Ultrasonic probe, charger, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic system

Abstract

An ultrasonic probe, a charger and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic system that uses them are provided by the present invention, which comprises a detector for detecting whether or not an ultrasonic probe having a rechargeable battery or the charger for charging this is in charging state; and a controller for stopping transmitting and receiving operations of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a transmitting and receiving circuit for executing the generation of a signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic waves and the generation of the diagnostic information based on the signal related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves; a probe switching circuit for selecting one of a plurality of ultrasonic probes; and a controller for controlling the probe switching circuit in accordance with a detection signal from the detector. The ultrasonic diagnostic system comprises the above-mentioned probes, chargers and diagnostic apparatus.

1 . An ultrasonic probe comprising:
 a rechargeable battery;   a transducer that uses said battery as an operational power source and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves;   a communicator that uses said battery as the operational power source and wirelessly communicates with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a signal related to the transmission and reception by said transducer;   a detector for detecting, by the ultrasonic probe, that said battery is connected to a charger, which is connected to an external power source separately provided from said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; and   a controller in communication with the detector, for stopping, by the ultrasonic probe according to a detection result of the detector, transmitting and receiving operations of the ultrasonic waves that are executed by said transducer, when it is detected by said detector that said battery is connected to said charger, such that the ultrasonic probe both detects that said battery is connected to said charger, and then stops the transmitting and receiving operations of the ultrasonic waves according to the detection result of the detector,   said controller being configured for releasing stopping of transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves in case said ultrasonic probe is to be used with said ultrasonic probe being connected to said charger.   
     
     
         2 . A charger for charging a battery of an ultrasonic probe that contains a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves using a rechargeable battery as an operational power source, and a communicator for wirelessly communicating with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a signal related to the transmission and reception by said transducer, said charger comprising:
 a detector for detecting, by the charger, that said ultrasonic probe is connected to said charger to charge said battery; and   a controller for stopping, by the charger using communications between the charger and said ultrasonic probe, the transmitting and receiving operations of ultrasonic waves that are executed by said transducer, when the connection of said ultrasonic probe is detected by said detector,   wherein the charger is separate from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receives charging power for charging the battery from a power source separate from and external to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and   said controller being configured for releasing stopping of transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves in case said ultrasonic probe is to be used with said ultrasonic probe being connected to said charger.   
     
     
         3 . A charger for charging a battery of an ultrasonic probe that contains a transducer that uses a rechargeable battery as an operational power source and executes transmitting and receiving operations of ultrasonic waves, and a communicator that wirelessly communicates with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a signal related to the transmission and reception of said transducer, said charger comprising:
 a detector for detecting, by the charger, that said ultrasonic probe is connected to said charger to charge said battery;   a signal transmitter for transmitting a detection signal from said detector to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; and   a controller for stopping, by the charger using communications between the charger and said ultrasonic probe, the transmitting and receiving operations of ultrasonic waves that are executed by said transducer, when the connection of said ultrasonic probe is detected by said detector,   wherein the charger is separate from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receives charging power for charging the battery from a power source separate from and external to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,   said controller being configured for releasing stopping of transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves in case said ultrasonic probe is to be used with said ultrasonic probe being connected to said charger.   
     
     
         4 . The ultrasonic probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the communicator of the ultrasonic probe wirelessly transmits a detection signal from the detector to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The ultrasonic probe according to  claim 1 , wherein said charger is so arranged that it is supplied with power through a floating system provided between said probe and said external power source.