U.S. patent application number 13/720006 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-02 for ultrasonic probe, charger, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Panasonic Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Corporation. Invention is credited to Shinya Kurokawa.
Application Number | 20130109973 13/720006 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40583747 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130109973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kurokawa; Shinya |
May 2, 2013 |
ULTRASONIC PROBE, CHARGER, ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND
ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
Abstract
An ultrasonic probe, a charger and an ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic system that uses them are
provided by the present invention, which comprises a detector for
detecting whether or not an ultrasonic probe having a rechargeable
battery or the charger for charging this is in charging state; and
a controller for stopping transmitting and receiving operations of
ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a
transmitting and receiving circuit for executing the generation of
a signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic waves and
the generation of the diagnostic information based on the signal
related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves; a probe switching
circuit for selecting one of a plurality of ultrasonic probes; and
a controller for controlling the probe switching circuit in
accordance with a detection signal from the detector. The
ultrasonic diagnostic system comprises the above-mentioned probes,
chargers and diagnostic apparatus.
Inventors: |
Kurokawa; Shinya; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Corporation; |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Panasonic Corporation
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
40583747 |
Appl. No.: |
13/720006 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12250905 |
Oct 14, 2008 |
|
|
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13720006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 8/44 20130101; H02J
7/00034 20200101; H02J 50/10 20160201; A61B 8/4405 20130101; A61B
8/4209 20130101; H02J 7/02 20130101; H02J 7/025 20130101; A61B 8/56
20130101; A61B 8/4477 20130101; A61B 2560/0214 20130101; A61B 8/00
20130101; A61B 8/4472 20130101; A61B 8/4444 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/459 |
International
Class: |
A61B 8/00 20060101
A61B008/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 19, 2007 |
JP |
2007-272055 |
Claims
1. An ultrasonic probe comprising: a rechargeable battery; a
transducer that uses said battery as an operational power source
and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves; a communicator that
uses said battery as the operational power source and wirelessly
communicates with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a signal
related to the transmission and reception by said transducer; a
detector for detecting, by the ultrasonic probe, that said battery
is connected to a charger, which is connected to an external power
source separately provided from said ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus; and a controller in communication with the detector, for
stopping, by the ultrasonic probe according to a detection result
of the detector, transmitting and receiving operations of the
ultrasonic waves that are executed by said transducer, when it is
detected by said detector that said battery is connected to said
charger, such that the ultrasonic probe both detects that said
battery is connected to said charger, and then stops the
transmitting and receiving operations of the ultrasonic waves
according to the detection result of the detector, said controller
being configured for releasing stopping of transmission and
reception of the ultrasonic waves in case said ultrasonic probe is
to be used with said ultrasonic probe being connected to said
charger.
2. A charger for charging a battery of an ultrasonic probe that
contains a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic
waves using a rechargeable battery as an operational power source,
and a communicator for wirelessly communicating with an ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus using a signal related to the transmission and
reception by said transducer, said charger comprising: a detector
for detecting, by the charger, that said ultrasonic probe is
connected to said charger to charge said battery; and a controller
for stopping, by the charger using communications between the
charger and said ultrasonic probe, the transmitting and receiving
operations of ultrasonic waves that are executed by said
transducer, when the connection of said ultrasonic probe is
detected by said detector, wherein the charger is separate from the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receives charging power for
charging the battery from a power source separate from and external
to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and said controller being
configured for releasing stopping of transmission and reception of
the ultrasonic waves in case said ultrasonic probe is to be used
with said ultrasonic probe being connected to said charger.
3. A charger for charging a battery of an ultrasonic probe that
contains a transducer that uses a rechargeable battery as an
operational power source and executes transmitting and receiving
operations of ultrasonic waves, and a communicator that wirelessly
communicates with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a signal
related to the transmission and reception of said transducer, said
charger comprising: a detector for detecting, by the charger, that
said ultrasonic probe is connected to said charger to charge said
battery; a signal transmitter for transmitting a detection signal
from said detector to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; and a
controller for stopping, by the charger using communications
between the charger and said ultrasonic probe, the transmitting and
receiving operations of ultrasonic waves that are executed by said
transducer, when the connection of said ultrasonic probe is
detected by said detector, wherein the charger is separate from the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receives charging power for
charging the battery from a power source separate from and external
to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, said controller being
configured for releasing stopping of transmission and reception of
the ultrasonic waves in case said ultrasonic probe is to be used
with said ultrasonic probe being connected to said charger.
4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the
communicator of the ultrasonic probe wirelessly transmits a
detection signal from the detector to the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus.
5. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said charger
is so arranged that it is supplied with power through a floating
system provided between said probe and said external power source.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/250,905 filed Oct. 14, 2008, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a cordless ultrasonic probe
that uses a rechargeable battery, a charger for charging this
ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for switching
and using a plurality of ultrasonic probes, and an ultrasonic
diagnostic system including them.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In ultrasonic diagnosis, ultrasonic waves are transmitted
into a diagnosis target, and an echo signal thereof is received,
thereby obtaining various kinds of diagnostic pieces of information
such as the tomogram of the diagnostic target and the like.
Although the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves
were executed through an ultrasonic probe, the conventional
ultrasonic probe was configured to be connected through a cable to
an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (in this specification, an
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body is referred to as an
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a system that includes the
ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body is
referred to as the ultrasonic diagnostic system).
[0004] When the ultrasonic diagnosis is executed, there are the
various styles such as a case that a patient lies down on a bed or
sits on a chair, and other cases. Among them, even in the case that
the patient lies down on the bed, the probe is touched to the
patient in the various states depending on the patient's position
or diagnostic portion, and the diagnosis is executed. At that time,
the number of operators who feel troublesome in setting the cable
is not small, and the easiness of setting such as the lightness and
softness of the cable is one of the features of the ultrasonic
probe.
[0005] The following patent document 1 describes an ultrasonic
diagnostic system that uses a cordless ultrasonic probe in which an
ultrasonic transmitting/receiving unit operated with a secondary
battery as an operational power source is built, in order to solve
this troublesomeness. According to this ultrasonic diagnostic
system, the ultrasonic probe can be operated without any feeling of
the troublesomeness when the conventional cable is set around.
[0006] Also, the current diagnostic regions based on ultrasonic
waves is wide-ranging, and there appears a system in which plural
probes are used by switching in accordance with each diagnostic
region. In such a ultrasonic diagnostic system, when selecting a
probe to be used, there was a necessity that the operator operates
a selecting switch mounted on the operational panel of the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Therefore, an operator was
required to memorize the relationship between probes to be used and
the selecting switch, and in that case, there was also a
possibility that an incorrect selecting switch was operated.
[0007] The following patent document 2 describes an ultrasonic
diagnostic system containing a controller in which among the
plurality of probes connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus, the holding onto a probe holder is identified by a
sensor, and the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves
can be performed on only the probe that is not held. According to
this ultrasonic diagnostic system, the probe to be used by the
operator is taken out from the probe holder arranged in the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Thus, since the taken-out probe is
automatically switched to a usable state, the operability is
improved, and the burden on the operator is reduced. [0008] Patent
Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication 2003-10177
(Abstract) [0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application
Publication 2000-107176 (Abstract)
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] However, since the cordless ultrasonic probe described in
the patent document 1 operates using the secondary battery as the
power source, unless the ultrasonic probe is charged, it cannot be
used. For this reason, it can be assumed that there may be a case
in which, when the ultrasonic probe is not used for diagnosis, it
is connected to the charger. At that time, in the charging state
while the ultrasonic waves are transmitted, a part of the charge
amount per unit time, which corresponds to the energy required to
transmit ultrasonic waves, is consumed. Hence, there was a problem
that the battery could not be charged efficiently in a short
time.
[0011] Also, as described in the patent document 2, in the
ultrasonic diagnostic system in which the probe to be used is taken
out from a probe holding unit arranged in the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus and then the taken-out probe is automatically switched to
the usable state, there is the necessity that a unit for externally
identifying whether or not the probe is held on the probe holding
unit arranged in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is separately
arranged.
[0012] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of
the above-mentioned conventional techniques. Therefore, its object
is to provide an ultrasonic probe, a charger, an ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic system, in which
the ultrasonic probe connected to the charger can be charged
efficiently in a short time.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic
system, with which ultrasonic diagnosis can be started by an
operator without knowing as to whether or not the ultrasonic probe
is in process of charging, and the improvement of the operability
can be consequently attained and the burden on the operator can be
reduced.
[0014] In order to attain the above-mentioned objects, the present
invention provide an ultrasonic probe comprising:
[0015] a rechargeable battery;
[0016] a transducer that uses said battery as an operational power
source and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves;
[0017] a communicator that uses said battery as the operational
power source and wirelessly communicates with outside using a
signal related to the transmission and reception by said
transducer;
[0018] a detector for detecting that said battery is connected to a
charger; and
[0019] a controller for stopping transmitting and receiving
operations of the ultrasonic waves that are executed by said
transducer, when it is detected by said detector that said battery
is connected to said charger.
[0020] With this configuration, when the ultrasonic probe is
connected to the charger, the transmitting and receiving operations
of the ultrasonic waves are automatically stopped, thereby
suppressing the consumption corresponding to the energy required to
transmit the ultrasonic waves. Thus, the charge amount per unit
time is increased, and the ultrasonic probe can be charged
efficiently in a short time.
