JP2005168768A - Ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which can be equipped with a thin insertion section and is suitable to acquire a two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasonic image corresponding to a desired scanning region. <P>SOLUTION: A pointed head section 21 of a flexible insertion section 11 is equipped with a vibrator array 28 in which vibrators to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals are two-dimensionally disposed, multiplexer groups 41 and 42 which change over the scanning direction of the vibrator array 28 to an orthogonal direction, and a changeover controlling circuit 43 which controls the changeover of the multiplexer groups 41 and 42, so that the insertion section 11 can be made thin by reducing the number of signal wires 44 inserted in the insertion section 11 and the ultrasonic scanning with a desired scanning mode becomes possible by an operation of a scanning mode selecting switch 50c disposed on an operation section 12 to acquire a corresponding two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasonic image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus that obtains a diagnostic ultrasound image by driving a two-dimensionally arranged ultrasound transducer array.

In recent years, there has been a wide range of methods for diagnosing an ultrasonic tomographic image of a lesion from a reflected wave in ultrasonic irradiation by detecting the lesion in the body using an ultrasonic endoscope inserted into a living body. It is popular. In addition, a method is also practiced in which a surgeon punctures a cell while visually recognizing it under an optical / ultrasonic tomographic image guide using a puncture needle, and performs a definitive diagnosis with the aspirated cell. A method of treating a lesioned part under observation with an ultrasonic endoscope is also employed. Furthermore, a method of performing follow-up after treatment using an optical image / ultrasound diagnostic image has also been implemented.
In the diagnosis using such an ultrasonic endoscope, a radial scanning method that performs ultrasonic scanning in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic wave along the insertion direction of the ultrasonic endoscope are used. There are two scanning methods: linear scanning or convex scanning.

The former is effective for understanding the organ's positional relationship and finding a lesion because the surrounding organ can be observed circumferentially from the lumen of the insertion position of the ultrasonic endoscope (circular slice observation). On the other hand, since the latter linear scanning method can be scanned in the same direction as the puncture needle emitted from the distal end opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel of the ultrasonic endoscope, it is mainly used for determining the puncture route.
As a first conventional example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-139926 discloses an arrangement in which an ultrasonic transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged two-dimensionally is arranged.
In the first conventional example, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are two-dimensionally arranged. Basically, however, the ultrasonic transducers arranged in the axial direction of the insertion portion are sequentially scanned in two dimensions. A tomographic image is obtained.

Then, by operating the deflection changeover switch, it is possible to drive the plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in the direction orthogonal to the insertion portion via the delay element, thereby deflecting the emission direction of the ultrasonic beam. Thus, even when the puncture needle protruding from the tip opening is curved, it can be visually recognized.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-173432 as a second conventional example discloses an ultrasonic tomographic image similar to the first conventional example.
In this second conventional example, three rows of transducer arrays are arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic probe along the axial direction of the insertion portion so that the directions of the ultrasonic radiation surfaces are different. ing. Then, by sequentially driving the ultrasonic array along each row, a tomographic image including the axial direction of the insertion portion is obtained, but three tomographic images having different directions of the tomographic image are obtained.
JP 2000-139926 A JP-A-8-173432

In the first conventional example described above, it is assumed that the emission direction of the ultrasonic beam is deflected by scanning the deflection changeover switch, and scanning is performed in the axial direction of the insertion portion, and is orthogonal to the axis of the insertion portion. It takes a long time to obtain a tomographic image in the direction.
In order to confirm the puncture route, it is desired to display the relationship with surrounding organs in a three-dimensional manner, but this is not possible with the first conventional example.
Further, in the case where an ultrasonic transducer array is formed in which the number of ultrasonic transducers arranged further than the conventional example described above is formed, it takes time to obtain a desired tomographic image. There is.

Also in the second conventional example, since the ultrasonic transducers arranged in the axial direction of the insertion portion are driven, it takes time to obtain a tomographic image in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the insertion portion.
Further, in the conventional ultrasonic probe, as described in the second conventional example, an ultrasonic observation apparatus in which the ultrasonic probe is mounted with driving pulses (transmission pulses) for driving and scanning the ultrasonic transducer array. However, in this case, the number of signal lines that must be connected to the ultrasonic transducer array increases, and the insertion portion becomes thick.

(Object of invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that can reduce the diameter of an insertion portion and is suitable for obtaining a two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasonic image corresponding to a desired scanning region. The purpose is to provide.

