JP2009297346A - Ultrasonic observation apparatus, ultrasonic endoscopic apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic observation apparatus for easily acquiring ultrasonic tomographic images in which a puncture needle inserted into the body of a patient is displayed by emphasizing the puncture needle with high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic observation apparatus is equipped with a receiving circuit which performs processing on reception signals on the basis of ultrasonic echoes generated by ultrasonic beams reflected by a subject and the puncture needle, an image signal generating means which generates sound ray signals by performing reception focus processing on the reception signals and generates image signals based on the sound ray signal, and a puncture needle emphasis processing means which increases a level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echoes from a set guide line region and lowers a level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echoes from the other region by performing gain control based on a depth of a reflection point for each sound ray signal in accordance with the operation of a puncture needle emphasis operation means to display the puncture needle inserted into the subject along the guide line region in an ultrasonographic image by emphasizing the puncture needle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic observation apparatus for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image by connecting to an ultrasonic endoscope inserted into a patient's body for medical diagnosis, and such an ultrasonic observation apparatus and an ultrasonic wave. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus including an endoscope. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing program used in such an ultrasonic observation apparatus.

  Conventionally, puncture processing using an ultrasonic endoscope is performed by inserting an ultrasonic endoscope into a protruding state of a puncture needle protruding from the distal end of an insertion portion of an ultrasonic endoscope inserted into a patient's body. This is performed while confirming in real time in an ultrasonic tomographic image taken using a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (ultrasonic transducers) provided at the tip of the part. However, puncture processing using an ultrasonic endoscope is very difficult and requires an advanced technique.

  As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses an echo generation apparatus that clearly obtains an image of a catheter inserted into a patient's body using an ultrasonic (radiation) image apparatus. According to this echo generating apparatus, the acoustic impedance of the boundary layer disposed on the tube portion made of the matrix material is made different from that of the matrix material. However, such an echo generator has a problem that it cannot be applied to a conventional catheter or puncture needle because the configuration of the catheter is different from that of the conventional one.

Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a puncture needle in a living body with emphasis. According to this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, information on the puncture angle of the puncture needle acquired using the angle detector provided in the puncture adapter, and the luminance signal acquired based on the received signal of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic beam, From this, the position of the puncture needle in the living body is determined, and the reflection signal from the puncture needle is displayed in a highlighted manner on the monitor. However, such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is difficult to control because a special beam scanning is required, and an angle detector for acquiring the insertion angle of the puncture needle is required. There is a problem that it is not necessarily suitable for use in an endoscope.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-345015 (paragraph 0004, FIG. 1) JP 2004-208859 A (paragraphs 0006, 0017, 0018, FIG. 1)

  Therefore, in view of the above points, the present invention provides an ultrasonic observation apparatus and an ultrasonic endoscope that can easily and accurately obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image displayed by emphasizing a puncture needle inserted into a patient's body. An object is to provide a mirror device, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic observation apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is based on ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of ultrasonic beams transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers by a subject and a puncture needle. A receiving circuit that processes a plurality of received signals obtained, and an image that represents an ultrasonic image based on the sound ray signals by generating a plurality of sound ray signals by subjecting the received signals processed by the receiving circuit to reception focus processing. By performing gain control according to the depth of the reflection point for each sound ray signal according to the operation of the image signal generating means for generating the signal and the puncture needle emphasizing operation means, the ultrasonic echoes from the set guideline area are Increase the level of the sound ray signal based on, and decrease the level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echo from other areas, along the guideline area Puncture needle inserted to and a puncture needle enhancement processing means to be highlighted in the ultrasound image.

  An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic observation apparatus according to the present invention and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. And an ultrasonic endoscope in which a hole for projecting the puncture needle is formed.

  Furthermore, an image processing method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of reception signals obtained based on ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of ultrasonic beams transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers by a subject and a puncture needle. A method of generating a plurality of sound ray signals by performing a reception focus process on a reception signal processed by a reception circuit; In accordance with the operation of the puncture needle emphasizing operation means, by performing gain control according to the depth of the reflection point for each sound ray signal, the level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echo from the set guideline region is increased. (B) reducing the level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echoes from other areas, and the sound whose level is adjusted in step (b) Generating an image signal representing an ultrasound image based on the signal so that the puncture needle inserted into the subject is displayed in an enhanced manner in the ultrasound image according to the guideline. To do.

  In addition, an image processing program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of receptions obtained based on ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of ultrasonic beams transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers by a subject and a puncture needle. An image processing program for generating an image signal representing an ultrasonic image by processing a signal, and generating a plurality of sound ray signals by performing reception focus processing on the reception signal processed by the reception circuit (a) In accordance with the operation of the puncture needle emphasizing operation means, by performing gain control according to the depth of the reflection point for each sound ray signal, the level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echo from the set guideline region is increased. And (b) reducing the level of the sound ray signal based on ultrasonic echoes from other regions, and the sound whose level is adjusted in step (b) A step (c) for generating an image signal representing an ultrasonic image based on the signal so that the puncture needle inserted into the subject is displayed in an enhanced manner in the ultrasonic image according to the guideline. To run.

  According to the present invention, in accordance with the operation of the puncture needle emphasizing operation means by the operator, the sound control based on the ultrasonic echo from the set guideline region is performed by performing gain control according to the depth of the reflection point for each sound ray signal. Since the level of the line signal is increased and the level of the sound line signal based on the ultrasonic echoes from other areas is decreased, the puncture needle inserted into the patient's body along the guideline area is highlighted and displayed. A sound tomogram can be obtained easily and accurately.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same reference number is attached | subjected to the same component and description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus includes an ultrasonic endoscope 1, an ultrasonic observation apparatus 2, and a display apparatus 3.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 11, an operation portion 12, a connection cord 13, and a universal cord 14. The insertion portion 11 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 has an elongated flexible tubular shape so that it can be inserted into the body of a patient. The operation unit 12 is provided at the proximal end of the insertion unit 11, and is connected to the ultrasound observation apparatus 2 via the connection cord 13 and is connected to the light source device via the universal cord 14.

  The insertion portion 11 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is provided with an illumination window and an observation window. The illumination window is equipped with an illumination lens for emitting illumination light supplied from the light source device via the light guide. These constitute an illumination optical system. In addition, an objective lens is attached to the observation window, and an image guide input end or a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD camera is disposed at the imaging position of the objective lens. These constitute an observation optical system.

  At the distal end of the insertion portion 11 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1, a convex type ultrasonic transducer portion 11a in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged is provided. The ultrasonic transducer unit 11a transmits an ultrasonic beam according to a plurality of drive signals supplied from the transmission circuit 23 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 2 shown in FIG. The ultrasonic echo is received, and a plurality of reception signals are output to the reception circuit 24 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 2 via the connection cord 13. In addition, a hole through which the puncture needle 11b inserted from the treatment instrument insertion port 12a provided in the operation unit 12 protrudes is formed at the distal end of the insertion unit 11 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, the ultrasound observation apparatus 2 includes a console 21, a control unit 22, a transmission circuit 23, a reception circuit 24, a B-mode image signal generation unit 25, and a puncture needle enhancement processing unit 26. A digital scan converter (DSC) 27, an image memory 28, and a digital / analog converter (D / A converter) 29.

  The console 21 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 2 generates a control signal A for controlling the start / stop (freeze release / freeze) of the ultrasonic imaging operation using the ultrasonic endoscope 1 based on the operation of the operator. Output to the control unit 22. Further, the console 21 is provided with a puncture needle emphasizing button 21a so that the operator can emphasize the puncture needle in the ultrasonic image as necessary. When the operator operates the puncture needle emphasis button 21a, a puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B for instructing start / stop of the puncture needle emphasis operation in the ultrasonic image is output to the control unit 22.

