JPH09299361A - Ultrasonic imaging method and ultrasonic imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate a tomographic image and a normal vision image by using a signal wave receiving element by using a two-dimensional wave receiving element array, and enabling switching between a tomographic image mode and a normal vision image mode. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic wave reflected and scattered inside a tested body is focused by a lens 103 to be imaged on a two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101. In the case of a Doppler mode, wave receiving signals detected by a Doppler receiver group 500 are selected by a multiplexor 600 and taken in an image processing part 700 to generate an image of a Doppler mode. On the other hand, in the case of non-Doppler mode, in the Doppler receiver group 500, components of modulated waves with low frequency generated by a modulated wave oscillating part 401 are detected as a Doppler component and detection signals are select by the multiplexor 600 and taken in the image processing part 700 to generate an intensity image as a non-Doppler mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus using a two-dimensional receiving element array.

More specifically, firstly, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of generating a tomographic image image and a stereoscopic image by using a two-dimensional receiving element array.

Secondly, it relates to an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of generating a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image with a simple structure by using a two-dimensional receiving element array.

[0004]

[Prior art]

<Tomographic image method and orthographic image method> The ultrasonic imaging method that has become the mainstream at present is a pulse-echo tomography (tomographic image method) of sound ray sequential.

This tomography uses a one-dimensional ultrasonic wave receiving element, and when the direction of the ultrasonic ray is the Z axis, the ultrasonic ray is scanned in the θ (or X) direction. To obtain a tomographic image in the Z-θ (or Z-X) plane.

Further, as a pair with this tomography, there is a so-called orthography (orthoscopic image method). This uses a two-dimensional ultrasonic receiving element and obtains a stereoscopic image with the XY plane as the observed surface when the direction of the ultrasonic sound ray is the Z axis.

<Doppler-CFM> When an ultrasonic wave is applied to a subject, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted through a living tissue as a medium.
A part of the transmitted ultrasonic wave returns due to reflection from a place where there is a difference in acoustic impedance from tissues such as organs and surrounding tissues such as lesions, and scattering from red blood cells in blood. .

When the reflector or scatterer is an object that moves or moves in the direction of the line of sight, the frequency of the reflected wave deviates from the transmission frequency due to the Doppler effect. As described above, there is a Doppler imaging device that measures the frequency shift amount and displays the velocity and moving direction of a moving object.

In this case, the reception frequency is higher than the transmission frequency when the reflector is moving toward the probe, and is lower when the reflector is farther away. The shift frequency is proportional to the moving speed of the reflector. Using this Doppler effect, for example, the direction and velocity of the blood flow in the heart or blood vessel can be known.

In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the moving direction of a moving object is displayed in colors such as red when approaching and blue when moving away, and the moving speed is displayed in brightness.
There is a device having an M (Color Flow Mapping) mode.

Information on the fixed reflective object also has important meaning in the medical ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. that is,
This is because, without the above information, it is not possible to specify what is in the display screen and what it represents, and it is difficult to determine what it is by simply displaying a moving object.

For this reason, the display of a fixed object (non-Doppler image) and the display of a moving object (Doppler image) are commonly displayed on the same screen, and in order to distinguish them from each other, blood flow is determined from scattered echoes from blood cells. Direction, average velocity, velocity dispersion value, power value, and the like are calculated, and various quantities thereof are two-dimensionally displayed in real time on a B mode (tomographic image) screen by color.

[0013]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

<Tomographic image method and emmetropic image method> A one-dimensional receiving element is used to obtain a tomographic image, while 2
A dimensional receiving element array is used. Therefore, it was not possible to obtain both images with one type of receiving element.

X obtained by the one-dimensional receiving element
It is possible to prepare a plurality of tomographic images on the -Z plane in the Y direction and generate a stereoscopic image on the XY plane by 3D image processing, but this is not practical because the processing time becomes long.

<Doppler-CFM> As described above, by superimposing and displaying the Doppler image and the non-Doppler image, there is an advantage that the visibility is improved and the usability is improved.

However, it is necessary to provide a Doppler processing unit for processing a Doppler image having a frequency shift and a non-Doppler processing unit for processing a non-Doppler image having no frequency shift, which complicates the circuit configuration. There is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points. A first object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging method capable of generating a tomographic image and a stereoscopic image using one type of receiving element. It is to realize an imaging device.

A second object is to realize an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of generating a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image with a simple structure using a two-dimensional receiving element array. .

[0019]

The inventor of the present application has conducted earnest research to improve the problem of the difference in receiving element when generating a tomographic image and an orthoscopic image, and as a result, 2 The inventors have found an optimum transmission / reception method for a three-dimensional wave receiving element array and completed the invention for achieving the first object.

The inventor of the present application has conducted earnest research to improve the problems caused by the difference in received signals when generating a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image. The present invention for achieving the second object has been completed by finding a method capable of generating the.

Therefore, the present invention, which is means for solving the problems, is configured as described below. (1) The first aspect of the invention is to add or select the wave-reception outputs of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of the two-dimensional wave-reception element array, and to add or select the wave-reception output to the predetermined value. Read all in the direction orthogonal to the direction,
A tomographic imaging mode in which a tomographic image is generated according to the received wave output that has been read out and a wave output of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array are sequentially selected, and the selected wave reception output is selected. It is possible to switch between two imaging modes, a normal-view image imaging mode in which wave outputs are read in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction and a normal-view image is generated according to the read received output. It is a characteristic ultrasonic imaging method.

In this ultrasonic imaging method, in the tomographic imaging mode, the reception outputs of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction with respect to each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array are added or selected, and the added or selected reception is performed. The wave output is read all at once in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a tomographic image is generated according to the read received output.

Also, in the stereoscopic image imaging mode, 2
For each element of the three-dimensional wave receiving element array, the reception outputs of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction are sequentially selected, and the selected reception outputs are read in parallel in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction and read out. A stereoscopic image is generated according to the received output of each element.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging method capable of generating a tomographic image and an orthoscopic image using one type of receiving element. (2) A second invention is a two-dimensional receiving element array,
For each element of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array, the received output of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction is added or selected, and the added or selected received output is broadcast in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. Read to or 2
Switching means for sequentially selecting the reception output of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of the dimensional wave receiving element array, and reading the selected reception output in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, Image processing means for generating a tomographic image in accordance with the received outputs that are added or selected and read out all at once, or for generating a stereoscopic image in accordance with the received outputs that are sequentially selected and read in parallel; The ultrasonic imaging apparatus is characterized by being provided.

In this ultrasonic imaging apparatus, 2
For each element of the dimensional receiving element array, add or select the receiving output of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction,
The added or selected received output is read all at once in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a tomographic image is generated according to the read received output.

For each element of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array, the wave receiving outputs of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction are sequentially selected, and the selected wave receiving outputs are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. To generate a stereoscopic image according to the received output of each element read.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of generating a tomographic image and a stereoscopic image using one type of receiving element. (3) According to a third aspect of the invention, Doppler reception is performed for each of the elements of the two-dimensional receiving element array, a non-modulated wave is transmitted, and a Doppler detection output is obtained at each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array. On the other hand, the ultrasonic imaging method is characterized in that a modulated wave is transmitted and an intensity output is obtained at each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array from each Doppler reception output of the two-dimensional receiving element array. .

In this ultrasonic imaging method, Doppler reception is performed for each of the elements of the two-dimensional receiving element array, unmodulated waves are transmitted, and Doppler detection is performed by each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array. By obtaining the output, the Doppler image can be obtained.

On the other hand, a non-Doppler image is obtained by transmitting the modulated wave and obtaining the output of the C mode intensity from each Doppler reception output of the two-dimensional receiving element array in each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array. be able to.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging method capable of generating a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image with a simple structure by using a two-dimensional receiving element array. (4) A fourth invention is a two-dimensional receiving element array,
The two-dimensional receiving element array is provided with Doppler receiving means for performing Doppler reception for each element, and transmitting means capable of transmitting the non-modulated wave and the modulated wave separately or simultaneously, and transmits the non-modulated wave. An image processing means for generating a Doppler image for the stereoscopic image from the output of the obtained Doppler receiving means, and for generating a non-Doppler image for the stereoscopic image from the output of the Doppler receiving means obtained by transmitting the modulated wave,
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising:

In this ultrasonic imaging apparatus, Doppler reception is performed for each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array, and an unmodulated wave is transmitted to detect Doppler by each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array. By obtaining the output, the Doppler image can be obtained.

On the other hand, a non-Doppler image is obtained by transmitting the modulated wave and obtaining the output of the C-mode intensity from each Doppler reception output of the two-dimensional receiving element array in each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array. be able to.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging apparatus which can generate a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image with a simple structure by using the two-dimensional receiving element array.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus as embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Here, the configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus will be described for the process (1) that achieves the first object, and then the ultrasonic imaging method will be described. Then, after that, the process (2) for achieving the second purpose.
The configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus will be described, and then the ultrasonic imaging method will be described.

<Structure of Apparatus Used for Ultrasonic Imaging Process (1)> FIG. 2 shows an apparatus for realizing the ultrasonic imaging method of the embodiment of the present invention and a two-dimensional embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic imaging device using a wave receiving element array.

In FIG. 2, an ultrasonic probe 100 is an electroacoustic transducer for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves or at least receiving ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic wave receiving elements are arranged two-dimensionally.
A three-dimensional wave receiving element array 101, a switching unit 110 that allows the wave reception output of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array 110 to pass as necessary, a switching control unit 120 that controls the switching operation of the switching unit 110,
A hold amplifier unit 130 that samples and holds the received output that has passed through the switching unit 110 as necessary.

Here, the two-dimensional receiving element array 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes a wave receiving element arranged in m rows × m columns, which is connected to the switching unit 110 for each column (for m rows) of each wave receiving element.

The switching section 110 is configured to receive the received output for each column of the two-dimensional receiving element array 101, and the switching unit for receiving the received output for m rows is configured for m columns. There is.

In the switching unit 110, the output of each unit is collected in each unit and connected to the hold amplifier unit 130 having channels corresponding to m columns. Therefore, the m-channel output of the hold amplifier section 130 is output to the outside of the ultrasonic probe 100.

The control unit 200 controls the entire apparatus as a whole, and controls transmission / reception and image processing.
A control signal is given to the switching control unit 120 in order to control the switching operation of the switching unit 110 that passes the received signal.

The receiving unit 300 generates an orthoscopic image or a tomographic image from the received signal. The receiving signal is demodulated by quadrature detection or the like, and the two-dimensional image is two-dimensional fast Fourier transformed from the demodulated data. (FFT) processing or the like, and the FFT processing result is subjected to coordinate conversion or scanning frequency conversion to generate a video signal for image display.

<Processing procedure of ultrasonic imaging processing (1)> Next, processing procedure and two-dimensional processing of the ultrasonic imaging method (stereoscopic image / tomographic image switching ultrasonic imaging processing) according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the operation of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the receiving element array.
This will be described with reference to the schematic processing flowchart of FIG.

The processing procedure of the ultrasonic imaging processing for switching between the stereoscopic image / tomographic image is roughly divided into the following steps:
, And each step. This step will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

Mode determination (FIG. 1S1): control unit 200
Refers to an input from an operation unit (not shown) or the like to determine whether the normal-view image mode for generating a normal-view image or the tomographic image mode for generating a tomographic image.

Ultrasonic wave transmission / reception: An electric wave transmission signal generated by a transmission unit (not shown) is transmitted to a transmission element,
The transmitting element converts the transmitted electric signal into an ultrasonic signal and transmits it into the subject.

The transmitted ultrasonic signal is reflected in the subject,
The light is reflected and scattered from the scattering portion, and a part of the light is returned to the two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101 in the ultrasonic probe 100 to be received and converted into a received electric signal (received signal).

Switching: Then, the received signal received and generated by the two-dimensional receiving element array 101 is switched by the switching section 110 and supplied to the hold amplifier section 130.

Here, when the stereoscopic image mode is selected by the mode determination, the switching unit 110
Under the control of the switching control unit 120, each switching unit sequentially switches the switching elements for m rows in the dynamic mode (FIG. 1S2).

Therefore, the received signals in the m rows are sequentially switched and output in parallel for each of the m columns (S3 in FIG. 1). Therefore, a total of m × m received signals are output.

Incidentally, FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration in the dynamic mode switching. The m × m two-dimensional receiving element array 101 is generally 64 × 6.
Although the element size is about 4, here, a 3 × 3 wave receiving element is used to simplify the description.

Here, the three switching units (each unit has three switching elements) in the switching unit 110 sequentially switch the switching elements in each unit in the dynamic mode. Therefore, for each of the three columns, the received signals of three rows (a total of 3 × 3 received signals) are sequentially output in parallel.

Further, when the tomographic image mode is selected by the mode determination, the switching unit 110 controls the switching control unit 120 so that each switching unit switches the switching elements for m rows in the static mode (see FIG. 1S5).

Here, the switching in the static mode means (a) selecting one of the i-th rows of the m rows (b) selecting (adding) any of the m rows at the same time (c) of the m rows It means either switching of selecting (adding) all at the same time. Therefore, m
Received signals for columns (received signals for 1 row × m columns, that is,
A total of m received signals are output all at once (Fig. 1S).
6).

Incidentally, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram schematically showing the circuit configuration at the time of static mode switching. Also in this case, the two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101 is a 3 × 3 wave receiving element for simplifying the description, as in the case of FIG. 3 described above.

Here, the three switching units (each unit has three switching elements) in the switching unit 110 simultaneously select the switching elements in each unit (corresponding to (c) above). Therefore,
For each of the three columns, the received signal for one row (total 1 ×
Three received signals) are output all at once. This corresponds to a conventional one-dimensional phased array.

Image generation: As described above, the wave is received by the two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101 and further switched by the switching unit 110 to be held by the hold amplifier 13.
At 0, the receiving unit 300 generates a predetermined image based on the received signal sample-held and amplified.

When the stereoscopic image mode is selected,
A stereoscopic image of the observed surface orthogonal to the sound ray is generated based on the m × m received signals (S4 in FIG. 1). In addition, when the tomographic image mode is selected, a tomographic image image in the sound ray direction is generated based on the received signals of m columns (FIG. 1S).
7).

<Effects Obtained by Ultrasonic Imaging Process (1)> By using the above-described devices, the two-dimensional receiving element array 101 is used to perform the above-described processes (1) to (3) and the stereoscopic image is obtained by switching control of the received signals. By performing the ultrasonic imaging process of switching between tomographic images, it is possible to generate a stereoscopic image and a tomographic image.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of generating a tomographic image and an orthoscopic image using one type of receiving element. In addition, in FIGS. 3 and 4 described above, in order to make both the two-dimensional ultrasonic wave reception and the one-dimensional ultrasonic wave reception compatible, the side that is switched in parallel with the front surface of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101. Further, a cylindrical cylindrical lens 102 having a converging property is provided.

Even if the cylindrical lens 102 is provided, there is no particular problem in the case of individually scanning in the stereoscopic image mode. However, the wavefront control of the ultrasonic wave may be performed according to the delay distribution according to the delay generated by the cylindrical lens 102.

<Structure of Apparatus Used for Ultrasonic Imaging Process (2)> FIG. 5 shows an apparatus for realizing an ultrasonic imaging method for the ultrasonic imaging process (2) which is an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic imaging device which used the two-dimensional wave receiving element array of embodiment of this invention.

In FIG. 5, a two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101 is an electroacoustic conversion element in which wave receiving elements are arranged two-dimensionally, and m rows × m columns of wave receiving elements are arranged. .

The lens 103 is a focusing means arranged on the front surface of the two-dimensional receiving element array 101, and is arranged so that the ultrasonic waves reflected and scattered from the subject form an image in the two-dimensional receiving element array 101. ing.

The control unit 200 controls the entire apparatus as a whole, and controls transmission / reception and image processing.
A control signal is generated to control the selection of the multiplexer.

The modulated wave oscillating section 401 generates a modulated wave signal having a predetermined frequency according to the intensity / Doppler switching control signal from the control section 200. The carrier generator 402 receives an image on / off control signal from the controller 200 and generates a carrier having a predetermined frequency.

The carrier generator 402 generates a carrier modulated by the modulated wave signal from the modulated wave oscillator 401. Further, the carrier generation unit 402 gives the carrier to the Doppler receiver group 500 as a reference wave signal.

The wave transmission element 403 is an electroacoustic conversion element for transmitting an ultrasonic wave, and receives a carrier (transmitted electric signal) from the carrier generation section 402 to receive an ultrasonic wave (an omnidirectional spherical wave). Transmit to the inside of the sample.

The Doppler receiver group 500 is a group of individual Doppler receivers connected in a one-to-one relationship with the respective wave receiving elements of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101. The Doppler receiver group 500 is a hybrid I
It is preferably integrated with C or a monolithic IC.

The internal structure of this Doppler receiver group 500 is briefly shown in FIG. The Doppler receiver group 500 has the same configuration as a normal Doppler receiver, and an RF band pass amplifier 501 that allows a constant high frequency band to pass.
A detection unit 502 that performs high-frequency detection, an AF bandpass amplifier 503 that passes a low-frequency signal of a predetermined frequency in the detection result, and a Doppler component (DC The detection unit 504 for generating a signal) and the like.

The multiplexer 600 includes the Doppler receiver group 5
00 is a selection means for selectively outputting each m × m output of 00 in a time-division manner, and y-by a control signal from the control unit 200.
The selection in the θ direction is controlled.

The image processing unit 700 generates a predetermined image from the received signal, and performs coordinate conversion, conversion of scanning frequency and the like to generate a video signal for image display.
The display unit 800 displays the image generated by the image processing unit 700.

<Processing Procedure of Ultrasonic Imaging Process (2)> Next, the processing procedure of the ultrasonic imaging process (2) according to the embodiment and the operation of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the two-dimensional receiving element array. Will be described.

The processing procedure of the Doppler / non-Doppler switching ultrasonic imaging processing by the Doppler receiver group is roughly divided into the following steps. This step will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

Mode determination: The control unit 200 determines the Doppler mode or the non-Doppler mode by referring to an input from an operation unit (not shown) or the like.

Ultrasonic wave transmission: When the Doppler mode is selected, the modulated wave oscillator 401 is stopped by an instruction from the controller 200. Then, according to an instruction from the control unit 200, the carrier generation unit 402 generates CW or an unmodulated wave as a transmission wave signal.

The transmitting element 403 is the carrier generation unit 4
The ultrasonic wave is transmitted as an omnidirectional spherical wave by receiving the transmission wave signal from 02. When the non-Doppler mode is selected, the modulated wave oscillating unit 401 generates a predetermined low frequency according to an instruction from the control unit 200. Then, the control unit 20
In response to the instruction of 0, the carrier generation unit 402 generates the modulated wave modulated at the low frequency as a transmission wave signal.

The transmitting element 403 is the carrier generation unit 4
The ultrasonic wave is transmitted as an omnidirectional spherical wave by receiving the transmission wave signal from 02. Ultrasonic wave reception and reception processing: The ultrasonic waves reflected and scattered inside the subject are focused by the lens 103 and imaged on the two-dimensional receiving element array 101 which is the focal plane.

When the Doppler mode is selected,
The received signal detected by the Doppler receiver group 500 is selected by the multiplexer 600 and taken into the image processing unit 700. Then, based on the frequency shift of the received signal,
The image processing unit 700 generates a Doppler mode image.

On the other hand, when the non-Doppler mode is selected, in the Doppler receiver group 500, the modulated wave oscillating unit 40
The low-frequency modulated wave component generated in 1 is detected as a Doppler component.

That is, in the non-Doppler mode, the low-frequency modulated wave component is detected as the Doppler component according to the intensity of the ultrasonic wave reflected and scattered around the target inside the subject. Become.

Therefore, the received signal detected by the Doppler receiver group 500 is selected by the multiplexer 600 and taken into the image processing section 700. Then, the image processing unit 700 generates an intensity image in the non-Doppler mode according to the signal strength of the received signal.

<Effects Obtained by Ultrasonic Imaging Process (2)> The Doppler / non-Doppler switching ultrasonic imaging process is performed by using the two-dimensional receiving element array 101 by the above processes (1) to (3) using the above apparatus. By doing so, it becomes possible to generate a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image using only the Doppler receiver.

