JPH07391A - Ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic system capable of objectively judging the operating state (operating time) of an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. CONSTITUTION:This ultrasonic diagnostic system forms an image in a device main body 1 with the tomographic information in a testee obtained via an ultrasonic probe 2 for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the testee and receiving the reflected waves from the testee. It is provided with an EEPROM 14 storing the cumulative operating time of the probe 2; a probe operating time monitor section 25 measuring the continuous operating time of the probe 2, adding the measured continuous operating time to the cumulative operating time stored in the EEPROM 14, and updating the cumulative operating time stored in the EEPROM 14; and a display section displaying the cumulative operating time updated by the probe operating time monitor section 25.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for scanning a tomographic plane of an object with an ultrasonic beam through an ultrasonic probe to image tomographic information in the object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an ultrasonic probe is used for a long period of time, the sensitivity of the ultrasonic probe gradually deteriorates. It is considered that this deterioration in sensitivity is due to changes in the piezoelectric material and the electrode material over time due to repeated energization. As the sensitivity of the ultrasonic probe deteriorates, the image quality of the tomographic image deteriorates, which may hinder the diagnosis and lead to misdiagnosis.

By the way, quality assurance of an ultrasonic probe is
It is generally done only when the product is shipped. The degree of deterioration of the ultrasonic probe depends on the user's usage status (usage time)
It cannot be grasped only by the number of days that have passed since the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment was delivered. Therefore, in the medical field, even if the quality of the ultrasonic probe deteriorates, the image quality is extremely deteriorated, or the ultrasonic probe continues to be used without noticing until the life of the ultrasonic probe reaches the state where a normal image cannot be obtained. It is possible that

As described above, a method for easily recognizing the degree of deterioration of the ultrasonic probe has not been established in the related art, so that there is a problem in that the ultrasonic probe is used without being noticed when the image quality is deteriorated.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of objectively determining the usage status (usage time) of an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. With the goal.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a tomographic image in a subject acquired through an ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the subject and receiving a reflected wave from the subject. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for imaging information on the apparatus body, a storage unit for storing the cumulative usage time of the ultrasonic probe, measuring the continuous usage time of the ultrasonic probe, and storing the measured continuous usage time. A probe usage time monitoring means for updating the cumulative usage time stored in the storage means by adding to the cumulative usage time stored in the storage means, and the cumulative usage time updated by the probe usage time monitoring means. And output means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the subject and receiving a reflected wave from the subject, and a tomographic image in the subject acquired via the ultrasonic probe. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an apparatus body for imaging information, and a probe connector connected to the ultrasonic probe via a cable and detachably connected to the apparatus body, the probe connector is the ultrasonic wave. When the probe is used, it is in the operating state and the usage time is measured.When the ultrasonic probe is not used, the measurement result is held, and when the ultrasonic probe is used next, it is held. A timer for measuring the usage time using the measured result as an initial value and a display unit for displaying the usage time measured by the timer are provided.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the cumulative use time of the ultrasonic probe is output, the service person can objectively judge the use status of the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, the service person can replace or repair the ultrasonic probe whose service life has expired at an optimal time, and the user has the inconvenience of making a diagnosis without noticing the deterioration of the image quality due to the deterioration of the ultrasonic probe. Absent.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the cumulative use time of the ultrasonic probe is output, the service person can objectively judge the use situation of the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, the service person can replace or repair the ultrasonic probe whose service life has expired at an optimal time, and the user has the inconvenience of making a diagnosis without noticing the deterioration of the image quality due to the deterioration of the ultrasonic probe. Absent. Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the timer is provided in the probe connector fixed to the ultrasonic probe,
Even if the ultrasonic probe is removed from the device body and connected to another device body, the measured usage time can be continuously utilized.

[0010]

Embodiments of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the first embodiment. A plurality of ultrasonic probes (hereinafter, referred to as probes) 2, 3, and 4 are provided in the apparatus body 1 in this case.
Is detachably connected. Each of the probes 2, 3 and 4 is composed of a large number of piezoelectric elements (piezoelectric element array) arranged in a line, and transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and receives reflected waves from the subject. In addition, the probes 2, 3, 4
Has a structure in which the piezoelectric element array can be replaced.

Probe connectors (male) 8, 9, 1 are connected to the probes 2, 3, 4 via cables 5, 6, 7 respectively.
0 is fixedly connected to the corresponding probe 2, 3, 4. Each probe connector (male) 8, 9, 10
A plurality of connectors (female) 1 mounted on the apparatus body 1
1, 12 and 13 are detachably coupled.

The probe connectors 8, 9 and 10 are provided with EEPROM (Electric) whose stored contents can be electrically rewritten.
al Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 14,
15 and 16 are built in. EEPROM 14, 15, 1
The semiconductor memory 6 may be a semiconductor memory that can retain the stored contents without being supplied with power from the outside, and may be replaced by a RAM (Random Access Memory) equipped with a backup power supply, for example. The EEPROM 14, 15, 16 stores the accumulated use time Tac of the corresponding probes 2, 3, 4 and the probe identification information ID unique to each probe 2, 3, 4.

The apparatus main body 1 includes a transmitting / receiving section 17 for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves through one of the probes 2, 3, 4 and a signal processing section for imaging the reflected wave signal received by the transmitting / receiving section 17. 18 and the image (B
A display unit 19 for displaying mode images, M-mode images, CFM-mode images, etc., and a system controller 20 for controlling the entire apparatus are provided.

Further, in the apparatus body 1, the user selects a probe to be operated, in other words, a probe selection switch 23 for switching the currently operating probe to another probe, and the probe selection switch 23 is used for selection. A selector 21 for selectively connecting one of the probes 2, 3 and 4 to the transmitter / receiver 17, and an operation mode such as B mode, M mode, CFM mode (using a frequency shift due to the Doppler effect, Further, there is provided a mode selection switch 24 for the user to select one of the color flow mapping modes in which the blood flow is imaged in color.

Further, the apparatus main body 1 has an EEPR corresponding to one of the probes 2, 3 and 4 selected through the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 and the probe selection switch 23.
The OM 14, 15 or 16 is used as the probe usage time monitoring unit 2
5, a selector 22 selectively connected to 5, a timer 26,
The hard disk device 27 and the service person intentionally E
A reset switch 28 for resetting the cumulative use time Tac of the EPROMs 14, 15, 16 to 0 is provided.

The timer 26 may be, for example, a counter that repeatedly outputs a pulse at a predetermined cycle (for example, 1 second or 1 minute), or a clock that outputs the current time as needed. The hard disk device 27 has a service life Tdc2 (for example, 15,000 hours) unique to each of the probes 2, 3, and 4,
The warning time Tdc1 (eg 1.
Is stored in advance in association with the probe identification information ID of each of the probes 2, 3 and 4.

The probe usage time monitoring unit 25 has the following functions. (A) A function of measuring the continuous use time ΔT of the probes 2, 3 and 4 via the timer 26. If the timer 26 is a counter, the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected by the probe selection switch 23 is continuously used based on the number of pulses output from the timer 26 while the transmitter / receiver 17 is being driven (energized). Measure time ΔT. If the timer 26 is a clock, the continuous use time ΔT is measured based on the start time and end time of the above period. Therefore, continuous use time △
T is measured as the continuous energization time of the probe.

The continuous use time ΔT is not limited to the continuous energization time, but may be another type of time, for example, a continuous selection time in which the same probe is continuously selected. In this case, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 takes in the select signal sent from the system controller 20 to the selector 21, and measures the continuous usage time ΔT via the timer 26 based on this select signal.

Further, as the continuous use time ΔT, the probe connector of one probe 2, 3 or 4 is continuously coupled to the apparatus main body 1 while the main power source of the apparatus is on. It may be the time that you are. In this case, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 measures the time from when the probe identification information ID is read from the EEPROM in the probe connector to when the probe connector is switched to another probe connector. (B) A function of reading the probe identification information ID from the EEPROMs 14, 15 and 16. (C) A function of reading the cumulative use time Tac from the EEPROMs 14, 15 and 16. (D) EEPROM 14,15,
A function of selectively reading, from the hard disk device 27, the service life time Tdc2 and the warning time Tdc1 corresponding to the probe identification information ID read from 16. (E) The measured continuous use time ΔT is stored in the EEPROM 14,
EE is added to the cumulative use time Tac read from 15 and 16, and the added time is set as a new cumulative use time Tac.
Function to store in PROM14,15,16. That is, E
A function for updating the cumulative use time Tac of the EPROMs 14, 15, 16. (F) A function of monitoring the usage status (usage time) of the probes 2, 3 and 4 by comparing the cumulative usage time Tac read from the EEPROMs 14, 15 and 16 with the service time Tdc2 and the warning time Tdc1 respectively. (G) In order to output (display) a warning message from the display unit 19 when the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1, the system displays data indicating that the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1. Function to output to the controller 20. (H) When the cumulative use time Tac has reached the service life Tdc2, data indicating that the cumulative use time Tac has reached the service time Tdc2 in order to forcibly stop the operation of the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Function to output to the system controller 20. (I) A function of outputting data indicating the cumulative usage time Tac to the system controller 20 in order to numerically display the cumulative usage time Tac on the display unit 19. (J) A function of resetting the cumulative use time Tac stored in the EEPROMs 14, 15, 16 to 0 hours when the reset switch 28 is pressed by the service person. The serviceman presses the reset switch 28 when replacing the piezoelectric element array.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is the first
6 is a flowchart showing an operation of updating the cumulative usage time Tac according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of monitoring the usage status (usage time) of the probe according to the first embodiment.

The operation of updating the cumulative use time Tac will be described.
First, in step S1, the main power of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned on by the user. Probe usage time monitoring unit 25
Measures the continuous use time ΔT by the function (a) described above.

In step S3, this continuous use time ΔT
Based on the EEPR corresponding to the current working probe
The cumulative energization time Tac stored in the OM 14, 15 or 16 is updated. That is, the EEPROMs 14 and 15
Alternatively, the continuous use time ΔT is added to the cumulative energization time Tac read from 16 and this added time is written in the EEPROM 14, 15 or 16 as a new cumulative energization time Tac. This updating operation is performed when the probe 2, 3 or 4 is not performing ultrasonic wave transmission / reception operation, for example, at the time of mode switching, in order to prevent noise from being mixed in the signal sent from the probe 2, 3, 4 to the transmission / reception unit 17. Preferably.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to deal with the case where the main power source of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned off unexpectedly (a power failure or the like is possible) during the operation of measuring the continuous use time ΔT in step S2. .

When the operating probe 2, 3, or 4 is switched to another probe by the operation of the probe selection switch 23 during the operation of measuring the continuous use time ΔT in step S2, the determination of Yes is made in step S4. Will be issued. As a result, step S6, which is the same process as step S3, is executed, and the EEPROM 14, 15 or the EEPROM 14 or 15 based on the continuous use time ΔT measured by the time when the operating probes 2, 3 and 4 are switched to other probes. The cumulative energization time Tac of 16 is updated.

If the main power switch of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is abruptly turned off during the operation of measuring the continuous use time ΔT in step S2, a Yes determination is made in step S5. As a result, step S6 of the same process as step S3 is executed, and the EEPROM 14, 15, or 16 is based on the continuous use time ΔT measured by the time when the main power switch of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned off unexpectedly.
The cumulative energization time Tac of is updated.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation of monitoring the usage status (usage time) of the probe will be described. First, in step S11, the main power of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned on by the user. In step S12, the cumulative usage time Tac and the probe identification information ID are read by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 from the EEPROM 14, 15 or 16 corresponding to the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected through the probe selection switch 23. . The cumulative usage time Tac is
It is sent to the display unit 19 via the system controller 20 and displayed on the screen according to an instruction input from a console panel (not shown) of the apparatus body 1 by a service person or a user at any time.

In step S13, the probe identification information ID
Based on the above, the warning time Tdc1 and the service life Tdc2 unique to the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected via the probe selection switch 23 are read from the hard disk device 27 into the probe usage time monitoring unit 25.

In step S14, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 compares the cumulative usage time Tac with the warning time Tdc1. When the cumulative usage time Tac has not reached the warning time Tdc1, the usage time monitoring operation ends. When the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1, data indicating that the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1 is output from the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 to the system controller 20 in step S15. . As a result, a warning message is displayed on the display unit 19. As this warning message, a text message that the cumulative use time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1 may be displayed on the screen of the display unit 19, or the display unit 19 may be displayed.
The cumulative use time Tac may be displayed as numerical information as it is on the screen of, for example, blinking in red, or a certain kind of sound may be generated from a sounding device (not shown), or by any other method. It can be output.

Further, in step S16, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 compares the cumulative usage time Tac with the service life time Tdc2. Cumulative use time Tac is service life Tdc
When the number has not reached 2, the use time monitoring operation ends. When the cumulative usage time Tac reaches the durable time Tdc2, data indicating that the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the durable time Tdc2 is output from the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 to the system controller 20. As a result, in step S17, the system controller 20 forcibly stops the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

When the piezoelectric element array of the probe is replaced by a serviceman, the serviceman presses the reset switch 28. EEPROM 14,1
The cumulative usage time Tac stored in 5 or 16 is reset to 0 hours by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cumulative energization time of the probe can be displayed at any time, which allows the service person to objectively grasp the usage status (usage time) of the probe. Becomes Further, according to the present embodiment, since the cumulative energization time is stored in the EEPROM incorporated in the probe connector which is fixedly connected to the probe, a problem expected by removing the probe from the apparatus main body That is, the problem that the cumulative energization time cannot be continuously monitored by connecting to different ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses can be easily solved.
Further, according to the present embodiment, it is monitored that the limit of the usage status (usage time) of the probe is near by the warning time, and when the cumulative energization time reaches the warning time, a warning message is transmitted to the service person. The probe can be promptly replaced. Further, according to the present embodiment, the usage status of the probe is monitored by the service life, and when the cumulative energization time has reached the service life, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is forcibly stopped and the service person performs the probe operation. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the diagnostic accuracy due to the progress of the diagnosis without noticing the deterioration of the image quality due to the deterioration.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the cumulative use time Tac is stored in the EEPROM in the probe connector, but this embodiment is different in that it is stored in the hard disk device 27 in the main body of the device. The hard disk device 27 is a device that electrically reads and writes information using a magnetic disk as a storage medium.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the probe connectors 8, 9, and 10 each have a nonvolatile memory (ROM) 31, 32, or 33 built therein.
32 and 33 hold only the probe identification information IDs of the corresponding probes 2, 3 and 4, respectively. further,
An electrically rewritable RAM 34 is connected to the probe usage time monitoring unit 25. The number of pulses (or time) from the timer 26 output during the measurement of the continuous use time ΔT is sequentially written in the RAM 34 by the probe use time monitoring unit 25. In this embodiment, the hard disk device 27 is preliminarily written with a service time Tdc2 and a warning time Tdc1 unique to each of the probes 2, 3 and 4 in association with the probe identification information ID of each of the probes 2, 3 and 4. Also, the cumulative usage time Tac measured by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 is written in association with the probe identification information ID.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of updating the cumulative use time Tac according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of monitoring the use status of the probe according to the second embodiment.

The updating operation of the cumulative use time Tac will be described.
First, in step S21, the main power of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned on by a service person. In step S22,
The probe usage time monitoring unit 25 measures the continuous usage time ΔT via the timer 26. The method of measuring the continuous use time ΔT is the same as in the first embodiment described above.

