JPS6272331A - 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 [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that has many functional blocks and that obtains various ultrasonic images by setting different operation modes.

[Technical background of the invention] Ultrasonic diagnostic devices that have been put into practical use in recent years are equipped with a large number of functional blocks having various functions in order to improve diagnostic performance, and these functional blocks are used to exhibit various operation modes. It is known that this was done.

A conventional example of such a device will be explained with reference to FIG.

The device shown in the figure includes a controller 1 consisting of a CPU and its peripheral devices, and first to nth functional blocks 2a to 2n connected to the controller 1 via a control bus a and an initialization bus b, respectively. a power supply unit 4 that supplies power to the controller 1 and the first to nth functional blocks 2a to 2n via power cables 3, and a power switch 5 that controls the operation of the power supply unit 4; It has input means 6 such as a keyboard for sending initialization signals, operation mode change signals, parameter change signals, etc. to the controller 1.

Note that initialization here refers to writing specific data into the memories and registers in each of the functional blocks 28 to 2n prior to actual operation.

Next, the operation of this device will be explained with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the operator turns on the power switch 5 to supply power from the power supply section 4 to the controller 1 and the first to nth functional blocks 28 to 2n, respectively. Next, an initialization signal is sent from the input means 6 to the controller 1. As a result, the first to
A signal is sent to the nth functional blocks 2a to 2n, each of which is initialized and maintains a certain operating mode (preset mode).

Next, the operator sends an operation mode change signal to the controller 1 from the input means 6. As a result, a signal is sent from the controller to the first to nth functional blocks 2a to 2n via the control bus a, and the next operating mode is entered and this state is maintained.

[Problems in the Background Art] In the conventional device described above, power is supplied to all the functional blocks 2a to 2n at the same time as the device is powered on, so in a certain case, the function blocks that are not used in the diagnosis are supplied with power. As a result, a large power supply unit 4 is required, resulting in unnecessary power consumption and an increase in the size of the entire device.

Furthermore, since each of the functional blocks 2a to 2n is constantly operating, the temperature of each of the functional blocks 2a to 2n increases, resulting in malfunction, and in order to prevent this, a cooling device is required. There is a problem.

Furthermore, due to the constant operation of each functional block 2a to 2n, each functional block 2a to 2n is
There is a problem in that radiated noise is picked up through the power cable 3 between the power supply cable 3 and the S/N ratio of the entire device.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by supplying power only to functional blocks that actually operate in a certain operation mode, it is possible to reduce the size of the power supply unit and reduce unnecessary It prevents the generation of heat and also reduces the S/N of the entire device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can improve the ratio.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention for achieving the above object has a large number of functional blocks, and selects a functional block corresponding to each operating mode for each different operating mode to generate various ultrasonic diagnostic images. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that it includes a power supply controller that supplies power from the power supply section only to the functional blocks used in each operation mode.

[Embodiments of the Invention] Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

In the apparatus shown in the figure, those having the same functions as those in the apparatus shown in FIG. 11 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The difference between this device and the one shown in FIG. 11 is that the power supply section 4
and the controller 1 and the first to nth functional blocks 28 to
2n, and an initialization controller 8 between the controller 1 and each of the functional blocks 2a to 2n, and the input means 6 is provided with a preset switch, an operation mode change switch, and a parameter change switch. This is what we have set up.

A power cable 10 is connected between the power supply controller 7 and the controller 1 and the initialization controller 8, and power cables 108 to 10n are connected between the power supply controller 7 and each of the functional blocks 28 to 2n. 7 and an initialization controller 8 are connected to a control bus a. Furthermore, initialization buses b1 to bn are connected between the initialization controller 8 and each of the functional blocks 2a to 2n, respectively.

Next, each of the first to nth functional blocks 28 to 2 is
A specific configuration example for supplying power to n will be described.

FIG. 3(a) shows three functional blocks 2a, 2b, 2c.
The power supply unit 4 includes an isolation transformer 20 and first to third DC constant voltage power supplies 21a to 21G, and the primary The side is connected to a commercial power source via a power switch 5 and a plug 22.

Moreover, the outputs of the first to third DC constant voltage power supplies 21a to 21G are connected to the first to third functional blocks 28 to 2C, respectively. The first to third DC constant voltage power supplies 2
1a to 21c, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a rectifier circuit 31. Trance 32. Output side rectifier circuit 3
3, and a switching element 34 such as a transistor connected between the rectifier circuit 31 and the transformer 32 on the input side.
A PWM (Pulse Width Modulator) takes in the output of the rectifier circuit 33 on the output side and controls the switching operation of the switching element 34 based on the output.
ion) and a feedback circuit 35. The reason why the PWM feedback circuit 35 is provided is to always maintain the output of this circuit at a constant voltage.This compares the feedback voltage with a reference voltage (such as a Zener voltage) not shown, and turns the switching element 34 on and off based on the comparison result. This is done by controlling the timing.

In order to control the supply of power to each of the functional blocks 28 to 2C using such a switching regulator as a DC constant voltage power supply, the PWM feedback circuit 35 is activated by a control signal from the controller 1, as shown in FIG. The switching element 34 may be controlled to be turned off at an appropriate timing.

FIG. 3(b) shows 1 for three functional blocks 28 to 2C.
A case is shown in which power is supplied using two constant voltage DC power supplies 21d. In this case, three relays 23a to 23C are connected to the output side of the constant voltage DC power supply 21d, and each function block 2a is connected to each relay 23a to 23C.
It is configured to supply power to ~2C.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
A relay driver 24 is connected to the relay driver 24, and the relay driver 24 is driven and controlled by a control signal to turn on and off the contacts of the relay 23a, thereby individually supplying power to the three functional blocks 28 to 2G. can be controlled.

Note that the configurations shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) may be combined.

Next, each functional block 28 to 2 in the above-described embodiment
A specific example of initialization for n will be explained.

The objects to be initialized include those schematically shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(b).

Figure (a) shows a circuit such as a flip-flop F that has a clear terminal, Figure (b) shows a latch R and a counter that have a clear terminal, and Figure (C) shows a line memory LM.
d) indicates a frame memory FM having a two-dimensional or three-dimensional or more-dimensional storage area, respectively.

The flip 70 knob F, latch R, counter, etc. can be initialized (all low or all high) by inputting a pulse to their clear terminals.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a circuit configuration for initializing the latch 40. In this case, the initialization block 41 receives an initialization control signal, and based on this, the clear terminal CL of the latch 40 is
This latch 40 can be initialized by sending a pulse to .

FIG. 8 shows an example of a circuit configuration for initializing the memory 42. In this case, the initialization block 43. is used as an initialization-only block. Input data switching circuit 44a, write pulse switching circuit 44b, and write address switching circuit 4
4G, and initializes the memory by receiving an initialization control signal in an initialization block 43 and switching each of the switching circuits 448 to 44G based on the initialization control signal.

It goes without saying that not all memories require dedicated initialization hardware.

Also, between the operation of the power supply controller 7, which turns on and off the power of each functional block according to the operating state determined by the operation of the input means 6, and the operation of the initialization control 8, which initializes each functional block. requires adequate time management.

-10= In particular, initialization should be performed after each functional block is turned on and the voltage stabilized and the hardware is ready for stable operation. When setting M or a specific operation mode, it is necessary to have a software control system that operates in this order, and furthermore, when transferring control data by software, there is no need to receive an interrupt from the functional block that is transferring control data. It is necessary for the controller 1 to have such software.

Next, the operation of the apparatus having the above structure will be explained with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG.

When the power switch 5 is operated to turn on the power supply unit 4, power is immediately supplied from the power supply controller 7 to the controller 1 and the initialization controller 8 via the power cable 10. Then, initialization is performed in the controller 1 when the power is turned on. Further, at the same time as the power is turned on, power is supplied to the first functional block 2a via any power cable, for example, the power cable 10a. The following explanation will be given assuming that this first functional block 10 is a display means such as a TV monitor.

When the above-described initialization of the controller 1 is completed, the device enters a state of waiting for input from the input means 6, and an operable display mark is displayed on the first functional block 2a, which is the display means.

This state will be referred to as a preset state.

The operator turns on a preset switch provided in the input means 6 in advance. As a result, the controller 1 controls the power supply controller 7 and the initialization controller 8 via the control bus a, and connects the power supply controller 7 to the power supply controller 7 for a functional block to be used in a certain operation mode, for example, the second functional block 2b. 10b and sends a signal from the initialization controller 8 via the initialization bus b2,
Initialize b. Such an operation mode is referred to as a first operation mode.

In this state, the first. Second functional block 2a.

Functional blocks other than 2b are not energized or initialized, so there is no heat generation from these non-energized functional blocks or generation of noise from the power cables connected to these functional blocks.

When changing various parameters used for measurement in this first operation mode, operate a parameter change switch provided in advance in the input means 6, and change the parameters from the controller 1 to the second function block 2b via the control bus a. This is done by sending a signal for

Next, changing the operating mode will be explained.

After the measurement in the first operation mode described above is completed, the operator operates an operation mode change switch provided in advance in the input means 6 to set the second operation mode. This second
As the operation mode, the above-mentioned 1. The following explanation will be given assuming that the n-th functional block 2n operates in addition to the second functional blocks 2a and 2b.

When the operation mode change switch is operated, power is supplied to the power supply controller 7 and the initialization controller 8, and furthermore, the power supply controller 7 supplies power to the first. Power is supplied to a total of three functional blocks 2a, 2b, and 2n at the 2nd and nth positions, and the initialization controller 8 controls these three functional blocks 2a, 2b.

Initialization is performed for two days.

That is, upon transition of the operation mode, the power supply controller 7 performs power on/off control for each functional block, and the initialization controllers 1 to 8 perform initialization control for each functional block.

In this second mode of operation, the first. Since a total of three functional blocks 2a, 2b, and 2n (2nd to nth) are energized, and the remaining functional blocks are not energized, no power is consumed by these functional blocks. There is no heat generation from each of the functional blocks and no noise from the power cables connected to these functional blocks.

Next, a specific application example based on the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

The device shown in FIG. 9 is an example of an ultrasonic blood flow imaging device. an FFT unit 51 as a second functional block for Doppler blood flow measurement connected to 50; and an MTI unit 52 as a third functional block for two-dimensional blood flow information measurement connected to the transmission/reception unit 50; The transmitting/receiving unit 50. FFT unit 51
, a digital scan converter 54 as a fourth functional block that takes in each output of the MHI unit 52, configures two-dimensional tomographic image data based on these, and sends it to the color TV monitor 53, and a color TV connected to the digital scan converter 54. Color digital scan as a fifth functional block that superimposes blood flow information of the subject on the B mode or M mode image displayed on the monitor 53]
A sixth channel transmits signals from the converter 55 and the line scan recorder 56 and other external signals to the color TV monitor 53.
and a system controller 58 as a seventh functional block that works in conjunction with the input means 6 to control the operation of the entire device.

A color camera 59 is arranged in conjunction with the color TV monitor 53, and a color video processor 60 is connected to the digital scan converter 54. Further, an ultrasonic probe 61 is connected to the transmitting/receiving unit 50.

Each of the first to sixth functional blocks of this device includes a power supply controller 7 as in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG.
Electric power is supplied from each of them via power cables 108 to 10f. Furthermore, power is supplied to the system controller 58 and the initialization controller 8 as a seventh functional block via a power cable 10.

Further, the system controller 58, which is the seventh functional block, connects the first to sixth functional blocks via control buses a1 to a6, respectively, and the power supply controller 7 via a control bus a7. Control signals are sent to each controller 8 via a control bus a8.

Furthermore, signals for initialization are sent from the initialization controller 8 to each of the first to seventh functional blocks via initialization buses b1 to b7, respectively.

In the figure, the signal system for obtaining ultrasound images is indicated by two-dot chain lines, the power cables 10.10a to 10f are indicated by thick lines, the control buses a1 to a8 are indicated by thin lines, and the initialization buses b1 to b7 are indicated by thin lines. Each is indicated by a broken line. Furthermore, although it is naturally necessary to supply power to the color TV monitor 53, color video recorder 60, etc., the supply of power to these will be omitted for convenience of explanation.

Next, the operation of this device will be explained, focusing mainly on the state of power supply to each functional block in each operation mode as shown in FIG. Incidentally, in FIG. 10, a circle mark indicates that the functional block is used in a certain operation mode, and an X mark indicates that the functional block is not used.

As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the operator places the apparatus in a preset state and then operates the input means 6 to select the first operating mode for obtaining an 8-mode image or an M-mode image on a black and white screen. At this time, power from the power supply section 4 is supplied from the power supply controller 7 to the system controller 58 and the initialization controller 8 via the power cable 10, and is also supplied to the transmitting/receiving unit 50 via the power cable 10a. The signal is supplied to the digital scan converter 54 via the digital scan converter 54. That is, in this case, the first.
4th. Power will be supplied to each of the seventh functional blocks.

At this time, initialization buses b1 and b4 are connected to each of these functional blocks from the initialization controller 8.

A signal for initialization is sent via b7, and a state becomes available for measurement in the first operation mode.

The power consumption in this state is 62% or less compared to the power consumption in the 4th operation mode, which is in full operation, which reduces power consumption and eliminates radiated noise from heat generating parts, power cables, etc. less than in the case of

Below, Part 2. Third. Fifth. 6th. In each of the seventh operation modes, the same functions as in the first operation mode are exhibited,
Effects corresponding to each operation mode can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention detailed above, since power is supplied to each functional block that is actually used according to various operation modes, the overall power consumption can be reduced. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the amount of power is small and the power supply unit can be downsized, and malfunctions due to heat generation can be prevented and the S/N ratio can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operating state of the device, and FIG.
) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply section of the device, and Figure 3 <
b> is a block diagram showing another configuration of the power supply section of the device, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a switching regulator as a specific example of the power supply section, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the power supply controller. Figure 6 (a>, (b), (c), (d)
7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the flip 70 block, latch, and line memo 1 frame memory, which are objects of initialization in the device of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit for initializing the latch, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit for initializing the memory, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a specific application example of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing how each functional block is used in the device shown in FIG. 9. 11 is a block diagram showing a conventional device, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device shown in FIG. 11. 1... Controller, 2a to 2n... 1st to nth functional blocks, 4...
Power supply section, 5... Power switch, 6... Input means, 7
. . . Power supply controller, = 20- 8 . . . Initialization controller. Agent Patent Attorney Nori Chika Sodo
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Claims (1)

[Claims] In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that has a large number of functional blocks and is designed to obtain various ultrasonic diagnostic images by selecting the functional blocks corresponding to each operating mode for each different operating mode, An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by comprising a power supply controller that supplies power from a power supply unit only to the functional blocks to be processed.