Ultrasonic imaging device and ultrasonic imaging method

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasonic imaging device and an ultrasonic imaging method that achieve a high resolution in the short axis direction with a simple configuration. For a probe in which transducers are arranged in the long axis direction and the short axis direction, a first transmission aperture and a second transmission aperture having a larger aperture size in the short axis direction than the first transmission aperture are set in order, and a first transmission beam and a second transmission beam are transmitted, respectively. First reception beam signals and second reception beam signals are generated by these transmissions, and are weighted and combined in the depth direction. The weight of the first reception beam signals is increased in a first region that is shallow in depth, and the weight of the second reception beam signals is increased in a second region that is deeper in depth than the first region.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves into a subject using an ultrasonic probe and receives reflected waves thereof, thereby acquiring biological information of the subject (an image inside the subject).

[0003] An electric pulse is applied to each of a plurality of electro-acoustic conversion elements (vibrators) in the ultrasonic probe from the apparatus main body with different delay times. A transmission beam is formed by the plurality of vibrators, and the transmission beam is irradiated into the subject. Then, a reflected wave from the subject is received by the ultrasonic probe. The received reflected wave is amplified, delay-added, detected, and compression-processed by a signal processing circuit or the like, and is imaged after image processing or the like. As the ultrasonic probe used in such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a 1D array probe and a 2D array probe are known.

[0004] The 1D array probe is configured such that the vibrators are arranged in an array in one direction (hereinafter, referred to as a long axis direction or an azimuth direction). A delay time is given to the time of the electric pulse input to each vibrator arranged in the long axis direction at the time of transmission, thereby enabling transmission of a transmission beam focused at a desired position in a cross section perpendicular to the vibrator plane including the long axis direction. The reflected wave from the subject generated by the transmission can be imaged. In a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction of the 1D array probe (hereinafter, referred to as a short axis direction or a vertical direction), the focal position at the time of transmission of the 1D array probe, the opening width are uniquely determined by an acoustic lens, a concave vibrator.

[0005] The 2D array probe is a structure in which a plurality of vibrators are arranged in two dimensions in the long axis direction and the short axis direction. The 2D array probe has a transceiver circuit for each vibrator, and by independently driving each vibrator, it is possible to arbitrarily set the focal position of the transmission beam, the opening width in three-dimensional space. Although it also depends on the opening width of the long axis and the short axis, the depth dependence in the azimuth direction and the vertical direction is basically reduced. However, in general, the size and the weight of the 2D array probe increase, and the circuit scale of the control increases, and the manufacturing cost also becomes high, so it has not been popularized in many ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses.

[0006] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is disclosed in Patent Literature 1 in which, when transmitting a transmission beam from a 2D array probe, in order to obtain a good spatial resolution despite reducing the acoustic power irradiated to a living body, after transmitting a first transmission beam from a first transmission aperture that is longer in a first axial direction, a second transmission beam is transmitted from a second transmission aperture that is longer in a second axial direction to the same position. Frame data or volume data obtained by the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam, respectively, are synthesized for the same position.

[0007] There is known a probe in which the number of elements in the short axis direction is small (several or about ten) compared to a general 2D array probe, and which has a function of being able to change the aperture size in the short axis direction by switching operation, and which is called a 1.25D array probe. In addition, there is also known a probe in which the delay time can be imparted symmetrically in the short axis direction with the element in the center of the short axis direction as the center. This probe is called a 1.5D array probe. Furthermore, there is also considered a probe in which scanning is possible to some extent in the short axis direction while scanning is performed in the long axis direction of the transmission beam, and which is called a 1.75D array probe.

[0008] An apparatus is shown in Patent Literature 2 in which, by the function of selectively driving a plurality of elements in the short axis direction by switching and performing transmission and reception a plurality of times, even with a limited circuit scale of the main body apparatus, an image equivalent to 1.5D in practical effect is obtained.

[0009] Prior Art Documents

[0010] Patent Literature

[0011] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-65629

[0012] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 5921133 SUMMARY

[0013] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0014] Since the focal point position at the time of transmission and the aperture width in the short axis direction of the 1D array probe are uniquely determined by an acoustic lens or the like, the transmission beam diameter is small at a prescribed focal point position on the short axis surface, but the transmission beam is wide at other portions, and the vertical direction resolution is degraded.

[0015] On the other hand, the 2D array probe is able to set the focal point position to a desired position not only in the long axis direction but also in the short axis direction, and perform scanning, but the size and weight of the probe increase, and the circuit scale of the control increases.

[0016] In a method of transmitting a second transmission beam from a second transmission opening longer in a second axial direction after transmitting a first transmission beam from a first transmission opening longer in a first axial direction as in the 2D array of Patent Document 1 and synthesizing frame data or volume data obtained by each transmission, in order to generate one image, transmission using a plurality of openings different in the long side direction is required, and thus, the update of the image takes time.

[0017] An object of the present application is to provide an ultrasonic imaging apparatus that adopts a simple structure not provided with a structure for independently delaying electric pulses input according to each transducer arranged in a short axis direction of a probe and that is capable of obtaining an image with high resolution in the short axis direction.

[0018] Means for solving the problem

[0019] According to the present application, there is provided an ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a transmission section, a reception section, an image forming section, and a synthesis section as follows. The transmission section sets, for a probe in which transducers are arranged in a long axis direction and a short axis direction, a first transmission opening having a short axis direction aperture size set to a prescribed size and a second transmission opening having a short axis direction aperture size larger than that of the first transmission opening in order, and outputs transmission signals to the transducers in the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening, respectively, whereby a first transmission beam and a second transmission beam are transmitted from the transducers to an object, respectively. The reception section receives reception signals output from the transducers of the probe in response to respective reflected waves from the object received by the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam, and performs beamforming in the long axis direction, respectively, whereby a first reception beam signal and a second reception beam signal are generated. The image forming section generates frame data using the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal. The synthesis section includes at least one of a signal synthesis section that weights and synthesizes the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal, and an image synthesis section that weights and synthesizes first frame data generated by the image forming section based on the first reception beam signal and second frame data generated by the image forming section based on the second reception beam signal.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present application, the positions at which the beams of the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam transmitted from the transmission openings different in the short axis direction aperture size are narrowed differ in the depth direction, and thus, the resolution of the reception signal in the short axis direction can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 2Figs. (a-1) and (b-1) are diagrams showing the arrangement and the driven transducers (transmission openings) when the transducers of the probe used in Embodiment 1 are observed from above, Figure 2 Figs. (a-2), (b-2), and (c) are diagrams showing the arrangement, the driven transducers (transmission openings), and the shape of the first transmission beam 10 when the transducers of the probe are observed from the side of the short axis direction.

[0024] Figure 3 Fig. is a coordinate diagram showing an example of the weight used for weighting in the synthesizing section in Embodiment 1.

[0025] Figure 4 Fig. is a flowchart showing the operation of each section when imaging is performed by the line data synthesizing mode of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1.

[0026] Figure 5 Fig. is a diagram for explaining the timing when imaging is performed by the line data synthesizing mode of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1.

[0027] Figure 6 Fig. is a flowchart showing the operation of each section when imaging is performed by the frame data synthesizing mode of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1.

[0028] Figure 7 Fig. is a diagram for explaining the timing when imaging is performed by the frame data synthesizing mode of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1.

[0029] Figure 8 Fig. is an explanatory diagram showing the weight used for weighting of the frame data in Embodiment 1.

[0030] Figure 9 Fig. is a flowchart showing the operation of each section when imaging is performed by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 2.

[0031] Figure 10 Fig. is a diagram for explaining the timing when imaging is performed by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 2.

[0032] Figure 11 Fig. is a flowchart showing the operation of each section when imaging is performed by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 3.

[0033] Figure 12 Fig. is a diagram for explaining the timing when imaging is performed by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 3.

[0034] Figure 13 Fig. is a diagram for explaining the timing when imaging is performed by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 4.

[0035] Figure 14is a flowchart showing the actions of each part at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 5.

[0036] Figure 15 is a diagram for explaining the timing at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 5.

[0037] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the actions of each part at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6.

[0038] Figure 17 is a diagram for explaining the timing at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6.

[0039] Figure 18 is a diagram for explaining the timing at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6, in which the combination of the angle of transmission and the aperture size in the short-axis direction is fixed.

[0040] Figure 19 is a diagram for explaining the timing at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6, in which the angle of transmission is set to five directions.

[0041] Figure 20 is a diagram for explaining the timing at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6, in which the combination of the angle of transmission in the five directions and the aperture size in the short-axis direction is fixed.

[0042] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the actions of each part in a case where the received beam signals (RF data) having phase information are synthesized at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6.

[0043] Figure 22 is a diagram for explaining the timing in a case where the received beam signals (RF data) having phase information are synthesized at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6.

[0044] Figure 23 is a flowchart showing the actions of each part in a case where the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening are switched at each transmission at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6.

[0045] Figure 24 is a diagram for explaining the timing in a case where the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening are switched at each transmission at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 6.

[0046] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0047] 1: probe, 3: transducer, 4: transmission opening, 4a: first transmission opening, 4b: second transmission opening, 5: object, 10: first transmission beam, 10a: first depth region, 11: second transmission beam, 11a: second depth region, 14: short axis aperture switching switch, 20: first reception beam signal, 21: second reception beam signal, 22: third reception beam signal, 100: ultrasonic imaging apparatus, 101: transmission section, 102: reception section, 103: signal storage section, 104: signal combining section, 105: image forming section, 106: image storage section, 107: image combining section, 108: display processing section, 109: display section, 111: transceiving control section, 112: line data combining / frame data combining selection section, 110: control section, 113: operation panel, 122: combined reception beam, 212: combined transmission beam. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that in all the drawings used to describe the embodiments, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation is omitted. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the explanation of the same or similar parts is omitted unless specifically required.

