JPH0464349A - Ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten a data setting time while achieving higher resolutions by a method wherein a plurality of crosspoint switches composing a crosspoint switch array are divided to form a plurality of crosspoint switch blocks and the crosspoint switch blocks are controlled simultaneously in a batch with a plurality of data setting circuits for setting a delay time provided correspond ing thereto to perform a setting of data. CONSTITUTION:The same data is stored into ROM 201, 202 and 203 in a plurality of data setting circuits 211, 212 and 213 corresponding to the number of crosspoint switch blocks 11A1, 11A2 and 11A3 and delay units 5 of a crosspoint switch array 11' are grouped to control the crosspoint switch blocks 11A1, 11A2 and 11A3 corresponding thereto in a batch. With such an arrangement, the frequency of setting data is reduced as a whole to allow the shortening of a data setting time for all of the crosspoint switches 11A significantly thereby providing an ultrasonic image with resolutions almost uniform at a depth way.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining a tomographic image of a subject using ultrasonic waves. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs reception dynamic focus to obtain ultrasonic images by changing the dynamic focus.

(Prior Art) In a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic waves are converged in both transmission and reception modes. This state is shown in FIG. 3 (during transmission) and FIG. 4 (during reception). During transmission, as shown in FIG. The transmission signal 500 is then delayed by a desired time by each variable delay circuit 2. This delayed transmission signal 501 is transmitted to multiple array transducers 3.
, and each array transducer 3 emits an ultrasonic wave 502 with a desired time delay. Then, at a specific point P, the phases of the ultrasonic waves 502 from each array transducer 3 match, the ultrasonic waves are converged, and it becomes possible to focus the ultrasonic waves 502 on the P point.

On the other hand, during reception, as shown in FIG. incident on . The sound wave signal 504 from the array transducer 3 is delayed by a desired time by the variable delay circuit 2 to become a delayed received signal 505, and then, by adding the delayed received signal 505 at the addition point 4, all phases of the signal are A matching reception signal 506 is generated, and the sensitivity is increased to the reflected ultrasound wave 503 from point P, and the focus is focused on point P.

Although details are not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for ease of understanding, in the actual circuit, a high-voltage drive is used between the variable delay circuit 2 and the array resonator 3 in the case of transmission. The circuit and, in the case of reception, a preamplifier in a similar position.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a delay unit 5 used in the electronic focusing circuit during reception. 3 and 4 above
As shown in the figure, providing a number of electromagnetic delay lines (performing a delay of several hundred to several μs) corresponding to the number of array oscillators 3 would be very expensive, so in reality, the amount of delay time By cascading multiple electromagnetic delay lines 6 with a small
This constitutes a delay unit 5 that can realize a long delay time. As shown in FIG. 5, a compensation amplifier 7 is inserted between the electromagnetic delay lines 6 to compensate for deterioration of the high frequency characteristics of the electromagnetic delay lines 6. Further, the sound wave signals 504 from each array transducer 3 are added to the tap 8 provided in the electromagnetic delay line 6 in a current mode, and each sound wave signal 504 is added in the form of current addition in the delay unit 5. , taken out from the delay unit 5.

Next, FIG. 6 shows the delay time setting unit 9. In the figure, the sound wave signal from the array transducer 3 amplified by the preamplifier 10 is transmitted to the crosspoint switch 1
1 to the tap 8 of the desired electromagnetic delay line 6. This cross-point switch 11 has switches 12 provided at all intersections where the input side signal line, ~In, and the output side signal line Q, ~O, intersect, as shown in the equal low circuit in FIG. Each of these switches 12 is a switch that is independently controlled by a control signal.

In this way, conventionally, in both transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic waves are focused on a specific position to improve the resolution of that position. On the other hand, recent ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses employ a so-called reception dynamic focus method, which improves the resolution of the entire image by moving the convergence position of ultrasonic waves in stages during reception.

FIG. 8 is for explaining the concept of this receiving dynamic focus method. As shown in the figure, the number of focus stages is, for example, four, and one composite screen 405 is created by inheriting If (the hatched part in screens 401 to 404 in the figure) where the ultrasound convergence is good at each stage. It is something that Note that the focus position shown in Fig. 8 is
From top to bottom: NearFocus+MidFocus
s, Farl Focus, Far2 Foc
It's called us. Also, Fig. 9 shows the sound field profile 1 when receiving dynamic focus is performed in this way.
3, and the ultrasonic beam diameter at each focus is t
One sound field profile 13 is formed by joining the parts where Js becomes smaller.

FIG. 10 shows a general hardware configuration for performing this reception dynamic focus. In the same figure, 9A
, 9B is a delay time setting unit. For example, in the case of 8-stage dynamic focus, one delay time setting unit 9A controls zones 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the 8 zones, and also the other delay time setting unit 9B is zone 2,
4, 6.8, and one screen is constructed by switching the output of each delay time setting unit 9A, 9B using a zone changeover switch 14. One delay time setting unit 9A is set between zones 2, 4, and 6.8, and between zones 3 and 6.8.
5. Set the delay time at 7.1, that is, set the state of the switch 12 of the crosspoint switch 11.

Similarly, the other delay time setting unit 9B is set to zone 1,
3, 5.7, the delay times for the next zones 2, 4, and 6°8 are set.

In addition, Fig. 11 shows a commercially available cross point switch 11A.
It has a block configuration, and Table 1 below is its truth table. (Hereinafter, blank space) This crosspoint switch IIA has a switch array 111 of 8×
It has a configuration consisting of 16 switches, and the AXO-AX3 address specifies Xi, and the AYO-AY2 address specifies Y.
Specify i.

The 0N10FF switch is digitally controlled from the outside. Further, in FIG. 11, 112 represents a decoder, and 113 represents a latch.

By the way, in the electronic sector type ultrasonic diagnostic device, the number of array transducers 3 is 96, and the required maximum delay time is about 4 us, although it varies depending on the type of probe connected.
Electromagnetic delay! Assuming that the quantization of the delay time corresponding to the time between taps 8 of 6 is 25 ns.

The number of taps 8 of the delay unit 5 is 160. Therefore, for example, the crosspoint switch 11 in the delay time setting unit 9A requires a 96×160 switch configuration. The commercially available 8×1 shown in FIG.
If we try to realize this with 6 configurations of crosspoint switches IIA, the crosspoint switch array 11' will have 12×10 (=120) crosspoint switches IIA with 8×16 configuration, as shown in FIG. It is necessary to control the switches in the 8×16 configuration crosspoint switch IIA. In addition, the first
In Figure 2, 120 crosspoint switches II
For convenience, A is the sign (m, n) (where m = 1 to 1
2. n=1 to 10).

Here, although FIG. 12 shows only one system as a circuit for receiving dynamic focus, receiving dynamic focusing becomes possible by providing two systems as shown in FIG. 10.

Now, when performing reception dynamic focusing as shown in FIG. 8, it is desirable to have a large number of focus stages, thereby improving the resolution at all depths of the image.

On the other hand, the number of focus stages is greatly influenced by the time required to set the 120 8×16 cross-point switches IIA.

For example, in the commercially available crosspoint switch IIA shown in FIG. 11, the time required to set one switch to 0N10FF is approximately 50 ns. In addition, the number of switch locations to be set in one crosspoint switch 11A with an 8×16 configuration is 8, and 120 losspoint switches IIA are required, so the entire crosspoint switch array 11' is The time required to set the switch is 50ns x 8 x 120
= 48 μs, and the ultrasonic distance is 37 −, meaning that the focus can only be switched every 37 mm.

Here, the normal display depth is 210+w+ for 3.5MHz probe, 105m for 5MHz, 7.5m
In the case of MHz, it is 60 m, and the number of steps that can be dynamically focused is 6 steps, 3 steps, and 2 steps, and the number of receiving dynamic focus steps is small.

Next, FIG. 13 shows a data setting circuit for a conventional cross-point switch array 11' having a 96 x 160 configuration. Although not shown, there is a DSC (digital scan controller) that controls all the timing of the ultrasound diagnostic equipment.
converter) to the focus data setting trigger signal 51
0 is input to the clock generator 15, and the clock generator 15 generates a predetermined number of pulse trains 511.

This pulse train 511 is counted by a 10-bit counter 16, which generates a Y-address signal 512.

Of the 10 bits of this Y-address signal 512, the lower 3
Bit is address AY of crosspoint switch IIA
The upper 7 bits are input to the decoder 18 from O to AY2. Additionally, a 10-bit Y-address signal 512
is input as part of the address control signal of the ROM 17. In addition to the 10-bit Y-address signal 512, this ROM 17 also contains focus conditions (
A 6-bit signal 513 indicating frequency, type of probe, focal position, etc.) is input. Here, ROM17
The 10-bit Y-address signal 512 input to
Crosspoint switch 11A number and address A
X, OA Used to specify X3.

From the ROM 17, a 4-bit
-address signal 514 and the 0 of the switch specified by the Y-address signal 512 and the X-address signal 514.
A contact signal 515 for controlling N10FF is output.

