JP4467658B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic probe for diagnosing a state inside a living body using ultrasonic waves.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are various types of medical applications of ultrasound, but the mainstream is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that displays a tomographic image of a soft tissue of a living body using an ultrasonic pulse reflection method.
[0003]
This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus displays a tomographic image of a soft tissue by a non-invasive examination method, and compared with other diagnostic apparatuses such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray CT apparatus, an MRI apparatus, and a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus. It has unique features such as real-time display, small size and low price, high safety without exposure to X-rays, and blood flow imaging by ultrasonic Doppler method. is doing. For this reason, the application range is wide in the heart, abdomen, milk lines, urology, and gynecology.
[0004]
In particular, by simply assigning an ultrasound probe from the body surface, heart beats and fetal movements can be obtained in real time, and because it is highly safe, it can be repeatedly examined and moved to the bedside. Thus, it is simple, for example, the inspection can be easily performed.
[0005]
In addition, the ultrasonic pulse Doppler method and the ultrasonic pulse reflection method are used in combination to obtain a tomographic image (black and white B-mode image) and blood flow information with a single probe and to display in real time. Doppler diagnostic devices are widespread.
[0006]
Furthermore, in recent years, an ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus has been developed that can compose and display a 3D (three-dimensional) image and perform this in real time.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to construct and display a 3D image in real time, a system having a multi-channel transmission / reception circuit for driving a probe and a probe having a 2D (two-dimensional) array configuration are required.
[0008]
The 3D image is useful for grasping in-vivo information three-dimensionally. However, there is a possibility that the resolution in the distance and azimuth direction may be reduced as compared with the conventional 2D images.
[0009]
On the other hand, a system for obtaining a 3D image can obtain a high-definition 2D image by using a 2D array and performing sound field control in the slice direction, which has been fixed focus by an acoustic lens.
[0010]
At present, 3D images and high-definition 2D images are collected using a dedicated probe. However, when displaying a high-definition 2D image while displaying a 3D image, or vice versa, It is anticipated that it will be necessary to change both probes during the operation, leading to a decrease in operability.
[0011]
The present invention can improve the operability by making it possible to obtain a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image with a single ultrasonic probe that does not require a changeover operation. Also, the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image can be improved. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasound probe that can display images simultaneously and can clearly grasp in-vivo information such as organs and blood vessels of a subject.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The invention described in claim 1An ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are at least partially arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and drive signals for one-dimensional scanning and two-dimensional scanning are generated to drive the ultrasonic transducers In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the switching means comprises: a drive signal generating means for performing the operation; and a switching means for supplying a signal from the drive signal generating means to a predetermined ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe. , A first switch group, a second switch group, and a third switch group, and the first switch group includes the driving signal for driving the one-dimensional scan among the driving signals from the driving signal generating means. A signal is sent to the third switch group, and the driving signal for two-dimensional scanning is sent to the second switch group, and the second switch group becomes non-conductive during one-dimensional scanning, and during two-dimensional scanning. Before becoming continuity A driving signal for two-dimensional scanning is sent to the third switch group, and the third switch group is connected to each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and the plurality of ultrasonic waves at the time of the one-dimensional scanning. A vibrator is electrically connected to supply the one-dimensional scanning drive signal from the first switch group, and during the two-dimensional scanning, the two-dimensional scanning drive signal from the second switch group. Diagnostic device characterized by supplyingIt is.
[0013]
According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image using one ultrasonic probe by the switching operation of the switching means, thereby improving operability. In addition, since the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image can be displayed at the same time, it is easy to grasp in-vivo information such as the organ and blood vessel of the subject.
[0014]
  Claim 2The invention according to claim 1 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,The switching means isThe switching is performed so that all of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers or a specific ultrasonic transducer are driven under the same driving condition.It is characterized by that.
[0015]
According to the present invention, the switching operation of the switching means switches the entire region or the specific region of the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers in the ultrasonic probe so as to satisfy the same driving condition. Only the image can be easily reconstructed.
[0016]
  Claim 3The invention according to claim 1 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,The switching means isThe plurality of ultrasonic transducers are divided into the plurality of groups, and the plurality of ultrasonic transducers included in a part of the plurality of groups are switched to be connected so as to be commonly driven.It is characterized by that.
[0017]
According to this invention, it is possible to construct a high-definition two-dimensional image by dividing the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers into specific blocks and scanning the subject by the switching operation of the switching means. Become.
[0018]
  The invention according to claim 4 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are divided into the plurality of sets.ArrangeThe pitches of the columns and rows of the ultrasonic transducers in one set among them are arranged more densely than the pitches of the columns and rows of the ultrasonic transducers in the other set, and the switching The means is characterized in that a group of ultrasonic transducers with a dense pitch is switched for three-dimensional image reconstruction, and a group of ultrasonic transducers with a coarse pitch is switched for two-dimensional image reconstruction.
[0019]
  Claim 5The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic transducers having the dense pitch are arranged in a central portion, and the coarse pitches are arranged on both sides thereof. Ultrasonic transducers are arrangedIt is characterized by that.
[0020]
According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, by the switching operation of the switching means, an area where the division pitch of the ultrasonic transducer having the two-dimensional array configuration is dense, for example, the central portion is used for three-dimensional image reconstruction. Since a region having a rough division pitch, for example, both sides are used for reconstruction of a two-dimensional image, a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image can be obtained simultaneously according to the density of the division pitch of the ultrasonic transducer. It becomes possible.
[0024]
According to this invention, the switching means includes a first switch group for supplying a driving signal for one-dimensional scanning, a first switch group for supplying a driving signal for two-dimensional scanning, and one-dimensional scanning. A two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image are obtained using a single ultrasonic probe in a configuration using a third switch group that switches connection of a plurality of elements of an ultrasonic transducer during two-dimensional scanning. As a result, operability can be improved, and a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image can be displayed at the same time, so that in-vivo information such as organs and blood vessels of the subject can be grasped. It becomes easy.
[0026]
According to the present invention, the first ultrasonic transducer group having a two-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged at a coarser pitch than the first ultrasonic transducer group. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of obtaining a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image with a configuration including the second ultrasonic transducer group.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention will be described below.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment has a convex probe type probe (ultrasonic wave) in which a total of 768 elements (ultrasonic transducers) are arranged in 96 rows and 8 rows. Probe 1, an apparatus main body 2, and a display device (display) 3 that displays a 2D image or a 3D image.
[0029]
The apparatus main body 2 includes a host CPU 10 that performs overall control, a pulser / preamplifier unit 11 that drives the probe 1 and receives signals from the probe 1, and 16 waveforms that perform waveform shaping of the output signal of the pulser / preamplifier unit 11. A signal corresponding to the internal structure is obtained based on the waveform shaping circuit 12 composed of the beam formers BF1 to BF16 and the strength of the echo signal connected between the host CPU 10 and the bus shaping circuit 12 and the bus b connected to the waveform shaping circuit 12, respectively. An echo processor 13 that performs B-mode signal processing, a Doppler processor 14 that obtains velocity information from the echo signal, a 3D processor 15 that reconstructs a 3D image based on an output signal from the echo processor 13 and the Doppler processor 14, and an echo Processor 13, Doppler processor 14 and 3D processor 15 An application processor 16 for obtaining various calculated values from the output signal of the output signal, and a display unit 17 for performing display control of the display device 3 under the control of the host CPU 10.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 2, the pulsar / preamplifier unit 11 includes a trigger pulse generation circuit 21, a transmission / reception delay circuit 22, and a pulsar 23. The transmitter 20 outputs a driving pulse of the probe 1, and transmits the driving pulse to the probe 1. And a transmission / reception selector switch 24 which constitutes a switching means for transferring a received signal from the probe 1 to a preamplifier 26 which will be described later, and a driving pulse probe 1 as well as bundling simultaneously driven columns in an element group consisting of 96 columns and 8 rows. And an element selector switch 25 that constitutes a switching means for transmitting the received signal from the probe 1 to the transmission / reception selector switch 24 and a preamplifier 26 for amplifying the received signal from the transmission / reception delay circuit 22. ing.
[0031]
The element changeover switch 25 and the probe 1 are connected by 768 signal lines corresponding to the number of 768 elements.
