ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS

According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is capable of receiving an operation instruction via a touch panel. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a storage, an identification unit, and a controller. The storage stores association information in which operation instructions are each associated with a finger type. The identification unit identifies the finger type of a finger that has touched any position on the touch panel. The controller performs one of the operation instructions associated with the finger type identified based on the association information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-010847, filed Jan. 25, 2017; No. 2017-247135, filed Dec. 25, 2017; the entire contents of (all of) which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Some conventional ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses receive operation instructions from an operator via physical operation switches such as button switches and dials and a touch command screen (TCS). The touch command screen includes a touch panel, and is an operation device that displays soft keys on the touch panel and receives an operation instruction corresponding to a soft key at a position where an operator's finger or the like has touched. Hereinafter, the touch command screen and the touch panel may sometimes be equated for the sake of explanation.

There are also known ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses that receive operation instructions via a touch command screen without the aforementioned physical operation switches. Such an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus displays soft keys each corresponding to a function that has been implemented by an operation instruction provided via a physical operation switch on the touch panel. The layout of the soft keys displayed on the touch panel can be dynamically changed according to various operation modes of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and operation instructions from the operator.

However, when the operator provides an operation instruction via the touch panel, inconvenience may occur in the operation. As one example may be cited the case where the operator performs touch typing. When using physical operation switches, the operator can perform touch typing while feeling the unevenness of the operation switches by the sense of touch in his/her fingers. On the other hand, when using a flat touch panel, it is difficult to perform touch typing while figuring out the position of each soft key, and the operator may make a mistake in providing an operation instruction. For example, when the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is used in mass screening, operation instructions are provided according to a roughly determined routine, and quickness and accuracy are required in performing as many examinations as possible in a short period of time. The operation input method using the touch panel sometimes makes the operator feel inconvenient in such cases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is capable of receiving an operation instruction via a touch panel. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a storage, an identification unit, and a controller. The storage stores association information in which operation instructions are each associated with a finger type. The identification unit identifies the finger type of a finger that has touched any position on the touch panel. The controller performs one of the operation instructions associated with the finger type identified based on the association information.

Referring now to the drawings, a description is given of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to a first embodiment. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the first embodiment includes an ultrasound probe1, a transmitting/receiving circuit2, an image generating circuit3, a touch panel4, a memory circuit5, a sensor6, an identification circuit7, a system control circuit8, a display control circuit9, and a display10.

The ultrasound probe1transmits ultrasound waves to a subject and receives reflected waves therefrom. The ultrasound probe1outputs an echo signal based on the reflected waves from the subject to the transmitting/receiving circuit2.

The transmitting/receiving circuit2supplies an electric signal to the ultrasound probe1according to a control signal from the system control circuit8to cause it to transmit ultrasound waves that have been beamformed to a predetermined focal point (i.e., subjected to transmission beamforming). Further, the transmitting/receiving circuit receives the echo signal from the ultrasound probe1. The transmitting/receiving circuit2performs a delay process on the echo signal, thereby converting the analog echo signal into a received signal with phased addition. The transmitting/receiving circuit2outputs the received signal to the image generating circuit3.

The image generating circuit3generates an ultrasound image based on the received signal from the transmitting/receiving circuit2. For example, the image generating circuit3performs band-pass filtering on the received signal. Thereafter, the image generating circuit3detects the envelope of the output signal, and performs a compression process on the detected data by logarithmic conversion. The image generating circuit3converts the received signal subjected to the compression process (ultrasound raster data) into a coordinate system for display (scan conversion), thereby generating an ultrasound image. The ultrasound image is displayed on the display10by the system control circuit8and the display control circuit9.

The touch panel4receives an operation by an operator such as a doctor or a technician, and outputs an operation instruction corresponding to the content of the operation to the system control circuit8. For example, in a general operation state, the touch panel4displays soft keys and detects a touch of the operator's finger or the like. The touch panel4outputs an operation instruction corresponding to a soft key displayed at the touched position detected to the system control circuit8. In another operation state, the touch panel4receives an operation instruction by touch typing (details will be described later).

