Medical imaging diagnostic equipment and medical support equipment

Abstract

To enable easy and accurate determination of the amount of movement of medical instruments within a subject's body. [Solution] The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment comprises a medical support device and a display control unit. The medical support device has a support unit and a detection unit. The support unit is held in the insertion opening of the subject and supports a medical instrument that can be inserted into the inside of the subject through the insertion opening. The detection unit is provided in the support unit and outputs detection information of the amount of movement of the medical instrument in accordance with the change in the reflected light of the light irradiated onto the medical instrument. The display control unit displays the amount of movement based on the detection information output from the detection unit of the medical support device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus and a medical support apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) examination, an ultrasonic probe (i.e., a TEE probe) including a tip provided with a vibrator for generating ultrasonic waves and a guiding portion for guiding the tip into the inside of a subject is used. Specifically, in a TEE examination, the tip of the TEE probe is inserted into the esophagus from the subject's oral cavity, and the heart is ultrasonically scanned by the tip through the esophageal wall. The result of the ultrasonic scan is used for evaluating the function of the heart. The tip of the TEE probe cannot be visually observed after being inserted into the oral cavity. Therefore, from the viewpoint of accurate diagnosis, it is desirable to be able to recognize the position of the tip of the TEE probe in real time. As a method for recognizing the position of the tip of the TEE probe, a method for measuring the insertion amount of the TEE probe is known. For example, in many current TEE probes, a scale including numbers is printed on the guiding portion. Such a TEE probe can measure the insertion amount by visually reading the scale.

[0003] Since there are restrictions on the printable space of the guiding portion, it is necessary to print the scale numbers at discrete values to some extent. However, the larger the discrete interval of the numerical values, the lower the measurement resolution. On the other hand, if the discrete interval of the numerical values is reduced, the printing may be dense and there may be a possibility of misreading the numbers. In addition, since it is necessary to visually confirm the printing to grasp the insertion amount, it is necessary to take the eyes off the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when measuring the insertion amount. Therefore, it is required to be able to easily and appropriately grasp the insertion amount of the TEE probe inside the subject.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005] One of the problems that the embodiments disclosed herein and in the drawings aim to solve is to enable the easy and appropriate determination of the amount of movement of a medical device inside a subject. However, the problems that the embodiments disclosed herein and in the drawings aim to solve are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment comprises a medical support device and a display control unit. The medical support device has a support unit and a detection unit. The support unit is held in the insertion opening of a subject and supports a medical instrument that can be inserted into the inside of the subject through the insertion opening. The detection unit is provided in the support unit and outputs detection information of the amount of movement of the medical instrument in accordance with the change in the reflected light of the light irradiated onto the medical instrument. The display control unit displays the amount of movement based on the detection information output from the detection unit of the medical support device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of an ultrasound probe in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the mouthpiece of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the mouthpiece of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a mouthpiece according to a first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a mouthpiece according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing a mouthpiece according to a third modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the medical imaging diagnostic device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations will be given only when necessary. In the following, an ultrasound diagnostic device for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) will be described as an example of a medical imaging diagnostic device. The ultrasound diagnostic device may also be an ultrasound diagnostic device for transrectal ultrasound examination.

[0009] (First embodiment) Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 comprises an ultrasound probe 2, an operation panel 31, a display 41, a device body 5, and a mouthpiece 6. Note that in Figure 1, the ultrasound probe 2 is shown in a simplified form. The ultrasound probe 2 is an example of a medical instrument. The mouthpiece 6 is an example of a medical support device. The ultrasound probe 2, operation panel 31, display 41, and mouthpiece 6 are communicated with the device body 5. The ultrasound probe 2 is connected to the device body 5 via a cable 7. The mouthpiece 6 is connected to the device body 5 via a cable 8. That is, in the first embodiment, the mouthpiece 6 is wired to the device body 5.

