JP2012245036A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe having proper transmission efficiency and excellent general-purpose properties.SOLUTION: A screen size selection unit 218 selects any one from among a plurality of kinds of screen sizes. A data thinning-out unit 209, a logarithmic transformation unit 210, a luminance conversion unit 211, a pixel interpolation unit 212, and an image memory 213 generate image data for displaying an ultrasonic diagnosis image of a screen size selected by the screen size selection unit 218, on the basis of a reception signal. A radio transmitter-receiver 216 transmits the image data generated by the data thinning-out unit 209, the logarithmic transformation unit 210, the luminance conversion unit 211, the pixel interpolation unit 212 and the image memory 213.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that wirelessly transmits ultrasonic data obtained by an ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body is known.

  In such an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, image data is generated based on the ultrasonic data received by the apparatus main body, and an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed based on this (for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP 2009-291515 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the amount of data to be transmitted is fixed according to the image display capability of the transmission destination apparatus main body, it is applied to other apparatuses. It was difficult to give the child versatility. That is, in the transmission destination apparatus main body, for example, image data having a screen size that matches the total number of pixels of the display apparatus is generated, but when the screen size of the image data generated in the transmission destination apparatus main body is small, Excess data was transmitted, and there was a problem that transmission efficiency was not good.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe having good transmission efficiency and excellent versatility.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an ultrasonic probe,
A transmission / reception unit that outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave toward the subject by a drive signal, receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject, and obtains a reception signal;
A screen size selection section for selecting one of a plurality of screen sizes;
An image generation unit that generates image data for displaying an ultrasound diagnostic image having a screen size selected by the screen size selection unit based on the received signal;
A transmission unit for transmitting the image data generated by the image generation unit;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 2 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1,
An error correction code generation unit for generating an error correction code corresponding to the image data;
A transmission data generation unit for generating transmission data for adding the error correction code generated by the error correction code generation unit to the image data and transmitting the image data by the transmission unit;
With
The error correction code generation unit determines a data size of an error correction code to be added to the image data based on a transmission rate of the transmission unit and a screen size selected by the screen size selection unit, and the determined data An error correction code having a size is generated.

The invention according to claim 3 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1,
An operation clock control unit for controlling the frequency of an operation clock signal supplied to at least a part of each unit constituting the ultrasonic probe;
The operation clock controller is
According to the screen size selected by the screen size selection unit, a driving time to be a predetermined driving frequency and a standby time to be a predetermined standby frequency that is lower than the driving frequency are determined, and according to the determination The frequency of the operation clock signal is controlled.

The invention according to claim 4 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1,
As a power source for operating each part of the ultrasonic probe, a battery,
A power control unit that controls supply of power to at least a part of each of the units constituting the ultrasonic probe from the battery;
With
The power control unit determines a power supply time for supplying power and a power supply time limit for limiting power supply in accordance with the screen size selected by the screen size selection unit, and determines the power supply according to the determination. It is characterized by controlling the supply.

The invention according to claim 5 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 4,
The screen size selection unit may select a screen size according to the remaining battery level.

Invention of Claim 6 in the ultrasonic probe as described in any one of Claims 1-4 WHEREIN:
Equipped with a selector switch that can be switched by the operator
The screen size selection unit selects a screen size according to an operation by the changeover switch.

The invention according to claim 7 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A battery is provided as a power source for operating each part of the ultrasonic probe,
The screen size selection unit may select a screen size according to the remaining battery level.

The invention according to claim 8 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The screen size selection unit selects a screen size according to a transmission state with an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body that is a transmission destination of the image data.

The invention according to claim 9 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A transmission signal receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body that is the transmission destination of the image data;
The screen size selection unit receives a screen size instruction signal indicating the screen size by the transmission signal receiving unit from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body, and the screen size corresponding to the received screen size instruction signal Is selected.

  According to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe having good transmission efficiency and excellent versatility can be obtained.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic probe in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the display size of LCD. It is a figure showing the relationship between a screen size and a required transmission rate. It is a figure explaining a radio | wireless communication system. It is a figure explaining the ratio of the data to transmit. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus main body. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the ultrasound probe in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the ratio of the data to transmit.

  Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, in the following description, what has the same function and structure attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus S according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 and an ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves (transmitted ultrasonic waves) to a subject such as a living body (not shown) and receives reflected waves (reflected ultrasonic waves: echoes) reflected by the subject. To do. The ultrasound probe 2 acquires a received signal that is an electrical signal from the received reflected ultrasound, and based on this, obtains ultrasound diagnostic image data for displaying an ultrasound diagnostic image of the internal state of the subject. Generate. The ultrasound probe 2 is configured to be able to transmit / receive data wirelessly to / from the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1. Note that any known wireless communication method can be employed. Detailed description of the wireless communication method will be described later. The ultrasonic probe 2 wirelessly transmits the ultrasonic diagnostic image data generated as described above to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1. The ultrasound probe 2 includes a change-over switch 21 that can be changed by an operator. The changeover switch 21 is, for example, a slide switch, but may be in any form as long as it can be changed by an operator, such as a limit switch and a toggle switch.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 images the internal state of the subject as an ultrasonic diagnostic image based on the ultrasonic diagnostic image data transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 and displays it on the display unit 107. is there. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 includes an operation input unit 108 and can wirelessly transmit information corresponding to the operation of the operation input unit 108 to the ultrasonic probe 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 2 includes, for example, a battery 201, a booster circuit 202, a transmission unit 203, a transducer 204, a reception unit 205, a phasing addition unit 206, and an envelope. Detection unit 207, sampling unit 208, data thinning unit 209, logarithmic conversion unit 210, luminance conversion unit 211, pixel interpolation unit 212, image memory 213, error correction code generation unit 214, and transmission data generation Unit 215, wireless transmission / reception unit 216, antenna 217, and screen size selection unit 218.

  The battery 201 supplies power to each part constituting the ultrasonic probe 2. The battery 201 is supplied with power by, for example, attaching the ultrasonic probe 2 to a holder (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1.

  The booster circuit 202 is a circuit for boosting the power supply voltage supplied from the battery 201 to a voltage of about 60 V to 150 V that can drive the ultrasonic probe 2 and supplying the boosted power to the transmission unit 203. is there.

  The transmission unit 203 is a circuit that supplies a drive signal, which is an electrical signal, to the vibrator 204 and causes the vibrator 204 to generate transmission ultrasonic waves. For example, the transducer 204 includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements and is arranged in a one-dimensional array, and each outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave, and then receives a reflected ultrasonic wave and outputs a reception signal to the reception unit 205. In the present embodiment, for example, 192 transducers 204 are arranged. Note that the transducers may be arranged in a two-dimensional array. Further, the number of vibrators can be arbitrarily set. In this embodiment, a linear electronic scan probe is used for the ultrasound probe 2, but either an electronic scanning method or a mechanical scanning method may be used, and a linear scanning method or a sector scanning method may be used. Alternatively, any method of the convex scanning method can be adopted. The transmission unit 203 includes, for example, a transmission BF (Beam Forming) control circuit, sets a transmission signal transmission timing for each individual path corresponding to each transducer, and drives the drive signal by the set delay time. The transmission beam constituted by transmission ultrasonic waves is focused by delaying the transmission of.

The receiving unit 205 includes an AMP (Amplifier) 205a and an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 205b. A plurality of receiving units 205 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of transducers.
The AMP 205a is a circuit for amplifying the received signal at a predetermined amplification factor set in advance for each individual path corresponding to each transducer. The ADC 205b samples the amplified received signal at a predetermined frequency (for example, 60 MHz), performs A / D conversion, and outputs the sampled signal.

  In the present embodiment, the booster circuit 202, the transmission unit 203, the vibrator 204, and the reception unit 205 configured as described above constitute a transmission / reception unit.

The phasing / adding unit 206 adjusts the time by giving a delay time for each individual path corresponding to each transducer to the reception signal A / D converted by the ADC 205b, and adds these (phasing addition). To generate and output sound ray data.
The envelope detector 207 performs full-wave rectification on the sound ray data output from the phasing adder 206 to obtain envelope data. The envelope detector 207 outputs the acquired envelope data to the sampling unit 208.
The sampling unit 208 performs decimation on the envelope data obtained by the envelope detection unit 207 to downsample. In the present embodiment, for example, the data rate of the envelope data is down-sampled to 1/8. The data rate after downsampling can be set arbitrarily. Further, downsampling may not be performed. The sampling unit 208 outputs the downsampled envelope data to the data thinning unit 209.

The data thinning unit 209 thins data in the distance direction (depth direction) of the envelope data in accordance with the screen size information from the screen size selection unit 218. That is, the data thinning-out unit 209 thins out the envelope data so that the sampling number corresponds to the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image to be displayed.
The logarithmic conversion unit 210 performs logarithmic amplification on the input envelope data. At this time, gain and dynamic range adjustment may be performed.
The luminance conversion unit 211 generates B-mode image data by performing amplitude / luminance conversion that quantizes the magnitude of the signal indicated by the logarithmically amplified envelope data into 256 gradations. In other words, the B-mode image data represents the intensity of the received signal by luminance.
The pixel interpolation unit 212 generates interpolation pixel data that is data of interpolation pixels arranged in the azimuth direction of the B-mode image data in accordance with the screen size information from the screen size selection unit 218. That is, the pixel interpolation unit 212 generates interpolation pixel data so that the number of pixels corresponds to the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image to be displayed.
The image memory 213 is configured by a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), for example, and stores the B-mode image data and the interpolated pixel data transmitted from the pixel interpolating unit 212 in units of frames. That is, the image memory 213 can store ultrasonic diagnostic image data configured in units of frames.
In the present embodiment, the data generation unit is configured by the data thinning unit 209, the logarithmic conversion unit 210, the luminance conversion unit 211, the pixel interpolation unit 212, and the image memory 213 configured as described above.

