JPH0751268A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out the regulation of an ultrasonic wave output easily, by finding the values depending on the indexes to indicate the influences of the ultrasonic waves to an organism at the positions in the ultrasonic visual field, and superposing the marker to indicate the position at which the maximum value is obtained to a tomographic image and displaying it. CONSTITUTION:When a driving circuit 2 is controlled by reading the scanning condition corresponding to an operation mode from the inner memory for control circuit 3, so as to carry out the scanning of the ultrasonic beams, the received signal is delivered to a display circuit 6 after a delay time for amplification and the receiving focusing is given in a receiving circuit 5 at every scanning line, and an M mode image or a tomographic image is produced. And in the control circuit 3, the maximum value in the MI and the TI of the points in the ultrasonic visual field is calculated, and the result is output to a display circuit 6 together with the spatial position data of the maximum value of the MI values read from a ROM 8. And the markers of the MI and the TI are superposed to the positions corresponding to the spatial position on the tomographic image so as to produce the display image for one frame component, and it is displayed on a monitor 7.

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 a subject by receiving signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves within the subject and displaying the tomographic image together with an ultrasonic output level. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there has been a growing interest in the effects of ultrasonic waves on living bodies. Under these circumstances, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tends to enforce power restrictions on ultrasonic power levels. The FDA provides three types of operational guidelines with different viewpoints for this power regulation. These operational guidelines are called Track 1, Track 2, and Track 3, respectively.

Track 1 is not applicable to Fetal Doppler (Fetal Doppler method), and is intended for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment whose acoustic power output from the probe is below the current regulation level, and ispta (Spacial Peak Temporal Aver).
age Intensity ； Spatial maximum value of time average intensity value）, I
sppa (Spacial Peak Pulse Average Intensity; spatial maximum value of average intensity value within pulse wave length), Im (average intensity value within half-wavelength waveform including instantaneous peak intensity value; Ma
ximum Intensity) which gives a regulation level to the intensity parameter indicating each ultrasonic output level.

Further, Track 2 is intended for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applicable to Fetal Doppler and gives a regulation level to the same intensity parameter as Track 1.
Track 3 is an index related to the mechanical influence on the living body by the energy generated when MI (Mechanical Index) ultrasonic waves propagate in living tissue and are compressed and destroyed by the bubbles formed by expansion. Spatial maximum of negative peak sound pressure of pulse divided by square root of its center frequency) and TI (Thermal Index); Thermal effect on living body by energy absorbed by living body tissue by ultrasonic irradiation (tissue Temperature rise), which is the spatial maximum value of the total acoustic power value of the ultrasonic waves received by the subject divided by the acoustic power value required to raise the temperature of the living tissue by 1 °) In addition to giving a regulation level, it is required to display these indicators MI and TI on a monitor in real time so that the operator can check them at any time.

By the way, the permissible value for damage to a living body caused by ultrasonic waves differs for each part such as the liver, fetus, and eye. Further, as described above, each index value such as Ispta is obtained for each of a large number of points in the ultrasonic field of view, but the index value of the large number of points is used to regulate the ultrasonic output level. Only maximum value. Therefore, clinically, there are many cases where a diagnostic site, for example, a fetus, does not exist at the spatial position where the maximum value is obtained, and as a result, diagnosis is performed with extremely poor image quality due to unnecessarily low ultrasonic output level. Sometimes. Therefore, there is a demand from clinical sites to know which site exists in the spatial position where this maximum value is obtained and adjust the ultrasonic output by this, but the spatial information of such maximum value is There is no ultrasonic diagnostic device that can present

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned circumstances, and its first object is to provide an index value representing the effect of ultrasonic waves at various positions within the ultrasonic field on the living body. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of presenting the position in the ultrasonic visual field in which the maximum value of the above is obtained. A second object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of presenting a position distribution of index values representing the effect of ultrasonic waves at various positions within the ultrasonic field on the living body. A third object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of presenting an index value representing the effect of an ultrasonic wave at an arbitrary position within the ultrasonic visual field on a living body. A fourth object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of presenting an average value of index values indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves at each position in an arbitrary region within the ultrasonic field on a living body.

