JPS6039557A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten a measurement time, and also to execute easily a measuring operation by installing in advance probes of a necessary number at a prescribed position on the outside circumference of an object to be measured, and executing a measurement by switching successively transmission and reception of these probes. CONSTITUTION:Probes 21a-28a, 21b-28b are made to contact by pressing to points P0-P7, P'0-P'7 in order shown in the figure, in the circumference of an object to be measured shown by a section 1. In switching devices 12-14, a contact switching is executed basing on signals G1-G3 from a switching control circuit 15. A signal C1 and a signal C2 are a receiving signal and a transmitting signal, respectively. By switching suitably the switching devices 12-14, a propagation time in the diameter opposed position of the object to be measured 1, a propagation time in a 90 deg. position, and a propagation time in 22.5 deg. position are measured, and a shape and a position of a defective part are detected basing on a ratio of this measured value and a reference propagation time measured value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that uses ultrasonic waves to diagnose the shape and position of a defect inside an object to be measured.

Conventional devices for diagnosing the inside of a measured object can diagnose defects by detecting ultrasonic echoes, and ultrasonic CT devices can diagnose defects by detecting the attenuation constant distribution and sound velocity distribution of the transmitted ultrasound. Therefore, in these devices, it is necessary to use ultrasonic waves with good straightness, that is, ultrasonic waves of high frequency (for example, IM l-1z or higher).

However, since high-frequency ultrasound has a short wavelength, it is highly attenuated within the object to be measured, and therefore requires a high output power. Furthermore, if the object to be measured is a material that has extremely high attenuation of ultrasonic waves, such as wood or plastic,
This requires an ultrasonic generator that outputs a larger output than when using metals, making the device extremely expensive and having the disadvantage that it is difficult to popularize it in general.

On the other hand, relatively low frequency ultrasound (50Kl-lz~1
If you use the ultrasonic wave (approximately 0.00 KHz) and use the propagation delay caused by the defect without placing much emphasis on the straightness of the ultrasonic wave, you will have to sacrifice some accuracy, but it will save time because high output is not required. This is extremely advantageous in terms of flow. The relationship between this delay station and the length of the defective part is experimentally determined in advance.
In reality, there is a device that estimates only the length of the defective part from an experimental formula by measuring the delay between +I (l
For example, Wood Tester WT, D-II (Eibi Denshi Co., Ltd.), Concrete Tester (Super Blind Wave) Nigyo Co., Ltd.).

However, these devices have the function of It is difficult to image defects on the surface, and therefore, there is a drawback that it is difficult to provide effective information for subsequent repairs or recovery measures.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has previously proposed a method for sonic diagnosis 111i that can detect both the shape and position of a defect using relatively low-frequency ultrasound, and thus enables imaging of the defect. Applied for the device (N patent application No. 58-71995)
Dan). This device is applied to the detection of internal decay at the head office, and the following describes the IC case as an example.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of this water column decay diagnosis device. In this figure, reference numeral 1 does not indicate a measurement cross section of the object to be measured (in this case, a wooden utility pole).

On the outer periphery of this measuring station surface 1, there are an ultrasonic transmitting probe 2a using a Langevin type transducer and a receiving probe 2b.
and are placed. The synchronization signal generator 3 is a circuit that generates a synchronization signal for measuring the propagation time of ultrasonic waves. This synchronization signal is used to drive the probe 2a, such as the transmitter 4, etc.
The reference clock generator 5 is activated. The ultrasonic waves generated by the probe 2a driven by the transmitter 4 are always radiated toward the center of the measurement cross section 1.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic waves arriving from the direction of the center are transmitted to the probe 2.
b and is supplied to the receiver 6. Further, the reference clock generated by the reference clock generator 5 is truncated by the number nl by the counter 7 until the receiver 6 detects reception of the ultrasonic wave. Therefore, this counter 7 outputs a count value corresponding to the time (propagation time) required for the ultrasonic wave to propagate through the measurement section 1. The part explained above, that is, the part indicated by the symbol A, is a measuring means in this invention and is a known technique. The count value, that is, the measurement value of the propagation time is read by the microcomputer 8. This microcomputer 8 includes a RAM 8a that stores a reference propagation time to, which will be described later, etc., a ROM 8b, which stores programs, etc. for performing various calculations, which will be described later, and controls a graphic display 9 or a printer 10! 1
A protrusion control section 8C and the like are provided for controlling the protrusion. At least one of the graphic display 9 and the printer 10 is provided to visualize the shape, position, etc. of the decayed part in the measurement section 1 determined by the microcomputer 8.

The measurement procedure and the operation of the microcomputer 8 in this embodiment will be explained below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

(1) Measurement of the reference propagation time gt4 The propagation time is the ultrasonic propagation time in a normal part of the utility pole (a part without defects), and in this example, the ultrasonic wave passing through the diameter of the utility pole is Propagation 14 based on propagation time
It is closed by 1°. This is the reference propagation time. The measurement is performed as follows. That is, the transmitting probe 2a is brought into contact with one point on the outer surface of the relatively upper part of the telephone pole so that the ultrasonic wave is emitted in a direction toward the center of the telephone pole, and the transmitting probe 2a and the center of the telephone pole are brought into contact with each other. The receiving probe 2b is brought into contact with the receiving probe 2b at a position facing each other through the probe 2a, and the ultrasonic propagation time t between the two parts is
. Measure. This measurement result is stored in the RAM 8a within the microcomputer 8, as shown in step S1 in FIG. The reason why this measurement is performed on a relatively small portion of a utility pole is that the base of a utility pole usually rots, and the top rarely rots.

(2) Propagation time ratio R of Jj k at the diametrically opposite position of the utility pole
Measurement of t1 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hypothetical measurement cross section 1 obtained by cutting a utility pole horizontally, and the reference numeral H in this figure indicates a decayed part (defect part). In addition, this part 3 was artificially created and measured for the purpose of experiment. Also, in this figure, there is J3,
Straight line 0. -e+...Jl is each measurement cross section 1
It is a straight line that passes through the center point Q of , and forms an angle of 22.5° with the adjacent straight lines.

In the measurement of this item (2), first, point Po shown in the figure
LJ'3J: At point P, the transmitting probe 2a and the receiving probe 2b are brought into contact with the outside of the telephone pole. -p′0 Ultrasonic propagation time [1-o is measured, then ・P+ −P
'+, P2-P'2...P7-P' y
The ultrasonic propagation time between 1-1 and 1-7 is measured sequentially. Each of these stories! 115 minutes -. ~t1-7 is
The data is stored in the RAM 8a of the microcomputer 8 in step s2 of FIG.

Next, as shown in step s3 of FIG. 2, the microcomputer 8 calculates these measurement results and the reference propagation time described above. Ratio (%) R[+ −.

~Rut-7 can be calculated. In this case, straight line) 0°Jl・
... does not pass through the decayed part H (for example, a straight line, 12.43, etc.), then this propagation time ratio Rj+ is 10
0%, and on the other hand, when passing through a decayed section 1 (for example, straight line 1o, 47, etc.), this propagation time ratio Rt+ exceeds 100%. Next, the microcomputer 8, as shown in step S4 of FIG.
The length f of the decayed part H is calculated from the value of the propagation time ratio RL1 exceeding .

The length f of this decayed portion 1-1 is calculated as follows.

However, decayed areas of various sizes were artificially prepared in advance.
-Prepare round-cut wood, and use these round-cut wood to calculate the ratio of the rotten part (diameter length f of the rotten part)
In other words, a decay degree curve showing the relationship between the decay length ratio RJ) and the propagation time ratio RIl+ is drawn.1. Then, calculate the length of "decayed part 1" based on this decay degree curve. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a decay degree curve, in which the vertical axis d3 is the propagation time ratio R (1), and the horizontal axis is the decay length ratio 11.

This decay curve is RJ=((R[+100)/1.3)""...
...(1) It is approximated by the following formula.

Therefore, when the propagation time ratio RE+ is, for example, 200%, the decay length ratio R,! Doji obtained 17%, and as a result,
The length f of the rotten part 1-1 is (diameter D of utility pole) x 0.17
It is regarded as

(3) Measurement of the ratio Rt2 between propagation 11S at the 90° position In the measurement of item (2) mentioned above, the decayed part 1-1 is aligned with the straight line J. , Jl... It is not possible to specify where it is located on the top. Therefore, in the measurement of item (3), the decayed part H is a straight line P. Is it in the first quadrant divided by Q and straight line P4Q?
is in the second quadrant divided by Q, or the straight line P',
It is detected whether it is in the third quadrant divided by straight line P' 4 Q and J, or in the first quadrant divided by straight line P'aQ and straight line PoQ. )5
, First, the transmitting probe 2a is brought into contact with the point Pa so that the ultrasonic waves are radiated toward the center point Q, and the receiving probe 2b is brought into contact with the point P4, so that the transmitting probe 2a is brought into contact with the point sound wave 111t
Measure 2-1 between ffT. And this propagation time [
2-1 is read into the ``microphone 1'' computer 8 as shown in step S5 of FIG. Next, the microcombinator 8 calculates the propagation time ratio RUz-+ by dividing this measurement result by the reference propagation time to, as shown in step 86 of FIG. Similarly, point P4 P'
Measure the propagation time ratios RE2-2 to Rj2-4 between points pl, pl, and points P'A and Po.

In this case, the propagation time ratio R12-21RL2-s is 92% in the second and third quadrants where there are no decayed parts, and in the first and fourth quadrants where there are decayed parts H, the propagation time ratio RI2- +, RI2-4 becomes a value exceeding 92%. 'l' 4, the microcomputer 8
As shown in step S7 in the figure, the propagation time ratio RL2 is 92.
The presence or absence of decayed parts is determined by whether or not the percentage exceeds %.

Note that the value of 92% can be determined by preliminarily measuring areas with no decayed parts.

(4) Measurement of propagation time ratio RLa at 22.5° position In the measurement of item (4), the distance l! from the outer peripheral surface of the utility pole to the rotten part H! 1 (depth) d (Figure 3). First, the straight line Ja, the throat line, which corresponds to the maximum value among the measured values obtained in the above-mentioned section (2).
Detects... In the example shown in FIG.
Direct FII47 is detected.

Next, in the quadrant ° (first and fourth quadrants) detected by the measurement in item (3) above, the white line j7 and the measurement cross section 1 are
A point P'7 is obtained which intersects and overlaps the outer circumferential line of .

Next, the transmitting probe 2a is brought into contact with this point P'7 so that the ultrasonic wave is radiated toward the center point Q, and the receiving probe 2b is brought into contact with the point 1 adjacent to the point P'7. ]0 or point P' 6
(22,5° position), the ultrasonic propagation time (3) is measured between points p'71]o or between points P'7 and P'6. Step S
9, the propagation time ratio Rj3 is calculated by dividing this measurement result by the reference propagation time [O. Then, the micro-1 amplifier 8 calculates the distance Md@g? from this propagation time ratio Rt3, as shown in step 810 in FIG. put out That is, a characteristic curve showing the relationship between the distance d from the outer circumferential surface of the rotten part and the propagation time ratio Ria between approximately 22.5 degrees is prepared by using sliced wood having various rotten parts in advance. Then, the distance ll1lId is obtained based on this characteristic curve. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of this characteristic curve, in which the vertical axis represents the propagation time ratio Rj s and the horizontal axis represents the distance d from the outer peripheral surface.

This characteristic curve is d = 70/ (Rt 3-28) (2
) is approximated by the formula.

Therefore, when the propagation time ratio is, for example, 60%, the distance d=
1on+m is obtained. In addition, if the water column is normal, 22
．． The propagation time ratio Rj3 between the 5° positions is about 30%.

(5) Determining the shape and position of the decayed part The length and distance d of the line molecule + to [5 shown in FIG. 3 are calculated through each of the above steps. Therefore, the microcomputer 8 calculates the length r between the midpoint R and the center point Q of the line molecule 1 as shown in step S11 in FIG. Draw a circle that covers the line segment [I
〜Determine the position of 5 (the position on the straight lines Jy, Js...), and determine the shape of the Hru decayed part as the envelope at both ends of each of these line segments (steps in Figure 2). 512). Then, the microcomputer 8 outputs the envelope, etc. to the graphic display 9 or printer 10 and converts it into an image (step 513 in FIG. 2).
Tree 1! If the outer periphery of trees, etc. has healed and decayed parts, highly accurate approximations can be made using the method described above. The location and shape of the decayed part 11 shown in Fig. 3 are determined by the process of , and the decayed part 1 is imaged based on the determination results. ! JIl+' shows good agreement with "decayed part 1". In addition, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the head office where the decayed area H+ has actually occurred, and Fig. 8 is the decay δ of the water column shown in Fig. 7]; This figure also shows that the image H'+ matches well with the decayed part 1-II. As described above, the above-mentioned device is extremely effective in actually detecting decayed parts. In addition, omitting the measurement of the distance 1111d (see Figure 3) of the rotten part from the outer circumferential surface of the utility pole No. 1-1, the outermost part of the rotten part is placed at a certain depth from the outer circumferential surface of the utility pole, for example, by measuring the diameter from the outer circumferential surface. 2% position). In fact, since most of the rotten parts of utility poles are near the outer circumferential surface and the remaining strength of utility poles is evaluated toward the lower end, a diagnosis on the safe side is possible and practical. In this case, the measurement at the 22.5° position in item (4) can be omitted.

Therefore, in the conventional device described above, (1) measurement of the reference propagation time (1 time), (2) measurement of the propagation time at diametrically opposed positions (8 times), (3) 9
Measurement of propagation time at o° position (4 times) (/1) Measurement of propagation time at 22.5 position (once) and 4-step measurements are performed.

In other words, if all measurements from <1> to (4) are performed, the total number of ill! A constant motion is required. However, making measurements by repeatedly touching the probe to the object to be measured in this way will not only cause the problem of lengthening [111] at the time of measurement, but also cause the measurement point to be usually located at the base of a utility pole (ground surface). (near the area), which worsens the posture of the person taking the measurement, resulting in the problem of tiring the person taking the measurement.

Therefore, the present invention provides a sonic diagnostic device [9i] that allows easy measurement operations and can perform measurements in a short time. The probes are installed at J3, and measurements are made by sequentially switching between transmitting and receiving these probes.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of essential parts of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is constructed by combining it with a circuit.

83 in FIG. 9, No. R 1 is the measurement cross section of the object to be measured (in this case, a wooden utility pole), No. 1v 21a to 28a, 21b to 2
8b are probes, and these probes 21a to 2
8a121b to 28b are each a point P on the measurement cross section 1 in advance.

"-P'y, P'o ~ P'7 are brought into contact in the order shown in the figure. Note that the point P.~P7゜P'o~1)'7
The positions of each are the same as those shown in FIG. Hunt 812
- 14 are switching devices in which contact switching is performed based on signals 01 to G3 from the switching control circuit 15, respectively, and switching device 1
2, terminals 12A-128 are connected based on signal G1.
, 12G-12D are connected respectively, or pπ child 1
2A-12D, 12(, -12B are connected respectively. Also, in the switch 13, based on the signal G2, the common terminal 1]1 is connected to either end 'F-13A to -13H, In the switch 14, the common terminal 141 is connected to any one of the terminals 14.A to 141-1 based on the signal 03.
The signal C+ obtained at 1 is supplied to the receiver 6 shown in FIG. 1, the output of the transmitter 4 shown in FIG. Switch (
The 211 circuit 15 is supplied with the control 11 signal CG from the microcomputer 8 and the reference clock OL from the reference clock generator 5.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, the switching operations applied to the switching devices 12 to 14 will be explained for each of the measurements in items (1) to (4,) described above. Note that this switching operation is performed under the control of the microcomputer 8 shown in FIG. That is, the microcomputer 8 reads the control procedure stored in advance in the ROM 8b, and according to the read result, switches the control number 18C to the switching i1i control open control 5.
Based on this control signal CC, the switching control circuit 15 sequentially outputs J ``J'Z>a to the switches 12 to 1/I.
It sequentially outputs signals G1 to G3 that control the switching of the three contacts.

(1) Measurement of reference propagation time 1o In this case, terminals 12A-12B of switch 12.

12C to 12D are connected to each other, and the common terminal 13i and terminal 13A of the switch 13 and the common terminal 1 of the switch 14 are connected to each other.
'1. The terminals 14A and 14A are connected to each other.

Thereby, the transmitter 4 is connected to the probe 211), and the receiver 6 is connected to the probe 21a. The person measuring the probe 21
A and 21b are respectively brought into contact with the upper part of the utility pole to make measurements.

(2) Propagation time ratio R℃1 at a position opposite to the diameter of the utility pole
In this case, first, the terminals 12A-12B, 1 of the switching device 12 are
2C-120 are connected to each other, and the common terminal 131 and terminal 13A of the switch 13 and the common terminal 14 of the switch 14 are connected to each other.
I and terminal 14A are respectively connected. As a result, the transmitter 4 and the probes 21b, 5, 6, and 21a are connected, and the propagation time between the probes 21a and 21m is measured. Next, the common terminal 131 of the switch 13 and the terminal 13
B, the common terminal 141 of the switching terminal 14 and the terminal 14B are respectively connected. As a result, the transmitter 4 and the probe 22a are connected, and the receiver 6 and the probe 22b are connected, respectively, and the probe 22a
, 22 m. Hereinafter, the common terminal 131 of the switch 13 and the terminals 13B to 13H1, the common terminal 14I of the switch 14, and the terminals 148 to 14H are sequentially connected to the J, S, probes 23a to 23b, 24.
a −24b , . . . The propagation time between 28a and 28b is sequentially measured.

