WO2013122275A1

WO2013122275A1 - Weighted interpolation method and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using same

Info

Publication number: WO2013122275A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/001288
Authority: WO
Inventors: 배무호; 노세범
Original assignee: 알피니언메디칼시스템 주식회사
Priority date: 2012-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-21
Publication date: 2013-08-22
Also published as: KR101356616B1; KR20130095006A

Abstract

Disclosed are a weighted interpolation method and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using same. Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a probe for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to an object and receiving an ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object, which includes a sub-aperture for transceiving the ultrasonic signal and the ultrasonic echo signal; an ultrasonic diagnostic unit for generating the ultrasonic signal, applying a predetermined weight to the ultrasonic echo signal and focusing the ultrasonic echo signal to form an intermediate focused signal; and an image processing unit for forming an image based on the intermediate focused signal and outputting the image through a display unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic unit includes an interpolation portion for generating an interpolation signal for interpolating the intermediate focused signal using a correlation analysis function. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the received focused signal formed by focusing the ultrasonic echo signal received from the sub-aperture of the probe is interpolated to solve problems of discontinuity of sub-apertures, and a clutter level is lowered to improve a contrast resolution of an image, improving the quality of the image as a result.

Description

Weight Interpolation Method and Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device

The present embodiment relates to a weight interpolation method and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the same. In more detail, when diagnosing by using ultrasonic waves, an interpolation signal for interpolating weights is applied to an intermediate focusing signal formed by focusing an ultrasonic echo signal received from a probe, thereby reducing discontinuity of the ultrasonic signal and improving image quality. It relates to a weight interpolation method to increase the) and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the same.

The contents described in this section merely provide background information on the present embodiment and do not constitute a prior art.

Ultrasound systems are widely used in the medical field because they are non-invasive and non-destructive characteristics of an object as a diagnostic system that is widely applied. In general, an ultrasound system transmits an ultrasound beam consisting of a group of ultrasound signals to an object and receives an ultrasound beam reflected from the object to form an ultrasound image of the object.

That is, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus electrically stimulates a transducer element and transmits an ultrasound signal to the human body. The ultrasonic signal transmitted to the human body is reflected at the boundary of the discontinuous human tissue, the ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the boundary of the human tissue and transmitted to the conversion element is focused and converted into an electrical signal for signal processing. The converted electrical signal is amplified and signal processed to generate ultrasonic image data about the tissue.

In general, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a focusing unit for controlling a pattern for beam focusing by applying weights to determine ultrasound distribution, beam width, noise, time delay, and the like, for each transducer element. . In the one-dimensional array probe, the number of conversion elements is small, so that a focusing unit for applying weights to each of the conversion elements is possible. There is no problem. Therefore, by applying a time delay value to a signal of a predetermined number of converters adjacent to the probe, a sub-aperture for focusing into one signal is specified, thereby reducing the number of signals to which the weight is applied.

However, there is a problem in that discontinuity occurs between the ultrasonic signals of each sub-aperture, and the clutter level increases due to the discontinuity, thereby degrading beamforming performance. Due to these problems, the quality of the image is also reduced. Degrades.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present embodiment, when diagnosing by using the ultrasonic wave, by applying an interpolation signal for interpolating the weight to the intermediate focusing signal formed by focusing the ultrasonic echo signal received from the probe, discontinuity of the ultrasonic signal The main object of the present invention is to provide a weight interpolation method and an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus using the same to reduce the weight and increase the quality of an image.

