KR20170071391A - Ultrasound apparatus, controlling method of thereof and telemedicine system - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasound device, a method of controlling the same, and a remote medical system are disclosed. An ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer for receiving a reflected ultrasonic signal and an ultrasonic transducer for generating an ultrasonic image using a first frequency band signal of the received ultrasonic signal, And a signal processing unit for generating additional information using the signal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic apparatus, a control method thereof, and a remote medical system,

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic apparatus and a control method thereof capable of simultaneously acquiring an ultrasonic image and a stethoscope sound.

The ultrasound diagnostic system examines an ultrasound signal generated from a transducer of a probe as a target and acquires an image of the inside of the target using information received by a transducer of the ultrasound system.

The ultrasound diagnostic system has non-invasive and non-destructive characteristics, so it can provide high-resolution images of the diagnostic object in real time without surgical operation to directly observe the target object. Ultrasonic diagnostic systems are widely used in the medical field due to such stability.

The ultrasound diagnostic system can also be used to test the heart. Additional ECG (electrocardiogram) information is required when performing ultrasound diagnostics on the heart. In the case of extracting a periodic image of the heart, ECG information is additionally used because ultrasound imaging alone makes it difficult to grasp the cardiac cycle. As a result, the user has to inconveniently mount an ECG measuring instrument at the time of ultrasound diagnosis. For example, there has been an inconvenience that the user has to attach an electrode for ECG measurement to the body.

In addition, since the conventional ultrasonic apparatus requires a sensor configuration capable of additionally stethoscaling in order to acquire a heart sound, there arises a problem that volume and weight increase. The need for such additional equipment has hampered the implementation of ultrasound diagnostic systems for portable or telemedicine.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic apparatus and a control method thereof capable of simultaneously acquiring ultrasound image and cardiac sound information by using a signal received by a transducer of the ultrasonic apparatus .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasound system including an ultrasound transducer for receiving a reflected ultrasound signal, an ultrasound transducer for generating an ultrasound image using a first frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signal, And a signal processing unit for generating additional information using the second frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals.

The signal processing unit may include a beam former for focusing the second frequency band signal among the received ultrasound signals and may generate additional information using the second frequency band signal focused by the beam former have.

The signal processing unit may include a filter for separating the received ultrasonic signal into a first frequency band signal and a second frequency band signal and an analog digital converter (ADC) for converting the received ultrasonic signal into a digital signal. have.

The additional information may be graph information indicating information of cardiac sound over time.

The apparatus may further include a communication unit for transmitting the ultrasound image and the additional information to an external device.

The ultrasonic imaging apparatus may further include a display unit for displaying the ultrasound image and the additional information.

If the additional information is heart sound information, the signal processing unit detects a first heart sound indicating a starting point of a systolic phase of the heart and a second heart sound indicating a starting point of a diastolic phase of the heart in the heart sound information, And display the information on the time point of generation of the second heart sound.

The signal processing unit may convert the heart sound information into electrocardiogram information using information on the generation timing of the first heart sound and the second heart sound.

In addition, the signal processing unit may control the display to display the ultrasound image and the electrocardiogram information together.

The second frequency band signal may be a signal in a band of 20 to 1000 Hz.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an ultrasound system including receiving a reflected ultrasound signal, generating an ultrasound image using a first frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals, And generating additional information using the second frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals.

The method may further include separating the received ultrasound signal into a first frequency band signal and a second frequency band signal, focusing the separated second frequency band signal, and outputting the focused second frequency band signal and the separated And converting the first frequency band signal into a digital signal.

Further, the additional information may be graph information indicating information of cardiac sound over time.

The method may further include transmitting the ultrasound image and the additional information to an external device.

The method may further include displaying the ultrasound image and the additional information.

If the additional information is heart sound information, a step of detecting a first heart sound indicating a starting point of a systolic phase of the heart and a second heart sound indicating a starting point of a diastolic phase of the heart in the heart sound information, And displaying the information about the timing of occurrence of the heart sound.

The method may further include converting the heart sound information into the electrocardiographic information using information on the generation timing of the first heart sound and the second heart sound.

The step of displaying the ultrasound image and the cardiac sound information may display the ultrasound image and the electrocardiogram information together.

Also, the second frequency band signal may be a signal in a band of 20 to 1000 Hz.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote medical system comprising: an ultrasonic apparatus for processing and transmitting an ultrasonic signal reflected at a predetermined position of a first user; a first user using the ultrasonic apparatus; An external device for generating an ultrasound image using the ultrasound signal transmitted from the external device and displaying the ultrasound image generated by the first user and the generated ultrasound image, a remote medical device for receiving the input of the second user, And a server for transmitting and receiving data between the remote medical apparatus, wherein the external apparatus transmits the ultrasound image and the image of the first user through the server to the remote medical apparatus, Transmits the input data of the second user with respect to the ultrasound image to the external device through the server, And the external device can display the ultrasound image reflecting the input data of the received second user.

The external device may analyze the captured image of the first user to determine a measurement position, and may include information on the determined measurement position in the ultrasound image.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, it is possible to obtain the ultrasound image and the stethoscopic sound information by only the signal received by the ultrasonic transducer. In addition, since additional equipment is unnecessary and the operation is simple, it can be usefully used for telemedicine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is an illustration of an ultrasound diagnostic system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1B illustrates an ultrasound diagnostic system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams showing an example of using an ultrasonic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
2C is a diagram illustrating a portable ultrasonic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a configuration of an ultrasonic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 4A to 5D are views for explaining an ultrasonic transducer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
6 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in detail;
7 is a view showing a screen in which an ultrasound image and ECG information are simultaneously displayed,
8 is a diagram for explaining the similarity between an ECG signal and a PCG signal,
9 is a view showing a screen in which ultrasound images and heart sound information are simultaneously displayed,
10 is a view for explaining information for extracting a cardiac ultrasound image of one cycle,
FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a method for simultaneously displaying an ultrasound image and cardiac sound information;
12 is a diagram for explaining generation of a virtual ECG signal using heart sound information,
13 and 14 are flowcharts for explaining a control method of an ultrasonic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
15 is a sequence diagram for explaining an ultrasound diagnostic system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
16 is a sequence diagram for explaining an ultrasonic diagnostic system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present disclosure rather unclear. And the terms used below are terms defined in consideration of the functions in this disclosure, which may vary depending on the user, operator or custom. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

Terms including ordinals such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by terms. Terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. The term " and / or " includes any combination of a plurality of related items or any of a plurality of related items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments only and is not intended to limit and / or to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprising", "having", or the like are intended to specify that there are stated features, numbers, operations, acts, elements, parts or combinations thereof, , But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, components, or combinations thereof.

