JP2000262532A - Ultrasonic medical treating device, supplementary image display device for ultrasonic medical treatment, and ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply a high function of an ultrasonic diagnostic device by separating an image forming function to form an ultrasonic tomographic image, from an ultrasonic medical treating device, and by commiting the function to the case of the external ultrasonic diagnostic device, in the ultrasonic medical treating device. SOLUTION: By focusing an ultrasonic wave for medical treatment from an ultrasonic wave generating source 11 for medical treatment, in which an ultrasonic probe 12 for imaging is inserted, to a lesion in a patient, the lesion is medically treated by this ultrasonic medical treating device, and in such an ultrasonic medical treating device, ultrasonic tomographic image information formed by an external ultrasonic diagnostic device 2 through an ultrasonic probe 12, and information required for superposing are input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic device 2, and based on the information required for superposing, and the locational information of the ultrasonic probe 12 to the ultrasonic wave generating source 11 for medical treatment, medical treatment guide information and medical treatment tread information are superposed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information, and are superimposed by a processor 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ultrasonic heating device,
Ultrasonic treatment devices such as an ultrasonic cautery device (hot knife) and an ultrasonic calculus breaking device, a support image display device for ultrasonic treatment for displaying an image for supporting the ultrasonic treatment, and an image for supporting the ultrasonic treatment. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an extracorporeal shock wave calculus crushing method has been developed in which a therapeutic ultrasonic pulse is focused on a calculus to perform crushing treatment.
In the field of urology, it is the first choice for stone treatment. Recently, hyperthermia technology, which irradiates tumor cells with ultrasonic waves to selectively treat only tumor cells based on the difference in thermal sensitivity, and focuses therapeutic ultrasound waves on tumor cells and instantaneously heats them to a high temperature. Therapeutic techniques for degenerative necrosis have been developed and are in the limelight. These techniques are expected to be less invasive to patients as compared to surgical operations.

[0003] The method of focusing a high intensity therapeutic ultrasonic wave from outside the body on a tumor cell to perform high-temperature heat treatment requires a therapeutic ultrasonic generator having a built-in ultrasonic vibrator for generating the therapeutic ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic source is connected to a mechanical control arm and is controlled to emit therapeutic ultrasonic waves from a predetermined position and direction. Alternatively, the source is used by moving the source to a desired position and direction by a panel operation or an external input operation. In some cases, the operator may hold the small hand applicator containing the ultrasonic wave generating source and move it freely for irradiation.

[0004] In order to treat an accurately targeted portion, it is necessary to move an ultrasonic source to a desired position and direction and, at the same time, check whether a target such as a tumor cell is in a focal region while observing an ultrasonic tomographic image. You need to know. The treatment guide information (focus marker, irradiation area) and treatment trend information (irradiation time, irradiation intensity, number of irradiations, treatment time) are superimposed on this ultrasonic tomographic image in order to assist treatment. .

Conventionally, an ultrasonic therapy apparatus has not only a function required for generating therapeutic ultrasonic waves but also an auxiliary function, for example, an inner probe inserted into a hole near the center of the above-mentioned ultrasonic generator. Imaging function for generating an ultrasonic tomographic image via the apparatus, a function for creating the above-described treatment guide information and treatment trend information, and a function for superimposing and displaying the created treatment guide information and the treatment trend information on the ultrasonic tomographic image Is generally incorporated.

[0006] These functions are improving day by day in terms of usability, accuracy, etc. In particular, the recent technological progress of the imaging function is remarkable, and the functions just a few years ago are already outdated and very difficult to use. In many cases, the result is inferior or inferior in accuracy.

However, every time a new product is released, it is not practical to replace it with the latest type of ultrasonic therapy apparatus, both in terms of cost and familiarity, so that a model with inferior functions is used for a long time. Was forced to do so.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to separate an imaging function for generating an ultrasonic tomographic image from an ultrasonic treatment apparatus in an ultrasonic treatment apparatus and to entrust the function to an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to divert the high functions of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) According to the present invention, a therapeutic ultrasonic wave from a therapeutic ultrasonic wave source into which an ultrasonic probe for imaging is inserted is focused on a diseased part in a patient. In the ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating, the ultrasonic tomographic image information generated by the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus through the ultrasonic probe and information necessary for superimposition are input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, Based on the information necessary for the superimposition and the position information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the ultrasonic treatment source, treatment guide information and treatment trend information are superimposed and displayed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information. It is what it was.

(2) The present invention relates to the apparatus of (1),
The display size and the display position of the treatment guide information are adjusted based on the information necessary for the superimposition.

(3) The present invention relates to the apparatus of (1),
The ultrasonic tomographic image information and the information necessary for the superposition are input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via communication means.

(4) The present invention relates to the apparatus of (1),
Obtain the depth of field information included in the ultrasonic tomographic image from the ultrasonic tomographic image information input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, based on the visual field depth information and information necessary for the superposition , Wherein the treatment guide information and the treatment trend information are superimposed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information.

(5) The present invention provides an ultrasonic treatment for treating a diseased part by focusing a treatment ultrasonic wave from a treatment ultrasonic wave source into which an ultrasonic probe for imaging is inserted into the diseased part inside the patient. In the apparatus, ultrasonic tomographic image information generated by an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via the ultrasonic probe, and a visual field included in the ultrasonic tomographic image information is input. It is characterized by superimposing and displaying treatment guide information and treatment trend information on the ultrasonic tomographic image information based on depth information and position information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the treatment ultrasonic generation source. is there.

(6) According to the present invention, there is provided an external ultrasound system for treating an affected part by focusing a therapeutic ultrasound from a therapeutic ultrasound source into which an ultrasonic probe for imaging is inserted. Along with inputting the position information, treatment guide information, and treatment trend information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the therapeutic ultrasonic generation source from the ultrasonic treatment device, the information is generated by an external ultrasonic diagnostic device through the ultrasonic probe. Ultrasound tomographic image information and information necessary for superimposition are input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and based on the information necessary for the superimposition and the position information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the therapeutic ultrasonic source. The present invention is characterized in that treatment guide information and treatment trend information are superimposed and displayed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information.

(7) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention converts an image signal of an ultrasonic tomographic image generated via an ultrasonic probe into an aspect ratio, an image size in a screen, an image position in a screen, and a screen. And a function of outputting the information to the outside together with the information on the form.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a main part of the ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to the present embodiment. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a treatment ultrasonic generation source 11, an ultrasonic probe (also referred to as an inner probe) 12, a treatment guide creation device 13, a treatment condition calculation device 16, a superposition processor 14 and an image display device 15. In addition, the ultrasonic source 1
1 and the ultrasonic probe 12 constitute a small hand applicator.

The therapeutic ultrasonic generating source 11 has a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged on a spherical surface such that the ultrasonic wave forms a concave surface. A hole is formed in a substantially central portion of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave source 11, and a pencil-type ultrasonic probe 12 corresponding to sector scanning has a scanning center line passing through the focal point of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave. It is inserted so that the focal point exists on the center line of the ultrasonic tomographic image obtained via the ultrasonic probe 12. The ultrasonic probe 12 is supported by an elevating mechanism (not shown) so that the amount of projection from the therapeutic ultrasonic generation source 11 can be changed. This protrusion amount is output to the overlay processor 14 as probe position information.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is an external device separate from the ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus 1, and is connectable to the ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus 1. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 includes an ultrasonic probe 1
2, an ultrasonic tomographic image (morphological image) near the focal point in the patient is generated, and this ultrasonic tomographic image information and information necessary for superimposition are transmitted via communication means 19 such as RS232C, RS485, and Ethernet. And has a function of outputting to the ultrasonic therapy apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Information necessary for superimposition includes the aspect ratio of the frame, the size of the image in the frame, the position of the image in the frame,
The form of the screen such as dual is included.

The treatment guide creating device 13 creates treatment guide information and outputs it to the superposition processor 14. The treatment guide information includes the focus marker, irradiation area,
Focus guides and the like are included. The treatment condition calculation device 16
Based on information input by the operator, such as the treatment site, treatment size, and degree of tumor deterioration, treatment trend information on the affected area, that is, treatment time, irradiation intensity for ultrasound treatment, irradiation time, irradiation frequency, and patient name Is determined, and this treatment trend information is superimposed on the processor 14.
It is provided for outputting to.

The superposition processor 14 receives information from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 based on the information necessary for superposition and the probe position information from the therapeutic ultrasonic source 11 and outputs the information from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. The treatment guide information from the treatment guide creation device 13 and the treatment trend information from the treatment condition calculation device 16 are superimposed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information with matching the size and position, and the superimposed image is displayed on the image display device 15. Is provided for output to

As shown in FIG. 2, similarly to the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2, an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus 17 is composed of an overlay processing processor 14 and an image display apparatus 15. The ultrasonic therapy support image display device 18 may be separately provided from the ultrasonic therapy support device 18 and regarded as the device of the present invention. In other words, the ultrasonic therapy support image display device 18 is used for the ultrasonic probe 12 for imaging.
The ultrasonic probe 12 from an external ultrasonic treatment apparatus 17 that treats the affected part by focusing the therapeutic ultrasound from the therapeutic ultrasound source 12 into which the patient is inserted into the affected part.
And information necessary for superimposition with the ultrasonic tomographic image information generated by the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 via the ultrasonic probe 12 and the external information. The treatment guide information and the treatment trend information are input to the ultrasonic tomographic image information based on the information input from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and the position information of the ultrasonic probe 12 with respect to the treatment ultrasonic generation source 11 and the information necessary for the superposition. This is a specific function device that specializes in the function of superimposing and displaying.

Next, the operation of the superposition processor 14 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, step S1
, The ultrasonic tomographic image information is fetched from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2. The ultrasonic tomographic image information is a morphological image representing a tissue structure, and is not limited to an ultrasonic tomographic image as long as it is a morphological image. For example, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (CT) Scan), a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI), or the like.

In step S2, the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 is required to superimpose the treatment guide information and the treatment trend information on the image together with the ultrasonic tomographic image information while aligning the size and position thereof. The superimposition information, that is, information such as the aspect ratio of the frame, the size of the image in the frame, the position of the image in the frame, and the form of the screen such as single / dual, as described above.

Further, in step S3, probe position information, that is, the amount of protrusion of the ultrasonic probe 12 with respect to the therapeutic ultrasonic generator 11, is fetched from the therapeutic ultrasonic generator 11.

Then, in step S4, information such as a focus marker, an irradiation area, and a focus guide is fetched as treatment guide information created by the treatment guide creating device 13, and information on the treatment trend is given from the treatment condition calculating device 16 as treatment trend information. Information such as treatment time, irradiation intensity for ultrasonic treatment, irradiation time, number of irradiations, and trend information such as a patient name is captured. Steps S1, S2, S3, S4 are as follows:
The order is not limited to the order shown in FIG. 2 and may be any order or may operate in parallel.

Next, in step S5, the superposition processor 14 uses the superimposition information from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and the probe position information from the therapeutic ultrasonic source 11 to generate a treatment guide generating apparatus. The size of the treatment guide information from 13 is enlarged or reduced so as to match the ultrasonic tomographic image information from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2.

In step S6, based on the superimposed information from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 and the probe position information from the therapeutic ultrasonic source 11, the treatment guide information whose size has been changed and the treatment condition calculation are performed. The treatment trend information from the apparatus 16 is superimposed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 with its position adjusted.

Finally, in step S7, the superimposed image created in step S6 is output to the image display device 15. FIG. 5 shows a display example of this superimposed image.

Next, the superposition processing by the superposition processor 14 will be described in detail. FIG. 4A shows an ultrasonic tomographic image, FIG. 4B shows an example of treatment guide information,
FIG. 4C shows treatment trend information. FIG.
(D) shows a superimposed image obtained by superimposing the treatment guide information and the treatment trend information on the ultrasonic tomographic image. Particularly important in this superimposition processing is processing for enlarging or reducing the treatment guide information according to the size of the ultrasonic tomographic image and superimposing the information on the ultrasonic tomographic image. As the superimposition processing of the treatment guide information, there is the following method.

The surgeon adjusts to the hand applicator,
When a focus marker is determined at a desired position using a measurement function on an ultrasonic tomographic image or the like, distance information (depth of focus) in the depth direction of the focus marker is read by the superposition processor 14. As a reading method, the depth of focus numerically displayed on an ultrasonic tomographic image is directly read, or the OCR is used.
(Optical character reader) or the like. There is also a method of directly inputting depth information of a focus marker from a keyboard. Then, using the read depth of focus, the size and position of the treatment guide information are changed and superimposed and displayed on the ultrasonic tomographic image. The method of manually inputting the distance information in the depth direction has an advantage that the surgeon can input the distance information arbitrarily according to the applicator, but has the trouble of replacing the applicator and re-entering the distance information one by one at the same time. Take it. Further, when the size of the ultrasonic tomographic image is changed in the middle, there is a disadvantage that the distance information must be input and input each time.

A method of reading distance information from scale intervals displayed beside the ultrasonic tomographic image is also conceivable. This method focuses on where the scale interval on the side of the ultrasonic tomographic image changes depending on the magnification of the ultrasonic tomographic image, and when the scale interval is wide, focuses on a shallow position, and the scale interval is narrow. At times, focus on a deep position. In other words, according to the scale interval displayed beside the ultrasonic tomographic image, the depth information of the focus marker in the depth direction is read, and the size and position of the treatment guide information are changed using the read depth of focus. The display is superimposed on the ultrasonic tomographic image. According to this method, even if the size of the ultrasonic tomographic image is changed on the way, the size and position of the treatment guide such as the focus marker can be changed by following the change.

