JP4264279B2 - Ultrasonic transmitter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transmitter using ultrasonic transducers arranged two-dimensionally.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic transmitter divides a piezoelectric element into a matrix, a transmitter is connected to them, and an ultrasonic beam is controlled by separately controlling each transducer. Is transmitted three-dimensionally (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-99846
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional ultrasonic transmitter, since the number of transducers and the number of transmitters are the same, the number of transmitters increases as the number of transducers increases, thereby increasing the cost. there were. In addition, the number of signal lines for coupling the transducer and the transmitter is increased, and there is a problem that the coupling cable in which the signal lines are bundled becomes thick and lacks flexibility.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of transmitters compared to the number of transducers to reduce the cost and to combine the transducer and the transmitter. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic wave transmitter in which the number of signal lines of the cable is reduced to make the coupling cable thinner and to improve its flexibility.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first configuration of the ultrasonic wave transmitter according to the present invention switches N transducers arranged two-dimensionally and a path of a transmission signal supplied to the transducers. A switch, M (M <N) transmitters that supply a transmission signal to the vibrator via the switch, a control unit that is housed in the same main body as the transmitter and controls the switch and the transmitter, and a transmitter And a coupling cable for supplying a control signal (delayed data D) from the control unit to the switch, and the control unit transmits data for switching the path of the transmission signal by the switch and transmission output from the transmitter A delay time calculation unit that calculates a delay time of a signal, and a delay that receives the delay time from the delay time calculation unit and controls the switch so that the number of a plurality of vibrators connected to one transmitter is approximately equal. Time sorting Characterized in that it comprises a.
[0008]
According to the first configuration, the number of transmitters can be reduced as compared with the number of transducers, so that the cost can be reduced. Further, since the number of signal lines for coupling the transducer and the transmitter can be reduced, the coupling cable for coupling the probe case and the main body can be made thinner and the flexibility thereof can be improved. Further, it is possible to avoid a large number of vibrators from being connected to a specific transmitter, and to stably drive the vibrator.
[0011]
In the second configuration of the ultrasonic wave transmitter according to the present invention, it is preferable that the N transducers are divided into L groups, and L switches are provided corresponding to the L groups. .
[0012]
According to the second configuration, in addition to the advantages of the first configuration, the number of input / output terminals per switch can be reduced, so that circuit integration is facilitated.
[0013]
Furthermore, in the third configuration of the ultrasonic transmitter according to the present invention, the N transducers are divided into L groups, the M transmitters are divided into K groups, and the switch K groups corresponding to the K groups are divided into L groups, and each of the K switches in each of the L groups is connected in parallel to the L group of transducers. Preferably connected to any group of transmitters.
[0014]
According to the third configuration, since the number of input / output terminals per switch can be reduced, circuit integration is facilitated.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic transmitter according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0017]
In FIG. 1, N vibrators 1 to 16 (N = 16) are two-dimensionally arranged and connected to a switch 17. The vibrators 1 to 16 and the switch 17 are housed in a probe case 18. The switch 17 is connected to the M transmitters 21 to 28 (M = 8) and the control unit 29 via the coupling cable 19, and from the transmitters 1 to 28 to the vibrators 1 to 28 according to a control signal from the control unit 29. Switch the path of the transmission signal to 16. The transmitters 21 to 28 and the control unit 29 are accommodated in the main body 30.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit 29 of FIG.
[0019]
In FIG. 2, the output signal from the delay time calculation unit 291 is supplied to the switch control unit 292 and the transmitter control unit 293. An output signal from the switch control unit 292 is supplied to the switch 17 via the coupling cable 19. An output signal from the transmitter control unit 293 is supplied to the transmitters 21 to 28.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic transmitter configured as described above will be described.
[0021]
First, the delay time calculation unit 291 calculates a delay time td of a transmission pulse that is a transmission signal for driving each transducer 1 to 16. Next, the delay time td is converted into an integer by the quantization time unit tq to obtain the delay data D represented by the following equation (1).
[0022]
D = td / tq (1)
The transmitter control unit 293 sends the delay data D and the quantization time unit tq to the transmitters 21 to 28. As an example, the delay data D = 0 of the transmitter 21, the delay data D = 1 of the transmitter 22, the delay data D = 2 of the transmitter 23, and so on. Next, the switch control unit 292 sends the delay data D to the switch 17 as a control signal. The switch 17 connects the transducers 1 to 16 and the transmitters 21 to 28 based on the delay data D of the transducers 1 to 16. For this reason, a plurality of transducers are connected to at least one transmitter.
