Ultrasound diagnostic device and docking unit

Abstract

To facilitate an operation input of locking and unlocking of connection of an ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 comprises an ultrasonic diagnostic device body 1 which generates ultrasonic image data from a signal obtained by an ultrasonic probe and includes a housing 31. The ultrasonic probe includes a first connector for connection to the ultrasonic diagnostic device body 1. The ultrasonic diagnostic device body 1 comprises: a connector 32 which is connected to the first connector and provided in the housing 31; a lever 331 which receives an operation input of locking or unlocking of connection of the first connector to the connector 32 and is provided in the housing 31; and a first lock mechanism part which performs locking or unlocking of connection of the first connector to the connector 32 in accordance with the operation input of the lever 331. The lever 331 is provided on a top face part 312 different from a right side face part 311 on the housing 31 where the connector 32 is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a docking unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Ultrasound diagnosis is a simple procedure of applying an ultrasound probe to the surface or interior of a patient's body to obtain ultrasound images of the heart or fetus, and is highly safe, allowing repeated testing. Ultrasound diagnostic devices used for performing such ultrasound diagnosis are known.

[0003] Ultrasound probes are available in a variety of scanning modes, such as convex, linear, and sector, and are used by connecting them to the main body of an ultrasound diagnostic device. In addition, ultrasound diagnostic devices equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent the ultrasound probe from coming off the main body of the ultrasound diagnostic device are known. For example, a portable ultrasound system is known in which a receptacle connector to which the plug connector of the ultrasound probe is connected and a lever part that moves an insertion blade of the receptacle connector to grab and pull the plug connector to lock / unlock the receptacle connector are located on the right side of the main body (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 10,172,589 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the portable ultrasound system of Patent Document 1, the receptacle connector and the lever are located on the same side of the main body, making it difficult to operate the lever. In particular, when an ultrasound probe is connected to the receptacle connector, it becomes even more difficult to operate the lever.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to facilitate inputting an operation for locking and unlocking the connection of an ultrasound probe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1 comprises: The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic device that generates ultrasonic image data based on a signal obtained by an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and has a first housing and a second housing. the ultrasound probe has a first connector for connecting to the ultrasound diagnostic device body, The ultrasonic diagnostic device body includes: An operation unit that receives an operation input of information and is provided in the first housing; a second connector connected to the first connector and provided on the first housing; a first lock operation unit that receives an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the first connector to the second connector and is provided in the first housing; a first lock mechanism unit that locks or unlocks the connection of the first connector to the second connector in response to an operation input to the first lock operation unit, The operation unit and The first lock operation portion is provided on a second surface of the first housing, the second surface being different from a first surface on which the second connector is provided.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in claim 1, The first locking mechanism is configured as an integral part with the second connector, and locks or unlocks the connection of the first connector to the second connector by transmitting a rotational force in response to an operational input to the first locking operation unit.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in claim 1 or 2, The second surface is a top surface of the first housing.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in claim 3, The first housing includes: an opening for exposing the first lock operation portion; and a hole provided below the opening.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The first housing includes: The ultrasonic diagnostic device further includes a separation section that separates a first space in which the first lock operation section and the first lock mechanism section are housed from a second space in which a circuit section of the ultrasonic diagnostic device body is housed.

[0012] The invention described in claim 6 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a docking unit having a relay connector connected to the second connector, the first lock operation unit receives an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the relay connector to the second connector, The first lock mechanism locks or unlocks the connection of the relay connector to the second connector in response to an operation input to the first lock operation portion.

[0013] The invention described in claim 7 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in claim 6, The docking unit includes a second housing; a third connector connected to a signal line of the relay connector, provided in the second housing, and connected to the first connector; a second lock operation unit that receives an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the first connector to the third connector and is provided in the second housing; a second lock mechanism that locks or unlocks the connection of the first connector to the third connector in response to an operation input to the second lock operation unit, The second lock operation portion is provided on a fourth surface of the second housing, the fourth surface being different from a third surface on which the third connector is provided.

[0014] The invention described in claim 8 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in claim 7, the third connector is a plurality of connectors; The second lock operation portion and the second lock mechanism portion are provided corresponding to each of the third connectors.

[0015] The invention described in claim 9 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the ultrasonic diagnostic device body has a first interface port on the first surface, the first interface port being connected to at least one of a communication line and a power line; The docking unit has a second interface port connected to the first interface port.

[0016] The invention described in claim 10 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, The docking unit is fixedly installed on a cart on which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is placed.

[0017] The invention described in claim 11 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The first surface is a rear surface of the first housing.

[0018] The invention described in claim 12 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The ultrasonic probe is provided.

[0019] The invention described in claim 13 is A docking unit connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic device body that generates ultrasonic image data based on a signal obtained by an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, the ultrasound probe has a first connector for connecting to the ultrasound diagnostic device body, The ultrasonic diagnostic device body includes: an operation unit provided on a surface of a first housing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body and configured to receive an operation input of information; A second connector connected to the first connector and, having The docking unit includes: Second A housing and a relay connector connected to the second connector; The relay connector is connected to a signal line of the relay connector. Second a third connector provided in a housing and connected to the first connector; receiving an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the first connector to the third connector; Second A lock operation unit provided on the housing; a lock mechanism that locks or unlocks the connection of the first connector to the third connector in response to an operation input to the lock operation unit, The lock operation portion is provided with the third connector. Second A surface different from the surface on the housing a surface on the same side as a surface on the first housing on which the operation unit is provided It is provided in.

[0020] The invention described in claim 14 is the docking unit described in claim 13, the third connector is a plurality of connectors; The lock operation portion and the lock mechanism portion are provided corresponding to each of the third connectors.

[0021] The invention described in claim 15 is the docking unit described in claim 13 or 14, the ultrasonic diagnostic device body has a first interface port connected to at least one of a communication line and a power line, The docking unit includes: A second interface port is connected to the first interface port.

[0022] The invention described in claim 16 is the docking unit described in any one of claims 13 to 15, The docking unit is fixedly installed on a cart on which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body is placed. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily input operations for locking and unlocking the connection of an ultrasound probe. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a lock unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic device body. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] First to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in order with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0026] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. First, a device configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 of the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a lock unit 33 of an ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1.

[0027] The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 is a mobile tabletop type (so-called notebook PC (Personal Computer) type) ultrasound diagnostic device installed in an examination room of a medical institution such as a hospital. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 includes an ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 and an ultrasound probe 2. The ultrasound probe 2 transmits ultrasound (transmitted ultrasound) into a subject such as a patient's living body, and receives reflected waves of the ultrasound reflected inside the subject (reflected ultrasound: echo). The ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 is connected to the ultrasound probe 2, and transmits an electric drive signal to the ultrasound probe 2 to cause the ultrasound probe 2 to transmit transmitted ultrasound to the subject, and visualizes an internal state inside the subject as ultrasound image data based on a received signal, which is an electric signal generated by the ultrasound probe 2 in response to the reflected ultrasound from inside the subject received by the ultrasound probe 2.

[0028] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are taken. The ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1 has an operation input unit 11, a display unit 17, a connector 32 as a second connector, a lock unit 33, and the like on a housing 31 as a first housing. The housing 31 is made of metal, resin, or the like, has a shape of, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and has a right side surface unit 311, a top surface unit 312, a front surface unit 313, a left side surface unit 314, a back surface unit 315, and a bottom surface unit 316. The right side surface unit 311 is a surface unit on the +x side of the housing 31. The top surface unit 312 is a surface unit on the +z side of the housing 31. The front surface unit 313 is a surface unit on the -y side of the housing 31. The left side surface unit 314 is a surface unit on the -x side of the housing 31. The back surface unit 315 is a surface unit on the +y side of the housing 31. The bottom surface unit 316 is a surface unit on the -z side of the housing 31.

[0029] The operation input unit 11 is disposed on the top surface 312 as an operation console. The operation input unit 11 has operation elements for accepting input of various image parameters for displaying, for example, a command to start diagnosis, data such as personal information of a subject, ultrasound image data, etc. on the display unit 17, and accepts operation input to the operation elements from an operator such as a doctor or technician. The operation elements are, for example, a push button, an encoder (rotary knob), a lever switch, a joystick, a trackball, a keyboard, or a multifunction switch that combines them.

[0030] The display unit 17 is provided upright on the top surface 312. The display unit 17 has a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or an inorganic EL display, and displays various display information such as ultrasound images on the display screen of the display panel. The display unit 17 has, for example, a hinge (not shown) extending in the x-axis direction at a connection portion with the top surface 312, and is configured to be able to be folded relative to the top surface 312 (a state in which the display unit 17 is parallel to the top surface 312).

[0031] The connector 32 is disposed on the right side surface portion 311. The connector 32 is a receptacle connector for electrically connecting the ultrasound probe 2.

[0032] A lever 331 as a first lock operation part of the lock unit 33 is disposed on a top surface part 312 different from the right side surface part 311 on which the connector 32 is disposed, in a position near the connector 32. The lock unit 33 is a mechanical part that receives an operational input for locking / unlocking the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the connector 32 from an operator via the lever 331, and locks / unlocks the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 in response to the operational input.

[0033] 2, the ultrasound probe 2 has an ultrasound probe body 21, a connector 22 as a first connector, and a cable 23. The ultrasound probe body 21 has a transducer 2a (see FIG. 2) on the tip side, and transmits ultrasound from the transducer 2a to a subject in response to a drive signal input from the ultrasound diagnostic device body 1, receives reflected ultrasound from the subject by the transducer 2a, generates a received signal, and outputs it to the ultrasound diagnostic device body 1.

