Intraluminal insertion-type ultrasonic probe

Abstract

To improve an image quality of an ultrasonic image formed by using an intraluminal insertion-type ultrasonic probe and improve design flexibility.SOLUTION: M pieces of electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 are connected to a transducer array 80. Each of the electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 has a multiplexer MU and i pieces of receivers R1 to R4. The multiplexer MU has (i×j+k) pieces (wherein j is an integer equal to or greater than 1 or greater, and k is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than i) of input terminals, and i pieces of output terminals. A wiring circuit 200 including M pieces of the electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 connects i pieces of signal lines L1 to L4 to i pieces of transducers constituting a reception aperture without duplicate connection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intracavity ultrasonic probe, and in particular to a technique for connecting a plurality of signal lines to a transducer array. [Background technology]

[0002] As an intracavity insertion type ultrasound probe, a thin-diameter probe such as an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) probe is known. Such a probe is also called a catheter-type ultrasound probe.

[0003] In a conventional electronic scanning IVUS probe, a ring-shaped FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) board is arranged inside the tip of the probe. A ring-shaped transducer array is provided inside the ring-shaped FPC board, and multiple electronic circuits are connected to the transducer array.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic scanning IVUS probe. Multiple ICs are mounted on an FPC board provided in the tip of the probe. Each IC has a 16-to-1 multiplexer that connects one transducer selected from 16 transducers to one signal line. One received signal is acquired per transmission / reception. Patent Document 2 also discloses an electronic scanning IVUS probe.

[0005] Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not disclose a mechanism for simultaneously acquiring multiple reception signals and transmitting them to the main body of an ultrasound diagnostic device, and in particular, do not disclose an IC having input terminals whose number is not an integer multiple of the number of simultaneous receptions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2022-544560 [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-165865 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In order to improve the image quality of an ultrasound image generated using an intracavity ultrasound probe, it is desirable to simultaneously acquire multiple reception signals. Based on this premise, it is desirable to increase the degree of freedom in designing the intracavity ultrasound probe.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an intra-cavity insertion type ultrasonic probe capable of improving the image quality of an ultrasonic image, or to increase the degree of freedom in designing an intra-cavity insertion type ultrasonic probe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The intracavity insertion type ultrasonic probe according to the present disclosure includes a ring-shaped transducer array, i (where i is an integer of 2 or more) signal lines, and a wiring circuit having a plurality of multiplexers arranged in parallel between the transducer array and the i signal lines, each of the multiplexers having i×j+k (where j is an integer of 1 or more, and k is an integer of 1 or more and less than i) input terminals to which a plurality of reception signals from the transducer array are input, and i output terminals connected to the i signal lines, and the wiring circuit connects the i signal lines to the i transducers constituting each of the reception apertures without overlapping connections during a reception beam scanning process in which a plurality of reception apertures are sequentially set for the transducer array. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, the image quality of an ultrasound image can be improved, or the degree of freedom in designing an intracavity ultrasound probe can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electronic scanning IVUS probe according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 shows the assembly in an expanded state. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a mounted state of the assembly. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the entire receiving system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a part of a receiving system in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a group of transmitting elements and a group of receiving elements. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method for transferring control data. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wiring FPC board according to a first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing the entire receiving system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a part of a receiving system in a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing the entire receiving system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a part of a receiving system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit according to a modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing the entire receiving system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a part of a receiving system in a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (1) Overview of the embodiment The intracavity insertion type ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment has an annular transducer array, i (where i is an integer of 2 or more) signal lines, and a wiring circuit having multiple multiplexers. The multiple multiplexers are arranged in parallel between the transducer array and the i signal lines. Each multiplexer has i×j+k (where j is an integer of 1 or more, and k is an integer of 1 or more and less than i) input terminals to which multiple reception signals from the transducer array are input, and i output terminals connected to the i signal lines. The wiring circuit connects the i signal lines to the i transducers constituting each reception aperture without overlapping connections during a reception beam scanning process in which multiple reception apertures are sequentially set for the transducer array.

[0014] The number of signal lines i corresponds to the number of received signals that can be transferred in parallel at the same time, that is, the number of simultaneous receptions. Although it may be common to set the number of transducers connected to each multiplexer to an integer multiple of the number of simultaneous receptions i, such a common configuration may not be adopted due to design reasons. In such a case, the above configuration according to the embodiment functions effectively.

[0015] In the above configuration, the number of input terminals i×j+k of each multiplexer is not an integer multiple of the number of signal lines i. Dividing the number of input terminals i×j+k by the number of signal lines i produces a remainder k. Assuming such a configuration, the wiring circuit connects i signal lines to i transducers that make up the receiving aperture without overlapping connections. Here, overlapping connections generally refer to a state in which multiple transducers are simultaneously connected to one signal line, or a state in which multiple signal lines are simultaneously connected to one transducer. The wiring circuit performs wiring according to the above remainder k, that is, it avoids the occurrence of overlapping connections and realizes one-to-one connections.

[0016] According to the above configuration, since multiple reception signals can be obtained simultaneously in one transmission and reception, the image quality of the ultrasound image can be improved. In addition, since the number of transducers, the number of multiplexers, the number of input terminals, and the number of signal lines can be determined independently, the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

[0017] In an embodiment, each multiplexer includes i×j+k connection paths for cyclically connecting i output terminals one-to-one from a first input terminal, which is the first input terminal, to a last input terminal, which is the i×j+kth input terminal.

[0018] In one embodiment, each multiplexer has only i×j+k connection paths. In another embodiment, each multiplexer has (i×j+k)+(i-1) connection paths. The added i-1 connection paths are for avoiding overlapping connections in a second situation described below. It is also possible to use multiplexers having (i×j+k)×i connection paths, but in that case, the circuit scale of the multiplexer will be large. In an embodiment, each multiplexer has more than (i×j+k) connection paths and less than (i×j+k)×i connection paths.

[0019] In the embodiment, the multiple multiplexers are M (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 2) multiplexers. In a first situation in which a receiving aperture is set across an x ​​(where x is 1, 2, . . . , M-1)-th multiplexer and an x+1-th multiplexer adjacent in the electronic scanning direction, when a y (where y is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than i)-th signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the x-th multiplexer, the wiring circuit connects the y+1-th signal line (where y is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than i) to the first input terminal of the x+1-th multiplexer.

[0020] According to the above configuration, overlapping connections can be naturally avoided in electronic scanning of the receiving aperture from the first multiplexer to the Mth multiplexer. In a configuration example described later, the multiplexer closest to one side of the FPC board is set as the first multiplexer, and the multiplexer closest to the other side of the FPC board is set as the Mth multiplexer. However, any multiplexer among the M multiplexers arranged in a ring shape can be determined as the first multiplexer.

[0021] In the embodiment, the i×j+k input terminals of the Mth multiplexer include a used portion and an unused portion aligned in the electronic scanning direction. In a second situation in which a receiving aperture is set across the Mth multiplexer and the first multiplexer, when the zth (where z is an integer between 1 and i)th signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the used portion of the Mth multiplexer, the wiring circuit connects the z+1th (where z=i, 1)th signal line to the first input terminal of the first multiplexer.

[0022] According to the above configuration, even if a part of the input terminal group in the M-th multiplexer is unused, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of overlapping connections in the above second situation. As the receiving aperture is electronically scanned, when the second state ends (i.e., when the receiving aperture is entirely within the range covered by the first multiplexer), the connection relationship between the i signal lines and the i transducers may be reset to an initial connection state or a steady connection state.

[0023] In an embodiment, the multiple multiplexers include at least one first multiplexer and at least one second multiplexer. In the at least one first multiplexer, all of the i×j+k input terminals are used. In the at least one second multiplexer, the i×j+k input terminals include a used portion and an unused portion. The used portion is composed of a plurality of input terminals, and the unused portion is composed of one or a plurality of input terminals. Usually, the unused portion is set downstream of the used portion in the electronic scanning direction. The first multiplexer is a multiplexer in which all input terminals are used, and the second multiplexer is a multiplexer in which some input terminals are not used.

[0024] When the y-th signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the first multiplexer under the condition that a receiving aperture is set across the first multiplexer and the next multiplexer following it, the wiring circuit connects the y+1-th (however, when y=i, 1)-th signal line to the first input terminal of the next multiplexer. The next multiplexer may be the first multiplexer.

[0025] On the other hand, when a receive aperture is set across the second multiplexer and the next multiplexer following it, if the zth signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the used portion of the second multiplexer, the wiring circuit connects the z+1th (however, when z=i, 1st) signal line to the first input terminal of the next multiplexer. The next multiplexer may be the first multiplexer. The multiple multiplexers constituting the wiring circuit may include multiple second multiplexers.

[0026] The intracavity ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment further includes M electronic circuits provided between the transducer array and the i signal lines, each of the electronic circuits including a multiplexer and i receivers provided between the i output terminals of the multiplexer and the i signal lines.

[0027] Each receiver may be, for example, an amplifier. By amplifying the received signal in each receiver, the image quality of the ultrasound image can be improved. A transmission circuit may be provided in each electronic circuit. The transmission circuit may be composed of i×j+k transmitters connected to i×j+k transducers. In an embodiment, the multiple electronic circuits have the same configuration. This can reduce the cost of manufacturing the probe.

[0028] The intracavity insertion ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment further includes a circuit board having a wiring pattern that connects i signal lines to a plurality of electronic circuits. In the embodiment, each electronic circuit has i internal signal lines drawn from i receivers. The i internal signal lines are connected to the wiring pattern. A specific internal signal line among the i internal signal lines has two connection points. A portion between the two connection points of the specific internal signal line functions as a jumper (short circuit line) that connects two distant signal lines in the wiring pattern. This configuration makes it possible to easily avoid cross wiring, and therefore makes it possible to use a circuit board having a single wiring pattern layer. Three or more connection points may be provided on the specific internal signal line. In that case, two or more connection points are generated. Each connection point can function as a jumper.

[0029] In an embodiment, the wiring circuit includes a sub-multiplexer provided between the i output terminals of the first multiplexer and the i signal lines. The M-th multiplexer, the first multiplexer, and the sub-multiplexer connect the i signal lines to the i transducers constituting the receiving aperture without overlapping connections under the second situation described above.

[0030] Depending on the combination of the number of transducers, the number of signal lines, the number of multiplexers, and the number of input terminals, there may be a risk of overlapping connections in the second situation. The use of a submultiplexer increases the degree of freedom in wiring, so that overlapping connections can be reliably avoided. When multiple electronic circuits have the same configuration, multiple submultiplexers corresponding to the multiple multiplexers are provided. However, submultiplexers other than the first submultiplexer do not function. Each submultiplexer may be composed of multiple switch circuits.

[0031] In an embodiment, the wiring circuit includes an additional connection path group consisting of i-1 additional connection paths added to the first multiplexer. The Mth multiplexer and the first multiplexer connect i signal lines to i transducers constituting the receiving aperture without overlapping connections under the second situation described above.

[0032] As described above, depending on the combination of the number of transducers, the number of signal lines, the number of multiplexers, and the number of input terminals, there may be a risk of overlapping connections in the second situation. The additional connection path group functions effectively in such a case. When the configurations of multiple electronic circuits are made the same, the additional connection path group is provided in each multiplexer. However, the additional connection path group does not function in multiplexers other than the first multiplexer. Note that the first multiplexer may be provided with more than i-1 additional connection paths. As already described, in the embodiment, each multiplexer has connection paths that are equal to or greater than (i×j+k) and less than (i×j+k)×i.

[0033] (2) Details of the embodiment FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic device according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic device is used for ultrasonic examination of a living body (human). The ultrasonic diagnostic device has an apparatus main body 10 and an intracavity insertion type ultrasonic probe (hereinafter referred to as a probe) 12. Specifically, the probe 12 is an electronic scanning IVUS probe that is inserted into a blood vessel 14. The configuration described in detail below may be applied to other probes (for example, a bronchial ultrasonic endoscope).

[0034] The probe 12 is a flexible, long member. The outer diameter of the probe 12 is, for example, within a range of 1 to 3 mm. The outer diameter of the probe 12 may be smaller than this range, or may be larger than this range.

[0035] The tip 12A of the probe 12 has a transducer array 18 having a ring shape. The transducer array 18 is composed of, for example, tens or hundreds of transducers arranged in a ring shape. A transmitting aperture and a receiving aperture are set on the transducer array 18. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the transmitting aperture, and reflected waves are received by the receiving aperture. An ultrasonic beam (total transmitting and receiving beam) 20 is radially scanned by electronically scanning these apertures.

[0036] An electronic circuit group 22 is provided in the tip portion 12A. The electronic circuit group 22 is electrically connected to the transducer array 18. The transmitting aperture and the receiving aperture are electronically scanned by the action of the electronic circuit group 22. The electronic circuit group 22 is composed of a plurality of electronic circuits. The number of electronic circuits is, for example, within a range of 4 to 8, and may be 5 or 6. Each electronic circuit is composed of, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0037] The probe 12 has a hollow passageway formed along its central axis, into which a guidewire 16 is inserted. More precisely, the probe 12 advances through the blood vessel 14 along the guidewire 16 that has already been placed within the blood vessel.

[0038] The transceiver 24 is an electronic circuit that functions as a transmission control circuit and also functions as a reception beamformer. Transmission and reception control data is sent from the transceiver 24 to the electronic circuit group 22. During transmission, the electronic circuit group 22 generates multiple transmission signals. These transmission signals are sent to the transducer array 18, which then forms a transmission beam.

[0039] During reception, multiple reception signals output in parallel from the transducer array 18 are sent to the transceiver unit 24 via the electronic circuit group 22. The transceiver unit 24 applies phasing addition to the multiple reception signals, thereby generating reception beam data. The electronic circuit group 22 may also perform sub-beamforming for reception.

[0040] An interface unit is provided between the probe 12 and the transmitting / receiving unit 24, but is not shown in Fig. 1. As the ultrasonic beam is radially scanned, a plurality of pieces of received beam data are sequentially sent from the transmitting / receiving unit 24 to the image forming unit 28 via the data processing unit 26.

[0041] The data processing unit 26 has a detection circuit, a filter circuit, a logarithmic conversion circuit, etc. The image forming unit 28 is composed of a digital scan converter (DSC). A tomographic image is formed from a plurality of received beam data by the DSC. The tomographic image is displayed on the display 30. The tomographic image is, for example, a moving image showing a cross section of the blood vessel 14. The moving image showing the blood vessel longitudinal section may be displayed on the display 30. In this case, a tomographic image showing the blood vessel longitudinal section may be generated by connecting a plurality of cross section data in the blood vessel central axis direction. A three-dimensional image may be displayed on the display 30.

[0042] The control unit 32 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program. The control unit 32 controls the operation of each component in the ultrasonic diagnostic device. The display unit 30 is composed of an organic EL display device, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc. An operation panel (not shown) is connected to the control unit 32.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the probe according to the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the tip portion 12A. The FPC board 34 is a flexible film member for wiring. The FPC board 34 has an annular shape. The transducer array 18 is provided inside the FPC board 34. The transducer array 18 is composed of a plurality of transducers 18a arranged in an annular shape. Ultrasound transmitted from each transducer 18a passes through the FPC board 34 and is then emitted into the living body. Reflected waves from the living body pass through the FPC board 34 and are then received by each transducer 18a. The ultrasonic beam 20 is radially scanned as shown in the figure (see reference numeral 36).

[0044] A cylindrical backing 38 is provided inside the transducer array 18. The backing 38 is a member that attenuates ultrasonic waves radiated backward from each transducer 18a. A pipe 40 is provided inside the backing 38. The inside of the pipe 40 is a passage 42 into which a guide wire is inserted.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows the assembly 44 in an expanded state. The assembly 44 is disposed in the tip of the probe. The assembly 44 is composed of an FPC board 34, a transducer array 18, an electronic circuit group 22, etc. The electronic circuit group 22 is composed of a plurality of electronic circuits 52. Reference numeral 54 denotes a signal line group provided between the tip of the probe and the ultrasonic diagnostic device main body. During reception, the wiring circuit 200 connects a plurality of signal lines to a plurality of transducers constituting a receiving aperture without overlapping connections, that is, one-to-one. The wiring circuit 200 includes a plurality of multiplexers, which will be described later.

