Ultrasonic diagnosis device

Abstract

To simplify a mechanism for locking a multi-joint arm and a monitor in an ultrasonic diagnosis device equipped with the monitor supported by the multi-joint arm.SOLUTION: A locking mechanism includes a lock lever 68 that is normally housed in a first link 42 of a multi-joint arm and advances and stands when locked. An arm base engagement pin 80 of the lock lever 68 engages with an arm base engagement notch 96 of a base stub 94 to lock the rotation of the first link 42 relative to an arm base 40. The upper end of the lock lever 68 engages with a lever engagement part 74 of a lever receiving part 70, and a monitor engagement pin 72 is inserted to a monitor engagement hole 78 to lock tilting, vertical movement, and rotation of a monitor 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a monitor that displays an ultrasonic image and a locking mechanism that locks the movement of an articulated arm that supports the monitor. [Background technology]

[0002] Ultrasound diagnostic devices used in the medical field generally include a device main body, an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a patient, and a monitor that displays an ultrasound image. The monitor is supported by an articulated arm, one end of which is supported on the device main body. Supporting the monitor on the articulated arm allows a user, such as a doctor or medical technician, to position and pose the monitor as desired. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an ultrasound diagnostic device 10 having a monitor 16 supported on an articulated arm (arm mechanism 14). It also discloses a locking mechanism that restricts movement of the monitor 16 and the articulated arm 14 when the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 is moved. The component names and symbols in parentheses above are those used in Patent Document 1 listed below and are unrelated to the component names and symbols used in the description of the embodiments of the present application. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-148137 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including a monitor supported by an articulated arm, it is desirable to lock the movement of the articulated arm and the monitor so that the monitor does not move unexpectedly when the apparatus is moved.

[0005] The present invention provides a locking mechanism with a simple configuration that locks the movement of a monitor and the articulated arm that supports the monitor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to the present invention includes a monitor that displays an ultrasonic image, an arm base provided on a device body, an articulated arm supported at one end by the arm base and supporting the monitor at the other end, and a locking mechanism that locks the movement of the monitor and the movement of the articulated arm. The articulated arm has a monitor base that supports the monitor so that it can tilt, a first link that is rotatably supported at one end by the arm base, and a second link that is rotatably supported at one end by the other end of the first link, rotatably supports the monitor base at the other end, and supports the monitor base so that it can rise and fall. The locking mechanism has a locking lever mounted on the first link and rotatable between an advanced position and a retracted position, a first engagement mechanism that engages the locking lever with the arm base when the locking lever is in the advanced position to lock the rotation of the first link, and a second engagement mechanism that engages the locking lever with the monitor when the locking lever is in the advanced position to lock the tilting of the monitor, the rotation and lifting of the monitor together with the monitor base, and the rotation of the second link.

[0007] The movement of the articulated arm and the monitor can be locked with a single lock lever, allowing the locking mechanism to have a simple configuration.

[0008] The second engagement mechanism may have a lever receiving portion provided on the lower edge of the monitor that receives one end of the lock lever when it is in the advanced position. The lock lever restricts movement of the lever receiving portion in a direction transverse to the lock lever, thereby locking the rotation of the monitor and the rotation of the second link.

[0009] The second engagement mechanism may further include a monitor engagement pin provided on one of the lock lever and the lever receiver, and a monitor engagement recess provided on the other of the lock lever and the lever receiver for receiving the monitor engagement pin when the lock lever is in the advanced position. The monitor is locked from moving up and down when the monitor engagement pin and the monitor engagement recess engage. Furthermore, the monitor is locked from tilting when the monitor engagement pin and the monitor engagement recess engage and the lock lever restricts movement of the lever receiver in the longitudinal direction of the lock lever.

[0010] The lever receiving portion may be provided with a tapered portion on the side that receives the lock lever, which tapers in the direction in which the lock lever enters the lever receiving portion. Even if the positions of the lock lever and the lever receiving portion are misaligned, the lock lever can be guided to the specified position.

[0011] The monitor engagement pin and the monitor engagement recess may be arranged so that they can engage when the monitor is facing downwards. By locking the monitor in the downwards position, damage to the display surface of the monitor can be prevented.

[0012] The first engagement mechanism may have an arm base engagement pin provided on one of the lock lever and the arm base, and an arm base engagement recess provided on the other of the lock lever and the arm base for receiving the arm base engagement pin when the lock lever is in the advanced position. Engagement of the arm base engagement pin with the arm base engagement recess locks the rotation of the first link.

[0013] The lock lever may be housed within the first link when in the retracted position, and one end of the lock lever may protrude from the first link and be received in the lever receiving portion when in the advanced position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The movement of the articulated arm and the monitor can be locked with a single lock lever, allowing the locking mechanism to have a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the articulated arm and the monitor. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the movement of an articulated arm, particularly about one vertical axis. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the movement of the articulated arm, particularly the combined movement around multiple vertical axes. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the articulated arm when the monitor is moved up and down. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a tilting operation of the monitor. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the articulated arm and the monitor are locked. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a mechanism for locking the articulated arm and the monitor. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the monitor is tilted forward to its limit. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing the bottom of the monitor as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 shows the assembly of the lock lever and related parts. FIG. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the state in which the articulated arm and the monitor are locked by the lock lever. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of an engaging operation of the first engaging mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the engaged state of the second engagement mechanism, particularly showing a horizontal cross section. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the engaged state of the second engagement mechanism, particularly showing a vertical cross section. [Figure 17] 10 is a diagram showing a state before the lock lever and the lever receiving portion are engaged with each other. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the appearance of an ultrasound diagnostic device 10, with Figure 1 being a perspective view and Figure 2 being a side view. In Figures 1 and 2, the direction indicated by the arrow FR is forward, the direction indicated by the arrow UP is upward, and the direction indicated by the arrow LH is leftward.

[0017] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 12, an articulated arm 14 supported by the apparatus main body 12, and a monitor 16 supported by the articulated arm 14 for displaying an ultrasonic image.

[0018] The device main body 12 includes a generally box-shaped base unit 18, a panel support arm 20 supported by the base unit 18, and an operation panel base 22 supported by the panel support arm 20. The base unit 18 houses an electronic circuit board on which a power supply circuit (not shown), a signal processing circuit for processing signals related to ultrasonic transmission and reception, an image processing circuit for forming ultrasonic images, and the like are implemented. A probe connector 26 is provided on the front surface of the base unit 18 to which an ultrasonic probe 24 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is detachably attached. Multiple probe connectors 26 may be provided. Front legs 28 are provided on the lower front surface of the base unit 18, and rear legs 30 are provided on the lower rear surface. Two casters 32 are each provided on the front legs 28 and rear legs 30, for a total of four casters 32 located corresponding to the four corners of the base unit 18. A push handle 34 extends upward from the rear surface of the base unit 18.

[0019] The panel support arm 20 may support the operation panel base 22 so that it can move up and down and may also support it so that it can rotate about an extension axis. An operation panel 36 and a sub-monitor 38 are arranged on the operation panel base 22. The operation panel 36 has controls such as a plurality of switches for operating the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 and a pointing device such as a trackball. The sub-monitor 38 may be a liquid crystal display that displays, for example, set diagnostic conditions. The sub-monitor 38 may be a touch panel display. An arm base 40 that supports the articulated arm 14 is provided at the rear end of the operation panel base 22.

[0020] 1 and 2 show a state of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 in which an operator is positioned at the front of the base unit 18, where the probe connector 26 is located, and the operation panel 36 and monitor 16 are directly facing the operator. The position and posture of the articulated arm 14 and monitor 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are referred to as the "reference position." In the reference position, the articulated arm 14 is folded and extends in the front-to-back direction, and the monitor 16 faces forward. In the following description, terms expressing positional relationships and directions such as front-to-back, left-to-right, up-to-down, etc. refer to the positional relationships and directions in the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, unless otherwise specified.

[0021] 3 is an enlarged side view of the articulated arm 14 and monitor 16 in the reference position. The articulated arm 14 has a first link 42 supported at one end by an arm base 40, a second link 44 supported at one end by the other end of the first link 42, and a monitor base 46 supported at the other end of the second link 44. The monitor base 46 supports the monitor 16. In the path along the articulated arm 14, which is connected in order with the first link 42, the second link 44, and the monitor base 46, the end of each element constituting the articulated arm 14 that is closest to the arm base 40 will be referred to as the proximal end, and the opposite end will be referred to as the distal end.

[0022] The first link 42 is supported at its proximal end 42a by the arm base 40 and is tilted so as to extend toward its higher distal end 42b. The first link 42 is rotatable about a first vertical axis 48 that passes through the arm base 40 in the vertical direction, i.e., it is rotatable within a horizontal plane. In the following description, rotation about an axis extending in the vertical direction is referred to as "rotation." The second link 44 is supported at its proximal end 44a by the distal end 42b of the first link 42 and is rotatable about a second vertical axis 50 that passes through the distal end 42b in the vertical direction. Therefore, the articulated arm 14 bends and stretches at the portion where the first link 42 and the second link 44 are connected in a plan view. When the articulated arm 14 is in the reference position, the second link 44 is arranged parallel to the first link 42, as shown in FIG. 3. The second link 44 is rotatable about a first horizontal axis 52 that passes through its proximal end 44a in the horizontal direction and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second link 44. This rotation causes the distal end 44b of the second link 44 to move up and down in an arc. The arm base 40 is supported by the distal end 44b of the second link 44 and is rotatable about a third vertical axis 54 that passes through the distal end 44b in the vertical direction. The monitor 16 changes orientation left and right as the arm base 40 rotates. The monitor 16 also tilts about a second horizontal axis 56 that passes through the arm base 40 in the horizontal direction and parallel to the monitor 16. This tilting allows the monitor 16 to be tilted upward or downward.

[0023] The monitor 16 has a display unit 58 (see FIG. 1) such as a liquid crystal panel, and a monitor housing 60 that houses the display unit 58 so that the display surface of the display unit 58 is exposed and covers the back surface. A monitor handle 62 is attached to the lower edge of the center in the left-right direction of the monitor housing 60. The monitor handle 62 has a handle base 64 that is fixed to the monitor housing 60, and a grip portion 66 that extends forward from the handle base 64 and beyond the front surface of the display unit 58. The grip portion 66 has a U-shape in plan view (see FIG. 4), and the operator grasps the part that corresponds to the vertical line of the U to move the monitor 16 and adjust the position and orientation of the monitor 16.

[0024] 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the rotation of each element of the articulated arm 14 and the monitor 16. The articulated arm 14-1 and the monitor 16-1 at the reference position are shown by dashed lines.

[0025] 4(a) shows a state in which the articulated arm 14 has been rotated from the reference position around the first vertical axis 48, with the monitor 16 facing diagonally left. In this state, the positional relationship between the elements of the articulated arm 14-2 (first link 42, second link 44, monitor base 46) and the positional relationship between the articulated arm 14-2 and the monitor 16-2 are the same as when they are in the reference position, and the entire articulated arm 14 and monitor 16 rotate and move integrally around the first vertical axis 48.

[0026] 4(b) shows a state in which the second link 44 is rotated from the reference position around the second vertical axis 50, and the monitor 16 is turned to the left. In this state, the articulated arm 14-3 is The first link 42 is in the reference position, and the first link 42 and the second link 44 are positioned at an angle in a plan view. In addition, the relationship between the second link 44 and the monitor 16-3 in this state is the same as in the reference position.

[0027] 4(c) shows a state in which the monitor base 46 has been rotated from the reference position about the third vertical axis 54, with the monitor 16 facing leftward. In this state, the articulated arm 14-4 has the first link 42 and the second link 44 in the reference position, and the first link 42 and the second link 44 are positioned at an angle to the monitor base 46 in a plan view. As a result, the positional relationship between the second link 44 and the monitor 16-4 has changed from the reference position.

