JP3822500B2 - Ultrasound imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, and more particularly to a transmission type ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of high-speed and high-precision scanning.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are two methods for measuring an image apparatus using ultrasonic waves: a reflection method using one ultrasonic probe and a transmission method using two opposing ultrasonic probes. A conceptual diagram of the reflection method is shown in FIG. The pulse signal S10 emitted from the transmitter 100 is converted into an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic probe 101, and an ultrasonic wave (a shape pattern of the ultrasonic beam) 102 enters the sample 103 using water as a medium. The reflected echo by the ultrasonic wave reflected from the sample 103 is converted again into the electric signal S11 by the ultrasonic probe 101 and received by the receiver 104. From the signal R1 by the reflected echo from the surface of the sample 103 or the sample 103. The signal R2 by the reflected echo is imaged based on the position information of the scanner.
[0003]
Next, a conceptual diagram of the transmission method is shown in FIG. The pulse signal S10 emitted from the transmitter 100 is converted into an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic probe 101, and the ultrasonic wave 102 is incident on the sample 103 using water as a medium. A signal from the ultrasonic wave 102 transmitted through the sample 103 is converted into an electric signal S12 by the lower ultrasonic probe 105, received by the receiver 104, and the ultrasonic signal T1 transmitted through the sample 103 is scanned by the scanner. The image is formed based on the position information.
[0004]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the scanner unit at the time of transmission method measurement in a conventional transmission apparatus. (A) is a front view, (B) is a side view of the upper part of the Y-axis stage. The scanner unit (scanning mechanism) 106 is placed on a pedestal (measurement stage) 107. The scanner unit 106 includes a Y-axis scanner 108, a Z-axis scanner 109, and an X-axis scanner 110 from the bottom. Each of the Y-axis scanner 108, the Z-axis scanner 109, and the X-axis scanner 110 is moved by stepping motors M1, M2, and the like controlled by a computer (such as a PC) not shown. An upper arm 111 is attached to the X-axis scanner 110 so as to be movable along two rails 110a in the X-axis direction provided on the front surface, and an ultrasonic probe is attached to the lower end of the upper arm 111. 112 is attached. At the time of measurement by the transmission method using two ultrasonic probes, the lower ultrasonic probe 116 is fixed by the screw 115 and the screw 114 through the arm 115. The sample 117 is placed on a table formed of a thin acrylic plate 119 in the water 120 in the water tank 118 installed on the pedestal 107.
[0005]
A measurement method using a conventional transmission apparatus will be described. First, the measurement sample 117 is fixed on the acrylic plate 119 in the water tank 118 with a jig (not shown). Next, the stepping motors M1, M2, etc. are driven by a computer (not shown), or the X-axis scanner 110, the Y-axis scanner 108, and the Z-axis scanner 109 are operated manually, and the respective moving stages are moved to move the sample. The upper ultrasonic probe 112 is positioned on the upper side of 117, and the lower ultrasonic probe 116 is positioned on the lower side of the sample 117. The water tank 118 contains water 120 in advance, and the upper ultrasonic probe 112 and the lower ultrasonic probe 116 are set in a state of being submerged in water.
[0006]
In the normal measurement method of the transmission method, the measurement is first performed by the reflection method using the upper ultrasonic probe 112, the defect in the sample 117 is focused on the ultrasonic probe 112, and the upper ultrasonic probe is detected. The height of the touch element 112 is determined. In this state, the wiring to the receiver 104 is switched to the lower ultrasonic probe 116 for the transmission method. Thereafter, the transmitter 100 and the receiver 104 are driven, an electric signal is transmitted from the transmitter 100, an ultrasonic wave is introduced into the water from the upper ultrasonic probe 112, the sample 117 is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave, and the sample is removed. The transmitted ultrasonic waves are detected by the lower ultrasonic probe 116, converted into electric signals, and received by the receiver 104. The received signal is converted into luminance intensity or color change and displayed on a display (not shown). Based on the display on the display, the height of the lower ultrasonic probe 116 is adjusted to determine the focus and measurement range.
