JP2012179324A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining a high-quality ultrasonic image while suppressing an increase in the internal temperature of a wireless communication type ultrasonic probe.
Electric power is supplied from a battery in a battery unit to each part in an ultrasonic probe via a power feeding cable, and ultrasonic diagnosis is performed. When the internal temperature of the ultrasonic probe 1 is detected by the probe temperature sensor 14 and the detected internal temperature exceeds a preset threshold value, the probe control unit 13 activates the probe cooling unit 15, and the ultrasonic probe 1. Inside cooling is performed.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and in particular, heat generation of an ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs diagnosis based on an ultrasonic image generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves from a transducer array of an ultrasonic probe. Regarding measures.

  Conventionally, in the medical field, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using an ultrasonic image has been put into practical use. In general, this type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic probe with a built-in transducer array and an apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic waves are directed toward the subject from the ultrasonic probe. , The ultrasonic echo from the subject is received by the ultrasonic probe, and the received signal is electrically processed by the apparatus main body to generate an ultrasonic image.

In such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, heat is generated from the transducer array by transmitting ultrasonic waves from the transducer array.
However, since the operator usually holds the ultrasonic probe with one hand and makes a diagnosis while the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the transducer array is in contact with the surface of the subject, the ultrasonic probe is easily held by the operator with one hand. It is often housed in a small enough enclosure. For this reason, the temperature of the housing of the ultrasonic probe may rise due to heat generated from the transducer array.

In recent years, the ultrasonic probe has a built-in circuit board and battery for signal processing, and the received signal output from the transducer array is digitally processed and then transmitted to the device body by wireless communication. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been proposed in which a high-quality ultrasonic image is obtained by reducing the image quality.
An ultrasonic probe that performs this type of digital processing generates heat from the circuit board and heat from the battery even during processing of the received signal, and the temperature inside the enclosure is required to ensure stable operation of each circuit on the circuit board. It is necessary to suppress the rise.

  As a countermeasure against temperature rise of the ultrasonic probe, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that automatically changes a condition for driving the transducer array in accordance with the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe. The higher the surface temperature, the more appropriate the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe by reducing the drive voltage, transmission numerical aperture, transmission pulse repetition frequency, frame rate, etc. of each transducer of the transducer array during ultrasonic transmission. Maintained at temperature.

JP 2005-253776 A

However, the apparatus of Patent Document 1 that changes the driving conditions of the transducer array at the time of transmission cannot cope with the heat generated during reception and the heat generated from the battery in the ultrasonic probe that performs digital processing as described above.
The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an ultrasonic image capable of obtaining a high-quality ultrasonic image while suppressing an increase in the internal temperature of the wireless communication type ultrasonic probe. An object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, the ultrasonic probe and the diagnostic apparatus main body are connected by wireless communication, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the transducer array of the ultrasonic probe toward the subject, and the ultrasound by the subject is also transmitted. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which an ultrasonic image is generated in a diagnostic apparatus body based on reception data obtained by processing a reception signal output from a transducer array that has received a sound echo in an ultrasonic probe, A battery unit that is connected to the ultrasonic probe via a power supply cable and supplies power to each part in the ultrasonic probe, a probe temperature sensor that detects the internal temperature of the ultrasonic probe, and a built-in ultrasonic probe And a probe cooling unit for cooling the inside of the ultrasonic probe according to the internal temperature of the ultrasonic probe detected by the probe temperature sensor It includes those were.

The battery unit includes a unit temperature sensor that detects the internal temperature of the battery unit, and a unit cooling unit that is built in the battery unit and that cools the inside of the battery unit according to the internal temperature of the battery unit detected by the unit temperature sensor. It is preferable to have.
A battery remaining amount display unit that is disposed on the ultrasonic probe and displays the battery remaining amount of the battery unit may be further provided.
Preferably, the battery unit has a replaceable battery.
Furthermore, the battery unit can be detachably connected to the ultrasonic probe via the connector.

  According to this invention, the battery unit is connected to the ultrasonic probe via the power supply cable, and the inside of the ultrasonic probe is cooled by the probe cooling unit according to the internal temperature of the ultrasonic probe detected by the probe temperature sensor. It is possible to obtain a high-quality ultrasonic image while suppressing an increase in the internal temperature of the wireless communication type ultrasonic probe.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 6 is a block diagram showing a battery unit used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a battery unit used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a battery unit used in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic probe used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 6. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 1, a diagnostic apparatus main body 2 connected to the ultrasonic probe 1 by wireless communication, and a battery unit 4 connected to the ultrasonic probe 1 via a power feeding cable 3. ing.

The ultrasonic probe 1 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 5 constituting a plurality of channels of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional transducer array, and a reception signal processing unit 6 is connected to each of the transducers 5 to receive a reception signal. A wireless communication unit 8 is connected to the processing unit 6 via a parallel / serial conversion unit 7. Further, a transmission control unit 10 is connected to the plurality of transducers 6 via the transmission drive unit 9, a reception control unit 11 is connected to the plurality of reception signal processing units 6, and a communication control unit 12 is connected to the wireless communication unit 8. ing. The probe control unit 13 is connected to the parallel / serial conversion unit 7, the transmission control unit 10, the reception control unit 11, and the communication control unit 12.
Further, the ultrasonic probe 1 includes a probe temperature sensor 14 that detects the internal temperature of the ultrasonic probe 1 and a probe cooling unit 15 that cools the inside of the ultrasonic probe 1. These probe temperature sensor 14 and probe cooling unit 15 is connected to the probe control unit 13.

Each of the plurality of transducers 5 transmits an ultrasonic wave according to a drive signal supplied from the transmission drive unit 9, receives an ultrasonic echo from the subject, and outputs a reception signal. Each transducer 5 includes, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic represented by PZT (lead zirconate titanate), a polymer piezoelectric element represented by PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), PMN-PT (magnesium niobate / lead titanate solid solution). ), A piezoelectric body made of a piezoelectric single crystal or the like.
When a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of such a vibrator, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts, and pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves are generated from the respective vibrators, and the synthesis of those ultrasonic waves. As a result, an ultrasonic beam is formed. In addition, each transducer generates an electric signal by expanding and contracting by receiving propagating ultrasonic waves, and these electric signals are output as ultrasonic reception signals.

  The transmission drive unit 9 includes, for example, a plurality of pulsers so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of transducers 5 form an ultrasonic beam based on the transmission delay pattern selected by the transmission control unit 10. The delay amount of each drive signal is adjusted and supplied to the plurality of transducers 5.

The reception signal processing unit 6 of each channel generates a complex baseband signal by performing orthogonal detection processing or orthogonal sampling processing on the reception signal output from the corresponding transducer 5 under the control of the reception control unit 11. Then, by sampling the complex baseband signal, sample data including information on the tissue area is generated, and the sample data is supplied to the parallel / serial converter 7. The reception signal processing unit 6 may generate sample data by performing data compression processing for high-efficiency encoding on data obtained by sampling a complex baseband signal.
The parallel / serial conversion unit 7 converts the parallel sample data generated by the reception signal processing unit 6 of a plurality of channels into serial sample data.

The wireless communication unit 8 modulates a carrier based on serial sample data to generate a transmission signal, supplies the transmission signal to the antenna, and transmits radio waves from the antenna, thereby transmitting serial sample data. As the modulation scheme, for example, ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying), PSK (Phase Shift Keying), QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), 16QAM (16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), and the like are used.
The wireless communication unit 8 transmits sample data to the diagnostic apparatus body 2 by performing wireless communication with the diagnostic apparatus body 2, and receives various control signals from the diagnostic apparatus body 2 and receives them. A control signal is output to the communication control unit 12. The communication control unit 12 controls the wireless communication unit 8 so that the sample data is transmitted with the transmission radio wave intensity set by the probe control unit 13 and also performs probe control on various control signals received by the wireless communication unit 8. To the unit 13.

The probe temperature sensor 14 detects the internal temperature T of the ultrasonic probe 1 and outputs it to the probe controller 13. The probe temperature sensor 14 is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the reception signal processing unit 6 where heat generation is expected particularly during operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
The probe cooling unit 15 is for cooling the inside of the ultrasonic probe 1 and can use various cooling means such as driving of a cooling fan, circulation of a refrigerant, and a Peltier element.
The probe control unit 13 controls each unit of the ultrasonic probe 1 based on various control signals transmitted from the diagnostic apparatus body 2. In addition, the probe control unit 13 drives and controls the probe cooling unit 15 according to the internal temperature T of the ultrasonic probe 1 detected by the probe temperature sensor 14.

  The ultrasonic probe 1 may be an external probe such as a linear scan method, a convex scan method, a sector scan method, or an ultrasonic endoscope probe such as a radial scan method. Further, one multiplexer may be connected to the plurality of transducers 5 so that the opening channel at the time of transmission / reception can be switched.

  The battery unit 4 connected to the ultrasonic probe 1 via the power supply cable 3 is for supplying power to each circuit in the ultrasonic probe 1, and includes a protection circuit 41 connected to the power supply cable 3 and protection. A battery 42 is connected to the circuit 41. The battery unit 4 is preferably worn by the operator, for example, stored in a pocket of a jacket worn by the operator.

  On the other hand, the diagnostic apparatus body 2 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a data storage unit 23 is connected to the wireless communication unit 21 via a serial / parallel conversion unit 22, and an image generation unit 24 is connected to the data storage unit 23. Has been. Further, a display unit 26 is connected to the image generation unit 24 via the display control unit 25. In addition, a communication control unit 27 is connected to the wireless communication unit 21, and a main body control unit 28 is connected to the serial / parallel conversion unit 22, the image generation unit 24, the display control unit 25, and the communication control unit 27. Furthermore, an operation unit 29 for an operator to perform an input operation and a storage unit 31 for storing an operation program are connected to the main body control unit 28.

The wireless communication unit 21 transmits various control signals to the ultrasonic probe 1 by performing wireless communication with the ultrasonic probe 1. The wireless communication unit 21 outputs serial sample data by demodulating a signal received by the antenna.
The communication control unit 27 controls the wireless communication unit 21 so that various control signals are transmitted with the transmission radio wave intensity set by the main body control unit 28.
The serial / parallel converter 22 converts the serial sample data output from the wireless communication unit 21 into parallel sample data. The data storage unit 23 is configured by a memory, a hard disk, or the like, and stores at least one frame of sample data converted by the serial / parallel conversion unit 22.

The image generation unit 24 performs reception focus processing on the sample data for each frame read from the data storage unit 23 to generate an image signal representing an ultrasound diagnostic image. The image generation unit 24 includes a phasing addition unit 31 and an image processing unit 32.
The phasing addition unit 31 selects one reception delay pattern from a plurality of reception delay patterns stored in advance according to the reception direction set in the main body control unit 28, and sets the selected reception delay pattern. Based on this, the reception focus process is performed by adding a delay to each of the plurality of complex baseband signals represented by the sample data. By this reception focus processing, a baseband signal (sound ray signal) in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed is generated.

  The image processing unit 32 generates a B-mode image signal that is tomographic image information related to the tissue in the subject based on the sound ray signal generated by the phasing addition unit 31. The image processing unit 32 includes an STC (sensitivity time control) unit and a DSC (digital scan converter). The STC unit corrects the attenuation due to the distance according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic wave on the sound ray signal. The DSC converts the sound ray signal corrected by the STC unit into an image signal according to a normal television signal scanning method (raster conversion), and performs necessary image processing such as gradation processing to thereby obtain a B-mode image signal. Is generated.

  The display control unit 25 causes the display unit 26 to display an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the image signal generated by the image generation unit 24. The display unit 26 includes a display device such as an LCD, for example, and displays an ultrasound diagnostic image under the control of the display control unit 25.

  In such a diagnostic apparatus main body 2, the serial / parallel conversion unit 22, the image generation unit 24, the display control unit 25, the communication control unit 27, and the main body control unit 28 are used for causing the CPU and the CPU to perform various processes. Although composed of operation programs, they may be composed of digital circuits. The operation program is stored in the storage unit 30. As a recording medium in the storage unit 30, a flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or the like can be used in addition to the built-in hard disk.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
First, the operator accommodates the battery unit 4 in a jacket pocket or the like worn, and holds the ultrasonic probe 1 connected to the battery unit 4 via the power supply cable 3 with his / her hand. Electric power is supplied from the battery 42 accommodated in the battery unit 4 to each part in the ultrasonic probe 1 via the protection circuit 41 and the power supply cable 3.

  Diagnosis is started in this state. That is, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from a plurality of transducers 5 constituting the transducer array in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the transmission drive unit 9 of the ultrasonic probe 1 and output from each transducer 5 that has received an ultrasonic echo from the subject. The received data is supplied to the corresponding reception signal processing unit 6 and the sample data generated by the parallel / serial conversion unit 7 is serialized and then wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication unit 8 to the diagnostic apparatus main body 2. Sample data received by the wireless communication unit 21 of the diagnostic apparatus main body 2 is converted into parallel data by the serial / parallel conversion unit 22 and stored in the data storage unit 23. Further, sample data for each frame is read from the data storage unit 23, an image signal is generated by the image generation unit 24, and an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed on the display unit 26 by the display control unit 25 based on the image signal. Is done.

  When the ultrasonic diagnosis is executed in this way, heat is generated from the battery 42 that supplies power to each part in the ultrasonic probe 1, but the battery 42 is separated from the ultrasonic probe 1. Therefore, the heat from the battery 42 does not directly affect the temperature in the ultrasonic probe 1.

  However, the ultrasonic probe 1 generates heat from the reception signal processing unit 6 and the like, and there is a possibility that the internal temperature T of the ultrasonic probe 1 gradually increases with the execution of the ultrasonic diagnosis. Therefore, when the internal temperature T of the ultrasonic probe 1 is detected by the probe temperature sensor 14 and the internal temperature T detected by the probe temperature sensor 14 exceeds a preset threshold, the ultrasonic wave is detected. It is determined that the probe 1 needs to be cooled, and the probe cooling unit 15 is activated. That is, the cooling fan 1 is driven to circulate the cooling air inside the ultrasonic probe 1, the refrigerant is circulated inside the ultrasonic probe 1, the Peltier element is driven, etc. Done. Thereby, the rise in the internal temperature T of the ultrasonic probe 1 is suppressed, and each part in the ultrasonic probe 1 performs a stable operation, whereby a high-quality ultrasonic image can be obtained.

By connecting the battery unit 4 to the ultrasonic probe 1 via the power supply cable 3, the battery is accommodated in the housing of the ultrasonic probe 1 while being the ultrasonic probe 1 connected to the diagnostic apparatus body 2 by wireless communication. Therefore, the weight of the ultrasonic probe 1 can be reduced, the operability is improved, and the space in the housing can be made as much as the battery, so even without increasing the size of the housing, The probe cooling unit 15 can be incorporated.
Further, since the battery 42 is accommodated in the battery unit 4, a large-capacity battery 42 can be used without being affected by the limited accommodation space in the ultrasonic probe 1. It is possible to extend the continuous use time.

Embodiment 2
In the first embodiment, the protection circuit 41 of the battery unit 4 is directly connected to the tip of the power supply cable 3. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector 43 is connected to the tip of the power supply cable 3. The battery unit 4 can be detachably connected. With such a configuration, when the remaining amount of the battery 42 in the battery unit 4 is low, the battery unit 4 is removed from the tip of the power supply cable 3 by the connector 43 and replaced with a new battery unit 4. The ultrasound diagnosis can be continued.
Further, the ultrasonic probe 1 and the battery unit 4 can be separated from each other by the connector 43 and stored.

Embodiment 3
In the first or second embodiment, instead of the battery unit 4, as shown in FIG. 3, a battery unit 51 that can replace the battery 42 may be used. The battery unit 51 has a battery housing portion 52, and the protection circuit 41 and the battery 42 are connected by housing the battery 42 in the battery housing portion 52, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the battery 42 via the power feeding cable 3. Electric power is supplied into the probe 1.
When the remaining amount of the battery 42 is reduced along with the execution of the ultrasonic diagnosis, the battery 42 is removed from the battery housing portion 52 of the battery unit 51, and a new battery 42 is housed in the battery housing portion 52 to perform the ultrasound. Diagnosis can continue.
In addition, a lid that can be opened and closed can be installed at the opening of the battery housing portion 52. In this way, entry of foreign matter, dust, or the like into the battery housing portion 52 is prevented.

Embodiment 4
FIG. 4 shows a battery unit 61 used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. Similarly to the battery unit 4 in the first embodiment, the battery unit 61 includes not only the protection circuit 41 and the battery 42 connected to the power supply cable 3 but also the unit temperature sensor 62 and the unit temperature sensor 62. The temperature control unit 63 and the unit cooling unit 64 connected to the temperature control unit 63 are incorporated.
The unit temperature sensor 62 is for detecting the internal temperature of the battery unit 61.
The unit cooling section 64 is for cooling the inside of the battery unit 61, and various cooling means such as driving of a cooling fan, circulation of the refrigerant, and Peltier element can be used.
The temperature control unit 63 drives and controls the unit cooling unit 64 according to the internal temperature of the battery unit 61 detected by the unit temperature sensor 62.

  As the ultrasonic diagnosis is performed, heat may be generated from the battery 42 and the internal temperature of the battery unit 61 may gradually increase. Therefore, when the internal temperature of the battery unit 61 is detected by the unit temperature sensor 62 and the detected internal temperature exceeds a preset temperature threshold value for the battery unit 61, the temperature control unit 63 causes the unit cooling unit 64 to The battery unit 61 is cooled by operating. Thereby, the rise in the internal temperature of the battery unit 61 is suppressed, and it becomes possible to stably supply power from the battery 42 to each part in the ultrasonic probe 1.

