JP3230428B2 - Ultrasound diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which receives an echo signal with a probe comprising a plurality of transducers and performs delay addition.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In transmission and reception of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a technique of obtaining high-quality images of a wide range of test sites by using a probe constituted by a plurality of transducers has been often used recently. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a linear scan of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a conventional example, which shows signal synthesis when echo signals are received by a plurality of transducers.

In FIG. 13, reference numerals 1 to 8 denote transducers which constitute a probe 18 for linear scanning. Reference numerals 191 to 198 denote variable delay lines connected to the respective vibrators, reference numeral 180 denotes an adder for adding delay signals from the respective delay lines, and reference numeral 100 denotes a reflector of a test site. Next, the operation will be described. The ultrasonic waves transmitted from the vibrators 1 to 8 have different distances from the reflector 100 to the respective vibrators 1 to 8 when the reflected signals from the reflector 100 are received by the respective vibrators. Therefore, a difference occurs in the arrival time of the signal from the reflector 100 to each of the transducers 1 to 8. This time difference is corrected by the variable delay lines 191 to 198 and added by the adder 180 to obtain one delayed addition output. This processing is hereinafter referred to as focusing.

[0004] By performing this focusing, the beam can be narrowed down finely, the resolution can be improved, the random noise can be reduced, and the S / N can be improved. An analog delay line is often used as a variable delay line, but recently a digital delay line combining an A / D converter and a digital memory has begun to be used. Switching of the delay time in the analog delay line is generally performed by switching the tap of the analog delay line with an intermediate tap with an analog switch.

[0005] In the linear scan, the beam is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the transducers. Therefore, since the delay times required for the vibrators located at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the aperture, that is, vibrators 1 and 8, 2 and 7, 3 and 6, 4 and 5 are equal, signals having the same delay times are added. , The number of variable delay lines can be reduced by half. This method is called fold over.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a fold-over of a linear scan of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a conventional example. Figure
In FIG. 14, reference numerals 1 to 8 denote transducers, which constitute a linear scanning probe 18. Reference numerals 191 to 194 denote variable delay lines, and reference numerals 180 to 184 denote adders, which add signals of the vibrators 1, 8, 2, 7, 3, 6, 4, and 5, respectively. Numeral 100 denotes a reflector at the test site.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a two-dimensional scan system of a linear scan of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Figure
In the figure, 1 to 16 are transducers for linear scanning
Make up 18. 21 to 28 are input 2: output 1 analog switches, 30 is input 8: output 4 crosspoint switches
(Hereinafter abbreviated as CPS) in the voltage-current converters 106 to 113
, Input 8: CPS 105 of output 4, and current-voltage converter 1
14 to 117. 50 is a delay addition unit.

Next, the operation of FIG. 15 will be described. The movement of the beam in the linear scan is performed by sequentially switching the transducers 1 to 16 to be selected by the analog switches 21 to 28. In FIG. 15, eight of the sixteen transducers 1 to 16 are selected, and analog switches 21 to 28 are selected.
Are set to the a side, the transducers 1 to 8 are selected, and the beam position is set to an intermediate position between the transducers 4 and 5. Next, when the analog switch 21 is connected to b, the vibrator 9 is selected instead of the vibrator 1, the apertures become vibrators 2 to 9, and the beam position moves between the vibrators 5 and 6. Similarly, by sequentially switching the analog switches 21 to 28, the beam position can be moved.

The signals selected by the analog switches 21 to 28 are input to the CPS unit 30. The CPS unit 30 performs fold-over of adding eight signals having passed through the analog switches 21 to 28 to each other with equal delay times and outputting four types of signals. The signal input to the CPS unit 30 is converted to a current signal by the voltage-current converters 106 to 113, added to the current by the connection of the CPS 105, converted to a voltage signal by the current-voltage converters 114 to 117, and output. You. The signal output from the CPS unit 30 is input to the delay addition unit 50, where the signal is delayed and output.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a conventional example of a linear scan master-slave system of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
3 shows an example of the configuration of a delay adder. In FIG. 16, reference numerals 1 to 16 denote transducers which constitute the linear scanning probe 18. 21 to 28 are input 2: output 1 analog switches, 30
Is an input 8: output 4 CPS unit having input terminals 31-38 and output terminals 41-44. Reference numeral 50 denotes a delay addition unit. The delay addition unit 50 includes a relatively short variable delay line 91 to 94, an input 4: output 5 CPS unit 60, and a relatively long fixed delay line 71 to 94.
74 and adders 76 to 79. This configuration,
For example, it is disclosed in JP-A-53-28989 and the like,
A method having a feature that the number of taps when using an analog delay line by switching the delay time by tap switching can be reduced, and is called a master-slave method. Also, 51 to 54 are input terminals of the delay addition unit 50, and the CPS unit 60 is 61
It has ~ 64 input terminals and 85 ~ 89 output terminals.

Next, the operation of FIG. 16 will be described. The movement of the beam and the fold-over are the same as those described in FIGS. 14 and 15. The four types of signals output from the output terminals 41 to 44 of the CPS unit 30 are
Are input to the input terminals 51-54.

For example, when the quantization delay unit is 10 nsec and the maximum delay amount is 300 nsec, the variable delay lines 91 to 94 have 10 nsec.
100nsec delay line with intermediate tap for each, fixed delay line 7
1 to 74 are delay lines of 100 nsec without an intermediate tap.For example, when the output signal of the output terminal 41 of the CPS unit 30 requires a delay amount of 230 nsec, a delay time of 30 nsec is selected by the short variable delay line 91. By connecting the input terminal 61 and the output terminal 87 by the CPS unit 60 and delaying each of the fixed delay lines 71 and 72 by 100 nsec, a total delay time of 230 nsec can be set.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conventional example of a sector scan of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which signals received from a plurality of transducers in a sector scan are synthesized. Figure
In 17, 1 to 8 are transducers for sector scan
Construct 17 Reference numerals 191 to 198 denote variable delay lines connected to the transducers 1 to 8, reference numeral 180 denotes an adder for adding the respective delay signals of the respective variable delay lines 191 to 198, and reference numeral 100 denotes a reflector at the portion to be measured.

Next, the operation of FIG. 17 will be described.
When the signals reflected by the vibrators 1 to 8 are received by the vibrators 1 to 8, the distances from the reflector 100 to the vibrators 1 to 8 are different. appear. This time difference is corrected by the variable delay lines 191 to 198 and added by the adder 180 to obtain one delayed addition output. In the sector scan, scanning is performed by freely changing the angle θ between the arrangement direction of the transducers and the beam. Therefore, the variable delay lines 191 to 198 have different values, unlike the case of the linear scan. Therefore, by controlling the delay time of the variable delay lines 191 to 198, the angle θ between the arrangement direction of the transducers and the beam can be variously changed. This processing is hereinafter referred to as deflection, and the angle θ between the array direction of the transducers and the beam is referred to as a deflection angle.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a two-dimensional sector scan of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In FIG. 18, reference numerals 1 to 8 denote transducers and a sector scan probe 17.
Is configured. 150 is a delay addition unit. Since all the transducers are always used in the sector scan,
Analog switch used in linear scan described in 16
The configuration does not require the 21 to 28 and the CPS unit 30. Further, in the sector scan, since scanning is performed by deflection, fold-over is impossible, and delay means for the number of vibrators must be provided. Further, in order to deflect the beam, the delay adding unit 150 needs a longer delay line than the linear scan.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a conventional example of a presuming delay system of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which realizes both a linear scan and a sector scan with one apparatus. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the sector scan probe 17 is connected to the connector 19.

In FIG. 19, a sector scanning probe 17 is provided.
Consists of vibrators 1 to 8. 21 to 28 are input 2: analog switches of output 1 for selecting signals of the vibrators 1 to 8;
1 to 84 are variable delay lines, 30 is 4 that has passed variable delay lines 81 to 84
A CPS unit that adds two of each of the eight output signals of the analog switch including two signals and outputs four types of signals;
Reference numeral 50 denotes a delay addition unit that delays each of the four signals by a necessary delay amount and adds them.

The above-described linear scan probe 18 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 can be connected to the connector 19. In the configuration for performing the linear scan, a probe for linear scan is connected to the connector, and the delay times of the variable delay lines 81 to 84 are set to zero. This has the same configuration as FIG.

