JP2024053998A - Ultrasound diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve operability of an operation panel of an ultrasonic diagnostic device.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic device according to an embodiment includes a body housing, a display, an operation panel unit, and a support unit. The support unit supports the operation panel unit in a tiltable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to an ultrasound diagnostic device.

When imaging with an ultrasound diagnostic device, a user such as a technician contacts the detection surface of the ultrasound probe with the part of the subject to be diagnosed, and while viewing the generated ultrasound image, simultaneously performs operations such as appropriate gain adjustment, switching of imaging modes, and freezing via the operation panel. However, in conventional ultrasound diagnostic devices, the operation panel is fixedly connected to the ultrasound diagnostic device body, so the user must perform operations according to the height of the operation panel.

For example, in the case of a lower limb examination, the user will bend down or assume a lower position relative to the operation panel, making it difficult to operate a fixed operation panel. Furthermore, the ultrasound image displayed on the screen may be blocked by the operation panel, making it difficult for the bent-over user to see. Also, in the case of an operation while standing, the user will be in a higher position relative to the operation panel, making it similarly difficult to operate the operation panel. Furthermore, forcing the user to operate the operation panel in an awkward position may result in longer examination times.

JP 2008-126015 A

One of the problems that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings aim to solve is to improve the operability of the operation panel of an ultrasound diagnostic device. However, the problems that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings aim to solve are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in each embodiment described below can also be positioned as other problems.

The ultrasound diagnostic device according to the embodiment includes a main body housing, a display, an operation panel unit, and a support unit. The support unit supports the operation panel unit so that it can be tilted.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment; 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a state in which a user operates an operation panel in a position that places an strain on the user when using a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the operation panel unit according to the first embodiment is tilted downward. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating how a user operates the operation panel unit tilted downward in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the operation panel unit according to the first embodiment is tilted upward. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an operation panel unit and a support unit according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of a stopper of a support portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an operation panel unit and a support unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the viewing range of the image sensor and the user's field of view when the operation panel unit is tilted downward in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a modified example of the third embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the ultrasound diagnostic device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 has a main body housing 100, a support unit 10, an operation panel unit 20, a display 30, a connection unit 40, and wheels 60.

In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the floor surface is defined as the Z-axis direction, perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, the depth direction of the main body housing 100 is defined as the X-axis direction, perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and the width direction of the main body housing 100 is defined as the Y-axis direction. In addition, in FIG. 1, the right side of the operation panel unit 20 is called the rear side, and the left side is called the front side.

The main body housing 100 houses the device main body 101 (see FIG. 8). The device main body 101 generates an ultrasound image based on the echo signal from the subject P received by the ultrasound probe 50.

The support unit 10 is provided at a rear position of the operation panel unit 20, supports the operation panel unit 20 so that it can tilt, and is connected to the connection unit 40. Details of the structure and operation will be described later.

The operation panel unit 20 has, for example, a touch command screen and hard keys (both not shown). The touch command screen is configured with a display and a touch input circuit provided near the display. The touch input circuit provides the device main body 101 with information on the position indicated by the user on the touch input circuit. The hard keys include a keyboard, mouse, foot switch, trackball, various buttons, etc. The touch input circuit and hard keys constitute an input circuit, and each accepts various instructions from the user.

The operation panel unit 20 has a handle 23, for example, on the underside of its front side. The handle 23 is used as a handle, for example, when moving the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 during a diagnosis, or when manually moving the operation panel unit 20 in the tilt direction as described below. The handle 23 is provided with a lever 24, and the movement of the operation panel unit 20 in the tilt direction can be locked or unlocked based on the user's operation of the lever 24. The lever 24 can be composed of, for example, a member that moves when the handle 23 is gripped, a contact sensor that is operated by detecting contact by the user, a button that is operated by pressing, etc.

The display 30 is configured with a general display output device such as a liquid crystal display or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, and displays ultrasound images such as biological tissue images generated in the device body 101. The display 30 also displays images for the user to input various instructions using the operation panel unit 20, for example. The display 30 also displays notification information for the user received from the device body 101. The display 30 is connected to the main body housing 100 via the connection unit 40, and may be capable of rotating around the Z-axis direction.

