JPH05237116A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize an ultrasonic diagnostic device which can hold equivalently continuity by improving the timewise discontinuity of a transfer sound ray, in a simultaneous double sound ray transfer system and an interleave system. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with a sound ray memory A 7 for storing the original data of the sound ray for determining the data of an image signal of a B mode display and the data of two adjacent sound rays, a sound ray memory B 8 for storing the original data of the sound ray for determining the data of an image signal of a CFM mode display and the data of two adjacent sound rays, and a coefficient generator 9 for generating a coefficient for interpolating the data in accordance with the transfer system. Also, the device is provided with an interpolating part A 10 for generating interpolating data adapted to the transfer system from the data from the sound ray memory A 7 and the coefficient from the coefficient generator 9, and an interpolating part B 11 for generating interpolating data adapted to the transfer system from the data from the sound ray memory B 8 and the coefficient from the coefficient generator 9 in the same manner.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that improves the non-uniformity of the time difference between sound rays occurring in one frame image in the simultaneous multiple sound ray transmission / reception method and the interleave method used for CFM (color flow mapping).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus irradiates an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe into a subject and receives a signal reflected from a tissue or a lesion in the subject with the ultrasonic probe. Then, the tomographic image formed by the reflected signal is displayed on the CRT and used for diagnosis.

By the way, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a B mode for displaying a tomographic image of a tissue and a Doppler mode or a CFM mode for displaying blood flow information are mainly used as the display method. In these display modes, there is a system called a simultaneous multi-line transmission / reception system that improves real-time property, and in the CFM mode, an interleave system is adopted for low speed detection.

[0004]

The time difference between the sound rays in the simultaneous multiple sound ray transmission / reception method and the interleave method for low speed detection of the CFM method will be examined. Fig. 4 shows the simultaneous two-sound transmission / reception method that simultaneously transmits and receives only two sound lines.
In the figure showing the timing of transmission and reception in the case of sound ray transmission and reception,
(A) is a figure which shows the relationship between the sound ray which transmits and receives, and a sound ray group, and the time difference between sound rays, (B) is a figure which shows the relationship between a transmission trigger and a sound ray. (A) As shown in the figure, in the case of simultaneous two-sound ray transmission / reception, the sound rays i _-3 and i _{-2 form a} sound ray group I _-1.
Sound rays, i.e., i- ₃ and i- _2, are transmitted and received at the same time. Also, sound ray i
₋₁ , i form the sound ray group I, and the sound rays i ₋₁ , i are simultaneously transmitted and received. Transmission and reception are similarly performed thereafter.

The timing of transmitting and receiving this sound ray is as shown in (b). That is, the transmission trigger is output in the cycle T, and the two sound rays forming the sound ray group are simultaneously transmitted and received for each transmission trigger. The time difference between the sound rays is 0 between the sound rays in the sound ray group as shown in (a), but is equal to the period T of the transmission trigger between the sound rays crossing the sound ray group. This period T is T = 1 if the repetition frequency of the transmission trigger is PRF.
/ PRF.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a case of double interleave transmission / reception of CFM. In the figure, (a) is a diagram showing a time difference between sound waves to be transmitted and received, and (b) is a diagram showing a relationship between a wave transmission trigger and a sound ray and a sound ray group. In the case of interleave transmission / reception, two sound rays are alternately transmitting ultrasonic pulses 8 to 10 times in one sound ray group which is usually composed of two sound rays. This number of ultrasonic pulse transmissions is called the packet size. The interval between the sound rays in the interleave method is equal to the period T of the transmission trigger between the sound rays in the sound ray group, but if the packet size is P between the sound rays straddling the sound ray group (2P
−1) × T.

As described above, the simultaneous two-tone transmission / reception system and the CFM are used.
In the interleaved method, the time difference between the sound rays in one set of sound rays is little or relatively small. However, since the time difference is large between the sound rays that straddle the sound ray group, as a result, the time difference between the sound rays in the image of one frame becomes uneven, and discontinuous images are displayed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to improve temporal discontinuity of sound waves transmitted and received in a simultaneous multi-tone ray transmission / reception system and an interleave system,
It is to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can maintain continuity equivalently.

[0009]

According to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a first aspect for storing data of at least two sound rays including original data of sound rays for which data of an image signal of B mode display is to be determined. Sound ray memory, a second sound ray memory for storing at least two sound ray data including original sound ray data for determining image signal data for CFM mode display, and data according to a transmission / reception method. A coefficient generator that generates a coefficient for performing interpolation corresponding to the positional relationship of the sound rays to be determined, that is, the time difference between adjacent sound rays, and the data stored in the first sound ray memory are read out. A first interpolator that performs an operation for interpolating data corresponding to a transmission / reception method using a coefficient from the coefficient generator, and reads the data stored in the second sound ray memory to obtain the coefficient. Departure It is characterized in that it comprises a second interpolation unit for performing an operation for performing interpolation of data corresponding to the transmitting and receiving system using the coefficient from the vessel.