  The error correction code generation unit 214 reads out the ultrasonic diagnostic image data stored in the image memory 213 and generates an error correction code corresponding to this. The error correction code generation unit 214 outputs the generated error correction code to the transmission data generation unit 215. As the error correction code, known codes such as a Hamming code, a BCH code, and a Reed-Solomon code can be employed. In the present embodiment, the error correction code generation unit 214 includes the screen size information from the screen size selection unit 218 and the transmission rate of wireless transmission from the ultrasound probe 2 to the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1. Accordingly, the code length of the error correction code is varied. The code length of the error correction code may be constant. Further, the error correction code generation unit 214 may not be provided.

  The transmission data generation unit 215 adds the error correction code output from the error correction code generation unit 214 to the ultrasound diagnostic image data stored in the image memory 213, converts the ultrasonic correction image data into a predetermined transmission format, and generates transmission data To do. The transmission data generation unit 215 outputs the generated transmission data to the wireless transmission / reception unit 216.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 216 performs a predetermined modulation process on the transmission data output from the transmission data generation unit 215 and wirelessly transmits the transmission data to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1 via the antenna 217. The wireless transmission / reception unit 216 receives screen size instruction information and transmission state information, which will be described later, wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1 via the antenna 217, and demodulates the received information. The data is output to the screen size selection unit 218.

  The screen size selection unit 218 determines the screen size of the ultrasound diagnostic image in response to detection of a screen size switching condition described later. The screen size selection unit 218 outputs screen size information to the data thinning unit 209, the pixel interpolation unit 212, and the error correction code generation unit 214 to instruct the screen size. In the present embodiment, the screen size selection unit 218 includes, for example, XGA (eXtended Graphics Array), SXGA (Super eXtended Graphics Array), UGA (Ultra extended Graphics Array), WUXGA (Wide Ultra eXtended Graphics Array), and QXGA (Quad). -XGA) and WQXGA (Wide Quad-XGA), the screen size corresponding to any of the standards is determined.

Here, the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image will be described.
A display device on which an ultrasound diagnostic image is displayed is represented by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). As such LCD, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of types of standards having different total pixel numbers are known. In the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, among the standards shown in FIG. 3, LCDs such as SXGA and UGA capable of high resolution display are generally most commonly used, but in recent years, so-called high-end machines and premium machines are used. In high-performance ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses, LCDs such as QXGA and WQXGA that can perform ultra-high resolution display are used. On the other hand, in a so-called handy type ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus developed in consideration of portability, an apparatus having a smaller total number of pixels is used for miniaturization.

  The display capability of such an LCD is, for example, horizontal 1280 × vertical 1024 pixels in SXGA and horizontal 1600 × vertical 1200 pixels in UGA. However, in an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, a part of display area (for example, for example, In the 60% region), an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed. That is, the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image displayed on the display device depends on the standard of the display device.

  A conventional ultrasonic probe generates ultrasonic data such as a reception signal having a uniquely defined data size in accordance with the standard of a display device provided on the main body side of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. Since this is a configuration for wireless transmission, it is not compatible with other ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses and lacks versatility. That is, for example, an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed on a display device having a standard with a large total number of pixels, such as WQXGA, for an apparatus body of an ultrasonic image diagnostic device having a display device with a standard with a small total number of pixels, such as XGA. When ultrasonic data for display is wirelessly transmitted, the display capability on the apparatus main body side is insufficient, so that all of the transmitted data is not utilized and a loss occurs. On the other hand, for displaying an ultrasonic diagnostic image on a display device having a standard with a smaller total number of pixels with respect to an apparatus body of the ultrasonic image diagnostic device having a display device having a standard with a large total number of pixels. When ultrasonic data is wirelessly transmitted, the display capability on the apparatus main body side cannot be fully exhibited.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, since the ultrasonic diagnostic image data having the screen size determined by the screen size selection unit 218 can be generated, various ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatuses having different display device standards can be generated. It can be applied to a highly versatile ultrasonic probe. Here, it goes without saying that the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus displayed on the display device can be appropriately set as long as it does not exceed the display capability of the display device. It is also possible to vary the screen size according to the purpose of diagnosis.

  In this embodiment, only one of a plurality of screen size switching conditions to be described later is configured to selectively function. However, it is of course possible to function a plurality of screen size switching conditions. is there.

The screen size selection unit 218 is connected to the changeover switch 21. The changeover switch 21 outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the switch to the screen size selection unit 218. The screen size selection unit 218 can output the screen size information according to the input signal using the signal from the changeover switch 21 as a screen size switching condition.
Further, the screen size selection unit 218 can detect the remaining amount of the battery 201, and can use the remaining amount detection result as a screen size switching condition to instruct the screen size according to the remaining amount. For example, when the screen size selection unit 218 detects that the remaining amount of the battery 201 is 60% or less when generating ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the WUXGA standard, The data thinning unit 209, the pixel interpolation unit 212, and the error correction code generation unit 214 are instructed to generate ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard. For example, when the screen size selection unit 218 generates ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard, the screen size selection unit 218 detects that the remaining amount of the battery 201 is 40% or less. Instructs the data thinning unit 209, the pixel interpolation unit 212, and the error correction code generation unit 214 to generate ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the XGA standard. The screen size selection unit 218 performs control to change the screen size according to the remaining amount of the battery in this way, thereby reducing the processing load when generating the image data and suppressing the battery consumption. it can.

  In the present embodiment, since the ultrasound probe 2 is configured as described above, ultrasound diagnostic image data corresponding to the screen size determined by the screen size selection unit 218 is generated. The data thinning unit 209 and the pixel interpolation unit 212 are controlled. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the screen size determined by the screen size selection unit 218 is set to 60% of the total number of pixels of the display device standard. The data decimation unit 209 and the pixel interpolation unit 212 perform decimation of envelope data and generation of interpolation pixel data so that ultrasonic diagnostic image data having the set number of pixels is generated.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is wirelessly transmitted as described above. The size of the transmitted data differs depending on the screen size. Since an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is required to display an ultrasonic diagnostic image in real time, it is necessary to be able to switch and display images at a constant frame rate. Therefore, in order to wirelessly transmit ultrasonic diagnostic image data, it is necessary to ensure a certain transmission rate. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when transmitting ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size of 614 × 460 pixels corresponding to the XGA standard at 15 frames per second, ultrasonic waves are displayed in gray scale such as a B-mode image. When displaying a diagnostic image, it is necessary to secure at least a transmission rate of 33.8928 Mbps, and an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed with an RGB color image such as an image by a color flow mapping (CFM) method. In the case of display, it is necessary to secure a transmission rate of 101.6784 Mbps, which is three times that.

Here, a wireless communication method applicable in this embodiment will be described.
Conventionally, as a wireless communication method generally used in a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, there is the one shown in FIG. 5, but in recent years, the international standard “IEEE802.11n” has been improved. It has speed and is widely used. That is, according to the international standard “IEEE802.11n”, the transmission rate is theoretically sufficient to display a color ultrasonic diagnostic image having a screen size of 1152 × 720 pixels corresponding to the WUXGA standard in real time. I understand that.

  However, in actuality, when ultrasonic diagnostic image data is wirelessly transmitted, additional information including the above-described error correction code and probe ID for specifying the transmission source ultrasonic probe device is added. Therefore, according to the international standard “IEEE802.11n”, for example, it can be said that the transmission rate can be sufficient to appropriately display a color ultrasonic diagnostic image having a screen size corresponding to the UGA standard.

  By the way, as described above, in this embodiment, since ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a plurality of types of screen sizes is wirelessly transmitted, depending on the data to be transmitted, the transmission performance of the wireless communication method to be used may be redundant. is there. That is, in the international standard “IEEE802.11n” described above, when transmitting ultrasound diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the XGA standard or the SXGA standard, the transmission rate is too large for the size of the data to be transmitted. Become inefficient.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when transmitting ultrasonic diagnostic image data, the code length of the error correction code is varied so that there is no surplus in transmission performance, and efficient transmission is performed and displayed. When the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image is small, the code length of the error correction code is increased to improve the correction capability of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data.

  FIG. 6 shows a data ratio of transmission data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 in the present embodiment. Here, the wireless communication system to be used is the international standard “IEEE802.11n”. As shown in FIG. 6A, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard, the data size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is about 170 Mbit for a transmission rate of 300 Mbps. . Further, if the additional information of 10 Mbit is transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, the transmission rate of the international standard “IEEE802.11n” has a margin of about 120 Mbit per second. In this embodiment, therefore, an error correction code for about 120 Mbit per second is generated for ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted wirelessly, and is transmitted wirelessly together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data and additional information. The correction ability of diagnostic image data is improved. Here, the code length of the error correction code may be varied according to the transmission state.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the XGA standard, the data size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is about 101 Mbit for a transmission rate of 300 Mbps. It is. Further, if additional information of 10 Mbit is transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, there is a margin of about 189 Mbit per second at the transmission rate of the international standard “IEEE802.11n”. That is, as the screen size is reduced, a larger margin can be provided for wireless transmission. In this case, an error correction code for about 189 Mbit per second is generated for the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted wirelessly, and is transmitted wirelessly together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data and additional information, thereby obtaining the ultrasonic diagnostic image data. The correction ability is further improved.

