JPH029817B2 - - Google Patents
Info
- Publication number
- JPH029817B2 JPH029817B2 JP58051209A JP5120983A JPH029817B2 JP H029817 B2 JPH029817 B2 JP H029817B2 JP 58051209 A JP58051209 A JP 58051209A JP 5120983 A JP5120983 A JP 5120983A JP H029817 B2 JPH029817 B2 JP H029817B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- array
- partial
- partial arrays
- arrangement
- shape
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000012285 ultrasound imaging Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
- Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
（産業上の利用分野）
本発明は、超音波映像装置に関し、特に超音波
を送受波する超音波プローブの振動子アレイ面の
形すなわち振動子の分布状態が可変に構成された
超音波映像装置に関するものである。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging device, and more particularly, to an ultrasound imaging device in which the shape of the transducer array surface of an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves, that is, the distribution state of the transducers, is variable. The present invention relates to a structured ultrasound imaging device.
（従来の技術）
従来、複数のプローブを同一の目的領域に使
用する場合、両者の位置関係は機械式スキヤナー
の保持機構で決まる程度の精度で保持されてい
る。又、自由に曲げて目的領域の外形に沿つて
接触させることの出来るシート上に個々の振動素
子を構成し、別に設けた超音波測定系等によつて
振動素子の配列の形状を測定し、目的領域の超音
波映像を得るものもある。(Prior Art) Conventionally, when a plurality of probes are used for the same target area, the positional relationship between the probes is maintained with an accuracy determined by a holding mechanism of a mechanical scanner. In addition, each vibrating element is constructed on a sheet that can be bent freely and brought into contact with the contour of the target area, and the shape of the array of the vibrating elements is measured using a separately provided ultrasonic measurement system. Some obtain ultrasound images of the target area.
（発明が解決しようとする課題）
しかし、では部分アレイの相互の位置関係は
あくまで機械的スキヤナーの精度で決まり、高精
度のものは期待できないという問題があつた。
又、では個々の振動子エレメントの配列がフレ
キシブルなためその配列の変化によつて超音波の
異なるビームフオーマを設定しなければならな
い。又、その配列の位置較正のために別に超音波
測定系を設けているので装置が複雑になるという
問題があつた。(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, there was a problem in that the mutual positional relationship of the partial arrays was determined solely by the precision of the mechanical scanner, and high precision could not be expected.
Furthermore, since the arrangement of the individual transducer elements is flexible, different beamformers of the ultrasonic waves must be set by changing the arrangement. Furthermore, since a separate ultrasonic measurement system is provided for calibrating the position of the array, there is a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated.
本発明は上記に鑑みて成されたものであり、そ
の目的は、超音波プローブの振動子の配列を被検
体表面に応じて任意に変型できるものであつて、
その配列を正確に測定でき、配列の変更をしても
イメージングが容易にでき、構成の簡単な超音波
映像装置を提供することにある。 The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to allow the arrangement of the transducers of an ultrasound probe to be arbitrarily modified according to the surface of the object to be examined.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic imaging device which can accurately measure the arrangement, can easily perform imaging even if the arrangement is changed, and has a simple configuration.
（課題を解決するための手段）
上記目的を達成する超音波映像装置は、固定さ
れた振動素子のアレイからなる部分アレイが多数
配列し目的領域の外形に応じて前記部分アレイの
配列が決定されるプローブと、配列の決定ののち
前記多数の部分アレイを構成する振動素子の中の
少なくとも１つを付勢し超音波を発射させ残りの
全ての部分アレイでその発射された超音波の直接
波を受け到達するまでの時間を求めることにより
上記部分アレイの配列の形状を少なくとも１回測
定する較正シーケンスとを有し、較正シーケンス
によつて測定した配列の形状に従つてそれぞれの
部分アレイにより求めた多数のイメージを重ね合
わせて表示する構成になつている。(Means for Solving the Problem) An ultrasonic imaging device that achieves the above object has a large number of partial arrays each consisting of an array of fixed transducer elements, and the arrangement of the partial arrays is determined according to the outer shape of the target area. After determining the arrangement, at least one of the vibrating elements constituting the plurality of partial arrays is energized to emit ultrasonic waves, and all remaining partial arrays generate direct waves of the emitted ultrasonic waves. and a calibration sequence for measuring the shape of the array of the partial arrays at least once by determining the time it takes for each partial array to reach the target. The structure is such that a large number of images are superimposed and displayed.
（作用）
配列が変化しても部分アレイの中の振動素子の
相互の位置の変化はない。又、プローブ自身で配
列の形状を正確に測定できる。(Operation) Even if the arrangement changes, the mutual positions of the vibrating elements in the partial array do not change. Furthermore, the shape of the array can be accurately measured using the probe itself.
（実施例）
以下、図面を参照して本発明について詳細に説
明する。第１図に示すように、超音波プローブを
複数個の部分アレイAR1〜ARoで構成する。各部
分アレイAR1〜ARoはそれぞれ複数個の振動素子
を直線上に固定して配列したアレイ振動子であ
り、ヒンジH1〜HoとアームA1〜Ao-1で連結さ
れ、相互に回転し、図示のように被検体１の表面
に対応する形状に曲げられるようになつている。
各振動素子は図示しない送受信回路に電気的に接
続される。(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe is composed of a plurality of partial arrays AR 1 to AR o . Each of the partial arrays AR 1 to AR o is an array resonator in which a plurality of transducer elements are fixed and arranged on a straight line, and are connected by hinges H 1 to H o and arms A 1 to A o-1, and are connected to each other by hinges H 1 to H o and arms A 1 to A o-1. and is bent into a shape corresponding to the surface of the subject 1 as shown in the figure.
Each vibrating element is electrically connected to a transmitting/receiving circuit (not shown).
この様な構成のプローブを第２図に示すように
被検体表面に当接し、各部分アレイを密着させた
状態でヒンジH1〜Hoを固定する。そして、部分
アレイの一端から音波を照射し、被検体を伝播し
て来る直接波を各部分アレイで受信し、アレイで
受け取つたパルスの時間を図示しない送受信回路
において検知し、設定された部分アレイの配列の
形状を求め位置較正を行う。通常アレイは図示の
如く内側に曲げられるから、一端の部分アレイか
らは他端の部分アレイが直接波で観測でき、また
中央の部分アレイはいずれの部分アレイからの直
接波によつても観測できる。この様に、較正用点
波源Ｐ，P′を両端の部分アレイ中にとり、被検体
中の音速を一様と考えれば全体の位置較正ができ
る。この様にして得た各部分アレイの位置情報
は、各部分アレイを使つて独立に求めたリニアス
キヤン、セクタスキヤン等の画像を図示しないフ
レームメモリ上で重ねて大きな１枚画像とするた
めの位置合わせのために用いられる。又、各部分
アレイの中の振動素子の相互間の位置関係は固定
されているので、ビームフオーマ等の設定は変更
しなくてよい。又、各アレイの振動素子は相当広
い（広角な）単独指向性を持つたものである。 The probe having such a configuration is brought into contact with the surface of the subject as shown in FIG. 2, and the hinges H 1 to H o are fixed with each partial array in close contact with the surface of the subject. Then, a sound wave is emitted from one end of the partial array, the direct wave propagating through the subject is received by each partial array, and the time of the pulse received by the array is detected by a transmitting/receiving circuit (not shown). Find the shape of the array and perform position calibration. Normally, the array is bent inward as shown in the figure, so the subarrays at one end can be observed by direct waves from the subarrays at the other end, and the central subarray can be observed by direct waves from either subarray. . In this way, by taking the calibration point wave sources P and P' in the partial arrays at both ends and assuming that the speed of sound in the object is uniform, the entire position can be calibrated. The position information of each partial array obtained in this way is used to determine the position of images obtained by linear scan, sector scan, etc. obtained independently using each partial array, by overlapping them on a frame memory (not shown) to form a single large image. Used for matching. Further, since the mutual positional relationship of the vibrating elements in each partial array is fixed, there is no need to change the settings of the beam former, etc. Furthermore, the vibrating elements of each array have fairly wide (wide-angle) individual directivity.
尚、本発明は上記実施例に限定するものではな
い。各部分アレイの配列を定めてから形状の測定
は水槽の中に移してから行つてもよい。又、この
プロセスは１回に限つたことはなく、数回の繰返
し、更には点波源の位置を種々変化させて行つて
もよい、この場合部分アレイの配列の形状をより
高精度に求めることができる。又、イメージング
のためのエコーデータの採取を始めてしまつてか
ら位置較正の測定をすることも可能である。 Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. After determining the arrangement of each partial array, the shape measurement may be performed after transferring it into an aquarium. Furthermore, this process is not limited to one time, and may be repeated several times, or even while varying the position of the point wave source. In this case, the shape of the arrangement of the partial arrays can be determined with higher precision. Can be done. It is also possible to perform position calibration measurements after starting the collection of echo data for imaging.
（発明の効果）
以上の説明の通り、本発明の超音波映像装置
は、固定された振動素子のアレイからなる部分ア
レイが多数配列し目的領域の外形に応じて前記部
分アレイの配列が決定されプローブと、配列の決
定ののち前記多数の部分アレイを構成する振動素
子の中の少なくとも１つを付勢し超音波を発射さ
せ残りの全ての部分アレイでその発射された超音
波の直接波を受け到達するまでの時間を求めるこ
とにより上記部分アレイの配列の形状を少なくと
も１回測定する較正シーケンスとを有し、較正シ
ーケンスによつて測定した配列の形状に従つてそ
れぞれの部分アレイにより求めた多数のイメージ
を重ね合わせて表示する構成になつている。従つ
て、プローブ自身で配列の形状を正確に測定でき
る。又、配列が変化しても部分アレイの中の振動
素子の相互の位置の変化はなく、配列が変化して
もそれぞれの部分アレイで容易にイメージングが
できる。又、位置較正のための特別な超音波側定
系を必要とせず構成が簡単である。(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, in the ultrasound imaging device of the present invention, a large number of partial arrays each consisting of an array of fixed transducer elements are arranged, and the arrangement of the partial arrays is determined according to the outer shape of the target area. After determining the probe and its arrangement, at least one of the vibrating elements constituting the plurality of partial arrays is energized to emit ultrasonic waves, and all remaining partial arrays transmit direct waves of the emitted ultrasonic waves. and a calibration sequence for measuring the shape of the array of the partial arrays at least once by determining the time it takes for each partial array to arrive. The structure is such that many images are displayed one on top of the other. Therefore, the shape of the array can be accurately measured using the probe itself. Further, even if the arrangement changes, the mutual positions of the transducer elements in the partial arrays do not change, and even if the arrangement changes, imaging can be easily performed with each partial array. Furthermore, the configuration is simple and does not require a special ultrasonic system for position calibration.
第１図及び第２図は本発明の実施例を示す構成
図である。
１……被検体、AR1〜ARo……部分アレイ、
H1〜Ho……ヒンジ、A1〜Ao-1……アーム、Ｐ，
P′……点波源。
FIGS. 1 and 2 are configuration diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1...Object, AR 1 ~ AR o ... Partial array,
H 1 ~ H o ... Hinge, A 1 ~ A o-1 ... Arm, P,
P′...point wave source.
Claims (1)
レイが多数配列し目的領域の外形に応じて前記部
分アレイの配列が決定されるプローブと、配列の
決定ののち前記多数の部分アレイを構成する振動
素子の中の少なくとも１つを付勢し超音波を発射
させ残りの全ての部分アレイでその発射された超
音波の直接波を受け到達するまでの時間を求める
ことにより上記部分アレイの配列の形状を少なく
とも１回測定する較正シーケンスとを有し、較正
シーケンスによつて測定した配列の形状に従つて
それぞれの部分アレイにより求めた多数のイメー
ジを重ね合わせて表示する超音波映像装置。1. A probe in which a large number of partial arrays each consisting of an array of fixed vibrating elements are arranged, and the arrangement of the partial arrays is determined according to the outer shape of a target area, and a vibrating element that constitutes the large number of partial arrays after the arrangement is determined. The shape of the array of the partial arrays is determined by energizing at least one of the partial arrays to emit ultrasonic waves and determining the time required for all remaining partial arrays to receive the direct waves of the emitted ultrasonic waves. What is claimed is: 1. An ultrasound imaging device having a calibration sequence that measures at least once, and superimposing and displaying a number of images obtained by each subarray according to the shape of the array measured by the calibration sequence.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP5120983A JPS59174151A (en) | 1983-03-25 | 1983-03-25 | Ultrasonic image apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP5120983A JPS59174151A (en) | 1983-03-25 | 1983-03-25 | Ultrasonic image apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS59174151A JPS59174151A (en) | 1984-10-02 |
| JPH029817B2 true JPH029817B2 (en) | 1990-03-05 |
Family
ID=12880516
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP5120983A Granted JPS59174151A (en) | 1983-03-25 | 1983-03-25 | Ultrasonic image apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS59174151A (en) |
Families Citing this family (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2862385B1 (en) * | 2003-11-17 | 2006-03-10 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | ULTRASONIC CONTACT TRANSDUCER WITH MULTIPLE TRANSMITTING ELEMENTS AND MEANS FOR PLATING THESE ELEMENTS |
| US7249512B2 (en) * | 2005-01-24 | 2007-07-31 | The Boeing Company | Non-destructive stringer inspection apparatus and method |
| WO2007092054A2 (en) | 2006-02-06 | 2007-08-16 | Specht Donald F | Method and apparatus to visualize the coronary arteries using ultrasound |
| WO2008051639A2 (en) | 2006-10-25 | 2008-05-02 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Method and apparatus to produce ultrasonic images using multiple apertures |
| US9788813B2 (en) | 2010-10-13 | 2017-10-17 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Multiple aperture probe internal apparatus and cable assemblies |
| US9282945B2 (en) | 2009-04-14 | 2016-03-15 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Calibration of ultrasound probes |
| JP5205110B2 (en) * | 2008-04-04 | 2013-06-05 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Ultrasonic imaging device |
| WO2010120913A2 (en) * | 2009-04-14 | 2010-10-21 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Universal multiple aperture medical ultrasound probe |
| KR101659723B1 (en) | 2009-04-14 | 2016-09-26 | 마우이 이미징, 인코포레이티드 | Multiple aperture ultrasound array alignment fixture |
| JP6274724B2 (en) | 2010-02-18 | 2018-02-07 | マウイ イマギング，インコーポレーテッド | Point source transmission and sound velocity correction using multi-aperture ultrasound imaging |
| JP6092109B2 (en) | 2010-10-13 | 2017-03-08 | マウイ イマギング，インコーポレーテッド | Concave ultrasonic transducer and 3D array |
| JP6407719B2 (en) | 2011-12-01 | 2018-10-17 | マウイ イマギング，インコーポレーテッド | Motion detection using ping base and multi-aperture Doppler ultrasound |
| JP2015503404A (en) | 2011-12-29 | 2015-02-02 | マウイ イマギング，インコーポレーテッド | Arbitrary path M-mode ultrasound imaging |
| EP2816958B1 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2020-03-25 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Determining material stiffness using multiple aperture ultrasound |
| EP4169451A1 (en) | 2012-03-26 | 2023-04-26 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Systems and methods for improving ultrasound image quality by applying weighting factors |
| KR102176193B1 (en) | 2012-08-10 | 2020-11-09 | 마우이 이미징, 인코포레이티드 | Calibration of Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Probes |
| JP6306012B2 (en) | 2012-08-21 | 2018-04-04 | マウイ イマギング，インコーポレーテッド | Memory architecture of ultrasound imaging system |
| US9510806B2 (en) | 2013-03-13 | 2016-12-06 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Alignment of ultrasound transducer arrays and multiple aperture probe assembly |
| US9883848B2 (en) | 2013-09-13 | 2018-02-06 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Ultrasound imaging using apparent point-source transmit transducer |
| US10401493B2 (en) | 2014-08-18 | 2019-09-03 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Network-based ultrasound imaging system |
| CN108024790B (en) * | 2015-09-16 | 2022-08-02 | 皇家飞利浦有限公司 | Ultrasound device and method for medical examination of an object |
| US10856846B2 (en) | 2016-01-27 | 2020-12-08 | Maui Imaging, Inc. | Ultrasound imaging with sparse array probes |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5775640A (en) * | 1980-10-29 | 1982-05-12 | Hitachi Ltd | Ultrasonic shotographing apparatus |
-
1983
- 1983-03-25 JP JP5120983A patent/JPS59174151A/en active Granted
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5775640A (en) * | 1980-10-29 | 1982-05-12 | Hitachi Ltd | Ultrasonic shotographing apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS59174151A (en) | 1984-10-02 |
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