JP2013252345A - Ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which can save a user the trouble of setting when several ultrasonic images are lined up on the display in an appropriate mode.SOLUTION: An image processing section 205 forms ultrasonic image data on the basis of reflected waves of ultrasonic waves transmitted to a subject and forms display image data to be indicated on a display 207 on the basis of the ultrasonic image data. A control section 208 determines the luminance of a region in a superficial part and a region in a deep part respectively of an ultrasonic image specified by the ultrasonic image data. The control section 208 determines whether the several ultrasonic images should be displayed in a mode in which they are vertically arranged or should be displayed in a mode in which they are horizontally arranged on the basis of the result of determination. The image processing section 205 forms display image data so that the several ultrasonic images may be in a display mode determined by the control section 208.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that displays a plurality of ultrasonic images side by side on a single display screen in order to compare and display a plurality of ultrasonic images. These ultrasonic images are displayed side by side in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4282122

  By the way, in the scene of diagnosis by an actual ultrasonic image, the part of the ultrasonic image observed by the clinical department differs. For example, in orthopedic practice, only a relatively shallow portion is often observed. For this reason, it is preferable that an ultrasonic image is displayed while ensuring a sufficiently long display region in the azimuth direction. On the other hand, in internal medicine abdominal medical care, it is often observed from the shallow part to the deep part. For this reason, it is preferable to display an ultrasonic image while ensuring a sufficiently long display region in the depth direction. As described above, when a plurality of ultrasonic images are displayed side by side, the display mode of the ultrasonic images required by the department is different.

  However, when displaying a plurality of ultrasonic images side by side, setting the display mode in advance by a user such as a doctor or an engineer or setting each time the scene of diagnosis changes changes the time and effort required to make the setting. It is very cumbersome.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that can suppress the setting work of a user when a plurality of ultrasonic images are displayed side by side in an appropriate manner.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus.
An image processing unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on reflected ultrasonic waves transmitted to the subject, and generates display image data for display on the display unit based on the ultrasonic image data;
Based on the brightness of each of the shallow area and the deep area of the ultrasonic image specified by the ultrasonic image data, a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged in a vertically arranged manner, or arranged horizontally. A control unit for determining whether to set the display mode;
With
The image processing unit generates display image data so that the plurality of ultrasonic images have a display mode determined by the control unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the first aspect,
The control unit compares the brightness of each of the shallow region and the deep region and determines a display mode based on the comparison result.

The invention according to claim 3 is the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 2,
The control unit obtains and compares the average luminance of the pixels for each of the predetermined range of the shallow region and the predetermined region of the deep region, and determines a display mode based on the comparison result. And

The invention according to claim 4 is the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 2,
The control unit obtains and compares variations in luminance of pixels for each of a predetermined range of the shallow region and a predetermined range of the deep region, and determines a display mode based on the comparison result. And

The invention according to claim 5 is the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image processing unit is for displaying on the display unit in a single display mode for generating display image data for displaying one ultrasonic image on the display unit and in a display mode in which a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged vertically. And a dual display mode for generating display image data. When executing the dual display mode, an ultrasonic wave in which display magnifications of the plurality of ultrasonic images displayed on the display unit are displayed by the single display mode. It is characterized in that the same magnification display control for setting the display depth of the plurality of ultrasonic images is performed so as to be the same as the image display magnification.

The invention according to claim 6 is the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 5,
The control unit performs the same magnification display control when changing the display mode to be executed from the single display mode to the dual display mode, or displays the display depths of the plurality of ultrasonic images in the single display mode. Determining whether to perform the same depth display control to set the display magnification of the plurality of ultrasonic images to be the same as the display depth of the ultrasonic image to be performed,
The image processing unit displays the plurality of ultrasonic images on the display unit in a mode corresponding to the display control determined by the control unit when the display mode to be executed is changed from the single display mode to the dual display mode. The display image data is generated as described above.

The invention according to claim 7 is the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 6,
Whether the control unit designates a diagnostic target part in an ultrasound image during execution of the single display mode according to an input operation by the input part, and performs the same size display control according to the designated diagnostic target part. And determining whether to perform the same depth display control.

The invention according to claim 8 is the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The image processing unit generates display image data including an ultrasound image display area for displaying an ultrasound image and an object information display area for displaying information on the object,
The control unit sets the display layout of the ultrasound image display area and the subject information display area in each of the single display mode and the dual display mode,
The image processing unit generates the display image data with a display layout set by the control unit.

The invention according to claim 9 is the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image processing unit displays a single display mode for generating display image data for displaying one ultrasonic image on the display unit and a display mode in which a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged vertically or horizontally on the display unit. Display image data including an ultrasound image display area for displaying an ultrasound image and an object information display area for displaying information about the object. Generate
The control unit sets the display layout of the ultrasound image display area and the subject information display area in each of the single display mode and the dual display mode,
The image processing unit generates the display image data with a display layout set by the control unit.