[0028] The articulated arm 14 and monitor 16 shown in Figures 4(a), (b), and (c) are in a state achieved by rotating the articulated arm 14 about only one vertical axis. In contrast, Figure 5 shows a state achieved by moving the articulated arm 14 about multiple vertical axes. By moving about multiple vertical axes, the monitor 16 can be moved in parallel from its reference position, and monitor 16-5 is shown moved in parallel to the left, and monitor 16-6 is shown moved in parallel forward.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the articulated arm 14 when the monitor 16 is moved up and down. When the monitor 16-1, which is in the reference position, moves upward, the second link 44 of the articulated arm 14 rotates around the first horizontal axis 52. The second link 44 has a parallel link structure, so even when the second link 44 rotates, the monitor base 46 moves up and down while maintaining its posture. The monitor 16 supported by the monitor base 46 also moves up and down while maintaining its orientation. FIG. 6 shows the monitor 16-7 moving upward in parallel.

[0030] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the tilting of the monitor 16. The monitor 16 tilts around the second horizontal axis 56. Figure 7 shows monitor 16-8 tilted forward and facing downward from the position of monitor 16-1 facing horizontally forward, and monitor 16-9 tilted backward and facing upward. Monitor 16-8 is shown at a depression angle of 10°, and monitor 16-9 at an elevation angle of 30°.

[0031] 8 and 9 are diagrams showing a state in which the movement of the articulated arm 14 and the monitor 16 is locked. FIG. 8 is a side view, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism when locked. The locked position of the articulated arm 14 and the monitor 16 is hereinafter referred to as the "locked position." When locked, the lock lever 68, which is normally housed in the first link 42, is raised, and the raised lock lever 68 is received by a lever receiving portion 70 provided on the monitor 16. In FIG. 8, the lock lever 68 housed in the first link 42 is shown by a dashed line, and the raised lock lever 68 is shown by a solid line. The lever receiving portion 70 is provided on the handle base 64 of the monitor handle 62 fixed to the monitor housing 60. In the locked position, the monitor 16 is tilted forward to the limit restricted by a stopper, and the lever receiving portion 70 provided on the bottom of the monitor 16 faces the upper end of the raised lock lever 68 in the approximately front-to-rear direction.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows the monitor 16 in a state before locking, tilted forward to its limit position, and the state of the articulated arm 14 at that time. FIG. 11 also shows the bottom of the monitor 16 as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the entire upper end of the raised lock lever 68 is visible. The lock lever 68 has, at its upper end, a monitor engagement pin 72 that extends toward the bottom of the monitor 16 in the locked position. The lever receiving portion 70 is groove-shaped, and in FIG. 11, has, at its upper portion, a lever engagement portion 74 that engages with the upper end of the lock lever 68, and at its lower portion, a tapered portion 76 that tapers downward and widens in the left-right direction. A monitor engagement hole 78, which is an engagement recess that receives the monitor engagement pin 72, is formed in the bottom surface of the groove of the lever engagement portion 74.

[0033] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the detailed structure of the lock lever 68 and its surrounding parts. Figure 12(a) shows the state when the lock lever 68 is housed in the first link 42, and Figure 12(b) shows the state when the lock lever 68 advances from the first link 42 and stands up to lock the monitor 16 and the like. Figure 12(c) shows an enlarged view of the detailed structure. Figure 12 shows the lock lever 68 and its surrounding parts when the articulated arm 14 is in the reference position. When the lock lever 68 is in the standing state, that is, the state shown in Figure 12(b), the upper end is referred to as the upper end and the lower end is referred to as the lower end.

[0034] The lock lever 68 has a generally columnar shape. A monitor engagement pin 72 is provided at the upper end of the lock lever 68 so as to be able to advance and retract, and an arm base engagement pin 80 is provided at the lower end so as to be able to advance and retract. The monitor engagement pin 72 is able to advance and retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lock lever 68, and the arm base engagement pin 80 is able to advance and retract substantially along the longitudinal direction of the lock lever 68. The monitor engagement pin 72 and the arm base engagement pin 80 are biased in the advancing direction by a spring, in particular a coil spring.

[0035] A lever shaft 82 extends through the lower end of the lock lever 68. The lock lever 68 and the lever shaft 82 rotate integrally around the central axis of the lever shaft 82, but are coupled to allow relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the lever shaft 82, i.e., along the central axis. A lever operating handle 84 is fixed to one end of the lock lever 68. The lever operating handle 84 is disposed on the side of the first link 42 (see Figures 3, 9, etc.). The lever shaft 82 is rotatably supported by a lever base 86 fixed to the first link 42, particularly to the frame member therein, and is permitted to move within a predetermined range along the central axis of the lever shaft 82. Meanwhile, movement of the lock lever 68 along the central axis of the lever shaft 82 is restricted by the lever base 86. Furthermore, a coil spring 88 is disposed coaxially with the lever shaft 82. The coil spring 88 biases the lever operating handle 84 and the lever shaft 82 to the left (LH).

[0036] A lever restraining pin 90 is provided on the end of the lever shaft 82 opposite the end where the lever operating handle 84 is provided. The lever restraining pin 90 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the lever shaft 82 and rotates integrally with the lever shaft 82 around the central axis of the lever shaft 82. The lever base 86 is provided with a restraining pin receiver 92 that engages with the lever restraining pin 90. The restraining pin receiver 92 has pin receivers 92a and 92b formed in two locations to receive the lever restraining pin 90. When the lever restraining pin 90 is received in the first pin receiver 92a, the lock lever 68 is positioned at a retracted position housed in the first link 42 and maintained at that position (see (a)). When the lever restraining pin 90 is received in the second pin receiver 92b, the lock lever 68 is positioned at an extended position where it stands upright and maintained at that position (see (b)).

[0037] To raise the lock lever 68 from the retracted position, first, the lever operating handle 84 is pushed in against the biasing force of the coil spring 88, moving the lever shaft 82 in the direction of arrow B. This movement of the lever shaft 82 disengages the lever restricting pin 90 from the first pin receiving portion 92a of the restricting pin receiving portion 92, allowing the lever shaft 82 to rotate about its central axis. Next, when the lever operating handle 84 is rotated in the direction of arrow C, the movement of the lever operating handle 84 rotates the lever shaft 82 and the lock lever 68. Once the lock lever 68 has raised, the pushing force on the lever operating handle 84 is released. This engages the lever restricting pin 90 with the second pin receiving portion 92b, positioning the lock lever 68 in the extended position. To move the lock lever 68 from the extended position to the retracted position, similarly, the lever operating handle 84 is pushed in, rotated in the direction opposite to arrow C, and then released.

[0038] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the articulated arm 14 and the monitor 16 are locked by the lock lever 68. The arm base 40 includes a base stub 94 extending upward. The base stub 94 is cylindrical, and the first link 42 is rotatably supported on the base stub 94 via a bearing. Therefore, the central axis of the base stub 94 is the first vertical axis 48. A notch 96 is formed at one location on the circumference of the annular top surface 94a of the base stub 94. When the lock lever 68 is in the advanced position, the arm base engagement pin 80 advances from the lower end of the lock lever 68 due to the biasing force of the spring and engages with the notch 96, locking the rotation of the first link 42 about the first vertical axis 48. The notch 96 is a recess that receives the arm base engagement pin 80 when the lock lever 68 is in the advanced position. Hereinafter, the notch 96 will be referred to as the arm base engagement notch 96. The arm base engagement pin 80 and the arm base engagement notch 96 constitute an engagement mechanism that engages the lock lever 68 with the arm base 40 to lock the rotation of the first link 42. This engagement mechanism will be referred to as a first engagement mechanism 98.

[0039] 14 is a diagram illustrating the process of locking the rotation of the first link 42 from a state in which the arm base engagement pin 80 and the arm base engagement notch 96 are misaligned in the circumferential direction. Fig. 14(a) shows the state just before the lock lever 68 reaches the advanced position, and Figs. 14(b) and 14(c) show the states in which the lock lever 68 has reached the advanced position.

