JP5148057B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having high operability and efficiency in recording of a captured ultrasonic image or searching for a recorded ultrasonic image.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a diagnostic apparatus that displays an image of in-vivo information, and is less expensive, non-exposed, and non-invasive compared to other diagnostic imaging apparatuses such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus and an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. It is a useful device for observing in time. Due to these characteristics, the application range is wide, and it is used for diagnosis of circulatory organs such as the heart, abdomen such as the liver and kidney, peripheral blood vessels, obstetrics and gynecology, and cerebral blood vessels.

  In general, in imaging using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it is necessary to acquire and store not only a still image but also a moving image over a certain period at a specific timing for each subject and each imaging method. Therefore, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, as shown in FIG. 22, a moving image over the total imaging time from the start of the inspection to the end of the inspection, or as shown in FIG. 23, the operator starts recording and stops recording. The video corresponding to a certain period is saved.

  However, the conventional moving image storage method has the following problems, for example.

  When a method of recording all the images being inspected is employed, images that are not necessary for diagnosis are also saved, so that a wasteful area increases on the recording medium. In addition, if a method of recording according to the recording start / stop operation that the operator performs during shooting is adopted, the start or end of recording may be forgotten, and the image may be missed or useless images may be recorded. there is a possibility.

  Furthermore, in any case, when calling a necessary scene (a still image and a moving image) from stored moving images, unnecessary images are also browsed. Therefore, the image search work is inefficient and the work burden on the observer is large.

  Note that the VISS (VHS Index Search System) function when a VCR is used, and file division in an HDD, DVD recorder, etc., can also be searched based on recording / stopping operations. However, even in such a case, there is no change in the situation where the scene that the observer wants to watch is played back while fast-forwarding the recorded image and viewed while viewing it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and performs ultrasonic image diagnosis apparatus capable of performing image search with excellent operability and high efficiency by performing image recording while eliminating images unnecessary for diagnosis as much as possible. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

The invention according to claim 1 transmits an ultrasonic wave to a predetermined part of a subject, receives an echo signal from the predetermined part, and generates a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe. Driving signal generating means for supplying the driving signal to the ultrasonic probe; and image data generating means for generating ultrasonic image data of a plurality of frames based on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe; Recording means for recording the ultrasonic image data for each frame, signal generation means for generating an event signal triggered by completion of image adjustment by an image adjustment operation, or start operation of processing for obtaining a predetermined measurement value; and in response to an event signal, the ultrasound diagnostic characterized by comprising control means for controlling the start of recording ultrasound image data, of said recording means It is the location.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave to a predetermined part of a subject and receives an echo signal from the predetermined part, and a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe are generated. Driving signal generating means for supplying the driving signal to the ultrasonic probe; and image data generating means for generating ultrasonic image data of a plurality of frames based on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe; Signal generation means for generating an event signal triggered by completion of image adjustment by an image adjustment operation or a start operation of processing for obtaining a predetermined measurement value, and the ultrasonic image data of a frame corresponding to the event signal generation timing Based on a representative symbolic representation of an ultrasound image corresponding to the echo signal received in the period before or after the event signal generation. Representative image generating means for generating an image, recording means for recording the ultrasonic image data of a plurality of frames in association with the ultrasonic image data of a frame corresponding to the representative image, and the representative image selected In such a case, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises image reproduction means for reproducing the ultrasonic image data with reference to a frame associated with the selected representative image.
The invention according to claim 10 transmits an ultrasonic wave to a predetermined part of a subject, receives an echo signal from the predetermined part, and generates a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe. Driving signal generating means for supplying the driving signal to the ultrasonic probe; and image data generating means for generating ultrasonic image data of a plurality of frames based on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe; A first event signal for instructing the start of image recording or the end of image recording and a second for instructing the acquisition of a representative image are triggered by the completion of the image adjustment by the image adjustment operation or the start operation of the process for acquiring a predetermined measurement value. A signal generating means for generating at least one of event signals; and a control for controlling the start of recording of the ultrasonic image data in response to the first event signal. And an ultrasonic image corresponding to the echo signal received before or after the event signal generation based on the ultrasonic image data of the frame corresponding to the second event signal generation timing Representative image generating means for generating a representative image, and recording the ultrasonic image data of a plurality of frames according to the control of the control means, and recording in association with the ultrasonic image data of a frame corresponding to the representative image And recording means for reproducing, when the representative image is selected, image reproducing means for reproducing the ultrasonic image data with reference to a frame associated with the selected representative image. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of performing image recording with excellent operability and high efficiency by performing image recording while eliminating images unnecessary for diagnosis as much as possible.

  Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is connected to an ultrasonic probe 12, an apparatus main body 11, and an apparatus main body 11, and an external input device for incorporating various instructions / commands / information from an operator into the apparatus main body 11. 13 and apparatus main bodies 11 and 14. The input device 13 is provided with a trackball 13a, a switch / button 13b, a mouse 13c, and a keyboard 13d for setting a region of interest (ROI).

  The ultrasonic probe 12 has a piezoelectric vibrator as an acoustic / electric reversible conversion element such as a piezoelectric ceramic. The plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged in parallel and are provided at the tip of the probe 12.

  The apparatus main body 11 includes an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 21, a B-mode processing unit 22, a Doppler processing unit 23, an image generation circuit 24, an image memory circuit 25, a recording control unit 26, a control processor (CPU) 27, an image recording unit 28, an internal A storage device 29 and an interface unit 30 are provided.

  The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 21 reads the transmission / reception conditions stored in the internal storage device 29 by the control processor 27 and generates rate pulses according to the transmission / reception conditions. Each rate pulse is given a delay time necessary for focusing the ultrasonic wave into a beam and determining the transmission directivity in the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 21, and a voltage pulse is applied to the probe 12 for each channel. The Thereby, an ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the probe 12 to the subject.

  In the circulatory organ, an electrocardiogram synchronization unit is connected to the apparatus main body 11 and an electrocardiogram signal of the patient is input via the electrocardiogram synchronization unit in order to perform image acquisition at a specific cardiac phase. In response to this electrocardiogram signal, information related to display and image collection timing is input from the operation panel. The control processor 27 controls the timing of image collection of the transmission / reception unit 21 based on the electrocardiogram signal and the above information. The electrocardiogram signal is stored in the image recording unit 28, an external storage device, and the like, and is synthesized together with additional information such as other image information and character information by the image memory circuit 25.

  Further, based on the mode selection, ROI setting, and transmission start / end input from the user input device 13 or other interface, the transmission / reception conditions and the device control program stored in the internal storage device 29 are read out, and the control processor is read according to them. 27 controls the transmission / reception unit 21.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic beam irradiated into the subject for image generation is reflected by a discontinuous surface of the acoustic impedance in the subject, and the reflected wave is received by the probe 12. The echo signal output from the probe 12 for each channel is taken into the transmission / reception unit 21. The echo signal is amplified for each channel in the transmission / reception unit 21, given a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity, and added. By this addition, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity is emphasized. The overall directivity of ultrasonic transmission / reception is determined by the transmission directivity and the reception directivity. This directivity is generally called a “scan line”.

  The echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 21 is sent to the B-mode processing unit 22 and the Doppler processing unit 23. Although not shown, the B mode processing unit 22 includes a logarithmic converter, an envelope detection circuit, and an analog / digital converter (A / D). The logarithmic converter logarithmically converts the echo signal. The envelope detection circuit detects the envelope of the output signal from the logarithmic converter. This detection signal is digitized via an analog-digital converter and output as detection data. Further, the Doppler processing unit 23 extracts the blood flow component by using frequency analysis and the blood flow information such as average velocity, dispersion, power, etc. from multiple points.

  The image generation circuit 24 performs frame correlation processing using the detection data input from the B-mode processing unit 22 and generates a B-mode image. In addition, the image generation circuit 24 uses the blood flow information input from the Doppler processing unit 23 to create an average velocity image, a dispersion image, a power image, and a combination image thereof.

  The image memory circuit 25 generates an ultrasonic image to be displayed on the monitor 14 based on the image data (also referred to as “raw data”) received from the image generation circuit 24, and includes a scan converter, a cine memory, a frame Has memory, video converter, etc. The scan converter converts the scanning line signal sequence of the ultrasonic scan input from the image generation circuit 24 into orthogonal coordinate system data based on the spatial information. The cine memory is a memory for storing an ultrasonic image corresponding to a plurality of frames immediately before freezing, for example. It is also possible to display an ultrasonic moving image by continuously displaying images (cine display) stored in the cine memory. The frame memory is a memory for storing an ultrasonic image for one frame, and the image currently stored in the frame memory 27 is displayed on the monitor 14. Further, for example, when the freeze on button of the operation input device 13 is pressed, overwriting to the frame memory is stopped. The video conversion unit further performs video format conversion on the image data received from the frame memory.

The recording control unit 26 checks an event signal received from the control processor 27, and when the signal is an event signal related to a recording start / recording end event (representative image acquisition event), the image recording is performed based on the event signal. The image recording start / recording end timing (representative image acquisition timing) of the unit 28 is controlled. Also,
The control processor 27 executes a program stored in the image storage unit 28 or an external storage device and read from the internal storage device 29 based on information input from various switches or the trackball 13a.

  Further, the control processor 27 executes each process by an image recording function and a representative image acquisition / setting function, which will be described later, according to a predetermined program stored in the internal storage device 29, for example.

  The image recording unit 28 records still images and moving images under the control of the recording control unit 26. Further, the image recording unit 28 unifies and records moving images in each period recorded in a series of shooting sequences based on the control of the recording control unit 26. Further, the image recording unit 28 stores a later-described representative image in association with the corresponding frame image.

  The internal storage device 29 stores a control program for the device, various data groups such as diagnostic protocols and transmission / reception conditions, collected image data, and the like. Further, the internal storage device 29 stores various small programs (activities) for realizing each process constituting a series of inspection procedures, and a control program for controlling the apparatus according to the inspection procedures (workflows) constituted by the various activities. To do.

  The monitor 14 displays in-vivo morphological information and blood flow information as an image based on the video signal from the image memory circuit 25. The image displayed on the monitor 14 is recorded in, for example, the image recording unit 28 using corresponding image data stored in the frame memory in the image memory circuit 25.

(Image recording function)
Next, the image recording function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described. This function generates an event signal triggered by a specific event under the control of the control processor 27, and based on this, the recording control unit 26 performs the storage operation (recording start, recording end, etc.) of the image recording unit 28. By controlling, moving image information based on a uniform standard is automatically unified and recorded.

  First, recording start processing by the image recording function will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the recording start process. As shown in the figure, first, using a predetermined event as a trigger, the control processor 27 generates an event (Event) signal for notifying the occurrence of the event and its type, and transmits it to the recording control unit 26 (step S1). . The recording control unit 26 checks the event signal received from the control processor 27 (step S2). If it is determined that the event signal is an event signal instructing start of image recording, the recording control unit 26 starts recording to the image recording unit 28. Is requested (step S3). The image recording unit 28 confirms its own state (recorder state) (step S4). If it is in a recordable state, the image recording unit 28 starts recording (step S5), and informs the recording control unit 26 that the recording start request has been accepted. An instructing signal is transmitted (step S6). In response to the instruction, image data for each frame is sent from the image memory 25 to the image recording unit 28 via the recording control unit 26.

  Next, a recording end process by the image recording function will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the recording end process. As shown in the figure, the recording end process is also executed in a manner substantially similar to the recording start process. That is, using a predetermined event as a trigger, the control processor 27 generates an event signal for notifying the occurrence of the event and its type, and transmits the event signal to the recording control unit 26 (step S11). The recording control unit 26 checks the event signal received from the control processor 27 (step S12), and if it is determined that the event signal is an event signal instructing the start of image termination, the recording is terminated in the image recording unit 28. Is requested (step S13). The image recording unit 28 confirms its own state (recorder state) (step S14). If it is in a recordable state, the image recording unit 28 ends the recording (step S15), and informs the recording control unit 26 that the recording opening end request has been received. An instructing signal is transmitted (step S16), and the image recording is terminated.

  Here, the predetermined event that is triggered in step S1 and step S11 is not limited to the contents thereof, but as a specific example, an input operation (for example, image adjustment operation, freeze on / off operation, Predetermined measurement operation, annotation operation, still image saving operation, ultrasonic image printing operation, etc.), device operation (for example, change in the image layout of the display screen on which the ultrasonic image is displayed, or generated by the image data generation means) Detection of a luminance change equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value of the ultrasonic image data for each frame to be performed. It is preferable to be able to arbitrarily register which input operation, device operation, and the like is a recording start (end) event. Thus, the operator can start (end) moving image recording with a desired input operation or the like as a trigger.

  Hereinafter, an example of the image recording function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described for each input operation or apparatus operation as a recording start / recording end event. Note that each recording start / recording end event is recorded as group information on the DICOM tab when DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is used as an image communication standard, for example. The operator can also search for desired image data using the recording start / recording end event as an index.

Example 1
In this embodiment, the last operation of image adjustment is an image recording start event, and the operation of the freeze on button is an image recording end event.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the image recording is not started even at the inspection start timing, the operator starts image adjustment while observing the monitor 14, and image adjustment by the last image adjustment operation is performed. Image recording is started with the completion as a trigger. At this time, whether or not the operation executed by the operator is the last image adjustment operation is determined by, for example, the image adjustment that is last operated among four buttons of freeze-off, image mode transition, scale change, and gain adjustment. The button input (that is, the 4 / 4th determination) is determined as an image recording start event, and an event signal instructing the start of image recording is generated using this as a trigger.

  If you want to adjust the image again after inputting the last image adjustment button, you can delete the previously recorded moving image data by performing a predetermined reset operation if necessary. It is.

  When recording of a moving image is started in response to the final operation of image adjustment, data corresponding to a period until the freeze-on button is operated by the operator is unified as a series of moving image data in the image recording unit 28. And recorded.

(Example 2)
In this embodiment, an operation for an operator to perform a predetermined measurement is an image recording start event, and an operation of a freeze-off button is an image recording end event.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the image recording is not started even when the image adjustment is completed or the freeze-on switch operation timing, and the operator performs measurement using the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor 14. Image recording is started with a button operation for performing as a trigger. At this time, it is possible to register in advance which button operation to instruct which measurement (for example, geometric measurement such as distance, luminance change measurement by TIC creation, etc.) is set as the recording start event. In the case of the present embodiment, if a button operation instructing TIC creation is registered as a recording start event, the control processor 27 generates an event signal instructing the start of image recording with the button operation as a trigger.

  When a plurality of (for example, n) measurements are performed, for example, the operation of the measurement execution button that is operated last (that is, the n / nth determination) may be set as an image recording start event. Good.

  When recording of a moving image is started in response to the operation of the measurement execution button, data corresponding to a period until the freeze-off button is operated by the operator is unified as a series of moving image data in the image recording unit 28. To be recorded.

(Example 3)
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining Example 3 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In this embodiment, the measurement end instruction operation using an ultrasonic image is set as an image recording start event, and the operation of the freeze-off button is set as an image recording end event. It is possible to register in advance which measurement (for example, geometric measurement such as distance, measurement of luminance change by TIC creation, etc.) button operation for instructing the end of the button operation is a recording start event. In this embodiment, if a button operation for instructing the end of TIC creation is registered as a recording start event, the control processor 27 generates an event signal for instructing the start of image recording with the button operation as a trigger.

  When a plurality of (for example, n) measurements are performed, for example, the operation of the measurement end button that is operated last (that is, the n / nth determination) may be an image recording start event. Good.

  When recording of a moving image starts with the operation of the measurement end button as a trigger, data corresponding to a period until the freeze-off button is operated by the operator is unitized and recorded as a series of moving image data in the image recording unit 28. Is done.

Example 4
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In this embodiment, the activation of the annotation function is set as an image recording start event, and the operation of the freeze button is set as an image recording end event.

  When an annotation is input by the annotation function, it is highly possible that the image is effective for diagnosis. Therefore, in this embodiment, by recording the ultrasonic image after the activation of the annotation function, the moving image included in the period from the frame image that is the target of the annotation input to the freeze-off operation is stored in the image recording unit 28. Unitize and record as a series of video data.

(Example 5)
In this embodiment, an instruction to complete annotation input by the annotation function is used as an image recording start event, and a freeze button operation is used as an image recording end event.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As in the case of the fourth embodiment, inputting an annotation by the annotation function has a high possibility that the image is effective for diagnosis. Therefore, in this embodiment, the moving images included in the period from the frame image at the time when the annotation input by the annotation function is completed to the freeze-off operation are unitized and recorded in the image recording unit 28 as a series of moving image data.

(Example 6)
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining Example 6 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In this embodiment, the last operation of image adjustment is an image recording start event, and the print instruction operation is an image recording end event.

  That is, an ultrasonic image output by printing is highly likely to be effective for diagnosis. Therefore, in this embodiment, moving images included in a period from a predetermined recording start event (in this case, the last operation of image adjustment) to a print instruction are unitized as a series of moving image data in the image recording unit 28. Record.

(Example 7)
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the seventh embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In this embodiment, the final operation of image adjustment is an image recording start event, and the storage operation as a still image is an image recording end event.

  That is, an ultrasound image stored as a still image is highly likely to be effective for diagnosis. Therefore, in this embodiment, a moving image included in a period from a predetermined recording start event (in this case, the last operation of image adjustment) to a storage instruction as a still image is transferred to the image recording unit 28 as a series of moving image data. As a unit and record.

(Example 8)
In this embodiment, the image layout displayed on the monitor 14 is monitored, and when there is a change in the image layout, the change is used as an event to generate an image recording start / end event signal.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an eighth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As shown in the figure, on the monitor 14, according to a predetermined image layout, markers such as an ultrasonic image, a scale marker, an ROI marker, a zero Hz line marker (baseline), and character information to be displayed in a specific one. , Doppler sound (waveform) and the like are displayed. By monitoring these various types of information, it is possible to determine which phase of the entire shooting is currently in progress.

More specifically, for example, in Doppler mode shooting, Doppler sounds are collected. Therefore, when the Doppler waveform is monitored and the screen shifts from a state where there is no Doppler waveform to a state where a Doppler waveform exists, it is considered that shooting in the Doppler mode has started, while the screen has a Doppler waveform. When the state shifts to a state where there is no Doppler waveform, it is considered that imaging in the Doppler mode has been completed . Therefore, the ultrasonic image collected during the image capturing period in the Doppler mode can be appropriately recorded by setting the Doppler waveform detection as the image recording start event and the disappearance of the Doppler waveform as the image recording end event.

  When displaying a Doppler waveform, a zero Hz line marker is displayed at a predetermined position on the screen. Therefore, whether or not a Doppler waveform is displayed can be determined based on whether or not the zero Hz line marker is displayed. Accordingly, an event signal is generated with the start of display of the zero Hz line marker (that is, the start of display of the Doppler waveform) as an event, image recording is started, and the display of the zero Hz line marker is also ended (that is, display of the Doppler waveform is ended) An event signal is generated using as an event, and image recording is terminated.

  In the above description, monitoring of the image layout has been described. However, in Doppler mode shooting, Doppler sound is also collected at the same time. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the image layout, and a configuration in which detection / disappearance of Doppler sound is used as an image recording start / end event may be employed.

Example 9
For example, in contrast echo using a contrast agent, the time phase at which a large luminance change occurs corresponds to the inflow timing of the contrast agent and is often effective for diagnosis. Therefore, in this embodiment, the luminance change of the acquired ultrasonic image is compared between adjacent frames, and when the change is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the change is used as an event as an image recording start / end event. Generate a signal.

  In addition, it is preferable that the threshold value used as the reference | standard for determining whether it is a change can be set arbitrarily. The comparison target of the luminance change may be a specific region such as ROI. Furthermore, when creating a TIC, the luminance change may be grasped using this.

(Representative image acquisition / setting function as a still image)
Next, a representative image acquisition / setting function as a still image included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described. This representative image acquisition function generates an event signal triggered by a specific event, and based on the ultrasonic image data of a frame corresponding to the event signal generation, a representative image as a still image serving as an index for search ( For example, a thumbnail image) is automatically generated, and ultrasonic image data of a corresponding frame is associated and recorded. The representative image setting function reads out the recorded representative image, sets it on the screen, and reproduces the ultrasonic image data based on the frame associated with the representative image selected by the operator. With this function, it is possible to classify and record ultrasonic image data by a representative image, and facilitate the search of moving image data and the search of a predetermined scene in each moving image data. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining processing by the representative image acquisition / setting function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1. In the figure, the one-dot chain line frame shows the representative image acquisition process, and the two-dot chain line frame shows the representative image setting process.

  First, the representative image acquisition process will be described. When an event instructing representative image acquisition is activated during image recording, the control processor 27 generates an event signal and sends it to the recording control unit 26 (step S7). The recording control unit 26 checks whether or not the event signal is an instruction to acquire a representative image (step S8), and the event signal “makes the frame image currently on the frame memory the representative image”. If it is an event for instructing the acquisition of a representative image, a representative image acquisition request is generated (step S9). In accordance with the representative image acquisition request, representative image acquisition processing (generation processing) is executed based on the frame image corresponding to the event signal generation in authoring, and is recorded in association with the corresponding frame image (step S10).

  Next, the representative image setting process will be described. When the image recording is completed and the desired scene of the moving image is retrieved afterwards (not necessarily the scene where the storage is started), the control processor 27 makes a representative image setting request in response to the operator's input. Is generated and sent to the recording control unit 26 (step S17). The recording control unit 26 transmits a representative image setting instruction to the authoring by the signal (step S18), and the authoring executes a setting process for displaying a list of representative images in response to a predetermined instruction (step S19).

  Here, the predetermined event that is set as a trigger in step S7 is not limited to the contents thereof, but, as in the case of the image recording start / end event, etc., it is possible to employ input operations, apparatus operations, and the like specific to ultrasonic diagnosis. it can. It is preferable to be able to arbitrarily register which input operation, device operation, and the like are used as the representative image acquisition event.

  Hereinafter, an example of the representative image acquisition / setting function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described for each input operation and apparatus operation as a trigger. As in the case of each recording start / recording end event, the representative image acquisition event is recorded as group information on the DICOM tab. The operator can also search for desired image data using the recording start / recording end event as an index.

(Example 10)
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining Example 10 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is considered that an ultrasonic image printed in ultrasonic diagnosis is likely to be effective for diagnosis. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the print execution operation is used as a representative image acquisition event, and a representative image is acquired using this event as a trigger.

(Example 11)
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining Example 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is considered that an ultrasonic image stored in a still image in ultrasonic diagnosis is highly likely to be effective for diagnosis. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, a still image saving operation is used as a representative image acquisition event, and a representative image is acquired using this as a trigger.

(Example 12)
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining Example 12 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As in Examples 10 and 11, it is considered that there is a high possibility that ultrasonic images that are various measurement targets in ultrasonic diagnosis are effective for diagnosis. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the measurement end operation (the last measurement end operation when a plurality of measurements are performed) is used as a representative image acquisition event, and this is used as a trigger to acquire a representative image. To do.

(Example 13)
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining Example 13 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As in Examples 10 to 12, since the ultrasonic image that is the target of freeze-on in ultrasonic diagnosis is considered to be an image that the operator has tried to observe over time, it is highly likely that the ultrasonic image is effective for diagnosis. Conceivable. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, a freeze-on operation is used as a representative image acquisition event, and a representative image is acquired using this as a trigger.

(Example 14)
In the present embodiment, the image layout is monitored, and the change of the image layout is used as a representative image acquisition event to acquire the representative image. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining Example 14 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As shown in the figure, when the image layout changes in a series of image shooting, the change is used as a representative image acquisition event, and the image immediately after the change (for example, the first frame image after the layout change) is represented. Obtain as an image. The representative image acquired in the present embodiment is not limited to the image immediately after the image layout change, and may be, for example, the image immediately before the change (for example, the last frame image before the layout change).

  Note that the representative image acquisition method according to the present embodiment does not necessarily assume the above-described image recording function. For example, when a moving image recorded over a certain period is reproduced, the moving image is temporarily reproduced as an internal process immediately before being reproduced on the monitor 14, the image layout is monitored, and acquired as a representative image. There may be.

(Representative image acquisition / setting function as a movie)
Next, a function of acquiring and setting a representative image (hereinafter referred to as a representative moving image) as a moving image that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has will be described. The representative moving image acquisition function is to generate the above-described representative image as a moving image and record the ultrasonic image data of the corresponding frame in association with each other. With this function, it is possible to divide and record ultrasound image data into units by representative moving images, and to search for moving image data, for example, because the representative moving image that reproduces one heartbeat video is used as an index. It is possible to further easily search for a predetermined scene in each moving image data.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining processing by the representative moving image acquisition / setting function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1. In the figure, the one-dot chain line frame indicates a representative moving image acquisition process, and the two-dot chain line frame indicates a representative moving image setting process. When FIG. 19 is compared with FIG. 12, steps S9 ′ and S10 ′ in the representative image acquisition process are different from steps S17 ′ to S19 ′ in the representative image setting process. Hereinafter, each process in these steps will be described.

  The recording control unit 26 checks whether or not the event signal received from the control processor 27 is an instruction to acquire a representative image (step S8). If it is an event corresponding to a representative moving image acquisition instruction such as “Make an image”, a representative image acquisition request is generated (step S9 ′). In accordance with this representative image acquisition request, a representative moving image acquisition process (generation process) in which an image for one heartbeat from the time of the event signal generation is used as a representative moving image is executed based on the frame image corresponding to the event signal generation in the authoring. The image is recorded in association with the corresponding frame image (step S10 ′). In addition, the representative moving image generation for one heartbeat from the event signal generation time is executed based on an ECG waveform acquired by an electrocardiograph (not shown), for example.

  As an event signal instructing acquisition of a representative moving image, for example, any of the examples 10 to 14 described above can be adopted. In the present embodiment, the representative moving image is a moving image for one heartbeat from the time of the event signal generation. However, the representative moving image is not limited to this, and any type can be used as long as it serves as an index for search. It may be a moving image over a period of time. Moreover, it is preferable that the recording period and the reproduction period of the representative moving image can be arbitrarily set as necessary.

  Next, in the representative moving image setting process, the control processor 27 sends a signal instructing a representative moving image setting request to the recording control unit 26 (step S17 ′). The recording control unit 26 transmits a representative moving image setting instruction to the authoring in response to the signal (step S18 ′), and the authoring executes setting processing for displaying a list of representative moving images in response to the predetermined instruction (step S19). ′). The operator can execute a moving image reproduction from a frame image corresponding to the representative image, for example, by selecting a desired image from the representative images displayed as a list and displayed as a moving image.

  According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  First, according to this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, operations and operations peculiar to ultrasonic diagnosis are set as image recording start events / image recording end events, and image recording start / end is controlled using these as triggers. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the number of images that are not necessary for diagnosis as much as possible and to effectively use a finite recording area. Furthermore, since special operation for image recording by the operator is not required and image recording is always executed according to a certain standard, highly objective diagnostic information can be provided easily and efficiently.

  In addition, according to the present ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an operation or operation peculiar to ultrasonic diagnosis is set as an image recording start event / image recording end event, so that the moving image is indexed by the image recording start event / image recording end event. Can be managed as a unit. Therefore, even when a plurality of moving image data is recorded in the image recording unit, desired moving image data can be quickly and easily searched by using the index.

  Further, in this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an arbitrary frame image in a moving image can be stored as a representative image by using operations and operations peculiar to ultrasonic diagnosis as representative image acquisition events. The representative images are displayed as a list in the image search, and by selecting a desired corresponding image, for example, it is possible to execute moving image reproduction from a frame image corresponding to the representative image. Therefore, since the image data can be managed as a unit using the representative image as an index, desired moving image data can be quickly and easily searched.

  Further, when the representative image is created as a moving image, for example, the moving image corresponding to one heartbeat can be used as an index to manage the image data as a unit. Therefore, the contents of the moving image data can be grasped more intuitively, and desired image data can be searched quickly and easily.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment automatically uses the ultrasonic image data over a certain period recorded together with the event information including the type and generation timing of the event signal to automatically convert the moving image information based on a uniform standard. Are recorded in a unit.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. When FIG. 2 is compared with FIG. 2, the difference is that an edited image storage unit 40 is further provided.

  The image storage unit 28 stores ultrasonic image data over a certain period acquired in the image diagnosis of the patient, together with event information regarding events that occur during the period. In the present embodiment, the image storage unit 28 is referred to as an input (hereinafter referred to as “new patient information input”) that instructs the start of image diagnosis for a new patient in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus under the control of the control processor 27. ) Until the time when new patient information is input to the next patient (all periods), the ultrasound image data (hereinafter referred to as “all period ultrasound image data”). It shall be remembered. The event information stores event information related to all events that occur during the period. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and for example, a configuration that targets only event information related to a preselected event may be used.

  Under the control of the control processor 27, the recording control unit 26 performs editing processing (described later) on the ultrasonic image data for the entire period based on the event information.

  The edited image storage unit 40 stores ultrasonic image data edited by the recording control unit 26 (hereinafter referred to as “edited ultrasonic image data”).

(Editing function and processing using it)
Next, the editing function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. This function automatically edits the moving image information afterwards by applying editing processing to the ultrasonic image data for the entire period based on the event information stored corresponding to the ultrasonic image data for the entire period. To record.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the editing function. In the figure, first, ultrasonic image data for all periods and event information including the types and timings of event signals generated during the entire periods are acquired and stored in the image storage unit 28 (step S20). The event information is recorded as group information on the DICOM tab when DICOM is used as the image communication standard.

  Next, the recording control unit 26 searches for a recording start event and a recording end event from the event information stored in the image storage unit 28 (step S22). In addition, the recording control unit 26 cuts out the ultrasonic image data corresponding to the frame to which the recording start event is attached, the frame to which the recording end event is attached, and the frame existing between them, thereby editing the ultrasonic image. Data is generated (step S23).

  Next, the recording control unit 26 acquires and sets a representative image using the frame to which the retrieved event signal is attached (step S24). The representative image may be either a still image or a moving image, and the acquisition and setting method is as described in the first embodiment. The edited image storage unit 40 automatically stores the generated edited ultrasonic image data and the representative image (step S25). The edited ultrasonic image data and the representative image are linked. Therefore, the operator can reproduce the edited ultrasonic image data from the image corresponding to the representative image by selecting the desired representative image.

  According to the configuration described above, the edited ultrasonic image data is generated using the whole-period ultrasonic image data and the event information attached thereto. As a result, the moving image information based on the unified standard can be automatically unified and recorded afterwards. Therefore, it is possible to perform processing even in a medical workstation, and ultrasonic image editing can be easily and easily performed.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Specific examples of modifications are as follows.

  (1) Each function according to each of the embodiments can be realized by installing a program for executing the processing in a computer such as a workstation and developing the program on a memory. At this time, a program capable of causing the computer to execute the technique is stored in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory. It can also be distributed.

  (2) According to the representative image setting function described in each of the above embodiments, by selecting a representative image that is an index, for example, a moving image starting from a recorded image linked to the representative image is randomly accessed. Can do. An interface such as a fast-forward button (rewind button) for skipping the playback image in units of sections is provided so that each section delimited by the representative image can be accessed quickly and in a manner as shown in FIG. Also good.

  (3) In each of the above embodiments, the stored ultrasonic image is reproduced with reference to the frame associated with the selected representative image. There is no particular limitation on the reproduction form of the ultrasonic image. As a specific example, all the ultrasonic images after the frame associated with the representative image are reproduced, and the ultrasonic image corresponding to a predetermined period after (or before) the frame associated with the representative image is reproduced. It is conceivable to reproduce an ultrasonic image corresponding to a predetermined period centered on a frame associated with. It is preferable that the operator can arbitrarily select which one is adopted.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of performing image recording with excellent operability and high efficiency by performing image recording while eliminating images unnecessary for diagnosis as much as possible.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a recording start process by the image recording function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a recording end process by the image recording function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which the last operation of image adjustment is an image recording start event, and the operation of the freeze button is an image recording end event. is there. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. An operation for an operator to perform a predetermined measurement is an image recording start event, and an operation of a freeze-off button is an image recording end. Event. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the measurement end instruction operation using the ultrasonic image is set as an image recording start event, and the freeze-off button is pressed. The operation is an event for ending image recording. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining Example 4 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which the activation of the annotation function is an image recording start event, and the operation of the freeze button is an image recording end event. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which an annotation input completion instruction by the annotation function is an image recording start event, and a freeze button operation is an image recording end event. Is. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which the last operation of image adjustment is an image recording start event, and the print instruction operation is an image recording end event. . FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the seventh embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which the final operation of image adjustment is an image recording start event, and the storage operation as a still image is an image recording end event. Is. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the eighth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. When there is a change in the image layout, an image recording start / end event signal is generated using the change as an event. It is. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining processing by the representative image acquisition / setting function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the tenth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which a representative image is acquired using a print execution operation as a representative image acquisition event. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram for explaining Example 11 of the present ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which a representative image is acquired using a still image storage operation as a representative image acquisition event. FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the twelfth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which a representative image is acquired using a measurement end operation as a representative image acquisition event. FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the thirteenth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and acquires a representative image using a freeze-on operation as a representative image acquisition event. FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram for explaining Example 14 of the present ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in which a representative image is acquired using a change in the image layout as a representative image acquisition event. FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a modification of the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining processing by the representative moving image acquisition / setting function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1. FIG. 20 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the editing function. FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an image recording method of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an image recording method of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 11 ... Apparatus main body, 12 ... Ultrasonic probe, 13 ... Input device, 14 ... Monitor, 21 ... Ultrasonic transmission / reception unit, 22 ... B-mode processing unit, 23 ... Doppler processing unit, 25 ... Image Generating circuit, 26 ... recording control unit, 27 ... control processor (CPU), 28 ... image recording unit, 29 ... internal storage device, 30 ... interface unit, 40 ... edited image storage unit

Claims (10)

An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to a predetermined part of the subject and receives an echo signal from the predetermined part;
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe and supplying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe;
Image data generating means for generating a plurality of frames of ultrasonic image data based on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe;
Recording means for recording the ultrasonic image data for each frame;
Signal generation means for generating an event signal triggered by completion of image adjustment by image adjustment operation or start operation of processing for obtaining a predetermined measurement value;
Control means for controlling the start of recording of the ultrasonic image data of the recording means in response to the event signal;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The recording means records information indicating completion or start operation of the image adjustment as a trigger as incidental information of ultrasonic image data,
Further comprising search means for searching for desired data from the ultrasonic image data for each frame based on the incidental information;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to a predetermined part of the subject and receives an echo signal from the predetermined part;
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe and supplying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe;
Image data generating means for generating a plurality of frames of ultrasonic image data based on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe;
Signal generation means for generating an event signal triggered by completion of image adjustment by image adjustment operation or start operation of processing for obtaining a predetermined measurement value;
Based on the ultrasound image data of the frame corresponding to the event signal generation timing, a representative image that symbolically represents the ultrasound image corresponding to the echo signal received before or after the event signal generation is generated. Representative image generating means for
Recording means for recording the ultrasonic image data of a plurality of frames and recording the ultrasonic image data in association with the ultrasonic image data of a frame corresponding to the representative image;
When the representative image is selected, image reproducing means for reproducing the ultrasonic image data with reference to a frame associated with the selected representative image;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The recording means records information indicating completion or start operation of the image adjustment as a trigger as incidental information of ultrasonic image data,
Further comprising search means for searching for desired data from the ultrasonic image data for each frame based on the incidental information;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the representative image is a still image using the ultrasonic image data of a frame corresponding to the event signal generation timing.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the representative image is a moving image including the ultrasonic image data of a frame corresponding to the event signal generation timing.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the representative image is a moving image corresponding to one heartbeat period.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an interface for accessing a head or a tail of each unit divided by the representative image.   The reproduction means adds a frame associated with the selected representative image and a certain period after the frame, a frame associated with the selected representative image, and a certain period before the frame, to the selected representative image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the ultrasonic image data corresponding to any one of a certain period centered on an associated frame is reproduced. An ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to a predetermined part of the subject and receives an echo signal from the predetermined part;
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic probe and supplying the drive signal to the ultrasonic probe;
Image data generating means for generating a plurality of frames of ultrasonic image data based on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe;
A first event signal for instructing the start of image recording or the end of image recording and a second for instructing the acquisition of a representative image are triggered by the completion of the image adjustment by the image adjustment operation or the start operation of the process for acquiring a predetermined measurement value. Signal generating means for generating at least one of the event signals;
Control means for controlling the start of recording of the ultrasonic image data in response to the first event signal;
A representative symbolically showing an ultrasound image corresponding to the echo signal received before or after the event signal generation based on the ultrasound image data of a frame corresponding to the second event signal generation timing Representative image generating means for generating an image;
Recording means for recording the ultrasonic image data of a plurality of frames according to the control of the control means, and recording the ultrasonic image data in association with the ultrasonic image data of a frame corresponding to the representative image;
When the representative image is selected, image reproducing means for reproducing the ultrasonic image data with reference to a frame associated with the selected representative image;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

Images