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer that is provided at least at a flexible insertion portion and a distal end portion of the insertion portion and in which an ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives an ultrasonic signal is two-dimensionally arranged. An ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic transducer array and a drive switching unit that is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion and switches an ultrasonic transducer to be driven in the ultrasonic transducer array;
Scanning region setting means for setting a region for two-dimensional scanning including radial scanning on at least a part of the ultrasonic transducer array;
Image construction means for constructing an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic signal received by an ultrasonic transducer array in an area set by the scanning area setting means;
It is characterized by comprising.
With the above configuration, the diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced, and a corresponding two-dimensional or three-dimensional image can be obtained by scanning the region set by the region setting means with the ultrasonic transducer array.

  According to the present invention, the diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced, and a corresponding two-dimensional or three-dimensional image can be obtained by scanning the region set by the scanning region setting means with the ultrasonic transducer array.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 8 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is arranged at a distal end portion of an insertion portion. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic transducer array (abbreviated as transducer array) and transducer elements, FIG. 3 shows the schematic configuration of an electrical system in an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic observation apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 5 shows the details of the drive scanning and signal processing system configuration of the child array, FIG. 5 shows the details of driving scanning in two orthogonal directions in the transducer array, and FIG. 6 shows the transducer array arranged two-dimensionally. FIG. 7 illustrates another implementation example of the transducer array provided at the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. 8 illustrates scanning of a partial region of the transducer array. The three-dimensional ultrasonic image etc. which are obtained by are shown.
The present embodiment provides an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that can reduce the diameter of the insertion portion and obtain an ultrasonic image corresponding to a desired scanning region, and can be used for a single ultrasonic endoscope. In addition, the confirmation of the puncture route under the guidance of the ultrasonic endoscope is three-dimensionally displayed, and the puncture is assisted by the subsequent three-dimensional display, so that the puncture treatment can be performed in one ultrasonic endoscopic examination. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 2 that is inserted into a body cavity, a light source device 3 that supplies illumination light to the ultrasonic endoscope 2, and an ultrasonic endoscope. A video processor 4 that performs signal processing on an image sensor incorporated in the mirror 2, an ultrasonic observation device 5 that performs driving and signal processing on the transducer array 28 provided in the ultrasonic endoscope 2, a video processor 4 and A mixer 6 capable of mixing and switching video signals by the ultrasonic observation device 5, and a monitor 7 for displaying an endoscopic image and an ultrasonic image captured by the imaging device via the mixer 6 at the same time or one of them. Have.

The ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 11 having flexibility, an operation portion 12 provided at the rear end of the insertion portion 11, a universal cable 13 extending from the operation portion 12, and a super And a sonic cable 14.
At the ends of the universal cable 13 and the ultrasonic cable 14 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2, an endoscope connector 15 and an ultrasonic connector 16 are provided, and are attached to and detached from the light source device 3 and the ultrasonic observation device 5, respectively. Connect freely. In addition, the signal connector at the end of the endoscope connector 15 is further detachably connected to the video processor 4 via a signal cable 17.

Moreover, the insertion part 11 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes a hard distal end part 21, a bendable bending part 22, and an elongated flexible part 23 having flexibility. By performing an operation of rotating the bending knob 24 provided in the operation unit 12, the bending unit 22 can be bent in a desired direction such as up and down, left and right.
The distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 has an illumination window 25 for optical observation, an observation window 26, and a distal end opening for a treatment instrument channel that projects the inserted treatment instrument ( In addition to the tip opening 27, a transducer array 28 is provided so that, in addition to the optical observation function, acoustic image information using ultrasonic waves can be obtained.
An insertion port 30 that communicates with a treatment instrument channel 29 provided in the insertion portion 11 is provided near the rear end of the insertion portion 11.

The light source device 3 has a built-in illumination lamp, and the illumination light of the lamp is guided by a light guide 31 (see FIG. 3) inserted into the ultrasonic endoscope 2 from the endoscope connector 15. Is transmitted (guided). The distal end surface of the light guide 31 is fixed to an illumination window 25 provided at the distal end portion 21, illumination light is emitted from the distal end surface to the front side of the illumination window 25, and the insertion portion 11 is inserted by the illumination light. Illuminate a subject such as an affected part in a body cavity.
The distal end portion 21 is provided with an observation window 26 adjacent to the illumination window 25, and an objective lens 32 (see FIG. 3) is attached to the observation window 26 to form an optical image of the illuminated subject. Tie to position. At this imaging position, a light receiving surface of a solid-state imaging device 33 such as a CCD is disposed, and an optical image by the objective lens 32 is photoelectrically converted.

