WO2021240756A1 - 超音波信号処理装置、超音波信号処理装置の作動方法、及び超音波信号処理装置の作動プログラム - Google Patents

超音波信号処理装置、超音波信号処理装置の作動方法、及び超音波信号処理装置の作動プログラム Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021240756A1
WO2021240756A1 PCT/JP2020/021243 JP2020021243W WO2021240756A1 WO 2021240756 A1 WO2021240756 A1 WO 2021240756A1 JP 2020021243 W JP2020021243 W JP 2020021243W WO 2021240756 A1 WO2021240756 A1 WO 2021240756A1
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Prior art keywords
phase
ultrasonic
positive
negative
reception signal
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PCT/JP2020/021243
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
和人 根本
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Olympus Corp
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Olympus Corp
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Priority to PCT/JP2020/021243 priority Critical patent/WO2021240756A1/ja
Priority to JP2022527422A priority patent/JP7453366B2/ja
Publication of WO2021240756A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021240756A1/ja
Priority to US17/978,380 priority patent/US20230069870A1/en
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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
    • G01S7/52085—Details related to the ultrasound signal acquisition, e.g. scan sequences
    • 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
    • G01S7/52036—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation
    • G01S7/52038—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation involving non-linear properties of the propagation medium or of the reflective target
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/12—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/54—Control of the diagnostic device
    • 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
    • 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
    • G01S7/52026—Extracting wanted echo signals
    • 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
    • G01S7/52026—Extracting wanted echo signals
    • G01S7/52028—Extracting wanted echo signals using digital techniques

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ultrasonic signal processing device, an operating method of the ultrasonic signal processing device, and an operating program of the ultrasonic signal processing device.
  • an ultrasonic image may be generated using a harmonic component generated from an ultrasonic wave (fundamental wave) propagating in a living body. Furthermore, the fundamental wave component is obtained by irradiating the living body with a positive-phase ultrasonic pulse and a negative-phase ultrasonic pulse, respectively, and adding the positive-phase echo signal and the negative-phase echo signal reflected in the living body.
  • a pulse inversion method is known in which a pulse inversion method is used in which only the harmonic component is extracted.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for appropriately extracting harmonic components by a gain or a filter.
  • Patent Document 1 it is necessary to adjust the gain and the strength of the filter for each position in the depth direction in order to appropriately extract the harmonic component and appropriately remove the fundamental wave component, which is troublesome. rice field.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to easily adjust the residual intensity of the fundamental wave component when the harmonic component is appropriately extracted and the fundamental wave component is appropriately removed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic signal processing device, an operation method of the ultrasonic signal processing device, and an operation program of the ultrasonic signal processing device.
  • the ultrasonic signal processing device is an ultrasonic signal processing device, which is an ultrasonic signal having a positive phase and an ultrasonic signal having a negative phase.
  • a receiving unit that receives the received signal, a phasing addition unit that rectifies and adds the positive-phase ultrasonic receiving signal, and the opposite-phase ultrasonic receiving signal, respectively, and the phasing-added positive phase. It is provided with a positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit for adding the ultrasonic reception signal of
  • the ultrasonic signal processing device further includes a storage unit, and the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit includes the positive-phase ultrasonic reception signal received by the reception unit and the reception unit.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit includes the positive-phase ultrasonic reception signal received by the reception unit and the reception unit.
  • a plurality of combined waves obtained by adding the received ultrasonic received signals of the opposite phase by shifting them by a plurality of different times are calculated, and in the storage unit, the positive phase / negative phase addition unit is among the plurality of combined waves.
  • the time shifted when calculating the synthetic wave having the minimum fundamental wave component is stored as the predetermined time.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit sets the predetermined time to a different time depending on the depth, and the storage unit is at least one point in the depth direction.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit stores the time shifted when calculating the combined wave having the smallest fundamental wave component among the plurality of combined waves as the predetermined time.
  • the ultrasonic signal processing apparatus further includes an input unit for inputting an observation position, in the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit, and the storage unit at the input observation position.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit stores the time shifted when calculating the combined wave having the smallest fundamental wave component among the plurality of combined waves as the predetermined time.
  • the storage unit is basic among the plurality of synthetic waves as the depth is shallower from the observation position.
  • the time shifted when calculating the composite wave with a large wave component is stored as the predetermined time, and the composite wave having the larger fundamental wave component among the plurality of composite waves is calculated as the depth becomes deeper from the observation position.
  • the time shifted at the time of is stored as the predetermined time.
  • the receiving unit receives the positive-phase ultrasonic wave receiving signal and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave receiving signal, and the phasing addition unit is described above.
  • the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal are phase-adjusted and added, and the positive-phase and negative-phase addition unit performs the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal.
  • the phase-adjusted and added reverse-phase ultrasonic wave reception signals are added with a predetermined time shift.
  • the receiving unit receives the positive-phase ultrasonic wave receiving signal and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave receiving signal, and the phasing addition unit is described above.
  • the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal are phase-adjusted and added, and the positive-phase and negative-phase addition unit performs the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal.
  • the phase-adjusted and added reverse-phase ultrasonic wave reception signals are added with a predetermined time shift.
  • an ultrasonic signal processing device ultrasonic wave, which can easily adjust the residual intensity of the fundamental wave component when the harmonic component is appropriately extracted and the fundamental wave component is appropriately removed. It is possible to realize the operation method of the signal processing device and the operation program of the ultrasonic signal processing device.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an entire endoscope system including the ultrasonic signal processing device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system including an ultrasonic signal processing device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating processing for an echo signal.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a general state in which a positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and a reverse phase ultrasonic wave reception signal are added.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the result of addition by changing the amount of time shift between the ultrasonic echo of the positive phase and the ultrasonic echo of the negative phase in terms of frequency components.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an entire endoscope system including the ultrasonic signal processing device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system including an ultrasonic signal processing device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating processing for an echo signal.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the depth and the intensity of the fundamental wave component and the harmonic component, and the relationship between the depth and the shift amount.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing executed by the ultrasonic signal processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an input example of the observation position.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic image.
  • the ultrasonic signal processing device for performing phase adjustment addition, an operating method of the ultrasonic signal processing device, and an operating program of the ultrasonic signal processing device.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an entire endoscope system including the ultrasonic signal processing device according to the first embodiment.
  • the endoscope system 1 is a system for observing ultrasonic waves in a subject such as a person using an ultrasonic endoscope.
  • the endoscope system 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 2, an ultrasonic observation device 3 which is an ultrasonic signal processing device, an endoscope observation device 4, a display device 5, and the like.
  • a light source device 6 and an ultrasonic transducer 7 are provided.
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 has an ultrasonic transducer 7 at its tip, and ultrasonically transmits an electrical pulse signal (hereinafter, also referred to as “ultrasonic transmission signal”) transmitted from the ultrasonic observation device 3. It is converted into a pulse (acoustic pulse) and irradiated to the subject, and at the same time, it is converted into an electrical echo signal (hereinafter, also referred to as "ultrasonic reception signal”) that expresses the ultrasonic echo reflected by the subject by a voltage change. Convert and output.
  • an electrical pulse signal hereinafter, also referred to as “ultrasonic transmission signal”
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 usually has an imaging optical system and an imaging element, and is inserted into the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine) or respiratory organ (trachea, bronchus) of the subject for digestion. It is possible to image the tube and respiratory organs. In addition, the surrounding organs (pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, biliary tract, lymph nodes, mediastinal organs, blood vessels, etc.) can be imaged using ultrasound. Further, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 has a light guide that guides the illumination light to irradiate the subject at the time of optical imaging. The tip of the light guide reaches the tip of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 into the subject, while the proximal end is connected to the light source device 6 that generates illumination light.
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 has a light guide that guides the illumination light to irradiate the subject at the time of optical imaging. The tip of the
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an insertion unit 21, an operation unit 22, a universal cord 23, and a connector 24.
  • the insertion portion 21 is a portion to be inserted into the subject.
  • the insertion portion 21 is connected to a rigid tip hard portion 211 that is provided on the tip side and holds an ultrasonic vibrator 7 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and a base end side of the tip rigid portion 211. It is provided with a curved portion 212 that can be curved and curved, and a flexible tube portion 213 that is connected to the base end side of the curved portion 212 and has flexibility.
  • a light guide for transmitting the illumination light supplied from the light source device 6 and a plurality of signal cables for transmitting various signals are routed inside the insertion portion 21.
  • an insertion passage for the treatment tool for inserting the treatment tool is formed.
  • the ultrasonic vibrator 7 side of the insertion portion 21 is the tip end side
  • the side connected to the operation portion 22 is the base end side.
  • the operation unit 22 is connected to the base end side of the insertion unit 21 and is a part that receives various operations from a doctor or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 22 includes a bending knob 221 for performing a bending operation on the bending portion 212, and a plurality of operating members 222 for performing various operations. Further, the operation unit 22 is formed with a treatment tool insertion port 223 that communicates with the treatment tool insertion passage and inserts the treatment tool into the treatment tool insertion passage.
  • the universal cord 23 is a cable extending from the operation unit 22 and having a plurality of signal cables for transmitting various signals, an optical fiber for transmitting illumination light supplied from the light source device 6, and the like.
  • the connector 24 is provided at the tip of the universal cord 23.
  • the connector 24 includes first to third connector portions 241 to 243 to which the ultrasonic cable 31, the video cable 41, and the optical fiber cable 61 are connected, respectively.
  • the ultrasonic observation device 3 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via an ultrasonic cable 31 (see FIG. 1), and is a pulse signal to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the ultrasonic cable 31.
  • the ultrasonic transmission signal is output and the echo signal is input from the ultrasonic endoscope 2. Then, the ultrasonic observation device 3 applies a predetermined process to the echo signal to generate an ultrasonic image.
  • the endoscope observation device 4 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via a video cable 41 (see FIG. 1), and an image signal from the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is input via the video cable 41. do. Then, the endoscope observation device 4 performs a predetermined process on the image signal to generate an endoscope image.
  • the display device 5 is configured by using a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence), a projector, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like, and an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic observation device 3 or an endoscopic observation device 4 Display the endoscopic image etc. generated in.
  • a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence), a projector, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like and an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic observation device 3 or an endoscopic observation device 4 Display the endoscopic image etc. generated in.
  • the light source device 6 is connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via an optical fiber cable 61 (FIG. 1), and supplies illumination light for illuminating the inside of the subject via the optical fiber cable 61 to the ultrasonic endoscope 2. do.
  • the scanning type of the ultrasonic vibrator 7 may be convex, linear, radial, or the like.
  • the ultrasonic endoscope 2 may be one that mechanically scans the ultrasonic transducer 7, or a plurality of piezoelectric elements are provided in an array as the ultrasonic transducer 7, and the piezoelectric elements involved in transmission / reception are electronic. It may be electronically scanned by switching the piezoelectric element or delaying the transmission / reception of each piezoelectric element. Further, the ultrasonic transducer 7 may be a two-dimensional array of piezoelectric elements.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system including an ultrasonic signal processing device according to the first embodiment.
  • the ultrasonic observation device 3 includes a transmission / reception unit 32, a signal processing unit 33, an image processing unit 34, a phase adjustment addition unit 35, a positive / negative phase addition unit 36, and an input unit 37. , A control unit 38, and a storage unit 39.
  • the transmission / reception unit 32 transmits / receives signals of positive phase and negative phase to and from the plurality of piezoelectric elements of the ultrasonic vibrator 7.
