JPH05277116A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the ultrasonic diagnostic device having an autofocus function for judging automatically disorder of an electronic focus caused by heterogeneity in the vicinity of a surface layer part of a living body, and improving the electronic focus, in the ultrasonic diagnostic device having an array type ultrasonic probe constituted of many ultrasonic vibrators, and for executing the electronic focus. CONSTITUTION:The ultrasonic diagnostic device is provided with an artificial intelligence part 15, and a receiving signal, or a signal of various signal processing processes, and/or an image signal are inputted to the artificial intelligence part 15 from a signal processing part 13 and an image constituting part 14, respectively. In the artificial intelligence part 15, from these input signals, whether a setting condition of an electronic focus is satisfactory or not is decided, and in the case it is decided that the focus is out of order, the artificial intelligence part 15 derives a condition for optimizing the electronic focus in accordance with internal rules, and outputs it to an electronic focus variable controller 16. The electronic focus variable controller 16 receives the input signal, re-sets a delay quantity of the electronic focus and executes an autofocus.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an array type ultrasonic probe having a large number of ultrasonic transducers used in the medical field, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for performing electronic focusing, and more particularly to automatic electronic focusing. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that optimizes the conditions described above and provides a clear tomographic image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, electronic focusing has been carried out by a large aperture for high resolution and a delay operation for forming a narrower ultrasonic beam. On the other hand, due to the structure of the living body that is the subject, there is a layered structure such as a fat layer and a muscle layer in the surface layer part of the inspection area, and the disturbance of focus due to the difference in the sound velocity of these structures, that is, the deterioration of resolution is a big problem. Has become. As an attempt to solve this problem, for example, “Phase-Averaging Collection Using Signals From Point Reflector and Diffuse Scatters: Basic Principles (PHASE-A)
BERROR CORRECTION USIN
G SIGNALS FROM POINT REFL
ECTORS AND DIFFUSE SCATTE
RERS: BASIC PRINCIPLES) ", Flux, O'Donnell (SW FLAX AND M.
O'DONNELL), Eye, Triple, E, Transaction, Ultrasonics, Pharoelectrics, And, Flecuency Control (IEE
E TRANSACTION, ULTRASONIC
S, FEROELECTRICS, AND FREQU
ENCY CONTROL VOL. 35, NO. 6,
NOVEMBER, 1988) calculates the delay correction amount of the electronic focus by calculating the cross-correlation of the reception signals of the adjacent ultrasonic transducers forming the ultrasonic array,
He is trying to improve the focus disorder due to the abdominal wall.

A conventional focus improving technique will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 101 is an ultrasonic transducer, 102 is an ultrasonic probe, 103 is a receiving circuit for electronic focusing, 104 is a correlator, 105 is a signal processing image forming unit, and 106 is a reflection point.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7 as described above, it is assumed that the delay time 107 in the receiving circuit 103 is adjusted so as to focus on the reflection point 106. The ultrasonic transducer 101 in the ultrasonic probe 102 performs transmission / reception, and in the receiving circuit 103, each ultrasonic transducer 10
The above-mentioned delay time 107 is given to the output of No. 2, and the image processing is executed by the signal processing image construction unit 105 by performing addition operation, signal processing, and the like. On the other hand, a part of the output of the receiving circuit 103 is input to the correlator 104, the cross-correlation of the outputs of the adjacent ultrasonic transducers 102 is calculated in the correlator 104, and the time difference showing the maximum value thereof is the delay correction amount as the receiving circuit. It is input to 103 and the delay time 107 is changed. If there is no change in the sound velocity on the propagation path 108 and the initial setting value of the delay time 107 is appropriate, the output of the correlator 104 is 0 and the delay time is not corrected, but the sound velocity on the propagation path 108 is not corrected. When there is homogeneity, a time difference equal to the propagation time difference of ultrasonic waves is calculated in the correlator 104, and the delay time 107 is corrected in the receiving circuit 103,
The reflection point 106 is focused.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, when the frequency of sound velocity inhomogeneity is high or the difference in sound velocity is large, the delay time correction amount caused by the propagation time difference is accurately determined. However, there is a problem in that the focus cannot be calculated sufficiently and the focus cannot be improved sufficiently.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. When the frequency of sound velocity inhomogeneity is high, or when the difference in sound velocity is large, an appropriate focus condition is corrected to obtain a high resolution. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that forms an ultrasonic tomographic image.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, the present invention relates to an array type ultrasonic probe having a large number of ultrasonic transducers and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for performing electronic focusing. Signal or image signal,
It has a configuration of an artificial intelligence unit that automatically derives the optimum condition of the dynamic focus, and an electronic focus variable controller that changes the focus condition in real time in response to the condition from the artificial intelligence unit.

Secondly, a signal analysis unit for extracting a received signal or a feature of an image is provided as an input parameter of the artificial intelligence unit.

Thirdly, there is provided a measurement sensor separate from the ultrasonic transducer inside the probe, and a measurement processing section for outputting the measurement result from the output of the measurement sensor to the artificial intelligence section. ing.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the artificial intelligence section firstly judges the received signal or the image signal, the optimum focus condition is inputted to the electronic focus variable controller, and the electronic focus variable controller automatically operates in real time. The focus can be optimally controlled so that a clear image can be formed during the inspection.

Secondly, the received signal and the image signal are input to the signal analysis section, and one or several characteristic parameters for obtaining the optimum focus condition are extracted. The extracted feature parameters are passed to the artificial intelligence unit, the optimum focus condition is calculated by the artificial intelligence unit, the optimum focus condition is input to the electronic focus variable controller, and the electronic focus variable controller automatically adjusts the focus in real time. It can be optimally controlled to produce a clear image during inspection.

Thirdly, a measuring sensor provided in the ultrasonic probe operates in a gap of ultrasonic scanning for imaging, and obtains a priori information for obtaining an optimum focus condition. The output of the measurement sensor is input to the measurement processing unit in the main body, the measurement result or the characteristic parameter of the measurement result is extracted, and is input to the artificial intelligence unit as one parameter for determining the optimum focus condition. Also,
Similar to the second operation, the output from the signal analysis unit is also input to the artificial intelligence unit, the artificial intelligence unit obtains the optimum focus condition, the electronic focus variable controller is input with the optimum focus condition, and the electronic focus variable control is performed. The instrument automatically and optimally controls the focus in real time to ensure that a clear image is always constructed during the examination.

[0013]

First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 11 is an ultrasonic probe, 12 is a transceiver, 13 is a signal processing unit, 14 is an image forming unit, 15 is an artificial intelligence unit, 16 is an electronic focus variable controller, and 17 is an ultrasonic beam.

2 to 3 are conceptual diagrams of correction of delay amount of electronic focus. 2 to 3, 11
Is an ultrasonic probe, 21 is an ultrasonic transducer, 22 is a living body as a subject, 23 is a focus point of electronic focus, 2
Reference numeral 4 is an abdominal wall in the living body, 25 is a propagation path of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from each ultrasonic transducer, and 26 is a delay amount for simulated electronic focusing.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above, the ultrasonic probe 11 receives the drive signal from the transmitter / receiver 12 and transmits the ultrasonic pulse into the living body 22.
By the electronic focus operation during transmission and reception, ultrasonic waves form an ultrasonic beam 17 in which ultrasonic waves are spatially concentrated and selectively inspect the inside of a living body 22 which is a subject. The ultrasonic waves reflected in the living body 22 are examined by the ultrasonic probe 11, amplified in the transmitter / receiver 12, passed through the signal processing unit 13, and passed through the image forming unit 14.
To be an image signal, which is displayed on the image display device.
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the living body 22 is a homogeneous medium, the ultrasonic wave propagation path 25 is focused on the focus point 23 by the given delay amount 26, and an image with high resolution is obtained. However, as in the case of FIG.
When there is an inhomogeneity such as the abdominal wall 24 in the surface layer, even if the same delay amount 26 as in FIG. 2A is set, the ultrasonic wave propagation path 25 is not focused on the focus point 23, which causes a reduction in resolution.

In the first embodiment, the artificial intelligence section 15 is provided, and the received signal from the signal processing section 13 or the signal of various signal processing steps or the image signal from the image forming section 14 is sent to the artificial intelligence section 15. Is entered. The artificial intelligence unit 15 judges whether the setting condition of the electronic focus is good or bad from these input signals, and if it is judged that the focus is disturbed as in the case of FIG. 2B, the artificial intelligence unit 15
In accordance with the internal rules, derives the condition for optimizing the electronic focus and outputs it to the electronic focus variable controller 16. The electronic focus variable controller 16 receives the input signal and resets the electronic focus delay amount 26. If the condition output by the artificial intelligence unit 15 is correct, the electronic focus situation becomes the situation shown in FIG. 3, and the delay amount 26 corresponding to the situation is set for each ultrasonic transducer 21 performing transmission / reception, The sound wave propagation path 26 is focused on the focus point 23, and the resolution is improved. If the condition output by the artificial intelligence unit 15 is not correct, the above process is repeated until the electronic focus is optimized at the time of the next reception or at the time of image formation, and the auto focus is executed.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention,
Receiving output from various signal processing units in the diagnostic device, or the image forming unit, an artificial intelligence unit that obtains optimum conditions for electronic focusing, and output from the artificial intelligence unit, and sets the setting value of electronic focusing in real time. By providing a variable electronic focus variable controller, it becomes possible to perform autofocus during diagnosis.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 11 is an ultrasonic probe, 1
2 is a transceiver, 13 is a signal processing unit, 14 is an image forming unit,
Reference numeral 15 is an artificial intelligence unit, 16 is an electronic focus variable controller,
Reference numeral 17 is an ultrasonic beam, and 41 is a signal analysis unit.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above, the ultrasonic probe 11, the transceiver 12, the signal processing unit 13, the image forming unit 14, and the electronic focus variable controller 16
Operates similarly to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, various signals from the signal processing unit 13 or the image composing unit 14 are input to the signal analyzing unit 41, and the signal analyzing unit 4
At 1, each input signal is analyzed and the signal features are extracted. The extracted feature quantity is convenient for determining the quality of the electronic focus setting condition, and it is desirable to use one or several feature quantities. In addition, the extraction of the feature amount may be an analog continuous function, or may be performed by performing appropriate segment division to obtain the feature amount in each segment. The extracted feature amount is input to the artificial intelligence unit 15, and in the artificial intelligence unit 15, the quality of the setting condition of the electronic focus is determined, and the artificial intelligence unit 15 derives the condition for optimizing the electronic focus according to the internal rule. Then, the electronic focus variable controller 16
Output to. The electronic focus variable controller 16 receives the input signal and resets the electronic focus delay amount 26. If the condition output by the artificial intelligence unit 15 is not correct, the above process is repeated until the electronic focus is optimized at the time of the next reception or at the time of image formation, and the auto focus is executed.

As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention,
A signal analysis unit that receives the output from various signal processing units or an image configuration unit in the diagnostic device and extracts the feature amount of each input signal, and the output of the signal analysis unit is used to obtain the optimum condition of electronic focus. By providing the artificial intelligence unit and the electronic focus variable controller that receives the output from the artificial intelligence unit and changes the set value of the electronic focus in real time, it is possible to perform the autofocus during the diagnosis.

(Embodiment 3) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, 11 is an ultrasonic probe, 1
2 is a transceiver, 13 is a signal processing unit, 14 is an image forming unit,
Reference numeral 15 is an artificial intelligence unit, 16 is an electronic focus variable controller,
Reference numeral 21 is an ultrasonic transducer, 41 is a signal analysis unit, 51 is a measurement sensor, and 52 is a measurement processing unit.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above, the ultrasonic probe 11, the transceiver 12, the signal processing unit 13, the image forming unit 14, the electronic focus variable controller 1
6, and the signal analysis unit 41 operates similarly to the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 11
A measurement sensor 51 of a different type from the normal ultrasonic transducer 21 for imaging is provided therein, and the inside of the living body is measured by the measurement sensor 51 during transmission and reception of the ultrasonic transducer 21. The output of the measurement sensor 51 is the measurement processing unit 52.
Then, the measurement processing unit 52 performs processing such as calculation of the measurement value or analysis of the measurement value, and the result is output to the artificial intelligence unit 15 as an element for determining whether the electronic focus is good or bad. In the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, the artificial intelligence unit 15 determines whether the setting condition of the electronic focus is good or bad, and the artificial intelligence unit 15 derives the condition for optimizing the electronic focus according to the internal rule, and then the electronic focus. Variable controller 1
Output to 6. The electronic focus variable controller 16 receives the input signal and resets the electronic focus delay amount 26. If the condition output by the artificial intelligence unit 15 is not correct, the above process is repeated until the electronic focus is optimized at the time of the next reception or at the time of image formation, and the auto focus is executed.

As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention,
A signal analysis unit that receives the output from various signal processing units in the diagnostic apparatus or the image configuration unit and extracts the feature amount of each input signal, a biometric sensor in the ultrasonic probe, and the output of the measurement sensor From the measurement processing unit that performs measurement processing from the signal analysis unit, the artificial intelligence unit that receives the output of the measurement processing unit and obtains the optimum condition of electronic focus, and the output from the artificial intelligence unit, and in real time. By providing the electronic focus variable controller for changing the set value of the electronic focus, it becomes possible to perform the autofocus during the diagnosis.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the ultrasonic probe and the measuring principle thereof in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, 11 is an ultrasonic probe, 21 is an ultrasonic transducer, 22 is a living body, 23 is a focus point, 24 is an abdominal wall, 25 is an ultrasonic wave propagation path, 61 is a transducer for measurement, and 62 is a measuring transducer.
Is an ultrasonic wave propagation path for measurement, 63 is a received signal for imaging, 6
Reference numeral 4 is a reception signal for abdominal wall measurement.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6 as described above, the measuring transducer 61 has a resonance characteristic at a higher frequency than the ultrasonic transducer 21 for the imaging reception signal 63, and the ultrasonic transducer Ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received during the transmitting and receiving process of 21. The measuring oscillator 61 is required to have sufficient measurement resolution in the surface layer portion because the purpose is to measure the inhomogeneity of the medium existing in the surface layer portion of the living body 22, which is the main cause of the disturbance of the electronic focus. Further, since the depth to be inspected is about several cm or less, a high frequency of 10 MHz or more is suitable. The high-frequency ultrasonic wave transmitted by the measuring transducer 61 propagates in the surface layer of the living body 22, reaches the abdominal wall 62, which is one of the surface layer structures, for example, through the measuring ultrasonic wave propagation path in FIG. It is reflected by the abdominal wall 62 and is received again by the measuring transducer 61. The received signal is sent to the measurement processing unit 52, information about the abdominal wall such as the distance from the transducer surface to the abdominal wall boundary is calculated, and the artificial intelligence unit 15 gives a judgment material for the judgment of the electronic focus state.

Although the ultrasonic transducers 21 and the measuring transducers 61 in FIG. 6 are arranged alternately in an array configuration, if the measuring transducers 61 can measure the surface layer portion. Other configurations are also acceptable.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
An ultrasonic transducer for forming an image in the ultrasonic probe is provided for measurement separately from the ultrasonic transducer, and the structure of the abdominal wall etc. that is the main cause of the disturbance of the electronic focus existing in the surface layer of the living body is measured, By obtaining information different from the information obtained from the received signal or the image signal, it is possible to more accurately determine the state of electronic focus, and thus it is possible to perform more accurate delay amount correction. Become.

[0029]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, according to the present invention, an ultrasonic transducer array having a large number of ultrasonic transducers and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for electronic focusing are automatically received by receiving a received ultrasonic signal or an image signal. It has an artificial intelligence part that derives the optimum condition of the dynamic focus, and an electronic focus variable controller that changes the focus condition in real time in response to the condition from the artificial intelligence part. Is possible. Further, as the input parameter of the artificial intelligence unit, the signal analysis unit for extracting the received signal or the feature of the image is provided, and the delay amount can be corrected more easily or at high speed to execute the autofocus.

Further, by providing a measurement sensor separate from the ultrasonic transducer inside the probe, and a measurement processing section for outputting the measurement result from the output of the measurement sensor to the artificial intelligence section, normal reception can be achieved. Information different from the information obtained from the signal or the image signal can be obtained to more accurately determine the state of electronic focus, and thus more accurate delay amount correction can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block connection diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a conceptual diagram of electron focus in a homogeneous medium in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a conceptual diagram of electron focus disorder in a heterogeneous medium in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of electronic focus improvement by delay amount correction in a heterogeneous medium in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block connection diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block connection diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe, which is a main part of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and a conceptual diagram of measurement.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ultrasonic probe 12 transmitter / receiver 13 signal processing unit 14 image forming unit 15 artificial intelligence unit 16 electronic focus variable controller unit 17 ultrasonic beam 21 ultrasonic transducer 22 living body 23 focus point 24 abdominal wall 25 ultrasonic wave propagation path 26 delay amount 41 signal analysis unit 51 measurement sensor 52 measurement processing unit 61 measurement transducer 62 measurement ultrasonic wave propagation path 63 imaging reception signal 64 abdominal wall measurement reception signal 101 ultrasonic transducer 102 ultrasonic probe 103 reception circuit 104 correlation Device 105 Signal processing image configuration unit 106 Reflection point 107 Delay time 108 Propagation path

Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Akihisa Adachi 3-10-1 Higashisanda, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Matsushita Giken Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An array type ultrasonic probe in which a large number of ultrasonic transducers for imaging a subject are arrayed, various signal processing units,
Alternatively, an artificial intelligence unit that receives the output from the image forming unit and determines the optimum condition of the electronic focus, and an electronic focus variable controller that receives the output from the artificial intelligence unit and changes the set value of the electronic focus in real time are provided. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided. 2. An array type ultrasonic probe in which a large number of ultrasonic transducers for imaging a subject are arrayed, various signal processing units,
Alternatively, receiving an output from the image forming unit, a received signal, or a signal analysis unit that extracts the characteristics of the ultrasonic tomographic image, and an artificial intelligence unit that receives the output of the signal analysis unit and determines the optimum condition of electronic focusing, An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an electronic focus variable controller that receives an output from the artificial intelligence unit and changes a set value of electronic focus in real time. 3. An array type ultrasonic probe in which a large number of ultrasonic transducers for imaging a subject are arrayed, a measuring sensor of a different type from the ultrasonic transducers inside the ultrasonic probe, and the measuring instrument. In response to the output from the sensor, the measurement processing unit that outputs the measurement result, the various signal processing unit that processes the output of the ultrasonic transducer, or the output from the image forming unit, receives the received signal or the ultrasonic tomographic image. A signal analysis unit that extracts and digitizes the characteristics of the image, an artificial intelligence unit that obtains the optimum conditions of electronic focus by receiving the outputs of the measurement processing unit and the signal analysis unit, and receives the output from the artificial intelligence unit,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an electronic focus variable controller that changes a set value of electronic focus in real time. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the measuring sensor in the probe is a high-frequency ultrasonic transducer and measures the layered structure of the surface layer of the subject.