The solid-state imaging device 33 is connected to the video processor 4 via a signal line inserted into the insertion portion 11 or the like, and is subjected to signal processing by a video signal processing circuit inside the video processor 4 to be converted into a video signal. . The video signal generated by the video processor 4 is input to the monitor 7 via the mixer 6, and the monitor 7 displays the subject image captured by the solid-state image sensor 33 as an endoscopic image.
The distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 is provided with a transducer array 28 that is two-dimensionally arranged in front of the illumination window 25 and the observation window 26. Here, the transducer array 28 means a two-dimensionally arranged transducer element (abbreviated as a transducer), and a one-dimensionally arranged transducer is called a transducer array. Then, the transducer array group is arranged in a direction different from the one-dimensional arrangement direction.

In the present embodiment, by providing this transducer array 28, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 that facilitates ultrasonic diagnosis as described below can be realized.
FIG. 2 (A) shows the transducer array 28 arranged two-dimensionally in a flat state.
The transducer array 28 is configured by arranging m × n transducers E in the horizontal and vertical directions, for example. As shown in FIG. 2B, each transducer E includes a transducer main body 37, an acoustic lens 38 stacked on the ultrasonic radiation surface side of the transducer main body 37, and ultrasonic radiation of the transducer main body 37. It comprises a backing layer 39 that absorbs or attenuates sound waves laminated on the opposite side of the surface. Note that electrodes are provided on both surfaces of the vibrator body 37, and a high-frequency transmission pulse for exciting ultrasonic waves is applied between the electrodes. In this case, the ultrasonic radiation surface side is, for example, a ground-side electrode, which is common to all the transducers E, and a high-frequency transmission pulse is applied to the other back-side electrode.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of an electrical system related to ultrasound in the ultrasound endoscope 2 in FIG. 1 and an ultrasound observation apparatus 5 that performs driving and signal processing on the transducer array 28.
Along with the transducer array 28 arranged two-dimensionally at the distal end portion 21, two sets of multiplexer groups 41 and 42 for selecting transducers to be driven in the transducer array 28 in two directions substantially orthogonal to each other, and these multiplexers A switching control circuit 43 that controls switching of the groups 41 and 42 is provided.
An illumination window 25 and an observation window 26 are provided near the rear end of the transducer array 28 at the tip 21.
As described above, in this embodiment, the transducer array 28 arranged two-dimensionally at the distal end portion 21 of the flexible insertion portion 11, and the multiplexer groups 41 and 42 and the switching control circuit 43 in the vicinity thereof. By providing, it is possible to reduce the number of signal lines 44 required to pass through the insertion portion 11 and the like so that the insertion portion 11 and the like can be prevented from becoming thick. It is one.

The transducer array 28 performs reception processing on the echo signal received by the transducer block 28 and the transmission block 45 that generates the transmission pulse in the ultrasonic observation apparatus 5 via the multiplexer groups 41 and 42 connected thereto. Connected to block 46.
The switching control circuit 43 that controls switching of the multiplexer groups 41 and 42 is connected to a control block 48 that performs control processing in the ultrasonic observation apparatus 5 via a control signal line 47.
The reception block 46 is further connected to a signal processing block 49, and a video signal corresponding to an ultrasonic tomographic image or the like is generated via the signal processing block 49, and the mixer 6 or the mixer 6 is generated from the ultrasonic observation apparatus 5. The image is output to the monitor 7 without going through, and an ultrasonic tomographic image or an ultrasonic three-dimensional image can be displayed on the display surface of the monitor 7.

Further, for example, the operation unit 12 in the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is provided with a scanning instruction switch unit 50 for performing an instruction of an ultrasonic scanning direction, selection of a scanning mode, and the like. The scanning instruction switch unit 50 is provided with scanning instruction switches 50 a and 50 b for instructing a scanning direction, and a scanning mode selection switch 50 c for operating a scanning mode selection instruction. The instruction signal is sent to the control block 48. Once input, the control block 48 performs the corresponding control.
For example, when the scanning instruction switch 50a is operated, the control block 48 controls the transmission block 45 and the reception block 46, and also controls the multiplexer groups 41 and 42 via the switching control circuit 43, so that the transducer array The vibrators 28 arranged in the axial direction of the insertion portion 11 are controlled so as to be sequentially driven.
When the scanning instruction switch 50b is operated, control is performed so that the transducers E in the transducer array 28 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the insertion portion 11 are sequentially driven. This description will be described later with reference to FIG.

Further, as will be described with reference to FIG. 6, the scanning mode selection switch 50c allows the user to perform ultrasonic scanning in the scanning mode desired by the user by selecting and setting the scanning mode. Yes.
FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a signal processing system for driving the transducer array 28 and for ultrasonic echo signals obtained by the transducer array 28.
In this embodiment, the transducers Eij (here, i = 1 to m, j = 1 to n) arranged two-dimensionally are arranged along two directions according to a selection instruction by the user. Ultrasound echo information for the axial direction of the insertion portion 11 (abbreviated as A direction shown in FIG. 4) and the direction orthogonal to the axis of the insertion portion 11 (abbreviated as B direction shown in FIG. 4) by sequentially driving the transducer. And can be easily obtained.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the A direction scanning multiplexer group 41 (components 41a, 41b,..., 41m) and the B direction scanning multiplexer group 42 (components 42a, 42b,. 41n).

