JPH05137716A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the ultrasonic diagnostic device which can vary freely a frame rate by fixing a picture quality parameter, based on a table of priority of a screen shape parameter and executing the adjustment from the parameter whose priority is subordinate. CONSTITUTION:A control circuit 18 controls a transmitting circuit 12, a receiving circuit 14 and a DSC 16, based on each set parameter and applies a transmitting signal to an ultrasonic probe 10 by the transmitting circuit 12. Subsequently, an ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic probe 10 is reflected in the body, and a reflected wave is received again and converted to a receiving signal, sent to a TV 32 and displayed on a screen. Next, when a frame rate raising key 36 is depressed, the control circuit reads out a table of priority of a picture quality parameter to a frame rate and a table of adjustment order of a screen shape parameter from a storage circuit 40, executes adjustment from the parameter whose priority is subordinate with respect to the screen shape parameter by fixing the picture quality parameter so as to become an inputted frame rate, and controls the transmitting circuit 12, the receiving circuit 14 and the DSC 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining a tomographic image of an affected area by transmitting ultrasonic waves with an ultrasonic probe and receiving the reflected waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which obtains a tomographic image of an affected area by transmitting an ultrasonic wave by an ultrasonic probe and receiving a reflected wave thereof. Are scanning line density (scan line interval), which is a parameter of image quality, the number of times of transmission / reception in one direction during color flow mapping (average number), the number of focus stages of multi-stage dynamic focus operation of transmission, and screen shape parameters. The image quality and the screen shape are changed by changing the scanning angle, the display format, and the speed range (PRT). As a result, the frame rate is changed secondarily.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 10 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. 1
A transmission circuit 12 for transmitting a signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the ultrasonic probe 10 and a receiving circuit 14 for receiving a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic probe 10 are arranged in parallel at 0. It is connected.

Then, in the transmission circuit 12, the reception circuit 14 and the DSC 16 which will be described later, a preset scanning line density,
The transmission circuit 1 according to the average number of times, the number of focus stages of multi-stage focus operation of transmission, the scanning angle, the display format, PRT, etc.
2. Control circuit 1 for controlling the receiving circuit 14 and the DSC 16
8 is connected, and the control circuit 18 has a scanning angle setting key 20 for setting a scanning angle, a display format setting key 22 for setting a display format, and a PRT setting key 2 for setting a PRT.
4, a scanning line density setting key 26 for setting the scanning line density, an average number setting key 28 for setting the average number, and a focus stage number setting key 30 for setting the focus stage number of the multi-stage focus operation of transmission are connected.

Further, a DSC 16 as a scan conversion interface is connected to the receiving circuit 14, and DS
A TV 32 for displaying a tomographic image and a VTR 34 for recording a tomographic image signal are connected to C16.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The control circuit 18 includes a scanning angle setting key 20,
Change the setting for changing the number of transmissions using the display format setting key 22, the scanning line density setting key 26, the average number setting key 28, or the focus step number setting key 30 (scanning angle, display format, scanning line density, average number, focus step number) (Setting change) is determined (step S1), and when it is determined that the setting for changing the number of transmissions is changed, a new number of transmissions is calculated (step S2).

Then, the control circuit 18 judges whether or not there is a change in the setting for changing the transmission cycle (PRT setting change) from the PRT setting key 24 (step S3), and the change in the setting for changing the transmission cycle is made. When it is determined that the frame rate is present, the frame rate is calculated from the new number of transmissions and the new transmission cycle (step S4), and the transmitter circuit 12, the receiver circuit 14 and the DSC 16 are instructed to perform new settings (step S).
5).

When it is determined in step S1 that the setting for changing the number of transmissions has not been changed, the control circuit 18 determines whether the setting for changing the transmission cycle has been changed (step S6). When it is determined that the setting for changing the transmission cycle is changed, the frame rate is calculated from the new transmission cycle and the current number of transmissions (step S
7) Instruct the transmitter circuit 12, the receiver circuit 14 and the DSC 16 to make new settings (step S8).

Further, when it is determined in step S3 that the setting for changing the transmission cycle has not been changed, the frame rate is calculated from the new number of transmissions and the current transmission cycle (step S9), and the transmission circuit 12 receives the signal. Instruct new setting to the circuit 14 and the DSC 16 (step S1)
0).

If it is determined in step S6 that the setting for changing the transmission cycle has not been changed, the operation is continued with the current frame rate.

[0012]

Since the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is configured as described above, the frame rate is secondarily changed by changing each parameter, so that a desired frame is obtained. In order to obtain the rate, it is necessary to be familiar with the function of each parameter, and there is a problem that operability is poor. In particular, color Doppler that can display the blood flow direction in color has a problem that it is difficult to obtain a desired frame rate when it is desired to divide one heart rate into ten equal parts because it takes time to collect data and the frame rate decreases. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the frame rate can be freely changed.

[0014]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention has an image quality parameter for determining the image quality of a tomographic image and the shape of a screen of the tomographic image. A storage circuit that stores the screen shape parameter that determines the image quality, an input key that inputs the frame rate that is the number of images drawn per second, and priority is given to the image quality so that the desired frame rate can be achieved by input from the input key. And a control circuit for adjusting the screen shape, wherein the control circuit sets the image quality parameter based on the priority table of the image quality parameter and the priority table of the screen shape parameter so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained. It is characterized in that the screen shape parameters are fixed and adjusted from the lower priority parameters.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is
A storage circuit that stores image quality parameters that determine the image quality of the tomographic image and screen shape parameters that determine the shape of the screen of the tomographic image, an input key that inputs the frame rate that is the number of images drawn per second, and an input key And a control circuit that adjusts the image quality by giving priority to the screen shape so as to obtain a desired frame rate by inputting
Based on the priority table of the image quality parameters and the priority table of the screen shape parameters so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained, the screen shape parameters are fixed and the image quality parameters are adjusted from lower priority parameters. It is a feature.

Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention has a storage circuit for storing image quality parameters for determining the image quality of the tomographic image and screen shape parameters for determining the screen shape of the tomographic image, and an image drawn for one second. An input key for inputting the frame rate, which is the number of images, a priority instruction key for instructing to give priority to one of the image quality and the screen shape, and the image quality or screen shape so that the desired frame rate is achieved by input from the input key. And a control circuit for adjusting the screen shape or the image quality in priority to the image quality parameter or the screen shape parameter instructed by the priority instruction key so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained. One of the parameters is fixed and the other parameter is adjusted from the parameter of lower priority.

[0017]

With the above configuration, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention stores the image quality parameter for determining the image quality of the tomographic image and the screen shape parameter for determining the screen shape of the tomographic image in the storage circuit. If you enter the frame rate, which is the number of images drawn per second, with the input keys,
Based on the priority table of the image quality parameters and the priority table of the screen shape parameters stored in the memory circuit, the image quality parameters are fixed so that the frame rate is input from the input key, and the screen shape parameters are set to the lower priority order. The tomographic image of the desired frame rate is obtained by adjusting the parameters.

Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is
When the image quality parameter for determining the image quality of the tomographic image and the screen shape parameter for determining the screen shape of the tomographic image are stored in the storage circuit and the frame rate, which is the number of images drawn per second, is input by the input key, Based on the stored image quality parameter priority table and screen shape parameter priority table, the screen shape parameters are fixed so that the frame rate is input from the input key, and the image quality parameters are adjusted from lower priority parameters. Then, a tomographic image with a desired frame rate is obtained.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, the image quality parameter for determining the image quality of the tomographic image and the screen shape parameter for determining the screen shape of the tomographic image are stored by the storage circuit, and the image drawn in one second is stored. When the frame rate, which is the number of images, is input by the input key and the priority instruction key is instructed to give priority to one of the image quality and the screen shape, the control circuit causes the storage circuit to display the image quality parameter priority table and the screen shape parameter. Based on the priority table, fix one of the image quality parameter or the screen shape parameter instructed by the priority instruction key so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained, and adjust the other parameter from the lower priority parameter. Then, a tomographic image with a desired frame rate is obtained.

[0020]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(I) Embodiment of the Invention of Claim 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the invention of Claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe 10 is equipped with the ultrasonic probe 10.
Is connected in parallel with a transmission circuit 12 for transmitting a signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the ultrasonic probe 10 and a receiving circuit 14 for receiving a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic probe 10. Has been done.

Then, in the transmission circuit 12, the reception circuit 14 and the DSC 16 which will be described later, a preset scanning line density,
A control circuit 18 for controlling the transmission circuit 12, the reception circuit 14, and a DSC 16 described later is connected to the control circuit 18 according to the average number of times, the number of focus steps of the multi-stage dynamic focus operation of transmission, the scanning angle, the display format, PRT, and the like. , A scan angle setting key 20 for setting a scan angle, a display format setting key 22 for setting a display format, a PRT setting key 24 for setting a PRT, a scan line density setting key 26 for setting a scan line density, and an average count Average frequency setting key 2
8 and a focus stage number setting key 30 for setting the number of focus stages of the multi-stage focus operation for transmission are connected.

Further, the control circuit 18 has a frame rate increase key 36 as an input key for inputting a frame rate which is the number of images drawn per second, a frame rate decrease key 38, and an image quality for determining the image quality of a tomographic image. Parameter (scan line density (scan line interval)), number of times of transmission / reception in one direction during color flow mapping (average number), number of focus stages of multi-stage focus operation of transmission (speed range (PR
T)) and a storage circuit 4 for storing screen shape parameters (scanning angle, display format) for determining the screen shape of the tomographic image.
0 is connected, and the storage circuit 40 stores a table of priority order of image quality parameters with respect to frame rate and a table of adjustment order of screen shape parameters.

Further, a DSC 16 as a scan conversion interface is connected to the receiving circuit 14, and DS
A TV 32 for displaying a tomographic image and a VTR 34 for recording a tomographic image signal are connected to C16.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The operator uses the scanning angle setting key 2 in advance.
0, the display format setting key 22, the PRT setting key 24, the scanning line density setting key 26, the average number setting key 28, and the focus step number setting key 30 set each parameter.

Then, the control circuit 18 controls the transmitting circuit 12, the receiving circuit 14 and the DS based on the set parameters.
The ultrasonic probe 10 is controlled by the transmission circuit 12 by controlling C16.
Give a transmission signal to.

Then, the ultrasonic probe 10 emits an ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic probe 10 is reflected in the body, and the reflected wave is received by the ultrasonic probe 10 again. And convert it to a received signal.

Further, the received signal (tomographic image signal) is
It is sent to the TV 32 by the DSC 16 and displayed on the screen of the TV 32.

Then, the operator records the received signal (tomographic image signal) by the VTR 34 as needed.

At this time, for example, when a tomographic image of the heart is taken and the frame rate is 7 at the current setting of each parameter, the operator sets the heart rate of the heart to 10
When it is desired to divide into several parts, the frame rate increase key 36 is pressed.

Then, the frame rate increase key 36 O
The control circuit that receives the N signal reads the table of the priority order of the image quality parameter and the table of the adjustment order of the screen shape parameter with respect to the frame rate from the storage circuit 40 so that the frame rate input from the frame rate increase key 36 becomes the frame rate. Fix the image quality parameters and adjust the screen shape parameters from the lower priority parameters,
It controls the transmission circuit 12, the reception circuit 14, and the DSC 16.

When the VTR 34 is operated at an ultrasonic image rate synchronized with the field of the TV display in consideration of recording, the NTSC TV displays at 60 fields / sec, and the ultrasonic wave synchronized with the field is displayed. The rates are 60, 30, 20, 15, 12, 10, 8.
It is a discrete value such as 57, 7.5, 6, 5, 4, ... Field / sec.

Then, the number of scanning lines (scanning angle in the case of sector or convex, scanning in the case of linear scanning so that the frame rate changes by one step each time the frame rate increase key 36 or the frame rate decrease key 38 is pressed once. Increase or decrease the width.

It should be noted that the number of scanning lines is increased / decreased so that the maximum number of scanning lines can realize the frame rate.

Further, in the case of color mapping, the settings of the line density and the number of multi-step focus steps are not changed so that the image does not change, and the diagnostic distance and PRT are set so as not to affect the inspection object. It doesn't change.

(II) Embodiment of the Invention of Claim 2 In this embodiment, the structure of the apparatus is the same as that of the embodiment of the invention of claim 1.

The operator uses the scanning angle setting key 2 in advance.
0, the display format setting key 22, the PRT setting key 24, the scanning line density setting key 26, the average number setting key 28, and the focus step number setting key 30 set each parameter.

Then, the control circuit 18 controls the transmitting circuit 12, the receiving circuit 14 and the DS based on the set parameters.
The ultrasonic probe 10 is controlled by the transmission circuit 12 by controlling C16.
Give a transmission signal to.

Then, the ultrasonic probe 10 emits an ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic probe 10 is reflected in the body, and the reflected wave is received by the ultrasonic probe 10 again. And convert it to a received signal.

Further, the received signal (tomographic image signal) is
It is sent to the TV 32 by the DSC 16 and displayed on the screen of the TV 32.

Then, the operator records the received signal (tomographic image signal) by the VTR 34 as needed.

At this time, for example, when a tomographic image of the heart is taken and the frame rate is, for example, 7 in the current setting of each parameter, the operator sets one heart rate of the heart to 10
When it is desired to divide into several parts, the frame rate increase key 36 is pressed.

Then, the frame rate increase key 36 O
The control circuit which receives the N signal reads out the table of the priority order of the image quality parameter with respect to the frame rate and the table of the adjustment order of the screen shape parameter from the storage circuit 40, and inputs them from the frame rate increase key 36 or the frame rate decrease key 38. The screen shape parameter is fixed so that the frame rate is obtained, and the image quality parameter is adjusted from the lower priority parameter.

(III) Embodiment of the Invention of Claim 3 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the invention of claim 3. The same parts as those described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a priority instruction key 42 for instructing to give priority to one of the image quality and the screen shape.

Therefore, the operator gives an instruction to give priority to one of the image quality and the screen shape by using the priority instruction key 42 in advance.

For example, when an instruction is given to give priority to image quality, the operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment of the invention of claim 1, while when an instruction is given to give priority to the screen shape, this embodiment is The operation of is the same as the operation of the embodiment of the invention of claim 2. Therefore, the description of the operation is omitted.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The image quality parameters are fixed based on the priority table of the image quality parameters and the priority table of the screen shape parameters so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained, and the screen shape parameters are adjusted from the lower priority parameters. Since it is configured, it is possible to easily prioritize image quality to a desired frame rate and improve operability even if the function of each parameter is not familiar.

Further, the screen shape parameters are fixed based on the priority table of the image quality parameters and the priority table of the screen shape parameters so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained, and the image quality parameters are set to the lower order parameters. Since it was configured to adjust from
Even if you are not familiar with the function of each parameter, you can easily give priority to the screen shape and set the desired frame rate.
Operability can be improved.

Furthermore, a priority instruction key for instructing to give priority to one of the image quality and the screen shape is provided, and the image quality parameter or screen shape instructed by the priority instruction key so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained. Since one of the parameters is fixed and the other parameter is adjusted from lower priority parameters, the desired frame rate can be easily set without knowing the function of each parameter. It is possible to improve the operability, and it is possible to instruct to give priority to one of the image quality and the screen shape, whereby the operability can be further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claims 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a conventional operation.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 18 control circuit 36 frame rate increase key 38 frame rate decrease key 40 storage circuit 42 priority instruction key

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains a tomographic image of an affected area by transmitting an ultrasonic wave by an ultrasonic probe and receiving a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave, and gives priority to an image quality parameter that determines the image quality of the tomographic image. A storage circuit that stores a priority table and a priority table of screen shape parameters that determine the screen shape of a tomographic image, an input key that inputs the frame rate that is the number of images drawn per second, and an input key A control circuit that adjusts the screen shape by giving priority to image quality so that a desired frame rate is obtained by input,
The control circuit fixes the image quality parameter based on the priority table of the image quality parameter and the priority table of the screen shape parameter based on the priority table of the image quality parameter and the priority table of the screen shape parameter so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that adjustment is performed from lower parameters. 2. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains a tomographic image of an affected area by transmitting an ultrasonic wave by an ultrasonic probe and receiving a reflected wave thereof, and an image quality parameter and a tomographic image for determining the image quality of the tomographic image. A storage circuit that stores the screen shape parameter that determines the shape of the screen of the image, an input key that inputs the frame rate that is the number of images drawn per second, and a desired frame rate by input from the input key. A control circuit that prioritizes the screen shape and adjusts the image quality,
The control circuit fixes the screen shape parameter based on the priority table of the image quality parameter and the priority table of the screen shape parameter so that the frame rate input from the input key is obtained, and the image quality parameter is prioritized. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that adjustment is performed from lower parameters. 3. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining a tomographic image of an affected area by transmitting an ultrasonic wave by an ultrasonic probe and receiving a reflected wave thereof, and an image quality parameter and a tomographic image for determining the image quality of the tomographic image. A memory circuit that stores screen shape parameters that determine the shape of the screen of the image, an input key that inputs the frame rate that is the number of images drawn per second, and an instruction to give priority to one of image quality and screen shape. And a control circuit that adjusts the screen shape or the image quality by giving priority to the image quality or the screen shape so that a desired frame rate is obtained by an input from the input key. Fix one of the image quality parameter or the screen shape parameter instructed by the priority instruction key so that the input frame rate is obtained, and the other parameter Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by adjusting the priority lower parameters.