Patent Description:
In the related art, an examination of the inside of a subject is performed using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. In such an examination, for example, as in a case where an ultrasound probe is fixed in one hand of a user and the inside of the subject is observed while the other hand of the user is used to insert a puncture needle into the subject, both hands of a user may not be available during an examination or a procedure using the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. In order to operate the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus even in this state, for example, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that recognizes a voice of a user and controls an operation according to the recognized voice has been developed as disclosed in <CIT> (<CIT>).

<CIT> discloses a user interface for an ultrasound system that provides for a touchscreen, a set of hard and soft keys that can be used with one hand, and that may also be voice activated.

On the other hand, for example, in a medical site at a remote place away from a hospital, such as a site for home nursing, a so-called handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasound probe and a portable diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasound probe may be used. In such a handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the diagnostic apparatus main body often includes a monitor with a touch sensor. The monitor of the handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus has a small size in many cases, and it is necessary to display a user interface for allowing a user to perform an input operation on the monitor in addition to the captured ultrasound image. For this reason, as in the technique disclosed in <CIT> (<CIT>), even in a case where the user can perform an input operation by voice recognition, it may be difficult for the user to confirm the ultrasound image displayed on the monitor, and it may be difficult to smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and a processor for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of allowing a user to smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is a touch operation on a screen of the monitor or an input operation of a predetermined first voice command.

Alternatively, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further includes a shake detection unit that detects a shake operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasound probe. In this case, the mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode may be the shake operation.

In this case, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further includes a vibration sensor that detects a vibration of the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasound probe, and the shake detection unit can detect the shake operation based on the vibration of the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasound probe that is detected by the vibration sensor.

Alternatively, the shake detection unit can detect the shake operation by analyzing ultrasound images including a plurality of continuous frames generated by the image generation unit.

Preferably, the mode switching operation for switching from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is an input operation of a predetermined second voice command different from the first voice command.

Alternatively, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further includes a shake detection unit that detects a shake operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body or the ultrasound probe, and the mode switching operation for switching from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode may be the shake operation.

Further, in a case where the mode switching operation for switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is the shake operation, the mode switching operation for switching from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode can also be the shake operation.

A touch operation on a screen of the monitor is enabled in the normal screen display mode, and a touch operation on a screen of the monitor is disabled in the full-screen display mode.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may further include a probe type recognition unit that recognizes a type of the ultrasound probe. In the full-screen display mode, a display according to the type of the ultrasound probe that is recognized by the probe type recognition unit can be performed on the monitor.

Further, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may further include an ultrasound transmission/reception control unit that controls transmission of an ultrasound beam and reception of an ultrasound echo by the ultrasound probe. In the full-screen display mode, the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit can change a position of a transmission focus of the ultrasound beam according to a display depth of the ultrasound image on the monitor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim <NUM>.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processor for a handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim <NUM>.

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in accordance with the present invention can enable a user to smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. As illustrated in <FIG>, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is a so-called portable handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that includes an ultrasound probe <NUM> and a diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM>. The ultrasound probe <NUM> and the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> are connected to each other by wireless communication.

The ultrasound probe <NUM> includes a transducer array <NUM>, and a transmission/reception circuit <NUM> and a wireless communication unit <NUM> are sequentially connected to the transducer array <NUM>. In addition, a communication control unit <NUM> is connected to the wireless communication unit <NUM>. In addition, an ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> is connected to the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>. In addition, a probe control unit <NUM> is connected to the communication control unit <NUM> and the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM>. In addition, the ultrasound probe <NUM> includes a battery <NUM> therein. Further, a probe-side processor <NUM> is configured by the communication control unit <NUM>, the probe control unit <NUM>, and the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM>.

The diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> includes a wireless communication unit <NUM>, and an image generation unit <NUM>, a display control unit <NUM>, and a monitor <NUM> are sequentially connected to the wireless communication unit <NUM>. In addition, a touch sensor <NUM> is disposed by being superimposed on the monitor <NUM>. In addition, a communication control unit <NUM> is connected to the wireless communication unit <NUM>. In addition, the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> includes a microphone <NUM>, and a voice recognition unit <NUM> is connected to the microphone <NUM>. In addition, a main body control unit <NUM> is connected to the image generation unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the touch sensor <NUM>, the communication control unit <NUM>, and the voice recognition unit <NUM>.

Further, a main-body-side processor <NUM> for the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is configured by the image generation unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the communication control unit <NUM>, the voice recognition unit <NUM>, and the main body control unit <NUM>.

The transducer array <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers which are one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally arranged. Each of these transducers transmits an ultrasound wave according to a drive signal supplied from the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, receives a reflected wave from a subject, and outputs a reception signal. Each transducer is configured by, for example, forming electrodes on both ends of a piezoelectric body such as a piezoelectric ceramic represented by lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a polymeric piezoelectric element represented by poly vinylidene di fluoride (PVDF), or a piezoelectric single crystal represented by lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT).

The transmission/reception circuit <NUM> transmits an ultrasound wave from the transducer array <NUM> and generates a sound ray signal based on the reception signal acquired by the transducer array <NUM> under a control of the probe control unit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the transmission/reception circuit <NUM> includes a pulser <NUM> connected to the transducer array <NUM>, an amplification unit <NUM> connected in series from the transducer array <NUM>, an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion unit <NUM>, and a beam former <NUM>.

The pulser <NUM> includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, adjusts a delay amount of each drive signal based on a transmission delay pattern which is selected according to a control signal from the probe control unit <NUM> such that ultrasound waves to be transmitted from the plurality of transducers of the transducer array <NUM> form ultrasound beams, and supplies each drive signal with the adjusted delay amount to the plurality of transducers. In this way, in a case where a voltage having a pulse shape or a continuous wave shape is applied to the electrodes of the transducers of the transducer array <NUM>, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts. Thereby, ultrasound waves having a pulse shape or a continuous wave shape are generated from each transducer, and thus an ultrasound beam is formed from a composite wave of these ultrasound waves.

The transmitted ultrasound beam is reflected by an object such as a portion of a subject, and an ultrasound echo propagates toward the transducer array <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM>. The ultrasound echo which propagates toward the transducer array <NUM> in this way is received by each transducer included in the transducer array <NUM>. At this time, in a case where the propagating ultrasound echo is received, each transducer included in the transducer array <NUM> expands and contracts. Thereby, a reception signal as an electrical signal is generated, and these reception signals are output to the amplification unit <NUM>.

The amplification unit <NUM> amplifies the signal which is input from each transducer included in the transducer array <NUM>, and transmits the amplified signal to the AD conversion unit <NUM>. The AD conversion unit <NUM> converts the signal transmitted from the amplification unit <NUM> into pieces of digital reception data, and transmits the pieces of reception data to the beam former <NUM>. The beam former <NUM> performs so-called reception focus processing by applying and adding a delay to each of the pieces of reception data which is converted by the AD conversion unit <NUM> according to a sound velocity or a sound velocity distribution which is set based on a reception delay pattern selected according to a control signal from the probe control unit <NUM>. By this reception focus processing, a sound ray signal obtained by performing phasing addition on each of the pieces of reception data which is converted by the AD conversion unit <NUM> and narrowing down a focus of the ultrasound echo is acquired.

The ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> controls transmission of the ultrasound beam and reception of the ultrasound echo by the ultrasound probe <NUM> by controlling the transmission/reception circuit <NUM> according to an instruction from the probe control unit <NUM>. The ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> changes a position of a transmission focus of the ultrasound beam, for example, based on an instruction from the probe control unit <NUM>.

The wireless communication unit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> is configured by a circuit and the like including an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, and performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM>. At this time, the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> generates a transmission signal representing the sound ray signal by modulating carriers based on the sound ray signal generated by the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, and wirelessly transmits the generated transmission signal to the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM>. As the carrier modulation method, for example, amplitude shift keying (ASK), phase shift keying (PSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), <NUM> quadrature amplitude modulation (<NUM> QAM), or the like is used.

The probe control unit <NUM> controls each unit of the ultrasound probe <NUM> based on a program or the like stored in advance. In addition, the probe control unit <NUM> can transmit the ultrasound beam and receive the ultrasound echo according to any one of a plurality of examination modes by controlling the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>. Here, the examination mode indicates any one of examination modes that can be used in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM>, such as a B (brightness) mode, an M (motion) mode, a CD (color doppler) mode, a PD (power doppler) mode, a PW (pulse doppler) mode, or a CW (continuous wave doppler) mode.

The communication control unit <NUM> controls the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> such that the sound ray signal is transmitted at a transmission radio wave strength which is set by the probe control unit <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> is included in the ultrasound probe <NUM>, and supplies power to each circuit of the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

The wireless communication unit <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> is configured by a circuit and the like including an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, and performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM>. At this time, the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> receives, for example, the transmission signal representing a sound ray signal which is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> via the antenna, demodulates the received transmission signal, and outputs the sound ray signal.

The communication control unit <NUM> of the main-body-side processor <NUM> controls the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> such that the transmission signal is received from the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the image generation unit <NUM> has a configuration in which a signal processing unit <NUM>, a digital scan converter (DSC) <NUM>, and an image processing unit <NUM> are connected in series.

The signal processing unit <NUM> generates a B mode image signal, which is tomographic image information related to tissues in the subject, by performing correction of attenuation due to a distance according to a depth of a reflection position of the ultrasound wave and then performing envelope detection processing, on the sound ray signal which is generated by the beam former <NUM> of the transmission/reception circuit <NUM> and is received by the wireless communication unit <NUM>.

The DSC <NUM> converts (raster-converts) the B mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit <NUM> into an image signal conforming to a normal television signal scanning method.

The image processing unit <NUM> performs required various image processing such as gradation processing on the B mode image signal which is input from the DSC <NUM>, and then outputs the B mode image signal to the display control unit <NUM>. In the following, the B mode image signal obtained by performing image processing by the image processing unit <NUM> is simply referred to as an ultrasound image.

Under a control of the main body control unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM> displays the ultrasound image on the monitor <NUM> by performing predetermined processing on the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit <NUM>. Further, the display control unit <NUM> displays, on the monitor <NUM>, an operation panel or the like for allowing a user to perform an input operation, in addition to the ultrasound image.

The monitor <NUM> displays the ultrasound image and the like, and includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display.

The touch sensor <NUM> is disposed by being superimposed on the display screen of the monitor <NUM>, and allows a user to perform an input operation by a so-called touch operation by bringing a finger, a stylus pen, or the like into contact with or into close to the display screen of the monitor <NUM>. Information which is input by the user via the touch sensor <NUM> is transmitted to the main body control unit <NUM>.

The microphone <NUM> is attached to the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM>, and is for inputting a voice command of a user.

The voice recognition unit <NUM> recognizes a voice command of a user that is input via the microphone <NUM>. For example, the voice recognition unit <NUM> recognizes a voice command of a user, and generates voice recognition information as a text string or the like. The voice recognition information generated in this way is transmitted to the main body control unit <NUM>.

The main body control unit <NUM> controls each unit of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> based on the program stored in advance, the input operation of the user via the touch sensor <NUM>, and voice recognition information from the voice recognition unit <NUM>.

In particular, based on the input operation of the user via the touch sensor <NUM> or based on voice recognition performed on the voice command of the user that is input via the microphone <NUM> by the voice recognition unit <NUM>, the main body control unit <NUM> performs mode switching between a normal screen display mode in which normal screen display illustrated in <FIG> is performed on the monitor <NUM> and a full-screen display mode in which full-screen display illustrated in <FIG> is performed on the monitor <NUM> and an operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> by the voice command via the microphone <NUM> is possible.

The normal screen display mode is, as illustrated in <FIG>, a mode in which normal screen display including an ultrasound image U generated by the image generation unit <NUM> and an operation panel P for operating the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is performed on the monitor <NUM>. The operation panel P includes a plurality of operation icons J1 to J5 for causing the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> to perform a predetermined operation. In a case where any one of the plurality of operation icons J1 to J5 is touched by the user, an operation corresponding to the any one of the touched operation icons J1 to J5 is performed.

For example, the operation icon J1 is for switching the examination mode, and the operation icon J2 is for storing the ultrasound images U including a plurality of frames continuously generated within a certain time period. The operation icon J3 is for freeze-displaying the ultrasound image U on the monitor <NUM>, the operation icon J4 is for changing a so-called gain and a depth, and the operation icon J5 is for displaying a plurality of other operation icons on the monitor <NUM>.

The full-screen display mode is, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a mode in which the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is performed by the voice command of the user via the microphone <NUM> while performing a full-screen display in which the operation panel P and the mark M are not displayed and the ultrasound image U is enlarged and displayed on the entire display screen of the monitor <NUM>.

Here, each of the probe-side processor <NUM> in the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the main-body-side processor <NUM> in the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> is configured with a central processing unit (CPU) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processing, the probe-side processor <NUM> including the communication control unit <NUM>, the probe control unit <NUM>, and the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM>, and the main-body-side processor <NUM> including the image generation unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the communication control unit <NUM>, the voice recognition unit <NUM>, and the main body control unit <NUM>. On the other hand, each of the probe-side processor <NUM> and the main-body-side processor <NUM> may be configured by using a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other integrated circuits (IC), or may be configured by using a combination thereof.

In addition, the communication control unit <NUM>, the probe control unit <NUM>, and the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> of the probe-side processor <NUM> can be partially or wholly integrated into one CPU or the like. In addition, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the communication control unit <NUM>, the voice recognition unit <NUM>, and the main body control unit <NUM> of the main-body-side processor <NUM> can also be partially or wholly integrated into one CPU or the like.

Next, an operation in a case where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM> of the present invention performs switching between the normal screen display mode and the full-screen display mode will be described using a flowchart of <FIG>. Here, as a switching operation between the normal screen display mode and the full-screen display mode, an example of inputting a voice command of the user via the microphone <NUM> will be introduced.

First, in a case where ultrasound diagnosis of a subject is started by an input operation or the like of a user via the touch sensor <NUM>, in step S1, the main body control unit <NUM> operates the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> in the normal screen display mode. At this time, normal screen display as illustrated in <FIG> is performed on the monitor <NUM>.

In step S2, the main body control unit <NUM> determines whether or not a specific first voice command such as "Transition to the voice recognition mode" is recognized by the voice recognition unit <NUM>. At this time, the voice recognition unit <NUM> generates, for example, voice recognition information as a text string or the like by recognizing the voice command of the user. The main body control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the voice recognition information generated by the voice recognition unit <NUM> corresponds to the first voice command. In a case where the voice recognition information corresponds to the first voice command, the main body control unit <NUM> determines that the first voice command is recognized by the voice recognition unit <NUM>. In addition, in a case where the voice recognition information does not correspond to the first voice command, the main body control unit <NUM> determines that the first voice command is not recognized by the voice recognition unit <NUM>.

Here, in a case where it is determined that the first voice command is not recognized, the determination in step S2 is performed again. In this way, the operation in the normal screen display mode is maintained until it is determined that the first voice command is recognized.

In step S2, in a case where it is determined that the first voice command is recognized, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the main body control unit <NUM> causes the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> to transition from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode. At this time, a full-screen display as illustrated in <FIG> is performed on the monitor <NUM>. Thereby, for example, even in a case where a size of the monitor <NUM> is small and thus it is difficult for the user to confirm the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> in detail in the normal screen display, the ultrasound image U is enlarged and displayed on the entire display screen of the monitor <NUM>, and thus the user can confirm the ultrasound image U in detail.

In addition, the main body control unit <NUM> analyzes the voice recognition information generated by the voice recognition unit <NUM> based on the voice command of the user that is input via the microphone <NUM>, and controls the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> such that an operation corresponding to the voice recognition information is performed.

Subsequently, in step S4, the main body control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the voice recognition unit <NUM> recognizes a specific second voice command such as "Transition to the normal screen display mode" by using the same method as the determination in step S2. In a case where it is determined in step S4 that the second voice command is not recognized, the determination in step S4 is performed again. In this way, the operation in the full-screen display mode is maintained until it is determined that the second voice command is recognized.

In step S4, in a case where it is determined that the second voice command is recognized, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the main body control unit <NUM> causes the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> to return to the full-screen display mode.

In this way, the operation of performing switching between the normal screen display mode and the full-screen display mode is completed.

On the other hand, for example, in a medical site at a remote place away from a hospital, such as a site for home nursing, a so-called handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasound probe and a portable diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasound probe may be used. In such a handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the diagnostic apparatus main body often includes a monitor with a touch sensor. Such a monitor has a small size in many cases, and it is necessary to display a user interface for allowing a user to perform an input operation on the monitor in addition to the captured ultrasound image. For this reason, it may be difficult for the user to confirm the ultrasound image displayed on the monitor, and it may be difficult to smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM> of the present invention, even in a case where both hands of the user are not available during an examination of a subject, it is possible to easily operate the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> by voice recognition. Further, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is caused to transition from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode in which the ultrasound image U is enlarged and displayed on the entire display screen of the monitor <NUM>. Thereby, even in a case where the size of the monitor <NUM> is small, the user can confirm the ultrasound image U in detail. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM>, the image generation unit <NUM> is included in the main-body-side processor <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM>. On the other hand, the image generation unit <NUM> may be included in the probe-side processor <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM>. In this case, an ultrasound image U is generated in the ultrasound probe <NUM>, and the generated ultrasound image U is wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound probe <NUM> to the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM>. On the other hand, the ultrasound image U is displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the same manner as in the case where the image generation unit <NUM> is included in the main-body-side processor <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM>.

Further, the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> are connected to each other by wireless communication. On the other hand, the communication is not limited to wireless communication, and the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> can also be connected to each other by so-called wired communication.

Further, in the full-screen display mode, the main body control unit <NUM> controls the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> such that an operation is performed according to the voice command of the user that is recognized by the voice recognition unit <NUM>. On the other hand, for example, in a case where a list in which the voice command recognized by the voice recognition unit <NUM> and the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> are associated with each other is stored in advance, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> can be controlled based on the list. For example, in a case where the voice recognition unit <NUM> recognizes any voice command of "freeze", "pause", and "stop", the main body control unit <NUM> freeze-displays the ultrasound image U on the monitor <NUM>. In a case where the voice recognition unit <NUM> recognizes any voice command of "moving image", "movie", and "clip", the main body control unit <NUM> can store the ultrasound images U including a plurality of frames generated up to a timing when a certain time is elapsed from the present.

In step S2 and step S3, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is caused to transition from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode by being triggered by recognition of the first voice command. On the other hand, the trigger for the transition from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is not limited to recognition of the first voice command. For example, a touch operation such as a so-called double tap in which the monitor <NUM> is tapped twice in a row may be set as a trigger.

On the other hand, in a case where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is caused to transition from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode by being triggered by recognition of the first voice command, the user can cause the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> to transition to the full-screen display mode without using a hand. Therefore, in a case where both hands of the user are not available, it is particularly useful to use the recognition of the first voice command as a trigger for the transition to the full-screen display mode.

In the full-screen display mode, a touch operation of the user via the touch sensor <NUM> is disabled. Accordingly, in the full-screen display mode, only an operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> by voice recognition is possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent an operation that is unintended by the user from being performed even in a case where the user mistakenly touches the display screen of the monitor <NUM>.

Further, in the full-screen display mode, the ultrasound image U is enlarged and displayed on the entire display screen of the monitor <NUM>. On the other hand, in a case where the ultrasound image U is enlarged, a depth position on the display screen of the monitor <NUM> that corresponds to a transmission focus of the ultrasound beam or a reception focus of the ultrasound echo may not fit within the display screen.

For this reason, in order to move the depth position corresponding to the transmission focus of the ultrasound beam or the reception focus of the ultrasound echo within the display screen of the monitor <NUM>, the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> can change the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasound beam according to a depth position that is a display depth of a deepest portion of the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM>. At this time, for example, display depth information is transmitted from the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> to the probe control unit <NUM> via the wireless communication unit <NUM>, and the probe control unit <NUM> instructs the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> to change the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasound beam based on the display depth information.

Here, generally, in a case where the user intends to observe an observation target in the ultrasound image U, in many cases, a position of the ultrasound probe is adjusted such that the observation target is positioned at the center of the ultrasound image U for ease of observation. Therefore, the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> can change the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasound beam, for example, such that a position of approximately half of the display depth of the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the full-screen display mode is set as a depth position of the focus. Here, the approximately half of the display depth of the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the full-screen display mode refers to a value in a range of -<NUM>% to +<NUM>% with respect to the depth position of the half of the display depth of the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the full-screen display mode.