[0007]

The present invention according to claim 1 provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a tomographic image of a subject on the basis of a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into the subject. It is characterized in that a value based on an index indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves on the living body is obtained for each position in the acoustic field, and a marker indicating the position where the maximum value is obtained is superimposed and displayed on the tomographic image. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a tomographic image of a subject based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into the subject, each position within an ultrasonic field of view. It is characterized in that a value based on an index indicating the effect of the ultrasonic wave on the living body is obtained for each time, and the position distribution information of the value is superimposed and displayed on the tomographic image.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a tomographic image of a subject on the basis of a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into the subject, an arbitrary position in the tomographic image is displayed. It is characterized in that a value is specified based on an index indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves on the living body at the specified position and the value is displayed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a tomographic image of a subject based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into the subject, an arbitrary region in the tomographic image is displayed. It is characterized in that a value is specified based on an index indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves on each living body at each position in the specified area, and the average value is displayed.

[0011]

According to the present invention of claim 1, a value based on an index indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves on a living body is obtained for each position within the ultrasonic field of view, and a marker is provided at the position where the maximum value is obtained. Is displayed superimposed on the tomographic image.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a value based on the index indicating the effect of the ultrasonic wave on the living body is obtained for each position in the ultrasonic visual field, and the position distribution information of the value is obtained in the tomographic image. It is displayed superimposed.

According to the present invention of claim 4, a value is obtained based on an index indicating the effect of the ultrasonic wave on the living body at an arbitrary position designated in the tomographic image, and the value is displayed. According to the present invention of claim 5, a value based on an index indicating the effect of the ultrasonic wave on the living body at each position in the arbitrary region designated in the tomographic image is obtained, and the average value is displayed.

[0014]

Embodiments of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment. Sector type electronic scanning probe 1
Consists of a plurality of transducers arranged in one dimension. Of course,
The probe 1 is not limited to the sector type electronic scanning type, and may be another scanning type such as a linear type or a mechanical scanning type.

A drive circuit 2 is provided for each transducer of the probe 1.
The transmission voltage is individually applied from the. By delaying this application timing between the transducers, the ultrasonic beam can be deflected in an arbitrary direction, or the ultrasonic beam can be focused (focused) at an arbitrary depth.

A control circuit 3 is connected to the drive circuit 2. Further, the control circuit 3 has an operation panel 4 for selectively inputting an arbitrary operation mode desired by an operator, such as an M mode, a B mode or an M / B mode (simultaneous operation of the M mode and the B mode). Connected. According to the selected operation mode, the control circuit 3 scans the ultrasonic beam, the transmission voltage applied to each transducer, the position of the transmission focus of each scanning line, the frequency of the ultrasonic pulse, and one ultrasonic wave. The scanning conditions necessary for ultrasonic scanning, such as the burst wave number for each pulse and the transmission aperture, are set. This scanning condition is preset for each operation mode and stored in the internal memory of the control circuit 3. When the operation mode is selected, the scanning condition corresponding to this is read out and used for controlling the drive circuit 2. To be

Further, the control circuit 3 calculates an index value representing the effect of the ultrasonic wave on the living body according to a predetermined calculation formula, based on this scanning condition and a previously assumed attenuation coefficient of the ultrasonic wave in the body. As this index, as described in the prior art, Ispta, Isppa, Im, MI, T
There are various types such as I. Ispta is the Spacial
Abbreviation for Peak Temporal Average Intensity, which is the spatial maximum of the temporal average intensity value. Isppa is Spacia
l Peak Abbreviation for Pulse Average Intensity, which is the spatial maximum value of the average intensity value within the pulse wave length. Im is an abbreviation for Maximum Intensity, and is an average intensity value within a half-wavelength waveform including an instantaneous maximum intensity value. MI is an abbreviation for Mechanical Index, which is a converted value that quantifies the mechanical effect on the living body by the energy generated when the expanded bubbles are compressed and destroyed when the ultrasonic waves propagate through the living tissue. Is a numerical value obtained by dividing the negative peak sound pressure of the ultrasonic pulse by the square root of its center frequency. TI is an abbreviation for Thermal Index, which is a converted value that quantifies the thermal effect (temperature rise of tissue) exerted on the living body by the energy absorbed in the living tissue by ultrasonic irradiation, and is received by the subject. It is a value obtained by dividing the total sound power value of ultrasonic waves by the sound power value required to raise the temperature of the living tissue by 1 °.

