JPH1128208A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the visibility of a M mode image and a one-dimensional doppler image by providing an output control means for reading out the received data stored in a storage means in a designated order according to the scroll speed of a display and outputting the same with a correlation value operating means for calculating the correlation value for each received data. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic transmit-receive control circuit 2 controls a probe 1 to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave, and processes a received echo signal. After a designated delay is given to each echo signal is converged, the respective echo signals are added to obtain one echo signal. After the echo signal is amplified and detected, it is output to a digical scan converter 3. In this converter, the analog echo signal is converted to a digital echo data, and then the correlation value of echo data is calculated by a built-in correlation processing means to be stored in an image memory. The stored echo data is read out in order to attain the scroll speed designated by an examiner, and D/A converted to be output to a display device 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic apparatus, and more particularly, to an M-mode image and a one-dimensional image generated by transmitting an ultrasonic wave into a subject and receiving and generating an echo signal reflected from a diagnostic site. The present invention relates to a technique effective for improving the image quality of a Doppler image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In measuring an M-mode image in a conventional ultrasonic apparatus, an ultrasonic signal (hereinafter referred to as an echo signal) received by a probe is processed by an ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit, and the ultrasonic A so-called US video signal processed by the transmission / reception control circuit is converted into a digital signal by a digital scan converter and written as image data in an internal image memory. Next, the digital scan converter reads the image data written in the image memory at the scroll speed of the M-mode image instructed by the examiner in advance, and converts the read image data into an analog signal for display (TV video signal). After that, the analog signal was output to a display device and displayed.

At this time, in the conventional ultrasonic apparatus, when displaying an M-mode image, one pixel in the time axis direction of the M-mode image on the display device and one echo signal obtained from one beam of the echo signal are paired. It was set to be one.

[0004] In a so-called Doppler blood flow measuring device, which is an ultrasonic device capable of displaying a one-dimensional Doppler image, similarly to the display of the M-mode image described above,
An output signal obtained by detecting a Doppler obtained from a sampling period or one beam of an echo signal (a transmission signal to a measurement site) and one pixel in a time axis direction of a one-dimensional Doppler image on a display device are one-to-one. Was set.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As a result of studying the above prior art, the present inventor has found the following problems. In a conventional ultrasonic apparatus, for example, when an operation of a valve of a heart is observed by an M-mode image, a scroll speed of a display waveform is changed depending on individual differences of a subject, and a scroll that is optimal for the subject is changed. We were measuring at speed.

However, in the conventional ultrasonic apparatus, as described above, one pixel in the time axis direction of the M-mode image and one echo signal obtained from one beam of the echo signal are set to be one-to-one. Therefore, if the scroll speed is changed and the scroll speed is set to be lower than the echo signal obtained from one beam of the echo signal, the digital scan converter reads the image data from the image memory by one. The scroll speed is reduced by reading the image data at intervals equal to or longer than the data interval.

However, if the image data read interval is set to a predetermined number of data intervals, the M-mode image displayed on the display device becomes a discrete image that is not connected before and after. There is a problem that the visibility of the image is reduced. Further, there is a problem that the diagnostic efficiency is reduced because the visibility is reduced. Further, the Doppler blood flow measuring device has the same problem as the above-mentioned problem.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic apparatus capable of improving the visibility of an M-mode image and a one-dimensional Doppler image. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic apparatus capable of improving the diagnostic efficiency of an examiner. The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of a representative one will be briefly described.
It is as follows.

[0010] An ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, conversion means for converting ultrasonic signals received by the ultrasonic transducer into digital signals, and storing output values of the conversion means. Receiving data storing means, output control means for reading and outputting received data stored in the received data storing means in a predetermined order according to a scroll speed of display, and an ultrasonic wave based on the output signal. An ultrasonic apparatus having display means for displaying an image, wherein the output control means includes a correlation value calculation means for calculating a correlation value for each of the received data, and a correlation value storage means for storing the correlation value. The output control means outputs the correlation value stored in the correlation value storage means to the display means as an output value in accordance with the scroll speed of the display.

According to the above-mentioned means, for example, when the measurement speed of the ultrasonic wave is lower than the scroll speed at the time of display, the correlation value calculation means calculates the correlation value between the calculated measurement value and the measurement value. Since the output control means reads the correlation value from the correlation value storage means and outputs it to the display means as an output value for display, the continuity of the measurement data displayed on the display means can be maintained. The visibility of the mode image and the one-dimensional Doppler image can be improved.
Therefore, the diagnostic efficiency of the examiner can be improved.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings together with embodiments (examples) of the invention. In all the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention, components having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their repeated description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a probe (ultrasonic probe), 2 is an ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit, and 3 is The digital scan converter 4 indicates a display device (display means). In FIG. 1, a probe 1 is a known ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave to and from an object (not shown), and is, for example, a sector (phased array) electronic scanning probe.

An ultrasonic wave transmission / reception control circuit 2 controls the probe 1 to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and processes ultrasonic waves received by the probe 1 (hereinafter referred to as echo signals). , And outputs the processed echo signal to the digital scan converter 3. The ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 2 includes, for example, a control circuit that controls the entire operation of the ultrasonic device, a transmitter that generates a pulse voltage for transmission and applies it to the probe 1, and a probe 1 Comprises an amplifier for amplifying an echo signal received and converted into an electric signal, a detector for detecting the signal amplified by the amplifier, a video amplifier for amplifying an output signal of the detector, and the like.

The digital scan converter 3 converts the output signal of the ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 2 into a digital signal (echo data), rearranges it as information necessary for displaying a two-dimensional tomographic image, and converts the signal into M signals. The echo data in the depth direction of the ultrasonic beam at the position specified by the examiner, which is necessary for displaying the mode image, is collected. The digital scan converter 3 outputs information rearranged at a preset speed to the display device 4 and outputs echo data in the depth direction to the display device 4 at the scroll speed specified by the examiner. Is also possible. The collection and output of echo data in the depth direction in the digital scan converter 3 will be described later in detail.

The display device 4 is a known display device and displays, for example, an ultrasonic tomographic image (B-mode image) and an M-mode image of the subject based on a video signal output from the digital scan converter 3.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. First, based on the instruction of an examiner (not shown), the ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 2 A pulse voltage for driving each of the vibrators (not shown) is applied. An ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the probe 1 in a direction determined by a difference in application time of the pulse voltage applied to each transducer. The reflected wave reflected in the body of the subject is converted into an electric signal by each transducer of the probe 1, and then input to the ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 2 as an echo signal. In the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception control circuit 2, after giving a predetermined amount of delay to the echo signal of each transducer, the echo signals are converged, and each echo signal is added to form one echo signal.

Thereafter, the ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 2 amplifies the echo signal with an amplifier (not shown), detects the amplified echo signal with a detector (not shown), and detects the amplified echo signal with a video amplifier. The echo signal is amplified, and the amplified signal is output to the digital scan converter 3.

The digital scan converter 3 converts an input signal into a digital signal (echo data) by a well-known A / D converter, and stores the echo data. Next, the digital scan converter 3 sorts the echo data in the depth direction of the ultrasonic beam necessary for rearrangement into information necessary for displaying a two-dimensional tomographic image and / or for displaying an M-mode image. After that, the correlation value of the collected data is calculated, and the calculation result is stored and output to the display device 4.

Here, the digital scan converter 3
Displays an image of the collected data, that is, an M-mode image, by outputting to the display device 4 the collected data obtained by calculating the correlation value at a scroll speed set in advance by an examiner (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital scan converter 3 of the present embodiment.
Is an A / D converter (conversion means), 6 is a digital signal processing circuit (output control means), 7 is an image memory, 8 is a D / A converter, 9 is a memory A (received data storage means), 10 is Correlation processing means (correlation value calculation means), 11 indicates a memory B (correlation value storage means). However, the arrows shown in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of image data between the correlation processing means 10 and the memory B11.

In FIG. 2, the A / D converter 5 is a well-known A / D converter.
A / D converter converts an analog echo signal output from the ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 2 into digital echo data. The digital signal processing circuit 6 includes a memory A
9, a circuit comprising a memory B11 and a correlation processing means 10, which calculates a correlation value of the echo data and outputs the correlation value.

The image memory 7 is a known image memory.
The echo data to be stored so as to be at the scroll speed designated by the examiner is output. The D / A converter 8 is a well-known D / A.
The converter converts echo data output from the image memory 7 into an analog video signal and outputs the analog video signal to a display unit. The memory A9 is, for example, a well-known FIFO memory for two data, stores echo data output from the A / D converter 5 in the output order, and stores the echo data in the same order as the stored echo data. Output to correlation processing means.