  Based on the control signal A input from the console 21, the control unit 22 outputs a transmission control signal A1 for controlling the transmission operation to the transmission circuit 23, and also receives a reception control signal A2 for controlling the reception operation. Is output to the receiving circuit 24. Further, the control unit 22 generates a puncture needle emphasis control signal B1 for controlling the puncture needle emphasis operation based on the puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B input from the console 21, and the B mode image signal generation unit 25 and the puncture needle. The result is output to the enhancement processing unit 26.

  The transmission circuit 23 generates a plurality of drive signals based on the transmission control signal A1, and outputs these drive signals to the ultrasonic endoscope 1. In accordance with these drive signals, ultrasonic beams are transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic transducer unit 11a (FIG. 2) of the ultrasonic endoscope 1, and the subject is scanned. On the other hand, the reception circuit 24 amplifies a plurality of reception signals input from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic transducer unit 11a of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 with a predetermined amplification degree, and then analog / digital. By performing conversion (A / D conversion), the amplified received signal is converted into a digital received signal.

  The B-mode image signal generation unit 25 generates a plurality of sound ray signals by performing reception focus processing on the plurality of reception signals processed by the reception circuit 24, and generates an ultrasonic image (B-mode super-image) based on the sound ray signals. A B-mode image signal representing a tomographic image) is generated. The puncture needle emphasis processing unit 26 performs gain control according to the depth of the reflection point for each sound ray signal in accordance with the operation of the puncture needle emphasis button 21a by the operator, thereby performing ultrasonic echoes from the set guideline region. The puncture needle inserted into the subject along the guideline region is emphasized in the ultrasound image by increasing the level of the sound ray signal based on and decreasing the level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasound echo from other regions. To be displayed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the B-mode image signal generation unit and the puncture needle enhancement processing unit illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the B-mode image signal generation unit 25 includes a phase matching unit 51, a sound ray memory 52, and a detection unit 53. The phase matching unit 51 performs phase matching on the reception signal input from the reception circuit 24 and performs reception focus processing to form a sound ray signal (sound ray data) in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed down. The sound ray memory 52 stores the sound ray signal formed by the phase matching unit 51. The detection unit 53 performs an envelope detection process on the sound ray signal read out from the sound ray memory 52 or the sound ray signal whose level is adjusted by the puncture needle emphasis processing unit 26, so that a B-mode image is obtained. Generate a signal.

  The puncture needle emphasis processing unit 26 includes a correlation value calculation unit 61, a reference signal memory 62, a gain control unit 63, and a variable gain amplification unit 64. The reference signal memory 62 stores a plurality of reference signals (reference data) obtained by imaging the puncture needle 11b in advance. The variable gain amplifier 64 amplifies each sound ray signal with a variable gain.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of creating a reference signal. Here, the reference signal is obtained by imaging the puncture needle 11b in advance as described below. For example, after causing the puncture needle 11b to protrude into water at the same angle as the puncture angle used in the ultrasonic endoscope 1, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted toward the puncture needle 11b, and the ultrasonic beam becomes the puncture needle 11b. An echo signal that is reflected by the signal is measured.

  In FIG. 4, a plurality of ultrasonic beams are transmitted along sound lines n + 1 to n + k toward a plurality of positions P1 to Pk of the puncture needle 11b. A plurality of sound ray signals obtained based on echo signals generated by reflecting the ultrasonic beam at a plurality of positions P1 to Pk of the puncture needle 11b are referred to as reference signals Ref1 to Refk. These reference signals Ref1 to Refk are stored in the reference signal memory 62 (FIG. 3). However, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a reflected wave that is reflected in a direction different from the direction of the sound ray n + k at the position Pk, and this reflected wave causes an artifact.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating waveforms of a plurality of sound ray signals. In FIG. 5, the waveform of the sound ray signal obtained along the sound ray n + 1 to the sound ray n + k is shown, and the horizontal axis represents time (corresponding to the depth of the reflection point). The position and direction in which the puncture needle is inserted into the subject are set in advance, and the area where the puncture needle is inserted is displayed in the ultrasound image as a guideline area. Therefore, the operator may insert the puncture needle into the subject along the set guideline area. In FIG. 5, the time corresponding to this guideline area (the depth of the reflection point) is indicated by a broken line. In the waveform of the sound ray signal obtained along the sound ray n + 1 to the sound ray n + 3, the waveform existing in the guideline region is an original waveform representing the puncture needle, and the waveform existing in the other region is an artifact. This is due to the influence of the reflected wave.

  Referring to FIG. 3 again, the correlation value calculation unit 61 reads out the waveform represented by each sound ray signal generated by the phase matching unit 51 of the B-mode image signal generation unit 25 and the reference signal memory 62. A correlation value C with the waveform represented by the corresponding reference signal is calculated. Note that the correspondence between the sound ray signal and the reference signal may be determined based on the direction of the reception focus, or may be determined based on the maximum value of the correlation value C, as will be described later. good.

  The correlation value C can be obtained by various known methods, and in this embodiment, 0 ≦ C ≦ 1. The gain control unit 63 calculates the gain A for each sound ray signal in the variable gain amplification unit 64 based on the correlation value C calculated by the correlation value calculation unit 61. For example, the gain control unit 63 raises the level of the sound ray signal by setting A = 1 + C for the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echo from the guideline region, and based on the ultrasonic echo from another region. For the sound ray signal, the level of the sound ray signal is lowered by setting A = 1-C. The variable gain amplifying unit 64 amplifies each sound ray signal with the gain A calculated by the gain control unit 63.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a change in the correlation value calculated by the correlation value calculation unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a change in gain calculated by the gain control unit. 6 and 7, the horizontal axis represents time (corresponding to the depth of the reflection point). The correlation value C shown in FIG. 6 has a peak in areas other than the guideline area due to the influence of reflected waves that cause artifacts. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the gain control unit 63 illustrated in FIG. 3 increases the gain A in the guideline region based on the correlation value C, and decreases the gain A in other regions based on the correlation value C.

  Referring again to FIG. 3, when the operator operates the puncture needle emphasis button 21a to instruct a puncture needle emphasis operation, the detection unit 53 follows the puncture needle emphasis control signal B1 output from the control unit 22 (FIG. 1). A B-mode image signal is generated by performing envelope detection processing on the sound ray signal whose level is adjusted by the puncture needle enhancement processing unit 26. Alternatively, the detection unit 53 uses the three color signals (for example, the R signal, the G signal, and the B signal) constituting the B-mode image signal based on the sound ray signal whose level is adjusted by the puncture needle enhancement processing unit 26. The puncture needle may be displayed with emphasis in the ultrasonic image by increasing the amplitude of at least one of the color signals. In this case, the puncture needle is displayed in red, green, blue or the like.

  For example, the detector 53 represents the amplitude of the B-mode image signal obtained based on the sound ray signal read from the sound ray memory 52 with 0 to 255 gradations (8 bits) during normal operation. On the other hand, in the puncture needle emphasis operation, the detection unit 53 is based on the sound ray signal read from the sound ray memory 52 as shown in FIG. 8 in order to indicate the puncture needle 11b (FIG. 4) in red. The amplitude of each of the G signal and B signal obtained in this way is expressed by 0 to 200 gradations, and the amplitude of the R signal obtained based on the sound ray signal output from the puncture needle emphasis processing unit 26 is 255 gradations at maximum. Make it bigger.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the DSC 27 obtains the B-mode image because the B-mode image signal generated by the B-mode image signal generation unit 25 is obtained by a scanning method different from the normal television signal scanning method. The B-mode image signal output from the signal generation unit 25 is converted into a normal image signal (raster conversion).

  The image memory 28 stores the image signal output from the DSC 27. The D / A converter 29 converts the digital image signal read from the image memory 28 into an analog image signal and outputs the analog image signal to the display device 3. As a result, an ultrasonic tomographic image captured by the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is displayed on the display device 3.

