Ultrasonic probe, method for controlling the ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the ultrasonic probe

An ultrasonic probe, a method for controlling the same, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the same are disclosed. The ultrasonic probe includes a housing; a first contact sensing portion located at one position of an outer surface of the housing, and configured to detect contact; and a second contact sensing portion located at a different position from the first contact sensing portion, and configured to detect contact. A combination of contact sensing results obtained from the first contact sensing portion and the second contact sensing portion is determined such that an operation corresponding to the determined combination of the contact sensing results is carried out.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0114260, filed on Sep. 6, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an ultrasonic probe, a method for controlling the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the ultrasonic probe.

2. Description of the Related Art

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applies an ultrasonic signal from the surface of an object (for example, a human body) to a target site inside of the body of the object, and non-invasively acquires tomograms of soft tissues or images regarding blood flow upon receiving reflected echo signals.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has compact size and low price, displays a diagnostic image in real time, as compared to other image diagnostic apparatuses, for example, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, a computed tomography (CT) scanner, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, and a nuclear medical diagnostic apparatus. In addition, since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus does not cause radiation exposure, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is inherently safe. Accordingly, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been widely utilized for cardiac, abdominal, and urologic diagnosis as well as obstetric and gynecological diagnosis.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe for transmitting ultrasonic signals to a target object so as to acquire an ultrasonic image of the target object, and receiving ultrasonic echo signals reflected from the target object.

In recent times, the ultrasonic probe configured to acquire ultrasonic images from the target object has also been used as an input portion for inputting various control commands to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an ultrasonic probe composed of a plurality of contact sensing portions capable of detecting user contact, a method for controlling the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the ultrasonic probe.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide an ultrasonic probe configured to determine a combination of the contact sensing results of a plurality of contact sensing portions and to operate in response to the combination of the contact sensing results, a method for controlling the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the ultrasonic probe.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an ultrasonic probe includes: a housing; a first contact sensing portion located at one position of an outer surface of the housing, and configured to detect contact; and a second contact sensing portion located at a different position from the first contact sensing portion, and configured to detect contact. A combination of contact sensing results obtained from the first contact sensing portion and the second contact sensing portion is determined such that an operation corresponding to the determined combination of the contact sensing results is carried out.

The first contact sensing portion and the second contact sensing portion may contact a user, such that the first contact sensing portion and the second contact sensing portion are electrically connected to each other through a human body of the user.

The ultrasonic probe may further include at least one of: a third contact sensing portion formed between the first contact sensing portion and the second contact sensing portion, and configured to include a plurality of sub contact sensing portions sequentially formed; and a fourth contact sensing portion including a lens formed of an electrically conductive material, and configured to detect presence or absence of the lens.

The operation corresponding to a combination of contact sensing results of at least two from among the first contact sensing portion, the second contact sensing portion, the third contact sensing portion, and the fourth contact sensing portion may be carried out.

At least one of the first contact sensing portion, the second contact sensing portion, and the third contact sensing portion may include at least two sub regions, each of which is formed of an electrically conductive material and detects presence or absence of contact.

The operation corresponding to the combination of the contact sensing results may include at least one of Region of Interest (ROI) selection regarding a target object, ultrasonic image freeze, ultrasonic image capture, measurement data acquisition, Time Gain Compensation (TGC) control, Lateral Gain Compensation (LGC) control, ultrasonic image depth control, 2D/3D image conversion, focusing, and probe automatic selection.

The combination of the contact sensing results may be determined using at least one of a contact position, a contact time, and an order of contacts.

The operation corresponding to the combination of the contact sensing results may be established by a user or may be predetermined by the user.

The surfaces of at least two of the first contact sensing portion, the second contact sensing portion, the third contact sensing portion, and the fourth contact sensing portion may be formed of different materials.

The first contact sensing portion, the second contact sensing portion, the third contact sensing portion, and the fourth contact sensing portion may be visually distinguished from one another using at least one of a symbol, a letter, a figure, a shape, a color, and a solid structure.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling an ultrasonic probe includes: detecting a first contact in a first region of an outer surface of the ultrasonic probe; detecting a second contact in a second region different from one position of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe; determining a combination of contact sensing results between the first contact and the second contact; and controlling the ultrasonic probe to perform an operation corresponding to the determined combination of the contact sensing results.

The method may further include: detecting a third contact in a region disposed between the first region and the second region.

The method may further include: detecting a fourth contact using a lens formed of an electrically conductive material.

The method may further include: determining a combination of contact sensing results of at least two from among the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact, and performing an operation corresponding to the determined combination.

The controlling of the ultrasonic probe to perform the operation corresponding to the determined combination of the contact sensing results may include at least one of: selecting a Region of Interest (ROI) regarding a target object; freezing an ultrasonic image; capturing the ultrasonic image; acquiring measurement data; controlling Time Gain Compensation (TGC); controlling Lateral Gain Compensation (LGC); controlling depth of the ultrasonic image; performing 2D/3D image conversion; focusing the ultrasonic image; and automatically selecting a probe.

The combination of the contact sensing results may be determined using at least one of a contact position, a contact time, and an order of contacts.

The operation corresponding to the combination of the contact sensing results may be established by a user.

The first region of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe and the second region different from one position of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe may be formed of different materials.

The first region of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe and the second region different from one position of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe may be visually distinguished from each other using at least one of a symbol, a letter, a figure, a shape, a color, and a solid structure.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe and a controller. The ultrasonic probe includes a housing; a first contact sensing portion located at one position of an outer surface of the housing, and configured to detect contact; and a second contact sensing portion located at a different position from the first contact sensing portion, and configured to detect contact. The controller may control the ultrasonic to determine a combination of contact sensing results obtained from the first contact sensing portion and the second contact sensing portion in such a manner that an operation corresponding to the determined combination of the contact sensing results is carried out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the above and other objects, specific advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the following description, known functions or structures, which may confuse the substance of the present invention, are not explained. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.

An ultrasonic probe, a method for controlling the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 11.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2is a view illustrating external devices configured to wirelessly communicate with the ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

Referring toFIG. 1, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10may include an ultrasonic probe100and a main body200. The ultrasonic probe100may transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target object, may receive an echo ultrasonic signal from the target object, and may convert the received echo ultrasonic signal into an electrical signal to obtain an ultrasonic image. The main body200may generate an ultrasonic image on the basis of the ultrasonic signal. The main body200may be connected to the ultrasonic probe100over a wireless communication network or a wired communication network. The main body200may be a workstation including a display300and an input portion400.

The main body200may transmit and receive various kinds of information to and from an external device over a wired or wireless communication network. The external device may denote a device including a display for displaying information and a communication module for implementing wireless communication, and may be all kinds of devices capable of communicating with the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10. The external device300may be implemented as any one of a laptop, a desktop computer, and a tablet PC, or may be implemented as a smartphone as shown inFIG. 8. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the external device may be any of a smartphone500, a PDA, a tablet PC, a personal computer (PC), a watch detachably coupled to a user's body, and glasses-type wearable terminals600and700.

The ultrasonic imaging apparatus10may be used for ultrasonic diagnosis in hospitals or the like as shown inFIG. 1. However, the scope or spirit of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10is not limited toFIG. 1.

For example, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10may be implemented as any one of a laptop, a desktop computer, and a tablet PC, or may be implemented as a smartphone500as shown inFIG. 2. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus10may include a mobile terminal such as a PDA, a watch600detachably coupled to the user's body, and a glasses-type wearable terminal700.

However, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10is not limited thereto, and may include any device which includes a communicator therein so as to communicate with the external device over the wireless communication network and may display ultrasonic images through a display without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.

In this case, although a target object (ob) may be a living body of a human or an animal, and a target site may be tissue in the living body, such as blood vessels, bones, muscles, or the like, the scope or spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto. If necessary, all kinds of objects, internal structures of which can be imaged by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10, may be used as the target object without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

The ultrasonic probe100may include a transducer module110, a male connector130, and a cable120. The transducer module110may be contained in a housing (h), may irradiate a target object (ob) with ultrasonic waves, may receive echo ultrasonic waves reflected from the target object (ob), and may perform conversion between an electrical signal and ultrasonic waves. The male connector130may be physically connected to a female connector of the main body200, and may transmit and receive signals to and from the main body200. The cable120may connect the male connector130to the transducer module110. A surface of the ultrasonic probe100may be formed of an electrically conductive material.

Therefore, the surface of the ultrasonic probe100may be formed of an electrically conductive material, resulting in occurrence of electrostatic induction through a medium of a human body. Electrostatic electricity flowing on the surface of the ultrasonic probe100may be a minute electric current incapable of being recognized by the user. In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may include a contact sensing portion160configured to detect user contact.

The contact sensing portion160may be formed in a plurality of regions of the surface of the ultrasonic probe100, and may also be formed of an electrically conductive material. Since the contact sensing portion160may be formed of an electrically conductive material, the contact sensing portion160may detect the presence or absence of user contact using electrostatic electricity induced through a human body of the user, and a detailed description thereof will hereinafter be given with reference to the attached drawings.

According to the above-mentioned principles, the ultrasonic probe100may detect the presence or absence of user contact using the contact sensing portion160. In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may determine a combination of the detected user contact and the sensed contact sensing results, and may perform a necessary operation corresponding to the determined result.

A detailed description thereof will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings.

The ultrasonic probe100may be connected to at least one of the main body200and the external device over a wireless communication network, and may receive various signals needed to control the ultrasonic probe100or may transmit analog or digital signals corresponding to the echo ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic probe100.

A wireless communication network may be a communication network configured to support a wireless communication scheme capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals. For example, the wireless communication scheme may include not only a communication scheme (e.g., 3G or 4G communication) for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals through a base station (BS), but also all direct communication schemes in which RF signals can be directly communicated between devices located within a predetermined distance. For example, the direct communication schemes may include Wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi Direct (WED), Ultra wideband (UWB), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NGC), etc. without being limited thereto. However, the scope or spirit of the wireless communication schemes is not limited thereto, and may include all kinds of communication networks capable of supporting RF communication between the ultrasonic probe100and the main body200.

An echo ultrasonic signal may be reflected from the target object (ob) to which ultrasonic waves are radiated, and may have various frequency bands or various energy strengths to generate various ultrasonic images according to diagnostic modes.

The transducer module110may generate ultrasonic waves or ultrasonic signals according to received AC power. In more detail, the transducer module110may receive AC power from an external power-supply device or an internal device (e.g., a battery). A vibrator of the transducer module110may vibrate according to the received AC power, and may thus generate ultrasonic waves.

Three directions perpendicular to one another on the basis of the center point of the transducer module110may be defined as an axis direction A, a lateral direction L, and an elevation direction E. In more detail, a direction of ultrasonic irradiation is defined as the axis direction A, a direction along which the transducer module110forms a column is defined as the lateral direction L, and the remaining direction perpendicular to the directions A and L may be defined as the elevation direction E.

One end of the cable120may be connected to the transducer module110, and the other end of the cable120may be connected to the male connector130, such that the transducer module110may be connected to the male connector130.

The male connector130may be connected to the other end of the cable120, such that the male connector130may be physically coupled to the female connector201of the main body200.

The male connector130may transmit an electrical signal generated by the transducer module110to the female connector201physically coupled thereto, or may receive a control signal generated by the main body200from the female connector201.

However, if the ultrasonic probe100is implemented as a wireless ultrasonic probe, the cable120and the male connector130may be omitted, and the ultrasonic probe100and the main body200may communicate with each other through a separate wireless communication module (not shown) contained in the ultrasonic probe100, without being limited to the ultrasonic probe100ofFIG. 1.

The main body200may communicate with the ultrasonic probe100through at least one of a local area network (LAN) communication module and a mobile communication module.

The LAN communication module may denote a communication module for short-range communication within a predetermined distance. The LAN communication technology may include Wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), Ultra wideband (UWB), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. without being limited thereto.

The mobile communication module may transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals to and from at least one of a base station (BS), an external terminal, and a server over the mobile communication network. In this case, the RF signal may include various types of data. That is, the main body200may transmit and receive signals including various types of data to and from the ultrasonic probe100through at least one of the base station (BS) and the server.

For example, the main body200may transmit and receive signals including various types of data to and from the ultrasonic probe100through the base station (BS) over a mobile communication network such as a 3G or 4G network. The main body200may communicate with a hospital server or other in-hospital medical machines connected through a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). In addition, the main body200may perform data communication according to medical digital imaging and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard, without being limited thereto.

Besides, the main body200may communicate with the ultrasonic probe100over a wired communication network.

The wired communication network may be a communication network through which signals may be transmitted and received by wire. In accordance with one embodiment, the main body200may communicate with the ultrasonic probe100over a wired communication network, for example, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI-express, Universe Serial Bus (USB), etc., without being limited thereto.

