Patent Description:
In related art, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus using ultrasound images has been put into practical use in a medical field. In general, such an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe in which a transducer array is provided and an apparatus main body connected to the ultrasound probe. An ultrasound beam is transmitted from the transducer array of the ultrasound probe toward a subject, an ultrasound echo from the subject is received by the transducer array, and a reception signal is electrically processed. Thereby, an ultrasound image is generated, and the ultrasound image is displayed on a monitor of the apparatus main body.

In recent years, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, in which operability and maneuverability of an ultrasound probe are improved by connecting an ultrasound probe and an apparatus main body by wireless communication, has been developed.

In such an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, generally, a built-in battery is provided in the ultrasound probe, and the ultrasound probe is activated by power from the battery. For this reason, power saving of the ultrasound probe is required such that the ultrasound probe can be activated for a long period of time.

For example, <CIT> discloses an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in which an ultrasound probe includes an acceleration sensor, in which the acceleration sensor detects that the ultrasound probe is moved, and in which power is supplied to each unit of the ultrasound probe such as a transmission beam former. According to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, in a case where the acceleration sensor detects that the ultrasound probe is gripped by an inspector, each unit of the ultrasound probe can be operated, and thus it is possible to achieve power saving.

<CIT> discloses systems and methods for managing power in an ultrasound imaging machine.

However, in order to shorten an activation time of the ultrasound probe, it is desired to activate the ultrasound probe only by an operation of the apparatus main body without requiring operations of both the ultrasound probe and the apparatus main body. In this case, the ultrasound probe is in a standby mode until an activation signal is received from the apparatus main body, and the standby mode is switched to an active mode in a case where an activation signal is received.

In wireless communication between the ultrasound probe and the apparatus main body, ultrasound image data having a large data amount is transmitted. For this reason, for example, a communication method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is adopted. However, in a case where Wi-Fi connection with a high power consumption is maintained in the standby mode, the battery is greatly consumed, and a standby time in the standby mode is shortened. As a result, this causes interference in ultrasound diagnosis.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of activating an ultrasound probe only by an operation of an apparatus main body and achieving power saving.

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

Further, preferably, the ultrasound probe includes a built-in battery, the power supply controller supplies power from the battery to the ultrasound unit and the probe-side first communication circuit and stops power supply to the probe-side second communication circuit in a case where the power supply mode is the active mode, and the power supply controller supplies power from the battery to the probe-side second communication circuit and stops power supply to the ultrasound unit and the probe-side first communication circuit in a case where the power supply mode is the standby mode.

The standby mode further includes a first mode and a second mode in which a power consumption is lower than a power consumption in the first mode. The power supply controller is configured to supply power from the battery to the probe-side second communication circuit in a case where the power supply mode is the first mode. The power supply controller is configured to stop power supply from the battery to the probe-side second communication circuit in a case where the power supply mode is the second mode.

Alternatively, the standby mode further includes a first mode and a second mode in which a power consumption is lower than a power consumption in the first mode. The power supply controller supplies power from the battery to the probe-side second communication circuit in a case where the power supply mode is the first mode and in a case where the power supply mode is the second mode. The power supply controller controls the probe-side second communication circuit in a case where the power supply mode is the second mode such that the ultrasound probe performs wireless communication with the apparatus main body at a communication interval longer than a communication interval in a case where the power supply mode is the first mode.

The ultrasound probe may include a probe sensor for detecting that the ultrasound probe is gripped or moved by a user. In a case where the power supply mode is the second mode and the probe sensor detects that the ultrasound probe is gripped or moved, the power supply controller may be configured to switch the power supply mode from the second mode to the first mode, and the ultrasound probe may be configured to transmit a pairing request signal to the apparatus main body via the probe-side second communication circuit. The power supply controller may be configured to switch the power supply mode from the standby mode to the active mode in a case where the ultrasound probe receives a pairing completion notification signal as the activation control signal from the apparatus main body via the probe-side second communication circuit.

Preferably, the probe sensor consists of an acceleration sensor or a contact sensor provided on the ultrasound probe.

The power supply controller may be configured to switch the power supply mode from the standby mode to the active mode in a case where the power supply mode is the first mode and the ultrasound probe receives an activation instruction signal as the activation control signal from the apparatus main body via the probe-side second communication circuit.

Preferably, a time required to transition the power supply mode from the first mode to the active mode is shorter than a time required to transition the power supply mode from the second mode to the active mode.

Preferably, the apparatus main body includes a plurality of main-body-side communication circuits corresponding to the plurality of probe-side communication circuits. Preferably, the plurality of main-body-side communication circuits include a main-body-side first communication circuit that performs wireless communication with the probe-side first communication circuit, and a main-body-side second communication circuit that performs wireless communication with the probe-side second communication circuit.

In this case, the activation control signal is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the ultrasound probe via the main-body-side second communication circuit and the probe-side second communication circuit.

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

A description of components to be described below is based on a representative embodiment of the present invention. On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

Note that, in this specification, a numerical range represented by using "to" means a range including numerical values described before and after "to", both ends inclusive, as a lower limit value and an upper limit value.

In this specification, it is assumed that terms "identical" and "same" include an error margin which is generally allowed in the technical field.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which includes an ultrasound probe <NUM> and an apparatus main body <NUM> connected to the ultrasound probe <NUM> and in which the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM> are wirelessly connected to each other.

The ultrasound probe <NUM> includes a transducer array <NUM>, and a transmission/reception circuit <NUM> and an image generation unit <NUM> are sequentially connected to the transducer array <NUM>. A probe controller <NUM> is connected to the transmission/reception circuit <NUM> and the image generation unit <NUM>, and an ultrasound unit <NUM> is configured with the transducer array <NUM>, the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, the image generation unit <NUM>, and the probe controller <NUM>.

In addition, the ultrasound probe <NUM> includes a power supply controller <NUM>. A probe-side first communication circuit PC1 is connected to the probe controller <NUM>, and a probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is connected to the power supply controller <NUM>.

A probe-side processor <NUM> is configured with the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, the image generation unit <NUM>, the probe controller <NUM>, and the power supply controller <NUM>.

Further, the ultrasound probe <NUM> includes a battery <NUM>, and the power supply controller <NUM> is connected to the battery <NUM>. In addition, the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 are connected to the battery <NUM> via a first switch SW1. Similarly, the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is connected to the battery <NUM> via a second switch SW2.

Further, a probe sensor <NUM> is provided on the ultrasound probe <NUM>, and the probe sensor <NUM> is connected to the power supply controller <NUM>.

On the other hand, the apparatus main body <NUM> includes a main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 and a main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 corresponding to the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 of the ultrasound probe <NUM>. A display controller <NUM> and a monitor <NUM> are sequentially connected to the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1. In addition, a main body controller <NUM> is connected to the display controller <NUM>, the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1, and the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2.

A main-body-side processor <NUM> is configured with the display controller <NUM> and the main body controller <NUM>.

Further, the apparatus main body <NUM> includes a battery <NUM> and an input device <NUM>, and the input device <NUM> is connected to the main body controller <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 an analog 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 a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) solid solution.

The transmission/reception circuit <NUM> transmits an ultrasound wave from the transducer array <NUM> and generates a sound wave signal based on the reception signal acquired by the transducer array <NUM> under a control of the probe controller <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the transmission/reception circuit <NUM> includes a pulser <NUM> connected to the transducer array <NUM>, an amplification unit <NUM> sequentially connected in series to 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 controller <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 controller <NUM>. By this reception focus processing, a sound wave 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.

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 sequentially connected in series.

The signal processing unit <NUM> performs, on the sound wave signal transmitted from the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, correction of attenuation due to a distance according to a depth of a reflection position of the ultrasound wave and then performs envelope detection processing. Thereby, an ultrasound image signal (B-mode image signal), which is tomographic image information related to tissues in the subject, is generated.

The DSC <NUM> converts (raster-converts) the ultrasound 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 various required image processing such as gradation processing on the ultrasound image signal which is input from the DSC <NUM>, and then outputs data representing an ultrasound image (hereinafter, referred to as ultrasound image data) to the probe-side first communication circuit PC1.

In addition, the probe controller <NUM> controls the transmission/reception circuit <NUM> and the image generation unit <NUM> of the ultrasound unit <NUM> based on a program or the like stored in advance.

In this way, the ultrasound unit <NUM> configured with the transducer array <NUM>, the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, the image generation unit <NUM>, and the probe controller <NUM> acquires ultrasound image data representing an ultrasound image by transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves.

The probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 respectively perform wireless communication with the apparatus main body <NUM> in a case where the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM> are wirelessly connected to each other, and have transmission capacities different from each other and power consumptions different from each other. Specifically, the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 performs wireless communication using, for example, a Wi-Fi (a registered trademark) communication method with a large transmission capacity and a high power consumption, while the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 performs wireless communication using, for example, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE, a registered trademark) communication method with a smaller transmission capacity and a lower power consumption as compared with the probe-side first communication circuit PC1.

The probe-side first communication circuit PC1 includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, and wirelessly transmits the ultrasound image data to the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 of the apparatus main body <NUM> by generating a transmission signal by modulating carriers based on the ultrasound image data generated by the image generation unit <NUM> and transmitting radio waves from the antenna by supplying the transmission signal to the antenna. As the carrier modulation method, amplitude shift keying (ASK), phase shift keying (PSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), <NUM> quadrature amplitude modulation (<NUM> QAM), or the like is used.

Further, the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 transmits various signals transmitted from the probe controller <NUM> to the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 of the apparatus main body <NUM>, receives various signals transmitted from the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 of the apparatus main body <NUM>, and transmits the reception signals to the probe controller <NUM>.

Similar to the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 includes antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, transmits various signals transmitted from the power supply controller <NUM> to the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 of the apparatus main body <NUM>, receives various signals transmitted from the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 of the apparatus main body <NUM>, and transmits the various signals to the power supply controller <NUM>.

The probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 may be configured by sharing or reconfiguring a part or the whole of the circuits corresponding to each other.

The power supply controller <NUM> controls power supply from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM>, the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 by controlling opening and closing of the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 according to a power supply mode of the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

For example, by closing the first switch SW1 and opening the second switch SW2, power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, and thus the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 enter into an operable state. In addition, by stopping power supply from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2, the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enters into an operation-prohibited state.

In addition, by opening the first switch SW1 and closing the second switch SW2, power supply from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 is stopped, and thus the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 enter into an operation-prohibited state. In addition, by supplying power from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2, the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enters into an operable state.

That is, one of the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is selected by the power supply controller <NUM>, and is used for wireless communication with the apparatus main body <NUM>.

Further, in a state where the first switch SW1 is open and the second switch SW2 is closed, in a case where an activation instruction signal transmitted from the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 of the apparatus main body <NUM> is input as an activation control signal via the probe-side second communication circuit PC2, the power supply controller <NUM> opens the second switch SW2 and closes the first switch SW1, and thus the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 enter into an operable state.

In addition, in a state where both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are open, in a case where a detection signal indicating a detection result that the ultrasound probe <NUM> is gripped or moved is input from the probe sensor <NUM>, the power supply controller <NUM> closes the second switch SW2, and transmits a pairing request signal to the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 of the apparatus main body <NUM> via the probe-side second communication circuit PC2. Further, thereafter, in a case where a pairing completion notification signal transmitted from the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 of the apparatus main body <NUM> is input as an activation control signal, the power supply controller <NUM> opens the second switch SW2 and closes the first switch SW1, and thus the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 enter into an operable state.

The battery <NUM> is configured with, for example, a lithium ion battery, and supplies power to the ultrasound unit <NUM>, the power supply controller <NUM>, the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 in the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

The probe sensor <NUM> detects that the ultrasound probe <NUM> is gripped or moved by a user, and transmits a detection signal to the power supply controller <NUM>. As the probe sensor <NUM>, for example, an acceleration sensor or a contact sensor provided on the ultrasound probe <NUM> can be used. As the acceleration sensor, a sensor that detects acceleration of the ultrasound probe <NUM> by various methods such as a so-called optical method and an ultrasound method is used. As the contact sensor, a sensor that detects contact of a hand of a user with the ultrasound probe <NUM> by various methods such as a so-called capacitance method and a piezo-resistive method is used. In addition, a gyro sensor can also be used.

The probe-side processor <NUM> including the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, the image generation unit <NUM>, the probe controller <NUM>, and the power supply controller <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> is configured with a central processing unit (CPU) that executes various programs and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processing. On the other hand, the probe-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 transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, the image generation unit <NUM>, the probe controller <NUM>, and the power supply controller <NUM> of the probe-side processor <NUM> can be partially or wholly integrated into one CPU or the like.

The main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 and the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 of the apparatus main body <NUM> correspond to the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 of the ultrasound probe <NUM>, perform wireless communication with the ultrasound probe <NUM> in a case where the apparatus main body <NUM> is wirelessly connected to the ultrasound probe <NUM>, and have transmission capacities different from each other and power consumptions different from each other. Specifically, the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 performs wireless communication with the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 of the ultrasound probe <NUM> using, for example, a Wi-Fi communication method with a large transmission capacity and a high power consumption. On the other hand, the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 performs wireless communication with the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 of the ultrasound probe <NUM> using, for example, a BLE communication method with a relatively small transmission capacity and a relatively low power consumption.

The main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, receives, via the antenna, the transmission signal transmitted from the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 based on the ultrasound image data generated by the image generation unit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM>, generates an ultrasound image by demodulating the received transmission signal, and transmits the ultrasound image to the display controller <NUM>.

Further, the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 receives various signals transmitted from the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 of the ultrasound probe <NUM>, transmits the signals to the main body controller <NUM>, and also transmits various signals transmitted from the main body controller <NUM> to the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 of the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

The main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 also includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, receives various signals transmitted from the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 of the ultrasound probe <NUM>, transmits the signals to the main body controller <NUM>, and also transmits various signals transmitted from the main body controller <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 of the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

The main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 and the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 may be configured by sharing or reconfiguring a part or the whole of the circuits corresponding to each other.

The display controller <NUM> displays, as a display image, the ultrasound image received via the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1, on the monitor <NUM>.

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

The main body controller <NUM> controls each unit of the apparatus main body <NUM> based on a program stored in advance in a storage unit (not illustrated) or the like and an input operation which is input by an operator via the input device <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> supplies power to the display controller <NUM>, the monitor <NUM>, the main body controller <NUM>, the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1, and the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 in the apparatus main body <NUM>.

The input device <NUM> is a device that allows an operator to perform an input operation, and can be configured to include a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, a touch panel, or the like. In a case where a touch sensor is combined with the monitor <NUM>, the touch sensor can be used as the input device <NUM>.

The main-body-side processor <NUM> including the display controller <NUM> and the main body controller <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> is configured with a CPU and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processing. On the other hand, the main-body-side processor <NUM> may be configured using FPGA, DSP, ASIC, GPU, or other ICs, or may be configured by combining thereof.

In addition, the display controller <NUM> and the main body controller <NUM> of the main-body-side processor <NUM> may be partially or wholly integrated into one CPU or the like.

Here, a power supply mode of the ultrasound probe <NUM> will be described. The ultrasound probe <NUM> has two power supply modes including an active mode in which an operation of the ultrasound unit <NUM> is enabled and a standby mode in which an operation of the ultrasound unit <NUM> is disabled and the power consumption is lower than the power consumption in the active mode. In addition, the standby mode has two types of modes, a first mode and a second mode in which the power consumption is lower than the power consumption in the first mode.

In the active mode and the first mode, it is assumed that the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM> are in a paired state, and in the second mode, it is assumed that the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM> are in an unpaired state in which pairing is not yet performed. Here, pairing refers to processing of allowing the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM> to perform wireless communication with each other by performing registration, authentication, and the like.

In the active mode, as illustrated in <FIG>, the power supply controller <NUM> closes the first switch SW1 and opens the second switch SW2.

By closing the first switch SW1, power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, and thus the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 enter into an operable state. Therefore, by operating the ultrasound unit <NUM>, transmission and reception of ultrasound waves are performed, and thus the ultrasound image data can be acquired. Further, the acquired ultrasound image data can be transmitted from the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 to the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 of the apparatus main body <NUM> using, for example, a Wi-Fi communication method.

In addition, by opening the second switch SW2, power supply from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is stopped, and thus the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enters into an operation-prohibited state.

Therefore, in the active mode, transmission and reception of various signals are performed between the probe controller <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the main body controller <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> via the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1.

On the other hand, in the first mode among the first mode and the second mode included in the standby mode, as illustrated in <FIG>, the power supply controller <NUM> opens the first switch SW1 and closes the second switch SW2.

By opening the first switch SW1, power supply from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 is stopped, and thus the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 enter into an operation-prohibited state. Therefore, the ultrasound unit <NUM> cannot acquire the ultrasound image data.

In addition, by closing the second switch SW2, power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2, and thus the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enters into an operable state.

Therefore, in the first mode, transmission and reception of various signals are performed between the power supply controller <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the main body controller <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> via the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 and the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2.

In this way, in the first mode, not only the ultrasound unit <NUM> enters into an operation-prohibited state, but also the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 using, for example, Wi-Fi with a high power consumption enters into an operation-prohibited state. Thus, the power consumption of the ultrasound probe <NUM> in the first mode is lower than the power consumption in the active mode.

In the first mode, power is not supplied from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, while power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the power supply controller <NUM> and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2. Thus, in a case where the power supply controller <NUM> receives an activation instruction signal from the apparatus main body <NUM> via the probe-side second communication circuit PC2, a transition from the first mode to the active mode can be started.

In addition, in the second mode among the first mode and the second mode included in the standby mode, as illustrated in <FIG>, the power supply controller <NUM> opens both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2. Since the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are open, not only power supply from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 is stopped, but also power supply from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is stopped. Thereby, the ultrasound unit <NUM>, the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enter into an operation-prohibited state, and thus the ultrasound probe <NUM> enters into a so-called sleep state.

Therefore, the power consumption of the ultrasound probe <NUM> in the second mode is further lower than the power consumption in the first mode.

In the second mode, both the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enter into an operation-prohibited state, and the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM> are in an unpaired state. Thus, the ultrasound probe <NUM> cannot receive a signal from the apparatus main body <NUM>. On the other hand, power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the power supply controller <NUM>. Thus, in a case where a detection signal obtained by detecting that the ultrasound probe <NUM> is gripped or moved is input from the probe sensor <NUM>, the power supply controller <NUM> can start a transition from the second mode to the active mode.

Next, an operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment <NUM> in the active mode will be described with reference to a flowchart of <FIG>.

First, in step S1, an examination portion of a subject is imaged by the ultrasound unit <NUM>, and thus the ultrasound image data is acquired.

At this time, under a control of the probe controller <NUM>, transmission and reception of ultrasound waves from the plurality of transducers of the transducer array <NUM> are started according to the drive signal from the pulser <NUM> of the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>. The ultrasound echo reflected by an internal body tissue of the subject is received by the plurality of transducers of the transducer array <NUM>, and thus a reception signal is output to the amplification unit <NUM>. The reception signal is amplified by the amplification unit <NUM>, and the amplified signal is converted into a digital signal by AD conversion of the AD conversion unit <NUM>. Then, reception focus processing is performed on the digital signal by the beam former <NUM>, and thus a sound wave signal is generated.

In addition, the sound wave signal is transmitted to the image generation unit <NUM>, attenuation correction according to a depth of a reflection position of the ultrasound wave and envelope detection processing are performed on the sound wave signal by the signal processing unit <NUM>. The sound wave signal is converted into an image signal conforming to a scanning method of a normal television signal by the DSC <NUM>, and various required image processing such as gradation processing is performed on the image signal by the image processing unit <NUM>. In this way, ultrasound image data representing an ultrasound image is generated by the image generation unit <NUM>.

In subsequent step S2, the ultrasound image data is wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound probe <NUM> to the apparatus main body <NUM>. At this time, since the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 is in an operable state, the ultrasound image data acquired by the ultrasound unit <NUM> is transmitted from the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 to the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 of the apparatus main body <NUM> by using, for example, Wi-Fi.

Then, in step S3, the ultrasound image data received by the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1 of the apparatus main body <NUM> is displayed on the monitor <NUM> via the display controller <NUM>.

Thereafter, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the ultrasound examination is completed. In a case where it is determined that the examination is not yet completed, the process returns to step S1, and processing of step S1 to step S3 is repeated. In a case where it is determined that the examination is completed, a series of processing is ended.

