JPH0856942A - Untrasonic wave probe control method, ultrasonic wave probe and ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an ultrasonic wave probe control method capable of accurately detecting the surface temperature of an ultrasonic wave probe and controlling its temperature and the ultrasonic wave probe suitable for such control. CONSTITUTION: This ultrasonic wave probe consists of plural elements, and it is equipped with an ultrasonic vibrator 22 which transmits an ultrasonic wave from respective element, a sensor 24 which detects temperature on plural parts of the ultrasonic vibrator, and a selection switch 25 which passes selectively the detection result of the sensor at a part near to the driven element of the ultrasonic vibrator. This ultrasonic wave probe control method is performed by referring to a driving signal when the ultrasonic vibrator is driven, detecting the temperature of a driven part, and controlling the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator by adjusting a power to drive the ultrasonic vibrator by using detected temperature.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for controlling an ultrasonic probe used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a partial temperature rise of the ultrasonic probe. The present invention also relates to an ultrasonic probe control method capable of coping with the above, an ultrasonic probe capable of controlling for coping with a partial temperature rise, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for performing such control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One type of image diagnostic apparatus is constructed so as to transmit an ultrasonic pulse to a subject, receive echo pulses corresponding thereto, and calculate and display an image inside the subject from these transmitted and received pulses. There is an ultrasonic diagnostic device. Also,
There is also an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that uses ultrasonic waves as continuous waves instead of pulses.

By the way, in such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, for example, in order to deepen the search limit in the pulse Doppler system, there is a tendency to increase the power of the ultrasonic pulse transmitted from the transmitting oscillator.

However, as the transmission power is increased in this way, the amount of heat generated due to the internal loss of the ultrasonic probe also increases, and the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe in contact with the subject also rises. become.

[0005]

However, in the conventional ultrasonic probe, no special consideration is given to such heat generation, and the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe is considerably high (for example, 40 ° C). ℃ or more). Such overheating of the ultrasonic probe is not preferable in terms of safety protection of the subject.

Further, in order to prevent such overheating of the ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic probe for controlling the temperature may be used by providing a temperature sensor near the transducer for wave transmission. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using an ultrasonic probe that controls temperature. In FIG. 4, a probe (ultrasonic probe) 1 is used so as to be in contact with a subject to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. It has a lens 3 for adjusting the directivity of transmission and reception and a sensor 4 for detecting the temperature of the vibrator 2.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to obtain an image of a desired portion of a subject, and a control unit 11 for overall control of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for controlling ultrasonic wave transmission. It has a wave transmission controller, a transmission unit 13 that transmits an ultrasonic signal to the vibrator 2, and a temperature detection unit 14 that receives the detection result from the sensor 4 and detects the temperature. Although the actual ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a circuit for reception, it is omitted in this description.

In such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the sensor 4 detects a temperature change of the vibrator 2 due to the transmission of ultrasonic waves, and the temperature detection section 14 generates a temperature signal from the detection result and sends it to the transmission controller 12. Supply. The wave transmission controller 12 receives the temperature signal and adjusts the wave transmission power of ultrasonic waves, and controls the vibrator 2 so as not to exceed a predetermined temperature.

When such temperature control is performed, the sensor 4 is arranged so as to be in close contact with the central portion of the vibrator 2. Therefore, the temperature of the central portion of the vibrator 2 is actually detected. In the case of a normal B-mode scan, since the entire vibrator 2 is driven uniformly, it is sufficient to detect the temperature of the central portion on average.

However, a part of the vibrator 2 may be driven depending on the transmission mode. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing how the vibrator 2 is driven. FIG. 5A shows the positional relationship between the vibrator 2 and the sensor 4, the horizontal axis indicates the horizontal width of the vibrator 2, and the shaded portion in the center indicates the position of the sensor 4. FIG. 5B and subsequent figures show an example of scanning of the vibrator 2, and here, scanning to scanning are shown. Here, the shaded portion is the vibrator that is actually driven by transmission and reception, and is gradually moving while using a specific portion of the whole.

In such a case, scanning (see FIG. 5)
After (d)), it is close to the position of the sensor 4. Therefore, it is possible to control the temperature by detecting the temperature rise, the overheated state, etc. of the vibrator 2 of the probe 1. However, before that (FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b)), the transducer 2 is driven at a position where the sensor 4 is distant, and even if the temperature rises or overheats, a temperature gradient is generated and detected. I can't. Therefore, overheating of the vibrator 2 may adversely affect the subject.

Further, even in the scan using the entire vibrator 2, the temperature of the vibrator 2 is not always uniform, and there is a possibility that partial or local overheating occurs. . The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.
The purpose of is to realize an ultrasonic probe control method capable of accurately detecting the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe and controlling the temperature. The second purpose is to detect the surface temperature,
It is to realize an ultrasonic probe capable of performing accurate control. A third object is to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of accurately detecting the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe and controlling the temperature.

[0013]

A first means for solving the above problems refers to a drive signal for selectively driving a part of an ultrasonic transducer in an ultrasonic probe, An ultrasonic probe characterized by detecting the temperature of a driven portion of an oscillator and adjusting the power for driving the ultrasonic oscillator by using the detected temperature to control the temperature of the ultrasonic oscillator. This is a tentacle control method.

A second means for solving the above-mentioned problems is an ultrasonic transducer which is composed of a plurality of elements and which transmits ultrasonic waves from each element, and temperature of a plurality of points on the ultrasonic transducer. In the ultrasonic probe, the detecting means for detecting the, and a selection switch for selectively passing the detection result of the detecting means in the region close to the driven element of the ultrasonic transducer are provided. is there.

A third means for solving the above-mentioned problems is an ultrasonic transducer composed of a plurality of elements, each element transmitting ultrasonic waves, and a plurality of locations on the ultrasonic transducer. Sensor for detecting the temperature of each location, a selection switch for selectively passing the detection result of one of the sensors, and a drive signal for selectively driving a part of the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic probe comprising: a switching control unit that switches the selection switch so as to selectively pass a detection result of a sensor in a region close to a driven element of the ultrasonic transducer. is there.

A fourth means for solving the above-mentioned problems is used with an ultrasonic probe capable of selectively outputting a temperature detection result of a portion of the ultrasonic transducer near a driven element.
The temperature detection unit that detects and holds the maximum value from the multiple values of the temperature detection results output from the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic transmission power using the maximum value of the detection results held by the temperature detection unit An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a control unit for adjusting the.

[0017]

In the ultrasonic probe control method as the first means for solving the problem, the drive signal for selectively driving a part of the ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe is referred to, The temperature of the driven part of the ultrasonic transducer is detected. Then, the electric power for driving the ultrasonic transducer is adjusted according to the detected temperature to control the temperature of the ultrasonic transducer.

In the ultrasonic probe which is the second means for solving the problem, the detection result of the sensor in the portion near the driven element of the ultrasonic transducer composed of a plurality of elements is selectively output. To be done.

In the ultrasonic probe which is the third means for solving the problem, the switching control unit selects the detection result of the sensor in the portion close to the driven element of the ultrasonic transducer to selectively pass it. The switch is switched, and the detection result of the sensor in the portion close to the driven element of the ultrasonic transducer is selectively output.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is the fourth means for solving the problem, the maximum value is detected and held from a plurality of values of the temperature detection result output from the ultrasonic probe. And
The electric power for driving the ultrasonic transducer is adjusted by the maximum value of the held temperature, and the temperature of the ultrasonic transducer is controlled.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
3 and FIG. 3 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the ultrasonic probe control method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using this ultrasonic probe will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a probe 21 constitutes an ultrasonic probe that is used so as to be in contact with a subject and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. A transducer 22 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves Lens 2 for adjusting the directivity of sound wave transmission and reception
3, a sensor 24 (24a to 24e in FIG. 1) constituting a plurality of detection means for detecting the temperature of the vibrator 22, a selection switch 25 and a selection switch 25 for selectively passing the detection results of the sensors 24a to 24e. The switching control unit 26 that controls the selection state is included.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 30 is for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to obtain an image of a desired portion of the subject, and controls the whole control unit 31 and ultrasonic wave transmission. It includes a wave transmission controller 32, a transmission unit 33 that transmits an ultrasonic signal to the vibrator 22, and a temperature detection unit 34 that receives the detection result from the sensor 24 and detects the temperature. The temperature detection unit 34 may be present inside the probe 21 instead of inside the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 30.

Although the actual ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a circuit for reception, it will be omitted in the description of this embodiment. The operation and control method of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment configured as described above are as follows.

