JP2000083956A - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the availability of an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment by recording the corrected value of the delaying time of each probe and the corrected value of the acoustic velocity of each patient in a common external recorder and fetching these corrected values at need thereby setting them to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. SOLUTION: This ultrasonic diagnostic equipment 11, an external control device 9 and the external recorder are connected to each other through a communication equipment 8. The corrected value of the delaying time of each probe and the corrected value of the acoustic velocity of each patient are recorded in this recorder 10. When a probe 1 is set to the device 11 and when a patient corresponds to this ultrasonic diagnostic device, the corrected values of the delaying time of each probe concerning this probe 1 and the patient are respectively read out from the external recorder and these values are set to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying a tomographic image or a blood flow image of a diagnostic part of a subject using ultrasonic waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 6, for example, a first conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe 1 for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave into a subject, and , A cine memory 3 for recording a plurality of frames of the signal of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 in time series, and an output data of the cine memory 3 or an ultrasonic transmission / reception. A switching unit 4 for selecting output data of the unit 2, a scan converter 5 for writing a signal from the switching unit 4 for each scanning line of an ultrasonic beam to form image data, and an image output from the scan converter 5 Image display device 6 for displaying data
And a control unit 7 for controlling the operation of the above elements. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above does not have a function of correcting delay time accuracy that differs for each probe. In addition, when performing maintenance such as deterioration of delay time accuracy, a service person of the manufacturer goes directly to the place where the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is installed, investigates inconvenience, moves to a factory or other place where delay time can be measured, and repairs And so on. Further, even in the case of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having time delay measurement software including a probe, when the probe is replaced, it is necessary to perform measurement each time and the probe is not immediately usable. Also, when updating the delay time measurement software, etc., the serviceman had to do it locally.

As shown in FIG. 7, for example, a second conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe 1 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject, and driving the probe 1 to generate ultrasonic waves. And an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 for processing received reflected echo signals. The signal of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 is input to the sound velocity detection calculation unit 12. The sound speed detection calculation unit 12 detects a difference in sound speed inside the living body for each patient, and performs a sound speed correction control calculation unit 14.
Send to The sound speed correction control calculation unit 14 calculates a correction value of the in-vivo sound speed for each patient, and sets this in the sound speed correction unit 13.
Thus, a cine memory for recording a plurality of frames of the sound velocity corrected information in time series, a switch 4 for selecting the output data of the cine memory 3 or the output data of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2, and a signal from the switch 4 A scan converter 5 for writing image data for each scanning line of the sound wave beam to form image data, an image display device 6 for displaying image data output from the scan converter 5, and a control unit 7 for controlling the operation of the above elements. It was prepared. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above, when correcting the difference in the sound speed in a living body for each patient and improving the image quality, a large amount of data is processed and the sound speed is grasped, and then corrected by a complicated correlation process or the like. The value was calculated and used. Further, the obtained correction value for each patient has been rewritten to the correction value for the next patient without being stored.

[0004]

In the first conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, if there is a problem with the apparatus such as image quality deterioration due to delay time accuracy deterioration, a serviceman investigates the cause and delays the data at a factory or the like. Performing the time accuracy measurement and performing the adjustment again has a disadvantage that the downtime of the apparatus is long. In addition, service personnel had to update software individually locally, which required a lot of effort. In the case of using and using a probe with multiple ultrasonic diagnostic equipment in a hospital, it is necessary to adjust individually, the images are not unified, and the interpretation time increases, so use outside the hospital or inside the facility frequently It was unsuitable for use that needed to be moved. Further, even in the case of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having time delay measurement software including a probe, it is necessary to start the software after replacement, so that the diagnostic apparatus cannot be freely moved during the waiting time, and the diagnostic efficiency is reduced. Is bad.

In the second conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since a correction value is calculated every time a patient changes, diagnosis cannot be performed during the operation of the apparatus, so that a so-called downtime is disadvantageously long. Further, the scale of hardware and software for obtaining the correction value is large, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is very large and has to be expensive. Further, even if an attempt is made to improve the method of storing correction values in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the amount of data is large, and a large-capacity recording device must be added, and the control of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus itself becomes very complicated, and the weight increases. And power consumption increases, it is not suitable for outdoor use or usage that requires frequent movement within the facility.
Further, even if the recording apparatus is a separate unit, it is difficult to move the apparatus freely because a cable for connection is required. Further, even when the same patient is diagnosed by another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, correction data must be calculated each time.

Accordingly, the present invention addresses such a problem and provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a diagnostic apparatus which can be shared by a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses by installing a data recording apparatus at a remote location away from the main body. The purpose is to provide a system.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a probe for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, and a delay for giving a predetermined delay time to a signal received from the probe. A phasing circuit for adding and outputting the received signals whose phases are aligned by these delay circuits, a cine memory for recording a plurality of frames of the signal from the phasing circuit in time series, and reading from the cine memory Scan converter that writes image data for each scanning line of an ultrasonic beam to form image data, a display device that displays the output of the scan converter as an image, and a control unit that controls all of them. In the diagnostic device, the control unit is connected to a communication device, and can communicate with an external control device provided in a location different from the ultrasonic diagnostic device using a simplified mobile phone line. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of measuring the ultrasonic propagation time for each probe, and comparing the individual information for each probe with the identification information added to the probe, to control the external control device. When a probe is exchanged or moved between a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, the information is transferred to optimize the image quality in real time.

(2) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the above (1), the remote maintenance program is started intermittently from the outside or spontaneously at certain intervals or according to the use condition, and the time delay including the probe is delayed. A feature is provided in which a function for performing the measurement and returning the result is provided.

(3) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the above (1), characterized in that the update of the time delay measurement software including the probe included in the apparatus is enabled by a simple portable telephone line (PHS) communication. I do.

(4) A probe for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, and a received signal having a delay circuit for giving a predetermined delay time to a received signal from the probe and having a phase matched by these delay circuits And a cine memory for recording a plurality of frames in time series of signals from the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit, and data read from the cine memory for each scanning line of the ultrasonic beam. A digital scan converter that writes image data to form a digital scan converter, a display device that displays the output of the scan converter as an image, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that includes a control unit that controls all of them. A sound speed detection unit and a sound speed correction unit and a sound speed correction control unit that controls these units are added, and the control unit is connected to a communication device, which is different from the ultrasonic diagnostic device. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by being able to communicate with an external control device provided at a place using a simple mobile phone line, measuring the ultrasonic propagation time inside a living body for each patient, The individual information is recorded and stored in an external recording device in comparison with the patient identification information, and when a patient moves between a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devices, the information is transmitted and received, sound speed correction is performed, and image quality is optimized. Features.

(5) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the above (4), the sound velocity measurement, detection, calculation correction, and control program are started externally or according to certain intervals and usage conditions,
A feature is provided in which a function of performing sound velocity correction and the like for each patient and returning the result is provided.

