JP2006271588A - Ultrasonic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify work for quickly and appropriately expressing a target site on an ultrasonic image irrelevant to same/different operators. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonic apparatus is provided with a probe 10 transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from a subject, a transmitting/receiving part 12 supplying a driving signal to the probe and processing a receiving signal output from the probe 10, an image processing part 14 reconstructing the ultrasonic image based on the receiving signal output from the transmitting/receiving part 12, a display part 16 displaying the ultrasonic image, and an image composition part 18 as a means of expressing a scanning range image 23 corresponding to the scanning face of the probe 10 and a guide image 40 guiding the scanning face to the position of the target site on a display screen of the display part 16 based on position data of the target site to be diagnosed or treated and position data of the scanning face of the probe 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for imaging an ultrasonic image in which a target site to be diagnosed or treated of a subject appears.

  As an ultrasonic device that captures an ultrasonic image in which a target site to be diagnosed or treated of a subject appears, a drive signal is supplied to an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the subject, and the ultrasonic probe An apparatus that reconstructs an ultrasonic image based on a reception signal output from a child and displays it on a display screen is known.

  In this ultrasonic apparatus, by adjusting the position and inclination of the ultrasonic probe and moving the scanning surface of the ultrasonic probe, the target site to be diagnosed or treated (hereinafter collectively referred to as the target site as appropriate). Is aligned with the scanning plane, the target site appears in the ultrasonic image on the display screen.

  In such an ultrasonic apparatus, when position data such as a scanning plane is necessary, for example, a position sensor is attached to the ultrasonic probe and a magnetism generation source is disposed on a bed or the like. By analyzing the magnetic signal detected by the position sensor, the position and inclination of the ultrasonic probe are obtained (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-47495

  By the way, in the conventional method including Patent Document 1, when the target part is drawn on the ultrasonic image, the position and the inclination of the ultrasonic probe are manually determined based on an empirical rule while visually checking the ultrasonic image on the display screen. You will rely on it to make adjustments. For example, when it is necessary to repeat a predetermined target site to reproduce an ultrasound image, such as when determining the therapeutic effect or monitoring the fetus, if the imaging date or the operator is different, the ultrasound search The work of adjusting the tentacles by groping is repeated. Since such work depends on the experience and skill of the operator, the diagnostic efficiency and the inspection accuracy may deteriorate depending on the difference of the operator.

  An object of the present invention is to realize an ultrasonic apparatus that is more convenient for showing a target site to be diagnosed or treated in an ultrasonic image.

  In order to solve the above problems, an ultrasonic apparatus of the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject, a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic probe. A diagnosis unit including a transmission / reception unit that processes a reception signal output from the child, an image processing unit that reconstructs an ultrasonic image based on the reception signal output from the transmission / reception unit, and a display unit that displays the ultrasonic image; Alternatively, based on the position data of the target portion to be treated and the position data of the scanning surface of the ultrasonic probe, a display unit displays a scanning range image corresponding to the scanning surface and a guidance image for guiding the scanning surface to the position of the target portion. It has a means to draw on the display screen.

  In other words, by maintaining the position data of the target portion and the scanning plane in correspondence with the same coordinate system, the display image is the same as the scanning range image and the guide image drawn simultaneously in the same coordinate system, that is, the same space. . By referring to such a display image, it is possible to visually grasp the relative positional relationship between the target site and the scanning plane. Therefore, by adjusting the position and inclination of the ultrasonic probe with reference to the display screen, it becomes easy to match the scanning surface with the position of the target part. As a result, the task of showing the target site in the ultrasound image is simplified, so that diagnostic efficiency and inspection accuracy can be improved.

  The scanning range image here may be a mapping of an ultrasound image formed by the image processing unit, or may be a model image corresponding to the scanning surface of the ultrasound probe for the convenience of the display form.

  In this case, the rendering means can render an image indicating the distance and direction from the scanning plane to the target site calculated based on the position data between the scanning plane and the target site as a guide image. According to this, the guidance image becomes a guide index that objectively and quantitatively represents the target position and target inclination of the ultrasonic probe for showing the target portion in the ultrasonic image. Therefore, by adjusting the position and inclination of the ultrasonic probe with reference to the guidance image, the work of showing the target site in the ultrasonic image becomes more accurate and simple.

