WO2013031169A1 - 超音波診断装置 - Google Patents
超音波診断装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2013031169A1 WO2013031169A1 PCT/JP2012/005350 JP2012005350W WO2013031169A1 WO 2013031169 A1 WO2013031169 A1 WO 2013031169A1 JP 2012005350 W JP2012005350 W JP 2012005350W WO 2013031169 A1 WO2013031169 A1 WO 2013031169A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
- A61B8/4483—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
- B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
- B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
- B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
- B06B1/0215—Driving circuits for generating pulses, e.g. bursts of oscillations, envelopes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
- B06B2201/00—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- B06B2201/30—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups with electronic damping
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
- B06B2201/00—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- B06B2201/70—Specific application
- B06B2201/76—Medical, dental
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used for medical diagnosis, and more particularly to a technique for generating an ultrasonic pulse for irradiation into the body in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- the ultrasonic transducer 1 converts ultrasonic waves and electricity into each other, and is connected to the transmission pulse generator 3 and the reception circuit 5 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body by a cable 2.
- the transmission pulse generator 3 is for supplying a drive pulse output signal, which is a drive pulse train of high-voltage electric pulses, to the ultrasonic transducer 1 via the cable 2.
- the generation timing of the drive pulse output signal is controlled by the trigger signal generated by the trigger signal generator 104.
- the receiving circuit 5 amplifies an echo signal obtained by converting ultrasonic waves reflected in the body into electricity by the ultrasonic transducer 1 and performs beam focusing.
- the signal processing unit 6 performs signal processing on the output signal of the receiving circuit 5 and calculates amplitude information, flow information, and the like.
- the display unit 7 displays the image and information processed by the signal processing unit 6.
- this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an operation unit for an operator to operate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control unit that performs overall control.
- the transmission pulse generator 3 can be regarded as a kind of amplifier that converts the trigger signal output from the trigger signal generator 104 into a drive pulse output signal of a high voltage electric pulse.
- linear amplifiers are used as amplifiers for applications other than ultrasound.
- linear amplifiers consume a large amount of power in the circuit and have problems such as heat generation. Not used.
- a circuit using an FET switch is generally used as the transmission pulse generator 3 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the transmission pulse generator 3 using an FET switch.
- FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing trigger signals and drive pulse output signals in the circuit of FIG.
- the waveform of the drive pulse output signal in the switch type circuit using the FET switch is roughly divided into a unipolar waveform having amplitude only on the positive side or the negative side and a bipolar waveform having amplitude on both the positive side and the negative side.
- the configuration of FIG. 2 is a type that generates a bipolar waveform.
- a drive pulse output signal is generated by alternately turning on two FET switches for connecting the output to a positive voltage source (or negative voltage source) or ground.
- a positive voltage source or negative voltage source
- ground In the circuit of FIG. 2, it is possible to generate a unipolar type waveform by connecting a negative voltage source to the ground and alternately turning on the two FET switches.
- the transmission pulse generator that generates the unipolar waveform can simply be a signal in which the on / off state of the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal is inverted, substantially only one type of trigger signal is required. For this reason, the circuit scale can be reduced, but recently there have been few examples of use due to the narrow selection range of the frequency of the generated drive pulse output signal.
- the transmission pulse generator for generating a bipolar waveform is composed of two FET switches connected to a positive voltage source and a negative voltage source, so that after the generation of the drive pulse output signal is finished, Both FET switches are turned off to avoid applying voltage.
- the output of the transmission pulse generator becomes high impedance, there is a problem that a transient waveform is generated.
- FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a drive pulse output signal in a state in which the output of the transmission pulse generator 3 is opened. After the drive period ends, the voltage leaks little by little during the transient period. Gradually approach ground level.
- FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a drive pulse output signal in a state where the ultrasonic transducer 1 is connected to the transmission pulse generator 3, and the ultrasonic transducer 1 becomes a kind of resonance circuit, so that vibration is generated after the drive period. While gradually decaying.
- FIG. 9A In order to suppress this transient phenomenon portion, a configuration shown in FIG. 9A has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
- a first FET switch 101 and a second FET switch 102 are connected in series between a positive voltage source and a negative voltage source, and a connection point between the first FET switch 101 and the second FET switch 102 is an ultrasonic transducer 1. It is connected to the.
- a third FET switch 103 one of which is grounded, is connected to this connection point.
- FIG. 9B is a timing chart showing a trigger signal input to each FET switch and a drive pulse output signal supplied to the ultrasonic transducer 1. As can be seen from the drive pulse output signal, a certain degree of effect is recognized for the transient phenomenon. However, there is a demerit that the number of FET switches and their control signals increase.
- Imaging using harmonics can improve the resolution in the lateral direction as compared with a normal method. For this reason, an image with little influence from surrounding tissues can be observed at a site with little reflection such as a blood vessel or a heart chamber.
- harmonic imaging There are several methods for harmonic imaging. For example, a method of removing only the fundamental component by removing the fundamental component by applying a high-pass filter to the received signal is known.
- the ultrasonic transducer 1 used for transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves has a portion (band) with good transmission / reception efficiency, and the range thereof is as wide as about 70% (specific band) with respect to the center frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 1. There is no. In general transmission / reception, transmission / reception is performed at substantially the center of the band. However, in imaging using harmonics, the lower band of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is used for transmission, and the higher band of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is used for reception. Use the side. In addition, since harmonic imaging performs imaging using harmonics generated in the body, image quality deteriorates if the drive pulse output signal itself contains harmonics.
- the ultrasonic diagnostic device has modes as a Doppler blood flow meter and a color flow blood flow image device.
- the principle and configuration of the Doppler blood flow meter and color flow blood flow imaging device are already widely known, and detailed explanations are omitted.
- the phase change in the received signal is performed by transmitting and receiving multiple ultrasonic waves in the same direction. Minutes are extracted and displayed as blood flow.
- the amount of change in phase is converted into a flow velocity. Even if the flow velocity is the same, the amount of change in phase changes when the frequency used for transmission and reception is different. Specifically, the amount of phase change increases as the frequency increases.
- the frequency of the ultrasonic pulse generated from the ultrasonic transducer 1 is increased by using the ultrasonic transducer 1 having a relatively low frequency band and increasing the drive pulse frequency for the purpose of improving the azimuth resolution. May be higher than the center frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 1. That is, the center frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is not always used.
- this transient response is based on the free vibration period T0, that is, the frequency, regardless of the frequency (period: TL> T0, TH ⁇ T0) in the driving period.
- the frequency is near the center frequency f0 of the ultrasonic transducer 1.
- FIG. 12A is a frequency spectrum when the frequency of the driving period is the free vibration period T0 (frequency: f0) of the ultrasonic transducer 1 as shown in FIG. 11A, and has a unimodal characteristic.
- FIG. 12B shows a frequency spectrum when the ultrasonic vibrator 1 is driven at a frequency fL lower than the free vibration period T0 (frequency f0) as shown in FIG. 11B, and is high in addition to the component near the driving frequency fL. Includes frequency components.
- FIG. 12C shows a case where the ultrasonic vibrator 1 is driven at a frequency (fH) higher than the free vibration period T0 (frequency f0) as shown in FIG. 11C. including.
- harmonic imaging including a high frequency in the drive pulse output signal itself leads to image quality degradation.
- a high frequency in the drive pulse output signal also includes a high frequency in the received signal, and an accurate blood flow velocity is required. The problem of not.
- FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic probe using this method.
- the electrical natural frequency is changed.
- the inductor 113 is used to reduce the natural frequency during transmission and the switch 112 is turned on during reception to invalidate the inductor 113.
- JP 11-342127 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-315748 JP-A-8-182680
- the present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and keeps the vibration frequency at a steady-state frequency by suppressing the free vibration of the ultrasonic transducer in the transient response while keeping the amount of circuit components to a minimum.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing the above.
- an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention controls a transmission pulse generator that applies a drive pulse output signal to an ultrasonic transducer and emits ultrasonic waves, and controls the transmission pulse generator.
- a trigger signal generator for generating a trigger signal for outputting the drive pulse output signal, wherein the trigger signal generator is associated with the end of the drive period in a predetermined period after the end of the drive period of the ultrasonic transducer.
- a plurality of trigger pulses for performing control to gradually attenuate the amplitude of the generated ultrasonic transducer output signal are added to the trigger signal.
- the trigger pulse gradually increases the amplitude of the ultrasonic transducer output signal generated at the end of the driving period while maintaining the driving period in the driving period in a predetermined period after the end of the driving period of the ultrasonic transducer. It can be configured to be attenuated.
- the trigger pulse is set to at least one of a pulse start point, a pulse width, a pulse number, and a pulse pause period in a predetermined period after the end of the driving period of the ultrasonic transducer. It can be configured to gradually attenuate the amplitude of the output signal of the ultrasonic transducer that accompanies the end of the period.
- the drive pulse output signal includes a positive drive pulse and a negative drive pulse.
- the transmission pulse generator includes a first switch that generates the positive drive pulse in the ultrasonic transducer; And a second switch for generating the drive pulse.
- the trigger signal may include a first trigger signal that controls the first switch and a second trigger signal that controls the second switch.
- the trigger signal alternately turns on the first switch and the second switch at a half of the drive cycle after the end of the drive period of the ultrasonic transducer, and 1 / of the drive cycle.
- the on-state time can be gradually decreased every two cycles.
- the trigger signal may be configured to simultaneously turn off the first switch and the second switch during a period in which the first switch and the second switch are switched on and off in the driving period. Can do.
- first trigger signal and the second trigger signal inputted to the first switch and the second switch are switched, and the pulse inversion harmonic imaging is performed under the control of the switch means. can do.
- the on / off frequency of the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal may be lower than the center frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. Further, the on / off frequency of the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal may be higher than the center frequency of the ultrasonic transducer.
- the ultrasonic vibration can be suppressed by suppressing the free vibration of the ultrasonic transducer in the transient response while keeping the circuit quantity to a minimum. Can be maintained at a steady-state frequency. As a result, it is possible to depict and measure an ultrasonic image with good image quality.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a transmission pulse generator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a transmission pulse generator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a drive pulse output signal in a state where the output is released in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a drive pulse output signal in a state where an ultrasonic transducer is connected in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 9A is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a transmission pulse generator in another conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 8B is a timing chart showing the operation of another conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an output signal of a driving pulse in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an output signal of a drive pulse in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating an output signal of a drive pulse in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a spectrum of an ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic transducer.
- FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an ultrasonic spectrum including a low-frequency component output from the ultrasonic transducer.
- FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating an ultrasonic spectrum including a high frequency component output from the ultrasonic transducer.
- FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a transmission pulse generator of still another conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
- the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and is substantially the same as the conventional configuration.
- the components other than the trigger signal generation unit 104 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. That is, in the transmission pulse generator 3, as shown in FIG. 2, a first FET switch 11 and a second FET switch 12 are connected in series between a positive voltage source and a negative voltage source. A first trigger signal is input to the first FET switch 11, and a second trigger signal is input to the second FET switch 12. A connection point between the first FET switch 11 and the second FET switch 12 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 1.
- the present embodiment is characterized in the timing of the trigger signal generated by the trigger signal generator 4 in order to switch the transmission pulse generator 3.
- FIG. 3 shows an output signal (driving pulse output signal), a trigger signal, and an output signal (ultrasonic transducer output signal) from the ultrasonic transducer 1 of the transmission pulse generator 3 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows. Times t1 to t4 are drive periods, and the drive period ends at time t4.
- a signal having a period TL longer than the period T0 of the natural vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is used as the drive pulse output signal. That is, a signal whose transmission frequency is lower than the frequency f0 of the natural vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is used.
- a pulse shorter than TL / 2 is generated as the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal based on predetermined data held by the trigger signal generator 4.
- the starting point of the pulse, the pulse length, the number of pulses, and the pause interval therebetween are adjusted so that the ultrasonic transducer output signal is gradually reduced while maintaining the period TL.
- the trigger signal generator 4 is turned off in the next TL / 2 period.
- One trigger signal and a second trigger signal with an on-time shorter than TL / 2 are generated.
- the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal are alternately turned on and off every TL / 2 period.
- a signal is generated so that the ON time is gradually shortened.
- a plurality of pulses may be used like the second trigger signal at times t4 to t5.
- the amplitude of the ultrasonic transducer output signal gradually decreases while maintaining the period TL. For this reason, unnecessary high frequency components are not generated, and a high-quality harmonic image can be obtained. That is, it is possible to draw a good image with less reflection in harmonic imaging in the blood vessel or the heart chamber.
- the on-time of the FET switch that is, the width of the trigger pulse is limited so that the irradiated ultrasonic signal is a signal having the same cycle as the driving period and the amplitude is gradually reduced.
- the configuration to do was shown.
- the present embodiment is not limited to this example.
- the pulse start point, the pulse width, the number of pulses, and the pulse pause interval are set, and the irradiated ultrasonic signal is a signal having the same cycle as that of the driving period, and the amplitude gradually increases. May be reduced.
- the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment, and is characterized in that the drive timing of the trigger signal is different.
- a trigger signal as shown in FIG. 4 is used. That is, the first trigger signal is turned off slightly before the time t2 when the second trigger signal is turned on, and both the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal are turned off. Similarly, the second trigger signal is turned off slightly before time t3 when the first trigger signal is turned on, and both the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal are turned off.
- the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the trigger signal of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment is input to the FET switch via the crosspoint switch.
- the ultrasonic transducer output signal can be optimized, that is, free vibration can be suppressed.
- the pulse inversion type harmonic imaging in which ultrasonic waves whose phases are mutually inverted are irradiated, it is necessary to exchange the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal, and a trigger signal for performing relaxation control or the like is used.
- the amount of data to generate increases. Therefore, there arises a problem that a large memory capacity (not shown) is required.
- the present embodiment uses a cross point switch (CPS) 13 as shown in FIG.
- CPS cross point switch
- the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal output from the trigger signal generator 4 shown in FIG. 1 are input to the crosspoint switch 13.
- the connections inside the crosspoint switch 13 are as shown in FIG. That is, it is composed of two 1: 2 connected switches, and the two switches operate in conjunction with each other.
- the first trigger signal is input to the first FET switch 11 and the second trigger signal is input to the second FET switch 12 as usual.
- the first trigger signal is input to the second FET switch 12 and the second trigger signal is input to the first FET switch 11, so that a pulse with reversed polarity is output.
- the end of the drive period can be controlled in the same way as in the first and second embodiments by controlling the on-state trigger signal to be partially off.
- the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has the same configuration as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment, and the frequency of the drive pulse output signal to be used and the drive timing of the trigger signal are different. It has the characteristics. That is, the drive pulse output signal whose cycle is TH shorter than the natural vibration cycle T0 of the ultrasonic transducer 1 is used. That is, the frequency of the drive pulse output signal is higher than the natural frequency f0 of the ultrasonic transducer 1.
- FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a drive pulse output signal, a trigger signal, and an ultrasonic transducer output signal from the ultrasonic transducer 1 from the transmission pulse generator 3 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment.
- Time t11 to t14 is a drive period, and the drive period ends at time t14.
- the output signal of the drive pulse is an output signal from the transmission pulse generator 3.
- the ultrasonic transducer output signal is an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic transducer 1.
- the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal After the driving period ends (time t14), the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal generate pulses shorter than TH / 2.
- the starting point of the pulse, the pulse length, the number of pulses, and the pause interval therebetween are adjusted so that the ultrasonic transducer output signal is gradually decreased while maintaining the cycle TH.
- the transmission pulse generator 3 when the first trigger signal is on and the second trigger signal is off in the period just before the end of the driving period, the transmission pulse generator 3 is in the off state during the next TH / 2 period.
- a first trigger signal and a second trigger signal with an on-time shorter than TH / 2 are generated.
- the signal that is turned on every TH / 2 period is alternately changed between the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal, and the signal is generated so that the on time is gradually shortened.
- a plurality of pulses may be used like the second trigger signal at times t14 to t15.
- the amplitude of the ultrasonic transducer output signal gradually decreases while maintaining the cycle TH. For this reason, a frequency component lower than the period TH of the driving period is not generated, the same frequency as that during driving can be maintained, and a high-quality ultrasonic image with excellent lateral resolution can be obtained.
- the present invention has an effect that it is possible to suppress irradiation of ultrasonic waves having a frequency other than the frequency during the driving period even after the driving period ends, and is particularly applicable to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs harmonic imaging. .
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Abstract
Description
本発明の実施の形態1に係る超音波診断装置は、図1に示した構成であり、従来の構成と概略同様である。トリガ信号生成部104以外の構成は、図14と同様の符号を用いて示している。すなわち、送信パルス発生器3は、図2に示すように、正電圧源と負電圧源との間に第1FETスイッチ11と第2FETスイッチ12が直列に接続されている。第1FETスイッチ11には第1トリガ信号が入力され、第2FETスイッチ12には第2トリガ信号が入力される。第1FETスイッチ11と第2FETスイッチ12との接続点は、超音波振動子1に接続されている。
本発明の実施の形態2に係る超音波診断装置は、実施の形態1に係る超音波診断装置と同様の構成であり、トリガ信号の駆動タイミングが異なることに特徴を有する。
本発明の実施の形態3に係る超音波診断装置は、実施の形態1に係る超音波診断装置のトリガ信号がクロスポイントスイッチを経てFETスイッチに入力される構成である。
本発明の実施の形態4に係る超音波診断装置は、実施の形態1に係る超音波診断装置と同様の構成であり、使用する駆動パルス出力信号の周波数、およびトリガ信号の駆動タイミングが異なることに特徴を有する。すなわち、周期が、超音波振動子1の固有振動の周期T0より短いTHである駆動パルス出力信号を用いるものである。つまり、駆動パルス出力信号の周波数は、超音波振動子1の固有周波数f0より高いものとする。
2 ケーブル
3 送信パルス発生器
4 トリガ信号生成器
5 受信回路
6 信号処理部
7 表示部
11 第1FETスイッチ
12 第2FETスイッチ
13 クロスポイントスイッチ
Claims (10)
- 超音波振動子に駆動パルス出力信号を印加して超音波を照射させる送信パルス発生器と、
前記送信パルス発生器を制御して前記駆動パルス出力信号を出力させるトリガ信号を生成するトリガ信号生成器とを備え、
前記トリガ信号生成器は、前記超音波振動子の駆動期間終了後の所定の期間において、前記駆動期間終了に伴い生じる超音波振動子出力信号の振幅を徐々に減衰する制御を行うトリガパルスを前記トリガ信号に複数加えたことを特徴とする、超音波診断装置。 - 前記トリガパルスは、前記超音波振動子の駆動期間終了後の所定期間において、前記駆動期間終了に伴い生じる超音波振動子出力信号の振幅を前記駆動期間における駆動周期を保ったまま、徐々に減衰させる、請求項1に記載の超音波診断装置。
- 前記トリガパルスは、前記超音波振動子の駆動期間終了後の所定期間において、パルス開始点、パルス幅、パルス数、及びパルス休止期間の少なくとも何れか一つを設定することで、前記駆動期間終了に伴い生じる超音波振動子出力信号の振幅を徐々に減衰させる、請求項1または2に記載の超音波診断装置。
- 前記駆動パルス出力信号は、正の駆動パルスと負の駆動パルスを有し、
前記送信パルス発生器は、前記超音波振動子に前記正の駆動パルスを生成する第1スイッチと、前記負の駆動パルスを生成する第2スイッチとを有する、請求項1~3のいずれか一つに記載の超音波診断装置。 - 前記トリガ信号は、前記第1スイッチを制御する第1トリガ信号および前記第2スイッチを制御する第2トリガ信号を有する、請求項4に記載の超音波診断装置。
- 前記トリガ信号は、前記超音波振動子の駆動期間終了後における前記第1スイッチと前記第2スイッチを前記駆動周期の1/2の周期で交互にオン状態にし、前記駆動周期の1/2の周期ごとに前記オン状態の時間を徐々に減少する、請求項5に記載の超音波診断装置。
- 前記トリガ信号は、前記駆動期間の前記第1スイッチと前記第2スイッチのオン・オフの切り換わる期間において、前記第1スイッチと前記第2スイッチとを同時にオフ状態にさせる、請求項5に記載の超音波診断装置。
- 前記第1スイッチと前記第2スイッチに入力される前記第1トリガ信号と前記第2トリガ信号を入れ換えるスイッチ手段を有し、
前記スイッチ手段の制御によりパルスインバージョン高調波イメージングを行うことを特徴とする請求項5に記載の超音波診断装置。 - 前記第1トリガ信号と前記第2トリガ信号のオン・オフ周波数が、前記超音波振動子の中心周波数よりも低い、請求項5に記載の超音波診断装置。
- 前記第1トリガ信号と前記第2トリガ信号のオン・オフ周波数が、前記超音波振動子の中心周波数よりも高い、請求項5に記載の超音波診断装置。
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US9975145B2 (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2018-05-22 | Microchip Technology Inc. | Pulse amplitude controlled current source for ultrasound transmit beamformer and method thereof |
US10527592B2 (en) * | 2015-09-16 | 2020-01-07 | Samsung Medison Co., Ltd. | Ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the same, and method for controlling the ultrasonic imaging apparatus |
BR102015023982B1 (pt) * | 2015-09-17 | 2022-01-25 | Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras | Método de correção de excentricidade de perfis de imagem ultrassônica |
KR102000416B1 (ko) * | 2016-05-09 | 2019-07-15 | 스트롱 포스 아이오티 포트폴리오 2016, 엘엘씨 | 산업용 사물 인터넷을 위한 방법들 및 시스템들 |
US10821474B2 (en) | 2016-05-11 | 2020-11-03 | EchoNous, Inc. | Systems and methods for ultrasound pulse generation using gallium nitride field effect transistors |
JP6993847B2 (ja) * | 2017-11-07 | 2022-01-14 | 富士フイルムヘルスケア株式会社 | 超音波撮像装置、超音波プローブ、および、送信装置 |
US11026662B2 (en) * | 2018-01-11 | 2021-06-08 | Siemens Medical Solutions Usa, Inc. | Ultrasound transmit/receive for pulse inversion |
DE102018116771A1 (de) * | 2018-07-11 | 2020-01-16 | Olympus Winter & Ibe Gmbh | Verfahren zum Betrieb eines elektrochirurgischen Systems und Ultraschallgenerator |
IT202000024466A1 (it) * | 2020-10-16 | 2022-04-16 | St Microelectronics Srl | Trasduttore ultrasonico microlavorato piezoelettrico con oscillazioni libere ridotte |
CN112971847B (zh) * | 2021-02-09 | 2022-11-25 | 青岛海信医疗设备股份有限公司 | 一种超声设备 |
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