The control section 31 supplies a scan control signal (or a transducer selection signal) for scanning to the wave transmission controller 32 in order to transmit ultrasonic waves by a desired scan. As a result, the transmission controller 3
2 transmits a transmission control signal to the transmitter 33, and the transmitter 33 supplies a drive signal for the transducer 22 to transmit ultrasonic waves to the probe 21. The transducer 22 of the probe 21 which receives such a drive signal generates an ultrasonic wave by a predetermined scan.

At the same time, the switching control unit 26 receiving the scan control signal from the control unit 31 switches the selection switch 25 so that the detection outputs of the temperature sensors 24a to 24e are output according to the vibrator 22 driven by the scan. To generate a switching control signal (step in FIG. 2).

The selection switch 25 is switched by this switching control signal (step in FIG. 2), and the temperature sensors 24a to 24a corresponding to the vibrator 22 driven by scanning.
The detection output of 4e is output to the temperature detection unit 34.
For example, when the entire vibrator 22 is uniformly used for scanning, the selection switch 25 is switched according to the scanning. Further, when the oscillator 22 in a part of the range (region) is used to perform the wave transmission, switching is performed so as to select the detection output of the oscillator 22 in the range in which the wave is transmitted.

Further, although the oscillator 22 is one set in FIG. 1, when a plurality of sets of oscillators are included in one probe,
The outputs of the temperature sensors respectively attached to the plurality of sets of vibrators may be selectively used by using a vibrator selection signal or the like.

The temperature detecting section 34 uses the detection output from the temperature sensor to generate temperature data of each section of the vibrator 22 and controls the temperature (step in FIG. 2). FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of temperature control processing. First, temperature data is generated using the detection output from the temperature sensor that has passed through the selection switch 25 (step in FIG. 3). Then, this temperature data is compared with the temperature data of the previous time (at the time when the switching state of the selection switch 25 was immediately before the switching state different from the current state) (FIG. 3 step), and any one of the larger data is stored in the temperature detecting unit 34. It is set in a register or the like (not shown) (FIG. 3, step, step). This comparison is performed by clearing for a predetermined period or every element of the vibrator 22, and obtaining the maximum value within the range. Therefore, the maximum temperature data of each element of the vibrator 22 is set.

Then, the temperature detecting section 34 supplies the set temperature data to each section (step in FIG. 3). For example, the temperature detection unit 34 supplies temperature data to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 displays the temperature data on the display unit or the like as necessary. Further, the temperature detection unit 34 supplies the set temperature data to the wave transmission controller 32, and the wave transmission controller 32 executes wave transmission control such as increasing or decreasing the wave transmission power with reference to the temperature data, as described later. .

Using the temperature data obtained by the temperature detection by the temperature detection unit 34, the wave transmission controller 32 adjusts (increases or decreases) the wave transmission power of the ultrasonic wave, and the temperature of the vibrator 22 becomes a predetermined value. Control (temperature control) is performed so that the temperature is reached (step in FIG. 2).

As described above, since a plurality of temperature sensors are prepared for the oscillator 22 and the transmission power can be controlled by using the temperature data of the portion actually used for the transmission, the vibration is suppressed. Accurate detection is possible even with partial or local changes in temperature of the child. Therefore, the subject is not adversely affected by the temperature rise of the vibrator.

That is, by referring to the drive signal for selectively driving a part of the ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe, the temperature of the driven portion of the ultrasonic transducer is detected and detected. According to the ultrasonic probe control method characterized in that the temperature of the ultrasonic transducer is controlled by adjusting the power for driving the ultrasonic transducer using the temperature, The drive signal when selectively driving a part of the ultrasonic transducer is referred to, and the temperature of the driven portion of the ultrasonic transducer is detected. Then, the electric power for driving the ultrasonic transducer is adjusted according to the detected temperature to control the temperature of the ultrasonic transducer. Therefore, an ultrasonic probe control method capable of accurately detecting the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe and controlling the temperature is realized.

Also, an ultrasonic transducer composed of a plurality of elements, each element transmitting ultrasonic waves, and sensors for detecting temperatures at a plurality of points on the ultrasonic transducer,
According to the ultrasonic probe, a selection switch for selectively passing a detection result of a sensor in a region close to a driven element of the ultrasonic transducer is formed of a plurality of elements. The detection result of the sensor in the portion near the driven element of the ultrasonic transducer is selectively output. The temperature of the ultrasonic transducer is accurately controlled by controlling the temperature according to the output detection result. Therefore, an ultrasonic probe capable of accurately detecting and controlling the surface temperature is realized.