  As for the drawing means, at least one of the scanning range image and the guide image can be displayed in accordance with the three-dimensional display coordinates. Thereby, the relative positional relationship between the target portion and the scanning plane can be grasped three-dimensionally. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic probe can be adjusted in accordance with the actual subject by referring to the guidance image displayed in three dimensions, the operation of showing the target portion in the ultrasonic image becomes even more accurate and simple.

  The rendering means can project and display at least one of a scanning range image and a guide image on one or more display planes set to three-dimensional display coordinates. For example, when three display planes of an XY cross section, a YZ cross section, and an XZ cross section are set on a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate, a projection image of the scanning plane can be displayed on each display plane, and the X axis of the guide image can be displayed. A projected image of each component in the direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction can be displayed. According to this, since the target position and target inclination of the ultrasonic probe can be confirmed from a plurality of directions while grasping the relative positional relationship between the target site and the scanning surface from a plurality of directions in a multifaceted manner, Tactile adjustment work becomes easy.

  In addition, the position data of the target portion is determined in advance using at least one of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an X-ray CT imaging apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI), and a positron emission tomography apparatus (PET). it can.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic device that is more convenient for showing a target site to be diagnosed or treated in an ultrasonic image. For example, regardless of the operator, the task of quickly and accurately showing the target site in the ultrasonic image is simplified.

  An embodiment of an ultrasonic apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an example in which a scanning range image corresponding to the scanning surface of the ultrasound probe and an image for guiding the scanning surface to a target site to be diagnosed or treated are displayed simultaneously. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display form of the ultrasonic apparatus of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic apparatus supplies an ultrasonic probe 10 (hereinafter referred to as a probe 10) that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject, and a drive signal to the probe 10. In addition, a transmission / reception unit 12 that processes a reception signal output from the probe 10, an image processing unit 14 that reconstructs an ultrasonic image based on the reception signal output from the transmission / reception unit 12, and an ultrasonic image are displayed. Display unit 16.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present invention includes position data of a target site to be diagnosed or treated (hereinafter collectively referred to as a target site as appropriate) and a scanning plane of the probe 10. Based on the position data, a scanning range image 23 corresponding to the scanning range of the probe 10 and a guide image 40 for guiding the scanning surface to the position of the target portion are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 16. An image composition unit 18 is included. More specifically, an operation path image 50 and a scanning range image 23 indicating the distance and direction from the scanning plane to the target portion calculated based on the position data between the scanning plane of the probe 10 and the target portion are included. A guide image creation unit 20 that generates a guide image 40 and outputs the guide image 40 to the image composition unit 18 is provided. The scanning range image 23 here may be a mapping of an ultrasonic image formed by the image processing unit 14 or may be a model image corresponding to the scanning surface of the probe 10 for the convenience of the display form. In addition, when displaying as a model image, the ultrasonic image comprised by the image process part 14 is displayed on another display area.

  The ultrasonic apparatus will be described in more detail. The probe 10 has transducers arranged one-dimensionally. Each transducer converts a drive signal into an ultrasonic wave and transmits it to the subject, and receives a reflected echo generated from the subject and converts it into a received signal. An ultrasonic beam is formed by the ultrasonic waves transmitted from each transducer. The ultrasonic beam corresponds to the imaging scanning line, and a scanning surface is formed by a plurality of scanning lines. Note that a diagnostic transducer that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave having a diagnostic frequency and a therapeutic transducer that transmits an ultrasonic wave having a therapeutic frequency may be arranged side by side or superimposed. Further, the case of the probe 10 is formed with a projection indicating the scanning direction.

  A position sensor 22 is attached to the probe 10. The position sensor 22 is a terminal having a magnetic sensor that detects, for example, a magnetic signal generated from a source attached to a bed or the like. The position sensor 22 outputs the signal detection result to the position information collection unit 24 as position data of the probe 10. The position information collection unit 24 outputs the position data collected from the position sensor 22 to the position information analysis unit 26. In addition, although the example which attached the position sensor 22 as a means to acquire the position data of the probe 10 was demonstrated, it may replace with a magnetic signal detection, and may detect an optical signal, and a vibrator is two-dimensional. An arrayed phased array probe may be used. In short, it is only necessary to acquire position data of the probe 10 (for example, three-dimensional position data of the scanning plane).

  The position information analysis unit 26 analyzes the position information of the probe 10 based on the position data output from the position information collection unit 24. More specifically, the position information analysis unit 26 obtains the position and inclination of the probe 10 based on the position data output from the position information collection unit 24. Based on the obtained position and inclination of the probe 10 and the arrangement direction and arrangement interval of the transducer groups, the position data of the scanning plane is calculated. The calculated position data of the scanning plane is output to the image processing unit 14 and the guide image creation unit 20.

  The transmission / reception unit 12 has a transmission function for transmitting, for example, a pulse signal for driving the transducer of the probe 10 and a reception function for processing a reception signal output from the probe 10. The reception function is a function of collecting ultrasonic data by performing amplification processing, phasing addition processing, Log compression, and the like on the reception signal output from the probe 10.

  The image processing unit 14 reconstructs an ultrasonic image (for example, a B mode image or an M mode image) based on the reception signal output from the transmission / reception unit 12. More specifically, the image processing unit 14 performs filter processing, scan conversion processing, and the like on the reception signal output from the transmission / reception unit 12. Further, based on the position information of the probe 10 output from the position information analysis unit 26, a transformation determinant for displaying a signal on display coordinates (for example, three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates) is calculated. According to the transformation determinant, the previously processed signal is transformed to reconstruct an ultrasound image. The ultrasonic image here shows the part of the subject corresponding to the scanning surface of the probe 10. For example, when the scanning plane is changed by adjusting the position and inclination of the probe 10, the image processing unit 14 reconstructs an ultrasonic image showing a part corresponding to the changed current scanning plane and displays an image. The result is output to the combining unit 18.

  The guide image creation unit 20 includes the scanning range image 23 corresponding to the scanning range of the probe 10 and the scanning plane based on the scanning plane position data and the target portion position data output from the positional information analysis unit 26. A guide image 40 is generated that guides to the target site. For example, the guide image 40 including the operation path image 50 and the scanning range image 23 indicating the distance and direction from the scanning surface to the target portion calculated based on the position data of the scanning surface of the probe 10 and the target portion is displayed. It is generated and output to the image composition unit 18. More specifically, the guide image creation unit 20 creates a vector image having an arrow shape as the operation route image 50. The length of the arrow corresponds to the distance from the scanning plane to the target site, and the direction of the arrow corresponds to the direction from the scanning plane to the target site. Also, for example, a circular image corresponding to the position of the target part is created as the target part image 21 based on the position data of the target part. However, various display forms can be applied.

  The position data of the target part here is acquired in advance by an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an X-ray CT imaging apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI), a positron emission tomography apparatus (PET), or the like. The acquired position data may be held in the external personal computer 28 connected to the guide image creation unit 20 or may be held in the guide image creation unit 20. In addition, when imaging the subject with the ultrasonic apparatus of the present embodiment, the position data of the position of the target part is acquired by referring to the picked-up ultrasonic image and specifying the target part with a keyboard or a mouse. May be. There may be a plurality of position data of the target site to be acquired. The position data of the target part in this embodiment is the same as the position data of the scanning surface of the probe 10 and the coordinate system. For example, each coordinate system is associated with a characteristic point such as a xiphoid process or a rib of the subject, or a corner of a bed on which the subject lies, as a reference point.

  The image composition unit 18 synthesizes the ultrasonic image output from the image processing unit 14 and the guide image 40 output from the guide image creation unit 20. More specifically, the image synthesis unit 18 synthesizes the ultrasonic image output from the image processing unit 14 with the scanning range image 23 and the operation path image 50 in the same display coordinate system and outputs the synthesized image to the display unit 16. To do. The display unit 16 includes a display that displays the composite image output from the image composition unit 18 on a display screen.

  The operation of the ultrasonic apparatus configured as described above will be described. First, the probe 10 is brought into contact with, for example, the body surface of the subject. When a driving signal is supplied from the transmitter / receiver 12 to the probe 10, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the probe 10 to the subject. A reflected echo generated from the subject is received by the probe 10 and converted into a received signal. The reception signal output from the probe 10 is processed by the transmission / reception unit 12. The processed reception signal is output to the image processing unit 14.

  On the other hand, the magnetic signal generated from the source is detected by the position sensor 22. The detection result is acquired by the position information collection unit 24. Based on the acquired detection result, the position information analysis unit 26 analyzes the position information of the probe 10. The analyzed position information is output to the image processing unit 14 and the guide image creation unit 20.

  The reception signal output from the transmission / reception unit 12 is reconstructed as an ultrasonic image by the image processing unit 14 based on the position information output from the position information analysis unit 26. The reconstructed ultrasonic image is output to the image composition unit 18. Further, based on the position information input from the position information analysis unit 26 to the guide image creation unit 20 and the position data of the target part read from the external PC 28, the guide image creation unit 20 creates the guide image 40. The created guide image 40 is output to the image composition unit 18.

  The ultrasonic image output from the image processing unit 14 and the guide image 40 output from the guide image creation unit 20 are combined by the image combining unit 18. The synthesized image is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 16. When the position and inclination of the probe 10 are adjusted with reference to the display screen to align the target portion with the scanning surface, the target portion is drawn on the ultrasonic image. Diagnosis or treatment is performed on the drawn target site.

  FIG. 2 is an example of the guide image 40 displayed on the display unit 16. Note that the target part image 21 shown in FIG. 2 is a virtual image that is not actually displayed on the display unit 16. In the present embodiment, in order to clarify the positional relationship between the position of the probe 10, the scanning direction, and the target portion, it is assumed that the target portion image 21 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 16 displays a guide image 40 indicating the target position and target tilt of the probe 10 and a target part image 21 simultaneously with the guide image 40. Here, the guide image 40 and the target part image 21 are displayed on the same coordinates.

  The guide image 40 is created by the guide image creation unit 20, and includes a scanning range image 23 corresponding to the scanning surface of the probe 10, a probe mark 46 indicating the scanning direction of the probe 10, And an operation route image 50 as a guide image indicating the distance and direction from the scanning surface to the target portion. The target part image 21 has target part coordinates 43 corresponding to the position data of the target part. The target part coordinates 43 here correspond to the position data of the target part held in the external personal computer 28 or the guide image creation unit 20.

  The scanning range image 23 here may be a mapping of an ultrasound image formed by the image processing unit 14 or may be a model image corresponding to the scanning plane of the probe 10 for the convenience of the display form. When displaying as a model image, an ultrasonic image in which the region of the subject appears may be displayed in another display area. A target part drawing position 48 is set in the scanning range image 23. The target part drawing position 48 here is a position where the target part is drawn, and is appropriately set by the operator. Further, the probe mark 46 corresponds to the direction of the protrusion of the probe 10. The scanning range image 23 of this example is formed in a fan shape having two parallel arcs, and the probe mark 46 is displayed on the narrow side of the scanning range image 23, that is, on the probe 10 side. However, it is not limited to this form.

  The operation route image 50 is an arrow starting from the target part drawing position 48. The length of the arrow corresponds to the distance from the target part drawing position 48 to the target part coordinate 43, and the direction of the arrow corresponds to the direction from the target part drawing position 48 to the target part coordinate 43. In such an operation route image 50, the length or direction of the arrow changes corresponding to the change in the distance or direction from the target part drawing position 48 to the target part coordinate 43. Further, the thickness and color of the arrow may be changed according to the distance from the target part drawing position 48 to the target part coordinate 43. For example, when the distance from the target part drawing position 48 to the target part coordinate 43 is small, the arrow of the operation route image 50 is displayed thinly or displayed in blue. Conversely, when the distance is large, the arrow is displayed thick or displayed in red. Furthermore, sound generation means such as a buzzer or a speaker may be provided, and when the distance from the target part drawing position 48 to the target part coordinate 43 is small, the sound generation interval may be reduced. Conversely, when the distance is large, the sound generation interval may be increased. In short, the form of the operation route image 50 can be changed flexibly according to the convenience of the operator.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image displayed on the display unit 16 has the same coordinate system, that is, the same coordinate system, that is, the scanning range image 23 and the guide image 40 (for example, the operation route image 50), as shown in FIG. It will be drawn in space at the same time. In other words, the target part and the scanning plane are simultaneously displayed on the display screen while retaining position data on the same coordinates. By referring to such a display screen, it is possible to visually grasp the relative positional relationship between the target portion and the scanning plane. Therefore, by adjusting the position and inclination of the probe 10 with reference to the display screen, it becomes easy to adjust the scanning surface to the position of the target portion. As a result, the task of showing the target site in the ultrasound image is simplified, so that diagnostic efficiency and inspection accuracy can be improved.

  Further, the position data of the target site can be acquired in advance using other modalities such as an X-ray CT imaging apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI), and a positron emission tomography imaging apparatus (PET). Even in this case, according to the present embodiment, the position and the inclination of the probe 10 for rendering the target site in an ultrasonic image can be determined objectively and quantitatively. Therefore, the work of repeatedly drawing the image of the target portion is facilitated.

  Further, the operation path image 50 in FIG. 2 serves as a guide index that objectively and quantitatively represents the target position and target inclination of the probe 10 for showing the target site in the ultrasonic image. Therefore, by adjusting the position and inclination of the probe 10 with reference to the operation path image 50, the work of showing the target part in the ultrasonic image becomes more accurate and simple.

  Here, a supplementary description will be given of a method of calculating the operation route image 50 with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the target part drawing position 48 is the origin of the three-dimensional display coordinates 49, and the scanning plane of the probe 10 is displayed as the scanning range image 23 in accordance with the XY plane of the three-dimensional display coordinates. Shall. The Z axis at this time is orthogonal to the scanning plane of the probe 10.

として算定する。このような行列式Ｍ_１を用いることにより、目的部位描画位置４８から目的部位座標４３に至るまで距離を反映したパラーメタＫは、数８式のように表される。数８式のｋは、任意の係数である。この係数ｋを表示サイズに比例して自動的に変化させて操作経路画像５０の矢印の長さとすることにより、目的部位描画位置４８から目的部位座標４３に至るまで距離を反映させることができる。 The target site drawing position 48 and S _1, representing the coordinates as equation (1). Further, the target site coordinates 43 and D _1, represent the coordinates as equation (2). Here, when Expression 1 and Expression 2 are expressed by a row example of 4 rows and 4 columns, the coordinates of the target part drawing position 48 are expressed as Expression 3, and the coordinates of the target part coordinates 43 are expressed as Expression 4. It is expressed in When a transformation matrix from Equation 3 to Equation 4 is a determinant M ₁ , S ₁ , D ₁ , and M ₁ are expressed as Equation 6. That is, the vector indicating the distance and direction from the target site drawing position 48 up to the target site coordinates 43 is represented by the matrix equation M ₁ of equation (7). Therefore, the determinant M ₁ is computed by the number 7 expression. Specifically, the vector size is calculated as | M ₁ |

Calculated as By using such a determinant M ₁ , the parameter K reflecting the distance from the target part drawing position 48 to the target part coordinate 43 is expressed by the following equation (8). K in Equation 8 is an arbitrary coefficient. By automatically changing the coefficient k in proportion to the display size to the length of the arrow of the operation route image 50, the distance from the target part drawing position 48 to the target part coordinate 43 can be reflected.

（数２式）

(Formula 1)

(Equation 2)

（数４式）

(Formula 3)

(Formula 4)

（数６式）

(Formula 5)

(Formula 6)

（数８式）

(Formula 7)

(Formula 8)

  With reference to FIG. 3 thru | or FIG. 7, the other display form displayed on the display screen of the display part 16 is demonstrated. In addition, the part corresponding to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 mutually attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first display form. As shown in FIG. 3, a three-dimensional simultaneous display image 52 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 16. The three-dimensional simultaneous display image 52 is obtained by simultaneously displaying the target part image 21, the scanning range image 23, the probe mark 46, the target part drawing position 48, and the operation path image 50 according to the three-dimensional display coordinates 49. It is. The three-dimensional display coordinates 49 here correspond to a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system based on the position sensor 22. Such a three-dimensional simultaneous display image 52 is created by the guide image creation unit 20 of FIG.

  By displaying the three-dimensional simultaneous display image 52, the relative positional relationship between the target portion and the scanning plane can be grasped three-dimensionally. Furthermore, by referring to the operation path image 50 displayed in the three-dimensional space, the position and inclination of the probe 10 can be adjusted in accordance with the actual subject, so that the work of showing the target site in the ultrasonic image is more effective. More accurate and easy.

  4 and 5 are diagrams showing a second display form. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows a concept for creating a display image, and FIG. 5 shows a display form. As shown in FIG. 4, three planes 54, 56 and 58 are set on the three-dimensional display coordinates 49. The plane 54 here corresponds to a cross section parallel to the XY plane, the plane 56 corresponds to a cross section parallel to the XZ plane, and the plane 58 corresponds to a cross section parallel to the YZ plane. ing. An image obtained by projecting the target part image 21, the scanning range image 23, the operation route image 50, and the like on each of the planes 54, 56, and 58 is created by the guide image creation unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the projection image 54 a on the plane 54, the projection image 56 a on the plane 56, and the projection image 58 a on the plane 58 are displayed side by side with the ultrasonic image 60 on the display screen of the display unit 16 at the same time. The ultrasonic image 60 here is an ultrasonic image 60 output from the image processing unit 14 and is an image corresponding to the current scanning plane of the probe 10.

  The projected image 54 a shows a scanning range image 62 in the Z-axis direction, a target part image 64 in the Z-axis direction, and a display position mark 66 that indicates the position of the plane 54 on the three-dimensional display coordinates 49. The projected image 56 a shows a scanning range image 68 in the Y-axis direction, a target part image 70 in the Y-axis direction, and a display position mark 72 that indicates the position of the plane 56 on the three-dimensional display coordinates 49. The projected image 58 a shows a scanning range image 74 in the X-axis direction, a target part image 76 in the X-axis direction, and a display position mark 78 that indicates the position of the plane 58 on the three-dimensional display coordinates 49.

  According to the projected images 54a, 56a, and 58a, the relative positional relationship between the target portion and the scanning plane can be three-dimensionally grasped from a plurality of directions, so that the work of adjusting the position and inclination of the probe 10 is further simplified. Become. Furthermore, each component of the Z-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the X-axis direction of the arrow of the operation path image 50 may appear in each of the projection images 54a, 56a, and 58a. Thereby, the target position and target inclination of the probe 10 can be grasped from a plurality of directions. However, although the example which sets the planes 54, 56, and 58 orthogonal to each other was described, it is not limited to this form. For example, one or two or more planes may be appropriately set on the three-dimensional display coordinates 49 with a keyboard or the like, and the display plane marks 66, 72, and 78 are operated with a mouse or the like to arbitrarily change the position of the display plane. You can also.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third display form. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide image 40 in FIG. 2 and the three-dimensional simultaneous display image 52 in FIG. 3 are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 16 side by side on the ultrasonic image 60 at the same time. The ultrasonic image 60 here is an image corresponding to the current scanning plane of the probe 10, and is configured by the image processing unit 14.

  According to this, the position and the inclination of the probe 10 are adjusted with reference to the guide image 40 while the three-dimensional simultaneous display image 52 is referred to and the relative positional relationship between the target portion and the scanning plane is three-dimensionally understood. it can. As a result, the operation of showing the target portion in the ultrasonic image becomes more accurate and simple.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fourth display form. FIG. 7 is basically the same as the display form of FIG. 6, but differs from the case of FIG. 6 in that the display size of the guide image 40 and the three-dimensional simultaneous display image 52 is reduced and displayed. Thereby, the display range of the ultrasonic image 60 can be ensured while grasping the relative position between the target portion and the scanning range, the target position and the target inclination of the probe 10.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the guidance image and target part image which are displayed on the display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st other example of the display form to which this invention is applied. It is a 1st figure which shows the 2nd other example of the display form to which this invention is applied. It is a 2nd figure which shows the 2nd other example of the display form to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the 3rd other example of the display form to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the 4th other example of the display form to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic probe 12 Transmission / reception part 14 Image processing part 16 Display part 18 Image synthetic | combination part 20 Guide image creation part 21 Target part image 23 Scanning range image 40 Guide image 43 Target part coordinate 48 Target part drawing position 52 Three-dimensional simultaneous display image

Claims (5)

An ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the subject; a transmission / reception unit that supplies drive signals to the ultrasonic probe and processes reception signals output from the ultrasonic probe; An image processing unit for reconstructing an ultrasonic image based on a reception signal output from the transmission / reception unit, and a display unit for displaying the ultrasonic image,
Based on the position data of the target portion to be diagnosed or treated and the position data of the scanning surface of the ultrasonic probe, a guide for guiding the scanning range image corresponding to the scanning surface and the scanning surface to the position of the target portion An ultrasonic apparatus comprising means for rendering an image on a display screen of the display unit.   The rendering means renders an image showing a distance and direction from the scanning plane to the target site calculated based on position data between the scanning plane and the target site as the guide image. The ultrasonic device according to claim 1.   The ultrasound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rendering unit displays at least one of the scanning range image and the guide image in accordance with a three-dimensional display coordinate.   The said drawing means projects and displays at least one of the said scanning range image and the said guidance image on the 1 or 2 or more display plane set to a three-dimensional display coordinate, The display of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Ultrasonic device. The position data of the target part is determined in advance using at least one of an ultrasonic imaging device, an X-ray CT imaging device, a magnetic resonance imaging device, and a positron emission tomography device. The ultrasonic device described.

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