[0034] The connector 22 is a plug connector that is fitted and electrically connected to the connector 32. The cable 23 is electrically connected between the ultrasonic probe body 21 and the connector 22, and is a signal line in which a plurality of insulated wires are covered with a protective covering layer.

[0035] Next, the functional configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1 includes an operation input unit 11, a transmission unit 12, a reception unit 13, an image generation unit 14, an image processing unit 15, a display control unit 16, a display unit 17, a control unit 18, a communication unit 19, a connector 32, and a lock unit 33 within a housing 31. The operation input unit 11, the transmission unit 12, the reception unit 13, the image generation unit 14, the image processing unit 15, the display control unit 16, the display unit 17, the control unit 18, the communication unit 19, and the connector 32 constitute a circuit unit 1a including an electric circuit of the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1.

[0036] The operation input unit 11 receives operation input from an operator via various operation elements, and outputs the operation information to the control unit 18.

[0037] The transmitting unit 12 is a circuit that supplies a driving signal, which is an electric signal, to the ultrasonic probe 2 under the control of the control unit 18 to cause the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate a transmission ultrasonic wave. The transmitting unit 12 also includes, for example, a clock generating circuit, a delay circuit, and a pulse generating circuit. The clock generating circuit is a circuit that generates a clock signal that determines the transmission timing and transmission frequency of the driving signal. The delay circuit is a circuit that sets a delay time for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a, delays the transmission of the driving signal by the set delay time, and focuses a transmission beam formed by the transmission ultrasonic wave. The pulse generating circuit is a circuit that generates a pulse signal as a driving signal at a predetermined period. The transmitting unit 12 configured as described above drives, for example, a continuous part (for example, 64) of a plurality of transducers 2a (for example, 192) arranged in the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate a transmission ultrasonic wave. Then, the transmitting unit 12 performs scanning by shifting the driven transducer 2a in the azimuth direction (scanning direction) every time a transmission ultrasonic wave is generated.

[0038] The receiving unit 13 is a circuit that receives a received signal, which is an electric signal, from the ultrasonic probe 2 under the control of the control unit 18. The receiving unit 13 includes, for example, an amplifier, an A / D conversion circuit, and a phasing addition circuit. The amplifier is a circuit for amplifying the received signal at a preset amplification factor for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a. The A / D conversion circuit is a circuit for analog-to-digital conversion (A / D conversion) of the amplified received signal. The phasing addition circuit is a circuit for adjusting the time phase by giving a delay time to the A / D converted received signal for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a, and adding these (phasing addition) to generate sound ray data.

[0039] The image generating unit 14 performs envelope detection processing and logarithmic compression on the sound ray data from the receiving unit 13 under the control of the control unit 18, and adjusts the dynamic range and gain to convert the luminance, thereby generating B (Brightness) mode image data consisting of pixels having a luminance value as the received energy. In other words, the B mode image data represents the strength of the received signal by the luminance. The image generating unit 14 may generate ultrasound image data of other image modes, such as A (Amplitude) mode, M (Motion) mode, and image modes by the Doppler method (such as color Doppler mode), in addition to B mode image data as ultrasound image data in the B mode image mode.

[0040] The image processing unit 15 performs image processing on the B-mode image data output from the image generating unit 14 according to various image parameters being set under the control of the control unit 18. The image processing unit 15 also includes an image memory unit 15a configured with a semiconductor memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Under the control of the control unit 18, the image processing unit 15 stores the B-mode image data that has been subjected to image processing in the image memory unit 15a in units of frames. Image data in units of frames may be referred to as ultrasound image data or frame image data. Under the control of the control unit 18, the image processing unit 15 outputs the image data generated as described above to the display control unit 16 in sequence.

[0041] The display control unit 16 converts the image data received from the image processing unit 15 into an image signal for display under the control of the control unit 18 , and outputs the image signal to the display unit 17 .

[0042] The control unit 18 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), reads out various processing programs such as a system program stored in the ROM, expands the programs in the RAM, and controls the operation of each part of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 according to the expanded programs. The ROM is made up of a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores the system program corresponding to the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, various processing programs executable on the system program, and various data such as a gamma table. These programs are stored in the form of computer-readable program codes, and the CPU sequentially executes operations according to the program codes. The RAM forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU and data related to these programs.

[0043] The communication unit 19 is a communication unit that communicates with an external device. The communication method of the communication unit 19 is a wired communication unit such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), LAN (Local Area Network), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark), but may include a wireless communication unit such as wireless LAN. The control unit 18 transmits and receives information to and from the external device via the communication unit 19.

[0044] For each part of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, a part or all of the functions of each functional block can be realized as a hardware circuit such as an integrated circuit. An integrated circuit is, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integration), and an LSI may be called an IC (Integrated Circuit), a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. The method of integrating the integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor, or may use a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI. Also, a part or all of the functions of each functional block may be executed by software. In this case, the software is stored in one or more storage media such as a ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk, and the software is executed by a processor.

