JPH024351A - Ultrasonic diagnosing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cause operation to be easy and to set a focus to desired depth even when a diagnosing part or a vision range is changed by providing a means to vary the focus depth of a selected switch out of plural focus selecting switches. CONSTITUTION:In a condition that >= one of focus selecting switches 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d of a focus switch 5 are pushed, when data to show the moving quantity of the focus depth are given from a focus no-step setting part 10, a controller 4 cancels the set of the fixed focus depth and causes the data to be delay data, for which the focus depth is changed only for a part based on the moving quantity. For example, when the focus selecting switch 5b of the focus switch 5 is pushed, the focus depth is F2. However, at such a time, by turning a knob 10A of the focus no-step setting part 10 to right and left sides, the focus depth can be finely adjusted in the direction of F4 (shallow direction) or in the direction of F4 (deep direction).

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that uses ultrasonic waves to obtain diagnostic information such as a B-mode image and displays this information. , relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device with improved multi-stage focus function.

(Conventional technology) Biodiagnostic equipment that uses ultrasound uses an ultrasound probe (array probe) in which a large number of micro ultrasound transducers are arranged in parallel to scan an ultrasound beam while electronically focusing it on the subject. However, there is an electronic scanning ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates a B-mode image or a two-dimensional blood velocity image as an image format from the echo data obtained thereby and displays the image.

Here, generation of an image in the above-mentioned apparatus will be explained. In other words, in the case of linear electronic scanning using an array probe, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are considered as one unit, and this one
This is a method of transmitting an ultrasonic beam by exciting a unit of ultrasonic transducers. For example, the pitch of each unit of ultrasonic transducers is sequentially shifted by one transducer and the position of each unit of element is sequentially changed. This is a scanning in which the transmission point position of the ultrasound beam is electronically shifted by moving the ultrasound beam.

Then, in order to focus the ultrasound beam, the excitation timing of the excited ultrasound transducers is shifted by setting a delay time between those located in the center of the beam and those located on the sides. The transmitted ultrasonic waves are focused by using the phase difference between the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic transducer (
electronic focus). Similarly, the reflected ultrasonic waves are received by a transducer and converted into electrical signals (however, the number of transducers used for transmission and reception is not necessarily the same), and echo information from each transmitted and received wave is generated. For example, the image is formed as a tomographic image and displayed on a TV monitor or the like.

In addition, in the case of sector electronic scanning, the excitation timing of each transducer is set in the desired direction using a delay time so that the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam sequentially changes in a fan shape for one unit of excited ultrasonic transducers. It will change depending on the
The subsequent processing is basically the same as the linear electronic scanning described above. A typical example of the imaging method is B-mode imaging, in which signals accompanying ultrasound transmission and reception are combined to form a tomographic image.

Here, single-stage focusing in B-mode sector scanning will be explained with reference to FIG. 3, and multi-stage focusing in B-mode sector scanning will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. First, Figure 3 (
a) shows a situation in which the sector scanning ultrasound probe UP is transmitting and receiving ultrasound beams to the subject by B-mode scanning; Different depths Fl, F2゜F
3. A case is shown in which the focus is set on F4.

FIG. 3(b) illustrates the delay amount and the number of transducers (aperture) that determine the transmission timing and reception timing of each transducer of the probe UP when the focus is set at depth Fl. At this time, the focus is formed at the depth Fl, and at the time of reception, it becomes possible to collect data from the depth Fl at which the focus is formed. FIG. 3(C) illustrates the delay amount and the number of transducers (aperture) that determine the transmission timing and reception timing of each transducer of the probe UP when the focus is set at depth F2. At this time, the focus is formed at the depth F2, and at the time of reception, it becomes possible to collect data from the depth F2 at which the focus is formed.

FIG. 3(d) illustrates the delay amount and the number of transducers (aperture) that determine the transmission timing and reception timing of each transducer of the probe UP when the focus is set at depth F3. At this time, the focus is formed at the depth F3, and at the time of reception, it becomes possible to collect data from the depth F3 at which the focus is formed.

FIG. 3(e) illustrates the delay amount and the number of transducers (aperture) that determine the transmission timing and reception timing of each transducer of the probe UP when the focus is set at depth F4. At this time, the focus is formed at the depth F4, and at the time of reception, it becomes possible to collect data from the depth F4 at which the focus is formed.

As shown in the figure, by changing the delay amount and the number of transducers (aperture), it is possible to form focuses at different depths in transmission, and data can be obtained from focuses formed at different depths in reception. One rusk for each focus depth can be obtained by one ultrasonic transmission/reception. In other words, with one-stage focus, the ultrasonic transmission and reception rules are
One ultrasonic raster can be obtained in one step. In addition to the method of controlling both the delay amount and the number of transducers (aperture) as described above, methods for forming focuses at different depths include changing only the delay amount for the same number of transducers. It can also be implemented as follows.

On the other hand, regarding multi-stage focusing, FIG. 4(a) shows a situation where the sector scanning ultrasound probe UP is transmitting and receiving the ultrasound beam to the subject by B-mode scanning. For example, the vertical bottom line (
Raster r1) at different depths F2. This shows a case where the focus is set to F4.

Then, as shown in Fig. 4(b) at the root, the depth is F2.
At the second rate, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received to set the focus at depth F4 as shown in FIG. 4(c). As a result of these two ultrasound transmissions, as shown in FIG. 4(d), the depth F2. The focus is formed at F4, and upon reception, data can be collected from the depth F2°F4 where the focus is formed.

One raster at focus depths Fl and F2 can be obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves twice. In other words, 0
With stage focus, one ultrasonic raster can be obtained at n rates of ultrasonic transmission and reception.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the relationship between the focus switch and the focus depth of an apparatus capable of setting a four-step focus, and the focus switch 5 includes four focus selection switches 5a.

5b, 5c, and 5d, each with a focus depth Fl.
, F2. F3. F4 is set. In this case, for example, when the focus selection switch 5b of one focus switch 5 is pressed as a first-stage focus, the depth F is set in a predetermined range centered on the depth h2 of the subject during transmission.
2 foci are formed, and upon reception, data is collected from the foci of depth F2 formed in a predetermined range centered on depth h2.

Furthermore, when the focus selection switches 5b and 50 of the focus switch 5 are pressed as multi-stage focusing, that is, when two-stage focusing is set, the depth of the subject h2. A depth F2. A focus of F4 is formed, and upon reception, data is collected from the focus of depth F2°F4 formed in a predetermined range centered on depth h2°h4.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, according to the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the focus can be set at one desired depth or multiple depths by multi-stage focusing, so that the focus area can be diagnosed with high resolution. In this case, the focus depth is fixed in advance for each focus selection switch, so the initially set and appropriate focus depth may no longer be appropriate if the diagnosis area or visual field range is changed. There is.

For example, initially, in order to diagnose a certain region (region of interest) with high resolution, focus F2. Assume that F4 is set (Actually, the focus depth is fixed for each focus selection switch, so either set the focus depth close to the area of interest, or set the area of interest at an appropriate focus depth position. Adjust the probe position accordingly).

If the user wishes to simultaneously observe both regions distant from the region of interest, the probe is moved.

In this case, the focus may deviate from the region of interest, and the focus must be reset. Also, when resetting the focus, the appropriate depth is Fl.
, the intermediate depth of F2 and the intermediate depth of F3° and F4 become appropriate, and in this case, it is necessary to reposition the probe in addition to resetting the focus, which is a problem that requires a very complicated operation. There was a point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is easy to operate and allows focus to be set at a desired depth even when the diagnostic site or visual field range is changed. be.

[Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has a structure in which the following means are taken to solve the above problems and achieve the objects.

That is, in the present invention, the ultrasonic beam is directed to the subject by
It transmits and receives waves by mode scanning, and generates a B-mode image from the echoes obtained thereby and provides it for display,
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a plurality of focus selection switches each setting a specific focus depth, and one or more focuses are formed at least in wave transmission by selectively operating the focus selection switches. The present invention is characterized by comprising means for varying the focus depth of the selected focus selection switch among the plurality of focus selection switches.

(Function) According to such a configuration, the focus depth determined by the focus selection switch can be adjusted to the desired depth, so even when the diagnosis site or visual field range is changed, the focus depth can be adjusted to the desired depth.
The operation becomes easy and the focus can be set to a desired depth.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the array probe UP, which is made up of a plurality of micro-oscillators arranged in parallel, is driven by a transmitting/receiving circuit 1 to transmit and receive by sector or linear B-mode scanning.