The correlation processing means 10 comprises a memory A9 and a memory B
This is a means for calculating a correlation value of the echo data output from the information processing apparatus 11 and is realized by, for example, a program operating on a known information processing apparatus. The equation for calculating the correlation value is, for example, Equation 1 below.

[0025]

## EQU1 ## Correlation value = ax / (a + b) + by / (a + b) where x is the output value of the memory A9, y is the output value of the memory B11, and a and b are the correlation ratios.

In the present embodiment, the correlation ratios indicated by a and b are stored in, for example, a well-known ROM (not shown), and the examiner selects an appropriate correlation ratio from among them, or The user may directly input the correlation value. The memory B11 is a well-known storage unit for sequentially storing a calculation result output from the correlation processing unit 10, that is, a correlation value.
For example, it can be realized by using a known semiconductor memory.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an example of measured values of the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows an operation chart for explaining the operation of the digital signal processing circuit 6.
The operation of the digital signal processing circuit according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As is clear from FIG. 3, the measured value at this time is a single beam scroll image having a pixel value of 64. In particular, FIG. 3 shows that the measured value and the scroll speed at the time of display are 1 : 1 indicates the display value. Also, (1), (2)... (15) shown in FIG. 3 indicate the scroll order at the time of display, that is, the conversion order of the A / D converter 5. The short arrows indicate the sampling points of the echo data for display, and the places where the numbers are not entered are all 0.
(Zero).

On the other hand, the scroll signal shown in FIG. 4 is a signal for reading out display data from the digital signal processing circuit. In this embodiment, when the scroll signal is at a low level, the correlation signal is low. The processing means 10 is reset. The captured signal is, for example, the probe 1
Is a signal for instructing the A / D converter 5 to start the conversion to convert the echo signal, which is the reflected wave received in the above, into echo data, which is a digital signal. Further, in the present embodiment, in synchronization with the fetch signal, the measured value is written into the memory A9, the measured value is read from the memory A9, the correlation value is written into the memory B11, and the memory B11 is written.
Then, the correlation value before one scroll is output to the correlation processing unit 10 and the calculation of the correlation value by the correlation processing unit 10 is executed. The image memory input indicates image data for a so-called scroll image which is read from the memory B11 and output to the image memory 7.

FIG. 4 shows a case where the reading scroll speed of the measured value, that is, the display scroll speed is set to 1/3.

First, when a capture signal is input at time t1 in FIG. 4, the correlation processing means 10 is reset. At this time, since the scroll signal is input together with the capture signal, the measured value (1) is stored in the memory A9 from the A / D conversion means 5.
And the measured value (1) is stored in the correlation processing unit 1
Input to 0. On the other hand, since no value has been stored in the memory B11, for example, 0 (zero) is read from the memory B11 as an initial value, and
Is input to

Here, since the correlation processing means 10 calculates the correlation value immediately after the input of the scroll signal, the measurement value (1) output from the memory A9 is output as it is, and the measurement value (1) Is stored in the memory B11 as a correlation value.

Next, when the capture signal is input at time t2, the measured value (2) output from the A / D conversion means 5
Are once read out immediately after being stored in the memory A9 and output to the correlation processing means 10. On the other hand, from the memory B11, the previous scroll timing, that is, the time t
The correlation value [(1)] stored at 1 to t2 is read out,
It is output to the correlation processing means 10. Here, the correlation processing unit 10 calculates a correlation value [(1), (2)] between the measurement value (2) input from the memory A9 and the correlation value [(1)] one scroll before input from the memory B11. ] And outputs the calculation result to the memory B11. Memory B11
Stores the correlation value [(1), (2)], and ends the processing at this timing (t2 to t3).

Next, when a capture signal is input at time t3, the measured value (3) output from the A / D conversion means 5
Are once read out immediately after being stored in the memory A9 and output to the correlation processing means 10. On the other hand, the memory B1
From 1, the timing before one scroll, that is, time t
The correlation value [(1), (2)] stored between 2 and t3 is read out and output to the correlation processing means 10. here,
The correlation processing means 10 calculates the value (3) input from the memory A9 and the value [(1),
(2)] and calculates the correlation value [(1), (2), (3)], and outputs the calculated value to the memory B11. Here, the memory B11 stores the correlation value [(1), (2), (3)], and ends the calculation at this timing (t3 to t3).
t4).

