JP2017121274A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic device using the ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe that achieves high picture quality, low power consumption, and area saving which generates less heat and imposes less burden on a patient by long time diagnosis, and an ultrasonic diagnostic device using the ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: In an ultrasonic probe equipped with a probe control circuit part and a plurality of subarrays connected to the probe control circuit part, the subarrays include a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators and element circuit units connected to the ultrasonic vibrators. The element circuit units include wave transmission circuit subunits 33 for outputting a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic vibrators. The wave transmission circuit subunits include amplification circuit parts 100, delay circuit parts, and determination circuit parts. The input of the amplification circuit parts is connected to the input of the delay circuit parts and the input of the determination circuit parts. The output of the delay circuit parts is connected to the input of the determination circuit parts, and the output of the determination circuit parts is connected to the amplification circuit parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the same.

  Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are widely used as apparatuses capable of easily and in real time observing the inside of a living body together with an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, and the like. Furthermore, in recent years, the application has been expanded from the conventional image diagnosis to the use of treatment support such as puncture observation and contrast medium observation. Against this background, the number of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses has increased compared to the conventional cases. There is a need for higher image quality. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a mode for transmitting a pulse wave to capture a tomographic image and a mode for transmitting a CW (Continuous Wave) wave for measuring blood flow.

  As a background art of this technical field, there is Patent Document 1. This publication describes a technique for transmitting an arbitrary waveform amplified with a predetermined amplification degree according to an input waveform using a linear amplifier circuit as a transmission circuit for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In addition, a technique for switching the gain of an amplifier circuit between a pulse wave and a CW wave is described.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for providing separate circuits for pulse waves and CW waves.

JP 2000-152930 A US Pat. No. 6,028,484

  Incidentally, there is a demand for higher image quality in ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses. For this reason, by providing a large number of transducers and an IC for driving the transducers in the ultrasonic probe that emits ultrasonic waves and increasing the number of transducers, it is possible to improve image quality, but power consumption is also increasing. In addition, when transmitting CW waves, increasing the bias current flowing through the amplifier circuit to reduce noise and improve image quality results in a further increase in power consumption. When the power consumption increases, the ultrasonic probe generates heat, and it may be necessary to interrupt the diagnosis to dissipate heat. As a result, there is a problem that the burden on patients and users increases.

  In Patent Document 1, the amplifier circuit is shared in a mode for transmitting a pulse wave and a CW wave. Although current other than the transmission period, which is a transmission period, can be suppressed, there is a problem in that it is difficult to further reduce power consumption because a bias current flows and the circuit operates during the transmission period.

  In Patent Document 2, although separate circuits can be provided for the pulse wave and the CW wave to reduce the power consumption, there is a problem that the circuit area increases compared to Patent Document 1.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe that solves the above-described problems of the prior art and achieves both high image quality, low power consumption, and area saving, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the same. .

  The present application includes a plurality of means for solving at least a part of the above-described problems. Examples of the means are as follows.

  In order to solve the above problem, an amplifier circuit, a delay circuit, and a determination circuit are provided, and an input of the amplifier circuit is connected to an input of the delay circuit and an input of the determination circuit, and the determination circuit is connected to the input signal of the amplifier circuit and the delay circuit. The value of the delayed signal is detected, the rising and falling edges of the input signal of the amplifier circuit are used as triggers, and the power of the amplifier circuit is turned on only for the period delayed by the delay circuit.

In another solution, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes an amplification circuit, a delay circuit, a determination circuit, and a switch,
The switch is connected in series between the input and the output of the amplifier circuit, the input of the amplifier circuit is connected to the input of the delay circuit and the input of the determination circuit, and the output of the delay circuit is connected to the determination circuit Connected to the input.

  That is, in order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, in an ultrasonic probe including a probe control circuit unit and a plurality of subarrays connected to the probe control circuit unit, the subarray includes an ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic transducer. A plurality of element circuit units connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and the element circuit unit has a transmission circuit subunit that outputs a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer, and the transmission circuit subunit is amplified. A circuit unit, a delay circuit unit, and a determination circuit unit, the input of the amplifier circuit unit is connected to the input of the delay circuit unit and the input of the determination circuit unit, the output of the delay circuit unit is connected to the input of the determination circuit unit; The output of the determination circuit unit was configured to be connected to the amplifier circuit unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to the present invention, in an ultrasonic probe including a probe control circuit unit and a plurality of subarrays connected to the probe control circuit unit, the subarray includes an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic transducer. A plurality of element circuit units connected to the sonic transducer, the element circuit unit having an amplification circuit unit, a control circuit unit, and a bias current application unit for applying a bias current to the amplification circuit unit, and a probe control circuit unit; When the drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer is switched between the pulse signal and the continuous wave signal, the bias current application unit is configured to switch the bias current applied to the amplifier circuit unit.

  Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, an apparatus main body including a main body interface unit, a control circuit unit, an input unit, and a monitor, a probe control circuit unit, and a plurality of units connected to the probe control circuit unit are provided. An ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic probe connected to the apparatus main body, the subarray of the ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic transducer and a plurality of element circuit units connected to the ultrasonic transducer The element circuit unit includes a transmission circuit subunit that outputs a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer, and the transmission circuit subunit includes an amplification circuit unit, a delay circuit unit, and a determination circuit unit. The input of the amplifier circuit unit is connected to the input of the delay circuit unit and the input of the determination circuit unit, the output of the delay circuit unit is connected to the input of the determination circuit unit, and the output of the determination circuit unit is the amplifier circuit And configured to connect to.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnosing device using the same, high image quality, low power consumption, and area saving can be established, and the burden of a patient or a user can be reduced.

  Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an element circuit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a transmission circuit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the noise (phase noise) contained in a transmission signal, and bias current. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power control circuit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a timing chart which showed an example of the operation timing of the transmission circuit of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment concerning Example 1 of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the transmission circuit of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the outline of the power control circuit of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is the timing chart which showed an example of the operation timing of the transmission circuit of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the outline of the transmission circuit of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is the timing chart which showed an example of the operation timing of the transmission circuit of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the setting mode and bias current value of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the diagnostic time of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on Example 5 of this invention, a bias current value, and a reference image. It is an example of the monitor screen which sets the diagnostic time of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on Example 6 of this invention.

  The present invention relates to an amplification circuit occupying a relatively large area in a transmission circuit of an ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a mode for transmitting a pulse wave to capture a tomographic image, and a CW wave for measuring blood flow. It is possible to share with the transmission mode, and the area to be occupied is reduced compared with the case of using different amplification circuits in the mode for transmitting the pulse wave and the mode for transmitting the CW wave. Is.

  In addition, the present invention rapidly charges the vibrator by switching the bias current applied to the amplifier circuit between a mode in which a pulse wave is transmitted to capture a tomographic image and a mode in which a CW wave for measuring blood flow is transmitted. A low noise signal can be output by enabling discharge.

  Furthermore, the present invention controls the charging / discharging time of the vibrator to regulate the time for applying the bias current, thereby realizing low power consumption.

  Below, the example which applied the amplifier circuit of this invention to the transmission circuit of the ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnosing device is demonstrated.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments below. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the specific configuration can be changed without departing from the spirit or the spirit of the present invention.

  In the structures of the invention described below, the same portions or portions having similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings, and description thereof is not repeated. When there are a plurality of parts having similar functions, a hyphen and a number may be attached to the same symbol for identification.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a main body apparatus 10 and an ultrasonic probe 21.

  The main body device 10 includes a main body IF (IF: InterFace) 11, a main body control circuit 12, a monitor 13, and input means 14. The main body IF 11 communicates signals for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves with the ultrasonic probe 21 with the ultrasonic probe 21.

  For example, the main body control circuit 12 temporarily stores a CPU (Central Processor Unit) 121 that performs overall control of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores programs executed by the CPU 121, and data to be processed. A storage device 122 such as a RAM for storage, a communication IF (IF: InterFace) device 123 for communicating with an external device (not shown), an image processing circuit 124 that performs image processing on a signal from the ultrasonic probe 21, and a super In order to control the acoustic probe 21, a communication unit 125 that communicates a control signal with the ultrasound probe 21 is provided.

  The monitor 13 is an output device such as a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 14 is an input device such as a button, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel.

  Although not shown, the main body device 10 has a power supply circuit and supplies power to each part of the main body device 10 and the ultrasonic probe 21.

  The main body device 10 has a structure that can freely move on the floor surface by, for example, a caster (not shown) attached to the bottom surface. In addition, it may be connected to the ultrasonic probe 21 in a form of a tablet terminal or a stationary type by a high-speed communication cable or wirelessly.

  The ultrasonic probe 21 includes a subarray 22 (22a, 22b, 22c...), A probe IF 25 (25a, 25b, 25c...), And a probe control circuit 26. There are a plurality of probe IFs 25 in the ultrasonic probe 21, which are connected to the plurality of subarrays 22, and communicate signals for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves between the main body IF 11 of the main body device 10 and the ultrasonic probe 21. The probe IF 25 includes, for example, a buffer circuit that does not distort the voltage waveform even through a communication cable between the main body IF 11. The probe control circuit 26 controls each part of the ultrasonic probe 21 based on a control signal from the main body control circuit 12 of the main body device 10.

  The subarray 22a includes a plurality of one-element circuits 23a, 23b, 23c,. The one-element circuits 23a, 23b, 23c... Transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The adding circuit 24 adds the ultrasonic signals received by the one-element circuits 23a, 23b, 23c,... Included in the subarray 22a, and outputs the result to the probe IF 25a. The same applies to the sub-arrays 22b, 22c.

  An example of a block diagram of the one-element circuit 23 is shown in FIG. 1 all have the same circuit configuration, and therefore, they are represented as a one-element circuit 23 as a representative in FIG. In the one-element circuit 23, an element circuit unit 30 and a vibrator 41 are paired. The element circuit unit 30 includes a reception circuit (Rx) 31, a delay control circuit (Delay Cont.) 32, and a transmission circuit (Tx ) 33.

  The delay control circuit 32 controls the output timing of the drive signal for driving the transducer 41 output from the wave transmission circuit 33 according to the control signal from the main body control circuit 12 of the main body device 10 via the probe control circuit 26. . For example, the delay control circuit 32 scans a plurality of ultrasonic focal points (points at which the ultrasonic signals become strong) output from the plurality of transducers 41 included in the plurality of subarrays 22. The output timing of the drive signal output by 33 is controlled. The delay control circuit 32 delays the reception signal of the reception circuit 34 so that an appropriate image of the target can be obtained from the plurality of reflected waves received by the plurality of transducers 41 included in the plurality of subarrays 22, for example. The timing of adding by the adding circuit 24 is controlled.

  Therefore, the image processing circuit 125 of the main body apparatus 10 can display the target ultrasonic image on the monitor 13 by performing signal processing so that the signal transmitted and received by the one-element circuit 23 can be displayed as an image.

  The transmission circuit 33 amplifies the signal output from the delay control circuit 32 and outputs a drive signal for driving the vibrator 41.

  The receiving circuit 31 amplifies the signal received by the vibrator 41 and outputs the amplified signal to the delay control circuit 32.

