JPH0312137A - Ultrasonic transponder and ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To clearly distinguish the tip part of a stick needle or a catheter, etc., from surrounding internal organs by providing the dead time setter of an amplified signal on a feedback circuit to convert an ultrasonic wave from the probe of an ultrasonic transponder to an electric signal, to amplify the signal and to convert the signal to the ultrasonic wave again. CONSTITUTION:An ultrasonic transponder 10, which is provided on the tip of a stick needle 4, is composed of a vibrator 4a to receive the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave which is put out from an ultrasonic probe 1 to a reagent 2, amplifier 5 of the signal received by the vibrator and dead time setter 6 to prevent the signal input of the amplified signal from being accepted for fixed time. The transponder is connected and formed so that the output signal of the dead time setter can be applied to the vibrator and the retransmission signal of the vibrator can be inputted to the amplifier 5 again. Thus, stable operation can be executed and the ultrasonic echo of enough intensity is retransmitted from the vibrator to the probe. Then, on a monitor in the main body of an ultrasonic diagnostic device, the image of the tip part of the stick needle can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding internal organs together with an ultrasonic tomographic image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transponder and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with the same, and particularly to a puncture needle and a catheter that use an ultrasonic tomographic image as a guide during ultrasonic diagnosis. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transponder in which a vibrator is provided at the tip of a puncture needle or catheter used for insertion, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with the same.

[Prior art]

In an ultrasound diagnostic device equipped with a puncture needle on an ultrasound probe, the puncture needle is inserted into the subject using an ultrasound tomographic image as a guide during ultrasound diagnosis, but the echoes from the needle tip do not reflect the surrounding organs. Because sufficient strength cannot be obtained for the echo level of the puncture needle, it is difficult to confirm the needle tip, and it is difficult to know how far the needle tip has been inserted. The signal level of the echo image of the puncture needle under sound wave guidance was increased.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has a problem in that sufficient echo intensity of the tip of the puncture needle cannot be obtained, making it difficult to confirm the needle tip. Furthermore, it was difficult to identify multiple puncture needles and catheters.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows the tip of a puncture needle or catheter to be clearly distinguished from surrounding organs.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic transponder that includes a transducer that detects ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic probe and converts them into electrical signals.

and an amplifier for amplifying the converted electric signal, and a return circuit connection for converting the amplified electric signal back into ultrasonic waves, and the amplifier has a certain insensitivity after the pulse is input. It is characterized by having temporality.

Also, between the output side of the amplifier and the vibrator.

The present invention is characterized in that it includes an encoding device that outputs a predetermined encoded pulse train based on input pulses.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a frequency converter is provided between the output side of the amplifier and the vibrator.

Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that it has an ultrasonic probe and a puncture needle or catheter, and a vibrator of the ultrasonic transponder is provided at the tip of the puncture needle or catheter.

[Effect]

According to the above-mentioned means, the vibrator provided at the tip of the puncture needle or catheter converts the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic diagnostic device into an electrical signal, and this signal is amplified to a sufficient magnitude by an amplifier. Then, by sending the ultrasonic echo to the transducer again, the ultrasonic echo of sufficient strength is retransmitted from the transducer. At this time, to prevent the retransmission signal from directly entering the amplifier and causing continuous oscillation, insert a circuit into the circuit that sets a dead time in which no input is accepted for a certain period of time after the signal is input. This allows for stable operation.

In addition, by inserting an encoder into the circuit that generates a predetermined coded burst signal using an input signal as a trigger, the ultrasound retransmitted from the transducer is coded, and the ultrasound diagnostic equipment images the image. The code string can be displayed as an echo image above.

In addition, by inserting a frequency converter with an arbitrary frequency shift amount for the input signal in the circuit, the ultrasound retransmitted from the transducer becomes an echo signal with an arbitrary frequency shift amount, and the diagnostic equipment can be used as a color Doppler. In the case of a device in which the frequency shift amount of the echo signal is color-modulated and displayed on the image, it can be displayed as an echo image in a color corresponding to an arbitrary shift amount.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the drawings.

