JP2008099732A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic equipment capable of improving a volume rate without narrowing a scanning area or enhancing a swinging speed. <P>SOLUTION: Ultrasonic vibrator groups 2 and 3 are provided with a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators aligned in a line in the scanning direction respectively and disposed at a prescribed interval apart in the swinging direction. The ultrasonic vibrator groups 2 and 3 are fixed to a support member 4. The support member 4 are swung in the swinging direction around a swinging shaft 5 so that the ultrasonic groups 2 and 3 are swung in the swinging direction. The ultrasonic vibrator groups 2 and 3 are swung while generating ultrasonic beams to scan the three-dimensional area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe that mechanically oscillates an ultrasonic transducer and scans a three-dimensional region with ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that includes the ultrasonic probe.

  The ultrasonic probe provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has ultrasonic transducers arranged one-dimensionally in the scanning direction, transmits and receives ultrasonic waves by electronic delay control, and produces a tomographic image (2 Dimensional image). Thus, an ultrasonic probe in which ultrasonic transducers are arranged one-dimensionally in the scanning direction will be referred to as a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe for convenience.

  In addition, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of photographing a three-dimensional region is known. When imaging a three-dimensional region using a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe, a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe provided with a swing mechanism is used (for example, Patent Document 1). This one-dimensional ultrasonic probe mechanically swings ultrasonic transducers arranged in a line in the scanning direction in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “swing direction”). Thus, the volume data can be acquired by scanning the three-dimensional region with ultrasonic waves. A motor is installed in such a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe, and volume data is acquired by scanning a three-dimensional region by mechanically swinging the ultrasonic transducer in the swing direction by the motor. ing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-155861

  In the conventional mechanical one-dimensional ultrasonic probe as described above, the volume rate depends on the number of reciprocations of the oscillation of the ultrasonic transducer per unit time. In order to increase the volume rate, that is, the number of reciprocations of the ultrasonic transducer in the oscillation direction per unit time, the range (three-dimensional scanning area) in which the ultrasonic transducer is oscillated is narrowed or the oscillation direction is It is necessary to increase the moving speed (rocking speed).

  However, if the range in which the ultrasonic transducer is swung is narrowed, naturally only a narrow range can be observed. Further, in order to increase the swing speed, a high-performance motor is required. Further, when the swing speed is increased, there is a problem that the vibration of the ultrasonic probe increases.

  The present invention solves the above-described problem, and includes an ultrasonic probe capable of improving a volume rate without narrowing a scanning region or increasing a swing speed, and the ultrasonic probe. An object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an ultrasonic transducer group including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a line in a predetermined direction, with a predetermined interval in a swinging direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. A plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups and drive means for swinging the plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups in the swing direction about a predetermined swing axis. It is a probe.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ultrasonic probe according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and an image generating unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on an output from the ultrasonic probe. It is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by having.

  According to this invention, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups composed of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a line in a predetermined direction (scanning direction) are arranged in a swinging direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, and each ultrasonic transducer group is arranged. The volume rate can be improved without narrowing the entire scanning area or increasing the rocking speed by scanning the entire scanning area with a plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups. Is possible.

(Constitution)
The configuration of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the scanning direction. FIG. 3 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe 1 is similar to the ultrasonic transducer group 2 including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 20 arranged in a line in the scanning direction (X direction). ) And an ultrasonic transducer group 3 including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 30 arranged in a line.

  The ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are arranged at a predetermined interval in a swing direction (Z direction) orthogonal to the scanning direction (X direction). The ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are each fixed to one end of the support member 4. The support member 4 has, for example, a shape in which a plate member having a predetermined thickness is bent at a predetermined angle, and the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is fixed to one end of the plate member, and the opposite side of the one end The ultrasonic transducer group 3 is fixed to one end of the. The bent portion of the plate-like member becomes the swing shaft 5, and the support member 4 is swung in the swing direction (Z direction) around the swing shaft 5 by a motor (not shown) as an example of a drive unit. Can be swung. Further, the distance between the swing shaft 5 and the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is equal to the distance between the swing shaft 5 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3.

  As described above, since the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are fixed to the support member 4 that can swing around the swing shaft 5, the arc around the swing shaft 5 is fixed. Is swung in the swing direction (Z direction).

