Ultrasonic system, ultrasonic probe, control method of ultrasonic system, and control method of ultrasonic probe

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic system capable of using a variety of types of display terminals and capable of causing the display terminal that is used to execute processing according to the calculation capability of the display terminal, an ultrasonic probe, a control method of the ultrasonic system, and a control method of the ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic system (1) includes a display terminal (3) and an ultrasonic probe (2). The ultrasonic probe (2) includes a reception circuit (13) for generating a sound ray signal from a reception signal output from a vibrator array (11), an image generation unit (15) for generating ultrasonic image data from the sound ray signal, and a data selection unit (14) for selecting one of the ultrasonic image data and intermediate data generated in the middle of the generation of the ultrasonic image data as data to be output to the display terminal according to the calculation capability of the display terminal (3). The display terminal (3) to which the intermediate data is input generates ultrasonic image data from the intermediate data, and displays the ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data in a monitor (35).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic system including a plurality of types of display terminals, an ultrasonic probe connectable to the plurality of types of display terminals, a control method for the ultrasonic system, and a control method for the ultrasonic probe.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, for example, an ultrasonic system capable of connecting an ultrasonic probe to a general-purpose display terminal such as a smartphone has been developed. In such an ultrasonic system, in order to be able to connect various types of display terminals to the ultrasonic probe regardless of the computing power of the display terminal, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, ultrasonic image data may be generated in the ultrasonic probe and the generated ultrasonic image data may be displayed on the display terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, by generating ultrasonic image data in the ultrasonic probe, it is not necessary to generate ultrasonic image data in the display terminal. Therefore, for example, an inexpensive display terminal with low computing power can be used as the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe. However, when attempting to perform advanced processing such as generating high-definition ultrasonic image data in the ultrasonic probe, there is a problem that the power consumption of the ultrasonic probe increases and the temperature inside the ultrasonic probe rises due to heat generation. For this reason, when a display terminal with high computing power is used, it is desirable to perform advanced processing not in the ultrasonic probe but on the display terminal side.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and an ultrasonic system, an ultrasonic probe, a control method of the ultrasonic system, and a control method of the ultrasonic probe are provided, which can use various types of display terminals and can cause the display terminals to perform processing according to the computing power of the used display terminals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic system according to the present invention includes a plurality of types of display terminals each having a monitor, and an ultrasonic probe connectable to any of the plurality of types of display terminals. The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer array, a transmission circuit that transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array, a reception circuit that performs reception focusing processing on a reception signal output from the transducer array that has received an ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, an image generation unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on the beam signal, and a data selection unit that selects, as data to be output to the display terminal, one of the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit and intermediate data generated by the reception circuit during generation of ultrasonic image data from the reception signal, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe among the plurality of types of display terminals. The display terminal that has received ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic probe displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data on the monitor, and the display terminal that has received intermediate data from the ultrasonic probe generates ultrasonic image data from the intermediate data and displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data on the monitor.

[0007] The intermediate data may be a reception signal digitized by the reception circuit. Also, the intermediate data may be a beam signal generated by the reception circuit. Also, the intermediate data may be complex data after quadrature detection generated by the reception circuit.

[0008] When the ultrasonic system outputs ultrasonic image data to a display terminal connected to an ultrasonic probe, it can further include a downsampling unit that changes the number of samples or the bit width of intermediate data according to the computing power of the display terminal. At this time, the lower the computing power of the display terminal, the downsampling unit can narrow the bit width of the ultrasonic image data or reduce the number of samples of the intermediate data.

[0009] The ultrasonic probe can have a computing power determination unit that determines the computing power of a display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe. Alternatively, each of the multiple types of display terminals can have a computing power determination unit that determines the computing power.

[0010] The computing power determination unit can determine the computing power based on the processing time of the test program when the test program defined for the display terminal is started. Alternatively, the computing power determination unit can determine the computing power based on at least one of the model number and the memory capacity of the central processing unit installed in the display terminal.

[0011] The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is an ultrasonic probe that can be connected to any of multiple types of display terminals, and includes a transducer array, a transmission circuit that transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array, a reception circuit that performs reception focusing processing on a reception signal output from the transducer array that has received an ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, an image generation unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on the beam signal, and a data selection unit that selects, as data to be output to the display terminal, one of the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit and the intermediate data generated by the reception circuit during the process of generating ultrasonic image data from the reception signal, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe among the multiple types of display terminals.

[0012] The control method of an ultrasonic system according to the present invention is a control method of an ultrasonic system including a plurality of types of display terminals each having a monitor and an ultrasonic probe connectable to any of the plurality of types of display terminals. In the ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from a transducer array, reception focus processing is performed on a reception signal output from the transducer array that has received an ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, ultrasonic image data is generated based on the beam signal, and among the plurality of types of display terminals, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe, one of the ultrasonic image data and intermediate data generated during the generation of the ultrasonic image data from the reception signal is selected as the data to be output to the display terminal. In the display terminal to which the ultrasonic image data is input from the ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor. In the display terminal to which the intermediate data is input from the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic image data is generated from the intermediate data, and an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor.

[0013] The control method of an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is a control method of an ultrasonic probe connectable to any of a plurality of types of display terminals. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted from a transducer array, reception focus processing is performed on a reception signal output from the transducer array that has received an ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, ultrasonic image data is generated based on the beam signal, and among the plurality of types of display terminals, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe, one of the ultrasonic image data and intermediate data generated during the generation of the ultrasonic image data from the reception signal is selected as the data to be output to the display terminal.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, an ultrasonic system includes a plurality of types of display terminals each having a monitor, and an ultrasonic probe connectable to any of the plurality of types of display terminals. The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer array, a transmission circuit that transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array, a reception circuit that performs reception focusing processing on a reception signal output from the transducer array that has received an ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, an image generation unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on the beam signal, and a data selection unit that selects data to be output to the display terminal from the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit and intermediate data generated by the reception circuit during the generation of ultrasonic image data from the reception signal, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe among the plurality of types of display terminals. A display terminal that receives ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic probe displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data on the monitor, and a display terminal that receives intermediate data from the ultrasonic probe generates ultrasonic image data from the intermediate data and displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data on the monitor. Therefore, various types of display terminals can be used, and the display terminal can be made to perform processing according to the computing power of the display terminal used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. The description of the constituent elements described below is based on typical embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. In this specification, a numerical range represented by "~" means a range including the numerical values described before and after "~" as the lower limit value and the upper limit value. In this specification, "identical" and "the same" shall include the error ranges generally acceptable in the technical field.

[0017] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic system 1 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ultrasonic system 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2 and display terminals 3, 4, and 5 that can be connected to the ultrasonic probe 2. The display terminals 3, 4, and 5 have different computing capabilities from each other, but have the same configuration as each other. Hereinafter, an example in which the display terminal 3 among these multiple types of display terminals 3, 4, and 5 is connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 will be described.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the ultrasonic probe 2 includes a transducer array 11. A transmission circuit 12 is connected to the transducer array 11. In addition, a reception circuit 13 is connected to the transducer array 11. An image generation unit 14 and a data selection unit 15 are connected to the reception circuit 13. In addition, a communication circuit 16 is connected to the data selection unit 15. The communication circuit 16 is also connected to the reception circuit 13 and the image generation unit 14. In addition, an ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17 is connected to the transmission circuit 12 and the reception circuit 13. In addition, a communication control unit 18 is connected to the communication circuit 16.

[0019] In addition, a probe control unit 19 is connected to the image generation unit 14, the data selection unit 15, the ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17, and the communication control unit 18.

[0020] The transmission circuit 12 and the reception circuit 13 constitute a transmission / reception circuit 21. In addition, an image generation unit 14, a data selection unit 15, an ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17, a communication control unit 18, and a probe control unit 19 constitute a processor 22 for the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0021] The display terminal 3 includes a communication circuit 31 connected to the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2. An image generation unit 32, an image processing unit 33, a display control unit 34, and a monitor 35 are sequentially connected to the communication circuit 31. In addition, a communication control unit 36 is connected to the communication circuit 31. In addition, the communication circuit 31 is also connected to the image processing unit 33. In addition, the display terminal 3 includes a computing capability determination unit 37. A processing control unit 38 is connected to the computing capability determination unit 37. The processing control unit 38 is connected to the communication circuit 31 and the image generation unit 32.

[0022] Further, a terminal control unit 39 is connected to an image generation unit 32, an image processing unit 33, a display control unit 34, a communication control unit 36, a computing power determination unit 37, and a processing control unit 38. An input device 40 is connected to the terminal control unit 39. The terminal control unit 39 is also connected to the communication circuit 31.

