JPH07213523A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic blood flow displaying method and ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To diffuse the width of an ultrasonic beam meeting at approx. right angle with the scanning direction and to improve the real time processing by installing an ultrasonic beam diffusion lens diffusing an ultrasonic beam at a face which meets at approx. right angle with the arranged direction of the outside of the ultrasonic beam convergence lens and by making the external surface of the convergence lens form a dent shape. CONSTITUTION:An ultrasonic probe 1 is composed of a case 2 covering its back and sides, a backing member 3 which attenuates vibration transferring to the back, an oscillation element block 4 on which multiple oscillation elements T1 to Tn are one-dimensionally arranged, a barrel-shaped ultrasonic beam convergence lens 5 which converges an ultrasonic beam, and an ultrasonic beam diffusion lens 6 which diffuses an ultrasonic beam. The ultrasonic beam diffusion lens 6 is made from a material whose transfer rate of ultrasonic beam is lower than that of air or living body, and its both sides are of dent shape. This diffuses the width of an ultrasonic beam meeting at approx. right angle with the scanning direction and improves the real time processing of the ultrasonic blood flow displaying method.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic blood flow display method, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more specifically, to spread an ultrasonic beam width in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe capable of performing the above, an ultrasonic blood flow display method capable of improving real-time property, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of suitably implementing the ultrasonic blood flow display method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 shows a main part of a first example of a conventional ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe 10 includes a case 2 that covers the back surface and the side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 10, and
A backing material 3 for damping the vibration transmitted to the back surface,
A vibrating element section 4 in which a large number of vibrating elements T1 to Tn are arranged one-dimensionally and an ultrasonic beam focusing lens 5 for focusing an ultrasonic beam are provided. Ultrasonic beam focusing lens 5
Has a semi-cylindrical shape because it transmits ultrasonic waves slower than air and living organisms. As shown in FIG. 12, the ultrasonic beam B ′ is focused by the ultrasonic beam focusing lens 5 on a plane P1 that is substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional array direction. The ultrasonic beam B'is focused by the ultrasonic beam focusing delay circuit (not shown) on the surface P2 in the one-dimensional array direction, and is narrowed down to several mm to 1 mm or less at the thinnest portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the ultrasonic beam B ′ is scanned in the one-dimensional array direction by an ultrasonic scanning delay circuit (not shown) to collect blood flow information and the like in the slice plane S. It should be noted that an ultrasonic probe of a type in which the vibration element unit is moved by mechanical driving to scan the ultrasonic beam may be used.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic blood flow display method using the ultrasonic probe 10. While moving the ultrasonic probe 10 in the direction orthogonal to the slice plane S, blood flow information in the slice plane S at each predetermined position in the moving direction is collected by Doppler shift. At this time, the flow portion is color-coded and the color is stored for a certain storage time.
When the "ture" function is used, color flow images in a volume corresponding to the region of the subject to which the ultrasound probe 10 has moved during the storage time are successively obtained. This color flow image is displayed by being superimposed on the B-mode image of the volume. This display screen is illustrated in FIG. F
Is a blood vessel. It should be noted that the color capture function observes that there is no flow in a certain portion of the bloodstream by the timing when the ultrasonic beam collects the bloodstream information of the portion and the timing of the pulsation of the bloodstream in the relevant portion, and the color is In order to prevent the blood vessels from being discolored and appearing discontinuous, the function is to keep the color once attached for a certain storage time so that the blood vessels appear continuous.

FIG. 16 shows a main part of a second example of a conventional ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe 15 has a case 2 that covers the back surface and side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 15, a backing material 3, and a large number of vibrating elements arranged two-dimensionally in the s and t directions orthogonal to each other. The vibrating element section 34 is provided. The number of arrays in the s direction is large, but the number of arrays in the t direction is small. The ultrasonic beam is focused on the surface in the t direction by the delay circuit for focusing in the t direction (not shown) (thus, dynamic focusing can be performed in the surface in the t direction), and the delay circuit for focusing in the s direction is also not shown. Is focused on the surface in the s direction by several mm to 1 at the thinnest point.
It is narrowed down to less than mm. Further, the ultrasonic beam is scanned in the s direction by a scanning delay circuit (not shown) to collect blood flow information in the slice plane. The ultrasonic blood flow display method using the ultrasonic probe 15 is also the first
This is the same as the ultrasonic blood flow display method using the ultrasonic probe 10 of the example.

