JP5696587B2 - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that wirelessly transmits ultrasonic data obtained by an ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body is known.

  In such an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, image data is generated based on the ultrasonic data received by the apparatus main body, and an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed based on this (for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP 2009-291515 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the amount of data to be transmitted is fixed according to the image display capability of the transmission destination apparatus main body, it is applied to other apparatuses. It was difficult to give the child versatility. That is, the transmission destination apparatus main body generates, for example, image data that matches the display processing capability of the display device, but the transmission destination apparatus main body has a low display processing capability of the display device such as a so-called low-end machine. In this case, even if ultrasound data for displaying a high-quality image is transmitted from the ultrasound probe, there is no processing capability to display a high-quality image, and a wasteful portion occurs in the transmitted data. As a result, the transmission efficiency is not good. In particular, in recent years, ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses capable of displaying ultrasonic diagnostic images by a color Doppler method that expresses the direction and velocity of blood flow as color images have been widely used, and the problem of transmission efficiency has become prominent. ing.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe having good transmission efficiency and excellent versatility.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an ultrasonic probe,
A transmission / reception unit that outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave toward the subject by a drive signal, receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject, and obtains a reception signal;
A color image data generation unit that generates color image data based on the received signal;
A format selection section for selecting one of a plurality of data formats having different data sizes;
A transmission unit for transmitting the color image data in the data format selected by the format selection unit;
An operation clock control unit for controlling the frequency of an operation clock signal supplied to at least a part of each unit constituting the ultrasonic probe;
With
The operation clock control unit, according to the data format selected by the format selection unit, a drive time to be a predetermined drive frequency and a standby time to be a predetermined standby frequency that is lower than the drive frequency And determining the frequency of the operation clock signal according to the determination .
The invention according to claim 2 is an ultrasonic probe,
A transmission / reception unit that outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave toward the subject by a drive signal, receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject, and obtains a reception signal;
A color image data generation unit that generates color image data based on the received signal;
A format selection section for selecting one of a plurality of data formats having different data sizes;
A transmission unit for transmitting the color image data in the data format selected by the format selection unit;
As a power source for operating each part of the ultrasonic probe, a battery,
A power control unit that controls supply of power to at least a part of each of the units constituting the ultrasonic probe from the battery;
With
The power control unit determines a power supply time for supplying power and a power supply time limit for limiting power supply according to the data format selected by the format selection unit, and supplies power according to the determination. It is characterized by controlling.
The invention according to claim 3 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 2,
The format selection unit may select a data format according to the remaining amount of the battery.
The invention according to claim 4 is an ultrasonic probe,
A transmission / reception unit that outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave toward the subject by a drive signal, receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject, and obtains a reception signal;
A color image data generation unit that generates color image data based on the received signal;
A format selection section for selecting one of a plurality of data formats having different data sizes;
A transmission unit for transmitting the color image data in the data format selected by the format selection unit;
As a power source for operating each part of the ultrasonic probe, a battery,
With
The format selection unit may select a data format according to the remaining amount of the battery.

The invention according to claim 5 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The color image data generation unit generates color image data based on RGB components,
The RGB component of the color image data generated by the color image data generation unit is converted into a predetermined luminance component and a color difference component, and the converted color difference component is compressed to convert the color image data into a predetermined compressed data format. A format conversion unit for converting the data into the data is provided.

The invention according to claim 6 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 5 ,
The plurality of types of data formats include a plurality of data formats having different compression ratios,
The format conversion unit compresses the color difference component at a compression rate corresponding to the data format selected by the format selection unit.

The invention of claim 7 provides the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The color image data generation unit generates color image data based on RGB components,
The plurality of types of data formats include an uncompressed data format that does not compress the color image data generated by the color image data generation unit,
The transmission unit transmits color image data, which is a data format indicating RGB components, when the non-compressed data format is selected by the format selection unit.

The invention according to claim 8 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
An error correction code generation unit for generating an error correction code corresponding to the color image data;
A transmission data generation unit for generating transmission data for adding the error correction code generated by the error correction code generation unit to the color image data and transmitting by the transmission unit;
With
The error correction code generation unit determines a data size of an error correction code to be added to the color image data based on the transmission rate of the transmission unit and the data format selected by the format selection unit, and the determined data An error correction code having a size is generated.

The invention according to claim 9 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Equipped with a selector switch that can be switched by the operator
The format selection unit selects a data format according to an operation by the changeover switch.

The invention according to claim 10 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The format selection unit selects a data format according to a transmission state with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body that is a transmission destination of the color image data.

The invention according to claim 11 is the ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A transmission signal receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body that is the transmission destination of the image data;
The format selection unit selects a data format corresponding to the received format instruction signal when receiving a format instruction signal for instructing the format from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body by the transmission signal receiving unit. It is characterized by that.

The invention according to claim 12 is the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
The color image data generation unit generates color Doppler image data.

  According to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe having good transmission efficiency and excellent versatility can be obtained.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic probe in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of color Doppler image data. It is a figure explaining the display size of LCD. It is a figure showing the relationship between a screen size and a required transmission rate. It is a figure explaining a radio | wireless communication system. It is a figure explaining the ratio of the data to transmit. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus main body. It is a figure explaining the ratio of the data to transmit. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the ultrasound probe in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the ratio of the data to transmit. It is a figure explaining the ratio of the data to transmit.

  Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, in the following description, what has the same function and structure attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus S according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 and an ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves (transmitted ultrasonic waves) to a subject such as a living body (not shown) and receives reflected waves (reflected ultrasonic waves: echoes) reflected by the subject. To do. The ultrasound probe 2 acquires a received signal that is an electrical signal from the received reflected ultrasound, and based on this, obtains ultrasound diagnostic image data for displaying an ultrasound diagnostic image of the internal state of the subject. Generate. The ultrasound probe 2 is configured to be able to transmit / receive data wirelessly to / from the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1. Note that any known wireless communication method can be employed. Detailed description of the wireless communication method will be described later. The ultrasonic probe 2 wirelessly transmits the ultrasonic diagnostic image data generated as described above to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1. Further, the ultrasound probe 2 includes a change-over switch 21 that can be changed by a user. The changeover switch 21 is, for example, a slide switch, but may be in any form as long as it can be changed by a user, such as a limit switch or a toggle switch.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 images the internal state of the subject as an ultrasonic diagnostic image based on the ultrasonic diagnostic image data transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 and displays it on the display unit 107. is there. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 includes an operation input unit 108 and can wirelessly transmit information corresponding to the operation of the operation input unit 108 to the ultrasonic probe 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 2 includes, for example, a battery 201, a booster circuit 202, a transmission unit 203, a transducer 204, a reception unit 205, a phasing addition unit 206, and a B mode. Image data generation unit 209, color Doppler image data generation unit 210, luminance / color difference signal conversion unit 211, format conversion unit 212, image memory 213, error correction code generation unit 214, transmission data generation unit 215, , A wireless transmission / reception unit 216, an antenna 217, and a screen size / format selection unit 218.

  The battery 201 supplies power to each part constituting the ultrasonic probe 2. The battery 201 is supplied with power by, for example, attaching the ultrasonic probe 2 to a holder (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1.

  The booster circuit 202 is a circuit for boosting the power supply voltage supplied from the battery 201 to a voltage of about 60 V to 150 V that can drive the ultrasonic probe 2 and supplying the boosted power to the transmission unit 203. is there.

  The transmission unit 203 is a circuit that supplies a drive signal, which is an electrical signal, to the vibrator 204 and causes the vibrator 204 to generate transmission ultrasonic waves. For example, the transducer 204 includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements and is arranged in a one-dimensional array, and each outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave, and then receives a reflected ultrasonic wave and outputs a reception signal to the reception unit 205. In the present embodiment, for example, 192 transducers 204 are arranged. Note that the transducers may be arranged in a two-dimensional array. Further, the number of vibrators can be arbitrarily set. In this embodiment, a linear electronic scan probe is used for the ultrasound probe 2, but either an electronic scanning method or a mechanical scanning method may be used, and a linear scanning method or a sector scanning method may be used. Alternatively, any method of the convex scanning method can be adopted. The transmission unit 203 includes, for example, a transmission BF (Beam Forming) control circuit, sets a transmission signal transmission timing for each individual path corresponding to each transducer, and drives the drive signal by the set delay time. The transmission beam constituted by transmission ultrasonic waves is focused by delaying the transmission of.

The receiving unit 205 includes an AMP (Amplifier) 205a and an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 205b. A plurality of receiving units 205 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of transducers.
The AMP 205a is a circuit for amplifying the received signal at a predetermined amplification factor set in advance for each individual path corresponding to each transducer. The ADC 205b samples the amplified received signal at a predetermined frequency (for example, 60 MHz), performs A / D conversion, and outputs the sampled signal.

  In the present embodiment, the booster circuit 202, the transmission unit 203, the vibrator 204, and the reception unit 205 configured as described above constitute a transmission / reception unit.

  The phasing / adding unit 206 adjusts the time by giving a delay time for each individual path corresponding to each transducer to the reception signal A / D converted by the ADC 205b, and adds these (phasing addition). To generate and output sound ray data.

  The B-mode image data generation unit 209 generates B-mode image data in which the intensity of the received signal is represented by luminance from the sound ray data output from the phasing addition unit 206. Specifically, the B-mode image data generation unit 209 includes, for example, an envelope detection unit, a sampling unit, a data thinning unit, a logarithmic conversion unit, a luminance conversion unit, and a pixel interpolation unit. The envelope detector performs full-wave rectification on the sound ray data output from the phasing adder 206 to obtain envelope data. The sampling unit downsamples the envelope data to a predetermined data rate. The data decimation unit decimates the envelope data so as to obtain a sampling number corresponding to the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image to be displayed according to the screen size information from the screen size / format selection unit 218. The logarithmic conversion unit performs logarithmic amplification on the envelope data after thinning. The luminance conversion unit performs B amplitude image data by performing amplitude / luminance conversion that quantizes the magnitude of the signal indicated by the logarithmically amplified envelope data to 256 gradations. The pixel interpolation unit is arranged in the azimuth direction of the B-mode image data so that the number of pixels corresponds to the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image to be displayed according to the screen size information from the screen size / format selection unit 218. Interpolated pixel data that is data of the interpolated pixel is generated. The B mode image data generation unit 209 outputs the B mode image data generated as described above to the image memory 213.

A color Doppler image data generation unit 210 serving as a color image data generation unit calculates the average velocity, variance, and power of the blood flow from the sound ray data output from the phasing addition unit 206, and converts the result into a color image. Color Doppler image data for displaying a Doppler image is generated and output. Specifically, the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 includes, for example, an orthogonal detection unit, an MTI (Moving Target Indicator) filtering unit, and a CFM (Color Flow Mapping) unit. The quadrature detection unit performs quadrature detection on the sound ray data output from the phasing addition unit 206. The MTI filtering unit extracts only a high frequency component (blood flow component) from the sound ray data subjected to the quadrature detection. The CFM unit performs an autocorrelation operation on the filtered sound ray data to calculate the average velocity, variance, and power of the blood flow, and generates color Doppler image data based on the RGB components from the result. This color Doppler image data is composed of image data consisting of 24 bits of 8 bits for each RGB, for each pixel. The color Doppler image data generation unit 210 performs pixel interpolation and thinning processing on the color Doppler image data so as to obtain the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image to be displayed according to the screen size information from the screen size / format selection unit 218. May be configured.
The ultrasonic probe 2 in the present embodiment is provided with a switch SW1. The switch SW1 determines the output destination of the color Doppler image data output from the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 according to the format information from the screen size / format selection unit 218, the luminance / color difference signal conversion unit 211, and the image memory 213. Switch to.

The luminance / color difference signal conversion unit 211 converts the RGB component of the color Doppler image data into a luminance signal (Y) and a color difference signal (Cb, Cr) by the following formulas (1) to (3).
Y = 0.299R + 0.587G + 0.114B (1)
Cb = −0.169R−0.331G + 0.500B (2)
Cr = 0.500R−0.419G−0.081B (3)
The luminance / color difference signal conversion unit 211 outputs the color Doppler image data converted as described above to the format conversion unit 212. Note that the conversion formula between the luminance signal and the color difference signal is not limited to that described above, and any conversion formula can be adopted.

  The format conversion unit 212 compresses the color difference signal in the color Doppler image data converted into the luminance signal (Y) and the color difference signal (Cb, Cr) according to the format information from the screen size / format selection unit 218. Convert to a predetermined data format. The format conversion unit 212 outputs the color Doppler image data subjected to the data format conversion to the image memory 213. In the present embodiment, the luminance / color difference signal converter 211 and the format converter 212 may be referred to as a format converter.

  Here, compression of the color difference signal will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the data of arbitrary pixels C0 to C3 of the color Doppler image data input to the luminance / color difference signal conversion unit 211 includes 8-bit RGB data. Accordingly, the data size of the four pixels C0 to C3 is 32 bits for each of RGB, which is 96 bits in total. That is, the data size per pixel is 24 bits as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the data of the pixels C0 to C3 having such RGB components are respectively converted into an 8-bit luminance signal (Y) and an 8-bit color difference signal ( Cb) and 8-bit color difference signal (Cr). In this case, since the data is not reduced, the data size is the same as the data based on the RGB components described above. The format of the image data configured as described above may be referred to as a 4: 4: 4 format. In addition, the format of image data composed of RGB components may be referred to as a 4: 4: 4 format.

  As described above, the image data can be represented by the luminance signal and the color difference signal. However, it is known that the human eye has high sensitivity to the luminance signal, but low sensitivity to the color difference signal. Therefore, in this embodiment, the color difference signal is compressed by reducing the color difference signal in the following manner to reduce the deterioration in image quality. Thereby, the data size of the color Doppler image data can be compressed, and the transmission efficiency of the image data can be improved.

  FIG. 3C shows the color difference signals (Cb, Cr) from the data of the pixels C0 to C3 having the 4: 4: 4 format shown in FIG. Data thinning is performed, and the color difference signal is compressed to ½ so that two pixels share the color difference signal for one pixel. That is, the data of the pixels C0 to C3 are converted into four luminance signals (Y) and two color difference signals (Cb, Cr). As a result, the data size per pixel is 16 bits. The format of the image data configured as described above may be referred to as a 4: 2: 2 format.

  FIG. 3D shows the color difference signals (Cb, Cr) from the data of the pixels C0 to C3 having the 4: 4: 4 format shown in FIG. The color difference signal is compressed to 1/4 so that four pixels are shared by the color difference signals for one pixel. That is, the data of the pixels C0 to C3 is converted into four luminance signals (Y) and one color difference signal (Cb, Cr). As a result, the data size per pixel is 12 bits. The format of the image data configured as described above may be referred to as a 4: 1: 1 format.

  FIG. 3E shows the color difference signals (Cb, Cr) in the azimuth direction and the depth direction, respectively, from the data of pixels C0 to C7 consisting of vertical 2 pixels × horizontal 4 pixels of 4: 4: 4 format. Data is thinned out to ½, and the chrominance signal is compressed to ¼ so that four pixels share the chrominance signal for one pixel. That is, the data of the pixels C0 to C7 are converted into eight luminance signals (Y) and two color difference signals (Cb, Cr). As a result, the data size per pixel is 12 bits. The format of the image data configured as described above may be referred to as 4: 2: 0 format.

  In this embodiment, the compression of the color difference signal is realized by thinning out the data. However, the color difference signals of adjacent 2 or 4 pixels may be averaged and shared.

  The image memory 213 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and B transmitted from the B-mode image data generation unit 209, the color Doppler image data generation unit 210, or the format conversion unit 212. The mode image data and the color Doppler image data are synthesized and stored in units of frames. That is, the image memory 213 can store ultrasonic diagnostic image data configured in units of frames.

  The error correction code generation unit 214 reads out the ultrasonic diagnostic image data stored in the image memory 213 and generates an error correction code corresponding to this. The error correction code generation unit 214 outputs the generated error correction code to the transmission data generation unit 215. As the error correction code, known codes such as a Hamming code, a BCH code, and a Reed-Solomon code can be employed. In the present embodiment, the error correction code generation unit 214 transmits screen size information from the screen size / format selection unit 218, format information, and wireless transmission from the ultrasound probe 2 to the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1. The code length of the error correction code is varied according to the transmission rate. The code length of the error correction code may be constant. Further, the error correction code generation unit 214 may not be provided.

  The transmission data generation unit 215 adds the error correction code output from the error correction code generation unit 214 to the ultrasound diagnostic image data stored in the image memory 213, converts the ultrasonic correction image data into a predetermined transmission format, and generates transmission data To do. The transmission data generation unit 215 outputs the generated transmission data to the wireless transmission / reception unit 216.

  A wireless transmission / reception unit 216 serving as a transmission unit and a transmission signal reception unit performs predetermined modulation processing on transmission data output from the transmission data generation unit 215, and wirelessly transmits to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 via the antenna 217. To transmit. The wireless transmission / reception unit 216 receives screen size instruction information, format instruction information, or transmission state information, which will be described later, wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1 via the antenna 217, and receives these pieces of information. Is demodulated and output to the screen size / format selection unit 218.

  The screen size / format selection unit 218 as the format selection unit determines the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image according to the screen size instruction information from the changeover switch 21 or the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1. The screen size / format selection unit 218 outputs screen size information to the B mode image data generation unit 209 and the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 to instruct the screen size. In the present embodiment, the screen size / format selection unit 218 includes, for example, XGA (eXtended Graphics Array), SXGA (Super eXtended Graphics Array), UGA (Ultra extended Graphics Array), WUXGA (Wide Ultra eXtended Graphics Array), and QXGA. The screen size corresponding to one of the standards is determined from (Quad-XGA) and WQXGA (Wide Quad-XGA).

Here, the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image will be described.
A display device on which an ultrasound diagnostic image is displayed is represented by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). As such an LCD, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of types of standards having different total pixel numbers are known. In the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, among the standards shown in FIG. 4, LCDs such as SXGA and UGA capable of high resolution display are generally most commonly used, but in recent years, so-called high-end machines and premium machines are used. In high-performance ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses, LCDs such as QXGA and WQXGA that can perform ultra-high resolution display are used. On the other hand, in a so-called handy type ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus developed in consideration of portability, an apparatus having a smaller total number of pixels is used for miniaturization.

  The display capability of such an LCD is, for example, horizontal 1280 × vertical 1024 pixels in SXGA and horizontal 1600 × vertical 1200 pixels in UGA. However, in an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, a part of display area (for example, for example, In the 60% region), an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed. That is, the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image displayed on the display device depends on the standard of the display device.

  A conventional ultrasonic probe generates ultrasonic data such as a reception signal having a uniquely defined data size in accordance with the standard of a display device provided on the main body side of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. Since this is a configuration for wireless transmission, it is not compatible with other ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatuses and lacks versatility. That is, for example, an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed on a display device having a standard with a large total number of pixels, such as WQXGA, for an apparatus main body of an ultrasonic image diagnostic device having a display device with a small standard, such as XGA. When ultrasonic data for display is wirelessly transmitted, the display capability on the apparatus main body side is insufficient, so that all of the transmitted data is not utilized and a loss occurs. On the other hand, for displaying an ultrasonic diagnostic image on a display device having a standard with a smaller total number of pixels with respect to an apparatus body of the ultrasonic image diagnostic device having a display device having a standard with a large total number of pixels. When ultrasonic data is wirelessly transmitted, the display capability on the apparatus main body side cannot be fully exhibited.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, since the ultrasonic diagnostic image data having the screen size determined by the screen size / format selection unit 218 can be generated, various ultrasonic images having different display device standards can be generated. It can be set as a highly versatile ultrasonic probe applicable to a diagnostic apparatus. Here, the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image displayed on the display device can be set as appropriate. It is also possible to vary the screen size according to the purpose of diagnosis.

  Further, the screen size / format selection unit 218 determines the data format of the color Doppler image data in response to detection of a format switching condition described later. That is, the screen size / format selection unit 218 selects one of the 4: 4: 4 format, the 4: 2: 2 format, the 4: 1: 1 format, and the 4: 2: 0 format. The screen size / format selection unit 218 outputs format information corresponding to the determined data format to the format conversion unit 212, the error correction code generation unit 214, and the switch SW1. The switch SW1 outputs color Doppler image data based on RGB components from the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 to the image memory 213 when the format information from the screen size / format selection unit 218 indicates 4: 4: 4 format. In the case of indicating other formats, the switch is set so that color Doppler image data based on RGB components from the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 is output to the luminance / color difference signal conversion unit 211. Switch.

  In the present embodiment, only one of a plurality of format switching conditions to be described later is selectively functioned, but it is of course possible to function a plurality of format switching conditions.

The screen size / format selection unit 218 is connected to the changeover switch 21. The changeover switch 21 outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the switch to the screen size / format selection unit 218. The screen size / format selection unit 218 can output the format information according to the input signal using the signal from the changeover switch 21 as the format switching condition.
In addition, the screen size / format selection unit 218 can detect the remaining amount of the battery 201, and can instruct the data format according to the remaining amount using the remaining amount detection result as a format switching condition. For example, when the screen size / format selection unit 218 detects that the remaining amount of the battery 201 is 60% or less when generating color Doppler image data in 4: 4: 4 format, The conversion unit 212, the error correction code generation unit 214, and the switch SW1 are instructed to generate color Doppler image data in 4: 2: 2 format. Also, for example, when the screen size / format selection unit 218 detects that the remaining amount of the battery 201 is 40% or less when generating color Doppler image data in 4: 2: 2 format. The format conversion unit 212, the error correction code generation unit 214, and the switch SW1 are instructed to generate color Doppler image data in the 4: 1: 1 format or 4: 2: 0 format. The screen size / format selection unit 218 controls the change to the data format corresponding to the remaining battery capacity in this way to reduce the data size of the image data, thereby suppressing the power consumption required for transmission. Battery consumption can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, since the ultrasound probe 2 is configured as described above, ultrasound diagnostic image data corresponding to the screen size determined by the screen size / format selection unit 218 is generated. In addition, the B-mode image data generation unit 209 and the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 are controlled. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the screen size determined by the screen size / format selection unit 218 is set to 60% of the total number of pixels of the standard of the display device. The B-mode image data generation unit 209 and the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 perform data thinning and pixel interpolation processing so that ultrasonic diagnostic image data having the set number of pixels is generated.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is wirelessly transmitted as described above. The size of the transmitted data differs depending on the screen size and the data format. Since an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is required to display an ultrasonic diagnostic image in real time, it is necessary to be able to switch and display images at a constant frame rate. Therefore, in order to wirelessly transmit ultrasonic diagnostic image data, it is necessary to ensure a certain transmission rate. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size of 614 × 460 pixels corresponding to the XGA standard is converted into 15 frames per second without data compression (ie, 4: 4: 4 format). In the case of transmission, when displaying an ultrasound diagnostic image as an RGB color image, it is necessary to secure a transmission rate of 101.6784 Mbps, which displays the ultrasound diagnostic image in gray scale. In this case, the transmission rate is three times the required transmission rate.

Here, a wireless communication method applicable in this embodiment will be described.
Conventionally, as a wireless communication method generally used in a wireless ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, there is the one shown in FIG. 6, but in recent years, the international standard “IEEE802.11n” has been improved. It has speed and is widely used. That is, according to the international standard “IEEE802.11n”, the transmission rate is theoretically sufficient to display a color ultrasonic diagnostic image having a screen size of 1152 × 720 pixels corresponding to the WUXGA standard in real time. I understand that.

  However, in actuality, when ultrasonic diagnostic image data is wirelessly transmitted, additional information including the above-described error correction code and probe ID for specifying the transmission source ultrasonic probe device is added. Therefore, in order to display a color ultrasonic diagnostic image corresponding to the WUXGA standard in real time, the transmission rate is insufficient in the international standard “IEEE802.11n”.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when transmitting ultrasonic diagnostic image data having such a large screen size, it is converted into a 4: 2: 2 format, a 4: 1: 1 format, or a 4: 2: 0 format. By compressing the data, it is possible to appropriately transmit the data while ensuring the frame rate.

In addition, when displaying an ultrasound diagnostic image on a display device with a relatively small total number of pixels such as the SXGA standard or the XGA standard, the display capability is inferior to a display device with a large total number of pixels such as the WUXGA standard. Therefore, even if high-quality ultrasonic diagnostic image data such as the above-mentioned 4: 4: 4 format is transmitted, an ultrasonic diagnostic image having an image quality corresponding to the high-quality ultrasonic diagnostic image data cannot be obtained, which may not be efficient. According to the present embodiment, even in such a case, the efficiency can be improved by converting the data format and compressing the data as described above.
However, in the international standard “IEEE802.11n” described above, when ultrasound diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard or the XGA standard is compressed and transmitted, the transmission rate is set to the size of the data to be transmitted. Since it is too large, it becomes inefficient.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, by increasing the code length of the error correction code with respect to the surplus of the transmission performance generated as a result of compressing the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, efficient transmission can be performed and ultrasonic waves can be transmitted. The ability to correct diagnostic image data can be increased.

  FIG. 7 shows a data ratio of transmission data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 in the present embodiment. Here, the wireless communication system to be used is the international standard “IEEE802.11n”. As shown in FIG. 7A, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard in the 4: 4: 4 format, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data for a transmission rate of 300 Mbps. The data size is about 170 Mbit. Further, if the additional information of 10 Mbit is transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, the transmission rate of the international standard “IEEE802.11n” has a margin of about 120 Mbit per second. In this embodiment, an error correction code of about 120 Mbit per second is generated for ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted wirelessly, and wirelessly transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data and additional information.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard in a 4: 2: 2 format, an ultrasonic diagnosis is performed for a transmission rate of 300 Mbps. The data size of the image data is about 113 Mbit. Further, if additional information of 10 Mbit is transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, there is a margin of about 177 Mbit per second at the transmission rate of the international standard “IEEE802.11n”. That is, the image data is compressed, so that a larger margin can be provided for wireless transmission. In this case, by generating an error correction code for about 177 Mbit per second for the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted wirelessly and wirelessly transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data and additional information, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data The correction ability is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard in the 4: 1: 1 format or 4: 2: 0 format, the transmission rate For 300 Mbps, the data size of ultrasonic diagnostic image data is about 85 Mbit. Further, if additional information of 10 Mbit is transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, there is a margin of about 205 Mbit per second at the transmission rate of the international standard “IEEE802.11n”. In other words, since the image data is further compressed, there is a further margin for wireless transmission. In this case, an error correction code of about 205 Mbit per second is generated for the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted wirelessly, and wirelessly transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data and additional information, thereby obtaining the ultrasonic diagnostic image data. The correction ability is further improved.

  In recent years, as shown in FIG. 6, a wireless transmission technology using a 60 GHz frequency band, which is formulated by a WirelessHD Consortium, is known. This standard has a transmission rate of 4 Gbps in the first generation, and further has a transmission rate of 10 to 28 Gbps in the second generation. For example, in the first generation standard, even WQXGA color ultrasonic diagnostic image data can be wirelessly transmitted with a capacity of about 1/8, so that a very large margin can be provided for wireless transmission and the screen size is large. However, an error correction code having a sufficient code length can be added, and the correction capability of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data can be dramatically increased.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 includes, for example, a wireless transmission / reception unit 101, an antenna 102, an error rate detection unit 103, an error correction unit 104, a memory unit 105, a DSC (Digital Scan). Converter) 106, a display unit 107, an operation input unit 108, and a control unit 109.

The control unit 109 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and reads various processing programs such as a system program stored in the ROM to read the RAM. The operation of each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus S is centrally controlled according to the developed program.
The ROM is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores a system program corresponding to the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus S, various processing programs that can be executed on the system program, various data, and the like. These programs are stored in the form of computer-readable program code, and the CPU sequentially executes operations according to the program code.
The RAM forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU and data related to these programs.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 101 receives and demodulates transmission data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound probe 2 via the antenna 102 according to an instruction from the control unit 109. The wireless transmission / reception unit 101 outputs the demodulated transmission data to the error rate detection unit 103 and the error correction unit 104.

The error rate detection unit 103 performs error rate detection processing for calculating the error rate of the transmission data for the transmission data output from the wireless transmission / reception unit 101. Here, the error rate is an index indicating how much data is wrong with respect to the transmission data when the transmission data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound probe 2 is received by the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1. It is. That is, it is a value indicating the ratio of erroneous transmission data during wireless transmission from the ultrasound probe 2 to the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1.
The state of the wireless transmission path between the ultrasonic probe 2 and the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 is not always good. For example, in a place where various medical devices such as an operating room are installed, the state of the wireless transmission path may be deteriorated due to electromagnetic waves or radio waves generated by other devices. In some cases, wireless transmission cannot be performed at a certain transmission rate.
In the present embodiment, the transmission state is determined as follows, and data transmission can be performed with the data transfer amount corresponding to the determination result.
That is, the error rate detection unit 103 determines the transmission state between the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 and the ultrasonic probe 2 from the calculated error rate. For example, the transmission state is set in three stages. The error rate detection unit 103 outputs transmission state information indicating a transmission state determination result to the wireless transmission / reception unit 101. The wireless transmission / reception unit 101 performs a predetermined modulation process on the transmission state information from the error rate detection unit 103 and wirelessly transmits the information to the ultrasound probe 2 via the antenna 102. The ultrasound probe 2 uses the received transmission state information as a switching condition, and in response to this, for example, if the information indicates that the transmission state is good, the screen size / format selection unit 218 causes the switch SW1 to switch. On the other hand, it outputs the format information indicating the 4: 4: 4 format and instructs the data format of the color Doppler image data to be the 4: 4: 4 format. If the ultrasound probe 2 is information indicating that the transmission state is not good, the screen size / format selection unit 218 uses the 4: 2: 2 format for the format conversion unit 212 and the switch SW1. Outputs format information indicating that the color Doppler image data is in a 4: 2: 2 format. If the ultrasound probe 2 is information indicating that the transmission state is poor, the screen size / format selection unit 218 performs a 4: 1: 1 format with respect to the format conversion unit 212 and the switch SW1. Alternatively, format information indicating that the format is 4: 2: 0 format is output to instruct the data format of the color Doppler image data to be the 4: 1: 1 format or the 4: 2: 0 format. In this case, the screen size / format selection unit 218 may further detect the remaining amount of the battery 201 described above and instruct the conversion to a data format corresponding to the remaining amount. In the present embodiment, since it is configured as described above, in a case where the transmission state deteriorates and a sufficient data transfer rate cannot be secured, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is compressed to transmit the transmission state. Ultrasonic diagnostic image data can be transmitted with a data transfer amount corresponding to.

For example, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard in a 4: 4: 4 format, a transmission rate of about 280 Mbps is required as shown in FIG. 9A. . Here, the code length of the error correction code added to the ultrasound diagnostic image data is assumed to be constant at 100 Mbit. According to the wireless communication scheme of the international standard “IEEE802.11n”, wireless transmission in 4: 4: 4 format is possible when the transmission state is good.
However, if the transmission state is not good, the required transmission rate of 280 Mbps may not be ensured. In such a case, by converting the data format to the 4: 2: 2 format, the required transmission rate can be compressed to about 223 Mbps as shown in FIG. 9B.
Furthermore, if the transmission state is inferior, the required transmission rate of 223 Mbps may not be ensured. In such a case, the required transmission rate is compressed to about 195 Mbps as shown in FIG. 9C by converting the data format to the 4: 1: 1 format or 4: 2: 0 format. Can do.

The error correction unit 104 performs error correction processing on the transmission data output from the wireless transmission / reception unit 101. That is, the error correction unit 104 performs error correction processing according to the error correction code generated in the error correction code generation unit 214 of the ultrasound probe 2. Thereby, even when an error occurs in a part of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data included in the transmission data, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data can be restored within a range that can be corrected by the error correction code included in the transmission data. . The correctable range of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is determined by the code length of the error correction code, and the correctable range increases as the code length increases. Then, the error correction unit 104 extracts the ultrasonic diagnostic image data from the transmission data that has been subjected to the error correction process, and outputs it to the memory unit 105.
As a result of the error correction processing performed by the error correction unit 104, when the ultrasound diagnostic image data cannot be restored, for example, as the error processing, the ultrasound diagnostic image data is not restored in the memory unit 105 without being restored. You may make it output. Here, other forms of error processing may be used. For example, an error notification may be sent to the control unit 109 and the same image may be displayed on the display unit 107 until the error is resolved. Further, for example, a buffer may be provided in the error correction unit 104 to interpolate received ultrasonic diagnostic image data until the error is resolved, and output the interpolated data to the memory unit 105.
Further, when the ultrasound diagnostic image data cannot be restored, the display unit 107 may display a warning.

The memory unit 105 is constituted by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM, and stores ultrasonic diagnostic image data transmitted from the error correction unit 104 in units of frames. The ultrasonic diagnostic image data stored in the memory unit 105 is output to the DSC 106 under the control of the control unit 109. At this time, the control unit 109 converts the data described by the luminance signal (Y) and the color difference signals (Cb, Cr) among the ultrasonic diagnostic image data output to the DSC 106 into the following formulas (4) to (6). Thus, each pixel is converted into an RGB component.
R = Y + 1.402Cr (4)
G = Y−0.714Cr−0.344Cb (5)
B = Y + 1.772 Cb (6)

  The DSC 106 converts the ultrasonic diagnostic image data input from the memory unit 105 into an image signal based on a television signal scanning method, and outputs the image signal to the display unit 107.

  As the display unit 107, a display device such as an LCD, a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display, an organic EL (Electronic Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a plasma display is applicable. The display unit 107 displays an ultrasound diagnostic image on the display screen according to the image signal output from the DSC 106. Note that a printing device such as a printer may be applied instead of the display device.

  The operation input unit 108 includes, for example, various switches, buttons, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like for inputting data such as a command to start diagnosis and personal information of a subject, and the like. Output to the control unit 109. The user can select the screen size and data format of ultrasonic diagnostic image data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 by operating the operation input unit 108. As for the selection of the data format, for example, a specific data format may be selected when the freeze button is operated in addition to selecting the data format of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data transmitted in the normal time. In addition, the data format may be selected by selecting a diagnostic site. The control unit 109 instructs the wireless transmission / reception unit 101 in response to a format selection operation by the operation input unit 108, and sends format instruction information for instructing the data format of ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be wirelessly transmitted via the antenna 102. Wirelessly transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasound probe 2 uses the received format instruction information as a switching condition, and outputs the format information to the format conversion unit 212, the error correction code generation unit 214, and the switch SW1 according to the switching condition. Further, the control unit 109 instructs the wireless transmission / reception unit 101 in response to a screen size selection operation by the operation input unit 108, and displays screen size instruction information for instructing the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be wirelessly transmitted. Wireless transmission to the ultrasound probe 2 via the antenna 102 is performed. The ultrasound probe 2 can instruct the screen size to the B-mode image data generation unit 209 and the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 according to the received screen size instruction information.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the supply of electric power to some or all of the respective parts constituting the ultrasonic probe is stopped during the surplus time that occurs after the transmission of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is completed. Alternatively, during the surplus time that occurs after the transmission of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is completed, the frequency of the operation clock signal supplied to some or all of the components constituting the ultrasonic probe is normally driven. The frequency is changed to a standby frequency that is lower than the driving frequency. The second embodiment is configured as described above to reduce power consumption, suppress battery consumption, and enable the ultrasound probe to be used for a longer time.

  A specific configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1002 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the function structure similar to the ultrasound probe 2 in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The ultrasonic probe 1002 according to the second embodiment includes a voltage / operation clock control unit 219 that functions as a power control unit and an operation clock control unit. In the second embodiment, the screen size / format selection unit 218 does not output the format information to the error correction code generation unit 214 and outputs the format information to the voltage / operation clock control unit 219. . In the second embodiment, the error correction code generation unit 214 generates an error correction code having a constant code length regardless of the data format.

  The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 restricts the supply of power to the components included in the control area 1002a or the components included in the control area 1002a according to the format information from the screen size / format selection unit 218. The frequency of the supplied operation clock signal is controlled. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 can select and implement one of restriction of power supply and control of the operation clock frequency. Instead of the voltage / operation clock control unit 219, only one of a power control unit that restricts power supply and an operation clock control unit that controls the operation clock frequency may be provided.

Here, an operation in the case where power supply is limited by the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 will be described.
The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 sets a power supply period and a power supply stop period for each component included in the control area 1002a according to the format information from the screen size / format selection unit 218, and sets the set power supply According to the period and the power supply stop period, power supply to each component included in the control region 1002a is controlled. That is, when the format information is input from the screen size / format selection unit 218, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 adds ultrasonic diagnostic image data including color Doppler image data in the data format indicated by the format information to this. A period necessary for wireless transmission of the error correction code and the additional information is specified. Based on this, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 sets a power supply period and a power supply stop period. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 performs power supply to the components included in the control region 1002a until the set power supply period elapses after the wireless transmission of transmission data is started. Thereafter, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 stops the power supply to the components included in the control region 1002a until the set power supply stop period elapses, that is, until the next transmission data is wirelessly transmitted. . This is because it is not necessary to operate at least a part of the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 1002 after wireless transmission of transmission data is completed. In such a case, the operation of each component is stopped. To save power. Note that the configuration that is the target of power supply control is not limited to that shown in the present embodiment, and can be set as necessary.

  Here, the setting of the power supply period and the power supply stop period will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a data ratio of transmission data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 1002 to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 1 in the second embodiment. Here, the wireless communication system to be used is the international standard “IEEE802.11n”. Here, an error correction code having a code length of 100 Mbit is added to the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted.
As shown in FIG. 11A, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard without compression, the data size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is about about Mbps for the transmission rate. 170 Mbit. Further, if a 100 Mbit error correction code and 10 Mbit additional information are transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, the transmission rate of the international standard “IEEE802.11n” has a margin of about 20 Mbit per second. Therefore, in this embodiment, the time for transmitting 20 Mbit is allocated to the power supply stop period, and the power supply is limited to each part included in the control region 1002a constituting the ultrasonic probe 1002 during the period. To implement.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 11B, when color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard is converted into a 4: 2: 2 format and transmitted, the transmission rate exceeds 300 Mbps. The ultrasonic diagnostic image data is about 113 Mbit. If an error correction code of 100 Mbit and additional information of 10 Mbit are transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, the transmission rate of the international standard “IEEE802.11n” has a margin of about 77 Mbit per second. That is, the radio diagnostic image data to be transmitted is compressed, so that a larger margin can be provided for wireless transmission. In this case, the time for transmitting this 77 Mbit is allocated to the power supply stop period, and the supply of power to each unit included in the control region 1002a constituting the ultrasonic probe 1002 is restricted during this period. .
Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, when color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the SXGA standard is converted into a 4: 1: 1 format or 4: 2: 0 format and transmitted, For a transmission rate of 300 Mbps, ultrasonic diagnostic image data is about 85 Mbit. If an error correction code of 100 Mbit and additional information of 10 Mbit are transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, the transmission rate of the international standard “IEEE802.11n” has a margin of about 105 Mbit per second. That is, as the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted is further compressed, there is a further margin for wireless transmission. In this case, the time for transmitting 105 Mbit is allocated to the power supply stop period, and the power supply is limited to each part included in the control region 1002a constituting the ultrasonic probe 1002 during the period. .

Further, if the wireless communication system used is the above-mentioned “Wireless HD” standard, sufficient ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size larger than the screen size corresponding to the WUXGA standard is sufficient as shown in FIG. Since transmission can be performed with a margin, power can be saved more effectively. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the same data size as the ultrasound diagnostic image data without compression (for example, when the ultrasound diagnostic image data corresponding to the WQXGA standard is wirelessly transmitted, the code length is about 530 Mbit). The error correction code is added.
That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, when transmitting color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the WQXGA standard without compression, the data size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data for a transmission rate of 4 Gbps. Is about 530 Mbit. If an error correction code of about 530 Mbit and additional information of 10 Mbit are transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, the transmission rate of the “Wireless HD” standard has a margin of about 2.93 Gbit per second. Therefore, in this embodiment, the time for transmitting the 2.93 Gbit is allocated to the power supply stop period, and power is supplied to each unit included in the control region 1002a constituting the ultrasound probe 1002 during the period. Implement restrictions.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, when color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the WQXGA standard is converted into a 4: 2: 2 format and transmitted, the transmission rate exceeds 4 Gbps. The ultrasonic diagnostic image data is about 353 Mbit. If an error correction code of about 530 Mbit and additional information of 10 Mbit are transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, there is a margin of about 3.107 Gbit per second at the transmission rate of the “Wireless HD” standard. That is, the radio diagnostic image data to be transmitted is compressed, so that a larger margin can be provided for wireless transmission. In this case, the time for transmitting this 3.107 Gbit is allocated to the power supply stop period, and in this period, the power supply is limited to each part included in the control region 1002a constituting the ultrasonic probe 1002. carry out.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12C, when color ultrasonic diagnostic image data having a screen size corresponding to the WQXGA standard is converted into a 4: 1: 1 format or 4: 2: 0 format and transmitted, For a transmission rate of 4 Gbps, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is about 265 Mbit. If an error correction code of about 530 Mbit and additional information of 10 Mbit are transmitted together with the ultrasonic diagnostic image data, there is a margin of about 3.195 Gbit per second at the transmission rate of the “Wireless HD” standard. That is, as the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted is further compressed, there is a further margin for wireless transmission. In this case, the time for transmitting the 3.195 Gbit is allocated to the power supply stop period, and in this period, the supply of power to each unit included in the control region 1002a constituting the ultrasonic probe 1002 is limited. carry out.

Next, the operation when the voltage / operation clock controller 219 controls the operation clock frequency will be described.
The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 has a drive period in which the frequency of the operation clock supplied to each component included in the control region 1002a is a predetermined drive frequency in accordance with the format information from the screen size / format selection unit 218. And a standby period that is a standby frequency that is lower than the drive frequency, and controls the frequency of the operation clock supplied to each component included in the control region 1002a according to the set drive period and standby period. . Specifically, for example, the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator can be realized by switching between a normal driving frequency dividing circuit and a standby frequency dividing circuit. The standby frequency is set to, for example, 1/2 to 1/8 of the drive frequency, but is not limited thereto. The drive period and the standby period are specified in the same manner as the above-described power supply period and power supply stop period. By configuring as described above, power saving can be achieved.

  In the second embodiment, since it is configured as described above, for example, when there is a surplus in the remaining amount of the battery, the diagnosis is completed in a short time, and a good ultrasonic diagnostic image is to be obtained, Ultrasonic diagnostic image data can be transmitted in 4: 4: 4 format. In addition, when the remaining battery level is low or the diagnosis takes a long time, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data is converted into the 4: 2: 2 format, 4: 1: 1 format, or 4: 2: 0 format. By converting the data into compressed data and transmitting it, the power consumption can be reduced and the duration of the battery can be extended.

  As described above, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the booster circuit 202, the transmission unit 203, the transducer 204, and the reception unit 205 transmit ultrasonic waves toward the subject by the drive signal. And receiving a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject to obtain a received signal. The color Doppler image data generation unit 210 generates color image data based on the received signal. The screen size / format selection unit 218 selects one of a plurality of types of data formats having different data sizes. The wireless transmission / reception unit 216 transmits color image data in the data format selected by the screen size / format selection unit 218. As a result, color image data in an appropriate data format can be transmitted to the device body of the transmission destination, for example, according to the performance of the device body, the diagnostic part, the transmission state, the user's preference, etc. It is excellent in versatility and can reduce the useless part of the data to be transmitted and improve the transmission efficiency.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the luminance / color difference signal conversion unit 211 converts the RGB components of the color image data generated by the color Doppler image data generation unit 210 into predetermined luminance components and Convert to color difference component. The format conversion unit 212 compresses the converted color difference component and converts the color image data into a 4: 2: 2 format, a 4: 1: 1 format, or a 4: 2: 0 format. As a result, it can be realized by a simple method, and color image data can be efficiently compressed with a reduction in image quality suppressed.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the format conversion unit 212 compresses the color difference component at a compression rate corresponding to the data format selected by the screen size / format selection unit 218. As a result, a data format corresponding to the situation can be used, and convenience is enhanced.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, when the 4: 4: 4 format is selected by the screen size / format selection unit 218, the wireless transmission / reception unit 216 stores data indicating RGB components. Transmits color image data, which is a format. As a result, when compression is not performed, the processing load can be reduced by transmitting without performing data conversion.

  Further, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the error correction code generation unit 214 generates an error correction code corresponding to the color image data. The transmission data generation unit 215 generates transmission data to be transmitted by the wireless transmission / reception unit 216 by adding the error correction code generated by the error correction code generation unit 214 to the color image data. The error correction code generation unit 214 determines the data size of the error correction code to be added to the color image data based on the transmission rate of the wireless transmission / reception unit 216 and the data format selected by the screen size / format selection unit 218. The error correction code generation unit 214 generates an error correction code having the determined data size. As a result, since the transmission capability can be fully utilized, data can be transmitted efficiently. Further, when the image data to be transmitted is compressed, a large number of error correction codes can be added, so that the image data correction capability can be improved.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 receives the operation clock signal supplied to at least a part of each unit constituting the ultrasound probe 1002. Control the frequency. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 sets a driving time to be a predetermined driving frequency and a predetermined standby frequency that is lower than the driving frequency in accordance with the data format selected by the screen size / format selection unit 218. Determine the waiting time. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 controls the frequency of the operation clock signal according to the determination. As a result, it is possible to suppress power consumption for each component configuration while image data is not transmitted, and to save power.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the voltage / operation clock control unit 219 supplies power from the battery 201 to at least a part of each unit constituting the ultrasonic probe 1002. Control. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 determines a power supply time for supplying power and a power supply time limit for limiting power supply according to the data format selected by the screen size / format selection unit 218. The voltage / operation clock control unit 219 controls the supply of power according to the determination. As a result, it is possible to suppress power consumption for each component configuration while image data is not transmitted, and to save power.

  Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the screen size / format selection unit 218 selects a data format according to the remaining amount of the battery 201. As a result, for example, it is possible to suppress the power consumption by generating the image data by increasing the compression rate of the color image data according to the decrease in the remaining amount of the battery. It will be able to withstand the inspection.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the screen size / format selection unit 218 selects a data format in accordance with an operation by the changeover switch 21. As a result, it is possible to switch the data format according to the purpose of use of the user and transmit the data, which is excellent in usefulness.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the screen size / format selection unit 218 determines the data format according to the transmission state with the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1 that is the transmission destination of the image data. Make a selection. As a result, the image data can be transmitted with the data amount suitable for the transmission state, the reliability of the transmitted data can be improved, and the data transmission efficiency can be improved.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the wireless transmission / reception unit 216 receives a transmission signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1 that is a transmission destination of image data. The screen size / format selection unit 218 selects a data format corresponding to the received format instruction signal when the wireless transmission / reception unit 216 receives a format instruction signal for instructing the format from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body 1. Do. As a result, the image data can be transmitted by switching to a data format according to the purpose of use of the user and the specifications of the apparatus body, which is excellent in usefulness or versatility.

