JP2007215766A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus small in size and low in cost by reducing the number of reception units while sufficiently exhibiting the performance of an ultrasonic probe. <P>SOLUTION: In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a delay time is not added to electric signals from an ultrasonic vibrator 42-1 since a delay element is not interposed there between, prescribed delay time τ, 2τ or 3τ is added to electric signals from ultrasonic vibrators 42-2 to 42-4 with delay elements 43-1 to 43-3 interposed there between, and they are output to the addition part of a main body. The addition part adds the electric signals from the ultrasonic vibrators 42-1 to 42-4 and supplies them to the reception part as added signals. The A/D converter of the reception part converts the added signals from analog signals to digital signals, and a separator separates the digital signal to four digital signals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and in particular, to reduce the number of reception units and to reduce the size and price of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus while fully exhibiting the performance of an ultrasonic probe. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows a simple configuration inside a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a main body 2 and an ultrasonic probe 3 connected to the main body 2 via a cable.

  The main body 2 includes a transmission unit 4 and a reception unit 5, and a drive control system circuit and a signal processing system circuit (none of which are shown). The transmission unit 4 generates electric pulses for driving a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown) provided in the ultrasonic probe 3 and outputs them to the ultrasonic probe 3. The receiving unit 5 performs amplification processing, delay processing, and the like on the reception signal input from the ultrasonic probe 3 and supplies the processed signal to a signal processing system circuit.

  The ultrasonic probe 3 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, converts an electric pulse input from the transmission unit 4 of the main body 2 into an ultrasonic pulse (transmission ultrasonic wave), and is reflected by the subject during reception. The ultrasonic wave is converted into an electric signal and output to the receiving unit 4 of the main body 2.

  By the way, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, in order to fully demonstrate the performance of the ultrasonic probe, it is necessary to include the same number or more transmitters and receivers as the number of transducers included in the ultrasonic probe. Met. This caused an increase in the size of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an increase in the apparatus price.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been proposed in which the number of transmission units and reception units is smaller than the number of transducers of an ultrasonic probe (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1, for example, 256 channels or 512 channels are selected sparsely from 4096 channels, and a volume scanning is electronically performed using only the selected channels. In a two-dimensional array type ultrasonic probe corresponding to a certain sparse array scan (thinning-out scan), a high S / N ratio can be realized.
JP 2001-198122 A

  However, according to the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, for example, when an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including 192 ultrasonic transducers, 128 transmission units, and reception units is used, 192 ultrasonic vibrations are used. Since only 128 ultrasonic transducers can be used among the children, the transmission focus becomes weaker at the time of transmission in the transmission unit than when all 192 ultrasonic transducers are used. The resolution of the image will be reduced.

  In addition, at the time of reception at the receiving unit, the S / N ratio is reduced as compared with the case where all 192 ultrasonic transducers are used, and as a result, the sensitivity of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus itself is reduced. End up.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1, for two-dimensional scanning, together with 32 transducers commonly connected per column, 16 transducers that are not connected in common and dedicated to reception By using 16 transducers, the transmission / reception sensitivity and the S / N ratio can be improved. However, since all of the provided transducers cannot be used for transmission or reception, conventional ultrasonic waves can be used. As in the case of the diagnostic apparatus, the S / N ratio is reduced compared to when all of the ultrasonic transducers are used, and as a result, the sensitivity of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus itself is reduced.

  Here, in order to solve such problems, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the number of transmission units and reception units is smaller than the number of transducers of the ultrasonic probe, even if there are a small number of transmission units and reception units. There has also been proposed a method of generating an image using all the ultrasonic transducers provided by performing transmission and reception a plurality of times.

  However, this image generation method lowers the frame rate, and motion artifacts, which are false images on the image, occur particularly for fast moving organs such as the heart.

  In addition, in conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, adjacent ultrasonic vibrations can be used so that all ultrasonic transducers of an ultrasonic probe can be used even with a small number of transmission units and reception units. There is also an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that adds electric signals from the child as they are and outputs them to the receiving unit.

  However, in the case of this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the electrical signals from adjacent ultrasonic transducers are added as they are and output to the receiving unit, the reception focus becomes unsatisfactory and eventually the resolution of the image decreases. Resulting in.

