KR20190042427A - Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and operating method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus capable of generating a pulse without distortion. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprises: a high-voltage power supply; a transmission circuit receiving power from the high-voltage power supply and generating a pulse which generates ultrasound to apply the pulse to a probe inside an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; a power supply circuit receiving the power from the high-voltage power supply, charging electric energy in accordance with execution of a transverse mode of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and supplying transverse mode power used for generating a transverse wave to the transmission circuit based on the electric energy; and a processor controlling the power supply circuit for supplying the transverse mode power and controlling the high-voltage power supply and the power supply circuit so that a short power supply of the transverse mode power is supplied from the high-voltage power supply to the transmission circuit in accordance with the execution of the transverse mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus,

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an operation method thereof.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus irradiates an ultrasound signal generated from a transducer of a probe to a target object and receives information of a signal reflected from the target object to obtain information on a site inside the target object (for example, soft tissues or blood flow) At least one image is obtained.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can generate a pulse without distortion by controlling the power supply circuit for reducing the load on the high voltage power supply and supplying the power required for the generation of the transverse wave to the transmission circuit in accordance with the execution of the transverse mode.

In addition, the power supply circuit is designed in a board form and can be mounted in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus without a power supply circuit.

The present invention also provides a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method of operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

According to one aspect, a high voltage power supply; A transmission circuit that receives power from the high voltage power supply and generates a pulse for generating ultrasonic waves and applies the generated pulse to a probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; A transverse wave mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is performed so that electric power is supplied from the high voltage power source to the capacitor to charge the electric energy and the transverse wave used to generate the transverse wave in the transmission circuit based on the charged electric energy A power supply circuit for supplying mode power; And a processor for controlling the power supply circuit for supplying the transverse mode power supply according to the execution of the transverse mode and for controlling the high voltage power supply to supply the undervoltage power of the transverse mode power supply from the high voltage power supply to the transmission circuit An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided.

Wherein when the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit is reduced as the transverse mode power supply is supplied from the power supply circuit to the transmission circuit, the processor controls the power supply circuit and the high voltage power supply, It is possible to control the power supply to be increased so that the transverse mode power supply is constantly supplied from the power supply circuit to the transmission circuit.

The power supply circuit includes: a capacitor for charging the electric energy for supplying the transverse mode power; A constant current circuit connected to the high voltage power supply and supplying the electric energy for supplying the transverse mode power supply to the capacitor; A first switch for controlling the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor; And a second switch for controlling a connection between the capacitor and the transmission circuit.

The transient mode is performed so that the processor turns on the first switch to connect the constant current circuit to the capacitor and turns off the second switch to cut off the connection between the capacitor and the transmission circuit, The power supply circuit may be controlled so that the electric energy is charged in the capacitor based on the current supplied from the constant current circuit.

The processor turns off the first switch to cut off the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor and turns on the second switch to control the power supply circuit so that the capacitor and the transmission circuit are connected to each other, The transverse mode power supply may be supplied to the transmission circuit based on the electrical energy.

The power supply circuit may further include a discharge circuit for discharging electric energy charged in the capacitor.

Wherein the discharge circuit includes a third switch for controlling the connection between the capacitor and the ground, and wherein when the transverse mode is terminated or the operation of charging the electrical energy in the capacitor is not performed, The switch may be turned on to control the discharge circuit so that the capacitor is connected to the ground, so that the electric energy charged in the capacitor is discharged.

The transmission circuit may generate a pulse for generating the transverse wave using the transverse mode power supply, and apply the generated pulse to the probe.

The processor may generate the elastic image by controlling the probe so that the transverse wave is transmitted to the object, receiving the echo signal of the transverse wave reflected from the object, and calculating the propagation speed of the transverse wave.

The processor controls the power supply circuit such that the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit is supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with the execution of the transverse mode, and in accordance with execution of a mode other than the transverse mode, The power supply circuit can be controlled so that the charged electric energy is not supplied to the transmission circuit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating a transverse wave, comprising the steps of: controlling power supplied from a high-voltage power supply in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be charged in a capacitor in accordance with execution of a transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; Controlling a power supply circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus such that a transverse mode power source used for generating the transverse waves is supplied to a transmission circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on electric energy; Controlling the high voltage power supply such that a short power supply of the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with execution of the transverse mode; And controlling the transmission circuit so that the pulse is generated by using the transverse mode power supply to generate the transverse wave and the pulse is applied to the probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, / RTI >

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable recording medium containing a program for executing a method of operating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates a transverse wave, the method comprising: A transverse mode power source used for generating the transverse wave to the transmission circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is supplied based on the electric energy, Controlling a power supply circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is operated; Controlling the high voltage power supply such that a short power supply of the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with execution of the transverse mode; And controlling the transceiver to generate a pulse for generating the transverse wave using the transverse mode power supply, and controlling the transmission circuit so that the pulse is applied to the probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The present invention may be readily understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals refer to structural elements.
1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 (a) to 2 (c) are views showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a process of controlling a power supply circuit so that electric energy for supplying a transverse mode power source to a transmission circuit to a capacitor in a power supply circuit in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is charged according to an embodiment.
5 is a diagram for explaining a process of controlling a power supply circuit such that a transverse mode power supply is supplied to a transmission circuit using electric energy charged in a capacitor in a power supply circuit in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
6 is a diagram for explaining a transverse mode power supply supplied to a transmission circuit in accordance with execution of a transverse mode in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment;
7 is a diagram for explaining a power supply to a transmission circuit according to a mode other than the transverse mode in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 8 shows distorted pulses generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as the transverse mode is executed without a power supply circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 9 shows a distortionless pulse generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, as the power supply circuit is mounted in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the transverse mode is executed according to an embodiment.
10 and 11 are views for explaining a process of discharging electric energy charged in a capacitor in a power circuit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating a transverse wave according to an embodiment.
13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating transverse waves according to another embodiment.

The present specification discloses the principles of the present invention and discloses embodiments of the present invention so that those skilled in the art can carry out the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments may be implemented in various forms.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. The present specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and redundant description between general contents or embodiments in the technical field of the present invention will be omitted. As used herein, the term " part " may be embodied in software or hardware, and may be embodied as a unit, element, or section, Quot; element " includes a plurality of elements. Hereinafter, the working principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The image herein may include a medical image acquired by a medical imaging device, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT) device, an ultrasound imaging device, or an x-ray imaging device.

As used herein, the term " object " may include a person, an animal, or a part thereof as an object of photographing. For example, the object may comprise a part of the body (organ or organ) or a phantom.

The term " ultrasound image " in the entire specification refers to an image of an object that is transmitted to a target object and processed based on the ultrasound signal reflected from the target object.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a probe 20, an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 110, a control unit 120, an image processing unit 130, a display unit 140, a storage unit 150, a communication unit 160 And an input unit 170. The input unit 170 may include a plurality of input units.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 can be realized not only as a cart type but also as a portable type. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnostic devices include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, etc., including probes and applications.

The probe 20 may include a plurality of transducers. The plurality of transducers can transmit an ultrasonic signal to the object 10 according to a transmission signal applied from the transmission unit 113. The plurality of transducers can receive ultrasonic signals reflected from the object 10 and form a received signal. The probe 20 may be implemented integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 or may be implemented as a separate type connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 by wired or wireless connection. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may include one or a plurality of probes 20 according to an embodiment.

The control unit 120 controls the transmission unit 113 to form a transmission signal to be applied to each of the plurality of transducers in consideration of the positions and focusing points of the plurality of transducers included in the probe 20. [

The control unit 120 converts the received signal received from the probe 20 into a digital signal and outputs the digitized signal to the receiver 115 to generate ultrasonic data by summing the received signals in consideration of the positions and focusing points of the plurality of transducers ).

The image processing unit 130 generates an ultrasound image using the ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound receiving unit 115.

The display unit 140 may display the generated ultrasound image and various information processed in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may include one or a plurality of display units 140 according to an embodiment. In addition, the display unit 140 may be implemented as a touch screen in combination with the touch panel.

The controller 120 may control the overall operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and the signal flow between the internal components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. The control unit 120 may include a memory for storing programs or data for performing the functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, and a processor for processing programs or data. In addition, the control unit 120 may receive a control signal from the input unit 170 or an external device to control the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. [

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 160 and can be connected to an external device (for example, a server, a medical device, a portable device (smart phone, tablet PC, wearable device, etc.) have.

The communication unit 160 may include at least one of a short-range communication module, a wired communication module, and a wireless communication module. The communication unit 160 may include at least one component that enables communication with an external device.

The communication unit 160 receives the control signal and data from the external device and transmits the received control signal to the control unit 120 so that the control unit 120 controls the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the received control signal It is also possible.

Alternatively, the control unit 120 may transmit a control signal to the external device via the communication unit 160, thereby controlling the external device according to the control signal of the control unit.

For example, an external device can process data of an external device according to a control signal of a control unit received through a communication unit.

The external device may be provided with a program for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. The program may include an instruction to perform a part or all of the operation of the control unit 120. [

The program may be installed in an external device in advance, or a user of the external device may download and install the program from a server that provides the application. The server providing the application may include a recording medium storing the program.

The storage unit 150 may store various data or programs for driving and controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, input / output ultrasound data, and acquired ultrasound images.

The input unit 170 can receive a user's input for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. [ For example, the input of the user may be an input for operating a button, a keypad, a mouse, a trackball, a jog switch, a knob, etc., an input for touching a touch pad or a touch screen, a voice input, (E.g., iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, etc.), and the like.

An example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c).

2 (a) to 2 (c) are views showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses 100a and 100b may include a main display unit 121 and a sub-display unit 122. FIG. At least one of the main display unit 121 and the sub-display unit 122 may be implemented as a touch screen. The main display unit 121 and the sub display unit 122 may display various information processed by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses 100a and 100b. The main display unit 121 and the sub-display unit 122 are implemented with a touch screen. By providing a GUI, data for controlling the ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses 100a and 100b can be received from a user. For example, the main display unit 121 may display an ultrasound image, and the sub-display unit 122 may display a control panel for controlling the display of the ultrasound image in a GUI form. The sub-display unit 122 can receive data for controlling display of an image through a control panel displayed in a GUI form. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses 100a and 100b can control the display of the ultrasound image displayed on the main display unit 121 using the received control data.

 2B, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100b may further include a control panel 165 in addition to the main display unit 121 and the sub-display unit 122. FIG. The control panel 165 may include a button, a trackball, a jog switch, a knob, and the like, and receives data for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100b from a user. For example, the control panel 165 may include a Time Gain Compensation (TGC) button 171, a Freeze button 172, and the like. The TGC button 171 is a button for setting the TGC value for each depth of the ultrasound image. Also, when the input of the freeze button 172 is detected during the scan of the ultrasound image, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100b can maintain the state of displaying the frame image at the time point.

A button, a trackball, a jog switch, a knob, and the like included in the control panel 165 may be provided as a GUI on the main display unit 121 or the sub display unit 122.

Referring to FIG. 2 (c), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100c may be implemented as a portable type. As an example of the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100c,

But are not limited to, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like, including probes and applications.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100c includes a probe 20 and a body 40. The probe 20 may be connected to one side of the body 40 by wire or wirelessly. The body 40 may include a touch screen 145. The touch screen 145 may display an ultrasound image, various information processed by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, GUI, and the like.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may include a high voltage power supply 310, a transmission circuit 330, a power supply circuit 320 and a processor 340. However, not all illustrated components are required. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can be implemented by a larger number of components than the illustrated components and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can be implemented by fewer components. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 3 may correspond to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the components will be described.

The high voltage power supply 310 can supply power to the power supply circuit 320 and the transmission circuit 330. The power supply circuit 320 can receive electric power from the high voltage power supply 310 and charge the electric energy according to the execution of the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300. The power supply circuit 320 may supply the transverse mode power used to generate the transverse waves to the transmission circuit 330 based on the electrical energy. The transmission circuit 330 receives the power from the high voltage power source 310 and generates pulses for generating ultrasonic waves to apply the pulses generated by the probes (not shown) in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300.

For example, the power supply circuit 320 may include a capacitor, a constant current circuit, a first switch, and a second switch. The capacitor can charge electrical energy to supply the transverse mode power supply. Here, one side of the capacitor may be connected to the high voltage power supply 310, and the other side of the capacitor may be connected to the ground. The constant current circuit is connected to the high voltage power source 310 and can supply electric energy to the capacitor for supplying the transverse mode power. The first switch can control the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor. The second switch can control the connection of the capacitor and the transmission circuit 330. 3, the power supply circuit 320-1 is connected between the (+) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310 and the (+) terminal of the transmission circuit 330 . The power supply circuit 320-2 may be connected between the (-) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310 and the (-) terminal of the transmission circuit 330.

The processor 340 may control the power supply circuit 320 that supplies the transverse mode power supply in accordance with the execution of the transverse mode. In addition, the processor 340 may control the high voltage power supply 310 such that the transverse mode power is supplied from the high voltage power supply 310 to the transmission circuit 330. For example, the processor 340 may control the high voltage power supply 310 such that a low power supply of the transverse mode power supply is supplied from the high voltage power supply 310 to the transmission circuit 330.

As the power supply circuit 320 supplies the transverse mode power supply to the transmission circuit 330, the electric energy charged in the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 can be reduced. The processor 340 may control the power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 to increase the lack power of the transverse mode power supplied from the high voltage power supply 310. [ As the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 is reduced, the processor 340 reduces the amount of the transverse mode power supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330 by the reduced size, The power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 may be controlled so that the undervoltage power of the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit 330. The processor 340 may control the power circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 to control the supply of the transverse mode power supply to fill the capacitor with reduced electrical energy. That is, the processor 340 may control the power supply circuit 320 to supply the transverse mode power to the transmission circuit 330 constantly.

The processor 340 may control the power supply circuit 320 so that the electric energy is charged in the capacitor based on the electric current supplied from the constant current circuit. Specifically, the processor 340 controls the power supply circuit 320 to turn on the first switch to connect the constant current circuit to the capacitor, and to turn off the second switch to cut off the connection between the capacitor and the transmission circuit 330 . The process of controlling the power supply circuit 320 so that the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 is charged with electric energy will be described with reference to FIG.

The processor 340 may control the power supply circuit 320 so that the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit 330 based on the electrical energy charged in the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320. [ Specifically, the processor 340 turns off the first switch to cut off the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor, and turns on the second switch to control the power supply circuit 320 so that the capacitor and the transmission circuit 330 are connected . A process of controlling the power supply circuit 320 so that the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit 330 using electric energy to the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 will be described with reference to FIG.

The power supply circuit 320 may further include a discharge circuit for discharging electric energy charged in the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320. [ The discharge circuit may include a third switch for controlling the connection between the capacitor and the ground.

If the transverse mode is terminated or the operation of charging electrical energy in the capacitor is not performed, the processor 340 may turn on the third switch to control the discharge circuit so that the capacitor is connected to ground. That is, the processor 340 can control the discharging circuit so that the electric energy charged in the capacitor is discharged. The process of discharging the electric energy charged in the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 to FIG.

The transmitting circuit 330 may supply a driving signal to a probe (not shown), and may include a pulse generating unit, a transmitting delay unit, and a pulser. The pulse generator may generate a pulse for forming a transmission ultrasonic wave according to a predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The transmission delay unit may apply a delay time to the pulse to determine the transmission directionality. Each of the pulses to which the delay time is applied may correspond to a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe (not shown). The pulser can apply a drive signal (or a drive pulse) to a probe (not shown) at a timing corresponding to each pulse to which the delay time is applied. Transmit circuit 330 may generate a transverse wave using a transverse mode power supply. The transmitting circuit 330 can apply the generated pulse to a probe (not shown). The processor 340 may control the probe (not shown) such that the transverse waves are transmitted to the object.

The transmission circuit 330 may include an amplifier, an ADC (Analog Digital Converter), a reception delay unit, and a summing unit, which can generate ultrasonic data by processing an echo signal received from a probe (not shown) can do. The amplifier amplifies the echo signal for each channel, and the ADC can convert the amplified echo signal to analog-to-digital. The reception delay unit may apply the delay time for determining the reception directionality to the digitally converted echo signal, and the summation unit may generate the ultrasound data by summing the echo signals processed by the reception delay unit. The transmission circuit 330 can receive the ultrasonic wave data of the object by receiving the echo signal of the transverse wave reflected from the object. The processor 340 can calculate the velocity of propagation of the transverse waves using the ultrasonic data obtained by receiving the echo signal of the transverse waves reflected from the object, and generate the elastic image based on the calculated speed of the propagated waves.

The processor 340 can control the power supply circuit 320 such that the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 is supplied to the transmission circuit 330 as the transverse mode is executed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 . The processor 340 controls the power supply circuit 320 so that the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 is not supplied to the transmission circuit 330. [ Can be controlled.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 300 may further include a memory (not shown). The memory (not shown) may store software or a computer program related to the method of operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300. For example, a memory (not shown) may include instructions to control the high voltage power supply 310, the power supply circuit 320 and the transmission circuit 330 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 to generate a transverse wave.

For example, in accordance with the execution of the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, the instructions control the power supplied from the high voltage power supply 310 to be charged with electric energy, A command to control the power supply circuit 320 to supply the transverse mode power supply, a command to control the high voltage power supply 310 such that the lacking power of the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit 330 according to the execution of the transverse mode, And control the transmission circuit 330 so that a pulse is generated to generate a transverse wave using the mode power source and a pulse is applied to a probe (not shown) in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300. [ The processor 340 can execute the instructions stored in the memory (not shown) to control the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300. [

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 300 may include a central processing unit to collectively control operations of the high voltage power supply 310, the power supply circuit 320, the transmission circuit 330, and the processor 340. The central processing unit may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The operation of the high voltage power supply 310, the power supply circuit 320, the transmission circuit 330 and the processor 340 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may be performed by a computer or a computer readable medium storing instructions or data executable by the processor Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > storage media. May be embodied in a general-purpose digital computer that can be embodied as a program that can be executed on a computer, and that operates the program using a computer-readable storage medium. Such computer-readable storage mediums may include read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD + Rs, CD- , DVD-Rs, DVD + Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD + RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD- REs, magnetic tape, floppy disk, magneto- Data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks (SSDs), and instructions or software, associated data, data files, and data structures, Software, related data, data files, and data structures.

Hereinafter, various operations and applications performed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 will be described. Even if the configuration of the high voltage power supply 310, the power supply circuit 320, the transmission circuit 330, and the processor 340 is not specified, It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the names of specific structures or physical / logical structures It is not.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a process of controlling a power supply circuit so that electric energy for supplying a transverse mode power source to a transmission circuit to a capacitor in a power supply circuit in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is charged according to an embodiment.

4, the power supply circuit 320 may include a capacitor 401, a constant current circuit 402, a first switch 403, and a second switch 404. It will be understood by those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the power supply circuit 320 may include other elements than the elements shown in FIG.

When the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is performed in the transverse mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can charge the electric power to the power supply circuit 320 in order to supply the transverse mode power to the transmission circuit 330 have. In this case, when the electric energy is quickly charged to the capacitor 401, the overvoltage may be generated in the high voltage power supply 310. Therefore, the power supply circuit 320 uses the constant current circuit 402 to charge the capacitor 401 Energy can be charged. The constant current circuit 402 is a circuit in which a constant current always flows regardless of the value of the voltage applied across the both ends of the constant current circuit 402. [ Although the detailed configuration diagram of the constant current circuit 402 is not shown in Fig. 4, the constant current circuit 402 can be implemented by a predetermined transistor.

As shown in FIG. 4, the capacitor 401 can charge electrical energy for supplying the transverse mode power. Here, one side of the capacitor 401 may be connected to the high voltage power source 310, and the other side of the capacitor may be connected to the ground. The constant current circuit 402 is connected to the high voltage power supply 310 and can supply electric energy for supplying the transverse mode power to the capacitor 401. The first switch 403 can control the connection of the constant current circuit 402 and the capacitor 401. The second switch 404 can control the connection of the capacitor 401 and the transmission circuit 330.

4, the power supply circuit 320-1 may be connected between the (+) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310 and the (+) terminal of the transmission circuit 330. [ The power supply circuit 320-2 may be connected between the (-) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310 and the (-) terminal of the transmission circuit 330.

The power supply circuit 320 turns on the first switch 403 so that the constant current circuit 402 is connected to the capacitor 401 and the second switch 404 is turned off to connect the capacitor 401 and the transmission circuit 330 Connection can be blocked. The capacitor 401 can charge electric energy based on the current supplied from the constant current circuit 402. [ Specifically, as the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is executed, the high voltage gauge can supply electric energy to the capacitor 401 through the constant current circuit 402 in the power supply circuit 320. [ The power supply circuit 320 can charge the capacitor 401 to the capacitor 401 based on the current supplied from the constant current circuit 402 in the power supply circuit 320. [ At this time, the amount of charge can be charged in the capacitor 401 in proportion to the capacitance of the capacitor 401. The capacitor 401 shown in FIG. 4 is shown as one capacitor 401, but the capacitor 401 can represent an equivalent capacitor 401 for a plurality of the capacitors 401.

In addition, while the capacitor 401 is charged with electrical energy, the high voltage power supply 310 can supply power to the transmission circuit 330. [ 4, the (+) terminal of the transmission circuit 330 is connected to the (+) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310 and the (+) terminal of the transmission circuit 330 (-) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310 is connected to the (-) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310, and the high voltage power supply 310 can supply necessary power to the transmission circuit 330 in the transmission circuit 330.

5 is a diagram for explaining a process of controlling a power supply circuit such that a transverse mode power supply is supplied to a transmission circuit using electric energy charged in a capacitor in a power supply circuit in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

When charging of the electric power to the capacitor 401 in the power supply circuit 320 is completed, the power supply circuit 320 supplies the transverse mode power used for generating the transverse wave to the transmission circuit 330 based on the charged electric energy . That is, the power supply circuit 320 can control the elements in the power supply circuit 320 such that the operation of the power supply circuit 320 is changed and performed from the electric energy charging operation to the transverse mode power supply operation.

5, the power supply circuit 320 turns off the first switch 403 to cut off the connection between the constant current circuit 402 and the capacitor 401, and turns on the second switch 404 So that the capacitor 401 and the transmission circuit 330 can be connected. According to the operation control of the first switch 403 and the second switch 404, the power supply circuit 320 can supply the transverse mode power supply to the transmission circuit 330 based on the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401 .

When the transverse mode power supply is initially supplied to the transmission circuit 330 in accordance with the execution of the transverse mode in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401 is sufficient, A distortion-free pulse can be generated in the transmission circuit 330 only by the transverse mode power supply. However, as the time elapses, the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401 is reduced, and the power supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330 per unit time is also reduced. Therefore, the power supplied from the power supply circuit 320 A distortionless pulse can not be generated in the transmission circuit 330 only by the transverse mode power supply. Accordingly, as the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401 is reduced, the high voltage power supply 310 further increases power by a reduced amount of power supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330 per unit time 330, respectively.

That is, when the power supply circuit 320 performs the operation of supplying the transverse mode power to the transmission circuit 330, the power supply circuit 320 supplies the transverse mode power supply to the transmission circuit 330 based on the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401, (330). When the power supplied to the transmission circuit 330 from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330 is reduced as time elapses, the high voltage power supply 310 supplies power to the transverse mode power supply 310 based on the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401, To be supplied to the transmission circuit 330. For example, the high voltage power supply 310 may supply a lacking power of the transverse mode power supply to the capacitor 401 in the power supply circuit to charge the reduced energy in the capacitor 401. The power supply circuit 320 can control the power supply circuit 320 to supply the transverse mode power constantly to the transmission circuit 330 based on the recharged electric energy.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may control operations of the power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 such that the transverse mode power is constantly supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330.

When the transverse mode power supplied to the transmission circuit 330 is supplied from the power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310, the power consumption of the power supply circuit 320 or the high voltage power supply 310 A capacitor 401 can be used. The smaller the volume or the area occupied by the capacitor 401 becomes, the smaller the volume or area of the power supply circuit 320 can be.

6 is a diagram for explaining a transverse mode power supply supplied to a transmission circuit in accordance with execution of a transverse mode in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment;

The electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 can be reduced as the transverse mode power supply is supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330. When the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 is reduced, the power supply circuit 320 may not be able to supply the transverse mode power to the transmission circuit 330 constantly. That is, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the transverse mode power supply that can be supplied per unit time in the power supply circuit 320 gradually decreases, so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can not supply the power supply circuit 320 with the transmission circuit 330 The power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 can be controlled so as to supply only the undervoltage power from the high voltage power supply. Specifically, as the electric energy charged in the capacitor is consumed and the electric energy charged is reduced, the impedance of the capacitor can be increased. As the impedance of the capacitor is increased, the electric energy supplied from the high voltage power supply 310 to the power supply circuit 320 can be reduced. Accordingly, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is configured such that the power supply circuit 320 supplies the transverse mode power to the transmission circuit 330 from the high voltage power supply 310 to the transreflection mode power supply 310, Voltage power source 310 and the power source circuit 320 so as to supply the undervoltage power source of the high-voltage power source 310. [

The power supply circuit 320 can supply the transverse mode power to the transmission circuit 330 constantly by supplying the undervoltage power of the transverse mode power supply to the transmission circuit 330 by the high voltage power supply 310. [ In other words, the sum of the current supplied from the high voltage power supply 310 and the current supplied from the capacitor 401 in the power supply circuit 320 is supplied to the transmission circuit 330, The operation of the power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 can be controlled so that the current supplied to the power supply circuit 330 is constant.

6, the current (1) supplied from the high voltage power supply 310 to the transmission circuit 330 and the current (2) supplied from the capacitor 401 in the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330, May be the value of the final current (3) supplied to the transmission circuit 330. [ 6, the current (2) supplied from the capacitor 401 in the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330 is the sum of the final current (3) supplied to the transmission circuit 330 and the high- 310) to the transmission circuit (330). As the transverse mode power supply is steadily supplied to the transmit circuit 330 steady, the waveform 610 for the push pulse applied to produce the transverse waves in the transmit circuit 330 can be obtained without distortion, The waveform 620 for the measure pulse along the pulse can also be obtained without distortion.

7 is a diagram for explaining a power supply to a transmission circuit according to a mode other than the transverse mode in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 300 may acquire an ultrasound image corresponding to a plurality of modes of operation. For example, the plurality of modes may include an amplitude mode, a brightness mode, a color mode, a Doppler mode, an M mode, and a transverse mode , It is understood that other modes may be included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, as the B mode is executed in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 300, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 300 can extract the B mode component from the ultrasound data and generate an ultrasound image in which the intensity of the signal is represented by brightness. On the other hand, as the transverse mode is executed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can generate the elastic image by calculating the propagation speed of the transverse waves from the ultrasonic data.

Since the power supply required by the transmission circuit 330 is different for a predetermined time when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 operates in the transverse mode and in modes other than the transverse mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 Can control the operation of the power supply circuit 320 according to the execution of the transverse mode.

Specifically, when a transverse wave mode is performed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 determines that the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 is high The operation of the power supply circuit 320 can be controlled so as to be supplied to the transmission circuit 330. [ When a mode other than the transverse wave mode is performed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 controls the power supply circuit 320 such that the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 is not supplied to the transmission circuit 330 Can be controlled.

7, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is connected to the high voltage power supply 310 and the transmission circuit 330 in accordance with a path through which the high voltage power supply 310 and the transmission circuit 330 are connected, , It is possible to supply necessary power to the transmission circuit 330. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may turn off the first switch 403 of the power supply circuit 320 to control the power supply circuit 320 so that the capacitor 401 is not charged with electric energy. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can also control the power supply circuit 320 so that the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401 is not supplied to the transmission circuit 330 by turning off the second switch 404. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can control to supply the necessary power to the transmission circuit 330 only in the high-voltage power supply 310. [

FIG. 8 shows distorted pulses generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as the transverse mode is executed without a power supply circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

8, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 does not include the power supply circuit 320 that supplies the transverse mode power supply to the transmission circuit 330 according to the execution of the transverse mode. When the transverse mode is executed without the power supply circuit 320 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, a distorted pulse is generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300.

As shown in FIG. 8, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may generate a transverse wave by focusing an ultrasonic wave to generate a long burst Tx (long burst Tx). However, by generating the long burst Tx, an overload is generated in the high voltage power supply 310 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, so that the pulse waveform 810 for the long burst Tx can be distorted. When distortion occurs in the pulse waveform, an abnormal transverse wave is generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, transverse wave generation may not be performed well, and distortion of the waveform may act as noise.

8, the distortion of the measurement waveform 820 may be a phenomenon that occurs when the pulse waveform 810 is generated and the measurement Tx is executed before the load in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is restored to the normal state . Therefore, noise is also generated in the measurement waveform 820 observed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, the operation speed of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is slowed down, and the quality of the ultrasonic image generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is also lowered do. Due to the distorted waveform, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can not accurately diagnose the object. Therefore, there is a need for a power supply circuit 320 for reducing the load on the high voltage power supply 310 and generating an undistorted pulse waveform for the long burst Tx.

The circuit diagram shown in FIG. 8 may be substantially the same as the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 7, which operates in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 as a mode other than the transverse mode is executed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300. Therefore, the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 8 may be a circuit diagram suitable for the case where modes other than the transverse mode are executed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300. [

FIG. 9 shows a distortionless pulse generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, as the power supply circuit is mounted in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the transverse mode is executed according to an embodiment.

9, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 includes a power supply circuit 320 that supplies the transverse mode power supply to the transmission circuit 330 in accordance with execution of the transverse mode. When the transverse mode is executed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, a pulse without distortion is generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300.

Meanwhile, the power supply circuit 320 shown in FIG. 9 can be designed to be detachable. Therefore, by additionally providing the power supply circuit 320 in the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 8, the circuit diagram of Fig. 8 can be supplemented. 9, the power supply circuit 320-1 may be connected between the (+) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310 and the (+) terminal of the transmission circuit 330. The power supply circuit 320-2 may be connected between the (-) terminal of the high voltage power supply 310 and the (-) terminal of the transmission circuit 330.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can generate a transverse wave by focusing a ultrasonic wave to generate a long burst Tx. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can reduce the load of the high voltage power supply 310 by controlling the power supply circuit 320 to supply the transverse mode power from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can control the high voltage power supply 310 such that the low power supply of the transverse mode power supply is supplied from the high voltage power supply 310 to the transmission circuit 330.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 controls the power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 so that the transverse mode power is constantly supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330 so that the pulse waveform for the long burst Tx (910) can be generated without distortion. In addition, noise can be reduced in other pulses 920 observed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, and the quality of the ultrasound image can also be improved.

10 and 11 are views for explaining a process of discharging electric energy charged in a capacitor in a power circuit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

10, when the electric energy stored in the capacitor 401 in the power supply circuit 320 is not discharged but remains in the capacitor 401, the electric power stored in the high voltage power supply 310 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 The load can be continuously applied, and the life of the capacitor 401 can be shortened. The power supply circuit 320 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may further include a discharge circuit 405 for discharging the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401 in the power supply circuit 320. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can discharge the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401 through the discharging circuit 405 when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is normally terminated or abnormally terminated. If the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 does not operate in the transverse mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus does not charge the capacitor 401 with the electric energy, but discharges the electric energy remaining in the capacitor 401 through the discharging circuit 405 .

The discharging circuit 405 may include a third switch 406 for controlling the connection of the capacitor 401 and the ground. Further, the constant current circuit 407 may further be provided between the third switch 406 and the ground. It is to be noted that the power supply circuit 320 including the discharging circuit 405 shown in Fig. 10 is merely an example, and that the discharging circuit 405 can include other elements in addition to the elements shown in Fig. 10, It can be understood from the viewpoint of engineers.

10, a third switch 406 for controlling the connection between the capacitor 401 and the ground may be connected to the node between the first switch 403 and the second switch 404. [

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 turns on the third switch 406 so that the capacitor 401 is grounded so that the capacitor 401 is not grounded, The discharging circuit 405 is controlled to be connected to the capacitor 401 so that the electric energy charged in the capacitor 401 can be discharged. In this case, the first switch 403 and the second switch 404 in the power supply circuit 320 are turned off so that the electric energy is not charged in the capacitor 401, (Not shown). That is, the electric energy remaining in the capacitor 401 can be discharged through the ground. The constant current circuit 407 in the discharging circuit 405 in the power supply circuit 320 generates a constant current from the capacitor 401 to the ground regardless of the electric energy remaining in the capacitor 401 or the value of the voltage across the capacitor 401 So that the electric energy remaining in the capacitor 401 can be discharged.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating a transverse wave according to an embodiment.

In step S1210, as the transverse mode is executed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 controls the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 such that the transverse mode power source used to generate the transverse wave is supplied to the transmitting circuit 330 The power supply circuit 320 can be controlled.

Specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can control the power supply circuit 320 such that the power supplied from the high voltage power supply 310 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is charged with electric energy to the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 . The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may control the power supply circuit 320 so that the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit 330 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 based on the electric energy charged in the capacitor.

In step S1220, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may control the high-voltage power supply 310 such that the undervoltage power of the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmitting circuit 330. [ Specifically, as the transverse mode power is supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330, the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 can be reduced. As the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 is reduced, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 has a reduced amount of transverse mode power supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330, The high voltage power supply 310 can be controlled so that the size of the power supply is increased. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may control the power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 to control the supply of the transverse mode power supply so as to fill the reduced electric energy in the capacitor. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may control the power supply circuit 320 and the high voltage power supply 310 such that the transverse mode power is constantly supplied from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330.

In step S1230, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may control the transmitting circuit 330 to generate a pulse that generates a transverse wave using the transverse mode power supply. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may control the transmission circuit 330 so that the generated pulse is applied to the probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300. [ The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can transmit the transverse waves to the object by controlling the probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can generate an elastic image by receiving the echo signal of the transverse wave reflected from the object and calculating the propagation speed of the transverse wave.

13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating transverse waves according to another embodiment.

In step S1310, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can determine an operation mode for generating ultrasonic waves. If the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is the transverse mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can perform the operation according to step S1320. On the other hand, if the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is not the transverse mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can perform the operation according to step S1315.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can control the power supply circuit 320 so that the electric energy charged in the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 is not supplied to the transmission circuit 330 in step S1315. Specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can interrupt the operation of the power supply circuit 320 so that the electric energy charged in the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 is not supplied to the transmission circuit 330. When the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 is not charged with electric energy, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 controls the power supply circuit 320 so that the transverse mode power supply is not supplied to the transmission circuit 330 through the power supply circuit 320 Can be controlled.

Further, in step S1315, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can control the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 so that the electric energy is not charged.

In step S1320, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can control the operation of the element in the power supply circuit 320 so that the electric energy is charged in the power supply circuit 320. [ For example, the power supply circuit 320 may include a capacitor, a constant current circuit, a first switch, and a second switch. The capacitor can charge electrical energy to supply the transverse mode power supply. The constant current circuit can supply electrical energy to the capacitor to supply the transverse mode power. The first switch can control the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor. The second switch can control the connection of the capacitor and the transmission circuit 330. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 controls the power supply circuit 320 to turn off the first switch to connect the constant current circuit and the capacitor and turn off the second switch to cut off the connection between the capacitor and the transmission circuit 330, So that electric energy can be charged.

In step S1325, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can confirm whether or not the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 has been charged with electric energy. If the electric energy is completely charged in the capacitor, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can perform the operation according to step S1330. On the other hand, if the electric energy in the capacitor is not completely charged, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can perform the operation according to step S1320.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can control the power supply circuit 320 to supply the transverse mode power to the transmission circuit 330 based on the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 in step S1330. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 turns off the first switch to cut off the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor, turns on the second switch, and controls the power supply circuit 320 to connect the capacitor and the transmission circuit 330 So that the transverse mode power supply can be supplied to the transmission circuit 330. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 controls the operation of the first switch and the second switch so that the transverse mode power supply can be supplied to the transmitting circuit 330, based on the electric energy charged in the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320 can do.

According to step S1340, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can determine whether the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 has been terminated. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can determine whether the operation of charging the electric energy in the power supply circuit 320 is not performed. If the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is terminated and the operation of charging the electric power by the power supply circuit 320 is not performed, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can perform the operation according to step S1350. If the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 is terminated and the operation of charging the electric power by the power supply circuit 320 is not performed, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may perform the operation according to step S1315. In addition, if the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 has not ended, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can perform the operation according to step S1325.

In step S1350, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can control the power supply circuit 320 so that the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit 320 is discharged. For example, the power supply circuit 320 may further include a discharge circuit for discharging electric energy charged in the capacitor in the power supply circuit 320. [ The discharge circuit may include a third switch for controlling the connection between the capacitor and the ground. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 can turn on the third switch to connect the capacitor to the ground and control the discharge circuit so that the electric energy charged in the capacitor is discharged. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 may control the operation of the third switch to supply the transverse mode power from the power supply circuit 320 to the transmission circuit 330 and to discharge the remaining electric energy.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 300 described above may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, and / or a combination of hardware component and software component. For example, the apparatus and components described in the embodiments may be implemented within a computer system, such as, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array (FPA) A programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions.

The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the operating system. The processing device may also access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to execution of the software.

For ease of understanding, the processing apparatus may be described as being used singly, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the processing apparatus may have a plurality of processing elements and / As shown in FIG. For example, the processing unit may comprise a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations are also possible, such as a parallel processor.

The software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing, and may be configured to configure the processing device to operate as desired or to process it collectively or collectively Device can be commanded.

The software and / or data may be in the form of any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage media, or device , Or may be permanently or temporarily embodied in a transmitted signal wave. The software may be distributed over a networked computer system and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on one or more computer readable recording media.

The method according to an embodiment may be implemented in the form of a program command that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions to be recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the embodiments or may be available to those skilled in the art of computer software.

Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magnetic media such as floppy disks; Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like.

Examples of program instructions include machine language code such as those produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. For example, it is to be understood that the techniques described may be performed in a different order than the described methods, and / or that components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, Lt; / RTI > or equivalents, even if it is replaced or replaced.

Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described, but should be determined by the appended claims, as well as the appended claims.

Claims (20)

High voltage power supply;
A transmission circuit that receives power from the high voltage power supply and generates a pulse for generating ultrasonic waves and applies the generated pulse to a probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus;
A transverse mode power supply for supplying transverse mode power used for generating a transverse wave to the transmission circuit on the basis of the electric energy by supplying the electric power from the high voltage power supply in accordance with execution of the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; A power supply circuit; And
The control circuit controls the power supply circuit for supplying the transverse mode power supply and controls the high voltage power supply and the power supply circuit so that the short power supply of the transverse mode power supply is supplied from the high voltage power supply to the transmission circuit And a processor. The method according to claim 1,
If the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit is reduced as the transverse mode power supply is supplied from the power supply circuit to the transmission circuit,
Wherein the processor controls the power supply circuit and the high voltage power supply,
Wherein the control circuit controls the triboelectric power supplied from the high voltage power supply to increase so that the transverse mode power supply is constantly supplied from the power supply circuit to the transmission circuit. The method according to claim 1,
The power supply circuit includes:
A capacitor for charging the electrical energy for supplying the transverse mode power supply;
A constant current circuit connected to the high voltage power supply and supplying the electric energy for supplying the transverse mode power supply to the capacitor;
A first switch for controlling the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor; And
And a second switch for controlling the connection of the capacitor and the transmission circuit. The method of claim 3,
In accordance with the execution of the transverse mode,
The first switch is turned off to cut off the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor and the second switch is turned on to control the power supply circuit so that the capacitor and the transmission circuit are connected,
And the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit based on the electric energy charged in the capacitor. The method of claim 3,
The processor comprising:
The control circuit controls the power supply circuit to turn off the first switch to connect the constant current circuit to the capacitor and to turn off the second switch to cut off the connection between the capacitor and the transmission circuit,
And the electric energy is charged in the capacitor based on a current supplied from the constant current circuit. The method of claim 3,
The power supply circuit includes:
Further comprising a discharge circuit for discharging electric energy charged in the capacitor. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the discharge circuit includes a third switch for controlling a connection between the capacitor and the ground,
If the transverse mode is terminated or the operation of charging the electric energy in the capacitor is not performed,
The third switch is turned on to control the discharge circuit so that the capacitor is connected to the ground,
And the electric energy charged in the capacitor is discharged. The method according to claim 1,
The transmission circuit comprising:
And generates a pulse for generating the transverse wave using the transverse mode power supply, and applies the generated pulse to the probe. 9. The method of claim 8,
The processor comprising:
Wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates the elastic image by controlling the probe to transmit the transverse wave to the object and receiving the echo signal of the transverse wave reflected from the object to calculate the propagation speed of the transverse wave. The method according to claim 1,
The processor comprising:
Controls the power supply circuit so that the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit is supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with execution of the transverse mode,
And controls the power supply circuit such that the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit is not supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with execution of a mode other than the transverse mode. A method of operating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating a transverse wave,
A transverse wave is generated by a transmission circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the electric energy by controlling the electric power supplied from a high voltage power supply in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be charged by electric energy in accordance with execution of the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, Controlling the power supply circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so that the transverse mode power supply used for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is supplied;
Controlling the high voltage power supply and the power supply circuit such that a short power supply of the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with execution of the transverse mode; And
Controlling the generation of the pulse for generating the transverse wave using the transverse mode power supply and controlling the transmission circuit so that the pulse is applied to the probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 12. The method of claim 11,
Controlling the high voltage power supply such that the undervoltage power supply is supplied to the transmitting circuit,
If the electric energy charged in the power supply circuit is reduced as the transverse mode power supply is supplied from the power supply circuit to the transmission circuit,
And controlling the power supply circuit and the high voltage power supply such that the transient mode power supply is constantly supplied from the power supply circuit to the transmission circuit, Lt; / RTI > 12. The method of claim 11,
The power supply circuit includes:
A capacitor for charging the electrical energy for supplying the transverse mode power supply;
A constant current circuit connected to the high voltage power supply and supplying the electric energy for supplying the transverse mode power supply to the capacitor;
A first switch for controlling the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor; And
And a second switch for controlling connection between the capacitor and the transmission circuit. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the step of controlling the power supply circuit such that the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit comprises:
And turning off the first switch to cut off the connection between the constant current circuit and the capacitor, and turning on the second switch to control the power supply circuit so that the capacitor and the transmission circuit are connected to each other. How it works. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the step of controlling the power supply circuit such that the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit comprises:
And controlling the power supply circuit so that the electric energy is charged in the capacitor. 16. The method of claim 15,
The step of controlling the power supply circuit such that the electric energy is charged to the capacitor includes:
Controlling the power supply circuit to turn off the first switch to couple the constant current circuit and the capacitor and turn off the second switch to cut off the connection between the capacitor and the transmission circuit, Lt; / RTI > 14. The method of claim 13,
The power supply circuit further includes a discharge circuit including a third switch for discharging the electric energy charged in the capacitor and controlling connection between the capacitor and the ground,
The method of operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
Wherein when the transverse mode is terminated or when an operation of charging the electric energy by the capacitor is not performed, the third switch is turned on to connect the capacitor and the ground to discharge the electric energy charged in the capacitor Further comprising the step of controlling the discharge circuit. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising the step of controlling the probe so that the transverse wave is transmitted to the object and receiving an echo signal of the transverse wave reflected from the object to calculate a propagation velocity of the transverse wave to generate an elastic image, How it works. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the step of controlling the power supply circuit such that the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit comprises:
Controlling the power supply circuit such that electric energy charged in the power supply circuit is supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with execution of the transverse mode; And
And controlling the power supply circuit so that electric energy charged in the power supply circuit is not supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with execution of a mode other than the transverse mode. A computer-readable recording medium containing a program for executing an operation method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates a transverse wave,
A transverse wave is generated by a transmission circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus on the basis of the electric energy by controlling the electric power supplied from a high voltage power supply in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be charged by electric energy in accordance with execution of the transverse mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, Controlling the power supply circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so that the transverse mode power supply used for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is supplied;
Controlling the high voltage power supply and the power supply circuit such that a short power supply of the transverse mode power supply is supplied to the transmission circuit in accordance with execution of the transverse mode; And
Controlling the generation of the pulse to generate the transverse wave using the transverse mode power supply, and controlling the transmission circuit so that the pulse is applied to the probe in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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