The operation of FIG. 19 will be described. First, in the linear scan, the vibrators 1 to 8 are connected to the a-side of the analog switches 21 to 28, and the vibrators 9 to 16 shown in FIG. The delay times of the variable delay lines 81 to 84 are set to 0, and the same operation as in FIG. 15 is performed.

In the sector scan, one of two adjacent signals is selected to be input to the variable delay lines 81 to 84 by the analog switches 21 to 28, and the signal passing through the delay line and the signal passing through the delay line are selected. Signals that have not been added are added by the CPS unit 30. The variable delay lines 81 to 84 are used to correct a time difference between two signals.

When the beam direction is the direction of the arrow A, the signals are received at timings faster than those of the vibrator 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, and 8 than 7. At this time, the analog switches 21 to 28 select b, and the signals of the vibrators 1, 3, 5, and 7 are set to pass through the variable delay lines 81 to 84.
8484 are set to values for correcting the time in each of the two transducers.

When the beam direction is the direction of the arrow B, the analog switch 21 receives signals at timings faster than those of the vibrator 2, 4 than 3, 5 than 6, and 7 than 8.
24 select a, and analog switches 25-28 select b. The signals of the oscillators 2, 4, 5, and 7 are supplied to a variable delay line 81.
To 84, and the variable delay lines 81 to 84 are set to values for correcting the time in each of the two vibrators.

When the beam direction is the direction of arrow C, contrary to the direction of arrow A, the vibrator 1 moves from 2, 3 to 4, 5 from 6, 7
8 receives the signal at a faster timing, the analog switches 21 to 28 select a, and the oscillators 2, 4,
The signals 6 and 8 are set to pass through the variable delay lines 81 to 84, and the variable delay lines 81 to 84 are set to values for correcting the time in each of the two vibrators.

According to this method, the signals after the CPS unit 30 can be processed with half the number of received signals, many circuits can be shared with the linear scan fold-over method, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a small circuit scale is realized. it can.

[0025]

However, the number of switches of the CPS section for selecting the delay amount in the above-described delay addition section is required to be (number of input signals) × (number of delay lines + 1). In an actual device, the number of input signals is 32 to 64, and the number of delay lines is 5 μsec for the total delay time of the delay line and 50 n for the delay time interval.
sec is 100, and the number of switches in the CPS section is 3200 to
It will be huge at 6400.

When the master-slave method is used for the delay adder, the number of switches of the CPS section for selecting the fixed delay line is (number of input signals) × (number of fixed delay lines + 1). In an actual device, the number of input signals is 32 to 64, the number of fixed delay lines is about 10 to 30, and the number of switches of the CPS unit is 300 to 2
About 000.

As described above, the increase in the number of switches in the CPS section in the delay addition section has become a serious problem due to an increase in the amount of delay due to sector scanning.

On the other hand, in an apparatus using a fold-over method in a linear scan or an apparatus using a presuming delay method in which a linear scan and a sector scan are realized by one apparatus, a CPS unit is used for adding two signals. An object of the present invention is to reduce the physical quantity of the CPS unit of the delay adding unit by controlling the CPS unit.

[0029]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve this problem and to achieve the object, the present invention realizes an apparatus using a fold-over method in a linear scan, and realizes a linear scan and a sector scan in one apparatus. In a device having a CPS section between a vibrator and a delay adding section, such as an apparatus using a presuming delay method, a received signal is delayed using a CPS section in the order of delay time required for the signal. It is something to rearrange. Accordingly, in a device using a CPS unit for selecting a delay time or a delay / slave unit of the master-slave method in the delay / addition unit, the physical quantity of the CPS unit for selecting a fixed delay line can be reduced.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 of the present invention (Claim 1)
The CPS unit which inputs and adds the output signals of the transducers requiring the same delay time in the linear scan, and rearranges the order of the delay time required for the received signal when the signal is delayed and added by the CPS unit. CP for selecting the delay time, in which the physical quantity of the adder is reduced.
This has the effect of reducing the physical quantity of the S section and the CPS section that selects the fixed delay line of the master-slave delay addition section.

The second embodiment (claim 2) of the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of performing both a linear scan and a sector scan, wherein an output signal of an oscillator which requires the same delay time in the linear scan is inputted. CP to perform addition
The S section rearranges the received signal in the order of the delay time required for the signal at the time of delay addition, thereby reducing the physical quantity of the delay addition section. The CPS section for selecting the delay time and the master section This has the effect that the physical quantity of the CPS section for selecting the fixed delay line of the delay type delay adding section can be reduced.

The third embodiment of the present invention is directed to a presuming delay type apparatus capable of performing both a linear scan and a sector scan in an output signal of a vibrator requiring the same delay time. Alternatively, the CPS section which inputs and adds the output signal of the variable delay line rearranges the received signal in the order of the delay time required for the signal at the time of delay addition, thereby reducing the physical quantity of the delay addition section. There is an effect that the physical quantity of the CPS unit for selecting the delay time and the CPS unit for selecting the fixed delay line of the master-slave delay addition unit can be reduced.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a delay adding section of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which is an embodiment of the present invention applied to a linear scan apparatus. It is.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1 to 16 denote transducers for converting echo signals into electric signals, and constitute a probe 18 for linear scanning. 21 to 28 are analog switches of input 2: output 1 for selecting oscillators 1 to 16, and 30 is input 8: output 4
Reference numerals 41 to 44 denote output terminals of the CPS unit 30. 260 constituting the delay addition unit 50 is a CPS unit, and 61 to 64 are CPS units.
Input terminals of the unit 260, 261 to 268 are output terminals of the CPS unit 260,
271 to 277 are delay lines, and 281 to 287 are adders. The delay adder 50 has input terminals 51 to 54.

FIG. 2 is a connection diagram when the delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are not rearranged, and FIG. 3 is a connection diagram when the delay times are rearranged. 2 (C) and 3 (C) show FIG.
3A shows the connection states of the switches in the CPS unit 260 when the connection is made as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIGS. 3A and 3B. Here, a circle indicates a case where the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is set between the vibrators 4 and 5 as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. As shown in FIG. 3B, this is a connection point of a switch in the CPS unit 260 when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is set between the transducers 8 and 9.

Next, the operation of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the CPS unit 30 is used only for adding two signals requiring the same delay time. At this time, when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is set between the transducers 4 and 5 as shown in FIG. 2A, the signal of the output terminal 41 of the CPS unit 30 requires a small delay amount, Forty-four signals require a large amount of delay. Similarly, when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is set between the transducers 8 and 9 as shown in FIG. 2B, the signal at the output terminal 41 of the CPS unit 30 requires a large delay amount, and The signal at terminal 44 requires a small amount of delay. The selection of the delay amount is performed by the CPS unit 260 of the delay addition unit 50. FIG. 2 (A),
FIG. 2C summarizes the connection state of the CPS unit 260 in the case of FIG. Since the linear scan must focus on points at all depths in the field of view, the CPS
Each input switch of unit 260 has the potential to be connected to all output switches.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a state where the delay amounts are rearranged in the CPS unit 30 in descending order. In FIG. 3 (A), rearrangement is performed in a completely reverse order to that in FIG. 2 (A), but in FIG. 3 (B), rearrangement does not occur since the data is in descending order in FIG. 2 (B). FIG. 3C shows the connection state of the CPS section 260 of the delay addition section 50 at this time. By rearranging the signals in descending order, signals requiring a large amount of delay are collected at the output terminal 41, and signals requiring a small amount of delay are collected at the output terminal 44. Thus, the input terminal 64 of the CPS section 260 of the delay adding section 50 is not connected to a long delay line. That is, the switch in the area 136 of the CPS unit 260 in FIG. In other words, this part of the switch becomes unnecessary. As a result, the amount of switches in the area 136 of the CPS unit 260 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the data is rearranged in descending order, but the same effect can be obtained in ascending order.

Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the delay adding section of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the master-slave method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 differs from FIG. 1 in the configuration of the delay addition unit 50. In the delay addition unit 50, 60 is a CPS unit, and 61 to 64 are CPS units.
60 input terminals, 85 to 89 are output terminals of the CPS unit 60, 91 to 94
Is a variable delay line, 71 to 74 are fixed delay lines, and 76 to 79 are adders.

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram when the delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 4 are not rearranged, and FIG. 6 is a connection diagram when the rearrangements are rearranged.

5C and FIG. 6C, FIG.
(B) and CPs as shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B)
3 shows a connection state of a switch in an S unit 60. Here, a circle indicates a case where the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is set between the vibrators 4 and 5 as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. As shown in FIG. 6B, this is a connection point of a switch in the CPS unit 60 when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is set between the transducers 8 and 9.

Next, the operation of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the CPS unit 30 performs the linear scan in FIG.
(A) and (B) require the same delay time as shown in (2).
Used only for adding signals. At this time, FIG.
When the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is set between the vibrators 4 and 5 as shown in (1), the signal at the output terminal 41 of the CPS unit 30 requires a small delay amount, and the signal at the output terminal 44 has a large delay amount. Need. Similarly, when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is set between the transducers 8 and 9 as shown in FIG. 5B, the signal at the output terminal 41 of the CPS unit 30 requires a large delay amount. , The signal at output terminal 44 requires a small amount of delay. The selection of the delay amount is performed by the variable delay line 91
To 94 and the CPS unit 60.

FIG. 5C summarizes the connection state of the CPS unit 60 in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the linear scan, since the focus must be focused on the entire surface of the probe 18 at every depth, each input switch of the CPS unit 60 has a possibility of being connected to all output switches.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a state where the delay amounts are rearranged in the CPS unit 30 in descending order. In FIG. 6 (A), rearrangement is performed in a completely reverse order to that in FIG. 5 (A), but in FIG. 6 (B), rearrangement does not occur since the data is in descending order in FIG. 5 (B). FIG. 6C shows the connection state of the CPS unit 60 of the delay addition unit 50 at this time. By rearranging the signals in descending order, signals requiring a large amount of delay are collected at the output terminal 41, and signals requiring a small amount of delay are collected at the output terminal 44. Thus, the input terminal 64 of the CPS unit 60 of the delay adding unit 50 is not connected to a long delay line. That is, the switch in the area 136 in FIG. 6C is never turned on. In other words, this part of the switch becomes unnecessary. As a result, the amount of switches in the area 136 of the CPS unit 60 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the images are rearranged in descending order, but the same effect can be obtained in ascending order.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a delay addition section of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an apparatus capable of performing both a linear scan and a sector scan. FIG. 7 shows a state in which a probe 17 for sector scan is connected to the connector 19, but a probe 18 for linear scan can be connected to the connector 19. In the configuration for performing the linear scan, the probe 18 for the linear scan is connected to the connector 19, and the same operation as in FIG. 4 is performed.

In FIG. 7, a different point from the first embodiment is a connector 19 to which both a linear scan probe 18 and a sector scan probe 17 can be connected.
And the input 8 and output 8 of the CPS unit 130 and the delay addition unit 150. 91 to 98 in the delay adder 150 are variable delay lines, 1
60 is a CPS unit, 61 to 68 are input terminals of the CPS unit 160, 85 to 8
9 is an output terminal of the CPS unit 160, 71 to 74 are fixed delay lines, 76 to
79 is an adder. Further, the delay adding section 150 is connected to the input terminal 51.
Have ~ 58. In the linear scan, the CPS unit
130 output terminals 45-48, variable delay lines 95-98, CPS unit 160
, And the input terminals 55 to 58 of the delay adder 150 are not used.

FIG. 8 is a connection diagram when the delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 7 are not rearranged, and FIG. 9 is a connection diagram when the rearrangements are rearranged. FIGS. 8C and 9C show the connection states of the switches in the CPS unit 160 when the connections are made as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9B and FIGS. 9A and 9B. . 8A and 9B, when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is deflected in the A direction as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A. This is the connection point of the switch in the CPS unit 160 when it is deflected in the C direction as shown in FIG.

First, the CPS unit 130 is used for adding output signals of transducers requiring the same delay time in the linear scan, but has not been used in the sector scan. At this time, when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is deflected in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.
The signal at the output terminal 41 of the unit 130 requires a large amount of delay,
The signal at output terminal 48 requires a small amount of delay. FIG.
As shown in (B), when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is deflected in the direction of arrow C, the signal at the output terminal 41 of the CPS unit 130 requires a small amount of delay, and the signal at the output terminal 48 requires a large amount of delay. I need. The selection of the delay amount is performed by the delay adding unit 150.
By the variable delay lines 91 to 94 and the CPS unit 160.

