Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and power consumption reduction method

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a power consumption reduction method. At the time of resuming of ultrasonic scanning, power consumption during a period in which the ultrasonic scanning is stopped is reduced without causing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to perform erroneous operation. According to an embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having at least one circuit used in ultrasonic scanning has a control section. The control section, upon receiving a stop instruction indicating a stop of the ultrasonic scanning, resets the at least one circuit and stops supply of a clock to the at least one circuit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a power consumption reduction method. BACKGROUND

[0002] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a release function of stopping an ultrasonic image being displayed. Generally, when the release function is set to ON, although an ultrasonic scan is stopped, a system clock is continuously supplied to a circuit which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has and which is used in the ultrasonic scan, and thus power for supplying the clock is at least continuously consumed. Therefore, it is considered that the supply of the clock to the circuit used in the ultrasonic scan is stopped during the period when the release function is set to ON.

[0003] However, when the supply of the clock is stopped / resumed simply in accordance with the ON / OFF of the release function, in a circuit including a phase synchronization circuit (PLL: Phase Locked Loop), a stable clock cannot be supplied for a little period at the time of resuming. Therefore, when the release function is switched from ON to OFF, that is, when the ultrasonic scan is resumed, the circuit including the phase synchronization circuit is likely to perform an erroneous operation. SUMMARY

[0004] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] In view of the above-described exemplary prior art attempt, an object of the present application is to reduce power consumption during a period when an ultrasonic scan is stopped, with the premise that an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus does not perform an erroneous operation at the time of resuming the ultrasonic scan.

[0006] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] According to an embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having at least one circuit used in an ultrasonic scan has a control section. The control section, upon receiving a stop instruction indicating a stop of the ultrasonic scan, resets the at least one circuit and stops the supply of a clock to the at least one circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the structure of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1.

[0009] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control circuit when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1 performs parameter setting for each circuit.

[0010] Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the control circuit when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1 performs parameter setting for each circuit.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the contents of address-related information according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment receives an instruction to stop ultrasonic scanning.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment receives an instruction to start ultrasonic scanning.

[0014] Figure 7 Is used to illustrate and Figure 5 and Figure 6 The flowchart shown is a time-series diagram of the operations of the ultrasonic transmitting circuit and the ultrasonic receiving circuit corresponding to the operations of the control circuit in each step.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment receives an instruction to stop ultrasonic scanning.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment receives an instruction to start ultrasonic scanning.

[0018] Figure 11 Is used to illustrate and Figure 9 and Figure 10 The flowchart shown is a time-series diagram of the operations of the ultrasonic transmitting circuit and the ultrasonic receiving circuit corresponding to the operations of the control circuit in each step.

[0019] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] [First embodiment]

[0022] Reference Figure 1 The block diagram of FIG. 1 illustrates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an apparatus body 10, an ultrasonic probe 70, a display device 50, and an input device 60. The apparatus body 10 is connected to an external device 40 via a network 100. The apparatus body 10 is also connected to the display device 50 and the input device 60.

[0023] The ultrasonic probe 70 includes multiple piezoelectric transducers, an alignment layer provided on the piezoelectric transducers, and a backing member that prevents ultrasonic waves from propagating backward from the piezoelectric transducers. The ultrasonic probe 70 is detachably connected to the device body 10. The multiple piezoelectric transducers generate ultrasonic waves in response to a drive signal provided by an ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 included in the device body 10. The ultrasonic probe 70 also includes a release button that is pressed to stop ultrasonic scanning and toggle a release function on and off. This release function displays the ultrasonic image immediately before the ultrasonic scan was stopped.

[0024] When ultrasonic probe 70 transmits ultrasonic waves to subject P, the transmitted ultrasonic waves are sequentially reflected by discontinuities in acoustic impedance within the tissues of subject P and received as reflected wave signals by the multiple piezoelectric transducers included in ultrasonic probe 70. The amplitude of the received reflected wave signals depends on the difference in acoustic impedance at the discontinuities where the ultrasonic waves were reflected. Furthermore, when the transmitted ultrasonic pulses are reflected by surfaces such as moving blood flow and the heart wall, the reflected wave signals receive a frequency shift due to the Doppler effect, depending on the velocity component of the moving object relative to the direction of ultrasonic transmission. The ultrasonic probe 70 receives the reflected wave signals from subject P and converts them into electrical signals. The ultrasonic probe 70 is, for example, a one-dimensional array probe formed by arranging multiple ultrasonic transducers in a predetermined direction. In addition, the ultrasonic probe 70 is not limited to a one-dimensional array probe. As a component capable of acquiring volume data, it may also be a two-dimensional array probe (a probe that arranges multiple ultrasonic vibrators in a two-dimensional matrix), or a mechanical 4D probe (a probe that can mechanically blow (Japanese: 喷る) a column of ultrasonic vibrators in a direction perpendicular to their arrangement direction while performing ultrasonic scanning), etc.