  In recent years, as shown in FIG. 5, a wireless transmission technology using a 60 GHz frequency band, which is formulated by a WirelessHD Consortium, is known. This standard has a transmission rate of 4 Gbps in the first generation, and further has a transmission rate of 10 to 28 Gbps in the second generation. For example, in the first generation standard, even WQXGA color ultrasonic diagnostic image data can be wirelessly transmitted with a capacity of about 1/8, so that a very large margin can be provided for wireless transmission and the screen size is large. However, an error correction code having a sufficient code length can be added, and the correction capability of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data can be dramatically increased.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 includes, for example, a wireless transmission / reception unit 101, an antenna 102, an error rate detection unit 103, an error correction unit 104, a memory unit 105, a DSC (Digital Scan). Converter) 106, a display unit 107, an operation input unit 108, and a control unit 109.

The control unit 109 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and reads various processing programs such as a system program stored in the ROM to read the RAM. The operation of each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus S is centrally controlled according to the developed program.
The ROM is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores a system program corresponding to the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus S, various processing programs that can be executed on the system program, various data, and the like. These programs are stored in the form of computer-readable program code, and the CPU sequentially executes operations according to the program code.
The RAM forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU and data related to these programs.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 101 receives and demodulates transmission data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound probe 2 via the antenna 102 according to an instruction from the control unit 109. The wireless transmission / reception unit 101 outputs the demodulated transmission data to the error rate detection unit 103 and the error correction unit 104.

  The error rate detection unit 103 performs error rate detection processing for calculating the error rate of the transmission data for the transmission data output from the wireless transmission / reception unit 101. Here, the error rate is an index indicating how much data is wrong with respect to the transmission data when the transmission data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound probe 2 is received by the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1. It is. That is, it is a value indicating the ratio of erroneous transmission data during wireless transmission from the ultrasound probe 2 to the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1. The error rate detection unit 103 determines the transmission state between the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 and the ultrasonic probe 2 from the calculated error rate. For example, the transmission state is set in three stages. The error rate detection unit 103 outputs transmission state information indicating a transmission state determination result to the wireless transmission / reception unit 101. The wireless transmission / reception unit 101 performs a predetermined modulation process on the transmission state information from the error rate detection unit 103 and wirelessly transmits the information to the ultrasound probe 2 via the antenna 102. The ultrasound probe 2 uses the received transmission state information as a switching condition, and according to this, for example, if the information indicates that the transmission state is good, the screen size selection unit 218 causes the data thinning unit 209 to perform the switching. The pixel interpolation unit 212 and the error correction code generation unit 214 are instructed to set the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be generated to WUXGA. Further, if the ultrasound probe 2 is information indicating that the transmission state is not good, the screen size selection unit 218 causes the data thinning unit 209, the pixel interpolation unit 212, and the error correction code generation unit 214 to An instruction is given to set the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be generated to SXGA. In addition, if the ultrasound probe 2 is information indicating that the transmission state is inferior according to the received transmission state information, for example, the screen size selection unit 218 causes the data thinning unit 209 and the pixel interpolation unit to 212 and the error correction code generation unit 214 are instructed to set the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be generated to XGA. In this case, the screen size selection unit 218 may detect the remaining amount of the battery 201 described above, and may instruct the screen size according to the remaining amount.

The error correction unit 104 performs error correction processing on the transmission data output from the wireless transmission / reception unit 101. That is, the error correction unit 104 performs error correction processing according to the error correction code generated in the error correction code generation unit 214 of the ultrasound probe 2. Thereby, even when an error occurs in a part of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data included in the transmission data, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data can be restored within a range that can be corrected by the error correction code included in the transmission data. . The correctable range of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is determined by the code length of the error correction code, and the correctable range increases as the code length increases. Then, the error correction unit 104 extracts the ultrasonic diagnostic image data from the transmission data that has been subjected to the error correction process, and outputs it to the memory unit 105.
As a result of the error correction processing performed by the error correction unit 104, when the ultrasound diagnostic image data cannot be restored, for example, as the error processing, the ultrasound diagnostic image data is not restored in the memory unit 105 without being restored. You may make it output. Here, other forms of error processing may be used. For example, an error notification may be sent to the control unit 109 and the same image may be displayed on the display unit 107 until the error is resolved. Further, for example, a buffer may be provided in the error correction unit 104 to interpolate received ultrasonic diagnostic image data until the error is resolved, and output the interpolated data to the memory unit 105.
Further, when the ultrasound diagnostic image data cannot be restored, the display unit 107 may display a warning.

  The memory unit 105 is constituted by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM, and stores ultrasonic diagnostic image data transmitted from the error correction unit 104 in units of frames. The ultrasonic diagnostic image data stored in the memory unit 105 is output to the DSC 106 under the control of the control unit 109.

  The DSC 106 converts the ultrasonic diagnostic image data input from the memory unit 105 into an image signal based on a television signal scanning method, and outputs the image signal to the display unit 107.

  As the display unit 107, a display device such as an LCD, a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display, an organic EL (Electronic Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a plasma display is applicable. The display unit 107 displays an ultrasound diagnostic image on the display screen according to the image signal output from the DSC 106. Note that a printing device such as a printer may be applied instead of the display device.

  The operation input unit 108 includes, for example, various switches, buttons, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like for inputting data such as a command to start diagnosis and personal information of a subject, and the like. Output to the control unit 109. The user can select the screen size of ultrasonic diagnostic image data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 by operating the operation input unit 108. Regarding the selection of the screen size, for example, in addition to selecting the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image displayed on the display unit 107 in normal times, a specific screen size may be selected when the freeze button is operated. . Further, the screen size may be selected by selecting a diagnostic part. The control unit 109 instructs the wireless transmission / reception unit 101 according to the selection operation by the operation input unit 108, and displays screen size instruction information for instructing the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be wirelessly transmitted via the antenna 102. Wireless transmission to the ultrasound probe 2 is performed. The ultrasound probe 2 uses the received screen size instruction information as a switching condition, and instructs the data thinning unit 209, the pixel interpolation unit 212, and the error correction code generation unit 214 in accordance with the switching condition. be able to.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, during the surplus time that occurs after the transmission of ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size for wireless transmission is completed, the electric power for some or all of the respective parts constituting the ultrasonic probe is transmitted. Stop supplying. Alternatively, an operation clock signal supplied to some or all of the components constituting the ultrasound probe during the surplus time that occurs after transmission of screen-size ultrasound diagnostic image data for wireless transmission is completed. Is changed from a normal driving frequency to a standby frequency that is lower than the driving frequency. The second embodiment is configured as described above to reduce power consumption, suppress battery consumption, and enable the ultrasound probe to be used for a longer time.

  A specific configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1002 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the function structure similar to the ultrasound probe 2 in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The ultrasonic probe 1002 according to the second embodiment includes a voltage / operation clock control unit 219 that functions as a power control unit and an operation clock control unit. In the second embodiment, the screen size selection unit 218 does not output the screen size information to the error correction code generation unit 214 and outputs the screen size information to the voltage / operation clock control unit 219. . In the second embodiment, the error correction code generation unit 214 generates an error correction code having the same size as the data size of the ultrasound diagnostic image data regardless of the transmission rate.

  The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 restricts the supply of power to the components included in the control region 1002a or supplies the components included in the control region 1002a according to the screen size information from the screen size selection unit 218. The frequency of the operation clock signal is controlled. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 can select and implement one of restriction of power supply and control of the operation clock frequency. Instead of the voltage / operation clock control unit 219, only one of a power control unit that restricts power supply and an operation clock control unit that controls the operation clock frequency may be provided.

Here, an operation in the case where power supply is limited by the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 will be described.
The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 sets a power supply period and a power supply stop period for each component included in the control region 1002a in accordance with the screen size information from the screen size selection unit 218, and sets the power supply period In accordance with the power supply stop period, the supply of power to each component included in the control region 1002a is controlled. That is, when the screen size information is input from the screen size selection unit 218, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 receives ultrasonic diagnostic image data having the screen size indicated by the screen size information, an error correction code added thereto, and additional information. The period required for wireless transmission is specified. Based on this, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 sets a power supply period and a power supply stop period. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 performs power supply to the components included in the control region 1002a until the set power supply period elapses after the wireless transmission of transmission data is started. Thereafter, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 stops the power supply to the components included in the control region 1002a until the set power supply stop period elapses, that is, until the next transmission data is wirelessly transmitted. . This is because it is not necessary to operate at least a part of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1002 after wireless transmission of transmission data is completed. In such a case, the operation of each component is stopped. To save power. Note that the configuration that is the target of power supply control is not limited to that shown in the present embodiment, and can be set as necessary.

