JP2008289697A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and precisely specify a defective point in an ultrasonic probe. <P>SOLUTION: A transmission/reception part 2 of a diagnostic apparatus body 1 successively transmits a first test signal of a pulse form in a resonance mode and a non-resonance mode to respective channels of an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of vibration elements at regular intervals, and a test signal synthesizing part 37 of the ultrasonic probe 3 synthesizes a second test signal formed inside the ultrasonic probe 3 on the basis of the first test signal to generate a synthesized test signal of 1 channel. A test signal analyzing part 5 of the diagnostic apparatus body 1 determines whether or not there is defect and specifies a defective part with respect to the ultrasonic probe 3 on the basis of feature value of an amplitude or the like in the second test signal, obtained by separation processing of the synthesized test signal supplied via the transmission reception part 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a self-diagnosis function for an ultrasonic probe.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus radiates an ultrasonic pulse generated from a vibration element built in an ultrasonic probe into a subject and receives an ultrasonic reflected wave generated by a difference in acoustic impedance of the subject tissue by the vibration element. Thus, various biological information is collected.

  This diagnostic method is widely used for functional diagnosis and morphological diagnosis of living organs because real-time two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images can be easily observed with a simple operation by simply bringing an ultrasonic probe into contact with the body surface. . Ultrasound diagnostic methods for obtaining biological information from reflected waves from tissues or blood cells in a living body have made rapid progress with the development of two major technologies, the ultrasonic pulse reflection method and the ultrasonic Doppler method. The obtained B-mode image and color Doppler image are indispensable in today's ultrasonic image diagnosis.

  The above-described ultrasonic probe provided in such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an extremely large number of vibration elements arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally at the tip (head portion) thereof, and these vibration elements are used for covering. Ultrasound is sent to and received from the specimen. In order to obtain good quality ultrasonic data and image data, it is necessary to confirm that each of these vibration elements is functioning normally by a periodic test.

In particular, when testing an ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus installed in a facility such as a hospital, it is necessary to carry out efficiently in a time zone in which an ultrasonic inspection is not performed on a subject. A method of determining the presence / absence of a defective portion by observing the state of a reflected wave from the surface of an acoustic lens mounted on the front surface of the vibration element on image data (for example, see Patent Document 1) and each of the vibration elements. There has been proposed a method (for example, refer to Patent Document 2) for identifying a defective vibration element or channel by measuring a reflected wave from a test reflector arranged at a predetermined distance while being sequentially driven.
JP-A-8-238243 JP 2002-159492 A

  According to the methods described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, it is possible to determine in a short time whether or not there is a defect in the vibration element or the like built in the ultrasonic probe. However, in the method of Patent Document 1, since a single ultrasonic transmission / reception is performed using many vibration elements in the same manner as a normal ultrasonic inspection, even if a defective portion is observed on image data, a defective vibration is generated. The channel corresponding to the element and the vibration element cannot be specified accurately.

  Further, the method of Patent Document 2 requires a test drive circuit having a function of independently driving each vibration element, and a test jig such as a test reflector and an ultrasonic propagation medium. It took a lot of time to prepare for this, and in particular, there was a problem that it was extremely difficult to efficiently inspect the ultrasonic probe in the hospital where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus was installed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and its purpose is to use the vibration element defect or the probe cable disconnection without using a complicated unit such as the above-described test-dedicated drive circuit. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a self-diagnosis function that can easily and accurately identify a contact failure of a probe connector.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention drives a plurality of vibration elements arranged in a head portion of an ultrasonic probe and has a plurality of channels obtained from the vibration element. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates image data based on a received signal, a first test signal having a predetermined amplitude, pulse width, and center frequency is supplied to each channel of the ultrasonic probe having the plurality of vibration elements. Based on the measured characteristic value, transmitting means for measuring, characteristic value measuring means for measuring the characteristic value of the second test signal formed in each channel of the ultrasonic probe based on the first test signal, and And a defect presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not there is a defect in each channel of the ultrasonic probe and identifying at least one of the defective portions.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the presence / absence of a defect with respect to an ultrasonic probe and identify a defect location without using a dedicated test unit having a complicated configuration. For this reason, the time required for the test of the ultrasonic probe is shortened, and the burden on the person in charge of the test is reduced.

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

  The transmission / reception unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention described below includes a pulse-like test signal (first test signal) in the resonance mode and the non-resonance mode for each channel of the ultrasonic probe having a plurality of vibration elements. ) Are sequentially transmitted at predetermined intervals, and the test signal synthesis unit of the ultrasonic probe synthesizes a test signal (second test signal) formed inside the ultrasonic probe based on the first test signal. A one-channel composite test signal is generated. Then, the test signal analysis unit of the diagnostic apparatus main body determines whether or not there is a defect with respect to the ultrasonic probe based on the amplitude value of the second test signal obtained by the separation process of the synthesized test signal supplied via the transmission / reception unit. Judgment and identification of defective parts are performed.

  In the following description, the supply of the first test signal whose center frequency is the frequency included in the resonance band of the resonator element is called a resonance mode, and the first frequency whose center frequency is out of the resonance band is the first frequency. The supply of the test signal is called a non-resonant mode.

(Device configuration)
The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an ultrasonic probe connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the diagnostic apparatus main body. It is a block diagram which shows the specific structure of the transmission / reception part and image data generation part which were provided. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a test signal analyzer provided in the diagnostic apparatus body.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a diagnostic apparatus main body 1 and an ultrasonic probe 3 that is used by being connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body 1.

  The diagnostic apparatus body 1 performs a test in a probe test mode for the purpose of determining the presence / absence of a defect with respect to a drive signal and an ultrasonic probe 3 in a diagnostic mode for the purpose of transmitting an ultrasonic pulse in a predetermined direction of the subject, and specifying a defective part. A signal (first test signal) is supplied to each channel of the ultrasonic probe 3 having a plurality (N) of vibration elements, and the phasing addition and Nth of the received signals of N channels obtained from these vibration elements are performed. The transmission / reception unit 2 that receives the second test signal of the N channel formed inside the ultrasonic probe 3 based on the test signal 1 and the signal processing of the received signal after the phasing addition are performed to obtain the image data. The ultrasonic probe 3 is analyzed by analyzing the second test signal obtained from the ultrasonic probe 3 via the transmission / reception unit 2 as a composite test signal. And a test signal analyzer 5 for specific determination or defective portion of the defective existence against.

  Further, the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 includes a display unit 6 for displaying image data supplied from the image data generation unit 4, an analysis result of the ultrasonic probe 3 supplied from the test signal analysis unit 5, and input of subject information. , Setting of image data generation conditions and display conditions, selection of diagnosis mode and probe test mode, and input of various command signals and the above-described units in the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 are integrated. The system control part 8 to control is provided.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic probe 3 includes a head portion 31 in which N vibration elements are arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, an N-channel resonance inductor (not shown), and a connection terminal that is detachable from the diagnostic apparatus main body 1. A connector unit 34 having a test signal synthesis unit 37 for synthesizing an N-channel test signal (second test signal) formed at a vibration element side terminal of the resonance inductor; and each of the vibration elements and the resonance An N-channel probe cable 33 is provided for connecting a vibration element side terminal of the inductor.

  Next, specific configurations of the transmission / reception unit 2, the ultrasonic probe 3, and the image data generation unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The transmission / reception unit 2 of the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG. 2 has N-channel drive signals, resonance modes, and N modes for the N vibration elements 32-1 to 32-N arranged in the head unit 31 of the ultrasonic probe 3. The transmitter 21 for supplying the test signal (first test signal) in the non-resonant mode and the N-channel received signals obtained from each of the vibration elements 32-1 to 32-N are phased and added, and The test signal synthesis unit 37 of the acoustic probe 3 receives the synthesized test signal generated by synthesizing the N-channel test signal (second test signal) in each of the resonance mode and the non-resonance mode via the signal switching unit 23. The receiving unit 22 includes the above-described signal switching unit 23 that switches between a reception signal supplied to a predetermined channel of the receiving unit 22 and a combined test signal in the resonance mode and the non-resonance mode. .

  The transmission unit 21 includes a rate pulse generator 211 that generates a rate pulse for determining the repetition period of the transmission ultrasonic wave, a delay time (focusing delay time) for focusing the transmission ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth, Transmission delay circuits 212-1 to 212 which give the rate pulse a delay time (deflection delay time) for transmitting the transmission ultrasonic wave in a predetermined direction, and further a delay time for the test signal (test delay time). Based on -N and the delay time of these rate pulses, the N-channel drive pulse in the diagnostic mode and the N-channel first test signal in the resonance mode and the non-resonance mode in the probe test mode are generated and incorporated in the ultrasonic probe 3 The driving circuits 213-1 to 213-N are supplied to the vibrating elements 32-1 to 32-N.

  FIG. 3 shows a first test signal output to each channel of the ultrasonic probe 3 from the drive circuits 213-1 to 213-N of the transmitter 21 in the probe test mode. -1 to 213-N include test signals Sri-1 to Sri-N which are first test signals and test signals Sai-1 to Sai-N which are second test signals. Time) is sequentially output at Δτ. For example, FIG. 3A shows the test signal Sri-1 output from the drive circuit 213-1 at the resonance mode t = t1, and FIG. 3B shows the test signal Sri-1 output from the drive circuit 213-2 at t = t2 = t1 + Δτ. The output test signal Sri-2 and FIG. 3C show the test signal Sri-3 output from the drive circuit 213-3 at t = t3 = t1 + 2Δτ, respectively, and FIG. , T = tN = t1 + (N−1) Δτ represents the test signal Sri-N output from the drive circuit 213-N.

  Similarly, the test signals Sai-1 to Sai-N are sequentially output from the drive circuits 213-1 to 213-N at time intervals Δτ at t = t1 to tN in the non-resonant mode.

  In the resonance mode, the test signals Sri-1 through Sri-1 through Sri-1 through the center frequency substantially equal to the frequency included in the resonance band of the transducers 32-1 through 32-N in the ultrasonic probe 3 (for example, the resonance frequency of the transducer 32). Sri-N is generated by the drive circuits 213-1 to 213-N, and in the non-resonant mode, the test signals Sai-1 to Sai-N having a frequency outside the resonance band as the center frequency are driven to the drive circuits 213-1 to 213-1. It is generated by 213-N and supplied to each channel of the ultrasonic probe 3.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the resonator elements 32-1 to 32-N arranged in the head portion 31 of the ultrasonic probe 3 are for resonance provided in the connector portion 34 via the probe cables 33-1 to 33-N. The other terminals of the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35 -N are connected to one terminal of the inductors 35-1 to 35 -N, and the diagnostic device main body is connected via the connection terminals 36-1 to 36 -N of the connector unit 34. 1 is connected to the output terminal of the transmission unit 21 and the input terminal of the reception unit 22.

  On the other hand, the test signal combining unit 37 provided in the connector unit 34 has, for example, N combining resistors 38-1 to 38-N, and one of the combining resistors 38-1 to 38-N. The terminals are connected to the vibration element side terminals of the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N, and the other terminals of the combining resistors 38-1 to 38-N are connected in common and provided in the transmission / reception unit 2 of the diagnostic apparatus body 1. Connected to the signal switching unit 23.

  In the probe test mode, the resonance mode test signal sequentially supplied from the transmission / reception unit 2 of the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 to the connection terminals 36-1 to 36-N in the connector unit 34 of the ultrasonic probe 3 at a time interval Δτ. Sri-1 to Sri-N and non-resonant mode test signals Sai-1 to Sai-N are supplied to the head unit 31 via the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N and the probe cables 33-1 to 33-N. It is supplied to the vibrating elements 32-1 to 33-N.

  At this time, resonance mode test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N (second test signals in the resonance mode) and non-resonance mode tests formed at the resonator element side terminals of the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N. Each of the signals Sax-1 to Sax-N (second test signal in the non-resonant mode) is synthesized by the synthesis resistors 38-1 to 38-N of the test signal synthesis unit 37 and is combined with one-channel synthesized test signals Sro and Sao is generated. That is, the test signal synthesis unit 37 causes the test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N in the resonance mode and the test signal Sax- in the non-resonance mode formed at the vibration element side terminals of the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N. As shown in FIG. 4, 1 to Sax-N are combined at intervals of Δτ to generate a combined test signal Sro and a combined test signal Sao.

  The vibration elements 32-1 to 32-N are electroacoustic conversion elements, and in the diagnosis mode, the electric pulse (drive signal) supplied from the transmission / reception unit 2 is converted into an ultrasonic pulse (transmission ultrasonic wave) to be examined. In the probe test mode, ultrasound is transmitted to and received from the subject, while the ultrasound reflected wave (received ultrasound) obtained from the body is converted into an electrical reception signal. Is not done.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the reception unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 2 receives the N-channel received signal supplied from the vibration elements 32-1 to 32-N of the ultrasonic probe 3 and the signal switching unit 23 from the test signal synthesis unit 37. A / D converters 221-1 to 221 -N for A / D converting the combined test signal Sro in the resonance mode and the combined test signal Sao in the non-resonant mode, which are supplied via the receiver, and the super-reception from a predetermined depth Reception delay circuits 222-1 through 222 for providing an A / D-converted N-channel reception signal with a delay time for focusing to focus sound waves and a deflection delay time for setting reception directivity with respect to a predetermined direction -N and an adder 223 that adds and synthesizes N-channel reception signals output from the reception delay circuit 222. The reception delay circuits 222-1 to 222-N and the adder 223 Received signal obtained from a predetermined direction of the subject is phasing addition.

  On the other hand, the signal switching unit 23 receives, for example, the reception signal supplied from the vibration element 32-N of the ultrasonic probe 3 in the diagnostic mode and the combined test signal Sro in the resonance mode supplied from the test signal combining unit 37 in the probe test mode. And switching to the non-resonant mode composite test signal Sao.

That is, the received signal of the Nth channel obtained from the vibrating element 22 -N of the ultrasonic probe 3 in the diagnostic mode is supplied to the A / D converter 221 -N via the signal switching unit 23, and the A / D converter 221. -1 to 221- (N-1) are phased and added to the reception signals of other channels supplied to the image data generation unit 4 and output. On the other hand, the resonance mode synthesis test signal Sro and the non-resonance mode synthesis test signal Sao supplied from the test signal synthesis unit 37 of the ultrasonic probe 3 in the probe test mode are supplied to the A / D converter via the signal switching unit 23. These composite test signals supplied to 221-N and A / D converted are output to the test signal analysis unit 5 via the reception delay circuit 222-N and the adder 223. Signal switching in this embodiment The unit 23 described the case of switching between the N-channel received signal supplied to the A / D converter 221 -N and the combined test signal Sro in the resonance mode and the combined test signal Sao in the non-resonant mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and switching between the received signal supplied to one of the A / D converters 221-1 to 221-N and the synthesized test signal is not necessary. It doesn't matter.

  Next, the image data generation unit 4 includes an envelope detector 41 that performs envelope detection on the reception signal after phasing addition that is output from the adder 223 in the reception unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 2, and reception that has been subjected to envelope detection. A logarithmic converter 42 for logarithmically converting the amplitude of the signal to generate B-mode data, and generating the image data (B-mode image data) by storing the obtained B-mode data corresponding to the transmission / reception direction of the ultrasonic waves An ultrasonic data storage unit 43 is provided. However, the envelope detector 41 and the logarithmic converter 42 may be configured by changing the order.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the test signal analysis unit 5 includes the test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N constituting the resonance mode combined test signal Sro output from the receiving unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 2 and the nonresonant mode combined test. Based on the amplitude values of the test signals Sax-1 to Sax-N constituting the signal Sao, the ultrasonic probe 3 has a function of determining whether or not there is a defect and specifying a defective portion.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the test signal analysis unit 5. The test signal analysis unit 5 includes a test signal separation unit 51, a characteristic value measurement unit 52, a measurement data storage unit 53, an average characteristic value. A calculation unit 54 and a defect presence / absence determination unit 55 are provided.

  The test signal separation unit 51 has a gate processing function, and is generated by the test signal synthesis unit 37 of the ultrasonic probe 3 and is supplied via the signal switching unit 23 and the reception unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 2 and the resonance mode synthesis test. The signal Sro and the non-resonant mode combined test signal Sao are separated into test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N in the resonance mode before the combination and test signals Sax-1 to Sax-N in the non-resonant mode by gate processing at intervals of Δτ. .

  That is, the resonance mode test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N and the non-resonance mode test signals Sax-1 to Sax-N are output from the test signal synthesis unit 37 of the ultrasonic probe 3 in one channel. It is synthesized into Sao and supplied to the diagnostic apparatus main body 1, and the original test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N and the test signals Sax-1 to Sax-N by the test signal separation unit 51 in the test signal analysis unit 5 of the diagnostic apparatus main body 1. Returned to

  On the other hand, the characteristic value measurement unit 52 uses the amplitudes of the resonance mode test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N and the non-resonance mode test signals Sax-1 to Sax-N separated by the test signal separation unit 51 as characteristic values. The measured characteristic value is stored in the measurement data storage unit 53 together with the channel information of the ultrasonic probe 3.

  Next, the average characteristic value calculation unit 54 includes an arithmetic circuit (not shown), and the resonance mode test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N and the non-resonance mode test signals Sax-1 to Sx read from the measurement data storage unit 53. An average characteristic value is calculated by averaging the characteristic values (amplitude values) of Sax-N. Then, an upper limit value and a lower limit value indicating the range of the normal characteristic value in the resonance mode and the non-resonance mode are set based on the average characteristic value and a preset characteristic value width.

  On the other hand, the defect presence / absence determination unit 55 includes the characteristic values of the resonance mode test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N and the non-resonance mode test signals Sax-1 to Sax-N stored in the measurement data storage unit 53 and their accompanying values. Each channel of the ultrasonic probe 3 is read by reading channel information which is information and comparing each of the characteristic values with the upper limit value and lower limit value of the average characteristic value or the normal characteristic value supplied from the average characteristic value calculation unit 54. (I.e., the vibration element 32 described later, the disconnection of the probe cable 33, and the presence or absence of contact failure in the connector 34) and the location of the defect are identified. The determination result and the defective part identification result are supplied to the display unit 6 together with the channel information.

  Next, the display unit 6 in FIG. 1 includes a display data generation unit 61, a data conversion unit 62, and a monitor 63. The display data generation unit 61 in the diagnosis mode generates diagnostic display data by superimposing incidental information such as subject information on the image data of the subject generated by the image data generation unit 4. Further, the display data generation unit 61 in the probe test mode receives the analysis results supplied from the test signal analysis unit 5 (that is, the resonance mode test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N and the non-resonance mode test signals Sax-1 to Display data for the probe test is generated in accordance with a predetermined display format based on the Sax-N amplitude value measurement result, the determination result of the presence / absence of the defect, the identification result of the defective portion, and the like. The data converter 62 performs D / A conversion and display format conversion on the display data to generate a video signal and display it on the monitor 63.

  On the other hand, the input unit 7 includes input devices such as a display panel, a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, a selection button, and an input button on the operation panel, and inputs object information, selection of a diagnostic mode and a probe test mode, and image data. Collection conditions and display conditions, and input of various command signals.

  The system control unit 8 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), and various information input / selected / set by the input unit 7 is stored in the storage circuit. Then, the CPU comprehensively controls each unit of the diagnostic apparatus main body 1 based on the above-described input information, selection information, and setting information, and generates and displays image data or analyzes and analysis results of the ultrasonic probe 3. Is displayed. In particular, in the probe test mode, the resonance mode and non-resonance mode test signals having a time difference of Δτ are sequentially supplied to each channel of the ultrasonic probe 3 so that the transmission delay circuits 212-1 to 212-1 through 21-2 of the transmission unit 21 are supplied. The delay time of 212 -N is controlled so that the resonance mode combined test signal Sro and the non-resonant mode combined test signal Sao supplied from the test signal combining unit 37 of the ultrasonic probe 3 are supplied to the receiving unit 22. The opening and closing of the signal switching unit 23 is controlled.

  Next, a test method of the ultrasonic probe 3 by the test signal analysis unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows main defective portions of the ultrasonic probe 3, and as described above, the vibration elements 32-1 to 32-N provided in the head portion 31 of the ultrasonic probe 3 are, for example, 2m-long probe cables 33-1 to 33-N are connected to one terminal of the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N in the connector 34, and the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N are connected. The other terminals of N are connected to the output terminals of the transmitter 21 and the input terminals of the receiver 22 via connection terminals 36-1 to 36-N of the connector section 34 and an N channel signal line (not shown).

  In this case, as a failure occurring in the ultrasonic probe 3 connected to the transmission / reception unit 2 of the diagnostic apparatus main body 1, (1) contact failure (open) in the connection terminals 36-1 to 36-N of the connector unit 34 (FIG. 6). (B)), (2) Disconnection (open) of the probe cables 33-1 to 33-N (FIG. 6C), (3) Defect (short circuit or open due to breakage) of the vibration elements 32-1 to 32-N (FIG. 6 (d)).

  In order to identify such a defective portion in the ultrasonic probe 3, the drive circuits 213-1 to 213-N of the transmission unit 21 in this embodiment are connected to the connection terminals 36-1 to 36-1 in the connector unit 34 of the ultrasonic probe 3. First, the resonance mode test signals Sri-1 to Sri-N are sequentially supplied to each of 36-N at a time interval Δτ, and then the non-resonance mode test signals Sai-1 to Sai-N are similarly processed. Supply.

  At this time, the resonance mode test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N and the non-resonance mode test signal Sax- formed at the vibration element side terminals of the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N in the connector 34 are used. 1 to Sax-N are supplied to the test signal synthesizer 37 and converted into the resonance mode synthesized drive signal Sro and the non-resonant mode synthesized drive signal Sao, and the test signal analysis is performed via the signal switching unit 23 and the receiver 22. Supplied to section 5.

  FIG. 7 shows resonance mode test signals Sri-1 to Sri-N and non-resonance mode test signals Sai-1 to Sai-N for the connection terminals 36-1 to 36-N in the connector section 34 of the ultrasonic probe 3. Is supplied, resonance mode test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N and non-resonance mode test signals Sax-1 to Sax formed at the resonator element side terminals of the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N. The waveform form (characteristics of the waveform) of -N is shown in the list.

  That is, in FIG. 7, when the ultrasonic probe 3 has no defective portion, the test signal Srx in the resonance mode has a larger amplitude and wave number (wave length) than the test signal Sri supplied to the connection terminal 36 of the connector unit 34. A resonance waveform is obtained, and the test signal Sax in the non-resonance mode is a non-resonance waveform having a shape substantially equal to the test signal Sai.

  On the other hand, when the disconnection occurs in the probe cable 33 of the ultrasonic probe 3, the test signal Srx in the resonance mode has a non-resonance waveform having a shape substantially equal to the test signal Sri, and the test signal Sax in the non-resonance mode is also the test signal Sai. The non-resonant waveform has a substantially equal shape.

  Further, when a contact failure occurs in the connection terminal 36 of the connector unit 34, the test signal Srx and the test signal Sax corresponding to the test signal Sri and the test signal Sai cannot be obtained in either the resonance mode or the non-resonance mode. When the vibration element 32 has a defect, the waveform forms of the test signal Srx and the test signal Sax depend on the defect state.

  And the test which received supply of the test signals Srx-1 thru | or Srx-N of the resonance mode and the non-resonance mode test signals Sax-1 thru | or Sax-N which have the characteristic which changes with the defect location of the ultrasonic probe 3 as mentioned above. The characteristic value measurement unit 52 of the signal analysis unit 5 measures the amplitude of these test signals as characteristic values, and the defect presence / absence determination unit 55 determines the obtained characteristic value and the average characteristic value or the upper limit value and lower limit value of the normal characteristic value. To determine whether or not there is a defect with respect to the ultrasonic probe 3 and to identify a defective portion.

(Ultrasonic probe test procedure)
Next, the test procedure of the ultrasonic probe in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When testing the ultrasonic probe 3, the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 selects a probe test mode at the input unit 7 (step S1 in FIG. 8). The system control unit 8 that has received this selection signal controls the transmission delay circuits 212-1 to 212-N and the drive circuits 213-1 to 213-N of the transmission unit 21 and supplies the rate supplied from the rate pulse generator 211. A predetermined test delay time is given to the pulse, and first test signals Sri (test signals Sri-1 to Sri-N) in the resonance mode are sequentially generated at a time interval Δτ based on the delay time of the rate pulse. Then, the generated first test signal Sri is supplied to each of the connection terminals 36-1 to 36-N in the connector section 34 of the ultrasonic probe 3 (step S2 in FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, the test signal synthesizing unit 37 provided in the connector unit 34 receives the second test signal Srx (test signal) in the resonance mode formed at the vibration element side terminals of the resonance inductors 35-1 to 35-N at this time. Srx-1 to Srx-N) are synthesized using the synthesizing resistors 38-1 to 38-N to generate a one-channel synthesized test signal Sro (step S3 in FIG. 8).

  Then, the test signal separation unit 51 of the test signal analysis unit 5 that has received the above-described synthesis test signal Sro via the signal switching unit 23 and the reception unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 2 receives the Δτ interval with respect to the resonance mode synthesis test signal Sro. And the second test signal Srx before synthesis is recollected (step S4 in FIG. 8), and the characteristic value measurement unit 52 uses the second test signal Srx obtained in the test signal separation unit 51. The amplitude is measured as a characteristic value (step S5 in FIG. 8).

  Next, the average characteristic value calculation unit 54 calculates an average characteristic value by averaging the characteristic values in the second test signals (Srx test signals Srx-1 to Srx-N) composed of N channels (FIG. 8). Further, the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the normal characteristic value in the resonance mode are set based on the average characteristic value and the preset characteristic value width (step S7 in FIG. 8).

  When the measurement of the characteristic value for the second test signal Srx in the resonance mode, the calculation of the average characteristic value, and the setting of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the normal characteristic value are completed, the system control unit 8 restarts each unit described above. Control to measure characteristic values for the second test signal Sax (test signals Sax-1 to Sax-N) in the non-resonant mode, calculate an average characteristic value, and set an upper limit value and a lower limit value of normal characteristic values ( (Steps S2 to S7 in FIG. 8).

  Next, the defect presence / absence determination unit 55 determines each of the characteristic values measured in the second test signal Srx in the resonance mode and the second test signal Sax in the non-resonance mode and the average characteristic value of the resonance mode and the non-resonance mode, or normal. By comparing the upper limit value and the lower limit value with respect to the characteristic value, the presence / absence of a defect in the ultrasonic probe 3 and the identification of the defective portion are performed (step S8 in FIG. 8).

  Then, the display data generation unit 61 of the display unit 6 measures the analysis values supplied from the test signal analysis unit 5 (that is, the characteristic values in the second test signal in the resonance mode and the second test signal in the non-resonance mode). Display data for the probe test is generated in a predetermined display format based on the result, the determination result of the presence / absence of the defect, the identification result of the defective portion, and the like. Then, the data converter 62 performs D / A conversion and display format conversion on the display data to generate a video signal and display it on the monitor 63 (step S9 in FIG. 8).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the presence / absence of a defect in the ultrasonic probe and identify the defect location without using a test-dedicated unit having a complicated configuration. For this reason, the time required for testing the ultrasonic probe is shortened, and the burden on the person in charge of the test is greatly reduced.

  Particularly, since the N-channel test signal supplied to the ultrasonic probe is synthesized by the test signal synthesis unit provided in the connector part of the ultrasonic probe and supplied to the test signal analysis unit of the diagnostic apparatus body, There is no need to add new multi-channel signal lines or input / output terminals to connect the acoustic probe and the diagnostic device.

  In the above-described embodiment, the presence / absence of a defect and the identification of a defective portion are performed based on the characteristic value of the test signal supplied to each channel of the ultrasonic probe. There is no need for a test jig such as a sound propagation medium. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe can be easily tested in facilities such as hospitals.

  Further, by using the resonance mode test signal and the non-resonance mode test signal, it is possible to accurately identify the defect of the vibration element, the disconnection of the probe cable, the contact failure of the connector portion, and the like.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, It can change and implement. For example, although the test signal analysis unit 5 in the above-described embodiment has described the case where the amplitude value of the test signal obtained from each channel of the ultrasonic probe 3 is measured as the characteristic value, the effective value and frequency characteristic of the test signal are described. Other characteristic values such as values may be measured.

  Further, the presence / absence of a defect and the identification of a defective portion are performed by comparing the characteristic value of the test signal obtained from the ultrasonic probe 3 with an average characteristic value or an upper limit value and a lower limit value of a normal characteristic value based on the average characteristic value. As described above, the presence / absence of a defect or the identification of a defective part may be determined by comparing the characteristic value of the test signal with a preset standard characteristic value, standard upper limit value, standard lower limit value, or the like. Furthermore, a median characteristic value (that is, a median value of characteristic values obtained from each of the N-channel test signals) may be used instead of the above average characteristic value.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the test signal synthesis unit 37 using the synthesis resistors 38-1 to 38-N is shown. However, the test signal synthesis unit 37 is not limited to this and is a normal adder having an amplification function. It does not matter. Further, although the image data generation unit 4 that generates B-mode image data has been described, the image data generation unit 4 may generate other image data such as color Doppler image data.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ultrasonic probe 3 for sector scanning is used has been described. However, the same test should be performed for an ultrasonic probe corresponding to other scanning such as linear scanning or convex scanning. Is possible.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the ultrasonic probe connected to the diagnostic apparatus main body of the Example, the transmission / reception part with which the said diagnostic apparatus main body was provided, and the image data generation part. The figure which shows the test signal (1st test signal) output with respect to each channel of an ultrasonic probe from the transmission part of the Example. The figure which shows the synthetic | combination test signal produced | generated in the test signal synthetic | combination part of the Example. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the test signal analysis part in the Example. The figure for demonstrating the defective location of the ultrasonic probe in the Example. The figure which displayed as a list the waveform form of the test signal (2nd test signal) obtained from the ultrasonic probe of the Example corresponding to the defective part. The flowchart which shows the test procedure of the ultrasonic probe in the Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Diagnostic apparatus main body 2 ... Transmission / reception part 21 ... Transmission part 211 ... Rate pulse generator 212-1 thru | or 212-N ... Transmission delay circuit 213-1 thru | or 213-n ... Drive circuit 22 ... Reception part 221-1 thru | or 221- N: A / D converters 222-1 to 222-N: reception delay circuit 223 ... adder 3 ... ultrasonic probe 31 ... head portion 32-1 to 32-N ... vibration element 33-1 to 33-N ... probe Cable 34... Connector section 35-1 to 35 -N Resonance inductor 36-1 to 36 -N Connection terminal 37 Test signal combining section 38-1 to 38 -N Synthesis resistor 4 Image data generating section 41 ... envelope detector 42 ... logarithmic converter 43 ... ultrasonic data storage unit 5 ... test signal analysis unit 51 ... test signal separation unit 52 ... characteristic value measurement unit 53 ... measurement data storage unit 54 ... average characteristic value calculation unit 55 ... Defective Determination unit 6 ... display 61 ... display data generation unit 62 ... data conversion unit 63 ... monitor 7 ... input section 8 ... system control unit 100 ... ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Claims (13)

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that drives a plurality of vibration elements arranged in a head portion of an ultrasonic probe and generates image data based on reception signals of a plurality of channels obtained from the vibration elements.
Transmitting means for supplying a first test signal having a predetermined amplitude, pulse width, and center frequency to each channel of the ultrasonic probe having the plurality of vibration elements;
Characteristic value measuring means for measuring a characteristic value of a second test signal formed in each channel of the ultrasonic probe based on the first test signal;
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, comprising: a defect presence / absence determination unit that performs at least one of determination of presence / absence of a defect in each channel of the ultrasonic probe and identification of a defect location based on the measured characteristic value.   The transmitting means receives at least one of a resonance mode test signal having a frequency included in the resonance band of the vibration element as a center frequency and a non-resonance mode test signal having a frequency not included in the resonance band as a center frequency. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first test signal is supplied to each channel of the ultrasonic probe.   A test signal synthesizing unit, wherein the test signal synthesizing unit is configured to provide each channel of the ultrasonic probe based on the first test signal sequentially supplied from the transmitting unit to each channel of the ultrasonic probe at predetermined time intervals. The second test signal formed in step (b) is combined to generate a combined test signal, and the characteristic value measuring unit measures the characteristic value in each of the second test signals constituting the combined test signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   Test signal separating means is provided, wherein the characteristic value measuring means measures the characteristic value in each of the second test signals separated by the test signal separating means by gating the synthesized test signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.   5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the test signal synthesizing unit is provided in the ultrasonic probe, and the test signal separating unit is provided in a diagnostic apparatus main body to which the ultrasonic probe is connected. .   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic value measuring unit measures at least one of an amplitude value, an effective value, and a frequency characteristic value in the second test signal.   The defect presence / absence determining means includes a characteristic value of the second test signal obtained from a predetermined channel of the ultrasonic probe and a standard upper limit value and a standard lower limit value indicating a preset standard characteristic value or normal characteristic value range. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of determination of presence / absence of a defect in the predetermined channel and identification of a defective portion is performed by comparing with the above.   Average characteristic value calculating means for calculating an average characteristic value or a central characteristic value for the second test signal obtained from each channel of the ultrasonic probe is provided, and the defect presence / absence determining means is a predetermined channel of the ultrasonic probe. Comparing the characteristic value of the second test signal obtained from the above and the average characteristic value or the central characteristic value to determine whether or not there is a defect in the predetermined channel and to specify a defective part. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   Calculation of an average characteristic value or a central characteristic value for the second test signal obtained from each channel of the ultrasonic probe, and an upper limit value and a lower limit value of normal characteristic values based on the average characteristic value or the central characteristic value Average characteristic value calculating means for performing setting, wherein the defect presence / absence determining means includes a characteristic value of the second test signal obtained from a predetermined channel of the ultrasonic probe, and an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the normal characteristic value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of determination of presence / absence of a defect in the predetermined channel and identification of a defective portion are performed by comparing.   The ultrasonic probe includes a connector portion having a plurality of channel connection terminals for connecting the ultrasonic probe and the diagnostic apparatus body, and a plurality of channel probe cables for connecting the connection terminals and the vibration element, Defect presence / absence determining means includes: a defect of the vibration element in the predetermined channel based on a characteristic value of the second test signal obtained from the predetermined channel of the ultrasonic probe; disconnection of the probe cable; and the connection terminal of the connector The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the contact failures is determined.   Display means, wherein the display means displays at least one of a characteristic value of the second test signal in each channel of the ultrasonic probe, a determination result of the presence / absence of the defect, and a determination result of the defective portion. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe includes the plurality of vibration elements arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally in the head unit.   The synthesized test signal generated by the test signal synthesizing means is sent to the test signal distributing means via the receiving means provided in the diagnostic apparatus body in order to perform phasing addition processing on the received signals of the plurality of channels. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is supplied.

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