In the present specification, 'ultrasound image' means an image of an object obtained using ultrasound. The subject may be a person or an animal. For example, the subject may include heart, liver, lung, brain, uterus, breast, organs of the abdomen, and blood vessels.

FIG. 1A is a diagram for explaining an ultrasound diagnostic system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the ultrasound diagnostic system 1000 may include an ultrasound device 100 and an external device 200. However, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may be implemented as a single apparatus including a display. In the ultrasonic apparatus 100, only the function of receiving the ultrasonic signal is performed, and the external apparatus 200 performs a diagnostic function such as the generation of the ultrasonic image It is possible. As shown in FIG. 1A, the ultrasound diagnostic system 1000 is not limited to this.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate and transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target object. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can receive the reflection signal reflected from the object and generate the image of the structure or the shape of the object. For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 transmits an ultrasonic signal from a body surface of a target body toward a predetermined part of the body, and uses information of an ultrasonic signal (also referred to as an echo signal) Images of blood flow can be obtained.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can separate a low frequency band signal using the received ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate an ultrasound image using the high frequency band signal or the reflected ultrasound signal itself. Then, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can separate the low-frequency band signals and generate the stutter sound information. For example, in the case of echocardiography, the ultrasound device 100 may separate low frequency band signals to generate heart sound information. This is because the heart sound information is contained in a low frequency band of 1 kHz or less. As another example, when generating an ultrasound image for a blood vessel, the ultrasound device 100 may generate information about a pulse period. As another example, when generating an ultrasound image for the lungs, the ultrasound device 100 may generate information about the respiratory cycle.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure can generate only stochastic tone information without generating an ultrasound image. For example, a portable ultrasound device 100 may operate as a digital stethoscope. When the ultrasonic image is unnecessary in the diagnosis, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate only the stutter sound information. Accordingly, the ultrasonic device 100 can prevent unnecessary consumption of resources such as electric power.

The ultrasound system 100 may transmit at least one of the generated ultrasound image and cardiac sound information to the external device 200. [ The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can communicate with the external apparatus 200 in a wired or wireless manner.

The external device 200 can simultaneously display the ultrasound image and the heart sound information as needed. The external device 200 may be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 1A. For example, the external device 200 may be a cart type device 200-1 that is mainly used in a medical institution. As another example, the external device 200 may be implemented as a portable smart phone 200-2 and a laptop 200-3. Also, the external device 200 may be implemented in the form of a smart TV 200-4 in the home.

1B is a view for explaining an ultrasound diagnostic system 1000 'according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 1B, the ultrasound diagnostic system 1000 'may include an ultrasound device 100, an external device 200, a server 300, and a remote medical device 400.

The ultrasound device 100 may transmit at least one of the ultrasound image and the cardiac sound information to the external device 200. As another example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may transmit only the ultrasonic measurement data to the external apparatus 200, and may generate at least one of the ultrasound image and the heart sound information in the external apparatus 200. At this time, the external device 200 can perform ultrasound image processing using the installed remote medical application.

The external device 200 may include a camera 210. The external device 200 can photograph the user of the ultrasonic device 100 with the camera 210. The external device 200 can simultaneously display the received ultrasound image and the captured image. The external device 200 may transmit at least one of the ultrasound image, the heart sound information, and the image of the user of the ultrasound device 100 to the server 300.

The server 300 may transmit the data received from the external device 200 to the remote medical device 400 on the doctor side. As another example, the external device 200 may transmit data directly to the network-connected remote medical apparatus 400 without going through the server 300.

The remote medical device 400 may display at least one of the received shot image, ultrasound image, and cardiac sound information. For example, the remote medical device 400 may be implemented as a smart TV, a PC, a laptop, a tablet, or the like. The remote medical device 400 may include an input 410 and a camera 420. The remote medical apparatus 400 can transmit the data input by the doctor through the input unit 410 and the image taken by the camera 410 to the server 300. The server 300 can transmit the input data and the screen of the doctor to the external device 200. [ The external device 200 may reflect the input data from the remote medical device 400 and display the modified ultrasound image. In addition, the external device 200 may display a screen on which a doctor is photographed.

For example, the doctor may describe the description using an input unit 410 implemented as a stylus pen on the ultrasound image displayed on the remote medical apparatus 400. [ The external device 200 may reflect the input data and display the content described by the doctor together with the ultrasound image.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams showing examples of use of the ultrasonic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

2A is a diagram illustrating an ultrasonic device 100 implemented in a form generally used in a medical institution. The ultrasonic device 100 of FIG. 1 and the external device 200 may be regarded as being implemented as a wired connection. A patient to be diagnosed and a user of the ultrasonic apparatus 100 (for example, a doctor, a medical imaging specialist, a clinical pathologist, etc.) directly meet and perform ultrasound diagnosis using the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. Can be performed. The ultrasound device 100 may include a display unit for displaying ultrasound images, and an input unit for manipulating ultrasound images.

