JP5306087B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates an ultrasonic image of a tomographic image of a region to be examined.

  By transmitting an ultrasonic wave into a living body as a subject and receiving a reflected wave reflected by the ultrasonic wave in a living tissue as a test site in the living body, a tomographic image of the living body can be generated in real time. Possible ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses have been widely used in the past. The tomographic image of the living body generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used, for example, when a user such as a surgeon diagnoses a depth of a lesion or observes an internal state of an organ.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, as an example of a technique applicable to the above-described ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, encoding is performed while reducing the amount of information of a medical moving image when the load factor of the CPU exceeds a predetermined value. A medical moving image recording system having a configuration capable of performing the above is disclosed.

  However, in the medical moving image recording system described in Patent Document 1, when an interrupt process such as an input operation by a user and communication with various devices is intermittently performed during the encoding process, Due to the fact that the load factor fluctuates violently, the image quality (frame rate) of the moving image after the encoding process is not stabilized, and as a result, a moving image that cannot be observed may be recorded. Have.

  Further, when the load factor of the CPU is very high and the above-described interrupt processing is not in time, the data input from the previous circuit of the CPU exceeds the capacity of the data storage memory. In the situation as described above, a phenomenon such as a system operation delay occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying a moving image with stable image quality while performing communication with peripheral devices.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic signal output unit that outputs an ultrasonic signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to an examination site to an ultrasonic transducer, and an echo signal of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave. An echo signal input unit that inputs as a signal, and image generation that generates ultrasonic image data of a tomographic image of the test site by performing predetermined signal processing on the echo signal input to the echo signal input unit Unit, a frame memory that sequentially stores the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit, and an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic signal output unit each time one frame of the ultrasonic image data is acquired. An ultrasonic signal output control unit for stopping output, and an image transfer control unit for outputting ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory to a main memory during a first period , Connected to said main memory, during a second time period which does not overlap with the first period, an, and a digital scan conversion unit for performing scan conversion process on the one frame of ultrasonic image data.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to display a moving image with stable image quality while communicating with peripheral devices.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of the principal part of the ultrasound diagnosing system in which the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this embodiment is used. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in FIG. 1. The flowchart which shows the example different from FIG. 2 of the process performed in the ultrasound diagnosing device of FIG. The timing chart which shows the operation | movement timing of an ultrasonic diagnosing device when the series of processes shown in FIG. 2 are performed. The timing chart which shows the operation timing of an ultrasonic diagnosing device when the series of processes shown in FIG. 3 are performed.

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

  1 to 5 relate to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 processes the ultrasound endoscope 2 and the echo signal from the ultrasound endoscope 2 and outputs the processed echo signal as a video signal. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3, a monitor 4 capable of displaying a moving image and a still image based on a video signal output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3, and an instruction signal for instructing each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic system 1 Bi-directional communication between the operation instruction unit 5 having a keyboard or the like capable of outputting the image, the recording device 6 capable of recording a moving image based on the video signal output from the ultrasonic diagnostic device 3, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device 3. And a peripheral device 7 (such as a personal computer) that can perform the above-described configuration.

  The ultrasonic endoscope 2 is configured to be detachable from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 on the proximal end side and to have an ultrasonic transducer 21 on the distal end side.

  The ultrasonic transducer 21 has a configuration corresponding to an electronic scan method such as a linear scan and / or a convex scan, for example. And the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 21 transmits an ultrasonic wave with respect to the test site | part 101 which is a biological tissue, for example based on the ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic diagnosing device 3. FIG. Further, the ultrasonic transducer 21 receives a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the region to be examined 101, and uses the scan information of each sound ray based on the reflected wave as an echo signal for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3. Output to.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 includes a pulse generator 31, a beam former 32, a CPU 33, a main memory 33 a connected to the CPU 33, an image generator 34, and a memory controller 35. The frame memory 35a, the image transfer control unit 36, and an I / O interface 37 are included.

  The pulse generation unit 31 outputs a pulse signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer 21 to the beam former 32 based on the control signal from the memory control unit 35.

  The beam former 32 having a function as an ultrasonic signal output unit generates and outputs an ultrasonic signal for generating an ultrasonic wave in the ultrasonic transducer 21 based on the pulse signal output from the pulse generation unit 31. . The beam former 32 having a function as an echo signal input unit performs processing such as amplification, A / D conversion, and phase phasing addition on the echo signal output from the ultrasonic transducer 21, and performs the processing. The echo signal after the output is output to the image generation unit 34.

  The CPU 33 having a function as a digital scan conversion unit controls the beamformer 32, the image generation unit 34, the image transfer control unit 36, and the like according to an instruction included in the instruction signal output from the operation instruction unit 5. And a scan conversion process for converting the ultrasound image data stored in the main memory 33a into monitor format data. In addition, the CPU 33 performs a drawing process on the data after the scan conversion process.

  Based on the control of the CPU 33, the image generation unit 34 performs each process such as a quadrature detection process, a sampling process, a contrast change process, and a gain adjustment process on the digital ultrasonic image data output from the beam former 32. The ultrasonic image data including the tomographic image of the test site 101 corresponding to the digital ultrasonic image data is sequentially generated, and the generated ultrasonic image data is output to the frame memory 35a via the memory control unit 35. .

  The memory control unit 35 sequentially stores the ultrasonic image data output from the image generation unit 34 in the frame memory 35a, and sequentially stores the ultrasonic image data stored in the frame memory 35a to the image transfer control unit 36 for one frame. Output.

  The image transfer control unit 36 includes a transfer controller that can transfer ultrasonic image data stored in the frame memory 35a by a predetermined transfer method. Then, the ultrasonic image data stored in the frame memory 35a is read out, for example, one frame at a time through the memory control unit 35 by a predetermined transfer method performed by the image transfer control unit 36, and is stored in the CPU 33. The data is temporarily stored in the main memory 33a via one bus (not shown).

  The ultrasound image data stored in the main memory 33a is converted into ultrasound image frame data by performing digital scan conversion processing in the CPU 33.

  The ultrasonic image frame data generated by the CPU 33 is output to an external device such as the monitor 4 via one bus (not shown) in the CPU 33 and the I / O interface 37. The ultrasound image frame data is not limited to digital output, and may be analog output after signal processing in a video circuit (not shown), for example.

  The I / O interface 37 is configured as an interface that allows the CPU 33 to be electrically connected to the monitor 4, the operation instruction unit 5, the recording device 6 and the external devices of the peripheral device 7.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic system 1 will be described.

  First, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is inserted into a living body or the like by the user, and the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is brought into contact with a desired observation site of the test site 101 in the living body. Thereafter, when a predetermined switch or the like provided in the operation instruction unit 5 is operated by the user, the ultrasonic transducer 21 provided at the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 vibrates, and the desired region 101 to be examined is desired. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the observation site (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  The ultrasonic transducer 21 transmits an ultrasonic wave to the test site 101 in accordance with the control of the beam former 32, then receives a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave from the test site 101, and generates an ultrasonic wave as an echo signal. Output to diagnostic device 3.

  The image generation unit 34 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 sequentially generates ultrasonic image data including a tomographic image of the region 101 to be examined by performing the above-described processes on the echo signal from the ultrasonic transducer 21. The generated ultrasonic image data is output to the frame memory 35a via the memory control unit 35 (step S2 in FIG. 2).

  Thereafter, the memory control unit 35 outputs a busy signal to the pulse generation unit 31 at the timing when the output of the ultrasonic image data from the image generation unit 34 is started (step in FIG. 2). S3).

  The pulse generation unit 31 having a function as an ultrasonic signal output control unit immediately stops the output of the pulse signal to the beam former 32 when scanning of ultrasonic image data for one frame is completed. The output of the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 is stopped (steps S4 and S5 in FIG. 2). On the other hand, the pulse generator 31 continues to output the pulse signal to the beam former 32 when the scan for one frame of the ultrasonic image is not completed.

  The image transfer control unit 36 starts transferring the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a at the timing when the transfer request for the ultrasonic image data for one frame is received from the CPU 33 (FIG. 2). Step S6). Then, the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a is read out via the memory control unit 35 by the data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36, and passes through one bus (not shown) inside the CPU 33. And is temporarily stored in the main memory 33a.

  The CPU 33 sends, to the memory control unit 35, a signal indicating that the transfer of the ultrasonic image data for one frame is completed at the timing when the transfer of the ultrasonic image data for one frame accumulated in the frame memory 35a is completed. Output (step S7 in FIG. 2).

  The CPU 33 performs digital scan conversion processing for displaying on the monitor 4 on the ultrasonic image data for one frame transferred to the main memory 33a (step S8 in FIG. 2). The ultrasonic image data for one frame subjected to the digital scan conversion is stored in the main memory 33a as ultrasonic image frame data. The ultrasound image frame data stored in the main memory 33a is read by the CPU 33 and then subjected to a drawing process.

Based on the control of the CPU 33, the memory control unit 35 stops outputting the busy signal to the pulse generation unit 31 at the timing when the drawing process is completed. (Or, a busy signal for indicating the non-busy state is output to the pulse generator 31.)
On the other hand, the CPU 33 receives various instruction signals from the operation instruction unit 5 or the like connected via the I / O interface 37 from the timing immediately before step S1 in FIG. 2 to the timing immediately after step S7 in FIG. The acceptance is started, and control according to the various instruction signals is performed (step S9 and step S10 in FIG. 2).

  Then, the CPU 33 detects that various instruction signals output from the operation instruction unit 5 and the like include an instruction signal for stopping the output of the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transducer 21 (FIG. 2). In step S11), control for completely stopping output of the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 is performed on the beam former 32.

  When the CPU 33 detects that the instruction signal for stopping the output of the ultrasonic wave in the ultrasonic transducer 21 is not included in the various instruction signals output from the operation instruction unit 5 or the like, A signal indicating that the control according to the various instruction signals is completed is output to the memory control unit 35. Thereby, the memory control unit 35 performs control for resuming the output of the ultrasonic signal to the pulse generation unit 31 (beamformer 32) (step S12 in FIG. 2).

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 and the like perform each process from step S1 to step S12 in FIG. 2 until an instruction signal for stopping the output of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 21 is input to the CPU 33. Repeat the corresponding action.

  On the other hand, a timing chart showing the operation timing of each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 when the processing shown in FIG. 2 is performed is, for example, as shown in FIG. Here, the timing chart of FIG. 4 will be described.

  When the memory control unit 35 detects that the EL_SCAN signal is inverted from disabled to enabled by operating a predetermined switch or the like provided in the operation instruction unit 5, the beam former 32 is passed through the pulse generator 31. Is controlled to output an ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32. Further, at the timing when the EL_SCAN signal is inverted from disable to enable, the L_INT signal issued by the memory control unit 35 is output to the CPU 33 and the DMA_END signal issued by the CPU 33 is output to the memory control unit 35.

  After issuing the DMA_END signal, the CPU 33 does not perform processing on the ultrasound image data until the EL_FEND signal is issued by the memory control unit 35. Then, during this period, the CPU 33 starts accepting various instruction signals from the operation instruction unit 5 or the like connected via the I / O interface 37 and performs control according to the various instruction signals.

  On the other hand, after confirming the input of the DMA_END signal from the CPU 33, the memory control unit 35 inverts the DMA_INT_EN signal from disabled to enabled, thereby permitting the data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36.

  For the first frame, an application running on the CPU 33 is preparing for the drawing process. Therefore, for the first frame, the data transfer operation by the image transfer control unit 36 during this period is delayed by delaying the period from issuance of the DMA_END signal to the enable inversion of the DMA_INT_EN signal by the period related to the above-described preparation. Is prohibited. For the second and subsequent frames, the disabled state of the DMA_INT_EN signal is maintained while the CPU 33 is performing the digital scan conversion process.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the beam former 32 outputs an ultrasonic signal so that scanning for each line is performed in accordance with the input timing of the LSYNC signal from the pulse generator 31. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the beam former 32 outputs an ultrasonic signal so that a scan for one frame can be started by generating an FSYNC signal. Then, the beam former 32 outputs the echo signal to the image generation unit 34 while matching the timing of the FSYNC signal and the received echo signal.

  The memory control unit 35 monitors the output state of the FSYNC signal from the beamformer 32 and outputs an EL_BUSY signal having a signal level corresponding to the busy state to the pulse generation unit 31 in synchronization with the output timing of the FSYNC signal. .

  The memory control unit 35 issues an EL_FEND signal when the output of the ultrasonic image data from the image generation unit 34 is started and the accumulation of the ultrasonic image data for one frame in the frame memory 35a is completed. .

  The pulse generator 31 stops outputting the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 by finishing outputting the LSYNC signal to the beam former 32 for a predetermined number of times set for one frame.

  The memory control unit 35 issues an L_INT signal and outputs it to the CPU 33 almost immediately after the EL_FEND signal is issued, thereby informing the CPU 33 that transfer of ultrasonic image data to the main memory 33a is started. .

  Thereafter, the image transfer control unit 36 starts transferring the ultrasonic image data for one frame at the timing when the transfer request for the ultrasonic image data for one frame is received from the CPU 33.

  The ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a is read through the memory control unit 35 by a data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36, and passes through one bus (not shown) inside the CPU 33. Once stored in the main memory 33a.

  That is, the image transfer control unit 36 transfers the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a to the main memory 33a while the EL_FEND signal is detected and the DMA_INT_EN signal is enabled.

  The memory control unit 35 inhibits the data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36 by inverting the DMA_INT_EN signal from enable to disable at the timing when the above-described data transfer operation is completed.

  Thereafter, the CPU 33 performs a digital scan conversion process on the ultrasonic image data stored in the frame memory 33a at the timing when the transfer of the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a is completed. Then, processing for generating ultrasonic image frame data is started.

  After completing the generation of the ultrasound image frame data, the CPU 33 stores the ultrasound image frame data in the main memory 33a. Further, the CPU 33 reads the ultrasonic image frame data stored in the main memory 33a and performs a drawing process on the ultrasonic image frame data. Then, the CPU 33 issues a DMA_END signal at the timing when the drawing process is completed.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic image frame data subjected to the drawing processing is output to an external device such as the monitor 4 after passing through one bus (not shown) and the I / O interface 37 inside the CPU 33.

  That is, at the timing when the L_INT signal is output from the memory control unit 35 to the CPU 33, transfer of ultrasonic image data for one frame accumulated in the frame memory 35a is started, and further, at the timing when this transfer operation is completed. The CPU 33 performs digital scan conversion processing and processing related to ultrasonic image frame data. When the load on the CPU 33 increases with the execution of the digital scan conversion process and the process related to the ultrasonic image frame data, the output of the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 is stopped for a period corresponding to the load. The ultrasonic image data of the next frame can be prevented from being transferred to the main memory 33a.

  When the memory control unit 35 detects the completion of the data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36 and the drawing process in the CPU 33 based on the DMA_END signal from the CPU 33, the memory control unit 35 inverts the DMA_INT_EN signal from disabled to enabled. As a result, when the accumulation of the ultrasound image data in the frame memory 35a is resumed, the image transfer control unit 36 shifts to a state in which the ultrasound image data transfer operation can be performed.

  Further, the memory control unit 35 changes the signal level of the EL_BUSY signal from the busy state to the non-busy state at the same time when the DMA_INT_EN signal is inverted from the disable state to the enable state.

  When the pulse generation unit 31 detects that the signal level of the EL_BUSY signal has transitioned from the busy state to the non-busy state, the pulse generation unit 31 proceeds to a preparation period for starting ultrasonic scanning of the next frame.

  When the CPU 33 detects an instruction signal for stopping the output of the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic vibrator 21, the CPU 33 controls the beam former 32 to stop the output of the ultrasonic signal during the preparation period. Thus, the output of the ultrasonic signal is completely stopped.

On the other hand, when the CPU 33 does not perform the control to stop the output of the ultrasonic signal, the memory control unit 35 changes the signal level of the EL_BUSY signal from the non-busy state to the busy state after the preparation period has elapsed. Then, the output of the LSYNC signal from the pulse generator 31 is restarted (the output of the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 is restarted).
In the preparation period, the operation according to the timing chart of FIG. 4 as described above is repeatedly performed until the control for stopping the output of the ultrasonic signal by the CPU 33 is performed on the beam former 32. .

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 of the present embodiment is one frame from the start of ultrasonic wave transmission, which is a period in which the operation according to the processing shown in steps S1 to S7 in FIG. 2 is performed. 1 minute until the transfer of the ultrasonic image data is completed, and at least a second period during which the digital scan conversion process is performed, which is a period in which the operation according to the process shown in step S8 of FIG. It is provided separately (as a continuous period that does not overlap). That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment generates ultrasonic image data for one frame during the first period, transfers the ultrasonic image data to the main memory 33a, and outputs the one frame for the second period. The CPU 33 performs arithmetic processing based on the ultrasonic image data. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, the ultrasonic image data of the next frame is not acquired unless the arithmetic processing in the CPU 33 is completed, and the ultrasonic image data is generated due to an excessive load on the CPU 33. Since a situation in which data cannot be transferred to the main memory 33a does not occur, a moving image with stable image quality (frame rate) can be displayed on the monitor 4 as a result.

  In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment starts accepting various instruction signals, which are the above-described second period and a period in which operations corresponding to the processes shown in steps S9 and S10 in FIG. 2 are performed. And the third period in which the control operation is performed is provided separately (as a continuous period that does not overlap). Therefore, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, interrupt processing (interrupt operation) according to various instruction signals input via the I / O interface 37 is not performed during the second period described above. As a result, digital scan conversion processing can be stably performed on the ultrasonic image data stored in the main memory 33a.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 of the present embodiment is provided with the above-described first period and the above-described second period in parallel. Therefore, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, interrupt processing (interrupt operation) according to various instruction signals input via the I / O interface 37 during a period when the load on the CPU 33 is relatively light. As a result, the load on the CPU 33 is distributed, and the time spent for processing for each frame can be shortened.

  Note that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 is not limited to performing the operation and the like according to each process shown as the flowchart in FIG. 2 (based on the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 4), for example, each shown as the flowchart in FIG. An operation or the like corresponding to the processing may be performed (based on the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 5).

  First, prior to performing observation using the ultrasonic diagnostic system 1, an external device such as the monitor 4 is used according to either a value input in the operation instruction unit 5 or the like or a value preset in the memory control unit 35. Is set to the upper limit value FR of the frame rate when the ultrasonic image is output (step S21 in FIG. 3). In the following description, it is assumed that the upper limit value FR of the frame rate is set to 30 frames / second.

  Thereafter, the user inserts the ultrasonic endoscope 2 into the living body or the like, and the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is brought into contact with a desired observation site of the test site 101 in the living body.

  Then, when a user operates a predetermined switch or the like provided in the operation instruction unit 5, the ultrasonic transducer 21 provided at the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 vibrates, and the desired region 101 to be examined is desired. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the observation site (step S22 in FIG. 3).

  The ultrasonic transducer 21 transmits an ultrasonic wave to the test site 101 in accordance with the control of the beam former 32, then receives a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave from the test site 101, and generates an ultrasonic wave as an echo signal. Output to diagnostic device 3.

  The image generation unit 34 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 sequentially generates ultrasonic image data including a tomographic image of the region 101 to be examined by performing the above-described processes on the echo signal from the ultrasonic transducer 21. The generated ultrasonic image data is output to the frame memory 35a via the memory control unit 35 (step S23 in FIG. 3).

  Thereafter, the memory control unit 35 outputs a busy signal for indicating the busy state to the pulse generation unit 31 at the timing when the output of the ultrasonic image data from the image generation unit 34 is started (step of FIG. 3). S24).

  When the scanning of the ultrasonic image data for one frame is completed, the pulse generator 31 immediately stops the output of the pulse signal to the beam former 32, thereby outputting the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32. Stop (steps S25 and S26 in FIG. 3). On the other hand, the pulse generator 31 continues to output the pulse signal to the beam former 32 when the scan for one frame of the ultrasonic image is not completed.

  The image transfer control unit 36 starts transferring the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a at the timing when the transfer request for the ultrasonic image data for one frame is received from the CPU 33 (FIG. 3). Step S27). As a result, the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a is read out via the memory control unit 35 by the data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36, and one bus (not shown) inside the CPU 33 is shown. Are temporarily stored in the main memory 33a.

  The CPU 33 sends, to the memory control unit 35, a signal indicating that the transfer of the ultrasonic image data for one frame is completed at the timing when the transfer of the ultrasonic image data for one frame accumulated in the frame memory 35a is completed. Output (step S28 in FIG. 3).

  The CPU 33 performs a digital scan conversion process for displaying on the monitor 4 on the ultrasonic image data for one frame transferred to the main memory 33a (step S29 in FIG. 3). The ultrasonic image data for one frame subjected to the digital scan conversion is stored in the main memory 33a as ultrasonic image frame data. The ultrasound image frame data stored in the main memory 33a is read by the CPU 33 and then subjected to a drawing process.

Based on the control of the CPU 33, the memory control unit 35 stops outputting the busy signal to the pulse generation unit 31 at the timing when the drawing process is completed. (Or, a busy signal for indicating the non-busy state is output to the pulse generator 31.)
On the other hand, the CPU 33 receives various instruction signals from the operation instruction unit 5 or the like connected via the I / O interface 37 from the timing immediately before step S22 in FIG. 3 to the timing immediately after step S28 in FIG. The acceptance is started, and control according to the various instruction signals is performed (step S30 and step S31 in FIG. 3).

  Then, the CPU 33 detects that various instruction signals output from the operation instruction unit 5 and the like include an instruction signal for stopping the output of the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transducer 21 (FIG. 3). In step S32), control for completely stopping the output of the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 is performed on the beam former 32.

  When the CPU 33 detects that the instruction signal for stopping the output of the ultrasonic wave in the ultrasonic transducer 21 is not included in the various instruction signals output from the operation instruction unit 5 or the like, A signal indicating that the control according to the various instruction signals is completed is output to the memory control unit 35.

  After that, the memory control unit 35 has a frame rate of a period t from when the busy signal for indicating the busy state is output until the signal indicating that the control according to the various instruction signals is completed is input. It is determined whether or not the period T1 corresponding to the upper limit value FR of the current period has been reached (step S33 in FIG. 3). Specifically, for example, when the value of the upper limit value FR of the frame rate when the ultrasonic image is output is set as 30 frames / second, the memory control unit 35 corresponds to the reciprocal of the FR value. A value of 1/30 seconds is set as the value of the period T1, and it is determined whether or not the period t has reached 1/30 seconds.

  When the memory control unit 35 detects that the period t has not reached the period T1, the memory control unit 35 waits until the period t reaches the period T1. Further, when the memory control unit 35 detects that the period t has reached the period T1, the memory control unit 35 performs control for restarting the output of the ultrasonic signal on the beam former 32 (step S34 in FIG. 3).

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 and the like perform each process from step S22 to step S34 in FIG. 3 until an instruction signal for stopping the output of the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transducer 21 is input to the CPU 33. Repeat the corresponding action.

  On the other hand, a timing chart showing the operation timing of each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 when the processing shown in FIG. 3 is performed is as shown in FIG. 5, for example. Here, the timing chart of FIG. 5 will be described.

  When the memory control unit 35 detects that the EL_SCAN signal is inverted from disabled to enabled by operating a predetermined switch or the like provided in the operation instruction unit 5, the beam former 32 is passed through the pulse generator 31. Is controlled to output an ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32. Further, at the timing when the EL_SCAN signal is inverted from disable to enable, the L_INT signal issued by the memory control unit 35 is output to the CPU 33 and the DMA_END signal issued by the CPU 33 is output to the memory control unit 35.

  After issuing the DMA_END signal, the CPU 33 does not perform processing on the ultrasound image data until the EL_FEND signal is issued by the memory control unit 35. Then, during this period, the CPU 33 starts accepting various instruction signals from the operation instruction unit 5 or the like connected via the I / O interface 37 and performs control according to the various instruction signals.

  On the other hand, after confirming the input of the DMA_END signal from the CPU 33, the memory control unit 35 inverts the DMA_INT_EN signal from disabled to enabled, thereby permitting the data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36.

  For the first frame, an application running on the CPU 33 is preparing for the drawing process. Therefore, for the first frame, the data transfer operation by the image transfer control unit 36 during this period is delayed by delaying the period from issuance of the DMA_END signal to the enable inversion of the DMA_INT_EN signal by the period related to the above-described preparation. Is prohibited. For the second and subsequent frames, the DMA_INT_EN signal is disabled only during the period when the CPU 33 is performing digital scan conversion processing.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the beam former 32 outputs an ultrasonic signal so that scanning for each line is performed according to the input timing of the LSYNC signal from the pulse generator 31. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the beam former 32 outputs an ultrasonic signal so that scanning for one frame can be started by generating an FSYNC signal. Then, the beam former 32 outputs the echo signal to the image generation unit 34 while matching the timing of the FSYNC signal and the received echo signal.

  The memory control unit 35 monitors the output state of the FSYNC signal from the beamformer 32 and outputs an EL_BUSY signal having a signal level corresponding to the busy state to the pulse generation unit 31 in synchronization with the output timing of the FSYNC signal. . Further, the memory control unit 35 inverts the F_CNT signal from disabled to enabled in synchronization with the timing at which the FSYNC signal is output, so that a period of time has elapsed since the EL_BUSY signal having a signal level corresponding to the busy state is output. Start measuring t.

  The memory control unit 35 issues an EL_FEND signal when the output of the ultrasonic image data from the image generation unit 34 is started and the accumulation of the ultrasonic image data for one frame in the frame memory 35a is completed. .

  The pulse generator 31 stops outputting the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 by finishing outputting the LSYNC signal to the beam former 32 for a predetermined number of times set for one frame.

  The memory control unit 35 issues an L_INT signal and outputs it to the CPU 33 almost immediately after the EL_FEND signal is issued, thereby informing the CPU 33 that transfer of ultrasonic image data to the main memory 33a is started. .

  Thereafter, the image transfer control unit 36 starts transferring the ultrasonic image data for one frame at the timing when the transfer request for the ultrasonic image data for one frame is received from the CPU 33.

  The ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a is read through the memory control unit 35 by a data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36, and passes through one bus (not shown) inside the CPU 33. Once stored in the main memory 33a.

  That is, the image transfer control unit 36 transfers the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a to the main memory 33a while the EL_FEND signal is detected and the DMA_INT_EN signal is enabled.

  The memory control unit 35 inhibits the data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36 by inverting the DMA_INT_EN signal from enable to disable at the timing when the above-described data transfer operation is completed.

  Thereafter, the CPU 33 performs a digital scan conversion process on the ultrasonic image data stored in the frame memory 33a at the timing when the transfer of the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory 35a is completed. Then, processing for generating ultrasonic image frame data is started.

  After completing the generation of the ultrasound image frame data, the CPU 33 stores the ultrasound image frame data in the main memory 33a. Further, the CPU 33 reads the ultrasonic image frame data stored in the main memory 33a and performs a drawing process on the ultrasonic image frame data. Then, the CPU 33 issues a DMA_END signal at the timing when the drawing process is completed.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic image frame data subjected to the drawing processing is output to an external device such as the monitor 4 after passing through one bus (not shown) and the I / O interface 37 inside the CPU 33.

  That is, at the timing when the L_INT signal is output from the memory control unit 35 to the CPU 33, transfer of ultrasonic image data for one frame accumulated in the frame memory 35a is started, and further, at the timing when this transfer operation is completed. The CPU 33 performs digital scan conversion processing and processing related to ultrasonic image frame data. When the load on the CPU 33 increases with the execution of the digital scan conversion process and the process related to the ultrasonic image frame data, the output of the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 is stopped for a period corresponding to the load. The ultrasonic image data of the next frame can be prevented from being transferred to the main memory 33a.

  When the memory control unit 35 detects the completion of the data transfer operation in the image transfer control unit 36 and the drawing process in the CPU 33 based on the DMA_END signal from the CPU 33, the memory control unit 35 inverts the DMA_INT_EN signal from disabled to enabled. As a result, when the accumulation of the ultrasound image data in the frame memory 35a is resumed, the image transfer control unit 36 shifts to a state in which the ultrasound image data transfer operation can be performed.

  Further, the memory control unit 35 changes the signal level of the EL_BUSY signal from the busy state to the non-busy state at the same time when the DMA_INT_EN signal is inverted from the disable state to the enable state.

  When the pulse generation unit 31 detects that the signal level of the EL_BUSY signal has transitioned from the busy state to the non-busy state, the pulse generation unit 31 proceeds to a preparation period for starting ultrasonic scanning of the next frame.

  When the CPU 33 detects an instruction signal for stopping the output of the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic vibrator 21, the CPU 33 controls the beam former 32 to stop the output of the ultrasonic signal during the preparation period. Thus, the output of the ultrasonic signal is completely stopped.

On the other hand, when the CPU 33 does not perform control for stopping the output of the ultrasonic signal, the memory control unit 35 is a period T1 in which the above-described period t corresponds to the value of the upper limit value FR (for example, 30 frames / second) It is determined whether or not (for example, 1/30 second) has been reached. If the memory control unit 35 detects that the period t has not reached the period T1, the memory control unit 35 maintains the signal level of the EL_BUSY signal in a non-busy state, thereby continuing the preparation period. In addition, the memory control unit 35 issues the F_CNT signal at the timing when the period t reaches the period T1, and the signal level of the EL_BUSY signal is changed from the non-busy state to the busy state in synchronization with the timing at which the F_CNT signal is issued. Transition. With such an operation, the output of the LSYNC signal from the pulse generator 31 is resumed (the output of the ultrasonic signal from the beam former 32 is resumed).
Then, during the preparation period, until the control for stopping the output of the ultrasonic signal by the CPU 33 is performed on the beam former 32, the operation according to the timing chart of FIG. 5 as described above is repeatedly performed. .

As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment performs the operation according to each process shown as the flowchart of FIG. 3 (based on the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 5), and the monitor 4 It is possible to limit the upper limit value of the frame rate when an ultrasonic image is output to an external device such as the above. Therefore, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, by performing an operation or the like corresponding to each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 (based on the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 5), the flowchart of FIG. It is possible to output a moving image having a more stable image quality (frame rate) than the case where the operation or the like corresponding to each processing shown is performed (based on the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 4). (Note that the other effects are the same as in the case where the operation corresponding to each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is performed (based on the timing chart illustrated in FIG. 4).)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic system 2 Ultrasonic endoscope 3 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 Monitor 5 Operation instruction part 6 Recording apparatus 7 Peripheral equipment
32 Beamformer 33 CPU
35 Memory control unit 36 Image transfer control unit 101 Test site

JP 2006-94913 A

Claims (3)

An ultrasonic signal output unit for outputting an ultrasonic signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a test site to an ultrasonic transducer;
An echo signal input unit for inputting the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave as an echo signal;
An image generation unit that generates ultrasonic image data of a tomographic image of the test site by performing predetermined signal processing on the echo signal input to the echo signal input unit;
A frame memory for sequentially storing the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit;
An ultrasonic signal output control unit that stops output of an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic signal output unit every time the ultrasonic image data is acquired for one frame;
An image transfer control unit for outputting the ultrasonic image data for one frame stored in the frame memory to a main memory during a first period;
A digital scan conversion unit connected to the main memory and performing a scan conversion process on the ultrasonic image data for one frame during a second period that does not overlap with the first period;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic signal output control unit restarts output of an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic signal output unit at an arbitrary timing after the second period has elapsed. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the arbitrary timing is a timing set according to an upper limit value of a frame rate of the ultrasonic image data.

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