Then, an ultrasonic transducer composed of a plurality of elements and transmitting ultrasonic waves from the respective elements, and arranged on a plurality of locations on the ultrasonic transducer, the temperature of each location is controlled. The ultrasonic transducer is driven by receiving a sensor, a selection switch for selectively passing the detection result of one of the sensors, and a drive signal for selectively driving a part of the ultrasonic transducer. According to the ultrasonic probe, a switching controller that switches the selection switch so as to selectively pass the detection result of the sensor in the region close to the element is driven by the ultrasonic transducer. The switching control unit switches the selection switch to selectively pass the detection result of the sensor in the region close to the element, and the sensor in the region close to the element driven by the ultrasonic transducer is detected. Results are outputted selectively. Therefore, the temperature of the ultrasonic transducer is accurately controlled by controlling the temperature according to the detection result selectively output. Therefore, an ultrasonic probe capable of accurately detecting and controlling the surface temperature is realized.

Further, the temperature detection result output from the ultrasonic probe is used together with the ultrasonic probe capable of selectively outputting the temperature detection result of the portion near the driven element of the ultrasonic transducer. A temperature detection unit that detects and holds the maximum value from a plurality of values, and a control unit that adjusts the ultrasonic transmission power using the maximum value of the detection results held by the temperature detection unit. According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above, the maximum value is detected and held from the plurality of values of the temperature detection result output from the ultrasonic probe. Then, the electric power for driving the ultrasonic transducer is adjusted by the maximum value of the held temperature, and the temperature of the ultrasonic transducer is controlled. Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of accurately detecting the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe and controlling the temperature.

[0037]

As described in detail above, according to the ultrasonic probe control method of the present invention, when the ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe is selectively driven, a portion of the ultrasonic transducer is The temperature of the part being driven is detected, and the power for driving the ultrasonic transducer is adjusted using the detected temperature, so the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe is accurately detected, It becomes possible to control the temperature.

Further, in the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the temperatures of a plurality of locations on the ultrasonic transducer are detected, and the detection result of the portion near the driven element of the ultrasonic transducer is selectively selected. Since it is made to pass through, it is possible to accurately detect and control the surface temperature.

Further, in the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of locations on the ultrasonic vibrator, and the detection result of any one of the sensors selectively drives a part of the ultrasonic vibrator. Since it is made to selectively pass by referring to the driving signal at that time, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic probe capable of accurately detecting and controlling the surface temperature.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the driving power of the ultrasonic transducer is adjusted by detecting and holding the maximum value of the temperature data selectively output from the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, the surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe can be accurately detected and the temperature can be controlled.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a main part of a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional device.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an example of processing timing in a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 probe 22 transducer 23 lens 24a-24e sensor 25 selection switch 26 switching control unit 30 ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 31 control unit 32 wave transmission controller 33 transmission unit 34 temperature detection unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. When selectively driving a part of an ultrasonic transducer in an ultrasonic probe, the temperature of a portion where the ultrasonic transducer is driven is detected, and the detected temperature is used. An ultrasonic probe control method comprising controlling the temperature of an ultrasonic transducer by adjusting the power for driving the ultrasonic transducer. 2. An ultrasonic transducer comprising a plurality of elements, each element transmitting ultrasonic waves, a detection means for detecting temperatures at a plurality of points on the ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic vibration. An ultrasonic probe comprising: a selection switch for selectively passing a detection result of a detection unit in a portion close to a driven element of the child. 3. An ultrasonic transducer which is composed of a plurality of elements and which transmits ultrasonic waves from the respective elements, and which are arranged at a plurality of locations on the ultrasonic transducer to control the temperature of each location. The ultrasonic transducer is driven by receiving a sensor, a selection switch that selectively passes the detection result of one of the sensors, and a drive signal for selectively driving a part of the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic probe comprising: a switching control unit that switches the selection switch so as to selectively pass a detection result of a sensor in a region close to the element. 4. A temperature detection result output from an ultrasonic probe, which is used together with an ultrasonic probe capable of selectively outputting a temperature detection result of a portion of an ultrasonic transducer near a driven element. A temperature detection unit that detects and holds the maximum value from a plurality of values, and a control unit that adjusts the transmission power of ultrasonic waves using the maximum value of the detection results held by the temperature detection unit. And ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.