  In the above, the control unit 22 and the B-mode image signal generation unit 25 to DSC 27 (except for the memory) are a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and software (an image processing program for causing the CPU to perform various processes). However, these may be constituted by digital circuits. As a recording medium for recording software, a hard disk, flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like can be used.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. Since the normal operation is the same as that of the normal ultrasonic endoscope apparatus, only the puncture needle emphasis operation will be described.
When taking an ultrasonic tomogram using the ultrasonic endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 2, the operator generates light from a light source connected to one end of the universal cord 14 and provides it at the distal end of the insertion portion 11. The illumination light is emitted from the illuminated window into the patient's body, and the insertion portion 11 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is inserted into the patient's body as the subject while observing the insertion state from the observation window. When the insertion portion 11 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 reaches the target position, the operator inserts the puncture needle 11b from the treatment instrument insertion port 12a and protrudes from the hole at the distal end of the insertion portion 11.

  Thereafter, the operator operates the console 21 shown in FIG. 1 to output a control signal A for starting the ultrasonic imaging operation from the console 21 to the control unit 22. The operator causes the control unit 22 to output a puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B for starting the puncture needle emphasis operation by pressing the puncture needle emphasis button 21 a of the operation console 21.

  Based on the control signal A, the control unit 22 outputs a transmission control signal A1 instructing the start of the operation of the transmission circuit 23 to the transmission circuit 23, and also receives a reception control signal A2 instructing the start of the operation of the reception circuit 24. The data is output to the receiving circuit 24. Further, based on the puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B, the control unit 22 outputs a puncture needle emphasis control signal B1 for starting the puncture needle emphasis operation to the B-mode image signal generation unit 25 and the puncture needle emphasis processing unit 26.

  The transmission circuit 23 generates a plurality of drive signals for transmitting ultrasonic beams from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic transducer unit 11a (FIG. 2) of the ultrasonic endoscope 1. The generated drive signal is output to the ultrasonic transducer unit 11a. Thereby, the ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer unit 11a toward the subject and the puncture needle 11b.

  A plurality of reception signals obtained by the ultrasonic transducer unit 11a receiving an ultrasonic echo generated by reflection of the ultrasonic beam by the subject and the puncture needle 11b are input from the ultrasonic endoscope 1 to the reception circuit 24. And converted into a digital received signal. This digital reception signal is input to the phase matching unit 51 (FIG. 3) of the B-mode image signal generation unit 25, and subjected to reception focus processing in the phase matching unit 51 to form a plurality of sound ray signals. The sound ray signal formed in the phase matching unit 51 is stored in the sound ray memory 52 and input to the correlation value calculation unit 61 (FIG. 3) of the puncture needle emphasis processing unit 26.

  In the correlation value calculation unit 61, the correlation between the waveform represented by each sound ray signal output from the phase matching unit 51 and the waveform represented by the plurality of reference signals Ref1 to Refk read from the reference signal memory 62. A value C is calculated.

  Here, the sound ray signal generated based on the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam transmitted toward the first position P1 (see FIG. 4) of the puncture needle 11b is represented by the first reference signal Ref1. Correlation value CRef1 with the waveform represented by the second reference signal Ref2, correlation value CRef2 with the waveform represented by the second reference signal Ref2, correlation value CRef3 with the waveform represented by the third reference signal Ref3, and fourth reference signal The correlation value CRef4 decreases with the waveform represented by Ref4.

  On the other hand, regarding the sound ray signal generated based on the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam transmitted toward the second position P2 (see FIG. 4) of the puncture needle 11b, the second reference signal Ref2 is used. For the sound ray signal generated based on the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam transmitted toward the third position P3 of the puncture needle 11b and having the maximum correlation value CRef2 with the represented waveform, refer to the third reference. The correlation value CRef3 with the waveform represented by the signal Ref3 is maximized, and the sound ray signal generated based on the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam transmitted toward the fourth position P4 of the puncture needle 11b is The correlation value CRef4 with the waveform represented by the four reference signals Ref4 is maximized.

  Therefore, the correlation value calculation unit 61 can determine the correspondence between the sound ray signal and the reference signal based on the maximum value of each correlation value. As a result, the correlation value calculation unit 61 displays the waveform represented by each sound ray signal generated by the phase matching unit 51 of the B-mode image signal generation unit 25 and the corresponding reference signal read from the reference signal memory 62. The correlation value C with the waveform represented by is calculated. The gain control unit 63 calculates the gain A for each sound ray signal in the variable gain amplification unit 64 based on the correlation value C calculated by the correlation value calculation unit 61, and the variable gain amplification unit 64 Each sound ray signal is amplified by the gain A calculated by 63.

  The detection unit 53 of the B-mode image signal generation unit 25 represents each amplitude of the G signal and the B signal in 0 to 200 gradations according to the amplitude of the sound ray signal read from the sound ray memory 52, and Depending on the amplitude of the sound ray signal output from the variable gain amplifying unit 64, the amplitude of the R signal is represented by 0 to 255 gradations. As a result, since the puncture needle 11b is displayed in red in the ultrasonic tomographic image based on the image signal raster-converted by the DSC 27, the operator positions the puncture needle 11b in the ultrasonic tomographic image displayed on the display device 3. The patient's affected area can be processed while easily checking.

  In the above, the case where the puncture needle emphasis button 21a is provided on the console 21 of the ultrasound observation apparatus 2 as shown in FIG. 1 has been described. For example, the puncture needle emphasis button 21a is disposed on the ultrasonic endoscope 1. The puncture needle emphasis instruction signal B may be output from the operation unit 12 to the control unit 22 of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 2.

  The present invention can be used in an ultrasonic observation apparatus or the like for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image by connecting to an ultrasonic endoscope inserted into a patient's body for medical diagnosis.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific structural example of the B mode image signal generation part and puncture needle emphasis processing part which are shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the preparation method of a reference signal. It is a figure which shows the waveform of several sound ray signals. It is a figure which shows the change of the correlation value calculated by the correlation value calculation part. It is a figure which shows the change of the gain calculated by the gain control part. It is a figure for demonstrating the RGB signal produced | generated by the detection part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic endoscope 2 Ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 Display apparatus 11 Insertion part 11a Ultrasonic transducer part 11b Puncture needle 12 Operation part 12a Treatment instrument insertion port 13 Connection code 14 Universal code 21 Console 21a Puncture needle emphasis button 22 Control part 23 Transmitting Circuit 24 Receiving Circuit 25 B-Mode Image Signal Generation Unit 26 Puncture Needle Enhancement Processing Unit 27 DSC
28 Image memory 29 D / A converter 51 Phase matching unit 52 Sound ray memory 53 Detection unit 61 Correlation value calculation unit 62 Reference signal memory 63 Gain control unit 64 Variable gain amplification unit

Claims (12)

A reception circuit for processing a plurality of reception signals obtained based on ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of ultrasonic beams transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers by a subject and a puncture needle;
Image signal generating means for generating a plurality of sound ray signals by subjecting the reception signal processed by the receiving circuit to reception focus processing, and generating an image signal representing an ultrasonic image based on the sound ray signals;
According to the operation of the puncture needle emphasizing operation means, by performing gain control according to the depth of the reflection point for each sound ray signal, the level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echo from the set guideline region is increased, A puncture needle that reduces the level of a sound ray signal based on ultrasonic echoes from other regions so that the puncture needle inserted into the subject along the guideline region is highlighted in the ultrasound image. Emphasis processing means;
An ultrasonic observation apparatus comprising: The puncture needle emphasis processing means is
Variable gain amplification means for performing amplification with variable gain for each sound ray signal;
A reference signal memory for storing a plurality of reference signals obtained by imaging the puncture needle in advance;
Correlation value calculating means for calculating a correlation value between the waveform represented by each sound ray signal and the waveform represented by the corresponding reference signal;
For sound ray signals based on ultrasonic echoes from the guideline region, the level is raised based on the correlation value calculated by the correlation value calculating means, and for sound ray signals based on ultrasonic echoes from other regions, Gain control means for controlling the variable gain amplification means so as to lower the level based on the correlation value calculated by the correlation value calculation means;
The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The reference signal is obtained by measuring in advance an ultrasonic echo generated by transmitting an ultrasonic beam toward a plurality of positions of a puncture needle arranged along the guideline. Ultrasonic observation equipment.   An amplitude of at least one of the three color signals used by the image signal generating means for displaying an ultrasonic image based on the sound ray signal whose level is adjusted by the puncture needle emphasis processing means. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the puncture needle is emphasized and displayed in the ultrasonic image by increasing the size of the puncture needle. The ultrasonic observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An ultrasonic endoscope connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus, having the plurality of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and having a hole for projecting a puncture needle;
An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the puncture needle emphasis operation means operated to emphasize and display the puncture needle in an ultrasonic image is provided in the ultrasonic endoscope. An image that generates an image signal representing an ultrasonic image by processing a plurality of reception signals obtained based on ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of ultrasonic beams transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers by a subject and a puncture needle A processing method,
A step (a) of generating a plurality of sound ray signals by performing a reception focus process on the reception signal processed by the reception circuit;
According to the operation of the puncture needle emphasizing operation means, by performing gain control according to the depth of the reflection point for each sound ray signal, the level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echo from the set guideline region is increased, Reducing the level of the sound ray signal based on ultrasonic echoes from other regions (b);
By generating an image signal representing an ultrasonic image based on the sound ray signal whose level is adjusted in step (b), the puncture needle inserted into the subject along the guideline is emphasized in the ultrasonic image. Step (c) to be displayed; and
An image processing method comprising: Step (b)
Calculating a correlation value between the waveform represented by each sound ray signal and the waveform represented by the corresponding reference signal (b1);
For sound ray signals based on ultrasonic echoes from the guideline region, the level is raised based on the correlation value calculated in step (b1), and for sound ray signals based on ultrasonic echoes from other regions, Step (b2) for lowering the level based on the correlation value calculated in step (b1);
The image processing method according to claim 7, further comprising:   Step (c) increases the amplitude of at least one of the three color signals used for displaying the ultrasonic image based on the sound ray signal whose level is adjusted in step (b). The image processing method according to claim 7, further comprising causing the puncture needle to be displayed highlighted in the ultrasound image. An image that generates an image signal representing an ultrasonic image by processing a plurality of reception signals obtained based on ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of ultrasonic beams transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers by a subject and a puncture needle A processing program,
A procedure (a) for generating a plurality of sound ray signals by performing a reception focus process on the reception signal processed by the reception circuit;
According to the operation of the puncture needle emphasizing operation means, by performing gain control according to the depth of the reflection point for each sound ray signal, the level of the sound ray signal based on the ultrasonic echo from the set guideline region is increased, A step (b) for reducing the level of the sound ray signal based on ultrasonic echoes from other regions;
By generating an image signal representing an ultrasonic image based on the sound ray signal whose level is adjusted in step (b), the puncture needle inserted into the subject along the guideline is emphasized in the ultrasonic image. Step (c) to make it displayed,
An image processing program for causing a CPU to execute Step (b)
A procedure (b1) for calculating a correlation value between the waveform represented by each sound ray signal and the waveform represented by the corresponding reference signal;
For sound ray signals based on ultrasonic echoes from the guideline region, the level is increased based on the correlation value calculated in step (b1), and for sound ray signals based on ultrasonic echoes from other regions, A procedure (b2) for reducing the level based on the correlation value calculated in the procedure (b1);
The image processing program according to claim 10, comprising:   Step (d) increases the amplitude of at least one of the three color signals used for displaying the ultrasonic image based on the sound ray signal whose level is adjusted in step (c). The image processing program according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising: displaying the puncture needle with emphasis in the ultrasonic image.

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