JPH09327457A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To observe the growing trend of a fetus simultaneously with an ultrasonic image of the fetus by displaying the ultrasonic image and a diagram expressing changes of an index to show the growing trend in the time course together on an identical display. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic image producing part 23 scans a cross section of a subject including the fetus and produces ultrasonic image data such as a B-mode image (CT tissue image), a blood flow image, etc. The image is measured and calculated based on coordinates of two or more measured points designated by a cursor via a console 15 in an ultrasonic image displayed on a display 29. Trend graph data to show the growing trend of the fetus based on measured and calculated values of the subject stored in a memory unit 25 and those obtained at the present time are produced by a trend graph producing part 19. Three kinds of data of ultrasonic images, measured and calculated values, and trend graphs are simultaneously displayed on one display 29.

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 used for fetal screening.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art CRLs for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of this type are used.
It is indispensable to have a function of measuring and calculating various indicators representing the developmental status of the fetus, such as (chief head), BPD (large transverse diameter of the head), and EFW (estimated weight). Furthermore, in recent years, the function of creating and displaying a graph (trend graph) showing the changes over time of the index values so as to store these various index values and grasp the growth trend at the time of screening is becoming popular. It is in. FIG. 8 shows an example of a CRL trend graph.

However, since the trend graph is displayed by switching from the ultrasonic image, the problem that the growth trend of the fetus cannot be observed at the same time as the ultrasonic image of the fetus, and the trend graph data can be displayed by ultrasonic waves. When the image data is stored in a storage medium and printed out, the running cost of the image data is increased and the matching of the two images is complicated.

[0004]

An object of the present invention is to prevent the growth trend of a fetus from being observed at the same time as an ultrasonic image of the fetus and to store trend graph data in a storage medium together with ultrasonic image data. If you print it out, the running cost will increase,
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can solve the problem of the complexity of matching the two.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a cross section of a pregnant woman is ultrasonically scanned to generate an ultrasonic image of a fetus, and an index value representing the developmental status of the fetus is measured from the ultrasonic image. In the possible ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of, characterized in that it is possible to display the ultrasonic image and a graph showing the change over time of the index value for indicating the growth trend of the fetus on the same screen. To do.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a pair of the ultrasonic image and the graph relating to a plurality of fetuses can be displayed on the same screen. Also, the present invention
The index value can be numerically displayed on the same screen together with the ultrasonic image and the graph.

The present invention is also capable of scanning a cross section of a pregnant woman with ultrasonic waves to generate an ultrasonic image of a fetus, and measuring an index value representing the developmental status of the fetus from the ultrasonic image. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the index value,
It is characterized in that it is possible to display, on the same screen, a graph showing a change with time of the index value.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a pair of the index value and the graph for a plurality of fetuses can be displayed on the same screen. (Operation) An ultrasonic image and a graph showing a change over time in the index value for indicating the growth trend of the fetus are displayed on the same screen. Therefore, the growth trend of the fetus can be observed simultaneously with the ultrasonic image of the fetus. Further, when the graph and the ultrasonic image are to be recorded, it is sufficient to store the data for one screen in which both are displayed on the same screen in the storage medium, and both are displayed on the same screen. It suffices to print out the screen. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the running cost compared to the conventional memory and printout for two screens, and to completely eliminate the complexity of matching the two. You can

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Figure 1,
1 shows a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment. The control bus 11 for control signals includes a controller 13, a console 15, a measuring unit 17, a trend graph creating unit 19,
An ultrasonic image generation unit 23, a memory unit 25, a digital scan converter (DSC) 27, a plurality of displays 29, and a printer 31 are connected. The data bus 11 for ultrasonic image data and index value data includes a controller 13, a console 15, a measuring unit 17,
A trend graph creation unit 19, an ultrasonic image generation unit 23, a memory unit 25, a digital scan converter (DSC) 27, a plurality of displays 29, and a printer 31 are connected.

The ultrasonic image generation unit 23 is a subject (pregnant woman).
It is configured to scan a cross section including the fetus with an ultrasonic wave, and generate ultrasonic image data such as a B-mode image (tissue tomographic image) and a blood flow image based on the obtained consultation signal. It has an ultrasonic probe, a transmission / reception circuit, and a signal processing system.

The memory unit 25 stores the ultrasonic image data generated by the ultrasonic image generating section 23, the index value data calculated by the measuring section 17, and the trend graph data generated by the trend graph generating section 19. It is stored together with the attribute information such as the name of the subject and the examination time.

On the console 15, the operator selects one or a plurality of items from a plurality of types of measurement items that can be measured by the measuring unit 17, and the operator makes ultrasonic waves at the measurement points required for the selected items. A keyboard, switch, button, or track that is specified on the image display screen and that is necessary for the operator to select the item required as a trend graph from among multiple types of items and for the operator to select the desired display mode. Equipped with a ball, mouse, etc.

Under the control of the controller 13, the measuring unit 17 measures a distance, based on the coordinates of two or more measurement points designated via the console 15, with respect to the measurement item selected via the console 15. It is configured to measure and calculate perimeter, cross-sectional area, estimated weight, etc. Items that can be measured and calculated by the measurement unit 17 include CRL (fetal head length), BPD (large head diameter), OFD (front and rear diameter), ATD (horizontal diameter), ALD (front and back diameter of abdomen). ), A
There are A (abdominal cross-sectional area), EFW (estimated weight), and the like, which are used as an index (index) indicating the developmental status of the fetus.

Under the control of the controller 13, the trend graph creating section 19 obtains the past measurement values stored in the memory unit 25 and the present inspection for the measurement item selected via the console 15. Based on the measured values obtained, a so-called trend graph is created to show the growth trend of the fetus from the start of the test to the latest test (current test) in which these measured values are distributed along the time axis and connected.

Digital scan converter 27
Is a console 15 under the control of the controller 13.
According to the display mode selected via, the frame data for one screen corresponding to at least one of the plurality of displays 29 is selected from at least one of ultrasonic image data, measurement / calculation value data, and trend graph data. Alternatively, it is configured by an arbitrary combination, and the data is output in the order according to the scanning method of the display 29 and at the speed according to the frame rate of the display 29. The frame data output from the digital scan converter 27 is displayed on the display 29. Display 29
The display screen of is printed by the printer 31, recorded in the VTR, and photographed by the instant camera.

FIG. 2 shows the operation procedure of this embodiment. First, based on the coordinates of two or more measurement points designated by the cursor on the ultrasonic image displayed on the display 29 via the console 15, the value of the measurement item selected via the console 15 (measurement / calculation). The value) is measured and calculated by the measuring unit 17 (S11). This measurement
The calculated value data is sent to the memory unit 25 and stored (S12).

Next, regarding the measurement item selected as the trend graph through the console 15, the past measured / calculated values of the subject stored in the memory unit 25 and the present examination of the subject are obtained. Based on the measured and calculated values, the latest inspection from the start of inspection (current inspection)
The trend graph creation unit 19 creates trend graph data (graphic data) indicating the growth trend of the fetus up to (S13).

Next, the display mode is selected interactively. First, the operator selects, via the console 15, whether to display on one screen using only one display 29 (S14).

When "1 screen display" is selected in S14,
Next, the ultrasonic image of the subject generated in the examination, the measured / calculated values of the subject measured in the examination, and the trend graph of the subject are simultaneously displayed (combined into one frame and displayed on one screen. Whether to display) is selected (S15).

When "simultaneous display" is selected in S15, these three types of data of the ultrasonic image, measured / calculated value, and trend graph are digital scan converter 2 data.
One screen is divided into three, as shown in FIG. 3, or one screen is divided into two, and is simultaneously displayed on the same screen via S7 via S7 (S16). These screens may be divided according to a standard division, or may be arbitrarily divided by the operator via the console 15. Further, the display position of each of the ultrasonic image, the measured / calculated value, and the trend graph may be based on the reference position, or may be arbitrarily changed by the operator via the console 15. These divisions and display positions are the same when two types of data described later are simultaneously displayed on the same screen.

On the other hand, when "do not display simultaneously" is selected in S15, any one kind of data of the ultrasonic image, measurement, and trend graph designated by the operator via the console 15 is independently digitally scanned. It is displayed on one display 29 via the converter 27 (S17).

When "Do not display one screen" is selected in S14, the operator then operates the console 15 to
It is selected whether to display on two screens using the two displays 29 (S18).

When "display on two screens" is selected in S18, two types of data designated through the console 15 among the ultrasonic image, measurement, and trend graph are transmitted through the digital scan converter 27. Simultaneously displayed on one display 29, the remaining one type of data is displayed on the other one display 29 (S19). The combination of data displayed simultaneously on the same screen is arbitrary,
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, an ultrasonic image and a trend graph may be simultaneously displayed on one screen, or as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of types of measured / calculated values may be displayed in a report format and displayed on the same screen. You may make it display a trend graph simultaneously.

On the other hand, when "no two-screen display", that is, "three-screen display" is selected in S18, the ultrasonic image data, the measured / calculated values, and the trend graph are individually displayed on separate displays 29. (S20).

In the steps S16 and S19,
As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality (two in the figure) of three kinds or two kinds of combinations of ultrasonic images, measured / calculated values, and trend graphs of the same fetus or different fetuses are simultaneously displayed on the same screen. You may In this case, it is possible to deal with twins, triplets, etc., and it is easy to compare the past development state with the current state, and compare the development state of the fetus under the test with the average development state of the fetus. Effective use may be possible.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic image and the trend graph showing the change with time of the measured / calculated value (index value) for indicating the growth trend of the fetus are simultaneously displayed on the same screen. Therefore, the growth trend of the fetus can be observed simultaneously with the ultrasonic image of the fetus. Further, when the graph and the ultrasonic image are stored in a storage medium or are printed out to be recorded, both are displayed on the same screen, so the storage capacity may be the data amount for one screen. Further, it is sufficient to print out on one sheet, and therefore the running cost can be suppressed as compared with the conventional storage of two screens and the printout of two sheets. Moreover, since both data are recorded as one screen or on one sheet, there is a trouble to match the two, which may occur when two screens are separately stored or printed on two sheets as in the conventional case. , Can be completely resolved. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with various modifications.

[0027]

According to the present invention, an ultrasonic image and a graph showing changes over time in the index value for indicating the growth trend of the fetus are displayed on the same screen. Therefore, the growth trend of the fetus can be observed simultaneously with the ultrasonic image of the fetus. Further, when the graph and the ultrasonic image are to be recorded, it is sufficient to store the data for one screen in which both are displayed on the same screen in the storage medium, and both are displayed on the same screen. It suffices to print out the screen. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the running cost compared to the conventional memory and printout for two screens, and to completely eliminate the complexity of matching the two. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows measured / calculated values, ultrasonic images,
The figure which shows the flow of various display mode selection of a trend graph.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to a display mode in which measured / calculated values, ultrasonic images, and trend graphs are displayed on the same screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen according to a display mode in which measured / calculated values, ultrasonic images, and trend graphs are displayed on the same screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to a display mode in which an ultrasonic image and a trend graph are displayed on the same screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to a display mode in which measured / calculated values are displayed in a report format and a trend graph is simultaneously displayed on the same screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to a display mode in which measured / calculated values in the case of twins, an ultrasonic image, and a trend graph are displayed on the same screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displaying a conventional trend graph.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... Control bus, 13 ... Controller, 15 ... Console, 17 ... Measurement part, 19 ... Trend graph creation part, 21 ... Data bus, 23 ... Ultrasonic image generation part, 25 ... Memory unit, 27 ... Digital scan converter , 29 ... Display, 31 ... Printer.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of scanning a cross section of a pregnant woman with ultrasonic waves, generating an ultrasonic image of a fetus, and measuring an index value representing the developmental status of the fetus from the ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is capable of displaying the ultrasonic image and a graph showing a change with time of the index value for showing the growth trend of the fetus on the same screen. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the ultrasonic image and the graph of a plurality of fetuses can be displayed on the same screen. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the index value can be numerically displayed on the same screen together with the ultrasonic image and the graph. 4. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of scanning a cross section of a pregnant woman with ultrasonic waves, generating an ultrasonic image of a fetus, and measuring an index value indicating the developmental status of the fetus from the ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is capable of displaying the index value and a graph showing a change with time of the index value on the same screen. 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a pair of the index value and the graph for a plurality of fetuses can be displayed on the same screen.