FIG. 6 shows an example of displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image in two or more windows. It is necessary to change the size of the display of the treatment trend information depending on the displayed window. Specifically, in the treatment trend information displayed in one window, there is sufficient space to display all trend information, but in the treatment trend information displayed in two windows, all trend information is displayed. Since there is not enough space, it is necessary to display only necessary information. Further, the operator may be allowed to select them. Alternatively, in the two-window display, a method may be adopted in which the window size of the trend information is reduced as compared with the one-window display. For example, in the case of a two-window display as shown in FIG. 6, it is necessary to adopt a method of displaying a treatment trend on the screen where the treatment is active. At that time, it is possible to know which screen is the currently collected display or the previous frozen image display.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, information necessary for superimposition is input from an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus together with ultrasonic tomographic image information.
The treatment guide and the treatment trend can be superimposed and displayed on the ultrasonic tomographic image based on the position information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the ultrasonic treatment source obtained in the ultrasonic treatment apparatus. Therefore, the imaging function for generating an ultrasonic tomographic image can be separated from the ultrasonic treatment apparatus and entrusted to an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. As a result, it is possible to connect the latest model of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and to use the advanced functions of the model. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with various modifications.

[0034]

According to the present invention, information necessary for superimposition is input from an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus together with ultrasonic tomographic image information. The treatment guide and the treatment trend can be superimposed and displayed on the ultrasonic tomographic image based on the position information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the ultrasonic treatment source to be generated. Therefore, the imaging function for generating an ultrasonic tomographic image can be separated from the ultrasonic treatment apparatus and entrusted to an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasound therapy support image display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a process of superimposing treatment information (treatment guide information and treatment trend information) on an ultrasonic tomographic image by the superposition processor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a screen in which treatment information is superimposed on an ultrasonic tomographic image displayed on the image display device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a double window screen displayed on the image display device of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic treatment apparatus, 2 ... External ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 11 ... Support apparatus / applicator, 12 ... Ultrasonic probe for imaging, 13 ... Treatment guide preparation apparatus, 14 ... Overlay processor, 15 ... Image display Device, 16: treatment condition calculation device, 17: external ultrasonic therapy device, 18: support image display device for ultrasonic therapy.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Nomura 1385-1 Shimoishigami, Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture F-term in the Toshiba Nasu Plant (reference) 4C060 JJ11 JJ22 JJ27 4C301 AA01 BB02 CC01 EE13 EE17 FF22 FF23 FF26 GA11 JC16 KK08 KK25 KK27 KK31 KK32 KK33 LL20

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating a diseased part by focusing a treatment ultrasonic wave from a treatment ultrasonic wave source into which an ultrasonic probe for imaging is inserted into the diseased part inside the patient. Ultrasound tomographic image information generated by an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and information necessary for superimposition are input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via an ultrasonic probe, and the information necessary for this superimposition and the therapeutic ultrasonic An ultrasonic treatment apparatus, wherein treatment guide information and treatment trend information are superimposed and displayed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information based on position information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to a sound wave source. 2. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display size and a display position of the treatment guide information are adjusted based on information necessary for the superimposition. 3. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic tomographic image information and the information necessary for the superposition are input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via communication means. 4. Obtaining depth-of-view information contained in the ultrasonic tomographic image from the ultrasonic tomographic image information input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and obtaining the visual-field depth information and the information necessary for the superimposition. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the treatment guide information and the treatment trend information are superimposed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information based on the information. 5. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating a diseased part by focusing a treatment ultrasonic wave from a treatment ultrasonic wave generating source into which an ultrasonic probe for imaging is inserted into the diseased part inside the patient. Ultrasound tomographic image information generated by an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via an ultrasonic probe is input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the depth of field information included in the ultrasonic tomographic image information and the treatment. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus characterized in that treatment guide information and treatment trend information are superimposed and displayed on the ultrasonic tomographic image information based on position information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to an ultrasonic source for use. 6. An external ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating a diseased part by focusing a treatment ultrasonic wave from a treatment ultrasonic wave source into which an ultrasonic probe for imaging is inserted into the diseased part inside the patient. Along with inputting position information, treatment guide information, and treatment trend information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to a therapeutic ultrasonic source, ultrasonic tomographic image information generated by an external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via the ultrasonic probe And information necessary for superposition are input from the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the ultrasonic tomographic image is obtained based on the information necessary for the superposition and the position information of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the therapeutic ultrasonic wave source. A support image display apparatus for ultrasonic treatment, wherein treatment guide information and treatment trend information are superimposed on information and displayed. 7. A function of outputting a video signal of an ultrasonic tomographic image generated via an ultrasonic probe together with information relating to an aspect ratio, an image size in a screen, an image position in a screen, and a form of a screen. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: