CN100522069C - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic elasticity imaging device - Google Patents

Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic elasticity imaging device Download PDF

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Publication number
CN100522069C
CN100522069C CNB2004800151364A CN200480015136A CN100522069C CN 100522069 C CN100522069 C CN 100522069C CN B2004800151364 A CNB2004800151364 A CN B2004800151364A CN 200480015136 A CN200480015136 A CN 200480015136A CN 100522069 C CN100522069 C CN 100522069C
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instrumentation
ultrasound probe
frame data
data
image
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CN1798524A (en
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大坂卓司
松村刚
林哲矢
押木光博
汤浅超识
村山直之
椎名毅
玉野聪
三竹毅
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Fujifilm Healthcare Corp
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Hitachi Medical Corp
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Abstract

An ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound wave transmit/receive surface contacting with a contact surface of an object to be detected, an ultrasound wave transmit/receive section which transmits an ultrasound wave to the object via the ultrasound wave transmit/receive surface and the contact surface and receives an ultrasound wave reflected in the object, and a pressing mechanism for pressing to the contact surface perpendicularly to the ultrasound wave transmit/receive surface via the ultrasound wave transmit/receive surface.

Description

Ultrasound probe and ultrasonic elasticity imaging device
Technical field
The present invention relates to use ultrasound wave tested intravital photography target position to be obtained the ultrasound imaging apparatus and the ultrasound probe thereof of faultage image, be particularly related to ultrasound wave received signal data according to frame continuous in time, calculate the distortion and the spring rate of tested intravital each point, show the ultrasonic elasticity imaging device and the ultrasound probe thereof of the elastic image of the hardness that expression is organized.
Background technology
In ultrasound imaging apparatus, the employing that has applies external force by the ultrasonic transmission/reception face of ultrasound probe to subject, utilize the time to go up the related operation of the ultrasound wave received signal data of adjacent a pair of frame, obtain the displacement of each point in the subject, again by space differentiation to this displacement, the instrumentation distortion is with the maneuver of this deformation data image conversion.Stress distribution and deformation data that also with good grounds external force causes are with the maneuver of the typical spring rate data imageization such as Young's modulus of tissue (for example opening flat 5-No. 317313 and spy with reference to the spy opens 2000-No. 60853).To the subject externally applied forces, comprise pressurization and decompression.Below, note is done " compressing " simply.The ultrasound wave received signal frame data of any time as information, have reflected the structure and the configuration of the tested intravital tissue in this moment.As utilizing ultrasound wave to obtain the method for tissue elasticity information, at first, only use the ultrasound wave received signal data of a pair of frame of obtaining at interval every certain hour, calculate the displacement of organizing each one that compressing produced that in this certain hour, applies.Again with the information space differential of displacement, thereby, show after constituting elastic image being concerned about that all points in the zone (ROI) calculate the value of distortion.If the elastic image according to this distortion and spring rate data (below be called " elasticity frame data ") produce just can show after the hardness of instrumentation tissue.
Close the compressing that heart tissue produces about 0.5%～1% distortion in order to obtain the high elastic image data of picture quality, preferably to apply to make, the distortion in not giving this proper range the time mutually in, the elastic image data of depicting become disorderly data.Obtain at certain time intervals when the ultrasound wave received signal data of a pair of frame, when the compressing speed in carving at a time was very fast, the distortion of organizing in this moment is just big, and was opposite, when the compressing speed in carving at a time was slow, the distortion of organizing in this moment was just little.Like this, the picture quality separately of a plurality of elastic image data that obtain in a series of compressing process (particularly deformation pattern data) is with regard to the compressing speed in the moment of depending on the ultrasound wave received signal data that obtain a pair of frame in order to constitute elastic image data separately.
In the elastic image data that the ultrasound imaging apparatus of prior art produces, owing to adopt armrest to close the method for heart tissue by the ultrasound probe compressing, so being difficult to all moment in a series of compressing process is all meeting in the compressing velocity interval of high image qualityization and is continuing compressing, in addition, because the compressing speed in the moment separately can not be constant, so as a result of Shu Chu a plurality of elastic image data are just discontinuous in time, discontinuity occurs at the interframe elastic image.And, in the compressing process, to occur hands inevitably and tremble, the compressing direction will produce change in the moment separately, this also be above-mentioned seriality the elastic image data that obtain the reason of discontinuity appears.So the picture quality of elastic image depends on operator's technical merit.
In addition, obtaining in the interval of ultrasound wave received signal frame data, after pass heart tissue suffers oppression, often hide to the probe short-axis direction, leave the instrumentation section, perhaps with very big speed to probe long axis direction or compressing direction displacement, break away from the ROI that photographic attachment is set.Like this, because in the ROI that photographic attachment is set, often there is (correlation computations is made mistakes) zone of makeing mistakes that can not correctly calculate displacement in the inappropriate or compressing speed surplus of compressing direction.In addition, for the emission ultrasound wave because the less zone of the zone in decay and the deep of no show and ultrasound reflector (for example pathological changes portion of interior liquid such as cyst) etc., owing to can't obtain to be enough to reflect the received signal of the intensity of the character of closing heart tissue, so in the ROI that photographic attachment is set, often have (correlation computations is made mistakes) zone of makeing mistakes that correctly to calculate displacement.And the zone that ultrasound probe does not contact with subject etc. are because the form of the shape of ultrasound probe and pass heart tissue in the ROI that photographic attachment is set, often exists and calculates the insignificant zone of makeing mistakes of displacement.These the time, for the zone of makeing mistakes, can not correctly show deformation pattern.
Also have, obtaining in the interval of ultrasound wave received signal frame data, owing to do not oppress to closing heart tissue, or it is too small to the compressing speed of closing heart tissue, compressing speed is zero or not enough, so in the ROI that photographic attachment is set, displacement approaches zero zone and also often spreads all over whole zone.At this moment, the mistake shape image with using the deformation values of this displacement value computing as pictorial display just becomes the low image of contrast in spreading all over the whole zone of ROI.
In the elastic image photography that the ultrasound imaging apparatus that adopts prior art carries out, the demonstration of not estimating the data (distortion or spring rate) as operation result output is worth (reliability of data and picture quality), all instrumentations of the ROI that sets is put all show behind the composing images.Like this, the image information in the zone of computing under unsuitable state although be the information that does not show value, can not be distinguished with the information that shows value is arranged.Its result is because formation 1 frame has the elastic image that shows that zone that is worth and the zone that shows value mix, so the reliability of elastic image is low.
In addition, in the ultrasound imaging apparatus that adopts prior art, owing to do not have to consider whether the surface from subject is appropriate to the compressing operation that biological tissue applies external force, so often may not necessarily obtain suitable elastic image.
In other words, elastic image is the frame data according to two different layer images of the time series of taking after applying external force to biological tissue, obtain spring rate by the displacement (distortion) at each position of biological tissue and pressure etc., the sample attitude of distortion itself is qualitative or with the quantitative product of back image conversion of spring rate.The distortion at each position of biological tissue, become along with the pressurized operation such as size, the speed of pressurization, the time of pressurization and the direction of pressurization of pressurization, if the difference of the distortion of 2 adjacent interframe does not reach to a certain degree, just can not work out out suitable elastic image.
Though particularly also utilize mechanical means to apply external force sometimes, but from simplicity, but adopt mostly and apply by the method for ultrasound probe being pushed down the surface of subject, because the variation of operator's hands strength, pressurized state produces very big change, so often may not necessarily obtain suitable elastic image.Equally, because also there is individual variation in subject,, also often may not necessarily obtain suitable elastic image so promptly use certain pressurized state operation.
In addition, because of the difference of compression aspect and pressing method, biological tissue often produces transversion malposition, during such pressurized operation, also comprises the interference (noise) that transversion malposition causes in elastic image, often can not obtain suitable elastic image.
Summary of the invention
The present invention develops at above-mentioned situation, and its purpose is to be provided in the elastic image photography, and elastic image that can both picture quality is high arbitrarily the time is the ultrasound imaging apparatus of image conversion stably.In addition, the present invention also aims to be provided in the elastic image photography, be difficult to obtain under the situation of typical ideal data, the zone that does not show the image information of the elastic value that is worth will be calculated, for example as Noise Identification, by the elastic image of this information of formation reflection, thus the ultrasound imaging apparatus that can carry out high-quality elastic image photography.And then the present invention also aims to provides the operation information that is intended to obtain suitable elastic image and pressurizes to the operator.
In order to reach described purpose, the ultrasound probe that the present invention relates to is characterized in that, possesses: the ultrasonic transmission/reception face that contacts with the contact surface of subject; Being situated between has described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and described contact surface, is launching hyperacoustic while to described subject, also receives the hyperacoustic ultrasonic transmission/reception portion of the internal reflection of described subject; Being situated between has described ultrasonic transmission/reception face, to described contact surface to the compression mechanism that carries out pressing action perpendicular to the direction of described ultrasonic transmission/reception face.
Described compression mechanism preferably has: the handle part that the person of being operated controls; Make the variable in distance of described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and described handle part, thereby carry out the executive component of described pressing action.
Described executive component preferably possesses: with a tooth bar that is connected in described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and the described handle part; Be connected with in the described handle part another with described ultrasonic transmission/reception face, with described tooth bar meshed gears; Drive the motor of described gear.
Described executive component preferably possesses: with a cylinder that is connected in described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and the described handle part; Be connected with in the described handle part another with described ultrasonic transmission/reception face, insert the piston of described cylinder; To the fluidic pump of described cylinder feed.
Described contact surface is in described subject; Described ultrasonic transmission/reception face preferably inserts in the described subject; Described compression mechanism is preferably in and carries out described pressing action in the described subject.
Described compression mechanism preferably has: the seating surface of the relative contact contact of the described subject relative with described tested intravital described contact surface; Make the variable in distance of described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and described seating surface, thereby carry out the executive component of described pressing action.
Described executive component preferably possesses: with a tooth bar that is connected in described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and the described seating surface; Be connected with in the described seating surface another with described ultrasonic transmission/reception face, with described tooth bar meshed gears; Drive the motor of described gear.
Described executive component preferably possesses: making is situated between between the surface of described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and described ultrasonic transmission/reception portion the bag portion of liquid, makes the pump of the quantitative changeization of the described liquid in the described bag portion; Described ultrasonic transmission/reception face comprises the surface of described bag portion.
Described bag portion preferably is made of the part 2 beyond part 1 that becomes described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and the described part 1; Described part 2 has the shell that retractility is lower than described part 1, limit the moving direction of described part 1.
Described executive component preferably possesses: making between described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and the described seating surface is situated between fluidic bag portion, makes the pump of the quantitative changeization of the described liquid in the described bag portion.
Described executive component preferably possesses: making is situated between between described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and the described seating surface fluidic a plurality of bags of portions, makes the pump of interior described fluidic quantitative changeization separately of described a plurality of bags of portions; Select at least one of described a plurality of bags of portions for use, thereby from a plurality of directions, select the direction of described pressing action
Described ultrasound probe, preferably also has the cylindrical case of taking in described ultrasonic transmission/reception portion, described executive component, possess: making is situated between between the surface of described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and described ultrasonic transmission/reception portion liquid, be installed in the cyclic bag portion of the periphery of described shell, makes the pump of the quantitative changeization of the described liquid in the described bag portion; Described ultrasonic transmission/reception face comprises the surface of described bag portion.
Described ultrasound probe preferably also has the periphery that is installed in described bag portion, becomes the block of described seating surface.
Described ultrasound probe preferably also has: instrumentation adds to the pressure instrumentation portion of the pressure of described contact surface outward; According to the pressure of described pressure instrumentation portion instrumentation, control the pressure control part of described compression mechanism.
Described compression mechanism, the fluidic bag of bag portion in preferably having by making the described fluidic quantitative changeization in the described bag portion, thereby carries out described pressing action; Described pressure instrumentation portion, by the described fluidic pressure in the described bag of the instrumentation portion, thereby instrumentation adds to the pressure of described contact surface outward.
Described ultrasound probe preferably also has the 1st shell of taking in described ultrasonic transmission/reception portion and the 2nd shell of taking in described compression mechanism; Described the 1st shell has the 1st handle part of controlling for the operator; Described the 2nd shell has the 2nd handle part of controlling for the operator, with relative installation of described the 1st handle part; Described compression mechanism has the variable in distance that makes described ultrasonic transmission/reception face and described the 2nd handle part, thereby carries out the executive component of described pressing action.
Described compression mechanism preferably has: the handle part that supplies the operator to control; Be configured in the position that the operator can operate with the finger of controlling described handle part, control the gauge tap of the described pressing action of described compression mechanism.
In addition, the ultrasonic elasticity imaging device that the present invention relates to is characterized in that, has: described ultrasound probe; Output drives the ultrasonic emitting portion of the ultrasonic signal of described ultrasound probe; According to the reflection echo signal that described ultrasound probe receives, obtain two different in time layer image data, according to these two layer image data, the displacement instrumentation portion of the displacement of described tested intravital each one of instrumentation; According to the displacement data of described tested intravital each one of described displacement instrumentation portion instrumentation, obtain the spring rate operational part of spring rate of the tissue of described tested intravital each one; According to the spring rate that described spring rate operational part is obtained, the image production part of establishment elastic image; The display part that shows the elastic image of described generation.
Described ultrasonic elasticity imaging device preferably also has the interval according to described two layer image data, controls the compressing periodic Control portion in the compressing cycle of described compression mechanism.
In addition, the ultrasonic elasticity imaging device that the present invention relates to is characterized in that, has: handle the signal that is detected by the ultrasound probe that contacts with the subject tissue, generate the signal processing part of layer image and distortion elastic image; According to the various data of in the generative process of described distortion elastic image, utilizing, estimate the demonstration value assessment portion of the demonstration value of the distortion elastic image that generates; According to the evaluation result of described demonstration value assessment portion, give the information assigning unit of described distortion elastic image color information or black and white monochrome information; Show described faultage image and given the display part of the described distortion elastic image of information by described information assigning unit.
In addition, the ultrasonic elasticity imaging device that the present invention relates to is characterized in that, has: to subject emission and reception ultrasound wave, the ultrasonic transmission/reception portion of output reflection echo-signal; Be used to reflection echo signal from described ultrasonic transmission/reception portion, with the fixed cycle obtain the tomoscan portion of motor tissue that comprise repeatedly at interior tested intravital ultrasound wave received signal frame data; To the seasonal effect in time series ultrasound wave received signal frame data of obtaining by described tomoscan portion, carry out the signal processing part of fixed signal processing; To be transformed into the monochrome data transformation component of black and white layer image data from the seasonal effect in time series tomography frame data of described signal processing part; According to the seasonal effect in time series ultrasound wave received signal frame data that described tomoscan portion obtains, generate the displacement instrumentation portion of the displacement frame data of the amount of movement of the each point on the described layer image of expression or displacement; Instrumentation or infer the body intracavity pressure at the diagnosis position of described subject generates the pressure instrumentation portion of pressure data; According to described displacement frame data and described pressure data, the distortion and the spring rate operational part of the distortion of the each point on the described layer image of generation expression and the elasticity frame data of spring rate; According to the various data of in the generative process of described elasticity frame data, utilizing, estimate the demonstration value assessment portion of the demonstration value of described elasticity frame data; According to the evaluation result of described demonstration value assessment portion, give the information assigning unit of described elasticity frame data color information or black and white monochrome information; Show described black and white layer image receipt and given the display part of the described elasticity frame data of information by described information assigning unit.
Described information assigning unit, preferably give the image information that shows the regional jumpization that is worth, give the inconsistent single image information of image information that does not show the zone that is worth and the jumpization that shows the zone that is worth is arranged, construct the elasticity frame data, thereby can on image, discern two zones.
Described information assigning unit, preferably give the image information that shows the frame jumpization that is worth, give the inconsistent single image information of image information that does not show the frame that is worth and the jumpization that shows the zone that is worth is arranged, construct the elasticity frame data, thereby can on image, discern two zones.
Described demonstration value assessment portion preferably implements the statistical disposition of the factor data of the various data that will utilize as female group in the generative process of described elasticity frame data, according to the feature of its statistical, the demonstration of estimating described elasticity frame data is worth.
Described demonstration value assessment portion, preferably according to the described displacement frame data by the output of described displacement instrumentation portion, the demonstration of estimating described elasticity frame data is worth.
Described demonstration value assessment portion, preferably according to the described pressure data by the output of described pressure instrumentation portion, the demonstration of estimating described elasticity frame data is worth.
Described demonstration value assessment portion, preferably according to the described elasticity frame data by described distortion and the output of spring rate operational part, the demonstration of estimating described elasticity frame data is worth.
Described demonstration value assessment portion, the best result who is worth according to the demonstration of described elasticity frame data, automatic setting is represented the position in care zone of elasticity frame data and at least one side in scope.
Described display part preferably according to the evaluation result of described demonstration value assessment portion, only shows described black and white layer image data, does not show described elasticity frame data.
In addition, the ultrasonic elasticity imaging device that the present invention relates to is characterized in that, has: handle the signal that is detected by the ultrasound probe that contacts with the subject tissue, generate the signal processing part of faultage image and distortion elastic image; According to the various data of in the generative process of described distortion elastic image, utilizing, estimate the demonstration value assessment portion of the demonstration value of the distortion elastic image that generates; Evaluation result according to described demonstration value assessment portion only shows described layer image, does not show the display part of described distortion elastic image.
In addition, the invention is characterized in: have and subject between the transmitting-receiving hyperacoustic ultrasound probe; Output drives the ultrasound wave transmitting element of the ultrasonic signal of this ultrasound probe; Give the presser unit of described subject pressure; From the reflection echo signal that described ultrasound probe receives, obtain two different in time layer image data, according to these two layer image data, the extensometer measurement unit of the displacement of each one of instrumentation; According to the displacement data of each one of this extensometer measurement unit instrumentation, obtain the elastic spring rate arithmetic element of the tissue of each one; Obtain each spring rate according to this spring rate arithmetic element, the image generation unit of establishment elastic image; Show in the ultrasonic elasticity imaging device of display unit of elastic image of this generation, be provided with: resolve described displacement data, judge the whether suitable pressurization identifying unit of pressurized operation of described presser unit; The judgement output unit that on described display unit, shows the result of determination of this pressurization identifying unit.
Like this, because display unit shows immediately whether pressurized operation is suitable,, adjust the pressurized operation of presser unit (for example probe), thereby obtain suitable elastic image so whether the operator can suitable according to the pressurized state that shows.In addition, owing to resolve the displacement data, judge whether pressurized operation is suitable, so the individual differences that comprises subject, can judge whether pressurized operation is suitable interior.Its result can realize excellent elastic image photography concerning the operator.
Whether here, the pressurization identifying unit can be according to the displacement data, and the deformation rate that obtain in the described layer image distributes, distribute in suitable scope according to this deformation rate, judge whether the pressurization of presser unit is suitable.On this basis, perhaps replace it, the pressurization identifying unit can be obtained the degree of the transversion malposition in the described layer image according to the displacement data, whether in suitable scope, judges whether the pressurization of presser unit is suitable according to the degree of this transversion malposition.And then, judge that output unit can be according to result of determination, by showing or sound, the guiding of pressurized operation is revised in output.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the block diagram of the embodiment of expression ultrasound imaging apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is the outline drawing of one-dimensional linear array ultrasonic probe.
Fig. 3 is the outline drawing that the ultrasound probe of plate for forcing has been installed.
Fig. 4 is the figure of ultrasound probe of the automatic compression mechanism of the built-in employing motor mechanism of expression.
Fig. 5 is the figure of ultrasound probe of the automatic compression mechanism of the built-in employing pump machanism of expression.
Fig. 6 is the figure that the ultrasound probe of automatic compressing assembly has been installed in expression.
Fig. 7 is the figure that the ultrasound probe of pressure transducer has been installed in expression.
Fig. 8 tells about the figure that the pressure information that obtains according to pressure instrumentation portion is controlled the situation of automatic compression mechanism.
Fig. 9 is the outline drawing that adopts the per rectum type ultrasound probe of embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 10 (a) and 10 (b) are the figures that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has the embodiment of automatic compression mechanism.
Figure 11 (a) and 11 (b) are the figures that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism.
Figure 12 (a) and 12 (b) are the figures that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism.
Figure 13 (a) and 13 (b) are the figures that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism.
Figure 14 (a) and 14 (b) are the figures that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism.
Figure 15 (a) and 15 (b) are the figures that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism.
Figure 16 (a), 16 (b) and 16 (c) are the figures that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism.
Figure 17 is the figure of an example of action of the bag of expression Figure 15 (a).
Figure 18 is the figure of other embodiment of expression bag.
Figure 19 is the block diagram of embodiment of the demonstration value assessment portion of presentation graphs 1.
Figure 20 is the figure of an example of the instrumentation result frame data deposited in the frame memory circuit of expression Figure 19.
Figure 21 is the figure of expression by an example of the instrumentation quality frame data of the instrumentation quality evaluation circuit building of Figure 19.
Figure 22 is the block diagram of other embodiment of the demonstration value assessment portion of presentation graphs 1.
Figure 23 is the figure of an example of the result of determination frame data constructed by the demonstration decision circuit of Figure 22 of expression.
Figure 24 is the figure of an example of concrete numerical value of the result of determination frame data of expression Figure 23.
Figure 25 is the block diagram of embodiment of the chromoscan transducer of presentation graphs 1.
Figure 26 is the elasticity color frame data of circuit building are given in expression by the color information of Figure 25 the figure of an example.
Figure 27 is the automatically figure of an example of the elasticity color frame data before the processing the when position of control ROI and scope of expression.
Figure 28 is the automatically figure of an example of the elasticity color frame data after the processing the when position of control ROI and scope of expression.
Figure 29 is that all factor datas of expression all use identical single color to constitute, and the elastic image data of frame are not by the figure of an example of the elasticity color frame data of jumpization ground demonstration.
Figure 30 is the block diagram of structure of other embodiment of ultrasound imaging apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 31 is the flow chart of the treatment step obtained of elastic image that the ultrasound imaging apparatus of the embodiment of Figure 30 relates to.
Figure 32 (a)～32 (e) is the figure of an example of display image of the embodiment of expression Figure 31.
Figure 33 is that the whether figure of the example that suitably used deformation rate distributes of pressurized operation is judged in expression.
Figure 34 is the flow chart when utilizing the voice output pressurized operation whether suitably.
Figure 35 (a)～35 (e) is the figure of example of display image of the embodiment of expression Figure 34.
Figure 36 is the flow chart when regenerating the elastic image that shows the cine memory preservation.
Figure 37 be the transversion malposition identifying unit that relates to of expression embodiments of the present invention around the block diagram of structure.
Figure 38 is in the transversion malposition identifying unit to be the flow chart at center with the treatment step.
Figure 39 is the figure of state of display image of the embodiment of expression Figure 37.
Figure 40 is a figure of telling about the Block Matching Algorithm that detects transversion malposition.
The specific embodiment
Below, with reference to accompanying drawing, tell about embodiments of the present invention in detail.Fig. 1 is the block diagram that the embodiment of ultrasound imaging apparatus of the present invention is adopted in expression.This ultrasound imaging apparatus is when the photography target position that utilizes ultrasound wave to subject 1 obtains layer image, also shows the device of the elastic image of the hardness of representing biological tissue.This ultrasound imaging apparatus, as shown in Figure 1, possess: have the ultrasound probe 10 of automatic compression mechanism 20, ultrasonic transmission/reception control circuit 201, radiating circuit 202, receiving circuit 203, whole additive process circuit 204, signal processing part 205, black and white scan converter 206, image display 207, ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208, displacement instrumentation portion 209, pressure instrumentation portion 210, distortion and spring rate operational part 211, elastic data handling part 212, chromoscan transducer 213 switches adder 214, show value assessment portion 215, device control interface portion 216.
Ultrasound probe 10 forms after many vibrators are arranged in rectangle, and mechanicalness or electronics ground carry out beam scanning, to 1 hyperacoustic while of emission of subject, also receive the ultrasound wave of the internal reflection of subject 1.Ultrasonic transmission/reception control circuit 201 is controlled emission and is received hyperacoustic moment.Radiating circuit 202 is intended to drive ultrasound probe 10 in generation, it is produced in hyperacoustic transmitted wave pulse, also utilizes the whole additive process circuit of built-in transmitted wave that the bundle point that connects of ultrasonic waves transmitted is set at certain degree of depth.Receiving circuit 203, use fixed gain, the reflection echo signal that ultrasound probe 10 is received amplifies.The reception ripple signal of the quantity corresponding with quantity each vibrator that be exaggerated as independently receiving the ripple signal separately, is transfused to whole additive process circuit 204.Whole additive process circuit 204, input are controlled their phase place with the reception ripple signal that receiving circuit 203 amplifies, and any or a plurality of bringing together are formed a ultrasonic beam.Signal processing part 205, input from whole additive process circuit 204 receive the ripple signals after, various signal processing such as the correction that gains, logarithmic compression, detection, emphasizing contour, Filtering Processing.
These ultrasound probes 10, ultrasonic transmission/reception control circuit 201, radiating circuit 202, receiving circuit 203, whole additive process circuit 204 and signal processing part 205, constitute the ultrasonic transmission/reception unit, utilize ultrasound probe 10, ultrasonic beam is scanned to certain orientation in the body of subject 1, thereby obtain one piece of layer image.
Black and white scan converter 206, have the reflection echo signal of use by unitary signal processing part 205 outputs of above-mentioned ultrasonic transmission/reception, obtain with ultrasonic frequency and to comprise the ultrasound wave received signal frame data of motor tissue in interior subject 1, tomoscan unit of reading with the cycle of TV mode in order to show these ultrasound wave received signal frame data and the unit that is intended to carry out system's control, for example: will be transformed into the A/D changer of digital signal from the reflection echo signal of signal handling part 205, time series ground memory is by many pieces frame memory of the digitized layer image data of this A/D changer, controls the controller etc. of their action.
Image display 207, be to show that the layer image data of the time series of black and white scan converter 206 acquisitions are the parts of B pattern layer image, the D/A changer and the input that are transformed into analogue signal by the view data of black and white scan converter 206 being exported by switching adder 214 constitute from the color video monitor as pictorial display behind the anolog TV signals of this D/A changer.
In the present embodiment, behind the outlet side fork of whole additive process circuit 204, when ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208 and displacement instrumentation portion 209 are being set, the pressure instrumentation portion 210 in parallel with it also is being set, back level in this pressure instrumentation portion 210 and displacement instrumentation portion 209, distortion and spring rate operational part 211 are being set, behind the outlet side fork of displacement instrumentation portion 209, demonstration value assessment portion 215 is being set, back level at distortion and spring rate operational part 211, elastic data handling part 212 and chromoscan transducer 213 are being set, outlet side at black and white scan converter 206 and chromoscan transducer 213 is being provided with switching adder 214.Show value assessment portion 215 and chromoscan transducer 213, do media by device control interface portion 216, operator etc. can freely control.
Ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208, in the frame memory that ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208 possesses, guarantee successively by putting in order the ultrasound wave received signal frame data (the ultrasound wave received signal frame data that will guarantee now are as ultrasound wave received signal frame data N) that additive process circuit 204 is exported one by one with the frame rate time dependent ground of ultrasound imaging apparatus, control command according to ultrasound imaging apparatus, timeliness ground is from the ultrasound wave received signal frame data N-1 in past, N-2, N-3, select ultrasound wave received signal frame data (with them as ultrasound wave received signal frame data X) among N-M, to 209 a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data N of output and the ultrasound wave received signal frame data X of displacement instrumentation portion.Signal by whole additive process circuit 204 outputs is not limited to ultrasound wave received signal frame data, for example can also be the signal of the form of the I that becomes compound demodulation ultrasound wave received signal, Q signal.
Ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208 obtains the cycle between a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data N, the X of selection, according to the pressing action of the automatic compression mechanism 20 of this periodic Control.Below, tell about an example of this action.
Cycle between a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data N, the X that ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208 is selected, depend on cycle by ultrasound wave received signal frame data whole additive process circuit 204 outputs, input ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208, and the quantity of the ultrasound wave received signal frame data that between the ultrasound wave received signal frame data X in the past that constitutes these a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data and present ultrasound wave received signal frame data N, remove.For example: whole additive process circuit 204 output---ultrasound wave received signal frame data are cycles of per second 40 frames, and the frame number that removes between a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data N, the X is when being 1 frame, in cycle between a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data, just become per second 20 frames.Automatically compression mechanism 20 is obtained the cycle information between this a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data N, X, according to the cycle information of obtaining, and the compressing speed of control pressing action.
For example: during above-mentioned condition, in output from whole additive process circuit 204---cycle of ultrasound wave received signal frame data is that the cycle between per second 40 frames and a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data N, the X is in the situation of per second 20 frames, suppose as being suitable for the deflection of high image qualityization, oppress continuously with the compressing speed VO that gives 0.7% distortion and close heart tissue.Under this situation, photography conditions by the change ultrasound imaging apparatus, making the output of whole additive process circuit 204---after the periodic change of ultrasound wave received signal frame data became per second 20 frames, the cycle between a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data N, the X just became per second 10 frames, has reduced half.At this moment, during still with compressing speed VO compressing,, just increase to 1.4%, exceeded the scope of the deflection that is suitable for high image qualityization so close the distortion of heart tissue because the intermittent time between the ultrasound wave received signal frame data becomes 2 times length.Its result, the successive elastic image data of output just become image at random.Therefore, in the automatic compression mechanism 20 that present embodiment relates to, obtain the cycle information of ultrasound wave received signal frame data, for example, in above-mentioned condition, compressing speed is altered to the compressing speed of the VO/2 that reduces by half.Like this, behind the photography conditions of change ultrasound imaging apparatus, under the situation of ultrasonic transmission/reception cycle variation, also can control pressing action automatically, thereby become the optimal compressing speed of the elastic image of obtaining high image quality.
In addition, automatic compression mechanism 20 can also switch the setting of the decrement (amplitude) of the accumulative total in compressing speed and the successional pressurization decompression process and the isobaric work forced to move of pressure threshold that pressing action stops arbitrarily.
Displacement instrumentation portion 209, a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data according to 208 selections of ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion, carry out one dimension or two-dimensional correlation and handle, the displacement of each the instrumentation point on the instrumentation layer image or mobile vector (direction of displacement and size) generate the displacement frame data.As the method that detects of this mobile vector, for example there is the spy to open the sort of Block Matching Algorithm and the pressure differential method of flat 5-No. 317313 records.In Block Matching Algorithm, image for example is divided into the piece that is made of N * N pixel, from before frame seek with present frame in immediate of the piece gazed at, carry out prediction codeization with reference to it.
Pressure instrumentation portion 210, the outer pressure that adds to the photography target position of subject 1 of instrumentation or reckoning.Pressure instrumentation portion 210, be the parts that added much pressure between the probe of instrumentation ultrasound probe 10 and the subject 1, for example can adopt the pressure transducer that will detect the pressure that imposes on bar-like member to be installed to the side of probe, pressure between instrumentation probe and the subject 1 at any time, and the pressure that measures is sent to the structure of distortion and spring rate operational part 211.There is no particular limitation to the kind of pressure transducer, for example can use the pressure transducer of capacitance type and resistance line style.
Distortion and spring rate operational part 211, according to displacement frame data (amount of movement) and the pressure exported respectively by displacement instrumentation portion 209 and pressure instrumentation portion 210, obtain the distortion and the spring rate of each instrumentation point on the layer image, generate the numeric data (elasticity frame data) of distortion or spring rate, it is exported to elastic data handling part 212.Computing about distortion and the distortion carried out of spring rate operational part 211 for example, can not need the data of pressure, obtains calculating behind its displacement space differentiation.In addition, about one in the spring rate, the calculating of for example Young's modulus Ym, can be shown in following formula, obtain after removing stress (pressure) in each calculation level with the deflection in each calculation level.
Ym I, j=pressure (stress) I, j/ (deflection I, j)
(i，j＝1，2，3，…)
In the formula: i, the index of j, the coordinate of expression frame data.
Elastic data handling part 212, to various Flame Image Process such as smoothing processing, the elasticity frame data after handling are exported to chromoscan transducer 213 from the smoothing processing in the elasticity frame data enforcement coordinate plane of distortion and spring rate operational part 211, the processing of contrast optimization, interframe time-axis direction.
Chromoscan transducer 213, has the color information converter unit, this color information converter unit input is by the elasticity frame data of elastic data handling part 212 outputs, with as from the instruction of device control interface portion 216 or by higher limit and lower limit in the elasticity frame data of elastic data handling part 212 outputs as the jump range of choice, according to these elasticity frame data, give red, green, blue isochrome multimedia message breath as the elastic image data.The color information converter unit, for example in the elasticity frame data of elastic data handling part 212 outputs, the zone of being come out by instrumentation significantly for distortion, this domain transformation in the elastic image data is become code red, on the contrary, the zone of being come out by less ground instrumentation for distortion is with this domain transformation au bleu code in the elastic image data.In addition, chromoscan transducer 213 also can be the black and white scan converter, the zone that distortion is come out by instrumentation significantly, make this regional brightness in the elastic image data brighter, on the contrary, by the zone that less ground instrumentation comes out, make this regional brightness in the elastic image data dim for distortion.
Switch adder 214, input is from the black and white layer image data of black and white scan converter 206 with from the color elastic view data of chromoscan transducer 213, with two image additions or switching, switch to and only export black and white layer image data or only export the color elastic view data, perhaps with output ground, the synthetic back of two view data additions.In addition, for example can also open as described in 2000-No. 60853, in two pictures show, show black and white layer image and colour or the black and white elastic image that produces by above-mentioned black and white scan converter simultaneously as the spy.In addition, for example, can also be at first overlapping pellucidly display color elastic image of black and white layer image.Switch the view data of adder 214 outputs by this, to image display 207 outputs.
Fig. 2 is the figure of the profile of the normally used one-dimensional linear array ultrasonic probe of expression.On the ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101 of ultrasound probe 10, it is the element group that hyperacoustic generation source receives the vibrator of reflection echo again that alignment arrangements.Each vibrator, have usually will input impulse wave or transmitting of continuous wave it is transformed into the function of received signal output of the signal of telecommunication after being transformed into the function of launching behind the ultrasound wave and receiving the ultrasound wave of reflection from the inside of subject 1.
Fig. 3 is to use ultrasound wave to be intended to obtain the outline drawing of the ultrasound probe 10 of elastic image.Ultrasound probe 10 possesses the plate for forcing 31 of fitting and installing with the face of ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101.When obtaining elastic image, by ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101, carry out hyperacoustic transmitting-receiving on one side, make the pressure surface that constitutes by ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101 and plate for forcing 31 contact subject 1 for the photography target position stress distribution that gives subject 1 on one side, pressure surface is moved up and down, compressing subject 1.This pressure surface moves up and down, and both can be carried out with manual mode by the operator, also can use the sort of automatic compression mechanism of hereinafter telling about 20 to carry out.
Fig. 4 is the embodiment of expression as the automatic compression mechanism 20 of the pressing action that carries out ultrasound probe, uses to comprise the figure of motor mechanism in the example of the driving force of interior executive component generation.In Fig. 4, compression mechanism 20 moves up and down the compressing object stage 102 that is independent of the pressure surface that is made of ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101 and plate for forcing 31 automatically.Automatic compression mechanism 20, the rack-and-pinion that is made of gear 42 and tooth bar 43 constitutes.Gear 42 is installed on the rotating shaft of the motor mechanism 41 that probe handle part 103 that the person of being operated controls keeps.Tooth bar then is installed on the holding components 104 of compressing object stage 102.Motor mechanism 41, motor control part 44 control instructions according to the outside, pass through rack-and-pinion, compressing object stage 102 relative probe handle parts 103 are moved up and down, and in other words, the operator controls probe handle part 103, when compressing object stage 102 is contacted with subject 1, after executive component makes the variable in distance of oppressing between object stage 102 and the probe handle part 103, by compressing object stage 102, compressing subject 1.Switch 105 is to operate the interface of automatic compression mechanism 20 (motor control part 44) for the operator, is configured in the position that the operator can operate with the finger of controlling probe handle part 103.The operator can pass through switch 105, adjusts on/off, operating pressure, action cycle of automatic compression mechanism 20 etc.Motor mechanism 41 can be made of the mechanism that uses electromagnetic motor, ultrasonic motor etc.By the Poewr transmission mechanism of motor mechanism 41 to compressing object stage 102, be not limited to rack-pinion, for example, can also in motor mechanism 41, cam be set, according to the shape of cam, make holding components 104 direction driving up and down, in addition, can also not be situated between has rack-pinion etc., direct drive type electro motivation etc. directly is connected with compressing object stage 102 drive.
Fig. 5 is the embodiment of expression as automatic compression mechanism 20, the figure of the example of the driving force that the use pump machanism produces.In Fig. 5, automatically the cylinder 51 of the double action type that keeps of the probe handle part 103 of compression mechanism 20 ultrasound probe 10 of being controlled by the person of being operated constitutes.The piston 511 of this cylinder 51 combines with the holding components 104 of compressing object stage 102.This cylinder 51 combines with pump 53 by pipe 52, and under the pressure control of pump 53, the piston 511 of cylinder 51 inside moves up and down, have with the piston interlinked mechanism after, just automatically make and oppress object stage 102 and move up and down.Switch 105 is to operate the interface of automatic compression mechanism 20 (pump 53) for the operator, is configured in the position that the operator can operate with the finger of controlling probe handle part 103.There is no particular limitation to the action fluid of pump machanism, and water, oil, air etc. are all right.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, show the example that a side at probe handle part 103 has driving mechanisms such as the motor mechanism that drives compressing object stage 102 and pump machanism.But also can be opposite, have driving mechanism in a side of oppressing object stage 102.In addition, the situation when more than having told about built-in automatic compression mechanism 20 in the inside of ultrasound probe 10, but also automatic compression mechanism 20 can be installed in the outside of existing ultrasound probe.
Fig. 6 is expression as automatic other embodiment of compression mechanism 20, by will oppressing the outside that assembly 60 is installed in existing ultrasound probe automatically, thereby can carry out and drive the figure of the embodiment of oppressing the equal action of object stage.Automatically compressing assembly 60 possesses: the fixing ultrasound probe fixed mechanism 61 that keeps existing ultrasound probe 10, and with the driving mechanism 62 of this ultrasound probe fixed mechanism 61 to rectilinear direction (above-below direction) driving.Switch 105 is to operate the interface of automatic compressing assembly 60 for the operator, is configured in the position that the operator can operate with the finger of controlling automatic compressing assembly 60.Ultrasound probe fixed mechanism 61 is crimped on the front end of the probe handle part 103 of ultrasound probe 10, the fixing ultrasound probe 10 that keeps.By ultrasound probe fixed mechanism 61 fixed ultrasound probes 10, become and the equal parts of the sort of compressing object stage shown in Figure 4 like this.Use is by the tooth bar on the holding components 62 that is arranged on ultrasound probe fixed mechanism 61 63 and be arranged on the rack-and-pinion that the gear 65 on the rotating shaft of driving mechanism (motor mechanism) 64 constitutes, and making probe handle part 103 is that ultrasound probe 10 moves up and down.In addition, in Fig. 6, between tooth bar 63 and gear 65,2 gears 66,67 that transferring power is used are being set.The shell that will comprise this automatic compressing assembly 60 is removably mounted on the outside of the shell of existing ultrasound probe 10.Then, if the operator controls automatic compressing assembly 60, just can it be moved up and down with ultrasound probe 10 as the compressing object stage.
Below, tell about by pressure instrumentation portion 210 from the pressure that the epidermis of pressure surface instrumentation subject 1 bears, utilize this pressure data to control the embodiment of the action of automatic compression mechanism 20.Fig. 7 is that expression has instrumentation has added the pressure instrumentation portion 210 of great pressure between the epidermis of the ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101 of ultrasound probe 10 and subject 1 the figure of embodiment of ultrasound probe 10.This ultrasound probe 10 as shown in Figure 7, possesses the pressure instrumentation portion 210 that is made of pressure transducer 71～76 in the configuration of the peripheral position of plate for forcing 31.Use this ultrasound probe 10, as shown in Figure 1, arbitrarily the time, the pressure between the epidermis of instrumentation plate for forcing 31 and subject 1, with this pressure data to automatic compression mechanism 20 and distortion and 211 outputs of spring rate operational part.In other words, the automatic compression mechanism 20 that present embodiment relates to is obtained the pressure data of pressure instrumentation portion 210 instrumentations, controls the pressing action of automatic compression mechanism 20 according to pressure data.Pressure instrumentation portion 210 can also instrumentation imposes on the load of the driving mechanism of automatic compression mechanism 20, obtains the pressure that the epidermis of subject 1 is accepted from pressure surface according to this load, thereby obtains pressure data.
Below, tell about as shown in Figure 1, automatic compression mechanism 20 is connected the situation of back its action of control with pressure instrumentation portion 210.Fig. 8 is the example of expression as automatic compression mechanism 20, uses the figure of the situation of the driving force that utilizes motor mechanism 41 shown in Figure 4.As shown in Figure 8, be installed in the pressure data of pressure transducer 71～76 of the periphery of plate for forcing 31, be transfused to the motor control part 44 of automatic compression mechanism 20.This motor control part 44 will be corresponding with pressure data the Motor Control signal, to motor mechanism 41 output, make motor mechanism 41 carry out required pressing action.
As present embodiment, use automatic compression mechanism 20, in the moment of pressure instrumentation portion 210 instrumentations, can stop the action of automatic compression mechanism 20 to certain bigger pressure more than the benchmark, can not cross and oppress subject greatly.In addition, in the photography of elastic image, well-known: existence can obtain the pressure limit of the elastic image of high image quality, and when using the pressure that surpasses higher limit or being lower than the pressure compression of lower limit, elastic image just gets muddled.After adopting the automatic compression mechanism 20 of present embodiment, in certain successional pressure process, in the moment of pressure instrumentation portion 210 instrumentations to certain bigger pressure more than the marginal value, just control the action of automatic compression mechanism 20, make it switch to successional decompression process from pressure process; Otherwise, in certain successional decompression process,, just control the action of automatic compression mechanism 20 in the moment of pressure instrumentation portion 210 instrumentations to certain less pressure below the marginal value, make it switch to successional pressure process from pressure process.Carry out this action repeatedly, can often keep suitable oppression state.Like this, just can in limited photography time, obtain high-quality elastic image effectively.
Below, tell about type ultrasound probe in the insertion body that adopts embodiments of the present invention in order to use ultrasound wave to obtain the elastic image of subject.There is the ultrasound probe through forms such as the shape of the mouth as one speaks, per anum type, transvaginal type, blood intracanalicular types at the position of the subject that inserts according to ultrasound probe, and the form of the present invention and ultrasound probe has nothing to do, and can both use.Below, be that example is told about with the intrarectal per rectum type probe of anus, the insertion of process subject.
Fig. 9 is the outline drawing that adopts the per rectum type ultrasound probe 80 of embodiments of the present invention.The operator controls probe handle part 81, and with after inserting body inner 82 and inserting the internal rectum of subjects, ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101 just joins with the rectum inwall of subject.The compressing object stage 102 that possesses the pressure surface that is made of ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101 and plate for forcing 31 can move relative to inserting body inside 82, under the effect of automatic compression mechanism 20 by the rectum inwall that is pressed in subject.Switch 105 is to operate the interface of automatic compression mechanism for the operator, is configured in the position that the operator can operate with the finger of controlling probe handle part 81.
Figure 10 (a) is the figure that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe 80 has the embodiment of automatic compression mechanism 20, and Figure 10 (b) is a figure from the ultrasound probe 80 of Figure 10 (a) to the direction of arrow 10 (b) that observe.In this embodiment, the same with the embodiment of telling about with Fig. 4, motor mechanism 41 under the effect of the executive component that comprises gear 42 and tooth bar 43, makes compressing object stage 102 for inserting body inside 82, and the above-below direction in figure moves.At this moment, owing to insert body inside 82 and surfaces compressing object stage 102 opposite sides, as seating surface, join with the face of an opposite side relative in the rectum inwall of subject with photography target, so after the distance of compressing object stage 102 and seating surface is performed the element change, just oppress the rectum inwall of the subject that joins with compressing object stage 102.
Figure 11 (a) is the figure that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe 80 has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism 20, and Figure 11 (b) is a figure from the ultrasound probe 80 of Figure 11 (a) to the direction of arrow 11 (b) that observe.In this embodiment, the same with the embodiment of telling about with Fig. 5, utilize pump 53 and pipe 52 that fluid is supplied with bag 83 and discharge from bag 83, bag 83 is expanded and contraction, thereby make compressing object stage 102 for inserting body inner 82, above-below direction in figure moves, the rectum inwall of the subject that compressing and compressing object stage 102 join.
Figure 12 (a) is the figure that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe 80 has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism 20, and Figure 12 (b) is a figure from the ultrasound probe 80 of Figure 12 (a) to the direction of arrow 12 (b) that observe.In this embodiment, the same with the embodiment of telling about with Figure 11 (a) and 11 (b), five cover pump, pipe and bag systems are set, by pump 53A, 53B, 53C, 53D, 53E and pipe 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, bag 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 83E are expanded and contraction.Bag 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 83E are expanded and contraction, thereby make compressing object stage 102 for inserting body inside 82, the direction to arrow A, B, C, D, E moves respectively in Figure 12 (b).Like this, just can oppress the rectum inwall of subject to the direction that the operator wishes.
Figure 13 (a) is the figure that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism 20, and Figure 13 (b) is a figure from the ultrasound probe of Figure 13 (a) to the direction of arrow 13 (b) that observe.In this embodiment, to be installed in the outside of existing per rectum type ultrasound probe with the same bag 83A of embodiment, 83B, 83C, 83D, the 83E that Figure 12 (a) and 12 (b) tell about, under the effect of making five pumps (not shown) that media connects by pipe 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, make their expand and shrink respectively.The surface of bag 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 83E, become the seating surface that the face of the opposite side relative with photography target in the rectum inwall with subject joins, after making bag 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 83E expansion and contraction selectively, can make and insert body inner 82 to whole rectum to subject, the direction to arrow A, B, C, D, E moves respectively in Figure 13 (b).Like this, even do not possess the per rectum type ultrasound probe of movably oppressing object stage, also can oppress the rectum inwall of subject to the direction that the operator wishes.
Figure 14 (a) is the figure that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism 20, and Figure 14 (b) is a figure from the ultrasound probe of Figure 14 (a) to the direction of arrow 14 (b) that observe.In this embodiment, cyclic bag 55 is installed in the outside of existing per rectum type ultrasound probe, under the effect of making the pump (not shown) that media connects by peristome 84 and pipe 52, liquid (for example water and normal saline etc.) is supplied with bag 55 and discharge from bag 55, bag 55 is expanded and contraction.Owing to join in the rectum inwall of bag 55 and subject, institute is not so that after bag 55 expansions and the contraction, can make ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101 rectum of subject be oppressed movably the rectum inwall of subject.Though between the rectum inwall of ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101 and subject, be situated between bag 55 is arranged, but because bag 55 fulls of liquid, so do not hinder hyperacoustic transmitting-receiving, the face that joins in the rectum inwall of the reference object direction of bag 55 and subject plays a role as hyperacoustic transmitting-receiving face.In addition, the face that the face of an opposite side relative with reference object joins in the rectum inwall of bag 55 and subject plays a role as seating surface.
Figure 15 (a) is the figure that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism 20, and Figure 15 (b) is a figure from the ultrasound probe of Figure 15 (a) to the direction of arrow 15 (b) that observe.In this embodiment, block 85 is installed in the outside of the cyclic bag of telling about at Figure 14 (a) and 14 (b) 55.So just can limit the expansion direction of bag 55, oppress the rectum inwall of subject effectively.At this moment, the surface of block 85 becomes the seating surface that the face of an opposite side relative with reference object in the rectum inwall with subject joins.
Figure 16 (a) is the figure that expression per rectum type ultrasound probe has other embodiment of automatic compression mechanism 20, Figure 16 (b) is a figure from the ultrasound probe of Figure 16 (a) to the direction of arrow 16 (b) that observe, and Figure 16 (c) is the axonometric chart of bag 55 and pipe 52.In this embodiment, utilize fixing belt 86 bag 55 to be installed to the outside of existing per rectum type ultrasound probe, under the effect of making the pump (not shown) that media connects by pipe 52, liquid (for example water and normal saline etc.) is supplied with bag 55 and discharge from bag 55, bag 55 is expanded and contraction.Owing to join in the rectum inwall of bag 55 and subject, institute is so that after bag 55 expansions and the contraction, can directly oppress the rectum inwall of subject.Like this, automatic compression mechanism 20 can be installed on the per rectum type ultrasound probe of do not possess peristome 84 (with reference to Figure 15 (a)) and pipe 52.
Figure 17 is the figure of an example of the action of the bag 55 told about with Figure 15 (a) of expression, and Figure 18 is a figure of representing other embodiment of bag.At the object of being oppressed by bag 55---under the shape and elastic retroaction of tissue, as shown in figure 17, bag 55 is the horizontal proliferation distortion in figure, can not oppress object tissue effectively.Therefore, bag 56 shown in Figure 180 has the shell 57 of the expansion direction of restriction bag 56.The retractility of shell 57 must be lower than other parts of bag 56.For example can adopt to make shell 57 part that is equivalent to shell 57 thicker than other parts of bag 56, that give bag 56 paste net etc., form methods such as shell 57, form shell 57 with the retractility different materials lower than other parts of bag 56.Like this, can oppress object tissue effectively.
In above-mentioned insertion body in the ultrasound probe of type, can also around ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101, the sort of pressure transducer of telling about with Fig. 7 be set, constitute the pressure instrumentation portion 210 (with reference to Fig. 1) of output pressure data behind the pressure that the instrumentation subject accepts from pressure surface.Pressure instrumentation portion 210 can also instrumentation imposes on the load of the driving mechanism of automatic compression mechanism 20, obtains the pressure that subject is accepted from pressure surface according to this load, thereby obtains pressure data.In addition, when automatically compression mechanism 20 possesses bag and pipe, pressure instrumentation portion 210 can also the instrumentation bags and pipe intrinsic pressure after, obtain pressure data.
In addition, in inserting body in the ultrasound probe of type, when executive component makes the variable in distance of probe handle part 81 and ultrasonic transmission/reception face 101,, also can oppress subject even seating surface does not join with the face of an opposite side relative with the photography target of subject.
Use the such automatic compression mechanism 20 of above-mentioned embodiment, can automatically oppress subject to certain orientation, can constantly obtain the elastic image data of high image quality arbitrarily with desirable certain speed.And then, can keep the repeatability of pressing action.
Below, tell about the demonstration value assessment portion 215 that adopts present embodiment.Show value assessment portion 215, utilize the displacement frame data of displacement instrumentation portion 209 output, to instrumentation points all in the ROI each, estimate the value of its pictorial display, discern unhelpful information and useful information, finally eliminate (covering hiding) unhelpful information as image.
Figure 19 is the figure of an example of the flow process that data are gone in output in the demonstration value assessment portion 215 that represents the present invention relates to.Show value assessment portion 215, have frame memory circuit 2151, instrumentation quality evaluation circuit 2152 and show decision circuit 2153.
Frame memory circuit 2151 with the displacement frame data of displacement instrumentation portion 209 outputs, is guaranteed as instrumentation result frame data, to output instrumentation quality evaluation circuit 2152.2152 inputs of instrumentation quality evaluation circuit are by the instrumentation result frame data of frame memory circuit 2151 outputs, for instrumentation points all in the ROI each, construct the reliability of instrumentation result frame data, be that the result of instrumentation is the instrumentation quality frame data of normal instrumentation result as the numerical value reflection.
Below, tell about an example of the action of instrumentation quality evaluation circuit 2152.Instrumentation quality evaluation circuit 2152 carries out the statistical disposition as female group of the factor data of instrumentation result frame data, and the characteristic quantity of this statistical as factor data, is constructed instrumentation quality frame data.Figure 20 is the characteristic quantity of expression according to statistical, the figure of an example when constructing instrumentation quality frame data.
At first, as shown in figure 20, with the factor data X of instrumentation result frame data I, j(i=1,2,3 ..., N, j=1,2,3 ..., M) expression.Here, index i is equivalent to the coordinate of the X direction of elastic image, and j is equivalent to the coordinate of y direction.All factor datas that the ROI that sets with ultrasonic unit comprises are all by this index reference.
With the factor data of gazing at now, for example as X 4,4, set X 4,4Coordinate as the core 2001 of the size of 3 (key element) * 5 (key element) at center, as amounting to the characteristic quantity of 15 factor data groups, for example adopt following method to calculate average and standard deviation as the statistical of female group with what distribute in this core 2001.
(on average) 4,4={ ∑ (instrumentation result frame data X I, j) 2/ 15
{ (standard deviation) 4,4} 2=∑ (on average) 4,4-(instrumentation result frame data X I, j) 2/ 15
(3≦i≦5，2≦j≦6)
According to above-mentioned steps, to the factor data X that respectively gazes at I, j, calculate too (standard deviation) I, j, make the factor data Y of itself and instrumentation quality frame data I, jCorrespondence enters input according to following method and sets, and works out instrumentation quality frame data shown in Figure 21.
(instrumentation quality frame data Y I, j)=(standard deviation) I, j
(i＝1，2，3，…，N、j＝1，2，3，…，M)
As instrumentation result frame data, input displacement frame data are so when carrying out constituting instrumentation quality frame data after the computing, give each the factor data Y that constitutes instrumentation quality frame data I, j, input is reflected in the displacement frame data, with the factor data Y of same coordinate I, jAs the center, with the factor data group of the area distribution of the kernel size part the set value as the deviation degree of the value of the displacement (amount of movement) of female group, above-mentioned the sort of instrumentation quality frame data are by to showing decision circuit 2153 outputs.
Exist at above-mentioned exemplifying embodiment, in showing value assessment portion 215, as the input of instrumentation result frame data, estimating has the zone that shows value and shows the zone that is worth with the displacement frame data.But but for example also shown in the image pattern 22, in distortion and spring rate operational part 211, with the elasticity frame data that generate behind the space differentiation displacement frame data, as the instrumentation result frame data input that shows in the value assessment portion 215.This is because the elasticity frame data also reflect the discreteness of the locality of displacement frame data, utilizes it also can realize same action.In addition, the size of above-mentioned core 201 can be set arbitrarily.In addition, at the periphery of ROI, the size of core 201 can diminish.For instrumentation quality frame data, also can carry out the processing such as interframe smoothing processing of spatial smoothing processing, time-axis direction.
Show decision circuit 2153, input is by the instrumentation quality frame data of instrumentation quality evaluation circuit 2152 outputs, do media by device control interface portion 216, input is by the marginal value control signal 2161 of the control part output of ultrasonic unit, carrying out marginal value according to this marginal value control signal 2161 handles, thereby construct the result of determination frame data whether expression shows the image corresponding with instrumentation point, to 213 outputs of chromoscan transducer.
Below, tell about an example of the action that shows decision circuit 2153.Because in the factor data of instrumentation quality frame data, be reflected in the value of the standard deviation of the displacement of representing in the action specification of instrumentation quality evaluation circuit 2152 (amount of movement), so after each factor data enforcement marginal value judgement to instrumentation quality frame data, can constitute the result of determination frame data.
The factor data of the above-mentioned instrumentation quality frame data that generate by instrumentation quality evaluation circuit 2152, the factor data that has the instrumentation quality frame data of higher value, just mean coordinate with this factor data as the center, the deviation of the displacement value that distributes in certain zone is got over bigger.Therefore, show that decision circuit 2153 will to constituting all factor datas of instrumentation quality frame data, judge the magnitude relationship with marginal value Th by the marginal value control signal 2161 of ultrasonic unit control part input as marginal value Th.For example: the factor data Y of instrumentation quality frame data I, jDuring greater than marginal value Th, give the factor data Z of the same coordinate of result of determination frame data I, jSet " 0 "; Factor data Y I, jDuring less than marginal value Th, give Z I, jSet " 1 ", carry out following input and set.
(instrumentation quality frame data Y I, j) (marginal value Th)
(result of determination frame data Z I, j)=0
(instrumentation quality frame data Y I, j) ≦ (marginal value Th)
(result of determination frame data Z I, j)=1
(i＝1，2，3，…，N、j＝1，2，3，…，M)
The result of determination frame data Z of Sheng Chenging as a result of I, j, for example become structure as shown in figure 23.
After this marginal value processing, construct to all factor data Z I, jThe result of determination frame data of value input " 0 " or " 1 ", with it to 213 outputs of chromoscan transducer.Figure 24 is that each factor data Z is given in expression I, jThe result's of input " 0 ", " 1 " judgement frame data Z I, jThe figure of an example.
In the above-described embodiment, in showing value assessment portion 215, generation will have the value that shows the zone that is worth to set " 0 " for, will show not that the value in the zone of value sets the result of determination frame data of " 1 " for.But the present invention is not limited to this example, shows the value that is worth as long as set for can discern to have or not.
Below, tell about the action example that adopts chromoscan transducer 213 of the present invention.Figure 25 is the figure that is illustrated in an example of the flow process of exporting data in the chromoscan transducer 213 that the present invention relates to.Chromoscan transducer 213 has: frame memory circuit 2131, jump treatment circuit 2132, color information give circuit 2133 and image is constructed circuit 2134.Jump treatment circuit 2132 has the inhibition treatment circuit.
Frame memory circuit 2131 in the elasticity frame data of guaranteeing by 212 outputs of elastic data handling part, is also guaranteed by the result of determination frame data that show 215 outputs of value assessment portion, the inhibition treatment circuit output in jump treatment circuit 2132.
Jump treatment circuit 2132, be will be by frame memory circuit 2131 elasticity frame data output, that have successional value, be transformed into the parts of the elasticity jump frame data of value (for example 8 bits, 256 jumps), suppress treatment circuit and carry out this processing with discreteness.Suppress elasticity frame data and the result of determination frame data of treatment circuit input,, set the information of the key element corresponding with elasticity jump frame data according to the information of each key element of result of determination frame data by frame memory circuit 2131 outputs.
Below, tell about an example of the action of the inhibition treatment circuit in the jump treatment circuit 2132.Give the factor data of result of determination frame data, value as the result of determination of in the action specification that shows value assessment portion 215, representing, be worth the value of input " 0 " when low in as shown in figure 24 demonstration, when showing the value that is worth input " 1 " when high, suppress the value of treatment circuit, the factor data of the elasticity jump frame data of this coordinate is set for the value of 256 jumps of 8 bits according to the factor data of these result of determination frame data.
When this sets situation, as the factor data of result of determination frame data, being equivalent to have the factor data of elasticity frame data of coordinate of the value of " 0 ", is unhelpful information; Being equivalent to have the factor data of elasticity frame data of coordinate of the value of " 1 ", is useful information.Therefore, according to this result of determination,, be equivalent to have the factor data of elasticity jump frame data of coordinate of the value of " 0 " as the factor data of result of determination frame data, irrelevant with the size of the value of the factor data of the elasticity frame data of this coordinate, set " 0 " as its value; As the factor data of result of determination frame data, be equivalent to have the factor data of elasticity jump frame data of coordinate of the value of " 1 ", according to the size of the value of the factor data of the elasticity frame data of this coordinate, set by the value of 255 jump jumpizations.In other words, if will make S by the factor data note that frame memory circuit input suppresses the elasticity frame data of treatment circuit I, j, result of determination frame data note is made Z I, j, the factor data note of the elasticity jump frame data that suppress to generate in the treatment circuit is made T I, j, so just can carry out following computing.
(result of determination frame data Z I, j)=0
(elasticity jump frame data T I, j)=0
(result of determination frame data Z I, j)=1
(elasticity jump frame data T I, j)
=(with S I, jThe value of corresponding " 1 "～" 255 " of size)
(i＝1，2，3，…，N、j＝1，2，3，…，M)
Through this jump processing, constitute and give all factor data T I, jThe elasticity jump frame data of the value of input " 0 "～" 255 " jump.Elasticity jump frame data T by 2132 acquisitions of jump treatment circuit I, jBe transfused to color information and give circuit 2133.
Color information is given circuit 2133, and input is by the elasticity jump frame data of jump treatment circuit output, and the information according to each key element of elasticity jump frame data generates elasticity color frame data.Below, tell about the example that color information is given the action of circuit 2133.Give the factor data of elasticity jump frame data, as the result who in the action specification that shows value assessment portion 215 and jump treatment circuit 2132, expresses, for example at the coordinate time that shows that value is low, the value of input " 0 ", showing costly coordinate time, input " 0 "～" 255 " by the value of 255 stage jumpizations.Give in the circuit 2133 in color information,, carry out setting the processing of this example of color information to the factor data of the elasticity color frame data of this coordinate according to the value of the factor data of elasticity jump frame data.
When this sets situation, as the factor data of elasticity jump frame data, be equivalent to have the factor data of elasticity jump frame data of coordinate of the value of " 0 ", be unhelpful information; Being equivalent to have " 1 "～factor data of the elasticity jump frame data of the coordinate of the value of " 255 ", is useful information.Therefore, according to this result of determination,, be equivalent to have the factor data (R: red, G: green, B: indigo plant) of elasticity jump frame data of coordinate of the value of " 0 " as the factor data of elasticity jump frame data, as this color information, for example set black (R=0, G=0, B=0); Factor data as elasticity jump frame data, be equivalent to have " 1 "～factor data of the elasticity jump frame data of the coordinate of the value of " 255 ", according to the size of the value of the factor data of the elasticity jump frame data of this coordinate, for example from the blueness to the redness, set by the jump color information of 255 stageizations.
In other words, if will make T by the factor data note that jump treatment circuit 2132 input color informations are given the elasticity jump frame data of circuit 2133 I, j, will remember respectively at R (red) composition, G (green) composition, B (indigo plant) composition that color information is given in the circuit 2133 factor data of the elasticity color frame data that generate and make U Ri, j, U Gi, j, U Bi, j, just can carry out following computing.
(elasticity jump frame data T I, j)=0
(elasticity color frame data U Ri, j)=0
(elasticity color frame data U Gi, j)=0
(elasticity color frame data U Bi, j)=0
(elasticity jump frame data T I, j)=1～255
(elasticity color frame data U Ri, j)=(T I, j-1)
(elasticity color frame data U Gi, j)=0
(elasticity color frame data U Bi, j)=254-(T I, j-1)
(i＝1，2，3，…，N、j＝1，2，3，…，M)
For example: with the result of determination frame data Z of Figure 23 I, jCorrespondence has been implemented the elasticity color frame data U of above-mentioned processing Ai, j, for example as shown in figure 26.In addition, in Figure 26 owing to can not illustrate color information, thus will with elasticity jump frame data T I, jThe zone of=0 correspondence is shown as white, will with elasticity jump frame data T I, jThe zone of=1～255 correspondences according to its size, makes gray degree jumpization and demonstration.After this color information of process is given processing, can construct to all factor data U Ai, jThe elasticity color frame data of the value of the color information of input R, G, B.Give the elasticity color frame data that circuit 2133 is given color information by color information, constructed circuit 2134 outputs to the image of subordinate.
In the present embodiment, the costly zone of demonstration is shown, changes into redness, show to be worth low zone, then use the example of the solid color demonstration of black from blue jump.But the present invention is not limited to this example, for example, also can costly zone will be shown, change into green from yellow jump, show and be worth low zone, then use blue solid color demonstration etc., use and the above-mentioned different color allocation method of telling about, as long as can be worth low zone as image recognition showing.In addition, in the present embodiment,, use rgb signal to form and tell about as the composition of elasticity color frame data.But the present invention is not limited to this example, also can make other signal form (for example YUV etc.) and give the method for color information and realize.And then, in the present embodiment, be illustrated in the ROI, will not show the example that the zone of value and the zone that has demonstration to be worth are discerned with inconsistent color information.But the present invention is not limited to this example, for example as shown in figure 27, and at elasticity color frame data U Bi, jFactor data in, 2 row of the zone that show to be worth in the left side connect when existing, with this part as removing regional post-evaluation.When removing regional post-evaluation, as shown in figure 28, remove this part like this, dwindle ROI.Like this, by dwindling, enlarge or move the ROI that sets, shows with ultrasonic unit, thereby also can get rid of the extraneous situation that the zone itself becomes the ROI that sets with device of removing automatically.Under the situation of Figure 28, illustrate remove left side 2 row that becoming not of Figure 27 show the zone that is worth after, an example when dwindling ROI.
Image is constructed circuit 2134, the elasticity color frame data of circuit 2133 outputs are given in input by color information, do the control signal 2164 of media input by device control interface portion 216 by the control part output of ultrasonic unit, according to it, with elasticity color frame data as original data, the interpolation of the rotation that comprises that polar coordinate transform, image augmentation dwindle, image reverses up and down etc. is handled in interior Flame Image Process, generates the elastic image data that are made of pixel data.In addition, image is constructed circuit 2134, jump treatment circuit 2132 and color information and is given circuit 2133, can adopt by device control interface portion 216 and do media, whether input control signal 2162～2164 adopts each function, the switching of action setting and the structure of change according to it respectively.
; ultrasound wave received signal frame data at any time; as information; reflect the structure and the configuration of the biological tissue in this moment; obtain the method for tissue elasticity information as utilizing ultrasound wave; at first use a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data of only obtaining at interval at regular intervals, calculate in this certain hour the displacement of each one of biological tissue that oppresses (pressurization, decompression) biological tissue and produce.The information of space differentiation displacement again, thus to points all in the ROI that sets in the ultrasonic unit, calculate the value of distortion, construct, display image.
; photographic scene in reality; obtaining in the interval of a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data; such as closing after heart tissue suffers oppression; hide to the probe short-axis direction; leave the 1st situation of instrumentation section; close heart tissue suffer oppression the back with very big speed to probe long axis direction or the displacement of compressing direction; break away from that photographic attachment sets fixed displacement operating range the 2nd situation etc. like that; because the compressing direction is inappropriate or compressing speed is excessive; in the ROI that photographic attachment is set, there is (related operation is made mistakes) zone of makeing mistakes that to calculate correct displacement sometimes.
In addition, such as the deep regional that will fail to reach owing to ultrasonic waves transmitted decay as the 3rd situation of being concerned about the zone, the zone that the ultrasonic emitting body is less (cyst etc., interior liquid pathological changes portion etc.) is as being concerned about the 4th regional situation etc., owing to failing to obtain to have the received signal that is enough to reflect the character of closing heart tissue, in the ROI that photographic attachment is set, also there is (related operation is made mistakes) zone of makeing mistakes that to calculate correct displacement sometimes.
In this 1st～the 4th each situation, in as the zone (ROI) of being concerned about the zone setting, the value of the distortion of the value computing that exists the probability in zone of the value with the displacement that does not have correct computing very big, will use this displacement is during as pictorial display, in the care zone of its deformation pattern, just comprising incorrect information.
In addition, just as the zone that ultrasound probe is not contacted subject as the 5th situation of being concerned about the zone etc., because the form of the shape of ultrasound probe and pass heart tissue in the zone (ROI) that photographic attachment is set, also exists sometimes and calculates the insignificant zone of displacement.In this 5th situation, as being concerned about in the zone (ROI) that the zone is set, just there is the zone of value, with the value of distortion of value computing of using this displacement during as pictorial display with nonsensical displacement, in the care zone of its deformation pattern, comprising incorrect information equally.
In each situation of this 1st～the 5th situation representative,, can observe the following the 1st and the 2nd zone as the result who organizes displacement that compressing causes.The 1st zone is that the instrumentation point group has zone to the instrumentation point group of the displacement of the size of the same degree of same direction (tissue is combination locally each other, grouply to the zone of same direction displacement); The 2nd zone is the zone that forms the instrumentation point group of deviation between the adjacent instrumentation point of instrumentation point group on the value of displacement and direction (locality organize not combination each other, also have the zone of various direction discretenesses ground displacements between adjacent tissue).In displacement frame data, can observe the 1st and the 2 two zone of so roughly dividing.
In above-mentioned the sort of the 1st～the 5th situation, with failing to obtain the zone and the insignificant zone of displacement computing of correct displacement, as the operation result of displacement, displacement value that this is regional and direction are discrete respectively, become the such sample attitude in above-mentioned the 2nd zone; Given the zone of suitable compressing,, become the such sample attitude in above-mentioned the 1st zone as the operation result of displacement.
In the above-described embodiment, told about situation when showing that value assessment portion 215 and chromoscan transducer 213 utilize the displacement frame data.This action, carry out following a series of processing: utilize the displacement frame data, obtain the displacement deviation of locality, the instrumentation point that this deviation is bigger, be evaluated as and show that value is low, give the pixel that is equivalent to be evaluated as the elastic image data that show the coordinate that is worth low instrumentation point, give the color information of black, give the pixel of the elastic image data be equivalent to be evaluated as the coordinate that shows costly instrumentation point, size according to the value of the key element of this coordinate of the elasticity frame data of instrumentation, give make tone from blueness to red continually varying color information, remove the elastic image information of the instrumentation point that shows that value is low, on the picture of ultrasound imaging apparatus, show and only give the elastic image that shows costly instrumentation point color.Like this, just can be only to giving the suitably zone of compressing, according to its elasticity number, in the time of with the demonstration of color jump, also give the suitably zone of compressing, remove jump failing, with with the inconsistent single color of the color of jumpization, in addition image recognition ground shows.
After adopting the demonstration value assessment portion 215 and chromoscan transducer 213 of present embodiment, the info-perfluxity in the residual insignificant elastic image zone that can not removed, can stably carry out high-quality elastic image photography with very high reliability, meanwhile, owing to can feed back unsuitable operational approach (compressing method etc.) and device setting to the operator by elastic image, in photographic scene so the operational approach (compressing method etc.) of the image that can obtain better quality can be provided at once.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, in showing value assessment portion 215, generation will have the value that shows the instrumentation point that is worth to set " 0 " for, will show not that the value of the instrumentation point of value sets the result of determination frame data of " 1 " for.But also can obtain by following computing in all key elements (N * M) of result of determination frame data on this basis, the key element of result of determination frame data becomes the shared ratio R of instrumentation point of " 1 ".
(ratio R)=[∑ { (result of determination frame data Z I, j)=1}]/(N * M)
Then, the ratio R of obtaining is during less than certain base ratio Rstd (for example 0.5), have in the judgment frame to show that the instrumentation point that is worth is less, the method shown in employing is following generates the result of determination frame data that all factor datas of result of determination frame data are set at once more " 0 " once again.
(ratio R)＜(base ratio Rstd)
(result of determination frame data Z I, j)=0
(i＝1，2，3，…，N、j＝1，2，3，…，M)
So, the elasticity jump frame data T that generates by chromoscan transducer 213 I, j, because all factor data T I, jWith result of determination frame data Z I, jCorrespondence is set " 0 " for, so elasticity color frame data Uc I, j, for example as shown in figure 29, all factor datas all use identical single color to constitute, and the elastic image data of frame are not shown by jumpization ground.In other words, become the demonstration of carrying out the elastic image data.Like this,, add the operator and make ultrasound probe contact subject as the 5th innings that is concerned about the zone in the zone that above-mentioned the sort of ultrasound probe is not contacted subject, move on side, an edge, Yi Bian explore in the situation of affected part, does not show the elastic image data.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, told about in showing value assessment portion 215, the key element that comprises in the kernel size of evaluation with the locality of displacement frame data or elasticity frame data is as the deviation of female group, and generation will have the value that shows the instrumentation point that is worth as " 0 ", show the situation of result of determination frame data of the value conduct " 1 " of the instrumentation point that is worth.But as and its diverse ways, can also carry out following processing.That is: carry out factor data X with instrumentation result frame data I, jAll key elements as the statistical disposition of female group, by following computing, obtain meansigma methods M as the characteristic quantity of statistical.
(meansigma methods M)={ ∑ (instrumentation result frame data X I, j)/(N * M)
(i＝1，2，3，…，N、j＝1，2，3，…，M)
This meansigma methods M has in the judgment frame to show that the instrumentation point that is worth is less during less than the average Mstd of certain benchmark, adopts the method shown in following, generates the result of determination frame data that all factor datas of result of determination frame data are set at once more " 0 " once again.
(meansigma methods M)＜(the average Mstd of benchmark)
(result of determination frame data Z I, j)=0
(i＝1，2，3，…，N、j＝1，2，3，…，M)
So, with result of determination frame data Z I, jCorrespondence is by the elasticity jump frame data T of chromoscan transducer 213 generations I, j, because all factor data T I, jSet " 0 " for, so elasticity color frame data U I, j, for example as shown in figure 29, all factor datas all use identical single color to constitute, and the elastic image data of frame are not shown by jumpization ground.In other words, become the demonstration of carrying out the elastic image data.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, told about in showing value assessment portion 215, carry out the evaluation as female group of the key element of displacement frame data or elasticity frame data, generation will have the value that shows the instrumentation point that is worth as " 0 ", show the situation of result of determination frame data of the value conduct " 1 " of the instrumentation point that is worth.But as and its diverse ways, can also carry out following processing.
As instrumentation result frame data, input is by the pressure data P of pressure instrumentation portion 210 outputs, this pressure P is during less than certain reference pressure Pstd, have in the judgment frame and show that the instrumentation point that is worth is less, method shown in below adopting generates the result of determination frame data that all factor datas of result of determination frame data are set at once more " 0 " once again.
(pressure P)＜(reference pressure Pstd)
(result of determination frame data Z I, j)=0
(i＝1，2，3，…，N、j＝1，2，3，…，M)
So, with result of determination frame data Z I, jCorrespondence is by the elasticity jump frame data T of chromoscan transducer 213 generations I, j, because all factor data T I, jSet " 0 " for, so elasticity color frame data U I, j, for example as shown in figure 29, all factor datas all use identical single color to constitute, and the elastic image data of frame are not shown by jumpization ground.
In addition, above-mentioned pressure data P distributes as the one dimension to the elasticity X direction, as Pi
(i=1,2,3 ..., when N) obtaining, carry out according to separately coordinate i and reference pressure Pstd
Ratio is in the coordinate less than reference pressure Pstd, with the result of determination frame data Z of the coordinate of correspondence I, jBe set at " 0 ".
In addition, in the photographic scene of reality, obtaining in the interval of a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data, pass heart tissue is not carried out the 6th situation of pressing action, and to the 7th too small situation of the compressing speed of closing heart tissue etc., because compressing speed is zero or not enough, in the zone (ROI) that photographic attachment is set, has the zone of approaching zero displacement and spread all over whole zone sometimes.Specifically, as previously mentioned, the operator makes ultrasound probe contact subject, and move on side, an edge, Yi Bian when exploring affected part, just be equivalent to these situations.In such as the 6th and the 7th such situation, because in as the zone (ROI) of being concerned about the zone setting, have the zone of approaching zero displacement and spread all over whole zone, so will use the value of the distortion of obtaining after the value of this displacement, as the deformation pattern of pictorial display, also become the image that does not have contrast or contrast very low in the whole zone of the ROI that spreads all over setting.And then, in by the sort of situation of the 6th and the 7th and so on situation representative,, can observe following the 1st and the 2nd such frame as the oppressed result who organizes displacement.
The 1st frame is the frame of instrumentation point group whole regional invariant position, do not suffer oppression (meansigma methods of displacement or elastic value is 0); The 2nd frame is that the whole regional displacement of instrumentation point group is less, the frame of receptor site compressing (meansigma methods of displacement or elastic value is little) a little only.In a plurality of elastic image frame data in a series of compressing process, can observe the 1st and the 2nd frame of roughly dividing so sometimes.
In the above-described embodiment, told about in showing value assessment portion 215 and chromoscan transducer 213 situation when utilizing displacement frame data or elasticity frame data.This action can reduce: with the whole zonal key element of displacement frame data or elasticity frame data, as female group, obtain the meansigma methods of displacement or elastic value, the meansigma methods of obtaining compare the fixed little frame of reference value, be evaluated as whole show regionally be worth low, judge that whole the demonstration be worth when low regionally, all elastic image information of removing this frame shows the elastic image of not giving to jumpization single color on the picture of ultrasound imaging apparatus.Frame when demonstration only will the give suitable compressing elastic image of the corresponding color of value elastic jumpization with it, frame when not giving suitable compressing, then remove jump, with carrying out pictorial display, can show to image recognition the frame when not giving suitable compressing with the inconsistent single color of the color of jumpization.
In the method for the elastic imageization that adopts ultrasound imaging apparatus, be not worth (quality owing to do not estimate the demonstration of the value of the elasticity of exporting as operation result (being deformed to or spring rate), picture quality), frame to whenever all is all constructed, display image, so in the photographic scene of reality, the image information of the frame that under unsuitable situation, calculates, although be the frame that does not show value,, the frame that shows value do not distinguished with being arranged yet, construct the elastic image of a series of successive frame that two frames are mixed, its result causes damaging the reliability that elastic image is photographed.And behind employing the present invention, the info-perfluxity in the residual insignificant elastic image zone that can not removed, can stably carry out high-quality elastic image photography with very high reliability, meanwhile, owing to can feed back unsuitable operational approach (compressing method etc.) to the operator, so the compressing method etc. of the image that can obtain better quality can be provided in photographic scene at once by elastic image.
And then, in the structure that behind first overlapping pellucidly chromatic elastic image of black and white layer image, shows, after adopting the present invention, only when carrying out pressing action, overlapping demonstration elastic image, when the operator makes ultrasound probe contact subject, an edge corpse or other object for laboratory examination and chemical testing move, explore affected part etc. on one side to stop to oppress, because elastic image is removed, so transmission display black and white layer image only.Like this, outside elastic image photography in, be easy to the layer image that image is confirmed the instrumentation section, can increase substantially the efficient of watching image.
That in the above-described embodiment, has described separately that zonal in 1 frame remove processing (function is removed in the zone) and whole 1 frame in detail removes processing (frame is removed function).But be not limited thereto, can adopt this two combination of actions, the structure of carrying out simultaneously.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, told about at frame and removed in the function,, judged when frame is removed, set the image information of the frame of present moment for situation about showing behind the single color according to the evaluation that the demonstration of present moment is worth.But be not limited thereto.Also can set for when the judgement frame is removed in present moment, not keep the frame in the nearest past of demonstration with removing, continue to show.In addition, this action is not limited to frame and removes function, removes the action of function as the zone, also can set same function.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, will show that value assessment portion 215 tells about as independent circuits.But be not limited thereto, can also adopt the structure that in chromoscan transducer 213 or elastic data handling part 212, has the action that shows value assessment portion 215, can also adopt the structure of the processing sequence of switching each circuit.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the operator can do media by the device control interface portion 216 that ultrasonic unit possesses, freely control and whether adopt the zone to remove function and frame to remove the marginal value that function and setting remove in the processing capacity and handle required marginal value, base ratio, benchmark meansigma methods etc., give the distribution, switching of the color of zone of removing and the frame of removing etc.
After adopting above-mentioned embodiment, in the elastic image photography, be difficult to obtain under the situation of ideal data, elastic value that also can be by will not showing value is by the zone of the image information of computing, and if whole zone just entire frame (as noise) is discerned, construct the elastic image of this information of reflection, thereby the ultrasound imaging apparatus that can carry out high-quality elastic image photography can be provided.
Below, tell about the action of the ultrasound imaging apparatus of this structure.At first,,, give the ultrasound probe 10 applying high voltage electric pulses that contact with subject 1, send ultrasound wave, with the reflection echo of ultrasound probe 10 receptions from the photography target position by radiating circuit 202 according to ultrasonic transmission/reception control.The reception ripple signal that receives, input receiving circuit 203, there by after the preposition amplification, the whole additive process circuit 204 of input.Use has the ultrasound probe 10 of automatic compression mechanism 20, for the elasticity evaluation is carried out at the care position in the subject organization internal, suitable compressing method with automatic compression mechanism 20 automatic settings, oppress subject 1 on one side, make ultrasound probe 10 contact subjects 1 on one side, thereby by the ultrasound wave received signal frame data of putting in order additive process circuit 204 output continuities.
By the reception ripple signal of the neat phase place of these whole additive process circuit 204 remittances, in next signal processing part 205, behind signal processing such as overcompression, detection, import black and white scan converter 206.This black and white scan converter 206, to when receiving the ripple signal and carry out the A/D conversion, also with it as the successive a plurality of layer image data in time series ground, deposit many pieces of inner frame memories in.By whole additive process circuit 204 serialitys ground output ultrasonic wave received signal frame data, to ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208 input ultrasound wave received signal frame data.
Select the interior successive many pieces of ultrasound wave received signal frame data in time series ground of ultrasound wave received signal frame data of ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208 memories,, obtain one dimension or two-dimentional change profile (Δ L there to 209 outputs of displacement instrumentation portion I, j).The calculating that displacement distributes as the method that detects of above-mentioned mobile vector, for example adopts Block Matching Algorithm to carry out.But also can not adopt this method, calculate the oneself of normally used 2 view data in the same area relevant after, it is good to obtain displacement.
In addition, in ultrasound wave received signal frame data selection portion 208,,,, make the pressing action optimization of automatic compression mechanism 20 according to this cycle information to automatic compression mechanism 20 outputs with the cycle information between a pair of ultrasound wave received signal frame data of selecting.On the other hand, in pressure instrumentation portion 210, instrumentation adds to the pressure of subject 1 outward, this pressure information is sent to distortion and spring rate operational part 211 and automatic compression mechanism 20 by pressure instrumentation portion 210, according to this pressure information, control the pressing action of automatic compression mechanism 20, make its optimization, thereby can carry out the elastic image photography of subject effectively.
Displacement (Δ L by displacement instrumentation portion 209 and 210 outputs of pressure instrumentation portion I, j) and pressure (Δ P I, j) instrumentation signal separately, be transfused to the distortion and spring rate operational part 211.To displacement distribution (Δ L I, j) carry out space differentiation (Δ L I, j/ Δ X) after, obtains deflection distribution (ε I, j).In addition, the Young's modulus Ym in the spring rate particularly I, j, adopt following formula to obtain.
Ym i、j＝(ΔP i、j)/(ΔL i、j/ΔX)
Utilize the spring rate Ym that obtains like this I, j, obtain the spring rate of each instrumentation point, generate the elasticity frame data.
Generate the elasticity frame data like this, input flexibility data processing division 212, the various Flame Image Process such as smoothing processing of the time-axis direction of the smoothing processing in the enforcement coordinate plane, the processing of contrast optimization and interframe.
Here, show that 215 inputs of value assessment portion are by the displacement frame data of displacement instrumentation portion 209 outputs or the elasticity frame data of being exported by distortion and spring rate operational part 211, each instrumentation point or each frame are had or not the evaluation of the value that shows as elastic image, generate and the corresponding evaluation result frame data of its evaluation result, the evaluation result frame data are exported to chromoscan transducer 213 or black and white scan converter 206.
By the elasticity frame data of elastic data handling part 212 outputs with by the evaluation result frame data that show 215 outputs of value assessment portion, be transfused to chromoscan transducer 213 or black and white scan converter 206, information according to the evaluation result frame data, when unhelpful elastic information is implemented to remove processing, also useful information is implemented the jump processing, it is transformed into color information or black and white monochrome information.
Then, by switching adder 214, the layer image and the chromatic elastic image addition of black and white is synthetic, or not with the layer image of black and white and chromatic elastic image addition send to image display 207, the layer image and the chromatic elastic image of the black and white of translucent processing implemented in overlapping demonstration on 1 picture, perhaps utilize 2 pictures to show, on same picture, show black and white layer image and color elastic image simultaneously.In addition, the black and white layer image is not limited to general B mode image, also can use the radio-frequency component of selective reception signal after, the cell tissue harmonic wave layer image of image conversion.In addition, can also replace the black and white layer image equally, showed cell tissue Doppler picture, in addition, and can also be by various combinations, the image of selecting 2 pictures to show.
In addition, about the formation of above elastic image, tell about to generate the elastic image data instance behind the distortion of obtaining above-mentioned biological tissue or the Young's modulus Ym.But be not limited thereto, for example can also use other calculation of parameter spring rates such as rigidity parameter beta, compression elasticity coefficient Ep, increment coefficient of elasticity Einc (for example opening flat 5-No. 317313) with reference to the spy.
After adopting this structure, in the elastic image photography of adopting ultrasound imaging apparatus of the present invention, even be difficult to obtain ideal data, also can with calculate not the image information that shows the elasticity number that is worth the zone and if whole zonal just with entire frame as Noise Identification, construct the elastic image of this information of reflection, thereby can realize to carry out the ultrasound imaging apparatus of high-quality elastic image photography.
In addition, can also not suppress elastic image ground keeps.In addition, in the above-described embodiment, remove in the function, told about the evaluation that is worth according to the demonstration of present moment, judge when frame is removed, set the image information of the frame of present moment for situation about showing behind the single color at frame.But be not limited thereto, can also set for and in present moment, judge when frame is removed, keep the frame in the nearest past of demonstration with not removing, continue to show.And then this action is not limited to frame and removes function, removes the action of function as the zone, also can set same function.
Below, tell about other embodiment of the present invention.Figure 30 is the frame assumption diagram of the ultrasound imaging apparatus of present embodiment, Figure 31 is the flow chart of the treatment step obtained of elastic image that the ultrasound imaging apparatus of present embodiment relates to, and Figure 32 (a)～32 (e) is the figure of an example of the display image of expression present embodiment.
As shown in figure 30, the ultrasound imaging apparatus of present embodiment, the display part 303 of being constructed the layer image that portion 302, demonstration construct again by the layer image of constructing layer image at the hyperacoustic probe 301 of transmitting-receiving between device and the subject, after receiving the reflection echo signal of this probe 301 outputs again constitutes.Output drives the ultrasonic transmitting element of the ultrasonic signal of probe 301, omits in the drawings.Elasticity operational part 304 comprises following unit, imports the frame data of being constructed the reflection echo signal of portion's 302 outputs by layer image successively, according to 2 adjacent layer image data of time series ground, the extensometer measurement unit of the displacement of the tissue of each one of instrumentation layer image; According to the displacement data of each one of this extensometer measurement unit instrumentation, obtain the spring rate arithmetic element of spring rate of the tissue of each one.In addition, elasticity operational part 304 also has resolves the displacement data, judges the pressurization identifying unit that pressurized operation is whether suitable.
Elastic image is constructed portion 305, and according to the spring rate that elasticity operational part 304 is obtained, the establishment elastic image in display part 303 outputs, also deposits it in cine memory 312 at the elastic image that will work out.In addition, the result of determination of the pressurized operation of being judged by elasticity operational part 304 is when depositing pressurized state memorizer 306 accordingly in separately elastic image, also to 307 outputs of operation information efferent.Operation information efferent 307 with the result of determination of pressurized operation in display part 307 outputs, can also do media by audio output unit 308, utilize the result of determination of voice output pressurized operation.
On the other hand, various operational orders and set information by operation inputting part 309 input are transfused to central processing department 310, and central processing department 310 is according to the instruction of input etc., control cine memory image regeneration portion 311 etc.
Below, with reference to the display image example of flow chart and Figure 32 (a)～32 (e) of Figure 31, tell about the action that the ultrasound imaging apparatus that utilizes this structure is obtained elastic image.At first, shown in Figure 32 (a), when beginning instrumentation elastic image, constructing portion 302 by layer image when display part 303 outputs show layer image 321, also show the dialogue 322 (S1) of expression pressurized state to display part 303 outputs by operation information efferent 307.Dialogue 322 has the viewing area of growing crosswise of linear, along this viewing area, shows 2 leg-of- mutton mark 323a, 323b, and mark 323a is corresponding with the lower limit of the proper range of pressurized operation, and 323b is corresponding with the lower limit of the proper range of pressurized operation.Elastic image is constructed portion's 305 pressurized state memorizeies 306
Then, the operator utilizes probe 301 to pressurize on the body surface of subject, to biological tissue pressurization (S2).In this pressurized state, layer image is constructed portion 302 input reflection echo-signal successively, the layer image of update displayed portion 303 (S3).Elasticity operational part 304 is constructed the frame data that portion 302 obtains layer image from layer image successively, according to 2 adjacent frame data of time series ground, each one of instrumentation organizes displacement, displacement data according to each one of instrumentation, calculate the spring rate (S4) of the tissue of each one, the data of the spring rate that calculates are constructed portion's 305 outputs (S5) to elastic image.In addition, in step S4, elasticity operational part 304 is resolved the displacement data, judges whether pressurized operation is suitable, and the pressurized state of result of determination is exported (S7) to pressurized state memorizer 306.This judgement, for example as shown in figure 33, according to the displacement data, with the distribution 331 of the deformation rate ε in the layer image, be the deformation rate of each pixel unit as transverse axis, the pixel count of identical deformation rate as the longitudinal axis, is obtained the distribution of deformation rate ε.Distribute 331 meansigma methods ε m whether in the scope of the upper lower limit value (ε H, ε L) of proper range according to this deformation rate, judge whether the pressurized operation of presser unit is suitable.For example, in Figure 33, the deformation rate that dots distributes 332,333, because meansigma methods exceeds upper lower limit value (ε H, ε L), so be unsuitable example.Point out in passing: it 332 is pressing speed examples when too slow that deformation rate distributes, and it 333 is pressing speed examples when too fast that deformation rate distributes.In addition, pressurized state for example adopts the opinion rating in 8 stages to judge, when depositing pressurized state memorizer 306 in, also to 307 outputs of operation information efferent.
Elastic image is constructed portion 305, according to the spring rate data of elasticity operational part 304 outputs, by the colour coupling, constructs elastic image, shown in Figure 32 (b), and on the layer image 321 of display part 303, overlapping demonstration elastic image 324 (S7).In addition, also deposit these elastic image data in cine memory 312 (S8).Then, operation information efferent 307 is obtained the opinion rating (S9) by the pressurized state of elasticity operational part 304 outputs, behind the state according to its decision dialogue 322, to display part 303 outputs (S10), for example, shown in Figure 32 (c), display part 303 upgrades the demonstration of dialogue 322.In addition, the example of Figure 32 (c), the opinion rating that pressurized state is shown surpass proper range, the situation when too fast.After seeing the demonstration of this dialogue 322, the operator transfers pressing speed slow, thereby the next elastic image establishment of carrying out after returning the step S2 of Figure 31 can obtain the suitable elastic image according to the pressing speed that passes through adjustment shown in Figure 32 (d) in handling.Like this, shown in Figure 32 (e), talk with 322 state demonstration as can be known, become in the suitable scope of mark 323a, 323b, can obtain suitable elastic image.In addition, mark 323a, the 323b of the dialogue 322 of Figure 32 (a)～Figure 32 (e) are corresponding with the upper lower limit value (ε H, L ε) of proper range.
Like this, after adopting present embodiment, owing to can in dialogue 322, show immediately whether pressurized operation is suitable, so whether the operator can suitable according to the pressurized state that shows in the dialogue 322, adjust the operation of probe 301, thereby be easy to be intended to obtain the pressurized operation of suitable elastic image.And after the employing present embodiment, the individual differences that comprises subject can judge also interior whether pressurized operation is suitable, so can make the operator carry out suitable pressurized operation extremely simply.
In the above-described embodiment, be illustrated on the display part 303 and utilize dialogue to show the example that pressurized operation is whether suitable, but the present invention is not limited thereto.Can utilize the voice output pressurized operation whether suitable.Figure 34 is the flow chart when utilizing the voice output pressurized operation whether suitably.The example of display image is at this moment seen Figure 35 (a)～35 (e).In Figure 34, step S2～S8 of step S21 and Figure 31 is identical.Operation information efferent 307 is obtained the opinion rating (S22) by the pressurized state of elasticity operational part 304 output, and appropriate (suitably) (S23) to judge opinion rating.When opinion rating is suitable, end process.When opinion rating is inappropriate, judge that opinion rating is " soon " or " slowly " after surpassing proper range, sets evaluation result respectively for the sound (S25, S26) of " soon ", " slowly ".Like this, the voice output instruction (S27) by 307 outputs " soon " of operation information efferent, " slowly " utilizes the sound by audio output unit 308 instructions, exports evaluation result, is operation information.The example of display image is at this moment seen Figure 35 (a)～35 (e).
Like this, after the employing present embodiment, even the operator does not see display image, also can obtain operation information, so be easy to be intended to obtain the pressurized operation of suitable elastic image by sound.
Figure 36 is the expression regeneration flow chart when showing the elastic image that the cine memory 312 of Figure 30 preserves.Operation inputting part 309 instruction central processor 310 cine memories regeneration backs (S31), central processor 310 is to the instruction (S32) of cine memory image regeneration portion 311 output regeneration cine memories.Like this, cine memory image regeneration portion 311 obtains elastic image (S33) from cine memory 312, and the evaluation result (S34) of the synchronous pressurized state of the elastic image of obtaining and reading from pressurized state memorizer 306.Then, judge the pressurized state read whether appropriate (S35), improper end process at that time.When appropriate, the instruction (S36) that central processor 310 outputs show by cine memory image regeneration portion 311 regenerated elastic images display part 303.Like this, the elastic image of being preserved by cine memory 312 just shows (S37) on display part 303.In other words, only regeneration shows the suitable elastic image that cine memory 312 is preserved.
Whether suitable speed the operation information of pressurized operation be provided in the above-described embodiment.But the present invention is not limited thereto, when the pressurization of transversion malposition and so on appears in biological tissue, can provide operation information.In other words, in the process of pressurized operation, even pressing speed is horizontal in time fixed, also may not all be can be equably to vertical direction to the time band of subject pressurization (below be called " time phase ").For example occur to tilted direction or unevenly to subject pressurization the time mutually after, the stress distribution that imposes on biological tissue just produces phase when discontinuous.When this mutually in because the coordinates regional that jumps discontinuously on changing of the time that appears at, so in the elastic image that obtains, as disturbing (noise) comprising zone that timeliness ground jumps, the problem of elastic image photography can not be suitably carried out in existence.In other words since can not be equably to the vertical direction pressurization etc., after biological tissue laterally moves and produces transversion malposition, just have the problem that can not suitably carry out the elastic image photography.
Embodiments of the present invention detect this pressurized operation when making biological tissue produce transversion malposition, and operation information is provided.Present embodiment can be replaced as transversion malposition identifying unit 338 by the pressurization identifying unit with the formation elasticity operational part 304 in the embodiment of Figure 30 and realize.In other words, as shown in figure 37, after constructing frame data that portion 302 accesses ultrasound wave received signal data, access the displacement data from layer image, judge the degree of transversion malposition, deposit result of determination in pressurized state memorizer 306 from the extensometer measurement unit 339 of instrumentation displacement.In Figure 37, spring rate arithmetic element 340 is elements of organizing the spring rate of each one according to the displacement data computation, is the function that the elasticity operational part 304 of Figure 30 is comprised.
Figure 38 is in the transversion malposition identifying unit 338 that relates to of present embodiment to be the flow chart at center with the treatment step.After central processing department 310 was connected the elastic image photograph mode, as shown in figure 39, display part 303 showed ROI336 that obtains elastic image in the layer image 335 and the coloured image 337 (S41) of representing spring rate by operation inputting part 309.Then, extensometer measurement unit 339 is constructed from layer image and is accessed 1 adjacent framing data (S42) of time series ground the portion 302, through after the relevant treatment, in the displacement of each pixel on the instrumentation layer image or the mobile vector (displacement direction and size), also detect transversion malposition (S43～S45).
In the relevant treatment in extensometer measurement unit 339, for example, can adopt well-known Block Matching Algorithm.Block Matching Algorithm is that image is divided into the piece that is made of N * N pixel (N is a natural number), from previous frame, seek the piece of gazing in image and the present frame nearest like piece, with reference to the maneuver of its prediction codeization.As shown in figure 40, the piece that will be made of N * N pixel will comprise the zones that a plurality of pieces that are made of N * N pixel constitute, as searching scope 342 as associated window 341.In addition, the piece of reference in previous frame is for the piece of present frame, as the position of dependency maximum.Here, for the purpose of simplifying the description, as shown in figure 40, with the size of searching scope 342, as the size of 9 associated window 341.In other words, be the center with associated window 341, reach tilted direction about descending up, the piece of configuration and associated window 341 identical sizes.In addition, associated window 341 and searching scope 342 can be set arbitrarily.Now, suppose to apply the stress that applied by probe to the direction equalization perpendicular to subject, the piece of the dependency maximum of present frame and previous frame just becomes the 341 pairs of speeches of associated window to the center of Figure 40, is positioned at the piece 2 and 8 of above-below direction.On the other hand, under the effect of stress from probe, the tissue of subject is horizontal when mobile, the piece of dependency maximum, just become be positioned at associated window 341 about piece 4 and 6 (but also can comprise piece 1,3,7,9).Then,, 9 pieces are carried out related operation, obtain the position of the piece of dependency maximum in order in a searching scope 342, to seek the position that dependency becomes maximum piece.In this related operation, for example,, be correlated with when becoming maximum at the piece 2 or 8 that is arranged in the next door, judge transversion malposition, the transversion malposition rolling counters forward is over.Like this, to the data that become object in the ROI, implement relevant treatment, the variable quantity in obtaining in the ROI and the enumerator of transversion malposition enumerator are counted C.In addition, owing to the data in the ROI are cut apart by searching scope 342, so also ask the number A of this searching scope of cutting apart 342.Variable quantity in the ROI sends to spring rate arithmetic element 340, and the enumerator of transversion malposition enumerator is counted the number A of C and the searching scope of cutting apart 342, sends to transversion malposition identifying unit 338.
Transversion malposition identifying unit 338 is judged transversion malposition (S46) according to A, the C of input.Whether this judgement sets up according to A/X＜C is decided.In the formula, X is the marginal value of rule of thumb determining.When A/X＜C sets up, can judge to direction evenly afterburning perpendicular to subject.At this moment, transversion malposition is produced curve and deposit pressurized state memorizer 306 (S47) in as " 0 ".When A/X＜C is false, can judge evenly not afterburning to direction perpendicular to subject.At this moment, transversion malposition is produced curve and deposit pressurized state memorizer 306 (S47) in as " 1 ".The content of this pressurized state memorizer 306, for example as shown in figure 39, at the following position of layer image 335, by showing " transversion malposition " warning (S56).
On the other hand, spring rate arithmetic element 340 is obtained deformation data S (S48, S53) according to the addendum modification B of extensometer measurement unit 339 instrumentations, the elastic image of Figure 30 is constructed portion 305, implement the jump processing of deformation data S, construct elastic image, in display part 303, show.
Like this, adopt present embodiment after, how the power that the operator can the real-time confirmation probe imposes on subject, when transversion malposition occurring, can adjust the probe operation, be adjusted to the pressing method that is not easy to occur transversion malposition, so can obtain suitable elastic image rapidly.
In sum, behind employing the present invention, in the elastic image diagnosis, at any time can both make high-quality elastic image image conversion stably.In addition, behind employing the present invention, the info-perfluxity of the remaining nonsensical elastic image that can be removed stably carries out high-quality elasticity figure photography with very high reliability.Meanwhile, owing to feed back unsuitable operational approach (compressing method etc.) to the operator by elastic image, so can find out the compressing maneuver that can obtain higher-quality image etc. immediately at photographic scene, can provide the real-time that keeps the ultrasound wave photography, simplicity, useful ultrasonic unit clinically.And then, adopt the present invention after, can provide the operation information of the pressurization that is intended to obtain suitable elastic image to the operator, so can obtain elastic image effectively.

Claims (17)

1, type ultrasound probe in a kind of insertion body is characterized in that possessing:
Ultrasonic transmission/reception portion, this ultrasonic transmission/reception portion launches ultrasound wave to subject, and receives the ultrasound wave by the internal reflection of described subject; With
Compression mechanism, this compression mechanism has cyclic bag portion, this bag portion makes liquid between the surface of described subject and described ultrasonic transmission/reception portion, makes described bag portion expand and shrink under the effect of described liquid, thereby described tested intravital contact surface is applied compressing.
2, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: have the shell portion that retractility is lower than described bag portion, limit the moving direction of described bag portion.
3, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: also have the cylindrical case of taking in described ultrasonic transmission/reception portion,
Described bag portion is installed in the periphery of described shell.
4, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that: also have the periphery that is installed in described bag portion, become the block of seating surface.
5, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that also having: instrumentation adds to the pressure instrumentation portion of the pressure of described contact surface outward; With
According to the pressure of described pressure instrumentation portion instrumentation, control the pressure control part of described compression mechanism.
6, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that:
Described pressure instrumentation portion, by the pressure of the described liquid in the described bag of the instrumentation portion, thereby instrumentation adds to the pressure of described contact surface outward.
7, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,
Described compression mechanism has:
The handle part that supplies the operator to control; With
Be configured in the gauge tap of the pressing action of position that the operator can operate with the finger of controlling described handle part, the described compression mechanism of control.
8, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that also possessing fixing band, is used for described bag portion is installed to the outside of described ultrasound probe.
9, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described liquid is water or normal saline.
10, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also possesses the pump of conduit and the amount by the described liquid in the described bag of the described conduit change portion.
11, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that: the surface of described block is the seating surface that contacts the face of opposition side relative with reference object in the described tested intravital described contact surface.
12, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that: described shell portion makes the thickness of the established part of described bag portion form greater than the described established part part in addition of described bag portion.
13, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that: described shell portion is the net that sticks on the established part of described bag portion.
14, type ultrasound probe in the insertion body as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that: described ultrasound probe is a cylindrical shape,
When observing described columnar ultrasound probe from the side, described cyclic bag portion is arranged on the position of vertical line.
15, type ultrasound probe in a kind of insertion body is characterized in that,
Possess:
Ultrasonic transmission/reception portion, this ultrasonic transmission/reception portion launches ultrasound wave to subject, and receives the ultrasound wave by the internal reflection of described subject; With
Compression mechanism, this compression mechanism applies compressing to described tested intravital contact surface,
Described compression mechanism has:
Seating surface, this seating surface is relative with described tested intravital described contact surface, and contacts with the relative contact of described subject;
A plurality of bags of portions, these bags portion make fluid between described subject and described seating surface; With
Pump, this pump make interior separately described fluidic the changing of volume production of described a plurality of bags of portions,
By selecting at least one of described a plurality of bags of portions for use, thereby from a plurality of directions, select the direction of the pressing action of described compression mechanism.
16, a kind of ultrasonic elasticity imaging device is characterized in that, has: type ultrasound probe in the described insertion body of claim 1;
Output drives the ultrasonic emitting portion of the ultrasonic signal of described ultrasound probe;
According to the reflection echo signal that described ultrasound probe receives, obtain two different in time layer image data, according to these two layer image data, the displacement instrumentation portion of the displacement of described tested intravital each one of instrumentation;
According to the displacement data of described tested intravital each one of described displacement instrumentation portion instrumentation, obtain the distortion of tissue of described tested intravital each one or the elasticity operational part of spring rate;
According to distortion or the spring rate that described elasticity operational part is obtained, the image production part of establishment elastic image; And
The display part that shows the elastic image of described generation.
17, ultrasonic elasticity imaging device as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that: also have: according to the interval of described two layer image data, control the compressing periodic Control portion in the compressing cycle of described compression mechanism.
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