(6) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the above (4), software update such as sound speed detection, calculation and sound speed correction control included in the device is enabled by PHS communication.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. The probe 1 mechanically or electronically performs beam scanning to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from the subject. Although not shown, the probe 1 is a source of ultrasonic waves and receives reflected echoes. A plurality of vibrators are built in. Transmission / reception switching circuit 101,
Receiving amplifier 103, transmitting pulser 104, phasing circuit 10
5, a conventional ultrasonic transmission / reception unit including the transmission delay circuit 106 and the video signal processing circuit 110 transmits a driving pulse to the probe 1 to generate an ultrasonic wave and to generate a received echo signal. FIG. 1 shows a known transmission pulsar 104 and a transmission delay circuit 106 for forming an ultrasonic beam transmitted from the probe 1 to the subject.
A receiving amplifier 103 for amplifying the reflected echo signals received by the transducers of the probe 1, and a receiving unit for forming the received ultrasonic beams by aligning and adding the phases of the received reflected echo signals. Phasing circuit 1 including a wave delay circuit and an adder
05 and the video signal processing circuit 110 are displayed.
In the present invention, a delay time measuring pulse generation circuit 102 is added to the transmission / reception switching circuit 101, a reception delay time correction circuit 107 is added to the phasing circuit 105, and the transmission delay circuit 106
The transmission delay time correction circuit 108 is added to the
5, a delay time measuring circuit 109 is added, and a number, a transmission / reception switching circuit 101, and a delay time measuring pulse generating circuit 1
02, reception amplifier 103, transmission pulser 104, phasing circuit 105, transmission delay circuit 106, reception delay time correction circuit 1
07, a transmission delay time correction circuit 108, a delay time measurement circuit 109, and a delay time measurement control circuit 111 for controlling the video signal processing circuit 110.

The delay time measurement control circuit 111 has a memory circuit, which includes a type of probe (for example, 7.5M).
Hz, 5 MHz, 3.5 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 1.0
MHz, etc.), the actual delay amounts of the transmission signal and the reception signal with respect to the probe are stored. Here, the transmission signal refers to a transmission signal for all channels of the probe and a reception signal transmitted from one of all channels to one delay line of the phasing circuit. A transmission signal transmitted to one specific channel of the probe and a reception signal returned from this channel to all channels of the phasing circuit are collectively referred to. In the type of the probe, for example, 7.5
In the case of a MHz probe, a phantom is used to measure the amount of delay between the transmitted signal and the received signal with respect to the probe,
This numerical value is recorded in the memory circuit as a reference value. Similarly, for the various probes of 5 to 1.0 MHz, the delay amounts of the transmission and reception signals are measured, and these are stored in the memory circuit as reference values. When the transmission / reception switching circuit 101 measures the delay time of a transmission signal of a certain probe 1 using a phantom, the delay time measurement control circuit 111 controls all channels of the probe 1 such as 2
Pulse generator 102 for delay time measurement for four channels
, A measurement pulse is transmitted in time series, and a received signal generated in time series there is sequentially transmitted to one specific channel (one delay circuit) of the phasing circuit 105. Further, when measuring the delay time of a received signal of a certain probe 1 using a phantom, the transmission / reception switching circuit 101 selects a specific channel of the probe 1 and assigns the delay time to this channel. It has a function of applying a measurement pulse from the measurement pulse generator 102 and a function of switching so that a received signal from this specific channel is sent to all channels (all delay circuits) of the phasing circuit 105. . When measuring the accuracy of the transmission signal, the delay time measurement circuit 109 passes through the reception delay time correction circuit 107 and
When measuring the delay time of the received signal output from the specific channel 05, sending this data to the delay time measurement control circuit 111, and further measuring the accuracy of the received signal,
It has the function of measuring the delay time of the received signal output from all channels of the phasing circuit 105 and transmitting this data to the delay time measurement control circuit 111. The delay time measurement control circuit 111 compares the measurement data from the delay time measurement circuit 109 with a reference value of the delay time stored in its own memory circuit, calculates the difference as a correction value, and converts the difference into a transmission signal. The received signal is transmitted to the transmission delay time correction circuit 108, and the received signal is transmitted to the reception delay time correction circuit 107. The transmission delay time correction circuit 108 and the reception delay time correction circuit 107 include, for example, delay lines with taps, and switch the taps in accordance with the correction values to respectively transmit the transmission delay circuit 106 and the phasing. The delay time of the delay line of the circuit 107 is measured by the delay time measuring circuit 1.
It is configured to be able to match with the reference value of 11 delay time.

Further, a communication device 8 is separately arranged in the same building (in the hospital) as the ultrasonic diagnostic device 11, and the control unit 7 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 11 is connected to the communication device 8. In this case, the communication device 8 may be built in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 11, but since a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devices 11 are connected to one common communication device 8, the ultrasonic It is better to provide the communication device 8 separately from the ultrasonic diagnostic device 11. The communication device 8 is connected to an external control device 9 installed at another location via a simplified portable telephone line (PHS),
S allows signals to be exchanged between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 and the external control apparatus 9 to enable remote control. The control unit 7 is provided with a circuit or software (self-diagnosis program) for performing self-diagnosis, and is configured to enable so-called remote maintenance in which the external control unit 9 activates the self-diagnosis function and returns the result. . The external control device 9 is provided with an external recording device 10 in which a correction value of the delay amount measured for each probe is recorded together with the identification information of the probe, and the correction value is recorded in the probe. When the child 1 is used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11, a correction value corresponding to the identification information is taken out from the external recording device 10 according to the identification information and the correction value is set in the correction circuits 107 and 108, respectively. Although the example in which the reference value of the delay amount for each probe is stored in the memory circuit of the delay time measurement control circuit 111 has been described, this reference value is recorded in the external recording device 10 as described above,
When measuring the accuracy of the transmitted signal and the received signal, it is preferable that this reference value be read from an external recording device and incorporated into the memory circuit of the delay time measurement control circuit 111.

Next, the operation will be described. Ultrasound diagnostic device 11
In the case where the probe 1 used for the new probe 1 is not registered in the external recording device 10, the control unit 7 determines that the mode for measuring the accuracy of the transmission signal is changed to the delay time measurement control. Notify the circuit 111. The delay time measurement control circuit 111 includes a transmission / reception switching circuit 101, a delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102, a reception amplifier 103, a transmission pulser 104, a phasing circuit 105, a transmission delay circuit 106, a reception delay time correction circuit 107, A control signal is transmitted to each of the transmission delay time correction circuit 108, the delay time measurement circuit 109, and the video signal processing circuit 110. First, the transmission pulser 104 and the transmission delay circuit 106 are stopped, and the transmission / reception switching circuit 101 switches the pulse applied to the probe to the pulse generator 102 for measuring the delay time. The delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102 transmits a transmission signal delay time measurement pulse to the probe. In this case, the transmission / reception switching circuit 101 is connected to the probe 1 as described above.
The measurement pulse from the delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102 is sent to all the channels of the probe 1, and the received signals from all the channels of the probe 1 are sent to one specific delay circuit of the phasing circuit. Switching. Next, an electric signal corresponding to the received signal returned from the probe is transmitted and received by the transmission / reception switching circuit 10.
1 and is processed by the receiving amplifier 103 to form the phasing circuit 10.
5 specific delay circuits. This phasing circuit 105
Are controlled so that the transmission delay accuracy can be detected. The reception delay time correction circuit 107 is controlled to output a signal without performing correction. The delay time measuring circuit 109 measures the amount of delay of the transmission signal for each channel, and controls the delay time measurement control circuit 11.
Send value to 1. The delay time measurement control circuit 111 calculates the reference value of the memory circuit and this value, sets the correction value for each transmission channel in the transmission delay time correction circuit 108 and saves it in the memory circuit, and then externally records the data by the PHS. Transfer to device and record. In this case, the correction circuit 108
Is corrected so that the delay amount of the delay circuit of each channel of the transmission delay circuit 106 matches the reference value. By this series of processing, it is possible to correct the deviation of the reference time of the delay accuracy of the transmission signal in the system including the probe. Next, the delay time measurement control circuit 111 is connected to the delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102.
, And various delay amounts are set for each channel. In the same manner, the information from the delay time measuring circuit 109 is similarly inspected and calibration information for the time axis of the transmission signal is created.

Next, the control unit 7 notifies the delay time measurement control circuit 111 that the mode for measuring the accuracy of the received signal has been entered. The delay time measurement control circuit 111 issues an instruction in the figure as a number transmission / reception switching circuit 101, a delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102, a reception amplifier 103, a transmission pulsar 104, a phasing circuit 105, a transmission delay circuit 106, a reception delay. The control signal is transmitted to each of the time correction circuit 107, the transmission delay time correction circuit 108, the delay time measurement circuit 109, and the video signal processing circuit 110. First, the transmission pulser 104 and the transmission delay circuit 1
06 is suspended, and the transmission / reception switching circuit 101 switches the pulse applied to the probe to the delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102. The delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102 transmits a received signal delay time measurement pulse to the probe. In this case, the transmission / reception switching circuit 101 sends the measurement pulse from the delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102 to only one specific channel of the probe, and the received signal is transmitted to all channels of the phasing circuit 105. Switch to be sent to Next, the electric signal corresponding to the received signal returned from the probe passes through the transmission / reception switching circuit 101, is processed by the reception amplifier 103, and is input to all channels of the phasing circuit 105. Phasing circuit 1
05 is controlled so that the delay accuracy of the received signal can be detected. The reception delay time correction circuit 107 is controlled to output a signal without performing correction. The delay time measurement circuit 109 measures the amount of delay of the received signal for each channel, and sends the value to the delay time measurement control circuit 111. The delay time measurement control circuit 111 performs arithmetic processing on the reference value of the memory circuit and this value, performs arithmetic processing on a correction value for each transmission channel as information to be set in the reception delay time correction circuit 107, and stores the information in the memory circuit. In this case, the correction circuit 107 performs correction so that the delay amount of the delay circuit of each channel of the phasing circuit 105 matches the reference value. Thereafter, the correction value is recorded in an external recording device.
By this series of processing, it is possible to correct the deviation of the reference time of the delay accuracy of the received signal in the system including the probe. Next, the delay time measurement control circuit 111 drives the delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 102 to set various delay amounts for each channel, and similarly examines information from the delay time measurement circuit 109 to determine the time of the received signal. Make up calibration information for the axis.

The correction value of the probe measured as described above is recorded in the external recording device 10 via the communication device 8 and the external control device 9 together with the identification information of the probe.

Next, the first procedure will be described with reference to FIG. When the probe 1 is newly connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 (step 21) or when a self-diagnosis program built in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 is started (step 22).
The delay time measurement control circuit 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11
1 first calculates the calibration information of the transmission signal and stores it in its memory circuit (step 23). Next, calibration information of the received signal is calculated and stored in a memory circuit (step 24). This calibration information is compared with the serial number of the probe (step 25). The data is transferred and recorded to the correction circuits 107 and 108 as calibration data of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 (step 26). PH built into the external control device 9
Communication with S is started, a line is connected, and data transfer is performed (step 27). Then, data is recorded in the external recording device 10 via the external control device 9 (step 2).
8). Thereafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 is made usable (step 29).

Next, the second procedure will be described with reference to FIG. In the case where a conventionally used probe is temporarily removed from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 and another probe is connected (step 3).
0) First, the serial number of the probe connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is read by a self-diagnosis program built in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Communication with the PHS incorporated in the external control device is started, a line is connected, and serial number transfer is performed (step 31). The external control device determines whether or not the delay time calibration has been performed recently, and outputs whether or not there is an instruction for the need for the delay time calibration including the probe (step 3).
2). If the delay time calibration has not been performed recently, the ultrasound apparatus first calculates and stores the calibration information of the transmission signal. Next, calibration information of the received signal is calculated and stored. The serial number of the probe is compared with the serial number (step 33). The data is transferred and recorded as correction data of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to each correction circuit (step 34). Communication with the PHS built in the external control device is started, a line is connected, and data transfer is performed (step 35). Then, the data is recorded on the external recording device (step 36). Thereafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is made usable (step 37). If the delay time calibration has been performed recently, the calibration data is immediately transferred from the external recording device (step 38). This is set as calibration data of the apparatus (step 39). Thereafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to be usable (step 37).

Next, a second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The probe 1 mechanically or electronically performs beam scanning to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from the subject. Although not shown, the probe 1 is a source of ultrasonic waves and receives reflected echoes. A plurality of vibrators are built in. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 transmits a driving pulse to the probe 1 to generate an ultrasonic wave and processes a received reflected echo signal. A known transmission pulsar and a transmission delay circuit for forming an ultrasonic beam transmitted from the probe 1 to the subject, and a reception amplifier for amplifying a reflected echo signal received by each transducer of the probe 1 It is included. The sound speed detection unit 17 includes a circuit for continuously recording information for each channel with time and a circuit for sequentially transferring the information to the sound speed correction control unit 18. The sound speed correction control unit 18 includes the sound speed detection unit 1
The control signal is sent to the sound speed correction unit 13 and the sound speed correction unit 13 to obtain information indicating the state from each circuit. In addition, the time-sequentially recorded information for each channel from the sound speed detection unit 17 is sequentially sent to the reception control unit 7. Further, the correction value obtained from the control unit 7 is set in the sound speed correction unit 13. The sound velocity correction unit 13 includes a circuit for correcting the in-vivo sound velocity of each of the received reflected echo signals for each channel, a reception delay circuit and an adder that add and align the phases to form a reception ultrasonic beam. And a phasing circuit comprising:

The cine memory 3 records the ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 for a plurality of frames in time series for each scanning line of the ultrasonic beam. Switching device 4
Is for selecting either the ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 or the data recorded in the cine memory 3 and passing the data to a scan converter 5 described later. The scan converter 5 converts data output from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 and the cine memory 3 for each ultrasonic beam transmission line into tomographic image data. The image display device 6 is for displaying a tomographic image created by the scan converter 5. The control unit 7 controls the components from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 to the image display device 6. The communication unit 8 and the patient identification interface unit 15 are connected to the control unit 7. The communication device 8 communicates with an external control device 9 provided at a different location from the main body.
Signals are exchanged by the PHS. The external control device 9 is connected to the external arithmetic device 16 and the external recording device 10, and performs data calculation and transmission / reception. The patient identification interface unit 15 records a patient identification code.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described. In a normal operation, an operation of displaying a tomographic image is already known, and thus will be omitted.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 can control each of the units constituting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by communication from the external control device 9 through the communication device 8 by PHS, so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 can be operated from a remote place in the same manner as if it were at the same place. Control becomes possible. Further, it is needless to say that a so-called remote maintenance is possible in which a circuit or software for performing a self-diagnosis is provided in the control section 7 and the external control device 9 activates the self-diagnosis function and returns the result. Needless to say, software for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 can be updated by the PHS. The external arithmetic unit 16 is realized by a general-purpose engineering workstation, a high-speed personal computer, or the like.

Here, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. At the start of diagnosis, patient identification information such as a patient ID number is automatically or manually input to the patient identification interface unit 15 (step 50). This interface unit can be realized by using an IC card or the like.

Next, communication is started with the external control device 9 via the communication device 8 (PHS built in the device) added to the device in response to a request from a program built in the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and a line is established. Connect and transfer the information (step 51). The external control device 9 searches the stored information,
It is determined whether the patient is a new patient or a patient who has passed the date from the previous diagnosis and is likely to undergo physical changes, that is, whether new correction data is required (step 52). In the case of a new patient, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is instructed to that effect. Then, the control unit 7 issues an instruction to record the temporally continuous information for each channel to the sound speed detection unit 17 via the sound speed correction control unit 18 (step 53).
When the data is collected, the sound speed correction control unit 18 sequentially transfers the data to the external control device 9 by the control unit 7 and the communication device 8 (step 54). The external arithmetic unit 16 grasps the difference in the sound speed in the living body for each channel and calculates a correction value (step 55). Patient identification information in the external recording device 10,
The correction value is recorded in comparison with the creation date and time (step 5).
6).

Next, the correction value is transferred to the control unit 9 via communication (step 57). The sound speed correction control unit 18 transfers the correction value to the sound speed correction unit 13 and sets it. This makes it possible to make a diagnosis and start using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (step 5).
8). When it is determined that the patient is not a new patient in the determination step 52, the processing flow is as follows. The external control device 9 requests the correction value of the patient from the external recording device 10 (step 59). The external recording device 9 prepares the correction data and waits for a transfer command (step 60). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 57. In other words, a patient who is always diagnosing can set correction data immediately, and thus can immediately start a medical examination using any ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0029]

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus always includes a probe and maintains a good delay time accuracy and can prevent deterioration of image quality. Further, even when the probe is replaced and used, the calibration data is set immediately, so that an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of reducing downtime can be provided. Also, since PHS is used for communication, there is no need to build new communication equipment,
It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that minimizes cost increase. In a second embodiment of the present invention,
The correction data for each patient can be stored externally, and the time during which the apparatus cannot be used for diagnosis is greatly reduced. Also, PH
Because of S transmission and reception, a transfer error of correction data can be prevented, and image quality does not deteriorate. Further, cost increase for transmission and reception can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of a first process of the first embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of a second process of the first embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a first conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a second conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 probe 2 ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 3 cine memory 4 switcher 5 scan converter 6 image display device 7 control unit 8 communication device 9 external control device 10 external recording device 11 ultrasonic diagnostic device 12 sound speed detection / calculation unit 13 sound speed correction unit Reference Signs List 14 sound speed correction control and calculation unit 15 patient identification interface unit 16 external processing unit 17 sound speed detection unit 18 sound speed correction control unit 101 transmission / reception switching circuit 102 delay time measurement pulse generation circuit 103 reception amplifier 104 transmission pulser 105 phasing circuit 106 Transmission delay circuit 107 Receiving delay time correction circuit 108 Transmission delay time correction circuit 109 Delay time measurement circuit 110 Video signal processing circuit 111 Delay time measurement control circuit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinji Kishimoto 1-1-1 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in Hitachi Medical Corporation (reference) 2G047 AA12 BA03 BC13 CA01 DB02 EA00 GA00 GF17 GF18 GF22 GF26 GF31 GJ00 GJ28 4C301 AA02 EE20 GB40 HH24 HH42 HH60 JA04 JA20 LL04 LL05 LL20

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A probe for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, and a delay circuit for giving a predetermined delay time to a received signal from the probe. A phasing circuit for adding and outputting, a cine memory for recording a plurality of frames of signals from the phasing circuit in time series, and writing data read from the cine memory for each scanning line of the ultrasonic beam to form image data. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a digital scan converter, a display device for displaying an output of the scan converter as an image, and a control unit for controlling all of the digital converter, wherein the control unit is connected to a communication device, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function capable of communicating with an external control device provided in a different place using a simple mobile phone line, the ultrasonic wave for each probe The propagation time correction value is measured, the individual information for each probe is compared with the identification information added to the probe, and recorded and stored in an external recording device. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of exchanging information and optimizing image quality in real time when exchanged or moved. 2. A probe for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, and a delay circuit for giving a predetermined delay time to a received signal from the probe. An ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit including a phasing circuit for adding and outputting, a cine memory for recording a plurality of frames in time series from signals from the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit, and data read from the cine memory for each scanning line of the ultrasonic beam. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a digital scan converter for writing and forming image data, a display device for displaying the output of the scan converter as an image, and a control unit for controlling all of them, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit A detection unit and a sound speed correction unit and a sound speed correction control unit for controlling these are added,
Further, the control unit is connected to a communication device, and communication with an external control device provided at a place different from the ultrasonic diagnostic device can be performed using a simplified mobile phone line. In the case where the ultrasonic propagation time inside the living body for each patient is measured, the individual information for each patient is compared with the patient identification information, recorded and stored in an external recording device, and the patient moves between a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devices. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for transmitting and receiving the information and performing sound velocity correction to optimize image quality.