FIG. 8C summarizes the connection state of the CPS unit 160 in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Since all points in the field of view must be focused in the sector scan, each input switch of the CPS unit 160 has a possibility of being connected to all output switches.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a state in which the delay amounts are rearranged in the CPS section 130 in descending order. In FIG. 9B, the data is rearranged in a completely reverse order to that in FIG. 8B. FIG. 9C shows the CPS section 160 of the delay addition section at this time.
3 shows the connection state. By rearranging signals in descending order in this way, signals requiring a large delay
Signals that gather at 41 and require a small amount of delay are output terminals
Will gather at 48. Thus, the input terminal 68 of the CPS section 160 of the delay adding section 150 is not connected to a long delay line. That is, the switch in the area 136 in FIG. 9C is never turned on. In other words, this part of the switch becomes unnecessary. As a result, the amount of switches in the area 136 of the CPS unit 160 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the data is rearranged in descending order, but the same effect can be obtained in ascending order. Also, the master-slave method has been described as the delay addition unit.
As in the first embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in an apparatus using a delay addition unit other than the master-slave method.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a delay addition section of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. This shows the configuration of a delay adding section of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a pre-samming delay scheme, which is an apparatus for realizing both a linear scan and a sector scan with one unit, and a master slave scheme for a delay adding section. FIG.
Indicates a state in which the probe 17 for sector scan is connected to the connector 19. The probe 19 for linear scan can be connected to the connector 19. In the case of performing linear scan, the probe for linear scan is connected to connector 19
18 and the delay times of the variable delay lines 81 to 84 are set to zero. This has the same configuration as that of FIG. 16 described above.

FIG. 11 is a connection diagram when the delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 10 are not rearranged, and FIG. 12 is a connection diagram when the rearrangements are rearranged. FIGS. 11D and 12D show the connection states of the switches in the CPS unit 60 when they are connected as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C and FIGS. 12A to 12C. . Here, a circle indicates a case where the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is deflected in the direction of the arrow A as shown in FIGS. 11A and 12A, and a triangle indicates the case of FIGS. 11B and 12B. ), When deflecting in the direction of the arrow B, the □ marks show in FIG. 11 (C) and FIG.
CPS section when deflected in the direction of arrow C as shown in (C)
This is the connection point of the switch in 60.

Next, the operation of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the CPS unit 30 performs the sector scan in FIG.
It is used only for adding two adjacent signals as shown in FIGS. At this time, as shown in FIG.
When 120 beams are deflected in the direction of arrow A, the CPS unit 3
A signal at the output terminal 41 of 0 requires a large amount of delay, and a signal at the output terminal 44 requires a small amount of delay. As shown in FIG. 11B, when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is deflected in the direction of the arrow B, the signals at the output terminals 41 and 44 of the CPS unit 30 require a small amount of delay. The signal requires a large amount of delay. Similarly, when the beam of the acoustic scanning line 120 is deflected in the direction of the arrow C as shown in FIG.
The signal at the output terminal 41 of the S unit 30 requires a small amount of delay,
The signal at output terminal 44 requires a large amount of delay. The selection of the delay amount is performed by the variable delay lines 91 to 94 of the delay adder 50 and the CPS.
Performed by unit 60. CPS section 60 in FIGS. 11 (A) to 11 (C)
FIG. 11D summarizes the connection states. Since all points in the field of view must be focused in the sector scan, each input switch of the CPS unit 60 has a possibility of being connected to all output switches.

FIGS. 12A to 12C show states in which the delay amounts are rearranged in the CPS unit 30 in descending order. In FIG. 12A, the rearrangement does not occur because the delay amount is already in descending order at the input terminal of the CPS unit 30. In FIG. 12 (B), a signal near the center of the aperture requiring a large delay amount is an output terminal.
Signals at both ends of the aperture, which are connected to 41 and 42 and require a small amount of delay, are connected to output terminals 43 and 44. Figure
In FIG. 12 (C), the images are rearranged in the order completely opposite to that in FIG. 11 (C). FIG. 12D shows the CP of the delay adder 50 at this time.
The connection state of the S unit 60 is shown. By rearranging the signals in descending order, signals requiring a large delay amount are collected at the output terminal 41 and signals requiring a small delay amount are collected at the output terminal 44. Thereby, the delay addition unit
The input terminals 64 of the 50 CPS units 60 are not connected to long delay lines. That is, the switch in the area 136 in FIG. 12D is never turned on. In other words, this part of the switch becomes unnecessary. As a result, the CPS unit 160
The amount of switches in the region 136 can be reduced.

Although the present embodiment is arranged in descending order, similar effects can be obtained in ascending order. Also, the master-slave method has been described as the delay addition unit.
As in the first embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in an apparatus using a delay addition unit other than the master-slave method.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a delay adding unit for selecting a delay time by the CPS unit.
In a device having a CPS unit between the vibrator and the delay addition unit, the CPS unit is used to rearrange the received signals in the order of the delay time required for the signal at the time of delay addition,
It is possible to reduce the physical quantity of the CPS section for selecting the delay time in the delay addition section and the CPS section for selecting the fixed delay line in the delay addition section of the master-slave method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a delay addition unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a connection diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when delay times are not rearranged.

FIG. 3 is a connection diagram when rearranging delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a delay addition unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the master-slave method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the master-slave method shown in FIG. 4 when delay times are not rearranged.

6 is a connection diagram in the case where delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the master-slave method shown in FIG. 4 are rearranged.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a delay addition unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

8 is a connection diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 7 when delay time is not rearranged.

9 is a connection diagram when rearranging delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a delay addition unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

11 is a connection diagram in the case where the delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 10 are not rearranged.

FIG. 12 is a connection diagram when rearranging delay times of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a linear scan of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a conventional example.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a foldover of a linear scan of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a conventional example.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a two-dimensional scan system of a linear scan of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a conventional example.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a conventional example of a linear scan master-slave method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a sector scan of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a conventional example.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a two-dimensional scan of a sector scan of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a presuming delay system of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-16: Transducer, 17: Probe for sector scan, 18
… Linear scanning probe, 19… Connector, 21-28
... analog switch, 30 ... input 8: output 4 CPS
, 50, 150 ... delay addition section, 60 ... input 4: output 5 CPS section, 71-74 ... fixed delay line, 76-79 ... adder,
81-84, 91-98: Variable delay line, 100: Reflector, 120
... acoustic scanning line, 130 ... input 8: output 8 CPS section, 1
36: Cross-point switch area that can be reduced by the present invention 160: Input 8: CPS section of output 5, 260: Input 4: CPS section of output 8, 271 to 277: Delay line, 281-2
87 ... Adder.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-53-28989 (JP, A) JP-A-56-151370 (JP, A) JP-A-64-62135 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 160537 (JP, A) JP-A-1-201240 (JP, A) JP-A-4-51939 (JP, A) JP-A-5-84241 (JP, A) JP-A-5-261097 (JP, A) JP-A-5-300904 (JP, A) JP-A-4-83210 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 8/00-8/15 G01N 29/00 -29/28

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A linear scanning probe comprising a plurality of transducers and an output signal of a transducer requiring the same delay time are inputted and added, and the delay times required for the output signals are rearranged in order. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a first cross point switch, and a delay adding unit for selecting the delay time by a second cross point switch. 2. A probe for a linear scan composed of a plurality of transducers and a probe for a sector scan composed of a plurality of transducers can be connected, and the same delay time is required in the linear scan. A first cross-point switch for inputting and adding the output signals of the vibrator and sequentially rearranging the delay times required for the output signals, and a delay addition unit for selecting the delay time by a second cross-point switch An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: 3. A linear scan probe comprising a plurality of transducers and a sector scan probe comprising a plurality of transducers can be connected to correct a delay time difference between two adjacent signals. A variable delay line, a first cross point switch for inputting and adding the output signal of the vibrator and the output signal of the variable delay line, and rearranging the delay time required for the output signal in order. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a delay adding unit that performs selection by a second cross point switch.