Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus having a continuous wave Doppler mode. A line switching section is provided between an array transducer and a unit which has a CW transmission section and a CW reception section, for changing a transmitting and receiving aperture pattern. When a first transmitting and receiving aperture pattern is set on the array transducer, a first aperture functions as a transmitting aperture and a second aperture functions as a receiving aperture. When a second transmitting and receiving aperture pattern is set on the array transducer, the second aperture functions as a transmitting aperture and a first aperture functions as a receiving aperture. The patterns are switched whenever predetermined amount of time has elapsed after a prescribed event such as a pattern change, resumption of continuous wave reception, and so on. As such, localized heat generation or deterioration on the array transducer can be prevented.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus having a continuous wave Doppler mode. A line switching section is provided between an array transducer and a unit which has a CW transmission section and a CW reception section, for changing a transmitting and receiving aperture pattern. When a first transmitting and receiving aperture pattern is set on the array transducer, a first aperture functions as a transmitting aperture and a second aperture functions as a receiving aperture. When a second transmitting and receiving aperture pattern is set on the array transducer, the second aperture functions as a transmitting aperture and a first aperture functions as a receiving aperture. The patterns are switched whenever predetermined amount of time has elapsed after a prescribed event such as a pattern change, resumption of continuous wave reception, and so on. As such, localized heat generation or deterioration on the array transducer can be prevented.

Abstract: In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for forming a Doppler image, a plurality of partial regions are set within a scan region in which Doppler information is obtained. A partial scan operation is performed a plurality of times in a repetitive manner in each of the partial regions. In each partial region, a set of dummy transmitting and receiving beams is formed immediately before formation of the first set of transmitting and receiving beams. As the receiving beam in the first set of the transmitting and receiving beams is affected by the dummy transmitting beam, the receiving conditions can be unified over a plurality of sets of transmitting and receiving beams. A set of dummy transmitting and receiving beams may be provided immediately before the first partial scan operation or formation of a set of dummy transmitting and receiving beams in such a case may be omitted.