In another embodiment, it is also possible to perform telemedicine using the ultrasonic device 100 as shown in FIG. 2B. According to the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the patient to be diagnosed can be a user of the ultrasonic apparatus 100 directly. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may generate at least one of the ultrasound image and the heart sound information using the received ultrasound signal. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may transmit at least one of ultrasound image and cardiac sound information generated by a doctor to perform diagnosis. For example, the ultrasound system 100 may transmit at least one of ultrasound image and cardiac sound information to a hospital server or other medical device connected through a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). The user, who is the user of the ultrasonic apparatus 100, can confirm the ultrasound image displayed on the external apparatus 200 and can communicate with the doctor to explain the diagnosis result.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the external device 200 can photograph a user of the ultrasonic device 100 using the camera 210. [ Then, the external device 200 can analyze the photographed image to determine a measurement site of the ultrasound image. When the measurement site is determined, the external device 200 can include the position information of the determined measurement site in the ultrasound image. For example, the external device 200 can control the position information to be automatically tagged to the ultrasound image. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the external device 200 analyzes the image of the user photographed by the camera 210, and finds that the measurement site is the left chest. By including such information in the ultrasound image, it can be easily grasped that the ultrasound image is about the heart.

2B shows an example in which the external device 200 is implemented as a smart TV, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an ultrasound signal of a high frequency band and an ultrasound signal of a low frequency band, which are received and separated by the ultrasound device 100, are transmitted to a smartphone, and the smart phone transmits an ultrasound image, Lt; / RTI > Then, the smart phone displays the generated ultrasound image and cardiac sound information, and can transmit it to the medical institution. The result of the diagnosis at the medical institution can be transmitted to the smartphone again and be provided to the user together with the ultrasound image.

The ultrasound device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in a portable device such as that shown in FIG. 2C. The ultrasonic device 100 implemented as a portable device can be usefully used in telemedicine or emergency medical situations.

3 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the ultrasound system 100 may include an ultrasound transducer 110, a transceiver 120, and a signal processor 130.

The ultrasonic transducer 110 emits an ultrasonic wave to a target object to obtain an image inside the object, and can receive the ultrasonic signal reflected from the target object. The ultrasonic transducer 110 may include a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators. Through the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators, the ultrasonic transducer 110 converts an electric signal supplied from the transceiver 120 into mechanical vibration energy to generate ultrasonic waves, and can convert the vibration that is received from the outside into an electrical signal again .

The transceiver unit 120 may transmit an electrical signal to the ultrasonic transducer 110 and may receive an electrical signal for the ultrasonic signal received from the ultrasonic transducer 110. For example, the transceiver unit 120 may be implemented as a multi-channel transceiver that transmits and receives signals through a plurality of channels (transmission channels).

The signal processing unit 130 may generate at least one of the ultrasound image and the supplementary information using the ultrasound signal received from the ultrasound transducer 110. For example, the signal processing unit 130 may generate an ultrasound image using the first frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals. The signal processing unit 130 may generate additional information using the second frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals. Additional information may be heart sound information, breath sound information, pulse sound information, etc., depending on the measurement object.

The signal processing unit 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may separate the received ultrasound signal into a first frequency band signal and a second frequency band signal. For example, the signal processing unit 130 can separate the received ultrasound signal into a high-frequency band signal in the 3.5 MHz band and a low-frequency band signal in the 20 to 1000 Hz band.

The signal processing unit 130 may convert the separated first frequency band signal (high frequency band signal) into a digital signal. The signal processing unit 130 may generate an ultrasound image using the converted digital signal. For example, the signal processing unit 130 may generate a B mode (bright mode), an M mode (motion mode), and a D mode (doppler mode).

In another embodiment, the signal processing unit 130 may omit the operation of separating into the high frequency band when generating the ultrasound image, and may generate the ultrasound image using the received ultrasound signal itself. It is effective not to perform the frequency band separating operation in the signal processing unit 130 when the signal in the low frequency band does not have a great influence.

The signal processing unit 130 may perform beamforming on the separated second frequency band signal (low frequency band signal). For example, the signal processing unit 130 may perform analog beamforming and amplification on a second frequency band signal (a low frequency band signal). Since the low frequency band signal is relatively weak compared to the high frequency band signal, it is desirable to perform analog beam forming before conversion to a digital signal.

The signal processing unit 130 may convert the beamformed second frequency band signal (low frequency band signal) into a digital signal. The signal processing unit 130 may generate additional information using the converted digital signal. For example, the additional information may be graph information indicative of information of cardiac sound over time (e.g., size, spectrum, etc.) of heart sound.

According to the various embodiments of the present invention described above, it is possible to acquire a stethoscope sound only by the ultrasonic transducer 110 without providing a separate sensor or microphone for obtaining a stethoscope sound. Hereinafter, echocardiogram and heart sound will be described as typical examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is applicable to all ultrasonic diagnostic methods using ultrasonic waves and stochastic sound signals at the same time.

4A to 5D are views for explaining an ultrasonic transducer 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the ultrasonic transducer 110 may include a transducer array 111 in which a plurality of conversion elements 113 for converting an electrical signal and an acoustic signal into each other are arranged in a predetermined form. For example, the transducer array 111 may be a piezoelectric transducer that utilizes the piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric material, a capacitive micromachined transducer that converts ultrasound and electrical signals into changes in capacitance, A magnetic micromachined transducer that transforms an ultrasonic wave and an electrical signal in accordance with a change, and an optical transducer that converts an ultrasonic wave and an electrical signal into a change in optical characteristics.

For example, the conversion element 113 may be formed by dividing the piezoelectric material into a plurality of piezoelectric materials. The piezoelectric material may be a piezoelectric ceramic, a single crystal, a polymer mixture, or the like, which generates a piezoelectric phenomenon.

