JP2001178717A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus allowing an easy grasp of lapsed time in an ultrasonic image diagnosis requiring the grasp of a prescribed lapsed time. SOLUTION: In this diagnostic apparatus, the arbitrary lapsed time is measured in an arbitrary time measurement circuit, and the time information is displayed on a monitor simultaneously with an ultrasonic image, or the lapsed time information and the image to be stored are stored in a storage part with them associated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus having a time measuring function capable of measuring an arbitrary time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is a diagnostic apparatus which irradiates a desired portion of a sample (patient) with ultrasonic waves and obtains a tomographic image of soft tissue based on a reflected wave from the inside of the sample.
This ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is safer than other medical diagnostic equipment due to the characteristic that the physical quantity to be handled is an ultrasonic wave, and has various features in a photographing form and a display form.

[0003] In the diagnosis by the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus, it is sometimes important to grasp a predetermined elapsed time. As an example, a diagnostic method using an ultrasonic contrast agent will be described below.

In a diagnostic method using an ultrasonic contrast agent, a contrast agent such as air bubbles having a different acoustic impedance from blood to a vein or the like is administered to a specimen, thereby enhancing the reflection of ultrasonic waves and making an ultrasonic image clearer. The purpose is to further improve the diagnostic ability. In capturing an ultrasound image using this contrast agent, it is important to grasp the elapsed time, such as the time difference from the administration of the contrast agent to the flow of the contrast agent into a desired imaging target. Conventionally, a date and time display 36 provided on a monitor of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus as shown in FIG.
Also, the work was performed while grasping the administration start time and the elapsed time from the administration start using an external clock prepared separately.

[0005] Similar methods for grasping time have also been performed in a method in which stress caused by a drug is administered to a specimen, and the function of the object is examined by photographing the display object with the passage of time.

[0006]

However, as described above, in an ultrasonic image photographing operation in which it is necessary to grasp a predetermined elapsed time, the elapsed time is grasped by a clock provided in the apparatus or an external clock. In this case, the administration time and the photographing time must be known at all times, which places a great burden on the operator. In particular, when an external clock is used, time information must be stored separately from the image information obtained by the above-described photographing method, which significantly reduces the workability.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and makes it possible to easily determine the elapsed time in an ultrasonic image diagnosis requiring a predetermined elapsed time. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus having the following features.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for generating an ultrasonic image by scanning the inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves, and a stopwatch for measuring an arbitrary time in ultrasonic diagnosis. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an arbitrary elapsed time in the ultrasonic diagnosis can be measured, so that the cumbersome operation of separately calculating the elapsed time can be omitted, and the workability is improved. Can be done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for generating an ultrasonic image by scanning the inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves, and generating an elapsed time from a predetermined time or information capable of deriving the elapsed time. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a unit for performing the above-mentioned elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived and an ultrasonic image.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic image and the elapsed time or the information from which the elapsed time can be derived can be displayed simultaneously, so that the observer can easily grasp the elapsed time and the like. can do. As a result, the troublesome work of separately calculating the elapsed time can be omitted, and the workability can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for generating an ultrasonic image by scanning the inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves, and generating an elapsed time from a predetermined time or information capable of deriving the elapsed time. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a unit that performs the above-mentioned elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived and function information of the subject.

According to the invention of the third aspect, the elapsed time or the information from which the elapsed time can be derived can be associated with the function information of the subject, so that the observer can easily determine the elapsed time and the like. Can be grasped. As a result, the troublesome work of separately calculating the elapsed time can be omitted, and the workability can be improved.

Preferred embodiments of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention are as follows.

(1) In the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the second or third aspect, it is preferable that the predetermined time is a time at which an ultrasonic contrast agent is given. Further, the predetermined time may be a time at which information on the subject is input.

According to such a configuration, the observer can easily grasp the elapsed time from the administration of the contrast agent. Further, if the information on the subject is, for example, a patient ID, the elapsed time of diagnosis for a specific patient can be easily grasped. Further, the time measurement is reset every time the patient ID is input, and it is possible to prevent an error relating to the work.

(2) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second viewpoint, the associated elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived, and the ultrasonic image or the function information of the subject are simultaneously displayed. It is preferable that the display device further includes a display unit.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to simultaneously display the ultrasonic image or the function information of the subject, and the elapsed time from the point of providing the ultrasonic contrast agent or information from which the elapsed time can be derived. Therefore, the observer can easily grasp the elapsed time and the like. As a result, the troublesome work of separately calculating the elapsed time can be omitted, and the workability can be improved.