The connection unit 40 connects the main body housing 100 to the operation panel unit 20 and the display 30. The connection unit 40 has, for example, a first connection unit 41 and a second connection unit 42. The first connection unit 41 is attached to the top of the main body housing 100 so as to extend vertically upward from the main body housing 100 (positive direction of the Z axis), and supports the operation panel unit 20 via the support unit 10. The second connection unit 42 is connected so as to further extend the first connection unit 41 in the positive direction of the Z axis, and supports the display 30. The second connection unit 42 may be rotatable so that the display 30 can rotate around the Z axis direction.

The ultrasonic probe 50 is connected to the main body housing 100 via a cable so that it can be detached directly from the main body housing 100. The ultrasonic probe 50 has a detector at its tip, and the array surface of the detector has multiple piezoelectric elements. The multiple piezoelectric elements generate ultrasonic waves based on a drive signal supplied by the cable under the control of the transmission/reception circuit 130 (see FIG. 8) of the device main body 101, and also receive reflected waves from the subject P and convert them into electrical signals. Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 50 may be placed on the probe stand 22 when not in use.

The wheels 60 are provided on the bottom of the main body housing 100. The wheels 60 are freely rotatable wheels, and may be composed of, for example, a front wheel formed of a pair of casters, and a rear wheel connected to a driving device such as a motor and driven by receiving power assistance from the motor in response to operation by the user.

(Operation panel operability)
Here, the operability of the operation panel will be described. First, Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining how a user D operates the operation panel in a stressful position when using a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device. During an examination, the user D touches the detection surface of the ultrasound probe 50 to a diagnostic site of the subject P with one hand, and while checking the generated ultrasound image on the display 30, he or she simultaneously operates the operation panel unit 20 with the other hand.

As a result, in a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device in which the position of the operation panel unit 20 is fixed as shown in FIG. 2, for example, in a lower limb examination of a subject P, the user D must bend down to match the height of the part of the subject P to be diagnosed in order to bring the ultrasound probe 50 into contact with the subject P's lower limb with one hand. This causes the user D to assume a low posture relative to the operation panel unit 20, making it difficult for the user D to operate the operation panel with the other hand that is not holding the ultrasound probe 50.

To solve the above-mentioned operability problem, the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to allow the tilt angle of the operation panel unit 20 to be changed.

Figure 3 shows the operation panel unit 20 tilted downward. As described above, the support unit 10 is provided at the rear side of the operation panel unit 20 (the rear side as viewed from the user D who operates the operation panel). The operation panel unit 20 is configured to tilt downward, or to tilt both downward and upward, around a rotation axis provided on the support unit 10.

Figure 4 shows the effect of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, by tilting the operation panel unit 20 downward, the user D is not forced to operate the operation panel in an awkward position even during an examination of the lower limbs of the subject P, making it easier to operate the operation panel.

Figure 5 shows the operation panel unit 20 tilted upward. If the operation panel unit 20 is tilted upward, it becomes easy to operate the ultrasound probe 50 and the operation panel simultaneously, for example, even when user D is performing an examination while standing up from a chair.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation panel unit 20 and the support unit 10 according to the first embodiment. Also, Fig. 7 is a diagram explaining an example of a stopper of the support unit 10 according to the first embodiment. Note that Figs. 6 and 7 show the support unit 10 with the exterior cover removed. An example of the support unit 10 will be described in detail using Figs. 6 and 7.

The support unit 10 is provided at a rear position of the operation panel unit 20 and is connected to the first connection part 41 of the connection part 40. The support unit 10 supports the operation panel unit 20 so that it can tilt downward and upward around a rotation axis (shaft 15) provided on the support unit 10.

For example, the support unit 10 mainly comprises a base 11 that is fixed to the first connection unit 41 of the connection unit 40, and a shaft 15 that is inserted into a through hole provided in the base 11 and serves as an axis for tilt rotation of the operation panel unit 20.

The shaft 15 passes through a through hole provided in the base 11 along the Y axis and is rotatable within the through hole. For example, the shaft 15 is fixed to a first metal plate 13a and a second metal plate 13b arranged on either side of the base 11 by a first nut 14a and a second nut 14b, respectively. Furthermore, the first metal plate 13a and the second metal plate 13b are fixed to the rear side surface of the operation panel unit 20 by the screw 17 via the screw 17.

In this configuration, the shaft 15 rotates within the through-hole of the base 11 in conjunction with the tilt down (tilt rotation in the downward direction) and tilt up (tilt rotation in the upward direction) of the operation panel unit 20.

For example, the first spring 12a and the second spring 12b are disposed between the base 11 and the first metal plate 13a and the second metal plate 13b on both sides, respectively. For example, when the operation panel unit 20 is tilted downward or upward, the first spring 12a and the second spring 12b may receive a load acting in the compression direction of the spring and suppress the tilt rotation by the generated reaction force, or may have a function of supplementing the rotational force for tilting the operation panel unit 20 downward or upward.

On the other hand, the base 11 is connected to the main body housing 100 as described above. Specifically, the base connection part 11b of the base 11 is connected to the first connection part 41 of the connection part 40 attached to the main body housing 100. The base 11 also has a hole through which the shaft 15 passes along the Y-axis direction that is approximately parallel to the rear surface of the operation panel part 20.

In addition, the base 11 may not have a hole through which the shaft 15 passes, but may have shaft bearings on both sides of the base 11, with a shaft on each side and the shafts on both sides rotatably connected.

The base 11 may be provided with a stopper 11a that stops the operation panel unit 20 at a certain tilt angle when tilted downward. The stopper 11a prevents the operation panel unit 20 from being tilted downward more than necessary. Therefore, for example, even if an unexpected load is applied to the operation panel unit 20 from above, the stopper 11a can prevent the operation panel unit 20 from hitting the main body housing 100 or peripheral devices 200 placed on the main body housing 100. The base 11 may also be provided with a stopper (not shown) that stops the operation panel unit 20 at a certain tilt angle when tilted upward.

The support unit 10 is also provided with a locking mechanism (not shown). The locking mechanism locks or unlocks the movement of the support unit 10 in the tilt direction around the rotation axis. The locking mechanism can hold the operation panel unit 20, which has been adjusted to a specific tilt angle by the support unit 10, at the specific tilt angle.

Manual tilting of the operation panel unit 20 downward and upward is performed, for example, by operating the handle 23 of the operation panel unit 20 and the lever 24 provided on the handle 23. For example, the user operates the lever 24 to release the locked state, and in the unlocked state, holds the handle 23 to move the operation panel unit 20 and tilt it downward and upward to the desired tilt angle (or a specific tilt angle). At this time, the shaft 15 rotates within the through-hole of the base 11 in conjunction with the tilt angle of the operation panel unit 20. Thereafter, by operating the lever 24 to lock the operation panel unit 20 again, the operation panel unit 20 can be held at the specific tilt angle.

According to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel unit 20 can be tilted upward and downward at a desired angle according to the examination content, diagnostic area, etc., so that the user's posture during the examination is not strained, and the physical burden on the user is reduced. In addition, it becomes easier for the user to operate the ultrasound probe 50 and the operation panel simultaneously, and the operability of the operation panel is improved. Furthermore, the improved operability of the operation panel is expected to have the effect of shortening the examination time and may also lead to a reduction in the physical burden on the subject.

To reduce the burden on the user, an ultrasound diagnostic device is known in which a lifting mechanism is provided in the connection unit 40 to raise and lower the operation panel unit 20 with a fixed tilt angle. However, this type of device has a complex lifting mechanism and is relatively expensive. In contrast, the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment has a simple configuration and can be manufactured at low cost.

In addition, peripheral devices 200 such as recording and playback devices such as a printer and a DVD recorder may be placed on the top surface of the main body housing 100. In a known ultrasound diagnostic device in which an operation panel is raised and lowered by a lifting device, when the operation panel is lowered, a mounting space for the peripheral devices 200 cannot be secured on the top surface of the main body housing 100. In contrast, in the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment, even when the operation panel unit 20 is tilted downward by the support unit 10, a gap is created between the operation panel unit 20 and the main body housing 100, so that the peripheral devices 200 do not need to be installed in a different location. This makes it possible to avoid a decrease in workability that may occur when the peripheral devices 200 are installed in a different location.

Second Embodiment
8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the operation panel unit 20 was tilted manually, whereas in the second embodiment, the operation panel unit 20 is configured to be tilted automatically by a driving source 19 provided on the support unit 10. In addition, the operation of the support unit 10 by the driving source 19 is controlled by a processing circuit 110. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are used to denote configurations and functions that are substantially the same as those of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1, and description thereof will be omitted.

The support unit 10 has a drive source 19. The drive source 19 may be, for example, a motor, but any device capable of converting energy into drive to automatically tilt the support unit 10 may be used, and in addition to electricity such as a motor, air pressure, hydraulics, magnetic force, heat, etc. may also be used.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an example configuration of the operation panel unit 20 and support unit 10 according to the second embodiment, in which the driving source 19 is a motor. When the driving source 19 is a motor, for example, as shown in Figure 9, the motor is stored in the upper part of the base 11 of the support unit 10, and a motor gear fixed to the motor shaft meshes with a shaft gear fixed to the shaft 15, and the shaft 15 rotates due to the rotation of the motor. In conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 15, the operation panel unit 20 connected to the shaft 15 via the first sheet metal 13a and the second sheet metal 13b tilts downward and upward.

The operation of the support unit 10 by the drive source 19 is controlled by the processing circuitry 110. The processing circuitry 110 has a dedicated or general-purpose processor, and realizes various functions described below through software processing by executing various programs read from the input circuitry of the operation panel unit 20 or the memory circuitry 120. The processing circuitry 110 also provides overall control of each component of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1.

The memory circuitry 120 stores various processing programs used in the processing circuitry 110, data necessary for executing the programs, ultrasound diagnostic images, etc. The memory circuitry 120 includes a processor-readable storage medium such as a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory, and some or all of the programs and data in these storage media may be configured to be downloaded via a network.

As shown in FIG. 8, the processing circuit 110 realizes the functions of an information acquisition function 111, a drive control function 112, and a tilt control function 113. The configuration and operation of each of the above functions of the processing circuit 110 are described below.

The information acquisition function 111 acquires, for example, information for locking or unlocking the movement of the support unit 10 in the tilt direction. The information acquisition function 111 acquires information via the input circuit of the operation panel unit 20.

The information may be acquired by operating the first preset button 27a and the second preset button 27b provided on the operation panel unit 20. For example, when the first preset button 27a is pressed, the upward tilt movement of the support unit 10 may be locked or unlocked, and when the second preset button 27b is pressed, the downward tilt movement of the support unit 10 may be locked or unlocked. Also, there may be only one preset button, which locks or unlocks the tilt movement of the support unit 10 in a direction according to the examination content, diagnostic part, etc., stored in advance in the memory circuitry 120.

The locking mechanism 25 is a mechanism that locks or unlocks the movement in the tilt direction around the rotation axis of the support part 10. The locking mechanism 25 is essentially the same as in the first embodiment, except that it is controlled by the drive control function 112.

The drive control function 112 controls the lock mechanism 25 based on information for locking or unlocking the movement of the support unit 10 in the tilt direction acquired by the information acquisition function 111. Specifically, when the preset button is operated, the drive control function 112 controls the lock mechanism 25 to unlock the movement of the support unit 10 in the tilt direction. Furthermore, when the support unit 10 is moved in the tilt direction by the tilt control function 113 described below so as to achieve a specific tilt angle, the drive control function 112 locks the movement of the support unit 10 in the tilt direction while maintaining the specific tilt angle.

The tilt control function 113 uses the drive source 19 to control the tilt of the support unit 10 so as to adjust the operation panel unit 20 to a specific tilt angle. Specifically, the operation panel unit 20 is tilted downward and upward in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 15 of the support unit 10 brought about by the drive source 19, and adjusted to a specific tilt angle. The specific tilt angle may be, for example, a unique tilt angle in the downward and upward directions that is stored in advance in the memory circuitry 120, or a tilt angle that is determined according to the examination content, diagnostic area, etc.

At the end of the examination, the operation panel unit 20 can be automatically returned to a so-called initial state position where the operation panel unit 20 is not tilted upward or downward. The tilt control function 113 controls the support unit 10 to return the operation panel unit 20 to the initial state position. The operation for automatically returning the operation panel unit 20 to the initial state may be performed, for example, by operating a third preset button (not shown) provided on the operation panel unit 20, or may be performed automatically when the end of the examination of the subject P is input on the operation panel unit 20 by the user. If the operation panel unit 20 is returned to the initial state position at the end of the examination, it is convenient when another user uses the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 in the next examination or when a different examination content or diagnostic part is performed.

(Modification of the second embodiment)
The modified example of the second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that an information acquisition function 111 acquires information on a specific tilt angle, and a tilt control function 113 controls the tilt of the support unit 10 based on the information acquired by the information acquisition function 111. Since other configurations and operations are not substantially different from those of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 according to the second embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The information acquisition function 111 further acquires information about a specific tilt angle by using an angle setting button via the input circuit of the operation panel unit 20. Information about a specific tilt angle can be acquired by using a button that changes the tilt angle only while it is pressed, a switch that changes the tilt angle in the up and down directions by rotating a knob left and right, a number of switches for each angle that allow the selection of a specific tilt angle, etc.

For example, the first angle setting button 28a and the second angle setting button 28b provided on the operation panel unit 20 shown in FIG. 8 are buttons that change the tilt angle upward or downward, respectively, only while the user is pressing the button. When the user presses the first angle setting button 28a or the second angle setting button 28b, the drive control function 112 first controls the lock mechanism 25 to unlock the movement of the support unit 10 in the tilt direction.

Next, the tilt control function 113 controls the tilt of the support part based on the information about the specific tilt angle acquired by the information acquisition function 111. For example, in the case of the first angle setting button 28a and the second angle setting button 28b, the tilt control function 113 moves the support part 10 in the tilt direction only while the user is pressing the button, and when the user stops pressing the button, the drive control function 112 locks the movement of the support part 10 in the tilt direction while maintaining the specific tilt angle to which it was moved.

The angle setting button may be provided alongside the operation panel unit 20 having the preset buttons described above, and may be used for fine adjustment after a specific tilt angle has been adjusted using the preset buttons. Alternatively, the operation panel unit 20 may only have the angle setting button.

According to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 of the second embodiment and its modified example, the operation panel unit 20 can be tilted simply by the user operating a button, making it easier for the user to use the tilt of the operation panel unit 20.

Third Embodiment
Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to the third embodiment. In the second embodiment, the tilt angle is adjusted based on a button press process by a user, whereas in the third embodiment, the tilt angle is adjusted based on detection of position information of at least one of the user and the ultrasonic probe performed by the detection function 114 of the processing circuitry 110, which is different from the second embodiment. Other configurations and operations are not substantially different from those of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 shown in Fig. 8, so the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the detection function 114 of the third embodiment detects the position information of at least one of the user and the ultrasound probe 50 using position information acquired using the image sensor 70.

The image sensor 70 is composed of, for example, an optical camera, a TV camera, etc., and is attached so that it can acquire camera images (or videos) of at least one of the user and the ultrasound probe 50 under the control of the processing circuit 110. From the acquired camera images (or videos), position information of at least one of the user and the ultrasound probe 50 is detected. The user's position information may be overall position information, or partial position information such as the position of the head or the position of the hands. The image sensor 70 may be attached, for example, near the frame of the display 30 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1.

The tilt control function 113 controls the tilt of the support unit 10 based on the position information of at least one of the user and the ultrasonic probe detected by the detection function 114. The tilt control function 113 can calculate a specific tilt angle for improving the operability of the operation panel unit 20 for the user from the position information of at least one of the user and the ultrasonic probe detected by the detection function 114, and control the tilt of the support unit 10 to the calculated specific tilt angle. In addition, the tilt control function 113 may control the tilt of the support unit 10 to the specific tilt angle when the user is in a specified position, for example.

The tilt of the support unit 10 may also be controlled based on information about a specific tilt angle that is stored in advance in the memory circuitry 120 from the detected position information of at least one of the user and the ultrasound probe.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the visual field range of the image sensor 70 and the user's field of vision when the operation panel unit 20 is tilted downward in the third embodiment. When the operation panel unit 20 is tilted downward as shown in Figure 11, even when the user is operating in a crouched position, the user's field of vision for viewing the display 30 is less likely to be blocked by the operation panel unit 20, making it easier for the user to check ultrasound diagnostic images, etc. on the display 30. In addition, when the operation panel unit 20 is tilted downward, the range in which imaging by the image sensor 70 can be performed is expanded downward, and the range in which position information of the user and the ultrasound probe can be detected is also expanded.

(Modification of the third embodiment)
Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to a modified example of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, position detection is performed by an image sensor (Fig. 10), whereas in the modified example of the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12, position detection is performed by a magnetic transmitter 80 and a magnetic sensor provided in an ultrasonic probe 50. Other configurations and operations are not substantially different from those of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 shown in Fig. 10, so the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The magnetic transmitter 80 generates a magnetic field in each of the X, Y, and Z axis directions. The magnetic transmitter 80 is installed in a location within a range where the magnetic sensor 51 provided on the ultrasound probe 50 can detect the magnetic field generated by the magnetic transmitter 80, such as in a room where an ultrasound diagnostic examination is performed.