The memory circuit5is an example of the storage in the claims. The memory circuit5stores association information in which the type of a finger is associated with an operation instruction.FIG. 2schematically illustrates the association information. For example, the association information T1is table information. In the association information T1, the finger type (Finger: finger 1 to finger 5) and the operation instruction (Switch CODE: 0×1000, 0×1500, 0×1300, 0×1400, 0×1A00) are associated with each other. Specific types (thumb, index finger, . . . , little finger) assigned to the finger type (each Finger) can be set and changed as appropriate by the operator or the like. In addition, specific operation instructions (Freeze, SET, NEXT, etc.) assigned to the operation instruction (each Switch CODE) can be set and changed as appropriate by the operator or the like.

Incidentally, the memory circuit5may store the association information in a plurality of tables. In this case, for example, the operator selects a desired one of the tables, and the association information of the selected table is used. Thereby, the operator can select a desired table from a plurality of tables having different associations between the finger type and the operation instruction.

The sensor6detects the shape and size of the operator's hand. Example of the hardware used for the sensor6include an optical sensor, a camera, and the like.FIG. 3is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the sensor6and the touch panel4. The sensor6is appropriately installed in a position where it can detect the hand H of the operator near the touch panel4(the detection range of the sensor6is schematically indicated by a broken line). For example, the sensor6detects the shape and size of the hand at every predetermined sampling rate, and outputs detection information indicating the shape and size detected to the identification circuit7.

The identification circuit7is a processor that identifies the type of finger having touched the touch panel4. For example, the identification circuit7stores in advance statistical information in which the shape and size of the hand are associated with the finger type. The identification circuit7compares the detection information from the sensor6with the statistical information, and thereby identifies the type of each finger of the hand detected by the sensor6. In this manner, the identification circuit7can identify the type of each finger located around the touch panel4. The identification circuit7performs this identification process at every predetermined sampling rate.

The system control circuit8is a processor that controls each part of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. For example, the system control circuit8stores a program for controlling each part of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and executes it. For example, the system control circuit8outputs an ultrasound image generated by the image generating circuit3to the display control circuit9. The system control circuit8performs an operation instruction associated with the finger type identified by the identification circuit7based on the association information stored in the memory circuit5. This operation instruction corresponds to an operation instruction provided by touch typing. Described below is the process performed in response to an operation instruction provided by touch typing.

The touch panel4in the operation state for receiving touch typing need not display soft keys. Having detected a touch of the operator's finger, the touch panel4outputs a touched position signal indicating the touched position on the touch panel4to the system control circuit8and the identification circuit7. The identification circuit7compares the touched position signal with the type of the finger near the touch panel4, and thereby identifies the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4. The system control circuit8compares the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4with the association information stored in the memory circuit5, and thereby specifies an operation instruction associated with the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4. When the memory circuit5stores the association information in a plurality of tables, the system control circuit8uses the association information of selected one of the tables. Then, the system control circuit8controls each part of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus so as to perform the operation instruction specified.

The display control circuit9is a processor that displays ultrasound images and other information on the display10. The display10is an example of the display in the claims. The display10is formed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. For example, the display control circuit9displays association information on the display10.

FIG. 4is a schematic diagram of association information displayed on the display10. For example, the display control circuit9displays association information alongside the ultrasound image. In the example ofFIG. 4, a schematic illustration P of the hand and texts (TX1, TX2, TX3) each indicating an operation instruction associated with each finger are displayed at the lower right of the display screen D. The specific design for displaying the association information is not limited to such an illustration and text information, but may be set appropriately.

As described above, the operation instruction is associated with the finger type, and the operation instruction specified by the type of the finger having touched the touch panel4is performed. This facilitates operator's touch typing without looking at the touch panel4. For example, in the case where an operation instruction “Freeze” is associated with the middle finger as a finger type, when the operator wishes to perform the Freeze operation during an ultrasound examination, he/she can perform the Freeze operation by touching the touch panel4with the middle finger. At this time, regardless of the position where the middle finger touches on the touch panel4, the operation instruction of Freeze is entered. Thus, while viewing an ultrasound image displayed on the display10, the operator can perform a simple operation of touching any position on the touch panel4with the middle finger without looking at the touch panel4. When the operator wishes to enter another operation instruction, the operator may touch the touch panel4with the finger in association with the operation instruction.

The operation instructions set in the association information may include a switch instruction for switching on/off of the touch typing operation. For example, in the case where the switch instruction is associated with the thumb as a finger type, when the operator wishes to perform touch typing, he/she can turn on the touch typing operation by touching the touch panel4with the thumb. At this time, the touch typing operation can be switched on no matter where the thumb touches on the touch panel4. Then, while touching the touch panel4with the thumb, the operator touches the touch panel4with another finger to enter an operation instruction.

While the finger associated with the switch instruction (the thumb in this example) is touching the touch panel4, the identification circuit7identifies the type of another finger that has touched the touch panel4with the finger associated with the switch instruction. The system control circuit8compares the type of the other finger thus identified with the association information, and thereby specifies an operation instruction associated with the type of the other finger. Then, the system control circuit8controls each part of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus so as to perform the operation instruction specified.

When the finger associated with the switch instruction (the thumb in this example) is not touching the touch panel4, that is, when the identification circuit7does not identify the thumb, the display control circuit9displays soft keys each corresponding to an operation instruction on the touch panel4. In this state, the touch typing operation is OFF. In this OFF state, the operator performs operation input by touching a soft key corresponding to a desired operation instruction in the same manner as the conventional soft key input.

As described above, with the configuration that the operator can operate while switching on/off the touch typing operation, the operator can perform operation input on the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus while suitably switching between the touch typing operation and the conventional soft key operation. Thereby, the operator can operate the touch panel while appropriately switching the operation input mode. Thus, the operability of the touch panel can be improved.

Besides, operation instructions provided by touch typing may include the display and movement of a cursor on the display10. Examples of the cursor include various cursors used by common pointing devices, measurement calipers for measuring the dimension of tissue depicted in an ultrasound image, and the like. For example, as a result of finger type identification by the identification circuit7, when the finger is the one associated with the movement operation, the display control circuit9moves the position of the cursor according to the movement of the finger. Thereby, while viewing an ultrasound image displayed on the display10, the operator can move the cursor by moving the finger touching the touch panel4without looking at the touch panel4.

Further, an operation instruction may be associated with a combination of the two or more types of fingers. For example, when the above-described cursor movement operation is associated with the index finger and the middle finger and both the index finger and the middle finger touch the touch panel4, the display control circuit9moves the cursor according to the movement of these two fingers. In this case, the identification circuit7identifies the types of all fingers that are touching the touch panel4at the same time.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the following, an example will be described in which the operator performs touch typing while watching an ultrasound image during an ultrasound examination.

Step S101: When the touch typing operation is ON, the display control circuit9sequentially displays ultrasound images with association information in which the finger type and the operation instruction are associated with each other on the display10.

Step S102: When the operator puts his/her hand close to the touch panel4, the sensor6detects the shape and size of the hand of the operator. The sensor6outputs detection information indicating the shape and size detected to the identification circuit7.

Step S103: The identification circuit7compares the detection information from the sensor6with statistical information in which the shape and size of the hand are associated with the finger type, and thereby identifies the type of each finger of the hand detected by the sensor6.

Step S104: The touch panel4outputs a touched position signal indicating the position where the finger touched to the system control circuit8and the identification circuit7. The identification circuit7identifies the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4by comparing the touched position signal with the type of the finger near the touch panel4.

Step S105: The system control circuit8compares the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4with the association information stored in the memory circuit5, and thereby specifies an operation instruction associated with the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4. Then, the system control circuit8controls each part of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus so as to perform the operation instruction specified.

With the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to the first embodiment, the operator can perform easy and convenient touch typing by touching any position on the touch panel4with a finger corresponding to a desired operation instruction without looking at the touch panel4. Thereby, even when a flat touch panel is used, it is possible to improve the quickness and accuracy of operation input using the touch panel.

First Modification

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to a first modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the following, differences from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the first embodiment will be mainly described. The same description as already described in the first embodiment may not be repeated.

The memory circuit5of the first modification stores association information for each partial area of the touch panel4.FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the partial area and the association information stored in the memory circuit5of the first modification. In the following, an example will be described in which a partial area A1is set at the lower right of the touch panel4and the partial area A2is set at the lower left of the touch panel4. These partial areas (A1, A2) may be preset or may be set by operator's operation. In association information T2, the finger type (Finger: finger 1 to finger 5) and the operation instruction (Switch CODE: 0×1000, 0×1500, 0×1300, 0×1400, 0×1A00) are associated with each other with respect to each of the partial areas A1and A2.

At the time of the touch typing operation, the system control circuit8specifies a partial area touched by the finger based on the touched position signal from the touch panel4. The system control circuit8compares association information corresponding to the partial area with the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4to thereby specify an operation instruction associated with the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4in the association information. Then, the system control circuit8controls each part of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus so as to perform the operation instruction specified.

Normally, when diagnosing with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, the operator holds an ultrasound probe on the right hand and performs operation input on the touch panel with the left hand. However, depending on the positional relationship between the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and the bed, there are cases where the operator holds an ultrasound probe on the left hand and performs operation input on the touch panel with the right hand. With the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the first modification, the association information can be set in a partial area of the touch panel where the operator can easily touch according to the positional relationship. Thereby, it is possible to improve the operability for performing operation input according to the positional relationship between the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and the bed.

Second Modification

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to a second modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the following, differences from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the first embodiment will be mainly described. The same description as already described in the first embodiment may not be repeated.

FIG. 7is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second modification. The identification circuit7of the second modification includes a specifying circuit71. The specifying circuit71is a processor that specifies the operator based on a detection result obtained by the sensor. For example, the specifying circuit71stores shape and size information indicating the shape and size of the hand with respect to each operator ID. The specifying circuit71compares detection information from the sensor6with the shape and size information, and thereby specifies the operator. The specifying circuit71outputs the operator ID of the operator specified to the system control circuit8.

The memory circuit5stores association information with respect to each operator ID. For example, the operator can prepare association information according to the habit and preference of his/her operation and store it in the memory circuit5in advance. The system control circuit8performs an operation instruction based on the association information corresponding to the operator ID from the specifying circuit71. For example, when the operator puts his/her hand close to the touch panel4, the sensor6outputs detection information to the specifying circuit71. The specifying circuit71specifies the operator based on the detection information, and outputs the operator ID of the operator specified to the system control circuit8. The system control circuit8compares the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4with the association information corresponding to the operator ID, and thereby specifies an operation instruction associated with the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel4. Then, the system control circuit8controls each part of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus so as to perform the operation instruction specified.

With the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the second modification, association information is automatically selected according to the preference of each operator. Thereby, the operability of the touch panel for operation input can be improved according to the preference of each operator.

Third Modification

FIG. 8is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to a third modification. Differently from the first embodiment, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the third modification identifies the type of the finger without using the sensor6. In the following, differences from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the first embodiment will be mainly described. The same description as already described in the first embodiment may not be repeated.

When the operator touches the touch panel4with a plurality of fingers, the touch panel4detects a position touched by each of the fingers and outputs touched position information to the system control circuit8and the identification circuit7. Thereby, the identification circuit7detects the positions of the fingers that are touching the touch panel4.

The identification circuit7identifies the type of each of the fingers based on the positional relationship of the fingers detected.FIG. 9is a schematic diagram of a plurality of fingers touching the touch panel4. The identification circuit7stores in advance statistical information on the shape of the hand. The statistical information includes the ratio of the lengths of the fingers and the like. With this, the relative positional relationship when each finger touches the touch panel4can be obtained. The identification circuit7compares the statistical information with the touched position information on the touch panel4, and thereby individually identifies the type of each finger that has touched each touched position. InFIG. 9, the touched position is indicated by coordinates (finger X1 to finger X5, finger Y1 to finger Y4) with respect to each finger type identified.

Among the fingers touching the touch panel4, the operator can once release a finger corresponding to a desired operation instruction from the touch panel4. At this time, the other fingers are still touching the touch panel4. Then, the operator can enter a desired operation instruction by touching again the touch panel4with the finger corresponding to the desired operation instruction.

At this time, the identification circuit7compares touched position information indicating a position touched by the finger that has touched again the touch panel4with the coordinates of the fingers identified before the finger has touched again the touch panel4, and identifies the type of the finger that has touched again the touch panel4. For example, in the example ofFIG. 9, when the touched position information of the finger that has touched again the touch panel4indicates the coordinates of “finger X3, finger Y1”, the identification circuit7identifies the type of the finger that has touched again as “middle finger”. Incidentally, when a finger touches again the touch panel4, the coordinates may differ from the previous coordinates. The allowable range of difference used for the identification may be appropriately set. Then, the system control circuit8controls each part of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus so as to perform an operation instruction associated with the type of the finger identified.

Also with the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the third modification, the operator can perform easy and convenient touch typing by touching any position on the touch panel4with a finger corresponding to a desired operation instruction without looking at the touch panel4. Thereby, even when a flat touch panel is used, it is possible to improve the quickness and accuracy of operation input using the touch panel.

Fourth Modification

FIG. 10is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to a fourth modification. Differently from the first embodiment, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the fourth modification is configured to be capable of receiving operation instructions without using a touch panel. In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. The same description as already described in the first embodiment may not be repeated.

A projector11projects light indicating a predetermined operation area. The projected light may be visible light or non-visible light. The light projected by the projector11is only required to indicate at least the outer edge of the operation area. A general light source, an optical modulator, a lens, and the like may be appropriately used for the hardware configuration of the projector11.

The sensor6detects the shape and size of the operator's hand in the vicinity of the operation area.FIG. 11is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the projector11and the sensor6and the operation area A3. The projector11projects light that indicates the operation area A3onto a nearby flat plate or a bed. The function of the operation area A3thus indicated corresponds to the function of the operation surface of the touch panel4in the above embodiment. The sensor6is appropriately installed in a position where it can detect the hand H of the operator in the vicinity of the operation area A3. For example, the detection range of the sensor6is determined so as to detect the hand H located within a predetermined distance from the flat plate B and in the operation area A3. Specific numerical values of the detection range may be determined as appropriate. For example, the sensor6detects the shape and size of the hand H of the operator at each predetermined sampling rate, and outputs detection information indicating the shape and size detected to the identification circuit7. The identification circuit7identifies a finger in the vicinity of the operation area A3as in the above embodiment.

With the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to the fourth modification, operation instructions can be provided without using the touch panel4by projecting an operation area on a flat plate, a desk, a wall, a bed, or the like around the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and using the operation area as the operation surface of the touch panel4. Thus, it is possible to perform touch typing input using the flat operation area, and the quickness and accuracy of operation input can be improved.

The term “processor” as used herein refers to a circuit such as, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device including a simple programmable logic device (SPLD) and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The processor reads programs out of a memory circuit and executes them to thereby realize the functions. The programs need not necessarily be stored in a memory circuit, but may be directly incorporated in the circuit of the processor. In this case, the processor realizes the functions by reading and executing the programs incorporated in the circuit. Each processor of the embodiments need not necessarily be configured as a single circuit. A plurality of independent circuits may be combined to form a single processor for implementing the functions. Besides, a plurality of constituent elements inFIG. 1may be integrated into one processor to realize the functions.

According to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel for operation input.