The X-address signal 514 is input to addresses AXO-AX3 of the cross-point switch IIA, and the contact signal 515 is input to the DATA input terminal of the cross-point switch 11A.

On the other hand, the decoder 18 outputs eight 120 chip select signals 516 specifying the 120 crosspoint switches 11. In addition, a predetermined number of pulse trains 51
1 is the DAT set to crosspoint switch 11A
It is also used as a 5TROBE signal to latch addresses A, XAXO-AX3, and AYO-AY2.

As described above, conventionally, data was set for the crosspoint switch array 11' consisting of 96 x 160 switches. Further, as described above, in the conventional data setting circuit, the number of reception dynamic focus stages is small, so it is difficult to switch the focus purely continuously.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional data setting circuit, data is set sequentially to each crosspoint switch, so it takes a lot of time to set data to, for example, 96 x 160 switches. In addition, there was a problem that the resolution was poor because the number of focus steps in the image was small.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,
The purpose is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can shorten the data setting time for a plurality of crosspoint switches and improve resolution.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention transmits a signal as a focus condition sent from a DSC to a memory element in a plurality of data setting circuits corresponding to a plurality of crosspoint switch groups. These data setting circuits set data for the plurality of crosspoint switch groups in parallel. That is, the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains a tomographic image of a subject, and uses a plurality of crosspoint switches in a crosspoint switch array to respond to a sound wave signal from an array transducer when receiving ultrasonic waves. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a delay time setting unit for reception dynamic focus that provides a predetermined delay time, a plurality of crosspoint switches constituting the crosspoint switch array are divided to form a plurality of crosspoint switch groups. A plurality of delay time setting data setting circuits provided corresponding to these cross point switch groups collectively control each cross point switch group at the same time to set data.

(Function) According to the present invention, the plurality of crosspoint switch groups corresponding to the delay units of the crosspoint switch array are collectively controlled by the output data of the storage element in the data setting circuit corresponding to the plurality of crosspoint switch groups. Since the data is set using the conventional method, the number of times the data is set can be reduced, and the time required to set the delay time can be significantly shortened compared to the conventional method.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
x16 configuration crosspoint switch IIA in three groups (4
0 each) and each is divided into cross point switch groups 11A, 11A2. llA3, and each of these crosspoint switch groups 11A□, IIA,.

11A, three-system data setting circuit 21□, 2
1□.

213 is provided. Incidentally, FIG. 2 shows the data setting circuit 211 and the cross point switch group 11A1 for the negative system.

In other words, in this embodiment, each data setting circuit 21□.

Control of the cross point switch ILA by 21□ and 213 requires 32 channels each, and if these 32 data settings are performed in parallel operation of 3 circuits, the total number of channels is 96.
Channel delay time can be set. Above 3
The time required to set data twice is 50 ns as described above for setting data for one switch, so the total time is 32 x 50 ns = 1.6 m, and the ultrasonic distance is approximately 1.2 m. This means that the focus can be switched at least every 1.2 ma+.

Therefore, for a 3.5MHz probe, there are 171 stages and 5MHz
With the Z probe, it is possible to form a focus zone with 87 stages and 7.5M) (with the Z probe, it is possible to form a focus zone with 51 stages.

In FIG. 1, a pulse train 511 output from the clock generator 15 based on a focus data setting trigger signal 510 from a DSC (not shown) is counted by a 5-bit counter 19, and a 5-bit Y-address signal 512 is generated. Ru.

This Y-address signal 512 is used as a part of the address control signal to be sent to the ROM 20 in each data setting circuit 21□, 21□, 213, 20. , 20. has been entered.

Furthermore, the lower 3 bits of the 5 bits of the Y-address signal 512 are used by the cross point switch group 11A,
llA2. Each of the 40 crosspoint switches 11 constituting llA3. A's addresses AYO to AY2 are input, and the upper two bits are input to each data setting circuit 21□, 21□,
21. Decoders 18□, 18□, 18. has been entered. To explain this in detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper two bits of the Y-address signal 512 are the cross point switches 11A of the 8 x 16 configuration in the row direction in the cross point switch group 11A□ of <32 x 160 configuration as shown in FIG. This is a row control signal 517 for selection, and the lower three bits of the Y-address signal 512 are a signal for selection in the row direction within the selected crosspoint switch IIA. this is.

Other crosspoint switch groups 11A2, 1. The same applies to LA3.

Note that the ROMs 201□ and 202□ shown in FIG. 2 represent the functions of the ROM 201 in FIG. 1 separately for convenience, and the ROM 201□ in FIG. In addition to the signal 512, a 6-bit signal 513 indicating focus conditions (frequency, probe type, focus position, etc.) is input from a DSC (not shown).

From this ROM201□, the ROM at ]- in Figure 13
17, the address AXO-AX for the address AYO-AY2 of the specific crosspoint switch IIA
A 4-bit X-address signal 514 that specifies 3, and a 4-bit
1-bit contact signal 515 for controlling N10FF
These signals are input to the addresses AXO to AX3 and the DATA input terminal of each crosspoint switch 11A, respectively.

Furthermore, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the data setting circuit 21
ROM20. in □, 21□, 213. (In Figure 2, R○
M2O2□), 202.20. From 96X160
A 4-bit column control signal 518 for selecting the crosspoint switch IIA in the column direction of the crosspoint switch array 11' is output, and this column control signal 518 is sent to the decoders 181.18□, 1 together with the row control signal 517.
83 is input. And these decoders 18
□.

18□ and 183 output 40 chip select signals 516 each for selecting and operating a specific crosspoint switch IIA designated by the row control signal 517 and column control signal 518. ing. As described above, the three cross point switch groups 11A1. llA2. A crosspoint switch array 11' having llA3 is controlled by three systems of data setting circuits 211, 212, and 213.

In this way, in this embodiment, the cross point switch groups 11A, 11A2. A plurality of data setting circuits 21□, 212.21.corresponding to the number of IIA, 212.21. , R' in
The same data is stored in 0M20□, 20□, and 203, respectively, and the corresponding crosspoint switch groups 11A□, IIA, . By reducing the overall number of data settings, the data setting time for all crosspoint switches 11A can be significantly shortened.

Although not described in detail here, the data in the ROM of each data setting circuit can be set by switching to the ROM of the data setting circuit of another system, and the delay time can be set by making the data in each ROM different. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the memory capacity.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the cross point switch IIA
The chip select signal is used to control the operation of the 5T
The operation may be controlled by the ROBE signal alone or by a combination of the 5TROBE signal and the chip select signal. When controlling the operation by a combination of the 5TROBE signal and the chip select signal in this way,
For example, the 5TROBE signal may be used to control the array in the column direction, and the chip select signal may be used to control the array in the row direction. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a ROM is used as a data storage medium for controlling the crosspoint switch IIA.
However, the type of storage medium is not limited as long as it can read data, such as a RAM. Further, the number of crosspoint switch groups, that is, the number of data setting circuits is not limited to three.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of crosspoint switches used for setting the delay time for reception dynamic focus are divided into a plurality of groups, and the crosspoint switch groups are collectively controlled by the same number of data setting circuits. Since the delay time is set under control, the time required to set data for all crosspoint switches can be significantly reduced.

This has the effect of significantly increasing the number of reception dynamic focusing stages, enabling quasi-continuous reception dynamic focusing, and obtaining ultrasonic images with nearly uniform resolution in the depth direction.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a cross-point switch array and its data setting circuit, etc. in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of one system in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 to 13 The figures are for explaining the conventional technology. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the electron convergence method during transmission, Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the electron convergence method during reception, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the electron convergence method during reception. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the delay unit used in the focusing circuit, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the delay time setting unit, FIG. 7 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a cross-point switch, and FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of reception dynamic focus. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the sound field profile in reception dynamic focus, the first
Figure O is an explanatory diagram of a delay time setting unit for performing reception dynamic focus, Figure 11 is a block configuration diagram of a commercially available cross-point switch, Figure 12 is a configuration diagram of a reception focus for an electronic sector type ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, 13th
The figure is a data setting circuit diagram of a crosspoint switch array. 11'...Cross point switch array 11 people...
・Cross point switch 11A□, 11A, llA3...Cross point switch group 15...Clock generator 17.20□, 20□, 203.201. , 202
□...ROM181, 182.183...Decoder 19...5-bit counter

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An ultrasound diagnostic device that obtains a tomographic image of a subject,
An ultrasound system equipped with a delay time setting unit for reception dynamic focus that uses multiple crosspoint switches in a crosspoint switch array to give a predetermined delay time to the sound wave signal from the array transducer when receiving ultrasound. In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a plurality of crosspoint switches constituting the crosspoint switch array are divided to form a plurality of crosspoint switch groups, and a plurality of delay time settings are provided corresponding to these crosspoint switch groups. By the data setting circuit. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that data settings are performed by simultaneously controlling each group of crosspoint switches. (2) A specific crosspoint switch is selected from a plurality of crosspoint switches for one system of sound wave signals, and a specific crosspoint is simultaneously specified in the selected crosspoint switch. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.