Breast ultrasound diagnostic device and examination method

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and method for easily and accurately performing ultrasound examination of the breast in a short time regardless of the shape of the breast of a subject. [Solution] A handheld breast ultrasound examination device and method comprising: a cup member 3 having a curved surface for contacting the breast; an ultrasound diagnostic device 2 having a contact surface on which a probe is placed and attached to the cup member 3; a rotation drive device 5 for rotating the cup member 3; a control device 4, 22 for acquiring position information of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2; and a cover member 6 on which the cup member 3 and the rotation drive device 5 are arranged, wherein the control device 4, 22 stores ultrasound image data of the breast in association with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device 2.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic device and examination method for a breast. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, mammography has been the standard method for breast cancer screening. However, mammography uses X-rays, which can lead to radiation exposure. Furthermore, the breast is compressed during imaging, which places a significant physical burden on the examinee. Furthermore, examinees with developed mammary glands appear white overall, making accurate diagnosis difficult.

[0003] When undergoing breast cancer screening during pregnancy, ultrasound examinations (echo examinations) are the norm, but in recent years ultrasound examinations have become more common among women other than pregnant women. In ultrasound examinations, an ultrasound probe is placed on the surface of the breast, and cross-sectional images of the breast are obtained using ultrasound, so there is no risk of radiation exposure. Furthermore, ultrasound examination is suitable for examining the mammary glands of young women, which are highly sensitive to radiation exposure. In Patent Document 1, the applicant also proposes a breast ultrasound diagnostic device that uses a system in which a linear electronic scanning ultrasound probe is supported via an arm so that it is parallel to the surface of the breast, and an ultrasound beam is incident on the inside of the breast while the probe is rotated around the nipple center to obtain a reflected signal.

[0004] Patent document 2 also discloses a breast cancer screening device that includes a measurement unit that moves a probe that emits an ultrasonic beam along the surface of the subject's breast, a drive unit that drives the measurement unit, and a cover container that at least partially covers the breast and includes a support unit inside that supports the drive unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4384125 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2021 / 241438 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a breast ultrasound examination, the examinee lies supine on an examination table, gel is applied to the breast, and the probe of the ultrasound diagnostic device is placed on the breast and moved up and down and left and right, while cross-sectional images of the breast are displayed on a monitor. However, a breast ultrasound examination takes about 10 minutes per breast and requires an experienced and qualified examiner to perform the examination. Furthermore, the accuracy of the examination is largely dependent on the skill and experience of the examiner, and examiners with low skills may not be able to accurately identify the location of lesions or tumors.

[0007] In the breast examination device of Patent Document 2, when the position of the probe is changed to scan with an ultrasonic beam, the position of the breast examination device shifts before and after the position change, making it impossible to accurately identify the location of lesions such as cysts and lumps. Also, depending on the shape and size of the breast, there is the problem that it is not possible to ensure an appropriate contact area between the probe and the breast.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that can perform accurate ultrasound examination of the breast easily and quickly, regardless of the shape of the breast of the subject. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] [1] A cup member having a curved surface for contacting a breast, an ultrasonic diagnostic device having a contact surface on which a probe is arranged and attached to the cup member, a rotation drive device for rotating the cup member, and a device for acquiring position information of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. rotate A control device and the cup member but a cover member disposed thereon; a power supply unit that supplies power to the rotary drive device; and rotate a control device that stores ultrasound image data of the breast in association with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device; the ultrasonic diagnostic device is a cordless type equipped with an image processing device, a wireless device, and a second power supply unit, and the rotation control device or the image processing device transmits the stored ultrasonic image data of the breast linked to the position information to an external information terminal by wireless communication. . [2] The cup member has a groove into which the ultrasonic diagnostic device is slidably fitted. 、 a ridge portion provided at an end of the groove portion and constituting the breast contact curved surface; a slide mechanism that moves the ultrasonic diagnostic device between a first radial position and a second radial position within the groove; the ultrasonic diagnostic device is disposed on the cup member so that the contact surface and the ridge portion enclose the breast. Tei , the above rotate The control device acquires ultrasound image data of the breast together with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device in contact with the breast at the first radial position, moves the ultrasound diagnostic device to the second radial position while keeping the breast contact surface in contact with the breast, and stores the ultrasound image data of the breast in association with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device in contact with the breast at the second radial position. [3] The power supply unit is a battery The breast ultrasound examination device according to [2], which is cordless and includes: [ 4 The ultrasonic diagnostic device can be detached from the cup member to acquire ultrasonic image data by itself, and the acquired ultrasonic image data can be transmitted to an external information terminal by wireless communication. 1 ] Breast ultrasound examination device. [ 5 ] a control unit that stores ultrasound image data of the breast in association with position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device; a cover member in which the cup member is disposed; and a wireless device that transmits the stored ultrasound image data in association with the position information to an external information terminal; wherein the cup member is provided with a groove into which the ultrasound diagnostic device is slidably fitted, a ridge provided at an end of the groove and constituting the curved breast contact surface, and a slide mechanism that moves the ultrasound diagnostic device between a first radial position and a second radial position within the groove; the ultrasound diagnostic device is disposed in the cup member so that the contact surface and the ridge enclose the breast; and the rotation drive unit and the control unit are disposed in the cup member. A breast ultrasound examination device, wherein the cup member is suspended from the cover member by a rotation shaft extending upward from the rotation drive device. [ 6 ] Furthermore, a The ultrasonic diagnostic device of The contact surface A support member fixed to the cup member is used as a fulcrum. A swinging mechanism swings the device in a direction away from and toward the cup member, and a biasing force presses the contact surface against the breast. Elastic material and a biasing member that applies a biasing force to the 2 ] or [5] Breast ultrasound examination device according to claim 1. [ 7 a cup member having a curved surface for contacting a breast, an ultrasonic diagnostic device having a contact surface on which a probe is disposed and attached to the cup member, and a rotation drive device for rotating the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the cup member; a power supply unit that supplies power to the rotary drive device; The ultrasound image data acquired by the ultrasound diagnostic device is recorded in association with the position information of the ultrasound diagnostic device. rotate A control device and the cup member but a cover member disposed on the cup member, the cover member having a groove into which the ultrasonic diagnostic device is slidably fitted, and a slide mechanism for moving the ultrasonic diagnostic device between a first radial position and a second radial position within the groove; the ultrasonic diagnostic device is a cordless device including an image processing device, a wireless device, and a second power supply unit; The ultrasonic diagnostic device is positioned at the first radial position. in Acquiring ultrasound image data of the breast together with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device in contact with the breast, moving the ultrasound diagnostic device to the second radial position while keeping the breast contact surface in contact with the breast, and acquiring ultrasound image data of the breast together with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device in contact with the breast at the second radial position. The rotation control device or the image processing device transmits the stored ultrasound image data of the breast linked to the position information to an external information terminal by wireless communication. Ultrasound testing methods. [8] Furthermore, the ultrasound examination method described in [7] is characterized in that the ultrasound diagnostic device is detached from the cup member, ultrasound image data is acquired by the ultrasound diagnostic device alone, and the acquired ultrasound image data is transmitted to an external information terminal via wireless communication. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform accurate ultrasound examination of the breast easily and quickly, regardless of the shape and size of the breast of the subject. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a projection view of a breast ultrasound examination device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a breast ultrasound examination device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram of a breast ultrasound examination device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cup member according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are bottom views illustrating the slide mechanism of an ultrasonic diagnostic device according to an embodiment, in which (A) shows the start position of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, (B) shows the movement from the first radial position to the second radial position, and (C) shows the state fixed at the second radial position. [Figure 6]1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the ultrasonic inspection device of the example embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view illustrating a method of using a breast ultrasound examination device according to an embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a projection view of a breast ultrasound examination device 1 according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the breast ultrasound examination device 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the breast ultrasound examination device 1 of FIG. 1. The embodiment of the breast ultrasound examination device 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "examination device 1") is a cordless device equipped with an ultrasound diagnostic device 2, a cup member 3, a rotation control device 4, a rotation drive device 5, and a cover member 6.

[0013] The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 includes a main body case 20, a probe 21, an image processing device 22, a second power supply unit 23, and a second wireless unit 24. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is a cordless handheld device also called a probe, and is detachably attached to the cup member 3. The main body case 20 is composed of a contact surface 20a that comes into contact with the breast, a grip portion 20b, and a pair of slide grooves 20c. The probe 21 is disposed on the contact surface 20a that comes into contact with the breast. The probe 21 is, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic oscillator, and the acquired ultrasound image data is processed by the image processing device 22.

[0014] The image processing device 22 is a computer equipped with an arithmetic unit and a storage device, and stores ultrasound image data received from the probe 21 in the storage device. The image processing device 22 receives position information of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 from the rotation control device 4 via wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) via the second wireless unit 24. The image processing device 22 processes the ultrasound image data into a tomographic image (B-mode image) at a cross section parallel to the direction in which the ultrasound waves travel, and stores the image as primary processed data linked to the position information. The primary processed data is transmitted to the external management terminal 10 via wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) via the second wireless unit 24.

[0015] The probe 21 and the image processing device 22 are supplied with power from a second power supply unit 23 equipped with a secondary battery. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is cordless and can be detached from the cup member 3 and used as a standalone device for other examinations of the human body. Specifically, it can be used for ultrasound examinations of various lymph nodes, the head and neck, the thyroid gland, the hip joint, the upper arm, the lower limb, various joints, muscles of the entire body, the bladder, etc. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 can employ various frequencies and ultrasound beam methods, and its shape is not limited to that shown in the figure.

[0016] A pair of slide grooves 20c are formed on both side surfaces of the main body case 20. Tip ends of a pair of support members 7 fixed to the cup member 3 are inserted into the pair of slide grooves 20c. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is capable of sliding movement between a first radial position where the pair of support members 7 abut against inner terminal ends of the slide grooves 20c and a second radial position where the pair of support members 7 abut against outer terminal ends of the slide grooves 20c.

[0017] The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is also positioned so that it can swing up and down around the support member 7 as a fulcrum. A downward biasing force is applied to the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 by the biasing member 8, which is pressed by an elastic member, so that the position of the contact surface 20a can be moved to an appropriate position in accordance with the shape of the subject's breast 80. Tests using a prototype confirmed that the desired ultrasound image data could be obtained without any problems for breasts of various shapes.

[0018] The rotation control device 4 is a computer equipped with an arithmetic unit, a storage device, and a clock, and transmits time information and position information of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 to the image processing device 22. Here, the position information of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 includes rotation angle information and radial position information of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2. Operations on the rotation control device 4 can be performed from an external management terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 3 , the rotation control device 4 is disposed in a storage case 41 together with a power supply unit 42, a wireless unit 43, and a rotation drive device 5, and is electrically connected to an input / output unit 62 provided on a cover member 6. In this specification, the rotation control device 4 and the image processing device 22 may be collectively referred to as a control device.

[0019] The input / output unit 62 includes at least an examination start button (not shown), a light-emitting unit (not shown) that emits light according to the operating state, and a speaker (not shown) that notifies the start or end of the examination and any abnormalities, etc. Here, the examination start button may be configured as an icon displayed on the touch panel of the management terminal 10. Also, a left / right designation button may be provided for recording additional information indicating which of the left and right breasts has been examined. Also, an external connection terminal (for example, a USB terminal) may be provided to communicate with the management terminal 10 and maintenance equipment via a wired cable.

