JP4615142B2 - Ultrasonic transducer drive circuit and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer driving circuit and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a standby time when driving an ultrasonic transducer by switching from a first voltage to a second voltage lower than the first voltage. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer drive circuit and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be shortened.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a conventional ultrasonic transducer driving circuit.
The ultrasonic transducer driving circuit 50 includes a power supply switch Sw that switches and supplies a first voltage VH and a second voltage VL lower than the first voltage VH according to the voltage switch signal VS, and a power supply switch Sw between the ground and the power supply switch Sw. A power supply side transistor Tra and a ground side transistor Trb interposed between the power supply side transistor Tra, a capacitor C1 interposed between the power supply side switch Sw side and the ground, and the capacitor C1 and the power supply changeover switch Sw. An inductance L (inductance of a high frequency cut filter, etc.) interposed therebetween, a discharge transistor Tr0 and a discharge resistor R interposed between the capacitor C1 and the ground, and the transistor according to the voltage switching signal VS A discharge control circuit 52 for controlling Tr0, and the transistor according to the transmission pulse signal SP ra, it comprises a gate control circuit 51 for controlling the Trb, via a coupling capacitor Cc from between the ground side transistor Trb and the power supply side transistor Tra pulsing the ultrasonic transducer E.
[0003]
The first voltage VH and the second voltage VL are supplied from a power supply circuit (not shown).
The voltage switching signal VS and the transmission pulse signal SP are input from a control circuit (not shown).
[0004]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gate control circuit 51.
In step S21, as shown in FIG. 9, when the transmission pulse signal SP is not input, the gate voltage Vta of the power supply side transistor Tra is set to “Voff” to shut off the power supply side transistor Tra, and the ground side transistor Trb. The gate voltage Vtb is set to “Von” to make the ground side transistor Trb conductive. When the transmission pulse signal SP is input, the gate voltage Vta of the power supply side transistor Tra is set to “Von” to make the power supply side transistor Tra conductive, and the gate voltage Vtb of the ground side transistor Trb is set to “Voff”. Thus, the ground side transistor Trb is shut off. Thereby, when the voltage switching signal VS selects the first voltage VH, the ultrasonic transducer E is driven by the driving pulse having the pulse height Vo ′ = VH, and the voltage switching signal VS selects the second voltage VL. When this occurs, the ultrasonic transducer E is driven with a drive pulse having a pulse height Vo ′ = VL.
[0005]
In step S22, the process returns to step S21 except when the voltage switching signal VS switches the selection from the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL, and when switched, the process proceeds to step S63.
[0006]
In step S63, as shown in FIG. 9, the gate voltage Vt0 of the discharge transistor Tr0 is set to “Von” to make the discharge transistor Tr0 conductive. As a result, the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor C1 is discharged through the transistor Tr0 and the discharge resistor R (since there is an inductance L, it is not substantially discharged to the power supply selector switch Sw side). When the voltage of the capacitor C1 decreases to the second voltage VL, the gate voltage Vt0 is set to “Voff”. Then, the process returns to step S21.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional ultrasonic transducer driving circuit 50, since there is a special discharge circuit (52, Tr0, R) for discharging the charge accumulated in the capacitor C1, the discharge time τ ′ can be shortened and the standby time is short. However, there is a problem that the configuration becomes complicated.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic transducer driving circuit capable of shortening a standby time when driving an ultrasonic transducer by switching from a first voltage to a second voltage lower than the first voltage with a simple configuration. It is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In a first aspect, the present invention provides power supply means that can switch and supply a first voltage and a second voltage lower than the first voltage, a resistor having a first end connected to the power supply means, A capacitor interposed between the first end side and ground, a transistor interposed between the second end of the resistor and ground, and the first voltage is supplied without passing current when not driven. The transistor is controlled so as to flow a first current in a pulsed manner during driving and a second current smaller than the first current is pulsed during driving in which a second voltage is supplied. A first drive circuit having control means for controlling the transistor so that a discharge current larger than the second current flows for a predetermined time immediately after switching to the second voltage; and a first drive circuit having the same configuration as the first drive circuit Two drive circuits and a second resistor of the first drive circuit There is provided an ultrasonic transducer drive circuit comprising differential output means for pulse-driving the ultrasonic transducer with a differential component between the first side and the second end side of the resistor of the second drive circuit. .
