JP2003102727A - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and image reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment allowing grasp of an MI value in acquisition time of an image collected and stored by a contrast echo when reproducing the image. SOLUTION: In this ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, a scan sequence is decided on the basis of prescribed input information, and the inside of a test subject is scanned by an ultrasonic wave according to a prescribed mechanical index on the basis of the scan sequence to generate ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames of the test subject. The mechanical index concerning the ultrasonic scan executed in the ultrasonic image collection of each the obtained frame is stored correspondingly to the number of each the frame. When reproducing the ultrasonic image, the mechanical index corresponding to the frame number is simultaneously displayed together with the image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an MI value (Mechanical Index) used as an index in ultrasonic diagnosis.
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an image reproducing apparatus that display indexes such as x value: mechanical index.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus uses ultrasonic waves to display a tomographic image of a living tissue or the like, movement, blood flow information and the like in real time as an image. Other diagnostic devices (eg X
Compared with X-ray diagnostic equipment, X-ray CT equipment, MRI and nuclear medicine diagnostic equipment, etc., non-invasive inspection is possible, the equipment is small and inexpensive, there is no exposure to X-rays, etc., and safety is high. It has features. Therefore, it is widely used in the circulatory system (heart), abdomen (liver, kidneys, etc.), mammary gland, thyroid gland, urology, and obstetrics and gynecology.

In this ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus, there are various imaging methods. One of the representative ones is an imaging method called a contrast echo method. This contrast echo method is intended to enhance ultrasonic scattering echoes by administering an ultrasonic contrast agent composed of microbubbles or the like into the blood vessel of a subject. The method of enhancing the ultrasonic scattering echo can be roughly divided into two, and a method of utilizing the enhancement effect of reflection by microbubbles,
There is a method of using harmonics generated by the non-linear behavior of microbubbles.

In the specimen inspection based on the contrast echo method, MI value (Mechanical Index) is used.
The scanning parameter, called the value: mechanical index, plays an important role. This MI value is a common index relating to the intensity of the transmitted sound pressure of ultrasonic waves, and is generally displayed in real time on the display unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as information indicating the intensity of ultrasonic waves currently being transmitted during ultrasonic scanning. To be done. The operator
From the displayed MI value, the sound pressure of the transmitted ultrasonic waves at the time of image acquisition can be easily known, and a safe diagnosis work can be performed. In addition, FDA (Food and
According to the regulations of Drug Administration (US Food and Drug Administration), MI value display at the time of diagnosis is obligatory.

By the way, the recent spread of contrast echo inspection is remarkable, and therefore M, which is an index of ultrasonic intensity, is used.
Notifying the user of the I value is important from the viewpoint of ensuring safety. In addition, the MI value may be utilized as useful clinical information in some cases. That is, the contrast echo obtains reflection from minute bubbles injected into a blood vessel, and the behavior of the bubbles depends on the intensity of ultrasonic waves to be transmitted. For example, when trying to obtain higher harmonics by collapsing bubbles, stronger ultrasonic transmission is required than when not collapsing. Therefore, the user is required to perform MI regarding ultrasonic scanning of the obtained ultrasonic image.
The value can be used as a measure of the effect of ultrasonic waves on bubbles. In addition, in contrast agents approved in Japan,
A high effect is often obtained by the method of collapsing air bubbles.

However, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the MI value is erased from the display section when the ultrasonic image is frozen. Therefore, when the frozen image is stored and separately reproduced for observation, the MI value is not displayed on the reproduced image, and the MI value cannot be grasped. Further, at the time of diagnosis, the transmitted sound pressure is often changed, and it is very difficult to memorize the changed contents by the user's artificial ability each time.

[0007]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when reproducing an image collected and stored in a contrast echo, it is possible to grasp the MI value when the image is acquired. An object is to provide a sound wave diagnostic apparatus.

[0008]

The present invention takes the following means in order to achieve the above object.

A first aspect of the present invention is to provide a scan sequence determining section for determining a scan sequence based on predetermined input information, and based on the scan sequence.
An image generating unit that scans the inside of the subject with ultrasonic waves according to a predetermined index to generate ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames of the subject, a storage unit that stores the ultrasonic images of the plurality of frames, and a scan of one frame An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an index managing unit that acquires the index from the image generating unit for each frame and stores the index in association with the number of each frame.