(3) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second aspect, the associated elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived is associated with the ultrasonic image or the function information of the subject. It is preferable to further comprise means for storing the data. Further, the apparatus may further include a unit for storing an image obtained by synthesizing the ultrasonic image or the function information of the subject into one frame.

According to such a configuration, the ultrasonic image or the functional information of the subject and the elapsed time can be stored in association with each other, so that the observer can reproduce the ultrasonic image, for example, even when reproducing the ultrasonic image. The elapsed time can be easily grasped. As a result, the troublesome work of separately recording the time can be omitted, and the workability can be improved.

(4) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second aspect, control for starting, pausing, and ending the measurement of the elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived is performed, and an ultrasonic image is captured or recorded. A configuration may be further provided that includes means for linking control with storage.

According to such a configuration, start of time measurement,
Since the control on the suspension and the termination is linked with the control on the photographing or storing of the ultrasonic image, the work on the time measurement can be further simplified. As a result, workability can be improved.

(5) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second aspect, the control for starting, pausing, and ending the measurement of the elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived, and the control of external devices are performed. May be further provided with a means for interlocking.

According to such a configuration, start of time measurement,
Since the control on the suspension and the termination and the control on the external device are linked, the work on the time measurement can be further simplified. As a result, workability can be improved.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, first to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be made only when necessary.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 comprises:
Ultrasonic probe 10, transmission / reception circuit 12, color operation circuit 1
4. Image processing circuit 16, monitor 18, first storage unit 2
0, a timing circuit 22, a host CPU 24, an arbitrary time measuring circuit 26, and a console 28.

The ultrasonic probe 10 is a contact for irradiating a sample (patient) with ultrasonic waves for imaging, and is formed of a piezoelectric element.

The transmission / reception circuit 12 is a circuit that irradiates an electric signal as a sound wave into a sample and receives a reflected sound wave from the sample. Then, the electric signal of the received sound wave is A / D converted and transmitted to the next-stage color operation circuit 14.

The color operation circuit 14 detects the phase of the digital signal from the transmission / reception circuit 12, obtains a Doppler shift signal, and performs color processing.

The image processing circuit 16 includes a color operation circuit 14
, And a time signal from an arbitrary time measuring circuit 26, which will be described later, are written in an image memory, TV scan converted, and sent to the monitor 18. In addition, image processing such as multi-stage focus, freeze, post process, and γ processing is executed.

Further, the image processing circuit 16 graphs the temporal change of the luminance in the region of interest based on the input image signal. This graph shows the TIC (Ti
This is referred to as “meIntensity Curve” and is used to quantitatively understand the process of enhancing the echo signal in the region of interest.

The monitor 18 combines an ultrasonic image input from the image processing circuit 16 with the displayed time measured by the arbitrary time measuring circuit 26 in the same frame (hereinafter, referred to as a "frame image"). Is displayed.

The first storage section 20 is a storage section for storing a desired frame image displayed on the monitor 18. This frame image is provided with a patient ID and the like, and is managed by the number and the like.

The timing circuit 22 sends a control signal for controlling the scanning timing and the number of scanning stages according to the photographing mode to the color operation circuit 14 and the image processing circuit 16.

The host CPU 24 is a control unit that performs control relating to a photographing operation and time measurement associated with the photographing. Further, image capture control is performed according to an image capture input described later.

The arbitrary time measuring circuit 26 has a stopwatch function, and can measure an arbitrary time (for example, the elapsed time from the administration of the contrast agent to the imaging) accompanying the imaging. As will be described later in detail, the arbitrary time measuring circuit 26 measures time associated with photographing and sends time information on a photographed image to the image processing circuit 16.

The console 28 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is an interface for the operator to perform a series of operations relating to measurement of an arbitrary time accompanying photographing.

Next, the photographing operation by the flash echo method by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described. The flash echo method is an imaging method in which a contrast agent or a drug as a stress is administered to a sample while observing an ultrasonic image in real time, and a desired ultrasonic image is captured (stored) over time. In this imaging method, for example, it takes time for the contrast agent or the like to flow into a desired organ or the like, and it is important to examine how the contrast agent or the like moves in the desired organ with time. . Therefore, grasping the elapsed time is important.

FIG. 2 shows an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 1.
Arbitrary time measurement circuit 2 for shooting operation by flash echo method
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining according to a measurement time of No. 6; Less than,
An operation in the case where arbitrary time measurement is executed by an operator's manual operation will be described.