Next, at time t4, the time t
As in the case of 1, when the scroll signal and the capture signal are input, first, the correlation values [(1), (2), (3)], which are the latest calculated values, are output from the memory B11 to the image memory 7. Are stored in the image memory 7. At this time, the correlation values [(1), (2), (3)] stored in the image memory 7
Is displayed on the display device 4 as a scroll image. At this time, the correlation processing means 10 is reset by the scroll signal.

Next, the measured value (4) output from the A / D conversion means 5 is temporarily stored in the memory A by the input signal.
9 is read immediately after being stored in the correlation processing means 1
Output to 0. On the other hand, the correlation value [(1), (2), (3)] stored at the timing one scroll before, that is, between times t3 and t4, is read from the memory B11 and output to the correlation processing means 10. You. Here, since the correlation processing means 10 is reset by the scroll signal a in the same manner as at the time t1, the correlation processing means 10 relates to the correlation values [(1), (2), (3)] input from the memory B11. Instead, the measurement value (4) input from the memory A9 is output as the correlation value [(4)]. Therefore, the memory B11
Stores the measured value (4) as the correlation value [(4)] and ends the calculation at this timing (t4 to t5).

Thereafter, the digital signal processing circuit 6 calculates the correlation value at the scroll speed indicated by the examiner and outputs the correlation value by repeatedly executing the above-mentioned operations from t2 to t5.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a calculation method when the measured values shown in FIG. 3 are set to a correlation ratio of 3: 1.
Based on the above, an example of calculation based on the operation chart shown in FIG. 4 will be specifically described. However, in FIG. 5, the pixel column in the column direction indicates a column of pixels for one scroll, and the pixel in the row direction indicates each pixel for each scroll.

First, during the period from time t11 to time t12, the pixel value of the first pixel in the first column and in the row direction (hereinafter, referred to as pixel (1, 1)) is stored in the memory A9 by the correlation processing means 10. Is output to On the other hand, for example, 0 (zero) set as the initial value of the beam memory 11 is read from the memory B11 and output to the correlation processing means 10. The correlation processing means 10 calculates the pixel value 6 read from the memory A9.
4 and a pixel value 0 read from the memory B11, the correlation processing unit 10 calculates the correlation value immediately after the start of the measurement and the pixel immediately after the input of the scroll signal. The pixel value 64 read from A9 is output as a correlation value. The output of the correlation processing means 10 is stored in the memory B11.

Similarly, during the period from time t12 to time t13, the correlation processing means 10 sets the pixel value of the pixel (1, 2) output from the memory A9 to 0 (zero) and the memory B
From 0 (zero) output from 11, the pixel value 0 output from the memory A9 is output as a correlation value. The output value is stored in the memory B11 as a correlation value.

The processing described above is performed on all the pixels in the first pixel column, and the calculation of the time t1 to t2 shown in FIG. 4 is completed. Thereafter, when a capture signal is input, a correlation value for the second pixel column is calculated.

First, the pixel (2, 1) is read from the memory A9.
Is output. On the other hand, from the memory B11, the correlation value for the first column calculated immediately before, that is, the first pixel value of the pixel column one scroll before, is 64.
Is output. The correlation processing means 10 calculates a correlation value based on the above-described equation (1). The correlation value at this time is (3
/ (3 + 1)) × 0 + (1 / (3 + 1)) × 64 = 16
Becomes The memory B11 stores the correlation value 16 in the pixel (2,
It is stored as the correlation value of 1) (t21 to t22).

Next, 64, which is the pixel value of the pixel (2, 2), is output from the memory A9. On the other hand, the memory B11 outputs 0, which is the second correlation value of the pixel row calculated immediately before. The correlation processing means 10 calculates the correlation value ((3 / (3 + 1)) × 64 + (1 /
(3 + 1)) × 0 = 48) is calculated and output. The memory B11 stores the correlation value 48 as a correlation value of the pixel (2, 2) (t22 to t23).

Next, 0, which is the pixel value of the pixel (2, 3), is output from the memory A9. On the other hand, a pixel value 0 which is a correlation value of the pixel (1, 3) is also output from the memory B11. Therefore, the correlation processing unit 10 outputs the correlation value 0, and the correlation value 0 is stored in the memory B11 as the correlation value of the pixel (2, 3) (t23 to t24). For the second pixel thereafter, the correlation value is calculated in the same manner as the pixel (2, 3), and the correlation value is stored in the beam memory 11 described later (t24 to t31).

Next, when the capture signal is input at t31, the pixel (3, 1) is input similarly to the pixel in the second column described above.
, The pixel values and the correlation values are sequentially input to the correlation processing means 10, and the correlation values calculated based on Equation 1 are stored in the memory B.
11 and stored (t31 to t41).

Next, when both the scroll signal and the capture signal are input at t41, the memory A9 stores the pixels (4, 4) as the first pixel in the fourth column as described above.
The pixel value 0 of 1) is output. On the other hand, the memory B11 outputs 4, which is the correlation value of the pixel (3, 1) in the third column.
At this time, since the scroll signal is input, the output value of the memory B11, that is, the correlation value is transferred to the image memory 7 and stored. On the other hand, the correlation processing unit 10 calculates the pixel row immediately after the input of the scroll signal.
The pixel value 0 input from the memory A9 is output as a correlation value. Therefore, 0 is stored as a correlation value in the memory B11 (t41 to t42).

Subsequent pixels (4, 2), pixels (4, 3) ...
Also, since the correlation processing unit 10 outputs the pixel value output from the memory A9 to the memory B11 as a correlation value, the value is stored in the memory B11 as a correlation value. The value output from the memory B11 (correlation value of each pixel in the third column) is output to the image memory 7 and stored.
By repeatedly performing the calculation of the correlation value and the output of the correlation value together with the input of the measurement value, the correlation value is output to the display device 4.

FIG. 6 shows a display state of the display device 4 at this time. In contrast to the case where pixels having discontinuous display by the conventional ultrasonic device shown in FIG. 7 are arranged, FIG. Since pixels having pixel values of 4, 12, and 48 are continuously displayed, the visibility of the examiner can be improved.

FIG. 8 shows the correlation values stored in the memory B11. As is clear from FIG.
As the correlation value immediately after the scroll signal is input, the measured value is stored as it is, and the correlation value used for display, that is, the correlation value output to the image memory 7, is the difference between the measured value and the immediately preceding scroll direction measured value. Since the correlation value is a correlation value with the correlation value, there is also an effect that calculation addition of the correlation value by the correlation processing unit 10 can be reduced.

However, in FIG. 8, the correlation value is 0 (zero).
No numbers are written in the places where In the digital signal processing circuit 6 of the present embodiment, the measured value output from the A / D converter 5 is temporarily stored in the memory A9, and the measured value is immediately read. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of arithmetic units are provided in the correlation processing unit 10, and the measured values (pixel values) are output from the memories A9 and B11 for each column, and the correlation for each pixel is output. It is needless to say that the calculation time required for the correlation processing can be shortened by calculating the values in parallel.

As described above, in the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the measurement speed of the ultrasonic wave is lower than the scroll speed at the time of display, the measurement value calculated by the correlation processing means 10 and the measurement value By calculating the correlation value with the value and outputting the correlation value to the image memory 7 as display data, the continuity of the measurement data displayed on the display device 4 can be maintained. The visibility of the two-dimensional Doppler image can be improved.

Therefore, it is possible to improve the diagnostic efficiency of the examiner. In the above description, the reading scroll speed of the measured value, that is, the display scroll speed is set to 1 /
The operation has been described for the case where the display scroll speed is set to 3, but the case where the display scroll speed is set to 1/4 will now be described. However, the correlation ratio in this case is 3: 1 as described above.

First, FIG. 9 shows an operation chart for explaining the operation of the digital signal processing circuit 6. Hereinafter, the present embodiment in the case where the display scroll speed is set to 1/4 based on FIGS. The operation of the digital signal processing circuit according to the embodiment will be described. However, the display scroll speed is 1
Even when set to / 4, the times t1 to t4 are the same as when the display scroll speed is 1/3. Therefore, the operation after t4 will be described here.

When the capture signal is input at time t4,
The measured value (4) output from the A / D converter 5 is temporarily stored in the memory A9, immediately read out, and output to the correlation processor 10. On the other hand, from the memory B11, the timing before one scroll, that is, time t3 to t
Correlation values stored between 4 [(1), (2), (3)]
Is read out and output to the correlation processing means 10. Here, the correlation processing means 10 calculates the value (4) input from the memory A9 and the value [(1),
(2), (3)] and the correlation value [(1), (2),
(3), (4)], and outputs the calculated value to the memory B11. Here, the memory B11 stores the correlation values [(1), (2), (3), (4)], and ends the calculation at this timing (t4 to t5).

