WO2022231108A1

WO2022231108A1 - Ultrasound imaging device and ultrasound imaging system comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2022231108A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/002922
Authority: WO
Inventors: 유양모
Original assignee: 주식회사 엣지케어; 서강대학교산학협력단
Priority date: 2021-04-28
Filing date: 2022-03-02
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: KR102375825B1

Abstract

An ultrasound imaging device, according to the present invention, may comprise a first ultrasonic array, a second ultrasonic array, an array control unit, and an image processing unit. The first ultrasonic array comprises a plurality of first directional elements disposed along a first direction, and may transmit an ultrasonic transmission signal. The second ultrasonic array comprises a plurality of second directional elements disposed along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, receives an ultrasonic reception signal reflected from an object, on the basis of the ultrasonic transmission signal, and may be disposed on one side of the first ultrasonic array. The array control unit may provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasonic array and the second ultrasonic array. The image processing unit may provide a three-dimensional image of the object on the basis of the ultrasonic reception signal. The ultrasound imaging device, according to the present invention, may quickly implement an image while not increasing the system complexity of the ultrasound imaging device, by implementing a three-dimensional ultrasound image by using the first ultrasonic array which comprises the plurality of first directional elements disposed along the first direction, and which transmits the ultrasonic transmission signal, and the second ultrasonic array which receives the ultrasonic reception signal reflected from the object, on the basis of the ultrasonic transmission signal, and which is disposed on the one side of the first ultrasonic array.

Description

Ultrasound imaging apparatus and ultrasound imaging system including same

The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and an ultrasound imaging system including the same.

Organs inside the human body may be realized as 3D images using ultrasound. Recently, various studies have been conducted to implement a 3D image quickly using various ultrasound arrays without increasing the complexity of the system.

An object of the present invention is to provide a first ultrasound array including a plurality of first direction elements disposed along a first direction, transmitting an ultrasound transmission signal, and an ultrasound reception signal reflected from an object based on the ultrasound transmission signal. To provide an ultrasound imaging apparatus capable of rapidly realizing an image without increasing system complexity of the ultrasound imaging apparatus by receiving the ultrasound image and realizing a 3D ultrasound image using a second ultrasound array disposed on one side of the first ultrasound array. will be.

In order to solve the above problems, the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to the present invention may include a first ultrasound array, a second ultrasound array, an array controller, and an image processing unit. The first ultrasound array may include a plurality of first direction elements disposed along a first direction and transmit an ultrasound transmission signal. The second ultrasound array includes a plurality of second direction elements disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and receives an ultrasound reception signal reflected from an object based on the ultrasound transmission signal, and It may be disposed on one side of the ultrasound array. The array controller may provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasound array and the second ultrasound array. The image processing unit may provide a 3D image of the object based on the ultrasound reception signal.

In an embodiment, the ultrasound transmission signal provided from the first ultrasound array based on a first control signal among the control signals may be focused on a plurality of points in the object.

In an embodiment, whenever the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted to the object, a depth of focus corresponding to each of the plurality of points may increase.

In an embodiment, whenever the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted to the object, a depth of focus corresponding to each of the plurality of points may decrease.

In an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus generates a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) signals generated based on the ultrasound reception signals reflected from the object and received by the second ultrasound array whenever the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted to the object. The 3D image may be provided by synthesizing the ultrasound images.

In an embodiment, the rotation angle of the second ultrasound array may be adjusted according to an angle control signal among the control signals.

In an embodiment, the rotation angle may increase for each predetermined reference number of transmissions among a plurality of transmission times in which the ultrasonic transmission signal is transmitted.

In order to solve the above problems, the ultrasound imaging system according to the present invention may include a first ultrasound array, a second ultrasound array, a third ultrasound array, an array controller, and an image processing unit. The first ultrasound array may include a plurality of first direction elements disposed along a first direction and transmit an ultrasound transmission signal. The second ultrasound array includes a plurality of second direction elements disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and receives an ultrasound reception signal reflected from an object based on the ultrasound transmission signal, and It may be disposed on one side of the ultrasound array. The third ultrasound array includes a plurality of second direction parallel elements disposed along the second direction, is disposed parallel to the second ultrasound array, and receives the ultrasound reflected from the object based on the ultrasound transmission signal The signal may be received and disposed on the other side corresponding to the side opposite to one side of the first ultrasound array. The array controller may provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasound array, the second ultrasound array, and the third ultrasound array. The image processing unit may provide a 3D image of the object based on the ultrasound reception signal.

In an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging system comprises: the first ultrasound array, the second ultrasound array and The 3D image may be provided by selecting two or more ultrasound arrays including the first ultrasound array among the third ultrasound arrays.

In an embodiment, the ultrasound transmission signal may be focused on a plurality of points on the object.

In an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging system is configured to use, whenever the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted to the object, based on the ultrasound reception signal reflected from the object and received by the second ultrasound array and the third ultrasound array. The 3D image may be provided by synthesizing a plurality of generated 2D ultrasound images.

In an embodiment, each of the first ultrasound array, the second ultrasound array, and the third ultrasound array is configured according to a first angle control signal, a second angle control signal, and a third angle control signal among the control signals, respectively. The rotation angle can be adjusted.

In order to solve the above problems, the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to the present invention may include a first ultrasound array, a second ultrasound array, an array controller, and an image processing unit. The first ultrasound array may include a plurality of first direction elements disposed along the first direction, and may receive an ultrasound reception signal reflected from the object. The second ultrasound array may include a plurality of second direction elements disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, transmit an ultrasound transmission signal to an object, and may be disposed at one side of the first ultrasound array. . The array controller may provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasound array and the second ultrasound array. The image processing unit may provide a 3D image of the object based on the ultrasound reception signal.

In order to solve the above problems, the ultrasound imaging system according to the present invention may include a first ultrasound array, a second ultrasound array, a third ultrasound array, an array controller, and an image processing unit. The first ultrasound array may include a plurality of first direction elements disposed along the first direction, and may receive an ultrasound reception signal reflected from the object. The second ultrasound array includes a plurality of second direction elements disposed along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, transmits a first ultrasound transmission signal to the object, and is disposed on one side of the first ultrasound array can be The third ultrasound array includes a plurality of second direction parallel elements disposed in the second direction, is disposed parallel to the second ultrasound array, transmits a second ultrasound transmission signal to the object, and It may be disposed on the other side corresponding to the side opposite to one side of the ultrasound array. The array controller may provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasound array, the second ultrasound array, and the third ultrasound array. The image processing unit may provide a 3D image of the object based on the ultrasound reception signal.

In addition to the technical problems of the present invention mentioned above, other features and advantages of the present invention will be described below, or will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from such description and description.

According to the present invention as described above, there are the following effects.

An ultrasound imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of first direction elements disposed along a first direction, and transmits an ultrasound reception signal reflected from an object based on a first ultrasound array transmitting an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound transmission signal. receiving and realizing a three-dimensional ultrasound image using the second ultrasound array disposed on one side of the first ultrasound array, the image may be rapidly implemented without increasing system complexity of the ultrasound imaging apparatus.

In addition, other features and advantages of the present invention may be newly recognized through embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.

2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining operations of a first ultrasound array and a second ultrasound array included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 .

4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining a depth of focus according to ultrasound transmission of a first ultrasound array included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a process of realizing a 3D image based on an ultrasound reception signal received using a second ultrasound array included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 .

7 and 8 are views for explaining rotation of a first ultrasound array and a second ultrasound array included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 .

9 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound imaging system according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining rotation of a third ultrasound array included in the ultrasound imaging system of FIG. 9 .

11 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.

12 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound imaging system according to embodiments of the present invention.

In the present specification, it should be noted that, in adding reference numbers to the components of each drawing, the same numbers are used only for the same components even though they are indicated on different drawings.

On the other hand, the meaning of the terms described in this specification should be understood as follows.

The singular expression is to be understood as including the plural expression unless the context clearly defines otherwise, and the scope of rights should not be limited by these terms.

It should be understood that terms such as “comprise” or “have” do not preclude the possibility of addition or existence of one or more other features or numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention designed to solve the above problems will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining operations of a first ultrasound array and a second ultrasound array included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 . .

1 to 3 , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention may include a first ultrasound array 110 , a second ultrasound array 120 , an array control unit 200 , and an image processing unit 300 . have.

The first ultrasound array 110 may include a plurality of first direction elements disposed along the first direction D1 and transmit the ultrasound transmission signal UT. For example, the plurality of first direction elements may include a first_1 element E1_1 , a first_2 element E1_2 to a 1_N element E1_N. The first_1 element and the first_2 element E1_2 to the 1_N element E1_N may be disposed along the first direction D1, and the first ultrasound array 110 may include the first_1 element E1_1 and the first_2 element E1_N. The ultrasound transmission signal UT may be transmitted using the E1_2 to 1_N elements E1_N.

The second ultrasound array 120 includes a plurality of second direction elements disposed along a second direction D2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and transmits the ultrasound transmission signal UT to the object OB. Receives the ultrasound reception signal UR reflected from the , and may be disposed on one side of the first ultrasound array 110 . For example, the plurality of second direction elements may include a 2_1 element E2_1 , a 2_2 element to a 2_N element E2_N. The second_1 element E2_1 and the second_2 element to the second_N element E2_N may be disposed along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and the second ultrasound array 120 may be disposed in the first It may be vertically disposed on one side SD1 of the ultrasound array 110 . The second ultrasound array 120 may receive the ultrasound reception signal UR reflected from the object OB using the 2_1 element E2_1 and the 2_2 element to the 2_N element E2_N.

The array controller 200 may provide a control signal CS for controlling the first ultrasound array 110 and the second ultrasound array 120 . For example, the array controller 200 may control the first ultrasound array 110 based on the first control signal CS1 among the control signals CS, and the second control signal CS among the control signals CS. The second ultrasound array 120 may be controlled based on CS2).

For example, the plurality of points at which the ultrasound transmission signal UT is focused may include a first point P1 , a second point P2 to an N-th point PN, and the plurality of times is a first time point. (T1), the second time (T2) to the fifth time (T5) may be included. The time interval from the first time T1 to the second time T2 may be the first time interval TI1, and the time interval from the second time T2 to the third time T3 is the second time interval. It may be an interval TI2. In addition, the time interval from the third time T3 to the fourth time T4 may be the third time interval TI3, and the time interval from the fourth time T4 to the fifth time T5 is the second time interval TI3. It may be a 4 time interval (TI4). In this case, at the first time T1 , the control unit provides the first ultrasound transmission signal UT1 by focusing on the first point P1 using the first control signal CS1 and the first ultrasound array 110 . During the first time interval TI1 , the controller may receive the first ultrasound reception signal UR1 reflected from the object OB using the second control signal CS2 and the second ultrasound array 120 . can In addition, at the second time T2, the controller may provide the second ultrasound transmission signal UT2 by focusing on the second point P2 using the first control signal CS1 and the first ultrasound array 110 . and during the second time interval TI2 , the controller may receive the second ultrasound reception signal UR2 reflected from the object OB using the second control signal CS2 and the second ultrasound array 120 . have. In the same manner, the third ultrasound reception signal to the Nth ultrasound reception signal URN may be received during the third time interval TI3 to the Nth time interval (N is a natural number). In this case, the depth of focus PD corresponding to the distance from the first ultrasound array 110 to the plurality of points may be the same.

The image processing unit 300 may provide a 3D image UI of the object OB based on the ultrasound reception signal UR. For example, the image processing unit 300 may include a first ultrasound reception signal UR1 to an Nth ultrasound reception signal URN that are received by the second ultrasound array 120 during a first time interval TI1 to an N-th time interval. may be synthesized to provide a 3D image UI of the object OB. The object OB may be a specific region including organs inside the human body.