[0023]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since all of the 16 vibrators 1 to 16 arranged in a two-dimensional manner can be driven by the eight transmitters 21 to 28, the cost can be reduced at a low cost. The sound beam can be scanned three-dimensionally. In addition, since the number of signal lines can be reduced as compared with the case where a transmitter is provided for each transducer, the coupling cable 19 between the probe case 18 and the main body 30 can be thinned. Flexibility can be improved.
[0024]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit 29 in the ultrasonic transmitter according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the control unit 29.
[0025]
In FIG. 3, the control unit 29 according to the present embodiment includes a delay time calculation unit 291, a switch control unit 292, a transmission control unit 293, and a delay time sorting unit 294.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic wave transmitter configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 1 in addition to FIG.
[0027]
First, the delay time calculation unit 291 calculates a delay time td of a transmission pulse that is a transmission signal for driving each transducer 1 to 16. Next, the delay time sorting unit 294 arranges the delay times td in ascending order or descending order so that the number of transducers connected to one transmitter is approximately equal. Since the number N of transducers is 16 and the number M of transmitters is 8, in this case, two transducers are driven by one transmitter. The delay time sorting unit 294 obtains an average delay time td by combining two delay times td. Next, the delay time sorting unit 294 converts the delay time td into an integer by the quantization time unit tq, and obtains the delay data D represented by the above equation (1).
[0028]
The transmitter control unit 293 sends the delay data D and the quantization time unit tq to the transmitters 21 to 28. Next, the switch control unit 292 sends the delay data D to the switch 17 as a control signal. The switch 17 connects the transducers 1 to 16 and the transmitters 21 to 28 based on the delay data D of the transducers 1 to 16. Here, when the value of the delay data D is the same, the switch control unit 292 selects a different transmitter.
[0029]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, all the 16 transducers 1 to 16 arranged in a two-dimensional manner can be driven by the eight transmitters 21 to 28, and ultrasonic waves can be produced at low cost. The beam can be scanned three-dimensionally. In addition, since the number of signal lines can be reduced as compared with the case where a transmitter is provided for each transducer, the coupling cable 19 between the probe case 18 and the main body 30 can be thinned. Flexibility can be improved. Further, it is possible to avoid a large number of vibrators from being connected to a specific transmitter, and to stably drive the vibrator.
[0030]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the ultrasonic transmitter according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0031]
In FIG. 4, N transducers 1 to 16 (N = 16) are arranged two-dimensionally and divided into L groups. In this embodiment, since L = 4, the vibrators are divided into groups of N / L = 16/4 = 4. That is, the vibrators 1 to 4 are connected to the switch 171, the vibrators 5 to 8 are connected to the switch 172, the vibrators 9 to 12 are connected to the switch 173, and the vibrators 13 to 16 are connected to the switch 174. . The transducers 1 to 16 and the switches 171 to 174 are accommodated in the probe case 18. The switches 171 to 174 are connected to the M transmitters 21 to 28 (M = 8) and the control unit 29 via the coupling cable 19, and are transmitted from the transmitters 1 to 28 to the transducers according to the control signal from the control unit 29. The path of the transmission signal to 1-16 is switched. The transmitters 21 to 28 and the control unit 29 are accommodated in the main body 30.
[0032]
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic transmitter configured as described above will be described.
[0033]
First, the control unit 29 sends the delay data D and the quantization time unit tq to the transmitters 21 to 28. As an example, the delay data D = 0 of the transmitter 21, the delay data D = 1 of the transmitter 22, the delay data D = 2 of the transmitter 23, and so on. Next, the control unit 29 sends the delay data D to the switches 171 to 174. The switches 171 to 174 connect the vibrators 1 to 16 and the transmitters 21 to 28 based on the delay data D of the vibrators 1 to 16. For this reason, a plurality of transducers are connected to at least one transmitter.
[0034]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since all of the transducers 1 to 16 arranged in a two-dimensional manner can be driven by the transmitters 21 to 28, the ultrasonic beam is three-dimensionally reduced at a low cost. Can be scanned. Further, since the number of signal lines can be reduced as compared with the case where each transducer is provided with a transmitter, the coupling cable 19 between the probe case 18 and the main body 30 can be made thin, and the flexibility is increased. Can be improved. Further, since the number of input / output terminals per switch can be reduced, circuit integration is facilitated.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, the N vibrators are equally arranged in the same number in the L groups, but the number of vibrators may be slightly different between the groups when it is not divisible.