The continuous use time ΔT from the start of the measurement of the continuous use time ΔT to the present is measured at any time, and RA
It is written in M34 at any time (step S23). When the continuous energization ends, the mode is switched, or another probe is selected, that is, when the measurement of the continuous use time ΔT ends, the latest continuous use time ΔT written in the RAM 34. Is read by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25. Further, the cumulative usage time Tac corresponding to the probe 2, 3 or 4 is read from the hard disk device 27 into the probe usage time monitoring unit 25. The probe usage time monitoring unit 25 adds the continuous usage time ΔT to the cumulative usage time Tac, and the added time is sent to the hard disk device 27 and written as a new cumulative usage time Tac. As a result, the cumulative use time Tac of the hard disk device 27 is updated.

When the operating probe 2, 3 or 4 is switched to another probe during measurement of the continuous use time ΔT, a Yes determination is made in step S24, and steps S26 and S27 are sequentially executed. The cumulative usage time Tac of the hard disk device 27 is updated in the same manner as described above.

When the main power switch of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned off unexpectedly during measurement of the continuous use time ΔT, a Yes determination is made in step S25, and steps S28, S29 and S30 are sequentially performed. The accumulated use time Tac of the hard disk device 27 is updated and the main power supply is turned off as described above.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation of monitoring the usage status of the probe will be described. First, step S31
Then, the main power of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned on by the service person. In step S32, the probe use time monitoring unit 25 reads the probe identification information ID from the ROM 31, 32 or 33 corresponding to the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected through the probe selection switch 23.

In step S33, the probe identification information ID
The cumulative use time T corresponding to the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected via the probe selection switch 23 based on
The ac, the warning time Tdc1, and the service life Tdc2 are read from the hard disk device 27 into the probe usage time monitoring unit 25.

In step S34, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 compares the cumulative usage time Tac with the warning time Tdc1. When the cumulative usage time Tac has not reached the warning time Tdc1, the usage time monitoring operation ends. When the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1, data indicating that the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1 is output from the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 to the system controller 20 in step S35. . As a result, a warning message is displayed on the display unit 19.

Further, in step S36, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 compares the cumulative usage time Tac with the durable time Tdc2. Cumulative use time Tac is service life Tdc
When the number has not reached 2, the use time monitoring operation ends. When the cumulative usage time Tac reaches the durable time Tdc2, data indicating that the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the durable time Tdc2 is output from the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 to the system controller 20. As a result, in step S17, the system controller 20 forcibly stops the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
By storing the cumulative energization time in the probe connector as in the first embodiment, by storing the accumulated energization time in the hard disk device in the apparatus body in association with the probe identification information,
The same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the third embodiment. 7, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the continuous use time ΔT is stored until the next main power-on when the main power is turned off, and the cumulative use time of the EEPROM of the probe connector is updated when the main power is turned on next. Is different from.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the hard disk device 27 has a probe 2 and a warning time Tdc2 unique to the probes 2, 3 and 4, respectively.
The probe identification information IDs 3 and 4 are stored in advance and the continuous use time ΔT measured by the probe use time monitoring unit 25 is stored in association with the probe identification information ID.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of updating the cumulative use time Tac according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of monitoring the use condition (use time) of the probe according to the third embodiment.

First, the operation of updating the cumulative usage time Tac will be described. First, in step S41, the main power of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned on by the service person. Step S4
2, the EEPROM 14, 1 corresponding to the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected via the probe selection switch 23.
From 5 or 16, the cumulative energization time Tac and the probe identification information ID are read by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25. In step S43, from the hard disk device 27,
Continuous use time ΔT corresponding to the probe identification information ID
Is read by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25.

In step S44, the EEPROM 14, 1
The cumulative energization time Tac stored in 5 or 16 is updated. In step S45, the probe usage time monitoring unit 2
5, the measurement of the continuous use time ΔT is started via the timer 26. The details of the measurement of the continuous use time ΔT are the same as in the first embodiment described above.

The continuous use time ΔT from the start of the measurement of the continuous use time ΔT to the present is measured at any time, and RA
It is written in M34 as needed (step S46). When the continuous energization ends, the mode is switched, or another probe is selected, that is, when the measurement of the continuous use time ΔT ends, the latest continuous use time ΔT written in the RAM 34. Is read by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25. This continuous use time ΔT is stored in the hard disk device 27 in correspondence with the probe identification information ID until the next main power-on. When the main power source is turned on next time, the EE is performed in steps S41 to S44 described above.
The cumulative energization time Tac stored in the PROM 14, 15 or 16 is updated.

When the operating probe 2, 3 or 4 is switched to another probe during measurement of the continuous use time ΔT, a Yes determination is made in step S47, and steps S49 and S50 are executed in sequence. , The latest continuous use time ΔT written in the RAM 34 is read by the probe use time monitoring unit 25, and the continuous use time ΔT is read.
Is stored in the hard disk device 27 in correspondence with the probe identification information ID until the next main power-on.

Further, when the main power switch of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is abruptly turned off during measurement of the continuous use time ΔT, a Yes determination is made in step S48, and steps S51, S52, and S53 are sequentially performed. To be executed. That is, the latest continuous use time ΔT written in the RAM 34 is read by the probe use time monitoring unit 25, and this continuous use time ΔT corresponds to the probe identification information ID in the hard disk device 27 until the next main power-on. Then, the main power is cut off.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the operation of monitoring the usage status (usage time) of the probe will be described. First, in step S61, the main power of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned on by the user. In step S62, the cumulative usage time Tac and the probe identification information ID are read into the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 from the EEPROM 14, 15 or 16 corresponding to the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected through the probe selection switch 23.

In step S63, the warning time Tdc1 and the service life time Tdc corresponding to this probe identification information ID are set.
2. The continuous use time ΔT is read from the hard disk device 27 into the probe use time monitoring unit 25.

Next, in step S64, the probe use time monitoring unit 25 makes an EEP based on the continuous use time ΔT.
The cumulative use time Tac of the ROM 14, 15 or 16 is updated.

In step S65, the updated cumulative usage time Tac is compared with the warning time Tdc1 by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25. The cumulative use time Tac is the warning time T
When it has not reached dc1, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25
Terminates the use time monitoring operation.

When the cumulative use time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1, the data indicating that the cumulative use time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1 is the probe use time monitoring unit 2.
5 is output to the system controller 20, and a warning message is output in step S66.

Further, in step S67, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 determines that the cumulative usage time Tac is the durable time T.
Compared with dc2. Cumulative use time Tac is service life Tdc2
When the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 has not reached
The usage time monitoring operation is ended. Cumulative usage time Tac
Has reached the warning time Tdc1, the cumulative use time Tac
Data indicating that the service life time Tdc2 has been reached from the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 to the system controller 2
0, and the system controller 20 forcibly stops the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in step S68.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the previous embodiment can be obtained. (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of the fourth embodiment. 7, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the probe connectors 8, 9, 10 are provided with timers 41, 4 respectively.
2, 43, ROMs 44, 45, 46, indicators 47, 4
8, 49 are built in. The timers 41, 42, 43 measure the elapsed time such as a stopwatch intermittently, and the corresponding probes 2, 3, 4 are in an operating state only while in use, and measure the use time. When the use of the probes 2, 3, 4 is stopped, the measured use time is retained, and the use time retained at the start of the next use of the corresponding probe 2, 3, 4 is used as an initial value to cumulatively use the use time. measure. The start and stop of the timers 41, 42, 43 are controlled by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25. The display devices 47, 48, 49 are digital displays of a plurality of digits, and digitally display the use time measured by the timers 41, 42, 43. The ROMs 44, 45 and 46 store probe identification information IDs unique to the corresponding probes 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Indicators 47, 48, 4
9 may be supplied with its driving power from the apparatus main body 1 or may be supplied from a power source (battery) mounted on the probe connectors 8, 9, 10.

The hard disk device 27 stores a service time Tdu2 and a warning time Tdu1 unique to each of the probes 2, 3 and 4 in association with the probe identification information ID. The operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the operation of measuring the cumulative usage time Tac will be described. The cumulative use time Tac is measured by repeating the start and stop of the timers 41, 42, 43. The start and stop of the timers 41, 42, 43 are controlled by the probe usage time monitoring unit 25. The probe usage time monitoring unit 25 includes a probe selection switch 23.
When the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected in step 4 is started to be driven by the transmitter / receiver 17, or the ROM 4 of the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected by the probe selection switch 23.
When the probe identification information ID is read from 4, 45 or 46, the timer 41, 42 or 43 is started.
In addition, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 includes the probes 2, 3 selected by the transmission / reception unit 17 by the probe selection switch 23.
Or when the driving of 4 is stopped, or when another probe is selected via the probe selection switch 23,
Stop the timer 41, 42 or 43.

The cumulative use time Tac measured by the timers 41, 42 and 43 is displayed in real time on the display devices 47, 48 and 4.
9 is displayed digitally. Next, the operation of the probe according to the fourth embodiment for monitoring the usage condition (usage time), that is, the operation for checking whether or not the probe has reached the endurance limit will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S71,
The main power of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned on by a service person. In step S72, the probe selection switch 23
The accumulated use time Tac held by the timer 41, 42 or 43 corresponding to the probe 2, 3 or 4 selected via the probe use information ID stored in the ROM 44, 45 or 46 is the probe use time. It is read by the monitoring unit 25.

In step S73, the warning time Tdc1 and the service life time Tdc2 corresponding to this probe identification information ID are set.
Is read from the hard disk device 27 into the probe usage time monitoring unit 25.

Next, in step S74, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 determines that the cumulative usage time Tac is the warning time T.
Compared with dc1. Cumulative use time Tac is warning time Tdc1
When the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 has not reached
The usage time monitoring operation is ended.

When the cumulative use time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1, the data indicating that the cumulative use time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1 is the probe use time monitoring unit 2
5 to the system controller 20, and a warning message is output in step S75.

Further, in step S76, the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 determines that the cumulative usage time Tac is the durable time T.
Compared with dc2. Cumulative use time Tac is service life Tdc2
When the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 has not reached
The usage time monitoring operation is ended. Cumulative usage time Tac
Has reached the warning time Tdc1, the cumulative use time Tac
Data indicating that the service life time Tdc2 has been reached from the probe usage time monitoring unit 25 to the system controller 2
0, and the system controller 20 forcibly stops the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in step S68.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effect as the previous embodiment can be obtained. (Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the structure of the fifth embodiment. 12, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment,
The accumulated use time Tac measured by the device body 1 and the alarm information AR are transmitted to the host computer 51 in the external service center via the modem 50. The alarm information AR is data indicating that the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the warning time Tdc1 or the cumulative usage time Tac has reached the durable time Tdc2.

According to this embodiment, the service person can objectively monitor the usage status of the probe delivered in the service center at any time. Although the present embodiment has been described in the case of being applied to the first embodiment, it is of course applicable to the second to fourth embodiments.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways. For example, a log file in which the intermittent use time (use start time and use end time) of the probe is described in time series may be created and stored in the hard disk device. Furthermore, alarm information may be added to a certain usage time described in this log file, in which case the service person can easily determine the probe that has reached the endurance limit based on the presence or absence of the alarm information. It can be used for careful maintenance management. In addition, information such as internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology that performed ultrasound diagnosis may be added to each usage time described in this log file.In this case, the usage time can be recognized for each department. Therefore, it can be used as a guide when purchasing the equipment and distributing the cost burden related to maintenance costs.

[0069]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the apparatus main body acquires the tomographic information in the subject obtained through the ultrasonic probe for transmitting the ultrasonic wave to the subject and receiving the reflected wave from the subject. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for imaging with, a storage means for storing the cumulative use time of the ultrasonic probe, and measuring the continuous use time of the ultrasonic probe, the measured continuous use time is stored in the storage means. The probe usage time monitoring means for updating the cumulative usage time stored in the storage means by adding the cumulative usage time stored in the storage means, and the output means for outputting the cumulative usage time updated by the probe usage time monitoring means. To have.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the cumulative use time of the ultrasonic probe is output, the service person can objectively judge the use status of the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, the service person can replace or repair the ultrasonic probe whose service life has expired at an optimal time, and the user has the inconvenience of making a diagnosis without noticing the deterioration of the image quality due to the deterioration of the ultrasonic probe. Absent.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the subject and receiving a reflected wave from the subject, and a tomographic image in the subject acquired through the ultrasonic probe. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising an apparatus body for imaging information, a probe connector connected to the ultrasonic probe via a cable, and detachably connected to the apparatus body, the probe connector is the ultrasonic wave. When the probe is in use, it is in the operating state and the usage time is measured.When the ultrasonic probe is not in use, the measurement result is retained, and when the ultrasonic probe is used next, it is retained. A timer for measuring the usage time using the measured result as an initial value and a display unit for displaying the usage time measured by the timer are provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the cumulative use time of the ultrasonic probe is output, the service person can objectively judge the use status of the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, the service person can replace or repair the ultrasonic probe whose service life has expired at an optimal time, and the user has the inconvenience of making a diagnosis without noticing the deterioration of the image quality due to the deterioration of the ultrasonic probe. Absent. Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the timer is provided in the probe connector fixed to the ultrasonic probe,
Even if the ultrasonic probe is removed from the device body and connected to another device body, the measured usage time can be continuously utilized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of updating the cumulative usage time according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a usage time monitoring operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of updating the cumulative usage time according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a usage time monitoring operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of updating the cumulative usage time according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a usage time monitoring operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a usage time monitoring operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Device main body, 2, 3, 4 ... Ultrasonic probe, 5, 6, 7 ... Cable, 8, 9, 10 ... Probe connector, 11, 12, 13 ... Connector, 14,
15, 16 ... EEPROM, 17 ... Transceiver,
18 ... Signal processing unit, 19 ... Display unit,
20 ... System controller 21, 22 ... Selector,
23 ... Probe selection switch, 24 ... Mode selection switch, 25 ... Probe usage time monitoring unit, 26 ... Timer, 27 ... Hard disk device, 28
... reset switch.

(72) Inventor Hiromi Maekawa 1385-1 Shimoishigami, Otawara-shi, Tochigi Toshiba Nasu factory (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Shikata 1385-1 Shimoishi, Otawara, Tochigi Toshiba Nasu Inside the factory (72) Inventor Nobuo Yamazaki 1385-1 Shimoishigami, Otawara-shi, Tochigi Toshiba Nasu factory (72) Inventor Tomio Kawaguchi 1385-1 Shimoishi, Otawara, Tochigi Toshiba Nasu factory

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic system for transmitting ultrasonic waves to a subject and imaging the tomographic information in the subject acquired through an ultrasonic probe for receiving a reflected wave from the subject with an apparatus body. A storage unit for storing the cumulative use time of the ultrasonic probe in the device, measuring the continuous use time of the ultrasonic probe, and adding the measured continuous use time to the cumulative use time stored in the storage unit. And a probe usage time monitoring means for updating the cumulative usage time stored in the storage means, and an output means for outputting the cumulative usage time updated by the probe usage time monitoring means. Sound wave diagnostic equipment. 2. An ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a subject and receiving a reflected wave from the subject, and imaging the tomographic information in the subject acquired through the ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a device body and a probe connector connected to the ultrasonic probe via a cable and detachably connected to the device body, wherein the probe connector is the ultrasonic probe. When it is in the operating state, it measures the usage time,
A timer for holding the measurement result when the ultrasonic probe is not used and for measuring the usage time with the held measurement result as an initial value when the ultrasonic probe is used next, and the timer. And a display unit that displays the usage time measured by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.