JP4913332B2 - Medical image display method and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image display method and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and in particular, a method for simultaneously displaying a medical image in which an ROI is set and a TIC image related to the ROI on the same screen, and an ultrasonic wave including such a display unit. The present invention relates to a diagnostic device.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, imaging is performed using a contrast agent, and the transition of the concentration of the contrast agent in the region of interest, that is, ROI (Region of Interest), is displayed as a time intensity curve, that is, a TIC. Is called. The TIC image is displayed side by side on the same screen as the ultrasound image in which the ROI is set (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-24047 (page 5-6, FIG. 12)

  As described above, in contrast imaging, the ultrasound image and TIC image are displayed by dividing the limited screen of the display device into two, so the two images are half the size of the full screen display, These images are also inconvenient for precise observation.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize a medical image display method capable of precisely observing a medical screen on which an ROI is set and a TIC image, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including such a display means.

  (1) According to one aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, when a medical image in which an ROI is set and a TIC image related to the ROI are simultaneously displayed on the same screen, an observer of the medical image and the TIC image A medical image display method characterized in that display is performed such that the screen space factor of the pointed person increases.

  (2) In another aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problem, an ultrasound image is taken to obtain a TIC related to ROI, and the ultrasound image in which the ROI is set is identical to the TIC image. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for simultaneously displaying on a screen, comprising: display means for displaying an ultrasonic image and a TIC image so that the screen space factor of the one pointed by an observer is increased. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Displaying the medical image (or ultrasound image) and the TIC image side by side is preferable in that both images are observed simultaneously. It is preferable that the medical image (or ultrasonic image) and the TIC image are displayed so as to be partially overlapped in order to make the near-side image close to full screen display. It is preferable that the screen space factor is variable from the viewpoint of making the image easy to observe.

  According to the invention in each aspect described above, when a medical image (or an ultrasonic image) in which an ROI is set and a TIC image related to the ROI are simultaneously displayed on the same screen, the medical image and the TIC image are pointed by an observer. Since the screen space factor of the user is displayed so as to increase, precise observation becomes possible by increasing the attention. Accordingly, a medical image display method capable of precisely observing a medical screen on which an ROI is set and a TIC image, or an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including such a display unit can be realized.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the best mode for carrying out the invention. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. This apparatus is an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. An example of the best mode for carrying out the present invention relating to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is shown by the configuration of the present apparatus. An example of the best mode for carrying out the present invention relating to the medical image display method is shown by the operation of the apparatus. In this embodiment, an ultrasonic image is illustrated as a medical image. However, a medical image is not limited to an ultrasonic image, and is an image captured by another modality such as an X-ray CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the present apparatus has an ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic probe 2 has an array of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown). Each ultrasonic transducer is made of a piezoelectric material such as PZT (titanium (Ti) zirconate (Zr) acid) ceramics.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is used in contact with the object 4 by the user. The contrast agent 402 is supplied to the diagnostic region of the subject 4 by the contrast agent supply unit 8. As the contrast agent 402, a material mainly composed of minute bubbles is used. The contrast agent 402 is supplied by intravenous injection or the like.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 6. The transmission / reception unit 6 sends a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 to transmit ultrasonic waves. The transmission / reception unit 6 also receives an echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2.

  The transmission / reception unit 6 performs scanning as shown in FIG. 2, for example. That is, the fan-shaped two-dimensional region 206 is scanned in the θ direction by the sound ray 202 extending in the z direction from the radiation point 200, and so-called sector scan is performed.

  When the transmission and reception apertures are formed by using a part of the ultrasonic transducer array, the apertures are sequentially moved along the array, so that, for example, scanning as shown in FIG. 3 can be performed. That is, a so-called linear scan is performed by scanning a rectangular two-dimensional region 206 in the x direction by translating a sound ray 202 emitted from the radiation point 200 in the z direction along a linear locus 204. Can do.

  When the ultrasonic transducer array is a so-called convex array formed along an arc extending in the ultrasonic wave transmission direction, for example, as shown in FIG. As described above, the so-called convex scan can be performed by moving the radiation point 200 of the sound ray 202 along the arc-shaped locus 204 and scanning the fan-shaped two-dimensional region 206 in the θ direction.

  The transmission / reception unit 6 is connected to the echo processing unit 10. The echo reception signal for each sound ray output from the transmission / reception unit 6 is input to the echo processing unit 10. The echo processing unit 10 processes the echo signal to form image data.

  The echo processing unit 10 is connected to the image processing unit 14. The image processing unit 14 generates an image based on data (data) input from the echo processing unit 10. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the image processing unit 14 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 140. A main memory 144, an external memory 146, a control unit interface 148, an input data memory 152, a digital scan converter (DSC: Digital Scan Converter) are connected to the CPU 140 by a bus 142. ) 154, an image memory 156, and a display memory 158 are connected.

  The external memory 146 is a large-capacity memory such as an HD (hard disk) device. The external memory 146 stores a program executed by the CPU 140. The external memory 146 also stores various data used by the CPU 140 when executing the program. The external memory 146 further stores an image captured by the apparatus.

  The CPU 140 loads a program from the external memory 146 to the main memory 144 and performs predetermined data processing. The CPU 140 exchanges control signals with the control unit 18 (described later) through the control unit interface 148 in the course of program execution.

  The image data input for each sound ray from the echo processing unit 10 is stored in the input data memory 152, respectively. Data in the input data memory 152 is scan-converted by the DSC 154 and stored in the image memory 156. Data in the image memory 156 is output to the display unit 16 through the display memory 158.

  A display unit 16 is connected to the image processing unit 14. The display unit 16 receives an image signal from the image processing unit 14 and displays an image based on the image signal. The display unit 16 is configured by a graphic display using a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) capable of displaying a color image. The portion composed of the image processing unit 14 and the display unit 16 is an example of display means in the present invention.

  A control unit 18 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 6, the echo processing unit 10, the image processing unit 14, and the display unit 16. The control unit 18 gives control signals to these units to control their operation. Various notification signals are input to the control unit 18 from each part to be controlled. Imaging of an ultrasonic image is performed under the control of the control unit 18.

  An operation unit 20 is connected to the control unit 18. The operation unit 20 is operated by a user and inputs appropriate commands and information to the control unit 18. The operation unit 20 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, and other operation tools.

  The operation of this apparatus will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of the photographing operation of this apparatus. As shown in the figure, contrast imaging is performed at stage 601. That is, a contrast medium is injected into the object 4 by the contrast medium supply unit 8, and the timing at which the contrast medium is injected into the body is input through the operation unit 16, and elapsed time measurement is started. Done. As a result, a tomographic image of the liver is displayed on the display unit 16.

  Next, ROI setting is performed at stage 603. The ROI setting is performed by the image processing unit 14 based on a user operation. The user sets an ROI on the tomographic image with an operation tool such as a pointing device provided in the operation unit 20.

  Next, at stage 607, TIC measurement is performed. The TIC measurement is performed by the CPU 140 of the image processing unit 14. The CPU 140 obtains the average value of the pixel values of the designated section for the image stored in the image memory 156, and displays the change over time, that is, the TIC on the display unit 16 in a graph.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen at the time of TIC measurement. As shown in the figure, at the time of TIC measurement, an ultrasonic image 702 and a TIC image 802 are simultaneously displayed on the same screen. An ROI 704 is set on the ultrasonic image 702. The TIC image 802 shows the TIC for this ROI 704.

  (A) of the figure shows a state in which the ultrasonic image 702 is displayed larger and the TIC image 802 is displayed smaller, and (b) on the contrary, the ultrasonic image 702 is displayed smaller and the TIC image 802 is displayed. This is a state in which is larger. The size of the image is the ratio of the area of each image to the area of the entire screen, that is, the size of the space factor.

  Which is enlarged is designated by a pointer 902 by the observer. That is, when the pointer 902 is moved over the ultrasonic image 702, it is displayed in a large size, and when it is moved over the TIC image 802, it is displayed in a large size.

  As shown in (a), when the ultrasonic image 702 is displayed large, the position of the ROI 704 in the ultrasonic image 702 can be accurately grasped. In addition, when setting the ROI for the first time, precise ROI setting is possible by performing in this state.

  At this time, the TIC image 802, which is a reduced image, is also displayed on the same screen at the same time, so that the TIC can be observed. However, since it is a reduced image, it is not suitable for precise observation. Therefore, when it is desired to observe precisely, the pointer 902 is moved to the TIC image 802 side to display it larger. Alternatively, since the TIC image is more important in contrast imaging, the TIC image 802 may be displayed in a large size when the pointer 902 deviates from the region of the ultrasonic image 702.

  As a result, as shown in (b), the TIC image 802 is displayed large, and precise observation of the TIC becomes possible. At this time, since the ultrasonic image 702 is also displayed as a reduced image, the position of the ROI 704 can be confirmed.

  The size of both images can be arbitrarily changed by the observer. This is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, by dragging the outline of the image area with the pointer 902, the ultrasonic image 702 is enlarged (the TIC image is reduced), as shown by the broken line in (a), or ( As indicated by a broken line in b), the TIC image can be enlarged (the ultrasonic image 702 can be reduced). Thereby, both images can be sized convenient for the observer.

  FIG. 9 shows another example of a display screen at the time of TIC measurement. As shown in the figure, at the time of TIC measurement, an ultrasonic image 702 and a TIC image 802 are displayed on the same screen. An ROI 704 is set on the ultrasonic image 702. The TIC image 802 shows the TIC for this ROI 704.

  FIG. 6A shows a state in which the ultrasonic image 702 is displayed on the front side and the TIC image 802 is displayed on the rear side, and FIG. Is displayed on the front side. By doing so, the front side image becomes larger and the rear side image becomes smaller in the space factor with respect to the entire screen.

  Which is made larger (front) is designated by a pointer 902 by the observer. That is, when the pointer 902 is moved on the ultrasonic image 702, it is displayed large (front), and when it is moved on the TIC image 802, it is displayed large (front).

  As shown in (a), when the ultrasonic image 702 is displayed large, the position of the ROI 704 in the ultrasonic image 702 can be accurately grasped. In addition, when setting the ROI for the first time, precise ROI setting is possible by performing in this state.

  At this time, since the TIC image 802 is also displayed on the same screen, the presence of the TIC image can be recognized. However, since only a part is visible, it is not suitable for the whole observation. Therefore, when it is desired to observe the whole, the pointer 902 is moved to the TIC image 802 side to display it larger. Alternatively, since the TIC image is more important in contrast imaging, the TIC image 802 may be displayed in a large size when the pointer 902 deviates from the region of the ultrasonic image 702.

  As a result, as shown in (b), the TIC image 802 is displayed large, and precise observation of the TIC becomes possible. At this time, since the ultrasonic image 702 is also partially displayed on the same screen, the presence of the ultrasonic image 702 having the ROI 704 can be recognized.

  The size of both images can be arbitrarily changed by the observer. This is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, by dragging the outline of the image area with the pointer 902, the ultrasonic image 702 is enlarged as shown by a broken line in (a), or as shown by a broken line in (b). The TIC image can be enlarged.

  As a result, both images can be sized convenient for the observer. In addition, since the ultrasonic image 702 and the TIC image 802 are partially overlapped and displayed, both images can be made to have a size close to full screen display.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as an example of the best mode for carrying out the present invention. It is a figure which shows the concept of sound ray scanning. It is a figure which shows the concept of sound ray scanning. It is a figure which shows the concept of sound ray scanning. It is a block diagram of an image processing part. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display image. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display image. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display image. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display image.

Explanation of symbols

2 Ultrasonic probe 6 Transmission / reception unit 8 Contrast agent supply unit 10 Echo processing unit 14 Image processing unit 16 Display unit 18 Control unit 20 Operation unit

Claims (8)

When displaying a medical image in which ROI is set and a TIC image related to ROI simultaneously on the same screen,
An observer designates the one image with the pointer by moving the pointer over one of the medical image and the TIC image ,
Said one image specified in the previous SL pointer, a predetermined screen space factor to be displayed larger than other image that has not been designated by the pointer, and displays while containing the pointer,
A medical image display method characterized by the above. Displaying the medical image and the TIC image side by side;
The medical image display method according to claim 1, wherein: Displaying the medical image and the TIC image partially overlapping,
The medical image display method according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined screen space factor is variably set;
The medical image display method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that captures a contrast image using ultrasound and obtains a TIC related to the ROI, and simultaneously displays the ultrasound image and the TIC image in which the ROI is set on the same screen,
Designation means for designating the one image with the pointer by moving the pointer over either one of the medical image and the TIC image ;
It said one image specified in the previous SL pointer, a predetermined screen space factor to be displayed larger than other image that has not been designated by the pointer, and a display means for displaying while containing the pointer,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The display means displays the medical image and the TIC image side by side;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5. The display means displays the medical image and the TIC image partially overlapping,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5. Comprising setting means for variably setting the predetermined screen space factor;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is any one of claims 5 to 7.

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