The ultrasonic probe will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 3is a view illustrating an ultrasonic probe including a one-dimensional (1D) array transducer.FIG. 4is a view illustrating an ultrasonic probe including a two-dimensional (2D) array transducer.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the ultrasonic probe100may contact the surface of a target object, and may transmit and receive ultrasonic signals to and from the target object.

In more detail, the ultrasonic probe100may transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target site contained in the target object according to a transmission signal received from the main body, may receive the echo ultrasonic signal reflected from the target site, and may transmit the received echo ultrasonic signal to the main body. In this case, although the echo ultrasonic signal may be an ultrasonic signal acting as a radio frequency (RF) signal reflected from the target object, the scope or spirit of the echo ultrasonic signal is not limited thereto, and the echo ultrasonic signal may include all kinds of signals obtained by reflection of the ultrasonic signal transmitted to the target object.

Meanwhile, the target object may be a living body of a human or an animal, without being limited thereto. If necessary, all kinds of objects, internal structures of which can be imaged by ultrasonic signals, may be used as the target object without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

The ultrasonic probe100may include a transducer array for converting an electrical signal into an ultrasonic signal and vice versa to transmit ultrasonic signals to the interior of the target object. The transducer array may include one or more transducer elements.

The ultrasonic probe100may generate an ultrasonic signal through the transducer array, may transmit the ultrasonic signal to a target site contained in the target object, and may receive the echo ultrasonic signal reflected from the target site through the transducer array.

If the echo ultrasonic signal arrives at the transducer array, the transducer array may vibrate at a predetermined frequency corresponding to a frequency of the echo ultrasonic signal, and may output an AC current having a frequency corresponding to a vibration frequency of the transducer array. Therefore, the transducer array may convert the received echo ultrasonic signal into an echo signal indicating a predetermined electrical signal.

Meanwhile, the transducer array may be a 1D array or a 2D array. In accordance with one embodiment, the transducer module110may include the 1D transducer array as shown inFIG. 1.

Respective transducer elements constructing the 1D transducer array may convert ultrasonic signals into electric signals and vice versa. For this purpose, the transducer element may include a magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer using magnetostrictive effects of a magnetic material, a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer using piezoelectric effects of a material, and a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT). If necessary, the transducer element may also include a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves using vibration of several hundred or several thousand micromachined thin films.

Meanwhile, the transducer module110may be arranged in a linear shape as shown inFIG. 3, or may also be arranged in a convex shape as necessary. The linear-shaped transducer module and the convex-shaped transducer module have the same basic operation principles in the ultrasonic probe100. However, in the case of using the ultrasonic probe100including the convex-shaped transducer module110, the ultrasonic signal emitted from the transducer module110is formed in a fan shape, such that an ultrasonic image to be generated may also be formed in a fan shape.

In another example, the transducer module110may include a 2D transducer array as shown inFIG. 4. If the transducer module110includes the 2D transducer array, the interior of the target object may be 3D-imaged. Although the transducer array of the ultrasonic probe100is one-dimensionally arranged, the ultrasonic probe100may acquire volume information of the interior of the target object by mechanically moving the 1D transducer array, the ultrasonic probe100may transmit the echo ultrasonic signal capable of generating a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonic image to the main body200.

The respective transducer elements constructing the 2D transducer array are identical to the transducer elements constructing the 1D transducer array, and as such a detailed description thereof will herein be omitted for convenience of description.

The ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the same, and internal constituent elements of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the embodiments will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating the ultrasonic imaging apparatus.FIG. 6is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for sensing contact generated from the plurality of contact portions.FIG. 7is a view illustrating the plurality of contact portions.FIG. 8is a view illustrating the ultrasonic probe including the plurality of contact portions.

The ultrasonic probe100including a contact sensing portion160and the ultrasonic imaging apparatus100including the ultrasonic probe100will hereinafter be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 8.

Referring toFIGS. 5 to 8, the ultrasonic probe100may further include a beamformer150, a transmission/reception (Tx/Rx) switch120, a voltage sensor130, an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)140, contact sensing portions160, a battery170, and a processor180, which are contained in the housing (h). The ultrasonic probe100may be formed of an electrically conductive material. For example, the ultrasonic probe100may be formed of an electrically conductive plastic material formed by mixing fine powders (each having a diameter of about 0.1 μm) such as copper (Cu), silver (Ag), carbon (C), etc. with various plastic materials, or may be formed of an electrically conductive fiber, etc. formed by mixing conductive carbon granules with a polymeric material. In addition, the surface of the ultrasonic probe100may also be formed of an electrically conductive material.

In addition, when the ultrasonic probe100operates with the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10, the ultrasonic probe100may be controlled according to a wired or wireless control scheme. According to the wired control scheme, the ultrasonic probe100is electrically coupled to the main body200by wire, and all the contact sensing portions160may also be connected by wire, such that signal communication is controlled by wire. According to the wireless control scheme, the ultrasonic probe100may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) module, such that the ultrasonic probe100may wirelessly communicate with the main body200through the NFC module.

Upon receiving a control signal of a system controller240, the Tx/Rx switch120may change a current mode to a transmission (Tx) mode during ultrasound irradiation, or may change a current mode a reception (Rx) mode during ultrasound reception.

The voltage sensor130may detect an output current of the transducer module110. For example, the voltage sensor130may be implemented as an amplifier for amplifying a voltage according to the detected output current.

In addition, the voltage sensor130may further include a pre-amplifier configured to amplify a minute analog signal. A low noise amplifier (LNA) may be used as the pre-amplifier.

The voltage sensor130may further include a variable gain amplifier (VGA) (not shown) configured to control a gain value according to an input signal. In this case, although a time gain compensation (TGC) circuit configured to compensate for either a gain according to a focus point or a gain according to a distance to the focus point may be used as a VGA, the scope or spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The ADC140may convert an analog voltage generated from the voltage sensor130into a digital signal.

AlthoughFIG. 5exemplarily illustrates that the digital signal generated from the ADC140is input to a beamformer150for convenience of description, it should be noted that an analog signal delayed by the beamformer150may also be input to the ADC140such that the input order of analog and digital signals is not limited thereto.

AlthoughFIG. 5exemplarily illustrates the ADC140installed in the ultrasonic probe100, the scope or spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the ADC140may also be installed in the main body200as necessary. In this case, the ADC140may convert an analog signal focused by an adder into a digital signal.

The beamformer150may focus ultrasonic signals generated from the transducer module110onto a single target point of the target object (ob) at the same time as desired by the ultrasonic signals generated from the transducer module110, or may allocate a proper delay time to radiated ultrasonic signals or received echo ultrasonic signals in a manner that the echo ultrasonic signals reflected from the single target point of the target object (ob) arrive at the transducer module110.