[0020] The rotation control device 4 and the rotation drive device 5, which will be described later, are supplied with power from a power supply unit 42 equipped with a secondary battery, making the inspection device 1 cordless. When acquiring ultrasound image data, there is no need to connect a power cable to the inspection device 1, which improves operability. Note that the secondary battery of the power supply unit 42 is charged by connecting a charging cable, but it is also possible to use a primary battery instead of a secondary battery.

[0021] The management terminal 10 is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer, laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone, and has an input means such as a keyboard or touch panel for a user to input information, and a display means such as a display for displaying information to the user. An image processing program for displaying cross-sectional images (C-mode images) equidistant in the depth direction from the surface of the probe 21 (i.e., the breast surface) based on the received secondary image data is installed in the storage device of the management terminal 10. The management terminal 10 can communicate with the examination device 1 via wireless or wired communication, and has the function of receiving primary processed data from the examination device 1, image processing the data into a C-mode image, and displaying it.

[0022] The rotation drive device 5 is a device that rotates the cup member 3 360 degrees, and is, for example, an electric motor. The rotation drive device 5 has a rotation shaft 51 that extends upward. The rotation shaft 51 rotatably suspends the cup member 3 from the inner bottom surface of the cover member 6. When the rotation drive device 5 rotates the rotation shaft 51 in response to a command from the rotation control device 4, the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 and the cup member 3 rotate. When the examiner presses an examination start button (not shown) on the input / output unit 62 while holding the grip portion 61 of the examination device 1, the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 rotating above the breast 80 starts acquiring ultrasound image data of the breast.

[0023] 4, the cup member 3 is configured to include a base portion 31, a contact surface 32, a groove portion 33, a bank portion 34, and a detachable portion 35. The cup member 3 is rotatably attached to the inside of a bowl-shaped cover member 6 via a rotation shaft 51. The base portion 31 is a member having a substantially truncated cone shape, and has a pair of concave contact surfaces 32a, 32b on the upper surface, and a bank portion 34. The pair of contact surfaces 32a, 32b are arc-shaped curved surfaces that come into contact with the breast, and when viewed from the top side (the bottom side in FIG. 1), each contact surface 32a, 32b is substantially crescent-shaped.

[0024] The cup member 3 is detachably attached to the cover member 6. By preparing cup members 3 of multiple shapes with different curvatures of the portions (32a, 32b, 34) that come into contact with the breast and different shapes of the groove portion 35, and attaching a selected cup member 3 to the cover member 6, it is possible to easily change the breast ultrasound examination device 1 to one that is suitable for use in accordance with the purpose of the examination and improves the accuracy of the examination of the subject.

[0025] A groove 33 passing through the center point of the base 31 is provided between the pair of contact surfaces 32a, 32b. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is fitted into the groove 33 so as to be freely detachable and slidable as desired. The ultrasound diagnostic device 2 can be easily removed from the cup member 3 by pressing down the detachable portion 35. One longitudinal end of the groove 33 forms an opening 33a, and the other end contacts a bank 34. The top of the bank 34 is configured to be higher than the tops of the contact surfaces 32a, 32b. The bank 34 serves as a bank that pushes back the subject's breast that is pressed by the contact surface 20a of the abutting ultrasound diagnostic device 2. The pair of contact surfaces 32a, 32b and the bank 34 form a U-shaped breast contact surface.

[0026] 5A and 5B are bottom views illustrating the slide mechanism 9 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device according to the embodiment, in which (A) shows the start position of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2, (B) shows the movement from the first radial position to the second radial position, and (C) shows the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 fixed at the second radial position. Note that if the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 and the gripping unit 61 are positioned on the same straight line at the start position, the start position of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 can be visualized.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5(A), when the cup member 3 is in the start position, the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is at the first radius position where the contact surface 20a is located toward the center of the cup member 3. At the start position, the tip of arm A91 of the slide mechanism 9 is located in the recess 92a of arm B92, but during forward rotation, it is not engaged with the recess of arm B92, and the cup member 3 rotates together with the ultrasound diagnostic device 2. The cup member 3 rotates forward 360 degrees from the start position and performs scanning at the first radius position. Scanning at the first radius position obtains ultrasound image data of a position near the breast 80. In the prototype, one rotation took 32 seconds.

[0028] 5(B), when the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 rotates forward by 360 degrees and reaches the start position again, the rotation drive device 5 rotates the cup member 3 in the reverse direction by a certain angle (for example, 20 degrees). Then, at the position where the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 has rotated in the reverse direction, the slide drive device (not shown) rotates the arm A91, and the tip of the arm A91 presses the recess 92a of the arm B92, thereby moving the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 from the first radial position to the second radial position. When the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 moves to the second radial position, the engagement mechanism (not shown) becomes the locking position, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 is fixed at the second radial position.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5(C), the cup member 3 rotates forward and moves to the start position again. Next, the cup member 3 rotates forward 360 degrees from the start position and performs scanning at the second radial position. Scanning at the second radial position obtains ultrasound image data of a position far from the nipple 81. When scanning at the second radial position is completed, the rotation control device 4 changes the engagement mechanism (not shown) to the release position, and moves the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 to the first radial position using a push mechanism or pull mechanism (not shown).

[0030] In this way, the examination device 1 can automatically switch between the first and second radial positions of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, making it possible to acquire accurate ultrasound image data at the first and second radial positions without changing the position of the examination device 1 relative to the subject's breast 80. Because the position of the examination device 1 relative to the breast 80 matches at the first and second radial positions, it is not necessary to perform image processing that takes into account deviations in the rotation angle at the first and second radial positions, and when a lesion such as a cyst or lump is detected, it is possible to accurately identify its position.

[0031] In addition, in FIG. 5, an example has been described in which the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is at the first radial position at the start position, but the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 may be at the second radial position at the start position, and may perform scanning at the second radial position before moving to the first radial position and performing scanning there.

[0032] <Testing method> An inspection method using the inspection device 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. [STEP 101] The subject is placed in a position suitable for the examination (for example, lying on her back on a bed (supine position)), and gel is applied to the contact curved surface of the breast 80 or the cup member 3. The gel can be a water-soluble gel (for example, ultrasound jelly) used in general ultrasound examinations. [STEP 102] The examiner grasps the gripping portion 61 and places the examination device 1 on the breast 80 of the examinee while keeping it horizontal. As shown in FIG. 7, the examination device 1 is positioned so that the nipple 81 is located at the center of the examination device 1. Simply placing the examination device 1 on the breast 80 generates a light pressing force from the biasing member 8, and the breast 80 is lightly embraced by the contact surface 20a, abutment surfaces 32a, 32b, and ridge portion 34 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, which are arranged in a V-shape (no pain like that caused by mammography occurs).

[0033] [STEP 103] The examination begins with the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 set at the first radial position, which is located inside. Next, the rotation drive device 5 rotates the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, and ultrasound image data at the first radial position is acquired while rotating 360 degrees above the breast 80. The rotation control device 4 transmits the acquired ultrasound image data to the image processing device 22 via real-time wireless communication. The image processing device 22 stores in the storage device first radial position primary processing data that links the received ultrasound image data with rotational position information of the ultrasound diagnostic device.

[0034] For convenience of explanation, the position where the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is located inside is described as the first radial position, but the position where the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 is located outside may also be the first radial position. Furthermore, it is preferable to move the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 to the first radial position when an examination is completed so that the next examination can be started without moving the ultrasound diagnostic device 2.

[0035] [STEP 104] After the acquisition of ultrasound image data at the first radial position is completed, the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 moves outward and is automatically set to the second radial position. Next, the rotation drive device 5 rotates the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, acquiring ultrasound image data at the second radial position while rotating 360 degrees above the breast 80. The rotation control device 4 transmits the acquired ultrasound image data to the image processing device 22 via real-time wireless communication. The image processing device 22 stores second radial position primary processing data, which links the received ultrasound image data with the rotational position information of the ultrasound diagnostic device, in a storage device.

