JP2004089362A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately grasp the positional relation between a tomographic image and a strain elastic image to draw the same in any strain elastic image drawing means. <P>SOLUTION: A position detection means for detecting a three-dimensional position data represented by a magnetic sensor is attached to an ultrasonic probe. The three-dimensional position detection means can grasp a space position by the magnetic sensor on the basis of a base point fixed at a certain position. By the use of the detection means, the position data of a search unit when the tomographic image is obtained and that of the search unit when the strain elastic image is obtained are compared to grasp the relative shift of the diagnostic images obtained by the moving distances of the search unit moved when the mutual images are obtained. The pressure quantity to a specimen tissue can be kept constant regardless of an apparatus handler by the use of the three-dimensional position detection means and an examination enviroment not depending on the apparatus handler can be arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that obtains and displays an ultrasonic image of a diagnostic site in a subject using ultrasonic waves, and is capable of imaging the hardness of a biological tissue as a quantitative strain elasticity image. Related to the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of rendering a tomographic image or a strain elasticity image in a superimposed manner on the same screen, if the probe moves during acquisition of image information, strain information of the target tissue cannot be obtained accurately. It is also known that tissue elasticity, that is, the distribution of tissue hardness changes depending on the degree of tissue compression. The degree to which the object is distorted depends only on the feeling of the device operator, and different device operators are likely to cause different diagnostic results.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, in order to detect various lesions such as cancer at an early stage, morphological information of a tissue such as a tomographic image is displayed, and it depends on the azimuth resolution of a diagnostic device or a color mode for displaying blood flow information and the like. The one that was used is used. However, many cancers take advantage of the fact that they become harder than normal tissues.Tissue elasticity imaging that uses the difference in elasticity, which is a mechanical physical quantity, that is, the difference in hardness, to image changes in tissue composition. Attempts have been made to use the method (distortion elasticity image) .In fact, palpation performed in breast cancer diagnosis and the like may be said to be palpating the lesion due to differences in the hardness of the braid. In addition, even if various diseased bodies exist due to the progress of the disease and morphological changes of the tissue occur, information obtained from the tissue elasticity image can provide more diversified information than conventional tomographic images. It is considered that more appropriate diagnosis can be made.
[0004]
However, in general, when the strain elasticity image is displayed on the monitor, it is difficult to grasp the absolute position of the target position. In order to solve this problem, the applicant has proposed, as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-60853, an invention in which a strain elasticity image and a tomographic image are superimposed and displayed on the same screen. The invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-60853 relates to a low-frequency vibration method using a vibrator as a means for obtaining a distortion elasticity image. Further, the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-60853 does not make any reference to the case where the probe moves during measurement.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of accurately grasping and rendering the positional relationship between a tomographic image and a strain elasticity image in any strain elasticity image rendering means in view of the above points. It is.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 1 is configured to process an ultrasonic probe in contact with a subject tissue and a signal detected by the ultrasonic probe, tomographic image and distortion elastic image. Signal processing means for generating the ultrasonic probe, position detecting means for detecting three-dimensional position information of the ultrasonic probe, and the tomography based on the position information of the ultrasonic probe detected by the position detecting means. Display means for displaying the image and the strain elasticity image simultaneously and superimposed on the same plane. By superimposing an ultrasonic tomographic image that can clearly grasp the form and positional relationship of the observation site and a strain elasticity image that is difficult to confirm with the tomographic image, the observation target position obtained by strain elasticity is superimposed. It can be clearly grasped. In any measurement state, in order to superimpose the tomographic image and the strain elasticity image on each other, the position of the probe when obtaining the tomographic image and the displacement of the probe when obtaining the strain elasticity image are relatively determined. It is necessary to superimpose both images with high accuracy by moving the spatial coordinates. Therefore, position detecting means for detecting three-dimensional position information represented by a magnetic sensor is attached to the ultrasonic probe. The three-dimensional position detecting means enables a magnetic sensor to determine a spatial position based on a base point fixed to a certain point. By using this, the position information of the probe at the time of obtaining a tomographic image and the position information of the probe at the time of obtaining a strain elasticity image are respectively compared, and the probe moved when obtaining the images of each other It is possible to grasp the relative shift of the diagnostic image obtained from the moving distance of the child. In addition, by using the three-dimensional position detection means, it is possible to maintain a constant amount of pressure applied to the tissue of the subject regardless of the operator of the device, and to prepare an inspection environment independent of the operator of the device. It becomes.