[0032]
The element selector switch 25 and the transmission / reception selector switch 24 are connected by 64 signal lines. The transmission / reception selector switch 24 is connected to the pulsar 23 and the preamplifier 26 by 64 signal lines. Further, the preamplifier 26 and the waveform shaping circuit 12 including 16 beam formers BF1 to BF16 are connected by 64 signal lines. Each of the signals from the 64 signal lines is subjected to delay processing, and the signals subjected to the delay processing are added to obtain one (one direction) echo signal.
[0033]
Next, a specific example of the element selector switch 25 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, individual switches are indicated by circles.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, the element changeover switch 25 includes an element changeover unit 25c composed of a total of 768 switch groups corresponding to the number of columns and rows of the probe 1, that is, 96 columns and 8 rows, 1D scanning switch 25a and 2D scanning switch 25b are provided.
[0035]
The 1D scan switch 25a is a total arranged at the position where 96 connection lines drawn out from the element switching unit 25c and 32 signal lines out of 64 signal lines with the transmission / reception changeover switch 24 intersect. 3072 (96 * 32) switch groups are provided.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 3, 64 2D scan switches 25b correspond to the 1 to 8 column columns and rows of the element switching unit 25c, and 64 to 44 column columns and rows correspond to 64 columns. In total, 192 switch groups are provided, 64 corresponding to each of 89 to 96 columns and rows.
[0037]
FIG. 4 shows an external configuration of the convex probe type probe 1. This probe 1 is basically the same as a conventional probe (not shown), but a cable containing 768 signal lines in a probe body 31 in which elements are arranged in an opening 31a in 96 rows and 8 rows. 32 is connected. The probe main body 31 is provided with a rotary dial type operation unit 33 for rotating a specific element array.
[0038]
In the probe 1, in addition to the normal 2D scan area, the area constituting the 2D array can be 3D scanned. When the 3D scan region is enlarged, the total number of elements may be increased or the number of elements in the 2D array region may be increased.
[0039]
FIG. 5 shows the appearance of a modified probe 1A in which the number of elements of the 2D array is increased. This probe 1A has a configuration in which, for example, the number of elements in each of the columns belonging to the 44th to 52nd columns in the central portion of the 96 rows of element groups is increased. It has a bulging structure. The element group of 44 to 52 rows can be rotated by the rotation operation of the operation unit 33.
[0040]
  Next, referring to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the reconstruction of the 2D image by the 1D scan and the reconstruction of the high-definition 2D image and the 3D image by the 2D scan for the subject (not shown) using the probe 1 will be described. ExampleRefer to FIG. 3 and FIG.Detailed description.
[0041]
  First, a 1D scan is performed on the subject to obtain a 2D image. The image to be obtained at this time may be either one or both of a B-mode image (an image of a tissue structure in the body) and a Doppler image.
  The 1D scan will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the changeover switch for the element configuration as shown in FIG.
  In order to perform 1D scanning, all of the 2D scanning switches 25b are turned off (non-conducting state).
  And by making all said element switching parts 25c into an ON state (conduction state),In the same rowElectrically connect the elements in each row(In other words, it effectively becomes a one-dimensional array)At the same time, a part of the 1D scan switch 25a is connected so that the first to thirty-second signals of the signals from the transmission / reception selector switch 24 are connected to the first to thirty-second columns of the ultrasonic vibration elements.ofTurn on the switch.
  Next, as described later, the above-described operation is sequentially performed by switching from 2 to 33 rows, 3 to 34 rows,..., 65 to 96 rows of the ultrasonic vibration elements by the 1D scanning switch 25a. Thus, an ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to 64 scan lines is obtained.
[0042]
At this time, the transmission / reception changeover switch 24 is switched so as to send a signal from the transmitter 20 to the element changeover switch 25, and all the 2D scanning switches 25b are turned off (non-conductive state).
[0043]
  In this state, by driving the transmitter 20, the delay-processed drive pulses are changed from 1 to 32 rows of the ultrasonic transducer, respectively.Sequentially switchedThe supplied ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic vibration element toward the subject.
[0044]
After the ultrasonic wave is transmitted, the transmission / reception selector switch 24 switches so that the signal from the element selector switch 25 is supplied to the preamplifier 26. Thus, the ultrasonic echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer is sent to the preamplifier 26 via the element changeover switch 25 and the transmission / reception changeover switch 24. The preamplifier 26 amplifies the sent 32 ultrasonic echo signals and sends them to the beam formers BF1 to BF16.
