JP2002253548A - Ultrasonic examination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic examination device capable of controlling the transmission/receiving of ultrasonic wave according to the pressure of an obstacle intervening the transmission/receiving of the ultrasonic wave. SOLUTION: This ultrasonic examination device is provided with an ultrasonic probe 2 including ultrasonic transducer T1 ,1 -T6 ,1 , and a body 3 including a system control part 31, a transmission lag control circuit 32, a receiving lag control circuit 33, a plurality of transmission driving devices 34, a plurality of amplifiers 35, a receiving lag circuit 36, a log conversion part 37, a detection circuit 38, an A/D conversion part 39, an image memory 40, a 3D image constitution part 41, a DSC(Differential Scanning Calorimetry) part 42, a D/A conversion part 43, a display part 44, a received signal analysis part 45, an ultrasonic shielding substance position calculating part 46, and a driving position setting part 47.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receives an ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject, and performs an inspection based on an image obtained from information contained in the received ultrasonic wave. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus which transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject, receives ultrasonic waves reflected from the subject, and displays an image obtained from information contained in the received ultrasonic waves has been used. Ultrasonography has been performed. In recent years, various types of control have been made possible by digitalization of ultrasonic inspection apparatuses. As an example of the control of the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave using the ultrasonic probe, there is a focus operation of narrowing the ultrasonic beam toward the diagnosis site in order to increase the resolution of an image. The focus operation is realized by inserting a delay line into a transmission system circuit for driving the ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe and shifting the timing at which each ultrasonic transducer transmits an ultrasonic wave. I have. In order to realize this focus, it is desirable that the opening width of the ultrasonic probe be wide.

[0003] Ultrasonic diagnosis is performed as one application of ultrasonic inspection. In this ultrasonic diagnosis, a useful image may not be obtained depending on the diagnostic site of the subject. For example, there is a case where there is a bone near the body surface in the subject, and the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the bone. In particular, when performing an ultrasonic diagnosis of the heart, ribs on the chest of the subject hinder transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. for that reason,
When performing an ultrasonic diagnosis of the heart, an ultrasonic probe having a narrow opening width is used to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves between the ribs.

[0004]

However, if the aperture width of the ultrasonic probe is small, it is difficult to narrow the ultrasonic beam by the focus described above. Therefore, various techniques for compensating for the narrow opening width of the ultrasonic probe have been developed.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-A) Hei 6
JP-A-38962 (hereinafter also referred to as “Document 1”) discloses a three-dimensional data capturing ultrasonic wave that is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by a cable, and is in contact with the surface of a living body to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. A probe, a main body case,
A movable unit housed in a main body case, and a vibrator unit in which an array vibrator is arranged inside along a wave transmitting / receiving surface of an ultrasonic wave, and the vibrator unit is set near a living body surface with respect to the vibrator unit An arc scanning mechanism that mechanically scans the vibrator unit along an arcuate path while directing the transmitting / receiving surface of the vibrator unit to the rotation axis with the virtual axis as the rotation axis, and an array vibrator. An ultrasonic probe for three-dimensional data acquisition is described in which a scanning surface formed by electronic scanning is mechanically scanned using a virtual axis existing in the surface as a rotation axis. However, the ultrasonic probe for three-dimensional data acquisition disclosed in Document 1 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves through gaps between ultrasonic shielding objects such as ribs, but places the transducer unit in an arcuate path. Since an arc scanning mechanism that mechanically scans the arc along the axis is required, the size and weight are increased.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-33623 (hereinafter, also referred to as "Document 2") discloses a superconducting device including a pressure detecting means for detecting a contact pressure at which an abutting surface in contact with an object comes into contact with the object. A sound probe is published. However,
The ultrasonic probe described in Document 2 is for issuing a warning when the contact pressure with the subject is higher than a predetermined reference pressure, and does not exclude the influence of ribs and the like.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-84794 (hereinafter, also referred to as “Reference 3”) discloses a linear scan probe including a plurality of transducers and a sector scan probe including a plurality of transducers. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be connected by replacing a stylus, provided with a cross-point switch for inputting and adding an output signal of a transducer that requires the same delay time in a linear scan, and for performing a sector scan. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that controls the size and position of an aperture by a cross point switch is described. However, although the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in Reference 3 reduces the influence of multiple reflections from ribs by limiting the aperture, it does not detect the position of the ribs, so the effect is not so large. Also have limitations.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-201928 (hereinafter, also referred to as “Reference 4”) discloses that the center of a sound ray of an ultrasonic beam incident on a subject from a radiation surface of an ultrasonic probe is defined as: An ultrasonic diagnostic method is described which is set ahead of the radiation surface, forms a sector portion in the subject further ahead of the center of the sound ray, and performs diagnosis using ultrasonic waves. However, although the ultrasonic diagnostic method disclosed in Reference 4 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from the gap between obstacles, it does not detect the position of the obstacle, and therefore, when the ultrasonic wave strikes the obstacle, On the contrary, there is a possibility that the reflection is greatly affected.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-70930 (hereinafter, also referred to as "Document 5") has an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, and the insertion portion is provided with a frontward super An ultrasonic head portion in which ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means are arranged so as to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image, and an elastic sheath portion which bends when pressed at a predetermined pressure or less, while maintaining a rigidity when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, A forward scan type in-body ultrasonic probe composed of a rigid sheath portion is disclosed. However, the forward scan-type in-body ultrasonic probe disclosed in Reference 5 is inserted into a subject, and does not transmit and receive ultrasonic waves from the body surface of the subject.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-108864 (hereinafter also referred to as “Document 6”) transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receives a reflected wave thereof, and outputs an ultrasonic reception signal. Ultrasound probe, processing the ultrasound reception signal obtained by the ultrasound probe, image processing means for creating an ultrasound diagnostic image, and display means for displaying the ultrasound diagnostic image created by the image processing means, Detecting means for detecting whether or not the ultrasonic probe is in an unused state for a predetermined time, and preventing means for operating according to the detection result of the detecting means to prevent deterioration of the ultrasonic probe or deterioration of the display means; Are disclosed. However, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in Document 6 prevents deterioration of the ultrasonic probe or the display means when the ultrasonic probe is unused for a predetermined time, and eliminates the influence of ribs and the like. It does not do.