[0045] Here, the configuration of the locking unit 33 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. The locking unit 33 has a lever 331, a shaft 332, a lever opening 333 as an opening, a locking mechanism 334 as a first locking mechanism, a separation section 335, and a bottom hole 336 as a hole. The lever 331 is exposed from the lever opening 333 toward the top surface (+z direction), and is a rotating lever that can rotate forward and backward and receives a binary operation input of locking / unlocking the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 from an operator. The shaft 332 is connected to the rotation axis position of the lever 331, and transmits a rotational force corresponding to the operation input of the lever 331 to the locking mechanism 334. The lever opening 333 is an opening hole provided in the top surface 312 of the housing 31.

[0046] The locking mechanism 334 is a mechanism that locks / unlocks the ultrasound probe 2 (connector 22) connected to the connector 32 in response to the rotational power transmitted from the shaft 332. When the locking mechanism 334 is in a locked state with the connector 22 connected to the connector 32, the connector 22 connected to the connector 32 cannot be pulled out (disconnected). In addition, when in a locked state, when the locking mechanism 334 is in an unlocked state, the connector 22 connected to the connector 32 can be pulled out.

[0047] The locking mechanism 334 is a mechanism similar to the locking / unlocking mechanism of a connector as described in, for example, JP 2018-166038 A. Specifically, the locking mechanism 334 is configured as an integral part with the connector 32, and operates by transmitting the rotational force of the lever 331 of the locking unit 33, and has, for example, a concave hook (not shown) connected to the shaft 332. In a state where the connector 22 is connected to the connector 32, the shaft 332 rotates in the same rotational direction in response to rotation in a predetermined rotational direction corresponding to the locking operation of the lever 331, and the hook of the locking mechanism 334 is caught on a protrusion (not shown) provided on the connector 32, thereby locking the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the connector 32. In addition, in the locked state, in response to the rotation of the lever 331 corresponding to the lock operation and the unlock operation in the reverse direction, the shaft 332 rotates in the reverse direction, and the hook of the lock mechanism 334 comes off the protrusion provided on the connector 32, thereby unlocking the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the connector 32.

[0048] The separating section 335 is a component that separates and makes independent the space 33a including the lock section 33 of the housing 31 from the space 31a including the circuit section 1a of the housing 31, and is constituted by an inner wall etc. The separating section 335 prevents liquids such as the ultrasound probe 2 and gel to be applied to the subject, and foreign objects such as dust, sand, and clips, which have entered the space 33a from the lever opening 333, from entering the space 31a.

[0049] The bottom hole 336 is a hole for discharging to the outside the foreign matter and the liquid that have entered the space 33a including the locking part 33. The bottom hole 336 is provided in the bottom part 316 directly below the lever 331 (lever opening 333) (in the -z direction as the direction of gravity when the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 is installed, as viewed from the lever opening 333), making it easy to discharge the liquid and the foreign matter. In this way, the housing 31 has the lever opening 333 of the locking part 33, the separation part 335, and the bottom hole 336.

[0050] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 generates ultrasound image data based on a reception signal obtained by the ultrasound probe 2 that transmits and receives ultrasound to a subject, and includes the ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 having the housing 31. The ultrasound probe 2 has a connector 22 for connecting to the ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1. The ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 has a connector 32 connected to the connector 22 and provided on the housing 31, a lever 331 provided on the housing 31 that receives an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the connector 22 to the connector 32, and a locking mechanism unit 334 that locks or unlocks the connection of the connector 22 to the connector 32 in response to the operation input of the lever 331. The lever 331 is provided on a second surface different from the right side surface unit 311 as a first surface on the housing 31 on which the connector 32 is provided. The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 includes the ultrasound probe 2.

[0051] Therefore, even if the ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the connector 32, the ultrasonic probe 2 does not hinder the operation input for locking / unlocking, so there is no obstacle to the operation input, and it is easy to input the operation for locking and unlocking the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the connector 32. In addition, even if the ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the connector 32, the operator can easily visually confirm the lever 331.

[0052] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 334 is configured as an integral part of the connector 32, and locks or unlocks the connection of the connector 22 to the connector 32 by transmitting a rotational force according to an operational input to the lever 331. Therefore, the most widely used locking mechanism can be used to easily input an operational input to lock or unlock the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the connector 32.

[0053] The second surface is a top surface portion 312 serving as the upper surface of the housing 31. This makes it easier for the operator to input an operation to lock or unlock the connection of the ultrasound probe 2 to the connector 32 when looking down on the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, and makes it easier for the operator to visually recognize the lever 331.

[0054] Furthermore, housing 31 has lever opening 333 that exposes lever 331, and bottom hole 336 provided below lever opening 333. Therefore, bottom hole 336 allows liquid or foreign matter that has entered through lever opening 333 to be discharged to the outside from bottom part 316 of housing 31, thereby preventing failure due to the intrusion of liquid or foreign matter into circuit section 1a of ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1.

[0055] Furthermore, the housing 31 has a separation section 335 that separates and makes independent the space 33a as a first space in which the lever 331 and the locking mechanism section 334 are housed, and the space 31a as a second space in which the circuit section 1a as an electric circuit section other than the lever 331 and the locking mechanism section 334 is housed. Therefore, foreign matter or liquid that has entered through the lever opening 333 can be contained in the space 33a that is independent from the space 31a and discharged, and it is possible to prevent failure due to the entry of foreign matter or liquid into the circuit section 1a of the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1 in the housing 31.

[0056] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100A of this embodiment.

[0057] As this embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic device 100A shown in Fig. 4 is used. In the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100A, the same parts as those in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] 4, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100A is a portable terminal type (so-called tablet terminal type) ultrasonic diagnostic device. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 100A includes an ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1A and an ultrasonic probe 2 (not shown in FIG. 4).

[0059] The ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1A has an operation input unit 11A, a display unit 17A, a connector 32A, a lever 331A of a lock unit 33A, and the like on a housing 31A. The housing 31A is similar to the housing 31 of the first embodiment, but has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape for a tablet terminal. The housing 31A has a right side surface portion 311A, a top surface portion 312A, a front surface portion 313A, a left side surface portion 314A, a back surface portion 315A, and a bottom surface portion 316A. The right side surface portion 311A ​​is a surface portion on the +x side of the housing 31A. The top surface portion 312A is a surface portion on the +z side of the housing 31A. The front surface portion 313A is a surface portion on the -y side of the housing 31A. The left side surface portion 314A is a surface portion on the -x side of the housing 31A. The back surface portion 315A is a surface portion on the +y side of the housing 31A. Bottom surface 316A is the surface on the -z side of housing 31A.

[0060] The operation input unit 11A, the display unit 17A, the connector 32A, and the lock unit 33A are the same as the operation input unit 11, the display unit 17, the connector 32, and the lock unit 33 of the first embodiment, but are components for a tablet terminal. The operation input unit 11A and the display unit 17A are arranged on a front surface 313A as an operation table surface. The lever 331A of the lock unit 33A is exposed from the front surface 313A and arranged in a position near the connector 32A. The lock unit 33A does not have a bottom hole, but may have a hole on the back surface 315A, the bottom surface 316A, or the like. The connector 32A is arranged on the right side surface 311A.

[0061] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, in the portable terminal type ultrasound diagnostic device 100A, it is possible to easily input an operation for locking and unlocking the connection of the ultrasound probe 2 to the connector 32A, and it is possible for the operator to easily visually confirm the lever 331A on the front surface portion 313A even when the ultrasound probe 2 is connected to the connector 32A.

[0062] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100B of this embodiment.

[0063] As this embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100B shown in Fig. 5 is used. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100B, the same parts as those in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] 5, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100B is a mobile, stationary type (notebook PC type) ultrasonic diagnostic device. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 100B includes an ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1B, a docking unit 40, and an ultrasonic probe 2 (not shown in FIG. 5).

[0065] The ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1B is similar to the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1A of the first embodiment, but further includes an interface port 34 as a first interface port on the right side surface part 311. The interface port 34 is an interface port to which at least one of the communication lines of various communication methods of the communication unit 19 and the power line is electrically connected.

[0066] The docking unit 40 is docked (coupled, connected) to the right side part 311 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body 1B and is a unit mainly for branching the signal line output from the connector 32 to simultaneously connect multiple (here, two, but it may be one, three or more) ultrasound probes 2 to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body 1B, and also has output terminals (not shown) for communication lines and power lines corresponding to the interface port 34.

[0067] The docking unit 40 has a relay connector 42a, connectors 42b and 42c as third connectors, locking parts 43b and 43c, an interface port 44 as a second interface port, and the like on a housing 41 as a second housing. The housing 41 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a right side surface part 411, a top surface part 412, a front surface part 413, a left side surface part 414, a back surface part 415, and a bottom surface part 416. The right side surface part 411 is a surface part on the +x side of the housing 41. The top surface part 412 is a surface part on the +z side of the housing 41. The front surface part 413 is a surface part on the -y side of the housing 41. The left side surface part 414 is a surface part on the -x side of the housing 41. The back surface part 415 is a surface part on the +y side of the housing 41. The bottom surface part 416 is a surface part on the -z side of the housing 41.

[0068] Relay connector 42a is disposed on left side surface portion 414, and is a relay connector that is fitted and electrically connected to connector 32. For this reason, lock portion 33 receives an operational input from the operator via lever 331 to lock / unlock the connection of relay connector 42a to connector 32, and locks / unlocks the connection of relay connector 42a to connector 32 by locking mechanism portion 334 in response to the operational input. When the connection of relay connector 42a to connector 32 is locked / unlocked, the connection of interface port 44 to interface port 34 is simultaneously locked / unlocked.

[0069] Connectors 42b and 42c are arranged on the right side surface portion 411, connected to a signal line branched off from the signal line of relay connector 42a, and are receptacle connectors that are fitted into and electrically connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 (connector 22).

[0070] The locking units 43b and 43c have the same configuration as the locking unit 33. The locking unit 43b has a lever 431b as a second locking operation unit, a locking mechanism unit (not shown) as a second locking mechanism unit, and the like. The lever 431b is exposed to the top surface unit 412, and is disposed in a position near the connector 42b. The locking unit 43b uses the locking mechanism unit to lock / unlock the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 (connector 22) to the connector 42b in response to a lock / unlock operation input from an operator via the lever 431b.

[0071] The locking unit 43c has a lever 431c, a locking mechanism (not shown), etc. The lever 431c is exposed to the top surface 412, and is disposed in a position near the connector 42c. The locking unit 43c uses the locking mechanism to lock / unlock the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 (the connector 22) to the connector 42c in response to a lock / unlock operation input from an operator via the lever 431c.

[0072] The interface port 44 is located on the left side surface portion 414 and is an interface port for relaying that is fitted into and electrically connected to the interface port 34, and is electrically connected to the output terminals (not shown) of the communication line and power line of the docking unit 40.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, ultrasound diagnostic device 100B includes docking unit 40 having relay connector 42a connected to connector 32. Lever 331 receives an operational input to lock or unlock the connection of relay connector 42a to connector 32, and locking mechanism 334 locks or unlocks the connection of relay connector 42a to connector 32 in response to the operational input to lever 331. Therefore, in ultrasound diagnostic device 100B, it is easy to input an operational input to lock or unlock the connection of docking unit 40 to connector 32A, and even when docking unit 40 is connected to connector 32A, the operator can easily visually confirm lever 331.

[0074] The docking unit 40 includes a housing 41, connectors 42b and 42c that are connected to the signal line of the relay connector 42a, are provided in the housing 41, and are connected to the connector 22, levers 431b and 431c that are provided in the housing 41 and receive an operational input to lock or unlock the connection of the connector 22 to the connectors 42b and 42c, and lock or unlock the connection of the connector 22 to the connectors 42b and 42c in response to the operational input to the levers 431b and 431c. The levers 431b and 431c are provided on a top surface 412 that serves as a fourth surface different from a right side surface 411 that serves as a third surface on the housing 41 on which the connectors 42b and 42c are provided. This makes it easier to input the operation to lock and unlock the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the connectors 42b, 42c, and makes it easier for the operator to visually confirm the levers 431b, 431c even when the ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the connectors 42b, 42c.

[0075] Furthermore, there are multiple connectors 42b and 42c (two in this example). The levers 431b and 431c and the (second) locking mechanism are provided corresponding to the connectors 42b and 42c, respectively. Therefore, multiple ultrasonic probes 2 (two in this example) can be connected to the connectors 42b and 42c at the same time, making it easier to input the operation to lock and unlock each connection, and making it easier for the operator to visually recognize the levers 431b and 431c even when the ultrasonic probes 2 are connected to the connectors 42b and 42c.

[0076] The ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1B has an interface port 34 connected to at least one of the communication line and the power line on the right side surface part 311 as the first surface. The docking unit 40 has an interface port 44 connected to the interface port 34. Therefore, the docking unit 40 can connect the interface port 34 and the interface port 44 in addition to connecting the connector 32 for the ultrasonic probe 2 and the relay connector 42a. In addition, a lock operation part (lever) and a lock mechanism part for locking or unlocking the connection between the interface port 34 and the interface port 44 are not necessary, so that the device configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100B can be simplified. Furthermore, the lock part can simultaneously lock or unlock the connection between the signal line of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the communication line / power line between the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1C and the docking unit 40 by a single lock or unlock operation of the lever 331, thereby improving usability and operability.

[0077] (Fourth embodiment) A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100C according to this embodiment.

[0078] As this embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100C shown in Fig. 6 is used. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100C, the same parts as those in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100B of the third embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] 6, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100C is a portable, stationary type (notebook PC type) ultrasonic diagnostic device. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 100C includes an ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1C, a docking unit 50, and an ultrasonic probe 2 (not shown in FIG. 6).

[0080] The ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1C is similar to the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1B of the third embodiment, but instead of the housing 31 (including the right side surface portion 311, the top surface portion 312, the back surface portion 315, etc.), the connector 32, the lock portion 33 (including the lever 331, etc.), and the interface port 34 of the third embodiment, it has a housing 31C (including the right side surface portion 311C, the top surface portion 312C, the back surface portion 315C, etc.), a connector 32C, a lock portion 33C (including the lever 331C, etc.), and an interface port 34C as a first interface port. The connector 32C is similar to the connector 32 of the third embodiment, but is arranged on the back surface portion 315C. The lock portion 33C is similar to the lock portion 33 of the third embodiment, but the lever 331C is arranged on the top surface portion 312C in a position near the connector 32C. The interface port 34C is similar to the interface port 34 of the third embodiment, but is located on the back surface portion 315.

[0081] The docking unit 50 is docked to the rear part 315 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1C and is a unit mainly for branching the signal line output from the connector 32C to simultaneously connect multiple (here, two) ultrasonic probes 2 to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1C, and also has output terminals (not shown) for communication lines and power lines corresponding to the interface port 34C.

[0082] The docking unit 50 has a relay connector 52a, connectors 52b and 52c as third connectors, locking parts 53b and 53c, an interface port 54 as a second interface port, and the like on a housing 51 as a second housing. The housing 51 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a right side surface part 511, a top surface part 512, a front surface part 513, a left side surface part 514, a back surface part 515, and a bottom surface part 516. The right side surface part 511 is a surface part on the +x side of the housing 51. The top surface part 512 is a surface part on the +z side of the housing 51. The front surface part 513 is a surface part on the -y side of the housing 51. The left side surface part 514 is a surface part on the -x side of the housing 51. The back surface part 515 is a surface part on the +y side of the housing 51. The bottom surface part 516 is a surface part on the -z side of the housing 51.

[0083] Relay connector 52a is a relay connector that is disposed on front surface portion 513 and is fitted and electrically connected to connector 32C. For this reason, lock portion 33C receives an operational input for locking / unlocking the connection of relay connector 52a to connector 32C from an operator via lever 331C, and locks / unlocks the connection of relay connector 52a to connector 32C by a lock mechanism portion (not shown) in response to the operational input.

[0084] Connectors 52b and 52c are arranged on the rear surface 515, connected to a signal line branched off from the signal line of relay connector 52a, and are receptacle connectors that are fitted into and electrically connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 (connector 22).

[0085] The locking units 53b and 53c have the same configuration as the locking unit 33C. The locking unit 53b has a lever 531b as a second locking operation unit, a locking mechanism unit (not shown) as a second locking mechanism unit, and the like. The lever 531b is exposed to the top surface unit 512 and is disposed in a position near the connector 52b. The locking unit 53b uses the locking mechanism unit to lock / unlock the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 (connector 22) to the connector 52b in response to a lock / unlock operation input from the operator via the lever 531b.

[0086] The locking section 53c has a lever 531c, a locking mechanism (not shown), etc. The lever 531c is exposed to the top surface section 512, and is disposed in a position near the connector 52c. The locking section 53c uses the locking mechanism to lock / unlock the connection of the ultrasonic probe 2 (connector 22) to the connector 52c in response to a lock / unlock operation input from an operator via the lever 531c.

[0087] The interface port 54 is arranged on the front surface 513 and is an interface port for relaying which is fitted and electrically connected to the interface port 34C, and is electrically connected to the output terminals (not shown) of the communication line and power line of the docking unit 50.

[0088] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100C, the first surface on which the connector 32C is provided is the rear surface 315C of the housing 31C. This makes it possible to eliminate the protrusion of the connector for connecting the ultrasonic probe 2 from the side surface of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100C, and allows the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100C to be installed in a narrow space.

[0089] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the ultrasonic diagnostic device according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the present invention may be configured by appropriately combining at least two of the above-described embodiments.

[0090] For example, in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 of the first embodiment, similarly to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 of the fourth embodiment, the connector 32 may be disposed on the rear surface 315 of the housing 31, and the lever 331 may be disposed on the top surface 312.

[0091] In the first to third embodiments, the connector of the receptacle of the ultrasonic diagnostic device or the docking unit is arranged on the right side surface, and the lever of the locking part is arranged on the top surface, but this is not limited to this. For example, the connector of the receptacle of the ultrasonic diagnostic device or the docking unit may be arranged on the left side surface.

[0092] In the third embodiment, the docking unit 40 is described as a single device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the docking unit 40 may be configured to be fixedly installed on a cart on which the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100B is placed and which is movable in the horizontal direction. According to this configuration, the lock unit 33 can simultaneously lock / unlock the connection between the signal line of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the communication line / power line between the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1B and the docking unit 40 by a single lock / unlock operation of the lever 331, and at the same time, can lock / unlock the connection of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100B (ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1B) to the cart, thereby further improving usability and operability. Similarly, the docking unit 50 of the fourth embodiment may be configured to be fixedly installed on a cart on which the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100C (ultrasonic diagnostic device main body 1C) is placed and which is movable in the horizontal direction.