As a specific example, for example, in a case where the display depth of the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the normal screen display mode is <NUM>, where the depth position of the focus is <NUM>, and where the display depth of the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the full-screen display mode is <NUM>, the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> can change the position of the transmission focus of the ultrasound beam such that the position of the focus is <NUM>.

The depth position of the focus that is changed by the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM> is not particularly limited to the half of the display depth of the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the full-screen display mode. For example, in the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the full-screen display mode, the depth position of the focus may be changed to a depth position corresponding to <NUM>/<NUM> of the display depth of the ultrasound image U, or may be changed to a depth position corresponding to <NUM>/<NUM> of the display depth of the ultrasound image U.

In addition, in step S4 and step S5, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is caused to transition from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode by being triggered by recognition of the second voice command. On the other hand, the trigger for the transition from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode is not limited to recognition of the second voice command.

On the other hand, in a case where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> is caused to transition from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode by being triggered by recognition of the second voice command, the user can cause the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> to transition to the normal screen display mode without using a hand. Therefore, in a case where both hands of the user are not available, it is particularly useful to use the recognition of the second voice command as a trigger for the transition to the normal screen display mode.

In addition, an operation corresponding to a touch operation in the normal screen display mode and an operation corresponding to a touch operation in the full-screen display mode can be made different from each other.

For example, in a case where a so-called single tap of tapping the display screen of the monitor <NUM> only once is performed on the ultrasound image U in the normal screen display mode, an operation of enlarging the ultrasound image U centering on a position where the single tap is performed and displaying the enlarged ultrasound image U on the monitor <NUM> can be performed. On the other hand, in a case where a single tap is performed in the full-screen display mode, an operation of storing the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor <NUM> can be performed.

In addition, for example, in a case where a double tap is performed in the normal screen display mode, an operation of causing the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> to transition from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode is performed. On the other hand, in a case where a double tap is performed in the full-screen display mode, an operation of storing the ultrasound images U including a plurality of frames generated within a certain period of time for which a certain time is elapsed from the present can be performed.

In this way, an operation corresponding to a touch operation in the normal screen display mode and an operation corresponding to a touch operation in the full-screen display mode can be made different from each other. Thereby, the user can more smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

In the embodiment <NUM>, as the switching operation between the normal screen display mode and the full-screen display mode, recognition of the first voice command by the voice recognition unit <NUM>, recognition of the second voice command by the voice recognition unit <NUM>, or a touch operation via the touch sensor <NUM> is used. On the other hand, the switching operation is not limited thereto.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A according to an embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A according to the embodiment <NUM> includes an ultrasound probe 2A and a diagnostic apparatus main body 3A, instead of the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In the ultrasound probe 2A, as compared with the ultrasound probe <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM>, a vibration sensor <NUM> is added, and a probe control unit 15A is included instead of the probe control unit <NUM>. The vibration sensor <NUM> is connected to the probe control unit 15A. In addition, the probe control unit 15A is connected to the wireless communication unit <NUM>. In addition, a probe-side processor 17A is configured by the communication control unit <NUM>, the probe control unit 15A, and the ultrasound transmission/reception control unit <NUM>.

In the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A, as compared with the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM>, a shake detection unit <NUM> and a vibration sensor <NUM> are added, and a main body control unit 29A is included instead of the main body control unit <NUM>. The shake detection unit <NUM> is connected to the wireless communication unit <NUM>, the image generation unit <NUM>, and the main body control unit 29A. In addition, the vibration sensor <NUM> is connected to the shake detection unit <NUM>. In addition, a main-body-side processor 30A is configured by the image generation unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the communication control unit <NUM>, the voice recognition unit <NUM>, the main body control unit 29A, and the shake detection unit <NUM>.

The vibration sensor <NUM> of the ultrasound probe 2A includes a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like, and is a sensor that detects a vibration of the ultrasound probe 2A. A signal indicating that a vibration of the ultrasound probe 2A is detected by the vibration sensor <NUM> is transmitted to the wireless communication unit <NUM> via the probe control unit 15A, and is transmitted from the wireless communication unit <NUM> to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A. Further, the signal is transmitted from the wireless communication unit <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A to the shake detection unit <NUM>.

In addition, similar to the vibration sensor <NUM> of the ultrasound probe 2A, the vibration sensor <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A includes a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like, and is a sensor that detects a vibration of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A. A signal indicating that a vibration of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A is detected by the vibration sensor <NUM> is transmitted to the shake detection unit <NUM>.

The shake detection unit <NUM> detects that the ultrasound probe 2A is shaken by the user based on the signal received from the vibration sensor <NUM> of the ultrasound probe 2A. In addition, the shake detection unit <NUM> can detect a vibration of the ultrasound probe 2A by analyzing the ultrasound images U including a plurality of frames continuously generated by the image generation unit <NUM>, and can detect that the ultrasound probe 2A is shaken by the user.

In addition, the shake detection unit <NUM> detects that the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A is shaken by the user based on the signal received from the vibration sensor <NUM> of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A.

In this way, in a case where the shake detection unit <NUM> detects that the ultrasound probe 2A or the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A is shaken by the user, the signal indicating that the ultrasound probe 2A or the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A is shaken by the user is transmitted to the main body control unit 29A.

Thereby, the main body control unit 29A can perform switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode and switching from the full-screen display mode to the normal screen display mode by being triggered by a shake operation on the ultrasound probe 2A by the user or a shake operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A by the user.

As described above, even in a case where a shake operation on the ultrasound probe 2A or a shake operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A is used as a switching operation between the normal screen display mode and the full-screen display mode, similar to the embodiment <NUM>, the user can smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A according to the embodiment <NUM>, the ultrasound probe <NUM> includes the vibration sensor <NUM> and the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A includes the vibration sensor <NUM>. On the other hand, in a case where any one of the vibration sensors <NUM> and <NUM> is included in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A may be configured such that only one of a shake operation on the ultrasound probe 2A and a shake operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body 3A is performed. Even in this case, as in the case where the vibration sensors <NUM> and <NUM> are included in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A, the user can smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

In the full-screen display mode, a display according to a type of the ultrasound probe <NUM> may be performed on the monitor <NUM>. Here, the type of the ultrasound probe refers to a type of an ultrasound probe that is classified according to use of the ultrasound probe, such as a dedicated ultrasound probe that is used in a case where a puncture procedure is performed, a dedicated ultrasound probe for observing a blood vessel, and the like.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1B according to an embodiment <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1B according to the embodiment <NUM> includes a diagnostic apparatus main body 3B instead of the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B, as compared with the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM>, a probe type recognition unit <NUM> is added, and a main body control unit 29B is included instead of the main body control unit <NUM>.

In addition, a main-body-side processor 30B is configured by the image generation unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the communication control unit <NUM>, the voice recognition unit <NUM>, the main body control unit 29B, and the probe type recognition unit <NUM>.

The probe type recognition unit <NUM> is connected to the wireless communication unit <NUM> and the main body control unit 29B. The probe type recognition unit <NUM> recognizes a type of the ultrasound probe <NUM> connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B. The probe type recognition unit <NUM> stores, for example, types of a plurality of ultrasound probes in advance, receives identification information such as a model number from the ultrasound probe <NUM> connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B, and recognizes a type of the ultrasound probe <NUM> based on the received identification information. Information indicating the type of the ultrasound probe <NUM> that is recognized by the probe type recognition unit <NUM> is transmitted to the main body control unit 29B.

In the full-screen display mode, the main body control unit 29B performs a display according to the type of the ultrasound probe <NUM> that is recognized by the probe type recognition unit <NUM>. For example, in a case where the probe type recognition unit <NUM> recognizes that the ultrasound probe <NUM> connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B is a dedicated ultrasound probe which is used in a case of inserting a puncture needle into the subject, as illustrated in <FIG>, the main body control unit 29B can superimpose a center line C, which is for assisting alignment between a tip of the puncture needle and an object such as a blood vessel into which the puncture needle is to be inserted, on the ultrasound image U and display the ultrasound image U on which the center line C is superimposed on the monitor <NUM>.

