PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily operate an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which uses a probe.SOLUTION: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises: a reception unit 20 for generating a reception signal based on ultrasound reflected on an object and received by a probe 14 a contact region detection unit 38 for detecting, based on the reception signal, a contact region where the probe 14 in contact with the object and an apparatus control unit 28 for giving a command to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, based on a range occupied by the contact region. For example, the apparatus control unit 28 gives the command to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, based on a position of the contact region in a vibrator array direction. Further, the apparatus control unit 28 may give the command to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus based on a length of the contact region in the vibrator array direction. Still further, when there are a plurality of contact regions, the apparatus control unit 28 may give the command to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, based on a distance between the adjacent contact regions. Furthermore, the apparatus control unit 28 may give the command to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, based on a temporal change of the range occupied by the contact region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1COPYRIGHT: (C)2018,JPO&INPIT【課題】探触子を用いた超音波診断装置の操作を容易にすることを目的とする。【解決手段】物体で反射し探触子14で受信された超音波に基づく受信信号を生成する受信部20と、受信信号に基づいて、探触子14における物体が接触している接触領域を検出する接触領域検出部38と、接触領域が占める範囲に基づいて超音波診断装置に指令を与える装置制御部28とを備える。例えば、装置制御部28は、接触領域の振動子配列方向における位置に基づいて超音波診断装置に指令を与える。また、装置制御部28は、接触領域の振動子配列方向の長さに基づいて、超音波診断装置に指令を与えてもよい。また、装置制御部28は、接触領域が複数ある場合に、隣接する接触領域の間の距離に基づいて超音波診断装置に指令を与えてもよい。また、装置制御部28は、接触領域が占める範囲の時間変化に基づいて超音波診断装置に指令を与えてもよい。【選択図】図1
