Abstract:
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with an ultrasonic image measuring unit configured to measure an ultrasonic image of an object to be examined, a display unit configured to display the ultrasonic image, an input unit configured to input parameters for controlling the ultrasonic image measuring unit and the display unit, and a control unit configured to control the ultrasonic image measuring unit and the display unit by means of the parameters. 
     The control unit is characterized by generating first switch information for inputting relating to a first control parameter included in the parameters, controlling the display unit to display the first switch information, selecting the first control parameter from the first switch information and inputting thereof, generating second switch information relating to a second control parameter which is the item next to the first control parameter, and controlling the display unit to display the second switch information.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying a menu provided with a plurality of operation buttons on a touch panel on a screen and executing various operations displayed therein. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     In recent years, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are provided with a touch panel switch on a screen on which an ultrasonic image is to be displayed. The touch panel switch is configured, for example as transparent except one or a plurality of switches so that an ultrasonic image displayed on the screen can be seen through the panel as the background (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). 
     By the switch of the touch panel, a plurality of conditions are set by the following procedure when it is assumed, for example that the distance between two arbitrary points on an image is to be measured. 
     First, an operator searches the switch for distance measurement from the menu displayed on the touch panel, and touches or holds his/her hand over the switch. In this manner, the first condition of distance measurement is determined. 
     Next, in order to set the position of each cursor showing a starting point and an ending point for measuring the distance between the two points, the operator traces the touch panel with his/her finger or moves the cursor to a desired position using a trackball. In this manner, the second condition of distance measurement is determined. 
     PRIOR ARTS 
     Patent Document 1: JP-A-2002-248099 
     However, the touch panel of the above-mentioned conventional technique requires the operator to quickly move the line of sight and search for the switch or the input unit in order to input the second condition after determining the first condition by the condition setting of the command switch, which makes the complicated for the operator. 
     In this manner, the problem still remains while the operator desires to determine the second condition without changing the line of sight after determining the first condition. 
     Given this factor, the objective of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of executing condition setting by a command switch without requiring the operator to change the light of sight. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The representative configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus related to the present invention comprises: 
     an ultrasonic image measuring unit configured to measure an ultrasonic image of an object to be examined; 
     a display unit configured to display the ultrasonic image; 
     an input unit configured to input parameters for controlling the ultrasonic image measuring unit and the display unit; and 
     a control unit configured to control the ultrasonic measuring unit and the display unit by the parameters, 
     wherein the control unit generates first switch information for inputting a first control parameter from among the parameters, causes the display unit to display the first switch information, inputs the first control parameter by selecting it from the first switch information, generates second switch information to be the item next to the first control parameter, and causes the display unit to display the second switch information. 
     The control unit generates a first switch information for inputting a first control parameter from among the parameters, causes the display unit to display the first switch information, inputs the first control parameter by selecting it from the first switch information, generates a second switch information to be the item next to the first control parameter, and causes the display unit to display the second switch information. In this manner, condition setting by a command switch can be executed without requiring an operator to change the line of sight. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of executing condition setting by a command switch without requiring an operator to change the line of sight. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus related to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is for explaining an example of the key arrangement in a first embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  is for explaining an example of the key arrangement in the first embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2C  is for explaining an example of the key arrangement in the first embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart for explaining an example of operation in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is for explaining an example of the key arrangement in a second embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart for explaining an example of operation in the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is for explaining an example of the key arrangement in a third embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart for explaining an example of operation in the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is for explaining an example of the key arrangement in a fourth embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart for explaining an example of operation in the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a console shown in  FIG. 2B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus related to the present invention will be described below in detail referring to the attached diagrams. In the following description, the same function parts are represented by the same reference numerals, and the duplicative description thereof is omitted. 
       FIG. 1  shows a block configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus related to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment comprises probe  10 , ultrasonic image measuring unit  20  connected to probe  10  while being available for transmission and reception of signals, storage unit  40  connected to ultrasonic image measuring unit  20  while being available for transmission and reception of signals, first display unit  100  connected to storage unit  40  while being available for transmission and reception of signals, input unit  50 , control unit  60  connected to input unit  50  while being available for transmission and reception of signals, second display unit  70  mounted to input unit  50 , and display control unit  80  connected to first display unit  100  and second display unit  70  while being available for transmission and reception of signals. 
     Probe  10  transmits ultrasonic waves to an object by being applied to the object and receives the reflected echo signals from the object. Ultrasonic image measuring unit  20  executes signal processing such as phasing on the reflected echo signals, and measures an ultrasonic image including brightness (B) mode image, motion (M) mode image, Doppler (D) mode image and elastic (E) mode image. First display unit  100  displays the measured ultrasonic image. 
     Input unit  50  inputs the parameters for controlling ultrasonic image measuring unit  20  and first display unit  100 . Control unit  60  controls ultrasonic measuring unit  20  and first display unit  100  by the parameters inputted by input unit  50 . Display control unit  80  inputs the first control parameter by an operator to second display unit  70 , determines the input of the first control parameter, generates the menu for setting the second control parameter which is to be the item next to the determined first control parameter on a part of the first display unit  100 , controls the display of the generated menu on first display unit  100 , and controls the display of a switch being corresponded to the generated menu on the second display unit  70 . 
     Here, for example the first control parameter indicates the kind of execution program of the operator&#39;s desired measurement or analysis such as variety of measurement conditions that are a B-mode image, M-mode image, D-mode image, E-mode image, etc. or application such as a body mark and distance measurement. The second parameter is the condition to be set next to the kind of execution program for a desired measurement or analysis, for example the body mark for selecting the region to which an ultrasonic probe should be applied, for example the front or the side of an abdominal region. 
     Also, while the case that control parameters are set in two stages such as the first and the second parameters is exemplified here, a third control parameter or a fourth control parameter may further be set thereto according to need, for example for the case of 3-dimensional measurement. 
     On first display unit  100 , for example B-mode image  101  acquired using a convex-type probe and gray scale  102  showing luminance range of the displayed B-mode image are displayed. Display area  103  is the area for displaying function keys of a touch panel related to the present invention, and will be referred to as function-key display area  103 . 
     (First Embodiment) 
     The first embodiment is an example wherein arrangement of function keys displayed on function-key display area  103  of first display unit  100  and arrangement of function keys displayed on second display unit  70  are displayed by one-to-one correspondence, and an example that measurement is set on the first control parameter is described using  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2  is for explaining an example of key arrangement in the first embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows function-key display area  103  of first display unit  100 ,  FIG. 2B  shows arrangement of second display unit (touch panel) on input unit  50 , and  FIG. 2C  is an enlarged view of second display unit  70  shown in  FIG. 2B . 
     On function-key display area  103 , as shown in  FIG. 2A , measurement-type switch  104  indicating distance measurement, centerline  105  indicating the center of key arrangement, respective keys  106   a ˜ 106   h  disposed from centerline  105  to the left, and respective keys  107   a ˜ 107   h  from centerline  105  to the right. 
     Display of centerline  71 , keys  72   a ˜ 72   h  and  73   a ˜ 73   h  of second display unit  70  in  FIG. 2B  are controlled by display control unit  80  so as to correspond to centerline  105 , keys  106   a ˜ 106   h  and  107   a ˜ 107   h  shown in function-key display area  103 . 
     A concrete example of the display control will be as shown in chart  1  when  FIG. 2C  is corresponded to  FIG. 2A . 
     Display control unit  80  executes display control so as to make measurement of key  106   e  to be corresponded to key  72   e . In concrete terms, key information on measurement function of key  106   e  is read out by control unit  60  to storage unit  40 , control unit  60  causes display control unit  80  to analyze that the key information is the measurement function, and display control unit  80  reflects the analyzed key information to key  72   a  and displays the information. This procedure is executed as shown in  FIG. 3  by the program of a computer which configures control unit  60  and display control unit  80 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart explaining an example of the operation to be carried out in the first embodiment. 
     An operator pushes a measurement function key of second display unit  70  (an operation key in conjunction with the touch panel). In concrete terms, when measurement key  104  (caliper, trace) of the operation panel is pushed at the time of executing measurement, display of the touch panel is switched to the content for measurement after measurement function is executed via the operation panel or the touch panel, and the button for measurement is displayed by the following steps (step  301 ). 
     Control unit  60  sets the measurement to button group ID (step  302 ). 
     Control unit  60  obtains data of the button display group stored in the table on storage unit  40  such as a memory by using button group ID as a key (step  303 ). 
     Display control unit  80  switches and sets the buttons on second display unit  70  (touch panel) (step  304 ). 
     Display control unit  80  displays on second display unit  70  a measurement-related button to be the second condition of measurement setting (step  305 ). 
     As mentioned above, in accordance with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment, display control unit  80  determines the input of the first control parameter on second display unit  70  executed by an operator, generates the menu for setting the second control parameter which is to be the item next to the determined first control parameter on a part of first display unit  100 , executes display control of the generated menu on the first display unit  100 , and executes display control on the second display unit  70  by corresponding the menu to the switch. As for the subject of display control, the first control parameter is set as measurement mode including distance between predetermined points in an image, area and volume, and the second control parameter is set as the menu for selecting the kind of measurement mode. 
     In this way, the operator can set the conditions by a command switch without changing his/her line of sight. Also, characteristic effect of the first embodiment is that an unallotted key is displayed on first display unit  100  and first display unit  70  respectively by setting an unallotted key on first display unit  100  and on a touch panel button of second display unit  70 . In this example, 16 buttons are displayed so as to help the operator to easily correspond them to the 16 keys of the operation panel. In this manner, the operator can set conditions more intuitively. 
                                 CHART 1                       FIG. 2(c)   FIG. 2(a)           Centerline 71   Centerline 105                           key 72a   Key 106a           Key 72b   Key 106b           Key 72c   Key 106c           Key 72d   Key 106d           Key 72e   Key 106e           Key 72f   Key 106f           Key 72g   Key 106g           Key 72h   Key 106h           Key 73a   Key 107a           Key 73b   Key 107b           Key 73c   Key 107c           Key 73d   Key 107d           Key 73e   Key 107e           Key 73f   Key 107f           Key 73g   Key 107g           Key 73h   Key 107h                        
(Second Embodiment)
 
     The second embodiment is an example that arrangement of function keys to be displayed on function-key display area  103  of first display unit  100  and arrangement of function keys to be displayed on second display unit  70  are displayed by one-on-one correspondence, and the example that a body mark is set on the first control parameter will be described using  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 4  is for explaining an example of key arrangement in the second embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows function-key display area  103  of first display unit  100 . 
     On function-key display area  103 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , body-mark type switch  104   a  indicating the type of a body mark, centerline  105  indicating the center of key arrangement, respective keys  106   a ,  106   i ˜ 106   l  from centerline  105  to the left and respective keys  107   i ˜ 107   n  from the centerline  105  to the right are displayed. Display of centerline  71  and the respective keys of second display unit  70  are controlled by display control unit  80  so as to correspond to centerline  105  and the respective keys shown on function-key display area  103 . 
     Display control unit  80  executes display control to set key  72   a  to be corresponded to a body mark of key  106   a . In concrete terms, key information of body-mark function of key  106   a  is read out by control unit  60  to storage unit  40 , control unit  60  causes display control unit  80  to analyze that the key information is the body-mark function, and display unit  80  reflects the analyzed key information to key  72   a  and displays the information. This procedure is executed as shown in  FIG. 5  by the program of a computer which configures control unit  60  and display control unit  80 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the second embodiment. 
     The operator pushes body-mark function key  104   a  of second display unit  70  (touch panel). In concrete terms, when the operator pushes the button of a body mark on second display unit  70  (touch panel), the operation related to the body mark is executed via the operation panel or touch panel, the touch panel display is switched to the content related to the body mark, and the button for the body mark is displayed. 
     The body-mark display on second display  70  (touch panel) is switched by the steps below (step  501 ). 
     Control unit  60  sets a body mark on button group ID (step  502 ). 
     Control unit  60  obtains data of the button display group stored in the table on storage unit  40  such as a memory by using button group ID as a key (step  503 ). 
     Display control unit  80  sets a switch function on the button in second display unit  70  (touch panel) (step  504 ). 
     Display control unit  80  displays a measurement-related button to be the second condition for the body-mark setting on second display unit  70  (step  505 ). 
     As mentioned above, in accordance with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment, display unit  80  determines the input of the first control parameter on second display unit  70  executed by the operator, generates the menu for setting a second control parameter which is to be the item next to the determined first control parameter on a part of the first display unit  100 , controls the display of the generated menu on first display unit  100 , and controls the display of the switch and the generated menu being corresponded to each other on the second display unit  70 . 
     As for the object of display control, the first control parameter is set as a body mark, and the second control parameter is set as the menu for selecting the kind of the body mark. 
     In this manner, the operator can set the conditions by a command switch without changing his/her line of sight. Also, characteristic effect of the second embodiment is that the enlarged display setting in first display unit  100  is also reflected to the touch panel button of second display unit  70 . In this example, 16 buttons are displayed so as to help the operator to easily correspond them to the 16 keys of the operation panel. In this manner, the operator can set conditions more intuitively. 
     (Third Embodiment) 
     The third embodiment is an example that arrangement of function keys to be displayed on function-key display area  103  of first display unit  100  and arrangement of function keys to be displayed on second display unit  70  are displayed by one-on-one correspondence, and the example that Doppler measurement is set as the first control parameter will be described using  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 6  is for explaining an example of key arrangement in the third embodiment related to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  shows function-key display area  103  of first display unit  100 . 
     On function-key display area  103 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , Doppler measurement switch  104   b  indicating Doppler measurement, centerline  105  indicating the center of key arrangement, respective keys  106   o ˜ 106   v  from centerline  105  to the left and respective keys  107   o ˜ 107   v  from the centerline  105  to the right are displayed. Display of centerline  71  and the respective keys of second display unit  70  are controlled by display control unit  80  so as to correspond to centerline  105  and the respective keys shown in function-key display area  103 . 
     As in the first and the second embodiments, display control unit  80  controls display arrangement of the function keys to be displayed on function key display area  103  of first display unit  100  and arrangement of the function keys to be displayed on second display unit  70  to make them to be in conjunction with Doppler measurement. This procedure is executed as shown in  FIG. 7  by the program of a computer which configures control unit  60  and display control unit  80 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart for explaining an example of operation in the third embodiment. 
     The operator pushes execution key  104   b  of Doppler function in second display unit  70  (touch panel). In concrete terms, when body-mark button on second display unit  70  (touch panel) is pushed by the operator, a PW-mode key of the operation panel is also pushed, display of the touch panel is switched to the content for Doppler mode, and the button for Doppler function is displayed. 
     The Doppler function display on second display unit  70  (touch panel) is switched by the steps below (step  701 ). 
     Control unit  60  sets Doppler function on button group ID (step  702 ). 
     Control unit  60  obtains data of the button display group stored in the table on storage unit  40  such as a memory by using button group ID as a key (step  703 ). 
     Display control unit  80  executes switch setting of a button on second display unit  70  (touch panel) (step  704 ). 
     Display control unit  80  displays a measurement-related button to be the second condition for Doppler-function setting on second display unit  70  (step  705 ). 
     As mentioned above, in accordance with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment, display unit  80  determines the input of the first control parameter on second display unit  70  executed by the operator, generates the menu for setting a second control parameter which is to be the item next to the determined first control parameter on a part of the first display unit  100 , controls the display of the generated menu on first display unit  100 , corresponds the menu to the switch and displays the corresponded menu and the switch on second display unit  70 . 
     As for the object of display control, the first control parameter is set as Doppler mode, and the second control parameter is set as the menu for selecting setting condition of the Doppler mode. 
     In this way, the operator can set the conditions by a command switch without changing his/her line of sight. Also, characteristic effect of the third embodiment is that the display setting of intrinsic parameter of Doppler measurement on first display unit  100  is reflected also to the touch panel button of second display unit  70 . In this example, by displaying the button of the threshold-value level or speaker volume, the operator can easily recognize the correspondence between the buttons and the keys on the operation panel. In this manner, the operator can set conditions more intuitively. 
     (Fourth Embodiment) 
     The fourth embodiment is an example that arrangement of function keys to be displayed on function-key display area  103  of first display unit  100  and arrangement of function keys to be displayed on second display unit  70  are displayed by one-on-one correspondence, and will be described using  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 8  is for explaining a key display example in the fourth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . The keys to be used here can be classified broadly into 3 kinds of push type, toggle type and encoder type. 
     Push type key is for executing a certain function such as a mirror-reversed image button. Toggle type key is for clearly specifying ON/OFF of a switch like a moving-image continuous play button. Encoder type key is for switching the value for a certain function of the device, for example a B-mode gray map switch button, by executing encoder operation on a touch panel. 
     This procedure is executed as shown in  FIG. 9  by the program of a computer which configures control unit  60  and display control unit  80 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the fourth embodiment. 
     Control unit  60  executes image display update process of first display unit  100  and second display unit  70  (touch panel) (step  901 ). 
     The operator sets an object button to be displayed on second display unit  70  (touch panel) (step  902 ). 
     Control unit  60  determines whether the object button is the encoder-type button or not. If the determination result is yes step  904  is carried out, and if the result is no step  905  is carried out (step  903 ). 
     Control unit  60  acquires button-type data of the encoder type and the appended data thereto stored on storage unit (memory)  40  (step  904 ). 
     Control unit  60  determines whether the button type of the object button is the toggle type or not. If the determination result is yes step  906  is carried out, and if the result is no step  907  is carried out (step  905 ). 
     Control unit  60  acquires button-type data of toggle type and the appended data thereto stored on storage unit (memory)  40  (step  906 ). 
     Control unit  60  acquires button-type data of push type and the data appended data thereto stored on storage unit (memory)  40  (step  907 ). 
     Control unit  60  determines whether data of the entire object buttons is acquired or not. If data of the entire object buttons is acquired step  910  is carried out, and if not step  909  is carried out (step  908 ). 
     Control unit  60  switches the object button from the present one to the next one (step  909 ). 
     Control unit  60  causes display control unit  80  to display the button on second display unit  70  (touch panel) (step  910 ). 
     As described above, in accordance with the fourth embodiment, display control unit  80  sets the type of button switch for displaying the data on second display unit  70  based on the input condition of the first control parameter and to display the data by the set button switch on second display unit  70 . 
     In this way, the operator can set the conditions by a command switch without changing his/her line of sight. Also, characteristic effect of the fourth embodiment is that since the operator can determine the operation object based on the button type of the menu, condition setting can be executed more intuitively. 
     Also, it is obvious that various kinds of alterations or modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. For example, while the display unit is described as the first display unit and the second display unit in the above-described embodiments, one display unit may be divided into two display units. Also, while the control unit and the display control unit are separated in the above-described embodiments, the function of the display control unit may be provided to the control unit. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE NUMERAL REFERENCES 
       10 : probe,  20 : ultrasonic image measuring unit,  50 : input unit,  60 : control unit,  70 : second display unit,  80 : display control unit,  100 : first display unit,  106 : body mark,  106   e : measurement,  106   f : hide trajectory,  106   g : Ellipse Trace,  106   i : region view,  106   p : PW/CW,  106   q : oblique inversion,  106   r : simultaneous real,  106   t : threshold value level,  106   u : smoothing,  106   v : automatic adjustment reset,  107   b : SVolume,  107   c : Volume,  107   e : Histogram,  107   f : Angle,  107   g : Volume,  107   l : move mark,  107   n : mark; #,  107   o : speaker volume,  107   p : image division; #,  107   r : user,  107   s : flow invert,  107   t : vertical split ratio,  107   u : display setting,  107   v : menu,  7   a : examination-end button,  7   b : probe,  7   c : puncture guide,  7   d : report,  7   e : annotation,  7   f : clear,  7   g : probe mark,  7   h : cue:  7   i : eject,  7   j : biological signal,  7   k : image menu,  7   l : function  1 ,  7   m : function  2 ,  7   n : sweep velocity,  7   o : sample width,  7   p : filter,  7   q : base line,  7   r : oblique,  7   s : velocity range,  7   t : frequency,  7   u : focus,  7   v : Fine Flow CFA,  7   w : display depth,  7   x : automatic adjustment,  7   y : Doppler,  7   z : measurement menu,  7   a   1 : freeze