  The description in the embodiment of the present invention is an example of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each functional unit constituting the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can be appropriately changed.

  In this embodiment, for example, ID information that can specify the specifications of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is wirelessly transmitted to the ultrasonic probe, and data corresponding to the specifications of the apparatus specified by the ID information is obtained. A format may be selected.

  In the present embodiment, the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data transmitted from the ultrasonic probe to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body is selectable. However, the screen size of the ultrasonic diagnostic image data to be transmitted is selected. A configuration in which selection is not performed may be used.

  In this embodiment, when color image data is not compressed, color image data based on RGB components is transmitted. However, it may be converted into a luminance signal and a color difference signal and transmitted. .

  In the present embodiment, either 4: 4: 4 format, 4: 2: 2 format, 4: 1: 1 format, or 4: 2: 0 format is selected. The number of formats is arbitrary. For example, the configuration may be selected from a 4: 4: 4 format and a 4: 2: 2 format in which data compression is not performed. In addition, it may be configured to be selectable only from the data format in which the data is compressed, such as selecting from either the 4: 2: 2 format or the 4: 1: 1 format.

  In this embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data obtained by combining color Doppler image data as color image data and B-mode image data is transmitted. However, only color Doppler image data is transmitted. Also good. For example, in this embodiment, during freeze display, B-mode image data may not be transmitted, but only color Doppler image data may be transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic image data obtained by synthesizing the color Doppler image data as the color image data and the B-mode image data is transmitted. However, the reception obtained by receiving the reflected ultrasonic waves is used. Any color image data generated by performing a coloring process based on a signal can be applied by any method. For example, color image data by elastography in which the hardness of the tissue in the subject is represented by color may be transmitted. Alternatively, a high reflector in the subject may be detected, and color image data for coloring and expressing the detected portion may be transmitted. As described above, the present invention is not limited to the color Doppler method for converting blood flow into a color image, and can also be applied to a technique for detecting a lesion part such as a tumor based on a received signal and converting the lesion part into a color image.

  In this embodiment, transmission data is transmitted by wireless transmission between the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body and the ultrasonic probe. However, even in a mode in which transmission data is transmitted by wire. For example, the present invention is preferably applied to one that transmits data by serial transmission.

S ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 2 ultrasonic probe 21 changeover switch 201 battery 202 booster circuit 203 transmission unit 204 vibrator 205 reception unit 209 B-mode image data generation unit 210 color Doppler image data unit 211 Luminance / color difference signal conversion unit 212 Format conversion unit 213 Image memory 214 Error correction code generation unit 215 Transmission data generation unit 216 Wireless transmission / reception unit 218 Screen size / format selection unit 219 Voltage / operation clock control unit 1002 Ultrasonic probe

Claims (12)

A transmission / reception unit that outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave toward the subject by a drive signal, receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject, and obtains a reception signal;
A color image data generation unit that generates color image data based on the received signal;
A format selection section for selecting one of a plurality of data formats having different data sizes;
A transmission unit for transmitting the color image data in the data format selected by the format selection unit;
An operation clock control unit for controlling the frequency of an operation clock signal supplied to at least a part of each unit constituting the ultrasonic probe;
With
The operation clock control unit, according to the data format selected by the format selection unit, a drive time to be a predetermined drive frequency and a standby time to be a predetermined standby frequency that is lower than the drive frequency An ultrasonic probe characterized by determining and controlling the frequency of the operation clock signal according to the determination . A transmission / reception unit that outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave toward the subject by a drive signal, receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject, and obtains a reception signal;
A color image data generation unit that generates color image data based on the received signal;
A format selection section for selecting one of a plurality of data formats having different data sizes;
A transmission unit for transmitting the color image data in the data format selected by the format selection unit;
As a power source for operating each part of the ultrasonic probe, a battery,
A power control unit that controls supply of power to at least a part of each of the units constituting the ultrasonic probe from the battery;
With
The power control unit determines a power supply time for supplying power and a power supply time limit for limiting power supply according to the data format selected by the format selection unit, and supplies power according to the determination. An ultrasonic probe characterized by controlling the frequency. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the format selection unit selects a data format according to a remaining amount of the battery . A transmission / reception unit that outputs a transmission ultrasonic wave toward the subject by a drive signal, receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject, and obtains a reception signal;
A color image data generation unit that generates color image data based on the received signal;
A format selection section for selecting one of a plurality of data formats having different data sizes;
A transmission unit for transmitting the color image data in the data format selected by the format selection unit;
As a power source for operating each part of the ultrasonic probe, a battery,
With
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the format selection unit selects a data format in accordance with a remaining amount of the battery . The color image data generation unit generates color image data based on RGB components,
The RGB component of the color image data generated by the color image data generation unit is converted into a predetermined luminance component and a color difference component, and the converted color difference component is compressed to convert the color image data into a predetermined compressed data format. The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a format conversion unit for converting the data into a waveform. The plurality of types of data formats include a plurality of data formats having different compression ratios,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5 , wherein the format conversion unit compresses the color difference component at a compression rate corresponding to the data format selected by the format selection unit . The color image data generation unit generates color image data based on RGB components,
The plurality of types of data formats include an uncompressed data format that does not compress the color image data generated by the color image data generation unit,
The said transmission part transmits the color image data which is a data format which shows RGB component, when the said non-compressed data format is selected by the said format selection part . The ultrasonic probe according to one item . An error correction code generation unit for generating an error correction code corresponding to the color image data;
A transmission data generation unit for generating transmission data for adding the error correction code generated by the error correction code generation unit to the color image data and transmitting by the transmission unit;
With
The error correction code generation unit determines a data size of an error correction code to be added to the color image data based on the transmission rate of the transmission unit and the data format selected by the format selection unit, and the determined data The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an error correction code having a size is generated . Equipped with a selector switch that can be switched by the operator
Said format selecting unit, an ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the selection of data formats in response to operation by the changeover switch. 3. The ultrasonic search according to claim 1 , wherein the format selection unit selects a data format according to a transmission state with an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body that is a transmission destination of the color image data. Tentacles. A transmission signal receiving unit for receiving a transmission signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body that is the transmission destination of the image data;
The format selection unit selects a data format corresponding to the received format instruction signal when receiving a format instruction signal for instructing the format from the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus body by the transmission signal receiving unit. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2 . The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the color image data generation unit generates color Doppler image data .

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