JPH02262800A - Array type ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the aperture control and to reduce the number of switch elements by constituting an ultrasonic probe of array elements divided only in the scanning direction and array elements divided in the scanning direction and the thickness direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, and determining each division by the aperture control. CONSTITUTION:The ultrasonic probe consists of array elements 2 divided only in the scanning direction and array elements 4 divided in the scanning direction and the thickness direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, and direct connection 3 of array elements 2 in both scanning-direction ends 5 to an driving signal application input 6 and installation of a switch element 8 between array elements 4 in parts 7 other than both scanning-direction ends in the scanning direction and the thickness direction orthogonal to the scanning direction and the driving signal application input 6 are determined by the aperture control. Array elements are divided in the thickness direction by the direct connection line 3 and a connection line 9, and it is sufficient if switch elements are provided only for array elements as the aperture control object, and it is unnecessary that respective array elements are equally divided and respective array elements as the aperture control object are provided with switch elements to perform the aperture control.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Summary) Regarding an array-type ultrasonic probe that improves the divided format of array elements for aperture control and the installation of switch elements, the present invention provides simplified aperture control, reduced number of switch elements, and ease of manufacturing. The array element consists of an array element that is divided only in the scanning direction and an array element that is divided in the scanning direction and the thickness direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. is configured to be determined from aperture control, and includes direct connection lines to drive signal application terminals of array elements on both ends in the scanning direction, of the array elements divided in the scanning direction, and The configuration is such that the installation of a switch element between the array element located at a portion other than both ends in the scanning direction and the drive signal application input in the thickness direction perpendicular to the scanning direction is determined from aperture control.

C. Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an array-type ultrasonic probe structure and an array-type ultrasonic probe in which the division format of array elements for aperture control and the installation of switch elements are improved.

BACKGROUND ART In medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses and the like, an ultrasonic probe is used to scan an area to be diagnosed with an ultrasonic beam and obtain an image thereof. Furthermore, array-type ultrasonic probes that can variably set the focus of the ultrasonic waves emitted to the part to be diagnosed have also come into use.

[Conventional technology]

A conventional array-type ultrasonic probe consists of a plurality of play elements equally divided in the scanning direction and thickness direction, as shown in FIG. 5, and the array elements necessary for aperture control are as follows:
All of them are configured to be connected to the drive signal application input 6 via the switch element S (however, a delay element for focus control at this time is not shown). In aperture control during scanning of a diagnostic target area with an array type ultrasonic probe, aperture control is performed for all of these switch elements.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the conventional array-type ultrasonic probe described above, all array elements except the innermost array element row in the thickness direction are provided with switch elements (see Fig. 5), so that it is difficult to control the aperture. Therefore, many switch elements were required. Therefore, since the number of array elements in an actual array type ultrasonic probe exceeds 100, the aperture control circuit for the switch elements can also be avoided from becoming complicated. I couldn't.

The present invention was created in view of the problems encountered, and aims to simplify aperture control and reduce the number of switch elements.

The object of the present invention is to provide an array type ultrasonic probe that can be manufactured easily and at low cost.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 shows a principle diagram of the array type ultrasonic probe of the present invention. (A) in Figure 1 (Part 1) and (A) in Figure 3 (Part 3)
As shown in A), the first invention consists of an array element 2 that is divided only in the scanning direction, and an array element 4 that is divided in the scanning direction and the thickness direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, Each division is configured to be determined based on aperture control.

The second invention is shown in Figure 1 (Part 1) to Figure 1 (Part 3).
Among the array elements divided in the scanning direction, as shown in FIG. The arrangement is such that the installation of the switch element 8 between the array element 4 located in the portion 7 other than the both end sides in the scanning direction in the thickness direction and the drive signal application input 6 is determined based on the aperture control.

[For production]

(A) in Figure 1 (Part I) and (A) in Figure 1 (Part 3)
), in an array-type ultrasonic probe, a direct connection line 3. If the connection line 9 is provided, it is divided in the thickness direction, and it is only necessary to provide a switch element for the array element to be subjected to aperture control ((B) in FIG. 1 (Part I),
(C) and (B), (C) and (in Figure 1 (Part 3))
(See D)), it is no longer necessary to divide each array element equally and provide a switch element for each array element to control the aperture of each array element, as in the past, so the aperture control can be easily controlled. It is useful for facilitating the process and reducing the number of switching elements. This also provides ease of manufacture and lower cost of the array type ultrasound probe.

In addition, in the array type ultrasonic probe structure shown in (A) of FIG. 1 (Part 2), two or more array element groups to be subjected to aperture control are arranged in the array element rows that are equally divided in the thickness direction. In the case where the array element has a reduced aperture, each of the array elements that do not require switching control when shifting to the reduced aperture is connected with a connecting wire 9 (see (B) and (C) in Figure 1 (Part 2)).
, it is sufficient to provide switch elements as a group, so that in this case as well, aperture control can be facilitated, the number of switch elements can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

[Example] Fig. 2 shows an array type ultrasonic probe structure in which the probe is divided equally in the scanning direction and each row in the thickness direction is equally divided into five pieces, and also shows an array type ultrasonic probe. . As shown in (1) of Fig. 2 (Part 1), the array type ultrasonic probe has array elements 4 +2+ 414+ 411+ in the central part of the array element (vibrator) group in the scanning direction.
4 I5 is connected to the drive signal input input 6 via the switch element 811゜8.2, and is connected to the drive signal input input 6 (3 in Fig. 2 (Part 1)).
As shown in FIG.
As shown in Part 1) and (2), the array elements 431 and 43 in the portion sandwiched between the central part and the end of the array element group are connected to the drive signal and input input 6 via the switch element 831. has been configured. Note that, although delay elements required for each aperture control are provided for each array element group portion as in the conventional case, they are omitted for the sake of simplification of the drawing. Further, in FIG. 2, 10 is a matching layer, 11 is a back layer, 12 is a ground, 13 is an element cut portion, 15 is an electrode,
16 is silver foil.

Aperture control in the array type ultrasonic probe configured as described above will be explained below.

When focusing the array type ultrasonic probe at a long distance, the aperture needs to be widened as shown at the bottom of FIG. 3, so all the switch elements 8. shown in FIG. ,．． 8.
□, 831, that is, array element row 20. belonging to the central part of the array element group. ．． Switch elements 811, 8 for 202
I□, and the array element row 20 belonging to the array element group portion between the array element group central portion and the array element group end portion:
Each of the switch elements 8□ for +, 20a is closed by an aperture control circuit 32 (see FIG. 4). At this time,
Each switch 2 similarly under the control of the opening control circuit 32
2. All of 226 to 226 are closed.

Furthermore, when focusing at a medium distance, it is necessary to reduce the aperture to a medium distance as shown by M in FIG. 3, so the array element array 20. shown in FIG. ．． The switch elements 8, 1, 8.2 in the 20□ slots are left closed, but the array element rows 203, 20, . The switch element 8□ for is opened. At this time, the switch element 225
, 22. The aperture control circuit 32 (see FIG. 4) also opens the aperture control circuit 32 (see FIG. 4).

If the focus is to be placed at a short distance, the aperture must be set to S in FIG. 3, so the array element array 20. ．． Switch elements 8□, 8□ for 20□, and switch element 22. ．． Only 22□ remains closed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is no need to perform opening/closing control of each of the switch elements provided for each array element to be subjected to the conventional opening control, and the control can be simplified. or,
The number of switch elements required to control opening and closing can be reduced, and the cost of the array-type ultrasonic probe can also be reduced.

FIG. 2 (Part 2) shows the same structure as FIG. 2 (Part 1) except that the electrode 15 is left when the element is cut.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the array element position in the scanning direction is equally divided in the thickness direction. It is also possible to use an array-type ultrasonic probe structure that does not have the same structure. According to this structure,
There is no need for the dividing process, and there is no need to connect the parts when they are divided, which is advantageous in manufacturing. This structure can also enjoy the same benefits as the above-described embodiments, such as easier aperture control and a reduction in the number of switch elements.

In addition, as in the case of array-type ultrasonic probes of conventional structure, when it is desired to perform scanning in a predetermined manner, a delay element is provided to provide the necessary delay for driving each array element in the above-mentioned scanning direction. provided.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a play-type ultrasonic probe structure having an array element structure in which a switch element is not provided in an array element used only for the aperture when viewed from the perspective of the aperture. This not only facilitates manufacturing, but also contributes to facilitating aperture control and reducing the number of switch elements. In addition, since the array-type ultrasonic probe is constructed in such a way that no switch elements are provided in the equally divided array elements used only for the aperture, the number of switch elements can be reduced.
It is also useful for simplifying aperture control.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for aperture control of a conventional array type ultrasonic probe.

In Figures 1 and 2, 2.4 is an array element, 3 is a direct connection line, 6 is a drive signal input; 8 is a switch element, 9 is a connection line.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the array element arrangement and the aperture of an array-type ultrasonic probe. Figure 4 shows the aperture control system of an array-type ultrasound probe, /! P-14 and day Φ14 engineering v Derozoku diagram Figure 1 (Zone 12 Principle block diagram of the present invention Figure 1 (Zone 2) (C) (D), misfire θn07 principle block diagram 77 Figure 1 Figure 3 shows the relationship between the turf probe and the frontage. Shokugo's mouth system city system E original
；Meriki j Ming Seki Diagram

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an array type probe used in an electronic sector type ultrasonic diagnostic device, an array element that is divided only in the scanning direction (2)
and an array element (4) that is divided in the scanning direction and a thickness direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, and each division is determined by aperture control. . (2) Of the array elements divided in the scanning direction, a direct connection line (3) to the drive signal application terminal of the array element (2) on both ends in the scanning direction, and The installation of the switch element (8) between the array element (4) located at a portion other than both ends in the scanning direction in the perpendicular thickness direction and the drive signal application input (6) is determined from the aperture control. An array-type ultrasonic probe characterized by: