Ultrasonic probe

Abstract

To extend a use time.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic probe is provided with a transmission / reception circuit and at least two rechargeable batteries. The transmission / reception circuit has at least one oscillator transmit / receive ultrasonic waves. The at least two rechargeable batteries supply the transmission / reception circuit with power. At least one of the at least two rechargeable batteries is charged with heat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings relate to an ultrasound probe. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a wireless ultrasound probe that wirelessly transmits ultrasound image data obtained by scanning a subject to a terminal such as a tablet or to an ultrasound diagnostic device. An ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image data is displayed on the terminal or the ultrasound diagnostic device. This allows a user such as a doctor to check the ultrasound image and ultimately make a diagnosis based on the ultrasound image.

[0003] A wireless ultrasonic probe has a built-in secondary battery. The secondary battery supplies electromotive force to various circuits within the wireless ultrasonic probe (for example, a transmission / reception circuit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a transducer), enabling the various circuits to operate. However, the usage time of a wireless ultrasonic probe (the time during which the wireless ultrasonic probe can be used) depends on the performance of the secondary battery. This can make it difficult to use a wireless ultrasonic probe for long-term examinations. The same applies to ultrasonic probes that have a built-in secondary battery that supplies electromotive force to various circuits, do not receive an external power supply, and transmit ultrasound image data via a wired connection to a terminal such as a tablet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-304 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-85884 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to extend the usage time of an ultrasound probe such as a wireless ultrasound probe. However, the problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment includes a transmission / reception circuit and at least two rechargeable batteries. The transmission / reception circuit causes at least one transducer to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The at least two rechargeable batteries supply power to the transmission / reception circuit. At least one of the at least two rechargeable batteries is charged by heat. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless ultrasound probe according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the substrate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the transmission / reception circuit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless ultrasound probe according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless ultrasound probe according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a substrate included in a wireless ultrasonic probe according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic system according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a substrate included in an ultrasonic probe according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0009] (First embodiment) First, an ultrasound diagnostic system according to a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 includes a wireless ultrasound probe 10 and a terminal 100. The terminal 100 may be an ultrasound diagnostic device main body. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device main body may have the same configuration and functions as the terminal 100. The wireless ultrasound probe 10 performs ultrasound scanning on the subject by transmitting ultrasound to the subject and receiving reflected waves of the ultrasound from the subject. The wireless ultrasound probe 10 then generates ultrasound image data from the reflected waves obtained by the ultrasound scanning and transmits the generated ultrasound image data to the terminal 100 via wireless communication. Upon receiving the ultrasound image data, the terminal 100 displays an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image data on a display provided in the terminal 100. This allows a user, such as a doctor, to perform various diagnoses on the subject by checking the ultrasound images. Therefore, the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 can assist the user in various diagnoses. The wireless ultrasound probe 10 is an example of an ultrasound probe.

[0010] The wireless ultrasonic probe 10 may transmit, via wireless communication, not the ultrasonic image data but data used in generating the ultrasonic image data (B-mode data or Doppler data) to the terminal 100. In this case, when the terminal 100 receives the data transmitted from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10, it generates ultrasonic image data using the received data and displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data on a display.

[0011] The configuration of the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment. The wireless ultrasonic probe 10 is an ultrasonic probe that does not receive power from an external source. As shown in Fig. 2, the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 includes a probe exterior 10a, a vibrator 10b, a substrate 10c, a secondary battery 10d, a thermal conductor 10e, and a thermal battery 10f.

[0012] The probe exterior 10a is an exterior (case) that houses the transducer 10b, the substrate 10c, the secondary battery 10d, the thermal conductor 10e, and the thermal battery 10f. When a user, such as a doctor, performs an ultrasound scan on a subject by operating the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 while holding the probe exterior 10a. When the user holds the probe exterior 10a, heat from the user is transferred to the probe exterior 10a, generating heat in the probe exterior 10a. The heat generated in the probe exterior 10a is directly transferred to the thermal battery 10f.

[0013] The wireless ultrasonic probe 10 includes multiple transducers 10b, but may include only one transducer 10b. That is, the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 is required to include at least one transducer 10b. The transducer 10b generates ultrasonic waves based on a drive signal (drive pulse) supplied from a transceiver circuit 11, which will be described later. For example, the transducer 10b transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject with an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied from the transceiver circuit 11. The transducer 10b also receives reflected waves (echoes) from the subject, converts the received reflected waves into electrical signals (reflected wave signals), and transmits the reflected wave signals to the transceiver circuit 11. The wireless ultrasonic probe 10 also includes a matching layer provided in front of the transducer 10b (the side that comes into contact with the subject), a backing material that prevents ultrasonic waves from propagating backward from the transducer 10b, and the like.

[0014] When ultrasonic waves are transmitted from transducer 10b to the subject, the transmitted ultrasonic waves are reflected successively by discontinuous surfaces of acoustic impedance in the subject's internal tissues and are received by transducer 10b as reflected waves. The amplitude of the received reflected waves depends on the difference in acoustic impedance at the discontinuous surfaces where the ultrasonic waves are reflected. When the transmitted ultrasonic pulse is reflected by the surface of a moving blood flow or heart wall, the reflected waves undergo a frequency shift due to the Doppler effect, depending on the velocity component of the moving object relative to the ultrasonic transmission direction.

[0015] The oscillator 10b generates heat when transmitting ultrasonic waves. The oscillator 10b also generates heat when receiving reflected waves, converting the received reflected waves into reflected wave signals, and transmitting the reflected wave signals to the transmission / reception circuit 11. The heat generated by the oscillator 10b is conducted to the thermal battery 10f via a thermal conductor (not shown) provided between the oscillator 10b and the thermal battery 10f. Such a thermal conductor is realized by at least one of aluminum, iron, copper, a silicon-based thermal conductive sheet, carbon, and the like. Note that the thermal conductor 10e is not limited to the above-mentioned materials and may be any material that conducts heat.

[0016] The wireless ultrasonic probe 10 may be a 1D array probe that scans a subject two-dimensionally, or a mechanical 4D probe or 2D array probe that scans a subject three-dimensionally.

[0017] The substrate 10c generates ultrasound image data based on the reflected wave signals transmitted from the transducer 10b. The substrate 10c shown in Fig. 2 is a device capable of generating two-dimensional ultrasound image data based on two-dimensional reflected wave signals and three-dimensional ultrasound image data based on three-dimensional reflected wave signals. However, the substrate 10c may be capable of generating only either two-dimensional ultrasound image data or three-dimensional ultrasound image data.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the substrate 10c according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the substrate 10c has a transmission / reception circuit 11, a buffer 12, a signal processing circuit 13, an image generation circuit 14, a memory 15, a control circuit 16, and a wireless communication circuit 17. The transmission / reception circuit 11, the buffer 12, the signal processing circuit 13, the image generation circuit 14, the memory 15, the control circuit 16, and the wireless communication circuit 17 are electronic devices (electronic circuits) that become operable when supplied with electromotive force from the secondary battery 10d or the thermal battery 10f.

[0019] The transmission / reception circuit 11 controls ultrasonic scanning performed by the transducer 10b of the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 under the control of a control circuit 16, which will be described later. Note that ultrasonic scanning refers to, for example, ultrasonic transmission and reception. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transmission / reception circuit 11 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission / reception circuit 11 includes a pulse generator 11a, a transmission delay circuit 11b, a pulser 11c, and the like as a transmission system that supplies a drive signal to the transducer 10b. The transmission / reception circuit 11 also includes an amplifier circuit 11d, an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter 11e, a reception delay circuit 11f, an adder 11g, a quadrature detection circuit 11h, and the like as a reception system that performs various processes on the reflected wave signal transmitted from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 to generate reflected wave data. The pulse generator 11a, the transmission delay circuit 11b, the pulser 11c, the amplifier circuit 11d, the A / D converter 11e, the reception delay circuit 11f, the adder 11g, and the quadrature detection circuit 11h are electronic devices that become operable when supplied with electromotive force from the secondary battery 10d or the thermal battery 10f. In the following description, the pulse generator 11a, the transmission delay circuit 11b, the pulser 11c, the amplifier circuit 11d, the A / D converter 11e, the reception delay circuit 11f, the adder 11g, and the quadrature detection circuit 11h may be collectively referred to as "electronic devices 11a to 11h."

[0020] The pulse generator 11a repeatedly generates rate pulses for forming transmission ultrasound waves at a predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The transmission delay circuit 11b focuses the ultrasound waves generated from the transducer 10b into a beam and provides a delay time for each piezoelectric transducer required to determine transmission directivity to each rate pulse generated by the pulse generator 11a. The pulser 11c also applies a drive signal to the transducer 10b at a timing based on the rate pulse. In other words, the transmission delay circuit 11b changes the delay time provided to each rate pulse to arbitrarily adjust the transmission direction of the ultrasound waves transmitted from the transducer 10b's surface (transducer surface) from which the ultrasound waves are transmitted.

[0021] The transmitter / receiver circuit 11 has a function capable of instantaneously changing the transmission frequency, transmission drive voltage, etc. in order to execute a predetermined scan sequence under the control of the control circuit 16. In particular, the change in transmission drive voltage is realized by a linear amplifier type oscillation circuit that can instantaneously switch its value, or a mechanism that electrically switches between multiple power supply units.

[0022] The amplifier circuit 11d amplifies the reflected wave signal for each channel and performs gain correction processing. The A / D converter 11e A / D converts the gain-corrected reflected wave signal. The reception delay circuit 11f imparts a reception delay time required to determine the reception directivity to the digital data. The adder 11g performs addition processing of the reflected wave signals to which the reception delay time has been imparted by the reception delay circuit 11f. The addition processing of the adder 11g emphasizes the reflected wave signal from a direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the reflected wave signal. The process of adjusting the phase of the reflected wave signal from each transducer 10b using a reception delay and adding them is also called phasing addition processing or beamforming processing.

[0023] The quadrature detection circuit 11h then converts the output signal of the adder 11g into an in-phase signal (I signal, I: In-phase) and a quadrature signal (Q signal, Q: Quadrature-phase) in the baseband. The quadrature detection circuit 11h then stores the I signal and Q signal (hereinafter referred to as IQ signal) in the buffer 12 as reflected wave data.

[0024] When performing two-dimensional scanning of the subject, the transmission / reception circuit 11 causes the transducer 10b to transmit two-dimensional ultrasonic beams. Then, the transmission / reception circuit 11 generates two-dimensional reflected wave data from the two-dimensional reflected wave signals transmitted from the transducer 10b. When performing three-dimensional scanning of the subject, the transmission / reception circuit 11 causes the transducer 10b to transmit three-dimensional ultrasonic beams. Then, the transmission / reception circuit 11 generates three-dimensional reflected wave data from the three-dimensional reflected wave signals transmitted from the transducer 10b.

[0025] The buffer 12 is a memory that temporarily stores reflected wave data generated by the transmission / reception circuit 11. Specifically, the buffer 12 stores several frames of reflected wave data or several volumes of reflected wave data. For example, the buffer 12 is a first-in / first-out (FIFO) memory that stores a predetermined number of frames of reflected wave data under the control of the transmission / reception circuit 11. For example, when one frame of reflected wave data is newly generated by the transmission / reception circuit 11, the buffer 12, under the control of the transmission / reception circuit 11, discards the oldest generated frame of reflected wave data and stores the newly generated frame of reflected wave data. For example, the buffer 12 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory.

[0026] The signal processing circuit 13 is a signal processing unit that performs various signal processing on the reflected wave data generated from the reflected wave signal by the transmission / reception circuit 11. The signal processing circuit 13 is realized by, for example, a processor. The signal processing circuit 13 reads the reflected wave data from the buffer 12 and performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection processing, logarithmic compression, etc. on the read reflected wave data to generate data (B-mode data) in which the signal intensity of each of a plurality of sample points is expressed as luminance brightness.

[0027] The signal processing circuit 13 can change the frequency band to be visualized by changing the detection frequency through filter processing. By using the function of this signal processing circuit 13, the board 10c can perform harmonic imaging such as contrast harmonic imaging (CHI). That is, the signal processing circuit 13 separates reflected wave data of a subject into which a contrast agent (microbubbles, bubbles) has been injected into into reflected wave data of a harmonic component (harmonic data or sub-harmonic data) whose reflection source is the contrast agent and reflected wave data of a fundamental component (fundamental wave data) whose reflection source is tissue within the subject. The signal processing circuit 13 can generate B-mode data for generating contrast image data from the reflected wave data of the harmonic component.

[0028] Furthermore, by using the filter processing function of this signal processing circuit 13, the board 10c can perform tissue harmonic imaging (THI). That is, the signal processing circuit 13 can separate harmonic data or sub-harmonic data, which are reflected wave data of harmonic components, from reflected wave data of the subject. Then, the signal processing circuit 13 can generate B-mode data for generating tissue image data from which noise components have been removed, from the reflected wave data of harmonic components.

[0029] Furthermore, when performing harmonic imaging of CHI or THI, the signal processing circuit 13 can extract harmonic components using a method other than the above-mentioned filter processing method. Harmonic imaging employs an imaging method called the Amplitude Modulation (AM) method, the Phase Modulation (PM) method, or an AMPM method, which is a combination of the AM and PM methods. In the AM, PM, and AMPM methods, ultrasonic waves with different amplitudes and phases are transmitted multiple times along the same scanning line. This allows the transmission / reception circuit 11 to generate multiple pieces of reflected wave data for each scanning line and output the generated reflected wave data. The signal processing circuit 13 then performs addition and subtraction processing on the multiple pieces of reflected wave data for each scanning line according to the modulation method to extract harmonic components. The signal processing circuit 13 then performs envelope detection processing or the like on the reflected wave data of the harmonic components to generate B-mode data.

[0030] For example, when the PM method is performed, the transmission / reception circuitry 11 transmits ultrasonic waves of the same amplitude with inverted phase polarity, such as (-1, 1), twice on each scan line according to the scan sequence set by the control circuitry 16. The transmission / reception circuitry 11 then generates reflected wave data resulting from the transmission of "-1" and reflected wave data resulting from the transmission of "1," and the signal processing circuitry 13 adds these two pieces of reflected wave data together. This removes the fundamental wave component, generating reflected wave data in which the second-order harmonic component remains as the main component. The signal processing circuitry 13 then performs envelope detection processing and the like on this reflected wave data to generate THI B-mode data and CHI B-mode data.

[0031] Alternatively, for example, in THI, a method of imaging using a second harmonic component and a difference harmonic component contained in reflected wave data has been put to practical use. In an imaging method using the difference harmonic component, for example, a transmitted ultrasonic wave having a composite waveform obtained by combining a first fundamental wave having a center frequency of "f1" and a second fundamental wave having a center frequency of "f2" greater than "f1" is transmitted from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10. This composite waveform is a waveform obtained by combining the waveforms of the first fundamental wave and the second fundamental wave, the phases of which are adjusted to generate a difference harmonic component having the same polarity as the second harmonic component. The transmission / reception circuit 11 transmits the transmitted ultrasonic wave having the composite waveform, for example, twice, while inverting the phase. In such a case, for example, the signal processing circuit 13 adds two pieces of reflected wave data to remove the fundamental wave component and extract harmonic components, mainly consisting of the difference harmonic component and the second harmonic component, and then performs envelope detection processing, etc.

[0032] Furthermore, the signal processing circuit 13 reads reflected wave data from the buffer 12 and performs frequency analysis on the read reflected wave data to estimate motion information based on the Doppler effect of a moving object within the scanning range, and generates data (Doppler data) indicating the estimated motion information. For example, the signal processing circuit 13 estimates the average velocity, average variance, average power, etc., as motion information of the moving object at each of a plurality of sample points, and generates Doppler data indicating the estimated motion information. Here, the moving object refers to, for example, blood flow, tissue such as the heart wall, or a contrast agent. The signal processing circuit 13 according to this embodiment estimates the average velocity of blood flow, the variance of blood flow velocity, the power value of blood flow signals, etc., as motion information of blood flow (blood flow information) at each of a plurality of sample points, and generates Doppler data indicating the estimated blood flow information.

[0033] The signal processing circuit 13 can process both two-dimensional reflected wave data and three-dimensional reflected wave data. That is, the signal processing circuit 13 generates two-dimensional B-mode data from the two-dimensional reflected wave data, and generates three-dimensional B-mode data from the three-dimensional reflected wave data. The signal processing circuit 13 also generates two-dimensional Doppler data from the two-dimensional reflected wave data, and generates three-dimensional Doppler data from the three-dimensional reflected wave data.

[0034] Using the functions of the signal processing circuit 13, the substrate 10c according to this embodiment can perform a color Doppler method, also known as a color flow mapping (CFM) method. In the CFM method, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received multiple times along multiple scanning lines. The CFM method applies an MTI (Moving Target Indicator) filter to a data sequence at the same position to suppress signals (clutter signals) originating from stationary or slow-moving tissues and extract blood flow signals originating from blood flow. For example, when a data sequence of reflected wave data at the same position is input to an MTI filter, the MTI filter outputs a blood flow signal in which clutter is suppressed and blood flow components are dominant. The CFM method estimates blood flow information, such as blood flow velocity, blood flow dispersion, and blood flow power, from this blood flow signal. The image generation circuit 14, described later, generates ultrasound image data (Doppler image data) that represents the distribution of the estimation results, for example, in two dimensions. The terminal 100 then displays a Doppler image represented by the Doppler image data. The ultrasound image data based on the distribution of the estimated results of blood flow information is also called blood flow image data.

[0035] As an MTI filter, a filter with fixed coefficients, such as a Butterworth-type IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) filter or a polynomial regression filter, is typically used. On the other hand, the signal processing circuit 13 according to this embodiment uses an adaptive MTI filter that changes coefficients according to the input signal. Specifically, the signal processing circuit 13 according to this embodiment uses a filter called an "Eigenvector Regression Filter" as the adaptive MTI filter. Hereinafter, an "Eigenvector Regression Filter," which is an adaptive MTI filter that uses eigenvectors, will be referred to as an "eigenvector-type MTI filter."

[0036] The eigenvector-type MTI filter calculates eigenvectors from the correlation matrix, and then calculates the coefficients used in clutter suppression processing from the calculated eigenvectors. This method is an application of techniques used in principal component analysis, the Karhunen-Loeve transform, and the eigenspace method.

[0037] The image generation circuit 14 generates ultrasound image data from the data generated by the signal processing circuit 13. The image generation circuit 14 generates two-dimensional B-mode image data, which represents the intensity of the reflected wave as brightness, from the two-dimensional B-mode data generated by the signal processing circuit 13. The image generation circuit 14 also generates two-dimensional Doppler image data, in which blood flow information is visualized, from the two-dimensional Doppler data generated by the signal processing circuit 13. The two-dimensional Doppler image data is velocity image data, dispersion image data, power image data, or image data that combines these. The image generation circuit 14 generates color Doppler image data, in which blood flow information is displayed in color, or Doppler image data, in which one piece of blood flow information is displayed in grayscale, as the blood flow image data.

[0038] Here, the image generation circuit 14 generally converts (scan converts) a scan line signal sequence of an ultrasound scan into a scan line signal sequence of a video format, such as that of a television, to generate ultrasound image data for display. Specifically, the image generation circuit 14 generates ultrasound image data for display by performing coordinate conversion according to the ultrasound scanning format of the wireless ultrasound probe 10. In addition to scan conversion, the image generation circuit 14 also performs various image processing, such as image processing (smoothing processing) that regenerates an average brightness image using multiple image frames after scan conversion, and image processing (edge ​​enhancement processing) that uses a differential filter within the image. The image generation circuit 14 also combines text information of various parameters, scales, body marks, etc. with the ultrasound image data.

[0039] That is, the B-mode data and Doppler data are ultrasound image data before scan conversion processing, and the data generated by the image generation circuit 14 is ultrasound image data for display after scan conversion processing. Note that the B-mode data and Doppler data are also called raw data. The image generation circuit 14 generates two-dimensional ultrasound image data for display from the two-dimensional ultrasound image data before scan conversion processing.

[0040] Furthermore, the image generation circuit 14 generates three-dimensional B-mode image data by performing coordinate transformation on the three-dimensional B-mode data generated by the signal processing circuit 13. The image generation circuit 14 also generates three-dimensional Doppler image data by performing coordinate transformation on the three-dimensional Doppler data generated by the signal processing circuit 13. The image generation circuit 14 generates the "three-dimensional B-mode image data and three-dimensional Doppler image data" as "three-dimensional ultrasound image data (volume data)."

[0041] Furthermore, the image generation circuit 14 performs rendering processing on the volume data to generate various types of two-dimensional image data for displaying the volume data on the terminal 100. The rendering processing performed by the image generation circuit 14 includes, for example, processing for generating MPR image data from the volume data by performing multi-planar reconstruction (MPR). The rendering processing performed by the image generation circuit 14 also includes, for example, volume rendering (VR) processing for generating two-dimensional image data reflecting three-dimensional information.

[0042] The memory 15 is a memory that stores image data for display generated by the image generation circuit 14. The memory 15 can also store data generated by the signal processing circuit 13. The B-mode data and Doppler data stored in the memory 15 can be called up by an operator after a diagnosis, for example, and becomes ultrasound image data for display via the image generation circuit 14. The memory 15 can also store reflected wave data output by the transmission / reception circuit 11. For example, the memory 15 can be realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk.

[0043] The memory 15 also stores control programs for transmitting and receiving ultrasound, image processing, and display processing, as well as various data such as diagnostic information (e.g., patient ID, doctor's findings, etc.), diagnostic protocols, and various body marks. The data stored in the memory 15 can be transferred to an external device via an interface (not shown). The memory 15 can also store data transferred from an external device via an interface (not shown). For example, the memory 15 can be realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk.

[0044] The control circuit 16 controls the overall processing of the wireless ultrasonic probe 10. Specifically, the control circuit 16 controls the processing of the transmission / reception circuit 11, the signal processing circuit 13, the image generation circuit 14, and the wireless communication circuit 17 based on various setting requests input by the operator via input devices such as a touch panel, mouse, or keyboard (not shown), and various control programs and various data read from the memory 15. For example, the control circuit 16 controls the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves by the transducer 10b via the transmission / reception circuit 11, thereby controlling ultrasonic scanning.

[0045] The control circuit 16 also controls the terminal 100 to display the ultrasound image indicated by the ultrasound image data for display stored in the memory 15. The control circuit 16 is realized by, for example, a processor.

[0046] The wireless communication circuit 17 is a circuit for performing wireless communication with the terminal 100. For example, the wireless communication circuit 17 transmits various types of information and various types of data to the terminal 100 via wireless communication, and receives various types of information and various types of data transmitted from the terminal 100 via wireless communication. For example, the wireless communication circuit 17 transmits ultrasound image data generated by the image generation circuit 14 to the terminal 100 via wireless communication. The wireless communication circuit 17 may also transmit data used in generating the ultrasound image data (for example, B-mode data and Doppler data generated by the signal processing circuit 13) to the terminal 100 via wireless communication. The wireless communication circuit 17 is a communication circuit that performs wireless communication in accordance with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard such as Wi-Fi. The wireless communication circuit 17 is an example of a wireless communication unit.

[0047] The electronic devices 11a to 11h generate heat during operation, and the heat generated by the electronic devices 11a to 11h is conducted to the thermal battery 10f.

[0048] Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the secondary battery 10d is provided inside the probe exterior 10a. For example, the secondary battery 10d can be attached by a user inside the probe exterior 10a of the wireless ultrasonic probe 10. The secondary battery 10d attached inside the probe exterior 10a can be removed by a user. For example, the secondary battery 10d removed from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 is charged by an external charger to a predetermined remaining battery level or more, and then attached inside the probe exterior 10a. The secondary battery 10d attached to the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 10c under the control of the control circuit 16. The secondary battery 10d generates heat while supplying electromotive force to the electronic device. The secondary battery 10d may be, for example, a lithium battery.

[0049] The user may charge the secondary battery 10d from outside the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 via a cable connection or wirelessly while the secondary battery 10d is installed inside the probe exterior 10a. For example, the user moves the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 with the secondary battery 10d installed inside to a location where an external charger that charges the secondary battery 10d is installed via a cable connection or wirelessly, and then charges the secondary battery 10d using the external charger. In this case, since the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 has been moved to the location where the external charger is installed, the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 cannot be used while the secondary battery 10d is being charged. That is, in this case, the subject cannot be scanned using the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 while the secondary battery 10d is being charged.

[0050] The thermal conductor 10e is provided between the secondary battery 10d and the thermal battery 10f and conducts heat generated by the secondary battery 10d to the thermal battery 10f. That is, the heat generated by the secondary battery 10d is conducted to the thermal battery 10f via the thermal conductor 10e. The thermal conductor 10e is made of at least one of aluminum, iron, copper, a silicon-based thermally conductive sheet, and carbon. Note that the thermal conductor 10e is not limited to the above materials and may be any material that conducts heat.

[0051] The thermal battery 10f is a battery that is charged by the supplied heat, and is controlled by the control circuit 16 to supply electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 10c. Note that the thermal battery 10f does not supply electromotive force while charging by the supplied heat. In other words, the thermal battery 10f stops supplying electromotive force to the electronic device while charging.

[0052] It is sufficient that at least one secondary battery 10d is provided. It is also sufficient that at least one thermal battery 10f is provided. Therefore, the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 includes a rechargeable battery group consisting of the secondary battery 10d and the thermal battery 10f, and the number of rechargeable batteries included in this rechargeable battery group is at least two.

[0053] Although the secondary battery 10d is used as a rechargeable battery other than the thermal battery 10f, the rechargeable battery other than the thermal battery 10f may be a rechargeable battery other than the secondary battery 10d.

[0054] Here, the control circuit 16 determines the remaining battery power of at least one of the secondary battery 10d and the thermal battery 10f at predetermined time intervals. For example, the control circuit 16 determines the remaining battery power every minute. Then, the control circuit 16 switches the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the board 10c between the secondary battery 10d and the thermal battery 10f according to the determined remaining battery power. The control circuit 16 is an example of a switching unit.

[0055] For example, the control circuit 16 first controls the secondary battery 10d, out of the secondary battery 10d and the thermal battery 10f, so that the electromotive force of the secondary battery 10d is supplied to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 10c. The control circuit 16 also determines the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d at predetermined time intervals. Each time the control circuit 16 determines the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d, it determines whether the determined remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is less than a predetermined threshold. Here, the predetermined threshold may be, for example, a value indicating that the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is almost depleted (e.g., a value close to 0). In this case, the control circuit 16 can determine whether the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is almost depleted by determining whether the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is less than the predetermined threshold. That is, when the control circuit 16 determines that the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is less than the predetermined threshold (a positive determination), it can determine that the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is almost depleted. Furthermore, when the control circuit 16 determines that the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (when the determination is negative), it can determine that the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is not almost empty, i.e., that there is a predetermined remaining battery charge.

[0056] When it is determined that the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is less than a predetermined threshold, the control circuit 16 controls the thermal battery 10f so that the electromotive force from the thermal battery 10f, rather than the electromotive force from the secondary battery 10d, is supplied to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 10c.

[0057] Here, the thermal battery 10f is charged by the various types of heat supplied from the secondary battery 10d from when the supply of electromotive force to the electronic device begins until the control circuit 16 determines that the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is less than a predetermined threshold. Specifically, the thermal battery 10f is charged by heat generated by the transducer 10b, the multiple electronic devices 11-17, 11a-11h including the transceiver circuit 11, the probe exterior 10a, and other rechargeable batteries (e.g., the secondary battery 10d) other than the thermal battery 10f, which is conducted to the thermal battery 10f directly or via a thermal conductor (e.g., the thermal conductor 10e). In this way, the thermal battery 10f is charged until the remaining battery charge reaches a value sufficient for using the wireless ultrasonic probe 10.

[0058] As described above, in the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment, the control circuit 16 switches the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 10c from the secondary battery 10d to the thermal battery 10f depending on the remaining battery power of the secondary battery 10d. Therefore, even if the remaining battery power of the secondary battery 10d is almost depleted, the electromotive force from the thermal battery 10f is supplied to the electronic device, so that ultrasonic scanning can be continued. Therefore, the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment can extend its operating time.

[0059] Furthermore, when the rechargeable battery supplying electromotive force to the electronic device is switched from the secondary battery 10d to the thermal battery 10f, the control circuit 16 identifies the remaining battery charge of the thermal battery 10f at predetermined time intervals. Then, every time the control circuit 16 identifies the remaining battery charge of the thermal battery 10f, it determines whether the identified remaining battery charge of the thermal battery 10f is less than a predetermined threshold. Here, as the predetermined threshold, for example, a value indicating that the remaining battery charge of the thermal battery 10f is almost depleted (for example, a value close to 0) is used. In this case, the control circuit 16 can determine whether the remaining battery charge of the thermal battery 10f is almost depleted by determining whether the remaining battery charge of the thermal battery 10f is less than the predetermined threshold.

[0060] Here, when the rechargeable battery supplying electromotive force to the electronic device is switched from the secondary battery 10d to the thermal battery 10f, the user can charge the secondary battery 10d. For example, the user removes the secondary battery 10d from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 and charges the secondary battery 10d using an external charger. The secondary battery 10d is then charged until the remaining battery power of the secondary battery 10d is sufficient to use the wireless ultrasonic probe 10. When the secondary battery 10d is removed from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 and charged, the user attaches the fully charged secondary battery 10d to the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 while the electromotive force from the thermal battery 10f is being supplied to the electronic device.

[0061] As described above, the user may move the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 having the secondary battery 10d therein to a location where an external charger is provided, which charges the secondary battery 10d by cable connection or wirelessly, and then charge the secondary battery 10d using the external charger until it has a sufficient charge to use the wireless ultrasonic probe 10. In this case, when the secondary battery 10d is sufficiently charged, the user uses the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 to scan the subject again.

[0062] When it is determined that the remaining battery charge of the thermal battery 10f is less than a predetermined threshold, the control circuit 16 controls the secondary battery 10d so that the electromotive force from the fully charged secondary battery 10d is supplied to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 10c, rather than the electromotive force from the thermal battery 10f.

[0063] As described above, in the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment, the control circuit 16 switches the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 10c from the thermal battery 10f to the secondary battery 10d depending on the remaining battery power of the thermal battery 10f. Therefore, even if the remaining battery power of the thermal battery 10f is almost depleted, the electromotive force from the secondary battery 10d is again supplied to the electronic device, so that ultrasonic scanning can be continued. Therefore, the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment can further extend the usage time.

[0064] For the above reasons, the control circuit 16 according to the first embodiment switches the rechargeable battery that supplies power to the transmission / reception circuit 11 between the secondary battery 10d and the thermal battery 10f depending on at least one of the remaining battery power of the secondary battery 10d and the remaining battery power of the thermal battery 10f. This allows the usage time of the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 to be extended, as described above. The secondary battery 10d is an example of a first rechargeable battery, and the thermal battery 10f is an example of a second rechargeable battery.

[0065] In the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment, the above-described process of switching the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device from the secondary battery 10d to the thermal battery 10f and the above-described process of switching the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device from the thermal battery 10f to the secondary battery 10d are repeatedly and alternately executed. As a result, the fully charged thermal battery 10f and the fully charged thermal battery 10f alternately supply electromotive force to the electronic device. Note that the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 may execute the above-described process of switching the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device from the secondary battery 10d to the thermal battery 10f only once.

[0066] The first embodiment has been described above. The wireless ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment includes a transmission / reception circuit 11 that causes at least one transducer 10b to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and at least two rechargeable batteries (a secondary battery 10d and a thermal battery 10f) that supply power to the transmission / reception circuit 11. Of the at least two rechargeable batteries, at least one rechargeable battery (the thermal battery 10f) is charged by heat. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, as described above, the usage time of the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 can be extended.

[0067] Furthermore, the thermal battery 10f is charged by heat generated by the transducer 10b, the multiple electronic devices 11-17 including the transceiver circuit 11, the probe exterior 10a, and other rechargeable batteries (e.g., the secondary battery 10d) other than the thermal battery 10f, being conducted to the thermal battery 10f directly or via a thermal conductor (e.g., the thermal conductor 10e). Therefore, the heat generated in the first embodiment is uniformly distributed. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the entire wireless ultrasonic probe 10 from generating heat. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which long-term use becomes difficult due to thermal restrictions.

[0068] (Second embodiment) In the ultrasound diagnostic system 1, a wireless ultrasound probe that switches a thermal battery that supplies electromotive force in conjunction with switching of a driven transducer is used instead of the wireless ultrasound probe 10 according to the first embodiment, which will be described as the second embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0069] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless ultrasound probe 20 according to the second embodiment. The ultrasound diagnostic system according to the second embodiment differs from the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the wireless ultrasound probe 20 shown in Fig. 5 is provided instead of the wireless ultrasound probe 10 shown in Fig. 2.

[0070] The wireless ultrasonic probe 20 is an ultrasonic probe that does not receive an external power supply. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 includes a probe exterior 20a, transducers 20b1 and 20b2, substrates 20c1 and 20c2, a secondary battery 20d, thermal conductors 20e1, 20e2, 20e3, and 20e4, and thermal batteries 20f1 and 20f2.

[0071] Probe sheath 20a is an exterior that houses vibrators 20b1 and 20b2, substrates 20c1 and 20c2, secondary battery 20d, thermal conductors 20e1, 20e2, 20e3, and 20e4, and thermal batteries 20f1 and 20f2. When a user grips probe sheath 20a, the user's heat is transferred to probe sheath 20a, generating heat in probe sheath 20a. The heat generated in probe sheath 20a is conducted directly to thermal batteries 20f1 and 20f2.

[0072] The wireless ultrasonic probe 20 includes a plurality of transducers 20b1 and a plurality of transducers 20b2, but may include one transducer 20b1 and one transducer 20b2. That is, the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 is required to include at least one transducer 20b1 and at least one transducer 20b2. Therefore, the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 is required to include at least two transducers (transducers 20b1 and 20b2). Therefore, the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 includes a plurality of transducers. The transducers 20b1 and 20b2 have the same configuration as the transducer 10b. In the second embodiment, the transducer 20b1 generates ultrasonic waves based on a drive signal supplied from a transmission / reception circuit mounted on the substrate 20c1. The transducer 20b2 generates ultrasonic waves based on a drive signal supplied from a transmission / reception circuit mounted on the substrate 20c2. Furthermore, transducer 20b1 receives reflected waves from the subject, converts the received reflected waves into reflected wave signals, and transmits the reflected wave signals to a transmission / reception circuit mounted on substrate 20c1. Transducer 20b2 receives reflected waves from the subject, converts the received reflected waves into reflected wave signals, and transmits the reflected wave signals to a transmission / reception circuit mounted on substrate 20c2.

[0073] Like vibrator 10b, vibrators 20b1 and 20b2 generate heat. The heat generated by vibrator 20b1 is conducted to thermal battery 20f2 via a thermal conductor (not shown) provided between vibrator 20b1 and thermal battery 20f2. The thermal conductor is made of at least one of aluminum, iron, copper, a silicon-based thermally conductive sheet, and carbon. The thermal conductor is not limited to the above materials as long as it conducts heat. The heat generated by vibrator 20b2 is conducted to thermal battery 20f1 via a thermal conductor (not shown) provided between vibrator 20b2 and thermal battery 20f1. The thermal conductor is made of at least one of aluminum, iron, copper, a silicon-based thermally conductive sheet, and carbon. The thermal conductor is not limited to the above materials as long as it conducts heat.

[0074] Substrates 20c1 and 20c2 have the same configuration as substrate 10c. Substrate 20c1 generates ultrasound image data based on the reflected wave signal transmitted from transducer 20b1. Substrate 20c2 generates ultrasound image data based on the reflected wave signal transmitted from transducer 20b2. Note that a single substrate may be provided instead of two substrates 20c1 and 20c2.

[0075] The secondary battery 20d has a configuration similar to the secondary battery 10d. The secondary battery 20d is provided inside the probe exterior 20a. For example, the secondary battery 20d is charged by an external charger to a predetermined remaining battery level or more, and then attached to the probe exterior 20a. The secondary battery 20d attached to the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 is controlled by a control circuit mounted on the substrate 20c1 to supply electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 20c1. The secondary battery 20d attached to the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 is controlled by a control circuit mounted on the substrate 20c2 to supply electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 20c2. The secondary battery 20d generates heat, similar to the secondary battery 10d. The secondary battery 20d may not be provided. If the secondary battery 20d is not provided, the thermal conductors 20e2 and 20e4 may also not be provided.

[0076] The user may charge the secondary battery 20d from outside the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 via a cable connection or wirelessly, with the secondary battery 20d installed inside the probe exterior 20a. For example, the user moves the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 with the secondary battery 20d installed inside to a location where an external charger that charges the secondary battery 20d via a cable connection or wirelessly is installed, and then charges the secondary battery 20d using the external charger. In this case, since the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 has been moved to the location where the external charger is installed, the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 cannot be used while the secondary battery 20d is being charged. That is, in this case, the subject cannot be scanned using the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 while the secondary battery 20d is being charged.

[0077] Thermal conductor 20e2 is provided between secondary battery 20d and thermal battery 20f2 and conducts heat generated by secondary battery 20d to thermal battery 20f2. Thermal conductor 20e4 is provided between secondary battery 20d and thermal battery 20f1 and conducts heat generated by secondary battery 20d to thermal battery 20f1. That is, heat generated by secondary battery 20d is conducted to thermal batteries 20f2 and 20f1 via thermal conductors 20e2 and 20e4. Thermal conductors 20e2 and 20e4 are realized by at least one of aluminum, iron, copper, a silicon-based thermally conductive sheet, and carbon. Note that thermal conductors 20e2 and 20e4 may be any material that conducts heat and are not limited to the above materials.

[0078] Thermal batteries 20f1 and 20f2 have the same configuration as thermal battery 10f and are rechargeable batteries that are charged by supplied heat. Thermal battery 20f1 is controlled by a control circuit mounted on substrate 20c1 and supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on substrate 20c1. Thermal battery 20f2 is controlled by a control circuit mounted on substrate 20c2 and supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on substrate 20c2.

[0079] Here, when the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 drives the transducer 20b1, the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the transmission / reception circuit mounted on the substrate 20c1 is the thermal battery 20f1 or the secondary battery 20d. Also, when the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 drives the transducer 20b2, the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the transmission / reception circuit mounted on the substrate 20c2 is the thermal battery 20f2 or the secondary battery 20d. As described above, in the second embodiment, the thermal battery that supplies electromotive force to the transmission / reception circuit differs depending on the transducer to be driven. As described above, the control circuit according to the second embodiment switches the thermal battery that supplies electromotive force to the transmission / reception circuit to one of the multiple thermal batteries 20f1, 20f2 in conjunction with switching the transducer to be driven. The control circuit is an example of a switching unit.

[0080] Here, the control circuits mounted on the substrate 20c1 and the substrate 20c2 perform the same processing as the control circuit 16 according to the first embodiment. For example, the control circuit mounted on the substrate 20c1 switches the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 20c1 from the secondary battery 20d to the thermal battery 20f1 according to the remaining battery power of the secondary battery 20d. Furthermore, for example, the control circuit mounted on the substrate 20c2 switches the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 20c2 from the secondary battery 20d to the thermal battery 20f2 according to the remaining battery power of the secondary battery 20d. Therefore, even if the remaining battery power of the secondary battery 20d is almost depleted, the electromotive force from the thermal batteries 20f1 and 20f2 is supplied to the electronic device, allowing ultrasonic scanning to continue. Therefore, the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 according to the second embodiment can extend its operating time.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, the control circuit mounted on the substrate 20c1 switches the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 20c1 from the thermal battery 20f1 to the secondary battery 20d depending on the remaining battery power of the thermal battery 20f1. Furthermore, for example, the control circuit mounted on the substrate 20c2 switches the rechargeable battery that supplies electromotive force to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 20c2 from the thermal battery 20f2 to the secondary battery 20d depending on the remaining battery power of the thermal battery 20f2. Therefore, even if the remaining battery power of the thermal batteries 20f1 and 20f2 is almost depleted, the electromotive force from the secondary battery 20d is again supplied to the electronic device, so that ultrasonic scanning can be continued. Therefore, the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 according to the second embodiment can further extend the usage time.

[0082] The above has described the second embodiment. According to the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 according to the second embodiment, as described above, the usage time of the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 can be extended.

[0083] In the second embodiment, the thermal battery that supplies power to the transceiver circuit differs depending on the vibrator being driven. Furthermore, the thermal battery that is not supplying power to the transceiver circuit is charged by heat generated by the multiple vibrators 20b1, 20b2, the transceiver circuit, and the probe exterior 20a housing the transceiver circuit being conducted directly or via a thermal conductor to the thermal battery that is not supplying power to the transceiver circuit. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, for the same reason as the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the entire wireless ultrasonic probe 20 from generating heat, and ultimately to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which long-term use becomes difficult due to thermal restrictions.

[0084] (Third embodiment) In the wireless ultrasound probes 10 and 20, the secondary battery may be charged by electromotive force supplied by a thermal battery. Therefore, such an embodiment will be described as a third embodiment. In the description of the third embodiment, differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and a description of configurations similar to those of the first and second embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, in the description of the third embodiment, configurations similar to those of the first and second embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals, and a description of those configurations may be omitted.

[0085] In the following explanation, an example will be given in which the secondary battery 10d in the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 is charged by electromotive force supplied by the thermal battery 10f, but with a similar configuration, the secondary battery 20d in the wireless ultrasonic probe 20 may be charged by electromotive force supplied by the thermal batteries 20f1 and 20f2.

[0086] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless ultrasonic probe 10 according to the third embodiment. The wireless ultrasonic probe 10 shown in Fig. 6 differs from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 shown in Fig. 2 in that it includes wiring 10g for supplying an electromotive force. The wiring 10g may be a circuit.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 6, wiring 10g connects the secondary battery 10d and the thermal battery 10f. The control circuit 16 controls the thermal battery 10f so that the electromotive force of the thermal battery 10f is supplied to the secondary battery 10d. Under this control, the thermal battery 10f supplies electromotive force to the secondary battery 10d via wiring 10g. The secondary battery 10d is charged by the electromotive force supplied by the thermal battery 10f.

[0088] For example, similar to the first embodiment, the control circuit 16 first controls the secondary battery 10d so that an electromotive force generated by the secondary battery 10d is supplied to the electronic device mounted on the substrate 10c. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the control circuit 16 determines the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d at predetermined time intervals. Then, similar to the first embodiment, each time the control circuit 16 determines the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d, it determines whether the determined remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0089] When it is determined that the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 10d is less than a predetermined threshold, the control circuit 16 controls the thermal battery 10f to supply the electromotive force of the thermal battery 10f to the secondary battery 10d. As a result, the secondary battery 10d is charged by the electromotive force supplied by the thermal battery 10f. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, since the secondary battery 10d is charged, the usage time of the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 can be extended.

[0090] (Fourth embodiment) In the first to third embodiments, a case where noise generation in the transmission / reception circuit is suppressed will be described as a fourth embodiment. Hereinafter, as the fourth embodiment, a case where noise generation in the transmission / reception circuit 11 is suppressed in the first embodiment will be described, but with a similar configuration, noise generation in the transmission / reception circuit can also be suppressed in the second and third embodiments.

[0091] For example, the secondary battery 10d according to the fourth embodiment supplies electromotive force to four electronic devices 11a to 11d among the plurality of electronic devices 11a to 11h in the transceiver circuit 11. Furthermore, the thermal battery 10f according to the fourth embodiment supplies electromotive force to four electronic devices 11e to 11h among the plurality of electronic devices 11a to 11h. In this way, different electromotive forces are supplied to the four electronic devices 11a to 11d and the four electronic devices 11e to 11h. This makes it possible to suppress noise generation in the transceiver circuit 11.

[0092] The secondary battery 10d may supply electromotive force to at least one electronic device. The thermal battery 10f may supply electromotive force to at least one electronic device different from the electronic device to which electromotive force is supplied by the secondary battery 10d. The electronic device to which electromotive force is supplied by the secondary battery 10d is an example of a first electronic device. The electronic device to which electromotive force is supplied by the thermal battery 10f is an example of a second electronic device.

[0093] (Fifth embodiment) In the first to fourth embodiments, the thermal battery may cool the transmitter / receiver circuit using a cooling medium. Therefore, such an embodiment will be described as the fifth embodiment. In the description of the fifth embodiment, differences from the first to fourth embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of configurations similar to those of the first to fourth embodiments may be omitted. In the description of the fifth embodiment, configurations similar to those of the first to fourth embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions of those configurations may be omitted.

[0094] Below, as the fifth embodiment, we will explain the case where the thermal battery 10f cools the transmission / reception circuit 11 using a cooling medium in the first embodiment, but with a similar configuration, the thermal battery can also cool the transmission / reception circuit using a cooling medium in the second to fourth embodiments.

[0095] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a board 10c1 included in a wireless ultrasonic probe according to the fifth embodiment. The wireless ultrasonic probe according to the fifth embodiment differs from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 shown in Fig. 2 in that it includes a board 10c1 shown in Fig. 7 instead of the board 10c.

[0096] The substrate 10c1 shown in Fig. 7 differs from the substrate 10c shown in Fig. 3 in that it includes a cooling medium 18. In the fifth embodiment, a thermal battery 10f supplies electromotive force to the cooling medium 18. The cooling medium 18 is formed of a Peltier element or the like, and cools the transceiver circuit 11 by receiving electromotive force from the thermal battery 10f. The cooling medium 18 is an example of a cooling unit.

[0097] In the fifth embodiment, the cooling medium 18 supplied with electromotive force from the thermal battery 10f cools the transmission / reception circuit 11. Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, it is possible to further suppress heat generation in the entire wireless ultrasonic probe. Consequently, compared to the first embodiment, it is possible to further suppress the occurrence of a situation in which long-term use becomes difficult due to thermal restrictions.

[0098] (Sixth embodiment) In the first to fifth embodiments, the case where the wireless ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic image data or data used in generating the ultrasonic image data to the terminal 100 by wireless communication has been described. However, the ultrasonic probe may transmit ultrasonic image data or data used in generating the ultrasonic image data to the terminal 100 by wired communication. Therefore, such an embodiment will be described as the sixth embodiment.

[0099] In the description of the sixth embodiment, differences from the first to fifth embodiments will be mainly described, and a description of the same configurations as the first to fifth embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, in the description of the sixth embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same configurations as the first to fifth embodiments, and a description of these configurations may be omitted.

[0100] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic system 2 according to the sixth embodiment. The ultrasound diagnostic system 2 shown in Fig. 8 differs from the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 shown in Fig. 1 in that it includes an ultrasound probe 30 that is wired and connected to a terminal 100 via a cable 40.

[0101] The ultrasonic probe 30 transmits ultrasonic image data or data used in generating the ultrasonic image data to the terminal 100 via wired communication. For example, the ultrasonic probe 30 transmits ultrasonic image data or data used in generating the ultrasonic image data to the terminal 100 via a cable 40. Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 30 does not receive power from an external source.

[0102] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a substrate 10c2 included in an ultrasonic probe 30 according to the sixth embodiment. The ultrasonic probe 30 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the wireless ultrasonic probe 10 shown in Fig. 2 in that it includes a substrate 10c2 shown in Fig. 9 instead of the substrate 10c.

[0103] The board 10c2 shown in FIG. 9 differs from the board 10c shown in FIG. 3 in that it includes a wired communication circuit 19 instead of the wireless communication circuit 17. In the sixth embodiment, the wired communication circuit 19 is a circuit for performing wired communication with the terminal 100. For example, the wired communication circuit 19 transmits various types of information and data to the terminal 100 via wired communication, and receives various types of information and data transmitted from the terminal 100 via wired communication. For example, the wired communication circuit 19 transmits ultrasound image data generated by the image generation circuit 14 to the terminal 100 via a cable 40. The wired communication circuit 19 may also transmit data used in generating ultrasound image data (for example, B-mode data and Doppler data generated by the signal processing circuit 13) to the terminal 100 via the cable 40. The wired communication circuit 19 is a communication circuit that performs wired communication in accordance with, for example, a standard for wired connection. The wired communication circuit 19 is an example of a wired communication unit.

[0104] The sixth embodiment has been described above. According to the sixth embodiment, the usage time of the ultrasound probe 30 connected to the terminal 100 by wire can be extended.

[0105] The term "processor" used in the above description refers to a circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)). A processor realizes its function by reading and executing a program stored in a memory circuit. Note that instead of storing a program in a memory circuit, the processor may be configured so that the program is directly embedded in the circuit. In this case, the processor realizes its function by reading and executing the program embedded in the circuit. Note that each processor in this embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but may also be configured as a single processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize its function.

[0106] In the above description of the embodiments, the components of each device shown in the drawings are conceptual functional units and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. Furthermore, all or any part of the processing functions performed by each device can be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware using wired logic.

[0107] Furthermore, the various methods described in the above embodiments can be realized by executing a pre-prepared program for executing processing corresponding to the method on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. A computer such as a personal computer or a workstation is an example of a medical image processing device. The program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. The program can also be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an MO, or a DVD, and executed by being read from the recording medium by a computer.

[0108] According to at least one of the embodiments or modifications described above, the usage time of the ultrasound probe can be extended.

[0109] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1,2 Ultrasound diagnostic system 10,20 Wireless Ultrasound Probe 10b, 20b1, 20b2 10d,20d secondary battery 10f,20f1,20f2 thermal battery 11 Transmitting and receiving circuit 30 Ultrasound Probe

Claims

1. a transmitting / receiving circuit that causes at least one transducer to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves; at least two rechargeable batteries for supplying power to the transceiver circuitry; Equipped with At least one of the at least two rechargeable batteries is charged by heat. Ultrasound probe.

2. the at least one rechargeable battery is charged by heat generated by the at least one vibrator, the transceiver circuit, the exterior housing the transceiver circuit, and other rechargeable batteries being conducted to the at least one rechargeable battery directly or via a thermal conductor; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

3. a switching unit that switches the rechargeable battery that supplies the power to the transmitting / receiving circuit to one of the at least two rechargeable batteries in accordance with a remaining battery level of at least one of the at least two rechargeable batteries; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

4. The at least one vibrator includes a plurality of vibrators, Among the at least two rechargeable batteries, a plurality of the rechargeable batteries are a plurality of thermal batteries that are charged by heat, The thermal battery that supplies power to the transmission / reception circuit varies depending on the vibrator to be driven, The thermal battery that is not supplying power to the transceiver circuit is charged by heat generated by the plurality of vibrators, the transceiver circuit, and the exterior housing the transceiver circuit, being conducted to the thermal battery that is not supplying power to the transceiver circuit directly or via a thermal conductor. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

5. a switching unit that switches the thermal battery that supplies the power to the transmission / reception circuit to one of the plurality of thermal batteries in conjunction with switching of the vibrator to be driven; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4 .

6. the at least two rechargeable batteries include a first rechargeable battery and a second rechargeable battery; the second rechargeable battery is charged by heat; The first rechargeable battery is charged by the power supplied by the second rechargeable battery. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

7. the second rechargeable battery is charged by heat generated by the at least one vibrator, the transceiver circuit, an exterior housing the transceiver circuit, and the first rechargeable battery being conducted to the second rechargeable battery directly or via a thermal conductor. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6 .

8. a switching unit that switches the rechargeable battery that supplies the power to the transceiver circuit between the first rechargeable battery and the second rechargeable battery in accordance with at least one of a remaining battery charge of the first rechargeable battery and a remaining battery charge of the second rechargeable battery; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6 .

9. the at least two rechargeable batteries include a first rechargeable battery and a second rechargeable battery; the transmitting and receiving circuit includes a plurality of electronic devices that operate when power is supplied; the first rechargeable battery supplies power to at least one first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; the second rechargeable battery supplies power to at least one second electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

10. a cooling unit that cools the transmission / reception circuit by being supplied with power, the at least one rechargeable battery supplies power to the cooling unit; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

11. The ultrasound imaging device further includes a wireless communication unit that transmits ultrasound image data obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasound to the at least one transducer or data used in generating the ultrasound image data to a terminal via wireless communication. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

12. The ultrasound imaging device further includes a wired communication unit that transmits ultrasound image data obtained by transmitting and receiving the ultrasound to the at least one transducer or data used in generating the ultrasound image data to a terminal via wired communication. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 .

13. the at least two rechargeable batteries include a first rechargeable battery and a second rechargeable battery; The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the first rechargeable battery can be charged from outside the ultrasonic probe.

14. the at least two rechargeable batteries include a first rechargeable battery and a second rechargeable battery; The ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein the first rechargeable battery is removable from the ultrasound probe.

Images