[0010] The ultrasound probe 2 is a device that transmits ultrasound to a subject P and receives reflected ultrasound waves (echoes) from the subject P in order to acquire an ultrasound image of the subject P. In the first embodiment, the ultrasound probe 2 is a TEE probe. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasound probe 2 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the ultrasound probe 2 comprises a tip portion 21, a bendable portion 22, a guide portion 23, and an operating portion 24. The tip portion 21 transmits and receives ultrasound. The bendable portion 22 is connected between the tip portion 21 and the guide portion 23. In other words, the bendable portion 22 is connected to the tip of the guide portion 23, and the tip portion 21 is connected to the tip of the bendable portion 22. The bendable portion 22 can be bent by operating a wire (not shown) fixed inside the bendable portion 22. The guide portion 23 guides the tip portion 21 into the interior of the subject P. The guide portion 23 is inserted into the body cavity of the subject P when taking an ultrasound image of the subject P. The guide section 23 can also be called the insertion tube. The operating section 24 receives wire manipulation and changes the bending state of the bent section 22. Signal wires connecting the tip section 21 and the cable 7 are arranged inside the bent section 22, the guide section 23, and the operating section 24.

[0011] The ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of transducers provided at its tip 21. The plurality of transducers generate ultrasound based on a drive signal, such as voltage, supplied from the main body of the device 5. The ultrasonic probe 2 also receives reflected waves from the subject P and converts them into electrical signals. That is, the ultrasonic probe 2 scans the subject P with ultrasound and receives reflected waves from the subject P. The transducers are provided with electrodes for supplying drive signals and inputting electrical signals of reflected waves. The transducers may be made of, for example, PZT (lead zirconate titanate) and PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). For example, an acoustic matching layer and an acoustic lens are arranged on the surface of the transducer. For example, a backing material is arranged on the back of the transducer. The acoustic matching layer, also called the λ / 4 layer, is a layer for efficiently transmitting and receiving ultrasound by reducing the impedance difference between the transducer and the living body. The acoustic lens is a structure for reducing friction with the living body surface during examination and for focusing the ultrasound beam to improve slice resolution. The backing material has a structure that absorbs ultrasound waves coming backward and shortens the pulse width of ultrasound waves coming forward. The ultrasound probe 2 is detachably connected to the main body of the device 5.

[0012] When ultrasound is transmitted from the ultrasound probe 2 to the subject P, the transmitted ultrasound is reflected one after another by discontinuities in acoustic impedance within the subject P's internal tissues, and the reflected wave signals are received by multiple transducers on the ultrasound probe 2. The amplitude of the received reflected wave signals depends on the difference in acoustic impedance at the discontinuities where the ultrasound is reflected. Furthermore, when the transmitted ultrasound pulse is reflected by a moving surface such as blood flow or the heart wall, the reflected wave signal undergoes a frequency shift due to the Doppler effect, depending on the velocity component of the moving object relative to the ultrasound transmission direction.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration example of the mouthpiece 6 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the mouthpiece 6 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the insertion direction of the ultrasonic probe 2 is defined as the Z direction. Also, the lateral width direction of the mouthpiece 6 is defined as the X direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Z direction is defined as the Y direction.

[0014] The mouthpiece 6 is a device that supports the ultrasonic probe 2 while being held in the mouth of the subject P, which is an example of the insertion port of the subject P. More specifically, the mouthpiece 6 is a device that provides detection information on the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 while supporting the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mouthpiece 6 includes a support portion 60 and a sensor 600. The sensor 600 is an example of a detection portion.

[0016] The support portion 60 is held in the mouth of the subject P and supports the ultrasonic probe 2 that can be inserted into the subject P through the mouth of the subject P. More specifically, the support portion 60 has a movable portion 61 and a fixed portion 62. The movable portion 61 is an example of a first portion. The fixed portion 62 is an example of a second portion.

[0017] The movable portion 61 is movable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the ultrasonic probe 2 while supporting the ultrasonic probe 2. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the movable portion 61 is movable in the X direction. Also, in the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the movable portion 61 has an elliptical plate shape with the Y direction as the major axis direction. The movable portion 61 is provided with a passage port 611 through which the ultrasonic probe 2 passes. The inner peripheral edge of the passage port 611 has the same shape as the outer peripheral edge of the portion of the ultrasonic probe 2 passing through the passage port 611. The inner diameter of the inner peripheral edge of the passage port 611 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral edge of the ultrasonic probe 2. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the passage port 611 has a circular shape.

[0018] The fixed part 62 is fixed to the mouth of the subject P by being bitten by the subject P. The fixed part 62 supports the movable part 61 so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixed part 62 supports the movable part 61 so as to be movable in the X direction. The fixed part 62 is provided with an opening 621 extending in the moving direction of the movable part 61 (that is, the direction intersecting the insertion direction). In the example shown in FIG. 3, the fixed part 62 has an elliptical shape with the X direction as the major axis direction. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the opening 621 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the X direction. The fixed part 62 has a certain thickness in the insertion direction (Z direction) so that the subject P can bite the fixed part 62. The fixed part 62 also includes a guide rail 622 that guides the movement of the movable part 61 along the opening 621. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail 622 extends in the X direction. Further, a pair of guide rails 622 are provided at intervals in the Y direction across the opening 621. The movable part 61 is supported by the fixed part 62 so as to be slidable along the guide rail 622.

[0019] The sensor 600 is provided on the support portion 60 and outputs detection information of the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 in response to changes in the reflected light of light irradiated onto the ultrasonic probe 2. The amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 may be the amount of insertion of the ultrasonic probe 2 from the initial position of the ultrasonic probe 2 which has been registered in advance, i.e., the amount of movement in the insertion direction. The initial position of the ultrasonic probe 2 may be registered in the memory 52 (see Figure 5), which will be described later. The amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 may also be the amount of rotation of the ultrasonic probe 2 from the initial position of the ultrasonic probe 2 which has been registered in advance, i.e., the amount of movement in the rotation direction R shown in Figure 4. The amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 may be both the amount of insertion and the amount of rotation of the ultrasonic probe 2. The sensor 600 is provided on the movable portion 61. More specifically, the sensor 600 is provided on the inner periphery of the passage opening 611 in the movable portion 61. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sensor 600 is provided on the Y-direction end of the inner periphery of the passage opening 611. In other words, in the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sensor 600 is arranged such that the laser diode 601 and the light receiving unit 610 (see Figure 5), which will be described later, face the Y-direction end on the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0020] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the sensor 600 includes a laser diode 601, which is an example of a light-emitting unit, and a light-receiving unit 610. The laser diode 601 irradiates the ultrasonic probe 2 with laser light. Specifically, the laser diode 601 irradiates the outer circumferential surface of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the portion that passes through the through-hole 611 with laser light. For example, the laser diode 601 irradiates the outer circumferential surface of the guide portion 23 that passes through the through-hole 611 with laser light. The light-receiving unit 610 receives reflected light from the ultrasonic probe 2. The light-receiving unit 610 is an optical sensor equipped with a solid-state image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The light-receiving unit 610 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of reflected light received by photoelectric conversion of the reflected light. In other words, the light-receiving unit 610 outputs detection information for the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 by outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the change in reflected light of the laser light irradiated from the laser diode 601 onto the ultrasonic probe 2. To put it another way, the light-receiving unit 610 outputs a series of multiple captured images acquired each time during the process of continuously imaging the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe 2 (e.g., the guide portion 23) as detection information for the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2. The detection information (i.e., electrical signal) output from the light-receiving unit 610 is input to the main body of the device 5 via the cable 8.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 further comprises an input interface 3 including an operation panel 31 and an output interface 4 including a display 41.

[0022] The input interface 3 receives various instructions and information input operations from the operator. Specifically, the input interface 3 converts the input operations received from the operator into electrical signals and outputs them to the main unit 5 of the device. For example, the input interface 3 can be implemented by a trackball, switch buttons, mouse, keyboard, touchpad that performs input operations by touching the operating surface, touchscreen that integrates a display screen and a touchpad, a non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, and an audio input circuit. Note that the input interface 3 is not limited to those equipped with physical operating components such as a mouse or keyboard. For example, an electrical signal processing circuit that receives electrical signals corresponding to input operations from an external input device located separately from the device and outputs these electrical signals to a control circuit is also included as an example of the input interface 3.

[0023] The output interface 4 outputs various types of information. For example, the output interface 4 includes a display. The display converts the information and image data sent from the main unit 5 into electrical signals for display and outputs them. The display can be implemented as an LCD monitor, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor, or a touch panel. The output interface 4 may also include a speaker. The speaker outputs predetermined sounds, such as beeps, to notify the operator of the processing status of the main unit 5.