  In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are fixed to a support member 4, and the support member 4 is swung by a single motor (not shown). Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are simultaneously swung in the same direction by one motor.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ultrasonic transducer group 2, the ultrasonic transducer group 3, and the support member 4 are stored in a probe case 6.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, an angle formed by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is an angle θ about the oscillation shaft 5. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are swung in the swing direction (Z direction), thereby scanning in the swing direction (Z direction). The maximum range (maximum swing angle) to be performed is defined as an angle φ. This maximum range (maximum swing angle) represents a range (angle) in which data is acquired by scanning an ultrasonic beam. In this embodiment, as an example, an angle θ formed by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is set to an angle that is half the maximum swing angle φ, that is, (1/2) φ.

  Then, the maximum angle at which each ultrasonic transducer group is swung is set to (1/2) φ, which is half the maximum swinging angle φ. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the angle at which the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is swung is defined as an angle φ1, and the angle at which the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is swung is defined as an angle φ2. In this embodiment, the angle φ1 and the angle φ2 are equal to each other, and each is (1/2) φ which is half the maximum swing angle φ.

  When the angle of the central axis O shown in FIG. 2 is 0 degree, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is swung within a range from the angle φ1 to 0 degree by swinging the support member 4 by a motor (not shown). As a result, the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is swung within a range from 0 degree to an angle φ2. Then, the angle θ formed by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is (1/2) φ, and the angle φ1 at which the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are swung, respectively. , Φ2 is set to (1/2) φ, and when the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are swung in the swing direction (Z direction), the range of the maximum swing angle φ is increased. It is possible to scan. In this way, it is possible to scan by sharing the entire scanning range between the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3.

  In this embodiment, in order to simplify the description, the angle formed by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is set to be half of the maximum swing angle, but an angle other than half is used. The ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 may be attached.

  In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are simultaneously swung in the same direction by one motor (not shown). The child groups 3 may be swung independently. For example, a support member is provided in the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and another support member is provided in the ultrasonic transducer group 3. Then, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are independently oscillated by oscillating each support member with a separate motor. Thus, the desired three-dimensional region can be scanned by swinging the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 in the same direction or in the opposite direction.

  Further, the swing angle of each of the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is half of the maximum swing range, but other angles (ranges) may be used.

  In the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3, since a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 20 and 30 are arranged in the scanning direction (X direction), an ultrasonic beam is electronized in the scanning direction (X direction). Scanning is possible.

  Further, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are mechanically oscillated in the oscillating direction (Z direction) orthogonal to the scanning direction (X direction), so that the oscillating direction (Z direction). It is possible to mechanically scan the ultrasonic beam.

  As described above, an ultrasonic beam is electronically scanned in the scanning direction (X direction) while mechanically oscillating the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 in the oscillating direction (Z direction). This makes it possible to scan a desired three-dimensional region with an ultrasonic beam.

(Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment)
Next, the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the ultrasonic probe 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The probe swing control unit 41 drives a motor (not shown) installed in the ultrasonic probe 1 to swing each ultrasonic transducer group installed in the ultrasonic probe 1. At this time, the probe swing control unit 41 swings the ultrasonic transducer group at a predetermined swing speed in accordance with the control signal including the swing angle and the swing speed output from the control unit 48.

  For example, the probe swing control unit 41 drives the motor installed in the ultrasonic probe 1 to swing the support member 4 so that the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is within the range from the angle φ1 to 0 degrees. The ultrasonic transducer group 3 can be swung within a range from 0 degree to an angle φ2 while being swung at. Thereby, the range of the maximum swing angle φ can be scanned as a whole.

  The transmission / reception unit 42 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit, supplies an electrical signal to the ultrasonic probe 1 to generate an ultrasonic beam, and receives an echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 1.

  The transmission unit of the transmission / reception unit 42 includes a clock generation circuit, a transmission delay circuit, and a pulsar circuit (not shown). The clock generation circuit is a circuit that generates a clock signal that determines the transmission timing and transmission frequency of the ultrasonic signal. The transmission delay circuit is a circuit that performs transmission focus with a delay when transmitting ultrasonic waves. The pulsar circuit incorporates pulsars corresponding to the number of individual paths (channels) corresponding to each ultrasonic transducer, generates a drive pulse at a delayed transmission timing, and each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 1. To supply.

  The receiving unit of the transmitting / receiving unit 42 includes a preamplifier circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, and a reception delay / adder circuit (not shown). The preamplifier circuit amplifies the echo signal output from each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 1 for each reception channel. The A / D converter circuit A / D converts the amplified echo signal. The reception delay / adder circuit gives a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity to the echo signal after A / D conversion, and adds the delay time. By the addition, the reflection component from the direction according to the reception directivity is emphasized. The signal added by the transmitting / receiving unit 42 is referred to as “RF data (or raw data)”.

  The transmission unit of the transmission / reception unit 42 generates an ultrasonic beam by supplying an electrical signal to the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 according to the control signal output from the control unit 48, and generates the ultrasonic beam. Electronically scans in the scanning direction (X direction).

  Here, a three-dimensional region scanned by the ultrasonic probe 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5A and 5B are schematic views showing a region scanned by the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5A is a perspective view, and FIG. 5B is a top view.

  In FIG. 5A, the scanning region S1 is a three-dimensional region scanned by the ultrasonic transducer group 2, and the scanning region S2 is a three-dimensional region scanned by the ultrasonic transducer group 3. .

  The transmission unit generates an ultrasonic beam in the ultrasonic transducer group 2, electronically scans the ultrasonic beam in the scanning direction (X direction), and the probe swing control unit 41 further includes an ultrasonic transducer group. 2 is mechanically rotated in the rocking direction (Z direction) from an angle φ1 to 0 degree to scan the ultrasonic beam along the lines L1, L2,... S <b> 1 is scanned by the ultrasonic beam from the ultrasonic transducer group 2.

  Similarly, the transmission unit generates an ultrasonic beam in the ultrasonic transducer group 3, electronically scans the ultrasonic beam in the scanning direction (X direction), and the probe swing control unit 41 further detects the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic beam is scanned along the lines L10, L11,... By mechanically rotating the transducer group 3 from 0 degree to the angle φ1 in the swing direction (Z direction). Are scanned with the ultrasonic beam from the ultrasonic transducer group 3.

  As described above, the scanning region S1 is scanned by the ultrasonic transducer group 2, and the scanning region S2 is scanned by the ultrasonic transducer group 3, whereby the entire scanning region S is scanned. Since the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are fixed to the support member 4, the support member 4 can be swung in the same direction at the same swing speed. become.

  In addition, the transmission unit alternately supplies an electrical signal to the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3, thereby alternately transmitting an ultrasonic beam to the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3. It may be generated. The timing at which the electrical signals are alternately supplied is controlled by the control unit 48. The transmission unit causes the ultrasonic transducer group 2 to transmit one ultrasonic beam under the timing control of the electric signal supply by the control unit 48, and then causes the ultrasonic transducer group 3 to transmit one ultrasonic wave. Send the beam. As described above, the transmission unit alternately switches transmission of ultrasonic beams one by one between the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3.

  Specifically, in a situation where the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are oscillated by the probe oscillation control unit 41, the transmission unit follows the order shown in FIG. First, an ultrasonic beam is generated in the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic beam is transmitted on the line L1. Second, an ultrasonic beam is generated in the ultrasonic transducer group 3 and is generated on the line L10. The ultrasonic beam is transmitted, the ultrasonic beam is generated in the ultrasonic transducer group 2 third, the ultrasonic beam is transmitted on the line L1, and the ultrasonic beam is generated in the ultrasonic transducer group 3 fourth. Then, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted on the line L10. Thereafter, the transmission unit alternately generates ultrasonic beams in the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3, and electronically scans the ultrasonic beam in the scanning direction (X direction), thereby generating a line L1. , L2,... L10, L11,... Are scanned, and as a result, the entire scanning region S is scanned.

  As described above, by transmitting ultrasonic beams alternately to the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3, each ultrasonic transducer group is transmitted by another ultrasonic transducer group. The reflected wave based on the ultrasonic beam transmitted by itself can be received without receiving the reflected wave based on the ultrasonic beam.

  Further, the transmission unit may cause the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 to transmit the ultrasonic beam simultaneously under the control of the control unit 48. That is, the transmission unit may simultaneously supply an electric signal to the ultrasonic transducer 2 and the ultrasonic transducer 3 and transmit an ultrasonic beam at the same time.

  The signal processing unit 43 includes a B-mode processing unit, a CFM processing unit, and the like. The B mode processing unit visualizes echo amplitude information, and generates ultrasonic raster data from the echo signal. The CFM processing unit visualizes moving blood flow information and generates color ultrasonic raster data.

  The image generation unit 44 receives the ultrasonic raster data after the signal processing represented by the scanning line signal sequence from the signal processing unit 43 and converts it into coordinate system data based on the spatial information (scan conversion processing). For example, the image generation unit 44 generates tomographic image data of a two-dimensional image based on the ultrasonic raster data.

  Further, upon receiving the ultrasonic raster data from the signal processing unit 43, the image generation unit 44 generates volume data. Then, the image generation unit 44 performs image processing such as volume rendering processing and MPR processing on the volume data to thereby obtain an ultrasonic image such as 3D image data or MPR image data (arbitrary slice image data). Generate data. The ultrasonic image data is output to the display unit 46 of the user interface 45, and an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the display unit 46.

  The user interface 45 includes a display unit 46 and an input unit 47. The display unit 46 includes a monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data output from the image generation unit 44. The input unit 47 receives input of various instructions such as various instructions from the operator, a region of interest (ROI) setting instruction, an image quality condition setting instruction, or an image processing condition setting instruction. The input unit 47 includes a pointing device such as a joystick or a trackball, a switch, various buttons, a keyboard, or a TCS (Touch Command Screen).

  The control unit 48 controls the operation of each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In this embodiment, the control unit 48 controls transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves by the transmission / reception unit 42. For example, the control unit 48 controls the switching timing of ultrasonic beam transmission by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3. In addition, the control unit 48 is preset with an angle and a swing speed at which the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are swung. The control unit 48 has a swing angle and a swing speed. Is output to the probe swing control unit 41. The probe swing control unit 41 controls the swing of the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 according to the swing angle and swing speed.

  The control unit 48 includes a CPU and a storage device such as a ROM, RAM, and HDD. The storage device stores a control program for controlling each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The CPU reads and executes the control program from the storage device, thereby controlling the transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves by the transmission / reception unit 42.

(Operation and effect)
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the scanning range by the ultrasonic probe and the number of acquired volumes according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  6 to 8, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the swing angle (position) of the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3. In addition, the slopes of the graphs shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 represent the rocking speed.

  In the operation examples shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the related art will be described in comparison. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the related art to be compared is a mechanical one-dimensional ultrasonic wave that can mechanically oscillate a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a line in the scanning direction in the oscillating direction. A probe is provided.

<First operation example>
First, a first operation example by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first operation example, a case where the scanning range (maximum rocking angle) and the rocking speed in the rocking direction (Z direction) are the same in the embodiment and the prior art will be described.

  In the first operation example, when data is acquired for a range where the total swing angle φ is 30 degrees, the angle θ formed by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is set to 15 degrees. Further, the swing angle φ1 by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is 15 degrees, and the swing angle φ2 by the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is 15 degrees. The swing angle φ1 and the swing angle φ2 are set in the control unit 48 in advance, and the probe swing control unit 41 performs the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic vibration according to the swing angle φ1 and the swing angle φ2. The swing of the child group 3 is controlled.

  Then, the angle of the central axis O shown in FIG. 2 is set to 0 degree, and the probe swing control unit 41 rotates the ultrasonic transducer group 2 in a range from +15 degrees to 0 degrees, By rotating the range from 0 degrees to -15 degrees, the entire range from +15 degrees to -15 degrees (a total range of 30 degrees) is scanned.

  Since the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are fixed to the support member 4 and are simultaneously swung in the same direction at the same speed, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 has a range from +15 degrees to 0 degrees. While being rotated, the ultrasonic transducer group 3 can be rotated in a range from 0 degrees to -15 degrees.

  A graph 60 shown in FIG. 6 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer group 2, and a graph 61 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer group 3. A graph 100 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic probe according to the related art.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the prior art, one volume data is obtained by scanning the scanning region S by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer from +15 degrees to −15 degrees, Further, by scanning the scanning region S by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer from −15 degrees to +15 degrees, one more volume data is acquired. As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the related art, two volume data are acquired by swinging the ultrasonic transducer one reciprocating motion.

  On the other hand, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the ultrasonic probe 1 according to this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group while the ultrasonic transducer is swung one reciprocally in the past. A total of four volume data can be acquired by swinging 3 three times.

  More specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment scans the scanning region S1 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer group 2 from +15 degrees to 0 degrees, and simultaneously performs ultrasonic vibration. By scanning the scanning region S2 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the child group 3 from 0 degree to -15 degrees, one volume data is acquired by scanning the entire scanning range S. Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment scans the scanning region S1 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer group 2 from 0 degrees to +15 degrees, and at the same time, the ultrasonic transducer group By scanning the scanning region S2 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating 3 from −15 degrees to 0 degrees, one volume data is acquired by scanning the entire scanning range S. Therefore, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, a total of two volume data can be acquired while the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus acquires one volume data.

