Patent Publication Number: US-2018028160-A1

Title: Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0096680, filed on Jul. 29, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly, to a technique for enabling a user to easily move an input/output unit including a control panel and a display to adjust the height of the input/output unit, in consideration of the user&#39;s physical condition and a surrounding environment. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus irradiates ultrasound signals to a target area inside an object, and receives ultrasound signals (that is, ultrasound echo signals) reflected from the object so as to non-invasively acquire section images about soft tissue of the object or images about blood vessels of the object based on the ultrasound echo signals. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an advantage that it is a compact, low-priced apparatus compared to other medical imaging apparatuses, such an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus, and a nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus. 
     Also, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can display images about the inside of an object in real time, and has high safety since there is no risk for patients to be exposed to radiation. For the advantages, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is widely used to diagnose the heart, abdomen, urinary organs, uterus, etc. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe to transmit ultrasound signals to a main body and an object and to receive ultrasound signals reflected from the object, a display disposed above the main body and configured to display images of the results of diagnosis obtained from the received ultrasound signals, and a control panel disposed in front of the display and configured to enable a user to manipulate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The control panel and the display correspond to an input/output unit for inputting or outputting information. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can include a height adjusting apparatus for adjusting the height of the input/output unit according to a user&#39;s physical condition or a surrounding environment, since many users using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus have different physical conditions. 
     The height adjusting apparatus includes an automatic type of adjusting the height of the input/output unit using power generated by a driving member, and a manual type of adjusting the height of the input/output unit according to a user&#39;s force. 
     In the case of the manual type, a user applies a force to adjust the height of the input/output unit to his/her desired height. However, since typical manual types do not consider a user&#39;s physical condition, the user experiences inconvenience in moving the input/output unit. 
     That is, if the user is a woman or weak, the user has difficulties in moving the input/output unit since the supporting force of a connection member supporting the input/output unit is strong. In contrast, if the user is a man or strong, the user can move the input/output unit too easily, which may result in failure in adjusting the height of the input/output unit to his/her desired height. 
     Also, if the temperature of a surrounding environment, for example, an environment where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is located is too high or low, the supporting force of a gas spring supporting the input/output unit changes. However, the typical types do not reflect such a change in supporting force of the gas spring properly so that a user can have difficulties in moving the input/output unit. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is capable of changing the magnitude of a supporting force supporting an input/output unit according to a user&#39;s physical condition or a surrounding environment so that the user can easily move the input/output unit. 
     Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an ultrasonic diagnostic includes a main body; at least one input/output unit coupled with the main body, and configured to receive information from a user or to output information received from the main body; and a connection unit configured to connect the main body to the input/output unit, and the connection unit comprises a support member configured to support the input/output unit, and at least one connection member configured to adjust a magnitude of a supporting force generated by the support member. 
     The connection member may generate a force in a direction in which the supporting force generated by the support member is cancelled out to thus adjust the magnitude of the supporting force. 
     The support member may include a gas spring. 
     The connection member may include an elastic member having elasticity. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include an adjusting unit coupled with one end of the connection member, and configured to adjust a length of the connection member. 
     The adjusting unit may include an adjusting screw configured to rotate to adjust the length of the connection member. 
     The adjusting unit further may include a handle coupled with the adjusting screw, and rotation of the adjusting screw is adjusted by the handle. 
     The adjusting unit may include a lever handle configured to adjust the length of the connection member based on the principle of the lever. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may include a fixing unit configured to fix the adjusting unit or to prevent reverse rotation of the adjusting unit. 
     The connection member may include a single or a plurality of magnetic members having magnetism. 
     The magnitude of the supporting force may be adjusted according to an interval between the plurality of magnetic members. 
     The connection member may further include a coil wound around the single or the plurality of magnetic members, and the magnitude of the supporting force may be adjusted according to a magnitude of current flowing through the coil. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include an input unit configured to receive information about an interval between the plurality of magnetic members or information about a magnitude of the current flowing through the coil, from the user. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include a controller configured to control the interval between the plurality of magnetic member or the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil, according to the received information. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include an input unit configured to receive information about the length of the connection member from the user. 
     The input unit may include one of a button, a switch, a knob, and a jog-dial. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include a motor configured to adjust the length of the connection member, and a controller configured to control operation of the motor and the controller adjusts the length of the connection member using the motor based on the received information. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include a sensor configured to measure outside temperature, and a controller configured to adjust the length of the connection member based on the outside temperature measured by the sensor. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may further include a storage unit configured to store information about the connection member set by the user, and a display configured to display a magnitude of a force generated by the connection member. 
     The input/output unit may include one of a control panel and a display. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an external configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a typical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 
         FIG. 3  is a view for describing various forces that are applied to a control panel of the typical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a graph showing the magnitude of a force generated by a gas spring according to a change in temperature. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a connection unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view showing the part of the connection unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a view for describing a relationship between an elastic force and an external force. 
         FIG. 8  shows the direction and magnitude of a force applied to the connection unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  shows the adjusting unit for adjusting the length of the connection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  shows the various device for adjusting unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  shows the adjusting unit including a lever handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a view for describing a case of adjusting the length of a connection member using a motor, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  shows a connection member including one or more magnetic members, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a view for describing a force generated by the connection member including the magnetic members according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram showing components constituting a part of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  shows an input unit and display of according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  shows an input unit and storage unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification, are possible when filing the present application. 
     The terms used in the present specification are used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     In this specification, it will be understood that when the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, components, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, components, members, or combinations thereof. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component could be termed a second component, and, similarly, a second component could be termed a first component, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items. 
     Hereinafter, the configuration of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that one of ordinary skill in the art can easily embody the present disclosure. 
     In the drawings, the thicknesses of several layers and pixel areas are enlarged in order to definitely show the layers and the pixel areas. It will also be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, pixel region or plate is referred to as being “on” or “over” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. 
       FIG. 1  shows an external configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body  10 , an ultrasound probe  20  configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object that is to be diagnosed, and to receive an ultrasound signal reflected from the object, a display  40  disposed above the main body  10 , and configured to output results obtained from the received ultrasound signal as an image, a control panel  50  configured to enable a user to input various commands for manipulating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1 , and a connection unit  100  connecting the control panel  50  or the display  40  to the main body  10 . 
     Also, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  may include a moving element  30  positioned between the display  40  and the main body  10 , and configured to move the display  40 . The moving element  30  may rotate or move the display  40 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ultrasound probe  20  may be connected to the main body  10  through a wired or wireless communication network to receive various signals required for the control of the ultrasound probe  20  or to transfer an analog signal or a digital signal corresponding to an echo ultrasound signal received by the ultrasound probe  20 . 
     Meanwhile, the wireless communication network means a communication network to transmit and receive signals in a wireless fashion, and the main body  10  can perform wireless communication with the ultrasound probe  20  through at least any one of a short-range communication module and a mobile communication module. 
     The short-range communication module means a module for short-range communication within a predetermined distance. For example, short-range communication technology includes a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), Ultra WideBand (UWB), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Near Field Communication (NFC), although it is not limited to these. 
     The mobile communication module may transmit and receive radio signals to and from at least any one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Herein, the radio signals means signals including various types of data. That is, the main body  10  can transmit and receive various types of data to and from the ultrasound probe  20  via at least one of a base station and a server. 
     For example, the main body  10  may transmit and receive signals including various types of data to and from the ultrasound probe  20  via a base station using a mobile communication network, such as 3Generation (3G) or 4Generation (4G). 
     The main body  10  may receive/transmit data from/to a hospital server or other medical apparatuses in a hospital, connected through Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Also, the main body  10  may transmit and receive data according to a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard, although it is not limited to this. 