According to an aspect of the present embodiment to achieve the above object, a sub-aperture for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to the object and receiving an ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object, and transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic signal and the ultrasonic echo signal ( Probes including Sub-Aperture; An ultrasound diagnosis unit generating the ultrasound signal, focusing the beam by applying a predetermined weight to the ultrasound echo signal to form an intermediate focus signal; And an image processing unit configured to form an image based on the intermediate focusing signal, and output the image through a display unit, wherein the ultrasound diagnosis unit generates an interpolation signal for interpolating the intermediate focusing signal using a correlation analysis function. It provides an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising an interpolation.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, the transmission beam focusing unit for generating an ultrasonic signal for diagnosing the object through the sub aperture of the probe; A reception beam focusing unit configured to focus the ultrasonic echo signal received from the probe after applying a predetermined weight to form an intermediate focusing signal; An interpolation unit generating an interpolation signal to interpolate the intermediate focusing signal between adjacent sub apertures; And a signal processor configured to perform filtering to remove the clutter signal included in the intermediate focus signal, wherein the probe includes a plurality of sub apertures having a plurality of conversion elements arranged in a mesh structure. An ultrasonic diagnostic unit is provided.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, the transmission beam focusing unit for generating an ultrasonic signal for diagnosing the object through the sub aperture of the probe; A reception beam focusing unit configured to focus the ultrasonic echo signal received from the probe after applying a predetermined weight to form an intermediate focusing signal; An interpolation unit generating an interpolation signal to interpolate the intermediate focusing signal between adjacent sub apertures; A sensitivity controller for controlling a gain of the intermediate focusing signal; And a signal processor configured to perform filtering to remove the clutter signal included in the intermediate focus signal, wherein the probe includes a plurality of sub apertures having a plurality of conversion elements arranged in a mesh structure. An ultrasonic diagnostic unit is provided.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for ultrasound diagnosis using weight interpolation, the ultrasound signal formed in the ultrasound diagnostic unit is transmitted to the object through the sub aperture of the probe, and from the object An ultrasonic transceiving process for receiving the reflected ultrasonic echo signal; An intermediate focusing signal forming process of forming an intermediate focusing signal by applying a weight to the ultrasonic echo signal received through the sub aperture in the ultrasonic diagnostic unit; An intermediate focusing signal interpolation process of interpolating weights of the intermediate focusing signals to solve the discontinuity between the intermediate focusing signals generated by a plurality of sub apertures in the ultrasound diagnosis unit; A signal processing step of forming a reception focus signal by using the intermediate focus signal interpolated by the ultrasound diagnosis unit and performing filtering to remove a clutter signal; And an image processing unit configured to form an image based on the reception focus signal, and to output the image through a display unit provided with the image.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, an interpolation signal for interpolating weights is applied to an intermediate focusing signal formed by focusing an ultrasonic echo signal received from a probe to solve discontinuities between sub-apertures, and a clutter level. By lowering the level, the contrast resolution of the image is improved, and as a result, the quality of the image can be improved.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment;

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the ultrasonic diagnostic unit according to the present embodiment;

3 is an exemplary diagram for explaining an arrangement structure of a conversion element included in a sub aperture according to the present embodiment;

4 is an exemplary view for explaining an ultrasound diagnostic unit according to the present embodiment;

5 is a flowchart illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis method using weight interpolation according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

When the aperture described in the present embodiment transmits an ultrasonic signal from the probe 110 to the object and receives an ultrasonic echo signal corresponding thereto, the transducer array provided in the probe 110 according to the object ( Transducer Array). For example, the larger the aperture value, the larger the array of transducers to be applied and the wider the ultrasonic range being transmitted. The smaller the aperture value is, the smaller the transducer array is to be applied and the narrower the ultrasonic range being transmitted. In addition, the sub-aperture 112 according to the present embodiment groups a plurality of transducer elements, focuses them into one ultrasonic signal, transmits a strong ultrasonic signal to the object, and corresponds to ultrasonic waves. When receiving the echo signal, it refers to a group for forming the intermediate focusing signal for each sub aperture (112). Here, the sub-aperture 112 receives a predetermined voltage through the central transducer conversion element and operates by applying the same to all the conversion elements included in the sub aperture 112.

In addition, the weight described in the present embodiment is a value set by the user to determine the distribution of the ultrasound, the beam width, the noise, the time delay, etc. for forming the image according to the object, and the specific gravity of the preset value in the ultrasound signal. The weight can be applied by multiplying by. Such a weight may be determined to be an optimal value through simulation.