The terminals a, b,..., N of the first multiplexer 41a, which is the first component in the multiplexer group 41, are connected to the transducers E11, E12,. Is not connected.
That is, the terminals a, b,..., N of the i-th multiplexer 41i that is the i-th component in the multiplexer group 41 are connected to the transducers Ei1, Ei2,. Terminal n + 1 is not connected.
On the other hand, the terminals a, b,..., M of the first multiplexer 42a that is the first component in the multiplexer group 42 are connected to the transducers E11, E21,. Terminal m + 1 is not connected.
That is, the terminals a, b,..., M of the j-th multiplexer 42j as the j-th component in the multiplexer group 42 are respectively connected to the transducers E1j, E2j,. Terminal m + 1 is not connected.

Further, the common terminals c ′ of the multiplexers 41a, 41b,..., 41m and the common terminals c ′ of the multiplexers 42a, 42b,. In FIG. 4, the connection state of the common terminal is shown as n = m + 1.
Then, n signal lines are connected to the transmission block 45 and the reception block 46 via a beam former 51 for converging the ultrasonic beam provided in the ultrasonic observation apparatus 5. The beam former 51 drives a plurality of transducers with their phases shifted, thereby allowing the ultrasonic beam to be converged and emitted electronically and controlling the scanning direction.
Further, the multiplexer groups 41 and 42 are set with a terminal connected to the common terminal c ′ by the switching control circuit 43. The switching setting by the switching control circuit 43 is determined by a control signal from the control block 48 in the ultrasonic observation apparatus 5.

A transmission pulse from the transmission block 45 is applied to the transducer E connected to the transmission block 45 via the common terminal c ′, and the transducer E generates an ultrasonic wave in the form of a pulse, Sent to. The ultrasonic wave (signal) is reflected at the part where the acoustic impedance of the living tissue changes, and the reflected ultrasonic wave is received by the transducer E used for transmission and converted into an ultrasonic echo signal as an electric signal. Is done. Then, it is processed in the reception block 46. In the ultrasonic observation apparatus 5, the reception block 46 is connected to the A / D conversion circuit 53 constituting the signal processing block 49, and the echo signal that is received and amplified by the reception block 46 and then detected by the envelope is obtained. The A / D conversion circuit 53 performs A / D conversion.
The A / D converted echo signal data is temporarily stored in the memory 54. The echo signal data stored in the memory 54 is converted into signal data of an orthogonal coordinate system by a digital scan converter (abbreviated as DSC) 55 and then input to the video generation circuit 56. The video generation circuit 56 converts the input signal into a video signal and outputs it from the output terminal. This output signal is output to the monitor 7 via the mixer 6 or without the mixer 6, and an ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on the display surface of the monitor 7.

The echo signal data stored in the memory 54 is subjected to a three-dimensional image generation process by the image processing circuit 57 and stored in the memory inside the image processing circuit 57. Then, when the user gives a display instruction from the display setting unit 58 provided on the front panel or the like of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 5, the display is output to the video generation circuit 56 via the DSC 55, and the monitor 7 receives three-dimensional ultrasonic waves. A tomogram is displayed. The three-dimensional image generation process uses, for example, JP-A-10-262963 and other known processes.
Note that the display setting unit 58 can also indicate a desired cross section in a state where a three-dimensional image is displayed with a mouse (not shown) or the like, and can display a tomographic image of the cross section.
In addition, the front panel of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 5 includes a scanning region (transducer region) that is actually used for two-dimensional scanning in the transducer array 28 and, when the scanning region is a two-dimensional scanning region, scanning order ( Specifically, a scanning mode setting unit 59 is provided for setting whether to perform two-dimensional scanning by repeating linear scanning or two-dimensional scanning by repeating radial scanning.

The scanning mode setting unit 59 can perform scanning of the transducer array 28 in various scanning modes as will be described with reference to FIG. The scanning mode setting unit 59 can also set the scanning mode and the scanning area by the transducer array 28 using a mouse (not shown).
As will be described with reference to FIG. 6, the transducer array 28 is two-dimensionally mounted on the curved surface or the like at the tip portion 21. Before that, a method for driving and scanning the transducer array 28 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. To do.

FIG. 5A shows a state of driving scanning in the A direction when the scanning instruction switch 50a is operated, and FIG. 5B shows driving scanning in the B direction when the scanning instruction switch 50b is operated. Show the state.
When the scanning instruction switch 50a is operated, the control block 48 sends a control signal to the switching control circuit 43, enables the multiplexer group 41, and disables the multiplexer group 42. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, in the multiplexer group 42, the non-connected terminal m + 1 is selected, and the operation of the multiplexer group 41 is not affected.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, the terminals a of the multiplexers 41a, 41b, 41c,... In the multiplexer group 41 are selected (so that they are connected to the common terminal c ′).
Then, the transmission drive pulse from the transmission block 45 is sequentially applied to the multiplexers 41a, 41b, 41c,... Of the multiplexer group 41, and accordingly, the transducers E11, E11 in the first row in the transducer array 28 in FIG. E21, E31,... Are sequentially driven, and scanning in the A direction is performed.
When the transducers E11, E21, E31,... In the first row are sequentially driven, switching is performed so that the terminals b of the multiplexers 41a, 41b, 41c,. After that, the transmission drive pulse from the transmission block 45 is sequentially applied to the multiplexers 41a, 41b, 41c,... Of the multiplexer group 41, and accordingly, the transducers E12, E12 in the second row in the transducer array 28 in FIG. E22, E32,... Are sequentially driven, and scanning in the A direction is repeated.

The transducers on and after the third row in the transducer array 28 are similarly driven and scanned.
As described above, the scanning in the A direction is sequentially repeated in the B direction, so that the driving scanning is two-dimensionally performed.
On the other hand, when the scanning instruction switch 50 b is operated, the control block 48 sends a control signal to the switching control circuit 43 to disable the multiplexer group 41 and enable the multiplexer group 42. In this case, the multiplexer group 41 selects the non-connected terminal n + 1 shown in FIG. 4 and does not affect the operation of the multiplexer group 42.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the terminals a of the multiplexers 42a, 42b, 42c,... In the multiplexer group 42 are selected (so that they are connected to the common terminal c ′).

Then, transmission drive pulses from the transmission block 45 are sequentially applied to the multiplexers 41a, 41b, 41c,... Of the multiplexer group 41, and accordingly, the transducers E11, E11 in the first column in the transducer array 28 in FIG. E12, E13,... Are sequentially driven, and scanning in the B direction is performed.
When the transducers E11, E12, E13,... In the first row are sequentially driven, switching is performed so that the terminals b of the multiplexers 42a, 42b, 42c,. Thereafter, the transmission drive pulse from the transmission block 45 is sequentially applied to the multiplexers 42a, 42b, 42c,... Of the multiplexer group 42, and accordingly, the transducers E21, E21 in the second column in the transducer array 28 in FIG. E22, E32,... Are sequentially driven, and scanning in the B direction is repeated.

The transducers in the third column and thereafter in the transducer array 28 are similarly driven and scanned.
In this way, the scanning in the B direction is sequentially repeated in the A direction, thereby driving and scanning in a two-dimensional manner.
As will be described with reference to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, it is possible to scan only the transducer E in only a part of the region in the transducer array 28, so that more flexible usage and It is possible to respond to user selections or technological progress. For example, in the state in which the transducers E21, E22, E23,... In the second row are sequentially driven, in the middle of the operation, for example, when the transducers E23 and later are not driven, the switching control circuit 43 sets the transducer E23. The multiplexers 42c and later that perform the subsequent switching control are not enabled. In this way, even when a part of the scanning area in the transducer array 28 is set by the user or the like, it can be easily handled.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user can easily change the scanning direction of the ultrasonic waves by operating the scanning instruction switches 50a and 50b to obtain the corresponding ultrasonic echo information. .
In the present embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, since the multiplexer groups 41 and 42 and the switching control circuit 43 are arranged in the vicinity of the transducer array 28 in the distal end portion 21, two-dimensional Even in the case of the transducer array 28 in which the transducers are arranged, the number of signal lines 44 having the larger number of arrangements (specifically, n) and the control signal lines 47 for controlling the switching control circuit 43 are provided. Is inserted into the ultrasonic endoscope 5 so that the transducer array 28 can be driven and received. For this reason, it can avoid that the insertion part 11 becomes thick especially, and it can prevent the fall of reliability, such as disconnection etc. becoming easy to occur because many signal lines 44 are penetrated. Further, the cost of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 can be reduced.

FIG. 6A to FIG. 6E show the transducer array 28 mounted or mounted on the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 in this embodiment and an explanatory diagram for driving and scanning part or all of the transducer array 28.
FIG. 6 (A) shows the transducer array 28 mounted on the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 in a planar development, and this transducer array 28 is shown in FIG. 6 (B). It is mounted on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 21. In this case, you may mount in the perimeter of an outer peripheral surface, and may mount in the one part.
When the transducer array 28 is mounted on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface as shown in FIG. 6B, the scanning direction in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the insertion portion 11 is called linear scanning. Scanning in the circumferential direction orthogonal to the axis is called radial scanning.

Then, the user selects the scanning mode including the scanning region by the scanning mode setting unit 59, or sets the scanning mode including the scanning region as necessary, so that the operation unit 12 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is set. By operating the provided scanning mode selection switch 50c, the transducer array 28 can be scanned in the selected or set scanning mode.
FIGS. 6C to 6F show examples of typical scanning modes (including scanning areas) set or registered in this way.
In the scanning mode shown in FIG. 6C, first, radial scanning is performed in the circumferential direction at the foremost portion of the transducer array 28 (the linear region portion R to be radially scanned is indicated by a diagonally downward slanting line), and thereafter Is a scanning mode in which two-dimensional scanning is performed in a part near the center, for example.

In addition, the region portion T that is two-dimensionally scanned in the transducer array 28 is shown by a satin pattern. Further, the plain portion in the transducer array 28 indicates a portion that is not scanned. Further, for the region portion T to be two-dimensionally scanned, it is possible to designate that two-dimensional scanning is performed by sequentially repeating radial scanning, or two-dimensional scanning can be performed by sequentially repeating linear scanning.
In this scanning mode, a tomographic image in the circumferential direction is obtained by radial scanning, and, for example, three-dimensional volume data is obtained by two-dimensional scanning on the peripheral portion including a portion where the observation window 26 and the tip opening 17 are provided. Then, a three-dimensional image corresponding to a three-dimensional region near the portion where the observation window 26 and the tip opening 17 are provided can be obtained.

In the scanning mode shown in FIG. 6D, for example, radial scanning and linear scanning (a scanning region to be linearly scanned is indicated by L) are first performed near the center, and the peripheral portion in the vicinity is two-dimensionally scanned. Scanning mode.
Further, the scanning mode shown in FIG. 6E is a scanning mode in which, for example, linear scanning is performed in the vicinity of the center and all remaining portions of the portion are radially scanned.
As described above, in this embodiment, in the transducer array 28 that can be mounted on the distal end portion 21, the user can set the scanning order and the like in the scanning area together with the scanning area that is actually used for ultrasound scanning. Can obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image (ultrasonic two-dimensional image) and an ultrasonic three-dimensional image corresponding to a desired scanning region.

6 (C) to 6 (E) show a case where an area for two-dimensional scanning is set. As shown in FIG. 6 (F), a scanning mode is performed so that radial scanning and linear scanning are performed. May be set.
The scanning mode shown in FIG. 6F is a scanning mode in which radial scanning is performed in the circumferential direction at the foremost portion of the transducer array 28, and then, for example, linear scanning is performed at the central portion.
When scanning is performed in this scanning mode, a radial sectional image and a linear sectional image can be obtained almost in real time. This scanning mode is suitable for obtaining an outline of tomographic images in both directions in a short time and maintaining the frame rate.
A scanning mode can be set in addition to the scanning mode including the scanning region shown in FIGS. 6C to 6F, and the transducer array 28 can be scanned radially, for example, from the distal end side. It is also possible to select and set a scanning mode that repeats in the direction.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select a scanning mode and quickly obtain an ultrasound image corresponding to the selected scanning mode.

In the case of FIG. 6, the case where the transducer array 28 is provided on the cylindrical surface has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 7, a convex curved surface is formed in the axial direction of the insertion portion 11 and is orthogonal to the axis of the insertion portion 11. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a convex curved surface is formed also in the circumferential direction. FIG. 7 shows the case where the transducer array 28 is provided in the front portion of the region facing the observation window 26 and the tip opening 27 of the tip portion 21.
Note that the distal end opening 27 is formed in the slope portion of the distal end portion 21, and the distal end side of the puncture needle 61 protruding (derived) from the distal end opening 27 is in the circumferential direction of the transducer array 28 and the insertion portion 11. It is set so as to exist, for example, near the center in the scanning region in the longitudinal direction (axial direction).
Then, the tip side of the puncture needle 61 protruding from the tip opening 27 can be captured in the ultrasonic three-dimensional volume data obtained by two-dimensional scanning by performing two-dimensional scanning of the transducer array 28. By performing image processing by the processing circuit 57, the puncture needle 61 can be displayed as a three-dimensional image so that the three-dimensional position can be easily grasped.