FIG. 17 shows a main part of a third example of a conventional ultrasonic probe. This ultrasonic probe 20 has a case 2 that covers the back surface and side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 20, a backing material 3, and a large number of vibrating elements arranged two-dimensionally in the s and t directions orthogonal to each other. The vibration element portion 44 is provided. It should be noted that the numbers of arrays in the s direction and the t direction are both large. The ultrasonic beam is focused on the surface in the t direction by a delay circuit for focusing in the t direction (not shown),
It is focused on the surface in the s direction by the directional focusing delay circuit, and is narrowed down to several mm to 1 mm or less at the thinnest point. Further, the ultrasonic beam is scanned in the t direction by a t-direction scanning delay circuit (not shown) and is also scanned in the s-direction by the s-direction scanning delay circuit. That is, the ultrasonic beam can be independently scanned in the orthogonal t and s directions. In the ultrasonic blood flow display method using the ultrasonic probe 20, instead of moving the ultrasonic probe 20, the ultrasonic probe 20 is scanned in the direction in which the ultrasonic probe 20 should be moved and corresponds to the scanned region of the subject. Collect blood flow information in volume.

[0006]

In the conventional ultrasonic probes 10 and 15 described above, when collecting blood flow information in a volume whose one side is several cm or more, the number of ultrasonic probes 10 and 15 is set. There is a problem that it must be moved by more than cm. Further, it takes a long time to collect and process the blood flow information, which causes a problem of poor real-time property. On the other hand, in the above-mentioned conventional ultrasonic probe 20, it is not necessary to move the ultrasonic probe 20, but since the ultrasonic beam is narrowed down to a few mm to 1 mm or less at the thinnest point, 1 If an ultrasonic blood flow display method with a volume of several cm on the side is attempted, the blood flow information time and the processing time are also long and the real-time property is poor.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of diffusing an ultrasonic beam width in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction. A second object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic blood flow display method with improved real-time property. A third object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of suitably implementing the ultrasonic blood flow display method.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of vibrating elements are arranged in a direction of scanning an ultrasonic beam, and the ultrasonic elements are arranged outside the ultrasonic wave output surface side. In an ultrasonic probe provided with an acoustic beam focusing lens, an ultrasonic beam diffusing lens for diffusing an ultrasonic beam on a surface substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction is provided outside the ultrasonic beam focusing lens. Provided is an ultrasonic probe, wherein the ultrasonic beam diffusing lens is installed and the outer surface of the lens is concave.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of vibrating elements arranged in a scanning direction of an ultrasonic beam, which is substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction outside the vibrating elements. Provided is an ultrasonic probe characterized in that an ultrasonic beam diffusing lens for diffusing an ultrasonic beam on the surface is installed.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of vibrating elements are arrayed in a direction in which an ultrasonic beam is scanned, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is arranged along a direction substantially orthogonal to the array direction. Provided is an ultrasonic probe having a sound wave output surface in a convex shape.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention uses an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of vibrating elements arranged in a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array, the surface of the ultrasonic beam being substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional array direction. Alternatively, there is provided an ultrasonic blood flow display method characterized by collecting blood flow information by diffusing on one surface of a two-dimensional array.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of vibrating elements arranged in a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array, and an ultrasonic beam on a surface substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional array or An ultrasonic beam diffusing means for diffusing the surface in one direction of the two-dimensional array; an ultrasonic beam focusing means for focusing an ultrasonic beam on a surface of the other direction in the two-dimensional array; An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic blood flow processing unit that receives an ultrasonic signal based on a diffused ultrasonic beam and performs predetermined processing to obtain blood flow information.

