CN85101265A - The R-T unit of ultrasonic imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the R-T unit of echo vision, this developing instrument adopts pulse echo method work, shows the section image of object, includes a transducer array that is connected in first arrangements of electric connection.

In order to carry out dissimilar scanning with same ultrasonic imaging apparatus, produce high-quality image simultaneously, this R-T unit comprises with the lower part: the emissioning signal producer that is connected in echo signal processing circuit through a linear array, be connected on the signal transmitting apparatus between the linear array and first arrangements of electric connection, and second arrangements of electric connection.

Description

The R-T unit of ultrasonic imaging apparatus

The present invention relates to the R-T unit of echo vision.This developing instrument adopts pulse echo method work, in order to show the section image of object.It comprises with lower device: the array of the element of transducer that is being arranged side by side, according to giving transmitting of element of transducer, object is injected in the multi beam ultrasonic pulse, and received these pulses, produce electric signal according to the echo that receives then because of the inconsistent echo of reflecting of interior of articles acoustic resistance; First arrangements of electric connection is arranged again, be used between the electronic circuit of element of transducer and R-T unit, transmission transmits and echo signal, and this coupling arrangement promptly can be fixedly connected form, also can be controlled by first control signal to connect.

The echo vision known (German prospectus 2654280, european patent application-publication No. 0006197) that comprises above-mentioned the sort of R-T unit.Yet in the developing instrument that these people understood, the R-T unit of employing has only a kind of special scan mode usually, for example, and linear pattern scanning or fan type scan mode.But, carry out the scanning of different modes, particularly concerning medical examination, usually demonstrate great superiority.In fact, this different scan mode is necessary to diagnosing.Because the price comparison of echo vision is expensive, so people expect to have a kind of R-T unit, can realize carrying out the scanning of different modes, particularly scanning of fan type and compound scanning with same echo vision.In order to obtain high-quality image, this system also should comprise hyperacoustic focalizer, especially receives the dynamic focus device of feature.If make this equipment, and just those devices in the prior art, and corresponding processing transmits and the electronic circuit of echo signal links together simply, carries out the scanning of different modes, its volume is big so, and the complexity of line construction is very significant.This will bring two serious problems: (a) manufacturing cost of equipment sharply increases, and (b) a large amount of series electrical sub-elements will produce totally unfavorable influence to signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio), and image quality also can correspondingly degenerate.

Therefore, purpose of the present invention just provides the sort of new R-T unit noted before, utilize this device only need increase seldom expense, just can realize with same echo vision, carry out the scanning of different modes, especially compound scanning and the scanning of fan type, and can access high-quality ultrasonic image.

In order to reach this purpose, according to the present invention, this R-T unit has following characteristics:

An emissioning signal producer, it is according to second control signal, by many output terminals, send choose have transmitting of predetermined time interval, one transmits by an output terminal.

An echo signal processing circuit, this circuit has many input ends, also comprises first variable delay device, sends into the echo signal of echo signal processing circuit input end, through this delayer, can choose delay by the 3rd control signal.

A linear array, every line links to each other an output terminal of emissioning signal producer with an input end of echo signal processing circuit.

Signal transmission device is connected between the linear array and first arrangements of electric connection, and this signal transmission device comprises second variable delay device, transmits and this delayer of echo signal process, can choose delay by the 4th control signal.

And, second arrangements of electric connection, by it with emissioning signal producer, first, second delayer also with first arrangements of electric connection, all is connected in control circuit where necessary, control circuit send second, third, the 4th control signal, also send first control signal where necessary.

Use R-T unit of the present invention, only needing increases a little expense, just can use same echo vision to carry out different scanning, especially compound scanning or the scanning of fan type, and even line style scanning, and produce high-quality ultrasonic image.(according to selected scan method, needed only is to be equipped with a transducer array that is fit to this purposes).

Other advantage of the present invention and characteristics are consulted accompanying drawing, from following elaboration to embodiment, can be clear that.

Fig. 1 is a block schematic diagram, and the principle of apparatus of the present invention is described.

Fig. 2 is a block schematic diagram of emissioning signal producer among Fig. 1 (14).

Some pulse signals of lag line in Fig. 3 presentation graphs 2 (32) output terminal.

A better embodiment of square (32) and (33) among Fig. 4 graphic extension Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a block schematic diagram of delayer among Fig. 1 (26-1).

Fig. 6 represents some signal waveforms, in order to explain the method that transmits that produces.

Fig. 7 is the wiring diagram of a better embodiment of square among Fig. 1 (19), the dynamic focus device of its expression reception feature.

A better example of square (21) among Fig. 8 graphic extension Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is the block schematic diagram of R-T unit of the present invention, and it gives the one group of element of transducer (11) in this R-T unit and the echo vision and the connected mode of control circuit (28).

The developing instrument relies on the work of pulse echo principle, and purpose is to produce the sectional drawing of object.For this reason, adopted an array that many element of transducers that are adjacent to each other are arranged, and this array has been used for object.Usually adopt the linear pattern transducer array, but, also can adopt the nonlinear type array as long as in the R-T unit design, done consideration.

When carrying out the scanning of fan type, all membrane transducer array elements are all connected with R-T unit simultaneously.But when carrying out line style scanning or compound scanning, there is each transducer group of element of transducer adjacent one another are to connect with R-T unit successively.

For the scanning of fan type, the transducer array among Fig. 1 (11) has been represented the sum of all the element 1-N of transducer array that are used for this purpose.In this situation, each element of transducer usually regularly with the array with N root bus (12) in one link to each other, this array is hereinafter referred to as bus (12).

Concerning line style scanning or compound scanning, a group of many groups element of transducer that the transducer array among Fig. 1 (11) expression is used successively is made up of N inverting element for every group.In this case, each element in the element of transducer group (11) is through the single line road connection of switch in array (13) with bus (12).First control signal that switch arrays (13) are sent into by control circuit (28) via line (29) is controlled.

As shown in Figure 1, R-T unit of the present invention comprises an emissioning signal producer (14), and echo signal processing circuit (17) is by the array (24) that M root bus is formed, signal transmission device (25).Below abbreviate total linear array (24) as bus (24).

According to second control signal of sending into by control circuit (28) via line (15), emissioning signal producer (14) sends that many groups choose has transmitting of predetermined time interval, these signals are by many output terminals (16) output, and each in every group of signal transmits at every turn by an output terminal output.

Echo signal processing circuit (17) has many input ends (18), also comprise first variable delay device (19), (21), utilize these delayers, the 3rd control signal that can send here according to control circuit (28) via line (22), (23) is chosen delay to the echo signal of sending into input end (18).Fig. 1 has represented to be used for the delayer (19) of an input end of echo signal processing circuit, and other most of input ends also are equipped with this delayer.On the other hand, square among Fig. 1 (21) has been represented this delayer, can have choose thick quantitatively to postpone all echo signals that are input to echo signal processing circuit (17) input end by it.

Bus (24) links to each other each output terminal of emissioning signal producer (14) with an input end of echo signal processing circuit (17).

Signal transmission device (25) places between bus (24) and the bus (12), is used for transmission and transmits and echo signal.Transmitter (25) comprises variable delay device (26-1), (26-2) to (26-M), by these delayers, according to the 4th control signal that control circuit via line (27) is sent into, can carry out thin quantitative selection with echo signal to transmitting and postpone.Fig. 1 has only represented the connection of square (26-1), and other square (26-2) to (26-M) also has similar connection, but Fig. 1 is not shown.As shown in Figure 1, each square (26-1), (26-2) etc. all be connected at least two lines of (a) bus (12), the institute of (b) bus (24) wired on.

Carry out the scanning of fan type with the linear pattern transducer array, yes with the many different directions of ultrasonic pulse directive successively, and the echo signal that receives is handled, and shows on display then.Carry out compound scanning with the linear pattern transducer array, its method also is similarly, but is not to carry out with one group of single element of transducer, but transmits and receives with different element of transducer groups successively.This method is described in US Patent specification NO 4,070,905.

When launching ultrasound wave with one group of element of transducer adjacent one another are, the direction of the supersonic beam of each emission is determined at interval by the relative time of sending in the element of transducer that transmits.Therefore, when direction emission ultrasound wave has been decided on the edge, will send have different transmitting of postponing with respect to reference signal into element of transducer.With each relevant delay that transmits is the relative position of element of transducer in the direction of launching as required and the array and definite.Also similar processing procedure to be arranged to echo signal, correctly to measure the picture information of carrying by echo., in the different moment these signals are postponed, the special delay relevant with echo signal is definite according to the relative position of element of transducer in receive direction and the array for this reason.These have the different echo signals that postpone then addition send into display again.

Tell about in detail as following institute, the delayer that the R-T unit of the present invention shown in Fig. 1 comprises can be to transmitting and echo signal is realized above-mentioned delay.

In a better embodiment who improves the ultrasonic image quality, the R-T unit among Fig. 1 has following additional delay device:

(a) delayer can be realized the additional delay that transmits, therefore can focus on the supersonic beam of emission.

(b) delayer can be realized time dependent additional delay to echo signal, but therefore dynamic focusing receives feature.

Send into the typical emission signal of an element of transducer among Fig. 1, its total delay comprises: by the thick thin increment that quantitatively postpones that quantitatively postpones generation in increment and the signal transmission device (25) of emissioning signal producer (14) generation.

Transmit by transducer, and the typical echo signal of in R-T unit shown in Figure 1, handling, its total delay also comprises: a part produces in signal transmission device (25), the thin thick increment that quantitatively postpones that quantitatively postpones increment and produce in delayer (21) that a part produces in delayer (19).

The course of work and the principle of the invention described above R-T unit show that its following characteristics make circuit greatly simplify.

(a) signal transmission device (25) transmits and echo signal is all transmitted by it, and each transmits and the part of the total delay of echo signal here produces.

(b) have two element of transducers and (26-1) at least, (26-2) waits each delayer to link to each other.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a good embodiment to circuit shown in Figure 1 describes.

Transducer group (11) comprises 32 element of transducers, and wherein each element switch that can pass through in the switch arrays (13) links to each other with single line in the bus (12).Therefore, bus (12) just has 32 lines.

Bus (24) has 16 lines, and every line links to each other an output terminal of emissioning signal producer (14) with an input end of echo signal processing circuit (17).

Fig. 2 is the calcspar of emissioning signal producer among Fig. 1, and it comprises a pulse producer (31), and digital delaying circuit (32) is as a shift register and a multipath conversion system (33).According to time clock, pulse producer (31) is sent first pulse (39) at its output terminal.Fig. 3 has represented this pulse.When pulse signal (39) via line (41) arrives the input end of delay circuit (32), pulse (39-1), (39-2) to (39-28) send in its 28 output terminals (42-1) to (42-28) (see figure 4), and have the thick quantitatively delay that has nothing in common with each other with respect to first pulse signal (39).These pulses also are shown in Fig. 3.At delay circuit (32) output terminal, the time interval of continuous impulse is 200 nanoseconds.Undelayed pulse (39) is by another output terminal output of delay circuit (32).According to second control signal of sending here by circuit (15), multipath conversion system (33) connects 16 output terminals of delay circuit (32) and output terminal (16-1), (16-2) to (16-16) of emissioning signal producer selectively, has therefore connected 16 circuits of bus (24).Fig. 4 has represented the structure and the connection thereof of multipath conversion system (33) intuitively.Can see that in the accompanying drawings system (33) comprises by digital multiplexer (43-1) to (43-5), (44-1) to (44-3), and (45-1) to (45-3), the array that (46-1) to (46-5) forms.System (33) is connected in the output terminal (16-1) of the input end of (a) delay circuit (32) and tap (42) to (42-28) thereof, (b) emissioning signal producer to (16-16).The control signal of control traffic pilot array (33) function is that via line 15 is sent into, and circuit 15 has only schematically used single line to represent in Fig. 2.The conversion ratio of traffic pilot is illustrated respectively in Fig. 4 in the square of each packet converter, to show the difference of each packet converter conversion ratio.

Fig. 5 is the calcspar of delayer among Fig. 1 (26-1).According to Fig. 1, this delayer can link to each other with at least one pair of element of transducer all circuits with bus (24).As shown in Figure 5, delayer (26-1) comprising: a lag line (54), as have the LC lag line of first, second two groups of taps (55), (56); One first traffic pilot system (51) can be with every line of total linear array (24) by it, selectively with first group of tap (55) of lag line (54) in a connection; One second traffic pilot system (57), by it can with at least two element of transducers each selectively with second group of tap (56) of lag line (54) in a connection.Traffic pilot system (51) comprises a traffic pilot (52), traffic pilot (52) is by suitable connected mode, (a) 16 lines of connecting bus (24), (b) be connected in traffic pilot (53) through a two-way amplifier (61), traffic pilot (53) links to each other with the tap group (55) of lag line (54) through suitable connection.Traffic pilot system (57) also comprises two traffic pilots (58), (59), is joined by the tap group (56) of suitable connected mode and lag line (54).Each links to each other with the single line of bus (12) respectively through a two-way amplifier (62), (63) again for traffic pilot (58), (59).Traffic pilot (52), (53), (58), (59) are commercial analog multiplexers.Marked the conversion ratio of each traffic pilot among Fig. 5 in each square.By the signal that delay line transmits, the thin quantitatively delay that they are different can produce by choosing the contact that connects the traffic pilot in traffic pilot system (51), (57).Tap in first group of tap (55) provides 50 nanoseconds delay increment, and the tap in second group of tap (56) provides 25 nanoseconds delay increment.The control signal of multipath conversion system (51) and (57) transmits through many lines, only uses line (27) expression among Fig. 5.These control signals are sent by control circuit (28), and before transducer array (11) is launched each ultrasonic pulse, are stored in (not expression among Fig. 5) in the register.Transmission transmits and the control signal of echo signal all is stored in these registers, but the control signal that transmits is different with the control signal that sends it back acoustical signal usually.

Fig. 6 represents many signal waveforms, in order to transmitting that explanation delayer (26-1) transmits, and the top indicating impulse (61) of Fig. 6, it is as the reference pulse, to determine other pulse position in time.Pulse among Fig. 6 (62) is that emissioning signal producer among Fig. 1 (14) produces, and the pulse that is transmitted by the single line road in the bus (24); The multipath conversion system (51) that talks about previously, the control action of (57) send the delayed circuit of this pulse (54) to element of transducer i again; Consequently it has passed through certain delay, and as 125 nanoseconds delay, this pulse is expressed as pulse (63) in Fig. 6.Similarly, pulse (64) is obtained by pulse (62), and sends into element of transducer i+1.Can see also that from Fig. 6 this pulse (64) also has a delay usually, for example postpone 75 nanoseconds than pulse (63).All transponder pulses all are negative polarity, and for this reason, transponder pulse can not handled by echo signal processing circuit (17).

Traffic pilot among Fig. 5 (52) has two vital role.The feature echo of supersonic beam of launching in scanning process or reception must be rotatable on scanning plane, and for example to scanning of fan type or compound scanning, thereby traffic pilot (52) can guarantee to launch or the direction of reception can be rotated to the left or to the right.According to circuit arrangement of the present invention among Fig. 1, if there is not traffic pilot (52), this rotation is impossible, because the thick device that quantitatively postpones increment that transmits with echo signal is housed therein, make the supersonic beam of emission or receive feature accordingly, can begin to the skew of direction from vertical direction, promptly to the right or a left side.The setting of above-mentioned delayer can make circuit reduction.Use the scanning of different transducer group continuously for those, as mixed sweep or line style scanning, traffic pilot (52) also can make transmission channel rotate periodically, so that transmit and the appropriate delay of echo signal acquisition.This is necessary, because in these scanning processes, element of transducer is periodically to use by turns.

The transmission channel of echo signal is to extend to certain single line the bus (24) from each element of transducer.Delayer (26-1), the effect of (26-2) etc., to transmitting described transmitting effect, but the course of work of traffic pilot (53), (59), (58) is different from their courses of work when transmission transmits usually among Fig. 5 above being similar to.In this case, echo signal is admitted to the input end (18-1) of echo signal processing circuit among Fig. 1 (17) through each line of bus (24), and (18-2) to (18-16), echoed signal is a positive polarity, therefore can be handled by circuit (17).As mentioned above, circuit (17) comprises the device that the feature echo that receives is carried out dynamic focusing, and in Fig. 1, these devices are by vairable delay line (19) expression of an input end.To half input end of echo signal processing circuit (17) corresponding device that carries out dynamic focusing that schematically drawn, second half input end of circuit (17) also has same device among Fig. 7.As seen from Figure 7, the echo signal of sending into echo signal processing circuit (17) can be postponed by vairable delay line (71) to (77).These lag lines comprise commercial LC lag line, and the delay that these lag lines provide is at reception period, suitably control, carry out one by one conversion by switches set (83).So just, realized receiving the dynamic focusing of feature.The nanosecond order of magnitude that Fig. 7 has provided square frame (71) to (77) each contact place of these lag lines postpones.Each lag line among Fig. 7 all is connected with a back buffer amplifier (82) with a front buffer amplifier (81).Input end (18-8) does not install lag line, and the echo signal that enters this input end is by buffer amplifier (84), (85) transmission.Output terminal (91-1) is admitted to the input end of delayer among Fig. 1 (21) to the signal of (91-8).

The transmission channel of echo signal passes to 16 input ends of delayer among Fig. 1 (21) by 16 output terminals of array (front according to Fig. 7 to 1/2nd being illustrated wherein), and Fig. 8 has specifically represented the structure of these delayers.Clearly, the echo signal of sending here to (91-16) by circuit (91-1), can send into the contact of the input end of output amplifier (98) or lag line (101), (102), (103) through analog multiplexer (92-1) to (92-4), (93-1) to (93-4), (94-1) to (94-4), (95-1) to (95-4) array selectively, these lag lines can form series connection through switch (105), (106) according to suitable control.These lag lines produce thick quantitatively delay to echo signal, and its value is 200 nanoseconds.The control signal of traffic pilot in the control chart 8 is that the many lines by Fig. 1 center line (23) representative transmit.The conversion of traffic pilot is than being illustrated in the little square frame respectively organizing traffic pilot among Fig. 8.In order to simplify, do not illustrate among Fig. 8 traffic pilot and lag line (101) to (103) change a little all be connected situation.And only represented sub-fraction wherein.The signal of output terminal (104) output of output amplifier (98) is the summation of all echo signals after echo signal processing circuit 17 is handled that element of transducer among Fig. 1 (11) is sent.Buffer amplifier (96-1) to (96-5) and (97-1) are housed to (97-3) in the circuit of Fig. 8.The output of lag line (103) links to each other through the input end of gauge tap (107) with output amplifier (98).The signal of output terminal (104) output further processes with a kind of known manner, promptly before sending into the display device of echo vision, pass through the processing and amplifying, the amplitude compression that become enlargement factor when having and handle and just handling.

Certainly, above-mentioned R-T unit can use different transducer arrays and different transmission frequencies, and transmission frequency is being good between 2.5 to 5MH.The wide 0.4mm of each element of transducer always has the array of 32 element of transducers, is suitable for carrying out the fan type scanning that transmission frequency is 2.8MH.The wide 0.6mm of each transducer always has 156 transducers, and composition is one group of transducer array of choosing use successively with 32, is suitable for carrying out the compound scanning that transmission frequency is 3MH.

In other form of R-T unit shown in Fig. 1, the line of the parts number N of transducer array (11) and total linear array (24) is counted the ratio of M, can get other value.In the example in front, this ratio is N: M=2: 1.

Claims (7)

1, R-T unit is used to produce the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of object section image, and this equipment is with the work of pulse echo method, and comprises array apparatus down:

A transducer element array [11], element of transducer is arranged side by side, according to transmitting of sending into, object is injected in the multi beam ultrasonic pulse, reception is because of the inconsistent echo that produces of interior of articles acoustic resistance, according to the echo echogenicity electric signal that receives, and, between element of transducer and R-T unit circuit, with outer transmission transmit, first arrangements of electric connection of echo signal, this coupling arrangement promptly can be fixedly connected form, also can be controlled by first control signal to connect, and it is characterized in that:

(a) emissioning signal producer, according to second control signal, many groups of being chosen by the output of many output terminals of predetermined time interval of having transmit, and each transmits by an output terminal;

(b) echo signal processing circuit has many input ends, also comprises first variable delay device, utilizes this delayer, according to the 3rd control signal, can select to postpone to the echo signal that arrives the echo signal processing circuit input end;

(c) linear array, every line links to each other an output terminal of emissioning signal producer with an input end of echo signal processing circuit;

(d) signal transmission device is connected between the linear array and first arrangements of electric connection, and this signal transmission device comprises second variable delay device, utilizes this variable delay device, according to the 4th control signal, can select to postpone with echo signal to transmitting;

(e) second arrangements of electric connection, by it with emissioning signal producer, first, second delayer, where necessary also with first arrangements of electric connection, all be connected in control circuit, control circuit send second, third, the 4th control signal, also send first control signal where necessary.

2, according to claim 1 described device, wherein first variable delay device comprises the dynamic focus device to transducer array received feature.

3, according to claim 1 described device, wherein the line number (M) of linear array is less than the element of transducer number (N) that is connected with this device.

4, according to claim 1 described device, wherein being used at least, the signal transmission device of every pair of adjacent transducer element comprises following assembly:

One has first group, the lag line of the second winding point, the first traffic pilot system, and through this traffic pilot system, every line contact in switch on delay line first winding point (55) selectively in the linear array.

5, according to claim 1 described device, wherein emissioning signal producer comprises:

A pulse producer according to time clock, sends first pulse at its output terminal;

A delay circuit, its input end links to each other with the output terminal of pulse producer, by first pulse that it can be sent pulse producer here, be transformed into the many pulses that have different delays with respect to first pulse, each pulse that obtains is like this sent by one in many output terminals of delay circuit; And a multipath conversion system, utilizing this system, some output terminals of delay circuit selectively link to each other with the output terminal of emissioning signal producer.

6, according to claim 1 described device, wherein first variable delay device comprises:

A variable delay linear array, each lag line have an output terminal, and its each input end is connected with an input end of echo signal processing circuit;

A fixed delay linear array adopts between its circuit to be connected in series, and each lag line has many contacts as input end;

A traffic pilot system, through this system, the output terminal of vairable delay line can selectively be connected with the contact of fixed delay line.

7,, wherein transmit and the thin quantitatively delay of echo signal can be carried out by second vairable delay line according to claim 1 described device.

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