That is, by modulating the carrier to be transmitted, the Doppler receiver can also obtain an output according to the intensity of the received signal (it can pass through the Doppler receiver).

In this case, in the case of the focal plane array type in which the two-dimensional receiving element array is arranged on the image plane, it is necessary to arrange the receiver group near the two-dimensional receiving element array. Since it becomes difficult to change the processing content, it is necessary to integrate the receiver group. Even in such a case, there is a great effect that the Doppler receiver alone can provide an output according to the strength of the received signal.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of generating a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image with a simple structure by using a two-dimensional receiving element array.

<Other Embodiments of Ultrasonic Imaging Process (2)> In the above process (2), the Doppler mode and the non-Doppler mode are switched to operate selectively.

Instead of such an operation, it is possible to simultaneously perform the Doppler mode and the non-Doppler mode in the apparatus having the same structure. That is, by using the modulated wave generated by the modulated wave oscillating unit 401 according to the instruction from the control unit 200,
The carrier generator 402 generates a carrier that is shallowly modulated as a transmission signal.

By doing so, the frequency shift output due to the Doppler effect and the intensity output due to the reflection intensity are simultaneously obtained in a superposed state. Although many wave-receiving elements are present in the two-dimensional wave-receiving element array 101, the correction can be performed in the image processing unit 700 when the uniformity of characteristics is a problem. In this case, the correction data may be generated by transmitting and receiving waves to and from a uniform subject in advance.

Incidentally, instead of the lens 103 described above,
An offset parabolic reflector 10 as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to use 7. In this case, the image plane 12
The surface of the reflecting mirror 107 is formed so that the two-dimensional receiving element array 101 and the two-dimensional receiving element array 101 have a conjugate relationship in ultrasonic waves.

Here, the liquid 109 is shown enclosed between the reflecting mirror 107 and the bag 108, and the sound absorbing material 106 is arranged between the reflecting mirror 107 and the two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101. I am doing it.

By using such a reflecting mirror 107,
It becomes easy to form an image on the two-dimensional wave receiving element array 101 while eliminating various losses and aberrations (astigmatism, spherical aberration, color (due to difference in ultrasonic frequency)), and the like.

Therefore, the two-dimensional receiving element array 10
1 can be used to realize a focal plane array (a state in which a detector is arranged on the image plane). Therefore, 2
Using the three-dimensional receiving element array 101, orthography (orthoscopic view method) can be realized.

[0094]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the tomographic imaging mode, the reception outputs of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of the two-dimensional reception element array are added or selected, and the addition or selected reception output is set to the above-mentioned. The tomographic image is generated in accordance with the received wave output that is read out in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction at the same time. In addition, in the stereoscopic image imaging mode, the tomographic image is formed in the predetermined direction for each element of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array The reception outputs of the group of elements arranged in line are sequentially selected, the selected reception outputs are read out in parallel in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and an orthoscopic image is obtained according to the read reception outputs of the respective elements. According to the invention of the ultrasonic imaging method for generating a tomographic image and a stereoscopic image, it is possible to generate a tomographic image and a stereoscopic image by changing how to extract a received signal using one type of receiving element. To become.

(2) For each element of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array, the received output of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction is added or selected, and the added or selected received output is set to the predetermined direction. The signals are read out all at once in orthogonal directions, or the reception outputs of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of the two-dimensional reception element array are sequentially selected, and the selected reception outputs are output in the predetermined direction. A switching means for reading in parallel in a direction orthogonal to and a tomographic image is generated according to the received outputs that are added or selected and read simultaneously, or a tomographic image is generated according to the received outputs that are sequentially selected and read in parallel. According to the invention of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including an image processing unit for generating a visible image, a predetermined method is provided for each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array. The received outputs of the group of elements arranged in line are added or selected, and the added or selected received outputs are simultaneously read out in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a tomographic image is generated according to the read output. Further, for each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array, the reception outputs of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction are sequentially selected, and the selected reception outputs are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. Since the normal-view image is generated according to the read output of each element read out, it is possible to generate the tomographic image and the normal-view image using one type of receiving element.

