JPH10277029A - Ultrasound diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a probe can be easily replaced. SOLUTION: The apparatus main body 1 is connected via cables 26 to 29.
0, a plurality of probes 16 to 19 connected to the
Holding parts 14a, 14b, 15a, 15
b. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
Clips (engaging portions) 40 to 43 in which intermediate portions of the respective cables 26 to 29 are movably engaged in the axial direction of the cables 26 to 29 are provided at intervals in the apparatus main body 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which a plurality of probes can be connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, a display 2 and a console 3 are provided in an apparatus main body 1. In the apparatus body 1 of the conventional example, four types of probes 4 having different functions are connected to a cable 5.
Connected through. A connector 6 to which the cable 5 is connected is provided at a lower portion of the apparatus main body 1.

A cable arm 7 is provided on the apparatus main body 1 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction and swingable in the vertical direction. An intermediate portion of the cable 5 is inserted into four holes formed in a cable engaging portion 8 provided at a distal end portion of the cable arm 7, respectively, and is integrated at one place.

The reason why the cable arm 7 is provided is to reduce the load applied to the wrist of the operator by supporting the intermediate portion of the cable 5 and to prevent the cable 5 from hitting the floor.

[0005] A probe holder 9 having four probe holding portions 9a for accommodating the respective probes 4 is provided on the side of the console 3. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having such a configuration, the probe 4 is held by the probe holding unit 9a, and the operator takes out the probe 4 to be used from the probe holding unit 9a and uses it. Return to section 9a.

[0006]

However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the above-described structure, the cables 5 of the probes 4 are combined at one place by the cable engaging portions 8 of the cable arms 7, so that the probes 4 are At the time of replacement, it is difficult to determine which connector 6 the cable 5 is connected to.

Further, the cable engaging portion 8 and the probe holding portion 9
a, a plurality of probes 4 are used, and when these probes 4 are returned to the probe holder 9a, the original probe holder 9a taken out is difficult to understand, and a different probe from the original probe holder 9a. There is a problem that the cable 5 is returned to the holding portion 9a and the cable 5 after the cable engaging portion 8 is entangled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a probe can be easily replaced and a cable is not easily entangled.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems A first method for solving the above problems is described below.
The present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a plurality of probes connected to an apparatus main body via a cable; and a probe holding unit that holds each probe, wherein an intermediate portion of each of the cables is an axis of the cable. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein an engaging portion movably engaged in a direction is provided at an interval in the apparatus main body.

Since the engaging portions of the probe cable are dispersed at a plurality of locations, it is easy to visually recognize which connector the probe cable is connected to, and the probe can be easily replaced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the engaging portion is provided near a probe holding portion corresponding to a cable of a probe engaged with the engaging portion. Device.

When the probe is returned to the probe holding portion by providing the engaging portion in the vicinity of the probe holding portion, the corresponding probe holding portion can be easily understood and can be reliably returned to the corresponding probe holding portion. Eliminates cable entanglement.

A third invention is characterized in that the apparatus main body according to the first invention or the second invention is provided with a vertically movable shaft, and the engagement portion is provided on the shaft. It is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

By moving the shaft upward, the load of the cable on the wrist of the operator is reduced.
In the present invention, it is preferable to provide the engaging portions at two places, that is, the upper part and the lower part of each shaft. That is, since the cable is provided along the shaft, the appearance is improved.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. still,
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, four probes can be connected.

In FIG. 1, an operation console 1 is attached to an apparatus main body 10.
1 and a display 12 are provided. Operation console 11
The probe holder 13 is connected to the side of the console 11, and the cables 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the first to fourth probes 16, 17, 18 and 19 are connected to the lower part of the console 11.
Connectors 15a to 15d are provided.

Next, the probe holder 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, which are six views of the probe holder 13. FIG. The probe holder 13 is provided with a main body 14 attached to the side surface of the operation console 11 and a rotation unit provided at a position away from the operator and provided to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the main body 14 by using a hinge pin 20. The body 15 (see FIG. 9).

The main body 14 has a first probe holding portion 14a for holding a first probe 16 and a second probe 1
7 is formed. In addition, a third probe holder 15a for holding the third probe 18 and a fourth probe holder 15b for holding the fourth probe 19 are formed on the rotating body 15.

First probe holding portion 14a of main body 14
A first shaft 30 that can move in the vertical direction is provided between the first probe 30 and the second probe holder 14b, and the third probe holder 15a and the fourth probe holder A second shaft 31 that can move in the vertical direction is provided between the second shaft 31 and the second shaft 31b.

Here, the first and second shafts 30, 3
A description will be given of a mounting structure for one probe holder 13.
Since the mounting structure of the first and second shafts 30, 31 to the probe holder 13 is the same, the cutting line A- in FIG.
The first shaft 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
The mounting structure of No. 0 will be described, and the description of the mounting structure of the second shaft 31 will be omitted.

