JPS62233151A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention uses a two-way mechanical scanning ultrasound probe to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from a subject, thereby obtaining ultrasound tomographic images in two directions. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays .

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ultrasonic probe described in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-236145 has been known as a mechanical scanning method for obtaining ultrasonic tomographic images in two directions. This ultrasonic probe displays a tomographic image of one plane within the subject on the same television monitor by operating an ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. In particular, the ultrasonic transducer is configured to perform scanning in two different directions, that is, in one direction and in a direction perpendicular to this,
It is clinically extremely effective to display ultrasound tomographic images in these directions on a television monitor so that they can be compared. As a circuit configuration for displaying ultrasonic tomographic images in two directions on the same television monitor, the one described in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-236133 is known. Hereinafter, a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays ultrasonic tomographic images from the two directions will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, 101 is an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic transducer 102 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and two of the ultrasonic transducers 102.
A first motor 103 for operating the ultrasonic transducer 102 in one direction during directional scanning, a second motor 104 for operating the ultrasonic transducer 102 in the other direction, and an ultrasonic transducer 102 driven by the first motor 103 A first potentiometer 105 outputs scanning angle information of the ultrasonic transducer 102 in the other direction, and a second potentiometer 106 outputs scanning angle information in the other direction of the ultrasonic transducer 102 driven by the second motor 104. Reference numeral 107 denotes a subject as a diagnostic object for which an ultrasound tomographic image is obtained; reference numeral 108 denotes a transmitter/receiver unit that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from the ultrasound transducer 102; and 109 converts the received signal obtained by the ultrasound transducer 102 into digital.
Φ converter, 110 is a buffer memory unit that linearly stores the A/D-converted received signal, 111 is a selector unit that switches between two outputs from the first potency 105 and the second potency 106, and 112 is a first motor 10
3 and a motor control unit that controls the operation of the second motor 104; 113 and 113 are operation units that externally designate the scanning direction of the ultrasonic transducer 102; and ] 14 is a first potentiometer;
05, or A and /D converters for digitally converting the output analog signal of the second potentiometer 106; 115, a timing generator 116 for generating timing for outputting an ultrasonic transmission signal to the ultrasonic transducer 102; a buffer memory write address generation section 11 which is composed of a counter etc. that operates in synchronization with the transmission timing signal and generates a write address for the buffer memory section 110;
Reference numeral 7 denotes a buffer memory read address generation unit that generates a read address for the buffer memory unit 110, and 118 denotes an X-Y graphic memory unit that stores two-dimensional received signals for displaying an ultrasound tomographic image on the television monitor 122. , 119 is an X-Y graphic memory write address generation section 1 composed of an adder etc. that generates a write address for the X-Y graphic memory section 118.
Reference numeral 20 denotes an X-Y graphic memory read address generation unit that generates a read address for the X-Y graphic memory unit 118, and 121 an analog generator for displaying the image signal output from the X-Y graphic memory unit 118 on the television monitor 122. A D/A converter 123 that converts the signal into a signal is a television timing generation section that generates timing for the television monitor 122 and the XY graphic memory read address generation section 120.

Next, the operation of the above conventional example will be explained. First, in synchronization with the transmission timing generated by the timing generating section 115, the transmitting/receiving section 108 generates a desired ultrasound transmission signal, converts it into ultrasound in the ultrasound camera 102, and transmits it to the subject 10.
7. The signal reflected within the subject 107 is received by the ultrasound probe 102, converted into an electrical signal, and transferred to the transmitter/receiver 108. One of two directions can be selected as the scanning direction of the ultrasonic transducer 102, and the selection is changed by a switch in the operation section 113. That is, the scanning direction is determined by the digital amount of the signal (a) output from the operation section 113. For example, when the signal (a) is 0, the ultrasonic transducer 102 is scanned in the direction in which the first motor 103 operates, and when the signal (al) is 1, the
The ultrasonic transducer 102 is caused to scan in the direction in which the motor 104 operates. The operation unit 113 can change the signal (a) to Ol or 1 manually, for example. The motor control unit 112 controls the operation of the first motor 103 or the second motor 104 based on the signal (a). That is, if the signal (a) is O, a drive voltage is output to the first motor 103 to operate it, and the second motor 103 is operated.
motor 104 stops. If signal (a) is 1, then
A drive voltage is output to the second motor 104 to operate it, and the first motor 103 is stopped.

Further, angle information corresponding to the scanning angle of the ultrasonic transducer 102 is stored at the first potentiometer 105 and the second potentiometer 106.
The selector unit 111 selects one of the signals (al) and outputs it to the A/D converter 114.
When the motor 103 is operating, the output of the first potentiometer 105 is output to the A/D converter 114, and the output of the second potentiometer 105 is output to the A/D converter 114.
When the motor 104 is operating, the output of the second potentiometer 106 is output to the A/D converter 114. A
The potentio output input to the /D converter 114 is converted into a digital signal in synchronization with the transmission timing signal generated by the timing generator 115 to generate an angle signal (c).

The received signal output from the transmitting/receiving section 108 is digitally converted by the A/D converter 109, and the received signal is converted into a digital signal in the buffer memory section 110, which corresponds to the address of the buffer memory write address generation section 116 synchronized with the transmission timing signal ('b). Write to the positions sequentially. The reception signal written in the buffer memory unit 110 is synchronized with the transmission timing signal (b), and is outputted in a period different from the buffer memory writing period to match the lattice arrangement of the X-Y graphic memory unit 118 based on the angle signal (C1). The received signal read out from the buffer memory section 110 is read out using the address generated by the buffer memory read address generation section 117.The received signal read out from the buffer memory section 110 is synchronized with the buffer memory read address generation section 117 and is read out based on the angle signal (C). The data is written to a desired location in the memory section 118.

For example, dividing the X-Y graphic memory section 118 into two equal parts,
A received signal in the direction determined by the first motor 103 is written in one, and a received signal in the direction determined by the second motor 104 is written in the other. The received signal written in the X-Y graphic memory section 118 is read out by the address of the X-Y graphic memory read address generation section 20, converted into analog by the D/A converter 21, and displayed as 2 on the television monitor 122. Display the ultrasound tomogram in the direction (
(See Figure 3A).

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the conventional configuration as described above, the television monitor 12
There was a problem in that the correspondence relationship in the scanning direction and the positional relationship between the two ultrasound tomographic images in two directions displayed on the screen were unclear.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and clarifies the correspondence and positional relationship between ultrasound tomographic images in two directions displayed on a television monitor, thereby improving clinical usefulness. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can perform the following functions.

Means for solving the problems and technical means of the present invention for solving the above problems include an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and a method for scanning this ultrasonic transducer in two different directions. an ultrasonic probe having two motors and a potentiometer, a control means for the motors, and a received signal from the ultrasonic transducer are stored in a graphic memory section, and an ultrasonic tomographic image in two directions is displayed on a television monitor. a display means for converting an address based on the output signal of the potentio; a ROM for storing dedicated display information; , a video memory section for displaying display information on the television monitor.

For production The effects of the above technical means are as follows.