In addition, in all the figures for explaining the embodiment, parts having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

[Example I]

1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment I of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the schematic configuration of the puncture needle shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic transponder provided at the tip of the puncture needle shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

During ultrasonic diagnosis, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of this embodiment emits ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic probe 1 toward a subject 2, and displays the ultrasonic waves on the monitor of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 3, as shown in FIG. An ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed, and the puncture needle 4 is inserted into the subject 2 using this ultrasonic tomographic image as a guide.

As shown in FIG. 2, the puncture needle 4 is provided with a vibrator 4a at a predetermined position at its needle tip. This vibrator 4a and an amplifier 5 (FIG. 3), which will be described later, are connected to a signal line 4b and a contact 4c.
electrically connected via.

The ultrasonic transponder 10 of this embodiment I is
As shown in FIG. 3, a transducer 4a receives reflected waves of ultrasound emitted from the ultrasound probe 1 toward the subject 2.
, an amplifier 5 that amplifies the received signal received by the vibrator 4a, and a signal amplified by the amplifier 5 for a certain period of time.
For example, it is configured with a dead time setting device 6 for not accepting signal input for 10 μsec, and is connected so that the output signal of the dead time setting device 6 is applied to the vibrator 4a. In other words, a loop is formed so that the retransmission signal of the vibrator 4a is input to the amplifier 5 again. The dead time setting device 6 is composed of, for example, a monostable multivibrator and an analog switch.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the output signals of each part of the ultrasonic transponder circuit shown in FIG. A fixed period dead signal set in the dead time setting device 6, (d) is an output signal of the dead time setting device 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the ultrasonic transponder of the present embodiment (2), the reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic probe 1 toward the subject 2 first pass through the transducer. 4
It is detected by a and converted into an electrical signal (a). This electric signal (a) is amplified to a sufficient level by the amplifier 5 through the signal line 4b and the contact 4c.

This amplified electric signal (b) is returned to the vibrator 4a, but the dead time setting device 6 does not accept any signal input for a certain period of time, for example 10 μsec, after the signal input. In this way, by forming a loop in which the retransmission signal is input again to the amplifier 5 and setting a dead time, it is possible to prevent abnormal operations such as continuous oscillation.

Then, an ultrasonic echo of sufficient strength is retransmitted from the transducer 4a to the ultrasonic probe 1, and an image of the tip of the puncture needle 4 is displayed on the monitor of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 3 together with an ultrasonic tomographic image. Is displayed.

As can be seen from the above description, according to the present embodiment I, the vibrator 4a provided at the tip of the puncture needle 4 converts the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic diagnostic device into electrical signals, is amplified to a sufficient magnitude by the amplifier 5 and sent to the transducer 4a again, thereby retransmitting an ultrasonic echo of sufficient strength from the transducer 4a. At this time, the retransmission signal is directly input to the amplifier 5, and in order to prevent continuous oscillation, a circuit is inserted into the circuit to set a dead time in which no input is accepted for a certain period of time after the signal is input. By leaving it in place, stable operation can be achieved.

Then, ultrasonic echoes of sufficient strength are retransmitted from the transducer 4a to the ultrasonic probe 1, and as shown in FIG. An image 12 of the tip of the puncture needle 4 (13 is an image of the puncture needle 4) can be clearly distinguished from surrounding organs.

[Example ■]

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasonic transponder of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment (2) is provided with a group A 7 after the dead time setting device 6 of the embodiment I, and transmits its output signal to the transducer 4a. It was designed to be added to. This encoder 7 is provided to identify the type of puncture needle 4, and is designed not to accept new input signals until the encoding is completed.

FIG. 7 shows the dead time setter 6 and encoder 7 shown in FIG.
3 is a diagram showing the respective output signals, (d) is the output signal of the dead time setter 6, and (e) is the output signal of the encoder 7. FIG.

The encoder 6 generates an arbitrary encoded burst signal 6a using the output pulse from the dead time setter 6 as a trigger.
occurs. The encoded burst signal (E) is inputted to the transducer 4a again, and the encoded ultrasonic burst wave from the transducer 4a is retransmitted as an echo to the subsequent stage of the dead time setting device 6. By providing the encoder 7, as shown in FIG. Needle tip echo 1
4 is displayed as the code string 14a, a plurality of puncture needles 4 can be identified.

[Example ■]

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Example 2 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ultrasonic transponder of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment (2) is provided with a frequency converter 8 after the dead time setting device 6 of the above embodiment (2), and converts its output signal to the transducer 4a. It was designed to be added to. This frequency converter 8 is provided to identify the type of puncture needle 4.

This utilizes the Doppler effect of a color Doppler ultrasound device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the respective output signals of the dead time setting device 6 and the frequency converter 8 shown in FIG. is frequency converter 8
is the output signal of

The frequency of the signal (to) is converted by an arbitrary frequency shift amount Δf by the frequency converter 8, and the frequency-converted signal (g) is inputted again to the transducer 4a, and the frequency exceeds the arbitrary frequency shift amount Δf from the transducer 4a. The sound waves are retransmitted as echoes.

FIG. 11 is an echo image obtained by Example 2 in FIG. 9. In normal B mode, the needle tip echo image of the puncture needle 4 is
Although it is similar to the figure, when this is displayed using a color Doppler device, the color of the echo 15 can be arbitrarily set by setting an arbitrary frequency shift amount.

In this way, by providing the frequency converter 8 after the dead time setting device 6, the frequency is changed depending on the type of puncture needle 4 and the apparent Doppler effect is utilized, so the type of puncture needle 4 can be identified and displayed by color. can do.

In addition, although the above-mentioned Examples I, II, and (2) have been explained using examples in which the present invention is applied to the puncture needle 4, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, It can also be applied to the catheter 9. In FIG. 12, 9a is a link coil.

The present invention has been specifically explained above using examples, but
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, one object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows the tip of a puncture needle or catheter to be clearly distinguished from surrounding organs.

Additionally, if there are multiple puncture needles or catheters, by setting a unique code or frequency shift amount for each, it is possible to identify objects at a glance, which was previously impossible. can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the puncture needle shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the output signals of each part of the ultrasonic transponder circuit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. A diagram showing an echo image, FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the schematic configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows the dead time setting device and encoding shown in FIG. 6. The figure which shows each output signal of a device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic echo image on the monitor of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment (■) of FIG. Block diagram for. Fig. 10 shows the output signals of the dead time setter and frequency converter shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 shows the output signals of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of Example 2 in Fig. 9. A diagram showing an ultrasound echo image of. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1... Ultrasonic probe, 2... Subject, 3...
・Ultrasonic diagnostic device main body, 4... Puncture needle, 4a... Vibrator, 4b... Signal line, 4c... Contact, 5... Amplifier, 6... Dead time setting device, 7 ...encoder, 8
...Frequency converter, 9...Catheter, 9a...
Link coil, 1o...Ultrasonic transponder, 1
1... Ultrasonic tomographic image.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) It has a transducer that detects ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic probe and converts them into electric signals, and an amplifier that amplifies the converted electric signals, and converts the amplified electric signals back into ultrasonic waves. 1. An ultrasonic transponder having a return circuit connection for conversion, and characterized in that the amplifier has a temporal characteristic having a certain dead time after a pulse is input. (2) An encoding device configured to output a predetermined encoded pulse train based on input pulses is provided between the output side of the amplifier and the vibrator. Ultrasonic transponder. (3) The ultrasonic transponder according to claim 1, further comprising a frequency converter provided between the output side of the amplifier and the vibrator. (4) It has an ultrasound probe and a puncture needle or catheter, and the ultrasound transponder according to each of the claims 1 to 3 is attached to the tip of the puncture needle or catheter. An ultrasonic diagnostic device characterized by being provided with a transducer.