Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20070232924
  • Publication Number
    20070232924
  • Date Filed
    March 13, 2007
    17 years ago
  • Date Published
    October 04, 2007
    17 years ago
Abstract
N numbers of ultrasonic transducers are arranged at a tip of an ultrasonic probe. A wire from each transducer is connected to a multiplexer (MUX). The MUX selectively switches M numbers of the ultrasonic transducers to be driven out of the N numbers of the ultrasonic transducers. A short-circuit switch is connected to each of the ultrasonic transducers. The short-circuit switches short-circuit adjacent L numbers of the ultrasonic transducers, and simultaneously drive the L numbers of the ultrasonic transducers as a single ultrasonic transducer. A CPU changes the number L in accordance with the frequency band of the ultrasonic waves which is set by an operation unit.
Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantage thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:



FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus; and



FIG. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are explanatory views illustrating operation of short-circuit switches, with ultrasonic transducers driven at: 3.3 MHz in FIG. 2A, 5 MHz in FIG. 2B, 6.7 MHz in FIG. 2C, and 10 MHz in FIG. 2D.


Claims
  • 1. An ultrasonic probe comprising: N numbers of ultrasonic transducers disposed on a tip of said ultrasonic probe;a multiplexer for selectively switching M numbers of said ultrasonic transducers to be driven out of said N numbers of said ultrasonic transducers; anda short-circuit device for short-circuiting adjacent L numbers of said ultrasonic transducers out of said N numbers of said ultrasonic transducers to simultaneously drive said L numbers of said ultrasonic transducers.
  • 2. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said number L is changed in accordance with a frequency band of said ultrasonic waves.
  • 3. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said number L is changed in accordance with a focal distance of said ultrasonic waves.
  • 4. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said number L is a submultiple of said number M.
  • 5. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic probe is inserted in a body cavity for intracavity diagnosis.
  • 6. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic probe is an ultrasonic endoscope having an image sensor for capturing an optical image of a target region.
  • 7. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transducers transmit and receive said ultrasonic waves in a frequency band of approximately 3 to 20 MHz.
  • 8. An ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein said M numbers of said ultrasonic transducers are sequentially driven at a predetermined delay time.
  • 9. An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus constituted of an ultrasonic probe having N numbers of ultrasonic transducers on a tip thereof, and a processor for generating an ultrasonic image from an echo signal from a target region received by said ultrasonic transducers, said ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus comprising: said ultrasonic probe including: a multiplexer for selectively switching M numbers of said ultrasonic transducers to be driven out of said N numbers of said ultrasonic transducers; anda short-circuit device for short-circuiting adjacent L numbers of said ultrasonic transducers out of said N numbers of said ultrasonic transducers to simultaneously drive said L numbers of said ultrasonic transducers;said processor including: a control unit for controlling an operation of said short-circuit device.
  • 10. An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 9, further including: a first operation device for changing a frequency band of said ultrasonic waves, wherein said control unit changes said number L in accordance with an operation of said first operation device.
  • 11. An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a second operation device for changing a focal distance of said ultrasonic waves, wherein said control unit changes said number L in accordance with an operation of said second operation device.
  • 12. An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said number L is a submultiple of said number M.
  • 13. An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said ultrasonic probe is inserted into a body cavity for intracavity diagnosis.
  • 14. An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said ultrasonic probe is an ultrasonic endoscope having an image sensor for capturing an optical image of a target region.
  • 15. An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said ultrasonic transducers transmit and receive said ultrasonic waves in a frequency band of approximately 3 to 20 MHz.
  • 16. An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 9, further including a driving device for sequentially driving said M numbers of said ultrasonic transducers at a predetermined delay time.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
2006-067731 Mar 2006 JP national