[0007]
At this time, the height of the lower ultrasonic probe 116 is adjusted by loosening the screwing portion 114 and manually moving the arm 115. When an appropriate transmission signal is obtained by this adjustment, the screw fastening is fixed at that position. In this state, scanning is performed by moving the X-axis scanner 110 and the Y-axis scanner 108 by the stepping motor M1 or the like, and measurement is displayed as a luminance change or a color change on a display (not shown). Further, the signal from the receiver 104 may be taken into a computer to store the data and simultaneously displayed on the display.
[0008]
At the time of measurement by the reflection method using only the upper ultrasonic probe 112, the arm 115 is removed, the lower ultrasonic probe 116 is removed, and an electric signal from the upper ultrasonic probe 112 is received. Measurements can be taken as received by receiver 104.
[0009]
An example of a conventional transmission type apparatus having another configuration is shown in FIG. 6A and 6B, FIG. 6A is a front view, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the upper part of the Y-axis stage. Since the apparatus other than the scanner unit is the same as the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the description other than the scanner unit will be omitted. In FIG. 6, the same elements as those described in FIG. The scanner unit 121 includes a Y-axis scanner 122, an X-axis scanner 123, and a Z-axis scanner 124 from the lower side. At the time of measurement by the transmission method using two ultrasonic probes, the lower ultrasonic probe 126 attached to the lower part of the guide of the Z-axis scanner 124 via the arm 125 is used. At this time, since the lower ultrasonic probe 126 is fixed in the vertical direction, even if the upper ultrasonic probe 127 is moved up and down, the lower ultrasonic probe 126 does not move up and down.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the conventional first transmission type ultrasonic imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 5, in adjusting the height of the lower ultrasonic probe 116, the screw 115 is loosened to move the arm 115 downward. It is necessary to adjust the side ultrasonic probe 116. As a result of the adjustment, there is a case where the distance between the upper ultrasonic probe 112 and the lower ultrasonic probe 116 is increased. In this state, when the Z-axis scanner 109 is moved up and down, the lower ultrasonic probe 116 may come into contact with the sample 117 and the water tank 118, and the sample 117 and the acrylic plate 119 are damaged. There arises a problem that the lower ultrasonic probe 116 is damaged.
[0011]
According to the conventional second transmission type ultrasonic imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 6, the above problem can be solved. That is, since the lower ultrasonic probe 126 is fixed, even if the upper ultrasonic probe 127 is moved up and down, the lower ultrasonic probe 126 does not move up and down, and the lower ultrasonic probe is not moved. It is possible to prevent 126 from contacting the sample 117 and the water tank 118. However, when scanning is performed in the XY directions, since the heavy Z-axis scanner 124 is attached to the X-axis scanner 123, the Z-axis scanner 124 becomes a load, and the scanner unit 121 and the arm unit 125 are twisted. There is a problem that high-speed and high-precision scanning becomes difficult. In order to solve this problem, two sets of X-axis scanner and Y-axis scanner are provided, and the upper ultrasonic probe and the lower ultrasonic probe are separately provided by each set of X-axis scanner and Y-axis scanner. Although a support method is also conceivable, there arises a problem that the structure becomes complicated.
[0012]
In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound imaging apparatus that realizes a high-speed scanning with high accuracy and a transmission method that allows easy height adjustment with a simple structure.
[0013]
[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is configured as follows.
[0014]
In the first ultrasonic imaging apparatus (corresponding to claim 1), a sample is placed between an upper ultrasonic probe and a lower ultrasonic probe in a water tank, and the sample is placed with two ultrasonic probes. A transmission-type ultrasonic imaging apparatus that images defects inside a sample by scanning in a plane direction defined by the X-axis and Y-axis parallel to the surface of water in the aquarium (hereinafter referred to as “XY direction”) . An upper arm member that is attached to the X-axis scanner so as to be movable in the X-axis direction and includes an upper ultrasonic probe, a linear guide that is provided in parallel to the moving direction of the X-axis scanner, and is movable to the linear guide And the lower arm member with the lower ultrasonic probe, and the upper arm member and the lower arm so that the upper ultrasonic probe and the lower ultrasonic probe are vertically opposed to each other. And a connecting member for connecting the members.
