JP2001327496A - Ultrasonic diagnosing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible not only to form an RF receiving signal into an image but also to make PRF variable in an M-mode in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. SOLUTION: The RF receiving signal (digital data) is outputted to a computer 12 from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. The computer 12 has software having the same functions as various signal processing functions mounted on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. An image based on a signal before detection and an image based on a signal after detection can be displayed on a display part 50. Further, the waveform display of signals processed in respective stages can be performed. When an M-mode image is formed, PRF can be set by a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic system, and more particularly to processing of a received signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The operation of a general ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described. A reception signal (RF reception signal) is obtained by transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. The received signal is converted into a digital signal by A / D conversion processing, and the received signal as the digital signal is detected and converted into a signal in a baseband region. The signal after the detection is input stepwise to a logarithmic compressor, low-pass filter, adjustment circuit for contrast and gain, peripheral emphasis circuit, inter-line correlation circuit, inter-frame correlation circuit, etc. An ultrasound image is formed based on the data that has passed. B for ultrasonic image
Mode images (two-dimensional tomographic images) and M-mode images (images representing the time displacement of each part on a certain beam line) are known.

[0003]

Conventionally, as described above, complicated processing has been performed on the received signal so that the tissue can be easily visually observed as an ultrasonic image.
However, after such complicated processing, the received echo cannot be evaluated as it is, that is, valuable information contained in the echo may be lost on the way.

A general ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a function of variably setting a repetition frequency (PRF) of an ultrasonic pulse. However, in the M-mode measurement, a function for variably setting a PRF (corresponding to time resolution) independently of a range (depth) of a beam line to be displayed is not provided.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to form an ultrasonic image different from a normal ultrasonic image formed through various kinds of signal processing.

It is another object of the present invention to form an ultrasonic image reflecting information contained in an RF reception signal before detection.

Another object of the present invention is to enable the result signal of each step in the stepwise signal processing to be individually evaluated.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to adjust the display scan rate of an M-mode image.

Another object of the present invention is to realize analysis of an M-mode image having a new property based on an RF reception signal before detection, and to use it for diagnosis of an object.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves,
Transmitting / receiving means for outputting a (high-frequency) reception signal;
Non-detection image forming means for forming a non-detection image by imaging a received signal in a non-detection state.

According to the above configuration, since a non-detection image based on the RF reception signal before detection can be formed, a component that has been dropped by processing such as detection can be imaged. Therefore, the utility value of the ultrasonic image can be expanded. RF as required
Signal processing other than detection may be performed on the received signal.

Preferably, the non-detection image is an M-mode image or a B-mode image. The M-mode image is an image in which the magnitude of the echo data on a specific azimuth beam is represented by luminance using one axis (normally vertical axis) as a depth axis and the other axis (normally horizontal axis) as a time axis. The B-mode image is a two-dimensional image display of the size of each echo data in the scanning plane formed by the scanning of the ultrasonic beam, and corresponds to a tomographic image.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes a region-of-interest setting means for setting a region of interest on the non-detection image, and an analyzing means for analyzing non-detection image data in the region of interest. According to this configuration, in the region of interest, the RF information (raw data)
(Eg, chaos analysis, profile analysis, etc.).

(2) In order to achieve the above object,
The present invention performs transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, a transmission and reception unit that outputs an RF reception signal, an image of the RF reception signal in a non-detection state, and a non-detection image forming unit that forms a non-detection image, Detecting means for detecting the RF reception signal, outputting a detection signal, imaging the detection signal, detection image forming means for forming a detection image, and display means for simultaneously displaying the non-detection image and the detection image, , Is included.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to evaluate a non-detected image while comparing it with a conventional ultrasonic image (detected image).
It is desirable to display them simultaneously in parallel. Alternatively, the third image may be formed by calculating the combination of the two images, calculating the difference, and the like.

