Portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic probe, and a main body including a display unit provided on a front surface of the main body. An input device is provided at a rear surface of the main body to receive user command information from a user, which allows the user to operate the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a hand that is gripping the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The apparatus may be used by moving the ultrasonic probe in contact with a surface of an object, sending ultrasonic signals from the object surface, receiving reflected ultrasonic signals from the object, and converting the ultrasonic signals into electrical signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
 a main body connected to an ultrasonic probe and including a display on a front surface of the main body; and   an input device at a rear surface of the main body ,   wherein the display is configured to display an ultrasonic image, and   wherein the input device is configured to receive a freeze command to pause the ultrasonic image.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the input device is configured to change a mode of the ultrasonic image. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the display includes a first area displaying the ultrasonic image, and a second area displaying a user interface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the user interface includes a menu for selecting the mode. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the user interface is changed when the mode is changed. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a controller is configured to control a provision of the user interface and an optimization of the ultrasonic image according to the mode of the ultrasonic image. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the mode includes a display mode of the ultrasonic image the input device includes a button to change the display mode. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the mode inludes an ultrasonic image mode, the input device includes a button to change the ultrasonic image mode. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the input device includes a touch panel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the input device is coupled to the main body. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the input device includes a track ball. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the user interface is changed by input through the track ball. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the track ball is configured to input a user command information corresponding to a request and selection of the user interface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the track ball is configured to input a user command information corresponding to a setting request of a region of interest included in the ultrasonic image, a size adjusting request of the region of interest, and a movement request of the region of interest. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body further includes:
 a beam former configured to produce frame data by focusing ultrasonic signals received from the ultrasonic probe;   an ultrasonic data producer configured to produce ultrasonic data via digital signal processing of the frame data;   an ultrasonic image producer configured to produce the ultrasonic image using the ultrasonic data; and   a controller configured to control display of the ultrasonic image and a user interface according to user command information.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe coupled to the main body in a wired or wireless manner.