Diagnostic ultrasound apparatus

Abstract

A novel diagnostic ultrasound apparatus has a plurality of ultrasound probes 1 , delay means pairs 4 and 7 arranged respectively in the plurality of ultrasound probes to electronically delay the timings of transmissions or receptions of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic transducers, position/orientation detecting means 10 and delay control signal generating means for generating a delay control signal to control signal delays of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasound probes, using information acquired from the means 10 . The delay control signal is input to the delay means to control the timings of transmission of ultrasonic waves to a target object of examination.

1 . A diagnostic ultrasound apparatus for transmitting ultrasonic waves to a target object of examination, receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the target object of examination and preparing image data relating to the target object of examination based on acquired echo signals, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of ultrasound probes, each being formed to include a plurality of ultrasonic transducers;   delay means arranged respectively in the plurality of ultrasound probes to electronically delay the timing of transmission or reception of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic transducers;   position/orientation detecting means arranged respectively in the plurality of ultrasound probes to detect relative position information and relative angle information of the ultrasound probes; and   delay control signal generating means for generating delay control signals for controlling signal delays for the respective ultrasonic transducers,   the delay control signal generating means controlling signal delays according to information acquired from the position/orientation detecting means,   the timing of transmission of ultrasonic waves from the respective ultrasonic transducers and that of reception of ultrasonic waves reflected from the target object of examination being controlled by inputting a delay control signal to the delay means.   
     
     
         2 .- 13 . (canceled)