  As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the related art, two volume data are acquired by reciprocating the ultrasonic transducer once, but according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, It is possible to acquire four volume data by swinging the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 twice in the same time as the prior art. Thus, according to this embodiment, even when scanning is performed under the same scanning conditions (swinging speed and swinging range) as in the prior art, it is possible to obtain a volume rate twice that of the prior art.

<Second operation example>
Next, a second operation example by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second operation example, a case where the rocking speed and the volume rate are the same in the embodiment and the prior art will be described.

  In this second operation example, when data is acquired for a range where the total swing angle φ is 60 degrees, the angle θ formed by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is set to 30 degrees. Further, the swing angle φ1 by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is 30 degrees, and the swing angle φ2 by the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is 30 degrees. The swing angle φ1 and the swing angle φ2 are set in the control unit 48 in advance, and the probe swing control unit 41 performs the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic vibration according to the swing angle φ1 and the swing angle φ2. The swing of the child group 3 is controlled.

  Then, the angle of the central axis O shown in FIG. 2 is set to 0 degrees, and the probe swing control unit 41 rotates the ultrasonic transducer group 2 in the range from +30 degrees to 0 degrees, By rotating the range from 0 degree to -30 degrees, the entire range from +30 degrees to -30 degrees (range of 60 degrees in total) is scanned.

  Since the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are fixed to the support member 4 and are simultaneously swung in the same direction at the same speed, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 has a range from +30 degrees to 0 degrees. While being rotated, the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is rotated in a range from 0 degrees to −30 degrees.

  A graph 70 shown in FIG. 7 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer group 2, and a graph 71 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer group 3. A graph 100 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic probe according to the related art.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the prior art, one volume data is obtained by scanning the scanning region S by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer from +15 degrees to −15 degrees, Further, by scanning the scanning region S by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer from −15 degrees to +15 degrees, one more volume data is acquired. Thus, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the conventional technique, a range of +15 degrees to -15 degrees (a range of 30 degrees as a whole) is scanned.

  On the other hand, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the ultrasonic probe 1 according to this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is +30 while the ultrasonic transducer is rotated from +15 degrees to −15 degrees in the related art. By rotating the ultrasonic transducer group 3 from 0 degrees to -30 degrees at the same time, the entire range of +30 degrees to -30 degrees can be scanned.

  More specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment scans the scanning region S1 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer group 2 from +30 degrees to 0 degrees, and simultaneously performs ultrasonic vibration. By scanning the scanning region S2 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the child group 3 from 0 degree to -30 degrees, one volume data is acquired by scanning the entire scanning range S. Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment scans the scanning region S1 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer group 2 from 0 degree to +30 degrees, and at the same time, the ultrasonic transducer group. By scanning the scanning area S2 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating 3 from -30 degrees to 0 degrees, one volume data is acquired by scanning the entire scanning area S. Therefore, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, while the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the related art scans the range from +15 degrees to −15 degrees, the range from +30 degrees to −30 degrees is obtained. It will be possible to scan.

  As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, even when scanning is performed under the same scanning conditions (swinging speed and volume rate) as in the conventional technique, a region twice as large as that in the conventional technique is scanned. Is possible.

<Third operation example>
Next, a third operation example by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third operation example, a case where the volume rate and the maximum swing angle are the same in the embodiment and the conventional technique will be described.

  In this third operation example, when data is acquired for a range where the total swing range φ is 30 degrees, the angle θ formed by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is set to 15 degrees. Further, the swing angle φ1 by the ultrasonic transducer group 2 is 15 degrees, and the swing angle φ2 by the ultrasonic transducer group 3 is 15 degrees. The swing angle φ1 and the swing angle φ2 are set in the control unit 48 in advance, and the probe swing control unit 41 performs the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic vibration according to the swing angle φ1 and the swing angle φ2. The swing of the child group 3 is controlled.

  Then, the angle of the central axis O shown in FIG. 2 is set to 0 degree, and the probe swing control unit 41 rotates the ultrasonic transducer group 2 in a range from +15 degrees to 0 degrees, By rotating the range from 0 degrees to -15 degrees, the entire range from +15 degrees to -15 degrees (a total range of 30 degrees) is scanned.

  A graph 80 shown in FIG. 8 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer group 2, and a graph 81 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic transducer group 3. A graph 100 represents the swing angle of the ultrasonic probe according to the related art.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the prior art, one volume data is obtained by scanning the scanning region S by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer from +15 degrees to −15 degrees, Further, by scanning the scanning region S by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer from −15 degrees to +15 degrees, one more volume data is acquired. Thus, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a range from +15 degrees to −15 degrees (a range of 30 degrees as a whole) is scanned.

