Abstract: A data receiver includes a writing unit that receives transmission data including live data and excessive data for adjusting a signal length to store the live data in a storage unit, an AND circuit that generates a first signal indicating the positions of the live data and the excessive data in the signal length of the transmission data, a signal converting unit that generates a second signal indicating positions at which positions of the excessive data in the first signal are rearranged at certain intervals in the signal length, a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) unit that smoothes the positions of the live data in the second signal to generate a third signal indicating the timing to read the live data in the signal length, and a reading unit that reads the live data stored in the storage unit by using the third signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, an image generation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The image generation unit generates image data from a reflected wave received from the ultrasonic probe. The display unit displays the image data. The ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of temperature sensors that measure the temperature of the ultrasonic probe and a switching circuit that is connected to the respective temperature sensors and switches connection to any one of the temperature sensors to a valid state to output data from the temperature sensors to a temperature detector. The control unit includes an instruction unit that instructs the switching circuit to switch connection to any one of the temperature sensors to a valid state at a predetermined time interval and a determination unit that determines whether a temperature measured by the temperature detector is within a set temperature range.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave at a group of a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators arranged in an array form to and from a subject and incorporating a preamplifier groups for amplifying the resulting weak ultrasonic echo received after obtaining tissue information about the subject. The ultrasonic vibrator group has a first area to which a first amplifier group is to be connected and a second preamplifier group to which a second amplifier group is to be connected. In an operating mode to cease the first preamplifier group from operating, a control circuit switches to supply the bias current being supplied to the first preamplifier group over to the second preamplifier group.

Abstract: To be able to control an aperture in ultrasound transducer units comprised such that the signals from a plurality of ultrasound transducers are added and output. An ultrasound probe comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducers, a plurality of delay circuits, and an adder circuit, and configured to be able to control a reception aperture of ultrasound waves. The delay circuit performs a delay processing to reception signals. The adder circuit adds and outputs the reception signals for each predetermined group. The ultrasound probe further comprises a gate means. The gate means switches connection and disconnection of the signal path for each signal path arranged between the ultrasound transducer and the adder circuit.

Abstract: A data frame generation circuit, includes: a frame generation unit configured to output a first data frame including client signals and a first signal count of the client signals included in the first data frame, the client signal being stored in the first data frame in accordance with a system clock; a storage unit configured to store a signal count range; a comparison unit configured to compare the first signal count to the signal count range; and a control unit configured to control a frequency of the system clock based on a comparison result, wherein, if the first signal count falls within the signal count range, the control unit changes the frequency of the system clock.

Abstract: A data receiver includes a writing unit that receives transmission data including live data and excessive data for adjusting a signal length to store the live data in a storage unit, an AND circuit that generates a first signal indicating the positions of the live data and the excessive data in the signal length of the transmission data, a signal converting unit that generates a second signal indicating positions at which positions of the excessive data in the first signal are rearranged at certain intervals in the signal length, a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) unit that smoothes the positions of the live data in the second signal to generate a third signal indicating the timing to read the live data in the signal length, and a reading unit that reads the live data stored in the storage unit by using the third signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe, a transmission unit, a reception unit, a correction unit, an image processing unit and a display unit. The ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements. The reception unit stores a plurality of image generation reception signals corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, generates a reception beam in accordance a predetermined reception condition by using each of the stored image generation reception signals, and stores a plurality of correction reception signals corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements. The correction unit receives the plurality of correction reception signals and corrects at least one of the transmission conditions and the reception condition based on the plurality of correction reception signals.

Abstract: In a phase locked loop, a first frequency divider divides the frequency of an input signal. A low-pass filter receives a frequency-divided signal output from the first frequency divider and having an average phase difference calculated by a calculation unit, cuts off high-frequency components of the received signal, and outputs a resultant signal. A voltage controlled oscillator varies the frequency of a signal to be output based on the signal output from the low-pass filter. A second frequency divider divides the frequency of the signal output from the voltage controlled oscillator. The calculation unit calculates a phase difference between signals individually output from the first frequency divider and the second frequency divider for each phase in one cycle of the signal output from the first frequency divider, and calculates an average phase difference based on the calculated phase differences.

Abstract: To provide an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus capable of appropriately assigning a transmission delay time of a group to a transducer without complicated wires. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the embodiment comprises a plurality of transducers, a timing pulse generator, a switch part, and a switch controller. Ultrasound waves are transmitted to the transducers. The timing pulse generator has output terminals for outputting timing pulses based on a delay time to a channel corresponding to each of the transducers, in which a plurality of output terminals are divided into groups and each group has the output terminals of a specific number greater than two. The timing pulse generator then generates the transmission delay time within a predetermined time range for the each group. The switch part selectively connects the channels with the output terminals.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe and ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus that can maintain surface temperature of an ultrasound probe within a safe range, without reduction in performance. The ultrasound probe includes a casing, a transducer, an electronic circuit, and a heat-transfer construction. Elements of the transducer are aligned at one end of the casing and send out ultrasound waves in accordance with their respective delay times. The electronic circuit, disposed in the casing, includes a delay circuit setting delay times and pulsers for generating pulses in accordance with the delay times, the pulses being sent to the transducer. While the electronic circuit is being energized, the heat-transfer construction disposes a member having a low heat conductivity at least either between the electronic circuit and the casing or between the electronic circuit and the transducer. Thereby, heat from the electronic circuit is conducted to the other end of the casing.

Abstract: In a phase locked loop, a first frequency divider divides the frequency of an input signal. A low-pass filter receives a frequency-divided signal output from the first frequency divider and having an average phase difference calculated by a calculation unit, cuts off high-frequency components of the received signal, and outputs a resultant signal. A voltage controlled oscillator varies the frequency of a signal to be output based on the signal output from the low-pass filter. A second frequency divider divides the frequency of the signal output from the voltage controlled oscillator. The calculation unit calculates a phase difference between signals individually output from the first frequency divider and the second frequency divider for each phase in one cycle of the signal output from the first frequency divider, and calculates an average phase difference based on the calculated phase differences.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes a probe unit and cooling unit. The probe unit is obtained by arranging, in a housing, a transducer unit which transmits and receives ultrasonic waves with an object to be examined, an electronic circuit unit which is connected to the transducer unit and performs electrical signal processing, and a heat transfer member which is made of a material having a heat transfer coefficient higher than that of the electronic circuit unit, and transfers heat of the electronic circuit unit to a housing surface. The cooling unit is detachably mounted on the housing of the probe unit, and cools the heat transfer member by passing a coolant in a channel formed inside the cooling unit.

Abstract: To be able to control an aperture in ultrasound transducer units comprised such that the signals from a plurality of ultrasound transducers are added and output. An ultrasound probe comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducers, a plurality of delay circuits, and an adder circuit, and configured to be able to control a reception aperture of ultrasound waves. The delay circuit performs a delay processing to reception signals. The adder circuit adds and outputs the reception signals for each predetermined group. The ultrasound probe further comprises a gate means. The gate means switches connection and disconnection of the signal path for each signal path arranged between the ultrasound transducer and the adder circuit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes plural ultrasonic transducers, a catheter signal detection unit and a position detection unit. The plural ultrasonic transducers are arrayed two-dimensionally for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object. The catheter signal detection unit is configured to acquire a reception signal of a frequency modulated continuous wave from reception signals from at least three of the plural ultrasonic transducers. The frequency modulated continuous wave is transmitted from a catheter inserted in the object. The position detection unit is configured to detect a position of the catheter based on the acquired reception signal of the frequency modulated continuous wave.

Abstract: The present embodiment relates to an ultrasound probe having a first ultrasound vibrator group and a second ultrasound vibrator group, comprising a plurality of matrix switches and an adder. The ultrasound probe has a mode to send ultrasound to a predetermined observation point within a subject by the first ultrasound vibrator group, and to receive ultrasound echoes reflected within the subject by the second ultrasound vibrator group. The plurality of matrix switches extract, based on the distance between the second ultrasound vibrator group and the observation point, a plurality of ultrasound echoes having substantially the same phase from a plurality of ultrasound echoes output by the second ultrasound vibrator group. The adder adds the plurality of ultrasound echoes extracted by the plurality of matrix switches for each of the matrix switches and outputs them.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes a probe unit and cooling unit. The probe unit is obtained by arranging, in a housing, a transducer unit which transmits and receives ultrasonic waves with an object to be examined, an electronic circuit unit which is connected to the transducer unit and performs electrical signal processing, and a heat transfer member which is made of a material having a heat transfer coefficient higher than that of the electronic circuit unit, and transfers heat of the electronic circuit unit to a housing surface. The cooling unit is detachably mounted on the housing of the probe unit, and cools the heat transfer member by passing a coolant in a channel formed inside the cooling unit.

Abstract: A plurality of signal transmitters are respectively configured to produce a pulse current by repeatedly switching the connection state of a switching element. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are respectively configured to transmit an ultrasonic pulse to a subject to be examined upon receiving said pulse current, and to produce a receiving current upon receiving the reflected wave. A signal receiver is configured to receive said receiving current. A test signal generator is configured to produce a test signal and to output said test signal to a connection point of said signal transmitter, said ultrasonic transducer, and said signal receiver by switching said connection state of said switching element to a state through which said test signal is conducted.

Abstract: After an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is temporally placed on the receptacle of a docking cart to relieve a weight load, the portable ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is placed at a predetermined position by sliding the apparatus while guiding it along the shapes of the edges of the receptacle. After the portable ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is slid on the receptacle and rear foot portions come into contact with the stoppers of the receptacle, the front side of the portable ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is placed on the receptacle. With this operation, front foot portions are fitted in fitting portions, and the portable ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is placed at an accurate position on the receptacle. In addition, when an operator places the portable ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus on the receptacle or lifts the portable ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus from the receptacle, the fingers which grasp the apparatus are placed in the recessed portions of the receptacle.

Abstract: Real-time display of a three-dimensional ultrasonic image in which there is little time delay, power required for transmission of an ultrasonic wave is reduced, and heterogeneousness of received beams is almost solved is performed by executing multi-beam reception while performing frequency demodulation of a reflected wave obtained as a result of transmission of a frequency-modulated continuous ultrasonic wave to the subject body. As a demodulation method, for example, a multi-phase demodulation method of obtaining the distance resolution in multi-beam reception by performing (multi-phase) demodulation while changing the phases of transmission modulation and reception modulation for every range in the range direction (beam direction).

Abstract: A plurality of signal transmitters are respectively configured to produce a pulse current by repeatedly switching the connection state of a switching element. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are respectively configured to transmit an ultrasonic pulse to a subject to be examined upon receiving said pulse current, and to produce a receiving current upon receiving the reflected wave. A signal receiver is configured to receive said receiving current. A test signal generator is configured to produce a test signal and to output said test signal to a connection point of said signal transmitter, said ultrasonic transducer, and said signal receiver by switching said connection state of said switching element to a state through which said test signal is conducted.