In the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to the first aspect, in the first driving circuit and the second driving circuit, a predetermined time immediately after the switching from the first voltage to the second voltage is performed according to the second voltage. The transistor is controlled so that a discharge current larger than the current flows. Therefore, the discharge time can be shortened and the standby time can be shortened. Further, no special discharge circuit is required, and the configuration is simple.
Also, the differential waveform that appears in common on the second end side of the resistor of the first drive circuit and the second end side of the resistor of the second drive circuit at the time of discharge is canceled by the differential output means, and is necessary for pulse driving. Since only the signal is output to the ultrasonic transducer, unnecessary transmission can be prevented. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the disturbance of the sound field, and it is possible to increase the real-time property (frame rate) in the composite mode in which high-level transmission and low-level transmission are combined. In addition, the burden on the subject and the ultrasound probe can be reduced.
[0009]
In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a power supply means capable of switching and supplying a first voltage and a second voltage lower than the first voltage, a resistor having a first end connected to the power supply means, A capacitor interposed between the first end side and ground, a transistor interposed between the second end of the resistor and ground, and the first voltage is supplied without passing current when not driven. The transistor is controlled so as to flow a first current in a pulsed manner during driving and a second current smaller than the first current is pulsed during driving in which a second voltage is supplied. A first drive circuit having control means for controlling the transistor so that a discharge current larger than the second current flows for a predetermined time immediately after switching to the second voltage; and a first drive circuit having the same configuration as the first drive circuit 2 drive circuit, ground and resistor of the first drive circuit A primary winding interposed between the second end side, a secondary winding interposed between the second end side of the resistor of the second drive circuit and the ground, and the primary winding An ultrasonic transducer comprising: a tertiary winding that induces a differential component between an input signal to the secondary winding and an input signal to the secondary winding and pulses the ultrasonic transducer by the induced signal. A drive circuit is provided.
In the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to the second aspect, since the differential component between the input signal to the primary winding and the input signal to the secondary winding is induced in the tertiary winding, the circuit is simple. It is.
[0010]
In a third aspect, the present invention provides the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit having the above-described configuration, wherein the tertiary winding performs a positive output with respect to an input signal to the primary winding, and the secondary winding. Provided is an ultrasonic transducer driving circuit which performs negative output with respect to an input signal to a line.
In the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to the third aspect, the tertiary winding outputs a positive polarity signal, that is, an in-phase signal, to the primary winding input, and a negative polarity, ie, reverse, to the secondary winding input. By determining the winding direction and arrangement so as to output a phase signal, a three-winding type transformer can be adopted for the output stage to the ultrasonic transducer.
[0011]
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer drive circuit having the above-described configuration, wherein the second drive circuit includes a second end of a resistor of the first drive circuit and the primary winding, and the second drive circuit. An ultrasonic transducer driving circuit is provided, wherein a coupling capacitor is interposed between the second end of the resistor and the secondary winding.
In the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to the fourth aspect, since the coupling capacitor is interposed, it is possible to prevent a direct current component unnecessary for pulse driving from being applied to the ultrasonic transducer.
[0012]
In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit having the above-described configuration, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is made unipolar by disabling the second drive circuit when the first drive circuit is driven. Provided is an ultrasonic transducer driving circuit characterized by being pulse-driven.
In the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to the fifth aspect, the second driving circuit is not driven when the first driving circuit is driven, so that unnecessary transmission is performed immediately after switching from the first voltage to the second voltage. The ultrasonic transducer can be driven with a unipolar pulse while preventing the wave from being generated.
[0013]
In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit having the above-described configuration, wherein the second drive circuit is pulsed at a timing slightly deviated from the current that flows in a pulsed manner when the first drive circuit is driven. The ultrasonic transducer driving circuit is characterized in that the ultrasonic transducer is driven by bipolar pulses by allowing the current to flow.
In the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to the sixth aspect, the second voltage is changed from the first voltage to the second voltage by causing a pulsed current to flow through the second driving circuit at a timing slightly shifted from the first driving circuit. The ultrasonic transducer can be driven in bipolar pulses while preventing unnecessary transmission immediately after switching to the voltage.
[0014]
In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit having the above-described configuration, wherein the control means of the first drive circuit and the second drive circuit is switched from the first voltage to the second voltage. An ultrasonic transducer driving circuit is provided, wherein the transistor is controlled to be completely turned on for a predetermined time immediately after.
In the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to the seventh aspect, since the transistor is controlled to be completely conductive for a predetermined time immediately after switching from the first voltage to the second voltage, the charge accumulated in the capacitor is reduced. It becomes possible to discharge quickly through the transistor. For this reason, it is possible to further shorten the discharge time, that is, the standby time until the voltage of the capacitor decreases to substantially the second voltage.
[0015]
In an eighth aspect, the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer drive circuit having the above-described configuration, and an ultrasonic probe in which an ultrasonic transducer that is pulse-driven by the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit is provided. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above is provided.
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the eighth aspect, since the ultrasonic transducer is driven by the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit having the above-described configuration, it is possible to increase the frame rate in the composite mode and substantially improve the image quality. become.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes an ultrasonic probe 21 that includes a large number of ultrasonic transducers E and transmits ultrasonic pulses into the subject and receives ultrasonic echoes from the subject. An ultrasonic transducer drive circuit 10 that drives the ultrasonic transducer E in a pulse manner, a receiving unit 22 that generates a sound ray signal for each sound ray direction, and B based on the intensity and Doppler component of the sound ray signal. A DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 23 for generating mode image data and CFM (color flow mapping) image data and a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) 24 for displaying images are provided.
The ultrasonic transducer driving circuit 10 is supplied with a first voltage VH and a lower second voltage VL from a power supply circuit (not shown), and a voltage switching signal VS and a transmission pulse signal from a control circuit (not shown). SP1 and SP2 are input.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit 10.
In the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit 10, the first drive circuit 11 includes a power supply switch Sw that supplies the first voltage VH and the second voltage VL in accordance with a voltage switch signal VS, and the power supply switch. A resistor R1 having a first end connected to Sw, a capacitor C1 interposed between the first end side of the resistor R1 and the ground, and the capacitor C1 are interposed between the power supply switch SW. An inductance L (inductance of a filter for high frequency cut) and a backflow prevention diode D1, a transistor Tr1 and a resistor R2 interposed between the second end of the resistor R1 and the ground, the voltage switching signal VS and And a gate control circuit 1 that controls the transistor Tr1 according to the transmission pulse signal SP1. In addition, it is preferable to employ | adopt the type for electric power from the viewpoint of improving withstand pressure | voltage and durability as said resistor R1, R2. In the drawing, the transistor Tr1 is an FET (Field-Effect Transistor), but a normal transistor, that is, a bipolar transistor may be used.
The second drive circuit 12 has the same configuration as the first drive circuit 11 (including the transistor Tr2 and the gate control circuit 2).
[0019]
In the transformer 13, the first end of the primary winding M1 is grounded, and the second end is connected to the second end of the resistor R1 of the first drive circuit 11 via a coupling capacitor Cc.
The first end of the secondary winding M2 is connected to the second end of the resistor R1 of the second drive circuit 12 through a coupling capacitor Cc, and the second end is grounded.
The first end of the tertiary winding M3 is connected to one end of the ultrasonic transducer E, and the second end is grounded. The other end of the ultrasonic transducer E is grounded.
As shown in the figure, the primary winding M1 and the secondary winding M2 having the same winding direction are arranged in a row, and a signal is input to the opposite terminal of each winding, so the terminal of the tertiary winding M3. In the meantime, a voltage having a positive polarity with respect to the input to the primary winding M1 and a negative polarity with respect to the input to the secondary winding M2 is induced to become an output voltage Vo.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gate control circuit 1 when the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit 10 performs unipolar pulse driving.
In step S1, as shown in FIG. 4, when the transmission pulse signal SP1 is not input, the gate voltage Vt1 is set to “0” and the drain current I1 does not flow through the transistor Tr1. When the transmission pulse signal SP1 is input and the voltage switching signal VS selects the first voltage VH, the gate voltage Vt1 is set to “vh” and a relatively large first drain current Ih is allowed to flow through the transistor Tr1. .
As a result, a drive pulse having a pulse height V1 = R1 · Ih included in the first drive voltage Vd1 is input to the second end of the primary winding M1 via the coupling capacitor Cc.
During the period of step S1, the transmission pulse signal SP2 is not input to the gate control circuit 2 and the gate control circuit 2 remains in a non-driven state. Therefore, the gate voltage Vt2 remains “0”, the drain current I2 does not flow through the transistor Tr2, and the second drive voltage Vd2 remains the first voltage VH.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic transducer E is driven by a drive pulse of the pulse height V1 = R1 · Ih at the output voltage Vo, that is, a unipolar pulse.
[0021]
In step S2, the process returns to step S1 except when the voltage switching signal VS switches the selection from the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL, and when switched, the process proceeds to step S3.
[0022]
In step S3, as shown in FIG. 4, the gate voltage Vt1 is set to “vx” even though the voltage switching signal VS selects the second voltage VL. Here, “vx” is a voltage higher than the gate voltage vL when the voltage switching signal VS selects the second voltage VL, and preferably the voltage switching signal VS selects the first voltage VH. The voltage may be equal to or higher than the current gate voltage vh, and may be “Von” in which the transistor Tr1 is completely turned on. As a result, the drain current Ix flows through the transistor Tr1, and the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor C1 is discharged through the transistor Tr1 (there is no inductance L and a backflow prevention diode D1, so that the electric current is not discharged toward the power switch SW. ). Then, the gate voltage Vt1 is maintained at “vx” until the specified time τ when the voltage of the capacitor C1 can be reduced to substantially the second voltage VL. The time T from when the voltage switching signal VS switches the selection from the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL until the next transmission pulse signal SP1 is input is longer than the specified time τ.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, since the differential waveform due to the discharge of the capacitor C1 appears in common in the first drive voltage Vd1 and the second drive voltage Vd2, the output voltage Vo of the tertiary winding M3 is “0”. It becomes.
[0023]
In step S4, the process waits for a specified time τ, and returns to step S1 when the specified time τ has elapsed.
[0024]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gate control circuits 1 and 2 when the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit 10 performs bipolar pulse driving. The left flow is the flow of the gate control circuit 1. The flow on the right side is the flow of the gate control circuit 2.
Steps S1 to S4 are the same processes as steps S1 to S4 in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the waveforms of the voltage switching signal VS, the transmission pulse signal SP1, the gate voltage Vt1, the drain current I1, the supply voltage Vs, and the first drive voltage Vd1 are shown in FIG. Same as each waveform.
In step SS1, as shown in FIG. 6, the gate control circuit 2 sets the gate voltage Vt2 to “0” and does not allow the drain current I2 to flow through the transistor Tr2 when the transmission pulse signal SP2 is not input. When the transmission pulse signal SP2 is input and the voltage switching signal VS selects the first voltage VH, the gate voltage Vt2 is set to “vh” and a relatively large drain current Ih is caused to flow through the transistor Tr2. The timing of the transmission pulse signal SP2 is slightly delayed from the transmission pulse signal SP1 input to the gate control circuit 1.
As a result, a drive pulse having a pulse height V2 = R1 · Ih included in the second drive voltage Vd2 is input to the first end of the secondary winding M2 via the coupling capacitor Cc.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, ultrasonic vibration is generated by a bipolar pulse in which a negative pulse having a pulse height V2 = R1 · Ih is immediately followed by a positive pulse having a pulse height V1 = R1 · Ih at the output voltage Vo. Child E is driven.
[0025]
In step SS2, the process returns to step SS1 except when the voltage switching signal VS switches the selection from the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL, and when it switches, the process proceeds to step SS3.
[0026]
In step SS3, as shown in FIG. 6, the gate voltage Vt2 is set to “vx” despite the voltage switching signal VS selecting the second voltage VL. This “vx” is equivalent to “vx” in step S3 of FIG. 3 (provided that the transistor Tr1 is replaced with the transistor Tr2). As a result, the drain current Ix flows through the transistor Tr2, and the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor C1 is discharged through the transistor Tr2 (there is no inductance L and a backflow prevention diode D1, and therefore no discharge to the power supply selector switch Sw side. ). Then, the gate voltage Vt2 is maintained at “vx” until the specified time τ when the voltage of the capacitor C1 can be reduced to substantially the second voltage VL.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, since the differential waveform due to the discharge of the capacitor C1 appears in common in the first drive voltage Vd1 and the second drive voltage Vd2, the output voltage Vo of the tertiary winding M3 is “0”. It becomes.
[0027]
In step SS4, the process waits for a specified time τ, and returns to step S1 when the specified time τ has elapsed.
[0028]
According to the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit 10 described above, the first drive circuit 11 and the second drive circuit 12 have the second voltage VL for a predetermined time τ immediately after switching from the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL. Therefore, the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are controlled so that a larger discharge current Ix flows instead of the second current IL adjusted to the current, so that the discharge time can be shortened and the standby time τ can be shortened. Further, no special discharge circuit is required, and the configuration is simple. Further, it is not necessary to apply the differential waveform at the time of discharge to the ultrasonic transducer E.
[0029]
Further, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 described above, since unnecessary transmission is not performed when switching from the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL, real-time characteristics in the composite mode can be improved (to this). On the other hand, if there is a disturbance in the sound field due to unnecessary transmission, it is necessary to wait until it ends).
[0030]
The unipolar pulse driving and the bipolar pulse driving may be switched between when the voltage switching signal VS selects the first voltage VH and when the second voltage VL is selected (unipolar pulse driving). The driving and driving of bipolar pulse driving are optional.)
Further, when the voltage is switched from the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL by using the switch Sw configured to be switched via the open terminal instead of the power source changeover switch Sw, the switch is on standby at the open terminal for a specified time τ. Then, the backflow prevention diode D1 may be omitted by switching to the second voltage VL.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, a simple configuration that does not require a special discharge circuit is required, and the cost can be reduced.
Further, when the ultrasonic transducer is driven by switching from the first voltage to the second voltage lower than the first voltage, the sound field is not disturbed, so that it is possible to shorten the standby time and increase the frame rate. Image quality can be improved.
Furthermore, both unipolar pulse driving and bipolar pulse driving can be supported.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic transducer drive circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operation control during unipolar pulse driving of the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit of FIG. 2;
4 is a waveform diagram of each part in the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit of FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation at the time of bipolar pulse driving of the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit of FIG. 2;
6 is another waveform diagram of each part in the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit of FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional ultrasonic transducer driving circuit.
8 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit of FIG.
9 is a waveform diagram of each part in the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit of FIG. 7; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2 Gate control circuit 10 Ultrasonic transducer drive circuit 11 First drive circuit 12 Second drive circuit 13 Transformer 21 Ultrasonic probe 100 Ultrasonic diagnostic device E Ultrasonic transducer C1 Capacitor Cc Coupling capacitor D1 Backflow prevention Diode E Ultrasonic vibrator I1, I2 Drain current L Inductance M1 Primary winding M2 Secondary winding M3 Tertiary winding R1, R2 Resistors SP1, SP2 Transmission pulse signal Sw Power supply switch Tr1, Tr2 Transistor Vd1, Vd2 Drive voltage VH First voltage VL Second voltage VS Voltage switching signal V1, V2 Pulse height Vt1, Vt2 Gate voltage Vo Output voltage

Claims (9)

  A power supply means capable of switching and supplying a first voltage and a second voltage lower than the first voltage, a resistor having a first end connected to the power supply means, and a first end side of the resistor and a ground. A capacitor, a transistor interposed between the second end of the resistor and the ground, and a pulsed first current during driving when a first voltage is supplied without passing a current during non-driving. When driving with the second voltage supplied, the transistor is controlled to flow the second current in a pulsed manner, and the discharge current is allowed to flow for a predetermined time immediately after switching from the first voltage to the second voltage. An ultrasonic transducer drive circuit comprising a drive circuit having control means for controlling the transistor as described above.   A power supply means capable of switching and supplying a first voltage and a second voltage lower than the first voltage, a resistor having a first end connected to the power supply means, and a first end side of the resistor and a ground. A capacitor, a transistor interposed between the second end of the resistor and the ground, and a pulsed first current during driving when a first voltage is supplied without passing a current during non-driving. During the driving in which the second voltage is supplied, the transistor is controlled to flow a second current smaller than the first current in a pulsed manner, and immediately after being switched from the first voltage to the second voltage. A first drive circuit having control means for controlling the transistor so that a discharge current greater than the second current flows for a time; a second drive circuit having the same configuration as the first drive circuit; and the first drive circuit Resistor between the second end of the resistor and the second drive circuit. Ultrasonic transducer driving circuit, characterized in that the ultrasonic transducer by a difference component; and a differential output means for pulsing the second end side of the vessel.   A power supply means capable of switching and supplying a first voltage and a second voltage lower than the first voltage, a resistor having a first end connected to the power supply means, and a first end side of the resistor and a ground. A capacitor, a transistor interposed between the second end of the resistor and the ground, and a pulsed first current during driving when a first voltage is supplied without passing a current during non-driving. When driving with the second voltage supplied, the transistor is controlled so as to flow a second current smaller than the first current in a pulsed manner, and a predetermined value immediately after switching from the first voltage to the second voltage. A first drive circuit having a control means for controlling the transistor so that a discharge current greater than the second current flows for a time; a second drive circuit having the same configuration as the first drive circuit; and ground and the first Interposed between the second end side of the resistors of the drive circuit A secondary winding interposed between the second end side of the resistor of the second drive circuit and the ground, an input signal to the primary winding, and an input to the secondary winding An ultrasonic transducer drive circuit comprising a tertiary winding that induces a differential component of an input signal and drives the ultrasonic transducer in a pulsed manner by the induced signal.   4. The ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to claim 3, wherein the tertiary winding performs a positive output with respect to an input signal to the primary winding and outputs an input signal to the secondary winding. An ultrasonic transducer drive circuit characterized by negative output.   5. The ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to claim 3, wherein the second driving circuit includes a second end of a resistor of the first driving circuit and the primary winding, and a resistor of the second driving circuit. An ultrasonic transducer driving circuit, wherein a coupling capacitor is interposed between the second end of the second winding and the secondary winding.   6. The ultrasonic transducer drive circuit according to claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is made unipolar by disabling the second drive circuit when driving the first drive circuit. 7. An ultrasonic transducer drive circuit characterized by pulse driving.   7. The ultrasonic transducer drive circuit according to claim 2, wherein the second drive circuit is pulsed at a timing slightly deviated from a current that flows in a pulsed manner when the first drive circuit is driven. The ultrasonic transducer drive circuit is characterized in that the ultrasonic transducer is driven by bipolar pulse by allowing the current to flow.   8. The ultrasonic transducer drive circuit according to claim 2, wherein the control means of the first drive circuit and the second drive circuit is switched from the first voltage to the second voltage. An ultrasonic transducer driving circuit, wherein the transistor is controlled so as to be completely conductive for a predetermined time immediately after.   An ultrasonic transducer driving circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and an ultrasonic probe in which an ultrasonic transducer that is pulse-driven by the ultrasonic transducer driving circuit is provided. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by that.

Images