JP5231116B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention controls the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic transducer when simultaneously scanning different first and second scanning planes intersecting at an arbitrary angle by an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic scope or an ultrasonic probe. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic scope or an ultrasonic probe (hereinafter, an ultrasonic scope and an ultrasonic probe are collectively referred to as an ultrasonic probe) connected to an ultrasonic image observation apparatus. Ultrasonic waves are repeatedly transmitted to living tissue, ultrasonic echo signals reflected from the living tissue are received, information in the living body is generated as an ultrasonic tomographic image, and displayed on a display unit such as a monitor .

  The ultrasonic image observation apparatus of such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an electronic scanning type that electronically drives and scans inside the body cavity, and a mechanical scanning type that mechanically rotates and scans inside the body cavity. .

  For example, an electronic scanning ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has an ultrasonic transducer formed by a plurality of vibration elements, and electronically switches each vibration element of the ultrasonic transducer. By driving, the inside of the body cavity is scanned to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image.

Further, the mechanical scanning ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 2 obtains an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by scanning the inside of a body cavity by mechanically rotating one ultrasonic transducer.
JP-A-6-47043 JP 2001-333906 A

  However, the conventional ultrasonic image observation apparatuses of the electronic scanning type or the mechanical scanning type as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured so that different first and second scanning planes intersecting at an arbitrary angle by an ultrasonic transducer. When scanning at the same time, an ultrasonic wave that scans on the first scanning plane and an ultrasonic wave that scans on the second scanning plane may overlap at a predetermined position. There is a possibility that the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the vibrator surface temperature at the overlapped portion may exceed specified values.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in the case of simultaneously scanning different first and second scanning planes intersecting at an arbitrary angle by an ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic irradiation intensity and vibration An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of controlling the transmission of ultrasonic waves of an ultrasonic transducer so that the child surface temperature does not exceed a specified value.

One aspect of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates an ultrasound image by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to transmit the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transducer by driving the ultrasonic vibrator In addition, in the case of simultaneously scanning different first and second scanning planes intersecting at an arbitrary angle by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit that receives the ultrasonic echo signal and the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic irradiation intensity And a control unit that controls the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit so that the transducer surface temperature does not exceed a predetermined standard value, and the control unit intersects at an arbitrary angle with the ultrasonic transducer. When simultaneously scanning different first and second scanning planes, the first ultrasonic wave relating to the scanning of the first scanning plane and the second ultrasonic wave relating to the scanning of the second scanning plane are generated. The first supersonic sound that does not overlap Wherein controlling the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit and to transmit the second ultrasonic wave.

  According to the present invention, when simultaneously scanning different first and second scanning planes that intersect at an arbitrary angle with an ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the transducer surface temperature do not exceed specified values. In addition, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of controlling the transmission of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a simultaneous scanning by an ultrasonic transducer. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes means for inserting an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into a body cavity and performing, for example, a radial scan or a convex scan. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus composed of an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic image observation apparatus that images echo signals obtained from the ultrasonic endoscope, and acquires ultrasonic signals by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves An ultrasonic endoscope (which is an ultrasonic scope or an ultrasonic probe, hereinafter referred to as an ultrasonic probe) 2 and an ultrasonic signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 2 are displayed as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image. And an ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is not limited to radial scan or convex scan, and may be driven by other methods.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 4 that is inserted into a body cavity or the like, an operation portion 5 provided at the rear end of the insertion portion 4, and a cable 6 connected to the operation portion 5. ing. Note that a connection connector a7 is provided at the end of the cable 6, and is detachably connected to a connection connector b8 provided in the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3.

  An ultrasonic transducer 9 is built in the distal end portion of the insertion portion 4. The ultrasonic transducer 9 includes, for example, first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b, and each of the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b includes a plurality of vibration elements (not shown). Z).

  Such an ultrasonic transducer 9 forms ultrasonic waves by the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b, respectively.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic waves formed by the first ultrasonic transducer 9a (described as sound source A in FIG. 2) are a direction, B direction, and c as shown in FIG. It is possible to scan electronically in any direction. That is, the scanning plane A which is the first scanning plane is formed by scanning with such ultrasonic waves.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic waves formed by the second ultrasonic transducer 9b (described as sound source B in FIG. 2) are freely movable in the a ′ direction, the b ′ direction, and the c ′ direction. It is possible to scan electronically. That is, the scanning plane B which is the second scanning plane is formed by scanning with such ultrasonic waves.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 9 forms a so-called pipe lane composed of the scanning planes A and B which are the first and second scanning planes.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 9 is not limited to a single transducer plate, and may be a transducer array or a 2D array. The ultrasonic transducer 9 is driven to perform, for example, a radial scan.

  Further, the ultrasonic transducer 9 is not limited to the radial scan, and may be driven so as to perform a convex scan or the like. The ultrasonic probe 2 may be an electronic scanning ultrasonic probe or a mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe.

  The ultrasonic image observation device 3 transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the ultrasonic probe 2 via the cable 6, the connector a 7, and the connector b 8, and the ultrasonic signal obtained from the transmission / reception unit 13. A / D converter 14 for converting the digital signal into a digital signal, a sound ray data memory 15 comprising a sound ray frame memory for storing the digital signal converted by the A / D converter 14, and a radial scan of the sound ray data memory 15 A frame memory 16 for storing digital ultrasonic data obtained by coordinate conversion of data for screen display, and a D / D for converting digital ultrasonic data for coordinate display for image display stored in the frame memory 16 into an analog image signal. A converter 17, transmission / reception unit 13, A / D converter 14, sound ray data memory 15, and frame memory 1 A microprocessor (CPU) 20 that processes digital ultrasonic data stored in the frame memory 16, an auxiliary storage device 21 that stores software and various data for controlling the operation of the CPU 20, and an auxiliary storage device 21 From the main memory device 11 constituted by a RAM which is used as a temporary storage for image processing of the CPU 20 and other arithmetic processing, and the transmission / reception unit 13, the A / D converter 14, the sound ray data memory 15, the frame memory 16, D / A converter 17, CPU 20, main storage device 11, and power supply circuit 12 that supplies drive power to auxiliary storage device 21.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 displays an ultrasonic image based on the analog image signal output from the D / A converter 17 and additional information of the ultrasonic image and an ultrasonic image based on the two-plane scan mode. Monitor device 18, printer device 19 that inputs and prints the output image of D / A converter 17, keyboard 23 and foot switch 24 for controlling the operation of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 by the user's operation. Etc. are connected to the CPU 20.

  The transmission / reception unit 13 constitutes the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit, and the monitor device 18 constitutes the display means.

  In this ultrasonic image observation device 3, transmission control for the ultrasonic transducer 9 for executing the plane simultaneous operation mode is performed by the CPU 20, and the control procedure is performed under software recorded in the auxiliary storage device 21. It is configured to

  The ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 is connected to a monitor device 18 as the display means. Further, the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 itself is provided with a display unit similar to the monitor device 18. May be.

  In addition, the operation unit such as the keyboard 23 and the foot switch 24 is used for an instruction of an ultrasonic image display range, an instruction of the ultrasonic probe 2 to be driven, an instruction of mode switching such as a two-plane simultaneous scanning mode, and an ultrasonic inspection. Necessary medical information such as patient information can be input.

  In this case, operations such as a mode switching instruction such as a two-plane simultaneous scanning mode are performed by various keys provided on the keyboard 23 or a trackball.

  The operation means on the display screen of the monitor device 18 is not limited to the keyboard 23 or the like, and may be configured using a touch panel type means.

Next, the configuration of the main part of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment uses the ultrasonic transducer 9 to simultaneously perform different first and second scanning planes (scanning plane A and scanning plane B: see FIG. 2) that intersect at an arbitrary angle. When scanning (when the two-plane simultaneous scanning mode is executed), it is possible to control the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic transducer 9 so that the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the transducer surface temperature do not exceed specified values. It is.

  Specifically, the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment is configured so that the ultrasonic transducer 9 causes different first and second scanning planes (scanning plane A and scanning plane B) that intersect at an arbitrary angle. When the two-plane simultaneous scanning mode for simultaneously scanning (see FIG. 2) is executed, transmission of ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic transducer 9 is controlled so that the ultrasonic waves do not overlap.

  This two-plane simultaneous scanning mode is executed using software. For example, the first and second different scanning planes (scanning plane A and scanning plane) intersecting at an arbitrary angle by the ultrasonic transducer 9. When scanning the plane B (see FIG. 2) at the same time, a program for controlling transmission of ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic transducer 9 so that the ultrasonic waves do not overlap (hereinafter referred to as a program for two-plane simultaneous scan mode) The program for the two-plane simultaneous scan mode is recorded in the auxiliary storage device 21. The software is not limited to the two-plane simultaneous scan mode program, and may include other scan programs.

  The program for the two-screen simultaneous scan mode recorded in the auxiliary storage device 21 is executed by the CPU 20 of the ultrasonic image observation device 3. The CPU 20 constitutes the control unit.

  The two-plane simultaneous scan mode program includes timing information for controlling the ultrasonic transducer 9 so that the ultrasonic waves do not overlap, output level information of the ultrasonic waves, transducer surface temperature information, and the like. Control information (control data) is included. Also, other scan programs include control information (control data) such as timing information for controlling the ultrasonic transducer 9, output level information of the ultrasonic wave, and transducer surface temperature information. ing.

  In the present embodiment, when the CPU 20 recognizes that the operation signal from the operation unit such as the keyboard 23 is the two-plane simultaneous scanning mode, the CPU 20 reads the program for the two-plane simultaneous scanning mode from the auxiliary storage device 21. When the first and second scanning planes (scanning plane A and scanning plane B: see FIG. 2) that intersect at an arbitrary angle are simultaneously scanned by the ultrasonic transducer 9, In order to control the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic transducer 9 so that the sound waves do not overlap, a control signal is supplied to the transmission / reception unit 13 for control.

  The transmission / reception unit 13 controls the driving of the ultrasonic transducer 9 based on control information such as timing and ultrasonic output level based on the supplied control signal.

  Therefore, the transmission / reception unit 13 transmits a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic wave from the first ultrasonic transducer 9a to the first ultrasonic transducer 9a, and the ultrasonic wave from the second ultrasonic transducer 9b. A drive signal to be driven is transmitted to the second ultrasonic transducer 9b.

  Since the two-plane simultaneous scanning mode is executed, the transmission / reception unit 13 controls driving of the first ultrasonic transducer 9a and the second ultrasonic transducer 9b simultaneously.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic waves formed by the first ultrasonic transducer 9a (denoted as sound source A in FIG. 2) are freely electronized in the a direction, the B direction, and the c direction. A driving signal for scanning is transmitted to the first ultrasonic transducer 9a to drive it. Thus, the scanning plane A which is the first scanning plane is formed by scanning with such ultrasonic waves.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic waves formed by the second ultrasonic transducer 9b (denoted as sound source B in FIG. 2) are freely movable in the a ′ direction, the b ′ direction, and the c ′ direction. A drive signal for electronic scanning is transmitted to the second ultrasonic transducer 9b to drive it. As a result, a scanning plane B, which is the second scanning plane, is formed by scanning with such ultrasonic waves.

  In addition, the transmitter / receiver 13 receives echoes obtained by receiving the respective ultrasonic waves transmitted to the living tissue by the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b and reflected from the living tissue. Detect the signal.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Now, it is assumed that the user has turned on the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 20 reads and executes the program shown in FIG. 3 stored in the auxiliary storage device 21.

  The CPU 20 captures a mode signal that is an operation signal operated by the operation unit by the process of step S1.

  Then, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the captured mode signal is the two-plane simultaneous scan mode by the determination process of step S2, and if so, proceeds to step S3, and if not, it performs step S3. The process proceeds to S4.

  In step S4, since the captured mode signal is not in the two-plane simultaneous scanning mode, the CPU 20 reads a program other than that for the two-plane simultaneous scanning mode from the auxiliary storage device 21, and performs super processing based on control information based on this program. In order to control the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the sonic transducer 9, a control signal is supplied to the transmission / reception unit 13 and controlled. As a result, the ultrasonic transducer 9 transmits, for example, an ultrasonic wave that is a normal one-plane scan to the subject.

  On the other hand, in step S3, since the captured mode signal is in the two-plane simultaneous scan mode, the CPU 20 reads the program for the two-plane simultaneous scan mode from the auxiliary storage device 21, and based on the control information of this program, When simultaneously scanning different first and second scanning planes (scanning plane A and scanning plane B: see FIG. 2) that intersect at an arbitrary angle by the acoustic wave oscillator 9, the ultrasonic waves do not overlap. In order to control transmission of ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic transducer 9, a control signal is supplied to the transmission / reception unit 13 for control.

  Then, the transmission / reception unit 13 controls driving of the ultrasonic transducer 9 based on control information such as timing and ultrasonic output level based on the supplied control signal.

  That is, the transmission / reception unit 13 scans the ultrasonic waves formed by the first ultrasonic transducer 9a (described as the sound source A in FIG. 2) in the direction a shown in FIG. 2, and in this case, the transmission / reception unit 13, the ultrasonic waves formed by the second ultrasonic transducer 9b (denoted as sound source B in FIG. 2) are scanned in the a ′ direction shown in FIG.

Similarly, the ultrasonic wave formed by the first ultrasonic transducer 9a is scanned in the direction b shown in FIG. 2 by the transmission / reception unit 13, and in this case, the transmission / reception unit 13 causes the second super The ultrasonic waves formed by the sound wave vibrator 9b are scanned in the b ′ direction shown in FIG.
In this way, the transmission / reception unit 13 controls the transmission of ultrasonic waves so that these two ultrasonic waves do not overlap.

  Thereafter, the CPU 20 obtains an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe 2 by the transmission / reception unit 13, and the sound obtained from the echo signal via the A / D converter 14, the sound ray data memory 15, the frame memory 16, and the D / A converter 17. An ultrasonic tomographic image is generated based on the line data, the ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on the monitor 18, and the process is terminated.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the ultrasonic transducer 9 simultaneously scans different first and second scanning planes that intersect at an arbitrary angle, the ultrasonic waves are not overlapped with each other. Since transmission of ultrasonic waves to the vibrator 9 can be controlled, the first and second scanning planes do not overlap each other, and the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the vibrator surface temperature of the overlapped portion are specified values. The two-plane simultaneous scan mode can be executed without exceeding.

  The standard values were determined by FDA guidance (Information for Manufacturers Seekig Marketing Clearance of Diagnostic Ultrasound Systems and Transducers), Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS T0601-2-37), and International Standards (IEC 60601-2-37). It means the standard value.

  The ultrasonic irradiation intensity means, for example, Ispta3, MI, TI.

  In the present embodiment, control information such as timing for preventing the ultrasonic waves from the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b from overlapping is stored in the auxiliary storage device 21 of the CPU 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a memory may be provided in the transmission / reception unit 13 and stored in this memory.

  Control information such as the timing corresponding to the two-plane simultaneous scan mode and the output level of the ultrasonic wave is provided in the auxiliary storage device 21, but is calculated by performing arithmetic processing using an arithmetic unit (not shown) in the CPU 20. You may do it.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control by the control unit of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, the CPU 20 of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 uses the ultrasonic transducer 9 to simultaneously scan the different first and second scanning planes that intersect at an arbitrary angle. By controlling the ultrasonic transmission unit 10 so that the ultrasonic waves from the second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b do not overlap, the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the transducer surface temperature did not exceed specified values. .

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the CPU 20 of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 transmits the transmission parameter so as to reduce the transmission output of at least one of the ultrasonic waves from the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b. And the transmission / reception unit 10 is controlled based on this setting, so that the ultrasonic transmission of the ultrasonic transducer 9 can be controlled so that the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the transducer surface temperature do not exceed the prescribed values. Is possible.

  The ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the ultrasonic image observation apparatus of the first embodiment, and the control operation by the CPU 20 is different.

  Next, an example of control by the control unit of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Now, when the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 is turned on and it is determined that the mode signal that is the operation signal of the operation unit such as the keyboard 23 is the two-plane simultaneous scan mode, the CPU 20 of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus 3 The program shown in FIG. 4 is read from the auxiliary storage device 21 and activated.

  That is, the CPU 20 reads out the program for the two-plane simultaneous scanning mode from the auxiliary storage device 21, and based on the control information (predetermined various setting values) of this program, the ultrasonic transducer 9 makes an arbitrary angle. The different first and second scanning planes (scanning plane A and scanning plane B: see FIG. 2) intersecting with each other are simultaneously scanned.

  Then, the CPU 20 counts the sound ray number i = 1 in step S11, and determines whether or not the i-th two sound rays overlap in the determination process in step S12.

  In this case, if the CPU 20 determines that they overlap, the process proceeds to step S13. If the CPU 20 determines that they do not overlap, the CPU 20 continues to transmit predetermined control information to the transmission / reception unit 13 in the process of step S14. The control signal based on this is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  In the determination process of step S12, the CPU 20 can recognize in advance a portion (for example, a straight line X portion shown in FIG. 2) overlapping with the first and second scanning planes (scanning planes A and B). Therefore, the overlapping sound ray numbers are stored, and whether or not the i-th two sound rays are overlapped is determined according to whether or not the sound ray number i matches the stored sound ray number.

  In step S13, since the i-th two sound rays are overlapped, the CPU 20 lowers the output level value of the sound ray beam set in advance in the control information stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. A control signal such as (low) is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 13, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  The control signal that lowers the output level value of the sound ray beam is for at least one of the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b. In addition, the control signal that lowers the output level value of the sound ray beam is, for example, a transmission parameter (transmission power, burst frequency, number of drive elements, etc.) that is smaller than normal (less than a preset setting value), This is a signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer 9a or 9b.

  In the process of step S15, the CPU 20 supplies the generated control signal to the transmission / reception unit 13 and controls the transmission / reception unit 13 based on the control signal.

  Thereafter, in the process of step S16, the transmission / reception unit 13 transmits a drive signal for driving based on the supplied control signal to the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a, 9b.

  Accordingly, when the ultrasonic transducer 9 simultaneously scans different first and second scanning planes (scanning plane A and scanning plane B: see FIG. 2) that intersect at an arbitrary angle, those ultrasonic waves are scanned. Since the output level of any one of the ultrasonic waves is low in the portion where X is overlapped (X portion in FIG. 2), the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the vibrator of the overlapped portion (straight line X portion in FIG. 2) The ultrasonic transducer 9 can be driven and controlled so that the surface temperature does not exceed a specified value.

  In step S <b> 17, the CPU 20 obtains an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe 2 by the transmission / reception unit 13, and this echo signal via the A / D converter 14, the sound ray data memory 15, the frame memory 16, and the D / A converter 17. An ultrasonic tomographic image is generated based on the sound ray data obtained from the above, and the ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on the monitor 18, and the process proceeds to step S18.

  In the determination process of step S18, it is determined whether or not the inspection in the two-plane simultaneous scan mode is completed. If it is determined that the inspection is completed, the program for the two-plane simultaneous scan mode is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the process has not been completed, the CPU 20 counts so that i = i + 1 in the process of step S19, returns the process to step S12, and similarly performs the process from step S12 to step S18. Control to repeat the process.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the ultrasonic transducer 9 simultaneously scans different first and second scanning planes that intersect at an arbitrary angle and these ultrasonic waves overlap, Since the transmission of ultrasonic waves can be controlled so as to lower the output level of either one of the second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b, the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the transducer surface temperature of the overlapping portion Does not exceed the specified value, and the two-plane simultaneous scan mode can be executed.

  In the present embodiment, when the two-plane simultaneous scan mode is executed, ultrasonic transmission is performed so as to lower the output level of one of the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b are alerted to the surgeon by voice or display that both ultrasonic waves have overlapped. It may be controlled to stop the output of any one of the ultrasonic waves.

  In the first and second embodiments according to the present invention, when the two-plane simultaneous scan mode is performed, the transducer surface temperature at the portion where the first and second scan planes overlap is measured in real time. Detection means for detecting is provided, and transmission of ultrasonic waves of the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9a and 9b based on a comparison result between a detection result by the detection unit and a preset transducer surface temperature. You may comprise so that control may be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows two scanning surfaces scanned simultaneously by an ultrasonic transducer | vibrator. The flowchart which shows the control operation example of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the example of control operation of the ultrasonic image observation apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... ultrasonic diagnostic equipment,
2 ... ultrasonic probe,
3 ... Ultrasonic image observation device,
4 ... insertion part,
5 ... operation part,
6 ... cable,
9 ... ultrasonic transducer,
13: Transmitter / receiver,
18 ... monitor device,
20 ... CPU (control part),
21 ... Auxiliary storage device,
22 ... pointing device (operation unit),
23. Keyboard (operation unit).

Claims (1)

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that generates an ultrasound image by transmitting and receiving ultrasound,
An ultrasonic transmission / reception unit that drives an ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer and receives an echo signal of the ultrasonic wave,
When simultaneously scanning different first and second scanning planes intersecting at an arbitrary angle by the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic irradiation intensity and the transducer surface temperature should not exceed predetermined standard values. A control unit for controlling the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit ;
Equipped with,
When the control unit simultaneously scans different first and second scanning planes intersecting at an arbitrary angle by the ultrasonic transducer, the control unit and the first ultrasonic wave related to the scanning of the first scanning plane The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit is controlled to transmit the first ultrasonic wave and the second ultrasonic wave at a timing at which the second ultrasonic wave related to scanning of the second scanning plane does not overlap. an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be.

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