IP Library Granted Patent US 8,234,922
Granted Patent B2
US 8,234,922 · App. 12/501,851 · Granted Aug 7, 2012

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,234,922
App. No.
12/501,851
Granted
Aug 7, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is ultrasonic diagnostic equipment including: an equipment body; a display unit provided to the equipment body and configured to display an ultrasonic image; an equipment-side connector provided in the equipment body; and an ultrasonic probe having a probe-side connector to be connected to the equipment-side connector in a detachable manner. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the probe-side connector through a cable and configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves. The probe-side connector and the equipment-side connector are formed in structures capable of sending and receiving the ultrasonic waves even in the case of a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector.

Claims (26)

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic equipment comprising:

an equipment body;

a display unit provided to the equipment body and configured to display an ultrasonic image;

an equipment-side connector provided in the equipment body; and

an ultrasonic probe including a probe-side connector to be connected to the equipment-side connector in detachable manner, the ultrasonic probe being connected to the probe-side connector through a cable and configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves, wherein

the probe-side connector and the equipment-side connector are formed in structures capable of sending and receiving the ultrasonic waves even in the case of a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector,

the ultrasonic probe includes a detection mechanism to detect electrical signals indicating a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector,

the equipment body includes a detection unit configured to detect the 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector based on the electrical signals detected by the detection mechanism, and

the equipment body includes a display changing unit configured to perform, if the 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector is detected by the detection unit, changes relating to display of the ultrasonic image, and to display the ultrasonic image such that the ultrasonic image looks the same as that before a reversal of the probe-side connector.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according to claim 1 , wherein

the detection mechanism includes a protruding portion provided on the probe-side connector, and

the detection unit includes a switch provided in the equipment-side connector and configured to be pushed in by the protruding portion in a state in which the probe-side connector is connected to the equipment-side connector.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit includes an optical or magnetic switch provided in the equipment-side connector and configured to be turned on in a state in which the probe-side connector is connected to the equipment-side connector.

4. An ultrasonic diagnostic equipment comprising:

an equipment body;

a display unit provided to the equipment body and configured to display an ultrasonic image;

an equipment-side connector provided in the equipment body; and

an ultrasonic probe including a probe-side connector to be connected to the equipment-side connector in detachable manner, the ultrasonic probe being connected to the probe-side connector through a cable and configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves, wherein

the probe-side connector and the equipment-side connector are formed in structures capable of sending and receiving the ultrasonic waves even in the case of a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector,

the ultrasonic probe includes a detection mechanism for detecting electrical signals indicating a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector,

the equipment body includes a detection unit configured to detect the 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector based on the electrical signals detected by the detection mechanism, and

the equipment body includes a transmission changing unit configured to perform, if the 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector is detected by the detection unit, changes relating to sending and receiving of the ultrasonic waves, and to display the ultrasonic image such that the ultrasonic image looks the same as that before a reversal of the probe-side connector.

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according to claim 4 , wherein

the detection mechanism includes a protruding portion provided on the probe-side connector, and

the detection unit includes a switch provided in the equipment-side connector and configured to be pushed in by the protruding portion in a state in which the probe-side connector is connected to the equipment-side connector.

6. The ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according to claim 4 , wherein the detection unit includes an optical or magnetic switch provided in the equipment-side connector and configured to be turned on in a state in which the probe-side connector is connected to the equipment-side connector.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2016
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
To: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038891/0693 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2009
From: OONUKI, YUTAKA; KATAGUCHI, MUNEKI; MAKITA, YASUHISA
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022947/0451 →