JPH0330088Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention consists of an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body, which is electrically connected to the ultrasound diagnostic equipment main body via a cable, and which transmits ultrasonic waves to a desired part of a subject. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device comprising an ultrasonic probe that transmits sound waves and receives reflected waves thereof.

(Prior Art) As is well known, a medical ultrasound diagnostic device brings an ultrasound probe into contact with the body surface of a subject, sends ultrasound waves into the subject, and detects the response (reflection) of the subject to the ultrasound waves. properties, attenuation properties, scattering properties, etc.)
The desired signal is obtained by converting the ultrasound waves returning from inside the subject into electrical signals. The electrical signals from the ultrasound probe undergo predetermined processing within the ultrasound diagnostic device itself, and then are converted into images on the CRT.

By the way, when transmitting waves from an ultrasonic probe toward a predetermined region, it is necessary to correctly determine the scan direction. For this reason, an ultrasonic probe is generally equipped with means for indicating the scan direction. On the other hand, in ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, diagnostic operations are often performed by dimming the surrounding lights in order to make the images on the CRT easier to see. Therefore, the means for indicating the scan direction must be clearly visible even in such darkness.

Conventionally, as a means for indicating the scan direction created by taking such circumstances into consideration, there is known, for example, the means shown in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2A, the ultrasonic probe 1 is applied to the surface of the diagnostic region of the subject 2 and scans in the direction of the arrow 3. Also, the means 4 for indicating the scanning direction is an LED.
It is composed of electrical light emitters such as. Further, the scanned image is displayed on the CRT 5 together with a mark 6 indicating the scanning direction, as shown in FIG. 2B.

According to such an ultrasound probe, it is possible to correctly recognize the correspondence between the scan direction for the diagnostic region and the scan direction on the image even in the dark.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, conventional ultrasonic probes equipped with scan direction display means are equipped with an LED, etc. installed in the case of the ultrasonic probe, and an electric circuit that energizes it. It is also a safety issue as it is surrounded by debris.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe that can safely display the scanning direction and the like.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention which solves the above-mentioned problems includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, which is electrically connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body via a cable, and which performs a desired measurement of a subject. In an ultrasonic diagnostic device consisting of an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to a site and receives the reflected waves, one end is placed on the main body side of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and the other end is placed in an ultrasonic probe case. a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a table and installed integrally with the cable; and a plurality of optical fibers installed in the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, with the other end of each optical fiber set in the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic probe is characterized by comprising a light emitter that provides the scan direction and scan mode of the ultrasonic probe as an optical signal.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 7 is an ultrasonic probe, 8 is a main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and 9 is a cable that electrically connects the ultrasonic probe 7 and the main body 8 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Inside the cable 9, a plurality of optical fibers 10 are installed along with wiring for transmitting and receiving electrical signals.
One end 10a of each optical fiber 10 is a light emitter (for example, an LED) in the connector 11 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body 8.
12 (only one optical fiber 10, one light emitting body 12, etc. each are shown). Further, the other end 10b of the optical fiber 10 is located on a convex portion 13 provided on the front surface of the case of the ultrasonic probe 7. The scanning direction of the ultrasonic probe 7 is from the side of the convex portion 13 to the opposite side. Further, the light emitting body 12 is configured to be energized when scanning is performed.

In the above configuration, when scanning is started, the light emitter 12 is energized and its optical signal is applied to one end 10a of the optical fiber 10. As a result, the other end 10b of the optical fiber 10 emits light. Therefore,
Even in the dark, the scan direction of the ultrasound probe 1 can be recognized. Also, optical fiber 10
Since a plurality of (n) light emitters 12 are provided on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 8 side, and n light emitters 12 that give optical signals to each end of these light emitters 12 are provided, by controlling the light emitters 12. Since it is possible to send a 2 ^n- bit signal, in addition to displaying the scan direction, scan mode information (display of B mode, Doppler, etc., display of transmitted wave power, etc.) can be used with an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasound probe 7 can be displayed on the ultrasound probe 7.
It can provide useful information to the examiner who operates the system. If a light emitting body 12 capable of emitting multicolor light is used, the amount of information can be increased.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the convex portion 13 does not necessarily need to be provided. However, the presence of the convex portion 13 has the effect that the scanning direction can be recognized even with a tactile sensation using a fingertip or the like, which is more convenient. In terms of visual and tactile recognition, the same is true even if the other end of the optical fiber is installed in the recess.

(Effects of the invention) As explained above, according to the invention, there is no need for an electric circuit to optically display the scan direction within the ultrasonic probe, so the scan direction can be displayed without causing any safety problems. I can do it. Furthermore, since a plurality of optical fibers are provided and a light emitting body that gives an optical signal to each end of these fibers is provided on the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the scanning direction can be displayed by controlling the light emitting body. In addition, scan mode information can be displayed on the ultrasound probe, and useful information can be provided to the examiner who operates the ultrasound probe.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention;
Figures A and B are a configuration diagram showing a conventional example and an explanatory diagram of an image on a CRT. 1, 7... Ultrasonic probe, 2... Subject, 3...
...Arrow indicating scan direction, 4...Scan direction display means using LED etc., 5...CRT, 6...
Scan direction display mark on CRT, 8...
...Ultrasonic diagnostic device body, 9...Cable, 10...
...Optical fiber, 11...Connector, 12...Light emitter, 13...Convex portion.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) An ultrasound diagnostic device that is electrically connected to the ultrasound diagnostic device through a cable and that transmits ultrasound waves to a desired area of a subject. In an ultrasonic diagnostic device consisting of an ultrasonic probe that receives reflected waves, one end is placed on the main body side of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and the other end is placed on the surface of the ultrasonic probe case and integrated with the cable. A plurality of optical fibers are installed in the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the other end of each of the optical fibers is connected to the scanning direction of the ultrasonic probe set in the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a light emitter that provides a scan mode as an optical signal. (2) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end of the optical fiber is installed in a convex portion or a concave portion formed in an ultrasonic probe case.