In the present embodiment, either index may be adopted, but here, MI and TI, which have become mainstream in recent years, are used.
Will be described as the one adopting. The MI value and the TI value are obtained for each of a large number of points within the ultrasonic visual field, but only the maximum value of the MI value and the TI value of these many points should be presented to the operator. The position (hereinafter referred to as a spatial position) in the ultrasonic field of view where these MI and TI show the maximum value is uniquely determined by the scanning conditions. These spatial positions are measured in advance and stored in the ROM 8 in advance. The control circuit 3 controls the ROM 8 to appropriately output each of these spatial positions to the display circuit 6 described later.

After being radiated from the probe 1, the reflected wave reflected in the subject is received by the probe 1. This reception signal is sent to the display circuit 6 after being given a delay time opposite to that at the time of amplification and transmission by the reception circuit 5. Amplification and delay control are performed by the control circuit 3. The display circuit 6 is
From this received signal, an M-mode image or a B-mode image (hereinafter simply referred to as a tomographic image) of the operation mode selected by operating the operation panel 4 is generated. The display circuit 6 has an RO
The spatial position information of MI and TI from M8, and the MI value and TI value calculated by the control circuit 3 are supplied. The display circuit 6 superimposes each marker of MI and TI on the position corresponding to the spatial position on the generated tomographic image, and also schedules these M-mode image, tomographic image, MI value and TI value within one frame. The display image for one frame is generated by arranging at the position. This display image is displayed on the monitor 7.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. By operating the operation panel 4, the operation mode desired by the operator is selectively designated. The scanning condition corresponding to this operation mode is read from the internal memory of the control circuit 3, and the drive circuit 2 is controlled by the control circuit 3 according to the scanning condition.
Scanning of the ultrasonic beam is performed. The reception signal obtained by this scanning is sent to the display circuit 6 after being given a delay time for amplification and reception focus by the reception circuit 5 for each scanning line, and is selected by the operation of the operation panel 4 here. It is generated in the M-mode image or tomographic image of the operation mode. On the other hand, the control circuit 3 calculates the maximum values of MI and TI at each point in the ultrasonic field of view based on the scanning conditions, and supplies the maximum values to the display circuit 6. Further, R is controlled by the control circuit 3.
Spatial position information of each maximum value of MI value and TI value is supplied from the OM 8 to the display circuit 6. The display circuit 6 superimposes each marker of MI and TI on a position corresponding to the spatial position on the generated tomographic image, and at the same time, schedules these M-mode image, tomographic image, MI value and TI value within one frame. The display image for one frame is generated by arranging at the position. This display image is displayed on the monitor 7 as shown in FIG. Of course, when various conditions related to the MI value and TI value such as the position of the transmission focus, the rate frequency, the burst wave number, and the transmission aperture are changed by the operation of the operation panel 4 during the diagnosis, the control circuit 3 is changed. The MI value and TI value are recalculated based on the above conditions and the result is displayed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the MI value and T
The maximum values of the I value are displayed together with the tomographic image, and the spatial positions at which the maximum values of the MI value and TI value are obtained are superimposed and displayed on the tomographic image, so that the operator can obtain these maximum values. By confirming the position on the tomographic image and the subject region at that position, ultrasonic diagnosis can be advanced while considering the resistance of the subject region, and accidents can be prevented.

