公开(公告)号：US20120027282A1

公开(公告)日：2012-02-02

申请号：US13263184

申请日：2010-04-07

Applicant: Hideki Yoshikawa ,  Takashi Azuma

Inventor： Hideki Yoshikawa ,  Takashi Azuma

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G01S15/8979 ,  A61B8/06 ,  A61B8/13 ,  A61B8/463 ,  A61B8/469 ,  A61B8/481 ,  A61B8/483 ,  G01S7/52071 ,  G01S15/8993

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided for displaying a color map on which a difference in blood flow dynamics is reflected. Setting a test subject who is administered a contrast agent is assumed as an imaging target, and a probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the target for contrast imaging. Image data is constructed based on signals received by the probe and a time-intensity curve is generated from intensity values of the image data. According to the time-intensity curve, a value of a predetermined parameter is calculated for producing a distribution image of blood flow dynamics. The distribution image (color map) of the blood flow dynamics is produced from the parameter value. The color map is a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional image being color-coded according to the parameter value. At least one of the followings may be used as the parameter; a contrast agent inflow start time, a balanced intensity arrival time, a contrast agent disappearance start time, a contrast agent duration, a preset threshold arrival time, an intensity increase rate, an intensity decrease rate, intensity of balanced state, and a total flow amount.

Abstract translation: 提供超声波诊断装置，用于显示反映血流动力学差异的色图。 设置施用造影剂的测试对象被认为是成像对象，并且探针向对象成像的目标发送和接收超声波。 图像数据是基于由探头接收的信号构成的，并且由图像数据的强度值产生时间 - 强度曲线。 根据时间 - 强度曲线，计算用于产生血流动力学分布图像的预定参数的值。 从参数值产生血流动力学的分布图像（颜色图）。 彩色图是根据参数值进行颜色编码的二维或三维图像。 可以使用以下中的至少一个作为参数; 造影剂流入开始时间，平衡强度到达时间，造影剂消失开始时间，造影剂持续时间，预设阈值到达时间，强度增加率，强度降低率，平衡状态强度和总流量 量。

公开(公告)号：US07817811B2

公开(公告)日：2010-10-19

申请号：US11341655

申请日：2006-01-30

Applicant: Shinichiro Umemura ,  Takashi Azuma ,  Tatsuya Nagata ,  Hiroshi Fukuda ,  Toshiyuki Mine ,  Syuntaro Machida

Inventor： Shinichiro Umemura ,  Takashi Azuma ,  Tatsuya Nagata ,  Hiroshi Fukuda ,  Toshiyuki Mine ,  Syuntaro Machida

IPC: H04R25/00

CPC classification number: B06B1/0292

Abstract: The present invention aims to stabilize sound-electricity conversion characteristics of a diaphragm-type sound-electricity conversion device as well as to decrease the noise level of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the sound-electricity conversion device. The sound-electricity conversion device is configured by a capacitor cell including a lower electrode formed on a silicon substrate and an upper electrode over the lower electrode, the lower and upper electrodes sandwiching a cavity. An electrode short-circuit prevention film is formed on the upper electrode on the cavity side. The electrode short-circuit prevention film is formed of a material with an electrical time constant shorter than 1 second and longer than 10 microseconds, such as silicon nitride containing a stoichiometrically excessive amount of silicon. As a result, the electrode short-circuit prevention film has small electric conductivity, and thus it is made possible to prevent the film from being charged with electric charge and to avoid the drift of the electric charge. Consequently, the sound-electricity conversion characteristics of the sound-electricity conversion device stabilize, and further the sound noise level of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus decreases.

Abstract translation: 本发明旨在稳定隔膜式声电转换装置的声电转换特性，并且降低使用声电转换装置的超声波诊断装置的噪声水平。 声电转换装置由包括形成在硅基板上的下电极和下电极上的上电极的电容器单元构成，下电极和上电极夹着空腔。 在空腔侧的上部电极上形成电极短路防止膜。 电极短路防止膜由电气时间常数短于1秒且长于10微秒的材料形成，例如含有化学计量过量的硅的氮化硅。 结果，电极短路防止膜具有小的导电性，因此可以防止膜被充电并避免电荷的漂移。 因此，声电转换装置的声电转换特性稳定，超声波诊断装置的声音噪声水平进一步降低。

公开(公告)号：US07780598B2

公开(公告)日：2010-08-24

申请号：US11476866

申请日：2006-06-29

Applicant: Nami Sugita ,  Ken-ichi Kawabata ,  Takashi Azuma ,  Shin-ichiro Umemura

Inventor： Nami Sugita ,  Ken-ichi Kawabata ,  Takashi Azuma ,  Shin-ichiro Umemura

IPC: A61B8/00

CPC classification number: A61B8/00 ,  A61M37/0092 ,  A61N7/00

Abstract: In a sonodynamic treatment apparatus including: a first ultrasound radiating unit for radiating diagnostic ultrasound; a second ultrasound radiating unit for radiating treatment ultrasound; an echo detection unit for detecting an ultrasound echo; a diagnostic controller for radiating the diagnostic ultrasound with the first ultrasound radiating unit and detecting the ultrasound echo corresponding the diagnostic ultrasound; an echographic controller for processing an echographic image on the basis of the detected ultrasound echo; and a treatment controller for radiating the treatment ultrasound with the second ultrasound radiating unit, radiation of the treatment ultrasound with the second ultrasound radiating unit is controlled to have a predetermined exposure duration and a predetermined pause duration of the treatment ultrasound, and the echographic image is generated on the basis of the ultrasound echo during the pause duration of the treatment ultrasound exposure with the diagnostic image generator. The treatment ultrasound may be weakened after detection of a bubble generated by the treatment ultrasound.

Abstract translation: 一种声动治疗装置，包括：用于放射诊断超声的第一超声波辐射单元; 用于放射治疗超声波的第二超声波辐射单元; 用于检测超声回波的回波检测单元; 诊断控制器，用于利用所述第一超声波辐射单元辐射所述诊断超声波，并且检测对应于所述诊断超声的超声回波; 基于检测到的超声回波来处理回波图像的回波记录控制器; 以及处理控制器，用于利用所述第二超声波辐射单元照射所述处理超声波，将所述处理超声波与所述第二超声波辐射单元的放射线控制为具有预定的曝光持续时间和所述治疗超声波的预定暂停持续时间，并且所述回波图像为 在诊断图像生成器的处理超声波曝光的暂停时间期间，基于超声回波生成。 检测到由治疗超声波产生的气泡后，治疗超声可能会减弱。

公开(公告)号：US07758507B2

公开(公告)日：2010-07-20

申请号：US11675711

申请日：2007-02-16

Applicant: Hideki Yoshikawa ,  Takashi Azuma

Inventor： Hideki Yoshikawa ,  Takashi Azuma

IPC: A61B8/00 ,  G01S13/58 ,  G01F1/66

CPC classification number: A61B8/5276 ,  A61B8/06 ,  A61B8/13

Abstract: Blood-flow image display equipment for displaying a CFM image that is not affected by a motion of a tissue in an object area during capturing of images or is affected in a reduced manner. The blood-flow image display equipment has the following components: a transmitting controller for controlling transmission triggers of a signal for B-mode and a signal for CFM based on a velocity of motion of an object; an ultrasonic transducer in which piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers each for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave to/from the object are arranged in the form of an array; a B-mode image construction unit for constructing a B-mode image with received signals; a motion detector for measuring a motion vector of the object using the B-mode image; a receiving unit for CFM signal for receiving the signal for CFM from the ultrasonic transducer; a time-series signal storage unit for CFM that collects a CFM measurement region located in the same area of the object based on the motion vector measured by the motion detector and stores them in memory in time sequence; and an autocorrelation processing unit for performing autocorrelation processing on time-series CFM signals.

Abstract translation: 用于在拍摄图像期间显示不受物体区域内的组织的运动影响的CFM图像的血流图像显示设备，或者以减少的方式影响。 血流图像显示装置具有以下部件：发送控制器，用于基于物体的运动速度控制用于B模式的信号的传输触发和用于CFM的信号; 超声波换能器以阵列的形式布置有用于向/从物体发送/接收超声波的压电超声换能器， B模式图像构造单元，用于构造具有接收信号的B模式图像; 运动检测器，用于使用B模式图像测量对象的运动矢量; 用于CFM信号的接收单元，用于从超声换能器接收用于CFM的信号; 用于CFM的时间序列信号存储单元，其基于由运动检测器测量的运动矢量来收集位于对象的相同区域中的CFM测量区域，并将它们以时间顺序存储在存储器中; 以及自相关处理单元，用于对时间序列CFM信号执行自相关处理。

公开(公告)号：US20100099986A1

公开(公告)日：2010-04-22

申请号：US12545975

申请日：2009-08-24

Applicant: Takashi AZUMA ,  Shinichiro Umemura

Inventor： Takashi AZUMA ,  Shinichiro Umemura

IPC: A61B8/14

CPC classification number: G01S15/8954 ,  G01S7/52022 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S15/104 ,  G01S15/8959 ,  G01S15/8961

Abstract: In an ultrasonic contrast imaging method in which signals specific to a contrast agent are extracted to form an image, imaging is performed with the following three well-balanced properties: frame rate, spatial resolution, and contrast-agent selectivity. A first chirp signal whose frequency increases with time and a second chirp signal obtained by inverting the first chirp signal about the time axis are used, and they are individually transmitted and received. A decoder having decode filters each adapted for a coded sequence, which is obtained when the chirp signal is decomposed into a pulse signal and a coded sequence, is provided. The decode filters are adapted for echo signals received in response to two chirp signals, respectively, and outputs of the two decode filters are input to a subtractor, whereby the difference therebetween is determined. Thus, contrast-agent selectivity is balanced with spatial resolution.

Abstract translation: 在提取特定于造影剂的信号以形成图像的超声波对比度成像方法中，使用以下三个良好平衡的特性进行成像：帧速率，空间分辨率和造影剂选择性。 使用其频率随时间增加的第一啁啾信号和通过使关于时间轴的第一啁啾信号反相而获得的第二啁啾信号，并且它们被单独发送和接收。 一种具有解码滤波器的解码器，每个解码滤波器适用于当线性调频信号被分解为脉冲信号和编码序列时获得的编码序列。 解码滤波器适用于响应于两个啁啾信号而接收的回波信号，并且两个解码滤波器的输出被输入到减法器，从而确定它们之间的差异。 因此，造影剂选择性与空间分辨率平衡。

公开(公告)号：US20100069757A1

公开(公告)日：2010-03-18

申请号：US12529201

申请日：2008-02-07

Applicant: Hideki Yoshikawa ,  Takashi Azuma

Inventor： Hideki Yoshikawa ,  Takashi Azuma

IPC: A61B8/06

CPC classification number: A61B5/02007 ,  A61B8/06 ,  A61B8/08 ,  A61B8/085 ,  A61B8/0891 ,  A61B8/13 ,  A61B8/463 ,  A61B8/488 ,  A61B8/5223 ,  G01S7/52071 ,  G01S15/8979 ,  G01S15/8984

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, including a first imaging unit for configuring plural pieces of first-image data based on reception signals received by an ultrasound probe, a velocity vector detector for measuring blood and tissue velocity vectors based on the plural pieces of first-image data inputted from the first imaging unit, a blood-flow image extracting unit for configuring a blood-flow image based on the velocity vectors measured, a histogram unit for calculating number of pixels for each brightness with respect to the blood-flow image configured, a threshold controller for inputting a brightness threshold value, an information processing unit for color-mapping pixels whose brightness are higher than the brightness threshold value, and configuring second-image data by adding the pixels to at least the one piece of first-image data, and a display for displaying the second-image data configured.

Abstract translation: 一种超声波诊断装置，包括：第一摄像部，其基于由超声波探头接收到的接收信号来配置多个第一图像数据;基于多个第一图像数据的血液和组织速度矢量测定用速度矢量检测器 从所述第一成像单元输入的血流图像提取单元，用于基于所测量的速度矢量配置血流图像，用于针对所构成的血流图像计算每个亮度的像素数的直方图单元， 用于输入亮度阈值的阈值控制器，用于对亮度高于亮度阈值的像素进行色彩映射的信息处理单元，以及通过将像素加到至少一条第一图像数据来配置第二图像数据， 以及用于显示配置的第二图像数据的显示器。

公开(公告)号：US20100049053A1

公开(公告)日：2010-02-25

申请号：US12523088

申请日：2008-01-16

Applicant: Mariko Yamamoto ,  Kunio Hashiba ,  Takashi Azuma

Inventor： Mariko Yamamoto ,  Kunio Hashiba ,  Takashi Azuma

IPC: A61B8/00

CPC classification number: G10K11/345 ,  A61B8/4494 ,  G01S7/52084 ,  G01S15/8922 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8927 ,  G03B9/08 ,  G03B42/06

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic imaging device which narrows the width of annular areas to be established, without increasing the number of channels, thereby enabling enhancement of a focused sound pressure. The controller establishes the annular areas 421 to 42p the number of which is larger than the number of signal lines, along the line intersections between the wave surfaces 51 to 54 of reflective waves and a two-dimensional surface of the probe 1. The controller selects multiple annular areas (0, 0), (0, 1), and (0, 2) with focal depths differing by an integral multiple of the ultrasonic wavelength λ, out of the multiple annular areas being established, and connects the transducer elements positioned within the selected multiple annular areas with an identical signal line. Accordingly, the received signals from the selected multiple annular areas arrive at multiple time points shifted by the time corresponding to the wavelength, and the signals do not cancel one another out. Furthermore, the annular areas the number of which is larger than the number of signal lines can be established, thereby narrowing the width of the annular areas.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种超声波成像装置，其在不增加通道数量的情况下使要建立的环形区域的宽度变窄，从而能够增强聚焦声压。 控制器沿着反射波的波面51至54与探头1的二维表面之间的线交叉处建立其数量大于信号线数量的环形区域421至42p。控制器选择 建立多个环形区域的多个环形区域（0,0），（0,1）和（0,2），焦点深度与超声波长λ的整数倍不同，并连接定位的换能器元件 在所选择的具有相同信号线的多个环形区域内。 因此，来自所选择的多个环形区域的接收信号到达偏移与波长对应的时间的多个时间点，并且信号不相互抵消。 此外，可以建立其数量大于信号线数量的环形区域，从而使环形区域的宽度变窄。

公开(公告)号：US20100049042A1

公开(公告)日：2010-02-25

申请号：US12374065

申请日：2007-06-14

Applicant: Takashi Azuma

Inventor： Takashi Azuma

IPC: A61B8/00

CPC classification number: A61B8/00 ,  G01S7/52044 ,  G01S7/52077 ,  G01S7/52084

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to provide an ultrasonogram having a preferable spatial resolution and signal/noise ratio. A signal dynamic range is measured to determine a position either for adaptively switching between linear interpolation and sinc function interpolation or for employing a weighted average of interpolated values according to these interpolation methods. In the former case, a depth point for switching between linear interpolation and sinc function interpolation may be previously stored in a depth storage unit 21, and an interpolation method for use may be switched between these two methods at the interpolation method transition depth.

Abstract translation: 本发明使得可以提供具有优选的空间分辨率和信号/噪声比的超声波图。 测量信号动态范围以确定用于在线性插值和正弦函数插值之间进行自适应切换或者根据这些插值方法采用内插值的加权平均的位置。 在前一种情况下，用于切换线性插补和正弦函数插值的深度点可以预先存储在深度存储单元21中，并且可以在插值方法转换深度的这两种方法之间切换使用的插值方法。

公开(公告)号：US20100022878A1

公开(公告)日：2010-01-28

申请号：US12373912

申请日：2007-06-19

Applicant: Takashi Azuma ,  Hironari Masui ,  Shin-ichiro Umemura

Inventor： Takashi Azuma ,  Hironari Masui ,  Shin-ichiro Umemura

IPC: A61B8/14

CPC classification number: G06T5/002 ,  G01S7/52077 ,  G06T5/003 ,  G06T2207/10132 ,  G06T2207/30004

Abstract: Non-linear processing is performed in which noise reduction (smoothing) is serially performed for original data to reduce high-frequency noise components, the edge enhancement processing is performed for the smoothed image and, after that, noise components are reduced again. Finally, the created image is weighted-combined with the original image.

Abstract translation: 执行对原始数据串行执行降噪（平滑）以减少高频噪声分量的非线性处理，对平滑图像执行边缘增强处理，之后再次降低噪声分量。 最后，将创建的图像与原始图像进行加权组合。

公开(公告)号：US20090301199A1

公开(公告)日：2009-12-10

申请号：US11996532

申请日：2006-01-30

Applicant: Takashi Azuma ,  Shinichiro Umemura ,  Tatsuya Nagata ,  Hiroshi Fukuda ,  Shuntaro Machida ,  Toshiyuki Mine

Inventor： Takashi Azuma ,  Shinichiro Umemura ,  Tatsuya Nagata ,  Hiroshi Fukuda ,  Shuntaro Machida ,  Toshiyuki Mine

IPC: G01N29/34 ,  H02N1/08

CPC classification number: A61B8/4483 ,  A61B8/08 ,  A61B8/4281 ,  B06B1/0292 ,  G01N29/2431 ,  G01S15/00

Abstract: The receive sensitivity of an ultrasound array transducer structured with a diaphragm electro-acoustic transducer (101) being a basic unit is affected by change in a charge amount with elapsed time due to leakage or the like, which causes drift of the primary beam sensitivity, degradation in the acoustic SN ratio due to a rise in the acoustic noise level, and degradation in the directivity of an ultrasound beam. To addressing this problem, a charge controller (charge monitor 211) is provided to control charge in an electro-acoustic transducer (101). A charge monitoring section (102) monitors the change in the charge amount. When change in the charge amount is small, transmit sensitivity or receive sensitivity is calibrated by a controller (104) by, for example, multiplying a receive signal by a calibration coefficient corresponding to the change amount. Further, when the change in the charge amount is large, for example, charges can be re-emitted from a charge emitter (103). The series of operations is controlled by the controller (104), and thus sensitivity variation caused by difference in the changes with elapsed time, particularly between the plural transducers, is calibrated.

Abstract translation: 由作为基本单元的隔膜电声换能器（101）构成的超声波阵列换能器的接收灵敏度受到由于泄漏等引起的经过时间的电荷量的变化的影响，导致主光束灵敏度的漂移， 由于声学噪声水平的上升引起的声学SN比的降低，以及超声波束的方向性的劣化。 为了解决这个问题，提供一种充电控制器（充电监视器211）来控制电声换能器（101）中的电荷。 充电监视部（102）监视充电量的变化。 当充电量的变化小时，通过例如将接收信号乘以对应于变化量的校准系数，由控制器（104）校准发射灵敏度或接收灵敏度。 此外，当电荷量的变化大时，例如，电荷可以从电荷发射体（103）重新发射。 一系列操作由控制器（104）控制，因此校正了由于经过时间的变化，特别是多个换能器之间的差异引起的灵敏度变化。