Next, at time t5, similarly to time t1, when the scroll signal and the capture signal are input,
First, the correlation value [(1), (2), (3), (4)], which is the latest calculated value, is output from the memory B11 to the image memory 7 and stored in the image memory 7. At this time, the correlation values [(1), (2),
(3), (4)] are displayed on the display device 4 as scroll images. At this time, the correlation processing means 10 is reset by the scroll signal.

Next, the measured value (5) output from the A / D conversion means 5 is temporarily stored in the memory A by the input signal.
9 is read immediately after being stored in the correlation processing means 1
Output to 0. On the other hand, the correlation value [(1), (2), (3), (4)] stored at the timing one scroll before, that is, between times t4 and t5, is read from the memory B11, It is output to 10. here,
Since the correlation processing means 10 has been reset by the scroll signal a, it is input from the memory A9 regardless of the correlation values [(1), (2), (3), (4)] input from the memory B11. The measured value (5) is used as the correlation value [(5)].
Output as Therefore, the memory B11 stores the measurement value (5) as the correlation value [(5)], and ends the calculation at this timing (t5 to t6).

Thereafter, the digital signal processing circuit 6 calculates the correlation value at the scroll speed designated by the examiner (not shown) and outputs the correlation value by repeatedly executing the above-mentioned operations from t2 to t6.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a calculation method when the measured values shown in FIG. 3 are set to a correlation ratio of 3: 1. Hereinafter, based on FIG. 10, calculation based on the operation chart shown in FIG. 9 will be described. An example will be specifically described. However, in FIG. 10, the pixel row in the column direction indicates a row of pixels for one scroll, and the pixel in the row direction indicates each pixel for each scroll.

However, the calculation up to the calculation of the correlation value for the third pixel row is the same as the case where the roll speed to be displayed is set to 1/3. The calculation will be described. When a scroll signal is input at time t41, a correlation value for the fourth pixel column is calculated.

First, the pixel (4, 1) is read from the memory A9.
Is output. On the other hand, the memory B11 outputs 4 which is the correlation value for the first column calculated immediately before, that is, the first pixel value of the pixel column one scroll before. Therefore, the correlation processing unit 10 calculates a correlation value based on the above-described Expression 1. The correlation value at this time is (3 / (3 + 1)) × 0 + (1 / (3 + 1)) ×
4 = 1. The memory B11 stores the correlation value 1 as the correlation value of the pixel (4, 1) (t41 to t4).
2).

Next, 0, which is the pixel value of the pixel (4, 2), is output from the memory A9. On the other hand, from the memory B11, 1 which is the second correlation value of the pixel row calculated immediately before is 1
2 is output. Therefore, the correlation processing means 10 calculates the correlation value ((3 / (3 + 1)) × 0
+ (1 / (3 + 1)) × 12 = 3) is calculated and output. The memory B11 stores the correlation value 3 as the correlation value of the pixel (4, 2) (t42 to t43).

Next, 0, which is the pixel value of the pixel (4, 3), is output from the memory A9. On the other hand, a pixel value 48 which is a correlation value of the pixel (3, 3) is also output from the memory B11. Therefore, the correlation processing means 10 calculates the correlation value ((3 /
(3 + 1)) × 0 + (1 / (3 + 1)) × 48 = 12)
And the correlation value 12 is stored in the memory B11 as the pixel (4,
The correlation value of 3) is stored (t43 to t44).

Next, the memory A9 outputs 64, which is the pixel value of the pixel (4, 4). On the other hand, a pixel value 0 which is a correlation value of the pixel (3, 4) is also output from the memory B11. Therefore, the correlation processing means 10 calculates the correlation value ((3 /
(3 + 1)) × 64 + (1 / (3 + 1)) × 0 = 48)
And the correlation value 48 is stored in the memory B11 as the pixel (4,
4) is stored as the correlation value (t44 to t45).

Next, 0, which is the pixel value of the pixel (4, 5), is output from the memory A9. On the other hand, a pixel value 0, which is a correlation value of the pixels (3, 5), is also output from the memory B11. Therefore, the correlation processing means 10 outputs the correlation value 0, and the correlation value 0 is stored in the memory B11 as the correlation value of the pixel (4, 5) (t45 to t46). Correlation values are calculated for the subsequent pixels in the same manner as for the pixels (4, 5), and the correlation values are stored in the beam memory 11 described later (t46 to t51).

Next, when both the scroll signal and the capture signal are input at t51, as described above, the memory A9 stores the first pixel (5, 5) in the fifth column.
The pixel value 0 of 1) is output. On the other hand, the memory B11 outputs 1 which is the correlation value of the pixel (4, 1) in the third column.
At this time, since the scroll signal is input, the output value of the memory B11, that is, the correlation value is transferred to the image memory 7 and stored. On the other hand, the correlation processing unit 10 calculates the pixel row immediately after the input of the scroll signal.
The pixel value 0 input from the memory A9 is output as a correlation value. Therefore, 0 is stored as a correlation value in the memory B11 (t41 to t42).

Subsequent pixels (5, 2), pixels (5, 3) ...
Also, since the correlation processing unit 10 outputs the pixel value output from the memory A9 to the memory B11 as a correlation value, the value is stored in the memory B11 as a correlation value. The value output from the memory B11 (correlation value of each pixel in the fourth column) is output to the image memory 7 and stored.

The correlation value is output to the display device 4 by repeating the above-described calculation of the correlation value and the output of the correlation value together with the input of the measured value. FIG. 11 shows a display state of the display device 4 at this time, and pixels in which display by the conventional ultrasonic device has no continuity when the display scroll speed shown in FIG. On the other hand, in FIG. 11, the pixels having the pixel values of 1, 3, 12, and 48 are continuously displayed in FIG. 11, so that the visibility of the examiner can be improved.

FIG. 13 shows the correlation values stored in the memory B11. As is apparent from FIG. 13, as for the correlation value immediately after the scroll signal is input, the measured value is stored as it is. Since the correlation value used for display, that is, output to the image memory 7, is the correlation value between the measured value and the correlation value of the immediately preceding scroll direction measurement value, the correlation value by the correlation processing means 10 is used. There is also an effect that addition of calculation of a value can be reduced. However, in FIG.
No number is entered where the correlation value is 0 (zero).

In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the display scroll speed is 1/3 and 1/4 and the correlation ratio is 3: 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It goes without saying that the present invention is applicable even when the speed and the correlation ratio are set to other values. As described above, the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the invention, and does not depart from the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that various changes can be made in.

[0070]

The effects obtained by typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows. (1) In an ultrasonic apparatus, visibility of an M-mode image and a one-dimensional Doppler image can be improved. (2) The diagnostic efficiency of the examiner in the ultrasonic device can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital scan converter 3 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of measured values of the ultrasonic device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation chart for explaining the operation of the digital signal processing circuit of the present embodiment when the display scroll speed is set to 1/3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a calculation method in the correlation processing unit of the present embodiment when the display scroll speed is set to 1/3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display state in the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment when the display scroll speed is set to ３.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display state in a conventional ultrasonic apparatus when a display scroll speed is set to １ ／.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a correlation value stored in the memory B of the present embodiment when the display scroll speed is set to １ ／.

FIG. 9 is an operation chart for explaining the operation of the digital signal processing circuit of the present embodiment when the display scroll speed is set to １ ／.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a calculation method in the correlation processing unit of the present embodiment when the display scroll speed is set to ４.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display state in the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment when the display scroll speed is set to ４.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display state in a conventional ultrasonic apparatus when a display scroll speed is set to １ ／.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a correlation value stored in the memory B of the present embodiment when the display scroll speed is set to ４.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 probe 2 ultrasonic transmission / reception control circuit 3 digital scan converter 4 display device 5 A / D converter 6 digital signal processing circuit 7 image memory 8 D / A converter 9 memory A 10 correlation processing means 11 memory B

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, a conversion unit for converting each of the ultrasonic signals received by the ultrasonic transducer into a digital signal, and an output value of the conversion unit Receiving data storage means for storing the received data, output control means for reading and outputting the received data stored in the received data storage means in a predetermined order according to the scroll speed of the display, and An ultrasonic apparatus having display means for displaying an ultrasonic image, wherein the output control means calculates a correlation value for each of the received data, and a correlation value storage for storing the correlation value And an output unit that outputs a correlation value stored in a correlation value storage unit as an output value to the display unit according to a scroll speed of the display.