  The transducers 41 included in the one-element circuit 23 may be arranged in a 1D (Dimension) or 2D array, and may be connected to the transmission circuit 33 or the reception circuit 31 via an interposer or the like. It is possible to use a configuration in which the circuit is created and mounted on the same chip as the transmission circuit 33 and the reception circuit 31.

  The vibrator 41 is downsized in response to a demand for higher image quality, and the number thereof is increasing. Accordingly, the number of one-element circuits 23 reaches, for example, about 10,000. Therefore, it is important to reduce the size and power consumption of the one-element circuit 23.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the transmission circuit 33 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission circuit 33 includes an amplifier circuit 100, a resistor R1: 111, a resistor R2: 112, and a power control circuit 200.

  A non-inverting input terminal 101 of the amplifier circuit 100 is connected to a signal line inp: 121. The signal line inp: 121 is connected to the delay control circuit 32 via the input terminal 140, and is branched and connected to the power control circuit 200 via the signal line inp: 123. Therefore, the signal output from the delay control circuit 32 is input to the non-inverting input terminal 101 of the amplifier circuit 100 via the input terminal 140. The signal output from the delay control circuit 32 is, for example, a sine wave or a square wave.

  The inverting input terminal 102 of the amplifier circuit 100 is connected to the signal line 122. The signal line 122 is connected to a constant voltage source: 120 via a resistor R1: 111. Therefore, a constant voltage (common mode voltage Vcom) output from the constant voltage source 120 is input to the inverting input terminal 102 of the amplifier circuit 100 via the resistor R1: 111.

  The constant voltage source 120 can generate a common mode voltage Vcom from a power source by resistance voltage division, for example, and may supply the common voltage from the probe IF 25 or the probe control circuit 26. Alternatively, the common mode voltage Vcom may be a ground voltage (0 V) or may be supplied from the main body device 10. The amplifier circuit 100 amplifies the signal output from the delay control circuit 32 and input via the signal line 121 and outputs the amplified signal from the output terminal 130.

  An output from the output terminal 130 of the amplifier circuit 100 is connected to the vibrator 41. The amplifier circuit 100 receives and amplifies the signal output from the delay control circuit 32 from the input terminal 140 via the signal line 121, and outputs the amplified signal from the output terminal 130 to the vibrator 41 as a drive signal.

  A resistor R1: 111 is connected between the constant voltage source 120 that outputs the common mode voltage Vcom and the inverting input terminal 102 of the amplifier circuit 100. A resistor R2: 112 is connected between the inverting input terminal 102 of the amplifier circuit 100 and the output of the amplifier circuit 100. As a result, the DC (Direct Current) gain of the transmission circuit 33 is sufficiently larger than the ratio of “R2 / R1” because the entire transmission circuit 33 constitutes a non-inverting amplification circuit. Then, “1 + R2 / R1” is obtained.

  The amplifier circuit 100 is connected to the transmission on signal txon: 601 through the signal line 113 and further connected to the CW on signal cwon: 602 through the signal line 114. Further, the transmission on signal txon: 601 through the signal line 113 and the CW on signal cwon: 602 through the signal line 114 are input to the bias current circuit 150. An output from the bias current circuit 150 is input to the amplifier circuit 100 via the signal line 115.

  A transmission on signal txon: 601 that is input from the input terminal 142 and transmitted through the signal line 113 outputs an ultrasonic wave from the transducer 41 via the probe control circuit 26 in accordance with control from the CPU 121 of the main body device 10. A High state is output at the time of transmission. That is, the transmission on signal txon input from the input terminal 142 is a signal indicating that the element circuit unit 30 is in a transmission state (a state in which ultrasonic waves can be output from the transducer 41).

  On the other hand, a CW ON signal cwon: 602 that is input from the input terminal 141 and transmitted through the signal line 114 is transmitted through the probe control circuit 26 as a CW signal from the vibrator 41 in accordance with control from the CPU 121 of the main body device 10. When transmitting / receiving, High state is output. That is, the CW ON signal cwon: 602 input from the input terminal 141 is a signal indicating that the one-element circuit 23 is in the CW state.

  If the transmission on signal txon: 601 that is input from the input terminal 142 and transmitted through the signal line 113 is in the Low state, the amplifier circuit 100 is powered off and the signal out: 606 that is output from the output terminal 130 to the vibrator 41 is output. The level becomes the level of the common mode voltage Vcom.

  In addition, the bias current circuit 150 applies a bias to the amplifier circuit 100 when the power of the amplifier circuit 100 is on in accordance with the state of the CW on signal cwon: 602 that is input from the input terminal 141 and transmitted through the signal line 114. Change the current value. For example, if the CW ON signal cwon: 602 input from the input terminal 141 is in a high state, the bias current output from the bias current circuit 150 and applied to the amplifier circuit 100 via the signal line 115 is set to a value of ibcw: 6072. (See FIG. 6) If the CW on signal cwon: 602 is in the low state, the bias current: 607 is set to a value of ibbw: 6071 (see FIG. 6).

  In blood flow measurement when the one-element circuit 23 is in the CW state, there is a problem that a reflected wave due to a large-amplitude transmission signal reflected from a bone or the like is received simultaneously with a received signal that is a reflected wave from a blood cell. The reflected wave from the bone is much larger than the reflected wave from the blood cell, and the noise caused by the transmission signal included in the reflected wave is also large. Noise has frequency characteristics and is phase noise and overlaps with the frequency band of the reflected wave from the blood cell. For this reason, in blood flow measurement in which a CW wave is transmitted to the transducer 41, it is important to reduce noise included in the transmission signal in order to improve image quality.

  On the other hand, there is a relationship as shown in FIG. 4 between the noise (phase noise) included in the transmission signal and the bias current, and the phase noise decreases as the bias current increases. Therefore, the phase noise can be improved by increasing the bias current output from the bias current circuit 150 and applied to the amplifier circuit 100. Therefore, the setting value of the bias current by the bias current circuit 150 is set as ibcw> ibbb (see FIG. 6), and the CW ON signal cwon: 602 input from the terminal 141 transmits a pulse wave of the bias current in the CW state in the High state. By making it larger than the mode, image quality is improved when transmitting continuous waves in blood flow measurement.

  An output “decout” 605 of the power control circuit 200 is connected to the amplifier circuit 100 through a signal line 116. When the transmission ON signal txon: 601 input from the input terminal 142 and the CW ON signal cwon: 602 input from the input terminal 141 are both in a high state, the power on / off control of the amplifier circuit 100 is performed on the signal line 116. According to the value of the output Decout: 605 of the transmitted power control circuit 200.

  The amplifier circuit 100 outputs from the power control circuit 200 via the signal line 116 when the transmission on signal txon: 601 input from the terminal 142 and the CW on signal cwon: 602 input from the terminal 141 are both in a high state. ON / OFF of the power is controlled ignoring the value of the signal Decout: 605.

  The power control circuit 200 outputs a high state to the amplifier circuit 100 by a signal decay: 605 output via the signal line 116 for a certain time from the rise of the value of the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121, A High state is output to the amplifier circuit 100 by a signal Decout: 605 output via the signal line 116 for a certain period of time from the fall of the value of the signal inp: 603 flowing through 121. The Low state is output to the amplifier circuit 100 through the signal line Decout: 116 except for the predetermined time.

  Therefore, the amplifier circuit 100 is configured so that when both the transmission on signal txon: 601 input from the terminal 142 and the CW on signal cwon: 602 input from the terminal 141 are both in the high state, the rising of the signal flowing through the signal line inp: 121 Since the power is turned on for a certain period of falling and the power is turned off for a period other than the certain time, the power consumption of the amplifier circuit 100 can be reduced during the period when the power is turned off.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a block diagram of the power control circuit 200. The power control circuit 200 includes buffer circuits G1: 201, G2: 203, a delay circuit 210, and a determination circuit 220.

  As for the input of the power control circuit 200, a signal line 123 branched from the signal line 121 is connected to the buffer circuit G1: 201. The output of the buffer circuit G1: 201 is connected to the determination circuit 220 through two routes: a route via the delay circuit 210 and a route via the signal line 202.

  The delay circuit 210 includes a resistor R10: 211 and a capacitor C10: 212. The resistor R10: 211 and the capacitor C10: 212 are connected in series, one end of the resistor R10: 211 is connected to the output of the buffer circuit G1: 201, and the other end is connected to the buffer circuit G2: 203 and one end of the capacitor C10: 212. Is done. The other end of the capacitor C10: 212 is connected to the ground. The other end of the capacitor C10: 212 may be connected to a power source or a common mode Vcm other than the ground, or a node to which a constant voltage is supplied with a low impedance.

  The output of the buffer circuit G2: 203 is connected to the signal line 204. The signal line 202 and the signal line 204 are connected to an EXOR circuit G3: 221 in the determination circuit 220, respectively. The output of the EXOR circuit G3: 221 is connected to the signal line 116 as the output of the power control circuit 200, and is connected to the amplifier circuit 100.

  The buffer circuit G1: 201 receives the output signal from the delay control circuit 32 input from the terminal 140 via the signal line 123 branched from the signal line 121 with high impedance, and amplifies the signal to the power supply / ground level to obtain a digital value. Convert to Because of the high impedance input, the drive capability of the delay control circuit 32 is small, leading to low power consumption. The output signal of the delay control circuit 32 converted into a digital value by the buffer circuit G1: 201 is input to the delay circuit 210 as the same signal as the signal line 202. In the delay circuit 210, the charge / discharge voltage of the capacitor is determined by the time constant of the resistor R10: 211 and the capacitor C10: 212. That is, the output signal is delayed based on the time constant required for charging and discharging. The delayed output signal is converted into a digital value by the buffer circuit G2: 203.

  A signal inpd: 604 that is converted into a digital value and transmitted through the signal line 202 and a signal decin that is transmitted through the signal line 204 that is a delayed signal thereof are output by the EXOR circuit G3: 221 in the determination circuit 220 by the signal line 202. From the rising edge of the signal inpd: 604 transmitted until the rising edge of the signal decin transmitted on the signal line 204, the signal inpd: 604 transmitted on the signal line 202 is output from the falling edge of the signal inpd: 604. The High state is output until the fall of the signal decin transmitted on the line 204.

  FIG. 6 shows a timing chart of operations of the transmission circuit 33 and the power control circuit 200 at the time of transmission of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operations in the B mode for transmitting a pulse wave to capture a tomographic image and the CW mode for transmitting a CW wave and measuring blood flow will be described with reference to FIG.

  T1 is a B-mode transmission period for capturing a tomogram, T2 is a B-mode reception period and a blank period until the next transmission, and T3 is a CW mode period.

  In the B mode transmission period T1, the transmission on signal txon: 601 is in a high state, and the CW on signal cwon: 602 is in a low state. Since the transmission on signal txon: 601 is High, the bias current 607 generated by the bias current circuit 150 in the B mode flows to the amplifier circuit 100 as the current value ibbw6071, and the amplifier circuit 100 is turned on. A signal inp: 603 that is input from the delay control circuit 32 and flows through the signal line 121 is linearly amplified by the amplifier circuit 100 and output from the output terminal 130 to drive the vibrator 41.

  In a period T10 in which the level of the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121 changes, the signal inp flowing through the signal line 202 of the power control circuit 200 is input from the delay control circuit 32 to the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121. The digital conversion is performed with a delay.

  The value of the signal decout: 605 flowing through the signal line 116 is high for a certain period from the rising and falling of the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121 to the rising and falling of the signal inpd: 604 flowing through the signal line 202. It becomes a state. However, since the CW on signal cwon: 602 flowing through the signal line 114 is in a low state, the power on / off of the amplifier circuit 100 is not controlled by the value of the signal decay: 605 flowing through the signal line 116, and linear amplification Is possible.

  In the B mode reception period and the blank period T2 until the next transmission, since transmission is not performed, the transmission on signal txon: 601 is in a low state, and the amplifier circuit 100 is turned off without the bias current 607 flowing.

  In the CW mode period T3, because of the CW mode, the CW on signal cwon: 602 is in a high state and the transmission on signal txon: 601 is in a high state. The bias current flowing through the amplifier circuit 100 is set to ibcw: 6072 which is the setting of the CW mode.

  The power control circuit 200 outputs the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 123 input from the delay control circuit 32 via the terminal 140 and is output from the control circuit 200 and input to the amplifier 100 via the signal line 116. The output Decout: 605 is in the High state, the amplifier circuit 100 is turned on, and the waveform of the output out: 606 from the output terminal 130 of the amplifier circuit 100 rises. Thereafter, the signal inp: 604 flowing through the signal line 202 of the power control circuit 200 is delayed and digitally converted with respect to the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121 input from the delay control circuit 32.

  After a certain period T4 has elapsed until the signal inpd: 604 flowing through the signal line 202, which is a digital signal obtained by delaying the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121, rises, the output Decout: 605 of the control circuit 200 becomes a low state. The amplifier circuit 100 is turned off.

  Next, the power control circuit 200 causes the output Decout: 605 of the control circuit 200 to be in a high state at the fall of the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121 input from the delay control circuit 32, and the amplifier circuit 100 is turned on. The waveform of output out: 130 of the amplifier circuit 100 falls. The signal decout output from the output 116 of the control circuit 200 after a predetermined period T5 has elapsed until the signal inpd: 604 flowing through the signal line 202 that is a digital signal obtained by delaying the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 123 falls. : 605 is in a low state, and the amplifier circuit 100 is turned off.

  Therefore, the amplifier circuit 100 is turned on for a certain period T4 from the rising edge of the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121 input from the delay control circuit 32, is turned on for a certain period T5 from the falling edge, Since the power is turned off, the power consumption of the amplifier circuit 100 can be reduced.

  When the current value ibcw 6072 of the bias current 607 applied from the bias current circuit 150 to the amplifier circuit 100 is made larger than the current value ibbw: 6071 in the pulse wave measurement mode for improving the image quality in blood flow measurement, power consumption increases. However, since the amplifier circuit 100 is turned on only during a certain period from the falling and rising of the CW wave, power consumption can be reduced, and both high image quality and low power consumption can be achieved.

  In addition, since the power control circuit 200 can be composed of low-breakdown-voltage elements, the area is much smaller than that of the amplifier circuit 100, and the amplifier circuit 100 is shared in both modes for transmitting pulse waves and CW waves. Therefore, the area can be reduced as compared with the case of separately providing an amplifier circuit corresponding to each mode.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the signal decout: 605 flowing through the signal line 116 on the output side of the power control circuit 200 during the period T10 in the B-mode transmission period T1 for transmitting the pulse wave in FIG. It changed in accordance with the value of the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 121 which is 32 outputs. That is, during this time, the power control circuit 200 is operating and consumes power. The purpose of the second embodiment is to reduce power consumption in the B mode for transmitting a pulse wave.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a block diagram of the transmission circuit 33-1 in the second embodiment. A difference from the traveling wave circuit 33 in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3 is that a transmission on signal txon: 601 and a CW on signal cwon: 602 are input from the terminal 142 to the power control circuit 300, and the configuration of the power control circuit 300 is different. This is a difference from the power control circuit 200 described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a block diagram of the power control circuit 300 in the second embodiment. 5 differs from the power control circuit 200 described in FIG. 5 in that an AND circuit G10: 310 having a signal line 301 and a signal line 302 connected as inputs is added, and the buffer circuit G1: 201 of the first embodiment is different from the second embodiment. The AND circuit G11: 311 is provided, and one input of the AND circuit G11: 311 is connected to the output of the AND circuit G10: 310.

  That is, the signal inp: 603 that flows through the signal line 121 that is an output from the delay control circuit 32 is input from the terminal 142 and flows through the signal line 301 by the AND circuits G10: 310 and G11: 311. The CW ON signal cwon: 602 that is input from the terminal 141 and flows through the signal line 302 is converted into a digital high state only when both (simultaneously) are in the high state and is input to the delay circuit 210 and the determination circuit 220. In the other states, the digital value is converted to the Low state, and the signal inpd: 614 of the signal line 202 that is the output of the AND circuit G11: 311 is kept in the Low state. Therefore, when both the transmission on signal txon: 601 and the CW on signal cwon: 602 are both (simultaneously) other than the high state, the power control circuit 300 does not operate and the power consumption can be reduced in the B mode.

  FIG. 9 shows a timing chart of operations of the transmission circuit 33-1 and the power control circuit 300 at the time of transmission of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation in the B mode for transmitting a pulse wave and capturing a tomographic image and the CW mode for transmitting a CW wave and measuring blood flow will be described with reference to FIG.

  Outside the period T3, both the transmission on signal txon: 601 flowing through the signal line 301 and the CW on signal cwon: 602 flowing through the signal line 302 are not in the high state, and therefore the AND circuit G11: 311 at the input of the power control circuit 300 is The low state signal inpd: 614 is output to the signal line 202 regardless of the value of the signal inp: 603 flowing through the signal line 123. Therefore, the value of the signal “decout: 615” output from the EXOR circuit G3: 221 in the determination circuit 220 and flowing through the signal line 116-1 is also kept in the low state, and the delay circuit 210 and the determination circuit 220 of the power control circuit 300 operate. Without power consumption.

  The output out: 616 from the output terminal 130 of the amplifier circuit 100 and the bias current 617 applied from the bias current circuit 150 to the amplifier circuit 100 are the same as the output out: 606 and the bias current 607 described in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the power consumption of the amplifier circuit 100 can be reduced, and both high image quality and low power consumption can be achieved. In addition, since the amplifier circuit 100 can be shared by both modes for transmitting the pulse wave and the CW wave, the area can be reduced as compared with the case where the amplifier circuit is provided separately for each mode.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, there is a concern that the image is deteriorated because the ultrasonic signal is distorted due to a decrease in the transmission amplitude during the period when the power is turned off in the CW mode. For example, in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, consider the transmission amplitude between the period T4 and the period T5.

  The signal inp: 601 flowing through the signal line 121 is larger than the common mode voltage Vcom output from the constant voltage source 120, and it is necessary to output the high state amplitude to the vibrator 41. However, since the amplifier circuit 100 is off, the output of the amplifier circuit 100 is open and no current flows. Accordingly, the electric charge charged in the vibrator 41 is discharged to the constant voltage source 120 via the resistors R2: 112 and R1: 111. Accordingly, in the CW mode, the output amplitude decreases while the power is turned off.

  The object of the present embodiment is to prevent the amplitude from decreasing when the amplifier circuit 100 is powered off in the CW mode in which a continuous wave is transmitted.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a block diagram of the transmission circuit 33-2 in the third embodiment. The difference from the configuration of the transmission circuit 33-1 in the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7 is that a switch SW1: 117 is connected in series between the resistor R1: 111 and the resistor R2: 112.

  The switches SW1: 117 are controlled by a CW on signal cwon: 602 flowing through the signal line 115, and are opened when the CW on signal cwon: 602 is in a high state, and are closed when the CW on signal cwon: 602 is in a low state. It becomes a state. That is, in the CW mode in which the CW wave is transmitted, since the switch SW1: 117 is opened, the charge charged in the vibrator 41 can be almost eliminated from the charge discharged through the resistor R2: 112. It is possible to prevent the amplitude from decreasing when the power is turned off.

  FIG. 11 shows a timing chart of operations of the transmission circuit 33-2 and the power control circuit 300 at the time of transmission of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment, including the control timing of the switches SW1: 117. Hereinafter, the operation in the B mode in which a pulse wave is transmitted and a tomographic image is captured and the CW mode in which a CW wave is transmitted and blood flow measurement is performed will be described with reference to FIG.

  The switch SW1: 1101 indicating the state of the switch SW1: 117 is in the open state during the period T3 in which the CW on signal cwon: 602 is in the high state. In other periods, the CW on signal cwon: 602 is in a low state, and thus is in a closed state. Accordingly, in the CW mode for transmitting the CW wave, the switch SW1: 117 is opened, so that the charge charged in the vibrator 41 can be almost eliminated and the amplifier circuit can be eliminated. The power consumption can be reduced by 100 power off, and the amplitude can be prevented from decreasing.

  Although not shown, a capacitor may be connected in parallel with the resistor R2: 112. Thereby, the output of the amplifier circuit 200 or the amplifier circuit 300 can suppress unnecessary harmonics.

  The signal inpd: 624 that flows through the signal line 202 and the signal decout: 615 that flows through the signal line 116-1 are the same as those described in the second embodiment, and the output out: 626 from the output terminal 130 of the amplifier circuit 100 and the bias Since the bias current 627 applied from the current circuit 150 to the amplifier circuit 100 is the same as the output out: 606 and the bias current 607 described in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the power consumption of the amplifier circuit 100 can be reduced, and both high image quality and low power consumption can be achieved. In addition, since the amplifier circuit 100 can be shared by both modes for transmitting the pulse wave and the CW wave, the area can be reduced as compared with the case where the amplifier circuit is provided separately for each mode.

  In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the setting value of the bias current is handled as a value of ibcw: 6072 in the CW mode, but may be changed according to the user's request.

  FIG. 12 is a table showing the relationship between the bias current setting value 411 and the setting mode 412 desired by the user in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The table 410 is stored in a storage area inside the main body control circuit 12 and can be modified by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus manufacturer or the like.

  As described in the first embodiment, when the bias current is increased, noise is reduced and high image quality can be achieved. On the other hand, when the bias current is increased, power consumption increases and heat generation increases. For this reason, when making a diagnosis while obtaining a high-quality image, there is a possibility that the continuous diagnosis time must be shortened in order to dissipate the probe 21.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the bias current value 411 is set so that the settings A and B can be set by the main body control circuit 12 via the probe control circuit 26. The relationship between the setting A and the setting B is set B> setting A. When the setting mode 412 is the long-time setting mode 413, the setting A with a lower bias current is selected, and in the high image quality setting mode 414, the bias current is higher. Is set such that setting B with a higher value is selected. The user selects the long time setting mode 413 or the high image quality setting mode 414 via the input unit 14.

  By inputting the selection result to the main body control circuit 12, the table of FIG. 12 stored in the storage area inside the main body control circuit 12 is referred to, and the set value of the associated bias current is read, and the probe control is performed. Via the circuit 26, the setting value of the bias current of the amplifier circuit 100 inside each one-element circuit 23 is changed.

  Therefore, when it is desired to diagnose a patient for a long time, if the long-time setting mode 413 is set, the bias current is set low, resulting in low power consumption and low heat generation, and long-time imaging is possible. On the other hand, when it is difficult to diagnose with an unclear image, by selecting the high image quality setting mode 414, the bias current is set high, and as a result, the noise is reduced, thereby enabling high image quality imaging. That is, it is possible to select image quality priority or diagnosis time priority according to the user's request.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the bias current is associated with a predetermined setting mode and can be selected by the user. However, it is not intuitively known how much image quality can be obtained with respect to the diagnosis time, and in some cases, the user needs to check the image quality in each setting mode. The fifth embodiment has an object to provide means for allowing the user to intuitively set the continuous diagnosis time by outputting the relationship between the continuous diagnosis time and the image quality to the monitor 13.

  FIG. 13 is a table 550 showing the relationship between the continuous diagnosis time 551, the set value 552 of the bias current, and the obtained reference image 553. The table 550 is stored in a storage area inside the main body control circuit 12, and can be modified by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus manufacturer or the like.

  As described in the first embodiment, when the bias current is increased, noise is reduced and high image quality can be achieved. On the other hand, when the bias current is increased, power consumption increases and heat generation increases. For this reason, the continuous diagnosis time 551 may be shortened. Therefore, the set value 552 of the bias current can be set by the main body control circuit 12 via the settings A1, A2, A3 and the probe control circuit 26.

  The setting values 552, A2, and A3 of the bias current setting value 552 correspond to the continuous diagnosis time 551 of 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes, respectively. Set to A3. That is, the set value 552 of the bias current becomes smaller as the continuous diagnosis time 551 is longer. Further, it is assumed that the setting A1, the setting A2, and the setting A3 are associated with pic1, pic2, and pic3 of the reference image 553, respectively.

  The setting 552 of the bias current value is obtained and stored in advance in the table 550 of FIG. 13 from experiments and calculations as a value that makes the continuous diagnosis time 551 around 10, 20, and 30 minutes. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus manufacturer obtains and stores the images having the continuous diagnosis time 551 of about 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes in the table 550 of FIG. 13 from experiments and calculations.

  An example of the diagnosis time setting screen 510 output to the monitor 13 is displayed in FIG. The setting screen 510 includes a diagnosis time indicator 500, a diagnosis time set value 501, an image 502, an OK button 503, and a cancel button 504.

  The user sets, while confirming the diagnostic time range indicated by the diagnostic time indicator 500 displayed on the setting screen 510 of the monitor 13 and the diagnostic time set value 501 which is a desired diagnostic time via the input unit 14. . When the diagnosis time set value 501 changes, a reference image corresponding to the set diagnosis time is called from the table of FIG. 13 and output to the monitor 13 as an image image 502.

  When the diagnosis time set value 501 is not in the table 550 of FIG. 13, the corresponding value is obtained by complementary calculation from the values in the preceding and following tables. For example, when the diagnosis time set value 501 is 20 minutes, the table 550 in FIG. 13 uses the data for 10 minutes and 20 minutes to complement the corresponding values. For example, the corresponding reference image linearly complements each pixel between pic1 and pic2, calculates an image image 502 corresponding to 20 minutes, and outputs it to the monitor 13.

  Since the user can set the diagnosis time setting value 501 and the corresponding image 502 while confirming them simultaneously on the monitor 13, the continuous diagnosis time can be set intuitively. When the user wants to make a diagnosis by setting the diagnosis time setting value 501 and the corresponding image 502, the user selects the OK button 503 via the input unit 14 and determines the diagnosis time setting value 501.

  The main body control circuit 12 reads the value of the determined diagnosis time setting value 501 from the table 550 in FIG. If the diagnosis time set value 501 is not in the table 550 of FIG. 13, the corresponding value is obtained by complementary calculation from the values in the preceding and following tables. For example, when the diagnosis time set value 501 is 20 minutes, the table 550 in FIG. 13 uses the data for 10 minutes and 20 minutes to complement the corresponding values. For example, the corresponding bias current set value linearly complements the value between A1 and A2, calculates a bias current value corresponding to 20 minutes, and amplifies in the one-element circuit 23 via the probe control circuit 26. The bias current setting value of the circuit 100 is changed.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to discard the diagnostic time set value 501, the cancel button 504 is selected via the input unit 14, and the diagnostic time set value 501 is not changed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can set the continuous diagnosis time and the image quality while watching the monitor at the same time. Since the diagnosis can be performed, the burden on the user can be reduced.

  In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a means for allowing the user to intuitively set the continuous diagnosis time is provided. However, continuous diagnosis longer than the set time may be possible depending on the external temperature or the like. The purpose of the sixth embodiment is to provide optimal image quality in long-term diagnosis.

  FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1100 according to the sixth embodiment. The difference from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment is that a temperature sensor 27 is added and the temperature sensor 27 is connected to the probe control circuit 26-1.

  The temperature sensor 27 measures the temperature inside the ultrasonic probe 21-1 and outputs it to the probe control circuit 26-1. The probe control circuit 26-1 compares the current output value of the temperature sensor 27 with a preset value, and sets the amplifier circuit 100 in the one-element circuit 23 so as to lower the bias current when the temperature is high. . The amplifier circuit 100 in the one-element circuit 23 is set so as to increase the bias current when the temperature is low. If the bias current is increased, power consumption increases, so heat generation increases and noise decreases. On the other hand, if the bias current is lowered, power consumption is reduced, heat generation is lowered, and noise is increased.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature of the ultrasonic probe 21-1 is measured by the temperature sensor 27. When the temperature rises, the bias current is lowered, and when the temperature falls, the bias current is raised. Therefore, the bias current is controlled so that the temperature reaches a preset value even if the examination is performed for a long time, and an optimum image quality can be obtained.

  In the present invention, the amplifier circuit is described as being in the ultrasonic probe, but this is not restrictive. For example, the technique of the present invention can be similarly applied even when only the vibrator is placed in the ultrasonic probe. Also, in the B mode, when pulse amplification is performed without performing linear amplification, the amplifier circuit is turned on only for a certain period from the rise and fall of the output of the delay control circuit, as in the CW mode of the present invention. Low power consumption is possible. In this case, the power of the amplifier circuit may be changed to be turned on / off by the output signal of the power control circuit regardless of the CW on signal.

  As mentioned above, although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. Yes. That is, the present invention includes a configuration in which a part of the configuration described in the above embodiment is replaced with a unit having a function equivalent to that, or a configuration in which a part of a function that is not substantial is omitted.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main body apparatus 11 ... Main body IF 12 ... Main body control circuit 13 ... Monitor 14 ... Input means 21, 211-1 ... Ultrasonic probe 22 ... Subarray 23 ... One element circuit 24 ... Adder circuit 25 ... Probe IF 26, 26-1 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Probe control circuit 30 ... Element circuit part 31 ... Reception circuit 32 ... Delay control circuit 33, 33-1, 33-2 ... Transmission circuit 41 ... Vibrator 100 ... Amplification circuit 111 ... Resistance R1 112 ... Resistance R2 117 ... Switch SW1 200, 300 ... power control circuit 210 ... delay circuit 220 ... determination circuit 1000, 1100 ... ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Claims (13)

A probe control circuit unit;
An ultrasonic probe comprising a plurality of subarrays connected to the probe control circuit unit,
The subarray includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and element circuit units connected to the ultrasonic transducers,
The element circuit unit has a transmission circuit subunit that outputs a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer,
The transmission circuit subunit includes an amplification circuit unit, a delay circuit unit, and a determination circuit unit,
The input of the amplifier circuit unit is connected to the input of the delay circuit unit and the input of the determination circuit unit,
The output of the delay circuit unit is connected to the input of the determination circuit unit,
The ultrasonic probe characterized in that the output of the determination circuit section is connected to the amplification circuit section.   2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the transmission circuit subunit further includes a bias current application unit that applies a bias current to the amplification circuit unit, and the element circuit subunit to the ultrasonic transducer. 3. An ultrasonic probe characterized in that the bias current applied to the amplifier circuit section is switched by the bias current application section between when a continuous wave is output as the drive signal and when a pulse wave is output.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein an output of the determination circuit unit is controlled according to an input signal of the amplification circuit unit and an output value of the delay circuit unit, and the output of the determination circuit unit The ultrasonic probe, wherein the amplification circuit section is turned off.   4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, further comprising a switch connected in series between an input and an output of the amplifier circuit, and a signal for transmitting a continuous wave from the element circuit unit to the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic probe characterized by receiving and opening the switch. A probe control circuit unit;
An ultrasonic probe comprising a plurality of subarrays connected to the probe control circuit unit,
The sub-array includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and element circuit units connected to the ultrasonic transducers,
The element circuit unit includes an amplification circuit unit, a control circuit unit, and a bias current application unit that applies a bias current to the amplification circuit unit,
When the drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer is switched between a pulse signal and a continuous wave signal in the probe control circuit unit, the bias current application unit switches a bias current applied to the amplification circuit unit. Ultrasonic probe characterized by.   6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein the bias current application unit applies a bias current value to be applied to the amplification circuit unit when a pulse signal is applied as a signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic probe characterized in that it is set to be smaller than a bias current value applied to the amplifying circuit section when a continuous wave signal is applied as a signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer.   The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein the control circuit unit of the element circuit unit is configured to output from the amplification circuit unit when a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer from the probe control circuit unit is a continuous wave signal. An ultrasonic probe that controls on and off of a signal output to the ultrasonic transducer.   6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein a switch is connected between the input side and the output side of the resistance element circuit.   6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, further comprising a temperature sensor connected to the probe control circuit, wherein the probe control circuit is configured to detect the bias based on temperature information inside the ultrasonic probe detected by the temperature sensor. An ultrasonic probe that controls a bias current applied from a current application unit to the amplification circuit unit. An apparatus main body including a main body interface unit, a control circuit unit, an input unit, and a monitor;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a probe control circuit unit; and a plurality of subarrays connected to the probe control circuit unit, and an ultrasonic probe connected to the apparatus body,
The sub-array of the ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and element circuit units connected to the ultrasonic transducer,
The element circuit unit has a transmission circuit subunit that outputs a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer,
The transmission circuit subunit includes an amplification circuit unit, a delay circuit unit, and a determination circuit unit,
The input of the amplifier circuit unit is connected to the input of the delay circuit unit and the input of the determination circuit unit,
The output of the delay circuit unit is connected to the input of the determination circuit unit,
An output of the determination circuit unit is connected to the amplification circuit unit.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the transmission circuit subunit further includes a bias current application unit that applies a bias current to the amplification circuit unit, and the ultrasonic transducer from the element circuit subunit An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the bias current applied to the amplifier circuit section is switched by the bias current application section between when a continuous wave is output as the drive signal and when a pulse wave is output.   11. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an input / output unit, wherein switching between bias currents applied to the amplification circuit unit is selected and set from conditions displayed on the input / output unit. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is performed by   11. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein input means for setting a time for performing ultrasonic diagnosis and reference image display means for displaying a reference image corresponding to the time for performing ultrasonic diagnosis set by the input means. And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Images