JP2014168500A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved technique relating to scanning of an ultrasonic beam by a two-dimensional array transducer is provided.
In a memory, beam control data relating to a plurality of ultrasonic beams necessary for scanning in a reference partial scanning region is stored as reference control data. The control data generator 60 scans the ultrasonic beam over the entire three-dimensional scanning region based on the reference control data stored in the memory 70, that is, the beam control data related to the reference partial scanning region. Necessary beam control data is generated. The control data generation unit 60 rotates the reference control data to generate beam control data used for scanning outside the reference partial scanning region.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for forming an ultrasonic beam using an array transducer.

  A two-dimensional array transducer in which a plurality of vibration elements are two-dimensionally arranged is known. The two-dimensional array transducer is composed of, for example, several thousand vibrating elements, and these vibrating elements are electronically controlled, and an ultrasonic beam is scanned in a three-dimensional scanning region.

  In controlling a plurality of vibration elements constituting a two-dimensional array transducer, if control data is associated with each transducer element independently, the total number of transducer elements in the entire array transducer, for example, thousands of control data Is required. Furthermore, when the ultrasonic beam is scanned three-dimensionally, several thousand pieces of control data are required for each of the plurality of ultrasonic beams constituting the scanning region, and the total number of the control data becomes enormous.

  Incidentally, in Patent Document 1, for a one-dimensional array transducer in which a plurality of transducer elements are arranged one-dimensionally, the delay data of two transducer elements that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the array transducer are exchanged. Thus, a technique for halving the delay data capacity of the entire array transducer is described. However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique related to a one-dimensional array transducer and cannot be applied to a two-dimensional array transducer as it is.

Japanese Patent No. 2666510

  Under such circumstances, the inventors of the present application have conducted research and development on scanning of an ultrasonic beam by a two-dimensional array transducer.

  The present invention has been made in the course of research and development, and an object thereof is to provide an improved technique related to scanning of an ultrasonic beam by a two-dimensional array transducer.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus suitable for the above-described object is a three-dimensional scanning by controlling an array transducer composed of a plurality of transducer elements arranged two-dimensionally and an array transducer based on control data. A beam control unit that scans an ultrasonic beam in the region, and a scan in the partial scan region for a partial scan region within a partial angle range in the rotation direction with the central axis of the three-dimensional scan region as the rotation axis A control data storage unit for storing reference control data used for the control, and control data generation for generating control data used for scanning outside the partial scanning region by rotating the reference control data in the rotation direction And a portion.

  In the above configuration, the control data is data used in forming and scanning the ultrasonic beam, and includes, for example, at least one of delay amount data and apodization data for each vibration element. The central axis of the three-dimensional scanning area is, for example, a straight line that passes through the origin of the ultrasonic beam and penetrates the center of the scanning area. Specifically, for example, if the scanning region is a cone or a pyramid, the apex of the cone or the pyramid is the origin of the ultrasonic beam, and the cone axis or the pyramid axis is the central axis of the scanning region. Of course, the scanning area is not limited to a cone or pyramid, and the origin of the ultrasonic beam is not limited to the apex of the cone or pyramid.

  For example, the origin of the ultrasonic beam is determined according to the two-dimensional arrangement state of the plurality of vibration elements, and the center of the vibrator surface constituted by the plurality of vibration elements or the vibrator surface passing through the center Set on normal. Of course, the origin of the ultrasonic beam may be set at an appropriate position in consideration of the shape and curvature of the transducer surface. The three-dimensional scanning region also has a shape corresponding to the two-dimensional arrangement state of the plurality of vibration elements, the shape of the vibrator surface, the curvature, and the like.

  Moreover, the partial scanning area | region should just be an area | region within the partial angle range of a three-dimensional scanning area | region. The partial scanning region is desirably a part obtained by equally dividing the scanning region, for example, but is not limited to the region obtained by equally dividing.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since control data used for scanning outside the partial scanning region is generated based on the reference control data used for scanning within the partial scanning region, for example, outside the partial scanning region It is not necessary to store control data used for the scanning. That is, the amount of control data can be reduced as compared with the case where control data is stored over the entire scanning region.

  In a preferred embodiment, the control data storage unit stores, as the reference control data, a plurality of element control data assigned to a plurality of vibration elements in scanning within the partial scanning region, and the control data generation unit By rotating a plurality of element control data relative to a plurality of vibration elements in the rotation direction, replacing each element control data corresponding to each vibration element and assigning each element to each vibration element, the partial scanning region A plurality of element control data used for outside scanning is generated.

  In a preferred embodiment, the control data storage unit stores a plurality of sub-delay data assigned to a plurality of vibration elements as the plurality of element control data.

  In a preferred embodiment, the array transducer is divided into a plurality of subarrays by subarrays each including a plurality of vibration elements, and the control data storage unit performs scanning in the partial scan region as the reference control data. A plurality of subarray control data allocated to a plurality of subarrays are stored, and the control data generation unit rotates the plurality of subarray control data relative to the plurality of subarrays in the rotation direction to correspond to each subarray. A plurality of subarray control data used for scanning outside the partial scanning region is generated by replacing each subarray control data to be assigned to each subarray.

  In a preferred embodiment, the control data storage unit stores a plurality of main delay data allocated to a plurality of subarrays as the plurality of subarray control data.

  In a preferred embodiment, the control data storage unit is used for scanning in a reference partial scanning region among a plurality of partial scanning regions obtained by equally dividing the scanning region into a plurality of equal angles in the rotation direction. The reference data is stored, and the control data generator is configured to scan in a partial scan area other than a reference partial scan area by rotating the reference control data stepwise for each equal angle. The control data to be used is generated.

  In a preferred embodiment, the control data storage unit stores a plurality of apodization data assigned to a plurality of vibration elements as the reference control data.

  The present invention provides an improved technique related to scanning of an ultrasonic beam by a two-dimensional array transducer. For example, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, since control data used for scanning outside the partial scanning region is generated based on reference control data used for scanning within the partial scanning region, Compared with storing control data over a long period of time, the amount of control data can be reduced.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is preferable in the practice of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram regarding the production | generation of beam control data. It is a figure for demonstrating the production | generation process of main delay data. It is a figure for demonstrating the production | generation process of sub delay data. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the reference | standard control data memorize | stored in the memory. It is a figure which shows the two-dimensional array vibrator | oscillator 10 at the time of dividing a scanning area into 8 equal parts.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus suitable for implementing the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1 has a probe and an apparatus main body, and the probe and the apparatus main body are connected to each other via a cable, for example. Note that the probe and the apparatus main body may be connected to each other by wireless communication.

  The probe includes a two-dimensional array transducer 10. The two-dimensional array transducer 10 includes a plurality of vibration elements 12 arranged two-dimensionally. For example, a plurality of vibration elements 12 may be arranged in a square shape to form a square vibrator surface, or a plurality of vibration elements 12 may be arranged in a circular shape to form a circular vibrator face. .

  The two-dimensional array transducer 10 is divided into a plurality of subarrays by subarrays each including a plurality of vibration elements 12. A sub beam former (sub BF) 20 is provided for each of the plurality of sub arrays. The sub beamformer 20 performs delay processing according to the corresponding subarray.

  The apparatus main body includes a main beam former (main BF) 30. At the time of transmission, the main beamformer 30 outputs, to each of the plurality of subbeamformers 20, a transmission signal that has been subjected to delay processing by an individual main delay amount for each subarray. Each sub-beamformer 20 delays the transmission signal by a sub-delay amount corresponding to each vibration element 12 and outputs the transmission signal to each vibration element 12. In this way, transmission signals subjected to delay processing are supplied to the plurality of vibration elements 12 constituting the two-dimensional array transducer 10 to form an ultrasonic transmission beam.

  On the other hand, at the time of reception, each sub-beamformer 20 applies a delay process to the reception signal obtained from each vibration element 12 by a sub-delay amount corresponding to the vibration element 12, and a plurality of vibration elements 12 belonging to the subarray. The received signal after delay processing obtained from the above is added. Then, the reception signal added for each sub beamformer 20 is sent to the main beamformer 30. The main beamformer 30 performs delay processing on the received signal obtained from each subbeamformer 20 by an individual main delay amount for each subbeamformer 20, and the received signal after delay processing obtained from the plurality of subbeamformers 20. Is added. Thus, reception signals obtained from the plurality of vibration elements 12 constituting the two-dimensional array transducer 10 are collected, and echo data along the ultrasonic reception beam is obtained.

  Note that the sub-delay amount used at the time of transmission and the sub-delay amount used at the time of reception in each sub-beamformer 20 may be common, or different sub-delay amounts may be used at the time of transmission and at the time of reception. Further, at the time of reception, echo data may be obtained while changing the focus depth of the received beam by appropriately controlling the main delay amount for each of the plurality of sub beam formers 20. That is, the reception dynamic focus may be realized by controlling the main delay amount. Of course, in the reception dynamic focus, the sub delay amount may be controlled in addition to the main delay amount.

  The image forming unit 40 forms ultrasonic image data based on echo data obtained along a plurality of reception beams. Then, an ultrasonic image corresponding to the image data is displayed on the display unit 50. For example, an ultrasonic beam is scanned three-dimensionally, echo data is collected three-dimensionally, and a three-dimensional ultrasonic image is formed. Of course, a two-dimensional ultrasonic image or Doppler image may be formed.

  The control unit 80 is configured by, for example, hardware having a calculation function and software (program) that defines the operation thereof. Each unit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1 is intensively controlled by the control unit 80.

  The control data generation unit 60 generates beam control data used for scanning the ultrasonic beam (transmission beam and reception beam). The control data generation unit 60 generates beam control data necessary for scanning the ultrasonic beam over the entire three-dimensional scanning region based on the reference control data stored in the memory 70.

  The beam control data is data used in forming and scanning the ultrasonic beam, and the beam control data includes, for example, the above-described sub delay amount and main delay amount data. Therefore, generation of beam control data will be described in detail below. In addition, about the structure (part) shown in FIG. 1, the code | symbol of FIG. 1 is utilized in the following description.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram regarding generation of beam control data. FIG. 2 shows a two-dimensional array transducer 10 and a three-dimensional scanning area 100. The two-dimensional array transducer 10 is controlled based on the beam control data so as to form a three-dimensional scanning region 100 by scanning an ultrasonic beam.

  In FIG. 2, the three-dimensional scanning region 100 has a quadrangular pyramid (or cone) shape, and is equally divided into four at equal angles in the rotation direction with the central axis as the rotation axis. That is, it is equally divided into four partial scanning regions (110, 120, 130, 140) each having an angle range of 90 degrees.

  FIG. 2I shows an ultrasonic beam B1 scanned in the reference partial scanning region 110. FIG. FIG. 2 (II) shows an ultrasonic beam B2 scanned in the partial scanning region 120.

  The ultrasonic beam B2 is at a position obtained by rotating the ultrasonic beam B1 by 90 degrees around the central axis of the scanning region 100 (90 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from the array transducer 10 side). That is, when the ultrasonic beam B1 scanned in the reference partial scanning region 110 is geometrically rotated by 90 degrees counterclockwise, the ultrasonic beam B2 scanned in the partial scanning region 120 is obtained. It is done.

  Similarly, when the ultrasonic beam B1 scanned in the partial scanning region 110 is rotated counterclockwise by 180 degrees, an ultrasonic beam scanned in the partial scanning region 130 is obtained. When the scanned ultrasonic beam B1 is rotated by 270 degrees counterclockwise, an ultrasonic beam scanned in the partial scanning region 140 is obtained.

  Beam control data used for scanning in the reference partial scanning region 110 is stored in the memory 70 (FIG. 1), which serves as reference control data. The memory 70 stores, as reference control data, beam control data relating to a plurality of ultrasonic beams necessary for scanning the partial scanning region 110 over the entire area.

  The control data generation unit 60 (FIG. 1) generates ultrasonic waves over the entire area of the three-dimensional scanning region 100 based on the reference control data stored in the memory 70, that is, the beam control data related to the partial scanning region 110 serving as a reference. The beam control data necessary for scanning the beam is generated. The control data generation unit 60 generates beam control data used for scanning the partial scanning regions 120, 130, and 140 by rotating the reference control data.

  The beam control data includes main delay data which is a delay amount for each subarray, that is, a common delay amount for the plurality of vibration elements 12 belonging to each subarray, and a sub delay which is an individual delay amount for each vibration element 12. Contains delay data.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining main delay data generation processing. FIG. 3 shows the transducer surface of the two-dimensional array transducer 10, and the two-dimensional array transducer 10 is divided into a total of 36 sub-arrays of 6 × 6 (horizontal direction × vertical direction). . Each subarray includes a plurality of vibration elements (for example, 25 vibration elements).

  The subarray number is a number assigned to each subarray. In the two-dimensional array transducer 10 shown in FIG. 3, the numbers A1 to I1 are assigned to the nine subarrays belonging to the upper right first quadrant. The nine subarrays belonging to the upper left second quadrant are numbered A2 to I2, and the nine subarrays belonging to the lower left third quadrant are numbered A3 to I3. Numbers A4 to I4 are assigned to the nine subarrays belonging to the lower right fourth quadrant.

  The reference main delay is data of a main delay amount used in scanning in the reference partial scanning region. 3, a1, b1, c1,... Indicate main delay amounts given to the subarrays at the positions. For example, in the reference main delay, a1 is the main delay amount of the subarray A1, b1 is the main delay amount of the subarray B1, and c1 is the main delay amount of the subarray C1. In FIG. 3, the reference main delay indicates the main delay amount for all 36 sub-arrays.

  The 90-degree rotation data is data obtained by rotating the reference main delay by 90 degrees. That is, the position of each sub-array is left as it is, and the 36 main delay amounts (a1, b1, c1,...) Constituting the reference main delay are set with the central axis of the scanning region as the rotation axis, that is, two-dimensional array vibration. Rotating 90 degrees counterclockwise around the center of the transducer surface of the child 10 as an axis, replacing the main delay amount corresponding to the position of each subarray and assigning it to each subarray, 90 degree rotation data is obtained. .

  For example, the main delay amount c4 of the sub-array A1 in the 90-degree rotation data is the main delay amount c4 at the position of the sub-array C4 in the reference main delay is rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees about the center of the transducer surface. It is a thing. The other main delay amounts in the 90-degree rotation data are also obtained by rotating the main delay amount in the reference main delay counterclockwise by 90 degrees.

  The 180 degree rotation data is data obtained by rotating the reference main delay by 180 degrees. In other words, with the position of each subarray as it is, the 36 main delay amounts constituting the reference main delay are rotated by 180 degrees counterclockwise about the center of the transducer surface, and the main array corresponding to the position of each subarray. By replacing the delay amount and assigning it to each sub-array, 180 degree rotation data can be obtained.

  The 270 degree rotation data is data obtained by rotating the reference main delay by 270 degrees. The position of each subarray is left as it is, and 36 main delay amounts constituting the reference main delay are set as the transducer surface. Is rotated by 270 degrees counterclockwise about the center of the center, and the main delay amount corresponding to the position of each subarray is replaced and assigned to each subarray.

  The reference main delay is data used for scanning in a reference partial scanning region, for example, the partial scanning region 110 (FIG. 2), and is stored in the memory 70 (FIG. 1). The 90 degree rotation data is used for scanning in the partial scanning area 120 (FIG. 2), for example, and the 180 degree rotation data is used for scanning in the partial scanning area 130 (FIG. 2), for example. This is used for scanning in the partial scanning region 140 (FIG. 2). The 90-degree rotation data, 180-degree rotation data, and 270-degree rotation data are generated from the reference main delay by the control data generation unit 60 (FIG. 1).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the generation process of the sub-delay data. FIG. 4 shows one subarray in the two-dimensional array transducer 10, and the subarray is configured by a total of 25 vibration elements 12 of 5 × 5 (left-right direction × up-down direction).

  The element number is a number assigned to each vibration element in the subarray. In FIG. 4, the element numbers 1 to 25 are assigned in order from the upper left to the 25 vibration elements constituting the subarray. .

  The reference sub-delay is data of a sub-delay amount used in scanning within the reference partial scanning area. D1, D2, D3,... Shown in FIG. 4 indicate sub-delay amounts given to the vibration element at that position. For example, in the reference sub-delay, D1 is the sub-delay amount of element number 1, D2 is the sub-delay amount of element number 2, and D3 is the sub-delay amount of element number 3. The reference sub-delay shown in FIG. 4 shows the delay amount for 25 vibration elements belonging to one sub-array.

  The reference sub-delay is set for each sub-array, for example, for all the sub-arrays constituting the two-dimensional array transducer 10. A common reference sub-delay may be set for several sub-arrays. For example, the transducer plane is divided into the first quadrant to the fourth quadrant (see FIG. 3). Even if a common reference sub-delay is set for a plurality of sub-arrays (9 sub-arrays in FIG. 3) belonging to the same quadrant. Good.

  The 90-degree rotation data is data obtained by rotating the reference sub-delay by 90 degrees. That is, with the position of each vibration element as it is, the 25 sub-delay amounts (D1, D2, D3,...) Constituting the reference sub-delay are rotated by 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the position of each vibration element is determined. 90 degree rotation data can be obtained by substituting the sub-delay amount corresponding to 1 and assigning it to each vibration element.

  For example, the sub-delay amount D5 of the element number 1 in the 90-degree rotation data is rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees around the center of the sub-array as the sub-delay amount D5 at the position of the element number 5 in the reference main delay. It is a thing. The other sub-delay amounts in the 90-degree rotation data are also obtained by rotating the sub-delay amount in the reference sub-delay counterclockwise by 90 degrees.

  The 180 degree rotation data is data obtained by rotating the reference sub-delay by 180 degrees. That is, the position of each vibration element is left as it is, and the 25 sub-delay amounts constituting the reference sub-delay are rotated by 180 degrees counterclockwise about the center of the subarray to correspond to the position of each vibration element. By substituting the sub-delay amount and assigning it to each vibration element, 180 degree rotation data is obtained.

  The 270-degree rotation data is data obtained by rotating the reference sub-delay by 270 degrees. The position of each vibration element is left as it is, and the 25 sub-delay amounts constituting the reference sub-delay are calculated as sub-arrays. This is obtained by rotating counterclockwise by 270 degrees around the center as an axis, substituting the sub-delay amount corresponding to the position of each vibration element, and assigning it to each vibration element.

  The reference sub-delay is data used for scanning in a reference partial scanning region, for example, the partial scanning region 110 (FIG. 2), and is stored in the memory 70 (FIG. 1). The 90 degree rotation data is used for scanning in the partial scanning area 120 (FIG. 2), for example, and the 180 degree rotation data is used for scanning in the partial scanning area 130 (FIG. 2), for example. This is used for scanning in the partial scanning region 140 (FIG. 2). The 90-degree rotation data, 180-degree rotation data, and 270-degree rotation data are generated from the reference sub-delay by the control data generation unit 60 (FIG. 1).

  Even in the generation of the sub-delay data, the reference sub-delay is rotated with the central axis of the three-dimensional scanning region as the rotation axis, that is, the center of the transducer surface of the two-dimensional array transducer. That is, in the generation of the sub-delay data, in addition to the rotation movement within the sub-array, the position of the sub-array is also rotated similarly to the rotation of the main delay data. For example, in the rotation process of 90 degrees, the control data generation unit 60 rotates the reference sub delay (FIG. 4) at the position of the sub array C4 (FIG. 3) by 90 degrees counterclockwise about the center of the sub array. 90-degree rotation data (FIG. 4) is generated, and the 90-degree rotation data is generated from each subarray A1 (FIG. 3) at a position rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees about the center of the transducer surface from the subarray C4. Assign to the vibration element.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the reference control data stored in the memory 70. The memory 70 stores, for example, reference delay data used for scanning in the reference partial scanning region 110 (FIG. 2) as reference control data.

  The memory 70 stores delay data of all the ultrasonic beams necessary for scanning of the reference partial scanning region 110, for example, ultrasonic beams corresponding to the beam numbers from the beam 1 to the beam N. Then, for each ultrasonic beam, that is, for each beam number, a reference main delay (FIG. 3) relating to all subarrays is stored. The reference main delay is data in which each subarray number (A1, B1, C1,...) Is associated with each delay data (a1, b1, c1,...).

  Further, the memory 70 stores reference sub-delays (FIG. 4) for all sub-arrays, that is, for each sub-array number, relating to all vibration elements belonging to the sub-array. The reference sub-delay is data in which each element number (1, 2, 3,...) Is associated with each delay data (D1, D2, D3,...).

  The memory 70 may store, for example, apodization data used for scanning in the reference partial scanning region 110 (FIG. 2) as reference control data. That is, the weighting amount to be given to the signal of each vibration element in the formation of the ultrasonic beam may be stored. As for the apodization data, for example, data other than the reference partial scanning region is generated by the rotation processing described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  As described above, since it is only necessary to store the reference control data in the memory 70, for example, the total amount of data can be reduced as compared with the case of storing the beam control data over the entire three-dimensional scanning region. Can do.

  For example, in the specific example described above, since the scanning area is divided into four partial scanning areas (FIG. 2), the data stored in the memory 70 is compared with the case where beam control data over the entire scanning area is stored. Can be reduced to a quarter. Note that the total amount of data stored in the memory 70 may be further reduced by dividing the scanning region into a larger number. For example, the scanning area may be divided into eight equal parts, and the reference control data relating to one of the partial scanning areas may be stored in the memory 70.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the two-dimensional array transducer 10 when the scanning area is divided into eight equal parts. The two-dimensional array transducer 10 in FIG. 6 is composed of a plurality of transducer elements arranged two-dimensionally, and the transducer surface is circular. For example, a conical scanning region is formed by the two-dimensional array transducer 10 of FIG. In FIG. 6, the transducer surface of the two-dimensional array transducer 10 is also equally divided into eight regions. That is, the area A to the area H are equally divided.

  Even when the scan area is divided into eight equal parts, one of the eight partial scan areas obtained thereby is set as a reference partial scan area, and reference control data relating to the reference partial scan area is stored in the memory 70 (FIG. 1). ), And based on the reference control data, the control data generation unit 60 (FIG. 1) generates beam control data for all scanning regions.

  For example, when generating the beam control data of the partial scanning region rotated 45 degrees from the reference partial scanning region, the control data generation unit 60 rotates the reference control data related to the region A by 45 degrees to thereby generate the beam in the region B. Generate control data. Similarly, the beam control data in the region C is generated from the reference control data related to the region B, and the beam control data in the region D is generated from the reference control data related to the region C.

  Further, for example, when generating the beam control data of the partial scanning region rotated 90 degrees from the reference partial scanning region, the reference control data regarding the region A is rotated by 90 degrees to generate the beam control data in the region C. Further, when generating the beam control data of the partial scanning area rotated 135 degrees from the reference partial scanning area, the beam control data in the area D is generated by rotating the reference control data regarding the area A by 135 degrees. Beam control data at 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees, and 315 degrees is also generated by the same processing as in the cases of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 135 degrees.

  Thus, even when the scanning area is divided into eight equal parts, the reference control data relating to the partial scanning area serving as one of the references is stored in the memory 70 (FIG. 1), and the reference and the reference control data are determined based on the reference control data. Data other than the partial scanning area can be generated.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only a mere illustration in all the points, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes various modifications without departing from the essence thereof.

  10 two-dimensional array transducer, 12 transducer elements, 20 sub-beamformer, 30 main beamformer, 40 image forming unit, 50 display unit, 60 control data generation unit, 70 memory, 80 control unit.

Claims (7)

An array vibrator composed of a plurality of vibration elements arranged two-dimensionally;
A beam controller that scans an ultrasonic beam in a three-dimensional scanning region by controlling the array transducer based on the control data; and
A control data storage unit that stores reference control data used for scanning in a partial scanning region within a partial angular range in the rotation direction with the central axis of the three-dimensional scanning region as a rotation axis When,
A control data generation unit that generates control data used for scanning outside the partial scanning region by rotating the reference control data in the rotation direction;
Having
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The control data storage unit stores, as the reference control data, a plurality of element control data assigned to a plurality of vibration elements in scanning within the partial scanning region,
The control data generation unit rotates the plurality of element control data in the rotation direction relative to the plurality of vibration elements, and replaces each element control data corresponding to each vibration element to each vibration element. By assigning, to generate a plurality of element control data used for scanning outside the partial scanning region,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2,
The control data storage unit stores a plurality of sub-delay data assigned to a plurality of vibration elements as the plurality of element control data.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The array transducer is divided into a plurality of subarrays by each subarray consisting of several vibration elements,
The control data storage unit stores, as the reference control data, a plurality of subarray control data assigned to a plurality of subarrays in scanning within the partial scan region,
The control data generation unit rotates the plurality of subarray control data relative to the plurality of subarrays in the rotation direction, replaces each subarray control data corresponding to each subarray, and assigns the subarray control data to each subarray. Generating a plurality of subarray control data used for scanning outside the partial scanning region;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4,
The control data storage unit stores a plurality of main delay data allocated to a plurality of subarrays as the plurality of subarray control data.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control data storage unit uses the reference control data used for scanning in a reference partial scanning region among a plurality of partial scanning regions obtained by dividing the scanning region into a plurality of equal angles in the rotation direction. Remember
The control data generation unit generates control data used for scanning in a partial scanning region other than a reference partial scanning region by rotating the reference control data stepwise for each equal angle.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The control data storage unit stores a plurality of apodization data assigned to a plurality of vibration elements as the reference control data.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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