1 to 5 , the ultrasound transmission signal UT provided from the first ultrasound array 110 based on the first control signal CS1 among the control signals CS is transmitted to a plurality of points in the object OB. can be focused on In an embodiment, whenever the ultrasound transmission signal UT is transmitted to the object OB, the depth of focus corresponding to each of the plurality of points may increase. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , at a first time T1 , the control unit focuses on a first point P1 using the first control signal CS1 and the first ultrasound array 110 to obtain a first The ultrasonic transmission signal UT1 may be provided. In this case, the focusing depth corresponding to the distance from the first ultrasound array 110 to the first point P1 may be the first focusing depth PD1. In addition, at the second time T2 , the array controller 200 focuses on the second point P2 using the first control signal CS1 and the first ultrasound array 110 to generate a second ultrasound transmission signal UT2 . can provide In this case, the focusing depth corresponding to the distance from the first ultrasound array 110 to the second point P2 may be the second focusing depth PD2. The focusing depth at the first time T1 may be the first focusing depth PD1, and after the first time T1, the focusing depth at the second time T2 may be the second focusing depth PD2. In this case, the first focusing depth PD1 may be greater than the second focusing depth PD2. The above method may be equally applied to the third focusing depth PD3 to the Nth focusing depth PDN.

In an embodiment, whenever the ultrasound transmission signal UT is transmitted to the object OB, the depth of focus corresponding to each of the plurality of points may decrease. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the focusing depth at the first time T1 may be the first focusing depth PD1, and after the first time T1, the focusing depth at the second time T2. may be the second focusing depth PD2. In this case, the first focusing depth PD1 may be smaller than the second focusing depth PD2. The above method may be equally applied to the third focusing depth PD3 to the Nth focusing depth PDN.

Whenever the ultrasound transmission signal UT is transmitted to the object OB, the ultrasound transmission signal UT is transmitted by varying the depth of focus corresponding to each of the plurality of points, and the second ultrasound array 120 is used to transmit the ultrasound transmission signal UT. If the 3D ultrasound image is implemented after receiving the ultrasound reception signal UR, the quality of the ultrasound image may be increased.

6 is a view for explaining a process of realizing a 3D image based on an ultrasound reception signal received using a second ultrasound array included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 , and FIGS. 7 and 8 are the ultrasound of FIG. 1 . Diagrams for explaining rotation of the first ultrasound array and the second ultrasound array included in the imaging apparatus.

6 to 8 , according to an exemplary embodiment, whenever an ultrasound transmission signal UT is transmitted to the object OB, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 10 is reflected from the object OB to the second ultrasound array ( A 3D image UI may be provided by synthesizing a plurality of 2D ultrasound images generated based on the ultrasound reception signal UR received as 120 . The second ultrasound array 120 included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus 10 of the present invention includes the first ultrasound reception signals UR1 to Nth ultrasound during the first time interval TI1 to the Nth time interval (N is a natural number). A reception signal URN may be received. For example, the image processing unit 300 may implement a two-dimensional first ultrasound image UI1 formed along the second direction D2 based on the first ultrasound reception signal UR1, and the second ultrasound reception signal Based on the , a two-dimensional second ultrasound image UI2 formed along the second direction D2 may be implemented. In the same manner, the image processing unit 300 may implement the two-dimensional third ultrasound image UI3 to the N-th ultrasound image UIN. As a result, the image processing unit 300 may provide the 3D image UI by synthesizing the 2D first ultrasound image UI1 to the Nth ultrasound image UIN.

In an embodiment, the rotation angle DG of the first ultrasound array 110 may be adjusted according to the first angle control signal CSD1 among the control signals CS. For example, when the first ultrasound array 110 is viewed in the first direction D1 , it may be illustrated as shown in FIG. 7 . The first ultrasound array 110 may rotate based on the central point CP1 of the first ultrasound array 110 . In this case, the first ultrasound array 110 may rotate by the first rotation angle DG1 according to the first angle control signal CSD1 provided from the controller.

In another embodiment, the rotation angle DG of the second ultrasound array 120 may be adjusted according to the angle control signal CSD among the control signals CS. For example, when the second ultrasound array 120 is viewed in the second direction D2, it may be illustrated as shown in FIG. 8 . The second ultrasound array 120 may rotate based on the central point CP2 of the second ultrasound array 120 . In this case, the second ultrasound array 120 may be rotated by the second rotation angle DG2 according to the second angle control signal CSD2 provided from the controller. When an ultrasound image is realized by receiving the ultrasound reception signal UR using the rotatable second ultrasound array 120 according to the present invention, the quality of the ultrasound image may be improved.

In an embodiment, the rotation angle DG may increase for each predetermined reference number of transmissions among a plurality of transmission times through which the ultrasound transmission signal UT is transmitted. For example, the plurality of transmission times through which the transmission signal is transmitted may be 100 times, and the predetermined reference number of transmissions may be 10 times. In this case, after transmitting 10 times using the first ultrasound array 110 , the ultrasound transmission signal UT may be transmitted by rotating the angle of the first ultrasound array 110 by the first rotation angle DR1 . .

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes a plurality of first direction elements disposed along a first direction D1, and includes a first ultrasound array 110 for transmitting an ultrasound transmission signal UT, and ultrasound transmission. Receives an ultrasound reception signal UR reflected from the object OB based on the signal UT, and uses the second ultrasound array 120 disposed on one side of the first ultrasound array 110 to perform a 3D ultrasound image By implementing the (UI), it is possible to quickly implement an image without increasing the system complexity of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 10 .

9 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound imaging system according to embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating rotation of a third ultrasound array included in the ultrasound imaging system of FIG. 9 .

9 and 10 , the ultrasound imaging system 20 according to the present invention includes a first ultrasound array 110 , a second ultrasound array 120 , a third ultrasound array 130 , an array controller 200 and an image. A processing unit 300 may be included. The first ultrasound array 110 may include a plurality of first direction elements disposed along the first direction D1 and transmit the ultrasound transmission signal UT. The second ultrasound array 120 includes a plurality of second direction elements disposed along a second direction D2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and transmits the ultrasound transmission signal UT to the object OB. Receives the ultrasound reception signal UR reflected from the , and may be disposed on one side of the first ultrasound array 110 . The third ultrasound array 130 includes a plurality of second direction parallel elements disposed along the second direction D2, is disposed parallel to the second ultrasound array 120, and is based on the ultrasound transmission signal UT. Thus, the ultrasound reception signal UR reflected from the object OB may be received and disposed on the other side corresponding to the opposite side of one side of the first ultrasound array 110 . For example, the plurality of second direction parallel elements may include a 1_1 parallel element P1_1 , a 1_2 parallel element P1_2 to a 1_N parallel element P1_N. The 1_1 parallel element P1_1, the 1_2 parallel element P1_2 to the 1_N parallel element P1_N may be disposed along the second direction D2, and the third ultrasound array 130 may include the 1_1 parallel element (P1_N). The ultrasound reception signal UR may be received by using P1_1) and the first_2 parallel elements P1_2 to the 1_N parallel elements P1_N.

The array controller 200 may provide a control signal CS for controlling the first ultrasound array 110 , the second ultrasound array 120 , and the third ultrasound array 130 . The image processing unit 300 may provide a 3D image UI of the object OB based on the ultrasound reception signal UR.

In an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging system 20 includes a first control signal CS1, a second control signal CS2, and a third control signal CS3 among the control signals CS provided from the array control unit 200 . Selecting two or more ultrasound arrays including the first ultrasound array 110 among the first ultrasound array 110 , the second ultrasound array 120 , and the third ultrasound array 130 based on the 3D image (UI) can provide For example, the first control signal CS1 may be used to control the first ultrasound array 110 , and the second control signal CS2 may be used to control the second ultrasound array 120 . Also, the third control signal CS3 may be used to control the third ultrasound array 130 . In this case, the array control unit 200 turns on the first ultrasound array 110 and the second ultrasound array 120 based on the first control signal CS1 and the second control signal CS2, and The ultrasound imaging system 20 may be operated using only the first ultrasound array 110 and the second ultrasound array 120 by turning off the third ultrasound array 130 based on the control signal CS3.

In an embodiment, the ultrasound transmission signal UT may be focused on a plurality of points in the object OB. In an embodiment, whenever the ultrasound transmission signal UT is transmitted to the object OB, the ultrasound imaging system 20 reflects from the object OB to the second ultrasound array 120 and the third ultrasound array ( A 3D image UI may be provided by synthesizing a plurality of 2D ultrasound images generated based on the ultrasound reception signal UR received as 130 . For example, all of the first ultrasound array 110 to the third ultrasound array 130 may be turned on based on the first control signal CS1 to the third control signal CS3 . In this case, the image of the area close to the second ultrasound array 120 among the area of the object OB is implemented based on the ultrasound reception signal UR received by the second ultrasound array 120 , and the image of the object is performed. An image of a region close to the third ultrasound array 130 among the regions may implement an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound reception signal UR received by the third ultrasound array 130 .

In one embodiment, each of the first ultrasound array 110 , the second ultrasound array 120 , and the third ultrasound array 130 includes a first angle control signal CSD1 and a second angle among the control signals CS. Each of the rotation angles DG may be adjusted according to the control signal CSD2 and the third angle control signal CSD3 . When transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals by adjusting the rotation angle DG of the first ultrasound array 110 to the third ultrasound array 130 according to the first angle control signal CSD1 to the third angle control signal CSD3, respectively, Image quality of the object OB may be improved.

1 to 11 , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention may include a first ultrasound array 110 , a second ultrasound array 120 , an array control unit 200 , and an image processing unit 300 . have. The first ultrasound array 110 may include a plurality of first direction elements disposed along the first direction D1 and receive the ultrasound reception signal UR reflected from the object OB. The second ultrasound array 120 includes a plurality of second direction elements disposed in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 , and transmits the ultrasound transmission signal UT to the object OB. and may be disposed on one side of the first ultrasound array 110 . The array controller 200 may provide a control signal CS for controlling the first ultrasound array 110 and the second ultrasound array 120 . The image processing unit 300 may provide a 3D image UI of the object OB based on the ultrasound reception signal UR. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 11 transmits an ultrasound transmission signal UT through the second ultrasound array 120 from the ultrasound imaging apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 , and the first ultrasound array 110 . The contents of FIGS. 1 to 10 may be applied in the same manner except that the ultrasound reception signal UR is received through .

1 to 12 , the ultrasound imaging system 20 according to the present invention includes a first ultrasound array 110 , a second ultrasound array 120 , a third ultrasound array 130 , an array controller 200 , and an image. A processing unit 300 may be included. The first ultrasound array 110 may include a plurality of first direction elements disposed along the first direction D1 and receive the ultrasound reception signal UR reflected from the object OB. The second ultrasound array 120 includes a plurality of second direction elements disposed along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and transmits a first ultrasound transmission signal UT1 to the object OB. and may be disposed on one side of the first ultrasound array 110 . The third ultrasound array 130 includes a plurality of second direction parallel elements disposed along the second direction D2 , is disposed parallel to the second ultrasound array 120 , and sends a second ultrasound to the object OB. It transmits the transmission signal UT2 and may be disposed on the other side corresponding to the side opposite to one side of the first ultrasound array 110 . The array controller 200 may provide a control signal CS for controlling the first ultrasound array 110 , the second ultrasound array 120 , and the third ultrasound array 130 . The image processing unit 300 may provide a 3D image UI of the object OB based on the ultrasound reception signal UR. The ultrasound imaging system 20 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a first ultrasound transmission signal UT1 and a third ultrasound array 130 through the second ultrasound array 120 and the third ultrasound array 130 in the ultrasound imaging system 20 illustrated in FIG. 9 . The contents of FIGS. 1 to 10 are the same except for the content that the second ultrasound transmission signal UT2 is transmitted and the ultrasound reception signal UR reflected from the object OB through the first ultrasound array 110 is received. can be applied in the same way.

The ultrasound imaging system 20 according to the present invention selectively uses the first ultrasound array 110 , the second ultrasound array 120 , and the third ultrasound array 130 to implement a 3D ultrasound image. 20), it is possible to quickly implement an image without increasing the system complexity.

Claims

a first ultrasound array including a plurality of first direction elements disposed in a first direction and transmitting an ultrasound transmission signal;

It includes a plurality of second directional elements disposed along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and receives an ultrasound reception signal reflected from an object based on the ultrasound transmission signal, and at one side of the first ultrasound array. a second ultrasound array disposed;

an array control unit configured to provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasound array and the second ultrasound array; and

and an image processor configured to provide a 3D image of an object based on the received ultrasound signal.
According to claim 1,

The ultrasound imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound transmission signal provided from the first ultrasound array based on a first control signal among the control signals is focused on a plurality of points in the object.
3. The method of claim 2,

The ultrasound imaging apparatus, characterized in that each time the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted to the object, the depth of focus corresponding to each of the plurality of points increases.
3. The method of claim 2,

The ultrasound imaging apparatus, characterized in that each time the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted to the object, the depth of focus corresponding to each of the plurality of points is reduced.
4. The method of claim 3,

The ultrasound imaging device,

Whenever the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted to the object, a plurality of 2D ultrasound images generated based on the ultrasound reception signal reflected from the object and received by the second ultrasound array are synthesized to provide the 3D image Ultrasound imaging apparatus, characterized in that.
6. The method of claim 5,

The second ultrasound array is an ultrasound imaging apparatus, characterized in that the rotation angle is adjusted according to the angle control signal of the control signal.
6. The method of claim 5,

The ultrasound imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle is increased for each predetermined reference transmission number among a plurality of transmission times in which the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted.
a first ultrasound array including a plurality of first direction elements disposed in a first direction and transmitting an ultrasound transmission signal;

It includes a plurality of second directional elements disposed along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and receives an ultrasound reception signal reflected from an object based on the ultrasound transmission signal, and at one side of the first ultrasound array. a second ultrasound array disposed;

It includes a plurality of second direction parallel elements disposed along the second direction, is disposed parallel to the second ultrasound array, and receives the ultrasound reception signal reflected from the object based on the ultrasound transmission signal to receive the ultrasound signal. a third ultrasound array disposed on the other side corresponding to the side opposite to one side of the first ultrasound array;

an array control unit configured to provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasound array, the second ultrasound array, and the third ultrasound array; and

and an image processor configured to provide a 3D image of an object based on the received ultrasound signal.
9. The method of claim 8,

The ultrasound imaging system,

The first ultrasound array among the first ultrasound array, the second ultrasound array, and the third ultrasound array based on a first control signal, a second control signal, and a third control signal among the control signals provided from the array control unit An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: selecting two or more ultrasound arrays to provide the three-dimensional image.
10. The method of claim 9,

The ultrasound imaging system, characterized in that the ultrasound transmission signal is focused on a plurality of points on the object.
11. The method of claim 10,

The ultrasound imaging system,

Whenever the ultrasound transmission signal is transmitted to the object, a plurality of 2D ultrasound images generated based on the ultrasound reception signal reflected from the object and received by the second ultrasound array and the third ultrasound array are synthesized. Ultrasound imaging system, characterized in that providing the three-dimensional image.
12. The method of claim 11,

Each of the first ultrasonic array, the second ultrasonic array, and the third ultrasonic array has a rotation angle adjusted according to a first angle control signal, a second angle control signal, and a third angle control signal among the control signals. Ultrasound imaging system.
a first ultrasound array including a plurality of first direction elements disposed along a first direction and receiving an ultrasound reception signal reflected from an object;

a second ultrasound array including a plurality of second direction elements disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, transmitting an ultrasound transmission signal to an object, and disposed at one side of the first ultrasound array;

an array control unit configured to provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasound array and the second ultrasound array; and

and an image processor configured to provide a 3D image of an object based on the received ultrasound signal.
a first ultrasound array including a plurality of first direction elements disposed along a first direction and receiving an ultrasound reception signal reflected from an object;

A second ultrasound array including a plurality of second direction elements disposed along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, transmitting a first ultrasound transmission signal to the object, and disposed at one side of the first ultrasound array ;

It includes a plurality of second direction parallel elements disposed along the second direction, is disposed parallel to the second ultrasound array, transmits a second ultrasound transmission signal to the object, and transmits a second ultrasound transmission signal to the object. a third ultrasound array disposed on the other side corresponding to the opposite side;

an array control unit configured to provide a control signal for controlling the first ultrasound array, the second ultrasound array, and the third ultrasound array; and

and an image processor configured to provide a 3D image of an object based on the received ultrasound signal.