The invention according to claim 10 is the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 8 or 9,
The control unit is configured to set a display layout of the ultrasonic image display region and the subject information display region in the dual display mode in accordance with an input operation by the input unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when a some ultrasonic image is displayed side by side in a suitable aspect, the effort of a user's setting can be suppressed.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a medical image management system according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining an image data generation process. It is a figure explaining a display layout pattern. It is a figure explaining a display layout pattern. It is a figure explaining a display layout pattern. It is a figure explaining a display layout pattern. It is a figure explaining the display image displayed on a display part. It is a figure explaining determination of the brightness | luminance of each area | region of the shallow part side area | region and deep part side area | region of an ultrasonic image. It is a figure explaining the display image displayed on a display part. It is a figure explaining the display image displayed on a display part. It is a figure explaining the display image displayed on a display part. It is a flowchart explaining the other example of an image data generation process. It is a figure explaining the display image displayed on a display part. It is a figure explaining the display image displayed on a display part. It is a figure explaining the display image displayed on a display part.

  Hereinafter, a medical image management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, in the following description, what has the same function and structure attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image management system 100 includes a RIS (Radiological Information System) 10, an ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus 20, a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) 30, and a client terminal 40. It has.
Each of the above devices is connected to be able to perform data communication via a communication network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The medical image management system 100 may be connected to a modality of a type different from that of the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 20, for example, CT (Computer Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Diagnostic Apparatus), CR (Computer radiography), DR (digital X-ray imaging apparatus), XA (angiographic X-ray diagnostic apparatus), ES (endoscopic apparatus), and the like.

  The RIS 10 performs information management such as medical appointment reservation, diagnosis result report, and results management in the medical image management system 100. The RIS 10 transmits imaging order information generated by an electronic medical chart system (not shown) or the like to the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 20.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 is an apparatus that displays and outputs an ultrasonic image of a state of a living body tissue of a patient (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a subject) in accordance with imaging order information received from the RIS 10. In other words, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 transmits ultrasonic waves (transmitted ultrasonic waves) to the inside of a subject such as a living body, and also reflects reflected waves of reflected ultrasonic waves (reflected ultrasonic waves: echoes) within the subject. Receive. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 converts the received reflected ultrasound into an electrical signal, and generates ultrasound image data based on this. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 displays the internal state in the subject as an ultrasonic image based on the generated ultrasonic image data. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 generates supplementary information related to the generated ultrasonic image data based on the imaging order information. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 appends the incidental information to the ultrasound image data, generates an image file composed of DICOM image data conforming to the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standard, and transmits the image file to the PACS 30. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 includes an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20a and an ultrasonic probe 20b. The ultrasonic probe 20b transmits transmission ultrasonic waves as described above and receives reflected ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20a is connected to the ultrasonic probe 20b via a cable 20c, and transmits an electric signal drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 20b, thereby causing the subject to be detected by the ultrasonic probe 20b. Transmit ultrasonic waves to the inside. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20a receives a reception signal that is an electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic probe 20b in response to the reflected ultrasonic wave from within the subject received by the ultrasonic probe 20b. Then, ultrasonic image data is generated as described above.

  The ultrasonic probe 20b includes transducers (not shown) made of piezoelectric elements, and a plurality of the transducers are arranged in a one-dimensional array in the azimuth direction (scanning direction), for example. In the present embodiment, for example, an ultrasonic probe 20b including 192 transducers is used. Note that the vibrators may be arranged in a two-dimensional array. Further, the number of vibrators can be arbitrarily set. In this embodiment, a linear electronic scan probe is used for the ultrasonic probe 20b. However, any of an electronic scanning method or a mechanical scanning method may be used, and a linear scanning method or a sector scanning method may be used. Alternatively, any method of the convex scanning method can be adopted. In addition, an ultrasonic endoscope (EUS: Endoscopic UltraSonography) in which an ultrasonic probe is provided at the distal end of the endoscope, and insertion / reception of ultrasonic waves from the inside of the subject inserted through the forceps opening of the endoscope A small-diameter ultrasonic probe (UMP: Ultrasonic Micro-Probe) or the like for performing the above can also be applied to this embodiment.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus main body 20a includes, for example, an operation input unit 201, a transmission unit 202, a reception unit 203, an image generation unit 204, an image processing unit 205, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 206, and a display unit. 207, a control unit 208, a storage unit 209, an I / F (InterFace) 210, and a communication unit 211.

  The operation input unit 201 includes, for example, various switches for inputting a command for instructing diagnosis, data such as personal information of a subject, and various parameters for displaying an ultrasonic image on the display unit 207, A button, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like are provided, and an operation signal is output to the control unit 208.

  The transmission unit 202 is a circuit that supplies a drive signal, which is an electrical signal, to the ultrasonic probe 20b via the cable 20c and generates transmission ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonic probe 20b under the control of the control unit 208. . The transmission unit 202 includes, for example, a clock generation circuit, a delay circuit, and a pulse generation circuit. The clock generation circuit is a circuit that generates a clock signal that determines the transmission timing and transmission frequency of the drive signal. The delay circuit sets a delay time for each individual path corresponding to each transducer, and delays transmission of the drive signal by the set delay time to focus a transmission beam constituted by transmission ultrasonic waves (transmission beam forming) It is a circuit for performing. The pulse generation circuit is a circuit for generating a pulse signal as a drive signal at a predetermined cycle. The transmission unit 202 configured as described above drives, for example, a continuous part (for example, 64) of a plurality (for example, 192) of transducers arranged in the ultrasound probe 20b. To generate transmission ultrasonic waves. Then, when acquiring an ultrasound image in the B mode to be described later, the transmission unit 202 performs scanning (scanning) by shifting the vibrator to be driven in the azimuth direction every time the transmission ultrasound is generated. Moreover, in this Embodiment, the transmission part 202 can generate the transmission ultrasonic wave by the pulse wave for displaying the ultrasonic image by a pulse Doppler method in the ultrasonic probe 20b.

  The receiving unit 203 is a circuit that receives a reception signal that is an electrical signal from the ultrasound probe 20b via the cable 20c under the control of the control unit 208. The receiving unit 203 includes, for example, an amplifier, an A / D conversion circuit, and a phasing addition circuit. The amplifier is a circuit for amplifying a received signal with a preset amplification factor for each individual path corresponding to each transducer. The A / D conversion circuit is a circuit for analog-digital conversion (A / D conversion) of the amplified received signal. The phasing addition circuit adjusts the time phase by giving a delay time to each individual path corresponding to each transducer with respect to the A / D converted received signal, and adds these (phasing addition) to generate a sound ray. It is a circuit for generating data. That is, the phasing addition circuit performs reception beam forming on the reception signal for each transducer to generate sound ray data.

  The image generation unit 204 includes a B-mode processing unit 204a and a Doppler processing unit 204b.

  The B-mode processing unit 204a performs envelope detection processing, logarithmic compression, and the like on the sound ray data from the receiving unit 203, adjusts the dynamic range and gain, and converts the luminance to convert the B-mode image data. Can be generated. In other words, the B-mode image data represents the intensity of the received signal by luminance.

  The Doppler processing unit 204b includes, for example, an orthogonal detection circuit, a sample hold circuit, a filter unit, and a frequency analysis unit, and can generate pulse Doppler image data using these. The quadrature detection circuit branches the sound ray data from the receiving unit 203 into two channels, multiplies the reference frequency by a mixer, and extracts a Doppler shift by a low pass filter (LPF), thereby obtaining a sound ray. Perform quadrature detection from the data. The sample hold circuit samples the sound ray data from which the Doppler shift is extracted by the quadrature detection circuit for a period corresponding to the position and width of the sample volume set as described later. The filter unit removes unnecessary frequency components from the sampled sound ray data. The frequency analysis unit performs FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) on the filtered sound ray data, performs frequency analysis, and outputs the result. The Doppler processing unit 204b can generate pulse Doppler image data as described above.

The image generation unit 204 outputs the B-mode image data and pulse Doppler image data generated as described above to the image processing unit 205.
In the present embodiment, the image generation unit 204 receives B-mode image data and pulsed Doppler image data, A-mode image data and M-mode image data, and image data by other Doppler methods such as a color Doppler method. You may make it produce | generate.

  The image processing unit 205 includes an image memory unit 205a configured by a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The image processing unit 205 stores the B-mode image data and pulse Doppler image data output from the image generation unit 204 in the image memory unit 205a in units of frames. Image data in units of frames may be referred to as ultrasonic image data or frame image data. The image memory unit 205a is composed of a large-capacity memory capable of holding frame image data for about 10 seconds. For example, ultrasonic image data for the latest 10 seconds is obtained by a FIFO (First-In First-Out) method. Can be held. The image processing unit 205 sets a display layout of a display image to be displayed on the display unit 207 according to an instruction from the control unit 208, and an ultrasonic image is arranged in a predetermined ultrasonic image display area of the set display layout. Display image data is generated such that information such as the name and imaging date of the sample, and a thumbnail image in which the stored ultrasonic image is displayed as a thumbnail are arranged in a predetermined object information display area. Details of the display layout will be described later. The image processing unit 205 generates the display image data described above every predetermined time, and outputs it to the DSC 206.

  The DSC 206 converts the display image data received from the image processing unit 205 into an image signal based on a television signal scanning method, and outputs the image signal to the display unit 207.

  As the display unit 207, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display, an organic EL (Electronic Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a plasma display is applicable. The display unit 207 displays an ultrasonic image on the display screen according to the image signal output from the DSC 206. In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, a single display mode for displaying one ultrasonic image on the display unit 207 and a method for displaying two ultrasonic images side by side vertically or horizontally on the display unit 207. Dual display mode can be implemented. In this embodiment, a 15-inch LCD having a white or full-color LED (Light-Emitting Diode) backlight is applied as the display unit 207. In addition, in LCD provided with the backlight of LED, for example, it may be comprised so that the brightness | luminance of LED may be adjusted by analyzing ultrasonic image data. At this time, one screen may be divided into a plurality of areas, and the brightness of the LEDs may be adjusted for each area. Moreover, you may make it implement the brightness | luminance adjustment of LED in the whole screen. In addition, any screen size applied to the display unit 207 can be applied.

The control unit 208 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 208a, and reads various processing programs such as a system program stored in the ROM. The data is developed in the RAM 208a, and the operation of each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 is centrally controlled according to the developed program.
The ROM is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor, and is a system program corresponding to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 and various processing programs that can be executed on the system program, such as an image data generation process described later. And various data such as a gamma table. These programs are stored in the form of computer-readable program code, and the CPU sequentially executes operations according to the program code.
The RAM 208a forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU and data related to these programs.

  The storage unit 209 is configured by a large-capacity recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example, and can store the ultrasonic image data generated as described above. Here, the storage unit 209 can store, as ultrasonic image data, still image data for one frame and moving image data generated to display moving images of several frames of image data. In addition to the HDD described above, a portable recording medium such as a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable) and a data read / write device such as a CD-R drive for recording data on the recording medium are provided. The unit 209 may be configured. Further, the storage unit 209 may store an image file made up of DICOM image data generated as described above.