[0040] When the first link 42 is rotated from the reference position to a position displaced therefrom (see, for example, FIG. 4A), and the lock lever 68 is raised, the arm base engagement pin 80 contacts the base stub 94 at a position displaced from the arm base engagement notch 96. This state is shown in FIG. 4A. As the lock lever 68 rotates, the arm base engagement pin 80 is pressed against the top surface 94a of the base stub 94, and retracts against the biasing force of the spring, climbing onto the top surface 94a. This state is shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. To facilitate the arm base engagement pin 80 climbing onto the top surface 94a of the base stub, the outer peripheral edge of the top surface 94a of the base stub may be chamfered. Alternatively, the end face of the arm base engagement pin 80 may be curved, such as spherical. With the arm base engagement pin 80 climbing onto the top surface 94a of the base stub, the first link 42 is rotated around the first vertical axis 48 toward the reference position. As a result, the arm base engagement pin 80 moves circumferentially on the top surface 94a of the base stub. When the arm base engagement pin 80 moves to the position of the arm base engagement notch 96, the biasing force of the spring causes it to advance into and engage with the arm base engagement notch 96.

[0041] To unlock the first link 42, the lock lever 68 is rotated to the retracted position. By rotating the lock lever 68, the arm base engagement pin 80 moves radially outward from the base stub 94 and comes out of the arm base engagement notch 96, thereby being released from engagement therewith.

[0042] Returning to FIG. 13 , the engagement between the monitor 16 and the lock lever 68 will be described. When the lock lever 68 is in the extended position, its upper end engages with the lever engagement portion 74 of the lever receiver 70 provided on the bottom of the monitor 16, more specifically, the monitor handle 62. The monitor engagement pin 72 is biased by a spring and inserted into the monitor engagement hole 78. The monitor engagement pin 72 engages with the monitor engagement hole 78, restricting vertical and horizontal movement of the monitor 16 relative to the lock lever 68. This restricts the monitor 16 from pivoting about the second vertical axis 50, pivoting about the third vertical axis 54, and rotating the second link 44 about the first horizontal axis 52. Furthermore, as shown in the horizontal cross section of FIG. 15 , left and right side surfaces 74 a, 74 b of the lever engagement portion 74 formed on the handle base 64 abut against the left and right side surfaces of the upper end of the lock lever 68, restricting the left and right movement of the lever receiver 70, i.e., movement across the lock lever 68. This restricts left-right movement of the monitor 16. In other words, the monitor 16 is locked from pivoting about the second vertical axis 50 and the third vertical axis 54. Since the lock lever 68 is provided on the first link 42, the monitor 16 is locked from vertical, left-right movement relative to the first link 42, and the second link 44 is also locked from pivoting about the second vertical axis 50 and the first horizontal axis 52 relative to the first link 42. Furthermore, if the first engagement mechanism 98 locks the pivoting of the first link 42, the monitor 16 is locked from moving up and down and pivoting relative to the device main body 12, and the second link 44 is locked from pivoting about the vertical axis and the horizontal axis relative to the device main body 12.

[0043] Once the monitor 16 has tilted forward to its lowest limit, its upward tilt is locked by the engagement of the lock lever 68 and monitor engagement pin 72 with the lever receiver 70, particularly the lever engagement portion 74. As shown in Figure 16, when the monitor 16 attempts to tilt upward as indicated by arrow D, the lower portion of the monitor engagement hole 78 abuts against the monitor engagement pin 72, and furthermore, the upper surface 74c of the lever engagement portion 74 abuts against the upper end surface 68a of the lock lever 68. This locks the monitor 16 from tilting.

[0044] The lever receiving portion 70 having the monitor engagement hole 78 and the lever engagement portion 74, and the upper end portion of the lock lever 68 having the monitor engagement pin 72 constitute an engagement mechanism that locks the tilting of the monitor 16, the rotation and elevation of the monitor 16, and the rotation and rotation of the second link 44. This engagement mechanism will be referred to as a second engagement mechanism 100.

[0045] To put the second engagement mechanism 100 into the locked state, first, the monitor 16 is tilted forward to its limit at a position higher than the locked position, as shown in Fig. 10. Then, the monitor 16 is lowered downward.

[0046] FIG. 17 shows the lever receiving portion 70 approaching the lock lever 68 during the process of lowering the monitor 16. In FIG. 17, the lever receiving portion 70 has a lever engagement portion 74 located at the top and a tapered portion 76 located at the bottom. The lever receiving portion 70 is a groove formed in the bottom surface of the handle base 64. In FIG. 17, the upper end of the groove is closed and the lower end is open. The side surfaces 74a and 74b of the lever engagement portion 74 prevent the lock lever 68 from moving in the left-right direction when the upper end of the lock lever 68 engages with the side surfaces 74a and 74b. The tapered portion 76 is defined by the left and right side walls of the groove, i.e., side surfaces 76a and 76b, and a bottom surface 76c, which is the bottom of the groove. The distance between the side surfaces 76a and 76b of the tapered portion 76 is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top. The upper ends of the side surfaces 76a and 76b of the tapered portion 76 are connected to the lower ends of the side surfaces 74a and 74b of the lever engagement portion, respectively. The upper end of the bottom surface 76c of the tapered portion 76 is also connected to the lower end of the bottom surface of the lever engagement portion.

[0047] When the monitor 16, which has been tilted forward, is lowered, the lock lever 68 enters the lever receiver 70 from below. When the lock lever 68 enters the lever receiver 70, the tip of the monitor engagement pin 72 abuts against and is pushed against the bottom surface 76c of the tapered portion of the lever receiver 70. Then, as the monitor 16 descends, the monitor engagement pin 72 moves toward the retracted position. When the monitor 16 further descends and the monitor engagement pin 72 and the monitor engagement hole 78 are aligned, the biasing force of the spring causes the monitor engagement pin 72 to advance into the monitor engagement hole 78, and the monitor engagement pin 72 and the monitor engagement hole 78 engage with each other. If the lock lever 68 and the lever receiver 70 are misaligned in the left-right direction, the upper end of the monitor engagement pin 72 or the lock lever 68 abuts against the side surfaces 76a, 76b of the tapered portion of the lever receiver 70. Furthermore, when the monitor 16 is lowered, the lock lever 68 is guided to the lever engaging portion 74 by the side surfaces 76a and 76b.

[0048] The upper end of the lock lever 68 engages with the lever engagement portion 74 of the lever receiver 70, and the monitor engagement pin 72 engages with the monitor engagement hole 78 formed in the bottom surface of the lever engagement portion 74, thereby engaging the second engagement mechanism 100. This locks the monitor 16 from tilting, locks the monitor 16 from rotating and moving up and down integrally with the monitor base 46, and further locks the second link 44 from rotating relative to the first link 42.

[0049] To lock the articulated arm 14 and monitor 16 from the usage state of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10, first rotate the lever operating handle 84 to raise the lock lever 68 to the advanced position. If the arm base engagement pin 80 and the arm base engagement notch 96 are misaligned in the circumferential direction, rotate the first link 42 about the first vertical axis 48 to align the arm base engagement pin 80 with the arm base engagement notch 96 and engage them. This causes the first link 42 to be locked by the first engagement mechanism 98.

[0050] Next, the monitor 16 and the second link 44 are locked by the second engagement mechanism 100. First, the monitor 16 is tilted forward to its limit. At this time, the grip portion 66 of the monitor handle 62 is positioned higher than the upper end of the lock lever 68, which is in the advanced position. When the tilted forward monitor 16 is lowered, the upper end of the lock lever 68 and the monitor engagement pin 72 are guided by the tapered portion 76 of the lever receiver 70, and the lock lever 68 reaches the lever engagement portion 74. The monitor engagement pin 72 is pushed back by the bottom surface 76c of the tapered portion 76 and retracts. When it reaches a position directly opposite the monitor engagement hole 78, it advances into the monitor engagement hole 78. This locks the monitor 16 and the second link 44 by the second engagement mechanism 100. The second link 44 and the first link 42 are also locked. As a result, the movement of the articulated arm 14 itself and the relative movement of the articulated arm 14 with respect to the monitor 16 are locked, and the articulated arm 14 and the monitor 16 become one unit. The articulated arm 14 and the monitor 16 are fixed to the device body by locking with the first engagement mechanism 98 and the second engagement mechanism 100.

[0051] The order of locking by the first engagement mechanism 98 and locking by the second engagement mechanism 100 may be reversed. That is, the monitor 16 is tilted forward and then lowered to lock the monitor 16 and the second link 44, and then the articulated arm 14 and the monitor 16 are rotated together to engage the arm base engagement pin 80 with the arm base engagement notch 96, thereby fixing the integrated articulated arm 14 and monitor 16 to the device body.

[0052] In the first engagement mechanism 98, the positions of the arm base engagement pin 80 and the arm base engagement notch 96 may be interchanged. That is, the base stub with the notch may rotate integrally with the first link 42, and the engagement pin that advances and retreats relative to the notch may be provided on the arm base 40. In the second engagement mechanism 100, the positions of the monitor engagement pin 72 and the monitor engagement hole 78 may be interchanged. That is, the engagement pin that advances and retreats may be provided on the bottom surface of the lever receiving portion 70, and the engagement hole that engages with the engagement pin may be provided on the upper end of the lock lever. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 ultrasound diagnostic device, 12 device body, 14 articulated arm, 16 monitor, 18 base unit, 20 panel support arm, 22 operation panel base, 36 operation panel, 40 arm base, 42 first link, 44 second link, 46 monitor base, 48 first vertical axis, 50 second vertical axis, 52 first horizontal axis, 54 third vertical axis, 56 second horizontal axis, 62 monitor handle, 64 handle base, 66 grip portion, 68 lock lever, 70 lever receiving portion, 72 monitor engagement pin, 74 lever engagement portion, 76 tapered portion, 78 monitor engagement hole (monitor engagement recess), 80 arm base engagement pin, 84 lever operation handle, 94 base stub, 96 arm base engagement notch (arm base engagement recess), 98 first engagement mechanism, 100 second engagement mechanism.

Claims

1. a monitor for displaying an ultrasound image; an arm base provided on the device body; an articulated arm supported at one end by the arm base and supporting the monitor at the other end; a locking mechanism that locks the movement of the monitor and the movement of the articulated arm; Including, The articulated arm includes: a monitor base that supports the monitor so that the monitor can tilt; a first link pivotably supported at one end on the arm base; a second link that is pivotally supported at one end on the other end of the first link, pivotally supports the monitor base at the other end, and supports the monitor base so that it can be raised and lowered; and The locking mechanism is a lock lever mounted on the first link and rotatable between an advanced position and a retracted position; a first engagement mechanism that engages the lock lever with the arm base when the lock lever is in the advanced position to lock the first link from turning; a second engagement mechanism that engages the lock lever with the monitor when the lock lever is in the advanced position to lock the tilting of the monitor, the rotation and vertical movement of the monitor together with the monitor base, and the rotation of the second link; having Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, the second engagement mechanism has a lever receiving portion provided on a lower edge of the monitor that receives one end of the lock lever in the advanced position; The lock lever restricts the movement of the lever receiving portion in a direction transverse to the lock lever, thereby locking the rotation of the monitor and the rotation of the second link. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, the second engagement mechanism has a monitor engagement pin provided on one of the lock lever and the lever receiving portion, and a monitor engagement recess provided on the other of the lock lever and the lever receiving portion, for receiving the monitor engagement pin when the lock lever is in the advanced position; The monitor engagement pin and the monitor engagement recess are engaged to lock the monitor from moving up and down. The monitor engagement pin and the monitor engagement recess engage with each other, and the lock lever restricts the movement of the lever receiving portion in the longitudinal direction of the lock lever, thereby locking the tilting of the monitor. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, The lever receiving portion has a tapered portion on the side that receives the lock lever, the tapered portion being tapered in a direction in which the lock lever enters the lever receiving portion. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, The monitor engagement pin and the monitor engagement recess are arranged so as to be engageable with each other when the monitor is facing downward. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

6. 6. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, the first engagement mechanism has an arm base engagement pin provided on one of the lock lever and the arm base, and an arm base engagement recess provided on the other of the lock lever and the arm base, for receiving the arm base engagement pin when the lock lever is in an advanced position; The arm base engagement pin and the arm base engagement recess are engaged to lock the first link from turning. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

7. 7. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, When the lock lever is in the retracted position, it is housed within the first link, and when the lock lever is in the advanced position, one end thereof protrudes from the first link and is received in the lever receiving portion. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

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