[0093] Furthermore, the detailed configurations and operations of the components constituting the ultrasound diagnostic devices 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C in the above-described embodiments may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Ultrasound diagnostic device body 1a Circuit section 11, 11A Operation input section 12 Transmitter 13 Receiving section 14 Image Generation Unit 15 Image processing section 15a Image memory section 16 Display control section 17,17A Display section 18 Control Unit 19 Communications Department 2 Ultrasonic probe 21 Ultrasonic probe body 2a Transducer 22 Connector 23 Cable 31, 31A, 31C, 41, 51 Housing 31a,33a space 311,311A,311C,411,511 Right side part 312,312A,312C,412,512 Top part 313,313A,413,513 Front part 314,314A,414,514 Left side part 315,315A,315C,415,515 Back part 316,316A,416,516 Bottom part 32, 32A, 32C, 42b, 42c, 52b, 52c Connectors 33, 33A, 43b, 43c, 33C, 53b, 53c Locking part 331, 331A, 331C, 431b, 431c, 531b, 531c Lever 332 Shaft 333 Lever opening 334 Locking mechanism 335 Separation section 336 Bottom hole 34, 34C, 44, 54 Interface ports 40,50 Docking Unit 42a, 52a relay connector

Claims

1. The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates ultrasonic image data based on a signal obtained by an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body having a first housing; the ultrasonic probe has a first connector for connecting to the ultrasonic diagnostic device body, The ultrasonic diagnostic device body includes: an operation unit that receives an operation input of information and is provided in the first housing; a second connector connected to the first connector and provided on the first housing; a first lock operation unit that receives an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the first connector to the second connector and is provided in the first housing; a first lock mechanism unit that locks or unlocks the connection of the first connector to the second connector in response to an operation input to the first lock operation unit, An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the operation unit and the first lock operation unit are provided on a second surface different from a first surface on the first housing on which the second connector is provided.

2. 2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism is configured as an integral part of the second connector, and locks or unlocks the connection of the first connector to the second connector by transmitting a rotational force in response to an operation input to the first locking operation unit.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second surface is a top surface of the first housing.

4. The first housing includes: an opening for exposing the first lock operation portion; The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 3 , further comprising: a hole provided below the opening.

5. The first housing includes:

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a separation section that separates a first space in which the first lock operation section and the first lock mechanism section are housed and a second space in which a circuit section of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body is housed.

6. a docking unit having a relay connector connected to the second connector, the first lock operation unit receives an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the relay connector to the second connector, 6. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first lock mechanism locks or unlocks the connection of the relay connector to the second connector in response to an operation input to the first lock operation unit.

7. The docking unit includes a second housing and a third connector connected to a signal line of the relay connector, provided in the second housing, and connected to the first connector; a second lock operation unit that receives an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the first connector to the third connector and is provided in the second housing; a second lock mechanism unit that locks or unlocks the connection of the first connector to the third connector in response to an operation input to the second lock operation unit, The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the second lock operation portion is provided on a fourth surface of the second housing, the fourth surface being different from a third surface on which the third connector is provided.

8. the third connector is a plurality of connectors; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the second lock operation portion and the second lock mechanism portion are provided corresponding to each of the third connectors.

9. the ultrasonic diagnostic device body has a first interface port on the first surface, the first interface port being connected to at least one of a communication line and a power line; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the docking unit has a second interface port connected to the first interface port.

10. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the docking unit is fixedly installed on a cart on which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is placed.

11. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first surface is a rear surface of the first housing.

12. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising the ultrasonic probe.

13. A docking unit connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic device body that generates ultrasonic image data based on a signal obtained by an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic probe has a first connector for connecting to the ultrasonic diagnostic device body, The ultrasonic diagnostic device body includes: an operation unit provided on a surface of a first housing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body and configured to receive an operation input of information; a second connector connected to the first connector, The docking unit includes: A second housing; a relay connector connected to the second connector; a third connector connected to a signal line of the relay connector, provided in the second housing, and connected to the first connector; a lock operation unit that receives an operation input for locking or unlocking the connection of the first connector to the third connector and is provided in the second housing; a lock mechanism that locks or unlocks the connection of the first connector to the third connector in response to an operation input to the lock operation unit, A docking unit in which the lock operation unit is provided on a surface different from the surface on the second housing on which the third connector is provided, and on the same side as the surface on the first housing on which the operation unit is provided.

14. the third connector is a plurality of connectors; The docking unit according to claim 13 , wherein the lock operation portion and the lock mechanism portion are provided corresponding to each of the third connectors.

15. the ultrasonic diagnostic device body has a first interface port connected to at least one of a communication line and a power line, The docking unit includes:

15. A docking unit according to claim 13 or 14, comprising a second interface port connected to the first interface port.

16. The docking unit according to claim 13 , wherein the docking unit is fixedly installed on a cart on which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body is placed.

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