[0046] 4 shows the assembly 44 in a mounted state. The FPC board 34 is rolled up and has a cylindrical shape. In this state, one side 56 and the other side 58 of the FPC board 34 are close to each other or connected. The transducer array 18 and the electronic circuit group 22 are provided inside the FPC board 34. For example, the direction from the one side 56 to the other side 58 is the electronic scanning direction. Of M (where M is an integer of 2 or more) electronic circuits 52 constituting the electronic circuit group 22, the electronic circuit closest to the one side 56 is the first electronic circuit 52, and the electronic circuit closest to the other side is the Mth electronic circuit 52.

[0047] 5 shows an electronic circuit 52 according to the first embodiment. The electronic circuit 52 is an integrated circuit, specifically an ASIC. The electronic circuit 52 is connected to a specific transducer group 72 in the transducer array. The transducer group 72 is made up of i×j+k transducers. The transducer group connected to the Mth electronic circuit is made up of transducers the number of which is i×j+k or less.

[0048] Here, i corresponds to the number of signal lines for transmitting received signals. For example, i=4. In that case, four received signals are transmitted simultaneously in parallel. j is an integer equal to or greater than 1. k is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than i. When the number of transducers constituting transducer group 72, i×j+k, is divided by the number of signal lines, i, a remainder k is produced. For example, j is 3 and k is 1. In the illustrated configuration example, i×j+k=13.

[0049] The electronic circuit 52 has a transmission circuit 62, a reception circuit 74, and a multiplexer MU. The transmission circuit 62 is composed of, for example, i×j+k transmitters 64. Each transmitter 64 has a delay generator 66, a waveform generator 68, and an amplifier 70. The delay generator 66 sets a transmission delay (delay time). The waveform generator 68 generates a transmission signal. The delayed transmission signal is amplified by the amplifier 70. The amplified transmission signal is output to the corresponding transducer. In practice, i×j+k transmission signals are output in parallel to the transducer group 72. This forms a transmission beam.

[0050] The multiplexer MU has i×j+k input terminals and i output terminals. The multiplexer MU also has a connection path group consisting of i×j+k connection paths connecting the i×j+k input terminals and i output terminals. A maximum of i connection paths are selected simultaneously from the connection path group. The multiplexer MU has a large number of switches for path selection. A multiplexer MU that can adequately withstand the transmission voltage is used.

[0051] The receiving circuit 74 is composed of i receivers 76. Specifically, each receiver 76 is a preamplifier. When i received signals are output in parallel from the multiplexer MU, all of the received signals are amplified, and the amplified i received signals are sent to i signal lines 78. The i signal lines 78 are for simultaneously transmitting the i received signals in parallel to the ultrasound diagnostic device main body.

[0052] During transmission, each unused transmitter 64 is turned off, and in the multiplexer MU, all connections between the i×j+k input terminals and the i output terminals are interrupted. During reception, the transmission circuit 62 is turned off, and each unused receiver 76 is also turned off. In the multiplexer MU, a connection path corresponding to each receiver 76 used at each time is selected from the group of connection paths.

[0053] M electronic circuits 52 are disposed within the tip of the probe. The M electronic circuits 52 include M multiplexers MU. In the first embodiment, a wiring circuit 200 is configured by the M multiplexers MU.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a receiving system according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows M electronic circuits IC1 to IC5. In the illustrated configuration example, M is 5. The electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 are connected to a transducer array 80. The transducer array 80 is composed of N transducers arranged in the electronic scanning direction. In the illustrated configuration example, N is 64. Reference numeral 82 indicates a receiving aperture at a specific position. The receiving aperture 82 is composed of i transducers. In the illustrated configuration example, i is 4.

[0055] Reference numeral 84 indicates the electronic scanning direction. In FIG. 6, the electronic circuit IC1 located on the leftmost side is the first (1st) electronic circuit, and the electronic circuit IC5 located on the rightmost side is the last (5th) electronic circuit. This numbering is for convenience, and any electronic circuit can be defined as the first electronic circuit. As will be described later, in the last electronic circuit, there may be an unused portion that is not connected to the transducer array 80. In FIG. 1, of the N transducers, the transducer located on the leftmost side is the first transducer #1, and the transducer located on the rightmost side is the Nth (64th) transducer.

[0056] As already explained, each of the electronic circuits IC1-IC5 has a multiplexer MU and i receivers R1-R4. Each of the electronic circuits IC1-IC5 also has i internal signal lines provided on the output side of the i receivers R1-R4, and i connection points (pads) 87 connected to the i internal signal lines. The i connection points 87 are connected to i signal lines L1-L4.

[0057] As already explained, the multiplexer MU has i×j+k input terminals and i output terminals. The multiplexer MU also has a connection path group 83 consisting of i×j+k connection paths connecting the i×j+k input terminals and i output terminals. In FIG. 6, i1 indicates the first input terminal, and i13 indicates the last input terminal. o1 to o4 indicate i output terminals. The multiplexer MU cyclically connects i signal lines arranged in a predetermined order from the first input terminal to the last input terminal of the i×j+k input terminals in a one-to-one relationship. The multiplexer MU also functions as a transmission / reception separation circuit.

[0058] The five electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 have the same configuration. The input terminals i1 to i13 of the multiplexer MU in the first electronic circuit IC1 are connected to a first transducer group consisting of transducer #1 to transducer #13. The input terminals i1 to i13 of the multiplexer MU in the second electronic circuit IC2 are connected to a second transducer group consisting of transducer #14 to transducer #26. The input terminals i1 to i13 of the multiplexer MU in the third electronic circuit IC3 are connected to a third transducer group consisting of transducer #27 to transducer #39. The input terminals i1 to i13 of the multiplexer MU in the fourth electronic circuit IC4 are connected to a fourth transducer group consisting of transducer #40 to transducer #52. The input terminals i1 to i12 of the multiplexer MU in the fifth electronic circuit IC5 are connected to a fifth transducer group consisting of transducer #53 to transducer #64. The last input terminal 86a of the multiplexer MU in the fifth electronic circuit IC5 is not used in the illustrated configuration example. In Fig. 6, the input terminal is marked with an X. The first to fourth multiplexers MU are all-input-terminal-used multiplexers (first multiplexers), and the fifth multiplexer MU is a multiplexer (second multiplexer) that does not use some of its input terminals.

[0059] M electronic circuits IC1-IC5 aligned in the electronic scanning direction have M multiplexers MU aligned in the electronic scanning direction. These multiplexers form a wiring circuit 200. In the process of electronically scanning the receiving aperture in the electronic scanning direction, in the first embodiment, the electronic circuits IC1-IC5 and the signal lines L1-L4 are connected so that the following first connection condition is satisfied, in order to prevent overlapping connections from occurring.

[0060] When focusing on the x (where x is 1, 2, . . . , M-1)-th and x+1-th multiplexers adjacent in the electronic scanning direction (typically when a receiving aperture is set across them), if the y (where y is an integer between 1 and i)-th signal line is connected to the last input terminal i13 of the x-th multiplexer, then the y+1 (where y is 1 when y=i)-th signal line is connected to the first input terminal i1 of the x+1-th multiplexer.

[0061] To be more specific, in the first electronic circuit IC1, the output terminals o1, o2, o3, o4 (i.e., receivers R1, R2, R3, R4) of the multiplexer MU are connected to signal lines L1, L2, L3, L4 (the order of the code strings indicates the order of connection). In the second electronic circuit IC2, the output terminals o1, o2, o3, o4 of the multiplexer MU are connected to signal lines L2, L3, L4, L1. In the third electronic circuit IC3, the output terminals o1, o2, o3, o4 of the multiplexer MU are connected to signal lines L3, L4, L1, L2. In the fourth electronic circuit IC4, the output terminals o1, o2, o3, o4 of the multiplexer MU are connected to signal lines L4, L1, L2, L3. In the fifth electronic circuit IC5, output terminals o1, o2, o3, and o4 of the multiplexer MU are connected to signal lines L1, L2, L3, and L4.

[0062] In the fifth electronic circuit IC5, the input terminal group of the multiplexer MU has used and unused portions aligned in the electronic scanning direction. Specifically, as described above, the last input terminal 86a is the unused portion.

[0063] By applying the above first connection condition, even if a receiving aperture is set across two multiplexers MU adjacent in the electronic scanning direction within the range from the first multiplexer MU to the Mth multiplexer MU, overlapping connections do not occur. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described below, even if a receiving aperture is set across the Mth multiplexer MU and the first multiplexer MU, overlapping connections are avoided without using any special means.

[0064] 7 shows the Mth multiplexer MU and the first multiplexer MU. Reference numeral 86 denotes a gap or joint between one side and the other side of the FPC board. The input terminal row of the Mth multiplexer MU is composed of a used portion 84 and an unused portion 85 aligned in the electronic scanning direction. The unused portion 85 is the 13th input terminal.

[0065] In FIG. 7, the receiving aperture 82 consists of four transducers, transducer #62 to transducer #1. The 10th, 11th, and 12th input terminals of the 5th multiplexer MU are connected to these transducers, and the 1st input terminal of the 1st multiplexer MU is also connected to them. The 10th, 11th, and 12th input terminals of the 5th multiplexer MU are connected to signal lines L2, L3, and L4, and the 1st input terminal of the 1st multiplexer MU is connected to signal line L1. In this way, no overlapping connection occurs. As shown by reference numeral 83, even if the receiving aperture shifts by one pitch in the electronic scanning direction, no overlapping connection occurs. The same applies to the following transducers.

[0066] Generally speaking, when a receive aperture is set across the Mth multiplexer and the first multiplexer, the following second connection condition should be satisfied in order to avoid the occurrence of overlapping connections.

[0067] When the zth (where z is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than i) signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the used portion of the Mth multiplexer, the z+1th (where z=i, then 1) signal line is connected to the first input terminal of the first multiplexer. In the first embodiment, the second connection condition is naturally satisfied because the last signal line L4 is connected to the last input terminal i12 of the used portion of the last multiplexer. If the second connection condition is not naturally satisfied, a means for satisfying the second connection condition is added. This will be explained later.

[0068] The transmit aperture and receive aperture set in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Reference numeral 88 indicates a transmit / receive number. Reference numerals 90 and 92 indicate a transmit element group and a receive element group used in each transmission / reception. The transmit element group is a plurality of transducers that constitute the transmit aperture. The receive element group is a plurality of transducers that constitute the receive aperture. In the illustrated example, the transmit aperture is composed of 12 transducers, and the receive aperture is composed of 4 transducers. The contents shown in Fig. 8 are merely examples, and various transmit / receive sequences can be adopted.

[0069] 9 shows an example of a method for transferring control data. The electronic circuit group 94 is composed of M electronic circuits 96-1 to 96-M. Each of the electronic circuits 96-1 to 96-M has a shift register SF. The M shift registers are connected in a ring shape. By inputting a series of control data to a specific shift register, necessary data is set to all the shift registers. Each of the electronic circuits 96-1 to 96-M operates according to that data.

[0070] 10 shows an FPC board 110 in the first embodiment. M electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 are mounted on the FPC board 110. Each of the electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 has the same configuration. Focusing on the electronic circuit IC1, the electronic circuit IC1 has i internal signal lines g1 to g4 connected to i receivers R1 to R4. The electronic circuit IC1 also has four connection points 100 to 106 provided on the i internal signal lines g1 to g4, and a connection point 108 additionally provided on a specific internal signal line g1. Each connection point is a pad or a terminal.

[0071] The FPC board 110 has a wiring pattern 111. The wiring pattern 111 has a plurality of signal lines 112-124. The signal line 112 is for connecting the signal line L1 to five specific receivers (see a-e). The signal lines 114 and 120 are for connecting the signal line L2 to five specific receivers. The signal lines 116 and 122 are for connecting the signal line L3 to five specific receivers. The signal lines 118 and 124 are for connecting the signal line L4 to five specific receivers.

[0072] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 10, two connection points 100, 108 are provided on a specific internal signal line g1. A portion 109 between the two connection points 100, 108 on the specific internal signal line g1 functions as a jumper (short-circuit line) as necessary. That is, two signal lines separated in the Y direction included in the wiring pattern 111 can be connected by the portion 109 (see reference numerals 109a, 109b, 109c). This makes it possible to use an FPC board having a single wiring layer as the FPC board 110. Such an FPC board is thinner and softer than an FPC board having multiple wiring layers. Two or more connection points are provided for each of the multiple internal signal lines g1 to g4 as necessary.

[0073] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. Figure 11 shows an electronic circuit 52A according to the second embodiment. In Figure 11, elements similar to those shown in Figure 5 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0074] In the electronic circuit 52A, a sub-multiplexer SMU is provided in the subsequent stage of a receiving circuit 74 consisting of i receivers 76. The sub-multiplexer SMU is a means for preventing overlapping connections from occurring under certain circumstances. The sub-multiplexer SMU is composed of, for example, multiple switch circuits. In the second embodiment, the wiring circuit 202 is composed of M multiplexers MU and M sub-multiplexers SMU.

[0075] 12 shows a receiving system according to the second embodiment. The receiving system includes M electronic circuits IC1 to IC5, which have the same configuration. The transducer array is composed of N transducers. In the illustrated configuration example, M is 5 and N is 64. The number of signal lines i is 3.

[0076] Each of the electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 includes a multiplexer MU, i receivers R1 to R3, and a sub-multiplexer SMU. The multiplexer MU has i×j+k input terminals and i output terminals. The multiplexer MU also has a group of connection paths consisting of i×j+k connection paths connecting the i×j+k input terminals and the i output terminals. Here, i×j+k is 13 in the illustrated configuration example. That is, i is 3, j is 4, and k, which corresponds to the remainder, is 1. The last input terminal of the Mth multiplexer is unused (see the X mark). Since a transmission signal is not input to the sub-multiplexer SMU, a circuit having a relatively low withstand voltage can be used as the sub-multiplexer SMU.

[0077] In the illustrated configuration example, the sub-multiplexer SMU is composed of two switch circuits S1 and S2. The switch circuit S1 is provided after the receiver R1 and selects one of two signal lines. The switch circuit S2 is provided after the receiver R2 and selects one of two signal lines.

[0078] The signal lines connected directly below each switch circuit S1, S2 are the signal lines that are normally selected, and the signal lines shown diagonally below and to the right of each switch circuit S1, S2 are the signal lines that are exceptionally selected. In reality, only the submultiplexer SMU in the first electronic circuit IC1 functions, and the submultiplexers SMU in the other electronic circuits IC2, IC3, IC4, and IC5 do not function. In other words, lines 132 and 134 shown by dashed lines are not actually used.

[0079] In the second embodiment, i signal lines L1 to L4 are connected to M electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 so that the first connection condition is satisfied. Assuming that all switch circuits S1 and S2 are in a steady selection state, when the y-th signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the x-th multiplexer within the range from the first electronic circuit IC1 to the M-th electronic circuit IC5, the y+1 (however, when y=i, 1)-th signal line is connected to the first input terminal of the x+1-th multiplexer. This prevents overlapping connections from occurring during the electronic scanning of the receiving aperture from the first electronic circuit IC1 to the M-th electronic circuit IC5.

[0080] 13 shows a situation in which a receiving aperture 136 is set across the M-th multiplexer and the first multiplexer in the second embodiment. In this case, wiring is performed so that the second connection condition described above is satisfied.

[0081] In other words, when the zth signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the used part of the Mth multiplexer, the z+1th (but 1st when z=i)th signal line is connected to the first input terminal of the first multiplexer.

[0082] Specifically, when the receive aperture 136 is set, in the first electronic circuit IC1, the switch circuit S1 selects the output line 140 as an exception from the two output lines 138 and 140. As a result, the signal lines L3, L1, and L2 are connected to the three transducers that make up the receive aperture 136. Next, when the receive aperture 142 is set, the switch circuit S1 maintains the selection of the output line 140, and the switch circuit S2 selects the output line 146 as an exception from the two output lines 144 and 146. As a result, the signal lines L1, L2, and L3 are connected to the three transducers that make up the receive aperture 136.

[0083] In this way, in the second situation where the receiving aperture is set across the Mth multiplexer and the first multiplexer, the switch circuits S1 and S2 function auxiliary to avoid overlapping connections.

[0084] When the entire receive aperture is within the coverage area of ​​the first multiplexer MU (see reference numeral 148), the switch circuit S1 selects the output line 138, and the switch circuit S2 selects the output line 144. That is, the initial wiring state or the steady-state wiring state is restored.

[0085] A third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 14 and 15. The configuration of the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the second embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, M is 6, N is 64, and i is 3. The number of input terminals of each multiplexer, i x j + k, is 11. Here, j is 3, and k is 2. The input terminal row of the M-th multiplexer includes a used portion and an unused portion aligned in the electronic scanning direction. The unused portion is composed of two input terminals (see the two X marks). In Fig. 14, the first to fifth multiplexers MU are all-input-terminal-used multiplexers (first multiplexers), and the sixth multiplexer MU is a part-input-terminal-unused multiplexer (second multiplexer). It is also possible to leave the last input terminal of the fifth multiplexer MU and the last input terminal of the sixth multiplexer MU unused.

[0086] The receiving system according to the third embodiment has M electronic circuits IC1 to IC6. The wiring circuit 204 is composed of M multiplexers MU and M sub-multiplexers. Each sub-multiplexer is composed of a switch circuit S1 and a switch circuit S2. In the third embodiment, the switch circuit S1 and the switch circuit S2 in the first electronic circuit IC1 also function as auxiliary circuits in the second situation described above. The switch circuits other than these two switches do not operate, and these switch circuits constantly select a specific signal line (solid line). For example, in the second electronic circuit IC2, the signal lines (dashed lines) 154 and 156 are not selected.

[0087] In the third embodiment, under the first situation, i signal lines L1 to L3 are cyclically connected to M electronic circuits IC1 to IC6 so that the first connection condition is satisfied. That is, on the premise that all switch circuits S1 and S2 are in a steady selection state, when the y-th signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the x-th multiplexer within the range from the 1st electronic circuit IC1 to the Mth electronic circuit IC5, the y+1 (but 1 when y=i)-th signal line is connected to the first input terminal of the x+1th multiplexer. As a result, no overlapping connections occur in the process of electronically scanning the receiving aperture from the 1st electronic circuit IC1 to the Mth electronic circuit IC6.

[0088] 15 shows the operation of the third embodiment under the second situation. The input terminal row in the M-th multiplexer is composed of a used portion 157 and an unused portion 158 aligned in the electronic scanning direction. A receiving aperture 159 is set across the M-th multiplexer and the first multiplexer. In this case, the wiring is arranged so that the above-mentioned second connection condition is satisfied.

[0089] That is, when the zth signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the used part 157 in the Mth multiplexer, the z+1th (1st when z=i) signal line is connected to the first input terminal of the first multiplexer. The switch circuits S1 and S2 operate so that the second connection condition is satisfied.

[0090] Specifically, the first signal line L1 is connected to the last input terminal of the used portion 157 via the receiver R3. When the receiving aperture 159 is set, the switch circuit S1 selects the output line 162. That is, it selects the signal line L2. As a result, the three receiving signals output from the three transducers that make up the receiving aperture 159 are sent to the signal lines L3, L1, and L2.

[0091] Thereafter, when the receiving aperture 164 is set, the switch circuit S1 maintains the selection of the output line 162, and the switch circuit S2 selects the output line 168. That is, the signal line L3 is selected. As a result, the three receiving signals output from the three transducers that make up the receiving aperture 164 are transmitted using the signal lines L1, L2, and L3.

[0092] When the entire receiving aperture is within the coverage area of ​​the first multiplexer MU (see reference numeral 170), the switch circuit S1 selects the signal line 160, and the switch circuit S2 selects the signal line 166. In other words, the initial wiring state or the normal wiring state is restored.

[0093] A modified example of the second and third embodiments is shown in Fig. 16. In Fig. 16, elements similar to those shown in Fig. 11 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0094] The electronic circuit 52B does not have a sub-multiplexer SMU. The sub-multiplexer SMU is added to the rear stage of the first electronic circuit 52B. The wiring circuit 206 is composed of M multiplexers MU and one sub-multiplexer SMU. This modification makes it possible to miniaturize each electronic circuit while satisfying the second connection condition. The sub-multiplexer SMU may be mounted on a wiring FPC board.

[0095] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17 and Fig. 18. In Fig. 17, a receiving system according to the fourth embodiment has M electronic circuits IC1 to IC5. The M electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 have the same configuration. In the illustrated configuration example, M is 5 and N is 64. i is 3. Each of the electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 has a multiplexer MU and i receivers R1 to R3. The last input terminal of the Mth multiplexer is unused (see the X mark).

[0096] Each multiplexer MU has i×j+k input terminals i1 to i13 and i output terminals o1 to o3. The i×j+k input terminals i1 to i13 are connected to the i×j+k transducers. The i output terminals are connected to the i signal lines L1 to L3. In the illustrated configuration example, i×j+k is 13, that is, j is 4 and k is 1.

[0097] Each multiplexer MU has a connection path group 174. The connection path group 174 includes a connection path group 175 consisting of i×j+k connection paths for cyclically connecting i signal lines L1 to L3 to i×j+k transducers. The connection path group 174 also includes an additional connection path group 176 consisting of i-1 connection paths (additional connection paths) for avoiding overlapping connections in the above-mentioned second situation. In the illustrated example, the additional connection path group 176 is composed of i-1 additional connection paths, specifically, two additional connection paths (see the two thick lines).

[0098] In the first electronic circuit IC1, in the steady state, the first input terminal is connected to the first signal line L1, and the second input terminal is connected to the second signal line. In the above second situation, in the first electronic circuit IC1, the first input terminal is connected to the second signal line L2, and the second input terminal is connected to the third signal line L3. The M-1 additional connection path group included from the second multiplexer MU to the Mth multiplexer MU does not function. Only the additional connection path group included in the first multiplexer MU functions to avoid overlapping connections only in the second situation.

[0099] In the fourth embodiment, i signal lines L1 to L3 are connected to M electronic circuits IC1 to IC5 so that the first connection condition is satisfied. That is, when the y-th signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the x-th multiplexer, the y+1 (however, when y=i, the 1st) signal line is connected to the first input terminal of the x+1-th multiplexer. In this case, the y+2 (however, when y=i, the 2nd) signal line is connected to the second input terminal of the x+1-th multiplexer. The same applies to the other input terminals of the x+1-th multiplexer.

[0100] 18 shows the operation of the fourth embodiment under the second situation. A receiving aperture 179 is set across the Mth electronic circuit IC5 and the first electronic circuit IC1. The first signal line L1 is connected to the last input terminal i12 of the used portion of the Mth multiplexer MU via the receiver R3. That is, y=1. In this case, due to the action of the first multiplexer MU (by using the additional connection path group 176), the second signal line L2, not the first signal line L1, is connected to the first input terminal i1 of the first multiplexer MU (see reference numeral 177).

[0101] Thereafter, when the receive aperture 180 is set, in the first multiplexer MU, the connection of the second signal line L2 to the first input terminal i1 is maintained, and the third signal line L3 is connected to the second input terminal instead of the second signal line L2 (see reference numeral 178).When the entire receive aperture falls within the range covered by the first multiplexer MU (see reference numeral 182), the initial connection state or the steady connection state is restored.

[0102] According to the first embodiment, overlapping connections are naturally avoided in the second situation. In general, when the last input terminal of the used part of the Mth multiplexer is connected to the ith signal line, overlapping connections are naturally avoided. According to the second, third and fourth embodiments, a means for avoiding overlapping connections in the second situation is provided, and overlapping connections are avoided by utilizing the means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 12 probe, 18 transducer array, 22 electronic circuit group, 34 FPC board, 44 assembly, 52 electronic circuit, 62 transmitting circuit, 74 receiving circuit, 200 wiring circuit, MU multiplexer, R1~R4 receivers, L1~L4 signal lines.

Claims

1. An annular transducer array; i signal lines (where i is an integer equal to or greater than 2); A wiring circuit having a plurality of multiplexers arranged in parallel between the transducer array and the i signal lines; Including, Each of the multiplexers is i×j+k input terminals (where j is an integer equal to or greater than 1, and k is an integer equal to or greater than 1 but less than i) to which a plurality of reception signals from the transducer array are input; i output terminals connected to the i signal lines; having The wiring circuit connects the i signal lines to the i transducers constituting each of the receiving apertures without overlapping connections during a receiving beam scanning process in which a plurality of receiving apertures are sequentially set for the transducer array.

1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

2. 2. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, Each of the multiplexers includes i×j+k connection paths for cyclically connecting the i output terminals in a one-to-one relationship from a first input terminal, which is a first input terminal, to a last input terminal, which is an i×j+k input terminal.

1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

3. 3. The intracavity ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, the plurality of multiplexers is M (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 2) multiplexers, the wiring circuit connects the y+1 (however, when y=i, the wiring circuit connects the y+1 (however, when y=i, the wiring circuit connects the y+1)-th signal line to the first input terminal of the x+1-th multiplexer when the y-th (however, y is an integer between 1 and i)-th signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the x-th multiplexer under a first condition in which a receiving aperture is set across an x-th (where x is 1, 2, . . . , M−1)-th multiplexer and an x+1-th multiplexer adjacent in an electronic scanning direction; 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

4. 4. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, the i×j+k input terminals of the M-th multiplexer include a used portion and an unused portion aligned in the electronic scanning direction; the wiring circuit connects the z+1 (however, when z=i, the zth signal line is 1) to the first input terminal of the first multiplexer when the zth (where z is an integer between 1 and i)-th signal line is connected to the last input terminal of the used portion of the Mth multiplexer under a second condition in which a receiving aperture is set across the Mth multiplexer and the first multiplexer; 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

5. 3. The intracavity ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, the plurality of multiplexers includes at least one first multiplexer and at least one second multiplexer; In the at least one first multiplexer, all of the i×j+k input terminals are used; In the at least one second multiplexer, the i×j+k input terminals include a used portion and an unused portion.

1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

6. 2. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, M electronic circuits provided between the transducer array and the i signal lines; Each of the electronic circuits is The multiplexer; i receivers provided between the i output terminals of the multiplexer and the i signal lines; Including, 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

7. 7. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, The plurality of electronic circuits have the same configuration.

1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

8. 8. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 7, a circuit board having a wiring pattern connecting the i signal lines to the plurality of electronic circuits, 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

9. 9. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 8, Each of the electronic circuits has i internal signal lines extending from the i receivers; the i internal signal lines are connected to the wiring pattern; A specific internal signal line among the i internal signal lines has two connection points, a portion between the two connection points of the specific internal signal line functions as a jumper connecting two separate signal lines in the wiring pattern; 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

10. 5. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, the wiring circuit includes a sub-multiplexer provided between the i output terminals of the first multiplexer and the i signal lines; the M-th multiplexer, the first multiplexer, and the sub-multiplexer connect the i signal lines to the i transducers constituting the receiving aperture under the second condition, without overlapping connections; 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

11. 5. The intracavitary ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, the wiring circuit includes an additional connection path group consisting of i-1 additional connection paths added to the first multiplexer; the M-th multiplexer and the first multiplexer connect the i signal lines to the i transducers constituting the receiving aperture without overlapping connections under the second condition; 1. An intracorporeal ultrasound probe comprising:

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