In the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10ofFIG. 5, the beamformer150may be contained in the ultrasonic probe100corresponding to a front end as described above, or may be contained in the main body200corresponding to a back end. However, the scope or spirit of the beamformer150according to the embodiment is not limited thereto, and it should be noted that all or some constituent elements of the beamformer150may be contained in the front end or the back end without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.

The contact sensing portion160may be formed of an electrically conductive material, and may be formed over the ultrasonic probe100. In addition, the contact sensing portion160formed of the electrically conductive material may detect the presence or absence of user contact by inducing electrostatic electricity through the medium of a human body of the user.

In more detail, as can be seen fromFIG. 7, the contact sensing portion160may include a coil through which a current flows.

For example, the contact sensing portion160may include a circular coil111on which conducting wires through which a current flows are thinly wound in the form of a circular shape. In addition, the contact sensing portion160may include a square coil112on which the conducting wires through which a current flows are thinly wound in the form of a square shape. However, the above-mentioned embodiment is merely an example of a physical structure of the coil, and may be applied to various shapes of coils as necessary.

In addition, the circular coil111and the square coil112may include a memory111aand a memory112a, respectively. The memories111aand112aof the contact sensing portion160may store various user-established functions of the ultrasonic probe100therein. The memories111aand112aof the contact sensing portion160may store various operations corresponding to a combination of the contact sensing results of the contact sensing portion160. The operation corresponding to a combination of the contact sensing results may include at least one of Region of Interest (ROI) selection regarding the target object, ultrasonic image freezing, ultrasonic image capture, measurement data acquisition, Time Gain Compensation (TGC) control, Lateral Gain Compensation (LGC) control, ultrasonic image depth control, 2D/3D image conversion, and focusing. In addition, the scope or spirit of the memories111aand112aof the contact sensing portion160are not limited thereto, and the memories111aand112amay store many more functions therein. A detailed description thereof will hereinafter be given with reference toFIG. 11.

The coil of the contact sensing portion160may receive a current from at least one of a power-supply portion900of the main body and a battery170contained in the ultrasonic probe100. In this case, magnetic flux may occur because current flows through the coil, resulting in occurrence of electrons or electromagnetic force. In addition, the human body is a conductor through which current flows, such that the contact sensing portion160may detect the presence or absence of user contact by detecting electrons or electromagnetic force induced by the coil. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe100may detect whether the user contacts a plurality of regions of the ultrasonic probe100through the medium of a human body of the user.

As described above, if the user contact is detected through the contact sensing portion160and the ultrasonic probe100is used as an input portion, a touch sensor for recognizing user touch, a pressure sensor for recognizing pressure applied by the user, etc. need not be constructed. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe100may be configured to easily recognize user contact using the contact sensing portion160without using a high-priced sensor or a separate device, such that the ultrasonic probe100may be used as an input portion.

The contact sensing part160may include a first contact sensing portion161, a second contact sensing portion162, a third contact sensing portion163, and a fourth contact sensing portion164. In addition, at least one of the first contact sensing portion161, the second contact sensing portion162, and the third contact sensing portion163may be formed of an electrically conductive material, and may include at least two sub-regions configured to detect user contact. However, the above-mentioned example is an example of the contact sensing portion160formed over the ultrasonic probe100. If a surface region of the ultrasonic probe100is divided into a plurality of sub-regions, many more contact sensing portions may also be formed as necessary. The scope or spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to four contact sensing portions160as described above. In addition, the surfaces of at least two of the first contact sensing portion161, the second contact sensing portion162, the third contact sensing portion163, and the fourth contact sensing portion164may be formed of different materials. Therefore, when the user grasps the ultrasonic probe100, the user may make a distinction among the first contact sensing portion161, the second contact sensing portion162, the third contact sensing portion163, and the fourth contact sensing portion164.

The first contact sensing portion161, the second contact sensing portion162, the third contact sensing portion163, and the fourth contact sensing portion164may be visually distinguished from one another using at least one of a symbol, a letter, a figure, a shape, a color, and a 3D structure. Therefore, the user may visually or tactually identify each region of the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100, such that the user may easily and conveniently use functions of the ultrasonic probe100.

The first contact sensing portion161and the second contact sensing portion162may be electrically coupled to each other by user contact. In addition, at least two of the first contact sensing portion161, the second contact sensing portion162, the third contact sensing portion163, and the fourth contact sensing portion164may also be electrically coupled to each other by user contact.

The user may generally grasp the ultrasonic probe100as illustrated inFIG. 6. As a result, the first contact sensing portion161and the second contact sensing portion162may be electrically coupled to each other by user contact through the medium of a human body of the user.

In more detail, since the user's hand serves as a passage of electrons (e), the ultrasonic probe100may recognize that some regions of the first contact sensing portion161are electrically coupled to some regions of the second contact sensing portion162. A detailed description thereof has already been disclosed, and will herein be omitted for convenience of description.

In this way, the ultrasonic probe100may detect a first contact at the first contact sensing portion161and a second contact at the second contact sensing portion162.

Although the above-mentioned example has exemplarily disclosed only the first contact at the first contact sensing portion161and the second contact at the second contact sensing portion162for convenience of description, the scope or spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the above example may also be applied to all constituent structures of the contact sensing portion160.

Referring toFIG. 8, the first contact sensing portion161may be installed at a single position of an outer surface of the housing (h) ofFIG. 1, and may detect the presence or absence of user contact. In this case, the single position of the outer surface of the housing (h) may be a certain position of the ultrasonic probe100. Generally, when the user grasps the ultrasonic probe100using his or her hand, the above single position of the outer surface of the housing (h) may indicate a wide region contacting the user's hand, without being limited thereto. In addition, the first contact sensing portion161may include a first sub contact sensing portion101and a second sub contact sensing portion102.

The first sub contact sensing portion101may denote one surface of the first contact sensing portion161, and the second sub contact sensing portion102may denote the remaining surfaces other than the first sub contact sensing portion101of the first contact sensing portion161.

The first sub contact sensing portion101and the second sub contact sensing portion102may detect user contact. User contact detected by the first sub contact sensing portion101may be different from user contact detected by the second sub contact sensing portion102. In addition, according to a structure in which the first contact sensing portion161includes the first sub contact sensing portion101and the second sub contact sensing portion102, a contact surface may be changed in different ways according to user's grasping methods, such that different contact surfaces may be reflected in the above structure.

In more detail, the first contact sensing portion161may be classified into the first sub contact sensing portion101and the second sub contact sensing portion102. The first sub contact sensing portion101and the second sub contact sensing portion102may detect user contact. In more detail, the contact surface may correspond to the first sub contact sensing portion101or the second sub contact sensing portion102according to whether the user is a left-handed person or a right-handed person, such that the first contact sensing portion161may recognize the contact surface in different ways according to the first sub contact sensing portion101and the second sub contact sensing portion102.

Accordingly, even when the user turns the ultrasonic probe100over and grasps the overturned ultrasonic probe100, the first contact sensing portion161may recognize such contact as the same user contact as in the above example, and may thus perform the same function. If necessary, the first contact sensing portion161may recognize such contact as a different user contact, and may thus perform a different function.

The second contact sensing portion162may be arranged at a different position from the first contact sensing portion, such that the second contact sensing portion162may detect user contact. In addition, the second contact sensing portion162may include a third sub contact sensing portion105and a fourth sub contact sensing portion106.

The third sub contact sensing portion105may denote one surface of the second contact sensing portion162, and the fourth sub contact sensing portion106may denote the remaining surfaces other than the third sub contact sensing portion105of the second contact sensing portion162. The third sub contact sensing portion105and the fourth sub contact sensing portion106may detect user contact. User contact detected by the third sub contact sensing portion105may be different from user contact detected by the fourth sub contact sensing portion106.

The third contact sensing portion163may be formed between the first contact sensing portion161and the second contact sensing portion162, and may include a plurality of sub contact sensing portions103and104sequentially formed.

In more detail, the plurality of sub contact sensing portions103and104may be sequentially formed between the first contact sensing portion161and the second contact sensing portion162, and may construct a plurality of lines. Each line of the plurality of sub contact sensing portions103and104may be used to detect user contact. In addition, the plurality of sub contact sensing portions103and104may identify user contact detected in each line, and may detect such user contact.

The sub contact sensing portions103and104may make a distinction among user contacts through a plurality of regions distinguished from one another by a plurality of lines shown inFIG. 8, and may detect different user contacts generated from the plurality of regions. In addition, the user may perform various functions of the ultrasonic probe100through the plurality of sub contact sensing portions103and104. For example, the user may carry out various functions (e.g., gain control, TGC/LGC control, etc.) of the ultrasonic probe100by performing various operations (e.g., flicking operation, rolling operation, etc.) using an index finger of one hand grasping the ultrasonic probe100or using the other hand not grasping the ultrasonic probe100.

The fourth contact sensing portion164may include a lens formed of an electrically conductive material, and may detect whether or not the user contacts the lens. That is, the fourth contact sensing portion164may detect the presence or absence of user contact through the lens. Most of the fourth contact sensing portion164may be formed of the lens, such that the fourth contact sensing portion164may detect whether the lens contacts the human body of the user, and may thus be applied to a control method of output signals including ultrasonic waves, laser light, etc. transmitted/received through the lens. For example, when the fourth contact sensing portion164detects the human body of the user, the ultrasonic probe100may operate. By application of the above operation, when the fourth contact sensing portion164begins to detect the human body of the user, a power-supply voltage is immediately supplied to the ultrasonic probe100, such that power consumption of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10may be reduced.

The first to fourth contact sensing portions161to164may detect user contact. In this case, user contacts detected by the first to fourth contact sensing portions161to164may be plural contacts but not a single contact, and may be different contacts. Therefore, the first to fourth contact sensing portions161to164may detect plural user contacts, and may discriminate among the user contacts.

The first to third contact sensing portions161to163may detect whether the user contacts the respective contact sensing portions. It is determined whether user contact is detected by at least two of the first to third contact sensing portions161to163, such that an electrical connection state between the user's body and the contact sensing portions may be recognized. In other words, the first to third contact sensing portions161to163may be used to determine whether user contact is generated from at least two contact surfaces.

However, the fourth contact sensing portion164may independently detect a human body (e.g., a patient's body) in a different way from the first to third contact sensing portions161to163. Therefore, the fourth contact sensing portion164may be used to detect only one contact surface instead of plural contact surfaces, irrespective of whether the user contacts the first to third contact sensing portions161to163.

In addition, the first to fourth contact sensing portions161to164are classified into the plurality of regions as described above, and may detect user contacts on the respective regions. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe100may detect various and different user contacts using the first to fourth contact sensing portions161to164. The ultrasonic probe100may determine a combination of different user contacts, and may perform the operation corresponding to the determined combination.

In more detail, the ultrasonic probe100may determine a combination of the contact sensing results of the first and second contact sensing portions161and162, and may perform the operation corresponding to the determined combination of the contact sensing results. In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may perform the operation corresponding to a combination of the contact sensing results of at least two of the first to fourth contact sensing portions161,162,163, and164. A detailed description thereof will hereinafter be described with reference toFIG. 11.

In addition, a combination of the contact sensing results may be determined using at least one of a contact position, a contact time, and the order of contacts. For example, assuming that the combination of the contact sensing results is the order of contacts, when the first contact sensing portion161of the ultrasonic probe100first detects user contact and the second contact sensing portion162then detects such user contact, the order of contacts is denoted by “the first contact sensing portion161→the second contact sensing portion162”. As a result, the ultrasonic probe100may perform a specific operation corresponding to a combination of the contact sensing results related to the order of contacts. Here, if the specific operation is set to a freeze function, the ultrasonic probe100may freeze a current ultrasonic image of the target object. In addition, if the combination of the contact sensing results is determined to be the contact position, the ultrasonic probe100does not perform the freeze function even though user contact is detected according to the aforementioned order of contacts, and may perform an operation corresponding to a combination of contact sensing results of the contact position. However, the above-mentioned example illustrates an exemplary combination of the contact sensing results, the scope or spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the above-mentioned example may also be applied to various combinations of the contact sensing results.

The operation corresponding to a combination of the contact sensing results may include at least one of Region of Interest (ROI) selection regarding the target object, ultrasonic image freezing, ultrasonic image capture, measurement data acquisition, Time Gain Compensation (TGC) control, Lateral Gain Compensation (LGC) control, ultrasonic image depth control, 2D/3D image conversion, and focusing, without being limited thereto. Generally, the above-mentioned operation may include all functions capable of being performed by the ultrasonic probe100.

In addition, the operation corresponding to the combination of the contact sensing results may be established by the user. For example, assuming that a first contact of the first contact sensing portion161and a second contact of the second contact sensing portion162are sequentially detected, the user may decide to perform an ultrasonic image capture function of the ultrasonic probe100. The user-established operation corresponding to the combination of the contact sensing results may be stored in a memory of the contact sensing portion160or in a storage700of the main body.

In addition, the contact sensing portion160may detect user contact, may convert information regarding a combination of the detected contact sensing results into an electrical signal, and may transmit the electrical signal to a controller240. In the above-mentioned example, because the controller240is contained in the main body200, the electrical signal indicating information of the combination of the contact sensing results acquired by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100can be transmitted to the controller240. In contrast, if at least one processor is contained in the ultrasonic probe100and the ultrasonic probe100is controlled by the processor contained in the ultrasonic probe100, information regarding a combination of contact sensing results obtained by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100may also be transmitted to the processor contained in the ultrasonic probe100.

The battery170may be contained in the ultrasonic probe100, such that the battery170may provide a current to the coil of the contact sensing portion160or may provide a power source to various constituent elements contained in the ultrasonic probe100.

The processor180may receive information regarding user contact from the plurality of contact sensing portions160of the ultrasonic probe100, and may determine a combination of the contact sensing results through various received contacts. The processor180may control the ultrasonic probe100to perform the ultrasonic probe100's operation stored in the memories111aand112ainstalled at the coil of the contact sensing portion160. The processor180may also control the ultrasonic probe100to perform an operation corresponding to a combination of user-established contact sensing results. That is, at least one processor180is contained in the ultrasonic probe100, such that the ultrasonic probe100may detect user contact through the contact sensing portion160and may perform an operation corresponding to a combination of the detected contact sensing results.

The main body200may include various constituent elements needed to control the ultrasonic probe100or to generate an ultrasonic image on the basis of the signal received from the ultrasonic probe100, and may be connected to the ultrasonic probe100through the cable120.

In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may include one or more processors. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe100may include at least one processor acting as the controller contained in the main body200, and may also be controlled in a different way from the controller240of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10.

Not only a signal processor220, an image processor230, and a controller240contained in the main body200, but also a display300, an input portion400, a notification portion500, a communicator600, a storage700, and a power-supply portion900will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, the main body200may further include the display300, the input portion400, the notification portion500, the communicator600, the storage700, and the power-supply portion900, or may be constructed independently. If the above-mentioned constituent elements of the latter case are identical in structure to those of the former case, a detailed description thereof will herein be omitted for convenience of description.

The signal processor220may convert a focused digital signal received from the ultrasonic probe100into a signal appropriate for image processing. For example, the signal processor220may perform filtering to remove a noise signal other than a desired frequency band.

The signal processor220may be implemented as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and may generate ultrasonic image data by performing envelope detection processing for detecting the magnitude of an echo ultrasonic signal on the basis of the focused digital signal.

The image processor230may generate an image on the basis of the ultrasonic image data generated by the signal processor220, such that a user (e.g., a doctor or a patient) may view the generated image regarding the interior of the target object (ob) (e.g., a human body).

The image processor230may transmit the generated ultrasonic image to the display300using the ultrasonic image data.

In accordance with the embodiment, the image processor230may perform additional image processing for the ultrasonic image as necessary. The image processor230may further perform post-processing of the ultrasonic image. As an example of the post-processing, the image processor230may correct or readjust contrast, brightness, and sharpness of the ultrasonic image.

The additional image processing of the image processor230may be carried out according to predetermined setting information, or may be carried out by a user instruction or command received through the input portion400.

The controller240may control at least one of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10and the ultrasonic probe100. For example, the controller240may control the signal processor220, the image processor230, the ultrasonic probe100, and the display300.

The controller240may receive information regarding the presence or absence of user contact from the ultrasonic probe100. In addition, the controller240may receive an electrical signal indicating information of a combination of the detected contact sensing results from the ultrasonic probe100. In more detail, the controller240may receive information regarding the presence or absence of user contact from the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100, and may determine the contact sensing result using the received information. Thereafter, the controller240may control at least one of the ultrasonic probe100and the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10so as to perform an operation corresponding to the determined contact sensing result. Therefore, according to a control command of the controller240, at least one of the ultrasonic probe100and the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10may perform the operation corresponding to a combination of the contact sensing results. A detailed description thereof will hereinafter be described with reference toFIG. 11.

In addition, because the controller240is contained in the main body200, an electrical signal indicating information of the combination of the contact sensing results acquired by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100can be transmitted to the controller240. In contrast, if at least one processor is contained in the ultrasonic probe100and the ultrasonic probe100is controlled by the processor contained in the ultrasonic probe100, information regarding a combination of the contact sensing results obtained by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100may also be transmitted to the processor contained in the ultrasonic probe100.

The controller240may transmit and receive information regarding the combination of the contact sensing results obtained by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100to and from the communicator600.

The controller240may control the storage700to store information regarding the combination of the contact sensing results obtained by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100.

The controller240may transmit at least one of information regarding the presence or absence of user contact acquired from the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100and the other information regarding the combination of the contact sensing results to the display300.

In accordance with one embodiment, the controller240may control the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10according to the predetermined setting information, or may generate a predetermined control command according to a user instruction or command received through the input portion400and may then control the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10.

The controller240may control not only the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10but also the ultrasonic probe100. If the controller240is paired with the external device using wireless communication, Bluetooth, NFC, IrDA, etc. the controller240may control at least one of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10and the ultrasonic probe100through the external device. In addition, the controller240may control the communicator600to transmit various kinds of information regarding the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10to the external device.

The controller240may include a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The ROM may store control programs for controlling the processor and ultrasonic imaging apparatus10therein. The RAM may store signals or ultrasonic image data received from either the ultrasonic probe100or the input portion400of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10, or may be used as a storage region corresponding to various tasks executed by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10. In addition, although the controller240of the embodiment is contained in the main body200, the scope or spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the controller240may also be contained in the ultrasonic probe100as necessary. The controller240may include one or more processors.

A separate circuit board electrically coupled to the controller240may include a graphic processing board including a processor and a RAM or ROM.

The processor, the RAM, and the ROM may be coupled to one another through an internal bus.

The controller240may refer to a term indicating a constituent element including the processor, the RAM, and the ROM.

The processor240may refer to a term indicating a constituent element including the processor, the RAM, the ROM, and the processing board.

The display300may display various kinds of information received from the controller240. The display300may display text or image data indicating at least one of information regarding the presence or absence of user contact acquired by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100and the other information regarding the combination of the contact sensing results. As a result, the user who views the text or image data may easily recognize a shape of his or her hand grasping the ultrasonic probe100, and may also easily recognize which one of parts of the contact sensing portion160contacts the user hand.

In addition, the display300may display at least one of an ultrasonic image acquired by the ultrasonic probe100and ultrasonic image information.

The display300may display an ultrasonic image generated by the image processor230in such a manner that the user may visually recognize the internal structure or tissues of the target object (ob). The display300may display various data and images in association with the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10.

In more detail, the display300may simultaneously display not only the internal structure or tissues of the target object (ob) but also elasticity of the region of interest (ROI) of the target object (ob), such that the user may visually recognize images of the target object (ob) and may numerically confirm the images of the target object (ob).

The display300may be implemented by any well-known display panel, for example, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), etc., without being limited thereto.

If the display300is implemented as a touchscreen, the display300may also act as the input portion400. That is, the main body200may receive various commands from the user through at least one of the display300and the input portion400.

If the display300is used as the input portion400, the display300may display at least one of a UI (User Interface) screen image and a selection screen image through which the user can input a command. In this case, the user may touch at least one of an icon, an image, and text displayed on the display300, such that the corresponding function of at least one of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10and the ultrasonic probe100can be carried out.

In more detail, if the display300acts as a touchscreen, the display300may display at least one of icon, image, and text, which are needed to add annotation or comments to ultrasonic images and measurement data, as well as to perform focusing, TGC/LGC control, zoom-in/zoom-out, rotation, 2D/3D conversion, etc. of the ultrasonic images and measurement data. In this case, since the display300includes the touchscreen function, the user may select at least one of icon, image, and text displayed on the display300in a manner that the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10's function corresponding to at least one of icon, image, and text can be carried out.

Although not shown in the drawings, the main body200may include a voice recognition sensor such that the main body200may receive a voice command from the user through the voice recognition sensor.

The display300may display an ultrasonic image regarding a target site contained in the target object. The ultrasonic image displayed on the display300may be a 2D ultrasonic image or a 3D ultrasonic image, and may display various ultrasonic images according to operation modes of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10. The display300may display not only menu or information needed for ultrasound diagnosis but also information regarding operation states of the ultrasonic probe100.

In accordance with one embodiment, the ultrasonic image may include an amplitude mode (A-mode) image, a brightness mode (B-mode) image, a motion mode (M-mode) image, a color mode (C-mode) image, and a Doppler mode (D-mode) image.

The A-mode image may refer to an ultrasonic image indicating the amplitude of an ultrasonic signal corresponding to an echo ultrasonic signal. The B-mode image may refer to an ultrasonic image in which the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal corresponding to the echo ultrasonic signal is represented as brightness. The M-mode image may refer to an ultrasonic image indicating movement of a target object according to lapse of time at a specific position. The D-mode image may refer to an ultrasonic image may refer to an ultrasonic image in which a moving target object is represented as a waveform shape using the Doppler effect. The C-mode image may refer to an ultrasonic image for indicating the moving target object using a color spectrum.

The input portion400may receive not only the setting information related to the ultrasonic probe100but also various control commands from the user.

The input portion400may receive at least one of a command for performing various operations of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10and the other command for changing the setting information related to the ultrasonic probe100.

In accordance with one embodiment, the setting information related to the ultrasonic probe100may include gain information, zoom information, focus information, TGC information, depth information, frequency information, power information, frame average information, dynamic range information, etc. However, the setting information related to the ultrasonic probe100is not limited thereto, and may include various kinds of information capable of being established to capture ultrasonic images.

The above-mentioned information may be transferred to the ultrasonic probe100over a wired or wireless communication network, and the ultrasonic probe100may be established according to the received information. The main body200may receive various control commands (e.g., a command for transmitting the ultrasonic signal) from the user through the input portion400, and may transmit the received control commands to the ultrasonic probe100.

Meanwhile, the input portion400may also be implemented as a mouse, a keyboard, a foot switch, or a foot pedal. For example, the keyboard may be implemented by hardware. The keyboard may include at least one of a switch, a key, a joystick, a trackball, etc. In another example, the keyboard may also be implemented by software such as a graphical user interface (GUI). In this case, the keyboard may be displayed on the display300. The foot switch or the foot pedal may be located below the main body200, and the user may control the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10using the foot pedal.

One or more female connectors201(seeFIG. 1) may be contained in the main body200, and the female connector201may be connected to the ultrasonic probe100through the cable120and the male connector130.

The input portion400may receive an instruction or command from the user so as to control the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10. For example, the input portion400may include a user interface (UI), for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touchscreen, and an input button or paddle mounted to the ultrasonic probe100.

If user contact is detected by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100, the notification portion may inform the user of the detected user contact. The notification portion500may make a distinction among different contacts detected by the contact sensing portion160, and may inform the user of the different contacts. In more detail, the notification portion500may audibly or visually inform the user of specific information as to whether the user contacts the contact sensing portion160using at least one of vibration, sound, a symbol, a letter, a figure, and a 3D structure. In addition, the notification portion500is contained in the main body200so that the notification portion500may output notification information through the speaker or the display300. However, the scope or spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the notification portion500may also be contained in the ultrasonic probe100.

The communicator600may wirelessly communicate with at least one of the external device and the ultrasonic probe100. The communicator600may transmit and receive data related to target object diagnosis, for example, an ultrasonic image, an echo ultrasonic signal, Doppler data, shear wave data, acquired through the ultrasonic probe100. The communicator600may receive a variety of information from the external device. Here, the external device may include a wearable terminal, a wireless communication terminal, a smartphone, etc.

The storage700may store information regarding the operation corresponding to the contact sensing result detected by the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100. If the operation corresponding to a combination of the contact sensing results is established by the user, the storage700may store the established operation therein. The storage700may store at least one of an ultrasonic image of the target object acquired by the ultrasonic probe100, diagnosis data related to the ultrasonic image, etc. The storage700may store various setting items related to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10. The storage portion700may be configured as at least one of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro card, a card type memory (e.g. a Secure Digital (SD) memory or an eXtreme Digital (XD) memory), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disc, etc. without being limited thereto.

The power-supply portion900may provide a power-supply signal to the respective constituent elements of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10or the ultrasonic probe10. In more detail, when the main body200is electrically coupled to the ultrasonic probe by wire, the power-supply portion900may provide a current to the contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100. The contact sensing portion160of the ultrasonic probe100may detect user contact using a current received from the power-supply portion900, and a detailed description thereof will herein be omitted for convenience of description.

The structures and operations of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus10and the ultrasonic probe100including the contact sensing portion have been disclosed with reference toFIGS. 5 to 8. A method for detecting user contact through the ultrasonic probe100and performing the corresponding operation on the basis of the contact sensing result according to the embodiment will hereinafter be described.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the ultrasonic probe according to the contact sensing result of the ultrasonic probe.FIG. 10is a conceptual diagram illustrating the plurality of contact portions grasped by any hand of a user.FIG. 11illustrates exemplary operations corresponding to the contact sensing results of the plurality of contact portions.

A method for controlling the ultrasonic probe100to detect user contact through the contact sensing portion160, and performing the operation corresponding to the detected contact sensing result according to the embodiment will hereinafter be described with reference toFIGS. 9 to 11.

The ultrasonic probe100may include a plurality of contact sensing portions160, and may detect user contact through the plurality of contact sensing portions160(Operation1000). The contact sensing portions160of the ultrasonic probe100may include a first contact sensing portion161, a second contact sensing portion162, a third contact sensing portion163, and a fourth contact sensing portion164, as described above. Each of the first contact sensing portion161, the second contact sensing portion162, the third contact sensing portion163, and the fourth contact sensing portion164may include a plurality of regions to detect user contact in different ways.

As described above, the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe100may be formed of an electrically conductive material, resulting in occurrence of electrostatic induction. At least two of the plurality of contact sensing portions160may be electrically connected to each other through a human body of the user. If the at least two of the plurality of contact sensing portions160are electrically coupled to each other, the ultrasonic probe100may recognize detection of user contact.

In more detail, the ultrasonic probe100may detect a first contact in a first region of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe100through the first contact sensing portion161of the ultrasonic probe100. In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may detect a second contact in a second region different from one position of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe100through the second contact sensing portion162of the ultrasonic probe100. In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may detect a third contact using the third contact sensing portion163of the ultrasonic probe100in a region disposed between the first region and the second region. In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may detect a fourth contact through the fourth contact sensing portion164including the lens formed of an electrically conductive material. The above-mentioned first contact, second contact, third contact, and fourth contact may denote different contacts.

The ultrasonic probe100may detect various contact combinations of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact on the contact sensing portions160.

For example, the user may grasp the ultrasonic probe100in various ways as shown inFIG. 10, and may create a combination of various contact sensing results obtained by at least two of contact detection of the first contact sensing portion161, contact detection of the second contact sensing portion162, contact detection of the third contact sensing portion163, and contact detection of the fourth contact sensing portion164. The combination of various contact sensing results may indicate that various input methods can be applied to the ultrasonic probe100. In addition, the combination of the contact sensing results may be established in various ways by the user using at least one of a contact position, a contact time, and the order of contacts.

By various methods for controlling the user to grasp the contact sensing portions160in different ways, the user may input a control command corresponding to a combination of various contacts to the ultrasonic probe100.

The ultrasonic probe100may detect user contact through the plurality of contact sensing portions160, and may include a processor180for determining a combination of the detected contact sensing results. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe100may determine a combination of at least two of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact detected by the plurality of contact sensing portions160. In addition, the ultrasonic probe100may determine whether the determined combination is a combination of user-established contact sensing results (Operation1100).

As disclosed in the above example, the ultrasonic probe100detects user contact through the plurality of contact sensing portions160, and the processor for determining the combination of the contact sensing results is contained in the ultrasonic probe100.

In addition, the above-mentioned operation may also be achieved by the controller240of the main body200. In more detail, the controller240may receive information regarding user contact from the contact sensing portions160of the ultrasonic probe100, and may determine a combination of the contact sensing results. The controller240may also determine whether the determined combination is a combination of user-established contact sensing results (Operation1100).

The ultrasonic probe100may perform the operation corresponding to the determined combination of the contact sensing results. The ultrasonic probe100may perform the operation corresponding to the combination of user-established contact sensing results (Operation1200).

For example, as can be seen fromFIG. 11, under the condition that the user grasps the ultrasonic probe100, assuming that the ultrasonic probe100detects a contact generated in the first region of the first contact sensing portion161and then detects a contact generated in the second region of the second contact sensing portion162in a different way from the first region of the first contact sensing portion161, this means that a combination of the contact sensing results between the first contact of the first contact sensing portion161and the second contact of the second contact sensing portion162has occurred. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe100may perform the ROI operation corresponding to the combination of the contact sensing results between the first and second contacts established by the user. In this case, it is understood that the combination of the contact sensing results is established according to the order of contacts.

In another example, under the condition that the user grasps the ultrasonic probe100, assuming that the ultrasonic probe100detects a contact generated in the first region of the first contact sensing portion161and then detects a contact generated in the third region of the third contact sensing portion163in a different way from the first region of the first contact sensing portion161, this means that a combination of the contact sensing results between the first contact of the first contact sensing portion161and the third contact of the third contact sensing portion163has occurred. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe100may perform a TGC/LGC control operation corresponding to a combination of the contact sensing results between the first and third contacts established by the user.

In the last example, under the condition that the user grasps the ultrasonic probe100, assuming that the ultrasonic probe100detects a contact generated in the first region of the first contact sensing portion161, detects a contact generated in the second region of the second contact sensing portion162, and finally detects a contact generated in the third region of the third contact sensing portion163, the ultrasonic probe100may determine the occurrence of a combination of the first contact of the first contact sensing portion161, the second contact of the second contact sensing portion152, and the third contact of the third contact sensing portion163. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe100may perform a freeze operation corresponding to the combination of the first to third contacts established by the user. The above-mentioned example has disclosed that the combination of the contact sensing results is determined to be a contact position and the order of contacts for convenience of description. The scope or spirit of the ultrasonic probe100may perform various operations according to various combinations of the contact sensing results.

The ultrasonic probe for detecting user contact using the plurality of contact sensing portions, determining a combination of the contact sensing results established by the user, and performing the operation corresponding to the determined combination of the contact sensing results, the method for controlling the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed above.

As is apparent from the above description, the ultrasonic probe, the method for controlling the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiments may input various control commands using the ultrasonic probe as an input portion.

In addition, when the ultrasonic probe is used as the input portion, the ultrasonic probe is electrically coupled to the contact sensing portion formed of an electrically conductive material through a human body in a manner that control commands are input to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus through the contact sensing portion. As a result, the ultrasonic probe need not include a separate sensor (for example, a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, a sensing sensor, etc.), resulting in reduction of production costs of the ultrasonic probe.

The above-mentioned embodiments are merely exemplary for better understanding of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a single component may be divided into two or more components, or two or more components may be combined into a single component as needed.