WO2015128974A1 - 超音波プローブおよびそれを用いた超音波撮像装置 - Google Patents
超音波プローブおよびそれを用いた超音波撮像装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2015128974A1 WO2015128974A1 PCT/JP2014/054756 JP2014054756W WO2015128974A1 WO 2015128974 A1 WO2015128974 A1 WO 2015128974A1 JP 2014054756 W JP2014054756 W JP 2014054756W WO 2015128974 A1 WO2015128974 A1 WO 2015128974A1
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- ultrasonic probe
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
- G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
- G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
- G01S7/52046—Techniques for image enhancement involving transmitter or receiver
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/13—Tomography
- A61B8/14—Echo-tomography
- A61B8/145—Echo-tomography characterised by scanning multiple planes
-
- 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
- A61B8/4444—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe
-
- 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
- A61B8/4494—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer characterised by the arrangement of the transducer elements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/52—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/5207—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data, e.g. for generating an image
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
- G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S15/89—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
- G01S15/8906—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques
- G01S15/8909—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a static transducer configuration
- G01S15/8915—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a static transducer configuration using a transducer array
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
- G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
- G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
- G01S7/52023—Details of receivers
- G01S7/52025—Details of receivers for pulse systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
- G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
- G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
- G01S7/52079—Constructional features
- G01S7/5208—Constructional features with integration of processing functions inside probe or scanhead
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
- G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
- G10K11/34—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using electrical steering of transducer arrays, e.g. beam steering
- G10K11/341—Circuits therefor
- G10K11/346—Circuits therefor using phase variation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the same, and more particularly to a technique effective for dynamic delay of an ultrasonic signal input to the ultrasonic probe.
- the ultrasonic imaging device is smaller than other medical image diagnostic devices such as an X-ray diagnostic device or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, and it is easy to operate by simply touching the ultrasonic probe from the body surface.
- the apparatus is capable of displaying in real time the state of movement of the test object such as the pulsation of the heart and the movement of the fetus.
- the ultrasonic imaging apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into the subject by supplying a drive signal to each of a plurality of vibration elements built in the ultrasonic probe. Then, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus receives reflected ultrasonic waves generated by the difference in acoustic impedance of the living tissue at each of the plurality of vibration elements, and generates an ultrasonic image based on the reflected waves received by the ultrasonic probe. To do.
- the delay time is controlled with respect to the drive signals supplied to the plurality of vibration elements and the reflected wave signals obtained from the plurality of vibration elements. Has been done.
- the ultrasonic imaging apparatus controls the timing of the drive signal supplied to each vibration element by a delay time corresponding to the distance between a predetermined focal point in the subject and each vibration element.
- a beam-formed ultrasonic wave is transmitted to a predetermined focal point.
- the ultrasonic imaging apparatus generates one focused reception signal.
- an analog or digital delay circuit is required to match each signal from a predetermined focal point.
- Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an echo signal current is accumulated in a capacitor bank at a predetermined timing to give a delay time.
- Patent Document 2 describes a technique for generating a current signal with a preferable delay time from a sample of an echo signal using a write pointer or a read pointer.
- a two-dimensional probe in which transducers (transducers) are arranged in a two-dimensional array uses thousands to 10,000 channels of transducers.
- the number of cables and the number of analog / digital converters can be reduced by delaying and adding the analog signals, and the cost and size can be reduced. For this reason, an electronic circuit for delaying and adding analog signals is required.
- a configuration for changing the delay time for example, a configuration in which a plurality of delay circuits are provided and operated with different delay times, and a delay circuit used at a certain timing is switched is conceivable.
- another delay time can be set for another circuit.
- the circuit connected to the output is switched. By using it, the delay time can be changed.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can dynamically change a delay time and can constitute a small delay circuit.
- a typical ultrasonic probe has a delay unit.
- the delay unit accumulates charges corresponding to the reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves generated by the difference in acoustic impedance in the plurality of memory elements, and sequentially outputs the charges accumulated in the memory elements.
- the delay unit accumulates the same charge in two or more memory elements for a preset period when the first control signal for increasing the delay time of the reflected wave is input during charge accumulation.
- the first control signal when the first control signal is input, the charge accumulated in one memory element is output for a preset period.
- the delay unit in a typical ultrasonic probe has a predetermined period of time in one memory element when a second control signal for shortening the delay time of the reflected wave is input during charge accumulation. Accumulate the same charge.
- the charge is output, when the second control signal is input, the charge from the memory element is not output for a preset period.
- the present invention is also applicable to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the ultrasonic probe.
- the delay circuit that dynamically changes the delay time of the ultrasonic signal in the ultrasonic probe can be reduced in size.
- the ultrasonic probe can be miniaturized.
- FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a one-element circuit included in the probe of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an analog memory unit and a digital circuit included in the one-element circuit of FIG. 2.
- 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the analog memory unit in FIG. 3.
- 4 is a timing chart showing an example when the delay time is dynamically varied in the analog memory unit of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example when the delay time is changed to be shorter by using a write-side control signal in the analog memory unit of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example when the delay time is changed to be longer by using a read-side control signal in the analog memory unit of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example when the delay time is changed to be shorter by using a read-side control signal in the analog memory unit of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a write control signal generation circuit in FIG. 3.
- FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the logic circuit of FIG. 9.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a read control signal generation circuit in FIG. 3.
- FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the logic circuit of FIG. 11.
- FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a reset control signal generation circuit that generates a reset control signal for operating a reset switch included in the switch / capacitor unit of FIG. 16.
- FIG. 18 is a timing chart illustrating an example of signal timing of each unit in the reset control signal generation circuit of FIG. 17.
- FIG. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the reset control signal generation circuit of FIG. 17.
- FIG. 20 is a timing chart illustrating an example of signal timing of each unit in the reset control signal generation circuit of FIG. 19.
- the constituent elements are not necessarily indispensable unless otherwise specified and apparently essential in principle. Needless to say.
- FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.
- the ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a probe 100 and a main body device 106 as shown in FIG.
- the probe 100 includes a plurality of subarrays 101a, 101b,... And a digital circuit 105 serving as a control signal generation unit.
- the sub-array 101 has a plurality of one-element circuits 102a, 102b,..., An adder circuit 103, and a buffer 104.
- the main unit 106 includes a plurality of analog front end circuits (shown as AFE in FIG. 1) 107a, 107b,.
- AFE analog front end circuit
- One analog front end circuit 107 is provided for each subarray 101.
- the subscripts a, b, c,... Indicate the same components, and are omitted unless particularly necessary.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the one-element circuit 102 included in the probe 100 of FIG.
- a one-element circuit 102 that is a transmission / reception unit includes a transducer 201, a transmission unit 203, a transmission / reception separation unit 202, a reception analog front end unit (indicated as reception AFE in FIG. 2) 204, and a voltage storage output unit.
- An analog memory unit 205 is included.
- the digital circuit 105 and the analog memory unit 205 constitute a delay unit.
- the signal output from the transmission unit 203 is separated by the transmission / reception separation unit 202 and given to the transducer 201.
- An ultrasonic signal is output from the transducer 201.
- the ultrasonic signal output from the transducer 201 and reflected is received by the transducer 201.
- the ultrasonic signal received by the transducer 201 is separated by the transmission / reception separation unit 202 and input to the reception analog front end unit 204.
- the reception analog front end unit 204 performs processing such as amplification and filtering on the received signal.
- the signal output from the reception analog front end unit 204 is input to the analog memory unit 205.
- the analog memory unit 205 samples the analog input signal based on the control signal output from the digital circuit 105, stores it in the memory, and outputs it after a certain delay time.
- the control signal for setting the delay time is set by a digital circuit based on the reference clock and control data from the main unit 106.
- the signal output from the analog memory unit 205 is output from the one-element circuit 102 to the adder circuit 103 and added by the adder circuit 103.
- the signal added by the adding circuit 103 is sent to the analog front end circuit of the main unit 106 through the buffer 104 in FIG.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the analog memory unit 205 and the digital circuit 105 included in the one-element circuit 102 of FIG.
- the analog memory unit 205 includes capacitors 303a, 303b, 303c,... Serving as memory elements, switches 302a, 302b, 302c,... Serving as first switches, and switches serving as second switches. 304a, 304b, 304c,... And a buffer 301.
- the digital circuit 105 includes a write control signal generation circuit 305, a read control signal generation circuit 306, and a decode circuit 307.
- One end of the switch 302 is commonly connected to the output section of the buffer 301.
- One end of the switch 304 and one connection portion of the capacitor 303 are connected to the other end of the switch 302.
- the reference potential VSS is connected to the other connection portion of the capacitor 303.
- the other ends of the switches 304 are commonly connected, and this common connection portion serves as an output portion of the analog memory portion 205.
- the control terminal of the switch 302 is connected so that the write control signals Ctls1 to Ctlsn output from the write control signal generation circuit 305 are input thereto.
- the write control signal generation circuit 305 generates the write control signals Ctls 1 to Ctlsn based on the reference clock output from the main body device 106.
- the control terminal of the switch 304 is connected so that the read control signals Ctlo1 to Ctlon output from the read control signal generation circuit 306 are input thereto.
- the read control signal generation circuit 306 generates the read control signals Ctlo 1 to Ctlon based on the reference clock output from the main body device 106.
- the analog input signal Vin output from the reception analog front end unit 204 is amplified or impedance-converted by the buffer 301, and then input to the capacitor 303 via the switch 302, and charges corresponding to the analog input signal Vin are accumulated. Is done.
- the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor 303 is output from the output unit of the analog memory unit 205 as an output signal Vout through the switch 304.
- the analog memory unit 205 is a delay generation circuit.
- a plurality of capacitors 303 are connected in parallel, the analog input signal Vin is sampled and stored in the capacitors in order, and the stored signals are sequentially output after a predetermined time.
- the buffer 301 may also be used as a circuit of the reception analog front end unit 204 at the preceding stage.
- the timing for charging the signal to the capacitor 303 is controlled by the switch 302, and the timing for outputting the signal from the capacitor 303 is controlled by the switch 304.
- Write control signals Ctls 1 to Ctlsn for controlling the operation of the switch 302 are generated by the write control signal generation circuit 305 of the digital circuit 105.
- Read control signals Ctlo 1 to Ctlon for controlling the operation of the switch 304 are generated by the read control signal generation circuit 306 of the digital circuit 105.
- the decode circuit 307 decodes the control data output from the main unit 106 and outputs the decoded result to the write control signal generation circuit 305 and the read control signal generation circuit 306 as a control signal.
- the control signal output from the decoding circuit 307 includes a control signal Ctls_l, a control signal Ctls_s, a control signal Ctlo_l, and a control signal Ctlo_s. These control signal Ctls_l, control signal Ctls_s, control signal Ctlo_l, and control signal Ctlo_s are delay time control signals.
- the control signals Ctls_l and Ctlo_l are first control signals, and the control signals Ctls_s and Ctlo_s are second control signals.
- control signals Ctls_l and Ctls_s are output to the write control signal generation circuit 305, and the control signals Ctlo_l and Ctlo_s are output to the read control signal generation circuit 306.
- the control signal Ctls_l is a signal that is set so that the delay time on the writing side by the analog memory unit 205 becomes longer.
- the control signal Ctls_s is a signal that is set so that the delay time on the writing side by the analog memory unit 205 is shortened.
- the control signal Ctlo_l is a signal that is set so that the delay time on the reading side by the analog memory unit 205 becomes longer.
- the control signal Ctlo_s is a signal that is set so that the delay time on the reading side by the analog memory unit 205 is shortened.
- the write control signal generation circuit 305 and the read control signal generation circuit 306 generate the write control signals Ctls1 to Ctlsn and the read control signals Cttl1 to Ctlon based on the control signal output from the decoding circuit 307.
- FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the analog memory unit 205 of FIG.
- an analog input signal Vin input to the analog memory unit 205 an output signal Vout output from the analog memory unit 205, a write control signal generation circuit 305, and a read control signal generation circuit 306.
- Each signal timing in the input reference clock, write control signals Ctls1 to Ctlsn, and read control signals Ctlo1 to Ctlon is shown.
- the switch 302a is controlled by a write control signal Ctls1 as shown in FIG.
- the switch 302a is turned on when the write control signal Ctls1 is at a high level, but the polarity is not limited thereto.
- the charge accumulated in the capacitor 303a is output to the output signal Vout with the switch 304a being on (402a in FIG. 4).
- the on / off timing of the switch 304a is controlled by the control signal Ctlo1. That is, a signal sampled by the capacitor 303a at the timing of the write control signal Ctls1 is output as the output signal Vout at the timing when the control signal Ctlo1 is on.
- the output signal Vout is a delay between the write control signal Ctls and the read control signal Ctlo compared to the analog input signal Vin. A signal delayed by time is output.
- the write control signal Ctls and the read control signal Ctlo are generated by the write control signal generation circuit 305 and the read control signal generation circuit 306, respectively.
- M is an integer.
- FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example when the delay time is dynamically varied in the analog memory unit 205 of FIG.
- the signal 501a in FIG. 5 sampled by the write control signal Ctls2 is output by the control signal Ctlo2 after a predetermined delay time (502a in FIG. 5).
- the control signal Ctls on the writing side is controlled to increase the delay time
- the same input signal Vin is written in the plurality of capacitors 303.
- the control signal Ctls_l for increasing the delay time is output from the decode circuit 307, the plurality of write control signals Ctls simultaneously become high level, and the plurality of switches 302 are simultaneously turned on.
- control signal Ctls_l is output so that the control signals Ctls3 and Ctls4 are simultaneously at a high level is shown.
- the signal of the input signal Vin (501b in FIG. 5) is sampled in the two capacitors 303c and 303d.
- the data stored in the capacitor 303c is output at the timing when the read control signal Ctlo3 is on (502b in FIG. 5).
- the data stored in the capacitor 303d is output at the timing when the read control signal Ctlo4 is turned on (502c in FIG. 5). Since the signals stored in the capacitors 303c and 303d are signals having the same timing (501b in FIG. 5), the same signals are output at different times.
- the signal 501c of FIG. 5 sampled by the write control signal Ctls5 is output by the read control signal Ctlo5 (502d of FIG. 5). Compared with the time before the control signal Ctls_l for increasing the delay time is output, two samples of signals having the same timing are output, so that the delay time can be increased.
- control is performed so that the signal is written to the capacity even when the delay time is changed so that the capacity of data that has not been written is not read out. Also, when the delay time is changed, a signal is output and the influence of noise at the time of switching is small.
- the signal is sampled into two capacitors at the same time.
- the number of capacitors to be sampled is not limited to this.
- the signal may be sampled into three or more capacitors at the same time.
- FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of changing the delay time short by using the write-side control signal Ctls in the analog memory unit 205 of FIG.
- the control is performed by the control signal Ctls_s.
- the input signal Vin is sampled in the capacitor 303a by the write control signal Ctls1 (601a in FIG. 6).
- the sampled signal is output at the timing of the read control signal Ctlo1 after a predetermined delay time (602a in FIG. 6).
- control signal Ctls_s When the control signal Ctls_s is input, the control signal Ctls is controlled so as to shorten the delay time. That is, when the control signal Ctls_s is input, control is performed to increase the pulse width of the write control signal Ctls.
- the pulse width of the write control signal Ctls2 is set to be twice the width of the reference clock.
- the signal is controlled by the write control signal Ctls2, and a signal (601c in FIG. 6) immediately before the fall of the write control signal Ctls2 is accumulated in the capacitor 303b.
- the signal accumulated in the capacitor 303b is output at the timing of the read control signal Ctlo2 (602b in FIG. 6).
- the signal sampled in the capacitor 303c by the read control signal Ctls3 is output at the timing of the read control signal Ctlo3.
- the pulse width of the write control signal Ctls2 longer by the control signal Ctls_s, the subsequent delay time can be shortened as compared to the previous time. Further, by making the output of the buffer 301 that charges the capacitor 303 a voltage output, it is possible to prevent the characteristics from being affected even if the pulse width is increased.
- FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example when the delay time is changed to be longer by using the read-side control signal Ctlo in the analog memory unit 205 of FIG.
- control is performed with the control signal Ctlo_l.
- the input signal Vin is sampled in the capacitor 303b by the write control signal Ctls2 (701a in FIG. 7).
- the sampled signal is output at the timing of the control signal Ctlo2 after a predetermined delay time (702a in FIG. 7). Further, the input signal Vin is sampled in the capacitor 303c by the write control signal Ctls3 (701b in FIG. 7).
- control signal Ctlo_l When the control signal Ctlo_l is input, the control signal Ctlo is controlled so as to increase the delay time. That is, when the control signal Ctlo_l is input to the read control signal generation circuit 306, control is performed so as to increase the pulse width of the control signal Ctlo.