  As described above, by using all the ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic transducers can be used at the same time so that the transmission / reception focus does not become undesired and the resolution of the generated image does not decrease. There is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the number of transmission units and reception units than the number of transmission units.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and while reducing the number of receiving units while sufficiently exhibiting the performance of an ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be reduced in size and price. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a signal processing program for the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention transmits a pulse wave by vibrating a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and a subject out of the pulse waves transmitted by the transmission means A plurality of reception signals generated from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers in response to a reflected wave reflected from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, respectively, a delay means for providing different delay times, and a plurality of reception signals delayed by the delay means. Addition means for adding, conversion means for converting the addition signal obtained by addition by the addition means into a digital signal, and separation means for separating the digital signal into a plurality of components corresponding to each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers And image generation means for generating an ultrasonic image based on a plurality of components separated by the separation means.

  The adding means includes switching means for switching whether or not to add any one of a plurality of received signals given different predetermined delay times by the delay means, and the adding means is switched by the switching means. The supplied reception signals can be sequentially added.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further includes a determination unit that is switched by the switching unit and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after a predetermined reception signal is added among the plurality of reception signals. When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed after the addition of a predetermined reception signal among the plurality of reception signals, the switching means can be switched to add the next signal.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, a pulse wave is transmitted by vibrating a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and a plurality of ultrasonic vibrations are received by receiving a reflected wave reflected from a subject among the transmitted pulse waves. Each of the plurality of received signals generated from each child is given a different predetermined delay time, the plurality of delayed received signals are added, and the added signal obtained by the addition is converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is separated into a plurality of components corresponding to each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and an ultrasonic image is generated based on the plurality of separated components.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the number of receiving parts conventionally required can be reduced, using all the ultrasonic transducer | vibrators which an ultrasonic probe has. Thereby, size reduction and price reduction of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be achieved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of the first embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 includes a main body 21, an ultrasonic probe 22 connected to the main body 21 via an electric cable, an input unit 23, and a display unit 24.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 21 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 includes a main control unit 31, a transmission unit 32, an addition unit 33, a reception unit 34, an image processing unit 35, a calculation unit 36, a storage unit 37, and a DSC ( Digital Scan Converter) 38 is connected via an input / output interface 41.

  The main control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and the like, generates various control signals, and supplies them to the respective units to control the drive of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 as a whole. .

  The transmission unit 32 includes a rate pulse generator, a transmission delay circuit, and a pulsar (all not shown), and the rate pulse generator generates a rate pulse that determines the repetition period of the ultrasonic pulse incident on the inside of the subject. Generated and supplied to the transmission delay circuit. Further, the transmission delay circuit generates a rate pulse generator based on the control signal supplied from the main control unit 31 so that the focal position and the deflection angle of the ultrasonic beam at the time of transmission become the predetermined focal position and the deflection angle. A delay time is added to the rate pulse supplied from, and the pulse is supplied to the pulser. Further, the pulser generates a high-pressure pulse for driving the ultrasonic transducer based on the rate pulse supplied from the transmission delay circuit, and outputs the generated high-pressure pulse to the ultrasonic probe 22.

  The adder 33 emits an ultrasonic wave oscillated from the ultrasonic probe 22 into the subject, converts a reflected wave from the inside of the subject into an electric signal, adds the converted electric signal, and adds the electric signal. The electric signal is supplied to the receiving unit 34 as an addition signal.

  The reception unit 34 acquires the addition signal supplied from the addition unit 33, performs amplification processing, A / D conversion processing, and the like on the acquired addition signal, and outputs the digital signal after the processing to the image processing unit 35. Are supplied to the B mode processing acquisition unit 39 and the Doppler mode processing acquisition unit 40, respectively.

  The image processing unit 35 includes a B mode process acquisition unit 39 and a Doppler mode process acquisition unit 40. The B-mode processing acquisition unit 39 includes a logarithmic amplifier, an envelope detection circuit, and an A / D converter (all not shown), and performs the following processing based on the control signal supplied from the main control unit 31. Do.

  That is, the logarithmic amplifier of the B-mode processing acquisition unit 39 logarithmically amplifies the reception signal supplied from the reception unit 34 and supplies the logarithmically amplified reception signal to the envelope detection circuit. The envelope detection circuit detects the envelope of the reception signal supplied from the logarithmic amplifier, and supplies the detected reception signal to the A / D converter. The A / D converter converts the received signal supplied to the envelope detection circuit shell into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the computing unit 36 as B-mode image data.

  The Doppler mode processing acquisition unit 40 includes a reference signal generator, a π / 2 phase shifter, a mixer, an LPF (Low Pass Filter), an A / D converter, a Doppler signal storage circuit, an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analyzer, and an arithmetic operation. (Both not shown), and mainly performs quadrature detection and FFT analysis. That is, the Doppler mode processing acquisition unit 40 acquires the reception signal supplied from the reception unit 34, and inputs the acquired reception signal to the first input terminal of the mixer. On the other hand, the reference signal generator generates a reference signal having a frequency substantially equal to the center frequency of the input signal, and supplies the reference signal to the first input terminal of the mixer and the π / 2 phase shifter. The π / 2 phase shifter shifts the phase of the reference signal supplied from the reference signal generator by 90 degrees and supplies it to the second input terminal of the mixer.

  The mixer supplies the reception signal to the LPF, and the LPF removes the high-frequency component of the reception signal supplied from the mixer and supplies it to the A / D converter. The A / D converter converts the received signal supplied from the LPF into a digital signal and supplies it to the FFT analyzer. The FFT analyzer temporarily stores the digitized orthogonal component of the received signal in the Doppler signal storage circuit, performs FFT analysis, and supplies the result to the arithmetic unit. The calculator calculates the center frequency and variance of the frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal supplied from the FFT analyzer and supplies the calculated frequency to the calculator 36.

  The calculation unit 36 acquires the B-mode image data and the Doppler mode image data supplied from the B-mode process acquisition unit 39 and the Doppler mode process acquisition unit 40, and performs various operations on the acquired B-mode image data and Doppler mode image data. The B-mode image data and the Doppler image data obtained as a result are supplied to the storage unit 37.

  The storage unit 37 acquires B mode image data and Doppler mode image data supplied from the B mode processing acquisition unit 39 and the Doppler mode processing acquisition unit 40, and stores the acquired B mode image data and Doppler mode image data. . In addition, the storage unit 37 supplies the stored B-mode image data and Doppler mode image data to the DSC 38 according to an instruction from the control unit 31 as necessary.

  The DSC 38 acquires the B-mode image data and Doppler mode image data supplied from the storage unit 37, and scans the acquired B-mode image data and Doppler mode image data in the video format from the scanning line signal sequence of the ultrasonic scan. The signal is converted into a line signal string and supplied to the display unit 24.

  The ultrasonic probe 22 is connected to the main body 21 via a cable, and is an ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves by bringing its front surface into contact with the surface of the subject, as shown in FIG. In addition, for example, four minute ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 arranged in a one-dimensional array are provided at the tip thereof. The ultrasonic vibrators 42-1 to 42-4 are electroacoustic transducers as piezoelectric vibrators. The ultrasonic probe 22 converts an electric pulse input from the transmission unit 32 of the main body 21 into an ultrasonic pulse (transmission ultrasonic wave) during transmission, and converts a reflected wave reflected by the subject into an electric signal during reception. , And output to the adding unit 33 of the main body 21. Of the four ultrasonic transducers, in the three ultrasonic transducers 42-2 to 42-4, the electrical signal is transmitted through the delay elements 43-1 to 43-3, respectively. Is output. That is, the electrical signals output from the three ultrasonic transducers 42-2 to 42-4 are delayed by predetermined delay times (see FIG. 6) by the delay elements 43-1 to 43-3. (To be described later) is added.

  On the other hand, in the ultrasonic transducer 42-1, the converted electric signal is output as it is to the adding unit 33 of the main body 21 without passing through the delay element, and the other three ultrasonic transducers 42-2 to 42-. Unlike the electric signal output from 4, no delay time is added.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 3, in order to simplify the explanation, the ultrasonic probe 22 has four ultrasonic transducers (ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4) at the tip portion. The number is not limited to four. Of course, any number of ultrasonic transducers may be provided at the tip of the ultrasonic probe 22.