     Also, the main body  10  may transmit and receive data to and from the ultrasound probe  20  through a wired communication network. The wired communication network means a communication network to transmit and receive signals in a wired fashion. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main body  10  may transmit and receive various types of signals to and from the ultrasound probe  20  through a wired communication network, such as Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI-express, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), and the like, although it is not limited to this. 
     Meanwhile, the main body  10  may include the display  40  and the control panel  50 . The control panel  50  or the display  40  may receive various control commands for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1 , as well as setting information about the ultrasound probe  20 , from a user. 
     According to an embodiment, the setting information about the ultrasound probe  20  may include gain information, zoom information, focus information, Time Gain Compensation (TGC) information, depth information, frequency information, power information, frame average information, dynamic range information, etc. However, the setting information about the ultrasound probe  20  is not limited to the above-mentioned information, and may include various information that can be set in order to photograph ultrasound images. 
     The information may be transferred to the ultrasound probe  20  through the wireless communication network or the wired communication network, and the ultrasound probe  20  may be set according to the received information. Also, the main body  10  may receive various control commands, such as a command for transmitting an ultrasound signal, through the control panel  50  or the display  40 , from the user, and transfer the various control commands to the ultrasound probe  20 . 
     The display  40  may be implemented as a device well-known to those skilled in the art, such as a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, a Plasma Display Panel (PDP) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, etc., although not limited to these. 
     The display  40  may display an ultrasound image of a target area inside the object. The ultrasound image displayed on the display  40  may be a 2Dimensional (2D) ultrasound image or a 3Dimensional (3D) ultrasound image. That is, the display  40  may display various ultrasound images according to operation modes of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1 . 
     Also, the display  40  may display information about operation states of the ultrasound probe  20 , as well as a menu or guidance for ultrasonic diagnosis. 
     According to an embodiment, the ultrasound 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, which is described below, means an ultrasound image representing the amplitude of an ultrasound signal corresponding to an echo ultrasound signal, the B-mode image means an ultrasound image representing the amplitude of an ultrasound signal corresponding to an echo ultrasound signal, as brightness, and the M-mode image means an ultrasound image representing motion of an object according to time at a specific location. The D-mode image means an ultrasound image representing a moving object in the form of a waveform using the Doppler effect, and the C-mode image means an ultrasound image representing a moving object in the form of a color spectrum. 
     Meanwhile, if the display  40  is implemented as a touch screen type, the display  40  may perform the functions of the control panel  50 . That is, the main body  10  may receive various commands from the user through at least one of the display  40  and the control panel  50 . 
     The control panel  50  may be implemented as a keyboard, a foot switch, or a foot pedal. 
     For example, the keyboard may be hardwarily implemented. The keyboard may include at least one of a switch, a key, a joystick, and a trackball. According to another example, the keyboard may be softwarily implemented, like a graphic user interface. In this case, the keyboard may be displayed through the display  40 . 
     The foot switch or the foot pedal may be disposed below the main body  10 , and the user may control operations of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  using the foot switch or the foot pedal. 
     Also, the main body  10  may include a voice recognition sensor to receive voice commands from the user, which is not shown in the drawings. 
     Also, the display  40  and the control panel  50  may be collectively defined as an input/output unit  60 , in regard that they receive/transmit information from/to the user. 
     So far, the external configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. Hereinafter, problems of typical technology will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , and then features of the present disclosure will be described, 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a typical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and  FIG. 3  is a view for describing various forces that are applied to a control panel of the typical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a typical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  2  may include a main body  3 , a display  5 , and a control panel  6 , and also include a connection unit  7  supporting the display  5  and the control panel  6 . The connection unit  7  may include a support member  8  supporting the major part of the weight of the display  5  and the control panel  6 . 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the display  5  including the control panel  6  may apply weight to the connection unit  7  due to its own weight, and accordingly, the connection unit  7  supporting the control panel  6  and the display  7  may generate a supporting force upward. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , it is assumed that weight F 1  generated vertically downward by the control panel  6  and the display  5  is 20 kgf, and a supporting force F 2  generated in the direction of an arrow by the connection unit  7  is 52 kgf. 
     In this case, a force F 3  applied vertically to the control panel  6  and the display  5  becomes 26 kgf, as shown in  FIG. 3  (if an angle a shown in  FIG. 3  is 60°, 52 kgf*cos 60=26 kgf). 
     Accordingly, in order for the user to move the control panel  6  and the display  5  upward, the user may need to apply a force that is greater than 6 kgf (26 kgf−20 kgf=6 kgf) to the control panel  6  or the display  5 . 
     The force will not matter to strong men, but weak women may have difficulties in applying such a force. If the user generates an excessively great force in order to move the control panel  6  and the display  5 , an unexpected accident may occur. 
     Also, the support member  8  supporting the control panel  6  and the display  5  may be implemented as a gas spring, instead of a normal spring, in order to simplify the configuration of the present disclosure. However, since the gas spring changes a force which it applies to the outside according to temperature, due to its characteristics, a problem may be generated according to temperature. This will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 , below. 
       FIG. 4  is a graph showing the magnitude of a force generated by a gas spring according to a change in temperature. 
     The gas spring means a spring performing the function of a spring using the elasticity of gas (air or nitrogen) charged in closed space. The gas spring can change the pressure of air to maintain the stroke of spring constant regardless of the increase/decrease of weight. 
     The gas spring is greatly influenced by temperature since it uses gas inside a piston. 
     For example, if the average temperature of Korea is assumed to be 20° C., the gas spring may generate a supporting force of about 5 kgf upward in Korea, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     However, if an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus manufactured in Korea moves to the equator where the outside temperature rises to about 50° C., a force generated by the gas spring may become 8 kgf due to the outside temperature, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Accordingly, if an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus manufactured to be suitable for the annual average temperature of Korea moves to hot regions, the control panel and the display may move too easily due to a great force generated by the gas spring. In this state, if a user moves the control panel upward, the main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may move upward together with the control panel. 
     However, if the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus moves to a cold region such as the South Pole or the North Pole where the outside temperature drops below zero, a force generated by the gas spring may converge toward zero. Accordingly, in this case, since a supporting force generated by the gas spring is not cancelled out by another force, the user may need to apply a great force to move the control panel and the display. 
     Accordingly, due to the characteristic of the gas spring, if an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus manufactured in Korea to be suitable for the annual average temperature of Korea moves to other regions, the gas spring may generate different forces so that the user can have difficulties in moving the control panel and the display. 
     The present disclosure is aimed to resolve the problem, and characterized in that a user can easily move the control panel and the display in consideration of the user&#39;s physical condition and a surrounding environment. Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a connection unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view showing the part of the connection unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the connection unit  100  for adjusting the height and horizontal movement of the input/output unit  60  may include at least one arm  110  connecting the input/output unit  60  to the main body  10 , a support member  120  supporting the weight of the input/output unit  60 , and a connection member  130  to adjust the magnitude of a supporting force generated by the support member  120 . 
     Also, a driving member (not shown) may be provided to move the input/output unit  60 , which is not shown in the drawings. The driving member is used to move the input/output unit  60  automatically, not by the user&#39;s manual manipulation. 
     The support member  120  may function to support the weight of the input/output unit  60 , and may function to absorb an impact that is transferred to the input/output unit  60 , while functioning to fix the position of the input/output unit  60 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support member  120  may include a gas spring, although it is not limited to this. For example, the support member  120  may be any other device such as an oil damper capable of fixing the input/output unit  60 . 
     The connection member  130  may function to adjust the magnitude of the supporting force generated by the support member  120 . More specifically, the connection member  130  may generate a force in a direction that is opposite to the direction of the supporting force generated by the support member  120  so as to cancel out the magnitude of the supporting force generated by the support member  120 . 
     Accordingly, the connection member  130  may include an elastic member. For example, the connection member  130  may include any one of a steel spring or a rubber spring, although it is not limited to these. However, the connection member  130  may be any other device capable of functioning similarly to the steel spring or the rubber spring. 
     Also, the connection member  130  may adjust the magnitude of the supporting force generated by the support member  120  using one or more magnetic members  132  having magnetism. Accordingly, the connection member  130  may include an object having magnetism, for example, a magnet or electromagnet. 
     Also, the connection member  130  may wind a coil around an object having magnetism to adjust current flowing through the coil, thereby adjusting the magnitude of the supporting force generated by the support member  120 . This operation will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , later. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are views for describing an operation principle when an elastic member is applied to a connection member, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein  FIG. 7  is a view for describing a relationship between an elastic force and an external force, and  FIG. 8  shows the direction and magnitude of a force applied to the connection unit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , if an external force is applied to the elastic member  131  so that the length of the elastic member  131  changes, the elastic member  131  may have a restoring force for returning to its original state due to its characteristics. If the external force increases so that the length of the elastic member  131  increases, a greater restoring force that is proportional to the length of the elastic member  131  may be generated by the elastic member  131 . The force generated by the elastic member  131  may be expressed by Equation 1, below. 
         F=−k*x , where  k  is an elastic coefficient, and  x  is a distance.  Equation (1)
 
     Accordingly, by applying the operation principle, a user can easily adjust the magnitude of a supporting force generated by the support member  130 . 
     For example, as shown  FIG. 8 , if weight F 1  generated vertically downward by the input/output unit  60  is 20 kgf, a supporting force F 2  generated by the support member  130  is 52 kgf, and a force F 4  of −0.8 kgf is generated by the connection member  130 , the magnitude of a supporting force F 5  finally generated by the connection unit  120  may become 44 kgf (F 5 =F 2 +F 4 ). Accordingly, the force F 3  applied vertically to the input/output unit  60  may become 22 kgf (44*cos 60=22). 
     Accordingly, a force which the user needs to finally apply in order to move the input/output unit  60  upward may be 2 kgf (=22 kgf−20 kgf), which is smaller than the force of 6 kgf required in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . As a result, the user can easily move the input/output unit  60 . 
     Also, the magnitudes of the forces shown in  FIG. 8  are for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention. That is, it is possible to change the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 . 
     For example, it is assumed that if the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130  is 5 kgf when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  is shipped, the force of 5 kgf allows a strong user to easily move the input/output unit  60 . 
     In this case, since the user can move the input/output unit  60  too lightly, the input/output unit  60  may be moved by a distance that is longer than that intended by the user. If the user applies a strong external force to move the input/output unit  60  upward, the main body  10  may move upward. 
     However, since the length of the connection member  130  can be adjusted to adjust the magnitude of a supporting force generated by the support member  120 , the user can adjust a force generated by the connection member  130  to 5 kgf or less to move the input/output unit  60  properly with his/her own force. 
     If the user is a weak woman and cannot easily move the input/output unit  60  under the condition when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  is shipped, the user may adjust the connection member  130  so that the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130  becomes 5 kgf or more, thereby easily moving the input/output unit  60 . 
     So far, the operation principle of the connection member  130  has been described. Hereinafter, a method of adjusting the length of the connection member  130  will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a structure of the connection member  130  shown in  FIG. 9  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 6 , except that an adjusting unit  140  for adjusting the length of the connection member  130  is further provided. 
     If the connection member  130  includes the elastic member  131 , a user may use the adjusting unit  140  to change the length of the connection member  130 , thereby adjusting the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 , since the magnitude of the force generated by the connection member  130  changes according to the length of the connection member  130 , as described above. 
     For example, if a force generated by the connection member  130  is small in the condition when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  is shipped so that the user cannot easily move the input/output unit  60 , the user may use the adjusting unit  140  to lengthen the length of the connection member  130  so as to increase the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 . 
     If the magnitude of the force generated by the connection member  130  increases, the magnitude of a supporting force generated finally by the connection unit  100  may decrease so that the user can easily move the input/output unit  60 . 
     For example, if a force generated by the connection member  130  is great in the condition when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  is shipped so that the user can move the input/output unit  60  too lightly, the user may use the adjusting unit  140  to shorten the length of the connection member  130  so as to decrease the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 . 
     If the magnitude of the force generated by the connection member  130  decreases, the magnitude of a supporting force generated finally by the connection unit  100  may increase so that the user can move the input/output unit  60  properly with his/her own force. 
     Accordingly, the adjusting unit  140  may function to adjust the length of the connection member  130 , as described above. The adjusting unit  140  may include an adjusting screw  141  to enable the user to easily adjust the length of the connection member  130 . That is, the user may rotate the adjusting screw  141  to adjust the length of the connection member  130 . 
     If the user rotates the adjusting screw  141  in a clockwise direction, the adjusting screw  141  may move forward so that the length of the connection member  130  is shortened to decrease the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 . 
     In contrast, if the user rotates the adjusting screw  141  in a counterclockwise direction, the adjusting screw  141  may move backward so that the length of the connection member  130  is lengthened to increase the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 . 
     Accordingly, the user may adjust the length of the connection member  130  by rotating the adjusting screw  141 . 
     Also, a fixing unit (not shown) may be provided to prevent the adjusting unit  140  from rotating in the reverse direction after the length of the connection member  130  is changed by the adjusting unit  140 . 
     The fixing unit may include a fixing screw for preventing reverse rotation or a sawtoothed head for preventing reverse rotation, although it is not limited to these. That is, the fixing unit may include any other device capable of functioning similarly to the fixing screw or the sawtoothed head. 
     Also, the adjusting unit  140  may further include a handle  142  coupled with the adjusting screw  141  to enable the user to easily manipulate the adjusting screw  141 . Since the user has difficulties in rotating the adjusting unit  140  with only the adjusting screw  141 , the handle  142  may be coupled with the adjusting screw  141  so that the user can easily adjust the adjusting screw  141 . 
     The adjusting screw  141  may be a screw as shown in  FIG. 10A , and the handle  142  may be configured to include any one of a knob and a jog-dial as shown in  FIGS. 10B and 10C , although not limited to these. That is, the handle  142  may be any handle capable of functioning similarly to the knob or the jog-dial. 
       FIG. 11  shows a connection member including a lever handle, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the length of the connection member can be adjusted based on the principle of the lever. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , one end of the lever handle  143  may be connected to the connection member  130 , and the other end of the lever handle  143  may include a handle  144  to enable a user to manipulate the lever handle  143 . 
     The user can easily adjust the length of the connection member  130  based on the principle of the lever. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , since the length of a portion a is shorter than that of another portion b, the length of the portion a can be easily adjusted by adjusting the length of the portion b. That is, if the user moves the portion b by 5 cm, the portion a can be moved by 10 cm according to the principle of the lever so that the user can easily adjust the length of the connection member  130  using the lever handle  143 . 
     Also, in order for the user to more easily adjust the length of the connection member  130 , a screw  144  may be additionally connected to one end of the lever handle  143 . 
     That is, the user may manipulate the lever handle  143  by rotating the screw  144 , and if the lever handle  143  moves, the length of the connection member  130  can be adjusted, as described above. 
       FIG. 12  is a view for describing a case of adjusting the length of a connection member using a motor, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Although a user can adjust the length of the connection member  130 , a motor  190  may be used to easily adjust the length of the connection member  130  through a simple manipulation. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 12 , the user may input information about the length of the connection member  130  using an input unit  160  (see  FIG. 15 ) included in the adjusting unit  140 , and the controller  140  may control the motor  190  according to the input information to adjust the length of the connection member  130 . 
     Also, the controller  140  may automatically adjust the motor  190  based on temperature measured by a sensor  150  (see  FIG. 15 ) to adjust the length of the connection member  130 . 
     Accordingly, although the user does not adjust the length of the connection member  130  according to his/her own force before using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1 , the controller  140  can set a condition in which the user can easily move the input/output unit  60 . The controller  140  and the sensor  150  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 16 , later. 
     So far, the connection member  130  including the elastic member  131  has been described. Hereinafter, the operation principle of the connection member  130  when the connection member  130  includes the magnetic members  132 , instead of the elastic member  131 , will be described. 
       FIG. 13  shows a connection member including one or more magnetic members, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 14  is a view for describing a force generated by the connection member including the magnetic members. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the connection unit  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the at least one arm  110  connecting the input/output unit  60  to the main body  10 , the support member  120  to support the weight of the input/output unit  60 , and the connection member  130  to adjust the magnitude of a supporting force generated by the support member  120 , wherein the connection member  130  may include the magnetic members  132  having magnetism. 
     The individual components of the connection unit  100  have been described above with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and in the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the magnitude of a supporting force generated by the support member  120  may be adjusted by the magnetic members  132 , instead of the elastic member  131 . 
     Accordingly, the magnetic members  132  may include an object having magnetism, for example, a magnet or electromagnet. However, the magnetic members  132  may include any other objects functioning similarly to the magnet or the electromagnet. 
       FIG. 14  is a view for describing a method of generating a magnetic force using the magnetic members shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Since the magnetic field lines are directed from the N pole to the S pole, the magnetic field lines may be made as shown in  FIG. 14A , as long as there is no interference. 
     However, if the distance between magnetic members is short as shown in  FIG. 14B , the magnetic field lines may lose their original shapes, and in this case, the magnetic field lines may generate a force for restoring their original shapes, like the above-described elastic force. Accordingly, if the distance between the magnetic members is short as shown in  FIG. 14B , a force may be generated upward, and as the interval between the magnetic field lines is narrower, the stronger force may be generated. 
     Accordingly, the connection member  130  can adjust the magnitude of a supporting force using the principle. 
     If a user wants to increase the magnitude of a force generated by the magnetic members  132 , the user may push the magnetic members  132  upward to decrease the magnitude of a total supporting force. In contrast, if the user wants to decrease the magnitude of a force generated by the magnetic members  132 , the user may pull the magnetic members  132  downward to increase the magnitude of a total supporting force. 
     In  FIG. 14 , a case of adjusting the interval by moving the magnetic members  132  is shown, however, any other means capable of generating a magnetic force by adjusting the interval between the magnetic members  132  or moving the magnetic members  132  may be used. 
     Also, although not shown in the drawings, the magnetic members  132  may further include a coil. If the coil is wound around the magnetic members  132  and then current flows through the coil, a strong magnetic field may be formed to generate a magnetic force. 
     If current flowing through the coil increases, a strong magnetic force may be generated, and if current flowing through the coil deceases, a weak magnetic force may be generated. The current flowing through the coil may be adjusted by the user through the input unit  160  which will be described later. 
       FIG. 15  is a block diagram showing components constituting a part of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  may include the sensor  150  configured to adjust the length of the connection member  130  described above, the input unit  160  configured to receive information about the connection member  130  from a user, a storage unit  170  configured to store the information about the connection member  130 , a display  180  configured to display the information about the connection member  130 , and a controller  140  configured to control the input unit  160 , the storage unit  170 , the display  180 , and the connection member  130 . 
     The sensor  150 , which is a component for measuring the inside/outside temperature of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1 , may function to transmit the measured temperature to the controller  140 . Accordingly, the sensor  150  may include a thermometer for measuring temperature, and also include various devices required for measuring the temperature. 
     Also, the controller  140  may adjust the length of the connection member  130  automatically based on the temperature measured by the sensor  150 . That is, if the temperature measured by the sensor  150  is high so that the magnitude of a supporting force generated by the gas spring is great, the controller  140  may adjust the length of the connection member  130  automatically to decrease the magnitude of the force generated by the gas spring. 
     In contrast, if the temperature measured by the sensor  150  is low so that the magnitude of a supporting force generated by the gas spring is small, the controller  140  may adjust the length of the connection member  130  automatically to increase the magnitude of the force generated by the gas spring so that the user can move the input/output unit  60  properly according to his/her condition. 
     Also, the controller  140  may adjust the length of the connection member  130  automatically according to a predetermined condition. That is, if the user has set the length of the connection member  130  in a predetermined temperature range in advance, the controller  140  may detect temperature measured by the sensor  150  in real time to adjust the length of the connection member  130 . 
     In this case, since the user does not need to adjust the length of the connection member  130  in consideration of his/her physical condition or a surrounding environment, the user can move the input/output unit  60  conveniently. 
     The input unit  160  may function to receive information about the connection member  130  from the user, and the display  180  may display the information about the connection member  130 , that is, the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 . 
     More specifically, if the connection member  130  uses the elastic member  131 , the user may input a command for setting the length of the connection member  130 , and if the connection member  130  uses the magnetic members  132 , the user may input a command for setting the interval between the magnetic members  132  or a command for setting the magnitude of current flowing through the coil. 
     Also, the user may manipulate at least any one of a button, a switch, a knob, and a jog-dial, instead of inputting a value, as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     For example, the user may adjust the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130  using a (+) button and a (−) button, as shown in  FIG. 16A , or may adjust the magnitude of the force using a jog-dial, as shown in  FIG. 16B . 
     More specifically, if the user wants to increase the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 , the user may press the (+) button or rotate the jog-dial to the right, and if the user wants to decrease the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 , the user may press the (−) button or rotate the jog-dial to the left, thereby adjusting the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130 . 
     The display  180  may inform the user of the magnitude of a force generated by the connection member  130  using a display device exposed to the outside of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the magnitude of the force may be represented by lighting LEDs, however, the magnitude of the force may be represented by a figure. That is, a method of representing the magnitude of the force is not limited. 
     Accordingly, the display  180  may include various kinds of LEDs or lasers, and various kinds of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). 
     The storage unit  170  may enable the user to store the information about the connection member  130 . In many cases, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1  is used by many peoples, and accordingly, a current user may be greatly influenced by environment settings done by the previous user. 
     Accordingly, if each user stores the length of the connection member  130  most suitable for him/her, and loads the stored length of the connection member  130  as necessary, the user will not need to perform environment settings whenever using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , the user may set an environment most suitable for him/her using the buttons of the input unit  160 , and then store the set environment in the storage unit  170  using a M button. Accordingly, the user can load the environment suitable for him/her simply by pressing a figure button, although another user changed the length of the connection member  130  when using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  1 . 
     Accordingly, the storage unit  170  may include various kinds of electronic devices and circuits, such as a hard disk or Random Access Memory (RAM), in order to store information. 
       FIG. 17  shows a basic structure due to the limitation of drawings, however, more buttons may be provided, and also various modifications are possible. 
     So far, the features and effects of the present disclosure have been described based on various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Since the typical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus does not consider a user&#39;s physical condition and a surrounding environment, the user may have difficulties in moving the control panel and the display of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 
     However, according to the present disclosure, since a user can freely adjust the magnitude of a supporting force generated against the control panel and the display in consideration of his/her physical condition and a surrounding environment, the user can easily move the control panel and the display. 
     In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure, since the magnitude of a supporting force generated by the support member supporting the input/output unit can be adjusted in consideration of a user&#39;s physical condition or a surrounding environment, the user can easily move the input/output unit. 
     As described above, although the present disclosure have been described with reference to the limited embodiments and the drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes are possible from the above description. For example, even if the above-described technologies are performed in a sequence differing from that in the description and/or even if the components of the above-described system, structure, apparatus, and circuit are coupled or combined in a way differing from that of the above-described method, or even if the components are replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents, suitable results may be achieved. Therefore, it should be understood that the other embodiments and examples, and equivalents of the accompanying claims are included in the scope of the accompanying claims.