[0049] Furthermore, in the drawings illustrating the embodiments, hatching is sometimes applied even to the plan views, and hatching is sometimes omitted even to the sectional views, in order to easily understand the structure.

[0050] <<Embodiment 1>>

[0051] First, the configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1 is a view showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus. Figure 2 (a-1) and (b-1) of FIG. 1 are views showing the arrangement of the transducers when the probe is viewed from above and the driven transducers (transmission openings), Figure 2 (a-2), (b-2), and (c) of FIG. 1 are views showing the side surface arrangement of the transducers of the probe, the driven transducers, and the shape of the transmission beams.

[0052] First, the principle that the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 is a simple configuration and can obtain an image with high resolution in the short axis direction will be described. As shown in Figure 1 、 Figure 2 (a-1) and (b-1) of FIG. 1, in the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the probe 1 in which the transducers 3 are arranged in the long axis direction and the short axis direction is connected.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1As shown, the ultrasonic camera device 100 includes a control unit 2 comprising a transceiver control unit 111 and a line data synthesis / frame data synthesis selection unit 112, a transmitting unit 101, a receiving unit 102, a signal memory unit 103 for storing received signals, a signal synthesis unit 104, an image forming unit 105, an image memory unit 106 for storing image data, an image synthesis unit 107, a display processing unit 108, a display unit 112, and an operation panel 113.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown in (a-1), (a-2), (b-1), and (b-2), the transmitting unit 101 sets a transmitting opening 4 for the probe 1 and outputs transmitting signals to the vibrator 3 within the transmitting opening 4. At this time, the transmitting unit 101 sequentially sets a first transmitting opening 4a with a predetermined aperture size in the minor axis direction and a second transmitting opening 4b with an aperture size larger than the first transmitting opening 4a in the minor axis direction. A first transmitting beam 10 and a second transmitting beam 11 are transmitted from the vibrator 3 to the object under test 5 from the first transmitting opening 4a and the second transmitting opening 4b, respectively. It is desired that the center positions of the first transmitting opening 4a and the second transmitting opening 4b in the minor axis direction are aligned.

[0055] like Figure 2 As in (a-2), the beam diameter of the first transmission beam 10 transmitted from the first transmission opening 4a with a small aperture size in the short axis direction is reduced at a specified depth position in the short axis direction. Therefore, in the first depth region 10a where the beam diameter is reduced, the beam width in the short axis direction is narrower.

[0056] On the other hand, such as Figure 2 As in (b-2), the beam diameter of the second transmission beam 11 transmitted from the second transmission opening 4b, which has a larger aperture size than the first transmission opening 4a in the short axis direction, is reduced in a predetermined second depth region in the short axis direction that is deeper than the first transmission beam 10. Therefore, the second depth region 11a, which has a narrower beamwidth in the short axis direction, appears at a position deeper than the first depth region 10a, which has a narrower beamwidth than the first transmission beam 10.

[0057] The reflected waves from the subject 5 of the first transmitted beam 10 and the second transmitted beam 11 are received by the transducer 3 of the probe 1. The receiving unit 102 receives the received signals from the transducer 3, delays the received signals of each transducer 3 along the long axis of the probe 1, and then adds them together to perform beamforming, thereby obtaining the first received beam signal 20 and the second received beam signal 21 (phase-modulated summed signal).

[0058] In the first depth region 10a and the second depth region 11a of the first transmitting beam 10 and the second transmitting beam 11, which are illuminated in a reduced manner along the short axis, the signal resolution of the first receiving beam signal 20 and the second receiving beam signal 21 in the short axis direction becomes higher.

[0059] The image forming section 105 generates image frame data using the first reception beam signal 20 and the second reception beam signal 21.

[0060] The combining section has at least one of the signal combining section 104 and the image combining section 107. The signal combining section 104 weights and combines the first reception beam signal 20 and the second reception beam signal 21 which include phase information of signals. Also, the image combining section 107 weights and combines the first image frame data generated by the image forming section 105 from the first reception beam signal 20 and the second image frame data generated by the image forming section 105 from the second reception beam signal 21.

[0061] At this time, as an example, Figure 3 The weights of the weighting are shown. In the first region 10a which is shallower in the depth of the subject 5, the weight of the first reception beam signal 20 or the first frame data is set to be greater than the weight of the second reception beam signal 21 or the second frame data. Also, in the second region 11a which is deeper in the depth of the subject 5 and in the depth or more, the weight of the second reception beam signal 21 or the second frame data is set to be greater than the weight of the first reception beam signal 20 or the first frame data.

[0062] However, depending on the relationship between the first transmission opening 4a, the second transmission opening 4b and the short axis focal point based on the lens, there can be a condition that the beam width in the short axis direction of the first transmission beam is narrower than the second transmission beam again at a depth deeper than the second region 11a. Therefore, the method of the weighting is not limited to Figure 3 In the example shown, it is appropriate to set according to the design. That is, the weight of the weighting of the signal combining section 104 is set so that in the first region 10a which is shallower in the depth of the subject, the weight of one of the first reception beam signal 20 and the second reception beam signal 21 is greater than the weight of the other, and in at least a part of the second region 11a which is deeper than the first region 10a in the depth, the weight of the other is greater than the weight of one. Similarly, the weight of the weighting of the image combining section 107 is set so that in the first region 10a which is shallower in the depth of the subject, the weight of one of the first frame data and the second frame data is greater than the weight of the other, and in at least a part of the second region 11a which is deeper than the first region 10a in the depth, the weight of the other is greater than the weight of one.

[0063] By this combining process, the image data of the subject 5 is generated from the combined beam 212 (refer to FIG. 2) which is obtained by combining the first transmission beam 10 and the second transmission beam 11. Figure 2The same applies to the case of (c)), and a synthesized reception beam signal 122 or synthesized frame data with high signal resolution can be obtained in the first depth region 10a and the second depth region 10b. Thus, the first reception beam signal 20 and the second reception beam signal 21 that reflect the first depth region 10a and the second depth region 10b in which the first transmission beam 10 and the second transmission beam 11 are reduced in the short axis direction, the synthesized reception beam signal 122 or the synthesized frame data with higher resolution in the short axis direction, and more uniform resolution in the depth direction are obtained.

[0064] In Figure 1 In the example shown, as the probe 1, a probe in which three transducers 3 are arranged in the short axis direction, or a probe in which three or more transducers 3 are arranged in the short axis direction and divided into three regions (columns) is used. The central column of the three columns of transducers (or regions) in the short axis direction is referred to as the A column, and the columns on both sides of the central column are referred to as the B1 column and the B2 column. Although not shown, an acoustic lens that converges ultrasonic waves in the short axis direction is fixed to the ultrasonic wave exit surface of the probe 1. Instead of the acoustic lens, the ultrasonic wave exit surface can be curved by configuring the plurality of transducers in the short axis direction, and ultrasonic waves can be converged in the short axis direction in the same manner as the acoustic lens. Note that the probe 1 can also not have the acoustic lens or the configuration in which the arrangement of the transducers is curved. By simply changing the aperture of the short axis direction of the transmission opening of the probe 1, the depth at which the beam diameter of the transmission beam in the short axis direction is reduced changes.

[0065] In addition, the transducers of the three columns of the probe 1 are respectively connected to a short axis aperture switching switch 14. At the time of transmission, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 switches the short axis aperture switching switch 14, whereby the transmission signal (electric pulse) output from the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 can be selectively input to the transducers 3 of one or more columns of the three columns. In addition, at the time of reception, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 switches the short axis aperture switching switch 14, whereby the reception signal (electric signal) output from the transducers 3 of one column of the three columns of the transducers 3 that receive ultrasonic waves from the subject can be selectively input to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100, and the reception signals of two or more columns of the transducers 3 can be added (short-circuited) and input to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100.

[0066] Note that the probe 1 can also not have the short axis aperture switching switch 14. In this case, at the time of transmission, the transmission unit 101 sets the first transmission opening 4a and the second transmission opening 4b by selectively inputting the transmission signal to the transducers of one or more columns of the three columns. At the time of reception, the reception unit 102 selectively accepts the reception signals of one or more columns of the three columns of the transducers, and adds them after acceptance, thereby setting the reception opening.

[0067] <<Action of each part at the time of imaging>>

[0068] Hereinafter, the action of each part at the time when the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 performs imaging on the subject 5 will be described using the flow of Figure 4 and the transmission opening at the time of each transmission shown in Figure 6 Figure 5 Figure 7

[0069] The line data synthesis / frame data synthesis selection section 112 controls the action of each part by the flow of Figure 4 in the case where the selection of the line data synthesis mode is accepted from the operator via the operation panel 113, and controls the action of each part by the flow of Figure 6 in the case where the selection of the frame data synthesis mode is accepted.

[0070] Note that, in the present embodiment, the transmission section 101, the reception section 102, the control section 110, and the signal synthesis section 104 can be configured by hardware. For example, a custom IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a programmable IC such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is used to design a circuit so that the functions of each part are realized. Note that, the transmission section 101, the reception section 102, the control section 110, and the signal synthesis section 104 can also realize a part or all of the functions by software. In this case, a structure can be adopted in which the transmission section 101, the reception section 102, the transceiver control section 111, and the signal synthesis section 104 are configured by a computer or the like having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and a memory, the CPU reads a program stored in the memory and executes, thereby realizing the functions.

[0071] <<Line data synthesis mode>>

[0072] Hereinafter, an example of the action of each part in the case where the selection of the line data synthesis mode is accepted by the line data synthesis / frame data synthesis selection section 112 will be described.

[0073] <Steps 130, 131>

[0074] ​​​In the first transmission (t = 1), the transceiving control section 111 sets the first transmission aperture 4a in which the short axis direction is the small-diameter aperture at the opening position i in the long axis direction of the probe 1. For example, the transceiving control section 111 selects the transducers 3 of the A-line located at the center in the short axis direction by switching the short axis diameter switching switch 14 of the probe 1, and selects the transducers 3 of a predetermined number (for example, P) from the opening position i in the long axis direction, thereby setting the first transmission aperture 4a. Alternatively, the transceiving control section 111 instructs the transmission section 101 to the transducers 3 of the A-line in the short axis direction and of a predetermined number (for example, P) from the position i in the long axis direction as the first transmission aperture 4a, thereby setting the first transmission aperture 4a.

[0075] <Step 132>

[0076] The transmission section 101 outputs the transmission signal to the transducers 3 in the first transmission aperture 4a. Thereby, the first transmission beam 10 is transmitted from the first transmission aperture 4a to the subject 5.

[0077] The depth region 10a in which the beam width of the first transmission beam 10 in the short axis direction is the narrowest appears at a shallower position.

[0078] The transmission section 101 sets the delay amount for the transmission signal output to the transducers 3 so as to be focused at a predetermined position in the long axis direction, and thus the position in which the beam width in the long axis direction is the narrowest becomes the focal point position set.

[0079] <Step 133>

[0080] The ultrasonic wave of the first transmission beam 10 that has been reflected, scattered, or the like in the subject 5 reaches the probe 1, and is received by the transducers 3.

[0081] Here, as an example, the reception section 102 receives the reception signal from the transducers 3 in the first transmission aperture 4a. That is, the reception signal is received from the transducers 3 of the A-line at the center in the short axis direction and of a predetermined number (for example, P) from the opening position i in the long axis direction. Note that the transducers 3 from which the reception section 102 receives the reception signal are not limited to the transducers 3 in the transmission aperture, and the reception section 102 can receive the reception signal from the transducers 3 in a reception aperture different from the transmission aperture, or can receive the reception signal from all the transducers 3 of the probe 1.

[0082] <Step 134>

[0083] The reception section 102 delays and adds with a predetermined delay amount with respect to the long axis direction, thereby performing reception beamforming, and generates the first reception beam signal (also referred to as an RF (high frequency) signal) 20 with respect to a predetermined reception scan line. The reception section 102 stores the generated first reception beam signal 20 in the signal storage section 103.

[0084] It should be noted that the receiving scan line can be a single line set at the center position (position i+P / 2) of the long axis direction of the first transmitting opening 4a, or multiple receiving scan lines can be set with this single line as the center, and the first receiving beam signal can be generated for each of the multiple receiving scan lines.

[0085] <Steps 135, 136>

[0086] In the second transmission (t=2), the transceiver control unit 111 sets a second transmission opening 4b with a large diameter in the minor axis direction at position i in the same major axis direction as in step 131. For example, the transceiver control unit 111 switches the minor axis diameter switching switch 14 of the probe 1, thereby selecting the oscillators 3 located in columns A, B1, and B2 in the minor axis direction, and selecting a predetermined number (e.g., P) of oscillators 3 starting from the opening position i in the major axis direction, thereby setting the second transmission opening 4b. Alternatively, the transceiver control unit 111 instructs the transmission unit 101 to select oscillators 3 in columns A, B1, and B2 in the minor axis direction and a predetermined number (e.g., P) of oscillators starting from the opening position i in the major axis direction as the second transmission opening 4b, thereby setting the second transmission opening 4b.

[0087] <Step 137>

[0088] The transmitting unit 101 outputs a transmission signal to the oscillator 3 within the second transmission opening 4b. As a result, a second transmission beam 11 is transmitted from the second transmission opening 4b to the object under test 5. The depth region 11a of the narrowest beamwidth in the minor axis direction of the second transmission beam 11 is deeper than the depth region 10a of the narrowest beamwidth of the second transmission beam 11 in step 132.

[0089] <Step 138>

[0090] The ultrasonic waves from the first transmitting beam 10, after being reflected and scattered within the subject 5, reach the probe 1 and are received by the transducer 3.

[0091] As an example, the receiving unit 102 receives the received signal from the oscillators 3 within the second transmitting opening 4b. That is, it receives the received signal from a predetermined number (e.g., P) of the oscillators 3 in columns A, B1, and B2 along the minor axis and from the opening position i along the major axis. It should be noted that, for the minor axis direction, the oscillators 3 in columns A, B1, and B2 are short-circuited by the minor axis aperture switching switch 14, outputting a total of three oscillator received signals. Alternatively, the receiving unit 102, having received the received signals from the oscillators 3 in columns A, B1, and B2, aggregates them and uses them for receiving beamforming. It should be noted that, similar to step 133, the oscillators 3 receiving the received signal from the receiving unit 102 are not limited to the oscillators 3 within the transmitting opening 4a; a receiving opening different from the transmitting opening can be set, and received signals can be received from the oscillators 3 within the receiving opening. Alternatively, received signals can be received from all the oscillators 3 of the probe 1.

[0092] <Step 139>

[0093] The receiving unit 102 delays the signals by a predetermined amount along the long axis and adds them together to perform receiving beamforming, thereby generating a second receiving beam signal (also known as an RF (high frequency) signal) 21 for a predetermined receiving scan line. The receiving unit 102 stores the generated second receiving beam signal 21 in the signal memory unit 103.

[0094] <Step 140>

[0095] The signal synthesis unit 104 reads the first received beam signal 20 and the second received beam signal 21 from the signal memory 103, and uses them to... Figure 3 The weights shown are weighted and summed to generate a synthetic received beam signal 122. Thus, for the short axis direction, a high-resolution synthetic received beam signal 122 can be obtained in a relatively wide depth region 10a, 11a.

[0096] <Steps 141, 142>

[0097] The transceiver control unit 111 shifts the positions of the first transmission opening 4a and the second transmission opening 4b in the long axis direction, and repeats the above steps 131 to 140 until the number of synthetic receive beam signals 122 required to generate one frame is obtained.

[0098] <Step 143>

[0099] In step 141, if the number of synthetic receive beam signals 122 required to generate one frame is obtained, the image forming unit 105 generates frame data based on the synthetic receive beam signals 122 and outputs it to the display processing unit 108. The display processing unit 108 displays the frame data on the display unit 109.

[0100] Based on the above, through the line data synthesis mode, the first receiving beam 20 obtained by transmitting the first transmitting beam 10 from the first transmitting opening 4a with a small aperture in the short axis direction and the second receiving beam 21 obtained by transmitting the second transmitting beam 11 from the first transmitting opening 4a with a large aperture in the short axis direction can be weighted and synthesized in the depth direction to display frame data with high resolution in the short axis direction and more uniform resolution in the depth direction.

[0101] It should be noted that, in the above... Figure 4 In the line data synthesis mode of the process, the structure of the signal synthesis unit 104 performing weighted well synthesis of the first received beam signal 20 and the second received beam signal 21 in the state of RF signal (signal with phase component) is described, but this embodiment is not limited to this structure. Any structure that performs synthesis processing on the data of the received scan line obtained after changing the aperture size in the minor axis direction according to each scan line (receive scan line) and transmitting it is acceptable. The synthesized received scan line data can be RF data or luminance data. That is, the received beam signals 20 and 21 can also be converted into luminance data (absolute value data without phase component) before synthesis. Specifically, for example, the image forming unit 105 may convert the received beam (line) signals 20 and 21 obtained from the transmitted beams transmitted from the first transmitting opening 4a and the second transmitting opening 4b set at the opening position i in the long axis direction into brightness (image) data for each received scan line (line) and store them in the image memory unit 106. The image synthesis unit 107 may then weight and synthesize the brightness data of the same line (received scan line) to generate synthesized brightness data. Alternatively, the same process may be repeated at position i+1, storing the synthesized brightness data of each line in the image memory unit 106. If a frame's worth of synthesized brightness data for each line is accumulated, it may be output to the display processing unit 108 as a frame of image data.

[0102] <<Frame Data Composition Mode>>

[0103] Next, regarding the case where the line data synthesis / frame data synthesis selection unit 112 receives the frame data synthesis mode selection from the operator, it uses... Figure 6-8 The operation of each part is explained. In the frame data synthesis mode, after frame data is generated by transmission from the first transmission aperture 4a with a small aperture in the minor axis direction, frame data is generated by transmission from the second transmission aperture 4b with a large aperture in the minor axis direction. The two data are then weighted and synthesized.

[0104] <Step 230>

[0105] The camera generates frame data of frame N (N=1) through the following steps 231 to 238.

[0106] Steps 231-238

[0107] With Figure 4 the same as steps 130-134 of the flow of the receive beam synthesis mode of Figure 4 , in steps 231-237, the transceiving control section 111 sets the first transmission aperture 4a of small aperture in the short axis direction to the probe 1 or the transmission section 101 (step 231), the transmission section 101 transmits the first transmission beam 10 (steps 231, 232), the reception section 102 receives the reflected wave from the subject 5, and performs beamforming in the long axis direction to generate the first reception beam signal 20 (steps 234, 235). However, unlike the line data synthesis mode of Figure 6 , the frame data synthesis mode shifts the aperture position in the long axis direction as in Figure 7 (step 237), and repeatedly transmits from the first transmission aperture 4a of small aperture in the short axis direction, and acquires the first reception beam 20 in the number required to generate one frame (step 236).

[0108] The image forming section 105 generates the frame data (e.g. brightness data (image)) of frame N (N = 1) using the acquired first reception beam 20, and stores in the image memory section 106 (step 238).

[0109] Step 239

[0110] The image synthesizing section 107 performs weighting and synthesis in the depth direction of the frame data of frame N and frame N-1 stored in the image memory section 106. In the case of the first frame 1 of N = 1, the frame data of frame N-1 is not stored in the image memory 106, so it directly proceeds to step 240.

[0111] Steps 240, 241

[0112] The transceiving control section 111 performs imaging of the next frame N+1 (frame 2), so it switches the aperture size of the transmission aperture 4 between small aperture and large aperture in the short axis direction, and returns to step 232 (step 231). In the case of frame 2, since the short axis direction small aperture was set in frame 1, it is switched to the second transmission aperture 4b of large aperture in the short axis direction (refer to Figure 7 ).

[0113] Steps 232-238

[0114] Steps 232 to 238 are repeated through the set second transmission opening 4b. That is, the opening position in the long axis direction is shifted, and the process of transmitting the second transmission beam 11, receiving the reflected wave from the subject 5, and performing beamforming in the long axis direction to generate the second receiving beam signal 21 is repeated continuously to obtain the number of second receiving beams 21 required to generate one frame (steps 232 to 237). The image forming unit 105 uses the obtained receiving beams 21 to generate frame data (image) of frame 2 and stores it in the image memory unit 106 (step 238).

[0115] <Step 239>

[0116] The image compositing unit 107 weights and combines the frame data of frame 2 and frame 1 stored in the image memory unit 106 in the depth direction. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the weights are the same along the long axis of the frame data, and similarly in the depth direction. Figure 3 The distribution is as follows: In the shallower region 10a, the weight of frame data N obtained by setting the first transmission opening 4a with a small diameter in the minor axis direction is greater than the weight of frame data N+1 obtained by setting the second transmission opening 4b with a large diameter in the minor axis direction. In the deeper region 11a of the subject 5 and above, the weight of frame data N+1 obtained by setting the second transmission opening 4b is greater than the weight of frame data N obtained by setting the first transmission opening 4a.

[0117] The image compositing unit 107 outputs the composited frame data (frame data N + frame data N+1) to the display processing unit 108. The display processing unit 108 displays the composited frame data on the display unit 109.

[0118] Based on the above, by using the frame data synthesis mode, the frame data obtained by transmitting the first transmission beam 10 from the first transmission opening 4a with a small aperture in the short axis direction and the frame data obtained by transmitting the second transmission beam 11 from the second transmission opening 4b with a large aperture in the short axis direction are weighted and synthesized in the depth direction, which can display frame data with high resolution in the short axis direction and more uniform in the depth direction.

[0119] It should be noted that, in the above... Figure 6In the frame data synthesis mode of the flow of FIG. 8, the configuration in which the image synthesizing section 107 weights and synthesizes the frame data converted into luminance data (image data) is described, but the present embodiment is not limited to this configuration. If configured so that the aperture size in the short axis direction is set to a certain size (small aperture or large aperture) and data of one frame amount (data amount required for one image) is acquired, then the aperture size in the short axis direction is set to a different size (large aperture or small aperture) and data of one frame amount (data amount required for one image) is acquired, and the two frame amounts of data obtained are subjected to synthesis processing, the synthesized frame data can be RF data or luminance data. For example, the transmission aperture 4a is sequentially shifted in the long axis direction, and the first transmission beam 10 is transmitted from the first transmission aperture 4a of small aperture in the short axis direction, and the received beam signal 20 obtained is stored as RF data without change in the signal storage section 103 for one frame amount. Subsequently, the transmission aperture 4b is sequentially shifted in the long axis direction, and the second transmission beam 11 is transmitted from the second transmission aperture 4b of large aperture in the short axis direction, and the received beam signal 21 obtained is stored as RF data without change in the signal storage section 103 for one frame amount. The signal synthesizing section 104 can also be configured to weight and synthesize the respective one frame amounts of received beam signals 20, 21, and the image forming section 105 converts the synthesized frame data into luminance data and outputs to the display processing section 108.

[0120] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The frame data synthesis mode shown in FIG. 8 has the following advantage compared to the line data synthesis mode of FIG. 7: by using the next frame data and the previous frame data, it is possible to suppress a decrease in frame rate itself. Figure 4 Figure 5 The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment 1 need not necessarily have both the signal synthesizing section 104 and the image synthesizing section 107, and can have only either one.

[0121] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment 1 need not necessarily have both the signal synthesizing section 104 and the image synthesizing section 107, and can have only either one.

[0122] In the present embodiment 1, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 and the probe 1 are different apparatuses, but can also be configured so that the entire or a part of the transmission section 101 and the entire or a part of the reception section 102 of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus are provided within the probe 1. Also, the short axis aperture switching switch 14 can exist as a different device outside the housing of the probe 1. The short axis aperture switching switch 14 can also be provided within the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100.

[0123] In the present embodiment 1, the configuration in which the reception section 102 receives the reception signal by the vibrator 3 within the transmission aperture 4 is adopted, but this is merely an example, and in the present application, even if the reception signal is received from a different vibrator 3 and used for reception beamforming, the transmission aperture 4 does not change in essence at all. ​

[0124] In addition, the number of segments in the short axis direction of probe 1 is not limited to 3.

[0125] It should be noted that the above-described line data synthesis mode describes the structure for synthesizing the received beam signals after delay addition (see reference). Figure 4 Step 140), but the received data (channel data) obtained from the oscillator 3 can also be synthesized. Specifically, in step 140, the received data (channel data) obtained from the oscillator 3 in step 133 and the received data (channel data) obtained in step 138 are synthesized according to each corresponding oscillator (channel), and the synthesized received data is then subjected to receive beamforming in the same way as in step 139.

[0126] <<Implementation Method 2>>

[0127] use Figure 9 and Figure 10 The operation of the ultrasonic camera device in Embodiment 2 during recording will be described. The structure of the ultrasonic camera device in Embodiment 2 is the same as that in Embodiment 1, therefore, the description is omitted.

[0128] In Embodiment 2, when the transmitting aperture 4 is moved in the azimuth direction (major axis direction) each time frame data of a frame N is obtained, the aperture size in the minor axis direction is switched between small and large apertures. Thus, the first and second received beam signals adjacent to each other in the azimuth direction are obtained by setting the first transmitting aperture 4a or the second transmitting aperture 4b with different aperture sizes in the minor axis direction. In this embodiment, a composite beam signal in the azimuth direction is formed by weighting and synthesizing adjacent first received beam signals 20 and second received beam signals 21 in the depth direction.

[0129] By repeating this operation in the azimuth direction of transmission and reception, frame data with high resolution in the minor axis and excellent uniformity in the depth direction can be obtained without reducing the frame rate.

[0130] In addition, within a single frame, the received beam signals 201 and 21 with different transmit aperture sizes along the short axis are equally contained. Therefore, the tracking ability for probe operation and biological movement is high, and synchronous information can be provided in both shallow and deep areas.

[0131] use Figure 9 , Figure 10 The operation of the ultrasonic camera device in Embodiment 2 will be explained in detail.

[0132] <Step 330>

[0133] The following steps 331-340 are used to generate frame data for frame N (N=1).

[0134] <Steps 331 to 335>

[0135] With Figure 4 Similarly to the steps 130 to 134 of the flow of the line data synthesis mode of the first embodiment, in the steps 331 to 335, the transceiving control section 111 sets the first transmission aperture 4a of which the short axis direction is small aperture in the opening position i in the long axis direction of the probe 1 in the first transmission t = 1 (steps 331, 332). The transmission section 101 transmits the first transmission beam 10 from the first transmission aperture 4a (step 333), and the reception section 102 accepts the reception signal from the transducer 3 which has received the reflected wave from the subject 5, performs beamforming in the long axis direction to generate the first reception beam signal (i) 20 and stores it in the signal memory 103 (steps 334, 335).

[0136] <Step 336>

[0137] The signal synthesis section performs weighting and synthesis in the depth direction of the reception beam signal (i) and the adjacent reception beam signal (i - 1) stored in the signal memory section 103, obtains the synthesized reception beam signal (i) and stores it in the signal memory 103. In the case of the reception beam (i) of the first i = 1, the reception beam signal of the reception beam (i - 1) is not stored in the signal memory 103, so it directly proceeds to the step 337.

[0138] <Step 337>

[0139] The transceiving control section 111 determines whether the number of the synthesized reception beam signals (i) required to generate one frame is obtained, and in the case where it is not obtained, it proceeds to the step 338.

[0140] <Steps 338, 339>

[0141] In the second transmission t = 2, the second transmission aperture 4b of which the short axis direction is large aperture compared with the first transmission is set in the opening position i + 1 in the long axis direction of the probe 1, and it returns to the step 333.