[0013]

According to the ultrasonic probe of the first aspect, in the ultrasonic probe having the ultrasonic beam focusing lens,
An ultrasonic beam diffusing lens for diffusing the ultrasonic beam on a surface substantially orthogonal to the array direction of the vibration elements was installed outside the ultrasonic beam focusing lens. Therefore, it is possible to expand the ultrasonic beam width in the direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction (arrangement direction of the plurality of vibrating elements). Further, since the outer surface of the ultrasonic beam diffusing lens is formed in a concave shape, it is possible to improve the adhesion to the curved portion such as the arm.

In the ultrasonic probe according to the second aspect,
An ultrasonic beam diffusing lens for diffusing the ultrasonic beam in a plane substantially orthogonal to the array direction of the plurality of vibrating elements is provided outside the vibrating element. Therefore, the ultrasonic beam width in the direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction can be expanded.

In the ultrasonic probe according to the third aspect,
The ultrasonic wave output surfaces of the vibrating elements arranged in the scanning direction have a convex shape along a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction. Therefore, the ultrasonic beam width in the direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction can be expanded.

In the ultrasonic blood flow display method according to the fourth aspect and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when collecting blood flow information, the ultrasonic beams are substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional array direction of the vibration elements. The surface does not converge but diffuses in the opposite direction, on the surface that is substantially orthogonal to one direction of the two-dimensional array. As a result, the blood flow information can be collected by expanding the ultrasonic beam width in the direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction, so that the blood flow in a volume of which the side is several cm in one slice of blood flow information collection time and processing time. Information can be displayed and real-time performance can be improved.
The method of diffusing the ultrasonic beam is, for example, the first method described above.
From the viewpoint of the above, the ultrasonic probe according to the third viewpoint may be used.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 1 has a case 2 that covers the back surface and the side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 1.
And a backing material 3 for damping the vibration transmitted to the back surface
And a vibrating element portion 4 in which a large number of vibrating elements T1 to Tn are one-dimensionally arranged, a semi-cylindrical ultrasonic beam focusing lens 5 for focusing the ultrasonic beam, and an ultrasonic wave for diffusing the ultrasonic beam. And a lens 6 for beam diffusion. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the ultrasonic beam diffusing lens 6. The ultrasonic beam diffusing lens 6 is made of a material whose ultrasonic wave transmission speed is slower than that of air or a living body, and both surfaces are curved in a gutter shape. Therefore, the ultrasonic beam can be diffused on the curved surface. In addition, the gutter shape on the inner surface facilitates close contact with the semi-cylindrical ultrasonic beam focusing lens 5, and the gutter shape on the outer surface facilitates close contact with curved portions such as arms. It is possible to reduce the loss and reflection.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic beam B'is
The ultrasonic beam diffusing lens 6 diffuses the beam on a plane P1 that is substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional array direction, and expands the beam width at an angle of several tens of degrees. Further, it is focused on the surface P2 in the one-dimensional array direction by an ultrasonic beam focusing delay circuit (not shown), and is narrowed down to several mm to 1 mm or less at the thinnest portion. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
The ultrasonic beam B ′ is scanned in the one-dimensional array direction by a scanning delay circuit (not shown), and blood flow information in a certain volume V is collected by scanning for one slice. It should be noted that the configuration may be such that the vibration element unit is moved by mechanical driving to scan the ultrasonic beam. The ultrasonic beam diffusing lens 6 is an attachment and is attachable to and detachable from the ultrasonic beam focusing lens 5. That is, if the ultrasonic beam diffusing lens 6 is removed, it becomes a normal ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic beam is focused by the ultrasonic beam focusing lens 5.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for performing an ultrasonic blood flow display method using the ultrasonic probe 1. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, the beam former 101, the B-mode processing unit 102, the color flow processing unit 103, the DSC 104, and the CRT 105 are known constituent elements. The beam former 101 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the ultrasonic probe 1 collects blood flow information in a certain volume V by scanning for one slice. The B-mode processing unit 102 acquires the B-mode data of the volume V and uses the B-mode data in the DSC 10
Send to 4. The DSC 104 performs luminance coding according to the echo intensity based on the B mode data to generate a B mode image, which is displayed on the CRT 105. On the other hand, the color flow processing unit 103 acquires the Doppler shift data of the volume V and uses the Doppler shift data as the DSC 10 data.
Send to 4. The DSC 104 performs color coding according to the Doppler shift amount based on the Doppler shift data to generate a color flow image, and the CRT 105 superimposes and displays the color flow image on the B mode image. This display screen is illustrated in FIG. F is a blood vessel. Note that only the color flow image may be displayed depending on the application. According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 described above, even if the volume V has a side of several cm, the blood flow information collection time and the processing time for one slice are sufficient, and the real-time property can be improved.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 11 includes a case 2 that covers the back surface and side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 11, a backing material 3, and a vibrating element section 4 in which a large number of vibrating elements T1 to Tn are one-dimensionally arranged. , An ultrasonic beam diffusing lens 16 having a flat vibrating element side surface and a gutter-shaped outer surface. The ultrasonic beam is diffused by the ultrasonic beam diffusing lens 16 on a surface substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional arrangement direction, and the beam width is expanded at an angle of several tens of degrees. Since this ultrasonic probe 11 does not have an ultrasonic beam focusing lens, it is dedicated to ultrasonic beam diffusion, but the configuration is simple. If the ultrasonic beam focusing lens is used as an attachment, which is the reverse of the first embodiment, it can be used as a normal ultrasonic probe.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of an ultrasonic probe according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 21 includes a case 2 that covers the back surface and side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 21, a backing material 3, and a vibrating element section 24 in which a large number of vibrating elements T1 to Tn are one-dimensionally arranged. It is equipped with. A thin cover (not shown) is attached to the outside of the vibrating elements T1 to Tn (a matching layer may be interposed between the vibrating elements T1 to Tn and the thin cover). The vibrating elements may be arranged in a two-dimensional array as shown in FIG. 16, for example. Each vibrating element of the vibrating element section 24 has a convex ultrasonic output surface along a direction orthogonal to the one-dimensional array direction. For this reason, the ultrasonic beam can be expanded to a beam width of several tens of degrees in the plane orthogonal to the one-dimensional array direction. The ultrasonic probe 21 diffuses the ultrasonic beam by each vibrating element of the vibrating element section 24, and since there is no acoustic lens, the attenuation of the ultrasonic wave is small.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 15 is a conventionally known one described with reference to FIG. 16, and the case 2 that covers the back surface and the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 15, the backing material 3, and the orthogonal s direction and t. And a vibrating element section 34 in which a large number of vibrating elements are arranged two-dimensionally. The number of arrays in the s direction is large, but the number of arrays in the t direction is small.

The beam former 201 includes a delay circuit 201a for ultrasonic beam spreading in the t direction, a delay circuit 201b for focusing ultrasonic beam in the s direction, and a delay circuit 201 for scanning in the s direction.
c and. The ultrasonic beam is spread on the surface in the t direction by the delay circuit 201a for spreading the ultrasonic beam in the t direction, and the beam width is expanded to an angle of several tens of degrees. In addition, the ultrasonic beam is delayed by the delay circuit 20 for s-direction ultrasonic beam focusing.
It is focused in the plane of the s direction by 1b and is narrowed down to a few mm to 1 mm or less at the thinnest place. Further, the ultrasonic beam is scanned in the s direction by the delay circuit 201c for scanning the s direction, and scans a certain volume V once. In addition, the delay circuit 201 for t-direction ultrasonic beam diffusion
The letter a is obtained by simply changing the setting of the delay time of the conventionally known delay circuit for focusing the ultrasonic beam in the t direction. Therefore,
By changing the setting of the delay time again, a conventionally known delay circuit for focusing the ultrasonic beam in the t direction can be used, and the ultrasonic beam can be focused in the plane in the t direction. s-direction ultrasonic beam focusing delay circuit 201b and s-direction scanning delay circuit 201c
Is a conventionally known one.

The B-mode processing unit 102 acquires the B-mode data of the volume V and outputs the B-mode data to the D-mode data.
Send to SC104. In the DSC 104, the luminance coding is performed according to the echo intensity by the B mode data, and the B
A mode image is generated and displayed on the CRT 105. on the other hand,
The color flow processing unit 103 acquires the Doppler shift data of the volume V and sets the Doppler shift data to D
Send to SC104. The DSC 104 performs color coding according to the Doppler shift amount based on the Doppler shift data to generate a color flow image, and the CRT 105 superimposes and displays the color flow image on the B mode image. Note that only the color flow image may be displayed depending on the application.