[0010]

When the transmission and reception are carried out by the simultaneous two-sound ray transmission / reception method or the interleave method, at least two sound ray data including the target sound ray data are stored in the first sound ray memory of the B-mode circuit. For the interpolation adapted to the transmission / reception system currently being performed, the first interpolator performs the calculation between the coefficient generated by the coefficient generator and the input data.

At least two sound ray data including the target sound ray data are stored in the second sound ray memory of the CFM circuit, and are generated by the coefficient generator for the purpose of interpolation adapted to the transmission / reception system currently being performed. A calculation is performed in the second interpolation unit between the coefficient to be input and the input data.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Prior to the description of the apparatus of the embodiment, the principle of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in the case of the CFM interleave method. In FIG. 2, sound ray i _-3 ,
i ₋₂ , ..., i ₊₃ are sound rays formed in the depth direction, respectively, and data d _i-3 , d from the reflection point at the depth j.
Consider _i-2 , ..., D _{i + 3} . The sound rays i _-3 and i _{-2 form} a sound ray I _-1 , and the sound rays i _-1 and i form a sound ray group I. The same applies hereinafter.

In FIG. 3, the transmission trigger of (a) excites the ultrasonic probe in the period T to transmit a wave. (B) is an odd sound ray i _-3 , i _-1 , i ₊₁ that is transmitted for every two transmission triggers.
Shows the transmission timing of, and (c) is also the transmission trigger 2
The transmission timings of the even sound lines i _-2 , i, i _{+2 that} are transmitted alternately with the odd sound line (b) are shown for each piece. As is clear from the figure, while the time difference between the sound ray i ₋₁ and the sound ray i at the depth j is T, the time difference between the sound ray i and the sound ray i ₊₁ at the depth j is The time difference is 15T. By setting this discontinuity of time to the size of the data that effectively interpolates the data at the point of the depth j of each sound ray at each point, an effect equivalent to that of spatial interpolation is equivalently obtained. To get it. This interpolation data is, for example, sound rays i ₋₁ , i, i
_The interpolation performed with ₊₁ is as follows. here,
d'is data obtained by correcting the data d.

D ′ _{i-1, j} = d _{i-1, j} d ′ _{i, j} = (8/15) d _{i, j} + (7/15) d _{i + 1, j} d ′ _{i + 1, j} = d _{i + 1, j} (1) Further, in the case of simultaneous two-sound ray transmission / reception shown in FIG. 4, interpolation shown in the following equation is performed.

D ′ _{i-1, j} = d _{i-1, j} d ′ _{i, j} = (1/2) d _{i, j} + (1/2) d _{i + 1, j} d ′ _{i + 1, j} = d _{i + 1, j} (2) Returning to FIG. 1, the embodiment will be described. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a transmission circuit for generating a transmission signal, and 2 is a probe for converting a transmission signal from the transmission circuit 1 into ultrasonic waves for transmission and receiving an echo signal from a reflector for conversion into an electric signal. Is. Reference numeral 3 is a receiving circuit for performing signal processing such as amplification of a received signal from the probe 2 by a normal device.

Reference numeral 4 is a B-mode processing unit which processes the received signal when the received signal is displayed in the B mode. Reference numeral 5 denotes a CFM processing unit that processes the received signal when the received signal is displayed in the CFM mode. The route of the received signal is automatically selected according to the mode.

Reference numeral 7 is a sound ray memory A for storing original data of sound rays for which data input from the B-mode processing unit 4 is to be calculated and data of two adjacent sound rays.

Numeral 8 is 2 adjacent to the original data of the sound ray for which the data input from the CFM processor 5 is to be calculated.
A sound ray memory B for storing sound ray data.

Numeral 9 generates the coefficients 8/15 and 7/15 shown in the equation (1) in the case of CFM mode interleaved transmission / reception for data interpolation, and the coefficient 1 in the case of simultaneous two-tone ray transmission / reception. It is a coefficient generator that generates / 2.

Numeral 10 designates sound ray data from at least two sound ray data including the sound ray whose data is to be determined and the coefficient generated by the coefficient generator 9. Interpolators A and 11 determine the data. The interpolation unit B determines the sound ray data from at least two sound ray data including the desired sound ray and the coefficient generated by the coefficient generator 9. Interpolator A10, B1
The sound ray data determined by 1 is obtained by the equation (2) in the case of simultaneous two-tone ray transmission and reception, and is obtained by the equation (1) in the case of the interleave method.

A reference numeral 12 is a D which converts the output data of the interpolating section A10 or the interpolating section B11 of the data based on the input received signal into a television mode signal and displays it on the display 13.
SC.

Next, the operation of the apparatus of the embodiment constructed as described above will be explained. The transmission circuit 1 generates a pulse as a transmission signal, and this pulse is converted into an ultrasonic pulse by the probe 2 and transmitted into the subject. The ultrasonic pulse reflected from the inside of the subject is converted into an electric signal by the probe 2. The timing of the ultrasonic pulse transmitted from the probe 2 is as shown in FIG. 4 in the case of the simultaneous two-line transmission / reception system, and as shown in FIG. 3 in the interleave system.

The received electric signal is amplified by the amplifier of the receiving circuit 3 and output.

A case where the interleave transmission / reception method is designated by the controller 6 will be described.

The transmission signal from the transmission circuit 1 forms the sound ray shown in FIG. 3 and is transmitted from the probe 2. The echo signal reflected from the inside of the subject is received by the probe 2, processed by the receiving circuit 3 such as amplification, and output. This received signal is subjected to phasing addition in the B mode processing unit 4 and input to the sound ray memory A7.

The sound ray A memory 7 stores sound ray data for which data is to be determined and data of an adjacent sound ray that straddles an adjacent sound ray group in the sound ray group.

The coefficient generator 9 generates the coefficients 1, 8/15 and 7/15 shown in the equation (1) under the control of the controller 6 and inputs them to the interpolation section A10. The sound ray data from the sound ray memory A7 is input to the interpolation unit A10, the calculation of the equation (1) is performed by the coefficient input from the coefficient generator 9, and the sound ray data is determined and sent to the DSC 12. The sound ray memory A7 stores the sound rays while sequentially changing the sound ray, and the interpolation unit A10
Determines the data for the sound ray and inputs it to the DSC 12. That is, i, i ₊₂ , i ₊₄ .

The data converted into the television mode by the DSC 12 is displayed on the display unit 13.

The received signal in the CFM mode is used by the CFM processing unit 5
Is subjected to the Doppler processing and input to the sound ray memory B8. The sound ray memory B8 stores the sound ray data for which data is to be determined, the adjacent sound ray in the sound ray group and the data of the adjacent sound ray straddling the sound ray group, and inputs the data to the interpolation unit B11.

Coefficients 1, 8/15 and 7/15 shown in the equation (1) created by the coefficient generator 9 are input to the interpolation unit B11. The interpolator B11 performs the calculation of equation (1) on the received signal input by the coefficient input from the coefficient generator 9 to determine the sound ray data. The sound ray memory B8 stores the sound rays while sequentially changing the sound rays, and the interpolation unit B11 determines data for each sound ray and inputs the data to the DSC 12. That is, i, i ₊₂ , i ₊₄ .

The data converted into the television mode by the DSC 12 is displayed on the display unit 13.

In the case of the simultaneous two-sound ray transmission / reception system, the same operation is performed except that the coefficient generated by the coefficient generator 9 is different.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the spatial processing performed by multiplying the data by the coefficient results in the interpolation processing in the time direction, so that the time discontinuity in the scanning direction is improved. ..

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The number of sound rays in the sound ray group for simultaneous two-sound ray transmission / reception and interleave transmission / reception is three in the embodiment, but three.
The number of books is not limited to two and may be two or four or more.

The data used for interpolation is not limited to the data on both sides having the same depth, but may be a plurality of points in the vicinity of the point for which data is to be determined.

Further, the packet size is set to 8 in CFM mode.
However, any size can be used.

Further, also in the case of the mixed scanning of the simultaneous multi-tone system and the interleave system, the operation corresponding to each system is performed at the time of each system, so that the operation can be considered to be exactly the same.

[0039]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the discontinuity of appearance of the same sound ray can be improved and the continuity can be maintained equivalently. large.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of sound rays in the CFM interleaving method.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the timing of sound rays in the CFM interleaving method.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a simultaneous two-line transmission / reception system.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an interleave transmission / reception system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Transmitting Circuit 2 Probe 3 Receiving Circuit 4 B Mode Processing Section 5 CFM Processing Section 6 Controller 7, 8 Sound Ray Memory 9 Coefficient Generator 10, 11 Interpolation Section

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Keiichiro Ikukata 127, 4-7 Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, Tokyo Inside Yokogawa Medical Systems Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first sound ray memory (7) for storing data of at least two sound rays including original data of sound rays for which image signal data for B mode display is to be determined, and an image for CFM mode display. A second sound ray memory (8) for storing at least two sound ray data including original sound ray data for which signal data is to be determined, and the position of the sound ray for which data is to be determined according to the transmission / reception method. A coefficient generator (9) for generating a coefficient for performing the interpolation corresponding to the relationship, that is, the time difference between adjacent sound rays, and the coefficient stored by reading the data stored in the first sound ray memory (7). A first interpolator (10) for performing an operation for interpolating data corresponding to a transmission / reception method using a coefficient from a generator (9), and stored in the second sound ray memory (8). Read out the data Second interpolation unit for performing an operation for performing interpolation of data corresponding to the transmitting and receiving system using the coefficient from the raw device (9) (11) and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by comprising a.