[0023] Further, an image generation unit 32, an image processing unit 33, a display control unit 34, a communication control unit 36, a computing power determination unit 37, a processing control unit 38, and a terminal control unit 39 constitute a processor 41 for the display terminal 3.

[0024] The transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in one dimension or two dimensions. These ultrasonic transducers transmit ultrasonic waves according to drive signals supplied from a transmission circuit 12, respectively, receive ultrasonic echoes from a subject, and output signals based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer is configured, for example, by forming electrodes at both ends of a piezoelectric body made of a piezoelectric ceramic typified by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), a polymer piezoelectric element typified by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), a piezoelectric single crystal typified by PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate solid solution), and the like.

[0025] The transmission circuit 12 includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, and supplies drive signals to a plurality of transducers of the transducer array 11 while adjusting a delay amount so that ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of transducers of the transducer array 11 form an ultrasonic beam based on a transmission delay pattern selected according to an instruction from an ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17. Thus, when a pulsed or continuous-wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the transducers of the transducer array 11, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts, pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasonic waves are generated from the respective transducers, and an ultrasonic beam is formed from the combined wave of these ultrasonic waves.

[0026] The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected, for example, by an object such as a part of a subject and propagates toward the transducer array 11. The ultrasonic wave that propagates toward the transducer array 11 in this way is received by each ultrasonic transducer that constitutes the transducer array 11. At this time, each ultrasonic transducer that constitutes the transducer array 11 expands and contracts by receiving the propagating ultrasonic echo to generate an electrical signal, and outputs the received signal, which is these electrical signals, to the receiving circuit 13.

[0027] The receiving circuit 13 performs reception focus processing on the received signal output from the transducer array 11 that has received the ultrasonic echo according to an instruction from the ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17 to generate a sound line signal. As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving circuit 13 has a configuration in which an amplification unit 51, an AD (Analog to Digital) conversion unit 52, a beamformer 53, a band filter 54, a quadrature detection unit 55, and a downsampling unit 56 are connected in series. Further, the downsampling unit 56 is connected to the image generation unit 14, and the AD conversion unit 52 and the beamformer 53 are connected to the data selection unit 15.

[0028] The amplification unit 51 amplifies the received signal input from each transducer that constitutes the transducer array 11, and transmits the amplified received signal to the AD conversion unit 52. The AD conversion unit 52 converts the received signal transmitted from the amplification unit 51 into digitized element data, and sends these element data to the beamformer 53.

[0029] The beamformer 53 performs reception focus processing of giving each element data according to the set sound velocity a delay based on the received delay pattern selected according to an instruction from the ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17 and performing addition (coherent addition). By this reception focus processing, a sound line signal with the focus of the ultrasonic echo narrowed down is generated.

[0030] The band filter 54 removes frequency components that can become noise in the generation of ultrasonic image data, such as frequency components derived from the movement of the internal tissues of the subject, from the acoustic line signal generated by the beamformer 53. Here, in the present invention, image data obtained by so-called ultrasonic examinations, such as so-called B-mode (Brightness mode) image data, color Doppler image data, and pulsed Doppler image data, are collectively referred to as ultrasonic image data.

[0031] The quadrature detection unit 55 performs quadrature detection by mixing a carrier signal of a reference frequency with the acoustic line signal from which components in a specific frequency band have been removed by the band filter 54, and converts the acoustic line signal into complex data.

[0032] The downsampling unit 56 changes the number of samples of intermediate data for generating ultrasonic image data according to the control signal C, which will be described later and is output from the processing control unit 38, according to the computing power of the display terminal 3. At this time, the downsampling unit 56 can change the number of samples of intermediate data for generating ultrasonic image data so that the lower the computing power of the display terminal 3, the more samples are decimated from the complex data to reduce the number of samples in the complex data, and the higher the computing power of the display terminal 3, the more samples are in the complex data.

[0033] In the present invention, the acoustic line signal after reception focusing processing output from the beamformer 53 is referred to as first intermediate data D1, the digitized element data output from the AD conversion unit 52 is referred to as second intermediate data D2, and the complex data output from the downsampling unit 56 is referred to as third intermediate data D3. The first intermediate data D1 and the second intermediate data D2 are transmitted to the data selection unit 15, and the third intermediate data D3 is transmitted to the image generation unit 14.

[0034] The ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17 controls the transmission circuit 12 and the reception circuit 13 under the instruction of the probe control unit 19 to transmit an ultrasonic beam from the transducer array 11 and receive an ultrasonic echo by the transducer array 11.

[0035] The image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2 generates ultrasonic image data based on the sound beam signals converted into complex data and output by the reception circuit 13. In Embodiment 1, an example of generating B-mode image data as the ultrasonic image data will be described.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2 has a B-mode image data creation unit 57 that creates B-mode image data based on the third intermediate data D3. The B-mode image data creation unit 57 performs attenuation correction according to the distance on the third intermediate data D3 according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic wave, and then performs envelope detection processing to create B-mode image data representing tomographic image information about the tissue in the subject. The image generation unit 14 sends the B-mode image data generated in this way to the communication circuit 16.

[0037] According to a control signal C (described later) output from the processing control unit 38, the data selection unit 15 selects, according to the computing power of the display terminal 3 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2, from among a plurality of types of display terminals connectable to the ultrasonic probe 2, one of the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the intermediate data D1 and D2 generated during the generation of ultrasonic image data from the reception signal by the reception circuit 13 and the image generation unit 14, as the data to be output to the display terminal 3.

[0038] When the data selection unit 15 selects ultrasonic image data as the data to be output to the display terminal 3, it sends the third intermediate data D3 to the image generation unit 14. Also, when selecting the first intermediate data D1 or the second intermediate data D2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3, the selected first intermediate data D1 or second intermediate data D2 is sent to the communication circuit 16.

[0039] The communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit 14, the first intermediate data D1 and the second intermediate data D2 sent from the data selection unit 15 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3. Also, the communication circuit 16 receives a control signal C (to be described later) output by the processing control unit 38 from the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3, and sends the control signal C to the reception circuit 13, the data selection unit 15, and the image generation unit 14.

[0040] When the communication circuit 16 exchanges data with the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3, it can perform so-called wired communication, but it can also perform so-called wireless communication. In particular, when transmitting data to the communication circuit 31 by wireless communication, a transmission signal is generated by modulating a carrier based on the data to be transmitted to the communication circuit 31, and the generated transmission signal is wirelessly transmitted to the communication circuit 31. As the carrier modulation method, for example, ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying), PSK (Phase Shift Keying), QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), or 16QAM (16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) etc. are used.

[0041] The communication control unit 18 of the ultrasonic probe 2 controls the communication circuit 16 to transmit data to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3 and receive data from the communication circuit 31 under the instruction of the probe control unit 19.

[0042] The probe control unit 19 controls each part of the ultrasonic probe 2 based on a program stored in advance and the like.

[0043] Note that the processor 22 having the image generation unit 14, data selection unit 15, ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17, communication control unit 18, and probe control unit 19 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes. However, it may be configured using an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or other IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be configured by combining them.

[0044] Also, the image generation unit 14, data selection unit 15, ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17, communication control unit 18, and probe control unit 19 of the processor 22 can be configured by being partially or entirely integrated into one CPU or the like.

[0045] The communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3 receives ultrasonic image data, first intermediate data D1, and second intermediate data D2 from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2. At this time, the ultrasonic image data is sent to the image processing unit 33. Also, the first intermediate data D1 and the second intermediate data D2 are sent to the image generation unit 32. Further, the communication circuit 31 transmits a control signal C, which will be described later, output by the processing control unit 38 to the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0046] The communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3 can perform so-called wired communication when exchanging data with the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2, but can also perform so-called wireless communication. In particular, when transmitting data to the communication circuit 16 by wireless communication, a transmission signal is generated by modulating a carrier based on the data to be transmitted to the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2, and the generated transmission signal is wirelessly transmitted to the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2. As the carrier modulation method, for example, ASK, PSK, QPSK, or 16QAM, etc. are used.

[0047] The communication control unit 36 controls the communication circuit 31 to transmit data to the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 and receive data from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 under the instruction of the terminal control unit 39.

[0048] The image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3 generates ultrasonic image data based on the first intermediate data D1 and the second intermediate data D2 received from the communication circuit 31. Here, an example of generating B-mode image data as the ultrasonic image data will be described.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the image generation unit 32 has a configuration in which a beamformer 58, a band filter 59, a quadrature demodulation unit 60, a downsampling unit 61, and a B-mode image data creation unit 62 are connected in series. Here, the quadrature demodulation unit 60 and the downsampling unit 61 are the same as the quadrature demodulation unit 55 and the downsampling unit 56 of the reception circuit 13 shown in FIG. 3, and the B-mode image data creation unit 62 is the same as the B-mode image data creation unit 57 of the image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2 shown in FIG. 4. Also, the beamformer 58 and the band filter 59 are respectively connected to the communication circuit 31.