Embodiment 5
In the first to fourth embodiments, an ultrasonic probe 71 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 can be used instead of the ultrasonic probe 1. This ultrasonic probe 71 is the ultrasonic probe 1 shown in FIG. 1 and further includes an emergency battery 72. The emergency battery 72 is connected to a connection line 73 for connecting each part in the ultrasonic probe 71 and the power supply cable 3.
In normal times, power is supplied from the battery 42 in the battery unit 4 to each part in the ultrasonic probe 71 and at the same time, the emergency battery 72 is charged. When the remaining amount of the battery 42 is reduced and power cannot be supplied to the ultrasonic probe 71, the battery unit 4 or the battery 42 is replaced with a new one, etc. Electric power is supplied from the battery 72 to each part in the ultrasonic probe 71.
As described above, by providing the emergency battery 72, even when the power supply from the battery unit 4 is temporarily disabled, each part in the ultrasound probe 71 is driven without interrupting the ultrasound diagnosis. Can do.

Embodiment 6
In the first to fifth embodiments, the ultrasonic probe 81 shown in FIG. 6 can be used instead of the ultrasonic probe 1 or 71. The ultrasonic probe 81 has a battery remaining amount display portion 83 disposed in the housing 82. The battery remaining amount display unit 83 displays the remaining amount of the battery 42 in the battery unit 4, 51 or 61 connected to the ultrasonic probe 81 via the power feeding cable 3. It is composed of a plurality of lamps whose number of lighting changes step by step according to the amount.
If the battery remaining amount display unit 83 is provided, the remaining amount of the battery 42 can be confirmed while the operator performs ultrasonic diagnosis.

In addition, you may use the battery remaining amount display part which displays the remaining amount of the battery 42 with a numerical value instead of the number of lighting of a lamp | ramp.
Further, when the remaining amount of the battery 42 becomes a predetermined value or less and the remaining time for continuing the ultrasonic diagnosis becomes small, all of the plurality of lamps of the battery remaining amount display unit 83 are blinked. It can also be configured to issue a warning. In this case, a warning lamp may be arranged separately from the battery remaining amount display unit 83.

  1, 71, 81 Ultrasonic probe, 2 diagnostic device body, 3 power supply cable, 4, 51, 61 battery unit, 5 transducer, 6 reception signal processing unit, 7 parallel / serial conversion unit, 8 wireless communication unit, 9 transmission drive Unit, 10 transmission control unit, 11 reception control unit, 12 communication control unit, 13 probe control unit, 14 temperature sensor, 15 probe cooling unit, 21 wireless communication unit, 22 serial / parallel conversion unit, 23 data storage unit, 24 image Generation unit, 25 Display control unit, 26 Display unit, 27 Communication control unit, 28 Main body control unit, 29 Operation unit, 30 Storage unit, 31 Phased addition unit, 32 Image processing unit, 41 Protection circuit, 42 Battery, 43 Connector 52 Battery compartment 62 Unit temperature sensor 63 Temperature control unit 64 Unit cooling unit 72 Emergency Battery, 73 connection line, 82 housing, 83 battery remaining amount display part.

Claims (5)

The transducer array in which an ultrasound probe and a diagnostic apparatus main body are connected by wireless communication, an ultrasound beam is transmitted from the transducer array of the ultrasound probe toward the subject, and an ultrasound echo from the subject is received An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which an ultrasonic image is generated by the diagnostic apparatus main body based on reception data obtained by processing the reception signal output from the ultrasonic probe,
A battery unit connected to the ultrasonic probe via a power supply cable and for supplying power to each part in the ultrasonic probe,
A probe temperature sensor for detecting an internal temperature of the ultrasonic probe;
An ultrasonic diagnosis comprising: a probe cooling unit that is built in the ultrasonic probe and that cools the inside of the ultrasonic probe in accordance with an internal temperature of the ultrasonic probe detected by the probe temperature sensor. apparatus. The battery unit is
A unit temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature of the battery unit;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit cooling unit that is built in the battery unit and that cools the inside of the battery unit according to an internal temperature of the battery unit detected by the unit temperature sensor.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a battery remaining amount display unit that is disposed on the ultrasonic probe and displays a battery remaining amount of the battery unit.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery unit has a replaceable battery.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery unit is detachably connected to the ultrasonic probe via a connector.

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