This transmitter/receiver circuit 1 is controlled by a transmitter control circuit 2 and a receiver control circuit 3 by setting a delay amount in transmitting and receiving.

Further, the transmission control circuit 2 and the reception control circuit 3 include a controller 4 which forms a focus control system. Focus switch5. A focus control signal from the stepless focus setting section 10 is given.

In addition, the echo data obtained from the transmitter/receiver circuit 1 is
It is converted into a digital signal by a D converter 6 and converted from ultrasonic scanning to TV scanning as a B mode image by a DSC (digital scan converter) 7, and then sent to a D/A converter 8.
After the signal is converted into an analog signal, it is displayed on the monitor 9 by TV scanning.

Here, the focus control system, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be explained in detail. That is, the focus switch 5 has the same configuration as that explained in FIG.
B, 5 b, 5 Cr5d, respectively, with focus depths Fl, F2°F3. F4 is set and 1
Various combinations of step focus, two step focus, three step focus, and four step focus can be set.

Then, when one or more of the focus selection switches 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d of the focus switch 5 is pressed, the controller 4 calculates or reads out delay data for setting the corresponding focus depth, and calculates the delay data for setting the corresponding focus depth. The data is given to a transmission control circuit 2 and a reception control circuit 3, where adjustments are made and control for performing focused B-mode scanning is implemented.

On the other hand, the stepless focus setting unit 10 includes a knob IOA provided close to the focus switch 5 on the console of the device (not shown), and an encoder provided on the axis of the knob 10A that outputs the amount of rotation of the knob IOA in the number of pulses. 10B, and a rotational direction detection section 10C that detects the rotational direction of the knob 10A based on the output from the encoder IOB.
, a pulse counting section 10D that counts the number of pulses in the output from the encoder IOB, and a movement amount calculation section 10E that calculates the focus depth movement amount based on the output from the pulse counting section 10D.

The controller 4 includes focus selection switches 5a, 5b, and 5c of the focus switch 5.

5d is pressed and data indicating the amount of focus depth movement is given from the stepless focus setting unit 10, the fixed focus depth setting is released and the above movement is performed. Delayed data is created with the focus depth changed based on the amount.

According to the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the focus selection switch 5b of the focus switch 5 is pressed, the focus depth is F2; By turning the knob IOA left and right, you can adjust the focus depth to Fl as shown in the diagram.
You can make fine adjustments in the direction of (shallow) or in the direction of F4 (deep). Further, when the focus selection switches 5b and 5c of the focus switch 5 are pressed, the focus depths are F2 and F3, but at this time, by turning the knob 10A of the stepless focus setting section 10 left and right, Maintain the relationship with F3 and set the focus depth to F.
Fine adjustment can be made in the direction of l (shallow) or in the direction of f4 (deep).

In this way, according to this embodiment, the focus depth determined by the focus switch 5 can be adjusted to the desired depth, so even if the diagnosis site or visual field range is changed, the operation is easy. Focus can now be set to a desired depth.

Note that in the above example, the focus depth is adjusted steplessly using an encoder, but the depth of focus is not specified as long as it can be variably adjusted. Also,
It may be applied only to the transmission focus. The present invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the present invention, by providing a means for varying the focus depth of the selected one among the plurality of focus selection switches, the focus depth determined by the focus selection switch can be changed. Since the depth can be adjusted to a desired depth, the focus can be easily set to a desired depth even when the diagnostic site or visual field range is changed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of the same embodiment, FIG. The figure shows the principle of multi-stage focusing, and FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining a conventional example. UP...Probe, 1...Transmission/reception circuit, 2...Transmission control circuit, 3...Reception control circuit, 4...Controller, 5...Focus switch, 6...A/D conversion device, 7...DSC, 8...D/A converter, 9...
・Monitor, 10...Focus stepless setting section. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (1)

[Claims] Ultrasonic beams are sent and received to and from the subject by B-mode scanning, and the resulting echoes are used to generate B-mode images for display, with multiple focuses each having a specific focus depth. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a selection switch and configured to form one or more focuses at least in wave transmission by selectively operating the focus selection switch, the focus selection switch is selected from among the plurality of focus selection switches. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by comprising means for varying the depth of focus of an object.