On the other hand, ULTRASONIC IMAGING 20, 1-15 (199
8) `` Progress in T '' by EDLIGHT and others at Duke University
wo-Dimensional Arrays for Real-Time Volumetric Ima
ging ”(hereinafter also referred to as“ Reference 7 ”). In this article, the PZT ultrasonic sensor 2
A probe having a three-dimensional array is disclosed. conventionally,
Ultrasonic probes using one-dimensionally arranged ultrasonic transducers have been mainly used, but recently, ultrasonic probes using such two-dimensionally arranged ultrasonic transducers have also been developed. ing.
Therefore, it is becoming possible to increase the opening width of the ultrasonic probe not only in one dimension but also in two dimensions.

In view of the above, the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe that can increase the aperture width without being affected by obstacles such as ribs when there is an obstacle that prevents transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. It is an object to provide a probe and an ultrasonic inspection device.

[0013]

In order to solve the above problems, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention transmits an ultrasonic wave toward a subject and receives an ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject. An ultrasonic probe including a plurality of transducers that output a reception signal, and a transducer to be driven among the plurality of transducers are determined based on the reception signal, and a drive signal is transmitted only to the determined transducer. And a drive signal supply means for supplying.

According to the above configuration, transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves can be controlled in accordance with the presence of an obstacle such as a rib that prevents transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. Thereby, even when there is a rib or the like, the opening width can be increased without being affected by the rib or the like.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 2 and a main body 3.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the ultrasonic probe 2.
In FIG. 2A, the ultrasonic probe 2 is disposed inside a housing 21 having an opening formed therein and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves through the opening of the housing 21. Ultrasonic transducer T _{m, n} (here, for simplicity, m = 1 to 6,
n = 1), a head portion 22 fixed to the housing 21 so as to cover the opening of the housing 21, and a cable 23 connected to the main body 3. FIG.
FIG. 2B is a diagram of the ultrasonic probe 2 viewed from a direction II in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducer T _1,1
To T _6,1 are arranged in a line in the housing 21 to form a one-dimensional array. Ultrasonic transducer T _{1,1 to} T
_{6 and 1} transmit and receive ultrasonic waves according to the drive signal from the main body 3. As the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 , PZT
Or a piezoelectric element such as PVDF may be used.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the main unit 3 includes a system control unit 31, a transmission delay control circuit 32, a reception delay control circuit 33, a plurality of transmission drive circuits 34, a plurality of amplifiers 35, a reception delay A circuit 36, a log (log) conversion unit 37, a detection circuit 38, an A / D conversion unit 39, an image memory 40, a 3D image construction unit 41, a DSC (digital scan converter) unit 42, A conversion unit 43
, A display unit 44, a received signal analyzing unit 45, an ultrasonic shielding object position calculating unit 46, and a driving position setting unit 47.

The system control section 31 controls the entire system. The transmission drive circuit 34 drives the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 in the ultrasonic probe 2 according to signals from the transmission delay control circuit 32 and the drive position setting unit 47. Is output. The transmission delay control circuit 32 controls the delay time of the drive signal output from the transmission drive circuit 34. The amplifier 35 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer T in the ultrasonic probe 2.
Amplify the received signal from _{1,1 to} T _6,1 . Reception delay circuit 3
6 delays the signal from the amplifier 35. The reception delay control circuit 33 controls the delay time of the reception signal in the reception delay circuit 36.

A log (log) converter 37 performs logarithmic conversion on the output signal of the reception delay circuit 36. The detection circuit 38 detects an output signal of the log conversion unit 37. A / D converter 39
A / D-converts the output signal of the detection circuit 38 to generate digital image data. The image memory 40 stores the digital image data generated by the A / D converter 39. The three-dimensional image forming unit 41 converts voxel data (voxel data), which is data on a certain volume, from a plurality of pieces of tomographic data stored in the image memory 40.
Generate

The DSC (Digital Scan Converter) unit 42 converts image data in the sound ray data space into image data in the physical space by performing a scan format conversion. The DSC unit 42 also adjusts the frame rate. The D / A converter 43 converts the image data converted by the DSC 42 into an analog signal. The display unit 44 displays an image based on the analog signal converted by the D / A conversion unit 43.

The received signal analyzer 45 analyzes the received signals from the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 in the ultrasonic probe 2,
Among the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1, the ultrasonic transducer that has output a weak reception signal is specified. The ultrasonic shield position calculation unit 46 receives a signal from the reception signal analysis unit 45 and calculates the position of an obstacle such as a rib in the subject that prevents transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. The drive position setting unit 47 receives a signal from the contact position calculation unit 46, and transmits a signal indicating an ultrasonic transducer facing a rib or the like among the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 to a transmission drive circuit. 3
Send to 4.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ultrasonic probe 2 is pressed against a subject 50. In FIG. 4, ribs 52 and 53 are located near the body surface in the subject 50, and the
1 are each present. In this state where the ultrasonic probe 2 is pressed against the subject 50, when receiving an instruction input of an examination start from a user such as a doctor, the ultrasonic examination apparatus 1 starts the processing shown in FIG. I do.

First, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 transmits ultrasonic waves from all the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 (step S).
101). In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer T _1,1
And the ultrasound transmitted from T _6,1 is reflected by ribs 52 and 53 immediately after transmission. On the other hand, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducers T _{2,1 to} T _5,1 propagate to the organ 51 after a lapse of time corresponding to the depth from the body surface of the subject 50 to the organ 51, and And then reach the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 .

Next, in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1, the ultrasonic waves reflected by the organ 51 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “reflected ultrasonic waves”) reach the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 . The reflected ultrasonic waves are received by the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 within a predetermined period (step S102). Ultrasonic transducer T _1,1 〜
When T _6,1 receives the reflected ultrasonic wave, it transmits a reception signal to the reception signal analysis unit 45. FIG. 5 shows the ultrasonic transducer T _1,1
FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram of reflected ultrasonic waves received by T ₃ and T _3,1 . As shown in FIG. 5, the reflected ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic transducer T _1,1 and the reflected ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic transducer T _3,1 differ greatly in intensity. This is because there is no obstacle between the ultrasonic transducer T _3,1 and the organ 51, such as a rib, which prevents reception of reflected ultrasonic waves,
This is because there is a rib 52 between the ultrasonic transducer T _3,1 and the organ 51 that hinders reception of reflected ultrasonic waves.