  Of course, the present invention is applicable not only to an ultrasonic probe having ultrasonic transducers arranged in a one-dimensional array but also to an ultrasonic probe having ultrasonic transducers arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. Can do.

  The input unit 23 is connected to the input / output interface 41 of the main body 21 via an electric (signal) cable, and has various keyboards (not shown) and mice (not shown) for inputting various instructions of the user. The main control unit 31 is notified of an instruction input by a user operation.

  The display unit 24 is connected to the DSC 38 of the main body 21 via a cable, and is provided with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) (not shown) and a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) (not shown). The B-mode image data and Doppler mode image data from the DSC 38 converted from the video format to the scanning line signal sequence of the video format are acquired, and the acquired B-mode image data and Doppler mode image data are not shown on the LCD or the like. Display on the CRT.

  FIG. 4 shows an internal configuration of the receiving unit 34 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving unit 34 includes a preamplifier 45, an A / D converter 46, a separator 47, a reception delay circuit 48, and an adder 49.

  The preamplifier 45 acquires the addition signal supplied from the addition unit 33, amplifies the acquired addition signal to a predetermined level, and supplies the amplified addition signal to the A / D converter 46. The A / D converter 46 converts the addition signal supplied from the preamplifier 45 from an analog signal to a digital signal and supplies the converted signal to the separator 47.

  The separator 47 acquires the digital signal supplied from the A / D converter 46 and inputs the acquired digital signal from the four ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 included in the ultrasonic probe 22. The four digital signals corresponding to the electrical signals are separated, and the four separated digital signals are supplied to the reception delay circuit 48.

  Based on the control signal supplied from the main control unit 31, the reception delay circuit 48 adds the difference in ultrasonic propagation time from the focus position of each ultrasonic transducer to the four digital signals supplied from the separator 47. Is added to the adder 49. The adder 49 adds the four digital signals supplied from the reception delay circuit 48, and uses the added signal after the addition as a reception signal to the B mode processing acquisition unit 39 and the Doppler mode processing acquisition unit 40 of the image processing unit 35, respectively. Supply.

  Next, the signal addition / separation process of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1, the adding unit 33 adds the electric signals input from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 included in the ultrasonic probe 22, and adds the added electric signals to the receiving unit 34 as an addition signal. Supply.

  Here, the concept of the signal addition processing in step S1 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasonic transducer 42-1 receives the echo signal 55-1 reflected from the subject, converts it to an electrical signal 56-1, and outputs it to the adder 33 of the main body 21. . Since no delay element is interposed between the electrical signal 56-1 input from the ultrasonic transducer 42-1 and no delay time is added, the electrical signal 56-1 is divided into four electrical signals (electrical Of the signals 56-1 to 56-4), the signal is first output to the adder 33.

  The ultrasonic transducer 42-2 receives the echo signal 55-2 reflected from the subject, converts it to an electrical signal 56-2, and outputs it to the adding unit 33 of the main body 21. A delay element 43-1 is interposed between the electrical signal 56-2 input from the ultrasonic transducer 42-2 and a predetermined delay time τ is added thereto. The electrical signal 56-2 is output to the adder 33 next to the electrical signal 56-1.

  The ultrasonic transducer 42-3 receives the echo signal 55-3 reflected from the subject, converts it into an electrical signal 56-3, and outputs it to the adding unit 33 of the main body 21. A delay element 43-2 is interposed between the electrical signal 56-3 input from the ultrasonic transducer 42-3 and a predetermined delay time 2τ is added thereto. The electrical signal 56-3 is output to the adder 33 next to the electrical signal 56-2.

  The ultrasonic transducer 42-4 receives the echo signal 55-4 reflected from the subject, converts it into an electric signal 56-4, and outputs it to the adding unit 33 of the main body 21. A delay element 43-3 is interposed between the electrical signal 56-4 input from the ultrasonic transducer 42-4 and a predetermined delay time 3τ is added thereto. The electrical signal 56-4 is output to the adder 33 next to the electrical signal 56-3.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the electric signals 56-1 to 56-4 input from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 of the ultrasonic probe 22 are electric signals arranged in time series for each time difference τ. It becomes. Therefore, by adding the electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 input from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 in the adding unit 33, the four electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 are time-sequentially. One signal converted into can be obtained.