In addition, the image described in this embodiment is a concept including a B-mode image or a C-mode image. That is, the B-mode is a gray scale image and refers to an image mode representing the movement of the object, and the C-mode is a color flow image and refers to an image mode representing the flow of blood flow or the movement of the object. On the other hand, BC-Mode Image (BC-Mode Image) is an image mode that displays the flow of the blood flow or the object movement using the Doppler Effect (Bopper Effect), and provides a B-mode image and a C-mode image at the same time An imaging mode that provides anatomical information as well as blood flow and subject movement information. Meanwhile, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to the present invention is a device capable of simultaneously providing a B-mode image and a C-mode image, which is a color flow image. For convenience of the present invention, it is assumed that the B-mode image is an image provided by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

The probe 110 includes a transducer element. The probe 110 transmits an ultrasonic signal to an object by using the provided transducer element and receives an ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object. Here, the conversion element converts the electrical signal into an ultrasonic signal and transmits it to the object, and converts the ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object into an electrical signal.

The probe 110 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a sub-aperture 112 that combines a plurality of conversion elements to focus a plurality of ultrasonic signals into one ultrasonic signal. Here, the sub-aperture 112 will be described for the structure for transmitting the ultrasound signal received from the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 to the object, the sub-aperture 112 arranges the conversion elements in a mesh structure, Receives an ultrasound signal from the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 using a conversion element located in the center of the aperture 112, and applies the received ultrasound signal to a plurality of conversion elements included in the sub aperture 112 to the object. Send.

The ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 generates an ultrasound signal, transmits the ultrasound signal to the probe 110, and receives an ultrasound echo signal from the probe 110 to form and interpolate an intermediate focused signal.

The ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 according to the present embodiment generates an ultrasound signal for transmission to the object based on the electric signal supplied from the pulse transmitter 130. In addition, the ultrasound echo signal received by the conversion element included in the probe 110 is focused to form an intermediate focusing signal, and an interpolation signal is applied to the intermediate focusing signal to form a reception focusing signal. In more detail, to focus the ultrasonic echo signal received by the conversion element provided in the probe 110 to form an intermediate focusing signal for each sub aperture 112, and to solve the discontinuity between each intermediate focusing signal. The interpolation signal is applied to the intermediate focusing signal to form a reception focusing signal.

In addition, the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 removes the clutter signal included in the reception focus signal to sharpen the reception focus signal, and digitally processes the reception focus signal to generate frame data and transmit the generated data to the image processor 150. .

The pulse transmitter 130 supplies an electric signal to the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 through a user's manipulation or input. That is, the pulse transmitter 130 refers to a module for making and supplying an electric signal capable of generating ultrasonic waves transmitted from the probe 110 to the object. Here, the electrical signal supplied to the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 is preferably a pulse signal, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The user input unit 140 receives an instruction by user's manipulation or input. Here, the user command may be a setting command for controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. For example, the user may control the intensity of the electrical signal generated by the pulse transmitter 130, and may control the mode selection of the image and the weight and interpolation signal for implementing the image.

The image processor 150 forms a B-mode or C-mode image based on the ultrasound signal information received from the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120. In addition, the B-mode or C-mode image is output through the display unit 160.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the ultrasound diagnosis unit according to the present embodiment.

The ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 according to the present embodiment includes a transmission beam focusing unit 210, a reception beam focusing unit 220, an interpolation unit 230, and a signal processor 240. In the present exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 includes only the transmission beam focusing unit 210, the reception beam focusing unit 220, the interpolation unit 230, and the signal processing unit 240. It is merely an example of a technical idea, and a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment pertains may vary with respect to the components included in the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Modifications and variations will be applicable. In addition, each module is described as being implemented inside the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120, but is not necessarily limited thereto and may be implemented as an external separate module as necessary.

The transmission beam focusing unit 210 according to the present embodiment generates an ultrasonic signal for transmitting to the object based on the electrical signal supplied from the pulse transmitter 130, while the conversion element of the probe 110 transmits the ultrasonic signal to the object. When transmitting to the, refers to a module for controlling the ultrasonic signal so that the transmitted ultrasonic signal is focused on a predetermined focal point (Focal Point). Here, the transmission beam focusing unit 210 may apply weights to some or all of the ultrasonic distribution, beam width, noise, time delay, etc. to focus the ultrasonic signal. For example, when the transmission beam focusing unit 210 applies a weight for the time delay when focusing the ultrasonic signal, the weight of the time delay is applied to the ultrasonic signals of the plurality of conversion elements inversely proportional to the distance from the object. The signal may be focused on a predetermined focus of the object at the same time.

The reception beam focusing unit 220 focuses the ultrasonic echo signal received from the probe 110 to form an intermediate focusing signal. In addition, the reception beam focusing unit 220 applies a weight to the ultrasonic echo signal inversely proportional to the distance from the object in consideration of the time to reach the probe 110 from the object, and then adds the ultrasonic echo signals to add an intermediate focus. Form a signal.

When the reception beam focusing unit 220 according to the present embodiment forms a reception focusing signal, an interpolation signal is applied to the intermediate focusing signal. The reception beam focusing unit 220 adds a time delay to the ultrasonic echo signal and adds the intermediate focused signal in consideration of the time when the ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object reaches each conversion element of the probe 110. That is, in the reception beam focusing unit 220, an intermediate focusing signal is formed at each sub aperture 112, and the intermediate focusing signal is obtained by interpolating the interpolation signal received from the interpolation unit 230 to solve the discontinuity between the intermediate focusing signals. It is applied to form a receive focus signal. Here, the interpolation signal is preferably applied between the intermediate focusing signals corresponding to the adjacent sub apertures 112.

The interpolator 230 according to the present embodiment is a module for interpolating the intermediate focusing signal generated by the reception beam focusing unit 220. In more detail, an interpolation signal is formed using a predetermined function to interpolate a plurality of intermediate focusing signals generated by the reception beam focusing unit 220. Here, the predetermined function for forming the interpolation signal is preferably a correlation analysis function, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The predetermined function may be changed according to a user's manipulation or input, or may be preset in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

The signal processor 240 refers to a module that digitally processes the signal generated by the reception beam focusing unit 220.

The signal processor 240 according to the present exemplary embodiment generates the frame data by digitally processing the received focus signal generated by the reception beam focusing unit 220, and the frame data is connected to the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120. 150). In addition, the signal processor 240 sharpens the reception focus signal by removing the clutter signal included in the reception focus signal received from the reception beam focusing unit 220. In other words, the signal processor 240 removes the negative electrode or the noise in order to sharpen the main electrode of the reception focus signal.

3 is an exemplary diagram for describing an arrangement structure of the conversion elements included in the sub aperture 112 according to the present embodiment.

SA0 and SA1 described in FIG. 3 mean a sub aperture 112, and e (0,0) to e (2,5) are notation for indicating a conversion element included in the sub aperture 112. This notation is only for distinguishing the component from other components, and the nature, order or order of the components are not limited by the terms.

In FIG. 3, the sub-aperture 112 of the probe 110 arranges the conversion elements in a mesh structure, and transmits and receives an ultrasonic signal to and from an object using a conversion element located in the center of each sub aperture 112. For example, the conversion elements e (0,0) to e (2,5) are arranged in a mesh structure connected by a resistance, and when transmitting an ultrasonic signal to an object, e (1,1), sub in the sub aperture SA0. The aperture SA1 receives an ultrasound signal from the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 through e (1,4). Here, the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 applies the weights of the ultrasonic distribution, beam width, noise, time delay, etc. to the ultrasound signal to focus the ultrasound signal on the object, and converts the elements e (1,1) and e (1,4). ) Can be sent.

In addition, when receiving an ultrasound echo signal from the object, e (0,0) to e (0,2), e (1,0) to e (1,2) and e (2,0) to e (2,2) receives the ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object and transmits the received ultrasound echo signal to the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 to form an intermediate focusing signal.

4 is an exemplary view for explaining an ultrasound diagnosis unit according to the present embodiment.

The ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an amplification module 410, a time gain compensation module 420, a gain control module 430, and a gain control module 440. It includes.

Referring to each module of the ultrasonic diagnostic unit 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The amplification module 410 amplifies the ultrasonic echo signal received from the object. Since the ultrasonic echo signal received from the object is small in size, the ultrasonic echo signal is amplified before applying the weight or time delay value.

The time gain compensation module 420 refers to a module for changing the amplitude of amplification according to the time when the ultrasound echo signal is reflected from the object based on a preset time gain compensation value according to a user's manipulation or input. For example, the ultrasonic echo signal reflected with a depth of time and reflected at a deep depth of the object is amplified by a predetermined ratio more than the ultrasonic echo signal reflected at a shallow depth.

The gain control module 430 refers to a module for controlling the gain of the ultrasound signal when the ultrasound signal is transmitted to the object. Here, the gain control is a method for obtaining an image such as to increase the ultrasound output without increasing the ultrasound output to the object. When the gain value is increased in the ultrasound signal, a bright image may be obtained. In addition, the gain value control is preferably to use an overall gain control method, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The gain control module 440 is a module for controlling all the conversion elements in the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 and refers to a module for controlling gains for the ultrasound signals and the ultrasound echo signals transmitted and received to the object. Here, the gain control module 440 may control the gain by summing the global gain and the interpolation signal in order to control the transmission / reception signal for the conversion element. Here, the global gain means a gain input from the user in order to control the overall gain of the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120.

The probe 110 transmits the ultrasound signal formed by the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 to the object and receives the ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object (S510). Here, the probe 110 transmits and receives an ultrasound signal and an ultrasound echo signal to and from an object through a predetermined number of conversion elements.

The ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 forms an intermediate focusing signal for each sub aperture 112 including a predetermined number of conversion elements by applying a weight to the ultrasound echo signal received from the probe 110 (S520). In addition, the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 interpolates the adjacent intermediate focusing signals by applying an interpolation signal to the intermediate focusing signals of the adjacent sub apertures in order to solve discontinuities of the plurality of intermediate focusing signals (S530). Here, the ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 forms an interpolation signal using a predetermined function to interpolate a plurality of intermediate focusing signals. Here, the predetermined function for forming the interpolation signal is preferably a correlation analysis function, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The predetermined function may be changed according to a user's manipulation or input, or may be preset in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. The weights and the interpolation signals may be different from each other in steps S520 and S530, but the weights and the interpolation signals may be the same according to a user's manipulation or input.

The ultrasound diagnosis unit 120 forms a reception focus signal based on the intermediate focus signal to which the interpolation signal is applied, and filters the reception focus signal to remove the clutter signal (S540). Here, filtering means removing negative or noise to sharpen the main pole of the received focus signal.

The image processor 150 may be configured to form an image based on the reception focus signal, and may be output through the display unit 160 having the formed image (S550).

In FIG. 5, steps S510 to S550 are described as being sequentially executed. However, this is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present embodiment, and a person skilled in the art to which the present embodiment belongs may understand the present embodiment. 5 may be modified and modified by changing the order described in FIG. 5 or executing one or more steps of steps S510 to S550 in parallel without departing from the essential characteristics, and therefore, FIG. It is not limited.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present embodiment, and those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment belongs may make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present embodiment but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present embodiment should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present embodiment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

If this patent application claims priority under No. 119 (a) (35 USC § 119 (a)) of the Patent Application No. 10-2012-0016364 filed to Korea on February 17, 2012, All content is incorporated by reference in this patent application. In addition, if this patent application claims priority for the same reason for countries other than the United States, all its contents are incorporated into this patent application by reference.

Claims

A probe including a sub-aperture for transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object and receiving an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object, for transmitting and receiving the ultrasound signal and the ultrasound echo signal;

An ultrasound diagnosis unit generating the ultrasound signal, focusing the beam by applying a predetermined weight to the ultrasound echo signal to form an intermediate focus signal; And

An image processor configured to form an image based on the intermediate focusing signal, and output the image through a display unit;

The ultrasonic diagnostic unit comprises an interpolation unit for generating an interpolation signal for interpolating the intermediate focusing signal using a correlation analysis function.
The method of claim 1,

The probe,

It includes a plurality of the sub aperture formed by combining a plurality of conversion elements,

The sub-aperture receives the ultrasound signal from the ultrasound diagnosis unit using a conversion element located at the center, and applies the received ultrasound signal to the plurality of conversion elements in the sub aperture. Device.
The method of claim 2,

The sub aperture is,

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by arranging a plurality of conversion elements in a mesh structure.
The method of claim 3, wherein

The sub aperture is,

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that formed by combining at least nine of the conversion elements.
The method of claim 1,

The ultrasonic diagnostic unit,

A transmission beam focusing unit generating the ultrasonic signal; And

A reception beam focusing unit configured to focus and apply the weight to the ultrasonic echo signal to form one intermediate focusing signal for each of the plurality of sub apertures;

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a.
The method of claim 5,

The reception beam focusing unit,

And the interpolation signal is applied to the adjacent intermediate focusing signal to solve the discontinuity between the plurality of intermediate focusing signals.
The method of claim 1,

The weight is,

And a weight set by a user to determine at least one of ultrasonic distribution, beam width, noise, and time delay, and applying the weight by multiplying a specific gravity of the set value.
A transmission beam focusing unit configured to generate an ultrasonic signal for diagnosing an object through a sub aperture of the probe;

A reception beam focusing unit configured to focus the ultrasonic echo signal received from the probe after applying a predetermined weight to form an intermediate focusing signal;

An interpolation unit generating an interpolation signal to interpolate the intermediate focusing signal between adjacent sub apertures; And

Including a signal processor for filtering to remove the clutter signal included in the intermediate focus signal,

And the probe includes a plurality of sub apertures having a plurality of conversion elements arranged in a mesh structure.
The method of claim 8,

The transmission beam focusing unit,

And applying a predetermined weight to the ultrasound signal to reach a predetermined point of the object in the probe.
The method of claim 8,

The reception beam focusing unit,

And the interpolation signal generated from the interpolation unit is applied to the ultrasonic echo signal to solve the discontinuity between the ultrasonic echo signals received at the plurality of sub apertures.
The method of claim 10,

The sub aperture is,

Ultrasonic diagnostic unit comprising a predetermined number of conversion elements, it is possible to change the number of the conversion elements in accordance with the user's operation or input.
The method of claim 8,

The signal processing unit,

And an ultrasonic signal for providing the electrical signal for generating the ultrasonic signal in the transmission beam focusing unit, and performing filtering to remove the clutter signal included in the intermediate focusing signal.
A transmission beam focusing unit configured to generate an ultrasonic signal for diagnosing an object through a sub aperture of the probe;

A reception beam focusing unit configured to focus the ultrasonic echo signal received from the probe after applying a predetermined weight to form an intermediate focusing signal;

An interpolation unit generating an interpolation signal to interpolate the intermediate focusing signal between adjacent sub apertures;

A sensitivity controller for controlling a gain of the intermediate focusing signal; And

Including a signal processor for filtering to remove the clutter signal included in the intermediate focus signal,

And the probe includes a plurality of sub apertures having a plurality of conversion elements arranged in a mesh structure.
The method of claim 13,

The sensitivity control unit,

And an ultrasonic diagnostic unit connected to the transmission beam focusing unit and the reception beam focusing unit to control gains of all the conversion elements included in the probe.
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for performing ultrasound diagnosis using weighted interpolation,

An ultrasound transmission / reception process of transmitting an ultrasound signal formed by the ultrasound diagnosis unit to the object through a sub aperture of the probe and receiving an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object;

Forming an intermediate focusing signal by applying a weight to the ultrasonic echo signal received through the sub aperture in the ultrasonic diagnostic unit;

An intermediate focusing signal interpolation process of interpolating weights of the intermediate focusing signals in order to solve the discontinuity between the intermediate focusing signals generated by a plurality of sub apertures in the ultrasound diagnosis unit;

A signal processing step of forming a reception focus signal by using the intermediate focus signal interpolated by the ultrasound diagnosis unit and performing filtering to remove a clutter signal; And

The image processor is configured to form an image based on the received focus signal, and to be output through a display unit provided with the image.

Ultrasonic diagnostic method using a weight interpolation, characterized in that it comprises a.