  • the transmission / reception unit 32 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 and transmits an ultrasonic transmission signal composed of a high-frequency pulse to the ultrasonic transducer 7 based on a predetermined waveform and transmission timing.
  • it also has a receiving unit that receives an electric echo signal from the ultrasonic transducer 7 to generate and output digital high frequency (RF: Radio Frequency) signal data (hereinafter referred to as RF data).
  • RF Radio Frequency
  • the frequency band of the pulse signal transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 32 is the linear response frequency band of electroacoustic conversion of the pulse signal into the ultrasonic pulse in the ultrasonic transducer 7, the frequency band, and the band of the harmonic generated by the frequency band. Is desirable to be included. Further, the transmission / reception unit 32 transmits various control signals output by the control unit 38 to the ultrasonic endoscope 2, and also receives various digital data including an ID for identification from the ultrasonic endoscope 2. It also has a digital data communication function for transmitting to the control unit 38.
  • the signal processing unit 33 is a composite output data input from the positive / negative phase addition unit 36 (or the phase adjustment addition unit 35) (ultrasonic reception signal after phase adjustment addition or composite signal after positive / negative phase addition). Generates digital B-mode received data based on. Specifically, the signal processing unit 33 performs known processing such as a band path filter, envelope detection, and logarithmic conversion on the combined output data to generate digital B-mode reception data. In logarithm conversion, the common logarithm of the amount obtained by dividing the combined output data by the reference voltage V c is taken and expressed in decibel values. The signal processing unit 33 outputs the generated B-mode reception data for one frame to the image processing unit 34.
  • the signal processing unit 33 is realized by using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), various arithmetic circuits, and the like.
  • the image processing unit 34 generates image data based on the B mode received data input from the signal processing unit 33.
  • the image processing unit 34 performs signal processing on the B mode received data from the signal processing unit 33 using known techniques such as scan converter processing, gain processing, and contrast processing.
  • scan converter process the scanning direction of the received data for B mode is converted from the scanning direction of the ultrasonic wave to the display direction of the display device 5.
  • the B mode image is a grayscale image in which the values of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), which are variables when the RGB color system is adopted as the color space, are matched.
  • the image processing unit 34 performs coordinate conversion on the received data for B mode from the signal processing unit 33 so that the scanning range can be spatially correctly expressed, and then performs interpolation processing between the received data for B mode. This fills the gap between the received data for B mode and generates B mode image data according to the display range of the image in the display device 5.
  • the image processing unit 34 is realized by using a CPU, various arithmetic circuits, and the like.
  • the phase adjustment addition unit 35 adds the phase adjustment to the RF data input from the transmission / reception unit 32.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating processing for an echo signal. As shown in FIG. 3, each piezoelectric element of the ultrasonic transducer 7 receives an echo signal in a state of being temporally deviated according to the distance r from the sampling point SP. The received echo signal is output as RF data from the transmission / reception unit 32, temporarily stored in the storage unit 39, and then input to the phase adjustment addition unit 35.
  • the phasing addition unit 35 applies an appropriate delay to the RF data according to the distance r, aligns the phases and adds them, and obtains the phasing-added ultrasonic reception signal.
  • the phase-adjusting addition unit 35 is realized by using a CPU, various arithmetic circuits, and the like.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 is a composite signal obtained by adding the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase-adjusting addition and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase-adjusting addition after matching the timings (hereinafter,). , Also referred to as "synthetic wave").
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a general state in which a positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and a reverse phase ultrasonic wave reception signal are added.
  • the vertical axis of FIG. 4 is the amplitude, and the horizontal axis is the time. As shown in FIG.
  • the positive phase fundamental wave W11 shown by the alternate long and short dash line and the reverse phase fundamental wave W21 indicated by the two-dot chain line are obtained. Are removed by canceling each other out.
  • the positive-phase harmonic W12 and the negative-phase harmonic W22 shown by the broken line strengthen each other and have double the amplitude. As a result, ideally only the harmonic components remain.
  • the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal there may be a time lag between the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal.
