Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

To reduce a difference in transmission waveforms between a plurality of transmission pulses for generating one image of a color mode even when required transmission voltage is not output in a stable manner.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a transmission unit and a correction unit. The transmission unit repeats transmission of a plurality of ultrasonic pulses for generating a color mode image. The correction unit corrects a transmission waveform of a second ultrasonic pulse according to a difference between a transmission waveform of a first ultrasonic pulse and a transmission waveform of the second ultrasonic pulse so that the transmission waveforms of the plurality of ultrasonic pulses are equal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in the present specification and drawings relate to an ultrasound diagnostic device. [Background technology]

[0002] The ultrasonic diagnostic device has a transmission power supply circuit that generates a transmission voltage for an ultrasonic pulse to be transmitted to a subject. The transmission power supply circuit generates the transmission voltage by, for example, reducing a voltage supplied from a power supply circuit of the device body to a required voltage value.

[0003] Generally, this type of voltage adjustment is performed in two stages. The front-stage circuit outputs a predetermined constant voltage based on the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit of the device body. The rear-stage circuit is controlled by a rear-stage control circuit that controls the output voltage of the rear-stage circuit, and outputs a required transmission voltage based on the predetermined constant voltage input from the front-stage circuit. This required transmission voltage changes depending on the subject and scan conditions, and there is a delay before the required transmission voltage is stably output.

[0004] Moreover, images generated by ultrasound diagnostic devices include cross-sectional images of organs that reflect the distribution of scattering intensity of tissues by the pulse-echo method (e.g., B-mode images), images in which motion information obtained by the Doppler method is added to cross-sections of organs (e.g., color mode images), etc. For example, to generate one image in color mode, multiple ultrasonic pulses are transmitted. If the transmitted waveforms of the multiple ultrasonic pulses to generate one image in this color mode are different, the image may be degraded. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-103401 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to reduce the difference in the transmission waveform between multiple ultrasonic pulses for generating one image in color mode even when the required transmission voltage is not stably output. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An ultrasonic diagnostic device according to an embodiment includes a transmitting unit and a correcting unit. The transmitting unit repeatedly transmits a plurality of ultrasonic pulses for generating a color mode image. The correcting unit corrects the transmission waveform of a second ultrasonic pulse according to a difference between a transmission waveform of an initial first ultrasonic pulse and a transmission waveform of a second ultrasonic pulse so that the transmission waveforms of the plurality of ultrasonic pulses are equivalent. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a transmission power supply circuit according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a transmission power supply circuit of a comparative example. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an output waveform of a transmission power supply in a transmission power supply circuit of a comparative example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of switching between a B-mode transmission pulse and a color mode transmission pulse. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of suppression of voltage fluctuations in a transmission power supply circuit according to a comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a transmission power supply circuit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of suppression of voltage fluctuations in a transmission power supply circuit according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transmission pulse in the transmission power supply circuit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an output waveform of a transmission power supply in the transmission power supply circuit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In the embodiments, an ultrasonic diagnostic device refers to a device equipped with a transmission power supply circuit according to the embodiments. For example, a module (generally called an ultrasonic probe) having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and equipped with a transmission power supply circuit according to the embodiments is an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic device according to the present embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 including a first transmission power supply circuit 13 according to an embodiment.

[0012] The ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (piezoelectric transducers) 2a arranged in an array.

[0013] The transmission delay circuit 3 provides each rate pulse generated by a pulse generator (not shown) with a delay time required for each ultrasonic transducer 2a to focus the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic transducers 2a into a beam and determine the transmission directivity. The pulser group 4 is connected to the ultrasonic probe 2, and applies a drive pulse to the ultrasonic transducers 2a at a timing based on the rate pulse, thereby causing the ultrasonic transducers 2a to irradiate the subject with ultrasonic pulses.

[0014] The preamplifier group 5 amplifies the ultrasonic echo received under the influence of the subject. The reception delay and addition circuit 6 adjusts the timing of the output signal of the preamplifier group 5 to form an ultrasonic echo signal.

[0015] The signal processing circuit 7 extracts information about structures in the subject from the detected ultrasonic echoes. For example, the B-mode signal processing circuit 71 performs logarithmic amplification and envelope detection processing on the echo signal to generate B-mode data in which the signal strength is expressed by brightness. The signal processing circuit 7 also detects blood flow velocity information in the subject. For example, the color mode signal processing circuit 72 performs autocorrelation calculation on the echo signal to extract blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo components due to the Doppler effect, and generates Doppler data that expresses the intensity of blood flow information such as average velocity, variance, and power in color.

[0016] The image generating circuit 8 generates a color mode image based on the multiple ultrasonic pulses, and generates a B mode image based on the B mode ultrasonic pulses. The image generating circuit 8 causes the B mode signal processing circuit 71 to develop the detected structure into an image and display it on the display 9. The image generating circuit 8 causes the color mode signal processing circuit 72 to develop the detected blood flow velocity information into an image and display it on the display 9.

[0017] The display 9 is configured with a general display output device such as a liquid crystal display or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, and displays various information under the control of the image generating circuit 8 and the control circuit 11. It is noted that the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 does not necessarily have to include the display 9.

[0018] The control circuit 11 includes a processor and a storage circuit. The processor of the control circuit 11 realizes a function of controlling the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage circuit.

[0019] The main body power supply circuit 12 generates and supplies the power used by each component of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 .

[0020] The ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 has a first transmission power circuit 13 which is a transmission power circuit for the color mode, and a second transmission power circuit 23 which is a transmission power circuit for the B mode. The first transmission power circuit 13 and the second transmission power circuit 23 output a required transmission voltage VTX required for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse based on a basic voltage supplied from the main body power circuit 12.

[0021] In the following, a case will be described in which a transmission power circuit for the color mode is configured as an independent transmission power circuit separate from the transmission power circuit for the B mode, but this does not limit the number of transmission power circuits included in the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. The ultrasound diagnostic device 1 may be configured with one transmission power circuit that can be switched so as to output a required transmission voltage VTX according to each measurement mode of the color mode and the B mode.

[0022] The input interface 14 is realized by general input devices such as a trackball, a switch, a button, a mouse, a keyboard, a touchpad that performs input operations by touching the operation surface, a non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, and a voice input circuit, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the user's operation to the control circuit 11.

[0023] The input interface 14 may also be configured as an operation panel. In this case, the operation panel functions as a touch command screen and includes, for example, a display, a touch input circuit provided near the display, and hard keys. The touch input circuit provides the control circuit 11 with information on the position of a user's instruction on the touch input circuit. The hard keys include a keyboard, a mouse, a foot switch, a trackball, various buttons, and the like. The touch input circuit and the hard keys constitute an input circuit, and each of them accepts various instructions from a user of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. Note that the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 does not need to include the input interface 14.

[0024] The first transmission power supply circuit 13, the second transmission power supply circuit 23, the transmission delay circuit 3, the pulser group 4, the preamplifier group 5, and the reception delay adding circuit 6 constitute a transmission / reception circuit 10. A part or all of the transmission / reception circuit 10, such as the first transmission power supply circuit 13, may be provided in the ultrasound probe 2.

[0025] Here, the configuration and functions of the transmission power supply circuit 113 of the comparative example will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0026] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a comparative example transmission power circuit 113. The comparative example transmission power circuit 113 includes a pre-regulator 111, a post-regulator 112, and a VTX setting circuit 114.

[0027] The pre-regulator 111 receives a reference voltage supplied from the main body power supply circuit 12, and outputs a voltage Vin that is input to the post-regulator 112. In other words, the voltage Vin is the output voltage of the pre-regulator 111 and is also the input voltage of the post-regulator 112.

[0028] The pre-regulator 111 is configured by, for example, a DC / DC converter, which is a type of switching regulator, in order to generate a high voltage from a low voltage. The pre-regulator 111 outputs a fixed value, for example, 30V.

[0029] The post-regulator 112 is composed of, for example, a series regulator. The post-regulator 112 is a low-noise DC amplifier that feedback controls an operational amplifier 112a with a feedback circuit 112b so that a reference voltage Vref specified by a VTX setting circuit 114 becomes equal to a voltage obtained by dividing the output voltage VTX of the post-regulator 112. By making the output voltage of the post-regulator 112 lower than the output voltage of the pre-regulator 111, it becomes possible to supply a more stable transmission voltage. The post-regulator 112 outputs power for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse by a transmission pulse control circuit. The post-regulator 112 is an example of a transmission power output unit.

[0030] The VTX setting circuit 114 makes the output voltage VTX of the post-regulator 112 variable by controlling a digital potentiometer (a variable resistance device whose resistance value can be controlled by a digital control signal) included in the post-regulator 112 based on, for example, a digital control signal input from the control circuit 11.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows an example of the output waveform of the transmitting power supply in the color mode in the transmitting power supply circuit 113 of the comparative example. Fig. 3(a) shows an example of the output waveform of the transmitting power supply when an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted by the transmitting power supply circuit 113 of the comparative example. Fig. 3(c) shows an enlarged view of period D in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 3(b) shows an example of the transmission waveform of an ultrasonic pulse in the transmitting power supply circuit 113 of the comparative example. Fig. 3(d) shows an enlarged view of period D in Fig. 3(b).

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the output waveform of the transmission power source (output waveform of post-regulator 112) drops due to a delay in feedback control in post-regulator 112. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 3(c), the voltage repeatedly rises and falls due to charging and discharging of capacitor C. Note that the black bands in Fig. 3(a) show the waveform of Fig. 3(c) overlapping because the time axis of Fig. 3(a) is longer than the time axis of Fig. 3(c).

[0033] The capacitance of the capacitor C connected to the output of the post-regulator 112 is, for example, about several hundred μF, and the feedback band is low. Therefore, after the transmission of the ultrasonic pulse starts and a voltage drop occurs, it takes a certain amount of time (for example, about 100 ms or less) for the voltage to reach the specified reference voltage Vref (i.e., the voltage fluctuation range of the transmission voltage becomes balanced). The reference voltage Vref is, for example, about 10V to 100V, and the voltage fluctuation range of the transmission voltage is, for example, about 1V to 2V.

[0034] The time constant of this feedback control is sufficiently long compared to the pulse width of the transmitted ultrasonic pulse. Therefore, when control is started to output the required transmission voltage, such as at the start of scanning, immediately after changing the observation area or changing the contrast, the ultrasonic pulse is transmitted with a voltage fluctuation range lower than the reference voltage Vref until the voltage fluctuation range of the transmission voltage is balanced, as shown in Figure 3(b). Therefore, as shown in Figure 3(d), during this period, the adjacent transmission pulse waveforms are not uniform but different from each other. Note that the black bands in Figure 3(b) show the waveforms in Figure 3(d) overlapping each other because the time axis in Figure 3(b) is longer than the time axis in Figure 3(d).

[0035] In color mode, one image is generated from multiple ultrasonic echo signals that are received after multiple transmitted ultrasonic pulses are reflected. Therefore, if there is a difference between the transmission waveforms of multiple (e.g., two) ultrasonic pulses used to generate one color mode image, there will also be a difference between the multiple received ultrasonic echo signals, causing noise in the generated color mode image.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an example of switching between B-mode transmission pulses and color-mode transmission pulses. In a color-mode image, in order to image the frequency drift (i.e., Doppler drift) of the reflected ultrasonic echo, the frequency difference from the ultrasonic echo of the previous frame is imaged, or the image is superimposed on the B-mode image. Both the B-mode and color modes may be alternately switched for each frame as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, one frame's worth of transmission pulses is repeatedly transmitted in each measurement mode, and the B-mode image and the color-mode image are generated alternately.

[0037] In Fig. 4, six ultrasonic pulses are transmitted within one frame in color mode. However, the number of ultrasonic pulses transmitted to generate one color mode image is not limited, and the number of ultrasonic pulses may be two or more. The first transmission power supply circuit 13 corrects the transmission waveforms of the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses according to the difference between the transmission waveform of the first ultrasonic pulse and the transmission waveform of the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses, so that the transmission waveforms of the ultrasonic pulses to generate one color mode image are equivalent.

[0038] Fig. 5 shows an example of suppression of voltage fluctuations in color mode by the transmission power supply circuit 113 of the comparative example. To generate one color mode image, multiple ultrasonic pulses are transmitted within each frame. Fig. 5 shows the output waveform of the transmission power supply until the voltage fluctuations of the transmission voltage are balanced, and the timing at which multiple ultrasonic pulses are transmitted in six frames F1 to F6.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5, the sixth frame F6 is the only frame in which the output waveform of the transmission power source is constant. Noise occurs in the color mode images of the first frame F1 to the fifth frame F5 until the voltage fluctuation range of the transmission voltage is balanced. Here, it is possible not to image the frames until the transmission voltage within one frame stabilizes (the first frame F1 to the fifth frame F5 in Fig. 5), but in that case, the user will not be able to observe the images of the frames corresponding to the voltage change range.

[0040] Therefore, a method is known in which a current equivalent to the hatched area A0 is supplied to suppress voltage fluctuations as shown in Fig. 5. For example, the difference between the required transmission voltage and the actually output voltage in the voltage fluctuation range (hatched area A0 in Fig. 5) can be reduced by increasing the capacity of capacitor C connected to the output of post-regulator 112, increasing the output current of post-regulator 112, increasing the feedback band, etc. However, this may result in larger and more multiple circuit elements, as well as heat generation due to increased current consumption.

[0041] In contrast, the first transmission power supply circuit 13 of the embodiment reduces the difference in transmission waveforms between multiple ultrasonic pulses for generating a single image in color mode, without increasing the size or number of circuit elements or increasing current consumption, even when the required transmission voltage is not output stably.

[0042] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a first transmitting power circuit 13 according to an embodiment. The first transmitting power circuit 13 has a pre-regulator 111, a post-regulator 112, a VTX setting circuit 114, a transmitting pulse control circuit 115, and a correction circuit 116. The first transmitting power circuit 13 differs from the transmitting power circuit 113 of the comparative example in that it has the correction circuit 116. The other components, that is, the pre-regulator 111, the post-regulator 112, and the VTX setting circuit 114, are not substantially different in configuration and function from the transmitting power circuit 113 of the comparative example, and therefore will not be described again.

[0043] In addition, the second transmission power circuit 23, which is a transmission power circuit for B mode, differs from the first transmission power circuit 13 in that it does not have a correction circuit 116. Since the other elements are substantially the same in configuration and function as the first transmission power circuit 13, duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0044] The transmission pulse control circuit 115 of the first transmission power supply circuit 13 shown in Fig. 6 controls a pulse generator for generating ultrasonic pulses to be transmitted. The transmission pulse control circuit 115 repeatedly transmits a plurality of ultrasonic pulses for generating a color mode image.

[0045] When the first transmission power circuit 13 and the second transmission power circuit 23 are configured by one transmission power circuit, one transmission pulse control circuit and one correction circuit may be shared by the color mode and the B mode. In this case, the shared transmission pulse control circuit repeatedly transmits a plurality of ultrasonic pulses for generating a color mode image when the measurement mode is the color mode, and repeatedly transmits B-mode ultrasonic pulses for generating a B-mode image when the measurement mode is the B mode.

[0046] In addition, when the first transmission power supply circuit 13 and the second transmission power supply circuit 23 are configured as a single transmission power supply circuit, and when color mode images and B mode images are alternately collected as shown in FIG. 4, a single shared transmission pulse control circuit may be capable of switching between repeatedly transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic pulses for generating a color mode image and transmitting a B mode ultrasonic pulse for generating a B mode image.

[0047] The transmission pulse control circuit 115 of the first transmission power circuit 13 generates ultrasonic pulses to be transmitted and also controls to generate trigger signals such as a recording trigger signal and a reproducing trigger signal. The transmission pulse control circuit of the second transmission power circuit 23 is not necessary in B mode, so it does not generate a recording trigger signal or a reproducing trigger signal. In addition, the recording trigger for recording the reference waveform may be generated by an AFE (Analog Front End) or may be generated from the transmission power waveform.

[0048] In addition, when the first transmission power circuit 13 and the second transmission power circuit 23 are configured by one transmission power circuit, and one correction circuit is used in common for the color mode and the B mode, it is preferable to control the recording trigger signal and the reproducing trigger signal so that, for example, in the color mode, a trigger signal is generated to correct the transmission waveform of the ultrasonic pulse, and in the B mode, a trigger signal is not generated to not correct the transmission waveform of the ultrasonic pulse. For example, when one transmission pulse control circuit alternately repeats the transmission of a color mode ultrasonic pulse and the transmission of a B mode ultrasonic pulse, the correction circuit 116 does not need to correct the transmission waveform of the B mode ultrasonic pulse. The transmission pulse control circuit is an example of a transmission unit.

[0049] The correction circuit 116 of the first transmission power supply circuit 13 corrects the transmission waveforms of the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses according to the difference between the transmission waveform of the first ultrasonic pulse and the transmission waveform of the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses so that the transmission waveforms of the multiple ultrasonic pulses are equivalent. At this time, the correction circuit 116 does not correct the transmission waveforms to be equivalent over the entire voltage fluctuation range (hatched area A0 in FIG. 5), but corrects the transmission waveforms to be equivalent between multiple ultrasonic pulses belonging to one frame in the color mode. For this reason, the correction by the correction circuit 116 does not necessarily make the transmission waveforms of the ultrasonic pulses of the one frame and other frames equivalent. The correction circuit 116 performs correction processing from when a required transmission voltage is set until the post-regulator 112 stably outputs the transmission voltage. The correction circuit 116 is an example of a correction unit.

[0050] The correction circuit 116 is composed of a waveform recording function 117, a comparison function 118, and a correction current output function 119. The correction circuit 116 is preferably configured to have a smaller output current than the operational amplifier 112a of the post-regulator 112, but has a higher frequency characteristic.

[0051] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of suppression of voltage fluctuation in color mode in the first transmission power circuit 13 according to the embodiment. Voltage fluctuation in each frame is suppressed by supplying a current corresponding to the hatched areas A1 to A5 in FIG. 7. Areas A1 and A2 show how the corresponding current is supplied. Areas A3 to A5 show how the corresponding current is absorbed (i.e., sunk). The areas of areas A1 to A5 in FIG. 7 are smaller than the area of ​​area A0 required for suppressing voltage fluctuation in the transmission power circuit 113 according to the comparative example in FIG. 5. According to the first transmission power circuit 13 according to the embodiment, it is possible to suppress voltage fluctuation in each frame while significantly suppressing the increase in size and number of circuit elements and the increase in bias current.

[0052] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transmission pulse in the first transmission power circuit 13 according to the embodiment. FIGS. 8(a) to 8(d) show a range equivalent to period D in FIG. 3. FIG. 8(a) shows an example of an output waveform of a transmission power source when an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted by the first transmission power circuit 13. FIG. 8(b) shows a transmission waveform of an ultrasonic pulse. FIG. 8(c) shows an example of the timing of a recording trigger signal. FIG. 8(d) shows an example of the timing of a playback trigger signal.

[0053] In the case where there are two ultrasonic pulses for generating one color mode image, if the waveform of the first transmission pulse differs from that of the second transmission pulse, the difference between the first transmission pulse and the second transmission pulse becomes a transmission error. As shown in Fig. 8(b), the first transmission power supply circuit 13 supplies a differential current equivalent to the difference caused by this transmission error to the second transmission pulse, and makes the output waveform of the second transmission power supply equivalent to the output waveform of the first transmission power supply, as shown in Fig. 8(a).