The plurality of conversion elements 113 may be arranged in various forms to form the transducer array 111. For example, the plurality of conversion elements 113 may be arranged in a linear array or in a convex array. In addition, the plurality of conversion elements 113 may be arranged in a multi-layer structure (phased array). The transducer array 111 may include a cover covering an upper portion of the plurality of conversion elements 113 arranged.

The transducer array 111 can be implemented one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. A case where a plurality of conversion elements 113 are arranged in a one-dimensional manner on a plane perpendicular to the ultrasonic propagation direction is referred to as a one-dimensional transducer array. A case where a plurality of conversion elements 113 are arranged two-dimensionally on a plane perpendicular to the ultrasonic propagation direction is referred to as a two-dimensional transducer array.

The two-dimensional transducer array can appropriately delay the input time of the signals input to the respective conversion elements 113, thereby transmitting ultrasound to the object along the external scan line. Further, a stereoscopic image can be obtained by using a plurality of echo signals, and it is easy to realize a three-dimensional stereoscopic image by constructing a two-dimensional transducer array.

4A, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a portion including the ultrasonic transducer 110, a portion including the transceiver 120 and the signal processor 130, Lt; / RTI > The electrical connection or disconnection between the ultrasonic transducer 110 and the signal processing unit 130 may be performed by coupling or disconnection of the first connection unit 310 and the second connection unit 320. [

The first connection unit 310 may allow the electrical signal of the ultrasonic transducer 110 to be transmitted to the transceiver unit 120. The first connection part 310 may be disposed in an area opposite to the area where the transducer array 111 is disposed, and a part of the first connection part 310 may be exposed to the outside. The first connection part 310 can be connected to the second connection part 320 through the exposed part. The first connection part 310 and the second connection part 320 may include a conductive material capable of transmitting signals.

4B and 4C illustrate examples in which the ultrasonic transducer 110 and the remaining portion 120 are connected in the ultrasonic device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the first connection part 310 may include a plurality of protrusions. The second connection part 320 may include a plurality of grooves corresponding to the plurality of protrusions of the first connection part 310, respectively. The plurality of trench parts and the groove part may be provided with a conductive material, respectively. As the plurality of projections are inserted into the corresponding plurality of groove portions, the first connection portion 310 and the second connection portion 320 can be connected. Accordingly, the ultrasonic transducer 110 can be electrically connected to the transceiver 120 and the signal processor 130.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the first connection part 310 may be implemented in a plug shape, and the second connection part 320 may be implemented in a jack shape corresponding thereto.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ultrasonic transducer 110 may be implemented in various forms depending on the purpose of use. The ultrasonic transducer 110 may be implemented in various forms according to the arrangement of the conversion elements 113 constituting the transducer array 111. [ 5A, the ultrasonic transducer 110 may be implemented as a linear 110-a, a curved 110-b, and a multi-layer 110-c. In the case of the duplex ultrasonic transducer 110-c, the plurality of conversion elements 113 may be arranged in a bilayer or multilayer.

The user can selectively use various types of ultrasonic transducers 110-a, 110-b, and 110-c according to the purpose of use of the ultrasonic apparatus 100 (for example, .

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a case where the ultrasonic transducer 110 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented as a linear ultrasonic transducer 110-a. The linear ultrasound transducer 110-a can use a frequency of 3 to 8 MHz to provide diagnostic results for low-depth body parts at high resolution. For example, a linear ultrasonic transducer 110-a may be used for the diagnosis of breast, thyroid, musculoskeletal system, and the like. However, the depth of diagnosis and frequency of use may be changed according to the specifications of the transducer.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a case where the ultrasonic transducer 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented by a curved ultrasonic transducer 110-b. The curved ultrasonic transducer (110-b) is capable of observing a body part of deep depth using a frequency of 2 to 5 MHz. For example, the curved ultrasonic transducer 110-b can be used for diagnosis of abdomen in an obstetrician or the like.

FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating a case where the ultrasonic transducer 110 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented by the ultrasonic transducer 110-c. The two-layer ultrasonic transducer 110-c is capable of observing a body part having a narrow gap such as between the ribs. Further, the duplex ultrasonic transducer 110-c can be used for cardiac diagnosis.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention in detail. 6, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 includes an ultrasonic transducer 110, a transceiver 120, a signal processor 130, a communication unit 140, a display 150, a memory 160, an audio output unit 170 ). However, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not necessarily have to include the display 150 or the audio output unit 170. It should be understood that the ultrasonic device 100 may additionally include a structure not shown in the embodiment of FIG.

The ultrasonic transducer 110 may contact the surface of the object to emit ultrasonic waves to the object. The ultrasonic transducer 110 can receive ultrasonic signals reflected from the object.

For example, the ultrasonic transducer 110 may be implemented in the form of a transducer array of a plurality of transducers. That is, the ultrasonic transducer 110 may be a multi-channel transducer. Each transducer is provided with a piezoelectric transducer to generate ultrasonic waves from an electrical signal, and to convert ultrasonic signals back into electrical signals.

The ultrasonic transducer 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a piezo-electric transducer (PZT), but is not limited thereto. For example, the ultrasonic transducer 110 may be implemented as a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT).

6, the transmitting and receiving unit 120 may include a transmitting unit 121, a transmitting control unit 123, and a receiving unit 125. [ The receiving unit 125 may include a TGC 125-1 and a delay unit 125-3.

The transmitting unit 121 may supply a driving signal to the ultrasonic transducer 110. [ The ultrasonic transducer 110 can emit ultrasonic waves to the object by generating vibration in response to the driving signal.

The transmission control unit 123 can generate the driving signal based on the electrical signal received from the main control unit 131 of the signal processing unit 130. [ The transmission control unit 123 may convert the digital signal received from the main control unit 131 into an analog signal and transmit the analog signal to the transmission unit 121.

The transmission control unit 123 may generate a pulse for forming a transmission ultrasonic signal according to a preset pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The transmitter 121 may apply a delay time to the pulse to determine the transmission directionality. Each of the pulses to which the delay time is applied corresponds to each of the piezoelectric vibrators constituting the ultrasonic transducer 110.

Under the control of the transmission control section 123, the transmission section 121 can supply a driving signal to the ultrasonic transducer 110 at a timing corresponding to each pulse to which the delay time is applied.

The receiving unit 125 may include a TGC 125-1 and a delay unit 125-3. The TGC (Time Gain Compensation Unit) 125-1 can amplify the ultrasound signal received from the ultrasonic transducer 110 and compensate the time gain. The time gain compensation (TGC) is a parameter for compensating for the attenuation of the received ultrasonic signal (echo signal) according to the diagnostic depth. Using the ultrasound signal passed through the TGC 125-1, the ultrasound apparatus 100 can generate an ultrasound image with improved image quality even when the deep region is diagnosed.

The delay unit 125-3 may apply the delay time for determining the reception directionality to the received ultrasound signal (echo signal). The delay unit 125-3 may generate the ultrasonic data by summing the signals to which the delay time is applied. For example, the delay unit 125-3 can process such that the ultrasonic reflection component in a specific direction is emphasized.

The signal processing unit 130 may include a main control unit 131, an image processing unit 133, a filter 135-1, a beam former 135-3, and an analogue digital converter (ADC) 135-5.

The main control unit 131 can control the overall operation of the ultrasonic apparatus 100. [ The main control unit 131 can load and execute a program used as a volatile memory (for example, a RAM) from a nonvolatile memory (e.g., ROM) storing the program. Specifically, the main control unit 131 may perform booting by using an operating system (O / S) stored in the ROM 160 or the ROM in the signal processing unit 130 or the like. In addition, the main control unit 131 can perform various operations using various programs, applications, contents, data stored in the memory 160, and the like.

The filter 135-1 can separate the received ultrasound signal into a high-frequency band signal and a low-frequency band signal. The received ultrasonic signal may be composed of a plurality of electrical signals converted by a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators constituting the ultrasonic transducer 110. Specifically, the filter 135-1 can separate the received ultrasound signals into a high-frequency band signal and a low-frequency band signal using HPF (High Pass Filter) and LPF (Low Pass Filter), respectively.

The beam former 135-3 can focus a predetermined low frequency band signal among the received ultrasonic signals. For example, the beam former 135-3 can be adjusted in phase with respect to each of a plurality of electrical signals in an analog beamforming manner, and focused into one signal. This is because the time at which the reflected ultrasonic signal reaches the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators constituting the ultrasonic transducer 110 is different. For example, the beam former 135-3 may apply a delay time to the reflected ultrasound signal to determine reception directionality. Then, the beam former 135-3 can sum up the respective signals to which the delay time is applied.

Meanwhile, the beam former 135-3 may focus a predetermined high-frequency band signal among the received ultrasonic signals. The operation of the beam former 135-3 may be the same as that of focusing the low frequency band signal. However, for the high frequency band, the beam former 135-3 does not necessarily need to perform focusing.

The ADC 135-5 can convert analog type ultrasonic data into digital data. For example, the ADC 135-5 can perform high-speed conversion for an ultrasonic signal in a high-frequency band and low-speed conversion for an ultrasonic signal in a low-frequency band.

The image processing unit 133 may generate an ultrasound image using the ultrasound signal. The ultrasound signal used to generate the ultrasound image may be the received ultrasound signal itself or an ultrasound signal of the first frequency band (e.g., a predetermined high frequency band). For example, the image processing unit 133 may generate an ultrasound image through a scan conversion process of a digitally processed high frequency band ultrasound signal. The image processing unit 125 may generate at least one of an A mode, a B mode, a C mode, a D mode, and an M mode image.

In addition, the image generating unit 133 may generate a three-dimensional ultrasound image, and may add the additional information to the ultrasound image in the form of text, graphics, or the like.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal processing unit 130 may generate additional information using a signal in the second frequency band (e.g., a low frequency band signal). The additional information may be graph information indicating a change in heart sound over time. In addition, the additional information may be information indicating changes in breath sounds, pulse sounds, and the like.

For example, if the additional information is heart sound information, the signal processing unit 130 detects the first heart sound corresponding to the start time of the systole of the heart and the second heart sound corresponding to the start time of the diastole of the heart, can do. The signal processing unit 130 can extract a one-period echocardiogram using the positions of the first heart sound and the second heart sound on the time axis.

The signal processing unit 130 can generate the virtual ECG information using the correspondence relationship between the cardiac sound information and the ECG. The correspondence relationship between the cardiac sound information and the ECG will be described below again.

The communication unit 140 may transmit at least one of the ultrasound image and the additional information to the external device 200. The communication unit 140 may transmit ultrasound images or additional information in a wired or wireless manner.

For example, the communication unit 140 can use various methods such as NFC (Near Field Communication), wireless LAN (Wireless LAN), IR (InfraRed) communication, Zigbee communication, WiFi, and Bluetooth. The communication unit 140 may use various methods such as a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS), a local area network (LAN), and a universal serial bus (USB).

The communication unit 140 may transmit and receive data to and from a hospital server connected to the medical image information system (PACS) or other medical devices in the hospital. In addition, the communication unit 140 may perform data communication according to a DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard.

The display 150 may display the generated ultrasound image. The display 150 may display various additional information processed by the ultrasonic apparatus 100, such as heart sound information and electrocardiogram information, together with the ultrasound image.

The memory 160 may store various information processed by the ultrasonic apparatus 100. For example, the memory 160 may store received ultrasound signals, ultrasound images, heart sound information, electrocardiographic information, and the like. The memory 160 is a storage medium for storing various programs necessary for operating the ultrasonic apparatus 100, and may be embodied as a flash memory, a hard disk, or the like. For example, the memory 160 may include a ROM for storing a program for performing an operation of the ultrasonic apparatus 100, a RAM for temporarily storing data according to the operation of the ultrasonic apparatus 100, and the like . In addition, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) for storing various reference data can be further provided.