The magnetic sensor 51 installed in the ultrasonic probe 50 detects the magnetic fields in the X, Y, and Z axis directions generated by the magnetic transmitter 80.

The detection function 114 of the modified example of the third embodiment detects the position information of the ultrasonic probe 50 using magnetic field information detected by the magnetic sensor 51 provided in the ultrasonic probe 50.

According to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 of the third embodiment and its modified example, the operation panel unit 20 is tilted without manual operation by the user, making it even easier for the user to use the tilt of the operation panel unit 20.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to improve the operability of the operation panel of the ultrasound diagnostic device.

In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a circuit such as a dedicated or general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)). When the processor is a CPU, for example, the processor realizes various functions by reading and executing a program stored in a memory circuit. When the processor is an ASIC, for example, instead of storing a program in a memory circuit, a function corresponding to the program is directly built into the processor circuit as a logic circuit. In this case, the processor realizes various functions by hardware processing that reads and executes the program built into the circuit. Alternatively, the processor can realize various functions by combining software processing and hardware processing.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a single processor of the processing circuit realizes each function, but a processing circuit may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and each processor may realize each function. In addition, when multiple processors are provided, a memory circuit for storing programs may be provided separately for each processor, or a single memory circuit may collectively store programs corresponding to the functions of all the processors.

In each embodiment, the lock mechanism 25, the information acquisition function 111, the drive control function 112, the tilt control function 113, and the detection function 114 are examples of the lock unit, the information acquisition unit, the drive control unit, the tilt control unit, and the detection unit, respectively, in the claims.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

1... ultrasonic diagnostic device 10... support unit 19... driving source (motor)
20... Operation panel section 23... Handle 24... Lever 25... Lock mechanism 30... Display 40... Connection section 50... Ultrasonic probe 51... Magnetic sensor 70... Image sensor 80... Magnetic transmitter 100... Main body housing 101... Device main body 111... Information acquisition function 112... Drive control function 113... Tilt control function 114... Detection function

Claims (14)

A main body housing;
A display and
An operation panel section;
a support portion that supports the operation panel portion so as to be tiltable;
An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising: the support portion is provided at a rear side of the operation panel portion,
supporting the operation panel unit so that the operation panel unit can be tilted upward and downward about a rotation axis provided on the support unit;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 . the support portion has a stopper that stops the tilt at a certain tilt angle when the operation panel portion is tilted downward.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 . Further provided is a locking unit that locks or unlocks the movement of the support unit in the tilt direction,
the locking portion holds the operation panel portion, which has been adjusted to a specific tilt angle by the support portion, at the specific tilt angle.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 . The operation panel unit is provided with a handle for manually tilting the operation panel unit upward and downward,
The handle is provided with a lever for locking and unlocking by the locking portion.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4. A driving source;
a tilt control unit that controls a tilt of the support unit, the tilt control unit controlling the support unit to adjust the operation panel unit to a specific tilt angle by using the driving source.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 . a locking portion that locks or unlocks the movement of the support portion in the tilt direction;
an information acquisition unit that acquires information for locking or unlocking the movement of the support unit in the tilt direction;
A drive control unit that controls the lock unit,
The drive control unit controls the lock unit based on information for locking or unlocking the movement of the support unit in the tilt direction acquired by the information acquisition unit.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6. The information acquisition unit further acquires information regarding the specific tilt angle,
The tilt control unit controls the tilt of the support unit based on the information about the specific tilt angle acquired by the information acquisition unit.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7. the information acquisition unit acquires the information by operating a preset button provided on the operation panel unit.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8. the information acquisition unit acquires the information by operating an angle setting button provided on the operation panel unit.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8. The tilt control unit controls the support unit to return the operation panel unit to an initial state position when the examination is completed.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7. A detection unit that detects position information of at least one of a user and an ultrasonic probe,
The tilt control unit controls the tilt of the support unit based on the position information detected by the detection unit.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6. Further comprising an image sensor;
The detection unit uses the position information acquired by an image sensor.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12. a magnetic transmitter that generates a magnetic field;
A magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic field;
Further equipped with
The detection unit detects the position information using magnetic field information detected by the magnetic sensor.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12.

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