The main body 14 is formed with a through hole 14d through which the first shaft 30 is inserted and extends in a direction away from the console 11 as going upward. This through hole 14d
Is set so that the diameter increases as going down. Further, the lower opening 14 of the through hole 14d is provided in the main body 14.
A projection 14f is formed in e to extend to the vicinity of the center of the lower opening 14e via a space. A large-diameter portion 30a that can be engaged with the projection 14f is formed at a lower portion of the first shaft 30.

At the upper end and the lower end of the first shaft 30, a clip 40 as an engaging portion with which an intermediate portion between the cable 26 of the first probe 16 and the cable 27 of the second probe 17 can be engaged. , 41 are fixed.

Therefore, the state in which the clip 40 fixed to the upper end portion of the first shaft 30 is in contact with the main body 14 is shown.
(See FIG. 7A), the first shaft 30 is moved upward, and the large diameter portion 30a of the first shaft 30 is
, The large diameter portion 30a engages with the projection 14f,
(b) The state shown in FIG.

At this time, a clockwise moment indicated by an arrow CW in the drawing acts on the first shaft 30 around a point B near the upper opening 14g of the through hole 14d. Therefore, the large diameter portion 30a of the first shaft 30 is urged by this moment in the direction of engaging with the projection 14f, and
Of the shaft 30 is prohibited. In the present embodiment, the clips 40, 42 of the first and second shafts 30, 31 in the locked state are used.
Was set to be higher than the subject.

Next, the clip 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The clips 42 and 43 are also fixed to the upper end and the lower end of the second shaft. However, since the clips 40 to 43 have the same structure, as an example, the clip 40
And the description of the other clips 41 to 43 is omitted. 10, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a right side view.

In the clip 40, reference numeral 40a denotes a main body fixed to the first shaft 30. The main body 40a is formed with two stepped through holes 40b (only one is shown in the drawing (b)). The through-hole 40b is formed from the back of the main body 40a to the large-diameter portion 40k, the middle-diameter portion 40d,
0e and a middle diameter portion 40f.

Reference numeral 40g denotes a rotating portion formed with a protrusion 40h rotatably fitted to the middle diameter portion 40f of the through hole 40b of the main body portion 40a and made of an elastic material. The head of the projection 40h comes into contact with the step of the small diameter portion 40e and the middle diameter portion 40d, and is loosely inserted into the small diameter portion 40e.
Is secured by a screw 50 screwed into the projection 40h. Reference numeral 51 denotes a decorative plate that fits into the large diameter portion 40k and shields the head of the screw 50.

Two protrusions 40i, 40j capable of holding the cables 26, 27 are formed on the rotating portion 40g. The opposing surfaces of the projections 40i and 40j are set to a circumferential surface having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cables 26 and 27, and further, the narrowest part between the tip of the projection 40i and the tip of the projection 40j. Are set to be smaller than the outer diameters of the cables 26 and 27.

Therefore, the cables 26 and 27 are connected to the clip 4
0, the cables 26, 27
0i, 40j. Then, protrusion 4
0i, 40j are elastically deformed in a direction away from each other, and the cables 26, 27 are fitted between the protrusions 40i, 40j.
The engagement of the cables 26 and 27 is completed when the projections 40i and 40j elastically return to the original positions. In the engaged cables 26 and 27, since the facing surfaces of the projections 40i and 40j are set to the circumferential surface having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cables 26 and 27, , Is movable.

According to the above configuration, there are four first to fourth.
Of the cables 26 to 29 of the probes 16 to 19
Cables 26, 27 for the first and second probes 16, 17
Clips 40 and 41 with which the middle portions of the cables 28 and 29 engage with the first shaft 30, and clips 42 and 43 with which the middle portions of the cables 28 and 29 of the third and fourth probes 18 and 19 engage with the first shaft 30. By providing the second shaft 31 provided at an interval from 30, which cable is connected to the first to fourth connectors 15 a to 15 d can be easily visually recognized, and the first to fourth connectors are provided. The replacement of the probes 16 to 19 becomes easy.

Further, the first shaft 30 to which the clips 40 and 41 with which the first and second probes 16 and 17 are engaged is attached to the first probe holding portion 14a for holding the first probe 16 and the second probe The second holding the probe 17
Clips 42, 43 which are provided in the vicinity of the probe holding portion 14b and which the third and fourth probes 18, 19 are engaged with.
Is provided near the third probe holding portion 15a holding the third probe 18 and the fourth probe holding portion 15b holding the fourth probe 19. 1 to 4th probe 16 to
19 to the first to fourth probe holders 14a, 14b, 15
a, 15b, the corresponding probe holder 14a,
14b, 15a, and 15b are easily understood, and can be reliably returned to the corresponding probe holder.

Further, clips 40 and 41 for engaging the cables 26 and 27 are provided on the first shaft 30, and clips 42 and 43 for engaging the cables 28 and 29 are provided on the second shaft 31. By moving the second shafts 30 and 31 upward to be in the locked state, the load on the cables 26 to 29 applied to the operator's wrist can be reduced.

The cables 26 to 29 are connected to the clips 40 to
43, the first and second shafts 30,
31 is rotatable with respect to the probe holder 13 (that is, rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction).
Are rotatable with respect to the main body portions 40a to 43a (i.e., can be rotated in a substantially vertical direction), and even when the cables 26 to 29 are engaged with the clips 40 to 43, Since the probe can be moved in the axial direction of the cables 26 to 29, the operation of the probe is not alienated.

Further, since the clips are provided at the upper portion and the lower portion of each of the shafts 30 and 31,
Cables 26 to 29 are provided along 0,31. Looks good.

Further, the rotating body 15 of the probe holder 13 disposed at a position distant from the operator has a structure rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the main body 14, so that FIG.
The operability is improved by positioning the rotating body 15 at the position shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, a cable 73 of a probe 74 is attached to probe holding portions 71, 72 of a probe holder 70.
Are provided with slits 71a, 72a which can be inserted, and slide shutters 76, 77 are provided in the slits 71a, 72a.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
4 is set to the probe holding section 72, the slide shutter 77 is closed, and if it is set to the probe holding section 71, the slide shutter 76 is closed, and the cable 73 is connected to the probe holding section 72 or the probe holding section 71. Combine.

When replacing the probe, the slide shutter 7
The probe can be replaced by opening 6,77. Even in such a configuration, since the engagement portions of the cables 73 of the probes 74 are dispersed at a plurality of locations, it is easy to visually recognize which probe cable is connected to the connector, and replacement of the probe is facilitated. .

Further, since the probe holding portions 71, 72 and the engaging portion of the cable 73 are the same, when returning the probe 74 to the probe holding portions 71, 72, the corresponding probe holding portions 71, 72 are easily disengaged, and Can be returned to the probe holder corresponding to the above, so that the cable 73 is not entangled.

Further, a configuration as shown in FIG. 12 may be used.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention.
In the drawing, a probe 84 is provided at the bottom of the concave probe holding portions 81 and 82 formed in the probe holder 80.
Holes 81a, 8 as engaging portions into which the cables 83 are loosely inserted.
2a has been established.

Also in such a configuration, the holes 81a, 8 which are the engagement portions of the probe holding portions 81, 82 and the cable 83 are provided.
When the probe 84 is returned to the probe holding portions 81 and 82 because the 2a is located at the same position, the corresponding probe holding portions 81 and 82 can be easily understood and can be reliably returned to the corresponding probe holding portion. The entanglement of 83 disappears.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the engaging portion of the cable is provided on the probe holder, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the connection between the connector and the cable can be easily visually recognized and the probe can be easily replaced, for example, an engaging portion may be provided in the vicinity of a console or a probe holder at intervals.

[0043]

As described above, according to the first aspect,
Providing spaced portions in the apparatus main body, in which the intermediate portion of each cable of the probe is movably engaged in the axial direction of the cable, the engaging portions of the probe cable are dispersed at a plurality of locations. This makes it easy to visually recognize which connector the probe cable is connected to, and facilitates replacement of the probe.

According to the second invention, in the first invention, the probe is provided by providing the engaging portion near the probe holding portion corresponding to the probe of the cable engaging with the engaging portion. When returning to the probe holding unit, the corresponding probe holding unit is easily understood and can be reliably returned to the corresponding probe holding unit, so that the cable is not entangled.

According to the third invention, the first invention or the second invention
The apparatus main body according to the invention is provided with a vertically movable shaft, the engagement portion is provided on the shaft, and the shaft is moved upward to reduce the load of the cable on the wrist of the operator. I do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the probe holder in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a top view in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a rear view in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a left side view in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a right side view in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line AA in FIG. 2, FIG.
The figure is a cross-sectional view when the first shaft is raised in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a rotating unit is opened in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the clip in FIG. 1;
The figure is a front view, (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of the top of (a), (c) is
(a) It is a right view of a figure.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Main body 16-19 Probe 26-29 Cable 40-43 Clip (engagement part)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Koji Yanagihara 127 GYokogawa Medical System Co., Ltd., 4-7 Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, Tokyo

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a plurality of probes connected to an apparatus main body via a cable; and a probe holding unit provided corresponding to each probe and holding the probe. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein an engaging portion with which an intermediate portion of each cable is movably engaged in the axial direction of the cable is provided at intervals in the device main body. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engaging portion is provided near a probe holding portion corresponding to a probe of a cable engaged with said engaging portion. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body is provided with a vertically movable shaft, and the shaft is provided with the engaging portion.