  The I / F 210 inputs and outputs data with the printer PR that is a peripheral device. The I / F 210 outputs the ultrasonic image data transmitted from the control unit 208 to the printer PR.

  The communication unit 211 includes a LAN adapter, a router, a TA (Terminal Adapter), and the like, and transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as the RIS 10, the PACS 30, and the client terminal 40 connected via the communication network N.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PACS 30 is a database system that stores and manages image files and the like generated in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 and performs search and data analysis. The PACS 30 accumulates and stores the image file in, for example, a relational database based on incidental information included in the image file received from the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 20. Then, the PACS 30 searches the image file using the patient ID, examination ID, and the like designated in accordance with an operation instruction from the image interpretation doctor or the like as a search key, and outputs the image file to the image viewer or imager. When the PACS 30 receives an image file data acquisition request including a search key such as a patient ID and an examination ID from an external device, the PACS 30 searches for an image file corresponding to the acquisition request and transmits the image file to the external device.

  Next, image data generation processing executed by the control unit 208 of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 20 in the medical image management system 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. This image data generation process is a process executed in accordance with the execution of one examination by the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 20. For example, the image data generation process is executed according to a predetermined examination execution operation by an operator such as a doctor or a technician.

  First, when imaging order information is input from the RIS 10 and patient personal information is input by the operation input unit 201 (step S101), the control unit 208 sets a display layout (step S102). That is, the control unit 208 sets the ultrasonic image display area and the subject information display area in each of the single display mode and the dual display mode.

  More specifically, the control unit 208 first sets the display layout in the single display mode. At this time, the control unit 208 selects, for example, the display layout patterns shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C according to the operation by the operation input unit 201.

  In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 4A, an ultrasonic image display area in which one ultrasonic image is displayed is arranged at the center. Further, a basic information display area for displaying the patient's personal information is arranged above the ultrasonic image display area. Also, on the right side of the ultrasonic image display area, a thumbnail display area in which stored ultrasonic image data and ultrasonic images of moving image data are displayed as a list in a thumbnail format is arranged. In addition, a key function display area in which descriptions of functions of software keys and function keys are displayed is disposed below the ultrasonic image display area. In the description of the present embodiment, the basic information display area, thumbnail display area, and key function display area other than the ultrasound image display area may be referred to as a subject information display area.

  In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 4B, an ultrasonic image display area is arranged at the center, and a basic information display area is arranged above it. In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 4B, a key function display area and a thumbnail display area are arranged on the right side of the ultrasonic image display area.

  In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 4C, an ultrasonic image display area is arranged at the center, and a basic information display area is arranged above it. In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 4C, a thumbnail display area and a key function display area are arranged below the ultrasonic image display area.

  Next, the control unit 208 sets a display layout in the dual display mode. At this time, the control unit 208 first selects the display layout in the dual display mode for displaying the ultrasound image vertically from the display layout patterns shown in FIGS.

  In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 5A, an ultrasonic image display area A and an ultrasonic image display area B each displaying an ultrasonic image are arranged in the center in the vertical direction. A basic information display area is arranged above the ultrasonic image display area A. A thumbnail display area is arranged on the right side of the ultrasonic image display area A and the ultrasonic image display area B, and a key function display area is arranged below the ultrasonic image display area B.

  In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 5B, an ultrasonic image display area A and an ultrasonic image display area B are arranged vertically in the center, and a basic information display area is arranged thereabove. In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 5B, a key function display area and a thumbnail display area are arranged on the right side of the ultrasonic image display area A and the ultrasonic image display area B.

  Subsequently, the control unit 208 selects a display layout in the dual display mode for displaying the ultrasonic image on the left and right from the display layout patterns shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B).

  In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 6A, the ultrasonic image display area A and the ultrasonic image display area B are arranged at the center side by side on the left and right. In addition, the basic information display area is disposed above the ultrasonic image display area A and the ultrasonic image display area B. A thumbnail display area is arranged on the right side of the ultrasonic image display area B, and a key function display area is arranged below the ultrasonic image display area A and the ultrasonic image display area B.

  In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 6B, an ultrasonic image display area A and an ultrasonic image display area B are arranged side by side at the center, and a basic information display area is arranged above the ultrasonic image display area A. In the display layout pattern shown in FIG. 5B, a thumbnail display area and a key function display area are arranged below the ultrasonic image display area A and the ultrasonic image display area B.

  The display layout patterns in the single display mode and the dual display mode are not limited to those described above, and the arrangement of the display areas is arbitrary. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the display areas is selected from a plurality of predetermined display layout patterns. However, the operator may arbitrarily set the arrangement.

  In the present embodiment, since the display layout pattern can be set in advance, for example, a display image in which one ultrasonic image U is displayed on the ultrasonic image display area D as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7B, the ultrasonic image display area DL and the ultrasonic image display area DR are arranged side by side, and the ultrasonic image is displayed in a display layout pattern in which the thumbnail display area T is arranged on the right side thereof. When the UL and the ultrasound image UR are displayed, the width of the ultrasound image display area DL and the ultrasound image display area DR needs to be reduced by the width of the thumbnail display area T. Although an ultrasonic image having a sufficient width may not be displayed such that the left and right portions are outside the display area and are missing, as shown in FIG. If the display layout pattern is arranged in the vertical direction with the key function display area F below the ultrasonic image display area DL and the ultrasonic image display area DR, the ultrasonic image display area DL and the ultrasonic image Since the width of the display area DR can be increased, the ultrasonic image outside the display area can be reduced, and an ultrasonic image having a sufficient width can be displayed. 7A to 7C, the area arranged at the top is the basic information display area I.