[0025] Figure 1 The device body 10 shown is a device that generates an ultrasonic image based on the reflected wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe 70. The device body 10 is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The figure includes an ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11, an ultrasonic receiving circuit 12, a B-mode processing circuit 13, a Doppler processing circuit 14, a three-dimensional processing circuit 15, a display processing circuit 16, an internal storage circuit 17, an image memory 18 (movie memory), a parameter memory 19, an image database 20, an input interface circuit 21, a communication interface circuit 22, a control circuit 23 and a host computer 24.

[0026] The ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11 is a processor that provides a driving signal to the ultrasonic probe 70. The ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11 is implemented, for example, by a trigger generating circuit, a delay circuit, a pulse generating circuit, and a phase synchronization circuit (PLL: Phase Locked Loop). Under the control of the control circuit 23, the trigger generating circuit repeatedly generates rate pulses for forming the transmitted ultrasonic waves at a predetermined rate frequency. The delay circuit gives each piezoelectric vibrator the necessary delay time to each rate pulse generated by the trigger generating circuit so as to focus the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic probe 70 into a beam shape to determine the transmission directionality. Under the control of the control circuit 23, the pulse generating circuit applies a driving signal (driving pulse) to the ultrasonic probe 70 according to the timing based on the rate pulse. By changing the delay time given to each rate pulse via the delay circuit, the transmission direction from the piezoelectric vibrator surface can be arbitrarily adjusted.

[0027] The ultrasonic receiving circuit 12 is a processor that performs various processing on the reflected wave signals received by the ultrasonic probe 70 to generate a received signal. The ultrasonic receiving circuit 12 is implemented, for example, by an amplifier circuit, an A / D converter, a receive delay circuit, an adder, and a phase synchronization circuit. The amplifier circuit amplifies the reflected wave signals received by the ultrasonic probe 70 for each channel and performs gain correction. The A / D converter converts the gain-corrected reflected wave signals into digital signals. The receive delay circuit applies the delay time required to determine the receive directivity to the digital signals. The adder adds the multiple digital signals with the assigned delay times. The adder's addition process generates a receive signal that emphasizes the reflected components from the direction corresponding to the receive directivity.

[0028] The B-mode processing circuit 13 is a processor that generates B-mode data based on the received signal from the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12. The B-mode processing circuit 13 performs envelope detection and logarithmic amplification on the received signal from the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12, generating data (B-mode data) that represents signal intensity using luminance brightness. This generated B-mode data is stored in a RAW data memory (not shown) as B-mode RAW data on two-dimensional ultrasonic scan lines.

[0029] The Doppler processing circuit 14 is a processor that generates a Doppler waveform and Doppler data based on the received signal from the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12. The Doppler processing circuit 14 extracts a blood flow signal from the received signal, generates a Doppler waveform from the extracted blood flow signal, and generates data (Doppler data) that extracts information such as average velocity, dispersion, and power from the blood flow signal at multiple points. The generated Doppler data is stored as Doppler RAW data on a two-dimensional ultrasonic scan line in a RAW data memory (not shown).

[0030] The three-dimensional processing circuit 15 is a processor capable of generating various types of volume data based on the data generated by the B-mode processing circuit 13 and the Doppler processing circuit 14 .

[0031] For example, the 3D processing circuit 15 performs RAW-to-voxel conversion on B-mode data stored in the RAW data memory, including interpolation processing that also incorporates spatial position information, to generate B-mode volume data representing morphological information. Furthermore, the 3D processing circuit 15 performs RAW-to-voxel conversion on Doppler data stored in the RAW data memory, including interpolation processing that also incorporates spatial position information, to generate blood flow (color Doppler) volume data representing blood flow information. The B-mode volume data and blood flow volume data are composed of voxels within a desired range.

[0032] Then, the three-dimensional processing circuit 15 performs rendering processing on the generated various volume data to generate rendered images.

[0033] The display processing circuit 16 is a processor that displays various images on the display device 50. The display processing circuit 16 generates ultrasonic image data as display images through coordinate conversion processing and other means. Coordinate conversion processing, for example, converts a signal sequence of ultrasonic scan lines, consisting of B-mode data and Doppler data, into a video signal sequence of scan line signals in a common video format, typically used for television. The generated ultrasonic image data is converted into a format, for example, in accordance with the DICOM (digital imaging and communication in medicine) standard, and stored, for example, in the image database 20.

[0034] The display processing circuit 16 generates B-mode image data based on the B-mode RAW data stored in the RAW data memory. B-mode image data includes pixel values ​​(luminance values) that reflect characteristics of the ultrasound probe, such as the focusing of sound waves, and the acoustic field characteristics of the ultrasound beam (e.g., the transmitted and received beams). For example, in the B-mode image data, the brightness near the focused ultrasound waves in the scanned area is relatively higher than that of the non-focused areas. The display processing circuit 16 displays the generated B-mode image data as an ultrasound image on the display device 50.

[0035] The display processing circuit 16 generates Doppler image data related to the mean velocity image, dispersion image, power image, etc. based on the Doppler RAW data stored in the RAW data memory, and displays the generated Doppler image data on the display device 50 as an ultrasonic image.

[0036] The display processing circuit 16 performs various processing operations on the various image data generated by the 3D processing circuit 15, such as dynamic range, luminance (brightness), contrast, gamma curve correction, and RGB conversion, converting the image data into video signals. The display processing circuit 16 displays the video signals as ultrasound images on the display device 50.

[0037] Alternatively, the display processing circuit 16 may generate a graphical user interface (GUI) for an operator (e.g., a surgeon) to input various instructions via the input interface circuit 21, and display the GUI on the display device 50. For example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an LED display, a plasma display, or any other display known in the art may be used as appropriate as the display device 50.

[0038] The internal storage circuit 17 has a recording medium such as a magnetic or optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory that can be read by a processor. The internal storage circuit 17 stores a control program for realizing ultrasonic transmission and reception, a control program for image processing, and a control program for display processing. In addition, the internal storage circuit 17 stores control programs for realizing various functions related to this embodiment. In addition, the internal storage circuit 17 stores a data set such as diagnostic information (such as patient ID, doctor's opinion, etc.), a diagnostic communication protocol, a body mark generation program, and a conversion table that pre-sets the range of color data used for imaging for each diagnostic part. In addition, the internal storage circuit 17 can also store anatomical atlases related to the structure of organs in the living body, such as atlases.

[0039] Furthermore, the internal storage circuit 17 stores the volume data and rendered image data generated by the 3D processing circuit 15 in accordance with a storage operation input via the input interface circuit 21. Furthermore, the internal storage circuit 17 can also store the volume data and rendered image data generated by the 3D processing circuit 15, including the operation sequence and operation time, in accordance with the storage operation input via the input interface circuit 21. The internal storage circuit 17 can also forward the stored data to an external device via the communication interface circuit 22.

[0040] Image memory 18 includes, for example, a magnetic or optical recording medium, or a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory that can be read by a processor. Image memory 18 stores image data corresponding to a plurality of frames immediately before the release function is turned on, input via input interface circuit 21. The image data stored in image memory 18 is displayed continuously (movie display), for example.

[0041] The parameter memory 19 includes a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory that can be quickly read by the processor. The parameter memory 19 is, for example, a main memory. The parameter memory 19 stores parameters required for starting ultrasonic scanning (hereinafter referred to as control parameters). The control parameters include, for example, probe selection data, gain data, and decimation filter coefficients. The probe selection data, for example, is data indicating the probe selected before the ultrasonic scanning is stopped. The gain data, for example, is data indicating the gain value before the ultrasonic scanning is stopped. The decimation filter coefficients, for example, are the decimation filter coefficients set before the ultrasonic scanning is stopped.

[0042] The image database 20 stores image data transferred from the external device 40. For example, the image database 20 obtains and stores past image data related to the same patient from the external device 40, acquired during past medical examinations. This past image data includes ultrasound image data, CT (Computed Tomography) image data, MR image data, PET (Positron Emission Tomography)-CT image data, PET-MR image data, and X-ray image data. Furthermore, this past image data is stored as, for example, three-dimensional volume data and rendered image data.

[0043] Alternatively, the image database 20 may read image data recorded on a recording medium (media) such as MO, CD-R, or DVD, and thereby store desired image data.

[0044] The input interface circuit 21 receives various instructions from the operator via the input device 60. The input device 60 includes, for example, a mouse, keyboard, panel switches, slide switches, rotary switches, trackballs, rotary encoders, operation panels, and touch command screens (TCS). Furthermore, the input interface circuit 21 receives various instructions from the operator via the release button provided on the ultrasound probe 70.

[0045] The input interface circuit 21 is connected to the host computer 24 via, for example, a bus, converts operation instructions input by the operator into electrical signals, and outputs the electrical signals to the host computer 24. In this specification, the input interface circuit 21 is not limited to being connected only to physical operating components such as a mouse and keyboard. For example, the input interface circuit 21 also includes an electrical signal processing circuit that receives electrical signals corresponding to operation instructions input from an external input device provided separately from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 as wireless signals and outputs these electrical signals to the host computer 24.

[0046] The communication interface circuit 22 is connected to an external device 40 via a network 100 or the like, and performs data communication with the external device 40. Examples of the external device 40 include a database in a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) system that manages data of various medical images, or a database in an electronic medical record system that manages electronic medical records containing medical images. Furthermore, examples of the external device 40 include various medical imaging diagnostic devices other than the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 of this embodiment, such as an X-ray CT device, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, a nuclear medicine diagnostic device, and an X-ray diagnostic device. Furthermore, the communication standard with the external device 40 may be any standard, such as DICOM.