Next, the received signal analyzer 45 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 analyzes the received signal from the ultrasonic transducer, and detects a weak reflection within the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1. The ultrasonic transducer that has received the ultrasonic wave (in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer T
_1,1 and T _6,1 ) are specified (step S103). Next, the ultrasonic shielding object position calculator 46 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1
Calculates the positions of the ribs 52 and 53 that hinder the reception of the reflected ultrasound based on the signal from the received signal analysis unit 45 (step S104). Next, the drive position setting unit 47 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 stops transmission of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducers T _1,1 and T _6,1 facing the ribs 52 and 53,
A signal for continuing transmission of ultrasonic waves from the other ultrasonic transducers T _{2,1 to} T _5,1 is transmitted to the transmission drive circuit 34 (step S105).

Next, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 performs an ultrasonic inspection (step S106). Specifically, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 transmits the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer T _2,1 through T _5,1, the reflected ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic transducer T _2,1 through T _5,1 Receive. Then, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 displays an image inside the subject 50 on the display unit based on a signal obtained by appropriately processing a reception signal from the ultrasonic transducers T _{2,1 to} T _5,1. 44.

The reflected ultrasonic waves may be received by all the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 . Also, not all of the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,1 transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, some transmit only, and some receive only. It may be something.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, at the time of the ultrasonic inspection, the ultrasonic transducer T _1,1
Since the ultrasonic transducers T ₁ facing the ribs 52 and 53 of the through T _{6,1, 1} and T _6,1 does not transmit ultrasonic waves, ribs 5
The opening width of the ultrasonic probe 2 can be widened without being affected by 2 and 53.

In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the head 2 has a flat contact surface with the subject.
Although the ultrasonic probe 2 including the ultrasonic probe 2 is used, an ultrasonic probe 60 as shown in FIG. 6 can be used instead of the ultrasonic probe 2. In FIG. 6A, the ultrasonic probe 60 includes a housing 61 having a convex opening formed therein, and a housing 6 configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves through the opening of the housing 61.
The ultrasonic transducers T _m , _n (here,
For simplicity, the case where m = 1 to 6 and n = 1 is shown), and the contact surface with the subject has a convex shape,
It includes a head portion 62 fixed to the housing 61 so as to cover the opening of the housing 61, and a cable 23. FIG.
FIG. 6B is a diagram of the ultrasonic probe 60 viewed from the direction III in FIG. 6A.

Further, instead of the ultrasonic probe 2, an ultrasonic probe 70 as shown in FIG. 7 can be used. FIG.
In (a), the ultrasonic probe 70 is disposed inside a housing 71 having an opening formed therein and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves through the opening of the housing 71. The ultrasonic transducers T _m , _n (here, for simplicity, m = 1 to 6, n
= 1 to 6), and the housing 7 has a flat contact surface with the subject and covers the opening of the housing 71.
1 and a cable 23. FIG. 7B shows the ultrasonic probe 70 as shown in FIG.
It is the figure seen from the IV direction inside. As shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,6 are arranged in a housing 71 in a matrix of 6 rows and 6 columns to form a two-dimensional array.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the ultrasonic probe 70 is pressed against the left chest of the subject 50. Ribs 52 to 57 exist near the body surface of the subject 50. When the ultrasonic probe 70 is pressed against the subject 50 in this manner, the ultrasonic transducer facing another portion (hatched portion in FIG. 8) of the subject 50 without the ribs 55 to 57. , An ultrasonic wave can be transmitted. Further, in this ultrasonic probe 70, although disposed ultrasonic transducer T _{1, 1} through T _6,6 in a matrix as shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic vibration as shown in FIG. 9 The transducers 76 to 92 can be arranged in an arc shape, or ultrasonic transducer units 94 to 102 having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 93 can be arranged as shown in FIG.

In place of the ultrasonic probe 2, an ultrasonic probe 110 as shown in FIG. 11 can be used.
In FIG. 11A, the ultrasonic probe 110 has a housing 111 and ultrasonic vibrators T _m , _n (here, m = 1 to 6 and n = 1 to 6 for simplicity). I show about the case)
And rod-shaped movable parts P _{1,1 to} P _12,12 arranged near the four corners of each of the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,6 , and a cable 23. FIG. 11B shows an ultrasonic probe 1.
FIG. 12 is a view of FIG. 10 as viewed from a VI direction in FIG. Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,6 have six rows and six rows.
Arranged in the housing 111 in a matrix of columns,
Forming a dimensional array.

The movable parts P _{1,1 to} P _12,12 are urged to the left in FIG. 11A by a spring 112 and are disposed on the housing 111. In FIG. It is slidable in the direction. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state where the ultrasonic probe 110 is pressed against the subject 50. Subject 5
The ribs 52 and 53 exist near the body surface of 0.
As shown in FIG. 12, the ultrasonic probe 110 is
Are pressed against the movable parts P _{1,1 to} P _12,12 and the subject 5
0, a pressure is generated, and each of the movable parts P _{1,1 to} P _12,12 is slid upward in FIG. In particular, the part of the subject 50 where the ribs 52 and 53 exist and the movable parts P _{1,1 to} P
Pressure between _2,12 and P _11,1 to P _{12, 12,} the subject 50
Parts without ribs 52 and 53 and movable parts P _{3,1 to} P _10,12
And the movable parts P _{1,1 to} P _2,12
And the movement amount of P _11,1 to P _{12, 12,} the movable portion P _{3, 1} to P
_It becomes larger than the movement of _10,12 . Incidentally, in this ultrasonic probe 110, the movable portion P _1,1 as shown in FIG. 12
The to P _{12, 12} but are arranged in the vicinity of each of the four corners of the ultrasonic transducer T _{1, 1} through T _6,6, the movable portion P _{1, 1} to P _{12, 12} as shown in FIG. 13 Alternatively, a deformable resin 113 surrounding the ultrasonic transducers T _{1,1 to} T _6,6 can be arranged.

The above-described ultrasonic probes 2, 60, 7
0 and 110 are not limited to use only in the chest of a subject having a rib, but can be used in other parts.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves can be controlled in accordance with the presence of an obstacle such as a rib that prevents transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. Thus, even when there is an obstacle such as a rib that interferes with transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, it is possible to increase the opening width while eliminating the influence of the obstacle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 1 is pressed against a subject.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a reception waveform of an ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an external view of a modified example of the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a modified example of the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing a state where the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 7 is pressed against a subject.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a modified example of the ultrasonic probe in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an external view of a modified example of the ultrasonic probe in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an external view of a modified example of the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram showing a state where the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 11 is pressed against a subject.

FIG. 13 is an external view of a modified example of the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2, 60, 70, 110 Ultrasonic probe 3 Main body 21, 61, 71, 111 Housing 22, 62, 72 Head part 23 Cable 31 System control part 32 Transmission delay control circuit 33 Reception delay control Circuit 34 Transmission drive circuit 35 Amplifier 36 Reception delay circuit 37 Log (log) conversion section 38 Detection circuit 39 A / D conversion section 40 Image memory 41 3D image configuration section 42 DSC section 43 D / A conversion section 44 Display section 45 Received signal Analyzing unit 46 Ultrasonic shielding object position calculating unit 47 Driving position setting unit 50 Subject 51 Organ 52 to 57 Rib 64 to 72 Ultrasonic transducer unit 92 Spring 93 Pressure sensor 94 Pressure detecting resin 112 Spring 113 Resin T _1,1 to T _6,6, seventy-six to ninety-three ultrasonic transducer P _{1, 1} to P _{12, 12} movable portion

Claims (5)

[Claims] An ultrasonic probe including a plurality of transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves toward a subject, receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the subject, and outputting a received signal; An ultrasonic inspection apparatus comprising: a drive signal supply unit that determines a transducer to be driven among the plurality of transducers on the basis of the plurality of transducers and supplies a drive signal only to the determined transducer. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the drive signal supply unit does not supply the drive signal to a transducer corresponding to an ultrasonic shield in a subject among the plurality of transducers. 2. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to 1. 3. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of transducers is a transducer for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave. 4. A vibrator of a first group among the plurality of vibrators is a vibrator for transmitting an ultrasonic wave, and a vibrator of a second group of the plurality of vibrators is a vibrator for receiving an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic inspection device is a vibrator for use. 5. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transducers are arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally.