JP2010279592A - Ultrasonic endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of acquiring an excellent ultrasonic image while suppressing the circuit size to small, and capable of capturing the image in a Doppler mode without stopping rotation of ultrasonic transducers. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus includes: a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged at least on a part of a circumference at prescribed pitch for transmitting ultrasonic beams according to a plurality of driving signals, receiving ultrasonic echoes and outputting a plurality of receiving signals; a driving part for rotating the plurality of ultrasonic transducers along the circumference; a driving signal generating part for generating a plurality of driving signals to be fed to part of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers so that the ultrasonic beams are transmitted by combining different ultrasonic transducers before/after the rotation of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers; and a signal processing means for generating image data representing information on the movement of an ultrasonic echo source based on the plurality of receiving signals output from at least part of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus that includes an ultrasonic endoscope used for in-vivo examination of upper digestive organs, bronchi and the like, and generates an ultrasonic image used for diagnosis.

  In the medical field, various imaging techniques have been developed in order to perform diagnosis by observing the inside of a subject. In particular, ultrasonic imaging that acquires internal information of a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves enables real-time image observation, and other medical applications such as X-ray photographs and RI (radio isotope) scintillation cameras. Unlike imaging technology, there is no radiation exposure. Therefore, ultrasonic imaging is used as a highly safe imaging technique in a wide range of fields including gynecological, circulatory, and digestive systems as well as fetal diagnosis in the obstetrics field.

  The principle of ultrasonic imaging is as follows. Ultrasound is reflected at the boundary between regions having different acoustic impedances, such as the boundary between structures in the subject. Therefore, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted into a subject such as a human body, an ultrasonic echo generated in the subject is received, and a reflection position and a reflection intensity at which the ultrasonic echo is generated are obtained. The contour of an existing structure (for example, a viscera or a diseased tissue) can be extracted.

  In general, in an apparatus for ultrasonic imaging, an ultrasonic probe (probe) including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (vibrators) having an ultrasonic transmission / reception function is used. In recent years, an ultrasonic endoscope that is used by being inserted into a body cavity of a patient has been developed as a kind of ultrasonic probe. In general, an ultrasonic endoscope employs a mechanical radial scanning method that performs scanning with a viewing angle of 360 ° by mechanically rotating an ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. There has also been proposed an electronic radial scanning method in which a large number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged along the outer periphery of the ultrasonic endoscope and scanning with a viewing angle of 360 ° is performed by electronic scanning.

As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses that in an ultrasonic endoscope adopting a mechanical radial scanning method, rotation of an ultrasonic transducer is temporarily stopped in order to perform Doppler mode imaging, and the same during this stop period. It is disclosed to form a directional ultrasonic beam twice.
FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of a drive signal to an ultrasonic transducer and a motor control signal to a drive motor in a conventional ultrasonic endoscope apparatus. As shown in FIG. 4, in the conventional ultrasonic endoscope apparatus shown in Patent Document 1, every time the ultrasonic transducer is continuously driven twice, a motor control signal is output only once. While the ultrasonic beam in the same direction is formed twice, the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer is stopped.
However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 rotates a single-element ultrasonic transducer, the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer is stopped for Doppler mode imaging, or the directivity characteristics of the ultrasonic beam are controlled. It is difficult to obtain a good ultrasonic image. On the other hand, in the electronic radial scanning system using a large number of ultrasonic transducers, it is necessary to arrange a large number of ultrasonic transducers along the outer periphery of the ultrasonic endoscope in order to obtain a good image, and the circuit scale is large. There is a problem of becoming.

JP 2003-180689 A

  Therefore, in view of the above points, the present invention provides an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus capable of obtaining a good ultrasonic image and reducing the circuit scale to a small size without stopping the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer. The purpose is to enable imaging.

  In order to solve the above problem, an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is arranged at a predetermined arrangement pitch on at least a part of a circumference, and transmits an ultrasonic beam according to a plurality of drive signals. In addition, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers that receive ultrasonic echoes and output a plurality of received signals, a drive unit that rotates the plurality of ultrasonic transducers along the circumference, and before and after the rotation of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are different. A drive signal generator for generating a plurality of drive signals to be supplied to a part of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers so as to transmit an ultrasonic beam by a combination of the ultrasonic transducers; A signal that generates image data representing information related to movement of the ultrasonic echo source based on a plurality of received signals output from at least a part. Comprising a processing unit.

  According to the present invention, in an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted to a part of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers so that an ultrasonic beam is transmitted by a combination of different ultrasonic transducers before and after the rotation of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. Since a plurality of supplied drive signals are generated, it is possible to obtain a good ultrasonic image, reduce the circuit scale, and enable Doppler mode imaging without stopping the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer. it can.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of rotation of the transducer array and formation of an ultrasonic beam in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an example of a drive signal to an ultrasonic transducer and a motor control signal to a drive motor in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a time chart which shows an example of the drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer in the conventional ultrasonic endoscope apparatus, and the motor control signal to a drive motor.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the same component and description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic endoscope 1 and an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus main body 2 that is connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 1 and transmits and receives signals. Is done.

  The ultrasonic endoscope 1 includes a transducer array 10 including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, a drive motor 16 that rotationally drives the transducer array 10, and a rotation transmission cable 17 that transmits the rotational force of the drive motor 16 to the transducer array 10. And a protective cover 18 that covers the transducer array 10 and the rotation transmission cable 17, and a support portion 19 that supports the protective cover 18.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state of rotation of the transducer array and formation of an ultrasonic beam in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows the transducer array 10 shown in FIG. 1 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the ultrasonic endoscope 1. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers (also referred to as “elements”) 10a to 10j constituting the transducer array 10 transmit an ultrasonic wave based on a plurality of applied drive signals and receive a propagating ultrasonic echo. The received signal is output. The ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j are arranged at a predetermined arrangement pitch on at least a part of the circumference of the cylindrical backing material 9 in the ultrasonic endoscope. In FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducers 10 a to 10 j are arranged not only on the entire circumference but only on a part thereof, but a plurality of ultrasonic beams are sequentially formed while the transducer array 10 is rotated. By this, an ultrasonic beam can be transmitted in all directions.

  Each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 10 is represented by, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic represented by PZT (Pb (lead) zirconate titanate) or PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride). It is constituted by a vibrator in which electrodes are formed at both ends of a piezoelectric material (piezoelectric body) such as a polymer piezoelectric element.

  When a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of such a vibrator, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts. By this expansion and contraction, pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves are generated from the respective vibrators, and an ultrasonic beam is formed by synthesizing these ultrasonic waves. Each vibrator expands and contracts by receiving propagating ultrasonic waves and generates an electrical signal. These electrical signals are output as ultrasonic reception signals.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the drive motor 16 is a stepping motor capable of controlling the rotation speed and the stop position, and rotates the rotation transmission cable 17 according to the motor control signal supplied from the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus body 2. Thus, the transducer array 10 is rotated. The rotation transmission cable 17 includes a flexible shaft, and transmits the rotational force generated by the drive motor 16 to the transducer array 10. Further, the rotation transmission cable 17 transmits a drive signal generated in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus main body 2 to a plurality of ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 10, and a plurality of reception signals output from the ultrasonic transducer are ultrasonically transmitted. The data is transmitted to the endoscope apparatus body 2. One end of a protective cover 18 that covers and protects the transducer array 10 and the rotation transmission cable 17 is supported by a support portion 19, and the other end is inserted into the oral cavity of a patient as a subject.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which a wired signal is transmitted and received between the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus body and the ultrasonic endoscope 1 via a signal line. The signal may be transmitted / received. When wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals, a wireless transmitter / receiver is connected to a drive signal generating unit 14 and a received signal processing unit 21 of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus body, which will be described later, and the ultrasonic wave of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is also transmitted. A wireless transceiver is also connected to the transducer 10, and wireless signals are transmitted and received between these wireless transceivers. Radio waves, infrared rays, or the like can be used as the carrier wave of the wireless signal used here. Further, a control signal for the drive motor 16 is transmitted wirelessly from the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus main body. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a storage battery in the ultrasonic endoscope 1 in order to supply a sufficient voltage to the ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j.

  The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus main body 2 includes a scanning control unit 11, a transmission delay pattern storage unit 12, a transmission control unit 13, a drive signal generation unit 14, a motor control unit 15, a reception signal processing unit 21, a reception control unit 24, and reception. A delay pattern storage unit 25, an image generation unit 26, a D / A converter 27, a display unit 28, a control unit 29, a storage unit 30, and an operation unit 31 are provided. Here, the reception signal processing unit 21 to the image generation unit 26 constitute signal processing means for generating image data based on a plurality of reception signals output from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. In addition, the reception control unit 24 and the image generation unit 26 generate image data that distinguishes a moving object from a stationary object based on reception data of ultrasonic beams transmitted in the same direction before and after the rotation of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. It constitutes data generation means.

  The scanning control unit 11 sequentially sets the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam and the reception direction of the ultrasonic echo. The transmission delay pattern storage unit 12 stores a plurality of transmission delay patterns used when forming an ultrasonic beam. The transmission control unit 13 selects one transmission delay pattern from a plurality of transmission delay patterns stored in the transmission delay pattern storage unit 12 according to the transmission direction set in the scanning control unit 11, and transmits the transmission delay pattern. Based on the delay pattern, delay times given to the drive signals of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j are set. Alternatively, the transmission control unit 13 may set the delay time so that ultrasonic waves transmitted at a time from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j reach the entire imaging region of the subject.

  For example, the drive signal generation unit 14 includes a plurality of pulsers corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j. The drive signal generation unit 14 transmits the plurality of drive signals in the ultrasonic wave so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j form an ultrasonic beam according to the delay time set by the transmission control unit 13. A plurality of drive signals are supplied to the ultrasonic endoscope 1 so that the ultrasonic waves supplied to the endoscope 1 or transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j at a time reach the entire imaging region of the subject. .

The motor control unit 15 controls the rotation of the drive motor 16 according to the control signal from the control unit 29 so that the transducer array 10 rotates by a predetermined angle every time the transducer array 10 transmits an ultrasonic beam once. .
In imaging in the Doppler mode, which will be described later, the drive signal generation unit 14 changes the combination of the driven ultrasonic transducers 10 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the transducer array 10 for each rotation of the transducer array 10 by a predetermined angle by the drive motor 16. A drive signal is generated by shifting. Thereby, the transducer array 10 transmits an ultrasonic beam in the same direction as before rotation.

  The reception signal processing unit 21 includes a plurality of amplifiers (preamplifiers) 211a to 211j and a plurality of A / D converters 212a to 212j corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j. The reception signals output from the ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j are amplified by the corresponding amplifiers 211a to 211j, and the analog reception signals output from the amplifiers 211a to 211j are respectively corresponding A / D converters 212a. Are converted into digital received signals (received data). The A / D converters 212a to 212j output the reception data to the reception control unit 24.

  The reception delay pattern storage unit 25 stores a plurality of reception delay patterns used when a reception focus process is performed on a plurality of reception data output from the reception signal processing unit 21. The reception control unit 24 selects one reception delay pattern from a plurality of reception delay patterns stored in the reception delay pattern storage unit 25 based on the reception direction set in the scanning control unit 11, and receives the reception delay pattern. A reception focus process is performed by adding a delay to a plurality of reception data based on the delay pattern. By this reception focus processing, a sound ray signal in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed is formed.

  The image generation unit 26 generates an image signal related to the tissue in the subject based on the sound ray signal formed by the reception control unit 24. The image generation unit 26 includes an STC (sensitivity time control) unit 261, an envelope detection unit 262, a DSC (digital scan converter) 263, and a Doppler processing unit 264.

  The STC unit 261 performs attenuation correction with respect to the sound ray signal formed by the reception control unit 24 according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic wave. The envelope detection unit 262 generates a B-mode image signal representing the tomographic image information of the tissue in the subject by performing envelope detection processing or the like on the sound ray signal corrected in the STC unit 261. . The DSC 263 converts the B-mode image signal generated by the envelope detector 262 into an image signal according to a normal television signal scanning method (raster conversion), and performs necessary image processing such as gradation processing. An image signal for display is generated.

The Doppler processing unit 264 includes a waveform memory that stores the sound ray signal output from the reception control unit 24, and generates a Doppler mode image signal based on a plurality of sound ray signals in the same direction.
When generating a CF (color flow) mode image signal as a Doppler mode image signal, the Doppler processing unit 264 obtains autocorrelation of a plurality of sound ray signals in the same direction, thereby obtaining velocity distribution information of the echo source. Is calculated. The DSC 263 generates a CF mode image signal in which the velocity distribution information thus obtained is superimposed on the tomographic image information generated by the envelope detection unit 262.
When generating a PW (pulse wave) mode image signal as a Doppler mode image signal, the Doppler processing unit 264 performs FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) processing on a plurality of sound ray signals in the same direction. Thus, the frequency component is extracted, the moving speed of the echo source is calculated, and a PW mode image signal indicating the moving speed is generated.

  The D / A converter 27 converts the digital image signal output from the image generation unit 26 into an analog image signal. The display unit 28 includes a display device such as a CRT or LCD, for example, and displays a diagnostic image based on an analog image signal.

  The control unit 29 controls the scanning control unit 11, the image generation unit 26, and the like so as to execute an imaging operation for generating an ultrasonic image in accordance with an operation of the operator using the operation unit 31. In the embodiment, the scanning control unit 11, the transmission control unit 13, the reception control unit 24, the image generation unit 26, and the control unit 29 are configured by a CPU and software (program). You may comprise with a circuit. Software (program) is stored in the storage unit 30. As a recording medium in the storage unit 30, a flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like can be used in addition to the built-in hard disk.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j constituting the transducer array 10 are arranged on the arc at a predetermined arrangement pitch. In order to form an ultrasonic beam twice in the same direction while rotating the transducer array 10, an ultrasonic beam is formed by using a part of the plural ultrasonic transducers 10 a to 10 j, and the transducer array 10 is formed in a predetermined manner. After rotating the angle, an ultrasonic beam is formed using another part of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j. At this time, the ultrasonic transducer at a position shifted in the direction opposite to the rotation direction is driven by a predetermined angle by which the transducer array 10 is rotated. For example, when the transducer array 10 is rotated by a predetermined arrangement pitch (one element), the ultrasonic transducer at a position shifted by one element is driven. On the other hand, the ultrasonic transducer used for receiving the ultrasonic echo may be the same as or different from the ultrasonic transducer used for transmitting the ultrasonic beam. Further, reception signals output from all the ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10j may be used for generating an ultrasonic diagnostic image.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the transducer array 10 of this embodiment forms an ultrasonic beam a plurality of times while rotating in the direction of the arrow θ by the rotational force supplied from the drive motor 16. Each time, an ultrasonic echo is received and a reception signal is generated. Here, it is assumed that the first ultrasonic beam is formed in the direction A in the figure by driving the ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10h at the rotational position shown in FIG. When the transducer array 10 rotates by one element and reaches the rotational position shown in FIG. 2B, if the ultrasonic transducers 10b to 10i are driven, the second direction is the same as the A direction shown in FIG. A second ultrasonic beam can be formed. By driving in this way, it is not necessary to stop the rotation of the transducer array 10 while transmitting the ultrasonic beam a plurality of times in the same direction for Doppler mode imaging. When the transducer array 10 is further rotated by one element, if the ultrasonic transducers 10c to 10j are driven, a third ultrasonic beam may be formed in the same direction as the A direction shown in FIG. In the following, an example in which an ultrasonic beam is transmitted twice in the same direction will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a time chart showing an example of a drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer and a motor control signal to the drive motor in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, in the period 1A in which the transducer array 10 exists at a predetermined angular position, the drive signal generator 14 drives the ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10h once to thereby generate the first ultrasonic wave in a predetermined direction. Send the beam. Next, in the period 1B in which the motor control unit 15 generates a motor control signal and the transducer array 10 exists at an angular position rotated by one element, the drive signal generation unit 14 drives the ultrasonic transducers 10b to 10i once. As a result, the second ultrasonic beam is transmitted in the same direction as the first ultrasonic beam.

  The motor control unit 15 further generates a motor control signal, and the drive signal generation unit 14 drives the ultrasonic transducers 10a to 10h once in a period 2A in which the transducer array 10 exists at an angular position rotated by one element. As a result, the third ultrasonic beam can be transmitted in a predetermined direction different from the first and second ultrasonic beams. In the period 2B in which the motor control unit 15 further generates a motor control signal and the transducer array 10 exists at an angular position rotated by one element, the drive signal generation unit 14 drives the ultrasonic transducers 10b to 10i once. Thus, the fourth ultrasonic beam is transmitted in the same direction as the third ultrasonic beam.

  In the conventional electronic radial scanning method, an ultrasonic transducer is arranged on the outer periphery of the ultrasonic endoscope over all directions of the ultrasonic endoscope. In order to obtain a good ultrasonic image, for example, when the number of channels of the ultrasonic endoscope is 256 channels, 256 ultrasonic transducers are arranged in the ultrasonic endoscope and 256 coaxial cables are used. Therefore, it is necessary to connect to the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus main body. Furthermore, if the number of channels of the amplifier and A / D converter for processing the received signal in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus main body is 64, for example, a signal switcher (multiplexer: MUX) that selects signals at a ratio of 4: 1. Must be provided in the main body of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, a plurality of ultrasonic beams are transmitted in the same direction by transmitting ultrasonic beams by a combination of different ultrasonic transducers before and after the rotation of the ultrasonic transducers 10a, 10b,. Then, Doppler mode imaging is performed while rotating the ultrasonic transducer. In the present embodiment, since the ultrasonic transducers 10a, 10b,... Are rotated, it is not necessary to arrange the ultrasonic transducers over all directions of the ultrasonic endoscope 1, for example, 64 ultrasonic transducers are superposed. Even when they are arranged together on a part of the circumference surrounding the rotation axis of the sonic endoscope 1, a good ultrasonic image can be obtained in all directions. Therefore, the number of channels of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 and the number of coaxial cables can be reduced to 64, for example. Furthermore, if the number of channels of the reception signal processing unit 21 in the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus main body 2 is the same number (64) as the number of channels of the ultrasonic endoscope 1, the signal switcher (MUX) is unnecessary, and the same number Even if not, the scale of the signal switcher (MUX) can be reduced. Therefore, the circuit scale can be reduced by this embodiment.

  In the above-described example, the example in which the ultrasonic beam is formed once for each rotation angle corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the transducer array 10 has been described. The ultrasonic beam may be formed twice or more for each angle.

In the above-described example, the example in which the drive motor 15 is configured by a stepping motor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the drive motor 15 is configured by a continuous rotation motor and the transducer array 10 is continuously rotated. Also good.
In the above example, an example in which an ultrasonic beam is formed a plurality of times in the same direction to generate an image in the Doppler mode has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the time of ultrasonic reflection on a certain straight line is described. It is also possible to generate an image in M (Motion) mode in which changes are imaged.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus that includes an ultrasonic endoscope used for in-vivo examination of upper digestive organs, bronchi and the like, and generates an ultrasonic diagnostic image used for diagnosis. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic endoscope 2 Ultrasonic endoscope apparatus main body 9 Cylindrical backing material 10 Transducer array 10a-10j Ultrasonic transducer 11 Scan control part 12 Transmission delay pattern memory | storage part 13 Transmission control part 14 Drive signal generation part 15 Motor control Unit 16 drive motor 17 rotation transmission cable 18 protective cover 19 support unit 21 reception signal processing unit 211a to 211j amplifier 212a to 212j A / D converter 24 reception control unit 25 reception delay pattern storage unit 26 image generation unit 261 STC unit 262 envelope Line detector 263 DSC
H.264 Doppler processing unit 27 D / A converter 28 display unit 29 control unit 30 storage unit 31 operation unit

Claims (5)

A plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged at a predetermined arrangement pitch on at least a part of the circumference, transmitting ultrasonic beams according to a plurality of drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes and outputting a plurality of reception signals;
A drive unit that rotates the plurality of ultrasonic transducers along the circumference;
A drive signal for generating a plurality of drive signals supplied to a part of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers so as to transmit an ultrasonic beam by a combination of different ultrasonic transducers before and after the rotation of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers Generating part,
Signal processing means for generating image data representing information relating to movement of an ultrasonic echo source based on a plurality of received signals output from at least a part of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;
An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus comprising:   The drive signal generation unit generates a plurality of drive signals supplied to a part of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers so as to transmit an ultrasonic beam in the same direction before and after the rotation of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.   The drive signal generator includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers so that a combination of driven ultrasonic transducers is shifted by one for each rotation angle corresponding to the predetermined arrangement pitch of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of drive signals supplied to a part of the plurality of drive signals are generated. The signal processing means includes
A reception signal processing unit that generates reception data based on a plurality of reception signals output from at least some of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;
Image data generating means for generating image data representing information on the movement of the ultrasonic echo source based on the received data by the ultrasonic beam transmitted in the same direction before and after the rotation of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers;
The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged only on a part of the circumference.

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