A second aspect of the present invention is image generation means for scanning the inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves according to a predetermined index to generate an ultrasonic image of the subject, and display means for displaying the ultrasonic image. An input unit for inputting an instruction to store the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit; a storage unit for storing the displayed ultrasonic image in response to the input of the instruction; and an input unit for receiving the instruction input. And an index management unit that inputs an index relating to ultrasonic scanning for generating the displayed ultrasonic image from the image generation unit and stores the index in association with the frame number of the displayed ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized by:

A third aspect of the present invention is to generate a plurality of ultrasonic images obtained by scanning the inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves according to a predetermined index, and to generate each of the plurality of ultrasonic images. Storage means for storing each index relating to ultrasonic scanning in association with each frame number of the plurality of ultrasonic images, an ultrasonic image having a predetermined frame number, and an index associated with the predetermined frame number Is read from the storage means and is reproduced at the same time.

With such a configuration, when reproducing an image collected and stored in the contrast echo, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which can grasp the MI value when the image is acquired.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, constituent elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

First, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
The block configuration of 0 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes an ultrasonic probe 11, a transmission / reception circuit 13, an image memory 15, a sequence circuit 17, a DSC circuit 19, an image display circuit 21, and a CR.
It includes a T23, a memory 25, a device driver 27, a system memory 29, an external storage device 31, and an operation panel 33.

The ultrasonic probe 11 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body and is composed of an array transducer arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. The ultrasonic probe 11 transmits an ultrasonic pulse with a predetermined sound pressure and frequency in the living body according to a predetermined sequence. The ultrasonic pulse transmitted from the probe 11 to the inside of the living body is reflected by the inside of the living body and is again received by the probe 11 as an ultrasonic echo signal.

Although not shown, the transmission / reception circuit 13 has a transmission system including a trigger generator, a delay circuit and a pulser circuit, and generates pulsed ultrasonic waves and sends them to the vibration element of the ultrasonic probe 11. Controls the transmission of focused ultrasonic pulses. The echo signal transmitted into the subject under the control of the transmission / reception circuit 13 and scattered by the tissue is received again by the ultrasonic probe 11.

Further, the transmission / reception circuit 13 has a reception system including a preamplifier, an A / D converter, a reception delay circuit, and an adder, which are not shown. The echo signal output from the ultrasonic probe 11 for each element is amplified by the preamplifier for each channel, and given a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity by the reception delay circuit after A / D conversion, It is added by the adder. By this addition, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity is emphasized.

The image memory 15 is a memory for storing image data. The image memory unit 22 divides a tomographic plane consisting of information for each scanning line into pixels, assigns each pixel (pixel) to a memory address, and stores the reflection intensity information of the tomographic plane. Image memory 1
5 may be configured to store an image memory management table, which will be described later, and the MI value at the time of acquiring an ultrasonic image is written in the image memory management table under the control of the device driver 27, for example. This MI value is associated with, for example, RF data, envelope detection data, quadrature detection data (IQ data), etc. for each frame.

The sequence circuit 17 centrally controls signal processing executed in each component according to a predetermined sequence created by, for example, an MI value management system.

The DSC circuit 19 scan-converts the generated image signal from the scanning line signal sequence of the ultrasonic scan into the data of the orthogonal coordinate system based on the spatial information, and outputs it to the image display circuit 21. The DSC circuit 19 has a large number of digital memories for writing the collected image information. The image information written in the memory is sequentially read and displayed on the CRT 23 via the image display circuit 21. Further, when the operator inputs a freeze instruction from the operation panel 33, the DSC circuit 19 does not write new image information in the memory but repeatedly outputs the same image to the image display circuit 21. As a result, a still image is displayed on the CRT 23.

The image display circuit 21 synthesizes the ultrasonic image input from the DSC circuit 19 with predetermined additional information (patient information, body mark, character information of various setting parameters, scale, etc.) and displays it on a television or the like. It is converted into a scan line signal of a typical general video format and displayed on a CRT. Further, the image display circuit 21 synthesizes the ultrasonic image and the MI value (Mechanical Index) corresponding to the image under the control of an MI value management system, which will be described later, and displays the combined image on the CRT. The MI value is an index of biological action due to ultrasonic cavitation. If the negative sound pressure generated by ultrasonic waves is P (MPa) and the frequency is f (MHz), the MI value is the square root of f. It is represented by the ratio of P. FDA (Food and Dr
From the viewpoint of safety, the ug Administration (US Food and Drug Administration) requires the MI value to be displayed at the time of ultrasonic image acquisition.

The CRT 23 is an output device for displaying the ultrasonic image acquired by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10.

In the main memory 25, an MI value management system described later is developed based on the program stored in the external storage device 31. This MI value management system will be described later in detail.

The device driver 27 is a device for managing and controlling each device of the MI value management system.

The system memory 29 is a storage means for storing an image memory management table. The image memory management table is a table for associating the frame number of the ultrasonic image stored in the image memory with the MI value of the stored ultrasonic image.

The external storage device 31 is a storage medium such as HD or FD in which a program for executing the MI value management system described later is stored. This external storage device 31
Is also used to store images in the image memory circuit 26. The data in the external storage device 31 can also be transferred to the external peripheral device via the network communication circuit 34.

The operation panel 33 is connected to the main body of the apparatus,
Various instructions, commands, and information from the operator are sent to the device body 12
It has an input device (mouse, trackball, mode changeover switch, keyboard, etc.) for setting a region of interest (ROI) and so on.

The network communication circuit 34 is a circuit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic image data, an image memory management table described later, and the like to and from other devices via a network.

(MI value management system) Next, the storage device 3
The MI value management system developed on the main memory 25 according to the program in 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MI value management system includes an input management unit 250, a device state control unit 251, an internal clock 252, a hardware control unit 253, a patient information management unit 254, a clinical application measurement unit 255, and a display. It is composed of a control unit 256 and an image memory MI value management unit 257.

The input management section 250 manages input instructions from the operation panel 33.

The apparatus state control section 251 is a control section for controlling the operating state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The internal clock 252 is used as a reference for time management of this MI value management system.

The hardware control section 253 creates a scan sequence including MI value management based on the input information from the input management section 250. In addition, the hardware control unit 253, according to the created scan sequence,
Control of various hardware of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including acquisition of MI value from the transmission / reception circuit 13 and the like.

The image memory MI value management unit 257 in the hardware control unit 253 writes the MI value to the image memory management table at the time of acquiring the ultrasonic image and the MI value from the table at the time of reproducing the ultrasonic image. Read out. This MI value is, for example, RF data, envelope detection data, quadrature detection data (IQ) for each frame.
Data) and the like.

The patient information management unit 254 stores and manages information about a patient stored in advance, for example, a scan sequence for each patient, a past image, and the like.

The clinical application measuring unit 255 uses the ultrasonic image to make various clinical measurements (eg, TIC, MT).
T etc.).

The display control unit 256, when reproducing and displaying the once stored ultrasonic image, controls the MI value management system to display the MI value to be displayed simultaneously with the ultrasonic image.

(MI Value Management) Next, the MI value management process by the MI value management system will be described with reference to FIGS. The MI value management process described below is an example of managing MI values for all ultrasonic images acquired according to a predetermined sequence in order to reproduce a moving image after diagnosis. The series of processes can be roughly divided into three processes: a process before an ultrasonic scan, a process during an ultrasonic scan, and a process when an ultrasonic image is reproduced after the ultrasonic scan.

FIG. 2 is a preparation flow of the MI value management process executed before starting the ultrasonic scan. In FIG. 2, first, a scan start request is input from the operation panel 33 (step S1). Generally, the contrast echo method has various forms such as a pulse inversion method and a flash echo method, and a unique scanning sequence is executed in each of them. Further, the scanning conditions (transmitted sound pressure, transmitted frequency, etc.) also differ depending on the patient, the region to be imaged, etc. These contents are input together with the scan start request by the operator from the operation panel 33 as the operation in step S1. The input management unit 250 may select and set the scan conditions and the like stored in the patient information management unit 254 in advance for each patient based on the input of the patient ID and the like.

Subsequently, a scan sequence to be executed is created (step S2). That is, the image memory MI value management unit 257, based on the input in step S1, responds to the acquisition of the ultrasonic image of one frame, from the sequence circuit 17 to the MI value management system, for each frame of image acquisition. Create a sequence so that it will be interrupted. The created sequence is sent from the image memory MI value management unit 257 to the sequence circuit 17
Will be automatically downloaded to.

Subsequently, the image memory MI value management unit 25
7 calculates the data amount of the image to be collected based on the sequence (step S3), and creates the image memory management table according to the data amount (step S4). Here, the image memory management table is a table for associating the frame number of the acquired ultrasonic image with the MI value related to ultrasonic transmission in the image acquisition. The size of the image memory management table created in this step depends on the amount of data calculated in step S3. The created image memory management table is stored in the system memory 29 and managed by the image memory MI value management unit 157.

When the creation of the image memory management table is completed, the image memory MI value management unit 257 is in a state of permitting hardware interrupt reception (step S
5), the sequence circuit 17 starts ultrasonic scanning according to the sequence created in step S2 (step S6).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining each process in ultrasonic scanning. First, ultrasonic scanning and image acquisition are performed according to the created sequence.
The hardware control unit 253 receives an interrupt signal from the sequence circuit 17 for each image acquisition of one frame (step S7), and in response to the reception, the transmission / reception circuit 13 outputs M signals.
The I value is acquired (step S8), the frame number of the collected image is acquired from the image display circuit 21 (step S9), the time information is acquired from the internal clock 252, and each is recorded in the image memory management table (step S10). ).
As the collected image, an ultrasonic image is usually displayed on the CRT 23 in real time. Further, when image acquisition is performed a plurality of times, the processing during scanning shown in FIG. 3 is repeated each time.

According to the procedure from step S1 to step S10 described above, the collected ultrasonic image and the MI value related to the ultrasonic scanning in the image acquisition can be stored in association with each other. The stored ultrasonic image and MI value are
By the reproduction processing described below, it is possible to display the images at the same time after the collection.

FIG. 4 reproduces the acquired ultrasonic image,
It is the flowchart which showed the process at the time of displaying on CRT with I value. In FIG. 4, the operation panel 33
When the image memory reproduction request is input from, the input management unit 250 generates a signal for the image memory reproduction request (step S11).

The image memory MI value management unit 257 acquires the frame number of the image to be reproduced (step S1).
2) An inquiry is made to the image memory management table in the system memory 29 (step S13), the MI value information of the image corresponding to the request is read and transmitted to the display control unit 256 (step S14).

The display controller 256 outputs the MI value information to the image display circuit 21, reads the image data to be reproduced from the image memory 15, and outputs it to the DSC circuit 19. In the image display circuit 21, the ultrasonic image converted into the video signal in the DSC circuit and M corresponding to the image.
The I value is combined and displayed on the CRT at the same time (step S15).

When the MI value is changed (updated) at the time of diagnosis, the changed MI value is displayed along with the display of the ultrasonic image corresponding to the frame imaged with the changed MI value. To be done.

Further, the image memory management table and the ultrasonic image can be reproduced by another image reproducing apparatus or ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by a removable storage medium or network communication. The communication standard in this case is, for example, D
ICOM etc. are considered. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10,
The network communication circuit 34 can transmit / receive the image memory management table and the ultrasonic image to / from another device via the network.

The MI value management process described above manages the MI values for all ultrasonic images acquired according to a predetermined sequence. However, it is not necessary to perform MI value management for all ultrasonic images from the viewpoint of effectively using hardware resources or when moving images are not required. For example, among the ultrasonic images collected according to a predetermined sequence, only the desired ultrasonic image and the MI value relating to the ultrasonic transmission in the acquisition of the image may be stored in association with each other. This is because, for example, the input management unit 250 transmits an interrupt signal to the hardware control unit 253 based on a predetermined operation by the user, for example, a freeze operation of a display image, and in response to the signal,
The image memory MI value management unit 257 displays the ultrasonic image and M
It can be realized by associating and storing the I value.

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

First, since the MI value, which is a common index for contrast echo examination, can be easily confirmed even in a reproduced image after photographing, for example, scanning conditions for obtaining an image useful for diagnosis are searched. It can be an aid in case. In particular, since the MI value is a numerical value specified by law, the calculation method is also common, and therefore it is possible to grasp the MI value at an arbitrary timing and the ultrasonic image according to the MI value. , Can provide effective clinical information.

Secondly, since the MI value is managed by the table in which the frame number and the MI value are associated with each other, if the table is transmitted together with the ultrasonic image through a network or the like, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used for imaging is Even if different ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are used, a desired ultrasonic image and M relating to the ultrasonic scanning executed to collect the ultrasonic image are acquired.
It is possible to display the I value at the same time.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. However, within the scope of the idea of the present invention, those skilled in the art can come up with various modifications and modifications, and the modifications and modifications. It is understood that the examples also belong to the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown below, various modifications can be made without changing the gist of the invention.

Further, in the case where the entire screen is recorded by the VTR or the like, the data can be reduced and the operation can be performed with the operability close to that of the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In the above embodiment, the MI value useful in the contrast echo method is stored in association with the image, and is reproduced and displayed at the same time. However, the present technical idea is not limited to the MI value, and other indicators useful for ultrasonic diagnosis (for example, TI: Thermal Index).
The thermal index may be similarly managed.

Further, the respective embodiments may be combined as appropriate as much as possible, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the section of the effect of the invention can be solved. When at least one of the above is obtained, the configuration in which this constituent element is deleted can be extracted as the invention.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the image collected and stored in the contrast echo is reproduced, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of grasping the MI value when the image is acquired.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
It is a block diagram for explaining a configuration.