[0047] The control circuit 23 is, for example, a processor that controls operations related to ultrasonic scanning. The control circuit 23 executes an operating program stored in the internal storage circuit 17 to implement functions corresponding to the operating program. Specifically, the control circuit 23 includes a host interface function 231, a reset control function 233, and a clock control function 235.

[0048] The host interface function 231 is a function for executing various operations in response to various instructions from the host computer 24. When executing the host interface function 231, the control circuit 23 receives, for example, control parameter setting instructions from the host computer 24. Based on the received setting instructions, the control circuit 23 sets the control parameters for the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic reception circuit 12.

[0049] The reset control function 233 resets or cancels the reset state of each circuit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. When executing the reset control function 233, the control circuit 23 resets, for example, the ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiver circuit 12. Furthermore, the control circuit 23 cancels the reset state of, for example, the ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiver circuit 12.

[0050] In this embodiment, "resetting the circuit" refers to, for example, fixing the state of a switch element included in each circuit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to a predetermined initial value, either a high-level state (e.g., maintaining a predetermined potential) or a low-level state (e.g., zero potential), pre-set for each circuit. This deletes the data stored in the registers of each circuit.

[0051] In the present embodiment, “canceling the reset of the circuit” means, for example, a state in which the state of a switching element included in each circuit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 can be changed.

[0052] The clock control function 235 is a function for starting or stopping the clock supply to each circuit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. When executing the clock control function 235, the control circuit 23 stops the clock supply to the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic reception circuit 12, for example, in response to an instruction from the host computer 24 to stop ultrasonic scanning. Furthermore, the control circuit 23 starts the clock supply to the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic reception circuit 12, for example, in response to an instruction from the host computer 24 to start ultrasonic scanning.

[0053] The host interface function 231 , reset control function 233 and clock control function 235 may be installed as control programs or as circuits that the control circuit 23 can refer to, with dedicated hardware circuits that can execute each function being installed in the control circuit 23 itself or the device body 10 .

[0054] The host computer 24 includes a processor and functions as the core of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Based on the received signals generated by the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12, the host computer 24 controls the mode processing circuit 13, the Doppler processing circuit 14, the three-dimensional processing circuit 15, and the display processing circuit 16, thereby generating predetermined ultrasonic image data and displaying the generated ultrasonic image data on the display device. The host computer 24 receives various instructions from the operator, etc., via the input interface circuit 21. The host computer 24 inputs the received instructions into the control circuit 23.

[0055] Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0056] First, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 when receiving a parameter setting instruction will be described. Figure 2 This flowchart illustrates the operation of the control circuit when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment sets parameters for each circuit. In the following description, it is assumed that an operator, etc., inputs control parameters for the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic reception circuit 12 to the host computer 24 via the input interface circuit 21. Furthermore, it is assumed that the host computer 24 notifies the control circuit 23 of a setting instruction indicating that the input control parameters have been set. Control parameter setting is performed, for example, during initialization and when changing settings.

[0057] The control circuit 23 executes the host interface function 231 and receives a setting instruction for setting a control parameter from the host computer 24 (step SA1 ).

[0058] The control circuit 23 sets control parameters for each circuit based on the received setting instruction (step SA2 ). Figure 31 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the control circuit 23 when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment sets parameters for each circuit. Figure 3 As shown, the control circuit 23, for example, writes control parameters to registers of the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 via the local bus for the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11, in accordance with a setting instruction sent from the host computer 24. This sets the control parameters for the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11. At this time, the control circuit 23 stores the same control parameters as those set for the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 in the parameter memory 19 via the local bus for the parameter memory 19. Furthermore, the control circuit 23, for example, writes control parameters to registers of the ultrasonic reception circuit 12 via the local bus for the ultrasonic reception circuit 12, in accordance with a setting instruction sent from the host computer 24. This sets the control parameters for the ultrasonic reception circuit 12. At this time, the control circuit 23 stores the same control parameters as those set for the ultrasonic reception circuit 12 in the parameter memory 19 via the local bus for the parameter memory 19.

[0059] Furthermore, the control circuit 23 associates the physical addresses of the registers of each circuit for which control parameters are set with the physical addresses of the parameter memory 19 storing parameters having the same contents as those parameters, and stores the associated information as address association information in a predetermined internal memory of the control circuit 23. The stored address association information is necessary for performing DMA transfer using the control parameters for each circuit stored in the parameter memory 19. Alternatively, the address association information may be set in advance.

[0060] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of the content of address-related information according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 For example, it indicates that the same parameters are stored in address 0 of the register of the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 and address 0 of the parameter memory 19. Figure 4 For example, it indicates that the same parameters are stored at address 100 of the register of the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 and address 100 of the parameter memory 19. Figure 4 For example, it indicates that the same parameters are stored at address 0 of the register of the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12 and at address 1000 of the parameter memory 19. Figure 4 For example, it indicates that parameters having the same contents are stored at address 100 of the register included in the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12 and at address 1100 of the parameter memory 19 .

[0061] The control circuit 23 controls the ultrasonic wave transmitting circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave receiving circuit 12 to start ultrasonic scanning (step SA3 ).

[0062] Next, useFigure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 when receiving an instruction to stop or start ultrasonic scanning will be described. Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 23 when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment receives an instruction to stop ultrasonic scanning. Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 23 when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment receives an instruction to start ultrasonic scanning. Figure 7 Is used to illustrate and Figure 5 and Figure 6 The flowchart shown is a time series diagram of the operations of the ultrasonic transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic reception circuit 12 corresponding to the operations of the control circuit 23 in each step.

[0063] First, use Figure 5 and Figure 7 The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 upon receiving an instruction to stop ultrasonic scanning will be described. In the following description, for example, the release function is turned on by pressing a release button provided on the ultrasonic probe 70. At this time, a stop instruction to stop ultrasonic scanning is input to the host computer 24. The host computer 24 then notifies the control circuit 23 of the input stop instruction. Alternatively, the release function can be turned on by specifying a specified area in the TCS included in the input device 60.

[0064] exist Figure 5 In step SB1, the control circuit 23 executes the host interface function 231 and receives an instruction to stop ultrasonic scanning from the host computer 24. Figure 7 As shown in FIG, a clock is supplied to the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12. Figure 7 As shown, the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12 are in a non-reset state.

[0065] exist Figure 5 In step SB2, the control circuit 23 executes the reset control function 233 to reset each circuit. Specifically, the control circuit 23, for example, restores the states of all the switch elements included in each circuit for implementing the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11 to their initial states. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11 is reset (in the reset ON state). As a result, the control parameters stored in the registers of the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11 are deleted. Furthermore, the control circuit 23, for example, restores the states of all the switch elements included in the various circuits for implementing the ultrasonic receiving circuit 12 to their initial states. At this time, as shown in FIG. Figure 7As shown, the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is reset (in a state of being reset ON). As a result, the control parameters stored in the register possessed by the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 are deleted.

[0066] In Figure 5 which the clock control function 235 is executed after the reset of each circuit, the supply of the clock to each circuit is stopped (step SB3). The control circuit 23, for example, stops the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 after the reset of the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11. At this time, as shown in Figure 7 , the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 is stopped. Also, the control circuit 23, for example, stops the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 after the reset of the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12. At this time, as shown in Figure 7 , the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is stopped.

[0067] Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 when the start instruction of the ultrasonic wave scan is received again after the ultrasonic wave scan is stopped will be described using Figure 6 and Figure 7 . In the following description, the operation of setting the release function to OFF is performed, for example, by pressing the release button provided in the ultrasonic probe 70. At this time, the start instruction to start the ultrasonic wave scan is input to the host computer 24. Also, the host computer 24 notifies the control circuit 23 of the input start instruction.

[0068] In Figure 6 which the host interface function 231 is executed, the control circuit 23 receives the instruction indicating the start of the ultrasonic wave scan from the host computer 24 (step SCI). At this time, as shown in Figure 7 , the clock is not supplied to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12. Also, as shown in Figure 7 , the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 are in a state of being reset.

[0069] In Figure 6 which the clock control function 235 is executed after the reset of each circuit, the supply of the clock to each circuit is stopped (step SB3). The control circuit 23, for example, stops the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 after the reset of the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11. At this time, as shown in Figure 7 , the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 is stopped. Also, the control circuit 23, for example, stops the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 after the reset of the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12. At this time, as shown in

[0070] In Figure 6 which the clock control function 235 is executed after the reset of each circuit, the supply of the clock to each circuit is stopped (step SB3). The control circuit 23, for example, stops the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 after the reset of the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11. At this time, as shown in Figure 7As shown, the resets of the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 are released (in a state where the resets are OFF). Thereby, it is possible to avoid erroneous operation of the circuits such as the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 realized by a phase synchronization circuit or the like at the time of resuming the ultrasonic wave scanning.

[0071] In Figure 6 which the control circuit 23 executes the host interface function 231, and reads out the control parameters from the parameter memory 19 with reference to the address association information stored in a prescribed internal memory possessed by the control circuit 23. The control parameters read out are the control parameters stored in the parameter memory 19 immediately before the stop of the ultrasonic wave scanning. The control circuit 23 DMA (Direct Memory Access) forwards the control parameters read out to each circuit. Also, the control circuit 23 sets the control parameters to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12, respectively (step SC4). At this time, the control parameters are set to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 as shown in Figure 7 . Thereby, it is possible to perform the parameter setting without going through the host computer 24. Also, the delay data given to each channel and the data on the aperture and the like, which are the parameter data forwarded after the start of the ultrasonic wave scanning, are not within the objects of the DMA forwarding.

[0072] In Figure 6 which the control circuit 23 controls the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 to start the ultrasonic wave scanning (step SC5). At this time, the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 start the ultrasonic wave scanning under the control of the control circuit 23 as shown in Figure 7 .

[0073] According to the first embodiment, the control circuit 23 resets the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 upon receiving the stop instruction indicating the stop of the ultrasonic wave scanning. The control circuit 23 stops the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 after resetting the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12.

[0074] Thereby, it is possible to reduce the power consumption accompanying the supply of the clock. Also, at the time of resuming the ultrasonic wave scanning, it is possible to supply the stable clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 including the phase synchronization circuit in a state where the phase synchronization circuit included in each circuit is fixed to the initial state of the reset. Therefore, in the phase synchronization circuit or the like, it is possible to prevent the erroneous operation of the circuit due to the unstable clock during the period when the clock starts to be output.

[0075] Thus, at the restart of the ultrasonic wave scan, it is possible to reduce the power consumption during the stop of the ultrasonic wave scan without causing an erroneous operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0076] Further, according to the first embodiment, the control circuit 23 restarts the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12, respectively, upon receiving a start instruction indicating the start of the ultrasonic wave scan. The control circuit 23 releases the reset of the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12, respectively, after restarting the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12, and the like, respectively. The control circuit 23 stores the control parameter in the parameter memory 19 at the time of setting the control parameter. The control circuit 23 forwards the parameter stored in the parameter memory 19 to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 upon receiving a restart instruction indicating the restart of the ultrasonic wave scan.

[0077] Thus, the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 including the phase synchronization circuit are able to restart the ultrasonic wave scan without causing an erroneous operation of the circuit by restarting the clock in the reset state. Further, it is not necessary to perform the setting of the control parameter again from the host computer 24, and it is possible to perform the setting of the control parameter directly from the parameter memory 19. That is, it is possible to shorten the time from when the function release is set to ON to when the ultrasonic wave scan is started.

[0078] [Second Embodiment]

[0079] In the first embodiment, a case where the reduction of the power consumption at the time of the stop of the ultrasonic wave scan is achieved by controlling the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is described. In the second embodiment, a case where the reduction of the power consumption at the time of the stop of the ultrasonic wave scan is achieved by controlling the supply of the power supply to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is described.

[0080] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0081] As shown in Figure 8 , the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A has an apparatus main body 10A, an ultrasonic probe 70, a display device 50, and an input apparatus 60. The apparatus main body 10A is connected to an external apparatus 40 via a network 100. Further, the apparatus main body 10A is connected to the display device 50 and the input apparatus 60.

[0082] Figure 8 The apparatus main body 10A shown in Figure 6The diagram shows an ultrasonic transmitting circuit 11, an ultrasonic receiving circuit 12, a B-mode processing circuit 13, a Doppler processing circuit 14, a three-dimensional processing circuit 15, a display processing circuit 16, an internal storage circuit 17, an image memory 18 (movie memory), a parameter memory 19, an image database 20, an input interface circuit 21, a communication interface circuit 22, a control circuit 23A, a host computer 24, and a power supply circuit 26.

[0083] The power supply circuit 26 supplies power to each circuit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. For example, the power supply circuit 26 supplies power to the ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiver circuit 12. Specifically, the power supply circuit 26 applies a voltage of a predetermined magnitude to the ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiver circuit 12.

[0084] The control circuit 23A is a processor that controls operations related to ultrasonic scanning, for example. The control circuit 23A executes an operating program stored in the internal storage circuit 17 to implement functions corresponding to the operating program. Specifically, the control circuit 23 includes a host interface function 231, a reset control function 233, a clock control function 235, and a power supply control function 237.

[0085] The power supply control function 237 controls the power supply to each circuit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. When executing the power supply control function 237, the control circuit 23A controls the power supply circuit 26, for example, in response to a stop instruction indicating the end of ultrasonic scanning, to stop the power supply to the ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiver circuit 12. Specifically, the control circuit 23A stops applying voltage to the ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiver circuit 12. This shuts off the power to each circuit. Alternatively, the control circuit 23 may turn off an enable signal, for example, for a predetermined device that generates power for each circuit. Furthermore, the control circuit 23 controls the power supply circuit 26, for example, in response to a start instruction indicating the start of ultrasonic scanning, to start the power supply to the ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiver circuit 12. Specifically, the control circuit 23A applies a voltage of a predetermined magnitude to the ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and the ultrasonic receiver circuit 12.

[0086] Next, use Figure 9 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A when receiving an instruction to stop ultrasonic scanning and an instruction to start ultrasonic scanning will be described. Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 23A when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment receives an instruction to stop ultrasonic scanning. Figure 10is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 23A at the time when the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A receives a start instruction of ultrasound scanning according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 23A at the time when the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A receives a stop instruction of ultrasound scanning according to the second embodiment. Figure 9 and Figure 10 is a time series chart of the operation of the ultrasound transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasound reception circuit 12 corresponding to the operation of the control circuit 23A of each step of the flowchart shown in

[0087] First, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A at the time when the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1A receives a start instruction of ultrasound scanning will be described using Figure 9 and Figure 11 In the following description, for example, an operation of setting the release function to ON is performed by pressing the release button provided on the ultrasound probe 70. At this time, a start instruction of starting ultrasound scanning is input to the host computer 24. Further, the host computer 24 notifies the control circuit 23A of the input start instruction.

[0088] In the Figure 9 , the control circuit 23A executes the host interface function 231, and receives an instruction indicating to start ultrasound scanning from the host computer 24 (step SD1). At this time, as shown in Figure 11 , the clock is supplied to the ultrasound transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasound reception circuit 12. Further, as shown in Figure 11 , the ultrasound transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasound reception circuit 12 are in a state where they are not reset.

[0089] In the Figure 9 , the control circuit 23A executes the power supply control function 237, and cuts off the power supply of the ultrasound transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasound reception circuit 12 (step SD2). Specifically, the control circuit 23A controls the power supply circuit 26 so as to stop the power supply of the ultrasound transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasound reception circuit 12. At this time, as shown in Figure 11 , the power supply of the ultrasound transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasound reception circuit 12 and the like is cut off.

[0090] Next, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 at the time when a start instruction of ultrasound scanning is received again after the ultrasound scanning is stopped will be described using Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the following description, for example, an operation of setting the release function to OFF is performed by pressing the release button provided on the ultrasound probe 70. At this time, a start instruction of starting ultrasound scanning is input to the host computer 24. Further, the host computer 24 notifies the control circuit 23A of the input start instruction.

[0091] In Figure 10 which the control circuit 23A executes the host interface function 231, an instruction indicating the start of the ultrasonic wave scan is received from the host computer 24 (step SE1). At this time, as shown in Figure 11 , the power supply to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is off.

[0092] In Figure 10 which the control circuit 23A executes the power supply control function 237, the power supply to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is turned on (step SE2). Specifically, the control circuit 23A controls the power supply circuit 26 to restart the power supply to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12. At this time, as shown in Figure 11 , the power supply to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is on.

[0093] In Figure 10 which the control circuit 23A executes the clock control function 235, the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is restarted (step SE3). At this time, as shown in Figure 11 , the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is started.

[0094] In Figure 10 which the control circuit 23A executes the reset control function 233 to release the reset of the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 after the supply of the clock to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is restarted (step SE4). At this time, as shown in Figure 10 , the reset of the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 is released (in a state where the reset is OFF).

[0095] In Figure 11 which the control circuit 23A executes the host interface function 231 to read out the control parameters from the parameter storage 19 with reference to the address association information stored in a prescribed internal memory possessed by the control circuit 23A. The control circuit 23A DMA forwards the read-out control parameters to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12, respectively. Also, the control circuit 23A sets the control parameters to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12, respectively (step SE5). Thus, the parameter setting can be performed without going through the host computer 24.

[0096] In Figure 12 which the control circuit 23A controls the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 to start the ultrasonic wave scan (step SE6). At this time, as shown in Figure 12As shown, the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 start the ultrasonic wave scanning under the control of the control circuit 23A.

[0097] According to the second embodiment, the control circuit 23A controls the power supply circuit 26 to stop the power supply to the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12 upon receiving the stop instruction indicating the stop of the ultrasonic wave scanning.

[0098] Generally, the setting of the parameters required for starting the ultrasonic wave scanning again after the power is turned on is performed by the host computer 24 for each circuit. Therefore, the time required for the setting is correspondingly prolonged by the part via the host computer 24. According to the second embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A reads out the control parameters from the parameter memory 19, and DMA-transfers the read-out control parameters to each circuit, thereby setting the control parameters for each circuit, respectively, without via the host computer 24, and correspondingly, the time from the release function is set to ON to the start of the ultrasonic wave scanning is shortened.

[0099] [Another Embodiment]

[0100] Further, in the above first and second embodiments, the objects for which the power consumption is to be reduced among the circuits included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are the ultrasonic wave transmission circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave reception circuit 12, but are not limited thereto. The objects for which the power consumption is to be reduced can be any circuit as long as it is a circuit used in the ultrasonic wave scanning, for example.

[0101] Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is not limited to the stationary type, but can be the portable type. Figure 1 Fig. 1 is an example of the appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A of another embodiment which is the portable type. In Figure 1 the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A includes an ultrasonic probe 70A and an apparatus main body 10A. The ultrasonic probe 70A and the apparatus main body 2 are connected to each other by a digital bus 101 using a general-purpose cable, for example. The digital bus 101 is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. Further, the general-purpose cable used for the digital bus 101 is detachable with respect to the apparatus main body 10A. Further, the ultrasonic probe 70A and the apparatus main body 10A can be connected to each other wirelessly.

[0102] The ultrasonic probe 70A includes, for example, the structure shown in Figure 1 Fig. 2. Further, the ultrasonic probe 70A includes Figure 1The device body 10 shown includes an ultrasonic transmitter circuit 11 and an ultrasonic receiver circuit 12. The power supply for the ultrasonic probe 70A is supplied from the device body 10A, for example, via a universal cable. Alternatively, if the ultrasonic probe 70A and the device body 10A are wirelessly connected, a battery or the like may be provided in the ultrasonic probe 70A to supply power. In this case, the ultrasonic probe 70A operates using the battery.

[0103] The device body 10A is, for example, a tablet-type information terminal. The device body 10A may be a portable PC (Personal Computer). The device body 10A has, for example, Figure 1 The components of the device body 10 shown in the figure are components other than the ultrasonic wave transmitting circuit 11 and the ultrasonic wave receiving circuit 12. The device body 10A includes, for example, a battery and operates by being driven by the battery.

[0104] As described above, the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A according to another embodiment is different from a stationary ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and operates by being driven by, for example, a battery, so that the significance of reducing power consumption is increased.

[0105] In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A may further include the ultrasonic probe 70A. Figure 1 The B-mode processing circuit 13 and the Doppler processing circuit 14 are shown. This eliminates the need to install the B-mode processing circuit 13 and the Doppler processing circuit 14 in the device body 10A, thereby improving the versatility of the device body 10A.

[0106] Alternatively, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A may include the ultrasonic probe 70A. Figure 1 In addition to the B-mode processing circuit 13 and the Doppler processing circuit 14 shown, the Figure 8 As shown, the three-dimensional processing circuit 15 is provided. This eliminates the need to install the B-mode processing circuit 13, the Doppler processing circuit 14, and the three-dimensional processing circuit 15 in the device body 10A, thereby improving the versatility of the device body 10A.

[0107] The term "processor" used in the above description refers to circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)). The processor implements its functions by reading and executing programs stored in a storage circuit. In addition, the processors of this embodiment are not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but may also be configured as a processor by combining multiple independent circuits to implement its functions. In addition, ​ and ​ Multiple components in a chip are integrated into a single processor to realize its functions.

[0108] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are provided as examples and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways and can be omitted, replaced, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising at least one circuit used in ultrasonic scanning, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a control unit that, upon receiving a stop instruction indicating the stop of the ultrasonic scanning, resets the at least one circuit, thereby stopping the supply of a clock to the at least one circuit, and, upon receiving a start instruction indicating the start of the ultrasonic scanning while the at least one circuit is in a reset state, restarts the supply of the clock, and then releases the reset of the at least one circuit, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further comprising a power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the at least one circuit, the power supply control unit being configured to control the supply of power to the at least one circuit. If the supply control unit receives a stop instruction indicating the stop of ultrasonic scanning, the supply of power to the at least one circuit is stopped. Then, when the at least one circuit is in a reset state, if an instruction indicating the start of ultrasonic scanning is received, the power is turned on. Thereafter, the control unit restarts the supply of the clock and then releases the reset of the at least one circuit. Resetting the at least one circuit includes fixing at least one switching element included in the at least one circuit to a state of a predetermined initial value, and releasing the reset of the at least one circuit includes making the state of the at least one switching element fixed to the predetermined initial value changeable.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A memory is further provided for storing parameters required for starting the ultrasonic scan. When the control unit releases the reset of the at least one circuit, the control unit reads the parameters stored in the memory and sets the read parameters to the at least one circuit.

3. A method for reducing power consumption, comprising the steps of: upon receiving a stop instruction indicating the stop of ultrasonic scanning, resetting at least one circuit used in the ultrasonic scanning, stopping the supply of a clock to the at least one circuit; upon receiving a start instruction indicating the start of the ultrasonic scanning while the at least one circuit is in a reset state, resuming the supply of the clock, and then releasing the reset of the at least one circuit; or, upon receiving a stop instruction indicating the stop of ultrasonic scanning, stopping the supply of power to the at least one circuit; then, upon receiving an instruction indicating the start of the ultrasonic scanning while the at least one circuit is in a reset state, turning on the power, resuming the supply of the clock, and then releasing the reset of the at least one circuit; resetting the at least one circuit includes fixing at least one switching element included in the at least one circuit to a state of a predetermined initial value, and releasing the reset of the at least one circuit includes making the state of the at least one switching element fixed to the predetermined initial value changeable.

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