[0054] The waveform recording function 117 records the output waveform of the transmission power source corresponding to the first ultrasonic pulse as a reference waveform. The comparison function 118 compares the reference waveform with the output waveform of the transmission power source corresponding to the second or subsequent ultrasonic pulse for each transmission of the second or subsequent ultrasonic pulse, and outputs a signal according to the difference.

[0055] The correction current output function 119 corrects the power by outputting a current based on a signal corresponding to the difference between the reference waveform and the output waveform of the transmission power source corresponding to the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses. By making the reference waveform and the output waveform of the transmission power source corresponding to the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses equivalent, the transmission waveforms of the first and second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses can be made equivalent.

[0056] The waveform recording function 117 starts recording the output waveform of the transmission power source corresponding to the first ultrasonic pulse based on the rising edge of the recording trigger signal input from the transmission pulse control circuit 115, and stops recording based on the falling edge of the recording trigger signal. As shown in Fig. 8(c), the recording trigger signal is set to a timing that includes the first transmission pulse while allowing a time margin so as not to overlap with the rising edge and falling edge of the first transmission pulse.

[0057] The comparison function 118 outputs to the correction current output function 119 a voltage waveform that is the difference between the reference waveform and the voltage waveform of the transmission power source.

[0058] The correction current output function 119 starts reproducing the output waveform of the transmission power source corresponding to the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses based on the rising edge of the reproduction trigger signal input from the transmission pulse control circuit 115, and stops it based on the falling edge of the reproduction trigger signal. As shown in FIG. 8(d), the rising edge and falling edge of the reproduction trigger signal are set to a timing that includes the second transmission pulse while allowing a time margin so as not to overlap with the rising edge and falling edge of the second transmission pulse. If there is a margin in the width of the reproduction trigger signal (i.e., the time from the rising edge to the falling edge of the reproduction trigger signal), it is also possible to perform interpolation to smooth the rising edge of the output waveform of the second and subsequent transmission power sources, as shown by the dotted line 80 in FIG. 8(a).

[0059] Although the case of two transmission pulses has been described in FIG. 8, the number of transmission pulses is not limited to two. One color mode image can be generated by transmitting at least two ultrasonic pulses. In general, the more the number of transmission pulses used to generate one color mode image, the better the image quality of the color mode image. That is, the number of ultrasonic pulses to generate a color mode image may be three or more.

[0060] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an output waveform of a transmission power source in a color mode in the first transmission power source circuit 13 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG 9, the output waveform of the transmission power source within a frame is constant in all frames from the first frame F1 to the sixth frame F6.

[0061] According to the first transmission power supply circuit 13 of the embodiment, the difference in the transmission waveform between the multiple ultrasonic pulses for generating one image in the color mode is reduced. Also, the difference in the output waveform of the transmission power supply is reduced. For example, even if the measurement mode is switched to the color mode during diagnosis, an image with less noise is obtained from the first frame. Also, even if a parameter is changed in the same mode to cause a change in the transmission pulse, such as changing the contrast or the depth of the observed part, an image with less noise is obtained in all frames.

[0062] Furthermore, by quickly obtaining images with less noise, it becomes possible to improve operability and to search for parameters for obtaining an optimal image for diagnosis in a shorter time. In addition, since there are no frames that are not imaged, continuity is maintained between color mode images that are displayed consecutively. Furthermore, even if an external disturbance occurs in a frame after the voltage of the output waveform of the transmitting power source has stabilized, it is possible to further stabilize the output waveform of the transmitting power source within the frame, making it possible to obtain a stable diagnostic image with less noise.

[0063] 9 shows an example in which the number of ensembles (ensemble size) in one frame is 6. The ensemble size is the number of times that ultrasonic pulses are transmitted and received in the same direction to acquire one color mode image, and is the number of transmission pulses that belong to one frame.