(3) Doppler reception is performed for each of the elements of the two-dimensional receiving element array, and a non-modulated wave is transmitted to obtain a Doppler detection output at each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array, while modulation is performed. According to the invention of the ultrasonic imaging method, a wave is transmitted to obtain an intensity output from each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array from each Doppler reception output of the two-dimensional receiving element array.
Doppler reception is performed for each of the elements of the two-dimensional receiving element array, and a non-modulated wave is transmitted to obtain Doppler detection output from each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array. It is possible to obtain a Doppler image only by means, and to transmit a modulated wave.
A non-Doppler image can be obtained by obtaining the output of the C-mode intensity from each Doppler reception output of the two-dimensional receiving element array in each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging method capable of generating a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image with a simple structure using the two-dimensional receiving element array. (4) A non-modulated wave is transmitted by including Doppler receiving means for performing Doppler reception for each element of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array and transmitting means capable of transmitting the non-modulated wave and the modulated wave separately or simultaneously. An image processing means for generating a Doppler image for the stereoscopic image from the output of the Doppler receiving means obtained, and for generating a non-Doppler image for the stereoscopic image from the output of the Doppler receiving means obtained by transmitting the modulated wave; According to the invention of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus including,
Doppler reception is performed for each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array, a non-modulated wave is transmitted, and a Doppler detection output is obtained at each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array to obtain a Doppler image. On the other hand, a non-Doppler image can be obtained by transmitting a modulated wave and obtaining an intensity output from each Doppler reception output of the two-dimensional receiving element array at each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array. it can.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging apparatus which can generate a Doppler image and a non-Doppler image with a simple structure by using the two-dimensional receiving element array.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing contents of ultrasonic imaging processing (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus used for the processing of ultrasonic imaging processing (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an equivalent circuit of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus used for the processing of ultrasonic imaging processing (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an equivalent circuit of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus used for the processing of ultrasonic imaging processing (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus used for the processing of ultrasonic imaging processing (2) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus used for the processing of ultrasonic imaging processing (2) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus used for the processing of ultrasonic imaging processing (2) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 ultrasonic probe 101 two-dimensional receiving element array 102 cylindrical lens 103 lens 104 housing 106 sound absorbing material 107 reflecting mirror 108 bag 109 liquid 110 switching unit 120 switching control unit 130 hold amplifier unit 200 control unit 300 receiving unit 401 modulated wave Oscillation unit 402 Carrier generation unit 403 Transmission element 500 Doppler receiver group 600 Multiplexer 700 Image processing unit 800 Display unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A reception output of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of a two-dimensional reception element array is added or selected, and the added or selected reception output is orthogonal to the predetermined direction. A tomographic imaging mode in which the tomographic images are simultaneously read out and a tomographic image is generated according to the received wave output, and the wave output of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of the two-dimensional wave receiving element array is sequentially selected. Then, two imaging modes, a normal-view image imaging mode in which the selected received output is read in parallel in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction and a normal-view image is generated according to the read received output, are provided. An ultrasonic imaging method characterized by being switchable. 2. The two-dimensional receiving element array and the receiving outputs of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array are added or selected, and the added or selected receiving elements are added. Read the wave output all at once in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, or
Switching means for sequentially selecting the reception output of a group of elements arranged in a predetermined direction for each element of the dimensional wave receiving element array, and reading the selected reception output in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, Image processing means for generating a tomographic image in accordance with the received outputs that are added or selected and read out all at once, or for generating a stereoscopic image in accordance with the received outputs that are sequentially selected and read in parallel; An ultrasonic imaging apparatus characterized by being provided. 3. A Doppler reception is performed for each of the elements of the two-dimensional receiving element array, a non-modulated wave is transmitted to obtain a Doppler detection output at each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array, and a modulated wave is obtained. Is transmitted to each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array to obtain an intensity output from each Doppler reception output of the two-dimensional receiving element array. 4. A two-dimensional receiving element array, a Doppler receiving means for performing Doppler reception for each element of the two-dimensional receiving element array, and a non-modulated wave and a modulated wave can be transmitted separately or simultaneously. The embodied image is generated from the output of the Doppler receiving unit obtained by transmitting the unmodulated wave, and the Doppler image of the normal image is generated from the output of the Doppler receiving unit transmitted by transmitting the modulated wave. And an image processing unit that generates a non-Doppler image of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus.