JP4738103B2 - Ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes an ultrasonic probe diagnostic equipment for diagnosing the ultrasound probe to be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of diagnosing an ultrasound probe.

  A technique for diagnosing an ultrasonic probe by comparing an input waveform and an output waveform is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

According to the technique of Patent Document 1, a problem is displayed by displaying a waveform indicating a defect. The display device also displays the entire contents including the signal path number, probe identification, transducer element number, and test time.
JP-A-8-238243

  However, according to the technique of Patent Document 1, the maintenance worker must determine what abnormality is occurring in the ultrasonic probe based on the displayed signal waveform. In addition, the maintenance worker must determine whether the abnormality is a failure that requires repair or the like or an acceptable degree of deterioration. Such work requires skill and is a heavy burden on the maintenance worker.

  There are various types of ultrasonic probes. Since the above judgment must take into account the characteristics of each type of ultrasound probe to be diagnosed, the work becomes very complicated, requires a long time, and makes a wrong judgment. There was also a risk of losing.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is to allow a maintenance operator to easily and reliably recognize the necessity of maintenance of an ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed. Is to make it possible.

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention provides a first database describing a first reference value relating to a feature value for each of a plurality of ultrasonic probes and a second database relating to a variation degree of the feature value. In an ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus capable of accessing a second database describing a reference value and diagnosing an ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed, the reflected ultrasound received from a test object by the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed Measuring means for measuring the characteristic value in the sound wave signal; means for determining a variation degree of the measured characteristic value; and the first and second reference values corresponding to the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed. The obtaining means for obtaining from the first and second databases, the measured feature value and the obtained first reference value are compared and obtained. Determining means for comparing the obtained degree of variation with the acquired second reference value and determining whether or not the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed is normal based on a result of the comparison Equipped with.

In order to achieve the above object, the second aspect of the present invention describes a first reference value relating to a value of at least any two of amplitude, center frequency, and bandwidth for each of a plurality of ultrasonic probes. And a second reference value describing a second reference value relating to the degree of variation of at least any two of the amplitude, the center frequency, and the bandwidth for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes. In an ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus capable of accessing a database and diagnosing an ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed from among the plurality of ultrasonic probes, a reflection received from a test object by the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed At least any two of amplitude, center frequency and bandwidth in the ultrasonic signal are used as characteristic values. Measuring means for measuring, means for determining the degree of variation of each of the measured characteristic values, and first and second values relating to each of the measured characteristic values in accordance with the ultrasonic probe that is the diagnosis target An acquisition means for acquiring a reference value from the database, each of the measured feature values and the first reference value corresponding to each feature value are individually compared, and each of the obtained variation degrees A determination unit that individually compares the second reference value corresponding to each degree of variation and determines whether or not the ultrasound probe to be diagnosed is normal based on a result of the comparison; Prepared.

In order to achieve the above object, the third aspect of the present invention provides a first database describing a first reference value relating to a feature value for each of a plurality of ultrasonic probes, and a second database relating to a variation degree of the feature value. And a second database describing the reference values of the plurality of ultrasonic probes, and based on reflected ultrasonic waves from a subject received by an ultrasonic probe selectively mounted from among the plurality of ultrasonic probes. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining information for diagnosing the subject, measurement means for measuring the characteristic value in a reflected ultrasonic signal received from a test object by the mounted ultrasonic probe, and the measured characteristic Means for obtaining a variation degree of the value, and the first and second reference values corresponding to the mounted ultrasonic probe from the first and second databases. The obtaining means for obtaining, comparing the measured feature value with the obtained first reference value, comparing the obtained degree of variation with the obtained second reference value, and Determination means for determining whether or not the mounted ultrasonic probe is normal based on a result of the comparison.

In order to achieve the above object, the fourth aspect of the present invention describes a first reference value relating to a value of at least any two of an amplitude, a center frequency, and a bandwidth for each of a plurality of ultrasonic probes. And a second reference value describing a second reference value relating to the degree of variation of at least any two of the amplitude, the center frequency, and the bandwidth for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes. In order to diagnose the subject based on reflected ultrasound from the subject that is accessible to the database and is received by an ultrasound probe selectively mounted from among the plurality of ultrasound probes In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining information on the amplitude of the reflected ultrasonic signal received from the test object by the mounted ultrasonic probe According to the measurement means for measuring at least any two of the center frequency and the bandwidth as the feature values, the means for obtaining the degree of variation of each of the measured feature values, and the mounted ultrasonic probe, And the acquisition means which acquires the 1st and 2nd reference value about each of the measured said feature value from said database, Each of said measured feature value and said 1st reference value according to each feature value, Are individually compared, and each of the obtained variation degrees is individually compared with the second reference value corresponding to each variation degree, and the mounted ultrasonic probe is based on the result of the comparison Determining means for determining whether or not is normal.

  According to these aspects of the present invention, it is possible to allow a maintenance operator to easily and reliably recognize the necessity of maintenance for an ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a basic configuration common to the first to fourth embodiments will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe diagnostic function according to each embodiment.

  This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a main unit 700 and an ultrasonic probe 200.

  The main unit 700 includes connectors 701, 702, 703, a transmission unit 704, a reception unit 705, a measurement unit 706, a storage medium 707, an interface unit 708, a display processing unit 709, a determination unit 710, a control unit 711, and a medical diagnosis unit 712. Including.

  A connector 201 provided in the ultrasonic probe 200 to be diagnosed is attached to the connector 701. The connector 701 has the same number of contacts 701 a as the contacts 201 a provided on the connector 201. The contacts 701a are arranged so as to contact each of the contacts 201a when the connector 201 is attached to the connector 701. An external device (not shown) is connected to the connector 702 via a communication cable (not shown) such as a USB cable. The external device is a printer, a network, a personal computer, a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like. A monitor device (not shown) is connected to the connector 703 via a monitor cable (not shown).

  The transmission unit 704 transmits an excitation signal for exciting the ultrasonic transducer 202a. The transmission unit 704 can transmit the excitation signals of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 202a in parallel. The receiving unit 705 receives a signal received by the ultrasonic transducer 202a. The receiving unit 705 can receive in parallel the signals received by each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 202a. The receiving unit 705 outputs the received signal.

  The measurement unit 706 measures the feature value of the signal output from the reception unit 705. The measurement unit 706 outputs measurement information obtained by the above measurement process to the storage medium 707, the interface unit 708, the display processing unit 709, the determination unit 710, or the control unit 711 under the control of the control unit 711. The storage medium 707 is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 707 stores various information such as the above measurement information. The interface unit 708 performs communication processing based on, for example, the USB standard, and realizes communication with an external device connected to the connector 702. The display processing unit 709 generates an image signal for displaying an image on the monitor device connected to the connector 703 based on the measurement information and information given from the control unit 711.

  The determination unit 710 determines whether or not the ultrasound probe 200 is normal based on measurement information output from the measurement information and data provided from the storage medium 707 under the control of the control unit 711. The determination unit 710 gives the determination result to the control unit 711.

  The control unit 711 includes a microprocessor, for example. The control unit 711 comprehensively controls each unit of the main unit 700 to realize an operation for diagnosis of the ultrasonic probe 200. In addition, the control unit 711 has a function of sending data for the above determination from the storage medium 707 to the determination unit 710 in synchronization with the determination process in the determination unit 710.

  The medical diagnosis unit 712 further includes an imaging control unit 712a, an image generation unit 712b, a memory unit 712c, and a display unit 712d. The imaging control unit 712a controls the transmission unit 704, the reception unit 705, and the image generation unit 712b so that an appropriate imaging process is performed according to the diagnosis content. The image generation unit 712b generates display data representing an image for medical diagnosis based on the signal output from the reception unit 705. The image represented by the display data is a reconstructed image such as a tomographic image or a three-dimensional image related to the organ and blood flow of the subject, or a text image or graph representing a measured value such as blood flow velocity or a change thereof. The memory unit 712c stores the display data. The display unit 712d performs display based on the display data.

  The above is the basic configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first to fourth embodiments. Details of the first to fourth embodiments will be described below.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a characteristic configuration of the main unit 700 according to the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to FIG. 1 and an identical part, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement unit 706 includes a buffer memory 706a, an amplitude analysis unit 706b, a center frequency analysis unit 706c, and a bandwidth analysis unit 706d.
From the receiving unit 705, the received signal is output as a digital signal. The buffer memory 706a temporarily stores the digital signal output from the receiving unit 705. The amplitude analysis unit 706b analyzes the digital signal stored in the buffer memory 706a and measures the amplitude value and the amplitude variation degree of the digital signal. The center frequency analysis unit 706c analyzes the digital signal stored in the buffer memory 706a and measures the center frequency value and the frequency variation degree of the digital signal. The bandwidth analysis unit 706d analyzes the digital signal stored in the buffer memory 706a and measures the bandwidth value and the bandwidth variation degree of the digital signal.

  The determination unit 710 includes a V level determination unit 710a, an Fo level determination unit 710b, a BW level determination unit 710c, a V variation determination unit 710d, an Fo variation determination unit 710e, a BW variation determination unit 710f, and an overall determination unit 710g. The storage medium 707 is provided with a reference database (reference DB) 707a.

  The V level determination unit 710a determines pass / fail based on the amplitude value measured by the amplitude analysis unit 706b and the level reference data for amplitude output from the reference database 707a. The Fo level determination unit 710b determines pass / fail based on the center frequency value measured by the center frequency analysis unit 706c and the level reference data for center frequency output from the reference database 707a. The BW level determination unit 710c determines pass / fail based on the bandwidth value measured by the bandwidth analysis unit 706d and the level reference data for bandwidth output from the reference database 707a.

  The V variation determination unit 710d determines pass / fail based on the amplitude variation degree measured by the amplitude analysis unit 706b and the variation reference data for amplitude output from the reference database 707a. The Fo variation determination unit 710e determines pass / fail based on the center frequency variation degree measured by the center frequency analysis unit 706c and the variation reference data for the center frequency output from the reference database 707a. The BW variation determination unit 710f performs quality determination based on the bandwidth variation degree measured by the bandwidth analysis unit 706d and the bandwidth variation reference data output from the reference database 707a.

  The overall determination unit 710g determines whether each of the V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, the BW level determination unit 710c, the V variation determination unit 710d, the Fo variation determination unit 710e, and the BW variation determination unit 710f is acceptable. Based on this, it is comprehensively determined whether or not the ultrasonic probe 200 is normal.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the reference database 707a.

  The reference database 707a includes a plurality of probe-specific reference databases (probe-specific reference DBs) 771. In these probe-specific reference databases 771, reference data determined in consideration of the characteristics of different types of ultrasonic probes are described. Each probe-specific reference database 771 includes a V reference database (V reference DB) 771a, a Fo reference database (Fo reference DB) 771b, and a BW reference database (BW reference DB) 771c.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the V reference database 771 a describes amplitude level reference data and variation reference data for determining the quality of each channel in association with each channel of the ultrasonic probe 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the Fo reference database 771b describes level reference data and variation reference data for center frequency for determining pass / fail regarding the channel. As shown in FIG. 3, the BW reference database 771c describes bandwidth level reference data and variation reference data for determining pass / fail regarding the channel.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  When performing medical diagnosis on a subject using the ultrasonic probe 200, the medical diagnosis unit 712 is enabled to present information useful for medical diagnosis in the same manner as a known ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Can do.

  On the other hand, in diagnosing the ultrasonic probe 200, a maintenance worker installs a test object in a medium such as water in a container such as a water tank as shown in FIG. 1, and makes the head unit 202 face the test object. deep.

  When it becomes necessary to diagnose the ultrasonic probe 200, the control unit 711 sequentially excites the ultrasonic transducer 202 a by the transmission unit 704. Then, the control unit 711 causes the reception unit 705 to receive the reflected ultrasonic signal from the test object via the excited ultrasonic transducer 202a, the signal line 203a, the contact 201a, and the contact 701a. Thus, the digital signal of the reflected ultrasonic signal of each channel is sequentially stored in the buffer memory 706a. Therefore, the control unit 711 measures the amplitude value and the amplitude variation degree for the reflected ultrasonic signal in the amplitude analysis unit 706b, measures the center frequency value and the center frequency variation degree in the center frequency analysis unit 706c, and determines the bandwidth value and The bandwidth analysis unit 706d is caused to measure the bandwidth variation degree.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the amplitude change of the reflected ultrasonic signal. The amplitude analyzing unit 706b sets the value of (V + max) + | (V−max) | in FIG. 4A or the larger value of V + max or | V−max | as the amplitude value. The amplitude analyzing unit 706b sets the difference or ratio between the measured amplitude value and a predetermined specified value as the amplitude variation degree.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a frequency spectrum of the reflected ultrasonic signal. The center frequency analysis unit 706c sets (FL + FH) / 2 in FIG. 4B as the center frequency value. The center frequency analysis unit 706c sets the difference or ratio between the measured center frequency value and a predetermined value as the center frequency variation degree. The bandwidth analysis unit 706d sets (FH−FL) in FIG. 4B as the bandwidth value. Further, the bandwidth analysis unit 706d sets a difference or ratio between the bandwidth value and a predetermined value as a bandwidth variation degree.

  On the other hand, as described above, the control unit 711 sets the amplitude value, the center frequency value, the bandwidth value, the amplitude variation degree, the center frequency variation degree, and the bandwidth variation degree to each channel in accordance with the timing at which each channel is measured. Level reference data for amplitude, level reference data for center frequency, level reference data for bandwidth, variation reference data for amplitude, variation reference data for center frequency, and variation reference data for bandwidth The data is sent from the database 707a to each of the V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, the BW level determination unit 710c, the V variation determination unit 710d, the Fo variation determination unit 710e, and the BW variation determination unit 710f. However, the control unit 711 determines the type of the ultrasonic probe 200 based on the identification information output from the identification information output unit 204, and outputs each reference data from the probe-specific reference database 771 corresponding to the type.

  The identification information is information for identifying each ultrasonic probe 200, and generally does not include information indicating the model. The control unit 711 determines the model of the ultrasonic probe 200 by referring to a database in which model information is described in association with various identification information. The database may be acquired from an external device connected to the connector 702, or may be stored in the storage medium 707. Further, information indicating the model may be included in the identification information, and the model of the ultrasonic probe 200 may be determined directly from this information.

  The V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, and the BW level determination unit 710c are such that the amplitude value, the center frequency value, and the bandwidth value are indicated by level reference data for amplitude, center frequency, and bandwidth. The quality of each channel is determined according to whether it is within the channel. The V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, and the BW level determination unit 710c are “PASS” when each value is within each reference range, and “FAIL” when each value is outside each reference range. The judgment result is output. The level reference data for amplitude, center frequency, and bandwidth may indicate a threshold value or an allowable range. If the level reference data indicates a threshold value, the V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, and the BW level determination unit 710c perform the above-described pass / fail determination by comparing the threshold value with each value. If the allowable range is indicated, the above pass / fail judgment is performed by confirming whether each value is within the allowable range.

  In the V variation determination unit 710d, the Fo variation determination unit 710e, and the BW variation determination unit 710f, the amplitude variation degree, the center frequency variation degree, and the bandwidth variation degree indicate the variation reference data for amplitude, center frequency, and bandwidth. The quality of each channel is determined depending on whether it is within the range. The V variation determining unit 710d, the Fo variation determining unit 710e, and the BW variation determining unit 710f are “PASS” when each value is within each reference range, and “FAIL” when each value is outside each reference range. The judgment result is output. Note that the variation reference data for amplitude, center frequency, and bandwidth may indicate a threshold value or an allowable range. If the variation reference data indicates a threshold value, the V variation determination unit 710d, the Fo variation determination unit 710e, and the BW variation determination unit 710f perform the above-described pass / fail determination by comparing the threshold value with each degree of variation. Indicates an acceptable range, the above pass / fail judgment is performed by confirming whether or not each variation degree is within the allowable range.

  The overall determination unit 710g determines each of the V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, the BW level determination unit 710c, the V variation determination unit 710d, the Fo variation determination unit 710e, and the BW variation determination unit 710f for the same channel. Based on the result, the quality of each channel is finally determined. Furthermore, the overall determination unit 710g determines the quality of the ultrasonic probe 200 based on the quality determination results of all channels. The overall determination unit 710g notifies the control unit 711 of the result of quality determination for each channel and the result of quality determination regarding the ultrasonic probe 200.

  The control unit 711 generates a display image indicating the result of the quality determination for each channel and the result of the quality determination regarding the ultrasonic probe 200. A signal for displaying the display image on the monitor device is generated by the display processing unit 709 under the control of the control unit 711 and output from the connector 703. The control unit 711 can also generate print data of a report including the display image. This print data is sent to the printer via the interface unit 708 and the connector 702 and printed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is automatically determined whether the ultrasonic probe 200 is good, that is, whether the ultrasonic probe 200 is normal. In order to determine pass / fail, a reference range corresponding to the type of the ultrasonic probe 200 is applied. Therefore, the above determination can be made appropriately in consideration of the characteristics of each type of ultrasonic probe. The maintenance worker can easily and reliably recognize the necessity of maintenance of the ultrasonic probe 200 by checking the determination result.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the quality determination for each channel is performed, and an individual reference range is applied for the quality determination. For this reason, more appropriate determination can be performed in consideration of the difference in characteristics between channels.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, since the amplitude value, the center frequency value, and the bandwidth value are used as the feature values, it is possible to make an appropriate determination based on pass / fail determination that considers the features of the reflected ultrasonic signal from various aspects.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the pass / fail determination is performed in consideration of not only the feature value of the reflected ultrasonic signal but also the degree of variation of the feature value. For this reason, although the feature values are individually within the reference range, a situation in which the variation of the feature values becomes large can be determined as an abnormal state.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a characteristic configuration of the main unit 700 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 shows only the differences from the configuration in the first embodiment, and the configuration of parts not shown is the same as that in the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the determination unit 710 includes a V level determination unit 710a, a Fo level determination unit 710b, a BW level determination unit 710c, a V variation determination unit 710d, a Fo variation determination unit 710e, a BW variation determination unit 710f, and a weight determination unit. Including 710h. In addition to the reference database 707a, the storage medium 707 is provided with a determination weighting database (determination weighting DB) 707b.

  The weighting determination unit 710h is similar to the overall determination unit 710g, and includes the V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, the BW level determination unit 710c, the V variation determination unit 710d, the Fo variation determination unit 710e, and the BW variation determination unit 710f. Whether or not the ultrasonic probe 200 is normal is comprehensively determined based on the determination result of each quality. However, the weighting determination unit 710h weights each determination result based on the weighting data stored in the determination weighting database 707b. Then, the weighting determination unit 710h performs the above comprehensive determination based on each weighted determination result.

  In the determination weighting database 707b, weighting data indicating a weighting method for each determination result is described for each type of the ultrasonic probe 200.

  In the main unit 700 of the second embodiment configured as described above, weighting data corresponding to the type of the ultrasound probe 200 is transferred from the determination weighting database 707b to the weighting determination unit 710h under the control of the control unit 711. Sent. Then, the weighting determination unit 710h is a pass / fail determination result in each of the V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, the BW level determination unit 710c, the V variation determination unit 710d, the Fo variation determination unit 710e, and the BW variation determination unit 710f. Is weighted based on the above weighted data, and the quality of each channel is finally determined based on these weighted determination results. Furthermore, the weight determination unit 710h determines the quality of the ultrasonic probe 200 based on the quality determination results of all channels. The weight determination unit 710h notifies the control unit 711 of the result of pass / fail determination for each channel and the result of pass / fail determination regarding the ultrasonic probe 200.

  Thus, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved. In addition, according to the second embodiment, the degree to which each of the amplitude value, the center frequency value, the bandwidth value, the amplitude variation degree, the center frequency variation degree, and the bandwidth variation degree affects the performance of the ultrasonic probe 200 is determined. When different depending on the type of the ultrasonic probe 200, it is possible to perform a more appropriate quality determination in consideration of this.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a characteristic configuration of the main unit 700 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 shows only the differences from the configuration in the first embodiment, and the configuration of parts not shown is the same as that in the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIGS.

  6, the determination unit 710 includes a V level determination unit 710a, a Fo level determination unit 710b, a BW level determination unit 710c, a V variation determination unit 710d, a Fo variation determination unit 710e, a BW variation determination unit 710f, and a weight determination unit. In addition to 710h, weighting units 710i, 710j, 710k, 710m, 710n, and 710p are included. The storage medium 707 is provided with a reference database 707c in addition to the determination weighting database 707b.

  The weighting units 710i, 710j, 710k, 710m, 710n, and 710p include a V level determination unit 710a, a Fo level determination unit 710b, a BW level determination unit 710c, a V variation determination unit 710d, a Fo variation determination unit 710e, and a BW variation determination unit. Each of the determination results of 710f is input. The weighting units 710i, 710j, 710k, 710m, 710n, and 710p weight the determination results that are input based on the weighting data stored in the reference database 707c. Each determination result after the weighting is performed by the weighting units 710i, 710j, 710k, 710m, 710n, and 710p is input to the weighting determination unit 710h.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the reference database 707c. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in FIG.
The reference database 707c includes a plurality of probe-specific reference databases 772. In these probe-specific reference databases 772, reference data and weighting data determined in consideration of respective characteristics of different types of ultrasonic probes are described. Each probe-specific reference database 772 includes a weighting database (weighting DB) 772a in addition to the V reference database 771a, the Fo reference database 771b, and the BW reference database 771c.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the weighting database 772a describes weighting data related to each channel in association with each channel of the ultrasonic probe 200. The weighting data indicates a weighting method determined in consideration of a difference in characteristics between channels.

  In the main unit 700 of the third embodiment configured as described above, weighted data is sent from the reference database 707c to the weighting units 710i, 710j, 710k, 710m, 710n, and 710p under the control of the control unit 711. . The control unit 711 outputs determination results for each channel from the V level determination unit 710a, the Fo level determination unit 710b, the BW level determination unit 710c, the V variation determination unit 710d, the Fo variation determination unit 710e, and the BW variation determination unit 710f. The weighting data corresponding to each channel is sent from the reference database 707c to the weighting units 710i, 710j, 710k, 710m, 710n, and 710p. However, the control unit 711 outputs weighting data from the probe-specific reference database 772 corresponding to the type of the ultrasonic probe 200.

  Then, the weighting units 710i, 710j, 710k, 710m, 710n, and 710p weight the input determination results based on the weighting data sent from the reference database 707c. Thereby, each determination result is weighted for each channel. Each determination result after such weighting is input to the weight determination unit 710h, and a final determination is made as shown in the second embodiment.

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be achieved. In addition, according to the third embodiment, the determination result of the amplitude value, the center frequency value, the bandwidth value, the amplitude variation degree, the center frequency variation degree, and the bandwidth variation degree is weighted for each channel. It becomes possible to perform a more appropriate pass / fail judgment in consideration of the difference in the characteristics of each.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a characteristic configuration of the main unit 700 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8 shows only the differences from the configuration in the first embodiment, and the configuration of the portion not shown is the same as that in the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the determination unit 710 includes a V level deterioration determination unit 710q, an Fo level deterioration determination unit 710r, a BW level deterioration determination unit 710s, a V variation deterioration determination unit 710v, an Fo variation deterioration determination unit 710w, and a BW variation deterioration determination. Part 710x and comprehensive judgment part 710y. The storage medium 707 is provided with a reference database 707d and a past acquisition data database (past acquisition data DB) 707e.

  The V level deterioration determination unit 710q is based on the amplitude value newly measured by the amplitude analysis unit 706b and the past measurement amplitude value output from the past acquisition data database 707e (hereinafter referred to as the amplitude deterioration degree). Called). The V level deterioration determination unit 710q determines pass / fail based on the obtained amplitude deterioration degree and the level deterioration degree reference data for amplitude output from the reference database 707d. The Fo level deterioration determination unit 710r is based on the center frequency value newly measured by the center frequency analysis unit 706c and the past measurement center frequency value output from the past acquisition data database 707e (hereinafter, referred to as the degree of deterioration of the center frequency value). (Referred to as center frequency degradation degree). The Fo level deterioration determination unit 710r determines pass / fail based on the obtained center frequency deterioration degree and the level deterioration degree reference data for center frequency output from the reference database 707d. The BW level deterioration determination unit 710s determines the degree of deterioration of the bandwidth value (hereinafter referred to as “bandwidth value deterioration degree”) based on the bandwidth value newly measured by the bandwidth analysis unit 706d and the past measurement bandwidth value output from the past acquisition data database 707e. (Referred to as bandwidth degradation). The BW level deterioration determination unit 710s determines pass / fail based on the obtained bandwidth deterioration degree and the level deterioration degree reference data for bandwidth output from the reference database 707d.

  The V variation deterioration determination unit 710v determines the degree of deterioration of amplitude variation (hereinafter referred to as amplitude variation) based on the amplitude variation degree newly measured by the amplitude analysis unit 706b and the past measurement amplitude variation degree output from the past acquired data database 707e. (Referred to as the degree of deterioration). The V variation deterioration determining unit 710v determines pass / fail based on the obtained amplitude variation deterioration level and the amplitude variation deterioration level reference data output from the reference database 707d. The Fo variation deterioration determination unit 710w is based on the center frequency variation degree newly measured by the center frequency analysis unit 706c and the past measurement center frequency variation degree output from the past acquisition data database 707e. Hereinafter, it is referred to as a center frequency variation deterioration degree). The Fo variation deterioration determination unit 710w determines pass / fail based on the obtained center frequency variation deterioration degree and the center frequency variation deterioration reference data output from the reference database 707d. The BW variation deterioration determination unit 710x determines the deterioration degree of the bandwidth variation based on the bandwidth variation degree newly measured by the bandwidth analysis unit 706d and the past measurement bandwidth variation degree output from the past acquisition data database 707e ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as a bandwidth variation deterioration degree). The BW variation deterioration determination unit 710x determines pass / fail based on the obtained bandwidth variation deterioration degree and the bandwidth variation deterioration degree reference data output from the reference database 707d.

  The overall determination unit 710y includes a V level deterioration determination unit 710q, a Fo level deterioration determination unit 710r, a BW level deterioration determination unit 710s, a V variation deterioration determination unit 710v, a Fo variation deterioration determination unit 710w, and a BW variation deterioration determination unit 710x. It is comprehensively determined whether or not the ultrasonic probe 200 is normal based on the determination result.

  The reference database 707d has the same configuration as the reference database 707a. However, in the reference database 707d, level deterioration degree reference data is described instead of the level reference data, and variation deterioration degree reference data is described instead of the variation reference data.

  The past acquired data database 707e includes an amplitude value, an amplitude variation degree, a center frequency value, a center frequency variation degree, a bandwidth value measured in the past by the amplitude analysis unit 706b, the center frequency analysis unit 706c, and the bandwidth analysis unit 706d. The bandwidth variation degree is written as a past measurement amplitude value, a past measurement amplitude variation degree, a past measurement center frequency value, a past measurement center frequency variation degree, a past measurement bandwidth value, and a past measurement bandwidth variation degree.

  In the main unit 700 of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the amplitude value deterioration degree, the center frequency value deterioration degree, the bandwidth deterioration degree, the amplitude variation deterioration degree, the center frequency deterioration degree, and the bandwidth deterioration degree are obtained. It is done. The difference is that the quality of each channel is determined based on whether or not each of the above-mentioned deterioration values is within the reference range indicated by the corresponding reference data, rather than each feature value or its variation degree. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Thus, the fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

The first to fourth embodiments described above can be variously modified as follows.
The degree of normality or abnormality may be ranked by indicating a plurality of reference ranges in each reference data. For example, if the degree of normality is ranked as shown in FIG. 9, the maintenance worker can recognize the deterioration of the ultrasonic probe 200 based on this rank, and prepare for the occurrence of a future abnormality. It is possible to perform such a treatment.

  Each reference value may be common to each channel.

  The quality may be determined based only on the feature value without considering the degree of variation.

  The feature value to be considered may be any one or two of the amplitude value, the center frequency value, and the bandwidth value. Alternatively, values other than those described above may be used.

  The reference database 707a, the determination weighting database 707b, the reference database 707c, the reference database 707d, or the past acquisition data database 707e may be prepared outside the main unit 700. In this case, for example, each database can be accessed via the connector 702.

  The level reference data and the variation reference data may be described in separate databases.

  Display based on the signal generated by the display processing unit 709 may be performed by the display unit 712d. For example, the display processing unit 709 and the image generation unit 712b are connected. Then, the image generation unit 712b generates display data corresponding to the signal generated by the display processing unit 709, and writes this into the memory unit 712c.

  The medical diagnostic unit 712 may be omitted and realized as an ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The figure which shows the basic composition of the ultrasound diagnosing device provided with the ultrasound probe diagnostic function which concerns on the 1st thru | or 4th embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a characteristic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the reference | standard database in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the amplitude change and frequency spectrum of a reflected ultrasonic signal. The block diagram which shows the characteristic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the characteristic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the reference | standard database in FIG. The block diagram which shows the characteristic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a mode that the degree of normality is ranked.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 ... Ultrasonic probe, 202a ... Ultrasonic transducer, 700 ... Main unit, 701, 702, 703 ... Connector, 704 ... Transmission part, 705 ... Reception part, 706 ... Measurement part, 706a ... Buffer memory, 706b ... Amplitude analysis 706c ... Center frequency analysis unit, 706d ... Bandwidth analysis unit, 707 ... Storage medium, 707a, 707c, 707d ... Reference database, 707b ... Determination weight database, 707e ... Past acquisition data database, 708 ... Interface unit, 709 ... Display processing unit, 710 ... determining unit, 710a ... V level determining unit, 710b ... Fo level determining unit, 710c ... BW level determining unit, 710d ... V variation determining unit, 710e ... Fo variation determining unit, 710f ... BW variation determining unit , 710g, 710y ... comprehensive judgment unit, 710h Weighting determination unit, 710i, 710j, 710k, 710m, 710n, 710p ... Weighting unit, 710q ... V level deterioration determination unit, 710r ... Fo level deterioration determination unit, 710s ... BW level deterioration determination unit, 710v ... V variation deterioration determination unit , 710w... Fo variation deterioration determination unit, 710x... BW variation deterioration determination unit, 711... Control unit, 712... Medical diagnosis unit, 771 and 772 ... probe-specific reference database, 771a ... V reference database, 771b ... Fo reference database, 771c ... BW reference database, 772a ... weighting database.

Claims (18)

A first database describing a first reference value relating to a feature value for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes, and a second database describing a second reference value relating to the degree of variation of the feature value; and In an ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing an ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed,
Measuring means for measuring the characteristic value in a reflected ultrasonic signal received from a test object by the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed;
Means for obtaining a variation degree of the measured characteristic value;
Acquisition means for acquiring the first and second reference values corresponding to the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed from the first and second databases;
The measured feature value is compared with the acquired first reference value, the obtained degree of variation is compared with the acquired second reference value, and based on the result of these comparisons An ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed is normal. The determination means individually determines the characteristic value measured for each of the reflected ultrasonic signals received by the plurality of transducers included in the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed and the acquired first reference value. And comparing the degree of variation obtained for each of the reflected ultrasonic signals output from the plurality of transducers and the acquired second reference value individually, and the results of these comparisons The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein it is determined whether or not the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed is normal based on the above. Said measuring means, an ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that measuring amplitude, one of the center frequency and bandwidth as the feature value. A first database describing first reference values related to values of at least any two of amplitude, center frequency and bandwidth for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes; and Each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes is accessible to a second database that describes a second reference value relating to the degree of dispersion of at least any two of amplitude, center frequency, and bandwidth. In an ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing an ultrasonic probe that is a diagnostic object from
Measuring means for measuring at least any two of amplitude, center frequency and bandwidth in a reflected ultrasonic signal received from a test object by the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed as a feature value;
Means for obtaining a degree of variation of each of the measured characteristic values;
An acquisition means for acquiring from the database first and second reference values relating to each of the measured characteristic values according to the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed;
Each of the measured feature values is individually compared with the first reference value according to each feature value, and each of the obtained degrees of variation and the second reference value according to each degree of variation are compared. And a determination unit that determines whether or not the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed is normal based on the result of the comparison. The determination unit is configured to measure each of the feature values measured for each of the reflected ultrasound signals received by the plurality of transducers included in the ultrasound probe to be diagnosed, and the first value corresponding to each feature value. Each of the reference values is compared individually, and each of the variations obtained for each of the reflected ultrasonic signals output from the plurality of transducers and the second reference value corresponding to each variation are obtained. The ultrasonic probe diagnosis apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the ultrasonic probes are compared individually, and it is determined whether or not the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed is normal based on a result of the comparison.
The ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus can access a third database indicating weighting information for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes;
The acquisition means acquires the weighting information corresponding to the ultrasonic probe that is the diagnosis target from the third database,
The determination unit weights the result of comparison regarding the feature value and the result of comparison regarding the degree of variation according to the acquired weighting information, and then based on the result of the weighted comparison. Te ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 4 ultrasonic probe and judging whether or not normal. The ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus is capable of accessing a third database indicating weighting information for a plurality of transducers of each ultrasonic probe for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes,
Means for obtaining the weighting information corresponding to the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed from the third database;
Means for weighting each of the feature values measured for each of the reflected ultrasonic signals received by the plurality of transducers according to the obtained weighting information;
It said determining means, an ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus according weighting the feature values has been made to claim 1 or claim 4 ultrasonic probe is characterized in that for use in determining whether or not it is normal. The ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus is capable of accessing a third database indicating weighting information for a plurality of transducers of each ultrasonic probe for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes,
Means for obtaining the weighting information corresponding to the ultrasonic probe to be diagnosed from the third database;
Means for weighting each of the degrees of variation obtained for each of the reflected ultrasound signals received by the plurality of transducers according to the obtained weighting information;
It said determining means, an ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus according to weighting the variation degree was made to claim 1 or claim 4 ultrasonic probe is characterized in that for use in determining whether or not it is normal. Storage means for storing the feature values acquired in the past;
Means for obtaining a degree of deterioration of the feature value newly acquired with respect to the feature value stored in the storage means;
Said determining means, using said deterioration degree determined as a characteristic value ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or claim 4 ultrasonic probe is characterized in that a determination of whether or not normal Diagnostic device. Storage means for storing the degree of variation acquired in the past;
Means for obtaining a degree of deterioration of the degree of variation with respect to the degree of variation stored in the storage unit of the newly obtained degree of variation;
Said determining means, using said deterioration degree determined as a variation degree ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or claim 4 ultrasonic probe is characterized in that a determination of whether or not normal Diagnostic device. 2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein a normality level of the ultrasound probe to be diagnosed is determined based on the feature value, the variation degree, or both the feature value and the variation degree. Or the ultrasonic probe diagnostic apparatus of Claim 4 . It is possible to access a first database describing a first reference value relating to a feature value for each of a plurality of ultrasonic probes, and a second database describing a second reference value relating to the variation degree of the feature value. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for obtaining information for diagnosing the subject based on reflected ultrasound from the subject received by an ultrasound probe selectively mounted from among the plurality of ultrasound probes In
Measuring means for measuring the characteristic value in a reflected ultrasonic signal received by the mounted ultrasonic probe from a test object;
Means for obtaining a variation degree of the measured characteristic value;
Acquisition means for acquiring the first and second reference values according to the mounted ultrasonic probe from the first and second databases;
The measured feature value is compared with the acquired first reference value, the obtained degree of variation is compared with the acquired second reference value, and based on the result of these comparisons An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the mounted ultrasonic probe is normal. A first database describing first reference values related to values of at least any two of amplitude, center frequency and bandwidth for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes; and Each of which has access to a second database that describes a second reference value relating to the degree of dispersion of at least any two of amplitude, center frequency and bandwidth; In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for obtaining information for diagnosing the subject based on reflected ultrasound from the subject received by an ultrasound probe selectively mounted from among the ultrasound probes,
Measuring means for measuring at least any two of amplitude, center frequency and bandwidth in a reflected ultrasonic signal received by the mounted ultrasonic probe from a test object, as characteristic values;
Means for obtaining a degree of variation of each of the measured characteristic values;
Obtaining means for obtaining first and second reference values from the database according to the mounted ultrasonic probe and each of the measured characteristic values;
Each of the measured feature values is individually compared with the first reference value according to each feature value, and each of the obtained degrees of variation and the second reference value according to each degree of variation are compared. And a determination means for determining whether or not the mounted ultrasonic probe is normal based on the result of the comparison. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can access a third database indicating weighting information for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes;
The acquisition means acquires the weighting information according to the mounted ultrasonic probe from the third database,
The determination means weights the comparison result related to the feature value and the comparison result related to the degree of variation according to the acquired weighting information, and then determines an ultrasonic wave based on the comparison result. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein it is determined whether or not the probe is normal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is capable of accessing a third database indicating weighting information for a plurality of transducers of each ultrasonic probe for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes,
Means for acquiring the weighting information according to the mounted ultrasonic probe from the third database;
Means for weighting each of the feature values measured for each of the reflected ultrasonic signals received by the plurality of transducers according to the obtained weighting information;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the determination unit uses the weighted feature value for determining whether or not the ultrasonic probe is normal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is capable of accessing a third database indicating weighting information for a plurality of transducers of each ultrasonic probe for each of the plurality of ultrasonic probes,
Means for acquiring the weighting information according to the mounted ultrasonic probe from the third database;
Means for weighting each of the degrees of variation obtained for each of the reflected ultrasound signals received by the plurality of transducers according to the obtained weighting information;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein the determination unit uses the weighted variation degree to determine whether or not the ultrasonic probe is normal. Storage means for storing the feature values acquired in the past;
Means for obtaining a degree of deterioration of the feature value newly acquired with respect to the feature value stored in the storage means;
The ultrasonic diagnosis according to claim 12 , wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the ultrasonic probe is normal by using the obtained degree of deterioration as a feature value. apparatus. Storage means for storing the degree of variation acquired in the past;
Means for obtaining a degree of deterioration of the degree of variation with respect to the degree of variation stored in the storage unit of the newly obtained degree of variation;
The ultrasonic diagnosis according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the ultrasonic probe is normal by using the obtained degree of deterioration as a variation degree. apparatus.

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