JPH04156832A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To have an ultrasonic image of good S/N ratio in compliance with different conditions of a person or part to be inspected and its image by furnishing a max. output setting means, and providing a max. output adjusting means which can alter the max. ultrasonic transmissive output set by the first named means to any desired value. CONSTITUTION:A max. output adjusting part 23 sets the ultrasonic transmissive output value (max. possible output value) as considered to be possible maximally depending upon the diagnostic part entered from an application setting part 12. An output adjusting knob 17 sets the operable range of the knob within the range of max. output which is set by a max. output setting part 13 as long as the condition remains normal. If 'heart' is entered as diagnostic part from the application setting part 12, the max. transmissive output at the time of heart diagnosis which takes higher value than at the time of belly diagnosis, is set by the max. output setting part 13 according to general safety reference, so that diagnosis can be made even with an ultrasonic probe designed for belly diagnosis with a transmissive output exceeding the max. transmissive output for belly. Thus, images having good S/N can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can obtain ultrasonic images with a good SZN ratio corresponding to the diagnostic site of each subject. .

(Prior technology) Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment emits and scans ultrasound waves from an ultrasound probe into a living body, obtains biological information from ultrasound echo signals reflected by each living tissue, and displays tomographic images and blood flow in real time. Displays ultrasound images of flow images. Ultrasonic diagnostic methods using ultrasonic diagnostic equipment have the advantage that they do not cause irradiation problems like X-rays and can diagnose the soft tissue of a living body without a contrast agent.

By the way, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes several types of ultrasound probes. In other words, when diagnosing the cardiac region A, it is desirable to use an ultrasound probe that can scan the ultrasound waves by looking through the intercostal space, and when diagnosing the abdomen, it is desirable to have a large field of view near the body surface and a small echo window, which allows for deep field of view. A wide ultrasound probe is also desirable.

In conventional ultrasound diagnostic equipment, the ultrasound probes to be used for each diagnostic area are determined based on general safety standards assuming a standard body shape (skeleton). The maximum transmission power of is determined.

Therefore, in making a diagnosis, an ultrasonic probe determined according to the diagnosis site is first selected. Then, for example, on the panel of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, operate (turn) the transmission output adjustment knob 1 corresponding to the selected ultrasonic probe between output 0 and maximum output (Max) as shown in FIG. Diagnosis is performed while adjusting the output so that an image with an appropriate S/N ratio can be obtained.

In this case, the maximum output for each ultrasound probe is fixed at the output adjustment knob 1 for each ultrasound probe. Therefore, since the transmission output adjustment knob 1 cannot be operated beyond this maximum output, almost absolute safety is ensured.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, with such an ultrasound diagnostic device, for example, for some reason, even if the transmission output is maximized, an image with a good S/N ratio cannot be obtained. Therefore, even if it is determined that there will be no adverse effects even if the transmitting power is increased beyond the set maximum output, it may not be possible to respond to this request, and the diagnosis must be made with images with a poor S/N ratio. Ta.

In addition, when diagnosing the heart from the intercostal space in a subject with a large skeleton, for example, it may be more convenient for scanning to use an ultrasound probe that is specified for abdominal diagnosis according to the above safety standards. However, even in this case, if an abdominal ultrasound probe is used, the maximum output will be smaller than that of a heart ultrasound probe, which will hinder the improvement of the S/N ratio.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can obtain ultrasonic images with a good S/N ratio in response to various subjects and image conditions. shall be.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject by scanning and controlling the driving of an ultrasound probe according to the diagnosis site, and receives the received ultrasonic waves. In an ultrasonic diagnostic device that constructs an ultrasound image of a subject based on sonic echo signals, there is an application setting section for inputting the diagnosis area, and an application setting section that connects to this application setting section and configures an ultrasound image of the subject according to the scanning area of the subject. An ultrasonic diagnosis comprising a maximum output setting means for automatically setting the maximum transmission output of ultrasound waves, and a maximum output adjustment means for changing the maximum transmission output of ultrasound waves set by the maximum output setting means to an arbitrary value. Provide equipment.

