Arrayed ultrasonic imaging device and method of controlling the same

Abstract

This invention provides an array-type ultrasonic imaging device with minimal image deviation and its control method. The array-type ultrasonic imaging device performs planar scanning using an ultrasonic array probe with multiple transducers arranged in a straight line. Ultrasonic beams are irradiated onto the surface or layered boundary of the subject, displaying the signal intensity of the ultrasonic reflected waves from the subject. The planar scanning is performed by simultaneously conducting an electronic scan that irradiates the subject with ultrasonic beams in a predetermined scanning sequence, and by a scanning action that moves the ultrasonic array probes back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the transducer arrangement direction, and a displacement action that moves the ultrasonic array probes parallel to the transducer arrangement direction. This results in an electronic scan sequence where ultrasonic beams are irradiated at one end of the electronic scan, then at the opposite end, alternatingly irradiating ultrasonic beams from each end towards the center. Multiple transducers are selected to irradiate the ultrasonic beams for electronic scanning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an array-type ultrasonic imaging device and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] An ultrasonic imaging device is available that irradiates a semiconductor or other object with ultrasonic waves, generates an image of the object's interior based on the reflected waves, and detects defects within the object. This ultrasonic imaging device enables non-destructive, high-resolution inspection, ensuring the reliability of electronic components.

[0003] In one type of ultrasonic imaging device, there exists an ultrasonic imaging device having a single probe consisting of a single transducer. In this ultrasonic imaging device with a single probe, the single probe mechanically scans a predetermined area in the X / Y direction on the surface of the subject or the interface of a laminate, thereby irradiating the subject with ultrasonic waves and detecting the reflected waves.

[0004] To shorten the operation time of the ultrasonic imaging device, the scanning speed of a single probe needs to be increased. However, when the ultrasonic imaging device is immersed in water, increasing the scanning speed of the single probe will cause problems such as trapped air bubbles and ripples, leading to image degradation.

[0005] Therefore, for example, there is an ultrasonic inspection device that includes an array of ultrasonic sensors having multiple piezoelectric vibrating elements, which generates an inspection image using reflected signals from inside the object being inspected by performing electronic scanning in the array arrangement direction and then mechanical scanning in the normal direction of the array arrangement (see Patent Document 1).

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-263780 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] According to the aforementioned prior art, because the scanning speed of the probe can be reduced, the occurrence of image degradation caused by trapped air bubbles, ripples, etc., can be reduced. However, when generating a large-scale reflected wave image of the subject by reciprocating mechanical scanning of an array ultrasonic probe, at the end of the mechanical scan, i.e., at the switching position between the forward and return paths of the mechanical scan, deviation (misalignment) may sometimes occur in the ultrasonic reflected wave image. Patent Document 1 does not describe reciprocating mechanical scanning of the array ultrasonic probe and does not consider this problem.

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide an array-type ultrasonic imaging device and its control method that generate reflected wave images of the subject by reciprocating scanning of an array-type ultrasonic probe, with minimal image deviation.

[0012] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0013] To solve the aforementioned technical problems, the array-type ultrasonic imaging device of the present invention performs planar scanning on an ultrasonic array probe with multiple transducers arranged in a straight line, irradiating the surface or layered boundary of the subject with an ultrasonic beam and displaying the signal intensity of the ultrasonic reflected wave from the subject. The planar scanning is performed by simultaneously performing an electronic scan that irradiates the subject with an ultrasonic beam in a predetermined scanning sequence, and a displacement operation that moves the ultrasonic array probe back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the transducer arrangement direction, and a displacement operation that moves the ultrasonic array probe parallel to the transducer arrangement direction. This results in an ultrasonic beam being irradiated at one end of the electronic scan, followed by irradiation at the opposite end, and so on, alternatingly irradiating the ultrasonic beam from each end towards the center. The multiple transducers are selected for electronic scanning to irradiate the ultrasonic beam.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention provides a control method for an array-type ultrasonic imaging device. The array-type ultrasonic imaging device performs electronic scanning by sequentially irradiating a subject with ultrasonic beams from an ultrasonic array probe with multiple transducers arranged in a straight line, displaying the signal intensity of the ultrasonic reflected waves from the subject. The control method of the array-type ultrasonic imaging device includes: a first step, irradiating the subject with ultrasonic beams at an irradiation point at one end of the electronic scan, and then irradiating the subject with ultrasonic beams at an irradiation point at the opposite end, selecting the multiple transducers to irradiate the subject with ultrasonic beams in a predetermined scanning order, such that the ultrasonic beams are alternately irradiated from each end towards the center; and simultaneously irradiating the subject with ultrasonic beams in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the transducers of the ultrasonic array probe. The process involves: 1) continuously moving the ultrasonic array probe at a predetermined speed; 2) performing a shifting step, shifting the ultrasonic array probe by an amount equal to the scanning width of the electronic scan, parallel to the arrangement direction of the transducers; and 3) selecting multiple transducers in a scanning sequence where ultrasonic beams are irradiated onto the subject at an irradiation point at one end of the electronic scan, followed by irradiating the subject at an irradiation point at the opposite end, and irradiating the subject with ultrasonic beams in a predetermined scanning sequence, while continuously moving the ultrasonic array probe at a predetermined speed in the opposite direction to the first step. By repeatedly performing the first step, the shifting step, and the second step, the entire surface of the subject is electronically scanned.

[0015] The effects of the invention

[0016] According to the present invention, an array-type ultrasonic imaging device that generates an ultrasonic reflection image of a subject by performing planar scanning with an array-type ultrasonic probe is improved, which can suppress image deviation of the reflected wave image generated during the reciprocating movement of the array-type ultrasonic probe during scanning. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall structure of the array-type ultrasonic imaging device according to the implementation method.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the planar scanning action of the probe in an array-type ultrasonic imaging device.

[0019] Figure 3A This diagram illustrates the irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam from the comparative example probe.

[0020] Figure 3B This is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic beam irradiation point during planar scanning of the probe in the comparative example.

[0021] Figure 4A This is a diagram illustrating an example of the time-varying signal intensity in a reflected wave.

[0022] Figure 4B This is a diagram illustrating the conversion of the signal intensity of the reflected wave into gray levels (contrast coefficient) from 0 to 255.

[0023] Figure 4C This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the irradiation point of the ultrasound beam and the subject 8, which has three strip-shaped regions with different reflectivities.

[0024] Figure 4D It means Figure 4C The image shows an ultrasound image obtained by electronic scanning.

[0025] Figure 5A This diagram shows the position of the irradiation point in the electronic scan when the shape of the subject is set as the scanning area using probe 4 in a comparative example.

[0026] Figure 5B It means Figure 5A The image is a scanned ultrasound image.

[0027] Figure 6A This is a diagram illustrating the irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam of probe 4 in the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 6B This is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic beam irradiation point during the planar scanning of the probe.

[0029] Figure 7A This is a diagram showing the position of the irradiation point of the electronic scan when the shape of the subject is set as the scanning area in an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 7B It means Figure 7A The image is a scanned ultrasound image.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the planar scanning operation of an array-type ultrasonic imaging device.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the details of the electronic scanning process. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall structure of the array-type ultrasonic imaging device according to the implementation method.

[0035] The array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1 includes a 3-axis scanner 2 (scanning mechanism) and an ultrasonic array probe (hereinafter referred to as probe 4). The 3-axis scanner 2 enables the probe 4 to scan the planar subject 8 in two dimensions along the X-axis and Y-axis directions (planar scanning). Thus, the array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1 can image the planar subject 8 using ultrasonic waves.

[0036] Probe 4 is a phased array ultrasonic probe with multiple transducers arranged in a strip. Specifically, an ultrasonic convergent beam (ultrasonic beam) is generated by controlling the oscillation time of a subset of the transducers (transducer group), and this beam is electronically switched to change the irradiation position, thus irradiating the subject 8 with the ultrasonic beam for one-dimensional scanning. In this specification, the scanning of the electronic ultrasonic beam of the phased array ultrasonic probe is described as electronic scanning.

[0037] The reception and control of the reflected waves from the ultrasonic beam are also controlled by the transducer assembly.

[0038] Furthermore, probe 4 can also converge (focus) the ultrasonic waves generated by a single transducer onto the subject using an acoustic lens, and arrange multiple transducers into a strip. This structure also allows for electronic scanning of the subject 8 by electronically switching the transducers to change the position of the ultrasonic beam.

[0039] The probe 4 is configured to be immersed in water filling the water tank 91, with the tip of the probe 4 facing the subject 8. The probe 4 is mounted on the 3-axis scanner 2 via the retaining component 24.

[0040] The water tank 91 is placed on the platform 92.

[0041] When the 3-axis scanner 2 performs a two-dimensional scan of the probe 4, it detects the scanning position based on the linear or rotational (angular) position detected by the built-in encoder that detects position changes. Thus, the array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1 can visualize the relationship between each scanning position (scanning point) of the subject 8 and the echo in two dimensions.

