JPH03126442A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically switch a scan system under an optimum condition by selecting an intersleeving scan system at the time when it is decided that a transmission period tau is double or above of an observation period lambda, and selecting a non-intersleeving scan system at the time when it is not so. CONSTITUTION:When an operator inputs a pulse repeating frequency and observation depth from a keyboard 8, a master controller 7 calculates a transmission period tau, and the observation period lambda from the pulse repeating frequency and the observation depth, respectively. Subsequently, the transmission period tauand double of the observation period lambda are compared, and in the case of tau>=2lambda, an inter-sleeving scan system is selected, and in the case of tau<2lambda, a non- intersleeving scan system is selected. In such a manner, since the intersleeving scan system is selected as much as possible, a useless time is suppressed to the minimum, and also, a high frame rate is obtained and a real time property is improved. Also, since the scan system is switched automatically, an operator's burden is reduced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] This invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device, and more specifically,
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can automatically switch between an interleaving scan method and a non-interleaving scan method.

[Prior Art] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a non-interleaving scan method in an ultrasonic blood flow imaging apparatus.

In this example, data is obtained four times at the same position, and the same sound ray number continues four times each.

Specifying the maximum flow velocity to be observed, the pulse repetition frequency (
PRF) is determined, and thereby the transmission period τ of ultrasonic pulses at the same position is determined.

Furthermore, by inputting the observation depth (Depth), the required observation period λ is determined.

Therefore, a trigger pulse is given every transmission period τ, an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted, and data is collected during an observation period λ thereafter.

As understood from Fig. 3, the transmission period τ is the observation period λ
If it is longer, the difference in time is wasted time.

Therefore, in order to eliminate this waste, an interleaving scan method as shown in FIG. 4 has been proposed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, after the observation period λ for the sound ray number n ends, the ultrasonic pulse of the sound ray number (n+1) is transmitted and data is collected for the observation period λ.

According to this, the transmission cycle of ultrasonic pulses at the same position is maintained at τ, and data can be collected without any wasted time. Also, you will be able to increase the frame rate.

The above non-interleaving scan method.

There is no known ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that automatically switches between the interleaving scan method and the interleaving scan method.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] The above non-interleaving scan method.

Manually switching the interleaving scan method is cumbersome, and there is a risk of switching under inappropriate conditions.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to combine the non-interleaving scan method and the interleaving scan method.
An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device that can be automatically switched under optimal conditions.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs biological observation using ultrasonic pulses.
However, if the transmission period τ is determined to be twice or more the observation period λ determined by the observation depth, the interleaving scan method is selected; The present invention is characterized in that it includes scan method selection means for selecting a non-interleaving scan method when it is determined that the non-interleaving scan method is selected.

It goes without saying that the condition determining means directly compares the transmission period τ and the observation period λ to determine whether the above condition is satisfied, or indirectly compares, for example, the maximum flow velocity and the observation depth to determine whether the above condition is satisfied. It may be something to judge.

[Operation] In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, when the maximum flow velocity or pulse repetition frequency and observation depth are given, it is determined based on them whether the transmission period τ is twice or more the observation period λ, When the number is twice or more, the interleaving scan method is selected, and when the number is not twice or more, the non-interleaving scan method is selected.

In other words, the interleaving scan method is used whenever possible, which minimizes wasted time and increases the frame rate.

On the other hand, when the interleaving scan method cannot be implemented, the system automatically switches to the non-interleaving scan method, eliminating the need for complicated operations. Furthermore, switching under inappropriate conditions is prevented.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on the example shown in the drawings. Note that this invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic blood flow imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a transducer, 3 is a beamformer, 4 is a data processing section, 5 is a CRT, 6 is a real-time controller, 7 is a master controller, and 8 is a keyboard.

First, the operator inputs the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from the keyboard 8 (the maximum flow rate may be used, but for convenience of explanation, the pulse repetition frequency is input).

Furthermore, the observation depth (Depth) is input from the keyboard 8.

In response to the above input, the master controller 7 operates as shown in FIG.

That is, the transmission period τ is calculated using the following equation based on the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) ($1).

τ=1/PRF Next, the observation period λ is calculated from the observation depth (Depth) using the following formula (S2).

λ = 2-D epth/c However, C is the speed of sound. Next, compare the transmission period τ with twice the observation period λ (
S3).

Then, if τ≧2λ, the interleaving scan method is selected (S4).

On the other hand, if τ minus 2λ, the non-interleaving scan method is selected (S5).

In this way, the master controller 7 constitutes a condition determining means and a scanning method selecting means.

The master controller 7 outputs the selected scan method to the real-time controller 6.

Additionally, trigger creation data and the like are similarly output to the real-time controller 6. Furthermore, various control signals are output to the data processing section 4.

The real-time controller 6 outputs a trigger, specifies a sound ray, etc. to the beamformer 3 in response to input from the master controller 7 .

The beamformer 3 transmits ultrasonic pulses from the transducer 2 in response to the input trigger. It also receives ultrasound echo signals.

The data processing unit 4 extracts the velocity of blood flow from the ultrasound echo signal received by the beam former 3, converts it into an image, and performs CR
Output to T5.

The CRT 5 displays images of blood flow.

Thus, in the ultrasonic blood flow imaging apparatus 1, the interleaving scan method is implemented whenever possible. Further, when the interleaving scan method cannot be implemented, the method is automatically switched to the non-interleaving scan method.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, since the interleaving scan method is implemented as much as possible, wasted time is minimized, the frame rate is high, and real-time performance is improved. On the other hand, when the interleaving scan method cannot be implemented, the system automatically switches to the non-interleaving method, so the operator does not need to perform a switching operation, which reduces the burden on the operator.

Also, implementation of the interleaving scan method under inappropriate conditions is prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the main parts of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a diagram explaining the principle of the non-interleaving scan method. , FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining the principle of the interleaving scan method. (Explanation of symbols) 1... Ultrasonic blood flow imaging device 2... Transducer 3... Beam former 6... Real time controller 7... Master controller 8... Keyboard. 2nd

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an ultrasonic diagnostic device that performs biological observation using ultrasonic pulses, the transmission period τ of the ultrasonic pulses at the same position determined by the pulse repetition frequency is at least twice the observation period λ determined by the observation depth. a condition determining means for determining whether or not the transmission period τ is twice the observation period λ or more, selects the interleaving scan method, and selects the non-interleaving scan method when the transmission period τ is determined to be no; 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: scanning method selection means for selecting a scanning method;