JP2009039149A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which generates and displays a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of a diagnosed object having a width larger than the width of an ultrasonic probe in the long-axial direction. <P>SOLUTION: A holding member 21 holds the ultrasonic probe 1 so that its ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface faces the scanning surface of a scanning assistant device 24. A first probe guide 22 guides the holding member to move the ultrasonic probe 1 in its short-axial direction and detects the moved position of the ultrasonic probe, and a second probe guide 23 guides the first probe guide to move the ultrasonic probe 1 in its long-axial direction and detects the moved position of the ultrasonic probe. The two detected positional data and ultrasonic tomography data corresponding to the detected positions are stored in memory means 5. Data processing means 3 and 6 generate a three-dimensional image of a region to be diagnosed on the basis of the stored positional data and the ultrasonic tomography data, and displays the image on display means 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that moves an ultrasonic probe in a straight line and generates and displays a three-dimensional ultrasonic image from ultrasonic tomographic image data obtained in the process of linear movement.

  Conventionally, when a three-dimensional ultrasonic image is generated and displayed by moving an ultrasonic probe in a straight line, a scanning assist device that assists ultrasonic scanning may be used. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the auxiliary scanning device described in Patent Document 1 below. In FIG. 4, the scanning assisting device 90 is composed of a water bag 92 having a semi-rigid scanning surface 96 and filled with water 94. The water bag portion of the scanning assist device 90 is composed of elements that are adapted to the chest contour and provides good acoustic coupling between the scanning surface 96 and the chest 80. When imaging the underlying chest 80, the semi-rigid scanning surface 96 forms a linear path through which the ultrasound probe 10 is moved in the z direction.

  When a three-dimensional ultrasonic image is generated from ultrasonic tomographic image data obtained by moving the ultrasonic probe 10 in the z direction, the relative position of the ultrasonic probe in the z direction must be known. In order to achieve this, a linear motion detector placed on the scanning surface 96 is employed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the linear motion detection device 100. In FIG. 5, the storage unit 110 includes a linear sensor (not shown), and an elongated opening 112 is formed on the side thereof. A collar 114 for fitting the ultrasonic probe 10 is coupled to the linear sensor of the storage unit 110 by a rod member 116 that passes through the opening 112. The linear sensor of the storage unit 110 transmits a signal indicating the position of the ultrasonic probe fitted to the collar 114 via the cable 117 connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (not shown) by the connector 118. This is given to the main part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The storage unit 110 includes a strip of photosensors as a linear sensor and a series of light sources such as LEDs arranged to face the strip. As the collar 114 and rod member 116 move in the z direction, the rod member 116 blocks the light path between the LED and the light sensor at a location along the strip of light sensor. A signal indicating the blocking position is sent to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body.
JP-A-11-56845 (paragraphs 0020 to 0026)

However, in the above-described conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, only a three-dimensional image corresponding to the width in the long axis direction of the ultrasonic probe is obtained, and a three-dimensional object that is wider than the width in the long axis direction of the ultrasonic probe is obtained. There was a problem that images could not be obtained.
Further, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the means for detecting the position of the ultrasonic probe is composed of an optical sensor and a light source using an LED, there is a problem that many optical sensors and LEDs are required. There was also.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to generate and display a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of a diagnostic object wider than the width of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of simplifying the configuration of the position detecting means of the ultrasonic probe.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is obtained in the process of linear movement by moving an ultrasonic probe linearly along a scanning surface of a scanning auxiliary device that assists ultrasonic scanning of a diagnostic site. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating and displaying a three-dimensional ultrasonic image from ultrasonic tomographic image data,
A holding member for holding the ultrasonic probe with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe facing the scanning surface;
A guide unit that is placed on the scanning surface and forms a movement path in the short axis direction of the ultrasonic probe to guide the holding member; and a position detection unit that detects a movement position of the ultrasonic probe. A first probe guide;
A guide portion mounted on the scanning surface and configured to guide the first probe guide by forming a movement path in the long axis direction of the ultrasonic probe; and a position detection means for detecting a movement position of the ultrasonic probe. A second probe guide having
Storage means for storing each position data in the short axis direction and the long axis direction of the ultrasonic probe respectively detected by the position detection means, and data of the ultrasonic tomographic image corresponding to each detection position;
A data processing unit that generates a three-dimensional image of the diagnosis site based on the position data and ultrasonic tomographic data stored in the storage unit and displays the data on the display unit;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided.
With this configuration, since the ultrasonic probe can be linearly translated in an oblique direction between the short axis direction and the long axis direction, the ultrasonic wave of the diagnosis object wider than the width of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction A tomographic image can be collected, thereby obtaining an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of generating and displaying a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of a diagnostic object wider than the width of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction.

Further, according to the present invention, the position detecting means is formed in a linear shape on each of the guide portions, and a resistance film capable of applying a voltage to both ends, and the resistance film according to the movement of the ultrasonic probe. A moving terminal of the ultrasonic probe is detected based on a voltage generated at the sliding terminal.
With this configuration, since it is not necessary to use many photosensors and LEDs, the configuration of the position detection means of the ultrasonic probe can be simplified.

In the present invention, the holding member is engaged with both ends of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction, and the first probe guide has a box shape in which at least a pair of side walls are formed in parallel to each other. The holding member is slid using the pair of side walls as the guide portion.
With this configuration, the ultrasonic probe can always be translated.

In the present invention, the resistance film is formed on the inner surface of one of the pair of side walls.
This configuration simplifies the manufacturing process because a resistive film may be formed on a flat wall surface.

In the present invention, the box-shaped container can be filled with an acoustic coupling gel.
With this configuration, an ultrasonic probe having a curved surface such as a convex probe can be used.

  According to the present invention, since the ultrasonic probe can be linearly translated in an oblique direction between the short axis direction and the long axis direction, a diagnosis object wider than the width of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction can be obtained. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of collecting ultrasonic tomographic images and generating and displaying a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of a diagnostic object wider than the width of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction is provided. The

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 2 includes an ultrasonic probe 1, a received signal processing unit 2, a digital scan converter 3, a display unit 4, an image data memory 5, an image processing unit 6, and a probe guide 7. Among these components, the ultrasonic probe 1 transmits an ultrasonic wave, receives a reflected wave as an ultrasonic echo signal, and adds the ultrasonic echo signal to the reception signal processing unit 2. The received signal processing unit 2 performs processing such as amplification and detection on the ultrasonic echo signal added thereto. The image data memory 5 combines a plurality of continuous echo information data (acoustics) together with an ultrasonic echo signal signal-processed by the reception signal processing unit 2 and positional information of the ultrasonic probe 1 detected by a probe guide 7 described later. (Glandular data). The digital scan converter 3 uses the echo signal of the reception signal processing unit 2 and a plurality of echo information data stored in the image data memory 5 as B-mode ultrasonic tomographic image frame data of an arbitrary cross section of the diagnosis site. Convert the format so that it can be displayed. The image processing unit 6 constructs three-dimensional image data based on the plurality of echo information data (acoustic ray data) stored in the image data memory 5 and the position information of the ultrasonic probe 1 and stores them again in the image data memory 5. Let The 3D image data stored in the image data memory 5 is converted in format by the digital scan converter 3 and displayed on the display unit 4 in the same manner as the B-mode ultrasonic tomographic image frame data.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the probe guide 7 together with related elements. In FIG. 1, an ultrasonic probe 1 is a linear array type in which array transducers are linearly arranged in the x direction, and is longer in the x direction (arrangement direction of transducers) than in the z direction (elevation direction). It has an ultrasonic transmission / reception surface. In general, the z direction is referred to as a minor axis direction, and the x direction is referred to as a major axis direction. The probe guide 7 is composed of a probe guide 22 for moving in the short axis direction and a probe guide 23 for moving in the long axis direction, which are mounted on the scanning surface 25 of the water bag 24 as an apparatus for assisting ultrasonic scanning of the diagnosis site. Is placed.

  The probe guide 22 for moving in the short axis direction is a box-shaped container in which side walls facing in the x direction are formed in parallel to each other, and is placed in a state where the outer bottom surface is in contact with the scanning surface 25. The ultrasonic probe 1 is inserted into the probe guide 22 for moving in the short axis direction via a vertical holding member 21. The vertical holding member 21 holds the axis perpendicular to the scanning surface 25 so that the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe 1 faces the scanning surface 25. The both ends are engaged. These vertical holding members 21 are in contact with a pair of side walls in the x direction of the probe guide 22 for moving in the short axis direction, that is, guide portions forming a linear movement path, and move in the z direction together with the ultrasonic probe 1. It is formed as follows. In addition, on the inner surface of one side wall in the x direction of the probe guide 22 for moving in the short axis direction, in order to obtain movement information in the short axis direction of the ultrasonic probe 1, a linear resistance film 31 and a conductor film 32 are parallel. Is formed.

  On the other hand, the long-axis direction moving probe guide 23 is formed in a frame shape whose side walls facing in the z-direction are parallel to each other, and a short-axis-direction moving probe guide 22 is fitted therein, and this short-axis direction moving probe guide 22 is configured to move in the x direction. In this case, the pair of side walls of the probe guide 22 for short-axis direction movement in the z-direction contacts the pair of side walls in the z-direction of the probe guide 23 for long-axis direction movement, that is, a guide portion that forms a linear movement path. Move while. Further, the inner surface of one side wall in the z direction of the long axis direction probe guide 23 is the same as that formed in the short axis direction probe guide 22 in order to obtain the long axis direction movement information of the ultrasonic probe 1. The resistance film and the conductor film are formed in parallel.

  As described above, the frame-shaped long-axis direction moving probe guide 23 is placed on the scanning surface 25 of the water bag 24, and the box-shaped short-axis direction moving probe guide 22 is fitted therein, and further held vertically. When the ultrasonic probe 1 is fitted into the short-axis-direction moving probe guide 22 via the member 21, the ultrasonic probe 1 can be moved in both the z direction and the x direction. The ultrasonic probe 1 can be translated linearly in an oblique direction.

  Here, an acoustic binder such as gel is applied to the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe 1, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received through the acoustic binder. If the ultrasonic probe 1 uses a probe having a curved ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface such as a convex probe, a gel is inserted inside the container, and the curved surface is filled with the gel to achieve acoustic coupling. .

  Next, referring to FIG. 3 for obtaining position information of the ultrasonic probe 1 using the resistance film 31 and the conductor film 32 formed on the probe guide 22 for short axis direction movement and the probe guide 23 for long axis direction movement, respectively. This will be described below. Both ends of the resistance film 31 formed on the probe guide 22 for moving in the short axis direction are connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 40 via a pair of terminals 34 (only one is shown), and the conductor film 32 One end is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 40 via a terminal 35. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 40 applies a voltage V across the resistance film 31. A sliding terminal 33 is mounted on the vertical holding member 21, and the sliding terminal 33 moves in the left-right direction of the drawing while being in contact with both the resistance film 31 and the conductor film 32.

Here, the total length of the probe guide 22 for moving in the short axis direction (approximately equal to the total length of the resistance film 31 and the conductor film 32) is L, the resistivity of the resistance film 31 is k, the cross-sectional area is S, and both ends of the resistance film 31 are If the applied voltage is V, the GND side of the voltage V is the origin, the distance to the sliding terminal 33 is x, the voltage at a point separated by the distance x is Vx, and the resistance value is Rx, then the relationship To establish.
Vx = Rx · I = Rx · (V / R)
Here, since R = k · (L / S), Rx = k · (x / S)
Vx = k · (x / S) · [V / {k · (L / S)}]
= (X / L) · V
x = L (Vx / V) (1)
In the formula (1), since L and V are both known values, x can be obtained by measuring Vx. Since Vx is an analog value, Vx is digitized. In this case, a continuous value can be obtained by increasing the resolution of the A / D converter.

  The analog value voltage Vx is taken into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 40 via the sliding terminal 33, the conductor film 32, and the terminal 35, and further digitized to perform three-dimensional image processing as position information in the short axis direction. It is sent to the processing unit 6 and used as a parameter for constructing a three-dimensional image. The long axis direction probe guide 23 is provided with the same resistance film, conductor film and sliding terminal as described above, and the short axis direction probe guide 22 is moved in the x direction. Thus, a voltage corresponding to the moving position of the ultrasonic probe 1 is taken into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 40. This voltage is further digitized and sent to the image processing unit 6 that performs three-dimensional image processing as position information in the long axis direction, and is used as a parameter for constructing a three-dimensional image.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, position information of the short axis direction and the long axis direction of the ultrasonic probe can be extracted, and the width of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction can be extracted. Data of a wide range of diagnostic tomographic images can be collected, and a three-dimensional image can be constructed and displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, both ends of the ultrasonic probe 1 in the long axis direction are held by the vertical holding member 21, and the vertical holding member 21 is moved inside the short axis direction moving probe guide 22 formed in a box shape. The ultrasonic probe 1 is obliquely moved by sliding in the x direction and sliding the short axis direction moving probe guide 22 in the x direction inside the long axis direction moving probe guide 23 formed in a frame shape. However, in principle, both ends of the ultrasonic probe 1 in the short axis direction are held by the vertical holding members 21, and a long axis moving probe guide (not shown) is formed in a box shape. The vertical holding member is slid in the x direction, and the long axis moving probe guide is slid in the z direction inside the short axis moving probe guide (not shown) formed in a frame shape. Super sound It can be moved in parallel to the probe 1 in an oblique direction.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention uses ultrasonic tomographic images obtained by linearly moving an ultrasonic probe to obtain ultrasonic tomographic image data in a wider range than the width of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction. Since it can be collected and its three-dimensional image can be constructed and displayed, it can be used in the medical field such as ultrasonic diagnosis.

The perspective view which showed the detailed structure of the probe guide of one Embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device based on this invention together with the related element. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of one Embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention Explanatory drawing which acquires the movement position information of an ultrasonic probe using the resistance film and conductor film of the probe guide which constitute one embodiment of the present invention Longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of a scanning auxiliary device of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus The perspective view which shows the structure of the linear motion detection apparatus of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Received signal processing part 3 Digital scan converter (data processing means)
4 Display unit 5 Image data memory 6 Image processing unit (data processing means)
7 Probe guide 21 Vertical holding member 22 Probe guide for short axis direction movement (first probe guide)
23 Longitudinal movement probe guide (second probe guide)
24 Water Bag (Scanning Auxiliary Device)
25 Scanning surface 31 Resistive film 32 Conductor film 33 Sliding terminal 34, 35 terminal 40 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body

Claims (5)

The ultrasonic probe is moved linearly along the scanning surface of the scanning assistance device that assists the ultrasonic scanning of the diagnosis site, and the three-dimensional ultrasonic image is obtained from the ultrasonic tomographic image data obtained during the linear movement process. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates and displays,
A holding member for holding the ultrasonic probe with the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe facing the scanning surface;
A guide unit that is placed on the scanning surface and forms a movement path in the short axis direction of the ultrasonic probe to guide the holding member; and a position detection unit that detects a movement position of the ultrasonic probe. A first probe guide;
A guide portion mounted on the scanning surface and configured to guide the first probe guide by forming a movement path in the long axis direction of the ultrasonic probe; and a position detection means for detecting a movement position of the ultrasonic probe. A second probe guide having
Storage means for storing each position data in the short axis direction and the long axis direction of the ultrasonic probe respectively detected by the position detection means, and data of the ultrasonic tomographic image corresponding to each detection position;
A data processing unit that generates a three-dimensional image of the diagnosis site based on the position data and ultrasonic tomographic data stored in the storage unit and displays the data on the display unit;
Equipped with ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   The position detecting means is formed in a linear shape on each of the guide parts, and can be applied with a voltage at both ends, and a sliding sliding contact with the resistive film according to the movement of the ultrasonic probe The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a terminal, wherein the moving position of the ultrasonic probe is detected based on a voltage generated at the sliding terminal.   The holding member is engaged with both ends of the ultrasonic probe in the long axis direction, and the first probe guide is a box-shaped container in which at least a pair of side walls are formed in parallel to each other, The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is slid using the side wall of the guide as the guide portion.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the resistance film is formed on an inner surface of one of the pair of side walls.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the box-shaped container enables filling of an acoustic coupling gel.