- the pulse width of the read control signal Ctlo3 is set to about twice the width of the reference clock.
- the signal accumulated in the capacitor 303c is output at the timing of the read control signal Ctlo3, but the output time is a time corresponding to two clocks of the reference clock (702b and 702c in FIG. 7).
- a signal of a plurality of samples can be output by making the circuit in the subsequent stage receive a high impedance and sampling a plurality of times in synchronization with the reference clock.
- the subsequent delay time can be made longer than before.
- FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing an example of changing the delay time short by using the read-side control signal Ctlo in the analog memory unit 205 of FIG. Each signal in FIG. 8 is the same as that in FIG.
- control is performed using the control signal Ctlo_s.
- the input signal Vin is sampled in the capacitor 303a by the write control signal Ctls1 (801a in FIG. 8).
- the sampled signal is output at the timing of the read control signal Cttl after a predetermined delay time (802a in FIG. 8). Further, the input signal Vin is sampled in the capacitors 303b and 303c by the write control signals Ctls2 and Ctls3 (701b and 701c in FIG. 8), respectively.
- the delay time is controlled to be shortened. That is, when the control signal Ctlo_l is input to the read control signal Ctlo, one output of the read control signal Ctlo is skipped and the next read control signal is turned on.
- the read control signal generation circuit 306 outputs the read control signal Ctlo3 without outputting the read control signal Ctlo2.
- the signal accumulated in the capacitor 303b is not output as an output signal.
- the signal accumulated in the capacitor 303c is output.
- FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the write control signal generation circuit 305 in FIG.
- the write control signal generation circuit 305 includes logic circuits 901 a, 901 b, 901 c,...
- the logic circuit 901 receives a reference clock and control signals Ctls_s and Ctls_l, and outputs read control signals Ctls1, Ctls2, Ctls3,.
- FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the logic circuit 901c of FIG.
- FIG. 10 shows the circuit configuration of the logic circuit 901c as a representative, but the other logic circuits 901 have the same configuration.
- the logic circuit 901c includes an AND circuit 903 that is a logical product circuit, NOR circuits 904 and 905 that are negative logical sum circuits, and a flip-flop 906.
- the basic operation of the logic circuit 901 is to output an input signal delayed by one clock by the flip-flop 906.
- the control signals for outputting the high level move in the order of the write control signals Ctls1, Ctls2, Ctls3,.
- NOR negative OR
- the output from the logic circuit 901 is output as a write control signal Ctls through the NOBUF 902.
- the NOBUF 902 is a circuit that provides a non-overlap period so that the switch 302 is not turned on at the same time when the write control signal Ctls is switched when the capacitor 303 is charged.
- the switch 302 is controlled by a signal non-overlapped by the NOBUF 902.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the read control signal generation circuit 306 in FIG.
- the read control signal generation circuit 306 includes logic circuits 1001a, 1001b, 1001c,..., And non-overlapping buffers (shown as NOBUF in FIG. 11) 1002a, 1002b, 1002c,.
- a reference clock and control signals Ctlo_s and Ctlo_l are input to the logic circuit 1001, and read control signals Ctlo1, Ctlo2, Ctlo3,.
- FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the logic circuit 1001c of FIG.
- FIG. 12 also shows the circuit configuration of the logic circuit 1001c as a representative, but the other logic circuits 1001 have the same configuration.
- the logic circuit 1001c includes a selector 1003, an inverter 1004, a NOR circuit 1005 that is a NOR circuit, and a flip-flop 1006, as illustrated.
- the basic operation of the logic circuit 1001 is to output the input signal delayed by one clock by the flip-flop 1006.
- the control signals for outputting the high level move in the order of the read control signals Ctlo1, Ctlo2, Ctlo3,.
- the control signal Ctlo_s either the previous stage logic circuit 1001 input to the selector 1003 or the output of the second stage previous logic circuit 1001 is selected.
- the high-level control signal Ctlo_s is input, and the output of the logic circuit 1001 two stages before is selected.
- the output of the read control signal Ctlo is an output in which one read control signal is skipped.
- the output from the logic circuit 1001 is outputted as a read control signal Ctlo through the NOBUF 1002.
- the read control signal generation circuit 306 having such a configuration, the read control signal Ctlo that dynamically changes the delay time can be generated.
- control data for changing the delay time is transmitted from the main unit 106 of FIG. 1 to the digital circuit 105 included in the probe 100, and the decoding circuit of the digital circuit 105 shown in FIG. After processing such as decoding by 307, it is supplied to the write control signal generation circuit 305 and the read control signal generation circuit 306 shown in FIG.
- the delay time can be increased by writing the same data to a plurality of capacitors 303 or by increasing the read time of one capacitor 303. Further, the delay time can be shortened by increasing the writing time to one part of the capacitor 303 or by not performing the data reading from the one part of the capacitor 303 at the time of data reading.
- the switching of the delay time is performed using the data writing / reading control to the same capacity column, the switching of the delay time can be performed only by the analog memory unit 205. Therefore, it is possible to realize dynamic change of the delay time with a small area circuit.
- the output of the delay circuit by the analog memory unit 205 is added by the adder circuit 103 in FIG.
- the signal from the probe 100 is received by the analog front end circuit 107 shown in FIG.
- the analog front-end circuit 107 includes a low-noise amplifier, a programmable gain amplifier, an anti-aliasing filter, an analog / digital converter (ADC), and the like that are not shown.
- the signal from the probe 100 is amplified and filtered, and converted into a digital signal.