[0142] <Steps 333 to 335>

[0143] In the steps 333 to 335, the transmission section 101 transmits the second transmission beam 11 from the set second transmission aperture 4b of which the short axis direction is large aperture, and the reception section 102 accepts the reception signal from the transducer 3, performs beamforming in the long axis direction to generate the reception beam signal (i + 1) 21 and stores it in the signal memory 103.

[0144] <Step 336>

[0145] The signal synthesis section performs weighting and synthesis in the depth direction of the reception beam signal (i) and the adjacent reception beam signal (i - 1) stored in the signal memory section 103, obtains the synthesized reception beam signal (i) and stores it in the signal memory 103. In the case of the reception beam (i) of the first i = 1, the reception beam signal of the reception beam (i - 1) is not stored in the signal memory 103, so it directly proceeds to the step 337. Figure 3The illustrated weight weights and combines the adjacent received beam signal (i) stored in the signal memory section 103 and the received beam signal (i+1) in the depth direction, to obtain a synthesized received beam signal (i+1) and store it in the signal memory 103.

[0146] <Step 337>

[0147] The above steps 331 to 336 are repeated with the opening position in the long axis direction being shifted until the required number of synthesized received beam signals (i) for generating one frame are obtained.

[0148] <Step 340>

[0149] If the required number of synthesized received beam signals for generating one frame are obtained, the image forming section 105 generates frame data (image) of frame N (N=l) and outputs it to the display processing section 108. The display processing section 108 causes the frame data to be displayed on the display section 109.

[0150] <Step 341>

[0151] The frame number is incremented and the above processing is repeated from step 331.

[0152] Thus, in Embodiment 2, one azimuth direction synthesized beam signal is formed by weighting and combining two adjacent received beam signals of a plurality of received beam signals whose positions in the long axis direction are shifted and which form one frame data in the depth direction. Therefore, frame data having high resolution in the short axis direction and excellent uniformity in the depth direction can be obtained without lowering the frame rate. Further, received beam signals having different transmission opening sizes in the short axis direction are equally included in one frame, and therefore, the followability to the probe operation and the motion of the living body is high, and information can be prompted in synchronization in the shallow and deep portions.

[0153] Note that, in Embodiment 2 as well as in Embodiment 1, the received beam signals which are synthesized in order to generate a synthesized received beam signal are not limited to RF signals, and the received beam signals can be converted into luminance data and then synthesized.

[0154] <<Embodiment 3>>

[0155] The use Figure 11 and Figure 12 The operation at the time of imaging of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 3 will be described. According to Figure 11 and Figure 12 It is understood that the operation at the time of imaging of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 3 is similar to the operation at the time of imaging of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 2 in many respects. Figure 9 and Figure 10Since the operations are common, the same step numbers are used for the same processes, and only the differences are explained. Furthermore, the structure of the ultrasonic camera device in Embodiment 3 is the same as that in Embodiment 1.

[0156] like Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the imaging action of the ultrasonic camera device in Embodiment 3 is the same as that in Embodiment 2. Figure 9 and Figure 10 Similarly, in the first transmission of the initial frame N (N=1), a small aperture is set as the aperture size of the transmission opening 4 in the minor axis direction (steps 330-333). Each time the transmission opening 4 is moved in the azimuth direction (major axis direction), the aperture size of the transmission opening 4 in the minor axis direction is switched between a small aperture and a large aperture (steps 338, 339). By alternately repeating these processes, the first receive beam signal 20 and the second receive beam signal 21 required to generate one frame of data are obtained (steps 334, 335, 337).

[0157] Here, Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 2 in that frame data N is generated using the obtained first received beam signal 20 and second received beam signal 21 and stored in the image memory unit 106 (step 438).

[0158] In the next frame N+1, similarly to the previous frame N, the aperture size in the minor axis direction is switched each time the transmission opening 4 is moved in the azimuth direction (major axis direction). However, at the same major axis position as the previous frame N, the aperture size becomes different from the minor axis aperture size set in the previous frame N. That is, at a position where a small aperture was set as the minor axis aperture size in the previous frame N, a large aperture transmission opening is set in the minor axis direction in frame N+1. Conversely, at a position where a large aperture was set as the minor axis aperture size in the previous frame N, a small aperture transmission opening is set in the minor axis direction in frame N+1.

[0159] To achieve this, in the initial transmission of frame N+1 (t=1), a large-aperture transmission aperture is set in the minor axis direction, different from the initial transmission of the previous frame (steps 440, 441). Therefore, after increasing the frame number N to N=N+1 in step 440, in step 441, when the increased frame number N (=N+1) is even, a second transmission aperture 4b with a large aperture in the minor axis direction is set; when the increased frame number N (=N+1) is odd, a first transmission aperture 4a with a small aperture in the minor axis direction is set. Then, steps 333 to 339 are repeated to obtain the first received beam signal 20 and the second received beam signal 21, generating frame data N (=N+1) and storing it in the image memory unit 106 (step 438).

[0160] The image synthesizing section 107 synthesizes the frame data of the frame N (= N + 1) generated in step 438 and the frame data of the previous frame (N - 1) stored in the image memory section 106 in the depth direction (step 439). The weight is weighted in the depth direction for each scan line (receiving beam) constituting the frame data. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, in a region of a shallow depth, the weight of the first receiving beam signal 20 obtained by setting the first transmission aperture 4a becomes large, and in a region of a depth deeper than the depth, the weight of the second receiving beam signal 21 obtained by setting the second transmission aperture 4b becomes large. The weighting shown here is an example, and can be appropriately set according to the short-axis beam shape which can be changed based on a design value. Figure 3

[0161] The image synthesizing section 107 outputs the synthesized frame data to the display processing section 108. The display processing section 108 displays the synthesized frame data on the display section 109 (step 439).

[0162] Thus, in the present embodiment, by synthesizing two frame data, it is possible to obtain the same synthesized frame data as the synthesized frame data of the first receiving beam signal 20 and the second receiving beam signal 21.

[0163] The imaging method of the present embodiment is the same as the frame data synthesizing mode of the imaging method of Embodiment 1 Figure 6 Figure 7 and is able to display frame data which is high in resolution in the short-axis direction and uniform in the depth direction without lowering the update speed of the frame rate.

[0164] In addition, the imaging method of the present embodiment equally includes the information of the first receiving beam signal 20 and the second receiving beam signal 21 obtained by setting transmission apertures different in aperture size in the short-axis direction in one frame data before synthesis, and thus has the advantage that it is high in followability to the motion of the subject 5.

[0165] Further, in the present embodiment, at the time of synthesis of two frame data, the transceiving data obtained by setting transmission apertures at the same position in the long-axis direction is used, and thus, as compared with the image obtained by Embodiment 2, high quality is achieved and the occurrence of artifacts is reduced.

[0166] Note that, in Embodiment 3 as well as in Embodiment 1, the frame data to be synthesized is not limited to image data converted into luminance data, and can be synthesized in a state where frame data in which receiving beam signals (RF data) are arranged.

[0167] <<Embodiment 4>>

[0168] Figure 13 ​​​The operation of the ultrasonic camera device in Embodiment 4 during recording will be explained.

[0169] In embodiments 1 to 3, the following structure is used: A first transmitting opening 4a with a small diameter in the minor axis direction is selected, with an element 3 in column A located at the center of the probe 1 in the minor axis direction; a second transmitting opening 4b with a large diameter in the minor axis direction is selected, with an element 3 in column A in the minor axis direction and elements 3 in columns B1 and B2 adjacent to each other on both sides of column A. However, the present invention is not limited to these first transmitting openings 4a and second transmitting openings 4b. Any opening shape can be used, as long as the beam diameters of the transmitted first transmitting beam 10 and second transmitting beam 11 are reduced at positions in the minor axis direction but different in the depth direction.

[0170] For example, such as Figure 13 As shown, alternatively, the first transmitting opening 4a, which has a small diameter in the minor axis direction, can be used, with the transducer 3 in column A selected in the minor axis direction, and the second transmitting opening 4b, which has a large diameter in the minor axis direction. Alternatively, column A can be omitted, and only columns B1 and B2 can be selected. When only columns B1 and B2 are selected in the minor axis direction, since the transducer in column A at the center is not selected, although the signal strength near the probe 1 (transducer 3) is reduced, the second transmitting beam 11 is reduced in the distance. Therefore, the second transmitting beam 11 of the second transmitting opening 4b is reduced at a position deeper than the position where the first transmitting beam 10 of the first transmitting opening 4a, where the transducer 3 in column A is selected in the minor axis direction, is reduced in the minor axis direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effect as in embodiments 1 to 3 can be achieved.

[0171] Figure 13 The actions of each part during the recording process are shown in the ultrasonic camera device of embodiment 3. Figure 11 The process is the same, so the description is omitted. Furthermore, the structure of the ultrasonic camera device in Embodiment 4 is the same as that in Embodiment 1.

[0172] Alternatively, you can of course use Figure 13 The first transmission opening 4a and the second transmission opening 4b shown are used to implement the imaging method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0173] <<Implementation Method 5>>

[0174] use Figure 14 , Figure 15 The ultrasonic camera device of Embodiment 5 will be described.

[0175] In embodiments 1 to 4, for convenience, the number of transducers 3 (segmentation number) in the minor axis direction of probe 1 is set to three, while the number of the first transmitting opening 4a with a small diameter in the minor axis direction and the number of transducers 3 (segmentation number) in the minor axis direction are not limited to three. Figure 15 The following is an example of a camera operation where the number of transducers 3 in the short axis direction is five (the number of segments). The transducers 3 in the short axis direction of this probe are composed of five columns: column A, columns B1 and B2 adjacent to both sides of column A, and columns C1 and C2 adjacent to both sides of columns B1 and B2.

[0176] As an example, the transmission opening in the short axis direction can be set to one of three types: a first transmission opening 4a that selects only column A, a second transmission opening 4b that selects columns A, B1, and B2, and a transmission opening 4c that selects all columns (columns A + B1 and B2 + C1 and C2). Here, the first transmission opening 4a is referred to as the small aperture, the second transmission opening 4b as the medium aperture, and the transmission opening 4c as the large aperture.

[0177] like Figure 14 , Figure 15 As shown, the operation of the ultrasonic camera device in this embodiment during recording is the same as that in embodiment 3. Figure 11 , Figure 12 The actions during the recording are the same, but steps 539, 639, and 641 are different from those in implementation method 3.

[0178] In every frame, as in step 539, the transceiver control unit 111 sets the aperture size of the transmit aperture in the short axis direction in the order of small aperture → medium aperture → large aperture, obtaining the number of receive beam signals required to generate one frame. At this time, in frame N, the next frame N+1, and the next frame N+2, the transceiver control unit 111 sets the transmit aperture so that the receive beam signals at the same position are obtained by setting transmit apertures 4a, 4b, and 4c with different apertures in the short axis direction, respectively. That is, in frame N, the transceiver control unit 111 sets the transmit aperture in the order of small aperture → medium aperture → large aperture; in the next frame (N+1), it sets the transmit aperture in the order of medium aperture → large aperture → small aperture; and in the next frame (N+2), it sets the transmit aperture in the order of large aperture → small aperture → medium aperture.

[0179] To achieve this, in steps 332 and 641, the transceiver control unit 111 sets the aperture size of the transmission opening at the beginning of each frame (transmission count t=1) to be small in frame 1, medium in frame 2, and large in frame 3. That is, when the value of N in frame N is represented by N=3k+1, a small aperture is set; when the value of N in frame N is represented by N=3k+2, a medium aperture is set; and when the value of N in frame N is represented by N=3k, a large aperture is set. Here, k is an integer.

[0180] In addition, at the time of imaging of each frame, the transceiver control section 111 switches the aperture size of the transmission aperture in the short axis direction in the order of small aperture → medium aperture → large aperture (step 539) each time the transmission aperture is shifted in the long axis direction of the probe 1 (step 338).

[0181] Furthermore, the image forming section 105 generates frame data N from the obtained reception beam signals (step 438), and the image synthesizing section 107 weights and synthesizes the frame data N this time, the frame data N-1 last time, and the frame data N-2 the time before last. The image synthesizing section 107 weights in the depth direction for each scan line (reception beam) so that the weight of the reception beam signal obtained from the transmission aperture 4a, 4b, 4c whose short axis direction beam diameter is narrow in the region where the transmission beam transmitted from each transmission aperture is greater than the weight of the reception beam signal obtained from the other transmission apertures. Specifically, in the region of shallow depth, the weight of the first reception beam signal 20 obtained by setting the first transmission aperture 4a is the greatest, in the region of intermediate depth, the weight of the second reception beam signal 21 obtained by setting the second transmission aperture 4b is the greatest, and in the region of deep depth, the weight of the third reception beam signal 22 obtained by setting the third transmission aperture 4c is the greatest. The weighting shown here is an example, and can be appropriately set according to the short axis beam shape which can be changed based on design values.

[0182] Note that in the present embodiment, when the image synthesizing section 107 synthesizes, it is necessary to use the reception beam signals 20, 21, 22 obtained by setting the transmission apertures 4a, 4b, 4c of different aperture sizes in the short axis direction, but the order in which these reception beam signals 20, 21, 22 are obtained is not important. Therefore, the transceiver control section 111 can also change the setting order of the transmission apertures 4a, 4b, 4c for each frame. For example, the transceiver control section 111 can also set in the frame N in the order of the first transmission aperture 4a (column A only) → the third transmission aperture 4c (columns A+B1+B2+C1+C2) → the second transmission aperture 4b (columns A+B1+B2).

[0183] In addition, in a case where the number of frames synthesized by the image synthesizing section 107 in step 539 is three, the effective frame rate decreases. In order to suppress the decrease in the frame rate, the transceiving control section 111 can be configured to, for example, alternately set the second transmission aperture 4b (columns A+B1+B2) and the transmission aperture 4c (columns A+B1+B2+C1+C2) without using the first transmission aperture 4a, obtain frame data, and the image synthesizing section 107 synthesizes two pieces of the frame data. Similarly, the transceiving control section 111 can be configured to alternately set the first transmission aperture 4a (column A) and the transmission aperture 4c (columns A+B1+B2+C1+C2) and synthesize two pieces of the frame data. Alternatively, the transceiving control section 111 can be configured to use only two groups of the columns A, B1+B2, and C1+C2 even if the number of the elements 3 in the short axis direction of the probe (the number of divisions) is five.

[0184] As described above, the present embodiment does not require any essentially different technology according to the number of the elements 3 in the short axis direction of the probe (the number of divisions), but only increases the number of combinations of the columns of the elements 3 in the short axis direction to be used, and can be appropriately changed according to the use.

[0185] In addition, the present embodiment can of course be applied to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0186] Note that, in Embodiment 5 as well as in Embodiment 1, the frame data to be synthesized is not limited to the image data converted into the luminance data, but can be synthesized in a state where the frame data of the received beam signals (RF data) is arranged.

[0187] <<Embodiment 6>>

[0188] Use Figure 16 , Figure 17 An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 6 will be described.

[0189] As for the ultrasonic imaging apparatus, a structure is known in which, in a cross section including a long axis of a probe, angles of irradiation of transmission beams thereof are made different in a plurality of kinds, received beam signals or frame data obtained thereby are synthesized, and thus high-quality imaging is realized. This function is called angle compounding or spatial compounding, or the like.

[0190] In the present embodiment, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus in which angle compounding and a technology in which transmission apertures in the short axis direction of the probe of the present embodiment are made different in a plurality of kinds are combined will be described. The angle compounding requires a plurality of angles (in a range of 0 to 90 degrees in the present embodiment) with respect to the depth direction in a cross section including the long axis direction and the depth direction. Figure 16 and Figure 17In the example of three directions, each transmission beam is irradiated to acquire image data at 0 degrees, +α degrees, and -α degrees with respect to the depth direction, and thus, the imaging time is required compared to the case where angle compounding is not used. Therefore, in the case where the transceiver is simply combined with different short-axis apertures on the basis of angle compounding, that is, in the case where transmission of a certain angle of transmission beam is performed using a plurality of sizes of transmission openings in the short-axis direction, the time required for imaging further increases. To avoid this, in the present embodiment, the transceiver control section 111 simultaneously switches the size of the aperture in the short-axis direction when switching the angle to be transmitted.

[0191] Hereinafter, the operation of each part at the time of imaging by the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment will be described using Figure 16 and Figure 17 Figure 16 In the flow of the present embodiment, the same step number is noted for the steps common to the flow of Embodiment 5 Figure 14

[0192] Note that, here, the case where the number (the number of divisions) of the transducers 3 in the short-axis direction of the probe 1 is three will be described. In the present embodiment, the first transmission opening 4a of the small aperture in the A column in the short-axis direction will also be referred to as the short-axis aperture 1, and the second transmission opening 4b of the large aperture in the A column, the B1 column, and the B2 column in the short-axis direction will also be referred to as the short-axis aperture 2.

[0193] As shown in Figure 16 and Figure 17 In the initial transmission (t = 1) of the initial frame N (N = 1), the transceiver control section 111 sets the large aperture (short-axis aperture 2) as the size of the aperture of the transmission opening 4 in the short-axis direction of the probe 1 (steps 330, 331, 732), and sets the transmission angle in the long-axis direction from the transmission opening 3 to be 0 degrees (step 751). The transceiver control section 111 shifts the position of the transmission opening in the long-axis direction, and the transmission section 101 repeatedly performs transmission of the transmission beam, and the reception section 102 acquires the reception beam required to generate one frame, and the image forming section 105 generates frame data using the second transmission opening 4b of the short-axis aperture 2 (large aperture) at an angle of 0 degrees (steps 333 to 339, 438).

[0194] ​​Next, the transceiving control section 111 increases the frame N to N = 2 (step 440), switches the aperture size of the transmission aperture 4 in the short axis direction to a small aperture (short axis aperture 1) (step 741), and switches the transmission angle to +α degrees (step 752). In order to set the transmission angle to +α degrees, the transmission section 101 adjusts the delay time of the transmission signal output to the transducers 3 in the long axis direction inside the transmission aperture 4. Then, returning to step 333, the transceiving control section 111 shifts the position of the transmission aperture in the long axis direction while the transmission section 101 repeatedly performs transmission of the transmission beam, and the reception section 102 acquires the reception beams necessary to generate one frame, and the image forming section 105 generates frame data using the first transmission aperture 4a having an angle of +α degrees and a short axis aperture 1 (small aperture) (steps 333 to 339, 438).

[0195] Next, the transceiving control section 111 increases the frame N to N = 3 (step 440), switches the aperture size of the transmission aperture 4 in the short axis direction to a large aperture (short axis aperture 2) (step 741), and switches the transmission angle to -α degrees (step 752). Then, returning to step 333, the transceiving control section 111 shifts the position of the transmission aperture in the long axis direction while the transmission section 101 repeatedly performs transmission of the transmission beam, and the reception section 102 acquires the reception beams necessary to generate one frame, and the image forming section 105 generates frame data using the second transmission aperture 4b having an angle of -α degrees and a short axis aperture 2 (large aperture) (steps 333 to 339, 438).

[0196] That is, in the present embodiment, in step 741, the aperture size of the transmission aperture 4 in the short axis direction is switched in accordance with the value of N of the frame N. Specifically, when N is even, the first transmission aperture 4a of the small aperture (short axis aperture 1) is switched, and when N is odd, the second transmission aperture 4b of the large aperture (short axis aperture 2) is switched.

[0197] Next, in step 752, the transmission angle of the transmission beam is switched in accordance with the value of N of the frame N with respect to the transmission aperture 4 in the long axis direction. Specifically, when N is represented by N = 3k + 1, +α degrees is switched with respect to the depth direction, when N is represented by N = 3k + 2, -α degrees is switched with respect to the depth direction, and when N is represented by N = 3k, 0 degrees is switched with respect to the depth direction. Here, k is an integer.

[0198] The image synthesizing section 107 reads out the frame data N generated in step 438 and the frame data N-1, N-2, N-3 of the last three times from the image memory section 106, performs weighting and synthesizes. As with step 239 of Embodiment 1, the weight is a weight corresponding to the aperture size of the transmission aperture in the short axis direction set at the time of transmission (refer to FIG. 8). The image synthesizing section 107 performs weighting and synthesizes the frame data N-1, N-2, N-3 of the last three times in the same manner as in step 239 of Embodiment 1. Figure 8). The display processing section 108 displays the synthesized frame data on the display section 109 (step 739). Note that the weighting can be performed in a state where the frame data of the RF data before the image data is generated is arranged, or the weighting can be performed after the image data is generated.

[0199] Thus, in the present embodiment, by synthesizing the image data obtained in each imaging frame, it is possible to simultaneously perform the synthesis of the frame data obtained by setting the transmission opening of the short axis direction to a plurality of sizes of the aperture size and the angle compounding. Therefore, the two syntheses can be performed without increasing the time required for imaging.

[0200] Note that, in a case where the angle compounding is three directions and the number of the aperture sizes of the short axis direction is two stages, when the image synthesis section 104 synthesizes three frame data of different angles, the frame data obtained by setting one of the transmission openings of the two stages of the aperture sizes of the short axis direction is more than the frame data obtained by setting the other transmission opening, and asymmetry occurs in the signal of the synthesized frame data. In Figure 17 , in order to avoid such a case, the image synthesis section 105 performs the synthesis process using the frame data of the last four times.

[0201] In Figure 16 and Figure 17 , the transceiving control section 111 is configured to switch the angle and the aperture size of the short axis direction to be transmitted each time the frame number is increased, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 18 , the transceiving control section 111 can also fix the combination of the angle and the aperture size of the short axis direction to be transmitted. As an example, the transceiving control section 111 sets the second transmission opening 4b of the short axis aperture 2 (large aperture) when the angle to be transmitted is 0 degrees, and sets the first transmission opening 4a of the short axis aperture 1 (small aperture) when the angle to be transmitted is ±α degrees. By fixing the combination of the angle to be transmitted and the aperture size of the short axis direction of the transmission opening like this, it is possible to avoid the asymmetry of the aperture size of the short axis direction with respect to the angle. However, in a case where the angle to be transmitted is changed in the order of 0 degrees, +α degrees, and -α degrees, the short axis aperture 1 (small aperture) is continuous in the two frames of +α degrees and -α degrees, but in Figure 18 , in a state where the number of frames required for the angle compounding is three (0 degrees, +α degrees, and -α degrees) without increasing the number of frames synthesized by the image synthesis section 107, the frames are weighted and synthesized. As with step 239 of Embodiment 1, the weight is the weight corresponding to the aperture size of the transmission opening of the short axis direction set at the time of transmission.

[0202] Note that, in the example of Figure 18 , of course, the combination of the angle and the aperture size of the short axis direction can also be changed.

[0203] In addition, the number of angles is not limited to three directions, and can be increased to five directions (0 degrees, +α degrees, -α degrees, +β degrees, -β degrees), for example, as shown in FIG. 6. Figure 19 Figure 19 Figure 17 Similarly, the transceiving control section 111 switches the angle to be transmitted and the aperture size of the short axis direction of the transmission opening each time the frame number is incremented. In this case, the image synthesis section 107 synthesizes six frames in such a manner that the same number of frames in which the short axis aperture 1 (small aperture) is set and the short axis aperture 2 (large aperture) is set are included in the synthesized frames. However, the image synthesis section 107 can also synthesize five frames in order to improve the frame rate or the like. Figure 19

[0204] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the angle to be transmitted is five directions (0 degrees, +α degrees, -α degrees, +β degrees, -β degrees), and the combination of the angle to be transmitted and the aperture size of the short axis direction of the transmission opening is fixed as shown in FIG. 7. Figure 20 Figure 18 Similarly, the angle to be transmitted and the aperture size of the short axis direction of the transmission opening are fixed. Figure 20 The example of FIG. 7 is an example in which the transmission opening is set to the short axis aperture 2 (large aperture) when the angle to be transmitted is 0 degrees and ±β degrees, and the transmission opening is set to the short axis aperture 1 (small aperture) when the angle to be transmitted is ±α degrees.

[0205] Note that the combination of the angle to be transmitted and the aperture size of the short axis direction of the transmission opening can also be changed as appropriate according to the use or effect.

[0206] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the image synthesis section 107 performs the synthesis process on all the image data (absolute value frames), but the received beam signals obtained by the transmission openings having different transmission apertures in the short axis direction can also be synthesized at the stage of the received beam signals (RF data) having phase information. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the image synthesis section 107 is configured to synthesize the received beam signals corresponding to the frames N-2 and N-1 in the stage of the received beam signals (RF data) having phase information. Figure 16-20 Figure 21 Similarly to the examples shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the transceiving control section 111 is configured to switch the angle to be transmitted and the aperture size of the short axis direction of the transmission opening each time the frame number is incremented, and to perform the process of step 801 between step 337 and step 438. Figure 22 Figure 16 In step 801, the signal synthesis section 104 weights and synthesizes the received beam signal of frame N and the received beam signal corresponding to frame data N-1, respectively. The signal synthesis section 104 weights the received beam signals according to the aperture size of the transmission opening in the short axis direction, as shown in FIG. 9. Figure 17 Figure 16

[0207] In step 801, the signal synthesis section 104 weights and synthesizes the received beam signal of frame N and the received beam signal corresponding to frame data N-1, respectively. The signal synthesis section 104 weights the received beam signals according to the aperture size of the transmission opening in the short axis direction, as shown in FIG. 9. Figure 3 ​​​​​​​​The weights are set in that way. Therefore, it is possible to synthesize received beam signals obtained by setting different transmit apertures in the short axis direction during the stage of received beam signal (RF data) with phase information.

[0208] The image forming unit 105 generates image data (frame data) by arranging the received beam signal synthesized by the signal synthesis unit 104 after absolute value conversion, and stores it in the image memory unit 106 (step 438).

[0209] The image compositing unit 107 combines the frame data N stored in the image memory unit 106 with the frame data N-1 and N-2 from the previous two measurements and displays them (step 802). This enables angle compositing.

[0210] It should be noted that, in Figure 21 In the process, targeting and Figure 16 The same process is labeled with the same step number and the description is omitted.

[0211] pass Figure 21 and Figure 22 The camera action can synthesize the received beam signal obtained by setting different aperture sizes in the short axis direction in the RF data, and perform angle compounding in the image data.

[0212] It should be noted that, Figure 22 The combination of the angle to be transmitted and the diameter of the transmission opening shown is just one example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0213] In addition, Figure 22 The diagram illustrates a structure that switches the angle to be transmitted and the aperture size along the minor axis of the transmission opening as the frame number increases. However, it can also be combined with... Figure 18 Similarly, the combination of the angle to be transmitted and the diameter of the transmission opening can be fixed. Alternatively, the number of directions to be transmitted can be increased from three to more than five. Furthermore, the diameter of the transmission opening in the minor axis direction can be increased from two stages to more than three stages.

[0214] Figure 23 and Figure 24 The camera action shown is Figure 21 and Figure 22 Similarly, the signal combining unit 104 combines the received beam signals obtained by the transceiver control unit 111 with different aperture sizes set in the minor axis direction from the RF data. However, the transceiver control unit 111 uses the same... Figure 11 Similarly, the structure that switches the aperture size in the minor axis direction during each transmission and reception is similar to... Figure 21 and Figure 22 different.

[0215] That is, in Figure 23 In step 339, the transceiver control unit 111 and... Figure 11 Similarly, during each transmission and reception, the aperture size of the transmit opening in the minor axis direction is switched between a small aperture (minor axis aperture 1) and a large aperture (minor axis aperture 2). Furthermore, in step 441, for each frame, the aperture size of the initially transmitted transmit opening in the minor axis direction is switched between a small aperture (minor axis aperture 1) and a large aperture (minor axis aperture 2). In this way, within a single frame, the received beam signal obtained by setting the small aperture (minor axis aperture 1) and the received beam signal obtained by setting the large aperture (minor axis aperture 2) are alternately included, thus enabling an effective increase in frame rate.

[0216] It should be noted that, in Figure 23 In the process, targeting and Figure 21 Processes with the same procedures are labeled with the same step numbers and their descriptions are omitted.

[0217] in addition, Figure 23 The combination of the desired transmission angle and the diameter of the transmission opening shown is merely an example and can be modified as appropriate. Alternatively, the combination of the desired transmission angle and the diameter of the transmission opening can be fixed. Furthermore, the number of transmission angles can be increased to five or more directions. Additionally, the diameter of the transmission opening in the minor axis direction can be increased to three or more stages instead of two.

[0218] It should be noted that, in Figure 23 and Figure 24 In the camera's operation, the number of angles to be transmitted can be more than three. Furthermore, even with appropriate changes to the minor axis aperture size, the number of stages, and their combinations, there will be no fundamental difference.

[0219] As described above, the synthesis of received beam signals obtained by setting different aperture sizes of the transmitting aperture in the minor axis direction can be performed in RF data containing phase information or in absolute valued image data. Sometimes the image quality obtained in the two differs, therefore, the user can select whether to synthesize in RF data or image data by operating the operation panel 113, and the line data synthesis / frame data synthesis selection unit 112 is configured to control the operation of the switching signal synthesis unit 104 and the image synthesis unit 107. Thus, the user can appropriately select the optimal synthesis method.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus characterized by comprising: the ultrasonic imaging apparatus has a transmission section, a reception section, an image forming section, and a combining section, the transmission section sets, for a probe in which oscillators are arranged in a long axis direction and a short axis direction, a first transmission opening in which a diameter in the short axis direction is a prescribed size and a second transmission opening in which a diameter in the short axis direction is larger than the first transmission opening in order, and outputs transmission signals to the oscillators in the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening, respectively, whereby a first transmission beam and a second transmission beam are transmitted from the oscillators to an object, respectively, the reception section receives reception signals output from the oscillators of the probe in response to respective reflection waves from the object of the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam, and performs beamforming in the long axis direction, respectively, whereby a first reception beam signal and a second reception beam signal are generated, the image forming section generates image data after luminance conversion using the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal, the combining section includes at least one of a signal combining section that weights and combines the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal, and an image combining section that weights and combines first image data generated by the image forming section based on the first reception beam signal and second image data generated by the image forming section based on the second reception beam signal, a beam diameter of the first transmission beam is reduced in a prescribed first region in the short axis direction, and a beam diameter of the second transmission beam is reduced in a prescribed second region deeper than the first transmission beam in the short axis direction, a weight of the weighting of the combining section, in the first region of the object that is shallow in depth, a weight of one of the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal is greater than a weight of the other, in at least a part of the second region that is deeper than the first region in depth, the weight of the other is greater than the weight of the one, or in the first region of the object that is shallow in depth, a weight of one of first frame data and second frame data is greater than a weight of the other, in at least a part of the second region that is deeper than the first region in depth, the weight of the other is greater than the weight of the one.

2. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: a weight of the weighting of the combining section, in the first region of the object that is shallow in depth, a weight of the first reception beam signal or the first frame data is greater than a weight of the second reception beam signal or the second frame data, in at least a part of the second region that is deeper than the first region in depth, a weight of the second reception beam signal or the second frame data is greater than a weight of the first reception beam signal or the second frame data.

3. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission section sets the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening at the same position in the long axis direction, respectively transmits the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam, The reception section generates the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal for the reception scan line of the same position, The signal synthesis section or the image synthesis section weights and synthesizes the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal of the same reception scan line.

4. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The transmission section moves the position of the first transmission opening by a prescribed amount in the long axis direction for each transmission and sets the first transmission opening, and after performing transmission of the first transmission beam required for generating the first frame data, moves the position of the second transmission opening by a prescribed amount in the long axis direction for each transmission and sets the second transmission opening, and performs transmission of the second transmission beam required for generating the second frame data, The reception section moves the reception scan line in the long axis direction in conjunction with the movement of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening in the long axis direction, and generates the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal, The image formation section generates the first frame data from the first reception beam signal and generates the second frame data from the second reception beam signal, The signal synthesis section or the image synthesis section weights and synthesizes the first frame data and the second frame data.

5. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The probe has a switch for switching the aperture size of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening in the short axis direction, The transmission section has a transmission control section that switches the switch to set the aperture size of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening in the short axis direction.

6. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The transmission section alternately moves the position of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening by a prescribed amount in the long axis direction for each transmission and sets the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening, The reception section moves the position of the reception scan line that forms the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal in the long axis direction in conjunction with the movement of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening in the long axis direction, The synthesis section weights and synthesizes the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal of the reception scan lines adjacent to each other.

7. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The transmission section alternately shifts the positions of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening by a predetermined amount in the long axis direction and sets the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening for each transmission, and after transmitting the first transmission beams and the second transmission beams in a number required to generate first frame data, the transmission section shifts the positions of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening in the long axis direction and transmits the first transmission beams and the second transmission beams in a number required to generate second frame data, The reception section shifts the reception scan lines in the long axis direction in conjunction with the shifting of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening in the long axis direction and generates the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal, respectively, The image formation section generates the first frame data based on the first reception beam signal and generates the second frame data based on the second reception beam signal, The synthesis section weights and synthesizes the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal or weights and synthesizes the first frame data and the second frame data.

8. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The transmission section does not output the transmission signal to the vibrator of the central portion in the short axis direction of the second transmission opening and does not transmit the second transmission beam from the vibrator of the central portion when transmitting the transmission beam from the second transmission opening.

9. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The transmission section sets the aperture size in the short axis direction of the transmission opening to three or more kinds, and the transmission opening set by the transmission section transmits three or more kinds of the transmission beam, The reception section generates three or more kinds of the reception beam corresponding to the three or more kinds of the transmission beam, The synthesis section sets the weight of the weighting such that the weight of the reception beam or the frame data obtained by the transmission opening having a larger aperture size in the short axis direction is larger in at least a part of the depth region as the depth of the subject is deeper.

10. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The transmission section repeatedly shifts the position of the first transmission opening by a predetermined amount in the long axis direction and sets the first transmission opening for each transmission, and after transmitting the first transmission beam in a number required to generate first frame data, shifts the position of the second transmission opening by a predetermined amount in the long axis direction and sets the second transmission opening, and transmits the second transmission beam in a number required to generate second frame data, And, the irradiation angle of the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam with respect to the depth direction is switched to a predetermined plurality of angles in order as the frame number is incremented each time, The image formation section generates the frame data of each frame number, The signal synthesis section or the image synthesis section weights and synthesizes the frame data in a number equal to or more than the kind of the irradiation angle.

11. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein The transmission section sets the first transmission opening or the second transmission opening which is determined in advance for each of the plurality of prescribed irradiation angles.

12. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein The signal synthesis section weights and synthesizes the reception beam signals of corresponding positions in the long axis direction among the reception beam signals which respectively constitute the frame data of the number of types of irradiation angles when the frame data synthesis of the number of types of irradiation angles is performed.

13. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The transmission section repeatedly performs the following operation: the transmission section alternately moves the positions of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening by a prescribed amount in the long axis direction and sets the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening for each transmission, transmits the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam required for generating a first frame data, and then the transmission section switches the positions of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening with the first frame data, transmits the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam required for generating a second frame data, and, when the frame number is increased each time, the irradiation angles of the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam with respect to the depth direction are sequentially switched to a plurality of prescribed angles, The reception section moves the reception scan lines in the long axis direction in conjunction with the movement of the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening in the long axis direction and generates the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal, respectively, The signal synthesis section weights and synthesizes the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal which are generated by the reception section based on the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam for generating the first frame data and the first reception beam signal and the second reception beam signal which are generated by the reception section based on the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam for generating the second frame data and which have the same position in the long axis direction, The image formation section generates frame data using the reception beam signal which is synthesized by the signal synthesis section, The image synthesis section synthesizes the frame data of the number of types of irradiation angles.

14. An ultrasonic imaging method, comprising the steps of: The ultrasonic imaging method has the following steps: For a probe in which vibrators are arranged in a long axis direction and a short axis direction, respectively, a first transmission opening in which the aperture size in the short axis direction is a prescribed size and a second transmission opening in which the aperture size in the short axis direction is larger than the first transmission opening are sequentially set, a transmission signal is respectively output to the vibrators in the first transmission opening and the second transmission opening, and a first transmission beam and a second transmission beam are respectively transmitted from the vibrators to an object. a receiving signal output from the subject by each of the first and second transmitted beams being received by the transducer of the probe, beamforming being performed for the long axis direction, respectively, thereby generating a first and second received beam signal; generating frame data using the first and second received beam signals; and weighting and combining the first and second received beam signals, or weighting and combining first frame data generated from the first received beam signal and second frame data generated from the second received beam signal, the beam diameter of the first transmitted beam is reduced in a prescribed first region in the short axis direction, the beam diameter of the second transmitted beam is reduced in a prescribed second region deeper than the first transmitted beam in the short axis direction, the weight of the weighting, in the first region of the subject which is shallow in depth, the weight of one of the first and second received beam signals is greater than the weight of the other, in at least a part of the second region which is deeper than the first region in depth, the weight of the other is greater than the weight of the one, or, in the first region of the subject which is shallow in depth, the weight of one of the first and second frame data is greater than the weight of the other, in at least a part of the second region which is deeper than the first region in depth, the weight of the other is greater than the weight of the one.

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