  The adding unit 33 supplies the added electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 to the receiving unit 34 as an added signal 57.

  In step S2, the preamplifier 45 of the reception unit 34 acquires the addition signal 57 supplied from the addition unit 33, amplifies the acquired addition signal 57 to a predetermined level, and converts the amplified addition signal 57 to A / D. Supply to the converter 46.

  In step S <b> 3, the A / D converter 46 converts the addition signal 57 supplied from the preamplifier 45 from an analog signal to a digital signal and supplies the converted signal to the separator 47.

  In step S4, the separator 47 acquires the digital signal supplied from the A / D converter 46, and the acquired digital signal is converted into four ultrasonic waves that the ultrasonic probe 22 has as shown in FIG. The four digital signals 58 to 61 corresponding to the electric signals 56-1 to 56-4 input from the transducers 42-1 to 42-4 are separated, and the four separated digital signals 58 to 61 are received delay circuits. 48.

  In this way, since the addition signal 57 supplied from the preamplifier 45 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D converter 46, the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42- added in time series. 4 can be easily separated into four digital signals 58 to 61 corresponding to the electric signals 56-1 to 56-4. Thereby, the electrical signals from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers can be restored from the electrical signals supplied to one receiving unit.

  In step S5, the reception delay circuit 48 converts each of the four digital signals 58 to 61 supplied from the separator 47 based on the control signal supplied from the control unit 31, as shown in FIG. A delay time corresponding to the difference in propagation time of the ultrasonic wave from the focus position of the ultrasonic vibrator is added and supplied to the adder 49.

  In step S 6, the adder 49 adds the four digital signals 58 to 61 supplied from the reception delay circuit 48 as shown in FIG. 8, and uses the added digital signals 58 to 61 as a reception signal 63 B. It supplies to the mode process acquisition part 39 and the Doppler mode process acquisition part 40, respectively.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, each of the electrical signals from the four ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 included in the ultrasonic probe 22 has a predetermined delay time. Since the addition is performed after adding, it is possible to obtain one signal obtained by converting the four electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 into time series. As a result, unlike the case where the electrical signals from the adjacent ultrasonic transducers are added as they are and output to the receiving unit, it is possible to prevent the reception focus from becoming sweet, and as a result, the resolution of the image is lowered. This can be prevented.

  Further, the four electric signals 56-1 to 56-4 are converted into one signal and then separated, and the electric signals from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are restored from the electric signals supplied to one receiving unit. As a result, even when the number of receivers is reduced, the S / N ratio is prevented from decreasing during reception by the receivers, and as a result, the sensitivity of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus itself is prevented from decreasing. can do. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the number of reception units that have been conventionally required while using all the ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic probe 22. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and price of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  In addition, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the adder 33 has electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 to which a delay time is added. Are simply added, and the added electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 are supplied to the receiving unit 34 as an added signal 57. However, the electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 output from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 are not only signals for the time used for image display, but are not actually used for image display. Since the signal from the deep part is also included, if the electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 to which the delay time is added are simply added, for example, the electrical signal 56 output from the ultrasonic transducer 42-1. -1 signal band not used for image display and the signal band used for image display of the electrical signal 56-2 output from the ultrasonic transducer 42-2 are added to the ultrasonic transducer 42-2. Unnecessary noise is generated in a signal used for image display of the output electric signal 56-2.

  As a result, the S / N ratio of the signal used for image display of the electrical signal 56-2 output from the ultrasonic transducer 42-2 decreases. Similarly, it is used for image display of the electric signal 56-3 output from the ultrasonic transducer 42-3 by a signal band not used for image display of the electric signal 56-2 output from the ultrasonic transducer 42-2. S / N ratio of the signal to be reduced. Furthermore, it is used for image display of the electric signal 56-4 output from the ultrasonic transducer 42-4 by a signal band not used for image display of the electric signal 56-3 output from the ultrasonic transducer 42-3. The S / N ratio of the signal will decrease.

  In order to prevent this from happening, for example, the adder 33 is provided with a switch and an adder, and the electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 from the ultrasonic transducers supplied to the adder of the adder 33 are provided. May be switched.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 9 shows an internal configuration of the second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 to which the present invention is applied. 2 that are the same as or correspond to those in the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 11 shown in FIG.

  The adding unit 33 includes a switch 71 and an adder 72. As shown in FIG. 10, the switch 71 is configured to output electric signals from the four ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 input from the ultrasonic probe 22 based on a control signal from the main control unit 31. Among them, the electric signal supplied to the adder 72 is switched and supplied to the adder 72. The adder 72 sequentially adds the electric signals from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 via the switch 71, and supplies the added electric signals to the receiving unit 34 as an addition signal.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the signal addition / separation processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 of FIG. 9 will be described. Note that the processing in steps S12 to S16 in FIG. 11 is the same as the processing in steps S2 to S6 in FIG.

  In step S11, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 11 performs signal addition processing. Details of this signal addition processing are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The signal addition process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When this signal addition process is started, the switch 71 is preset so that the electrical signal from the ultrasonic transducer 42-1 is first supplied to the adder 72.

  In step S <b> 21, the main control unit 31 generates a signal addition start control signal for causing the adder 72 to start adding electric signals from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 and supplies the signal addition start control signal to the adder 72. To do.

  In step S <b> 22, the adder 72 starts adding electrical signals from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 based on the signal addition start control signal supplied from the main control unit 31. That is, the adder 72 adds the electrical signal from the ultrasonic transducer 42-1 supplied first when the signal addition process is started.

  In step S <b> 23, the main control unit 31 determines whether or not a predetermined time τ set in advance has elapsed after performing signal addition processing in the adder 72, and performs signal addition processing in the adder 72. Until a predetermined time τ set in advance is determined to have elapsed.

  When it is determined in step S23 that a predetermined time τ has elapsed since the signal addition process is performed in the adder 72, the main control unit 31 determines in step S24 that all the ultrasonic waves included in the ultrasonic probe 22 are present. It is determined whether or not the electrical signal from the vibrator is added.

  When it is determined in step S24 that the electric signals from all the ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic probe 22 are not added, the main control unit 31 receives the electric signals from the predetermined ultrasonic transducer in step S25. A switch switching control signal for switching the switch 71 so as to be supplied to the adder 72 is generated and supplied to the switch 71.

  In step S <b> 26, the switch 71 switches based on the switch switching control signal supplied from the main control unit 31 so that an electric signal from a predetermined ultrasonic transducer is supplied to the adder 72. That is, when the electrical signal from the ultrasonic transducer 42-1 is set to be supplied to the adder 72, the switch is set so that the electrical signal is supplied from the ultrasonic transducer 42-2 to the adder 72. 71 is switched. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S22, and the processes after step S22 are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S24 that the electrical signals from all the ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic probe 22 have been added, the main control unit 31 causes the adder 72 to supply an addition signal to the reception unit 34 in step S27. For this purpose, an addition signal supply control signal is generated and supplied to the adder 72.

  In step S <b> 28, the adder 72 supplies the added electrical signal to the reception unit 34 as an addition signal based on the addition signal supply control signal supplied from the main control unit 31. In step S <b> 29, the main control unit 31 generates a switch initial setting switching control signal for returning the switch 71 to a preset initial setting, and supplies the switch 71 to the switch 71.

  In step S <b> 30, the switch 71 performs switching so as to return to the preset initial setting based on the switch initial setting switching control signal supplied from the main control unit 31. That is, the switch 71 switches so that the electrical signal from the ultrasonic transducer 42-1 is supplied to the adder 72. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S12 in FIG.

  As described above, the adder 33 is provided with the switch 71, and the four electric signals from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 supplied to the adder 72 of the adder 33 are appropriately switched. The four electrical signals from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 can be made into one signal without generating more necessary noise. As a result, the electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 to which the delay time has been added are simply added, and the added electrical signals 56-1 to 56-4 are supplied to the receiving unit 34 as the added signal 57. A decrease in the S / N ratio of a signal used for image display can be further prevented. Therefore, even when the number of receiving units is reduced, the S / N ratio is further prevented from decreasing during reception at the receiving unit, and as a result, the sensitivity of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus itself is further prevented from decreasing. can do.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 shown in the second embodiment of the present invention, the switch 71 as shown in FIG. 10 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to such a method. Various addition methods that do not generate unnecessary noise in the electrical signals from the ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 can be used.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 shown in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, electricity from the four ultrasonic transducers 42-1 to 42-4 provided in the ultrasonic probe 22 is used. Although one receiving unit 34 is provided for the signal, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the electric signals from a plurality of, for example, ten ultrasonic transducers provided in the ultrasonic probe 22 are provided. One receiving unit 34 may be provided for the signal. Thereby, the number of receiving units can be further reduced, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be reduced in size and the price of the apparatus can be further reduced.

  Furthermore, regarding the ratio of the number of receiving units to the number of ultrasonic transducers provided in the ultrasonic probe, an optimal ratio may be selected according to the application of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. For example, in superficial applications where the diagnostic site is shallow, the duration of the received signal used for image display is short, so the electrical signals from many ultrasonic transducers are combined into one signal in a single reception period. Although it can be processed, in applications such as abdominal diagnosis, since the duration of the received signal used for image display is long, it is difficult to combine electrical signals from many ultrasonic transducers into one signal. Become. Therefore, in superficial applications where the diagnostic site is shallow, the ratio of the number of receiving units to the number of ultrasonic transducers provided in the ultrasonic probe can be selected to be smaller.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 shown in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the delay elements 43-are respectively provided after three of the four ultrasonic transducers 42-2 to 42-4. 1 to 43-3 are connected (that is, for the three ultrasonic transducers 42-2 to 42-4, one delay element is connected to one ultrasonic transducer. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, one delay element is connected to a plurality of, for example, three ultrasonic transducers provided in the ultrasonic probe 22. May be. Thereby, the number of receiving units can be further reduced, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be reduced in size and the price of the apparatus can be further reduced.

  In addition, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses shown in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the delay time is provided for each predetermined delay time τ. It can also be a time interval.

The block diagram which shows the simple structure inside the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a first embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The block diagram which shows the structure inside the ultrasonic probe of FIG. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of the receiving part of FIG. The flowchart explaining the signal addition separation process in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the delay process in the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 2, and the signal addition process in the addition part of a main body. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the electrical signal from the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator isolate | separated in the separator of the receiving part of the main body of FIG. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the delay process in the reception delay circuit of the receiver of the main body of FIG. 4, and the signal addition process in an adder. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of 2nd Embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device to which this invention is applied. FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram for explaining switching processing in the switch of the addition unit in FIG. 9. 10 is a flowchart for explaining signal addition / separation processing in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 9; The flowchart explaining the signal addition process in step S11 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Main body 3 Ultrasonic probe 4 Transmission part 5 Reception part 11 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 21 Main body 22 Ultrasonic probe 23 Input part 24 Display part 31 Main control part 32 Transmission part 33 Addition part 34 Reception part 35 Image processing unit 36 Calculation unit 37 Storage unit 38 DSC
39 B-mode processing acquisition unit 40 Doppler mode processing acquisition unit 41 Input / output interfaces 42-1 to 42-4 Ultrasonic transducers 43-1 to 43-1 Delay element 45 Preamplifier 46 A / D converter 47 Separator 48 Reception delay Circuit 49 Adder 71 Switch 72 Adder

Claims (3)

Transmitting means for transmitting a pulse wave by vibrating a plurality of ultrasonic transducers;
Among the pulse waves transmitted by the transmission means, a different delay time is given to each of the plurality of reception signals generated from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers upon receiving the reflected wave reflected from the subject. Delay means;
Adding means for adding a plurality of received signals delayed by the delay means;
Conversion means for converting the addition signal obtained by addition by the addition means into a digital signal;
Separating means for separating the digital signal into a plurality of components corresponding to each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an image generation unit configured to generate an ultrasonic image based on the plurality of components separated by the separation unit. The adding means comprises switching means for switching whether or not to add any one of the plurality of received signals given different predetermined delay times by the delay means,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adding unit sequentially adds reception signals switched and supplied by the switching unit. A switching unit that is switched by the switching unit and further includes a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after a predetermined reception signal is added among the plurality of reception signals;
When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed after a predetermined reception signal is added among the plurality of reception signals by the determination means, the switching means switches to add the next signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2.

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