Cart for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic unit

Abstract

To prevent a table from rising sharply against a user's intension in a cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.SOLUTION: There is provided a cart 20 having a table 22. The cart 20 includes a movement transmission mechanism for transmitting a depression movement to a gas spring when a user push button 50 is depressed, and bringing the table 22 into a lock released state in which the lock state of the table is released and the table 22 is energized upward. The movement transmission mechanism includes a translational movement component for playing at least part of the role of the transmission of the movement to the gas spring. The cart 20 includes an apparatus push button 82 depressed from a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when the apparatus is mounted on the table 22, and a movement regulation part for interlocking with the apparatus push button 82. The movement regulation part is positioned in a region for interfering with the movement of the translational movement component in a non-depression state of the apparatus push button 82 for regulating the movement, and is positioned in a region for not interfering with the movement of the translational movement component in a depression state of the apparatus push button 82 for permitting the movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

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 a cart table. [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-sized devices that can be carried by hand. Portable ultrasound diagnostic devices are often used mounted on a cart. The notebook-sized 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 Document 1 relates to a cart for a portable ultrasound diagnostic device, and discloses a configuration in which, when the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is placed on a mounting part, a wire connected to a gas spring can be pulled with a control rod to activate the gas spring and raise the mounting part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-57886 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] A cart having a table on which a portable ultrasound diagnostic device can be placed is conceivably provided with a gas spring and a user push button. The gas spring can lock the table so that it can be raised or lowered, and can also lock the table so that the locked state is released and the table is urged upward. When the user push button is pressed, it operates the gas spring to change the table from the locked state to the unlocked state. In this configuration, when the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is not placed on the table, the weight of the device is not applied to the table, and therefore, when the user push button is pressed, the table may rise forcefully against the user's intention.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to prevent a table from suddenly rising against the user's intention in relation to a cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus or an ultrasound diagnostic unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device according to the present disclosure is a cart having a table on which a portable ultrasound diagnostic device can be placed, and is equipped with a gas spring capable of establishing a locked state for lifting and lowering the table and an unlocked state for releasing the locked state and urging the table upward, the gas spring having a gas spring operation receiving unit that receives switching between the locked state and the unlocked state, the cart also comprising a user push button and a motion transmission mechanism that, when the user push button is pressed, transmits the pressing motion to the gas spring operation receiving unit to change the locked state of the table to the unlocked state, and the motion transmission mechanism is The cart includes a translational motion part that moves in a translational manner when the user push button is pressed, and is responsible for at least a part of the motion transmission from the user push button to the gas spring operation reception unit, and the cart is equipped with a device push button that is provided to protrude from the upper surface of the table and is pressed from the portable ultrasound diagnostic device when the device is placed on the table, and a motion regulation part that works in conjunction with the device push button, and the motion regulation part is located in an area that interferes with the motion of the translational motion part when the device push button is not pressed, and is located in an area that does not interfere with the motion of the translational motion part when the device push button is pressed, and allows the motion.

[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 table of the cart. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, when the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is not placed on the table, the movement of the translational movement part caused by pressing the user push button is restricted, and the movement is not transmitted to the gas spring operation receiving unit, thereby preventing the table from suddenly rising. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic diagnostic unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a contracted state of a cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the contracted state of the cart for the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an extended state of a cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view showing an extended state of a cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a table. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of the front part of the table, illustrating the process of placing the ultrasound diagnostic device thereon. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the inside of the table, showing the state before and after a user presses a push button. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are top views showing the interior of the table, showing the state before and after a user presses a push button. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are front views showing the rocker, illustrating the states before and after the device push button is pressed. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a table according to another embodiment, in which the configuration of a moving body is indicated by a balloon. 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 table on which a portable ultrasound diagnostic device is placed and a gas spring. The gas spring can lock the table's elevation and lowering movement and unlock the table to urge it upward. The gas spring has a gas spring operation receiving unit that receives switching between the locked and unlocked states. The cart includes a user push button and a motion transmission mechanism. When the user push button is pressed, the motion transmission mechanism transmits the motion of the user push button to the gas spring operation receiving unit, thereby changing the table's locked state to the unlocked state. The motion transmission mechanism includes a translational component that translates when the user push button is pressed and transmits at least a portion of the motion from the user push button to the gas spring operation receiving unit. The cart includes an apparatus push button and a motion restriction unit. The apparatus push button is provided to protrude from the top surface of the table and is pressed by the portable ultrasound diagnostic device when the device is placed on the table. The motion restriction unit is linked to the apparatus push button. Specifically, when the device push button is not pressed, the movement restriction section is located in an area where it interferes with the movement of the translational movement part, thereby restricting that movement, and when the device push button is pressed, it is located in an area where it does not interfere with the movement of the translational movement part, thereby allowing that movement.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is not placed on the table, the device push button is in an unpressed state, and in this state, the movement of the translational movement part caused by pressing the user push button is restricted by the movement restricting unit and is not transmitted to the gas spring operation receiving unit. Therefore, when the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is not placed on the table, operation of the user push button is invalid, and it is possible to prevent the table from suddenly rising against the user's intention.

[0015] The motion transmission mechanism may include one or more mechanical elements, and may transmit the motion generated by pressing the device push button to the gas spring operation receiver, changing its direction one or more times. The one or more mechanical elements may include, for example, a rod, a bell crank, a rack and pinion, a gear, a cam, a wire, etc. The motion transmission mechanism may include a mechanism for converting linear motion into rotational motion, a mechanism for converting rotational motion into linear motion, etc. The gas spring operation receiver may be, for example, a button or the like used in conventional gas springs, but its form is not limited thereto.

[0016] In an embodiment, the user push button is located at the front of the table.

[0017] With the above configuration, the user (eg, surgeon) is generally at the front of the table and has easy access to the user push button.

[0018] In one embodiment, the table includes a front handle connected to and positioned in front of the table, with the user push button located below the center of the front handle in the left-right direction.

[0019] According to the above configuration, for example, a user (e.g., a surgeon) can place the table in an unlocked state by pressing the user push button with their thumb while placing their hands on the left or right side of the front handle. Also, for example, a user can place both hands on the left and right sides of the front handle and press the user push button with the thumbs of both hands to place the table in an unlocked state.

[0020] In an embodiment, the translational motion component includes a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction of its motion. The cart includes a rocking body that can rock around a support shaft. The rocking body has a device push button on one side of the support shaft and a motion restricting portion on the opposite side of the support shaft. The rocking body is biased by a biasing member in a certain rotational direction around the support shaft, thereby creating an unpressed state for the device push button. In the unpressed state of the device push button, the device push button protrudes from the top surface of the table, and the motion restricting portion is located in an area that interferes with the movement of the protrusion of the translational motion component, restricting its movement. When the rocking body rocks due to the device push button being pressed, the motion restricting portion is located in an area that does not interfere with the movement of the protrusion of the translational motion component, allowing its movement.

[0021] According to the above configuration, the device push button and the movement restrictor are realized by the rocking body, so that the structure can be simplified.

[0022] In an embodiment, the translational motion component includes a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction of its motion. The cart includes a moving body that is movable in an up and down direction. The moving body is connected to a device push button and has a motion restricting portion. The moving body is biased upward by a biasing member to cause the device push button to be in an unpressed state. When the device push button is in an unpressed state, the device push button protrudes from the top surface of the table, and the motion restricting portion is located in an area that interferes with the motion of the protrusion of the translational motion component, thereby restricting its motion. When the moving body descends due to the device push button being pressed, the motion restricting portion is located in an area that does not interfere with the motion of the protrusion of the translational motion component, thereby allowing its motion.

[0023] According to the above configuration, the device push button and the movement restrictor can be realized in a narrow space extending in the vertical direction.

[0024] In one embodiment, the user push button is located at the front of the table. The motion transmission mechanism and the gas spring operation receiver are located in the interior space of the table. The gas spring operation receiver is a gas spring button that protrudes upward. The motion transmission mechanism includes a motion direction change mechanism that converts the forward motion of the translational motion part caused by pressing the user push button into downward motion and transmits it to the gas spring button.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the transmission of motion from the user push button to the gas spring button can be achieved with a simple structure.

[0026] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support column that supports the table so that it can be raised and lowered. The gas spring is disposed inside the support column. The support column includes an upper column to which the table is connected and a lower column disposed below the upper column. The support column is configured to expand and contract when one of the upper column and the lower column is inserted inside the other. One end of the gas spring is fixed to the table, and the other end of the gas spring is fixed to the lower column or a support disposed below it. One end of the gas spring includes a gas spring button disposed in the interior space of the table.

[0027] According to the above configuration, the table can be extended and retracted with a simple structure.

[0028] An 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 table of the cart.

[0029] (2) Details of the embodiment FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10 according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10 is a medical unit used when performing ultrasonic examinations in a medical institution. The ultrasonic diagnostic unit 10 is composed of a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 and a cart 20. The portable ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12) is detachably mounted on a table 22 of the cart 20. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 is used by connecting an ultrasonic probe (not shown). The ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 has a form similar to that of a notebook PC. Specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 is composed of a main body 14 and a display 16. The main body 14 and the display 16 are connected to each other by a hinge. Typically, a user is positioned in front of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 and operates the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12.

[0030] The cart 20 has a table 22 on which the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is placed. The table 22 is a member that supports the ultrasound diagnostic device 12. The table 22 is slightly inclined with respect to the XY plane. The angle of inclination is, for example, within a range of 8 to 12 degrees. A connector 18 is provided on the right side surface of the main body 14. A connector of an ultrasound probe is detachably connected to the connector 18. The ultrasound probe transmits ultrasound waves to a living body and receives reflected waves from the living body.

[0031] The main body 14 has a case. Multiple electronic circuits are provided inside the case. The multiple electronic circuits include a receiving circuit, a transmitting circuit, a processor, etc. The processor functions as a generator that generates an ultrasound image based on a received signal acquired by transmitting and receiving ultrasound. The display 16 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic LED Display), etc. During an ultrasound examination, an ultrasound image is displayed on the display 16 in the open state.

[0032] 2 to 5 are diagrams showing the cart 20, with FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the support column 24 in a contracted state and FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the support column 24 in an extended state. The cart 20 comprises a support body 26 and the support column 24. The support body 26 is provided with four casters 30. The support body 26 supports the support column 24. The support column 24 has an extension and retraction function. The support column 24 supports the table 22.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2 , the table 22 includes a front portion 22A, a middle portion 22B, and a rear portion 22C. The middle portion 22B is recessed. The ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is placed on the front portion 22A and the rear portion 22C. A handle 34 is provided surrounding the table 22. The handle 34 is fixed to the table 22 by a plurality of connecting members. One of the plurality of connecting members is a front block 36. The handle 34 includes a front handle 34F. The front handle 34F is connected to the table 22 by the front block 36. The front handle 34F is located in front of the table 22 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6, a front block 36 is provided at the front of the table 22. As shown in Fig. 7, a rear surface 36A of the front block 36 is a holding surface. The front portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 abuts against the rear surface 36A, and in this state, the front portion of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 is held by the front block 36.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the cart 20 has a restraint operation unit 32 at its rear for restraining the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to the table 22. The restraint operation unit 32 is a member having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from behind, and has a rotation shaft extending in the left-right direction at its bottom. The restraint operation unit 32 rotates around the rotation shaft to assume a non-restraint state in which its upper part is separated from the back surface of the table 22, and a restraint state in which its upper part is close to the back surface of the table 22.

[0036] When mounting the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 on the table 22, first, the constraint operation unit 32 is placed in the non-constrained state. Then, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7 , the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 is tilted downward, and the rear of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 is placed on the table 22 with the front of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 aligned with a predetermined position at the front of the table 22 (see the lower diagram of FIG. 7 ). Thereafter, the constraint operation unit 32 is changed from the non-constrained state to the constrained state. When the constraint operation unit 32 is changed from the non-constrained state to the constrained state, two pins 23 (see FIG. 6 ) protrude forward from the rear of the table 22 and are inserted into two holes provided on the back of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12. As a result, the rear of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 is constrained to the table 22.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the support pillars 24 support the table 22 so that it can be raised and lowered. The support pillars 24 include an upper support pillar 24a to which the table 22 is connected, and a lower support pillar 24b disposed below the upper support pillar 24a. The upper support pillar 24a is smaller in width in the left-right direction and in thickness in the front-to-back direction than the lower support pillar 24b. The support pillars 24 shorten when the upper support pillar 24a enters the interior of the lower support pillar 24b, and extend when the upper support pillar 24a exits the interior of the lower support pillar 24b.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 6, the cart 20 is equipped with a user push button 50 for operating the raising and lowering of the table 22. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the table 22, with the upper view showing the user push button 50 in an unpressed state and the lower view showing the user push button 50 in a pressed state. Fig. 9 is a top view showing the inside of the table 22, with the left view showing the user push button 50 in an unpressed state and the right view showing the user push button 50 in a pressed state.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the cart 20 includes a gas spring 70 disposed inside the support column 24. One end 72 of the gas spring 70 is fixed to the table 22, and the other end of the gas spring 70 is fixed to the lower support column 24b (see FIG. 5) or the support 26 located below it. One end 72 of the gas spring 70 (see FIG. 8) includes a gas spring button 74 serving as a gas spring operation receiving portion, which is disposed in the internal space of the table 22. The gas spring button 74 protrudes upward and is biased upward.

[0040] The gas spring 70 can be set to a locked state for lifting and lowering the table 22 (extending and retracting the support columns 24) and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the table 22 is urged upward (to extend the support columns 24). The gas spring button 74 switches between the locked state and the unlocked state. Specifically, when the gas spring button 74 is not pressed, the table 22 is in the locked state, and when the gas spring button 74 is pressed, the table 22 is in the unlocked state.

[0041] The table 22 includes a housing 38 and a top plate 40 attached to the housing 38. The table 22 has an internal space between the housing 38 and the top plate 40. A mechanism for raising and lowering the table 22 is disposed in the internal space of the table 22. Specifically, the cart 20 includes a motion transmission mechanism 52 disposed in the internal space of the table 22. When the user push button 50 is pressed, the motion transmission mechanism 52 transmits the pressing motion to the gas spring button 74, changing the locked state of the table 22 to an unlocked state.

[0042] The motion transmission mechanism 52 includes a translational component 54, a tip 60, and a rocker 64 for a gas spring button 74. The translational component 54 extends in the front-to-rear direction. A user push button 50 is connected to one end of the translational component 54. The user push button 50 protrudes forward from an opening in the housing 38. The tip 60 is connected to the other end of the translational component 54.

[0043] The cart 20 includes a holder 62 fixed to the housing 38. A swinging body 64 is held by the holder 62 so as to be swingable about a support shaft 66. The swinging body 64 is a motion direction changing mechanism that converts the forward motion of the translational motion part 54 caused by pressing the user push button 50 into downward motion and transmits the motion to the gas spring button 74.

[0044] As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 8, the rocker 64 is in an initial position with its bottom wall lifted by the gas spring button 74, so that it is tilted forward. When the user push button 50 is pressed, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 8, the translational motion part 54 moves forward, and the tip 60 presses the front wall of the rocker 64. This causes the rocker 64 to rock, and the bottom wall of the rocker 64 presses the gas spring button 74, changing the gas spring 70 to an operating state. This causes the table 22 to enter an unlocked state.

