JP5261462B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a rotation of a grasping part makes it difficult to specify a direction of a scanning surface formed from a tip of an ultrasonic probe for an inside of a body cavity. <P>SOLUTION: An oscillator array 20a is arranged at the tip of an insertion part of the ultrasonic probe 10, and can rock toward both sides of a shaft of the insertion part by a motor 36. The rocking angle &eta; is detected based on an output signal S&eta; of a rotation-angle detector provided in the motor 36. The ultrasonic probe 10 is provided with a posture sensor 60 for detecting a posture of the grasping part, and thus, based on the output signal S&phiv;, the rotation angle &phiv; of the grasping part 14 around the shaft of the insertion part can be detected. Based on information on these rocking angle &eta; and rotation angle &phiv;, the direction of the electronic scanning surface is detected. Information on the detected direction of the electronic scanning surface is displayed on a display device 88 of an ultrasonic diagnostic device body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the ultrasonic feeler element for a body cavity for performing a diagnosis of the ultrasonic transducer inserted into a body cavity.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an intracavity ultrasonic probe that obtains an ultrasonic image of a region to be examined by inserting it into a body cavity of a subject and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the same are known. FIG. 10 is a front view of a conventional intracavity type ultrasonic probe. Such an ultrasonic probe has a rod-shaped insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a body cavity, and a transducer array is built in the transducer storage portion 4 of the insertion portion 2. Moreover, the grip part 6 is provided in the edge part on the opposite side of the insertion part 2, and an operator inserts the insertion part 2 in a body cavity with this grip part 6. Signals and mechanical movements are transmitted between the transducer storage unit 4 side and the gripping unit 6 side by signal lines and wires passing through the insertion unit 2.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the transducer housing unit 4. A convex-type transducer array 8 is arranged in the transducer storage unit 4 so as to face the front of the axis (rod axis) along the insertion direction of the insertion unit. In this figure, the ultrasonic beam formed by the convex transducer array is electronically scanned along the paper surface, and a tomographic image on this scanning surface is obtained.

  The intracavity ultrasonic probe is used by inserting a distal end portion in which an ultrasonic transducer is built into the body cavity. That is, the direction of the ultrasonic transducer cannot be visually confirmed like a percutaneous ultrasonic probe. In particular, the grip portion may be configured in a shape that is nearly axially symmetric with respect to the rod axis. In this case, since the grip portion can be gripped by rotating around the rod axis, the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer around the rod axis tends to be unclear. For this reason, it is difficult for the operator to know which direction the ultrasonic beam transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transducer is facing, and which tomographic image is obtained, It is difficult to understand which part of the subject is being observed. Furthermore, when the ultrasonic vibrator is rotatable relative to the insertion portion, the orientation state of the ultrasonic vibrator becomes complicated, and there is a problem that it becomes more difficult to understand the observed part. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an intracavity ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can easily identify an observation site using an ultrasonic beam. And

  An ultrasonic probe for body cavity according to the present invention is provided with an ultrasonic transducer at the tip, an insertion part inserted into the body cavity, and a grip that is held by the operator outside the body cavity and supports the insertion part And a posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the grip portion.

  The operator holds the probe holding part and inserts the insertion part into the body cavity, whereby the ultrasonic transducer is inserted into the body cavity. Here, the ultrasonic transducer may be either a single transducer or a transducer array. When the posture of the grip portion is changed, the direction of the ultrasonic transducer is also changed accordingly. According to the present invention, the posture of the grasping portion is detected by the posture detecting means, and thereby the orientation of the ultrasonic transducer inserted into the body cavity can be grasped. The posture detection means outputs, for example, the rotation angle of the gripping portion around the axis of the insertion portion and the direction of the shaft as the posture information of the gripping portion.

  An ultrasonic probe for body cavity according to the present invention is provided with an ultrasonic transducer at the tip, an insertion part inserted into the body cavity, and a grip that is held by the operator outside the body cavity and supports the insertion part A posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the gripping portion, a vibrator rotating means for rotating the ultrasonic vibrator around the axis of the insertion portion relative to the gripping portion, and the vibrator And a rotation angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the vibrator by the rotation means.

  According to the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer is configured to be able to rotate relative to the grip portion around the axis of the insertion portion. That is, when the operator operates the vibrator rotating means, only the direction of the ultrasonic vibrator can be changed without rotating the gripping portion. The posture detection means detects the posture of the gripping part, and the rotation angle detection means detects the rotation angle around the axis of the insertion part of the ultrasonic transducer. Based on these pieces of detection information, the operator can know which direction the ultrasonic transducer is facing in the body cavity. Moreover, these detection information is output to the main body of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and can be utilized for the control etc.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the posture detecting means is an ultrasonic probe for body cavity in which the rotation angle of the gripping part around the axis of the insertion part is detected.

  Of the postures of the gripper, the rotation around the axis of the insertion part is particularly difficult for the operator to grasp, but in this aspect, the rotation angle of the gripping part around the axis of the insertion part is detected. Accordingly, it is easy to specify the direction of the ultrasonic transducer.

  In the ultrasonic probe for body cavity according to the present invention, the posture detecting means includes a gravity sensor attached to the grip portion.

  According to the present invention, for example, the orientation of the gravity sensor is detected based on the direction of gravity detected by the gravity sensor and the magnitude of the detected value, and thereby the orientation of the gripping part to which the gravity sensor is fixed is detected. .

  Another ultrasonic probe for body cavity according to the present invention further includes a swinging means for swinging the ultrasonic vibrator about a swinging axis intersecting the axis of the insertion portion, and the ultrasonic vibration. And a swing angle detecting means for detecting the swing angle of the child.

  According to the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer can not only rotate around the axis of the insertion portion, but also can change the angle with respect to the axis by the swinging means. The swing is performed around a swing axis that intersects the axis of the insertion portion, and the swing angle detecting means detects the swing angle around the swing axis of the ultrasonic transducer and outputs the information. The operator can know in which direction the ultrasonic transducer is facing in the body cavity from the swing angle information, the posture information output by the posture detection means, and the rotation angle information output from the rotation angle detection means. it can.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic probe for body cavity is characterized in that the swing axis is on a scanning surface of an ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic transducer.

  In this aspect, when the ultrasonic transducer is a transducer array, two-dimensional observation is possible by forming an electronic scanning surface by electronic scanning. When the ultrasonic transducer is a single transducer, two-dimensional observation on the scanning surface can be performed by mechanical scanning. Furthermore, the scanning surface can be swung by arranging a swinging shaft on the electronic scanning surface or the mechanical scanning surface and swinging the ultrasonic transducer at the tip of the insertion portion. Thereby, an ultrasonic echo in a three-dimensional space can be acquired, and a three-dimensional observation can be performed. Even in the case of performing such three-dimensional observation, it becomes easy to specify the part being observed by the posture detection means, the rotation angle detection means, and the swing angle detection means.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, the ultrasonic probe for body cavity has posture detection means for detecting the posture of the gripping portion gripped by the operator, and the main body portion has posture information of the gripping portion. It has posture display means for displaying.

  According to the present invention, the posture information of the gripping unit is indicated by a numerical value or a figure on a display screen of an ultrasonic tomographic image, for example, and the operator can recognize the direction of the ultrasonic transducer from them. In addition, the posture information of the gripper can be displayed as an orientation of the ultrasonic transducer or a scanning plane as illustrated. By displaying the posture information in this way, it is possible to accurately specify the observation site in ultrasonic diagnosis.

  In another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe for body cavity detects a posture of a gripping portion gripped by an operator, and a swing shaft that intersects an axis of the insertion portion. And an oscillation angle detecting means for detecting the oscillation angle of the ultrasonic transducer, and the main body portion includes the posture information of the gripping portion and the It has a vibrator orientation display means for displaying the direction of the ultrasonic vibrator in the body cavity based on the oscillation state information of the ultrasonic vibrator.

  According to the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer can swing around the swing axis that intersects the axis of the insertion portion. By these movements, the direction of the ultrasonic transducer can be changed at the distal end of the insertion portion. Based on the swing angle detected by the swing angle detection means and the posture of the gripper obtained by the posture detection means, it is possible to specify how the ultrasonic transducer is facing the subject. By displaying the direction of the ultrasonic transducer by the transducer orientation display means, it is possible to perform ultrasonic diagnosis while accurately grasping and specifying the observation site.

  In another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe for body cavity detects a posture of a gripping part gripped by an operator, and a distal end of an insertion part inserted into the body cavity. An ultrasonic transducer that is rotatably provided around the axis of the insertion portion, and a rotation state detection unit that detects a rotation state of the ultrasonic transducer relative to the grip portion, and a main body The unit includes vibrator orientation display means for displaying the orientation of the ultrasonic transducer in the body cavity based on posture information of the gripping portion and rotation state information of the ultrasonic transducer.

  According to the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer is rotatable around the axis of the insertion portion. By these movements, the direction of the ultrasonic transducer can be changed at the distal end of the insertion portion. The rotation state of the ultrasonic vibrator means a state in which the ultrasonic vibrator is oriented at the shaft tip with respect to the insertion portion. The rotation state detection means detects a rotation state relative to the grip portion. Based on the rotation state and the posture of the gripper obtained by the posture detection means, it is possible to specify how the ultrasonic transducer is facing the subject. By displaying the direction of the ultrasonic transducer by the transducer orientation display means, it is possible to perform ultrasonic diagnosis while accurately grasping and specifying the observation site.

  In still another ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, the transducer orientation display means displays an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the ultrasonic beam scanning plane when the scanning plane is viewed from a predetermined viewpoint. The image is converted into an image according to the position and displayed.

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for body cavity, comprising: an ultrasonic probe for body cavity; and a main body unit for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasound probe for body cavity. The child has posture angle detecting means for detecting a posture angle of a gripping portion gripped by an operator, and the main body portion stores information indicating an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on a scanning plane of an ultrasonic beam, Based on the posture angle detected by the posture angle detecting means, conversion means for converting into probe reference image information indicating an image when a predetermined direction is viewed from the body cavity ultrasonic probe, and the probe And probe reference image display means for displaying an image according to the probe reference image information.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the main body unit includes posture display means for displaying a posture angle display graphic drawn in a direction defined by the posture angle detected by the posture angle detection means. Have.

  In addition, the present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe for body cavity and a main body for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasound probe for body cavity. The probe is provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity so as to be rotatable about the axis of the insertion portion and the posture angle detection means for detecting the posture angle of the gripping portion held by the operator. And a rotation angle detecting means for detecting a rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer relative to the gripping portion, and the main body is obtained on a scanning surface of the ultrasonic beam. Information indicating the ultrasonic tomographic image to be obtained is determined from the body cavity ultrasonic probe based on the posture angle detected by the posture angle detecting means and the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detecting means. Transforms into probe reference image information indicating the image when viewing the direction Conversion means that is characterized by having a a probe reference image display means for displaying an image corresponding to the probe reference image information.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the main body includes a posture angle display figure drawn in a direction defined by a posture angle detected by the posture angle detection unit, and the rotation angle detection unit. And a vibrator orientation display means for displaying a rotation angle display figure drawn in a direction defined by the rotation angle detected by the above.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the ultrasonic transducer is provided so as to be swingable about a swing axis that intersects the axis of the insertion portion, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: The oscillation means includes an oscillation angle detection means for detecting an oscillation angle of the ultrasonic transducer, and the conversion means uses the oscillation angle detection means to display information indicating an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning surface of the ultrasonic beam. Is converted into probe reference image information indicating an image when the predetermined direction is viewed from the intra-body-cavity ultrasonic probe.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the main body includes a posture angle display figure drawn in a direction defined by a posture angle detected by the posture angle detection unit, and the rotation angle detection unit. A rotation angle display graphic drawn in the direction defined by the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle, and a swing angle display graphic drawn in the direction defined by the swing angle detected by the swing angle detection means And a vibrator orientation display means.

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for body cavity, comprising: an ultrasonic probe for body cavity; and a main body unit for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasound probe for body cavity. The child includes a posture angle detecting means for detecting a posture angle of a gripping portion gripped by an operator, and a super oscillatable pivotable about a swinging shaft that intersects an axis of an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity. An ultrasonic transducer and oscillation angle detecting means for detecting an oscillation angle of the ultrasonic transducer, and the main body portion is information indicating an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on a scanning plane of an ultrasonic beam When a predetermined direction is viewed from the body cavity ultrasonic probe based on the posture angle detected by the posture angle detecting means and the swing angle detected by the swing angle detecting means. Conversion means for converting into probe reference image information indicating an image, and the probe reference image information Having a probe reference image display means for displaying an image according, to, characterized by.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the main body section includes a posture angle display figure drawn in a direction defined by a posture angle detected by the posture angle detection means, and the swing angle detection. Vibrator orientation display means for displaying a swing angle display graphic drawn in a direction defined by the swing angle detected by the means.

In addition, the present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe for body cavity and a main body for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasound probe for body cavity. The probe is disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity, and is provided with an ultrasonic transducer rotatably provided about the axis of the insertion portion, and a relative position with respect to the grasping portion grasped by the operator. Rotation angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer, and the main body section displays information indicating an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning surface of the ultrasonic beam as the rotation angle detection means. Conversion means for converting into probe reference image information indicating an image when the predetermined direction is viewed from the intracorporeal ultrasound probe based on the rotation angle detected by the probe, and the probe reference image Probe reference image display means for displaying an image according to information. And wherein the door. In addition, the present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe for body cavity and a main body for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasound probe for body cavity. The probe includes an ultrasonic transducer provided so as to be able to oscillate about an oscillation axis that intersects an axis of an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity, and an oscillation that detects an oscillation angle of the ultrasonic transducer. A moving angle detecting means, and the main body unit is configured to obtain information indicating an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning surface of the ultrasonic beam based on the swing angle detected by the swing angle detecting means. A conversion means for converting into the probe reference image information indicating an image when a predetermined direction is viewed from the intracavity ultrasonic probe, and a probe for displaying an image corresponding to the probe reference image information. And a tactile reference image display means. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the ultrasonic transducer is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion so as to be rotatable about an axis of the insertion portion, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: And a rotation angle detecting means for detecting a rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer relative to a gripping part gripped by an operator, wherein the converting means is an ultrasonic wave obtained on a scanning surface of the ultrasonic beam. Information indicating a tomographic image is converted into the probe reference image information based on the swing angle detected by the swing angle detection means and the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection means .

  The shape of the scanning area on the scanning plane formed in the three-dimensional space changes according to the viewpoint for observing it. That is, when the viewpoint is fixed at a predetermined position, the shape of the ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning surface changes according to the direction of the scanning surface by the ultrasonic transducer. According to the present invention, the vibrator orientation display means obtains the direction of the scanning plane based on the posture information of the gripping part and the rotation state information of the ultrasonic vibrator. Then, an ultrasonic tomographic image is converted based on the positional relationship between the orientation and a predetermined viewpoint, and an image as if the ultrasonic tomographic image formed in the three-dimensional space is viewed from the viewpoint is generated and displayed. Thus, the operator can intuitively understand the observation site in the three-dimensional space from the converted ultrasonic tomographic image.

  According to the ultrasonic probe for body cavity of the present invention, by providing the posture detection means, the posture of the grip portion is detected, and the operator can grasp the direction of the ultrasonic beam and the position of the scanning surface. It becomes possible. In particular, even if the operator rotates and grips the grip portion, the rotation angle can be detected. In addition, when the ultrasonic transducer is rotated relative to the gripping portion, the rotation angle and the swing angle are detected. In this case as well, the direction of the ultrasonic beam and the position of the scanning plane are determined by the operator. Can be grasped. Thereby, the operator can easily understand which part of the subject is observed.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, angle information such as the rotation angle output from the above-mentioned intracavitary ultrasound probe can be presented to the operator by means of numerical values or graphical indicators. The direction of the sound beam and the position of the scanning surface can be easily recognized, and the operability of the apparatus can be improved.

It is a typical sectional view of the ultrasonic probe for body cavities concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram explaining the image generation function in a received signal processing circuit. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the screen display of a display. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the screen display of a display. It is a typical sectional view of an ultrasonic probe for body cavities concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the rotation angle display in a display. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the rotation angle display in a display. It is a front view of the conventional ultrasonic probe for body cavities. It is typical sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part of the conventional ultrasound probe for body cavities.

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

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an intracavity ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. By the way, this ultrasonic probe is a transvaginal probe. The ultrasonic probe 10 is roughly classified into an insertion part 12 inserted into a body cavity and a grip part 14 that is held by an operator outside the body cavity and operates the ultrasonic probe 10. The insertion unit 12 includes a transducer storage unit 16 provided at a distal end thereof, and a rod unit 18 that guides the transducer storage unit 16 to a desired position in the body cavity. A transducer unit 20 including a transducer array 20 a is built in the transducer storage unit 16. The grip 14 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body by a cable 22 drawn from the rear end.

  For example, a convex type transducer array is used as the transducer array 20a. The vibrator storage unit 16 is provided with a rocking mechanism 30 that rocks the vibrator unit 20.

  The swing mechanism 30 includes a pair of arm members 30a attached to both sides of the vibrator unit 20 in parallel with each other, and a parallel advance / retreat mechanism that moves the arm members 30a backward and backward while maintaining the parallel state. The parallel advance / retreat mechanism includes a connecting arm 30b whose both ends are rotatably connected to the pair of arm members 30a. The connecting arm 30b is supported at its center so as to be rotatable around a support shaft orthogonal to the central axis (rod axis) of the insertion portion 12. By rotating the connecting arm 30b around the support shaft, the parallel movement of the arm member 30a is realized, and the vibrator unit 20 is swung around a swing shaft parallel to the support shaft.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the swing mechanism 30 is operated by rotating a rotatable shaft 32 disposed inside the insertion portion 12 with a motor 36 via a coupling 34. For example, by using a bevel gear to transmit the rotational driving force between the shaft 32 and the connecting arm 30b, the rotational motion around the rod axis by the motor 36 can be converted into the rotational motion around the support shaft.

  In FIG. 1, the transducer array 20a forms an electronic scanning surface 40 whose array direction is orthogonal to the paper surface and facing the front direction of the insertion direction. With the configuration in which the transducer unit 20 is swung, the electronic scanning surface 40 can be swung in a direction 42 perpendicular to the electronic scanning surface, and the inside of the subject is scanned three-dimensionally with an ultrasonic beam. Is possible.

  Incidentally, inside the rod portion 18 through which the shaft 32 is inserted, a signal line group 50 in which signal lines drawn from the transducer array 20a for each transducer are bundled (in FIG. 1, only the inside of the gripping portion 14 is illustrated). Is also inserted). Therefore, the shaft cover 52 is disposed around the shaft 32, and contact between the shaft 32 and the signal line group 50 is avoided. The shaft cover 52 is preferably disposed at a position deviated from the axial center of the insertion portion 12 so that the signal line group 50 can be easily inserted.

  The motor 36 is a DC servo motor, for example, and includes a rotation angle detector that detects the rotation angle of the shaft 32. Based on the output signal of the rotation angle detector, the swing angle of the transducer unit 20 can be detected.

  In addition, the grip unit 14 is provided with a posture sensor 60 that detects the posture of the grip unit 14. The attitude sensor 60 can be configured using, for example, a strain gauge element. By detecting the strain of the element due to gravity with the strain gauge element, the direction of gravity acting on the grip 14 to which the element is attached is detected. Thereby, the attitude | position of the holding part 14 on the basis of the direction of gravity is detectable. In practical use, the rod axis of the probe 10 is often used in a substantially horizontal posture. Here, a case where the posture sensor 60 detects the rotation angle of the grip portion 14 around the rod axis will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the ultrasonic probe 10.

  The transmission circuit 70 supplies transmission pulses of a plurality of channels to the transducer array 20a corresponding to the plurality of transducers constituting the transducer array 20a. The transmission pulse of each channel is given a delay time necessary for forming a transmission beam based on the control of the system controller 72. The multiplexer 74 selects one constituting the transmission / reception aperture from among the transducers constituting the convex transducer array 20a under the control of the system controller 72. That is, the transducer selected by the multiplexer 74 is supplied with a transmission pulse from the transmission circuit 70 to form an ultrasonic beam. By the switching operation of the multiplexer 74, the transmission / reception aperture can be moved along the transducer surface of the transducer array 20a, whereby the ultrasonic beam can be steered along the electronic scanning surface 40. This steering angle is referred to as an electronic scanning angle θ.

  On the other hand, the reception system includes a reception amplification circuit 80, an A / D converter (analog-to-digital converter) 82, a phasing addition circuit 84, a reception signal processing circuit 86, and a display 88.

  The reception amplification circuit 80 receives a reception signal from a channel corresponding to a reception aperture constituted by the operation of the multiplexer 74, and amplifies it. The A / D converter 82 converts the analog reception signal output from the reception amplification circuit 80 into a digital signal for each channel.

  The phasing / adding circuit 84 adjusts the phase between the channels using a digital delay device, and then adds the reception signals of the channels to each other by the adder to realize reception focus. Here, the system controller 72 adjusts and controls the delay amount of the digital delay unit for each channel. The phasing addition circuit 84 synthesizes the reception signals of a plurality of channels by addition and generates one digital reception signal.

  The reception signal processing circuit 86 performs necessary filtering processing, logarithmic compression, detection, etc. on the reception signal output from the phasing addition circuit 84 to acquire necessary echo information, and further, for example, forms a B-mode tomographic image. Signal processing. The received signal processing circuit 86 includes a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) and has a function of synthesizing image data. The image data generated by the reception signal processing circuit 86 is displayed on the display 88.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an image generation function in the reception signal processing circuit 86. The reception signal processing circuit 86 performs processing such as detection on the reception signal input from the phasing addition circuit 84. The input reception signal is stored in the line memory unit 90 for each ultrasonic beam. The linear-sector conversion unit 92 performs coordinate conversion and interpolation processing on the received signal data accumulated in the line memory unit 90, and generates a fan-shaped (sector-shaped) B-mode tomographic image corresponding to the electronic scanning range. To do.

  The affine transformation unit 94 has a function of performing affine transformation such as enlargement / reduction and rotation on the B-mode tomographic image obtained by the linear-sector conversion unit 92. This function is used to form an image obtained by seeing through an electronic scanning plane in a three-dimensional space described later from a predetermined viewing direction. In the scan converter unit 96, the B-mode tomographic image generated by the linear-sector conversion unit 92, the affine-transformed tomographic image generated by the affine transformation unit 94, and other displays are synthesized on the frame memory, and the synthesis is performed. Image data is read according to the scanning line of the display 88 and output to the display 88.

  The system controller 72 shown in FIG. 2 drives the motor 36 in accordance with an instruction given by an operator using an input device such as a key, a mouse, or a trackball on the panel of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and shakes the transducer array 20a. Swing around the dynamic axis.

  The system controller 72 detects the rotation amount of the motor 36 based on the rotation angle detection signal Sη from the rotation angle detector of the motor 36, and obtains the swing angle η of the vibrator unit 20 based on this. Further, the system controller 72 obtains the rotation angle φ around the rod axis of the grip portion 14 based on the output signal Sφ from the attitude sensor 60.

  Here, the reference azimuth (η = 0 °) of the swing angle η can be set, for example, such that the electronic scanning surface 40 is directed straight forward of the ultrasonic probe 10 along the rod axis. The reference orientation (φ = 0 °) of the rotation angle φ can be defined in two stages. For example, it can be defined as a state in which one direction of the swing shaft is directed upward in the vertical direction with the rod axis oriented horizontally. For example, the clockwise direction when viewed from the grip portion 14 is the positive direction of φ. be able to. Further, based on the channel number of the transducer of the transducer array 20a, for example, the direction from the larger channel number to the smaller side can be set to φ = 0 °. The reference azimuth (θ = 0 °) of the electronic scanning angle θ described above can be defined as, for example, the central azimuth of the electronic scanning surface 20, that is, the azimuth coinciding with the rod axis in the state where the swing angle η = 0 °. The side where the channel number of the vibrator is smaller from the azimuth can be defined as a range where θ is positive, and conversely, the side where the channel number is larger is defined as a range where θ is negative.

  The system controller 72 controls the speed, stop, inversion, and the like of the operation of the motor 36 based on the detected swing angle η information.

  Further, the system controller 72 outputs information on the detected swing angle η and rotation angle φ and information on the electronic scanning angle θ set by the control of the multiplexer 74 to the reception signal processing circuit 86. The received signal processing circuit 86 performs processing such as combining and displaying the angle information on an ultrasonic tomographic image, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of the display 88. In the screen display 100, a B-mode tomographic image 102 is arranged on the left side, and a projection image 104 in a three-dimensional space is arranged on the right side when the transducer storage unit 16 side is viewed with the viewpoint on the gripping unit 14 side. In the projected image 104, an image 106 of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe 10 and an ultrasonic tomographic image 108 obtained on the electronic scanning surface formed at the distal end are shown.

  Here, for the generation of the B-mode tomographic image 102, information on the fluctuation width of the electronic scanning angle θ is used. Further, the generation of the ultrasonic tomographic image 108 in the projection image 104 uses the swing angle η, the rotation angle φ, and the electronic scanning angle θ, and the position and shape of the ultrasonic tomographic image 108 change according to these angles. To do. Therefore, the operator determines the position of the electronic scanning plane (the size of the rotation angle φ and the swing angle η) in the subject and the positional relationship of the B-mode tomographic image with respect to the scanning plane (range of the electronic scanning angle θ). Can be intuitively understood. In FIG. 4, the shapes 110 and 112 of the electronic scanning range in which the rotation angle φ and the electronic scanning angle θ are fixed and the swing angle η is changed are indicated by dotted lines.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the screen display of the display device 88. This screen display 120 has an indicator indicating information of a B-mode tomographic image 122 on the left side and information on the rotation angle φ (Rotation Angle), swing angle η (Elevation Angle), and electronic scanning angle θ (Azimuth Angle) on the lower right. 124, 126, and 128 are arranged. On the indicator 124, a reference line 130 indicating the vertical direction (φ = 0 °) and an azimuth indicating line 132 indicating the rotation angle of the grip portion 14 are displayed. In addition, the indicator 126 displays a reference line 134 indicating the reference azimuth of η (η = 0 °) and an azimuth indicating line 136 indicating the swing angle. The fan shape of the indicator 128 represents the entire shape of the scanable range on the electronic scan surface, and the electronic scan angle range 138 is displayed therein. The electronic scanning angle range 138 has a similar shape to the B-mode tomographic image 122. Each indicator can be provided with a numerical value display column 140, 142, 144 for each angle.

[Embodiment 2]
In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is simplified.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic probe for body cavity according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, a transvaginal probe is exemplified as the ultrasonic probe 200. . FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views viewed from directions different from each other by 90 °. The transducer array incorporated in the ultrasonic probe 200 is also shown as a convex type.

  In this embodiment, in addition to means for swinging the transducer unit 20 as the ultrasonic probe 10 of the first embodiment has, the transducer rotation further rotates the transducer unit 20 around the rod axis. Have means.

  The oscillating unit 210 is a means for oscillating the vibrator unit 20 around an oscillating axis orthogonal to the rod axis, and is realized by the oscillating mechanism 30, the shaft 32, the motor 36, and the like in the first embodiment. It corresponds to what has been done.

  On the other hand, the vibrator rotating means is configured to rotate a rotatable shaft 212 arranged inside the insertion portion 12 with a rotation unit 216. The rotation unit 216 includes a motor, a rotation angle detector that detects the rotation angle, And a coupling interposed between the motor and the shaft 212. The vibrator unit 20 and the swing unit 210 are attached to the tip of the shaft 212. Here, the vibrator unit 20 and the rocking unit 210 are configured to rotate together around the rod axis in conjunction with the shaft 212. Thereby, the electronic scanning surface 40 can be rotated around the rod axis.

Based on the output signal Sφ _H of the rotation angle detector built in the rotation unit 216, the relative rotation angle φ _H of the transducer unit 20 with respect to the grip portion 14 can be detected.

On the other hand, the point that the grip 14 is provided with the posture sensor 60 is the same as in the first embodiment, and the rotation angle φ _G of the grip 14 around the rod axis is obtained from the output signal Sφ _G of the posture sensor 60. It is done.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the ultrasonic probe 200.

  The system controller 230 of this apparatus controls each part of the apparatus such as the multiplexer 74. In particular, the system controller 230 outputs drive control signals to the swing unit 210 and the rotation unit 216 in accordance with instructions given by an operator using an input device such as a key on the panel of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a mouse, or a trackball, for example. . Thereby, the operation of swinging the transducer array 20a around the swing axis and the rotation operation of the transducer array 20a around the rod axis with respect to the grip portion 14 are controlled.

The system controller 230 receives an output signal Sη from the rotation angle detector of the swing unit 210, an output signal Sφ _H from the rotation angle detector of the rotation unit 216, and an output signal Sφ _G from the attitude sensor 60. .

The system controller 230 detects the rotation amount of the motor built in the swing unit 210 from the output signal Sη, obtains the swing angle η of the vibrator unit 20 based on this, and also determines the rotation angle η of the vibrator unit 20 from the output signal Sφ _H. The rotation amount of the motor is detected, and based on this, the rotation angle φ _H around the rod axis relative to the gripping portion 14 of the transducer unit 20 is obtained. Further, the system controller 230 obtains the rotation angle φ _G around the rod axis of the grip portion 14 based on the output signal Sφ _G from the attitude sensor 60.

In the ultrasonic probe 200, the absolute rotation angle φ of the electronic scanning surface 40 around the rod axis is determined by the component φ _H by the rotation unit 216, the state in which the operator holds the holding unit 14, and the operator It consists of a component φ _G resulting from rotating the part 14 in a gripped state.

Here, the reference orientation (φ _G = 0 °) of the rotation angle φ _G can be defined as being the same as the rotation angle φ of the first embodiment. The reference azimuth (φ _H = 0 °) of the rotation angle φ _H is defined to be the same as the rotation angle φ of the first embodiment, for example, in a state where the rod axis is horizontally oriented and φ _G = 0 °. be able to. For the swing angle η and the electronic scanning angle θ, the same definitions as in the first embodiment can be adopted.

The system controller 230 outputs information on the detected swing angle η, rotation angles φ _G and φ _H , and information on the electronic scanning angle θ set by the control of the multiplexer 74 to the reception signal processing circuit 86. The received signal processing circuit 86 performs processing such as combining and displaying the angle information on an ultrasonic tomographic image, for example. For example, the reception signal processing circuit 86 displays the same screen as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as in the first embodiment, so that the operator can observe the orientation of the electronic scanning plane (that is, which part of the subject is observed). Can be easily understood.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are schematic views showing other display form examples of the rotation angle information of the electronic scanning surface 40 based on φ _G and φ _H. FIG. 8 is an example in which indicators 250 and 252 are displayed for φ _G and φ _H , respectively. The indicator 250 displays a reference line 260 indicating the vertical direction (φ _G = 0 °) and an azimuth indicating line 262 indicating the rotation angle of the grip portion 14. The indicator 252 displays a reference line 264 indicating the reference direction of the gripping part 14 corresponding to the azimuth indicating line 262 and an azimuth indicating line 266 indicating a relative rotation angle with respect to the gripping part 14. Further, the combined rotation angle φ (≡φ _G + φ _H ) of φ _G and φ _H is displayed in the numerical value display column 268.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which φ _G and φ _H are displayed by one indicator 270. In the indicator 270, the vertical direction (φ _G = 0 °) is set as the vertical direction of the indicator, and the azimuth indicating line 272 indicating the rotation angle φ _G of the grip portion 14 is a dotted line at a position rotated by the angle φ _G from the vertical direction. Is displayed. An azimuth indicating line 274 indicating the rotational position of the electronic scanning surface 40 is displayed at a position rotated by an angle φ _H from the azimuth indicating line 272. On the indicator 270, the rotation angle of the azimuth indicating line 274 from the vertical direction represents the combined rotation angle φ.

  Note that when observing ultrasonic tomographic image data recorded on a recording device offline, the position of the ultrasonic probe relative to the subject itself is unknown, so understand which part is being observed. It was difficult. In order to solve such a problem, angle information obtained from the ultrasonic probe 200 or the ultrasonic probe 10 according to the first embodiment is associated with the ultrasonic tomographic image data and recorded in the recording apparatus. The configuration is extremely effective.

  In addition, here, the ultrasonic transducer incorporated in the ultrasonic probe 10 is the transducer array 20a, but the ultrasonic transducer is configured by a single transducer whose direction can be changed at the tip. You can also In particular, the scanning surface can be formed by mechanical scanning of a single transducer instead of electronic scanning by the transducer array 20a.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic probe, 12 Insertion part, 14 Gripping part, 16 Transducer storage part, 18 Rod part, 20 Transducer unit, 20a Transducer array, 30 Oscillation mechanism, 32 Shaft, 36 Motor, 40 Electronic scanning surface , 60 attitude sensor, 72, 230 system controller, 74 multiplexer, 84 phasing addition circuit, 86 received signal processing circuit, 88 display, 92 linear-sector conversion unit, 94 affine conversion unit, 96 scan converter unit, 124, 126 , 128 indicator, 210 swing unit, 216 rotation unit.

Claims (11)

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe for body cavity and a main body unit for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasonic probe for body cavity,
The intracorporeal ultrasound probe has a posture angle detection means for detecting a posture angle of a gripping portion gripped by an operator,
The main body is
When the information indicating the ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning plane of the ultrasonic beam is viewed from the ultrasonic probe for body cavity based on the posture angle detected by the posture angle detecting means Conversion means for converting into probe reference image information indicating the image of
Probe reference image display means for displaying an image according to the probe reference image information;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The main body is
Having an attitude display means for displaying an attitude angle display figure drawn in an orientation defined by the attitude angle detected by the attitude angle detection means;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe for body cavity and a main body unit for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasonic probe for body cavity,
The intracavitary ultrasound probe comprises:
Posture angle detection means for detecting the posture angle of the gripping portion gripped by the operator;
An ultrasonic transducer provided at the distal end of the insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity so as to be rotatable about the axis of the insertion portion;
A rotation angle detecting means for detecting a rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer relative to the grip portion;
Have
The main body is
Based on the posture angle detected by the posture angle detection means and the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection means, information indicating an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning plane of the ultrasonic beam is used as the body cavity. Conversion means for converting into probe reference image information indicating an image when the predetermined direction is viewed from the internal ultrasonic probe;
Probe reference image display means for displaying an image according to the probe reference image information;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.
The main body is
A posture angle display graphic drawn in a direction defined by the posture angle detected by the posture angle detection means, a rotation angle display graphic drawn in a direction defined by the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection means, Having vibrator orientation display means for displaying
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.
The ultrasonic transducer is
It is provided so as to be able to swing around a swing axis that intersects the axis of the insertion part,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises:
Oscillating angle detecting means for detecting the oscillating angle of the ultrasonic transducer;
The converting means includes
Based on the oscillation angle detected by the oscillation angle detection means, information indicating the ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning plane of the ultrasonic beam is viewed from the intracavity ultrasonic probe. Converted into probe reference image information indicating the image when
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5,
The main body is
A posture angle display graphic drawn in a direction defined by the posture angle detected by the posture angle detection means, a rotation angle display graphic drawn in a direction defined by the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection means, A vibrator orientation display means for displaying a swing angle display graphic drawn in a direction defined by the swing angle detected by the swing angle detection means;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe for body cavity and a main body unit for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasonic probe for body cavity,
The intracavitary ultrasound probe comprises:
Posture angle detection means for detecting the posture angle of the gripping portion gripped by the operator;
An ultrasonic transducer provided so as to be swingable around a swing axis that intersects the axis of the insertion portion inserted into the body cavity;
A swing angle detecting means for detecting a swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer;
Have
The main body is
Based on the posture angle detected by the posture angle detection means and the swing angle detected by the swing angle detection means, information indicating the ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning surface of the ultrasonic beam, Conversion means for converting into probe reference image information indicating an image when a predetermined direction is viewed from the intracavity ultrasonic probe;
Probe reference image display means for displaying an image according to the probe reference image information;
Having
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7,
The main body is
The posture angle display figure drawn in the direction defined by the posture angle detected by the posture angle detection means, and the swing angle display drawn in the direction defined by the swing angle detected by the swing angle detection means Having vibrator orientation display means for displaying a figure,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe for body cavity and a main body unit for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasonic probe for body cavity,
The intracavitary ultrasound probe comprises:
An ultrasonic transducer provided at the distal end of the insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity so as to be rotatable about the axis of the insertion portion;
A rotation angle detecting means for detecting a rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer relative to a gripping portion gripped by an operator;
Have
The main body is
When information indicating an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning plane of the ultrasonic beam is viewed from the ultrasonic probe for body cavity based on the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection means Conversion means for converting into probe reference image information indicating the image of
Probe reference image display means for displaying an image according to the probe reference image information;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe for body cavity and a main body unit for displaying an image based on an output of the ultrasonic probe for body cavity,
The intracavitary ultrasound probe comprises:
An ultrasonic transducer provided so as to be swingable around a swing axis that intersects the axis of the insertion portion inserted into the body cavity;
A swing angle detecting means for detecting a swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer;
Have
The main body is
Based on the oscillation angle detected by the oscillation angle detection means, information indicating the ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning plane of the ultrasonic beam is viewed from the intracavity ultrasonic probe. Conversion means for converting into probe reference image information indicating an image at a time,
Probe reference image display means for displaying an image according to the probe reference image information;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10,
The ultrasonic transducer is
Provided at the distal end of the insertion portion so as to be rotatable about the axis of the insertion portion;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises:
A rotation angle detecting means for detecting a rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer relative to a gripping portion gripped by an operator;
The converting means includes
Information indicating an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained on the scanning plane of the ultrasonic beam is based on the swing angle detected by the swing angle detection means and the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection means. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by converting into the probe reference image information.

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