[0021] Also, the present invention is a charger for charging a
battery of an ultrasonic probe that contains a transducer for
transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves using a rechargeable
battery as an operational power source, and a communicator for
wirelessly communicating with outside using a signal related to the
transmission and reception by said transducer, said charger
comprising:
[0022] a detector for detecting that said ultrasonic probe is
connected to said charger to charge said battery; and
[0023] a controller for stopping the transmitting and receiving
operations of ultrasonic waves that are executed by said
transducer, when the connection of said ultrasonic probe is
detected by said detector.
[0024] With this configuration, when the ultrasonic probe is
connected to the charger, the transmitting and receiving operations
of the ultrasonic waves are automatically stopped, thereby enabling
the ultrasonic probe to be charged efficiently in a short time.
[0025] Also, the present invention is a charger for charging a
battery of an ultrasonic probe that contains a transducer that uses
a rechargeable battery as an operational power source and executes
transmitting and receiving operations of ultrasonic waves, and a
communicator that wirelessly communicates with outside using a
signal related to the transmission and reception of said
transducer, said charger comprising:
[0026] a detector for detecting that said ultrasonic probe is
connected to said charger to charge said battery; and
[0027] a signal transmitter for transmitting a detection signal
from said detector to outside.
[0028] Since this configuration enables the communication using the
signal related to the transmission and reception by the transducer
to be shut off from the outside, the ultrasonic probe connected to
the charger can be charged efficiently in a short time.
[0029] Also, the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus that uses respective rechargeable batteries as
operational power sources, and sets, as the target of a
communication, a plurality of ultrasonic probes for executing: the
transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves to and from an
examinee; and the wireless transmission/reception of the signal
related to the transmission and a reception of said ultrasonic
waves to and from an external apparatus, and selects any one of
said plurality of ultrasonic probes, in accordance with the
detection signals obtained by detecting that said ultrasonic probes
are connected to the chargers for charging said batteries,
respectively, and transmits/receives the signal related to the
transmission and reception of said ultrasonic waves, and
contains:
[0030] a communicator for wirelessly communicating the signal
related to the transmission and reception of said ultrasonic
waves;
[0031] a transmitting and receiving circuit for generating the
signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic signal in said
ultrasonic probe, and adding as the transmission signal to said
ultrasonic probe to said communicator, and generating a diagnostic
information on the basis of the signal related to the reception of
the ultrasonic waves in said ultrasonic probe that is received in
said communicator;
[0032] a probe switching circuit for selecting any one of said
plurality of ultrasonic probes and enabling the
transmission/reception to/from said transmitting and receiving
circuit; and
[0033] a controller for controlling said probe switching circuit so
that said ultrasonic probe which is not connected to said charger
is selected, in accordance with said detection signal.
[0034] With this configuration, when the operator removes the
ultrasonic probe used for the diagnosis from the charger, only its
ultrasonic probe executes the transmission and reception of the
ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic probe that is still connected
to the charger does not execute the transmission and reception of
the ultrasonic waves. Thus, the ultrasonic probe connected to the
charger can be charged efficiently in a short time. Also, when the
operator removes the ultrasonic probe used for the diagnosis from
the charger, its ultrasonic probe is automatically switched to the
usable state. Thus, the operator has no necessity of storing the
relation between the ultrasonic probe and the selecting switch, and
there is no fear that the selecting switch is erroneously operated.
Hence, the improvement of the operability can be attained, and the
burden on the operator can be decreased.
[0035] Also, the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic
system comprising: a plurality of ultrasonic probes for
transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a plurality of
chargers for charging said ultrasonic probes respectively and
individually, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for
transmitting/receiving a signal to/from said ultrasonic probes to
generate diagnostic information, wherein said probe comprises:
[0036] a rechargeable battery;
[0037] a transducer that uses said battery as an operational power
source and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from an
examinee; and
[0038] a first communicator that uses said battery as an
operational power source and wirelessly communicates, using a
signal related to the transmission and reception of said
transducer, with said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
[0039] said charger comprises:
[0040] a detector for detecting that said ultrasonic probe is
connected; and
[0041] a signal transmitter for transmitting a detection signal
from said detector to said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and
[0042] said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises:
[0043] a communicator for wirelessly communicating by using a
signal related to the transmission and reception of said ultrasonic
waves;
[0044] a transmitting and receiving circuit for generating the
signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic waves by said
ultrasonic probe, and supplying to said communicator as a
transmission signal to said ultrasonic probe, and generating
diagnostic information in accordance with the signal related to the
reception of the ultrasonic waves in said ultrasonic probe, which
signal is received by said communicator;
[0045] a probe switching circuit for selecting any one of said
plurality of ultrasonic probes to enable the transmission/reception
to/from said transmitting and receiving circuit; and
[0046] a controller for controlling said probe switching circuit so
that said ultrasonic probe which is not connected to said charger
is selected, in accordance with said detection signal.
[0047] With this configuration, when the operator removes the
ultrasonic probe used for the diagnosis from the charger, only its
ultrasonic probe executes the transmission and reception of the
ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic probe that is still connected
to the charger does not execute the transmission and reception of
the ultrasonic waves. Thus, the ultrasonic probe connected to the
charger can be charged efficiently in a short time. Also, when the
operator removes the ultrasonic probe used for the diagnosis from
the charger, its ultrasonic probe is automatically switched to the
usable state. Thus, the operator has no necessity of storing the
relation between the ultrasonic probe and the selecting switch, and
there is no fear that the selecting switch is erroneously operated.
Hence, the improvement of the operability can be attained, and the
burden on the operator can be decreased.
[0048] According to the ultrasonic probe and charger according to
the present invention, when the ultrasonic probe is connected to
the charger, the transmitting and receiving operations of the
ultrasonic waves can be automatically stopped, or the communication
of the signal related to the transmission and reception of the
transducer can be disconnected from the outside. Thus, the
ultrasonic probe connected to the charger can be charged
efficiently in a short time.
[0049] Also, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and
ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the present invention,
when the operator removes the ultrasonic probe used for the
diagnosis from the charger, only its ultrasonic probe executes the
transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves, and the
ultrasonic probe that is still connected to the charger does not
execute the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves.
Thus, the ultrasonic probe connected to the charger can be charged
efficiently in a short time. Also, when the operator removes the
ultrasonic probe used for the diagnosis from the charger, its
ultrasonic probe is automatically switched to the usable state.
Thus, the operator has no necessity of memorizing the relation
between the ultrasonic probe and the selecting switch, and there is
no fear that the selecting switch is erroneously operated. Hence,
the improvement of the operability can be attained, and the burden
on the operator can be decreased.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of a first embodiment in the ultrasonic diagnostic system according
to the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 1B is a partially detailed block diagram showing in
detail a part of FIG. 1A;
[0052] FIG. 1C is a partially detailed block diagram showing a
first variation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, similarly
to FIG. 1A;
[0053] FIG. 1D is a partially detailed block diagram showing a
second variation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A,
similarly to FIG. 1A;
[0054] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic
configuration of a second embodiment in the ultrasonic diagnostic
system according to the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one example of a probe
switching procedure of the controller in the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0056] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are views showing the shape examples
of the chargers in the first and second embodiments of the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 5 is a view showing an example in which, by using one
charger in the second embodiment of the present invention, the
diagnosis is executed while the charging is executed;
[0058] FIGS. 6A, 6B are schematic configuration views of a display
for displaying the charged state of the ultrasonic probe in the
first and second embodiments of the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic
configuration in a third embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic
system according to the present invention; and
[0060] FIG. 8 is a description view describing one example of a
charging method of the ultrasonic probe in the second embodiment of
the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0061] The present invention will be described below in detail in
accordance with the preferable embodiments shown in the
drawings.
First Embodiment
[0062] FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the schematic
configuration of the first embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic
system according to the present invention, and
[0063] FIG. 1B is a partially detailed block diagram showing the
detailed content of the set of the three ultrasonic probes and
chargers in FIG. 1A. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, wireless (cordless)
ultrasonic probes 1a, 1b and 1c (although three ultrasonic probes
are shown here, four or more ultrasonic probes may be used) for
ultrasonic transmission and reception are arranged in an ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus 11 (hereafter, the ultrasonic probes 1a, 1b
and 1c are also referred to as ultrasonic probes A, B and C,
respectively). The ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc use rechargeable
batteries 1a2, 1b2 and 1c2 as operational power sources,
respectively, and contain: transducers lal, lbl and lcl for
executing transmitting and receiving operations for the ultrasonic
waves; and communicators laX, lbX and leX for wirelessly
communicating with the outside using signals related to the
transmissions and receptions by the transducers lal, lbl and lcl.
By the way, each of the communicators laX, lbX and leX has a
built-in antenna (not shown).
[0064] Here, "Signals related to Transmission and Reception" means,
as for transmission, a drive control signal for mainly driving the
transducer under the conditions such as a predetermined timing, a
pulse width, and an aperture width and the like, and as for
reception, echo signals (including an amplified signal and a
converted signal such as a digitalized signal or the like) received
by the transducers lal, lbl and lcl.
[0065] Those ultrasonic probes la, lb and lcs are normally
connected to chargers laC, lbC and lcC (although three chargers are
shown here, four or more chargers may be used). The chargers laC,
lbC and lcC are connected through a power source cable lq to a
power source supplier 12 such as a medical plug and the like. Also,
the chargers laC, lbC and lee are configured to have detectors
laC1, lbC1 and lcC1 for detecting that the ultrasonic probes 1a, 1b
and 1c are connected, respectively, so that the detection signals
based on the detectors laC1, lbC1 and lcC1 are transmitted through
a communication cable 1p serving as a signal transmitter to the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11.
[0066] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 contains: a
controller 111 for controlling the entire apparatus; a
transmitting/receiving circuit 112 that under the control of this
controller 111, generates the signals related to the transmissions
of the ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonic probes 1a, 1b and 1c and
generates the diagnostic information in accordance with the signals
related to the receptions of the ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonic
probes 1a, 1b and 1c; a DSC (Digital Scanning Converter) circuit
113 for processing various picture groups based on the diagnostic
information generated by this transmitting/receiving circuit 112
and displaying on a monitor 114; a communicator 116 for executing a
communication between the respective ultrasonic probes 1a, 1b and
1c; a probe switching circuit 115 for selecting any one of the
ultrasonic probes 1a, 1b and 1c and executing a switching
connection so that the selected one ultrasonic probe communicates
the signal related to the transmission and reception of the
ultrasonic waves, through the communicator 116 to/from the
transmitting/receiving circuit 112; and a power source unit 117 for
receiving the electric power from the power source supplier 12 and
supplying the operational electric power to the entire apparatus
and also adding, to the controller 111, the connection detection
signals of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc to the chargers laC,
lbC and lee transmitted through the communication cable lp. By the
way, the communicator 116 has an antenna 116a and executes the
wireless communication between the respective communicators laX,
lbX and leX shown in FIG. 1B, as shown by the broken lines between
the antenna 116a and the respective ultrasonic probes la, lb and
lc, in FIG. 1A.
[0067] The operations of the first embodiment configured as
mentioned above will be described below by dividing into the case
in which the ultrasonic probe is not used and the case in which the
ultrasonic probe is used.
<Case in which Ultrasonic Probe is not Used>
[0068] Usually, when the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are not
used, those ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected to the
chargers laC, lbC and lee, respectively. Consequently, the chargers
laC, lbC and 1cC receive the supply of the electric power from the
power source supplier 12 and charge the batteries of the ultrasonic
probes la, lb and lc. Also, when the fact that the ultrasonic
probes la, lb and lc are connected to the chargers laC, lbC and lee
is detected by the detectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl and then its
detection signal is transmitted through the communication cable lp
(the unit except the cable is allowable) to the ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus 11, its detection signal is transmitted
through the power source unit 117 to the controller 111. The
controller 111 has an identifying unit for recognizing that the
respective ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected to the
chargers laC, lbC and lcC. So, when the fact that all of the
ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected to the chargers laC,
lbC and lcC, respectively, is recognized, in such a way that the
generation of the signal related to the transmission of the
ultrasonic waves executed by the transmitting/receiving circuit 112
and the generation of the diagnostic information are stopped and
the communications are disconnected from all of the ultrasonic
probes la, lb and lc, the probe switching circuit 115 is
controlled. Consequently, the ultrasonic waves are not transmitted
from any of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc, and only the
charging is performed on the respective ultrasonic probes la, lb
and lc.
[0069] As a result, the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc connected
to the chargers laC, lbC and lee, respectively, are charged
efficiently in a short time, and a voltage is never applied to the
transducer. Thus, a trouble that causes the deterioration in the
performance of the ultrasonic probe and the reduction in the life
is avoided, and the wasteful consumption of the energy is
suppressed.
[0070] By the way, the above-mentioned embodiment is described for
the case in which the detectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl are located
inside the chargers laC, lbC and lcC, respectively, and the
controller 111 is located inside the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus. However, the detectors and the controller may be both
located inside the ultrasonic probe.
<Case in which Ultrasonic Probe is Used>
[0071] When any one of the probes la, lb and lc connected to the
chargers laC, lbC and lee is tried to be used, the probe to be used
is removed from the chargers laC, lbC and lee. So, for example,
when the probe la is assumed to be used, a user removes the probe
la from the charger laC. Thus, its detection signal is sent from
the charger laC through the power source unit 117 to the controller
111. Consequently, the controller 111 determines that the
ultrasonic probe la becomes usable, and activates the
transmitting/receiving circuit 112 and also controls the probe
switching circuit 115 so as to communicate with the ultrasonic
probe la. Consequently, the wireless communication is executed
between the communicator 116 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
11 and the communicator laX in the ultrasonic probe la. Then, the
signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic waves is
transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 to the
ultrasonic probe la, and the signal related to the reception of the
ultrasonic waves is transmitted from the ultrasonic probe la to the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11. At this time, the ultrasonic
probe la transmits and receives the ultrasonic waves in accordance
with the signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic
waves, and the transmitting/receiving circuit 112 generates the
diagnostic information in accordance with the signal related to the
reception of the ultrasonic waves. The DSC circuit 113 processes
the various picture groups in accordance with the diagnostic
information generated by the transmitting/receiving circuit 112 and
displays on the monitor 114.
[0072] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one example of the probe
switching procedure of the controller 111. The operations of the
controller 111 will be described below in accordance with this
flowchart. Here, in the controller 111 in the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus 11, the ultrasonic probe A, the ultrasonic probe B and
the ultrasonic probe C are recognized. Now, the ultrasonic probe A
connected to the charger laC is assumed to be removed. At first, at
a step 831, whether or not the ultrasonic probe A is removed from
the charger laC is judged. Here, if it is determined as having been
removed, then in step 832 determined is as to whether or not the
ultrasonic probe except the ultrasonic probe A transmits and
receives the ultrasonic waves. At this time, if the ultrasonic
probe except the ultrasonic probe A does not transmit and receive
ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic probe A is controlled to transmit
and receive ultrasonic waves in step 835. On the hand, in step 832,
if it is determined that the ultrasonic probe(s) other than the
ultrasonic probe A has transmitted and received ultrasonic waves,
it is determined whether or not the ultrasonic probe(s) other than
the ultrasonic probe A is in use for the sake of diagnosis on the
basis of the change in an ultrasonic image and the like, in step
833. Here, if it is determined that the ultrasonic probe(s) other
than the ultrasonic probe A is not in use, the transmission and
reception of the ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe(s) other
than the ultrasonic probe A are stopped in step S34. Then instep
S35, it is arranged that transmission and reception of the
ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe A are possible, and the
operational flow returns to the process of step S31. In this way,
in the course of repeating the processes in steps S31 to S35, for
example, if it is determined that the ultrasonic probe(s) other
than the ultrasonic probe A is in use for the sake of diagnosis in
step S33, the original determination that the ultrasonic probe A
has been removed is considered to be caused by a false operation,
and the transmission and reception situations of the ultrasonic
waves are designed to be unchanged.
[0073] In the above, described is the probe switching procedure
when the ultrasonic probe A has been removed from the charger laC.
However, when the ultrasonic probes B or C other than the above has
been removed from the chargers lbC, lcC, respectively, the
switching operation is executed in accordance with the procedure
similar to the procedure shown in FIG. 3. By the way, the switching
procedure of the ultrasonic probe shown here is one example, and
the switching procedure of the ultrasonic probe of the present
invention is not limited thereto.
[0074] Also, in the first embodiment, it is needless to say that as
the detectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl for detecting that the ultrasonic
probes la, lb and lc are connected to the chargers laC, lbe and lee
respectively may be used various known devices. For example, a
magnetic device such as an IC tag, or a device for identifying by
optically reading like a bar code or an infrared sensor may be
used. Furthermore, detection based on a mechanical switch that is
actuated when the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected to
the chargers laC, lbC and lee, or identification based on an
electrical contact between the terminals mounted on the ultrasonic
probes la, lb and lc and the terminals mounted on the chargers laC,
lbC and lcC may be used.
[0075] The first embodiment is configured such that the detectors
laCl, lbCl and lcCl for detecting that the ultrasonic probes la, lb
and lc are connected to the chargers laC, lbC and lcC,
respectively, are arranged on the sides of the chargers laC, lbC
and lee as shown in FIG. 1B and its detection signal is transmitted
through the communication cable lp to the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus 11. However, the present invention is not limited to such
configuration. That is, the detectors for detecting that the
ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected to the chargers laC,
lbC and lee, respectively, may be arranged on the sides of the
ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc, or may be arranged on both the
sides of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc and the chargers laC,
lbC and lcC. However, when the detectors are arranged on the sides
of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc, the detection signal in the
connection state can be wirelessly transmitted from the
communicators laX, lbX and leX of the cordless ultrasonic probes to
the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11. In this case, the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body side can control so as to
prevent the probe from transmitting the ultrasonic waves. Even in
case that the detectors are arranged on the side of the chargers
laC, lbC and lcC, the detection signal may be wirelessly
transmitted to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11.
[0076] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, in the case that
the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc have been connected to the
chargers laC, lbC and lee, respectively, the controller 111 in the
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 controls the probe switching
circuit 115 so that the transmitting and receiving operations of
the ultrasonic waves executed by the respective transducers in the
ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are stopped. However, in the case
that the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc have the detectors for
detecting the fact that they are connected to the chargers laC, lbC
and lcC for charging the batteries, respectively, the controllers
for stopping the transmitting and receiving operations of the
ultrasonic waves executed by the transducers can also be arranged
in the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc themselves. In the case that
the sides of the chargers laC, lbC and lee contain the detectors
for detecting the connections of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and
lc, respectively, the controllers for stopping the transmitting and
receiving operations of the ultrasonic waves executed by the
transducers can be similarly arranged in the chargers laC, lbC and
lee. Consequently, it is possible to surely prevent the ultrasonic
probe, which is in process of charging, from transmitting and
receiving the ultrasonic waves.
[0077] In this case, inside the controller 111 in FIG. 1A, the
functional portions that respond to the detection signals from the
detectors may be arranged on the sides of the ultrasonic probes la,
lb and lc in which the detectors are arranged and/or in the
chargers laC, lbC and lee.
[0078] FIG. 1C is a view showing a part of the first variation of
the first embodiment in a manner similar to FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C shows
a case in which the detectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl are arranged in
the chargers laC, lbC and lcC, respectively, and controllers laC2,
lbC2 and lcC2 responding to the detection signals from the
detectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl are arranged in the chargers laC, lbC
and lcC. The respective controllers laC2, lbC2 and lcC2 have
built-in communicators (not shown), and those communicators can
communicate with the communicators laX, lbX and leX in the
respective corresponding ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc. That is,
in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the detection signals in the
communicators laX, lbX and leX are transmitted through the
communication cable lp to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11
and to be recognized by the controller 111 in the ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus 11, and the control of the transmission and
reception of the ultrasonic waves is executed between the
communicator 116 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 and the
communicators laX, lbX and leX in the corresponding ultrasonic
probes la, lb and lc. However, in the first variation shown in FIG.
1C, in accordance with the identification results in the respective
controllers laC2, lbC2 and lcC2, the control of the transmission
and reception of the ultrasonic waves is executed through the
communication between the built-in communicators in the controllers
laC2, lbC2 and lcC2 and the communicators laX, lbX and leX in the
corresponding ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc.
[0079] FIG. 1D is a view showing a part of a second variation of
the first embodiment, in a manner similar to FIG. 1A. That is, FIG.
1D shows a case in which detectors 1a3, 1b3 and lc3 are arranged in
the ultrasonic probes 1a, 1b and 1c, respectively, and controllers
1a4, 1b4 and 1c4 corresponding to the detection signals from the
detectors 1a3, 1b3 and lc3 are also arranged in the ultrasonic
probes 1a, 1b and 1c. In the second variation shown in FIG. 1D, in
accordance with the identification results in the respective
controllers 1a4, 1b4 and 1c4, the controls of the transmissions and
receptions of the ultrasonic waves in the respective corresponding
ultrasonic probes 1a, 1b and 1c are executed.
Second Embodiment
[0080] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic
configuration of the second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic
system according to the present invention, and exemplifies a case
in which as compared with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11
shown in FIG. 1A, four wireless ultrasonic probes 2a are arranged
as essential elements, and those ultrasonic probes 2a are connected
to chargers 2aC, 2bC, 2cC and 2dC whose configurations differ from
each other. So, the respective chargers 2aC, 2bC, 2cC and 2dC will
be described below. The charger 2aC is shown as a component
integrated with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11. For
example, the component in which the function of the charger is
added to a probe holder is considered. The charger 2bC is shown as
a component that is connected to the power source unit 117 (see
FIG. 1A) in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 by using a cable
and the like is shown. This configuration eliminates the necessity
of arranging the charger 2bC in the vicinity of the ultrasonic
diagnostic apparatus 11. For example, the charger 2bC can be placed
and used in the vicinity of an examinee (patient). It is shown that
for the charger 2cC the supply of the power source is performed
from the external power source supplier 12 (the medical plug and
the like). Since this configuration eliminates the constraint that
the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 supplies the power source to
the ultrasonic probe 2a, there is no fear of the supply lack with
regard to the capacity of the power source. Also, in the ultrasonic
probe 2a, the charging is possible at any position where the power
source supplier 12 exists. Thus, there is no necessity of arranging
the charger 2cC in the vicinity of the ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus 11, and there is also a convenience that, even when the
power source of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 is in off
state, the battery of the ultrasonic probe 2a can be charged. The
charger 2dC is shown as one arranged as of a portable type.
Consequently, the charging of the battery in the ultrasonic probe
2a can be performed any where at any time. Hence, even in an
emergent case or under an environment in which the power source
supplier 12 such as the medical plug or the like does not exist,
the battery of the ultrasonic probe 2a can be charged.
[0081] FIGS. 4A to 4D are views showing the shape examples of the
chargers in the above-mentioned respective embodiments. Among them,
a charger 41 shown in FIG. 4A indicates, for example, the shape
such as a desktop holder of a portable telephone, and the
ultrasonic probe is connected thereto. A charger 42 shown in FIG.
4B indicates, for example, a shape such as a connection connector
used to charge the portable telephone or the other electric
equipment, and this connection connector is connected to the
ultrasonic probe. A charger 43 shown in FIG. 4C and a charger 44
shown in FIG. 4D are those where, for example, the function of a
charger is added to the probe holder. By the way, the shape
examples of the chargers shown here indicate one example, and they
do not evidently define the shape of the charger according to the
present invention.
[0082] Now an example will be described hereinbelow using FIG. 5,
wherein diagnosis is performed during charging by way of a charger
according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Unless
charging has been performed in the cordless ultrasonic probe that
is operated with a chargeable battery as the power source, the
ultrasonic probe cannot be used.
[0083] For this reason, when the ultrasonic probe is not used for
diagnosis, it is assumed that the ultrasonic probe has been
connected to the charger. However, it can also be assumed that the
user may forget to connect the ultrasonic probe to the charger.
When it is desired to emergently use an ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus, it would be very inconvenient if it is necessary to wait
for battery charging. So, as shown in FIG. 5, an ultrasonic probe
51 that remains connected to the charger is used, and the stopping
of the transmitting and receiving operations of the ultrasonic
waves is released, and ultrasonic diagnosis of an examinee 52 may
be consequently executed. At that time, under the consideration of
the safety to the examinee 52, floating is naturally required to be
executed between the external power source supplier 12 (the medical
plug or the like) and a probe 21, by using a transformer or the
like.
[0084] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic configuration views of
charging state displays for displaying the charging state of the
ultrasonic probes in the above-mentioned embodiments. In the above
views, in a charging state display 61 shown in FIG. 6A, LEGs, whose
color varies correspondingly to a filled state (Fill), a charging
state (Charge) and an empty state (Empty), are arranged, and in a
charging state display 62 shown in FIG. 6B, a plurality of light
emitting devices whose lateral widths are sequentially different
from the empty state (Empty) to the filled state (Fill). The
charging state display 61 or 62 may be arranged on the ultrasonic
probe itself or the charger. Consequently, since the charging state
of the ultrasonic probe can be identified at a glance, the oblivion
of charging is protected. By the way, the shape of the display
shown here indicates one example, and the shape of the display
according to the present invention is not evidently limited
thereto.
Third Embodiment
[0085] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the schematic
configuration of the third embodiment in the ultrasonic diagnostic
system according to the present invention. For example, a portable
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 71 such as a notebook personal
computer is used. Since the portable ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus 71 shown in FIG. 7 is small in size, it is difficult to
reserve a position at which a conventional probe connector is to be
mounted, and there is a limit of the size of the battery. For this
reason, as the ultrasonic probe combined with the portable
ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 71, the development of the wireless
ultrasonic probe 2a in which the battery of the charging type is
built is requested. As this portable ultrasonic diagnostic
apparatus 71 and the wireless ultrasonic probe 2a become popular,
the use region of the ultrasonic diagnosis may extend more and
more, without regard to inside or outside a hospital or the like.
This third embodiment is very effective when the use in such
occasion is considered.
[0086] FIG. 8 is a descriptive view for describing one example of
the charging method of the ultrasonic probe. As described by using
FIG. 5, when the diagnosis is executed while the ultrasonic probe
is charged by the charger, by using the insulating transformer
between the examinee and the external power source supplier (the
medical plug or the like), the patient side is required to be
floated from the power source supply side. FIG. 8 shows its
configuration example, and between a probe side battery 81 that is
on the patient side and a power source side charger 81, it is
desired that insulating transformers 83 insulated from each other
are used to supply the electric power. This configuration increases
the safety. By the way, FIG. 8 shows only a part of the probe side
battery 81 and the power source side charger 82.
[0087] According to the ultrasonic probe and the charger according
to the present invention, when they are not used, the transmission
of the ultrasonic waves is stopped, which can protect the
deterioration in the performance of the probe and the reduction in
the life, and can suppress the wasteful energy consumption and
contribute to the energy saving. Thus, they are useful for
establishing the ultrasonic diagnostic system.
[0088] Also, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and
ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the present invention,
when the user selects the probe corresponding to the diagnosis
target from the plurality of probes, the probe to be used is
removed from the charger. Thus, since the removed probe is
automatically switched to the usable state, the user has no
necessity of memorizing the correspondence relation between the
probe and the selecting switch, and there is no fear that the
selecting switch is erroneously operated. Hence, the operability is
very improved, and the burden on the user is decreased, which is
useful for the ultrasonic diagnostic system.
* * * * *