Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method of controlling the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12070355-B2
Application number	US-202217831880-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 3, 2022
Priority date	Feb 15, 2019
Publication date	Aug 27, 2024
Grant date	Aug 27, 2024

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including a plurality of casters allowing the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to be moved according to a control signal, a detection sensor configured to detect a motion of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, an input configured to receive a control command of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus from a user, and a controller configured to determine whether a user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of at least one of the detected motion or the received control command, and upon determining that the user desires to use the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, transmit a control signal for locking at least one of the plurality of casters.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:
a plurality of casters configured to be switched to a locking state or an unlocking state;
an ultrasound probe configured to irradiate an ultrasound signal to an object and receive an echo signal reflected from the object;
at least one sensor configured to detect an operation of the ultrasound probe; and
a controller configured to control the plurality of casters in the unlocking state to be in the locking state in response to the operation of the ultrasound probe being detected by the at least one sensor while an auto lock function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is being activated,
wherein while the auto lock function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is being deactivated, the controller is further configured to control the plurality of casters in the unlocking state to maintain the unlocking state even if the operation of the ultrasound probe is detected by the at least one sensor.

2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a current sensor configured to detect a current generated according to the operation of the ultrasound probe.

3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor provided in the ultrasound probe.

4. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the plurality of casters in the unlocking state to be in the locking state based on receiving a user input for starting diagnosis while the auto lock function is being activated.

5. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the plurality of casters in the unlocking state to be in the locking state based on receiving a user input by at least one input device of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus while the auto lock function is being activated.

6. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the at least one input device comprises at least one of a touch panel, a track ball, a keyboard, a foot switch, a mouse, a knob, or a paddle.

7. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the plurality of casters in the locking state to be in the unlocking state when a predetermined time elapsed after the operation of the ultrasound probe being detected by the at least one sensor.

8. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of casters comprises a wheel and a locking device configured lock the wheel, wherein the controller is configured to control the locking device to lock the wheel based on the plurality of wheels being in the locking state.

9. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of casters comprises a wheel and a motor configured to rotate the wheel, wherein the controller is configured not to drive the motor based on the plurality of wheels being in the locking state.

10. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the plurality of casters in the locking state to be in the unlocking state based on receiving a user input for unlocking the plurality of casters.

11. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
activate the auto lock function in response to receiving a first user input, and deactivate the auto lock function in response to receiving a second user input.

12. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a first input device configured to receive the first user input, and a second input device configured to receive the second user input.

13. A method of controlling an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising a plurality of casters configured to be switched to a locking state or an unlocking state and at least one sensor configured to detect an operation of an ultrasound probe of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the method comprising:
controlling the plurality of casters in the unlocking state to be in the locking state in response to the operation of the ultrasound probe being detected by the at least one sensor while an auto lock function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is being activated; and
while the auto lock function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is being deactivated, controlling the plurality of casters in the unlocking state to maintain the unlocking state even if the operation of the ultrasound probe is detected by the at least one sensor.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising controlling the plurality of casters in the unlocking state to be in the locking state based on receiving a user input for starting diagnosis while the auto lock function is being activated.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising to controlling the plurality of casters in the unlocking state to be in the locking state based on receiving a user input by at least one input device of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus while the auto lock function is being activated.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising controlling the plurality of casters in the locking state to be in the unlocking state when a predetermined time elapsed after the operation of the ultrasound probe being detected by the at least one sensor.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
activating the auto lock function in response to receiving a first user input; and
deactivating the auto lock function in response to receiving a second user input.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further comprises a first input device configured to receive the first user input, and a second input device configured to receive the second user input.

Assignees

• Samsung Medison Co Ltd

Inventors

• Song Chang Wook
• Woo Kyeong Gu
• Jin Gil Ju

Classifications

• A61B8/4254

  using sensors mounted on the probe · CPC title

• B62B5/0404

  automatic · CPC title

• B60B33/0094

  actuated automatically · CPC title

• B60B33/0086

  acting on rim or side portion of tyre · CPC title

• A61B8/54 Primary

  Control of the diagnostic device · CPC title