[0042] The 3-axis scanner 2 includes: an X-axis scanner 21 and a Y-axis scanner 22 for scanning the probe 4; a Z-axis scanner 23 for changing the distance between the probe 4 and the subject 8; and a holding member 24 for holding the probe 4.

[0043] In addition, the height of probe 4 can be adjusted via stage 92 before examination, and the distance between probe 4 and the subject 8 can be adjusted via Z-axis scanner 23.

[0044] The probe 4 moves continuously at a predetermined speed (scanning action) in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the multiple oscillators are arranged in a straight line (hereinafter referred to as the X-axis direction) by the X-axis scanner 21 of the 3-axis scanner 2. Then, the probe moves by the scan width amount (shift action) of the electronic scanning in parallel with the direction in which the multiple oscillators are arranged by the Y-axis scanner 22 of the 3-axis scanner 2.

[0045] The retaining member 24 supports the upper edge 42 of the probe 4, allowing it to move smoothly upwards when an upward force is applied to the probe 4. A sensor 3 is provided in the retaining member 24 to detect the upward movement of the probe 4.

[0046] The control device 10 includes a scanner control unit 11, a transceiver command unit 12, a timing processing unit 13, an oscillator motion signal generation unit 14, a reflected wave signal processing unit 15, a reflected wave image generation unit 16, and a display unit 17, and performs control of the 3-axis scanner, transceiver control of the probe 4, and display control of the echo from the subject 8.

[0047] The scanner control unit 11 is a control unit that drives the X-axis scanner 21 and Y-axis scanner 22 based on the encoder output built into the X-axis scanner 21 and Y-axis scanner 22, so that the probe 4 performs planar scanning on the subject 8.

[0048] The transceiver unit 12 starts electronic scanning of the probe 4 synchronously with the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21 notified by the scanner control unit 11. That is, the transceiver unit 12 starts electronic scanning synchronously with the scanning action of the probe 4. As a result, the scanning interval of the X-axis scan of the subject 8 performed by the electronic scanning of the probe 4 is equal to the interval output by the encoder of the X-axis scanner 21.

[0049] The timing processing unit 13 selects the transducer group of the probe 4 that corresponds to the scanning sequence of the ultrasonic beam in the electronic scanning.

[0050] The oscillator motion signal generation unit 14 generates oscillator motion signals according to the oscillator group and scanning sequence selected by the timing processing unit 13, and sends them to the probe 4 at each scanning point.

[0051] The probe 4 irradiates an ultrasonic beam based on the oscillator action signal generated by the oscillator action signal generator 14.

[0052] The reflected wave signal processing unit 15 receives the reflected wave signal of the ultrasonic beam from the probe 4 at each scanning point, performs threshold processing by setting a threshold, calculates the displacement (amplitude) of the reflected wave, and calculates the signal strength based on the displacement.

[0053] The reflected wave image generation unit 16, for example, converts the signal intensity of the reflected wave at each irradiation point calculated by the reflected wave signal processing unit 15 into a grayscale level of 0 to 255. Reflected waves of the ultrasonic beam are generated at boundary surfaces where acoustic impedance (density) changes, such as the boundary between the test subject 8 and the water in the water tank 91, the material boundary inside the test subject 8, peeling sections, and voids. The reflected wave image generation unit 16 sets the points with reflected waves without ultrasonic beams to a grayscale level of 255; the greater the signal intensity of the reflected wave, the smaller the grayscale level.

[0054] Display unit 17 displays the signal intensity of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam obtained by reflected wave image generation unit 16, as a density image obtained by planar scanning of the subject 8. Specifically, black is displayed when the gray level is 255, white is displayed when the gray level is 0, and gray corresponding to the gray level is displayed when the gray level is an intermediate value.

[0055] Thus, the array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1 displays the cavities (with a large density difference from the surrounding area) of the subject 8 after planar scanning as a white image.

[0056] Next, using Figure 2 This describes the planar scanning action of probe 4 in the array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1.

[0057] Probe 4, for example, consists of 192 oscillators arranged in a straight line, but... Figure 2 In the diagram, it indicates that probe 4 is composed of seven oscillators: a, b, c, d, e, f, and g.

[0058] The array-type ultrasound imaging device 1 sets the predetermined position of the subject 8 as the origin of the scan. Figure 2 (Top left of the scanning area), specify the size of the scanning area, and perform planar scanning of probe 4.

[0059] First, the 3-axis scanner 2 is driven to move the probe 4 so that the starting point of the electronic scan of the probe 4 is located at the scanning origin. Specifically, because the electronic scan is performed during the movement of the probe 4, the movement includes a running start, so that the moving speed of the probe 4 when passing the starting point of the electronic scan is a predetermined value.

[0060] At the origin (starting position) of the planar scan, probe 4 performs an electronic scan using oscillators a, b, c, d, e, f, and g, and moves in a direction perpendicular to the oscillator alignment direction via the X-axis scanner 21 of the 3-axis scanner 2. Furthermore, probe 4 synchronizes with the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21 to perform the next electronic scan. Probe 4 repeats (i.e., iterates) the above actions within the width of the scanned area (the magnitude in the X-axis direction).

[0061] As described above, while continuously moving the probe 4 in the X-axis direction (scanning action 1), the electronic scan is repeated, and an ultrasonic beam is irradiated on a strip-shaped scanning area with a length in the Y-axis direction equal to the scanning width of the electronic scan and a length in the X-axis direction equal to the width of the set scanning area, to detect the reflected wave from the subject 8.

[0062] At this time, the control device 10 takes the reflected wave from the subject 8 detected by the probe 4 through one electronic scan as the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam with the same position (scan line) in the X-axis direction, calculates the signal intensity of the reflected wave, and displays it as a density image.

[0063] Next, probe 4 moves (shifts) the scanning width of the electronic scan in parallel with the arrangement direction of the multiple oscillators via the Y-axis scanner 22 of the 3-axis scanner 2. Furthermore, probe 4 is moved via the X-axis scanner 21 so that the starting point of the electronic scan of probe 4 is at the same position in the X-axis direction as the starting point of the last electronic scan of the aforementioned scanning action 1.

[0064] The probe 4 performs electronic scanning using oscillators a, b, c, d, e, f, and g, and moves in the opposite direction to the scanning action 1 and perpendicular to the oscillator arrangement direction via the X-axis scanner 21 of the 3-axis scanner 2. The probe 4 performs the next electronic scan synchronously with the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21. The probe 4 repeats the above actions within the width of the scanning area (the magnitude in the X-axis direction).

[0065] As described above, while continuously moving the probe 4 in the X-axis direction (scanning action 2), the electronic scan is repeated, and an ultrasonic beam is irradiated on a strip-shaped scanning area with a length in the Y-axis direction equal to the scanning width of the electronic scan and a length in the X-axis direction equal to the width of the set scanning area, and the reflected wave from the subject 8 is detected.

[0066] If the control device 10 can cover the specified scanning area through the scanning action 1 and scanning action 2 of the probe 4, the planar scanning ends. However, if the specified scanning area cannot be covered, the probe 4 is moved by shifting the scanning width of the electronic scanning, and electronic scanning is performed. The same scanning action 3, shifting action, and scanning action 4 as the previous actions are performed.

[0067] The control device 10 repeats the above actions until the specified scanning area is covered, and performs a planar scan of the subject 8.

[0068] In this manual, scanning actions 1, 3, ... of probe 4 are referred to as forward movement (forward movement) scanning actions (first scanning action), and scanning actions 2, 4, ... of probe 4 are referred to as reverse movement (reverse movement) scanning actions (second scanning action).

[0069] Because probe 4 continuously moves and performs electronic scanning during the aforementioned scanning actions 1, 2, 3, and 4, specifically, the position of the ultrasonic beam irradiation point in the X-axis direction shifts due to the irradiation sequence of the ultrasonic beam. Next, the relationship between the ultrasonic beam irradiation sequence and the irradiation point will be explained.

[0070] Figure 3A This is a diagram illustrating the irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam of probe 4 in the comparative example.

[0071] Irradiation points a, b, c, d, e, f, and g are the irradiation points of the ultrasonic beam of the electronic scanning of the transducer a, b, c, d, e, f, and g of probe 4. In particular, irradiation point a is the irradiation point corresponding to the origin of the scanning area, and is the initial irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam of the electronic scanning synchronized with the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21 during the scanning operation.

[0072] The electronic scanning of probe 4 is performed during the continuous movement of the scanning motion. Figure 3A The solid rectangle represents the position of probe 4 when the ultrasonic beam is initially irradiated, and the dashed rectangle represents the position of probe 4 when the ultrasonic beam is finally irradiated.

[0073] In the comparative example, probe 4 irradiates the other end of probe 4 sequentially with an ultrasonic beam from irradiation point a. Therefore, irradiation points b, c, d, e, f, and g are positions that are shifted slightly in the scanning direction.

[0074] Figure 3B This is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic beam irradiation point during planar scanning of the scanning action 1 and scanning action 2 of the probe 4 in the comparative example.

[0075] Because electronic scanning is performed synchronously with the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21, the position of the illumination point a of the probe 4 in the comparative example is consistent in the X-axis direction during scanning action 1 and scanning action 2 (e.g., Xn coordinate). However, the illumination points b, c, d, e, f, and g are shifted slightly according to the scanning direction.

[0076] Here, the display of the ultrasonic image of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam irradiated by probe 4 is explained in detail.

[0077] Figure 4A This is a diagram illustrating an example of the temporal variation of the signal intensity of the reflected wave processed by the reflected wave signal processing unit 15. The reflected wave signal processing unit 15 calculates the displacement (amplitude) of the signal intensity of the reflected wave over a predetermined time period centered on a predetermined depth of the object to be inspected 8.

[0078] Figure 4B This diagram illustrates how the reflected wave image generation unit 16 converts the signal intensity of the reflected wave at each illumination point into grayscale levels from 0 to 255. When the signal intensity of the reflected wave is 0 (displacement is 0), it is set to black (grayscale level 255); when the signal intensity of the reflected wave is at its maximum (displacement is at its maximum), it is set to white (grayscale level 0); and as the signal intensity (displacement) of the reflected wave increases, the grayscale level (intermediate value) is decreased and set to gray.

[0079] Next, using Figure 4C , Figure 4D This describes the ultrasound images obtained by electronic scanning using probe 4 of the comparative example.

[0080] Figure 4C This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam from probe 4 and the subject 8, which is arranged in strips with three regions of different reflectivity. Although the initial irradiation point of the electronic scan of probe 4 is located in each of the three regions of different reflectivity, the final irradiation point of the electronic scan enters the adjacent strip region because the electronic scan is performed during the movement of probe 4.

[0081] Figure 4D It means Figure 4C The image shows an ultrasound image obtained by electronic scanning.

[0082] At this time, the reflected wave image generation unit 16 takes the reflected wave from the subject 8 detected by the probe 4 in a single electronic scan as the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam with the same position (scan line) in the X-axis direction, calculates the signal intensity of the reflected wave, obtains a density image, and displays it as an ultrasonic image by the display unit 17. Therefore, the image displayed on... Figure 4C The image illustrates the distribution of different reflectance levels of the 8 subjects.

[0083] Figure 5A , Figure 5B This is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying ultrasound images when probe 4 of the comparative example is moved back and forth.

[0084] Figure 5A This is a diagram showing the position of the irradiation point of the electronic scan by the probe 4 when the shape of the subject 8 is set as the scanning area.

[0085] like Figure 3B As explained, because the electronic scanning is performed synchronously with the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21, the position in the X-axis direction is consistent in scanning action 1 and scanning action 2 (e.g., Xn coordinate). However, the irradiation points b, c, d, e, f, and g are shifted slightly according to the scanning direction. Therefore, the irradiation points e, f, and g of the final electronic scan in scanning action 1 are outside the subject body irradiated with an ultrasonic beam.

[0086] Figure 5B It means Figure 5A The image is a scanned ultrasound image.

[0087] The reflected wave image generation unit 16 represents the reflected wave from the subject 8 detected by the probe 4 in a single electronic scan as the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam with the same position (scan line) in the X-axis direction, and thus represents the irradiation points e, f, and g as the Xn coordinates of the subject 8 in an ultrasonic image.

[0088] Because the signal intensity of the reflected wave from the test subject 8 differs from that of the reflected wave outside the test subject, the reflected wave images corresponding to the irradiation points e, f, and g are represented as images of different shades, which is considered a deviation in image information. Furthermore, in Figure 5B For illustrative purposes, the reflected wave image of the test subject 8 is set to white, and the reflected wave image outside the test subject is set to black.

[0089] The array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1 of the embodiment will be described below.

[0090] Figure 6A This is a diagram illustrating the irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam of probe 4 in the embodiment.

[0091] Irradiation points a, b, c, d, e, f, and g are the irradiation points of the ultrasonic beam of the electronic scanning of the transducer a, b, c, d, e, f, and g of probe 4. In particular, irradiation point a is the irradiation point corresponding to the origin of the scanning area, and is the initial irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam of the electronic scanning synchronized with the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21 during the scanning operation.

[0092] The electronic scanning of probe 4 is performed during the continuous movement of the scanning motion. Figure 6AThe solid rectangle represents the position of probe 4 when the ultrasonic beam is initially irradiated, and the dashed rectangle represents the position of probe 4 when the ultrasonic beam is finally irradiated.

[0093] Through timing processing unit 13 (refer to) Figure 1 After irradiating point a with an ultrasonic beam, probe 4 irradiates point g at the other end of the electronic scan. Then, it irradiates point b, which is closer to the center of point a, with an ultrasonic beam. In this way, probe 4 performs an electronic scan by alternately irradiating ultrasonic beams from the opposite ends of the irradiation point towards the central irradiation point.

[0094] In other words, probe 4 irradiates the ultrasonic beam in a manner that makes the irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam in a U-shape or a reverse U-shape according to the scanning direction.

[0095] Figure 6B This is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic beam irradiation point in the scanning area during scanning actions 1 and 2 of probe 4.

[0096] Because electronic scanning is performed synchronously with the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21, the position of the irradiation point a of the probe 4 in the X-axis direction is consistent in scanning action 1 and scanning action 2, while the irradiation points b, c, d, e, f, and g are positions that are offset slightly according to the scanning direction.

[0097] Figure 7A , Figure 7B This is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying ultrasonic images when probe 4 of the comparative example is moved back and forth.

[0098] Figure 7A This is a diagram showing the position of the irradiation point of the electronic scan by the probe 4 when the shape of the subject 8 is used as the scanning area.

[0099] For example Figure 6B As explained, the position of the irradiation point a of probe 4 is consistent in the X-axis direction during scanning action 1 and scanning action 2 because it is electronically scanned synchronously with the encoder output of X-axis scanner 21. The irradiation points b, c, d, e, f, and g are irradiated in a reverse U-shape or U-shape depending on the scanning direction. Thus, the irradiation points c, d, and e of the final electronic scan in scanning action 1 irradiate the subject with an ultrasonic beam.

[0100] Figure 7B It means Figure 7A The image is a scanned ultrasound image.

[0101] Because the reflected wave image generation unit 16 represents the reflected waves from the subject 8 detected by a single electronic scan of the probe 4 as reflected waves from an ultrasonic beam with the same position (scan line) in the X-axis direction, the irradiation points c, d, and e are represented in black as the ultrasonic image of the Xn coordinates of the subject 8. Furthermore, for illustrative purposes, the reflected wave image of the subject 8 is set to white, while the reflected wave images of subjects with different reflected wave signal intensities are set to black.

[0102] Thus, in the final electronic scan immediately before the shifting process (i.e., just before), the image near the end boundary (edge) of the return shifting process is represented as white. Conversely, the image near the end boundary of the return shifting process in the initial electronic scan is also represented as white. As a result, the images near the end boundaries of both the forward and return shifts are represented as white at the same gray level. That is, according to... Figure 6A The described scanning motion irradiates the ultrasound beam in a U-shape or reverse U-shape at the irradiation point. This results in the same grayscale level in the image near the boundary of the scanning path and return path, suppressing deviations in the generated image information and displaying an image that closely approximates the true image of the subject. In other words, it can correct display deviations of ultrasound reflections at the location where the scanning path and return path are switched.

[0103] Next, using Figure 8 This describes the planar scanning operation process of the array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1.

[0104] In step S81, the control device 10 acquires the scanning conditions, including the position (XY coordinates) of the origin of the scanning area, the width (length in the X-axis direction), and the height (length in the Y-axis direction).

[0105] In step S82, the scanner control unit 11 of the control device 10 drives the 3-axis scanner 2 to move the probe 4 to the position of the origin of the scanning range.

[0106] In step S83, the control device 10 repeats the processing of steps S83 to S811 by adjusting the height (Y-axis direction) of the scanning area.

[0107] In step S84, the scanner control unit 11 starts the scanning action of the probe 4 in the X-axis direction of the scanning area via the X-axis scanner 21.

[0108] In step S85, the control device 10 repeats the processing of steps S86 to S88 by adjusting the width (X-axis direction) of the scanning area.

[0109] In step S86, the command transceiver unit 12 of the control device 10 determines whether the encoder output of the X-axis scanner 21 notified by the scanner control unit 11 is detected. If the encoder output is detected (Yes in S86), the electronic scanning process of the probe 4 in step S87, which will be described in detail later, is performed. If the encoder output is not detected, the process of step S86 is repeated, waiting for the encoder output to be detected.

[0110] In step S89, the scanner control unit 11 of the control device 10 performs a displacement operation by moving the scanning width of the electronic scanning in the Y-axis direction through the Y-axis scanner 22 of the 3-axis scanner 2.

[0111] In step S810, the scanner control unit 11 is set to reverse the movement direction (scanning direction) of the probe 4 in the scanning operation that started in step S84.

[0112] Through the above processing, the array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1 captures ultrasonic images of the specified scanning area of ​​the subject 8.

[0113] Figure 9 It means Figure 8 The flowchart details the electronic scanning process of probe 4 in step S87.

[0114] exist Figure 9 In this process, the number of irradiation points of probe 4 is set to n (an odd number), the serial number of the irradiation points at one end of the electronic scanning is set to 1, and the points are numbered in ascending order towards the other end.

[0115] In step S91, the timing processing unit 13 (refer to...) Figure 1 While incrementing variable i by 1 each time, repeat steps S92 to S94 until variable i changes from 1 to (n-1) / 2.

[0116] In step S92, the timing processing unit 13 selects the transducer group that irradiates the ultrasonic beam at the irradiation point (i), and generates a transducer motion signal by the transducer action signal generation unit 14 (see reference). Figure 1 The transducer action signal is generated at probe 4, and the ultrasonic beam is irradiated at the irradiation point (i).

[0117] In step S93, the timing processing unit 13 selects the group of transducers that irradiate the ultrasonic beam at the irradiation point (n+1-i), and generates a transducer motion signal by the transducer action signal generation unit 14 (see reference). Figure 1 The transducer generates a motion signal at probe 4 and irradiates the ultrasonic beam at the irradiation point (n+1-i).

[0118] By repeating steps S92 and S93, the timing processing unit 13 alternately irradiates the ultrasonic beam from the irradiation point at the opposite end to the irradiation point at the center.

[0119] In step S95, the timing processing unit 13 irradiates the ultrasonic beam at the irradiation point ((n+1) / 2). That is, the ultrasonic beam is irradiated at the irradiation point at the center of the electronic scan.

[0120] Through the above processing, the ultrasonic beam is irradiated at the positions of the first irradiation point, the third irradiation point, ... from one end of the electronic scanning towards the center, and at the positions of the second irradiation point, the fourth irradiation point, ... from the opposite end towards the center, in the order of the first irradiation point, the second irradiation point, the third irradiation point, and the fourth irradiation point.

[0121] above, Figure 9 The explanation addresses the case where the number of illumination points on probe 4 is odd. When the number of illumination points is even, steps S92 to S94 are repeated while incrementing variable i by 1 each time in step S91, until variable i increases from 1 to n / 2. Furthermore, step S95 can be omitted.

[0122] Through the above processing, such as Figure 6B As shown, the deviation between the final ultrasonic beam irradiation point (i.e., irradiation point g) of the electronic scan in scanning action 1 and the initial ultrasonic beam irradiation point (i.e., irradiation point a) of the electronic scan in scanning action 2 is relatively... Figure 3B The situation shown is small.

[0123] Therefore, the control device 10 can reduce the deviation of the light and dark images at the boundary between the display area of ​​scanning action 1 and the display area of ​​scanning action 2 when the reflected wave of the electronically scanned ultrasonic beam is the same as the reflected wave in the X-axis direction, the signal strength of the reflected wave is calculated and displayed as a light and dark image.

[0124] Furthermore, since the probe 4 alternately irradiates the ultrasonic beam from the irradiation point at the opposite end to the irradiation point at the center to perform electronic scanning, it can reduce the deterioration of the positional shift of adjacent irradiation points in electronic scanning and suppress the significant deviation of the dark and light images in the display area of ​​scanning action 1 and the display area of ​​scanning action 2.

[0125] The array-type ultrasonic imaging device 1 described above can suppress image deviation of reflected wave images generated during the forward and return movements of the probe 4 during scanning, and can acquire ultrasonic images with reduced image deviation of the subject 8 at high speed.

[0126] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes various variations. The above embodiments have been described in detail for ease of understanding of the invention, and are not intended to be limited to having all the structures described.

[0127] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0128] 1. Array-type ultrasonic imaging device

[0129] 10. Control device

[0130] 11. Scanner Control Unit

[0131] 12. Command Transceiver Unit

[0132] 13 Timing Processing Department

[0133] 14 Oscillator Action Signal Generation Unit

[0134] 15. Reflected Wave Signal Processing Unit

[0135] 16. Reflected wave image generation unit

[0136] 17 Display Section

[0137] 2-axis and 3-axis scanners

[0138] 21X-axis scanner

[0139] 22Y-axis scanner

[0140] 23Z-axis scanner

[0141] 24 Retaining components

[0142] 3 Sensors

[0143] 4 probes (ultrasonic array probes)

[0144] 42. Edge section

[0145] 8. Subject

[0146] 91 sink

[0147] 92 units.

Claims

1. An array-type ultrasonic imaging device, characterized in that: An ultrasonic array probe with multiple transducers arranged in a straight line is used for planar scanning. An ultrasonic beam is irradiated onto the surface or layered boundary of the subject, and the signal intensity of the ultrasonic reflected wave from the subject is displayed. The planar scanning is performed by a scanning motion in which the ultrasonic array probe reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the transducer arrangement direction while simultaneously performing an electronic scan that irradiates the subject with an ultrasonic beam in a predetermined scanning sequence, and a displacement motion in which the ultrasonic array probe moves parallel to the transducer arrangement direction. The electronic scanning is performed by selecting multiple transducers to irradiate ultrasonic beams in a scanning sequence in which ultrasonic beams are irradiated at one end of the electronic scan and then at the opposite end, alternatingly irradiating ultrasonic beams from each end toward the center.

2. The array-type ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein include: The transducer action signal generation unit controls the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves in the transducer group of the ultrasonic array probe according to each irradiation position of the ultrasonic beam. The timing processing unit selects the oscillator group corresponding to the scanning sequence of the electronic scan; The transceiver unit, via the timing processing unit, instructs the oscillator motion signal generation unit to generate an oscillator motion signal, thereby initiating the electronic scanning of the ultrasonic array probe; and The control unit controls the transceiver command unit synchronously with the scanning action of the ultrasonic array probe.

3. The array-type ultrasonic imaging device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The timing processing unit selects the oscillator group in such a way that the ultrasonic beam irradiation point appears as a U-shape or a reverse U-shape in the direction of travel toward the ultrasonic array probe.

4. The array-type ultrasonic imaging device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: In the coordinate system in which the ultrasonic array probe performs a planar scan of the subject, the control unit sets the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic array probe's transducers as the X-axis direction, sets the arrangement direction of the transducers as the Y-axis direction, and sets the initial irradiation point of the ultrasonic beam performing the planar scan as the origin. Furthermore, the control unit ensures that the X-coordinate of the starting position of the electronic scan immediately before the displacement action is the same as the X-coordinate of the starting position of the electronic scan immediately following the displacement action.

5. The array-type ultrasonic imaging device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The reflected ultrasonic waves from the subject are received at each irradiation position of the ultrasonic beam, and the signal intensity of the reflected waves is calculated. An image of the concentration corresponding to the signal intensity is displayed at a predetermined position in a display area that is divided into rectangles corresponding to the planar scan.

6. The array-type ultrasonic imaging device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, include: The reflected wave signal processing unit calculates the signal strength of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam received by the oscillator.

7. The array-type ultrasonic imaging device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, include: The reflected wave image generation unit calculates the signal intensity of the reflected wave from the subject detected by a single electronic scan of the ultrasonic array probe as the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam at the same position in the X-axis direction, and obtains a density image. and The display unit displays the intensity image obtained by the reflected wave image generation unit as an intensity image of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam that has been scanned in a plane on the subject.

8. A control method for an array-type ultrasonic imaging device, wherein the array-type ultrasonic imaging device sequentially irradiates a subject with ultrasonic beams from multiple ultrasonic array probes arranged in a straight line to perform electronic scanning and displays the signal intensity of ultrasonic reflected waves from the subject, the control method of the array-type ultrasonic imaging device being characterized by comprising: In the first step, while irradiating the subject with an ultrasonic beam at an irradiation point at one end of the electronic scan in a prescribed scanning sequence, and then irradiating the subject with an ultrasonic beam at an irradiation point at the opposite end, the ultrasonic beam is selected in such a scanning sequence that the multiple transducers are irradiated with ultrasonic beams alternately from each end toward the center, while the ultrasonic array probe is continuously moved at a prescribed speed in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the transducers of the ultrasonic array probe. The shifting step involves moving the ultrasonic array probe parallel to the arrangement direction of the vibrators by an amount equal to the scan width of the electronic scan; and In step 2, while irradiating the subject with an ultrasonic beam at an irradiation point at one end of the electronic scan in a prescribed scanning sequence, and then irradiating the subject with an ultrasonic beam at an irradiation point at the opposite end, the ultrasonic beams are selected in a scanning sequence that alternately irradiates the ultrasonic beams from each end toward the center, while the ultrasonic array probe is moved continuously at a prescribed speed in the opposite direction to step 1. By repeatedly performing the first step, the shifting step, and the second step, the entire surface of the subject is electronically scanned.

9. The control method for the array-type ultrasonic imaging device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, include: The step of detecting the presence or absence of the encoder output of the X-axis scanner that causes the ultrasonic array probe to perform the scanning action; and The step of irradiating an ultrasonic beam at the first irradiation point at one end of the electronic scan when the encoder output is detected.

Images