  Here, the setting of the power supply period and the power supply stop period will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a data ratio of transmission data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 1002 to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 in the second embodiment. Here, the wireless communication system to be used is the “Wireless HD” standard. Further, here, an error correction code having the same data size as that of ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be wirelessly transmitted is added.
As shown in FIG. 9 (A), when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the WQXGA standard, the data size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data and the error correction code for the transmission rate of 4 Gbps is as follows. Each is about 530 Mbit. Further, if additional information of 10 Mbit is transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, there is a margin of about 2.93 Gbit per second at the transmission rate of the “Wireless HD” standard. Therefore, in this embodiment, the time for transmitting the 2.93 Gbit is allocated to the power supply stop period, and power is supplied to each unit included in the control region 1002a constituting the ultrasound probe 1002 during the period. Implement restrictions.
Also, as shown in FIG. 9B, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the XGA standard, ultrasonic diagnostic image data and error correction code data for a transmission rate of 4 Gbps. Each size is about 100 Mbit. Further, if additional information of 10 Mbit is transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, there is a margin of about 3.79 Gbit per second at the transmission rate of the “Wireless HD” standard. That is, as the screen size is reduced, a larger margin can be provided for wireless transmission. In this case, the time for transmitting the 3.79 Gbit is allocated to the power supply stop period, and in this period, the supply of power to each unit included in the control region 1002a constituting the ultrasonic probe 1002 is limited. carry out.

Next, the operation when the voltage / operation clock controller 219 controls the operation clock frequency will be described.
The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 has a drive period in which the frequency of the operation clock supplied to each component included in the control region 1002a is a predetermined drive frequency in accordance with the screen size information from the screen size selection unit 218. A standby period that is a standby frequency that is lower than the drive frequency is set, and the frequency of the operation clock supplied to each component included in the control region 1002a is controlled in accordance with the set drive period and standby period. Specifically, for example, the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator can be realized by switching between a normal driving frequency dividing circuit and a standby frequency dividing circuit. The standby frequency is set to, for example, 1/2 to 1/8 of the drive frequency, but is not limited thereto. The drive period and the standby period are specified in the same manner as the above-described power supply period and power supply stop period. By configuring as described above, power saving can be achieved.

  As described above, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the booster circuit 202, the transmission unit 203, the transducer 204, and the reception unit 205 transmit ultrasonic waves toward the subject by the drive signal. And receiving a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject to obtain a received signal. The screen size selection unit 218 selects one of a plurality of types of screen sizes. The data thinning unit 209, the logarithmic conversion unit 210, the luminance conversion unit 211, the pixel interpolation unit 212, and the image memory 213 display an ultrasound diagnostic image having a screen size selected by the screen size selection unit 218 based on the received signal. Generate image data. The wireless transmission / reception unit 216 transmits image data generated by the data thinning unit 209, the logarithmic conversion unit 210, the luminance conversion unit 211, the pixel interpolation unit 212, and the image memory 213. As a result, it is possible to transmit image data with an appropriate screen size to the transmission destination apparatus body. For example, it can be applied to various ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses with different display device standards, and is versatile. It will be excellent. In addition, since it is not necessary to transmit image data having a size larger than the screen size required in the transmission destination apparatus body, it is possible to reduce transmission of excess data and improve transmission efficiency.

  Further, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the error correction code generation unit 214 generates an error correction code corresponding to the image data. The transmission data generation unit 215 adds the error correction code generated by the error correction code generation unit 214 to the image data and generates transmission data to be transmitted by the wireless transmission / reception unit 216. The error correction code generation unit 214 determines the data size of the error correction code to be added to the image data based on the transmission rate of the wireless transmission / reception unit 216 and the screen size selected by the screen size selection unit 218. The error correction code generation unit 214 generates an error correction code having the determined data size. As a result, since the transmission capability can be fully utilized, data can be transmitted efficiently. Further, when the size of the image data to be transmitted is small, a large number of error correction codes can be added, so that the image data correction capability can be improved.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 receives the operation clock signal supplied to at least a part of each unit constituting the ultrasound probe 1002. Control the frequency. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 performs a driving time with a predetermined driving frequency and a standby time with a predetermined standby frequency that is lower than the driving frequency in accordance with the screen size selected by the screen size selection unit 218. And decide. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 controls the frequency of the operation clock signal according to the determination. As a result, it is possible to suppress power consumption for each component configuration while image data is not transmitted, and to save power.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 supplies power from the battery 201 to at least a part of each unit constituting the ultrasonic probe 1002. Control. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 determines a power supply time for supplying power and a power supply limit time for limiting power supply according to the screen size selected by the screen size selection unit 218. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 controls the supply of power according to the determination. As a result, it is possible to suppress power consumption for each component configuration while image data is not transmitted, and to save power.

  In addition, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the screen size selection unit 218 selects the screen size according to the remaining amount of the battery 201. As a result, power consumption can be reduced by reducing the screen size and generating image data in response to, for example, the remaining battery level remaining low. To get.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the screen size selection unit 218 selects a screen size in accordance with an operation by the changeover switch 21. As a result, it is possible to switch the screen size according to the purpose of use of the user and transmit it, and it is excellent in usefulness.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the screen size selection unit 218 selects the screen size according to the transmission state with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1 that is the transmission destination of the image data. I do. As a result, it is possible to transmit image data with an appropriate screen size at a transmission rate suitable for the transmission state, improve the reliability of the transmitted data, and improve the data transmission efficiency. it can.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the wireless transmission / reception unit 216 receives a transmission signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1 that is a transmission destination of image data. The screen size selection unit 218 selects the screen size corresponding to the received screen size instruction signal when the wireless transmission / reception unit 216 receives a screen size instruction signal indicating the screen size from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1. I do. As a result, the image data can be transmitted by switching to a screen size according to the user's purpose of use and the specifications of the apparatus main body, which is excellent in usability or versatility.

  The description in the embodiment of the present invention is an example of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each functional unit constituting the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can be appropriately changed.

  In the present embodiment, for example, ID information that can specify the specifications of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is wirelessly transmitted to the ultrasonic probe, and a screen corresponding to the specifications of the apparatus specified by the ID information is used. You may comprise so that selection of a size may be performed.

  In this embodiment, the screen size may be selected according to the frequency of the ultrasonic wave to be transmitted.

  In this embodiment, image data in B mode is generated as ultrasonic diagnostic image data. However, image data in A mode and M mode may be generated, and image data is generated by Doppler method. It may be what you did.

  In this embodiment, transmission data is transmitted by wireless transmission between the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body and the ultrasonic probe. However, even in a mode in which transmission data is transmitted by wire. For example, the present invention is preferably applied to one that transmits data by serial transmission.

S ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2 ultrasonic probe 21 changeover switch 201 battery 202 booster circuit 203 transmission unit 204 transducer 205 reception unit 209 data thinning unit 210 logarithmic conversion unit 211 luminance conversion unit 212 pixel Interpolation unit 213 Image memory 214 Error correction code generation unit 215 Transmission data generation unit 216 Wireless transmission / reception unit 218 Screen size selection unit 219 Voltage / operation clock control unit 1002 Ultrasonic probe

Claims (9)

A transmission / reception unit that outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave toward the subject by a drive signal, receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject, and obtains a reception signal;
A screen size selection section for selecting one of a plurality of screen sizes;
An image generation unit that generates image data for displaying an ultrasound diagnostic image having a screen size selected by the screen size selection unit based on the received signal;
A transmission unit for transmitting the image data generated by the image generation unit;
An ultrasonic probe characterized by comprising: An error correction code generation unit for generating an error correction code corresponding to the image data;
A transmission data generation unit for generating transmission data for adding the error correction code generated by the error correction code generation unit to the image data and transmitting the image data by the transmission unit;
With
The error correction code generation unit determines a data size of an error correction code to be added to the image data based on a transmission rate of the transmission unit and a screen size selected by the screen size selection unit, and the determined data The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein an error correction code having a size is generated. An operation clock control unit for controlling the frequency of an operation clock signal supplied to at least a part of each unit constituting the ultrasonic probe;
The operation clock controller is
According to the screen size selected by the screen size selection unit, a driving time to be a predetermined driving frequency and a standby time to be a predetermined standby frequency that is lower than the driving frequency are determined, and according to the determination The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the operation clock signal is controlled. As a power source for operating each part of the ultrasonic probe, a battery,
A power control unit that controls supply of power to at least a part of each of the units constituting the ultrasonic probe from the battery;
With
The power control unit determines a power supply time for supplying power and a power supply time limit for limiting power supply in accordance with the screen size selected by the screen size selection unit, and determines the power supply according to the determination. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein supply is controlled.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, wherein the screen size selection unit selects a screen size according to a remaining amount of the battery. Equipped with a selector switch that can be switched by the operator
The ultrasound probe according to claim 1, wherein the screen size selection unit selects a screen size in accordance with an operation by the changeover switch. A battery is provided as a power source for operating each part of the ultrasonic probe,
The ultrasound probe according to claim 1, wherein the screen size selection unit selects a screen size according to a remaining amount of the battery.   The said screen size selection part performs selection of a screen size according to the transmission state with the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus main body which is the transmission destination of the said image data, It is any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The described ultrasonic probe. A transmission signal receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body that is the transmission destination of the image data;
The screen size selection unit receives a screen size instruction signal indicating the screen size by the transmission signal receiving unit from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body, and the screen size corresponding to the received screen size instruction signal The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the selection is performed.

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