Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and ultrasonic velocity optimization method

摘要

A resolution optimization unit determines an optimal sound velocity corresponding to a tissue component at each position in a scan slice, and calculates a reception delay time or the like for each reception beam from each position in the scan slice. A control processor executes delay addition processing in a scan for acquiring an ultrasonic image actually used for diagnosis by using the reception delay time calculated using an optimal sound velocity. This can correct the difference between the set sound velocity used for the calculation of a reception delay time and the actual in vivo sound velocity and acquire an ultrasonic image with optimized resolution.

主权项

1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising:
a storage device which stores a plurality of ultrasonic data acquired by using reception delay addition processing, based on different sound velocities, for a visualization target slice of a subject; a computer configured to operate as: a contrast value acquisition unit which segments the target slice into a plurality of small areas and acquires contrast values which correspond to different sound velocities, in each small area by using the plurality of ultrasonic data; and a determination unit which determines at least one of sound velocities in execution of ultrasonic scans on the visualization target slice by using a contrast value for each of different sound velocities for said each small area.