JP3893064B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to changing operating conditions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, various conditions such as transmission / reception conditions, signal processing conditions, and display conditions can be set by the user. Specifically, examples of such conditions include various parameters such as transmission frequency, gain (gain), resolution, filter characteristics, contrast, and color table.
[0003]
When these conditions are set by the user, generally, a specific menu item (for example, B-mode image quality) is selected as a parameter on the main menu screen. Then, since a list including a plurality of item elements (for example, a high resolution mode, a normal resolution mode, and a high sensitivity mode) is displayed as a parameter value, a specific item element is selected from the list. Based on the selection, various conditions such as transmission / reception conditions are updated. In some menu items, the item element may be a numerical value (for example, gain).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional method, an ultrasonic image under a new operation condition cannot be displayed unless an item element is actually selected. In other words, it is impossible to visually recognize what kind of ultrasonic image is obtained before selecting each item element. For this reason, in order to obtain an ultrasonic image having a desired image quality, selection of item elements may have to be repeated, in which case the operation becomes extremely complicated. Furthermore, in such an operation process, there is a problem that the consciousness tends to concentrate on the operation, and the contact state of the ultrasonic probe to the living body is inadvertently changed.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide convenience for a user when changing operating conditions.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to enable desired operating conditions to be set in a short time.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to select a favorable operating condition after visually comparing and observing a plurality of ultrasonic images corresponding to a plurality of operating conditions.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) To achieve the above object, the present invention performs the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves, and transducing means for outputting a received signal, Ruyu Za settable plurality of items to the relationship to the image quality of the ultrasound image Selection candidate specifying means for specifying a plurality of item elements as selection candidates for the target item, and a plurality of ultrasonic waves corresponding to the plurality of item elements specified by the selection candidate specifying means based on the received signal Refer to the image forming means for forming an image, the display means for displaying the plurality of ultrasonic images in order to allow the user to select any one of the plurality of item elements, and the plurality of ultrasonic images. A selection means for selecting an effective item element that is operated by a user who will be effective in the future from among the plurality of item elements, and the plurality of ultrasonic images are items about the target item. Created by making the item elements for the other items the same while making the elements different from each other, each is an image of the same format representing the same part in the living body, and the selection means selects the effective item element After that, an ultrasonic image corresponding to the effective item element is displayed .
[0009]
According to the above configuration, when an item element is actually selected, a plurality of ultrasonic images having different image quality corresponding to the plurality of item elements are displayed. The user can select appropriate item elements after visually comparing and evaluating those ultrasonic images, or can narrow down the item elements to be selected. The ultrasonic image is, for example, a two-dimensional tomographic image (B mode image), a two-dimensional Doppler image, a three-dimensional image, an M-mode image, or the like. Since each ultrasonic image is formed based on a reception signal obtained by actually transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, the selection of item elements becomes more accurate.
[0010]
In the above configuration, among the many items that can be set by the user, only the settings (item elements) of the items (target items) currently targeted for user settings are different from each other, and the settings for the other items A plurality of ultrasonic images are formed with the same (item element) . According to this configuration, it is possible to correctly evaluate a plurality of item elements that are evaluation targets. However, the above-described configuration can also be adopted in the case where a plurality of items are set as the user setting targets currently being set and these are set collectively.
[0011]
Note that an ultrasonic image corresponding to all selectable item elements may be formed for the items to be set, or when there are a large number of selectable item elements (for example, numerical setting In some cases, some representative values may be selected from them and an ultrasonic image corresponding to them may be formed. In the latter case, after selecting one of the representative values, a more detailed set value is finally designated by the same method or by the same numerical value selection as in the past.
[0012]
In the above-described configuration, the effective item element by the selection unit includes a selection unit that is operated by a user who refers to the plurality of ultrasonic images and selects an effective item element that is effective in the future from the plurality of item elements. After the selection, an ultrasonic image corresponding to the effective item element is displayed. According to this configuration, when an item element is selected, the operation condition of the apparatus is updated immediately or with a predetermined operation.
[0013]
Preferably, the selection unit allows a user to select a specific ultrasound image from the plurality of ultrasound images, and sets an item element corresponding to the user-selected ultrasound image as the effective item element. According to this configuration, an item element can be selected by selecting an image, so that a simple and error-free selection can be performed.
[0014]
Preferably, the plurality of ultrasonic images are formed based on the same received signal. According to this configuration, a plurality of ultrasonic images based on the same received signal are formed, and the difference in image quality between images can be more accurately evaluated.
[0015]
Preferably, the plurality of ultrasonic images are formed based on different received signals. In this case, for example, the operating conditions of the apparatus are switched in a time division manner.
[0016]
In the above configuration, the plurality of ultrasonic image images are images of the same format representing the same part. According to this configuration, it is possible to more accurately compare the image quality of the ultrasonic image.
[0017]
Preferably, at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic images is displayed as a moving image continuously or intermittently. Preferably, at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic images is displayed as a still image that is updated at a constant period.
[0018]
Preferably, the plurality of item elements include an effective item element that is currently effective, and one or more other item elements, and the plurality of ultrasonic images include the currently effective element. Current effective images corresponding to the effective item elements and one or more sample images corresponding to the one or more other item elements. If the current effective image is displayed, the necessity of the update itself and the change in image quality due to the update can be determined more accurately.
[0019]
Preferably, the size of the one or more sample images is smaller than the size of the current effective image. Preferably, the one or more sample images are images corresponding to an area set in the current effective image. That is, the image area of the current effective image and the sample image may be the same, or the relationship between the entire image and the partial image may be present.
[0020]
Preferably, the size of each sample image is determined according to the number of sample images. Preferably, the sizes of the plurality of ultrasonic images are determined according to the number of them.
[0021]
Preferably, the display means includes a plurality of display devices. Preferably, the display means includes a first display device that displays the current effective image, and a second display device that displays the one or more sample images. Preferably, the first display device is a main display device provided separately from an operation panel operated by a user, and the second display device is an auxiliary display device provided on the operation panel.
[0022]
(2) Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is based on the received signal while differentiating item elements for the target item among a plurality of user-configurable items related to the image quality of the ultrasonic image. Image forming means for forming a plurality of ultrasonic images corresponding to a plurality of operating conditions by making the item elements for the other items identical to each other, and a menu screen for creating a menu screen including the plurality of ultrasonic images An operation that uses a creation unit, a selection unit for selecting a specific ultrasound image from the menu screen as a user, and an operation condition corresponding to the ultrasound image selected by the selection unit as an effective operation condition in the future viewed contains a control unit, and wherein said plurality of ultrasonic image is an image of the same type representing the same portion of each in-vivo.
[0023]
The concept of the operating condition includes a condition regarding image quality, a condition regarding image format, and the like.
[0024]
Preferably, each of the ultrasonic images constituting the menu screen is updated at a constant cycle with a display frame cycle as a unit. Preferably, at least one ultrasonic image constituting the menu screen is displayed as a moving image or a still image according to a certain sequence.
[0025]
(3) Further, in order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention relates to the other items while differentiating the item elements of the target item among the plurality of user-configurable items related to the image quality of the ultrasonic image. A sample image generating unit that generates a plurality of sample images corresponding to a plurality of different operating conditions by making the item elements identical to each other, and a menu screen including the plurality of sample images generated by the sample image generating unit are created Menu screen creation means, selection means for user-selection of a specific sample image from the menu screen, and operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on operating conditions corresponding to the sample image selected by the selection means seen including an operation control means for controlling, a same plurality of ultrasound image representing the same portion of each in-vivo Characterized in that it is a form image.
[0026]
According to the above configuration, since the sample images corresponding to each operation condition are displayed before actually selecting the operation condition, it is possible to select an operation condition that will be effective in the future after performing a comparative evaluation of the sample image. . The sample image may be stored as image data in the storage unit, or may be created from an actual received signal.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration thereof.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, a probe 20 is an ultrasonic probe that is used in contact with the surface of a living body or is inserted into a body cavity. Inside the probe 20, an array transducer composed of a plurality of transducer elements is provided. An ultrasonic beam is formed using this array transducer, and the ultrasonic beam is electronically scanned. Thereby, a scanning plane which is a two-dimensional data capturing area is formed. The transmission unit 22 functions as a transmission beam former in this embodiment, and a plurality of drive signals are supplied from the transmission unit 22 to a plurality of vibration elements with a predetermined delay relationship. The receiving unit 24 functions as a reception beamformer, executes a phasing addition process on the reception signals output from the plurality of vibration elements, and outputs a reception signal after phasing addition.
[0030]
The image forming unit 26 is a unit that executes signal processing or predetermined calculation for forming an ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image or a color flow mapping image. The display processing unit 28 is configured as a digital scan converter, for example, and is a module that configures a display image to be displayed on the display unit 34. Various ultrasonic images such as a B-mode image, a color flow mapping image, an M-mode image, and a Doppler image are displayed on the display unit 34 as the ultrasonic image.
[0031]
The control unit 30 functions as a controller and performs operation control of each component included in the apparatus. The input unit 32 includes an operation panel and a keyboard, and the user can use the input unit 32 to give various commands and data to the control unit 30. The storage unit 36 is connected to the control unit 30, and data necessary for various types of control or processing is stored on the storage unit 36. As will be described later, when performing user setting of parameters, a plurality of ultrasonic images are displayed as candidate images. In that case, the stored image data may be used as necessary. The storage unit 36 stores image data for that purpose.
[0032]
The control unit 30 controls the operation of the apparatus as described above, but there are various types of operation conditions. In addition, many of the operating conditions that can be set by the user are included. For example, various conditions such as transmission / reception conditions, signal processing conditions, and display conditions. Specifically, various parameter values such as transmission frequency, gain (gain), resolution, filter characteristics, contrast, and color table are selected. Can do. In this case, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, items are sequentially traced from the main menu, and necessary item elements are selected using a keyboard or the like. Therefore, in such selection, the image quality or state of the ultrasonic image after selection cannot be recognized in advance.
[0033]
On the other hand, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, when selecting an item element, a plurality of ultrasonic images corresponding to a plurality of selection candidates are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 34 as a menu screen under the control of the control unit 30. Is possible.
[0034]
The display unit 34 may be configured by a single display device. Preferably, the display unit 34 is a main display device (eg, CRT) provided separately from the operation panel as the input unit 32, and the input unit 32. And an auxiliary display device (for example, an LCD with a touch sensor) provided on the operation panel. In this case, a current effective image described below is displayed on the main display device, a sample image described below is displayed on the auxiliary display device, and image selection (items) is performed by touching one of the images. Element selection).
[0035]
FIG. 2 shows an example of such a menu screen. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 12 represents a current effective image as an ultrasonic image formed with a currently effective set value. Reference numerals 14, 16, and 18 represent sample images as ultrasonic images that appear when item elements as selection candidates are selected. For example, when there are four patterns A to D in the color mapping table, if the pattern A is currently selected, an image formed according to the pattern A is currently displayed. This is an effective image 12. On the other hand, the ultrasonic images obtained when pattern B to pattern D are selected in the future become sample images 14 to 18. Accordingly, since the user can select the pattern of the color mapping table by image comparison, the user can make a quick and direct selection without error. This is the same for other user-settable menu items. For example, when looking at the resolution of a B-mode image, there are four modes: a high resolution mode, a normal resolution mode, a low resolution mode, and a high sensitivity mode. In this case, an image corresponding to the currently selected mode and three images corresponding to the other three modes are simultaneously displayed.
[0036]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 12 </ b> A is data representing item elements corresponding to the current effective image 12 as numerical values or names. Similarly, reference numerals 14A to 18A are data representing the corresponding item elements as numerical values or names for the sample images 14 to 18, respectively. The user grasps both such image and text data, and can select the optimum parameters for comparison.
[0037]
As will be described later, each of the current effective image 12 and the sample images 14 to 18 may be a still image or a moving image. Further, it may be switched sequentially as a still image or a moving image according to a certain sequence. Further, the sample images 14 to 18 may be images reduced at a constant rate with respect to the current effective image 12, or may be images of the same magnification corresponding to, for example, the specific area 12B in the current effective image 12. Good. In any case, various image display forms can be adopted as long as the image quality and the like can be directly selected.
