Patent Publication Number: US-2023148030-A1

Title: Diagnostic ultrasound apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-182511 filed on Nov. 9, 2021 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a diagnostic ultrasound apparatus. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In, for example, WO 2013/046907 A1, a cart for a portable diagnostic ultrasound device is disclosed. This cart enables a portable diagnostic ultrasound device to be used in a state of being placed on the cart and in a state of being removed from the cart. 
     SUMMARY 
     Usage environment of diagnostic ultrasound apparatuses varies depending on the situation of the site where they are used. Hence, diagnostic ultrasound apparatuses are required to have usability in a wide range of environment, which includes on a table, in a cart style, beside a bed, and on a wall. 
     The technique disclosed in WO 2013/046907 A1 does not allow a body of a portable diagnostic ultrasound device to be used with a display and a console thereof detached. Hence, the diagnostic ultrasound device cannot be used in a style suitable for the situation of the site where it is used, which is not user-friendly. 
     Objects of the present disclosure include providing a diagnostic ultrasound apparatus usable in a style suitable for the situation of the site where it is used. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a diagnostic ultrasound apparatus including a body, a display, a console, a probe port, a battery and a cart configured as separate units,
         wherein the display, the console, the probe port and the battery are attachable to and detachable from the body,   wherein the body, the display and the console are attachable to and detachable from the cart,   wherein (i) the body with the probe port and the battery attached, (ii) the display and (iii) the console are attached to the cart, thereby configuring the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as a cart style,   wherein the display and the console are detached from the body with the probe port and the battery attached, thereby configuring the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as a desktop style, and   wherein the display, the console, the probe port and the battery are attached and connected to the body so as to be integrated, thereby configuring the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus as a hand-carry style.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features provided by one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings that are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a side view of a cart-style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a rear perspective view of the cart-style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a desktop-style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a front perspective view of a hand-carry-style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a rear perspective view of the hand-carry-style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a front perspective view of a body; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a rear perspective view of the body; 
         FIG.  5    schematically shows engagement of a hook of a battery with a battery hook receptacle of the body; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a front perspective view of a probe port; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a rear perspective view of the probe port; 
         FIG.  7    is a front perspective view of the battery; 
         FIG.  8    is a rear perspective view of a display and schematically shows connection thereof to other units; 
         FIG.  9 A  is a top perspective view of a console and schematically shows connection thereof to the body; 
         FIG.  9 B  is a top perspective view of the console and schematically shows connection thereof to a cart; 
         FIG.  10    schematically shows a part of the cart connecting with the body; and 
         FIG.  11    shows an example in which the probe port and the battery are attached to the body with the orientation of the probe port changed and the capacity of the battery changed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or illustrated examples. 
     Overall Configuration of Diagnostic Ultrasound Apparatus  100   
       FIG.  1 A  to  FIG.  3 B  show examples of the external configuration of a diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  of the present disclosure. 
     The diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  is an apparatus that is used in an examination room or the like of a medical facility, such as a hospital, and includes a body  1 , a probe port  2 , a battery  3 , a display  4 , a console  5  and a cart  6  as units. These units of the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  are configured as separate units. The probe port  2 , the battery  3 , the display  4  and the console  5  are attachable to and detachable from the body  1 . The body  1 , the display  4  and the console  5  are attachable to and detachable from the cart  6 . The diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  can be converted into any of diagnostic ultrasound apparatuses of three styles, which are a cart-style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus shown in  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B , a desktop-style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus shown in  FIG.  2   , and a hand-carry-style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus shown in  FIG.  3 A  and  FIG.  3 B , by combining (attaching/mounting) or separating (detaching/demounting) the units. 
     Configuration of Body  1   
     The body  1  controls the units of the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100 , and thereby causes an ultrasound probe  7  attached to the probe port  2  to transmit and receive ultrasound to and from an object under examination (hereinafter “examination object”), generates ultrasound image data based on received ultrasound, performs image processing, performs display control, and so forth. That is, the body  1  transmits an electronic drive signal to the ultrasound probe  7  via the probe port  2  to cause the ultrasound probe  7  to transmit ultrasound to the not-shown examination object, and images the internal state of the examination object as ultrasound image data on the basis of an electronic received signal generated by the ultrasound probe  7  in accordance with reflected ultrasound from the inside of the examination object received by the ultrasound probe  7 . 
     Some or all of functions that are performed by the body  1  can be realized by a hardware circuit(s), such as an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is, for example, LSI (Large Scale Integration), and LSI may be called IC (Integrated Circuit), system LSI, super LSI or ultra LSI, depending on the degree of integration. The method for forming the integrated circuit is not limited to use of LSI, but a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor may be used, or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure connection and setting of circuit cells in LSI may be used. Alternatively, some or all of the functions may be performed by software. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a front perspective view of the body  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the front surface of a case  11  of the body  1  is provided with a display connection part  12  for connecting with the display  4 , a cart connection part  13  for connecting with the cart  6 , and a console connection part  14  for connecting with the console  5 . 
     The display connection part  12  is, for example, provided at the top of the front surface of the body  1 , and has a connector  12   a , a latch receiving hole  12   b  and a button fit part  12   c  to electrically and mechanically connect the display  4  and the body  1 . 
     The connector  12   a  is a connector for connecting with a connector  42   a  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) of the display  4 , a connector  92   a  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) of a display cable  9  or a connector  63   c  (shown in  FIG.  10   ) of the cart  6 . The display cable  9  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) is a cable for connecting the display  4  and the body  1 , and has a connection part  91  having the same structure as the display connection part  12  and a connection part  92  having the same structure as a connection part  42  of the display  4 . 
     The latch receiving hole  12   b  engages with a latch  42   b  (shown in  FIG.  8   ), a latch  92   b  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) or a latch  63   d  (shown in  FIG.  10   ) when the connector  42   a , the connector  92   a  or the connector  63   c  is inserted in the connector  12   a , thereby fixing the display  4 , the display cable  9  or the cart  6  to the body  1 . 
     The button fit part  12   c  fits with an unlatch button  42   c  (shown in  FIG.  8   ), an unlatch button  92   c  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) or an unlatch button  63   e  (shown in  FIG.  10   ) when the connector  42   a , the connector  92   a  or the connector  63   c  is inserted in the connector  12   a.    
     The cart connection part  13  is, for example, provided at the center of the front surface of the body  1  for attaching (fixing) the body  1  to the cart  6 . The cart connection part  13  has openings  13   a ,  13   b . The opening  13   a  is larger than a guide  63   a  (shown in  FIG.  10   ) of a support pillar  63  of the cart  6 . The opening  13   b  is narrower than the guide  63   a , extends upward, and is provided above the opening  13   a  so as to communicate with the opening  13   a . The body  1  can be attached to the cart  6  by inserting the guide  63   a  into the opening  13   a  and thereafter sliding the body  1  downward with both ends (edges) of the opening  13   b  being fitted in grooves of the guide  63   a.    
     The console connection part  14  is, for example, provided at the bottom of the front surface of the body  1 , and has a connector  14   a , a latch receiving hole  14   b  and a button fit part  14   c  to electrically and mechanically connect the console  5  and the body  1 . 
     The connector  14   a  is a connector for connecting with a connector  52   a  (shown in  FIG.  9 A ) of the console  5 , a connector  81   a  (shown in  FIG.  9 A ) of a console cable  8  or a connector  64   a  (shown in  FIG.  10   ) of the cart  6 . The console cable  8  (shown in  FIG.  9 A ) is a cable for connecting the console  5  and the body  1 , and has a connection part  81  having the same structure as a connection part  52  of the console  5  and a connection part  82  having the same structure as the console connection part  14 . 
     The latch receiving hole  14   b  engages with a latch  52   b  (shown in  FIG.  9 A ), a latch  81   b  (shown in  FIG.  9 A ) or a latch (not shown) of the cart  6  when the connector  52   a , the connector  81   a  or the connector  64   a  is inserted in the connector  14   a , thereby fixing the console  5 , the console cable  8  or the cart  6  to the body  1 . 
     The button fit part  14   c  fits with an unlatch button  52   c  (shown in  FIG.  9 A ), an unlatch button  81   c  (shown in  FIG.  9 A ) or an unlatch button (not shown) of the cart  6  when the connector  52   a , the connector  81   a  or the connector  64   a  is inserted in the connector  14   a.    
       FIG.  4 B  is a rear perspective view of the body  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 B , the rear surface of the case  11  of the body  1  is provided with a port connection part  15  for connecting with the probe port  2  and a battery connection part  16  for connecting with the battery  3 . 
     The port connection part  15  electrically and mechanically connects the probe port  2  and the body  1 . The port connection part  15  is, for example, provided at the upper side of the rear surface of the body  1 , and has a connector  15   a , a latch  15   b , an unlatch button  15   c  and rotation stops  15   d . The latch  15   b  is disposed in a recess  15   e  that fits with a projection  23   e  (shown in  FIG.  6 B ) of a body connection part  23  of the probe port  2 . The connector  15   a  is disposed at the lower part of the recess  15   e.    
     The connector  15   a  is a connector for connecting with a connector  23   a  (shown in  FIG.  6 B ) of the probe port  2 . 
     The latch  15   b  engages with a latch receiving hole  23   b  (shown in  FIG.  6 B ) of the probe port  2  when the connector  23   a  of the probe port  2  is inserted in the connector  15   a , thereby fixing the probe port  2  to the body  1 . 
     The unlatch button  15   c  disengages the latch  15   b  from the latch receiving hole  23   b  of the probe port  2  by being pressed. Thus, the unlatch button  15  can remove the connector  23   a  from the connector  15   a.    
     The rotation stops  15   d  are concave, and fit with convex rotation stops  23   d  of a case  21  of the probe port  2 , thereby preventing the case  21  from rotating. 
     The battery connection part  16  electrically and mechanically connects the battery  3  and the body  1 . The battery connection part  16  is, for example, provided at the lower side of the rear surface of the body  1 , and has a connector  16   a , battery hook receptacles  16   b , a stopper  16   c  and a stopper fixing/unfixing button  16   d.    
     The connector  16   a  is a connector for connecting with a connector  32   a  (shown in  FIG.  7   ) of the battery  3 . 
     The battery hook receptacles  16   b  are openings as shown in  FIG.  5   . When hooks  32   b  of the battery  3  are inserted into the battery hook receptacles  16   b , and the connector  32   a  is inserted into the connector  16   a , the battery hook receptacles  16   b  can engage with the hooks  32   b.    
     The stopper  16   c  protrudes from the case  11  of the body  1  when the stopper fixing/unfixing button  16   d  is slid rightward, and is housed in the case  11  of the body  1  when the stopper fixing/unfixing button  16   d  is slid leftward. When the stopper  16   c  fits with a stopper receptacle  32   c  (shown in  FIG.  7   ) of the battery  3 , the battery  3  can be fixed to the body  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the side surface of the body  1  is provided with a connector  17  into which a power cable  10  that connects to an AC power source is inserted. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the body  1  has a storage  18  for storing wireless communication units  20  for wireless communication by WiFi®, Bluetooth® or the like. The storage  18  is formed by denting the case  11  (the front surface and the side surface thereof in this embodiment) of the body  1 . The storage  18  has versatile connectors  18   a  for connecting with connectors  20   a  of the wireless communication units  20 . The storage  18  is formed such that the wireless communication units  20  can fit in the depression of the storage  18  with the connectors  20   a  of the wireless communication units  20  inserted in the versatile connectors  18   a . The storage  18  further has a lid  18   b , and can house the wireless communication units  20  in the body  1  by being closed/covered with the lid  18   b , so that the wireless communication units  20  can be easily taken out therefrom. When the connector(s)  20   a  of the wireless communication unit(s)  20  are inserted into the versatile connector(s)  18   a , the body  1  can wirelessly connect, via the wireless communication unit(s)  20 , to external apparatus(es) that are capable of wireless communication. 
     Thus, storing the wireless communication units  20  in the storage  18  can prevent the wireless communication units  20  from protruding from the body  1  and thereby can prevent, for example, the wireless communication units  20  from being caught by something or water from being spilled on the wireless communication units  20 . The above also makes it possible to easily take out the wireless communication units  20  from the body  1  and replace them with others when the standard for wireless communication units  20  is updated or when wireless communication units  20  meeting the standard of another country are needed. 
     Configuration of Probe Port  2   
     The probe port  2  is a device that is attached to the body  1  and electrically connects the ultrasound probe  7  to the body  1 . The ultrasound probe  7  (shown in  FIG.  1 B ) has a probe  71 , a probe connector  72  and a cable  73 , and transmits ultrasound (transmissive ultrasound) into the examination object, such as the body of a patient, and receives reflected waves of ultrasound reflected in the examination object (reflected ultrasound or echo). 
       FIG.  6 A  is a front perspective view of the probe port  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the case  21  of the probe port  2  is in the shape of a cuboid having square front and rear surfaces, and the front surface is provided with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) ports  22 . Each port  22  is configured such that the probe connector  72  of the ultrasound probe  7  is connectable, to connect the ultrasound probe  7  to the body  1  (shown in  FIG.  1 B ,  FIG.  3 B ,  FIG.  11   , etc.). 
       FIG.  6 B  is a rear perspective view of the probe port  2 . As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the rear surface of the case  21  of the probe port  2  is provided with the body connection part  23 . 
     The body connection part  23  has the connector  23   a , the latch receiving hole  23   b , the rotation stops  23   d , the projection  23   e , and a disk (disc)  23   c . The latch receiving hole  23   b  is provided in the projection  23   e  that fits with the recess  15   e  of the body  1 . The connector  23   a  is disposed under and on the bottom of the projection  23   e.    
     The connector  23   a  is a connector for connecting with the connector  15   a  (shown in  FIG.  4 B ) of the body  1 . 
     The latch receiving hole  23   b  engages with the latch  15   b  of the body  1  when the connector  23   a  is inserted in the connector  15   a , thereby fitting the probe port  2  to the body  1 . 
     The projection  23   e  is fixed to the disk  23   c  that is attached parallel to the case  21  of the probe port  2  via a not-shown shaft disposed at the center of the rear surface of the case  21 . This shaft is attached to the center of the disk  23   c , and the disk  23   c  and the case  21  are capable of relative rotation on the shaft. The projection  23   e  is provided with the connector  23   a  and the latch receiving hole  23   b . The orientation of the ports  22  can be changed (shown in  FIG.  3 B  and  FIG.  11   ) by rotating the case  21  of the probe port  2  relative with the disk  23   c  in units of 90 degrees with the connector  23   a  inserted in the connector  15   a  and the projection  23   e  fitted in the recess  15   e . More specifically, the orientation of the ports  22  in the longer direction thereof can be changed to any of four directions, namely, to the upward direction or the downward direction (the side of the probe connector  72  closer to the probe  71  faces the upward direction or the downward direction) or the rightward direction or the leftward direction (the side of the probe connector  72  closer to the probe  71  faces the rightward direction or the leftward direction). 
     The rotation stops  23   d  are convex, and fit with the concave rotation stops  15   d  of the body  1 , thereby preventing the case  21  of the probe port  2  from rotating, and fixing the orientation of the ports  22  accordingly. 
     In order that the orientation of the ports  22  can be changed, the probe port  2  may be configured such that the projection  23   e , which is provided with the connector  23   a  and the latch receiving hole  23   b , is fixed to the case  21 , and the ports  22  are attached to the case  21  so as to be rotatable. 
     Configuration of Battery  3   
     The battery  3  is attached to the body  1 , and is charged by a charging circuit of the body  1  while the power cable  10  connected to the body  1  is plugged in an outlet of the AC power source (commercial power source), and supplies power to the body  1  under the control of the body  1  while the power cable  10  connected to the body  1  is unplugged from the outlet of the AC power source. 
       FIG.  7    is a front perspective view of the battery  3 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the battery  3  has the connector  32   a , the hooks  32   b  and the stopper receptacle  32   c  on the rear surface of the case  31 , and has a fixation latch receptacle  32   d  on the front surface of the case  31 . 
     The connector  32   a  is a connector for connecting with the connector  16   a  (shown in  FIG.  4 B ) of the body  1 . 
     The hooks  32   b  are L-shaped and, as shown in  FIG.  5   , engage with the battery hook receptacles  16   b  of the body  1 , thereby attaching the battery  3  to the body  1 . 
     The stopper receptacle  32   c  is concave, and fits with the stopper  16   c  of the body  1 , thereby fixing the battery  3  to the body  1 . 
     The fixation latch receptacle  32   d  engages with a fixation latch  64   b  (shown in  FIG.  10   ) of the cart  6 , thereby fixing, to the cart  6 , the body  1  with the battery  3  attached. 
     As described above, the battery  3  is attachable to and detachable from the body  1 . This makes it possible to appropriately replace the battery  3  attached to the body  1  with a battery  3  of a different capacity according to the user&#39;s needs, for example, with a large-capacity battery  3 . 
     Configuration of Display  4   
     The display  4  is constituted of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays ultrasound images and so forth on the basis of control signals input from the body  1 . 
       FIG.  8    is a rear perspective view of the display  4  and schematically shows connection of the display  4  to other units. As shown in  FIG.  8   , the rear surface of the display  4  is provided with the connector  42   a , the latch  42   b , the unlatch button  42   c  and screw holes  42   d . Further, the display  4  has a not-shown battery. 
     The connector  42   a  is a connector for connecting with the connector  12   a  (shown in  FIG.  4 A ) of the body  1 , a connector  91   a  of the display cable  9  or a connector  61   a  disposed in a display arm  61  of the cart  6 . 
     The latch  42   b  engages with the latch receiving hole  12   b , a latch receiving hole  91   b  or a latch receiving hole  61   b  when the connector  42   a  is inserted in the connector  12   a  of the body  1 , the connector  91   a  or the connector  61   a , thereby fixing the display  4  to the body  1 , the display cable  9  or the display arm  61 . 
     The unlatch button  42   c  disengages the latch  42   b  from the latch receiving hole  12   b ,  91   b  or  61   b  by being pressed. Thus, the unlatch button  42   c  can remove the connector  42   a  from the connector  12   a ,  91   a  or  61   a.    
     The screw holes  42   d  are in conformity with, for example, VESA standard, and enable the display  4  to be attached to a common wall mount or stand. 
     Configuration of Console  5   
     The console  5  has a push button, an encoder (rotary knob), a lever switch, a joystick, a trackball, a keyboard, a multifunction switch combining two or more of these, and/or the like, and receives operations input by an operator and outputs information on the operations to the body  1 . 
       FIG.  9 A  is a perspective view of the console  5  and schematically shows connection of the console  5  to the body  1 .  FIG.  9 B  is a perspective view of the console  5  and schematically shows connection of the console  5  to the cart  6 . As shown in  FIG.  9 A  or  FIG.  9 B , the end part of the console  5  facing the body  1  or the cart  6  is provided with the connection part  52  having the connector  52   a , the latch  52   b  and the unlatch button  52   c . The connection part  52  is attached to the console  5  so as to be rotatable around the longer direction of the console  5  as an axis, so that the orientation of the connector  52   a  can be changed. The right surface and the left surface of the console  5  are provided with pin receptacles  53 . Further, the console  5  has a not-shown battery. 
     The connector  52   a  is a connector for connecting with the connector  14   a  of the body  1 , a connector  82   a  of the console cable  8  or a connector  62   a  of a console placement part  62  of the cart  6 . 
     The latch  52   b  engages with the latch receiving hole  14   b , a latch receiving hole  82   b  or a latch receiving hole  62   b  when the connector  52   a  is inserted in the connector  14   a , the connector  82   a  or the connector  62   a , thereby fixing the console  5  to the body  1 , the console cable  8  or the cart  6 . 
     The unlatch button  52   c  disengages the latch  42   b  from the latch receiving hole  14   b ,  82   b  or  62   b  by being pressed. Thus, the unlatch button  52  can remove the connector  52   a  from the connector  14   a ,  82   a  or  62   a.    
     The pin receptacles  53  engage with console receiving pins  62   d  of the cart  6 , thereby attaching the console  5  to the cart  6 . 
     As described above, the console  5  is attachable to and detachable from the body  1 . There is a demand to change the layout of the console  5  depending on a hospital department or the like. Preparation of consoles  5  with different layouts can appropriately change the layout of the console  5  that is attached to the body  1 , the display  4  or the like, according to the user&#39;s needs. 
     Configuration of Cart  6   
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B , the cart  6  has, for example, the display arm  61 , the console placement part  62 , the support pillar  63 , a body placement part  64  and castors  65 , and can be moved together with the units of the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  mounted/attached thereon/thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , the display arm  61  has the connector  61   a , the latch receiving hole  61   b  and a button fit part  61   c , and connects to and holds the display  4 . 
     The connector  61   a  is a connector for connecting with the connector  42   a  of the display  4 . 
     The latch receiving hole  61   b  engages with the latch  42   b , thereby fixing the display  4  to the display arm  61 . 
     The button fit part  61   c  fits with the unlatch button  42   c.    
     As shown in  FIG.  9 B , the console placement part  62  has the connector  62   a , the latch receiving hole  62   b , the console receiving pins  62   d  and a button fit part  62   c , and connects to and holds the console  5 . 
     The connector  62   a  is a connector for connecting with the connector  52   a  of the console  5 . 
     The latch receiving hole  62   b  engages with the latch  52   b , thereby fixing the console  5  to the cart  6 . 
     The button fit part  62   c  fits with the unlatch button  52   c . The console receiving pins  62   d  are convex, and engage with the pin receptacles  53  that are grooves provided in the side surfaces of the console  5 , thereby holding the console  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , the support pillar  63  is provided with the guide  63   a  for attaching the body  1  to the support pillar  63 . The guide  63   a  fits in the opening  13   b  of the cart connection part  13  of the body  1 , thereby fixing the body  1  to the support pillar  63 . The support pillar  63  is also provided with an opening  63   b  for pulling out, from the support pillar  63 , a cable that connects the connector  61   a  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) of the display arm  61  and the connector  63   c  (which has the same structure as the connector  42   a  of the display  4 ). Hence, connecting the connector  42   a  of the display  4  to the connector  61   a  and connecting the connector  63   c  to the connector  12   a  can electrically connect the display  4  and the body  1 . 
     The body placement part  64  is a body rest where the body  1  is placed, and has the connector  64   a , the fixation latch  64   b  and the castors  65 . The connector  64   a  has the same structure as the connector  52   a  of the console  5 , and is connected to the connector  62   a  shown in  FIG.  9 B  by a not-shown cable. Hence, connecting the connector  64   a  to the connector  14   a  of the body  1  can electrically connect the console  5  and the body  1 . The fixation latch  64   b  engages with the latch receptacle  32   d  provided in the battery  3 , thereby fixing, to the cart  6 , the body  1  with the battery  3  attached. 
     The diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  having the units thus configured can change its style to any of three styles, which are the cart type, the desktop type and the hand-carry type. 
     Styles of Diagnostic Ultrasound Apparatus  100   
     The body  1  with the probe port  2  and the battery  3  attached is attached to the body placement part  64  of the cart  6 , the display  4  is attached to the display arm  61  of the cart  6 , and the console  5  is attached to the console placement part  62  of the cart  6 , so that the cart-type/style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  shown in  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B  can be configured. 
     The probe port  2  and the battery  3  are attached to the body  1 , and the display  4  and the console  5  are detached from the body  1  and connected to the body  1  via the display cable  9  and the console cable  8 , respectively, so that the desktop-type/style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  shown in  FIG.  2    can be configured. 
     The display  4  and the console  5  may be provided with wireless communication units, so that the display  4  and the console  5  can be connected to the body  1  wirelessly. 
     The probe port  2  and the battery  3  are attached to the body  1  and also the display  4  and the console  5  are attached to the body  1  so as to be all integrated, so that the hand-carry-type/style diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  shown in  FIG.  3 A  and  FIG.  3 B  can be configured. 
     Thus, the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  can freely change its style to any of three styles, which are the cart style, the desktop style and the hand-carry style. The diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100  can therefore be used in a style suitable for the situation of the site where it is used, for example, in a style suitable for being used on a table, during a round of visits, beside a bed, or on a wall. 
     Further, as described above, the probe port  2  can be attached to the body  1  with the orientation of the ports  22  changed as shown in  FIG.  11   . This makes it possible to change the orientation of the probe connector  72  of the probe connector  72  to a direction for the user to easily use the ultrasound probe  7 , which improves usability (user-friendliness) of the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus  100 . 
     Further, as described above, the battery  3  and the console  5  can be replaced with one having another capacity and one having another layout, respectively. Hence, as shown in  FIG.  11   , the capacity of the battery  3  and the layout of the console  5  can be changed according to the user&#39;s needs or the department&#39;s needs. 
     Although one or more embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, those described in the embodiments are not limitations but examples of the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus of the present disclosure. 
     Further, the detailed configuration and operation of each device/unit constituting the diagnostic ultrasound apparatus can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Although one or more embodiments or the like of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated in detail, the disclosed embodiments or the like are made for purposes of not limitation but illustration and example only. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by terms of the appended claims.