- the clock used for sampling of the analog / digital converter for example, a clock generated from the same oscillation source as the reference clock transmitted from the main unit 106 to the probe 100 is used.
- the analog / digital converter Since the output of the delay circuit of each one-element circuit 102 of the subarray 101 is output in synchronization with the reference clock, the analog / digital converter also performs digital conversion in synchronization with this reference clock.
- a clock obtained by multiplying or dividing the reference clock may be used as necessary. Further, the phase for analog / digital conversion may be shifted in consideration of the delay time in the cable.
- the analog memory unit 205 in the probe 100 outputs a signal in synchronization with the reference clock. Therefore, spike-like noise is generated at the rising / falling timing of the reference clock.
- the capacitor is used as the element for storing the analog signal, and the analog signal is stored using the charge accumulated in the capacitor.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- an analog signal may be stored as a current using a transistor such as a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor).
- MOS Metal Oxide Semiconductor
- the adder circuit 103 in FIG. 2 does not have to add all the outputs of the one-element circuit 102, and may be configured to add each divided into a plurality of blocks. For example, when there are 192 channels, that is, when there are 192 1-element circuits 102, 4 channels may be added and 48 outputs may be obtained after the addition. Alternatively, the signals of the 8192-channel 1-element circuit 102 may be added for each 64 channels of the 8 ⁇ 8 array to obtain 128 outputs. This signal is transmitted from the probe 100 to the main unit 106 via a cable.
- a low pass filter may be provided for each output signal of each analog memory unit 205.
- a filter capable of removing clock period noise can reduce clock period noise.
- a similar low-pass filter may be provided for the output of the adder circuit 103.
- a capacity for band limitation may be connected to the output of the reception analog front end unit 204.
- the number of signals to be output can be reduced with respect to the number of transducer elements.
- the number of cables can be reduced and the number of A / D converters for converting analog signals into digital signals can be reduced, thereby reducing costs.
- the write control signal Ctls and the read control signal Ctlo are generated by the digital circuit 105 and connected to each one-element circuit 102a, 102b,.
- the control signal connected to each one-element circuit 102 may be another wiring, but may be shared.
- the control signal on one side may be shared by all the one-element circuits.
- the read control signal Ctlo is shared by each one-element circuit
- the write control signal Ctls is changed by each one-element circuit, and a different delay time is generated by each one-element circuit.
- the write control signal Ctls may be shared in the long axis direction, and the read control signal may be shared in the short axis direction.
- the number of wirings connected to each one-element circuit can be reduced, and the area can be reduced.
- the delay time can be increased or decreased by using any of the write control signal and the read control signal. Therefore, even when the wiring is shared in this way, By selecting this, the delay time can be changed dynamically.
- the configuration in which the analog memory unit 205 serving as a delay circuit is provided on the reception circuit side has been described.
- a delay circuit may be used on the transmission side.
- the delay circuit may be shared between the transmission side and the reception side and switched between transmission and reception.
- analog memory unit 205 for example, a circuit configuration in which a capacitor is charged with respect to a virtual ground of an operational amplifier instead of a ground, a differential instead of a single end, or a reset period is provided.
- FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration in the analog memory unit 205 and the adder circuit 103 according to the second embodiment.
- the analog memory unit 205 includes an operational amplifier 1101, switch / capacitor units 1102 a, 1102 b,.
- the adder circuit 103 includes a plurality of charge adders SS.
- the switch / capacitor unit 1102 includes a capacitor 1103 and switches 1104p, 1104n, 1105p, and 1105n.
- the charge adding unit 1109 includes capacitors 1106a and 1106b and switches 1107a, 1107b, 1108a and 1108b.
- the analog memory unit 205 is a circuit in which a plurality of switches and capacitors are connected in parallel, sampled and accumulated, and output after a predetermined delay time.
- the differential signals Vinp and Vinn are signals output from the reception analog front end unit 204.
- the voltage Vcm input to the positive (+) side input unit of the operational amplifier 1101 is a reference voltage.
- FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an equivalent circuit when the analog memory is sampled in the switch / capacitor unit 1102 of FIG.
- FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an equivalent circuit when the analog memory is held in the switch / capacitance unit 1102 of FIG.
- the switch 1104 is turned on and the switch 1105 is turned off. Accordingly, the capacitor 1103 is connected between the input differential signals, and charges corresponding to the input differential signals are accumulated in the capacitor 1103.
- the switch 1105 is turned on when outputting the accumulated data after a predetermined delay time has elapsed.
- a feedback circuit is configured by the capacitor 1103 and the operational amplifier 1101. At the time of sampling, a signal corresponding to the charge accumulated in the capacitor 1103 is output as the output signal Vout.
- the output signal Vout output after being delayed is accumulated as a charge in the charge adder 1109 included in the adder circuit 103.
- the charge adder 1109 operates with a clock having a cycle twice that of the reference clock, for example.
- the switch 1107a is turned on, the switch 1108a is turned off, and a signal corresponding to the output voltage Vout is accumulated in the capacitor 1106a as an electric charge.
- the switch 1107b is turned off, the switch 1108b is turned on, and the charge accumulated in the capacitor 1106b is output to Vadd connected to the input portion of the buffer 104 in FIG.
- the switch 1107a is turned off, the switch 1108a is turned on, and the charge accumulated in the capacitor 1106a is output to the terminal Vadd connected to the input portion of the buffer 104 in FIG.
- the switch 1107b is turned on, the switch 1108b is turned off, and a signal corresponding to the output signal Vout is accumulated in the capacitor 1106b as electric charge.
- the signal Vout delayed in two phases is accumulated as electric charge, and an operation of repeating output is performed.
- the adder circuit 103 By outputting a signal as a charge in this way, in the adder circuit 103, if the wiring is directly connected when adding the output signal of each one-element circuit 102, the charge is averaged and the signal is added. Since the addition can be performed only by connecting the wirings without using a special addition circuit, the area can be reduced.
- the control signal for operating the switch of the charge adding unit 1109 is sampled immediately before the switch 1105 for outputting the delayed signal changes from on to off. By setting the timing as described above, noise generated during switching can be excluded, and the signal can be accurately sampled.
- the delay time is determined by the time difference between the control signal of the switch 1104 that determines the timing for sampling to the capacitor and the control signal of the switch 1105 that determines the timing to output from the capacitor.
- the write control signals Ctls1, Ctls2,... Described in the first embodiment are used.
- the control signal for the switch 1105 read control signals Ctlo1, Ctlo2,.
- the delay time is lengthened or shortened by changing the control signals Ctls and Ctlo.
- the analog signal can be sampled with high accuracy and delayed.
- distortion can be suppressed by using a differential circuit.
- a highly accurate signal can be obtained by configuring a closed loop circuit using an operational amplifier and holding a sampled signal.
- an analog signal can be delayed by providing a delay time for the control signal for controlling the switch.
- the delay time can be changed dynamically.
- FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the switch / capacitance unit 1102 included in the analog memory unit 205 of FIG.
- the switch / capacitor unit 1102 includes a capacitor 1103 and switches 1104p, 1104n, 1105p, 1105n, 1201 as shown in FIG. Compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 13, a switch 1201 is newly added. This switch 1201 is used as a reset switch.
- the write control signal Ctls is input to the control terminals of the switches 1104p and 1104n, and the read control signal Ctlo is input to the control terminals of the 1105p and 1105n.
- a reset control signal Ctlr is input to the control terminal of the switch 1201.
- the switches 1104p and 1104n are controlled to be turned on / off by the write control signal Ctls.
- 1105p and 1105n are controlled to be turned on / off by a read control signal Ctlo.
- the switch 1201 is controlled to be turned on / off by a reset control signal Ctlr.
- the sampling timing and the output timing are fixed and periodic, so periodic resetting may be performed.
- the write control signal and the read control signal for the nth capacitor are the write control signal Ctls ⁇ n> and the read control signal Ctlo ⁇ n>, respectively, and the signal for operating the switch 1201 is the reset control signal Ctlr ⁇ n. >.
- the write control signal Ctls ⁇ n-1> having the previous capacity may be used as the reset control signal Ctlr ⁇ n>.
- the read control signal Ctlo ⁇ n + 1> for the next capacitor may be used.
- the write control signal and the read control signal cannot be used as they are as the reset control signal. Therefore, a technique for generating a reset control signal when the delay time is dynamically changed will be described.
- FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reset control signal generation circuit that generates a reset control signal for operating the reset switch 1201 included in the switch / capacitor unit 1102 of FIG.
- the reset control signal generation circuit is a circuit that generates a reset control signal using a write control signal, and is provided in the analog memory unit 205, for example. As shown in FIG. 17, the reset control signal generation circuit includes an inverter delay unit 1202, an OR circuit 1203 that is a logical sum circuit, and an AND circuit 1204 that is a logical product circuit.
- the inverter delay unit 1202 has a configuration in which a plurality of inverters are connected in series.
- a write control signal Ctls ⁇ n> is input to the input section of the inverter delay section 1202, and one input section of the AND circuit 1204 is connected to the output section.
- One input portion of the OR circuit 1203 is connected so that the previous write control signal Ctls ⁇ n ⁇ 1> is input, and the other input portion of the OR circuit 1203 is The write control signal Ctls ⁇ n-1> is connected to be input.
- the other input section of the AND circuit 1204 is connected to the output section of the OR circuit 1203. From the output of the AND circuit 1204, a reset control signal Ctlr ⁇ n> is output.
- FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing an example of signal timing of each part in the reset control signal generation circuit of FIG.
- the signal timings of the reference clock, the control signals Ctls_l and Ctls_s, the write control signals Ctls1 to Ctls7, and the read control signals Ctlr1 to Ctlr7 are shown from the top to the bottom.
- Ctls ⁇ n> and Ctls ⁇ n ⁇ 1> may simultaneously be at a high level. Therefore, Ctls ⁇ n> is inverted by the inverter delay unit 1202, and the OR circuit 1203 is inverted. And the reset control signal Ctlr ⁇ n> is generated. This is because when the control signal Ctls ⁇ n> is at a high level, the input signal Vin needs to be sampled, and the reset switch 1201 must not be turned on.
- Ctls ⁇ n> is delayed by the inverter delay unit 1202 in order to ensure that the reset switch 1201 is not turned on. By doing so, glitches can be prevented and sampled charges can be maintained.
- FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the reset control signal generation circuit of FIG.
- the reset control signal generation circuit generates a reset control signal using the read control signal.
- the reset control signal generation circuit is configured by an OR (logical sum) circuit 1205 as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing an example of signal timing of each part in the reset control signal generation circuit of FIG.
- the signal timings of the reference clock, the control signals Ctl_l and Ctlo_s, the write control signals Ctls1 to Ctls7, and the read control signals Ctlr1 to Ctlr7 are shown from the top to the bottom.
- the reset control signal generation circuit in FIG. 20 resets the data stored in the capacitor after outputting the data sampled in the capacitor. Specifically, the OR (logical sum) of the read control signals Ctlo ⁇ n + 1> and Ctlo ⁇ n + 2> after one stage and two stages is taken to generate the reset control signal Ctlr ⁇ n>.
- a circuit generated using the read control signal shown in FIG. 19 is simple and has an advantage.
- FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the circuit configuration of the analog memory unit 205 of FIG.
- the analog memory unit 205 includes an operational amplifier 1501 and switch / capacitor units 1510a, 1510b,... As shown in FIG.
- the switch / capacitor unit 1510 includes capacitors 1502p and 1502n, and switches 1503p, 1503n, 1504p, 1504n, 1505p, 1505n, 1506p, 1506n, 1507p, and 1507n.
- the subscripts p and n indicate the positive side and the negative side of the differential circuit, and are omitted when not particularly necessary.
- the circuit configuration is fully differential and has a characteristic of being resistant to common mode noise.
- the differential signals Vinp and Vinn are input signals for operation signals.
- the common voltage Vcm is a reference voltage.
- one end of each of the switches 1504n, 1504p, 1505p, and 1505n is connected to be supplied with a common voltage Vcm.
- An operation signal Vinp is input to one end of the switch 1503p, and an operation signal Vinn is input to one end of the switch 1503n.
- the other end of the switch 1503p is connected to one end of the switch 1507p, the other end of the switch 1505p, and one end of the capacitor 1502p.
- One end of the switch 1506p and the other end of the switch 1504p are connected to the other end of the capacitor 1502p.
- the other end of the switch 1503n, one end of the switch 1507n, and one end of the capacitor 1502n are connected to the other end of the switch 1505n.
- the other end of the switch 1504n and one end of the switch 1506n are connected to the other end of the capacitor 1502n.
- the other end of the switch 1506p is connected to one input portion of the operational amplifier 1501, and the other end of the switch 1506n is connected to the other input portion of the operational amplifier 1501.
- the other end of the switch 1507p is connected to one output section of the operational amplifier 1501.
- the other end of the switch 1507n is connected to the other output section of the operational amplifier.
- One output section of the operational amplifier 1501 is an output terminal that outputs a differential output signal Voutp, and the other output section of the operational amplifier 1501 is an output terminal that outputs a differential output signal Voutn.
- connection relation of the switch / capacitance unit 1510a has been described here, the other switch / capacitance unit 1510 has the same connection relation.
- FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an equivalent circuit when the analog memory is sampled in the switch / capacitor unit 1510 of FIG.
- FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an equivalent circuit when the analog memory is held in the switch / capacitor 1510 of FIG.
- FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an equivalent circuit at the time of resetting in the switch / capacitance unit 1510 of FIG.
- the switches 1503 and 1504 are turned on, and the switches 1505, 1506 and 1507 are turned off. Accordingly, the capacitor 1502 is connected between the differential signals Vinp and Vinn and the common voltage Vcm.
- the capacitor 1502 and the operational amplifier 1501 constitute a feedback circuit, and signals corresponding to the charges accumulated in the capacitor 1502 at the time of sampling are output as differential output signals Voutp and Voutn. Further, when resetting the signal accumulated in the capacitor, the switches 1504 and 1505 are turned on.
- the delay time is determined by the time difference between the write control signal of the switch 1504 that determines the sampling timing of the capacitor and the read control signal of the switch 1506 and the switch 1507 that determines the timing of output from the capacitor.
- the write control signals Ctls1, Ctls2,... Shown in the first embodiment are used.
- the read control signals Ctlo1, Ctlo2,... Shown in the first embodiment are used.
- write control signals Ctls1, Ctls2,... And read control signals Ctl1, Ctl2,... are generated by the write 8 control signal generation circuit 305 and the read control signal generation circuit 306 shown in FIG.
- the delay time is changed by changing the control signals Ctls and Ctlo input to the control signal generation circuit 305 and the read control signal generation circuit 306 as in the first embodiment. Make it longer or shorter.
- a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. .
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Abstract
Description
図1は、本実施の形態1における超音波撮像装置の一例を示す構成図である。
前記実施の形態1では、図3に示すように、アナログメモリ部205において、対グランド(基準電位VSS)に接地された容量303にアナログ信号を蓄積する回路構成について説明したが、アナログメモリ部205の構成は、これに限るものではない。
本実施の形態3では、前記実施の形態2の図13に示したアナログメモリ部205の他の構成について説明する。
101 サブアレイ
102 1素子回路
103 加算回路
104 バッファ
105 デジタル回路
106 本体装置
107 アナログフロントエンド回路
201 トランスデューサ
202 送受分離部
203 送信部
204 受信アナログフロントエンド部
205 アナログメモリ部
301 バッファ
302 スイッチ
303 容量
304 スイッチ
305 制御信号生成回路
306 制御信号生成回路
307 デコード回路
901 論理回路
902 ノンオーバラップバッファ
903 AND回路
904 NOR回路
906 フリップフロップ
1001 論理回路
1002 ノンオーバラップバッファ
1003 セレクタ
1004 インバータ
1005 NOR回路
1006 フリップフロップ
1101 オペアンプ
1102 スイッチ・容量部
1103 容量
1104 スイッチ
1105 スイッチ
1106 容量
1107 スイッチ
1108 スイッチ
1109 電荷加算部
1201 スイッチ
1202 インバータ遅延部
1203 OR回路
1204 AND回路
1205 OR回路
1501 オペアンプ
1510 スイッチ・容量部
1502 容量
1503 スイッチ
1504 スイッチ
1505 スイッチ
1506 スイッチ
1507 スイッチ
Claims (13)
- 音響インピーダンスの差異によって生じる超音波の反射波に対応する電荷を複数のメモリ素子に蓄積し、前記メモリ素子に蓄積した前記電荷を順に出力する遅延部を有し、
前記遅延部は、前記電荷の蓄積時において、前記反射波の遅延時間を長くする第1の制御信号が入力された際に、予め設定された期間、2以上の前記メモリ素子に同じ電荷を蓄積する、あるいは前記電荷の出力時において、前記第1の制御信号が入力された際に、予め設定された期間、1つの前記メモリ素子に蓄積された電荷を出力する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項1記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記遅延部は、前記電荷の蓄積時において、前記反射波の遅延時間を短くする第2の制御信号が入力された際に、予め設定された期間、1つの前記メモリ素子に同一の前記電荷を蓄積する、あるいは前記電荷の出力時において、前記第2の制御信号が入力された際に、予め設定された期間、前記メモリ素子からの電荷を出力しない、超音波プローブ。 - 超音波を送信し、音響インピーダンスの差異によって生じる前記超音波の反射波を受信する複数の送受信部を具備し、
前記送受信部は、前記反射波に対応する電圧レベルを蓄積し、蓄積した前記電圧レベルを順に出力する遅延部を備え、
前記遅延部は、
書き込み制御信号に基づいて、前記反射波に対応する電圧レベルを蓄積し、読み出し制御信号に基づいて、蓄積した前記電圧レベルを出力する電圧蓄積出力部と、
前記書き込み制御信号および前記読み出し制御信号を生成する制御信号生成部と、
を有し、
前記制御信号生成部は、遅延時間を可変する遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記遅延時間制御信号に応じて、前記書き込み制御信号または前記読み出し制御信号の出力周期を可変して前記反射波を遅延させる遅延時間を可変する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項3記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記電圧蓄積出力部は、
前記反射波に対応する電圧レベルを蓄積する複数のメモリ素子と、
前記書き込み制御信号に基づいて、前記メモリ素子に前記電圧レベルを蓄積させる複数の第1のスイッチと、
前記読み出し制御信号に基づいて、前記メモリ素子に蓄積された前記電圧レベルを出力する複数の第2のスイッチと、
を有する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項4記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記制御信号生成部に入力される遅延時間制御信号は、前記反射波の遅延時間を長くする第1の遅延時間制御信号を有し、
前記制御信号生成部は、前記第1の遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記第1の遅延時間制御信号の入力期間に応じて、2以上の前記メモリ素子に同じ電圧レベルが蓄積させるように前記第1のスイッチを制御する前記書き込み制御信号を生成する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項4記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記制御信号生成部に入力される遅延時間制御信号は、前記反射波の遅延時間を長くする第1の遅延時間制御信号を有し、
前記制御信号生成部は、前記第1の遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記第1の遅延時間制御信号の入力期間に応じて、1つの前記メモリ素子から出力される前記電圧レベルの出力期間を延長するように前記第2のスイッチを制御する前記読み出し制御信号を生成する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項4記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記制御信号生成部に入力される遅延時間制御信号は、前記反射波の遅延時間を短くする第2の遅延時間制御信号を有し、
前記制御信号生成部は、前記第2の遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記第2の遅延時間制御信号の入力期間に応じて、1つの前記メモリ素子が前記電圧レベルを蓄積する期間を延長するように前記第1のスイッチを制御する前記書き込み制御信号を生成する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項4記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記制御信号生成部に入力される遅延時間制御信号は、前記反射波の遅延時間を短くする第2の遅延時間制御信号を有し、
前記制御信号生成部は、前記第2の遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記第2の遅延時間制御信号の入力期間に応じて、1以上の前記メモリ素子から前記電圧レベルが出力されないように前記第2のスイッチを制御する前記読み出し制御信号を生成する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項3記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記電圧蓄積出力部に入力される前記反射波は、差動入力信号であり、
前記電圧蓄積出力部は、
前記差動入力信号の電圧レベルを蓄積する複数のメモリ素子と、
前記書き込み制御信号に基づいて、前記差動入力信号の電圧レベルを前記メモリ素子に蓄積させる複数の第1のスイッチ部と、
前記読み出し制御信号に基づいて、前記メモリ素子が蓄積した前記電圧レベルを出力する第2のスイッチ部と、
前記第2のスイッチ部から出力される前記電圧レベルに対応する信号を出力するオペアンプと、
を有する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項9記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記制御信号生成部に入力される遅延時間制御信号は、前記反射波の遅延時間を長くする第1の遅延時間制御信号を有し、
前記制御信号生成部は、前記第1の遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記第1の遅延時間制御信号の入力期間に応じて、2以上の前記メモリ素子に同じ電圧レベルが蓄積させるように前記第1のスイッチ部を制御する前記読み出し制御信号を生成する、または前記第1の遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記第1の遅延時間制御信号の入力期間に応じて、1つの前記メモリ素子から出力される前記電圧レベルの出力期間を延長するように前記第2のスイッチ部を制御する前記読み出し制御信号を生成する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項9記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
前記制御信号生成部に入力される遅延時間制御信号は、前記反射波の遅延時間を短くする第2の遅延時間制御信号を有し、
前記制御信号生成部は、前記第2の遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記第2の遅延時間制御信号の入力期間に応じて、1つの前記メモリ素子が前記電圧レベルを蓄積する期間を延長するように前記第1のスイッチ部を制御する前記書き込み制御信号を生成する、または前記第2の遅延時間制御信号が入力された際に、前記第2の遅延時間制御信号の入力期間に応じて、1以上の前記メモリ素子から前記電圧レベルが出力されないように前記第2のスイッチ部を制御する前記読み出し制御信号を生成する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項9記載の超音波プローブにおいて、
さらに、前記電圧蓄積出力部は、前記メモリ素子に前記電圧レベルが蓄積される前に、前記メモリ素子をリセットするリセットスイッチを有する、超音波プローブ。 - 請求項1~12のいずれか1項に記載の超音波プローブを有する、超音波撮像装置。
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