JPH05245137A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image of uniform luminance irrespective of a focus point of a transmitting focus. CONSTITUTION:The device is provided with a correction data storage part 4 for storing correction data for correcting high luminance in the vicinity of a focus point on an image at every focus point in the depth direction, and a focus correction data selecting part 6 for selecting the correction data corresponding to the focus point set from the correction data in accordance with setting of the focus point. In such a way, even if a transmitting focus is set to any of plural focus points in the depth direction, an image of uniform luminance, in which high luminance in the vicinity of the focus point is corrected can be provided.

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, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of correcting high brightness near a focus point on an image to obtain an image of uniform brightness.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a main part of an example of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 51, the keyboard 52 is used by the user to set the transmission focus from a plurality of focus points fn (n = 1, ..., 5) in the depth direction.

The ultrasonic probe Pi used by the user
After setting (i = A, B, ...) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, for example, the focus point f1 is set in the transmission focus.
When is set, the ultrasonic probe Pi transmits the ultrasonic pulse signal with the transmission focus on the focus point f1. In addition, a TGC control signal is output from the keyboard 52 to the TGC (Time Gain Control) curve generation unit 53, and a probe designation signal is output from the ultrasonic probe Pi to the probe correction data selection unit 55.

The TGC curve generator 53 receives the TGC control signal and generates a TGC curve for compensating the gain of the ultrasonic echo signal which is attenuated according to the elapsed time after the transmission of the ultrasonic pulse signal. Correction data storage unit 54
Stores probe correction data for each ultrasonic probe Pi (i = A, B, ...). The probe correction data can correct high brightness near the focus point on the image when the transmission focus is, for example, the focus point f3.

The probe correction data selection unit 55 receives the probe designation signal, selects the probe correction data of the designated ultrasonic probe Pi from the correction data storage unit 54 and sends it to the TGC supplemental data creation unit 57. Let T
The GC supplementary data creation unit 57 creates TGC supplemental data for supplementing the TGC curve based on the probe correction data.

The data addition unit 58 sends the data of the supplemental TGC curve obtained by adding the data for TGC supplementation to the data of the TGC curve to the signal gain control unit 59. The signal gain control unit 59, based on the data of the supplemental TGC curve,
Controls the gain of the received ultrasonic echo signal.

[0007]

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the brightness of the image when the focus points f1, f3, and f5 are set in the transmission focus, respectively.
The brightness Bfn of the image is set to the gain Ef of the ultrasonic echo signal.
It is represented by the sum of n and the data Rfn of the supplementary TGC curve.

The transmission focus is the focus point f3.
In this case, an image with uniform brightness is obtained, but there is a problem that the image with uneven brightness is obtained at the transmission focus other than the focus point f3. Further, when combination focus is used, a boundary line due to the uneven brightness may occur at the boundary of the focus zone. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining an image of uniform brightness regardless of the focus point of transmission focus.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic pulse signal is transmitted by adjusting a transmission focus to a focus point selected and set from a plurality of focus points in the depth direction. In the sound wave diagnostic apparatus, a correction data storage unit for storing correction data for correcting high brightness near the focus point on the image for each focus point, and the correction data corresponding to the setting of the focus point. Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a constitutional characteristic that it is provided with a correction data selecting means for selecting correction data.

According to a second aspect, the present invention corrects the high brightness near the focus point on an image in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which transmits an ultrasonic pulse signal by adjusting a transmission focus to a focus point set by a user. Correction data storage means for storing correction data for each of a plurality of predetermined focus points, and when any one of the predetermined focus points is selected and set, the correction data corresponds to the setting. Correction data selecting means for selecting the correction data to be set, and, when a focus point other than the predetermined focus point is set, of the correction data stored in the correction data storage means according to the setting. Based on the correction data of the focus points close to the set focus point To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in construction by comprising a correction data calculation means for calculating correction data of the set focus point.

[0011]

Regarding the first aspect, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the correction data storage means stores the correction data for correcting the high brightness near the focus point on the image for each focus point. .. That is, the correction data storage means stores all the correction data of the plurality of focus points.

The correction data selecting means selects the corresponding correction data from the correction data according to the setting of the focus point. Therefore, no matter which of the plurality of focus points is set to the transmission focus, an image with uniform brightness can be obtained regardless of the set focus point.

As to the second aspect, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the correction data storage means provides correction data for correcting high brightness near the focus point on the image for each of a plurality of predetermined focus points. I remember. When any one of the predetermined focus points is selected and set, the correction data selection means selects the corresponding correction data from the correction data according to the setting.

When a focus point other than the predetermined focus point is set, the correction data calculation means sets the correction data stored in the correction data storage means according to the setting. The correction data of the set focus point is calculated based on the correction data of the focus point close to the focus point. In other words, since there is corresponding correction data regardless of the set focus point,
An image with uniform brightness can be obtained.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, this does not limit the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the keyboard 2 allows the user to select a plurality of focus points fn (n = 1, ..., 5) in the depth direction.
It is for setting the transmission focus from among.

The ultrasonic probe Pi used by the user
After setting (i = A, B, ...) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, for example, the focus point f1 is set in the transmission focus.
When is set, the ultrasonic probe Pi transmits the ultrasonic pulse signal with the transmission focus on the focus point f1. In addition, the TGC control signal from the keyboard 2,
The focus setting signals are respectively generated by the TGC curve generator 3,
The focus correction data selection unit 6 outputs the probe designation signal from the ultrasonic probe Pi to the probe correction data selection unit 5. The TGC curve generator 3 is
Upon receiving the GC control signal, a TGC curve for compensating for the gain of the ultrasonic echo signal that attenuates according to the elapsed time after the transmission of the ultrasonic pulse signal is generated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the correction data storage unit 4 stores probe correction data Di (i = A, B, ...) For each ultrasonic probe Pi (i = A, B, ...). ing. The probe correction data Di is the focus correction data Pi-fn (n = 1, ..., For each focus point fn (n = 1, ..., 5) for correcting high brightness near the focus point on the image. It consists of 5).

The probe correction data selection unit 5 receives the probe designation signal and receives the probe correction data D corresponding to the designated ultrasonic probe Pi in the correction data storage unit 4.
Select i. The focus correction data selection unit 6 receives the focus setting signal, selects the focus correction data Pi-f1 corresponding to the set focus point f1 from the selected probe correction data Di, and selects the TGC supplementary data creation unit 7 To send to.

The TGC supplementary data producing section 7 produces TGC supplementary data for supplementing the TGC curve based on the focus correction data Pi-f1. T in Figure 3
The data for GC supplement is illustrated. Focus point fn
The position and size of the peak of the TGC supplementary data α [Pi-fn] are different depending on the depth of. Data adder 8
Adds TGC supplemental data to the TGC curve data. The signal gain control unit 9 controls the gain of the received ultrasonic echo signal based on the TGC curve data to which the TGC supplemental data has been added.

In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, since the gain of the ultrasonic echo signal is controlled based on the focus correction data Pi-fn for each focus point fn, the transmission focus is set to which of the focus points fn. Even if it is set, it is possible to obtain a good image in which the high brightness near the focus point is corrected. Further, it is possible to obtain a good image in which a boundary line due to a difference in luminance does not occur at the boundary of the focus zones even in the combination focus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of essential parts of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. This ultrasonic diagnostic device 2
1 has a configuration in which a keyboard 22, a focus correction data selection / readout unit 26 is provided instead of the keyboard 2 and the focus correction data selection unit 6 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, and an interpolation data calculation unit 27 is further added. Is becoming The keyboard 22 differs from the keyboard 2 in that an arbitrary focus point can be set from the continuous focus points in the depth direction in the transmission focus.

The ultrasonic probe Pi used by the user
After setting (i = A, B, ...) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, for example, the focus point f1 is set in the transmission focus.
It is assumed that the focus point f1.5 between f2 and f2 is set. Then, the focus correction data selection / readout unit 26 receives the focus setting signal, and the two focus points close to the set focus point f1.5 from the probe correction data Di selected by the probe correction data selection unit 5. Focus correction data Pi-f1 and Pi-f2 corresponding to f1 and f2 (see FIG. 2)
Is read out and sent to the interpolation data calculation unit 27.

The interpolation data calculation unit 27 calculates the focus correction data corresponding to the focus point f1.5 from the focus correction data Pi-f1 and Pi-f2 by interpolation and sends it to the TGC supplementary data creation unit 7. ..
Based on the focus interpolation data, the TGC-complementing-data creating unit 7 creates the TGC-complementing data α as shown in FIG.
[Pi-f1.5] is created and sent to the data addition unit 8. The following operation is the same as that of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and is omitted. The operation of the focus correction data selection / reading unit 26 when the focus point fn (n = 1, ..., 5) is set for the transmission focus is the same as that of the focus correction data selection unit 6.

In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 21, even if a focus point in which focus correction data is not stored is set as the transmission focus, a good image in which the high brightness around the focus point is corrected can be obtained. .. Further, it is possible to obtain a good image in which a boundary line due to a brightness difference does not occur at the boundary of the focus zones even in the case of combination focusing. On the contrary, since the focus interpolation data corresponding to the set focus point can be calculated, the amount of focus correction data to be stored can be small.

[0025]

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention according to the first aspect, no matter which of the plurality of focus points in the depth direction the transmission focus is set, the high brightness near the focus point is corrected. It is possible to obtain an image with uniform brightness.

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention according to the second aspect, even if the transmission focus is set to the focus point that does not store the correction data, the high brightness near the focus point is corrected and uniform. An image of brightness can be obtained. On the contrary, since the correction data corresponding to the set focus point can be calculated, the correction data to be stored can be small.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a correction data storage unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG.

3 is an exemplary diagram of TGC supplementary data by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main part of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exemplary diagram of TGC supplementary data by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a main part of an example of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

7 is a conceptual diagram of the brightness of an image according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device 2 Keyboard 3 TGC Curve Generation Section 4 Correction Data Storage Section 5 Probe Correction Data Selection Section 6 Focus Correction Data Selection Section 7 Supplementary Data Creation Section 9 Signal Gain Control Section 26 Focus Correction Data Selection / Read-out unit 27 Interpolation data calculation unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse signal by adjusting a transmission focus to a focus point which is selected and set from a plurality of focus points in the depth direction, and has a high brightness near the focus point on an image. Correction data storage means for storing correction data for correcting each of the focus points, and correction data selection means for selecting the corresponding correction data from the correction data according to the setting of the focus points. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above. 2. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse signal by adjusting a transmission focus to a focus point set by a user, and a plurality of pieces of correction data for correcting high brightness in the vicinity of a focus point on an image. Correction data storage means for storing each predetermined focus point, and correction for selecting corresponding correction data from the correction data according to the setting when any one of the predetermined focus points is selected and set And a focus point other than the predetermined focus point is set, the proximity point is set to the set focus point of the correction data stored in the correction data storage section according to the setting. The focus set based on the correction data of the focus point Points for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by comprising a correction data calculation means for calculating correction data.