JPH0471546A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the diagnostic information from a person under test during cine-memory regeneration and improve diagnostic efficiency by providing two cine-memories, a DSC outputting the image information to a monitor, and a DSC outputting the image information to a VTR, and selectively controlling the output information from a probe with switches. CONSTITUTION:When switches S1-S5 are selected as shown in the figure, the information from a ultrasonic probe 1 is stored in the first cine-memory 4, and a diagnostic image is displayed on a TV 10 via the first DSC 8. The information stored in the second cine-memory 5 is recorded by a VTR 11 via the second digital scan converter 9. When the image under diagnosis is to be recorded in the VTR 11, the switches S1-S5 are selectively controlled to the opposite terminals as shown in the figure. The information stored in the first cine-memory 4, i.e., the information to be recorded, is recorded by the VTR 11 via the second DSC 9, the information from the ultrasonic probe 1 is outputted to the TV 10 via the first DSC 8, and the diagnostic image is displayed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and particularly an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can not only display continuous images on a monitor but also record them on an external device such as a VTR. It is related to.

[Conventional technology]

As this type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, for example, the one shown in FIG. 3 is known.

That is, in the figure, there is an ultrasonic probe 31, and a reflected echo signal from this ultrasonic probe 31 is received by a reflected echo detection section 32. The output from this reflected echo detection unit 32 is converted into a digital signal via an A/D converter 33, and normally sent directly to a TV 35, which is a video device, or a VTR 36, which is a recording device, via a digital scan converter (DSC) 34. It is now output to .

Here, the digital scan converter 34 is a circuit for converting into video information.

On the other hand, the output from the A/D converter 33 is simultaneously input to the cine memory 37. The cine memory 37 stores the output from the A/D converter 33 in anticipation of a desire to reproduce video information before the current time.

For this reason, a changeover switch 38 is provided upstream of the digital scan converter 34 for inputting either the output from the cine memory 37 or the output from the A/D converter 33.

In such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, diagnosis is made through cross-sectional images etc. displayed on the TV 35, and on the other hand, the images used in the diagnosis are stored in the cine memory 37.

If you want to recognize the past state again during the diagnosis, switch the switch 38 to change the cine memory 3.
7 is displayed on the TV 35, and the video information is recorded on the VTR 36.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above, data is written to the cine memory 37 at a rate faster than the 30 frames/second of the VTR 36. For example, it is common to write at 120 frames/second.

Therefore, by slow playback at 1/4 or 1/8, etc., information is read from the cine memory 37 and converted into a video signal via the digital scan converter 34, and then
The video is recorded on the VTR 36.

Therefore, in this case, if the cine memory 37 is recorded at 120 frames/sec for 30 seconds (cine memory recording) as shown in FIG.
To record on the TR36 (cinememory playback), it was necessary to wait three times the above 30 seconds, ie, 90 seconds, due to 1/3 slow playback.

This means that it is impossible to obtain diagnostic information from the subject through the ultrasound probe during a relatively long period of time during cine memory playback, which hinders the improvement of diagnostic efficiency. It was something.

Therefore, the present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and its object is to obtain diagnostic information from a subject even during a relatively long time during cine memory playback. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can improve diagnostic efficiency.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention basically consists of a cine memory that stores output information from an ultrasound probe, a digital scan converter that converts the information from the cine memory into video information, An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a VTR for recording video information from the digital scan converter, wherein the cine memory is a first
Consisting of a cine memory and a second cine memory,
The digital scan converter includes a first digital scan converter that outputs video information to a monitor, and a second digital scan converter that outputs video information to a VTR, and outputs information output from the ultrasound probe to the A switching device is provided for storing information in one of the first cine memory and the second cine memory and outputting the information to the first digital scan converter, and outputting the information stored in the other cine memory to the second digital scan converter. It is characterized by this.

[For production]

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured in this manner is equipped with a first cine memory and a second cine memory, and for example, information stored in the second cine memory is converted into video information and recorded on a VTR. During this time, information from the ultrasonic probe is stored in the first cine memory, converted into video information, and displayed on the TV.

In this case, when diagnosing through the TV, if you want to recognize the past condition again, the switching device converts the information stored in the first cine memory into video information. It can be recorded on a VTR.

In this case, the information about the ultrasound probe is stored in the second cine memory and is converted into video information to be displayed on the TV.

Therefore, even if the information from the cine memory is being converted to video information and recorded on the VTR, the information from the ultrasound probe is converted to video information and the video is displayed on the TV. This means that the diagnosis can be continued. .

Therefore, it is possible to obtain diagnostic information from the subject even during a relatively long period of time during cine memory playback, thereby making it possible to improve diagnostic efficiency.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, there is an ultrasound probe 1. This ultrasonic probe 1 is.

Ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received to and from a subject (not shown) by mechanically or electronically scanning the subject.

It has a built-in ultrasonic transducer.

The received signal from this ultrasonic probe 1 is input to a reflected echo detection section 2. The reflected echo detection section 2 includes a pulse generator, a reception amplifier, etc., and outputs the received signal in an amplified state.

Next, the output from the reflected echo detection section 2 is input to an A/D converter 3, which converts the analog signal into a digital signal.

The digital signal from this A/D converter 3 is input to the first cine memory 4 (switching to the terminal a side in the figure) or the second cine memory 5 (switching to the terminal side in the figure) by switching the switch S1. It looks like this. Both the first cine memory 4 and the second cine memory 5 serve as memories for temporarily storing diagnostic information obtained through the ultrasound probe 1. In the figure, each cine memory is physically separated, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, one memory may include a first cine memory 4.
A memory area corresponding to the second cine memory 5 and a memory area corresponding to the second cine memory 5 may be provided.

Control signals are input to the first cine memory 4 and the second cine memory 5 from a first cine memory control circuit 6 and a second cine memory control circuit 7, respectively. This control signal is, for example, the first cine memory control circuit 6
It consists of a write address and a write control signal, a read address and a read control signal for the first cine memory 4.

The same applies to the second cine memory control circuit 7.

Each control signal in the first cine memory control circuit 6 and the second cine memory control circuit 7 is output based on the input of a synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generator 14. That is, the synchronization signal generator 1
The synchronization signal of 4 consists of 5YNCI and 5YNC2, of which 5YNCI is the switching of switch S (
terminal side in the figure) to the first cine memory control circuit 6.
By switching the switch S7 (m terminal side in the figure), the second
The signal is input to the cine memory control circuit 7.

Furthermore, 5YNC2 is input to the first cine memory control circuit 6 by switching the switch sG (terminal 1 side in the figure), and to the second cine memory control circuit 7 by switching the switch s7 (terminal n side in the figure). There is.

Further, the information stored in the first cine memory 4 is output by switching the switch S2 (on the d terminal side in the figure). in this case.

By switching the switch S2 (on the C terminal side in the figure), the information stored in the first cine memory 4 can be output as is.

Furthermore, the information stored in the second cine memory 5 is output by switching a switch S (on the terminal e side in the figure). In this case, the information stored in the second cine memory 5 can be output as is by switching the switch S3 (on the f terminal side in the figure).

The output from the switch S2 is sent to the first digital scan converter 8 or to the switch S by switching the switch S (on the g terminal side in the figure).

The output from the switch S is input to the second digital scan converter 9 by switching the switch S4 (on the j terminal side in the figure). The signal is input to the first digital scan converter 8 or to the second digital scan converter 9 by switching the switch S (on the i terminal side in the figure).

the first digital scan converter 8, and the second digital scan converter 8;
The digital scan converters 9 all have the same configuration, and are circuits that convert information from the ultrasound probe 1 into video information. Although not shown, there is a buffer memory for storing input data for one beam line, a frame memory for storing one scan's worth of images, and a TV for reading from the frame memory at a time different from writing. It consists of a line memory for converting data into scanning lines.

Control signals are input to the first digital scan converter 8 and the second digital scan converter 9 from a first digital scan converter control circuit 12 and a second digital scan converter control circuit 13, respectively. This control signal, for example in the first digital scan converter control circuit 12, consists of a write address and a write control signal for the first digital scan converter 8, a read address and a continuation control signal. The same applies to the second digital scan converter control circuit 13.

Each of the control signals in the first digital scan converter control circuit 12 and the second digital scan converter control circuit 13 is output based on the input of the synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generator 14. There is. Of the synchronizing signals, 5YNCI is input to the first digital scan converter control circuit 12 by switching the switch S8 (p terminal side in the figure), and input to the second digital scan converter control circuit 13 by switching the switch Sg (r terminal side in the figure). It is now possible to do so. Furthermore, 5YNC2 is input to the first digital scan converter control circuit 12 by switching the switch S (on the q terminal side in the figure), and to the second digital scan converter control circuit 13 by switching the switch S9 (on the S terminal side in the figure). It has become so.

Each of the above-mentioned switches S1 to S9 is switched by a control signal from the central processing unit [15]. In this case, the switch state shown in the figure is one mode of switching. That is, the information from the ultrasound probe l is stored in the first cine memory 4.
At the same time, the image is displayed on the TVIO via the first digital scan converter 8. Then, the information stored in the second cine memory 5 at this time is recorded on the VTRII via the second digital scan converter 9. In this case, the first cine memory 4 and the first digital scan converter 8 can be synchronized, and the second cine memory 5 and the second digital scan converter 9 can also be synchronized.

Another example is a case where the switch states shown in the figure are respectively switched. That is, information from the ultrasound probe 1 is stored in the second cine memory 5 and displayed on the TVIO via the first digital scan converter 8. Then, the information stored in the first cine memory 4 at this time is recorded on the VTRII via the second digital scan converter 9. In this case, the first cine memory 4 and the second digital scan converter 9 are synchronized, and the second cine memory 5
and the first digital scan converter 8 can be synchronized.

The video information from the first digital scan converter 8 is sent to the TVIO, which is a monitor, and the video information from the second digital scan converter 9 is sent to the VTRII. It has become.

Note that the VTR receives a VT from the central processing unit 15.
An R control signal is input. This VTR
The control signal is used to record and stop the VTRII at - time, and when the cine memory is being played back, recording and playback are finished, and when real-time diagnosis is being performed, it is paused.

The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as in this embodiment will be described below.

The switch S1 is selected to the terminal a side as shown, and information from the ultrasound probe 1 is stored in the first cine memory 4. At this time, the switch S2 is selected to the C terminal side, and the switch S4 is selected to the terminal G side, and the information from the ultrasound probe 1 is transmitted to the TVIO via the first digital scan converter 8 as a diagnostic image. . At the time of this video, the switch S3 is selected to the terminal e side, the switch SS is selected to the terminal d side, and the information stored in the second cine memory 5 (information in the diagnosis before the current diagnosis) is transferred to the second cine memory 5. VTRII via digital scan converter 9
It will be recorded.

In this case, in order to synchronize the first cine memory 4 and the first digital scan converter 8, the first cine memory control circuit 6 and the first digital scan converter 8 each have a switch SG (switched to the terminal side). and 5YNCI from the synchronization signal generator 14 via the switch S, (switched to the terminal p side)
is input. Similarly, in order to synchronize the second cine memory 5 and the second digital scan converter 9, the second cine memory control circuit 7 and the second digital scan converter 9 are provided with a switch S7 (switched to the terminal n side) and a switch S7 (switched to the terminal n side), respectively. 5YN from the synchronization signal generator 14 via the switch S, (switched to the terminal S side)
C2 is input.

In such a state, when a diagnosis is being made based on the TVlo video, if there is a request to record the video during the diagnosis on the VTRII, the switch S is switched to the terminal side. At this time, switch S2 is placed on the terminal d side,
The switch S is switched to the terminal f side, the switch S4 is switched to the terminal side, and the switch S is switched to the terminal j side. As a result, the information stored in the first cine memory 4, that is, the information desired to be recorded, is recorded on the VTRII via the second digital scan converter 9. On the other hand, information from the ultrasound probe 1 is output to the TVIO via the first digital scan converter 8, and a diagnostic image is displayed.

Such an operation is performed by storing information from the ultrasound probe 1 alternately between the first cine memory 4 and the second cine memory 5.

Therefore, the first cine memory 4 and the second cine memory 5
By alternately reading out the information stored in the cine memories, as shown in FIG. Can memorize information and TV3
5 can be displayed.

For this reason, it is possible to obtain diagnostic information from the subject even during a relatively long period of time during cine memory playback, thereby making it possible to improve diagnostic efficiency.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to save the amount of VTR recording tape. In other words, even when recording in cine memory, the recording information is
The system was configured to perform TR recording (see FIG. 4), and this VTR recording was meaningless.

In the embodiments described above, each switch is switched by the central processing unit, but the switch is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the switch may be switched manually.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, diagnostic information can be obtained from the subject even during a relatively long period of time during cine memory playback. It will be possible to improve efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In the figure, 1... Ultrasonic probe, 2... Reflected echo detection unit, 3
...A/D converter, 4...first cine memory, 5...
2nd cine memory, 8... first digital scan converter, 9... second digital scan converter,
10-TV, 1l-VTR.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic camera equipped with a cine memory that stores output information from an ultrasound probe, a digital scan converter that converts the information from the cine memory into video information, and a VTR that records the video information from the digital scan converter. A sound wave diagnostic apparatus, wherein the cine memory includes a first
Consisting of a cine memory and a second cine memory,
The digital scan converter includes a first digital scan converter that outputs video information to a monitor, and a second digital scan converter that outputs video information to a VTR, and converts output information from the ultrasound probe to the A switching device is provided for storing information in one of the first cine memory and the second cine memory and outputting it to the first digital scan converter, and in this case outputting the stored information in the other cine memory to the second digital scan converter. An ultrasonic diagnostic device featuring: