JPH0490749A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the obtaining of diagnosis images at various levels in sequence quickly and with a simple operation by providing an ultrasonic probe drivable with respect to a wide range of frequency to drive the ultrasonic probe based on an output from at least a transmitting frequency control means. CONSTITUTION:An ultrasonic probe 1 has a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators arranged in parallel and can be driven in a wide range of frequency. The ultrasonic probes 1 are driven by an output from a transmitting circuit 2. Control signals are inputted into the transmitting circuit 2 in superimposition respectively from a transmitting frequency control means 4, a transmitting wave number control means 5 and a transmitting focus control means 6 in a transmitting pulse generation circuit 3 and the ultrasonic probes 1 are driven through the transmitting circuit 2 based on these control signals. A transmitting frequency data or the like is read out of a memory 22 in response to a switching of a high resolutions key 19 which is adapted to change over sensitivity of a diagnosis image to be obtained and levels of resolutions in multiple stages to thereby drive the transmitting frequency control means 4 or the like. Thus, diagnosis images at various levels can be obtained in sequence quickly with a simple operation.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that captures ultrasonic echoes from a subject with an ultrasonic probe, converts the output from the ultrasonic probe into a video signal, and displays a diagnostic image on a monitor, for example, Depending on the physical constitution of the subject, the ultrasound probe must be driven at a frequency that is appropriate for the subject.

This makes it possible to obtain high-resolution or high-sensitivity diagnostic images even at the same diagnostic site, regardless of differences in the physical constitution of the subject.

Conventionally, multiple ultrasound probes that can be driven at a specific frequency, each with a different frequency, are prepared in advance to determine whether the subject is overweight or thin. Depending on the situation, an ultrasonic probe suited to the conditions was selected and attached to an ultrasonic diagnostic device to drive the device.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in such a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic probe must be replaced depending on the subject, etc., making the work extremely complicated.

For this reason, for example, when sequentially diagnosing a plurality of lined up specimens, such problems are noticeable and the diagnostic efficiency is extremely inefficient.

Furthermore, even in cases where multiple subjects are not diagnosed sequentially, diagnostic images of a specific diagnostic site of the same subject can be sequentially obtained at different levels, from those with high sensitivity to those with high resolution. Therefore, the present invention was made based on these circumstances, and its first purpose is to It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device that can obtain highly sensitive or highly resolved diagnostic images for subjects with different constitutions without having to be replaced.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is extremely easy to operate in order to obtain highly sensitive or highly resolved diagnostic images for subjects with different physical constitutions.

Furthermore, the third object of the present invention is extremely useful when, for example, it is desired to sequentially obtain diagnostic images of a specific diagnostic site of the same subject at different levels, from those with high sensitivity to those with high resolution. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device that can be obtained with simple operations.

Means for Solving Problem C] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention basically includes an ultrasonic probe that can be driven over a wide range of frequencies, and at least controls the transmission frequency. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the ultrasonic probe is driven based on an output from the means, and the output from the ultrasonic probe is controlled by a reception frequency control means. A changeover switch that switches the sensitivity or resolution level of the diagnostic image in multiple stages, a memory that stores transmitting frequency data and receiving frequency data that are set in advance according to each level of sensitivity or resolution, and The transmitting frequency data and the receiving frequency data corresponding to the switching are read out from the memory, and the transmitting frequency control means and the receiving frequency control means are controlled by the read transmitting frequency data and receiving frequency data, respectively. The invention is characterized in that it has a means for driving.

[For production]

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured in this manner uses an ultrasonic probe that can be driven over a wide range of frequencies, and is driven based on the output of the transmission frequency control means. Therefore, the attached ultrasonic probe can be driven at various frequencies.

Therefore, it becomes possible to obtain high-sensitivity or high-resolution diagnostic images for subjects with different constitutions without frequently replacing the ultrasound probe.

Then, the transmitting frequency data, etc. corresponding to the switching of the changeover switch that changes the sensitivity or resolution level of the diagnostic image to be obtained in multiple stages is read from the memory, and the transmitting frequency control means etc. are driven by this data etc. This is what we do. Therefore, by operating the changeover switch, a diagnostic image having a level of sensitivity or the like corresponding to the operated changeover switch is automatically obtained.

Therefore, when obtaining high-sensitivity or high-resolution diagnostic images for subjects with different constitutions, the operation can be performed extremely easily.

Further, since diagnostic images corresponding to the sensitivity or resolution level can be obtained by simply switching the changeover switch, it is possible to obtain diagnostic images of each level in sequence with simple operation and quickly.

Therefore, for example, if you want to sequentially obtain diagnostic images of a specific diagnostic site of the same subject at different levels, from high sensitivity to high resolution, you can do so with an extremely simple operation. become.

[Embodiments of the invention]

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

In FIG. 1, first there is an ultrasonic probe 1. As shown in FIG.

This ultrasonic probe 1 is configured by a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in parallel, and can be driven at a wide range of frequencies. This ultrasonic probe 1 is driven by an output from a wave transmitting circuit 2. Each control signal from the transmission frequency control means 4, the transmission wave number control means 5, and the transmission focus control means 6 in the transmission pulse generation circuit 3 is input to the transmission circuit 2 in a superimposed state. The ultrasonic probe 1 is driven via the wave transmitting circuit 2 based on these control signals.

Here, the transmission frequency control means 4 controls the frequency of pulses applied to the ultrasound probe 1.

Further, the transmission wave number control means 5 controls the wave number of the pulse. Furthermore, the transmission focus control means 6 controls the delay time of the pulse.

Further, the transmission frequency control means 4, the transmission wave number control means 5, and the transmission focus control means 6 are controlled by data output from the CPU 50, which will be described in detail later, and are configured to transmit the respective control signals. It has become.

Note that a predetermined voltage is applied to the wave transmitting circuit 2 from a power source 7, and the predetermined voltage is applied to the CPU.
It is set based on data output from 50. The wave transmitting circuit 2 converts the pulses from the transmitting frequency control means 4 and the like into high-voltage pulses and transmits them to the ultrasonic probe.

Further, an ultrasonic reflection signal from the ultrasonic probe 1 that captures a reflected echo from the subject is inputted to the reception focus control circuit 8 via the wave transmission circuit 2. Even in this case, data is input from the CPU 50 to the reception focus control circuit 8, and the focus of the ultrasonic reflected signal is controlled based on this data. The transfer focus control circuit 8 applies reception focus by delaying and synthesizing the reception signals from each vibrator of the ultrasound probe 1.

The focus-controlled ultrasonic reflection signal is input to a signal processing circuit 9. This signal processing circuit 9
is a circuit for changing the image quality. It also includes a reception frequency control means 10, a logarithmic compression control means 11, and an enhancement control means 12, which are connected in series. Note that although these connections are made by sequentially connecting each of the above-mentioned means, the order of these connections is not particularly limited. The received wave frequency control means 10, the logarithmic compression control means 11. Data is input from the CPU 50 to the enhancement control means 12, and the output signal from the reception focus control circuit 8 is sequentially controlled based on this data.

Here, the received wave frequency control means 10 can change the received wave frequency characteristics by changing its filter characteristics. Further, the logarithmic compression control means 11 can change the dynamic range by changing the ratio of logarithmic compression. Furthermore, the enhancement control means 12 is capable of emphasizing the contours of organs, etc. by changing the strength of edge enhancement.

The output from the final stage enhancement control means 12 in the signal processing circuit 9 is input to a digital scan converter 13. This digital scan converter 13 is a circuit for converting into a video signal, and is a circuit for converting the CPU 50. It includes an A/D converter 14, a frame memory 15, and a D/A converter 16. The CPU 50 controls the A/D converter 14, frame memory 15, and D/A converter 16, respectively. After the output from the signal processing circuit 9 is digitized by the A/D converter 14,
stored in the frame memory 15, and further stored in the D/A
The converter 16 converts the signal into an analog signal.

Next, the video signal from the D/A converter 16 at the final stage in the digital scan converter 13 is output to a television monitor 17, on which a diagnostic image is displayed.

Each control of the ultrasonic control device described above is carried out by the CPU.
This is done by key operations on the keyboard 18 via the keyboard 50. This keyboard 18 is equipped with various keys, among which nine are particularly provided: a high-resolution key 19, a normal key 20, and a high-sensitivity key 21.

These keys operate the high-resolution key 19 when a high-resolution image is desired for the diagnostic image to be obtained;
When a high-sensitivity image is desired, the high-sensitivity key 21 is operated. Furthermore, when the user desires a normal image instead of any of these, the normal key 20 is operated.

When any one of the high-resolution key 19, normal key 2o, and high-sensitivity key 21 is operated, an output to that effect is input to the CPU 50 in the digital scan converter 13, and based on this input, memory 2
2, data corresponding to the operated key is read out.

This memory 22 includes, for example, as shown in FIG.
When the high resolution key 19 is operated, the transmission frequency is 5.
Data corresponding to MHz, data corresponding to a transmission wave number of 1 wave, data corresponding to a shallow transmission focus, data corresponding to a receiving frequency of 5 MHz, data corresponding to a wide logarithmic compression, enhancement Data corresponding to a high voltage and data corresponding to a low voltage are respectively read out. Even when the normal key 20 or the high-sensitivity key 21 is operated, each data as shown in FIG. 2 is read out.2 Each data read out in this way is , respectively, the transmission frequency control means 4, the transmission wave number control means 5, the transmission focus control means 6, the reception frequency control means 10, the logarithmic compression control means 11, the enhancement control means 12. and is sent to the power supply 7. These transmission frequency control means 4, transmission wave number control means 5. Transmission focus control means 6, delivery frequency control means 10, logarithmic compression control means 11, enhancement control means 12, and power supply 7
are controlled based on the respective input data.

According to the embodiment described above, as the ultrasonic probe 1,
A device that can be driven over a wide range of frequencies is used, and the drive is based on the output of the transmission frequency control means 4. Therefore, the attached ultrasonic probe 1 can be driven at various frequencies.

Note that the ultrasonic probe 1 is not a special probe,
Any commonly used probe may be used, and probes can generally be used over a wide range of frequencies. for example,
With a 3.5 MHz probe, the frequency range from about 2.5 MHz to 3
, can be used up to about 5 MHz. generally 3
, 5 MHz probe is a probe with the highest sensitivity at 3.5 MHz. 3,5 MH
The same applies to probes with frequencies other than z.

Therefore, even if the ultrasonic probe 1 does not need to be replaced frequently,
It becomes possible to obtain highly sensitive or highly resolved diagnostic images for subjects with different constitutions.

Then, transmitting frequency data and the like are read from the memory 22 in response to switching of the high-resolution key 19, etc., which switches the sensitivity or resolution level of the diagnostic image to be obtained in multiple stages, and the transmitting frequency is controlled using this data, etc. It is designed to drive the means 4 and the like. Therefore, by operating the high-resolution key 19 or the like, a diagnostic image having a level of sensitivity associated with the operated high-resolution key 19 or the like is automatically obtained.

Therefore, when obtaining high-sensitivity or high-resolution diagnostic images for subjects with different constitutions, the operation can be performed extremely easily.

Furthermore, since diagnostic images corresponding to the sensitivity or resolution level can be obtained by simply switching the high-resolution key 19, etc., it is possible to obtain diagnostic images of each level quickly and sequentially with the same operation as an FFI car. I can do it.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a high-resolution key 19, a normal key 20. By sequentially operating the high-sensitivity key 21, a high-resolution image, a normal image, and a high-sensitivity image can be sequentially obtained.

Therefore, for example, if you want to sequentially obtain diagnostic images of a specific diagnostic site of the same subject at different levels, from high sensitivity to high resolution, you can do so with an extremely simple operation. become.

In the embodiment described above, there are three levels of sensitivity or resolution of the diagnostic image to be obtained, and the high resolution key 19,
Although three keys, a normal key 20 and a high-sensitivity key 21, are provided, the present invention is not limited to this.
Provided with a step switch, this switch allows high resolution,
Of course, it is also possible to switch between normal sensitivity and high sensitivity.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sensitivity or resolution level of the diagnostic image to be obtained is set in three levels, so that a high-resolution image, a normal image, and a high-sensitivity image can be obtained. However, this level division may be made more fine-grained and may include three or more stages. In this case, it goes without saying that the data to be stored in the memory 22 is set according to each level classification.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the memory 22 includes the transmission frequency control means 4. Transmission wave number control means 5, transmission focus control means 6. It stores data for controlling the reception frequency control means 10, the logarithmic compression control means 11, the enhancement control means 12, and the power supply 7, respectively. but,
The present invention is not limited to this, and the transmission wave number control means 5, the transmission focus control means 6, the logarithmic compression control means 11, the enhancement control means 12, and the power supply 7 may be controlled by other means. In short, the present invention may be applied to at least the transmission frequency control means 4 and the reception frequency control means 10.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above explanation, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention allows high sensitivity or high resolution to be applied to subjects with different constitutions without having to frequently replace the ultrasonic probe. It becomes possible to obtain diagnostic images.

Furthermore, when obtaining high-sensitivity or high-resolution diagnostic images for subjects with different constitutions, the operation becomes extremely easy.

Furthermore, for example, if you want to sequentially obtain diagnostic images of a specific diagnostic site of the same subject at different levels, from high sensitivity to high resolution, you can do so with an extremely simple operation. become.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the memory provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effects of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. It is. In the figure, 1: Ultrasonic probe, 4: Transmission frequency control means, 5: Transmission wave number control means, 6: Transmission focus control means, 10: Receiving frequency control means , 11...
Logarithmic compression control means, 12. Enhancement control means, 19.
...High resolution key, 2o...Normal key, 21...High sensitivity key, 22...Memory, 50...CPU.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Equipped with an ultrasonic probe that can be driven over a wide range of frequencies, the ultrasonic probe is driven based on at least the output from the transmission frequency control means, and An ultrasonic diagnostic device whose output is controlled by a reception frequency control means, which includes a changeover switch that switches the sensitivity or resolution level of the diagnostic image to be obtained in multiple stages, and a A memory for storing set transmitting frequency data and receiving frequency data, and reading out the transmitting frequency data and receiving frequency data corresponding to the switching by switching the changeover switch from the memory, and the read out data. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: means for driving the transmitting frequency control means and the receiving frequency control means, respectively, based on the transmitting frequency data and the receiving frequency data.