  On the other hand, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including the ultrasonic probe 1 according to this embodiment, the oscillation speeds of the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are made slower than those of the ultrasonic probe according to the prior art. Even in this case, the same range (a range of +15 degrees to −15 degrees) can be scanned.

  More specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment is configured to perform ultrasonic waves while rotating the ultrasonic transducer group 2 from +15 degrees to 0 degrees at a speed that is half the swing speed of the ultrasonic probe according to the prior art. The scanning range S1 is scanned by transmitting the beam and simultaneously scanning the scanning region S2 by transmitting the ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer group 3 from 0 degrees to −15 degrees. One volume data is acquired by scanning the entire range. Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment scans the scanning region S1 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating the ultrasonic transducer group 2 from 0 degrees to +15 degrees, and at the same time, the ultrasonic transducer group By scanning the scanning region S2 by transmitting an ultrasonic beam while rotating 3 from −15 degrees to 0 degrees, one volume data is acquired by scanning the entire scanning range S. Therefore, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, even if the oscillation speeds of the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 are made slower than in the conventional technique, the same range (+15 degrees) as in the conventional technique. To -15 degrees).

  As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, it is possible to scan the same scanning region at the same volume rate as that of the conventional technique even when the swing speed is half that of the conventional technique. . By slowing the rocking speed, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the ultrasonic probe 1 caused by the rocking compared to the conventional technique. That is, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment, the vibration of the ultrasonic probe 1 caused by the rocking is conventionally reduced by slowing the rocking speed of the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3. It is possible to scan the same scanning area at the same volume rate as that of the conventional technology while suppressing the technology.

  In the third operation example, since the oscillation speed of the ultrasonic transducer group 2 and the ultrasonic transducer group 3 can be reduced, the scanning line of the ultrasonic beam in the oscillation direction (Z direction). The density can be increased. In other words, the density of the frame can be increased.

  Further, by reducing the scanning speed in the scanning direction (X direction), that is, the electronic scanning speed, the scanning line density of the ultrasonic beam in the scanning direction (X direction) can be increased. In this case, the scanning line density (frame density) of the ultrasonic beam in the oscillation direction (Z direction) is low.

  As described above, the scanning line density of the ultrasonic beam in the scanning direction (X direction) and the scanning line density (frame density) of the ultrasonic beam in the swinging direction (Z direction) are changed by changing the electronic scanning speed. Can be arbitrarily changed.

  In this embodiment, two ultrasonic transducer groups are provided. However, three or more ultrasonic transducer groups are provided, and three or more ultrasonic transducer groups are simultaneously swung in the same direction. Alternatively, they may be swung by separate motors.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is the figure seen from the scanning direction. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the area | region scanned with the ultrasonic probe which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the scanning range by the ultrasonic probe which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the volume number acquired. It is a figure for demonstrating the scanning range by the ultrasonic probe which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the volume number acquired. It is a figure for demonstrating the scanning range by the ultrasonic probe which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the volume number acquired.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 2, 3 Ultrasonic transducer group 4 Support member 5 Oscillation shaft 6 Probe case 20, 30 Ultrasonic transducer 41 Probe oscillation control part 42 Transmission / reception part 43 Signal processing part 44 Image generation part 45 User interface 46 Display unit 47 Input unit 48 Control unit

Claims (7)

An ultrasonic transducer group including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a line in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged at predetermined intervals in a swinging direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction Group,
Drive means for swinging the plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups in the swing direction around a predetermined swing axis;
An ultrasonic probe comprising: A support member for supporting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups at the predetermined interval;
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit swings the support member in the swing direction about the predetermined swing axis. And further comprising a plurality of support members for independently supporting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups,
2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit swings the plurality of support members independently in the swing direction about the predetermined swing shaft. The plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups include a first ultrasonic transducer group and a second ultrasonic oscillation that are arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to each other about the predetermined oscillation axis. Consisting of a group of children
The driving means swings the first ultrasonic transducer group and the second ultrasonic transducer group in the swing direction by the same angle as the predetermined angle around the predetermined swing axis. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ultrasonic probe is used.   The drive means sets the first ultrasonic transducer group and the second ultrasonic transducer group within the range of the maximum oscillation angle, which is twice the predetermined angle as the maximum oscillation angle. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic probe is swung in the swing direction. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Image generating means for generating ultrasonic image data based on an output from the ultrasonic probe;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a control unit that alternately transmits and receives an ultrasonic beam to and from the plurality of ultrasonic transducer groups.

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