[0050] The band filter 59 of the image generation unit 32 can detect the echo signal of the tissue in the subject by analyzing the first intermediate data D1, and remove the detected echo signal of the tissue from the first intermediate data D1. Thereby, the signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio: Signal-Noise ratio) of the B-mode image data created by the B-mode image data creation unit 62 can be increased, and high definition can be achieved.

[0051] The beam former 58 of the image generation unit 32 can perform so-called parallel simultaneous beam forming or so-called aperture synthesis processing on the second intermediate data D2. Thereby, the S / N ratio of the B-mode image data created by the B-mode image data creation unit 62 can be increased, and high definition can be achieved.

[0052] The first intermediate data D1 is sent from the communication circuit 31 to the band filter 59. The first intermediate data D1 is processed by the band filter 59, the quadrature detection unit 60, the downsampling unit 61, and the B-mode image data creation unit 62 to generate B-mode image data. Also, the second intermediate data D2 is sent from the communication circuit 31 to the beam former 58. The second intermediate data D2 is processed by the beam former 58, the band filter 59, the quadrature detection unit 60, the downsampling unit 61, and the B-mode image data creation unit 62 to generate B-mode image data.

[0053] The image processing unit 33 converts the ultrasonic image data sent from the communication circuit 31 and the image generation unit 32 into an image signal according to the scanning method of a normal television signal (raster conversion), performs various necessary image processes such as tone processing, and then sends the ultrasonic image data to the display control unit 34.

[0054] The display control unit 34, under the control of the terminal control unit 39, performs a predetermined process on the ultrasonic image data that has been subjected to various processes by the image processing unit 33, and displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data on the monitor 35. The monitor 35 performs various displays under the control of the display control unit 34. The monitor 35 includes, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display).

[0055] The computing power determination unit 37 determines the computing power of the display terminal 3. At this time, the computing power determination unit 37 can classify the computing power of the display terminal 3 into a plurality of grades, such as low computing power, high computing power, and ultra-high computing power.

[0056] When determining the computing power of the display terminal 3, the computing power determination unit 37 stores, for example, a defined test program for determining the computing power of the display terminal 3, and can determine the computing power based on the processing time of the test program when the test program is started on the display terminal 3. At this time, the computing power determination unit 37 can determine that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is lower as the processing time is longer, and that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is higher as the processing time is shorter.

[0057] For example, the computing power determination unit 37 has a first processing time threshold and a second processing time threshold shorter than the first processing time threshold. When the processing time is longer than the first processing time threshold, the computing power of the display terminal 3 is classified as low computing power. When the processing time is equal to or longer than the second processing time threshold and equal to or shorter than the first processing time threshold, the computing power of the display terminal 3 is classified as high computing power. When the processing time is shorter than the second threshold, the computing power of the display terminal 3 can be classified as ultra-high computing power.

[0058] Note that the computing power determination unit 37 can obtain information regarding the actual processing time of each part of the ultrasonic probe 2 from the ultrasonic probe 2 via the communication circuit 31 and the terminal control unit 39, and set the first processing time threshold and the second processing time threshold based on the actual processing time of each part of the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0059] The calculation ability determination unit 37 can set, for example, the actual processing time required for the band filter 54, the quadrature detection unit 55, and the downsampling unit 56 of the reception circuit 13 and a series of processes in the image generation unit 14 as the first processing time threshold value. Further, the calculation ability determination unit 37 can also set, as the first processing time threshold value, a time that is one-tenth to several minutes of the actual processing time in the beamformer 53 of the reception circuit 13. Further, the calculation ability determination unit 37 can also set the first processing time threshold value to 1 / 60 second or the like as a processing time at which no delay occurs with respect to the scan rate of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the oscillator array 11.

[0060] When the first processing time threshold value is set in this way, the calculation ability determination unit 37 can set, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the first processing time threshold value by a constant ratio smaller than 1 as the second processing time threshold value.

[0061] Further, the calculation ability determination unit 37 can, for example, previously store the relationship between the model numbers of a plurality of central processing units and the calculation ability, and determine the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 based on the model number of the central processing unit equipped in the display terminal 3.

[0062] Further, the calculation ability determination unit 37 can also determine the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 based on the memory amount of the display terminal 3. At this time, the calculation ability determination unit 37 can, for example, determine that the calculation ability of the display terminal 4 is lower as the memory amount is smaller, and determine that the calculation ability of the display terminal 4 is higher as the memory amount is larger.

[0063] For example, the calculation ability determination unit 37 has a first memory amount threshold value and a second memory amount threshold value larger than the first memory amount threshold value. When the memory amount is smaller than the first memory amount threshold value, the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is classified as low calculation ability. When the memory amount is equal to or greater than the first memory amount and equal to or less than the second memory amount, the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is classified as high calculation ability. When the memory amount is larger than the second memory amount threshold value, the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 can be classified as ultra-high calculation ability.

[0064] Based on the computing power of the display terminal 3 determined by the computing power determination unit 37, the processing control unit 38 generates a control signal C for controlling the reception circuit 13, data selection unit 15, and image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2, and the image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3, and outputs the generated control signal C to the communication circuit 31 and the image generation unit 32.

[0065] For example, when the computing power determination unit 37 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is low computing power among low computing power, high computing power, and ultra-high computing power, the processing control unit 38 can generate a control signal C indicating that ultrasonic image data is to be generated within the ultrasonic probe 2. In this case, the data selection unit 15 selects, for example, ultrasonic image data as the data to be output to the display terminal 3 based on the control signal C, and sends the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the communication circuit 16.

[0066] Also, for example, when the computing power determination unit 37 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is high computing power among low computing power, high computing power, and ultra-high computing power, the processing control unit 38 can generate a control signal C indicating that the first intermediate data D1 is generated within the ultrasonic probe 2 and ultrasonic image data is generated within the display terminal 3. In this case, the data selection unit 15 selects, for example, the first intermediate data D1 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3 based on the control signal C, and sends the first intermediate data D1 generated by the reception circuit 13 to the communication circuit 16.

[0067] Also, for example, when the computing power determination unit 37 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is ultra-high computing power among low computing power, high computing power, and ultra-high computing power, the processing control unit 38 can generate a control signal C indicating that the second intermediate data D2 is generated within the ultrasonic probe 2 and ultrasonic image data is generated within the display terminal 3. In this case, the data selection unit 15 selects, for example, the second intermediate data D2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3 based on the control signal C, and sends the second intermediate data D2 generated by the reception circuit 13 to the communication circuit 16.

[0068] Here, generally, in an ultrasonic system having an ultrasonic probe capable of generating ultrasonic image data, since it is not necessary to generate ultrasonic image data in a display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe, for example, an inexpensive display terminal with low computing power can be used as the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe. However, for example, if advanced processing such as generating high-definition ultrasonic image data or generating ultrasonic image data requiring phase information is to be performed within the ultrasonic probe, there is a problem that the power consumption of the ultrasonic probe increases and the temperature inside the ultrasonic probe rises due to heat generation. Therefore, when a display terminal with high computing power is used, it is desirable to perform advanced processing not within the ultrasonic probe but on the display terminal side.

[0069] In the ultrasonic system 1, when the computing power determination unit 37 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is, for example, high computing power or ultra-high computing power, the data selection unit 15 outputs the first intermediate data D1 or the second intermediate data D2 to the display terminal 3 based on the control signal C output from the processing control unit 38. Therefore, various types of display terminals can be used and the processing according to the computing power of the used display terminal 3 can be performed on the display terminal 3.

[0070] The input device 40 is for the user of the ultrasonic system 1 to perform input operations. The input device 40 is composed of, for example, devices for the user to perform input operations such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, buttons, switches, a touch pad, and a touch panel. The terminal control unit 39 controls each part of the display terminal 3 according to a pre-recorded program or the like.

[0071] Note that the processor 41 having the image generation unit 32, the image processing unit 33, the display control unit 34, the communication control unit 36, the computing power determination unit 37, the processing control unit 38, and the terminal control unit 39 is composed of a CPU and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes. However, it may be configured using an FPGA, a DSP, an ASIC, a GPU, or other ICs, or may be configured by combining them.

[0072] In addition, the image generation unit 32, image processing unit 33, display control unit 34, communication control unit 36, computing power determination unit 37, processing control unit 38, and terminal control unit 39 of the processor 41 of the display terminal 3 can also be configured by being partially or wholly integrated into one CPU or the like.

[0073] Next, the operation of the ultrasonic system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6. In the following operation description, an example will be described in which B-mode image data is generated as ultrasonic image data, and the computing power of the display terminal 3 is classified into any one of low computing power, high computing power, and ultra-high computing power by the computing power determination unit 37.

[0074] In step S1, the computing power determination unit 37 determines the computing power of the display terminal 3 and classifies it into any one of low computing power, high computing power, and ultra-high computing power.

[0075] When determining the computing power of the display terminal 3, the computing power determination unit 37 stores, for example, a defined test program for determining the computing power of the display terminal 3, and can determine the computing power based on the processing time of the test program when the test program is started on the display terminal 3. At this time, the computing power determination unit 37 can determine that the longer the processing time, the lower the computing power of the display terminal 3, and the shorter the processing time, the higher the computing power of the display terminal 3.

[0076] For example, the computing power determination unit 37 has a first processing time threshold and a second processing time threshold shorter than the first processing time threshold. When the processing time is longer than the first processing time threshold, the computing power of the display terminal 3 is classified as low computing power. When the processing time is equal to or longer than the second processing time threshold and equal to or shorter than the first processing time threshold, the computing power of the display terminal 3 is classified as high computing power. When the processing time is shorter than the second threshold, the computing power of the display terminal 3 can be classified as ultra-high computing power.

[0077] Further, the computing power determination unit 37 can, for example, store in advance the relationship between the model numbers of a plurality of central processing units and their computing power, and determine the computing power of the display terminal 3 based on the model number of the central processing unit equipped in the display terminal 3.

[0078] Also, the computing power determination unit 37 can determine the computing power of the display terminal 3 based on the memory capacity of the display terminal 3. In this case, the computing power determination unit 37 can, for example, determine that the lower the memory capacity, the lower the computing power of the display terminal 4, and the higher the memory capacity, the higher the computing power of the display terminal 4.

[0079] For example, the computing power determination unit 37 has a first memory capacity threshold and a second memory capacity threshold greater than the first memory capacity threshold. When the memory capacity is less than the first memory capacity threshold, the computing power of the display terminal 3 is classified as low computing power. When the memory capacity is equal to or greater than the first memory capacity and less than or equal to the second memory capacity, the computing power of the display terminal 3 is classified as high computing power. When the memory capacity is greater than the second memory capacity threshold, the computing power of the display terminal 3 can be classified as ultra-high computing power.

[0080] When the computing power of the display terminal 3 is thus determined by the computing power determination unit 37, a control signal C is generated by the processing control unit 38 based on the determination result.

[0081] When the processing control unit 38 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is low computing power by the computing power determination unit 37, it generates a control signal C for generating ultrasonic image data in the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0082] Also, when the processing control unit 38 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is high computing power by the computing power determination unit 37, it generates a first intermediate data D1 in the ultrasonic probe 2 and generates a control signal C for generating ultrasonic image data based on the first intermediate data D1 in the display terminal 3.

[0083] Further, when the arithmetic operation ability determination unit 37 determines that the arithmetic operation ability of the display terminal 3 is extremely high, the processing control unit 38 generates second intermediate data D2 in the ultrasonic probe 2 and generates a control signal C indicating that ultrasonic image data is to be generated based on the second intermediate data D2 in the display terminal 3.

[0084] The control signal C thus generated by the processing control unit 38 is transmitted to the data selection unit 15 via the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3 and the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2. Further, the control signal C is transmitted to the image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3.

[0085] Next, in step S2, with the ultrasonic probe 2 in contact with the body surface of the subject, the inside of the subject is scanned by the transducer array 11, and in the ultrasonic probe 2, B-mode image data representing tomographic information inside the subject is generated as ultrasonic image data.

[0086] At this time, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted from a plurality of transducers of the transducer array 11 into the subject according to the drive signal from the transmission circuit 12, and the received signal is sent from each transducer that has received the ultrasonic echo from the subject to the amplification unit 51 of the reception circuit 13. Then, the received signal amplified by the amplification unit 51 is converted from an analog format to a digital format by the AD conversion unit 52, thereby generating second intermediate data D2. Further, the second intermediate data D2 is subjected to coherent addition by the beam former 53 to generate first intermediate data D1. Also, frequency components in a predetermined band in the first intermediate data D1 are removed by the band filter 54, the first intermediate data D1 is converted into complex data by the quadrature detection unit 55, and the sample number is thinned out from the complex data according to the arithmetic operation ability of the display terminal 3 by the downsampling unit 56 to generate third intermediate data D3.

[0087] Here, the downsampling unit 56 decimates the number of samples from the complex data, thereby reducing the computational load when generating ultrasonic image data in the image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2 hereinafter, and suppressing the power consumption in the ultrasonic probe 2. In step S3, the downsampling unit 56 of the reception circuit 13 can decimate, for example, the number of samples included in the complex data so that the number of samples finally becomes a certain number such as 500 or 250 in order to reduce the computational load when generating ultrasonic image data in the ultrasonic probe 2. The decimation rate of the samples in the downsampling unit 56 is determined by the sampling rate in the AD conversion unit 52, the observation depth, and the number of samples after decimation. For example, when the sampling rate in the AD conversion unit 52 is 40 MHz, the observation depth is about 3 cm, and the number of samples after the final decimation is 500, the decimation rate is about 1 / 3. Also, for example, when the sampling rate in the AD conversion unit 52 is 40 MHz, the observation depth is about 3 cm, and the number of samples after the final decimation is 250, the decimation rate is about 1 / 6.

[0088] The first intermediate data D1 and the second intermediate data D2 generated by the reception circuit 13 in this way are sent to the data selection unit 15, and the third intermediate data D3 is sent to the image generation unit 14.

[0089] The B-mode image data creation unit 57 of the image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2 performs envelope detection processing on the third intermediate data D3 after correcting the attenuation due to distance according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic wave, thereby creating B-mode image data representing tomographic image information regarding the tissue in the subject as ultrasonic image data. The B-mode image data generated in this way is sent to the data selection unit 15. Thereby, the process of step S2 is completed.

[0090] In the subsequent step S3, according to the control signal C generated in step S1 and in accordance with the computing power of the display terminal 3, the data selection unit 15 selects data to be output to the display terminal 3 from among the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2, the first intermediate data D1 and the second intermediate data D2 generated in the receiving circuit 13.

[0091] When it is determined in step S1 that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is low computing power, in step S3, the data selection unit 15 selects ultrasonic image data as the data to be output to the display terminal 3. In this case, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0092] In step S4, the data selection unit 15 outputs the ultrasonic image data generated in step S2 to the display terminal 3 by transmitting it from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3.

[0093] In step S5, after the ultrasonic image data received by the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3 is subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0094] When it is determined in step S1 that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is high computing power, in step S3, the data selection unit 15 selects the first intermediate data D1 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3. In this case, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0095] In step S6, the data selection unit 15 outputs the first intermediate data D1 generated in step S2 to the display terminal 3 by transmitting it from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3.

[0096] Next, in step S7, ultrasonic image data is generated within the display terminal 3. At this time, the image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3 generates ultrasonic image data (B-mode image data) based on the first intermediate data D1 by means of the band-pass filter 59, the quadrature detection unit 60, the downsampling unit 61, and the B-mode image data creation unit 62 according to the control signal C output from the processing control unit 38.

[0097] At this time, the band-pass filter 59 can detect the echo signal of the tissue within the subject by analyzing the first intermediate data D1, and remove the detected echo signal of the tissue from the first intermediate data D1. Thereby, the signal-to-noise ratio of the B-mode image data created by the B-mode image data creation unit 62 can be increased and the image can be made more high-definition.

[0098] Also, the downsampling unit 61 decimates the number of samples from the complex data according to the control signal C according to the computing power of the display terminal 3. Thereby, the computational load when generating ultrasonic image data at the display terminal 3 is reduced. If the computational load at the display terminal 3 is large, for example, the time required to generate ultrasonic image data at the display terminal 3 becomes long, and the display of the ultrasonic image on the monitor 35 cannot catch up with the actual scanning by the oscillator array 11, and problems such as the examination of the subject not being able to be performed smoothly may occur. However, since the downsampling unit 61 decimates the number of samples from the complex data, the display of the ultrasonic image on the monitor 35 can follow the actual scanning by the oscillator array 11, so such problems can be prevented.

[0099] In step S7, the downsampling unit 61, similar to the downsampling unit 56 of the receiving circuit 13, can decimate the number of samples included in the complex data, for example, so that the number of samples finally becomes a certain number such as 500 or 250 in order to reduce the computational load at the display terminal 3.

[0100] In subsequent step S5, after the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3 is subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0101] When it is determined in step S1 that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is ultra-high computing power, in step S2, the data selection unit 15 selects the second intermediate data D2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3. In this case, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0102] In step S8, the data selection unit 15 outputs the second intermediate data D2 generated in step S2 to the display terminal 3 by transmitting it from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3.

[0103] Next, in step S7, ultrasonic image data is generated within the display terminal 3. At this time, the image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3 generates ultrasonic image data (B-mode image data) based on the second intermediate data D2 according to the control signal C output from the process control unit 38 by means of the beamformer 58, the band filter 59, the quadrature demodulation unit 60, the downsampling unit 61, and the B-mode image data creation unit 62.

[0104] At this time, the beamformer 58 can perform parallel simultaneous beamforming or aperture synthesis processing on the second intermediate data D2. Thereby, the signal-to-noise ratio of the B-mode image data created by the B-mode image data creation unit 62 can be increased and high definition can be achieved.

[0105] Also, the band filter 59 can detect the echo signal of the tissue in the subject by analyzing the first intermediate data D1 and remove the detected tissue echo signal from the first intermediate data D1. Thereby, the signal-to-noise ratio of the B-mode image data created by the B-mode image data creation unit 62 can be increased and high definition can be achieved.

[0106] Here, the downsampling unit 61 decimates the number of samples from the complex data according to the control signal C in accordance with the computing power of the display terminal 3, thereby reducing the computational load when generating ultrasonic image data in the display terminal 3.

[0107] Here, since the computing power of the display terminal 3 is determined to be extremely high computing power, the computing power of the display terminal 3 is higher than when it is determined to have high computing power, so it is considered that the time required to generate ultrasonic image data is also shorter. Therefore, when the computing power of the display terminal 3 is determined to be extremely high computing power, the decimation factor by the downsampling unit 61 may be smaller compared to the case where the computing power of the display terminal 3 is determined to have high computing power. In this case, the downsampling unit 61 can decimate to a fixed number of samples such as 500 or 250 so that the final number of samples is smaller compared to the case where the computing power of the display terminal 3 is determined to have high computing power in order to reduce the computational load in the display terminal 3.

[0108] In the subsequent step S5, after the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3 is subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0109] When the processing of step S5 is completed in this way, the operation of the ultrasonic system 1 according to Embodiment 1 according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 ends.

[0110] As described above, according to the ultrasonic system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the computing power determination unit 37 determines the computing power of the display terminal 3 to be, for example, high computing power or extremely high computing power, the data selection unit 15 outputs the first intermediate data D1 or the second intermediate data D2 to the display terminal 3 based on the control signal C output from the processing control unit 38. Therefore, various types of display terminals can be used, and the display terminal 3 can be made to perform processing according to the computing power of the display terminal 3 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0111] In particular, when the display terminal 3 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 has high computing power, in order to generate ultrasonic image data in the display terminal 3, advanced processing such as high-definition refinement of the ultrasonic image data can be performed on the first intermediate data D1 or the second intermediate data D2 in the display terminal 3.

[0112] Although it is described that the display terminals 3, 4, and 5 in the ultrasonic system 1 have the same configuration as each other, the display terminals 3, 4, and 5 may have different configurations according to their computing powers. For example, the display terminal 3 may have extremely high computing power, the display terminal 4 may have high computing power, and the display terminal 5 may have low computing power.

[0113] In this case, the display terminal 3 having extremely high computing power can have the configuration shown in FIG. 2. The data selection unit 15 selects the second intermediate data D2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3, and the second intermediate data D2 is output from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3. In the display terminal 3, ultrasonic image data is generated based on the second intermediate data D2 by the beamformer 58, band filter 59, quadrature demodulation unit 60, downsampling unit 61, and B-mode image data creation unit 62 of the image generation unit 32. Predetermined processing is performed on this ultrasonic image data by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, and an ultrasonic image corresponding to the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0114] In addition, the display terminal 4 with high computing power can have a configuration obtained by removing the beamformer 58 from the image generation unit 32 in the configuration of the display terminal 3 shown in FIG. 2. The data selection unit 15 selects the first intermediate data D1 as the data to be output to the display terminal 4, and the first intermediate data D1 is output from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 4. In the display terminal 4, ultrasonic image data is generated based on the first intermediate data D1 by the band filter 59, quadrature detection unit 60, downsampling unit 61, and B-mode image data creation unit 62 of the image generation unit 32. Predetermined processing is performed on this ultrasonic image data by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, and an ultrasonic image corresponding to the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0115] In addition, the display terminal 5 with low computing power can have a configuration obtained by removing the image generation unit 32 in the configuration of the display terminal 3 shown in FIG. 2. The data selection unit 15 selects ultrasonic image data as the data to be output to the display terminal 5, and the ultrasonic image data is output from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 5. In the display terminal 5, predetermined processing is performed on the ultrasonic image data output from the ultrasonic probe 2 by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, and an ultrasonic image corresponding to the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0116] Thus, even when the display terminals 3, 4, and 5 have different configurations according to their computing powers, the data selection unit 15 selects the data to be output to the display terminals 3, 4, or 5 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 according to the computing power of the display terminals 3, 4, or 5 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2, just as when the display terminals 3, 4, and 5 have the same configuration. Therefore, various types of display terminals can be used, and the display terminal 3 can be made to perform processing according to the computing power of the display terminal 3 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0117] Also, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the ultrasonic system 1 includes three display terminals 3, 4, and 5 that can be connected to the ultrasonic probe 2. However, the number of display terminals that can be connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 and are provided in the ultrasonic system 1 is not particularly limited to this. The ultrasonic system 1 can, for example, also include two display terminals that can be connected to the ultrasonic probe 2, or can include four or more display terminals.

[0118] Further, it is described that the computing power determination unit 37 determines the computing power of the display terminal 3 based on the model number of the central processing unit installed in the display terminal 3, and determines the computing power of the display terminal 3 based on the memory capacity of the display terminal 3. However, the computing power determination unit 37 can also determine the computing power by combining these methods with each other.

[0119] Also, it is described that the first intermediate data D1 and the second intermediate data D2 generated by the receiving circuit 13 are sent to the data selection unit 15, and the third intermediate data D3 is sent to the image generation unit 14. However, the receiving circuit 13 can also send only the data necessary for subsequent processing among the first intermediate data D1, the second intermediate data D2, and the third intermediate data D3 to the data selection unit 15 or the image generation unit 14 based on the control signal C output by the processing control unit 38.

[0120] For example, when the computing power determination unit 37 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is low computing power, the receiving circuit 13 can send the third intermediate data D3 to the image generation unit 14 without sending the first intermediate data D1 and the second intermediate data D2 to the data selection unit 15.

[0121] Also, when the computing power determination unit 37 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3 is high computing power, the receiving circuit 13 can stop the processing until the generation of the first intermediate data D1, and send only the first intermediate data D1 to the data selection unit 15 without sending the second intermediate data D2 to the data selection unit 15.

[0122] Also, when the calculation ability determination unit 37 determines that the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is extremely high calculation ability, the reception circuit 13 stops the processing up to the generation of the second intermediate data D2 and can send the second intermediate data D2 to the data selection unit 15.

[0123] In this way, the reception circuit 13 generates only the data necessary for the subsequent processing based on the control signal C output by the processing control unit 38, and sends the generated data to the data selection unit 15, thereby omitting unnecessary calculations in the ultrasonic probe 2 and reducing the power consumption in the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0124] Also, although it has been described that the data selection unit 15 selects any one of the ultrasonic image data, the first intermediate data D1, and the second intermediate data D2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3, the data selection unit 15 can also select the third intermediate data D3 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3. In this case, the third intermediate data D3 is transmitted from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3, and the B-mode image data creation unit 62 of the image generation unit 32 generates ultrasonic image data based on the third intermediate data D3. The ultrasonic image data is subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, and an ultrasonic image corresponding to the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35. Also in this case, in the display terminal 3, advanced processing such as enhancing the resolution of the ultrasonic image can be performed on the third intermediate data D3.

[0125] In addition, when the data selection unit 15 determines that the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is low calculation ability according to the calculation ability determination unit 37, the ultrasonic image data is selected as the data output to the display terminal 3. When it is determined that the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is high calculation ability, the first intermediate data D1 is selected as the data output to the display terminal 3. When it is determined that the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is ultra-high calculation ability, the second intermediate data D2 is selected as the data output to the display terminal 3. However, the correspondence between the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 determined by the calculation ability determination unit 37 and the data output to the display terminal 3 can be preset by, for example, a user input operation via the input device 40.

[0126] In addition, it is described that the calculation ability determination unit 37 classifies the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 into three grades: low calculation ability, high calculation ability, and ultra-high calculation ability. However, the calculation ability determination unit 37 can also classify the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 into two grades: low calculation ability and high calculation ability. In this case, for example, when it is determined that the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is low calculation ability, the data selection unit 15 can select the ultrasonic image data as the data output to the display terminal 3. In addition, for example, when it is determined that the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is high calculation ability, the data selection unit 15 can select any one of the first intermediate data D1, the second intermediate data D2, or the third intermediate data D3 as the data output to the display terminal 3. In addition, the calculation ability determination unit 37 can also classify into four or more grades, for example.