[0007]
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the display unit according to the first aspect, wherein the display unit is configured to display a moving distance or a spatial coordinate of the ultrasonic probe when acquiring the tomographic image distortion elasticity image. The three-dimensional position information is displayed in real time. The strain distribution, the result of which varies depending on the degree of pressure when the ultrasonic probe presses the subject tissue, only provides information relative to the surrounding tissue of the object to be measured. By displaying the position information of the probe, the moving distance of the ultrasonic probe can be notified to the operator of the device, and it is possible to perform rendering that enables some quantitative evaluation.
[0008]
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the display means includes a moving distance of the ultrasonic probe and a contact between the ultrasonic probe and the subject tissue. The pressure distribution in the subject tissue is estimated based on the area, and the pressure distribution is graphed and displayed. By displaying the pressure distribution as a graph, it is possible to easily understand how much pressure is being applied to the measurement site.
[0009]
In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the display means sets the degree of pressurization / decompression to the subject tissue by the ultrasonic probe to a plurality of levels. They are classified and displayed. By classifying and displaying the degree of pressurization / decompression into a plurality of levels, it is possible to easily grasp how much pressure is applied to the subject.
[0010]
In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the display means includes a moving distance of the ultrasonic probe and a distance between the ultrasonic probe and the subject tissue. The pressure intensity calculated based on the contact area or the pressure intensity calculated based on the moving distance of the ultrasonic probe is displayed as character information. By displaying the pressure intensity as character information, it is possible to easily understand how much pressure is applied to the measurement site simply by looking at the character.
[0011]
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 6 is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ultrasonic probe is attached to the subject tissue when the strain elasticity image is drawn. The apparatus is provided with mechanical scanning means such as a motor that presses or decompresses by pressing. A more quantitative measurement result can be obtained by using a mechanical scanning device such as a motor as a moving means of the ultrasonic probe.
[0012]
According to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention described in claim 7, in claim 6, the mechanical scanning means includes an automatic stop mechanism that controls the ultrasonic probe so that the ultrasonic probe does not exceed a preset threshold. It is provided. By the automatic stop mechanism, it is possible to avoid performing an unnecessary pressurizing operation due to a malfunction of a mechanical scanning unit such as a motor.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, which is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a probe equipped with a three-dimensional position detection sensor, and which is capable of generating an ultrasonic tomographic image. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be acquired.
[0014]
This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 1, an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving circuit 2, a phasing processing circuit 3, a signal processing circuit 4, an image processing circuit 5, a monitor 6, and a three-dimensional position detecting means. Are provided. The ultrasonic signal is generated by a transmission signal generation circuit (not shown) in the ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 2, and the ultrasonic probe 1 formed by arranging a large number of transducers in a strip shape is sufficiently used. It is amplified to a voltage level that can be driven. Each transducer generally has a function of converting an input pulse wave or a continuous wave transmission signal into an ultrasonic wave and emitting the ultrasonic wave, and a reception signal of an electric signal after receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected from the inside of the subject. It is formed to have a function of converting to and outputting.
[0015]
The reflected signal from the subject that has come into contact with the ultrasonic probe 1 is amplified by a reception amplifier (not shown) in the ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 2, and the number of reception signals corresponding to the number of transducers is obtained. Are input to the phasing processing circuit 3 as independent received signals. The phasing processing circuit 3 captures the input received signal, and eliminates a time lag between reflected waves emitted from one focal point in the subject and reaching a plurality of vibrators arranged in a strip shape. By delaying the phase of the received signal output from the vibrator, the phases of the received signals are matched. A plurality of reception signals having the same phase are added to form a reception beam signal, and acoustic characteristic information from one focal point is obtained. The received signal output from the phasing processing circuit 3 is input to the signal processing circuit 4, subjected to signal processing such as filtering, compression, detection, and enhancement, and output to the image processing circuit 5. The image processing circuit 5 has a function of a digital scan converter (DSC), and converts a received signal into image data (ultrasonic tomographic image) and draws it on the monitor 6.
[0016]
The three-dimensional position detecting means detects a three-dimensional position of the ultrasonic probe 1 in order to perform alignment with a distortion image when acquiring a tomographic image. The three-dimensional position detecting means includes a three-dimensional magnetic field position detecting sensor 7 (hereinafter, referred to as a magnetic field sensor 7), a magnetic field generating means (hereinafter, referred to as a magnetic field source) 8, a position / direction analyzing unit 9, and a coordinate converting unit 10. And a measurement site calculation unit 11. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a three-dimensional magnetic field position detection sensor 7 is used as three-dimensional position detection means. When performing a diagnosis using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the magnetic field source 8 is installed at a position relatively fixed to a living body to be measured, and stably emits a high-frequency magnetic field. Is what you do. A magnetic field sensor 7 serving as a magnetic field detecting means is provided in the ultrasonic probe 1 and detects a high-frequency magnetic field emitted from a magnetic field source 8. The position / direction analysis unit 9 analyzes the magnetic detection signal detected by the magnetic field sensor 7 in a state where the high-frequency magnetic field is radiated by the excitation of the magnetic field source 8, so that the magnetic field sensor 7 based on the magnetic field source 8 is used. That is, the position and the direction of the ultrasonic probe 1 are obtained. The coordinate conversion unit 10 projects the ultrasonic probe 1 onto an arbitrary coordinate system under measurement based on the position and the direction obtained by the position / direction analysis unit 9. The measurement site calculation unit 11 converts the information into relative position information based on the magnetic field source 8 and transfers the information to the image processing circuit 5. Thus, an ultrasonic tomographic image having position information is acquired from the image processing circuit 5.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, which is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a probe equipped with a three-dimensional position detection sensor and acquiring a strain elasticity image. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a block configuration diagram of a possible ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
[0018]
This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 1, an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving circuit 2, an orthogonal detector 12, a complex two-dimensional correlation calculator 13, a displacement calculator 14, a distortion calculator 15, a monitor 6 and three-dimensional position detecting means.
[0019]
The ultrasonic probe 1 and the ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 2 are the same as those in FIG. The quadrature detector 12 converts the RF signals before and after the tissue compression into complex envelope signals (IQ signals) before and after the tissue compression, respectively, and outputs the complex envelope signals to the complex two-dimensional correlation calculator 13. The complex two-dimensional correlation calculation unit 13 calculates a two-dimensional correlation between the RF signals before and after the tissue compression, and outputs the position where the correlation becomes maximum and the phase of the correlation function at that time to the displacement calculation unit 14. However, it is assumed that the correlation is calculated only at the half-wavelength interval of the ultrasonic center frequency, which is the maximum interval at which the phase can be detected without causing aliasing in the axial direction. This is to give priority to real-time display of the ultrasonic diagnostic system. Therefore, in order to calculate a highly accurate correlation, it is not necessary to limit to this half wavelength interval. Displacement calculating unit 14, the horizontal direction to calculate the lateral displacement u _x based on the correlation maximum position, the axial direction based on the axial direction of the correlation maximum position and phase of the time from the complex two-dimensional correlation calculation unit 13 the displacement u _y calculated, and outputs it to the distortion calculation section 15. The distortion calculator 15 calculates a lateral strain distribution signal ε _x by spatially differentiating the distribution of the lateral displacement u _x from the displacement calculator 14, and spatially differentiates the distribution of the lateral displacement u _y. By doing so, an axial strain distribution signal ε _y is calculated, and those strain distribution signals are output to the image processing circuit 5. The image processing circuit 5 quantizes the horizontal strain distribution signal ε _x and the axial strain distribution signal ε _y for gray scale display (or color display), and outputs them to the monitor 6. The monitor 6 displays each quantized distortion distribution.
[0020]
This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus uses the three-dimensional position detecting means used in FIG. 1 to perform positioning by superimposition with an ultrasonic tomographic image acquired by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in FIG. That is, a magnetic field source 8 for emitting a high-frequency magnetic field is installed, a magnetic field sensor 7 is provided on the ultrasonic probe 1, and a position / direction for obtaining the position / direction of the ultrasonic probe 1 with reference to the magnetic field source 8. An analysis unit 9 is provided. The coordinate conversion unit 10 and the measurement site calculation unit 11 project the image onto an arbitrary coordinate system under measurement, and transfer relative position information from the magnetic field source 8 to the image processing circuit 5. It has become. Thus, an ultrasonic distortion elasticity image having position information is obtained.
[0021]
Although the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 separately obtains an ultrasonic tomographic image and a strain elasticity image, by combining both ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, the ultrasonic tomographic image and the distortion elasticity image are obtained. Both images can be acquired. Therefore, how these two images are processed and superimposed will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a case where an image obtained by superimposing an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1 and a strain elasticity image obtained by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 2 is obtained. 3 shows details of a portion related to the image processing circuit 5 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, the illustration other than the image processing circuit 5 is omitted.
[0022]
The ultrasonic tomographic image probe position memory 16 stores received signals having position information acquired by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1. And a distortion distribution signal having position information acquired by the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
[0023]
Location information of the reception signal stored in the ultrasonic tomographic image probe position memory 16 is, for _{example, (X B, Y B,} Z B) is, stored in the distortion elastic image probe position memory 17 The positional information of the distortion distribution signal is, for example, (X _S , Y _S , Z _S ). These received signal and distortion distribution signal have been subjected to various signal processing as described above. The data stored in the ultrasonic tomographic image probe position memory 16 and the strain elasticity image probe position memory 17 are output to the image processing unit 18. The image processing unit 18 converts the received signal into image data (ultrasonic tomographic image), and converts the strain distribution signal into quantized image data (distortion elasticity image) for gray scale display (or color display). Is output to the positioning circuit 19 together with the position information. Alignment circuit 19, a coordinate alignment, such as _{(X S -X '= X B} = X N, Y S -Y' = Y B = Y N, Z S -Z '= Z B = Z N) And outputs it to the superimposed image data 20. The superimposed image data 20 is displayed on the monitor 6 at the same time as the image data in which both image positions are matched. Here, (X _N , Y _N , Z _N ) are new coordinates obtained by matching the positions of both the tomographic image and the strain elasticity image.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when position information of an ultrasonic probe equipped with the three-dimensional position detection sensor according to the present invention is displayed on a diagnostic image. The display screen has a main display section 6a for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image and a strain elasticity image, and a sub-display section 6b for displaying various related images. FIGS. 5 to 8 are views showing examples of the display screen of the sub-display unit 6b. FIG. 5 shows the three-dimensional moving direction and distance of the ultrasonic probe 1 obtained by the three-dimensional position detection sensor 7, the distance, and the moving distances (x [mm], y) on the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. [Mm], z [mm]) are indicated by respective numerical values and arrows together with the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system 21. The three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system 21 is displayed in real time in cooperation with the movement of the ultrasonic probe 1 on the sub-display unit 6b when a distortion elasticity image is displayed on the monitor 6, for example. The sub-display unit 6b does not need to be present as a part of the display screen of the monitor 6 as shown in FIG. 4, and may be displayed on a place that is easy for the operator of the apparatus to see, for example, on another monitor. Good. This is the same even if the means for moving the ultrasonic probe 1 is based on the technique of the operator of the apparatus or uses an xyz stage described later.
[0025]
FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displaying the pressure distribution in the subject obtained from the moving distance obtained by the three-dimensional position detection sensor, the contact area between the ultrasonic probe 1 and the measurement subject. Is shown. At this time, the measurement object may be assumed to be isotropic in terms of pressure distribution, or the pressure distribution obtained by various means may be approximated. By displaying the pressure distribution as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to easily understand how much pressure is being applied to the measurement site.
[0026]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen that displays the pressure intensity applied to the measurement subject in a graph or characters. The pressure depends on the moving distance of the ultrasonic probe 1. The magnitude of the pressure can be estimated from the distance information obtained by the three-dimensional position detection sensor and the area where the ultrasonic probe 1 contacts the subject. Therefore, the magnitude of the pressure is set in advance so as to be divided into several stages, and from the moving distance of the ultrasonic probe, it is possible to determine how much pressure is now being applied to the subject. . In the figure, “HH” has the highest pressure, “LL” has the lowest pressure, and the middle is divided into “H”, “M”, and “L”. As a display method, as shown in FIG. 7, the magnitude of the pressure is plotted on the vertical axis, the moving distance of the ultrasonic probe 1 is plotted on the horizontal axis, and the current pressing position is plotted on the horizontal axis. The triangle may be indicated by using a circle on a graph, or as shown in FIG. 8, the pressure may be displayed as the pressure 27 previously allocated from the current transfer distance. That is, in FIG. 8, an alphabet “M” indicating the pressure intensity shown in FIG. 7 is shown as the pressure magnitude 27.
[0027]
In FIG. 8, the measurement target portion indicating the magnitude of the pressure is determined by setting an ROI (Region of Interest), such as a circle 26. The size of the ROI can be arbitrarily changed.
[0028]
According to the above-described embodiment, in order to make a desired diagnosis, it is possible for the device operator to know how to apply pressure to the subject and the state of pressure propagation in the subject. In addition, it is possible to reduce a measurement error due to a difference in apparatus operators.
[0029]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that uses mechanical scanning means such as a motor when a subject is pressurized and depressurized to obtain a strain elasticity image. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a mechanism that does not apply unnecessary pressure to a subject by pressurization by a motor. The figure shows an ultrasonic probe, means for increasing / decreasing pressure without applying excessive pressure to a subject, and three-dimensional position detecting means. 12, the complex two-dimensional correlation calculator 13, the displacement calculator 14, the distortion calculator 15, and the monitor 6 are not shown.
[0030]
The xyz stage 28 uses a motor as a driving force source, and moves the ultrasonic probe 1 three-dimensionally. The xyz stage control unit 29 controls the movement of the xyz stage 28 based on a threshold set in advance by the threshold setting / judgment unit 30. The threshold setting / judgment unit 30 sequentially reads the position information (actual moving distance of the ultrasonic probe 1) sent from the position / direction analysis unit 9 of the three-dimensional position detection unit, compares it with a threshold, and The comparison result is supplied to the xyz stage control unit 29. The threshold value of the threshold value setting / judgment unit 30 is set in advance by an apparatus operator, and is a threshold value of distance information that does not allow the ultrasonic probe 1 to move any more, that is, an allowable movement range. Therefore, the movement of the ultrasonic probe 1 is controlled only within a preset allowable range, so that unnecessary pressure is not applied to the subject.
[0031]
The xyz stage control unit 29 controls the xyz stage 28 according to the algorithm shown in FIG. In step S31, the probe moving distance information or the pressure intensity information, which is considered to achieve arbitrary pressurization or depressurization, is set in the xyz stage control unit 29 in advance by the operator of the apparatus.
[0032]
In step S32, the xyz stage control unit 29 drives the xyz stage 28 to move the ultrasonic probe 1 based on the information. When the pressure intensity information is set, the probe is moved according to the pressure-probe moving distance curve converted from the elastic model of the subject. At the same time, the actual moving distance information (x ′, y ′, z ′) of the probe 1 by the motor is grasped by the three-dimensional position detecting device. On the other hand, before the movement of the probe 1 is started, the operator of the apparatus instructs the threshold setting / judgment unit 30 to set the movement limit distance information (x ″, y ″, z) in order to limit the movement distance of the probe 1. ) Is input. Therefore, the position / direction analysis unit 29 is input with information on the movement distance (x ′, y ′, z ′) of the probe 1 due to the movement of the motor at any time. The setting / judgment unit 30 receives the movement distance information (x ′, y ′, z ′) of the probe 1 from the position / direction analysis unit 29 as needed, and sets the information before the movement of the probe 1. The movement limit distance information (x ", y", z ") is input.
[0033]
In step S33, the threshold setting / judgment unit 30 performs comparison processing of the movement distance information (x ′, y ′, z ′) and the movement restriction distance information (x ″, y ″, z ″) as needed, and the movement distance ( If none of x ′, y ′, z ′) has reached the movement limit distance (x ″, y ″, z ″), the process of step S32 is executed, and the probe 1 is subsequently moved. When any one of the movement distances (x ', y', z ') reaches the movement limit distance (x ", y", z "), that is, any one of the movement distances (x', y ', z') If one of them becomes equal to the movement limit distance (x ", y", z "), the process proceeds to the next step S34. In step S34, the movement of the probe 1 by the motor, that is, the driving of the xyz stage 28 is stopped. As a result, it is possible to avoid performing the pressing operation by the probe 1 more than necessary due to the malfunction of the motor.
[0034]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, by attaching the position detection sensor to the probe with the tomographic image and the distortion image, even if the probe moves during the acquisition of the diagnostic image, it can be overlaid on the same screen. Display becomes possible, and it becomes possible to easily specify the position of a portion drawn by tissue elasticity. Further, by detecting the three-dimensional position, the moving distance of the probe can be quantitatively grasped. Further, by displaying the probe moving distance, the subject pressure distribution, the pressure intensity, and the like obtained from the distance information simultaneously with the diagnostic image in real time, it is possible to perform a strain elasticity image diagnosis with a certain degree of quantitativeness. .
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, any distortion elasticity image rendering means can accurately grasp and render the positional relationship between the tomographic image and the distortion elasticity image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, which is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a probe equipped with a three-dimensional position detection sensor, and which is capable of generating an ultrasonic tomographic image. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be acquired.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, which is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a probe equipped with a three-dimensional position detection sensor and acquiring a strain elasticity image; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a block configuration diagram of a possible ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
3 is a block diagram showing a case where an image is obtained by superimposing an ultrasonic tomographic image obtained by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1 and a strain elasticity image obtained by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 2; 3 shows details of a portion related to the image processing circuit 5 in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when position information of an ultrasonic probe equipped with the three-dimensional position detection sensor according to the present invention is displayed on a diagnostic image.
FIG. 5 shows the three-dimensional moving direction and distance of the ultrasonic probe obtained by the three-dimensional position detection sensor, the distance, and the moving distance of each of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates. It is a figure displayed with each numerical value and an arrow with a system.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen displaying a pressure distribution in a subject obtained from a moving distance obtained by a three-dimensional position detection sensor, a contact area between the ultrasonic probe and a measurement subject. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for displaying a pressure intensity applied to a measurement subject in a graph.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying characters of the pressure intensity applied to the measurement subject.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that uses a motor when a subject is pressurized and depressurized to obtain a strain elasticity image.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an algorithm of an xyz stage control unit that controls the xyz stage.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Probe 2 ... Ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 3 ... Phasing processing circuit 4 ... Signal processing circuit 5 ... Image processing circuit 6 ... Monitor 6a ... Main display part 6b ... Sub display part 7 ... Magnetic field sensor 8 ... Magnetic field source 9 ... Position / direction analysis circuit 10 ... Coordinate conversion circuit 11 ... Measurement site calculation circuit 12 ... RF signal recording circuit 13 ... Tissue displacement distribution detection circuit 14 ... Displacement / strain conversion circuit 15 ... Woven strain distribution data 16 ... Ultrasonic tomographic image search Child position memory 17 distortion elastic image probe position memory 18 image processing unit 19 alignment circuit 20 superimposed image data 28 xyz stage 29 xyz stage control unit 30 threshold setting / judgment unit

Claims (7)

An ultrasound probe that contacts the subject tissue;
Signal processing means for processing a signal detected by the ultrasonic probe to generate a tomographic image and a strain elasticity image,
Position detecting means for detecting three-dimensional position information of the ultrasonic probe,
Display means for simultaneously displaying the tomographic image and the strain elasticity image based on the position information of the ultrasonic probe detected by the position detecting means and superimposing and displaying the tomographic images in the same plane. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the three-dimensional position information on a moving distance or spatial coordinates of the ultrasonic probe when acquiring the tomographic image distortion elasticity image in real time. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit estimates a pressure distribution in the subject tissue based on a moving distance of the ultrasound probe and a contact area between the ultrasound probe and the subject tissue. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by displaying the graph in a graph. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the degree of pressurization / decompression of the subject tissue by the ultrasonic probe in a plurality of levels. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to calculate a pressure intensity calculated based on a moving distance of the ultrasonic probe and a contact area between the ultrasonic probe and the subject tissue. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein a pressure intensity calculated based on a moving distance of a child is displayed as character information. In any one of claims 1 to 5, when rendering the strain elasticity image, a mechanical scanning unit such as a motor that presses or reduces the pressure by pressing the ultrasonic probe against the subject tissue is used. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising: 7. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical scanning means includes an automatic stop mechanism for controlling the ultrasonic probe so that the ultrasonic probe does not exceed a preset threshold.

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