That is, the motor is selectively driven by the motor control means, the ultrasonic transducer is scanned in two directions, the reception signal of the ultrasonic transducer is stored in the graphic memory section, and the ultrasonic tomographic images in the two directions are displayed on the television monitor. Display. On the other hand, ROM
The dedicated display information stored in the memory, that is, the display information indicating the correspondence relationship in the scanning direction and the display information indicating the positional relationship, are selected by the address conversion means based on the output signal of the potentio, and are written to the video memory section and displayed on the television monitor. Display. Therefore, it is possible to display ultrasonic tomographic images in two directions on a television monitor, and to display the correspondence and positional relationship between the ultrasonic tomographic images in these two directions.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to one drawing. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic transducer 2 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a first motor 3 that operates in one direction out of the two scanning directions of the ultrasonic transducer 2, and an ultrasonic transducer 2 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. Vibrator 2
a second motor 4 that operates the motor in the other direction, and a first motor 3 that operates the motor in the other direction.
A first potentiometer 5 outputs scanning angle information of the ultrasonic transducer 2 driven by the motor 4, and a second potentiometer 6 outputs scanning angle information of the ultrasound transducer 2 driven by the second motor 4. There is. Reference numeral 7 denotes a subject which is a diagnostic object for which an ultrasound tomographic image is obtained; 8 a transmitter/receiver unit that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from the ultrasound transducer 2; and 9 A that digitally converts the received signal obtained by the ultrasound transducer 2. /D converter; 10 is a buffer memory unit that one-dimensionally stores the A/D-converted received signal; 11;
12 is a motor control unit that controls the operation of the first motor 3 and second motor 4; 13 is an ultrasonic wave input from the outside; Operation 2 to specify the scanning direction of transducer 2
The 8th part and 14 are A/D converters for digitally converting the output analog signal of the first potentiometer 5 or the second potentiometer 6.
A D converter, 15 is a timing generation unit that generates a timing signal for outputting an ultrasound transmission signal to the ultrasound transducer 2, 16 is a counter that operates in synchronization with the transmission timing signal, etc., and a buffer memory unit 10 17 is a buffer memory read address generator that generates a read address for the buffer memory unit 10; 18 is a two-dimensional buffer memory read address generator for displaying an ultrasound tomographic image on the television monitor 22; An X-Y graphic memory write address generation section 20 is composed of an X-Y graphic memory section that stores received signals arranged in an array, and an adder 19 that generates a write address for the X-Y graphic memory section 18. X-Y graphic memory section] An X-Y graphic memory read address generation section 8 generates a read address; 23 is a TV timing generator that generates timing for the TV monitor 22 and the X-Y graphic memory read address generator 20, etc.; 24 is a TV timing generator that holds the output data of the A/D converter 14 at the specified timing; latch,
25 is a latch timing generator that generates the timing of the latch 24; 26 is an address converter that converts the data into a predetermined address based on the data of the latch 24; and 27 is a scanning direction display format and a positional relationship display format between ultrasound tomographic images. A ROM (read only memory) 28 that records address data groups is a video memory section for displaying scanning direction display and positional relationship display on the television monitor 22, and is equivalent to the display area of the X-Y graphic memory section 18. , or more area. Reference numeral 29 denotes a video memory read address generation section for displaying information stored in the video memory section 28 on the television monitor 22.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. The method of displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image using reflected waves from within the subject 7 received by the ultrasonic transducer 2 is the same as in the conventional example described above. That is, in synchronization with the transmission timing generated by the timing generating section 15, the transmitting/receiving section 8 generates a predetermined ultrasound transmission signal, converts it into an ultrasound in the ultrasound transducer 2, and propagates it into the subject 7.

The signal reflected within the subject 7 is received by the ultrasonic transducer 2 and converted into an electrical signal, passed through the transmitting/receiving section 8, and converted into a digital signal by the A/D comparator T9. As the scanning direction of the ultrasound sensor 2, one of two directions can be selected. The selection is made by scanning the ultrasonic transducer 2 in the direction in which the GL motor 3 operates if the output signal (a) of the operation unit 13 is O, and by scanning the ultrasonic transducer 2 in the direction in which the GL motor 3 operates, and if the output signal (a) is O, the second motor 4 The ultrasonic transducer 2 is scanned in the operating direction. That is, the output signal (motor control unit based on al) of the operation unit 13 outputs a signal (at
If is 1, a drive voltage is output to the second motor 4, and depending on the type of signal (a), only one of the motors 3 or 4 is operated, and the other is stopped. Information corresponding to the scanning angle of the ultrasonic transducer 2 is output from the first potentiometer, the fifth potentiometer, and the second potentiometer 6, and is selected by the selector section 11. The control signal to be selected depends on the signal (a) which is the output of the motor control section 12, and the control signal is selected depending on the operating motor 3 or 4.
Potency 5 or 6 corresponding to, for example, the signal (a
) is 0, the first potentiometer 5 is selected, and if the signal (a) is 1, the second potentiometer 6 is selected. Selector section 11
The potentio output selected in is input to the A/D converter 14, and digitally converted for each transmission timing signal (b) generated by the timing generator 15 to generate an angle signal (c). The received signal digitally converted by the A/D converter 9 is sequentially written in the buffer memory section 10 at positions corresponding to the addresses of the buffer memory write address generation section 16 in synchronization with the transmission timing signal (b). The received signal written in the buffer memory unit 10 is synchronized with the transmission timing signal ('b), and is converted to X-Y based on the angle signal (C) in a period different from the buffer memory writing period.
The data is read out using an address generated by the buffer memory read address generation section 17 so as to match the lattice arrangement of the graphic memory section 18. The received signal read from the buffer memory section 10 is synchronized with the buffer memory read address generation section 17 and is converted into an X-Y signal based on the angle signal (C).
X-Y graphic memory write address generation unit 19 that generates addresses in the graphic memory unit 18
is written to the location specified by .

For example, dividing the X-Y graphic memory section 18 into two equal parts,
On the other hand, the received signal in the direction determined by the first motor 3,
The received signal in the direction determined by the second motor 4 is written to the other side. This is the output signal of the operation unit 13,
-Y graphic memory write address generation section] This is possible by limiting the address area of 9. X-
The received signal written in the Y graphic memory section 18 is read out by the address of the X-Y graphic memory read address generating section 20 which is synchronized with the television monitor synchronization signal (d) generated by the television timing generating section 23.
The signal is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter 21, and ultrasonic tomographic images 30a and 30b in two directions are displayed on a television monitor 22 as shown in FIG.

Dedicated display information for the ultrasound tomographic images 30a and 30b in two directions displayed on the television monitor 22, that is, information on correspondence and positional relationship, is displayed on the television monitor 22 together with the ultrasound tomographic images 30a and 30b. Therefore, the dedicated display is written in the video memory section 28 for display, which has an area overlapping with the area of the XY graphic memory section 18, which is a memory for displaying ultrasonic tomographic images. If the area of the ultrasound tomographic image to be displayed on the television monitor 22 is determined according to the type of motors 3 and 4, that is, according to the scanning direction, a dedicated display is displayed in the video memory section 28 corresponding to the area. Write. This dedicated display is stored in advance in the ROM 27, and upon receiving the output signal from the operation section 13, the address conversion section 2
Write to the position corresponding to the address generated from 6.

Next, a display method for clarifying the positional relationship between the ultrasound tomographic images 30a and 30b in two different scanning directions displayed on the television monitor 22 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 shows the scanning area of ultrasound transmitted from the ultrasound transducer 2 when the ultrasound probe 1 is fixed at the same position. The two ultrasonic tomographic images 30a and 30b displayed on the television monitor 22 are plane A shown in FIG. 2 and plane B that intersects plane A at right angles. Since the plane A and the plane B can be arbitrarily designated by the operation of the first motor 3 and the second motor 4, their positional relationship is not constant. In order to clarify this positional relationship, an intersection line C between plane A and plane B is displayed on the ultrasound tomographic images 30a and 30b.

For the intersection line C, position data in the plane direction of the first potentiometer, the fifth potentiometer, and the second potentio 6 when the ultrasonic transducer 2 is oriented in the direction of the intersection line C is required. In order to read these two position data, the latch 24 latches the output of the A/D converter 14 for each transmission timing signal from the transmission timing generation section 15 and sends it to the address conversion section 26. The address converter 26 converts the output signal of the latch timing generator 25 into a predetermined address. The latch timing signal is output twice in synchronization with the transmission timing signal when switching the motor.

That is, the output of potentiometer 5 or 6, which is to be stopped by the first latch timing signal, is sent to the address conversion section 26 by the output of the other potentiometer 6 or 5, which is to be stopped by the next latch timing signal. The address conversion section 26 converts the latch timing signal and the output signal of the motor control section 12 into the scanning direction, that is, the X-Y graphic memory section 18.
The position corresponding to the display area and the intersection line C is known, and the corresponding address is generated. The ROM 27 also outputs display information to be written into the video memory section 28 in synchronization with the latch timing signal.

The display data written in the video memory section 28 is read out at the address of the video memory read address generation section 29 synchronized with the timing signal of the TV timing generation section 23, and the display data written in the XY graphic memory section 18 is read out by the D/A converter 21. It is displayed on the television monitor 22 together with the output ultrasound tomographic images 30a and 30b. As an example of the display, as shown in FIG. 3(B), a display 31a in the direction of the intersection line C and a display 31b, 3]c in the scanning direction, which are dedicated displays stored in the video memory section 28, are shown in the third display. X-Y shown in
The ultrasonic tomographic images 3Qa and 30b stored in the graphic memory unit 18 are displayed together on the TV-vide 22 as shown in Ω in FIG.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, ultrasonic tomographic images in two directions based on received signals of an ultrasonic transducer scanning in two directions are displayed on a television monitor by a display means, and the ROM
Selects the dedicated display information stored in the memory unit using the address conversion means based on the output signal of the potentio connected to the motor of the ultrasonic transducer, and writes it into the video memory unit.
This is displayed together with the ultrasound tomographic image on a television monitor. In this way, ultrasonic tomographic images in two directions are displayed on the TV monitor, and a dedicated display, that is, the correspondence between the scanning direction and the ultrasonic tomographic images, and the positional relationship between the ultrasonic tomographic images, can be clearly displayed. can be used to improve clinical utility.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Figures 1 to 3 show an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a schematic diagram and Figure 2 being an explanatory diagram of the operation of an ultrasound transducer. , Figure 3 shows an example of displaying an ultrasound tomographic image, Figure 3 ◎ shows an example of a dedicated display, and Figure 3 q shows an example of displaying both an ultrasound tomographic image and a dedicated display on a TV monitor. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. l... Ultrasonic probe, 2... Ultrasonic transducer, 3...
・First motor, 4...second motor, 5...first
6... Second potentio, 7... Subject, 8... Transmitting/receiving section, 9... A/D converter,
10...Buffer memory section, 11...Selector section,
12...Motor control section, 13...Operation section,
14... A/D converter, 15... Timing generation section, 16... Buffer memory write address generation section, 17... Buffer memory read address generation section, 18... X-Y graphic memory section, 19
．． ,, X-Y graphic memory write address generation section, 20... X-Y graphic memory read address generation section, 21... D/A converter, 22...
TV monitor, 23...TV timing generator, 2
4... Latch, 25... Latch timing signal generation section, 26... Address conversion section, 27... ROM, 2
8... Video memory section, 29... Video memory read address generation section, 30a, 30b... Ultrasonic tomographic image, 31a, 31b, 31C... Dedicated display. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao Haka 1st person
3 Between (A) CB

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, an ultrasonic probe having two motors and potentios for scanning the ultrasonic transducer in two different directions, a control means for the motor, and the ultrasonic vibration. display means for storing the child's received signal in a graphic memory section and displaying ultrasonic tomographic images from two directions on a television monitor; address conversion means for converting addresses based on the output signal of the potentio; and dedicated display information. and a video memory section for writing display information in the ROM into address positions generated by the address conversion means and displaying the display information on the television monitor. Diagnostic equipment.