[0127] Also, although it has been described that the downsampling units 56 and 61 change the number of samples of the intermediate data for generating the ultrasonic image data according to the computing power of the display terminal 3, the downsampling units 56 and 61 can also change the bit width of the intermediate data for generating the ultrasonic image data. At this time, the downsampling units 56 and 61 can narrow the bit width of the complex data which is digital data as the computing power of the display terminal 3 determined by the computing power determination unit 37 is lower, and keep the bit width of the complex data wider as the computing power of the display terminal 3 determined by the computing power determination unit 37 is higher. Thereby, the power consumption in the ultrasonic probe 2 and the display terminal 3 can be reduced.

[0128] Also, although it has been described that the data selection unit 15 selects any one of the ultrasonic image data, the first intermediate data D1, and the second intermediate data D2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3, the data selection unit 15 can also select, for example, the intermediate data generated during the generation of the ultrasonic image data by the image generation unit 14 of the ultrasonic probe 2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3. Even in this case, the display terminal can be made to perform processing according to the computing power of the display terminal 3 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0129] Also, in the first embodiment, an example of generating B-mode image data has been described. However, instead of the B-mode image data, for example, color Doppler image data, pulsed Doppler image data, so-called M-mode (Motion mode) image data, or so-called elastography image (elastic image) data may be generated. Also, ultrasonic image data may be generated in a state where a so-called contrast agent is administered to the subject.

[0130] Also, although it is described that the complex data generated by the quadrature detection unit 55 in the reception circuit 13 is thinned out in the number of samples by the decimation unit 56 and then sent to the image generation unit 14 as the third intermediate data D3, the complex data generated by the quadrature detection unit 55 can be directly sent to the image generation unit 14 without passing through the decimation unit 56, for example, as the fourth intermediate data. In this case, the image generation unit 14 can generate ultrasonic image data such as B-mode image data using the complex data directly sent from the quadrature detection unit 55.

[0131] Also, in the image generation unit 32 as well, similar to the reception circuit 13, the complex data generated by the quadrature detection unit 60 can be directly sent to the B-mode image data creation unit 62 without passing through the decimation unit 61, for example, as the fifth intermediate data. In this case, the B-mode image data creation unit 62 can generate B-mode image data using the complex data directly sent from the quadrature detection unit 60.

[0132] Also, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, after the process of step S1 for determining the computing power of the display terminal 3 is performed, the process of step S2 for generating ultrasonic image data is performed. However, the process of step S1 may be performed before step S3, and for example, it may be performed after step S2.

[0133] Embodiment 2 In Embodiment 1, the computing power determination unit 37 and the processing control unit 38 are provided in the display terminal 3, but they may be provided in the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0134] FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic system 1A according to Embodiment 2. The ultrasonic system 1A includes an ultrasonic probe 2A instead of the ultrasonic probe 2 and a display terminal 3A instead of the display terminal 3 in the ultrasonic system 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0135] The ultrasonic probe 2A is the ultrasonic probe 2 in Embodiment 1, with an arithmetic ability determination unit 37 and a processing control unit 38 added, and is provided with a probe control unit 19A instead of the probe control unit 19.

[0136] In the ultrasonic probe 2A, the probe control unit 19A is connected to the communication circuit 16. Also, the arithmetic ability determination unit 37 is connected to the probe control unit 19A. Further, the processing control unit 38 is connected to the arithmetic ability determination unit 37 and the probe control unit 19A. Also, the reception circuit 13, the data selection unit 15, the image generation unit 14, and the communication circuit 16 are connected to the processing control unit 38.

[0137] Also, the data selection unit 15, the image generation unit 14, the ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17, the communication control unit 18, the probe control unit 19A, the arithmetic ability determination unit 37, and the processing control unit 38 constitute a processor 22A for the ultrasonic probe 2A.

[0138] The display terminal 3A is the display terminal 3 in Embodiment 1, with the arithmetic ability determination unit 37 and the processing control unit 38 removed, and is provided with a terminal control unit 39A instead of the terminal control unit 39. Also, the image generation unit 32, the image processing unit 33, the display control unit 34, the communication control unit 36, and the terminal control unit 39A constitute a processor 41A for the display terminal 3A.

[0139] The arithmetic ability determination unit 37 of the ultrasonic probe 2A receives information regarding the arithmetic ability of the display terminal 3A to which the ultrasonic probe 2A is connected by receiving, from the terminal control unit 39A of the display terminal 3A, through the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3A, the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2A, and the probe control unit 19A.

[0140] Similar to the arithmetic ability determination unit 37 in Embodiment 1, the arithmetic ability determination unit 37 in Embodiment 2 can determine the arithmetic ability of the display terminal 3A based on, for example, the processing time of a test program, the model number of the central processing unit of the display terminal 3A, and the memory capacity of the display terminal 3.

[0141] The processing control unit 38 generates a control signal C based on the computing power of the display terminal 3A determined by the computing power determination unit 37, and sends the generated control signal C to the reception circuit 13, the data selection unit 15, the image generation unit 14, and the communication circuit 16. The control signal C sent to the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2A is transmitted from the communication circuit 16 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3A, and further sent to the image generation unit 32.

[0142] Similar to the data selection unit 15 in the first embodiment, for example, the data selection unit 15 can select data to be output to the display terminal 3A from among the ultrasonic image data, the first intermediate data D1, and the second intermediate data D2 according to the computing power of the display terminal 3A determined by the computing power determination unit 37 in accordance with the control signal C of the processing control unit 38.

[0143] Here, when the computing power determination unit 37 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3A is low computing power, the data selection unit 15 selects the ultrasonic image data as the data to be output to the display terminal 3A, and transmits the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit 14 to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3A via the communication circuit 16. The ultrasonic image data transmitted to the display terminal 3A is subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, and an ultrasonic image corresponding to the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0144] When the computing power determination unit 37 determines that the computing power of the display terminal 3A is high computing power, the data selection unit 15 selects the first intermediate data D1 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3A, and transmits the first intermediate data D1 from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2A to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3A. In this case, the image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3A generates ultrasonic image data based on the first intermediate data D1. The ultrasonic image data generated in this way is subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, and an ultrasonic image corresponding to the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0145] When the calculation ability determination unit 37 determines that the calculation ability of the display terminal 3A is extremely high, the data selection unit 15 selects the second intermediate data D2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3A, and transmits the second intermediate data D2 from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2A to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3A. In this case, the image generation unit 32 of the display terminal 3A generates ultrasonic image data based on the second intermediate data D2. The ultrasonic image data generated in this way is subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 33 and the display control unit 34, and an ultrasonic image corresponding to the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0146] From the above, according to the ultrasonic system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, when the calculation ability determination unit 37 determines that the calculation ability of the display terminal 3 is, for example, high or extremely high, the data selection unit 15 outputs the first intermediate data D1 or the second intermediate data D2 to the display terminal 3 based on the control signal C output from the processing control unit 38. Therefore, various types of display terminals can be used and the display terminal 3B connected to the ultrasonic probe 2A can be made to perform processing according to the calculation ability of the display terminal 3B.

[0147] Embodiment 3 In the first embodiment, an example in which one type of image data is generated as the ultrasonic image data has been described. However, when a plurality of types of image data are generated as the ultrasonic image data, the data output from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the display terminal 3 can be selected in consideration of the types of the image data.

[0148] FIG. 8 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic system 1B according to the third embodiment. The ultrasonic system 1B is obtained by providing an ultrasonic probe 2B instead of the ultrasonic probe 2 and a display terminal 3B instead of the display terminal 3 in the ultrasonic system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0149] The ultrasonic probe 2B in Embodiment 3 is the ultrasonic probe 2 in Embodiment 1, which is provided with an image generation unit 14B instead of the image generation unit 14 and a probe control unit 19B instead of the probe control unit 19. In the ultrasonic probe 2B, a processor 22B for the ultrasonic probe 2B is constituted by a data selection unit 15, an image generation unit 14B, an ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 17, a communication control unit 18, and a probe control unit 19B.

[0150] The display terminal 3B in Embodiment 3 is the display terminal 3 in Embodiment 1, which is provided with an image generation unit 32B instead of the image generation unit 32, an image processing unit 33B instead of the image processing unit 33, and a terminal control unit 39B instead of the terminal control unit 39. In the display terminal 3B, a processor 41B for the display terminal 3B is constituted by an image generation unit 32B, an image processing unit 33B, a display control unit 34, a communication control unit 36, an arithmetic ability determination unit 37, a processing control unit 38, and a terminal control unit 39B.

[0151] The image generation unit 14B of the ultrasonic probe 2B generates any one of B-mode image data, color Doppler image data, and pulsed Doppler image data from the third intermediate data D3 according to the control signal C output from the processing control unit 38. As shown in FIG. 9, the image generation unit 14B has a B-mode image data creation unit 57, a color Doppler image data creation unit 63, and a pulsed Doppler image data creation unit 64.

[0152] The B-mode image data creation unit 57 is the same as the B-mode image data creation unit 57 in Embodiment 1, and creates B-mode image data J1 based on the third intermediate data D3.

[0153] The color Doppler image data creation unit 63 performs frequency analysis on the third intermediate data D3, which is complex data subjected to quadrature detection processing, using so-called Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or so-called autocorrelation operation, thereby obtaining a Doppler shift frequency representing the blood flow or tissue movement in the subject, and creates color Doppler image data J2 by converting the obtained Doppler shift frequency into color information. The color Doppler image data creation unit 63 stores, for example, in advance the relationship between the Doppler shift frequency and the color information, and can convert the Doppler shift frequency into color information using this relationship.

[0154] The pulsed Doppler image data creation unit 64 generates a plurality of spectral signals by performing frequency analysis on the third intermediate data D3, which is complex data subjected to quadrature detection processing, using the Fast Fourier Transform, and creates pulsed Doppler image data J3 by aligning the plurality of spectral signals on the time axis and representing the magnitude of each frequency component by luminance.

[0155] The image generation unit 32B of the display terminal 3B generates B-mode image data J1 from the first intermediate data D1 and generates color Doppler image data J2 from the third intermediate data D3 in accordance with the control signal C output from the processing control unit 38. As shown in FIG. 10, the image generation unit 32B of the display terminal 3B includes a band filter 59, a quadrature detection unit 60, a downsampling unit 61, and a B-mode image data creation unit 62 that are sequentially connected in series to the communication circuit 31, and a color Doppler image data creation unit 65 that is connected to the communication circuit 31.

[0156] The band filter 59, the quadrature detection unit 60, and the downsampling unit 61 of the image generation unit 32B of the display terminal 3B are the same as the band filter 59, the quadrature detection unit 60, and the downsampling unit 61 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5. Also, the color Doppler image data creation unit 65 of the image generation unit 32B of the display terminal 3B is the same as the color Doppler image data creation unit 63 of the image generation unit 14B of the ultrasonic probe 2B shown in FIG. 9.

[0157] The image processing unit 33B of the terminal 3B converts the B-mode image data J1, color Doppler image data J2, and pulsed Doppler image data J3 sent from the communication circuit 31 and the image generation unit 32B into an image signal according to the scanning method of a normal television signal, performs various necessary image processes such as gradation processing, and then sends these data to the display control unit 34.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 11, the image processing unit 33 has a B-mode image data processing unit 66 that performs various processes on the B-mode image data J1, a color Doppler image data processing unit 67 that performs various processes on the color Doppler image data J2, and a pulsed Doppler image data processing unit 68 that performs various processes on the pulsed Doppler image data J3.

[0159] The data selection unit 15 selects, according to the control signal C output by the processing control unit 38, data to be output from the ultrasonic probe 2B to the display terminal 3B from the B-mode image data J1, color Doppler image data J2, pulsed Doppler image data J3, first intermediate data D1, and third intermediate data D3 based on the computing ability of the display terminal 3B determined by the computing ability determination unit 37 and the type of image data generated by the ultrasonic system 1B. Note that the computing ability of the display terminal 3B, the type of image data generated by the ultrasonic system 1B, and the combination of data output to the display terminal 3B can be preset, for example, by a user input operation via the input device 40.

[0160] Next, the operation of the ultrasonic system 1B according to Embodiment 3 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 12. In the following operation description, the computing ability determination unit 37 classifies the computing ability of the display terminal 3B into two grades: low computing ability and high computing ability, and an example will be described in which any one of the B-mode for generating the B-mode image data J1, the color Doppler mode for generating the color Doppler image data J2, and the pulsed Doppler mode for generating the pulsed Doppler image data J3, as the image mode for generating image data, is set by a user input operation via the input device 40.

[0161] First, in step S11, any one of the B mode, color Doppler mode, and pulsed Doppler mode is selected as the image mode by a user input operation via the input device 40.

[0162] When the B mode is selected in step S11, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, B mode image data J1 is generated. The B mode image data generation process in this step S12 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 13. When the B mode image data generation process is started, as shown in FIG. 13, first, the process of step S21 is performed.

[0163] In step S21, the arithmetic ability determination unit 37 classifies the arithmetic ability of the display terminal 3B into either low arithmetic ability or high arithmetic ability in the same manner as in step S1 of the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0164] In step S22, B mode image data J1 is generated within the ultrasonic probe 2B. At this time, in the same manner as in step S2 in FIG. 6, the first intermediate data D1, the second intermediate data D2, and the third intermediate data D3 are generated in the reception circuit 13. The first intermediate data D1 is sent to the data selection unit 15, and the third intermediate data D3 is sent to the image generation unit 14B. The image generation unit 14B generates the B mode image data J1 based on the third intermediate data D3 by the B mode image data creation unit 57 according to the control signal C output from the process control unit 38.

[0165] In step S23, the data selection unit 15 selects, according to the control signal C, the data to be output to the display terminal 3B from among the B mode image data J1 generated by the image generation unit 14B of the ultrasonic probe 2B and the first intermediate data D1 generated in the reception circuit 13 according to the arithmetic ability of the display terminal 3B.

[0166] When it is determined in step S21 that the computing power of the display terminal 3B is low computing power, in step S23, the data selection unit 15 selects the B-mode image data J1 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3B. In this case, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0167] In step S24, the data selection unit 15 transmits the B-mode image data J1 generated by the image generation unit 14B of the ultrasonic probe 2B from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2B to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3B, thereby outputting it to the display terminal 3B.

[0168] Also, when it is determined in step S21 that the computing power of the display terminal 3B is high computing power, in step S23, the data selection unit 15 selects the first intermediate data D1 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3B. In this case, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0169] In step S25, the data selection unit 15 transmits the first intermediate data D1 generated in step S22 from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2B to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3B, thereby outputting it to the display terminal 3B.

[0170] In step S26, in the same manner as step S7 in FIG. 6, B-mode image data is generated within the display terminal 3B. At this time, the image generation unit 32B of the display terminal 3B generates B-mode image data based on the first intermediate data D1 by the band filter 59, the quadrature detection unit 60, the downsampling unit 61, and the B-mode image data creation unit 62 according to the control signal C output from the processing control unit 38.

[0171] When the process of step S24 or the process of step S26 is completed in this way, the process of step S12 representing the B-mode image data generation process is completed.

[0172] In step S15 following step S12, after the B-mode image data J1 is subjected to predetermined processing by the B-mode image data processing unit 66 and the display control unit 34 of the image processing unit 33B, a B-mode image based on the B-mode image data J1 is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0173] When the color Doppler mode is selected in step S11, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, color Doppler image data J2 is generated. The color Doppler image data generation process in this step S13 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 14. When the color Doppler image data generation process is started, as shown in FIG. 14, first, the process of step S31 is performed.

[0174] In step S31, the operation ability determination unit 37 classifies the operation ability of the display terminal 3B into either low operation ability or high operation ability in the same manner as in step S1 of the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0175] In step S33, color Doppler image data J2 is generated within the ultrasonic probe 2B. At this time, in the same manner as in step S2 in FIG. 6, the first intermediate data D1, the second intermediate data D2, and the third intermediate data D3 are generated in the reception circuit 13. The first intermediate data D1 is sent to the data selection unit 15, and the third intermediate data D3 is sent to the image generation unit 14B. The image generation unit 14B generates color Doppler image data J2 based on the third intermediate data D3 by the color Doppler image data creation unit 63 according to the control signal C output from the process control unit 38.

[0176] In step S33, the data selection unit 15 selects the data to be output to the display terminal 3B from among the color Doppler image data J2 generated by the image generation unit 14B of the ultrasonic probe 2B and the third intermediate data D3 generated in the reception circuit 13 according to the control signal C and in accordance with the operation ability of the display terminal 3B.

[0177] When it is determined in step S31 that the arithmetic ability of the display terminal 3B is low, in step S33, the data selection unit 15 selects the color Doppler image data J2 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3B. In this case, the process proceeds to step S34.

[0178] In step S34, the data selection unit 15 transmits the color Doppler image data J2 generated by the image generation unit 14B of the ultrasonic probe 2B from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2B to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3B, thereby outputting it to the display terminal 3B.

[0179] Also, when it is determined in step S31 that the arithmetic ability of the display terminal 3B is high, in step S33, the data selection unit 15 selects the third intermediate data D3 as the data to be output to the display terminal 3B. In this case, the process proceeds to step S35.

[0180] In step S35, the data selection unit 15 transmits the third intermediate data D3 generated in step S32 from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2B to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3B, thereby outputting it to the display terminal 3B.

[0181] In step S36, color Doppler image data is generated within the display terminal 3B. At this time, the image generation unit 32B of the display terminal 3B generates color Doppler image data based on the third intermediate data D3 by the color Doppler image data creation unit 65 according to the control signal C output from the process control unit 38.

[0182] When the process of step S34 or the process of step S36 is completed in this way, the process of step S13 representing the color Doppler image data generation process is completed.

[0183] In step S15 following step S13, after color Doppler image data J2 is subjected to predetermined processing by the color Doppler image data processing unit 67 and the display control unit 34 of the image processing unit 33B, a color Doppler image based on the color Doppler image data J2 is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0184] When the pulsed Doppler mode is selected in step S11, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, pulsed Doppler image data J3 is generated. The pulsed image data generation process in this step S14 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 15. When the pulsed Doppler image data generation process is started, as shown in FIG. 15, first, the process of step S41 is performed.

[0185] In step S41, pulsed Doppler image data J3 is generated within the ultrasonic probe 2B. At this time, first intermediate data D1, second intermediate data D2, and third intermediate data D3 are generated in the reception circuit 13. The first intermediate data D1 is sent to the data selection unit 15, and the third intermediate data D3 is sent to the image generation unit 14B. The image generation unit 14B generates pulsed Doppler image data J3 by the pulsed Doppler image data creation unit 64 according to the control signal C output from the process control unit 38.

[0186] In step S42, the data selection unit 15 selects, as the data to be output to the display terminal 3B regardless of the computing power of the display terminal 3B, the pulsed Doppler image data generated in step S41. This is because if intermediate data is transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2B to the display terminal 3B when generating pulsed Doppler image data, loss of the intermediate data due to a communication failure or the like between the ultrasonic probe 2B and the display terminal 3B will become noise in the pulsed Doppler image data, and the quality of the image may deteriorate.

[0187] In step S43, the pulsed Doppler image data J3 generated by the image generation unit 14B of the ultrasonic probe 2B is transmitted from the communication circuit 16 of the ultrasonic probe 2B to the communication circuit 31 of the display terminal 3B, and thus output to the display terminal 3B.

[0188] When the process of step S43 is completed in this way, the process of step S14 representing the pulsed Doppler image data generation process is completed.

[0189] In step S15 following step S14, after the pulsed Doppler image data J3 is subjected to predetermined processing by the pulsed Doppler image data processing unit 68 and the display control unit 34 of the image processing unit 33B, a pulsed Doppler image based on the pulsed Doppler image data J3 is displayed on the monitor 35.

[0190] When the process of step S15 is completed in this way, the operation of the ultrasonic system 1B according to FIG. 12 ends.

[0191] From the above, according to the ultrasonic system 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention, since the data selection unit 15 selects the data to be output to the display terminal 3B in consideration of not only the computing power of the display terminal 3B but also the set image mode, various types of display terminals can be used while performing appropriate processing for each image mode, and the display terminal 3B can be made to perform processing according to the computing power of the display terminal 3B connected to the ultrasonic probe 2B.

[0192] Although it has been described that the aspect of the third embodiment is applied to the first embodiment, it can be similarly applied even when the computing power determination unit 37 and the processing control unit 38 are included in the ultrasonic probe 2B as in the second embodiment.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0193] 1, 1A, 1B ultrasonic systems, 2, 2A, 2B ultrasonic probes, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5 display terminals, 11 transducer arrays, 12 transmission circuits, 13 reception circuits, 14, 14B, 32, 32B image generation units, 15 data selection units, 16, 31 communication circuits, 17 ultrasonic transmission / reception control units, 18, 36 communication control units, 19, 19A, 19B probe control units, 21 transmission / reception circuits, 22, 22A, 22B, 41, 41A, 41B processors, 33, 33B image processing units, 34 display control units, 35 monitors, 37 computing power determination units, 38 processing control units, 39, 39A, 39B terminal control units, 40 input devices, 51 amplification units, 52 AD conversion units, 53, 58 beamformers, 54, 59 band filters, 55, 60 quadrature demodulation units, 56, 61 downsampling units, 57, 62 B-mode image data creation units, 63, 65 color Doppler image data creation units, 64 pulsed Doppler image data creation units, 66 B-mode image data processing units, 67 color Doppler image data processing units, 68 pulsed Doppler image data processing units.

Claims

1. A plurality of types of display terminals each having a monitor, and an ultrasonic probe connectable to any of the plurality of types of display terminals are provided, wherein the ultrasonic probe includes a transducer array, a transmission circuit that transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array, a reception circuit that performs reception focusing processing on a reception signal output from the transducer array that has received an ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, an image generation unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on the beam signal, a data selection unit that selects, as data to be output to the display terminal, one of the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit and intermediate data generated by the reception circuit during generation of the ultrasonic image data from the reception signal, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe among the plurality of types of display terminals, and a computing power determination unit that determines the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe ; the display terminal that inputs the ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic probe displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data on the monitor, and the display terminal that inputs the intermediate data from the ultrasonic probe generates ultrasonic image data from the intermediate data and displays an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data on the monitor; the computing power determination unit determines the computing power based on the processing time of the test program when the test program defined for the display terminal is started, or based on at least one of the model number and memory capacity of the central processing unit equipped in the display terminal. An ultrasonic system.

2. The ultrasonic system according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate data is the reception signal digitized by the reception circuit.

3. The ultrasonic system according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate data is the beam signal generated by the reception circuit.

4. The ultrasonic system according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate data is complex data after quadrature detection generated by the reception circuit.

5. The ultrasonic system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a downsampling unit that changes the number of samples or bit width of the intermediate data according to the computing power of the display terminal when outputting the ultrasonic image data to the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe.

6. The downsampling unit is the ultrasonic system according to claim 5, which narrows the bit width of the intermediate data or reduces the number of samples of the intermediate data as the computing power of the display terminal is lower.

7. The ultrasonic system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the plurality of types of display terminals has a computing power determination unit that determines the computing power.

8. An ultrasonic probe that can be connected to any of a plurality of types of display terminals, a transducer array, a transmission circuit that transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array, a reception circuit that performs reception focusing processing on a reception signal output from the transducer array that has received an ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, an image generation unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on the beam signal, a data selection unit that selects, as data to be output to the display terminal, either the ultrasonic image data generated by the image generation unit or intermediate data generated by the reception circuit during generation of the ultrasonic image data from the reception signal, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe among the plurality of types of display terminals, a computing power determination unit that determines the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe and comprising the computing power determination unit determines the computing power based on the processing time of the test program when the test program defined for the display terminal is started, or based on at least one of the model number and the memory capacity of the central processing unit equipped in the display terminal. The ultrasonic probe.

9. A control method for an ultrasonic system including a plurality of types of display terminals each having a monitor and an ultrasonic probe that can be connected to any of the plurality of types of display terminals, in the ultrasonic probe, transmitting ultrasonic waves from the transducer array, performing reception focusing processing on a reception signal output from the transducer array that has received an ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, generating ultrasonic image data based on the beam signal, selecting, as data to be output to the display terminal, either the ultrasonic image data or intermediate data generated during generation of the ultrasonic image data from the reception signal, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe among the plurality of types of display terminals, In the display terminal that inputs the ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on a monitor, In the display terminal that inputs the intermediate data from the ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic image data is generated from the intermediate data, and an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data is displayed on the monitor. A control method for an ultrasonic system that determines the computing power of a display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe based on the processing time of the test program when the test program defined in the display terminal is started, or based on at least one of the model number and memory capacity of the central processing unit equipped in the display terminal.

10. A control method for an ultrasonic probe that can be connected to any of a plurality of types of display terminals, Transmitting ultrasonic waves from the transducer array, Performing reception focusing processing on the reception signal output from the transducer array that has received the ultrasonic echo to generate a beam signal, Generating ultrasonic image data based on the beam signal, Among the plurality of types of display terminals, according to the computing power of the display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe, one of the ultrasonic image data and the intermediate data generated during the generation of the ultrasonic image data from the reception signal is selected as the data to be output to the display terminal. A control method for an ultrasonic probe that determines the computing power of a display terminal connected to the ultrasonic probe based on the processing time of the test program when the test program defined in the display terminal is started, or based on at least one of the model number and memory capacity of the central processing unit equipped in the display terminal.

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