[0064] It is preferable that the transmission pulse control circuit 115 generates a trigger signal according to the ensemble size so as to be able to respond to changes in the ensemble size. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 9, when the ensemble size is changed from 6 to 3, the transmission pulse control circuit 115 generates a trigger signal so that the second and third transmission pulses are equivalent to the first transmission pulse, and the fifth and sixth transmission pulses are equivalent to the fourth transmission pulse.

[0065] The first transmission power supply circuit 13 according to the embodiment can take various forms, such as a power supply such as VCC / VEE for an AFE (Analog Front End) (that is, for a pulser).

[0066] According to at least one of the embodiments of the ultrasound diagnostic device described above, even if the required transmission voltage is not stably output, it is possible to reduce the difference in transmission waveforms between multiple transmission pulses for generating one image in color mode.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a circuit such as a dedicated or general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and an FPGA), etc. The processor realizes various functions by reading and executing a program stored in a storage medium.

[0068] The functions of the processing circuit may be realized by a single processor, or a processing circuit may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, with each processor realizing each function. In addition, when multiple processors are provided, a storage medium for storing the program may be provided separately for each processor, or one storage medium may collectively store the programs corresponding to the functions of all the processors.

[0069] The waveform recording function 117, the comparison function 118, and the correction current output function 119 in the description of the embodiment are examples of a waveform recording section, a comparison section, and a correction current output section, respectively, in the claims.

[0070] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 2 Ultrasound probe 7 Signal Processing Circuit 8 Image Generation Circuit 10 Transmitter / receiver circuit 11 Control circuit 12 Main unit power circuit 13 First transmitting power supply circuit 23 Second transmitting power supply circuit 111 Preregulator 112 Post Regulator 115 Transmission pulse control circuit 116 Correction circuit 117 Waveform recording function 118 Compare Function 119 Corrected current output function

Claims

1. A transmitter that repeatedly transmits a plurality of ultrasonic pulses to generate a color mode image; A correction unit that corrects the transmission waveforms of the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses according to a difference between the transmission waveform of the first ultrasonic pulse and the transmission waveform of the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses so that the transmission waveforms of the multiple ultrasonic pulses are equivalent; An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising:

2. The correction unit is a waveform recording unit that records an output waveform of a transmission power source corresponding to the first ultrasonic pulse as a reference waveform; A comparison unit that compares the reference waveform with an output waveform of a transmission power source corresponding to the second or subsequent ultrasonic pulse for each transmission of the second or subsequent ultrasonic pulse, and outputs a signal according to the difference; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. a transmission power output unit that outputs power for transmitting ultrasonic pulses by the transmitting unit; Further equipped with the correction unit includes a correction current output unit that corrects the power by outputting a current based on a signal corresponding to the difference; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. The waveform recording unit starts recording the output waveform of the transmission power source corresponding to the first ultrasonic pulse based on a rising edge of a recording trigger signal input from the transmission unit, and stops recording based on a falling edge of the recording trigger signal, The correction current output unit starts regeneration of the output waveform of the transmission power source corresponding to the second or subsequent ultrasonic pulse based on a rising edge of a regeneration trigger signal input from the transmission unit, and stops the regeneration based on a falling edge of the regeneration trigger signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The plurality of ultrasonic pulses is three or more. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. The correction unit corrects the transmission waveforms of the second and subsequent ultrasonic pulses from when a required transmission voltage is set by the transmission power output unit until the transmission voltage is stably output. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.

7. The transmission unit repeats transmission of the plurality of ultrasonic pulses for generating the color mode image and transmission of B-mode ultrasonic pulses for generating a B-mode image, an image generating unit that generates the color mode image based on the plurality of ultrasonic pulses and generates the B-mode image based on the B-mode ultrasonic pulse; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

8. When the transmitting unit transmits the B-mode ultrasonic pulse, The correction unit does not correct the transmission waveform of the B-mode ultrasonic pulse. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7.

Images