First, time measurement is started at the same time as the administration of the contrast agent to the specimen by input from the console 28 of the operator. It is generally considered that the measurement time is started at the same time as the administration of the contrast agent, but any timing may be used as long as the operator can grasp the elapsed time.

The arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 starts time measurement according to the input. The measurement time is always sent to the image processing circuit 16 and displayed on the monitor 18 together with the ultrasonic image as the elapsed time from the administration of the contrast agent.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a frame image 32 in which the measurement time by the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 and the ultrasonic image are simultaneously displayed in one frame. Elapsed time 34
Is the measured time (elapsed time) from the administration of the contrast agent. The date and time display 36 displays the date and time when the image was captured by the clock built in the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1. The stopwatch operation switch 281 is a switch for starting and stopping time measurement by the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26.

The operator observes the image 32 displayed on the monitor 18 and, for example, in FIG.
At 00:45 (0:45), when a desired frame image appears, such as when the effect of the contrast agent starts to appear, the image is stored (taken) into the first storage unit 20 by a predetermined operation. That is, the first storage unit 20 stores the frame image 32 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, a continuously photographed image is displayed on the monitor 18 in real time. The operator
Subsequently, a frame image at a desired elapsed time can be captured.

Thereafter, the required number of frame images are fetched (in FIG. 2, at times T2, T3, T4, T4).
5 shows an example in which a frame image is captured. At time T5, the capturing operation is completed, and at time T6, the stopwatch operation switch 281 is pressed to stop the time measuring operation of the arbitrary time measuring circuit 26, and the capturing operation is completed. Note that, as described above, all five frame image capturing operations at times T1 to T5 are not manual operations, but only the capturing start operation at time T1 is a manual operation, and the capturing operations are automatically performed at equal time intervals from time T1. May be performed.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

When performing time measurement during diagnosis using the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic image and the elapsed time can be displayed simultaneously as a frame image. Therefore,
The work related to time measurement can be simplified, and as a result, workability can be improved.

When capturing a desired ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic image can be stored as a frame image together with the measurement time. Therefore, the troublesome work of separately recording the contrast medium administration start time, the elapsed time, and the like can be omitted, and the workability can be improved.

In this embodiment, since the operation for starting the measurement time is a manual operation by the operator, the measurement time is set to a value such as "elapsed time since the administration of the contrast agent" or "elapsed time since the start of image capture". Time information.

It should be noted that the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 comprises a monitor 1
8 has a function of arbitrarily changing the position and size of the elapsed time 34 displayed on the display unit 8, and it is possible to change the position and size to a desired position. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1
Has a function of not displaying the elapsed time 34, and when the time measurement is not required, the display of the elapsed time 34 can be deleted.

The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
Is a configuration in which the host CPU 24 and the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 are individually set. However, if the host CPU can measure an arbitrary time, the function of the arbitrary time measuring circuit 26 may be provided to the host CPU.

FIG. 4 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 2 as a modified example of the first embodiment, in which the host CPU 30 has realized arbitrary time measurement. In FIG.
The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The host CPU 30 has a CPU 301, a periodic interrupt source 302, and a memory 303. CP
U301 executes control related to time measurement based on a program stored in the memory 303. The periodic interrupt source 302 is a transmitter such as a pulse generator and is provided exclusively for arbitrary time measurement.

The CPU 301 counts interrupts from the periodic interrupt source 302 in accordance with the time measurement program and measures time. Note that the periodic interrupt source 302 has a function of (RTC: Real Time Cloth).
ck) can be used. In addition, from the viewpoint of measurement error, it is important for the periodic interrupt source 302 that the interrupt interval from the interrupt source be sufficiently smaller than the minimum interval of time measurement.

In such a configuration, the same effect can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the first
Is configured to store the measurement time (elapsed time) by the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 and the ultrasonic image for each frame image displayed simultaneously. On the other hand, the ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment stores the acquired ultrasound image in an individual storage unit in association with the elapsed time at the time of the acquisition, reads out the image, and displays it on the monitor 18. In this case, the present embodiment has a configuration in which the elapsed time and the ultrasonic image are simultaneously displayed, and can achieve the same effect as the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 5, a second storage section 38 is a storage section for storing an ultrasonic image based on a capture instruction from the console 28 by an operator. This storage unit 3
The image stored in the storage unit 8 is an image to which time information is not added unlike the frame image stored in the storage unit 20 of the first embodiment. The ultrasonic image stored in the second storage unit 38 is provided with management information such as "patient ID-first sheet".

The third storage section 40 is a storage section for storing the elapsed time measured by the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 in association with a captured image based on a capture instruction from the console 28 by the operator. This association can be realized by adding the same management information as the ultrasound image to the elapsed time information to be associated.

In the imaging by the flash echo method using the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 2 having the above configuration, a desired ultrasonic image and elapsed time information associated with the ultrasonic image are taken (stored). The operation will be described with reference to FIG. The operation of displaying the elapsed time and the ultrasonic image simultaneously is the same as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 3, time measurement is started at time T0 as in the first embodiment. Then, at time T1
It is assumed that the first image capture is performed in. At this time, the second storage unit 38 receives the control from the host CPU 24 and stores the corresponding ultrasonic image as the first image. At the same time, the third storage section 40 receives the control from the host CPU 24 and stores the measured time data from the arbitrary time measuring circuit 26 as the first measured time in association with the first image.

Subsequently, at a time T2, a second image and a second measurement time associated with the second image are stored by a predetermined capturing operation. Hereinafter, the third image and the third measurement time at time T3, and the fourth image at time T4
The same applies to the image and the fourth measurement time, and the fifth image and the fifth measurement time at time T5.

When reproducing and observing the ultrasonic image stored in the second storage unit 38, the desired ultrasonic image and the elapsed time information corresponding to the image are stored in the third unit based on the management information.
Can be read out from the storage unit 40 and displayed as a frame image 32 shown in FIG.

According to such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, when it is desired to know the elapsed time during imaging by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, the ultrasonic image and the elapsed time are displayed simultaneously as a frame image. be able to. In addition, when capturing a desired ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic image can be stored as a frame image together with the elapsed time. Therefore,
The work related to time measurement can be simplified, and as a result, workability can be improved.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which a function relating to time measurement is linked to another function in an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. As an example, a case will be described in which the end of time measurement, that is, the stop of time measurement by the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 and the operation of stopping imaging by ultrasonic scanning are linked.

Since the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1, the drawing will be referred to below. The operation of starting the time measurement by the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 and the operations related to image display and image capture are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a console 2 is operated by an operator.
Assume that an input to stop imaging by ultrasonic scan has been made from 8. The host CPU 24 receives this input signal, executes the stop of the imaging operation by the ultrasonic scan, and controls the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 to stop the time measurement operation.

It should be noted that the function relating to the time measurement in this ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus can be linked with other functions in the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 2 shown in the second embodiment.

According to such a configuration, the function relating to time measurement and other functions can be linked. Therefore,
Since the operator does not need to operate the stopwatch operation switch 281, in addition to the effects described in the first or second embodiment, the operation relating to time measurement can be further simplified, and workability is improved. be able to.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment,
A case will be described in which a function related to time measurement of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is linked to a function related to an external device. As an example of the external device, the ultrasonic contrast agent automatic administration device 44 is taken up, the contrast agent administration start by the ultrasonic contrast agent automatic administration device 44, and the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 of the ultrasonic image diagnostic device are performed.
A case will be described in which the start of time measurement is linked with the start of time measurement.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 4 according to the fourth embodiment.

The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 4 controls the functions of the external device and the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 4 in conjunction with each other in addition to the components of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The configuration further includes an external device control circuit 42 for performing the above. The external device is an ultrasonic contrast agent automatic administration device 5 that automatically administers an ultrasonic contrast agent to a sample by a predetermined operation.

First, the operator instructs the ultrasonic contrast agent automatic administration device 5 to administer the ultrasonic contrast agent by a predetermined operation. The external device control circuit 42 of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 4 receives an instruction from a CPU (not shown) of the ultrasonic contrast agent automatic administration apparatus 5 and instructs the host CPU 24 to start time measurement. Arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 receives a control signal from host CPU 24 and starts time measurement.

The termination of the time measurement by the arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 is performed by a stop instruction from the stopwatch operation switch 281 by the operator, and the ultrasonic contrast agent from the ultrasonic contrast agent automatic administration device 5 is restarted. A configuration that is linked to an input about administration may be used.

Another example of the external device is a drug administration device used for stress echo.

Further, the function relating to time measurement by the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus and the function of an external device can be linked with the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus shown in the first, second and third embodiments. is there.

According to such a configuration, the function related to time measurement by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus and the function of the external device can be linked, so that the work related to time measurement can be further simplified. And workability can be improved.

(Fifth Embodiment) In recent years, in the contrast echo method, many quantitative analysis methods for evaluating the dynamics of blood flow have been studied. For example, TIC (Time
Intensity Curve). This is a method of graphing a temporal change in luminance in a region of interest based on an acquired image signal and quantitatively grasping a process of enhancing an echo signal in the region of interest.

In the fifth embodiment, a description will be given of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which simultaneously displays function information of a subject such as a TIC and measurement time (elapsed time) and stores them in association with each other.

For example, in FIG. 1, the TIC is created by the image processing circuit 16 based on a plurality of ultrasonic images collected by a predetermined operation. Also, the image processing circuit 1
6 is the time measured by the arbitrary time measuring circuit 26 and the TIC
A table indicating the correspondence with the time information 35 is created and stored in a memory (not shown).

FIG. 7 shows an image 32 displaying the TIC 35 created by the image processing circuit 16. The function realized by the correspondence between the TIC and the measurement time will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, it is assumed that the position (time coordinate) of the arrow in FIG. 7 is designated by a pointer or the like by the operator. At this time, the host CPU 24 displays the measurement time 34 corresponding to the coordinates on the monitor 18 based on the correspondence table. Thus, the operator can easily grasp how long after the contrast agent administration the luminance designated on the TIC 35 is measured. Further, for example, when the designated coordinates are moved from the position of the arrow in FIG. 7 by an operation such as mouse dragging, the measurement time 34 changes in accordance with the movement, and finally reaches a fixed position (time coordinate). The corresponding time will be displayed.

The third storage unit 40 stores the time measured by the arbitrary time measuring circuit 16 and the ultrasonic image in association with each other. Therefore, by combining with the above-mentioned correspondence table, it is also possible to associate the TIC with the ultrasonic image.

FIG. 8 shows an image 32 in which the TIC 35, the ultrasonic image, and the measurement time 34 are simultaneously displayed. The function realized by the correspondence between the TIC, the measurement time, and the ultrasonic image will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, it is assumed that the position (time coordinate) of the arrow in FIG. 8 is designated by the operator using a pointer or the like. At this time, the host CPU 24 displays the measurement time 34 corresponding to the coordinates on the monitor 18 based on the correspondence table. Further, the host CPU 24 reads the ultrasonic image corresponding to the measurement time 34 from the third storage unit 40, and displays the ultrasonic image on the monitor 18. Thereby, TIC
It is possible to easily understand how long the luminance at the position designated at 35 was measured after the administration of the contrast agent, and it is also possible to simultaneously observe the ultrasonic image at that time. is there. Therefore, dynamic evaluation of blood flow can be easily performed.

By specifying a plurality of coordinates in the TIC 35, it is possible to simultaneously display the corresponding ultrasonic image and the measurement time 34.

FIG. 9 shows an image 3 in which a plurality of ultrasonic images and the measurement time 34 are simultaneously displayed for one TIC 35.
2 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the operator
When three points T1, T2, and T3 are designated on the IC, the measurement time 34 and the ultrasonic image corresponding to each point are displayed. Therefore, the operator can simultaneously observe the change and the elapsed time of the ultrasonic image at different time points on the TIC, and can easily perform the dynamic evaluation of the blood flow.

The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, as shown in the following (1) to (4), the scope of the present invention is not changed. Can be variously modified.

(1) In the first to fourth embodiments, examples have been described in which the elapsed time is represented by a time display using numerals. However, the essence of the present invention is to display the measurement time quantitatively and simultaneously with the ultrasonic image, or to store the measurement time in association with the ultrasonic image. Therefore, the measurement time display is not limited to the numerical display, but is displayed by an hour hand or geometrically displays the measurement time (for example, a display that quantitatively indicates the elapsed time by the length of a line segment, a divided area of a circle, etc.) The same effect can be obtained even with the configuration.

(2) In the first to fourth embodiments, the time measurement is started from the start of the administration of the contrast agent, and the measurement time is displayed together with the ultrasonic image or stored in association with the ultrasonic image. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus has a function as a stopwatch. On the other hand, the time (date and time) of the start of the contrast agent administration and the time (date and time) of the image capture may be displayed simultaneously with the ultrasonic image or stored in association with each other by the clock function provided in advance. Necessary time information can be obtained. At this time, it is preferable that the elapsed time calculated from the time (date and time) when the contrast medium is started and the time (date and time) when the image is taken is simultaneously displayed or stored in association with each other.

(3) In the first to fourth embodiments, a composite image (frame image) of an ultrasonic image and an elapsed time is generated in the image processing circuit 16 and displayed on the monitor 18 as one frame image. Configuration. On the other hand, the elapsed time information does not necessarily need to be combined with the ultrasonic image in the image processing circuit 16, and is independent of the monitor 1.
The same effect can be obtained even if the display is directly displayed on the display 8.