The maximum value of the MI value and the TI value and their respective positions can be displayed in different colors by adding color information to the display circuit 6, which facilitates the identification of the two. Higher accuracy safety confirmation can be expected. In addition, the attenuation coefficient of ultrasonic waves in the body necessary for calculating the MI value and the TI value can be arbitrarily set, and more accurate MI value and TI according to the age and body condition of the subject.
The value can also be calculated by using the damping coefficient of the calculation formula in the control circuit 3 as a fluctuation parameter so that an arbitrary damping coefficient can be input from the operation panel 4.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is characterized in that an iso MI value line such as a contour line connecting the same MI value or TI value in the ultrasonic field of view or an iso TI value line is superimposed and displayed on the tomographic image.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In general, the distribution of MI value and TI value at each point in the ultrasonic field of view is uniquely determined for each scanning condition. Therefore, we measure this distribution,
By connecting MI values and TI values having the same value, an equal MI value line and an equal TI value line can be obtained. The drawing information of the equal MI value line and the equal TI value line is stored in advance in the ROM 9 of FIG.

Similar to the case of the first embodiment, the operation mode desired by the operator is selectively designated by operating the operation panel 4. The scanning conditions corresponding to this operation mode are read from the internal memory of the control circuit 3, and the drive circuit 2 is controlled by the control circuit 3 accordingly, and the scanning of the ultrasonic beam is executed. The reception signal obtained by this scanning is sent to the display circuit 6 after being given a delay time for amplification and reception focus by the reception circuit 5 for each scanning line, and is selected by the operation of the operation panel 4 here. It is generated in the M-mode image or tomographic image of the operation mode. On the other hand, the control circuit 3 calculates the maximum values of MI and TI of each point in the ultrasonic field based on the scanning condition, and the display circuit 6
Is supplied to. The ROM 9 is controlled by the control circuit 3.
Is supplied to the display circuit 6 from the drawing information of the equal MI value line and the equal TI value line. The display circuit 6 is based on this drawing information,
An equal MI value line and an equal TI value line are superimposed on the generated tomographic image, and these M mode image, tomographic image, MI value and TI value are arranged at a predetermined position within one frame and a display image for one frame is displayed. To generate. This display image is displayed on the monitor 7 as shown in FIG. The broken line in FIG. 4 indicates an equal MI value line or an equal TI value line. Of course, MI such as position of transmission focus, rate frequency, burst wave number, transmission aperture, etc.
When various conditions related to the value or TI value are changed by the operation of the operation panel 4 during the diagnosis, the control circuit 3 recalculates the MI value and TI value based on the changed condition, and the result is calculated. Display it.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the MI value and T
Each maximum value of the I value is displayed together with the tomographic image, and iso MI value lines and iso TI value lines such as contour lines connecting MI and TI of the same value in the ultrasonic field of view are superimposed and displayed on the tomographic image. The operator can confirm each value of MI and TI for each position in the tomographic image, and can proceed with ultrasonic diagnosis while considering the resistance of the subject site, and prevent accidents.

Each maximum value of MI value and TI value, or equal M
Displaying I-value lines and equal TI-value lines in different colors can be performed by adding color information in the display circuit 6,
This facilitates the identification of the two and makes it possible to expect more accurate safety confirmation. In addition, the attenuation coefficient of ultrasonic waves in the body necessary for calculating the MI value and the TI value can be arbitrarily set to calculate the more accurate MI value and TI value according to the age and body condition of the subject. This can be implemented by using the damping coefficient of the calculation formula in 3 as a fluctuation parameter so that an arbitrary damping coefficient can be input from the operation panel 4.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the MI value and T of an arbitrary point designated in the ultrasonic field of view are
I value or average MI of the region of interest (hereinafter referred to as ROI)
It is characterized by displaying a value and an average TI value.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In general, the distribution of MI value and TI value at each point in the ultrasonic field of view is uniquely determined for each scanning condition. Therefore, the distribution is measured while changing the scanning conditions in advance, and this distribution is stored in advance in the ROM 10 of FIG. 5 for each scanning condition.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the operation mode desired by the operator is selectively designated by operating the operation panel 4. The scanning conditions corresponding to this operation mode are read from the internal memory of the control circuit 3, and the drive circuit 2 is controlled by the control circuit 3 accordingly, and the scanning of the ultrasonic beam is executed. The reception signal obtained by this scanning is sent to the display circuit 6 after being given a delay time for amplification and reception focus by the reception circuit 5 for each scanning line, and is selected by the operation of the operation panel 4 here. The M-mode image and the tomographic image of the operation mode are generated and displayed on the monitor 7.

