JP2004305236A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an electronic caliper function of an ultrasonograph. <P>SOLUTION: A caliper image generation section 21 generates a parallel two linear caliper image signal, sends the signal to a monitor device 19 through a video output section 15 and displays a caliper of parallel two lines, superimposed on an ultrasonic B mode image displayed on the screen thereof. When a trackball 18 is operated, an image operating section 22 rotates the parallel two linear calipers displayed on the screen in response thereto and moves parallelly, thereby setting the position of the linear caliper to ensure that they touch the edge of an object to be measured on the B mode image displayed on the screen of the monitor device 19. A distance measuring section 23, computes the actual distance in the object to be examined on the basis of the relationship between the size of the image on the screen of the monitor and the sound velocity of the object to be examined from the clearance of the parallel two linear calipers and displays the actual distance in numerical value at a corner or the like of the monitor screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for photographing an ultrasonic tomographic image (B-mode image), and more particularly, to an ultrasonic wave having an electronic caliper function for electronically measuring a distance between two points on the photographed ultrasonic tomographic image. It relates to a diagnostic device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Ultrasound diagnostic equipment irradiates an ultrasonic beam into a subject (body of the examinee) and receives reflected waves to obtain a tomographic image of the inside of the body or to obtain a blood flow using the Doppler phenomenon. For example, an image representing the speed of the object is obtained, and is widely used in medical diagnostic applications. At medical clinical sites, this ultrasonic diagnostic device is used to image tumors and blood vessels, and on the ultrasonic tomographic images, the long and short axes of the tumor and the diameter of the blood vessels are measured and used for diagnosis. ing. Therefore, conventionally, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an electronic caliper function for electronically measuring a distance between two points on an ultrasonic tomographic image has been used.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-335478
In a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an electronic caliper function, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a pair of point calipers is displayed on a displayed B-mode image, and the calipers are displayed on the screen by operating a mouse or the like. The calipers are moved by the operator, and the doctor positions the calipers on the periphery of an image to be measured, such as a tumor, and calculates the distance between the calipers. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, assuming that a tumor 32 appears on a B-mode image displayed on the image monitor device, a doctor puts a pair of point-shaped calipers 51, 52 having a "+" shape or an "x" shape. Move to position at the edge of the tumor 32. Then, the distance between the calipers 51 and 52 is automatically calculated.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the electronic caliper function has a problem that it is difficult to position the caliper on the edge of the measurement target. In addition, in the case of a measurement object such as a tumor that is almost circular or elliptical, it is necessary to measure the major axis and the minor axis, but by placing a pair of point-like calipers on the image, the major axis and the minor axis can be measured. It has been very difficult to position them so that they are exactly perpendicular to each other.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which simplifies a caliper positioning operation by devising a shape of a caliper displayed on a screen and enables accurate measurement.
[0007]
In addition, for a measurement object such as a tumor or the like having a circular or elliptical shape, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been improved so that the major axis and the minor axis can be easily measured with high accuracy in a state where they are exactly perpendicular to each other. It also aims to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic vibrator, a driving pulse is transmitted to the vibrator to transmit ultrasonic waves into a subject, and A transmission / reception control unit that receives a reception signal generated by the child receiving an ultrasonic wave from within the subject, a signal processing unit that processes the reception signal from the transmission / reception control unit to generate B-mode image data, A scanning converter for converting the image data into a video signal scanning system, a video output unit for outputting the video signal, an image monitor for transmitting the video signal and displaying an image, and a parallel two-line caliper A caliper image generating unit for generating an image signal, an operable input device, and the parallel two-line caliper image in a parallel state on a screen of an image monitor device according to an operation of the input device. Based on the relationship between the size of the image appearing on the screen and the sound velocity in the subject, based on the distance on the screen of the image monitor device between the image operation unit that rotates and translates while maintaining the position and the parallel two-line caliper image. And a distance calculator for calculating the actual distance in the subject.
[0009]
The above-mentioned caliper image generation unit may generate two sets of parallel bilinear caliper image signals orthogonal to each other.
[0010]
The caliper image is in the form of two parallel lines. By operating an input device such as a key or a trackball, the caliper image can be arbitrarily rotated or translated while maintaining the parallel state. Since the linear caliper images appear on the screen of the monitor device in this manner, the positions of the two linear caliper images are set so as to be in contact with the edges of the measurement target such as a string-shaped blood vessel or an oval tumor. Then, the actual distance in the subject between the two linear caliper images is calculated. Since the caliper image is linear and not dot-shaped, it is easy to position it so as to be in contact with the edge of the measurement target such as a string-shaped blood vessel or an elliptical tumor, and it is easy to set the diameter of the blood vessel or the tumor. The size can be measured accurately.
[0011]
Further, when the caliper image generation unit generates two sets of parallel two-line caliper image signals orthogonal to each other, these are rotated arbitrarily while maintaining the orthogonal state, and each parallel two-line caliper image signal is generated. By simply moving the caliper image in parallel so as to be in contact with the edge of the target image, the long axis of the elliptical target and the short axis orthogonal thereto can be easily obtained accurately. The length of the two parallel two-line caliper images is arbitrary, and if the length is up to the intersection, the shape becomes a rectangle. Will change.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe 11 includes a number of ultrasonic transducers, and a drive pulse is transmitted from the transmission / reception control unit 12 to each transducer. Excited. The ultrasonic waves generated from the respective transducers are combined into one ultrasonic beam and radiated into a subject (not shown). This ultrasonic wave is reflected inside the subject and returns to oscillate each transducer of the ultrasonic probe 11. Each vibrator converts the acoustic vibration into an electric signal and sends it to the transmission / reception control unit 12.
[0013]
The transmission / reception control unit 12 performs delay control of the drive timing of each transducer and delay control of an electric signal from each transducer, and controls the direction (directivity) of the transmitted and received combined ultrasonic beams. ). In this way, for example, sector scanning by an ultrasonic beam is performed. Received signals obtained by such sector scanning and the like are sequentially sent to the signal processing unit 13. The signal processing unit 13 creates a B-mode image signal from these received signals.
[0014]
The B-mode image signal is converted into a video signal by the scan converter 14 into a video signal scanning system, and is sent from the video output unit 15 to the image monitor 19. Thus, a B-mode image (ultrasonic tomographic image) of a target site such as a blood vessel or a tumor is displayed on the screen of the image monitor device.
[0015]
The central control unit (CPU) 16 controls each unit such as the transmission / reception control unit 12. An input device such as a keyboard 17, a trackball 18, or a mouse (not shown) that can be operated by a doctor or the like is connected to the central control unit 16.
[0016]
Further, a caliper image generation unit 21, an image operation unit 22, and a distance calculation unit 23 are connected to the central control unit 16. The caliper image generation unit 21 generates signals of parallel two-line caliper images 41 and 42 as shown in FIG. 2, and this image signal is sent to the video output unit 15 and combined with the B-mode image signal. . In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the parallel two-line caliper images 41 and 42 are displayed on the screen of the image monitor device 19 so as to overlap the blood vessel 31.
[0017]
The image operation unit 22 is for rotating or moving the parallel two-line caliper images 41 and 42 on the screen. When the trackball 18 is operated or a key of the keyboard 17 is operated, the operation of the image operation unit 22 causes the parallel two-line caliper images 41 and 42 to rotate while maintaining the parallel state according to the operation. Alternatively, each line moves in parallel.
[0018]
The actual distance in the subject between the parallel two-line caliper images 41 and 42 is calculated by the distance calculation unit 23. Although the parallel two-line caliper images 41 and 42 themselves merely indicate the positions on the screen, the distance on the screen between the two lines corresponds to the size of the image displayed as the B-mode image. The size of the image corresponds to the speed of sound in the subject. Therefore, from the distance on the screen between the two lines, the distance calculation unit 23 can obtain the actual distance in the subject based on the correspondence between the sound speed in the subject and the size of the image. The obtained actual distance in the subject is displayed as a numerical value or the like in a corner of the screen of the image monitor device 19 or the like.
[0019]
Assuming that a B-mode image is displayed on the screen of the image monitor device 19 as shown in FIG. 2 and a blood vessel 31 appears on the screen, a doctor or the like who observes this measures the diameter of the blood vessel 31. First, the user operates the keys of the keyboard 17 to operate the caliper image generation unit 21 via the central control unit 16. Then, the parallel two-line caliper images 41 and 42 are displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 2, and the doctor or the like operates the trackball 18 or the like to rotate the parallel two-line caliper images 41 and 42. , So as to be parallel to the portion of the blood vessel 31 to be measured. In this state, the two linear calipers 41 and 42 are moved in parallel by operating the trackball 18 or the like so that the calipers 41 and 42 come into contact with the edge of the blood vessel 31. At this time, the distance calculation unit 23 operates to obtain the actual distance in the subject between the two linear calipers 41 and 42, and this distance is sequentially expressed as a numerical value (for example,... Mm) at a corner of the screen.
[0020]
In this case, the linear calipers 41 and 42 may be moved or rotated so as to be in contact with the edge of the blood vessel 31 appearing in a string shape. Therefore, setting the starting point and the ending point for distance measurement requires the point-shaped calipers. It is much easier than before, and accurate distance measurement can be performed.
[0021]
The caliper images generated by the caliper image generation unit 21 include not only the above-described pair of parallel two-line calipers 41 and 42 but also the pair of parallel two-line calipers 41 as shown in FIG. , 42 may be provided with another set of parallel bilinear calipers 43, 44. In this case, one set of parallel two-line calipers 41 and 42 and another set of parallel two-line calipers 43 and 44 have a length up to their intersections and are rectangular. In the case of a rectangular caliper composed of such two sets of parallel two linear calipers 41 to 44, the entire rectangular shape is set so that any one set of the parallel two linear calipers 41 and 42 is in contact with the edge of the blood vessel 31. Is rotated, and the position of each of the parallel twin linear calipers 41, 42 is translated (the length of the other two sides of the rectangle formed by the other set of parallel twin linear calipers 43, 44). Will change).
[0022]
Even in the case where the B-mode image is not a string-shaped blood vessel but a circular or elliptical tumor 32 as shown in FIG. 4, similarly, setting of a start point and an end point for distance measurement is easy. In this case as well, the parallel two-line calipers 41 and 42 may be moved or rotated so as to be in contact with the edge of the tumor 32 which appears in an elliptical shape. Since the size of the tumor 32 to be measured is accurately measured with the parallel two-line calipers 41 and 42 interposed therebetween in this manner, it can be said that the caliper is used.
[0023]
Further, when measuring the major axis and the minor axis of the elliptical tumor 32, a rectangular caliper image as shown in FIG. 3 is used, or each side of the rectangle is extended. The use of two sets of parallel two-line calipers 41, 42; 43, 44 orthogonal to each other as indicated by 5 allows easy and accurate measurement. These two sets of parallel two-line calipers 41, 42; 43, 44 maintain a perpendicular relationship to each other even when rotated. Here, the direction of the linear calipers 41 and 42 is set to be the major axis direction of the tumor 32, and the direction of the linear calipers 43 and 44 is set to be the minor axis direction of the tumor 32. Then, each of the two parallel two linear calipers 41 and 42 is moved in parallel so as to be in contact with the edge of the tumor 32, and each of the other two parallel linear calipers 43 and 44 is in contact with the edge of the tumor 32. As described above. Then, the short axis is obtained from the interval between the parallel two linear calipers 41 and 42, and the long axis is obtained from the interval between the parallel two linear calipers 43 and 44.
[0024]
In the above description, each unit such as the signal processing unit 13 and the caliper image generation unit 21 is described so as to be associated with hardware. However, not only a hardware configuration but also a software configuration may be used. It is. In addition, specific configurations and the like can be variously changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, since the two parallel caliper images are generated as the caliper images for indicating the starting point and the ending point of the distance measurement, they are measured on the side of the measurement target. Since it is only necessary to place the calipers in contact with the edges, the operation of setting the position of the caliper image is easy, and accurate distance measurement can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a monitor screen view showing an example of measuring a blood vessel diameter by a caliper.
FIG. 3 is a monitor screen view showing an example of measuring a blood vessel diameter using another caliper.
FIG. 4 is a monitor screen view showing a measurement example for a tumor.
FIG. 5 is a monitor screen view showing a measurement example of another caliper for a tumor.
FIG. 6 is a monitor screen view showing a measurement example using a conventional caliper.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 11 Ultrasonic probe 12 Transmission / reception control unit 13 Signal processing unit 14 Scan conversion unit 15 Video output unit 16 Central control unit 17 Keyboard 18 Trackball 19 Image monitoring device 21 Caliper image generation unit 22 Image operation unit 23 Distance calculation unit 31 Blood vessel 32 Tumor 41, 42 parallel two-line caliper 43, 44 parallel two-line caliper 51, 52 point caliper

Claims (1)

An ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic vibrator, and a drive pulse sent to the vibrator to transmit ultrasonic waves to the inside of the subject, and a reception generated by the vibrator receiving ultrasonic waves from the inside of the subject. A transmission / reception control unit that receives a signal, a signal processing unit that processes a reception signal from the transmission / reception control unit to generate B-mode image data, a scan conversion unit that converts the image data into a video signal scanning method, A video output unit that outputs a video signal, an image monitor device that sends the video signal to display an image, a caliper image generation unit that generates a parallel two-line caliper image signal, an operable input device, An image operation unit for rotating and translating the parallel two-line caliper image while maintaining the parallel state on the screen of the image monitor device in accordance with an operation of the input device; A distance calculating unit that calculates an actual distance in the subject based on a relationship between a size of the image appearing on the screen and a sound velocity in the subject based on a distance between the images on the screen of the image monitor device. Ultrasound diagnostic device characterized by the following.

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