[0045] When the user push button 50 is released (the user releases his / her hand from the user push button 50), the upward biasing force of the gas spring button 74 lifts the bottom wall of the rocker 64, causing the front wall of the rocker 64 to push the tip 60 backward, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 8. This causes the translational movement part 54 to move backward, and the user push button 50 returns to its initial position. The gas spring 70 is deactivated, and the table 22 is locked.

[0046] In this way, when the user push button 50 is pressed, it moves the gas spring button 74, changing the locked state of the table 22 to an unlocked state. When the user push button 50 is operated, the table 22 is placed in the unlocked state and is biased upward, so the user can raise the table 22 by simply operating the user push button 50 or by additionally lightly lifting the table 22. The user can also lower the table 22 by operating the user push button 50 to push the table 22 downward against the upward bias of the gas spring 70 on the table 22.

[0047] 6, the user push button 50 is located in front of the table 22. Specifically, the user push button 50 is located below the center in the left-right direction of the front handle 34F. Therefore, the user can adjust the height of the table 22 by pressing the user push button 50 with their thumb while placing their hand on the left or right part of the front handle 34F, for example.

[0048] 6, the cart 20 is provided with an apparatus push button 82. The apparatus push button 82 is provided so as to protrude from the upper surface of the table 22. The apparatus push button 82 is provided on the front part 22A of the table 22 and protrudes from an opening 41 formed in the top plate 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus push button 82 is pressed by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 12 when the apparatus is placed on the table 22.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the oscillator 80 arranged inside the table, and only the portion of the translational motion component 54 near the oscillator 80 is shown. FIG. 11 is a front view showing only the oscillator 80 and the oscillator 80 inside the table 22 side by side, with the upper view showing the position of the oscillator 80 before the device push button 82 is pressed, and the lower view showing the position of the oscillator 80 after the device push button 82 is pressed. The oscillator 80 is capable of swinging around a support shaft 87. The oscillator 80 has the device push button 82 on one side of the support shaft 87. The oscillator 80 also has a motion restriction part 84 on the side opposite to the one side of the support shaft 87.

[0050] 10, the cart 20 includes a holding portion 45 that holds the oscillator 80 so that it can oscillate. The holding portion 45 is fixed to the housing 38 of the table 22. The holding portion 45 is provided so as to straddle the translational motion component 54. The holding portion 45 includes two opposing side plates 45a, 45b, and a top plate 45c that connects the upper portions of the two side plates 45a, 45b.

[0051] The rocker 80 is disposed between the two side plates 45a, 45b. A support shaft 87 of the rocker 80 is held by the two side plates 45a, 45b so that the rocker 80 can rock. A torsion spring 88 serving as a biasing member is disposed on the outer periphery of the support shaft 87 between the two side plates 45a, 45b. One end 88a of the torsion spring 88 abuts against the underside of the top plate 45c. The other end of the torsion spring 88 is hooked into a hole in a spring hook portion 86 (see FIG. 11) of the rocker 80. The rocker 80 is biased by the torsion spring 88 in a fixed rotational direction about the support shaft 87, thereby causing the device push button 82 to be in an unpressed state.

[0052] 10, the translational component 54 has a protrusion 58 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction of its motion (see the thick arrow in the figure). In this embodiment, the protrusion 58 protrudes outward from the main body of the translational component 54. Note that the protrusion 58 may protrude inward from the main body of the translational component 54 or may protrude upward from the main body of the translational component 54.

[0053] When the device push button 82 is not pressed, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 11 , the device push button 82 protrudes from the upper surface of the table 22, and the motion restricting unit 84 is located in an area that interferes with the motion of the protrusion 58 of the translational movement component, restricting its motion. On the other hand, when the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is placed on the table 22 and the device push button 82 is pressed by the device, the rocker 80 rocks against the biasing force of the torsion spring 88, and the motion restricting unit 84 is located in an area that does not interfere with the motion of the protrusion 58 of the translational movement component, allowing its motion, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 11 . Furthermore, when the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is removed from the table 22, the rocker 80 returns to its original position (upper diagram of FIG. 11 ) due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 88. In this way, the motion restricting unit 84 works in conjunction with the device push button 82 through a seesaw structure. 7 to 9 also show the positions of the oscillator 80 and the protrusion 58, so please refer to them.

[0054] According to this configuration, when the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is not placed on the table 22, the device push button 82 is in an unpressed state, and the motion of the translational movement part 54 is restricted by the motion restriction unit 84. Therefore, even if the user push button 50 is pressed, the motion of the depression is not transmitted to the gas spring button 74. Therefore, when the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is not placed on the table 22, the operation of the user push button 50 is invalid, and it is possible to prevent the table 22 from suddenly rising against the user's intention. Furthermore, because the device push button 82 and the motion restriction unit 84 are realized by the rocking body 80, the structure can be simplified.

[0055] When the ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 is not on the table 22, the user may press the user push button 50 while pressing the device push button 82 to raise or lower the table 22.

[0056] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a table 122 according to another embodiment, with the configuration of a moving body 180 indicated in a balloon. In this embodiment, moving body 180 is used instead of the above-described oscillator 80. The balloon in Fig. 12 schematically shows moving body 180 as seen from the back (the direction of the white arrow in Fig. 12).

[0057] The cart 120 includes a movable body 180. The movable body 180 is held by a holder (not shown) fixed inside the table 122 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The movable body 180 is a plate-like member having a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from behind. The movable body 180 has a notch 183 that allows the protrusion 58 of the translational motion component 54 to pass through. The movable body 180 is connected to the device push button 82. The portion of the movable body 180 below the notch 183 functions as a movement restriction section 184.

[0058] A compression coil spring 188 serving as a biasing member is disposed below the movable body 180. The movable body 180 is biased upward by the compression coil spring 188, thereby creating an unpressed state for the device push button 82. Note that the movable body 180 may be biased upward by a tension coil spring provided on its upper side.

[0059] When the device push button 82 is not pressed, as shown in the left diagram in the balloon in Fig. 12 , the device push button 82 protrudes from the upper surface of the table 122, and the motion restricting portion 184 is located in an area that interferes with the motion of the protruding portion 58 of the translational movement part 54, restricting the motion. On the other hand, when the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is placed on the table 122 and the device push button 82 is pressed by the device, the moving body 180 descends against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 188, as shown in the right diagram in the balloon in Fig. 12 , and the motion restricting portion 184 is located in an area that does not interfere with the motion of the protruding portion 58 of the translational movement part 54, allowing the motion. In other words, the protruding portion 58 becomes movable through the notch 183 of the moving body 180. Furthermore, when the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is removed from the table 122, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 188 causes the moving body 180 to return to its original state (the left diagram in the balloon in Fig. 12 ). In this way, the movement restricting portion 184 is linked to the device push button 82 by means of a sliding structure.

[0060] Even in this configuration, when the ultrasound diagnostic device 12 is not placed on the table 122, operation of the user push button 50 is invalid, preventing the table 122 from suddenly rising against the user's intention. Furthermore, the device push button 82 and the movement restriction unit 184 can be realized in a narrow space extending in the vertical direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 ultrasound diagnostic unit, 12 portable ultrasound diagnostic device, 14 main body, 16 display, 18 connector, 20 cart, 22 table, 22A front part, 22B middle part, 22C rear part, 23 pin, 24 support column, 24a upper support column, 24b lower support column, 26 support, 30 caster, 32 restraint operation unit, 34 handle, 34F front handle, 36 front block, 36A rear surface, 38 housing, 40 top plate, 41 opening, 45 holding part, 45a, 45b side plate, 45c top plate, 50 user push button, 52 motion transmission mechanism, 54 translational motion part, 58 protrusion, 60 tip part, 62 holding part, 64 gas spring button rocker (motion direction change mechanism), 66 support shaft, 70 gas spring, 72 One end, 74 gas spring button (gas spring operation receiving portion), 80 oscillator, 82 device push button, 84 motion regulating portion, 86 spring hook portion, 87 support shaft, 88 torsion spring (biasing member), 88a one end, 120 cart, 122 table, 180 moving body, 183 notch, 184 motion regulating portion, 188 compression coil spring (biasing member).

Claims

1. A cart having a table on which a portable ultrasound diagnostic device can be placed, a gas spring capable of forming a locked state for lifting and lowering the table and an unlocked state for releasing the locked state and urging the table upward; the gas spring has a gas spring operation receiving portion that receives switching between the locked state and the unlocked state, The cart includes: a user push button; a motion transmission mechanism that, when the user push button is pressed, transmits the pressing motion to the gas spring operation receiving unit, thereby changing the locked state of the table to the unlocked state; the motion transmission mechanism includes a translational component that translates when the user push button is pressed, and is responsible for at least a part of the motion transmission from the user push button to the gas spring operation acceptance unit; The cart includes: a device push button provided to protrude from the top surface of the table and to be pressed by the portable ultrasonic diagnostic device when the device is placed on the table; a movement restriction unit that is linked to the device push button, the motion restricting unit is located in an area where it interferes with the motion of the translational motion component when the device push button is not pressed, thereby restricting the motion, and is located in an area where it does not interfere with the motion of the translational motion component when the device push button is pressed, thereby allowing the motion.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

2. 2. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, the user push button is located in front of the table; 1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

3. 2. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, a front handle connected to the table and positioned in front of the table; The user push button is disposed below the center of the front handle in the left-right direction.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

4. 2. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, the translationally moving part includes a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction of the translationally moving part; The cart includes a swinging body that can swing around a support shaft, the rocking body has the device push button on one side of the support shaft and the movement restricting portion on the opposite side of the support shaft from the one side, the rocker is biased by a biasing member in a fixed rotational direction around the support shaft, thereby causing the device push button to be in an unpressed state; When the device push button is in an unpressed state, the device push button protrudes from the top surface of the table, and the motion restricting portion is located in an area interfering with the motion of the protruding portion of the translational motion component to restrict the motion; When the rocking body rocks in response to the depression of the device push button, the movement restricting portion is positioned in a region that does not interfere with the movement of the protruding portion of the translational movement component, thereby allowing the movement.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

5. 2. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, the translationally moving part includes a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction of the translationally moving part; The cart includes a moving body that is movable in an up and down direction, the moving body is connected to the device push button and has the movement restricting unit; the movable body is biased upward by a biasing member to cause the device push button to be in an unpressed state; When the device push button is in an unpressed state, the device push button protrudes from the top surface of the table, and the motion restricting portion is located in an area interfering with the motion of the protruding portion of the translational motion component to restrict the motion; When the movable body is lowered by pressing the device push button, the movement restricting portion is positioned in a region that does not interfere with the movement of the protruding portion of the translational movement component, thereby allowing the movement.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

6. 2. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, the user push button is located at the front of the table; the motion transmission mechanism and the gas spring operation receiving unit are disposed in an internal space of the table, The gas spring operation receiving portion is a gas spring button that protrudes upward, the motion transmission mechanism includes a motion direction change mechanism that converts forward motion of the translational motion part caused by pressing the user push button into downward motion and transmits the downward motion to the gas spring button; 1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

7. 7. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 6, a support column that supports the table so that it can be raised and lowered; The gas spring is disposed inside the support column. The support columns include an upper support column to which the table is connected and a lower support column disposed below the upper support column; 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 table, and the other end of the gas spring is fixed to the lower support or a support thereunder; One end of the gas spring includes the gas spring button located in the interior space of the table.

1. A cart for an ultrasound diagnostic device.

8. The cart for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a portable ultrasound diagnostic device placed on the table of the cart, An ultrasonic diagnostic unit characterized by:

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