[0045]
  At this time, the number of beamformers BF1 to BF16 to be used is the same as the number of parallel simultaneous receptions. However, in this embodiment, parallel simultaneous scanning is not performed during 1D scanning.(In other words, a sequential switching scan)The description will be made assuming that the beam formers BF2 to BF15 are not used.
[0046]
The beamformer BF1 performs a predetermined delay process on each of the 32 ultrasonic echo signals, and then adds the 32 signals after the delay process to form one ultrasonic echo signal. Send to Doppler processor 14.
[0047]
The echo processor 13 performs signal processing for the B mode on the added ultrasonic echo signal, obtains image information representing the internal structure, and sends it to the 3D processor 15 and the application processor 16.
[0048]
The Doppler processor 14 performs signal processing for Doppler on the added ultrasonic echo signal, obtains velocity information such as the flow velocity or the moving velocity of the tissue, and sends it to the 3D processor 15 and the application processor 16.
[0049]
The above operation is repeated a plurality of times to obtain ultrasonic echo signals corresponding to a plurality of scan lines. At this time, specifically, the 1D scan switch 25a is switched from 2 to 33, 3 to 34,..., 65 to 96, and the above operations are sequentially performed to obtain 64 scan lines. A corresponding ultrasonic echo signal is obtained.
[0050]
After the 1D scan is completed, a 2D scan is performed to obtain a 3D image. At this time, the image to be obtained may be either a B-mode image (an image of a tissue structure in the body), a Doppler image, or both.
[0051]
In order to perform 2D scanning, one set of switches from 1st to 8th, 44th to 52th, and 89th to 96th of the 2D scanning switch 25b is turned on, and the other switches are turned off. Put it in a state.
[0052]
At this time, if the 1st to 8th rows are turned on, the right side of the ultrasonic probe, if the 44th to 52nd rows are turned on, the center of the ultrasonic probe, and if the 89th to 96th rows are turned on, the probe 1 is turned on. A 2D scan is performed on the left side.
[0053]
At this time, the element switching unit 25c and the 1D scanning switch 25a are all turned off, and the elements in each row are electrically disconnected. Thus, the 64 signal lines from the transmission / reception selector switch 24 are connected to 64 elements each having 8 rows and 8 columns. In this state, when the transmitter 20 is driven, 64 drive pulses subjected to delay processing are respectively supplied to the ultrasonic vibration element, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic vibration element toward the subject.
[0054]
After the ultrasonic wave is transmitted, the transmission / reception selector switch 24 is switched so that the signal from the element selector switch 25 is supplied to the preamplifier 26. Thereby, the ultrasonic echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer is sent to the preamplifier 26 via the element changeover switch 25 and the transmission / reception changeover switch 24.
[0055]
The preamplifier 26 amplifies the 64 ultrasonic echo signals sent to the beam formers BF1 to BF16 to which delay characteristics corresponding to different scan lines are given.
[0056]
The beam formers BF1 to BF16 perform predetermined delay processing set for each of the 64 ultrasonic echo signals, and then add the signals subjected to the 64 delay processing to form one ultrasonic echo signal. And sent to the echo processor 13 and the Doppler processor 14. The echo processor 13 performs signal processing for the B mode on the added ultrasonic echo signal, obtains image information representing the internal structure, and sends it to the 3D processor 15 and the application processor 16.
[0057]
The Doppler processor 14 performs signal processing for Doppler on the added ultrasonic echo signal, obtains velocity information such as a flow velocity or a moving velocity of the tissue, and sends it to the 3D processor 15 and the application processor 16.
[0058]
The above operation is repeated a plurality of times to obtain ultrasonic echo signals corresponding to a plurality of scan lines. At this time, specifically, the ultrasonic echo signal in the 3D region is obtained by changing the scanning characteristics by changing the delay characteristics installed in the transmission delay circuit 22 and the beam formers BF1 to BF16 and sequentially performing the above-described operations. Get.
[0059]
The 3D processor 15 and the application processor 16 form a display image based on the 1D scan information and the 2D scan information, and display the image on the display device 3 via the display unit 17.
[0060]
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show display devices when the 2D image by the 1D scan as described above and the 3D image by the 2D scan are reconstructed by the pulser / preamplifier unit 11, the waveform shaping circuit 12, the echo processor 13, and the Doppler processor 14, respectively. 3 shows a display example.
[0061]
FIG. 8 shows an example in which blood flow information of a living body by angio or the like is displayed in a 3D image on a 2D image of an organ of a subject. As a result, the positional relationship between the state of the subject's blood vessel running and the organ can be easily grasped. By simultaneously performing 1D scanning and 2D scanning in this manner, it becomes possible to display the central region in 3D image display. Needless to say, the 3D image is not necessarily limited to blood flow information.
[0062]
Although only 3D image display, of course, only 2D image display is possible, it is possible to easily grasp biological information by combining and displaying 2D image display and 3D image display at the same time.
[0063]
FIG. 9 shows an example of rotating the display image by the display device 3, and based on the rotation operation of the operation unit 33, the surface of the 2D image that is displayed in a fixed manner by overlapping the 3D image is rotated. . Thereby, it becomes easy to grasp the positional relationship of the internal structure of the subject. Conversely, the 3D image may be rotated.
[0064]
As described above, in the present embodiment, by limiting the 3D scan region to the vicinity of the center of the element array facing the opening of the probe 1, both the 3D image and the 2D image can be displayed. It is possible to simultaneously display a high-definition 2D image and a 3D image that is expected to be practically displayed at the center of the 2D image while maintaining a wide field of view of the convex probe as a 2D image.
[0065]
10 to 15 show various element configurations and driving examples.
[0066]
FIG. 10 shows the configuration of elements used in the probe 1 having the 1D array configuration. The independent drive element is not limited to a single element, and may be composed of a plurality of elements by forming a sub die.
[0067]
FIG. 11 shows a probe 1 having a 2D array configuration. The element is arranged in two dimensions. A sub die may be configured, and each element in FIG. 11 is driven independently. If only the sound field control in the lens direction is performed, the number of divisions of the 2D array can be reduced.
[0068]
FIG. 12 shows an example of driving an element using a 2D array. The 2D drive unit near the center drives each element independently to enable 3D scanning. In addition, by switching the two side portions of the 2D drive unit with the transmission / reception changeover switch 24 and the element changeover switch 25 as described above, a common drive portion is provided for each column or block, and the actual number of simultaneously driven elements The element driving is performed substantially in the same manner as the 1D scan or with a reduced number of divisions in the lens direction. If there is a margin in the number of drive elements, there is no need to perform common drive, and all elements may be driven independently.
[0069]
The 2D driving unit near the center can perform 3D scanning, and in the case of 2D scanning, the entire device can be driven to obtain a high-definition 2D image.
[0070]
FIG. 13 shows an example of driving an element in high-definition 2D scanning. That is, common driving is performed for every four elements in two rows in adjacent columns.
[0071]
FIG. 14 shows a configuration using element arrangements having different pitches. The overall configuration is a 2D array. A 2D drive unit near the center drives each element independently for 3D image reconstruction. In addition, the 1D driving units on both sides are configured with an element array having a pitch (rough pitch) different from that of the 2D driving unit for 2D image reconstruction.
[0072]
FIG. 15 shows a configuration example using element arrangements with different pitches. The 2D drive unit near the center is used for 3D image reconstruction, and the 1D drive unit on both sides has 2D image reconstruction. For this purpose, it is composed of a row-shaped element arrangement having a different pitch (rough pitch) from the 2D driving unit.
[0073]
The element configuration shown in FIG. 15 is intended to reduce the simultaneous drive elements by the common drive of the 2D array configuration of FIG. 12, and substantially reduce the simultaneous drive elements by reducing the number of divided elements on the array. I do.
[0074]
During 2D scanning, the number of drive elements in the 2D array unit is changed by switching with a switch in accordance with the pitch on both sides. If necessary, the number of simultaneous driving elements may be reduced by switching the common driving elements. Further, the entire array may be configured by combining a plurality of arrays having different pitches to form one element array as a whole. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to form a 2D image by 1D scanning, a 3D image by 2D scanning, and a high-definition 2D image by various element configurations and various driving methods of the probe 1.
[0075]
In the example described above, all the rows in the same column are conducted during 1D scanning, but scanning is performed for each of a plurality of adjacent elements in the same column so that the number of rows is reduced to drive. Also good. In this case, the focus in the column direction during 1D scanning can be increased by changing the delay characteristics for each row.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image by using a single ultrasonic probe without the need to carry around, improve operability, and improve the organ, blood vessel, etc. of the subject. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which in-vivo information can be easily grasped can be provided.
[0077]
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of easily reconstructing and displaying only a two-dimensional image or only a three-dimensional image, or reconstructing and displaying a high-definition two-dimensional image. can do.
[0078]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of simultaneously obtaining a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image according to the density of the division pitch of the ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe.
[0079]
In addition, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional rotation image of a subject.
[0080]
Further, according to the present invention, a first switch group for supplying a driving signal for one-dimensional scanning, a first switch group for supplying a driving signal for two-dimensional scanning, a one-dimensional scanning, and a two-dimensional scanning To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image using a switching means including a third switch group that switches connection of a plurality of elements of an ultrasonic transducer. Can do.
[0081]
In addition, according to the present invention, a first ultrasonic transducer group having a two-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a coarser pitch than the first ultrasonic transducer group. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of obtaining a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image with a configuration including the arranged second ultrasonic transducer group.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a probe and a pulsar / preamplifier unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a transmission / reception selector switch and an element selector switch of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a modified probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a probe and a pulsar / preamplifier unit when performing 1D scanning and 2D scanning in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a transmission / reception changeover switch and an element changeover switch when performing 1D scan and 2D scan in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an image display example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image display example of a rotation state of a 2D image of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an element configuration of a probe having a 1D array structure in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an element configuration of a probe having a 2D array structure in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of driving by a probe having a 2D array structure in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of driving during 2D scanning by a probe having a 2D array structure in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an element configuration of probes having different pitches in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the element configuration of the probes with different pitches in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Probe
2 Main unit
3 Display device
11 Pulsa / Preamplifier unit
12 Waveform shaping circuit
13 Echo processor
14 Doppler processor
15 3D processor
16 Application processor
17 Display unit
20 Transmitter
21 Trigger pulse generator
22 Transmission / reception delay circuit
23 Pulsa
24 Transmission / reception selector switch
25 element selector switch
25a 1D scan switch
25b 2D scan switch
25c Element switching part
26 Preamplifier
31 Probe body
31a opening
33 Operation unit
BF1 to BF16 beamformer

Claims (5)

An ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix at least partially;
Drive signal generating means for generating drive signals for one-dimensional scanning and two-dimensional scanning in order to drive the ultrasonic transducer;
Switching means for supplying a signal from the drive signal generating means to a predetermined ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe;
In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
The switching means is composed of a first switch group, a second switch group, and a third switch group,
The first switch group sends the driving signal for one-dimensional scanning among the driving signals from the driving signal generating means to the third switch group, and sends the driving signal for two-dimensional scanning to the second switching group. To the switch group,
The second switch group becomes non-conductive during one-dimensional scanning and becomes conductive during two-dimensional scanning, and sends the driving signal for two-dimensional scanning to the third switch group.
The third switch group is connected to each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are electrically connected during the one-dimensional scanning to remove the first switch group from the first switch group. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that supplies the driving signal for one-dimensional scanning and supplies the driving signal for two-dimensional scanning from the second switch group during the two-dimensional scanning.   2. The switching unit according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit performs the switching so that all ultrasonic transducers or specific ultrasonic transducers among the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are driven under the same driving condition. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described.   The switching unit divides the plurality of ultrasonic transducers into the plurality of sets, and switches the plurality of ultrasonic transducers included in a part of the plurality of sets to be connected so as to be commonly driven. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in the plurality of sets, and the column of the ultrasonic transducer and the pitch of each row in one set are the columns of the ultrasonic transducers in the other set. And are arranged more densely than each pitch of the line,
The switching means switches a pair of ultrasonic transducers having a dense pitch for three-dimensional image reconstruction, and switches a group of ultrasonic transducers having a coarse pitch for two-dimensional image reconstruction. Item 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Item 3.   5. The ultrasonic transducer of a set with a dense pitch is arranged in a central portion, and an ultrasonic transducer of a set with a coarse pitch is arranged on both sides thereof. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.

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