PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of preventing a temperature rise in an ultrasonic probe so as to eliminate deterioration of higher harmonic wave images due to fluctuation of the amplification factor of an internal amplifier, fluctuation of thermal noise, or the like without restricting use of the ultrasonic probe.SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe including ultrasonic wave transmission/reception elements, and the amplifier to amplify received signals received by the transmission/reception elements includes a temperature sensor. Amplification amount of the amplifier is controlled in accordance with the temperature in the ultrasonic probe detected by the temperature sensor, so that the temperature rise in the ultrasonic probe is prevented. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus not causing deterioration of higher harmonic wave images due to fluctuation of the amplification factor of the internal amplifier, fluctuation of thermal noise, etc., can thus be provided without restricting use of the ultrasonic probe.COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT【課題】超音波プローブ内の温度上昇を防止し、超音波プローブの使用を制限することなく、内蔵される増幅器の増幅率の変動や熱雑音の変動等による高調波画像の劣化のない超音波診断装置を提供すること。【解決手段】超音波の送受信素子と、送受信素子で受信された受信信号を増幅する増幅器とを備えた超音波プローブに温度センサを内蔵し、温度センサによって検出された超音波プローブ内の温度に応じて増幅器の増幅量を制御することで、超音波プローブ内の温度上昇を防止し、超音波プローブの使用を制限することなく、内蔵される増幅器の増幅率の変動や熱雑音の変動等による高調波画像の劣化のない超音波診断装置を提供することができる。【選択図】図2