  Next, the control unit 208 sets the display depth after setting the display layout as described above (step S103). Specifically, the control unit 208 sets the display magnification of the ultrasonic image when the dual display mode is set to the same display magnification as that of the single display mode (set to the same magnification display control), or single The display magnification is set so that an ultrasonic image having the same display depth as that displayed in the display mode is displayed (same depth display control).

  After various settings are performed as described above, the control unit 208 starts a scanning operation in the single display mode (step S104). That is, the control unit 208 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves using the transmission unit 202 and the reception unit 203, and generates ultrasonic image data using the image processing unit 205. Then, the control unit 208 causes the image processing unit 205 to store the generated ultrasonic image data in the image memory unit 205a for each frame. Then, the control unit 208 generates display image data based on the ultrasonic image data stored in the image memory unit 205a by the image processing unit 205, and generates the display image data on the display unit 207 based on the generated display image data. A display image as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. In the display image shown in FIG. 8, as described above, the ultrasonic image display area D, the basic information display area I, the thumbnail display area T, and the key function display area F are arranged. An ultrasonic image U is displayed in the ultrasonic image display area D, and a gauge image G indicating the display depth is displayed on the left side of the ultrasonic image U. In the present embodiment, the display depth can be arbitrarily changed by operating the operation input unit 201, and the display magnification of the ultrasonic image U is changed according to the display depth. The control unit 208 repeatedly executes the above operation in parallel in the subsequent processing. Further, during the execution of the scanning operation, for example, the ultrasonic image U displayed as a moving image can be displayed in a freeze display according to a predetermined freeze operation of the operation input unit 201. At this time, by performing a predetermined image saving operation, it is possible to save the ultrasonic image data relating to the freeze-displayed ultrasonic image in the storage unit 209 or the like. At this time, the ultrasonic image data may be processed and stored so that a body mark, which is an image showing a diagnostic region, is superimposed on the ultrasonic image.

  Next, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the dual display mode is turned on (step S105). Specifically, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the operator has performed a predetermined display mode switching operation by the operation input unit 201 to switch to the dual display mode.

  When the control unit 208 does not determine that the dual display mode is ON (step S105: N), the control unit 208 repeats the process of step S105 until it is determined that the dual display mode is ON. On the other hand, when determining that the dual display mode is ON (step S105: Y), the control unit 208 determines the luminance of the ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data acquired during the display mode switching operation. (Step S106). Specifically, the control unit 208 sets a shallow portion (upper) region and a deep portion (lower) region of the ultrasonic image from the acquired ultrasonic image data. For example, when an ultrasonic image as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained from the acquired ultrasonic image data, a shallow region and a deep region are set with a broken line in the figure as a boundary. And the control part 208 calculates | requires the average of the brightness | luminance of the pixel which comprises each area | region about each of the shallow part area | region and the deep part area | region. Then, the control unit 208 obtains an average difference in pixel luminance obtained for each of the shallow side region and the deep side region, and performs luminance determination based on how much the difference is.

Next, as a result of the brightness determination described above, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the difference between the average brightness of the shallow area and the average brightness of the deep area is greater than a predetermined value (n). (Step S107). For example, in an ultrasonic image obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from the abdomen of the subject as shown in FIG. 9A, a reflector such as an organ is present at a relatively deep portion of the subject. On the other hand, since there are few reflectors in the vicinity thereof, the average difference in luminance between the shallow region and the deep region is relatively approximated. As a result, it is determined that the difference between the average brightness of the shallow region and the average brightness of the deep region is not more than a predetermined value (n). On the other hand, for example, in an ultrasonic image obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to the subject's shoulder, elbow, etc. as shown in FIG. 9B, a rotator cuff or the like is placed in a relatively shallow portion of the subject. However, since there are few reflectors in the deep part, when the average difference in luminance between the shallow part region and the deep part region is obtained, the difference becomes relatively large. As a result, it is determined that the difference between the average brightness of the shallow area and the average brightness of the deep area is greater than a predetermined value (n).
In this embodiment, the luminance of each pixel has 256 gradations from 0 to 255, and the value (n) serving as the reference for the above determination is 50. However, it can be arbitrarily set. it can.

Further, in the present embodiment, the average of the luminance of the pixels constituting each of the entire shallow region and deep region is determined and the difference between them is determined. You may make it determine the difference of these, calculating | requiring the average of the brightness | luminance of the pixel which comprises respectively about a part of each area | region of the deep part area | region.
Further, brightness variation may be obtained for each of the shallow region and the deep region, and the determination may be made by comparing these. For example, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the luminance can be obtained as an index indicating the variation in luminance for each of the shallow region and the deep region, and these can be compared and determined. Further, a standard deviation or a double average square root (RMS) can be used as an index indicating luminance variation. At this time, when obtaining the variation in luminance, it may be obtained from the whole of each area, or may be obtained from a part of the whole of each area.

  When the control unit 208 determines that the difference between the average brightness of the shallow region and the average brightness of the deep region is larger than n (step S107: Y), the display mode is changed from the single display mode to the super display mode. The mode is switched to the dual display mode in which the sound wave image display areas are arranged in the vertical direction (step S108). At this time, the control unit 208 sets the display magnification of the ultrasound image displayed in each ultrasound image display area to a magnification that provides the display depth set in step S103. At this time, the control unit 208 displays the display screen in the dual display mode with the display layout set in step S102. In the dual display mode, for example, real time display of an ultrasonic image is performed in one ultrasonic image display area, and freeze display of the ultrasonic image is performed in the other ultrasonic image display area. In the dual display mode, for example, every time the above-described freeze operation is performed, an ultrasonic image for performing freeze display is updated. Further, for example, every time a predetermined active switching operation is performed by the operation input unit 201, an ultrasonic image display area for performing freeze display of an ultrasonic image and an ultrasonic image display area for performing real-time display of an ultrasonic image are provided. You may make it switch.

  For example, when the display magnification of the ultrasonic image in the dual display mode is set to be the same as the display magnification of the ultrasonic image in the single display mode, as shown in FIG. 10, it is arranged on the upper side of the display screen. The display magnifications of the ultrasonic image UU displayed in the ultrasonic image display area DU and the ultrasonic image UD displayed in the ultrasonic image display area DD arranged below are ultrasonic images in the single display mode, respectively. The display depth is set to be the same as the display magnification of the ultrasonic image U displayed in the display area D. The ultrasonic images UU and the ultrasonic images UD that do not fit in the ultrasonic image display area DU and the ultrasonic image display area DD are not displayed, and only the shallow image is displayed. Is done. The scales of the gauge image GU displayed in the ultrasonic image UU and the gauge image GD displayed in the ultrasonic image UD are the same as the gauge image G displayed in the single display mode.

  For example, when the display magnification of the ultrasonic image in the dual display mode is set to be the display magnification at which the ultrasonic image having the same display depth as that displayed in the single display mode is displayed, As shown in FIG. 11, the ultrasonic image UU displayed in the ultrasonic image display area DU arranged on the upper side of the display screen and the ultrasonic image UD displayed in the ultrasonic image display area DD arranged on the lower side. The display magnification of each is higher than the display magnification of the ultrasound image U displayed in the single display mode so that the entire ultrasound image U displayed in the ultrasound image display area D is displayed in the single display mode. Get smaller. The scale of the gauge image GU displayed on the ultrasonic image UU and the gauge image GD displayed on the ultrasonic image UD are also reduced in accordance with the display magnification of the ultrasonic image.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 208 does not determine in step S107 that the difference between the average brightness of the shallow region and the average brightness of the deep region is greater than n (step S107: N), the display mode is set to single. For example, the display mode is switched to the dual display mode in which the ultrasonic image display areas are arranged in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. 12 (step S109). At this time, the control unit 208 displays the display screen in the dual display mode with the display layout set in step S102. At this time, the display magnification of the ultrasonic image UL displayed in the ultrasonic image display area DL arranged on the left side of the display screen and the ultrasonic image UR displayed in the ultrasonic image display area DR arranged on the right side of the display screen. Are reduced display magnifications so that the entire ultrasound image U displayed in the ultrasound image display area D in the single display mode is displayed, but the ultrasound image display area in the single display mode. The display magnification may be the same as that of the ultrasonic image U displayed on D.

  Next, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the dual display mode is turned off (step S110). Specifically, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the operator has performed a predetermined display mode switching operation by the operation input unit 201 to switch from the dual display mode to the single display mode.

  When the control unit 208 does not determine that the dual display mode is OFF (step S110: N), the control unit 208 repeats the process of step S110 until it is determined that the dual display mode is OFF. On the other hand, when the control unit 208 determines that the dual display mode is OFF (step S110: Y), the control unit 208 changes the display mode to the single display mode (step S111), and executes the process of step S105.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the display mode of the ultrasonic image displayed in the dual display mode can be made suitable for the department, it is possible to improve the convenience of diagnosis using the ultrasonic image. Can do.
In this embodiment, since the display magnification of the ultrasonic image displayed in the dual display mode is set according to the display mode of the ultrasonic image, for example, only the shallow part of the ultrasonic image is observed, and the deep part is In orthopedic medical care that is hardly observed, an appropriate diagnosis can be performed by omitting the display of the deep part of the ultrasonic image and making the display magnification equal to that of the single display mode. Further, in the medical treatment area where there are many scenes where the entire ultrasound image is observed, the entire ultrasound image can be displayed even in the dual display mode, so that appropriate diagnosis can be performed.
Further, in this embodiment, when switching from the single display mode to the dual display mode, an appropriate display mode can be set based on the luminance of the ultrasonic image specified by the ultrasonic image data. An appropriate ultrasonic image can be displayed by omitting the switching operation, and convenience is improved.

  Next, another example of image data generation processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the patient personal information is input as described above (step S201), the control unit 208 starts a scanning operation in the single display mode (step S202). Here, the above-described display layout pattern and display depth may be set.

  Next, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the Doppler display mode is turned on (step S203). Specifically, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the operator has performed a predetermined Doppler display mode switching operation by the operation input unit 201.

  When the control unit 208 does not determine that the Doppler display mode is ON (step S203: N), the control unit 208 repeats the process of Step S203 until it is determined that the Doppler display mode is ON. On the other hand, when the control unit 208 determines that the Doppler display mode is ON (step S203: Y), it sets the sample volume (step S204). Specifically, when the display mode is switched to the Doppler display mode, for example, the control unit 208 performs display as illustrated in FIG. In other words, the control unit 208 displays the sample volume SV in which two parallel straight lines are displayed on the ultrasound image U. The position and interval of the sample volume SV can be arbitrarily set by operating the operation input unit 201, for example. By setting the sample volume SV, it is possible to display the blood flow velocity information in the region between the two straight lines.

  Next, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the set position of the sample volume is the shallow region of the ultrasonic image (step S205). When the control unit 208 determines that the position of the set sample volume is the shallow region (step S205: Y), the display mode is switched from the single display mode to the Doppler display mode (same size display) (step S205). S206). Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the control unit 208 displays an ultrasound image UU in the B mode in the ultrasound image display region DU on the upper side of the display screen, and displays the ultrasound image display region on the lower side. A pulse Doppler image PD, which is flow rate information of a blood flow in a range defined by the sample volume SV, is displayed on the DD. The pulse Doppler image PD is a spectrum display of the blood flow velocity in the range defined by the sample volume SV. At this time, since the position of the sample volume SV is set in the shallow region of the ultrasonic image, the display magnification of the ultrasonic image UU displayed in the upper ultrasonic image display region DU is set to the single display mode. The same as the ultrasonic image U in FIG. That is, the above-described same-size display control is executed.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 208 does not determine that the position of the set sample volume is the shallow region (step S205: N), the display mode is switched from the single display mode to the Doppler display mode (same depth display). (Step S207). However, at this time, since the position of the sample volume SV is set in the deep area of the ultrasonic image, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, it is displayed in the upper ultrasonic image display area DU. The display magnification of the ultrasonic image UU is a reduced display magnification such that the entire ultrasonic image U displayed in the ultrasonic image display area D is displayed in the single display mode. That is, the same depth display control described above is executed. As described above, when the display mode is switched from the single display mode to the Doppler display mode, at which magnification the ultrasonic image UU in the B mode is displayed (that is, displayed at the same magnification as the ultrasonic image U in the single display mode). Or in a single display mode, whether to display at a reduced magnification such that the entire ultrasound image U displayed in the ultrasound image display area D is displayed) at the position of the set sample volume By making the determination based on this, complicated operations by the operator can be eliminated, and convenience can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image processing unit 205 generates ultrasonic image data based on the reflected ultrasonic wave transmitted to the subject, and displays the ultrasonic image data based on the ultrasonic image data. Display image data to be displayed on the unit 207 is generated. The control unit 208 has a display mode in which a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged vertically based on the respective luminances of the shallow side region and the deep side region of the ultrasonic image specified by the ultrasonic image data, It is determined whether the display mode is arranged side by side. The image processing unit 205 generates display image data so that a plurality of ultrasonic images have the display mode determined by the control unit 208. As a result, when a plurality of ultrasonic images are displayed side by side in an appropriate mode, the time and effort of switching the display mode can be omitted, so that the time and effort of user settings can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 208 compares the brightness of the shallow region and the deep region, and determines the display mode based on the comparison result. As a result, it is possible to easily determine whether to display a plurality of ultrasonic images in a vertically arranged display manner or a horizontally arranged display manner.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 208 obtains and compares the average luminance of the pixels for each of the predetermined range in the shallow region and the predetermined region in the deep region, and based on the comparison result The display mode is determined. As a result, it is possible to appropriately determine whether to display a plurality of ultrasonic images in a vertically arranged display manner or a horizontally arranged display manner.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 208 obtains and compares the luminance variations of the pixels for each of the predetermined range of the shallow region and the predetermined region of the deep region, and based on the comparison result The display mode is determined. As a result, it is possible to appropriately determine whether to display a plurality of ultrasonic images in a vertically arranged display manner or a horizontally arranged display manner.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the image processing unit 205 arranges a single display mode for generating display image data for displaying one ultrasonic image on the display unit 207 and a plurality of ultrasonic images vertically. The dual display mode for generating the display image data to be displayed on the display unit 207 in the displayed mode can be executed. When the image processing unit 205 executes a dual display mode in which a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged vertically, the display magnification of the plurality of ultrasonic images displayed on the display unit 207 is displayed in the single display mode. The same magnification display control is performed to set the display depth of the plurality of ultrasonic images so as to be the same as the display magnification of the ultrasonic images. As a result, conventionally, for example, when switching from the single display mode to the dual display mode, the entire ultrasonic image is displayed in a reduced size, and the display magnification is made the same to improve the visibility. For this purpose, an enlargement operation or the like by the operator is necessary and complicated, but according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the same size display without performing such an operation. Can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 208 displays the same size when the display mode to be executed is changed from the single display mode to the dual display mode in which a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged vertically. The same depth display control that sets the display magnification of multiple ultrasonic images so that the display depth of multiple ultrasonic images is the same as the display depth of ultrasonic images displayed in the single display mode. Decide what to do. When changing the display mode to be executed from the single display mode to the dual display mode, the image processing unit 205 displays a plurality of ultrasonic images on the display unit 207 in a manner corresponding to the display control determined by the control unit 208. Display image data is generated as described above. As a result, it is possible to perform display settings of the ultrasonic image in a manner according to the convenience of the operator, such as the usage status and diagnostic part, and convenience is improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 208 designates a diagnosis target part in the ultrasound image during execution of the single display mode in accordance with an input operation by the operation input unit 201. The control unit 208 determines whether to perform the same magnification display control or the same depth display control according to the designated diagnosis target part. As a result, the display setting of the ultrasonic image in the dual display mode can be performed according to the site to be observed, so that convenience can be improved and better diagnosis can be performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the image processing unit 205 generates display image data including an ultrasound image display area for displaying an ultrasound image and an object information display area for displaying information about the object. . The control unit 208 sets the display layout of the ultrasonic image display area and the subject information display area in each of the single display mode and the dual display mode. The image processing unit 205 generates display image data with the display layout set by the control unit 208. As a result, an appropriate display screen can be displayed according to the display mode.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the display layout of the ultrasonic image display area and the subject information display area in the dual display mode is set according to the input operation by the operation input unit 201. As a result, the display layout in the dual display mode can be set according to the convenience of the operator, so that convenience is improved.

  The description in the present embodiment is an example of a medical image management system according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each functional unit constituting the medical image management system can be changed as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus is configured on the medical image management system. However, the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus may not be connected to the network.

  In this embodiment, the ultrasonic image is displayed by pulse Doppler. However, instead of this, an ultrasonic image can be displayed in the M mode.

  In the present embodiment, the display layout can be set for each of the single display mode and the dual display mode. However, the display layouts for the single display mode and the dual display mode are predetermined. There may be. Further, the display layout may be the same between the single display mode and the dual display mode.

  In this embodiment, the ultrasonic image display magnification is set in advance when the single display mode is switched to the dual display mode. However, such a function may not be provided. .

  In the present embodiment, when performing a dual display mode using a B-mode ultrasound image and a pulsed Doppler ultrasound image, the display magnification of the B-mode ultrasound image is set according to the position of the sample volume. However, the display magnification of the displayed ultrasonic image may be constant regardless of the position of the sample volume.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which a hard disk, a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As another computer-readable medium, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. A carrier wave is also used as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

20 Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 201 Operation input unit 204 Image generation unit 205 Image processing unit 207 Display unit 208 Control unit

Claims (10)

An image processing unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on reflected ultrasonic waves transmitted to the subject, and generates display image data for display on the display unit based on the ultrasonic image data;
Based on the brightness of each of the shallow area and the deep area of the ultrasonic image specified by the ultrasonic image data, a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged in a vertically arranged manner, or arranged horizontally. A control unit for determining whether to set the display mode;
With
The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus, wherein the image processing unit generates display image data such that the plurality of ultrasonic images have a display mode determined by the control unit.   The ultrasonic image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit compares the luminances of the shallow region and the deep region, and determines a display mode based on the comparison result.   The control unit obtains and compares the average luminance of the pixels for each of the predetermined range of the shallow region and the predetermined region of the deep region, and determines a display mode based on the comparison result. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   The control unit obtains and compares variations in luminance of pixels for each of a predetermined range of the shallow region and a predetermined range of the deep region, and determines a display mode based on the comparison result. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   The image processing unit is for displaying on the display unit in a single display mode for generating display image data for displaying one ultrasonic image on the display unit and in a display mode in which a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged vertically. And a dual display mode for generating display image data. When executing the dual display mode, an ultrasonic wave in which display magnifications of the plurality of ultrasonic images displayed on the display unit are displayed by the single display mode. The ultrasonic image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein equal-magnification display control for setting a display depth of the plurality of ultrasonic images is performed so as to be the same as a display magnification of the image. Diagnostic device. The control unit performs the same magnification display control when changing the display mode to be executed from the single display mode to the dual display mode, or displays the display depths of the plurality of ultrasonic images in the single display mode. Determining whether to perform the same depth display control to set the display magnification of the plurality of ultrasonic images to be the same as the display depth of the ultrasonic image to be performed,
The image processing unit displays the plurality of ultrasonic images on the display unit in a mode corresponding to the display control determined by the control unit when the display mode to be executed is changed from the single display mode to the dual display mode. The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display image data is generated as described above.   Whether the control unit designates a diagnostic target part in an ultrasound image during execution of the single display mode according to an input operation by the input part, and performs the same size display control according to the designated diagnostic target part. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein whether to perform the same depth display control is determined. The image processing unit generates display image data including an ultrasound image display area for displaying an ultrasound image and an object information display area for displaying information on the object,
The control unit sets the display layout of the ultrasound image display area and the subject information display area in each of the single display mode and the dual display mode,
The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing unit generates the display image data with a display layout set by the control unit. The image processing unit displays a single display mode for generating display image data for displaying one ultrasonic image on the display unit and a display mode in which a plurality of ultrasonic images are arranged vertically or horizontally on the display unit. Display image data including an ultrasound image display area for displaying an ultrasound image and an object information display area for displaying information about the object. Generate
The control unit sets the display layout of the ultrasound image display area and the subject information display area in each of the single display mode and the dual display mode,
The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit generates the display image data with a display layout set by the control unit.   The said control part sets the display layout of the said ultrasonic image display area and the said subject information display area in the said dual display mode according to input operation by an input part, The Claim 8 or 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. Ultrasound image diagnostic equipment.

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