[0015]
According to the first ultrasonic imaging apparatus, the lower arm member attached to the linear guide so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction, and the upper arm member attached to the X-axis scanner so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. Are connected with a connecting member such as a connecting pin, so that the position where the lower ultrasonic probe provided at the tip of the lower arm member and the upper ultrasonic probe provided on the upper arm member face each other is While being held, it is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis scanner. Thereby, the sample can be measured by the transmission method. In addition, since the X-axis scanner is attached to the Z-axis scanner so that it can move in the Z-axis direction, the height position of only the upper ultrasonic probe can be changed. The interval between the ultrasonic probe and the lower ultrasonic probe can be freely changed. In addition, since the position of the lower ultrasonic probe in the Z-axis direction does not change even when the Z-axis scanner is operated, when the Z-axis scanner is moved up and down, the lower ultrasonic probe is moved to the sample or water tank. It does not come into contact, and it is easy to perform high-speed and high-precision scanning and height adjustment with a simple structure.
[0016]
The second ultrasonic imaging apparatus (corresponding to claim 2) is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the connecting member is preferably detachable and measurement by a reflection method is possible.
[0017]
According to the second ultrasonic imaging apparatus, since the connecting member is detachable, the apparatus used for the measurement by the transmission method can be used for the measurement by the reflection method by making a simple change.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
A typical embodiment of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the upper part of the Y-axis stage. As shown in the figure, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a scanner unit 11, a pedestal 12, a water tank 13, a sample table 14, an upper ultrasonic probe 15, a lower ultrasonic probe 16, a motor M <b> 1, and a scanning operation. M2 etc. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus further includes a control device and an image display unit configured by the transmitter 100 and the receiver 104 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and a computer (not shown).
[0020]
The scanner unit 11 keeps the two upper ultrasonic probes 15 and the lower ultrasonic probe 16 facing each other in the X-axis and Y-axis directions while maintaining the positional relationship. It can be moved freely. Regarding the movement in the Z-axis direction by the scanner unit 11, only the upper ultrasonic probe 16 is moved. The scanner unit 11 includes an upper arm member 17, an X axis scanner 18, a Z axis scanner 19, a Y axis scanner 20, and a lower arm member 21. The upper arm member 17 fixes the upper ultrasonic probe 15 to the lower tip portion 22, has an upper arm support member 23 at the upper portion, and has a pin fixing portion 25 at a portion 24 below the upper arm support member 23. is doing. The Y-axis scanner 20 is a drive mechanism that is provided on the pedestal 12 and enables scanning movement in the Y-axis direction. The Z-axis scanner 19 is a drive mechanism that is provided on the moving part of the Y-axis scanner 20 and that can move in the Z-axis direction. The X scanner 18 is a drive mechanism that is attached to the moving part of the Z-axis scanner 19 and enables scanning movement in the X-axis direction.
[0021]
The X-axis scanner 18 has a first guide portion (for example, two rails) 26 to which the upper arm support member 23 is coupled so that the upper arm member 17 linearly and freely moves in the X-axis direction. An X-axis scanner support member 28 is provided on the opposite side of the X-axis scanner front surface portion 27 and the X-axis scanner front surface portion 27.
[0022]
The Z-axis scanner 19 includes a second guide portion (for example, two rail members) 29 to which the X-axis scanner support member 28 is related so that the X-axis scanner 18 moves linearly and freely in the Z-axis direction. A Z-axis stage 30 is provided.
[0023]
The Y-axis scanner 20 includes a third guide portion 31 that is a linear guide provided on the front surface so as to be parallel to the first guide portion 26 provided on the front surface portion 27 of the X-axis scanner, and is linear in the Y-axis direction. A Y-axis stage 32 is provided so as to move freely. A Z-axis scanner 19 is fixed on the Y-axis stage 32. The Y-axis stage 32 moves on a guide portion (for example, two rail members) 33 provided on the base 12.
[0024]
The lower arm member 21 has the lower ultrasonic probe 16 fixed to the lower tip portion 21a, and has a lower arm support member 34 and a pin engaging portion 35 on the upper portion. The lower arm support member 34 is related to the third guide portion 31 so as to freely move linearly in the X-axis direction, for example, as in a sliding relationship. The pin engaging portion 35 is formed as a hole penetrating in the vertical direction in the lower arm support member 34 and the lower arm member 21, for example.
[0025]
A pin 36 extending downward is fixed to the pin fixing portion 25 of the upper arm member 17. The pin 36 is held in a state of being inserted into the hole of the pin engaging portion 35. The upper arm member 17 and the lower arm member 21 are related by a pin 36 so that the upper ultrasonic probe 15 and the lower ultrasonic probe 16 are opposed to each other in the vertical position. The pin 36 serves as a connecting member that connects the pin fixing portion 25 and the pin engaging portion 35 with respect to movement in the X-axis direction. Further, the pin 36 as the connecting member can be freely detached from the pin engaging portion 35.
[0026]
The pedestal 12 serves as a support base on which the scanner unit 11 is placed, and the water tank 13 is installed in the inner space. The motors M1 and M2 are stepping motors and the like, are driven and controlled by a computer or the like, are connected to a ball screw feed mechanism or the like, and move the moving parts of the Y-axis scanner 20 and the Z-axis scanner 19. The moving part of the X-axis scanner 18 is moved by a linear motor M3 (not shown).
[0027]
The water tank 13 is configured to receive a sample table 14 and is used to store water 38 that is a medium for propagating ultrasonic waves. The sample stage 14 is made of an acrylic plate or the like and is made of a material that easily transmits ultrasonic waves. In addition, a jig for fixing the sample is usually attached to the sample stage 14.
[0028]
The upper ultrasonic probe 15 is composed of a piezoelectric film transducer or the like and emits ultrasonic waves by an electric signal. The reflection method emits an ultrasonic wave and also functions to convert the reflected ultrasonic wave into an electric signal. The lower ultrasonic probe 16 is composed of a piezoelectric film transducer and the like, similar to the upper ultrasonic probe 15, and receives transmitted ultrasonic waves and outputs them as electrical signals.
[0029]
A control device and a video display unit using a transmitter, a receiver, a computer, and the like use the same devices as conventional devices.
[0030]
Next, a measurement method using the transmission method using the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the measurement sample 37 is fixed on the underwater acrylic plate 14 in the water tank 13 with a jig (not shown). Next, the stepping motors M1 and M2 and the linear motor M3 are driven by a computer, or the X-axis scanner 18, the Y-axis scanner 20, and the Z-axis scanner 19 are operated manually to move the moving part, and the sample is moved. The upper ultrasonic probe 15 is positioned above 37, and the lower ultrasonic probe 16 is set below the sample 37.
[0031]
Next, measurement is first performed by the reflection method using the upper ultrasonic probe 15, and the ultrasonic probe 15 is focused on a defect in the sample 37, and the height of the upper ultrasonic probe 15 is determined. . In this state, the wiring to the receiver 104 is connected to the lower ultrasonic probe 16 and switched to the transmission method. Thereafter, the transmitter 100 and the receiver 104 are operated, an electrical signal is transmitted from the transmitter 100, an ultrasonic wave is introduced into the water from the ultrasonic probe 15, the sample 37 is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave, and the sample 37 is removed. The transmitted ultrasonic wave is detected by the lower ultrasonic probe 16, converted into an electric signal, and received by the receiver 104. The received signal is converted into luminance intensity or color change and displayed on a display or the like. Based on the display on the display, the position of the upper ultrasonic probe is finely adjusted to determine the focus and measurement range. The lower ultrasonic probe 16 uses a non-focusing probe for reception, and the distance from the sample 37 is also set to a constant distance. In this state, the transmission method can be measured.
[0032]
When an appropriate transmission signal is obtained by this fine adjustment, scanning is performed by moving the X-axis scanner and the Y-axis scanner by a stepping motor, and measurement is displayed as a luminance change or a color change on the display. In addition, the signal from the receiver may be taken into a computer and the data may be stored and simultaneously displayed on the display.
[0033]
In the measurement by the reflection method using only the upper ultrasonic probe 15, the engagement relationship between the pin 36 and the pin engagement portion 35 is released, and the connection relationship between the upper arm member 17 and the lower arm member 21. In addition, the measurement can be performed so that the electric signal from the upper ultrasonic probe 15 is received by the receiver 104.
[0034]
In the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a result of adjustment, the distance between the upper ultrasonic probe 15 and the lower ultrasonic probe 16 may be in a separated state, but the third is a linear guide. The lower ultrasonic probe 16 attached to the lower tip 21a of the lower arm member 21 extending downward from the front surface of the Y-axis stage 32 of the guide portion 31 maintains a position facing the upper ultrasonic probe 15. However, the Z-axis scanner 19 can freely change the interval between them. Therefore, even if the Z-axis scanner 19 is moved up and down, only the upper ultrasonic probe 15 moves, and the height position of the lower ultrasonic probe 16 is kept constant, and the sample is moved. 37 and the water tank 13 are not touched. Further, since the portion related to the upper arm member 17 can be reduced in weight, it is easy to perform high-speed and high-precision scanning and height adjustment with a simple structure.
[0035]
Further, a new linear guide (third guide portion) 31 is provided on the front surface of the Y-axis stage 32 in parallel with the moving direction (X-axis direction) of the X-axis scanner 18, and the lower arm member 21 is interposed therebetween. The lower ultrasonic probe 16 is fixed. Since the lower arm member 21 attached to the linear guide 31 provided on the Y-axis stage 32 is connected with respect to the movement in the X-axis direction by the upper arm member 17 and the pin 36, it can move synchronously. Even when the Z-axis scanner 19 is operated to move in the Z-axis direction, the lower ultrasonic probe 16 can always maintain the same height, so that it does not come into contact with the sample 37 or the water tank 13. .
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the linear guide 31 is provided on the front surface of the Y-axis stage 20, but is not limited to the front surface and may be provided on the lower surface or other locations. In addition, the connection between the transmission method and the reflection method in the adjustment can be automatically performed. Furthermore, when using only the reflection method, the connection relationship can be canceled and the arm member and the ultrasonic probe can be removed. In addition, since the structure of the present invention is simple, if the three-axis configuration of the scanner unit is the same reflection method ultrasonic imaging apparatus, a linear guide, a pin (or shaft) that is a connecting unit, an arm member, Implementation is possible by attaching the lower ultrasonic probe.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.
[0038]
In the transmission type ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an upper arm member that is movably attached to the X-axis scanner and includes an upper ultrasonic probe, a linear guide provided so as to be parallel to the moving direction of the X-axis scanner, A lower arm member movably attached to the linear guide and having a lower ultrasonic probe, and an upper arm so that the upper ultrasonic probe and the lower ultrasonic probe are vertically opposed to each other. Since the connecting member that connects the member and the lower arm member is provided, the lower ultrasonic probe does not come into contact with the sample or the water tank even if the Z-axis scanner is moved up and down during measurement. With a simple structure, high-speed and high-precision scanning can be performed, and the height of the upper ultrasonic probe can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, since the switching from the reflection method to the transmission method is simple, adjustment of the transmission method is facilitated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion above the Y-axis stage of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a reflection method.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a transmission method.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a scanner unit at the time of transmission method measurement in a conventional ultrasonic imaging apparatus, where FIG. 5A is a front view and FIG. 5B is a side view of an upper part of a Y-axis stage.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a scanner unit at the time of transmission method measurement in another conventional ultrasonic imaging apparatus, in which FIG. 6A is a front view, and FIG. 6B is a side view of a portion above the Y-axis stage.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Scanner part 12 Base 15 Upper ultrasonic probe 16 Lower ultrasonic probe 17 Upper arm member 18 X-axis scanner 19 Z-axis scanner 20 Y-axis scanner 21 Lower arm member 25 Pin fixing part 27 X-axis scanner 31 1st 3 Guide part (Linear guide)
35 Pin engaging part 37 Sample

Claims (2)

A sample is placed between the upper ultrasonic probe and the lower ultrasonic probe in the water tank, and the X-axis and Y parallel to the surface of the water in the water tank are placed on the sample with the two ultrasonic probes. In a transmission-type ultrasonic imaging apparatus that visualizes defects inside the sample by scanning in the plane direction defined by the axis ,
An upper arm member that is movably attached to an X-axis scanner and includes the upper ultrasonic probe;
A linear guide provided parallel to the moving direction of the X-axis scanner;
A lower arm member that is movably attached to the linear guide and includes the lower ultrasonic probe;
A connecting member that connects the upper arm member and the lower arm member so that the upper ultrasonic probe and the lower ultrasonic probe are vertically opposed to each other;
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is detachable and can be measured by a reflection method.

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