Next, an activation operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment <NUM> from the first mode will be described with reference to a flowchart of <FIG>.

In the first mode, power supply from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 is stopped, and the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 enter into an operation-prohibited state. On the other hand, power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the power supply controller <NUM> and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2, and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enters into an operable state.

Therefore, in step S5, the power supply controller <NUM> confirms whether or not an activation instruction signal is received from the apparatus main body <NUM> via the probe-side second communication circuit PC2. In a case where an activation instruction signal as an activation control signal is transmitted from the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 by the main body controller <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> using BLE and the activation instruction signal received by the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is input to the power supply controller <NUM>, in step S6, the power supply controller <NUM> stops power supply from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 by opening the second switch SW2 that has been closed so far.

Further, in step S7, the power supply controller <NUM> supplies power from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 by closing the first switch SW1 that has been opened so far. In step S8, wireless communication using, for example, a Wi-Fi communication method is started between the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1.

In this way, the ultrasound probe <NUM> is activated from the first mode, and transitions to the active mode illustrated in <FIG>.

Next, an activation operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment <NUM> from the second mode will be described with reference to a flowchart of <FIG>.

In the second mode, power supply from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM>, the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is stopped, and the ultrasound unit <NUM>, the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enter into an operation-prohibited state.

On the other hand, power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the power supply controller <NUM>. In step S9, the power supply controller <NUM> confirms whether or not a detection signal indicating a detection result that the ultrasound probe <NUM> is gripped or moved is input from the probe sensor <NUM>.

In a case where the ultrasound probe <NUM> is gripped or moved by the user, a detection signal from the probe sensor <NUM> is input to the power supply controller <NUM>. In step S10, the power supply controller <NUM> closes the second switch SW2 that is opened so far, and thus power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2. Thereby, the ultrasound probe <NUM> has the same circuit configuration as the circuit configuration in the first mode illustrated in <FIG>.

In subsequent step S11, the power supply controller <NUM> transmits a pairing request signal from the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 to the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 of the apparatus main body <NUM> by using BLE. In step S12, the power supply controller <NUM> confirms whether or not a pairing completion notification signal is received from the apparatus main body <NUM> via the probe-side second communication circuit PC2.

Processing of step S9 to step S12 is repeated until a pairing completion notification signal is received from the apparatus main body <NUM>.

In addition, in a case where a pairing completion notification signal as an activation control signal is transmitted from the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 by the main body controller <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> using BLE, and where a pairing completion notification signal received by the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is input to the power supply controller <NUM>, the power supply controller <NUM> executes transition processing to the active mode through processing of step S6 to step S8 as in the activation operation from the first mode.

That is, in step S6, the power supply controller <NUM> stops power supply from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 by opening the second switch SW2. In step S7, the power supply controller <NUM> supplies power from the battery <NUM> to the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 by closing the first switch SW1. In step S8, wireless communication using, for example, a Wi-Fi communication method is started between the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 and the main-body-side first communication circuit BC1.

Thereby, the ultrasound probe <NUM> is activated from the second mode, and transitions to the active mode illustrated in <FIG>.

As described above, depending on whether the ultrasound probe <NUM> is in the active mode, the first mode, or the second mode, the power supply controller <NUM> selects one of the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 with a large transmission capacity and a high power consumption and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 with a small transmission capacity and a low power consumption, and the ultrasound probe <NUM> performs wireless communication with the apparatus main body <NUM> by using the selected communication circuit. Thus, it is possible to activate the ultrasound probe <NUM> only by an operation of the apparatus main body <NUM> and achieve power saving.

As can be seen from the flowcharts of <FIG> and <FIG>, a time required to transition the power supply mode from the first mode to the active mode is shorter than a time required to transition the power supply mode from the second mode to the active mode.

Further, in the embodiment <NUM> described above, the image generation unit <NUM> is provided in the ultrasound probe <NUM>. On the other hand, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the image generation unit <NUM> can also be provided in the apparatus main body <NUM>. In this case, the ultrasound unit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> is configured with the transducer array <NUM>, the transmission/reception circuit <NUM>, and the probe controller <NUM>, and the sound wave signal acquired by the transmission/reception circuit <NUM> is transmitted as the ultrasound image data from the ultrasound probe <NUM> to the apparatus main body <NUM>. In the apparatus main body <NUM>, the ultrasound image data generated by the image generation unit <NUM> is displayed on the monitor <NUM> via the display controller <NUM>.

In the embodiment <NUM> described above, in the second mode, the ultrasound unit <NUM>, the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, and the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enter into an operation-prohibited state. On the other hand, the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, as in the first mode, the ultrasound unit <NUM> and the probe-side first communication circuit PC1 enter into an operation-prohibited state, while power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the probe-side second communication circuit PC2. Thus, it is possible to set the second mode in which the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enters into an operable state and the power supply controller <NUM> controls the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 such that the ultrasound probe <NUM> performs wireless communication with the apparatus main body <NUM> at a communication interval longer than a communication interval in the first mode.

The probe-side second communication circuit PC2 is controlled to perform wireless communication at the communication interval longer than the communication interval in the first mode. Thus, it is possible to realize the second mode with a lower power consumption than the power consumption of the ultrasound probe <NUM> in the first mode.

Even in this case, as in the activation operation from the second mode according to the embodiment <NUM>, in a case where the detection signal from the probe sensor <NUM> is input to the power supply controller <NUM>, transition processing to the active mode can be started. In addition, the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 enters into an operable state even though the communication interval is longer than the communication interval in the first mode. Thus, as in the activation operation from the first mode according to the embodiment <NUM>, in a case where the activation instruction signal transmitted from the main-body-side second communication circuit BC2 of the apparatus main body <NUM> is input to the power supply controller <NUM> via the probe-side second communication circuit PC2, transition processing to the active mode can be started.

In the embodiment <NUM>, in the second mode, the power supply controller <NUM> controls the probe-side second communication circuit PC2 such that the ultrasound probe <NUM> performs wireless communication with the apparatus main body <NUM> at the communication interval longer than the communication interval in the first mode. On the other hand, the ultrasound probe <NUM> may include a probe-side third communication circuit that is configured to perform wireless communication at a long communication interval which is set in advance. The power supply controller <NUM> selects one of three communication circuits including the probe-side first communication circuit PC1, the probe-side second communication circuit PC2, and the probe-side third communication circuit according to the power supply mode of the ultrasound probe <NUM>. Thus, the ultrasound probe <NUM> can perform wireless communication with the apparatus main body <NUM> by using the selected communication circuit.

Claim 1:
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:
an ultrasound probe (<NUM>); and
an apparatus main body (<NUM>) that is wirelessly connected to the ultrasound probe (<NUM>),
wherein the ultrasound probe (<NUM>) includes
an ultrasound unit (<NUM>) that acquires ultrasound image data by transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves,
a plurality of probe-side communication circuits each of which performs wireless communication with the apparatus main body (<NUM>) and which have transmission capacities different from each other and power consumptions different from each other, and
a power supply controller (<NUM>) that selects one probe-side communication circuit among the plurality of probe-side communication circuits according to a power supply mode of the ultrasound probe (<NUM>) and performs wireless communication with the apparatus main body (<NUM>) by using the selected probe-side communication circuit,
the power supply mode of the ultrasound probe (<NUM>) includes an active mode in which an operation of the ultrasound unit (<NUM>) is enabled and a standby mode in which an operation of the ultrasound unit (<NUM>) is disabled and a power consumption is lower than a power consumption in the active mode, and
the power supply controller (<NUM>) switches the power supply mode from the standby mode to the active mode in a case where the ultrasound probe (<NUM>) receives an activation control signal from the apparatus main body (<NUM>),
characterized in that the plurality of probe-side communication circuits include:
a probe-side first communication circuit (PC1) that is selected by the power supply controller (<NUM>) and transmits the ultrasound image data acquired by the ultrasound unit (<NUM>) to the apparatus main body (<NUM>) in a case where the power supply mode is the active mode, and
a probe-side second communication circuit (PC2) that is selected by the power supply controller (<NUM>) and operates with a power consumption lower than a power consumption of the probe-side first communication circuit (PC1) in a case where the power supply mode is the standby mode.