[0036] [STEP 105] Once scanning at the second radial position is complete, the examination device 1 is removed from the subject's chest. The examination of one breast is completed by wiping off the gel adhering to the subject's chest. The examination takes approximately 1 to 3 minutes per breast, which is significantly shorter than conventional examinations, and is not painful like mammography examinations. Once the examination of one breast is complete, the other breast is examined using the same procedure.

[0037] [STEP 106] The image processing device 22 transmits the first radial position primary processing data and the second radial position primary processing data to the management terminal 10 by wireless or wired communication. Note that the transmission of these data may be started automatically after the acquisition of the ultrasound image data for the first radial position and the second radial position is completed. The management terminal 10 performs image diagnosis by displaying a B-mode image based on the first radial position primary processing data and the second radial position primary processing data, but it is also possible to generate a C-mode image or a 3D image and display it on a display device (not shown). A doctor can diagnose a lesion using the image displayed on the display device. The user of the testing device 1 is typically a medical professional, but a trained person may also use the testing device 1 outside a medical institution (specifically, at home, etc.) under the guidance and supervision of a doctor.

[0038] The examination device 1 of the embodiment described above can automatically switch between the first and second radial positions of the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 while the examination device 1 is attached to the chest, making it possible to accurately identify the location of a lesion when it is detected. The examination device 1 can obtain highly reproducible ultrasound image data regardless of the skill of the examiner, making it suitable for follow-up observation when a lesion is detected and for post-treatment examinations. In addition, the examination takes about 1 to 3 minutes per breast and is not painful like a mammography examination. Furthermore, since the cup member 3 is suspended from the inner bottom surface of the cover member 6 by the rotating shaft 51 extending upward, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 is cordless, and even if the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 is rotated in only one direction by the rotary drive device 5, the problem of twisting the connecting wires does not occur.

[0039] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments. Various changes and improvements can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention, and such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0040] For example, in the embodiment example, an aspect was described in which the image processing device 22 transmits primary processing data to the management terminal 10, but the technical concept of the present invention also includes a configuration in which the rotation control device 4 transmits primary processing data to the management terminal 10. In addition, in the embodiment example, a configuration in which the input / output unit 62 is provided on the cover member 6 is exemplified, but the inspection device 1 may be provided with only a minimum number of buttons such as a power button, and the functions of the input / output unit may be realized by an application that can be operated from a personal computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet.

[0041] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the communication between the rotation control device 4 and the image processing device 22 is performed wirelessly, but the technical concept of the present invention also includes a configuration in which communication is performed via a communication cable connecting the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 and the rotation control device 4. In this case, it is preferable that the communication cable be detachably connected to the ultrasound diagnostic device 2, which allows the ultrasound diagnostic device 2 to be made cordless and handheld. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1: Breast ultrasound examination device 2: Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 3: Cup component 4: Rotation control device 5: Rotation drive unit 6: Cover material 7: Support member 8: biasing member 9: Slide mechanism 10: Management terminal 20: Main unit case 21: Probe 22: Image processing device 23:Second power supply section 24: Second Radio Section 31: Base section 32: Contact surface 33: Groove 34: Bank part 41: Storage case 42: Power supply section 43: Radio Department 61:Gripping part 62: Input / output section 80:Breast 81: Nipple 91: Arm A 92: Arm B

Claims

1. a cup member having a curved breast contact surface; an ultrasonic diagnostic device having a contact surface on which a probe is disposed and attached to the cup member; a rotation drive device that rotates the cup member; a rotation control device that acquires position information of the ultrasonic diagnostic device; a cover member on which the cup member is disposed; a power supply unit that supplies power to the rotary drive device, The rotation control device is a handheld breast ultrasound examination device that stores breast ultrasound image data in association with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a cordless type and includes an image processing device, a wireless device, and a second power supply unit; The ultrasound examination device is characterized in that the rotation control device or the image processing device transmits the stored ultrasound image data of the breast linked to the position information to an external information terminal via wireless communication.

2. the cup member includes a groove into which the ultrasonic diagnostic device is slidably fitted, a bank provided at an end of the groove and constituting the breast contact curved surface, and a slide mechanism for moving the ultrasonic diagnostic device between a first radial position and a second radial position within the groove, the ultrasonic diagnostic device is disposed on the cup member so that the contact surface and the ridge portion enclose the breast, the rotation control device rotates the ultrasound diagnostic device in contact with the breast at the first radial position, while acquiring ultrasound image data of the breast together with the position information; moving the ultrasound diagnostic device to the second radial position while keeping the breast contact surface in contact with the breast; 2. The breast ultrasound examination device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound diagnostic device is rotated in contact with the breast at the second radial position, and ultrasound image data of the breast is stored in association with the position information.

3. A breast ultrasound examination device as described in Claim 2, wherein the power supply unit is equipped with a battery and is cordless.

4. 2. The breast ultrasound examination device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound diagnostic device can be detached from the cup member to acquire ultrasound image data by itself, and the acquired ultrasound image data can be transmitted to an external information terminal by wireless communication.

5. A cup member having a breast-contacting curved surface; an ultrasonic diagnostic device having a contact surface on which a probe is disposed and attached to the cup member; a rotation drive device that rotates the cup member; a power supply unit that supplies power to the rotary drive device; a control device that stores ultrasound image data of the breast in association with position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device; a cover member on which the cup member is disposed; a wireless device that transmits the stored ultrasound image data linked to the location information to an external information terminal; the cup member includes a groove into which the ultrasonic diagnostic device is slidably fitted, a bank provided at an end of the groove and constituting the breast contact curved surface, and a slide mechanism for moving the ultrasonic diagnostic device between a first radial position and a second radial position within the groove, the ultrasonic diagnostic device is disposed on the cup member so that the contact surface and the ridge portion enclose the breast, the rotation drive device and the control device are disposed in the cup member, A breast ultrasound examination device, wherein the cup member is suspended from the cover member by a rotation shaft extending upward from the rotation drive device.

6. A breast ultrasound examination device as described in claim 2 or 5, further comprising: a swinging mechanism that swings the contact surface of the ultrasound diagnostic device placed within the groove portion in a direction away from and toward the cup member, using a support member fixed to the cup member as a fulcrum; and a biasing member that applies a biasing force using an elastic member to press the contact surface against the breast.

7. a cup member having a curved breast contact surface; an ultrasonic diagnostic device having a contact surface on which a probe is disposed and attached to the cup member; a rotation drive device that rotates the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the cup member; a power supply unit that supplies power to the rotary drive device; a rotation control device that records ultrasound image data acquired by the ultrasound diagnostic device in association with position information of the ultrasound diagnostic device; a cover member on which the cup member is disposed; The cup member has a groove into which the ultrasonic diagnostic device is slidably fitted, and a slide mechanism that moves the groove between a first radial position and a second radial position, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a cordless type and includes an image processing device, a wireless device, and a second power supply unit; acquiring ultrasound image data of the breast together with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device in contact with the breast at the first radial position; moving the ultrasound diagnostic device to the second radial position while keeping the breast contact surface in contact with the breast; acquiring ultrasound image data of the breast together with the position information while rotating the ultrasound diagnostic device in contact with the breast at the second radial position; The ultrasound examination method includes the rotation control device or the image processing device transmitting the stored ultrasound image data of the breast linked to the position information to an external information terminal via wireless communication.

8. The ultrasound inspection method described in Claim 7, further characterized in that the ultrasound diagnostic device is detached from the cup member and ultrasound image data is acquired by itself, and the acquired ultrasound image data is transmitted to an external information terminal via wireless communication.

Images