[0036]
(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic transmitter according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0037]
In FIG. 5, N (N = 16) transducers 1 to 16 are two-dimensionally arranged and divided into groups of L = 4. K (K = 2) switches 181 and 182 are connected in parallel to the L vibrators 1 to 4, and K (K = 2) switches 183 are connected to the L vibrators 5 to 8. 184 are connected in parallel, and K (K = 2) switches 185 and 186 are connected in parallel to the L vibrators 9 to 12, and K (K = K) to the L vibrators 13 to 16. The switches 187 and 188 of 2) are connected in parallel. The transducers 1 to 16 and the switches 181 to 188 are accommodated in the probe case 18.
[0038]
The M transmitters 21 to 28 (M = 8) are divided into groups each having K = 2, that is, a group of transmitters 21 to 24 and a group of transmitters 25 to 28. The switches 181, 183, 185 and 187 are connected to the transmitters 25 to 28 and the control unit 29 via the coupling cable 19. On the other hand, the switches 182, 184, 186 and 188 are connected to the transmitters 21 to 24 and the control unit 29 via the coupling cable 19. The transmitters 21 to 28 and the control unit 29 are accommodated in the main body 30.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic transmitter configured as described above will be described.
[0040]
First, the control unit 29 sends the delay data D and the quantization time unit tq to the transmitters 21 to 28. As an example, the delay data D = 0 of the transmitter 21, the delay data D = 1 of the transmitter 22, the delay data D = 2 of the transmitter 23, and so on. Next, the control unit 29 sends the delay data D to the switches 181 to 188. The switches 181 to 188 connect the transducers 1 to 16 and the transmitters 21 to 28 based on the delay data D of the transducers 1 to 16. For this reason, a plurality of transducers are connected to at least one transmitter.
[0041]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since all of the transducers 1 to 16 arranged in a two-dimensional manner can be driven by the transmitters 21 to 28, the ultrasonic beam is three-dimensionally reduced at a low cost. Can be scanned. Further, since the number of signal lines can be reduced as compared with the case where each transducer is provided with a transmitter, the coupling cable 19 between the probe case 18 and the main body 30 can be made thin, and the flexibility is increased. Can be improved. Further, since the number of input / output terminals per switch can be reduced, circuit integration is facilitated.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the number of transmitters is reduced compared to the number of transducers to reduce the cost, and the number of signal lines of the coupling cable that couples the transducers and the transmitters is also reduced. As a result, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic transmitter in which the coupling cable is thinned and the flexibility thereof is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic transmitter according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a control unit 29 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control unit in an ultrasonic transmitter according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the ultrasonic transmitter according to the third embodiment of the invention. A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic transmitter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
1-16 Vibrator 17, 171-174, 181-188 Switch 18 Probe case 19 Coupling cable 21-28 Transmitter 29 Control unit 291 Delay time calculation unit 292 Switch control unit 293 Transmitter control unit 294 Delay time sort unit 30 body

Claims (3)

N vibrators arranged two-dimensionally,
A switch for switching a path of a transmission signal supplied to the vibrator;
M (M <N) transmitters that supply a transmission signal to the vibrator via the switch;
A control unit that is housed in the same main body as the transmitter and controls the switch and the transmitter;
A coupling cable for supplying a transmission signal from the transmitter and a control signal from the control unit to the switch;
The controller is
A delay time calculation unit for calculating data for switching a path of a transmission signal by the switch and a delay time of the transmission signal output from the transmitter;
A delay time sorting unit that receives the delay time from the delay time calculation unit and controls the switch so that the number of a plurality of vibrators connected to one transmitter is approximately equal. Sonic transmitter.   2. The ultrasonic transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the N transducers are divided into L groups, and the L switches are provided corresponding to the L groups.   The N oscillators are divided into L groups, the M transmitters are divided into K groups, and the switches correspond to the K groups of the transmitters in K units. Divided into L groups, and each of the K switches in each of the L groups is connected in parallel to the transducers of the L groups, and is connected to the transmitter of any of the K groups. The ultrasonic transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transmitter is connected.

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