KR100668092B1 - Array Probe System for Image Scanners and Controlling Method Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a probe unit including a transducer element assembly in which a plurality of transducer elements are arranged, a probe identification code, and a memory in which characteristic parameters of the transducer element are stored, and a power supply unit for applying power to the probe unit; A probe control module including a module control unit configured to read a probe unit identification code stored in the memory when the probe unit is connected and to set a voltage applied to the transducer element based on a characteristic parameter of the memory if different from the stored identification code; The present invention relates to an array probe system of an imaging device and a control method thereof. When the probe unit is connected to the imaging device, the present invention automatically adjusts the voltage applied to the transducer element based on the characteristic parameter of the transducer element, thereby keeping the output power of the probe transducer element uniform, thereby improving output image quality. It is improved, and the effect of improving the safety to the human body by limiting the maximum power is provided.

In addition, by amplifying the signal received by each transducer element with a gain inversely proportional to the reception sensitivity, the quality of the output image can be improved by minimizing the difference in reception gain between channels.

Array probe, ultrasonic wave, transducer, sound output, sensitivity, radiation conductance

Description

Array Probe System for Image Scanners and Controlling Method Thereof

1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a general ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an array probe system according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation control method of an array probe system according to the present invention.

** Description of symbols for the main parts of the drawing **

100: probe unit 110: transducer element assembly

120: memory 200: probe control module

210: module controller 220: transceiver

230: power supply unit 240: memory unit

The present invention relates to an array probe system and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a probe unit including a memory in which characteristic parameters of each of the ultrasonic transducer elements are stored and to read the characteristic parameters from the memory when the probe unit is connected. It includes a probe control module that regulates the voltage applied to the transducer element, so that even when the probe is replaced, the probe's acoustic output and response are kept uniform across all channels, while minimizing the difference between probe channels. The present invention relates to an array probe system of an imaging apparatus for limiting a sound output of a probe to an allowable output and a control method thereof.

In general, a probe includes a transducer element that transmits a signal from a measuring device, a diagnostic device, or the like, or receives a detection signal from a sensing object. An array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. There are various types of transducer elements constituting the array probe, such as a DNA chip, a microphone, an optical fiber, a multi-coil, a piezoelectric element, and a variety of transducer elements can be selected and used for measurement and diagnostic purposes.

Among such array probes, piezoelectric elements are often used in array probes used in an ultrasound imaging apparatus for displaying an internal image of a diagnosis target such as a human body. That is, ultrasonic waves are transmitted using a piezoelectric element, and the reflected wave is received from the measurement target to image the diagnosis target.

      Sound waves are wave phenomena in which energy is transmitted by compression and relaxation of particles constituting a medium. Generally, sound waves with a frequency of 20 kHz or more are called ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic waves are generated by the disturbance of mechanical pressure or stress in the elastic medium, and the energetic particles transfer energy by elastic collision with neighboring particles.

Ultrasonic waves propagate in the form of beams because they vibrate at a high frequency, and the source of vibration can be made larger than the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal propagating in the medium. have. In addition, when ultrasonic waves enter a plane boundary plane of a medium having different properties, some of them pass through the boundary plane, and some of them reflect in the opposite direction to the incident direction at the boundary plane. The acoustic pressure and intensity transmitted and reflected are determined by the acoustic impedance of the medium. Ultrasonic examination using this property is a method of receiving and imaging ultrasonic echoes reflected by a discontinuous plane existing inside or inside a subject while the ultrasonic pulse is incident vertically or obliquely.

The ultrasound diagnosis system is widely used in general medical fields, and the ultrasound diagnosis method uses information about the acoustic physical response in the human body such as changes in sound velocity, reflection, scattering, absorption loss, and Doppler phenomenon that occur when the ultrasound proceeds in the human body. .

Ultrasonic diagnostic systems include array probes with multiple transducer elements, amplification circuits for processing signals from transducers, circuits for separating transmission signals from received signals, channel forming circuits, image processors, Doppler Image processor, image converter, and the like.

The prior art of diagnostic systems using ultrasound includes a multi-element array probe 1 in contact with the subject's body, as shown in FIG. 1, and generally operates as follows.

The array probe 1 is connected to a multiplexer 3, followed by an assembly 4 of circuits called Front End Conditioning (FEC). The assembly 4 emits and transmits ultrasonic observation signals through the array probe 1, and the ultrasonic echo reflected from the test region is converted into an electrical signal by the ultrasonic conversion function of the array probe 1 and the preamplification process is performed. And after setting to a level suitable for subsequent processing, a TGC (Time-Varying Gain Control) for amplifying the echoes with an amplification level that changes with time to compensate for the attenuation loss in the subject of the ultrasonic pulse signal.

The FEC 4 is again connected with an analog / digital converter 5 corresponding to the number of analog channels (the number of unit sensors of the array probe) to convert the received analog signal into a digital signal, and the digital signals are transmitted to the beamformer 6. Is processed by The signal corresponding to the image line is collected at the output side of the beamformer 6 as a time function. Next to the beamformer 6, a black and white image processor 7, a color blood flow image mapping (CFM) processor 8, a Doppler processor 9 and the like are connected. The processors 7, 8 and 9 are connected to an image converter 10 which arrives along the lines forming a sector and converts the collected signal into a video image observable on the screen.

In addition, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a keypad 12 and a command button 13 to control and monitor a parameter of a machine by a command and driving circuit 14 for controlling the processors 6 to 9. And a control panel 11 provided. And a peripheral device such as a memory 15, an image recorder (video, DVD recorder), a copying device for clearly printing images displayed on the screen of the monitor 2, and the like. Hereinafter, a unit that can be physically separated and coupled from an imaging apparatus main body while performing a function of an array probe will be referred to as a probe unit.

In the conventional ultrasound imaging apparatus configured as described above, the set voltage is applied to the multi-transducer element of the array probe 1, and since the multi-transducer element of the probe differs in its intrinsic characteristics depending on the element, this difference is eliminated. In consideration of this, the factory's transducer sound output is below the maximum allowable level for the human body and the applied voltage is set so that the output level of each channel is uniform. However, the probe unit sometimes breaks, loses or breaks down and needs to be replaced.

In this case, when the probe unit set together at the time of release is replaced with a new probe unit, the ultrasonic transducer elements of the new probe unit do not match characteristic parameters of the existing probe unit and the transducers. Therefore, if the Acoustic Output Power (hereinafter referred to as AP) is not readjusted after the probe unit is replaced due to this mismatch, the AP may not only degrade the video quality but also output an AP that may harm the human body. It is expected. Therefore, to solve this problem, every time the probe unit is replaced, the new probe unit, the probe control module, and the main body are all sent together to the imaging device manufacturer, and the setpoints are reset to reset the AP to below the human acceptable level. there was.

In addition, as described above, in order to maintain image quality when the product is shipped or when the probe unit is replaced, it is known to adjust the output gain in consideration of the overall sensitivity of each ultrasonic transducer element. The overall sensitivity is determined by the acoustic output characteristics and the reception sensitivity characteristics of each ultrasonic transducer element, and despite the inherent differences in the characteristics of each ultrasonic transducer element, it is synthesized so that the same electrical signal is obtained for the same applied voltage under the same echo condition. By adjusting the gain according to the sensitivity, it is used as a variable to balance the signal output between each channel.

On the other hand, the higher the voltage applied to the array probe, the higher the quality of the image, but at the same time the transmission power of each channel should be uniform to eliminate the interference phenomenon of the sound field generated from each ultrasonic transducer, and the overall uniform high quality An image is obtained. However, since each transducer element of the array probe does not exactly match characteristic parameters such as acoustic output characteristics and reception sensitivity, there is a need to independently adjust and apply voltages corresponding to the characteristic parameters of each element. In addition, even if the output power is uniform, the intensity of the received electrical signal varies depending on the sensitivity of each ultrasonic transducer element, so there is also a need to correct the amplification gain of the received electrical signal in order to obtain a visually uniform image quality. .

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above problems, in the probe unit and probe control module having a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements used in the ultrasonic imaging apparatus, the array probe is a characteristic parameter of each transducer element Includes a stored memory and automatically balances the channel power to suit the connected probe array by automatically adjusting the set voltage or amplification gain appropriate for the devices according to the stored characteristic parameters of each transducer element when the array probe is connected to the imaging device body. It is an object of the present invention to provide an array probe system of an imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the same, which are controlled so as to not only generate a high quality image but also limit an audio output to an allowable level or less.

The present invention is generally applicable to other imaging devices having a plurality of transducer elements configured in an array and having a probe unit operated in a multi-channel.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an array probe system of an imaging apparatus, comprising: a transducer element assembly in which a plurality of transducer elements are arranged, and a memory in which characteristic parameter values of each of the transducer elements are stored; A power supply unit for applying a driving voltage to the probe unit and the transducer element of the probe unit, and a characteristic parameter value stored in a memory of the probe unit, and calculating an applied driving voltage of the power supply unit based on the characteristic parameter value. And a probe control module including a module control unit for calculating an amplification gain adjustment value of the electrical signal converted by each transducer element.

In addition, the driving voltage applied to the power supply may be set and controlled so that the sound output generated from each transducer element becomes predictable and is within the maximum allowable sound output of the human body.

In addition, the characteristic parameter value stored in the memory of the probe unit may be characterized in that the overall sensitivity of each transducer element.

The power supply unit may be configured to apply a separate driving voltage to each transducer element.

In addition, the characteristic parameter value stored in the memory of the probe unit may be characterized in that the radiation conductance and the reception sensitivity of each transducer element.

The probe control module may further include a memory unit, wherein the module control unit calculates a set voltage to be applied to the transducer element based on the overall sensitivity of each transducer element and records the set voltage in the memory unit. It is characterized in that the general sensitivity of the can be normalized and recorded in the memory unit with the amplification gain adjustment value.

The probe control module may further include a memory unit, and the module control unit separately calculates a set voltage to be applied to each of the transducer elements based on the radiation conductance of each transducer element, and records the set voltage in the memory unit. The reception sensitivity of the transducer element may be normalized and recorded in the memory unit at an amplification gain adjustment value.

The probe unit memory may further include a probe unit identification code, and when the probe unit is connected, the probe control module reads the probe unit identification code stored in the memory and reads the probe unit identification code into the memory unit of the probe control module. The memory unit of the probe control module may be updated only when it is not the same as the stored identification code.

In addition, the driving voltage applied to the power supply may be set separately for each of the transducer elements so that the acoustic output of each transducer element is uniform within the maximum output of the human body.

Meanwhile, a method of controlling an array probe system including a probe unit including a memory in which characteristic parameters of each transducer element are stored and a probe control module includes (a) retrieving the characteristic parameters when the probe unit is connected to the probe control module. step; (b) calculating a set voltage to be applied to the transducer element of the probe unit based on the characteristic parameter; (c) applying the set voltage to the transducer element when driving the probe unit.

In addition, (b-1) storing the set voltage calculated in the step (b) in a memory unit included in the probe control module, after the step (b), and setting the step (c). The voltage may be obtained from the memory unit.

In addition, the probe unit identification code is further stored in the memory of the probe unit and the memory unit of the probe control module, and (a-1) when the probe unit is combined, loading the probe unit identification code from the memory; and (a-2) determining whether the identification code stored in the memory unit of the probe control module matches the identification code of the retrieved probe unit; further performing before performing step (a), wherein the identification code is In case of coincidence, the step (b) and step (b-1) may be skipped.

In addition, the step (b) may be characterized by setting the voltage applied to the transducer element using the characteristic parameter so that the acoustic output of each of the transducer elements is within the maximum human body output.

According to the present invention configured as described above, a characteristic parameter of each transducer element constituting the probe is stored in the probe unit, and when a new probe unit is connected, it is applied to the transducer elements using the characteristic parameter stored in the probe memory. The voltage is calculated to control the acoustic output of the transducer element within an acceptable range so as to remain uniform over all channels.

Embodiments of the invention may exist in various ways, hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment. The following examples are provided to better understand the objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. In particular, the following embodiment has been described with reference to an ultrasound imaging apparatus, but it can be applied to a general multi-channel image processing apparatus including a probe unit having a plurality of transducer element arrays.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a probe control module 200 for driving the probe unit 100 and the probe unit 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The probe control module 200 constitutes a part of the imaging apparatus.

As shown, the probe unit 100 includes an ultrasonic transducer element assembly 110 and a memory 120.

The transducer element assembly 110 is arranged with a plurality of transducer elements, and the array of transducer elements arranged is determined according to the number of channels. A multiplexer (not shown) may further include a function of selecting one input signal among signals input from a plurality of circuits and loading the same into an output circuit. When the imaging apparatus using the array probe according to the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the transducer element assembly 110 is an assembly of piezoelectric sensors in which piezoelectric sensors are arranged.

The memory 120 stores the identification code of the probe unit 100 and characteristic parameters of the respective transducer elements constituting the assembly 110. The characteristic parameter value is a value determined at the time of manufacture according to the individual physical characteristics of the transducer element, and is preferably measured and provided at the manufacturing stage of the probe unit 100. Here, the identification code may be omitted and only the characteristic parameter may be stored in the memory 120.

The characteristic parameter is usually expressed as the overall sensitivity of each ultrasonic transducer when the ultrasonic transducer element is a piezoelectric sensor. The overall sensitivity may be defined as a relative ratio of the magnitude of the electrical signal obtained from each ultrasonic transducer element under the same echo condition when the same set voltage is applied to each ultrasonic transducer element. For example, when the transducer is an output element and performs a function of a sensing element, when the applied voltage is V _i and the voltage output from the sense signal is V _o , the overall sensitivity is 20 log (V _o / V _i ). Given in dB (decibel).

In another embodiment, the radiated conductance G and the received sensitivity may be adopted as characteristic parameters. The reception sensitivity may be defined as a relative ratio of the magnitudes of the electrical signals when the ultrasonic transducer elements receive the same ultrasonic signals and convert them into electrical signals. For example, if the received sound pressure is p (Pa) and the output electrical signal is V _o (mV), then the reception sensitivity is defined as the ratio of V _o / p.

The probe control module 200 drives the probe unit 100 according to a command input from the outside, and may include a module controller 210, a transceiver 220, a power supply 230, and a memory 240. And constitute a part of the main body of the imaging apparatus.

The power supply 230 is a power source for driving the probe unit 100 and the probe control module 200 and applies a single set voltage to the probe unit 100 or is calculated by the radiated conductance of the corresponding transducer element. The voltage to be applied to each of the transducer element assemblies is independently adjusted and applied according to the voltage set value.

The transceiver 220 supplies a control signal to the transducer element of the probe unit 100 and receives a detection signal transmitted from the transducer element assembly.

The module control unit 210 drives the probe unit 100 according to a control command input from the outside, but the transducer element so that the acoustic output power AP of the transmitted ultrasound signal output from the probe unit 100 can be maintained uniformly. The power supply unit 230 is controlled to output a voltage applied to the transducer element according to the characteristic parameter of the. The applied voltage can be set to a single value or to a separate value for each ultrasonic transducer element.

The method of calculating the voltage set value using the radiated conductance of the ultrasonic transducer element is based on the principle that the acoustic output power AP is proportional to the square of the voltage applied to each transducer element (V ² ).

That is, AP AP V ² , where the proportional coefficient is G, and the following equation is established.

AP (energy / sec) = GV ²

Here, G is defined as the radiated conductance, and V is the driving voltage of the ultrasonic transducer element of each channel.

Since the radiated conductance (G) value is different for each ultrasonic transducer element, in order to output ultrasonic waves of a uniform AP over all channels, the channel driving voltage (V) is calculated separately according to the G value of each transducer element. In this case, the uniform AP is output on all channels. This uniform AP is limited to within the maximum allowable acoustic power (AP _MAX ) for the human body.

Therefore, the G value of each ultrasonic transducer element is stored in the memory 120 as a characteristic parameter, and when it is determined that the probe unit is new when the array probe is driven, V is adjusted according to the G value recorded in the memory. Even if the probe unit is connected, the ultrasonic wave of the uniform AP is output, so that the output balance can be achieved between the transducer elements, and when used in the human body, it is possible to limit the sound output to the maximum allowable output to eliminate related risks.

If a single set voltage is applied to each channel, the applied voltage is set such that the acoustic output of the ultrasonic transducer element having the maximum radiated conductance is within the maximum allowable acoustic output (AP _MAX ) to the human body.

The module controller may add a function to adjust the amplification gain of the received detection signal according to the reception sensitivity of the transducer. By amplifying the gain of the amplification gain by normalizing each received sensitivity, it is possible to compensate for the image imbalance according to the received sensitivity of the transducer by adjusting the amplification gain of the electrical signal converted by the ultrasonic transducer.

The memory unit 240 may record a voltage set value and / or an amplification gain adjustment value to be applied to the transducer element, and in addition, a probe identification code may be recorded. The module controller 210 reads the voltage set value calculated according to the characteristic parameter from the memory 240, and when an array probe driving command is input, a voltage is applied to each transducer element according to the voltage set value stored in the memory unit 240. Control the power supply unit 230 so as to. Further, it may be added to adjust the amplification gain of the converted electric signal according to the amplification gain adjustment value recorded in the memory unit.

As described above, when the probe unit 100 is connected to the probe control module 200, the probe unit 100 reads the identification code stored in the probe memory 120 to determine whether the probe unit 100 matches the probe identification code stored in the memory unit 240. When determined to be a new probe, the memory unit 240 reads the characteristic parameter of each transducer element of the probe and updates the voltage set value and amplification gain adjustment value to be applied to the transducer element using the characteristic parameter.

As another example, when the identification code is not recorded in the memory unit 240, as soon as the probe is connected, the characteristic parameter stored in the memory 120 is read and each of the memory unit 240 of the probe control module 200 is read. A method of updating the voltage setpoint and amplification gain adjustment of the transducer element may be used.

An optimal embodiment of the operation control method of the array probe configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

When the probe unit 100 is connected to the probe control module 200 of the imaging apparatus through a connector (not shown) (S11), the module control unit 210 of the probe control module 200 may store the memory of the probe unit 100. In step 120, the probe unit identification code is read (S12).

If it is determined that the matching identification code and the stored probe unit identification code is matched to perform a normal array probe driving mode (S13).

If it is determined that they do not match, the characteristic parameter is read from the memory 120 of the probe unit 100 (S14), and the voltage to be applied to the probe unit is calculated using the characteristic parameter (S15).

The calculated voltage setting value is recorded in the memory unit 240 of the probe control module 200 (S16).

When the probe driving command is input (S17), the driving signal is applied to each device according to the voltage set value stored in the memory unit 240 to emit the emission signal (S18).

When the probe identification code is not recorded in the memory 120 in the operation control method, steps S12 and S13 are omitted, and when the probe unit 100 is connected to the probe control module, a characteristic parameter stored in the memory 120 is called up. The voltage setting is updated in the memory unit 240 of the probe control module 200 by using the same.

In the operation control method, when the voltage setting value and the amplification gain adjustment value are included together as the characteristic parameter, the amplification gain adjustment value is updated in addition to the voltage setting value in the memory unit 240.

According to the present invention, when a probe unit is replaced with a new one or a plurality of probe units are used at the same time, the voltage applied to the transducer element is automatically adjusted even if any probe unit is connected to the image device. By limiting the output power by adjusting the power, the human body is prevented from being exposed to high energy waves. In addition, by maintaining the output power of each channel uniformly, it reduces the interference of the ultrasonic sound field, and also reflects the reception sensitivity of each ultrasonic transducer element to balance the transducer elements, thereby shifting the intrinsic characteristics of each transducer of the array probe. By compensating for the deterioration factor of the image quality according to the effect is to significantly improve the image quality. In addition, the present invention may be applied to a general multi-channel image processing apparatus having a probe unit operating in a multi-channel configuration by forming a plurality of other transducer elements in addition to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It is obvious that the same effect is expected.

Claims (15)

In the array probe system of the imaging device, A probe unit including a transducer element assembly in which a plurality of transducer elements are arranged and a memory in which characteristic parameter values of each of the transducer elements are stored; and A power supply unit applying a driving voltage to the transducer element of the probe unit, and reading a characteristic parameter value of the transducer element stored in a memory of the probe unit, and applying the driving voltage of the power supply unit based on the characteristic parameter value. And a probe control module including a module control unit for calculating and calculating an amplification gain adjustment value of an electric signal converted by each transducer element. The method of claim 1, The driving voltage applied to the power supply unit is set so that the sound output generated from each transducer element is within the maximum allowable sound output of the human body. The method of claim 1, And a characteristic parameter value stored in a memory of the probe unit is a comprehensive sensitivity of each transducer element. The method of claim 1, And the power supply unit is configured to apply a separate driving voltage to each transducer element. The method of claim 4, wherein And a characteristic parameter value stored in a memory of the probe unit is radiation conductance and reception sensitivity of each transducer element. The method of claim 3, wherein The probe control module further includes a memory unit, and the module control unit calculates and writes a set voltage to be applied to the transducer element based on the overall sensitivity of each transducer element, and records the set voltage in the memory unit. And a comprehensive sensitivity is recorded in the memory unit with an amplification gain adjustment value. The method of claim 5, The probe control module further includes a memory unit, and the module control unit separately calculates a set voltage to be applied to each of the transducer elements based on the radiation conductance of each transducer element, and records the set voltage in the memory unit. And receiving sensitivity of a producer element is recorded in the memory unit as an amplification gain adjustment value. The method according to claim 6 or 7, The probe unit memory further includes a probe unit identification code stored therein, and when the probe unit is connected, the probe control module reads the probe unit identification code stored in the memory and is stored in the memory unit of the probe control module. And updating the memory unit of the probe control module only when the identification code is not the same as the identification code. The method of claim 4, wherein And the driving voltage applied to the power supply unit is set separately for each of the transducer elements such that the acoustic output of each of the transducer elements is uniform within a maximum allowable output of the human body. The method of claim 1, The transducer element is an array probe system of an imaging device, characterized in that the ultrasonic piezoelectric element. A control method of an array probe system comprising a probe unit and a probe control module including a memory in which characteristic parameters of each transducer element are stored. (a) retrieving said characteristic parameter when said probe unit is connected to a probe control module; (b) calculating a set voltage to be applied to the transducer element of the probe unit based on the characteristic parameter; and (c) applying the set voltage to the transducer element when driving the probe unit. The method of claim 11, (b-1) storing the set voltage calculated in the step (b) in a memory unit included in the probe control module, after the step (b) and performing the set voltage of the step (c). Is obtained from the memory unit. The method of claim 12, wherein the probe unit identification code is further stored in the memory of the probe unit and the memory of the probe control module, (a-1) if the probe unit is coupled, retrieving the probe unit identification code from the memory; and (a-2) determining whether the identification code stored in the memory unit of the probe control module matches the identification code of the loaded probe unit; further performing before performing step (a), And if the identification codes match, skipping the steps (b) and (b-1). The method of claim 11, Step (b), the array probe system control of the imaging device, characterized in that for setting the voltage applied to the transducer element by using the characteristic parameter so that the sound output of each of the transducer element is within the maximum human body acceptable output Way. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, The characteristic parameter is a method for controlling the array probe system of an imaging apparatus, characterized in that the overall sensitivity of the transducer element or the radiation conductance and reception sensitivity of the transducer element.

Images