(4) It is preferable that the time measurement performed by the arbitrary time measurement circuits 26 and 42 is automatically reset every time the patient is changed. Specifically, a configuration in which a reset is performed when a patient ID or the like is input at the start of diagnosis is conceivable. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent operational errors such as confusing time information of other patients.

Further, when a plurality of measurements are performed in a measurement manner, the time measurement performed by the arbitrary time measurement circuits 26 and 42 may be automatically reset each time individual measurement is completed. preferable. According to such a configuration, a unique elapsed time can be acquired for each measurement, so that workability can be improved.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the time measuring function is provided, the measured time and the ultrasonic image can be displayed simultaneously, and can be stored in association with each other. As a result, the troublesome work of separately recording the time can be omitted, and the workability can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified in an implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations as much as possible, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment includes various stages of the invention, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effects described in the column of the effect of the invention can be solved. When at least one of the above is obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0098]

According to the present invention, the start of time measurement,
Since the control on the suspension and the termination and the control on the external device are linked, the work on the time measurement can be further simplified. As a result, workability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a photographing operation by a flash echo method.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image in which a measurement time by an arbitrary time measurement circuit 26 and an ultrasonic image are simultaneously displayed in one frame.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a modified example of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a TI created by the image processing circuit 16;
An image 32 displaying C35 is shown.

FIG. 8 is a TIC 35, an ultrasonic image, and measurement time 3
4 shows an image 32 in which 4 is displayed at the same time.

FIG. 9 shows an image 32 in which a plurality of ultrasonic images and measurement times 34 are simultaneously displayed for one TIC 35.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 4 ... Ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus 5 ... External equipment 10 ... Ultrasonic probe 12 ... Transmission / reception circuit 14 ... Color operation circuit 16 ... Image processing circuit 18 ... Monitor 20 ... First storage unit 22 ... Timing circuit 24 Host CPU 26 Arbitrary time measurement circuit 28 Operator console 30 Host CPU 32 Frame image 34 Measurement time 35 TIC 36 Date and time display 38 Second storage unit 40 Third storage unit 42 External Device control circuit 301: CPU 302: Periodic interrupt source 303: Memory

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for generating an ultrasonic image by scanning an inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves, and a stopwatch for measuring an arbitrary time in ultrasonic diagnosis. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment. A means for generating an ultrasonic image by scanning the inside of the subject with ultrasonic waves; a means for generating an elapsed time from a predetermined time point or information capable of deriving the elapsed time; Or means for associating information from which the elapsed time can be derived with an ultrasound image. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time point is a time point within a time period from the start to the end of the application of the ultrasound contrast agent. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display means for simultaneously displaying said associated elapsed time or information capable of deriving said elapsed time and said ultrasonic image. . 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for storing an image obtained by synthesizing the associated elapsed time or information capable of deriving the elapsed time and the ultrasonic image into one frame. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. 6. A system for controlling the start, pause, and end of the measurement of the elapsed time or the information from which the elapsed time can be derived, and a unit that links control related to imaging or storage of an ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for interlocking control for starting, pausing, and ending the measurement of the elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived with control of an external device. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2. 8. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for associating and storing said ultrasonic image and said elapsed time or information from which said elapsed time can be derived. . 9. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time is a time when information on the subject is input. The means for generating the elapsed time or information capable of deriving the elapsed time is reset when information on a new subject is input to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and resets the new elapsed time or the new elapsed time. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein information capable of deriving the elapsed time is generated. 11. A means for generating an ultrasonic image by scanning the inside of a subject with an ultrasonic wave, a means for generating an elapsed time from a predetermined time point or information capable of deriving the elapsed time, and the elapsed time Or means for associating information from which the elapsed time can be derived with the function information of the subject. 12. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined time point is a time point within a period from the start to the end of the application of the ultrasonic contrast agent. 13. The ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a display unit for simultaneously displaying the associated elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived and function information of the subject. Diagnostic device. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the associated elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived and the function information of the subject are associated with each other.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a unit configured to store an image synthesized with the frame. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing the function information of the subject and the elapsed time or information from which the elapsed time can be derived in association with each other.
2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. 16. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined time point is a point in time when information on said subject is input. 17. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the means for generating the elapsed time or information capable of deriving the elapsed time is reset when information about a new subject is input to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the new elapsed time or 12. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein information capable of deriving the elapsed time is generated.