Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method of checking its performance

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

• ultrasonic transmission means for transmitting ultrasonic waves;
• ultrasonic reception means for receiving ultrasonic echoes modulating light in accordance with the ultrasonic echoes and detecting the light so as to output detection signals;
• signal processing means for processing the detection signals output from said ultrasonic reception means to generate data;
• first storage means for storing the generated data as management data, said management data being obtained by transmitting ultrasonic waves to a predetermined object and receiving ultrasonic echoes reflected by said predetermined object;
• second storage means for storing the generated data as check data, said check data being obtained by transmitting ultrasonic waves to said predetermined object and receiving ultrasonic echoes reflected by said predetermined object when performance of said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is checked;
• comparison means for generating comparison data on the basis of both the management data stored in said first storage means and the check data stored in said second storage means;
• and
• an image display unit for displaying an image on the basis of the comparison data generated by said comparison means.