FIG. 2 is a MI value management preparation flow executed before starting an ultrasonic scan.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining each process in ultrasonic scanning.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for reproducing an acquired ultrasonic image and displaying it on a CRT 23 together with an MI value.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic device 11 ... Ultrasonic probe 12 ... Device body 13 ... Transceiver circuit 15 ... Image memory 17 ... Sequence circuit 19 ... DSC circuit 21 ... Image display circuit 22 ... Image memory section 23 ... CRT 25 ... Memory 26 ... Image memory circuit 27 ... Device driver 29 ... System memory 31 ... External storage device 33 ... Operation panel 34 ... Network communication circuit 157 ... MI value management unit 250 ... Input management unit 251 ... Device status control unit 253 ... Hardware control unit 254 ... Patient Information Management Department 255 ... Clinical application measurement section 256 ... Display control unit 257 ... MI value management unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 4C301 AA02 BB23 EE20 GB03 GB09                       HH11 HH24 HH37 HH38 HH52                       HH54 JB03 JB29 JC16 KK25                       KK28 KK30 KK31 LL03 LL04                       LL05 LL11 LL13 LL20                 4C601 BB05 BB06 BB07 EE30 GB01                       GB03 GB04 GB06 HH14 HH31                       JB01 JB19 JB21 JB22 JB23                       JB24 JB34 JB45 JB55 JC15                       JC20 JC37 KK28 KK29 KK31                       KK32 KK33 LL01 LL02 LL04                       LL05 LL09 LL11 LL40

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A scan sequence determination unit that determines a scan sequence based on predetermined input information, and a plurality of the target subjects that are scanned by ultrasonic waves in the subject with a predetermined index based on the scan sequence. An image generating unit that generates an ultrasonic image of a frame, a storage unit that stores the ultrasonic images of the plurality of frames, and the index is acquired from the image generating unit for each scanning of one frame, and corresponds to the number of each frame. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: an index management unit that is attached and stored. 2. Display means for reading out and displaying a predetermined ultrasonic image from the storage means, wherein an index corresponding to a frame number of the predetermined ultrasonic image is read out from the index managing means and used as the index. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for simultaneously displaying the predetermined ultrasonic diagnostic image. 3. Display means for displaying an ultrasonic image generated by the image generating means, wherein the index is acquired from the image generating means for each scanning of one frame, and the index is acquired simultaneously with the ultrasonic image for each frame. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying an index. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the index is changed, the display means updates the displayed index. 5. An image generating means for scanning the inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves according to a predetermined index to generate an ultrasonic image of the subject, a display means for displaying the ultrasonic image, and an image displayed on the display means. An input unit for inputting an instruction to store an ultrasonic image, a storage unit for storing an ultrasonic image displayed in response to the input of the instruction, and an input unit for storing the displayed ultrasonic image in response to the instruction input. An index management unit for inputting an index relating to ultrasonic scanning for generating a sound wave image from the image generation unit and storing the index in association with a frame number of the displayed ultrasonic image. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. 6. When reading and reproducing a predetermined ultrasonic image from the storage means, an index corresponding to the frame number of the predetermined ultrasonic image is read from the index management means, and the index and the predetermined number are read. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising reproducing means for simultaneously reproducing the ultrasonic diagnostic image and the ultrasonic diagnostic image on the display means. 7. The display means acquires the index from the image generating means for each scanning of one frame, and displays the index simultaneously with an ultrasonic image for each frame. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. 8. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display means updates the displayed index when the index is changed. 9. An image reproduction of a predetermined ultrasonic image stored in the storage means and an index stored in the index management means corresponding to a frame number of the predetermined ultrasonic image via a communication network. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising a communication unit that transmits to the device. 10. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined index is a mechanical index. 11. A plurality of ultrasonic images obtained by scanning the inside of a subject with ultrasonic waves using a predetermined index, and indices for each ultrasonic scan for generating each of the plurality of ultrasonic images. From the storage means, a storage unit that stores the plurality of ultrasound images in association with respective frame numbers, an ultrasound image of a predetermined frame number, and an index associated with the predetermined frame number An image reproducing apparatus comprising: a reproducing unit that reads out and reproduces at the same time. 12. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a communication unit that receives an ultrasonic image and the table via a communication network and stores the table in the storage unit. Playback device. 13. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the index relating to the ultrasonic scanning is a mechanical index.