For example, in the case of the transducer array 28 as shown in FIG. 7, when a part of the side close to the tip opening 27 is two-dimensionally scanned, a fan-shaped two-dimensional echo data corresponding to a part of the radial image, The three-dimensional volume data can be obtained by scanning this in the substantially axial direction of the insertion portion 11, and a three-dimensional construction process is performed by the image processing circuit 57, whereby a three-dimensional ultrasonic image as shown in FIG. V can be obtained.
In FIG. 8A, a blood vessel portion K, a tumor portion S, and the like are also schematically shown. An image 61a of the puncture needle 61 is also shown.
Further, in FIG. 8A, for example, by specifying orthogonal sections Da and Db, the display can be performed as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cross section scanned in a fan shape corresponding to a part of the radial scan as shown in FIG. Since complex three-dimensional volume data is obtained that is scanned both in the direction close to linear scanning in the direction, the shape of the region of interest etc. can be grasped as schematically shown in FIG. An easy three-dimensional image is obtained. Therefore, when the blood vessel part K and the tumor part S exist, it is easy to grasp the relationship between them.
Further, an image 61a on the distal end side of the puncture needle 61 can be displayed together with the region of interest such as the tumor portion S, and it is easy to grasp the three-dimensional relationship between these positions. Therefore, the puncture route can be easily confirmed, and the treatment is easy to perform.
In FIG. 7, the transducer array 28 is not formed on the entire circumference of the distal end portion 21, but may be provided on the entire circumference.

  Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, it is desirable to be able to select all of the various scanning modes described above. However, depending on the mounting technology of the transducer array 28, the progress of signal processing capability, etc., some scanning is performed. It may be possible to use only in the mode.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, in addition to the purpose of the first embodiment, when a treatment instrument such as a puncture needle is used simultaneously from a plurality of distal end openings (of the treatment instrument channel), the positional relationship between these treatment instruments is measured by ultrasonic waves. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that can clearly display by scanning.
FIG. 9 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment. This ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1B is an ultrasonic endoscope 2B in which a part of the configuration of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is changed in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 of FIG.
The ultrasonic endoscope 2B includes two treatment instrument channels 29a and 29b in the ultrasonic endoscope 2 of FIG. 1, and the proximal sides of the channels 29a and 29b are respectively inserted into the insertion port 30a. , 30b, and the distal end side communicates with the distal end openings 27a, 27b at the distal end portion 21, respectively.

FIG. 10A shows the transducer array 28 mounted on the distal end portion 21. FIG. 10B shows the configuration of the distal end side of the ultrasonic endoscope 2B, and the two puncture needles 61 and 62 inserted into the channels 29a and 29b protrude from the distal end openings 27a and 27b. Is shown. In the present embodiment, a transducer array 28 in which transducers are two-dimensionally arranged along a skeleton portion that is, for example, a cross is formed at the distal end portion 21.
In this case, for example, a tomographic image when radial scanning is performed is as shown in FIG.
When the region of interest Ra such as a tumor portion is present in this radial image, for example, by specifying the cut surfaces Ca and Cb passing near the end and the center of the region of interest Ra, FIG. A tomographic image shown in FIG. 11C can be obtained.

In the tomographic images in FIGS. 11B and 11C, images 61a and 61b on the distal end side of the puncture needles 61 and 62 are also shown. The images 61a and 61b on the distal end side of the puncture needles 61 and 62 can be separately separated and displayed by the cut surfaces Ca and Cb.
Thus, according to the present embodiment, when simultaneously using, for example, the puncture needles 61a and 61b as the treatment tools from the plurality of tip openings 27a and 27b (of the treatment instrument channels 29a and 29b), It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that can clearly display the positional relationship 61b so as to be separable by ultrasonic scanning.
FIG. 12 shows a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope and a transducer array 28 mounted on the distal end portion in a modified example. In the tip portion 21 shown in FIG. 12A, for example, as shown in FIG. 12B, for example, the area size of each transducer in the most advanced transducer array 28R is two-dimensionally mounted on the rear side. This is larger than the area size of the transducers in the transducer array 28T.

By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to obtain two-dimensional echo data having a good S / N even when radial scanning is performed by, for example, one row of transducer arrays 28R mounted in the circumferential direction in FIG. Therefore, a high-quality ultrasonic image can be displayed. 12C, each transducer in the transducer array 28L mounted along the axial direction of the insertion portion for performing linear scanning as shown in FIG. The area size is larger than the area size of each heart death in the other two-dimensionally mounted transducer array 28T.
By adopting such a configuration, two-dimensional echo data with good S / N even when linear scanning is performed by, for example, one row of transducer arrays 28L mounted in the axial direction of the insertion portion in FIG. Therefore, a high-quality ultrasonic image can be displayed.

  The selected scanning is performed by inserting an ultrasonic endoscope provided with a transducer array in which transducers are two-dimensionally arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion having flexibility into the body cavity and selecting a scanning mode. Depending on the mode, ultrasonic waves are scanned in the direction of the insertion portion or in the circumferential direction orthogonal to the insertion portion, so that two-dimensional tomographic images and three-dimensional image information suitable for diagnosis can be easily obtained.

[Appendix]
1. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the ultrasonic transducer arrays are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion rather than a portion operated so as to perform linear scanning.
2. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays operated to perform linear scanning are arranged in a longitudinal direction of an insertion portion rather than a portion operated to perform radial scanning.
3. The scanning mode setting means for setting the scanning order in the area scanned by the scanning area setting means.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the vibrator | oscillator array arrange | positioned at the front-end | tip part of an insertion part, and a vibrator | oscillator. The block diagram which shows the structure of the outline of the electric system in an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic observation apparatus. The block diagram which shows the structure of the drive scanning of a vibrator | oscillator array, and a signal processing system. Explanatory drawing which shows the detail in the case of carrying out drive scanning to two orthogonal directions in a vibrator | oscillator array. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a tip portion in which a transducer array is two-dimensionally arranged and various scanning modes. The figure which shows the front-end | tip part which mounted the vibrator | oscillator array which arranged the vibrator | oscillator in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the insertion part in the convex shape. The figure which shows the three-dimensional image etc. which are obtained when the part in FIG. 7 is two-dimensionally scanned. The figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the transducer | vibrator array and tip part which are mounted in the front-end | tip part of an ultrasonic endoscope. Explanatory drawing which shows the tomogram by radial scanning, and the tomogram cut by the cut surface. The figure which shows the structure of the vibrator | oscillator array in a modification, and a front-end | tip part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus 2 ... Ultrasound endoscope 3 ... Light source apparatus 4 ... Video processor 5 ... Ultrasound observation apparatus 7 ... Monitor 11 ... Insertion part 12 ... Operation part 13 ... Universal cable 14 ... Ultrasound cable 16 ... Ultrasonic connector 21 ... tip portion 22 ... curved portion 25 ... illumination window 26 ... observation window 27 ... tip opening 28 ... transducer array 33 ... CCD
41, 42 ... Multiplexer group 43 ... Switching control circuit 45 ... Transmission block 46 ... Reception block 48 ... Control block 49 ... Signal processing block 50 ... Scanning instruction switch unit 50c ... Scanning mode selection switch 57 ... Image processing circuit 58 ... Display setting unit 59 ... Scanning mode setting section 61, 62 ... Puncture needle Agent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (8)

At least a flexible insertion portion, an ultrasonic transducer array provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, and configured to two-dimensionally arrange ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, and the insertion portion An ultrasonic probe provided at a distal end portion and having a drive switching means for switching an ultrasonic transducer to be driven in the ultrasonic transducer array;
Scanning region setting means for setting a region for two-dimensional scanning including radial scanning on at least a part of the ultrasonic transducer array;
Image construction means for constructing an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic signal received by an ultrasonic transducer array in an area set by the scanning area setting means;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: At least a flexible insertion portion, an ultrasonic transducer array provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, and configured to two-dimensionally arrange ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, and the insertion portion An ultrasonic probe provided at a distal end portion and having a drive switching means for switching an ultrasonic transducer to be driven in the ultrasonic transducer array;
Scanning area setting means for setting an area for linearly scanning or radially scanning at least a part of the ultrasonic transducer array and two-dimensionally scanning the remaining portion;
Image constructing means for constructing an ultrasound image from an ultrasound signal received by the ultrasound transducer array in an area set by the scanning area setting means;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: At least a flexible insertion portion, an ultrasonic transducer array provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, and configured to two-dimensionally arrange ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, and the insertion portion An ultrasonic probe provided at a distal end portion and having a drive switching means for switching an ultrasonic transducer to be driven in the ultrasonic transducer array;
Scanning region setting means for linearly scanning at least a part of the ultrasonic transducer array and setting a region for radial scanning of the remaining portion;
Image constructing means for constructing an ultrasound image from an ultrasound signal received by the ultrasound transducer array in an area set by the scanning area setting means;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising:   2. The ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic transducer array are arranged in a plurality in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion and in a plurality in the circumferential direction of the tip portion. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 3.   The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion are arranged in a convex shape.   The ultrasonic probe has at least one distal end opening communicating with a treatment instrument channel at the distal end of the insertion portion, and the treatment instrument protruding from the distal opening is a scanning region of the ultrasonic transducer array The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is configured to be displayed in an ultrasonic image.   The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive switching unit includes at least a multiplexer.   The ultrasonic image diagnosis according to claim 3, wherein the ultrasonic transducers arranged in the circumferential direction are arranged more in part in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part than in the remaining part. apparatus.

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