[0038]
FIG. 3 shows another image display form. For user setting, for example, four images are displayed in the same size. That is, the current effective image 12 and the sample images 14 to 18 are displayed. Of course, it is desirable to change the image size according to the number of ultrasonic images to be displayed simultaneously. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, only the current effective image may be displayed larger than the other sample images in order to easily identify the current effective image. It is desirable that the layout condition for displaying such a plurality of images can be set by the user.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when a plurality of ultrasonic images are displayed, the user selects one of the images using a trackball or a keyboard. Then, parameter values (that is, item elements) corresponding to the selected image are set as operation conditions. Therefore, there is an advantage that the convenience of the user can be achieved in that sense.
[0040]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example in selecting an item element. First, in S100, for example, a main menu is displayed, and a specific menu item is selected by the user. In S101, for the selected menu item, n item elements to be selected items are specified automatically or by user selection. For example, in the example of the color mapping table, four item elements from pattern A to pattern D are specified. In addition, in the case of a gain value or the like having a very large number of selection candidates, some numerical values that are representative thereof may be used as selection candidates.
[0041]
In S102, the layout of the menu screen is determined based on the number n of item elements that are selection candidates. In particular, the size of each image is determined. Further, the image allocation or the like may be adjusted according to the number of images.
[0042]
In S103, the normal display performed so far is terminated, and n ultrasound images corresponding to n item elements are displayed as a menu screen. This is as described above with reference to FIG.
[0043]
Next, in S104, any image is selected by the user. In this case, the current effective image itself can be a selection candidate. Of course, when the image selection is not performed within a predetermined time, it may be considered that the current setting is automatically maintained as it is.
[0044]
In S105, an item element corresponding to the selected image is specified, and it becomes effective in the future. That is, the parameter value is updated. In S106, the normal display performed so far is resumed. Thereafter, the operating conditions are defined using the parameter values that are set effectively.
[0045]
By the way, in this embodiment, a plurality of ultrasonic images shown in FIG. 2 and the like are formed using the same reception signal or different reception signals. In this case, when a plurality of ultrasonic images are completely processed simultaneously, it is desirable to provide a plurality of image forming units 26 or display processing units 28 in parallel as necessary. Alternatively, pseudo-simultaneous display can be achieved by using these configurations in time division. Alternatively, the current effective image may be a moving image, and the other images may be displayed based on received signals sampled at a fixed timing. Below, the operation | movement sequence regarding various display processes is demonstrated using FIGS.
[0046]
In the operation sequence shown in FIG. 5, the received signal acquired in the period of display frame number 1 is processed to display the current effective image. In the next frame 2, a sample image 14 is formed and displayed. This is repeated for the sample image 16 and the sample image 18 as well. Then, each image is displayed every four display frames, and in the case of displaying a static organ, it is possible to obtain a display mode as if all images are displayed in real time. Incidentally, reference numeral 100 indicates a newly formed frame, that is, a new frame, and reference numeral 102 indicates a storage frame that is continuously displayed. That is, when focusing on a certain image, the display is updated at a certain frame timing, the same image is displayed over the subsequent three frames, and the display is updated in the next frame.
[0047]
In the operation sequence shown in FIG. 6, processing and display for all images are executed simultaneously. According to this, it is possible to realize moving image display for all images.
[0048]
In the operation sequence shown in FIG. 7, the display is refreshed every certain period T1. That is, the current effective image is refreshed every period T1, and this is the same for the sample images 14, 16, and 18. Therefore, it looks like a frame-advanced still image. Of course, it is desirable that the period T1 can be variably set by the user.
[0049]
In the operation sequence shown in FIG. 8, the current effective image is basically displayed as a moving image, and sample images 14 to 18 are formed and displayed between the moving image displays. Therefore, although each sample image is refreshed at a constant period, a still image is basically displayed, while a moving image is displayed as the current effective image. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the period T3 (or period T4) can be arbitrarily set by the user, and images that are the targets of moving images are selected in order. That is, a moving image is displayed in the period 106, and a still image is displayed in the subsequent period 108. Therefore, in a state where a plurality of images are displayed, only a specific image is set as a moving image, and the target is sequentially switched by rotation.
[0050]
Therefore, according to the above embodiment, parameter values can be selected or operating conditions can be set by actual comparison of ultrasonic images, so that quick and appropriate user settings can be realized. In particular, since the burden on the user is reduced, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with extremely high practical value can be configured.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the convenience of the user can be achieved when changing the operating conditions. In addition, the operating conditions can be set in a short time, and appropriate operating conditions can be set.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen including a plurality of ultrasonic images.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of a menu screen including a plurality of ultrasonic images.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation sequence.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation sequence.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation sequence.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation sequence.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation sequence.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 current effective image, 14, 16, 18 sample image, 20 probe, 22 transmitting unit, 24 receiving unit, 26 image forming unit, 28 display processing unit, 30 control unit, 34 display unit.

Claims (20)

Transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves and outputting received signals;
For target item among Ruyu Za settable plurality of items to the relationship to the image quality of the ultrasonic image, a selection candidate specifying means for specifying a plurality of item elements as selection candidates,
Image forming means for forming a plurality of ultrasonic images corresponding to a plurality of item elements specified by the selection candidate specifying means based on the received signal;
Display means for displaying the plurality of ultrasonic images in order to allow a user to select any one of the plurality of item elements;
Selection means for selecting an effective item element that is operated by a user who refers to the plurality of ultrasonic images and is effective in the future from the plurality of item elements;
Including
The plurality of ultrasonic images are created by making the item elements for the other items different from each other while making the item elements for the target item different from each other, each of the same format representing the same part in the living body Image
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus , wherein an ultrasonic image corresponding to the effective item element is displayed after the effective item element is selected by the selection means . The apparatus of claim 1 .
The selection means allows a user to select a specific ultrasound image from the plurality of ultrasound images, and uses an item element corresponding to the user-selected ultrasound image as the effective item element. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. The apparatus of claim 1.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic images are formed based on the same received signal. The apparatus of claim 1.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic images are formed based on different received signals. The apparatus of claim 1.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the target item is a pattern of a color mapping table . The apparatus of claim 1.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target item is a resolution of a B-mode image . The apparatus of claim 1.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic images is displayed as a moving image continuously or intermittently. The apparatus of claim 1.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic images is displayed as a still image updated at a constant cycle. The apparatus of claim 1.
The plurality of item elements include a valid item element that is currently valid, and one or more other item elements.
The plurality of ultrasonic images include a current effective image corresponding to the currently valid effective item element and one or a plurality of sample images corresponding to the other one or more item elements. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The apparatus of claim 9.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the size of the one or more sample images is smaller than the size of the current effective image. The apparatus of claim 9.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the one or more sample images are images corresponding to an area set in the current effective image. The apparatus of claim 9.
The size of each said sample image is determined according to the number of sample images, The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The apparatus of claim 1.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein sizes of the plurality of ultrasonic images are determined according to the number of the ultrasonic images. The apparatus of claim 1.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the display means includes a plurality of display devices. The apparatus of claim 9.
The display means includes
A first display device for displaying the current effective image;
A second display device for displaying the one or more sample images;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The apparatus of claim 15.
The first display device is a main display device provided separately from an operation panel operated by a user, and the second display device is an auxiliary display device provided on the operation panel. Ultrasound diagnostic device. Based on the received signal, a plurality of user-configurable items related to the image quality of the ultrasonic image are made different from each other by making the item elements for the target item different from each other, and by making the item elements for the other items the same . Image forming means for forming a plurality of ultrasonic images corresponding to operating conditions;
Menu screen creating means for creating a menu screen including the plurality of ultrasonic images;
A selection means for user-selecting a specific ultrasound image from the menu screen;
An operation control unit that sets the operation condition corresponding to the ultrasonic image selected by the selection unit to be an effective operation condition that is effective in the future;
Only including,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic images are images of the same format each representing the same part in a living body . The apparatus of claim 17.
Each ultrasonic image constituting the menu screen is updated at a constant period with a display frame period as a unit. The apparatus of claim 18.
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, wherein at least one ultrasound image constituting the menu screen is displayed as a moving image or a still image according to a predetermined sequence. Corresponding to a plurality of different operating conditions by making the item elements for the target items different from each other in the plurality of user-configurable items related to the image quality of the ultrasonic image while making the item elements for the other items the same. A sample image generation unit for generating a plurality of sample images;
Menu screen creating means for creating a menu screen including a plurality of sample images generated by the sample image generating unit;
A selection means for user-selecting a specific sample image from the menu screen;
Operation control means for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on an operation condition corresponding to the sample image selected by the selection means;
Only including,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic images are images of the same format each representing the same part in a living body .

Images