The audio output unit 170 may output a stethoscope sound such as a heart sound generated by the ultrasonic apparatus 100. The audio output unit 170 may output a guidance message related to the operation of the ultrasonic apparatus 100. [ For example, in the case of a telemedicine, the user can operate the ultrasound system 100 in accordance with a voice to guide the usage of the ultrasound system 100 output from the audio output unit 170.

In addition, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may further include a user input unit (not shown), a wireless charging unit (not shown), and the like.

The user input unit may receive an input for controlling the ultrasonic apparatus 100 from a user. For example, the user input unit may be implemented as a key pad, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen, a track ball, a jog switch, or the like. Also, the user input unit may be implemented by a voice recognition sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, a motion recognition sensor, or the like.

The wireless charger may charge the power source of the ultrasonic device 100 using a magnetic induction method or a self resonance method. The magnetic induction method is a technique in which a current is caused to flow through electromagnetic induction, and a self-generated in the primary coil of the charging pad is guided to a secondary coil provided in the charging object and supplied with current. The self-resonance method is a technique of mounting a resonance coil of the same frequency on a charging pad and an object to be charged, and sending the electric power to the frequency using resonance. In particular, when the ultrasonic device 100 is implemented as a portable device, the ultrasonic device 100 may include a wireless charger. However, even when the portable device is implemented as a portable device, it can be implemented in various ways such as wired charging, power supply using a battery, and the power charging method of the ultrasonic device 100 is not limited to the wireless charging method.

According to various embodiments of the present invention described above, ultrasound images and cardiac sound information can be generated using only the ultrasound signals received by the ultrasound transducer 110.

The ultrasonic device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be used for echocardiography related to heart diseases. Cardiac size and function, cardiac wall thickness, heart valve, and ischemic heart disease can be diagnosed by echocardiography. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may use at least one of B mode, M mode and D mode for such diagnosis.

The B mode is a method of displaying the reflected ultrasound signal with the brightness of the dot. The brightness of each point is proportional to the amplitude of the reflected ultrasonic signal. For example, the ultrasound system 100 may generate a B mode image using 256 or more brightness levels.

The M mode is a method of displaying the distance of a moving reflector by a temporal change. It is mainly used to monitor heart valves.

In addition, ECG is additionally measured in all cases in echocardiography. 7 is a diagram showing a screen of an ultrasonic apparatus displayed together with an M mode ultrasound image and ECG information.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can obtain the reference of the time axis for the ultrasound image by using a PCG (phonocardiogram) signal instead of the ECG signal. As shown in Fig. 8, the ECG signal and the PCG signal are in a corresponding relationship. The upper graph of FIG. 8 is a graph showing the heart sound along the time axis. 8 is a graph showing ECG (electrocardiogram) along the time axis.

In the past, there have been attempts to acquire and use cardiac sounds by paying attention to the similarity of cardiac sounds with ECG. However, in the prior art, an additional configuration for heart sound measurement was required, and an attempt to extract a heart sound from an ultrasound signal, such as the ultrasonic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, has not been disclosed. For example, in the prior art, the PCG was measured using a microphone or the vibration was measured using an acceleration sensor. Therefore, there is no advantage over using an ECG in that it requires additional equipment in the past.

The ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can acquire ultrasound images and additional information (e.g., cardiac sound information) using the ultrasound signals received by the ultrasound transducer 110, It differs from ultrasound devices.

The signal processing unit 130 may generate additional information (e.g., cardiac sound information) using the second frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals. For example, the second frequency band signal may be a signal in the 20 to 1000 Hz frequency band.

For example, in the case where the additional information is the cardiac sound information, the signal of the low frequency band in which the cardiac sound information can be extracted is generally weaker than the signal of the high frequency band. The signal processing unit 130 performs analog beamforming The signal of the low frequency band can be strengthened. The signal processing unit 130 may convert the low frequency band signal into a digital signal and generate the heart sound information.

The ultrasound device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in all cases with or without the display 150. For example, when the ultrasound system 100 does not include the display 150, the ultrasound system 100 may transmit the generated ultrasound image and the additional information to the external apparatus 200. As another example, when the ultrasonic apparatus 100 includes the display 150, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 itself can simultaneously display the ultrasonic image and the additional information.

FIG. 9 illustrates a screen in which ultrasound M mode images and heart sound information are simultaneously displayed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 9, the center image corresponds to the ultrasonic M-mode image, and the graph along the lower time axis corresponds to the cardiac sound information. In addition, the ultrasound M mode image and the heart sound information as well as additional information can be displayed together in the form of text (upper left of FIG. 9).

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can generate ultrasound image and cardiac sound information using only the received ultrasound signals as shown in FIG. Since one cycle of the heart can be known through heart sound information, the ultrasonic device 100 can automatically extract an image corresponding to one cycle of the heart.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of extracting a one-period echocardiogram in the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, the first heart sound S1 represents the start time of the cardiac systole generated by the QRS signal of the ECG. The second heart sound S2 represents the starting point of the heart's diastole generated by the T signal of the ECG.

More specifically, the first heart sound S1 is a voice signal generated due to the flow of the blood stream generated when the systole starts. The time point of the first heart sound may correspond to the R peak of the ECG. The second heart sound S2 is a voice signal generated due to the flow of the blood flow generated when the diastolic phase starts and the opening and closing of the valve. The time point of the second heart sound can correspond to the T OFF point of the ECG.

Since the ECG signal cycle and the PCG signal cycle are the same as the cardiac cycle, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can extract the PCG from the ultrasonic signal to replace the ECG.

In addition, the first heart sound and the second heart sound can be used as reference points for observing the valve during relaxation of the heart required for echocardiography. The first heart sound section of the cardiac sound information extracted from the ultrasonic apparatus 100 corresponds to the contraction period of the heart, and the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve can be observed through the ultrasound image corresponding to the first heart sound section. The second heart sound section of the cardiac sound information extracted by the ultrasonic apparatus 100 corresponds to a section where the heart relaxes. The aorta and the pulmonary valve can be observed through the ultrasound image corresponding to the second heart sound section.

The signal processor 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention detects the first heart sound and the second heart sound in the cardiac sound information and controls the display 150 to display information on the generation time of the first heart sound and the second heart sound can do.

11 is a view for explaining a method of simultaneously displaying an ultrasound image and cardiac information by the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the upper screen of FIG. 11, the ultrasound system 100 can distinguish the first heart sound interval and the second heart sound interval and display the ultrasonic image together with the ultrasound image. As another example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display all of the graphs corresponding to the heart sound information and emphasize the first heart sound section and the second heart sound section as shown in the lower screen of FIG.

Major users of the ultrasound device 100 may be accustomed to having the ECG information and the ultrasound image displayed together. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can convert the heart sound information into the electrocardiographic information using the information on the generation timing of the first heart sound and the second heart sound.

For example, ultrasonic device 100 may store a reference ECG waveform in memory 150. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate a virtual ECG waveform so as to correspond to the heart sound information through parameter setting of the reference ECG waveform. The ultrasound device 100 may display an ultrasound image and a virtual ECG waveform together. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can provide a user with a familiar ultrasound image screen using the PCG corresponding to the ECG without actually measuring the ECG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing generation of virtual electrocardiographic information using the heart sound information in the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 12 is a graph showing heart sound information, and FIG. 12 is a graph showing virtual electrocardiogram information in which a graph positioned at the lower end is generated. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate the virtual electrocardiographic information by causing the first heart sound and the R peak to correspond to each other and the second heart sound and the T OFF point to correspond to each other.

13 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 13, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target object. Then, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can receive the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object (S1310).

Then, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate an ultrasound image for the object using the first frequency band signal of the received ultrasonic signals (S1320). For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can be used to generate an ultrasound image by separating only a signal of a high frequency band from a received ultrasonic signal. As another example, the ultrasound system 100 may generate an ultrasound image using the received ultrasound signal itself. When the signal of the second frequency band is negligibly small as compared with the signal of the first frequency band, a process of separating only the signal of the first frequency band is unnecessary.

In addition, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may generate additional information using the second frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals (S1330). For example, the additional information may be graph information indicating the information of the heart sound along the time axis. The heart sound information can be implemented in various forms such as the size of the heart sound and the spectrum information.

The steps S1320 and S1330 may be performed simultaneously in parallel, or the step S1330 may be performed prior to the step S1320.

14 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the ultrasonic device 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of FIG. 14, it is described that the received ultrasonic signal is divided into a low-frequency band signal and a high-frequency band signal, which are processed in parallel, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target object. Then, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can receive the ultrasonic signals reflected from the object (S1410). Then, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can separate the ultrasonic signals by frequency bands through the filters (S1420). For example, the ultrasonic device 100 can separate a signal of a predetermined low frequency band among the ultrasonic signals received through the LPF (Low Pass Filter). The predetermined low frequency band may be a band of 20 to 1000 Hz. The low-frequency signals are used to generate additional information, such as cardiac information. For example, the additional information may be auditory tone information for the object.

In addition, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can separate a predetermined high frequency band signal among the ultrasonic signals received through the HPF (High Pass Filter). The predetermined high frequency band may be the 3.5 MHz band. A signal in the high frequency band is used to generate the ultrasound image.

More specifically, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can perform analog beamforming on an ultrasonic signal (low-frequency band signal) that has passed through the LPF (S1430). Through analog beamforming, signals in the low frequency band can be focused and enhanced. Then, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can convert the low-frequency band signal converged through the low-speed ADC into a digital signal (S1440). The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may generate additional information using the low-frequency band signal converted into the digital signal (S1450). For example, the additional information may be auditory tone information for the object.

In addition, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can convert an ultrasonic signal (high-frequency band signal) that has passed through the HPF into a digital signal through a high-speed ADC (S1460). In another example, ultrasonic device 100 may perform analog beamforming for high frequency band signals. However, analog beamforming for the high frequency band signal is not necessarily performed. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may generate an ultrasound image using a signal of a high frequency band converted into a digital signal (S1470).

Thus, the ultrasound system 100 can generate ultrasound images and additional information using only the received ultrasound signals. For example, when the additional information is cardiac sound information, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may generate virtual electrocardiographic information using the cardiac sound information.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can display the generated ultrasound image and the additional information (S1480). The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display and change the information included in the display screen according to the needs of the user. For example, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display only the ultrasound image, and may simultaneously display the ultrasound image, the heart sound information, and the virtual electrocardiogram information.

15 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. 15 can generate only the heart sound information by itself, and can transmit the digitally processed ultrasonic signal to the external apparatus 200. The external device 200 can generate an ultrasound image using an ultrasound signal.

Specifically, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can receive the ultrasonic signals reflected from the object (S1510). Then, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate additional information using the received ultrasonic signal (S1320). For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can separate signals of the low frequency band among the received ultrasonic signals and process the separated signals of the low frequency band to generate heart sound information. The heart sound information corresponds to an example of additional information that the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate when the object is a heart.

Then, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may transmit the generated additional information and the received ultrasonic signal to the external apparatus 200 (S1530). The external device 200 can generate an ultrasound image using the ultrasound signal received from the ultrasound device 100 (S1540). Then, the external device 200 can display the generated ultrasound image together with the received cardiac sound information (S1550).

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to another embodiment may generate both the cardiac sound information and the ultrasound image by itself. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to another embodiment may perform only a function of separating the received ultrasonic signal into a high frequency band signal and a low frequency band signal.

16 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Steps S1605, S1610, and S1620 are the same as steps S1510, S1520, and S1530, respectively, and redundant description will be omitted.

The external device 200 can photograph a user of the ultrasonic device 100 using a built-in or connected camera (S1615). Then, the external device 200 can generate an ultrasound image using the received ultrasound signal (S1625). Also, the external device 200 may display the received cardiac sound information together with the generated ultrasound image. Then, the external device 200 can simultaneously display the received ultrasound image and the captured image (S1630). For example, the external device 200 may analyze the photographed image to determine which part of the ultrasonic wave is being measured. Then, the external device 200 may include positional information on the determined measurement site in the ultrasound image.

The external device 200 may transmit at least one of the ultrasound image and the image of the user of the ultrasound device 100 to the server 300 (S1635). Then, the server 300 may transmit the data received from the external device 200 to the doctor-side remote medical device 400 (S1640). It is needless to say that the external device 200 can directly transmit data to the remote medical apparatus 400 connected to the network without going through the server 300.

The remote medical apparatus 400 may display at least one of the received shot image, ultrasound image, and cardiac sound information (S1645). Then, the remote medical apparatus 400 may photograph a doctor who is a user of the remote medical apparatus 400, and may receive data input by the doctor (S1650). The remote medical apparatus 400 may transmit the data obtained by the doctor through the input unit and the image of the doctor using the camera to the server 300 (S1655). Subsequently, the server 300 can transmit the input data and the screen of the doctor to the external device 200 (S1660).

The external device 200 can display the ultrasound image reflecting the received input data (S1665). Then, the external device 200 may display a screen shot with a doctor.

The above-described methods may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magnetic media such as floppy disks; Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include machine language code such as those produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The above hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. This is possible. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined by the equivalents of the claims, as well as the claims.

100: Ultrasonic device 110: Ultrasonic transducer
120: Transmitting / receiving unit 121: Transmitting unit
123: Transmission control unit 125-1: TGC
125-3: Delay unit 130: Signal processing unit
131: main control unit 133: image processing unit
135-1: Filter 135-3: Beamformer
135-5: ADC 140:
200: external device 210: camera
300: server 400: remote medical device
410: input unit 420: camera

Claims (20)

An ultrasonic transducer for receiving the reflected ultrasonic signal; And
And a signal processing unit for generating an ultrasound image using the first frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals and generating additional information using the second frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals. The method according to claim 1,
The signal processing unit,
And a beam former for focusing the second frequency band signal among the received ultrasound signals,
And generates additional information using the second frequency band signal focused by the beam former. The method according to claim 1,
The signal processing unit,
A filter for separating the received ultrasonic signal into a first frequency band signal and a second frequency band signal;
And an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting the received ultrasound signals into digital signals. The method according to claim 1,
The additional information may include:
And graph information indicating information of cardiac sound according to time. The method according to claim 1,
And a communication unit for transmitting the ultrasound image and the additional information to an external device. The method according to claim 1,
And a display for displaying the ultrasound image and the additional information. The method according to claim 6,
The signal processing unit,
If the additional information is heart sound information, a first heart sound indicating a starting point of a systolic phase of the heart and a second heart sound indicating a starting point of a diastolic phase of the heart are detected from the heart sound information,
And controls the display to display information on the generation timing of the first heart sound and the second heart sound. 8. The method of claim 7,
The signal processing unit,
And converting the heart sound information into electrocardiogram information by using information about a generation timing of the first heart sound and the second heart sound. 9. The method of claim 8,
The signal processing unit,
And controls the display to display the ultrasound image and the electrocardiogram information together. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second frequency band signal is a signal in a band of 20 to 1000 Hz. Receiving a reflected ultrasound signal;
Generating an ultrasound image using the first frequency band signal among the received ultrasound signals; And
And generating additional information using the second frequency band signal of the received ultrasound signals. 12. The method of claim 11,
Separating the received ultrasonic signal into a first frequency band signal and a second frequency band signal;
Collecting the separated second frequency band signal; And
Converting the focused second frequency band signal and the separated first frequency band signal into a digital signal. 12. The method of claim 11,
The additional information may include:
Wherein the graph information is information indicative of information on cardiac sounds according to time. 12. The method of claim 11,
And transmitting the ultrasound image and the additional information to an external device. 12. The method of claim 11,
And displaying the ultrasound image and the additional information. 16. The method of claim 15,
If the additional information is heart sound information, detecting a first heart sound indicating a starting point of a systolic phase of the heart and a second heart sound indicating a starting point of a diastolic phase of the heart in the heart sound information; And
And displaying information on a generation timing of the first heart sound and the second heart sound. 17. The method of claim 16,
And converting the heart sound information into electrocardiographic information using information on the generation timing of the first heart sound and the second heart sound. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the step of displaying the ultrasound image and the heart sound information comprises:
And displaying the ultrasound image and the electrocardiogram information together. In a remote medical system,
An ultrasonic device for processing and transmitting an ultrasonic signal reflected at a predetermined position of a first user;
An external device for capturing the first user using the ultrasound device, generating an ultrasound image using the ultrasound signal transmitted from the ultrasound device, and displaying the captured image of the first user and the generated ultrasound image;
A remote medical device for receiving an input of a second user;
And a server for transmitting and receiving data between the external device and the remote medical device,
Wherein the external device transmits the ultrasound image and the image of the first user to the remote medical device through the server,
Wherein the remote medical apparatus transmits the input data of the second user to the received ultrasound image to the external apparatus through the server,
Wherein the external device displays an ultrasound image reflecting the input data of the received second user. 20. The method of claim 19,
The external device includes:
Wherein the first user analyzes the photographed image to determine a measurement position, and the information about the determined measurement position is included in the ultrasound image.

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