(3) Measurement of propagation time ratio R12 at 90° position 83 In this case, first, terminals 12Δ-12B, 1
2G-120 are connected to each other, the common terminal 131 of the switch 13 is connected to the common terminal 13Δ, the common terminal 14I of the switch 14 is connected to the common terminal 14. E are connected to each other. As a result, the transmitter 4 probe 25a1 receiver 6 probe 21
The probes 218 and 25a are connected, and the propagation time between the probes 218 and 25a is measured. Next, in the switching devices 12 to 14, the 1
2A-12D, 12B-12C, 131-, 13Δ, 1
41-14E are connected, and the probes 25a, 2Ib
The propagation time between 12Δ−1213,
120-12D, 131'-13E, 141-14A are connected, the propagation time between the probes 21b and 25m is measured, and then 12Δ-12D, 12B-12G,
'131-13E, 11! Each connection of IJ-14A is made, and the propagation time between the probes 21a and 25m is measured.

(4) Measurement of propagation time ratio RL3 at 22.5° position, for example, points []'7 and P. When measuring the propagation time between the common terminal 13I and terminal 131 of the switch 13,
The common terminal 141 and the terminal 14D of the switch 14 are connected, respectively, and thereby the transmitter 4, the probe 24a1, the receiver 6, and the probe 25b are respectively connected. Also, points P' 7 and 1
The platform used to measure the propagation time between 16 meters and 13 meters is 130 meters.
141-140 are connected respectively. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, in a3, the probes 22a to 28aJ5 connected only to the transmitter 4 and the probes J'22b to 28b connected only to the receiver 6 are arranged alternately. Been a3,
Further, the probes 21a and 21b are respectively a transmitter 4 and a receiver 6.
can be connected together, thus making it possible to measure the propagation time between any adjacent probes.

In the J3 and above IC embodiments, the switch 12~
Although each switch 14 is automatically switched under computer control, each switch 12 to 14 may be switched manually. In addition, if the water column is built close to a wall, etc., the probe cannot be placed at any point.1. In such a case, the switch 13 and the switch 14
Connect the 1-phase probe directly to the transmitter 4.
, the receiver 6 may be connected so that manual diagnosis can be performed in the same manner as in the past.

As explained above, according to the present invention, a plurality of probes are brought into contact with the outer periphery of the object to be measured in advance, and these probes are sequentially and selectively connected to the transmitter J3 and the receiver. Since the ultrasonic propagation time is measured, the measurement operation becomes easy, and the fatigue of the operator can be reduced, which makes it possible to significantly shorten the measurement time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultra-blind wave diagnostic device that is the premise of this invention, and Fig. 2 explains the measurement procedure using the same 8 decoys and the operation of the microphone 1 computer 8 in the device. Fig. 3 is a measured cross-sectional view of a utility pole with a model rotten section, Fig. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the decayed length ratio RJ and the propagation time ratio R (+), and Fig. 5 is the distance A characteristic diagram showing the relationship between d and the propagation time ratio RU3, Fig. 6 is an example of a display image of the decayed part of Fig. 3 that is attached to the same device, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the decayed main office, Fig. 8 9 is an example of an image displayed by the same device at the same decaying headquarters, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the ultrasonic diagnostic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1. Measurement cross section, 4... Transmitter, 6.
...Receiver, 8...Microcomputer, 9...Graphic display, 10.
...Printer, 12-14...Switcher,
21a to 28a, 22a to 28a... probes. Applicant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation Figure 1 Library Figure 2 <+ /i Figure 3 Figure 6 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (a) Ultrasonic waves are transmitted in advance to the center of the measurement cross section by contacting both ends of a plurality of straight lines passing through the center of the measurement cross section of the object to be measured, or a plurality of probes that receive ultrasonic waves from the center direction of the measurement cross section; (b) a transmitter; (C) a receiver; (d) the transmitter and receiver are connected to the plurality of probes; (e) a memory for storing a reference propagation time required for the ultrasonic wave to propagate through a defect-free portion of the object to be measured; (f) one of the pair of probes on each straight line is used for transmission and the other for reception, and the propagation time between transmission and reception is measured at 1, and a plurality of sets of probes; (g) calculating means for calculating the length of the defective portion in the direction along the plurality of six lines in the measurement cross section from the propagation time measured for the pair and the reference propagation time; 1 = Select two probes within the area divided into multiple quadrants from among the multiple probes, one for transmission and the other. determining means for measuring between the propagation parts for reception, performing this measurement by switching sequentially for each quadrant, and determining the quadrant in which the defective part exists from each propagation time obtained as a result and the reference propagation time. (if) means for calculating and displaying the shape J3 and position of the defective portion in the measurement cross section based on the results of the calculation means and the determination means.