  • ultrasonic transmission between positive phase and negative phase due to reasons such as the response of the semiconductor when generating an ultrasonic transmission signal differs depending on the voltage polarity, the impedance of the ultrasonic transducer 7 differs depending on the polarity of the applied voltage, and the like.
  • the signal is shifted in the time direction with respect to each transmission timing in the transmission / reception unit 32, which is a reference for matching the timing relationship between the positive phase and the negative phase in the positive / negative phase addition unit 36.
  • the positive / negative phase addition unit 36 in the first embodiment shifts the positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition and the reverse phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition by a predetermined time.
  • the positive phase / negative phase addition unit 36 receives a positive phase ultrasonic echo received by the transmission / reception unit 32 and a reverse phase received by the transmission / reception unit 32.
  • the ultrasonic echoes of the above are staggered by a plurality of different times to calculate a plurality of composite signals, and the time shifted when calculating the composite signal having the smallest fundamental wave component among the plurality of composite signals (hereinafter referred to as).
  • a “reference shift amount”) is set at a predetermined time and stored in the storage unit 39.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the result of adding by changing the amount of time shift between the ultrasonic echo of the positive phase and the ultrasonic echo of the negative phase in terms of frequency components.
  • the vertical line in FIG. 5 is the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave, and the horizontal line is the frequency (MHz).
  • FIG. 5 shows the amplitude of the positive phase and the amplitude of the combined signal when the shift amount is ⁇ t, 0, ⁇ t.
  • the peak PK1 of the fundamental wave component appears in the amplitude of the positive phase shown by the solid line
  • the peak PK2 of the harmonic component appears in the amplitude of the addition result (combined signal) of the positive phase and the negative phase shown by other than the solid line.
  • the difference ⁇ A between the peak PK1 of the fundamental wave component and the peak PK2 of the harmonic component is 28 dB.
  • the fundamental wave component corresponding to the peak PK1 remains. You can confirm that you are doing it.
  • the time between the positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after phasing addition and the negative phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after phasing addition is shifted by ⁇ t, the basic corresponding to the peak PK1. The wave component becomes sufficiently weak with respect to the harmonic component.
  • the fundamental wave component corresponding to the peak PK1 is indicated by the two-dot chain line.
  • the residual amount of is further increased than when the time is not staggered.
  • the intensity of the harmonic component corresponding to the peak PK2 is almost the same. It should be noted that the amplitude of the harmonic component of the positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition shown by the solid line is half the size of the other lines because the addition is not performed.
  • the output of the fundamental wave of the positive phase negative phase addition unit 36 when the phase of the positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition and the negative phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition are shifted by ⁇ is output.
  • PIf can be expressed as the difference between sine waves.
  • PIf ⁇ sin ( ⁇ t + ⁇ / 2) -sin ( ⁇ t- ⁇ / 2) -2 ⁇ cos ( ⁇ t) ⁇ sin ( ⁇ ) (Equation 1) It can be expressed as.
  • the output of the harmonic of the positive / negative phase addition unit 36 is PIh
  • PIh can be expressed as the sum of sine waves.
  • the magnitude of PIf residual intensity of the fundamental wave component of the combined signal added by the positive-phase / negative-phase adder 36
  • PIh intensity of harmonic components
  • the positive phase / negative phase addition unit 36 sets ⁇ t at a predetermined time from a plurality of shift amounts ( ⁇ t, 0, ⁇ t) as shown in FIG. 5, and stores it in the storage unit 39. Then, the positive / negative phase addition unit 36 reads a predetermined time from the storage unit 39 at the time of observation, and receives the positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition and the reverse phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition. Add up after shifting by a predetermined time. However, the positive / negative phase addition unit 36 is the positive phase ultrasonic reception signal and the phase adjustment addition unit 35 after the phase adjustment addition input from the phase adjustment addition unit 35 at the start of observation, for each frame, and for each sound line.