[0024] The main body of the device 5 includes a transmitting / receiving circuit 51, a memory 52, and a processing circuit 53.

[0025] The transmitting / receiving circuit 51 is a circuit that supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 under the control of the processing circuit 53. The transmitting / receiving circuit 51 is also a circuit that performs various processing on the reflected wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate reflected wave data.

[0026] The transmitting and receiving circuit 51 includes, for example, a pulse generator, a transmission delay unit, and a pulser, in order to supply a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2. The pulse generator repeatedly generates rate pulses at a predetermined rate frequency to form the transmitted ultrasonic waves. The transmission delay unit provides a delay time for each transducer necessary to focus the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic probe 2 into a beam and determine the transmission directivity, to each rate pulse generated by the pulse generator. The pulser applies a drive signal (drive pulse) to the ultrasonic probe 2 at a timing based on the rate pulse to which the delay time has been set. In other words, the transmission delay unit arbitrarily adjusts the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transducer surface by changing the delay time provided to each rate pulse.

[0027] Furthermore, the transmitting and receiving circuit 51 generates reflected wave data by performing various processes on the reflected wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2, and therefore includes, for example, a preamplifier, an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter, a receiving delay unit, and an adder. The preamplifier amplifies the reflected wave signal for each channel. The A / D converter performs A / D conversion on the amplified reflected wave signal. The receiving delay unit provides the necessary delay time to determine the receiving directivity. The adder generates reflected wave data by summing the reflected wave signals processed by the receiving delay unit. The summing process of the adder emphasizes the reflected component from the direction corresponding to the receiving directivity of the reflected wave signal, and the overall beam for ultrasonic transmission and reception is formed by the receiving directivity and the transmitting directivity. Various forms can be selected for the output signal from the transmitting and receiving circuit 51, such as a signal containing phase information called an RF (Radio Frequency) signal, and amplitude information after envelope detection processing.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 5, the transmitting and receiving circuit 51 is located in the main body 5 of the device. However, it is not limited to being located in the main body 5; at least a portion of the transmitting and receiving circuit 51 may be located in the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0029] Memory 52 is a non-transient storage device that stores various types of information, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), optical disc, SSD (Solid State Drive), and integrated circuit storage device. Memory 52 stores, for example, a control program that controls the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 and various types of data used to execute this control program. In addition to HDDs and SSDs, memory 52 may also be a drive device that reads and writes various types of information to portable storage media such as CDs (Compact Discs), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and flash memory, or semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0030] The processing circuit 53 is a circuit that controls the operation of the entire ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 in response to electrical signals of input operations input from the input interface 3. For example, the processing circuit 53 includes an image generation function 531, a calculation function 532, and a display control function 533. The calculation function 532 is an example of a calculation unit. The display control function 533 is an example of a display control unit.

[0031] Here, for example, the image generation function 531, the calculation function 532, and the display control function 533, which are components of the processing circuit 53 shown in Figure 5, each performable by these functions, and these functions are recorded in memory 52 in the form of programs that can be executed by a computer. The processing circuit 53 is, for example, a processor. The processor constituting the processing circuit 53 reads each program from memory 52 and executes it, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to each program that has been read. In other words, the processing circuit 53 in the state in which each program has been read will have the functions shown in the processing circuit 53 of Figure 5. The processing circuit 53 may also include circuits other than the processor.

[0032] In Figure 5, the image generation function 531, the calculation function 532, and the display control function 533 are shown to be implemented by a single processing circuit 53, but the embodiments are not limited to this. For example, the processing circuit 53 may be composed of a combination of multiple independent processors, with each processor executing its own program to implement each processing function. Furthermore, each processing function of the processing circuit 53 may be implemented by appropriately distributing or integrating them across one or more processing circuits.

[0033] The image generation function 531 generates an ultrasound image of the subject P based on the reflected ultrasound waves from the subject P. Specifically, the image generation function 531 receives the reflected wave signal from the ultrasound probe 2 via the transmitting / receiving circuit 51 and generates an ultrasound image based on the received reflected wave signal.

[0034] For example, the image generation function 531 receives reflected wave data from the transmitting / receiving circuit 51, performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection, etc., and generates data (B-mode data) in which signal intensity is expressed as brightness. The image generation function 531 also performs frequency analysis on velocity information from the reflected wave data received from the transmitting / receiving circuit 51, extracts blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo components due to the Doppler effect, and generates data (Doppler data) in which moving object information such as velocity, dispersion, and power is extracted for multiple points. Furthermore, the image generation function 531 can process both 2D and 3D reflected wave data. That is, the image generation function 531 generates 2D B-mode data from 2D reflected wave data and 3D B-mode data from 3D reflected wave data. In addition, the image generation function 531 generates 2D Doppler data from 2D reflected wave data and 3D Doppler data from 3D reflected wave data.

[0035] The image generation function 531 then generates an ultrasound image from the generated data. For example, the image generation function 531 generates a two-dimensional B-mode image from two-dimensional B-mode data, where the intensity of the reflected wave is represented by brightness. Alternatively, the image generation function 531 generates a two-dimensional Doppler image from two-dimensional Doppler data, in which blood flow information is visualized. A two-dimensional Doppler image can be velocity image data representing the average velocity of blood flow, dispersion image data representing the dispersion value of blood flow, power image data representing the power of blood flow, or image data combining these. The image generation function 531 can also generate a color Doppler image in which blood flow information such as the average velocity, dispersion value, and power of blood flow is displayed in color, or a Doppler image in which a single blood flow information is displayed in grayscale. Furthermore, the image generation function 531 can also generate an M-mode image from time-series data of B-mode data on a single scan line. Additionally, the image generation function 531 can generate a Doppler waveform from Doppler data that plots blood flow and tissue velocity information over time.

[0036] The calculation function 532 calculates the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on the detection information of the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 output from the sensor 600.

[0037] The display control function 533 displays the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation function 531 on the display 41. The display control function 533 also displays the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on the detection information output from the sensor 600. Specifically, the display control function 533 displays the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 calculated by the calculation function 532. In the example shown in Figure 1, the display control function 533 displays the insertion length, or insertion amount, of the ultrasonic probe 2 as the amount of movement in the movement display area 41a on the display 41.

[0038] Next, an example of operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, configured as described above, will be explained. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0039] First, as shown in Figure 6, the calculation function 532 acquires detection information of the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 output from the sensor 600 (step S1). For example, as detection information of the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2, the calculation function 532 acquires a series of multiple images acquired each time during the process of continuously imaging the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe 2 (e.g., the mid-guide portion 23) from the sensor 600.

[0040] After acquiring detection information, the calculation function 532 calculates the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on the acquired detection information (step S2). For example, the calculation function 532 calculates the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 by comparing multiple captured images acquired from the sensor 600 and calculating the amount of movement (i.e., change in position) of a specific group of pixels in each captured image. The specific form of the specific group of pixels is not particularly limited. For example, the specific group of pixels may be pixels that show a brightness change of more than a threshold relative to the surrounding pixels.

[0041] After the amount of movement of the ultrasound probe 2 is calculated, the display control function 533 displays the calculated amount of movement of the ultrasound probe 2 on the display 41 (step S3).

[0042] As described above, in the first embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 comprises a mouthpiece 6 and a display control function 533. The mouthpiece 6 has a support portion 60 and a sensor 600. The support portion 60 is held in the mouth of the subject P and supports an ultrasound probe 2 that can be inserted into the inside of the subject P through the mouth of the subject P. The sensor 600 is provided on the support portion 60 and outputs detection information of the amount of movement of the ultrasound probe 2 in accordance with the change in the reflected light of the laser light irradiated onto the ultrasound probe 2. The display control function 533 displays the amount of movement based on the detection information output from the sensor 600 of the mouthpiece 6.

[0043] This eliminates the limitations on measurement accuracy caused by the printed scale, and also eliminates the need to take one's eyes off the display 41 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 when measuring the amount of movement. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily and appropriately determine the amount of movement of the ultrasound probe 2 inside the subject P.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the support portion 60 has a movable portion 61 and a fixed portion 62. The movable portion 61 is movable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the ultrasonic probe 2 while supporting the ultrasonic probe 2. The fixed portion 62 supports the movable portion 61 so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. The sensor 600 is provided on the movable portion 61.

[0045] This improves the operability of the ultrasound probe 2 while making it possible to easily and accurately determine the amount of movement of the ultrasound probe 2.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the movable part 61 is provided with a passage opening 611 through which the ultrasonic probe 2 passes. The inner periphery of the passage opening 611 has the same shape as the outer periphery of the portion of the ultrasonic probe 2 that passes through the passage opening 611. The sensor 600 is provided on the inner periphery of the passage opening 611.

[0047] This allows for proper guidance of the insertion of the ultrasonic probe 2 through the passage 611. Furthermore, the sensor 600 can be positioned appropriately, enabling more accurate acquisition of the movement of the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 further includes a calculation function 532 that calculates the amount of movement based on detection information output from the sensor 600. The display control function 533 displays the amount of movement calculated by the calculation function 532.

[0049] This allows for a more accurate understanding of the movement of the ultrasound probe 2 by displaying the calculated movement amount.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the sensor 600 includes a laser diode that irradiates the ultrasonic probe 2 with laser light and a light receiving unit 610 that receives reflected light from the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0051] This allows for high-precision acquisition of the movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 by using a highly directional laser beam with minimal diffuse reflection.

[0052] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the amount of movement includes at least one of the amount of insertion of the ultrasonic probe 2 from the initial position of the registered ultrasonic probe 2 and the amount of rotation of the ultrasonic probe 2 from the initial position.

[0053] This makes it possible to easily and appropriately determine at least one of the insertion amount and rotation amount of the ultrasound probe 2 inside the subject P.

[0054] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the fixed portion 62 is provided with an opening 621 extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the ultrasonic probe 2, and the fixed portion 62 includes a guide rail 622 that guides the movement of the movable portion 61 along the opening 621.

[0055] This further improves the operability of the ultrasound probe 2.

[0056] As shown below, several modifications relating to the sensor 600 can be applied to the first embodiment.

[0057] (First variation) Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a mouthpiece 6 according to a first modification of the first embodiment. Up to this point, an example has been described in which the sensor 600 is equipped with a laser diode 601 as a light-emitting part. In contrast, in the example shown in Figure 7, the sensor 600 is equipped with a red light-emitting diode 602 as a light-emitting part. The red light-emitting diode 602 irradiates the ultrasonic probe 2 with red light. The light-receiving part 610 outputs detection information of the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 by outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the change in the reflected light of the red light irradiated from the red light-emitting diode 602 to the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0058] As shown in the example in Figure 7, by using the red light-emitting diode 602, power consumption can be reduced and the sensor 600 can be made lighter.

[0059] (Second variation) Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a mouthpiece 6 according to a second modification of the first embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 8, the sensor 600 includes a blue light-emitting diode 603 as a light-emitting unit. The blue light-emitting diode 603 irradiates the ultrasonic probe 2 with blue light. The light-receiving unit 610 outputs detection information of the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 by outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the change in the reflected blue light irradiated from the blue light-emitting diode 603 to the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0060] As shown in the example in Figure 8, by using blue light, which has a shorter wavelength and higher diffusivity than red light, the movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 can be acquired with high precision.

[0061] (Third variation) Figure 9 is a block diagram showing a mouthpiece 6 according to a third modified example of the first embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 9, the sensor 600 includes an infrared light-emitting diode 604 as a light-emitting unit. The infrared light-emitting diode 604 irradiates the ultrasonic probe 2 with infrared light. The light-receiving unit 610 outputs detection information of the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 by outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the change in the reflected light of the infrared light irradiated from the infrared light-emitting diode 604 to the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0062] As shown in the example in Figure 9, by using the infrared light-emitting diode 604, power consumption can be reduced and the sensor 600 can be made lighter.

[0063] (Second embodiment) Next, we will describe a second embodiment in which the mouthpiece 6 and the main body of the device 5 are connected wirelessly, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0064] Up to this point, we have described an example in which the mouthpiece 6 and the main unit of the device 5 are connected by a wire via a cable 8. In contrast, in the example shown in Figures 10 and 11, the mouthpiece 6 and the main unit of the device 5 are connected wirelessly so that they can communicate with each other.

[0065] Specifically, the light-receiving unit 610 includes, in addition to a solid-state image sensor, a communication interface (not shown) for wirelessly transmitting electrical signals acquired by photoelectric conversion. That is, the light-receiving unit 610 generates detection information for the amount of movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 by generating an electrical signal corresponding to the change in reflected light of the laser light irradiated from the laser diode 601 onto the ultrasonic probe 2. The light-receiving unit 610 transmits the generated detection information (i.e., electrical signals) to the main unit 5 of the device via the communication interface. The main unit 5 of the device includes a communication interface 54 for receiving the detection information transmitted from the light-receiving unit 610. The communication interface 54 inputs the received detection information to the processing circuit 53.

[0066] According to the second embodiment, the handling of the mouthpiece 6 can be improved by wirelessly connecting the mouthpiece 6 and the main body of the device 5.

[0067] In the above explanation, the term "processor" refers to circuits such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and Programmable Logic Devices (e.g., Simple Programmable Logic Devices (SPLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)). A processor functions by reading and executing a program stored in a memory circuit. Alternatively, instead of storing the program in a memory circuit, the processor may be configured to directly incorporate the program into its circuitry. In this case, the processor functions by reading and executing the program incorporated into the circuitry. Furthermore, a processor is not limited to being a single circuit; it may also be composed of multiple independent circuits combined to form a single processor and achieve its functions. Additionally, the multiple components shown in Figure 5 may be integrated into a single processor to achieve its functions.

[0068] According to at least one embodiment described above, it becomes possible to easily and appropriately determine the amount of movement of a medical instrument inside a subject.

[0069] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 2. Ultrasound probe 532 Calculation function 533 Display control function 6 Mouthpiece 60 Support part 61 Moving parts 62 Fixed part 600 sensors 601 Laser Diode 602 Red Light Emitting Diode 603 Blue Light Emitting Diode 604 Infrared Light Emitting Diode 611 Passage gate 621 Opening 622 Guide Rail

Claims

1. A medical support device comprising: a support unit that holds a medical instrument held in an insertion opening of a subject and can be inserted into the interior of the subject through the insertion opening; and a detection unit provided in the support unit that outputs detection information of the amount of movement of the medical instrument in accordance with changes in the reflected light of light irradiated onto the medical instrument; A display control unit that displays the amount of movement based on the detection information output from the detection unit of the medical support device, A medical imaging diagnostic device equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The aforementioned support portion is A first portion that is movable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the medical instrument while supporting the medical instrument, A second portion that supports the first portion so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided in the first part.

3. The first part is provided with a passage for the medical instrument to pass through, the inner periphery of the passage has the same shape as the outer periphery of the portion of the medical instrument that passes through the passage, and the detection unit is provided on the inner periphery of the passage, as described in claim 2.

4. The system further comprises a calculation unit that calculates the amount of movement based on the detection information output from the detection unit, The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the amount of movement calculated by the calculation unit.

5. The detection unit is The medical device is provided with a light-emitting unit that irradiates the light with the light, A light receiving unit that receives the reflected light from the medical device, A medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising the following:

6. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light-emitting unit comprises a laser diode for irradiating the medical instrument with laser light.

7. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light-emitting unit comprises a red light-emitting diode that irradiates the medical instrument with red light.

8. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light-emitting unit comprises a blue light-emitting diode that irradiates the medical instrument with blue light.

9. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detection unit is equipped with an infrared light-emitting diode that irradiates the medical instrument with infrared light.

10. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of movement includes at least one of the amount of insertion of the medical instrument from the initial position of the registered medical instrument and the amount of rotation of the medical instrument from the initial position.

11. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second portion is provided with an opening extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, and includes a guide rail for guiding the movement of the first portion along the opening.

12. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the medical imaging diagnostic apparatus is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus equipped with an ultrasound probe as the medical instrument.

13. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the ultrasound probe is a transesophageal probe.

14. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the medical support device is a mouthpiece.

15. A support portion that holds a medical instrument held in the insertion opening of the subject and that can be inserted into the interior of the subject through the insertion opening, A detection unit provided in the support portion outputs detection information for the amount of movement of the medical instrument in accordance with the change in the reflected light of the light irradiated onto the medical instrument, A medical support device equipped with [a specific feature].

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