JP2000300551A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve sweness and accuracy of an examination to prevent an unnecessary re-examination by helping an operator in the execution of a test. SOLUTION: A test name inputted from a test name input part 1 is transmitted to a data collection/measurement item storage memory 2, and a corresponding item information is read from the memory 2 based on the test name. All of the read time information is transmitted to an operation screen 3 to be displayed on the operation screen in a list. There is no need to perform data collection or the measurement according to the displaied order. The operator may arbitrarily execute a collection of images or measurement attended therewith by referring to the displayed items.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for drawing and diagnosing states of internal organs and blood flow using ultrasonic waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a specific examination by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been performed in accordance with a combination of a plurality of data acquisition (image extraction) and image measurement. When each of the data collection and the image measurement constituting one test is referred to as an “item”, the number of items of the test, the type of the item, and the procedure for executing each item are determined by the installation facility of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (hospital or medical care). Within a medical facility, such as inside or outside a medical facility, or within the same medical facility, there is a difference between each medical department and, in a broader sense, a “site”. Also, the procedure for performing each item may be different for each operator (doctor or laboratory technician). That is, when a test is specified at a certain facility, the breakdown of the items that must be performed for the test is uniquely determined, but the procedure for performing each item is arbitrary. Also, depending on the situation at the time of inspection,
The same item may be re-executed many times.

[0003] In consideration of such a situation, an execution procedure of each item (data collection and image measurement) for each inspection is set in the apparatus in advance, and the set execution procedure is automatically and forcibly executed. Providing a device (workflow automation device) often does not provide much effect in actual operation.

[0004] In turn, the procedure of performing each item is arbitrary and can be left to the surgeon's own memory and judgment on the spot, which can increase human errors such as the operator often forgetting to perform necessary items. Means gender. in this case,
The examination must be completed as it is as an item omission (for example, measurement omission) or the patient must be reexamined after the fact. Particularly for inexperienced surgeons, there is a tendency that there is a high possibility of omission of items and mistake of reexamination.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the data collection and measurement items are performed without omission and that accurate inspections are performed reliably while maintaining the flexibility of inspection by not fixing the procedure for performing the items. It is.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to improve the reliability and accuracy of an examination by supporting the operator to perform the examination, and to perform unnecessary re-examination. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of preventing the above.

[0007]

The procedure for executing data collection items and measurement items in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cannot be determined from an examination request, but when a certain examination is designated, the data collection items required for the examination, The breakdown of the measurement items can be specified. In view of the above, the present invention is configured as follows. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first invention transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject, receives reflected ultrasonic waves from the subject, and acquires data of an ultrasonic image based on the reflected ultrasonic waves. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs a predetermined measurement based on the ultrasonic image, input means for inputting test specific information including a test name, storing a plurality of the test specific information, and each test specific information A storage unit for storing item information indicating a plurality of data collection items or measurement items necessary for one test specified by: and corresponding item information from the storage unit based on the test specification information input from the input unit. Means for reading and displaying a list of the read item information during the execution of the inspection.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receives reflected ultrasonic waves from the subject, and generates an ultrasonic wave based on the reflected ultrasonic waves. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs image data collection and performs predetermined measurement based on the ultrasonic image, input means for inputting test specific information including a test name, and stores a plurality of the test specific information, and each A storage unit for storing item information indicating a plurality of data collection items or measurement items required for one test specified by the test specifying information, and the storage unit corresponding to the test specifying information input from the input unit. Means for reading the item information to be read and displaying the read item information in order of at least one item at a time.

(Operation) According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first invention, item information indicating a plurality of data collection items or measurement items required for a certain examination is displayed in a list during the execution of the examination.

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second aspect, item information indicating a plurality of data collection items or measurement items required for a certain test is displayed in order at least one by one during the test. You.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 6, a transmission / reception control unit (T / R) 7, a signal processing unit 8, a DSC
9, monitor 10, host system 11, FDD 12, H
DD13, panel subsystem 14, inspection support function unit 1
5 is provided. The ultrasonic probe 6 controlled by the transmission / reception control unit (T / R) 7 transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject (not shown) and receives a reflected wave thereof, and transmits the received signal to the transmission / reception control unit 7. Output. The signal processing unit 8 performs a B mode based on the received signal obtained from the transmission / reception control unit 7,
An ultrasonic diagnostic image in M mode or Doppler mode is generated. The generated ultrasonic diagnostic image of each mode is supplied to the host system 11 or the
After being converted to the video signal of the format, the monitor 10
Is displayed.

The host system 11 has means for obtaining measurement information on a living body based on the ultrasonic diagnostic image obtained from the signal processing section 8. The information obtained from the measurement in each diagnostic image of ultrasound is useful as auxiliary information for diagnosis. The B-mode image has a structural dimension of the living body, and the M-mode image has a temporal dimension of the structural dimension of the biological body. In the Doppler mode image, the amount of change is a physical quantity such as the speed and acceleration of the living body or the blood flow velocity in the living body. These measurements are used to calculate indices for measuring, functionally or qualitatively evaluating the living body. For example, measurement values of the inner diameter and wall thickness are obtained from the measurement of the M-mode image of the left ventricle in the diagnosis of the circulatory system. These measurements are used to calculate indices for evaluating cardiac function, such as left ventricular capacity and ejection fraction.

The panel subsystem 14 is a means for processing various operations from the operator, such as a command operation from the operator relating to data collection and execution of image measurement, and an input / edit operation of examination identification information and examination item information. Yes, touch command screen (TCS) 16, keyboard (KB) 17,
A mouse 18 and a trackball 19 are connected.

The examination support function unit 15 is related to the feature of the present invention, and performs examination by the operator, that is, implements a plurality of data collection items and image measurement items constituting one examination specified based on the examination request. Are provided, and in the present embodiment, these two functions are realized by the first and second inspection support modes, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the inspection support function unit shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the inspection support function unit 15 includes an inspection name input unit 1, a data collection / measurement item storage memory 2, an operation screen 3, a data collection / measurement item setting unit 4, and a feature determination unit 5.

[First Inspection Support Mode] When an inspection order (request) occurs, the requested inspection name is input to the inspection name input unit 1. The examination name does not necessarily need to be a name that directly represents the examination, and may be examination identification information expressed by a code or the like using a numeral. In the present embodiment, the operator inputs the test name to the test name input unit 1 by operating the panel subsystem 14. However, a predetermined test name is input from another device such as a computer system by online communication. May be input to the examination name input unit 1.

The data collection / measurement item storage memory 2 stores a plurality of examination identification information, and stores item information indicating a plurality of data collection items or measurement items necessary for one examination identified by each examination identification information. I remember.

When the test is started, the test name input from the test name input unit 1 is sent to the data collection / measurement item storage memory 2, and the corresponding item information is collected and measured based on the test name. It is read from the item storage memory 2. All the read item information is sent to the operation screen 3,
For example, a list is displayed on the operation screen as shown in FIG.
It is not always necessary to perform data collection and measurement according to the display order of the data collection and measurement items. The operator may arbitrarily perform image collection and accompanying measurement with reference to the displayed items.

According to the list display shown in FIG. 3, in the inspection specified by the inspection name, “2 chambers, B mode”, “4 chambers, B mode”, “Apical view, B mode”, “M mode, LV measurement ”,“ E / A
The operator can easily know during the inspection that data collection / measurement items including “measurement” and “ACM measurement” need to be performed.

The above data collection and measurement items require the following data collection and measurement. The item “2 chambers, B mode” requires acquisition of a B mode image showing the same two chambers of the heart. The item “4 chambers, B mode” requires acquisition of a B mode image showing the same four chambers of the heart. The item “Apical view, B mode” requires acquisition of a B mode image of the heart including the tip. In the “M mode, LV measurement”, it is required to determine the inner diameter of the left ventricle from the data collected in the M mode. In the E / A measurement, it is required to obtain a ratio between a peak value and a bottom value of data collected in the PW mode. In the ACM measurement, it is required to obtain a cardiac output.

According to such a list display, it is possible to see all the items that need to be performed at once, so that it is easy for a skilled operator to plan an examination while considering the most efficient procedure. For an inexperienced operator, there is an advantage that a large amount of information necessary for performing an examination can be obtained.

This list can be displayed by pressing a list display button on the operation panel. For example, when the list display button is pressed while an ultrasonic image is being displayed or a measurement screen is being displayed, the list is displayed to check the contents. can do.

The data collection / measurement items required for each test can be fixed to the apparatus, but generally differ in many facilities and operators. Therefore, before the examination is performed, the operator uses the data collection / measurement item setting unit 4 to collect item information corresponding to the site (facility) and the preference of the operator.
The measurement item is stored in the measurement item storage memory 2 so that the setting can be changed later. As a result, even if the site or the operator changes, it is possible to always adjust to the optimum inspection content. On the contrary, if the item information is unified in each diagnostic device in the site, uniform and accurate diagnostic information is provided in the facility.

Each item information of data collection / measurement stored in the data collection / measurement item storage memory 2 can specify an attribute representing its feature. For example, the measurement of the short axis / long axis length of the left ventricle is characterized by the short axis length and the long axis length. When data collection or measurement is actually performed (determination is made based on data writing to a variable storing a measurement processing result), the feature is sent from the host system 11 to the feature determination unit 5. The feature determination unit 5 compares the characteristics of the data collection / measurement actually performed with the characteristics of the items read from the data collection / measurement item storage memory 2 to determine which item has been completed. . During the execution of the inspection, when it is determined that the predetermined item read from the data collection / measurement item storage memory 2 is to be performed, the result is sent to the operation screen 3 and the completed item is marked with the performed mark. (See FIG. 4). Normally, this feature determination is automatically performed. However, it is also possible to provide a configuration in which the performed mark can be added based on the determination of the operator.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, items such as “2 chambers, B mode”, “4 chambers, B mode”, and “Apical view, B mode” that are collected by the operator are marked manually. "M mode, LV measurement", "E / A measurement", and "ACM measurement"
In the item for which the value is determined, the done mark is automatically added based on the value. It should be noted that it is possible to appropriately change whether the completed mark is automatically added or set manually.

When the operator considers that the examination has been completed, in principle, all the displayed items must be marked with a completion mark. By confirming this screen, it is possible to clearly and easily confirm omission of data collection / measurement items, which has been performed only by the memory of the operator. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the patient from being recalled and re-examined, and an efficient inspection is performed.

It is also conceivable that some operators do not intentionally carry out the items. In this case, the confirmation is obligatory at the end of the inspection, so that the operator can easily distinguish intentional non-execution of a specific item from non-execution due to a mistake. If there is an unexecuted item at the time of the examination completion input, the operator should be warned or warned by displaying a screen as shown in FIG.

[Second Inspection Support Mode] The first inspection support mode is intended to perform each item in an arbitrary order without the operator forcing the operator to perform the order of each item. The second inspection support mode is particularly useful as an operation guide system for beginners with little experience.

In the second inspection support mode, instead of displaying a list of data collection / measurement items, at least one item information indicating a plurality of data collection items or measurement items required for one inspection specified by the inspection specification information is provided. Display items in order.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the second inspection support mode. In the figure, for example, item information (“E / A measurement”) 23 to be performed next is displayed on the operation screen 3.

Since the second inspection support mode functions as an operation guide system for sequentially displaying items to be performed next (which may be skipped), even an inexperienced operator can easily use the apparatus. .

As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment, the data collection and measurement items can be performed without omission while maintaining the degree of freedom of the examination by not fixing the procedure for executing the items. As a result, an accurate inspection is surely performed. That is, it is possible to suppress an increase in human error such that the operator often forgets to perform necessary items, prevent a decrease in inspection accuracy due to omission of items, and prevent a patient from being reexamined after the fact.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Assists the operator in performing the test, thereby ensuring the reliability of the test,
It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of improving accuracy and preventing unnecessary reexamination.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an inspection support function unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a list display of item information;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a list display to which a done mark has been added;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display showing a notice or a warning of an unexecuted item;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a second inspection support mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inspection name input part 2 ... Data collection / measurement item storage memory 3 ... Operation screen 4 ... Data collection / measurement item setting part 5 ... Feature determination part 6 ... Ultrasonic probe 7 ... Transmission / reception control part (T / R) 8 ... Signal processing unit 9 DSC 10 Monitor 11 Host system 12 FDD 13 HDD 14 Panel subsystem 15 Inspection support function unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] An ultrasonic wave is transmitted to a subject, a reflected ultrasonic wave is received from the subject, and an ultrasonic image data is collected based on the reflected ultrasonic wave. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs predetermined measurement based on: an input unit that inputs test specific information including a test name; and stores a plurality of the test specific information, and a single test specified by each test specific information. A storage unit for storing item information indicating a plurality of necessary data collection items or measurement items; and reading the corresponding item information from the storage unit based on the examination identification information input from the input unit, and the read item Means for displaying a list of information during the execution of the test. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total number of a plurality of pieces of data collection item information or measurement item information necessary for the one examination and the display order thereof are variable. 3. A judging means for judging the completion of the execution of each of the data collection items or the measurement items based on characteristics relating to each of the data collection or the measurement, and data judged that the execution has been completed by the judging means. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit for attaching a mark to the item information of the collected item or the measurement item and displaying the mark. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for displaying a list of item information to which the mark has been added for confirmation immediately before the end of an examination. 5. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted to a subject, a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject is received, and data of an ultrasonic image is collected based on the reflected ultrasonic wave. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs predetermined measurement based on: an input unit that inputs test specific information including a test name; and stores a plurality of the test specific information, and a single test specified by each test specific information. A storage unit for storing item information indicating a plurality of necessary data collection items or measurement items; and reading the corresponding item information from the storage unit based on the examination identification information input from the input unit, and the read item Means for displaying information in order of at least one item at a time.