  • the time shifted at the time of calculation may be set to a predetermined time.
  • the phase-adjusting addition unit 35 interpolates the sampling value of the RF data of each piezoelectric element in the time direction. Therefore, it is possible to realize a shift of a predetermined time.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 may set a predetermined time to a different value according to the depth, and set the reference shift amount to the predetermined time at at least one point in the depth direction.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 may set the reference shift amount to a predetermined time at the observation position input by the user by the input unit 37.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the depth and the intensity of the fundamental wave component and the harmonic component, and the relationship between the depth and the shift amount.
  • the line L1 in FIG. 6 shows the intensity of the fundamental wave component in the depth direction
  • the line L2 shows the estimated intensity of the harmonic component in the depth direction
  • the line L3 shows the positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the reverse phase in the depth direction.
  • the amount of deviation from the ultrasonic reception signal is shown.
  • the residual intensity of the fundamental wave component can be minimized (substantially zero) at the observation position P.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 increases the amount of deviation (predetermined time) between the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal up to ⁇ 2 as the depth becomes shallower from the observation position P. It is changed to increase the residual intensity of the fundamental wave component to I1.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 sets a predetermined time as the time shifted when calculating the composite wave having a large fundamental wave component among the plurality of composite signals as the depth becomes shallower from the observation position P. .. Similarly, the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 changes the amount of shift between the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal up to ⁇ 3 from the observation position P toward a deeper depth, and is basic. Increases the residual intensity of the wave component to I2.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 sets a predetermined time as the time shifted when calculating the composite wave having a large fundamental wave component among the plurality of composite signals as the depth becomes deeper from the observation position P. .. This is because the intensity of the harmonic component is weak in the region near and far from the ultrasonic transducer 7, so that the residual intensity of the fundamental wave component is increased to complement the ultrasonic image.
  • FIG. 6 shows an example in which the phase shift amount is linearly changed, the shift amount is not limited to this, and the shift amount may be changed along a predetermined curve or may be changed discretely.
  • the positive / negative phase addition unit 36 may adjust the strength of the gain, the filter, or the like according to the depth, in addition to shifting the phase.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 is realized by using a CPU, various arithmetic circuits, and the like.
  • the input unit 37 is realized by using a user interface such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and a trackball, and accepts input of various information.
  • the input unit 37 accepts the input of the observation position by the user.
  • the observation position is the position that the user wants to observe most in the ultrasonic image.
  • the control unit 38 controls the entire endoscope system 1.
  • the control unit 38 is realized by using a CPU having calculation and control functions, various calculation circuits, and the like.
  • the control unit 38 collectively controls the ultrasonic observation device 3 by reading information stored and stored by the storage unit 39 from the storage unit 39 and executing various arithmetic processes related to the operation method of the ultrasonic observation device 3. do. It is also possible to configure the control unit 38 by using a CPU or the like common to the signal processing unit 33, the image processing unit 34, the phase adjustment addition unit 35, or the positive phase negative phase addition unit 36.
  • the storage unit 39 stores various programs for operating the endoscope system 1, data including various parameters necessary for the operation of the endoscope system 1, and the like. Further, the storage unit 39 stores various programs including an operation program for executing the operation method of the endoscope system 1.
  • the operation program can also be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, flash memory, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or flexible disk and widely distributed.
  • the various programs described above can also be acquired by downloading them via a communication network.
  • the communication network referred to here is realized by, for example, an existing public line network, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), etc., and may be wired or wireless.
  • the storage unit 39 having the above configuration is realized by using a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various programs and the like are pre-installed, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing calculation parameters and data of each process. ..
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing executed by the ultrasonic signal processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
  • the input unit 37 of the ultrasonic observation device 3 accepts the input of the observation position P (see FIG. 6) and the residual intensities I1 and I2 (see FIG. 6) of the fundamental wave component (step S1). ).
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an input example of the observation position.
  • the user sets the observation position P by moving the position of the marker M displayed on the display device 5 by operating the input unit 37.
  • the vertical axis of FIG. 8 can be defined by, for example, the luminance value of the ultrasonic image, and the solid line is a normalized value obtained by dividing the luminance value of the fundamental wave component by the luminance value at the peak of the harmonic component.
  • the alternate long and short dash line represents the luminance value of the harmonic component standardized with the maximum value set to 1.
  • the luminance value of the fundamental wave component shown by the solid line becomes the minimum value (substantially zero).
  • the residual intensity I1 of the fundamental wave component is set to 1.0 and the residual intensity I2 is set to 0.5 in advance.
  • the observation positions P and the residual intensities I1 and I2 of the fundamental wave components may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 39.
  • the horizontal axis of FIG. 8 represents the depth (cm), and the position closest to the ultrasonic transducer 7 to the display range value is displayed.
  • control unit 38 calculates the delay amount for the ultrasonic transmission signal transmitted to each piezoelectric element of the ultrasonic transducer 7 (step S2). Specifically, the control unit 38 calculates an appropriate delay amount according to the position of the piezoelectric element of the ultrasonic vibrator 7.
  • control unit 38 calculates the amount of time shift when adding the positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal and the negative phase ultrasonic wave reception signal in the positive phase negative phase addition unit 36 (step S3).
  • the control unit 38 calculates the amount of delay applied to the RF data obtained from each piezoelectric element of the ultrasonic vibrator 7 according to the distance r from the sampling point SP in the phase adjustment addition of the phase adjustment addition unit 35. (Step S4).
  • the predetermined time requires a resolution finer than the sampling period Ts
  • the predetermined time (the amount of time shift between the positive phase and the negative phase) is included in this delay amount.
  • control unit 38 determines whether or not the input unit 37 has received a predetermined operation input corresponding to the start of measurement (step S5).
  • step S5 When the control unit 38 determines that the input unit 37 has not received the predetermined operation input corresponding to the start of measurement (step S5: No), it is in a standby state in which step S5 is repeated.
  • control unit 38 determines that the input unit 37 has received a predetermined operation input corresponding to the start of measurement (step S5: Yes)
  • the transmission / reception unit 32 transmits an ultrasonic transmission signal to each piezoelectric element of the ultrasonic vibrator 7 under the control of the control unit 38 (step S7).
  • the transmission / reception unit 32 receives the ultrasonic reception signal from each piezoelectric element of the ultrasonic vibrator 7 (step S8).
  • the RF data received by the transmission / reception unit 32 is stored in the storage unit 39 (step S9).
  • r 0 is the radius of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer 7.
  • the phasing addition unit 35 performs phasing addition at the sampling point SP at the distance r (step S11).
  • control unit 38 determines whether or not the distance r is r> R (step S13). When the control unit 38 determines that the distance r is not r> R (step S13: No), it returns to step S11 and continues the process. That is, by the processing of steps S10 ⁇ S13, the ultrasound observation apparatus 3, up to a distance r 0 ⁇ R is the delay-and-sum at intervals of [Delta] r. In other words, the ultrasound observation apparatus 3, in the range of the distance r 0 ⁇ R can generate an ultrasound image.
  • step S13 When the control unit 38 determines that the distance r is r> R (step S13: Yes), the control unit 38 determines whether or not the phase adjustment addition is completed in both the positive phase and the negative phase. (Step S14).
  • step S14 determines that the phase adjustment addition has not been completed in each of the positive phase and the negative phase (step S14: No)
  • the control unit 38 switches between the positive phase and the negative phase (step S15).
  • step S7 the ultrasonic observation device 3 transmits and receives positive-phase ultrasonic waves to perform phase-adjusting addition, and then transmits and receives reverse-phase ultrasonic waves to perform phase-adjusting addition.
  • step S14 When the control unit 38 determines that the phase adjustment addition is completed in each of the positive phase and the negative phase (step S14: Yes), the positive phase negative phase addition unit 36 receives the ultrasonic wave of the positive phase added.
  • the signal and the ultrasonic reception signal of the opposite phase to which the phase adjustment has been added are added with a predetermined time shift (step S16). However, if the shift of the predetermined time has already been realized in step S4, it is not necessary to shift here.
  • control unit 38 determines whether or not the variable n is n> N (step S18). When the control unit 38 determines that the variable n is not n> N (step S13: No), it returns to step S7 and continues the process.
  • N corresponds to the number of piezoelectric elements included in the ultrasonic transducer 7. Therefore, by the processing of steps S6 to S18, the ultrasonic observation device 3 has the positive phase ultrasonic reception signal and the phasing addition at the positions of all the piezoelectric elements from the piezoelectric element numbers 1 to N. The ultrasonic wave reception signals of the opposite phase are added with a predetermined time shift.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic image. As shown in FIG. 9, the generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the display device 5.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 7 is a convex type ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer 7 is located above the ultrasonic image.
  • Distance R shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to a value obtained by adding the radius r 0 of the ultrasonic transducer 7 (distance to the display range values from the position closest to the ultrasonic transducer 7) the width of the horizontal axis in FIG. 8 ..
  • the values of the observation positions P and the residual intensities I1 and I2 of the fundamental wave components set in FIG. 8 may be displayed side by side with the ultrasonic image. Further, the observation position P may be changed by shifting the position of the marker M on this screen.
  • the positive-phase / negative-phase addition unit 36 transfers the positive-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase-adjusting addition and the negative-phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase-adjusting addition. Since the fundamental wave component can be minimized at the position desired by the user by shifting the addition by a predetermined time, a high-resolution ultrasonic image can be generated by the harmonic component at the position desired by the user. .. Further, in the region near and far from the ultrasonic transducer 7 where the intensity of the harmonic component is small, the residual intensity of the fundamental wave component is increased according to the user's input or the like to generate an ultrasonic image that is easy to observe. can do. As described above, according to the ultrasonic observation device 3, the residual intensity of the fundamental wave component can be easily adjusted.
  • the amount of time shift between the positive phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition and the reverse phase ultrasonic wave reception signal after the phase adjustment addition, which are added by the positive phase negative phase addition unit 36, is set in advance. It may be a fixed value according to the input value or input, but feedback control, depending on the instruction of the depth desired to be observed by the user, the observation mode, the characteristics of the received ultrasonic reception signal, the analysis of the ultrasonic image, etc. It may be a value calculated by predictive control or control by AI (Artificial Integrity).

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PCT/JP2020/021243 2020-05-28 2020-05-28 超音波信号処理装置、超音波信号処理装置の作動方法、及び超音波信号処理装置の作動プログラム Ceased WO2021240756A1 (ja)

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JP2003000596A (ja) * 2001-06-26 2003-01-07 Hitachi Medical Corp 超音波診断装置
JP2006217944A (ja) * 2005-02-08 2006-08-24 Aloka Co Ltd 超音波診断装置
JP2013215559A (ja) * 2012-03-15 2013-10-24 Toshiba Corp 超音波診断装置及び超音波診断装置の制御プログラム
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JP2014233402A (ja) 2013-05-31 2014-12-15 富士フイルム株式会社 超音波診断装置、超音波診断装置の音線信号生成方法、及び超音波診断装置の音線信号生成プログラム

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JP2003000596A (ja) * 2001-06-26 2003-01-07 Hitachi Medical Corp 超音波診断装置
JP2006217944A (ja) * 2005-02-08 2006-08-24 Aloka Co Ltd 超音波診断装置
JP2013215559A (ja) * 2012-03-15 2013-10-24 Toshiba Corp 超音波診断装置及び超音波診断装置の制御プログラム
JP2015006234A (ja) * 2013-06-25 2015-01-15 株式会社日立製作所 超音波診断装置、方法、及び超音波プローブ

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