According to the above ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200, 1
Even with a volume V having a side of several cm, the blood flow information collection time and processing time for one slice are sufficient, and the real-time property can be improved.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The ultrasonic probe 20 is a conventionally known one described in FIG. 17, and includes a case 2 that covers the back surface and side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 20, a backing material 3, and
A vibrating element section 44 in which a large number of vibrating elements are two-dimensionally arranged in the s and t directions orthogonal to each other is provided. The number of arrays in the s direction and the number of arrays in the t direction are both large. Beam former 201, B-mode processing unit 102, color flow processing unit 103, DSC 104, CRT 105
Is the same as in Example 4. The above ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 30
According to 0, like the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 of the fourth embodiment, even with the volume V having several cm on one side, the blood flow information collection time and processing time for one slice are sufficient, and the real-time property can be improved.

[0027]

According to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the ultrasonic beam width in the direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction can be expanded. Further, according to the ultrasonic blood flow display method and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to improve the real-time property of the ultrasonic blood flow display method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic beam diffusing lens of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the shape of an ultrasonic beam output by the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of scanning of an ultrasonic beam output by the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

5 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for performing an ultrasonic blood flow display method using the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

6 is an exemplary view of a color flow image obtained by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of an ultrasonic probe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a first example of a conventional ultrasonic probe.

12 is a shape explanatory view of an ultrasonic beam output by the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

13 is an explanatory diagram of scanning of an ultrasonic beam output by the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

14 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which an ultrasonic blood flow display method is performed using the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

15 is an exemplary diagram of a color flow image obtained by the ultrasonic blood flow display method of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a second example of a conventional ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a third example of a conventional ultrasonic probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,11,21,10,15,20 Ultrasonic probe 2 Case 3 Backing material 4,24, 34,44 Vibration element part T1, T2, Tn Vibration element 5 Ultrasonic beam focusing lens 6,16 Ultrasonic wave Beam spreading lens 100, 200, 300 Ultrasonic blood flow diagnostic apparatus 101, 201 Beam former 102 B mode processing unit 103 Color flow processing unit 104 DSC 105 CRT

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of vibrating elements are arranged in a direction of scanning an ultrasonic beam, and an ultrasonic beam focusing lens is provided outside the ultrasonic output surface side of the vibrating elements. In the child, on the outer side of the ultrasonic beam focusing lens, an ultrasonic beam diffusing lens for diffusing the ultrasonic beam on a surface substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction is installed, and the outer side surface of the ultrasonic beam diffusing lens is An ultrasonic probe characterized by having a concave shape. 2. An ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of vibrating elements are arranged in a scanning direction of an ultrasonic beam, wherein the ultrasonic beam is diffused outside the vibrating element in a plane substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction. An ultrasonic probe characterized in that a lens for ultrasonic beam diffusion is installed. 3. An ultrasonic probe having a plurality of vibrating elements arranged in a direction of scanning an ultrasonic beam, wherein the ultrasonic output surface has a convex shape along a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction. An ultrasonic probe characterized in that. 4. An ultrasonic probe formed by arranging a plurality of vibrating elements in a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array, and using one of a plane or a two-dimensional array in which ultrasonic beams are substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional array direction. An ultrasonic blood flow display method characterized in that blood flow information is collected by diffusing in the direction plane. 5. An ultrasonic probe having a plurality of vibrating elements arranged in a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array, and an ultrasonic beam as described above.
Ultrasonic beam diffusing means for diffusing on a plane substantially orthogonal to the two-dimensional array or a plane in one direction of the two-dimensional array,
Ultrasonic beam focusing means for focusing the ultrasonic beam on the surface in the other direction of the two-dimensional array, and receiving an ultrasonic signal based on the diffused ultrasonic beam and performing a predetermined process on the blood flow. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising ultrasonic blood flow processing means for obtaining information.