JP2008161381A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe which is equipped with a mechanism to calculate rocking angles and determine rocking directions and can reduce its size in comparison with a conventional one and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with the ultrasonic probe. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe is equipped with: a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 31 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a moving mechanism 32 for moving the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 31; a moving means which is provided so as to move as the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 31 move and has a first area and a second area across a first reference position; and a signal generating means 33 for determining a moving direction in terms of a third reference position of the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 31 by determining whether a second reference position whose relative position in terms of the first reference position is changed by movement of the moving means exists in the first area or the second area and generating a signal for calculating a moving distance of the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 31 from the third reference position by calculating a first distance to be distance between the second reference position and the first reference position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe that mechanically moves a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that includes the ultrasound probe.

  There is an ultrasonic probe having a mechanism for mechanically swinging an ultrasonic transducer. In this ultrasonic probe, the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer is calculated and the swing direction is determined (that is, how much the swing is swung with respect to the reference position is calculated. It is necessary to perform control (return control) to return the ultrasonic transducer to the reference position.

In the conventional ultrasonic probe, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the swing angle is calculated by detecting the light that has passed through the slit 94 of the slit plate 95 of the rotary encoder 90, and the swing reference position is determined. The swing direction is determined by detecting the presence or absence of light passing through the slit 93 formed in one region of the swing range R divided into two regions with O as a boundary. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-135966 A

  However, in the conventional ultrasonic probe, it is necessary to provide a slit for determining the oscillation direction in addition to the slit used for calculating the oscillation angle. The slit plate needs to have a size (radius) for forming two slits. Therefore, there is a limit to miniaturization of an ultrasonic probe provided with a mechanism for calculating a swing angle and determining a swing direction.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes an ultrasonic probe that can be reduced in size as compared with the prior art while having a mechanism for calculating a swing angle and a determination mechanism for the swing direction. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe.

  To achieve the above object, in the first aspect, the present invention provides a plurality of ultrasonic transducers that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, a moving mechanism that moves the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and the plurality of ultrasonic vibrations. A moving means having a first area and a second area with the first reference position as a boundary, and a first reference position formed by movement of the moving means. The movement of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers with respect to the third reference position by determining whether the second reference position whose relative position changes exists in the first region or the second region. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers are moved from the third reference position by determining a direction and calculating a first distance that is a distance between the second reference position and the first reference position. Signal generating means for generating a signal for calculating the distance; To.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a moving mechanism for moving the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and moving with the movement of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers A moving means having a first area and a second area with a first reference position as a boundary, and a second position in which a relative position of the first reference position is changed by the movement of the moving means. Determining the moving direction of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers with respect to the third reference position by determining whether the reference position of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers is present in the first region or the second region, and By calculating a first distance that is a distance between a second reference position and the first reference position, a signal for calculating a movement distance of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers from the third reference position is obtained. Signal generating means for generating, and the moving direction based on the signal Comprising a signal processing means for calculating said movement distance.

  According to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe that can be reduced in size as compared with the conventional ultrasonic probe having a swing direction determination and swing angle calculation mechanism, and an ultrasonic probe that includes the ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be realized.

  The first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 10 and an ultrasonic probe 30.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 10 includes an ultrasonic transmission unit 11, an ultrasonic reception unit 12, a B-mode processing unit 13, a Doppler processing unit 14, a scan converter 15, an image synthesis unit 17, a monitor 18, a storage unit 19, and a system control unit. 20, an input unit 21, and a movement mechanism control unit 22. Hereinafter, the function of each component will be described.

  The ultrasonic transmission unit 11 includes a trigger generation circuit, a delay circuit, a pulsar circuit, and the like (not shown). In the pulsar circuit, a rate pulse for forming a transmission ultrasonic wave is repeatedly generated at a predetermined rate frequency fr Hz (period: 1 / fr second). In the delay circuit, each rate pulse is given a delay time necessary for focusing the ultrasonic wave into a beam and determining the transmission directivity for each channel. The trigger generation circuit applies an ultrasonic drive pulse to the ultrasonic probe 30 at a timing based on this rate pulse, and transmits the ultrasonic wave to the subject.

  The ultrasonic receiving unit 12 includes an amplifier circuit, an A / D converter, an adder and the like which are not shown. In the amplifier circuit, an ultrasonic signal (echo signal) obtained based on the reflected wave from the subject is amplified for each channel. The A / D converter provides a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity for the amplified echo signal. Thereafter, the adder performs addition processing on the echo signal given the delay time. The added echo signal is supplied to the B-mode processing unit 13 and the Doppler processing unit 14.

  The B-mode processing unit 13 receives the echo signal from the ultrasonic receiving unit 12 and performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection processing, and the like, and generates luminance data in which the signal intensity is expressed by luminance. The B mode processing unit 13 supplies the luminance data to the scan converter 15. The supplied luminance data is displayed on the monitor 18 as a B-mode image representing the intensity of the echo signal in luminance.

  The Doppler processing unit 14 receives the supply of the echo signal from the ultrasound receiving unit 12 and calculates the Doppler signal such as a blood flow due to the Doppler effect by performing frequency analysis of the echo signal. Based on a Doppler signal such as blood flow, the Doppler processing unit 14 calculates data such as blood flow information represented by an average velocity such as blood flow, velocity dispersion, power of the Doppler signal, and the like at a number of points. The Doppler processing unit 14 transmits data such as the calculated blood flow information to the scan converter 15. The transmitted data such as blood flow information is displayed in color on the monitor 18 as an average velocity image, a dispersion image, a power image, and a combination image thereof.

  The scan converter 15 converts an ultrasonic scan scan line signal sequence of received data such as luminance data and blood flow information into a scan line signal sequence of a general video format such as a television, generates a video signal, and generates an image. It transmits to the composition unit 17.

  The image synthesizing unit 17 receives a video signal from the scan converter 15 and the storage unit 19, synthesizes the video signal and character information, scales, and the like of various parameters, and outputs them to the monitor 18.

  The monitor 18 displays in vivo morphological information, blood flow information, and the like as an image based on the video signal from the image synthesis unit 17. The monitor 18 displays a swing angle and a swing direction, which will be described later, as necessary.

  The storage unit 19 stores a program for executing image generation and display processing, various image data groups, and the like. In addition, the storage unit 19 stores a program for realizing calculation processing of a swing angle and determination processing of a swing direction, which will be described later.

  The system control unit 20 has a function as an information processing apparatus (computer) and controls the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 10. The system control unit 20 reads out a program for executing image generation, display, determination processing, and the like from the storage unit 19 and develops it on its own memory, and executes calculation / control related to various types of processing. Further, the system control unit 20 calculates the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 based on the position signal received from the ultrasonic probe 30, and determines the swing direction. Specific contents of the calculation and determination will be described in detail later.

  The input unit 21 includes various switches, buttons, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like for incorporating instructions such as a swing angle range and a scan range from the operator into the ultrasonic vibration device main body 10.

  The ultrasound probe 30 is connected to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body 10 and includes an ultrasound transducer unit 31, a moving mechanism 32, and a position signal generation unit 33. Hereinafter, the function of each component will be described. The ultrasonic transducer unit 31 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged along a predetermined direction. The ultrasonic transducer unit 31 receives the application of an ultrasonic drive pulse from the ultrasonic transmission unit 21 and generates an ultrasonic wave.

  The ultrasonic transducer unit 31 is swung in a direction perpendicular to the ultrasonic scanning plane as the motor of the moving mechanism 32 rotates.

  The moving mechanism 32 is a mechanism for swinging the ultrasonic transducer unit 31.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the moving mechanism 32. As shown in the figure, the moving mechanism 32 includes a driving device 41 having a motor, a rotating shaft 42 to which a rotating pulley 44 is fixed, a swinging pulley 46 and a swinging shaft 45 fixed to the ultrasonic transducer unit 31. A belt 47 for transmitting the rotation of the rotary pulley 44 to the swing pulley 46 is provided. When the rotary shaft 42 is rotated by the motor in the drive device 41, this rotation is transmitted from the rotary pulley 44 to the swing pulley 46 via the belt 47. As a result, as the swing shaft 45 rotates, the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 fixed to the swing shaft 45 swings.

  The position signal generation unit 33 is provided in the drive device 41 of the moving mechanism 32, for example, and generates a position signal for executing calculation of the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 and determination of the swing direction.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the position signal generator 33. As shown in the figure, the position signal generation unit 33 includes a slit plate 330, a light irradiation unit 332, and a light detection unit 334.

  The slit plate 330 is a disk that is fixed to the rotary shaft 42 and rotates with the rotation of the motor of the drive device 41. The slit plate 330 defines a first reference position O1 that bisects the rotation region R corresponding to the swing range of the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 into a first region r1 and a second region r2. . In the first region r1, a plurality of first slits 330a having a width d, for example, are formed with a distance d along the moving direction of the slit plate 330 (in this case, the circumferential direction). Further, in the second region r2, a plurality of second slits 330b having a width 2d, for example, are formed at intervals 2d along the moving direction of the slit plate 330. The plurality of first slits 330a and the plurality of second slits 330b form a concentric row of slits.

  The light irradiation unit 332 includes a light emitting diode or the like, and irradiates light toward the slit plate 330.

  The light detection unit 334 is disposed to face the light irradiation unit 332 through the slit plate 330, and receives light that passes through the first slit 330a or the second slit 330b as the slit plate 330 rotates, as a light receiving element (for example, And a position signal are generated based on the detection.

(Position signal generation processing)
Next, calculation of the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 and generation of a position signal for determining the swing direction will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light irradiated by the light irradiation unit 332 passes through the first slit 330 a or the second slit 330 b according to the rotation angle of the slit plate 330 and is detected by the light detection unit 334. Or is blocked by a portion of the slit plate 330 that is not a slit. The light detection unit 334 generates a HIGH level output while detecting light, and generates a LOW level output (may be output 0) during a period when light is not detected.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram in which the position signal generated by the position signal generation unit 33 in FIG. 3 is represented by intensity I on the vertical axis and time T on the horizontal axis. As shown in the figure, the position signal a1 detected when the first region r1 of the slit 330 passes between the light irradiation unit 332 and the light detection unit 334 between the time 0 and the time t0. Is a position signal a2 detected when the second region r2 of the slit 330 passes between the light irradiation unit 332 and the light detection unit 334. The position signal a1 is a pulse signal having a time width t and a period 2t corresponding to the width d of the first slit 330a. Similarly, the position signal a2 is a pulse signal having a time width 2t and a period 4t corresponding to the width 2d of the second slit 330b. Note that the first reference position O1 corresponds to a rising edge from the LOW level of the position signal a1 to the HIGH level of the position signal a2. If the position of the detection surface of the light detection unit 332 (or the optical axis of the light irradiation unit 332) is the second reference position O2, the second reference position O2 is the latest (generated in real time) in FIG. Corresponds to the pulse. Furthermore, when the first reference position O1 and the second reference position O2 overlap, the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 is disposed at a predetermined reference position (for example, a position where the swing angle is 0).

(Calculation of swing angle using position signal and determination process of swing direction)
The distance between the first reference position O1 and the second reference position O2 corresponds to the swing angle. The system control unit 20 identifies the first reference position O1 by detecting a position where the cycle of the position signal changes, and the number of pulses existing between the first reference position O1 and the second reference position O2. And the rotation speed V of the slit plate 330 and the ratio of the rotation angle of the slit plate 330 and the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer unit 31, the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 is calculated. Further, since the position signal a1 is a position signal related to the first slit 330a formed in the region r1, and the position signal a2 is a position signal related to the second slit 330b formed in the region r2, the system control unit 20 includes the position signal generation unit. By calculating the pulse time width or period of the position signal generated at 33, the swing direction can be determined. The system control unit 20 generates a control signal for returning the ultrasonic transducer 31 to, for example, a predetermined position based on the determined swing direction and the calculated swing angle, and moves the generated control signal. Supply to mechanism 32.

  According to the above-described configuration, the slit plate 330 of the position signal generation unit 33 is not provided with two slit rows in order to execute the calculation of the swing angle and the determination of the swing direction as in the prior art. By forming a single row of slits composed of two types of slits having different widths, the swing angle is calculated and the swing direction is determined. Accordingly, the size of the slit plate used for calculating the swing angle and determining the swing direction can be reduced as compared with the conventional case, and the number of light receiving elements can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the ultrasonic probe.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, an ultrasonic probe capable of generating a position signal that can improve the measurement resolution of the swing angle compared to the first embodiment, and an ultrasonic equipped with the ultrasonic probe. An example of a sound wave diagnostic apparatus will be described. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the position signal generation unit 33b. As shown in the figure, the position signal generation unit 33b has a light detection unit 335 that defines the third reference value O3 by its detection surface in addition to the slit plate 330, the light irradiation unit 332, and the light detection unit 334. is doing. The light detection unit 335 is disposed to face the light irradiation unit 332 through the slit plate 330, and receives light passing through the first slit 330a or the third slit 330c as the slit plate 330 rotates, as a light receiving element ( For example, a position signal is generated based on the detection using a photodiode.

  The slit plate 330 defines a first reference position O1 that bisects the rotation region R corresponding to the swing range of the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 into a first region r1 and a second region r2. In the first region r1, a plurality of first slits 330a having a width d, for example, are formed at intervals d along the moving direction (circumferential direction) of the slit plate 330. In the second region r2, a plurality of third slits 330c having a width of 3d, for example, are formed at intervals 3d along the moving direction of the slit plate 330. The plurality of first slits 330a and the plurality of third slits 330c form a concentric row of slits.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the two light detection units and the first slit 330a, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the two detection units and the third slit 330c. is there. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the light detection unit 334 and the light detection unit 335 are arranged with a distance of 1.5d. Therefore, the position signal generated by the light detection unit 334 and the position signal generated by the light detection unit 335 are shifted by a quarter period (the phase difference is 90 degrees) (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

(Position signal generation processing)
Next, generation of a position signal for determining the swing angle and swing position of the ultrasonic transducer unit 31 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the light irradiated by the light irradiation unit 332 passes through the first slit 330 a or the third slit 330 c according to the rotation angle of the slit plate 330, and the light detection unit 334 detects the light. It is detected by the part 335 or blocked by a non-slit part of the slit plate 330. The light detection unit 334 and the light detection unit 335 generate a HIGH level output during a period in which light is detected, and generate a LOW level (voltage 0 may be output) during a period in which no light is detected.

  FIG. 7A shows a position signal b1 detected when the first region r1 of the slit plate 330 passes between the light irradiation unit 332 and the light detection unit 334, and FIG. The position signal c1 detected when the 1st area | region r1 of the board 330 passes between between the light irradiation part 332 and the light detection part 335 is each shown. As can be understood by comparing FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the position signal b1 and the position signal c1 are pulses having a time width t and a period 2t corresponding to the width d of the first slit 330a. This is a signal, and the light detection unit 334 and the light detection unit 335 are spaced apart by 1.5d, so that the periods are shifted from each other by ¼ (the phases are shifted from each other by 90 degrees). 8A shows the position signal b2 detected when the second region r2 of the slit plate 330 passes between the light irradiation unit 332 and the light detection unit 334. FIG. 8B shows the position signal b2. The position signal c2 detected when the second region r2 of the plate 330 passes between the light irradiation unit 332 and the light detection unit 335 is shown.

(Judgment processing of swing angle and swing direction using position signal)
Similar to the distance between the first reference position O1 and the second reference position O2, the distance between the first reference position O1 and the third reference position O3 also corresponds to the swing angle. Therefore, the system control unit 20 can calculate the swing angle using the position signal c1 and the position signal c2 in addition to the swing angle calculated using the position signal b1 and the position signal b2. Further, since the position signal b1 and the position signal c1 are shifted from each other by ¼, the HIGH level and the LOW level between the position signal b1 and the position signal c1 (or between the position signal b2 and the position signal c2). There are four combination patterns. The system control unit 20 improves the resolution, which was ½ cycle in the first embodiment, to ¼ cycle by calculating the swing angle and determining the swing direction using these four combinations. Can do.

  The system control unit 20 generates a control signal for returning the ultrasonic transducer 31 to, for example, a predetermined position based on the calculated swing angle and the determined swing direction, and moves the generated control signal. Supply to mechanism 32.

  According to the configuration described above, two types of position signals shifted by ¼ period are generated while reducing the size of the slit plate used for calculating the swing angle and determining the swing direction as compared with the prior art. be able to. Therefore, the size of the ultrasonic probe can be reduced, and the calculation resolution of the swing angle and the determination resolution of the swing direction can be further improved.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Specific examples of modifications are as follows.

  (1) Each function according to the present embodiment can also be realized by installing a program for executing the processing in a computer such as a workstation and developing the program on a memory. At this time, a program capable of causing the computer to execute the technique is stored in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory. It can also be distributed.

  (2) In each of the above embodiments, in order to improve the resolution of calculation of the swing angle and the determination direction of the swing direction, the position signal generation unit applies to the slit plate on which one row of slit rows is formed and the one row of slit rows. And a plurality of light detection units. However, without being limited to this, for example, the position signal generation unit includes a slit plate in which a plurality of slit rows are formed and a light detection unit arranged one by one for each slit row. It is possible to apply.

  (3) In each of the above embodiments, the moving mechanism is an example in which the ultrasonic transducer unit is swung. However, without being limited to this, for example, the moving mechanism can be applied even when the ultrasonic transducer unit is linearly moved in a direction perpendicular to the ultrasonic scanning surface.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The figure which shows the structure of the ultrasound diagnosing device 1 and the ultrasound probe 30 in 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the detailed structure of the ultrasonic probe 30 of FIG. The figure for demonstrating the structure of the position signal production | generation part 33 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram in which the position signal generated by the position signal generation unit 33 in FIG. 3 is represented by intensity I on the vertical axis and time T on the horizontal axis. The figure for demonstrating the structure of the position signal generation part 33b in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the light detection unit 334 and the light detection unit 335 in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a position signal detected when the first region r1 of the slit plate 330 in FIG. 5 passes between the light irradiation unit 332, the light detection unit 334, and the light detection unit 335. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a position signal detected when the second region r2 of the slit plate 330 in FIG. 5 passes between the light irradiation unit 332, the light detection unit 334, and the light detection unit 335. The figure which shows the conventional rotary encoder.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, 11 ... Ultrasonic transmitter, 12 ... Ultrasonic receiver, 13 ... B mode processing part, 14 ... Doppler processing part, 15 ... Scan converter, 17 ... Image composition part, 18 ... Monitor, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Memory | storage part, 20 ... System control part, 21 ... Input part, 22 ... Movement control part, 30 ... Ultrasonic probe, 31 ... Ultrasonic transducer unit, 32 ... Moving mechanism, 33 ... Position signal generation part.

Claims (7)

A plurality of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
A moving mechanism for moving the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;
A moving means provided so as to move along with the movement of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and having a first area and a second area with a first reference position as a boundary;
By determining whether the second reference position whose relative position to the first reference position is changed by the movement of the moving means is present in the first area or the second area, The moving directions of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers with respect to the third reference position are determined, and a first distance that is a distance between the second reference position and the first reference position is calculated, thereby calculating the plurality of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. Signal generating means for generating a signal for calculating a moving distance of the ultrasonic transducer from the third reference position;
An ultrasonic probe comprising: The moving means has a plurality of first slits having a first width arranged at a first interval in the first region, and arranged at a second interval in the second region. A plurality of second slits having a second width;
The signal generating means includes
A light source that emits light toward the moving means;
A detecting unit disposed opposite to the light source via the moving unit and defining the second reference position by a position of a detection surface thereof, and detects light from the light source that has passed through the first slit; In this case, a first signal having a time width corresponding to the first width is generated, and when light from the light source that has passed through the second slit is detected, the first signal is determined according to the second width. First detecting means for generating a second signal having a predetermined time width;
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, comprising: The signal generating means includes
Based on the first distance and the second distance by calculating a second distance that is a distance between a fourth reference position different from the second reference position and the first reference position. Generating a signal for calculating a moving distance of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers from the third reference position;
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1. The moving means has a plurality of third slits having a third width arranged at a third interval in the first region, and arranged at a fourth interval in the second region. A plurality of fourth slits having a fourth width;
The signal generating means includes
A light source that emits light toward the moving means;
A detecting unit disposed opposite to the light source via the moving unit and defining the second reference position by a position of a detection surface thereof, and detects light from the light source that has passed through the third slit; In this case, a third signal having a time width corresponding to the third width is generated. When light from the light source that has passed through the fourth slit is detected, the third signal is determined according to the fourth width. Second detection means for generating a fourth signal having a predetermined time width;
Detecting means that is arranged to face the light source via the moving means and defines the fourth reference position at a position separated from the second reference position by a third distance by the position of its detection surface; When the light from the light source that has passed through the third slit is detected, there is a time width corresponding to the third width, and the phase difference from the third signal is 90 degrees. When a signal is generated and light from the light source that has passed through the fourth slit is detected, a time width corresponding to the fourth width is provided, and a phase difference from the fourth signal is 90 degrees. Third detection means for generating a sixth signal;
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, wherein: The third width is approximately three times the fourth width;
The third distance is approximately one half of the third width;
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4.   6. The moving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism moves the plurality of ultrasonic transducers in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged. Ultrasonic probe. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
A moving mechanism for moving the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;
A moving means provided so as to move along with the movement of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and having a first area and a second area with a first reference position as a boundary;
By determining whether the second reference position whose relative position to the first reference position is changed by the movement of the moving means is present in the first area or the second area, The moving directions of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers with respect to the third reference position are determined, and a first distance that is a distance between the second reference position and the first reference position is calculated, thereby calculating the plurality of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. Signal generating means for generating a signal for calculating a moving distance of the ultrasonic transducer from the third reference position;
Signal processing means for calculating the moving direction and the moving distance based on the signal;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

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