On this tomographic image, as shown in FIG. 6, the cursor is placed at an arbitrary position by operating the operation panel 4.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation panel 4 is displayed on the tomographic image.
The ROI is set at an arbitrary position by the operation of. The control circuit 3 outputs this cursor or ROI position information to the ROM 10 together with the scanning conditions. ROM accordingly
The corresponding scanning condition and MI or TI corresponding to the position of the cursor or ROI is read from the display circuit 6 to the display circuit 6. In the display circuit 6, MI or TI corresponding to the position of this cursor, or M of each point included in the calculated ROI.
The average value of the I value and the average value of the TI value are arranged at a predetermined position within one frame together with the M mode image and the tomographic image, respectively,
A display image for a frame is generated. This display image is displayed on the monitor 7 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the MI value or TI value of an arbitrary point designated in the ultrasonic field of view, or the average value or TI of the MI value of each point in the region of interest (hereinafter referred to as ROI).
The average of the values can be displayed together with the tomographic image, and the operator can display the MI value and TI of the desired part projected on the tomographic image.
The value can be confirmed, ultrasonic diagnosis can be advanced while considering the resistance of the designated site, and an accident can be prevented.

The MI value and the TI value can be displayed in different colors by adding color information to the display circuit 6, which facilitates the identification of the two and expects a more accurate safety confirmation. become able to. Also, M
The distribution of the I value and the TI value is not measured in advance and stored in the ROM 10, but each time the position is designated by the cursor or the ROI, the MI value or the TI value of the position is calculated based on a predetermined calculation formula.
You may make it calculate a value. Furthermore, MI value and TI
The calculation of more accurate MI value and TI value according to the age and body condition of the subject by setting the attenuation coefficient of the ultrasonic wave in the body necessary for the calculation of the value is performed by the calculation formula in the control circuit 3. This can be implemented by making it possible to input an arbitrary damping coefficient from the operation panel 4 by using the damping coefficient as a fluctuation parameter. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified and implemented.

[0034]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, a value based on an index indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves on a living body is obtained for each position within the ultrasonic field of view, and the position at which the maximum value is obtained is obtained. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the marker is displayed on the tomographic image in a superposed manner.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a value based on the index indicating the effect of the ultrasonic wave on the living body is obtained for each position within the ultrasonic visual field, and the position distribution information of the value is obtained in the tomographic image. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is superimposed and displayed.

According to the present invention of claim 4, a value based on an index indicating the effect of the ultrasonic wave on the living body at an arbitrary position designated in the tomographic image is obtained, and the value is displayed. A device can be provided.

According to the present invention of claim 5, a value is obtained based on an index indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves on a living body at each position in an arbitrary region designated in a tomographic image, and the average value is displayed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the monitor of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the monitor of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment.

6 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the monitor of FIG.

7 is a diagram showing another display screen displayed on the monitor of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another display screen displayed on a conventional monitor.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Probe, 2 ... Drive circuit, 3 ... Control circuit, 4 ... Operation panel, 5 ... Receiving circuit, 6 ... Display circuit, 7 ... Monitor, 8
... ROM.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a tomographic image of a subject based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into the subject, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to a living body at each position within an ultrasonic field of view. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that a value is obtained based on an index indicating an influence, and a marker indicating a position where the maximum value is obtained is superimposed and displayed on the tomographic image. 2. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a tomographic image of a subject based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into the subject, wherein ultrasonic waves are transmitted to a living body at each position within an ultrasonic field of view. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that a value is obtained based on an index indicating an influence, and position distribution information of the value is superimposed and displayed on the tomographic image. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position distribution information is an isoline connecting predetermined isovalue positions. 4. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a tomographic image of a subject based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into the subject, an arbitrary position in the tomographic image is designated, and at the designated position An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that a value based on an index indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves on a living body is obtained and the value is displayed. 5. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and displaying a tomographic image of a subject based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into the subject, an arbitrary region in the tomographic image is designated, and within the designated region An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that a value based on an index indicating the effect of ultrasonic waves on a living body at each position is obtained and the average value is displayed.