JP2000157542A - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment with hmd adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve diagnostic operability and to enhance safety to an examinee by enabling an inspector to observe the examinee at all times during an inspection. SOLUTION: A high frequency pulse voltage is supplied from an ultrasonic wave transmission/reception part 7 to an ultrasonic wave probe 8, ultrasonic waves are emitted into the body of the examinee 9 and reflected waves are received by the ultrasonic wave prove 8. The echo signals are digitized, changed from ultrasonic wave scanning to television scanning by a DSC part 6 inputted to an image compositing part 5. In the meantime, the data of the examinee 9 and a setting condition at the time of an operation, etc., inputted by a console 1 are stored in a memory 3 through a control part 2, constituted in a graphics generation part 4 and inputted to the image compositing part 5. Both signals are composited in the image compositing part 5 and sent to a display device 10 and a video signal conversion part 23 and ultrasonic tomographic images are displayed at a video display device inside an HMD display mechanism 24 wearable by the inspector.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an H diagnostic apparatus for observing an ultrasonic tomographic image by mounting a head mounted display type image display mechanism (HMD).
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an MD adapter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic probe transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receives a reflected wave generated due to a difference in acoustic impedance, and processes an obtained ultrasonic reception signal to subject the subject. Ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses that obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image have become widespread. During an examination using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an examiner applies an ultrasonic probe to the examinee in the vicinity of the examinee while performing an examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Diagnosis is performed by observing an ultrasonic tomographic image on a display device (monitor).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 8 of an ultrasonic transmission / reception system, an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 7, a DSC unit 6, a memory 25, and a console 1 of a control and graphic generation system.
Signals from both the control unit (host CPU) 2, the memory 3, and the graphic generation unit 4 are synthesized by the image synthesis unit 5, and an ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on the display device 10.

A high-frequency pulse voltage is supplied to the ultrasonic probe 8 from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 7, and ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic probe 8 into the body of the subject 9. The ultrasonic probe 8 receives a reflected wave generated by the difference in the acoustic impedance in the body, and inputs the signal to the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 7. Then, the echo signal is digitized, and the scanning of the ultrasonic image of the digital image is converted into the television scanning of the analog image by the DSC unit 6 composed of a digital frame memory, and is input to the image synthesizing unit 5. On the other hand, data of the subject 9 input at the console 1 and setting conditions at the time of operation are stored in the memory 3 via the control unit (host CPU) 2, configured by the graphics generation unit 4, and configured by the image synthesis unit. 5 is input. The signal from the DSC unit 6 and the signal from the graphics generation unit 4 are synthesized by the image synthesizing unit 5 to form an image in a television scanning system. The signal of the television scanning of the image synthesizing unit 5 is sent to the display device 10 to display an ultrasonic tomographic image.

[0005] The operating method is as follows.
To select the B mode (tomographic image). And subject 9
Ultrasonic jelly is applied to the body surface of the patient, and the ultrasonic probe 8 is applied to the body surface of the diagnosis site. The console 1 adjusts STC (gain in the depth direction), FTC (echo enhancement of tissue interface), etc., presses the ultrasonic probe 8 on the body surface from various angles, and obtains a tomographic image of a required diagnostic site. The image is displayed on the display device 10 and observed. The image is stored as necessary.

[0006]

The conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is configured as described above, but during the examination, the examiner pays attention to a display apparatus for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. (Monitor) The operator concentrates on the ultrasonic tomographic image on 10, and the examiner looks at the direction of the display device 10 instead of looking at the direction of the subject 9. There is a problem that has become.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims at improving diagnostic operability of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and giving consideration to safety to a subject. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of observing a subject.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an HMD adapter according to the first aspect of the present invention transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject and receives a reflected wave thereof. An ultrasonic probe that outputs an ultrasonic reception signal by using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that has an image processing unit that processes an ultrasonic reception signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe and creates an ultrasonic tomographic image. And a head mounted display type image display mechanism (HMD) for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image output from the image processing means.

Further, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an HMD adapter according to a second aspect of the present invention includes: a video display device for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image in order to improve the mountability;
A beam splitter for inputting the ultrasonic tomographic image to the eyes of an inspector and a reflection mirror are provided in a head-mounted display type image display mechanism (HMD).

[0010] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an HMD adapter of the present invention is configured as described above. During the examination, the examiner applies an ultrasonic probe to the examinee near the examinee while applying the ultrasonic probe to the examinee. Diagnosis can be performed while observing an ultrasonic tomographic image in a head-mounted display type image display mechanism (HMD) added to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, so that diagnostic operability is improved and safety for the subject is considered. Can be planned.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an HMD adapter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and 3 are a schematic diagram and a perspective view, respectively, of a head-mounted display device (HMD display mechanism 24) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an HMD adapter according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 24, and a video signal converter 23.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is the same as the conventional apparatus, and has an ultrasonic probe 8 of an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving system, an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving section 7,
The image synthesizing unit 5 synthesizes signals from both the DSC unit 6, the memory 25, and the console 1 of the control and graphic generation system, the control unit (host CPU) 2, the memory 3, and the graphic generation unit 4, and displays them. An ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on the HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 24 via the video signal conversion unit 10 and the video signal conversion unit 23.

In the operation, a high-frequency pulse voltage is supplied to the ultrasonic probe 8 from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 7, and the ultrasonic probe 8 emits ultrasonic waves into the body of the subject 9. The ultrasonic probe 8 receives a reflected wave generated by the difference in the acoustic impedance in the body, and inputs the signal to the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 7. Then, the echo signal is digitized, the scan conversion of the ultrasonic image of the digital image into the television scan of the analog image is performed by the DSC unit 6 comprising a digital frame memory, and the converted image is input to the image synthesis unit 5.

On the other hand, the data of the subject 9 inputted on the console 1 and the setting conditions at the time of operation are controlled by the control unit (host CPU) 2.
Is stored in the memory 3 via the
And input to the image synthesizing unit 5. The signal from the DSC 6 and the signal from the graphics generation unit 4 are synthesized by the image synthesis unit 5 to form an image in a television scanning system. The television scanning signal of the image synthesizing unit 5 is sent to the HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 24 via the display device 10 and the video signal conversion unit 23, and an ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed.

The HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 24 includes a video display device (for example, LCD or CRT) 11 and a first for partially transmitting and partially reflecting light from the video display device 11 at a ratio of 3: 1. It comprises a beam splitter 12, a second beam splitter 13 for partially transmitting and partially reflecting the light transmitted by the first beam splitter 12 at a ratio of 1: 1 and first and second concave reflecting mirrors 14 and 15. I have.

The video signal converter 23 converts a television scanning signal from the image synthesizer 5 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus into an LCD or CRT image display scan of the video display device 11 of the HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 24. It is a circuit part for performing. The image display device 11 is arranged, for example, in front of the right eye 16 of the observer, is connected to the image signal converter 23, and displays an ultrasonic tomographic image by an image signal from the image synthesizing unit 5 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

First and second beam splitters 12, 1
3 is placed in front of the observer's right and left eyes 16, 17, respectively. The first beam splitter 12 transmits 75% of the light from the image display device 11 toward the second beam splitter 13 and reflects the remaining 25% toward the first concave reflecting mirror 14. Thereafter, 75% of the light from the first concave reflecting mirror 14, that is, 18.75% of the light from the image display device 11 is transmitted through the first beam splitter 12 toward the right eye 16.
On the other hand, the beam splitter 13 reflects 50% of the light from the first beam splitter 12 toward the second concave reflecting mirror 15 and transmits the rest. Thereafter, 50% of the light from the second concave reflecting mirror 15, that is, 18.75% of the light from the image display device 11 is transmitted to the left eye 17 through the second beam splitter 13. As a result, the same amount of light is incident on both eyes 16, 17 of the observer.

On the other hand, a convex lens 21 for transmitting the light from the second beam splitter 13 is disposed on the opposite side of the image display device 11 so that an image displayed on the image display device 11 can be viewed. . Alternatively, the light is transmitted to the second beam splitter 13
An image displayed on the image display device 11 is selectively leaked to the outside by selectively opening and closing a shutter 22 disposed in front of the convex lens 21 in a direction that is transmitted therethrough. Shutter 2
2 is arranged behind the convex lens 21.

Next, the operation method will be described. First, the examiner uses the HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 2
4 is attached. The operator selects the B mode (tomographic image) on the console 1. Next, ultrasonic jelly is applied to the body surface of the subject 9, and the ultrasonic probe 8 is applied to the body surface of the diagnosis site. The console 1 adjusts STC (gain in the depth direction), FTC (echo enhancement of tissue interface), etc., presses the ultrasonic probe 8 on the body surface from various angles, and obtains a tomographic image of a required diagnostic site. The image is displayed on the video display device 11 of the HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 24.
Display on top and observe. The examiner faces the subject 9 and operates the ultrasonic probe 8 located at the site to be diagnosed,
It is possible to observe the ultrasonic diagnostic image on the video display device 11 while paying attention to the state of the subject 9. Then, the image is stored as necessary.

During the examination, the examiner touches the subject 9 with the ultrasonic probe near the subject 9 while the head-mounted display type image display mechanism (HMD) added to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Since the diagnosis can be performed while observing the ultrasonic tomographic image on the video display device 11 in 24, the diagnostic operability can be improved and the safety of the subject can be considered.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, a video signal conversion unit 23 is added to an existing ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a television scanning signal from the image synthesizing unit 5 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used for an HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display apparatus). 24) The image can be converted into an image display scan of the LCD or CRT of the image display device 11 and combined with the HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 24.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention includes a video display device (for example, LCD or CR) on one HMD display mechanism (head-mounted display device) 24.
T), the beam splitters 12 and 13 for partially transmitting and partially reflecting light from the image display device 11 at a certain ratio, and the concave reflecting mirrors 14 and 15 are provided, so that the diagnostic operation is compact. Therefore, safety of the subject can be considered.

[0023]

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an HMD adapter according to the present invention is configured as described above, and includes a head mounted display type image display mechanism (HMD) for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image output from an image processing means. With the provision, during the examination, the examiner can perform ultrasonic diagnosis while always observing the subject, and can improve the diagnostic operability and consider the safety of the subject.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an HMD adapter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a head-mounted display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a head-mounted display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation console 2 ... Control part 3 ... Memory 4 ... Graphics generation part 5 ... Image synthesis part 6 ... DSC part 7 ... Ultrasonic transmission / reception part 8 ... Ultrasonic probe 9 ... Subject 10 ... Display device 11 ... Video display device 12 First beam splitter 13 Second beam splitter 14 First concave reflecting mirror 15 Second concave reflecting mirror 16 Right eye 17 Left eye 21 Convex lens 22 Shutter 23 Video signal converter 24 ... MHD display mechanism 25 ... Memory

Claims (2)

[Claims] An ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receiving a reflected wave thereof and outputting an ultrasonic reception signal, and an ultrasonic wave obtained by the ultrasonic probe. Process the received signal,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having image processing means for creating an ultrasonic tomographic image, comprising: a head mounted display type image display mechanism (HMD) for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image output from the image processing means. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment with adapter. 2. An image display device for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image and a beam splitter and a reflection mirror for inputting the ultrasonic tomographic image to an examiner's eye in order to improve wearability. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an HMD adapter according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is mounted on an image display mechanism (HMD).