JPS604857A - Ultrasonic transmitter-receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to converge an ultrasonic wave to the predetermined position of an object to be inspected by making it possible to know the relative position of the object to be inspected, by independently transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave by separately arranging a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators in adjacent relation to an array probe. CONSTITUTION:Ultrasonic vibrators PA, PB are provided in adjacent relation to both terminals of the ultrasonic vibrators P1-Pn of an array probe in the arrangement direction thereof and transmitter circuits 14a. 14b for exciting the vibrators PA, PB and receiver circuits 15a, 15b for amplifying the receiving signals of the vibrators PA, PB are provided. Time gate circuits 16a, 16b take out signals with a predetermined time range from the outputs of the circuits 15a, 15b while time measuring circuits 17a, 17b measure times from the exciting time of the vibrators PA, PB of the circuits 14a, 14b to the receiving signal generating time of the circuits 16a, 16b and a delay time operating circuit 18 determines transmitting and receiving delay times on the basis of an ultrasonic beam directing order signal such as a direction or a focal distance in an object to be inspected of ultrasonic beam formed by the array probe outputted from an external input means 13 and the time of the circuits 17a, 17b to output the same to a delay time control circuit 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sector-scanning ultrasonic transceiver that electronically changes the transmission and reception directivity of ultrasonic waves by controlling delay time. The present invention relates to a sector scanning type ultrasound transmitting/receiving device that directs and focuses ultrasound waves in a predetermined direction and distance within a subject, regardless of relative positional relationships.

First, a conventional sector scanning type ultrasonic transmitter/receiver will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional sector-scanning ultrasonic transmitter/receiver (not shown), and in FIG.
I) is a delay time control circuit, (2a) to (2n) are transmission delay circuits, and (3a) to (3n) are transmission circuits.

(4) is the object to be examined, (5) is the contact medium, (6) is the focused ultrasound beam, (7) is the focus, (8a) to (8n) is the receiving circuit, (9a) to (9n) is the receiving delay The circuits include: 00 is a signal addition circuit; 11 is a polished video signal generation section; (1) is a tomographic image display section; 01 is an external input means.

By the way, the delay time control circuit il+ controls the transmission delay according to the delay time inputted from the external input means (I31) so that an ultrasonic beam (6) is formed that focuses (7) on an appropriate direction and distance from the subject. It controls the circuits (2a) to (2n) and the reception delay circuits (9a) to (9D), and controls the transmission circuit (
3a) to (3n) are transmission delay circuits (2a) that calculate the above delay time.
) to (2n), the plurality of oscillators P
Each transducer of the array probe P consisting of -P is excited. The n ultrasonic signals generated by the array probe P pass through the contact medium (5) and then reach the object (4).
), is reflected at a region in the subject where the acoustic impedance changes, and after passing through the couplant material (5) again, is received by each transducer P1 to Pn of the array probe P,
Receiving circuits (8a) to (8n) after being converted into electrical signals
After being amplified by the receiving delay circuits (9a) to (9n) and given the same delay time as the transmission delay circuits (2a) to (2n), the signals are added by the signal adding circuit Ql') and the video signal generating section After the brightness is modulated in the tomographic image display section (12i), it is displayed as a single scanning line on the tomographic image display section (12i).A delay time is input from the external input means (alpha) so that the direction of the ultrasound beam changes appropriately. By repeating the delivery/reception operation, a tomographic image of the subject is displayed on the tomographic image display unit +12.

In this way, the conventional sector-scanning ultrasonic transceiver is designed to display tomographic images.

The tomographic image displayed on the tomographic image display section 0 is visually judged by humans, and therefore it is not possible for humans to determine whether the beam direction or beam scanning area within the subject is correct. It is possible to judge and correct the relative positional relationship between the array probe P and the subject (5), and especially when used for medical purposes, the velocity of sound between the subject (4) and the couplant (5) can be adjusted. are chosen to be equal, so that almost no refraction occurs at the surface of the object (4).

There is no problem with the movement of the beam direction inside the object due to the shape of the surface of the object (4). Therefore, there is no means for automatically detecting the relative positional relationship between the array probe P and the test material (4). On the other hand, if the defect in the material to be inspected is
In sector-scanning type ultrasonic beam fft aimed at automatic measurement of ultrasonic transmitter/receiver devices, etc., it is essential to direct the ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction within the specimen. , since the specimen (4) is mainly steel and the contact medium (5) is usually water, this sound speed ratio &''
1: Steel is about 2 to 4 times faster, so the test object (4)
Due to refraction at the surface of the object (4), the direction of the ultrasonic beam within the object (4) is largely dependent on the surface shape of the object (4).

For this reason, in conventional ultrasound transmitting and receiving devices that do not have a means to automatically detect the relative positional relationship between the array probe P and the subject (4), mechanical Directing an ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction within a specimen without making contact has been a national problem.

This invention was made in view of these points,
A plurality of Js are provided so that the relative positions of the subject and the array probe can be transmitted and received independently of the array probe.
The object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving device that is equipped with a means for detecting the most moving element and for directing ultrasonic waves to a predetermined position in a subject.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver according to the present invention.
In the figure, (1) is a delay time control circuit.

(2a) to (2n) are transmission delay circuits, (3a) to (3
n) The first transmitting circuit, P is the first ultrasonic transducer p −
pl n and second ultrasonic transducers PA, PB, the first ultrasonic transducers P1 to Pn are arranged in a line with an interval of d between them.

There is a second ultrasonic transducer "A" Bf and four first ultrasonic transducers P1 to P at both ends of the first ultrasonic transducer in the arrangement direction.
They are arranged so that the distances ^1 from the center of n are respectively t. (4) is the subject, f5)) is the contact medium.

(6) is the ultrasonic electric flux beam, (the sword is the directivity angle ψ2 in the subject defined by the refraction angle in the subject of the ultrasonic wave, and the distance between the surface of the subject and the hot spot measured in the direction of the directivity angle in the subject) The focal length of one object is defined by the focal length of the object.

(8a) to (8n) are first receiving circuits, (9a) to (9
n) is the receiving 11 initial width circuit, the shank is the signal addition circuit, (+31
is the human power means in the outer space 'τ, (14a), (14b) is the second transmission time, 'r%, (15a).

(15b) is the second receiving circuit, (16a), (1/
ib) is a time gate circuit, (17a), (17b)
is the time measurement circuit R UA
B is the anti-11 wave from the surface of the object.

Q old house, 1l=4 extension time calculation circuit, a product is external output means.

Next, the operation of the apparatus of this invention will be explained using FIG.

The second transmission circuit (14a), (14b)
Ultrasonic waves TJ, TJB are emitted from the ultrasonic transducers PA and PB into the contact medium (5). This radiated ultrasonic wave is reflected by the surface of the test material (4), resulting in one reflected wave U, υ. Form B.

The second ultrasonic transducers PA and PBvc convert the signals into electrical signals, and the second receiving circuits (15,a), (15
After being amplified in b), the gate circuit (16a), (16
After the reflected signal from the object surface is extracted by b).

At the same time, the ultrasonic propagation time force 11 of the reflected wave from the surface of the object is measured by the side circuits (17a) and (17b). Delay time? )Xj arithmetic circuit 0→ is the time meter 1jl
j circuit (17a).

(18b) The ultrasonic propagation time outputted from the external input means, the nine directivity angles in the object of the ultrasonic focused beam by the first ultrasonic transducer group, and the focal length R in the object specified by the external input means.
By F here 1-1, 2. . . . n, the arrangement order of the first ultrasonic transducers counted from the left in FIG. 2, and C - the speed of sound in the contact medium.

is the first ultrasonic transducer P - the first transducer a of P Distance from to the center of array probe P.

＆′! , 4, IIIlt+, beam direction direction converted into a certain body, C-, one sound in the object, tA, tB, and the ultrasound propagation time set as 01 by the time measurement circuits (17a) and (17b), respectively. .

IA I: 1llt younger sister)'↓Are you ready? The focal length α is M! as a constant chosen so that T is not negative for all 1s. Don't let the extra time pass! (2) Output to the extension time control circuit fl). The delay time control circuit (萱) controls the transmission delay circuit (萱) according to the delay time determined as above.
2a) to (2n) and reception delay circuits (9a) to (9n)
control. The first transmitting circuits (5a) to (3n) excite the array probe P given the above delay time by the transmitting delay circuits (2a) to (2n)K, and the reflected sound waves are is converted into an electrical signal by the array probe P.

They are amplified by the first receiving circuits (8a) to (8n), given the same delay time as the transmission delay circuit by the reception delay circuits (9a) to (9n), and then added by the signal adder 60). As a result, a sonic wave beam (6) having a focus at a focal point (7) in the subject inputted by the external input means is formed, and the above-mentioned added signal is outputted as an A scope or the like on the external output means. be done.

Although the above description has been made for the case where there is no mechanical contact between the probe holder and the surface of the specimen, this invention uses a probe shoe or the like to maintain a constant distance between the probe and the surface of the specimen. Provides a sector-scanning ultrasonic transmitter/receiver that focuses ultrasonic waves at a predetermined position, regardless of secular changes such as wear and tear of the probe 7U. do. Furthermore, the above description has been about the case where the first ultrasonic transducer and the second ultrasonic transducer are time-divisionally transmitted to avoid mutual ultrasonic interference, but the first ultrasonic transducer and the second It is also possible to avoid interference by changing the number of liquids surrounding the ultrasonic transducer.

Moreover, although the case where two second ultrasonic transducers are used has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, but three or more second ultrasonic transducers may be used.

As described above, in the sector scanning type ultrasonic transceiver device according to the present invention, the second plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged adjacent to the array probe, and by independently transmitting and receiving, Inner position 11. can be known, and based on this, i′
r. By controlling the extension time, it is possible to focus the ultrasonic waves on a predetermined position in the subject.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

No. 11y41 is a block diagram showing a conventional sector scanning type transmission/reception V1, and No. 2181 is a block diagram showing a sector short culm type superordinate wave transmitting/receiving device of the present invention. Shi IK”? Ill&'! 1ThsjJE time system (, j, l] circuit, (2a,) to (2n) are transmission delay circuits, (3a) to (5n) are first transmission times) 56° (
4) is the object to be examined, (5) is the contact medium, (6) is the ultrasonic focused beam, (the force is the focal point, (8a) to (8n) are the first receiving circuits, (9a) to (9n) are the receiving circuits, Delay circuit, ■ is signal addition circuit. (Ill is video signal generation section, o2 is tomographic image display section, θ
The mouse is outside! il input means, (i'4a), (14b
) is the second transmitting circuit. (15a), (15b) t'! second receiving circuit, (
16a), (16b) ts Dy gate circuit, (1
7a), (17b)) 211 measurement circuit, 0 barrel is a delay time calculation circuit, (19 is external output means. P is an array consisting of the first ultrasonic transducers P to P, n probe z PA- I P B f1 with the second ultrasonic transducer. Identical or equivalent parts in the diagram are indicated by the same reference numerals. Agent: Masuo Ohatsu

Claims (1)

[Claims] An array probe in which a plurality of first ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a line, and a plurality of transmission delays that delay the excitation time of the plurality of seventh ultrasonic transducers. circuit, and a plurality of 8r! circuits that excite the plurality of first ultrasonic transducers by the outputs of the plurality of transmission delay circuits. 1 transmission circuit, a plurality of first reception circuits that amplify the reception signals received by the plurality of first ultrasonic transducers, and a plurality of reception delay circuits that delay the reception signals, Control 611 according to a signal from an adder circuit that adds the outputs of the plurality of reception delay circuits, and an external input means that inputs the transmission delay time, reception delay time, etc., and the delay time of the transmission delay circuit and the reception delay circuit. ′
In the sonic wave transmitting/receiving device having a delay time control circuit, a plurality of second ultrasonic transducers are provided adjacent to both ends of the first ultrasonic transducer arrangement direction of the array probe. a plurality of second transmitting circuits that excite the plurality of second ultrasonic perturbators; and a plurality of second transmitting circuits that amplify the received signals received by the plurality of second ultrasonic transducers by 1q. a second receiving circuit, and a time gate circuit that extracts received signals in a predetermined time range from the outputs of the plurality of second receiving circuits;
From the time when the plurality of second transmitting circuits excite the plurality of second ultrasonic transducers. a plurality of time measurement circuits that measure the time until the reception signal taken out from the plurality of time gate circuits is generated; Ru. The transmission delay time and the reception delay time are determined based on the direction of the ultrasound beam formed by the array probe in the target body and the ultrasound beam direction command signal such as the focal length. an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving device comprising: a delay time calculation circuit that outputs the delay time to the delay time control circuit.