PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a dual three level pulser circuit, secure the same performance as that of a five level pulser circuit and improve image quality performance of an ultrasonic image.SOLUTION: A transmission section of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a rate pulse generation section for generating a rate pulse a transmission delay section for giving the rate pulse delay time for each vibrator a pulser 49 that generates a voltage signal for driving respective vibrators in synchronization with the rate pulse delayed and a pulser control section 45 for controlling the pulser 49. The pulser 49 includes: a high voltage generation section 71 for generating a first high voltage indicating a potential difference between a first potential and an earth potential and a second high voltage indicating a potential difference between a second potential having an absolute value higher than that of the first potential and the earth potential and a plurality of switching elements capable of mutually switching a potential among the first potential, the second potential and the earth potential. The pulser control section 45 controls the plurality of switching elements so as to switch the potential from the second potential to the first potential via the earth potential.COPYRIGHT: (C)2014,JPO&INPIT【課題】デュアル3レベルパルサ回路を用いて5レベルパルサ回路と同等の性能を確保し、超音波画像の画質性能を向上させる。【解決手段】超音波診断装置の送信部は、レートパルスを発生するレートパルス発生部と、レートパルスに振動子毎に遅延時間を与える送信遅延部と、遅延されたレートパルスに同期して振動子各々を駆動するための電圧信号を発生するパルサ49と、パルサ49を制御するパルサ制御部45とを有し、パルサ49は、第1電位とアース電位との電位差を示す第1高電圧と絶対値が前記第1電位より高い第2電位とアース電位との電位差を示す第2高電圧とを発生する高電圧発生部71と、第1電位と第2電位とアース電位との間で電位を相互に切り換え可能な複数のスイッチング素子とを有し、パルサ制御部45は第2電位から第1電位へアース電位を経て電位を切り換えるために複数のスイッチング素子を制御する。【選択図】図4
