KR100413779B1 - Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, in particular, transmits ultrasound to a subject and receives a reflected signal when the transmitted ultrasound signal is reflected by a reflector inside the subject to implement an ultrasound image in real time so that the characteristics of the reflector can be examined. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, while digitizing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, by modularizing the digital circuit to freely control the delay time for each channel, and dramatically reduced the volume of the circuit design and In addition to facilitating manufacturing changes, the analog signal processing unit, digital signal processing unit, and interface unit, excluding the transducer and the image processing unit, are built in a single module box, thereby allowing the user to freely connect the main body according to the user's choice. On the other hand, the use and use of ultrasound diagnostics In accordance with the law has a very excellent effect that the system can be freely configured.

Description

Ultrasonic diagnostic device {ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and in particular, after transmitting ultrasound to a subject, when the transmitted ultrasound signal is reflected by a reflector inside the subject, a reflection signal is received to implement an ultrasound image in real time to examine characteristics of the reflector. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In general, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may be classified into a transducer, a signal processor, and an image processor. The transducer may be a piezoelectric vibrator that receives an electric signal and vibrates and receives an oscillation wave to generate an electric signal. It consists of a matching layer that compensates for the acoustic impedance difference, and a backing layer that absorbs the acoustic energy of the vibrator to make short pulses.

In addition, the function of the signal processing unit is to give an electrical signal to the transducer to generate a transmission signal and to convert the received signal into an electrical signal and to process it into data capable of image processing.

On the other hand, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus uses a combination of channels to improve reception sensitivity and increase image resolution. In this case, a difference in distance between an object to be measured and each channel occurs during transmission / reception, and to compensate for the distance difference, The signal processor is responsible for a different delay time for each channel.

In case of transmission, the signal is sent first from the channel located at the edge, and the signal is sequentially sent later toward the center so that the time when the transmission signal arrives at the target coincides, and at the time of reception, the signal received at the center channel is delayed. So that the received signals of each channel can arrive at the same time.

In addition, in the case of a phased array scan, the transmission signal is transmitted obliquely and the reception signal is also coming in at an oblique position. At this time, the signal processing unit also calculates the delay time of the signal coming in at an oblique position. You will be in charge.

That is, the signals of each channel received as described above are added to the signal after the delay time calculation, and after the Envelope is calculated based on this, the signal is passed to the image processor after several steps for noise reduction.

Then, by making an ultrasound image based on the signal as described above, if the screen output of a line is made and the input and output depth and position of the ultrasonic signal is repeated in order to obtain a certain area information, the above operation is repeated. An ultrasound image of a certain area is obtained.

In addition, a digital processor is required to process the above-described series of tasks and generate an image signal, and an A / D converter (Analog-to-Analog-to-A) for compatibility with the actual analog signal transmitted / received by the digital processor and the transducer. Digital converters and digital-to-analog converters are required, and analog circuits are frequently used to realize delay times of transmission and reception signals for each channel.

However, the analog circuit as described above has a disadvantage in that the volume of the circuit itself is large and it is difficult to change the circuit once it is configured. In addition, as the number of channels increases, more components need to be added as channels increase, thereby limiting scalability. There was a problem that could be.

In addition, since many components are needed according to the number of ultrasonic transmission / reception channels as described above, the cost of manufacturing an ultrasonic terminal not only increases much, but there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the weight of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In addition, since the signal processing unit and the image processing unit are included in the main body for the ultrasound diagnosis, there is a problem in that the volume of the product is large and it is not easy to move and carry.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, an object of the present invention is to digitize the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, while modularizing the digital circuit to freely adjust the delay time for each channel, In addition to dramatically reducing the volume, it is easy to change the design and manufacturing, as well as the analog signal processor, digital signal processor and interface unit except the transducer and the image processor in one module box, according to the user's choice The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allows the connection to be freely and freely configures the system according to the purpose and method of use of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes a pulse generator for receiving a control signal and generating a pulse corresponding thereto;

A transmission signal amplifier which receives the pulse generated by the pulse generator and amplifies and outputs a signal having a predetermined size;

An ultrasonic probe that receives the transmission signal output from the transmission signal amplifying unit and outputs an ultrasonic signal to a subject in a preset channel number, and receives an ultrasonic signal reflected from the subject and outputs a preset channel number;

A reception signal amplifying unit which receives the ultrasonic signals output through the plurality of channels from the ultrasonic probe and amplifies and outputs the ultrasonic signals of a predetermined size;

A digital module configured to receive a plurality of received signals output from the received signal amplifying unit and sequentially scan an image corresponding to the position of each channel, and then output image data corresponding thereto;

A first controller configured to output a control signal corresponding to the digital module so as to sequentially scan the subject of the image;

A main digital signal processor which receives image data output from the digital module and outputs image data, and outputs a control signal corresponding thereto;

A second controller for outputting a control signal corresponding to the pulse generator and the main digital signal processor to output pulse or image data;

An interface unit for interfacing the image data output from the main digital signal processor;

Characterized in that the image display unit for displaying the image data output through the interface unit.

1 is a block diagram showing an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing a digital module in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram illustrating an interface unit and an image display unit in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: pulse generator 200: transmission signal amplifier

300: ultrasonic probe 400: receiving signal amplifier

500: digital module 510: multiplexer

520: A / D converter 530: first memory

540: buffer 550: digital signal processing unit

560: third control unit 570: second memory

600: first control unit 700: main digital signal processing unit

800: second control unit 900: interface unit

910: interfacing slot 920: USB port

930: compact flash slot 1000: video display unit

1010: personal computer 1020: personal portable terminal

1030: notebook

Hereinafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a digital module in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an interface unit and an image display unit in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

1 to 3, the pulse generator 100, the transmission signal amplifier 200, the ultrasonic probe 300, the received signal amplifier 400, the digital module 500, The control unit 600, the main digital signal processing unit 700, the second control unit 800, the interface unit 900, the image display unit 1000, the digital module 500 is a multiplexer 510, A The / D converter 520, the first memory 530, the buffer 540, the digital signal processor 550, the third controller 560, and the second memory 570 are provided.

In addition, the interface unit 900 includes an interfacing slot 910, a USB port 920, and a compact flash slot 930, and the image display unit 1000 includes a personal computer 1010 and a personal portable terminal 1020. ) And a notebook 1030.

Meanwhile, the pulse generator 100 receives a control signal from the second controller 800 and simultaneously generates a pulse corresponding thereto, and outputs the pulse to the transmission signal amplifier 200. The signal amplifier 200 receives a pulse generated from the pulse generator 100 and amplifies it into a signal having a predetermined size and outputs the pulse to the ultrasonic probe 300.

In addition, the ultrasonic probe 300 receives a transmission signal output from the transmission signal amplifying unit 200 and outputs an ultrasonic signal to a subject with a predetermined number of channels, and receives a ultrasonic signal reflected from the subject and is preset. It outputs to the received signal amplifying unit 400 in the number of channels.

Subsequently, the received signal amplifying unit 400 receives the ultrasonic signals output from the ultrasonic probe 300 through a plurality of channels, amplifies the signals into a predetermined size, and outputs the signals to the digital module 500. In the digital module 500, the digital module 500 includes a plurality of control signals received from the first control unit 600 and received signals output from the received signal amplifying unit 400 in a plurality of channels. After sequentially scanning the image corresponding to the position serves to output the image data corresponding to the main digital signal processing unit 700.

In addition, the first controller 600 outputs a control signal corresponding to the digital module 500 so that the digital module 500 sequentially scans a subject of an image, and the main digital signal. The processor 700 receives image data output from the digital module 500 and outputs the image data to the interface unit 900.

In addition, the second controller 800 outputs a control signal corresponding to the pulse generator 100 and the main digital signal processor 700 so as to output pulse or image data, and the interface unit. In operation 900, the image data output from the main digital signal processor 700 may be interfaced to the image display unit 1000, and the image display unit 1000 may be output through the interface unit 900. It plays a role of displaying image data.

On the other hand, the multiplexer 510 in the digital module 500 receives the control signal output from the first control unit 600 and sequentially receives the analog ultrasonic signals output from the received signal amplifying unit 400 in a plurality of channels. The A / D converter 520 outputs the control signal, and the A / D converter 520 receives the control signal output from the first controller 600 and outputs the output signal from the multiplexer 510. It converts an analog ultrasonic signal into a digital ultrasonic signal and outputs it to the first memory 530.

In addition, the first memory 530 receives and temporarily stores the digital ultrasonic signals output from the A / D converter 520 and then stores the digital ultrasonic signals corresponding to the control signals output from the first controller 600. Is output to the buffer 540, and the buffer 540 receives the control signal output from the first control unit 600 and sequentially receives the digital ultrasonic signal output from the first memory 530. It serves to output to the digital signal processor 550.

Subsequently, the digital signal processor 550 receives a control signal, receives a digital ultrasound signal output from the buffer 540, detects an image of a subject, and then transfers the corresponding image data to the second memory 570. The third controller 560 outputs a control signal corresponding to the digital signal processor 550 to detect image data using the digital ultrasonic signal from the digital signal processor 550. The second memory 570 receives the image data output from the digital signal processor 550 and sequentially outputs the image data to the main digital signal processor 700.

Hereinafter, an operation process of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1 for the unspecified number of patients to have an ultrasound diagnosis or self-diagnosis, when the ultrasound probe 300 is moved to a patient area to be diagnosed, the pulse generator 100 receives a control signal. A pulse corresponding thereto is generated, and the transmission signal amplifying unit 200 receives a pulse generated from the pulse generating unit 100 and amplifies the signal into a signal having a preset size.

Then, the ultrasonic transducer 300 receives the transmission pulse output from the transmission signal amplifier 200 and outputs an ultrasonic signal with a predetermined number of channels, and the received signal amplifier 400 receives the ultrasonic probe 300. Ultrasonic signals output from a plurality of channels are input from the amplifier and amplified into signals having a predetermined size.

Subsequently, the plurality of digital modules 500 receives the received signals output from the received signal amplifying unit 400 and sequentially scans the images corresponding to the positions of the channels, and outputs the corresponding image data.

In this case, the first control unit 600 outputs a control signal corresponding to the digital module 500 so as to sequentially scan the subject of the image, and the main digital signal processing unit 700 from the digital module 500. The image data is output by receiving the output image data.

In addition, the second controller 800 outputs a control signal corresponding to the pulse generator 100 and the main digital signal processor 700 so as to output pulse or image data, and the interface unit 900 outputs the control signal. Interfaces to receive the image data output from the main digital signal processor 700 to display the image.

Then, the image display unit 1000 receives the image data output through the interface unit 900 and displays it on the monitor so that the symptoms of the unspecified number of people can be seen.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic transducer output method of the ultrasonic wave may be used an electronic linear scan method (Linear Electronic Scan) or an electrical wide-angle sector scan method (Electronic Phased Array Scan).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the interface unit 900 selects an interfacing slot 910, a universal serial bus (USB) port 920, a compact flash slot 930, and the like according to an ultrasound diagnosis environment of a user. The image display unit 1000 may also selectively use a personal computer 1010, a personal mobile terminal 1020, a notebook 1030, or the like.

Meanwhile, in order to output image data from the digital module 500 as shown in FIG. 2, the multiplexer 510 receives a control signal output from the first control unit 600 and receives the received signal amplification unit. In step 400, analog ultrasonic signals output through a plurality of channels are sequentially output.

Subsequently, the A / D converter 520 receives the control signal output from the controller, converts the analog ultrasound signal output from the multiplexer 510 into a digital ultrasound signal, and outputs the digital ultrasound signal. After receiving and temporarily storing the digital ultrasonic signal output from the A / D converter 520, the digital ultrasonic signal is output in accordance with the control signal output from the first controller 600.

Then, the buffer 540 receives the control signal output from the first control unit 600 and sequentially outputs the digital ultrasonic signal output from the first memory 530, and the digital signal processing unit 550 outputs the control signal. The digital ultrasound signal received from the buffer 540 is input, detects an image of a subject, and outputs image data corresponding thereto.

In addition, the third controller 560 outputs a control signal corresponding to the digital signal processor 550 so as to detect image data using a digital ultrasonic signal, and the second memory 570 outputs the control signal. The image data output from 550 is input and sequentially output.

In addition, when an unspecified number of people increases the number of the digital modules 500 in consideration of the precision of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is configured as described above, the number of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses increases according to the increase of the digital module 500. When the precision of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is not important, the accuracy of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may be reduced, and thus the manufacturing cost of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may be reduced by reducing the number of uses of the digital module 500.

As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention digitizes the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, modifies the digital circuit to freely adjust the delay time for each channel, and significantly reduces the volume of the circuit, thereby changing the design and manufacturing. In addition to facilitating the operation, the analog signal processing unit, the digital signal processing unit, and the interface unit except the probe and the image processing unit are built in one module box, thereby allowing the user to freely connect the main body according to the user's choice, It is very effective that the system can be freely configured according to the use and use of the diagnostic device.

Claims (5)

A pulse generator for receiving a control signal and generating a corresponding pulse; A transmission signal amplifier which receives the pulse generated by the pulse generator and amplifies and outputs a signal having a predetermined size; An ultrasonic probe that receives the transmission signal output from the transmission signal amplifying unit and outputs an ultrasonic signal to a subject with a preset number of channels, and receives an ultrasonic signal reflected from the subject and outputs a preset number of channels; A reception signal amplifying unit which receives the ultrasonic signals output through the plurality of channels from the ultrasonic probe and amplifies and outputs the ultrasonic signals of a predetermined size; A digital module configured to receive a control signal and a received signal output from a plurality of channels from the received signal amplifying unit, sequentially scan an image corresponding to a position of each channel, and output image data corresponding thereto; A first controller configured to output a control signal corresponding to the digital module so as to sequentially scan the subject of the image; A main digital signal processor for receiving a control signal and image data output from the digital module and outputting image data; A second controller for outputting a control signal corresponding to the pulse generator and the main digital signal processor to output pulse or image data; An interface unit for interfacing the image data output from the main digital signal processor; And an image display unit configured to display image data output through the interface unit. delete The digital module of claim 1, further comprising: a multiplexer which receives a control signal output from the first control unit and sequentially outputs analog ultrasonic signals outputted through a plurality of channels from the reception signal amplifier; An A / D converter which receives the control signal output from the first controller and converts the analog ultrasound signal output from the multiplexer into a digital ultrasound signal; A first memory for receiving and temporarily storing the digital ultrasonic signal output from the A / D converter and outputting the digital ultrasonic signal in accordance with the control signal output from the first controller; A buffer which receives the control signal output from the first controller and sequentially outputs the digital ultrasonic signal output from the first memory; A digital signal processor which receives a control signal and receives a digital ultrasonic signal output from the buffer, detects an image of a subject, and outputs image data corresponding thereto; A third controller configured to output a control signal corresponding to the digital signal processor to detect image data using a digital ultrasonic signal; And And a second memory for receiving the image data output from the digital signal processor and sequentially outputting the image data. delete delete