As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1B according to the embodiment <NUM> of the present invention, the type of the ultrasound probe <NUM> connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B is recognized by the probe type recognition unit <NUM>, and a display according to the recognized type of the ultrasound probe <NUM> is performed on the monitor <NUM> in the full-screen display mode. Therefore, the user can save an effort to perform an input operation for performing the display according to the type of the ultrasound probe <NUM>, and can more smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

In a case where the probe type recognition unit <NUM> recognizes that the ultrasound probe <NUM> connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B is a dedicated ultrasound probe which is used in a case of inserting a puncture needle into the subject, an example in which the center line C is displayed on the monitor <NUM> in the full-screen display mode has been described. On the other hand, a display form on the monitor <NUM> is not particularly limited thereto.

For example, it is considered a case where a blood vessel detection unit (not illustrated) that performs processing for detecting a blood vessel appearing in the ultrasound image U by analyzing the ultrasound image U generated by the image generation unit <NUM> is included in the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B and where the probe type recognition unit <NUM> recognizes that the ultrasound probe <NUM> connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 3B is a dedicated ultrasound probe which is used in a case of observing a blood vessel of the subject or a dedicated ultrasound probe which is used in a case of inserting a puncture needle into a blood vessel of the subject.

In this case, in the normal screen display mode, the main body control unit 29B superimposes a highlight display for a blood vessel region on the ultrasound image U and displays the ultrasound image U on which the highlight display is superimposed on the monitor <NUM>, such as displaying a contour line of a blood vessel region detected by the blood vessel detection unit on the monitor <NUM>. Further, in the full-screen display mode, the highlight display for the blood vessel region may not displayed.

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM>, the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> with the monitor <NUM> are directly connected to each other by wireless communication, and the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> includes the main-body-side processor <NUM>. On the other hand, for example, a processor that controls the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> may be provided on a network.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1C according to the embodiment <NUM>, an ultrasound probe <NUM> and a tablet terminal <NUM> are connected to a diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> via a network NW.

Although not illustrated, the tablet terminal <NUM> is a portable thin computer including a monitor <NUM> with a touch sensor <NUM> and a microphone <NUM>, and corresponds to the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> from which the main-body-side processor <NUM> is excluded.

The diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> is obtained by excluding the monitor <NUM>, the touch sensor <NUM>, and the microphone <NUM> from the diagnostic apparatus main body <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM>, and includes a main-body-side processor <NUM>.

Even in a case where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1C has such a configuration, as in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM>, switching from the normal screen display mode to the full-screen display mode can be performed based on the voice recognition by the voice recognition unit <NUM> or the input operation via the touch sensor <NUM>. Further, in the full-screen display mode, the ultrasound image U is enlarged and displayed on the entire display screen of the monitor <NUM>. Thereby, the user can smoothly perform ultrasound diagnosis.

Claim 1:
A handheld type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
an ultrasound probe (<NUM>); and
a diagnostic apparatus main body (<NUM>) connected to the ultrasound probe (<NUM>),
wherein the diagnostic apparatus main body (<NUM>) includes:
an image generation unit (<NUM>) that generates an ultrasound image (U) based on a reception signal acquired by using the ultrasound probe (<NUM>);
a monitor (<NUM>) with a touch sensor (<NUM>) that displays the ultrasound image (U);
a microphone (<NUM>) for inputting a voice command; and
a voice recognition unit (<NUM>) that recognizes a voice command which is input via the microphone (<NUM>),
wherein the diagnostic apparatus main body (<NUM>) performs switching between a normal screen display mode and a full-screen display mode by performing a mode switching operation on the diagnostic apparatus main body (<NUM>) or the ultrasound probe (<NUM>), the normal screen display mode being a mode in which the ultrasound image (U) generated by the image generation unit (<NUM>) and an operation panel (P) for operating the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (<NUM>) are displayed on the monitor (<NUM>) and an operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (<NUM>) is performed via the operation panel (P), and the full-screen display mode being a mode in which only the ultrasound image (U) generated by the image generation unit is displayed on the monitor (<NUM>) and an operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (<NUM>) by using a voice command is possible,
and wherein a touch operation on a screen of the monitor (<NUM>) is enabled in the normal screen display mode, and a touch operation on a screen of the monitor (<NUM>) is disabled in the full-screen display mode.