(3) To achieve the above object,
The present invention provides a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves and outputting an RF reception signal, a signal processing unit for performing a plurality of signal processes on the RF reception signal in a stepwise manner, the RF reception signal Selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of signals from a signal group constituted by the plurality of output signals of the plurality of signal processings; and display means for displaying the selected one or a plurality of signals. It is characterized by the following.

According to the above configuration, in a plurality of stages of processing of a received signal, a signal generated at a desired stage can be displayed, so that the operation of each signal processing can be confirmed or a stage at which information is extracted or missing. Or can be specified. That is, information that cannot be obtained when the final result of the signal processing is observed can be obtained.

Preferably, the plurality of signal processes include at least a detection process, a filtering process, and a correlation process. Preferably, the selection means is means for selecting an arbitrary number of signals according to a user's specification. Preferably, the display means displays one or more signal waveforms. If a plurality of waveforms are displayed, each waveform can be evaluated based on a comparison between the waveforms.

(4) In order to achieve the above object,
The present invention provides a transmitting / receiving means for repeatedly transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves in a specific direction, an image forming means for arranging ultrasonic beam data in the specific direction on a time axis to form an M-mode image, Means for variably setting the repetition period of the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave when forming the mode image.

According to the above configuration, the repetition transmission rate (PRF) of the ultrasonic pulse can be variably set in the M mode, so that the time resolution of the M mode image can be adjusted. Particularly, when it is desired to obtain detailed information in the time axis direction, the PRF may be shortened. Desirably, the M-mode image includes R as the ultrasonic beam data.
It is a non-detection image constituted by the F reception signal.

(5) To achieve the above object,
The present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic system including an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an analyzer connected thereto, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and outputs an RF reception signal. Transmitting / receiving means, and output means for outputting the RF reception signal to the outside, the image analysis device includes a non-detection image forming means for forming a non-detection image based on the RF reception signal from the output means, Display means for displaying the non-detection image, region of interest setting means for setting a region of interest on the non-detection image, and analysis means for analyzing non-detection image data in the region of interest. And

According to the above configuration, the RF reception signal output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is sent to the analyzer constituted by a computer or the like, and the analyzer can perform various software processing on the RF reception signal. That is, it is possible to realize the signal processing and analysis functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus on a computer. In particular, a region of interest is set on a non-detection image, and various analyzes can be performed on data inside the region.

Preferably, the non-detection image is an M-mode image, and the region of interest setting means sets a region of interest based on a trace line representing a time displacement of a specific part.

(6) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a medium storing a program to be executed on a computer for analyzing an RF reception signal output from an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the program is A function of forming a non-detection image representing the RF reception signal, a function of setting a region of interest on the non-detection image, and a function of analyzing the RF reception signal in the region of interest. This medium is a CD-
ROM, FD, ROM, HD and the like.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration.

In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic system shown in FIG. 1 is roughly composed of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 and a computer 12 as an external analyzing apparatus. Here, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 and the computer 12 are connected by a signal line such as a serial transmission line, for example, and an RF reception signal is transferred from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to the computer 12 as described later in detail.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the probe 14
Is an ultrasonic probe used in contact with a body surface or inserted into a body cavity. The probe 14 includes an array transducer composed of a plurality of transducers. When so-called electronic scanning is performed on the array transducer, an ultrasonic beam can be scanned, and as a result, a scanning surface S can be formed. In FIG. 1, the ultrasonic beam is indicated by a reference symbol L. Of course, the present invention can be realized when various electronic scanning methods such as linear scanning and sector scanning are used.

The transmission circuit 16 is a circuit for supplying a transmission signal to the probe 14, and a transmission beam is formed by the operation of the transmission circuit 16. The receiving circuit 18 is the probe 1
4 is a circuit that performs processing such as phasing and addition on the received signal output from 4. The receiving circuit 18 forms a receiving beam. The scanning control unit 20 is a unit that controls formation and scanning of an ultrasonic beam under the control of a controller 30 described below. In the present embodiment, B
The transmission repetition frequency (PRF) of the ultrasonic pulse in forming the mode image (B image) can be changed.
Such a PRF can be varied even when an M-mode image (M image) is formed. Incidentally, when the M mode is selected, a beam address in a specific direction in the scanning plane S is selected, and the PRF is set on the beam address.
The ultrasonic pulse is repeatedly transmitted in a cycle according to the following.

The reception signal after the phasing addition output from the reception circuit 18 is an RF reception signal before detection. This RF reception signal is input to the detection circuit 22 as in the conventional device. In the present embodiment, the RF reception signal is stored in the memory 34.

The memory 34 functions as a ring buffer in the present embodiment, and has a fixed capacity of R.
F reception signal is stored. Incidentally, the receiving circuit 18 is provided with an A / D converter, and the RF reception signal is digital data.

The output section 36 is a circuit for transferring the RF reception signal (echo data) stored in the memory 34 to the computer 12 according to a predetermined operation. By the way, Figure 1
It is also possible to perform such data transfer in real time as shown in FIG. 2, in which case the RF signal output from the receiving circuit 18 is transferred from the output unit 36 to the computer 12 without passing through the memory 34. You.

The detection circuit 22 shown in FIG. 1 is a demodulation unit that demodulates an RF reception signal and converts it into a reception signal in a baseband region. This detection circuit 22 has a normal B
In addition to the image detector, a quadrature detector and the like are also included.

The signal processing module 24 is a means for performing various signal processings on the received signal after detection in multiple stages, and is constituted by a large number of signal processors. Of course, the processing for the received signal is performed before detection and also inside or after a digital scan converter (DSC) 26, which will be described later.
4 is represented by one block. As the signal processing unit, for example, a gain unit, a contrast adjustment unit, an STC adjustment unit, an AGC unit,
elief (edge enhancement) processing unit, line correlation unit, frame correlation unit, gamma correction unit,
Various types such as a color pallet processing unit, a luminance adjustment unit, and an image conversion unit can be given. In addition, each circuit such as a band-pass filter (BPF), a log compressor, and a low-pass filter (LPF) can be used.

The received signal (echo data) that has undergone the above signal processing is input to the DSC 26. DSC2
Reference numeral 6 has a coordinate conversion function, an interpolation function, and the like, and an ultrasonic image is stored in a frame memory provided therein. Then, the ultrasonic image is displayed on the display unit 28. The controller 30 includes a CPU, a predetermined program, and the like, and controls the operation of each component in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the operating conditions set using the input unit 32. In particular, in the present embodiment, as described above, the user can change the PRF in the M mode.

On the other hand, in the computer 12, the signal input section 40 functions as an interface for inputting an RF reception signal output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 side. The RF reception signal is output to the data processing unit 42. The data processing unit 42 includes various signal processing programs, signal analysis programs, image processing programs, and a CPU that executes those programs.

The display processing section 48 performs a predetermined display processing based on the processing result of the data processing section 42, and an image after the display processing is displayed on the display section 50. The input unit 44 is configured by a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The data storage unit 46 functions as an image data storage medium such as a hard disk.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing specific functions of the data processing section 42 conceptually shown in FIG. The gain adjustment unit 52 is configured to control a gain (gain) of the signal.
This is a module for adjusting. Contrast adjuster 5
Reference numeral 4 denotes a module for performing contrast adjustment on an image. The STC adjustment unit 56 is a module that adjusts a gain for each section divided in the depth direction. The line correlation unit 58 is a module that performs a correlation process between a plurality of adjacent lines in the scanning plane. Although not shown, other modules such as a frame correlation unit are also included. The detection unit 60 is a module that executes software detection of the RF reception signal. B
The PF unit 62 is a module that performs band-pass filtering on a signal. The LOG compression unit
This is a module that executes a compression process on a signal. L
The PF unit 66 is a module that performs low-pass filtering.

Each block surrounded by SC in FIG. 2 is a module having the same function as the DSC 26 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. That is, the B image forming unit 6
8, an M image forming unit 70 and a profile forming unit 72 are included. Here, the profile forming section 72 is a module that forms a waveform or the like on a predetermined line. The zoom processing unit 74 is a module that executes enlargement or reduction processing on a specific area, and the loop reproduction unit 76 is a module that continuously reproduces a plurality of frames accumulated for a certain period.

The image analysis module 78 is a module for executing various types of analysis as described below, and is a module for analyzing echo data in a specific region of interest. The image analysis module 78 may include a module for performing, for example, chaos analysis.

As described above, the data processing section 42 has the functions mounted on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 as they are, and these functions are realized by software processing. Of course, some of the functions included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may be removed and installed in the computer 12, or the computer 12 may include other functions in addition to the functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. It can also be done.

Next, the processing result of the data processing section 42 will be described. 3 to 8 show display examples of images displayed on the display unit 50. FIG. In the display example shown in FIG. 3, an RF-B image corresponding to a scanning surface formed by an RF reception signal and a normal B image are displayed side by side. According to such a display mode, it is possible to evaluate a tomographic image based on a signal before detection in comparison with a tomographic image after detection.

In the display example shown in FIG. 4, an ordinary B image and an RF acquired for a specific direction on the B image are displayed.
And an RF-M image based on the received signal. FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, a profile on a line in an arbitrary direction on a normal B image is displayed. This profile is, for example, a waveform representing the level of echo data on a specific line, or a histogram or frequency distribution on those lines.

FIG. 6 shows a display example in which the signal waveform at each stage in the stepwise signal processing is displayed on the array. In the figure, eight waveform images are displayed. For example, these eight waveform images include a waveform of the RF reception signal itself, a waveform after passing through a band-pass filter, a waveform after log compression, a waveform after passing through a low-pass filter,
The waveform after passing through each module of contrast, gain and STC, the waveform after passing through the AGC module and the RELIEF module, the waveform after line correlation, and the waveform after frame correlation are included. Therefore, by observing the signal waveform at each stage, the function of each module can be evaluated, and it is possible to recognize information components that have been lost along the way.

In the display example shown in FIG. 7, a normal M image and R
An RF-M image based on the F reception signal is displayed side by side.

FIG. 8 shows an RF-M based on an RF reception signal.
An example of an image is shown. In the present embodiment, a specific region of interest (ROI) can be set automatically on the RF-M image using a mouse or the like, for example. For example, a marker 1 along the movement of the heart valve
If 00 is traced and clicked at each inflection point, each click point is connected by a straight line, and after that, by performing a predetermined scan, the ROI can be designated as an area extending above and below the trace line. .

Then, it is possible to perform a predetermined analysis on the data in the ROI. For example, a chaos analysis may be performed on the data.

FIG. 9 shows the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
A configuration example of data transferred from 0 to the computer 12 is shown. The transferred data is roughly classified into operating condition information and beam information, and the operating condition information includes various kinds of information regarding the patient and information such as measurement operating conditions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The beam information includes beam header information and beam RF information as shown, and the latter is R
F reception signal (digital data). The beam header information includes, for example, a bit indicating a measurement mode, a bit indicating a line length, a frame end bit, a bit indicating the presence or absence of an ECG (electrocardiographic waveform), and the like.

In the above embodiment, when displaying a plurality of signal waveforms as shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable that the user can select one or a plurality of desired waveform images. In the display example shown in FIG. 6, the waveform of the signal is shown. Instead, a histogram, a frequency distribution, or the like may be displayed, or a two-dimensional image may be displayed.

In the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic system is constituted by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 and the computer 12, but each function mounted on the computer 12 is incorporated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. You may. In that case, hardware processing and software processing are provided in parallel, but all or part of them may be provided selectively.

In the above-described embodiment, the normal B
When an image and an RF-B image based on a signal before detection are displayed, a difference image obtained by performing a difference operation between the two images, an image obtained by adding the two images, or the like may be displayed alone or together. Good.

In the above embodiment, in the M mode, the PRF is 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 ms
ec can be selected from among them, but it may be configured so that the PRF can be continuously and variably set, and the PRF is automatically set according to various conditions. You may.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An ultrasonic image different from a normal ultrasonic image formed through various kinds of signal processing can be formed. Further, it is possible to form an image in which information included in the RF reception signal before detection is reflected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a data processing unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example when displaying a B image and an RF-B image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example when displaying a B image and an RF-M image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example when displaying a B image and a profile of a specific line on the B image.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example when displaying each signal waveform in stepwise signal processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example when displaying an M image and an RF-M image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a manual trace of a specific portion on an RF-M image and automatic setting of an ROI based on the manual trace.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data transferred from an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to a computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, 12 computer, 14 probe, 16 transmission circuit, 18 reception circuit, 20 scanning control unit, 22 detection circuit, 24 signal processing module, 2
6 DSC (Digital Scan Converter), 28 display unit, 30 controller, 32 input unit, 34 memory, 36 output unit, 40 signal input unit, 42 data processing unit, 46 data storage unit, 48 display processing unit, 50
Display section.

Claims (13)

[Claims] A transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving an ultrasonic wave and outputting an RF reception signal; and a non-detection image forming means for forming an image of the RF reception signal in a non-detection state to form a non-detection image. An ultrasonic diagnostic system, comprising: 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein the non-detected image is an M-mode image or a B-mode image. 3. The system according to claim 1, comprising: a region-of-interest setting unit that sets a region of interest on the non-detection image; and an analysis unit that analyzes non-detection image data in the region of interest. Ultrasound diagnostic system featuring. 4. A transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and outputting an RF reception signal, and a non-detection image forming means for forming an image of the RF reception signal in a non-detection state to form a non-detection image. A detection unit that detects the RF reception signal and outputs a detection signal; a detection image forming unit that converts the detection signal into an image to form a detection image; and a display unit that simultaneously displays the non-detection image and the detection image. An ultrasonic diagnostic system, comprising: 5. A transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to output an RF reception signal, a signal processing unit for performing a plurality of signal processes on the RF reception signal in a stepwise manner, Selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of signals from a signal group composed of signals and output signals of the plurality of signal processings; and display means for displaying the selected one or a plurality of signals. An ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising: 6. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of signal processes include at least a detection process, a filtering process, and a correlation process. 7. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 5, wherein said selecting means is means for selecting an arbitrary number of signals according to a user's designation. 8. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays one or a plurality of signal profiles. 9. A transmitting and receiving means for repeatedly transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in a specific direction, an image forming means for arranging ultrasonic beam data in the specific direction on a time axis to form an M-mode image, Means for variably setting the repetition period of the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves when forming an M-mode image, an ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising: 10. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 9, wherein the M-mode image is a non-detection image constituted by an RF reception signal as the ultrasonic beam data. 11. An ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an analyzer connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and outputs an RF reception signal. A transmitting / receiving means for transmitting and receiving, and an output means for outputting the RF reception signal to the outside, wherein the image analysis device comprises a non-detection image forming means for forming a non-detection image based on the RF reception signal from the output means. Display means for displaying the non-detection image; region-of-interest setting means for setting a region of interest on the non-detection image; and analysis means for analyzing non-detection image data in the region of interest. Ultrasound diagnostic system featuring. 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the non-detection image is an M-mode image, and the region of interest setting unit sets a region of interest based on a trace line representing a time displacement of a specific part. Ultrasound diagnostic system. 13. A medium storing a program executed on a computer for analyzing an RF reception signal output from an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the program forms a non-detection image representing the RF reception signal. A program storage medium, comprising: a function; a function of setting a region of interest on the non-detection image; and a function of analyzing an RF reception signal in the region of interest.