixed portion 58 fixed to the bottom wall of the housing 82. Note that in FIGS. 7 and 8, for convenience of illustration, the other end of the tension spring 56 is connected to the fixed portion 58 via a dashed line (indicated by reference numeral 57), but in reality, the other end of the tension spring 56 is directly connected to the fixed portion 58. Although not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tension spring 56 remains slightly stretched regardless of whether the push button 50F is pressed. Furthermore, when the push button 50F is pressed (FIG. 8), the tension spring 56 is in a more stretched state than when the push button 50F is not pressed (FIG. 7).

[0050] The push button 50F is disposed in a hole 82a provided in the base 20. The push button 50F is biased forward by a tension spring 56 connected to the link body 54a. The push button 50F and the base 20 have a restricting structure (for example, a hook structure with a protrusion and a groove) that restricts excessive forward movement of the push button 50F.

[0051] 8, when the push button 50F is pressed, the link 54 moves forward, and the tip 54b of the link 54 presses the pin swinging body 60. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the push button 50F is released, the biasing force of the tension spring 56 causes the push button 50F to return to its initial position, and the tip 54b of the link 54 no longer presses the pin swinging body 60.

[0052] The pin rocking body 60 is disposed inside the holding portion 61. As shown in FIG. 9, the pin rocking body 60 has a substantially L-shape in side view. The pin rocking body 60 has a front wall 60a, a bottom wall 60b, and two left and right side walls 60c (only one is shown in FIG. 9). A hole is provided in the two side walls 60c through which a shaft 62 extending in the left-right direction is passed. The shaft 62 (see, for example, FIGS. 7 and 12) is fixed to the two side walls of the holding portion 61. The pin rocking body 60 is rockable around the shaft 62.

[0053] As shown in Figure 9, the gas spring 64 has an unlocking pin 64b and a cylindrical portion 64a into which the unlocking pin 64b fits. The unlocking pin 64b is biased upward. As shown in Figure 9, the unlocking pin 64b is in an inoperative state when it protrudes upward. As shown in Figure 10, the unlocking pin 64b is in an operative state when it retracts within the cylindrical portion 64a.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 9, in the initial position, the pin swinging body 60 is inclined forward because the bottom wall 60b is lifted by the unlocking pin 64b. As shown in Fig. 8, when the push button 50F is pressed, the tip 54b of the link 54 presses the upper part of the front wall 60a (see Fig. 10) of the pin swinging body 60. As a result, as shown in Fig. 10, the pin swinging body 60 swings, and the bottom wall 60b of the pin swinging body 60 presses the unlocking pin 64b, changing it to an activated state. In other words, by pressing the push button 50F, the unlocking pin 64b can be changed from a non-activated state to an activated state.

[0055] When the user stops pressing the push button 50F (for example, releases the hand from the push button 50F), the push button 50F returns to its initial position due to the tension spring 56. As a result, the tip 54b of the link 54 returns forward (see FIG. 9), so the pin swinging body 60 returns to its initial position (see FIG. 9), and the lock release pin 64b becomes inactive.

[0056] 11 and 12 show the interior of the housing 82 when the two lever elements 50R are not operated. Fig. 13 shows the interior of the housing 82 when the two lever elements 50R are pulled up. Each of the two lever elements 50R includes an operating portion 50Ra that is operated by the user and a connecting portion 50Rb. The base 20 includes a link 67, a holding portion 69 that holds the link 67, and a rear swinging body 68 that is connected to the link 67.

[0057] The link 67 includes a rotation shaft 67a extending in the left-right direction and two connecting portions 67b joined to both ends of the rotation shaft 67a. The rear ends of the two connecting portions 67b are rotatably connected to the ends of the connecting portions 50Rb of the two lever elements 50R. The rotation shaft 67a of the link 67 is passed through holes formed in two side walls of the holding portion 69 and is rotatably held by the holding portion 69.

[0058] The rear rocker 68 is disposed inside the holding portion 69. The rear rocker 68 has a base 68a (see FIG. 9) connected to the rotation shaft 67a of the link 67, and a step 68b continuing from the base 68a. The tip of the step 68b is located above the bottom wall 60b of the pin rocker 60. When the two lever elements 50R are not operated, the rear rocker 68 is in an upright position, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0059] When the two lever elements 50R are pulled up, as shown in FIG. 13, the connecting portions 50Rb of the two lever elements 50R rotate the two connecting portions 67b, thereby rotating the pivot shaft 67a. As a result, the rear rocker 68 assumes a reclined position. As shown in FIG. 14, the tip of the step portion 68b of the rear rocker 18 presses downward against the bottom wall 60b of the pin rocker 60. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the pin rocker 60 rocks, and the bottom wall 60b of the pin rocker 60 presses the unlock pin 64b, changing it to an activated state. In other words, by pulling up the two lever elements 50R, the unlock pin 64b can be changed from an inactivated state to an activated state.

[0060] When the user releases the two lever elements 50R, the two lever elements 50R return to their initial positions due to their own weight, causing the rear swinging body 68 to return to an upright position (see FIG. 9), the pin swinging body 60 to return to its initial position (see FIG. 9), and the lock release pin 64b becomes inactive.

[0061] Next, an ultrasonic diagnostic unit according to another embodiment will be described. FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of another ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10A. These figures show the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 with the display unit 106 closed. The ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10A differs from the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10 of the embodiment described above in the configuration of the cart 12A. Specifically, the cart 12A of FIGS. 15 and 16 has only a front push button 50F as an operation unit for raising and lowering the base 20, and the two rear lever elements are omitted. The cart 12A can be realized by omitting the two lever elements 50R and the mechanisms connected thereto of the cart 12 of the embodiment described above.

[0062] The ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10A of this other embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10 described above. For example, the surgeon can adjust the height of the base 20 by pressing the push button 50F with his / her thumb while placing his / her hand on the left or right portion of the front handle 32F. Furthermore, if the operator is located behind the cart 12, for example, he / she can reach out to the front of the cart 12 and press the push button 50F to adjust the height of the base 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10,10A ultrasound diagnostic unit, 12,12A cart, 20 base, 22 support, 22a upper support, 22b lower support, 23 support, 24 legs, 26 casters, 30 palm rest, 32 handle, 32F front handle, 32R rear handle (rear handle element), 32S side handle, 32S1 front part, 32S2 main body part, 32S3 rear part, 33,34 connection part, 50 lifting operation part, 50F push button (front operation part), 50R lever (rear operation part, lever element), 50Ra operation part, 50Rb connection part, 54 link, 54a link body, 54b tip part, 56 tension spring, 58 fixing part, 59 connection part, 60 pin swing body, 60a front wall, 60b Bottom wall, 60c side wall, 61 holding portion, 62 shaft, 64 gas spring, 64a cylindrical portion, 64b unlocking pin, 67 link, 67a rotating shaft, 67b connecting portion, 68 rear swing body, 68a base portion, 68b step portion, 69 holding portion, 80 top plate, 82 housing, 82a hole, 85a, 85b, 85c support portion, 90 restraint operation portion, 90a rotating shaft, 100 ultrasound diagnostic device, 102 operation portion, 102a touch panel, 102b button portion, 102ba top surface, 102bb trackball, 106 display portion, 106a display main body, 108a, 108b connector portion, 110a, 110b exhaust portion.

Claims

1. a base on which the portable ultrasound diagnostic device can be placed; a handle connected to the base; a support column that supports the base so that it can be raised and lowered; an elevation operation unit for operating the elevation and lowering of the base; a plurality of legs supporting the support pole; casters disposed on the legs, The handle includes a front handle disposed in front of the base and a rear handle disposed behind the base, The lifting operation unit includes a front operation unit disposed below the front handle and a rear operation unit disposed below the rear handle.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

2. 2. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, the front operation unit is a push button disposed below the center of the front handle in the left-right direction, When the push button is pressed, the lift lock of the base is released.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

3. 3. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, the rear operation unit is a lever disposed below the rear handle, By pulling up the lever, the lift lock of the base is released.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

4. 4. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, The lever includes two lever elements; The two lever elements are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction, By pulling up at least one of the two lever elements, the lift lock of the base is released.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

5. 5. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, The support includes an upper support connected to the base, a lower support disposed below the upper support, and a gas spring disposed therein; The support pillars have a structure in which one of the upper support pillars and the lower support pillars is inserted into the other, thereby expanding and contracting; One end of the gas spring is fixed to the base, and the other end is fixed to the lower support or a support below the lower support, the gas spring includes an unlocking pin; the gas spring fixes the base to the lower support column when the lock release pin is in a non-operated state; When the lock release pin is in an activated state, the gas spring releases the base from the lower support column and urges the base upward relative to the lower support column. When the front operation unit or the rear operation unit is operated, the lock release pin is changed from a non-operated state to an operated state.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

6. 5. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, The handle further includes side handles disposed on the left and right sides of the base, and the handles are continuous so as to surround the periphery of the base.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

7. An ultrasound diagnostic device cart according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a portable ultrasound diagnostic device placed on the base of the cart, An ultrasonic diagnostic unit characterized by:

8. a base on which the portable ultrasound diagnostic device can be placed; a handle connected to the base; a support column that supports the base so that it can be raised and lowered; A push button for operating the raising and lowering of the base; a plurality of legs supporting the support pole; casters disposed on the legs, The handle includes a front handle disposed in front of the base, The push button is disposed below the center of the front handle in the left-right direction, When the push button is pressed, the lift lock of the base is released.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

9. 9. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 8, The handle further includes side handles disposed on the left and right sides of the base and a rear handle disposed behind the base; The handle is continuous so as to surround the periphery of the base.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

10. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 8 or 9, a portable ultrasound diagnostic device placed on the base of the cart, An ultrasonic diagnostic unit characterized by:

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