(Function) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the diagnosing doctor takes into consideration the body shape of the subject, selects the most suitable ultrasonic probe for the diagnosis area, and also applies the diagnosis area to the application. Enter in the setting section. Then, the maximum output setting means connected to the application setting section automatically sets the maximum transmission output of ultrasound according to the diagnostic region of the subject, regardless of the type of ultrasound probe.

Further, at this time, the maximum possible transmission output is determined by the maximum output adjustment means, which is also connected to the application setting section, in accordance with the diagnosis site, exceeding the maximum transmission output determined by the maximum output setting means.

Therefore, the maximum output can be changed to any value as long as it is less than the maximum possible output value determined by the maximum output adjustment means. Therefore, even if a generally defined ultrasound probe for one diagnostic area is used for another diagnostic area, it is possible to obtain the transmission output according to the diagnostic area, and within the range of safety. The S/N ratio can be increased as much as possible.

(Example) The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

In other words, ultrasound probes are determined based on general safety standards depending on the diagnosis site, but the doctor making the diagnosis also considers the body shape of the subject and other factors for each diagnosis site. Ultrasonic probe 11 most suitable for ultrasonic scanning
Select. At the same time, the diagnostic site is input from the application setting section 12. Then, the information about this diagnostic site is sent to the maximum output setting section 13 as maximum output setting means and the maximum specific force adjustment section 23 as maximum output adjustment means. The maximum output is not determined based on general safety standards for each case, but is determined based on safety standards depending on the diagnostic site. At the same time, the maximum output adjustment unit 23 sets an ultrasound transmission output value (maximum possible output value) that is considered to be the maximum possible, exceeding general safety standards, based on the diagnosis site input from the application setting unit 12. do.

The diagnosis site input from the application setting section 12 and the maximum output determined by the maximum a power setting section 13 are
The signal is input to the transmission output control section 15 via the U (central processing unit) 14. The CPU 14 also controls the delay control section 16.

The transmission output control section 15 has an output adjustment knob 1 shown in FIG.
7, the operating range of the output adjustment knob 17 is set within the range of the maximum output set by the maximum output setting section 13 in a normal state. The doctor then adjusts the ultrasound transmission output within the operating range of this knob.

By the way, a large number of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged in the ultrasonic probe 11 as probes for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. In the case of sector scanning among ultrasonic scanning, each transducer is driven by giving a delay time to change the drive timing so that the wavefronts from each array transducer coincide at a constant scanning angle θ. Then, the ultrasonic beams emitted from each transducer are combined and propagated in the θ direction.

Also, when receiving, when each echo signal is given the same delay time as when transmitting and added (phasing addition), the reflected waves in the θ direction strengthen each other and have directivity in that direction.

Therefore, the ultrasonic beam is converged at a predetermined distance (position), the azimuth resolution (resolution in the scanning direction) is increased, and a tomographic image with excellent resolution is obtained. Sector scanning becomes possible by sequentially changing this delay time control every time the ultrasonic pulse is repeated.

The delay control section 16 controls the above-mentioned delay time, and the delay time determined here is sent to the transmission drive signal generation section 18 that operates during transmission and the phasing addition section 19 that operates during reception. It will be done.

Now, in the transmission drive signal generation section 18, the transmission output control section 1
Based on the transmission output input from 5 and the delay time determined by the delay control unit 16, a drive signal for the arrayed transducers is generated, and a drive signal for one transducer, which is the total number of transducers, is sent to the multiplexer 2o. .

Since the transducers involved in transmitting ultrasonic waves change their transmission intensity according to the scanning depth, some of the transducers actually loaded are selected and operated to transmit ultrasonic waves. The multiplexer 20 determines the number (m) of transducers to be operated, and sends drive signals for the m pieces to the ultrasound probe 11.

In the ultrasonic probe 11, m transducers are activated based on the input drive signal, and ultrasonic scanning is performed on the diagnostic site using a transmission output and an appropriate scanning angle θ adjusted by the doctor. Ultrasonic waves emitted from the transducer are reflected at the boundaries of biological soft tissue.

It is also reflected by blood flow.

The reflected ultrasound waves are received by all the transducers (one piece) of the same ultrasound probe 11 and sent to the multiplexer 20, but here, the transducers (n pieces) necessary for image composition are received.
The received waves are selected and outputted to the phasing adder 19 as an echo signal.

The phasing and addition section 19 performs phasing and addition of n echo signals based on the delay time sent from the delay control section 16 for each ultrasonic pulse as described above, and outputs the result to the display section 21. The display unit 21 composes an ultrasound image based on the phased and added echo signals, and outputs it to the monitor 22.

As a result, the monitor 22 can obtain a tomographic image with good azimuth resolution and excellent resolution.

Therefore, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of this embodiment, for example, when diagnosing the heart region of a subject with a thick skeleton (i.e., a wide intercostal space), it is generally more convenient to scan the wide intercostal space. An ultrasound probe designed for abdominal diagnosis can be used.In other words, if the heart is input as the diagnosis site from the application setting section 12, the maximum transmission output for cardiac diagnosis is higher than that for abdominal diagnosis under general safety standards. is set by the maximum output setting unit 13, so even an ultrasound probe for abdominal diagnosis can diagnose with a transmission output that exceeds the maximum transmission output of the abdomen. Images with a good S/N ratio comparable to that obtained using an ultrasound probe can be obtained.

For example, when diagnosing the heart, even if an ultrasound probe for cardiac diagnosis is used as in the past, or an ultrasound probe for abdominal diagnosis is used by taking advantage of the advantages of this embodiment. However, for some reason, the S
An image with a good /N ratio may not be obtained.

At this time, if the doctor comprehensively evaluates the health condition of the subject and determines that there is no harm in increasing the transmission output above the maximum output, the maximum output adjustment section 23 will be able to output the maximum output from now on. An instruction is given to transmit ultrasonic waves within the range of the maximum possible output value set by the adjustment unit 23. In response to this instruction, the maximum output adjustment section 23 includes a changeover switch for switching the output from adjustment within the range of the maximum output value to adjustment within the range of the maximum possible 8 force values. Then, in the maximum output setting section 13 connected to the maximum output adjustment section 23, the maximum output value previously set based on the diagnosed region is canceled, and a maximum possible output value exceeding this is set as the new maximum output.

The transmission output adjustment knob 17 provided in the maximum output setting section 13 has an operation range of the output adjustment knob 17 within the range of the maximum possible output set by the maximum output adjustment section 23 as shown in FIG. is newly expanded and set. The doctor adjusts the ultrasound transmission power within the new operating range of this knob and selects a transmission power with a good S/N ratio.

In addition, when adjusting the input within the range of this maximum possible output value, as shown in FIG. Window 24 showing what percentage the output is exceeded, etc.
It is convenient to have a system in place to alert the doctor and to keep records.

Therefore, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, images with a good S/N ratio can be obtained no matter what type of ultrasonic probe is used within a safety range that varies depending on the subject.

It goes without saying that the method of ultrasonic scanning is not limited to sector scanning, but may also be linear scanning or other methods.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, probes for other diagnostic areas can be used in place of the generally defined ultrasonic probe for convenience of scanning according to the subject. , it is possible to obtain a transmission output according to the diagnosis site and achieve a good S/N ratio regardless of the type of ultrasound probe. Furthermore, the S/N ratio can be increased as much as possible within the safety range depending on the subject.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of an output adjustment knob installed in the maximum output setting section of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. Figure 3 is a front view of the monitor of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a front view of an output adjustment knob in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Ultrasonic probe, 12... Application setting part, 13... Maximum output setting part, 22... Monitor, 23... Maximum output adjustment part.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an ultrasound diagnostic device that scans and controls the driving of an ultrasound probe according to the diagnosis area, transmits and receives ultrasound to and from the subject, and constructs an ultrasound image of the subject based on the received ultrasound echo signals. , an application setting section for inputting the diagnostic region; a maximum output setting means connected to the application setting section to automatically set the maximum transmission output of ultrasound according to the scanning region of the subject; An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a maximum output adjustment means that can change the maximum transmission output of ultrasound set by the output setting means to an arbitrary value.